October 12. On this date in 1946, Shoghi Effendi wrote the NSA of India concerning a number of matters, including the paying of the Huqúq and his urging "to persevere in pressing the translation and publishing of the “New Era” in the important languages already chosen for this purpose, as he attaches the greatest importance to this work."

 

October 12. On this date in 1946, Shoghi Effendi wrote the NSA of India concerning a number of matters, including the paying of the Huqúq and his urging "to persevere in pressing the translation and publishing of the “New Era” in the important languages already chosen for this purpose, as he attaches the greatest importance to this work."

[To The National Spiritual Assembly] October 12, 1946

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letters dated May 27th, July 25th and 29th, and August 12th, 16th, 22nd and 26th (three of this date), and 31st, together with their enclosures, have been received, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer them on his behalf. Regarding the various matters you have referred to him:

He sees no reason why your Assembly should not protest to the Persian government against the atrocities, committed against our brethren in Iran, but advises you to first ask the Persian National Spiritual Assembly if such a step is wise and desirable or not.

Concerning Mr…divorce: He has no right to demand from his wife a refund of the marriage expenses he incurred. In the Aqdas it is quite clear that the husband must not only give the dowry but must support his wife until the time when the divorce is completed. In view of this she is not required to repay expenses of the marriage, etc.

The paying of the Huqúq is a spiritual obligation; the friends must not be obliged by the Assemblies to pay it, but they should be encouraged to fulfil this spiritual obligation laid upon them in the Aqdas. He is very pleased to note the list of literature the publishing committee is forwarding to him, and urges you to persevere in pressing the translation and publishing of the “New Era” in the important languages already chosen for this purpose, as he attaches the greatest importance to this work.

He was also delighted to see that the Srinagar Assembly held its elections. These new Assemblies must receive every aid and encouragement from your Assembly and every effort must be made to carry the Faith to new centres, and to stimulate pioneering amongst the friends.

The Indian believers have a great opportunity to compete with both the American and British Bahá’ís in pioneer services; they already have a record to be proud of, and are first among the countries of the East in the record they hold of achievements in this field. He hopes they will go on from victory to victory, and vindicate the high hopes he cherishes for their future.

If the National Assembly is sure that it was Sivyid Mustafa Rumi’s wish to be buried next to his wife in Mandalay, then you should, by all means, arrange for the interment of his remains there. A befitting memorial can then be erected over the vault. The spirit of this great and valiant teacher surely watches over the land of his adoption, and will aid the Burmese believers in their efforts to rebuild their centres and promulgate the Cause of God there.

As we see the confusion in the world spreading, and the hatreds that divide men augmenting steadily, we, as the trustees of our Lord’s glorious Faith, must rise to higher levels of self-sacrifice and devotion. He prays that the Indian believers may achieve wonderful victories for Bahá’u’lláh in the months that lie ahead, and prove themselves worthy of the great destiny that beckons to them.

His loving prayers surround you and your fellow-members of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Dear and valued co-workers:

The perseverance, the tenacity, the unstinted devotion displayed, consistently by the Indian Bahá’í community, so clearly demonstrated, the reports recently received by their national elected representatives, are truly exhilarating and augur well for the future of the Plan. The members of this community, however, must not be content with the standard already achieved, but must exert themselves ever more determinedly and unitedly to fulfil the high hopes cherished for the success of their collect enterprise. The Burmese Bahá’í community, which they are so devotedly striving to rehabilitate, must, likewise participate without reserve, in the glorious task that confronts them, and demonstrate, thereby, its virility and resilience in the face of the trials and obstacles which it has had to struggle against in the past. The establishment of new centres in Burma, the consolidation of the reinstated Assemblies, are both equally vital and urgent. The verities of the Faith must be proclaimed, its literature must be disseminated and its institutions reinforced and multiplied throughout that land. Both communities must collaborate and through sustained, vigorous and systematic effort and mutual assistance lend an unprecedented impetus to the onward march of the Faith in India and Burma. The greater the effort, and self-sacrifice, the richer the benefits that will accrue, and the more potent the blessings that will be vouchsafed from on high. The goals are clearly defined. The prizes to be won are within reach and inexpressibly glorious. Time is running out and the opportunity is priceless. The promise of Divine unfailing assistance is assured. All are challenged to arise, to toil and to persevere, until their solemn pledge under the Plan is completely and totally fulfilled. That they may prove themselves worthy of their high mission is my fervent hope and constant prayer.

Shoghi