On the occasion of the fivefold historic celebration--the dedication for
public worship of the holiest Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of the Baha'i world;
the convocation of the Second Intercontinental Teaching Conference of the
Holy Year; the anniversary of the Declaration of Baha'u'llah in the Garden
of Ridvan; the holding of the Forty-Fifth American Baha'i Convention, and
the launching of the epochal, global, spiritual Crusade, marking the
climax of the festivities associated with the Centenary of the birth of
Baha'u'llah's Mission--announce to His followers of East and West that the
final phase of the construction of the Bab's Sepulcher has been ushered in
through the erection of scaffolding for the completion of the shuttering
of the dome.
Forty-four gilded tiles out of a total of twelve thousand, designed to
cover two hundred fifty square meter surface of the dome, were placed in
permanent position on the eve of the ninth day of the ninetieth
anniversary of the Ridvan Festival. On the afternoon of the same day,
during the course of a moving ceremony in the presence of pilgrims and
resident believers of Akka and Haifa, I have placed reverently a fragment
of the plaster ceiling of the Bab's prison cell in the castle of Mah-Ku
beneath the gilded tiles of the crowning unit of the majestic edifice,
circumambulated the base of the dome, paid homage to His memory, recalled
His afflictive imprisonment and offered prayers on behalf of the friends
of East and West on a subsequent visit to the interior of His Shrine.
Preparatory steps are now being taken for the pouring of concrete for the
construction of the ribs of the dome, as well as for the placing of
ornamental stones surrounding its base.
My hopes are heightened that the termination of the five-year-long,
three-quarter million dollar enterprise, undertaken in the heart of
Carmel, will coincide with the termination of the world-wide celebrations
commemorating the Centenary of the inception of Baha'u'llah's ministry.
Also announce the formation of no less than sixteen new spiritual
assemblies in the African continent:--Monrovia, Benghazi, Nairobi, Jinja,
Akarukei, Tilling, Mbale, Atoot, Kococwa, Acissa, Opot, Fassy, Ocaka,
Osopotoil, Kadoki, Kabuku.
In Uganda alone the number of believers is over two hundred ninety,
residing in twenty-five localities, representative of twenty tribes.
Finally share the heart-warming news of the impending establishment of the
long-overdue Haziratu'l-Quds in the French capital through the conclusion
of an agreement to purchase a nine thousand pound property situated in the
best residential quarter of the city.
Kiyani's spontaneous, generous contribution is solely responsible for the
achievement of the great victory of the establishment of the institution
designed to serve as the administrative headquarters of both the present
Paris Assembly and the projected French National Spiritual Assembly.
Advise the American National Assembly to share this message with its
sister assemblies throughout the Baha'i world.
[April 30, 1953]