In Memoriam 1992-1997/Ferdaws Afnán

In Memoriam 1992-1997 Ferdaws Afnán

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FERDAWS AFNÁN 1927-1996

Ferdaws Afnán was born in January 1927 to Bahá’í family. She was related to the Báb through both her mother and her father. Her mother, Ághá Bagum, was the great grandchild of an uncle of the Báb, and her father was Mirza Habibu’lláh, the son of Aqá Mírzá Áqá who had been given the title of Núrud-Din by Bahá’u’lláh. Her father was the custodian of the pilgrim site of the House of the Báb, and in order to fulfill this task efficiently, he resided in one of the houses next to the Holy House. The pilgrims came from all over Iran and in later years from the West. Ferdaws was largely responsible for looking after them.

At an early age she was a sweet and pleasant child who attracted the attention of friends and relatives. She started her primary education in Shíráz where she was a successful pupil. Unfortunately, at the age of eleven, she was afflicted with rheumatic fever that was misdiagnosed by the physicians in Shíráz who prescribed the wrong treatment. The consequences of the illness and its treatment adversely affected her heart.

In spite of her illness, she continued with her education. While undertaking her secular studies, she attended Bahá’í children’s classes and subsequently deepening classes conducted by well-known Bahá’ís such as Hájí Mírzá Buzurg Afnán (her uncle), Hand of the Cause Mr. Tarázu’lláh Samandarí, Munir Nabilzádih, Hasan Núshábádí, and Mr. Suheil Samandarí. She was thoroughly acquainted with the history of the Faith, the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and the Kitáb-i-lqán, and the works of major Bahá’í teachers. Despite her health, she took responsibility for Bahá’í children’s classes and was actively involved with the youth activities. She also maintained correspondence with a large number of pilgrims.

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IN MEMORIAM 1992-1997

Her father passed away in January 1952. His death was a big blow to Ferdaws. Fortunately, Mr. Samandarí was at that time in Shíráz, and through his extraordinary kindness, loving counsels, and daily visits, he helped the family to cope with the tragedy. About that time, Shoghi Effendi allowed the resumption of the pilgrimages to Haifa and ‘Akká, which had been stopped for several years. This good news was conveyed by a telegram from the beloved Guardian to Mr. Samandarí who urged Ferdaws not to miss this rare opportunity. Mr. Samandarí applied to Shoghi Effendi for permission for Ferdaws and a group of other Bahá’ís in Shíráz to go. The request was accepted, and on April 9, 1952, Ferdaws arrived in Haifa. On the 12th she attained the presence of the Guardian who showered her with kindness. She was present at seven meetings with him and took detailed notes of his talks, which she took back to Iran as a present for the local Bahá’ís. During her pilgrimage, she was honored by Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum with an invitation to lunch. On the last day of her pilgrimage, the Guardian instructed her to travel to Nayríz and to share with the friends there his loving greetings. Furthermore, he told her that she should adopt the same standard of care of the pilgrims that she had observed in Haifa for the friends who visited the House of the Báb in Shíráz.

Upon her return to Iran, Ferdaws traveled to Nayriz and other cities around Shiraz sharing with the friends Shoghi Effendi's counsels and instructions. Her health, however, prevented her from serving the Faith to the extent that she wanted. At that time, Shíráz did not have the medical facilities needed for her treatment, and she was sent to Tihrán. There, her doctors determined that she needed a heart operation. Dr. Manúchihr Hakim advised her against having the operation in Iran, suggesting that she go to England instead. Her brother, Abul-Qasim, was to go with her, but as he was the custodian of the House of the Báb, he sought via Dr. Lutfu’lláh Hakim the permission of the Guardian to leave his post. A telegram was subsequently received from Dr. Hakim: "BELOVED APPROVED. ASSURE FERDAWS FERVENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES." The arrival of this telegram was a great source of joy for Ferdaws, and while she was suffering considerable physical pain, the message renewed her vigor and her sense of humor. Within three days she arrived in London where, through the assistance of Mr. Hasan Balyuzi, a hospital bed had been reserved for her. A surgeon of world-renown succeeded in performing the operation.

After three months, she returned to Iran, going first to Mashhad where she had been invited to visit Mr. Samandarí. Later, back in Shiráz, she joined her brother in working to care for the pilgrims to the [Page 318]House of the Báb. For the first time in over ten years she felt healthy and able to carry on her Bahá’í activities.

Ferdaws was also interested in helping others with heart problems, and she decided to work in a hospital in Shíráz run by American doctors. Eventually she became an electrocardiogram (ECG) technician.

In 1976 she traveled to England for a health checkup, and she learned that within a few years she would need another heart operation. She returned to England three years later, and in February 1980, she had a pacemaker implant. Unfortunately, her body rejected this, and she had to undergo another operation. Rather than returning to Iran, Ferdaws decided to stay in England. Once again she recovered and felt herself to be in good health. She was able to go on pilgrimage to Haifa and ‘Akká again and to travel to the United States, Canada, and Europe to visit her friends and relatives.

Ferdaws had been taking various medications for her heart that eventually caused internal bleeding. She was operated on in Oxford, and as a result of this operation, she passed away on June 16, 1996. The Hand of the Cause Amaru’l-Bahá Rúhlyyih Khánum honored her family with a loving condolence, and the Universal House of Justice, in a message dated June 17 paid tribute:

DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING DEDICATED MAIDSERVANT CAUSE FIRDAWS AFNÁN WHOSE SELFLESS EXERTIONS CRADLE FAITH, PARTICULARLY IN SERVICE BÁB’S BLESSED HOUSE SHÍRÁZ, FOLLOWED BY HER DEVOTED EFFORTS TO PROMOTE INTERESTS FAITH UNITED KINGDOM WILL ALWAYS BE LOVINGLY REMEMBERED. PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER LUMINOUS SOUL ABHÁ KINGDOM. CONVEY PROFOUND SYMPATHY HER BELOVED BROTHER AND THROUGH HIM OTHER MEMBERS DISTINGUISHED AFNÁN FAMILY.

Abul-Qasim Afnán

191 The House of the Báb was destroyed by the revolutionary government in 1979, and in 1981, the site was paved for a road and public square.