“His words are as simple as sunlight; again like the sunlight, they are universal…”

— Yone Noguchi, Japanese writer

***

Abdu’l-Baha -- the eldest son of Baha’u’llah -- was known for being a champion of social justice, an advocate of racial harmony and equality, an ambassador of peace, the personification of humanitarianism, and possessing outstanding qualities of character. Throughout His life, He shared with brilliant simplicity, to high and low alike, Baha’u’llah’s prescription for society’s spiritual and social renewal. 

To avoid the same fate as past religions and to uphold unity, which is one of the Baha’i Faith’s fundamental principles, Baha’u’llah clearly instructed in His Writings that after His passing the growing global Baha’i community turn to Abdu’l-Baha for guidance. Abdu’l-Baha was the authorised interpreter of the Baha’i Writings and the perfect exemplar of the Faith’s spirit and teachings. “Abdu’l-Baha” is a Self-assumed title, meaning “Servant of Baha’u’llah”. 

Honouring an extraordinary life that continues to inspire

28 November 2021 will mark 100 years since the passing of Abdu’l-Baha. Baha’i communities around the world, including Australia, are commemorating this special year to honour Abdu’l-Baha’s life and His distinct and unique position in religious history. Individuals, families, neighbourhoods and communities are undertaking service projects and initiatives in His name and creating various artistic expressions depicting His generosity, love for humanity, sense of humour and courage, and the fruits of His labours. Some of these projects and expressions are being shared on this website.

It was a letter from Abdu’l-Baha that sparked the desire in Clara and John Henry Hyde Dunn to come to Australia just over 100 years ago and share the teachings of the Baha’i Faith with the Australian population. The Australian Baha’i community continues to draw inspiration from Abdu’l-Baha as it engages in a range of community-building activities and discourses such as, social cohesion.

A life of service to humanity’s progress

Abdu’l-Baha wrote beautiful prayers and Writings on diverse themes. You can explore His Writings, learn about His life, and read about His passing, which “...inspired an unprecedented event of unity among the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druze communities of Haifa. The funeral of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, a funeral the like of which Palestine had never seen, drew no less than ten thousand people… representing every class, religion and race in that country.”