Bahaipedia:Reference desk

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Frank Fernandes..What are funeral arrangements?

What are funeral arrangements for Frank Fernandes?

I'm sorry, we don't have this answer and can't help you with that. David (talk) 06:16, 17 March 2024 (PDT)

Adah schott knight of Baha’u’llah

I am trying to locate somebody that can share information. My name is Denise (Schott) Montambo. Adah Schott is my aunt. While I (and family) were a pioneer in South Africa (1983-1986), Ada moved from Denmark - to originally live with us in Johannesburg SA in 1984 - then on to Pietermaritzburg until her death.

While she lived with us she shared a story about being in Portugal (I thought she said she pioneered there in 1950’s) and she was arrested for being a single woman traveling on a train alone. I wish I asked her more questions -or at least write down things she said!

I leave next week Wednesday for a two week trip to Portugal and would love to visit the town she pioneered to…I just can’t find any informationmstion on the city name. I’m hoping somebody could point me to the right direction to find any info.

Kind Regards [redacted]@me.com

Hi Denise,

If you want to try and look through historical periodicals you can search through them here: https://bahai.works. Otherwise you might try reaching out to people on some of the Baha'i facebook groups, or maybe reach out to the Portugal community? Sorry I can't help much. I removed your email for privacy/security reasons. David (talk) 19:36, 19 March 2024 (PDT)

Article entitled "The Dawn-Breakers" contains inaccurate list of outstanding followers of The Báb (remove Dayyán, insert Vahíd)

The article states:

"The narrative focuses on Shaykh Ahmad and Siyyid Káẓim, the life of the Báb, the Letters of the Living, among which are Mullá Husayn, Quddús, Táhirih, and further Dayyán, Ḥujjat and Bahá'u'lláh."

The name Dayyán should be removed (not mentioned in The Dawn-Breakers) and insert the name "Vahíd" - one of the five outstanding followers of the Báb and the main protagonist of the Nayríz Upheaval.

Thank you,

David Yamartino Fort Worth

It seems like Dayyán is mentioned on pages 303-305: https://reference.bahai.org/en/t/nz/DB/db-36.html Whether that represents enough inclusion to warrant being mentioned in the article's lead is another question. David (talk) 21:43, 22 June 2024 (PDT)

Aqa Rida

Reading Balyuzi’s “Baha’u’llah The King of Glory”. Throughout the narrative, recollections of Aqa Rida are quoted. For example, page 328, Balyuzi writes, “Aqa Rida relates the case…” I want to find more information about Aqa Rida; are his recollections of Baha’u’llah contained in a book (in English?) is he the same as Mirza Aqa Jan, Bahaullahs amanuensis? The index in the Balyuzi book is very confusing, and I do not see anyone listed as “Aqa Rida”. Help!

According to https://bahai.works/Bahá’u’lláh_The_King_of_Glory/Index, there are two "Rida, Aqa" (Áqá just being like "sir"), It appears there are two of them, with the one more frequently mentioned being "Muhammad-Riday-i-Qannad-i-Shirazi, Aqa" and the other being mentioned only on p. 278. The index also mentions that his life is described on pages vii, viii, and 478. I don't know if his recollections are collected anywhere separately. It appears he is different from Mirza Aqa Jan. Brettz9 (talk) 20:13, 24 January 2025 (PST)

Pioneer goals for the 9 year plan

What are the goal countries for the 9 year plan

Hello, I would think that would depend on where you live; at this point in the Divine Plan, many national communities have taken on the work of setting pioneering goals for the believers in their country, in consultation with the Bahá’í World Centre of course. You may want to contact them. I know in several countries which tend to send out pioneers, there are pioneer desks or offices for pioneering that concern themselves with this.

On that note, please note that there may also be goals to be met on the homefront as well! Being an international pioneer is of course needed, meritorious and exciting, but the goals of the Plan are many and I've heard of many people who have opted to offer service in clusters adjoining stronger ones, where the core activities and the institute process are in need of support and development. Dragfyre (talk) 19:11, 17 January 2025 (+08)

Bahai faith

How did the Bahai Faith come to America?

By boat. Ernobe (talk) 05:50, 16 January 2025 (PST)

To expand a little on this (correct) answer, our article on the United States reads:

“ The Bahá’í Faith was first mentioned publicly in the United States in 1893, during a presentation by a Presbyterian missionary at the World's Parliament of Religions held at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The following year, Thornton Chase, a Chicago insurance manager, became the first American Bahá’í. By the end of 1894 four other Americans had also become Bahá’ís. The Bahá’í Faith spread quickly and groups formed in cities across the country. In 1909 the first National Convention was held and 39 delegates from 36 cities attended. ”

The article on the 1893 Parliament of Religions states that it was a paper by Rev. Henry Jessup which mentioned the Bahá’í Faith. Apparently the paper concerned how the religions of the world could work together, and quoted the words of Bahá’u’lláh as recorded by E. G. Browne. Dragfyre (talk) 19:01, 17 January 2025 (+08)

Serving in Baha’i temple

Dear Bahai friends I like to serve at the Bahai temple in Santiago, can you connect me with someone who can help me in this matter thank you Mansoor Khazee I live in New Mexico USA Retired from USPS Thank you

Dear Mr. Khazee, thank you for your inquiry. We don't have direct connections with the Bahá’í House of Worship in Santiago, but you can find contact details on their official website at: https://bahai.cl/templobahai/servicio-voluntario/ - The website appears to be in Spanish only. Best wishes in your endeavours! Dragfyre (talk) 18:52, 17 January 2025 (+08)

Where ist the Story of a tram driver or a taxi driver attitude with his guest?

Where ist the Story of a tram driver or a taxi driver attitude with his guste ?

You may be thinking of the following story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's visit to America. Dragfyre (talk) 10:25, 25 January 2025 (+08)

“ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá called us before dawn. He had already packed and readied His bags. We packed our belongings in readiness for our departure. Because the chambermaid for His room was not there, He left a dollar for her with the hotel manager. When He reached the railway station, the driver wanted more money than the usual fare. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá paid no heed to him, saying, ‘A man may give $1,000 without minding it but he should not yield even a dollar to the person who wishes to take it wrongfully, for such wrongful behavior flouts justice and disrupts the order of the world.’ ” — From Mahmud's Diary, posted at centenary.bahai.us

Green turban

Why did the Bab send his green turban to Mulla Husain?

What is the significance of Mulla Husain wearing the green turban? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Colette Agabiti (talk • contribs) .

Mulla Husayn wearing the Báb's green turban and his use of the Black Standard during the march to Fort Tabarsi were both done on the orders of the Báb and both echoed Shi'a Muslim eschatological traditions about the end of days. I couldn't find much more detail than that after a quick search. I'm also not super knowledgable about Shi'a traditions, so I can't identify the specific traditions in question off the top of my head, but maybe someone else can. Here's what The Dawn-Breakers has to say about how Mulla Husayn received the Báb's turban and orders:

“ Mulla Husayn was still in Mashhad when a messenger arrived bearing to him the Bab's turban and conveying the news that a new name, that of Siyyid Ali, had been conferred upon him by his Master. "Adorn your head," was the message, "with My green turban, the emblem of My lineage, and, with the Black Standard unfurled before you, hasten to the Jaziriy-i-Khadra' [the 'Verdant Isle'], and lend your assistance to My beloved Quddus." ” — The Dawn-Breakers, pp.324-325

Of note, it was apparently forbidden for those who were not Siyyids (descendants of Muhammad) to wear green turbans; in this light, the Bab's conferral of the name "Siyyid Ali" on Mulla Husayn is significant.

Moojan Momen's paper The Social Basis of the Babi Upheavals in Iran (1848-53): A Preliminary Analysis may also have some information on this question, as it's cited in our article on Mulla Husayn. Unfortunately, it's behind a paywall and I don't have access. Depending on the urgency of the request, you might contact him. You could potentially ask the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United Kingdom to put you in touch (for example, through the contact form on their website). Dragfyre (talk) 19:46, 2 February 2025 (+08)

The photographs of Effie Backer form Isfahan, Iran

Dear Bahá'í friends, I am a graduate student from BIHE currently living in Canada. For my recent research on the Bahá'í holy places in Isfahan, Iran, I need access to the photographs that Effie Baker took in Isfahan, along with any written materials. I searched to see if she published a diary but found nothing. The images in The Dawn Breaker and Bahá'í Media are insufficient for my research. Is there any way to access these photos?

With Bahai Regards, Mehrak

Just to confirm, you saw this category right? https://bahai.media/Category:Photographs_by_Effie_Baker

If it's not there and you can't find it by searching on that site then unfortunately we don't have it, you'd need to try the wider web or perhaps ask your professors for contacts with those who work in Bahai archives. David (talk) 18:43, 22 February 2025 (PST)

There's also these two categories: https://bahai.media/Category:The_Dawn-Breakers https://bahai.media/Category:Isfahan

Here are a few of the photos showing sites in Isfahan. Dragfyre (talk) 18:14, 23 February 2025 (+08)

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Dear Mehrak, in addition to what David wrote above, I would recommend referring to this video in which Michael Vambeck goes through the many photos Effie Baker took during her life, including a few from Isfahan. I haven't watched through the whole video recently but the presentation is quite in-depth and insightful and might provide you with a few leads. You might consider contacting either Mr. Vambeck or Graham Hassall, who hosted the presentation and uploaded it to his YouTube channel. There's also another video of a talk on the same topic here, on a different channel. Dragfyre (talk) 18:02, 23 February 2025 (+08)

Teaching

ALLA'U'ABHA. My name is Shahnaz(nazy) Mowzoon Harris, I am a baha'i from United Kingdom Norther Ireland. In my Travel teaching to Bulgaria in which with my husband poineered. I met a wonderful girl from Venezoela. now she knows a bit about the Bah'i faith and has studiedb about the faith very much. I only have her e-mail address because that is how we are in touch and sort of friends. I am e-mailing you in the hope somebody from VENEZOELA BAHA'is can communicate with her. with a lot of hope and prayers. Nazy.

Hello, try directing your friend to this website or use it to find contact information: https://www.bahai.org.ve/pagina/about.html David (talk) 19:15, 17 March 2025 (EDT)

Hands of the Cause

Thank you for your informative website. I had a question regarding the Hands of the Cause. In the article it contains a list of the Hands and the years they served. However a couple of the Hands are listed as serving from 1983. Why would their years of service not begin with the year they were appointed? (Mr. Varqa and Mr. Featherstone) And there are others listed as serving from 1959 or 1960. Mr. Holley, Mr. Ferraby and Mr. Sears. Again, weren't they serving from the time of their appointment by the Guardian? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Tamarae9 (talk • contribs) .

Hi Tamarae9, thanks for asking. Those dates refer to the periods of time when they were serving in the holy land in particular. They would have performed functions similar to the Counselors before that (working regionally) vs working internationally. David (talk) 12:32, 8 May 2025 (EDT)

Profetas

Hola, en todas las páginas pone que hay muchos profetas que han ido actualizando sobre Dios, pero siempre nombran un par de personajes históricos y siempre terminan diciendo “entre otros” y nunca nos nombran los profetas enteros de la religión bahai. ¿Hay alguna lista, algún libro o algo donde se pueda aprender sobre los profetas, y sobre la religión de forma profunda?

Muchas Gracias. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 31.4.134.178 (talk • contribs) .

Hola, quizás le interese consultar la página en Bahai9.com: https://bahai9.com/wiki/Prophets . Dragfyre (talk) 22:46, 23 October 2025 (EDT)

samiri

what is samiri? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 75.223.28.1 (talk • contribs) .

According to Wikipedia:

Samiri or the Samiri (Arabic: الْسَّامِريّ) is a phrase used by the Quran to refer to a rebellious follower of Moses who created the golden calf and attempted to lead the Hebrews into idolatry. According to the twentieth chapter of the Quran, Samiri created the calf while Moses was away for 40 days on Mount Sinai, receiving the Ten Commandments. (The Qur'an, Surah Ta Ha, Ayah 85, Archived 2009-01-29 at the Wayback Machine)

This Quranic reference is echoed in Bahá’í Glossary by Marzieh Gail.

In the Kitáb-i-Iqán, Bahá'u'lláh makes the following reference to Sámirí: "They have rejected the Moses of knowledge and justice, and clung to the Sámirí of ignorance." In a footnote, Sámirí is described as "a magician contemporary with Moses". There are also references in the Súriy-i-Vafá ([1]) and Gems of Divine Mysteries ([2]). In each case, the references are made to symbolize someone who leads people astray from the path of God. Dragfyre (talk) 20:05, 2 October 2025 (+08)

Correcting and completing informations

I see that I have to create an accompte to correct some informations and to complete others But I don't know how. Please can you help me? I am Nosrat Tirandaz former Counsellor and former member of the French NSA

Bonjour :) It seems like you've gotten your account sorted out. Welcome! Dragfyre (talk) 19:14, 10 October 2025 (+08)

durga

f —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 209.237.133.146 (talk • contribs) .

Well, there's not much to go on here... but in case it helps, here's an excerpt from the Lotus Temple's article related to the Hindu goddess Durga. --Dragfyre (talk) 19:12, 10 October 2025 (+08)

Within India, replicas of the Temple are sometimes produced as votive objects used in Hindu worship. During the festival of Durga Puja, temporary structures called pandals are set up to venerate the goddess Durga; pandals depicting the Lotus Temple have been used on several occasions:

• 2024, Jirat, West Bengal: "পুকুরের উপরে পদ্মফুলের প্যান্ডেল (Delhi Lotus Temple Pandal on Jirat Durga Puja)". 12 September 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
• 2023, Kolkata: "Lotus temple pandal: Durga puja 2023". 16 October 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
• 2022, Jaipur: "At Jaipur's Durga puja pandals, unique shows await visitors". The Times of India. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
• 2010, Guwahati: Saharia, Kavita (21 October 2010). "Theme Titanic And Lotus Temple - Durga Puja Guwahati 2010". my room. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
• 2007: Chakraborty, Debarati. "Newsline 28 September 2006: Here's Delhi's Lotus Temple for you at Singhi Park!". Retrieved 2007-05-29.

South Sudan

Is there a country article on South Sudan? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 49.228.98.42 (talk • contribs) .

There wasn't, but there is now! It's a little empty for the time being, though. Please feel free to be bold and improve it! Dragfyre (talk) 22:29, 23 October 2025 (EDT)

Life on other planets

What did Baha'u'allah say about life on other planets? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 68.66.91.22 (talk • contribs) .

Here is the most authoritative statement we have on the subject, from Bahá’u’lláh's Gleanings:

“ The learned men, [divines] that have fixed at several thousand years the life of this earth, have failed, throughout the long period of their observation, to consider either the number or the age of the other planets. ...Know thou that every fixed star hath its own planets, and every planet its own creatures, whose number no man can compute. ” — Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 162-163) [Emphasis added.]

The topic is further discussed in our article on extraterrestrial life, which includes a statement by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, interpretation from Shoghi Effendi, and research done on behalf of the Universal House of Justice. --Dragfyre (talk) 02:31, 28 October 2025 (EDT)