National Treasurer visits communities to discuss emerging Temple in Canada

Following the Universal House of Justice’s joyous announcement last Ridván that a national House of Worship be raised up in Canada, the Treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly, Dr. Mehran Anvari, travelled across the country to deepen the friends on the significance of this institution, and provide an opportunity to reflect on the blessing of being able to contribute materially to its physical construction today.

These gatherings, which ranged from large fundraisers to small meetings with youth and individual home visits, took place in over 30 communities and engaged over 2000 souls. Dr. Anvari referenced a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, which states that laying the foundation of a Temple “is conditioned upon sacrifice.”[i] This is a hallmark of the spirit of sacrifice that has defined the Canadian Bahá’í community from its nascent days.

A bird’s eye view of the vicinity where Canada’s House of Worship will be built in Markham, Ont. Photo: Shamim Nakhaei.

There was a moving exploration of the history of the Temple site, located just outside of Toronto in Markham, Ont. Reflecting on the many difficulties that those tasked with acquiring land for a Temple and National Hazíratu’l-Quds overcame—a process initiated over 70 years ago—inspired a profound sense of appreciation for the efforts of the Bahá’ís of the time.[ii] The acquisition of this land was an objective the Guardian set out for the Ten Year Crusade—a tremendous gift that is manifesting over time. This history increased consciousness of the bounty of being able to sacrifice in our lifetime towards the raising of an edifice for generations to come.

In its 5 December 2023 letter to the Bahá’ís of Canada, the National Assembly reported that, “With joy, we shared with the Universal House of Justice our confidence that the Canadian community would be able to support the costs of the project without compromising support for the work of the Plan, and without drawing on the Temples Fund established at the World Centre.” In his presentations, the Treasurer shared that the budget ceiling for the central edifice itself has been set at USD $16.8M, although there will be additional costs associated with the work on the surrounding grounds and the road leading to the Temple.

In his visits to communities, the National Treasurer saw manifestations of this spirit of sacrifice emerge. In one instance, an elderly woman gave up her most precious heirloom—her wedding ring—in order to contribute to the Temple-building process. This act of generosity and detachment inspired many others to donate their material means. One youth, for example, subsequently parted with a recently inherited family property.

The generosity of the friends has also extended to many acts of service and offers to volunteer. A manual labourer, who lacked money to donate, instead offered six months of his expertise once construction of the Temple has begun. It is clear that the Bahá’ís of Canada have heard ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s call to “move the earth, carry the mortar, and haul the stones for the building of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár” on His behalf.[iii]

In addition to providing material means, the friends in Canada have been tireless in their efforts to nurture conditions that would allow for the construction of what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá describes as “one of the most vital institutions in the world,”[iv] one that “weds two essential, inseparable aspects of Bahá’í life: worship and service.”[v]

As the National Assembly wrote in its 5 December 2023 letter, “We have heard your longing, one and all, to participate in raising up this sacred institution in Canada and open its doors to the diverse peoples of this land. Indeed, each child, youth, and adult has a role to play, both in extending the circle of those from whose hearts the mention of God rises, and in building Canada’s first House of Worship, a Dawning-Place of His Remembrance.”

The process for the selection of an architect has already been initiated, and once the zoning process is completed more detailed planning, including the preparation of the land, will commence.

– Sama Anvari

[i] From the compilation “The Institution of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár” prepared by the research department of the Universal House of Justice.
[ii] An in-depth article on the history of Canada’s Mashriqu’l-Adhkár and Temple land can be found in the Summer/Fall issue of Baha’i Canada available here: https://bahaicanada.bahai.ca/summer-fall-2023-issue-of-bahai-canada/.
[iii] From the compilation “The Institution of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár” prepared by the research department of the Universal House of Justice.
[iv] Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, no. 64.1.
[v] From the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the World, Ridván 2012.