Haifa is world headquarters of Baha'i faith

Caught in the middle of the conflict between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah is the world headquarters of the Baha'i faith.

Located in the coastal Israeli city of Haifa, which has been a major target of Hezbollah rockets since the conflict began July 12, the majestic Baha'i buildings sit high atop Mount Carmel.

It's a holy place where the remains of the faith's founder Baha'u'llah, a 19th-century Iranian prophet, lie.

The site is the equivalent of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem for Muslims, and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome for Catholics.

Maknoni said the mayor of Haifa has asked the Baha'i to leave the dome of one of their buildings lit until midnight, three hours longer than usual, as a sign of hope.

Now as the city where Jews and Arabs live in harmony deals with daily bomb sirens, family and friends of the Baha'i living in Guelph wait and wonder what will happen.

Although the faith does not comment on politics, Barbara Maknoni, a Baha'i faith follower who lives in Guelph and has family in Haifa, said there are parallels with the current crisis and the faith's teachings.

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