Bahá’ís in Seychelles celebrate the ‘Twin Birthdays’ |21 October 2020

Children from Victoria celebrating the Twin anniversaries

On October 18 and 19 this year, the Baháʼí community of Seychelles joined over 7 million followers worldwide to celebrate the birthdays of the two founders of their religion – The Báb and Bahá’u’lláh in the year 1819 and 1817 respectively.

In Seychelles, there was no national celebration because of health protocols. The twin birthdays were celebrated in smaller settings in districts and neighbourhoods observing safety measures. The focus this year was on prayers and reflections for peace, prosperity and safety of the nation.

Having the celebration on successive days is symbolically significant, as the missions of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh are tightly interwoven in many ways. Born in 1819, The Báb, which means Gate, declared His mission at the young age of 25, which was to prepare the arrival of Bahá’u’lláh ‒ a title which means the Glory of God. The Báb’s mission was for a period of six years and according to Bahá’í beliefs, the Báb closed an époque of prophecy and opened a new era of fulfillment. After six years of torture and imprisonment, he was later executed in 1850 by the Persian government at the young age of 30.

Bahá’u’lláh is a descendant of Prophet Abraham through his third wife Katurah. His mission is mainly to unite the people of the earth. He claimed to be the Promised One of all religions at the end of time. His Dispensation will last for at least 1,000 years and he promised that the promised peace – the Kingdom of God on earth will be established on earth during that period. He brought many social and spiritual teachings and laws for the betterment of the society.

The renewal of spiritual and moral guidance for the transformation of the hearts of man, based on love, unity and justice, is contained in many volumes of His direct Revelation. He opened the Holy books of all previous religions and gave us authoritative and divine interpretations of the many mysteries and allegories contained therein. He brought new knowledge to an educated world of truths such as life after death, origins of creation and existence, and amended laws governing society.

His divine vision the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens. While preserving national identity and diversity, He revealed 12 principles which form the foundations of a new world order : Oneness of God; Universal compulsory education; A world parliament; Oneness of Religion; Oneness of Man; Elimination of all prejudices; A universal Auxiliary Language (in addition to the mother tongue); Equality of man and woman; Spiritual solution to economic issues; A world Tribunal; A world army to preserve revised frontiers and world peace and Harmony of Science and religion.

Bahá’u’lláh reveals the need for a new system of governance at all levels ‒ local, national and international. This will be local, national and Universal Houses of Justice or Assemblies elected by all based on their merit without campaigning and not based on partisan politics. They will be elected based on capability and integrity and are the highest decision making body on all matters, responsible to God and not only to those that voted them in. Consultation on all matters is elevated to a law!

This is what the Bahá’ís of the world are working towards and believe will come to pass! This is what the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh sacrificed their lives for. This is what thousands of Bahá’ís gave their lives in martyrdom for and still are in some parts of the world.

Contributed by the Baha’i External Affairs Office