In Persia, where, unlike its ill-fated sister nation Af_gh_anistan, the
pace of reform has been wisely regulated, the salutary effects of the
progressive regime established by its enlightened ruler are not only
reacting upon the social and economic structure of its society, but are
being increasingly felt by the mass of the followers of Baha'u'llah in
that land. The welter of controversy into which the drastic reforms of a
determined government, aiming at the gradual secularization of the State,
has plunged a revolting clergy, has afforded our Persian brethren their
long-desired opportunity to pursue untrammelled the course of their
spiritual and humanitarian activities. The deportation of a considerable
number of Muslim ecclesiastical officials, amongst them the heir of that
notorious and bloodthirsty Mujtahid of Isfahan, "the Son of the Wolf," has
served to clear the ground for the extension and consolidation of Baha'i
institutions. Already, as reported from an outlying center in the province
of Yazd, a leading but fair-minded Mullah has, upon the discovery of the
specific prophecy of 'Abdu'l-Baha regarding the forced abandonment of the
traditional headdress of Muslim clericals, acknowledged the Divine origin
of the Baha'i Faith, embraced its truth, and openly enlisted as an active
supporter of its institutions.
Moreover, it is stated that in various quarters, and among responsible
sections of the community the matter of the codification and introduction
of a western civil code, and its universal application to all the
different communities is being freely discussed, and its desirability
increasingly emphasized. As a preliminary measure, however, to the
introduction of such a far-reaching reform, certain changes of policy have
been lately initiated, not in the form of hastily conceived dictatorial
edicts, but as a result of the mature deliberations and with the sanction
of the national representatives of the people. The systematization of the
laws of marriage and contract; the establishment of a Land Registry wholly
independent of ecclesiastical control; the distribution of birth
certificates of a purely undenominational character; the increasing
prominence accorded to the social rights of womanhood; the close attention
paid by State authorities to the education of Persian youth in the
Universities of Europe; the banning of all Muslim Passion Plays throughout
the territory of the _Sh_ah: the bold and various schemes that have been
launched for the embellishment of the Persian Capital--all are welcome
signs of the approaching era which is to witness the spiritual and
material ascendency of Persia among the people and nations of the world.
In this ever-improving environment and witnessing on every side the
downfall of those institutions that have crippled their struggling Faith,
the believers in Persia are joyously seizing every opportunity to
demonstrate the redeeming power of the Cause of Baha'u'llah. An
illuminating report, submitted by one of the most capable and trusted
itinerant teachers of the Cause in Persia, has lately reached the Holy
Land. In it the writer sets forth in graphic and accurate language the
many evidences of the increasing vitality displayed by the Faith in
different parts of Persia. Summoned by the Persian National Spiritual
Assembly to interrupt his travels in the vicinity of the town of Ma_sh_had
in order to devote immediate attention to a situation that had
unexpectedly arisen in Isfahan, our indefatigable teacher and brother was
surprised upon his arrival in that province to note in the various towns
and villages he visited a ten-fold increase in the number of the adherents
of the Faith since his last visit to those regions. He was moreover
startled at the hospitality which he received at the hands of those
persons who six years ago had been instrumental in expelling him from
their localities, and who now had freely enlisted under the banner of
Baha'u'llah. He was furthermore highly elated to learn that the prestige,
the integrity and ability of the local Baha'i Assemblies in that province
had of late stood so high that non-Baha'is, exasperated by the corruption
and incompetence of their own judges, had more than once freely submitted
cases of dispute to the judgment of the elected representatives of the
Baha'i community in their locality.
Only a close and unbiased observer of the manner and habits of the Persian
people, already familiar with the prevailing tendencies of different
sections of the population, such as their apathy and indolence, the
absence of a sense of public duty and of loyalty to principle, the lack of
concerted effort and constancy in action, the habit of secrecy and blind
surrender to the capricious will of an ignorant and fanatical clergy, can
truly estimate the immensity of the task that faces every conscientious
believer in that land. He will moreover readily testify to the high
standard already attained by the Baha'is of Persia in their efforts to
inculcate in the minds of their fellow-countrymen the principles of the
Divine Civilization ushered in by Baha'u'llah.
We have only to glance at the soul-stirring written assurances of
'Abdu'l-Baha in order to realize the magnitude and exalted character of
the mission entrusted by Him to the adherents of the Faith in
Baha'u'llah's native land. By the faithful application of the spiritual
principles which their present administration is endeavoring to propagate;
by the character of those indissoluble bonds of Baha'i fellowship that
cement the union of the mass of the believers with their elected
councillors; by the distinctiveness of their future contributions in the
domain of art, of science and of trade, of education and of industry--by
these and by still other convincing manifestations of the quickening
vitality of their Faith, our Persian brethren are destined to demonstrate
to the ruling powers on earth the majesty, the enduring stability and the
unfailing efficacy of the Government of Baha'u'llah.
The following passage from the Tablet of 'Abdu'l-Baha, revealed more than
thirty years ago, while incarcerated within the walls of the prison-city
of Akka, and addressed to the Baha'is of _Kh_urasan, will undoubtedly
stimulate those energetic friends of the West who long to contribute by
every means in their power to the rehabilitation of their Master's native
land:--
"Erelong will your brethren from Europe and America journey to Persia.
There they will promote to an unprecedented degree the interests of art
and industry. There they will rear the institutions of true civilization,
promote the development of husbandry and trade, and assist in the spread
of education.... Assuredly they will come; assuredly they will contribute
in making of the land of Iran the envy and the admiration of the peoples
and nations of the world."
And as we ponder these words of 'Abdu'l-Baha in our hearts, let us also
remember the prophetic utterances of Baha'u'llah, which reveal not only
the merciless cruelty of the ecclesiastical leaders of Islam but also the
measure of Divine retribution which now afflicts the oppressors of God's
holy Faith:--
"O people of the Qur'an! Verily the prophet of God, Muhammad, sheddeth
tears at the sight of your cruelty. Ye have assuredly followed your evil
and corrupt desires and turned away your face from the light of guidance.
Erelong will ye witness the result of your deeds; for the Lord My God
lieth in wait and is watchful of your behavior.... Erelong He will raise
in every city the standard of His sovereignty, and will wipe away the
traces of them that have denied Him on the day of His return.... O
concourse of Muslim divines! By your deeds the exalted station of the
nation hath been abased, the standard of Islam hath been reversed and its
mighty throne hath fallen. Whenever the Divine Reformer has sought to
ennoble the rank of the people, ye have tumultuously risen against Him and
prevented Him from executing His purpose, wherefore the realm hath
remained in grievous loss."
And in conclusion, I wish, in a few words, to pay a tribute, however
inadequate, to the magnificent services rendered by that exemplary and
indefatigable teacher of the Cause, our dearly-beloved sister, Miss Martha
Root. Her international travels on behalf of the Baha'i Faith, so wide in
their range, so extensive in their duration, so inspiring in their
results, will adorn and enrich the annals of God's immortal Faith. Her
earliest journeys to the southernmost limits of the American continent, to
India and to South Africa, to the eastern confines of Asia, to the islands
of the Southern Seas and the Scandinavian countries of the North; her more
recent contact with the rulers and crowned heads of Europe and the
impression which her undaunted spirit created in royal circles in the
Balkan countries; her close affiliation with international organizations,
peace societies, humanitarian movements and Esperantist circles; and her
latest victories in the university circles of Germany--all constitute a
compelling evidence of what the power of Baha'u'llah can achieve. These
historic labors, pursued single-handed and in circumstances of financial
stringency and ill-health, have been characterized throughout by a spirit
of fidelity, of self-effacement, of thoroughness and vigor that none has
excelled.
I appeal to individual believers and Baha'i Assemblies alike to reinforce
by every possible means the earnest strivings of such a precious soul, to
respond speedily and entirely to every request that from time to time she
feels moved to address to her fellow-workers in every land, to strive to
attain the high standard of stewardship that she has set, and to pray from
the very depths of their hearts for the uninterrupted continuance of her
noble endeavors.
Your true brother,
SHOGHI.
Haifa, Palestine,
February 12, 1929.
Letter of March 20, 1929.
To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout
the West.
Dearly-beloved brothers and sisters in 'Abdu'l-Baha:
With a heart overflowing with thankfulness and joy I take my pen to share
with you tidings that eloquently testify to the triumphant majesty and
unconquerable spirit of the Faith of Baha'u'llah. From Geneva, the seat of
the League of Nations, there comes the news that the fervent plea
addressed by the Baha'is of 'Iraq to the world's supreme Tribunal
regarding an issue that for a time has stirred the Baha'i world to its
foundation has at last met with a noble and most gratifying response.
You will recall the references made in my previous communications, dated
November 6, 1925, October 29, 1926, and January 1, 1929, to the forcible
seizure of Baha'u'llah's sacred house by the _Sh_i'ah of Ba_gh_dad, to the
appeals which from almost every quarter of the globe have showered upon
the authorities of 'Iraq for its restitution, to the long and unsuccessful
legal proceedings to which the representatives of the Faith in that land
have resorted, and lastly to the petition which they have addressed to the
League's Permanent Mandates Commission setting forth the history of the
case and appealing for the intervention of the Council in their behalf. I
am now informed that after mature deliberation the conclusion arrived at
by the Mandates Commission, urging that prompt action be taken to redress
the wrong suffered by the Baha'is, has been duly communicated to, and
adopted by, the Council of the League, which in turn will formally
communicate the recommendations of its Commission to the Mandatory Power.