An account of His funeral
Two friends in Victoria collaborated to put together a moving account of Abdu’l-Baha’s funeral. They narrated the story in a video composed of photos of that special occassion and music.
Abdu’l-Bahas funeral was attended by tens of thousands from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, including Arabs, Turks, Persians, Kurds, Armenians, Europeans, Americans, Jews, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Anglicans, Muslims, Druzes and Baha’is, government officials, clergy and the wealthiest and the poorest residents of the region.
It took place on Tuesday, November 29th, 1921–just one day after his passing–took place on the slope of Mount Carmel, in the sacred spot where Abdu’l-Baha himself had previously interred the executed body of The Bab, the forerunner and herald of the Baha’i Faith. “[A] great throng,” wrote the British High Commissioner of Palestine, “had gathered together, sorrowing for His death, but rejoicing also for His life.” The Governor of Jerusalem said, “I have never known a more united expression of regret and respect than was called forth by the utter simplicity of the ceremony.”
Of His funeral, Shoghi Effendi and Lady Bloomfield wrote:
“As they slowly wended their way up Mount Carmel, the Vineyard of God, the casket appeared in the distance to be borne aloft by invisible hands, so high above the heads of the people was it carried. After two hours walking, they reached the garden of the Tomb of the Bab. Tenderly was the sacred coffin placed upon a plain table covered with a fair white linen cloth. As the vast concourse pressed round the Tabernacle of his body, waiting to be laid in its resting place, within the vault, next to that of the Bab, representatives of the various denominations, Moslems, Christians and Jews, all hearts being ablaze with fervent love of Abdu’l-Baha, some on the impulse of the moment, others prepared, raised their voices in eulogy and regret, paying their last homage of farewell to their loved one. So united were they in their acclamation of him, as the wise educator and reconciler of the human race in this perplexed and sorrowful age, that there seemed to be nothing left for the Baha’is to say. ”