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Unfolding Destiny
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Pages 328-331
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Letter of 4 June 1954
British Africa Committee
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
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| 1 |
The various letters of your committee dated June 8 and 25,
July 6, August 13, September 23, October 8, November 25 and
December 31, 1953, and January 27 (3), March 6 and 30 and
April 20, 1954, with their enclosures, have been received by the
beloved Guardian and he has instructed me to answer you on his
behalf. As he has been in constant cable communication with
you during the past year, I will not go into many of the matters
which have already been attended to.
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| 2 |
Of all the places in the world where the Bahá'í Faith exists and
is spreading, the Guardian is definitely most pleased with Africa,
and most proud of Uganda. He feels that the spirit shown by
white and negro pioneers alike in that continent, presents a
challenge to the Bahá'ís everywhere in the world, and that old
and staid communities may well learn from, and emulate the
example of, the believers of Africa, many of them scarcely a year
old in the Cause of God!
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| 3 |
He feels that your committee and the British N.S.A. have
every reason to be proud of the work you have accomplished,
and grateful for the blessings you have received from on High.
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| 4 |
It has particularly rejoiced his heart to see the way almost
every goal was attained at the last minute, before the end of the
first year of the Ten Year Crusade, many of these goals through
the immediate whole-hearted response of some of these new
African Bahá'ís, themselves the spiritual children of other African
Bahá'ís--young in the Faith, but old in their understanding of it.
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| 5 |
The main task, now that the back of the pioneer settlement
work has been broken, so to speak, is the consolidation of these
territories and the maintaining of the pioneers at their posts. He
is constantly urging all National Assemblies to impress upon
those who have gone forth to settle virgin territories, the
importance of staying there, and of only abandoning their posts
if they are forced to do so by the Government in question, and
not for some other reason. The friends have had such difficulty
in gaining access to some of these countries,--visas, housing,
expenses have all been such a problem--that once they get there,
they should really move heaven and earth to remain.
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| 6 |
He is very happy that two of the Temple sites on the African
continent have been purchased, and feels that this will release a
tremendous spiritual impetus. He hopes that the Egyptian Bahá'ís
will soon decide on a site, and that will complete the chain for
the time being.
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| 7 |
Concerning the various questions you have raised regarding
literature and translations, he thinks that it is perhaps better to
have a proper introductory pamphlet on the Faith translated into
... and not give any wide publicity for the time being, than to
spend money translating a lopsided presentation of the Teachings.
However, he believes that, with sufficient effort and good
judgment, a pamphlet could be gotten out that would neither
stress too strongly the racial teachings, nor minimise them too
much, and could discreetly be used for teaching purposes in...
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| 8 |
He has spoken very strongly to some of the pilgrims here
about the teaching work in that country, and impressed upon
them that the whole object of the pioneers in going forth to
Africa, is to teach the coloured people, and not the white people.
This does not mean that they must refuse to teach the white
people, which would be a foolish attitude. It does, however,
mean that they should constantly bear in mind that it is to the
native African that they are now carrying the Message of
Bahá'u'lláh, in his own country, and not to people from abroad
who have migrated there permanently or temporarily and are a
minority, and many of them, judging by their acts, a very
unsavoury minority.
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| 9 |
He hopes that every effort will be made to get out a pamphlet
in each of the languages chosen, or those that you have substituted
for a chosen language. He fully realises that, in many cases, the
people who speak the language are illiterate, and, strictly
speaking, do not require a printed pamphlet in their own tongue.
He considers however the psychological values of having
something translated into their own language, the compliment
implicit in it, so to speak, of great importance, sufficient to offset
the time, effort and expense involved.
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| 10 |
He would like your committee to convey to all the pioneers,
most particularly the negro ones, the expression of his deep
admiration of the wonderful spirit that animates them, his
feeling of affection for them, and the assurance of his ardent
prayers for their success.
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| 11 |
Africa is truly awakening and finding herself, and she
undoubtedly has a great message to give, and a great contribution
to make to the advancement of world civilisation. To the degree
to which her peoples accept Bahá'u'lláh, will they be blessed,
strengthened and protected.
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| 12 |
He hopes that, whilst concentrating on the consolidation of
the work under your jurisdiction, you will give every assistance
within your power to the other National Assemblies who have
difficult places to settle. The Portuguese and Spanish territories
seem to be the hardest of all to gain access to. Any help your
committee can give along this line would certainly be rendering
a great service to the Cause.
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| 13 |
He deeply appreciates the work you have done, and your
committee achievements, during the past year, and assures each
and all of you of his loving prayers on your behalf....
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| 14 |
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of my loving and constant prayers for the success of
the efforts you are so devotedly exerting for the promotion of our
beloved Faith and its institutions,
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Your true brother,
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| 16 |
Shoghi
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