The Sydney landmark once named “the angel of Sydney” is turning 50 and to mark the occasion there will be special services and celebrations from 18-25 September 2011.
The Sydney Baha’i Temple, known for its nine-sided structure symbolising religious unity and its towering white dome, is one of only seven in the world.
Located in the hills above the northern beaches and surrounded by native bush, the Temple is a beacon for aircraft and a haven of peace and reflection for local people.
The golden anniversary celebrations start tomorrow with local body leaders and other VIPs attending a special 11 am service, which is open to the public.
A public mini-service will be held on each week day and three services on 25 September. Guided tours and children’s events are also on the program (for more information, click here).
There will be an interfaith service on the evening of 21 September for the International Day of Peace.
A busy policeman directing traffic for the opening in September 1961 was interviewed by a news reporter and received fleeting fame when he was quoted as describing the Temple as “the angel of Sydney”.
Around the time of its opening, the Temple was the subject of stories in the Sydney Sun, the Daily Telegraph, the Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, Woman’s Weekly, Woman’s Day, the Readers Digest and cinema newsreels, including Movietone News. Since then it has been the subject of countless media reports, features and footage.
In 2003 its image was seen around the world as bushfires reached its boundaries but did not cross them.
The Temple is one of the few major religious buildings in Australia to be opened by a woman, appropriate for a faith which has gender equality as a key principle.
Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani (1910-2000), a high official of the Faith, who opened the Temple, was given a special mayoral reception in her honour, hosted by Sydney Lord Mayor, Harry Jensen.