Bahá’í World/Volume 20/Habib Sabet
 | The text below this notice was generated by a computer, it still needs to be checked for errors and corrected. If you would like to help, view the original document by clicking the PDF scans along the right side of the page. Click the edit button at the top of this page (notepad and pencil icon) or press Alt+Shift+E to begin making changes. When you are done press "Save changes" at the bottom of the page. |
HABIB SABET
(Habib T_habit) 1903—1990
Habib T_hé1bit was a distinguished lranian Bahá’í, an entrepreneur and an industrialist. He was born in a modest family in Tihran in 1903 and passed away in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., on 20 February 1990.
The more successful he was in material gain and fame, the more enthusiastic he was in his service to the Faith of Baha’u’llah, especially to fulfil the wishes and plans of his beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi. Therefore, to describe the life of Habib Ihabit, one should write about the parallel progress of the material and spiritual.
A self—made man, Habib only had the privilege of a few years of education, first at the Tarbiyat Bahá’í School, and then at the Saint Louis French School in Tihran which he attended while receiving payment as a private tutor of affluent children. Therefore, it was neither his education, nor his family background Which brought him to the highest position of entrepreneurship, nor
distinguished him in his personal, social, and spiritual life. As a child his parents, especially his mother who was from the renowned religious family of Arjumand, had inculcated in him love and respect for the Faith and he was always filled with devotion. When he obtained his first automobile and worked as a taxi driver, on any trip when he took passengers to ‘Iráq or Lebanon, he would take the opportunity to Visit the Holy Places of the Bahá’í Faith as a pilgrim and had the privilege of many meetings with the beloved Guardian.
Habib married Bahereh (Bahirih) Qamsi of Raflt, the daughter of Siyyid Ahmad ghamsi Baqiraf, a prominent Bahá’í and a companion of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Paris, Germany, Austria and Budapest. Her grandfather was Sédat léhamsi, a title given by the Blessed Beauty. Habib and Bahirih had two sons, Iradj (lraj) and Hormoz (Hurmuz).
Habib began his career in a bicycle repair shop, subsequently becoming the founder of a woodworking factory and over 40 companies, amongst which are Television of lrén, the Pepsi Cola subsidiary in lran, General Tire, and lrén Volkswagen. He was a member of the Board of Directors of iranians’ Bank, the Industrial Mining and Development Bank, and the Bank of lrén. He was at the same time Board member of many other companies and prestigious banks of lran as well as the Bahá’í Children’s Saving Company of Nawnahalan.
‘When the Sháh closed the Bahá’í schools in Persia in 1934 and communication with the Bahá’í World Centre was cut off, Habib and Bahirih, on instruction of the National Spiritual Assembly of Persia, immediately departed from Tihran and reached the Holy Land within 48 hours. They presented the plea of the National Spiritual Assembly and received the answer and guidance for them. On this occasion the beloved Guardian showered love and bounty on the couple and told them that they were the first to reach the World Centre so quickly. He said that soon they would be able to have breakfast in
[Page 962]
962
Habib Sabet
Tihran and lunch at the World Centre. This was realized within a few years When the air service was established between Persia and the Holy Land.
While expanding his commercial activities, Habib was proud that thousands of Bahá’ís, who were not able to work as civil servants or at private jobs, could make their living by working in his companies and faetories. This was a great service in those days of bitter animosity toward the Bahá’ís.
Habib’s wealth and wise behaviour towards prominent people allowed him to befriend them, socially or officia11y, including the highest government officials. This he1ped him to protect the Bahá’í friends and to accomplish the most difficult goal Shoghi Effendi assigned to Persia during the Ten Year Plan. He managed by long, Wise, and careful planning to purchase the Siyéh-C_ha1, the dungeon in Tihran. The Guardian, in a message to the Bahá’í world on 6 April 1954, stated:
On the eve of this Riḍván Festival marking the opening of the second decade of
THE Bahá’í WORLD
the second Bahá’í century, and coinciding with the termination of the first year of the World Spiritual Crusade... The site of the Siyah—QhéL-that pestilential subterranean Pit, the scene of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh’s prophetic Mission, and the holiest place in the capital city of His native 1and—-has been recently purchased, together With the surrounding area, involving an expenditure of approximately four hundred thousand dollars contributed by a Persian follower of the Faith...
For over 20 years, Habib T_habit served as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Persia, often using his good relationship with the authorities or friends to protect the Bahá’ís from persecution. In 1955 , the Bahá’ís of Persia were endangered when ghayg Muhammad Taqi Falsafi made false accusations against the Bahá’í Faith on the government radio and incited the people to massacre the Bahá’ís and confiscate their precious centres and properties, a plan in which the gab, the government, and the clergy became involved.
Mr. _T_hébit, under the guidance of the Guardian, and without regard for the danger and risk to his life, met with the authorities, including the Shah, government ministers, and influential friends. Consequently, along With other measures taken at the instruction of the Guardian, such as appeals to the Shah, Parliament, and the United Nations by all Bahá’í localities in the world, the situation changed and instead of massacre, the army received orders to protect the Bahá’ís.
On that occasion, Shoghi Effendi sent to Mr. Ihébit the following cable:
DEEPLY APPRECIATE OUTSTANDIN G SERVICES.
On the eve of the last day of Mr. Thabit’s last pilgrimage, on 17 December 1956, the beloved Guardian, in the presence of other pilgrims, stated: “He is the standard bearer of the oppressed, defender and helper of the Faith.” Then turning to Mr. flabit, the Guardian said, “Your title will be Nasiri’dDin” (Defender of the Faith).
[Page 963]
IN MEMORIAM
Mr. T_hébit resided in the United States for some years before the Islamic revolution and never returned to lrén after 1978. The new government confiscated all his assets, companies, factories, properties and private residences, and so on, which he had acquired over 70 years of struggle and personal initiative. Consequently all the Bahá’ís working in these establishments were discharged, without compensation for their many years of labor and without pensions, and several were subsequently executed.
When Mr. flabit passed away, the Universal House of Justice sent the following message to his widow on 22 February 1990:
Share your grief passing veteran servant Cause Habib Sabet. His steadfastness in devotion Beloved Guardian, his courageous efforts in defense community cradle Faith, his unique role in acquisition vital sacred site Teheran lovingly remembered. Offer heartfelt condolences to you and through you to entire family. Praying Holy Shrine progress his soul Abhá Kingdom.
At his funeral at the Los Angeles Bahá’í Center, over 3,000 people, including the Bahá’í friends of California and nearby states and a great number of non—Bahá’ís, were present and witnessed the simplicity and dignity of a Bahá’í ceremony. Mr. Ihébit was buried at the Inglewood Cemetery near Thornton Chase’s grave.
Newspapers, including the New York T imes of 24 February 1990, radio and television broadcasters announced his death and praised his life. In New York, the Canadian Ambassador to lrén, a former Prime Minister, and prominent personalities spoke at a Bahá’í commemoration service attended by over 1,000 persons.
HORMOZ SABET (Hurmuz T_habit)
963