Ustad ‘Ali Ashraf

Ustad ‘Ali Ashraf was a well-known architect, who designed and built most of the big governmental and national buildings (‘Qafqaziyyih’, 1867).

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'Abdu'l-Bahá named one of the exterior doors to the Shrine of Bab after Ustad ‘Ali Ashraf. Named Bab-i-Ashraf.

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** Ustad ‘Ali Ashraf**

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Ustad ‘Ali Ashraf was a well-known architect, who designed and built most of the big governmental and national buildings (‘Qafqaziyyih’, 1867).

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‘Abdu’l-Bahá named one of the exterior doors to the Shrine of the Báb after Ustad ‘Ali Ashraf. Named Báb-i-Ashraf. Two doors, one facing north towards ‘Akka and the other on the eastern side of the Shrine. They are named for Ustad Aqa ‘Ali-Ashraf and Ustad Aqa Bala , sons of Mulla Abu-Talib. These two brothers were master-masons who went on pilgrimage from their native town of Baku, Russia, and with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s permission remained for some time in the Holy Land. During this period, they devoted their efforts to the construction of the Shrine and offered financial contributions towards the project.

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Source:

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**Smith, Peter. *A Concise Encyclopedia of the Bahá’í Faith. *Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land.* *The Bahá’í Faith 1844-1963 Information and Comparative.

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**Image:

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**Baha’i World Centre Archives

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