Message regarding Bahá’ís going to the Holy Land

6 February 2024 / 19 Sovereignty 180

All Local Spiritual Assemblies
All Regional Bahá’í Councils
All Registered Groups

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Now that the doors have been opened once more for pilgrimage and brief visits to the Holy Land, we have been asked to remind the friends of guidance that Bahá’ís must seek the permission of the Universal House of Justice before visiting the Holy Land—which also includes the West Bank and Gaza—for any purpose, whether it be for a brief visit to the Bahá’í World Centre, pilgrimage, studying in the country, visiting family or relatives, business purposes, employment, or any other reason.

Explaining the reason for this provision, which has been a long-standing requirement that no Bahá’í may come to the Holy Land for any purpose without the permission of the Head of the Faith, the House of Justice notes that it dates back to the time of Bahá’u’lláh Himself.  “The principal task of the Faith in the Holy Land is building its World Centre and administering the work of the Cause at the international level.  To have believers visiting the country without the proper guidance pertaining to their specific circumstances may give rise to problems that could hamper the work carried out here, and this would have an adverse effect on the progress of the Faith throughout the world.”[1]

Bahá’ís wishing to apply for pilgrimage or request permission for a brief visit can do so by visiting the website https://pilgrimage.bwc.org/.  Those wishing to visit the Bahá’í World Centre for other purposes may contact us at secretariat@bahai.ca and we would be pleased to convey your request.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Karen McKye, Secretary

[1] From a letter dated 1 February 2024 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to National Spiritual Assemblies