Twin Holy Days: Celebrating the Births of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh

Montreal, October 22, 2025 – Bahá’ís around the world, along with believers from across Montreal’s diverse neighborhoods, joyfully celebrated the anniversaries of the births of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh — the Founders of the Bahá’í Faith. Observed this year on October 22 and 23, these two celebrations are known as the Twin Holy Days, as the births of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh occurred within a single day of each other according to the Persian calendar of the 19th century.

The two days are inseparable in spirit, for the life and mission of the Báb were devoted to preparing humanity for the advent of another divine Messenger — Bahá’u’lláh. Born Siyyid `Alí-Muhammad in 1819, the Báb — meaning “the Gate” in Arabic — proclaimed in 1844 a call for spiritual and social renewal in Persia. His revolutionary message challenged the prevailing religious and political order, paving the way for Bahá’u’lláh’s later revelation.

A young and charismatic figure, the Báb announced the end of a religious era and the dawn of a new one. In only six brief years, His mission attracted thousands of followers and gave birth to an independent faith with its own laws and sacred writings, including the Persian Bayán. Though His ministry was short, its impact profoundly altered the course of religious history.

During these holy observances, the faithful also reflect on the life and legacy of Bahá’u’lláh, born in Tehran on November 12, 1817. Descended from the ancient Sassanian dynasty, Bahá’u’lláh displayed extraordinary wisdom and insight from a young age despite never attending school. Following His father’s death, He declined a high-ranking government position, choosing instead to dedicate His life to serving the poor and the oppressed.

In 1844, Bahá’u’lláh courageously embraced the new faith proclaimed by the Báb — though the two never met in person. His unwavering belief led to imprisonment, exile, and persecution that spanned more than four decades. In 1863, while in Baghdad, He openly declared His divine mission, identifying Himself as the Promised One foretold by the Báb.

Throughout years of exile across Persia and the Ottoman Empire, Bahá’u’lláh revealed a vast body of writings — tablets, prayers, and letters — articulating a vision of unity, justice, and peace for all humanity. He passed away in the Holy Land, leaving to the world a spiritual revelation that Bahá’ís regard as the most recent in a line of divine messengers extending from Abraham to Muhammad, including Krishna, Buddha, Moses, and Christ.

The Twin Holy Days, joyfully commemorated by Bahá’í communities around the globe, thus serve as a reminder of the enduring message of unity, peace, and brotherhood that the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh brought to humankind.