Akka and Haifa

Mirza Ahmad Sohrab recorded in his diary the following prophecy about Akka
and Haifa uttered by 'Abdu'l-Baha while seated by the window of one of the
Baha'i Pilgrim Homes at Haifa on February 14, 1914:--

The view from the Pilgrim Home is very attractive, especially as
it faces the Blessed Tom of Baha'u'llah. In the future the
distance between Akka and Haifa will be built up, and the two
cities will join and clasp hands, becoming the two terminal
section of one mighty metropolis. As I look now over this scene, I
see so clearly that it will become one of the first emporiums of
the world. This great semicircular bay will be transformed into
the finest harbor, wherein the ships of all nations will seek
shelter and refuge. The great vessels of all peoples will come to
this port, bringing on their decks thousands and thousands of men
and women from every part of the globe. The mountain and the plain
will be dotted with the most modern buildings and palaces.
Industries will be established and various institutions of
philanthropic nature will be founded. The flowers of civilization
and culture from all nations will be brought here to blend their
fragrances together and blaze the way for the brotherhood of man.
Wonderful gardens, orchards, groves and parks will be laid out on
all sides. At night the great city will be lighted by electricity.
The entire harbor from Akka to Haifa will be one path of
illumination. Powerful searchlights will be placed on both sides
of Mount Carmel to guide the steamers. Mount Carmel itself, from
top to bottom, will be submerged in a sea of lights. A person
standing on the summit of Mount Carmel, and the passengers of the
steamers coming to it, will look upon the most sublime and
majestic spectacle of the whole world.

From every part of the mountain the symphony of "Ya
Baha'u'l-Abha!" will be raised, and before the daybreak
soul-entrancing music accompanied by melodious voices will be
uplifted towards the throne of the Almighty.

Indeed, God's ways are mysterious and unsearchable. What outward
relation exists between _Sh_iraz and Tihran, Ba_gh_dad and
Constantinople, Adrianople and Akka and Haifa? God worked
patiently, step by step, through these various cities, according
to His own definite and eternal plan, so that the prophe