"Radiating peace and hope": Bahá'í temple in Panama marks 50th anniversary  To read the story online or view more photos, visit news.bahai.org. PANAMA CITY, 17 May 2022, (BWNS) — Standing at the summit of Cerro Sonsonate—meaning "the hill of sweet songs" in a regional indigenous dialect—is the Bahá'í House of Worship in Panama City, a place where people from all backgrounds go to pray and find inspiration to serve their society. The Bahá'ís of Panama recently held a ceremony to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the dedication of this temple, bringing together not only residents in the surrounding area but also government officials, the district mayor, leaders of indigenous and diverse faith communities, and representatives of Bahá'í institutions. "This House of Worship plays a very important role in healing lives and fostering love among neighbors. I encourage the Bahá'ís to continue in their efforts to promote greater unity in our society," said Hector Carrasquilla, the district mayor. Mr. Carrasquilla presented the Secretary of the Bahá'í National Spiritual Assembly of Panama, Yolanda Rodríguez, with a symbolic key to the city, representing trust and friendship. Rabbi Gustavo Kraselnik sent a message to the gathering, stating: "May the temple always be a meeting place for dialogue, and may its spirituality continue to radiate peace and hope to all of Panama." Looking to the future, Ms. Rodríguez, explains that the ceremony, which brought together diverse members of society, was a reflection of the unifying power of the temple over the past fifty years and a sign of its growing impact on the spiritual life of surrounding communities and beyond. She states: "The House of Worship is referred to in the Bahá'í writings as the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, or the 'Dawning-place of the Praise of God.' When people visit and pray at the Panama temple, they find clarity, hope, and motivation to serve their fellow citizens."
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