June 6. On this date in 1939, Horace Holley, Secretary of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, held an interview with State Department officials on whether and why the Soviet government had appropriated the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in Ashkhabad.

June 6. On this date in 1939, Horace Holley, Secretary of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, held an interview with State Department officials on whether and why the Soviet government had appropriated the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in Ashkhabad.

Seizure of the Ishqabad Temple: Horace Holley Interview with State Department Officials

1939-06-06

Department of State
Memorandum of Conversation

DATE: June 6, 1939
SUBJECT:	Seizure of the Ishqabad Temple: Horace Holley Interview with State Department Officials, 1939
PARTICIPANTS:	Mr. Horace Holley, Secretary of the National Committee of the Bahai Movement, 119 Waverly Place, New York City Mr. MacDaniel Mr. Page

Mr. Holley stated that it had come to the attention of the National Committee of the Bahai Movement that the Soviet authorities in Central Asia had refused to renew the lease for a Bahai Temple in Ishkabad, U.S.S.R.* (I have been unable to locate Ishkabad, but assume that it is in the proximity of the Soviet Iranian frontier.) This Temple was built about forty years ago, at which time many thousands of Persians of Russian nationality and other persons were included in the movement. In recent years, however, because of exile to Siberia and expulsion to Iran, the Bahai adherents had diminished to eighty or ninety. The Soviet authorities had also seized the records of the Temple and had taken many other steps to destroy the movement. Mr. Holley stated that one of the tenets of the movement is strict non-interference in political matters and that, therefore, he was at a loss to understand why the Soviet authorities were depriving the members of their Temple.
Mr. Holley stated that, first of all, he would like to confirm, if possible, the report regarding the Temple which had come to him from Palestine. I stated that as far as I knew the Department had no definite information regarding the matter, but that, judging from measures taken by the Soviet authorities in recent years, such as the expulsion of the Persians, Afghans, and Turks from Central Asia, and the anti-religious campaigns which were still being carried on, I would not be surprised if his information was correct. Mr. Holley asked me whether it would be possible for the Embassy in Moscow to confirm the report. I stated that it was almost impossible to obtain any information regarding conditions in Soviet Central Asia, except what was published in the Soviet press, and that I thought little would be gained by asking the Embassy for information.
Mr. Holley then stated that in 1932 the Soviet authorities had at first refused to renew the lease for the Temple, that the National Committee had appealed in writing direct to the Soviet Government, and that shortly thereafter the lease had been renewed. He said he did not know whether the appeal had any effect, as the Soviet Government had never acknowledged it. Mr. Holley stated that he would like to see the Soviet Ambassador regarding the matter, and asked me whether I thought such a course was advisable. I stated that although I, personally, did not believe that the Ambassador would be of much help, there is no reason why he should not see him. I suggested that he telephone to make an appointment.

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* Encyclopedia Iranica notes: The temple was converted to an art gallery in 1938 and was severely damaged in an earthquake ten years later. In 1963, it was demolished by the authorities and replaced by a public park. (iranicaonline.org/articles/bahaism-vi)

August 25. On this date in 1963, the Universal House of Justice wrote all National Spiritual Assemblies "the sad fate which has overtaken the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in ‘Ishqábád, the first Temple raised to the glory of Bahá’u’lláh. Due to its unsafe condition, resulting from earthquakes, the building has been entirely demolished and the site cleared."

August 25. On this date in 1963, the Universal House of Justice wrote all National Spiritual Assemblies "the sad fate which has overtaken the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in ‘Ishqábád, the first Temple raised to the glory of Bahá’u’lláh. Due to its unsafe condition, resulting from earthquakes, the building has been entirely demolished and the site cleared."

25 August 1963
To the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’í World
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
The whole Bahá’í World will be grief-stricken at the news of the sad fate which has overtaken the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in ‘Ishqábád, the first Temple raised to the glory of Bahá’u’lláh. Due to its unsafe condition, resulting from earthquakes, the building has been entirely demolished and the site cleared.
The building of this edifice, the only structure of its kind to be raised and completed in the lifetime of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá, was described by the beloved Guardian as “a lasting witness to the fervor and the self-sacrifice of the Oriental believers.” This “enterprise,” the Guardian further wrote, “must rank not only as the first major undertaking launched through the concerted efforts of His followers in the Heroic Age of His Faith, but as one of the most brilliant and enduring achievements in the history of the first Bahá’í century.”
The Bahá’í center in ‘Ishqábád was founded in the days of Bahá’u’lláh. Already during His lifetime preliminary steps had been adopted by the friends of that community to build, in accordance with the provisions of the Most Holy Book, a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár.
However, the project had to be postponed until 1902, at the end of the first decade of the Ministry of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá, when He initiated its construction, called on the friends in the East to offer their contributions towards the fulfillment of this goal, and personally encouraged and directed its development at every stage. The Báb’s cousin, the venerable Ḥájí Mírzá Muḥammad-Taqí, the Vakílu’d-Dawlih, offered his total wealth towards this meritorious enterprise, established his residence in that city, and personally supervised its construction.
The laying of the cornerstone of this edifice at a ceremony attended by the delegate of the Czar—the Governor-General of Turkistan—and the initial steps taken to raise this first House of Worship of the Bahá’í World, inspired the friends in America, who, in 1903, eager to demonstrate the quality of their faith, petitioned ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá for permission to erect the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of the West.
In addition to the Temple itself, two schools, one for boys and one for girls, and a pilgrim house were built. The local community, and the activities of the friends throughout the provinces of Turkistan expanded and developed in stature until 1928, when the law expropriating religious edifices was applied to this Temple. However, under the terms of two five-year leases, the Bahá’í community was permitted to continue to use the building as a house of worship. In 1938 the Temple was completely expropriated and converted into an art gallery.
In 1948 violent earthquakes shook the whole town causing devastation and ruin. The building was seriously damaged. The only section which remained relatively secure was the central rotunda. Heavy yearly rains further weakened the structure to such a degree as to endanger the safety of houses in the vicinity. It was at this point that the authorities decided to demolish the remaining edifice and clear the site.
A reliable report, recently received, indicates that had the Temple been restored to us at this point, we should have had no option but to raze the building ourselves.
Please share this news with the friends but we do not wish National Assemblies, Local Assemblies or individual believers to take any action.
With loving greetings,
[signed: The Universal House of Justice]