Yadu’lláh Vahdat
Yadu’lláh Vahdat | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1910 |
| Died | April 30, 1981 Shiraz, Iran |
| ABM | Asia 1955 - 1981 |
Yadu’lláh Vahdat (1910 - April 30, 1981) was a Persian Bahá’í who served as an Auxiliary Board member and had a successful military career and was martyred in the wake of the 1979 Revolution in Iran.
Biography[edit]
Vahdat was born in 1910 into a Bahá’í family. His father was named Mukhtár and was descended from Shaykh Abú-Turáb Ishtihárdí. He began studying under a tutor before moving to Tehran where he attended the Tarbíyat School.[1]
After graduating he married Qudsíyyih, his second cousin, and enrolled in the military academy of Iran graduating as a Second Lieutenant. He was stationed in Adhirbayjan Province in his military career and chose to live in Salmás and was promoted to Captain. As Captain he transferred to Tehran but after a short time was stationed in Shiraz. He went on pilgrimage while living in Shiraz and met Shoghi Effendi who advised him to remain in Shiraz to protect the Bahá’í community and he eventually granted him the title "shield of the Faith" in Shiraz. He often had to travel across Iran in his career and used his travels as opportunities to promote the Faith.[2]
In 1955 Vahdat applied for leave in order to go on pilgrimage again and his commanding officer threatened to force him into retirement if he made the pilgrimage prompting Vahdat to retire with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. His lack of professional responsibilities allowed him to serve the Faith fulltime and he was appointed as an Auxiliary Board member.[2]
On February 27, 1981, Vahdat and his wife who was serving on the Local Spiritual Assembly of Shiraz were both arrested and after a period five Bahá’ís who were imprisoned with them were executed. On April 30, 1981, Vahdat was executed. He had four children and his daughter had remained in Shiraz and he was permitted to say goodbye to her and his wife before facing a firing squad.[2][3]
References[edit]
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1986). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 18 (1979-1983), Pg(s) 758. View as PDF.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1994). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 19 (1983-1986), Pg(s) 759. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1994). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 19 (1983-1986), Pg(s) 760. View as PDF.
