Guidance and FAQs

Guidance

Here are some guidance  by The National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia:-

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Below content is credited to: The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

May 18, 2016 – Letter from the Universal House of Justice addressed to all National Spiritual Assemblies―noted the approach of the bicentenaries marking the elapse of 200 years since the Births of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb, respectively, and the importance of timely planning for befitting commemorations of these auspicious occasions:

• Supreme Body on the Bicentenary Celebrations of the Twin Holy Birthdays (English)

Information

May 2 and May 22, 2017 – Letters describing measures being taken at the Bahá’í World Center to support the friends’ plans for commemorations of the Twin Holy Birthdays

• Film and Reports on Bahai.org Website to be Made Available for Twin Holy Birthdays
• Information regarding Distribution and Translation of Film Commissioned by the House of Justice

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Would it be appropriate to hold a single event to celebrate both Birthdays?
   • “In relation to the Twin Holy Birthdays, the beloved Guardian, in a letter written on his behalf to a National Spiritual Assembly, advised that refraining from work and gathering for observances are required on both days. Therefore, holding the celebrations of the Twin Holy Days immediately before and after sunset on the same Gregorian date would not be in keeping with the spirit of the guidance set out above.” 1
   • “But the most distinguishing feature of these bicentenaries will be a tremendous flourishing of activity by Bahá’ís and their friends in local communities.” 2
2. On what dates do we celebrate these Twin Holy Days?
   • The Bahá’í world will celebrate the Birth of the Báb on October 21, 2017; the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh will be celebrated on October 22, 2017.
   • In 2019, the 200th anniversary of the Birth of the Báb will be celebrated on October 29, 2019; the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh will be celebrated on October 30, 2019.
3. Whom should we invite?
   • “As indicated in the 29 December message, these Holy Days should be viewed as special opportunities for the friends to reach out to the widest possible cross-section of society…” 2 including these connections:
     • Family
     • Common interest(s)
     • Occupation or field of study
     • Neighbors
     • Acquaintances
     • Community: children’s classes, junior youth groups, devotionals, study circles, and home visits
4. What kind of celebrations should we plan for these events?
   • Celebrations should be “both uplifting and reverent…” 2
   • Activities might include music, audio-visual presentations, publications, books, etc.
   • Be creative! See the “Ideas for Celebrating” page on this site to learn what other communities are considering and planning.
5. Is the focus on national events?
   • “The locus of activity for the bicentenaries is to be at the local level.” 2
6. Are we just focusing on the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh this year?
   • “It should be noted that, although each anniversary is associated primarily with just one of the Manifestations, in each case the celebrations ought to encompass both of the Twin Birthdays, and events may be spread out across the full length of the two days.” 2
7. What should our meaningful conversations with others look like?
   • “At the heart of these festivities must be a concerted effort to convey a sense of what it means for humanity that these two Luminaries rose successively above the horizon of the world.” 2
   • “However, the real transformative power of the Faith is likely to be perceived more readily still if people experience how worship and meaningful service are being woven into the fabric of the lives of Bahá’ís everywhere.” 2
8. What impact will these events have?
   • “There is, therefore, every reason to expect that the emphasis given to commemorating these Holy Days will have a considerable and cumulative impact on the work of raising vibrant communities—not least on the enrichment of devotional life.” 2
   • “An important aspect of what must occur is the sense of shared experience and global solidarity arising from so many gatherings being held in a concentrated span of time…” 2

1Letter dated December 23, 2016 – from the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer

2Letter dated May 18, 2016 – from the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies