cisive, the brilliant success of the celebrations which this historic
year, of such manifold significance, must witness. He Who in the past has,
in diverse ways and on so many occasions, graciously and unfailingly
guided, blessed and sustained the members of this privileged community
will, no doubt, continue to aid and inspire them to carry to a victorious
conclusion the unfinished tasks which still confront them, and will enable
them to crown their labors in a manner that will befit their high destiny.

March 28, 1943

BAHA'I COMMUNITIES OF EAST AND WEST

Successive reports, proclaiming the American believers' brilliant feat,
the completion of the exterior ornamentation of the Temple, their historic
exploits in the spiritual conquest of every Republic of Latin America, as
well as their impending victory to be won through the establishment of the
structural basis of the Baha'i administrative order in the Virgin States
and Provinces of North America, are thrilling the Eastern communities of
the Baha'i world with delight, with admiration and with wonder.

Ninety-five Persian families, emulating the example of the American
trail-blazers of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, have recently forsaken their
homes and followed in the footsteps of pioneers already departed from
Persia yesterday evening to hoist its banner in the adjoining territories
of Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Sulamaniyyih, Hijaz and Bahrein Island.

Local Assemblies have been founded in Kashmir Valley in the extreme north
and in Madras Presidency in the extreme south, as well as in Haydarabad,
the leading stronghold of Muslim orthodoxy in India.

The National Baha'i Administrative Headquarters of the Egyptian believers
are nearing completion. A similar institution is in process of
establishment in India's capital city, Delhi. A Guest House, adjunct to
the newly built Administrative Headquarters of the Baha'is of 'Iraq, has
been constructed.

Baha'i communities of East and West are arising in the fourth year of the
devastating conflict in the full strength of their undisruptable
solidarity, resolved to write, through immortal deeds, further glorious
pages in the last Chapter of the first Baha'i Century.

I appeal to the standard-bearers of Baha'u'llah's ever-advancing army to
safeguard the spiritual prizes already won and maintain every outpost of
the Faith established in the southern hemisphere. I entreat them to exert
still more magnificent efforts to