Over 13,000 people of diverse backgrounds experienced the illuminated terraces leading to the Shrine of the Báb on Mt. Carmel as part of the “Terraces by Night” event.
BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — As evening descended on Mount Carmel last Wednesday and Thursday, more than 13,000 people experienced the illuminated terraces leading to the Shrine of the Báb, joining this year’s “Terraces by Night”.
For visitors of every background, the experience offered a moment of serenity and beauty. Families walked together beneath the cypress trees and fountains; children marveled at the glowing dome of the Shrine; diplomats, city leaders, and residents alike paused to reflect in the stillness of the gardens; and many thousands entered the Shrine’s sacred precincts for prayer, meditation, and silent contemplation.
Many also watched the film “Vineyard of the Lord,” which provides an introduction to the Bahá’í Faith’s history and teachings, as well as an overview of the Bahá’í Holy Places in the ‘Akká/Haifa area.
“It is our hope that visiting these holy sites at night, and experiencing the interplay of flowers, the landscaping, the water and the lights, has brought a special joy to the hearts of all,” said David Rutstein, Secretary-General of the Bahá’í International Community.
The “Terraces by Night” initiative—first held in 2019 to commemorate the bicentenary of the Birth of the Báb—has become a cherished event in Haifa. The Báb, Prophet-Herald of the Bahá’í Faith, called humanity to spiritual renewal and oneness; His Shrine now stands as a symbol of that vision.
The Universal House of Justice has written that the beauty of the terraces and gardens adorning His resting place “are symbolic of the nature of the transformation which is destined to occur both within the hearts of the world’s peoples and in the physical environment of the planet.”
Speaking about the atmosphere of the evenings, Tjireya Tjitendero, a senior advisor to the Bahá’í International Community Secretariat, said: “People from all religions, cultures, and backgrounds come together here, united by a shared sense of awe.
“What emerges is admiration and a recognition of something greater than ourselves—a sense of oneness that leaves visitors with renewed joy.”
This year’s event drew ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from countries including Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Kenya, Tanzania, and Vietnam, many of whom were accompanied by their families. The Mayor of Haifa and other civic and religious leaders were also among the guests. Some 100 dignitaries gathered at the Haifa Pilgrim House, hosted by the Bahá’í International Community Secretariat.
Mayor Yona Yahav spoke of the gardens’ significance: “The Bahá’í Gardens and the Shrine located in them are a religious and cultural asset of the highest order for Haifa and the State of Israel, and their spectacular beauty is an extraordinary global phenomenon.
“The connection between the city of Haifa and the Bahá’í Faith and the gardens is a unique bond of brotherhood and connection, because Haifa is a symbol of shared life.”
One visitor, speaking to a guide, explained that each step he took up the terraces drew him closer to a deeper sense of his own spiritual existence.
Throughout both evenings, families participated in a collective art initiative, contributing messages and drawings that expressed their reflections on the experience. Children and adults alike shared thoughts on unity, beauty, and the possibility of a harmonious world.
