Celebrating special days of the second most important festival on the Baháʼí calendar.

These Bahá’í literature resources in te Reo Māori enable our community to strengthen its practice of unity in diversity in the context of Aotearoa.

It is up to the private conscience of each believer to decide how to vote in the general election and the referendums to be held soon. Quotations are provided here to assist in reflecting on the issues involved.

“In ordaining the mighty law of Ḥuqúqu’lláh, the Blessed Beauty has vouchsafed a favour unto His ardent lovers through which they can express their personal sense of devotion to God in a profoundly private act of conscience.”

These quotations for tumultuous times focus on the role of the Bahá’í community in spreading “confidence and assurance, hope and optimism”, and on promoting the oneness of humanity in the face of racial prejudice.

On this Holy Day, to be commemorated on 28 May, at 3.00 a.m., we remember the moment when, as Shoghi Effendi writes, Bahá’u’lláh’s “spirit, at long last released from the toils of a life crowded with tribulations, had winged its flight to His ‘other dominions…’”

The Holy Day for the Declaration of the Báb falls on 22-23 May (8 ‘Aẓamat). Here are offered Sacred Writings and historical accounts to uplift the hearts of readers on this sacred day.

How can we be positive and effective in our social media conversations? A brief compilation and relevant questions offer help with reflecting on themes and approaches.

The Most Great Festival is upon us, three days of which are non-work holy days. The beloved Guardian of the Cause shares the Words of Bahá’u’lláh, extolling the significance of this Festival.

Bahá’u’lláh writes: “Know thou that religion is as heaven; and fasting and obligatory prayer are its sun and its moon.” Here are some resources to help in observing the Fast and benefiting from its potent energies.

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá passed away at the age of 77 on 28 November 1921, His funeral was attended by 10,000 mourners of numerous religious backgrounds.

The line of succession, referred to as the Covenant, went from Bahá’u’lláh to His Son ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and then from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to His grandson, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice, ordained by Bahá’u’lláh.

Born in Tehran, Iran on 12 November, 1817, Mirza Husayn-‘Alí —known as Bahá’u’lláh—was the great Divine Educator heralded by the Báb, the initiator of a new era in history in which the tyrannies and injustices of the past would give way to a world of peace and justice: an embodiment of the principle of the oneness of humankind.

Born in 1819, the Báb was a prophetic figure who revitalised religious teachings, calling for spiritual and moral renewal including improving the status of women and the situation of the poor. The Báb’s mission was to prepare the way for Bahá’u’lláh.

An extract from Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era in English and te reo Māori.

The Báb called upon His followers to gather together once every nineteen days to show hospitality and fellowship.

In support of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week, we share this Hidden Word (#39 from the Persian) from Ko Ngā Kupu Huna a Bahá’u’lláh.

The Báb’s message aroused hope and excitement among people from every walk of life. Although a number of prominent Muslim clerics accepted the Báb, many others felt insecure and threatened by His growing influence and feared their entrenched positions of privilege and authority would be threatened by the empowerment of the people. They denounced the Báb’s teachings as heretical and set out to destroy Him and His followers.

Bahá’u’lláh passed away on 29 May, 1892. He designated ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as His successor and Head of the Bahá’í Faith. This choice of a successor is a central provision of what is known as the “Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh,” enabling the Bahá’í community to remain united for all time.