DR. Zia Bagdadi. Named Zíá at birth by Bahá’u’lláh (in later
life called "Mabsoot"— the happy one—by Bahá’u’lláh). Following his
arrival in America in 1909 (as a medical student; graduating in 1911), he
became associate editor of the Star of the West magazine in 1911, and in later
years he prepared the Persian pages section of that same magazine. He remained
in America until his death in 1937 in Augusta, Georgia. He was a stalwart of
the community, often consulted and called upon over the years to counter Covenant-breaker
activities. Shoghi Effendi sent the following cable on learning of his passing:
“Distressed sudden passing dearly beloved Dr. Baghdadi. Loss inflicted national
interests faith irreparable. His exemplary faith audacity unquestioning loyalty
indefatigable exertion unforgettable.”
(‘Historical Dictionary of the Baha'i
Faith by Hugh Adamson’)
