The Sunday Mail
Flora Teckie
May 23, 2017 marks the 173rd anniversary of the beginning of the Bahá’í Faith and the Harare Bahá’ís join others across the world to celebrate the Bahá’í Holy Day.
The Bahá’í Faith — the youngest of the world’s independent religions has its own sacred scriptures, laws, calendar and holy days. Its name is derived from the name of its founder Bahá’u’lláh, and means “Glory of God”.
In thousands of locations around the world, the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh inspire individuals and communities as they work to improve their own lives and contribute to the advancement of civilisation. With followers in at least 233 countries and territories, the Bahá’í Faith has become the second-most widespread faith in its geographic reach and is among the fastest-growing world religions.
The Bahá’í Faith began with the mission entrusted by God to two Divine Messengers , the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.
On May 23, 1844 The Báb — the Herald of the Bahá’í Faith announced that He was the bearer of a message destined to transform humanity’s spiritual life. In some respects, the Báb’s role can be compared to John the Baptist in the founding of Christianity. His primary mission was to prepare the way for the coming of Bahá’u’lláh, who would usher in an age of peace and justice.
Bahá’u’lláh (1817–1892), the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, is regarded by the Bahá’ís as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God.
Bahá’u’lláh delivered a new Revelation from God to humanity. Thousands of verses, letters and books flowed from His pen.
In His Writings, He outlined a framework for the development of a global civilisation which takes into account both the spiritual and material dimensions of human life.
Harare Bahá’ís are happy to join others around the world who are preparing to celebrate and honour the 200th anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh on 22 October 2017.
Bahá’u’lláh, as in the case of the other Messengers of God, was the direct recipient of Revelation from God. Revelation, in the Bahá’í view, is the infallible and direct conveyance of God’s creative Word that is accessible only to the Messengers of God who transmit it to mankind.
This innate, divinely revealed knowledge enables them to establish laws and teachings that correspond to human needs and conditions at a given time in history.
In His Writings, Bahá’u’lláh confirms that there is only one God. Although people may pray to God in different languages and call Him by different names, nevertheless they have in mind the same Almighty Creator.
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