We recently published 19 Glimpses of the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab Celebrations Around the World! in order to share just a glimpse of the many celebrations happening around the world in honor of the bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab, which are featured on the official bicentenary website from the Baha’i World Centre. Seeing as this is really such a special occasion in the history of the Baha’i Faith, and it’s a once in a lifetime thing, we thought we’d share another 19 glimpses of bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab celebrations happening around the world, which can be found on the official bicentenary website.

Here they are listed in alphabetical order, and if you click on the country or image, it’ll take you to more related images:

1. Angola

In Cazombo, Angola, the upcoming bicentenary motivated the Bahá’í community to build a regional facility, which would include offices, conference halls, and dormitories. The whole community took part in the construction process, including children and youth. The Bahá’í center was completed in time for the celebrations, hosting over 800 people who came to commemorate the birth of the Bab.

2. Argentina

In the city of San Javier, Argentina, families came together in a celebration that involved prayers and the participation of children in a theatrical performance. The screening of the film Dawn of the Light gave rise to conversations on unity and service.

3. Austria

To mark the occasion of the bicentenary, the mayor of Weiz, Austria, joins in a ceremony to plant a peace tree. The tree, symbolizing peace, is accompanied by a plaque featuring the calligraphy of the well-known 19th century Persian artist Mishkin-Qalam.

4. Bermuda

Celebrating the bicentenary, Baha’i communities in Hamilton and St. George presented their mayors with saplings of the country’s national tree, Bermuda cedar.

5. Bolivia

Communities across Bolivia have been eagerly anticipating the coming bicentenary through vibrant performances and gatherings, study of Bahá’í writings, and reflection on the historic events surrounding the Bab’s mission two centuries ago.

6. Central African Republic

Decorating a section of their celebration venue with images of continental Baha’i Houses of Worship across the globe and of the Baha’i World Centre, friends and families in Bangui, Central African Republic, unite in prayer and song to commemorate the birth of the Bab.

7. Costa Rica

The indigenous community of Talamanca, Costa Rica, commemorates the bicentenary of the birth of the Bab with a joyful and vibrant celebration that embraces many attendees.

8. Germany

A week-long exhibition about the life and teachings of the Bab was held at a historical site in Frankfurt. Opening with various artistic presentations, the event allowed thousands of people to view displays of the Writings of the Bab and Baha’u’llah and to learn about the Faith. Many of the visitors expressed how deeply they were moved by the Baha’i Teachings and their implications for social progress. Visitors were also invited to prayer gatherings and to other bicentenary-related events organized around the city.

9. Greenland

A loving atmosphere imbued gatherings hosted in Greenland in honor of the bicentenary as live music was offered, prayers were shared, and stories were told about the life of the Bab, His early believers, and His martyrdom. Parents were moved to see an exhibition of artwork made by their children, who participate in Baha’i moral education classes.

10. Hawaii

In Honolulu, Hawaii, families listen to the words of the Bab read aloud in Marshallese, Tongan, Hawaiian, Samoan, Chuukese, and English. The many languages spoken reflect and celebrate the diversity of their community.

11. Indonesia

In honor of the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb, a group of friends in Bali, Indonesia, organized an exhibition about the history of the Baha’i Faith and some of its Teachings. The celebration began with the reading of prayers from different religions, followed by artistic presentations by some youth, and a screening of the film Dawn of the Light. The exhibition stimulated meaningful conversations among the participants.

12. Italy

The community in Brugherio, Italy, organized a bicentenary celebration that offered an opportunity for meaningful conversations, in addition to delicacies and uplifting music.

13. Krabati

Children, youth, and adults in South Tarawa, Kiribati gather to honor the bicentenary with devotions, stories from the life of the Bab, and traditional dance.

14. Kurdistan region of Iraq

In honor of the bicentenary, a book fair was organized in a local square in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan region of Iraq, at which many people had an opportunity to learn about the teachings of the Baha’i Faith.

15. Moldova

In the lead up to the bicentenary, a group of young people in Ryshkanovka, Moldova, organized a community project in their local park. They raked the leaves and gave the curb a fresh coat of paint, leaving the space clean and tidy.

16. Mozambique

In various localities in the Beira Corridor, Mozambique, community members of all ages prepare for the bicentenary celebrations in diverse ways. The community in Dondo creates voiceovers for Dawn of the Light, the film commissioned for the bicentenary. Groups of youth in other areas, such as Manica, have also been intensifying their activities aimed at serving their communities.

17. Myanmar

Around the turn of the 20th century, the entire village of Daidanaw, Myanmar, attracted to Baha’u’llah’s vision for a world founded on justice and unity, embraced His Teachings and began applying them in their lives. Abdu’l-Baha, the son of Baha’u’llah living in Haifa at the time, was pleased to hear of this news and described Daidanaw as “His village”. This year, to honor the bicentenary, local residents recalled their history, uniting to clean and beautify the resting place of Hand of the Cause of God, Siyyid Mustafa Rumi (1846-1945), who was among the first Baha’is in Myanmar. Siyyid Mustafa Rumi, along with two other early believers, arranged for a marble sarcophagus, commissioned by Abdu’l-Baha and built by the Baha’is of that country, to be sent to the Holy Land. This sarcophagus now holds the sacred remains of the Bab.

18. Pakistan

A day-long art festival was held in Hyderabad, Pakistan, where a group of young people and their parents created different works of art depicting the love and fellowship taught by the Bab.

19. Zambia

Lively rhythms and harmonious voices flow into the streets of Lusaka, Zambia, where some have gathered to celebrate this special occasion. Stories of the life and teachings of the Bab are conveyed through drama and dance.

Well, that’s it for now, and we hope you’ve enjoyed these 19 glimpses of bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab celebrations happening around the world found on the official bicentenary website, and be sure to check out the website for more!

Posted by

Naysan Naraqi

Naysan is passionate about using the arts and media to explore the teachings of the Baha’i Faith. Back in 2011, Naysan started up the Baha’i Blog project, channeling his experiences in both media and technology companies to help create a hub for Baha’i-inspired content online.