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Montreal, Quebec, 22 May 2016 — On May 22nd, Bahá’í communities in Canada and around the world celebrate a holy day commemorating the very beginning of the Bahá’í Faith, a day known to Bahá’ís as the Declaration of the Báb.
The Bahá’í Faith began with the mission of two divine messengers, the Báb (the Gate - October 20, 1819 – July 9, 1850) and Bahá’u’lláh (The Glory of God - November 12, 1817 - May 29, 1892). The Báb was the Herald who prepared the way for the coming of Bahá’u’lláh.
The Bahá’í era dates from May 22, 1844 when, in the Iranian City of Shiraz, the Báb declared Hismission. On that occasion He spoke these words to Mullá Husayn, the first person to recognize that mission: "Verily I say, I am the Báb, the Gate of God.... This night, this very hour will, in the days to come, be celebrated as one of the greatest and most significant of all festivals."
We can better understand the meaning of this Bahá’í holy day, characterized as this ‘greatest and most significant of all festivals’ if we reflect on how, since that period, the world has utterly changed. Bahá’ís believe that the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh released a creative energy that is transforming everything about human life.
The Báb wrote, “I am a letter out of that most mighty book and a dewdrop from that limitless ocean, and, when He shall appear, My true nature, My mysteries, riddles, and intimations will become evident, and the embryo of this religion shall develop through the grades of its being and ascent, attain to the station of 'the most comely of forms,' and become adorned with the robe of 'blessed be God, the Best of Creators.'”
Bahá’u’lláh wrote. “A new life is, in this age, stirring within all the peoples of the earth; and yet none hath discovered its cause or perceived its motive. This new life is apparent in such things as the explosion of human knowledge, in steps that reflect a growing consciousness of the oneness of the human family, the establishment of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, world-wide undertakings to improve agriculture and hygiene, and medical care, efforts to elevate international standards and laws, and a recognition of the need to advance the status of women and girls.’’
Beginnings are always special – a wedding, the birth of a baby, the appearance of some wonderful new invention or process. How much more special, then, is the anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb, which was the moment of birth for a new Faith community. Now a community of approximately 5 million established throughout the world, Bahá’ís work hand in hand with other communities, well-wishers, partners and collaborators to fulfill the promises of the Bab and Bahá’u’lláh that will see humanity living together in peace and prosperity.
Montréal, Quebec, 23 November 2015 (CBNS) — For six days, more than 109 thousands visitors from Montreal and other parts of Quebec came to this annual event to celebrate the richness and diversity of books, which are written or published in the French literature world.
This year, the theme of the Éditions bahá’íes [Baha'i Publishing] was “Unity in Diversity” to encourage young people to celebrate the diversity of the Human Race. During the Fair, which took place from 18 to 23 November, dozens of youths left messages stating how they could render a service to their friends and families. The large poster showing variation of the theme such as “Love”, “Service” and “Unity” decorating the back of the booth was beautifully designed by Eleheh Bos .
Many of the messages left by the youth, most of whom came with a school group, showed that they were very environmentally conscious. Several dozens also emphasized the need to respect others and demonstrate good behaviour in general.
The Salon du Livre de Montréal is an important cultural event in Quebec. It attracts many public figures such as Montreal Mayer Mr Denis Coderre as well as the city counsellors and features many well-known authors. Of the 109, 000 enthusiastic visitors who took advantage of this unparalleled atmosphere tomeet authors, follow discussions and to discover a different world of books, over 2,500 stopped at the Éditions bahá’íes booth and participated in the interactive activities, bought books, or asked questions about the Bahá’í community.
Needless to say, it was a rewarding and unforgettable experience for all volunteers who have had the privilege to interact with the young generation and have an in depth conversation with general public!
Video Link:
38e Salon du livre de Montréal, une véritable fête du livre!
R respect, rise above
O optimistic, open
Y youthful, yearning
A authentic, accepting
M moving, magnificent
O original, open hearted
V visionary, vibrant
A artistic, admirable
F fearless, faith
E engaging, expressive
G generous, grounded
H humility, harmonious
These qualities and attributes are born from experiences of joy, friendships, compassion, trials and triumphs; they are what stand out for me when thinking of Roya Movafegh.
Montreal, Quebec, Novembre 12, 2015 — The Bahá'í Communities on the island of Montreal and the world are celebrating the twin birthdays celebrations of the Herald as well as the Founder of the Faith.
"All Feasts have attained their consummation in the two Most Great Festivals, and in the two other Festivals that fall on the twin days." -- Bahá'u'lláh
The Universal House of Justice in their letter of July 10, 2014 explains the significance of these two celebrations: ‘’The Festivals of the Twin Birthdays, the Birth of the Báb and the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, have, in the East, been traditionally observed according to their correspondence to the first and second days of Muḥarram in the Islamic calendar. “These two days are accounted as one in the sight of God”, Bahá’u’lláh affirms. Yet, a letter written on behalf of the Guardian states, “In the future, no doubt all of the Holy Days will follow the Solar calendar, and provisions be made as to how the Twin Festivals will be celebrated universally.” How to satisfy the intrinsic lunar character of these blessed Days within the context of a solar calendar has hitherto been unanswered. We have decided that they will now be observed on the first and the second day following the occurrence of the eighth new moon after Naw-Rúz, as determined in advance by astronomical tables using Ṭihrán as the point of reference. This will result in the observance of the Twin Birthdays moving, year to year, within the months of Mashíyyat, ‘Ilm, and Qudrat of the Badí‘ calendar, or from mid-October to mid-November according to the Gregorian calendar. Next year, the Birth of the Báb will occur on 10 Qudrat and the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh on 11 Qudrat. With joy and eager anticipation, we look to the upcoming bicentennial anniversaries of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh and the Birth of the Báb, in 174 and 176 B.E., respectively, which the entire Bahá’í world will celebrate according to a common calendar.’’
The Báb and Bahá'u'lláh were born 196 and 198 years ago respectively, and their lives are remarkable in the field of religious history. In a tribute held by the Brazilian Parliament to the life of Baha'u'llah, a member of Brazil's parliament at the time, described Bahá'u'lláh's writings as "the most colossal religious work written by the pen of a single Man." During the six year period from the declaration of His religious mission until His execution by the Persian government in 1850, the Báb is estimated to have written religious texts totalling some half million verses, while during His religious ministry Baha'u'llah wrote texts totalling some 100 volumes. Even in their original Arabic and Persian, only a small portion of these texts have yet been published, with an even smaller fraction translated into English. These Writings embody the principles that the world needs at present time.
On the second floor of a CLSC building in the East End of Montreal resides a frail woman who is an example of service to humanity not only in the Bahá’í Community but also in the Montreal society at large. She is Violet States (née Grant). She is 92 years old.
Believe thou in God, and keep thine eyes fixed upon the exalted Kingdom; be thou enamoured of the Abha Beauty; stand thou firm in the Covenant; yearn thou to ascend into the Heaven of the Universal Light. Be thou severed from this world, and reborn through the sweet scents of holiness that blow from the realm of the All-Highest.
Montréal, Quebec, 24 November 2014 (CBNS) — For six days, more than 18,000 students from Montreal schools came to this annual event to celebrate the richness and diversity of the book, which is written or published in the language of Molière.
Read more: 37th Montreal Book Fair where a great number of youths meet every year!
At 5:00 pm on Sunday June 21, 2015, a group of representatives of different religious organizations gathered and invited their members to say prayers. Reverend Darryl Gray and Father John Walsh organized the Prayer Vigil “to honor Charleston victims and acknowledge the terrorist attack on a black church; and to bring together a 'community of conscience' to unite in prayer, peace and justice.”
Intellectually and spiritually challenging presentations on topics of current interest dedicated to the memory of the Maxwell family.
Montreal, Quebec, July 10, 2015 – The Bahá'í communities on the island of Montreal and the world commemorated the day of the martyrdom of the Báb which took place on 10 July 1850, a holy day of the Baha'i Faith.
Bahá'í Center
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