y be hailed as a worthy counterpart of the central Administrative
Institution established, on the morrow of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Passing, in the
heart of the British Isles, will be acclaimed by posterity as a milestone
of far-reaching significance in British Baha'i history. It will proclaim
to the entire Baha'i world the maturity of the swiftly rising, highly
promising, steadily consolidating British Baha'i community. Every British
follower of the Faith, whether in his home islands or overseas, must feel
proud and deeply grateful for the impending consummation of so superb and
momentous a victory. Every energy must be lent to ensure a befitting
celebration of such an enduring and magnificent achievement.

The efforts of the members of this community must indeed be redoubled, nay
trebled, as they view with afflicted hearts the tragic trend of events
transpiring with such dramatic and sudden swiftness in Baha'u'llah's
native land. The tribulations suffered, over so wide a field, by so many
of their co-religionists, under circumstances so appalling and harrowing
in their nature, at the hands of redoubtable, pitiless, barbarous
adversaries, should spur them on to still greater endeavours in a land
blessed with freedom of religion and tolerance, and occupying so
conspicuous a position among its sister nations.

Theirs is an opportunity which they must instantly grasp. Theirs is a
responsibility which they cannot escape. Theirs is the duty to offset, by
the quality of their achievements, the dire losses which are now being
sustained in the cradle of the Faith. That they may in every field and at
all times discharge their heavy responsibilities is my constant prayer and
dearest hope.

Shoghi

Letter of 22 August 1955

22 August 1955

Dear John,

I am writing you this at the instruction of the beloved Guardian.

As you will have no doubt seen by his recent cable, he has come to the
historic decision to build a Temple in Africa, in Kampala. He has been in
communication with Mr. Banani about this, and from reports received it
appears there will be no objections. The land must be surveyed (this is
being done), and design of the building submitted so as to meet health and
building requirements.

The Guardian wishes your Assembly to please get busy at once and have a
design, or designs, made for the building; it is not necessary to try in
any way to copy the Wilmette Temple: the things that are essential are the
followi