About the Egypt Tourism Ad

During World War I, 'Abdu'l Bahá remained in Palestine. He was under great danger; the Ottoman Governor threatened to crucify Him after the victory over allies. By 1918, during the British advance in Palestine, it was clear that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s life was in danger. Some British Baha'is asked the Foreign Office to ensure the protection of the life of the Master and His family. Orders concerning the safety of 'Abdu'l-Bahá were sent to the British Army, in Cairo.

Hasan M. Balyuzi, a Baha’i scholar, describes the events related to this episode in his book ‘Abdu’l-Baha - The Centre of the Covenant. And he quotes a certain Major Tudor-Pole:

Means were found for making it known within the enemy lines that stern retribution would follow any attempt to cause death or injury to the great Persian Master or to any of His household... (p. 427)

It is easy to imagine what a “stern retribution” would be. And in the context of a military conflict it doesn’t surprise me that such a threat was issued to an enemy force. But I certainly cannot imagine a Baha’i issuing such a threat; it is not the way Bahá’is defend themselves.

The attitude of the British Army saved the life of ‘Abu’l-Baha.

Today, baha’is are facing dangers and discriminations in several Muslim countries. And to our surprise a group called The Muslim Network for Muslim Rights began a very interesting campaign to support the civil right of Baha’is in countries like Iran and Egypt. One of the highest moments of their campaign was a video called Egypt Tourism Ad.

I love the video. I found it has a very powerful message exposing the other side of Egypt’s paradise: the lack of civil right for religious minorities such as the Baha’is. I sent the link to several friends and relatives, and at least one Portuguese Christian blog posted it. But I can not imagine any baha’i producing such a video; that is not the way Bahá’is protest against those who deprive them of civil rights.

To those baha’is who see this video as an insult to Egypt or as a harmful approach that doesn't help Baha'is, I have to remind you the following: the language, the methods and tools of Civil Rights Groups may not be the same those of the Baha’is; but they may prove to be efficient to protect our brothers of faith in Egypt and in Iran, just like the language, the methods and the tools of the British army proved to be efficient in saving the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in 1918.