`Abdu’l-Bahá

Upon the death of Bahá’u’lláh in 1892, his son Abbas Effendi (1844-1921 CE), took the title `Abdu’l-Bahá (“Servant of Bahá’u’lláh”) and assumed the role given him by Bahá’u’lláh as the new head of the Bahá’í community. During his tenure he consolidated the Bahá’í community by opening schools, initiating women's activities, and encouraging all Bahá’ís to observe the Holy Days and feasts. He did much to establish the Bahá’í Faith in Europe and North America. He wrote prolifically, producing over 30,000 letters providing authoritative guidance to the Bahá’ís. Before his death he designated his eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, as his successor, along with the Universal House of Justice to be elected in the future.