‘Údí Khammár

‘Údí Khammár (d. 1879) was a wealthy merchant who owned properties in ‘Akká which came to be used by Bahá’u’lláh and His family.

Background

Khammár was a Maronite Christian who became a notable figure in the city of ‘Akká and he and his family were patrons of the Church of St. George in the city. He had a house in the city which was adjacent to a house owned by his business partner and nephew Ilyas ‘Abbud and both houses were later used by Bahá’u’lláh and His family and now constitute the House of ‘Abbúd.

In approximately 1870 Khammár completed the construction a summer palace in the countryside outside of ‘Akká on top of a one story building 'Abdu'llah Pasha had constructed for his mother, and the palace later became known as the Mansion of Bahjí and members of his family constructed smaller properties around it. When he moved his residence to the Mansion in 1873 he leased his house in ‘Akká to Bahá’u’lláh. In 1879 he passed away and was buried on the grounds of Bahjí. After his passing his son, Andravis, rented the Mansion to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá allowing Bahá’u’lláh to use it as His residence.