While Amin’s parents spent the weekend at the Holy Land praying and meditating with memories of dear Amin, family and friends held memorials to honor him.
Here is a report from the memorial held at Amin’s resting place in Bellevue, Washington.
Today was the Anniversary of Amin-jan’s passing, and I feel you should know how it went. A few days ago I informed the friends that we are getting together on Sunday at 2:00 PM. I was there at 1:00 PM and washed the stone, watered the flowers and arranged some cut flowers around the stone. Around 2:15 about 35 friends joined us. Many prayers were said and we ended with the Tablet of Ahmad. The weather was beautiful and super warm. There was a big shade which shielded us from the sun. A nice pleasant breeze was blowing. Most people brought flowers and Amin-jan’s stone was full of flowers. What a spiritual, beautiful day, and what a blessing it was that the weather was not rainy. I am sure Amin was with us and had something to do with the weather.
In response, Amin’s parents wrote the following note earlier today:
We are sitting in top of our hotel terrace reading your email with teary eyes. How lucky we are to have a family and friends like you in our lives. Indeed it is a very special and emotional time in our life. I am sure our dearest Amin John has been with each one of us these days. We are so delighted prayers were said at his resting place on his anniversary and looking forward to see the pictures.
There were also memorials and gatherings in honor of dear Amin in Brisbane; Beijing; Shanghai; Madrid; Washington, DC; Atlanta; Houston; and San Francisco.
Below are some photos of these events. Additional photos will be made added as they become available.
A family member has kindly put together this video in memory of dear Amin upon the first anniversary of his passing. It includes pictures of Amin along with a beautiful chant of a Baha’i prayer for the departed in Persian.
We would like to celebrate the first anniversary of your new life by saying:
It has been a year that we have not been able to see your radiant face, to hold you in our arms or hear your kind voice except in our dreams. It has been a year that you have flown to the land of mystery to be closer to your Beloved. And it has been a year that we thought we have been dreaming and the reality is, yes we are sleep and you are the one who has been awakened to the breath of reality. The news that you have left this mortal life to the eternal realm was indeed unbelievable and unreal to hear and hard to accept. However, we did accept the Divine Wisdom and now after a year are still grieving. For certain, this will be a lifetime challenge for all of us.
We know that every test comes with God’s desire and definitely for a reason. Now is the time to be steadfast and prove our faith and wholeheartedly accept this Godly interaction and humbly be loyal to the wish of our creator. We are doing our best to continue life with your beautiful and memorable memories and we are sincerely thankful to Bahá’u’lláh for giving us the opportunity to know you and spend time with you for over thirty years.
With a broken heart we are indeed delighted for you because you had your last breath at the land that you loved and cherished, beautiful China and this is what you wished for. Bahá’u’lláh himself testifies: “They that have forsaken their country in the path of God and subsequently ascended unto his presence, such souls shall be blessed by the concourse on High and their names recorded by the pen of Glory among such as have laid down their lives as martyrs in the path of God, the help in peril, the self-subsistent.”
Our dear Amin-jan during the short time of your life you have accomplished the virtues that made the path smooth for you to fly to heaven. You were always a heavenly son and brother for us and now you are a heavenly soul.
In one of his passages Bahá’u’lláh has mentioned that our loved ones who are gone to the Abha Kingdom are closer to us than our own veins. We are certain and sometimes we do even feel that you are with us and aware of our position but our human mind and the wisdom of our creator has limited our comprehension to realize the life after this life. We all do believe that there would be a time we will meet again but it is not easy to wait. Bahá’u’lláh has advised us to be patient at the times of tests and hardships and we humbly try to be obedient.
Sometimes in the past instead of saying goodbye to us you used to say, “you are in my prayers and please keep me in yours” and now we would like to say, you are always in our prayers please keep us in yours as well.
You will always be remembered with profound joy and ardent and abundant love.
On September 21st, I arranged a memorial in memory of our beloved Amin-jan in my home. It was a very spiritual and special evening, and we celebrated his memory and his life. Prayers were said and Writings were read and at all times, I felt the presence of Amin jan in the meeting. In a week it is going to be exactly one year since the passing of Amin-jan. Needless to say, what a difficult year it has been. For us there has been no refuge except the prayers, Baha’i Writings, and of course the support and kindness of the family and friends.
In 2008 Amin-jan left the comfort of his home and the western world to serve Baha’u’llah in China, and he dedicated his life to the field of service. Baha’u’llah sends His salutations and blessings to the people like Amin that don’t let the vain-imagings of this world deter them from their great purpose in life which is serving the Cause. In the medium obligatory prayer Baha’u’llah says
“Blessing and peace, salutation and glory, rest upon Thy loved ones, whom the changes and chances of the world have not deterred from turning unto Thee, and who have given their all in the hope of obtaining that which is with Thee.”
On Sunday October 6th we will remember Amin-jan and will say prayers for the progress of this pure soul at his resting place, as I am sure he will say prayers in the Abha Kingdom for us as well. If you are in Bellevue, please plan to join us at 2:00 PM.
As we get close to the first anniversary of the passing of dear Amin, friends and family are getting ready to commemorate this difficult reminder of the void he has left us all. During this time Amin’s parents will be traveling to the Baha’i World Centre in Haifa and Akka, Israel to pray and meditate as they remember Amin. We know of several other memorials and prayer gatherings planned to honor Amin and celebrate his life and will share details here as they become available.
In the meantime, we hope that you enjoy this beautiful prayer for the departed by Yosi Mesbah, a talented musician living in Nashville, Tennessee.
There is no day passing with out thinking of you several times or praying for you. Although it is very hard not being able to see you but I do imagine that you have been pioneering somewhere far far away and still serving the Faith. This thoughts will brings so much comfort and solace to my heart.
My dear son, very often throughout my life I use to hear a phrase from my father which I was not able to comprehend fully until later in life and that phrase was “you do not realize how lucky you are to be a Bahá’í”. When I became older and had my own family and children then I did realize the true meaning of his say. How fortunate I am as a Bahá’í among many other things to believe in the purpose of this life and the next after.
Bahá’u’lláh explicitly states that, “had we the vision to see the other world, and the mind to conceive its glory, we would not desire to remain here even for a moment. Man is destined by God to undergo a spiritual development that extends throughout eternity. His life upon this earth is only the first stage of that development. When we outgrow our physical form, and are considered by God ready to reap the fruit of our spiritual development, we proceed to the other world. We term it death only because of our short-sighttedness. A more proper term would be ‘a more abundant life’.”
Bahá’u’lláh has assured us that you are not of those who has been lost and you will exist and will be remembered till eternity. All these meaningful words brings confirmations and joy to my heart that there is a day that we will meet again and indeed this is not the end for us but a new beginning in a different way.
Amin loved children and youth and would have been delighted to see and participate in the engagement of the youth throughout the world in advancing civilization – including the celebrations planned at 114 conferences throughout the world by Baha’is and their friends this summer.
On this Father’s Day, wishing all fathers a very joyous day. Here is a sweet note from Amin to his father from four years ago. A more proud father could not be had. We all miss you Amin-jan; particularly your mom and dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and them on this day.
From: “Amin Amirkia”
To: “S. Amirkia”
Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2009 10:44:30 PM
Subject: Happy Father’s Day
Dearest Dad,
Wishing you a very happy Father’s Day. I did not have a proper opportunity to speak with and thank you when Maryam called you earlier today.
Although words cannot express a son’s gratitude to his father, I am most appreciative and fortunate for your many years of unconditional love, sacrifice, patience and encouragement. I hope that one day I may be able to provide my children the same. It is also my hope that I will be able to live a life that will have made all your sacrifices worthwhile.
While I know that I do not express my thanks and appreciation often enough, please know that I am always very aware of all that you do and have done for Laila, Vafa and I.
In memory of the passing of Amin, we’d like to share the following beautiful prayer in Persian by ‘Abdul-Baha. In it, he consoles a bereaved parent who has lost a child, mentions the high station in the next world, and reminds the parents to accept the Will of God and be patient.
هوالابهی
ای معرض مصائب شدیده، این مصیبتِ وارد هر چند رزیّهء عظمی و بلیّهء کبری بود، ولی صبر و تحمّل آن جناب، موهبتی از خدا. آن وَلَد عزیز چون در اواخر ایّام از جام لبریز حق سرمست گشت و در نهایت توجّه به ملکوت احدیّت بود، لهذا صعودش حُکم عروج داشت و وفاتش حیات ابدی بود. حال، چون مرغ صبحدم در ریاض ملکوت در ترنّم و نِغَم است و بر شاخسار جهانِ بقا در تغنّی دمبدم. سرمست کأس عنایت است و مدهوشِ صهبای عفو و مغفرت. تو دل خوش دار و راضی به قضا شو، اِنّما یُوفّی الصّابرون اجرَهُم بِغَیرِ حساب. و البهاء علی کلّ صابرٍ علَی البلاء. عع (بشارةالنّور، ص437)
The following letter was received from Katy in China
Dear Farzaneh and Sheedfar,
I don’t know that I’ve ever met you in person – please forgive me if I have – but I found your email address through a friend. Some months ago I found the website of remembrances about Amin, and since that time I’ve been wanting to write you my condolences and a few memories.
I met Amin in Seattle several years ago. We had both recently finished Ruhi Book 7, and … had paired us together to tutor a Book 1 with some friends. I think it was the first time either of us had tutored. I hadn’t met Amin before, but I really enjoyed our time together. Amin was always thoughtful, encouraging the participants to reflect more deeply, and appreciating everyone’s contributions, however hesitant or small they seemed. I was very impressed with his consideration of others, unfailing courtesy, and his ability to make every person feel respected.
I remember at that time he mentioned his plan of going to China. A few years later, I moved to Hong Kong, and then later to Qingdao, China, but we had lost touch, and I had forgotten that he was here. We met again at the most recent Family Reunion in Hong Kong. I was touched that he remembered me, and warmly greeted me. We talked several times over that weekend, and I was overjoyed to meet a friend from back home here, and looking forward to keeping more in touch.
I didn’t hear the news of his passing right away – I’m not on Facebook and hadn’t yet seen the website set up for friends to post their remembrances. I think a friend called me, sometime after the funeral, and mentioned it. Of course I was in shock when I heard. I didn’t know what to do at first, I wanted to write something to you at that point but was still processing.
A few months later, I went to Shanghai to visit my friend. I was reading on the plane, and came across this quote, from ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s tablet for Thomas Breakwell:
“I ask of God to draw thee ever closer, hold thee ever faster, to rejoice thy heart with nearness to His presence, to fill thee with light and still more light, to grant thee still more beauty, and to bestow upon thee power and great glory.”
Immediately I was touched by the words, and determined to memorize it. I started thinking more and more strongly of Amin as I was getting closer to Shanghai. I was reciting the words as a prayer for him. Eventually a melody suggested itself, and I continued to read and recite and chant the words quietly to myself, for the rest of the journey to my friend’s house.
For about 3 weeks I was chanting this song constantly to myself, at work, during times of prayer and meditation, and at other times too. I couldn’t stop reciting it. I have read the tablet for Thomas Breakwell before, but until now failed to be moved by the words. Now I am utterly in awe at the tenderness and love ‘Abdu’l-Baha had for such a pure, dedicated soul. For me, these passages are not just for Thomas Breakwell, but also give sincere and eloquent expression to our own grief, prayers, and love for people who have passed to the next world. There is no doubt in my mind that Amin’s spirit inspired this song, and I also have no doubt that ‘Abdu’l-Baha has welcomed him with infinite tenderness and love in the Abha Kingdom.
Elika Mahony helped me make a simple recording of this chant, and I am sending it to you. You may listen to it and share it with family as you wish.
Please accept my love and regards,
Katy
Dear Katy,
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful email. Anyone who new Amin is very dear to us. Any memories or any words about Amin are precious for us. Amin’s passing came to us as a shock. We are still in a state of disbelief. How is possible that a young man with a extremely healthy life style sleeps one night and does not wake up at the next morning. As you know Amin was a fine young man. So kind and considerate and extremely respectful towards anyone and anything. He was and is loved by everyone even the ones who had met him briefly.
We miss Amin profoundly but we believe he was summoned by Baha’u’llah to Abha Kingdom to serve in another capacity. Just as Thomas Breakwell was. Dear Katy what can we do except to be submissive to the will of God. We are absolutely certain that God never makes mistake and there is a valid reason behind this incident and we pray to God every day to assist us to be able to comprehend the wisdom of Amin’s ascension to the realm above at this early stage of his life.
Our sincere thanks to you for your beautiful email and specially the chanting of the quotation by your melodious and soft voice. Every time we listen to the chanting it brings so much joy, warmth and solace to our heart and tears to our eyes. All those beautiful words reminds us of our dear Amin and we will share it with our families and friends. Anytime you are in Seattle please let us know, we would love to meet you and many thanks from all of us to you again for your kindness. My Baha’u’llah assist all of us to attain his approval.
With love and sincere appreciations, Farzaneh & Shidfar Amirkia
