Two Hands of the Cause of God of black ancestry -- appointed by Shoghi Effendi

• Louis Gregory of the United States, appointed posthumously in August 1951, and
• Enoch Olinga of Uganda, appointed in October 1957.

(Explanatory footnote to a message from the Universal House of Justice dated 26 September 1976; ‘Messages of the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)

circa 1925: Avenue in Haifa, Palestine, leading to Mount Carmel

Avenue in Haifa, Palestine, leading to Mount Carmel. The Shrine of the Bab and 'Abdu'l-Baha is seen halfway up the mountain.

Shoghi Effendi raised up four National Spiritual Assemblies in Africa

• Central and East Africa,
• North East Africa,
• North West Africa, and
• South and West Africa

(Explanatory footnote to a message from the Universal House of Justice dated 26 September 1976; ‘Messages of the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)

An example of calumnies, defamations, and lies being spread against Baha’u’llah in Constantinople and their impact on some of His followers

In this connection it is necessary to mention the following occurrence, that haply men may take fast hold of the cord of justice and truthfulness. Hájí Shaykh Muhammad ‘Alí—upon him be the glory of God, the Ever-Abiding—was a merchant of high repute, well-known unto most of the inhabitants of the Great City (Constantinople). Not long ago, when the Persian Embassy in Constantinople was secretly engaged in stirring up mischief, it was noticed that this believing and sincere soul was greatly distressed. Finally, one night he threw himself into the sea, but was rescued by some passers-by who chanced to come upon him at that moment. His act was widely commented upon and given varied interpretations by different people. Following this, one night he repaired to a mosque, and, as reported by the guardian of that place, kept vigil the whole night, and was occupied until the morning in offering, ardently and with tearful eyes, his prayers and supplications. Upon hearing him suddenly cease his devotions, the guardian went to him, and found that he had already surrendered his soul. An empty bottle was found by his side, indicating that he had poisoned himself. Briefly, the guardian, while greatly astonished, broke the news to the people. It was found out that he had left two testaments. In the first he recognized and confessed the unity of God, that His Exalted Being had neither peer nor equal, and that His Essence was exalted above all praise, all glorification and description. He also testified to the Revelation of the Prophets and the holy ones, and recognized what had been written down in the Books of God, the Lord of all men. On another page, in which he had set down a prayer, he wrote these words in conclusion: “This servant and the loved ones of God are perplexed. On the one hand the Pen of the Most High hath forbidden all men to engage in sedition, contention or conflict, and on the other that same Pen hath sent down these most sublime words: ‘Should anyone, in the presence of the Manifestation, discover an evil intention on the part of any soul, he must not oppose him, but must leave him to God.’ Considering that on the one hand this binding command is clear and firmly established, and that on the other calumnies, beyond human strength to bear or endure, have been uttered, this servant hath chosen to commit this most grievous sin. I turn suppliantly unto the ocean of God’s bounty and the heaven of Divine mercy, and hope that He will blot out with the pen of His grace and bounteousness the misdeeds of this servant. Though my transgressions be manifold, and unnumbered my evildoings, yet do I cleave tenaciously to the cord of His bounty, and cling unto the hem of His generosity. God is witness, and they that are nigh unto His Threshold know full well, that this servant could not bear to hear the tales related by the perfidious. I, therefore, have committed this act. If He chastise me, He verily is to be praised for what He doeth; and if He forgive me, His behest shall be obeyed.” 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)

Hands of the Cause appointed by Shoghi Effendi while living in Africa

• Musa Banani (29 February 1952, Kampala, Uganda),
• William Sears (October 1957, South Africa) and
• John Robarts (October 1957, South Africa).

(Explanatory footnote to a message from the Universal House of Justice dated 26 September 1976; ‘Messages of the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)

Shoghi Effendi traveled twice in Africa

• In circa September -- October 1929, and
•  in 1940 

(Explanatory footnote to a message from the Universal House of Justice dated 26 September 1976; ‘Messages of the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)

1944: Countries open to the Faith in Africa

By 1944: Seven African countries were opened to the Faith:

• Abyssinia (Ethiopia),
• Belgian Congo,
• Egypt,
• South Africa,
• Southern Rhodesia,
• Sudan, and
• Tunisia.

(Explanatory footnote to a message from the Universal House of Justice dated 26 September 1976; ‘Messages of the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)

'Abdu'l-Bahá visited Egypt three time

The Master visited Egypt first during circa August/September 1910 through 11 August 1911, then during circa December 1911 through 25 March 1912, and finally during 17 June 1913 to 2 December 1913. 

(Explanatory footnote to a message from the Universal House of Justice dated 26 September 1976; ‘Messages of the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)

27 September 1967: Marking the centenary of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation of Suriy-i-Mulúk (Tablet to the Kings) in Adrianople

At the request of the Universal House of Justice, Hands of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, Ugo Giachery, Tarazu'llah Samandari, 'Ali-Akbar Furutan, Paul Haney, and Abu'l-Qasim Faizi visited the site of the House of Baha’u’llah in Adrianople on 27 September 1967 to mark Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation of His Tablet to the Kings (Suriy-i-Mulúk), referred to by Shoghi Effendi as "the most momentous Tablet revealed by Bahá'u'lláh". (God Passes By) 

(Adapted from the explanatory footnotes in ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986’; see 17 March 1967 message) 

1967: World Centre of the Faith – Its needs, developments and undertakings pursued by the Universal House of Justice

Since the Universal House of Justice came into being in 1963, its primary concern at the World Centre of the Faith has been with the basic, minimum essentials of undertaking repairs to the Holy Places; establishing its administrative offices; reorganizing the accommodation of pilgrims; gathering its staff, developing a suitable housing programme for the Hands of the Cause and their families, the members of the House of Justice and their families, and all other believers serving at the World Centre; formulating plans for the expansion of the Gardens and taking the first steps in their initiation; collating the Sacred Texts and the letters of Shoghi Effendi and indexing them; and fostering relations with the Government of the State of Israel and with the United Nations.

The increased burden which these essential steps have imposed upon the International Fund we have endeavoured to keep at a minimum so that, in the early stages of the Plan, the maximum resources could be utilized in the teaching work throughout the world.

However, we must now embark upon certain major undertakings vital to the future progress of the Cause. Extensive beautification of the sacred endowments surrounding the Holy Shrines in Bahji and Haifa, as well as at the site of the future Mashriqu'l- Adhkar on Mount Carmel must be undertaken, both for its own sake and for the protection of these lands which are situated within the boundaries of rapidly expanding cities; the work of classifying and codifying the Holy Texts must be urgently prosecuted; the arrangements for pilgrimage may have to be greatly expanded to provide for the ever-increasing number of applications from East and West; the Intercontinental Conferences and the International Convention must be held and paid for; and the auxiliary institutions of the Universal House of Justice must begin to unfold so that the ever-growing and increasingly complex work of the World Centre of the Faith may continue to be efficiently discharged. Moreover, the vital assistance given by the International Fund to the work of the Hands of the Cause and National Spiritual Assemblies must be maintained.

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 7 March 1967 addressed to all National Spiritual Assemblies; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986’)