PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — More than 1,000 people from across Papua New Guinea (PNG) gathered in Port Moresby on Saturday for the inauguration ceremony of the country’s national Bahá’í House of Worship. The program continued on Sunday, welcoming another 3,000 people to join in celebrating the historic occasion.

The program on Saturday included remarks by Kessia Ruh, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Australasia whom the Universal House of Justice named as its representative to the event. Mrs. Ruh read a letter from the House of Justice addressed to the gathering, which stated: “Purity of heart, deep spirituality, and unshakeable faith—these attributes are inherent in the noble people of Papua New Guinea, ... they are the foundation upon which the House of Worship has been built.”

The letter further stated: “This physical edifice, nestled in the hills of Port Moresby that overlook the Coral Sea, has a profound spiritual significance. By welcoming all within its walls, it expresses the unity of the human race and the oneness of all religions. It weaves together the diverse peoples of this mighty nation by inviting them all to come together in service to humanity.”

Participants of the ceremony included government officials, religious leaders, members of civil society, representatives of local and national Bahá’í institutions, and many other people from across the country.

Confucius Ikoirere, Secretary of the Bahá’í National Spiritual Assembly of PNG, spoke about the significance of the temple. “This national House of Worship is the crowning achievement of all the efforts of the past, and a beacon of light and hope for the future.”

Tony Lakame, another member of the National Assembly, referring to the structure of the central edifice, said that “each component represents a story of love, sacrifice, and perseverance.”

The Governor of the National Capital District, Powes Parkop, highlighted the unifying power of the House of Worship in a land enriched with diverse ethnic groups.

“The House of Worship is not just a physical structure. It is a beacon of light inviting all to come together in prayer, in reflection, and in harmony. We are many, yet we are one,” he said.

Governor Parkop added: “Without peace we cannot have a prosperous country. … Our nation will be greater; our people will prosper when we embrace this fundamental virtue that is the cornerstone of all faiths.

“We must seek to blend all this diversity into a peaceful, livable, thriving city that is the beacon of light for a nation of 1,000 tribes.”

Rusa Kenioriana, a young person who travelled from the Solomon Islands to participate in the dedication ceremony, said, “It was such a bounty to witness the opening of the Bahá’í House of Worship.

“This sacred space is the fruit of the devoted efforts of the people of Papua New Guinea who have a spirit of devotion in their homes, within their families, and throughout their communities. Their collective endeavors have led to the emergence of the House of Worship.”

Provided below is a glimpse of the dedication ceremony on Saturday, including scenes from the gathering on Sunday.

Participants of the ceremony included government officials, religious leaders, members of civil society, representatives of local and national Bahá’í institutions, and many other people from across the country.

The ceremony included a devotional program on the grounds of the temple.

Mr. Lakame highlighted how every part of the temple “represents a story of love, sacrifice, and perseverance.”

In his remarks, Mr. Ikoirere said that the temple is a “beacon of light and hope for the future.”

People from all backgrounds joined together to mark the dedication of the national Bahá’í House of Worship in PNG.

Member of the architectural team, Henry Lape, spoke about the collaborative journey in creating a design that embodies the Bahá’í principle of unity in diversity.

The Governor of the National Capital District, Powes Parkop, highlighted the unifying power of the House of Worship in his remarks at the ceremony.

Mrs. Ruh, representative of the Universal House of Justice to the event, read its message addressed to the gathering. The letter concludes, “Let all rejoice! For this is the moment when faith, hope, and shared purpose all converge. May the anthems of praise that are raised within this sacred space send your spirits soaring and call down blessings upon all who assemble inside.”

Left to right: Honorable Powes Parkop, Governor of the National Capital District, and Cardinal Sir John Ribat, approach the temple.

Attendees at the dedication ceremony proceed to the temple.

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.”

A view of the interior of the House of Worship.

Attendees sit inside the House of Worship for its first devotional program consisting of prayers and Bahá’í writings.

The devotional program inside the temple included a choral performance of Bahá’í prayers and writings set to music.

An aerial view of participants at the dedication ceremony gathered outside the temple.

On Sunday, approximately 3,000 people gathered to celebrate the historic opening of PNG’s national Bahá’í House of Worship on the second day of the dedication program.

Rodney Hancock, who arrived in Papua New Guinea in 1954 from New Zealand and was one of two individuals who brought the Bahá’í Faith to PNG, addressed the gathering.

Sunday’s program featured artistic and cultural performances from communities across the country. Top left: a presentation from the Madina community, where the country’s first Bahá’í Local Spiritual Assembly was formed.

Participants at the Sunday gathering.

The House of Worship illumined at night.

The Bahá’í House of Worship in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea stands as a beacon of light and hope.