Hájí Mírzá Haydar-‘Alí and Joy During Suffering
In a quest to learn more about the Baha’ís in Egypt during the time of the Master’s travels I stumbled upon Stories for the Delight of Hearts, the memoirs of Hájí Mírzá Haydar-‘Alí. The connection is tenuous: Hájí Mírzá Haydar-‘Alí was […]
2012
Paris Talks Revisited: The Unity of Mankind
Following His address on the first principle of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Master then describes the second principle, namely the unity of mankind. He begins by stating how we are all equal: “All men are of one family; the crown […]
2012
Major Tudor Pole’s Mission
Wellesley Tudor Pole sought the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Alexandria during His first sojourn in Egypt in 1910 — at that time he wanted to find out more about the Faith and the mysterious personage of the Master. In The Silent […]
Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings!
The issue of Star of the West dated December 31st, 1911 is brimming with excitement — each serif and punctuation mark is eager and thrilled. The issue contains a logistical announcement from the Executive Board of the Bahá’í Temple Unity “so […]
2011
The Master’s Health
I have been thinking recently about the Master’s health as rest and recuperation were primary reasons for His return to Egypt. Mr. Balyuzi, in his biography of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, writes: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wintered in Egypt. The lavish expenditure of His energies, during the three […]
2011
The Greatest Holy Leaf
For every history there is an echo, a shadow, or another story untold. In thinking about the Master’s travels I also wonder about life in the Holy Land in His absence and of those who stayed in Haifa. In order […]
2011
Return to Egypt
From December 2nd, 1911 until the end of March of the subsequent year, the Master wintered in Egypt. This sojourn, unlike His time spent in Europe, was private in nature — but this did not mean that the presence of […]
2011
The Day of the Covenant
As the Master was born on the date of the Declaration of the Báb, He told the believers that this day was to be solely associated with the Báb and not to be celebrated as the anniversary of His birth. […]
2011
Paris Talks: The Sufferings of Bahá’u’lláh
One hundred years ago today ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave a short talk about His Illustrious Father and spoke primarily of the sufferings of Bahá’u’lláh. The details described by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá of the manner in which Bahá’u’lláh was treated are agonizing to read. In reflecting […]
2011
Biography: Thomas Breakwell
The details of Thomas Breakwell’s life pierce my innermost heart: his powerful attraction to the Faith at age 29 (a story which can be heard here), his two day pilgrimage to the presence of the Master in Akká where his utter devotion touched […]