Ridván
2003
To the Bahá'ís of the world
Dearly loved Friends,
- As the Five Year Plan
enters upon its third year, momentum is building: the record of
achievement during the year just ended far outdistanced that of the
previous twelve months. The thrust of this momentum owes as much to the
increased coherence achieved in the Plan's constituent elements as to the
animating effect of the spirit of unrest pervading the planet.
-
The circumstances attending the opening of this new administrative year
are at once critical, challenging and extraordinary in their significance.
The entire course of the previous year was agitated by a succession of
crises that culminated in the outbreak of war in the Middle East. The
implications are no less significant for the progress of the community of
the Most Great Name than for the evolution of an increasingly global
society in the throes of a turbulent transition. Of necessity, the timing,
scale and tendencies of this transition have not been predictable. How
swift indeed has been the current change in the tide of world conditions!
In the resultant conflict, involving so conspicuously the countries in
which the earliest history of the Cause took shape, we see a fresh
reminder of Bahá'u'lláh's warning that the "world's equilibrium hath
been upset through the vibrating influence of this most great, this new
World Order". That the events of this crisis directly affect a
territory with as rich a Bahá'í legacy as Iraq is particularly noteworthy.
-
The disruptions caused by this and other situations in the world have, in
one instance, suggested the opening of a new chapter in the history of the
highly prized but woefully oppressed Bahá'í community of a land in which
the Manifestation of God for this Day resided for a whole decade. In
another, they have dashed the preparations for the Ninth International
Convention at the World Centre of our Faith. But, however disappointing,
this calls for no dismay. When the Major Plan of God interferes with His
Minor Plan, there should be no doubt that in due course a way will
providentially be opened to an opportunity of stellar possibilities for
advancing the interests of His glorious Cause.
-
The sorrows, fears and perplexities evoked by this latest conflict in the
unfoldment of the Lesser Peace have intensified the feelings of grievance
and outrage at the recurrent crises agitating the planet. The anxieties of
people across the globe are even now being played out publicly in angry
demonstrations too overwhelming to be ignored. The issues they protest and
the emotions they arouse often add to the chaos and confusion they hope by
such public displays to resolve. For the friends of God, there is an
unambiguous explanation for what is occurring; they have only to recall
the vision and principles offered by the Faith if they are to respond
effectively to the challenges posed by the spread of distress and dismay.
Let them strive to understand more deeply the Teachings that are relevant
by reviewing letters of Shoghi Effendi which have been published in The
World Order of Bahá'u'lláh , particularly those entitled "The Goal of
a New World Order", "America and the Most Great Peace', and
"The Unfoldment of World Civilization".
-
While the world continues on its tumultuous course, the Five Year Plan has
reached the operational capacity to enable our community to make giant
strides towards its major aim of advancing the process of entry by troops.
The details of so encouraging a state of affairs for the Faith on all five
continents have already been given in our 17 January Letter; to it we
invite your further study. Only a few key details need now be underscored:
The division of countries into clusters has been completed in 179 of them;
there exist some 17,000 of these seedbeds of expansion. Reflection
meetings at the level of clusters have become a powerful means of unifying
thought and action across institutions and localities; they have lent a
potent stimulus to institutional and individual initiatives in a mutually
supportive spirit. The institute process has demonstrated even more
prominently that before its influence as a generating force for expansion
and consolidation. The core activities of the Plan have attained a scale
far outstripping that of the past year. As a result, a growing number of
friends are now active in the teaching and administrative work throughout
the world, demonstrating the infectious spirit of confidence inspiring the
enthusiasm of their efforts. Youth and children have been more
systematically involved in the programmes of the community, and
non-Bahá'ís have been participating more numerously in study circles,
devotional meetings and children's classes. It is indeed heartening to note
that, in the brief period since the beginning of the Plan, where in many
communities these three core activities had been sporadic they have become
regular features and have multiplied. Here, then, is a snapshot of a world
community focused and on the move as never before.
-
During the past year, as this pattern of growth became more firmly rooted
in the operation of the Plan, other important developments were taking
place. In the arena of external affairs, agencies of the Bahá'í
International Community engaged in activities too numerous and varied to
describe here, but of a collective effect too impressive to let pass
without some mention. The highlight of such activities was the message we
addressed last April to the world's religious leaders. This has given a
fresh impulse to the approach being taken by the Bahá'í community to call
the attention of the most influential elements of society to issues of
critical importance to ensuring the peace of the world. Through the
coordinating efforts of the Bahá'í International Community's Office of
Public Information and the prompt efficiency of National Spiritual
Assemblies, the message was distributed in a short time to the topmost
ranks and other echelons of religious communities across the globe. The
purpose of the initiative is to bring to the attention of all concerned
the urgent need for religious leadership to address the problem of
religious prejudice, which is becoming a steadily more serious danger to
human well-being. The immediate reactions from many recipients
indicate that the message is being seriously regarded and is even in some
places lending new perspective to interfaith activities.
-
In the field of social and economic development a tempo has been attained
that impresses ever more deeply the effects of institutional and
individual effort on both the internal development of the community and
the community's collaboration with others. The Office of Social and
Economic Development reports that during the second year of the Plan eight
new Bahá'í-inspired development agencies were established, operating in
such diverse fields as the advancement of women, health, agriculture,
child education and youth empowerment.
-
In the Holy Land, the English translation of Bahá'u'lláh's Arabic epistle
known as Javáhiru'l-Asrár was released under the title "Gems of
Divine Mysteries". The restoration of the Cell of Bahá'u'lláh in the
prison at 'Akká was completed, and work began on the remainder of the
upper floor of the prison cell area. As of the next pilgrimage season,
beginning in October 2003, the number of pilgrims in each group will be
raised from 150 to 200.
-
Furthermore, efforts at fostering the development of institutions
operating at the World Centre were especially evident in the continuing
evolution of the institution of Huqúqu'lláh under the distinguished
leadership of the Trustee, the Hand of the Cause of God 'Alí-Muhammad
Varqá. Though his wise initiative and constant endeavour, Dr. Varqá has
inspired the education of the friends everywhere concerning the law of
Huqúqu'lláh. In the decade since the law was universally applied, a
network of national and regional boards of trustees has been brought into
existence, which provides coordination and direction to the service of an
increasing number of deputies and representatives. Knowledge of this great
law has spread widely, and friends from all continents are responding to
it with a spirit of devotion, which the Trustee hopes will touch those who
have not yet availed themselves of the promised blessings flowing from
adherence to this law.
-
In the nearly two years since we announced the special necessity for
financial support to maintain, at a befitting standard, the buildings and
gardens at the World Centre, the World Centre Endowment Fund has been
established. The contributions have not yet reached a level equal to the
annual need. However, we have felt obliged to set aside five million
dollars of the contributions received as an earmarked fund towards
building a corpus to provide a source of investment income dedicated to
the original purpose. We have done so by drawing upon the Bahá'í
International Fund to assist in covering the necessary expenditures,
suspending activities in other fields that it would have been normal to
pursue.
-
We are delighted to advise that, in response to the call issued by the
National Spiritual Assembly of Chile, 185 design concepts have been
received from architects and designers around the world for the Mother
Temple of South America to be constructed in Santiago. A final choice will
be announced in due course.
-
Dear Friends: Gratified by solid evidence of the progress being made far
and wide, we trust in the continuing confirmations of our Supreme Lord
upon the dedicated efforts you exert within the framework of the Five Year
Plan‹a Plan designed to fit the requirements of these times. May your
persistence in its pursuit release those pent-up forces that, though the
grace and favour of the Abhá Beauty, can advance by mighty thrusts the
process of entry by troops in every land.
The
Universal House of Justice