JOHOR BARU: Some 250 Baha’is and their friends celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of Baha’ullah and the Bab at a special gathering held at SJKC Foon Yew 2 at Jalan Abdul Samad here, recently.
They came together to celebrate the ‘twin birthdays’, which refer to the successive holy days in the Baha’i calendar that celebrates the two key figures of the faith.
They were among millions of Baha'is in 110,000 locations worldwide in celebrating this unique event.
The speaker Datuk Dr M. Singaraveloo, a representative of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Malaysia, welcomed those present and read the message of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.
He said the theme of today’s celebration, “The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens” was from the saying by Baha’u’llah nearly 150 years ago.
He said the bicentenary is an auspicious occasion to celebrate not just the life of prophet Baha’u’llah who brought the message of love and peace to the world, but also the collective achievements that have taken the world one step closer towards realising the vision of universal peace.
He also alluded to the concept of 'Bangsa Johor' often brought up by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar. He said the Sultan has constantly reminded Malaysians the importance of unity amongst all races and the respect they must have for each other.
He called on the people of Malaysia to recognise and accept their common humanity, adding that, “people should put aside their differences in race, culture, religion, creed and nationality to unite as one and continue to work together for peace.”
He said in a multicultural and multiracial society, the element of love must be the bond that unites us all.
“The bicentenary is an auspicious occasion to celebrate not just the life of prophet Baha’u’llah who brought the message of love and peace to the world, but also the collective achievements that have taken the world one step closer towards realising the vision of universal peace,” he said.
An exhibition of the exile and lives of both Baha’u’llah and the Bab and their teachings were displayed in the hall for all to peruse the significance of this special day.
A candle dance by multiracial children, Tarian Orang Asli, cultural dance, a musical recital and a special step dance with synchronised movements captured the hearts of all present. The culmination was a musical presentation showing the unity of all faiths in the world presented by a saxophonist.