The Unfolding Destiny of the British Bahai Community Part 70

Your true brother, Shoghi

Letter of 3 June 1952

3 June 1952

I gratefully acknowledge receipt of the sum of 200 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 300 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 att.i.tude 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 establis.h.i.+ng an a.s.sembly 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 a.s.sembly. 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 a.s.sures 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 a.s.sures 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 a.s.semblies 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 a.s.sets 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 a.s.sure your a.s.sembly 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 a.s.semblies was also a great satisfaction to him.

He urges you to now concentrate on an a.s.sembly 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 a.s.sembly should do all in its power to facilitate placing them.