ISRAEL: UNESCO declares Bahai gardens in Haifa and Acre, Israel a world heritage site

Record ID: 396261

  • Title: ISRAEL: UNESCO declares Bahai gardens in Haifa and Acre, Israel a world heritage site
  • Date: 13th July 2008
  • Summary: WALKWAY IN GARDEN MAUSOLEUM, TREES, CACTUS AND FLOWERS IN PART OF THE GARDEN FLOWERS IN GARDEN AND SKYLINE OF HAIFA IN BACKGROUND
  • Embargoed: 28th July 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Environment / Natural World,Lifestyle
  • Reuters ID: LVAA63UVKIU4PXI4MHX35Z4G0VUK
  • Story Text: Bahai holy places in Israel were named to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) World Heritage list on Tuesday (July 8).
    UNESCO's World Heritage Committee added 19 cultural sites, and eight natural sites to its World Heritage list this week.
    According to UNESCO, the Bahai holy places were added to the list "for the testimony they provide to the Bahai's strong tradition of pilgrimage and for their profound meaning for the faith".
    The properties, numbering 26 buildings, monuments and sites at 11 locations in Acre and Haifa, Israel are associated with the founders of the Bahai faith, among them the Shrine of the Bahaullah in Acre, and the Mausoleum of the Báb in Haifa.
    The Mausoleum is surrounded by a series of finely kept gardens on a hillside.
    Douglas Moore, director of public information for the Bahai International Community, said that he welcomed the UNESCO decision. He said that despite its religious affiliation, the sites have a broader value to humanity.
    "Well, I think it means that this is a recognition that this is part of the common heritage of all of humanity. Just like many other places around the world that belong to all of humanity - that they are of a status of a character that they have meanings for all of humanity; that they aren't limited to a particular group, or a particular place, or a particular people, but they have a meaning that transcends the place, and transcends the people so that all of humanity derives benefit from sharing that common experience," Moore said Wednesday (July 9).
    Haifa's skyline is dominated by the bronze dome above the tomb of the Bab, a Persian merchant considered by the Bahais to be the forerunner to Bahaullah. Believers regard the Bahai faith's founder, Bahaullah, as the latest in a line of prophets including Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Jesus and Mohammad.
    Speaking in Haifa, Moore said the gardens, which surround the mausoleum for the Bab, help set the proper tone for those making a pilgrimage to the site.
    "The gardens are so unique because what they do is they extend the precincts of the holy place. They're unique probably - this one's unique because of its design on the side of a hill - and you don't see too many gardens in that way. But it's unique in a sense that it's surrounding the shrine of the Bab, it extends the holy place, it gives a place of quiet and prayerful spirit that elevates and uplifts one's heart so that when one enters the shrine, they're in the proper state of mind, the proper state of being to pay their respects to the Bab and to Bahaullah," Moore said.
    Founded in the 19th century, Bahai is considered by some scholars to be an offshoot of Islam. The faith sees itself as an independent religion. Its 5 million followers are spread across more than 190 countries.
    A central tenet of the religion is that people should work to build a global society which calls for an end to prejudice, full sexual equality, and the eradication of extremes of poverty and wealth.
    The gardens in Haifa are open to the public. Tourists visiting the site Wednesday said they were impressed by the gardens.
    "I have never seen something like this in my life. I have been many places in the world, but this is spectacular - spectacular," Sarah Robani from New York City said.
    "It's so beautiful. I've never seen such a beautiful garden before. It's absolutely fascinating," Michael Miller from Germany said.
    While Bahaullah instructed followers not to establish a permanent community in the Holy Land, 700 volunteers from around the world work as custodians at its shrines.
    .
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