Chapter 1

Messages to the Baha'i World: 1950-1957

by Shoghi Effendi

Edition 1, (September 2006)

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CONTENTS

Baha'i Terms of Use Review of World Progress of the Faith An Enterprise Transcending Any National Institution Opening Door to Pilgrimage Formation of First International Baha'i Council Spiritual and Administrative World Center Transcending in Sacredness Pilgrim Kings to Pay Humble Tribute Epoch-Making Events Reorientation Invite Valiant Co-Sharers in Holy Enterprise to Join Me in Prayers Acquisition of Area on Mount Carmel Old and New Covenant-Breakers Jubilee Centenary The Guardian Announces Appointment of Hands of the Cause Second Appointment of Hands of the Cause Triple Announcement The Historic Process God's Avenging Wrath Irresistible March of the Faith Rapid Progress of a World Center--Decline in Fortunes of Covenant-Breakers The Summons of the Lord of Hosts Fulfilment of National Teaching Plans Launching the World-Embracing Spiritual Crusade Acquisition of Vitally-Needed Property Representatives for Intercontinental Conferences Twofold Victory in Holy Land Treacherous Ruhi Afnan The Paramount Issue Sealing the Triumphant Festivities of Holy Year Roll of Honor Twenty-One Virgin Areas Fast-Dwindling Band of Covenant-Breakers World Crusade Forges Ahead Hand of Cause Appointment Appeal for Pioneer Settlement Hand of Cause Appointment Roll of Honor--Additional Inscriptions Institution of Hands of the Cause A Divinely-Guided Faith Glad Tidings A Succession of Victories Administrative Seats of Divinely-Appointed Institutions International Archives Building and Design for Temple in Persia Achievements of Second Year of Ten Year Plan TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-SIX TERRITORIES NOW OPENED TO THE FAITH NUMBER OF RACES, LANGUAGES, INCORPORATED ASSEMBLIES AUGMENTED ACTIVITIES AT THE WORLD CENTER ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE CRADLE OF THE FAITH GOALS ATTAINED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PROPERTIES ACQUIRED AROUND THE WORLD SIXTEEN NEW NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES BY RIDVAN, 1957 HANDS OF THE CAUSE TO ATTEND HISTORIC CONVENTIONS GUARDIAN'S APPEAL TO UPHOLDERS OF THE FAITH Achievements--Supplementary Report Prayers for Faith in Persia Appointment to International Baha'i Council Implications and Requirements Archbreaker of Baha'u'llah's Covenant World-Wide Reverberations Hand of Cause Appointment So Significant a Victory A REMARKABLE VICTORY PROGRESSIVE UNFOLDMENT OF THE TEN-YEAR CRUSADE FAST-AWAKENING CONTINENT OF AFRICA FORTY-THREE NATIONAL HAZIRATU'L-QUDS TEMPLE SITES AND ENDOWMENTS DEVELOPMENT OF BAHA'I WORLD CENTER EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES OTHER VICTORIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS APPEAL TO UNITED NATIONS ENROLLMENTS IN VIRGIN TERRITORIES NEXT PHASE OF WORLD CRUSADE A MAJOR TURNING POINT Evidences of the Resistless March of the World Crusade PORTENTOUS PROPHECIES VICTORY OVER ECCLESIASTICAL FORCES ACHIEVEMENTS OF WORLD CRUSADE THE QIBLIH OF A WORLD COMMUNITY THE TEN-YEAR PLAN IN THE UNITED STATES IN THE AFRICAN CONTINENT IN THE PACIFIC AREA THE MOTHER-TEMPLES OF THREE CONTINENTS KNIGHTS OF BAHA'U'LLAH AND HEROIC PIONEERS CONFERENCES AND INSTITUTES DYNAMIC POWER OF FAITH SOLEMN RENEWAL OF DEDICATION TASKS FOR THE CURRENT YEAR THE GUARDIAN'S APPEAL TO ALL BAHA'IS Epoch-Making Victory Won Over Covenant-Breakers Call to Hands of Cause and National Assemblies Restitution of Baha'i Properties in Persia Purification of Haram-i-Aqdas Announcement of Series of Five Intercontinental Conferences and Appointment of Eight Additional Hands of the Cause PHENOMENAL ADVANCE ACHIEVED IN WORLD CRUSADE ANOTHER CONTINGENT OF HANDS OF THE CAUSE OF GOD THE GUARDIAN'S REPRESENTATIVES AT THE CONFERENCES FOURTH PHASE OF TEN-YEAR PLAN MESSAGES TO THE BAHA'I WORLD 1950-1957 A Supplementary Collection New Step in Building the Bab's Shrine Construction of Shrine Moves Forward Pilgrimage to World Center Again Permitted Administrative Headquarters in Africa William Sutherland Maxwell Passes--Ruhiyyih Khanum Appointed Hand Progress on Shrine of the Bab Achievements of Heroic Pioneers in Africa Rapid Progress of Twin Sacred Undertakings African Intercontinental Conference TRIBUTE TO PIONEERS IN AFRICAN FIELD FIRST AFRICAN PILLAR OF UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE AFRICAN PROJECTS TO BE LAUNCHED A SPIRITUALLY WELDED UNIT Fivefold Historic Celebration in America All-America Intercontinental Conference--First Message SIX DECADES OF ACHIEVEMENT SPECIAL TASKS OF FOUR NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES PORTRAIT OF BAHA'U'LLAH SENT All-America Intercontinental Conference--Second Message ELEVEN PILLARS OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE RAISE CENTERS TO 2500 PRELUDE TO PRODIGIOUS EXPANSION A PLANETARY SPIRITUAL CRUSADE BEGIN NINTH PART OF MAJESTIC PROCESS Appeal for Funds to Purchase Temple Site in Italy Joyful Announcement of Progress European Intercontinental Conference EMERGENCE OF FAITH'S EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS CRUSADE PROJECTS TO BE UNDERTAKEN OPENING OF A GREAT SPIRITUAL REVIVAL Magnificent Response by Communities of East and West Asian Intercontinental Conference EARLY STAGES OF BAHA'U'LLAH'S FAITH ASIA'S HOUR IN THE GLOBAL CRUSADE ON THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW SPIRITUAL ERA Triple Announcement on Conclusion of Holy Year A TRIPLE RESPONSIBILITY Hands at New Delhi Conference to Aid in Attaining Goals Further Additions to Roll of Honor Valiyu'llah Varqa Passes; Son Appointed Passing of George Townshend George Townshend Passes; Agnes Alexander Appointed Remains of Mirza Buzurg Transferred

REVIEW OF WORLD PROGRESS OF THE FAITH

Hail the valiant acts during the course of the last twelve months of members of firmly knit, world embracing, divinely propelled Baha'i Community, singly, collectively, both sexes, all ages laboring in near, and distant fields, in Eastern and Western hemispheres, gathered from diverse classes, creeds and colors; as administrators, in the respective home lands or as settlers or itinerant teachers overseas; whether serving in private capacity or in official association with authorities.

Second half of opening decade of second Baha'i century befittingly ushered in.

Recent exploits in virgin territories of Western hemisphere, Arabian Peninsula, South and East Asia raised to one hundred the number of sovereign states, and dependencies, enrolled under the banner of the Faith.

Forthcoming celebrations, commemorating the Hundredth Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Herald of the Faith, doubly glorious, through association this historic victory, representing an increase of no less than twenty-two countries in the brief span of six years, since the Centennial of the Declaration of His Mission.

Number of centers in Australasia now exceeds sixty; Canadian Community nearing ninety centers already established; Alaskan territory eleven centers; European goal countries thirty-five, number of newly declared believers almost doubled during course of past year.

Baha'i literature enriched by translation into Welsh, Eskimo, Swahili, Hausa, Chinyanja, raising the total number of languages to sixty-three.

Languages in process of translation, eleven.

Official recognition, constituting a unique victory in the annals of the Faith in the East, and West, extending to newly formed National Spiritual Assembly of the Dominion of Canada, through granting act of Parliament, enabling the National elected representatives to incorporate as religious organization.

Additional contract placed for the construction of the parapet, crowning the Arcade of the Bab's Mausoleum on Mount Carmel, raising the total tonnage ordered to almost eight hundred.

The erection of the ornamental columns of the Temple interior commenced; ventilation and heating systems installed; number of visitors since the opening of the edifice to the public, over four hundred thousand.

Six year plan of the British Baha'i Community triumphantly concluded; almost quintupled number of Assemblies in the British Isles; laid basis administrative structure of the Faith in the capital of Eire and in the chief cities of North Ireland and Scotland.

Plan initiated Persian Baha'i Community consummated 31 Assemblies, 17 Groups, 11 Isolated Centers formed beyond prescribed objectives.

Recognition, long last, accorded by Iraqi authorities to all marriages solemnized by Baha'i Assemblies in 'Iraq through official registration of the marriage certificate by court, first instance setting a momentous precedent throughout the Muslim East, constituting a significant landmark in the process of the emancipation of the Oriental followers of the Faith from the fetters of religious orthodoxy.

Certificate authorizing the celebration of Baha'i marriages issued by the District of Columbia court.

Eight islands of Hawaii granted authority to recognize Baha'i marriages.

Baha'i marriage contract legalized by attorney general throughout the territory of Alaska.

Baha'i Holy Days recognized by Educational Department of the State of Victoria, Australia.

Second European Teaching Conference convened in the capital city of Belgium, attended by hundred and thirty representatives from nineteen countries.

The historic first all-Swiss Baha'i Conference the latest, most promising fruit of the transatlantic enterprise initiated by the American Baha'i Community, held in the Swiss capital, presaging the acquisition by the goal countries of an independent status within the family of Baha'i national Communities.

The process of extension of Baha'i endowments accelerated through the donation of twenty acre property near Anchorage, Alaska; purchase of twenty-two acres in neighborhood of Auckland, site of projected New Zealand summer school; grant of burial ground by Egyptian authorities to Port Said Baha'i Community.

Ties binding the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations reinforced through participation in European Regional Conference of nongovernmental organizations in Geneva; and in Latin American Conferences in Chile, Uruguay; and in similar conferences in Kansas and Lake Success; through submission in response to the request of the UNO Committee of statement on the Baha'i concept and method of community worship, subsequently transmitted to the Secretariat responsible for the planning of permanent headquarters in the United Nations.

Last but not least, nay the crowning achievement of the year just concluded, are the stupendous exertions of the vanguard of the resistlessly advancing Baha'i World Community resulting in the raising of half a million dollars, virtually attaining the objective set for the two-year drive to ensure the completion of the interior ornamentation of the Mother Temple of the West in anticipation of its approaching jubilee.

First stage of austerity period resolutely embarked upon, successfully traversed.

Resolution no less grim, self abnegation no less heroic, solidarity in sacrifice no less striking, must needs distinguish the final phase of the stern struggle, still facing the dauntless highminded spartan-souled American Baha'i Community, designed to liquidate the deficit in the General Fund, marring the otherwise spotless record of collective achievement, as well as to provide financial support imperatively required to meet, through prompt despatch of substantial number of competent pioneers, the emergency existing in Central and South America, thereby ensuring the glorious consummation of the thirteen-year-old enterprise through the formation of the projected twin National Assemblies in Latin America.

--Shoghi

[Cablegram, April 25, 1950]

AN ENTERPRISE TRANSCENDING ANY NATIONAL INSTITUTION

Announce to believers, through all National Assemblies, termination initial stage of construction of domed structure designed to embellish and preserve the Bab's sepulcher on Mount Carmel.

The two-year enterprise launched on the eve of the gravest turmoil rocking the Holy Land in modern times, involving the expenditure of a quarter of a million dollars, necessitating the transportation and placing of almost eight hundred tons of stone and marble mosaic, was consummated on the eve of the Centenary of His martyrdom. My soul is thrilled in contemplation of the rising edifice, the beauty of its design, the majesty of its proportions, the loveliness of its surroundings, the historic associations of the site it occupies, the sacredness of the Sanctuary it envelops, the transcendent holiness of the Treasure it enshrines.

My gratitude is deepened by the miraculous recovery of its gifted architect, Sutherland Maxwell, whose illness was pronounced hopeless by physicians. I acknowledge the valuable service rendered by Ugo Giachery, through his supervision of the work of shipment of consignments to Haifa.

The hour is ripe to undertake the preliminaries for the erection of the octagonal first unit of the superstructure, another milestone in the process set in motion sixty years ago by Baha'u'llah's visit to Mount Carmel. This process which gathered momentum through the transportation of His Holiness, the Bab's remains to the Holy Land after fifty years' concealment, through the erection of the sanctuary by 'Abdu'l-Baha in the darkest years of His Ministry, through the entombment of the remains by Him on the morrow of His forty year incarceration, through the commencement of the construction of the arcade on the fortieth anniversary of the interment of the Holy Dust, through the termination of the parapet on the eve of the Centenary of the Bab's martyrdom, must be accelerated through the erection of the dome, attaining consummation through the emergence of the institutions of the world administrative center of the Faith in the vicinity of its world spiritual Center, signalizing the sailing of the Divine Ark on God's Mountain, prophesied in the Tablet of Carmel.

I appeal to entire body of believers to seize this priceless opportunity to stimulate the unfoldment of this process through generous, sustained contributions for the furtherance of an enterprise transcending any national institution whether Hazira or Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar, reared in the past or in process of construction. The hour is propitious, particularly during the three year interval separating the Centennials of the Bab's martyrdom and the birth of Baha'u'llah's Mission, coinciding with the hundredth anniversary of the greatest holocaust in the history of the Faith, to repay part of the infinite debt of gratitude owed its martyrs, through hastening the conclusion of the holiest enterprise since the dawn of the Revelation, interwoven with the ministries of Baha'u'llah, and 'Abdu'l-Baha, linking the Heroic and Formative Ages of the Baha'i Dispensation, cementing the ties binding the communities of the East and West with the World Center of the Faith and shedding imperishable luster on the first and second centuries of the Baha'i Era, which posterity will hail as the most befitting tribute to the One Who made the most precious sacrifice for the sake of the most sublime Faith in mankind's spiritual history.

--Shoghi

[July 7, 1950]

OPENING DOOR TO PILGRIMAGE

Announce to friends the delivery after more than fifty years of key to Qasr Mazra'ih by Israel authorities. Historic dwelling place of Baha'u'llah after leaving Prison City of Akka now being furnished in anticipation opening door to pilgrimage.

--Shoghi

[Cablegram, December 16, 1950]

FORMATION OF FIRST INTERNATIONAL BAHA'I COUNCIL

Proclaim National Assemblies of East and West weighty epoch-making decision of formation of first International Baha'i Council, forerunner of supreme administrative institution destined to emerge in fullness of time within precincts beneath shadow of World Spiritual Center of Faith already established in twin cities of Akka and Haifa. Fulfillment of prophecies uttered by Founder of Faith and Center of His Covenant culminating in establishment of Jewish State, signalizing birth after lapse of two thousand years of an independent nation in the Holy Land, the swift unfoldment of historic undertaking associated with construction of superstructure of the Bab's Sepulcher on Mount Carmel, the present adequate maturity of nine vigorously functioning national administrative institutions throughout Baha'i World, combine to induce me to arrive at this historic decision marking most significant milestone in evolution of Administrative Order of the Faith of Baha'u'llah in course of last thirty years. Nascent Institution now created is invested with threefold function: first, to forge link with authorities of newly emerged State; second, to assist me to discharge responsibilities involved in erection of mighty superstructure of the Bab's Holy Shrine; third, to conduct negotiations related to matters of personal status with civil authorities. To these will be added further functions in course of evolution of this first embryonic International Institution, marking its development into officially recognized Baha'i Court, its transformation into duly elected body, its efflorescence into Universal House of Justice, and its final fruition through erection of manifold auxiliary institutions constituting the World Administrative Center destined to arise and function and remain permanently established in close neighborhood of Twin Holy Shrines. Hail with thankful, joyous heart at long last the constitution of International Council which history will acclaim as the greatest event shedding luster upon second epoch of Formative Age of Baha'i Dispensation potentially unsurpassed by any enterprise undertaken since inception of Administrative Order of Faith on morrow of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Ascension, ranking second only to glorious immortal events associated with Ministries of the Three Central Figures of Faith in course of First Age of most glorious Dispensation of the five thousand century Baha'i Cycle. Advise publicize announcement through Public Relations Committee.

--Shoghi

[Cablegram, January 9, 1951]

SPIRITUAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE WORLD CENTER

Announce to friends of East and West the following: furnishing Mazra'ih, completion of restoration of historic house of Baha'u'llah in Acre,(1) scene of prolonged afflictions sustained by Founder of Faith, as well as supreme crisis suffered by 'Abdu'l-Baha at hands of Covenantbreakers. Greatly enhanced international endowments in Holy Land in twin cities of Acre and Haifa, now include twin Holy Shrines situated on plain of Acre and slope of Mount Carmel; twin Mansions of Bahji and Mazra'ih, twin historic Houses inhabited by Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha; twin International Archives adjoining the Bab's Sepulcher and the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf; twin Pilgrim Houses, constructed for Oriental and Occidental pilgrims; twin Gardens of Ridvan and Firdaws, associated with the memory of the Author of the Baha'i Dispensation.

Greatly welcome assistance of the newly-formed International Council, particularly its President, Mason Remey, and its Vice-President, Amelia Collins, through contact with authorities designed to spread the fame, consolidate the foundations and widen the scope of influence emanating from the twin spiritual, administrative World Centers permanently fixed in the Holy Land constituting the midmost heart of the entire planet.

--Shoghi

[Cablegram, March 2, 1951]

TRANSCENDING IN SACREDNESS

On occasion of celebration of Naw-Ruz Festival announce to followers of Faith of Baha'u'llah East and West, through National Assemblies, completion of excavation for foundations for eight piers designed to support the mighty dome of the Bab's Sepulcher, as well as momentous decision to place hundred thirty thousand dollar contract for the stone work of both cylinder and dome.

Approaching Centenary of the birth of the prophetic Mission of the Founder of the Faith, the virtual consummation of the fifty year project culminating in the termination of the interior ornamentation of the Mother Temple of the West, the risks involved in any delay owing to the threatening international situation, the necessity to insure increasing support to reinforce the newly-forged ties with the civil authorities of the recently emerged State in the Holy Land through the formation of the International Baha'i Council, the considerable saving effected through signature to the contract for the entire stone work required to erect the superstructure of the edifice, impel me to take the major step in the development of the swiftly progressing, irresistibly advancing enterprise transcending in sacredness any collective undertaking launched in the course of the history of the hundred year old Faith.

I am moved to renew my fervent plea addressed to all national and local Assemblies and believers in all continents of the globe to arise and determinedly gird up their loins to contribute, through curtailment of budgets, adequate appropriations from national and local funds, as well as direct sustained individual donations, to insure uninterrupted financial support, however great the sacrifice involved, however heavy the burdens, however distracting the successive crises of the present critical hour. Austerity period previously affecting the fortunes of the American Baha'i community unavoidably prolonged and now extended to embrace the entire Baha'i world in recognition of the pressing needs and paramount importance of this glorious international task.

Urge followers of the Most Great Name to demonstrate a still nobler spirit of self-abnegation in the course of the swiftly diminishing interval separating us from the hundredth anniversary of the birth of the Mission of the Author of the Revelation, commemorating the Centenary of the blood bath constituting the most tragic episode in Baha'i history associated with the martyrdom of the immortal Tahirih, the subjection of Baha'u'llah to the rigors of the Siyah-_Ch_al in Tihran and the barbarous execution of unnumbered heroes and saints of the Apostolic Age of the Baha'i Dispensation.

--Shoghi

[Cablegram, March 21, 1951]

PILGRIM KINGS TO PAY HUMBLE TRIBUTE

Announce to friends of East and West completion of two additional terraces marking termination of scheme initiated quarter century ago designed to fulfill Master's cherished desire to connect directly, through series of nine terraces, the Bab's Sepulcher with Templar Colony at foot of Mount Carmel. Machinations of Covenant-breakers who succeeded in shelving project for more than decade foiled. Hail success of enterprise presaging the day destined to witness, as envisaged by 'Abdu'l-Baha, pilgrim kings ascending this route to pay humble tribute to Martyr-Herald of Faith of Baha'u'llah.

--Shoghi

[Cablegram, April 2, 1951]

EPOCH-MAKING EVENTS