In Memoriam 1992-1997/Abbas Afnán

ABBAS AFNAN

1924—1996

r. Afnan came from a noble line.

Both his father, Mirzá ‘Abdu’lLatif, and his mother, Hoviyyeh Khánum, descended from the uncles of the Báb. Dr. Afna’m’s childhood was spent in Shíráz, Iran, where he received his initial schooling. At the age of eighteen he entered the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ṭihrán. Following his graduation in 1949, he pursued postgraduate medical studies in Switzerland and in France. Initially he specialized in ear, nose and throat, and cosmetic surgery, publishing his dissertation in the French medical literature.

As a student in Ṭihrán, Dr. Afnzin took an active part in Bahá’í administration and served as a member of the National Pioneering Committee. During the FortyFive Month Plan that began in 1945, he accompanied many pioneers to the Persian Gulf islands.

In 1951, Dr. Afnán attended the Bahá’í Summer School in Cottingham, Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom where, through Dr. Lutfu’liah Ḥakím, he met his future wife, Shomais ‘Aia’i. Significantly, he framed his marriage proposal in terms ofservice: “I want a life of service—and you are the only girl I want that life with.” They were wed within the year, the marriage garnering

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considerable publicity, for it was reported in newspapers both in Yorkshire and Northampton (Shomais’s home). According to Dr. Ḥakím, the beloved Guardian said that this marriage of two distinguished Bahá’í families of Iran proclaimed the Faith. Dr. Ḥakím added that, through the bounty and mercy of the Guardian, their wedding album was placed in the room ofjinab—iAbdu’l—Fadl in the mansion of Bahjí.

Dr. and Mrs. Afnán’s plans to pioneer to Africa during the Two Year Plan of 1951—53 were radically altered by a cable from the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom dated March 8, 1952: “APPROVE SHOMAIS DEPARTURE AFRICA. ABBAS RETURN TO PERSIA APPRECIATE DEEPLY SELF SACRIFICE. SHOGHI.” Dr. Afnán soon left for Iran and was given the privilege of making a pilgrimage and of visiting the Guardian en route.

The Guardian directed Dr. Afnan to go to the Bahá’í community of Yazd, which was then under great pressure. He was told to remain until Mrs. Afnan was established sufficiently to gain a visa for him, at which time he could join her in Africa. Their separation lasted nearly two years. During his time in Yazd, Dr. Afnan enthusiastically assisted the development of deepening classes, the arts, and artistic exhibitions. In an atmosphere ofspirituai excitement, the community’s fears diminished, and many arose to render services to the Cause. In a letter written on his behalf to the Bahá’ís Of the United Kingdom dated June 12, 1952, the Guardian wrote, “The wonderful spirit shown by Dr. Afnan and his wife is certainly an example to all pioneers. He hopes that Mrs. Afnzin will settle herself successfully in Africa, and soon be able to have her husband join her.”

Dr. Afnain joined his wife in Ethiopia in March 1954. Working for a United Nations

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Abba: Afim’n

project based in Gondar, he trained medical students in several hospitals. When the Crown Prince of Ethiopia was injured in a car accident, Dr. Afnan was summoned to the palace to attend him; later Emperor Haile Selassie also summoned him for medical attention.

In 1958, Dr. and Mrs. Afnán went to the United Kingdom so that Dr. Afnan could study preventive medicine and public health with a view to serving better in their African post. During their preparations for departure following the completion of his studies, they received a request from the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom asking them to consider pioneering within the country to support the Ten Year Crusade. Dr. Afnán had to retake his medical exams to secure recognized credentials, and the couple moved to Dublin so that he could complete a one-year internship and register with the General Medical Council.

In Dr. Afnan’s first post, Burnley, he was employed as the assistant medical officer

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of health in 1960 and later promoted to deputy. Within a year the Local Spiritual Assembly of Burnley was established, and within three years there were fifty new believers.

From Burnley, Dr. and Mrs. Afnan moved to Norfolk, where Dr. Afnan was appointed medical officer of health—the first “foreigner” in Britain to hold a tenured position of such responsibility. His appointment faced opposition in the medical council, and when asked during a BBC interview whether his beliefs would prevent his practice ofmedicine, he elucidated the principle of the harmony of science and religion.

Dr. Afnan served as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom for twelve years. However, his greatest joys remained pioneering and teaching. He was never happier than when expounding the teachings of Baha’u’llah through the Bible and the Qur’án, both of which he knew and loved deeply.

In 1975, the Afnans pioneered to Grand Falls, a small town in central Newfoundland, Canada. The power and authority of the church dominated the town, whose population seemed to be divided between the devoutly Christian and the indifferent. Nevertheless, Dr. Afna’n found ways to inform the people of the message of Baha’u’lla’h. At this time, as throughout their married life, Dr. Afnan undertook to maintain a home base so as to allow his wife to carry out extended teaching trips, some lasting up to a year. Their separations were made possible not only by Dr. Afnan’s sacrifices but by the couple’s devotion to the Faith and by their constant consultation on all matters.

In 1988, following a car accident, Dr. Afnan’s health deteriorated, and taking early retirement, he and Mrs. Afnán returned to England. However, he could not

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settle to a life without vigorous teaching. Consequently, Dr. and Mrs. Afnán pioneered again, this time to Yugoslavia, to the city of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Following the change of political regimes, Dr. Afnán was invited to lecture on the Bahá’í Faith for the comparative religion course at the University of Ljubljana. The spiritual excitement he generated made an enduring impression on his students.

A Further decline in his health forced Dr. Afnán to again return to England, where he settled in Stratford—upon—Avon, close to his son and family. During his several hospital admissions, though very ill, he asked for books and pamphlets with which to teach his nurses and doctors. To his last breath he was, above all, a devoted teacher of the Faith. The decision to settle in Stratford—upon—Avon had been purely personal, but their arrival allowed the Formation of the first Local Assembly of that town. Dr. Afnán passed to the Abhá Kingdom at his final pioneering post on May 10, 1996.

Over 150 people from all over the world attended Dr. Afnzin’s funeral, and more than three hundred messages were received from Counsellors, National Spiritual Assemblies, Bahá’í friends, and those whose lives had been touched by his selflessness and warmth. The Universal House of Justice wired the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom:

HEARTS FILLED WITH GRIEF NEWS PASSING MUCH-LOVED HIGHLY ADMIRED STALWART SERVANT BAHAU’LLAH ABBAS AFNANi HE SERVED THE CAUSE WITH DISTINCTION THROUGH INDOMITABLE FAITH. LOVING NATURE AND RADIANT SPIRIT. HIS DEVOTED ENDEAVOURS TEACHING, PIONEERING.

THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

ADMINISTRATIVE FIELDS OVER FOUR DECADES IN FOUR CONTINENTS ASIA, AFRICA, EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO EXPANSION CONSOLIDATION FAITH. PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROCESS HIS NOBLE SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. CONVEY LOVING SYMPATHY ALL MEMBERS HIS FAMILY.

Universal House ofjustice May 12, 1996

In a letter to the family, the Hand of the Cause Amatu’l—Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum

WI‘OICZ

His unfailing devotion to the Cause of God and many services during the lifetime of our beloved Guardian and after his passing are exemplary and I trust all his family will emulate his noble example.

Surely to arise in his memory and perform deeds of service in his name are the finest memorial for his loved ones to erect in his memory.

5/10maz'5 Afim’n