Commemoration of the Martyrdom of the Bab

Please join us for the commemoration of the Martyrdom of the Bab on Monday, July 9th at 12:30 p.m. at the DC Baha'i Center (5713 16th St NW).

This Holy Day commemorates one of the most dramatic episodes in the history of the Bahá'í Faith, concerning one of its Central Figures, the Báb, who was the forerunner to Bahá'u'lláh. 

In 1850, Mirza Taqi Khan, Grand Vizier of the new Shah [of Persia], Nasiri'd- Din, ordered the Bab executed. On July 9, the Bab was brought before a firing squad in the barracks square of Tabriz, along with a young follower. When the smoke cleared, the Bab was nowhere to be seen. He was later located in the room He had occupied, finishing a conversation with His amanuensis. The commander of the Armenian regiment, Sam Khan, refused to fire a second time and another regiment had to be found. This time their bullets killed the Bab. His remains were hidden by the Bábís and in 1899 transferred to Palestine. In 1909 'Abdu'l-Bahá Himself interred the Báb's remains in the sepulcher on Mount Carmel known as the Shrine of the Bab.  (Compilations, NSA USA - Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities).

(Read more here.)

Please join us for the commemoration of the Martyrdom of the Bab on

Monday, July 9th at 12:30 p.m.

at the DC Baha'i Center (5713 16th St NW).

All are welcome.  Tea and light refreshments will be served. 

Please note since the United States observes DST the commemoration is to take place at 1:00 pm. 

Race Unity Day 2012

Consultation and celebration in honor of Race Unity Day

When:  Sunday June 10th, 2012 from 4:00pm-6:00pm
Where:  DC Bahá’í Center 5713 16th St NW

Race Unity Day: Second Sunday in June

Baha’u'llah, Founder of the Baha’i Faith, implored people to “Close your eyes to racial differences and welcome all with the light of oneness.”

To that end, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States inaugurated Race Unity Day in 1957 to promote racial harmony and understanding. Since then, communities throughout the country have held celebrations, open to the public, on the second Sunday in June.

The purpose of Race Unity Day is to focus attention on racial prejudice, which Baha’is believe is the most challenging moral issue facing our nation. Writing in the mid-1800s, Baha’u'llah, Founder of the Baha’i Faith, stated unequivocally that humanity is a single race and called on the world to recognize the principle of human oneness in all spheres.

Worldwide, Baha’is have sought to build a model of racial integration by embracing people from all races, backgrounds and classes of society.

Tour of Local Historic Religious Sites

This Spring, our Bahá'í community began a tour series visiting local historic religious sites throughout DC.  The goal is to build bridges with our neighboring faith communities and learn more about the places and histories that are important to them.

To participate in an upcoming tour, view the calendar and RSVP here.

Below are reports and pictures from our trips so far.

Centenary Information

Resource page for info related to the Centenary Commemoration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Visit to D.C: dcbahai.org/centenary.

Commemoration of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's visit and speech at Howard University.