In the final years of World War I (1917–1918 CE; approximately 1335–1336 AH), General Edmund Allenby captured Palestine from the Ottomans and established a British military administration there. Baha’is wrote about “a glimpse of the conquest of Haifa and the greatness of ʻAbdu’l-Bahá”:
Jamāl Pasha (the Ottoman commander in the Palestine theater)… at the outset of the British attack and the beginning of the Suez Canal campaign, upon receiving the hostile petition against ʻAbdu’l-Bahá prepared by opponents, and all the slanders and fabrications they compiled, said: “After my return, I will crucify Abbas Effendi in Jerusalem,” but he was defeated and gradually retreated until on the eighteenth of Dhu al-Hijjah 1334 AH, the British army attacked Haifa. British and Indian cavalry advanced from the east to the Ottoman artillery, captured the city, and the remaining Ottomans were taken prisoner. The victorious British commander, General Andrew, upon encountering the local authorities, inquired with the city mayor and dignitaries about the safety and wellbeing of ʻAbdu’l-Bahá. He and his military officers then visited ʻAbdu’l-Bahá in Acre, where Colonel Stores (the governor of Jerusalem) also arrived by car, entered his house, and conveyed the message: “On behalf of my government, Great Britain, I am tasked with inquiring about His wellbeing and bringing glad tidings.” General Allenby (the commander of Palestine) humbly visited him, expressed honor in meeting him, and was delighted that he could come under such circumstances. He, along with his officers, had lunch with ʻAbdu’l-Bahá in Bahjí [images 107 and 108].
After the end of military rule in Palestine, by order of the British Prime Minister, Sir Herbert Samuel [images 127 and 129] was appointed as High Commissioner and head of the civil government of Palestine. He was a Jew and had proposed at the beginning of World War I (1914 CE) the establishment of a homeland for Jews in Palestine under British support. According to one researcher, Samuel—who was a prominent and well-known Zionist thinker and activist—maintained close friendship and cooperation with Abbas Effendi during his five-year administration. Early in his governance in Palestine, the British court honored Abbas Effendi with the title “Knight of the Order of the British Empire.” This honor was conferred by General Edmund Allenby (as referred to in the Baha’i account: Commander of Palestine), and from then on, he became known as Sir Abbas Effendi.
Baha’is claim that “the British government, for the greatness of His benevolent status towards all humanity, maintaining world peace, and caring for the distressed, sent this honor and title to him and presented it according to the customary ceremonies in Haifa” [33]. Abbas Effendi also prayed for the King of Britain, George V, as follows:
O Allah, the pavilion of justice has spread its cords… We thank You and praise You for the arrival of this just kingdom and supreme state… O Allah, support the Great Emperor George V of England with Your eternal guidance and providence… 26 Jumada al-Awwal 1337 AH [34].
During Sir Herbert Samuel’s five-year administration, the Jewish population in Palestine increased from 55,000 to 108,000 [35]. After the death of Abbas Effendi (1340 AH), Samuel was among the primary mourners [36]. Sir Winston Churchill (then Secretary of Colonies and later the famous Prime Minister of Britain [37, images 128 and 129]) and General Edmund Allenby, who had honored Abbas Effendi with the Knight of the Order of the British Empire, sent telegrams to Samuel expressing their condolences.
On 1 December 1921, No. 365: “I received with great sorrow the news of the passing of Sir ʻAbdu’l-Bahá Abbas. Please ensure that a proper tribute is conveyed to the Baha’i community on behalf of His Majesty the King of Britain.” Signed: Churchill.
From Egypt, 29 November 1921: “Please convey my sincere condolences to the family of the late Sir ʻAbdu’l-Bahá Abbas and the Baha’i community for the loss of their revered guide.” Allenby [38].
References:
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David Fromkin, A Peace to End All Peace, p. 431.
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Asadollah Fazel Mazandarani, Tarikh-e Zohur al-Haqq, vol. 7, typed version, p. 419.
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David Fromkin, A Peace to End All Peace, p. 434.
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Knight of the Order of the British Empire.
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Abdullah Shahbazi, Essays on the History of Baha’ism in Iran, p. 17.
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Asadollah Fazel Mazandarani, Tarikh-e Zohur al-Haqq, vol. 7, typed version, p. 422.
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Asadollah Fazel Mazandarani, Asrar al-Athar Khass, vol. 3, pp. 143–144.
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Asadollah Fazel Mazandarani, Tarikh-e Zohur al-Haqq, vol. 7, typed version, p. 448.
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Asadollah Fazel Mazandarani, Asrar al-Athar Khass, vol. 3, pp. 146–147.