The Baha'i Community of Arlington, Virginia » ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Alissa — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:58:08 +0000

On November 28 at 1:00am, members of the Baha’i Faith throughout the world will commemorate the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the eldest son of Bahá’u’lláh. He was born on May 23, 1844 in Tehran and given the name `Abbás. Yet the name that he preferred was ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’ which means ‘Servant of Bahá’. As a young child he accompanied his Father in exile and was a prisoner for most of his life. In 1908, as a result of the Turkish revolution, all political and religious prisoners of the Ottoman Empire including ‘Abdu’l-Bahá were released. In 1911 and 1912 he traveled to Europe and North America to spread his Father’s teachings concerning the coming of a new day and the unity of all mankind. He was knighted by Queen Victoria for his humanitarian services and spent his life caring for the sick and the needy.

Before Bahá’u’lláh passed away in 1892 He appointed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the Center of His Covanent and the sole interpreter of His writings. Abdu’l-Bahá died in his house in Haifa (pictured) on November 28, 1921 at the age of 77. Over 10,000 mourners, representing every class, religion and race in Palestine attended his funeral. Excerpts of some of the speeches given at his funeral by the various religious leaders can be read here.

We invite you to join us here in Arlington as we commemorate his passing. Starting at 9:00pm on Thursday November 27th, we will be showing two films, including the new full-length documentary “The Promised One of All Ages.” The commemoration with prayers and devotional readings will be at 1 am. Please contact us for more information or for directions to this commemoration. Some of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s writings are available here.

The Day of the Covenant

Alissa — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:16:46 +0000

A covenant is a binding agreement between two parties. In the religious sense a covenant is an agreement between God and man, whereby God requires of man to behave in a certain way in return for which He guarantees certain blessings. Bahá’ís recognize two kinds of covenants, a Greater Covenant and a Lesser Covenant.
The Universal House of Justice, the supreme governing body of the Bahá’í Faith, describes the two covenants in the following manner:

“There is, for example, the Greater Covenant which every Manifestation of God makes with His followers, promising that in the fullness of time a new Manifestation will be sent, and taking from them the undertaking to accept Him when this occurs. There is also the Lesser Covenant that a Manifestation of God makes with His followers that they will accept His appointed successor after Him. If they do so, the Faith can remain united and pure. If not, the Faith becomes divided and its force spent. “

Bahá’ís believe that Bahá’u’lláh is the latest Messenger of God, and through Him, God’s promise to mankind, His Greater Covenant is renewed. When Bahá’u’lláh passed away on May 29, 1892, in His will and testament He appointed His eldest son `Abdu’l-Bahá as the center of His covenant and the sole interpreter of His writings. In addition to being the center of his Father’s covenant, `Abdu’l-Bahá was the embodiment of every Bahá’í ideal, the incarnation of every Bahá’í virtue and provide a perfect example of how to live according to the Bahá’í teachings. Therefore every year on November 26th, Bahá’ís all over the world celebrate The Day of the Covenant. This is a day for us to celebrate the life of `Abdu’l-Bahá as well as the Covenant of Bahá’u'lláh which has ensured the unity of the Bahá’í Faith.

Commemorating ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Howard University

admin — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:22:05 +0000

‘Abdu’l-Bahá came to Washington, D.C., in 1912 and spoke these words to an interracial group gathered at Howard University on April 23rd of that year:

“I am very happy to see you and thank God that this meeting is composed of people of both races and that both are gathered in perfect love and harmony. I hope this becomes the example of universal harmony and love until no title remains except that of humanity. Such a title demonstrates the perfection of the human world and is the cause of eternal glory and human happiness. I pray that you be with one another in utmost harmony and love and strive to enable each other to live in comfort.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Eldest Son of Bahá’u’lláh) in 1911 and 1912 traveled to Europe and the United States to share his father’s message of a word embracing faith dedicated to the unification of all mankind. It was during this time that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá came to Howard University. He spoke about the equality of women and men, the oneness of religion and the need to reject every form of prejudice. An important message that is no less timely now 96 years later.

Every year the Bahá’ís of DC and Howard University commemorate this historic visit and speech with a gathering that furthers the theme of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s original address. This year’s event was entitled “The Color of Worship” and it was a joyous occasion for people of all backgrounds to come together and celebrate their unity through their diversity. Below are some pictures of that day.

Reverend Joseph A.C. Smith and Dr. Zitta Rezvani facilitated the event. Zitta and Baher, two Bahá’ís from Arlington participated in the ceremony

There were performances by the Howard University Gospel Choir, the DC Black Men’s Devotional Group, DC Bahá’í Chorale.

Katharine Kripke sang a beautiful prayer and Alicia Cundall played the harp. Nicholas Gourdine had a very moving mime performance and Baher Seioshansian chanted a prayer in Arabic.