Convey all National Assemblies Baha'i world the following momentous
announcement.
Approaching Great Jubilee commemorating Centenary termination Babi
Dispensation, birth Baha'u'llah's Revelation in Siyah-_Ch_al, Tihran, as
well as imperative necessity adopt effectual measures insure befitting
inauguration third concluding phase of initial epoch in the execution
'Abdu'l-Baha's Divine Plan destined culminate hundredth anniversary of
Declaration of Founder of Faith in Ba_gh_dad, impel me summon entire
Baha'i world, through eleven National Assemblies already functioning in
East and West, bestir itself, arise during sixteen months ahead through
supreme concerted sustained effort, prepare for demonstration of Baha'i
solidarity of unprecedented scope and intensity during entire course
Baha'i history.
Forthcoming celebrations must be signalized through inauguration long
anticipated intercontinental stage in administrative evolution of Faith
marking its gradual development through successive phases of local,
regional, national, international Baha'i activity. Initiation this highly
significant measure further cementing Baha'i National Assemblies in five
continents of globe will be acclaimed by posterity as counterpart to
consolidation Faith at its World Center through recent formation
International Baha'i Council in Holy Land.
Centennial festivities of Year Nine continuing throughout Holy Year
commencing October 1952 must include, apart from consummation plans
initiated by various National Assemblies both hemispheres, the formal
dedication for public worship of Mother Temple of West in heart North
American continent, and possible termination superstructure of Bab's
Sepulcher in Holy Land, the convocation of four intercontinental Baha'i
Teaching Conferences to be held successively in course historic Year on
continents of Africa, America, Europe, Asia.
First conference will be convened by British National Spiritual Assembly
in Kampala, Uganda in early spring, representative of British, American,
Persian, Egyptian, Indian National Spiritual Assemblies, to which Baha'is
residing in America, Persia, Indian subcontinent, British Isles, every
territory African continent will be invited attend, aiming planting banner
of Faith in remaining territories and neighboring islands east, south,
west African continent.
Second conference will be convened by United States National Spiritual
Assembly in Wilmette, in Ridvan period, representative of chief trustees
'Abdu'l-Baha's Plan, their ally and associates United States, Canadian,
Latin American National Assemblies, to which Baha'is every State American
Union, every Province Canada, every Republic Latin America will be invited
attend, designed pave way establishment Faith in remaining territories of
the Americas and neighboring islands in both Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Third conference will be convened by American European Teaching Committee
in Stockholm, Sweden, during summer, representative of American, British,
German National Assemblies, to which Baha'is of each ten goal countries
Europe and England, Scotland, Wales, Eire, France, Germany, Austria,
Finland, will be invited attend, for purpose gradual introduction of Faith
into remaining sovereign states European continent and neighboring islands
Mediterranean, Atlantic Ocean, North Sea.
Fourth conference will be convened by National Spiritual Assembly
subcontinent India in New Delhi, autumn, representative of National
Assemblies of Persia, Indian subcontinent, 'Iraq, Australasia, United
States, Canada, Central and South America, to which Baha'is residing in
every sovereign state and dependency in Asia, North, Central, South
America, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania will be invited attend, in order
deliberate measures calculated open Faith remaining Asiatic states and
dependencies, particularly South East Asia and islands of South Pacific
and Indian Oceans.
Address plea particularly to convenors above mentioned conferences to
arise within short time at their disposal, prayerfully consider, carefully
plan, energetically prosecute, respective sacred delegated tasks, take
immediate preliminary steps issue invitations, fix procedure, provide
smooth working, accord wide publicity, insure resounding success,
epoch-making conferences immortalizing Centenary of memorable Year,
anticipated by St. John the Divine, foreshadowed by _Sh_ay_kh_ Ahmad,
eulogized by the Bab, extolled by both Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha, and
constituting prelude to Most Great Jubilee, which will alike commemorate
Centenary formal assumption by Author of Baha'i Revelation of His
Prophetic Office, and mark, God willing, worldwide establishment Faith
forecast by Center of Covenant in His Tablets prophecied by Daniel in his
book, thus paving way for advent of Golden Age destined witness world
recognition, universal proclamation, ultimate triumph of the Cause of
Baha'u'llah.
--Shoghi
[Cablegram, November 30, 1951]