Local Baha'i community invites everyone to celebration

NEWS RELEASE

THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’IS OF SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO

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Baha’is celebrate twin holy days and birth of prophet-founder unity with diversity – that’s the guiding principle of the Baha’i faith whose six million members world-wide will celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Baha’u’llah, the prophet-founder of their religion, in October 2017.

All over the world, Baha’i festivities will reflect the diversity of the religion’s membership while promoting a global unity based on the oneness of humanity.

Baha’u’llah (1817-1892), whose name in Arabic means “Glory of God,” was a spiritual leader who announced his revelation in 1863 in Persia (present-day Iran).

Baha’is believe that the vision of the unity of mankind is a necessary antidote to the current wave of prejudice and materialism sweeping society.

“What’s so exciting about my faith is that it is a positive model of social change with the power to reach and bring people together,” said Louisa van Lith, local community member.

The Baha’i twin holy days refer to the birth of two prophets associated with the Baha’i faith, whose birthdays occurred back to back by the Islamic calendar.

A religious figure known to history as The Bab (1819-1853), Arabic for The Gate, preceded Baha’u’llah and proclaimed his mission in 1844 as one anticipating the coming of a second prophet whose teachings would ultimately bring humanity together in a new era of religious understanding and inclusiveness.

Celebrations are already taking place in local communities throughout Canada and the world in honour of the occasion.

Local Baha’is have chosen the Ermatinger/Clergue National Historic Site to hold this event.

“Commemorating this occasion in a home built at the very time of Baha’u’llah’s birth in Iran, will heighten the atmosphere, and add a special air to our celebration of this momentous event,” said Chris Faulkner, community member.

The public is invited on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. at the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site (800 Bay St.). For tickets, contact 705-253-1878. For more information on the Baha’i faith, go to www.bahai.org

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