Memories of Nine Years in 'Akká

by Youness Afroukhteh, Yūnus Afrūkhtah, Riaz Masrour (Translator)

The long awaited translation of Khatirat-i-Nuh-Saliy-i-Akka, the memoirs of Dr. Youness Afroukhteh who served Abdu l-Baha as His trusted secretary and interpreter from 1900-1909. These were difficult years when the Master was imprisoned in the city of Akka. His every move subject to misrepresentation by the Arch-breaker of the Covenant and his associates, and even His life in danger. At the same time the period saw the victories of the construction fo the Shrine of the Bab and the House of Worship in Ishqabad, and the rise of the Cause 'of 'Baha 'u 'llah in the West.
This important historical record, published in 1952 on the instructions of Shoghi Effendi, has been described as "pre-eminent among those works dealing with the history of Covenant-breaking:. At the same time it chronicles the daily life in 'Akka of many eminent early Western Baha'is including Thomas Breakwell, Hippolyte Dreyfus, Lua Getsinger and Laura Barney, the compiler of Some Answered Questions.
Over those nine years Jinab-i-Khan (the title by which Dr. Youness Afroukhteh was honoured by 'Abdu'l-Baha) served the Master in "Akka as secretary, translator, envoy and physician. His account of some of the most significant events of the period, his graphic and stirring pen-portraits of 'Abdu'l-Baha, and the description of his own emotions - all expressed in a lively and at times mischievous language of humour and wit - make this volume uniquely memorable.

Genres: Baha I

492 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2004

Reviews

[Negin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a memoir that would be of interest and relevance to Baha’is. I first read it right before going on pilgrimage over 15 years ago. It was a wonderful re-read. The author served in the Holy Land from 1900-1909. He writes with wisdom and humor. While reading this, I went through a whole gamut of emotions. What a special time in history that was!



Here are some of my favorite quotes:

Divine Confirmation
“Divine confirmation is dependent on action.”

Our Will versus God’s Will
“Whatever a human being desires for himself brings him nothing but loss, and whatever God desires for him is gain upon gain.”

Spiritual Health
“He would say that whereas physical health is only moderately communicable, physical disease is highly contagious. By the same token, the effect of spiritual health is also very gradual and slight, while spiritual disease is communicated quickly and potently. This is because a patient struck down with a spiritual disease does not seek a cure; in effect he hides his malady and thus communicates that condition covertly.”

Success
“He then explained the importance of education, and the secrets which would lead to success. He considered success and progress in any field conditional first on divine confirmation and then on wholehearted perseverance.”

[Praveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book takes you on a virtual pilgrimage to Akko at the Time of Abdul Baha more than a 100 years back , this book makes fill you with wonder, makes you cry , brings a smile . its an experience that need to be lived.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written window into this special time in history.

[Enrique Sabariego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy buen libro. Traza las memorias del traductor de Abdu'l Bahá durante los años del confinamiento de 1900 a 1909. Gracias a él podemos acercarnos a la figura del Maestro desde una perspectiva cercana.

[Nowin Djavdan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe the original is better but the English translation is awful. Don't even know how I read the whole thing. Abdu'l-Baha was my favourite character.