ARRIVAL
Bahá’í teachings. Over the next eight months, He gave talks across the United States and Canada about topics such as the need to establish world peace, unity among all religions and races, and the equality of women and men. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had three people traveling with Him: His nephew, Dr. Amínu’lláh Faríd, a physician who translated ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Persian words into English; Siyyid Asadu’lláh-i-Qumí; and Ma¥múd-iZarqání. Ma¥múd kept a careful diary of events during the journey. A tugboat chugged out to meet the Cedric, bringing newspaper reporters who wanted to interview ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He stood on the ship’s upper deck. His long tan robe and black cloak flapped in the breeze. A white turban perched on His head over His long white hair. One reporter wrote, “His face was light itself as he scanned the harbor and greeted the reporters. . . .” When the ship pulled past the Statue of Liberty, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá held His arms wide and said, “There is the new world’s symbol of liberty and freedom. After being forty years a prisoner I can tell you that freedom is not a matter of place. It is a condition. . . . When one is released from the prison of self, that is indeed a release.” One of the reporters asked, “What is a Bahá’í?” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá replied, “To be a Bahá’í simply means to love all the world, to love humanity and try to serve it; to work for Universal Peace, and the Universal Brotherhood.”2 Shortly after noon, the ship reached its pier. Most ocean liners docked at the Chelsea Piers, which were flanked by grand buildings with an imposing arched entrance.
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