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Behind the Bahá’í faith, one of the fastest growing religions

In our World of Worship series, we’re exploring different ways people practice faith and religion around the globe. In this installment, we’re looking at one of the fastest growing religions in the world, the Bahá’í faith. There are now more than 100,000 Bahá’í communities worldwide. Dana Jacobson takes you on a journey to the “Mother Temple of the West.”

The Shrine of the Bab – Aerial Footage with Music

This video shows aerial footage put to music of the Shrine of the Bab located in Haifa, Israel. This year marks the Bicentennial of the Birth of the Bab, the forerunner to Baha’u’llah, the Prophet-founder of the Baha’i Faith. The Bab, which means ‘the Gate’ in Arabic, was a Messenger of God, whose role can be likened to that of John the Baptist (who told of the coming of Christ) in heralding the coming of the latest Manifestation of God: Baha’u’llah. For Baha’is, the Shrine of the Bab is the second holiest place on earth after the Shrine of Baha’u’llah in Akka, Israel, and it is a place of quiet prayer and meditation where Baha’i pilgrims and visitors from around the world can come and pay their respects. Shoghi Effendi also called the Shrine of the Bab the “Kuh-i-Nur ” (which means Mountain of Light in Persian), facing the “Darya-yi-Nur” (which means Ocean of Light in Persian), in reference to the Shrine of Baha’u’llah. In 1987, work began in building 18 terraces (also known as ‘the hanging gardens’) above and below the Shrine of the Bab (the Shrine of the Bab being in the centre making the total number of terraces 19) and these terraces represent the first eighteen disciples of the Bab. The terraces were opened to the public in 2001 and are now one of the most visited tourist attractions in Israel. The Shrine of the Bab, the terraces, and the other Baha’i Holy Places in Israel are also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today the Shrine of the Bab continues to serve as a beacon of light reminding us of the transformative power and impact of the Bab’s Revelation. In a message to the Baha’i world in 1953, Shoghi Effendi described the Shrine of the Bab to the Baha’is as the “Queen of Carmel enthroned on God’s Mountain, crowned in glowing gold, robed in shimmering white, girdled in emerald green, enchanting every eye from air, sea, plain and hill.” The Bicentennial of the Birth of the Bab occurs on 28/29 October, 2019 (Ilm 14/15, 176 B.E.). You can learn more about the Bab and the Shrine of the Bab from the following links: * The Bab – Herald of the Baha’i Faith: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/ * The Shrine of the Bab: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/shrine * The Shrine of the Bab and its Significance: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2013/07/the… Aerial footage courtesy of Baha’i Media Bank (https://media.bahai.org/). Copyright © Baha’i International Community.

President of Israel visits World Center to honor bicentenary amid wave of commemorations in Haifa and across the globe

October 28, 2019

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During his visit to the Baha’i World Centre, President of Israel Reuven Rivlin joined Dr. David Rutstein, Secretary-General of the Baha’i International Community, on a visit to the Shrine of the Bab and a walk through the surrounding gardens.

BAHA’I WORLD CENTRE — On Sunday, President of Israel Reuven Rivlin came to Haifa to honor the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Bab.

The visit follows a recent reception for local leaders and a special two-evening opening of the Shrine of the Bab and the terraces on Mt. Carmel, which saw more than 16,000 visitors walk through the Baha’i gardens, with many entering the Shrine, in a stirring display of joy, reverence, and social harmony. A brief film about the Bab was shown at the bicentenary reception.

“The values of tolerance and respect are well integrated into the two cities where the Baha’i World Centre is based—Akka and Haifa,” remarked President Rivlin during his visit. “The State of Israel is proud and delighted to host Baha’i believers and the World Centre for the Baha’i Faith, which promotes values of peace and unity among different religions.”

During his visit, President Rivlin joined Dr. David Rutstein, the Secretary-General of the Baha’i International Community, on a visit to the Shrine of the Bab and a walk through the surrounding gardens.

With sunset this evening, the Twin Baha’i Holy Days have commenced at the Baha’i World Centre, and commemorations will be held on 29 and 30 October to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of the Bab and the 202nd anniversary of the birth of Baha’u’llah at Their sacred Shrines.

A reception for local leaders and dignitaries in the Haifa and Akka areas was held on Friday. Haifa Mayor Einat Kalisch-Rotem (second from the right) talks with Carmel Irandoust (center) from the Baha’i International Community in Haifa.

The history of the Baha’i Faith is deeply connected with the Holy Land and goes back more than 150 years. After the martyrdom of the Bab in the Persian city of Tabriz in 1850, Baha’u’llah and His family and closest companions underwent a series of exiles. Baha’u’llah’s last banishment was to Akka in 1868, where He lived the remaining years of His life. August 31 last year marked the 150th anniversary of His arrival to the Holy Land, which was explored in parts 1, 2, and 3 of a podcast series published by the Baha’i World News Service.

After the martyrdom of the Bab, His remains were recovered and concealed by the Baha’is until a final resting place was established on Mt. Carmel in Haifa, where today a magnificent Shrine illuminates the mountainside, surrounded by terraces and gardens.

This week, celebrations are being held in virtually every country as people mark the bicentenary of the birth of the Bab and the 202nd anniversary of the birth of Baha’u’llah on 29 and 30 October, respectively. Stories, videos and photographs from celebrations around the world are available on the bicentenary website.

After sunset, the Shrine illuminated the mountainside in Haifa.