Local event to celebrate Baha'i founder's bicentenary

This Chilean temple of the Baha’i faith rests in the foothills of the Andes, the completion of which marked a turning point for the faith as it was the final continental house of worship in the world. Photo submitted

Hub Staff

The goal of serving humanity and celebrating the Baha’i’s founders Bicentenary will be celebrated at the Port Elgin Legion on October 22 from 2 to 4 p.m.

“The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.” -Baha’u’llah

An event hosted by members of the Saugeen Shores Baha’i Faith and surrounding areas will join together Sunday, October 22, at the at the Port Elgin Legion to celebrate the Bicentenary of the birth of Baha’i founder Baha’u’llah. And just like the faith, the event is open to everyone and will include crafts, activities for children, and food.

Co-organizer Cherie Laville who traveled with her family in 2016 to the Chilean House of Worshship, said that across the globe people will be celebrating the Bicentenary with parades, festivals, art exhibits, prayer gatherings, thematic dinners, musical presentations, banquet style gatherings, intimate gatherings and service projects.

“Each community’s celebration is unique to their own reality,” said Laville, who stressed that proselytizing is forbidden in the Baha’i faith. “This concept simply doesn’t exist in this faith. One of the central principles of the Baha’i faith is independent investigation of truth which means that every individual is responsible for seeking truth for themselves without relying on the opinions or admonishments of others.”

Laville went on to say that “the main objective of the Baha’i faith is to build a better world, one that is united and free of prejudice.”

The event celebrating the 200th birthday of Baha’u’llah will also focus on activism in local communities which Laville said will “elevate the material and spiritual conditions in our neighborhoods all around the globe and will bring us closer to achieving a more peaceful and united world.”

To learn more about the Baha'i faith or events taking place worldwide visit bahai.org and bicentenary.bahai.org.