Baha'is Celebrate the Opening of Mount Carmel Terraces

Some 4,500 people from more than 200 countries and territories will gather at the foot of Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, on May 22. There, they will witness the opening of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb, a Baha'i project begun 10 years ago that has transformed the ancient barren face of the mountain into 19 majestic terraced gardens cascading down the length of the mountain.

Live webcast continues May 23, 3 a.m. EST.

The Bahá'ís have built world-class gardens to adorn the golden-domed Shrine of the Báb, a monument to one of the founders of the

and the second most holy spot of the faith. These gardens also provide thousands of visitors with a contemplative space in which ordered flowerbeds, fountains, and flowing water give way to natural perimeters of trees and shrubs. They are an oasis of tranquility in the heart of a bustling port city. Following the official opening during the week of May 22, the gardens will be open to the public every day, free of charge.

Live coverage of the opening events on the evening of May 22 and morning of May 23, 2001 will be available here via a webcast. (To view the webcast,

free of charge from the Real Media website.)

Live webcast continues May 23, 3 a.m. EST.

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