In the early hours of this morning, Australian Baha’is observed one of their 11 annual holy days, the Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha.
The 1 am timing of the commemoration of the passing of Abdu’l-Baha, the eldest son of Baha’u’llah, recognises the hour of His death in the Holy Land 86 years ago.
In accordance with His Father’s will, Abdu’l-Baha (1844-1921) led the Baha’i Faith after the death of Baha’u’llah in 1892.
The authoritative interpreter of His Father’s teachings, Abdu’l-Baha is revered by Baha’is for His exemplary life.
Following World War I, He was knighted by the British government for His humanitarian acts in the Holy Land.
At His funeral on 29 November 1921, some ten thousand people — Baha’is, Jews, Christians and Muslims from all persuasions and denominations — gathered on Mount Carmel in Haifa to mourn the passing of one who was eulogised as the essence of “virtue and wisdom, of knowledge and generosity.”
A special prayer was read at the gatherings today of Baha’is in all cities and many towns and rural areas throughout Australia.
Other devotions and readings appropriate to the occasion accompanied the prayer.