Baha'i
celebration features tree
Artwork added to it
Submitted
November 9, 2017
A tree grew inside the Goulbourn
Recreation Complex in Stittsville on Saturday evening, Oct. 14.
It blossomed and expanded with personal artwork as it became a major
attraction at a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of
Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i faith.
About 100 people of all ages from diverse ethnic, racial and religious
backgrounds along with City of Ottawa Stittsville ward councillor Shad
Qadri took part in the celebration.
One of the celebration’s activities was called “Fruits of One Tree” in
which participants were invited to paint or write something about
themselves and hang it on the tree. “Fruits of One Tree” is based on a
quote from Baha’ullah calling all humanity to unity and oneness.
Specifically, Baha’ullah said: “Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the
leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and
harmony, with friendliness and fellowship … So powerful is the light of
unity that it can illuminate the whole Earth.”
For this activity, children, youth and adults at the celebration were
all invited to uniquely paint or decorate a wooden fruit and hang it on
the tree as a symbol of unity and diversity of the human family.
This was but one activity at the celebration which emphasized the unity
and diversity of the human family. Musical performances including
Persian dance and African drumming also reflected the diversity of the
human family.
A poster display about the life of Baha’u’llah was accompanied by
representative snacks from areas where Baha’u’llah lived and where he
was exiled to, such as Iran, Turkey, Iraq and Israel.
Another poster display showed the implementation of Baha’u’llah’s
teachings in building united communities at both the local and
international level.
This event was a celebration of the transformative impact of
Baha’u’llah teachings on the lives of families, neighbourhoods and
communities.
The teachings of Baha’u’llah (1817-1892) have spread around the world,
forming a basis for social transformation and community building which
is unique in its global reach and the diversity of participants.
Baha’u’llah, whose name means “The Glory of God,” is considered by
millions around the world as the divine educator for this age. In his
writings, Baha’u’llah outlines a framework for the development of a
global civilization which takes into account both the spiritual and
material dimensions of human life. His teachings, centred around the
recognition of the oneness of humanity, offer a vision of a future
world united in justice, peace and prosperity.
The Baha’i faith, which originated in Iran in the mid-19th century, has
become a faith present in every country in the world in less than 200
years.
The international Baha’i community numbers more than five million
people.
Baha’is consider work done in the spirit of service to humanity as the
highest form of worship. Prayer, offered both in private and in the
company of others, is regarded as essential spiritual nourishment,
providing inspiration for positive personal and social change.
Individuals pray daily and observe an annual period of fasting.
The Baha’i faith has no clergy or sacraments and has very simple
practices for life transitions such as marriage and funerals.
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