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Citadel of Faith
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Pages 71-73
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Process of Expansion Accelerates [MESSAGE TO 1949 CONVENTION]
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Desire to share with attendants at Forty-first American Bahá'í
Convention feelings of joyous gratitude evoked by the steady acceleration
of the dual process of expansion and consolidation of the Bahá'í
World Community as well as the perspicuous evidences of divine
protection vouchsafed the World Center of the Faith during the course
of the third year of the Second Seven Year Plan. The number of
countries included within the pale of the Faith is ninety-four. Languages
into which Bahá'í literature is translated, and assemblies, local
and national, incorporated, now total fifty-six and one hundred five,
respectively. Bahá'í literature now being translated into fourteen additional
languages. The number of centers in Latin America is one
hundred and nine. The fourth objective of the present Plan has been
achieved four years ahead of schedule through the formation of a
spiritual assembly in each of the ten goal countries on the European
continent. Centers established in these countries total thirty-one, newly
enrolled native believers, one hundred fifty-four. Nearly a million
dollar drive to complete the Mother Temple of the West has been
auspiciously launched and construction of interior sections of the
ornamentation initiated. Number of settlements in Greenland provided
with Bahá'í scriptures raised to forty-eight, including Thule
beyond the Arctic Circle and Etah near eightieth latitude. Number of
American states, territories and federal districts recognizing Bahá'í
marriage raised to eighteen. Restoration of the newly acquired German
national Hazíratu'l-Quds at Frankfurt has been commenced. Formulation
of five year plans for German and Egyptian National Assemblies,
culminating at the Centenary of the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh's prophetic
Mission, completes the number of national assemblies pledged to
achieve within appointed time specified goals in five continents. The
European Teaching Conference convened at Geneva inaugurating
series of annual gatherings designed to consolidate the tremendously
significant transatlantic project. Bahá'í observers accredited by United
Nations participated in Conference on Human Rights, Geneva;
United Nations General Assembly, Paris. Bahá'í representative attended
Luxembourg general conference of world movement for world
federation. First all red Indian Assembly consolidated at Macy,
Nebraska. Building operations on arcade of Báb's Sepulcher commenced
forty years after official interment of His remains by `Abdu'l-Bahá.
Prolonged hostilities ravaging Holy Land providentially terminated.
Bahá'í holy places, unlike those belonging to other faiths,
miraculously safeguarded. Perils no less grave than those which threatened
the World Center of the Faith under `Abdu'l-Hamíd and Jamál
Páshá and through Hitler's intended capture of the Near East, averted.
Independent sovereign state within confines of Holy Land established
and recognized, marking termination of twenty-century-long provincial
status. Formal assurance of the protection of Bahá'í holy sites and
continuation of Bahá'í pilgrimage given by Prime Minister of newly
emerged state. Official invitation extended by its government on the
historic occasion of the opening of the state's first parliament. Official
record of Bahá'í marriage endorsed, Bahá'í endowments exempted by
responsible authorities of the same state. Best wishes for the future
welfare of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh conveyed in writing by the newly
elected head of the state in reply to congratulatory message addressed
him upon assumption of his office. Appeal to entire community,
through assembled delegates, in thankful recognition of the manifold
blessings vouchsafed the Faith and in response to the alert sounded for
the present emergency, to arise and demonstrate more conspicuously
than ever before, through greater austerity at home and increasing
audacity in foreign fields, both in Latin America and Europe, their
grim determination at whatever cost, no matter how crucial the test,
however long the period, however herculean the labor, to carry forward
unremittingly their task to its triumphant conclusion.
[April 25, 1949]
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