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Unfolding Destiny

  • Author:
  • Shoghi Effendi

  • Source:
  • UK Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1981 edition
  • Pages:
  • 490
Go to printed page GO
Pages 273-274

Letter of 11 November 1951

11 November 1951
Dear Bahá’í Brother,
As I just recently sent you a long letter on behalf of the beloved Guardian to which he appended at some length, he wishes you to consider this reply to your letters of October 17th (three in number) as a postscript to the other.
As regards the questions you raised:
The ideal thing would be to have at least one Bahá’í from every territory in Africa attend the African Conference. This is the goal to be worked for, and attained if possible, as it will greatly stimulate the work and especially the inexperienced and isolated believers.
The solar calendar should, by all means, be adhered to in Africa.
He feels that your Assembly is responsible for the time being for the work in territories not under the charge of other N.S.A.s (Tunis, Sudan and Ethiopia are under Egyptian care).
You are not directly responsible for any work done in territories which have been allotted to other N.S.A.s. But you should correspond with them, and give them any help and advice you can, both the N.S.A.s and their African Committees. In the case of Eric Manton (see endnote) , though he will be under Persia’s jurisdiction you can keep him informed of your work, so as to cheer him up.
Only the five participating National Assemblies are responsible directly for financing the African work. No invitations should be extended to other bodies or individuals to contribute. Naturally if any one wants to, they no doubt will, but it would be, he feels, very inappropriate to broadcast any appeal. The Africa work is not an international undertaking but an interassembly one, confined to five national Bodies. 274
He is very pleased over the way the work is progressing, and sends you all his loving greetings….
P.S. He thanks you for the Quarterly Report enclosed. He reads with great interest everything related to the African work.