Amoz Gibson

Amoz Everett Gibson (August 3, 1918 – May 18, 1982)[1] was an African American member of the Universal House of Justice, the supreme religious authority of the Baha'i faith.

Early life

Amoz Gibson was born in Washington, D.C. to William and Deborah Gibson.[2] His father William Gibson, studied as a minister at Howard University and became a Christian Science healer but had adopted the Baha’i faith together with his wife in 1912.[3] Although Amoz attended children's classes of the Baha'i faith and attended Feasts with his father, he himself only joined the Baha’i faith in 1944.[4]

Gibson obtained his Bachelor of Science in education with a major in social studies at the Miner Teachers College (now the University of the District of Columbia). He married Mary Elizabeth Lane in 1941.[5] Gibson worked at the Washington Navy Yard and joined the army in 1944,[6] serving in the Eurpean and Pacific theatres in a segregated regiment.[5]

Baha'i activism

Following his return from the war in 1946, Gibson became an active member in the Baha’i community of Washington, D.C., serving in the Local Spiritual Assembly, regional committees and as a delegate at the Baha'i national convention of the United States.[5]

He and his family moved to Mexico while he studied at Mexico City College (now Universidad de las Américas, A.C. under the G.I. Bill. He obtained his Master's degree in geography in 1951. Returning to Washington, Amoz taught geography at public school and later at Miner Teachers College.[5]

In 1953, Shoghi Effendi, the leader of the Baha’i faith, encouraged Baha’is to 'pioneer', i.e. to become missionaries of the faith.[2] In 1955 the Gibsons followed that call, moving to the Navajo Nation in Arizona.[5] There they taught in schools whilst educating the local population about the Baha’i faith. The first Navajo to adopt the Baha'i faith was Sadye Joe, in 1957.[4] Other Baha'i pioneers later settled on the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation as well as in nearby towns.[5]

After four years on the reservation, Gibson moved to Gallup, New Mexico and took a job teaching English at Fort Wingate. He was appointed principal of Bread Springs Day School in 1960.[5]

One of Gibson's notable achievements in his activities on the reservation included organizing the visit of Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, the wife of Shoghi Effendi, to the reservation in 1960.[5] The visit encouraged broader local awareness of the Baha'i faith and stimulated new activities[4]. In 1962, Gibson organized a conference of a thousand Baha'i supporters at Pine Springs, Arizona, which was attended by The Hand of the Cause,[5] Dhikru'llah Khadem.[4]

In 1959, Gibson was named to the Auxiliary Board for protection, an institution responsible for overseeing the protection and propagation of the Baha'i faith. In 1960, he was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.[5] He represented the board on trips throughout the United States and in Jamaica, Haiti, and Uganda.[7]

Universal House of Justice

In 1963, when attending the first Baha'i International Convention in Haifa, Israel, Gibson was elected to the first Universal House of Justice,[3][5] the supreme ruling body of the worldwide Baha'i movement. Gibson subsequently relocated to Haifa with his family, arriving in July 1963. He was appointed as Convener of the Department of Holy Places[5] and was heavily involved in the structural designs and maintenance of the Baha’i Shrines in Haifa. Gibson continued to teach while travelling across the globe, visiting Baha’i communities in Europe, America and the Middle East.[4]

Illness and death

Gibson was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in August 1980. Although treatment caused his illness to go into remission for a year, it became apparent that the diagnosis was terminal. In the final year of his life, Gibson visited his children some of whom were ‘pioneering’ Baha’i teachings around the world.[4] He resigned from the Universal House of Justice shortly before his death.[5] He died on May 14 in Haifa and was interned in the Baha’i cemetery.[8]

On May 15, the Universal House of Justice notified the international Baha’i community of Gibson's death:

With sorrowful hearts lament loss our dearly-loved brother Amoz Gibson who passed away after prolonged heroic struggle fatal illness. Exemplary self-sacrificing promoter faith achieved brilliant unblemished record constant service founded on rocklike staunchness and deep insatiable love for teaching work particularly among Indian and black minorities western hemisphere and indigenous peoples Africa. His notable work administrative fields North America crowned final nineteen years incalculable contribution development world centre world embracing faith. Praying shrines bountiful reward his noble soul throughout progress Abha Kingdom. Express loving sympathy valiant beloved widow partner his services and bereaved children. Advise hold befitting memorial gatherings everywhere Baha'i world and commemorative services all Mashriqul Adhkars.[4][5]

References

1. "Amoz Gibson - Leader of Bahai Faith". Lakeland Ledger. Associated Press. May 18, 1982. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
2. Bishop, Katie. "Shining Lamp: Amoz Gibson (1918-1982)". Brilliant Star. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
3. Etter Lewis, Gwendolyn (2006). Lights of the Spirit: Historical Portraits of Black Baha'is in North America, 1898-2000. Baha'i Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 1931847266.
4. Gibson, Mary. "Amoz Gibson". The Baha'i World. George Ronald. 18: 665–669.
5. "In Memoriam". bahai-library.com. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
6. Dyson, Omari (2020). African American Culture [3 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of People, Traditions, and Customs. p. 48. ISBN 1440862435.
7. "Amoz Everett Gibson". bahai-library.com. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
8. "Amoz Everett Gibson (1918-1982) - Find A Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2020-07-25.