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Bahá’í World News Service

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Mayor pays tribute to Luxembourg Baha'is on anniversary

November 4, 2012
Luxembourg City's mayor Xavier Bettel – pictured right of the stone – unveiled a monument on 30 October 2012, marking the 50th anniversary of the first election of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Luxembourg.

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg — The first election 50 years ago of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Luxembourg has been commemorated here with a monument in a central city park.

The large stone bearing the words of Baha'u'llah – "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens" – was unveiled in the Parc de Merl on 30 October by the city's mayor Xavier Bettel, accompanied by the municipal magistrate Viviane Loschetter, members of the city council, and other special guests.

The council also planted an oak tree in the park as a gift to the Baha'i community to mark the anniversary.

"A tree is a symbol of life," said Mayor Bettel, "It grows organically and bears fruit from which all of us may benefit."

The commemorative stone cites, in French, the famous quotation from Baha'u'llah, "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens." Slideshow
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The commemorative stone cites, in French, the famous quotation from Baha'u'llah, "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens."

"I also firmly believe that our society has to open up to new thoughts and beliefs which have become part of this society..." Mr. Bettel added. "The city of Luxembourg not only consists of 61 per cent of foreign citizens but unites an ever growing variety of different beliefs and convictions. This is why I have planted this tree as a tribute to the Baha'i community."