200 years since his birth: Who is Bahá’u’lláh?

Celebrations have commenced in every part of the world in response to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Baha’i faith. Countless local and national celebrations, embracing every culture and segment of society, are inspired by a global concept: a message of peace, community and empowerment. This is the message of Bahá’u’lláh, who declared that today “is the Day in which God’s most excellent favours have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things. It is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences, and, with perfect unity and peace, abide beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness”.

Baha’is and their friends, and indeed all those who are motivated by the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, are reaching out to share this message further. What is perhaps most striking is that the locus of most of the activity of this fast growing community is at the local, even neighbourhood, level. Bahá’u’lláh said that “all men have been created to carry forward an ever advancing civilization” and this truth is reflected in the efforts of individuals to really make a difference in their own community. This often begins with the education of children and the empowerment of youths through carefully delivered programmes that are open to all. Service is the key. And so naturally, the bicentennial celebrations of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh are revolving around service and bringing people together. Malta is no exception, as the Baha’i community is striving to involve more and more friends in their efforts to unite all people in a common effort to improve individual and collective life here on our island.

But who is Bahá’u’lláh? Born on 12 November 1817 in Tehran, the capital of Iran, Bahá’u’lláh was the son of a distinguished minister in the court of the Shah, and from childhood showed extraordinary qualities and wisdom. Instead of accepting the same high position in court as his father, he dedicated his time to helping the oppressed, the sick and the poor, and soon became known as a champion of justice. He continued to devote himself to the improvement and education of all people.

Bahá’u’lláh, who Baha’is believe is the messenger of God for this day, proclaimed the oneness of the world of humanity and taught that all are created and nourished by the one loving and merciful God. He promoted principles such as the equality of men and women, the abolition of prejudices, the agreement between science and religion and the need for universal education. The kings of the East and the priesthood of Iran arose again Bahá’u’lláh and he was persecuted, mocked and put in chains. He was then banished from Iran to Baghdad and Turkey, and finally imprisoned in the prisoncity of Akka, Israel where he passed away in 1892.

While his enemies made every effort to lessen his greatness, Bahá’u’lláh’s fame and influence grew day by day. He suffered without recompense in order that selflessness and service should be made manifest in the world, and his teachings of love, peace, spiritual maturity and constructive action continue to embrace millions upon millions of the earth’s inhabitants. Baha’is and their community-building efforts are now to be found in every single country of the world.

The relatively small community of Baha’is in Malta is, like its global counterpart, outward looking in its vision. These are not teachings for a select few, and nor are the bicentennial celebrations limited to its own adherents. It is an opportunity for conversations, for collaboration, for learning how to draw on everyone’s strengths. This is an attractive and appropriate prospect for an island of such diversity, intensity and rich tradition as Malta. There is much to build on. Everywhere, at every level, life’s processes rely on us coming together and not dividing. Bahá’u’lláh states that “the well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established”. This message of unity and the blueprint for achieving it is far more than simply avoiding war or “being nice to one another”. It is a call to a much higher level of functioning. And according to the Baha’i community, this all begins in our families, with our neighbours, colleagues and friends. If you are interested in learning more or participating in the bicentennial celebrations of the Baha’i community please send an email on info@bahaimalta.org or join the Facebook group Baha’i Community of Malta.