Madame Rúhíyyih Rabbáni

Born Mary Maxwell in New York City in 1910, Madame Rabbáni was the widow of Shoghi Effendi, who headed the Bahá’í Faith from 1921 to 1957. As such, she was for Bahá’ís the last remaining link to the family of 'Abdu'l-Baha, who headed the Faith from 1892 to 1921 and was the eldest son of the Faith's Founder, Baha'u'llah.

In her role as a Hand of the Cause, Madame Rabbáni traveled extensively, visiting some 185 countries and territories to encourage the spiritual and moral development of Bahá’í communities. She also sought throughout her life to promote environmental conservation. She was, for example, a founding member of the Alliance of Religions and Conservation, a major interfaith organization that promotes the involvement of religious groups in the conservation efforts.

Madame Rabbáni also gave support to the first Arts for Nature event, which was held 26 October 1988 at Syon House in London. Madame Rabbáni gave the keynote address, alongside Prince Philip, at the Syon House event, which was organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature-UK and the Bahá’í International Community.

Discover more about Madame Rúhíyyih Rabbáni with these informative resources:

• A Tribute to Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum
• "Amatu'l-Bahá Visits India" by Violette Nakhjavani: Discover the captivating story of Rúhíyyih Khánum's nine-month journey across India and Southeast Asia in 1964, as told by her travel companion. This book offers valuable insights into her experiences during that significant voyage.
• "The Priceless Pearl" by Rúhíyyih Rabbani: Delve into this classic biography written by Madame Rúhíyyih Rabbáni, providing a unique and intimate perspective on the life and accomplishments of The Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith.
• A Collection of Publications and Talks by Madame Rúhíyyih Rabbáni: Embark on a captivating exploration of Madame Rúhíyyih Rabbáni's thoughts, experiences, and contributions through this remarkable compilation of her publications and talks.