The Bahá’í World Centre, the spiritual and administrative heart of the Bahá’í community, is located in the twin cities of Akka and Haifa in northern Israel. It comprises the Shrines of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, other holy sites of the Bahá'í Faith in the area, and the buildings on the slope of Mt. Carmel. These structures include the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the International Teaching Centre’s building, the Centre for the Study of the Texts, and the International Bahá’í Archives, all of which are set in extensive gardens.
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Because of his teachings, Bahá’u’lláh was imprisoned for about forty years. His final exile was to the Akka area.
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At the end of his life, Bahá’u’lláh was allowed a degree of freedom. He visited Mount Carmel with his son, `Abdu’l-Bahá, and pointed out the spot where the Báb’s remains should be buried.
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Shoghi Effendi designed many of the gardens and included these memorials, which are near the administrative buildings.
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The Archives Building has a section that pilgrims can visit. The Báb’s letter is mounted on the wall there.
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This also applies to members of the Universal House of Justice.
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From ancient times, Mount Carmel has been known as the "Mountain of the Lord." Bahá'u'lláh said the mountain would be "the seat of His throne."
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There are 9 terraces above and 9 below the terrace on which the Shrine itself stands. Many of the locations at the Bahá'í World Centre, including the terraces and the Shrine of the Báb which constitute the north slope of Mount Carmel, were inscribed on the World Heritage List in July 2008.
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There are people from many different countries and continents serving there, and English has been selected as the working language at the Bahá’í World Centre.
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The Báb was executed in Iran in 1850 and his remains were later brought to Haifa and laid to rest on Mount Carmel. The golden dome of the shrine is a famous landmark in Israel.
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