# Tablet on the Debasement of Persia

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-20 — 1 clipping.*

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablet on the Debasement of Persia, bahai-library.com.
> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
> 
> Tablet on the Debasement of Persia
> 
> Abdu'l-Bahá
> 
> Shoghi Effendi, translator
> 
> 1923
> 
> "Only the other day, in the course of my study of various Bahá'í
> documents, I came, as if by mere chance, across a very important
> message from our beloved 'Abdu'l-Bahá, bearing no date, and revealing no
> sign as to exactly where, how and to whom it was given, written in the
> Master's own handwriting upon a leaflet that seemed ordinary and ill-preserved in appearance but which on close study proved of the
> profoundest interest to all believers in the East as well as in the
> West. As to the authenticity of these remarkable words, so clearly and
> forcibly written, there is no doubt whatsoever, and the measure of
> assurance it shall inspire the loved ones of Persia and the spirit of
> hopeful encouragement it shall breath in the friends of the West, have
> urged me to communicate it to you, that, subject to your consideration
> and consent, it may be published amongst the friends and redouble their
> confidence in the very remarkable share the West is destined to
> contribute to the immediate spread of the Movement throughout the world.
> 
> "Recently, I have rendered it myself into English and enclosed is a
> copy of the full translation."
> 
> [extract from a letter dated 12 January 1923 to the
> NSA of the United States, written by Shoghi Effendi]
> 
> — — —
> 
> "A thousand years must elapse before Persia can, by the aid of
> material power, rise to the height of the peoples and governments of
> Europe. BAHA'U'LLAH, however has illumined that land, and will surely
> raise her high in the eyes of all the world. That country shall so
> advance and develop as to excite the envy and admiration of the East and
> the West.
> 
> "The land of Hedjaz, though deserted and sterile in its soil and its
> tribes ignorant and barborous, yet the power of the Cause of God has
> made of such a spot a Point of Adoration and the Focal-centre of world
> devotion.
> 
> "How foolish are the people of the East to have incarcerated for
> well-nigh fifty years the like of this glorious personage! But for His
> chains and prison, BAHA'U'LLAH by this time would have gained absolute
> ascendancy over the minds and thoughts of the peoples of Europe, would
> have made of Persia the Garden of Paradise, would have raised its sons
> in the esteem of mankind, nay He would have made it such that all
> peoples and governments would seek enlightment from its people.
> 
> "Consider and reflect upon the result of my few days stay in London
> and the profound effect it has had here and in the surrounding regions.
> Ponder then in your heart, what the coming of BAHA'U'LLAH would have
> achieved! Had He appeared in Europe, its people would have seized their
> opportunity, and His Cause, by virtue of the freedom of thought, would
> by this time have encompassed the earth. But alas! This Cause, though
> it first appeared in Persia, yet eventually it shall be seen how the
> peoples of Europe have wrestled it from its hands! Take note of this
> and remember it in future. Ultimately you shall see how it has come to
> pass. And yet behold! how the Bahá'ís are still persecuted by the
> people of Persia!"
> 
> [a Tablet of Abdu'l-Bahá referred to in the above-cited letter from 12
> January 1923 to the NSA of the United States]
> 
> METADATA
> 
> Views10868 views since posted 1999; last edit 2015-08-30 23:24 UTC;
> 
> previous at archive.org.../abdul-baha_tablet_persia_1923;
> URLs changed in 2010, see archive.org.../bahai-library.org
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> Shortlink: bahai-library.com/837
> Citation: ris/837
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> — *Tablet on the Debasement of Persia (Used by permission of the curator)*