Commemorating the Martyrdom of the Báb

Commemorating the Martyrdom of the Báb

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.

Montréal, Quebec, 8 July 2010 (CBNS) — The smoke and dust provoked by the gunpowder was so thick that the entire courtyard was clouded. In Tabriz, Iran, 160 years ago tomorrow, a young man known as the Báb was taken from the cell where he was being kept prisoner, suspended in a public square and executed by a firing squad.

The Báb, whose name means Gate in Arabic, proclaimed that a long-awaited divine revelation was imminent, bringing with it spiritual regeneration through another greater Messenger from God. This Messenger would guide humanity into its age of collective maturity, distinguished by peace and justice. Baha'is recognize the founder of their faith, Bahá'u'lláh, as the fulfillment of this promise.

The Báb's promotion of spiritual renewal, education and the sciences were revolutionary in the traditional society of Persia at the time. Fear and jealousy in the ecclesiastical and secular leadership led to his denunciation as a rebel and heretic, and finally, execution.

All around the world, Baha'is commemorate the Báb's martyrdom in gatherings in many settings, from backyards or living rooms to community centres or rental halls. In Montréal, a commemoration will be held at the Louis Bourgeois Baha'i Centre that aims to recreate a journey through the life of the Báb. As visitors arrive, they will be directed from one room to another, each representing a particular city and series of events in the life of the Báb that costumed storytellers will share with the guests. The rooms will be decorated in the style of the period, and several paintings have been commissioned from a local artist. Afterwards, prayers, live music and an audiovisual presentation of the house of the Báb will complete the ceremony.

While this is a sombre occasion and a Holy Day on which Baha'is suspend work and school, the Montréal community is trying to apply the guidance in the writings of the Baha'i Faith which explains the purpose of these Holy Days is to engage in special acts of service to the community. For the next Holy Day in October, they hope to plan a service project with a group of youth.