One of the most prominent Baha’is in Australia and in the international Baha’i community, Dr Peter Khan, 74, passed away today in Brisbane after becoming ill yesterday.
Dr Khan retired last year after serving for 23 years as a member of the elected nine-member governing body of the Baha’i Faith, the Universal House of Justice, which has its seat in Haifa, Israel.
Dr Khan lectured widely on Baha’i subjects throughout the world and wrote many articles on the Baha’i Faith.
With his wife, Dr Janet Khan, who survives him, he was the author of the book “Advancement of Women: A Baha’i Perspective”, which discusses the implications of the fundamental Baha’i principle of the equality of women and men.
In a tribute to Dr Khan, a grieving Universal House of Justice said today that “by any measure, his was a remarkable life, one of earnest striving, of unbending resolve, of
unflinching dedication to principle, and of constancy of effort.”
His “considerable intellectual gifts” manifested themselves in every aspect of his service, the Universal House of Justice said.
Among the examples of such service given in the tribute were “the exemplary manner in which he discharged his manifold administrative duties”, his championing of the advancement of women and his presentations of “uncommon eloquence and endearing humour to unnumbered audiences — lifting hearts, stimulating minds, galvanising spirits.”
The secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Australia, Dr Eric Kingston, referred to the “stricken hearts” of the Assembly at the sudden passing of Dr Khan.
“Dr Khan remained characteristically Australian throughout his services across the world,” said Dr Kingston, who announced that the funeral was expected to be held in Brisbane late next week and a memorial service at the Sydney Baha’i House of Worship on 28 August.
Roles
Before his election to the Universal House of Justice in 1987, Dr Khan had served since 1983 as an appointed member of the Haifa-based Baha’i advisory body, the International Teaching Centre.
From 1976-83, he was a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Australasia, a senior Baha’i advisory role. From 1967-76, he held an advisory position in the United States as a member of the Faith’s Auxiliary Board. From 1958-63 he served as member of the elected national governing body of the Baha’is of Australia, the National Spiritual Assembly.
Scholar
Born in New South Wales, Dr Khan earned a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Sydney and then went to the University of Michigan in the United States as Fulbright postdoctoral fellow before becoming a member of the faculty there. He returned to Australia in 1975 to professorial positions, first at the University of New South Wales and then at the University of Queensland.
Dr. Khan has published widely in his profession. He was a fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia and a senior member of the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.