In Memoriam 1992-1997/Mohamad Shaikhzadeh

In Memoriam 1992-1997 Mohamad Shaikhzadeh

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MOHAMAD SHAIKHZADEH

1931-1996

We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of the sacrificial, devoted and steadfast pioneer of the Cause of God Mohamad Shaikhzadeh. His life of service and notable contributions in the teaching and administrative fields, especially during the last three decades on the Brazilian homefront, are warmly remembered. Kindly convey our loving condolences to the dear members of his distinguished family. Be assured of our ardent prayers in the Holy Shrines for the progress of his radiant soul in the Abhá Kingdom.

Universal House of Justice November 1, 1996

Shaikhzadeh was born in MZavarch, Iran, on March 23, 1931, the youngest of eight children. Raised in the Iranian countryside by a first generation Bahá’í family, he witnessed during his early years the opposition presented by relatives who had not accepted the Cause. His parents died when he was nine years old, and his eldest sister took care of his education according to Bahá’í principles. This difficult period of his childhood resulted in a strong and independent personality that strove for excellence in all his endeavors.

With great effort and personal dedication he completed his basic studies and entered university to study chemical engineering. At this time he began to serve the Cause he loved so much by working in the administration of Bahá’í youth activities in Ábádán, in southwestern Iran, where he had pioneered. Shortly after graduating and beginning work in the petroleum industry, Mohamad married Shoghich, and together they served as homefront

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Mohamad Shaikhzadeh

pioneers. They also nurtured the desire to go as international pioneers during the Ten Year Crusade—a desire that was strengthened when they participated in the 1958 Intercontinental Conference in Frankfurt. That was when they offered to go to South America.

In early 1960 Mohamad and Shoghich, along with two small children (Foad, then three years old, and Fariba, four months old), left Iran for Colombia. After a brief stop in Italy where they learned that they could not obtain entry visas for Colombia, they decided to go to Brazil, arriving there in April. After consulting the administrative bodies they established themselves in the state of São Paulo. For one year they lived in São Caetano do Sul, and in 1961 they moved to Santo André, where they participated in the election of its first Local Spiritual Assembly. Mohamad served that institution during the remaining years of his life. It was also in this city that his last daughter, Faezeh, was born some years later.

He managed to overcome the financial difficulties of settling his family in a new country, and through his dedication, application of character, and constant search for excellence, he was able to distinguish himself and to rise to leadership positions within the companies for which he worked.

Mohamad also demonstrated the same dedication, application of character, and constant search for excellence in his service to the Cause. Teaching the Faith during those early days was basically through firesides held in the homes, as well as visits to other Bahá’ís and pioneers in neighboring areas. In the early 1970s the spirit of mass teaching that had taken hold in many places in the world reached Brazil. Mohamad became enthused by this spirit, and in serving the National Teaching Committee he assisted in the administration of mass teaching projects, in the dispatch of homefront pioneers, and in the preparation of teaching and consolidation materials. The challenge of consolidation had always been a strong interest of his, and he was not satisfied with limited results. He wanted more.

In subsequent years Mohamad served the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Brazil where his desire to see an accelerated growth of the Cause intensified. He also served on the National Committee for Iranian Bahá’í refugees. He gave to this work a special dedication and to each of the Bahá’í refugees a deep love. In return he was loved by them, especially the youth who adopted him as a father.

In 1984 with the establishment of the Soltanieh Bahá’í Educational Center, Mohamad saw the birth of a great instrument for the fulfillment of his hopes. From its beginning he worked on the Center's administrative board, encouraging its growth and helping to coordinate its programs. [Page 361]What a happiness he found in those gatherings of the friends who had come to the Center to study the Faith!

In the last days of October 1996, he prepared for a conference in Soltanich that was to be held in early November. After ten years of proclamation activity, about twenty public school teachers from Santo André demonstrated an interest in participating in the event and in learning the principles of the Faith. This gave great pleasure to Mohamad.

The morning of October 31, 1996, radio and TV programming was suddenly interrupted by emergency bulletins broadcasting the news of an airplane crash at the São Paulo airport in which there were no survivors! Mohamad Shaikhzadeh's name appeared on the passenger list. In the days that followed, hundreds of condolence letters, telegrams, faxes, and telephone calls poured in from friends, relatives, and co-workers. Newspaper articles and memorials offered once again proclamations of the name of Bahá’u’lláh.

Foad Shaikhzadeh