Monthly Archives: October 2012

Dearest family and friends,

We are grieving at the sudden and shocking loss of our beloved son and brother Amin Amirkia.  We are heartbroken but submit to the Will of God.  We are making arrangements for his funeral in China and plan to travel there as soon as logistics and travel details including visas can be put in place.

During this difficult time, we ask for your prayers for the progress of Amin’s soul.  As well for prayers for solace and patience for all of us such that we endure this great loss.

We thank you for your many comforting thoughts and words.  We are sorry that we are not able to answer each one in person.  You may know that this web site has been set up to collect memories, tributes and pictures of Amin.  We will appreciate your review and comments here which will be updated regularly.

With heartfelt regards,

Shidfar, Farzaneh, Ashkan & Laila + Vafa

As the news of Amin’s passing has reached the far flung corners of the world, there has been an outpouring of sympathy and admiration on Facebook.  Below are some examples from family, friends and those who did not know Amin but have been touched by his gentle humanity and untimely passing.

This video was just received from China and shows beloved Amin and the rest of the family visiting at the HuaShan hospital in Shanghai, China on the evening of October 5, 2012.  While waiting for for cousin May Farid to give birth, they shared storied and laughter.  Precious moments together.

For those who do not have access to YouTube service due to country restrictions, below is the same video via the Chinese YouKu service.

Two prayer gatherings were held in Beijing, where Amin lived, on Monday and Tuesday, October 8 and 9, 2012, in honor and loving memory of him.

Beijing, China
October 8, 2012

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Amirkia,

We are deeply saddened by the loss of your son, Amin, who was a key member of our China Practice.  Amin was both an excellent lawyer and loyal friend.

During this difficult time we want to assure you that Amin was someone that we loved very much and felt his contribution to the firm was unmatched.  He made a huge difference.  He was a mentor and leader for our younger lawyers, and he was deeply committed to their career and personal development. Amin was committed to his client matters, and committed to excellence in his performance. We can honestly say that he was one of the finest lawyers we ever worked with.  He was a kind and gentle person with much character and warmth about him.

Amin will be sorely missed by all of us at Sheppard Mullin.  He will always be remembered as a founding member of our Beijing office and for his time with us in Shanghai, where he was a close friend to many.  We honor his memory, and will preserve his legacy going forward. In this regard, our Beijing and Shanghai offices are preparing memory books of thoughts and comments prepared by our lawyers and staff concerning Amin’s work and contribution to the firm, and we will send these to you when completed.

Again, we are saddened by this loss and assure you that Amin, you, and other members of your family remain in our thoughts and prayers.

Please do let us know if we can be supportive in any way.

James Zimmerman / Don Williams / Simon Cheong
Partners in the Beijing and Shanghai offices and on behalf of everyone at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, LLP

Monday, October 8, 2012 – Shanghai

Our brother, Sheedfar,
Our sister, Farzaneh,

Words fail us, utterly fail us to convey our deepest and most sorrowful condolences for the sudden and unexpected passing of this most refined young man, our dear Amin.

To be tested the most severe of tests – the test God ordained for His own manifistations – to lose a son, only tells of His knowledge of your spiritual capacity, since we are told that He would never test a servant beyond his capacity.

Other than praying for his soul, praying for your strength and offering service in His name what can we do? We weep. We are in disbelief. We are in shock. Nima and May’s baby, Zayn, got born yesterday. We fake smiles but there is a deep sorrow welling from the depth of our hearts, knowing we have to wait for our turn now to be able to see Amin’s radiant face again.

I often said that he is a young man who belongs to a different age. A man of integrity, immaculacy, utmost courtesy, unimaginable purity. He was most refined, unlike any man of his age. Always well groomed and very self disciplined. He had the most beautiful and innocent smile. He would look with intensity and listen with respect and attentively. He was diligent at his work. Spoke Mandarin beautifully. A few days ago he was saying that he thought that Chinese children from birth to age 4 are the most beautiful babies and looking at them made him happy.

He also was saying ” I am so lucky to have all the family here near me even if we don’t see each other all the time”.

He was ready to go. His journey had ended here. He had a smooth and painless departure. He was loved by everyone who knew him and admired by all. He was given a short cut. ‘Abdu’l-Baha says this is a world of toil and trouble. He by-passed it. We know He is being welcomed by His Maker now and there will be feasts for him in the Abha Kingdom. We have to get over our own loss, knowing that it will be just a matter of time before we can behold his new beautiful countenance fit for his new environment.

We send our endless love to you and Leila joon. We will do everything in our power to console the broken heart of our sweet Vafa.

Please know that if you decide to come here our humble home is all yours. We can cry and pray together. He would probably want you to laugh and be happy though.

We love you from the depth of our hearts and we will continue praying for all of you.

Much much love
Sheri & Borge

We are deeply saddened by the untimely loss of beloved son, grandson, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend, Amin John Amirkia.  Born on December 17, 1981 in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A., Amin passed away unexpectedly and peacefully while sleep in Shanghai, China on October 6, 2012.  An accomplished lawyer, a loving son, a caring brother and a trusted friend, he will be sorely missed by all whose path he crossed.  We hope that this site will provide a means for all those who knew and loved Amin to share their tributes, memories and in some ways find console from the grief of this tragedy.  We also ask for your prayers for Amin and his family during this very difficult time.  We shall never forget Amin.

“O SON OF THE SUPREME!
I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve? I made the light to shed on thee its splendor. Why dost thou veil thyself therefrom?”

– Bahá’u’lláh

Please free to email any tributes, memories or pictures to be posted to info@aminamirkia.org.

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT OF THE SECRETARIAT

8 October 2012

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The Universal House of Justice was saddened to learn from your email letter dated
7 October 2012 of the sudden passing of Amin John Amirkia, devoted servant of Bahá’u’lláh.

Kindly assure his family of the supplications of the House of Justice in the Holy Shrines for the progress of his soul throughout the worlds of God and for their comfort and solace during this time of loss.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

cc: National Assembly of the United States