Who is the Báb?
The Báb, which means "The Gate" in Arabic, is the forerunner of the prophet-founder of the Baha'i Faith, Bahá’u’lláh. A manifestation of God in His own right, the Báb shared a new revelation and foretold the coming of the Promised One of all Ages. This year , Bahá’ís celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Birth of the Báb. Find out more about the Báb, His life and mission here.
Below is a calendar of events surrounding the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab, on October 28, 2019. It will be updated as more events are scheduled so check back regularly. All events listed here are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. For more information on any of the events listed below contact info@halifaxbahai.org.
October 28, 2019 Join us for an interactive arts creation and performance event celebrating of the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. Alderney Landing Theatre, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Arrive at 6:30 for a 7 pm start. Evening ends at 10 pm.
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October 27, 2019 at 7 pm
Arts 4 Unity are planning to bring on the stage of Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts double production of The Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. The first production will be the Báb, followed by a 20 minutes intermission and the production of Bahá’u’lláh. There will be a separate backdrop, musician, painter, actors and MC for each production. Guests are invited for refreshments at the end of the event.
Also on October 20th we will perform both productions at the Eskasoni Baha'i Center for the Cape Breton/Antigonish Cluster.
Admission to these production is free and open to all.
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October 16, 2019 at 10 am Monique's home, 6060 Fraser Drive, Halifax
Join us for prayers and help us bake cookies, as refreshments for the Bicentenary commemoration on October 28! Star-shaped and heart-shaped cookie cutters welcome!
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September 16, 2019 Poetry workshop inspired by the writings, life, and mission of the Bab. 6:30-9pm. Halifax
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September 11, 2019 A Baha'i study circle is hosting a devotional using the Bab’s writings. Call for details, (902) 425-1470. Southend Halifax, 7 pm. All welcome!
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September 6, 2019 Nava Sarracino present "Tahirih", the story of a Persian poet who gave her life for women's rights. Women's Council House, 989 Young Avenue, Halifax, 7:30-9pm.
Who were the Letters of the Living?
The "Letters of the Living" is a term that collectively refers to the first eighteen people who, spontaneously and of their own accord, recognized the Báb's station and set out to spread His Teachings.
Recently, a group of women from the region came together to create a quilt, each designing a square inspired by the story of one of these Letters of the Living. Below are pictures of each square along with the inspiration and artist, followed by a photo of the finished quilt.
To learn more about the story of the Báb and the Letters of the Living, search the Bahá'í Reference Library at https://www.bahai.org/library/ or read the text of Nabil's narrative (The Dawn-Breakers).
Celebrating the Báb through the Arts
The arts and crafts have a high station in the Bahá'í Faith. Abdu’l‑Bahá, the son of Bahá'u'lláh and True Exemplar of the Faith, said, "In the Bahá’í Cause arts, sciences and all crafts are (counted as) worship." The following are some artistic expressions by local artists celebrating the Báb. if you would like to contribute art here, please contact Anna at anna.quon@gmail.com
O Lord Provide 2.mp4"O Lord Provide" is an animated video created by Anna Quon for a song based on a prayer by the Báb. The music was created and performed by Bonnie & Noor who were recorded in 2015 for Baha’i Blog Studio Sessions. You can hear the original audio track here.
The Báb
The Báb, the Gate,
The "Primal Point"
The 'Point round Whom the realities of the
Prophets and Messengers revolve".
The early 1800s, Shaykh Ahmad arose,
Discovering mysteries of a new Manifestation promised to come .
The Báb, the Gate,
The "Morn of Truth"the "Harbinger of the Most Great Light"
Siyyid Kazim, inspired by Shaykh Ahmad
Taught his students
Prepared them for this new Manifestation.
The Báb, the Gate,
The "Great Announcement",
The Qa'im to the Shi'ahs, the Mihdi to the Sunnis
Mulla Husayn, the Bábu'l-Báb, the Gate of the Gate,
Student of Siyyid Kazim
Prayed, fasted for his quest to find Him,
The Promised One.
The Báb, the Gate,
The "Mystic Fane",
The return of John the Baptist
Expected by the Christians,
The return of Elijah
Anticipated by the Jews.
Mullá Husayn’
Inexplicably drawn to Shiraz,
City of roses, home of Hafiz and Saadi.
Home to Siyyid Ali Muhammad,
A descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.
The Báb, the Gate,
The "Essence of Essences", the "Sea of Seas",
"The One Whose advent initiated the Cycle of Fulfillment"
Mulla Husayn,
The first to believe in the Báb,
(that descendant of Muhammad)
That "Primal Point", "that Morn of Truth", "that Great Announcement".
The Báb sent His followers
Across Persia and beyond to spread His Message,
To prepare the world for yet another Messenger
for “Him Whom God shall make manifest.”
The Glory of God,
Bahá’u’lláh.
a poem by Marian Blair
Diptych in acrylic pour by Linda Foroughi with quotations from the writings of
Bahá’u’lláh
" ....the eye of creation hath never gazed upon one wronged like Thee."
"The heaven of true understanding shineth resplendent with the light of two luminaries: tolerance and righteousness."
Photo by Heather Jones
"The pewter tree was plain and I glued the hearts on tree and crystals. The two coloured crystals represent the Bab and Baha’u’llah and the hearts for the martyrs."
The Báb
An acrostic poem
by Tahir G. Pozzolo , aged 10
Báb - opens the gate of our hearts
In - Persia, He arose
Cowardly - people tried to kill him
Electricity - in a glass jar
Night - was where his wife saw him
Tonight - His light shines bright
Elected - to change the world
None - of the bullets touched him
Igloos - of the heart He melted
Announced - on the stage of the world
Light - shining brighter than ever
final video.mp4I am the Promised One
A video of a zine created by Leslie Hennen as a take home gift for guests to the Halifax community's commemoration of the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab with voiceover by Nemat Sobhani.