Our Pilgrimage

from Menai Shahim, Linlithgow

Christmas was spent in the land of its origin; nevertheless it was far from our minds.

Our journey began seven days before Christmas and after six years of anticipation we were at Heathrow airport – in the departure lounge – awaiting our flight to Tel Aviv. A stranger greeted me with an Alláh'u'Abhá, having spotted my necklace’s Ringstone symbol. She, and her family from Las Vegas, greeted me and the Pilgrimage experience had begun.

Our first day was in Tel Aviv. After getting about one hour’s sleep during the flight, and the long wait at the security, we were given an unexpected tour of Tel Aviv as our minibus driver took us around all the exclusive hotels trying to find our slightly more humble accommodation, which we found after great difficulty via a smattering of English and sign-language. (The principle of a universal language had never seemed so relevant or vital!)

Once at the hotel we ‘crashed’ to catch up on a couple of hours sleep, and woke with just a few hours of sunlight left, which we decided to spend on a near-by beach. As the sun went down, we were amazed at the speed with which the sun went below the horizon – so fast we did not even have time set up our cameras! Back at the hotel – where I was sharing a room with Claire and Dawn Parris – clothes were strewn all over the room and there followed a fashion show of the new clothes we had just bought (the materialistic side to any Pilgrimage).

Haifa from the top of Mt Carmel

Next morning was an early start as we made our way to the Holiest Spot on Earth. Driving into Haifa we managed to get all the way to our hotel without seeing any of those eagerly anticipated views of the World Centre. However, once inside our hotel room we looked out of the window and down the mountain on an amazing sight – a view spanning the Arc and the Shrine of the Báb and out on to the bay of Haifa!

We set out for the Pilgrim Reception Centre, following three different sets of directions in Hebrew. We eventually found the place that would become a “chill-out” zone for us youth and a tearoom for our “elder companions”. We signed in and while we

Shrine of the Báb

waited, we got to meet some of the friends who we would become spiritually bonded with. People we would never forget (although names would always be difficult). I began to notice, although not at first, the nationalities of the pilgrims. They all tended to be from well-off countries (USA, Canada and the UK were the most common) and I felt grateful for the opportunity to be there.

First on our timetable was the visit to the Shrine of the Báb. As we walked up the red broken tile-covered pathways we got the first glimpse of this magnificent, radiant building with dome, and illumined with powerful lights. You could feel the souls of everyone around you buzzing with excitement as we approached. All 261 of the pilgrims huddled together, shoulder to shoulder, as every mind took a mental picture, to be engraved on our memories for a lifetime. No one wanted to leave but eventually the guides gently ushered us back to the Reception Centre to listen to a talk by Dr Varqá, the last living Hand of the Cause of God.

The Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh

The second day was spent in Bahji – and the two most Holy places on earth had been visited. Our soaring souls reached their climax and our adrenaline (and caffeine level) was at a high point. To end our busy and uplifting day we were introduced to the members of the Universal House of Justice. We stood there, all waiting in our Sunday best and in turn we shook hands with the eight members (Mr Martin was unfortunately unwell). The eight men were extremely humble and I was amazed at how familiar they were about the progress of the Faith back home!

One of my most memorable tours was the visit to the Archives Building. Our group

The Centre for the Study of the Texts and
the Archives Building

had split into smaller numbers for this visit and we were shown garments of the key figures, and locks of hair. We were shown the handwriting of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh and no matter how hard I tried to put my primitive Persian into use, all I could do was admire at the beauty. We were shown the faces of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh and the missing pieces of my story of discovery were slotted into place. We stood there studying their faces in hope that later on we would be able to recall them. The early pictures captured every detail and we all stood there engrossed. Among the things we were shown, the handkerchief stained with Bahá’u’lláh's blood was one of the most moving. This reminded me that the Manifestations of God still had the humans restriction of life.

The Shahim and Parris families in
the Seat of the House of Justice

While in Haifa, we met some amazing youth. Being there over a school holiday meant all the parents had taken advantage and had come to Haifa without missing too much school. Much of my time spent there (both day and night) was spent with other youth and it was great to meet others from different Bahá'í cultures, each with their own Bahá'í experiences and stories to tell. I made some very good friends and it was a real culture shock when I returned home to my school friends.

Before I knew it, those nine unforgettable days had passed and we were due to leave. I felt I couldn't go home without seeing the Shrine of the Báb one last time, and the perfect opportunity arose when I found out that there would be dawn prayers there on the last morning. Even for someone who isn't a morning person, it was worth it to watch the sun rise over the golden dome and to see the light reflected. While paying my last respects I

Looking north across the Hatzionut bridge

was overcome with sadness at the thought I wouldn't be able to come here everyday to pray. I wouldn't be waking up to look down on the mountain with the satisfaction of knowing that today I will be learning something new about my faith and grow to love it even more. I wouldn't be with the youth I had become friends with and I became thankful for the technology of our time allowing me to keep in contact easily with them.

Looking back, I only have fond memories for my time, which I have preserved in a diary I kept and accounted in everyday. Looking outside at the bleak weather I can't help missing the sunny days. Now I feel a strong jealousy for my friends just leaving to visit the Holy Land and I wish I were there with them, starting the whole experience over again.

Pilgrims in the Ridván Garden

The Scottish Bahá’í, No.39 – Spring, 2005	scots abroad
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