Baba's birthday (20/10)

Bab (translated from Arabic means «Gates») — prophet-forerunner of the Baha'i faith — was born in Persia on October 20, 1819. In this regard, October 20 marks the big holiday — anniversary of Bab's birthday (Anniversary of the Birth of the Bab). On this day, believers abstain from work.

The beginning of the Bahá'í era according to the Bahá'í calendar dates back to May 23, 1844, when Bab announced his divine mission. On this day, a young Persian merchant, Seyyid Ali Muhammad, who later took the name «Bab», proclaimed that He was called to announce to the world the approaching coming of the Promised of all religions and prepare people for His coming.

The new religious teaching aroused considerable public interest. Religious figures concerned about the spread of Bab's ideas used their influence over the government to organize the persecution of Bab and His followers.

Bab was exiled to Iranian Azerbaijan and imprisoned in a fortress. After proceedings were carried out by a court drawn up in violation of the accepted order, Bab was shot in 1850 in Tabriz.

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