DRC
House of Worship embraces all
As the two-day dedication ceremony concludes, the Bahá’í world’s first national House of Worship opens its doors to the public.
As the two-day dedication ceremony concludes, the Bahá’í world’s first national House of Worship opens its doors to the public.
KINSHASA, Democratic Republic Of The Congo — The dedication ceremony that began on Saturday in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), for the Bahá’í world’s first national House of Worship has concluded, bringing together traditional chiefs, religious leaders, members of Bahá’í institutions, and many other people throughout the vast country.
The past days have seen over 2,000 people learn about the unifying vision of the House of Worship through artistic presentations and remarks. On the final day of the ceremony, Counsellors Agatha Gaisie-Nketsiah and Alain Pierre Djoulde delivered comments on behalf of the Counsellors in Africa, emphasizing the inspiring resilience displayed throughout the journey toward the temple’s completion.
Their comments drew parallels between the qualities embodied on this journey and the House of Worship’s enduring mission: the promotion of peace amid adversity, unwavering dedication to service, and dedication to the welfare of one’s fellow citizens.
Mr. Djoulde and Mrs. Gaisie-Nketsiah stated in French and English, respectively: “The unquenchable determination and resilience of your people, despite the various forms of oppression and conflict that have devastated your land, has been remarkable for all to witness.”
The temple has now opened its doors to the public, embracing people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
A glimpse of the inauguration of the Bahá’í world’s first national House of Worship can be seen below.
A sampling of some of the choral arrangements performed at the dedication can be seen here.
Participants gathered under tents for parts of the program.
People from all backgrounds joined together to mark the dedication of the national Bahá’í House of Worship in the DRC.
A group of musicians welcomed people to the ceremony as they arrived.
Attendees approaching the House of Worship for the first visits to the temple.
Participants entering the temple for the first time.
The sacred Bahá’í symbol known as the Greatest Name has been placed at the apex of the dome of the temple. The Greatest Name is a calligraphic representation of the invocation “O Glory of the All-Glorious.”
The devotional program inside the temple included performance by several choirs that sang Bahá’í prayers and writings put to music.
Another choir sings on the mezzanine in the temple during the devotional program of the second day.
Participants sit inside the House of Worship for its first devotional program consisting of prayers and Bahá’í writings.
The spiritually charged atmosphere of the devotional program inside the temple included prayers, choral arrangements, and the reading of a message from the Universal House of Justice addressed to the gathering.
Aerial image of participants walking the temple grounds.
Attendees seen here with chiefs from the Kalomba area: Mikobi Mikobi (third from left) from the village of Batwa Kadimba and Mukenshayi Laurent (second from the right) from the village Ditalala.
A group photo of some of the participants.
Participants of the gathering spent time exploring the temple and its surroundings in quiet contemplation.
Seen here are some of the architecture details of the exterior and interior of the temple.
Communities from across the DRC gathered to watch a live stream of the dedication ceremony.
Local gatherings throughout the DRC were held to celebrate the dedication of the House of Worship.
An arial view of the temple.
A view of one of the entrances of the temple and its reflection in the adjacent pool.
An evening view of the temple and the reflecting pool at night.
