August 2. On this date in 1953, Fred Schechter arrived in Djibouti City for which he was named a Knight of Baha'u'llah for French Somaliland. He also travelled as a pioneer to several countries in Latin America and served thirteen years as a Continental Counsellor in the Americas and served on the International Teaching Centre from 1993 to 1998.

August 2. On this date in 1953, Fred Schechter arrived in Djibouti City for which he was named a Knight of Baha'u'llah for French Somaliland. He also travelled as a pioneer to several countries in Latin America and served thirteen years as a Continental Counsellor in the Americas and served on the International Teaching Centre from 1993 to 1998.

Born in 1927 to a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York, Fred Schechter served in the Navy then attended Syracuse University. A comparative religion course provided his first serious look at the Bahá’í Faith, and he became a believer in spring 1949. He soon focused his studies on library science and administration after being advised such a degree could help him find work in many parts of the world. By the time he earned a master’s degree in 1952 he was serving on the Local Spiritual Assembly and a regional teaching committee, and exploring the possibility of international pioneering.

He first went to Kenya to help fulfill the Two Year Plan assigned to the British Bahá’í community. A few months later Shoghi Effendi asked the Bahá’ís to disperse to meet goals of the Ten Year Crusade of 1953–1963, so in October 1953 Fred arrived in French Somaliland. He was one of three honored by Shoghi Effendi as Knights of Bahá’u’lláh for their roles in opening that territory to the Faith. Lack of employment kept that stay brief, and his job search took him to Ethiopia before he landed in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1954. A year later Fred made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where he conversed with the Guardian.

Continuing to respond to the needs of the Bahá’í community’s development, in 1957 he accepted an invitation by William Sears, then an Auxiliary Board member and later a Hand of the Cause, to move to his family’s farm near Johannesburg. Based there, he helped to teach the Faith and to prepare for election of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of South and West Africa, established only a year earlier.

Soon the goals of the Crusade were met in Africa. But the needs were still acute in South America, so Fred, along with Bill Sears Jr., traveled to Uruguay. During a campaign to strengthen the Bahá’í community there, Fred met his life partner, fellow Bahá’í Julia Bulling, and they married in her home country of Chile in 1960. Bill Sears Jr. married Julia’s sister Mariel. Months passed before Fred and Julia settled down; to meet Bahá’í community needs they traveled to the Dominican Republic and then to Ecuador, where their first son was born. It emerged that Uruguay was where they were needed most, so they returned to live there through 1965, welcoming a second son. Fred and Julia were members of Uruguay’s National Spiritual Assembly, with Fred serving as secretary.

Economic conditions caused them to move to the United States, and their daughter was born there. Living for many years in La Mesa, California, Fred continued to teach and support the Faith energetically, serving the region as a member of a teaching committee and later as an Auxiliary Board member. He was elected several times as a delegate to the Bahá’í National Convention. In 1980 he began 13 years’ service as a member of the Continental Board of Counselors for the Americas. He retired in 1990 from the administration of the San Diego Public Library System. In 1993 he was called to the Bahá’í World Center to serve as a Counselor member of the International Teaching Center, returning to California in 1998.

For years Fred offered courses at Bosch and Louhelen Bahá’í Schools, the Southern California summer school and other gatherings, speaking on Bahá’í history, the Guardian and the Hands of the Cause, the worldwide Plans, and other topics.

Fred’s wife, Julia Bulling Schechter, preceded him in death. His survivors include their three children, Charles, Jim and Amy; and eight grandchildren.

July 1. On this date in 1987, `Azízu'lláh Navídí passed away in London. He and his wife, Shamsi, were named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh for their pioneering work in Monte Carlo.

July 1. On this date in 1987, `Azízu'lláh Navídí passed away in London. He and his wife, Shamsi, were named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh for their pioneering work in Monte Carlo.

What has always struck me about the designation of Knights of Bahá'u'lláh is the arbitrariness with which the "virgin territories" were defined. For example, the Cook Islands and Tonga Island, both part of the Realm of New Zealand have distinct sets of Knights, while Niue and the Chatham Islands, also part of the Realm of New Zealand, are Knightless.
 
Several islands off the coast of Alaska have distinct Knights, like Baranof Island , Kodiak Island, and the Aleutian Islands. Yet other Alaskan islands, like the Pribilof Islands are Knightless.
The Brazilian state of Amapá has its own Knights (for Portuguese Guiana), while the other Brazilian states are Knightless.

Crete and Rhodes have Knights distinct from the Knights of mainland Greece, yet other Greek islands, like Santorini and Samos, are Knightless.

Key West has its own Knight, yet the other Florida Keys are Knightless.

Tiny islands, like Great Manan, have their own Knights. St. Thomas Island has its own Knight, yet the remaining Leeward Islands have one set of Knights, representing numerous politically and geographically independent islands. Similarly, the Windward Islands have one set of Knights, representing numerous politically and geographically independent islands.

June 24. On this date in 1926, Enoch Olinga was born. Declared a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for his pioneering work in the British Cameroons, Shoghi Effendi entitled Olinga "Abd'l-Futuh", an Arabic name meaning "the father of victories" for the successive waves of people becoming Knights of Bahá’u’lláh in Africa after him. A close associate of Ugandan President Idi Amin, who was deposed and exiled on April 11, 1979, Enoch Olinga, his wife, and three of his five children were murdered by unknown gunmen on September 16, 1979, during the administration of President Milton Obote when people affiliated with the Amin regime were being systematically targeted. Denis MacEoin touches on this topic in his 1979 "Letter on Bahá'í attitudes towards politics and scholarship".

June 24. On this date in 1926, Enoch Olinga was born. Declared a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for his pioneering work in the British Cameroons, Shoghi Effendi entitled Olinga "Abd'l-Futuh", an Arabic name meaning "the father of victories" for the successive waves of people becoming Knights of Bahá’u’lláh in Africa after him. A close associate of Ugandan President Idi Amin, who was deposed and exiled on April 11, 1979, Enoch Olinga, his wife, and three of his five children were murdered by unknown gunmen on September 16, 1979, during the administration of President Milton Obote when people affiliated with the Amin regime were being systematically targeted. Denis MacEoin touches on this topic in his 1979 Letter on Bahá'í attitudes towards politics and scholarship.

June 8. On this date in 1953, Shoghi Effendi wrote to the NSA of Canada that "an illuminated 'Roll of Honour' on which will be inscribed the names of the 'Knights of Bahá’u’lláh' ...will be placed inside the entrance door of the Inner Sanctuary of the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh."

June 8. On this date in 1953, Shoghi Effendi wrote to the NSA of Canada that "an illuminated 'Roll of Honour' on which will be inscribed the names of the 'Knights of Bahá’u’lláh' ...will be placed inside the entrance door of the Inner Sanctuary of the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh."


Letter of 8 June 1953
8 June 1953
To the National Spiritual Assembly
Dear Bahá’í Friends: Our Beloved Guardian has been greatly encouraged by reports reaching him from all parts of the Bahá’í world; of the victories already gained, and the plans being laid for the prosecution of the Ten Year Crusade.
They have evoked his awe-inspiring, and soul-stirring cablegram of May 28th, calling for the immediate settlement of all the 131 virgin areas of the Plan, just as quickly as possible. He is convinced, that the Friends will arise and translate their enthusiasm into Action, because the Keynote of the Crusade must be Action, Action, Action!
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write your Assembly to amplify some of the aspects of his dynamic message.
The settlement of these virgin areas is of such an emergency nature, that he feels pioneering in one of them takes precedence over every other type of Bahá’í service—whether it be in the teaching or administrative fields of the Faith. So important is it that the National Assembly may delay initiation of steps to fulfil other phases of the Plan, until all these areas are conquered for the Faith. Nothing, absolutely nothing, must be allowed to interfere with the placing of pioneers in each of the 131 goal countries.
In the United States some 150 people have volunteered for pioneer service, and some of them already are preparing to leave for their posts. The Beloved Guardian fully expects the dear Friends in Canada, to follow this example, and quickly settle the areas allotted to them.
Because of it being the Chief Executor of the Divine Plan, and having so many pioneers available, the Guardian has given permission to the United States to send pioneers into any area of the Globe regardless of whom it may be assigned to. Thus pioneers from the United States may ask permission to settle in one of the Areas assigned to your Assembly. If this is done, you should assist them in every way possible.
There are some general observations which the Guardian shares with you, and then some specific suggestions which are enumerated below.

1. Every individual who has offered to pioneer must be encouraged in every way by the National Assembly.
2. The National Assembly should assist each pioneer, so they may be placed in their post just as quickly as possible.
3. The handling of each application for pioneering service must be expedited, and not allowed to be bogged down for any reason, or in the hands of Committees.
4. The National Assembly should make it their first order of business to follow up actively this most important task. They must make it the first order of business at each Assembly meeting, to see that each application is being processed rapidly. This does not mean the special committees should not handle the details; but it does mean the Assembly itself must review each application at each meeting; and see that the pioneer gets into the field as soon as possible.
5. A large number of pioneers should not be sent to any one country. One, or even two, will be sufficient for the time being. Later on, if supplementary assistance is needed, that of course can be taken care of. The all important thing now is to get at least one pioneer in each of the 131 virgin areas.
6. The National Assembly may exercise its prerogatives and suggest to applicants where their services are most needed. This, of course, applies particularly to pioneers, where a large number wish to go to the same place.

The specific suggestions of the Guardian are:
a. Areas close at hand and easy of settlement should be filled first. Then the areas more difficult, and finally, those which will be difficult.
b. Whenever a pioneer enters a new territory, a cable should be sent at once to the Guardian, giving the name, place, and any pertinent information.
c. A monthly report of progress is to be sent by your Assembly to the Secretary-General of the International Bahá’í Council. Special matters of [a] report nature, for the Guardian, in connection with the plan of settling these 131 areas, should be sent to the Secretary-General of the Council also.
d. This does not mean that any administrative matters in connection with the settlement of pioneers should be handled with the Council. These should continue to be handled with the Guardian direct. The Council is simply to coordinate reports, consolidate them, keep maps up to date, etc. for the Guardian, and your reports will enable them to do this.
e. The Guardian feels the following areas should be easily settled, and he would appreciate your early cable advice of such new victories: Anticosti Island, Baranof Island, Cape Breton Island, Magdalen Islands, Miquelon Island, and St. Pierre Island, followed by other areas in the American Continent. Precedence should, however, be given to those listed above, as they appear the easiest of accomplishment, at the moment.
f. As his dramatic cable indicates, the Guardian will have prepared an illuminated “Roll of Honour” on which will be inscribed the names of the “Knights of Bahá’u’lláh”, who first enter these 131 virgin areas. This “Roll of Honour” will be placed inside the entrance door of the Inner Sanctuary of the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh.
From time to time, the Guardian will announce to the Bahá’í world the names of those Holy Souls who arise under the conditions outlined in his message, and settle these areas and conquer them for Bahá’u’lláh.
Now is the time for the Bahá’ís of the world to demonstrate the spiritual vitality of the Faith, and to arise as one soul to spread the Glory of the Lord over the face of the Earth. The Guardian is sure that the Bahá’ís of Canada who have served and sacrificed so long for the Faith, will continue their glorious record by winning many new victories for the Faith.
The Guardian will pray fervently for the Bahá’ís of Canada, and for the success of their efforts.
The Guardian will pray for the members of the Assembly, whose sacrificial efforts he greatly values.
Faithfully yours,
Leroy Ioas

June 5. On this date in 1993, Gertrude Blum, named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for the Solomon Islands, died.

June 5. On this date in 1993, Gertrude Blum, named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for the Solomon Islands, died.

Gertrude Blum was born on December 9, 1909, to a Jewish family in New York City and converted to the Bahá’í Faith at the age of 19. Mrs. Blum and her husband, Alvin, were named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh for being the first Bahá’ís to settle in the Solomons in 1954, when they moved there along with their seven-year-old daughter Keithie.

Gertrude Blum was awarded the Member of the British Empire (MBE) medal by Queen Elizabeth II in 1989.

She was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand, the first Regional Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific, and the first National Assembly of the South West Pacific Ocean.
 
Alvin died in 1968. Gertrude Blum died on June 5, 1993, in the Solomon Islands.

In 2013, one of the Blums' daughter, Keithie Blum Saunders, who has served as the United States Consular Agent to the Solomon Islands, published a book about her parents experiences titled Of Wars and Worship; The extraordinary story of Gertrude and Alvin Blum.

An article in 2017 noted that Noah Jarrah, Keithie's grandson (the "4th generation connected to Solomon Islands") "was here visiting because of the 75th Commemoration of the Landing of the American troops on Guadalcanal leading to the retreat of the Japanese several months later. Keithie Saunders, Noah’s grandmother, has been instrumental in planning the five day events for this occasion." At the time Noah Jarrah was studying Aerospace at the University of Maryland where he was also an Air Force ROTC cadet.

Michael Day wrote a review of the book for Baha'i Blog...

Alvin Blum reached out and shook the hand of the Solomon Islander.
This simple act said it all about Alvin’s very real belief in the oneness of humanity.
The everyday greeting of shaking hands was not practiced between Europeans and locals in the Solomons in the 1950s. There still existed an insidious “master-boy relationship” produced by colonialism.
But Alvin, like his wife Gertrude, was a true Baha’i and was having none of it.
Not only did Alvin shake the man’s hand, but he invited him home for a meal where Gertrude’s delicious stew and hot tea accompanied discussions of spiritual things in an atmosphere of love, laughter and equality.
“The news of this event soon spread through the village networks,” writes Keithie Saunders in Of Wars and Worship, her emotionally gripping biography of her parents, who were named Knights of Baha’u’llah for introducing the Faith to the Solomon Islands.
The man Alvin greeted with a handshake, Bill Gina, became the first Baha’i in the Solomons.
As the book recounts, over the decades to come – in their everyday spontaneous acts of kindness as well as in their planned activities in business and for the Baha’i Faith – the Blums demonstrated their heartfelt commitment to the fundamental principle of Baha’u’llah, that all people are equal members of one human family.
With the assistance of professional writer Prue Rushton, Keithie Saunders has written a book that moves away from the standard biography of spiritual heroes.
Using the techniques of a novelist, she breathes life into the characters, surrounding the facts with the thoughts and feelings of the protagonists. Some of those thoughts and feelings come from the Blums themselves, some are clearly inferred and are added with literary licence to keep the story alive and moving.
Hollywood could not have thought up this story. A US military medic who had such traumatic experiences in the war torn Solomons’ island of Guadalcanal in World War 2 that he never spoke about them returns to the island with his equally impressive wife to bring Baha’u’llah’s message of world peace through world unity.
The author describes her parents and their lives in a frank manner, not hesitating to portray their difficulties and weaknesses as well as their strengths and triumphs.
In doing so, the couple emerge as very real people, not super humans, but as folk who conquered themselves and achieved superhuman results.
Coming from a Jewish background in the United States, the Blums first lived, taught and proclaimed their faith in the racially divided Southern States. The book has absorbing accounts of Jewish life in New York that reach back into the history of both Alvin and Gertrude’s families. Disturbing as well as happy incidents are described.
We learn how Alvin (1912-68) and Gertrude (1909-1993) became Baha’is, how they served the Faith together, how they fell in love, and later how they married.
There is a lovely pen portrait of Mary Maxwell as a young woman long before she became Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, the wife of the Guardian: “she is the freest spirit Gertrude has encountered, untamed and untainted”. Decades later, Ruhiyyih Khanum visited Gertrude in the Solomons.
For the Baha’is of New Zealand, now celebrating the centenary of their community, there is important historical information about the Baha’i activities of Alvin Blum when he was a medic stationed in Auckland in World War 2. He returned with Gertrude after the war had ended.
For Australian readers there is a funny anecdote about how Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone, Mr Frank Khan (father of Dr Peter Khan) and Alvin Blum had to share the same room at a Baha’i conference because they were unable to afford individual accommodation. It had only one double bed. “Well here we are,” he [Alvin] chuckles. “A Muslim, a Jew and a Christian all sharing a bed. If that is not the oneness of mankind what is?”
As a study of personalities the book is intriguing. Alvin is a dynamic, go-getter businessman always coming up with ideas and then putting them into practice. He is restless, full of energy. Gertrude on the other hand is ethereal and contemplative—and cautious in the practical matters of life.
Alvin and Gertrude could exasperate each other but there was no question that what they had in common was an unshakeable faith in the teachings of Baha’u’llah.
This combination of opposites, a living example of the Baha’i principle of unity in diversity, had a power that will humble most readers
As a businessman, Alvin dedicated himself to the development of the Solomons. He introduced into the country a taxi service, a “hometel”, a dry cleaning business, a bakery, an ice cream and soft drink business. He was also a member of the Honiara Town Council, established the Chamber of Commerce and the Scout Movement.
His energy for new enterprises was astounding, his bravery incredible — he once rescued a shark attack victim amidst a sea of blood.
Gertrude helped establish the National Council of Women and the Red Cross Society, but her contributions were far more widespread at a personal and organisation level than that description can cover. Her services to the Faith in themselves were extraordinary. Mrs Blum was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1989. The Governor-General attended her funeral and throughout the islands there were memorial gatherings in her honour.
One of the most touching aspects of the book is the theme of the love and support of the head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, for their service.
There is a truly tear-jerking account of what happened when the Blums— with Gertrude particularly apprehensive—were about to sail to their pioneering post.
A friend on the wharf shouted out to Alvin, who then walked back down the gangplank to where he was handed a telegram, the words of which were to sustain the Blums forever and which today are emblazoned on Gertrude’s resting place.
The cable contained these simple words:
“LOVING PRAYERS SURROUNDING YOU. SHOGHI.”

May 28. On this date in 1953, Shoghi Effendi sent a cablegram "to The Bahá'í World" wherein he first referred to the "Knights" of Bahá'u'lláh, calling for the "dispersal, immediate, determined, sustained and universal" of pioneers "throughout the unopened territories of the planet". He announced his intention to inscribe, in chronological order, the names of the "spiritual conquerors" on an illuminated "Roll of Honor, to be deposited at the entrance door of the inner sanctuary of the Tomb of Bahá'u'lláh, as a permanent memorial of the contribution by the champions of His Faith at the victorious conclusion of the opening campaign of the Global Crusade..."

May 28. On this date in 1953, Shoghi Effendi sent a cablegram "to The Bahá'í World" wherein he first referred to the "Knights" of Bahá'u'lláh, calling for the "dispersal, immediate, determined, sustained and universal" of pioneers "throughout the unopened territories of the planet". He announced his intention to inscribe, in chronological order, the names of the "spiritual conquerors" on an illuminated "Roll of Honor, to be deposited at the entrance door of the inner sanctuary of the Tomb of Bahá'u'lláh, as a permanent memorial of the contribution by the champions of His Faith at the victorious conclusion of the opening campaign of the Global Crusade..."

The Paramount Issue
On occasion of the sixty-first Anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh, on the morrow of the opening, initial phase of the momentous World Crusade, call upon His followers in all continents to allow no slackening, nay, to insure acceleration of the marvelous momentum generated by the historic celebrations climaxing the festivities of Holy Year. ** The dispersal, immediate, determined, sustained and universal, throughout the unopened territories of the planet, is the paramount issue challenging the spirit and resources of the privileged prosecutors of the Ten-Year Plan in the course of the current year. **
All National Assemblies are urged to give it priority assignments in their national budgets. The chief executors of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Plan, by virtue of the primacy conferred in His Tablets, are accorded the prerogative to stimulate the vital process of the dispersal through the dispatch, in addition to their allotted tasks, of pioneers to the virgin territories allocated to their sister communities East and West.
Once again I appeal to members of all communities to arise and enlist, ere the present opportunity is irretrievably lost, in the army of Bahá'u'lláh's crusaders. The hour is ripe to disencumber themselves of worldly vanities, to mount the steed of steadfastness, unfurl the banner of renunciation, don the armor of utter consecration to God's Cause, gird themselves with the girdle of a chaste and holy life, unsheathe the sword of Bahá'u'lláh's utterance, buckle on the shield of His love, carry as sole provision implicit trust in His promise, flee their homelands, and scatter far and wide to capture the unsurrendered territories of the entire planet.
Would to God that Bahá'í warriors, six score and ten, the number required to fill the gaps in the still unconquered territories of the globe, will promptly arise and enroll themselves to achieve the goals ere the conclusion of the opening year of the decade-long, greatest collective enterprise since the memorable episodes associated with the Dawn-Breakers of the Heroic Age.
Planning to inscribe, in chronological order, the names of the spiritual conquerors on an illuminated Roll of Honor, to be deposited at the entrance door of the inner Sanctuary of the Tomb of Bahá'u'lláh, as a permanent memorial of the contribution by the champions of His Faith at the victorious conclusion of the opening campaign of the Global Crusade which is destined to attain consummation at the Most Great Jubilee commemorating the Centenary of the Declaration of His Mission. Anticipate making periodic announcements of the names of the valiant knights upon their arrival at their posts to discharge their historic missions.
Share message National Assemblies of the Bahá'í World.
--Shoghi
[Cablegram, May 28, 1953]

What has always struck me about the designation of Knights of Bahá'u'lláh is the arbitrariness with which the "virgin territories" were defined. For example, the Cook Islands and Tonga Island, both part of the Realm of New Zealand have distinct sets of Knights, while Niue and the Chatham Islands, also part of the Realm of New Zealand, are Knightless.
 
Several islands off the coast of Alaska have distinct Knights, like Baranof Island , Kodiak Island, and the Aleutian Islands. Yet other Alaskan islands, like the Pribilof Islands are Knightless.

The Brazilian state of Amapá has its own Knights (for Portuguese Guiana), while the other Brazilian states are Knightless.

Crete and Rhodes have Knights distinct from the Knights of mainland Greece, yet other Greek islands, like Santorini and Samos, are Knightless.

Key West has its own Knight, yet the other Florida Keys are Knightless.

Tiny islands, like Grand Manan, have their own Knights. St. Thomas Island has its own Knight, yet the remaining Leeward Islands have one set of Knights, representing numerous politically and geographically independent islands. Similarly, the Windward Islands have one set of Knights, representing numerous politically and geographically independent islands.

May 26. On this date in 1950, Singapore was opened to the Bahá’í Faith with the arrival of pioneer Khodadad Fozdar, who in 1953 was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for the Andaman Islands. Khodadad Fozdar was born in 1898. He was of Parsi-Zoroastrian descent.

May 26. On this date in 1950, Singapore was opened to the Bahá’í Faith with the arrival of pioneer Khodadad Fozdar, who in 1953 was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for the Andaman Islands.
Khodadad Fozdar was born in 1898. He was of Parsi-Zoroastrian descent.

Khodadad married Shirin in 1925, she was already a Bahá'í and he declared soon after the marriage, which resulted in his alienation from his mother and other family members. In 1928 he was appointed the Medical Officer of India's State Railways. In 1935 he visited Europe, and both he and Shirin went on Pilgrimage to the Holy Land on their way back to India. He taught some people about the Faith while travelling to Palestine who decided they would also meet with Shoghi Effendi, and the Guardian assured the Fozdar's that they were protected by God.

In the 1930's Dr. Fozdar was working at a hospital in Ajmer. In January 1938 Khodadad and Shirin visited Colombo, Sri Lanka, with Martha Root for ten days. The Fozdar's spoke at a local Parsi club. Shirin continued with Martha onto Mysore and Bangalore while Khodadad returned to Ajmer.

He left his position with the Railway company in 1950 and he and Shirin pioneered to Singapore, then apart of Malaya, and he opened a medical practice. He also worked at the General Hospital at Johore Bahru while living in Singapore, and he and Shirin later established a free school for underprivileged women.

They began a teaching campaign and Shirin delivered talks for several women's organizations. Their son, John Fozdar, joined them in Singapore upon the completion of his medical degree. Travel throughout Malaya was restricted when they first arrived, but in 1953 Shirin was able to give talks in Malacca, Seremban and Kuala Lumpur.

On November 24, 1953, Dr. Fozdar pioneered to the Andaman Islands, fulfilling a goal of the Ten Year Crusade set by Shoghi Effendi, for which he was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. Four people became Bahá'ís in the Andamans due to Khodadad's efforts, however he had to return to Singapore after only four months as he was not able to secure permission to remain in the territory. He pioneered within Malaya to Malacca after returning. On December 26, his son Minoo Fozdar arrived to the Nicobar Islands, for which he was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh.

In 1957 both Dr. Fozdar and Shirin were elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of South East Asia at the first South East Asia Convention held in Djakarta, Indonesia. Fozdar Khodad was survived by his wife; three sons. Jamshed, John, and Minoo; and two daughters.

May 24. On this date in 1892, Mildred Eileen Clark was born in Manchester, Illinois. She would later be named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for the Lofoten Islands.

May 24. On this date in 1892, Mildred Eileen Clark was born in Manchester, Illinois. She would later be named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for the Lofoten Islands.

Born in Manchester, Illinois, on May 24, 1892, Mildred Clark chose pioneering as her field of service from the earliest days of her conversion to the Bahá’í Faith.

In the first Seven Year Plan (1937-1944) assigned to the United States she pioneered to Denver, Colorado, and there married George Clark. In 1946, at the inception of the second Seven Year Plan (1946-1953), she offered to go to Europe and was requested by the European Teaching Committee to settle in Norway where, in 1948, she assisted in the formation of the first Spiritual Assembly of Oslo.

In January 1950, she pioneered to the Netherlands and in 1952 she was asked to go to Luxembourg to assist in making the necessary arrangements for the European Teaching Conference held there in September 1952. Following this she returned to Oslo and actively resumed her service there.

While attending the European Intercontinental Teaching Conference held in Stockholm in July 1953, Mildred Clark volunteered to serve in Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands. She was one of the first to arise in the Ten Year Crusade, arriving at her post in August 1953. For this service she was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh by Shoghi Effendi. She remained at this distant post for more then ten years, later returning to Norway. When the need for pioneers became apparent in Finland, she moved to that country, her final pioneering goal.

On May 27, 1967, Mildred Eileen Clark died in Turku, Finland.

What has always struck me about the designation of Knights of Bahá'u'lláh is the arbitrariness with which the "virgin territories" were defined. For example, the Cook Islands and Tonga Island, both part of the Realm of New Zealand have distinct sets of Knights, while Niue and the Chatham Islands, also part of the Realm of New Zealand, are Knightless.

Several islands off the coast of Alaska have distinct Knights, like Baranof Island , Kodiak Island, and the Aleutian Islands. Yet other Alaskan islands, like the Pribilof Islands are Knightless.

The Brazilian state of Amapá has its own Knights (for Portuguese Guiana), while the other Brazilian states are Knightless.

Crete and Rhodes have Knights distinct from the Knights of mainland Greece, yet other Greek islands, like Santorini and Samos, are Knightless.

Key West has its own Knight, yet the other Florida Keys are Knightless.

Tiny islands, like Grand Manan, have their own Knights. St. Thomas Island has its own Knight, yet the remaining Leeward Islands have one set of Knights, representing numerous politically and geographically independent islands. Similarly, the Windward Islands have one set of Knights, representing numerous politically and geographically independent islands.

May 17. On this date in 2008, Brigitte Lundblade, who had pioneered to Sweden, Denmark and Estonia and been named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Shetland Islands, died.

May 17. On this date in 2008, Brigitte Lundblade, who had pioneered to Sweden, Denmark and Estonia and been named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Shetland Islands, died.

Brigitte Hasselblatt was born on January 21, 1923, into a Baltic German family in Tallinn, Estonia.

During World War II, the Hasselblatt family was evacuated to Germany, and after the war Brigitte moved to England, where she became a Bahá’í at a summer school in 1950.

In 1953 Brigitte settled in the Shetland Islands, a territory named by Shoghi Effendi in connection with the Ten Year Crusade, and in doing so became a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh.

In 1956 Brigitte went on Pilgrimage and met Shoghi Effendi, who told her to introduce the Bahá’ís Faith to Estonia. Because it was impossible to go to the Soviet Union at that time, Brigitte chose to pioneer to Finland instead.

While in Finland Brigitte married Milton Lundblade, an American Bahá’í of Swedish descent. In 1961 they pioneered again, this time to Denmark, where there son Laurence was born. Because Milton was unable to find work there they soon had to move to the United States. For the next several years Brigitte worked as a school nurse in California. In 1963, their daughter Luise was born in Downey, California.

After her children were grown and her husband had died, Brigitte moved back to Finland as a pioneer in 1984, still waiting for an opportunity to return to Estonia in accordance with Shoghi Effendi's wishes. Her chance finally came in 1988.

Although a handful of people, predominantly Esperantists, had become Bahá’ís in Estonia prior to Brigitte's arrival, her flat in Tallinn quickly became the center of Bahá’í activity in the country. She was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baltic States in 1993 and remained a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Estonia after it was formed as a separate body in 1999.

On the advice of the Universal House of Justice, she retired in 2006 after many years of service.
Brigitte devoted her final years to writing her memoirs with assistance from a friend, Susanne Pfaff-Grossman. "The Life of a Pioneer" was originally published in German and was then translated into English by Brigitte herself.

Brigitte died on May 17, 2008 and is buried in her native Tallinn.

May 13. On this date in 1976, Doris Richardson, who served on the first NSA of Canada and was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for pioneering to Grand Manan Island, died.

May 13. On this date in 1976, Doris Richardson, who served on the first NSA of Canada and was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for pioneering to Grand Manan Island, died.

Doris Richardson was born in 1901 in Ontario. When she was sixteen she married Mr. Richardson, an American from a strong Catholic family. She investigated Christian Science in her youth.

She was introduced to the Bahá'í Faith by Howard Colby Ives and Mabel Ives, and became a Bahá'í in 1939. She moved to Scarborough, Ontario, and was a member of the cities first Local Spiritual Assembly, and she held firesides every Saturday which became the center of teaching activity. She served on the first Teaching Committee of Ontario and traveled to visit communities across the Province throughout the 1940's, and she also traveled to other parts of Canada, teaching at the Maritime Summer School in 1947. In 1948 she was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.

In 1951 she pioneered to the Maritime region of Canada and served on the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Moncton, New Brunswick. At the beginning of the Ten Year Crusade in 1953 she pioneered to Grand Manan Island for which she was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. She managed a summer hotel, the Marathon Inn, on the island from 1953 to 1974 and later became a girls' school matron.

In 1957 the first Grand Manan Island local declared due to Doris's teaching. In 1958 she attended an Intercontinental Bahá'í Conference in Chicago and wrote an article about it which was published in a local Grand Manan paper, the first article on the Faith published in the area.
Doris passed away due to cancer on Grand Manan in 1976. The Universal House of Justice conveyed the following message after her passing:

ASSURE PRAYERS SHRINES PROGRESS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM KNIGHT BAHAULLAH DORIS RICHARDSON HER DEVOTED SERVICES CAUSE ENRICH ANNALS FAITH CANADA.

What has always struck me about the designation of Knights of Bahá'u'lláh is the arbitrariness with which the "virgin territories" were defined. For example, the Cook Islands and Tonga Island, both part of the Realm of New Zealand have distinct sets of Knights, while Niue and the Chatham Islands, also part of the Realm of New Zealand, are Knightless.

Several islands off the coast of Alaska have distinct Knights, like Baranof Island, Kodiak Island, and the Aleutian Islands. Yet other Alaskan islands, like the Pribilof Islands are Knightless.
The Brazilian state of Amapá has its own Knights (for Portuguese Guiana), while the other Brazilian states are Knightless.

Crete and Rhodes have Knights distinct from the Knights of mainland Greece, yet other Greek islands, like Santorini and Samos, are Knightless.

Key West has its own Knight, yet the other Florida Keys are Knightless.

Tiny islands, like Grand Manan, have their own Knights. St. Thomas Island has its own Knight, yet the remaining Leeward Islands have one set of Knights, representing numerous politically and geographically independent islands. Similarly, the Windward Islands have one set of Knights, representing numerous politically and geographically independent islands.

May 11. On this date in 2007, Frank Leonard Wyss died. He was an Australian Bahá'í who served on the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia in the 1950's and became the Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Cocos Islands.

May 11. On this date in 2007, Frank Leonard Wyss died. He was an Australian Bahá'í who served on the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia in the 1950's and became the Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Cocos Islands.

May 7. On this date in 2016, Jenabe Esslemont Caldwell died in Wailuku, Hawaii. Born on August 7, 1926 in Butte, Montana, he and his wife Elaine were named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh for pioneering to the Aleutian Islands in July, 1953 where they started a king crab and salmon cannery. They sponsored the Bahá’í­ singing group Windflower that toured Europe, including the United Kingdom, in the 1980s. He authored several books.

May 7. On this date in 2016, Jenabe Esslemont Caldwell died in Wailuku, Hawaii. Born on August 7, 1926 in Butte, Montana, he and his wife Elaine were named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh for pioneering to the Aleutian Islands in July, 1953 where they started a king crab and salmon cannery. They sponsored the Bahá’í­ singing group Windflower that toured Europe, including the United Kingdom, in the 1980s. He authored several books.

May 4. On this date in 1954, Elizabeth Stamp became a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh when she arrived in St. Helena. Born in Bagenalstown, Ireland on March 25, 1887, she emigrated to the United States becoming a US citizen and residing in New York City where she became a Bahá'í in 1939.

May 4. On this date in 1954, Elizabeth Stamp became a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh when she arrived in St. Helena. Born in Bagenalstown, Ireland on March 25, 1887, she emigrated to the United States becoming a US citizen and residing in New York City where she became a Bahá'í in 1939.

Elizabeth Stamp was born in Bagenalstown in Ireland on March 25, 1887 and was educated in Dublin. She emigrated to the United States becoming a US citizen and residing in New York City where she became a Bahá'í in 1939. She made travel teaching trips across the South and Midwest US while living in New York. Her husband passed while she was in New York.

In July 1953 at the opening of the Ten Year Crusade Elizabeth offered to pioneer to South Africa where her sister lived, however she ultimately decided to instead ask permission to pioneer to St. Helena, a virgin territory in the South Atlantic. She arrived there on May 4, 1954, and was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. The island was isolated at this time, with monthly ship arrivals being the only contact with the outside world, and Elizabeth asked for the thoughts and prayers of the Bahá'í community to support her. The Bishop of the Church of England on the island was initially unhappy with her presence but she eventually earned his respect and presented him with some Bahá'í literature. The strong position of the Church of England on the island meant she made little progress with teaching the Faith, however by 1964 four locals had converted to the Faith. She visited Elizabeth Hopper in Madeira while living on St. Helena.

In April 1963 Elizabeth was injured in a fall and went to South Africa to recover residing there until returning to St. Helena in December 1963, however she had to move to South Africa at the close of 1964 due to circumstances in St. Helena. She served on the Local Spiritual Assembly of Durban while in South Africa.

Elizabeth Stamp returned to the United States in June 1966 settling in Waterbury, Connecticut, where she died on November 11, 1970, and was buried next to her husband.

May 3. On this date in 1967, Elizabeth Hopper, a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for pioneering to the Madeira Islands, died.

May 3. On this date in 1967, Elizabeth Hopper, a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for pioneering to the Madeira Islands, died.

Elizabeth Hopper was born in Hume, Allegheny County, New York. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Cornell University, and entered the field of library science, serving for some time as senior librarian for an international agency for the United States.

Her interest in education and new ideas led her to the Bahá’í Faith. She was a member of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Washington, D.C. for more then twenty years, serving it as secretary and on local and national Bahá’í committees involved with teaching and publication.

Elizabeth Hopper retired in 1952, and in 1953 she offered to go as a pioneer settler to the virgin area of the Madeira Islands. Joining her in this pioneer venture was another younger Bahá’í, Miss Ada Schott, who also volunteered to go so that Madeira would have a pioneer team to teach the Faith and establish a new community.

On September 20, 1953, Elizabeth and Ada landed in Funchal, Madeira's chief port and city, and cabled the news of their arrival. Their names were added to the World Crusade map.

By 1956 after three years of ardent prayer, patiently cultivated contacts and innumerable firesides, they were at last able to report the declaration of three new Bahá’ís in Funchal. The joy of this hard-won achievement brought new problems. They were required to leave the island temporarily before their permanent residence visas could be obtained. Then personal circumstances made it necessary for Miss Schott to return to the United States. This meant that Elizabeth was alone. She was seventy-six years of age at that time, feeling the inevitable handicaps of age, subject to bouts of discouragement, and yet impelled to continue the work of deepening, strengthening and teaching new believers and contacts. She appealed for help from additional settlers and through visitors from the accessible Bahá’í communities. There was an encouraging trickle of visitors who came and stayed for a time and added much happiness and help through their presence: Mrs. Sara Kenny and her mother, Mrs. Ella Dunffield, Mrs. Peggy True, Miss Trudy Eisenberg, Miss Katherine Meyer, Miss Elise Austin, Mr. and Mrs. Valine from the Canaries, Mrs. Elizabeth Stamp, Mr. Missaghieh, and others. But to her great dismay no permanent settler could be found to come and stay.

During the period from 1956 to 1961 when Elizabeth was the only resident pioneer, her letters and reports to the Untied States Africa Committee unfold a moving account of the problems and situations which many pioneers must face. There was also the constant strain of communication in a language which she could not master. There were subtle barriers with which cultural differences can impair understanding and confidence. Elizabeth grieved deeply over the "spiritual drop-outs" she encountered when she had worked so hard to give a redeeming message. She also had to deal with the conflicts and confusion which can result from situations where actions and attitudes of the believers fail to uphold the moral standards and spiritual responsibilities of the Bahá’í Faith.

Only once, during this lonely period, did Elizabeth look back in anguish. In a letter to a dear friend she wrote of her loneliness and despair and wondered whether another place might have yielded better results. But in the same letter her strength of spirit was expressed for she corrected herself, writing, "...and then I have to remember that Madeira is in the Divine Plan and the Guardian wanted an Assembly there."

In this period of tests two of her most wonderful Bahá’í experiences occurred. She attended the Most Great Jubilee in London and also received permission to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. How happy these two confirming experiences made her and how much she learned from seeing the devotion of the friends who serve at the World Centre.

In 1961 a new Bahá’í pioneer arrived to spend six months. Elizabeth warmly welcome and praised Mr. Joseph Kubik who came and helped with the Bahá’í community responsibilities. Then came a new Bahá’í family from the Canaries. There was great happiness and activity for several months, and then again Elizabeth was alone.

In 1963, at the age of eighty, Elizabeth, still alone and with her hearing growing steadily worse, she was urged by friends to return to the United States. She had the courage to reply, "No, dears, I do not want to come back regardless of how difficult things are becoming."

In 1964, Mrs. Isabel Horton, who stayed with her until her end, arrived in Madeira, giving her the assurance she needed that her lifelong accumulation of Bahá’í literature and archives materials would be safely preserved.

Elizabeth Hopper died on May 3, 1967.

The Universal House of Justice in recognition of her self-sacrifice cabled the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States on May 5, 1967:

PLEASE ASSURE FRIENDS PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS SOUL ELIZABETH HOPPER KNIGHT OF BAHAULLAH OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE DEVOTION STEADFASTNESS

April 26. On this date in 1958, Khodadad Fozdar died. On November 24, 1953, he had arrived to the Andaman Islands, for which he was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. On December 26, his son Minoo Fozdar arrived to the Nicobar Islands, for which he was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. Along with his wife Shirin, he was elected to the first NSA of South East Asia.

April 26. On this date in 1958, Khodadad Fozdar died. On November 24, 1953, he had arrived to the Andaman Islands, for which he was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. On December 26, his son Minoo Fozdar arrived to the Nicobar Islands, for which he was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. Along with his wife Shirin, he was elected to the first NSA of South East Asia.

Khodadad Fozdar was born in 1898. He was of Parsi-Zoroastrian descent.

Khodadad married Shirin in 1925, she was already a Bahá'í and he declared soon after the marriage, which resulted in his alienation from his mother and other family members. In 1928 he was appointed the Medical Officer of India's State Railways. In 1935 he visited Europe, and both he and Shirin went on Pilgrimage to the Holy Land on their way back to India. He taught some people about the Faith while travelling to Palestine who decided they would also meet with Shoghi Effendi, and the Guardian assured the Fozdar's that they were protected by God.

In the 1930's Dr. Fozdar was working at a hospital in Ajmer. In January 1938 Khodadad and Shirin visited Colombo, Sri Lanka, with Martha Root for ten days. The Fozdar's spoke at a local Parsi club. Shirin continued with Martha onto Mysore and Bangalore while Khodadad returned to Ajmer.

He left his position with the Railway company in 1950 and he and Shirin pioneered to Singapore, then apart of Malaya, and he opened a medical practice. He also worked at the General Hospital at Johore Bahru while living in Singapore, and he and Shirin later established a free school for underprivileged women.

They began a teaching campaign and Shirin delivered talks for several women's organizations. Their son, John Fozdar, joined them in Singapore upon the completion of his medical degree. Travel throughout Malaya was restricted when they first arrived, but in 1953 Shirin was able to give talks in Malacca, Seremban and Kuala Lumpur.

On November 24, 1953, Dr. Fozdar pioneered to the Andaman Islands, fulfilling a goal of the Ten Year Crusade set by Shoghi Effendi, for which he was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. Four people became Bahá'ís in the Andamans due to Khodadad's efforts, however he had to return to Singapore after only four months as he was not able to secure permission to remain in the territory. He pioneered within Malaya to Malacca after returning. On December 26, his son Minoo Fozdar arrived to the Nicobar Islands, for which he was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh.

In 1957 both Dr. Fozdar and Shirin were elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of South East Asia at the first South East Asia Convention held in Djakarta, Indonesia. Fozdar Khodad was survived by his wife; three sons. Jamshed, John, and Minoo; and two daughters.

April 8. On this date in 1883, Elizabeth Hopper, later named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for pioneering to the Madeira Islands, was born in Hume, New York.

April 8. On this date in 1883, Elizabeth Hopper, later named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for pioneering to the Madeira Islands, was born in Hume, New York.

Elizabeth Hopper was born in Hume, Allegheny County, New York. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Cornell University, and entered the field of library science, serving for some time as senior librarian for an international agency for the United States.

Her interest in education and new ideas led her to the Bahá’í Faith. She was a member of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Washington, D.C. for more then twenty years, serving it as secretary and on local and national Bahá’í committees involved with teaching and publication.

Elizabeth Hopper retired in 1952, and in 1953 she offered to go as a pioneer settler to the virgin area of the Madeira Islands. Joining her in this pioneer venture was another younger Bahá’í, Miss Ada Schott, who also volunteered to go so that Madeira would have a pioneer team to teach the Faith and establish a new community.

On September 20, 1953, Elizabeth and Ada landed in Funchal, Madeira's chief port and city, and cabled the news of their arrival. Their names were added to the World Crusade map.

By 1956 after three years of ardent prayer, patiently cultivated contacts and innumerable firesides, they were at last able to report the declaration of three new Bahá’ís in Funchal. The joy of this hard-won achievement brought new problems. They were required to leave the island temporarily before their permanent residence visas could be obtained. Then personal circumstances made it necessary for Miss Schott to return to the United States. This meant that Elizabeth was alone. She was seventy-six years of age at that time, feeling the inevitable handicaps of age, subject to bouts of discouragement, and yet impelled to continue the work of deepening, strengthening and teaching new believers and contacts. She appealed for help from additional settlers and through visitors from the accessible Bahá’í communities. There was an encouraging trickle of visitors who came and stayed for a time and added much happiness and help through their presence: Mrs. Sara Kenny and her mother, Mrs. Ella Dunffield, Mrs. Peggy True, Miss Trudy Eisenberg, Miss Katherine Meyer, Miss Elise Austin, Mr. and Mrs. Valine from the Canaries, Mrs. Elizabeth Stamp, Mr. Missaghieh, and others. But to her great dismay no permanent settler could be found to come and stay.

During the period from 1956 to 1961 when Elizabeth was the only resident pioneer, her letters and reports to the Untied States Africa Committee unfold a moving account of the problems and situations which many pioneers must face. There was also the constant strain of communication in a language which she could not master. There were subtle barriers with which cultural differences can impair understanding and confidence. Elizabeth grieved deeply over the "spiritual drop-outs" she encountered when she had worked so hard to give a redeeming message. She also had to deal with the conflicts and confusion which can result from situations where actions and attitudes of the believers fail to uphold the moral standards and spiritual responsibilities of the Bahá’í Faith.

Only once, during this lonely period, did Elizabeth look back in anguish. In a letter to a dear friend she wrote of her loneliness and despair and wondered whether another place might have yielded better results. But in the same letter her strength of spirit was expressed for she corrected herself, writing, "...and then I have to remember that Madeira is in the Divine Plan and the Guardian wanted an Assembly there."

In this period of tests two of her most wonderful Bahá’í experiences occurred. She attended the Most Great Jubilee in London and also received permission to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. How happy these two confirming experiences made her and how much she learned from seeing the devotion of the friends who serve at the World Centre.

In 1961 a new Bahá’í pioneer arrived to spend six months. Elizabeth warmly welcome and praised Mr. Joseph Kubik who came and helped with the Bahá’í community responsibilities. Then came a new Bahá’í family from the Canaries. There was great happiness and activity for several months, and then again Elizabeth was alone.

In 1963, at the age of eighty, Elizabeth, still alone and with her hearing growing steadily worse, she was urged by friends to return to the United States. She had the courage to reply, "No, dears, I do not want to come back regardless of how difficult things are becoming."

In 1964, Mrs. Isabel Horton, who stayed with her until her end, arrived in Madeira, giving her the assurance she needed that her lifelong accumulation of Bahá’í literature and archives materials would be safely preserved.

Elizabeth Hopper died on May 3, 1967.

The Universal House of Justice in recognition of her self-sacrifice cabled the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States on May 5, 1967:

PLEASE ASSURE FRIENDS PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS SOUL ELIZABETH HOPPER KNIGHT OF BAHAULLAH OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE DEVOTION STEADFASTNESS

April 4. On this date in 1923, Rahmatu'lláh Muhájir, later a Hand of the Cause of God and Knight of Bahá'u'lláh, was born in Iran.

April 4. On this date in 1923, Rahmatu'lláh Muhájir, later a Hand of the Cause of God and Knight of Bahá'u'lláh, was born in Iran.

Rahmatu'lláh Muhájir was a prominent fourth generation Bahá’í, born on April 4, 1923, in Iran. In 1954 he married Írán Furútan, the daughter of Hand of the Cause of God and Iran National Spiritual Assembly Member 'Alí-Akbar Furútan, who is known for his censorship of (devout Bahá’í scholar) Jinab-i Fadil's academic works. The newlyweds pioneered to the Mentawai Islands for which they were named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh by Shoghi Effendi in 1954. In 1958, Rahmatu'lláh Muhájir was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God by Shoghi Effendi. He died of a heart attack at the age of 56 in Ecuador.

The 25th anniversary of Rahmatu'lláh Muhájir's death was marked in Ecuador by a Growth and Victories conference and graveside ceremony, including a talk by his daughter, Gisu. His daughter Gisu Mohadjer Cook works at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., and lives in Potomac, Maryland. In 2012 she and her husband purchased the historic Dublin Inn in Dublin, New Hampshire where 'Abdu'l-Bahá stayed for three weeks in 1912, and donated it to the national Baha’i community. Rahmatu'lláh Muhájir's other daughter, Shabnam Rahnema, works as an attorney in London.

World Centre: PROFOUNDLY LAMENT UNTIMELY PASSING IN QUITO ECUADOR BELOVED HAND CAUSE RAHMATULLAH MUHAJIR FOLLOWING HEART ATTACK COURSE HIS LATEST SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR. UNSTINTED UNRESTRAINED OUTPOURING OF PHYSICAL SPIRITUAL ENERGIES BY ONE WHO OFFERED HIS ALL PATH SERVICE HAS NOW CEASED. POSTERITY WILL RECORD HIS DEVOTED SERVICES YOUTHFUL YEARS CRADLE FAITH HIS SUBSEQUENT UNIQUE EXPLOITS PIONEERING FIELD SOUTHEAST ASIA WHERE HE WON ACCOLADE KNIGHTHOOD BAHAULLAH HIS CEASELESS EFFORTS OVER TWO DECADES SINCE HIS APPOINTMENT HAND CAUSE STIMULATING IN MANY LANDS EAST WEST PROCESS ENTRY BY TROOPS. FRIENDS ALL CONTINENTS WHO MOURN THIS TRAGIC LOSS NOW SUDDENLY DEPRIVED COLLABORATION ONE WHO ENDEARED HIMSELF TO THEM THROUGH HIS GENTLENESS HIS LUMINOUS PERSONALITY HIS EXEMPLARY UNFLAGGING ZEAL HIS CREATIVE ENTHUSIASTIC APPROACH TO FULFILMENT ASSIGNED GOALS. URGE FRIENDS EVERYWHERE HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERINGS BEFITTING HIS HIGH STATION UNIQUE ACHIEVEMENTS. MAY HIS RADIANT SOUL ABHA KINGDOM REAP RICH HARVEST HIS DEDICATED SELF-SACRIFICING SERVICES CAUSE GOD. (Cablegram from the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies 30 December 1979)

March 29. On this date in 2006, Ruth Katherine Meyer passed away. She had been named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for her pioneering work to Margarita Island in 1953.

March 29. On this date in 2006, Ruth Katherine Meyer passed away. She had been named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for her pioneering work to Margarita Island in 1953.

"Knight of Bahá'u'lláh" was a title conferred to Bahá'ís who introduced the Bahá'í Faith to new territories during the Ten Year Crusade.

What has always struck me about the designation of Knights of Bahá'u'lláh is the arbitrariness with which the "virgin territories" were defined.

For example, the Cook Islands and Tonga Island, both part of the Realm of New Zealand have distinct sets of Knights, while Niue and the Chatham Islands, also part of the Realm of New Zealand, are Knightless.

Several islands off the coast of Alaska have distinct Knights, like Baranof Island , Kodiak Island, and the Aleutian Islands. Yet other Alaskan islands, like the Pribilof Islands are Knightless.

The Brazilian state of Amapá has its own Knights (for Portuguese Guiana), while the other Brazilian states are Knightless.

Crete and Rhodes have Knights distinct from the Knights of mainland Greece, yet other Greek islands, like Santorini and Samos, are Knightless.

Key West has its own Knight, yet the other Florida Keys are Knightless.

Tiny islands, like Great Manan, have their own Knights. St. Thomas Island has its own Knight, yet the remaining Leeward Islands have one set of Knights, representing numerous politically and geographically independent islands. Similarly, the Windward Islands have one set of Knights, representing numerous politically and geographically independent islands.