Zia Bagdadi
Zia Bagdadi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | February 9, 1882 Beirut, Lebanon |
| Died | April 11, 1937 Augusta, Georgia |
| NSA member | Bahá’í Temple Unity 1912 - 1913 1918 - 1920 1921 - 1924 |
Dr. Ziá Mabsut Bagdádí (February 9, 1882 - April 11, 1937) was a Persian Bahá’í who moved to America and was a prominent figure in the development of the community and the construction of the Wilmette Temple.
Biography[edit]
Bagdádí's father was Mírzá Muhammad Mustafá Baghdádí who was named an Apostle of Bahá’u’lláh by Shoghi Effendi and he was raised in Beirut where his father assisted pilgrims traveling from Iran to the Holy Land.[1] He met Bahá’u’lláh in his childhood who gave him the name Zia, meaning light, and also addressed him as Mabsut Effendi, meaning the Happy One.[2]
In his youth Bagdádí visited the Holy Land and met with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá once a year. He undertook studies at an Arabian Literature school, a Turkish government school, and an American school, and then began studying medicine at the American University of Beirut.[3] In September 1909 he moved to America, accompanied by Egyptian Bahá’í Muhammad Bashír, to study medicine at the Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery, graduating in 1911.[4] His father passed away in 1910 while he was in America.[1] In 1914 he married Zeenat Khanum in Montreal, which was the first Bahá’í marriage in the city.[5]
Bagdádí was an active member of the American Baháʼí community after emigrating. In 1911 he joined the editorial staff of the Star of the West,[6] and he eventually compiled and hand-wrote the manuscript of the Persian section himself.[7] When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited America in 1912 Bagdádí accompanied Him for most of His vist,[3] and notably remained in Chicago to help deepen the community of the city on the Covenant following ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's visit.[8]
In December 1919 Bagdádí moved to the Holy Land where he began providing medical treatment to the family of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and also serving as a translator and secretary for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He served in the Holy Land until returning to America in August 1920.[3] In 1921 he was granted the honor of digging the first shovelful of dirt at the groundbreaking for construction of the Wilmette Temple.[9]
Bagdádí passed away in 1937 in Augusta, Georgia. Shoghi Effendi sent the following cable after his passing:
"Distressed sudden passing dearly beloved Dr. Bagdádí. Loss inflicted (upon) national interests (of) Faith irreparable. His exemplary faith, audacity, unquestioning loyalty, indefatigable exertions unforgettable. Advise Baháʼí communities (of) Chicago (and) surrounding regions hold befitting memorial gathering (in) Temple for which he so valiantly labored. Ardently praying for him and bereaved family."[1]
References[edit]
- Obituary published in The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1939). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. New York City, NY. Volume 7 (1936-1938), Pg(s) 535-537. View as PDF.
- Baha'i Chronicles article
Notes[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1939). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. New York City, NY. Volume 7 (1936-1938), Pg(s) 535. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1939). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. New York City, NY. Volume 7 (1936-1938), Pg(s) 539. View as PDF.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/bagdadi-family
- ↑ The "Star of the West" Adds to Its Staff., Star of the West, Vol. 2, p 8
- ↑ van den Hoonard, W. C.; The Origins of the Bahá’í Community of Canada 1898-1948 p.73
- ↑ The "Star of the West" Adds to Its Staff., Star of the West, Vol. 2, p 8
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1939). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. New York City, NY. Volume 7 (1936-1938), Pg(s) 536-537. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1939). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. New York City, NY. Volume 7 (1936-1938), Pg(s) 538. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1939). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. New York City, NY. Volume 7 (1936-1938), Pg(s) 537. View as PDF.
