Messages to the Bahá’í World , Shoghi Effendi
Messages to the Bahá’í World
Shoghi Effendi
Category: Bahá’í
6:38 h248.4 mb
General messages of Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís, written between 1950 and 1957.

Messages to the Bahá’í World

1950-1957

Shoghi Effendi

© Bahá’í International Community

Messages to the Bahá’í World 1950-1957

— 1 —

Review of World Progress of the Faith

Cablegram, April 25, 1950

Hail valiant acts course last twelve months members firmly knit world embracing divinely propelled Bahá’í Community singly collectively both sexes all ages laboring near distant fields Eastern Western hemispheres gathered diverse classes creeds colors administrators in respective home lands or settlers itinerant teachers overseas whether serving private capacity or official association authorities.

Second half opening decade second Bahá’í century befittingly ushered in.

Recent exploits virgin territories Western hemisphere Arabian Peninsula South East Asia raised one hundred number sovereign states dependencies enrolled under banner Faith.

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

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

Bahá’í literature enriched translation Welsh Eskimo Swahili Hausa Chinyanja raising total number languages sixty-three. Languages process translation eleven.

Official recognition constituting unique victory annals Faith East West extending newly formed National Spiritual Assembly Dominion Canada through granting act Parliament enabling National elected representatives incorporate religious organization.

Additional contract placed for construction parapet crowning Arcade Báb’s Mausoleum Mount Carmel raising total tonnage ordered almost eight hundred.

Erection ornamental columns Temple interior commenced ventilation heating systems installed number visitors since opening edifice public over four hundred thousand.

Six year plan British Bahá’í Community triumphantly concluded almost quintupled number Assemblies British Isles laid basis administrative structure Faith capital Eire chief cities North Ireland Scotland.

Plan initiated Persian Bahá’í Community consummated 31 Assemblies 17 Groups 11 Isolated Centers formed beyond prescribed objectives.

Recognition long last accorded ‘Iráqí authorities all marriages solemnized Bahá’í Assemblies ‘Iráq through official registration marriage certificate by court first instance setting momentous precedent throughout Muslim East constituting significant landmark process emancipation Oriental followers Faith fetters religious orthodoxy.

Certificate authorizing celebration Bahá’í marriages issued District Columbia court. Eight islands Hawaii granted authority recognize Bahá’í marriages. Bahá’í marriage contract legalized attorney general throughout territory Alaska.

Bahá’í Holy Days recognized Educational Department State Victoria Australia.

Second European Teaching Conference convened capital city Belgium attended hundred thirty representatives nineteen countries.

Historic first all-Swiss Bahá’í Conference latest most promising fruit transatlantic enterprise initiated American Bahá’í Community held Swiss capital presaging acquisition by goal countries independent status within family Bahá’í national Communities.

Process extension Bahá’í endowments accelerated donation twenty acre property near Anchorage Alaska purchase twenty-two acres neighborhood Auckland site projected New Zealand summer school grant burial ground by Egyptian authorities Port Sa‘íd Bahá’í Community.

Ties binding Bahá’í International Community United Nations reinforced through participation European Regional Conference nongovernmental organizations Geneva Latin American Conferences Chile Uruguay similar conferences Kansas Lake Success submission response request UNO Committee statement Bahá’í concept method community worship subsequently transmitted Secretariat responsible for planning permanent headquarters United Nations.

Last not least nay crowning achievement year just concluded stupendous exertions vanguard resistlessly advancing Bahá’í World Community resulting raising half million dollars virtually attaining objective set for two-year drive ensure completion interior ornamentation Mother Temple West anticipation its approaching jubilee.

First stage 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 final phase stern struggle still facing dauntless highminded spartan-souled American Bahá’í Community designed liquidate deficit General Fund marring otherwise spotless record collective achievement as well as provide financial support imperatively required meet through prompt despatch substantial number competent pioneers emergency existing Central South America thereby ensuring glorious consummation thirteen-year-old enterprise through formation projected twin National Assemblies Latin America.

Shoghi

— 2 —

An Enterprise Transcending Any National Institution

Cablegram, July 8, 1950

Announce believers through all National Assemblies termination initial stage construction domed structure designed embellish preserve Báb’s sepulcher Mount Carmel.

Two year enterprise launched eve gravest turmoil rocking Holy Land modern times involving expenditure quarter million dollars necessitating transportation placing almost eight hundred tons stone marble mosaic consummated eve Centenary His martyrdom. Soul thrilled contemplation rising edifice beauty its design majesty proportions loveliness surroundings historic associations site it occupies sacredness Sanctuary it envelops transcendent holiness Treasure it enshrines.

Gratitude deepened by miraculous recovery its gifted architect Sutherland Maxwell illness pronounced hopeless physicians. Acknowledge valuable service rendered Ugo Giachery through supervision work shipment consignments Haifa.

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

Appeal entire body believers seize priceless opportunity stimulate unfoldment this process through generous sustained contributions furtherance enterprise transcending any national institution whether Ḥaẓíras or Mashriqu’l-Adhkár reared past or process construction. Hour propitious particularly during three year interval separating Centennials Báb’s martyrdom birth Bahá’u’lláh’s Mission coinciding hundredth anniversary greatest holocaust history Faith repay part infinite debt gratitude owed martyrs hastening conclusion holiest enterprise since dawn Revelation interwoven ministries Bahá’u’lláh ‘Abdu’l-Bahá linking Heroic Formative Ages Bahá’í Dispensation cementing ties binding communities East West World Center Faith shedding imperishable luster first second centuries Bahá’í Era which posterity will hail most befitting tribute One who made most precious sacrifice sake most sublime Faith mankind’s spiritual history.

Shoghi

— 3 —

Opening Door to Pilgrimage

Cablegram, December 16, 1950

Announce friends delivery after more than fifty years key Qaṣr Mazra‘ih by Israel authorities. Historic dwelling place Bahá’u’lláh after leaving Prison City ‘Akká now being furnished anticipation opening door pilgrimage.

Shoghi

— 4 —

Formation of First International Bahá’í Council

Cablegram, January 9, 1951

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

Shoghi

— 5 —

Spiritual and Administrative World Center

Cablegram, March 2, 1951

Announce friends East West following furnishing Mazra‘ih completion restoration historic house Bahá’u’lláh Acre scene prolonged afflictions sustained Founder Faith as well as supreme crisis suffered ‘Abdu’l-Bahá hands Covenant-breakers. Greatly enhanced international endowments Holy Land twin cities Acre Haifa now include twin Holy Shrines situated plain Acre slope Mount Carmel twin Mansions Bahjí Mazra‘ih twin historic Houses inhabited Bahá’u’lláh ‘Abdu’l-Bahá twin International Archives adjoining Báb’s Sepulcher resting-place Greatest Holy Leaf twin Pilgrim Houses constructed Oriental Occidental pilgrims twin Gardens Riḍván Firdaws associated memory Author Bahá’í Dispensation.

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

Shoghi