Thousands of Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs, dawning points of praise
and mention of God for all religionists will be built in the East and in the
West, but this, being the first one erected in the Occident, has great
importance. In the future there will be many here and elsewhere—in Asia,
Europe, even in Africa, New Zealand and Australia—but this edifice in Chicago
is of especial significance. It has the same importance as the
Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Ishqábád, Caucasus, Russia, the first one built there. In
Persia there are many; some are houses which have been utilized for the
purpose, others are homes entirely devoted to the divine Cause, and in some
places temporary structures have been erected. In all the cities of Persia
there are Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs, but the great dawning point was founded in
Ishqábád. It possesses superlative importance because it was the first
Mashriqu’l-Adhkár built. All the Bahá’í friends agreed and contributed their
utmost assistance and effort. The Afnán devoted his wealth, gave all he had to
it. From such a mighty and combined effort a beautiful edifice arose.
Notwithstanding their contributions to that building, they have assisted the
fund here in Chicago as well. The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Ishqábád is almost
completed. It is centrally located, nine avenues leading into it, nine gardens,
nine fountains; all the arrangement and construction is according to the
principle and proportion of the number nine. It is like a beautiful bouquet.
Imagine a very lofty, imposing edifice surrounded completely by gardens of
variegated flowers, with nine avenues leading through them, nine fountains and
pools of water. Such is its matchless, beautiful design. Now they are building
a hospital, a school for orphans, a home for cripples, a hospice and a large
dispensary. God willing, when it is fully completed, it will be a paradise.
I hope the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Chicago will be like this.
Endeavor to have the grounds circular in shape. If possible, adjust and
exchange the plots in order to make the dimensions and boundaries circular. The
Mashriqu’l-Adhkár cannot be triangular in shape. It must be in the form of a
circle.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, 1 May 1912, dedication of the
Mashriqu’l-Adhkár grounds, Wilmette, Illinois; ‘The Promulgation of Universal
Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States
and Canada in 1912’)