Some of Hatfield’s 35 Indian Baha’is and their friends
What an evening! More than 120 people – Baha’is and their friends from all over Hertfordshire – noisily celebrated the anniversary of the Declaration of the Bab with prayers, music, food and dancing in Hatfield’s Roe Hill Hall last night.
Declaration of the Bab
The Declaration of the Bab is one of nine holy days in the year on which Baha’is refrain from work. This particular holy day celebrates the day on which what would develop into the Baha’i community came into being. You can read the story here.
I been invited to open the meeting by saying who the Bab was and to tell a little of the story of the Declaration itself.
Music
And then music. Indian music. English music. Singing. Guitar.
Food and conversation
After the formal part of the programme, we had food. There’s always food at Baha’i gatherings!
Food, of course, provides an opportunity for conversation. I found myself deep in talk with Raja, a Hindu whose sister-in-law in Northern Ireland is a Baha’i. Raja is soon to retire. He spoke about his faith and about the void that might be in his life once he is no longer working. He found himself drawn by the community spirit at the celebration. “I feel at home here,” he said.
Dance
And finally Indian dancing to close the evening. A couple of video clips will give you a feel of the sheer joy and buzz of this dancing.
This was an extraordinarily uplifting and enjoyable evening. The spirit of unity and fellowship was palpable. The buzz was thrilling.
I don’t think I have ever experienced a Baha’i Holy Day celebration like it in all my Baha’i life of more than 40 years.
Technorati Tags: Baha’i, Bahai, Bab, holy day, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, Indian, dancing
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{ 7 comments }
What fun; I love it! Yes, I could feel such an uplift…something quite tangible is moving all over the world…it’s been known as “feeling the Spirit”, but this is so much more! The Bab released such a powerful energy into the world when He declared His Mission, and I believe that beautiful, magnetic force is attracting and captivating more and more people! Hatfield’s holy day celebration is a demonstration of that, and apparently, your community wasn’t the only one who experienced it!
We in the Mole Valley are envious!
If any of your new Indian friends have friends down south, please ask them to let their family friends know of our existence!
T & R
Dear Barney — Lita and I are reading your blog from Hanoi. What a wonderful little peek into Hatfield’s growing community — thank you!
This looked so joyous, I’m glad for you that you were part of it. And pleased to see in the second video that the little girl who looked rather overwhelmed in the first one was joining in with gusto!
Angela, Thelma, Tess, thanks for your comments. It was a truly remarkable event and I’m still feeling uplifted by it a couple of days later! The children were lovely – and Jake, my 3 year old grandson, fell in love with a 4 year old Indian girl whose name is something like Kulmodi. They played together and Hari (my daughter) took Jake to see Kulmodi and her parents, Bala (who is a Baha’i) and Tulasi ( who is not a Baha’i but who is a great enthusiast for the Baha’i children’s classes, which have helped her daughter become calmer and improve her English) on Sunday.
This does bring it all home, doesn’t it? So glad to see that phenomenal spirit shining in Hatfield!
Ohh its been a long while since I danced Garba, makes me wanna dance too.
This is so uplifing to see the joy and happiness on everyones faces. It is especially encouraging to see that people feel “at home” in such gatherings.
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