‘Abdu’l-Bahá Centenary Update 1
30 June 2021
9 Raḥmat 178 B.E.
On 27 November 2021 Bahá’ís and their friends throughout the world will commemorate the centenary of the Passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The Universal House of Justice has described the coming months as a ‘year for profound reflection on the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the strength of the Covenant of which He was the Centre, as the community prepares to commemorate the centenary of His Ascension.’ Every two weeks, news will be shared of activities that are under way, plans that are being made, and resources that are being produced to assist the friends in their ‘profound reflection’ and to inspire sacrificial acts of service in His honour to fulfil the goals of the One Year Plan.
Support and resources for centenary activities
The National Spiritual Assembly has shared an initial list of resources that are available, or are being produced, to assist the friends in their commemoration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in this special year. These include two films forthcoming from the Bahá’í World Centre, Teaching Conferences, the study of institute courses and special literature.
Activities in Scotland accelerate for special year
The Bahá’í Council for Scotland has launched a special centenary newsletter, Scotland is Illumined. It reports a number of plans for the summer emerging in clusters across Scotland. These include teaching projects, children’s festivals and junior youth camps. Friends are beginning to meet in person in small numbers and some devotional meetings and study circles are taking place outdoors. To support these endeavors, the Regional Agencies in Scotland will host a series of Teaching Conferences, the first of which will take place on Sunday the 4th of July. These will consist of an online plenary study session for the first part of the day, and then local action on the second half. This will be followed by a reflection space online in the evening.
“The spirit of this community is ablaze with love for the Master and efforts are accelerating to embrace more friends into community building work of the Faith,” writes the Council.
New volume of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s writings now available
Light of the World, the volume of newly translated tablets penned by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is now available from Baha’i Books UK. Copies can be purchased here at the cost of £16. An online edition is available here >
Light of the World comprises a selection of 76 tablets, from among thousands penned by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in which aspects of the life of Bahá’u’lláh and the purpose of His Faith are recounted.
Suffolk artist creates bookmarks and cards for Centenary
Suffolk-based artist Richard Morgan decided to produce a series of cards and bookmarks to bring ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the attention of friends in ten neighbouring communities. On the reverse of each item there is a short introduction to the Master. “At a time when much of our communication is through electronic media,” says Richard, “it gives us the means to disseminate some pearls from the utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to our friends, relatives and contacts in a manner that is both direct and personal.”
Centenary resources from the Warwick Bahá’í Bookshop
The Warwick Bahá’í Bookshop has produced a number of items designed to be used for the Centenary of the Passing of `Abdu’l-Bahá. These include:
The Story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá – “The Master”
A full colour leaflet, priced at 10p per copy, for sharing with friends.
The Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
A 32-page booklet written in a style suitable for the average reader, for teenagers or older children.
Prayers of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá translated in honour of the centenary of His passing
Twenty-six recently-translated prayers in a handy A6 booklet