Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., September 19, 2008 Elul 19, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:25 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Baha'is buy military base to open up space at Acre compound By Jack Khoury The Baha'i World Center recently bought an old military base blocking the view of its sacred Baji compound in Acre. It plans to create an open vista, making the compound's landscaped gardens visible from the north. The center paid the Defense Ministry some NIS 40 million for the 90-dunam base, with structures dating back to the pre-state British Mandate era. Advertisement The deal was completed several months ago after around two years of negotiations. A source close to the deal said the talks focused mainly on the price, and that the sum was not particularly high for that part of Acre. The Baji gardens are the Baha'is' holiest site. They are the home of the founder of the faith, Baha'u'llah, who was exiled from Persia because of his beliefs to what was in those days isolation - the land of Israel. He lived under house arrest in Acre, where his home became a pilgrimage site. This and another structure housing his tomb are surrounded by magnificent wide gardens. The army is supposed to evacuate the base by August 2009. The Baha'is intend to clear the area, removing the obstacles to the compound's gardens, although they have not yet decided whether to expand the gardens to cover the new space. UNESCO's recognition of Acre, including the Baji compound, as a World Heritage Site provided added incentive for the plan. The Acre municipality said it was pleased with the plan and hoped that developing the area would encourage tourism and further development. The Baha'i Faith was founded by Baha'u'llah in 19h-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. An estimated 5 to 6 million Baha'is live around the world in more than 200 countries. Spiritual center The Baha'i World Center, the spiritual and administrative heart of the Baha'i community, is located in Acre and Haifa. It comprises the Shrines of Baha'u'llah, the Bab, and Abdu'l-Baha, other holy sites of the Baha'i Faith in the area, and buildings on the slope of Mount Carmel. These structures include the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the International Teaching Center's building, the Center for the Study of the Texts, and the International Baha'i Archives, all of which are set in extensive gardens. The Terraces of the Baha'i Faith, also known as the Hanging Gardens of Haifa, are described as the Eighth Wonder of the World. Above and below the Shrine of the Bab on Mount Carmel, these terrace gardens are among the greatest tourist attractions in Israel. They were designed by the Iranian-Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba. Baha'is have no clergy. The affairs of the community are governed by democratically elected councils locally, nationally and internationally. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Criticizing the world Desmond Tutu suggested the West does not admonish Israel because of the Holocaust. Ahmadinejad attack Ahmadinejad lashes out against Israel again, saying it won't survive in any shape or form.

Read & React Livni declares victory, says 'will approach this job with great reverence' Responses: 108 Gideon Levy: Arabs who back Kadima, Likud, and Labor are sellouts Responses: 89 Ahmadinejad: Israel won't survive in any shape or form Responses: 112 Neri Livneh: Tzipi Livni is Israel's Barack Obama Responses: 58 Israel Harel: How Israel caused the Oslo Accords to fail Responses: 60 More Headlines 23:48 Day after losing Kadima race, Mofaz announces 'time out from politics' 00:03 Netanyahu: Israel's citizens, not Kadima voters, must choose PM 01:48 Mofaz supporters blame disqualified Rahat votes for loss to Livni 02:05 UN official urges next Israeli government to stop settlement expansion 02:19 Obama wishes happy Rosh Hashanah to 900 rabbis 00:23 Pope Benedict: Pius XII 'spared no effort' to help Jews during WWII 00:24 Tutu: World doesn't criticize Israel because of the Holocaust 23:14 General Assembly chief: UN must adopt 1947 resolution on partition of Palestine 21:04 ANALYSIS / Tzipi Livni is Israel's Barack Obama 17:38 Police, IDF complete evacuation of illegal outpost of Yad Yair 18:31 500 Palestinian security force members head to Jordan for U.S.-funded training 18:58 Ahmadinejad: Israel won't survive in any shape or form 22:55 Condoleezza Rice, Hillary Clinton congratulate Livni on Kadima victory 20:39 Danish T-shirt company convicted of supporting Palestinian terror group Previous Editions Select Day 18 sep 17 sep 16 sep 15 sep 14 sep 12 sep 11 sep 10 sep 09 sep 08 sep 07 sep 05 sep

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. US CITIZENS Vote for real change. Request your ballot today! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved