Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs 41. (1990)

BEVERIDGE, Kent D.: „Worthy Representative of Europe“. Anton Graf Prokesch von Osten

Anton Graf Prokesch von Osten

Mírzá Husayn-Alí et ses partisans, n’ait été pour quelque chose dans leur persécution et je me sens engagé en conscience.“70)

The motives for the exile of Bahá’u’lláh and his followers from Adriano- ple to ‘Akká were portrayed in the writings of those European diplomats acquainted with the situation as essentially political rather than religious in nature. The Ottoman officials recognized that both the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, in upholding the sovereignty of the Imámate, denied that the Caliphate was divinely ordained71). The misgivings of these officials were exacerbated by various accusations which followers of Subh-i-Azal made concerning Bahá’u’lláh’s intentions. Therefore, the Sublime Porte removed what it considered to be a disquieting influence in an already unstable area to „a less dangerous point“ without bothering to examine the charges seriously72). The Austrian ambassador to the Sublime Porte, Anton Graf Prokesch von Osten, as well as several of his colleagues, intervened in an attempt to have the edict banishing Bahá’u’lláh and some of his followers to ‘Akká, the „Bastille of the Middle East“, rescinded. Yet, despite of his great influence at the Court of the Sultan and his deep personal friendship with ‘Ali Pasha, the Grand Vizir, Prokesch- Osten was unable to have the Jarman withdrawn. It cannot be assumed, however, that his actions were completely without effect, for the original decision to disperse the remaining followers of Bahá’u’lláh among various outposts within the Ottoman Empire was suddenly reversed. It appears that diplomatic endeavors on behalf of the Bahá’ís did, indeed, help to mitigate the severity of measures taken against them by the Sublime Porte.

70) „.. .when one believes that he is God or companion of God, and leaves his country and suffers all of the persecutions of the world for this [belief), then he does not convert to another faith.“ „But you know how much chance I have being understood.“ „...for I fear that my book, by calling attention to Mírzá Husayn-‘Ali and his followers, had something to do with their persecution. I feel obligated by my conscience.“

71) See note 30.

72) Various notables in Constantinople had counseled Bahá’u’lláh „to state your case, and to demand justice“. Bahá’u’lláh’s response is quoted as follows: „If the enlightened minded leaders [of your country] be wise and diligent, they will certainly make inquiry, and acquaint themselves with the true state of the case; if not, then [their] attainment of the truth is impracticable and impossible. Under these circumstances what need is there for importuning statesmen and supplicating ministers of the Court?“ A Traveller’s Narrative Written to Illustrate the Episode of the Báb trans. E. G. Browne 2 (Cambrigde 1891) 92. Bahá’u’lláh ignored the customs of court life while in Constantinople which is said to have prejudiced various Ottoman officials against him (Balyuzi Bahá’u’lláh 197ff,; Ta- herzadeh Revelation vol.2, 55f.).

155