Declaration of the Bab

Bab, Declaration of the

May 22-23Declaration of the Bab is a joyous Baha'i festival to celebrate the Bab's announcement in 1844 in Shiraz, Persia (now Iran), that he was the "gate" (which is the meaning of Bab) to the coming of the promised one of all religions. This proclamation is considered the beginning of the Baha'i faith, although the religion was founded after the Bab's death.
The Bab, who was born Mirza Ali Mohammad, founded an independent religion known as the Babi faith which grew out of Shi'ite Islam. At the time of this proclamation, the Bab also announced that it was his mission to herald a prophet who would be greater than he (paralleling St. John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus; see St. John's Day). After his proclamation, the Bab assembled 18 disciples.
This day is holy to Baha'is and a day on which work is suspended. Its observation begins at about two hours after sunset on May 22.
See also Bab, Birth of theand Bab, Martyrdom of the
CONTACTS:
Bahai National Center
1233 Central St.
Evanston, IL 60201
800-228-6483 or 847-869-9039; fax: 847-733-3578
www.us.bahai.org
Bahai International Community
866 United Nations Pl., Ste. 120
New York, NY 10017
212-803-2500; fax: 212-803-2566
www.bahai.org
SOURCES:
AnnivHol-2000, p. 86
ConEncyBahai-2000, p. 56
DictWrldRel-1989, pp. 86, 87
OxYear-1999, p. 694
RelHolCal-2004, p. 155