Abdu´l-Bahá on Colonialism, Nationalism, and Jewish Immigration to Palestine

The First World War led to major changes in the political landscape of the Middle East. The fall of the Ottoman Empire and its destruction by the Allied Forces, the October Revolution in Russia and the Soviet expedition to Gilan, British occupation of Palestine and the increasing Jewish immigration to the Holy Land, an upsurge of Arab nationalism and the struggle for the establishment of an Arab Kingdom under Feisal are the main cornerstones of the new era in the history of the Middle East. The decline of Ottoman rule in Palestine also brought an end to the period of increased persecutions and danger for Abdu’l-Bahá and the Baha’is there. Increasing numbers of visitors from the East and the West could now visit Abdu’l-Bahá and consult with him on diverse matters of interest. Many wrote about their encounters and transmitted a vivid picture of the topics discussed with him. These topics, generally concerning questions of spiritual, metaphysical, philosophical, and historical matters, drew also upon current events, the present and future situation of the Middle East, and world affairs.

Based mainly on the talks and letters of Abdu’l-Bahá and the unpublished travelbook of Dr. Zia Baghdadi, one of the leading Baha’is in the United States, who visited Abdu’l-Bahá from December 1919 to August 1920, this article gives a preview of Abdu’l-Bahá’s views and opinions on matters concerning the political affairs of the Middle East. It sheds light on how he discussed political issues at his home, nearly on a daily basis, and how he condemned colonialism and the encroachments of the colonial powers, which he openly called “illegal” in his talks and writings. It points out that, according to him, there were exceptions to every fundamental rule of the Baha’i faith, such as the obligation to obey political authorities and to abstain from all political activities, and that he confirmed the right of resistance against unjust and oppressive rulers, as well as against assaults and encroachments by foreign powers. The article also highlights the critical views expressed by Abdu’l-Bahá in regard to Zionism and the way Jewish immigration to Palestine was taking shape after the British occupation of the country, warning that Zionists will meet “certain resistance” if they were not ready to mingle with the Palestinians and did not stop separating them from the Jews. The article underlines finally Abdu’l-Bahá’s assessment that the right of Jews to return to Palestine, which he saw as fulfillment of divine plans, was nevertheless bound to preconditions and that the suffering of Jews would not end unless they recognized the divine messages of Jesus and Muhammad and were ready to regard all men “as God’s own flock.”