Baha’i Rants

Google, being the most widely used search engine, collects an unbelievably large amount of data about how we use the internet and what we search for. Since their motto is “Don’t be evil” they are rather transparent and open up a lot of this data, offering an intriguing view into what people around the world are curious about.

According to Google, a lot of folks are interested to learn more about the Baha’i Faith on the internet. The keyword “bahai” ranks at around 80, which is relatively high (out of 100). The trend over the past 4 years is moderately decreasing however.

Google also breaks down the search volume for keywords by geography. Perhaps you would be surprised to learn that, by far, the most curious, are Iranians:

According to Google, Iran’s search volume for the keyword Baha’ is 100 (the highest). I’m amazed to see such unbridled curiosity from the cradle of the Faith. Not just because I tend to read from most parts that people there are generally apathetic but also because of the technological limitations imposed by a nationwide firewall which rivals China’s.

If you drill down into the Iranian data, you discover that there has been a dramatic drop off in search volume for Baha’i in the past 4 years. It has gone from 100 to low double digits. Maybe that’s when the firewall went into effect. Or perhaps it was ratcheted up.

Understandably, the second spot goes to Israel, at a respectable 67. I don’t know about you, but I would be a tiny bit interested to learn more about this “Baha’i” thing if I had scores of Baha’is in my backyard every year.

Unfortunately for the proclamation efforts of the NSA of the United States, Americans are apathetic at an index reading of just 39. However, the people in the state of Illinois, for some strange reason, show the highest interest. Followed very closely by Alaska.

Another country scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of interest is Chile. Hopefully once the Santiago Temple is finished, that will change things.

If you want to tinker with the data, here is the link for the Google Insight worldwide, and Iran specific search data.

This is a new video showcasing the Baha’i temple in Chile, Santiago:

This short video (about 8 minutes long) features the architect of the temple, Hariri, talking about the concept behind the design of the temple. The structure looks simply stunning.

Whensoever the light of Manifestation of the King of Oneness settleth upon the throne of the heart and soul, His shining becometh visible in every limb and member. At that time the mystery of the famed tradition gleameth out of the darkness: “A servant is drawn unto Me in prayer until I answer him; and when I have answered him, I become the ear wherewith he heareth….” For thus the Master of the house hath appeared within His home, and all the pillars of the dwelling are ashine with His light. And the action and effect of the light are from the Light-Giver; so it is that all move through Him and arise by His will. And this is that spring whereof the near ones drink, as it is said: “A fount whereof the near unto God shall drink….”

Related:

• Chile Temple Category

(where you’ll find all the content of this blog on the Chile Temple)

Since the previous time I wrote about the Chile temple, another step has been taken towards its ultimate completion. The Canadian firm of Soheil Mosun has finished building and testing a 1/6th scale model of one of the nine petals that will surround the temple.

Apparently they had some glitches to work out over 7 months as the software they were using is normally used for aeronautical testing. The good news is that after “extensive and detailed testing” the model seems to be accurate enough that fabrication on full scale can begin.

It will take approximately two to three years to manufacture the pieces in Canada. Afterwards they will be shipped to Chile for final assembly. This may seem like an odd way to build such a structure but it turned out to be the most cost effective solution among the options considered.

On site construction work is planned to begin in October 2008. All in all, it is safe to estimate atleast 4 years before the temple is completed at an estimated cost of US $27 million.

The Baha’i House of Worship in Chile is finally underway. According to a recent interview with the CBC, the firm of Soheil Mosun has started to manufacture the necessary components to graft together the massive transluscent walls of the building.

No word yet how things are going on the ground in Chile but we can assume that things are going well since the special firm of Soheil Mosun would never be commissioned to start otherwise.

You can read the CBC article here.