New York City, December 10, 1883: Probably the first newspaper reference to the Baha'i Faith in the United States

A page from the Sun, published in New York City, December 10, 1883, is probably the first newspaper reference to the Baha'i Faith in the United States. Note the column headed "The Bábs and Their Prophet" - highlighted for ease of recognition. (The Baha'i World 1930-1932)

1967: First National Baha'i Convention of the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands

First National Baha'i Convention of the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands, April 23-24, 1967, with Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery 

(Baha'i News, June 1967)

Approximate Number of Localities where Bahá'ís Resided as of 1950 -- in Leading Bahá'í Communities throughout the World

Germany and Austria:  ---- Over forty localities.

British Isles: ----- Over fifty localities.

Australia and New Zealand: ----- Over sixty localities.

Dominion of Canada: ----- Over eighty localities.

India, Pakistan and Burma: ----- Over eighty localities.

Latin America: ----- Over one hundred localities.

Persia: ----- Over seven hundred localities.

United States of America: ----- Over eleven hundred localities

(The Bahá'í Faith, 1844-1950: Information Statistical and Comparative, Compiled by Shoghi Effendi. Wilmette, IL Bahá'í Publishing Committee, 1950)

The Apostles of Baha'u'llah -- "Pillars of the Faith" -- identified by Shoghi Effendi

• 1. Mirza Musa: the only true brother of Baha’u’llah, surnamed “Kalim.”
• 2. Mirza Buzurg: youthful martyr, bearer of Baha’u’llah’s Tablet to Nasiri’d-Din Shah, surnamed “Badi.” [Wonderful]
• 3. Siyyid Hasan: one of the martyred brothers of Isfahan, surnamed “Sultanu’sh-Shuhada.” [King of the Martyrs]
• 4. Mulla Abu’l-Hasan: faithful steward of Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha, surnamed “Amin.”
• 5. Mirza Abu’l-Fadl-i-Gulpaygani: Foremost and authoritative expounder of the Baha’i Revelation.
• 6. Mirza ‘Ali Muhammad: poet, teacher, and martyr of te Faith, surnamed “Varqa.”
• 7. Mirza Mahmud: an indomitable spirit and jealous defender of the Faith.
• 8. Mulla ‘Ali Akbar: a flame of zeal and devotion.
• 9. Mulla Muhammad: learned and steadfast exponent of the Baha’i Revelation, surnamed “Nabil-Akbar.”
• 10. Haji Mirza Muhammad Taqi: cousin of the Bab and chief builder of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar of Ishqabad, surnamed “Kabir-i-Afnan.”
• 11. Haji Mirza Muhammad Taqi: prominent teacher.
• 12. Mulla Muhammad: poet, historian, and teacher of the Faith, surnamed “Nabil-i-A’zam.”
• 13. Shaykh Kazim: a flame of the love of God, favored of Baha’u’llah, surnamed “Samandar.”
• 14. Muhammad Mustafa: brave and vigilant custodian and bearer of the remains of the Bab.
• 15. Mirza Husayn: distinguished calligraphist, and companion-in-exile of Baha’u’llah, surnamed “Mishkin-Qalam.”
• 16. Mirza Hasan: devoted teacher of the Cause, surnamed “Adib.”
• 17. Shaykh Muhammah ‘Ali: eloquent and learned champion of the Faith in Russian Turkistan
• 18. Zaynu’l-‘Abidin: noted scribe, chief figure among “the exiles of Mosul,” surnamed “Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin)
• 19. Mirza ‘Ali Muhammah: zealous advocate in the early days of the proclamation of the covenant of Baha’u’llah, surnamed “Shahid-ibn-i-Shahid.”

(The Baha’i World, 1928-1930)

April 1965: First Local Assembly formed in Iceland

The historic, first local spiritual assembly was established last Ridvan in the capital city of Reykjavik, Iceland, the first of three assemblies required for the Nine Year Plan. The signatories of the original document were: Asgeir Einarsson, Kirsten Bonnevie, Florence Grindlay, Jessie Echevarria, Carl John Spencer, Charles Grindlay, Liesel Becker, Barbel Thinat and Nicholas Echevarria. One of the earliest traveling teachers in Iceland was Eskil Ljunberg and the first pioneer, Marguerite Allman, arrived in 1956, during the Ten Year Crusade.

Mrs. Amelia Collins, late Hand of the Cause was the first to visit Iceland, in L924. During these few hours spent in Reykjavik she was able to make friends with an Icelandic lady with whom she corresponded about the Faith for many years. This same lady was then able to open many doors for Martha Root, the renowned traveling teacher, who came in July of 1935 to make the Faith known in that land.

Bahá'u'lláh’s mother was so fascinated by Him

The mother of the Blessed Beauty [Bahá'u'lláh] was so enthralled with Him that she could not contain her amazement at His behaviour. 'This child never cries,' she would say; 'He is so unlike other babies who cry and scream and are forever restless while in the nursing stage . . .'

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Quoted by Ishraq-Khavari in Risaliy-i-Ayyam-i-Tis’ih; in ‘Stories of Baha’u’llah’, compiled by Ali-Akbar Furutan)

1919: ‘Abdu’l-Baha inside the gateway to the house occupied by Western pilgrims

The first shipment of materials needed to erect the outer shell of the Báb's Sepulchre arrived in the port of Haifa -- over one hundred and fifty tons of cut, carved and polished marble and granite

The prospect was challenging. Only a very few ships would venture into mined waters unsafe for normal navigation; moreover, space was lacking, almost unavailable. We had to do much praying, because every avenue seemed blocked. Shipping agents were seeking any possibility but without immediate success. Only faith could have removed the difficulties….

A few days later another cablegram came, requesting the name of the steamer. The next day a ship was found and a telegraphic reply was sent to him [The Guardian], informing him that the first shipment would sail on the S.S. Norte, due to arrive in Haifa on 23 November 1948 - a record of incredible speed in accomplishing the work since the April day when Mr. Maxwell had signed the first contract! Over one hundred and fifty tons of cut, carved and polished marble and granite were shipped at this time, including the load of a second ship, the S.S. Campidoglio, which sailed almost in the wake of the first One. The Norte finally reached the port of Haifa on 28 November, with the Campidoglio following a few days later, as a true co-partner and escort in such a prodigious event.

November 1922: The sultanate was abolished

The sultanate was an institution of Islamic kingship, most particularly the dynasty of Ottoman rulers, who combined secular power with the religious leadership of the Sunni Muslim world by their claims to the Caliphate. The sultanate was abolished by the new Turkish republic on 1 November 1922, and the caliphate in 1924. These twin institutions were regarded by Shoghi Effendi as the 'arch-enemy' of the Baha'i Cause, (God Passes By, p. 407; and The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 173) and their collapse cited as an instance of Divine judgment.

The Caliphate was an Islamic institution established after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. The Caliph, the self-styled vicar of the Prophet of Islam, came to be regarded also as the "Commander of the Faithful," and the protector of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. He became the leader of Sunni Muslims all over the world. By the 19th century, the title rested with the Ottoman rulers (Sultans). 

(Adapted from ‘A Concise Encyclopedia of the Baha’i Faith’, by Peter Smith; ‘God Passes by’, by Shoghi Effendi; and ‘The World Order of Baha'u'llah’, by Shoghi Effendi)

House of Worship in Chicago “marks the inception of the Kingdom of God on earth.”

“A most wonderful and thrilling motion will appear in the world of existence,” are ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s own words, predicting the release of spiritual forces that must accompany the completion of this most hallowed House of Worship [Baha’i House of Worship in Chicago]. “From that point of light,” He, further glorifying that edifice, has written, “the spirit of teaching ... will permeate to all parts of the world.” And again: “Out of this Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, without doubt, thousands of Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs will be born.” “It marks the inception of the Kingdom of God on earth.”

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated April 11, 1949; ‘Citadel of Faith’)

circa 1960: Hands of the Cause of God

There are fourteen Tablets of the Divine Plan

The Tablets of the Divine Plan are fourteen in number and were revealed at two separate times by 'Abdu'l-Baha: eight of them in 1916, and six in 1917.  

- Hand of the Cause Balyuzi  (‘Abdu'l-Baha - The Centre of the Covenant’)

circa 1936: Reconstructed House of Bahá’u’lláh's father in Takur, Persia

Exterior views of the reconstructed House of Bahá'u'lláh's father in Takur, Mazindaran, Iran, circa 1936 

(The Baha'i World 1936-1938)

‘Ali-Kuli Khan and Florence meet ‘Abdu'l-Bahá

He embraced me and kissed me on the cheeks. He also most warmly welcomed my wife, and took Rahim [our one year old son] from my arms. He then sat on the sofa holding Rahim on His lap, and while He gave the Baby His rosary to play with, He lovingly inquired after our health, and asked if we had had a good journey. Then looking at me, my wife and the Baby, He said to me while smiling, "O Khan! This is the sign of blessing and increase; you went to America one and returned three." These words we took to mean that He blessed our conjugal family life with unity and harmony, and that He bespoke for us Divine bounty and increase. He asked for the Baby's age and I answered that he was one year and four days old. Turning to my wife He said in part, while showing her great kindness and favor: "Welcome! Welcome! Marhaba! Praise be to God, that as a result of the Revelation of Al-Abha, the East and the West have embraced each other like unto two beloved ones. You are the first American bride to be united to a Baha'i from Persia. Praise God, for this great favor."

Before being seated, and while I had the Baby in my arms, 'Abdu'l-Baha looked at Rahim with His glorious face illuminated with joy, and He said in part: "This is the fruit of the union between the East and the West." Turning to my wife, He said: "I see that you love Rahim Khan very much." Upon other occasions during our visit 'Abdu'l-Baha often said: "As Rahim Khan is the first fruit of the union of the East and West, whoever looks upon his face loves him."

- ‘Ali-Kuli Khan  (1906 Pilgrim Notes of Ali Kuli Khan)

Never have I seen anyone work as hard as Shoghi Effendi

Never have I seen anyone work as hard as Shoghi Effendi, and it must be very trying to him with his universal creative energy, his world horizon, his soaring ideals, to say nothing of the unfathomable depths of knowledge and wisdom which flow like undulated waves through his sacred entity at all times, it must be a cruel restraint that he has not a greater vehicle or channel through which to pour all this power throughout the world... 

- May Maxwell  (From a letter to Katherine Baldwin, Honolulu. February 1939)

November 1925: The Passing of Hand of the Cause Dr. John Ebenezer Esslemont

He was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1874 and was introduced to the Baha'i Faith in 1914. His major book, Baha'u'llah and the New Era, the first nine chapters of which he wrote during the First World War, was submitted to 'Abdu'l-Baha for approval. Dr. Esslemont visited 'Abdu'l-Baha in the Holy Land during 1919 to 1920 and following the passing of the Master in 1921 returned to the Holy Land in 1925 to undertake work for Shoghi Effendi. He died there in November 1925 and was posthumously named a Hand of the Cause. The book, ‘Baha’u’llah and the New Era’ has been translated into many languages and has become one of the most widely used of the introductory books to the Baha'i Faith. 

(Adapted from 'A Basic Baha’i Dictionary')

November 1902: The cornerstone of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar (House of Worship) of Ishqabad was laid

“O people of the world! Build ye houses of worship throughout the lands in the name of Him Who is the Lord of all religions. Make them as perfect as is possible in the world of being, and adorn them with that which befitteth them, not with images and effigies. Then, with radiance and joy, celebrate therein the praise of your Lord, the Most Compassionate. Verily, by His remembrance the eye is cheered and the heart is filled with light.” (Baha’u’llah, the Kitab-i-Aqdas)

During the lifetime of Baha'u'llah, obeying this command was impossible because the Middle Eastern Baha'is were persecuted. In order to escape oppression, many Persian Baha'is fled north, to the lands that formed part of the Russian Empire. Situated twenty-five miles from the border of Iran was the town of 'Ishqabad, in the modern Turkmenistan. By the turn of the century a large and prosperous Baha'i community had developed there, protected by the tsarist government from persecution. In the autumn of 1902 the 'Ishqabad Baha'is set out to build the first House of Worship in the Baha'i world.

On 28 November 1902 they laid the cornerstone of the building.  The 'Ishqabad Baha'is were in regular contact with the Chicago House of spirituality and on 29 November wrote a letter to them, mentioning the event. A second letter with more details followed on 10 December:

Birth of "The mother teacher of the West"

Louisa Aurora (Lua) Moore (Getsinger) was born on 1 November 1871. This was the same day on which her father had been born and her parents married. 

(Adapted from, The Flame’, by William Sears and Robert Quigley, and ‘A Basic Baha’i Chronology’, by Glenn Cameron)

November 1921: Shoghi Effendi accidentally saw the cable containing the devastating news of the passing of the Master

Cable:

Cyclometry London

His Holiness 'Abdu'l-Baha ascended Abha Kingdom. Inform friends.

Greatest Holy Leaf

Upon reading the cable Shoghi Effendi collapsed. Major Tudor Pole, in whose office Shoghi Effendi read the cable while he wasn’t there, upon his return found him, in a “state of collapse, dazed and bewildered by this catastrophic news.” He was taken to the home of Miss Grand, one of the London believers, and put to bed there for a few days. 

(Adapted from ‘The Guardian of the Baha’i Faith’, by Ruhiyyih Rabbani’)

Read Ruhiyyih Khanum’s description of this very sad event …

Signs in Heavens during the Appearance of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh

It is said in Scripture and Tradition that at the time of the birth or announcement of every Messenger of God, a star or a sign appears in the heavens. Nimrod was warned of the star that told of the coming of Abraham. The soothsayers warned Pharaoh of the star in the heavens that foretold the coming of Moses. The Magi informed Herod of the new star that guided them to the throne of the "spiritual king," Jesus. The same legend is told of Buddha, Zoroaster, Muhammad and Krishna.

What were the signs in the heavens during the appearance of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh? The holy Scriptures of all faiths had spoken of Twin-Revelations that would appear at the "time of the end." Now that the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh had appeared, fulfilling these prophecies, what were the signs in the heavens? Signs, not for one, but for two Messengers of God, Who would appear almost simultaneously?

Some of us know the story of the great comet of 1843 which foreshadowed the coming of the Báb. Sir James Jeans, late British astronomer and mathematician, stated in his book Through Space and Time, "oddly enough, many of the most conspicuous appearances of comets seem to have coincided with, or perhaps just anticipated, important events in history." [Sir James Jeans, ‘Through Space and Time’]

Mother of the Guardian announces his marriage

Cablegrams: 

"Announce Assemblies celebration marriage beloved Guardian stop Inestimable honor conferred upon handmaid of Baha’u’llah Ruhiyyih Khanum Miss Mary Maxwell stop Union of East and West proclaimed by Baha'i Faith cemented. (Signed) Ziaiyyih, mother of the Guardian." (Baha’i News, April 1937)

25 March 1937

ANNOUNCE ASSEMBLIES CELEBRATION MARRIAGE BELOVED GUARDIAN IMPERISHABLE HONOUR BESTOWED UPON HANDMAID OF BAHÁ'U'LLÁH RUHIYYIH KHANUM MISS MARY MAXWELL. (Sgd. ZIAIYYIH, MOTHER OF THE GUARDIAN) (Unfolding Destiny)

Ruhiyyih Khanum explains in the Priceless Pearl (p. 151) that her marriage with the Guardian took place on 25 March, 1937

Baha’u’llah’s Tablet presented to President Roosevelt

During 1936, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada arranged “to be delivered to President Roosevelt a beautifully engrossed copy of Baha’u’llah’s Tablet to the Presidents and Rulers of the American Republics, together with two Prayers revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha for America.”

(Baha’i News, August 1936)

Historic Rug

Some members of the famous Ahmadpur family had been in the presence of the beloved Master when the Shrine of the Bab had almost been completed. In their longing to have a share in that great and historic enterprise, they asked the Master if they could make a special carpet for the floor and send it to Haifa. He accepted their request and gave instructions as to what design they should choose for the carpet. This photo was taken after its completion and before its dispatch to the Holy Land. The people sitting in front are from the family of Haji Ahmad, in whose silk factory the Bab's body had been kept after being taken from the edge of the moat outside the city of Tabriz. This rug is now placed in the Shrine of the Bab. 

(Baha’i News, October 1964)

1964: Korea's First National Convention, April 22-25

Some of the 65 Baha'is who attended Korea's First National Convention, April 22-25, 1964, in Taegu, Korea. Hand of the Cause, Dr. Rahmat'llah Muhajir (holding the Greatest Name) also attended this historic event. 

(Baha'i News July 1964)

2002: The emerging culture in the Baha’i world community -- identified by the Universal House of Justice

The culture now emerging is one in which groups of Bahá’u’lláh’s followers explore together the truths in His Teachings, freely open their study circles, devotional gatherings and children’s classes to their friends and neighbours, and invest their efforts confidently in plans of action designed at the level of the cluster, that makes growth a manageable goal… Where Bahá’í communities are unable to free themselves from an orientation to Bahá’í life that has long outlived whatever value it once possessed, the teaching work will lack both the systematic character it requires, and the spirit that must animate all effective service to the Cause. To mistakenly identify Bahá’í community life with the mode of religious activity that characterizes the general society—in which the believer is a member of a congregation, leadership comes from an individual or individuals presumed to be qualified for the purpose, and personal participation is fitted into a schedule dominated by concerns of a very different nature—can only have the effect of marginalizing the Faith and robbing the community of the spiritual vitality available to it. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 22 August 2002 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

The Greatest Holy Leaf and Shoghi Effendi, circa 1919

November 1845: Article appears in London Times concerning the very initial persecution of the Bábis in Shiraz

The London Times of Wednesday, November 19th 1845, carried this item of news on its third page, taken from the Literary Gazette of the preceding Saturday:

MAHOMETAN SCHISM. -- A new sect has lately set itself up in Persia, at the head of which is a merchant who had returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca, and proclaimed himself a successor of the Prophet. The way they treat such matters at Shiraz appears in the following account (June 23): -- Four persons being heard repeating their profession of faith according to the form prescribed by the impostor, were apprehended, tried, and found guilty of unpardonable blasphemy. They were sentenced to lose their beards by fire being set to them. The sentence was put into execution with all the zeal and fanaticism becoming a true believer in Mahomet. Not deeming the loss of beards a sufficient punishment, they were further sentenced the next day, to have their faces blacked and exposed through the city. Each of them was led by a mirgazah[Mir-Ghadab] (executioner), who had made a hole in his nose and passed through it a string, which he sometimes pulled with such violence that the unfortunate fellows cried out alternately for mercy from the executioner and for vengeance from Heaven. It is the custom in Persia on such occasions for the executioners to collect money from the spectators, and particularly from the shopkeepers in the bazaar. In the evening when the pockets of the executioners were well filled with money, they led the unfortunate fellows to the city gate, and there turned them adrift…. 

(H.M. Balyuzi, ‘The Báb - The Herald of the Day of Days’)

1992: The Second World Congress is held in New York city

The Second World Congress, called for by the Universal House of Justice, took place in November 1992, during the Holy Year, commemorating the centenary of the Ascension of Baha'u'llah. It was held in the Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City -- the "City of the Covenant' -- and commemorated the centenary of the Covenant of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Nearly 30,000 Baha'is made it the largest ever Baha'i gathering, and the total number of Baha'is participating was increased enormously by satellite conferences, held simultaneously in Apia, Western Samoa; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Sydney, Australia; New Delhi, India; Nairobi, Kenya; Panama City, Panama; Bucharest, Romania; Moscow, Russia; and Singapore.

The First World Congress was called to commemorate the centenary of the Declaration of Baha'u'llah (Ridvan 1963), the conclusion of the Ten Year Crusade, and the election of the Universal House of Justice. Shoghi Effendi had hoped that it would be possible to have it in Baghdad, but the situation in 'Iraq was such that the Hands of the Cause of God changed the venue to London and were able to hire the Albert Hall, which was filled to capacity by more than 7,000 Baha'is.

World Congress is a large gathering of Baha’is from all parts of the world called to commemorate special events. 

(Adapted from ‘Historical Dictionary of the Baha’i Faith’ by Hugh Adamson, and from ‘A Basic Baha’i Dictionary’, by Wendi Momen)

The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in 'Ishqabad, extensively damaged by violent earthquakes in 1948, was demolished in 1963 by the Russian authorities for safety reasons

A message from the Universal House of Justice:

August 25, 1963

To the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá'í World

Dear Bahá'í friends,

The whole Bahá'í World will be grief-stricken at the news of the sad fate which has overtaken the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in 'Ishqabad, the first Temple raised to the glory of Bahá'u'lláh. [The temple was located in Turkmenistan, near the Iranian border, north of the Iranian province of Khurasan ] Due to its unsafe condition, resulting from earthquakes, the building has been entirely demolished and the site cleared.

The building of this edifice, the only structure of its kind to be raised and completed in the lifetime of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, was described by the beloved Guardian as "a lasting witness to the fervour and the self-sacrifice of the Oriental believers." This "enterprise," the Guardian further wrote, "must rank not only as the first major undertaking launched through the concerted efforts of His followers in the Heroic Age of His Faith, but as one of the most brilliant and enduring achievements in the history of the first Bahá'í century." 

The Bahá'í centre in 'Ishqabad was founded in the days of Bahá'u'lláh. Already during His lifetime preliminary steps had been adopted by the friends of that community to build, in accordance with the provisions of the Most Holy Book, a Mashriqu'l- Adhkar.

‘Abdu’l-Baha in the streets of Haifa

Bahá'u'lláh's intelligence and perception as a child surpassed mature men

When Bahá'u'lláh was seven years old, one day His mother was watching the elegance of His bearing as He paced to and fro, and remarked 'He is somewhat short of stature.' but His father answered: 'It is of no importance. Are you not aware of His capacity and His abilities? Such intelligence! And such perception! He is as a flame of fire. Even at this young age He surpasses mature men.'

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Quoted by Ishraq-Khavari in Risaliy-i-Ayyam-i-Tis’ih; in ‘Stories of Baha’u’llah’, compiled by Ali-Akbar Furutan)