Monthly Archives: December 2012

My dearest Amin joon,

Last night I was not able to sleep and I was thinking about you and talking to you in my heart.  The thoughts were so comforting and soothing which I decided to write it down and read it again and again whenever I miss you so much.

My dear son you have flown to the land of light and mystery.  A place that I have no idea where it is and how it is.  Baha’ullah has given us glad tiding that it is a beautiful place. Somewhere full of happiness, kindness, peace and serenity and closeness to God where there is no room for darkness.  I am indeed extremely happy for you but it doesn’t mean that I do not miss you.

I was remembering when I came to China and the time you picked me up from the airport took me to your home and had a full agenda for whole two weeks morning till night to take me every where to show me beautiful China. How happy I was to spend time with you.  You showered me with lots of love, respect and patience.

This morning I was thinking there would be a time again when I leave this earthly life you will come to the arrival to pick me up and take me to your place and then show me the things that I can not even imagine.  Sooner or later we will be reunited with each other again.   But ‘azizedelam’ [my beloved] your sooner is much easier than mine.  You are not bound by time and you are aware of our position but as a human I have to go by the rule of this mortal life and try to be patient.   Patience is a virtue which I have to practice a lot these days.

Aminam it feels so good to write to you.

Love you forever,

Mom

A beautiful gravestone now adorns Amin physical remains at his grave site.  His parents visited this tranquil site on his birthday, remembered him with sadness and fond memories, shared prayers on behalf of all who loved Amin and left flowers.

A memorial gathering in Shanghai was held on December 15 to celebrate Amin’s 31^st birthday. Many of Amin’s family, friends and colleagues were able to attend. A brief introduction of his life was made with a slides show, his many virtues as well as his special sense of humor were told and remembered and a selection of Baha’i Writings on Life and Death and prayers for the departed were read during the meeting.

Below is a video of the gathering with the slides show and the Baha’i program we prepared in memory of Amin.

One the eve of Amin’s birthday, a prayer gathering in memory of him was held in Beijing.  Family, friends and colleagues gathered to remember Amin with fondness including his generosity, kindness and pure heart.

The following is a message from Amin’s parents on the eve of his 31^st birthday.

Dear Loved Ones,

We are approaching December 17^th which would have been Amin’s 31^st birthday.  It could not get more difficult than this not to have him with us on such a special day.  We never thought of a day like this.  Oh God, we wish we were dreaming but sadly we are not.

This year on behalf all the families and friends we will read prayers at his gravesite.  It was not supposed to be this way.  No parent should have to go through such a day.  All we can do is accept the Will of God and abide by accept the wisdom of what He has ordained for Amin and us.

How fortunate we are to have the Bahá’í beliefs on life after death.  We can read the Bahá’í Writings and prayers and take comfort in knowing that he is in a better place and we will someday be reunited with him in the realms above.

We beg God to hold our hands and not to let go during these difficult times.   Please kindly keep Amin and our family in your prayers.

With profound love to you all,

The Amirkia Family

Both Bahá’u’lláh, the prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith, and the Báb, His Forerunner, lost their sons and have prayers and tablets extolling these great sacrifices.  While not intending to compare the passing of dear Amin to those of the sacrifices and tribulations of these great prophets, we find solace in the words they have left behind.

The following is a prayer that the Báb revealed for His wife after the passing of their young son Ahmad.  The Father did not lament his loss. He consecrated his death by words such as these:

“O God, my God! Would that a thousand Ishmaels were given Me, this Abraham of Thine, that I might have offered them, each and all, as a loving sacrifice unto Thee.

O my Beloved, my heart’s Desire! The sacrifice of this Ahmad whom Thy servant Ali-Muhammad hath offered up on the altar of Thy love can never suffice to quench the flame of longing in His heart. Not until He immolates His own heart at Thy feet, not until His whole body falls a victim to the cruelest tyranny in Thy path, not until His breast is made a target for countless darts for Thy sake, will the tumult of His soul be stilled.

O my God, my only Desire! Grant that the sacrifice of My son, My only son, may be acceptable unto Thee.

Grant that it be a prelude to the sacrifice of My own, My entire self, in the path of Thy good pleasure.

Endue with Thy grace My life-blood which I yearn to shed in Thy path. Cause it to water and nourish the seed of Thy Faith.

Endow it with Thy celestial potency, that this infant seed of God may soon germinate in the hearts of men, that it may thrive and prosper, that it may grow to become a mighty tree, beneath the shadow of which all the peoples and kindreds of the earth may gather.

Answer Thou My prayer, O God, and fulfil My most cherished desire. Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the All-Bountiful.”

Persian Chant

Amin’s sister and brother-in-law, Ashkan and Laila, held a memorial gathering at their home in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday.  Baha’i prayers and Writings and perspectives on life after death were shared.  Laila spoke about her brother including his service in China.

Below are some pictures of the memorial including Laila and family who miss Amin so dearly.