Baha'is buy military base to unblock view of Bahji compound in Acre

By Jack Khoury

The Baha'i World Center recently bought an old military base blocking the view of its sacred Baji compound in Acre. It plans to create an open vista, making the compound's landscaped gardens visible from the north.

The center paid the Defense Ministry some NIS 40 million for the 90-dunam base, with structures dating back to the pre-state British Mandate era.

The deal was completed several months ago after around two years of negotiations. A source close to the deal said the talks focused mainly on the price, and that the sum was not particularly high for that part of Acre.

The Bahji gardens are the Baha'is' holiest site. They are the home of the founder of the faith, Baha'u'llah, who was exiled from Persia because of his beliefs to what was in those days isolation the land of Israel. He lived under house arrest in Acre, where his home became a pilgrimage site. This and another structure housing his tomb are surrounded by magnificent wide gardens.
The army is supposed to evacuate the base by August 2009. The Baha'is intend to clear the area, removing the obstacles to the compound's gardens, although they have not yet decided whether to expand the gardens to cover the new space.

http://www.haaretz/ .com
Fri., October 03, 2008

Abdu'l-Bahá predicted the formation of Israel

Abdu'l-Bahá revealed a tablet in 1897 forecasting about formation of Holy Land of Israel.

Perhaps you are familiar with the following Tablet revealed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá published on page 5, number 250 of "Bahá'í News", cited December 1951; and it provides a perspective in which to view your [Jewish] heritage from the Bahá'í standpoint.

"You have asked Me a question with regard to the gathering of the children of Israel in Jerusalem, in accordance with prophecy. "Jerusalem, the Holy of Holies, is a revered Temple, a sublime name, for it is the City of God... The gathering of Israel at Jerusalem means, therefore, and prophesies, that Israel as a whole, is gathering beneath the banner of God and will enter the Kingdom of the Ancient of Days. For the celestial Jerusalem, which has as its center the Holy of Holies, is; a City of the Kingdom, a Divine City. The East and West are but a small corner of that City. "Moreover, materially as well (as spiritually), the Israelites will all gather in the Holy Land. This is irrefutable prophecy, for the ignominy which Israel has suffered for wellnigh twenty-five hundred years will now be changed into eternal glory, and in the eyes of all, the Jewish people will become glorified to such an extent as to draw the jealousy of its enemies and the envy of its friends." (Abdu'l-Bahá revealed this tablet in 1897 to a Jewish community in the Orient)
The Jewish people have suffered enormously during centuries of exile, and those who sought to justify their evil actions have at different times victimized them by appeals to religion. We Bahá'ís sympathize deeply with the victims of that suffering.

At the same time, Bahá'ís accept that the Jews were responsible for the fate met by Jesus Christ, because this is what the Writings indicate, and we accept that, as with all people who fail to recognize the Manifestation of God at the appointed hour, their destiny as a people has been shaped by the consequences of their failure to recognize and accept Him. This is hardly a radical view. The drama of the Old Testament is largely the story of the travails and victories of the Israelites as they responded or not to the Covenant of God. We also believe, as stated by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the passage quoted above, that Providence is delivering the Jews from their historical abasement and lifting them into a glorious condition.

[References in the Baha'i Writings to Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust]
by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice
1998-09-24

"Holy Land" is so very holy to Baha'is also!

My Dear Brent Poirier,

Your both the comments can be termed as "SELF PRAISED" & "Ego boosting stuff "
You called yourself to be SINCERE, a defender of Islam and Muslims & a Crusader of Baha’i Faith.

A possessor of these qualities need not shout from roof tops.

I still fail to understand that if a Baha’i wishes to teach the Faith in Israel also, what doom has he brought to the Faith? what harm has he done? Which law of Kitab-i-Aqdas he has trampled?

The fact is that why only “YOU” are perturbed about it. We have received 65 mails mostly praising our efforts. Some of them have appreciated the idea but asked us to take the prior permission from the Universal House of Justice.

A true Baha'i does not always condemn “Iranian Muslims”, Here are two examples, those who are aware about the true Baha'is spirit will understand :

In 1982 when Baha'i persecution in Iran was at its peak, in one of the deepenings conducted by Late Mrs. Gloria Faizi (Wife of Late Hand of Cause Mr. Abul Qasim Faizi) an Iranian Baha'i said some unpleasant things about the Iranian Muslims. The same moment Mrs. Faizi reprimanded the Baha’is about his comment and said, “it is not proper to blame the Iranian Muslims for the persecution, but the Iranian officials are responsible for it”. She even asked the gathering to refrain from BACKBITTING. Those who know the Baha’i culture will understand the essence of Baha’i Faith in this incidence.

You have even embarrassed the Noble House. Is it not that the beloved house had thanked and appreciated the step taken by Mrs. Shirin Ebadi for taking up the issue of YARAN. Although she is a staunch Iranian Muslim.

These two points are enough to let the readers of the blog understand, who is ANTI BAHA’I
Dear Mr. Brent I will give you a final answer, If you had a slightest doubt that I had some evil intention, then the Baha’i culture says, “leave that individual”. It is clear that you are unaware of this Baha’i culture.

Regarding reading of the Holy writings it was a good reminder that you are reading, “An Epistle to the son of Wolf”, the other recommended readings for you are “Covenant” by Mr. Adib Taherzadeh & “Mason Remy and Those who followed him” (An article by International Teaching Centre).

I do not need a certificate from the followers of Mason Remy to certify my efforts.

(Above image : Funeral of Abdul baha in Haifa, Israel)