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AKBAR HADDAD
1912—1990
Akbar Haddad was born on 12 May 1912 in Tihran, Persia. He was only a child of six when his parents embraced the Bahá’í Faith. His early education was at the Tarbiyat Bahá’í School in Tihran, and later he attended the Persian/German technical college where he specialised in steel fabrication. He used this expertise in various public and private projects, as well as in the service of many Bahá’í institutions.
In 1936, he married Vajihih Muhájir and from this union two sons, Fu’ad (Foad) and phikru’llah (Zekrullah), and two daughters, Tali‘ih (Talieh) and Najmiyyih (Najmieh), were born. From their unions there came nine grandchildren who became the source of delight and happiness in the Closing years of Akbar’s life.
Among Akbar’s notable accomplishments in service to the Cause was his involvement in the construction, beginning in the late 19308, of the National Bahá’í Centre in Tihran. He was instmmental in the planning and design and final completion of the highly complex, beautiful, and unique dome of that building. Despite many difficulties and the stopping of construction by the authorities and enemies of the Faith, Akbar persevered and the dome was finally completed. (When the wave of persecution against the Bahá’í Faith once again swept through Persia in 1955, one of the first targets for destruction was this beautiful dome.)
At the end of the second World War, and on the advice and encouragement of the beloved Guardian, many friends left their
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Akbar Hadddd
homelands and settled in other countries to establish the Faith. Akbar’s heart was so overflowing with love for the Guardian and obedience to him, that he immediately responded and succeeded in settling in ‘Iráq. His devotion to the Cause was limitless. It was immaterial to him where he resided. However, he was forced to return to his native land because of pressure on the part of government authorities.
He continued his services to the Cause in Persia until 1956, when a long—cherished hope of his dear heart was achieved: he made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Visited his Beloved. Those who knew him often recognised the influence and impact that his Visit to Shoghi Effendi made on his life.
Akbar’s unique memory registered every word spoken by the Guardian, and he often repeated the words he had heard with profound intensity and sweetness. These remained with him all the days of his life. He had also committed to heart extensive passages from the Writings of Baha’u’llah which he often recited. These were powerful instruments for him in teaching the Cause.
THE BAHA’I WORLD
In 1959, during the Ten Year World Crusade, he was again moved to participate in the pioneering field and together with his family left his homeland to reside in Italy, in the city of Perugia. His family members were the first Bahá’ís in that City and they were able to establish a Local Spiritual Assembly during the following year.
In 1964, the Italian town of Como needed assistance. The Haddad family answered this need by moving to Como, where they were instrumental in forming the Local Spiritual Assembly.
A turning point in Akbar’s life was in 1968, when he moved to Haifa, Israel, upon the invitation of the - Universal House of Justice, to assist with the maintenance of the Holy Shrines and Gardens. Akbar remained in the Holy Land for 14 years, until his retirement, when he and his wife moved to Australia where he spent the remaining days of his life.
One of his notable accomplishments in the Holy Land was to design and construct beautiful wrought iron gates for the Bahá’í gardens in Haifa and ‘Akká. He also had the privilege of erecting the obelisk—the marble landmark that had arrived in Haifa during the life of Shoghi Effendi to mark the site of the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár on Mount Carmel.
Akbar’s interest in the affairs of the Faith and its international development moved him to participate in many conferences during his lifetime. In 1953, he attended the International Teaching Conference in Kampala, Uganda. In 1958, he travelled to Kampala again for an international conference that was called by the Guardian just prior to his passing. In 1963, he attended the World Congress in London, the crowning glory of of the World Crusade of the Guardian. And in 1982, he attended the historic InterContinental Conference that was held in Canberra, Australia.
Akbar was a man Who, from humble beginnings, became a source of inspiration to many. His open—rnindedness, tolerance,
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IN MEMORIAM
broad Vision, and sense of devotion and perseverance, brought him into the international arena of service on three continents of the globe. When he passed away on 24 October 1990, he brought to a close a life of devoted and loving service to all, and in particular, to the Cause he loved and served with such exemplary devotion.
On 28 October 1990, the Universal House of Justice sent the following message to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia:
...deeply grieved passing staunch steadfast servant Cause Ali-Akbar Haddad. His devoted services Cradle and World Centre Faith unforgettable. Convey members family heartfelt sympathy. Assure loving prayers progress his soul Abhá Kingdom.
May the memory of his life of service and dedication be another link in the unification of the peoples of the world and the cause of peace on this planet.
SUHAYL ‘ALA’i
