“I felt possessed of such courage and power that were the world, all its peoples and its potentates, to rise against me, I would, alone and undaunted, withstand their onslaught. The universe seemed but a handful of dust in my grasp. I seemed to be the Voice of Gabriel personified, calling unto all mankind: ‘Awake, for, lo! the morning Light has broken.'”

Mulla Husayn (1813-1849) was a young Persian theology student who became convinced that the great figure, expected by many Shi’ih Muslims in the 19th century, was to be found in Shiraz (Persia). On May 22, 1844, he had his famous first encounter with the Bab (Gate), the first of two mighty Teachers who inaugurated the Baha’i Faith. This is how he felt on the morning of May 23, and the way he acted until he was killed for his conviction. The Baha’is of the world just celebrated this inaugural event for their community.