February 29, 2016

Early 1900's: A Persian Caravansary

A Caravansary or “Hotel” on the road to Shiraz, Persia
Inside its walls is an immense court yard where travelers are herded indiscriminately with their camels and other beasts of burden. These “hotels” are designed to give the caravans a resting place at night protected from marauders. 
(National Geographic 1921)

February 27, 2016

1946: First Baha'i Latin-American Conference, Panama

The first Latin-American Conference was held in Panama, 1946. Baha'i representatives were present from the United States, Nicaragua, Chile, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela, the Canal Zone and Panama. (The Baha'i World 1944-1946)

February 20, 2016

1976: Baha’is in the Province of Khurasan, Iran, “won (a) unique distinction”

15 October 1976
To the friends gathered at the International Teaching Conference in Nairobi, Kenya

REJOICE SHARE WITH FRIENDS AT NAIROBI CONFERENCE JOYOUS TIDINGS RECEIVED FROM CRADLE FAITH FRIENDS PROVINCE KHURASAN WHERE MIGHTY EVENTS TOOK PLACE EARLY YEARS HEROIC AGE HAVE WON UNIQUE DISTINCTION. EVERY LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY EVEN EVERY GROUP THAT PROVINCE HAS FORMULATED ITS LOCAL GOALS AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL BELIEVER HAS ADOPTED PERSONAL TEACHING GOALS. OBJECTIVE ENVISAGED FIVE YEAR PLAN BRILLIANTLY OUTSTRIPPED. FERVENTLY PRAYING SHRINES SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES GROUPS INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS EVERY LAND WILL BE INSPIRED FOLLOW THIS EXAMPLE.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
(Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963 to 1986)

February 15, 2016

1888 & 1921: Views of Shiraz and the Qur'an Gate

The capital of the Province of Fars is situated in a fertile plain at an elevation of a mile above sea level. A mud wall four miles in circumference surrounds the town, which has a population of 60,000. 
(National Geographic, 1921)
Qur'an Gate 1888 (Encyclopedia Iranica)

February 8, 2016

March 26, 1916: 'Abdu'l-Baha revealed the first Tablet of the Divine Plan

It was revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha on Sunday morning, March 26th 1916, in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's room at the house in Bahji, addressed to the Bahá'ís of nine North-Eastern States of the United States: Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. 
- Hand of the Cause Balyuzi  (‘Abdu'l-Baha - The Centre of the Covenant’) 

February 3, 2016

An example of psychological pressure, machination and scheming by the Ottoman authorities against Baha’u’llah

The State officials, considering the secret progress of the Extended Cord have, from every direction, incited and aided Mine adversaries. In the Great City (Constantinople) they have roused a considerable number of people to oppose this Wronged One. Things have come to such a pass that the officials in that city have acted in a manner which hath brought shame to both the government and the people. A distinguished siyyid, whose well-known integrity, acceptable conduct, and commercial reputation, were recognized by the majority of fair-minded men, and who was regarded by all as a highly honored merchant, once visited Beirut. In view of his friendship for this Wronged One they telegraphed the Persian Dragoman informing him that this siyyid, assisted by his servant, had stolen a sum of money and other things and gone to Akká. Their design in this matter was to dishonor this Wronged One. And yet, far be it from the people of this country to allow themselves to be deflected, by these unseemly tales, from the straight path of uprightness and truth. Briefly, they have assaulted Me from every side, and are reinforcing Mine adversaries. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)