T&J

Tahereh Elena Jalal (-->Gloria)

That's my full name... at least on my birth certificate, though everyone knows me (and I wish to be called) as Tahereh. I really like the other 2 names, as I was named Elena after both my Grandmothers (Elena the greek and Elena Carmen the italian). Both very strong and sweet womens, which I love and adore. I was named Jalal/Gloria as I was born on the last day of the month Jalal, in the Baha'ì calendar...

My name is very special for me as it has a special meaning, an overshadowing one. For those not acquainted with the story of Tahirih, I'll try to give a simple and straight portrait of Her.

She was a beautiful young woman, and so far you would say nothing special, but she was indeed, as among her virtues and qualities she was widely known and respected for her deep knowledge of the Quran and Holy Scriptures and admired for her wisdom, moreover she was very eloquent and an appreciated poet, which in the time and place she was living (Persian empire, mid-ninetheenth century...) was oustanding!

I must say her all life was outstanding... her father, a Mullah, introduced her to the studying of the Holy Writings and was soon astonished by her deep understanding. Many learned came to question her and be adviced on different matters. She would sit behind a curtain (for it was prohibited for men to see women in face) as men would come to meet and discuss theological issues with her father, they would always refer to Her.

She was a searcher of the Truth. Studying the books of that time She came across a master of a divinity (theology) school, who was inviting his students to search for the Qaim (or Promised One) foretold in the Holy Writings, throughout the country, as it was The Time for His coming. Many of those students were sent across the country to search for their Beloved, the longing of their hearts... wouldn't you do the same if someone told you that God has sent another Messanger and He was living among you?? So Tahirih wrote to the master eager to know more, but her letters arrived too late, when the old learned has already passed the way. But a true heart in search for God is always guided and eventually Her uncle brought her some Tablets (Holy Writings) of a young man from Shiraz, Who was proclaming to be the Messanger of God, sent to prepare humanity for the coming of Him Whom God Would Manifest, a far Greater One, awaited and foretold in the Writings of all the previous Revelations. His title was Bab (meaning The Door) through whom all would knew the Glad Tidings. Tahirih felt immediately that what She was reading, those news, weren't the ravings of an insane, but the powerful Words of the Voice of God for this Era. Has happened to many in those days and lately on, She recognized the station of the Bab as a Manifestation of God in a dream, and started immediately to spread the Glad Tidings - inviting her relatives, her fellows, countrymen and women to find out about the Message of the Bab and the coming soon of a new Manifestation. For her love and desire to share the News She was persecuted, banished, taken away from her children and beaten by her own husband and uncle, for her teaching other women to read/writing and think with their own head (She opened a school) was confined in the house of the Kalantar and prohibited to meet anyone, for her being the first woman believing and recognizing the Truth of equality of men and women, not only in front of God's sight, but also in front of society She was put to death...

Since I learned the story of the Heroine of the Baha'i Faith I was named after, I felt unworthy of bearing it, but it also made me stronger and helped me facing many difficulties in my life, as I tried to behave in such a way to be worthy of such a Name... I'm not Tahirih, I'm just me, with all my imperfections and my mistakes, but I feel a profound love for Her as is my inspiration in many moments of my life.

*I beg your pardon if in my recallings of the story of Tahirih I've made any inaccuracy or mistake, and invite you to read one of those books:

- The Dawn-Breakers: Nabíl’s Narrative of the Early Days of the Bahá’í Revelation

- Tahirih, by Clara A. Edge

- Tahirih The Pure, by Martha L. Rooth

- The woman who read too much, by Bahiyyih Nakhjavani