During a recent commemorative event held at Washington DC’s American University, Martin Peled-Flax, representing the Embassy of Israel at the event, expressed the appreciation of the Israeli government for what the Bahai’s have brought to Haifa, Israel’s third largest city. He said that Haifa had the potential to be just another industrial port city on the Mediterranean, with numerous warehouses, chemical plants and shipping docks. Instead, with the Baha’i Shrines and gardens located right in the middle of the city, it has been transformed into a metropolis of beauty, culture and spirituality.

The two shrines, one near the recognized heritage site of Old Acre on Israel’s northern coast and the other on Mount Carmel in Haifa, are the resting places of Baha’u'llah and the Bab, the founders of the Baha’i Faith.

Speakers at the American University commemorative event gave details of the significance of these sacred sites and their history. They showed how over the course of a century, the world center of the Baha’i Faith has evolved from a small prison cell where Baha’u'llah, the founder of the religion, was incarcerated, to now comprise hundreds of acres of beautified gardens attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world every year.

He was 74 years old and was still a prisoner of the Turkish government. He was exiled and imprisoned for His teachings of love and unity towards all mankind. In His own words He stated:

“The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men.”

In Israel hundreds will gather at 3:00am on May 29th at His burial site to commemorate the Anniversary of His passing. Elsewhere in the world Bahá’ís will also gather in the early hours of the morning to say prayers. If you are interested in joining us in Arlington please email the administrator.

Arlington Baha’is will join Baha’is around the world later this month for the Festival of Ridvan.

The annual Baha’i festival commemorates the 12 days (April 21-May 2, 1863) when Baha’u’llah, the prophet-founder of the Baha’i Faith, resided in a garden called Ridvan (Paradise) in Baghdad, Iraq. At this time He publicly proclaimed His mission as God’s messenger for this age. The first (April 21), ninth (April 29) and twelfth (May 2) days are celebrated as holy days when work is suspended.

Participants are also welcome to bring their own prayer books and offer prayers from other faith traditions. There are no prescribed rituals and each devotional meeting will look a little different. Readings are often selected from the Baha’i writings as well as from other scriptures. Many times the meetings are theme based, offering prayers of healing, prayers of joy and thanksgiving or prayers for peace.

We do not accept monetary contributions from non-members, but rather wish to open our homes and hearts to join with our neighbors in prayer. For more information please contact devotions@arlingtonbahai.org.

“Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him, that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all men. Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb.
Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its effect, yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him must needs sooner or later exercise its influence upon his soul. Thus have the mysteries of the Revelation of God been decreed by virtue of the Will of Him Who is the Source of power and wisdom.”
~ Baha’u’llah