Bahá’í Community To Celebrate Holy Birthdays
The Bermudian Bahá’í community will mark the Twin Holy Birthdays of the Báb and Baháʼu’lláh on November 2 and November 3, with the community invited to join the celebrations.
A spokesperson said, “The Bermudian Bahá’í community, in concert with the worldwide Bahá’í community, will have two consecutive days of celebrations. Beginning at sunset on Friday evening through to sunset on Sunday, they will be observing the Twin Holy Birthdays of the Báb and Baháʼu’lláh on November 2nd and 3rd.
“These are the dates designated this year according to the Bahá’í calendar. The Bahá’í calendar, also known as the Badí‘ calendar, was introduced by the Báb, the forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’u’lláh confirmed and adopted this calendar, fixing its commencement at the year of the Báb’s declaration in 1844.
The Shrine of Baha’u'llah in Akka, Israel, taken by Bermudian attendees at International Bahá’í Convention April 2023:
“Regarding the implementation of the Badí‘ calendar, the governing institution of the Bahá’í Faith, the Universal House of Justice, stated in a letter to the Bahá’ís of the World that ‘the addition of a new calendar in each dispensation is a symbol of the power of divine revelation to reshape human perception of material, social, and spiritual reality. Through it, sacred moments are distinguished, humanity’s place in time and space reimagined, and the rhythm of life recast.’
“As we approach the celebrations of the Twin Holy Birthdays, we witness the tumultuous state of the world and recall words written by the Universal House of Justice to the global Bahá’í community in March 2007:
“’One of the signs of the breakdown of society in all parts of the world is the erosion of trust and collaboration between the individual and the institutions of governance. In many nations, the electoral process has become discredited because of endemic corruption. Contributing to the widening distrust of so vital a process are the influence on the outcome from vested interests having access to lavish funds, the restrictions on freedom of choice inherent in the party system, and the distortion in public perception of the candidates by the bias expressed in the media.
Gardens surrounding the Shrine of Baha’u'llah in Akka, Israel, taken by Bermudian attendees at International Bahá’í Convention April 2023.
“Apathy, alienation, and disillusionment are a consequence, too, as is a growing sense of despair of the unlikelihood that the most capable citizens will emerge to deal with the manifold problems of a defective social order. Evident everywhere is a yearning for institutions which will dispense justice, dispel oppression, and foster an enduring unity between the disparate elements of society.
“In preparation for the Twin Holy Birthdays of the Twin Founders of the Bahá’í Faith, we share with you that the World Order of Baháʼu’lláh is the divinely ordained system for which nations and peoples so desperately search. This order is without precedent in human history for its standard of justice and its commitment to the practical realisation of the oneness of mankind, as well as for its capacity to promote change and the advancement of world divination.
“It provides the means by which the divine will illumines the path of human progress and guides the eventual establishment of the kingdom of God on Earth.’
Entrance surrounding the Shrine of Baha’u'llah in Akka, Israel, taken by Bermudian attendees at International Bahá’í Convention April 2023:
“While Bermuda’s local Bahá’í communities will observe the birth of the Báb on November 2nd in observances in private homes, the entire Bermuda community is invited to join in the national observance of the birth of Baháʼu’lláh on Sunday, November 3rd at the Bahá’í National Centre at 11.00am.
“This year, the Holy Day coincides with our monthly First Sunday Spiritual Gathering. All are welcome to join us on November 3rd and on the first Sunday of each month at 11.00am for devotions, and as we address a range of concerns such as the advancement of women, the promotion of education, the wellbeing of children, junior youth and young people, and a multitude of social, health-related, and environmental challenges.
“Tragically, as we write, the Holy Land, Israel, is deeply embroiled in conflict. When Baháʼu’lláh’s footsteps touched the shore of ‘Akka on 31st August 1868, the climactic chapter of His ministry began. His arrival had been presaged through the tongues of the Prophets thousands of years before. The fulfilment of that prophecy, however, was not the result of His own volition but was compelled by His persecution at the hands of His avowed enemies, culminating in His exile.
“He stated in one tablet, ‘Upon our arrival, we were welcomed with banners of light, whereupon the voice of the Spirit cried out saying: ‘Soon will all that dwell on earth be enlisted under these banners.’
“The spiritual potency of that land was immeasurably enhanced. It is now the point to which every Bahá’í heart is drawn, the focal centre of their devotions, the goal of every aspiring pilgrim. The Bahá’í Holy Places welcome the people of the Holy Land, and indeed the peoples of every land. They are a precious trust held for all humanity. They beckon humanity toward our vision of world peace, unity, and prosperity.
“For more information, please visit bermudabahai.org.”
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