The purpose of the
Oxnard-Ventura Bahá'í News is to provide information about the Bahá'í Faith
and activities of the Bahá'ís to those who wish to learn more or attend Bahá'í
devotional gatherings. If you have comments or do not want to receive the Bahá'í
News, write PO Box 7344, Oxnard, CA 93031, call 648-1222. No donations requested
or accepted.
Informational
Talks
A
brief talk on a general topic about the Bahá'í Faith is followed by
discussion. A time to bring up any question in your heart about spiritual
topics.
Friday, July 29th, 7:30 PM
Tuman
Residence, 984-1222
Children’s Virtues Summer Camp!
Alice Williams will be teaching this camp at the EP Foster
Library, Topping Room at 10 am-12 noon on Sunday July 10, July 24, August 7 and
August 21. This is appropriate for
children 5-10 years old – please let everyone know!
Call for more information 648-1222.
Martyrdom
of the Báb
Saturday,
July 9th,
The
Martyrdom of the Báb will be observed on Saturday, July 9th at noon, for
information on the location of this holy observance please call 648-1222.
The Báb (1819-1850)
Báb,
the Gate. The title assumed by Siyyid 'Ali-Muhammad, the Forerunner of Bahá’u’llah,
and Prophet-Founder of the Bahá'í Faith. Born in shiráz on 20 October 1819,
Siyyid 'Ali-Muhammad was raised by His uncle Hájí Mirzá Siyyid 'Ali, a
merchant.
As a child, He showed uncommon wisdom, although He received little formal schooling. He became a merchant and earned a high reputation for fairness. In 1842 He married Khadíjih-Bagum and they had one son, Ahmad, who died in infancy. On May 23, 1844, He announced Himself to be the Báb, or "Gate of God" to the Shaykhí disciple Mullá Hussayn-i-Bushrú'í, the first of eighteen individuals who sought and discovered the Báb.
The Báb proclaimed Himself to be the Promised One of
Islam, the Qá'ím, and said that the Mission of His Dispensation was to alert
the people to the imminent appearance of the Messenger of God awaited by all the
peoples of the world.
As the Báb gained followers, His doctrines inflamed the Shí'ih
clergy, who determined to stamp out the new faith. Muhammad Sháh's Grand Vazier,
Hájí Mírzá Aqásí, imprisoned the Báb in the fortress of Máh-Kú, then,
when sympathy for Him spread there, moved Him to Chihríq.
It was here that Táhirih boldly exemplified the break with Islám by appearing unveiled in public and that Bahá’u’llah demonstrated His leadership.
The Báb's followers were subjected to swift and savage persecution at the hands of the dominant Muslim clergy, along with the forces of the Persian government throughout the country, notably in Mázindarán at the fort of Shaykh Tabarsí, Zanján, Nayríz and Tihrán.
On July 9, 1850 the Báb was brought before a firing squad
in the barracks square of Tabríz, along with a young follower. Some 20,000 of
His followers perished in a series of massacres throughout Persia. His remains
were hidden by His followers and in 1899 transferred to Palestine where in 1909
'Abdu'l-Bahá Himself interred them in the sepulchre on Mount Carmel known as
the Shrine of the Báb.
Today, the majestic building with the golden dome,
overlooking the Bay of Haifa, Israel, and set amidst beautiful gardens, is the
Shrine where the Báb's earthly remains are entombed.
Bahá’í’s revere
the Báb as the Forerunner or Herald of Bahá’u’llah, but also as a
Manifestation of God in His own right, considering His Writings to be Holy
Scripture. The beginning of the Bahá'í Era is dated from the day of His
declaration. The Declaration of the Báb, His birth and the day of His Martyrdom
are observed as Bahá'í Holy Days on which work is suspended.
Special
thanks to www. planetbahai.org
All
Faiths Public Gathering for Prayer and Devotions
Fillmore CommUnity
1st Saturday of the Month, July 2nd Call Luanne
at 524-0683 for details
Oxnard CommUnity
1st Sunday of the Month, July 3rd 10:30 AM. Locations May
vary. Call Barbara at 984-4390
Camarillo CommUnity
3rd Sunday of the Month, July 17th Call Renee at
383-3904 for details.
Ventura CommUnity