Jinab-i-Khán | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1871 |
| Died | November 28, 1948 Tehran, Iran |
| NSA member | Iran |
Dr. Youness Khan-i-Afrukhtih (1871 - November 28, 1948) was a Persian Bahá'í who served as secretary and interpreter for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá from 1900 to 1909. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed him as Jinab-i-Khán.
Biography[edit]
Afrukhtih was the son of early Persian Bahá’í Mashhadi Husayn Qazvini. In 1883 his father was imprisoned alongside several Bahá’ís including Sayyid ‘Ali Ursi-duz. During their imprisonment Afrukhtih and Ursi-duz's son pretended to be playing on the side of the road as the Shah of Iran and his entourage passed by so they could attempt to secure their fathers releases. As they were children they were not moved by the Shah's men and they were able to present a petition for their fathers release directly to the Shah who was amused by them and had his butler deliver orders for their fathers to be released.[1]
In his youth Afrukhtih studied Persian and Arabic under Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl and he also learnt French and English, studying at the French Lazarist school later known as Collége St Louis. After completing his education he began working for the International Commercial Bank of Moscow.[2] In 1897 he went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land staying for a period of a few months.[3]
In April 1900 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá invited Afrukhtih to the Holy Land to serve and he became secretary and interpreter for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, notably serving as an interpreter for the talks between ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Laura Barney which served as the basis for Some Answered Questions.[3] While living in the Holy Land he completed a five year course studying medicine at the Presbyterian College in Beirut spending four months of each year in the Holy Land to serve ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during breaks from his studies in Beirut.[2][3]
In 1909 Afrukhtih returned to Iran where he began practicing as a physician,[3] working at the Sehat Hospital which had been founded by a group of Bahá'í doctors that year.[4] He later founded a private practice, taught medicine, and was appointed as a physician to government departments and foreign embassies.[2] He also continued to serve the Faith delivering talks and writing on the religion and he conducted a teaching tour of America in 1925 and a teaching tour of Europe in 1929.[5]
In 1934 Afrukhtih was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of Iran. He served on the National Assembly and the Local Spiritual Assembly of Tehran until retiring due to age related illness. He passed away in 1948 after suffering a long period of illness.[5]
Shoghi Effendi conveyed the following message after his passing:
"Hearts grief-stricken passing dearly beloved Youness Afrukhtih distinguished promoter Holy Faith herald Covenant trusted secretary beloved Master staunch supporter His Testament. His services enrich annals both Heroic Formative Ages Faith. Instruct assemblies all provinces hold befitting memorial gatherings. Inform Varqá erect my behalf monument his grave. Ardently praying Almighty's inestimable blessing his soul."[5]
Publications[edit]
- 1952 - Memories of Nine Years in 'Akká, English translation.
Notes[edit]
- ↑ Moojan Momen, The Baha'i Communities of Iran, 1851-1921 - Volume 1: The North of Iran, George Ronald: Oxford, 2015, p 47
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Moojan Momen, The Baha'i Communities of Iran, 1851-1921 - Volume 1: The North of Iran, George Ronald: Oxford, 2015, p 74
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1956). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. Wilmette, Ill. Volume 12 (1950-1954), Pg(s) 679. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1956). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. Wilmette, Ill. Volume 12 (1950-1954), Pg(s) 680. View as PDF.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1956). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. Wilmette, Ill. Volume 12 (1950-1954), Pg(s) 681. View as PDF.
