In his book All That Remains: The Palestinian Villages Occupied and Depopulated by Israel in 1948, the historian Walid Khalidi details the history of many of these Palestinian villages and how they were depopulated. For example, he notes that in the 1880s most of the village land of al-Nuqayb was purchased by Bahá’u’lláh, with the villagers continuing to farm as tenant farmers. In the 1920s, this land was sold by Shoghi Effendi to the Jewish National Fund.
Showing posts with label Palestine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Palestine. Show all posts
Thursday, April 10, 2025
one of the first acts of the Guardian
Dissimulation, Guardianship, Islam, Palestine, Shoghi Effendi
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He beheld a widely diversified, loosely organized community, scattered in various parts of the globe, and with members in about twenty countries. These people, loyal, devoted and sincere though they were, were still, to a great extent, living in their parent religion’s house, so to speak; there were Christian Bahá’ís, Jewish Bahá’ís, Muhammadan Bahá’ís and so on. They believed in the Bahá’í Faith but were intimately connected with their former churches. Like fruit on a tree, they were a new crop but still stuck to the old branch. This was true East and West alike. That was the point to which the Faith had evolved at the time of the Master’s ascension.
We, on our part, beheld a young man of only twenty-four standing at the helm of the Cause and some of the friends felt impelled to advise him about what it would be wise for him to do next. It was then that we began to know not only the nature of our first Guardian but the nature of the entire Institution of Guardianship, for we quickly discovered that Shoghi Effendi was “unreachable.” Neither relatives, old Bahá’ís or new Bahá’ís, well—wishers or ill-wishers could sway his judgment or influence his decisions. We quickly came to realize that he was not only divinely guided but...
[...]
...one of the first acts of the Guardian: Shoghi Effendi never set foot in the Mosque, whereas ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had attended it until the last Friday of His life. ...it would have been almost impossible for the Master to do, namely, to sever the intimate bonds Which had bound him for so long to the Arab community, particularly the Muhammadan community, of Palestine during many years when it was forbidden to even mention the name Bahá’í, the Guardian now did overnight and began to encourage the Bahá’ís to likewise do in different parts of the world.
(Ruhiyyih Khanum, Twenty-Five Years of The Guardianship, Baha'i Publishing Committee, Wilmette, Illinois - 1948)
https://bahai.works/Twenty-Five_Years_of_the_Guardianship/Text
We, on our part, beheld a young man of only twenty-four standing at the helm of the Cause and some of the friends felt impelled to advise him about what it would be wise for him to do next. It was then that we began to know not only the nature of our first Guardian but the nature of the entire Institution of Guardianship, for we quickly discovered that Shoghi Effendi was “unreachable.” Neither relatives, old Bahá’ís or new Bahá’ís, well—wishers or ill-wishers could sway his judgment or influence his decisions. We quickly came to realize that he was not only divinely guided but...
[...]
...one of the first acts of the Guardian: Shoghi Effendi never set foot in the Mosque, whereas ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had attended it until the last Friday of His life. ...it would have been almost impossible for the Master to do, namely, to sever the intimate bonds Which had bound him for so long to the Arab community, particularly the Muhammadan community, of Palestine during many years when it was forbidden to even mention the name Bahá’í, the Guardian now did overnight and began to encourage the Bahá’ís to likewise do in different parts of the world.
(Ruhiyyih Khanum, Twenty-Five Years of The Guardianship, Baha'i Publishing Committee, Wilmette, Illinois - 1948)
https://bahai.works/Twenty-Five_Years_of_the_Guardianship/Text
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Shoghi Effendi on Palestine
We are assured that the Jews will get all of Palestine; Abdu'l-Bahá mentioned this in "Some answered Questions"; also, the British Secretary Balfour in his declaration mentioned it. The Jews are establishing their home in Palestine. The word "Israel" means "Hastening to God." "Isra" means "hastening" and "el" means "God." The Jews suffered for 2,000 years for persecuting Christ, "The Son of God," for 3 years; the Moslems and the Arabs persecuted Bahá'u'lláh, "the Father," for 50 years, so they will suffer more and endure greater sufferings. The time of banishment is now over for the Jews. They will return to Palestine and Palestine will be their home forever. The Moslems and Arabs will be scattered. The Arabs suffered severe defeat because they did not respond to the call of Bahá'u'lláh. One million Jews came into Israel and one million Arabs went out of Israel in 1948 and 1949. The Jews will get all of Palestine because the Arabs will make trouble with the Jews and the Jews will drive them out. The standard of Israel must be raised...
(Haifa Notes by Ramona Brown - May 2, 1954)
https://bahai-library.com/brown_haifa_notes
(Haifa Notes by Ramona Brown - May 2, 1954)
https://bahai-library.com/brown_haifa_notes
Saturday, January 4, 2025
One disenchanted Baha'i explains the relationship between Baha'is and Israel
I learned a lot about the history of the Baha'i faith in that region. The Guardian of the Baha'i faith once wrote a letter to the United Nations as a Palestinian. However, today, the only Palestinian Baha'is are labeled as "covenant breakers." It seems that the Baha'i community has taken a side in this conflict. I encourage you to read more about the history of the Baha'i faith in Israel; it can be quite enlightening.
I know some Baha'is who want an end to the violence in the region. However, I have also heard some Baha'is speak about Palestinians in a way that dehumanizes them. This shows that not everyone in the Baha'i community thinks the same way as the Universal House of Justice (UHJ). There is a diversity of opinions among us. Nonetheless, as an organization, a significant decision was made to fully support Israel. Throughout my life, I was told that we needed to ensure the safety of those who are exiled, particularly Persians and those working in Haifa, which justified our alignment with Israel. Yet, seeing many Israelis and American Jews advocate for the rights of Palestinians and call for peace without apartheid makes me realize how naive I was when I accepted everything as an unquestioning Baha'i.
Both Baha'u'llah and Abdul Baha wrote extensively about "covenant breakers." They believed that such individuals should be removed from the community, stripped of their land, and their descendants now identify as Palestinian. Reading their writings is both sad and shocking to me.
While Baha'is often share quotes about the need for Zionists to live in peace, they tend to overlook the strong language of hatred directed towards their own family members. I wish I had taken the issue of "covenant breakers" more seriously in the past. It makes me question why it is acceptable to sever ties with family in such a manner and still call it a religion.
The reason the Baha'i faith does not publicly speak out against Israel is clear: their holy sites exist with the permission and cooperation of the Israeli government, so they cannot criticize them. While that might be understandable, I have witnessed many Baha'is in my American community go beyond that and express outright hatred.
Saturday, November 9, 2024
large tract of land was purchased and registered in the name of Mirza Husayn-‘Ali (Baha’u’llah
When Baha’u’llah and the Master set afoot the movement of the exiles from the immediate environs of ‘Akka, land was purchased in the Jordan Valley near the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret). At four sites Baha’is settled, making their homes.
South of the hamlet called Nugayb, on the eastern shore of the lake below the Golan heights, Mirza Muhammad-Quli and his family occupied rich farmlands. The original large tract of land was purchased for an endowment of the Faith and registered in the name of Mirza Husayn-‘Ali (Baha’u’llah). Later, portions were disposed of by the Master.
(Door of hope - a century of the Baháʻí faith in the Holy Land - Ruhe, David S (David Sieger), 1914-2005 George Ronald)
South of the hamlet called Nugayb, on the eastern shore of the lake below the Golan heights, Mirza Muhammad-Quli and his family occupied rich farmlands. The original large tract of land was purchased for an endowment of the Faith and registered in the name of Mirza Husayn-‘Ali (Baha’u’llah). Later, portions were disposed of by the Master.
(Door of hope - a century of the Baháʻí faith in the Holy Land - Ruhe, David S (David Sieger), 1914-2005 George Ronald)
Thursday, October 17, 2024
In 1948, the Baha'is congratulated David Ben-Gurion on the establishment of the State of Israel.
In 1948, the Baha'is congratulated David Ben-Gurion on the establishment of the State of Israel, but also made sure to mention their neutrality (although they sometimes emphasized that the Jewish state was established in the Baha'i period, not the Christian or Muslim one). Israel approved the establishment of the Baha'i Temple in Haifa and its ongoing expansion. The Baha'is do not spread their religion in Israel and actually refrain from establishing a Baha'i community there. They avoid the concentration of believers in the world center of religion. There is no doubt that this approach suits the Israeli sensitivity to the activities of non-Jewish religions in the country.
The peak of this tolerance and partnership between Israel and the Baha'is was in the early 1950s. At that time, Israel faced the demands of the Palestinian refugees, the Arab world and various mediators such as the United States and the United Nations - to return to the refugees the property they abandoned in 1948. Israel did not return this property, and its actions, especially the establishment of new settlements on abandoned lands and the introduction of new immigrants into the refugee homes , established irreversible facts. However, the Israeli government acted consciously to return the Baha'is to their abandoned property.
The peak of this tolerance and partnership between Israel and the Baha'is was in the early 1950s. At that time, Israel faced the demands of the Palestinian refugees, the Arab world and various mediators such as the United States and the United Nations - to return to the refugees the property they abandoned in 1948. Israel did not return this property, and its actions, especially the establishment of new settlements on abandoned lands and the introduction of new immigrants into the refugee homes , established irreversible facts. However, the Israeli government acted consciously to return the Baha'is to their abandoned property.
https://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/2001-06-08/ty-article/0000017f-e091-d75c-a7ff-fc9d65530000
Baha'u'llah and Mirza Musa's properties in Palestine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCBenVHiXVY
Baha'u'llah and Mirza Musa's properties in Palestine and Abdul Baha selling these lands to Jewish Colonization Association (JCA) in 1903 and to other Jewish organizations.
Starts from 15 mins 20 Sec.
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Governor-General Sir Stewart Symes
... the Governor-General Sir Stewart Symes was an old acquaintance and invited them [Shoghi Effendi and Ruhiyyih Khanum] to lunch at the Palace on 1 October [1929].
(Shoghi Effendi Through the Pilgrim's Eye, Volume 1, Building the Administrative Order, 1922-1952 by Earl Redman)
(Shoghi Effendi Through the Pilgrim's Eye, Volume 1, Building the Administrative Order, 1922-1952 by Earl Redman)
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Baha'i properties in Israel
The startling fact is that until 1952 the Baha’is held no land contiguous to the Shrine, thereby frustrating any hope of development or beautification. When Baha’u’llah ascended, the Mansion was surrounded by small buildings, dependencies of the Mansion itself; which were owned by various Baha’is: one of the believers made a gift of his home for the burial of Baha’u’llah. It was ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s poignant desire to beautify the surroundings of the Shrine but all the property was owned by the Baydun family, Muslims who were close friends of the Covenant-breakers. ‘They were determined that the Baha’is would never own an inch of their land, the parents binding the children in a promise never to sell land to the Baha'is.
[…]
During the lifetime of Baha’u'llah, ‘Abdu’l-Baha had bought some properties at His direction near the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. In one of His Tablets Baha’u’llah, in referring to these properties, speaks of them as forerunners of “noble and imposing structures” to be dedicated “to the worship and service of the one true God”.’ One of the properties was an area of 140 dunams (a dunam being one fourth of an acre) registered in the name of Zikrullah (Dhikru’llah), a descendant of Baha’u’llah’s faithful brother Musa. ‘Abdu’l-Baha told him never to parcel out or sell this land because one day it would be a holy place. Zikrullah left the property to his eldest son, also a trusted Baha’i.
During the war between Israel and the surrounding Arab states that followed the declaration of statehood, the Jewish forces were able to withstand the invading armies. When a truce resolution was adopted by the United Nations, more than half a million Arabs fled the land and settled outside Israel. Among those who fled was the Baydun family whose abandoned property eventually reverted to the State.
The Zikrullah property near Galilee happened to be on the immediate border of Syria with Transjordan in the demilitarized zone, and the State of Israel was very anxious to acquire that land. Officials approached the Zikrullah family to buy their property, but when the Guardian was asked, he said no, the Master told you to keep the land; it cannot be sold. Then someone had the idea of trading this property for the Baydun land around the Shrine of Baha’u’llah. The Guardian approved of this being done and Larry Hautz, the first American to come on pilgrimage after a ten year hiatus due to the troubled conditions in the country, remained in the Holy Land to begin the negotiations. On his departure, Leroy carried the lengthy transaction to its conclusion.
The trade of land was finally accomplished, the Baha’is transferring 140 dunams of land in the city of Ein Gev in the Galilee in exchange for some 160 dunams of land surrounding Baha’u’llah’s Shrine. The head office of the land development department was in Tel Aviv and there, on November 12, 1952, at nine in the morning, Leroy signed the contract for the land with the Government.
[…]
In his message the following year to the Intercontinental Conference in Chicago, Shoghi Effendi again spoke of this precious land: “The stupendous process of the rise and consolidation of the World Administrative Center has been accelerated through the acquisition, in the Plain of ‘Akka, of a one hundred and sixty thousand square meter area, surrounding the Qiblih of the Baha'i world, permitting the extension of the Outer Sanctuary of the Most Holy Tomb — to be designated henceforth the Haram-i-Aqdas . . .” This is when the term came into Baha’i usage.
There is a building alongside the Mansion of Bahji in which the worst remnant of the Covenant-breakers lived. On one of the Master’s darkest days caused by this man’s scheming, ‘Abdu’l-Baha told him that he would live to see the collapse of everything he had done. When the Baydun land was transferred, he still lived on as the Master had predicted, nearly one hundred years old, paralyzed, unable to speak, but looking out as the Guardian’s handiwork took form: the magnificent gardens, the great park, all of it illuminated at night because the Guardian associated light with the Baha’i Manifestations.
[…]
Second only in importance to the acquisition of the Baydun land was the purchase of the twenty thousand square meter site for the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkar on the crest of Mt. Carmel. “It is truly in an imposing position”, wrote the International Baha’i Council in 1955.
[…]
A few days later the Guardian called Leroy over to the Master’s house and said he wished to go up and look at the land for the Temple. During their drive up the mountain the Guardian said: This is a historic day because today we are going to select the site for the Temple. He walked over the entire area, indicating which plots were essential and which were not. He chose the most difficult area to acquire, on the highest point of the mountain, and indicated the exact spot where the heart of the Temple should be; Leroy marked it with a large stone. Today a marble obelisk has replaced the stone. They returned to the car and drove back. Now, the Guardian said, you must get busy and buy that land.
It took two years of effort to acquire it. During the protracted negotiations there was not one person who thought it could be done; everywhere he went, Leroy was told it would be impossible. (Shoghi Effendi once asked, What do you think, Leroy, when these people say you cannot have something you want? Leroy answered: When I know Shoghi Effendi wants it, I just don’t hear their “no”.)
Investigation revealed how involved the question of ownership was. In fact Leroy felt this might facilitate its acquisition, as only God could disentangle such a web. The property had been owned by the Carmelite Order for nine centuries, but during the Mandate the British War Office wanted it for military purposes as it commanded the whole harbor. The Carmelites sold the land to the British with the understanding that they could one day reclaim it. When the Mandate ended, the British agreed to resale of the property but the Carmelites could not pay in hard currency so the contract was never concluded, and both claimed ownership. The State of Israel also claimed ownership through a law that returned to the State any land registered in the name of the British that had not been transferred. Finally, the Israeli defense ministry requisitioned the land stating ownership was immaterial, they needed it, no doubt for the same reasons the British had.
…the defense department occupied the land and difficult negotiations continued with them for many months. One branch of the services was adamantly opposed to relinquishing the land and Leroy requested a meeting in the Defense Minister’s office. ‘The Minister was out of town but a brilliant young deputy chaired the meeting, who, as it turned out, had attended a seminar at Harvard University with one of Leroy’s long-time railroad colleagues. A warm relationship was immediately established and Leroy left the meeting with a letter of intent favorable to releasing the land to the Baha’is. But three persons still objected and it took more lengthy negotiations before they would agree to the release. When it was thought everything had been decided, the official representing the State Domain stood in the way of final settlement, as he would not agree to include the essential plot on which the Guardian had centered the Temple.
Leroy had what he called a “spirited discussion” with him. It centered on two points. One, the suggestion that you put “your building” somewhere other than the area Shoghi Effendi had designated for it. What is so particular about this spot? he asked; we just will not give it to you. Leroy said this is the spot we must have because it 1s a holy place. Leroy asked him why they didn’t move their Wailing Wall [in Arab-held East Jerusalem] over to New Jerusalem; why didn’t they use a wall of the King David hotel? You won’t do it, Leroy said, because the ‘Temple of Solomon was built right there and the Wailing Wall is one of the walls of the Temple. This is our holy place and we don’t move a holy place any more than you do.
Then came the reaction that “because you have dollars” you feel you can buy anything you want, but I am going to prevent the sale of this piece of land to you. Leroy answered that yes, he had dollars, but the Baha’is don’t use money to force people to do things. What have the Baha’is forced you to do? We are building parklands and gardens for you, we are erecting beautiful buildings for you, we use money to serve society. You are a Jew, Leroy said, and if ever a people in history learned what the hand of God can do, it is the Jewish people. I tell you that we are going to have this land because God wants us to have it and no force on earth can stop it.
[…]
…the property was registered in the name of the British War Office it had to be transferred from them to the Carmelites, who then transferred it to the attorney, who then-transferred it to the Baha’is. The Government agreed to a single transfer, so the property was finally passed from the British War Office directly to Shoghi Rabbani in a single transaction.
After the land had been acquired Milly Collins one night asked the Guardian if in future the Temple land and the Shrine properties, two kilometers distant, would not be joined together with gardens. The Guardian said yes, and we will have our own road between the two, but we have to purchase the intervening land where houses are now built.
(Leroy Ioas - Hand of the Cause of God by Anita Ioas Chapman)
[…]
During the lifetime of Baha’u'llah, ‘Abdu’l-Baha had bought some properties at His direction near the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. In one of His Tablets Baha’u’llah, in referring to these properties, speaks of them as forerunners of “noble and imposing structures” to be dedicated “to the worship and service of the one true God”.’ One of the properties was an area of 140 dunams (a dunam being one fourth of an acre) registered in the name of Zikrullah (Dhikru’llah), a descendant of Baha’u’llah’s faithful brother Musa. ‘Abdu’l-Baha told him never to parcel out or sell this land because one day it would be a holy place. Zikrullah left the property to his eldest son, also a trusted Baha’i.
During the war between Israel and the surrounding Arab states that followed the declaration of statehood, the Jewish forces were able to withstand the invading armies. When a truce resolution was adopted by the United Nations, more than half a million Arabs fled the land and settled outside Israel. Among those who fled was the Baydun family whose abandoned property eventually reverted to the State.
The Zikrullah property near Galilee happened to be on the immediate border of Syria with Transjordan in the demilitarized zone, and the State of Israel was very anxious to acquire that land. Officials approached the Zikrullah family to buy their property, but when the Guardian was asked, he said no, the Master told you to keep the land; it cannot be sold. Then someone had the idea of trading this property for the Baydun land around the Shrine of Baha’u’llah. The Guardian approved of this being done and Larry Hautz, the first American to come on pilgrimage after a ten year hiatus due to the troubled conditions in the country, remained in the Holy Land to begin the negotiations. On his departure, Leroy carried the lengthy transaction to its conclusion.
The trade of land was finally accomplished, the Baha’is transferring 140 dunams of land in the city of Ein Gev in the Galilee in exchange for some 160 dunams of land surrounding Baha’u’llah’s Shrine. The head office of the land development department was in Tel Aviv and there, on November 12, 1952, at nine in the morning, Leroy signed the contract for the land with the Government.
[…]
In his message the following year to the Intercontinental Conference in Chicago, Shoghi Effendi again spoke of this precious land: “The stupendous process of the rise and consolidation of the World Administrative Center has been accelerated through the acquisition, in the Plain of ‘Akka, of a one hundred and sixty thousand square meter area, surrounding the Qiblih of the Baha'i world, permitting the extension of the Outer Sanctuary of the Most Holy Tomb — to be designated henceforth the Haram-i-Aqdas . . .” This is when the term came into Baha’i usage.
There is a building alongside the Mansion of Bahji in which the worst remnant of the Covenant-breakers lived. On one of the Master’s darkest days caused by this man’s scheming, ‘Abdu’l-Baha told him that he would live to see the collapse of everything he had done. When the Baydun land was transferred, he still lived on as the Master had predicted, nearly one hundred years old, paralyzed, unable to speak, but looking out as the Guardian’s handiwork took form: the magnificent gardens, the great park, all of it illuminated at night because the Guardian associated light with the Baha’i Manifestations.
[…]
Second only in importance to the acquisition of the Baydun land was the purchase of the twenty thousand square meter site for the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkar on the crest of Mt. Carmel. “It is truly in an imposing position”, wrote the International Baha’i Council in 1955.
[…]
A few days later the Guardian called Leroy over to the Master’s house and said he wished to go up and look at the land for the Temple. During their drive up the mountain the Guardian said: This is a historic day because today we are going to select the site for the Temple. He walked over the entire area, indicating which plots were essential and which were not. He chose the most difficult area to acquire, on the highest point of the mountain, and indicated the exact spot where the heart of the Temple should be; Leroy marked it with a large stone. Today a marble obelisk has replaced the stone. They returned to the car and drove back. Now, the Guardian said, you must get busy and buy that land.
It took two years of effort to acquire it. During the protracted negotiations there was not one person who thought it could be done; everywhere he went, Leroy was told it would be impossible. (Shoghi Effendi once asked, What do you think, Leroy, when these people say you cannot have something you want? Leroy answered: When I know Shoghi Effendi wants it, I just don’t hear their “no”.)
Investigation revealed how involved the question of ownership was. In fact Leroy felt this might facilitate its acquisition, as only God could disentangle such a web. The property had been owned by the Carmelite Order for nine centuries, but during the Mandate the British War Office wanted it for military purposes as it commanded the whole harbor. The Carmelites sold the land to the British with the understanding that they could one day reclaim it. When the Mandate ended, the British agreed to resale of the property but the Carmelites could not pay in hard currency so the contract was never concluded, and both claimed ownership. The State of Israel also claimed ownership through a law that returned to the State any land registered in the name of the British that had not been transferred. Finally, the Israeli defense ministry requisitioned the land stating ownership was immaterial, they needed it, no doubt for the same reasons the British had.
…the defense department occupied the land and difficult negotiations continued with them for many months. One branch of the services was adamantly opposed to relinquishing the land and Leroy requested a meeting in the Defense Minister’s office. ‘The Minister was out of town but a brilliant young deputy chaired the meeting, who, as it turned out, had attended a seminar at Harvard University with one of Leroy’s long-time railroad colleagues. A warm relationship was immediately established and Leroy left the meeting with a letter of intent favorable to releasing the land to the Baha’is. But three persons still objected and it took more lengthy negotiations before they would agree to the release. When it was thought everything had been decided, the official representing the State Domain stood in the way of final settlement, as he would not agree to include the essential plot on which the Guardian had centered the Temple.
Leroy had what he called a “spirited discussion” with him. It centered on two points. One, the suggestion that you put “your building” somewhere other than the area Shoghi Effendi had designated for it. What is so particular about this spot? he asked; we just will not give it to you. Leroy said this is the spot we must have because it 1s a holy place. Leroy asked him why they didn’t move their Wailing Wall [in Arab-held East Jerusalem] over to New Jerusalem; why didn’t they use a wall of the King David hotel? You won’t do it, Leroy said, because the ‘Temple of Solomon was built right there and the Wailing Wall is one of the walls of the Temple. This is our holy place and we don’t move a holy place any more than you do.
Then came the reaction that “because you have dollars” you feel you can buy anything you want, but I am going to prevent the sale of this piece of land to you. Leroy answered that yes, he had dollars, but the Baha’is don’t use money to force people to do things. What have the Baha’is forced you to do? We are building parklands and gardens for you, we are erecting beautiful buildings for you, we use money to serve society. You are a Jew, Leroy said, and if ever a people in history learned what the hand of God can do, it is the Jewish people. I tell you that we are going to have this land because God wants us to have it and no force on earth can stop it.
[…]
…the property was registered in the name of the British War Office it had to be transferred from them to the Carmelites, who then transferred it to the attorney, who then-transferred it to the Baha’is. The Government agreed to a single transfer, so the property was finally passed from the British War Office directly to Shoghi Rabbani in a single transaction.
After the land had been acquired Milly Collins one night asked the Guardian if in future the Temple land and the Shrine properties, two kilometers distant, would not be joined together with gardens. The Guardian said yes, and we will have our own road between the two, but we have to purchase the intervening land where houses are now built.
(Leroy Ioas - Hand of the Cause of God by Anita Ioas Chapman)
Friday, April 19, 2024
The World Center is a guest in Israel
Israel, Palestine, Personal Observations, Politics
No comments
One ex-Baha'i wrote:
The World Center is a guest in Israel and guests can be asked to leave. In light of what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank, any sustained criticism of Israel from within the Baha'i faith will result in bulldozers leveling the site and the expulsion of any Bahai's in the country. With all the money invested in this project there is no way Baha'i leaders could ever turn against their landlord.
https://old.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/1c5mp0o/bahai_speaking_out_on_s_genocide_in_gaza/
The World Center is a guest in Israel and guests can be asked to leave. In light of what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank, any sustained criticism of Israel from within the Baha'i faith will result in bulldozers leveling the site and the expulsion of any Bahai's in the country. With all the money invested in this project there is no way Baha'i leaders could ever turn against their landlord.
https://old.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/1c5mp0o/bahai_speaking_out_on_s_genocide_in_gaza/
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Baha'is must seek UHJ's permission before visiting the Holy Land for any purpose
House of Justice (UHJ), Israel, Palestine, Politics
No comments
It has been a long-standing requirement that no Bahá’í may come to the Holy Land for any purpose without the permission of the Head of the Faith. This provision dates back to the time of Bahá’u’lláh Himself. The principal task of the Faith in the Holy Land is building its World Centre and administering the work of the Cause at the international level. To have believers visiting the country without the proper guidance pertaining to their specific circumstances may give rise to problems that could hamper the work carried out here, and this would have an adverse effect on the progress of the Faith throughout the world.
... Bahá’ís must seek its permission before visiting the Holy Land—which also includes the West Bank and Gaza—for any purpose, whether it be for a brief visit to the Bahá’í World Centre, pilgrimage, studying in the country, visiting family or relatives, business purposes, employment, or any other reason.
(The Universal House of Justice, Department of the Secretariat, 1 February 2024)
... Bahá’ís must seek its permission before visiting the Holy Land—which also includes the West Bank and Gaza—for any purpose, whether it be for a brief visit to the Bahá’í World Centre, pilgrimage, studying in the country, visiting family or relatives, business purposes, employment, or any other reason.
(The Universal House of Justice, Department of the Secretariat, 1 February 2024)
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Huge pieces of land and donations of thousands of dollars
The area surrounding, and dedicated to, the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel has been enlarged by the acquisition of further holdings.
The new plots have been registered in the name of the American National Spiritual Assembly, Palestine Branch. The total area now held by that Assembly in ‘Akká and Haifa amounts to more than 60,000 square pics, equivalent to 33,750 square meters.
A plot situated in Beersheba, southern Palestine, consisting of approximately 15,000 square pics, donated by Mr. Ratib Halabi, was in course of transfer in April, 1938.
(The Bahá’í World, Volume 7)
https://bahai.works/Bahá’í_World/Volume_7/Survey_of_Current_Bahá’í_Activities_in_the_East_and_West
DONATION OF LAND IN SOUTHERN PALESTINE
A DONATION of property made by Natib Halabi has been transferred to the Palestine Branch of the American National Spiritual Assembly. Mr. Halabi, at the time Secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Damascus, wished to present a tract of approximately 10,000 sq. metres to the Cause, and at the Guardian’s request had the property recorded for ownership by the Palestine Branch.
In previous volumes of this biennial record the origin and development of the Palestine Branch of the American Assembly has been described. It holds title to a number of tracts in the vicinity of the Shrines on Mount Carmel purchased by individual American believers for the protection of the Faith and transferred to this Bahá’í religious society administered by the Guardian as its recorded agent and representative.
(The Bahá’í World, Volume 8)
https://bahai.works/Bah%C3%A1%E2%80%99%C3%AD_World/Volume_8/Survey_of_Current_Bah%C3%A1%E2%80%99%C3%AD_Activities#pg125
In his message addressed to the Intercontinental Conference of New Delhi, in 1953, Shoghi Effendi announced preliminary steps taken to acquire the land, made possible by the munificent donation of one hundred thousand dollars by the Hand of the Cause Mrs. Amelia Collins.
(Shoghi Effendi: Recollections by Ugo Giachery, Oxford: George Ronald, 1973)
https://bahai-library.com/giachery_shoghi_effendi_recollections
The new plots have been registered in the name of the American National Spiritual Assembly, Palestine Branch. The total area now held by that Assembly in ‘Akká and Haifa amounts to more than 60,000 square pics, equivalent to 33,750 square meters.
A plot situated in Beersheba, southern Palestine, consisting of approximately 15,000 square pics, donated by Mr. Ratib Halabi, was in course of transfer in April, 1938.
(The Bahá’í World, Volume 7)
https://bahai.works/Bahá’í_World/Volume_7/Survey_of_Current_Bahá’í_Activities_in_the_East_and_West
DONATION OF LAND IN SOUTHERN PALESTINE
A DONATION of property made by Natib Halabi has been transferred to the Palestine Branch of the American National Spiritual Assembly. Mr. Halabi, at the time Secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Damascus, wished to present a tract of approximately 10,000 sq. metres to the Cause, and at the Guardian’s request had the property recorded for ownership by the Palestine Branch.
In previous volumes of this biennial record the origin and development of the Palestine Branch of the American Assembly has been described. It holds title to a number of tracts in the vicinity of the Shrines on Mount Carmel purchased by individual American believers for the protection of the Faith and transferred to this Bahá’í religious society administered by the Guardian as its recorded agent and representative.
(The Bahá’í World, Volume 8)
https://bahai.works/Bah%C3%A1%E2%80%99%C3%AD_World/Volume_8/Survey_of_Current_Bah%C3%A1%E2%80%99%C3%AD_Activities#pg125
In his message addressed to the Intercontinental Conference of New Delhi, in 1953, Shoghi Effendi announced preliminary steps taken to acquire the land, made possible by the munificent donation of one hundred thousand dollars by the Hand of the Cause Mrs. Amelia Collins.
(Shoghi Effendi: Recollections by Ugo Giachery, Oxford: George Ronald, 1973)
https://bahai-library.com/giachery_shoghi_effendi_recollections
Thursday, January 4, 2024
'Abdul-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi had closer relations with British settlers and Zionists.
'Abdul-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi had closer relations with British settlers and Zionists, and due to this fact, they managed to get many advantages and benefits with the Israeli government.
On February 23, 1914, at the eve of World War I, 'Abdu'l-Bahá had hosted Baron Edmond James de Rothschild, a member of the Rothschild banking family who was a leading advocate and financier of the Zionist movement, during one of his early trips to Palestine. (Star of the West. Vol. 9) an article in the "Star of the West" quoted 'Abdu'l-Bahá praising the Zionist movement, proclaiming that "There is too much talk today of what the Zionists are going to do here. There is no need of it. Let them come and do more and say less" and that "A Jewish government might come later." in the 1880s most of the village land of al-Samra was purchased by Bahá'u'lláh, with the villagers continuing to farm as tenant farmers. In the 1920s, this land was sold by Shoghi Effendi to the Jewish National Fund. On April 21, 1948, the Arab village of al-Samra, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had owned land and grown grain, was depopulated. It was registered in the "All That Remains: The Palestinian Villages Occupied and Depopulated by Israel in 1948"
"Sir Arthur Wauchope (administrator sympathetic to Zionist aspirations), Colonel Symes (the British colonial Governor of the Palestine North District from 1920 to 1925) and Keith-Roach he British (Colonial administrator during the British mandate on Palestine, who also served as the governor of Jerusalem from 1926 to 1945) had a personal liking for Shoghi Effendi and who, one suspects, understood how heavy the burden was that rested on the shoulders of the young man who was the Head of the Bahá'í Faith. It was during the period of his administration that some of the greatest victories in winning concessions from the authorities took place, the most important of these, next to the right of the Community to obey some of its own laws governing personal status, being the exemption from taxation of the entire area surrounding the Shrine of the Bab on Mt. Carmel." (Priceless Pearl - Ruhiyyih Khanum; Chap.10)
ALL closer personal relations made by 'Abdul-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi were drawn with British settlers and supporters/investors of Zionist movement as the Rothschild family, but despite of that, the Bahá'í Faith do not take sides on the Israel-Palestine conflict, right??? LOL
On February 23, 1914, at the eve of World War I, 'Abdu'l-Bahá had hosted Baron Edmond James de Rothschild, a member of the Rothschild banking family who was a leading advocate and financier of the Zionist movement, during one of his early trips to Palestine. (Star of the West. Vol. 9) an article in the "Star of the West" quoted 'Abdu'l-Bahá praising the Zionist movement, proclaiming that "There is too much talk today of what the Zionists are going to do here. There is no need of it. Let them come and do more and say less" and that "A Jewish government might come later." in the 1880s most of the village land of al-Samra was purchased by Bahá'u'lláh, with the villagers continuing to farm as tenant farmers. In the 1920s, this land was sold by Shoghi Effendi to the Jewish National Fund. On April 21, 1948, the Arab village of al-Samra, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had owned land and grown grain, was depopulated. It was registered in the "All That Remains: The Palestinian Villages Occupied and Depopulated by Israel in 1948"
"Sir Arthur Wauchope (administrator sympathetic to Zionist aspirations), Colonel Symes (the British colonial Governor of the Palestine North District from 1920 to 1925) and Keith-Roach he British (Colonial administrator during the British mandate on Palestine, who also served as the governor of Jerusalem from 1926 to 1945) had a personal liking for Shoghi Effendi and who, one suspects, understood how heavy the burden was that rested on the shoulders of the young man who was the Head of the Bahá'í Faith. It was during the period of his administration that some of the greatest victories in winning concessions from the authorities took place, the most important of these, next to the right of the Community to obey some of its own laws governing personal status, being the exemption from taxation of the entire area surrounding the Shrine of the Bab on Mt. Carmel." (Priceless Pearl - Ruhiyyih Khanum; Chap.10)
ALL closer personal relations made by 'Abdul-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi were drawn with British settlers and supporters/investors of Zionist movement as the Rothschild family, but despite of that, the Bahá'í Faith do not take sides on the Israel-Palestine conflict, right??? LOL
Saturday, May 27, 2023
Descendants of Baha'u'llah gradually integrated themselves into Islamic society.
In 1948 a fierce political upheaval erupted in the Holy Land. The State of Israel was founded, bringing an end to the British Mandate. War broke out between Arabs and Jews and a great many Arabs fled the country. During this period Shoghi Effendi remained in Haifa and, in the face of great dangers and severe difficulties, carried on his work as usual, including the building of the superstructure of the Shrine of the Bab. But the rest of the family, who were Covenant-breakers, allied themselves with the Arab community and fled the land. Among them were the family of Mirza Jalal Shahid, which included Ruha Khanum, the daughter of 'Abdu'l-Bahá; Tuba Khanum, another daughter of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and her son Ruhi, his wife Zahra and his brother; three cousins of Dr Farid; and Nayyir Afnan, his wife Ruhangiz (sister of Shoghi Effendi) and their children. Others who fled to Lebanon were Badi'u'llah (next in command to the Arch-breaker of the Covenant) and his relatives, together with those Bahá'ís who were disloyal to Shoghi Effendi. As time went on these people, who were already cut off from the Holy Family by virtue of their association with the enemies of the Faith, integrated themselves into Islamic society.
(Adib Taherzadeh, The Child of the Covenant)
Baha'i faith about Palestinians and Muslims
I did see a video on YouTube a few years ago, where a Baha'i scholar gave a speech about Abdul-Baha warning the Palestinians of the Zionist plans to eventually possess all of the land for their political-religious movement; but this felt very too little, too late. It felt like Baha'i PR to make it seem like the institutions care about Palestinian human rights, which they don't.
This is one of the things that frustrates me the most about the Baha'i religion; they only speak out (timidly at best) on something when it becomes abundantly popular to do so, and they feel like they have to "keep up". God forbid they do the right thing just because it's the right thing, and there is nothing to "gain" from doing it.
Before I saw that video, I had not seen or read anything kind about Palestinians from Baha'i material. In fact, a common "argument" that I heard from Bahai's was that God gave the land back to the Jews to punish Muslims for rejecting Baha'u'llah, and because Bahai's would be treated better by a Zionist government than if the Palestinian Muslims were in charge.
Aside from how selfish that idea is (but with Baha'i institutions, it's always about how they are treated by others, not the other way around), it is also contradictory, which tracks for Bahai's. According to official Baha'i accounts, the funeral processions for both Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha were attended by Muslim, Jewish, and Christian leaders/followers who loved them. They all knew that the Bahai's had their own religion, but a lot of Bahai's think that the Muslims thought 'Abdu'l-Baha was a Muslim, and that is why they adored him.
Well, that argument is even worse for Bahai's, because that indicates that 'Abdu'l-Baha practiced taqiyyah (dissimulation), which is prohibited in the Kitab-i-Aqdas.
Aside from the specific issue of Palestinian human rights, which is so important, I think it goes deeper than that alone. There isn't a non-Muslim dictatorship that the Baha'i institutions don't love. They love "order" more than justice, and do everything they can to appease dictators to let them know that they won't make any waves. If that means looking the other way when innocent people are being harmed, then so be it.
I remember reading an article many years ago, about a former Haitian dictator and his treatment of Bahai's during his regime. Apparently he was roommates with a Baha'i in college, and his experience with this roommate was so life changing that he never oppressed the Bahai's during his tenure as dictator. The obvious implication of the article is that Bahai's should be nice to everyone in case one of them becomes a dictator, and said dictator will spare them because of the good memories they have? I don't know. It was a bizarre article with a weird premise. The other implication is that the people who were oppressed "deserved" it, I guess.
Self-preservation is key for them, outside of Iran where rank and file Bahai's are indoctrinated to be martyrs so that the institutions can pull on the heartstrings of the rest of the world. It's disgusting. There is an old account where an Iranian Baha'i mother told her son that she would disown him if he simply told the government what it wanted to hear. Not wanting to disappoint his mother, he allowed himself to be executed by the State. This is supposed to be an "inspiring" story.
I know that this is a long reply, but the Baha'i institutions are very concerned about their proximity to political power, and they know that they can't say anything critical about Israel due to most of their holy sites being there. A lot of their money comes from Bahai's going on pilgrimage to Haifa and Akka (Acre). This also helps the Israeli tourism industry. It's not all about the money, but the cash is important.
Mainly, however, is that the Baha'i institutions hold a big grudge against Muslims, and were ecstatic when the Zionist government officially took over. Shoghi Effendi fantasized over how long God would punish Muslims (all of them, not just the ones who hurt Bahai's) for what "they" did to the Bab, Baha'u'llah, their followers, etc.
He used strange math, comparing how long Jews were persecuted by Christians for their ancestors persecuting Christ for three years; and extrapolated that Muslims would be punished for even longer because "they" persecuted the Bab and Baha'u'llah for a collective 50 years, which would amount to about a minimum of 31,666 years of punishment. It's super bizarre.
This is one of the things that frustrates me the most about the Baha'i religion; they only speak out (timidly at best) on something when it becomes abundantly popular to do so, and they feel like they have to "keep up". God forbid they do the right thing just because it's the right thing, and there is nothing to "gain" from doing it.
Before I saw that video, I had not seen or read anything kind about Palestinians from Baha'i material. In fact, a common "argument" that I heard from Bahai's was that God gave the land back to the Jews to punish Muslims for rejecting Baha'u'llah, and because Bahai's would be treated better by a Zionist government than if the Palestinian Muslims were in charge.
Aside from how selfish that idea is (but with Baha'i institutions, it's always about how they are treated by others, not the other way around), it is also contradictory, which tracks for Bahai's. According to official Baha'i accounts, the funeral processions for both Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha were attended by Muslim, Jewish, and Christian leaders/followers who loved them. They all knew that the Bahai's had their own religion, but a lot of Bahai's think that the Muslims thought 'Abdu'l-Baha was a Muslim, and that is why they adored him.
Well, that argument is even worse for Bahai's, because that indicates that 'Abdu'l-Baha practiced taqiyyah (dissimulation), which is prohibited in the Kitab-i-Aqdas.
Aside from the specific issue of Palestinian human rights, which is so important, I think it goes deeper than that alone. There isn't a non-Muslim dictatorship that the Baha'i institutions don't love. They love "order" more than justice, and do everything they can to appease dictators to let them know that they won't make any waves. If that means looking the other way when innocent people are being harmed, then so be it.
I remember reading an article many years ago, about a former Haitian dictator and his treatment of Bahai's during his regime. Apparently he was roommates with a Baha'i in college, and his experience with this roommate was so life changing that he never oppressed the Bahai's during his tenure as dictator. The obvious implication of the article is that Bahai's should be nice to everyone in case one of them becomes a dictator, and said dictator will spare them because of the good memories they have? I don't know. It was a bizarre article with a weird premise. The other implication is that the people who were oppressed "deserved" it, I guess.
Self-preservation is key for them, outside of Iran where rank and file Bahai's are indoctrinated to be martyrs so that the institutions can pull on the heartstrings of the rest of the world. It's disgusting. There is an old account where an Iranian Baha'i mother told her son that she would disown him if he simply told the government what it wanted to hear. Not wanting to disappoint his mother, he allowed himself to be executed by the State. This is supposed to be an "inspiring" story.
I know that this is a long reply, but the Baha'i institutions are very concerned about their proximity to political power, and they know that they can't say anything critical about Israel due to most of their holy sites being there. A lot of their money comes from Bahai's going on pilgrimage to Haifa and Akka (Acre). This also helps the Israeli tourism industry. It's not all about the money, but the cash is important.
Mainly, however, is that the Baha'i institutions hold a big grudge against Muslims, and were ecstatic when the Zionist government officially took over. Shoghi Effendi fantasized over how long God would punish Muslims (all of them, not just the ones who hurt Bahai's) for what "they" did to the Bab, Baha'u'llah, their followers, etc.
He used strange math, comparing how long Jews were persecuted by Christians for their ancestors persecuting Christ for three years; and extrapolated that Muslims would be punished for even longer because "they" persecuted the Bab and Baha'u'llah for a collective 50 years, which would amount to about a minimum of 31,666 years of punishment. It's super bizarre.
https://www.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/1367qjl/does_it_bother_anyone_that_the_uhj_will_never/jkxwovc/
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
A piece of land owned by the sister of Ameen Farid
The second parcel belonged to the wife of Sydney Sprague, who was also the sister of Ameen Farid, ‘Abdul-Baha’s secretary during His travels in the West who defied the Master in 1914 and had become a Covenant-breaker. When Sydney’s wife supported Farid, Sydney had initially remained loyal to her and was expelled from the Faith. Ultimately, he left her and came back to the Faith. His wife, however, remained in opposition to the Faith and refused to sell the land. The issue was finally resolved when the State of Israel took possession of the land as it did with the holdings of many Arabs and some others who fled the country during the War of Independence. Israel then sold the land to the Baha’is.
(Earl Redman, Shoghi Effendi - Through the Pilgrim's Eye Vol. 2)
https://www.grbooks.com/products/shoghi-effendi-vol-2-through-pilgrims-eye_redman?variant=24525720191076
https://www.grbooks.com/products/shoghi-effendi-vol-2-through-pilgrims-eye_redman?variant=24525720191076
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
buy this land and bring the body of the Báb and inter Him here.
Abdul-Baha, Bab, Baha'u'llah, Israel, Money, Palestine, Ruhiyyih Khanum
No comments
One day Bahá’u’lláh rested on Mt Carmel. He pointed out a spot to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and said buy this land and bring the body of the Báb and inter Him here.
(The Priceless Pearl, Rúhíyyih Rabbani)
Arms are sold openly in Arab quarters. The Bahá’ís here, in Akka, from Tiberius, etc., all testify to this
“Arms are sold openly in Arab quarters. The Bahá’ís here, in Akka, from Tiberius, etc., all testify to this ... Hassan said he and his cousin Muhammad were sitting in a cafe in Tiberius; they heard a boy hawking, he was crying ‘Grenade, grenade!’ Hassan could not believe his ears so he called him over and asked him what he was selling? He said bombs. He had a sack on his back. This he obligingly dumped on the ground and unloaded a pile of hand grenades! (Mills bombs) ‘How much are they each?’ asked Hassan. ‘Seventy-five piastres’ said the peddler! Needless to say he did not buy ... I saw a man from my own bedroom window a few days ago with a revolver in his hand and a crowd of Arabs around him. He wanted to make sure it was working so he came over to our garden wall, fired two shots at it, and headed off for the town, probably to do his bit of murder.”
(Ruhiyyih Rabbani, The Priceless Pearl)
Friday, March 17, 2023
People could be called into the Prison by Baha'u'llah when its door was closed to them.
“. . members of the Blessed Family came to visit and welcome us. I returned with them, and for the first time stood in the Presence of the Blessed Perfection. The state of ecstasy and rapture that possessed me was beyond description. The first words of Bahá’u’lláh were these: ‘We have brought you into the Prison at such a time when the door of meeting is closed to all the believers. This is for no other reason than to prove to everyone the Power and Might of God.’
https://bahai.works/Bahá’í_World/Volume_8/The_Passing_of_Munírih_Khánum,_the_Holy_Mother
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Shoghi Effendi's support for the Jews and the solution of their basic problem. And Albert Hourani's statement against what was advocated by Shoghi Effendi.
Covenant-Breakers, Israel, Jews, Loyalty, Palestine, Politics
No comments
Shawki Rabani's advocacy of the Partition Plan for Palestine before the Enquiry Commission of 1946 was not the first or the last proof of Baha'i support for the Jews and the solution of their basic problem.
(Agudat Iḥud (Israel), Indiana University, 1960)
https://www.google.com/books/edition/נר/B9MMAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&
The Case against a Jewish State in Palestine: Albert Hourani's Statement to the Anglo-American Committee of Enquiry of 1946
https://online.ucpress.edu/jps/article-abstract/35/1/80/2091/The-Case-against-a-Jewish-State-in-Palestine?redirectedFrom=fulltext
I told him all about Monib’s marriage to Jamal Husseini’s daughter, etc. He was very surprised and wrote down his and Hassan’s name. I also told him about Ruhi being out and that as he might have wondered at the dissension in our own family the real reason was not only religious but on grounds of political affiliations and so on.
(The Priceless Pearl, Rúhíyyih Rabbani)
(Agudat Iḥud (Israel), Indiana University, 1960)
https://www.google.com/books/edition/נר/B9MMAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&
The Case against a Jewish State in Palestine: Albert Hourani's Statement to the Anglo-American Committee of Enquiry of 1946
https://online.ucpress.edu/jps/article-abstract/35/1/80/2091/The-Case-against-a-Jewish-State-in-Palestine?redirectedFrom=fulltext
I told him all about Monib’s marriage to Jamal Husseini’s daughter, etc. He was very surprised and wrote down his and Hassan’s name. I also told him about Ruhi being out and that as he might have wondered at the dissension in our own family the real reason was not only religious but on grounds of political affiliations and so on.
(The Priceless Pearl, Rúhíyyih Rabbani)