SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28: Members of the Baha’i faith turned their thoughts toward Abdu’l-Baha on Friday, but today, they’ll do it again—to commemorate the passing and ascension of Abdu’l-Baha. Less than a century ago, more than 10,000 mourners of every religion and ethnic community in the Holy Land gathered for the funeral of Abdu’l-Baha, a Baha’i leader who was appointed by his father (Baha’u’llah).
Some modern-day Baha’is may have gathered early this morning to observe the death anniversary of Abdu’l-Baha, as he died at approximately 1 a.m. (Baha’i.org has more.) Nevertheless, most Baha’is spend today reflecting on the life and influence of this “servant of Baha’u’llah.”
There’s a significant lesson in the unity created at Abdu’l-Baha’s funeral. In 1921, the Holy Land was divided by faith and ethnicity, nevertheless, a very diverse crowd gathered to mourn this great figure. It’s recorded that the governor of Jerusalem even wrote these words concerning Abdu’l-Baha’s funeral: “I have never known a more united expression of regret and respect than was called forth by the utter simplicity of the ceremony.”
