Baha’is Remember Martyred Bab

Mary Beth Burtis clutches a red rose.

Slowly, from a thick, chestnut-colored book, she intones a sacred prayer.

“Is there any remover of difficulties, save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are his servants, and all abide by his bidding.”

After she speaks the words, she invites others in the small semi-circle to repeat the prayer. They, too, hold red roses and recite the words - some with young timbre, others with shaky voices.

Soon, the informal 30-minute ceremony ends, and the group of 11 people quietly disperses.

These Spokane Valley residents are Baha’is, followers of an independent religion which teaches that humanity is one family created by God. They gathered in Terrace View Park Wednesday to remember the martyrdom of Mirza Ali-Muhammad, known to followers as the Bab. It’s one of the holiest days in the Baha’i calendar.

“The Bab wrote that prayer for his wife, because he knew that she would be enduring difficulties because of her faith,” said Vic Burtis, referring to the prayer his wife had read.

Spokane Valley Baha’i membership is small: only about 50 people. But the faith claims more than 5 million members in 200 countries worldwide.

Baha’is don’t have clergy, and are forbidden from proselytizing. Instead, a small group of devoted members at each church is charged to oversee the congregation. To spread their message, Baha’is often send out “pioneers” to live in remote areas and live out their faith quietly.

The religion was founded in Iran by Mirza Husayn-Ali, known to followers as the Baha’u’llah, which is Arabic for “glory of God.” He fulfilled the prophecies made by the Bab years earlier.

“The Bab was the herald of the revelation, like John the Baptist in relation to Jesus Christ,” said Burtis. “He caused an uproar in Persia. When the Bab was preaching it created tremendous upheaval.”

His message in Iran attracted thousands of followers in the late 1840s, as he urged them to reject past traditions and prepare for the coming glory of God. Iranian officials ordered the Bab imprisoned, and about 20,000 of his followers were killed. He was executed on July 9, 1850, at age 30.

Those events are past, but Baha’is still find them meaningful.

“I remember that the manifestation of God came to people to give them the teachings for the day, to guide them once again toward God,” said Jilla Simmons, 47, who is a fifth-generation Baha’i member. Her great-great grandfather had a dream which impacted her destiny.

“He knew that the promised one was very close,” said Simmons, describing her ancestor. His faith impacted him so dramatically that he traveled to Shiraz, Iran, in search of the Bab. He later converted, and every generation has followed since.

Now, Simmons is raising her own daughter in the Baha’i faith.

Elham Simmons, 15, says that living her beliefs at Central Valley High School can sometimes be a challenge.

“It gives me opportunities, because they ask questions and it’s nice to be able to talk with them,” said Elham. “They’ll listen, but it’s sometimes difficult when they don’t have any background information.”

Because the Baha’i faith stresses racial equality, Elham serves as multicultural director for the student body association at Central Valley.

Elham’s father, David Simmons, says, “We do not believe that there is evil, or hell, or Satan. We see the body as a vehicle and that the purpose of life is spiritual.”

Baha’is are also strong advocates of equality. They strive to eradicate prejudices based on race, creed, class, nationality, economic status and gender. Sexual orientation differences are respected, but Baha’is believe in the primacy of marriage.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo