Fund for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá & Funds for major projects in the United Kingdom
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Contents
- Fund for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
- Funds for major projects in the United Kingdom
- From the new compilation, Prayer and Devotional Life
All believers in the United Kingdom
Dearly loved Friends,
Fund for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
As you are aware, the Universal House of Justice – in its recent Riḍván message – summoned this generation of believers to “build the edifice which will forever embosom” the “sacred remains” of the Beloved Master, a Shrine “of a character befitting the unique station of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá…”[1] In recent days, the Supreme Body has further announced the inauguration of a Fund dedicated to the construction of the Shrine, expressing its “heartfelt desire that this sacred edifice will be raised up through the universal participation of the friends”.[2]
Deeply inspired by this historic announcement, the National Assembly has been moved to make an initial contribution of £100,000 towards this endeavour. The amount will be forwarded to the Universal House of Justice immediately after the anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh on 29 May.
The National Assembly is now calling upon every believer – whether adult, youth or child – every family, every Local Spiritual Assembly and group, to join with it in making an initial contribution to this special Fund by the 29 May. What is important – and what will release the spiritual forces that will inspire generations to come – is that all participate in giving. Every donation, of any kind or amount, will play its part in the realisation of this thrilling prospect.
Funds for major projects in the United Kingdom
The UK Bahá’í community has been uniquely blessed by the visits to these shores of the Master and the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi. Indeed, we are the caretakers for all humanity of the Guardian’s Resting Place as well as the site which the Master visited on two occasions at 17 Royal York Crescent, Bristol. Furthermore, the National Assembly recently announced that it is timely to acquire a site upon which the significant edifice of a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár can be raised up in the United Kingdom. Another highly important project is the need to acquire a residential training centre. To fulfil these sacred responsibilities and meet these essential needs some £3 million will be needed to be raised over the next two years.
Reflecting on these mighty tasks before our community – both the call of the Universal House of Justice and the needs in the UK – the National Spiritual Assembly was reminded of the following passage from Shoghi Effendi, for it will be through an unprecedented outpouring of our resources that we will be able to respond to the needs of the Cause at this hour:
We must be like the fountain or spring that is continually emptying itself of all that it has and is continually being refilled from an invisible source. To be continually giving out for the good of our fellows undeterred by fear of poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of the Source of all wealth and all good—this is the secret of right living.[3]
The National Spiritual Assembly earnestly prays that the friends will respond to this call, this spiritual challenge.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Patrick O’Mara,
Secretary
Notes
1 Universal House of Justice, To the Bahá’ís of the World, Riḍván 2019
2 Universal House of Justice, To all National Spiritual Assemblies, 7 May 2019
3 Directives from the Guardian, p.87
How to contribute
Contributions can be made in the following ways:
By post to:
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom, Finance Office
27 Rutland Gate,
London SW7 1PD
(Please inform the National Assembly to which Fund or Funds your contribution is being made)
Or by bank transfer:
Bank Name: Nat West
Sort Code: 60 04 04
Account No: 18188443
Account Name: NSA – Fund account.
(Please also send an email to office.treasurer@bahai.org.uk providing your name, details of the amount, and the date of the transfer, and indicate to which Fund or Funds your contribution is being made.)
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