Eulogies Delivered at the Funeral of Abdu'l-Baha by Jews, Christians and Muslims

Abdu'l-Baha ascended in the early morning hours of November 28, 1921, and His funeral was on Tuesday the 29th.

"As they slowly wended their way up Mount Carmel, the Vineyard of God, the casket appeared in the distance to be borne aloft by invisible hands, so high above the heads of the people was it carried. After two hours walking, they reached the garden of the Tomb of the Báb. Tenderly was the sacred coffin placed upon a plain table covered with a fair white linen cloth. As the vast concourse pressed round the Tabernacle of his body, waiting to be laid in its resting place, within the vault, next to that of the Báb, representatives of the various denominations, Moslems, Christians and Jews, all hearts being ablaze with fervent love of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, some on the impulse of the moment, others prepared, raised their voices in eulogy and regret, paying their last homage of farewell to their loved one. So united were they in their acclamation of him, as the wise educator and reconciler of the human race in this perplexed and sorrowful age, that there seemed to be nothing left for the Bahá'ís to say." (From "The Passing of Abdu'l-Baha" by Shoghi Effendi and Lady Blomfield)

Shoghi Effendi's full description of the passing of Abdu'l-Baha is found here.

The casket of Abdu'l-Baha surrounded by mourners, in the gardens above the Shrine of the Bab. The funeral procession had, perhaps, paused to wait for the arrival of more of the crowd of people still climbing Mount Carmel. Following this, Abdu'l-Baha's casket was brought to the entrance to the nearby Shrine, where the funeral orations were given. The circle of trees above the Shrine of the Bab is seen at the top right.

These are those eulogies, all but one of which was delivered in Arabic.  They were published in the Arabic-language newspapers in the Holy Land, and the following translations were later published in "Star of the West".  Please click on these small images for larger copies; then right-click and download the images; they should be readable on your computer.