Khalíl Qamar
Khalíl Qamar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1865 ‘Aváshiq, Iraq |
| Died | January 9, 1936 Baghdád, Iraq |
| NSA member | Iraq 1931 - 1936 |
Siyyid Khalíl El-Qamar (1865 - January 9, 1936) was an Iraqi Bahá’í who served on the first National Spiritual Assembly of Iraq.
Biography[edit]
Qamar was born in 1865 in ‘Aváshiq, a village near Baghdád, and he became a farmer and land-owner. He was taught the Faith over an extended period and was initially resistant to the religion but ultimately he became a Bahá’í and an active member of the Bahá’í community of Iraq being involved in activity in ‘Aváshiq, Baghdád, and several cities across the country. In the 1920's he was a witness in the court case for ownership of the Bayt-i-‘Aẓam which had been seized from the Bahá’í community.[1]
At some point Qamar assisted in the establishment of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of ‘Aváshiq, which was the first to be erected in Iraq, and he made two pilgrimages to the Holy Land during the Ministry of the Guardian and met with Shoghi Effendi while in the Holy Land. He was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of Iraq when it was established in 1931 and served on the body up until his passing.[1]
On January 9, 1936, Qamar and his eldest son, Ismá‘il, passed while sleeping in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Baghdád when a section of the building collapsed.[2] Upon being informed of his passing Shoghi Effendi had the following message conveyed:
That zealous servant of God has rendered excellent and sublime services to the threshold of his merciful God. That was the sign of firmness and the essence of steadfastness and rectitude, holding fast to the teachings of God and clinging unto His brilliant and sacred commandments. He never let any opportunity pass without manifesting his self—sacrifice and sincerity and let no chance slip away without showing his gallantry and solemnity. So it is no wonder if this sudden and unexpected incident caused a deep grief and intense sorrow to the Guardian who entertained so great an attachment to him, was utterly satisfied with him, and had complete confidence in him.[3]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1937). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. New York City, NY. Volume 6 (1934-1936), Pg(s) 498. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1937). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. New York City, NY. Volume 6 (1934-1936), Pg(s) 499. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1937). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. New York City, NY. Volume 6 (1934-1936), Pg(s) 500. View as PDF.
