BAHÁ’Í PILGRIMAGE ACRE Haifa Israel Photo: Bahá’í World News Service.
-
Upload
roxanne-hawkins -
Category
Documents
-
view
218 -
download
1
Transcript of BAHÁ’Í PILGRIMAGE ACRE Haifa Israel Photo: Bahá’í World News Service.
BAHÁ’Í PILGRIMAGE
ACRE Haifa Israel
Photo: Bahá’í World News Service
Pilgrimage means to me going to Israel and visiting shrines and becoming closer to God. A spiritual journey.
Carmel age 12
The Shrine of The Báb Haifa
UK
AFRICA
EUROPE
ISRAEL
Where is Israel? EGYPT
TURKEY
NAHARIYA
Mazra’ih
Bahjí – Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh
Ridván GardenACRE
Prison
House of ‘Abdu’lláh Pásha
House of ‘Abbúd
HAIFA
Shrine of the Báb
Mount Carmel
Bahá’í Holy Places
Israel
Key
= Bahá'í Holy places visited on pilgrimage
=Roads
A pilgrimage is a journey with the purpose of spiritual development.
The Bahá’í World Centre, Haifa, Israel, is the spiritual heart of the Bahá’í community. The pilgrims are like the flow of blood to and from the heart. They go to refresh and strengthen their spirits, pay their respects, visit historic sites, pray, learn more about their Faith and share news of world-wide community activities that serve humanity.
There is a long waiting list, approximately 3-4 years, for Bahá’ís to be able to go on pilgrimage. The pilgrimage lasts for 9 days, so it is a precious time.
You know you are
on a mission - to find
your spiritual self.
Iman age 11
The pilgrimage journey made me feel very
excited. I felt extremely calm,
peaceful and safe ... there
was a very kind and gentle
atmosphere.
Sara age 12
I felt as though there
was some spiritual force pulling me towards
places.
Carmel age 12
When you enter the city of Haifa you feel special... you’re at home;
You’re in a world of...peace
greenery harmony
Iman age 11
My best experiencewas going to the
Shrine of The Báband seeing where
‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Báb were buried.
Neysan age 12
Shrine of the Báb
The ‘Báb’ (meaning the ‘Gate of God’) was the first of two Holy Messengers. In 1844, in Iran, He said He was preparing people for God’s new Messenger who would unite the world.
Thousands of people became His followers, which alarmed the rulers and religious leaders, leading to the brutal killing of 20,000 of them.
The Báb was executed in Iran by a firing squad of 750 soldiers in 1850.
The body of the Báb
was secretly brought to
Haifa, in 1909, and
this beautiful Shrine built
over His grave.
Bahá’u’lláh’s son,
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is also laid to
rest here.
....I didn’t know what to expect. As soon as I entered the Shrines, a calm and relaxed feeling came upon me where I could truly focus.
Matin age 14
Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh
The highlight of a Bahá’í pilgrimage is the visit to the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, at Bahjí, near Acre, in the Holy Land.
For Bahá’ís this Shrine is the
holiest place on earth. It is where Bahá’ís turn when
they say their special prayers.
The prayers there felt very powerful... I would always leave feeling blessed and satisfied that I would be watched over.
Matin age 14
Bahá’u’lláh (meaning the ‘Glory of God’) was a leading supporter of the Báb and suffered imprisonment, torture and the loss of all His possessions before being exiled from Iran.
He announced ( in 1863) that He was the Promised one of all religions and had come to unite the whole world.
His followers became known as Bahá’ís.
Bahá’u’lláh’s imprisonment and exile lasted 40 years. He attracted many followers, and the authorities wanted to prevent this happening.
Iran
Russia
Turkey
Iraq
SyriaEgypt
Bahá’u’lláh’s journey from Iran to the Holy Land
I feel a lot more learnéd about the Bahá’í faith and I know more about the life of Bahá’u’lláh.
Sara age 12
Door to Bahá’u’lláh’s cell - Acre
The prison city of Acre was a horrible, unhealthy place.
Bahá’u’lláh and His followers were locked in the prison for 2 years.
Gate into the prison city of Acre
During that time Bahá’u’lláh’s youngest son died in an accident.
After the 2 years spent in prison they were held for 7years under house arrest.
The prison in Acre
I have great respect for the Central Figures of the faith and wish to learn more about them and the history.
Matin age 14
Universal House of Justice Building - Interior
The Universal House of Justice is the highest Bahá’í council which looks after the Bahá’í world.
This is the building where it meets and has its offices.
Guests such as prime ministers and presidents are received here.
The archives building is like a museum where Bahá’u’lláh’s original writings are kept, together with some personal things.
Archives Building
In the archives I was really interested to see Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s belongings. It was very important for
me to see cloaks and locks of hairs from Bahá’u’lláh’s head.
Neysan age 12
It was just amazing! Every second of being on pilgrimage was incredible.
Elika age 10
The people I was with were very
nice...
Jasmine age 12
...and from
lots of
different
countries.
I felt I was from a big community where everyone knew me even though I hadonly met them once.Sara age 12
I felt I had just found friends I had never seen before. They felt like my brothers and sisters!
Carmel age 12
I am glad I experienced this at such a young age so it will stick with me and I am hoping to go back.
Neysan age 12
Seat of the Universal House of Justice
After the trip it changed the way I felt and looked at the world and the Bahá’í Faith.
Jasmine age 12
I know more about my faith and can tell and share my experience with others.
Carmel age 12
I left for home feeling inspired and determined to impart what I had felt to my local community and work for a better future.
Matin age 14
A group of Bahá’í volunteers & staff members at the Bahá’í world centre
I realised that everyone and not just Bahá’ís can
radically change the world.
Matin age 14
References:
VICKERS, A. & P. The Bahá’í Faith – photocopiable worksheets for teachers of R.E. A1. A3. A4. D5. D7. Warwick Bahá’í Bookshop/Bahá’í Religious Education Agency www.BREAuk.org email: [email protected]
Photography: ABBAS, Hana, Naja, Nur, Rafi &Thenna ABRAR, Marco - Bahá’íPictures.com. Bahá’í World News Service Saprikins, Sasha
Bibliography: Visiting Bahá’í Holy Places. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre