He was born into a distinguished Baha'i family in Tihran,
Iran, in 1904. While receiving his formal education he showed considerable
aptitude as a linguist, becoming proficient in Persian, Arabic, English, and
French. For many years he was chief interpreter and director of the Education
Department of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and developed an accelerated method
of teaching Persian to English speakers. He later became secretary of the
'Iraqi Embassy in Tihran. He became known as an Old Testament scholar and was
well versed in the history of the Baha'i Faith and other world religions. He
was author of several books about the Baha'i Faith in Persian and English. In
1933 he married the secretary, friend, and companion of Keith Ransom-Kehler,
Javidukht Javid.
At the relatively young age of 34 he was elected to the
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Iran and served on that body for
the next 21 years. He made trips to the Holy Land in 1939 and 1940, and served
as the receiving and distribution conduit for communications from Shoghi
Effendi for the Iranian believers -- a service he discharged for 17 years. He
was also instrumental in securing many precious Babi and Baha'i archives for
safe preservation in the Holy Land. These included the famous sword wielded in
defense of the Babis by Mulla Husayn at Barfurush in 1848, when with one stroke
he cut through a tree, the barrel of a gun and his adversary.
Dhikru’llah was elevated to the rank of Hand of the Cause in
the second contingent appointed by Shoghi Effendi in February 1952. For the
remainder of his life, in addition to his general duties as a Hand of the Cause
for the promotion and protection of the Faith as well as the general
encouragement of the Baha'is in achieving their global teaching plans, he
undertook an enormous number of assignments on behalf of the Guardian, and
later for the Hands of the Cause, and the Universal House of Justice. He was an
inspirational speaker who seemed always to convey to his audience his deep love
and knowledge of the Faith as well as his devotion to Shoghi Effendi and later,
to the Universal House of Justice. His discharge of whatever duties or tasks
were assigned to him was known always to be characterized by "instant,
exact and complete obedience."
His worldwide travels included the following: in 1953 he
attended all the four (Intercontinental) International Teaching Conferences and
visits to centers in Central and South America; in 1954-1955 he visited centers
in India, Pakistan, the Arabian Peninsula, and 'Iraq; later in 1955 he went to
Pakistan, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Burma, and India; in 1957
he represented Shoghi Effendi at the Convention of Central America in Panama
and visited centers in Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, the United States, Panama,
Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, British Honduras,
Mexico, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and
France; in 1958 he participated in the Intercontinental Conference in Sydney,
Australia, and visited centers in Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, and India; he
attended the conference in Frankfurt, followed by visits to centers throughout
Europe and attendance at the conference in Djakarta and Singapore and then as a
substitute member of the Nine Hands in the Holy Land in October to December; in
1959 he attended the inaugural convention of the National Spiritual Assembly of
Turkey followed by visits throughout Europe. In November he was asked to settle
in the United States as a Hand of the Western Hemisphere, visiting centers in
Europe en route to his new home; in 1960 he again visited centers in Europe; in
1961 he was representative of the World Centre at the conventions of Costa Rica
and of Panama followed by visits to England, Holland, and Switzerland. During
the next few years he attended conferences and conventions throughout the
United States, Canada, Alaska, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Tobago in1971; and in
1973 and 1974 he visited Iran. These trips, from November 1959, were from his
new home in the United States.
The Universal House of Justice assigned him the complex and
exacting task of compiling an "International Registry of Baha'i Holy
Places and Historic Sites in the Holy Land." He completed this by August
1976 and went on to document the places visited by 'Abdu'l-Baha in England,
Scotland, the United States, and Canada. This was followed by visits to
National Spiritual Assemblies in the West and other visits to Iran. There were
two significant events in 1979 in the United States -- the 70th National
Convention in April and a "Spiritual Enrichment" conference in
August-September.
In January 1981 he attended a significant conference in
Frankfurt, Germany, and later in the year attended a convention in Chicago. In
the few years that remained to him he attended conferences, conventions, summer
schools, and general Baha'i gatherings, where his inspired talks galvanized the
Baha'is into greater efforts in the promulgation of their Faith. His travels
took him to every continent and saw him return to Iran on several occasions to
carry out special missions there.
Throughout his life Dhikru’llah Khadem enjoyed good health,
but, in July 1986, he was diagnosed with a fatal illness that confined him to
bed for much of the time. Notwithstanding this, he continued actively dictating
letters and talks. In October 1986 he wrote to the U.S. National Spiritual
Assembly thanking the members "from the bottom of my heart for all the
kindnesses you have shown to me over the past 26 years." He passed away in
the early hours of 13 November 1986. The following cable was sent by the
Universal House of Justice to the Baha’i world”:
"With sorrowful hearts announce passing indefatigable
fearless defender Faith, deeply-loved Hand Cause Dhikru'llah Khadem. His
sterling services to the Cause, his total consecration to tasks assigned to him
by beloved Guardian, his outstanding efforts as member National Spiritual
Assembly Cradle Faith, his valuable soul-uplifting stimulation imparted body
believers North America particularly United States Baha'i Community, his
untiring endeavors through his talks and writings in safeguarding Covenant and in
instilling appreciation love for Shoghi Effendi shed undying lustre over period
his admirable stewardship Cause God. Offering prayers Holy Shrines progress his
radiant soul Abha Kingdom. Urge hold befitting memorial gatherings his name all
Houses of Worship as well as in all local Baha'i communities."
(Adapted
from ‘Historical Dictionary of the Baha’i Faith’ by Hugh Adamson)
