In Memoriam 1992-1997/Ferdaws Afnán

FERDAWS AFNAN

1927—1996

Ferdaws Afnan was born in January 1927 to a Bahá’í family. She was related to the Báb through both her mother and her father. Her mother, Agha’ Bagum, was the great grandchild of an uncle of the Báb, and her father was Mirzá Ḥabíbu’lláh, the son oqua Mirza Aqa’ who had been given the title ofNL’iru’d—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 gm where she was a successful pupil. Unfortunately, at the age of eleven, she was afflicted with rheumatic fevet that was misdiagnosed by the physicians in final 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 Ha’ji Mirza Buzurg Afnan (her uncle), Hand of the Cause Mr. Tarazu’llah Samandari, Munir Nabilzadih, Hasan Nflshabadi, and Mr. Suheil Samandari. She was thoroughly acquainted with the history of the Faith, the Kita’é—i—Aqda: and the Kim’b—i—fqa’n, 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.

[Page 317]IN MEMORIAM 1992—1997 317

mt‘

Ferddws Afim’n

Her father passed away in January 1952. His death was a big blow to Ferdaws. Fortunately, Mr. Samandari was at that time in mm, 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. Samandari who urged Ferdaws not to miss this rare opportunity. Mr. Samandari 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—Bahai Rúḥíyyih

Khánum with an invitation to lunch. On the last day of her pilgrimage, the Guardian instructed her to travel to Nayriz 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 flitaz 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, §hitaz did not have the medical facilities needed for her treatment, and she was sent to Tihran. There, her doctors determined that she needed a heart operation. Dr. Manfichihr Ḥakím advised her against having the operation in Iran, suggesting that she go to England instead. Her brother, Abul—Qasirn, was to go with her, but as he was the custodian of the House of the Báb, he sought Via Dr. Luṭfu’lláh Ḥakím the permission of the Guardian to leave his post. A telegram was subsequently received from Dr. Ḥakím: “BELOVED APPROVED. ASSURE FERDAWS FERVENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES.”

The arrival of this telegram was a great source ofjoy 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 Mt. Hasan Balyuzi, a hospital bed had been reserved for her. A surgeon ofworld—renown succeeded in performing the operation.

After three months, she returned to Iran, going first to Mafihad where she had been invited to visit Mr. Samandari. Later, back in Shiréz, she joined her brother in working to care for the pilgrims to the

[Page 318]318 THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

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 $11512 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.191 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 Amatu’l—Bahá Rfihlyyih 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 AFNAN WHOSE SELFLESS EXERTIONS CRADLE FAITH, PARTICULARLY IN SERVICE BAB'S BLESSED HOUSE $111M, FOLLOWED BY HER DEVOTED EFFORTS TO PROMOTE INTERESTS FAITH

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.

UNITED KINGDOM WILL ALWAYS BE LOVINGLY REMEMBERED. PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER LUMINOUS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. CONVEY PROFOUND SYMPATHY HER BELOVED BROTHER AND THROUGH HIM OTHER MEMBERS DISTINGUISHED AFNAN FAMILY.

Abul—Qasz'm Afim’n