In Photos: First Baha’i Temple in Cambodia Hopes to Bring Peace and Unity

The First Baha’i Faith’s house of worship in Battambang province, Cambodia costs $1.5 million to build and two years to complete. The religion teaches its believers to embrace all religions be it, Buddhism, Christianity or Islam. The temple welcomes worshippers from all faiths. Photo is taken on October 22, 2018. (Hor Singhuo/VOA)

The Baha’i house of worship is designed by a Cambodian architect, Tang Sochet Vitou. The temple core design centers around the nine-sided designs, nine mini-gardens, and round building with low pointed roof, representing a largely Cambodian-style architecture. (Hor Singhuo/VOA)

San Sopheak, a Baha’i coordinator from Takeo province, visited the Baha’i temple for the monthly coordinator meetup. He is actively conducting workshops to teach Baha’i religious teachings that is based on both religion and science, to people from his community. (Hor Singhuo/VOA)

Baha’i believers relax in the temple compound during a break from the monthly meet up in Battambang province. The religion has more than 12,000 followers in Battambang province alone. (Rithy Odom/VOA)

A fan shape pond sits directly in front of the nine-sided Baha’i temple, representing the nine great world religions in unity. The temple is built with a style that is supposed to keep with the community, way of life and natural environment of Battambang. (Rithy Odom/VOA)

25-year-old Ing Sothearat is a full-time administrator at the Baha’i temple. She was drawn to the faith because of its teachings on adolescence and the importance of spirituality as opposed to ‘material’ emphasized by ‘formal education’. (Rithy Odom/VOA)

Baha’i temple shot from a Bamboo train, also known as ‘Norry’. The temple compound occupies approximately less than 2 hectares of land with another 7 hectares providing a scenic view of the surrounding meadow and vast rice field. (Rithy Odom/VOA)

A panorama shot of the Baha’i temple at dusk. (Rithy Odom/VOA)