BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — In the early hours of Saturday, 27 November, attendees of the centenary gathering assembled in the courtyard of the Haifa Pilgrim House in a solemn and reverent atmosphere to mark the ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

The program, held just steps away from the Shrine of the Báb where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s earthly remains were interred upon His passing, stimulated deep reflection among participants on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s exemplary life of service to humanity.

A tribute written by the Universal House of Justice for the occasion was read by one of its members. The tribute states, in part: “No clearer demonstration could be imagined of how He embodied the forces of unity than the sight of His funeral, at which a vast crowd of mourners from every creed in this land came together to grieve their common loss.”

The tribute continues: “The universality of His love produced a community that, even at that time, could justly claim to be a cross-section of society. His love revived, nurtured, inspired; it banished estrangement and welcomed all to the banquet table of the Lord.”

The images below provide a view of the evening’s program.

Participants assembled in the courtyard of the Haifa Pilgrim House moments before the start of the program.

Participants meditating and reflecting on the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as they wait for the start of the evening’s program.

Another view of attendees in moments of prayer and reflection.

A tribute written by the Universal House of Justice for the occasion was read by one of its members. The tribute states, in part: “The universality of His love produced a community that, even at that time, could justly claim to be a cross-section of society. His love revived, nurtured, inspired; it banished estrangement and welcomed all to the banquet table of the Lord.”

The program included prayers and passages from the Bahá’í writings spoken in a number of languages including Arabic, English, French, and Hindi.

Prayers and writings from the Bahá’í teachings were also read in Persian, Russian, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Participants circumambulating the Shrine of the Báb.

Attendees circumambulating the Shrine of the Báb.

Another view of participants in the gardens of the Shrine of the Báb.

A view of Mount Carmel in Haifa with the Shrine of the Báb, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s earthly remains were interred upon His passing.