BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE
OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION

PRESS RELEASE

30 September & 1 October 2026

Terraces by Night (Lailah Bahá’í) Welcomes Thousands to the Shrine of the Báb and the Holy Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa

HAIFA, ISRAEL – For the second time this year, the Bahá’í World Centre welcomed the public to an evening opening of the Shrine of the Báb and the Holy Bahá’í Gardens. Families, friends, and visitors of all ages were invited to experience the beauty of the Terraces at sunset and the serene atmosphere of this sacred place.

The event has provided opportunities for people of all backgrounds to gather, explore the gardens, and enjoy an uplifting evening experience.

More than 9,400 people from diverse backgrounds and communities across Israel, including residents and members of the diplomatic community, attended the event. They were welcomed and hosted by over 200 international Bahá’í volunteers and local staff. The evenings provided a warm and inclusive setting for people from all walks of life to appreciate the peaceful atmosphere of this Holy Place. Enriching the experience were an art activity, an exhibition, and a film screening.

The Secretary-General of the Bahá’í International Community, Dr. David Rutstein, stated:

“Once again, we were happy to welcome visitors from near and far to experience the evening Terraces adorning the Shrine of the Báb on the slopes of Mount Carmel in Haifa. Our hope is that the unique architecture, the diverse flowers, the glowing lights, and the flowing water delighted the hearts of all our guests.”

Mayor of Haifa, the Honorable Yona Yahav, shared his impressions:

“The Bahá’í Gardens are much more than one of Haifa’s beautiful and well-known landmarks. They are an integral part of the city’s identity and its unique story. During my visit to Terraces by Night Lailah Bahá’í, I met thousands of visitors who had come to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the illuminated gardens and the special atmosphere of this place. Haifa is a city where different religions, cultures and communities live side by side, and the wonderful Bahá’í community is an inseparable part of the fabric of our city. Lailah Bahá’í is a true reflection of the Haifa we are proud of an open and respectful city that brings people together. I invite everyone to come and experience one of the most beautiful places in the world, right here in our Haifa.”

A sense of peace, connection, and reflection was evident among many visitors.

ENDS  |  DATE: 2 October 2026

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Media Contact

Bahá’í World Centre
Website: www.ganbahai.org.il
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About Terraces by Night (Lailah Bahá’í)

The first Terraces by Night (Lailah Bahá’í) event was held in 2019 as part of the celebrations marking the bicentenary of the Birth of the Báb. The Bahá’í World Centre opened the Shrine of the Báb and the Holy Bahá’í Gardens for evening visits, welcoming thousands of visitors hosted by international volunteers and local staff. Subsequent Terraces by Night have been held four times since then.

Terraces by Night is organized by the Bahá’í World Centre in collaboration with the Haifa Municipality and the Haifa Tourism Board. The event offers the gift of peace, light, tranquility and hope, and provides an opportunity to visit the Shrine of the Báb and its terraced gardens in the evening.

Shrine of the Báb and the Haifa Bahá’í Gardens

The Báb (1819-1850), meaning “the Gate,” is the Prophet-Herald of the Bahá’í Faith. His teachings called for the spiritual renewal of humanity and prepared the way for Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892), the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith. The Báb is buried within the golden-domed Shrine on Mount Carmel, which is surrounded by eighteen majestic, terraced gardens designed to adorn and beautify this Holy Place. Blending Eastern and Western styles, the design features are symbolic expressions of spiritual principles such as unity in diversity, transformation, and service.

A place of prayer and pilgrimage and UNESCO World Heritage site, the Bahá’í Shrine and Gardens are open to the public during designated hours. Admission is free.

The Universal House of Justice explains:

“The beauty and magnificence of the Gardens and Terraces… are symbolic of the nature of the transformation which is destined to occur both within the hearts of the world’s peoples and in the physical environment of the planet.”