PRESS RELEASE
DATE 9 OCTOBER 2025
(Haifa, Israel) During its opening evening, the Bahá’í World Centre invited the public to visit the Shrine of the Báb and enjoy walks up and down the terraces of the Holy Bahá’í Gardens during twilight hours. In addition to the special experience of visiting the Shrine and Gardens in the evening, Terraces by Night also offers a unique experience of diversity. Over 5000 visitors from around Israel, including residents and international diplomats, joined the event and were hosted by local guides and more than 100 Baha’i volunteers. The opening evening represented a rich tapestry of people attracted to the beauty and serenity of this Holy Place.
Secretary-General of the Baháʼí International Community, Dr. David Rutstein said, ‘The World Centre is delighted to enable the public to access the sacred Shrine of the Báb and the sanctified terraced gardens on the slopes of Mt. Carmel. It is our hope that visiting these holy sites at night, and experiencing the interplay between the flowers, the landscaping, the water and the lights has brought a special joy to the hearts of all the people in this precious land.’
The Shrine of the Báb and the terraced Gardens are a Bahá’í Holy Place and a unique Haifa landmark that welcomes people of all backgrounds to come together. They are a symbol and a reminder of optimism and unity. The Shrine and Gardens are also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Mayor of Haifa, Yona Yahav said: ‘The Baháʼí Gardens and the Shrine located in them are a religious and cultural asset of the highest order for Haifa and the State of Israel, and their spectacular beauty is an extraordinary global phenomenon. Haifa won, simply put. The connection between the city of Haifa and the Baháʼí religion and the gardens is a unique bond of brotherhood and connection, because Haifa is a symbol of shared life’.
The sentiment of enjoying beauty, tranquillity and hope was a common thread. One woman commented: ‘The world is heavy and here I can breathe.’ And another visitor wrote: ‘When I’m here I feel peace, joy, happiness, hope, tranquillity.’
The diplomatic community was also represented with diplomats from nine countries who came to enjoy the evening with their families.
Terraces by Night is open 8 and 9 October 2025 from 17:00 to 21:00 and is organized in close collaboration with the Municipality of Haifa.
CONTACT
Bahá’í World Centre
www.ganbahai.org.il
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp/mobile: +972- 50 732 6646
About
The first Terraces by Night-Laila Bahá’í was held in 2019. The Bahá’í World Centre offered evening visits to the Shrine of the Báb and Holy Bahá’í Gardens that year in honor of the 200-year anniversary of the Birth of the Báb, and to share light, hope and tranquility. Thousands of visitors were welcomed by Bahá’í volunteers from around the world and local guides.
The Báb is the Prophet-Herald of the Bahá’í Faith and brought religious teachings about a spiritual reawakening of humanity to prepare for a greater day of unity and peace. The Báb is buried inside the golden-domed Shrine on Mount Carmel, and 18 majestic terraces have been designed to adorn and beautify this Holy Place
The Head of the Bahá’í Faith, the Universal House of Justice, states that, “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.”
