THE BAHAI

MY ISRAEL:

MINORITIES IN ISRAEL - THE BAHAI : Origins – History - Arrival in Israel & How the Bahai Gardens in Haifa are a physical manifestation of their beliefs.

The BAHAI faith originated in Iran during the mid-nineteenth century & was an offshoot of Shia Islam. In 1844/45, a man by the name of Mirza Ali Mohammed declared himself to be the BAB, which in Arabic means door or entrance. In other words, he claimed to be the precursor of the future redeemer of mankind known as the MAHADI. He negated many of Islam's basic laws declaring that rituals such as circumcision & the wearing of the burka by woman were redundant. He maintained that neither mosques or clergy were required & in 1850 declared himself to be the Mahadi . In response, the Islamic authorities executed him and 18 of his followers in Tibris-Iran.

A new man by the name of Mirza Ali Hussein (1817-1892) arose & proclaimed himself to be the Mahadi , adopting the title BAHA-U-LA, meaning "the glory of God". In so doing he became the father of the Bahai religion. The Islamic authorities arrested him but as he came from a rich & influencial family, was not executed but deported to Iraq. In 1868 the Iraqi authorities expelled him from the country and he was deported to & imprisoned in Akko (Acre).

The Holyland was at the time occupied by the Ottoman Turks who because of his standing treated him leniently. Whilst in jail he was kept company by his followers & allowed to write about the teachings of the Bahai faith. After being released from prison he visited Haifa & in 1890 predicted that the city would have a prosporous future. The Baha-u-la died in 1892 and was buried in the Bahaji, a site located in Akko, therby making it the holiest place in the Bahai world.

His son Abdul Baha then assumed the leadership of the Bahai faith. On Abdul Baha's death, his son Shugi Effendi reluctantly became the hereditary leader of the Bahai faith. Prior to his death in the 1957, Shugi Effendi ruled that hereditary succession was to be abolished.

The numbers 19 & 9 are sacred numbers in Bahai belief. The former is derived from the execution of the Mahadi (1) + (18) of his followers & the latter (9) equals Bahai in lettered form. As with Hebrew, each letter in Arabic is allocated a number.

The following illustrates how these numbers are an integral part of Bahai belief : - 19 fast days. - 19 verses in the Bahai Holy Book. - 9 holidays in the Bahai year. - With the cancellation of hereditary succession, 9 judges were appointed & supported by 19 selected advisors.

THE BAHAI GARDENS – HAIFA: -The Bahai gardens are broken down into 9 top terraces, 1 central terrace & 9 bottom terraces. The central terrace houses a 9 sided domed structure inwhich the Bab's exhumed bones from Iran rest as well as the remains of Abdul Baha, Shugi Effendi's father. -Materials used in the construction of buildings come from all parts of the world therby symbolizing the the universality of their beliefs. In addition the Bahai have no desire to have a country of their own which again emphasizes universality. -All buildings adopt classical principles as does the landscaping, believing that if something is classic it forever remains in vogue. -Greenery provided by the plants emmulate the green clothing worn by the Baha-u-la & the red plants represent the blood of the murdered Bab & his 18 followers. -Statues of eagles within the garden symbolize exceptional vision analagous to Bahai teachings, enabling followers to see truth.

Ron Traub : (Tour Guide & Architect). Website : rontraub-tours.com Photo : Sketch of the Bahai Gardens by Ron Traub.