226. Regarding the Restoration of the National Spiritual Assembly of Egypt

226

Regarding the Restoration of the National Spiritual Assembly of Egypt

4 May 2014

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

226.1 The Universal House of Justice has asked us to inform you that the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Egypt has been restored, after a lapse of more than a half-century, at a National Convention held on 2 and 3 May 2014….

226.2 As you may know, the Bahá’í community in Egypt, which was established during the ministry of Bahá’u’lláh Himself, which was blessed by the visits of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and whose members were praised by Shoghi Effendi as “heroes on the field of servitude”, first formed its National Spiritual Assembly in 1924 at a time when there were only three other such institutions in the world. As a result of restrictions and government policies, the National Assembly was dissolved in 1960 following which the community of the Greatest Name in Egypt faced periods of severe persecution that lasted for decades. Owing to the recent developments in Egypt, the situation in the country has allowed for heightened participation of the Bahá’ís in the life of their society and for greater religious freedom, which made it possible for the formation of Local Spiritual Assemblies to occur at Riḍván this year. Finally, this process culminated in the joyous occasion of the election of the National Spiritual Assembly. It is a source of joy to the House of Justice to witness the re-emergence of administrative institutions in one of the most venerable Bahá’í communities in the world, notwithstanding that official registration cannot be contemplated.

226.3 It is the hope of the House of Justice that the dear friends in that land will be able to contribute their full share to the spiritual revitalization of their nation.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat