African Baha'i history had its beginnings in Egypt, which
was opened to the Faith during the period of the ministry of Baha'u'llah; it
gathered momentum during the ministry of 'Abdu'l-Baha when Baha'i localities
were established in South Africa and Tunisia. But the early effects of these
spiritual endowments became more obvious with the remarkable success of the two-year
Africa Project (1951-53) when 16 territories were opened, bringing to 25 the
total number of countries and islands in which Baha'is resided; this preceded
the opening of the 33 virgin territories called for in the beloved Guardian's
Ten Year Global Crusade, a period of astonishing development in Africa that
evoked the admiration and praise of
Shoghi Effendi as many people from different tribes entered the Cause, a number of administrative
institutions were formed, and it became possible to raise up the Mother Temple
of Africa in the heart of the continent. During the course of these rapid
developments, the African believers themselves, through sacrificial effort as
teachers and pioneers, arose to champion the Cause of God, manifesting the
profundity of their response to the Message of the New Day.
- The Universal
House of Justice (From a message dated Ridvan 153 addressed to the Followers of
Baha'u'llah in Africa)