ligion, society, and politics. In the face of colonial domination, the local populace sought emancipation and autonomy by aligning themselves with dissident and rebellious movements, engendering a maelstrom of social and political ideologies intermingled with sentiments of anti-British, anti-colonial, anti-Jewish, and anti-Zionist fervor that permeated the region. Concomitantly, diverse manifestations of dissident ,VODP VXFK DV 6DOD¿VP :DKKDELVP DQG RWKHU UDGLFDO FRQservative interpretations of Islam, gained ascendancy. Notably, the Ottoman Empire, which spanned from North Africa to the heart of Europe, underwent radical reforms during this epoch. The repercussions of these multifarious developments were acutely felt by intellectuals, who faced suppression, imprisonment, and exile, including ‘Abdul-Baha, who himself was incarcerated. The pervasive wave of secularism and Darwinism that emanated from the West added another layer of complexity to the prevailing milieu of this era. Despite these tumultuous circumstances, ‘Abdul-Baha remained steadfast in his commitment to propagate the teachings of Baha’u’llah and to establish a distinct religious civilization. Of course, during this historical period, the means of communication were not advanced, with telegraphs and telephones being relatively recent inventions and not universally accessible. This makes ‘Abdul-Baha’s success in fostering the growth of the Baha’i community in Iran and elsewhere all the more remarkable, and a testament to the impact of his indefatigable efforts and prodigious literary output. His eloquent writings and visionary ideas served as a beacon of guidance, enjoining his followers, even those residing in remote villages, to strive for a deep comprehension of the religion’s tenets of enlightenment, honesty, freedom, and universal love for all of humanity. Born on 23 May in 1844 in Tehran, ‘Abdul-Baha hailed from illustrious lineage, with ancestral roots traced to the esteemed families of Takur and Noor provinces in the region of Mazandaran. He was bestowed with the name ‘Abbas, in honor of his distinguished grandfather, ‘Abbas Noori (d. 1839), who had gained
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