ing and a profounder importance. During this journey the great Exemplar of the Bahá’í Faith turned the clear, radiant light of His spiritual wisdom upon the complexity of Western civilization. He made contact with all our problems, conditions and opportunities. Appreciating those memorable days, His American followers took steps to record permanently the addresses delivered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in churches, synagogues, universities and other important institutions. The record of His journey survives in two volumes, published under the title suggested by Him: The Promulgation of Universal Peace. To read these words is to find the verv essence of the solution of the sinister problems of war and peace, capital and labor, church and state, science and religion, so gravely menacing the world at this time.
Since ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is the only Persian whose addresses to the West have gained wide influence and fame; and since it would be impossible to appreciate the full influence and meaning of the Bahá’í Faith apart from these two volumes, we take the liberty, your Majesty, of presenting copies of them to you in connection with this petition. Lack of space prevents us from informing you of another work of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wherein He deals specifically with the condition of Persia and suggests suitable methods and measures by which the Persian people can regain their ancient, their rightful position of eminence among the peoples of the world. A translation of this work has been published both in England and America; doubtless we can furnish a copy in the original Persian tongue, should we receive a request for the same.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá passed from this world in 1921, a Light of international friendship and understanding that shall never die. Perhaps another decade must elapse before His wisdom becomes the source of inspiration of the majority of responsible statesmen and thinkers, but the outcome does not stand in doubt. Already a host of grateful people in all countries acknowledge His spiritual guidance, unified in the one world-movement raised above the reach of economic, political or religious factions. In Persia alone, the ranks of the Bahá’ís today include a considerable section of the population—especially among the most progressive minds—therefore one can appreciate the spiritual power able to make these people prefer death to violent resistance and human revenge. Let none believe that it has been through fear or weakness that the Bahá’ís of your realm have submitted to the injustice we have mentioned. They have entrusted their lives to God, and who dare assert that they have trusted in vain?
The following words written by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in a letter to American Bahá’ís nearly twenty years ago refer most significantly to Persia and its conditions:
[see appendix three at the conclusion of this letter]
Conditions Indicate Anarchy
We have referred to the long period of time over which these dire persecutions have been spread. We have indicated also that the original antagonism for the Bábís and their successors, the Bahá’ís, emanated not from the mass of the people but from the chiefs of religion and state. Without their deliberate provocation and example, the people would never have become inflamed with the insane spirit of fanaticism and bloodshed. But once this dreadful example was set, the people throughout the land were quick to learn that one could rob, insult, strike, torture and slay a Bahá’í with impunity—nay, even with the approval of those in local positions of power. Therefore, by all too logical steps, conditions in Persia have come to the point where, if public agitation is wanted for any purpose, or ambitious leaders desire to divert attention from an issue, all that is necessary is for them to raise a hue and cry against the Bahá’ís, and behind the smoke of violence the agitators can work unseen. The condition is one of moral and civic anarchy, and if prolonged must seep higher and