Media Release

Mangaluru, Nov 18: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was the eldest son of Bahá’u’lláh, the prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith.‘Abdu’l-Bahá was known to Bahá’ ís as the perfect exemplar and the mystery of God, a living embodiment of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings. As a child, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá witnessed the incarceration of His Father, Bahá’u’lláh, and He was exiled with His family from their native Iran to Baghdad, and then to the Ottoman prison city of Akka. During Bahá’u’lláh’s imprisonment, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá cared for His family and followers, helped to protect His Father, and looked after the poor and needy. Bahá’u’lláh directed His followers to turn to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá after His passing.

In 1908, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s period of imprisonment and exile was ended by events associated with the Young Turk Revolution. He undertook an historic journey to Egypt, Europe, and North America. His public talks conveyed the essential message of the Bahá’í Faith and related it to pressing needs of humanity, emphasizing the cause of peace, the equality of women and men, racial justice, social reform, and the role of religion in society.He spoke to a range of audiences about the oneness of religion, the eradication of prejudice, the equality of men and women, science and religion, the investigation of truth, and economic justice. He warned, prophetically, of an impending war.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá challenged his audiences to accept the ideal of oneness of humanity and work to make it a reality: “Let us bring the kingdom, the earthly paradise, out of the potential and into the real.”

Present Shrine of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Haifa, Israel:

On November 27, 2021, millions of Bahá'ís in communities all across the world will commemorate the hundredth anniversary of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's passing.

The centenary commemoration of the ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá will be held in the holy land (Haifa, Israel) from November 21, till November 28, 2021. The occasion will be marked by a special gathering of representatives of all National Spiritual Assemblies, Regional Bahá’í Councils, and Administrative Committees, hosted at the Bahá’í World Centre. During the days preceding the commemoration, the participants will have the opportunity to visit the Shrines of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb (forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh), and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (the Centre of the Covenant) to prepare themselves spiritually. Visits to a number of Holy Places will also be scheduled during this period. The commemoration programme will formally commence on Thursday, November 25, 2021, and conclude in the evening on Saturday, November 27, 2021.

“Basty Ganesh Shenoy, the treasurer of the State Bahá’í Council of Karnataka and the chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Mangaluru will be representing the Bahá’ís of Karnataka in the commemoration programme,” said S Pulikoden, the secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Mangaluru.