December 13. On this date in 1951, Shoghi Effendi sent a cable titled "Old and New Covenant-Breakers"noting "increasing boldness, marked, tragic decline in character and spiritual condition grandchildren 'Abdu'l-Bahá."

 

December 13. On this date in 1951, Shoghi Effendi sent a cable titled "Old and New Covenant-Breakers"noting "increasing boldness, marked, tragic decline in character and spiritual condition grandchildren 'Abdu'l-Bahá."

Old and New Covenant-Breakers

With feeling profound concern, grief, indignation, am compelled disclose Bahá'í world recent developments Holy Land furnishing further incontestable proof relationship established old and new Covenant-breakers demonstrating increasing boldness, marked, tragic decline in character and spiritual condition grandchildren 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Their shameful attitude and conduct receiving approbation their elders. Evidences multiplying attesting Ruhi's increasing rebelliousness, efforts exerted my eldest sister pave way fourth alliance members family Siyyid 'Alí involving marriage his granddaughter with Ruha's son and personal contact recently established my own treacherous, despicable brother Riaz with Majdi'd-Din, redoubtable enemy Faith, former henchman Muhammad-'Ali, Archbreaker Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant. Convey information all National Assemblies.

--Shoghi

[Cablegram, December, 13, 1951]

Less than two years later, on May 17, 1953, Shoghi Effendi addressed a cablegram to the Bahá'ís of the word, condemning his one-time close companion, secretary, and first cousin as "treacherous Ruhi Afnan." 

Shoghi Effendi's eldest cousin and close friend, Ruhi Afnan accompanied him for rest and relaxation in the Bernese Oberland in the Swiss Alps on April 5, 1922, some four months after returning to Haifa subsequent to the death of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,

Treacherous Ruhi Afnan

Treacherous Ruhi Afnan, not content with previous disobedience, correspondence with Ahmad Sohrab, contact with old Covenant-breakers, sale, in conjunction with other members of family, of sacred property purchased by Founder of Faith, and allowing his sister to marry son of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's enemy, is now openly lecturing on Bahá'í movement, claiming to be its exponent and is misrepresenting the teachings and deliberately causing confusion in minds of authorities and the local population. Inform National Assemblies.