If you’ve never heard of the Baha’i faith, that’s not too surprising.
After all, it’s a little less than 200 years old.
Nonetheless, the approximately 40 members of the Baha’i faith in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area are holding a celebration of their founder’s birthday 200 years ago with a two-day art, music and dance event at the McMillan Arts Centre in Parksville.
Taking place Oct. 21 and 22 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., the celebration will include an art display by students from Kwalikum and Ballenas secondary schools, dance performances by Innovate Dance Arts in Parksville and Qualicum Beach School of Dance, music by Baha’i members and a discussion about the basics of Baha’i faith and its founder, Baha’u’llah.
Patrick Tibando, treasurer of the local spiritual assembly for Qualicum Beach, spoke with The NEWS about what it means to be Baha’i.
The basic tenets of the religion is the unity of the human race, he said, regardless of belief, country, skin colour or gender.
This comes from the religion’s founder, Baha’u’llah, born in Persia (present-day Iran). Baha’i followers believe that he was the latest manifestation of God on Earth.
“We believe that God doesn’t leave mankind without a divine teacher,” said Tibando. “We believe that Christ and Buddha and Muhammad were all divine manifestations of God to bring about spiritual and civil advancement of society.
“The latest manifestation, Baha’u’llah, is to bring about world unity… and that without this world unity and looking upon one another as true brothers and sisters, we’ll never have peace.”
Baha’i followers also believe that nurturing artistic expression is a way to celebrate the diversity of humanity, hence the celebration.
The Baha’i community invited Ballenas and Kwalikum secondary school students to submit paintings and sculptures to be considered for a $500 bursary. The winners were Madison Poole from Ballenas and Julie Bachmann from Kwalikum, according to a Baha’i community news release.
Tibando said he hopes the celebration on Oct. 21 and 22 provides more awareness of their religion, and that people feel free to come by the MAC and enjoy the art and performances.