‘Reminded of the global unity’: Honouring the Faith’s founders in a multitude of settings 

The Twin Holy Days – the birth of the Bab and the birth of Baha’u’llah – have been marked in a myriad of settings across the country, with people of all walks of life gathering to honour the Faith’s Founders. 

From homes in rural towns to halls in cities, picnics at regional parks to the Sydney Baha’i House of Worship, festivities were characterised by the Faith’s overarching mandate of unity. 

At the Sydney Baha’i House of Worship, the Twin Holy Day celebrations attracted around 2,000 visitors, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with devotion, artistic expression, and community spirit. 

Opening with a heartfelt acknowledgement of Country, the celebrations featured two Temple services on each of the two days, followed by various activities and artistic performances that engaged and inspired attendees. 

Baha’i House of Worship temple director Roya Shahgholi said the community faced the wonderful challenge of having to accommodate the large number of visitors. 

“The celebrations featured an impressive array of activities and entertainment, which drew large crowds and enriched the event’s vibrant atmosphere,” she said.  

“One of the highlights was the art exhibition, a showcase of the community’s talent, especially from young artists. This exhibition celebrated the rich artistic diversity within the community, and there was opportunity on both days to learn the art of Chinese, Mongolian, Tibetan, and Persian calligraphy from the artists, which captivated attendees and underscored the unity in diversity that the Baha’i Faith cherishes.”

In the remote community of Wilcannia, population 735, a more intimate yet equally profound celebration was unfolding in honour of the Faith’s founders.  

The Baha’is of Broken Hill travelled to celebrate the birth of the Bab with the local Baha’is and their friends. Broken Hill Baha’i Giti Haddadan Misagh said the day consisted of singing and reading the writings of The Bab and sharing stories.  

“This magical gathering was honoured by a local artist who was moved by the union of the community and the writings and shared their sentiments through bespoke poetry for all gathered,” she said. “Despite the [two hour] distance between Broken Hill and Wilcannia, friends have the opportunity to travel between the towns and sustain a Baha’i identity in the Far West.”

Broken Hill’s Mahsa Kandimahforoujaki said such celebrations reminded us of the global unity of the Baha’i community in bringing together people from a diversity of backgrounds.  

“It’s inspiring to see the name of Baha’u’llah reaching every corner, fostering connections across Australia and beyond,” she said.

The Australian Baha’i Community also organised a parliamentary reception to coincide with the birth of Baha’u’llah. Held on 6 November at Parliament House in Canberra, the reception was attended by Members of Parliament, dignitaries, and religious representatives. The official program featured remarks by Members of Parliament and the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Australia, as well as live music and refreshments. 

Dr Sophie Scamps, federal member for McKellar which is home to the Sydney Baha’i House of Worship, said the Temple was a symbol of unity and an icon. “It is a beautiful reflection of the gentle but strong tenets of the Bahai Faith – one that is committed to social cohesion and harmony,” she said. “It is very much a valued part of our community and as a contributor to the broader Australian community as well. 

“Baha’is believe a vibrant community is one in which both spiritual and material progress is considered and where everyone feels a sense of belonging and purpose. Australian Baha’is are committed to cultivating these vibrant communities through developing capacities for service and fostering true friendships with all people, founded on mutual support and cooperation. These messages never go out of date and are important now more than ever.”

Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill, said he wanted to acknowledge the expressed interest of the Baha’i community in Australia in “strengthening our social cohesion”. 

“It is 104 years since the first Baha’is arrived…spreading this message of unity and peace and hope across our nation. But those values: equality of men and women, eliminating prejudice, eliminating poverty, equality of all people, human rights, harmonising science and religion, are things that are timeless, and we can all take into our societies. 

“As Australians we have far more in common than we do differences, and that is something I really want to hold true to.” 

“Thank you to the Baha’i community for living your values, for sharing your Faith with the rest of the community and for doing that in a way that helps bring our country together true to those principles.” 

You can watch the parliamentary reception below: