Twelve
months have passed since we addressed to the devoted followers of the Blessed
Beauty throughout the world a message in which we outlined the major challenges
which face the Cause of God and the thrilling opportunities which are
presenting themselves for us to use in His Service.
There was an immediate and heart-warming response in offers of service, in plans of action put promptly into effect, and in contributions to the Fund. The activities of the friends are still increasing, and evidences of rich harvests are appearing. In India alone, over 150,000 new believers have joined the Baha'i community; in Samoa the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar has been dedicated amidst unprecedented recognition of the Cause; in Canada, at the conference held in London, Ontario, an upsurge of activity among the Baha'i youth has started a movement which has caught the imagination of the friends far and wide. In relation to the Fund, however, the rate of contributions during the second six months of the year has slowed seriously, and we feel it is timely to draw to your attention that our letter of 2 January 1984 was not an appeal for a one-time Herculean effort, but was intended to inform the whole world community of the present great challenges and opportunities which are not only immediate but require also a long-range, sustained increase in the efforts and self-sacrifices of the friends, both in service and in contributing from their financial resources to the advancement of the Faith.
The
challenges which we enumerated then are by no means met, nor the opportunities
wholly seized. The Indian Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, a building of great size and beauty,
is still unfinished; plans for the further development of the World Centre, for
the design and erection of the three remaining buildings on the Arc must be
laid in full confidence that the funds for their completion will be made
available; projects for social and economic development, for the establishment
of Baha'i schools and radio stations, for agricultural advancement, and a wide
range of other urgently needed activities are multiplying; world-wide attention
to the Faith has increased during the past year with even greater rapidity than
before, demanding new measures to co-ordinate public information services and
contacts with governments and leaders of thought; and last, but near to the hearts
of all, is the need of funds to assist in the relief of those hard-pressed
believers who have been forced to leave Iran, often penniless and in great
distress, seeking to build a new life in other parts of the world.
