This is a presentation about Mirza Fazlu’llah Banan, father of the author and main presenter. The stories of his struggle and exploits will convey a personalized vantage to the efforts and trials characterizing the lives of many Persian Bahá’ís during the first half of the twentieth century. At the same time, this historical period of transition and turbulence gives context for a glimpse into Banan’s undertakings, specifically both His services to the Bahá’í Cause and his philanthropy to the greater world. Highlights will include: three visits and correspondence with the Master, receiving several Tablets from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, visiting with Shoghi Effendi, being the only successful pilgrim during World War I, consolidating the Bahá’í community of Stuttgart Germany, starting a Baha’i girl’s school in Shiraz, hosting Martha Root in Shiraz, involvement in the Centennial celebration of the Declaration of the Báb in Shiraz, the burial of Ahmad (infant son of the Báb), travel to Philadelphia and New York at the Guardian’s request to address covenant issues, meeting Picasso, and discussing the Faith with Gandhi. The presentation will also display aspects of the process of the book’s creation, from research (which includes gathering memoires from author’s sisters, perusing the written memoire of Banan’s wife, corresponding with Bahá’í World Center, and transcribing the tape recorded recollection of Abu’l-Qasim Afnan to certain facets of pre-publication.
Gity Banan Etemad, M.D. is a retired pediatrician and was an Associate
Professor at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pa,
where for decades she treated children and taught trainees at St.
Christopher Hospital for Children and Temple University Hospital. She
also worked with NGO “Health for Humanity” travelling globally to give
public talks on health issues and continuing medical education to health
care workers in developing countries. A co-founder of Interfaith
Philadelphia and secretary for Temple University’s Dialogue Institute,
she has been heavily involved in interfaith work promoting dialogue
between diverse leaders, students, and faith groups. She has published
various articles including an entry in Encyclopedia Iranica. Dr. Banan is a
fourth generation Baha’i and active in the Baha’i community. She and
her husband Dr. Bijan Etemad , reside near Philadelphia and have three
children and five grandchildren.
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