[AUTHORIZED TRANSLATION FROM PERSIAN]

Naw-Rúz 2016

To the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in the Cradle of the Faith

O spiritual friends, this is the commencement of a delightful spring and a new season in the wondrous life of nature.  It is a new stage in the spiritual springtime of the life of humanity.  It is Naw-Rúz, and the world of being has been renewed.  It is the age of the descent of heavenly grace; a time for rejoicing and spreading abroad the divine melodies.  We remember you in the Holy Shrines and convey our greetings to you and to all the noble and peace-loving citizens of that sacred land on this joyous occasion.

For centuries this ancient festival has been celebrated with jubilation.  However, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has said, every day spent in remembrance of God, in the promotion of fellowship, and in service to humankind is a blessed festival.  We give thanks to God that your lives are wholly devoted to promoting unity and harmony and to attaining ever-higher levels of collaboration in service to the common good.  So it is that, for you, every day is potentially a feast, and thus you experience true and abiding joy.  ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says, “Strive with all your might and make the utmost endeavour for the prosperity of Persia and the advancement of its peoples.”  In your pursuit of this injunction and despite the persecution you suffer, you continue to demonstrate to your fellow countrymen through your fidelity, love, honesty, and trustworthiness, that you are worthy companions as you tread with them the path of progress and advancement for Iran.  Know the value of your station.  Recognize, with humility, thankfulness, and gladness, that the growing interest of the general public in defence of your rights and the increase in the number of open-minded Iranians who are eager to study and accept the teachings of God are among the blessings resulting from your constructive resilience and from your pure and holy deeds.  Continue then upon this straight path.  On this steep road, let your steed be patience and forbearance; your provision, divine guidance; your safeguard, heavenly confirmations; the goal of your journey, the fulfilment of God’s unfailing promises; and your reward, the joy you bring to the heart of your peerless Master and the eternal bliss you shall surely attain.

[signed:  The Universal House of Justice]