February 17. On this date in 1957, Shoghi Effendi addressed a message to a "Bahá'í Sister" "concerning the settlement of Persian Bahá'ís in Germany and Austria...where a large number of Persian Bahá'ís have settled, your Assembly should discuss the subject with them, and urge them to move to goal cities, where there are no Bahá'ís..."
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write to your Assembly, concerning the settlement of Persian Bahá'ís in Germany and Austria.
He has discussed the matter in some detail with ... when they were here, and asked them to review the matter with your Assembly.
It is artificial to build up communities or Assemblies with Persians, or for that matter, any Bahá'ís from other countries. The Communities and Assemblies should be made up of local people. Thus in any of the Centers where a large number of Persian Bahá'ís have settled, your Assembly should discuss the subject with them, and urge them to move to goal cities, where there are no Bahá'ís, or groups, in order to assist in the teaching work. Thus, the artificial Assemblies will necessarily have to be constituted of local Bahá'ís, and many new centers will be opened. Thus the Persian Bahá'ís will become pioneers and greatly aid the teaching work. At the same time, it will mean that the German Bahá'ís will have to redouble their efforts and win many converts to the Faith, in the cities from which the Persians move, and which are now artificial.
The Guardian hopes this action will stimulate the teaching work throughout Germany.
He sends you his loving greetings....
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