The Community of Omagh
Where are we?
Omagh was founded in 1610 and now has a population of more than 22,000. It is the chief town of County Tyrone, the largest county in Northern Ireland, and stands at the confluence of the Drumragh and Camowen rivers. The name is from the Irish: an Ómaigh meaning "the virgin plain". The district is the centre of attractive countryside, the eastern part of which includes the Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Attractions in the area include Gortin Glen with its country park and scenic drive, and the Ulster American Folk Park.
Omagh High Street
WHERE WE ARE
Ulster American Folk Park
Who are we?
We are members of the Bahá'í Faith, a world-wide religious community that brings together people of all ages, races, and backgrounds. We have a vision of a better world, one where the oneness of humanity is taken as the basis for our relationships, be they social, political or economic. In Omagh as elsewhere the Bahá'ís are working towards the realisation of that vision.
So the Bahá'ís here see themselves as a part both of their town and area but also of something far greater, and this is the basis of their work and relationships. Members come from various backgrounds, not just from Northern Ireland but also England and Iran.
What do we do?
As the Bahá'í Faith has no clergy, or individuals in positions of personal leadership, all members are involved in its activities. There is a vigorous community life involving not just religious observances and administrative meetings but also activities such as discussion classes, devotional meetings, study circles (courses for spiritual and moral development), and children's classes that are open to those of any faith or none.
The Omagh Bahá'ís are involved with and support a variety of activities in the wider community: in a local choir, in civic and voluntary organisations, with local Non-Governmental Organisations, in the environment and with environmental concerns.
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World Religion Day is a celebration that occurs on the third Sunday in January. It has been taking-place for over 50 years, worldwide. Omagh Bahá'í Community has held it every year since 1984, and the celebration brings together people of all faiths. Its objective is to stress the oneness of religion and help people to look beyond what divides them and see their common unity.
What we believe
The Bahá'í Faith is the youngest of the world's independent religions. Its founder, Bahá’u’lláh (a title meaning “Glory of God”) (1817-1892), is regarded by Bahá'ís as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God that stretches back beyond recorded time. In just over a century-and-a-half it has established itself as the world's second most widespread religion (after Christianity) and it is now the eighth-largest organized religion (these statements come from non-Bahá'í scholars, by the way, not from us).
The central theme of Bahá'u'lláh's message is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for its coming together in a global society based on justice and cooperation. Historical forces are breaking down traditional barriers of race, class, creed, and nation and that will, in time, give birth to a universal civilization. The main challenge facing the peoples of the earth is to accept the fact of their oneness and to work together.
For more than a century, Bahá'í communities around the globe have been working to break down barriers of prejudice between peoples and have collaborated with other like-minded groups to promote the model of a global society. At the heart of our belief is the conviction that humanity is a single people with a common destiny. In the words of Bahá'u'lláh, "The Earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens."
There are no Bahá'í clergy or leaders, the community is administered at all levels by elected bodies. All members have a say in the work of community and play their part. To learn more about the Bahá'í Faith and its teachings and see something of its activities world-wide in the section below.
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Or to learn more you can contact us at bcni@bahai.org.uk.
Find out more
The Bahá'Ãs of the Republic of Ireland
The Bahá'Ãs Worldwide Community
The Bahá'Ãs of the United Kingdom