BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — In a heartfelt occasion that brought moments of shared hope amid societal challenges, some 75 guests from diverse social and religious communities came together in the vicinity of the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh in Bahjí to celebrate Ayyám-i-Há—a period in the Bahá’í calendar especially dedicated to hospitality, generosity, and joy.

The gathering brought together local officials, including the mayor of ‘Akká, and residents from Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Druze communities, as well as those who do not identify with a religious tradition, alongside academics, and artists from ‘Akká, Haifa, and other towns and villages. The event created a space for connection and reflection, offering participants a respite from ongoing societal challenges and an opportunity to foster mutual understanding.

David Rutstein, Secretary-General of the Bahá’í International Community, opened the gathering by explaining the significance of Ayyám-i-Há. “The Bahá’í calendar has 19 months made up of 19 days. There are 4 or 5 extra days that are added to bring it in conformity with the solar calendar. These we call Ayyám-i-Há or intercalary days,” he said.

Dr. Rutstein added: “It is a period where Bahá’ís emphasize generosity and hospitality, charity and kindness, joyfulness, unity, and love. And you are the people we want to share that with.”

Participants visited the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh and the surrounding gardens, following which there was a formal program that included readings in multiple languages from the writings of the religions represented, along with musical presentations.

Dr. Rutstein observed: “Bahá’í gardens are filled with flowers of different colors, different shapes, different fragrances—and we are like those flowers.”

The event this year was closely connected with a series of prayer gatherings that began in late 2023, which have cultivated bonds of friendship and spiritual fellowship among the diverse people in the ‘Akká area during particularly challenging times.

In a conversation with the News Service, Ofer Amar, a local media practitioner, noted the transformative effect of the gathering: “I came to this event quite sad because of the current situation.”

Mr. Amar reflected on the profound relationship between hope and joy he discovered through the challenging experience in the country. “If there’s joy, there’s also hope; hope helps you find joy,” he said, illuminating how these qualities nourish and strengthen one another.

He added that despite the tragedies, the diversity of people coming together in harmony had renewed his spirit: “I’m leaving this event with a smile on my face and full of hope and joy.”

Gershon Lewental, a cultural historian of the Middle East, reflected on the importance of such gatherings: “It’s been a very difficult two years here, and it often feels very hopeless. So it’s very nice to be in a place like this with people who have positive ideas about progress and improvement of humanity and the betterment of the world.”

Zaid Falah, an administrative judge in Haifa, expressed how the gathering embodied Bahá’í principles in action: “This is a very important opportunity… for human unity, and for the love that the Bahá’ís promote.”

Dr. Falah continued, drawing a connection between the gathering and a hopeful future: “This mosaic of the population reflects... our desire to move forward to better places.”

The gathering offered a sense of hope and renewal. Naim Obeid, CEO of the Akko Center for Arts & Technology (A-CAT), reflected: “When I see what’s going on outside and I step into this place, I feel the calmness and peace. When I look in people’s eyes, I see there’s a lot of hope.”

Mr. Obeid added: “This is the beauty of this place: the diversity of people coming together, serving one target which is to bring people together for peace.”

Nissim Ben David, professor of economics and president of the Western Galilee Academy College, observed how the gathering fulfilled a deep human longing: “People are searching for hope and joy and try to find it in many activities. The mind is searching every day to find it... The occasion where people come together and the main goal and desire is to get joy and hope and to feel for each other is something very special and very unique.”

The gathering’s spiritual atmosphere was particularly meaningful to the participants. Duli Gruder Yanai, a local resident, said: “Every time I come here it’s just like being able to remember what it is like to feel peace, joy, and love. It’s so easy to forget in this world, not because it does not exist, but because there’s so many things that are trying to make us forget.

“So to remember is beautiful, and to remember it together, to remind each other of this, is so beautiful.”

Mrs. Nihad Sheherat expressed how the gathering embodied the essence of love: “As for me, joy and love mean loving all people—everyone loving one another—and loving everything that God created. Love is when you give from your heart to those around you. Sacrifice is love, compassion is love.”

These prayer gatherings will continue to be held in the vicinity of the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh in Bahjí as well as near the Shrine of the Báb in Haifa in the coming months.