Saláh Jarráh
Saláh Jarráh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | March 6, 1918 ‘Akká, Palestine |
| Died | January 12, 1989 Haifa, Israel |
Dr. Saláhi’d-Dín Jarráh (March 6, 1918 - January 12, 1989) was an Arab Bahá’í who served in the Holy Land in several roles including as the Custodian of the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh and Mansion of Bahjí. He also pioneered to Djibouti and served as the Custodian of the Grave of Shoghi Effendi later in life.
Biography[edit]
Jarráh was born in ‘Akká (Akka, Acre, Akko), Palestine, in 1918. His parents, Muayyad and Fatimih Jarráh, were Bahá’í's and his name was chosen for them by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. His ancestors had settled ‘Akká in 1832, and his paternal grandfather Khálid Jarráh had become a Bahá’í during the lifetime of Bahá’u’lláh serving as the personal physician of Bahá’u’lláh during His exile in the city. Jarráh himself also became a committed Bahá’í in his youth.[1]
Jarráh began his schooling in ‘Akká then enrolled in the Government College in Jerusalem where he excelled at mathematics, however his father passed in 1935 and he abandoned his studies to begin working as a postman to support his family.[1] In 1942 he was enlisted to assist Shoghi Effendi in his role as Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith undertaking several tasks for him. In 1948 he was made responsible for delivering correspondence from Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá’í world from Haifa to Beirut so it could be distributed during the unrest of the Arab-Israeli War. He was also appointed as the caretaker of the Mansion of Bahjí and Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh in 1948 alongside his mother. He contributed to the development of the area surrounding the buildings, for example securing cypress trees for the gardens and demolishing derelict buildings in the area.[2]
After the passing of Shoghi Effendi in November, 1957, Jarráh assisted the Custodians in completing some plans made by Shoghi Effendi for the development of Holy Places in the Holy Land for a time then pioneered to Djibouti in 1958. He remained at his pioneer post until 1968 when he was hit by a French military vehicle in an accident and he then moved to France for medical treatment.[3] In 1976 the Universal House of Justice, on the advice of Rúḥíyyih Khánum, invited Jarráh to return to the Holy Land to oversee the restoration of the House of ‘Abdu’lláh Páshá and he served the Universal House of Justice in the Holy Land from 1976 until 1982 when the House appointed him the Custodian of the resting place of Shoghi Effendi. He moved to London to serve in the role.[3]
In the winter of 1988 Jarráh made a visit to the Holy Land and during his time there he passed instantly due to being struck by a car in Haifa on January 12, 1989.[4] The Universal House of Justice conveyed the following message after his passing:
"Deeply grieved passing outstanding faithful servant Cause Salah Jarrah in tragic car accident. His exemplary custodianship resting place beloved Guardian was culmination of lifelong record loving self-sacrificing exertions at World Centre, chiefly as caretaker Shrine Bahá’u’lláh, followed by devoted pioneering services in Africa. Convey members his family deep sympathy. Praying Holy Shrines eternal progress his noble soul Abhá Kingdom."[3]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1998). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 20 (1986-1992), Pg(s) 931. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1998). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 20 (1986-1992), Pg(s) 932. View as PDF.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1998). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 20 (1986-1992), Pg(s) 933. View as PDF.
- ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/129841792/salah-jarrah
