Special Occasions

Sometimes circumstances put you in a unique situation, independant of whether you deserve it or not.

In June 1999 my family was given the opportunity to travel to Haifa and Akka and visit the sacred places where Bahá'u'lláh lived from 1868 to 1892.

Having read accounts of those days the experience is at one level like stepping into the books and finding yourself in the location of the story and being able to recall the events, the people and their lives.

Visiting the houses where a Messenger from God or Prophet actually lived is no ordinary experience. Imagine stepping through the door of Jesus' home.

The deceiving thing is that everything one experiences is normal. The pavement on the ground, the wind in the trees, the heat of the afternoon sun - everything is familiar. Yet something of tremendous spiritual significance transpired in these places. It is just that no eyes can see it. The drama plays out at the intersection of the visible and the invisible worlds and the meaning takes root in one's heart and mind.

Entrance to the restored cell of Baha'u'llah. (2004) The cell of Baha'u'llah. (Photo by Clarence Welsh, circa 1921) Inside the cell of Baha'u'llah after the completion of its restoration. (2004) Windows of the cell of Baha'u'llah. (2004) Window from which Baha'u'llah waved to pilgrims. (2004)
To see more photos from our 1999 pilgrimage go to this page, read the instructions and click on the link to the album.

Main Photo: Bahá'u'lláh was incarcerated in this prison. Pilgrims would walk from Persia and would not be allowed to meet Him. In fact it was dangerous for them to be connected to the prisonners. They had to content themselves with seeing His hand waving a handkerchief through the window bars of a cell before turning back for the long journey home. The windows of His cell are the two windows at the top right of the prison building.
Left insert: 'Abdú'l-Bahá and His family - His three daughters their husbands and children - lived in this house known as the house of 'Abdu'lláh Páshá (left). This is the house in which Shoghi Effendi was born.
Right insert: Bahá'u'lláh revealed His Book of Laws, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, in this house - the house of 'Údí Khammár - in the room entered through the door in the corner at right.