News

Montreal, April 8, 2020 - One of the most beloved and active members of the Montreal's Bahá'í community, Khosrow Saidi (1940-2020), left this mortal world for the immortal Kingdom of eternity! This unexpected news brought deep sadness and a deep sense of loss to the entire Bahá'í Community in Montreal.

In response to the call of the Universal House of Justice and as part of the activities of the expansion of the Bahá'í Faith, the Saidi family left Iran in 1975 to serve in Africa. The young family inspired by the love of the Faith, left their homeland for the first time to serve in an unknown continent.

When they left Iran, they only knew they would go to West Africa. Their journey took them first to Niger, to Togo and then to Ghana before landing in Ivory-Coast.

Mr. Saidi, was known for his jokes and his great sense of humor, always ready to help friends at any time, no matter the obstacle! He was always very positive, with immense confidence in the love and power of God. His life was dedicated to the Faith!

He particularly liked to have their home open to friends and guests! His family thought it was a prerequisite to have a guest at home for lunch, dinner or sleep. The important question of the day was "Who's the guest at home today?" Their house was known as the "Saidi Hotel" where hundreds of friends, pioneers and members of many Bahá'í Institutions gathered and stayed there.

In Abidjan, while in charge of the Centre for Broadcasting Education at the University of Ivory-Coast, he helped inaugurate the first Bahá'í Audiovisual Centre in West Africa. In this role, he oversaw the production of audiovisual material to help teach the Faith in many West African countries.

For the past 35 years, following political problems in Ivory-Coast, the Saidi family has moved its field of service to Montreal where Mr. Saidi served in various Institutions of the Faith, virtually until the end of his life.

In 2017, his health began to deteriorate: he slowly began to lose his voice, but not his smile and his habit of hugging everyone to show his affection. In 2018, his health has reached a critical stage. Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented the family from being with Mr. Saidi for the past four weeks before his soul took its flight to the kingdom of Ahá. However, we are confident that his soul felt their daily prayers during the last days of his life.

The Baha'i community in Montreal sends its deepest sympathy and love to his wife, Mehri, son Arash and daughter, Anissa, and her husband Poupak Jannissar and grandchildren, Bayan, Daryan, Leana, Mila and Kami. There was no better example of service than Mr. Saidi's with his hospitality and warmth of affection. We cherish his memory in the same way that he welcomed us, with great warmth he surrounded us and always lifted our hearts.

Hundreds of friends from all continents gathered in a virtual commemoration.

 

Bahá'í Center

 

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Montreal Shrine

 

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