At dawn on that woeful day, the news of His passing spread
across the city of Haifa, consuming the hearts with grief. Thousands gathered
for His funeral: young and old, high and low, distinguished officials and the
masses—Jews and Muslims, Druze and Christians, as well as Bahá’ís—a gathering
the like of which the city had never witnessed. In the eyes of the world,
‘Abdu’l-Bahá had been a champion of universal peace and the oneness of
humanity, a defender of the oppressed and promoter of justice. To the people of
both ‘Akká and Haifa, He was a loving father and friend, a wise counsellor and
a refuge for all in need. At His funeral they poured out fervent expressions of
love and lamentation.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a message dated 28
November 2023: To the Bahá’ís of the World; online Baha’i Reference Library of
the Baha’i World Center)
