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Baha'is buy military base to open up space at Acre compound

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. Advertisement 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 Baji 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. UNESCO's recognition of Acre, including the Baji compound, as a World Heritage Site provided added incentive for the plan. The Acre municipality said it was pleased with the plan and hoped that developing the area would encourage tourism and further development. The Baha'i Faith was founded by Baha'u'llah in 19h-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. An estimated 5 to 6 million Baha'is live around the world in more than 200 countries. Spiritual center The Baha'i World Center, the spiritual and administrative heart of the Baha'i community, is located in Acre and Haifa. It comprises the Shrines of Baha'u'llah, the Bab, and Abdu'l-Baha, other holy sites of the Baha'i Faith in the area, and buildings on the slope of Mount Carmel. These structures include the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the International Teaching Center's building, the Center for the Study of the Texts, and the International Baha'i Archives, all of which are set in extensive gardens. The Terraces of the Baha'i Faith, also known as the Hanging Gardens of Haifa, are described as the Eighth Wonder of the World. Above and below the Shrine of the Bab on Mount Carmel, these terrace gardens are among the greatest tourist attractions in Israel. They were designed by the Iranian-Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba. Baha'is have no clergy. The affairs of the community are governed by democratically elected councils locally, nationally and internationally. Source: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1022153.html