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| No. 460 | BAHA’I YEAR 126 | JULY, 1969 |
The Ninth of July 1850 —[edit]
The Báb, acclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh as the “Essence of Essences,” the “Sea of Seas,” the “Point round Whom the realities of the Prophets and Messengers revolve,” “from Whom God hath caused to proceed the knowledge of all that was and shall be,” Whose “rank excelleth that of all the Prophets,” and Whose “Revelation transcendeth the comprehension and understanding of all their chosen ones,” had delivered His Message and discharged His mission. He Who was, in the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the “Morn of Truth” and “Harbinger of the Most Great Light,” Whose advent at once signalized the termination of the “Prophetic Cycle” and the inception of the “Cycle of Fulfillment,” had simultaneously through His Revelation banished the shades of night that had descended upon His country, and proclaimed the impending rise of that Incomparable Orb Whose radiance was to envelop the whole of mankind. He, as affirmed by Himself, “the Primal Point from which have been generated all created things,” “one of the sustaining pillars of the Primal Word of God,” the “Mystic Fane,” the “Great Announcement,” the “Flame of that supernal Light that glowed upon Sinai,” the “Remembrance of God” concerning Whom “a separate Covenant hath been established with each and every Prophet” had, through His advent, at once fulfilled the promise of all ages and ushered in the consummation of all Revelations. He the “Qa’im” (He Who ariseth) promised to the Shí‘ahs, the “Mihdí” (One Who is guided) awaited by the Sunnís, the “Return of John the Baptist” expected by the Christians, the “Ushídar-Máh” referred to in the Zoroastrian scriptures, the “Return of Elijah” anticipated by the Jews, Whose Revelation was to show forth “the signs and tokens of all the Prophets”, Who was to “manifest the perfection of Moses, the radiance of Jesus and the patience of Job” had appeared, proclaimed His Cause, been mercilessly persecuted and died gloriously. The “Second Woe,” spoken of in the Apocalypse of St. John the Divine, had, at long last, appeared, and the first of the two “Messengers,” Whose appearance had been prophesied in the Qur’án, had been sent down. The first “Trumpet-Blast”, destined to smite the earth with extermination, announced in the latter Book, had finally been sounded....
Raising the Tent of Unity[edit]
by
HAND OF THE CAUSE ‘ALÍ-AKBAR FURÚTAN
The Revelation of the Báb, as testified by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is likened to the sun when it enters the
Vernal Equinox; the station of Bahá’u’lláh, on the other
hand, is commemorated when the sun reaches its
highest point at midsummer. Thus these two successive
Revelations which have shed illumination upon the
earth from the unseen Realm, can be regarded as two
distinct seasons. The Revelation of the Báb is similar to
the regenerating and life-giving springtime which
brings freshness and fertility to the earth, while the
second Revelation is likened to the period of fruitfulness in the summer.
The inception of the former, the life-giving Revelation of the Báb caused the soil of men’s hearts and minds to be prepared through the love of God, so that the spiritual seeds and flowers could be planted therein; while the advent of the latter in the “year eighty” ushered in the fruit-laden summer, when the sun reaches its highest station. This spiritual summer adorned the trees of the seeking and receptive souls with wonderous fruits and delectable bounties.
Now if we survey the course of man’s intellectual development in recent centuries, we shall notice that since the advent of the Revelation of the Báb in 1844 (1260 A.H.), the world of being has entered upon a new phase, that the intellectual and spiritual powers of man have been quickened enormously and that an unprecedented potentiality has been infused in man, enabling him to perceive spiritual truths, to understand and discover hidden things and to study and formulate the laws of science. Thus the year 1844 may be said to have marked the termination of the phase of man’s childhood and signalized the “coming of age” of the human race.
Here is an anology. If we place the water on the fire and heat it, it begins to absorb the heat from the moment it is put on the fire. It gradually approaches the boiling point, and if we continue the act of heating, the temperature rises steadily to 100° C. when the water begins to boil. In a similar manner, the world of humanity has advanced gradually throughout ages and centuries as a result of the guidance and education bestowed upon it by the Divine Manifestations. Then in the year 1844, the glorious effulgence of the Sun of Truth shone upon the world of creation in its utmost splendor and brought about mankind’s “coming of age.” During the past centuries man has been groping along the path of material and spiritual progress as a caravan trudges along the road in the dark with the aid of the stars and the moon. Today the Sun of Truth is shining in the plenitude of its glory and the caravan of human civilization is advancing by leaps and bounds in the dazzling light of the Sun.
Those detached and devoted souls who turned to the Sun of Truth and received divine bounties and confirmations directly from the Manifestation of God, became imbued with wonderous powers and displayed many amazing deeds. The evidence of their spiritual power has caused all men to wonder. A careful study of the history of the Faith would acquaint us with those momentous events which stand associated with their prodigious lives.
It is remarkable that even the rest of humanity who showed indifference to the Call of God and failed to receive illumination from the Day-Star of His Revelation should have been also affected by the Light of this New Day. They have been prompted unconsciously to make wonderful progress in various stages of material civilization within a brief period. Imagine a newly-born babe flashing past a hundred years’ life-span overnight!
It is evident that when the spring season comes and the vernal showers fall abundantly everywhere, the whole earth becomes verdant automatically, grass grows everywhere and the trees blossom forth in luxuriant beauty. If you go to the top of a rocky mountain in springtime, you can find lots of green plants growing even out of tiny crevices in the solid rock.
The Momentous Influence of the Bahá’í Revelation[edit]
Now let us elaborate the point about the momentous influence of the Bahá’í Revelation. We note that from the remote past which goes back to 6,000 years B.C. until the year 1844, the total number of inventions that the men of learning and science succeeded in bringing to light were no more than about seventy. Some of these inventions are very significant, others are secondary. The former comprise such inventions as: papyrus, water-clocks, draw-bridge, gunpowder, printing-press, telescope, microscope and others. This means that during this vast stretch of time which runs into many centuries only about seventy inventions were given to us by the men of learning. On the average it comes to only one new invention for every 150 years.
Let us now consider the space of time between 1844 and 1949. In the course of one hundred and five years no less than 90 important inventions have appeared, that is to say roughly one new invention per year. To enumerate but a few, we have: photography and the many developments related to it including motion pictures in color; engines powered by various fuels which drive trains, automobiles, airplanes, ships and submarines;
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the many devices for recording and reproducing sound
with ever increasing fidelity; the X Ray; radio, television, and the host of other inventions made possible
through the discovery of electricity and the harnessing
of the power in the atom.
This amazing outburst of inventive talent which has manifested itself since 1844 arrests our attention and is unmistakably attributable to the divine creative power released through the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.
The Day that the Sun of Truth Has Shone[edit]
In a Tablet revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá we read as follows: “O ye the friends and handmaids of the Merciful! This is the Day that the Sun of Truth has shone from the horizon of existence. Its dawn is so resplendent and its rays are so brilliant that the heavy clouds were dispersed and the Sun shone with the utmost brightness from the horizon of the world. That is why a new regeneration is witnessed in all the created things, Consider how much the sphere of sciences and arts has been expanded in this age. How many wonderful discoveries and innovations have appeared; to what extent the powers of thought have progressed and what great inventions have been materialized. This century is equal to one hundred centuries. That is to say if one were to put together the achievements of a hundred centuries against those which have appeared in this century, the latter would far exceed those of the past hundred centuries. For example, if you collected all the books that were written and compiled throughout the past ages and similarly gathered together all the books and publications that have appeared in this century, the volume of the books published in this age would be many times more than the volume of the books written in the past ages.
“Consider what a great influence has the Daystar of the world exerted upon the realities of all beings. But a thousand times alas! that the eyes are blind, the ears are deaf and the minds and hearts are heedless to this sublime Grace. Therefore, strive with all your hearts to awaken those who slumber. And upon you be the Glory of the Most Glorious!”
However, it is noteworthy that since the appearance of the Báb, as human capacity of perception increased and enormous strides were made in material progress, mankind has been, to a corresponding degree, increasingly tormented by the devastating fires of its highly materialistic civilization.
We Bahá’ís believe that the sole remedy for all the ills and afflictions which have assailed humanity today lies in following the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh — a remedy for the application of which His Holiness the Báb offered up His life and thousands of Bahá’ís have been persecuted to death.
The fact is that the longer men delay in accepting this holy Cause, the longer they hesitate to utilize this divinely-bestowed healing Remedy, the more distant will grow their hour of deliverance from the ills and sufferings that afflict them and the farther off will be the Day when the Ark of human prosperity and salvation, having weathered grave dangers, would reach the haven of security.
Experience shows that nothing else but the priceless Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, nothing short of His world-encircling, world-redeeming Order could bring salvation to man and release him from the fetters of prejudice. This mighty Cause is fed by the Power supplied from the Kingdom of God, its vigor is sustained by heavenly might, its wonderous spirit has flowed into the hearts of men and has uprooted age-old superstitions and vain imaginings.
To Succeed in Uniting the Hearts of Men[edit]
History bears witness that none of the world’s potentates, kings or emperors, notwithstanding their invincible power, their vast armies, their unlimited wealth and resources, did ever succeed in uniting the hearts of men or in creating harmony between two religious sects. This is because only the divine Manifestations have the power to establish fellowship and concord among men. In the Qur-án it is written: “And if thou should have given all that is on earth, thou could not have brought reconciliation and unity among their hearts, but God verily united them.” (Sura 8, verse 63). And that is how in this holy Dispensation, through the power of the Word of God and the outpourings of His exalted Pen, people from diverse religions, creeds and factions, who previously bore hatred against one another; people from every race and culture, whether eastern or western, are now all united under the unfurled banner of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh with the utmost unity and love as the members of a single family. One cannot observe the slightest evidence of estrangement or alienation amongst them.
The Meaning of Isaiah’s Prophecy[edit]
“Universal Peace,” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá affirms, “is a momentous enterprise, but it requires unity of conscience which is the foundation for this mighty enterprise.” Thus the meaning of Isaiah’s prophecy becomes evident, where it says:
“And it shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it;
“and many people shall go and say, come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the
A Hand of the Cause of God Visits Panama[edit]
Presentation of the book, The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to
Governor Walter P. Leber, Governor of the Canal Zone, during the visit of Hand of the Cause Mr. Khádem to Panama.
Left to right: Fred Berest, vice chairman of the National
Spiritual Assembly, Alfred Osborne, member of Board of
Counsellors; Hand of the Cause Mr. Khádem; Raquel de Constante, chairman of the National Assembly; Governor Leber.
God of Jacob, and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His path: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
“And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not raise sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah II : 2-4)
Now the Bahá’í world is a fine replica of this glorious world to come, the advent of which is but the ardent desire of all mankind. If the inhabitants of this earth assembled beneath the Tent of Unity and drank the Water of everlasting life from this Fountain, then every trace of enmity, strife and discord would disappear and all men would abide in perfect freedom and security.
The Word of God Is Able to Unite[edit]
In one of His Tablets ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says: “Today nothing but the potency of the Word of God, which dominates the realities of things, is able to unite and harmonize the minds, thoughts, hearts and souls of the world of humanity under the shade of one tree. This power pervades all things and motivates all men; it coordinates and organizes the world of humanity.
“Praise be to God! In this Day the radiant light of the Word of God has dawned upon all the horizons, and people from every group, tribe, nation, race and community have gathered beneath the shade of the Word and are united and assembled together in utmost harmony.
“How numerous are the meetings that are embellished by the presence of peoples from different countries, races and tribes! Should a soul enter this meeting, he would think that those present must have come from the same fatherland, the same country, the same tribe, having a single thought, a single opinion, a single object, while in fact one comes from America, one from Africa, one from Asia, another from Europe, from India or from Turkistan; one is an Arab, a Turk, a Persian, a Greek; and notwithstanding this, they meet together with the utmost harmony, unity, love, freedom, oneness and joy. All this is due to the influence of the Word. If all the earthly powers join together, they cannot establish even one such gathering that could turn the different nations into a single community through the same love, fellowship, joy and enthusiasm; and by raising a melody in the midmost heart of the world, it is able to abolish strife, quarrel, war and bloodshed and to establish the universal peace, reconciliation and oneness of mankind. Is there any power than can withstand the influence of the Word of God? No, by the Almighty God! The evidences are obvious and the proof is conclusive. An unbiased observer will be amazed and astonished. He would bear witness that all the nations, races, tribes and governments of the world should be very joyous, grateful and contented on account of the Teachings and Exhortations of Bahá’u’lláh, since these divine Teachings change the beasts of prey into grazing animals and transform the creeping creatures into the fowls of the air. They change human beings into heavenly angels and enable the world of humanity to become a repository of the divine perfections.”
The beloved Guardian wrote: “These momentous events have all transpired in the world during the few years after the termination of the first Bahá’í Century. Therefore it is obvious how great are the events that will gradually unfold themselves in the course of this stupendous century — the century associated with the rise of the divinely-ordained New World Order — and in the subsequent centuries of this blessed second Age of the Bahá’í Era as well as in the Golden Age which constitutes the last, the crowning Age of the first Era of this Holy Cycle.”
It is earnestly hoped that Bahá’ís the world over may, by the Grace of Bahá’u’lláh, be enabled to consecrate their efforts to the proclamation of His Message in this period, so that each one may gain the crown of everlasting glory in the path of service and become a torch of guidance and a promoter of love and peace among all men.
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Bahá’í Institute at Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, Canada. Dedicated by Hand of the Cause Ṭaráẓu’lláh Samandarí in November 1967 (See BAHÁ’Í NEWS, June 1968, p. 5) this property, nestled among the hills of the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley is the scene of a continuing series of schools and weekends for teaching, deepening and socializing. Its new building, shown in the center of the above picture is rapidly being completed.
Nine Year Plan Goals Attained in Canada[edit]
Site for the future Canadian Bahá’í House of Worship. It is in Markham Township, near the city of Toronto and consists of over sixteen acres, on which is also the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. (see BAHÁ’Í NEWS June 1969, p. 5).
Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of St. John’s, Newfoundland, formed at Riḍván 1969. Left to right, front: Mrs.
Nancy Flynn, Miss Dianne Stogre, Mrs. Edwyna Noble, Mrs.
Elizabeth Rochester; rear: Brian Minielly, Dr. Calvin Noble.
Dr. Michael Rochester, Stephen McLean, Tom Flynn. This is
the first local Spiritual Assembly in the entire province of
Newfoundland and Labrador. The Nine Year Plan goal is three
assemblies to be formed on the island of Newfoundland and
one in Labrador.
EUROPEAN SUMMER SCHOOLS[edit]
MAY-SEPTEMBER, 1969
| AUSTRIA | May 23-26 | Hotel Fadai, St. Michael, near Leoben, Styria |
| BELGIUM | August 23-31 | Chateau d’Oteppe |
| BRITISH ISLANDS | July 5-16 | Hall School, Dun Laoghaire, Rep. of Ireland |
| August 9-23 | Dalston Hall, near Carlisle | |
| August 23-Sept. 2 | Harlach, Wales | |
| FINLAND | June 27-July 2 | Härmälä Motel, Tampere |
| FRANCE | In late summer in Annecy | |
| GERMANY | August 2-10 | Trier |
| ITALY | September 7-18 | Igea Marina (Rimini), Hotel Victoria and Diplomatic |
| LUXEMBOURG | June 20-23 | Hotel de Pare, Esternach |
| NETHERLANDS | August 1-10 | Ellecom, Netherlands (Holland) |
| NORWAY | June 28-July 5 | Ringsaker’s College between Hamar and Lillehammer |
| SPAIN | August 15-17 | Tarrasa |
| SWITZERLAND | September 6-14 | Chateau-D’Dex |
Chateau d’Oteppe in Belgium
Location of German Bahá’í summer school August 2-10.
EL SALVADOR LAUNCHES NEW TEACHING PLAN[edit]
Exciting new teaching activity is going on in El Salvador since the launching of a pilot teaching plan on January 26 of this year at a national Bahá’í Congress held in the capital city, San Salvador. The plan consists of assigning each active Bahá’í a goal locality of his choice near his place of residence, which he is responsible to visit at least once a month to create or stimulate Bahá’í activity. He is free to invite anyone he wishes to accompany him, but he is responsible for planning the visits to his goal. Generally, the more experienced Bahá’ís accompany the less experienced ones. After his visit, he fills out a mimeographed form, giving an account of the trip, and submits it to the National Teaching Committee.
The localities, selected by the Teaching Committee, surround Bahá’í centers in spiral form and were chosen among new towns, groups, isolated centers, and weak local spiritual assemblies. The list of localities was presented at the Congress and each participant chose his goal. A few offered to take on two goals. It was stressed that one did not have to be erudite in the Teachings or possess eloquence to participate in the plan; it could be enough just to give out literature and converse simply.
To assure the implementation of the plan without slackening, to keep aware of the activities of the participants, and to give them support and encouragement, the members of the National Teaching Committee (who themselves have goal localities) are each responsible for a certain number of the participants.
Each Bahá’í is encouraged to finance his own trips, but if he is unable, the National Teaching Committee gives him assistance.
In the first two months since the launching of this plan the following activity was generated: seventy-six teaching trips were made, forty-six persons participated in the trips, thirty-two localities were visited, seventy teaching reports of the trips were submitted, fifteen Bahá’ís enrolled in eight different localities (outside of the capital) and many new contacts were made, three new local spiritual assemblies have been assured.
As a result of the new teaching plan, many thrilling experiences are being told of finding receptive souls or of revitalizing an inactive Bahá’í group or isolated believer. So often the thought comes to mind: “What if I hadn’t gone to that village, I would have deprived that ready and waiting soul of hearing of the Message!”
The benefits of the plan are enormous. It has brought increased spiritual health to the Bahá’í community and to the individuals who are participating. They are busy teaching, thrilled with their new experiences, and the divine confirmations have opened new doors and drawn them closer to Bahá’u’lláh. Even a new Bahá’í, as shortly as practicable after he is enrolled, is given a goal of his choice by the National Teaching Committee and helped with it by more experienced Bahá’ís. In this way he experiences from the very beginning the fulfillment of Bahá’u’lláh’s promises to bestow divine inspiration and guidance upon whosoever arises to teach. One of the new believers in El Salvador took the Message by himself and on his own initiative to two villages within the first week of being a Bahá’í, even before there was time to assign him a goal!
Bahá’í Congress held in San Salvador, El Salvador, in January, which launched the national pilot teaching plan.
School Exhibit in India[edit]
The New Era High School at Panchgani held its Arts and Crafts Exhibition on April 23, 1969. It was extremely well planned, tastefully decorated, and skillfully conducted. The exhibition was opened by the principal of one of the schools in Panchgani.
During the day hundreds of visitors paid a visit to the school and appreciated the novel items on display which were made by the school children. In the afternoon children from all schools came in large numbers to the exhibition.
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At the sixth annual national Convention of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands held May 26-27, 1969.
Conventions in — Hawaii[edit]
Vietnam[edit]
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Vietnam. Left
to right: Le Loc, chairman; Le Can, vice-chairman; Le Gho,
secretary; Truong Liem Dong, treasurer; Nguyen Hoang Loc,
assistant secretary; Mrs. Tran Thi Giang Chau; Le Duy Thinh;
Quang Dinh Minh; and Nguyen van No.
National Bahá’í Convention held in Vietnam Riḍván 1969.
Australian Youth Arise[edit]
First National Conference[edit]
The Bahá’í youth of Australia held their first National Youth Conference at Bolton Place Bahá’í Summer School from April 4 through April 6. The youth present recommended the formation of a National Youth Committee to the National Spiritual Assembly and further set out a plan calling for youth pioneering, travel teaching, minority teaching, and contributions to the Fund as well as a plan to introduce the Faith into educational establishments. The National Spiritual Assembly has accepted the plan of the youth.
Hand of the Cause H. Collis Featherstone has written: “I have just come from the first Youth Convention of the Bahá’ís of Australia. There were eighty youth present from all States of Australia except Northern Territory. It was opened with all nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly present on Friday night and right from the start there has been a tremendous spirit such as I’ve not seen in Australia before, except perhaps at Intercontinental Conferences.”
Services at House of Worship[edit]
As part of the Proclamation program of the Australian national community, the Bahá’í youth presented the public service at the House of Worship on March 23. A choir, largely made up of youth, sang. After the service, the youth who were visitors were invited to the information room where a talk was given on the Faith, followed by questions and discussion. That evening a fireside was conducted by and for youth at the National Headquarters. Also as part of the Proclamation program, a special children’s service was incorporated into the public service on March 9. Children read simple prayers, and from Hidden Words, and Words of Wisdom.
Bahá’í youth at the first Australian Bahá’í Youth Convention 1969.
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Some of those who attended the special House of Worship public service on March 23, 1969, presented by the Bahá’í Youth as part of the Australian Proclamation program.
National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Australia held in April 1969.
New Board Member Announced at North East Africa Convention[edit]
The Annual Convention of North East Africa took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on April 26-27, with Counsellor Aziz Yazdi and Auxiliary Board member Ato Belete Worku present. It was announced that Dr. Hushang Ahdieh had been appointed as an Auxiliary Board member for the region. Delegates from Addis Ababa, Asmara, Mogadiscio, and for the first time from Tripoli (Libya) elected the following National Spiritual Assembly: Leo Niederreiter, chairman; Gila Michael Bahta, vice-chairman; Asfaw Tessema, secretary; Heshmat Farhoumand, treasurer; Mehtsun Tedla, Iraj Yeganeh, Ursula Samandari, Amanuel Mecconnen, and Rebbi Teclomariam.
Victories and Goals Cited at Teaching Conference[edit]
A regional teaching conference was held April 25, 1969, at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Addis Ababa. Teaching activities in Eritrea, especially in the Kunama area, were presented by the friends from Asmara, the community whose efforts restored the Kunama Assembly. Friends from Addis Ababa reported the formation of four new Assemblies: Gondar, Dire Dawa, Bulbua, and Gemeto. Friends from Somalia also gave a summary of their teaching activities.
Aziz Yazdi, of the Board of Counsellors, and Ato Belete Worku, Auxiliary Board member, stressed various aspects of teaching and the need to encourage each other to achieve our goals.
Bahá’í in the News[edit]
The Frankfurter Rundschau of Frankfurt, Germany carried an article on the Bahá’í House of Worship at Langenhain on February 13, 1969, with an accompanying photo. Entitled “Symbol of a United World” the account stated that between 500 and 1,000 persons visit the Temple every week end. It also gave a brief description of the Bahá’í Faith and its principles and mentioned its rapid growth in recent decades.
The Baden-Baden Daily (Germany), reported a talk by Dr. Eugen Schmidt in which he stated that Bahá’u’lláh, Who lived in the last century, had proclaimed the God-given rights of man.
Bahá’í Exhibit in Munich[edit]
Bahá’í students at the University of Munich (Germany) received permission last November for a weekly exhibit of Bahá’í literature. Exhibited every Wednesday beginning in November, it has been seen by thousands of student passers-by. A number of the students have become interested in the Faith, asked for information, and attended the weekly organized discussion classes held at the University.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of Germany elected Riḍván
1969. From left to right. Standing: Rene Steiner, vice-chairman; Peter Mühlschlegel; Dr. Farhad Sobhani; Dr. Bozorg
Hemmati, chairman; Huschmand Sabet; Hellmut Schmidt. Sitting: Anneliese Bopp, secretary; Otto Hafner, treasurer; Annemarie Krüger.
Bahá’í literature exhibit at the University of Munich.
The National Bahá’í Office for Human Rights Receives Award[edit]
At the dinner at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on May 15, when Mrs. Juliette Buford (fourth from
left, standing) Director of NABOHR received, on behalf of that office, the Silver Anvil Trophy awarded
by the Public Relations Society of America for outstanding performance in special events (See BAHÁ’Í NEWS June 1969, p. 17)
At the annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Jamaica, shown at left, held at Spanish Town, Auxiliary Board members Ellsworth
Blackwell and W. A. Mitchell were present with the delegates and friends. Right: National Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of
Jamaica elected April 27, 1969: left to right, front: Ivan A. Graham, Emily Taylor, Maud A. Gallier, Elaine Anglin, Neri Brown;
rear: (Ellsworth Blackwell) Dr. C. King, Leopold Seymour, Eustace Williamson. Not shown: Mrs. Esmie Burton.
Ellsworth Blackwell of Haiti, Auxiliary Board member, speaking at Port au Prince, Haiti chapter of the International Toastmaster’s club on “Equality of the Sexes.”
Some of the many people who gathered to pay a last tribute
to Dorlean Juste-Constant, a Bahá’í from Haiti who was well
known and respected throughout the country as well as among
the Bahá’ís themselves.
Nine of the Thirty-Nine Newly Formed Assemblies in the United States[edit]
“Foundation Stones of the New World Order”
Oceanside, California. Left to right, front: Laurene Ravellette,
Janice Rowe, Iris Danenberg, Cici Carson, Bob Carson; rear:
Mamie Humbles, Eulie Horne, Foster Buckner, Gerald Horne.
Fairfax, Virginia. Left to right, front: Eleanor Soo Fouts,
chairman; Donald E. Larson, vice chairman; Gretchen K. Border, secretary; Pauline Letbetter, Pari Mays; rear: Leroy K.
Fouts, Allen Baxley, Don C. Letbetter, Jr., G. Kenley Mays,
treasurer.
Town of Oyster Bay, New York.
Torrance, California, Left to right, rear: James Sparks, Tommie Naomir Rose, treasurer; Ralph Farmer, Myrna Hopkins,
secretary; Victor Hardin, chairman; middle: Karen Bridewell,
rec. secretary; Ruth Hardin, Ruth Farmer; front: Dale Bridewell, vice chairman.
Mesa, Arizona. Left to right, front: Seymour Malkin, chairman; Mel Richardson, Juanita Stuart, Margot Malkin, corres. secretary; Vivian Richardson, librarian; rear: Maurice
Kellerhouse, Ann Shutko, rec. secretary; David Stuart, Georgene Kelly, treasurer.
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Victorville, California. Left to right, rear: Eddie L. Roach,
Earlie Potts, David Russell, Julius Wertheimer, Thomas Randall; front: Dolores Roach, Leona Guild, Sue Guilliand, Donna
Taylor.
Idaho Falls, Idaho. Left to right, seated: Mrs. Joyce Booman,
Mrs. Karen Flynn, Mrs. Eleanore Conkling, Shirley Bailey,
Mrs. Dorothy Allan; standing: Glenn Booman, Jack Flynn,
Adrien Allan, John Conkling.
Fort Collins, Colorado. Left to right, standing: Peter T. Haug,
chairman; Jolie V. Haug, corres. secretary; Jules Vautrot, vice
chairman; Iraj Poostchi; seated: Steve Garrigues, treasurer;
Machiko Garrigues, Kaye Giffin, recording secretary; Mina
Poostchi, Richard Hutchins.
Fayetteville, Arkansas. Left to right, rear: James McGuire,
chairman; Patricia Martin, librarian; Mary Henley, Alan
Martin, Leslie Nott; front: Shirley Frangione, Julia Shows,
treasurer; Ann Davidson, Helen Nott, secretary.
Assemblies Achieving Incorporation Goal[edit]
New Berlin, Wisconsin, incorporated March 12, 1969. Left to
right, front: Mrs. Ione Billington, Mrs. Agnes Puza, Mrs.
Evelyn Gilbert, Mrs. Loraine Wilt; rear: Carl Reimer, Mrs.
Jessie Reimer, Dr. Francis Gilbert, Mrs. Jean Luderus, Tom
Billington.
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of El Cajon Judicial District,
California incorporated May 2, 1969. Left to right, seated:
Joseph Hoffman, Jr., Mrs. Lilah Hoffman, Jr., treasurer; Russell Neffew, chairman; Mrs. Goldie Neffew; standing: Mrs.
Kay Patton, corres. secretary; Mrs. Florence Ragland, Dr. Fred
Ragland, vice chairman; Mrs. Gnolee Rushing, recording secretary; Mrs. Joy Munson.
U.S. Local Assembly Incorporated[edit]
Lane County, Oregon, incorporated October 24, 1968. Left to
right, rear: Mrs. June Nichols, sec.; Mrs. Cora Altree, Mrs.
Dawn Altree, Mrs. Jean Ives, Mrs. Lyle James; front: Walter
James, Charles Altree, Wilbur Nichols, chairman; Norman Ives,
treasurer.
Local Assembly in Norway[edit]
The first local Spiritual Assembly of Trondheim, Norway,
formed Riḍván 1969. Seated: Edel Lange-Nielsen, Mirhangiz
Navidi, Aslaug Melbye, Pauline Ra’fat, Hanne Rasmussen.
Standing: Gunnar Lange-Nielsen, Hooshang Ra’fat, Steffen
Rasmussen, and Abdu’llah Navidi.
International News Briefs[edit]
The first local spiritual assembly in the Orkney Islands came into being Riḍván 1969 with the formation of the Assembly of Kirkwall. This Assembly, comprised of three Orcadians, two Persians, two South Africans, and two English, is the first Assembly to be formed in any island group around the British Isles and at its inception has a Bahá’í Center recognized by the Borough and thus exempt from taxes, has received recognition by the education authorities for the Bahá’í children to observe the Bahá’í holy days; has a record of excellent publicity; and a healthy Bahá’í Fund.
Guyana, the future seat of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Guianas to be formed at Riḍván 1970, exceeded its goals for Riḍván 1969 and formed three new assemblies.
At the invitation of the Hawaiian State Legislature, Bahá’ís presented invocations before the Legislature on April 1 and 2. On April 1 Dr. Richard Bauman, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, read two prayers revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; and on April 2 Dale Eng, chairman of the National Youth Committee, read Bahá’í prayers.
Another Nine Year Goal has been achieved with the founding of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of Italy on April 18, 1969.
As a result of the recent legal incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of Spain, that National Assembly is now able to greatly intensify teaching and proclamation efforts. It was possible to hold a public meeting for the first time and to present the Faith in a university, in a library, and in a movie house in the Catalonian region. Several articles on the Faith were published in Catalonia as well as in the Balearic and Canary Islands. The Name of Bahá’u’lláh has now been mentioned on the radio for the first time, and the Bahá’í principles have also now been announced on the radio. This radio publicity has been over the most important radio station — Radio Nacional de Madrid.
The National Spiritual Assembly of Tanzania has been officially recognized by the Tanzanian Government as a religious body in that country.
CORRECTION[edit]
It has been called to our attention, by Auxiliary Board member Curtis Kelsey, that it was Dr. Florian Krug who joined him in giving assistance to Isma’il Agha, in the incident related in the article Flowers to ‘Akká, BAHÁ’Í NEWS, May 1969, p. 8.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published for circulation among Bahá’ís only by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í world community.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee: Mrs. Sylvia Parmelee, Managing Editor; Mrs. Eunice Braun, International Editor; Miss Charlotte Linfoot, National Spiritual Assembly Representative; Mr. Rexford C. Parmelee.
Material must be received by the twenty-fifth of the second month preceding date of issue. Address: Bahá’í News Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091, U.S.A.
Change of address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. 60091.
