1934 25 Nov |
The first Spiritual Assembly of Addis Ababa was formed. [BW6:70]
The community was established by Sabri Elias, and Fahima Elias, pioneers from Egypt who thus earned the title Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. Later Elias was asked to return home with other foreigners. [BW6:71]
Ethiopia was the only independent Kingdom in Africa at this date. [BW6:70]
Wikipedia says that the Assembly was formed in "late 1934".
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Local Spiritual Assembly; Sabri Elias; Fahima Elias; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Ethiopia |
first LSA Addis Ababa; first African to take the Faith to another African country. |
1934 8 Nov |
There were ten Bahá'ís in Addis Ababa when the first LSA was elected. Its members were Atto Sium Gabril-ch, Atto Haila Gabril-vc, Habib Boutros, Sabri Elias-sec, Edouard Goubran, El-Saad Said, E-saad Mansour, Abdu'llahi ahmed, and Aurahil Egsabaihir.
A cable announcing formation of the Assembly was sent to Shoghi Effendi, who replied "rejoiced, praying, love, gratitude".
In 1934 Sabri Elias was able to have Baha'u'lláh and the New Era translated into Amharic and then published. This was an important step in disseminating the teachings of the Bahá'í Faith across the country. The book was distributed to local libraries and to Bahá'ís around the world. In 1936, a copy of the book was given to the then - Ethiopian King, His Majesty Haile Selassie when he was visiting Jerusalem by a Canadian Bahá'í Mrs. Lorol Schipeflocher. [bahai.org]
A circular letter of 21 August 1935 informed LSAs that spiritual meetings had been suspended due to the "present condition of Ethiopia". Elias was forced to leave Ethiopia by socio-political events in 1935, but he and Mrs Elias returned to Addis Ababa in January 1944. [BW10p57]
This Assembly became the first incorporated Local Spiritual Assembly in Africa. [BW13p287] |
Local Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; LSA, formation; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Ethiopia |
first incorporated LSA in Africa |