Over 100 guests, including numerous representatives of government and civil society, joined in the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s birth at a national event Oct. 25 in Washington, DC, hosted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and organized by the U.S. Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs.

Emceed by actress Parisa Fitz-Henley, the event featured music, storytelling and moving remarks on Bahá’u’lláh’s life and mission. It was covered by Voice of America’s Persian Service and its Arabic-language counterpart, Alhurra. Both services broadcast news of the event on subsequent days into Iran and the Middle East.

Many attendees expressed their warm gratitude for the beauty and dignity of the event and for the opportunity to learn more about who the Bahá’ís are. The days around the bicentenary were also marked by several statements from dignitaries and public officials, including former President Jimmy Carter and over two dozen members of Congress representing both parties and hailing from states and districts around the country, as well as many state governors and local mayors.

“As with all of the global bicentenary activities, both the event and the statements provided a unique and precious opportunity to share with colleagues, partners, and friends more about the vision and work of the Bahá’í community, both in the U.S. and around the world,” the Office of Public Affairs noted.