...and next is the propagation of learning and the
promulgation of Bahá'í rules of conduct, practices and laws. At this time, when
the nation has awakened out of its sleep of negligence, and the Government has
begun to consider the promotion and expansion of its educational establishment,
let the Bahá'í representatives in that country arise in such a manner that as a
result of their high endeavours in every hamlet, village and town, of every
province and district, preliminary measures will be taken for the setting up of
institutions for the study of sciences, the liberal arts and religion. Let
Bahá'í children without any exceptions learn the fundamentals of reading and
writing and familiarize themselves with the rules of conduct, the customs,
practices and laws as set forth in the Book of God; and let them, in the new
branches of knowledge, in the arts and technology of the day, in pure and
praiseworthy characteristics -- Bahá'í conduct, the Bahá'í way of life --
become so distinguished above the rest that all other communities, whether
Islamic, Zoroastrian, Christian, Judaic or materialist, will of their own volition
and most gladly enter their children in such advanced Bahá'í institutions of
learning and entrust them to the care of Bahá'í instructors.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter to the believers in the
East, translated from Persian; compilation: ‘Science and Technology’, compiled
by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice and attached to a
Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice,
dated 13-August 1997)
