Claudy family's holy land christmas

A CLAUDY family has had a Christmas with a difference.

Kevin and Nooshin Proudman and their three sons of Glenshane Road Claudy have just returned following a two week pilgrimage from the northern Isreal coastal city of Haifa.

The Proudman family are members of the Baha'i faith and were visiting holy sites of their religion in Haifa, on the biblical Mount Carmel, and in the nearby historic town of Acre.

Haifa is central to the Baha'i religion that emphasises the spiritual unity of all humankind.

Speaking about their pilgrimage to Isreal Kevin Proudman said that it was an "experience like no other."

"At first we were a bit concerned about getting away on our pilgrimage the snow had grounded flights. But we had faith and after a couple of days we were off.

"It's an experience like no other, To be able to pray in these holy places as well as to visit the historic sites and other places, or just to meditate and take in the beauty of the gardens, was a great bounty for us. And it was inspiring to meet pilgrims from so many different parts of the world, united in faith." Mr Proudman said.

The area where the Proudman's travelled to is sacred to Bah's due to Baha'u'llah, the founder of the religion was exiled to Acre during the 19th century, and was kept a prisoner because of his teaching of religious unity and social reform. At this time Haifa was part of the Turkish Empire, and Acre was used for holding political and other prisoners.

Bah'u'llh passed away in 1892 and his shrine, is now surrounded by extensive gardens, it is a place revered and visited by Bah's from all parts of the world.

This and the other shrines and gardens of the Bah' Faith are also visited by locals pilgrams and tourists who come in search of peace and beauty. In the last few years the site on Mount Carmel has been extensively developed.

Because of its appearance and impressive nature Israelis often refer to it as "the hanging gardens" and "the eighth wonder of the world". Its beautiful gardens contain both one of the holiest of Baha'i shrines and the impressive buildings for the world administrative centre of the faith.