|
It was in 1901, on the fifth day of the month of Jamadiyu'l- Avval 1319 A.H. (August 20) that Abdu'l- Baha, upon His return from Bahji where He had participated in the celebration of the anniversary of the Bab's Declaration, was informed, in the course of an interview with the governor of Akka, of Sultan Abdu'l- Hamid's instructions ordering that the restrictions which had been gradually relaxed should be reimposed, and that He and His brothers should be strictly confined within the walls of that city. The Sultan's edict was at first rigidly enforced, the freedom of the exiled community was severely curtailed, while Abdu'l- Baha had to submit, alone and unaided, to the prolonged interrogation of judges and officials, who required His presence for several consecutive days at government headquarters for the purpose of their investigations. One of His first acts was to intercede on behalf of His brothers, who had been peremptorily summoned and informed by the governor of the orders of the sovereign, an act which failed to soften their hostility or lessen their malevolent activities. Subsequently, through His intervention with the civil and military authorities, He succeeded in obtaining the freedom of His followers who resided in Akka, and in enabling them to continue to earn, without interference, the means of livelihood.
(264:2)
|