Martyrdom of the Báb
- What
- Martyrdom of the Báb
- When
- 7/9/2021
- Where
- Baha'i
Beginning on the evening of Friday June 9th to the evening of Saturday June 10th Bahai's around the world will observe the Martyrdom of the Báb. This holiday commemorates the execution of the Báb who is the cofounder of the Baha'i faith. In Persia, this is considered one of the nine holy days during which work and school is suspended.
There are many interpretations of the story, however the general consensus states that on July 9th of 1850 the Báb was charged with apostasy and sentenced to execution by order of the Prime Minister of the Persian Empire. The Báb and one of his companions were suspended on a wall where they were shot by a large firing squad. But when the smoke cleared, the Báb was missing. Some accounts state he was was found back in his prison room finishing dictation to his secretary but all accounts agree that the Báb survived the first firing squad, and was killed by the second.
For many years after the Báb's death, his followers secretly transported his body from place to place to avoid the desecration of his remains. The Báb was finally laid to rest at the Shrine of the Báb in Haifa on the middle terrace of the Bahá'í Gardens.
There are several ways to celebrate the holiday which include educating yourself on the Baha'i faith or visiting a local Baha'i center. In both of these you will be able to interact with people of the faith to gain a better understanding of its culture. Lastly, there is also different rites and practices used specifically on the Martyrdom of the Báb in order to honor his teachings that you could also partake it at your closest Baha'i temple.