MUHJ63-86/284/Bahá’í International Fund-Recent Victories and Immediate Challenges

←283

Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986 Bahá’í International Fund—Recent Victories and Immediate Challenges

285→

8 June 1981

[Page 495]To the Bahá’ís of the World

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

284.1 At the outset of the Seven Year Plan, faced with tremendous tasks to be accomplished by the Bahá’í world, and confronted by the seemingly crippling financial losses that resulted from the savage onslaught of inveterate enemies upon the valiant believers in the Cradle of the Faith, the Universal House of Justice turned with fervent hope to the believers in the rest of the world, calling upon them to arise and champion the cause of their persecuted brethren in the international arena and, through self-sacrifice and the exercise of wise stewardship of the funds of the Faith, to enable its work to go forward unhindered by the sudden inability of the believers in Iran to continue their major role in providing the lifeblood of the Cause. In both fields, these past two years have witnessed astonishing victories.

284.2 The manner in which the case of the persecuted Faith of Bahá’u’lláh has been blazoned in the media, conveying its message to millions of souls who had scarcely if at all heard of it before; and the degree to which world authorities have risen to plead its case and call for its vindication, have both been witnessed with eager and uplifted hearts by Bahá’ís in all lands. Now the Universal House of Justice has instructed us to inform you that in supporting the Bahá’í International Fund the self-sacrificing followers of the Blessed Beauty have won similar victories.

284.3 The manifold acts of devotion and service that have been so distinctive a mark of progress in the opening phase of the Seven Year Plan have not only laid a firm foundation for the development of the institutions of the Faith worldwide, but have also been manifested in an outpouring of financial substance that has made possible the setting of goals for the second phase of the Plan that will enhance the prestige of our beloved Faith and hasten the day of its complete emergence from obscurity. The financial needs of the first phase of the Plan have been fully met. The teaching work has continued with unabated zeal. The Seat of the Universal House of Justice is now nearing completion and the funds required for that tremendous task are in hand. The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of the Indian subcontinent is rising and the work on that for Samoa will shortly begin.

284.4 Now the Universal House of Justice turns with loving confidence to those beloved ones of God who have responded with such zeal to fulfil the commitments that it has been guided to undertake, and has asked us to lay before you the needs of the year which has just begun.

284.5 [Page 496]Although the task of raising the Seat of the Universal House of Justice on God’s Holy Mountain is now well-nigh behind us, the work on the two Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs has acquired additional urgency. The unstable condition of the world and rapidly rising prices make it essential to complete these two enterprises at the earliest possible date. Thus, major expenditures which it had been hoped could be spread over a number of years must be met within the next twelve months. The public attention drawn to the Faith by the Iranian situation and the many valuable friendships and contacts that have been made with those in authority demand, if the ground now gained is not to be rapidly lost, expansion and intensification of the activities of the representatives of the Bahá’í International Community with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, as well as with other international bodies such as the Parliament of Europe. The Universal House of Justice has therefore taken the decision to establish an office of the Bahá’í International Community at Geneva, with a full-time representative. It has also become necessary to allocate large sums to the provision of a wider range of Bahá’í literature in many languages and to develop the Bahá’í use of radio.

284.6 The Universal House of Justice has estimated that to meet all these urgent goals as well as carrying on the current work of the Faith during the year 1981/82, an increase of 50% over the amount of contributions for the year just past will be required. It therefore asks every believer and every community to consider prayerfully the degree to which they can take part in this mighty effort, and to strain every sinew to ensure that the tasks placed by an omniscient and all-wise Ordainer on the shoulders of His privileged lovers will be worthily and speedily performed.

284.7 The House of Justice assures you all of its loving, fervent prayers in the Holy Shrines for your guidance and assistance.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

DEPARTMENT OF THE SECRETARIAT