In Memory Of My Father: Sirus Naraqi

by Naysan in Baha'i Life on Aug 19, 2011.

Sirus Naraqi: 30 Sept, 1942- Aug 18, 2004

Last night marked the 7th anniversary of the passing of my father, Sirus Naraqi.

Since his passing, I have been blessed to constantly meet so many people who knew him and loved him, and share with me how he touched their lives.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been able to look back on my parents’ lives and reflect on the experiences they had. It’s interesting how you start to see the human side of a parent as you get older, and realize that they too are ordinary people – much like you and your friends – with their own hopes and dreams, fears and regrets, trials and accomplishments.

My parents were born in Iran and they moved to the United States where they were married in 1969 in front of the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. After my father finished specializing in medicine, my parents moved from the suburbs of Chicago to Papua New Guinea (PNG). I remember spending a lot of time with my dad going to the villages and doing both medical work and visiting the Baha’i's there.

My parents ended up spending 20 years in PNG, and I remember an old colleague of my father from Chicago had written to him asking why he was still in PNG after so long, and what did PNG offer that the US didn’t offer. My dad’s reply was “It’s what PNG does not have that keeps us here.”

My father had lived a life of service. By moving to PNG, he had chosen to use his medical skills to serve the disadvantaged. He would often spend his free time visiting rural areas in which medical services were not readily accessible. In addition to his work as a doctor, he was a professor of medicine at the local university, and he was committed to building the capacity of local medical professionals in order to make medical services more readily available to the people. He was also a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Australasia for 20 years, and he traveled often to meet and encourage the region’s Baha’i's.

As with any other place, growing up in PNG had both its good times and its tests. There were times when I would get upset with my parents for having moved there, especially when I saw the comfortable lifestyles many of my relatives had in the US. My dad always said that one day I would understand why they moved there, and that I would be grateful for it.

One day, while my mother and I were going through my father’s things after he had passed, I came across a small, regal-looking box. The insides were lined with velvet cloth and embedded in the cloth was a medal attached to a ribbon.

“What’s this?” I asked my mum.

“It’s your dad’s Knighthood medal.”

“What??” came my response.

It was only then that I found out - much to my surprise - that in 1999, my father had received a Knighthood (CBE) for his services to the people of Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. What was even more surprising to me was that my father had never talked about it to me! It seemed strange that I should only find out about something as significant as this while chancing upon the medal which was hidden away in some drawer, rather than placed in a frame on the wall.

I suppose it wasn’t that surprising after all. My dad’s humility was – in my opinion – one of his greatest attributes. He was always keenly aware of the needs of people around him and gave little thought and attention to the dressings. His medal was merely a testament to the fact that he was passionate about helping others and of how much he loved them.

Having my father as a role model has shaped many of my own ideas and attitudes about life, spirituality and service. I think one of the things I wish I had done more of while my father was alive, was to let him know how proud I was of him and all that he had done.

Thank you dad for dedicating your life to the service of others. I miss you.

If you knew my father and would like to share a memory or story about him, I would love to hear from you. You can either leave a comment in the section below or email me at: naysan@bahaiblog.net.

Here are a couple of beautiful tributes to my father available online:

Baha’i World News Service: “A special place in the rose garden”

The Medical Journal of Australia: “Sirus Naraqi“

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Aug 19 2011
at 4:36am

cheshmak says

Dear Naysan, this was so beautiful to read. I was telling ladan a few days ago how much your father has been on my mind these past couple of weeks and realized the anniversary of his passing was approaching. I am personally so happy I had the opportunity to meet him in the days leading up to Ashk and Ladan’s wedding. Though the encounter was brief, he left a deep impression on all of us with his immense capacity for kindness, his gentle spirit, his warmth, and his genuine love for everyone around him. We’re only sorry we didn’t get to have him in our life for longer and feel that loss and remember him with alot of fondness and love.

Much love
Cheshmak

Naysan Aug 19 2011 at 6:00am

Thank you so much for sharing that Cheshmak jan, it’s so nice to hear. I’m so glad he was able to meet you all as well. He really, really loved Ashk and your whole family! Miss you all and hopefully we’ll all be able to catch up again somewhere soon. -Naysan

Aug 19 2011
at 6:58am

Graydon says

Dear Naysan,
Thank you so much for sharing and I personally have a memory of him when he was visiting Bonara (Daga cluster) community school at that time (but now is a Primary School) with you.
Well he was a best friend of my father that usually he would send post cords and short note to my father greeting the family and send pictures of Abdu’l-Baha and the Holy Shrines. Father is illiterately so My sister and I would get the letter read to him. When the day he was visiting the school, some students and the youth when to bring him at the air strip-Aragip and rest of us ( students) were cleaning the road and the school ground to receive him.

I climb a tree to cut a vine than broke a dead branch and fell over. A old sharply cut small stamp I fell over and it cut through my thigh and broke inside me. The friends brought me over to a teachers house than you and Mr. Naraqi arrived. Than he came over to me checked saw pieces of wood were still in and so he asked you to do some kind of movement that I have to concentrate on and he remove the staff.

In 2005 we had a memorial service at the Alotau General Hospital and heard from the Doctors saying Naraqi is a father of the Nation and when they with him, often he talk about AID post in the Rural areas that most they could not understand him why such man is concern of people in the rural. they turn to know him later.

Now in a short period of time here at the Shrine, I continue pray that he is our angle and he will continue protecting and guiding the doctors and people of bahais in Papua New Guinea.

Naysan Aug 19 2011 at 12:52pm

Thank you Graydon. Mi hamamas tru long harim comment bilong yu.

I truly have such great memories of the times my family visited the friends in Bonara and other areas of Daga. When I think of those days i feel very emotional. I remember how much love everyone showered us, and even though many had never met us before, it felt like were family seeing each other again after being apart for a long time. When we would leave to head back to Moresby, i would always feel so sad and I’ll never forget the picture in my head of everyone lined up on the top of the mountain along the airstrip waiving goodbye.

I wish everyone could experience the absolute love which exists in the hearts of the people of PNG. You are all truly connected to the spiritual world closer than any of us could ever wish for. Much love to you and your family my wantok.

Aug 19 2011
at 7:27am

Maryam says

Nayse Ace, I never had the privilege of meeting your dear dad so thank you for this touching article. Got me all choked up! A humble life of service – now that’s something we should all aspire to. I bet he’s looking down on you all and feeling pretty proud of his brood. Love, love M

Naysan Aug 19 2011 at 12:56pm

Thank you Maryam joon, I’m striving to do my best to make him proud, but unfortunately I still have a very, very, very long way to go. Miss you both!

Aug 19 2011
at 9:29am

Shila Haghighi says

naysan jan I personally didn’t have the privilege of knowing you dad but I have heard so much about him. Its amazing to read about your dad’s services it gave me so much inspiration to serve the faith whole heartedly. Thank you so much

Naysan Aug 19 2011 at 12:53pm

Thank you so much Shila jan. Much appreciated.

Aug 19 2011
at 10:22am

Neysan says

Very touching my dear friend.

Naysan Aug 19 2011 at 12:57pm

Thank you Neysan. Good to hear from you bro.

Aug 19 2011
at 10:26am

Lina says

Beautiful piece. Hope you’re doing well, Nays.

Naysan Aug 19 2011 at 12:27pm

Thank you Lina. We have to catch up soon. It’s been too long.

Aug 19 2011
at 3:17pm

Pouya says

The final line of the Medical Journal of Australia tribute captures Dr Naraqi’s spirit perfectly: integrity, commitment, firm principles and intellectual capacity. He also had a great sense of humor and was a mentor and inspiration for countless people from all walks of life. He is sorely missed by all those who had the privilege of having their lives touched by him.

Aug 19 2011
at 7:44pm

Anita says

Your father was one of a kind and an exemplar of everything he did.
He really was one of the few kind and unselfish people in Port Moresby. It was an honour to know him and your family.
What a lovely tribute.
Anita M

Aug 20 2011
at 12:32am

Mehran Shoghi says

Naysay Jan, do you remember in December 1988 , a group of Baha’i youth came for travel teaching to PNG, we spend an evevening in your house.

Aug 20 2011
at 1:29am

Ine says

Hey Nays, so I met your dad when he travelled to Rarotonga with your mum and sis Guli! I remember his huge smile and being introduced to him by my papa. Your dad said something to me which unfortunately due to my lack of memory I can’t remember But from what I saw, your dad left a piece of him with the people he had met, including me. Like father like son… except you eat a lot of cookies whereas he probably was more desciplined with food than you hahaha. Love you and thanks for sharing this with us all!!

Aug 20 2011
at 2:46am

Kai says

A great account of his unrelentlessness service. A role model, mentor and inspiration indeed.
Much love, K

Aug 20 2011
at 12:25pm

Mehran says

Naysan joon,

Such a wonderful post. Thank you so much for sharing.

Much love,
mehran

Aug 20 2011
at 1:28pm

Lena Johansson says

Dear Naysan !
Perhaps we have meet. Have you been to Sweden ? I know that I meet your father and perhaps your mother. It was a joy to meet him/them, perhaps during a winterschool ???
You know we have several Naragis in Sweden and I meet them regularly. Just a few weeks ago I meet Jasmine Naragi (Sasan daughter) . Se my mail to you. Love Lena

Aug 20 2011
at 9:04pm

Simin says

i love him and miss him so much.

Love you Naysan joon.

Aug 21 2011
at 12:00pm

zafar says

Dear Naysan, I will never forget your dear father. He is the single person who influenced me to do medicine. He believed in me, and to this day I continually ask him for help. He is the first person I pray to when I am at work in times of difficulty. I asked him last week to help me with a difficult IV line on a child… he was there for me. He is a daily inspiration for me. I miss him too.

Aug 22 2011
at 3:26am

Farid hatami says

Naysan jan,

“Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value”. Sirus was one of the exceptions fitting this quote. He was an inspiration to me and thousands like me when I was in my teens and he continues to be so. I have some of the letters he wrote to me with his poems.
Once he was giving a talk at the National Convention in Adelaide. Stephen Hall was introducing him and mentioned that he had received the title of CBE from he Queen.
Sirus started his talk by saying: ” You realize the grandure of the Faith of Baha’u'llah as the Commander of the British Empire is only a soldier of Baha’u'llah”

He lives in our hearts and memories.
Thank you for the blogpost

Aug 22 2011
at 10:38am

Bharat Gauba says

Dear Naysan,

My son Abhinav passed on to me your message in commemoration of your dear father Dr Sirrus Naraqi. His passing away was not only a big loss to our community but also to you and all your family members. Almighty God has given you great strength to bear that loss seven years ago.

He was a great soul, knowledgeable professional, practical and was able to relate each and every one in the community in his unique infectious way.

Your writing made me to cry and at the same time great sense of inspiration as well. Please give our regards to your dear mother and all sisters.

We still miss him and love him,

Bharat, Abhinav, Suman and Gitu

Aug 23 2011
at 1:46am

Arvid Yaganegi says

Dear Naysan – When Sirus passed away I too lost a mentor and a man I loved depply. His loss to the world was felt by so many. I would marvel at how much he and Peter Khan were drawn to each other, they were so close. In Haifa at 1992 at the commemoration, seeing the two together is an image I will never forget. You have a deep spiritual heritage, drink deep. With love, Arvid.

Aug 23 2011
at 11:06am

Jasmine Stander-Neef says

A beautiful dedication Naysan. Your father’s selflessness and devotion have been incomparable. Truly a remarkable soul and a blessed family. His spirit, love and selfless devotion live on through you. To read of his Knighthood is astounding and his complete humility of such a bestowal reflects how truly a great man he has been.Thank you for sharing such an intimate insight of your beloved father. Blessings and love.
Jasmine.

Aug 23 2011
at 11:19am

Adrian says

This was very touching to read! Im glad I saw someone post a link to this by chance. I was lucky enough to be in PNG for awhile and to visit places where his memory is kept very much alive. I’m still in awe of the outstanding qualities that were related to me in those stories which included his heroic sacrifice and servitude and humility.

Aug 23 2011
at 5:33pm

Living A Life of Service | Baha'i Blog says

[...] his beautiful tribute to his father last week, Naysan reflected on his father’s legacy of love and compassion and the way in [...]

Aug 31 2011
at 3:50am

Aida says

Hi Naysan, Thanks for sharing your dad’s beautiful life, it makes us ponder even more the possibility of pioneering. Hope you are doing well. The blog is one of my hubby favorites now. Big Hugs!

Naysan Aug 31 2011 at 5:11am

Thank you so much Aida for your message, and I’m so glad you guys like the blog. Sending BIG HUGS right back to you.

Oct 03 2011
at 3:32am

Six Months of Baha’i Blog: Your Favourite Posts Are…. | Baha'i Blog says

[...] #1: In Memory of My Father: Sirus Naraqi [...]

Dec 19 2011
at 1:45am

Rouhiyeh Kargarian says

Dear Nasan, I never forget the love, kindness and support your dad showed to our family in October 2000 when my beloved seventeen years old Shahab Kargarian, passed to Abha Kingdom. He almost attended all the memorial gatherings we had for my son. He gave a profound talk in one of his memorials about life after death. After his talk, the religion teacher of St PIXS College in Chatswood came and said to your father that whatever you said was absolute truth. That School wrote in their yearly book about Shahab’s Faith and his religion teacher wrote a inspiring poem about Shahab and his faith. Your father told me that in the history of Australia it is the first time that National TV showed Bahai Temple when they talked about Shahab and his family coming from Iran because of their faith. He gave us so much strength and comfort by lovingly supporting us on that difficult time.
Shahab at seventeen was a teacher of the faith and he touched so many hearts by his loving and kind actions and I am sure now and forever, he and your dad are helping us to fulfill the wishes of Universal House of Justice for humanity. Our love and prayers are always with all your family.

Naysan Dec 19 2011 at 2:16am

Dear Rouhiyeh jan, thank you so much for sharing such an inspiring memory and thank you your kind words and prayers. I wish I could have known Shahab, but it puts a smile on my face to think of all the wonderful work he and my father are doing for us all here on this earthly plain. I look forward to meeting him when my time comes. Thank you again for your kind words.

Dec 24 2011
at 11:02am

Soroush Jahani says

Dear Naysan,
Last night I had a dream that I visited your dad in the house they lived near Blue Mountain. We sat down and talked, Although, I can’t remember exactly what we talked about, I felt the love and hospitality he showed me as he was giving me some advice or instructions. He has been a role model and an inspiration for me. You are so blessed to have such a father.

Naysan Dec 25 2011 at 12:26am

Hi Soroush jan,

Thank you so much for sharing your dream and for your kind words. I am so glad that even in his absence from the physical realm, he continues to touch the hearts of others.

Jan 27 2012
at 12:07am

Mathew says

Thank you so much for sharing this with us, I remember the first time we arrived in PNG in 1989 being picked up at Port Moresby International (the old one) and coming over to your house. Your whole family were so welcoming, it made a big difference for me as a young child coming to a new and very different place. I remember meeting your dad quite a few times when we visited Port Moresby from Lae, and remember his kindness and his sense of humour, he always made time to connect with us kids as well as the adults. I remember later as a teenager when we moved to Port Moresby that same kindness, and also being inspired to serve by discussions in the lounge room at your house. Many lovely memories! Lately I have met quite a few people in the medical profession in PNG during my studies and all of them have such a great deal of respect for your father, especially the Papua New Guinean doctors who trained with him. He has certainly set an inspiring example for us all!

I am thankful every day for having grown up in Papua New Guinea, as you said, the absolute love which exists in the hearts of the people of Papua New Guinea is really special and is something I will never forget. Thanks again for posting this, it has brought back so many great memories for me!

Kindest Regards,

Mathew

Naysan Jan 29 2012 at 12:49am

Hi Matthew, thank you so much for your beautiful message and for sharing your wonderful memories of PNG and my father. It really means a lot to me.

Mar 23 2012
at 2:13am

Baha’i Blog Turns One! | Baha'i Blog says

[...] 5. In Memory of My Father: Sirus Naraqi [...]

Aug 17 2012
at 9:15pm

Kishani says

Naysan joon – I remember meeting your dad once when I was a seeker and your whole family was visiting Atlanta. In the short 30 minutes I spent with him, he was able to teach me so much about the Faith without “teaching”; and he encouraged me to investigate for myself everything the Writings had to say about the things I was on the fence about. It was because of his wise advice that I chose to join the Bahai community in their 19 day fast before declaring and fully committing myself. He is certainly a special soul with the ability to touch (and teach) everyone he meets! Thinking of your family during this anniversary and sending you spiritual hugs. Peace and much love.

Aug 17 2012
at 10:18pm

Emilia says

Thanks for sharing this, your father was my cousin (pesar daii) but I never had a chance to meet him, as he had left Iran years before I was born, I remember he was writing a letter every two-three months for my mother and she was always reading them by tears (You can imagine how hard it was to send a letter for PNG to Iran). I know they were very close when they were young and Sirusas still exists in my mother’s memories.

Aug 18 2012
at 5:05am

Ho-San Leong says

What a loving tribute to your very dear and special dad who touched our lives in so many different ways in the years we lived in PNG. My thoughts often go back to those special days in Port Moresby when we did so many things together with your family, and the love and spirit that were infused in the community through his warmth, and personal touch. The Baha’i centre was a focal point for so many unforgettable activities, and I say to myself “Iluk olsem pam bilong mi istap long olgeta taim long ol ples long PNG”.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on his anniversary, Sirus must be very happy today, his legacy lives on!

Naysan Aug 20 2012 at 5:36am

So nice to hear from you Ho-San and thank you so much for your kind words and memories. Yes they were truly good days and I miss those times very much. Mi misim olgeta man nau meri long PNG tumas tru. I hope you and your wonderful (and continuously growing) family are all doing well and I hope we can all see each other soon. Sending a big hug your way!

Aug 18 2012
at 8:55am

mojgan Khadem says

Dear Naysan, Your father was one in a million. A general in the great Army of Love. He was pure energy and light.
Meeting him, no matter how briefly was a memorable experience.
And you know what they say: “Like father, like son!”
Thank you for sharing this article.
mojgan

Naysan Aug 20 2012 at 5:31am

Thank you Mojgan jan for your kind words. I hope we can catch up soon.

Aug 20 2012
at 9:56pm

Ibrahim Rodríguez says

It was very nice reading these memories about your father Naysan! I’m also happy that you are following the same path as your father, you have such a great humility and kindness. Cheers Naysan!

Naysan Aug 21 2012 at 1:27am

Thank you Ibrahim, that’s very kind of you. Let’s catch up soon.

Aug 21 2012
at 9:54pm

Badiollah badie says

Dear Naysan:

I don’t know if you remember me, I Have met you for a couple of times when you were very young. I believe one time was in 90s at our house.
Syrus an I were best friends, we were class mate at the Med School. When he passed away, for a long time I was in the state of denial. I just couldn’t believe that no longer I will be able to talk to him or visiting him. I took it extremely hard. Rightly so, you mentioned about a number of his qualities. I would like to add another one, that so many times he proved it to me, and that was his great integrity. As an example you might like to know this story; On one of the tests, we were sitting next to each other. We were supposed to answer 5 or 6 question in writing. The out come of this test was extremely important to us. When I finished answering the questions, I glanced at Syrus’s paper, I noticed he has not answered the last question and sitting there and does nothing. I realized that he probably had a mental block over that question, because Syrus always knew the answers, better than me.The last question was the most important one too, and carried a lot of weight. Being concerned , I asked Syrus to look at mine, I pushed my paper closer to him. He wouldn’t look, I insisted and got a bit angry with him, still he wouldn’t look. Any way somehow he remembered the answer and wrote it down. That I call integrity. I loved him and thank you for your loving tribute to him.

Naysan Aug 21 2012 at 10:51pm

Thank you so much Badiollah jan for your kind message and for sharing that wonderful story. It really made me smile.

Aug 23 2012
at 2:43pm

Natalya says

Hi Naysan,
What a beautiful tribute to your dad. I remember you telling me about him when we were in Haifa with so much love and pride. I wish our kids could remember us for something significant we do …. I am sure your kids will do.

Aug 29 2012
at 8:23am

Gloria says

Naysan
I wished I had the priviledge to meet your father personally. I heard a lot about him indirectly from someone who was so closed and so much loved by him. In sharing your story about him it reflected truly the attributes of humility which I heard of him. “He was a humble servant in the vineyard of service” It reminded me of some passages in one of the Four Volume of Adib Taherzadeh “Revelation of Baha’u'llah” I paraphrase it, Humility is not an attribute of God, but is a quality for humankind to reach. If my recollection is right, your father had visited Tonga and he left a remarkable memory for the friends over there to be inspired by.
thank you
Gloria

Naysan Aug 29 2012 at 10:55pm

Hi Gloria, Thank you so much for your kind words about my father and for sharing that wonderful phrase from Mr. Taherzadeh’s book. Much appreciated.

Oct 04 2012
at 2:20am

Nasim Anayati Maani says

Dear Naysan jan,
Just came across your blog and am sooo very touched by your words and thinking back at your dear father’s humility and the love both of your parents always showed towards the friends everywhere. That picture on the boat is wonderful! Sending you and your mom a big hug wherever you are now!

Naysan Oct 13 2012 at 2:34am

Thank you so much Nasim jan, it’s so good to hear from you and thanks for your kind words. I’m in Melbourne Australia right now, and I hope your well and that you keep on enjoying Baha’i Blog!

Dec 27 2012
at 1:31am

Corinne says

Hi Nays,
I often read this touching post on your dad and am reminded of so many great times with your family in PNG. In addition to his humility, and care (he always took great care to make sure I ate enough fruit, vegetables, milk etc. when I stayed over) he had a great way of balancing his time and bringing joy to everyone with his wicked sense of humour. I always remember him tricking us kids into thinking eggs grow on trees for April Fool’s day. The best! x

Naysan Dec 27 2012 at 12:31pm

Hey Corinne, thanks so much for your kind words and for sharing your wonderful memories. I had no idea about the April Fool’s gag!

In Memory Of My Father: Sirus Naraqi

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