The Shrine of the Báb, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel.

In October Baha’is celebrate the birth the Báb—one of two divine teachers who founded the Baha’i Faith. He is often referred to as the Herald of the Baha’i Faith, as it was His mission to prepare the people for the coming of Bahá’u'lláh.

Born on October 20, 1819 in Shiraz, Persia (now Iran), the child was named Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad. He later took the title the “Báb,” which means “gate” in Arabic, as a symbol of His station as forerunner, the One who opens the door to a new revelation from God.

The Báb was the son of a merchant of Shiraz. Both his parents were descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. When he was young, his father died and he was raised by his uncle. When the Báb was sent to school, the schoolmaster was astonished at his wisdom and understanding. He sent the child back to his uncle, saying he had nothing to teach this extraordinary child. The Báb’s uncle insisted that the Báb return to school and continue his studies. Over time, however, the schoolmaster began to feel that he himself was the student as he listened to the Báb’s explanations of spiritual truths.

In 1844, the Báb declared that He was a messenger from God sent to announce the imminent coming of an even greater prophet who would bring teachings for an age of universal peace. Nineteen years later, Bahá’u'lláh announced that He was that promised prophet and revealed teachings of extraordinary depth and scope, teachings that lay the groundwork for a peaceful, dynamic global civilization.

The Báb’s teachings and radiant character attracted tens of thousands of followers and the authorities became alarmed. He was executed in 1850 in the public square of Tabriz, on the order of the Persian government. His remains were later entombed on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel and His shrine is now a place of pilgrimage for followers of the Baha’i Faith.

As Baha’is remember the birth and life and teachings of the Báb, they come together in joyous celebration of the dawn of a new Day of peace.

Come and join us on this festive occasion:

*A note about the Bahá’í calendar: the Baha’i day starts at sunset, so often when there is an evening celebration, it occurs on the evening before the Holy Day.

The Shrine of the Bab in Haifa is a special place of prayer for Baha’is and others. The remains of the Bab were laid to rest there in 1909, nearly 60 years after His martyrdom in Iran.

On July 9, Baha’is around the world commemorate the date in 1850 that the Bab – one of two main figures in the founding of their Faith – was executed by a firing squad in Iran, then called Persia.

The Bab, whose name means “gate” in Arabic, had declared in 1844 that He was a messenger of God sent to prepare the way for the long-awaited promised one of all religions who would come to establish an age of universal peace. In 1863 Baha’u'llah announced publicly that He was that promised one.

The Bab attracted tens of thousands of followers, and the unease and commotion created by His message led the authorities to put him to death on a charge of heresy. He and a disciple who begged to share His martyrdom were executed by a firing squad of 750 soldiers in a public square in Tabriz.

The remains of the Bab are now entombed in Haifa, Israel, in a beautiful shrine on Mount Carmel.

The anniversary of the martyrdom of the Báb is one of nine holy days when Baha’is suspend work. It is commemorated with prayers and special programs. We hope you can join us:

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Adapted with permission from the Baha’i World News Service.

Gate on the Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab. © Bahá'í International Community

The Bahá’í Faith traces its origin to 1844 and the announcement by a young man, Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad, in Shiraz, Persia. He took the title of the Báb (meaning “Gate” in Arabic). On May 22, 1844, in Shiraz, Persia (now Iran)— the Báb announced that He was the bearer of a Divine Revelation, which would prepare humanity for the advent of the Promised One foretold by all the world’s religions.

That Promised One, the Báb declared, was destined to usher in the age of justice, unity and peace promised in Judaism, Christianity, Islam and all the other world religions. Baha’u’llah, one of the Bab’s leading advocates, announced in April 1863 that He was the Divine Messenger the Báb had promised.

In some respects, the Báb’s role can be compared to John the Baptist in the founding of Christianity. The Báb was Bahá’u’lláh’s herald: His primary mission was to prepare the way for Bahá’u’lláh’s coming. Accordingly, the founding of the Bábi Faith is viewed by Baha’is as synonymous with the founding of the Bahá’í Faith. The Báb’s announcement in the middle of the 19th century came at a time when many Christians were expecting the return of Christ based on their reading of Biblical prophecy. Simultaneously, half way around the world, in the Middle East, many followers of Islam were also expecting their Promised One to appear.

On the evening of May 22, Baha’is throughout the world commemorate the Declaration of the Bab, which took place in this room (pictured) in the Persian city of Shiraz in 1844. Bahá’ís celebrate through prayers and programs where the story of His declaration may be retold. Because the Bahá’í day lasts from sunset to sunset, celebrations are usually held after sunset on May 22 or during the day on May 23.

Come join us for this joyous celebration!

The original building is still visible at the Shrine of the Bab. The colonnade and golden dome were added later, with the work completed in 1953. (Photo copyright Baha'i World Centre)

October 20* is a special day for Baha’is, for this is the day the Báb was born—one of the two divine teachers who founded the Baha’i Faith. He is often referred to as the Herald of the Baha’i Faith, as it was His mission to prepare the people for the coming of Bahá’u'lláh.

Born on October 20, 1819 in Shiraz, Persia (now Iran), the child was named Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad. He later took the title the “Báb,” which means “gate” in Arabic, as a symbol of His station as forerunner, the One who opens the door to a new revelation from God.

The Báb was the son of a merchant of Shiraz. Both his parents were descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. When he was young, his father died and he was raised by his uncle. When the Báb was sent to school, the schoolmaster was astonished at his wisdom and understanding. He sent the child back to his uncle, saying he had nothing to teach this extraordinary child. The Báb’s uncle insisted that the Báb return to school and continue his studies. Over time, however, the schoolmaster began to feel that he himself was the student as he listened to the Báb’s explanations of spiritual truths.

In 1844, the Báb declared that He was a messenger from God sent to announce the imminent coming of an even greater prophet who would bring teachings for an age of universal peace. Nineteen years later, Bahá’u'lláh announced that He was that promised prophet and revealed teachings of extraordinary depth and scope, teachings that lay the groundwork for a peaceful, dynamic global civilization.

The Báb’s teachings and radiant character attracted tens of thousands of followers and the authorities became alarmed. He was executed in 1850 in the public square of Tabriz, on the order of the Persian government. His remains were later entombed on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel and His shrine is now a place of pilgrimage for followers of the Baha’i Faith.

As Baha’is remember the birth and life and teachings of the Báb, they come together in joyous celebration of the dawn of a new Day of peace.

Come and join us on this festive occasion.

*A note about the Bahá’í calendar: the Baha’i day starts at sunset, so often when there is an evening celebration, it occurs on the evening before the Holy Day.

• “Recognizing God’s Messengers: Why We Baha’is Commemorate the Martyrdom of the Bab” by Brent Poirier was published in the Huffington Post. Brent explains the significance of the story of Joseph as a metaphor for recognizing God’s Messengers.
• “Theology differs, message the same” by Kenneth E. Bowers, was an answer to a question posed to the “On Faith” panel of the Washington Post.

The Shrine of the Bab in Haifa is a special place of prayer for Baha’is and others. The remains of the Bab were laid to rest there in 1909, nearly 60 years after His martyrdom in Iran.

Every year on July 9, Baha’is commemorate the martyrdom of the Báb, one of the two central figures in the founding of the religion.

At noon on 9 July 1850, the Báb was put to death by firing squad in the public square of Tabriz, Iran.

Six years earlier, He had declared that He was a messenger of God whose mission was to prepare the way for the imminent arrival of the Promised One of all religions who would come to establish a new age of peace and prosperity in the world. In 1863, Bahá’u'lláh announced publicly that He was that Promised One.

The Báb attracted tens of thousands of people to His teachings, thousands of whom were killed in persecutions that swept Iran. Finally, authorities had the Báb Himself put to death in an attempt to stamp out the new religion.

A half century after His execution, His sacred remains were brought to Haifa for entombment on Mount Carmel. Today His shrine is one of the most famous landmarks in Israel, and the Baha’i Faith is established in virtually every country.

The anniversary of the martyrdom of the Báb is one of nine holy days when Baha’is suspend work. It is commemorated with prayers and special programs. We hope you can join us:

Gate on the Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab. © Bahá'í International Community

Two hours after sunset on May 22, 1844, a young man, Whose title is the Bab (“gate” in Arabic), announced that He was the bearer of a long-promised Divine Revelation destined to transform the spiritual life of the human race.

His role was that of a portal through which the universally anticipated Revelation of God would appear in the form of another Messenger. This Messenger from God would be far greater: He would usher in the age of peace and justice promised in Islam, Judaism, Christianity and all the other world religions.

The Bab referred to the Messenger as “Him Whom God shall make manifest” and said, “No words of Mine can adequately describe Him nor. . . do justice to His Cause.”

That Messenger was Baha’u'llah.

After His announcement, the Bab was arrested, beaten and imprisoned. On July 9, 1850, He was executed in the public square of the town of Tabriz. Prominent 19th century French writer A.L.M. Nicolas wrote that the Bab’s life “is one of the most magnificent examples of courage which it has been the privilege of mankind to behold.”

Around the world, Baha’is celebrate the Declaration of the Bab with joy and gratitude. We hope you can join us!

~ The Báb

Baha'is this year mark the 188th anniversary of the Birth of the Bab. The photo shows gardens at His burial site in Haifa, Israel.

HAIFA, Israel — On 20 October, Baha’is of the world celebrate the Birth of the Bab, the first of the two divine teachers central to the founding of the Baha’i Faith.

“Bab,” which means “gate” in Arabic, is the title assumed by Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad, born on 20 October 1819 in Shiraz, Iran, then called Persia.

In 1844, He proclaimed that He was a messenger of God sent to announce the imminent coming of an even greater prophet who would bring teachings for an age of universal peace. Nineteen years later, one of the Bab’s followers, who took the title Baha’u'llah, announced that He was that new prophet.

The Bab, whose teachings attracted tens of thousands of followers, was executed in 1850 in the public square in Tabriz, Iran, on the order of the government.

Much later, His remains were entombed on Mount Carmel in Haifa, and His shrine is now a place of pilgrimage for followers of the Baha’i Faith.

In 2008 the Baha’i Holy Places in Haifa and Western Galilee were inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for “outstanding universal value.” The Shrine of the Bab is currently undergoing major renovations. Learn more about the Baha’i Gardens.

The Shrine of the Bab on Mount Carmel as it appeared in 1909, the year His remains were laid to their final rest. (Photo copyright Baha'i World Centre)

HAIFA, Israel — On March 21, Baha’is around the world will mark Naw-Ruz – their new year – a date that this year coincides with the 100th anniversary of the interment of the remains of the Bab on Mount Carmel.

On Naw-Ruz in 1909, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, then the head of the Baha’i Faith, laid to rest the mortal remains of the Bab. ‘Abdu’l-Baha personally placed the precious trust in its place in a building he had had constructed on Mount Carmel in Haifa.

The original structure was later surrounded by a formal colonnade and crowned with a golden dome to make it a fitting burial site for the Bab, the first of two Messengers of God associated with the Baha’i Faith. Both lived in the 19th century, with the Bab’s mission being to announce the imminent coming of Baha’u'llah, considered by Baha’is the long-awaited promised one of all religions.

The Bab was executed in the public square in Tabriz, Persia (now Iran), in 1850, and His remains were hidden in that country for nearly 50 years until being secretly brought to the Holy Land and hidden another decade before being laid to their final rest.

The original building is still visible at the Shrine of the Bab. The colonnade and golden dome were added later, with the work completed in 1953. (Photo copyright Baha'i World Centre)

Baha’u'llah was also from Persia but was banished from His native land and eventually exiled to the Acre-Haifa area. Before His passing in 1892, Baha’u'llah gave instructions to ‘Abdu’l-Baha to have the remains of the Bab brought from Persia and interred at a specific site on Mount Carmel.

‘Abdu’l-Baha thus arranged for the purchase of the land; the building of an adequate structure for the interment; and a road to the site on what at that time was still a rough, undeveloped mountainside. The Baha’is of Rangoon, Burma, sent a sarcophagus to use for the entombment.

The circumstances of that significant event 100 years ago are described in the Baha’i history “God Passes By”:

“‘Abdu’l-Baha had the marble sarcophagus transported with great labor to the vault prepared for it, and in the evening, by the light of a single lamp, he laid within it, with his own hands – in the presence of believers from the East and from the West and in circumstances at once solemn and moving – the wooden casket containing the sacred remains of the Bab. …”

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Reprinted with permission from the Bahá’í World News Service
(see http://news.bahai.org/)