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This video shows aerial footage put to music of the Shrine of the Bab located in Haifa, Israel, and this year marks the Bicentennial of the Birth of the Bab, the forerunner to Baha’u’llah, the Prophet-founder of the Baha’i Faith.
The Bab, which means ‘the Gate’ in Arabic, was a Messenger of God, whose role can be likened to that of John the Baptist (who told of the coming of Christ) in heralding the coming of the latest Manifestation of God: Baha’u’llah.
For Baha’is, the Shrine of the Bab is the second holiest place on earth after the Shrine of Baha’u’llah in Akka, Israel, and it is a place of quiet prayer and meditation where Baha’i pilgrims and visitors from around the world can come and pay their respects. Shoghi Effendi also called the Shrine of the Bab the “Kuh-i-Nur ” (which means Mountain of Light in Persian), facing the “Darya-yi-Nur” (which means Ocean of Light in Persian), in reference to the Shrine of Baha’u’llah.
In 1987, work began in building 18 terraces (also known as ‘the hanging gardens’) above and below the Shrine of the Bab (the Shrine of the Bab being in the centre making the total number of terraces 19) and these terraces represent the first eighteen disciples of the Bab. The terraces were opened to the public in 2001 and are now one of the most visited tourist attractions in Israel. The Shrine of the Bab, the terraces, and the other Baha’i Holy Places in Israel are also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today the Shrine of the Bab continues to serve as a beacon of light reminding us of the transformative power and impact of the Bab’s Revelation. In a message to the Baha’i world in 1953, Shoghi Effendi described the Shrine of the Bab to the Baha’is as the “Queen of Carmel enthroned on God’s Mountain, crowned in glowing gold, robed in shimmering white, girdled in emerald green, enchanting every eye from air, sea, plain and hill.”
The Bicentennial of the Birth of the Bab occurs on 28/29 October, 2019 (Ilm 14/15, 176 B.E.).
You can learn more about the Bab and the Shrine of the Bab from the following links:
* The Bab – Herald of the Baha’i Faith
* The Shrine of the Bab and its Significance
Aerial footage courtesy of Baha’i Media Bank (https://media.bahai.org/). Copyright © Baha’i International Community.
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Thank you for the video and the accompanying explanation.
It is true that the Bab played a role somewhat similar to that of John the Baptist, who foretold the coming of Christ.
As was correctly stated,the Bab was Himself a Messenger of God, or Manifestation of God. His station, therefore, was in a different realm to that of John the Baptist. Assistance in realising the Bab’s eternal importance comes from knowing that the Founder of His Shrine was Baha’u’llah Himself, and that the subsequent Heads of the Faith (‘Abdu’l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice) have put great effort into building, maintaining and beautifying the Shrine and its surrounds. The Shrine has an intimate and profound connection with the worldwide administration of the Baha’i Faith. It is a spiritual energy source of mystical proportions.
Michael V Day (March 3, 2019 at 11:21 PM)
How do I download a copy of this video with music. When you click on YouTube it does not seem to be the same video.
Thank you!
Christy Busch
DENNIS/CHRISTY Busch (September 9, 2019 at 11:28 PM)
YouTube does not allow for videos to be downloaded, but the video seems to be working fine and looks like the same video to me.
Naysan Naraqi (September 9, 2019 at 9:27 PM)