In the spring of 1912 Abdu'l-Baha set off from Alexandria on
His historic journey to America. Among his small entourage was Mirza Mahmud-
i-Zarqani, who became, in the words of Shoghi Effendii, “the chronicler of His
travels”.
Mirza Mahmud went everywhere with ‘Abdu’l-Baha making
extensive notes not only of the Master's many public talks and conversations
with individuals but also of the new sights and experiences they found in
America as well as the daily routines of eating, writing letters and
travelling. Mahmud remarks on the novelty of the New York skyscrapers, electric
lights and American foods and customs for Abdu'l Baha’s party as well as the
picturesque spectacle provided to the Americans by His entourage in their ‘abas
and Persian hats.
The result was a unique diary “regarded as a reliable account of Abdu'l-Baha's travels in the West and an authentic record of His utterances, whether in the form of formal talks, table talks or random oral statements. Mirza Mahmud was a careful and faithful chronicler and engaged in assembling and publishing his work with the permission of the beloved Master . . “ (The Universal House of Justice).
