A Stories

Hossein Achtchi

Hossein Achtchi spelled his last name differently than his ancestors, Aqa Husayn-i-Ashchi. He had a deep knowledge of sacred texts and had a profound loyalty to the Covenant. He taught thirteen courses at Willmette Institute.

c0dd3fe1-37d9-4dda-99c9-9ae56401ec32Hossein Achtchi
Born: December 5, 1943
Death: August 22, 2013
Place of Birth: Adasiyyih near the river of Jordan
Location of Death: Wilmette, Illinois
Burial Location: Culley’s MeadowWood Memorial Park, Tallahassee, Florida

 

Hossein was born on December 5, 1943, in Adasiyyih, a village founded by `Abdu’l-Bahá, then located in the British Mandate, Palestine, but now in Jordan. He came from a distinguished Persian/Arab Bahá’í family. One of his ancestors, Husayn-i-Ashchi, became Bahá’u’lláh’s ásh (broth) maker: hence the family name.

Hossein’s oldest brother, who passed away just a year or so ago, met `Abdu’l-Bahá as a very young boy. At age three, Hossein moved with his family to Acre (‘Akka, Israel) to serve Shoghi Effendi. When the Israeli War of Independence began in 1948, Shoghi Effendi ordered most of the Bahá’ís in Palestine to leave, but he allowed the Ashchis to remain and continue their service at the World Center.

Hossein grew up speaking both Arabic and Hebrew fluently. He added Persian by visiting Iran for some time.

After completing high school in Israel, Hossein studied at a series of universities, including Aston in the United Kingdom and Florida State University and the University of Southern California in the United States. He received degrees in biology, the field in which he earned his living. He retired some years ago and focused his time on efforts to teach the Baha’í Faith via the Web to Arabs.

Hossein first served as faculty for the Wilmette Institute in 2009 and, over the years, taught thirteen courses. On September 1, a little over a week after his passing, he was scheduled to serve as faculty for Exploring the Qur’an for the fourth time. Until recently, Hossein had also served as faculty for the Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education (BIHE). He was particularly interested in the study of Islam from a Bahá’í perspective and in translations from the Bahá’í writings into English.

Hossein’s deep knowledge of sacred texts, his profound loyalty to the Covenant, and his generosity in sharing his understandings with others deeply touched many learners in the Wilmette Institute courses he taught.

Candyce Ricco, a Wilmette Institute learner, wrote: “I’m grateful that you touched my life during a Wilmette Institute course. I will always remember, and learn from, your ability to pass knowledge on.” Rosemary Ryan added: “Many thanks for your mentoring efforts in our Institute courses. May you experience ceaseless joy in your new heavenly home.”

HosseinAshchiHossein departed this world in the seventieth year of his life. No doubt he has earned an ample reward in the Most Glorious Realms above. On May 13, in the Wilmette Institute course on Bahá’u’lláh’s Early Mystic Writings, he wrote about life after death in one of the course’s forums:

`Abdu’l-Bahá states that, when one reflects upon the very short span of life in this world and then ponders the fact that one will go to the other world, which is spiritual and eternal, one realizes that we are spiritual beings more so than material. As such, it behooves one to focus on what is lasting and eternal and not be masked by what is material and temporary at the expense of the eternal and lasting. In other words, it behooves one not to be so engrossed in this material world and its affairs that we forget God and our purpose of existence on this earth and busy ourselves 110 percent in the things that perish at the expense of things that last forever.

 

Editor’s Note:
There wasn’t much information on Hossein Achtchi except for this memorial tribute from the Wilmette Institute which seemed appropriate.

Source:
Stockman, Robert “Wilmette Institute Mourns the Loss of Faculty Member Hossein Achtchi”  wi.bahai.us: Wilmette Institute.

Images:
The American Bahá’í, January/February 2014: american.bahai.us

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Bahá'í Chronicles

We simply want to provide direct access to the heroes and heroines who have recognized and served the Bahá’í Faith and mankind. Our hope in sharing these stories is to offer enlightenment, respect and a wholehearted appreciation for the Gift.