1. BAHÁ’Í
PILGRIMAGE
Photo: Bahá’í World News Service
ACRE Haifa Israel

2. The Shrine
of The Báb
Haifa
Pilgrimage means to me going to Israel and visiting shrines and becoming closer to God. A spiritual journey.
Carmel age 12

3. EUROPE UK
TURKEY
ISRAEL
AFRICA
Where is Israel?
EGYPT

4. Bahá’í Holy Places Israel
NAHARIYA
Mazra’ih
Bahá’í Holy Places
Israel
Key
Bahjí – Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh
Prison
=Roads
House of ‘Abdu’lláh Pásha
House of ‘Abbúd
ACRE
Ridván Garden
= Bahá'í Holy places visited on pilgrimage
HAIFA
Shrine
of the Báb
Mount Carmel

5. A pilgrimage is a journey with the purpose of spiritual development.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. You know you are on a mission - to find your spiritual self.
Iman age 11

9. The pilgrimage journey made me feel very excited
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

10. was some spiritual force pulling me towards places.
I felt as though there
was some spiritual force pulling me towards places.
Carmel age 12

11. harmony greenery peace When you enter the city of Haifa
you feel special...
you’re at home;
You’re in a world of...
greenery
peace
Iman age 11

12. and seeing where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Báb were buried.
My best experience
was going to the
Shrine of The Báb
and seeing where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Báb were buried.
Neysan age 12
Shrine of the Báb

13. 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

14. 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
The Báb was executed in Iran by a firing squad of 750 soldiers in 1850.

15. I didn’t know what to expect
....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

16. It is where Bahá’ís turn when they say their special prayers .
For Bahá’ís this Shrine is the holiest place on earth.
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.

17. The prayers there felt very powerful
The prayers there felt very powerful... I would always leave feeling blessed and satisfied that I would be watched over.
Matin age 14

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. Bahá’u’lláh’s journey from Iran to the Holy Land
Russia
Turkey
Iran
Iraq
Bahá’u’lláh’s journey from Iran to the Holy Land
Syria
Egypt

21. 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

22. The prison city of Acre was a horrible, unhealthy place.
Bahá’u’lláh and His followers
were locked in the prison for
two years.
Gate into the prison city of Acre

23. During that time Bahá’u’lláh’s youngest son died in an accident.
After the two years spent in prison they were held for seven years under house arrest.
The prison in Acre

24. 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

25. 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

26. The archives building is like a museum where Bahá’u’lláh’s original writings are kept, together with some personal things.
Archives Building

27. 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

28. It was just amazing! Every second of being on pilgrimage was incredible.
Elika age 10

29. The people I was with were very nice...
...and from
lots of
different
countries.
The people I was with were very nice...
Jasmine age 12

30. I felt I was from a big community where everyone knew me even though I had
only met them
once.
Sara age 12

31. I felt I had just found friends I had never seen before
I felt I had just found friends I had never seen before. They felt like my brothers and sisters!
Carmel age 12

32. 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

33. 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

34. I know more about my faith and can tell and share my experience with others.
Carmel age 12

35. 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

36. I realised that everyone and not just Bahá’ís can radically change the world.
Matin age 14

37. References:
VICKERS, A. & P. The Bahá’í Faith – photocopiable worksheets for teachers of R.E. A1. A3. A4. D5. D7. Warwick Bahá’í Bookshop
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