WHY DO YOU NEED TO VISIT BAHAI TEMPLE.
Overview
In 1951, the Baha’i faith began to spread throughout Uganda, and four years later, there were 500 Baháʼís spread throughout 80 places, including 13 Baha’i Local Spiritual Assemblies that represented 30 tribes. Nine pioneers had also been dispatched to other parts of Africa. The community has continued to expand since Idi Amin's rule, when the Baháʼí Faith was outlawed and Enoch Olinga, the Baha’i Hand of the Cause, and his family were killed. Population estimates vary greatly, ranging from 19,000 to 105,000. and other initiatives to further the welfare of the Ugandan people have been part of the community's engagement.
In Kampala, the nation's first Baha’i Local Spiritual Assembly was chosen in April 1952. Fred Bigabwa, Chrispin Kajubi, Peter Musoke, Enoch Olinga, Mr. and Mrs. Músá Banání, Mr. and Mrs. Ali Nakhjavani, and Philip Hainsworth were among the people that attended the gathering. In May or so, American pioneers Mary and Reginald (Rex) Collison joined them. Musa Banání was also named a Hand of the Cause at the beginning of 1952.
Since its completion in January 1961, hundreds of people have visited the Kampala Baha'i Temple.
At 10:30 a.m., the Sunday service begins. Except on Mondays, the premises are open every day from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm.
It is very advised to dress appropriately for a place of spiritual devotion.
Relationships and growth
In September 1946, one of Uganda's first PhDs, Dr. Ernest Kalibala, who was then affiliated with the United Nations, spoke at the New York Baháʼí Center, marking an early instance of communication between the Baháʼí Faith and Uganda. With the help of the American, British, Egyptian, and Persian Bahá'í communities, specific plans to introduce the religion to Uganda started in 1950. These plans were so well-coordinated and detailed that materials were translated into African languages before pioneers even made it to Africa. The third of August 1951, Mr. and Mrs. Arriving in Kampala were Músá Banání, Mr. Philip Hainsworth, and Mrs. Violette and Mr. Ali Nakhjavani from Iran, along with their infant daughter Bahiyyih. Banání, who was of Jewish descent, became a convert to the faith as an adult during World War I. Following the announcement that Louis George Gregory, a member of the Hands of the Cause, a select group of Bahá'ís who attained a distinguished rank in service to the religion, had passed away on July 31, a memorial service for Gregory was held in Kampala, where twelve Africans joined the five pioneers and Marguerite Preston (from Kenya). The first time the birth of the Báb was commemorated in a Buganda citizen's house in Uganda occurred in October, when prayers were offered in Luganda. Fred Bigabwa (Mutoro tribe) and Chrispin Kajubi (Buganda tribe) were the first two local Ugandans to convert to the Baháʼí Faith in December. Enoch Olinga (of Iteso tribe), a World War II veteran who had been attending lectures given by Nakhjavani in Kampala, became the third Ugandan to become a Baháʼí and give up drinking while Banání was on pilgrimage. However, his drunkenness had already cost him his government position.
Some advice for travelers
Although there are many photographic chances in the lovely gardens, it is requested that visitors respect the inside of the temple and refrain from taking pictures there.
Although there are many places to sit, unwind, and contemplate on the grounds, it is respectfully requested that no trash be left behind.
Please be InTouch with the Temple Guides if you would like more information about the House of Worship
Worship House
Instead of a local or international organization, the land for the temple had to be purchased in 1958 under the names of three African Ugandan Bahá'ís. The land was held in trust by these Baháʼís, Max Kanyerezi, Erisha Kiwanuka, and Joseph Mbogo. Known as the Mother Temple of Africa, the Baháʼí House of Worship in Uganda is located on Kikaya Hill outside of Kampala. Hands of the Cause Ruhiyyih Khanum and Músá Banání gave material contributions for the structure at the 1958 foundation stone laying ceremony, including dirt from the stronghold of Maku, where the Báb was imprisoned, and the innermost Shrine of Baháʼu'lláh.
Mason Remey designed the structure, while the lower roof tiles are Belgian, the green dome is composed of fixed mosaic tiles from Italy, and the tinted glass in the wall panels was imported from Germany. The large dome, which is forty-four feet in diameter at its base, is supported by nine enormous columns, each two feet in diameter; two sets of twenty-seven somewhat smaller columns support the two roofs. The buildings inside diameter are eighty-four feet, its entire height is 127 feet, and it can accommodate more than 600 people.
The rotunda, which has nine large windows and fifty-four tiny windows filled with green, amber, and pale blue glass, is painted a bright white, while the columns and lower walls are painted a very pale green. The interior of the dome is painted a pale blue. The wide green and amber glass-filled grilles that stand on either side of the enormous mvule doors add to the overall feeling of lightness and airiness.
The House of Worship, large gardens, a guest house, and an administrative center are all part of the fifty-acre site. The Ugandan government constructed an access road to the temple's location in 1960 and a council of ministers from Buganda visited the structure. Baháʼí holy days are observed, and regular services are often performed on Sunday afternoons at around 4 p.m. An estimated 50,000 people had visited the shrine by the end of 1965. Músá Banání and Enoch Olinga, both Hands of the Cause, are interred close to the Temple.
First conference held across continents
Shoghi Effendi's widow Ruhiyyih Khanum attended another international summit in Kampala in January 1958, shortly after his death in November.[50] There was a call to duty in commemoration of his service, despite the sadness at his passing. News that more than 300 Persians alone would be attending the conference exceeded the original intention for less than 400 guests. In the end, about 950 Baháʼís, six Hands of the Cause, an International Baháʼí Council member, sixteen members of the Auxiliary Board 450 African members, over 300 from Persia, two Knights of Baháʼu'lláh (one from the Pacific, one from the Arctic), representatives from eleven national spiritual assemblies (including those from the four African regional assemblies, those from the other national assemblies that had taken part in the campaign to bring the religion to sub-Saharan Africa - Britain, India, Iraq, Persia, and the United States - as well as those from Arabia and Japan), telegrams received from numerous other Hands of the Cause, and 34 national assemblies arrived. All hotel rooms were reportedly reserved.
Additional developments
The Kampala Baháʼís entered into a deal in 1958 to set off a portion of a cemetery for their own usage. Beginning in 1958, weekend schools persisted until 1960, however John Esslemont's Baháʼu'lláh and the New Era chapters were now utilized in the classroom. Several permanent Baháʼí schools were established in September 1961. Two Louis Gregory Baháʼí Schools, one in Dusai and one in Tilling, Olinga's hometown. Men encouraged women to enroll in the classes, which focused on homemaking and childrearing in addition to religious teachings. Jet Magazine published an article on the openings.
As part of a sweep across several Sub-Saharan countries, the Baháʼí Faith was banned in the 1970s in several countries: Burundi, 1974; Mali 1976; Uganda 1977; Congo, 1978; Niger, 1978. Uganda had had the largest Baháʼí community in Africa at the time and Olinga had returned and sought the protection of the community during this difficult time when Idi Amin's regime ruled Uganda. See also Uganda under Idi Amin.
"A campaign by many Arab nations was mostly responsible for this. Since these nations were also supplying development help at the time, this overt attack on the Baha'is was bolstered by subtle tactics such associating a country's use of aid funds with its actions against the Baha'is. This had some effectiveness, and the Baha'is were temporarily outlawed in many nations. With the exception of Niger, the Baha'is were successful in getting the ban lifted after proving to these nations that they were neither anti-Islamic nor Zionist.
Participation in the community
Numerous initiatives that serve the country and raise knowledge of the faith have been undertaken by the Bahá'í community in Uganda. In 1989, a Bahá'í specialist and entrepreneur from Swaziland trained locals in six southern and eastern African nations, including Uganda, to manufacture various fence-making machines and other technologies for construction, agriculture, and water projects. The National Spiritual Assemblies in each of the six nations arranged the ten-day training sessions.
A Baháʼí Club was established for Makerere University in 1989, with both Baháʼís and non-Baháʼís participating. Additionally, the national assembly invited members of the department of religious studies at Makerere University to the Baháʼí House of Worship to acquaint staff with the religion, its institutions, and their operations, placing the interaction between the university and its agencies in context. Additionally, two new courses on "Peace and Justice" and "Religion and Development" were created and instructed by a Baháʼí, Dr. Tim Rost.
Estimates of the number of Baháʼís in Uganda during the years 2000–2002 varied greatly; estimates ranging from 66,000 to 105,000. Nearly 19,000 Baháʼís were counted in the national census in 2002 and 29,601 were counted in 2014. According to US Department of State figures from 2005, the combined percentage of people who practiced Judaism, Bahá'í Faith, and Hinduism was 2%. According to a 2007 news source, there were around 300 Bahá'í believers in Kampala.
Significant changes are on the horizon.
Mary Collison passed away in 1970; she and Reginald Collison had been the temple's custodians in their final years. Enos Epyeru, Javan Gutosi, S. M. Isimai, Moses Senoga, Julias Nambafu, Augustin Massati, Augustin Naku, and Albert Ocamodek were the first members of the national assembly chosen specifically for Uganda during the first national youth conference conducted by the Ugandan Bahá'ís that summer. The Bahari’s were among those called to a meeting with the President during Idi Amin's presidency in August. The Bahá'ís gave a statement during the gathering that outlined the religion's central tenet of deference to authority. Enoch Olinga spoke on behalf of the community during a follow-up meeting following several Religious Conference sessions held around Uganda. Following a protracted illness, Músá Banání passed away in September and was buried in a new Baháʼí cemetery on the temple grounds. Three Hands of the Cause came together for the funeral: Enoch Olinga, A. Q. Faizi, Ruhiyyih Khanum; Ali Nakbjavani, Violette Nakhjavani, and their daughter, Bahiyyih, who married Paul Adams two years ago in Kampala; six members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda; and numerous other Baha'is from throughout Uganda and Africa. In addition, there are members of the Universal House of Justice.
As a director of guidance at the Tororo Girls' School in 1971–1972, pioneers like Zylpha Mapp supported development objectives in Uganda. While on leave from the public school system due to her job in the United States, she started editing the Ugandan National Baha'i Newsletter and worked with the Uganda Ministry of Education to build a guidance program for other schools around the country. Later in 1971, President Amin attended the Bahá'u'lláh birth ceremony and spoke positively about the faith. These and others also collaborated with academics studying mental health concerns. As part of a global push demanded by the Universal House of Justice, efforts within the community included highlighting the significance of Baháʼí elections. Other efforts for Uganda in 1971–1972 included several youth meetings, religious propagation, and cemetery beautification. Baháʼí Dwight W. Allen received an Award of Merit in 1972 for his assistance in the founding of the Tororo Girls' School, which was later turned over to the Ugandan government. While other young people started traveling to different towns to promote Baháʼí activities, Enoch Olinga's daughter Florence started attending the Tororo school in 1972. Other religious leaders visited the Tororo School in 1973, and Enoch Olinga and his spouse also gave speeches there. The Olingas traveled around Uganda in 1975–1976 and spoke with government representatives about the religion's beliefs. Radio broadcasts were used to promote some of their trips.
Important events/Activities in Kampala's Baha'i Temple:
Prayer and Meditation: The temple's prayer hall and gardens are two locations where guests can engage in prayer and meditation.
Devotional Meetings: Members of the Baha'i community get together for talks and prayer.
Community Learning: Games, storytelling, and music are frequently incorporated into the temple's youth and children's sessions.
Nature & Relaxation: The temple grounds provide lovely gardens and a tranquil setting for nature hikes, picnics, and relaxation.
Photography and Reflection: The distinctive architecture and surroundings of the temple offer chances for both.
Religious assemblies: The Temple's religious events are its most well-known feature.
Study Tours: To teach small groups about the principles and texts of the faith, the Bahá'í community hosts educational study circles:
Bird Watching (Birding):
Children & Youth Programs: