ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF THE BAB

9th July 2024

Baha’i

This day recalls the death of the Bab, executed by firing squad in Tabriz, Persia, at noon on July 9th in 1850. Baha’is commemorate hisdeath at noon with readings and prayers from the Baha’i Scriptures. It has become a holy day of rest when Baha’is should refrain from work.

The Báb (the word means ‘Gate’ – that through which another would come) was the title adopted by ʿAli Muhammad Shirāzi, a 19th century Persian religious leader and founder of the Bábi movement. He and his followers were persecuted by the religious leaders of his country and this culminated in his being publicly shot by a firing squad in 1850. However, Bahá’í’s believe that his martyrdom was the occasion of a miracle witnessed by thousands. They hold that the first attempt to shoot the Báb resulted only in severing the ropes by which he was bound and freeing him so that he could conclude an important conversation with a follower; after the Báb’s death his followers almost unanimously accepted Mírzá Ḥusayn-`Alí Núrí (Bahá’u’lláh – the name means “The Glory of God”) as their new religious leader.

The commemoration of the Martyrdom of the Báb is one of nine days in the year when Bahá’ís should take time off work or school to be able to participate in religious gathering. His body is now buried in a magnificent tomb in Haira.