Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of the Báb
Location – Faiths Gallery, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, B3 3DH
Accessibility – Full access, including wheelchair; city centre parking.
Description – The celebration includes a programme of live musical performances, storytelling, children’s art activities, and a showing of the film Dawn of the Light at 3pm
Organisation holding the event – The Bahá’ís of Birmingham, in conjunction with the Community Engagement Team at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Free Entry
Contact – Mrs Sylvia Girling – 0121 251 6875, Sylvia.girling@googlemail.com, Mrs Jean Rahmanian – rahmanian99@hotmail.com
About this Event
Who was The Báb?
The Báb – Herald of the Bahá’í Faith
In the middle of the 19th century—one of the most turbulent periods in the world’s history—a young merchant announced that He was the bearer of a message destined to transform the life of humanity. At a time when His country, Iran, was undergoing widespread moral breakdown, His message aroused excitement and hope among all classes, rapidly attracting thousands of followers. He took the name “The Báb”, meaning “the Gate” in Arabic.
With His call for spiritual and moral reformation, and His attention to improving the position of women and the lot of the poor, the Báb’s prescription for spiritual renewal was revolutionary. At the same time, He founded a distinct, independent religion of His own, inspiring His followers to transform their lives and carry out great acts of heroism.
The Báb announced that humanity stood at the threshold of a new era. His mission, which was to last only six years, was to prepare the way for the coming of a Manifestation of God Who would usher in the age of peace and justice promised in all the world’s religions: Bahá’u’lláh.
“His life is one of the most magnificent examples of courage which it has been the privilege of mankind to behold…”
— Tribute to the Báb by the 19th century French writer A.L.M. Nicolas