Dear Editor
This evening May 23, Baha’is in Guyana of all ethnic backgrounds, and also millions more around the world, in villages, cities and towns, would celebrate and observe a holy day commemorating the very beginning of the Baha’i Faith — a day known to Baha’is as the Declaration of The Báb.

The Bahá’í Faith began with the mission of two divine messengers, The Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. The Báb was the Herald i.e. Forerunner, who prepared the way for the coming of Bahá’u’lláh, the prophet Founder of the Baha’i Faith. Like John the Baptist of Christianity, who was the Forerunner to Christianity and Christ.

The Bahá’í era dates from May 23, 1844, when, in the Persian city of Shiraz, The Báb i.e. Ali Mohamad, declared His mission. On that occasion He spoke these words to Mulla Husayn, one of his disciples who was the first person to recognise 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.”

Following His declaration, The Báb sent Mulla Husayn, one of his disciples, to Teheran, the capital of Iran, to seek out Baha’u’llah, who instantly accepted the Bab’s message and summoned all those around him to do the same. Thus, from the earliest days of the Baha’i Faith, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh were united in spirit.

One can better understand the meaning of this Baha’i holy day, characterised as this ‘greatest and most significant of all festivals,’ if he or she reflects on how, since then, the world has utterly changed. Baha’is believe that The Báb and Bahá’u’lláh released a creative energy that is transforming everything about human life and society.

The Báb (the word Bab means ‘gate’ in Persian language) 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, prophet founder of the Baha’i Faith, wrote later in His holy writings “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.” These days since that beginning a community of approximately 10 million is established throughout the world, Baha’is work hand-in-hand with other communities, well-wishers, partners and collaborators to fulfill the promises of The Bab and Baha’u’llah that will see humanity living together in peace and prosperity.

Regards
Rooplall Dudhnath