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1932-02-02 to Harlen Ober, various
USBN #60 - March 1932 - page 7
Letter from Shoghi Effendi to Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Ober
Haifa, Palestine.
February 2, 1932.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Ober:
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated
January 22nd, 1932. You inquired concerning the Huquq. Shoghi Effendi would much
prefer if the friends in America concentrate their financial resources towards the
completion of the Temple, rather than dissipate their energy along the channels
that do not as yet call for immediate attention. When the time comes that the
Cause would need the enforcement of this religious donation Shoghi Effendi would
say it and would set forth the amount prescribed. It is only gradually that the
teachings of Baha'u'llah can be enforced. The time has to become ripe of the
desired result is to be obtained.
Concerning the number of Baha'is throughout the world. This is a very
difficult question to answer. Shoghi Effendi has been trying hard to obtain even
an approximate figure but without result. This is true especially in Persia where
besides the large number of the friends who are declared believers, there are
innumerable souls who for some reason or other prefer to keep their faith a
secret.
Orientalists who wrote many years ago gave the figure as two million. Sir
Dennison Ross in an article published last year in the "London Times said that
over one-half of the educated people of Persia are Baha'is. All these, however,
are personal impressions, the best thing is to say that we do not know.
Shoghi Effendi hopes that before long the friends in Persia would send him
an approximate figure, but he does not know when that will be, for he has been
waiting for this figure ever since he took up the reins of the administration.
In closing may I assure you of Shoghi Effendi's prayers and best wishes for
the services you are rendering the Cause.
Yours very sincerely,
Ruhi Afnan.
Dear and Precious co-workers:
I wish you to urge the friends, far and near, to concentrate their energy,
attention and resources on the immediate needs and requirements of the Temple.
Everything else, except the Teaching work, must be sub-ordinated to this pressing
issue, this high enterprise, this noble ideal. I will continue to pray at the
Shrine of Baha'u'llah for the success of your unsparing efforts, and wish to
assure you in person of my great love and appreciation of your many past and
present services to our beloved Faith.
Your true brother,
SHOGHI.
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