First National Convention of Alaska

Delegates and guests at the first National Convention of Alaska in 1957 with the Hand ofthe Cause Paul Haney (back row center) (Baha'i News October 1981)

November 1849: The Báb sends His representative to make a pilgrimage on His behalf to the graves of Quddus and Mulla Husayn

"The Báb was heart-broken," His amanuensis, Siyyid Husayn-i-'Aziz, subsequently related, "at the receipt of this unexpected intelligence.[the news of the tragic fate which had befallen the heroes of Tabarsi] He was crushed with grief, a grief that stilled His voice and silenced His pen. For nine days He refused to meet any of His friends. I myself, though His close and constant attendant, was refused admittance. Whatever meat or drink we offered Him, He was disinclined to touch. Tears rained continually from His eyes, and expressions of anguish dropped unceasingly from His lips. I could hear Him, from behind the curtain, give vent to His feelings of sadness as He communed, in the privacy of His cell, with His Beloved. I attempted to jot down the effusions of His sorrow as they poured forth from His wounded heart. Suspecting that I was attempting to preserve the lamentations He uttered, He bade me destroy whatever I had recorded. Nothing remains of the moans and cries with which that heavy-laden heart sought to relieve itself of the pangs that had seized it. For a period of five months He languished, immersed in an ocean of despondency and sorrow."

Bermuda's first National Convention, April 1981

Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum and honored guests at Bermuda's first National Convention, April 1981 (Baha'i News, July 1981)

The cornerstone of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar (House of Worship) of Ishqabad was laid on 26 November, 1902

Laying the foundation stone of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of Ishqabad. General Krupatkin is at the center front.

November 1902

“O people of the world! Build ye houses of worship throughout the lands in the name of Him Who is the Lord of all religions. Make them as perfect as is possible in the world of being, and adorn them with that which befitteth them, not with images and effigies. Then, with radiance and joy, celebrate therein the praise of your Lord, the Most Compassionate. Verily, by His remembrance the eye is cheered and the heart is filled with light.” (Baha’u’llah, the Kitab-i-Aqdas)

During the lifetime of Baha'u'llah, obeying this command was impossible because the Middle Eastern Baha'is were persecuted. In order to escape oppression, many Persian Baha'is fled north, to the lands that formed part of the Russian Empire. Situated twenty-five miles from the border of Iran was the town of 'Ishqabad, in the modern Turkmenistan. By the turn of the century a large and prosperous Baha'i community had developed there, protected by the tsarist government from persecution. In the autumn of 1902 the 'Ishqabad Baha'is set out to build the first House of Worship in the Baha'i world.

November 13, 1898: ‘Abdu’l-Baha ends the period of mourning for Baha’u’llah by opening His tomb to pilgrims for the first time

This event which took place on 13 November 1898 was in commemoration of the arrival of Ibrahim Kheiralla(Khayru’llah) to Akka on 11 November 1898 – “the same year that this precious Trust [the precious remains of the Báb] reached the shores of the Holy Land and was delivered into the hands of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. He, accompanied by Dr. Ibrahim Khayru'llah, whom He had already honored with the titles of "Baha's Peter," "The Second Columbus" and "Conqueror of America," drove to the recently purchased site which had been blessed and selected by Bahá'u'lláh on Mt. Carmel, and there laid, with His own hands, the foundation-stone of the edifice, the construction of which He, a few months later, was to commence. About that same time, the marble sarcophagus, designed to receive the body of the Báb, an offering of love from the Bahá'ís of Rangoon, had, at 'Abdu'l-Bahá's suggestion, been completed and shipped to Haifa.” (God Passes By, p. 274)

Kheiralla (who later became a Covenant-breaker) and his wife Marion were among of the first group of American pilgrims who left New York on 22 September 1898. Phoebe Hearst, Robert Turner, and Lua and Edward Getsinger were also in that historic group. In Paris they were joined by May Bolles and Hearst’s two relatives.

From Paris Kheiralla went to Egypt in early October, where he had children to visit. His wife went to England to invite her aunt to accompany them to Akka. After twenty-one days in Egypt Ibrahim Keiralla proceeded to Akka and was first to arrive on 11 November 1898. Anxious to reach Akka, Edward and Lua Getsinger left Paris for Cairo in November. About mid-December Phoebe Hearst also arrived in Cairo. Accompanying her were her butler, Robert Turner; her maid, Amalie M. Bachrodt; her little niece, Agnes Lane; her niece's governess, Julia Pearson; another niece, Anne Apperson; and an old friend, Mrs. Thornburgh. All nine Westerners could not visit ‘Abdu’l-Baha simultaneously, for they would stir up too much suspicion. While Hearst and her relatives and employees remained in Egypt, the Gestingers proceeded to Akka. They arrived on 10 December 1898 and were the first North American Baha’is to visit ‘Abdu’l-Baha. 
(Adapted from ‘The Baha’i Faith in America’, vol. 1, by Robert Stockman)

The first North American pilgrims

The first North American Baha’is to visit ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Akka were Lua and Edward Getsinger. They arrived on 10 December 1898. 
(The Baha’i Faith in America, vol. 1, Robert Stockman)

Number of LSA’s and Groups in USA and Canada in 1925

By the end of 1925 there were 63 Local Spiritual Assemblies and Groups in the United States and Canada. 
(Baha’i News December 1925-January 1926)

Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga, his wife and three of their children were slain by unknown gunmen September 16, 1979, outside their home in Kampala, Uganda

The Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga, "The Father of Victories", and his wife Elizabeth during a Baha'i conference in Brazil in 1977.

Cable from the Universal House of Justice:

WITH GRIEF-STRICKEN HEARTS ANNOUNCE TRAGIC NEWS BRUTAL MURDER DEARLY LOVED GREATLY ADMIRED HAND CAUSE GOD ENOCH OLINGA BY UNKNOWN GUNMEN COURTYARD HIS KAMPALA HOME. HIS WIFE ELIZABETH, AND THREE OF HIS CHILDREN BADI, LENNIE AND TAHlRlH HAVE ALSO FALLEN INNOCENT VICTIMS THIS CRUEL ACT. MOTIVE ATTACK NOT YET ASCERTAINED. HIS RADIANT SPIRIT, HIS UNWAVERING FAITH, HIS ALL-EMBRACING LOVE, HIS LEONINE AUDACITY IN THE TEACHING FIELD, HIS TITLES KNIGHT BAHA'U'LLAH FATHER VICTORIES CONFERRED BELOVED GUARDIAN, ALL COMBINE DISTINGUISH HIM AS PRE-EMINENT MEMBER HIS RACE IN ANNALS FAITH AFRICAN CONTINENT. URGE FRIENDS EVERYWHERE HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERINGS BEFITTING TRIBUTE HIS IMPERISHABLE MEMORY. FERVENTLY PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS NOBLE SOUL AND SOULS FOUR MEMBERS HIS PRECIOUS FAMILY.

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
September 17, 1979

1978: First National Baha'i Youth Committee of Papua New Guinea

The first National Baha'i Youth Committee of Papua New Guinea with Auxiliary Board member Dr. Sirus Naraqi (standing at the left).

For the first time in the history of the Faith in Papua New Guinea, a National Baha'i Youth Conference was held in October 1978 near the capital, Port Moresby. The two-day conference was planned and conducted by the country's first National Baha'I Youth Committee, appointed in July l978 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Papua New Guinea. More than 100 believers from 19 communities, the majority of them youth, attended the conference. Publicity included two announcements on Papua New Guinea's national radio station. The conference included deepenings on Baha’i administration, Baha’i consultation, teaching the Faith, Baha’i principles, and the significance of the Faith in today's troubled world. Although pioneers from Port Moresby and Kwikila assisted in the program, most of the talks were given by the youth themselves. During an evening social meeting, traditional dances were performed and slides of Baha’I Holy Places shown. As a result of the conference, four persons in Port Moresby declared their belief in Baha'u'llah. 
(Baha’i News, June, 1979)

First Eastern woman to speak in public in the East

Dr. and Mrs. K. M. Foujdar, of Bombay, who were married, Feb.2, 1925. Mrs. Foujdar was Miss Shirin M. Irani. She holds a unique position as the first Eastern woman to be able to speak in public in the East. Shoghi Effenndi, Guardian of the Baha’i Cause, in a recent letter, said of her: “The pioneer work undertaken by our dear friend, Shirin, for the emancipation of her Indian sisters, is highly praiseworthy, and will in time yield abundant fruit." 
(Star of the West, vol.16, no. 3, June 1925)

First Baha'i National Teaching Conference for Bangladesh, Feb. 1979

The first Baha'i National Teaching Conference for Bangladesh was held on February 23-25, 1979. More than 150 persons participated. The conference theme was 'The Oneness of Mankind.' The opening address was delivered by Emran Ali Sarkar, a member of the national parliment and chairman of Rajshahi municipality, who warmly welcomed the Baha'is and wished them success in their spiritual understanding. (Baha'i News, July 1979)

First Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Zaloadgy, Burma, Feb. 1978

The first Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Zaloadgy, Burma. The Assembly was elected in February 1978, shortly after a visit by Mrs. Marguerite Birger that resulted in 35 enrollments in that previously unopened community. Mrs. Birger, from Collinsville, Illinois, was a member of an international Baha'i teaching team in Thailand in January 1978 when she was asked by the Continental Board of Counselors in South East Asia to spend a week in Burma. She was the first foreigner ever to visit the village of Zaloadgy. 

(Baha’i News, May 1979)

‘Abdu’l-Baha’s first public talk in the West -- City Temple, London, England, Sunday, September 10th, 1911

‘Abdul-Baha attended the evening service at the City Temple on Sunday. No announcement of the visit was made, and, although the sight of the Persians and other members of the suite in the congregation excited curiosity, very few people were aware that the Baha’i leader was expected. The service proceeded as usual until the hymn immediately preceding the sermon. Whilst this was being sung a venerable figure, clad in Persian robes, was seen slowly ascending the stairs of the pulpit. When the hymn was finished Mr. Campbell placed the distinguished visitor in his own chair, and then, addressing the crowded congregation, said:

"I propose to shorten my sermon this evening, because we have a visitor in the pulpit whose presence is somewhat significant of the spiritual drawing-together of East and West, as well as of the material drawing-together which has long been going on, and I think you would like to hear his voice, if only for a few moments."

West African Baha'i Women Conference, December 28, 1978, Monrovia, Liberia

West African Baha'i Women Conference, December 28, 1978, Monrovia, Liberia. Sixteen countries sent delegates to the conference. The United States, Germany and Spain's representatives joined those of the West African nations. The conference was conducted in English, with French, Mano and Pelle translations; a total of 23 languages were spoken by the 150 women and 50 men who attended the conference. 

(Baha'i News, April 1979)

June 1973: First meeting of the International Teaching Center

First meeting of the International Teaching Center, Bahji, June 1973. Members included Hands of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, 'Ali Akbar Furutan, Paul E. Haney, and Abu'l-Qasim Faizy, and Counsellors Hooper Dunbar, Florence Mayberry, and 'Aziz Yazdi. (Baha'i News April 1979)

First Baha'i wedding in Scotland without a civil ceremony

The newly-acquired Baha'i Center in Edinburgh, Scotland, was the scene Saturday, June 10, of the first Baha'i wedding ever to take place in Scotland without a civil ceremony. The bride, is Pamela McClure, the groom Brian O'Toole. Both are from Glasgow. The wedding officer, one of three Baha'is in Scotland authorized to carry out weddings, was Surgeon-Commander John More-Nisbet of Edinburgh. Since this was the first non-Christian or non-Jewish marriage ceremony to be recognized in Scotland, news of it was published in one national, two Scottish and one local newspaper. BBC Radio-Scotland even recorded and broadcast a part of the ceremony and gave an, accurate outline of the Faith. Three weeks after the wedding Brian O'Toole pioneered to Guyana were he soon was joined by his wife. 
(Baha’i News, January 1979)

Seat of the Universal House of Justice under construction during 1979

(Baha'i News, March 1979)

Two of the first Baha'i International Community's official representatives

Ugo Giachery and Mildred Motahedeh were two of the first official representatives of the Baha'i International Community. This picture was taken in 1948, at the first United Nations Conference that the International Community ever attended. (Baha'i News, March 1979)

The first pilgrims were received by Baha’u’llah in Adrianople in the House of Amru’llah

During the exile period in Adrianople “the first pilgrimages were made to the residence [House of Amru’llah, ‘the House of God's Command’] of One Who was now the visible Center of a newly-established Faith -- pilgrimages which by reason of their number and nature, an alarmed government in Persia was first impelled to restrict, and later to prohibit, but which were the precursors of the converging streams of Pilgrims who, from East and West, at first under perilous and arduous circumstances, were to direct their steps towards the prison-fortress of 'Akká -- pilgrimages which were to culminate in the historic arrival of a royal convert at the foot of Mt. Carmel, who, at the very threshold of a longed-for and much advertised pilgrimage, was so cruelly thwarted from achieving her purpose. 
(Shoghi Effendi, 'God Passes By')

During certain part of His Ministry Baha’u’llah revealed “the equivalent of a thousand verses” “within the space of an hour”!!

Shoghi Effendi explains that toward the latter part of His stay in Adrianople "a period of prodigious activity ensued. ..." "Such are the outpourings ... from the clouds of Divine Bounty," Bahá'u'lláh Himself wrote, "that within the space of an hour the equivalent of a thousand verses hath been revealed." "I swear by God! In those days the equivalent of all that hath been sent down aforetime unto the Prophets hath been revealed" (God Passes By, pp. 170-70).

Manuchihr-Khan, the Mu'tamidu'l-Dawlih, the Governor of Isfahan

Manuchihr-Khan, the Mu'tamidu'l-Dawlih, the Governor of Isfahan, who extended his protection to the Bab in Isfahan, Psersia. (Refer to Dawn-Breakers chapter X) (The Baha'i World 1932-1934)

National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Central African Republic, elected at Ridvan 1972

National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Central African Republic, elected at Ridvan 1972. From left to right, standing: Michel Toleque-Koy, Recording Secretary, Sebastien Tchientson, Raymond Ousmann, Albert Lincoln, Corresponding Secretary, Rene Jean-Baptiste, Chairman, Hubert Katossi-Simani, Vice-Chairman. Seated: Agnes Katossi-Simani, Treasurer, Janet Mughrabi and Turlia Jean-Baptiste. (Baha'i News, August 1972)

First National Spiritual Assembly of Sweden, elected April 1962

First National Spiritual Assembly of Sweden, elected April 1962.

Left to right, seated: Lotus Nielsen, Elizabeth Bevan (recording secretary), Jean Bonn, Marianne Pickens. Standing: John Nielsen (Secretary), Hans Ademyr (chairman), Rouhollah Golmahammadi (treasurer), Hadi Afsahi (vice-chairman), and Sven Mards. (Baha'i News, August 1962)

The only talk given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá to a Japanese audience – Oakland, California, October 1912

[Mr. Yamamoto, the first Japanese Bahá'í, arranged for 'Abdu'l-Bahá to speak at the Japanese Independent Church, in Oakland, California.]

It is a great happiness to be here this evening, especially for the reason that the members of this Association have come from the region of the Orient. For a long time I have entertained a desire to meet some of the Japanese friends. That nation has achieved extraordinary progress in a short space of time; a progress and development which have astonished the world. Inasmuch as they have advanced in material civilization they must assuredly possess the capacity for spiritual development. For this reason I have an excessive longing to meet them. Praise be to God! this pleasure is now afforded me, for here in this city I am face to face with a revered group of the Japanese. According to report the people of the Japanese nation are not prejudiced. They investigate reality. Wherever they find truth they prove to be its lovers. They are not attached tenaciously to blind imitations of ancient beliefs and dogmas. Therefore it is my great desire to discourse with them upon a subject in order that the unity and blending together of the nations of the east and the nations of the west may be furthered and accomplished. In this way religious, racial and political prejudice, particularly bias and sectarianism will be dispelled amongst men. Any kind of prejudice is destructive to the body-politic.

When we review history from the beginning of human existence to the present age in which we live, it is evident all war and conflict, bloodshed and battle, every form of sedition has been due to some form of prejudice, whether religious, racial or national, to partisan bias and selfish prejudice of some sort. Even today we witness an upheaval in the Balkans, a war of religious prejudice. Some years ago when I was living in Roumelia, war broke out among the religious peoples. There was no attitude of justice or equity whatever amongst them. They pillaged the properties of each other, burning each other's homes and houses, slaughtering men, women and children, imagining that such warfare and bloodshed was the means of drawing near to God. This clearly proved that prejudice is a destroyer of the foundations of the world of humanity whereas religion was meant to be the cause of fellowship and agreement.

April 1972: First National Spiritual Assembly in Afghanistan

Members of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Afghanistan, April 1972. Standing, left to right: Khalil Akhavan, Houshang Rashidi, Mohamad Aslam Omary, Golagha Ahmadi, Mohamad Aslam Amiry, Hooshang Mohebee, Bazmohamad Noorzei. In fron: Mohamad Ibrahimzadeh, Ziaoullah Mahboobipoor. (Baha'i News, August 1972)