Calling

Tahirih of Persia and Her American Contemporaries

In the 19th century, countless individuals believed a new Revelation was imminent. In Persia, the Báb fulfilled the prediction by several clerics of the appearance of the Promised Qa'im. Tahirih of Qazvin, a gifted teacher, was at the vanguard of spreading the Báb's teachings. She unceasingly proclaimed the Bábí Faith and brought a deeper understanding of its teachings to the rapidly growing numbers of its converts. Her vibrant poetry gave voice to her spiritual longing and passion, and its freshness reflected the vitality of the new spiritual teachings. She emerged as the most outspoken of the Babí leaders. The authorities responded by having her murdered in the dead of night. The memory of her life survives in her poems.

At the same time, many Americans believed the Second Coming of Christ was imminent. Several churches and movements emerged, some founded by women. Among them were Ellen G. White, a theological...Show More

In the 19th century, countless individuals believed a new Revelation was imminent. In Persia, the Báb fulfilled the prediction by several clerics of the appearance of the Promised Qa'im. Tahirih of Qazvin, a gifted teacher, was at the vanguard of spreading the Báb's teachings. She unceasingly proclaimed the Bábí Faith and brought a deeper understanding of its teachings to the rapidly growing numbers of its converts. Her vibrant poetry gave voice to her spiritual longing and passion, and its freshness reflected the vitality of the new spiritual teachings. She emerged as the most outspoken of the Babí leaders. The authorities responded by having her murdered in the dead of night. The memory of her life survives in her poems.

At the same time, many Americans believed the Second Coming of Christ was imminent. Several churches and movements emerged, some founded by women. Among them were Ellen G. White, a theological thinker who shaped the beliefs of the Adventist movement, Sojourner Truth, who came up from slavery to electrify audiences with her salvation preaching, and Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Church of Christ Science; these women leaders were prefigured in the 18th century by 'Mother' Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers, and the long forgotten female 'exhorters'.

The Calling by Hussein Ahdieh and Hillary Chapman describes Tahirih in a fresh, new manner, juxtaposing and interweaving her life and work with that of her American contemporaries—women whose existence she was probably not aware of, but who shared with her a spiritual bond and vision of progress and justice.

  • Contributors:
    Hussein Ahdieh (Co-Author) | 
    Hillary Chapman (Co-Author)
  • Format: Softcover book | 320 pages
  • Dimensions: 150 x 225 x 18 mm | 486 g
  • Publisher: Independently published, 2017
  • ISBN: 9781588141453
  • SKU: AHDIE_CALL
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  • Contributors:
    Hussein Ahdieh (Co-Author) | 
    Hillary Chapman (Co-Author)
  • Format: Softcover book | 320 pages
  • Dimensions: 150 x 225 x 18 mm | 486 g
  • Publisher: Independently published, 2017
  • ISBN: 9781588141453
  • SKU: AHDIE_CALL

About Hussein Ahdieh

Dr Hussein Ahdieh was born and raised in Nayriz, Iran. He is a sixth-generation Bahá'í, his ancestors figuring among the first in Nayriz to accept the Bábi and later Bahá'í Faith. Hussein immigrated to the United States as a young man. Like many immigrants seeking a better life in America, he worked and attended college in the New York area. Hussein eventually completed a Masters Degree in European Intellectual History and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts.

Dr Ahdieh has had a distinguished career in education in New York. His proudest achievement is to contribute to the establishment of Harlem Preparatory School⏤a world-renowned charter high school for disadvantaged students as its Assistant Headmaster. The school is credited with helping numerous people to rise from poverty to a better life. Dr Ahdieh also served as Director of Educational Programs at Fordham University.

Hussein has been a resident of New York City for all of his adult life.

Titles by Hussein Ahdieh

About Hillary Chapman

Hillary Chapman is a writer, songwriter, teacher, and guitarist. He is a fourth generation American Bahá'í who is the grandson of Hand of the Cause Leroy loas, who worked closely with Shoghi Effendi and Rúḥíyyih Khánum. He holds degrees from Haverford College, the University of Pennsylvania, and a diploma from the University of Paris.

Titles by Hillary Chapman

Early Believers

History of the Faith, Women