The passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
On the evening of 28th of November, 1921, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá passed away at 77 years of age. Newspapers conveyed the news of His passing, expressing the tragedy of the loss for humanity.
The Travels of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
To Egypt, Europe and North America (1910 - 1913)
In His travels, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed in Egypt for close to a year, during that time, He proclaimed the religion of world peace, of unity, oneness and fraternity between religions. He met a number of prominent figures of the Islamic world, among them; thinkers, parliament members, officials, nobility and newspaper journalists, all of whom were considered people of influence of the time.
Among the prominent people who met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá were: The Khediv; Abbas Helmi the second, the Grand Mufti of Egypt; Shekh Bakri AlSadafi, the Mufti to the Khediv; Sheikh Muhammad Rashad, Sheikh Muhammad Bakhit, Sheikh Muhammad Abdu, a number of writers including; Georgi Zeidan, owner of AlHilal magazine. The time He spent in Alexandria was filled with meetings and gatherings. One of the prominent Egyptians who trav-eled from Cairo to Alexandria to meet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was the famous AlAzhar scholar: Sheikh Ali AlMu’ayyad, the owner of AlMu’ayyad newapaper, a vastly popular publica-tion of the time. In his newspaper article he wrote:
Mirza Abbas Effendi arrived in Alexandria, He is the leader of the Baháʼís in Akka, in fact, He is the One whom Baháʼís around the world turn to. He is a wise man, knowledgeable, dignified, well-versed in religious jurisprudence and has full understanding of the ups and downs of Islamic history and of the sects of Islam. … His followers respect Him to such a degree as to adore and glorify Him …. Anyone who attains His presence sees a Man of vast knowledge, sweet speech, attractive to souls and Who wholeheartedly believes in the religion of the one-ness of mankind.
Abdu’l-Bahá continued on His travels to the West. He met with hundreds of well-known philosophers, scientists, religious leaders, poets, writers, economists and journalists. He spoke from the pulpits and stages in many European capitals and North American cities about the oneness of mankind, the inherent oneness of the religions, the need to eliminate all kinds of racial, religious, social and ethnic prejudice, He called for the urgent need to establish a permanent peace as the highest goal that humanity can reach. The people of the East described Him as ‘The Most Learned Scholar’, ‘The Pious Saint’, ‘The Most Righteous of All Men’. In the west, the leaders of thought called Him ‘The Ambassador of Humanity’.
Arab newspapers, especially Egyptian and Lebanese papers covered news of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s travels and talks in the west. The papers considered Hime to be a ‘Messenger of peace’ to the West. The following is an extract of a talk given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on 27 August 1911 in Thonon Les-Bains in Switzerland that was published in AlAhram newspaper: “Let us leave oppression and wickedness. Let us be as one family, with justice and kindness. Let us blend as water and wine. Let us unite as the unity of the souls. …We cannot find anything which is suitable to the world of humanity greater than the bounties of God. Then be guided with the examples of the Lord. Do not change the gift of God - which is perfect unity - in this path! It is incumbent upon ye, O servants of God, to abandon this discord; establish harmony, love, equity, justice, and mercy.”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s purpose for travel was not to seek wealth or fame, but, rather to perform His duty of spreading the message of peace and to counsel people to remove all forms of prejudice and hatred, to support the rights of women, to ask for equality for all, to ensure freedom for all humanity - including people of color who have long suffered from racial prejudice in the West and specially in America.
