Shoghi Effendi was born in Akka in 1897, the eldest grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He was educated in the Middle East and for just over a year at Oxford University. He spent much of his early life helping his grandfather, in the role of secretary. When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá passed away in 1921 it was found that in his will he had named Shoghi Effendi as his successor, to be the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith. Shoghi Effendi was only 24 years old and it came as a great shock to him when he had to leave Oxford to take on such an enormous task at such a young age. He was supported by his great-aunt, `Abdu’l-Bahá’s sister, Bahíyyih Khánum, the foremost and most distinguished woman in Bahá'í history. Shoghi Effendi spent over 35 years of unremitting labour as Guardian in guiding the Bahá’ís around the world. He died unexpectedly in 1957 and after his death the work of the Faith was directed by the Hands of the Cause until the election of the Universal House of Justice.
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Shoghi Effendi studied social, economic and political sciences at Balliol College.
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As a student at Oxford University, Shoghi Effendi learned that his grandfather, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, had passed away on 28 November 1921. He returned to Haifa by 29 December and only when the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was read on 3 January 1921 did Shoghi Effendi know of his appointment as Guardian.
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Although many older Bahá’ís felt that this was the time to have an election for the Universal House of Justice, having consulted older and trusted believers Shoghi Effendi realised that a more solid administrative structure must be established in many countries before such an election could be held.
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God Passes By was published in 1944 and it outlined the events of the first hundred years of the Bábí-Bahá’í Faith. All the other books listed above are the titles of his translations into English of works written by Bahá’u’lláh.
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Shoghi Effendi married Mary Maxwell, the only daughter of two Canadian Bahá’ís. She lived in Haifa and became his helpmate and constant companion, especially during the difficult years of World War Two when there were so many restrictions on travel to and from the Middle East. After her marriage she was known as Rúhiyyih Khánum. She was also an author, editor and producer.
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It is estimated that he wrote at least 30,000 letters to individuals, local and national assemblies. Many letters would be in answer to a variety of questions put to him, other letters were monographs addressing specific themes. He also welcomed visits from pilgrims to Haifa who gained much inspiration from his talks.
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The British Bahá’ís requested a plan early in 1944 despite the fact that war was going on at the time, which made travel difficult. This plan lasted for six years and was ultimately successful.
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Between 1925 and 1957 Shoghi Effendi appointed 42 Bahá’ís as Hands of the Cause. They had the twin duties of encouraging Bahá’ís to spread the teachings of the Faith and protecting the Faith from those who would harm it.
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In November 1957 Shoghi Effendi and Rúhíyyih Khánum were in London to buy furniture for the Bahá’í Archives building. They both caught Asian influenza, but although he appeared to be recovering, Shoghi Effendi died suddenly of a coronary thrombosis. Bahá’í burial law indicated that he had to be buried within one hour’s journey of his place of death. His resting place is North London.
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Shoghi Effendi also laid out the overall plan for the administrative buildings which now stand along an arc in the gardens.
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