Observances

Mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Robertson issues a Naw-Ruz proclamation mentioning the Baha’is.Vancouver, British Columbia, 17 March 2011 (CBNS) — Baha’is and their friends will be gathering together around the world on the eve or day of March 21 to celebrate Naw-Ruz, the Baha’i New Year. The makeup of the celebrations varies between local and national communities given the diverse cultures and backgrounds that constitute the membership of the Baha’i community. The common thread between them is that it is a joyous time for all who participate. This Naw-Ruz will be the first day of the year 168 on the Baha’i calendar.

Holy place restoration sheds light on region's heritage: some two kilometers southeast of the historic city of Acre, the Ridvan Garden - created for Baha'u'llah - has been restored to its original island setting. The centerpiece is a fountain from which water is conveyed into a canal that runs past the garden.
Toronto, Ontario, 11 November 2010 (CBNS) — Several Canadians were among the first Baha’i pilgrims to visit a newly restored holy place. They return to Canada in time this week for the celebration of the birth of Baha'u'llah.

The Shrine of the Bab, Haifa, IsraelToronto, Ontario, 18 October 2010 (CBNS) — In Halifax, Nova Scotia, close to one hundred people will gather in a local hall on October 20th where a beautiful program has been prepared to commemorate one of the most important of Baha’i Holy Days. A Chinese guitarist will perform, prayers will be said and the life of one of humanity’s most fascinating spiritual teachers, known to history as the Bab, will be remembered.

The Shrine of the Bab in Haifa is a special place of prayer for Baha’is and others. The remains of the Bab were laid to rest there in 1909, nearly 60 years after His martyrdom in Iran.Montréal, Quebec, 8 July 2010 (CBNS) — The smoke and dust provoked by the gunpowder was so thick that the entire courtyard was clouded. In Tabriz, Iran, 160 years ago tomorrow, a young man known as the Báb was taken from the cell where he was being kept prisoner, suspended in a public square and executed by a firing squad.

Yellowknife, NTToronto, Ontario, 19 March 2010 (CBNS) — In Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Dene, Inuit, French-Canadian, and Chinese participants will be among those attending a celebration this weekend, welcoming the Baha'i New Year with music, artistic presentations, dinner and dancing.