Colonialism, Nationalism and Jewish Immigration to Palestine:
Abdu'l-Baha's Viewpoints Regarding the Middle East

by Kamran Ekbal

About: The purpose of this paper is to show that Abdu’l-Bahá was vehemently opposed to the cultural, political and socio-economic penetration of the Middle East by colonialism and imperialism, that He condemned their military expeditions and their invasions of the Eastern countries and designated this as “illegal”, and he recognized the people's right to resist Western inroads. He resented all forms of oppression and aggression on the part of the Colonial Powers and never kept silent about this, but pointed to such acts and put them to discussion nearly on daily basis in His talks or in the daily gatherings at His home. He was offended by the militant and violent methods with which Jewish immigrants were harassing and threatening the Palestinian Arabs in their own country and insisted that the humiliation of Jews would not end until they accept Christ, Muhammad and Bahá’u’lláh and regard all men as God’s own flock. In spite of the principle of abstaining from political activities and the obligation of obedience to political authorities, Abdu'l-Bahá saw exceptions to this rule in cases of tyranny, oppression and injustice.