THE UNIVERSAL
HOUSE OF JUSTICE
18 May 2016
To all
National Spiritual Assemblies
Dear Baháfí
Friends,
1.
In its
message dated 29 December 2015 to the Counsellorsf Conference, the Universal
House of Justice drew attention to the two bicentenaries that are approaching,
marking the elapse of two hundred years respectively since the Birth of
Baháfuflláh and the Birth of the Báb. The House of Justice feels it would now
be timely to explore further the manner in which these highly significant
Festivals are to be celebrated so that preparations can begin to be made. As
indicated in the 29 December message, these Holy Days should be viewed as
special opportunities for the friends to reach out to the widest possible
cross-section of society and to all those with whom they share a
connection—whether through a family tie or common interest, an occupation or
field of study, neighbourly relations or merely chance acquaintance—so that all
may rejoice in the appearance, exactly two hundred years before, of One Who was
to be the Bearer of a new Message for humankind.
2.
The locus of
activity for the bicentenaries is to be at the local level. The House of
Justice anticipates that in countless places across the world, both rural
settings and urban centres, the friends will find creative ways to honour the
Twin Manifestations Whose lives and sacred missions will be recalled on Their
anniversaries. There might also be an opportunity for initiatives at the
national level, which could include a gathering to which dignitaries and prominent
individuals who have a relationship with the Faith could be invited. But the
most distinguishing feature of these bicentenaries will be a tremendous
flourishing of activity by Baháfís and their friends in local communities. It
should be noted that, although each anniversary is associated primarily with
just one of the Manifestations, in each case the celebrations ought to
encompass both of the Twin Birthdays, and events may be spread out across the
full length of the two days. Naturally, these Holy Days will also be marked at
the Baháfí World Centre by those pilgrims, visitors, and staff who are in the
Holy Land at the time.
3.
At the heart
of these festivities must be a concerted effort to convey a sense of what it
means for humanity that these two Luminaries rose successively above the
horizon of the world. Of course, this will take different forms in different
contexts, extending to a myriad artistic and cultural expressions, including
songs, audio-visual presentations, publications and books. Such initiatives,
coupled with widespread celebrations that are both uplifting and reverent, are
also sure to spark the curiosity and wonder of many who may as yet be
unfamiliar with the names of the Báb and Baháfuflláh. However, the real
transformative power of the Faith is likely to be perceived more readily still
if people experience how worship andmeaningful service are being woven into the
fabric of the lives of Baháfís everywhere. Indeed, from the community-building
activities of the Five Year Plan emerges a pattern of collective life within
which anyone can discern the vivifying influence of the divine teachings
brought by Godfs Manifestations. Each bicentenary will doubtless kindle a
spirit of faithful endeavour that will permeate all the noble undertakings of
the friends.
4.
As suggested
in this yearfs Ridván message, the six cycles leading up to the first of the special
anniversaries can be viewed as an initial period over which progress toward the
overall goal of the Five Year Plan can be measured. The steps taken during
these months, and the achievements that come as a result, will constitute an
offering of ardent love, yielded collectively to Him Who is the Unifier of the
world on the bicentenary of His Birth. The spiritual forces that are sure to be
released on that most auspicious occasion will do much to spur the friends into
action as they commence the eight cycles that lie between the two bicentenaries,
during which the greatest share of the effort needed to fulfil the goal of the
Plan will be required. Similarly, events surrounding the two-hundredth
anniversary of the Birth of the Báb will lend an infusion of energy to the
global spiritual enterprise as it enters its final six cycles leading up to Ridván
2021. There is, therefore, every reason to expect that the emphasis given to
commemorating these Holy Days will have a considerable and cumulative impact on
the work of raising vibrant communities—not least on the enrichment of
devotional life.
5.
This letter
is being sent now so that there is ample time for you to impress upon your respective
communities the significance of the coming Festivals and encourage preparations
to begin. An important aspect of what must occur is the sense of shared
experience and global solidarity arising from so many gatherings being held in
a concentrated span of time, and in an enormous variety of places, bringing
together souls who have glimpsed the timeless splendor of those divine Figures
Who set in motion an irresistible process of individual and social change.
Arrangements will be put in place to enable communities to submit reports on
their activities so that these can rapidly be made available to the widest
possible audience. More information about these arrangements will be provided
at a later date.
With loving Baháfí
greetings,
Department of
the Secretariat
cc:
International Teaching Centre
Boards of
Counsellors
Counsellors