e the
standard-bearers of the emancipation and triumph of the Baha'i Faith, that
our afflicted brethren of the East have turned their expectant eyes,
confident that the day cannot be far-distant when, in accordance with
'Abdu'l-Baha's explicit utterance, the West will "seize the Cause" from
Persia's fettered hands and lead it to glorious victory.

Though grief-stricken and horrified at this cruel blow, let us be on our
guard lest we give way to despair, lest we forget that in the Almighty's
inscrutable Wisdom this sudden calamity may prove to be but a blessing in
disguise. For what else can it do but to stir the inmost depths of our
souls, set our faith ablaze, galvanise our efforts, dissolve our
differences, and provide one of the chief instruments which the unhampered
promoters of the Faith can utilise to attract the attention, enlist the
sympathy, and eventually win the allegiance of all mankind?

Ours is this supreme opportunity; may we fulfil our trust.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 11 May 1926

11 May 1926(10)

To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout
the West.

Dearly beloved brothers and sisters in 'Abdu'l-Baha!

Grave and manifold as are the problems confronting the struggling Faith of
Baha'u'llah, none appear more significant nor seem more compelling in
their urgency than the incredible sufferings borne so heroically by our
down-trodden brethren of the East. Recent reports confirming the news
which I have lately communicated to you have all emphasised the barbarous
severity practised on the innocent followers of our Cause. They reveal the
possibility of the extension of this agitation, partly instigated for
political purposes and selfish motives, to neighbouring towns and
provinces, and dwell upon the traditional slackness of the local
authorities to inflict prompt and severe punishment upon all the
perpetrators of such abominable crimes. It has been ascertained that in
the town of Jahrum women have suffered martyrdom in a most atrocious
manner, that the knife of the criminal has mercilessly cut to pieces the
body of a child, that a number have been severely beaten and injured,
their bodies mutilated, their homes pillaged, their property confiscated,
and the homeless remnants of their family abandoned to the mercy of a
shameless and tyrannical people. In other parts of Persia, and
particularly in the province of A_dh_irbayjan, in the town of Mara_gh_ih,