Messages to the Bahá’í World: 1950–1957

From early 1922 until 1950, the letters and cablegrams written by Shoghi Effendi in his capacity of Guardian of the Baha’i Faith were addressed to individual National Spiritual Assemblies or national Baha’i communities conveying directives or explanations of matters reported to him as Head of the Faith and Interpreter of its Message. For example, the letters written to the American Baha’i community between 1927 and 1932 were later published under the title, Baha’i Administration. A later series of letters sent to America were published as, The World Order of Baha’u’llah.

In 1950 the Guardian changed his emphasis from the needs or activities of national Baha’i bodies to the Baha’i world community, culminating in his initiation of the Ten Year World Crusade launched in 1953 and for the first time calling upon the participation of all Baha’is in one common world plan. These letters likewise announced the establishment of the International Baha’i Council and the institution of Hands of the Cause.

The present volume reprints the major communications which Shoghi Effendi addressed to the Baha’i world from April 25, 1950 to his last general letter dated October, 1957.

For Baha’i readers they possess unique importance in reporting the achievements of the World Crusade and determining its progressive unfoldment to the year 1963, the Centenary of Baha’u’llah’s announcement to the followers of the Bab of His prophetic Mission as the One whose coming the Bab foretold. The World Crusade is not only establishing the Faith of Baha’u’llah throughout the world, but is also preparing the way for the formation of the Universal House of Justice, the goal and apex of the new world order of Baha’u’llah.

For students of religion this volume attests the vitality of the Faith of Baha’u’llah and demonstrates its power to unite men and women of all national and cultural backgrounds in a common worship, a common understanding of the purpose of human existence and a common consecration to create the unassailable foundation of world justice and world peace.

Loyal to their respective governments, and recognizing the viii Divine Mission of all prophetic founders of the religions of the past, the Baha’is stand above the traditional enmities and violence of the old order in its inevitable collapse and offer mankind the Message of God revealed for this “time of the end.”

Editorial Note: The victorious achievements of the Ten Year Crusade were celebrated at the Most Great Jubilee in April and May 1963, which commemorated the Centenary of the Declaration of Baha’u’llah’s Mission. Two historic events transpired during that time: the International Convention, convened in Haifa, Israel, to elect the first Universal House of Justice; and the World Congress held in London, England.

A supplementary collection of messages has been added in this edition, including those addressed to the first historic Intercontinental Teaching Conferences called by Shoghi Effendi and held in Africa, America, Europe and Asia.