Time Magazine refers to Baha’i as “the little religion that persists”. With some 5 million adherents currently, the Baha’i have been persecuted for centuries, and continue suffer primarily in Iran where hundreds of thousands of worshipers face discrimination and arrest. (The largest concentration of members of the Baha’i faith today can be found in India.)
The Baha’i International Center in the Jewish-Arab seaside city of Haifa draws thousands of tourists and worshipers every year. The center underwent a $6 million renovation recently, including the restoration of the magnificent gold dome overlooking the terraced gardens and panoramic view of the Mediterranean.
Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav called the Baha’i shrine “the core and symbol of the tolerant and multicultural city.”
This field tour will focus on the Bahai faith, the relations and coexistence with Jewish and Arab residents of the city of Haifa, the influence and impact of the Bahai shrine and gardens on economy and tourism in the city.
Schedule:
Briefing with Ms. Sarah Vader, Deputy Secretary General of the Baha’i international center
Tour of the Gardens, including a visit to the Holy Shrine
Meeting with Ja’far Farrah, Director of the Mossawa Center and expert on minority issues
Meeting with Imad Maddah, tour guide & expert on Baha’i community in Haifa
Lunch
