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| No. 433 | BAHA’I YEAR 124 | APRIL 1967 |
Bahá’í House of Worship, Sydney, Australia
A Flame of Fire[edit]
The Story of the Tablet of Aḥmad
By A. Faizi
Part II
Aḥmad in Presence of Bahá’u’lláh[edit]
It was a breathtaking experience for a man like Aḥmad who all through his life had been searching for this immense spiritual Fountainhead. When for the first time he glanced at the youthful countenance of Bahá’u’lláh — a Face full of charm, freshness of color and penetrating powers, he was overwhelmed. He came to his senses only through the mirthful remark of the Ancient Beauty, “He becomes a Bábi and then hides in the tower!”
Bahá’u’lláh allowed him to remain in Baghdád and have his residence very close to the House. Ahmad immediately installed his small clothmaking machine and was the happiest man in the world. What else does one expect? To live at the time of the Supreme Manifestation of God, adore Him, be loved by Him and be so close to Him in heart and soul and even in residence.
When once asked about the events of the years he spent in such close proximity to Bahá’u’lláh, with tears in his eyes he said, “How innumerable, how great and how immensely mighty were the events of those years. Our nights were filled with memorable episodes. Joyful and at times sorrowful were our experiences, yet beyond the power of anyone to describe. For example6 “one day as the Blessed Beauty was walking, a certain government officer approached Him and reported that one of His followers had been killed and his body thrown on the river bank. The Tongue of Power and Might replied, “No one has killed him. Through seventy thousand veils of light We showed him the glory of God to an extent smaller than a needle’s eye; therefore, he could not more bear the burden of his life and has offered himself as a sacrifice.” When the caliph’s decree was conveyed to Bahá’u’lláh and He had to leave Baghdád for Istanbul, He left the town on the thirty-second day after Naw-Rúz for the Riḍván Garden. On that same day the river overflowed and only on the ninth day was it possible for His family to join Him in the Garden. The river then overflowed a second time, and on the twelfth day it subsided and all went to Him. Aḥmad begged Bahá’u’lláh to be amongst His companions in exile, but Bahá’u’lláh did not accede to this request. He chose a few people and instructed the others to stay to teach and protect the Cause emphasizing that this would be better for the Faith of God. At the time of His departure, those who were left. behind stood in a row and all were so overcome with sorrow that they burst into tears. Bahá’u’lláh again approached them and consoled them saying: “It is better for the Cause. Some of these people who accompany me are liable to do mischief; therefore I am taking them with Myself.” One of the friends could scarcely control his anguish and sorrow. He addressed the crowd reciting this poem of Sa’di:
“Let us all rise to weep like unto the clouds of the Spring Season. On the day when lovers are separated from their Beloved, one can even hear the lamentations of stones.”
Bahá’u’lláh then said, “Verily this was said for this day.” Then He mounted His horse and one of the friends placed a sack of coins in front of the saddle and Bahá’u’lláh started to distribute the coins to the bewailing poor who were standing by. When they ran to him and pushed one another, He plunged His hand in the sack and poured all the coins out saying, “Gather them yourselves!”
Aḥmad saw his Beloved disappear from his sight headed for an unknown destination. Little did he know that He was like unto the sun rising towards the zenith of might and power. Sad at heart and utterly distressed in soul, he returned to Baghdád, which to him seemed devoid of any attraction. He tried to make himself happy by gathering the friends and encouraging them to disperse and teach the Faith which had just been declared. Though actively serving the Cause, he was not happy. All that could keep him happy was nearness to his Beloved.
The Tablet is Revealed[edit]
After a few years he once again left his home and work and set out on foot towards Adrianople, the city of his love and desire.
When he reached Istanbul he received a Tablet from Bahá’u’lláh, now well known as “The Tablet of Ahmad”. He describes receipt of this Tablet as follows: “I received the Tablet of ‘The Nightingale of Paradise’ and reading it again and again, I found out that my Beloved desired me to go and teach His Cause, Therefore I preferred obedience to visiting Him."
He was specially commissioned to travel through Persia, find the old Bábí families and convey to them the new message of the Lord. Hence such glorious reference to the Báb in this Tablet. The task was arduous beyond description and therefore such exhortations as, “Be thou a flame of fire to My enemies and a river of life eternal to My loved ones and be not of those who doubt.” The path to be pursued by him would be full of blood, thorns and hardships to be borne, but followed by such soul stirring promises of victory as “And if thou art overtaken by affliction in My path, or degradation for My sake, be not thou troubled thereby.”
With this divine amulet in his possession — a small piece of paper which had been “invested by Bahá’u’lláh with a special potency and significance”, and clad in the simple garments of a mendicant, Aḥmad made his way back to Persia. He entered the country from the district where the Báb had been imprisoned and martyred and crossed this region like unto the breeze of life. Many of the Bábís were thus enabled to see the sun then shining from Adrianople and even many of the Moslems embraced the Faith wholeheartedly.
"Glad Tidings of the Nearness of God"[edit]
Aḥmad became the embodiment of his own Tablet. Such persistence, undaunted spirit, tenacity and steadfastness as his are hardly to be found in any annals of the Cause. When he found a contact, although he
suffered “afflictions and degradations", he would return again and again to finish that which had been left half discussed.
For example, when he was travelling throughout the Province of Khurásán, he went to the house of a very well-known Bábí family, the head of which was no less a person than Furúghí7 — one of the survivors of the Țabarsí upheaval. Aḥmad went in and gradually opened the subject and in very frank, vigorous and emphatic terms explained that the One to be manifested by God was none other than Bahá’u’lláh Whose light was then shining from the horizon of the “Remote Prison” — Adrianople.
Furúghí, who had so audaciously fought in Țabarsí, started a fight here too. The discussion became more intense as the hours went by. Furúghí became very angry, attacked Aḥmad, breaking one of his teeth and threw him out of the house.
Aḥmad left broken-hearted; but, undaunted, he later returned, knocked at the door and told them that he would not go until such time as the subject was fully discussed and some definite conclusions reached.
We must bear in mind that the Bábís were in such great danger that even a piece of paper bearing the verses of the Báb found in any house was enough for the house to be demolished and the inhabitants to be sent to prison or even to the field of martyrdom. Therefore many of the friends hid their books and writings in the walls of their houses. When Aḥmad went to Furúghí’s house for the second time to resume the discussion, he said emphatically that the Greatest Name BAHÁ had very often been mentioned by the Báb in all His writings. Furúghí challenged the truth of this statement. To prove to Aḥmad that he was wrong, he tore a part of the wall down and brought out a bundle containing the writings of the Báb, and promised not to say a word against the explicit texts. Aḥmad says, “The very first one we opened referred to the name of Baha.” As promised, Furúghí and all the members of his family accepted the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and became zealous defenders and very outstanding in its propagation and protection.
"A Flame of Fire"[edit]
After crossing all the lands of Khurásán, Aḥmad decided to go once more to Baghdád to convey the message of love and greetings on behalf of Bahá’u’lláh to all the friends of that very important city, but unfortunately on the way he again fell sick and could not reach Baghdád. In addition in Ṭihrán, some of the divines of Káshán recognized him and lodged complaints against him at the court of the King, who was ever ready to inflict hardship on the adherents of the new Faith. He was consequently arrested and committed to the hands of a certain young officer who was ordered to investigate the case and if he was sure that his victim had gone astray, to put him to death immediately,
The young officer did not wish to molest Aḥmad and therefore insisted that he should recant his Faith. Aḥmad says, “At that moment I was at the height of my faith and enthusiasm and never for one moment even thought of recanting.” Ever ready to lay down his life in the path of the Cause, he served with such self-sacrifice he insisted that he was not a Bábí, but a Bahá’í, a follower of the Supreme Manifestation. He was detained and while in prison he heard of the sudden and severe illness of the officer's wife. In great fright and in extreme distress, the officer came to Aḥmad and said, “Should my wife recover, I will release you,” and after three days the young man, heedless of the dire consequences to himself, took Aḥmad to the gate of Țihrán and set him free.
"A River of Life Eternal"[edit]
Released like a bird, he first went to the villages where some sifters of wheat were Bábís. They received him with the utmost love and courtesy. They offered him hospitality and he guided them to the right path of God and in great rejoicing Aḥmad left them and made his way to the Province of Fárs, the capital of which was Shíráz.
He lived in this Province for about a quarter of a century. He became the constant companion of the wronged and afflicted ones. He consoled them during times of persecution and gave them hope and vision of the ever-widening horizons of victories and triumphs.
It was through the old people of this district of Persia that this humble servant, the writer, came to hear the distant echoes of a glorious dervish living amongst the villagers and that he had been to them an angel of protection, guidance and mercy. Such rumors set me to search about him and then I found out that this adorable individual was our precious Aḥmad — a name now mentioned throughout the world with so much love and devotion.
Aḥmad received many of the travelling teachers who passed through this part of Persia and feasted with them in his humble abode, mentioning God, His Faith and recounting the experience of the many teachers who had been in those days quickening many souls.
One of the most touching incidents as related by himself was the following: “One day a man barely clad and almost barefooted came to the door of my house. He was utterly exhausted and worn out. His clothes were stiff and brownish with a mixture of dust and perspiration. He happened to be Ḥájí Mirzá Ḥaydar‘Ali.8 I immediately helped him to take off his clothes. I washed them and spread them in the sun to dry while he rested, waiting for the friends to come for a meeting.”
"Steadfast in My Love"[edit]
The years passed by full of eventful days, but when the waves of persecution spread all over Persia, the friends in their love and admiration for Aḥmad endeavored to protect him against fatal attacks and after long consultations, they suggested to him that he immediately leave that forlorn and forsaken corner of the country for a more populated center. Wherever Aḥmad went, the friends suggested the same thing to him. He was so well known through the length and breadth of the country that his mere presence would cause agitation amongst the bigoted Muslims Whose first arrows would be aimed at Aḥmad himself. After changing many places of residence many times, he settled in Țihrán. He never wavered, nor was he ever anything but that “flame of fire” and “the river of life eternal”. After having lived one century always enjoying good health, he passed on to the presence of his Beloved in 1905 in
Ṭihrán.
As to the family of Aḥmad, he had two children: a son called Mírzá Muḥammad and a daughter Khánum Guhar. When Aḥmad’s house was confiscated, Mírzá Muḥammad, his wife and children left the city of Káshán for Ṭihrán. He, his wife and small daughter died on their way to Ṭihrán. The traces of their graves — if any — are lost forever.
There remained only their son, Jamál, aged five. The mule drivers who used to take food from Provinces to Ṭihrán, not knowing that Jamál was a son of Bábís, took pity on the forsaken and homeless child and placing him on one of the loads brought him to Ṭihrán. In that great capital the poor child was left all alone and no one even told him of his glorious ancestry or of the Faith in the path of which the family had borne so many afflictions and untold hardships. He was left in this state until his aunt Khánum Guhar9 also went to Ṭihrán. When Aḥmad reached the capital, he came to know of his grandson whom he loved very much. He took him under the wings of his own love and protection and Jamál grew to be an excellent Bahá’í. His most outstanding characteristic was his iron determination and his indefatigable energy. Nothing could ever deflect this man from the straight path of God, though to him it had always been narrow and strewn with thorns, blood and multifarious plights and calamities. Towards the end of his life, Aḥmad entrusted the original Tablet to Jamál who in turn, out of the purity of his heart and his devotion to the Faith of God offered it as a gift to Hand of the Cause, Trustee of Ḥuqúq, the son and brother of two illustrious martyrs, Jináb-i-Valíyu’lláh Varqá.10) When Jináb-i-Valíyu’lláh, according to the instructions of the beloved Guardian attended the opening ceremony of the Temple in Wilmette during the Intercontinental Conference of the year nine (1953) he brought this most precious Tablet as his offering to the archives of the Bahá’ís of the United States. Now the beloved friends of that country are the trustees of this great gift of God to humanity.
Note: This is the second and final part of the story of Aḥmad, recipient of the well-known Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh. Mr. Faizi is one of the Hands of the Cause of God residing in Haifa.
FOOTNOTES:
- God Passes By, page 136.
- One of the members of this family is listed with eighteen others as “The Apostles of Bl-lhi'a'u’lláh" by the beloved Guardian. This list appears in The Bahá’í World Volume III, page 80 where the Guardian says, “Mirzá Maḥmud an indomitable spirit and zealous defender of the Faith.”
- The man who was entitled by the beloved Master as “The Angel of Mount Carmel.”
- As to Khánum Guhar, the glorious daughter or Aḥmad, she was a very active Bahá’í. The story of such a daring woman’s history ≈only been briefly recorded. Such a mirror-like heart is rarely to be found. For example, during the lifetime of Bahá’u’lláh there were some outstanding teachers who were almost worshipped by the friends. One of them, who had so many exalted letters from the Blessed Perfection, often went to Khánum Guhar’s house and she respected him so much as to clean his shoes. It seems that such titles and extraordinary respect had turned the heads of some of them. They thought of assuming an independent rank in the Faith of God. One such person went to Khánum Guhar’s house after the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh. When the hostess brought tea and sweets and stood at the door with folded hands in absolute respect and homage she found that the man had not taken any of the refreshments. He seemed to be gloomy and pensive. Khánum Guhar asked for the reason. “I must go to the Holy Land”, he said, “and see to the affairs of the Cause myself. The Faith is left in the hands of a young man.” He pronounced the last phrase with indignation and pride. Upon hearing these words, Khánum Guhar raised her voice saying. “Do you think Bahá’u’lláh did not know Whom to appoint after Himself?" She then entered the room and collected the tray of tea and sweets and in a very emphatic tone ordered the haughty and arrogant man to immediately leave the house. She then went to the neighboring Bahá’í families and advised them to be most careful about him till such time as they should receive definite instructions from the Most Great Branch. The following example illustrates her purity of heart. She heard that a very young girl belonging to a Bahá’í family was in bed with severe illness. She went to her bedside and prayed to God saying. “O, my Lord I have had my share of me. Please take me and leave this child for her parents.” The very same night she died and the patient became well.
- His picture appears amongst other Hands appointed by the beloved Guardian in The Bahá’í World, Volume XII, p. 110.
At left, Bahá’ís of Bachuo Ntai Village, Cameroon Republic, gather for a conference with members of the District Teaching Committee, Mamfe area, December 4, 1966. At right, Bahá’í Community of Akure, Nigeria, with members of the first Local Spiritual Assembly, established Riḍván, 1966. [Page 5]
West Central Africa Achieves Two Major Goals[edit]
A Bahá’í Teaching Institute (above) in Ikot Uba, Akpabuyo, Eastern Nigeria (reported in March Bahá’í News) was the occasion for celebration for many friends shown in group pictures at right and below. The committee members responsible for building the institute appear at upper right: Augustine Ekpenyong, Oscar Njang, Mrs. Elizabeth Njang and Joseph Uba.
The dedication of the Bahá’í Teaching Institute in Eastern Nigeria, illustrated on these pages and reported in March BAHÁ’Í NEWS, is one of the major goals for West Central Africa already achieved. The first goal given to West Central Africa in their Nine Year Plan was to open Niger, a virgin territory, and establish at least one local assembly with the assistance of the National Spiritual Assembly of Írán. The first assembly to be formed was that of Niamey, accomplished with the aid of two Persian pioneer families who went to the territory in August of 1965 and whose persistent efforts won the goal. In addition, the Faith is now spread to Agadez, an oasis in mid-Sahara which now has a group, and Tessaoua, a new locality. Several more local assemblies have been formed in other territories of West Central Africa. The re-establishment of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Lome, Togo has been accomplished, largely through the efforts of an American pioneer, Samuel Lynch, and the community has been revitalized with many new Bahá’ís.
Universal House of Justice Approves Supplementary Goals for Colombia[edit]
A recent letter from the Universal House of Justice stated that the Bahá’ís of Colombia have already attained the major portion of their Nine Year goals. Colombia has therefore proposed a supplementary plan to be adopted for this period. This heartening story of these victories and plans has been sent by the National Assembly of Colombia at the request of the BAHA’I News editors.
Steadfast efforts by the believers in Colombia have resulted in a number of triumphs in the Nine Year Plan, to a point where the National Spiritual Assembly has felt challenged to establish supplementary goals.
Colombia is the Latin American country most deeply entrenched in its relations with the church — one of the few remaining countries having a concordat with Rome which controls all religious and educational activities. That the Faith is taking fire in such a traditional country is a miracle of Bahá’u’lláh.
In the Nine Year Plan Colombia was given ten goals, plus international cooperation with the National Spiritual Assembly of Kenya, Africa, to help acquire a teaching institute. After constructing the Guajiro Teaching Institute in Riohacha, Colombia, the friends united in sending financial aid to Kenya, thus fulfilling that goal. The National Spiritual Assembly keeps a progress chart and a map of Colombia on the wall during meetings, and on the agenda for all meetings are the ten goals.
The opening of the virgin islands of San Andrés and Providencia was given priority and has already resulted in the formation of a Local Spiritual Assembly in San Andrés, with a group of nearly one hundred believers. Providencia has sixty-four enrolled believers.
New Localities Far Exceeded[edit]
The goal of raising the number of localities to 100 has been surpassed, with believers now residing in more than 200 localities. The National Assembly therefore decided to augment this goal to 300. As one locality has been established in each of the sixteen departments, five Intendencias and four Comisarias (government divisions) as called for in the Nine Year Plan, the National Assembly is taking on as a supplementary plan the establishment of a local assembly in each of these government divisions. In the meantime, the government has inaugurated two new departments, Sucre and Quindio, which are now being opened to the Faith.
Plan More Assemblies, lncorporations, Schools[edit]
The goal of twenty-seven local spiritual assemblies is on the verge of completion, but due to the violence in the Guajiro Indian area last Riḍván, it was impossible to travel in that area and form additional assemblies among the Indian believers. However, with mass enrollment under way, Colombia is confident that a supplementary goal of forty-five assemblies can be reached.
The goal of incorporating five local assemblies has been attained, and Colombia is now aiming for the incorporation of ten local assemblies.
The need for a permanent summer school is an additional goal of the Nine Year Plan. The National Summer School Committee, the National Youth Committee and National Child Teaching Committee each conducted a summer school, the children’s camp bringing together the youngest Bahá’ís.
Deepening at All Bahá’ís[edit]
Much effort has been spent on the preparation of youth and children for active Bahá’í life. In most communities, both are actively integrated in Bahá’í activities. The National Youth Committee is exemplary in assuming responsibilities, both administratively and in teaching.
Steps are being taken to obtain recognition of Holy Days in the schools, and circumstances are now more favorable for educational opportunities for all children, without prejudice.
Colombia also has a National Institute Committee, apart from indigenous teaching, which has prepared three series of progressive institute courses being used throughout the country to carry out the deepening of all Bahá’ís in their knowledge of the Faith.
In addition to the land acquired for the Riohacha Institute, Colombia bought a beautiful piece of land in Valledupar, registered under the title “Villa Amelia Collins.” The friends then sacrificed to buy additional lots surrounding it, calling it “Villa Țáhirih.” The original plan to establish the institute in Valledupar has been postponed, as Guajiro teaching work had to take priority. The purchase of Valledupar is therefore supplementary to the Nine Year Plan.
Indian Teaching Expands[edit]
The Indian Teaching Institute in Riohacha “Villa Rahmat” fulfills another Nine Year Plan goal. It is sturdily constructed and now humming with activity, with the pioneer teaching team using it as headquarters. A joint international Colombo-Venezuelan Teaching Committee carries out coordinated plans and courses for preparing native Indian Guajiro traveling teachers throughout the Guajiro peninsula.
The Indian tribes of the Motilones, Chocoes and Guajiros have all been taught and believers enrolled. Eight local spiritual assemblies were formed among the Motilones around Guajiro believers. The devotion of the Guajiros resounds in that area as they smilingly greet the pioneers and visiting friends with “Tawara Bahá’í" (Bahá’í brother).
In the field of international teaching cooperation, Colombia is aiding Venezuela in the Guajira Indian area by sharing both pioneers and the National Institute. In its recent National Spiritual Assembly meeting in January, it was decided to send Colombian itinerant traveling teachers on trips into the cities and towns of Venezuela, Also, pioneers in Colombia have recently been released to fortify Bolivia, Paraguay and Venezuela.
“What is the Religion You Teach?”[edit]
“My mother would like you to visit her!”
It was the voice of a little Guatemalan girl as she dashed out from the patio of her simple house in the highlands of Huehuetenango. News travels in the villages and her mother, Macaria, had heard of the American pioneers who were visiting her village of Chimusiniqui.
“What is the religion you teach?” asked the mother as the pioneers entered her home.
Soon her husband, Crisanto, came and he too wanted to hear the story. Then some of the children returned from school and listened as the pioneers told of their reason for being there.
For two years Crisanto and Macaria listened, read and attended the Institute, after which they enrolled in the Faith. One by one the children also declared their faith. Finally, after a long time, their eldest son could no longer resist, and, turning away from distractions that had made it previously impossible for him to come into the Faith, came to his parents’ home late at night and expressed his wish to be a Bahá’í. Now there are many sons and daughters-in-law serving the Cause. At the wedding of one son in recent months, 600 people attended the fiesta.
“Why are the Bahá’ís so happy when they do not take alcohol?” many asked, impressed by the spirit of joy.
For two years Crisanto has been traveling on foot with his heavy pack of goods on his back. Many times he walks sixty kilometers and returns the same day, using every opportunity to teach the Faith in his travels.
“I've never met a man so dignified and so humble," said a National Assembly member of Crisanto, having accompanied him on a teaching trip to El Salvador during the Christmas holidays.
“Crisanto and Macaria were the spirit of the conference,” wrote the National Assembly of El Salvador. “They are examples for all of us — of abnegation, humility and the way to teach the Faith.”
In its message on Universal Participation, the Universal House of Justice, the supreme body to which all must turn, reiterated the words of the beloved Guardian as to the most effective way for teaching the Faith: “. . . the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth . . . those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.”
Crisanto and Macaria are “mirroring forth” as they walk their humble and often difficult road. Their example gives new courage to all of us in whatever part of the world we live and labor for Bahá’u’lláh.
A Slippery Road — a Bahá’í Welcome[edit]
Jeronimo Lopez lives in Buena Vista, high in the mountains of Huehuetenango, Guatemala near the Mexican border. Every week Jeronimo goes to the village of Palmira Vieja, four kilometers away, to teach and also attends the Feast regularly. He is an inspiration to all and especially to the pioneer teachers who come to visit him and who are given a wonderful welcome in his home. It isn’t always easy to reach his home, especially during the rainy season which involves an almost perpendicular, five-mile climb up slippery roads. Usually Jeronimo meets the friends with his mule and they take turns riding. Recently Edith McLaren, Auxiliary Board Member from Guatemala, and Edna Ford, Bahá’í pioneer and teacher from Mexico, visited Jeronimo Lopez at two different times.
The accompanying photo shows Jeronimo Lopez, his wife and three children (at right) with the mountains of Mexico in the background. Edna Ford appears in center, back row.
Some of the Bahá’ís of the Island of Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean Islands, gathered with Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giarchery (back row center), on the occasion of his visit to Guadeloupe, one of the islands to be included in the National Assembly of the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands to be elected during Riḍván 1967. During January and February Dr. Giarchery made an extended visit which included most of these islands.
World Religion Day Marked in Many Places[edit]
Country-wide Observance in Vietnam[edit]
From the northern city of Danang to Cantho in the south, the sixth annual World Religion Day in Vietnam was observed Sunday, January 29. In Danang and in the provinces of Binh-Tuy, Binh-Thuan and Phan-Thiet, thousands gathered to hear eminent leaders.
In Saigon the observance was more impressive than ever before, with an audience of 1,000 packing Thong Nhut Hall to hear a discourse on “Religion is the Salvation for Vietnam and the World.” Presiding was Ho-Huu-Tuong, eminent scholar and philosopher of Vietnam. The speakers were: the venerable Minh-Chau, rector of Van-Hanh Buddhist University; the Reverend Nguyen-van-Vang, advisor of the Saigon Archdiocese; Nguyen-van-Loi, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Vietnam; and Mr. Dorohiem of the Cham Islám Association. Thanking the Bahá’ís of Vietnam for their unflinching efforts toward religious unity, speakers stressed that only a return to the eternal verities can extricate mankind.
Bahá’í speaker, Nguyen-van-Loi, stated that only a restoration of moral values can ultimately bring peace to the world, and, while only religion can do this, religion must prove itself before a cynical humanity by first putting its own divided house in order.
First organized by the Bahá’ís in January, 1962, World Religion Day has become an increasingly important observance in the religious life of Vietnam.
HAWAII
Mayor Neal Blaisdell of Honolulu, Mrs. Florence Kelley of the Ewa, Oahu Community, and Mr. Maurice Willows of the Honolulu Community at the signing of World Religion Day proclamation.
Part of the large audience at Thong Nhut Hall attending the World Religion Day Conference in Saigon, Vietnam on Sunday, January 29. In the front row can be seen leading dignitaries from various religions who spoke at the meeting.
Seychelles Islands[edit]
A public symposium marking World Religion Day in Victoria, Seychelles Islands, was presided over by Eric Stiven, judge of the Supreme Court of Seychelles, and included several other speakers, The event received advance radio and press publicity, which in view of local conditions was providential. Later that day, a thirteen-minute radio program entitled “Progressive Revelation” was presented, featuring instrumental music and the story of man from Adam to Bahá’u’lláh, concluding with a quotation from the Hidden Words.
Samoan Temple Site Acquired[edit]
The Australian Bahá’í Bulletin reports the registration of the deed for the Temple land of Samoa. The registration took place on September 17, 1966, in Apia, Western Samoa. Acquiring this Temple site was one of Australia’s goals of the Nine Year Plan. Appreciation was also expressed to New Zealand and the South Pacific Ocean, the National Assembly of which Samoa is a part, for their generous assistance in helping to win this goal.
The property goals in Samoa, with the exception of the endowment, have now been completed. The friends in the Gilbert Islands have also completed the erection of their Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in preparation for the formation of their National Assembly this coming Riḍván. Only recently the government in Tonga has granted permission for the Bahá’ís to lease property, and the erection of a suitable building for their headquarters is now in the planning stage.
The Winter School in Finland Generates Spirit of Courage and Resolve[edit]
The Winter School in Finland, January 5-8, 1967, at Mukkala Tourist Center, Lahti, was characterized by a high spirit of solidarity and accord. The memory of former occasions and of the presence of several Hands of the Cause, including the late Leroy Ioas, continued to reassure and encourage the friends to amplify their efforts as participants in the school and to go forth as Bahá’í teachers.
Bahá’í youth and their friends (at right) arranged an impromptu fireside after the Saturday evening social, at which the local youth association presented a selection of Finnish dances, some remaining for the rest of the program.
The press interviews with Auxiliary Board Member Osmo Paivinen and the chairman and secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly held in connection with the Winter School appeared in the Sunday paper.
Teaching Conference representing six islands and thirteen villages held at newly erected Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds on Tarawa, Gilbert and Ellice Islands, October 15-23, 1966, during visit of Hand of the Cause, Collis Featherstone, who appears in back row, left, of photo.
Bahá’ís present at weekend deepening classes in Guayaquil, Ecuador on September 10-11, 1966. Mrs. Louise Caswell, from Guatemala, presented classes which led to a deeper understanding of firmness in the Covenant, relating the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá directly to such responsibilities as protecting the unity of the Faith, teaching, giving, and the public and private life of the believer.
Bahá’í youth and friends of the Republic of Panama at two-day conference held at Villa Virginia on Decemher 21 - January 1, which included consultation on the purpose and goals of youth conferences.
News Briefs[edit]
Professor Bausani recently gave a presentation at the Cultural and Artistic Club of the Popular University in Padua, Italy, on religions that originated in Persia — the Bahá’í Faith in particular. After the talk, an animated period of questions and answers followed.
Two Guaymi Indians, new pioneers, attended the Panama Summer School, January 27-February 4, before going to their posts in the San Blas Comarca. Three traveling teachers, Dr. Edris Rice-Wray from Mexico, Mrs. Louise Caswell from Guatemala, and Richard Mirchovich from Costa Rica, gave stimulating courses that drew large crowds of Bahá’ís and their friends, especially for the weekend sessions.
All-Swiss Conference Meets in Berne to Consult on Goals[edit]
Two board members and seventy Bahá’ís met in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds at Bern, Switzerland on February 12, 1967. After a talk on Swiss plans for proclamation, the participants from German-, French- and Italian-speaking Switzerland divided into four groups to discuss ways and means to achieve the goals of the Nine Year Plan. Speakers for the discussion groups reported in the afternoon.
Mrs. Ursula Namdar of Zurich (upper left photo), reported on Teaching and Pioneering. Appearing at right of same photo is Fritz Semle, chairman of the Swiss National Assembly, who addressed the conference.
Seven of the nine Bahá’ís who have entered the Faith in McMinnville, Tennessee, in the past two years, visiting with pioneers Tom and Jean Schwandes and Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Beth McKenty, following a public meeting in McMinnville, January 29th. Left to right: James Edward Womack, Mrs. Lulu Maynard, Mrs. Georgia Etter, Tom Schwandes, Mrs. Louise Irvin, Miss Hattie Taylor, Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Beth McKenty, Miss Gwen Etter, Mrs. Jean Schwandes and Mr. Thomas Irvin.
First Institute Held in Tennessee in January[edit]
The coming of two pioneers, Tom and Jean Schwandes, of Shorewood, Wisconsin, to McMinnville, Tennessee two years ago has led to the development of a community of eleven, all of the new Bahá’ís being permanent residents of this small Southern town. It was in this setting that more than fifty Bahá’ís from Tennessee and adjoining states gathered for the first Tennessee Bahá’í Institute, held January 28 and 29. Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Beth McKenty of Shorewood, Wisconsin, and Mrs. Nancy Jordan of Terre Haute, Indiana participated.
Although many difficulties have confronted the pioneer couple in McMinnville, they testified in the evening session that, “Even if we move to some other goal, we have found such warmth and dear friends here that this will always feel like our home.”
A highlight was the informal session Saturday evening at which each Bahá’í had an opportunity to tell of his entrance into the Faith. Mrs. Virginia Sims, of Memphis, described how she had gone with her parents to meet a train in Cincinnati in 1912. “I looked between some bars in a fence and saw a wonderful Man dressed in white. Even though I was very shy, I ran to Him away from my parents. And so I met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.”
Pioneers from the first and second Seven Year Plans and the Ten Year Crusade told of their experiences, and the entire group of McMinnville Bahá’ís came to the front of the room and spoke movingly of the way Tom and Jean Schwandes overcame their scepticism and won them individually into studying and entering the Faith.
Mrs. Jordan shared experiences during two years in Luxembourg where she pioneered and where she was elected to serve on the first National Spiritual Assembly of that country. The audience also appreciated hearing of her visit to Istambul and Edirne (Constantinople and Adrianople) to the places where Bahá’u’lláh was imprisoned.
Speaking on the destiny of America and the present goals facing American Bahá’ís, Mrs. McKenty recalled statements of the Guardian in which he explained that the object of life to a Bahá’í is to promote the oneness of mankind, and that he stated our aim is “to produce a world civilization which will in turn react on the character of the individual.”
The Institute closed with a public meeting attended by seventy. Mrs. McKenty spoke on “The Bahá’í Faith — Religion for Mankind”, with Mr. Walton of Nashville as chairman. Everyone stayed afterwards for the reception and singing, led by Mrs. Irma Hayden of Nashville.
Ayyám-i-Há Observances[edit]
The Intercalary Days offer opportunities for Bahá’ís to gather for fellowship and to share the joyful spirit of this period with friends and the public. The following reports have been received in time for inclusion in this issue.
In Michigan[edit]
In celebration of the Intercalary Days, the Royal Oak Township, Michigan, Bahá’í community sponsored a “Festival Day Art Exhibit" in the Oakdale Community Center Sunday afternoon and evening, February 26, with a public meeting at 3:00 p.m. Announcements of the event were sent to six radio stations. The non-Bahá’í artists responded with great enthusiasm and were interested to know why the Bahá’ís would do all the work involved without any material return. No selling was permitted in the building, thus eliminating any appearance of monetary gain. A number of good contacts were made, several of whom are now attending firesides.
During the same week, the Royal Oak Township Assembly presented two Bahá’í books to the Oak Park city library and to the high school library. Oak Park is a teaching goal for the community. A copy of Blessed is the Spot was also given to each of the two elementary schools in Royal Oak Township. One of the librarians was so pleased that she requested a catalogue so that she could order more books. The other librarian promised to read the book herself to all the younger classes. It is interesting that none of the librarians objected to the Bahá’í books because of the ruling of the Supreme Court that religion is not to be taught in the public schools.
In California[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Ventura, California, featured a brief talk on the meaning of Ayyám-i-Há by a Persian believer, a dance by a young Persian girl, and a fifteen minute concert by an accordion band. More than a hundred persons were present, only half of whom were Bahá’ís.
The four children of the Central Marin Judicial District, California, Bahá’í community with the aid of their parents hosted an Intercalary Day beach party for all the school-age Bahá’í children in Marin County and their friends. Of the forty-one children present, twenty-five were guests. Also present were twelve adults and six youth. The occasion afforded an opportunity to introduce the Faith to many of these children and their parents.
Wisconsin Gathering Brings Fellowship, Inspiration[edit]
More than fifty Bahá’ís of northern and central Wisconsin gathered January 21 in Appleton to discuss teaching goals and renew their determination to meet them. Auxiliary Board member, Mrs. Beth McKenty spoke on the Tablets of the Divine Plan and showed slides of pioneers throughout the world. Mr. Steve Suhm, of Oshkosh was chairman.
The speaker reviewed the accomplishments of the American Bahá’í community since the Plan was revealed and showed how victories came to those who arose, regardless of their limitations, to obey the Center of the Covenant. She showed slides of pioneers throughout the world who followed the instructions of the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, in the First and Second Seven Year Plans and the Ten Year Crusade.
She also showed slides of the Hands of the Cause as they participated in teaching events on different continents and concluded with a review of the goals of the Nine Year Plan, stressing the need for universal participation and mass conversion.
The gathering then broke up into groups to discuss specific teaching goals, and a delicious supper was served by the host community.
At the Festival Day Art Exhibit in Oakdale Community Center in Michigan.
News Briefs[edit]
Mr. Alláh Kalantar of Meriden, Connecticut undertook a very successful teaching trip to South Carolina during three weeks in February. Highlights included: interviews on television and on radio, a lecture to a class in political science at the University of South Carolina, a public reception and talk sponsored by the Bahá’ís, numerous firesides, and visits to the homes of believers and their interested friends. The careful planning which helped bring such good results included newspaper publicity with photographs of Mr. Kalantar and accounts of his personal background and varied experiences in service to the Faith.
The television interview was on a popular morning program, “Today in Carolina" which has a large viewing audience. The interview was first on the program and lasted over ten minutes, including a clear explanation of the Faith followed by conversation with Mr. Kalantar in which he explained his knowledge of Oriental and Persian art, and showed art objects, including wood and metal craft, jewelry, photographs and a rug.
This visit, following soon after a similar one by Mrs. Jane Czerniejewski, has done much to bring the Faith to the attention of many and to stimulate and encourage the faithful believers who live there and work so consistently to teach.
Left: At a public meeting at the Bahá’í Center in Nashville, Tennessee on February 19 when Miss Bahia Deloomy, originally from Baghdád, now living in Winnetka, Illinois, spoke to over sixty students on “This Radiant Century.” At right Miss Deloomy discusses the Faith with an inquirer during the supper which followed the meeting. She spoke also at Fisk University and at a fireside meeting during her two day visit.
News Briefs[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Rogers, Arkansas were happy to have the opportunity to bring the Faith to the attention of over fifty who attended a conference of students sponsored by the Baptist Church. A leader of the conference requested pictures of the House of Worship and literature on the Faith because of a reference, in one of the study books used at the conference, to a visit to the Bahá’í Temple. Many pamphlets and pictures were given to the students, ministers, Sunday School teachers and parents who attended.
The Interracial Committee of the Seattle Bahá’í community presented a program on February 18 at a local Y.M.C.A. on the topic “Integration — A Realistic Goal?” The question seemed answered by the harmony and joyful unity of the participants. Prayers were read or chanted by a Persian, a Polynesian and an Eskimo. The panel members included participants of Negro, Chinese, Japanese and American Indian backgrounds with a Caucasian moderator.
Local Spiritual Assembly of Des Moines, Iowa at time of incorporation, April 21, 1966. Back, left to right: Mrs. Lolita Baker, Merle Altemeier, Mrs. Catherine Andreasen, James L. Baker, Mrs. Juanita Stuart. Front, left to right: Mrs. Mildred Sullivan, Mrs. Marie Willis, Mrs. Ruth Moffett, Mrs. Elsie De Crow.
Book display sponsored by the local Assembly of San Luis Obispo, California, and the Bahá’í Club of California State Polytechnic College during “Religion in Life” week on the campus. Set up in the periodicals room of the college library the attractive showing of Bahá’í books and photographs caused much favorable comment and was visited by many students. It was the only religious book display on campus during the week. Shown are, left to right: Miss Charyll Hughes and Mrs. Diane Woodward of the local Bahá’í community.
Board Conferences in Florida Brings Victories[edit]
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 28 and 29 was the scene of a conference described by some of those attending as, “the most spiritually deepening and inspiring conference ever convened in Florida.” Called by the Auxiliary Board of the Hands of the Cause, and executed in cooperation with the communities of Broward County and Fort Lauderdale, the two day program featured Hand of the Cause, Zikru’lláh Khádem with Auxiliary Board members Mrs. Javidulkht Khádem, Dr. William Tucker, Curtis Kelsey and Jack McCants. Mr. Kelsey told of the early days of the Faith and of personal experiences with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Mrs. Khádem gave a beautiful description of The Greatest Holy Leaf and her unique service to the Faith. There was a public meeting with Dr. Tucker as chairman, featuring the film “And His Name Shall Be One,” followed by a moving talk by Jack McCants.
The most remarkable part of the conference was the results it brought, both during the sessions and afterwards. The pervading spirit of love and enthusiasm was present at the opening session when three newly declared youth were welcomed to the gathering. At various times during the sessions there were more declarations of allegiance to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh: five during Sunday’s sessions and four more the following day. And since the conference there have been firesides nightly with three more declarations. Of the total twelve who have declared six belong to each of two races in Florida. Many of the new members are youth and all are very enthusiastic. The Bahá’ís in this area feel that they have been richly blessed and that they are beginning to understand the meaning of the statement of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as quoted by Mr. Kelsey, that He would train the believers little by little until they have no other desire but to serve.
A Teaching Opportunity for Youth[edit]
Lions’ International marks its fiftieth anniversary by sponsoring a Peace Essay contest. This provides an opportunity for Bahá’í youth to participate by writing essays on the most important subject of world peace. The Department of Public Information at the National Bahá’í Headquarters in Wilmette has informed the members of the American Bahá’í community of the event and has urged youth to enter the contest.
The National Spiritual Assembly has written to the Lions International congratulating the organization.
Three Bahá’í youth have so far been named winners in their local Lions Club Peace Essay contests. Their essays will be judged next at district, multiple district and national levels. The last step, the international level carries a first prize of $25,000.
The Bahá’ís are: Merry Whitney of Glendale, California; Stephanie Troxel of Fargo, North Dakota; and Julie Piret of Amherst Township, New Jersey. Each winner received a cash prize.
A member of the Lions was quoted as saying that Miss Piret’s essay showed a very real sense of the problems of war and peace and evidenced original thought on what must be done to secure peace.
U.S. National Assembly Announces Achievements in Nine Year Plan[edit]
The goal assigned to the American Bahá’í community of forming a new National Spiritual Assembly in the Caribbean Islands will he won at Riḍván — just three years from the inception of the Nine Year Plan. On April 22, 23 and 24 the first convention will be held in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, at which session the nine members will be elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands. This newly formed institution of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh will have jurisdiction over sixteen islands in the Caribbean: St. Thomas, St. Croix, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts-Nevis, Dominica, St. Vincent, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Martin. Congratulations are in order to all the hard working pioneers in these islands and to the local Spiritual Assembly in St. Thomas which has assumed weighty responsibility, in the three years of its existence, for working towards this crowning achievement.
The six goals in Africa where the United States has been asked to assist with pioneers are now filled, the latest American pioneer to go to Africa being Mrs. Helen Reech who has joined Sam Lynch in Togo. Oliver Reimann has moved from Gambia to Liberia. Assistance from pioneers from other countries has been in: Senegal, Gabon and Burundi where devoted believers have pioneered from North Africa, France and Uganda respectively. This assistance has been especially welcome as these goals are very difficult it not impossible for Americans to settle.
Holy Days Recognized in Two More States[edit]
One of the goals of the Nine Year Plan, that of securing recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days in the schools of forty-eight states, came closer to attainment recently when Georgia and New Hampshire were added to those states which have already granted this recognition.
The believers in Cobb County, Georgia as well as the community of Peterborough, New Hampshire were the first in their states to secure permission for their children to be excused from attending school on Bahá’í Holy Days.
The Bahá’í communities of Glenview, Illinois; Englewood, New Jersey; and Meriden, Connecticut have also recently secured this recognition from their local school authorities.
The Department of Community Development is ready to assist any believer, group or assembly endeavoring to attain these legal goals.
BAHÁ’Í IN THE NEWS[edit]
The Silva Publishing Company mentioned the Bahá’í Faith and its prevalence in Switzerland in its monthly bulletin for December, 1966. The periodical is distributed to every Swiss household in French, German and Italian. The December issue announced the publication of the Silva Art Book on Persia, published in Switzerland’s three official languages. Professor George Redard
of Bern University describes the history and teachings of the Faith on three pages and states, citing Professor Bausani, a Bahá’í from Italy: “It is not a syncretistic religion, it is rather the religion of the present time, which reassumes in itself all the religions of the past.” The Silva bulletin on Persia has a circulation of 600,000 copies.
Ambassador Bahhreddine Mohammad of the Sudan talks with Mr. and Mrs. Rafi Mottahedeh at a reception given by the Ambassador at the United Nations on January 5 in honor of Sudan Independence Day.
Mark Tobey, by Wieland Schmied published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, is part of its Modern Artists series. The author is a noted German authority on modern art. The press release announcing the publication states: “Then two important events occurred in his (Mark Tobey’s) life: he became influenced by Chinese Calligraphy, and discovered the Bahá’í World Faith; a religious movement that seeks to combine the universal truths of man’s theological experiences.”
The 1967 edition of Chase’s Calendar of Annual Events lists the following Bahá’í events and dates: World Peace Day, World Religion Day; Race Unity Day, Bahá’u’lláh’s birthday, Naw-Rúz.
Dominion a magazine published in its issue for January 1967 a reprint of the article on the Bahá’í Faith which appeared in the National Observer May 2, 1966. (see Bahá’í News for June, p. 14) New photos accompanied the article. Dominion is a new magazine, having started in January 1966, and publishes articles of religious interest.
Dr. Habib Moayyad (left) of Irán and Ypsilanti, Michigan, and Professor Robert Hayden of Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee were recent guests of the National Spiritual Assembly. Dr. Moayyad, former physician of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and former member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Irán, will make his home in the United States with his wife and four physician sons. Professor Hayden recently received first prize for poetry in the First International Festival of Negro Arts, Dakar, Senegal, and is cited as one of America's finest poets.
Piano Used to Present Bahá’í Principles[edit]
On February 16 the Bahá’ís and the public of the North Shore, in the area of the House of Worship, had the opportunity and privilege of spending a unique evening with Dr. Daniel Jordan, who is Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly. The Bahá’ís of Evanston, Illinois sponsored this event which was held at the auditorium of Kendall College in Evanston. The program was titled, “Dr. Daniel Jordan and His Piano Speak on the Bahá’í Faith.” It proved a delightfully entertaining and enlightening presentation of principles of the Faith through the medium of music, harmony, and dissonance. Dr. Jordan’s musical selections were diverse, original, and masterfully executed. His audience was captivated. There were approximately 130 in attendance.
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