SINGAPORE, Singapore — As the two hundred year anniversary of Baha'u'llah's birth approaches, leaders around the world from the international to local level are honoring the momentous occasion with special tributes.

Recently, Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, addressed a message to the Baha'i community of his country:

"Baha'u'llah's teachings of unity and peace are cherished values in our multi-racial and multi-religious society," stated the message, dated 31 July 2017. "I am heartened that the Baha'i community is active in inter-faith engagements, and continues to promote understanding, dialogue and interaction among people from different religions."

"Your efforts will go a long way in enhancing mutual respect in a multi-faith society and strengthening Singapore's social harmony," it continues.

The Prime Minister's tribute is among a number that have already been received by Baha'i communities around the world. In Vietnam, in honor of the upcoming bicentenary celebrations, senior government officials, including Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, met with representatives of the Baha'i community and expressed appreciation for the community's contributions towards the country's development through activities that are improving living conditions and promoting education. Since the message from the President of India earlier this year, similar tributes have now been received from the Vice President and several other high-ranking members of the national government, as well as the Chief Minister of one of the states of India and other officials. At the local level, the City Council of Rosario, Argentina, passed a government resolution honoring the bicentenary anniversary and recognizing Haifa as its sister city. In the United States, the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has also passed a resolution to honor the birth of Baha'u'llah and urge its citizens to work for the realization of peace, justice, and solidarity.