1000’s and 1000’s of Indigenous peoples, across America’s have stepped away from the Faith due to Persian Baha'is

Phil Lane Jr. expressed deep concern to Amatu'l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum regarding why thousands of Indigenous peoples across the Americas have "stepped away" from the Baha'i Faith, noting a stark disparity between the "racial" prophecy in the Tablets of the Divine Plan and the reality of low Indigenous participation. Rúḥíyyih Khánum criticized the behavior of some Persian Baha'is at the Peigan Reservation, stating they were "totally lacking in either patience or respect" for the sacred Pipe Ceremony and showed no consideration for Indigenous feelings, conduct she deemed "very detrimental to the Faith". To change this approach, she urged the Baha'i community to stop trying to force Indigenous people into a rigid administrative framework and instead honor their customs and spiritual understanding of the "triangle" of God, man, and nature. She specifically suggested that elderly Persian Baha'is could be utilized as teachers by living on reservations and holding dawn prayer gatherings, drawing on their natural "oriental warmth" and "respect for the elders". Indian swami movements are mentioned as a warning because they are successfully attracting Indigenous people by filling a "spiritual vacuum" and recognizing their culture, tasks the Baha'is are failing to perform, thereby "missing the bus" on fulfilling 'Abdu'l-Bahá’s prophecy.

(Summary of communication between a Bahá'í of Canada and Rúhíyyih Khánum, 1986-10-28)

https://bahai-library.com/khanum_letter_canada_1986

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In those days, the Persians cannot meet Rúhíyyih Khánum

In the afternoon when I was coming to the gardens I saw Shoghi Effendi. And I saw Rúhíyyih Khánum from the car. In those days, the Persians cannot meet Rúhíyyih Khánum according to the Persian custom, the man could not see unchadored women. So Shoghi Effendi respected Islam and the Persians could not see Rúhíyyih Khánum. But I saw Rúhíyyih Khánum. I went to Dr Hakim’s room which is in the gardens and saw Rúhíyyih Khánum for the first time but not face to face. The first time I saw Rúhíyyih Khánum in America was at the opening of a conference. So Rúhíyyih Khánum invited for lunch [both] Jane and me to have lunch with her. So that was the first time.

(The Khamsis: A Cradle of True Gold by Boris Handal)

https://bahai-library.com/pdf/h/handal_khamsis_cradle_gold.pdf

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Events in the life of Shoghi Rabbani and Mary Maxwell from 1937 to 1945

Marriage to Mary Maxwell (1937)

Shoghi Effendi married Mary Maxwell (who was given the title Amatu'l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum) on March 25, 1937.

• The Ceremony: The marriage was a simple, private ceremony held in the room of the Greatest Holy Leaf, Bahíyyih Khánum.
• Significance: Shoghi Effendi described the union as a cementing of the "Union of East and West" and a reinforcement of the Institution of the Guardianship through direct association with the American believers.
• Privacy: The marriage was kept secret from the public and even from the local Bahá'ís until after it had taken place, to avoid the "trouble" that major events often stirred up among his enemies.

Excommunication of His Family (1941–1945)

• 1941–1942 (The Major Wave): A series of cablegrams sent between November 1941 and January 1942 announced the excommunication of the majority of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's descendants. This included:
  • His cousin Ruhi Effendi Afnan and his immediate family (November 1941).
  • His own younger sister, Mehr-Angiz Khánum (January 1, 1942).
• "Year of Disgrace" (1942): The year 1942 is referred to in the sources as a "year of disgrace" because Shoghi Effendi’s own parents were forced to publicly denounce and repudiate their daughter, Mehr-Angiz, following her excommunication. (Mirza Ahmad Sohrab in Abdul Baha's Grandson: Story of a Twentieth Century Excommunication)
• Total Isolation (1945): By 1945, the family of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, as well as Shoghi Effendi's own immediate family, had been "hopelessly lost to him." He described himself as having no one left but his wife, Rúḥíyyih Khánum, and her father, Sutherland Maxwell.

This period of purging was described by the Guardian as a necessary "process of purification" to protect the Administrative Order from the "virus" of violation and disloyalty within the Holy Family. (The Priceless Pearl by Rúḥíyyih Rabbani)

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How did Shoghi Effendi obtain the Mansion of Bahji from the Covenant-breakers?

This is how Ruhiyyih Khanum starts her summary of the steps which Shoghi Effendi took to accomplish this goal:

...From the time Bahá'u'lláh passed away in 1892 until 1929 Muhammad 'Ali and his relatives [who were Covenant-breakers] had been in possession of this home ... which had been purchased for Bahá'u'lláh towards the end of His life. This Mansion was now falling into a serious and pitiful state of disrepair, stained, rain-worn its roof caving in, its once lovely rooms abandoned or used as store rooms. (pp. 231)

The Covenant-breakers demanded of Shoghi Effendi that he repair the building, but the Guardian told them he would not go ahead with repairs until they moved out of the building. Ruhiyyih Khanum tells the rest of the story:

...Eventually it seems the situation of the Mansion reached a point where the Covenant-breakers had no alternative and were forced to comply with Shoghi Effendi's demand. On 27 November 1929, the day before the eighth anniversary of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's passing, Shoghi Effendi cabled a relative: ...Qasr evacuated. Restoration commenced, and on 5 December he wrote to one of the friends: ...the Mansion of Bahá'u'lláh, occupied for about 40 years by Muhammad 'Ali and his followers, has at last been evacuated and the enclosed photograph will indicate in what a state they have left it! Restorative work has commenced and the pilgrims are already visiting the room where Bahá'u'lláh passed away and where He passed the most peaceful and happiest days of His. life. Two years later the work was completed. Shoghi Effendi had had the building renovated and refurbished in all its original beauty...

...I remember how, in spite of the fact that Shoghi Effendi had possession of the Mansion, he was constantly irked, until the very end of his life, by the fact that Covenant-breakers still occupied the adjacent house. (pp 232)

(Our Beloved Guardian: An Introduction to the Life and Work of Shoghi Effendi by Lowell Johnson)

https://bahai-library.com/johnson_beloved_guardian

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"the Israeli War of Independence"

At the end of World War II, the factional fighting between the Arabs and Jews began and the British Mandate came to an end with the Israeli War of Independence.
[...]
After the formation of the State of Israel, Rúhíyyih Khánum enjoyed a degree of freedom in Haifa that had not been possible for her before. Her social life became more varied and lively. She was a close friend of the Mayor of Haifa, Mr. Abba Khoushy, and his wife Hanna, and began to give wonderful dinner parties and soirees for the dignitaries of Haifa. She used to say Shoghi Effendi allowed her to entertain as long as it did not interfere with her work and she did not expect him to attend!

(A TRIBUTE TO AMATU'L-BAHÁ RÚHÍYYIH KHÁNUM by Violette Nakhjavani)

https://bahai-library.com/pdf/n/nakhjavani_tribute_ruhiyyih_khanum.pdf

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Ruhiyyih Khanum and Ahmad Sohrab shares the stage in New York

One of the most wonderful events of her life, at the age of 20, was a lecture she delivered in New York City at the Friends' Meeting House. Her subject, "Mysticism in the Bahá'í Religion", was daunting and all the other speakers at this Congress were seasoned lecturers and famous orators. One of these, Syud Hossain, was described as an "incomparable lecturer on the Orient, world peace and international relations", and was the editor of "The New Orient". Several wellknown university professors, bishops and canons of different churches also addressed the Congress, and at the end of the programme, there was also to be a talk given by the conceited enemy of the Bahá'í Faith, Ahmad Sohrab. After her lecture she received a standing ovation, and on that same day was given the following cable: "HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL CONSCIENTIOUS AND ABLE PRESENTATION OF A GREAT AND DIFFICULT THEME I AM HAPPY AND PROUD OF YOU--SYUD HOSSAIN".

(A TRIBUTE TO AMATU'L-BAHÁ RÚHÍYYIH KHÁNUM by Violette Nakhjavani)

https://bahai-library.com/pdf/n/nakhjavani_tribute_ruhiyyih_khanum.pdf

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Ruhiyyih Khanum did not become pregnant

When the news of the impending marriage became known, a lady called Mrs. Edma Balloura Belmont, who had met the Master in America and had become a Baha'i, and who, upon her return to the Middle East had become a good friend of the family, was in Beirut undergoing medical treatment. Upon hearing the news she told the ladies of the family that she had nursed Mary Maxwell and knew her medical history and that it was impossible for her to have children. Soon after Mrs Belmont died, but her words were proved to be true.

In short, many of those who knew Mary Maxwell well were unhappy about this marriage but did not dare to express their opinions. My mother, Touba Khanum and her sister, Rouha Khanum were in Beirut at the time and apparently far removed from the matter. They were not capable of doing anything and therefore remained silent. The responsibility rested completely with Zia Khanum. She, in turn could not verify Mrs. Edma Belmont's words and upon that basis, prove anything.

Time passed, and Ruhiyyih Khanum did not become pregnant.

Dr. Raf'at Bek, a Turkish, Baha'i gentleman, residing in Beirut, educated in Germany, and a gynecologist by profession - he had been head of that department in the Turkish Medical School, - wrote to Shoghi Effendi, offering his services. Ruhiyyih Khanum refused to be examined by him. Dr. Raf'at Bek wrote again, suggesting that the problem may be with Shoghi Effendi himself. He recommended that he should eat strengthening food, including ten fresh eggs a day. Shoghi Effendi did not answer his letter, but asked his mother to provide him with such a diet. She obeyed. Time passed, but without any results. This was a source of anxiety for Zia Khanum, for too many eggs could cause other medical problems. She therefore asked Shoghi Effendi to relieve her of this duty and to ask Ruhiyyih Khanum to do it for him. This she refused to do, accusing Zia Khanum of not wanting her to get pregnant. This was the basis of the disagreement between the two parties and raised Shoghi Effendi's suspicions.

Some years later, in Beirut, I heard from Rouhanguise Khanum, Shoghi Effendi's eldest sister, that Shoghi Effendi finally convinced Ruhiyyih Khanum to see a doctor. In fact, two doctors saw her: Dr. Costero of the Italian Hospital in Haifa and Dr. Zondek, the gynecologist of the Hebrew University and the Hadassa Hospital in Jerusalem. They both stated that because of a problem that existed she was unable to bear children.

Source : Ruhi Afnan’s 1970 letter to the Spiritual Assembly of Iran

https://abdulbahasfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ruhi-afnan-1970-letter.pdf

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increase of divorce amongst the Western Baha'is

As I started to say, the House of Justice is extremely concerned over the increase of divorce amongst the Western Baháʼís. We often talk about it in Haifa and it's a source of great worry to the members of the House, the House as a body, the Baháʼís in Haifa, the ITC, and so on. But in addition to being a source of worries, it's a downright scandal. How on earth can we Baháʼís lift up our heads and talk about marriage to the people of the world with the extraordinary attitude toward sex and marriage and divorce in the world today if we can't be, say 10% better in our western countries than the ordinary population? The Baháʼí rate of divorce I understand, I don't know about Canada, but I know in the United States it's as high as the national rate of divorce. We should hang our heads in shame. What kind of Baháʼís are we? Are we being affected by that world out there? Corrupt to the bone and falling apart. Or are we reflecting the power and light of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh which we have access to in our personal lives?

(On Marriage and Family, address at the ABS Annual Conference, 1982 by Ruhiyyih Khanum)

https://bahai.works/Transcript:Ruhiyyih_Khanum/On_marriage_and_family,_1982

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Shoghi Effendi and Rúhíyyih Khánum entered the Congo

Shoghi Effendi and Rúhíyyih Khánum entered the Congo at Lubumbashi, a major copper mining centre, where the Guardian admired beautiful green malachite carved into various objects. While in the Congo, their car broke down on an isolated jungle track. While it was being repaired, Rúhíyyih Khánum asked Shoghi Effendi if she could stretch her legs a bit. With his assent and a caution about lions, she walked off down the lonesome road, 'drinking in the beauty of untouched nature', and completely oblivious of the passing time. All of a sudden, a man on a bicycle appeared and told her that 'the gentleman in the car was very worried over her'. That is when she realized that she had been gone for almost two hours. She borrowed the man's bicycle and raced back to her worried husband.

(Shoghi Effendi Through the Pilgrim's Eye, Volume 1, Building the Administrative Order, 1922-1952 by Earl Redman)

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Good quality Baha’is

I cannot understand, she said, why the friends show their concern and anxiety when simple-hearted people come into the Faith, who just say that they believe in Baha’u’llah, and who do not know much about the Faith. You want quality. But to get the quality, you need the quantity. Suppose we have 100 Baha’is and we find only 5 good Baha’is; let us calculate further and say that if we have 1,000 Baha’is, we will again have 50 good Baha’is and if we have 5,000 Baha’is, the number of good Baha’is will naturally increase. Go on multiplying the number of Baha’is and you will also get the quality Baha’is.

(Amatu’l-Baha Visits India by Violette Nakhjavani)

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We can only stop teaching the Faith when the Government of the country asks us to stop

She [Ruhiyyih Khanum] further remarked that we have 900 years more to consolidate but we do not know how many more years we will have to teach the Cause. We can only stop teaching the Faith when the Government of the country asks us to stop because, according to Baha’u’llah’s law, it is our Article of Faith to obey the Government of the country in which we reside.

(Amatu’l-Baha Visits India by Violette Nakhjavani)

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Guardianist perspective: Shoghi Effendi did appoint his successor before he died.

Shoghi Effendi did appoint his successor before he died. The successor of Shoghi was the IBC (International Baha’i Council) that he created which was eventually dismantled by Ruhiyyih & the hands

The IBC that Shoghi created was not only supposed to be the embryonic Universal house of Justice (UHJ), it was also the symbolic child of Shoghi Effendi. Let me carefully explain.

When Shoghi first created the IBC, he himself didn’t communicate directly with each member face to face nor would he allow them to meet with each other. He would send messages to each member of the IBC by using Ruhiyyih as a liaison. There was a symbolic reason for this.

You see, each member of the IBC represented the different body parts of a child that’s in it’s mother’s womb, with Shoghi representing the mother or head, & Ruhiyyih representing the umbilical cord that passes messages from the head to the different parts.

When Shoghi died, it represented his child or successor being born, which was the IBC that he created. From the moment, the entire Baha’i world was supposed to turn to the IBC for divine guidance while it went through its successive stages from a child (the international Baha’i council & the International Baha’i court) to an adult (the Universal House of Justice)

If Mason Remy (the president of the IBC) were still alive once the IBC completed all its formative stages, then he would automatically become the second guardian. If not, then his successor would become the second guardian once the IBC completed all its formative stages to the Universal House of Justice.

But, as we all know, these divine transformative stages were not allowed to happen when Ruhiyyih & the hands dismantled the IBC, which effectively killed the child & rightful successor of Shoghi Effendi.

You see, Ruhiyyih purposely orchestrated this evil plan to dismantle the IBC once Shoghi died. She knew in advance that the IBC was supposed to be the rightful successor of Shoghi because remember, she was the liaison or umbilical cord of Shoghi that carried all the messages. So, she had direct knowledge of the entire, intended plan.

The reason why she did this because she knew once Shoghi died, she would no longer have a high position in the Baha’i world & would effectively become a regular Baha’i. Think about it. Once a child is born, the umbilical cord is cut off & thrown away because it is no longer needed.

This eventual circumstance was painful for her to accept which she was determined not to allow. So, in order to maintain a high position within the Baha’i world once Shoghi died, she along with the hands dismantled the IBC that Shoghi created & appointed themselves as the custodians of the Baha’i faith.

When this happened, which led to every Baha’i accepting this development, it effectively caused the entire Baha’i world to become covenant breakers. The Universal House of Justice that exists today is not the real, divine Universe House of Justice that was intended by Bahaullah & Abdul-Baha.

It is a empty shell without a head (the guardian). So, it does not possess the divine guidance of Bahaullah.

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Tribute to Shoghi Effendi by Ruhiyyih Khanum

How many mosquitoes does it take to give you malaria or yellow fever? When we compromise our Faith, it is like taking a glass of pure water, and putting one drop of ink in it—it does not become A glass of ink, but the purity of the water is gone‘ We all know that there is no compromise with people who were Covenant-Breakers, if they had not changed in their hearts, because the heart is the measure. When they were repentant in their hearts, Shoghi Effendi forgave them,...

You see, the Guardian had so many sides to his nature, and you have seen how strong he was when it came to defending the Faith. He never compromised on principle. Now, I would like to show you another aspect of his nature. He had a tremendous capacity for love and for loyalty for those whom he loved, but when they became Covenant-Breakers it evaporated, they ceased to exist and the bounties ceased to flow.

(Tribute to Shoghi Effendi by Ruhiyyih Khanum published in Bahá’í News, Issue 327, May 1958)

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no one in Israel can marry a non-Baháʼí

I can remember an example of a girl in Haifa who I was very fond of. She was a child of a local person and she wanted to marry a non-Baháʼí, and the Guardian had had a great deal of difficulty with marrying non-Baháʼís and finally said no one in Israel can marry a non-Baháʼí because it never works out, all it does is to bring infinite headaches to the World Center of the Faith. So she came and she said she wanted to marry this non-Baháʼí and I went and asked the Guardian. And he said, "No. That is absolutely impossible." If she wants to marry him, she must go away from Israel. She must migrate. It was Palestine in those days. And I went and conveyed this message and she promised that she would do it. But when I told Shoghi Effendi, he said she will not, she will disobey. Oh, I said, "Shoghi Effendi, she's such a good girl and I know her, I see her all the time in the feasts. And she chants so beautifully. And she has such a nice spirit and I assure you, believe me, she will obey. It will be alright. I'm sure it'll be alright." He said, "Alright, I accept. Let her go away from this country and marry him abroad. But you will see in the end she will disobey. She will come back and she will have to be put out of the Cause." Well, I was distressed but I thought, "I'm sure that she will be alright." So I went downstairs and I told her this. And she went away and she married. And she stayed away for some months, I don't remember how long. And then one fine day the maid came and told me so and so is sitting downstairs in the tea room and my heart just turned over and I thought, "Now, you see? God help you. There she is and what Shoghi Effendi said is just coming true." So I went downstairs and saw her and I said, "You know, you can't stay here. You promised that you would go and stay away. And now you're back again." Well, of course, to make a long story short, there was more assurances and promises and she said, "No, we're only here for a visit" and so on and they were there for good and they became covenant breakers and that took care of that.

Rúhíyyih Khánum speaking at the closing session of the Bahá’í World Congress in London, 1963

https://bahai.works/Transcript:Ruhiyyih_Khanum/Speech_at_close_to_Bahá’í_World_Congress,_1963

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Threatening Baha'is

One other example of Shoghi Effendi was when one of the Baháʼís died in America and left a will. And his wife wanted to contest the will. She considered it very unfair. And Shoghi Effendi told the National Assembly, "Tell her she will be put out of the Cause if she did contest the will." Because he had intervened, you see. He told her she must not contest the will, so if she'd have disobeyed the Guardian she would have been put out of the Cause. But he said the will of a Baháʼí is sacred. Bahá’u’lláh says make your will. And when a Baháʼí makes their will, which they are free to do, it is sacred and it must be obeyed and it must be upheld. These things were great illumination to me about the way this Faith protects and preserves the rights of individuals as well as the right of society, the right of the community.

Rúhíyyih Khánum speaking at the closing session of the Bahá’í World Congress in London, 1963

https://bahai.works/Transcript:Ruhiyyih_Khanum/Speech_at_close_to_Bahá’í_World_Congress,_1963

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because they are deadly poison, the lepers, the covenant breakers.

There is room for practically everybody in the Baháʼí Faith. Some of them may need spanking, and some of them have got to be kept out because they are deadly poison, the lepers, the covenant breakers. But that is another thing. But really the children of men, this Faith is their home. And there is room for all of them in it.

(Rúhíyyih Khánum speaking at the closing session of the Bahá’í World Congress in London, 1963)

https://bahai.works/Transcript:Ruhiyyih_Khanum/Speech_at_close_to_Bahá’í_World_Congress,_1963

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Ruhiyyih purposely orchestrated this evil plan to dismantle the IBC once Shoghi died

Shoghi Effendi did appoint his successor before he died. The successor of Shoghi was the IBC (International Baha’i Council) that he created which was eventually dismantled by Ruhiyyih & the hands.

The IBC that Shoghi created was not only supposed to be the embryonic Universal house of Justice (UHJ), it was also the symbolic child of Shoghi Effendi. Let me carefully explain.

When Shoghi first created the IBC, he himself didn’t communicate directly with each member face to face nor would he allow them to meet with each other. He would send messages to each member of the IBC by using Ruhiyyih as a liaison. There was a symbolic reason for this.

You see, each member of the IBC represented the different body parts of a child that’s in it’s mother’s womb, with Shoghi representing the mother or head, & Ruhiyyih representing the umbilical cord that passes messages from the head to the different parts.

When Shoghi died, it represented his child or successor being born, which was the IBC that he created. From the moment, the entire Baha’i world was supposed to turn to the IBC for divine guidance while it went through its successive stages from a child (the international Baha’i council & the International Baha’i court) to an adult (the Universal House of Justice).

If Mason Remey (the president of the IBC) were still alive once the IBC completed all its formative stages, then he would automatically become the second guardian. If not, then his successor would become the second guardian once the IBC completed all its formative stages to the Universal House of Justice.

But, as we all know, these divine transformative stages were not allowed to happen when Ruhiyyih & the hands dismantled the IBC, which effectively killed the child & rightful successor of Shoghi Effendi.

You see, Ruhiyyih purposely orchestrated this evil plan to dismantle the IBC once Shoghi died. She knew in advance that the IBC was supposed to be the rightful successor of Shoghi because remember, she was the liaison or umbilical cord of Shoghi that carried all the messages. So, she had direct knowledge of the entire, intended plan.

The reason why she did this because she knew once Shoghi died, she would no longer have a high position in the Baha’i world & would effectively become a regular Baha’i. Think about it. Once a child is born, the umbilical cord is cut off & thrown away because it is no longer needed.

This eventual circumstance was painful for her to accept which she was determined not to allow. So, in order to maintain a high position within the Baha’i world once Shoghi died, she along with the hands dismantled the IBC that Shoghi created & appointed themselves as the custodians of the Baha’i faith.

When this happened, which led to every Baha’i accepting this development, it effectively caused the entire Baha’i world to become covenant-breakers. The Universal House of Justice that exists today is not the real, divine Universe House of Justice that was intended by Baha'u'llah & Abdul-Baha.

It is a empty shell without a head (the guardian). So, it does not possess the divine guidance of Baha'u'llah.

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Should we carry on mass-teaching or pay attention to consolidation ?

Q.2 “Should we carry on mass-teaching or pay attention to consolidation ?”

A. “Now I would like to say what I feel about what you asked me regarding the question of mass conversion and consolidation : the value of stopping teaching to consolidate, or to go on with the teaching work. I do not see any reason why I should not say to the Baha’is — because we are, after all, all one, whether we are National Spiritual Assembly members, or Local Assembly members, or nothing official, we are all Baha’is together and it is our joint religion, we all love it — therefore, why shouldn’t I say to you what I said to your National Assembly ? I said I would not be a bit surprised if the National spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of India did not feel sometimes as if it had got hold of a crocodile by the tail, a big one, and did not quite know what to do with it. Now, this mass conversion or mass teaching that you have — and I don’t like personally any of these terms, I like the term of ‘entering the cause in troops’ which is a term of the Master and is a wonderful, wonderful term — but this entering the Cause of Baha’u’llah in troops, which is now taking place in India, of course poses tremendous problems — any one can understand that. You have people coming in by the thousands who are not in a position, at the present time, with a few exceptions, to do anything directly for the Faith. You see what I mean: they do not support the Fund yet, because they either haven’t learnt to or they haven’t got enough money to give any thing. They don’t go out and circulate because they are villagers, they are living, in their own small communities. It is all very new to them. They want to hear more and understand more and learn more and that means somebody has to go and teach them and they have yet not reached a point where they are beginning to give back great returns to your community. Many of the people in this room, I suppose, are businessmen with experience, merchants perhaps, or some kind of businessmen or may be students of Economics. Now you all know that when you invest something, I am not talking about something that is already a going concern, but when you want to develop something that is entirely new, like a gold mine, a diamond mine or an oil well, the capital expenditure is tremendous. You have to put in a great deal of capital before you get any dividends back before you get any return on your investment, because you have to set up machinery, you have to send out people to exploit the situation, you have to get the thing out of the ground, you have to refine it and then you start to market it, then you get very heavy returns on your investment.

‘The speed with which the Cause is spreading here shows that the capacity of the villagers in India is your oil field. The people that are exploiting it at the present time, let us say, are the Indian Baha’is. All this honour goes to you. In time the immense riches from this spiritual investment will flow back into your community.

“The destiny of the human race is to accept Baha’u’llah, we know that as Baha’is. Now, it has to start sometime and it is a little late in starting, because this Cause is over 120 years old and we are only beginning to get the entrance of people by troops into the Faith. We must not say that this is too soon, we must say this is too late. We are in a hurry. We have lost a hundred years of the Baha’i cycle. We want it to go faster every day, no matter what kind of problems arise from its going faster. Everything in the world goes by its own time. This evidently is the time for a spiritual harvest in India. No one of you, no one in Haifa, no one on this planet can tell you how long this time is going to last. You see what I mean? It may last long enough for India’s 450 million Indians to become Baha’is, it may stop tomorrow like that. (Ruhiyyih Khanum snapped her fingers). You don’t know. You don’t know whether we are going to find that the political development of India goes forward so fast that the people in villages become politically minded and instead of being interested in the Teachings of Baha’u’llah, which we know are the Solution to the world’s problems, they are going to be interested in whatever the local politician says who comes and sits under a tree and talks to them. For one reason or another you have no way of knowing whether it is going on for one year, ten years, a hundred years or a thousand years. All you now know here in India is that you have this extraordinary opportunity. You and Africa are leading the whole world, so far, in this field of teaching, but you don’t know how long the opportunity will last. I only know one case in the whole Baha’i teachings where it says, you must not teach, and that is when it is forbidden by the Government, because we must be loyal to our Government; but if you can show me one single place in the Teachings where there is any other excuse for not teaching, I would like to know what it is. And Baha'u'llah certainly does not say anywhere that you must stop teaching in order to consolidate. You must do the two together. You cannot say that ‘the crocodile is getting too big and I am not going to do anything more about it.’ I think there is a story —I don’t remember from which country it comes — that the dragon swallowed the world. Perhaps it is a nice dragon that you have by the tail that will go on getting bigger and bigger and bigger and swallow the world with the teachings of Baha’u’llah. How do you know? You don’t have to be afraid of it. All you have to do is to hang on to its tail. Let it pull you ahead, and have confidence in Baha’u’llah. If anything goes wrong with this system, then you say to Baha’u’llah: “Look, You are the One who said to teach, all I did was to obey You.”

(Amatul-Baha Visits India, by Violette Nakhjavani, Baha’i Publishing Trust - India)

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Shoghi said "This work is killing me!" when he was in London during the last days of his life and ill due to Influenza.

While he was working, he repeated once again the words I had so often heard him say during the last years of his life: “This work is killing me! How can I go on with this? I shall have to stop it. It is too much. Look at the number of places I have to write down. Look how exact I have to be!” He was tired when it was finally done and went back to his bed, where he sat and read reports.

(The Priceless Pearl, Rúhíyyih Rabbani)

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Where is the "Home for the Aged"?

It was during this second phase of the World Crusade that the American National Assembly purchased the land for its first Temple dependency. The Guardian had advised that Assembly that he did not consider a library—the first proposal—sufficiently demonstrative of the purpose and significance of the institution of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Bahá’í society and it was therefore decided to build a Home for the Aged. One of his last letters was to urge that Assembly to commence work on the Home, as it would impress on the public that one of the chief functions of our Faith is to serve humanity, regardless of creed, race or denomination, and be sure to attract attention and publicity.

(The Priceless Pearl, Rúhíyyih Rabbani)

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