Comments on: Was Hoveida Ever a Baha’i?

By: Adel

Adel — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:14:22 +0000

Hovida never charged as Baha’i. I aslo remember on third day after the victory of Revolution. When Hovida was in Jail.He has been interviewed by Loumaunt Journalist. When he aske about his religion he sais Muslim _shiiah. He also said in his trial that he was beliving and thought by his mother Islam-Shiiah.It was very informative article. Thanks Adib

By: Ali

Ali — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:08:34 +0000

As an adult Hoveida like the shah and all the members of his court, cabinet and family travelled to Mecca, became a Hajji and converted to Shi’a Islam from whatever belief (if any) they/he had. As far as I know by reading your history books and witnessing the events in Iran, you Baha’is rather die than to recant your Faith in Baha’u'llah. So my humble opinion is that history is clear on this issue about who is Baha’i and who is nuts.

By: Sami

Sami — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:41:06 +0000

There is also this documentation from the Baha’i International Community issued in 1982 which adds and supports what Adib has shared:

http://www.h-net.org/~bahai/docs/vol13/BIC_Rebuttal_1982.pdf

Being born into a Baha’i family does, in fact, mean you will be granted membership in the Baha’i Faith after reaching the age of maturity. In the United States, the National Baha’i Office does not require any statement of “sincere belief” from any registered youth of Baha’i parents in order for them to be granted full membership in the Baha’i Faith when they reach age fifteen. This is true of Persian Baha’is as well as I well know. Maybe some have made a fair assumption that Hoveida was a Baha’i in part based on that Baha’i practice.

By: Dr. Addison

Dr. Addison — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:45:43 +0000

It seems that this discussion is MOST interesting, for someone like me. I’m an American Indian Baha’i living in my home state of Oregon where I was born and have lived most of my life.

As a believer in Baha’u'llah, I am grateful every day that I am a Baha’i. It is significant that someone mentioned being a Baha’i doesn’t come about by birth or association, “only by sincere belief.” and so I agree with this.

I have heard of Hoveida and the “rumors” of whether he was or was not a Baha’i. I am MOST grateful to know the whole story now.

By: sb

sb — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:07:29 +0000

Adib,

Thank you heartily for making the matter of the late Amir-Abbas Hoveida’s upbringing and religious background clear to me. I have seen many rumor-like references on the web regarding him. Now I have a much better understanding of the context of his life and appreciate better why his rumored Baha’i identity has been a topic in the past. Clearly he was not a Baha’i, even though family members had once belonged to the Faith. Another wonderful thing about being a Baha’i; one can’t become a Baha’i by birth or association . . .only by sincere belief.

By: Adib

Adib — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:43:25 +0000

Dear John,

Thanks for bringing that up. I’ll check with the World Centre about this matter and let you all know when I get a response. Thanks for all of your praise; it’s much appreciated.

Best wishes,
Adib

By: John

John — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:36:18 +0000

Enjoyed your essay but am unclear what you meant by “head counsel.” Did you mean consul, a diplomatic/economic post, or counsel, in the sense of a lawyer? Neither is a political position — for example, Ali Quli Khan was a consul in New York for Persia and remained a Baha’i in good standing.

By: tooba

tooba — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 17:17:18 +0000

Adib-i aziz,

Thank you! Very good structure, and use of sources. Publish this in Persian as well.

By: Anahid

Anahid — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 10:24:15 +0000

Great essay, Adib.Thank you!