1935

1935

— 136 —

January 2, 1935

[To Aḥmad Safdar, Pakistan][pg 123]

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

The Guardian has just been in receipt of a letter from Siyyid Muṣṭafá Rumi of Mandalay, informing him of the gratifying news of your conversion to the Bahá’í Faith, and of your eager desire to help in spreading its teachings in your centre.

He is, indeed, much pleased to learn that you are burning with the desire to teach the Cause in Chittagong and views with deep interest the activities in which you are now engaged for the attainment of this purpose. He advises you to work in close co operation with dear Amiru’l-Islám, so that through united and combined effort you may be able to effectively spread the Teachings, and thus pave the way for the establishment of an Assembly in Chittagong.

Shoghi Effendi is ardently supplicating on your behalf at the Holy Shrines and is entreating Bahá’u’lláh to guide your steps, cheer your heart, and bless and continually enrich your endeavours for the spread and establishment of His Faith in your centre.[pg 124]

— 137 —

January 20, 1935

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India and Burma.

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The Guardian has directed me to forward to your Assembly the enclosed translation of a letter he has recently received from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Persia regarding the grave situation that has arisen there, and the severe restrictions that have been imposed by the Persian government upon the community of believers in that land.

The persecutions from which the Persian friends are now suffering represent, indeed, the culmination in the long and nation wide campaign which the authorities in that country have during the last two years launched against the Faith. In many of its aspects this campaign is reminiscent of the persecutions suffered by the early Bahá’ís, with this difference, however, that the prime movers and responsible authors of such acts are not primarily the members of the S̱hí‘ah clergy, whose influence has greatly declined, but the members of the S̱háh’s government. A group of unscrupulous and astute politicians, who are the determined enemies of the Faith in Persia, and are afraid of its growing influence, have succeeded at last in alienating the S̱háh and in arousing his suspicion. They have deliberately misrepresented all the facts to him, with the result that he has now lost absolute confidence in the friends, with the exception of those few who, due to their eminent services to the person of the S̱háh, still enjoy in some measure his confidence.

The first incident which led to this outburst of fierce antagonism on the part of the government was in connection with the Tarbíyát Schools in Ṭihrán. The school authorities having, after due consult anon with the National Spiritual Assembly and in strict conformity with the principle governing the observance of Bahá’í holidays, decided to close the schools on the occasion of the celebration of the anniversary of the Báb’s martyrdom, the authorities in the capital immediately issued orders that the schools be permanently closed, and that also no public meetings of any kind be held by the believers.

This has been done in spite of the fact that other religious communities, such as the Muslims and the Zoroastrians, are allowed to celebrate their own feasts, and as such enjoy full religious freedom. Similar orders were issued to the believers in all other parts of Persia,[pg 125]  with the result that today the friends find their activities in Persia completely paralyzed. Their schools have all been definitely closed, their meetings suspended, their correspondence intercepted, and their assemblies and committees for the most part dissolved.

The situation, as it stands at present, is highly disconcerting. The friends, however, faithful to the injunctions of the Master regarding obedience to government in all administrative matters as distinguished from those affecting their conscience and loyalty to the Cause strictly adhere to the laws and orders of the government. Their sole hope is the assurance that in due time all these restrictions are bound to disappear…

In the meantime, the Guardian would urge all the friends to patiently and prayerfully wait until these sad happenings take their due course. For the history of the Cause, particularly in Persia, is a clear illustration of the truth that such persecutions invariably serve to strengthen the believers in their faith, by stimulating the spiritual powers latent in their hearts, and by awakening in them a new and deeper consciousness of their duties and responsibilities towards the Faith. Indeed, the mere progress of the Cause, by provoking the hatreds and jealousies of peoples and nations, creates for itself such difficulties and obstacles as only its divine spirit can overcome.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá has emphatically stated that the enmity and opposition of the world will increase in direct proportion to the extension and progress of the Faith. The greater the zeal of the believers and the more striking the effect of their achievements, the fiercer will be the opposition of the enemy.

Many are the passages in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh wherein He foreshadows the persecutions awaiting His Faith. But side by side with such emphatic predictions is the assurance that out of these sufferings and trials His Cause will emerge triumphant and purified. May we not, therefore, gather strength from such an assurance, and with hearts filled with confident and joyous hope arise to fulfil our part in the establishment of His Cause?

— 138 —

June 27, 1935

Dear Siyyid Muṣṭafá,

On behalf of the Guardian I wish to thank you most heartily for your welcome letter of the first instant with enclosures, all of which[pg 126]  he has read with genuine interest and deepest appreciation.

The news of the success of the first all Burma Bahá’í Convention held on April last in “‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Village” at Daidanaw has particularly rejoiced his heart, and imparted added strength and stimulus to his hopes concerning the future of the Cause in Burma. It is, indeed, quite splendid and fully indicative of the mysterious and all compelling power of the Faith that in the face of all the malignant opposition of the Muslim divines the friends in Burma should have succeeded in holding such an important and truly historic gathering. He hopes that now that the first step in that direction has been definitely taken it will be easier for the believers to organize such conferences in the future, specially with the help and cooperation of the Indian National Spiritual Assembly, which has contributed so much towards the success of this year’s Convention.

From the enclosed report prepared by your Secretary the Guardian has learned with deep appreciation of the emphasis laid by the friends at the Convention of the importance of organizing the Bahá’í school at Daidanaw. He trusts that the friends both in India and Burma will whole-heartedly respond to the Educational Committees appeal for raising the necessary funds for that purpose. He particularly values the financial assistance extended in this connection by the National Spiritual Assembly, and is confident that its example will be followed by the rest of the believers.

As to the name of the school, the Guardian would advise that this institution should be dedicated entirely to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s name, as it was during his days that the village was first established. The new section that you are planning to open very soon for the teaching of English, Arabic and Urdu will, no doubt, be of an invaluable addition to the school’s already rich record of service. The Guardian is specially praying on behalf of the new teacher of English that has been appointed to take charge of the new school by the name of Muḥammad Iqbal Ḵhán. He wishes him full success in this highly responsible task he has been appointed to perform.

With the assurance of his prayers on your behalf, and with his greetings to you and to all the friends in Mandalay and throughout Burma.

Dear and prized co-worker:

I am delighted with your recent achievements. At your advanced age you have truly performed a work which the Concourse on High will[pg 127]  extol and magnify. I am enclosing the sum of £30 as my contribution for the school recently established. The friends in Burma have proved themselves — worthy of the great love and blessings our departed Master has lavished upon them. I will continue to pray for them from the depths of my grateful heart. To you, in particular, I feel greatly indebted. Kindly extend to all the friends in that far away county my love, my congratulations and abiding gratitude for their magnificent efforts.

Shoghi

— 139 —

July 8, 1935

Dear Mr. Butt,

I am directed by the Guardian to inform you of the receipt of your letter dated June 13th written on behalf of the Indian National Spiritual Assembly, and to convey to you his deepest thanks and appreciation for it. He wishes me, in particular, to offer you his hearty congratulations for having been elected as Secretary of the Indian National Spiritual Assembly — a function which he hopes you will adequately discharge, and for which, he feels confident, you will be amply rewarded. It is, indeed, a grave and weighty responsibility that has been placed upon your shoulders. But with the assistance of Bahá’u’lláh you will, no doubt, succeed in discharging it satisfactorily.

You should be confident, and also strive to do your best. In this way you can be certain of the success of your labours.

In the meantime the Guardian will specially supplicate for your guidance and assistance, and will ask Bahá’u’lláh to give you both the vision and the inspiration to promote and safeguard the interests of His Faith throughout India and Burma. With regard to the teaching outline you had enclosed, Shoghi Effendi has read it with interest and appreciation and wishes me to assure you of his wholehearted approval. The method you have adopted for the training of Bahá’í teachers is, indeed, very similar to the one used by the American friends. It is very thorough, yet clear and highly effective. The Guardian trusts that the believers in India and Burma will make full use of your Assembly’s suggestions and directions, and in this way help in inaugurating a new and effective teaching campaign throughout India and Burma.

Assuring you again f the Guardians deep felt appreciation of[pg 128]  your labours, and with his cordial greetings and sincere good wishes to you and to your fellow members in the National Spiritual Assembly, as well as to all the friends in your centre.

Dear and valued co-worker:

I am deeply touched and feel truly grateful for the noble sentiments you have expressed in your letter, and welcome your appointment as national secretary to the representatives of the believers of India and Burma. The splendid and encouraging report of your annual Convention I have read with care, admiration and gratitude. The utmost effort should be increasingly exerted in order to ensure the full and uninterrupted execution of the decisions and resolutions arrived at by the national and elected representatives of the believers. I shall, from the depths of my heart, pray for their success. Persevere and never relax in your high and admirable endeavours.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

— 140 —

August 12, 1935

[To N.R. Vakíl]

Beloved Bahá’í Brother,

The Guardian wishes me to thank you for your letter dated July 18th written on behalf of the Indian National Spiritual Assembly, and also for the enclosed papers and documents, all of which he has carefully read and considered.

He has been particularly pleased and encouraged to receive the copy of the Certificate of Registration of the Karachi Bahá’í Assembly, and is eagerly awaiting for the registration papers of the Delhi and Rangoon Spiritual Assemblies. He hopes that the National Spiritual Assembly will expedite the matter of legalizing all the Local Assemblies of India and Burma and in this way ensure the stability of the administrative institutions of the Cause in these two countries.

With regard to … petition to the National Spiritual Assembly … Shoghi Effendi wishes to urge once more your Assembly to give care fun and sympathetic consideration to this case … The situation must be carefully studied, and all its aspects thoroughly investigated and a decision should be reached and fearlessly and immediately carried out. Too much delay does not only harm the interests of the petitioner[pg 129]  but will, in addition, have the effect of distracting from the authority and prestige of your Assembly…

— 141 —

October 8, 1935

Dear Mr. Vakíl,

The Guardian has directed me to thank you for your letter of the 13th of May last, and for the one dated September 23rd just received, both of which he has greatly enjoyed and appreciated reading.

He has been specially gratified to learn of the success of the last meeting of your National Spiritual Assembly, and of the important action that has been taken in connection with case. He is confident that the satisfactory settlement of this difficult issue, and the complete and immediate enforcement of the decisions reached by your Assembly in this matter, will serve to consolidate the foundations of your National Spiritual Assembly, and to greatly enhance its prestige in the eyes of the believers and of the general non-Bahá’í public as well.

He is eagerly awaiting to read the National Secretary’s report regarding this issue, and concerning various other matters that have been considered by the National Spiritual Assembly in its last session.

He is very pleased to learn that all the members have attended the meetings, with the exception of dear Mr. Hishmatu’llah who, he hopes, has by now fully recovered from his illness. Please convey to him his best wishes, and the assurance of his loving appreciation of his valuable work for the Cause in India.

May I also assure you of Shoghi Effendi’s continued prayers for your health, and for each and every member of your dear family.

Dear and valued co-worker:

I am so glad to learn of the action which the National Assembly has taken regarding the case of… and I trust that the matter will be definitely and satisfactorily settled and in a manner that would reinforce the prestige and authority of your Assembly. I will pray for the expansion and consolidation of the activities of its members and rejoice to learn that the improved state of your precious health will enable you to enrich and extend the scope of their labours.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

— 142 —

October 14, 1935

[To N.R. Vakíl][pg 130]

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

I am charged by our beloved Guardian to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated September 30th, and of the enclosed copy of the award given by the Indian National Spiritual Assembly in the matter of and to thank you for them both.

He is, indeed, pleased to witness the careful consideration which this case has received from your National Spiritual Assembly, and feels specially gratified at the readiness with which the parties concerned have promised to abide by, and fully execute its decisions and orders.

The settlement of this complicated and rather thorny issue constitutes a real triumph for your Assembly, for which it deserves to be fully and heartily congratulated. Shoghi Effendi trusts that this victory, by consolidating the foundations and heightening the prestige of the National Spiritual Assembly, will serve to pave the way for the wider and firmer establishment of the Administration throughout India and Burma.

With his renewed and most loving greetings to you and to your fellow members in the National Spiritual Assembly, and with the assurance of his continued prayers for the success and progress of your labours for the Cause.

Dear and valued co-worker,

I am deeply appreciative of the response and action of your Assembly and I trust that its members, ever watchful and solicitous for whatever safeguards and promotes the interests of the Faith, will never allow any future developments to react unfavorably upon the satisfactory settlement of the case. In this, as well as in all other cases that must inevitably arise in future, your Assembly I feel confident, will refuse to evade any of its responsibilities and will with courage, impartiality and firmness deliver its verdict and execute its decisions.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi[pg 131]

— 143 —

October 17, 1935

Dear Mr. Vakíl,

The Guardian is in receipt of your letter of the 27th of September is pleased to learn of the possibility of establishing an Assembly in Lahore in the near future. He would urge you, and through you your fellow members in the National Spiritual Assembly, to make a special effort to bring about such a formation as soon as conditions are found to be favourable. He hopes that the establishment of a local Assembly in so important and central a town in India, will greatly help the expansion of the Faith, and will consolidate the foundations of its institutions throughout that country. He is fervently praying to Bahá’u’lláh that He may assist and crown with success your labours for the attainment of this objective.

Assuring you also of his supplications on your behalf, and on behalf of all the members of your family.

Dear and valued co-worker:

I deeply appreciate your constant and unfailing assistance to the International Fund as well as your generous and steady support of the national institutions of the Faith in your own country. May the Almighty, Whose Cause you strive to promote with such diligence, steadfastness and zeal, reward you a thousandfold for your self-sacrificing endeavors. May He assist you to fulfil your dearest hopes in His service.

Your true and grateful brother,

Shoghi

— 144 —

November 3, 1935

[To N.R. Vakíl]

Beloved Bahá’í Brother,

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to convey to you his thanks and appreciation for your message of the 21st of October last. He is, indeed, gratified to learn that the friends in Bombay have strictly observed the birthday of the Báb as a holiday, that they had closed their shops, and that, in full obedience to the explicit directions of the[pg 132]  Master, they had refrained from every work. This fresh evidence of the zeal, unity and fervour with which the Bombay believers are working for the consolidation of the institutions of the Faith in their country is very encouraging and gratifying to him. He trusts that this same spirit of loyalty and attachment to the Cause will continue developing in their midst, enabling them thereby to further strengthen its foundations in their centre.

In closing please convey the Guardian’s loving greetings and his grateful thanks to all those friends who have specially contributed in making this Feast a happy and successful occasion for presenting the Cause to the general public, through both the press and the holding of public meetings.

May Bahá’u’lláh ever continue to strengthen and sustain you all by His grace.

Dear and valued co-worker:

I am truly grateful to you for your constant services to our beloved Faith. The improvement in your health will, I am sire, enable you to redouble your efforts in both the teaching and administrative fields of Bahá’í’ activity. I am fervently praying that such efforts as you will exert in the days to come will be crowned with the fullest success.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

— 145 —

November 15, 1935

[To N.R. Vakíl]

Beloved Bahá’í Brother,

Your letter of October 28th with enclosure have been received and read with much appreciation by the Guardian. He wishes me to congratulate you, and through you your fellow-members in the National Spiritual Assembly, for the steps you have taken for the registration of the Delhi, Calcutta, Rangoon and other Local Assemblies.

He hopes that by the end of the year six out of the eight Assemblies will be duly registered. Needless to say that the obtention of such an official recognition from the authorities is an historic step in the development of the Administrative Order of the Faith throughout India and Burma, and one which shall greatly enhance its prestige, and[pg 133]  consolidate its position in the eyes of the public. May Bahá’u’lláh continue to guide and assist your efforts for the fulfilment of this task.

The Guardian is also very much gratified to learn that the National Spiritual Assembly is considering the possibility of establishing a Local Assembly in Lucknow. He trusts that in Jaunpur too an Assembly will be formed very soon, and that through these two valuable additions to the list of local Bahá’í Assemblies, the administrative work of the Cause in India will make further and steady advancement.

In connection with the Teaching School which the National Spiritual Assembly is planning to start, the Guardian wishes me to express his approval, as well as his appreciation of this important action taken by your Assembly for the extension of their teaching work. He is also very pleased at the news of the teaching tour undertaken by Prof. Pritam Singh throughout Northern India and Bengal. He is praying for the success of this trip, and cherishes the hope that it may serve to bring into the Cause people of capacity and of true spiritual vision.

Regarding the use of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s photographs; Shoghi Effendi sees no objection to their circulation. He would, however, suggest that the Paris photograph be used, as well as the American reproduction of it, printed on yellow paper with a quotation from the Kitáb-i-‘Ahd at the bottom.

As to the copy of procedure for the conduct of Bahá’í Assemblies in India which the Master sent you some nineteen years ago; this was supposed to be a temporary procedure, and should now, therefore, be given up, and the American one used in its stead.

With warmest greetings from the Guardian to you and to your fellow members in the National Spiritual Assembly.

Dear and valued co-worker:

My heart swells with pride and gratitude as I witness, in rapid succession and with ever increasing clearness, the evidences of the splendid initiative, the unwavering determination and solidarity which have characterized your accomplishments in recent months. The National Assembly of India and Burma may be said to have resuscitated our Cause and its institutions throughout the length and breadth of that land. A mighty power whose source is centred in Bahá’u’lláh Himself is copiously flowing through and permeating the various organs of the Administrative Order of His Faith in both India and Burma. Yogi and[pg 134]  your collaborators stand on the threshold of unparalleled achievements. I cannot but congratulate you on the start you have made and on your choice of the path, which, after so many trials and vicissitudes, you are so confidently treading. Persevere, and be happy and thankful to Bahá’u’lláh.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

— 146 —

November 15, 1935

Dear Siyyid Mustafi,

On behalf of the Guardian I wish to thank you for your letter of October 19th with enclosure, and to renew his appreciation of yourself sacrificing and sustained efforts for the consolidation of the Faith throughout Burma. He specially values the continued care and attention with which you are assisting in the development of the Bahá’í school at Daidanaw. He has read with much interest the report of the school’s progress which you had submitted to him under separate cover, and feels rejoiced at the realization of the active support which some of the Indian believers, and particularly the Poona Assembly, are extending to that institution. It is his hope that through the generous contributions and help of all individuals and assemblies in India and Burma the school’s fund will steadily increase, and will thus enable you to carry out in their entirety, your plans for the wider penetration of the message in Kunjangoon and its surroundings.

The Guardian wishes me also to convey to you his thanks and appreciation for your painstaking efforts in connection with the preparation of two manuscripts on the Cause in Urdu. He trusts that the National Spiritual Assembly will soon find the means for their publication.

With his renewed and cordial greetings to you and to all the friends in your centre.

May the Almighty, whose Cause you promote and safeguard with such tender solicitude, such firm constancy and magnificent devotion, reward you and your dear collaborators in Burma, and fulfil all your wishes in the service of His invincible Faith.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

— 147 —

November 22, 1935

Dear Mr. Vakíl,[pg 135]

The Guardian is in receipt of your detailed and welcome letter of the fourteenth instant, and feels truly delighted at the news of the splendid meetings that were held in Bombay in honour of the anniversary of the birthday of His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh. This fresh evidence of the loyalty and devotion with which the Bombay friends are upholding the institutions of the Faith is highly gratifying and encouraging to him, indeed.

But he cannot but deplore the fact that some of the believers are reluctant to observe, as strictly as they should, the Feasts and anniversaries prescribed by the Cause. This attitude, which may be justified in certain exceptional circumstances, is fraught with incalculable dangers and harm to the community, and will, if allowed to persist, seriously endanger its influence and prestige in the public eye. Unity of action, in matters of so vital an importance as the observance of Bahá’í holidays, is essential. It is the responsibility of the National Spiritual Assembly to remind and urge the friends to faithfully carryout all such laws and precepts of the Cause, the enforcement of which does not constitute an open violation of the laws of their country.

Regarding the All Faiths Conference which the Theosophists are planning to hold in Madras on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the Guardian fully approves of your National Spiritual Assembly’s cordial response to the invitation extended to it by Mr. Kumar for representation in that conference. He fully endorses your choice of Bahá’í representatives, as he feels confident that Dr and Mrs. Fozdar are well qualified to represent the Cause in such an important gathering. He is ardently supplicating Bahá’u’lláh for their confirmation and guidance.

He is also praying for the success of Prof. Pritam Singh’s teaching tour throughout Northern India. May he also be assisted in his valuable labours for the spread of the Message, and may his example awaken in all the believers a deeper consciousness of their obligation for teaching the Cause.

With renewed and cordial greetings to you and family.

Dear and prized co-worker:

The striking evidences of renewed Bahá’í activity throughout India[pg 136]  and Burma, the recent manifestations of loyalty, solidarity and self-sacrifice on the part of individuals, groups and Assemblies in both the teaching and administrative spheres of Bahá’í service rejoice my heart and revive and enliven my hopes for the future of that land. The friends in India and Burma have made a splendid start. They have laid a firm foundation within the framework of the administrative order of or Faith. They have weathered manifold and distressing difficulties and successfully surmounted formidable obstacles. A new era is opening before them. I have no doubt that they will rise to the height of the occasion, and will prove themselves worthy of their high destiny.

Shoghi