This evening, in collaboration with neighbouring Bahá’í communities, the Bahá’í community of Maidenhead hosts a very special online gathering, a commemoration of the passing one hundred years ago of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the eldest son of Bahá’u’lláh and His appointed successor.
The life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1844-1921), and in particular his unremitting service to humanity, has been remembered this year by Bahá’í communities around the world – from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Panama, from Alaska to Cambodia – through specially commissioned films, documentaries, exhibitions, podcasts, essays, books, songs and dramatic works.
In the Holy Land, recent special events in Haifa and ‘Akká have welcomed municipal officials, residents and faith representatives to mark the the ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at historic sites associated with Him. The funeral of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on 29 November 1921 was attended by some ten thousand mourners representing every class, religion and race, with tributes and eulogies from all quarters.
In the Holy Land, Bahá’í representatives from the nations and regions of the world have gathered this week to attend a commemoration and conference.
In the United Kingdom, a parliamentary reception was hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Bahá’í Faith at Portcullis House, Westminster. More than 80 guests attended including Members of Parliament, and representatives of religious communities and non-governmental organisations. Guests were welcomed by Martin Vickers, MP for Cleethorpes, followed by an address by the Minister of State for Levelling Up Communities Kemi Badenoch, MP for Saffron Walden. The event was closed by Ruth Jones, MP for Newport West.
One of the many UK initiatives to mark the occasion has been a series of films with stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to the UK illustrating Bahá’í principles – told by children and junior youth and released on YouTube.
Baha'i Community of Maidenhead 