September 2011
by Carolyn - 16:34 on 01 October 2011
This has been a very exciting month for the Bahá'ís in England, marking the Centenary of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's first visit to the British Isles after 40 years as a prisoner of the Ottoman Empire. He visited Byfleet on two occasions, 9th & 28th September and His visits were quite well documented and researched. On Wednesday 9th a large group of us gathered at the Queens Head, where some of His entourage had stayed on both occasions and after lunch set off on a walk 'In the Footsteps of 'Abdu'l-Bahá' around the leafy village and to the ancient Manor House, where the current owner gave us a warm welcome and told us about some of the history of the area. We then walked back to the old Village Hall where a beautiful programme had been arranged...
The next day we were guests of Epsom Bahá'í Assembly for a meeting on the anniversary of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's address at the City Temple. This was very well attended, and after an excellent talk by Trevor Finch the lady Mayor said that she didn't know why Abdu'l-Bahá isn't spoken of in Schools and elsewhere like Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi and MLK!
Then during London Heritage Weekend we were able to visit several places where 'Abdu\'l-Bahá spoke, including the Passmore Settlement...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxXuQSMqXR0
Tonight there will be a final event, hosted by Woking Bahá\'i Assembly
September was also a month of remembrance of Carolyn's parents. September 8th was the 8th anniversary of Dad's passing and Mum's funeral. We (Bibhas, Carolyn, Chandra & Robindra) visited the Branson family grave in Abingdon, having a nice lunch en route and visiting Windsor and Henly-on-Thames. 24th/25th would have been Mum\'s 94th birthday & 73rd Wedding Anniversary, and marked 1 year since Bibhas & Carolyn took her cremation casket to the little Nightingale Cemetary overlooking the Surrey Hills...
Otherwise we were busy with our various interfaith and other groups. Events we enjoyed included a multi-faith Panel & Dinner at Morden Mosque, a book-signing at the home of a Jewish friend, Bibhas' Bengal Engineering College U.K. Alumni A.G.M. & Dinner and meeting of Waverley Faith Forum (Bibhas) and Guildford & Godalming InterFaith Forum (Carolyn) Not forgetting 9/11, when Woking People of Faith let off 'Peace' balloons in the Town Square. Also Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum Trustees meeting.
Bibhas has been in Cyprus with cousin Robi since 20th Sept...
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