Alberta. He has taught in schools Dr Boris Handal is the ... · Dr Boris Handal is the author of...

transcript

Dr Boris Handal is the author of “Mírzá Mihdí, The Purest Branch” which has been translated into Spanish and Persian.

Dr Handal is a Professor of Learning Technologies at the University of Notre Dame Australia. He was also a Visiting Professor at the University of Alberta. He has taught in schools and universities in South America, Asia and Australia for over thirty-five years. His publications comprise over 100 conference and journal papers, books and books chapters published in Australia, the United States of America, Europe, Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia.

“Thou art, verily, the trust of God and His treasure in this land.”

Baha’u’llah

Presented by Boris HandalMay 2020

I – The Holy Family

II – Life in Exile

III - The Long Journey to ‘Akká

IV – Life in the Barracks

V –The First Bahá’í Pilgrims

VI –The Great Redemptive Sacrifice of the Purest Branch

Mírzá Mihdí

Part 1 The Holy Family

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/bahaullahs-marriage-to-navvab-sue-podger.html

Bahá’u’lláh’s marriage to Navváb (1832)

by Sue Podger

Wedding certificate of Baháʼu'lláh and Ásíyih K͟hánum (1835)

The Two Branches: The Most Great and the Purest Branches

Portrait of Bahíyyih Khánum, The Greatest Holy Leaf, daughter of Bahá’u’lláh, c. 1895

Bahá’í Media)

The House of Bahá’u’lláh in Tehran

Tehran in the Nineteenth Century

En.tehran.ir

Násiri’d-Dín Sháh of Iran (b.1831-1896)

The Black Dungeon of Tehran

The Síyah-Chál (Aug-Dec 1853)

by Sue Podger

http://bahaihistoricalfacts.blogspot.com/2018/06/siyyah-chal-black-pit-of-tehran.html

Síyah-Chál (The Black Pit) of Tehran – a depiction

The Long Winter Journey to Baghdad, by Sue Podger

by Sue Podger

https://fineartamerica.com/

The Exiles of Mírzá Mihdí

Part 2 Life in Exile

Source: Bahaullah.org

The House of Baghdad

Source: Ruhi Book 4

Sulṭán ‘Abdu’l-Azíz of the Ottoman Empire (1830–76)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/512847476303280424/

The Garden of Ridván

Source: Bahá’í Library

The Garden of Ridván

Source: Bahá’í Library

The Garden of Riḍván

https://alchetron.com/Garden-of-Ridván

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/bahaullahs-tent-in-the-garden-of-ridvan-sue-podger.html?product=art-print

Baha'u'llah's Tent In The Garden Of Ridvan, by Sue Podger

Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Empire

The way from Istanbul to Edirne

The House of Bahá’u’lláh in Edirne

Garden in Bahá’u’lláh’s house

By Jill l Thomas, https://jill-thomas-m2ds.squarespace.com/blogs/pilgrimage-to-edirne

Bahá’í Exiles in Edirne

Part 3The Long Journey to ‘Akká

http://www.dronestagr.am/elevated-view-of-the-old-town-of-gallipoli/

The Old Town of Gallipoli

“Passengers on the Deck of a Steam Packet in the Adriatic Sea” by Henry Burdon Richardson

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Hu9PDD7Ik

The Arciduca Ferdinando Massimiliano,, in which Mírzá Mihdí, Bahá’u’lláh and His family and companions may have travelled from Gallipoli.

View of Mytilene, island of Lesbos, Greece, Woodcut from 1892

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/view-of-mytilene-island-of-lesbos-greece-woodcut-from-1892-news-photo/700800366?adppopup=true

View of the old city of Smyrna, former Greece, now Turkey, woodcut from 1885

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-view-of-the-old-city-of-smyrna-former-greece-now-turkey-woodcut-from-133543512.html

The port of Alexandria, c. 1868

https://atlantic-cable.com/Cables/1868MaltaAlexandria/index.htm

Port Said in the 19th Century

https://egyptianstreets.com/2014/08/13/port-said-egypts-forgotten-treasure/

Jaffa old city and sea port.

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/jaffa-old-city-sea-port-panoramic-573063388

The port of Haifa around 1870

https://www.alamy.com/houses-of-the-german-templar-colony-in-haifa-in-todays-israel-members-of-the-christian-temple-society-founded-settlements-in-the-former-palestine-at-the-end-of-the-19th-century-image247120897.html

http://www.hestories.info/the-greatest-holy-leaf-bahiyyih-khanum-daughter-of-bahaullah.html

From ‘Akká to Haifa

By Mary Firman, Journey into Exile.

The Sea Gate of ‘Akká

Photo: Al Cadena, Flick

https://www.flickr.com/photos/geolrat/1235059126

A recent view of the Sea Gate

The Sea Gate

Courtesy Bahá’í World Centre

https://www.bahaullah.org/akka/march-to-prison

Entrance to the Barracks

https://beyondforeignness.org/4909

The barrracks courtyard

Original access to the barracks from the ground floor

https://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=https://lookaside.fbsbx.com/lookaside/crawler/media/?media_id%3D1709049049222145&imgrefurl=https://www.facebook.com/1207093672751021/photos/stairway-in-the-prisonbarracks-in-akka-akko-acre/1709049049222145/&tbnid=dshjKiiBJxsbeM&vet=1&docid=xYlOqPJKIiNaSM&w=640&h=960&itg=1&q=first+baha%27i+pilgrims+to+akka&hl=en-au&source=sh/x/im

https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/473370610833381699/?d=t&mt=login

Aerial view of ‘Akká

Part 4Life in the Barracks

The Most Great Prison - ‘Akká

Courtyard of the citadel of ‘Akká, early 1900s

The view from the prison cell occupied by Bahá’u’lláh in ‘Akká, early 1900s

Bahá’í Media Bank

Inside the Barracks

Bahá’í Media

The prison cell of Bahá’u’lláh

http://www.lightingtheway.us/photogal/prisakka.htm

Bronze plaque the prison cell of Bahá’u’lláh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op5alEMqaB4

Interior of the Public Bath in ‘Akká

Source: Baha’i World Centre

Three believers died in the prison. Two brothers: Muḥammad-Ismá‘il and Muḥammad-Báqír who died while embracing each other, and Abu’l-Qásim.

Source: Baha’i News

Inside Bahá’u’lláh’s prison cell (after renovations)

‘during the most dangerous and trying times of His imprisonment Bahá’u’lláh would ask each member of the family to relate the most amusing incident or story they had experienced or heard that day. After the tale had been told, they would all roar with laughter’. Abdu’l-Bahá

Colonel Ahmad-i-Jarráh. Commander of the Guard during Bahá'u'lláh's imprisonment in the barracks. He later became a believer.

Source: The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh by Adib Taherzadeh

Pope Pio IX Prime Minister of Turkey Alí Pashá

Czar Alexander IIQueen Victoria

Napoleon II

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydVawhtmMuA

Grant Hindin-Miller sings about Mirza Mihdi, The Purest Branch

“It is not possible for anyone to visualize the measure of humility and self-effacement and the intensity of devotion and meekness which the Purest Branch evinced in his life.” Ḥusayn-i-Áshchí

Ḥusayn-i-Áshchí, quoted in Taherzadeh, Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh , vol. 3 , p. 206 .

”I testify that thou didst

return in meekness unto

thine abode.”Bahá’u’lláh

” to whose ‘meekness the Supreme Pen had testified …”

Shoghi Effendi

Mírzá Mihdí “was a pillar of strength amongst the companions, from the days they came out of Baghdád to the day a tragic mishap brought his short and unsullied life to its conclusion, sitting with them at their gatherings, reading to them of that which flowed from the Supreme Pen, teaching them the lessons of courtesy and patience, of dignity and radiant submission to the will of God.” Áqá Riḍá

Áqá Riḍá quoted in Hasan Balyuzi, Baha’u’llah King of Glory, p. 314

“… truly the brother of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,

extremely modest and self-effacing”.

Mirza Mihdi, The Purest Branch, p. 16

Ustád Muhammad-`Alíy-i-Salmání

“… endowed with a character of

superlative spiritual beauty”.

Mírzá Asadu'lláh Fádil Mázandarání

“… of a very gentle and sweet

disposition”.

Bahíyyih Khánum

“The Purest Branch, the martyred son, the companion, and amanuensis of Bahá’u’lláh, that pious and holy youth…”.

Shoghi Effendi

“The Blessed Perfection passed his time in his room, writing tablets or rather dictating them to my younger brother [Mírzá Mihdí], who was a rapid penman. Abbas Effendi [‘Abdu’l-Bahá] would copy them and send them out by the physician …”

Bahíyyih Khánum

Dr Boutros carried the Tablets away in the lining of his hat

Who was Dr Boutros?

Part 5The First Bahá’í ́Pilgrims

Music “Mírzá Mihdí –Life in the Exile” by Jack Lenz

“Later We entered this Prison, wherein the hands of Our loved ones were torn from the hem of Our robe.” Bahá’u’lláh

Music by Jack Lenz – Mirza Mihdi

Pilgrims’ routes from Iran to ‘Akká

The Land Gate to ‘Akká

Bahaullah.org

‘Akká caravanserai

https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/56013589090475774/visual-search/

A street view of ‘Akká

A Market in Acre - Drawn by Francis Spilsbury

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/253116441533870729/

Source: www.bahaullah.org

The Most Great PrisonAt top right are the two windows of Bahá’u’lláh's cell.

Source: Wikipedia

Plain of ‘Akká from Prison window, early 1900s

(Bahá’í Media)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/49026075@N00/152649865/

A window from which Bahá’u’lláh used to waive at pilgrims. The windows bars were put after the Holy Family left the

barracks.

Source: Bahá’í News

Photo: Jesse Washington

(Lutfu'llah Hakim, 1921)

Some Early Bahá’í Pilgrims

Pilgrims’ lookout

Baha’u’llah’s cell

Bahá’í Media Bank

Nabíl-i-A‘zam gazes helplessly at the tiny windows of Bahá’u’lláh's Prison by Sue Podger

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/nabil-gazes-helplessly-at-the-tiny-barred-windows-of-bahaullahs-prison-sue-podger.html

The green door in balcony is where early pilgrims were identified by the Azalies.

Photo: Lynn and Lawrie Stewart

https://fineartamerica.com/

Mírzá Asadu’lláh Káshání catching a last glimpse of Bahá’u’lláh by Sue Podger

Badí receiving Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet to the Shah outside ‘Akká, by Ivan Lloyd

http://bahaifaithart.com/P_Badi_Receiving_the_Tablet_in_Akka.html

Badí being tortured after visiting Bahá’u’lláh in ‘Akká

MÍRZÁ 'ABDU'R-RAHÍM

Ustád Ismá‘íl from Káshán

A view of the prison from the outer wall.

Part 6The Great Redemptive Sacrifice of the Purest Branch

Mahler – Fiffth Symphony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Les39aIKbzE

The stairs that lead to the roof of the prison from below

https://bahaiwritings.wordpress.com/2014/06/22/the-great-sacrifice-of-the-purest-branch/

The roof of the prison

Photo: Nury EadyVideo source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydVawhtmMuA

Ode of the Dove

Noah’s flood is but the measure of the tears I have shed, and Abraham’s fire an ebullition of My soul.

Jacob’s grief is but a reflection of My sorrows, and Job’s afflictions a fraction of my calamity.

The skylight through which Mírzá Mihdí fell onto a wooden crate below

The skylight through which Mirza Mihdi fell

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fojalicious/8708388/in/photostream/

Photo: Mark Fojas

The original floor on which Mírzá Mihdí fell

The spot on which Mírzá Mihdí fell to death

http://katzesinhaifa.blogspot.com/2006/05/day-3-akka.html

Inside the Barracks

What do you desire? Do you wish to live, or do you prefer to

die? Tell me what you most wish for .

I don’t care to live. I have but one wish. I want the believers to be admitted to see their Lord. If you will promise me this, it is all I ask.

Bahá’u’lláh

Mírzá Mihdí

https://rasta78.skyrock.com/photo.html?id_article=91864604&id_article_media=-1

The courtyard of the barracks, c. 1920. The waterpool is in the centre. It is probably in this courtyard that the tent was pitched for the washing of the body of the Purest Branch.

Source: The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh by Adib Taherzadeh.

I offered him up, O my God, as a sacrifice in Thy path. Thou well knowest what they who love Thee have endured through this trial that hath caused the kindreds of the earth to wail, and beyond them the Concourse on high to lament.

Thereat have the dwellers of the Abhá Tabernacle wept with a great weeping, and such as have suffered imprisonment with this Youth in the path of God, the Lord of the promised Day, lamented.

Bahá’u’lláh

Bahá’u’lláh’s only rug is exchanged

Old grave of the Purest Branch

Source: The Bahá’í World (87 and 88 of the Bahá’í Era -1930-1932 A. D.), page 8

Original headstone in Mírzá Mihdí’s grave

“When thou wast laid to rest in the earth, the earth itself trembled in its longing to meet thee.”

Bahá’u’lláh

http://www.deadseaquake.info/a-revised-earthquake-catalogue-of-palestine-kallner-amiran_5/

Historical record documenting the earthquakes at the interment of Mirza Mihdi

Bahá’u’lláh’s promise to Mírzá Mihdí:

“Erelong will God reveal through thee that which He hath desired”

The House of ‘Abbúd where the Holy Family lived after the barracks, leaving life imprisonment conditions

“I have, O my Lord, offered up that which Thou hast given Me, that Thy servants may be quickened and all that dwell on earth be united.”

Bahá’u’lláh

https://i.redd.it/mr1uyyigv6l31.jpg

https://www.facebook.com/Rep.BLawrence/

Abraham’s intended sacrifice of His son

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ

The martyrdom of the Imám Ḥusayn(Muhammad’s grandson)

The Great Redemptive Sacrifice of the Purest Branch

The martyrdom of the Báb

Delegates at the 12th International Convention prayed at the spot where Mírzá Mihdí fell

Baha’i News

A Model of the Arc on Mount Carmel

http://watsongregory.homestead.com/files/Haifa.htm

Graves of Mírzá Mihdí and his mother Navváb on Mount Carmel

Mírzá Mihdí’s grave

Blessed art thou, and blessed he that turneth unto thee, and visiteth thy grave, and draweth nigh, through thee, unto God, the Lord of all that was and shall be.

Baha’u’llah

http://www.nightingale7.worldbreak.com/photo3.html

Courtesy: Bahá’í World Centre

Bronze plaque on Mírzá Mihdí’s grave

http://www.wilmetteinstitute.org

Comments and Questions Time

borishandal@gmail.com

Alberta. He has taught in schools Dr Boris Handal is the ... · Dr Boris Handal is the author of...

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