Psalms and Bahá'í Writings were recently celebrated in Europe's first Bahá'í House of Worship.
The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár (translated literally as a "Dawning-place of the praise of God") in Langenhain, Germany, was the perfect setting for music that carried the sweet-scented words of Bahá'u'lláh.
The event, part of the celebration of the 700-year-old town, must have been goose-bumpy inspirational.
"... {A} choir from Langenhain sang Christian Psalms, alternating with works performed by the national Bahá'í choir," Bahá'í World News Service reported. "The program culminated with the choirs joining together to sing words of Bahá'u'lláh set to music from Mozart.
"'... From the very first sound, everyone could feel that it was something extraordinary,' one of the Bahá'ís said of the finale. The very special, prayerful atmosphere lasted a long time – nobody spoke or applauded.'"
In the compilation "Bahá'í World Faith", ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said music "is considered to be the cause of the exaltation of sad and desponding hearts."
"'It was a great joy for us,' Choir Conductor Andrea Post said," according to BWNS. "Her group of about 30 singers actually comprised two choirs that joined forces for the special events – the New Langenhain Choir and a local traditional choir that was founded in 1844."
The European Bahá'í House of Worship, built in 1964, is near Frankfurt.
Mashriqu'l-Adhkárs are open to peoples of all religious faiths.
In case you are not a Bahá'í, we do not believe in proselytising, so if you visit, you will not be "pressured" to join the Faith.
Additionally, the Faith does not have clergy and it does not accept donations from outside sources.
Links:
- Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, Bahaikipedia.
- European Mother Temple Web site (in German).
- Google Translator to translate German into other languages.
- 360 view of inside the Bahá'í House of Worship, Lagenhain.
- All Mashriqu'l-Adhkárs, including one lost due to persecution.
- What is progressive revelation?
- Bahá'í World News Service.
- Who is Bahá'u'lláh?
- Who is ‘Abdu’l-Bahá?
- Why is there no clergy in the Bahá'í Faith?
- What are Spiritual Assemblies?
(Note: Mozart was born in The Holy Roman Empire in what is now Austria. The empire included what is now Germany.
(The photos are copyrighted by the Bahá'í International Community and are used according to these terms. The first is from a photographic exhibition by Francisco Gonzalez, titled "Architects of Unity." Sizes of both photos were slightly modified but do not violate the terms of use.
(In providing links, my intent is to educate, not "convert," which is antithetical to my beliefs.
(My opinions are my own. Please refer to the Faith's international Web site for official views.)
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