Local Baha'i community to mark founder's anniversary

A shrine to Baha'u'llah. Photo/ Supplied

The Whanganui Baha'i community will join thousands around the world in celebrating the 200th birthday of their faith's founder Baha'u'llah this month.

Part of the local celebrations include an exhibition - Oneness of God, Religion and Humanity - which is on at the Community Arts Centre for a week from October 19.

Thirteen local and national artists are part of the visual conversation about the concept of the oneness of God, religion and humanity, which is one of Baha'u'llah's fundamental teachings.

"It is a very big celebration," Linda McArthur, of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is, said.

She said the faith was based on the unity of religions and gods and also progress.

"The social teachings are adapted to the age in which we live. As society changes we need different kinds of teachings."

The exhibition coincides with the celebration of Baha'u'llah's Birth at the Castlecliff Pavilion at 1.30pm on Sunday, October 22.

Baha'u'llah was born in 1817 in Tehran and established a religion whose principal teachings are the oneness of humanity, the oneness of religion and the oneness of God.

"Baha'u'llah has offered humanity a firm hope that the many conflicts and power struggles affecting every society will be resolved," Aidan MacLeod from the New Zealand Baha'i office of public affairs said.

Anyone interested in participating in the upcoming bicentenary celebrations or learning more about Baha'u'llah and his teachings is welcome to contact the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Whanganui on 022 057 1952.

Further information is also available on bahai.org.nz and 0800 224247.