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]