FAITH: Local Baha’i’s celebrate birth of Baha’u’llah
At sunset on Nov. 11, the most widespread religion in the world, the Baha’i faith, celebrated the birth of its founder, Baha’u’llah — translated as The Glory of God.
The Kamloops Baha’i community met at the Oddfellows and Rebekah Hall for a potluck dinner and a fun evening of friendship, performance, music and drama.
The event was open to everyone in Kamloops.
Born on Nov. 12, 1817 in Tehran, the capital of Persia, Baha’u’llah came from a wealthy and influential family, but lost all that worldly prosperity when He brought forth a message for all of humanity, a message that was, and remains for some, both controversial and revolutionary.
Baha’u’llah proclaimed several truths that Baha’is around the world believe:
• All humanity is one family;
• Women and men are equal;
• All prejudice — racial, religious and or economic — is destructive and must be overcome;
• Individuals should investigate the truth for themselves, without preconceptions;
• Science and religion are in harmony;
• Economic problems are linked to spiritual problems;
• The family and its unity are very important;
• There is one God;
• World peace is the most prevalent need of our time.
In a time of empire, prejudice, superstition and iron-gloved oppression, Baha’u’llah was arrested for His teachings and suffered 40 years of exile and imprisonment.
During this time, Baha’u’llah wrote letters to the major rulers of the day, including Queen Victoria.
These letters prophesied the unification of all humans and the development of a future world community.
He asked all rulers, presidents, kings and emperors to put aside their weapons, settle their disagreements and establish peace throughout the world.
Baha’u’llah’s imprisonment under the Ottoman Turks eventually took him to the prison city of Akko, in present-day Israel, where He died in 1892.
Still today, Baha’is in Iran, the land once known as Persia, are persecuted for their faith and their beliefs.
Baha’is believe God has revealed Himself to humanity through a series of divine messengers, including Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus and Mohammad.
Baha’u’llah is the messenger for this era, with a message of peace, love and harmony.
As He proclaimed, “Let your vision be world embracing . . . ”
The Baha’i calendar denotes that a day starts at sunset and there are nine holy days in the Baha’i calendar when no work is done by followers.
For more information on the Kamloops Baha’i Community, call 250-377-3916.
Go online here to read more about the Baha’i’ faith.
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