Baha'i International Teaching Centre Building
“The International Teaching Centre will be the seat of that institution which is specifically invested with the twin functions of the protection and propagation of the Cause of God. The institution itself, referred to by the beloved Guardian in his writings, was established in June 1973, bringing to fruition the work of the Hands of the Cause of God residing in the Holy Land and providing for the extension into the future of functions with which that body had been endowed.”
The International Teaching Center was designed by architect Hossein Amanat and built in the third stage of the building of the Arc. The Seat of the International Teaching Center is where the International Teaching Center is based. Special events were held in January 2001, during the conference of the Continental Counsellors, which Auxiliary Board members were, for the first time, invited to attend, to mark the occupation by the International Teaching Centre of its permanent seat on Mount Carmel. This coincided with the announcement by the Universal House of Justice of the beginning of the fifth epoch of the Formative Age of the Faith.
The International Teaching Center is located on the arc laid out by the Guardian on the slope of Mount Carmel above and to the east of the Shrine of the Báb. It is immediately to the east of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. Its design incorporates classical and contemporary elements. So that the building will not detract from the gardens around it, most of the building is actually below ground. The building comprises largely offices, but also incorporates a small lecture theatre.
This building also temporarily houses the International Bahá’í Library.
