About the Martyrdom of the Bab

The Shrine of the Bab located on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel (Photo courtesy of Nancy Wong)

On July 9th, 1850, the Bab, the forerunner to Baha’u’llah was executed in Tabriz, Persia by a firing squad of 750 men. The Bab, which means “the Gate” in Arabic, was a Messenger of God, whose role can be likened to that of John the Baptist (who told of the coming of Christ) in heralding the coming of the latest Manifestation of God: Baha’u’llah.

In 1909, after being hidden away for more than half a century, the Bab’s remains were finally interred on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land. Today, entombed in an exquisite golden-domed Shrine, encompassed by spectacular terraced gardens and fountains, the Bab rests in conspicuous glory.

Below are some Baha’i Blog resources relating to the Bab, His life, His Writings and His Martyrdom:

1. The Martyrdom of the Bab and Jesus Christ

There are only two Manifestations that we know of in recorded history who have suffered martyrdom: Jesus Christ and the Bab. In this article, Shamim explores numerous other similarities between Them, with regards to Their lives, Their ministries and the events surrounding Their martyrdoms.

2. The Shrine of the Bab and Its Significance

Naysan offers an introductory explanation to the commemoration of the Martyrdom of the Bab and some history about the construction of the Shrine of the Bab and its terraced gardens on Mount Carmel.

3. A Tribute to Anis Zunuzi

In this tribute to Anis Zunizi, the youth who was executed alongside the Bab, Sonjel shares some details about Anis’ character, his steadfastness and the extraordinary events surrounding his martyrdom at the side of his beloved.

4. Negeen Sobhani’s Stunning Photos of the Shrine of the Bab

Some say that the Shrine of the Bab and its surrounding gardens are so beautiful that it is difficult to take a poor photo of them but Negeen’s photos uniquely capture the serenity, the vibrancy and the elegance of this special place. The physical beauty of the Shrine of the Bab and its terraced gardens are a physical representation, or a hint, of the spiritual beauty of the Bab’s revelation.

5. The Shrine of the Bab – Aerial Footage with Music

This video shows aerial footage put to music of the Shrine of the Bab located in Haifa, Israel. Five new video clips of aerial footage of the Shrine of the Bab have recently been added to the Baha’i Media Bank. The Baha’i Media Bank is an official website of the Baha’i World Centre, and it’s a great place to find a wide range of photographs relating to things like Baha’i history, holy places, events and activities.

6. The Bayan – An Introduction

In this article, Sonjel provides a brief introduction to both the Persian Bayan and the Arabic Bayan, volumes of the Bab’s prolific and powerful Revelation. The Persian Bayan is considered the Mother Book of the Bab’s Dispensation and it is a book of laws, teachings and traditions.

7. The Bab’s Revelation

Sonjel reflects and shares historical accounts of the astounding speed at which the Bab revealed Sacred Writings, a speed that was constrained only by the capacity of His ananuencis (or secretary). You can also listen to an audio recording of this article here: The Bab’s Revelation [Audio Version]

8. The Bab – What Was He Like?

Michael looks at some quotations that historically document impressions of those who were able to be in the Bab’s presence.

9. 30 Books Relating to the Bab

This list of 30 books is in no particular order and it describes titles written for a variety of audiences and in a diversity of styles, including some creative non-fiction. We hope you find this list useful!

10: Baha’i Blog Quiz: The Bab

This short 10 part quiz includes introductory questions about the Bab and His Revelation.

11. Baha’i Blog Quiz: The Bab (Part II)

Further test your knowledge — or that of you friends and family — with this second quiz about the Bab.

12. The Bab – The Harbinger of the Most Great Light

Yas shares some tributes to the Bab as well as some of His titles to help us gain an understanding of this Harbinger of the Most Great Light. You can also listen to Yas read this article here on Baha’i Blog: The Bab – The Harbinger of the Most Great Light [Audio Version]

13. 30 Baha’i Blog Studio Sessions Based on the Writings of the Bab

In honor of the bicentenary anniversary of the Birth of the Bab, Prophet-herald of the Baha’i Faith, we thought we’d showcase all of our Baha’i Blog Studio Sessions whose lyrics are based on His Writings. As of September 2019, we’ve shared 30 songs! You’ll find them listed below, in no particular order.

14. 19 Animated Videos by the Baha’is of Ireland for the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab

The Irish Baha’i Community is creating a series of 19 short animated videos in honor of the bicentenary anniversary of the Birth of the Bab, Prophet-herald of the Baha’i Faith. These charming and succinct videos share warmly-told stories about the early days of the Baha’i Faith and about some qualities of the Bab.

15. Universal House of Justice Releases Film “Dawn of the Light” for the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab

This wonderful film follows the story of eight people from around the world as they describe their spiritual journeys to discovering the Bab and Baha’u’llah. “Dawn of the Light” can be downloaded or watched online from the official bicentennial website: bicentenary.bahai.org

16. My Beloved: A Prayer by the Bab Sung by Elika Mahony

“My Beloved” is a track from Elika Mahony’s album created in honour of the Bicentenary anniversary of the Birth of Bab. The album is titled The Exalted One and it features 11 songs based on prayers and Writings of the Bab with piano, cello, guitar, tiple, cuatro (South American instruments) and voice. “My Beloved” puts the prayer “O God, my God, my Beloved, my heart’s Desire” to music and it is sung in six different languages: English, Spanish, Swahili, Chinese, Italian and French.

17. The Gate of God – A Song by Ann-Sofie Wensbo

“The Gate of God” is an original song about the Life and Martyrdom of the Bab, written in 2007 by Scott Rizzo (lyrics) and Ann-Sofie Wensbo (lyrics & music), and released in 2019 for the bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab.

18. 6 Photos the Bab’s Personal Belongings

In a recent Baha’i World News Service article, we learned that 43 images associated with the life and mission of the Bab have been published online for the first time on the Baha’i Media Bank. This also includes aerial footage of the Shrine of the Bab that we turned into this short video. From these photographs, we thought we’d showcase six photos of personal objects that belonged to the Bab.

19. Gate of Heaven: An Album Dedicated to the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab by Luke Slott

We’ve had Luke as a guest on our podcast series called the Baha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson, and you can listen to that episode here. A couple of years ago we interviewed him about Year of the Nightingale, but we wanted to hear more about his new album called Gate of Heaven, so we caught up with Luke to find out more about this special musical tribute to the Bab.

20. Birth of a New Revelation: Documentary About the Bab by Youth of Andaman Islands, India

In honor of the bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab, the youth of the Andaman Islands, India have produced a documentary about the life of the Bab.

21. The Gate: An Album by Navid Lancaster for the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab

Navid Lancaster has produced an orchestral album in honor of the bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab, Prophet-herald of the Baha’i Faith. The official website for the bicentenary celebrations around the world, www.bicentenary.bahai.org, gives us glimpses of the diversity of artistic expressions that have flourished from all corners of the planet. We’re also really honoured when people reach out to us and tell us what they’ve been working on such as Navid and his album, The Gate.

22. The Martyrdom of the Bab: An Oratorio by Keivan Towfigh

What’s an “oratorio” you ask? An oratorio is a large-scale musical work for orchestra and voices, like Handel’s Messiah. It usually tells a religious story and is performed without costumes or staging.

23. Eroica: Afshin Jaberi’s Piano Sonatas and Ballades Honoring the Life of the Bab

The title Eroica means “heroic”, and it’s the title of the cycle of nine ballades for piano that describe the Heroic Age of our beloved Faith and is a musical tribute to the Bab.

24. Al Romper el Alba (At the Break of Dawn)

“Al Romper el Alba”, which translates to “At the Break of Dawn”, is a musical created by the Baha’is of the Canary Islands. Originally performed on December 1, 2019 in honor of the bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab, this musical tells the story of the first followers of the Bab, Forerunner of the Baha’i Faith. Å