FAST FACTS

1. The Shrine of the Bab in Haifa is the holiest Shrine for members of the Baha'i Faith after the Shrine of Baha'u'llah, which is near Acre (Akko) in Israel. See image at left. (Photo: Baha'i World Centre).

2. The Bab (1819-1850) was the forerunner of the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, Baha'u'llah (1817-1892).

3. The Baha'i Faith, founded in 1844, is an independent world religion whose main teachings are the oneness of God, the fundamental oneness of the world's great religions, the oneness of humanity. Gender equality is a key principle. Visit www.bahai.org

4. The Bab  was executed for His teachings in 1850 in Persia (now Iran) and His sacred remains were brought by His followers to the Holy Land (now Israel).;

5. The sacred remains of the Bab were interred in a Shrine on Mount Carmel in 1909 in accordance with a specific direction of Baha'u'llah.

6. Baha'is from throughout the world visit the Shrine as pilgrims.

7. The Shrine, with its 19 lovely garden terraces stretching up the northern face of Mount Carmel,  is now a prominent landmark in Haifa, Israel, is one of the most visited places in Israel,  and is inscribed as a World Heritage site.

8. The Baha'i World Centre is in Haifa, where its strikingly beautiful administrative buildings can  be seen near the Shrine of the Bab.