Impressions of Bahji

We all filed through the Gate and were greeted by table after table of pastries and water a sweet refreshing entree. Most sweet of all is the radiance of the army of youth service staff who lavish hospitality on behalf of the Universal  House of Justice. There was plenty of time to visit amidst the luxuriant Bahjí foliage before we were all to arrange ourselves in 1000's of chairs placed around the red path on both sides of Collin's Gate.

There were more than a dozen Readings in English, Arabic, French, Persian, Spanish and Russian whilst the myriad birds swooped and the tree topped swayed on cue. The last recitation was the Tablet of Visitation recited by Hand of the Cause Furutan, now nearly 100 years old but seemingly more robust than I can recall from previous meetings.

Following the Readings we all commenced a counter clockwise circumambulation of the Shrine. This is the first thing I've done every time I've visited Bahjí but this circumambulation, the first from this trajectory was new and fresh. It's clear that the gardeners had lavished careful attention to every detail to insure that every color and fragrance would be at its height. Phillip was taken by the abundance of Australian gum trees and extolled the medicinal and spiritual properties of each species....I'm sure that this visit held many significances for all.

Even though I'm not an official participant, with my "artist" badge I can get into the general sessions. At 10 everyone assembled under the arched roof of the Congress Center, the same place where the International Convention is held, and thrilled to 3 Readings, the last being a dynamic reading of Abdul Bahá'ís famous Tablet enjoining movement towards China in Mandarin!! Next the 18 May welcome letter from the Universal House of Justice. Her Highness Princess Tofi from Samoa read a statement from her father the King of Samoa, followed by a statement from the President of Mauritius and a gift of roses from the Iranian Bahá'í community.

Every activity of this grand event is wafted high on the spirit of music...this morning's program featured; the Congo Youth Bahá'í Choir, Tabarsi - a Romani group from Spain, Kiu Haghighi-santourist, and several others all orchestrated under the direction of Jack Lenz!! After an initial stirring musical intro from the Congo Hand of the Cause Furutan welcomed everyone and reminded us that Shoghi Effendi had predicted these events and that now the Universal House of Justice had brought this vision to a glorious culmination and that we were all privileged to witness this!! Hand of the Cause Varqa also welcomed everyone.

The mayor of Haifa was introduced as one who takes a personal interest and has used his position to speed the progress. Mayor Amram Mitzva reminded us that the Bahá'ís share Haifa and that the Bahá'í World Centre is the heart of Haifa, the two are interlocked and that one cannot see Haifa without the "hanging gardens" (the Israeli reference to the Bahá'í World Center). He asked us to join together in prayer for peace and stability and no more war -- he asked us all to strive to be "better Bahá'ís!!"

Kevin Locke