Mumbai's Baha'i community observed the martyrdom day of the Bab, a central figure in their faith, on July 9.
The city's Baha'is gathered at the Baha'i Centre in New Marine Lines in the afternoon to commemorate the event.
Bab, whose name means 'gate' in Arabic, was a prophet and forerunner to Baha'u'llah, the founder-prophet of the faith. The Baha'i religion is a syncretic faith that recognises a long line of prophets, including Zoroaster, Krishna, Gautama Buddha, Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, the Bab, and ultimately Baháʼu'lláh.
The Bab's message was to prepare the people for the coming of the promised one, Baha'u'llah. The Bab's teachings emphasised the importance of spiritual and moral transformation. His teachings were considered heresy by the Islamic rulers. On July 9, 1850, the Bab was martyred in Tabriz, Persia, by a firing squad of 750 soldiers.
Today, the Bab's remains are enshrined on Mount Carmel in Haifa, a sacred site revered by Baha'is worldwide. Haifa is also the headquarters of the faith that does not recognise a clergy. Senior members of the community lead others in prayers.
To commemorate the significant day, Baha'i from all over the world gathered to pray and reflect at 12 noon, the time when the Bab was shot.
