The anniversary of the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Baha will be commemorated by Canadian Baha’is and their friends on November 28th. He passed away on that date in 1921, and will be remembered for an extraordinary life of service to humanity. This year is particularly significant for Canadian Baha’is, as it marks the 100th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s visit to Canada in 1912, a visit that continues to inspire many Canadians across the country.
‘Abdu’l-Baha was the eldest son and appointed successor of Baha’u’llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith. He shared in His Father’s exiles and imprisonment for over 40 years at the hands of Persian and Ottoman authorities, who feared His growing influence. ‘Abdu’l-Baha was appointed in Baha’u’llah’s Will and Testament to be the Head of the Baha’i Faith upon His Father’s passing, which occurred in 1892. He remained a prisoner of the Ottoman Empire until 1908 when He and His family were freed as a result of the Young Turk Revolution. Shortly thereafter, in 1910, ‘Abdu’l-Baha began a three-year journey to Europe and North America that included a short stay in Montréal from August 30 to September 9, 1912.
He gave several public talks on subjects such as the equality of women and men, the oneness of the human race, the unity of religions, the eradication of prejudice, and the elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty. At the invitation of the distinguished architect, William Sutherland Maxwell, and his wife, May Bolles Maxwell, ‘Abdu’l-Baha stayed at their Montréal home for four days. This residence on Pine Avenue is now the site of Canada’s only Baha’i Shrine. It has been recently renovated with original furniture and artifacts from the time of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s visit, and a reception centre was created in an adjoining home.
The First World War began soon after ‘Abdu’l-Baha returned to Haifa, the spiritual and administrative centre of the Baha’i Faith. His communication with the Baha’i world was limited by the war, but the effects of His visits on the emerging Baha’i communities in the West continued to grow, due in large part to a remarkable series of letters written between September 1916 and March 1917. Fourteen letters were sent to the Baha’is of Canada and the United States containing prayers and guidance for the two communities, along with assurances of a special destiny. For example, He wrote that: “…the future of Canada, whether from a material or spiritual standpoint, is very great.” The guidance contained in those letters continues to serve as an important source of inspiration for the Baha’is’ efforts to serve humanity.
The scale of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s funeral in 1921, in what was then Palestine, a British protectorate, was unprecedented. Jews, Christians and Muslims from a wide diversity of backgrounds gathered to honour his memory. Every class, religion and race was represented among the more than ten thousand who paid their respects. They knew Him in various capacities – as one who had saved countless lives from starvation during the First World War, resulting in a knighthood conferred by the British Empire, had cared for the poor, and had served as the perfect example of how a Baha’i should live. The only station for which He wished to be known was reflected in the title He took: ‘Abdu’l-Baha – “Servant of Glory.”
Baha’is will commemorate His ascension on November 28th with prayers and readings from sacred Baha’i texts. The commemoration is normally held around 1 a.m., the time of His passing.