PLACES OF WORSHIP

The Baha'i World Center is in the Holy Land.  From the time of
Baha'u'llah's exile to Akka, the spiritual and administrative
center of the Faith has been established in the two cities of
Akka and Haifa.  The Baha'i Holy Places in Israel consist of the
Shrines of Baha'u'llah and The Bab and historic sites associated
with Them.  Baha'u'llah instructed that the World Center of His
Faith should be in the vicinity of these Shrines.  The Seat of
the Universal House of Justice is located on Mt. Carmel in Haifa.
 
The central position of prayer and meditation in Baha'i
individual and community life places emphasis on houses of
worship in villages, towns, and cities.  At present, Houses of
Worship exist in Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.; Frankfurt-am-Main,
West Germany; Kampala, Uganda; Sidney, Australia; Panama City,
Panama; New Delhi, India; and Apia, Western Samoa.  Services of
worship consist of the recitation of Baha'i scriptures and
scriptures of the other divinely revealed religions and "a
capella" music is also allowed.  Eventually, each locality will
have its own house of worship, which will serve as the point
around which the scientific, educational, humanitarian, and
administrative institutions of the Baha'i community revolve. 
Many local Baha'i communities currently own properties used for
activities.