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IMRAN SHAYKH, DECEMBER 2004 |
WWW.BAHAIAWARENESS.COM |
The Role of Foreign Powers in the Origin and Growth of the Bahai Faith
Here we shall bring from this book the Bahai connection with the imperialistic
powers and how each has helped the Cause of the Faith.
Refer the incident of Manucher Khan in the earlier portion of this article
In the morning (following the killing of the Bab), the Russian Consul in
Tabriz, visited the spot (of the killing) and ordered the artist who had
accompanied him to make a drawing of the remains of the Bab as the lay
beside the moat (page 38)
The Czar of Russia, a contemporary chronicler had written, had even shortly
before Bab's martyrdom, instructed the Russian Consul in Tabriz to fully
inquire into the matter and report the circumstances of starting a Movement
(page 39)
Baha after the assassination attempt on the Shah went and stayed in the
house of his brother-in-law Mirza Majid, who at that time was acting as
a secretary to the Russian Minister Prince Dolgourki and whose house adjoined
that of his master. The Shah was informed of this and he, greatly amazed,
dispatched his trusted officers to the region, demanding that the accused
(Baha) be forthwith delivered into his hands. Refusing to comply with the
wishes of the royal envoys, the Russian Minister requested Baha to proceed
to the house of the Grand Vizier, to whom he formally communicated his
wish that the Trust of the Russian Government was being delivered into
his hands should be insured. (page 47-48)
The Russian Minister as soon as he was informed of the Imperial decision
(to take Baha wherever he desired), expressed his desire to take Baha under
his protection and offered to extend every facility for His removal to
Russia…Baha mentions this in His epistle to the Czar of Russia, Nicholaevitch
Alexander II, "One of my ministers extended me his aid". In yet another
illuminating testimony Baha says, "When this Wronged One was sore-afflicted
in prison, the ministers of the highly esteemed government (of Russia)
- may God Exalted and Glorified be He - assist them! My freedom was gained
through the solicitude and the endeavour of His Excellency The Minister…His
imperial Majesty, The Most Great Emperor - may God Exalted and Glorified
be He - assist him!.. extend to me foe the sake of God his protection.
On 1st Rabiuss Saani, 1269 AH, Baha along with some of the members of His
family and escorted by an official of the Imperial bodyguard and an official
representing the Russian legation, set out on his three months journey
to Baghdad.
Colonel Sir Arnold Burroughs Kemball, consul-general of the British Government
in Baghdad and offered Baha protection of the British citizenship,
called on him in person, undertook to transmit to Queen Victoria any communication
He might wish to forward to her. He even wished to arrange for the transfer
of His residence to India, or to any other place agreeable to Him (page
83)
Some of the consuls of foreign powers called on Baha and expressed their
readiness to intervene with their respective Governments on his behalf.
Baha expressed his appreciation for their cooperation as he himself says,
'The consuls of that city (Adrianople) gathered in the presence of this
youth at the hour of his departure and expressed their desire to aid him.
They, verily, evinced towards us manifest affections'. (page 114)
Abdul Baha visited Beirut at the invitation of a forum Grand Vizier of
Turkey. His associations with the civil and ecclesiastical leaders of that
city, his several interviews with the well-known Shaikh Muhammad Abdu served
to enhance immensely the growing prestige of the community and spread
abroad the fame of its most distinguished member. (page 122)
Through his intervention with the civil and military authorities, he succeeded
in obtaining the freedom of his followers in Akka and in enabling them
to continue to earn, without interference, the means of livelihood. (page
166)
The Spanish Consul a kinsman of the agent of an Italian steamship company
in his love for Abdul Baha and his anxiety to avert the threatening, had
gone so far as to place at his disposal an Italian freighter, ready to
provide him a safe passage to any foreign port of his choice. (page 169)
Persian princes and noblemen and ex-ministers the Turkish Ambassador in
Paris, an ex-Vali of Beirut, Turkish Pashas and ex-ministers and Viscount
Arakawa, Japanese Ambassador to the court of Spain were among those who
had the privilege of attaining his presence. (page 178)
In America, Secretariat of State, Ambassadors, Congressmen… and other eminent
people attained his presence. Among them were the Dutch, British and Swiss
Ministers in Washington,, the Turkish Ambassador in that city and the Prince
of Egypt. (page 181)
The Oriental Pilgrim House, erected on Mount Carmel by a believer from
Ishqabad, soon after the embodiment of the Babi remains for the convenience
of visiting pilgrims, was granted tax exemption by the civil authorities,
the first time such a privilege has been conceded since the establishment
of the Faith in the Holy Land. (page 192)
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