Jul 9th, 2009
Trails to Trials
l have rolled up the world and all that is therein, and spread out a new Order in its stead.’ `The day is approaching when God will have raised up a people who will call to remembrance Our days, who will tell the tale of Our trials, who will demand the restitution of Our rights. Bahai writings
Like Christians, Baha’is annually commemorate the state execution of a person considered by the leaders of His day to be a criminal. Like Jesus, who prayed as He was crucified,`Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34), when the Bab was set before a firing squad in Tabriz, Iran, on 9 July 1850, He explained to His executioners that they had no idea who He was and what they were doing. His last words were: `O wayward generation! Had you believed in Me every one of you would have followed the example of this youth [Anis], who stood in rank above most of you, and would have willingly sacrificed himself in My path. The day will come when you will have recognized Me; that day I shall have ceased to be with you.’
Both Jesus and the Bab were around 30 when they died. Both envisaged the Kingdom of God on earth. Both taught a message of love. Both were victims of ignorance and fear. Both suffered at the hands of government. Both faced a show trial where the verdict was determined before they ever appeared. Both were deemed to be criminals and executed as such. Both were told that their religion would die as soon as they did. Both proved this expectation to be wrong.
But the fear and ignorance remain. Although the Bab died 159 years ago today, His followers are still being persecuted. Seven are locked up in prison. Their trial is set for 11 July. Their prospects are not good. In the end, the charges against them will not matter: their actual crime is to be a follower of the Bab and His successor, Baha’u'llah. No doubt there will be a show trial to prove that the Baha’is are criminals, not followers of a religion. If things get that far, no doubt there will be calls for their execution.
So while today Baha’is around the world are remembering the Bab and recalling His life and martyrdom, they will also be remembering the Evin Seven and praying for their safety and eventual release.
Technorati Tags: Baha’i, Bahai, Baha’u'llah, the Bab, Jesus, Evin prison, Iran, human rights
Powerful, heady wine of sacrifice.
Sweet beyond belief!
Yet we pray
While they stay
In prison yet in His hands.
Both Jesus and the Bab were around 30 when they died. Both envisaged the Kingdom of God on earth. Both taught a message of love. Both were victims of ignorance and fear. Both suffered at the hands of government. Both faced a show trial where the verdict was determined before they ever appeared. Both were deemed to be criminals and executed as such. …
And both had people killed with Them at Their execution.