ABDU'L BAHA - CENTER OF THE COVENANT

Since His childhood Abdu'l-Baha had recognized His father's station and was His closest companion and protector. From the time of His youth He actively participated in His father's ministry by assisting with correspondence, writing religious commentaries, and meeting with religious leaders.Throughout His life Abdu'l-Baha was known for His courteous and gracious manner, His kindness, His love for children, His generosity and His care for the poor and suffering. He was knighted by the British for the part he played in alleviating the suffering of the people of the Holy Land during the 1914-18 war, a title he accepted, but never used.Like His father, Abdu'l-Baha suffered persecution and was held a prisoner in Akka for 40 years. Still He continued spreading the Baha'i Faith. He was finally freed from governmental arrest in 1908. In 1911 and 1912 He traveled to Europe and the United States, teaching the Faith at the request of interested western inquirers and early believers. He, too, wrote many books and letters and had talks transcribed which today make up part of the scriptural resources available to Baha'is. Before Abdu'l-Baha died in 1921, He provided for the continued spiritual leadership of the Faith by establishing the Institution of the Guardianship.