In the Cradle of the Faith, the site of the Siyah-_Ch_al, the scene of the
birth of Baha'u'llah's Mission and the second holiest spot in His native
land, purchased in the course of the first year of the Ten-Year Plan, has
been transferred by the donor of this holy and historic place, Habib
Sabet, to the name of one of the Hands of the Cause acting as my official
representative in that country.
A five-year Plan has been inaugurated for the purpose of raising twelve
million tumans for the construction of the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar in
that land. The design of this historic Edifice has been finally selected
from among a number of designs submitted by Baha'i Architects in both the
East and the West, the choice falling upon the plan conceived by the Hand
of the Cause and President of the International Baha'i Council, Mason
Remey--a design which incorporates a dome reminiscent of that of the Bab's
Holy Sepulcher.
A contract has moreover been signed as a preliminary step for the eventual
purchase of the Fortress of _Ch_ihriq and its surroundings, for a sum of
over two hundred thousand tumans.