PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — As the inauguration of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Papua New Guinea (PNG) approaches, members of the architectural team, comprising Henry Lape and Saeed Granfar from Port Moresby, reflect on their collaborative journey in creating a design that embodies the Bahá’í principle of unity in diversity.

Mr. Granfar discussed the challenge of creating a structure that would resonate universally in one of the most linguistically and culturally diverse regions of the world. “Our goal was to find a unifying theme—a common thread that connects the diverse peoples of this region,” he said.

The answer lay in the traditional craft of weaving, a ubiquitous element of both village homes and urban centers across PNG.

Mr. Lape elaborated: “Weaving is integral to our cultural identity, symbolizing our interconnectedness and the intertwining of lives and communities.

“This became our central motif for the House of Worship, a sacred space open to all, where people can come to pray and reflect on their contributions to society.”

A shared endeavor

Mr. Lape explained that throughout the construction of the temple, residents from the surrounding communities played an important role, assisting with various aspects of the construction processes. “Their hands-on involvement significantly deepened their sense of ownership of the temple,” he said.

The collaborative spirit that emerged was particularly crucial during the pandemic.

“The pandemic posed unique challenges,” said Mr. Granfar, “disrupting many services and trades essential to the project.”

He added: “Despite these hurdles, both the project team and the community were determined to keep the construction moving forward. We found creative ways to draw on the diverse talents and skills available among residents locally.”

Led by project manager Kia Fanaian, the local team arose with great resourcefulness to fill gaps caused by disruptions and completed the temple’s façade.

As the project evolved, community members later joined this local team for tasks such as weaving intricate aluminum strips to adorn the interior walls and carving timber panels for the temple’s exterior. These activities drew on the community members’ traditional artistic skills and reinforced their profound connection to the temple.

The temple as a force for social harmony

Mr. Lape explained about the site where the temple now stands: “during my university years, some youth and I undertook a revitalization project in that location to plant trees and build a protective wall around them, designed to shield the young saplings from fire.

“Working on this temple feels like a continuation of that journey—a journey shared not only by me but by everyone who contributed to transforming this area into a peaceful sanctuary.”

Mr. Granfar highlighted the broader impact of the temple in the community, describing it as “a beacon of hope in Port Moresby.”

Mr. Lape noted how the design of the House of Worship harmonizes with the aspirations of the people of PNG. “The principle of social harmony holds deep significance in our nation,” he said. “The emerging temple, which embodies the principle of unity in diversity, echoes our National Pledge to foster a sense of shared humanity among some 1000 tribes and over 800 distinct languages.”