Cyrus Samandarí
Cyrus Samandarí | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1934 |
| Died | April 5, 1958 |
Cyrus Samandarí (1934 - April 5, 1958) was a Persian Bahá’í who pioneered to Africa during the Ten Year Crusade.
Biography[edit]
Samandarí was born into a Bahá’í family in 1934. His grandfather was Kázim-i-Samandar.[1]
In 1955 Samandarí received the approval of Shoghi Effendi for his plan to pioneer to Somalia and he studied Arabic and Somali in order to prepare him to be able to teach the local populace of the country. He arrived in the country that year and at Ridvan 1955 he was elected to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Mogadiscio and appointed to the cities Local Teaching Committee. While living in Mogadiscio he established a store and was sometimes threatened at his store due to opposition to his teaching the Faith.[1] Someone he had taught the Faith moved to the more rural town of Afgoi in Somalia and he visited the town and traveled to isolated villages in the surrounding bushland to teach often traveling by foot.[2]
Samandarí became depressed after the passing of Shoghi Effendi in November 1957 and became ill and required nursing care in his home. He continued to receive many people in his home despite his illness and conducted lessons in Arabic and mathematics as well as teaching the Faith. He was hospitalized during the time when the 1958 Kampala Intercontinental Conference was being held and when a cable was sent to the Conference on his condition Rúḥíyyih Khánum personally requested the Conference pray for his health. His uncle, Hand of the Cause Ṭaráẓu’lláh Samandarí, visited him after the Kampala Conference.[2]
On March 19, 1958, Samandarí was flown to Nairobi, Kenya, to receive surgery as he was suffering from advanced cancer however the operation was unsuccessful and he passed on April 5. The Bahá’ís of Nairobi bought a Bahá’í Burial ground where he was laid to rest.[2]
The Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land conveyed the following message after his passing:
"Confident spirit devoted enkindled pioneer receiving reward presence beloved Guardian Abhá Kingdom. Praying Shrines."[2]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1970). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 13 (1954-1963), Pg(s) 925. View as PDF.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1970). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 13 (1954-1963), Pg(s) 926. View as PDF.
