his loving greetings....
P.S. He thanks you for the Quarterly Report enclosed. He reads with great
interest everything related to the African work.
Letter of 23 November 1951
23 November 1951(59)
CONFERENCE SHOULD BE HELD UGANDA.
SHOGHI
Letter of 6 December 1951
6 December 1951
Africa Committee
Dear Baha'i Brother:
Your letters of November 5th and 22nd (enclosures were also received) have
been received, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on
his behalf.
He was pleased to hear that Sir Ronald Storrs keeps up a friendly interest
in the Faith.
Regarding ... it is obvious that people like this, who have had in some
cases a smattering of Baha'i teaching are not fully aware of the
implications of the Faith. However, this does not mean that we should not
help them and hold on to them, in the hope of being able, as time and
circumstances permit, to deepen them and produce from them really fine
believers. This has happened on many occasions in the past, and the
Guardian hopes that, through correspondence with him, your committee--and
perhaps the Groups in Africa--will be able to accomplish this.
In response to his requests for money, you should point out to him that as
we finance entirely our own activities as our gift to mankind, we have to
harbour our resources and concentrate on the most important expenditures.
You will know what these are; and they certainly don't include a
headquarters in Nigeria. You might also encourage him to make an effort to
attend the Africa Conference.
The Guardian also hopes that you will give ... every encouragement. She is
a fine soul, and no doubt, if she had time devoted to her, would soon
develop into an assured and active believer. You should encourage her also
to make every effort to be present at the Africa Conference, and in the
meantime to correspond with believers abroad, and do her best to teach the
Cause there in spite of her handicaps.
The Guardian feels that the next step in Baha'i literature might well be
the publication of a more comprehensive work in Luganda and Swahili.
However, he would like the Africa Committee to undertake pamphlets in
other languages as well; let him know what languages the committee
proposes.
He attaches, as you know, the greatest importance to the work of your
committee and is tremendously impressed by the progress being made in
Africa, and by the capacity, tenacity and enthusiasm the British Africa
Committee is showing in handling its share of this extremely important
campaign. His prayers are frequently offered on your behalf.
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty whose Cause you serve with such devotion, ability and
faithfulness, reward you abundantly for your labours, guide you and
sustain you and assist you to enrich continually the record of your
meritorious service.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 19 December 1951
19 December 1951(60)
DELIGHTED ASSURE THEM FERVENT PRAYERS HEARTY WELCOME BAHA'I FOLD.
SHOGHI
Letter of 30 December 1951
30 December 1951
APPROVE PLAN CELEBRATION CENTENARY.
SHOGHI
Letter of 8 January 1952 (Teaching Conference)
8 January 1952 (Teaching Conference)
ASSURE ATTENDANTS TEACHING CONFERENCE DEEPEST LOVING APPRECIATION
ASSURANCE LOYALTY. APPEAL FERVENTLY ARISE DETERMINEDLY STIMULATE PIONEER
ACTIVITY SAFEGUARD HARD-WON PRIZES CONSOLIDATE HOME FRONT REINFORCE
AGENCIES ADMINISTRATIVE BASE ON WHICH SUCCESS AFRICAN CAMPAIGN
INAUGURATION FUTURE PLANS EMBRACING BRITISH TERRITORIES OTHER CONTINENTS
ULTIMATELY DEPEND SUPPLICATING ABUNDANT BLESSING.
SHOGHI
Letter of 16 January 1952
16 January 1952(61)
DELIGHTED APPROVE TALKS HANDS LOVING APPRECIATION.
SHOGHI
Letter of 13 February 1952
13 February 1952
Dear Baha'i Brother,
Our beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you the following:
He wishes the British National Assembly to please do all they can to watch
over the two young sons of our dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. ..., in view of
the fact that the youngest boy is little more than a child, he needs
particularly to have his spiritual welfare safeguarded through as much
contact as possible with believers.
The wonderful services this devoted and self-sacrificing father and mother
are rendering the Faith have forced them to be separated from their
children, and hence the Guardian requests your Assembly to please take
special care of the boys.
We are all very happy to have ... here, and they have brought most
heartening reports of the progress of the work in Africa with them....
Letter of 20 February 1952
20 February 1952(62)
GRIEVE TRAGIC LOSS PRAYING FERVENTLY BEHALF DEPARTED.
SHOGHI
Letter of 29 February 1952
29 February 1952
...ADVISE BUILD UP KENYA. URGE FORMATION ASSEMBLIES KAMPALA DAR-ES-SALAAM.
APPROVE SPECIAL SESSIONS FOR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY REPRESENTATIVES OUTSIDE
CONFERENCE.
SHOGHI
Letter of 4 March 1952
4 March 1952
Africa Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly.
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter of the 18th of February, with enclosures, has reached the
beloved Guardian; and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He is very pleased over the progress being made, particularly in Uganda;
and the recent pilgrimage of the dear Bananis, he feels sure, will add a
great impetus to the work there.
Regarding the matters of policy you raised in your letter, he sees no
objection to the Persian Baha'is,--as long as there are so many of them,
and it is unwise to concentrate too many applicants on one country at one
time as you point out,--going to countries under the jurisdiction of other
National Spiritual Assemblies, such as Egypt and India.
He considers that it is of the greatest importance that pioneers should
have upright characters, as well as some considerable knowledge of the
Teachings. We cannot expect that every pioneer will be a person of
importance; but we must hope that each one will be a person of worth, in
his own character. This should be pointed out to the Indian friends.
India should likewise make an effort to send pioneers primarily to the
territories embraced in its own part of the Plan; but if they can make
available to your committee for British territory, some qualified Indian
Baha'is, who for some reason cannot go to one of the Indian National
Assembly's assignments, then there is no objection.
The Guardian thinks that it is wise not to influence ... by sending him
material which he does not at present wish to receive. He is, judging from
his letter, a sincere but immature believer....
P.S. Your National Assembly is not responsible for Eritrea but you may
encourage any believers there.
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your high endeavours, guide and sustain you
continually, and aid you to win great victories in the service of His
Faith.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 8 March 1952
8 March 1952(63)
APPROVE _SH_OMAIS DEPARTURE AFRICA. ABBAS RETURN PERSIA APPRECIATE DEEPLY
SELF-SACRIFICE.
SHOGHI
Letter of 12 March 1952
12 March 1952
OWING RAPID PROGRESS AFRICAN CAMPAIGN ADVISE CONCENTRATION CONSOLIDATION
HOME FRONT APPEAL UNITED RENEWED VIGOROUS EFFORT PRAYING FERVENTLY
SUCCESS.
SHOGHI
Letter of 18 March 1952
18 March 1952
GOAL FULFILLED ANY PART SOMALILAND.
SHOGHI
Letter of 16 April 1952
16 April 1952(64)
OVERJOYED PRAYING SUCCESS BLACKPOOL LOVE.
SHOGHI
Letter of 22 April 1952
22 April 1952(65)
DELIGHTED APPRECIATE SERVICES PIONEERS.
SHOGHI
Letter of 29 April 1952
29 April 1952
DEEPLY TOUCHED PLEDGE BRITISH BAHA'I COMMUNITY CONGRATULATE VALIANT
MEMBERS MARVELLOUS PROGRESS AFRICAN CAMPAIGN CONSOLIDATION HOME FRONT
OWING ATTAINMENT OBJECTIVES ADVISE CONCENTRATE NAIROBI AIMING
ESTABLISHMENT ASSEMBLY LEADING PROMISING CENTRE BRITISH TERRITORIES HEART
EAST AFRICAN CONTINENT FERVENTLY PRAYING STILL GREATER VICTORIES LOVING
GRATITUDE.
SHOGHI
Letter of 4 May 1952
4 May 1952
National Baha'i Youth Committee
Dear Baha'i Friends,
Your letter of April 9, 1952, has been received, and the beloved Guardian
has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was most happy to see that so many of the Baha'i youth and their
friends had gathered together for the Youth Conference; and trusts that,
from this consultation, a greater activity amongst the Baha'i youth of the
British Isles will result.
All over the Baha'i world, we see that not an inconsiderable proportion of
the most active and devoted pioneers are young people. This is only right
and proper, because they are freer, usually, to migrate to distant lands,
embark on new projects, and withstand the trials and hardships, than older
people, who have built up family ties and professional ties.
He will pray for all of you, for your success and the deepening of your
capacities in the service of Baha'u'llah.
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless and sustain you in your meritorious activities and
aid you to achieve great victories in the service of His Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 3 June 1952
3 June 1952
I gratefully acknowledge receipt of the sum of L200 Sterling from my dear
Baha'i co-workers, British Baha'i community to be expended for the
promotion of the international interests of the Baha'i Faith.
Shoghi
Letter of 3 June 1952
3 June 1952
I gratefully acknowledge receipt of the sum of L300 Sterling from my dear
Baha'i co-workers, British Baha'i community to be expended for the
construction of the Shrine of the Bab.
Shoghi
Letter of 4 June 1952
4 June 1952
Africa Committee
Dear Baha'i Sister:
Your letter of May 16th has been received, and the beloved Guardian has
instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He has read with great interest the reports which your committee sends him
regularly, because as you know the work in Africa is to him one of the
most important activities going on in the Baha'i world, and very close to
his heart.
He was very sorry to hear from the recent cable sent him that there is a
question about the Kampala Conference, and whether arrangements can be
made for it to be held there. Undoubtedly there is an increasingly
negative attitude toward our work growing up amongst the officials,
probably due to the lack of racial discrimination they are coming to
realise is one of our fundamental teachings, a teaching carried into
action, and not merely a pious hope.... He wishes you to keep him informed
about this and the progress being made.
Your suggested souvenir booklet sounds interesting, and he urges you to
consider the wisdom of including a photograph of Mr. Gregory, First Negro
Hand of the Cause, in addition to the others.
As regards the latest progress photo of the Shrine Mr. Ted Cardell took a
great many pictures here, which the Guardian told him he could share with
the Baha'is anywhere in the world; and it seems as if, exclusive of the
work on the drum, which will begin showing distinctly in about two months'
time, the best possible photograph you can obtain of the Shrine at present
would be one of Ted's. You should therefore apply to him for one.
The Guardian is very anxious that, during the coming months, the Africa
Committee and the Baha'is should concentrate their efforts on establishing
an Assembly in Kenya, and hopes that you will be able to direct pioneers
to Nairobi as soon as possible.
The Guardian considers that it is premature at this time to answer your
question about consultation at the Africa Conference, between people from
territories which will come under the jurisdiction of the East and Central
Africa National Spiritual Assembly. He is so overworked and tired at the
moment that he has not been able to go into the entire question of the
Inter-Continental Conferences, the countries which will come under the
jurisdiction of various future national bodies, etc. He hopes that he will
be able, during the coming months, to do this, and if he feels it wise,
will advise you by cable concerning a consultation such as you suggest, at
the Conference.
He assures all the members of your committee of his deep appreciation of
the work they are doing, and of his loving prayers for their success....
P.S. Your personal letter of May 17th was received, and he assures you not
only of how deeply he admires the spirit you and your husband have, and
the work you accomplish, but of his loving prayers that you may be given
strength to carry out this work.
Mr. ... evidently is very immature and has no real concept of the Faith;
this does not mean, however, that we should abandon him as a contact or
let him become the prey of the New History Society. We should keep in
friendly touch until someone can see him.
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty Whose Cause you and your co-workers are serving with such
an exemplary spirit of devotion, fidelity and perseverance, reward you for
your meritorious labours, remove all obstacles from your path and enable
you to win great victories in the days to come,
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 12 June 1952
12 June 1952
Dear Baha'i Brother:
The beloved Guardian has received your letters of October 3, October 27
(4), November 5, 9, 22 (2), 24 and 29, December 6, 19 (4) and 21, 1951,
and January 1, 2, 7, 11, 16, 17, 20 and 29 (3), February 1, 16, 20 (3), 27
(2) and February 29, March 5 and 14, April 3, 15 and 24, May 5, 13, 19
(2), 27 and 31, and June 6th, 10th and June 12, 1952, and he has
instructed me to answer you on his behalf. He also has received the
various enclosures which you sent with these letters....
The book you sent from the friends in Bahrein was received, and pleased
the beloved Guardian very much, as the lines are written in the
handwriting of Baha'u'llah at the beginning of the book. (This answers
your question in your letter of June 6th.)
It brought great joy to his heart to see that you were able to maintain
all assemblies in spite of the heavy odds against you. It demonstrates to
him once more the tenacity and devotion of the British Baha'is, which is
rapidly becoming one of the great assets of the Faith in its process of
international expansion....
The wonderful spirit shown by Dr. Afnan and his wife is certainly an
example to all pioneers. He hopes that Mrs. Afnan will settle herself
successfully in Africa, and soon be able to have her husband join her.
He was very happy to hear that the Teaching Conference has been so
successful. Undoubtedly the dedication of the friends to their tasks at
that time facilitated the achievement of their goals in April....
The Guardian would like to assure your Assembly of his loving prayers for
dear Mr. Sam Scott, who pioneered at such a ripe age, and who is surely
receiving his reward in the Abha Kingdom.(66)
He considers it advisable that all believers living in Africa, even those
who did so before the beginning of the Plan, should have some form of
credentials....
Your suggestion of inaugurating the Holy Year next Ridvan and continuing
on until October, 1953, with celebrations, meets with his approval.
As regards the Africa campaign: this enterprise, so enthusiastically
carried on, has been throughout this past year the greatest source of joy
to the heart of the beloved Guardian. The visits of the dear Bananis and
Ted Cardell, the news they brought and the general progress of the work,
have made Africa seem right next door to Haifa! The formation of the
Dar-es-Salaam and Kampala Assemblies was also a great satisfaction to him.
He urges you to now concentrate on an Assembly for Nairobi by next April.
This should not be too difficult of achievement in view of the devoted
efforts of Mr. Cardell and the pioneers eager to go there.
As regards your question about Somaliland: any one of the three
Somalilands may be chosen as a goal territory.
In this connection, he feels that Persian pioneers should be accepted for
any and all territories; they are arising in large numbers to offer their
services, and it is a great pity that these dedicated and eager friends
are so restricted as regards settlement. Your Assembly should do all in
its power to facilitate placing them.
The Guardian feels that although the Conference planned for Kampala is
primarily a Conference and in no sense a Convention (having no delegates),
there is no objection to the representatives of various N.S.A.s who may
attend meeting in separate sessions for more special and concentrated
consultation. Any Hands of the Cause attending could also be included in
this private discussion.
He feels that now more than ever the British friends have every reason to
feel proud of their accomplishments and happy over the very evident
bestowals from the Throne on High. They have found, after half a century
of development, scope for their abilities, and a field large enough to
distinguish themselves in, and they are certainly taking advantage of it,
much to the delight of the Guardian and their fellow-Baha'is.
You may be sure that he remembers you all in his prayers, and also the
body of the faithful believers you serve to such good purpose.
He would like you to please thank, on his behalf, the friends who so
devotedly contribute to the construction of the Holy Shrine....
P.S. As regards Baha'i divorce as mentioned in your letters of June 12th:
Baha'is (whether one party or both are believers) should follow the Baha'i
law of divorce, i.e. one year of waiting, and not neglect this divinely
given law. Whether they were Baha'is when they married or not has nothing
to do with it.
In connection with the budget, mentioned in your letter of June 10th, he
feels, in the future, you should not set a budget which the resources of
the community are unable to meet; however, owing to the crucial Africa
work and the forthcoming Conference, he realises you had at this time no
other choice. He is going to arrange for one thousand pounds to be sent to
your Assembly in order to meet the needs of the Conference and the
literature in African languages still to be published. The remaining
translations should be pressed forward in order to be ready for the
Conference next year.
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers,
The Two Year Plan on which the British Baha'i community has embarked bids
fair, as it approaches its conclusion, to eclipse, however short its
duration, the exploits of that community throughout the length and breadth
of the British Isles, in the course of the prosecution of the first
collective enterprise undertaken in British Baha'i history. This second
historic undertaking marks the inauguration of the Mission entrusted to
this community for the purpose of diffusing the Message of Baha'u'llah and
of implanting its banner through successive stages, and in collaboration
with its sister communities, not only in the territories of the British
Crown in the African Continent, but throughout the dependencies of a
widely scattered Empire in the remaining continents of the globe. It may
well be regarded as a befitting prelude to the official participation of
this community in the Ten Year, world-encircling Crusade, designed to
signalise the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the birth of
Baha'u'llah's Mission, involving the systematic co-operation of no less
than twelve National Assemblies throughout the Baha'i world, and destined
to culminate in the Most Great Jubilee that will, God willing, witness the
introduction of the Faith into all the Sovereign States, the Chief
Dependencies and Islands of the entire planet.
In the conduct of this world-encompassing task, so vast in scope, so
thrilling in its possibilities, so formidable in its potentialities, the
British Baha'i community will be called upon to play a preponderating
role, in conjunction with the American Baha'i community, acting as the
Chief Custodians of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Master Plan, and seconded by its sister
communities in the British Dominions in both hemispheres, in awakening the
peoples, races and nations comprising the British Commonwealth and Empire
to the redemptive Message of Baha'u'llah, and in establishing, on an
unassailable foundation, the structural basis of His World Order.
The diversity of functions which the assumption of this task will involve;
the privileges and bounties it will, of a certainty, confer on its
prosecutors; the degree of dedication, the amount of preparation it will
require for its proper discharge; the severe strain it must necessarily
impose on all those who will shoulder its burdens; the gravity of the
manifold problems it will raise; the severe challenge with which they who
will arise to carry it out will be confronted--as witnessed by the delicate
and complicated situation that has already arisen in the initial stage of
this historic Mission in the heart of Africa, in connection with the
holding of the projected inter-continental conference--all these must be
carefully pondered in preparation for the launching, at its appointed
time, of an undertaking that will constitute, not only a milestone of the
utmost significance in the history of the Faith in the British Isles, but
will also be hailed by posterity as a landmark of peculiar significance in
British history.
Whilst the small band of wholly dedicated, patiently labouring, much
admired, greatly promising followers and supporters of the Faith, in
England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland, contemplate, from their respective
homelands, the grandeur of their future task, dwell on its sacred
character, and meditate on the wide range of its problems, possibilities,
perils and glories, let them devote particular and sustained attention to
the imperative needs, the urgent requirements of their no less important
and vital mission at home, in their boroughs and counties, amidst their
own people, and strain every nerve to reinforce, through a rapid increase
in their numbers, through a steady multiplication of their administrative
institutions, through a systematic consolidation of the structure of the
edifice they are raising within the borders of their native land, their
respective communities, which must be regarded as the base for the future
operations that will be conducted by the members of these communities,
under the guidance of their elected representatives, for the spiritual
conquest and the ultimate redemption of the nations, tribes and races
owing allegiance to the British Crown.
With every forward step taken by this stalwart community in the path of
service to the Cause of Baha'u'llah, with every signal victory achieved
for the promulgation of His Faith, a new revelation of the glorious
Mission which this community is privileged to undertake is unfolded before
the eyes of its members and a wider vista of the future range of its
operations, both at home and overseas, opens before it. With every
complication that arises in the course of its unfolding Mission, with even
every seeming reverse it meets with, as its destiny unfolds, a clearer
understanding of the character of its stewardship to the Faith of
Baha'u'llah is vouchsafed to its members, a greater measure of His
sustaining grace is poured forth from on high, a more compelling evidence
of His all-conquering power is evinced, and a more majestic assertion of
His mysterious purpose is demonstrated.