1. Bahá'í Pictures

2. Inside the House of the Báb
Mirza ‘Ali Muhammad – who later assumed the title of The Báb – was born in Shiraz on the 20th October, 1819 AD. He was a direct descendant of the prophet Muhammad.

3. The Mosque in Shiraz
As a youth, the Báb was noted for His charm of manner, noble character and pious devotion. He was unfailing in His observance of prayers, fasts and other ordinances of Islam.

4. The city of Tabriz at the time of the Báb
The Báb was sentenced to death by firing squad. He was led to a barrack square in Tabriz on July 9th, There, with His companion Aqa Muhammad ‘Ali – known as Anis - He was suspended by ropes under his arms and fired at by a regiment of Armenian soldiers. As the smoke cleared, The Báb was nowhere to be seen and Anis was standing in the square, alive and unhurt.

5. The cell where the Báb was incarcerated in Tabriz before His execution
Eventually The Báb was found seated in His cell, completing His interrupted conversation with His secretary, His body unscathed from the shower of bullets. An expression of unruffled calm was upon His face. “I have finished my conversation,” the Báb said. “Now you may proceed to fulfil your intention.” The first regiment has scattered after the failed attempt at His execution. A second regiment was ordered to shoot, and this time the Báb and His companion were executed. Though their bodies were shattered, the faces of The Báb and Anis were largely untouched.

6. The Báb’s writing
The Báb wrote many volumes. Some of His writings were commentaries on the Qur’an, others were prayers, letters of advice and preparations for the coming of the Promised One.

7. The house where Bahá’u’lláh was born.
Bahá’u’lláh – Whose name was Mirza Husayn-Ali - was the eldest son of a distinguished nobleman who held a high position in the court of the King of Persia.

8. The Entrance to the Síyáh-Chál
Siyah-Chal- ‘The Black Pit’, a hideous filth covered and ice-cold dungeon, confining the worst type of criminals, where Bahá’u’lláh was placed in stocks and heavy chains.

9. Map of Bahá'u'lláh's Exile
From Baghdad, Bahá’u’lláh and His family were exiled first to Constantinople, Adrianople and finally to Palestine.

10. Entrance to the Garden of Ridvan, Baghdád
Baha’u’llah revealed that he was the Promised One in this garden. The Bahá’i Festival of Ridvan is from April 22nd to May 3rd in recognition of the this Revelation in 1863.

11. Prison city of ‘Akká
It was said that birds that flew over the city of Akka would drop dead out of the sky from its stench.

12. Land Gate to the Prison city of ‘Akká
Bahá’u’lláh was taken there in the hope that the horrendous conditions of the place would break Him and He would finally die. Bahá’u’lláh remained there for 22 years.

13. The prison in ‘Akká
During His years of exile, Bahá’u’lláh revealed volumes of writings on many different topics. His Writings were revolutionary in their scale and content with topics ranging from the abolition of slavery to the importance of an international language and the promise of future world peace.

14. An example of Bahá’u’lláh’s Writing
Bahá’u’lláh described the receiving of His Revelation as “a copious rain”. In His writings, He set out His prescription for the world to live in unity and peace.

15. Original scriptures of Bahá’u’lláh in His own hand
These Writings are kept in the Archives building, next to the Seat of the Universal House of Justice in Haifa, Israel

16. The Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh
Bahá’u’lláh passed away in Bahji at the hour of dawn on 29th May. He was in the 75th year of His life.

17. Entrance to the Shrine of the Bahá’u’lláh
Pilgrimage to the Shrines of Bahá’u’lláh and The Báb is an obligation that Bahá’is should fulfill at least once in their lifetime if circumstances allow. Centred around Haifa and Bahji in Israel, pilgrims visit the Holy places to pray, learn more of the history of their Faith and meet with other pilgrims from around the world.

18. The Shrine of the Báb, Haifa

19. The Shrine of the Báb

20. The Shrine of the Báb and Terraces on Mount Carmel

21. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as a young man
Bahá'u'lláh appointed His own Son, Abdu'l-Bahá, to be the Interpreter of His words after His passing.

22. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with some early believers
‘Abdu’l-Bahá is regarded by Bahá’is as the Perfect Example of the way should live their lives: with wisdom, kindness, devotion and gentle guidance.

23. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London
‘Abdu’l-Bahá was freed in 1908 when he was 60 years old. He travelled to Egypt, Europe, Britain and North America giving help to people in need, meeting with Bahá’is and talking to people from all walks of life.

24. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visiting a Mosque in Woking

25. Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith
In turn, Abdu'l-Bahá made a will appointing his grandson, Shoghi Effendi, to be the Guardian of the infant faith.

26. The resting place of Shoghi Effendi, New Southgate Cemetery, London
Shoghi Effendi passed away whilst on a visit to London, in Bahá’i law states that the body should not travel more than one hour’s journey from the place of death.

27. The Seat of the Universal House of Justice, Haifa
Every five years, the members of the various National Spiritual Assemblies meet together to elect the nine members of the Universal House of Justice.

28. The Ring Symbol The Ring Symbol
The symbol has two elements: the design itself and the Arabic letters it contains in calligraphic form. As to the design, the three horizontal strokes represent, from the top, the world of God the Creator; the world of Manifestations, the Cause and Command; and the world of man, the creation.
The vertical line is a repeat of the second horizontal line, the world of Manifestation of God which joins the world of the creator with that of His creation.
The two stars represent the human body, as well as the two twin manifestations, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. As to the letters of the symbol, these are B and H. B stands for the name Bahá and H for the name of Báb.

29. The Greatest Name
A calligraphic form of “ ‘Alláh’u’Abhá”, translated as “God the All-Glorious”. Bahá’is recite ‘‘Alláh’u’Abhá” 95 times every day in private prayer.

30. Bahá’í Temple, Samoa
Bahá’í Temples, or Houses of Worship are open to people of all Religions (or none)…

31. Bahá'í Temple, Panama
They have 9 sides to show the many paths to God, and that all religions lead to Him.

32. Bahá'í Temple, US
In the future, there will be hospitals, schools and other buildings around the Houses of Worship for service of the community.

33. Bahá'í Temple, Kampala, Uganda

34. Bahá'í Temple, Sydney

35. Bahá'í Temple, Germany

36. Bahá’í Temple, India
This is the most recent Temple, situated in New Delhi. A new House of Worship has been designed for Chile, and will be built in the near future.