Distinguish Baha'i woman laid to rest

Concord Times (Freetown)
February 24, 2000
By Sulaiman Momodu

Freetown - Amata'l Baha Ruhiyih Khanum a distinguished woman in the Bahai faith has been laid to rest in Haifa Israel.

In a message sent to Baha'is all over the world, the Universal House of Justice, Baha'i supreme spiritual institution wrote: Down the centuries to come, the followers of Bahi'u'llah will comtemplate with wonder and gratitude the quality of services, ardent, indomitable, resourceful--- that she brought to the protection and promotion of the cause." Amatu'l-Bahai was appointed Hand of the Cause of God, as a result of her spirituality and dedication to the faith.

She was a beloved consort of Shoghi Effendi (guardian of the faith). Her twenty years of itimate association with Shoghi Effendi evoked from his pen such accolades as "my helpmate", "My shield,"

"My tireless collaborator in the ardous tasks I shoulder".

Amatu'l-Baha was named Mary Sutherland Maxwell at birth.

She later married the late guardian, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani who was the great-grandson of Baha'u'llah, founder of the faith.

To an extraordinary extent, Amatu'l Baha's work exemplified the priority the faith gives to the unification of mankind.

In addition to being an administration, she was an author, poet, lecturer and film producer. She was also fluent in English, French, German and Persian.

She died in Haija, Isreal on January 19, 2000. She was 90 years old (from 1910-2000).

The Universal House of Justice wrote: "With yearning hearts, we supplicate at the Holy Threshold for infinite heavenly bounties to sourround her soul, as she assumes her rightful and well-earned position among the exalted in the Abha Kingdom".