Riḍvániyyih Suleimani
Riḍvániyyih Suleimani | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | April 25, 1904 ‘Ishqábád, Turkmenistan |
| Died | March 18, 1981 Tainan, Taiwan |
| NSA member | Taiwan 1967 - 1970 1973 - 1977 |
| ABM | Asia 1968 - 1973 |
Riḍvániyyih Suleimani (April 25, 1904 - March 18, 1981) was a Persian Bahá’í who assisted with the establishment of the Bahá’í community of Taiwan, playing a significant role in its early administrative development.
Biography[edit]
Suleimani was born Riḍvániyyih Ouskouli into a Bahá’í family in ‘Ishqábád to Persian parents Zahra and Husayn Ouskouli. She had three younger sisters and a younger brother and after her mother passed in 1919 she assisted in caring for her younger siblings. She married Suleiman Suleimani in 1922 and in 1923 they pioneered to China settling in Shanghai and were able to assist Martha Root when she visited China that year.[1]
In August, 1950, the Suleimani's left China due to political unrest and returned to Iran. They went on pilgrimage in 1952 where they met with Shoghi Effendi who suggested they attend the Intercontinental Conference to be held in New Delhi, India, in 1953. They attended the conference and were inspired to pioneer to Taiwan,[2] arriving in the country on October 22, 1954.[1] Their teaching efforts found success and in 1956 the Local Spiritual Assembly of Tainan was established with Suleimani being elected to the body.[1] In 1958 the Suleimani's purchased land on which they constructed the first Bahá’í Center in Taiwan and they served as caretakers of the property.[3]
Suleimani was elected to the inaugural National Spiritual Assembly of Taiwan when the body was established in 1967 and served on the body until 1970, and also served a second term from 1973 to 1977.[3] In 1968 she was also appointed as an Auxiliary Board member assigned to Taiwan and she was granted special permission to serve as both a Board member and National Assembly member, serving on the Board until 1973.[4] In 1978 she was selected to serve as a teller at the Fourth International Convention travelling to the Holy Land for the event.[3]
In later life a severe skin disorder prevented Suleimani from traveling across Taiwan, however she continued to serve on the Local Spiritual Assembly of Tainan until her passing.[3] She passed away in 1981 and the Universal House of Justice conveyed the following message after her passing:
DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING HANDMAID BAHAULLAH VALIANT PROMOTER FAITH RIDVANIYYIH SULEIMANI. STEADFASTNESS DEDICATION WITH WHICH SHE OFFERED SERVICES PIONEERING FIELD LOVINGLY REMEMBERED. ASSURE DEAR HUSBAND FRIENDS FERVENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.[1]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1986). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 18 (1979-1983), Pg(s) 752. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1998). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 20 (1986-1992), Pg(s) 889. View as PDF.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1986). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 18 (1979-1983), Pg(s) 753. View as PDF.
- ↑ Barbara Sims, Taiwan Bahá'í Chronicle: An Historical Record of the Early Days of the Bahá'í Faith in Taiwan, Baha'i Publishing Trust of Taiwan, 1994, p 54
