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On Saturday, 21st October,
more than two thousand Baha'is and their friends converged
on the Millennium Dome to celebrate the Holy Day for the Birthday
of the Báb.
The Báb was born in Persia
in 1819. Like John the Baptist calling on the Jews to prepare
for the advent of Christ, the Báb taught of a coming prophet
who would be the Promised One - not only for followers of
Islam, but for all the world's great religions. Baha'is recognise
that prophet as Baha'u'llah.
The Millennium Dome celebrations
were organised by Baha'i artist and designer Jeremy Herbert.
"It was an amazing
day!" he says. "When we arrived at the Dome in the
morning, and walked through the main entrance, we saw the
Baha'i Stand, decked out with flowers. The Baha'is had all
been asked to bring flowers and so many had been brought that
the management of the Dome had to send out for more containers
to put them in."
Members of the Bahá'í community
and their friends had travelled from north, south, east and
west - from as far away as Devon, Scotland, Wales, the Channel
Islands and Holland.
Throughout the day there
were artistic performances on stage and entertainment provided
in the main entrance area. There was juggling, clog dancing,
a string quartet, singers, a Ceilidh Band, a teenage dance
workshop, and a Caribbean steel band. There were art exhibitions,
an arts and crafts area for children and a Tranquillity Zone
for prayer and meditation.
"Most of us made a
special visit to the Faith Zone," Mr Herbert commented.
"It was impressive
to see, amidst a predominantly Christian exhibition, the tall
pillars on which were presented photos and holy words from
the Baha'i Faith, and those of the many other faiths co-existing
in Britain, such as Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Moslem, Jewish, Buddhist,
and Zoroastrian."
As the end of the day came,
something that touched many visitors was that the flowers
brought by the friends were given away free to anyone who
wished to take them as a reminder of the event.
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