: Let Us Arise ave you ever faced a to read and write, it is the time a friend, “What a dear and blessed ‌ responsibility that was for jumping about and chanting . . . spot to be privileged to live in!” ‌so big, you felt like the memorize the prayers . . . and chant ‌weight of the world was them that I may hear them . . .” Legacy of Leadership ‌on your shoulders? From then on, Shoghi H As a young man, Shoghi Effendi Effendi chanted prayers loudly In 1920, Shoghi Effendi went felt like this when he became the enough to be heard throughout to Oxford University in . leader of the Bahá’í community. the neighborhood. When family He was determined to learn all Shoghi Effendi was born on asked him to be quieter, he he could to serve the Faith. March 1, 1897, in ‘Akká, . said, “The Master wrote to me The following year, his life He was raised in the home of to chant that He may hear me! changed dramatically. His beloved his grandfather, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, I am doing my best!” grandfather unexpectedly passed who led the Bahá’í Faith after In his teens, Shoghi Effendi away. Devastated, Shoghi Effendi Bahá’u’lláh’s passing. Shoghi went to the American University returned to Israel. Effendi’s father was Mírzá Hádí of in Lebanon. When not When the Master’s will Shírází, a descendant of the Báb. studying, he enjoyed mountain was read, Shoghi Effendi was His mother was Díyá’íyyih Khánum, climbing, swimming, and soccer. shocked to learn that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s eldest daughter. After graduating in 1918, had named him the Guardian of As a boy, Shoghi Effendi was some of Shoghi Effendi’s happiest the Bahá’í Faith. At about age full of energy and curiosity. He had days were spent working as 24, he was the leader of the a deep bond with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s secretary. For global Bahá’í community. who was known as the Master. about two years, he was at Faced with this immense When he was five, Shoghi ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s side day and night, responsibility, Shoghi Effendi Effendi asked ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to write often translating letters and retreated to the mountains of something for him. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá conversations into English for Switzerland to gain “health, wrote, “Now is not the time for you Bahá’ís from the West. He wrote to strength, self-confidence and

March 1, 1897 1920-1921 November 28, 1921 April-December, 1922 Shoghi Effendi is Studies at Oxford Passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Retreat to the mountains born in ‘Akká, Israel University, England Shoghi Effendi becomes the of Switzerland Guardian of the Báhá’í Faith

14 VO L. 50 NO. 2 Images: © Bahá’í International Community  “How vast is the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh! How great the magnitude of His blessings showered upon humanity in this day!” —Shoghi Effendi spiritual energy.” He climbed and Rúhíyyih Khánum. He called her of the Faith, in Israel. Its focal hiked, some days walking 25 miles “my tireless collaborator.” point is the Shrine of the Báb. He (40 km). After eight months he asked his father-in-law, architect returned home, feeling renewed. His Kind Heart Sutherland Maxwell, to design Shoghi Effendi jumped into a magnificent superstructure to action and encouraged Bahá’ís to “He was fundamentally a very surround the original shrine. It was share the Faith around the globe. tender-hearted person” and completed in 1953. He wrote, “Let us arise to teach expressed this kindness “in many In 1957, Shoghi Effendi became His Cause with righteousness, ways,” Rúhíyyih Khánum said. ill during a trip to , England. conviction, understanding and He shared loving gifts and Then suddenly, on November 4, he vigor . . . Let us scatter to the messages, and he gave financial passed away at age 60. uttermost corners of the earth . . .” help to the poor. In peaceful Bahá’ís gathered to honor the Bahá’ís met with Shoghi Effendi moments, he had “a delightful Guardian with prayers in many and visited Bahá’í holy places. He sense of humor” and his eyes languages. His gravesite, near inspired them and talked about the would “dance with amusement.” London, is a place of prayer and growth of the Faith. Under his Shoghi Effendi had amazing . leadership, countries and territories energy and drive, working from In 1963, the national Bahá’í with Bahá’ís grew from 35 to 254. early morning until late each night. governing bodies of the world One Bahá’í he met was Mary He wrote thousands of letters and elected the first Universal House Maxwell, a young woman from created plans for teaching the of Justice. Shoghi Effendi said Canada. They talked about the Faith worldwide. He sent messages that this nine-member council power of the Bahá’í teachings. to Bahá’í junior youth and signed will enable the “light” of the Shoghi Effendi even taught her them, “Your true brother, Shoghi.” Bahá’í Faith to “illumine the whole Persian calligraphy. In 1937, they Shoghi Effendi envisioned plans earth.” It is elected every five years were married. Shoghi Effendi gave for the Bahá’í World Centre, the to guide Bahá’ís in establishing his wife a new name—Amatu’l-Bahá spiritual and administrative heart global peace and justice.

March 25, 1937 1944 1953 November 4, 1957 April 1963 Marriage to Publishes , Shrine of the Báb Shoghi Effendi passes Election of the Amatu’l-Bahá a history of the first completed on away in London, England first Universal Rúhíyyih Khánum Bahá’í century Mount Carmel House of Justice

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