A Case of Mistaken Identity
On March 28, 1912, the ship taking ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to America made a stop in Naples. Italy and Turkey were in the midst of a brutal war over Tripoli. Fellow passengers urged ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to stay on board lest he be mistaken for a Turk. He and his companions complied, surveying the city’s magnificent gardens from the ship’s deck.
The Cedric remained at port for two days. On the second day came unfortunate news. A physician decided that three of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s companions had eye infections and must remain behind. One of them was ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s grandson, Shoghi Effendi.
The next morning the ship returned to the open water. "These Italians took us for Turks," he said.
But ‘Abdu’l-Bahá took the misfortune with equanimity: "There is a wisdom in this matter which will become known later."
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The S.S. Cedric passes the Rock of Gibraltar destined for America.