1 June
2018
Transmitted by email
To all National Spiritual Assemblies
Dear Baha'i Friends,
1.
The tremendous stimulus given to the work
of the Five Year Plan by the celebration of the bicentenary of the Birth of
Baha'u'llah is apparent in all parts of the world. Thoughts are naturally turning to the
two hundredth anniversary of the Birth of the Bab and what must be accomplished
before this second bicentenary, so that "every seed so lovingly sown at
the first" may be "nurtured patiently towards fruition". The Universal House of Justice has
requested that we convey to you a number of points to assist your deliberations
on this theme. You are welcome to
share the contents of this letter with the friends in your communities in any
manner you deem appropriate.
2.
The broad framework for understanding the
Baha'i world's approach to both bicentenaries has already been set out in the
letter to you dated 18 May 2016, written on behalf of the House of
Justice. This letter indicated, in
particular, that the locus of activity was to be at the local level. It also described the eight cycles
between the two anniversaries as the period during which the greatest share of
the effort needed to fulfil the objectives of the Five Year Plan would be
required. This, therefore, must be
the main focus of the believers in their clusters. It is a season of intensive activity
that is well under way, and less than a year and a half remains. Included in this precious period are the
Twin Holy Days this year, due to be observed in only a few months' time. On these occasions, the friends will
have a valuable opportunity to draw on the rich experience they gained last
year by bringing people together in local celebrations that uplift hearts and
kindle spirits.
3.
Preparations for the bicentenary of the
Birth of the Bab should be undertaken with a recognition that the festivities marking
this anniversary have a special context.
They will occur just two years after the bicentenary of the Birth of
Baha'u'llah, and the Bab was of course the Herald of Baha'u'llah. Before and after the first bicentenary,
the believers engaged family, friends, and acquaintances of all kinds in
conversations about the life and teachings of the Blessed Beauty, and the
conversations which occur in connection with the upcoming anniversary will in
many ways be an extension of these, centring on both
of the Faith's Twin Founders. For
the greatness of this Day, this "matchless Day" extolled by
Baha'u'llah, is evident from the fact that its advent was announced by two
divine Manifestations, Whose Birthdays are "accounted as one in the sight
of God". In Himself, and in
the break from the prevailing order which His Revelation brought about, the
sacred figure of the Bab was an answer to the prayers and entreaties of the
generations that awaited the One foretold by all the Holy Scriptures. With His coming, the eternal Faith of
God was renewed and revitalized with extraordinary swiftness. Yet, in the very title He chose for
Himself, He signalled that He was the portal to a
superior Revelation of which, in the words of Shoghi
Effendi, "He considered Himself to be the humble Precursor." The endeavours
of the Baha'is throughout the world to labour for the
promotion of the Cause call to mind the exhortation of the Bab explicitly set
down in the Bayan: "Well is it
with him who fixeth his gaze upon the Order of
Baha'u'llah, and rendereth thanks unto his
Lord."
4.
As plans for the next bicentenary take
shape, there will doubtless begin to emerge many examples of artistic
expression arising from a profound reflection on the appearance above the
horizon of the world, in quick succession, of two Manifestations of God, and
the implications for the life of humanity.
You will find it helpful to know that the House of Justice intends once
again to commission both a film and a dedicated website for the occasion. It also anticipates preparing a special
letter to mark the two-hundred-year anniversary. More details about these will become
available in due course.
5.
A notable feature of the last bicentenary
was the number of tributes to Baha'u'llah and messages of congratulation issued
by dignitaries and prominent members of society, often in response to
invitations they had received to offer thoughtful sentiments. However, the character of this occasion
does not lend itself to attempts to seek public statements of this kind. Nevertheless, efforts to help such
persons become more familiar with the teachings and fundamentals of the Faith,
as well as the endeavours of the community, would, of
course, continue in a natural manner.
6.
In this year's Ridvan
message, the House of Justice referred to the heroism of the Bab and His
followers, the stirring accounts of whose lives are sure to be revisited and
retold in the coming months. In
keeping with the overall approach to this bicentenary, it will be important to
reflect on the purpose of calling to mind these remarkable narratives, which
possess a merit far beyond an exploration of history. They enable the friends, who are
occupied with responding to the needs of the Cause in this day, to draw inspiration
and courage from the sacrifices of the dawn-breakers. They assist the company of believers to
realize that, by consecrating themselves to the acts of service required in
this age, they are emulating the noble qualities of their spiritual forebears.
7.
The heights to which the Baha'i community
so recently soared, in its longing to befittingly honour
"a Being peerless in creation", are still vivid in the memory. The possibilities created by the
celebration of this second bicentenary, following so closely upon the first and
building upon what was learned then, appear boundless. Be assured of the prayers of the House
of Justice in the Holy Shrines for all the friends of God, supplicating that
heavenly bestowals may surround them at every stage of their deliberations and
in every action they take for His sake.
With loving Baha'i greetings,
Department of the Secretariat
cc:
International Teaching Centre
Boards of Counsellors
Counsellors