Baháʼí Faith in Hungary
[1] Arminius (Ármin) Vambery in his book, "Meine Wanderungen und Erlebnisse in Persien", published in 1867, explored Persia incognito and speaks of the Báb and His followers who are associated with the beginnings of the Baháʼí Faith.
In 1872 Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of the religion, addressed Franz Joseph I of Austria referring to the latter's visit to Jerusalem while he was in Akka and prophesied his fall in the Kitab-i-Aqdas.
[7][8] In 1912 a theosophist gave a public talk on the religion[1] and this same individual invited ʻAbdu'l-Bahá to Hungary, aware of his journeys in the West.
In Budapest ʻAbdu'l-Bahá met with a number of Hungarian leaders, including both Arabs and Turks: Gyula Germanus (April 9), Canon Alexander Geisswein (the 11th), Arminius Vambery(12th and 14th) (who wrote in great admiration of Abdu'l-Baha), Ignác Goldziher (9th, 11th, 14th), Count Albert Apponyi, and Robert Nadler (10th, 12th).
These letters were compiled in the book titled Tablets of the Divine Plan, but its publication was delayed owing to World War I and the Spanish flu pandemic.
Show ye an effort and after this war spread ye the synopsis of the divine teachings in the British Isles, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Portugal, Rumania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, San Marino, Balearic Isles, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete, Malta, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Shetland Islands, Hebrides and Orkney Islands.
[17] According to Shoghi Effendi, then head of the religion, an incident in 1928 Smyrna, Turkey, concerning the Baháʼís was reported in Hungarian newspapers.
[2] In 1932 two Baháʼís are noted in Hungary suggesting they are undertaking translating materials into Hungarian - Nicholas Erdelyi and George Steiner, both from Győr.
[25] By Feb 1947 a letter was received in the US indicating the Baháʼís of Budapest had suffered with destroyed homes and in need of clothing, shoes and food[26] with some improvement in conditions by August.
[34] In 1987 Hand of the Cause Rúhíyyih Khanum toured the country investigating growth of the religion which was followed by a new round of newspaper stories and the opening of an information center in 1989.
[1] In January 1990 a Baha'i singing group, El Viento Canta, was able to tour Hungary and meet Baha'is in various homes, be interviewed on television, giving concerts for ambassadors and high school students.
[35] In summer 1992, the musical group Light in the Darkness from Italy, had concerts in various cities across the country which resulted in various articles and TV broadcasting.
[38] Since the inception of the Baháʼí Faith, its founder Baháʼu'lláh exhorted believers to be involvemed in socio-economic development, leading individuals to become active in various projects.
Otto von Habsburg remembers in an interview that it was worth raising up his voice in the European Parliament for the human rights of the Baháʼís in Iran.
[24][non-primary source needed] In accordance with a 2011 religion law 82 religious groups, including the Baháʼís, asked to be officially recognized by the parliament.
