Islamabad
The year 2017 marks the 200th birth anniversary of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i faith and the Baha’i community, wherever they exist in the world are celebrating the joyous occasion with religious zeal and fervor.
The Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, in his message to the Baha’i community in Pakistan expressed his heartfelt wishes on the bicentenary birth anniversary of Baha’u’llah.
“This special occasion is an excellent time to celebrate love and unity and to thank Allah for the blessings of this beautiful land of Pakistan. Peace and unity are the pivotal teachings of the Baha’i faith and the Baha’i community of Pakistan is a peace-loving community. Their contributions towards the betterment of individuals, society and the country are truly admirable and have been in harmony with the efforts being made by our government of Pakistan,” the Minister said in his message.
“The government continue to safeguards the rights and privileges enjoyed by all minorities. Being the equal citizens of one state, the government will empower them to use their abilities for national development,” Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said in his message to the Baha’i community on the auspicious occasion.
The Baha’i faith started from Iran in the early 19th century, thus making it the newest independent religion in the world and is based on oneness of God, with the message of unity of humanity and essential harmony of all religions for peaceful coexistence.
Baha’u’llah, the founder of the religion, was born in Iran in 1817 and lived through to 1892. “This year presents the single greatest worldwide opportunity there has ever been for connecting hearts to the vision of Baha’u’llah as it marks the 200th anniversary of his birth,” said a member of Baha’i community in Islamabad.
He said that the Baha’i community in Pakistan aims to celebrate the event
with zeal and enthusiasm
on October 21 and 22 with
full support of the Government of Pakistan.
“Moreover, these celebrations will embody the essence of ‘Unity in Diversity’, one of the prime teachings of the Baha’i faith, by bringing together people from all religious and ethnical backgrounds in love and brotherhood,” he said.
He said that the Baha’is believe that humanity’s ultimate well-being is dependent upon its differences being transcended and its unity firmly established. “Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. He Who is the Daystar of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth,” he quoted Baha’u’llah as saying.
