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| No. 479 | BAHA’I YEAR 127 | FEBRUARY, 1971 |
All the signs have been revealed; every prophetic allusion hath been manifested. Whatever hath been enshrined in all the Scriptures of the past hath been made evident. To doubt or hesitate is no more possible..... Time is pressing. The Divine Charger is impatient, and can tarry no longer. Ours is the duty to rush toward, and ere is too late, win the victory. ~‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Hand of the Cause Agnes Alexander Ascended to Abhá Kingdom[edit]
PROFOUNDLY GRIEVED PASSING ILLUMINED SOUL HAND CAUSE AGNES ALEXANDER LONG STANDING PILLAR CAUSE FAR EAST FIRST BRING FAITH HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HER LONG DEDICATED EXEMPLARY LIFE SERVICE DEVOTION CAUSE GOD ANTICIPATED BY CENTER COVENANT SELECTING HER SHARE MAY MAXWELL IMPERISHABLE HONOR MENTIONED TABLETS DIVINE PLAN HER UNRESTRAINED UNCEASING PURSUIT TEACHING OBEDIENCE COMMAND BAHÁ’U’LLÁH EXHORTATIONS MASTER GUIDANCE BELOVED GUARDIAN SHINING EXAMPLE ALL FOLLOWERS FAITH HER PASSING SEVERS ONE MORE LINK HEROIC AGE ASSURE FAMILY FRIENDS ARDENT PRAYERS HOLIEST SHRINE PROGRESS RADIANT SOUL REQUEST ALL NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES HOLD MEMORIAL MEETINGS AND THOSE RESPONSIBLE HOLD SERVICES MOTHER TEMPLE.
| CONTENTS
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THE COVER is the work of artist Mark Fennessy, one of a series of drawings with hand-lettered quotations now being used as programs for the Sunday afternoon services at the House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. The cover for the December 1970 Bahá’í News was also in this series. The quotation on the cover is to be found in The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, pages 111-112.
Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga Visits Fiji Islands[edit]
News of the third visit within seven months of a Hand of the Cause to the Fiji Islands since its first election during Riḍván 1970, was shared with all the believers in the area.
The new National Assembly had been launched in the presence of Hand of the Cause, Dr. R. Muhájir, who with Board of Counsellors member, Suhayal Ala’i, gave loving advice, inspiration and vision to the Institution and to the believers. A few weeks later Hand of the Cause Mr. H. Collis Featherstone spent a few days in Fiji after representing The Universal House of Justice at the formation of our sister National Assemblies in the South Pacific Ocean, of the Samoas, and of Tonga and the Cook Islands. He visited the friends in the nearby village areas — down the Rewa River to Lamanikoro, across the river to Navuso and up the river valley to Naluwai village.
And now a few months later our area was to be blessed with the visit of our dearly loved Hand of the Cause Mr. Enoch Olinga who had written that he hoped a program could be arranged enabling him to meet with the masses of the land. Recalling his visit twelve years ago when the people were greatly attracted to him, the National Assembly took the bold step of planning for nine public meetings throughout Fiji and also planning for a Teaching Conference for the believers. This plan called for the cooperation of all the assemblies, groups and even the isolated believers, as this was the first time in the history of the Faith in Fiji that such an extensive plan had been tackled and public meetings arranged over so wide an area — in some cases where there were no resident believers. Attractive posters were printed, and leaflets by the thousands were handed out to the people in city, town, suburb and village areas, and radio and press publicity was arranged. In the village areas, buses with banners attached and outboard motor boats were hired to visit the out-of-the-way villagers and invite them to attend. It seemed that all the Bahá’ís were busy.
At the Teaching Conference over forty believers gathered, including some from the distant islands of Lakeba and Rabe, and Mr. Olinga spoke of the National and International Institutions of the Faith, and he
Friends gathered at a Teaching Conference in Suva. Russ and Gina Garcia at back left and in center.
At the Teaching Conference ... Mrs. Garcia leading singing in honor of Mr. Olinga.
elaborated on the spiritual aspect of the laws of the
Faith; of our attitude of humbleness and obedience to
God; and the importance of the Bahá’ís being baptized
with the water of knowledge, the fire of love and the
gift of Faith. If we are to progress spiritually we
will not succeed unless after recognizing the Manifestations, we love God and our fellowmen, we obey His
laws, and we teach the Message to others. Mr. Olinga
also spoke both to the National Spiritual Assembly and
to the believers of teaching the masses and attracting
them to the Faith.
Mr. Olinga honored by age-old Fijian custom of presentation
of tabua (whale’s tooth). Photo shows Mr. Sekove Tasoqosoqo,
a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, making the
presentation.
At Lomanikoro in the river delta area, a formal
presentation of a whale’s tooth was made to the Chairman of the Provincial Council on behalf of the Bahá’í
Faith and Mr. Olinga, and in this way, ensured an
opening for future teachers to visit the villages in the
area, as the presentation was received on behalf of the
whole area. A beautiful spirit prevailed at this meeting
as there is no doubt of the great love of the Fijian
people for Mr. Olinga, and more especially so since the
indigenous Fijians believe that their ancestors have
come from Tanganyika in Africa. Their hearts melted
and tears filled eyes as Mr. Olinga assured them that in
Africa the people knew this also, and he had come to
convey their love and greetings and hoped that they
would one day return to visit their homelands. In reply
their leaders assured the Bahá’ís that future teachers
and visitors would be welcomed to their villages. A delicious meal of island food was eaten in the home of one
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After the presentation Mr. Olinga addressed the gathering ...
of the believers, and guitars were brought out and songs
sung while waiting for the people to gather in the
evening. Mr. Olinga addressed them in simple terms
and answered their questions, and attracted their hearts
to the Faith. The Bahá’í ladies in this area performed
their traditional mekes (dances) seated on the floor (the
movements being made with their arms). They told, in
song and dance, of the story of the crane looking for
prawns and being frustrated by the movements of the
tides and the day and night seasons. It was a relaxing
evening and everybody was happy. Mr. Olinga spent the
night in the village and returned by boat early next
morning.
At Nulawai Village the next day, he spoke on the same theme and once again won the hearts of all present. The Bahá’ís feel assured that Mr. Olinga’s visit to the village areas will long be a topic of conversation in the homes of the people, and at the various gatherings and they will discuss what they heard from him. In this way the love and knowledge of Bahá’u’lláh will eventually attract them.
The children gathered around Mr. Olinga in the town areas, and even in the shops and in the streets, people could not resist speaking to him — they had seen his picture in the paper and heard the radio announcements — this distinguished, loving, friendly man from Africa, a member of the Bahá’í Faith. What a change from other distinguished visitors in other walks of life!
Reports of this visit would not be complete without mention of talented international travelling teachers Russ and Gina Garcia. The children especially who flocked to hear Mr. Olinga were so happy to sing along with Russ and Gina at many of the public meetings. Singing and dancing play an important part in the life of the Fijian people and the coming of Russ and Gina to Fiji has enabled the Bahá’ís to learn simple melodies to express the Bahá’í teachings to their natural medium. This is a great attraction and acts like a magnet to gather the people together, and give expression to their natural happy feelings.
Russ and Gina also sailed their trimaran “Dawnbreaker” around the islands taking with them several young Fijian believers with the purpose of assisting with the public meetings arranged in areas where there were no resident Bahá’ís. They later visited other islands on teaching trips. This has a double purpose as it not only is a teaching trip, but it is also a means of deepening the young men who accompany them.
We will all long remember the happy times with and during this visit of Hand of the Cause Mr. Enoch Olinga, and feel sure that the “glad tidings” have indeed been diffused and a harvest will soon be gathered.
To meet the masses of the people Mr. Olinga travelled ... down the river by punt
into the mountains by bus
along the coast in trimaran “Dawnbreaker” belonging to the Garcias, and
across the seas to distant islands by plane
National Spiritual Assembly of the Fiji Islands[edit]
Mr. Olinga meets with Mr. Hugh Chance, member of The Universal House of Justice. In this picture is Australian pioneer
youth Mr. Gary Grainger with Mr. Russ Garcia and Fijian
believers.
Nine public meetings were arranged for Mr. Olinga. Mr. and
Mrs. Russ Garcia leading singing at meeting at Raiwaqa
where many children had gathered to meet Mr. Olinga.
The Eagle River, Alaska, Local Spiritual Assembly announces its incorporation as of September 8, 1970.
Front row: Herb Johnson, Treasurer; Mel Main; George
DeLoach, Vice-Chairman; Eugene Van Zanten. Back row:
Shirley Munro; Marian Johnson, Chairman; Lee DeLoach,
Secretary; Ethel Van Zanten; Katy Main.
JOURNEY INTO WONDERMENT[edit]
VENEZUELA. November 1970
Bahá’ís at an Institute in the Guajira in Venezuela. Mr. D.
Witzel, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors (in
the rear at the far right); Carol Berglund seated in front;
Lauretta Haynes is third from right.
Carol Berglund and Lauretta Haynes traveled
throughout Latin America from May through November of this past year on a trip initiated by the Audio-Visual Department of The Universal House of Justice
from their Center in the state of New York.
One of the projects in which the Center has been involved is the development of picture-lessons — a series of pictures which portray to indigenous people of various cultures the principles of the Bahá’í Faith. Slides, tapes, and photographs have been developed for use on several subjects and have been widely distributed.
The objectives of their trip were:
- to demonstrate the use of audio-visual materials in many parts of Latin America, particularly in the forward teaching areas.
- to bring back to the Center as much information as possible as to the needs of these areas, together with suggestions concerning new methods and materials to be developed and produced.
ECUADOR. October 1970
A dear Bahá’í family in Esperanza de San Rogue, Ecuador
whose home provided a beautiful meeting place for people to
learn about Bahá’u’lláh and His wondrous teachings for all
mankind.
- to shoot a new series of slides and photographs about Bahá’ís and Bahá’í Institutions in all areas, as well as to make tape recordings of native music, and of people speaking in different languages.
- to teach and deepen the friends wherever they went,
using audio-visual materials.
- “The movement itself from place to place, when undertaken for the sake of God, hath always exerted, and can now exert, its influence in the world.”1
PARAGUAY. July 1970
Several of the indigenous Bahá’í women and children who
came to the Teaching Institute in the Chaco in Paraguay.
Victoria, a dedicated traveling teacher from Asunción is
standing in the center and to the far right are Bradley and Jan
Alexander. The Alexanders are a pioneer family from the
United States who live at the Bahá’í Institute.
From Recife, Maceió, Bahia, Sao Paulo, Rio de
Janeiro, Curitiba, and Porto Alegre in Brazil; to the
Chaco, Embarcación and Córdoba in Argentina; to the
areas of Asunción in Paraguay; to Cochabamba, Santa
Cruz, Sucre, Potosí Tarija, Oruro, and La Paz in
Bolivia where they attended the Continental Conference; to Lima, Huancayo, Celendín, Cuzco, Puno, Areguipa, and Rakkchi in Peru; to Quito, Esmeraldas,
Otavalo, and Cuenca in Ecuador; to Bogotá, Barranquilla, Riohacha, Medellín, Quibdó in Colombia; to
Caracas, Puerto Ordaz, Ciudad Bolivar, Maracaibo,
and Los Mochos in Venezuela; to Georgetown and the
Amerindians in Guyana; to Paramaribo, Surinam —
by plane, train, and more often by truck and on foot
— the movement of these two friends brought such
confirmations. The voices of children were heard thanking them for coming to their homes — for the poverty is
so great and the effort is not often made in an area
which has very little materially and nothing spiritually.
But the Bahá’ís are so full of light, of joy, and their
faces shine as the gems on the diadem of the crown of
Bahá’u’lláh — how much we have to learn from these
dear brothers and sisters!
Although Carol and Lauretta spent some time in the cities, their main concern was with the people of the Campo (country). The delight of this continent is the diversity of the people — yet the courtesy, the music
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and the cooperation of the people in the rural areas is
pure and spontaneous. Wherever possible the two
separated in order to share with more of the friends the
materials that had brought them to their communities.
In each place the picture-lessons were demonstrated,
then each of the believers was given the opportunity to
give his understanding of how they are used (this is
important, for though the teachings are understood —
very often the friends need encouragement and practice to talk about them), and then the believers go out
in teams to teach their own peoples. How wonderful to
watch these dear souls teaching one another as they
learned!
Wherever they went they encouraged the mothers to learn the spiritual teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, for mothers are the first educators of the children. The curiosity of children is wonderful — their faces are so beautiful and they alert the people that the Bahá’ís have come. It is a good to travel with a local Bahá’í, particularly a youth or child, for this creates a trust. There is a power in these words! “Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’í. Come. There is something important you must learn.” And so the word travels that the Promised One has come and the Bahá’ís have brought His Word! Such is the spirit of mass teaching.
PERU. September 1970
In Racchi, Peru, an Indian Village, a Bahá’í teacher explains the meaning of a picture-lesson.
ECUADOR. October 1970
Lauretta Haynes discussing proclamation plans with two
dedicated Bahá’í teachers in Esperanza de San Rogue,
Ecuador. These teachers had been out all morning and
afternoon on foot announcing a public meeting for the late
afternoon.
PERU. September 1970
Lauretta Haynes with a Bahá’í teacher and his wife in the village of Sique Caballoni, Peru.
ECUADOR. October 1970
Bahá’ís gathering in Quito from many parts of Ecuador for a
weekend deepening institute. In front is Rufino Gualavisi, a
devoted Bahá’í teacher and Auxiliary Board member. The
young man with the guitar is a newly declared Bahá’í who had
been traveling throughout South America.
Carol and Lauretta wrote: “We traveled in areas
where no outsider had ever been — by foot — and the
people are so beautiful! Our most memorable visits
were with the Indian peoples — we left feeling that we
were the students and they the teachers.
“We know that there were fifteen villages in the Chaco waiting to hear of the Faith, but there was no time to go. The Conference in Bolivia was wonderful, for the spirit generated is still prevalent. After the Conference, traveling teachers went forth to those communities and are teaching and there is mass acceptance of the Faith.
“In Los Mochos we found an all-Indian local Spiritual Assembly, and this community is wonderful, for they have initiated their own teaching efforts, their own institute, cemetery, etc. And in Ecuador there is a pioneer family. Their daughter spent three weeks in the Guajira with the Indian women. When they returned to the capital, she was invited to stay in comfortable quarters, but thanking them said that she wished to stay with her Guajira sisters. She is nine years old! The people are constantly working — the women spinning as they walk and we were made more aware of how wonderful that Bahá’u’lláh has exalted work done in the spirit of service to the station of worship. In Bahia the people were so happy to hear that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had foretold a great spiritual destiny for their city. Everywhere we prayed, we sang, we laughed.
[Page 8]
“What did we find in South America? Abject poverty,
orphans and beggars, superstition that can only be
obliterated by the truth of Bahá’u’lláh. But especially
we found such beautiful souls, and the faces of the
Bahá’ís are radiant. Traveling teachers are needed in
this continent... but should you go, you will be the
student.”
“The time has come when we must part, but the separation is only of our bodies, in spirit we are united forever.”2
The International Bahá’í Audio-Visual Center, located in Victor, New York, was established in 1966 by The Universal House of Justice. Its purpose is to develop and make available audio-visual materials for use in teaching the Faith, and its services are available to the Bahá’í world through the National Spiritual Assemblies.
LA PAZ, BOLIVIA. August 1970
Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum
with Miguel Diez, Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Bolivia on her left and Mas’úd Khamsi,
a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for South
America, at one of the night meetings at the Continental Conference in La Paz, Bolivia.
LA PAZ, BOLIVIA. August 1970
Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum
(front) at airport in La Paz, Bolivia with friends. From left to
right is Dr. E. Ouladi, Vice-Chairman of the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Bolivia; E. Rezvani, Treasurer of
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Bolivia; A
Cannon, pioneer from the United States to Bolivia; R. Baskin,
Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of
Bolivia; Carol Berglund of the International Bahá’í Audio-Visual Center; and J. Caruana, a pioneer from the United States to Bolivia.
FOOTNOTES
1 THE ADVENT OF DIVINE JUSTICE, Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois 1939, page 70
2 AN EARLY PILGRIMAGE, May Maxwell, George Ronald, Wheatley, Oxford 1917—this edition 1953, page 43.
ECUADOR. October 1970
Señor España, a Bahá’í teacher, reads while waiting for a meeting to begin in the Bahá’í Center in Quinindé, Ecuador.
Important Taiwan Goal Achieved[edit]
The incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Taiwan, the main goal of The Universal House of Justice’s Nine Year Plan for this Island was achieved with rejoicing on November 30, 1970 — 127 Bahá’í Era.
Members of the National Spiritual Assembly are from left
to right as follows: Yu Su-Ho, Tsao Kai-Ming, Mrs. Rezvanieh
Suleimani, Mrs. Mehri Molin, Suleiman A. Suleimani, Mrs.
Annabel Whittier, Mrs. Elizabeth Yen, Lin Yi-Mou, Kit Yin-Kiang.
Teaching in the Cameroon Republic[edit]
First Pioneers from Cameroon sent to Foreign Posts and one
Homefront pioneer with the secretary of the National Spiritual
Assembly.
Left to Right: Standing, Mbeng Jacob, Pioneer for Abong Mbang. Sitting: Moses Eyong Tambi for Corisco Island, Benard Nkwa for Rio Muni, Martin Tarh Ashunyar for Santa Isabel, Mr. Joseph Ashurock Guru for Sao Tome. Standing: Prince Ayuk-Afue, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Cameroon Republic.
Extension course held at Fontem, Bangwa, Cameroon Republic. Sitting in native dress is His Highness, the Fon of Fontem
who attended the course held in his palace. Teachers were:
Mr. Simeon Areneke and Mr. Samson Forchark, with the
Homefront Pioneer Martin Tarh Ashunyar.
Picture taken on teaching trip to Yaounde.
Left to Right: Mrs. Eulalia Bobo, Miss Louise Stewart, Miss Shehin Pezeshkzad, Mrs. Sarah Williams and Mrs. Zora Banks.
Teaching in Arlington, Texas[edit]
The Friends in Arlington presented The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to Mayor Tom Vandergriff of Arlington on the anniversary of the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh. An article on the presentation and the Faith appeared in the local newspaper, along with the enclosed photograph.
Left to right are: Saadat Ostovar, Dinah Norton, Ghodsi Ostovar, Mayor Tom Vandergriff, Eugene Dornbrook,
Jeanette Hedayati, Vahid Hedayati.
The proclamation of World Peace Day in Arlington,
Texas began on September 15 with a ten-day display in
the main floor of the library at the University of Texas
at Arlington. Using large architectural panels the
Bahá’ís’ of Arlington constructed a nine-sided structure
with a triangular walk-in entrance.
The theme of the display was “Man’s Quest for Peace.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablet to the Hague provided the inspiration and captions for a series of posters contrasting war and peace. “... war is darkness upon darkness, while peace is heavenly light; war is like a devouring wolf while peace is like the angels of heaven ...” Graphic visual materials taken from the photographic essay The Family of Man and other magazines gave dramatic impact to the words of the Master. The pamphlet Towards a Universal and Lasting Peace was available at the display.
The film A New Wind attracted audiences for a discussion of world peace on two consecutive evenings. Sunday, September 20 and Monday, September 21. Mrs. Louise Matthias and Suellen Dornbrook presented talks relating the film to the Bahá’í way to peace through a new world order.
Bahá’ís at the University of Texas at Arlington rejoiced at the approval of the Bahá’í club on campus with a week long proclamation, from November 30 through December 4. Excited Bahá’ís set up a beautiful booth in the student center using photographs and clippings from Bahá’í News, The American Bahá’í and materials from the Audio-Visual department of the Publishing Trust, including the new posters entitled Bahá’u’lláh — the Glory of God.
The display table was covered with a beautiful Persian blanket which attracted many of the students, faculty and visitors.
In connection with the booth, the friends arranged a display case containing articles from Bahá’í centenary celebration, a special African issue featuring the dedication of the Kampala House of Worship, and a German newspaper account of the 1967 Intercontinental Conference, also the beautiful devotional programs from the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.
The film It’s Just the Beginning was shown continually on the hour on Wednesday Dec. 4 to a total audience of
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sixty people. Earnest discussion followed each showing
and many were moved to tears at this wondrous plan of
the new dawn.
During the week over two-hundred pamphlets were distributed and thousands of students learned of Bahá’u’lláh.
Every weekend the friends in Arlington gather together for prayers and then disperse to neighboring towns, teaching and enrolling new believers to the kingdom. During the week also, friends are going out, teaching and deepening. Newly enrolled believers accompany the friends in teaching other waiting souls. The light of faith is spreading throughout this area. Friends have also been visiting the churches and when asked by the ministers what message they bring, the message of Bahá’u’lláh is delivered to the congregations, who have been responsive and extending invitations to return and bring more Bahá’ís.
Arlington friends write “How thrilling it is invite our brothers and sisters to the Kingdom of God, souls who are thirsting to hear the message of their Lord. You must be receiving beautiful stories of teaching the Faith. When walking down the street in one town, we saw a woman standing just inside her door; we said, ‘Hi,’ and she responded by saying, ‘Hi’ and coming outside her door greeted us by asking ‘What news do you bring me?’ The glad tidings we brought made her very happy. We enrolled a minister who goes from church to church preaching. Now, he said, he has something to really tell the people. In another place, a friend met a waiting soul who said she was telling people that Jesus was alive in 1844, and now upon hearing the Message of Bahá’u’lláh she was experiencing the happiest day of her life. The stories go on and on; the happiness grows deeper, and the Kingdom brighter.
“In this part of Texas we have enrolled over 600 new believers and opened seventy-five new cities to the Faith since September 1st.”
Teaching in Chile[edit]
The teaching work among the Mapuches of Chile is gaining momentum. Since 1964 the Bahá’í Faith has been carried to several contiguous Mapuche areas near the small town of Nueva Imperial. Of necessity the work was sporadic, as from time to time a group of traveling teachers were able to spend a week or so in the area. In November last year both expansion and consolidation efforts were carried on alone by one pioneer dedicating full time to the work.
It takes a while for a pioneer to become acquainted with the territory, to learn to walk cross-country for long hours over long distances, to duck under barbed wire fences, cross rivers and streams and to brave the attacks of the ever-present watch dogs. The kindly interest and assistance of the natives helps greatly during these first months. Most of the Mapuches understand and speak Spanish fairly well, thus eliminating the need for interpreters.
The best period for teaching in this area is from November to April when there is only the hot sun, wind and great waves of dust to contend with. The Chilean rainy winter weather generally lasts from May to October. During this period because of heavy rains, deep mud, impassable roads and inundated areas, the teaching and consolidation work is drastically curtailed.
By last April five new Spiritual Assemblies were formed, bringing the total number of Mapuche Assemblies to twelve. There is also a group with eight members and five new localities are ready with more than enough members to form their Local Assemblies next April. There are four localities with less than nine members, two of these are small towns.
Several believers from these Mapuche communities are being lovingly prepared to take part in the teaching work among their own people. Hopefully with their assistance and the occasional teaching trips to this zone which are being planned by other Bahá’ís, the number of Mapuche Bahá’ís, not far from 400 at present, will be greatly increased.
Plans are now being made to further stimulate the expansion of the Faith in the province through the regular use of teaching teams.
Some of the members of the Huentehualfe Bahá’í Community, Cautin Province, Chile.
Some of the members of the Bahá’í Community of Loncopulle, Cautin Province, Chile.
Another Goal Achieved: Yaqui Language Translation[edit]
From Mérida, Yucatan, we received the news that a teaching booklet about the Bahá’í Faith has now been translated into Yaqui, fulfilling one of the Nine-Year Plan goals. The work was done by El Señor Emilio Vegas, who is a Yaqui Indian and El Señor Joaquin Camara, a Mayan, both from Yucatan. The booklet was revised and is now in the process of being printed. It will be a great help among the Yaquis of a vast area of Sonora. Joaquin Camara and his wife Nelda left Yucatan with their four children to pioneer in Sonora more than a year ago.
Papua - New Guinea’s Second Convention[edit]
The Second Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Papua-New Guinea was held at Lae on the 25th and 26th of April last year. Fifty-seven of the friends attended including thirty-six delegates, seven members of the outgoing National Spiritual Assembly and visitors from many parts of Papua-New Guinea, and visitors from Australia and New Zealand.
Outgoing Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, David Podger told the friends that the Convention was an important event as it enabled Bahá’ís from all parts of Papua and New Guinea to meet together and talk together — something normally very difficult in Papua-New Guinea with its multiplicity of languages and its poor communication system.
The Convention was interrupted by the arrival of the two delegates from Medina, Romulus and Elias, along with the two delegates from Balaun Is. near Manus, Ngat Kilangit and Ngi Selau. Romulus and Elias had made a pre-Convention teaching trip to isolated Baluan to assist with the delegates’ election and the local assembly elections.
Shortly after this, there was another happy interruption when Endi Daves and Mungaia arrived from a teaching trip among the scattered islands in the Talasea area of West New Britain. They reported the election of five new Local Assemblies in this area and the enrollment of more than thirty new believers. These were the last arrivals and the Convention then proceeded according to the program.
The Secretary, Mrs. Margaret Bluett, gave her report. The main points consisted of the establishment of the National Office, the printing of Kundu — the newsletter, and the general establishment of a National Assembly in its first year. Mr. Noel Bluett, Legal officer, announced that the National Assembly was now incorporated. This achieved one of the major goals of the Nine Year Plan of The Universal House of Justice.
Next morning, the 26th, the friends assembled for the main work of the Convention — the election of the new National Spiritual Assembly and the consultation by the delegates.
While the votes were being counted, the telegraphed message of The Universal House of Justice was read in Pidgin — copies of this were given to each delegate.
Auxiliary Board member, Violet Hoehnke, gave us the message from the Continental Board of Counsellors, a message from Hand of the Cause H. Collis Featherstone and an inspirational talk including references to the message from The Universal House of Justice.
This session was followed by further consultation among the delegates resulting in many recommendations to the new National Assembly. This period was characterized by an awakening sense of national responsibility, an almost miraculous feeling for people previously so divided by language and racial barriers.
There were thirty-six of the thirty-eight delegates present at the Convention and those present felt that this Convention was a truly deepening and consolidating event and that the effects would be felt for months to come in villages all over Papua and New Guinea.
Spitzbergen Goal[edit]
The hearts of Bahá’ís in Norway rejoice over the achievement of the goal of a group in Spitzbergen, through the arrival there early in November of Gunnar and Edel Lange-Nielsen of Trondheim, Norway. This goal was given “priority over all other Bahá’í activity in Norway” by The Universal House of Justice in 1966. After many attempts, the goal was opened by Paul Adams from England, who had permission to remain for the purpose of writing a book. He lived there as a hunter until he was replaced by Arnold Zonneveld from Holland. Since Arnold left the goal was empty. Now the door has opened as a result of Gunnar’s initiative and enterprise, whereby he is able to write his thesis for his degree from the Norwegian Technical University in architecture on Projects in the Mining Community of Spitzbergen. Edel, who has been studying at the Teachers’ College in Trondheim, plans to continue her studies “telegraphically” as other communication is closed from November to April or May. She will also spend a few hours each day in the office of the Norwegian Coal Company.
This young couple have been reading the Spitzbergen newspaper for about a year to keep in touch with activities there, and they are convinced that the great need during the “dark days” is for something to occupy their free time or recreation. To meet this need they have plans to offer classes on subjects in which they are qualified to teach, such as English, painting, photography and music, for which they have taken a collection of records from 1500 to the present time. They have also taken over 1000 slides to show the cultures of foreign countries which they have visited, the latest being Persia. Gunnar also took his drums as for many years he has been playing with dance orchestras.
“Of course,” he pointed out, “if there is no interest for these subjects, we must try other things. We have burned our bridges,” he continued, “and go now to a new experience, that of living in an isolated community. Edel has lived for a time in the Nevada desert, and I have been to sea, which is our only experience for isolation.” “It is all terribly exciting,” Edel declared, as the small coal boat “Binny” left Lofoten Island for Spitzbergen.
Before their departure on Oct. 20th, due to misinformation, Gunnar and Edel had ten days for intensive teaching activity in Svolvaer. The Secretary of the group reported that they were able to proclaim the Faith to over ten percent of the inhabitants. All possible means had been utilized for this purpose — a public meeting, firesides every day and the showing of slides on the subject The Holy Places of Four World Religions in Israel to over 265 students in the schools.
The press also gave an interview which appeared in Lofotposten on the first page with a large picture of Gunnar and Edel looking at a large photograph of Longyearbyen, Spitzbergen, their destination. Under the picture appeared the headline “With Persian Rug and Drums to Spitzbergen” and there followed several columns covering this projected journey. The next day a long article appeared on the achievement of consultative status by the Bahá’í Community to the United Nations. There was also an interview in a newspaper from Finnmark in Northern Norway.
For Christmas mail a plane left Tromsö, Norway December 12th for Spitzbergen and indeed many letters, and a cassette recorder were on the plane marked: Mr. and Mrs. Gunnar Lange-Nielsen, Formannsmessa, Longyearbyen, Spitzbergen 9170.
Sardinia Goal Gained[edit]
The First Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Cagliari, Sardinia. Seated Left to right: Manige Amir-Golestani, Livia Pargentino, Lia Marongiu, Hazel Aikman. Standing: Gabriele
Terranova, Ehssan Besciarati, Feridun Mazlum, Auxiliary
Board member James Holmlund, Dariush Ighani.
The first local Spiritual Assembly of the Island of
Sardinia was formed at Cagliari in April, 1970, fulfilling
a goal of the Nine Year Plan.
Already the fruits of the formation of this administrative body are becoming tangible. One hundred inquirers attended the first public meeting organized in May by the newly formed Assembly. In July came the declaration of Signora Maria Loi, and the friends are confident that it will not be long before many more local people declare their faith in Bahá’u’lláh. What has been most heartening is the large number of young people who have become very interested in the Faith and attend meetings regularly.
In July the volume The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh was presented to the Chancellor of the University of Cagliari, the local Director of the R.A.I. (Italian Broadcasting Network) and the Chief of Police for the province of Cagliari. In recalling that the Bahá’ís had held a public meeting in the city of Cagliari in May, the Chief of Police said: “You are the people who want to see peace and unity in the world. These are very beautiful ideals and if all men were to follow them, there would be none of this confusion and disorder.”
The Island of Sardinia was first opened to the Faith in 1953 by Knight of Bahá’u’lláh Marie Ciocca. She served the Faith devotedly for fifteen years until she passed to the Abhá Kingdom in 1968. Two years later the first Spiritual Assembly of Cagliari was formed.
[edit]
A Scandinavian Teaching Conference was held in Oslo over the weekend of Nov. 28th and 29th with over sixty Bahá’ís present. Dorothy Ferraby, member of the Board of Counsellors, spoke on “The Functions of the Institutions of the Bahá’í Administration” and reports followed on the accomplishments of the goals of the Nine Year Plan from each of the Scandinavian countries and Finland. “Inspiration for the Achievement of the Remaining Goals” was presented by Hadi Asfahi of Sweden followed by a discussion period.
A Unity Feast was held that evening and the Bahá’ís had opportunity to really become acquainted with one another, and receive further inspiration from different individuals on successful methods and means of teaching which had been employed to achieve their goals. Entertainment was also provided by the talented ones present.
Inger Hjelme of Denmark spoke Sunday morning on “The Relation Between the Two Pillars in Bahá’í Administration and the Functions of Each” which was followed by a discussion. In the afternoon Dorothy Ferraby spoke on “The Importance of Cooperation Between the Scandinavian Countries” with regard to work with the youth; new teachers and pioneers from one country to the other; the care of the individual believers through love to grow and develop; the need for the use of the obligatory prayer, and prayers in unity over all of Europe from nine to ten each evening for the progress of the Faith.
A cable was sent to The Universal House of Justice and to Hand of the Cause, Adelbert Mühlschlegel with greetings from the Bahá’ís present.
German-Speaking Conference[edit]
A German-speaking Conference was held in Zürich, Switzerland on November 28 and 29, 1970, under the auspices of the
European Board of Counsellors. Present were Hands of the
Cause Dr. Mühlschlegel and Mr. Robarts with sixty friends
from Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland. They
discussed ways and means to forward the goals of the Plan in
German-speaking countries.
Conference in Iran[edit]
Participants of the Conference from right to left: Dr.
Iraj Ayman (Counsellor), Mr. Hadi Rahmani (Counsellor), Dr. Manuchehr Mofidi, Mr. Vahdat, Mr. Ebrahim
Khalili, Dr. Rowhani, Dr. Masih Farhangi (Counsellor),
Mrs. Mahaniyan, Mr. Muhammad Eshraqi, Hand of the
Cause Mr. ‘Alá’í, Dr. Yusuf Abasiyan, Hand of the
Cause Dr. Varqá, Dr. Dakhili.
The Continental Board of Counsellors in Western Asia
convened a Conference of all the Auxiliary Board
members in Írán which according to the Riḍván message of The Universal House of Justice is now increased
to eight.
The purpose of this meeting was to study all the writings on the duties and functions of the Auxiliary Boards and divide Persia among the Auxiliary Board members so that each one would have a definite zone of responsibility.
The Auxiliary Board members were requested to work very closely with the friends, local Spiritual Assemblies,
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groups, as well as the regional pioneering and
teaching committees in their own zone in order to ensure the successful completion of the remaining home
front goals of the Nine Year Plan. We had the honor and
pleasure of having Hands of the Cause of God Mr. ‘Alá’í
and Dr. Varqá participating in some of our sessions.
The Conference was very successful and as a result we are receiving reports from all parts of Írán informing us of a new spirit of dedication and service. An ever increasing number of pioneers are opening up new localities.
We hope that through the untiring efforts of the Auxiliary Board members in Írán our dear Bahá’í friends in that country may successfully complete the remaining home front goals in time.
First National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda[edit]
Members of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahá’ís of Uganda, seated from left to right: Mr. Enos
Epyeru, Assistant Treasurer; Mr. Javan Gutosi, Treasurer;
Mr. S. M. Isimai, Secretary; Mr. Moses Senoga, Vice-Chairman
and Assistant Secretary. Standing from left to right: Mr. Julias
Nambafu, Augustin Massati, Augustin Naku, and Albert Ocamodek.
The Convention group photograph taken on the veranda of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Uganda.
The photograph taken with Hand of the Cause Paul Haney
and members of the Continental Board of Counsellors for
Central and East Africa; seated from left to right: Dr. M.
Samandari representing The Universal House of Justice at
Uganda Convention, Mr. Kolnerio Oule, Hand of the Cause
of God Mr. Paul Haney, Mr. Oloro Epyeru, and Mrs. Isobel
Sabri. All standing are the members of the National Spiritual
Assembly of Uganda.
Nairobi Exhibit[edit]
A Bahá’í stall was successfully organized by the Nairobi local Spiritual Assembly in collaboration with the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Kenya at this year’s Nairobi agricultural show held from 29th September to 4th October, 1970. It was reported that no less than 5,000 Bahá’í pamphlets were distributed to people at the recent Nairobi Agricultural Show. That is to say out of about 290,000 people who attended the show, at least 5,000 or over received the pamphlets. The simple designs exhibited at the stall, were a great source of attraction to the public from the very first day of the show, and impressed many people who were passing by and provoked many questions from them on
[Page 16]
the Faith which were answered by the Bahá’ís present.
The enclosed photograph shows how the stall was
designed, and the Bahá’ís standing are some of those
who did wonderful service at the exhibit.
Mauritius Observes United Nations Day[edit]
A delegation of the National Spiritual Assembly, Mrs. Navidi and Mr. R. D. Lutchmaya, called on Mr. John Birt, United Nations representative in Mauritius. He warmly received the delegation and expressed his gratitude when the book The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh was presented to him. He has sent a letter of thanks.
On the 22nd October 1970, one of the main daily newspapers published a press release.
An exhibition of the United Nations materials and Bahá’í principles and teachings was held at the Bahá’í Institute from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th October. The exhibition was advertised in the four main dailies and it was announced as a news item on the T.V. and radio.
The exhibition attracted more than two hundred visitors.
A luncheon given at Mrs. Navidi’s place for members of the press and leaders of thought was well attended. In the relaxed atmosphere of an informal discussion, the Bahá’í Faith and the United Nations, the problems besetting the present world and the solutions proposed by the Bahá’í Faith were the topics of the day.
Exhibition held at the Bahá’í Institute on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the United Nations.
Mrs. S. Navidi, member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Indian Ocean presenting the book of
Proclamation to Mr. Birt, UN representative on the
occasion of the 25th anniversary of the United Nations.
EL SALVADOR EXHIBIT[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of El Salvador sponsored a booth in the fourth International Fair of El Salvador.
Facing the booth from the aisle on the left wall was a branch with eight leaves, six composed of collages of faces of people from all lands and races and on the two remaining leaves: “This is the hour of the unity of the sons of men and the coming together of all races and classes.” and next to that: “Ye are the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch.” Then next to that the quote: “Nothing but the celestial power of the Word of God is capable of harmonizing the sons of men.” The theme that all the religions are one was depicted by figures representing the various religions and civilizations all bathed in the light of one God, and accompanied by the quote, “All the people of the world, of whatever race or religion they may be, derive their inspiration from one Celestial Source and are the servants of
[Page 17]
the same God”. This whole panel had the title under it,
“THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH — LIGHT FOR A NEW WORLD”.
In the middle panel is the word “Bahá’u’lláh” in very large blue letters, “the Glory of God” in smaller gold
letters and then in blue beneath this, “The Promised
One has Come.” On the panel on the right side
were the twelve principles, shown in the form of construction blocks, tastefully done under the title “The
Basis for Constructing a New World,” and this was
followed by a map of the world showing the extension of
the Faith with colored pictures from the Holy Land
and the Temples.
Volunteers were used to staff the booth and during the day there were usually two or more present and in the evenings three to four. The following system was found to be most effective: when people passed we offered them a pamphlet and say “Good evening, come in” or “Come in and see the Bahá’í stand.” Many people entered when invited in this manner. More than forty people contributed their time in this way, in addition to time spent in planning and constructing it.
72,050 pamphlets were distributed, Divine Symphony and Rumbo Hacia el Futuro were sold (about 65 altogether). 1,053 names were left by people who wish to receive the Correspondence Course which we offer.
The National Proclamation Committee, as well as collaborating in every way possible with the project, was responsible for placing musical spots, professionally recorded, on four radio stations, inviting people to visit the stand. Also very attractive flyers were printed repeating the motive of the construction blocks with the principles and were distributed by air in the fourteen departments of the country.
National Spiritual Assembly of France[edit]
From left to right, front row: Mme Marie Thérése Moreau,
Secretary; Mr. François Petit, Chairman; Mme Henriette
Samimy; Mme Josette Vahdat, Recording Secretary; back
row, from left to right, Mr. George Starcher; Mr. Tarazollah
Abrar, Treasurer; Mr. Chahab Alai; Mr. Nosrat Tirandaz; Mr.
Salim Nounou, Vice-Chairman.
Back Row: left to right, Mr. Idris Hussein; Mr. Victor
Williams, Treasurer. Middle Row: left to right, Mr. Waisea
Navunicagi; Mr. Ratu Savenaca Seniloli; Dr. Peter Woodrow,
Chairman; Miss A. F. (Bobbie) Leedham, Vice-Chairman;
Mrs. Irene Williams, Secretary. In front on steps: Mr. Sekove
Tasoqosoqo, and Mr. John Milne.
[Page 18]
Fourteenth annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of North East Asia held at Ashiya, Japan April 1970. Hand of the Cause of God Dr. R. Muhájir is in the center of the picture.
Guatemala Holds Teacher Training Institutes[edit]
Guatemala held a series of National Teacher Training Institutes, consecutively from November 21 to 29. About thirty Bahá’ís from all sections of Guatemala attended, eight to twenty persons at a time, during the nine days of the Institute. Attending were blacks, whites, Latin Americans, Quiche Indians, and included four women.
The third institute, held from Nov. 23 to 27, proved to be the most exciting as a mock assembly was elected from among the students which then made most of the decisions related to the classes and management of the Institute. Members of the mock assembly learned by experience some of the pitfalls into which consultation can fall.
By decision of the “Assembly,” the students went on two teaching trips and brought back the names of thirty persons who wanted to take the correspondence course on the Faith.
Classes covered the basic history and teachings of the Faith. There were question and answer periods, and time was set aside for memorizing prayers. Evenings were spent reading from The Dawn Breakers.
Enthusiasm of the Institutes resulted in the declaration of two new believers. Four new Bahá’í songs were composed. The exhausted but exhilarated directors of the Institute exclaimed to each other: “I never dreamed it could go so well! Bahá’u’lláh did everything.”
Members of the first Assembly of Clarksdale, Mississippi are:
lower, left to right, Miss Patricia Anderson; Mrs. Diane
Scheffer, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Alberta Madlock; Mrs.
Deloris Morrison, Corresponding Secretary; top, Miss Beau
Carter; Miss Francis Roach; Alan Scheffer, Chairman; Mrs.
Carolyn McIntosh; Larry Schwandes, Vice-Chairman.
Fairs and Exhibits[edit]
The theme of progressive revelation is graphically shown in
this exhibit placed by the Bahá’ís of San Rafael, California in
the County Library.
Bahá’í exhibits in fairs continue to be an effective
way of announcing the Faith to large numbers of
people, and often bring immediate results, as well as
those for the more distant future.
The Bahá’í Community of San Rafael, California reports that proclamation there recently included a long term exhibit on Progressive Revelation in the County Library in the famous Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center building in Marin which attracts many tourists from all over the world. The pamphlet One Universal Faith was distributed in connection with this exhibit. The same exhibit was also the focal point for the Bahá’í booth at the Marin Art and Garden Fair, the annual attendance at which is over 32,000.
From New Haven, Connecticut comes a report of exhibits in two fairs: North Haven and Guilford, at which a total attendance was well over 100,000. In a total of seven days during which the exhibits were held, over 2000 pamphlets were given out, many conversations held, and over fifty names given by those interested in learning more about the Faith. Meetings have been planned for those interested and the thirty-six believers who helped by manning the booths have had the joy of helping others learn about Bahá’u’lláh.
Rapid City, South Dakota hosted the Central States Fair, at which the Bahá’ís had a booth. Between six and seven hundred pamphlets were distributed during the four days of the event and a number of inquirers came afterwards to a fireside held at the close of the fair.
Reactions of the visitors to the Bahá’í exhibit varied all the way from that of questioning to stares and frowns and smiles to friendly visiting. Some of those attending were so well informed on Bible prophecy that they referred to the sign of His coming as being the appearance of two stars shining in the heavens.
Bahá’í exhibit in Rapid City, South Dakota
Those attending the Stamford, Connecticut Bahá’í School held every Sunday morning. People come from Greenwich, Darien, Norwalk, Bridgeport and elsewhere. This is the second year the school has been held.
BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST[edit]
1971 BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE CATALOG AND SPECIAL MATERIALS CATALOG AVAILABLE
Copies of the new 1971 catalogs of Bahá’í Literature and Special Materials have been sent to each local Spiritual Assembly, local librarian and State Goals Committee, and ten free copies of each catalog will be sent upon request with the next order from each community librarian. These are to be distributed to the local committees. Bahá’í librarians may order additional copies for distribution in the community at ten cents each (which covers handling cost only). It is hoped that all individual Bahá’ís will secure a copy of both catalogs, thus becoming better informed on Bahá’í materials and literature.
Bahá’í Special Materials Catalog. The broader term “Special Materials” replaces the more specialized term “Audio-Visual.” Special Materials includes audio-visual items as well as instructional media, ringstones, postcards, badges, buttons, photographs, plaques, information kits, stickers and all other items carried by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust that are not literature but are coming to play a significant role in teaching and deepening programs. The Special Materials Catalog carries full ordering instructions on the inside cover, and orders must be made on the particular Special Materials Order Blank.
Bahá’í Literature Catalog. Contains up-to-date information on price changes, new titles and a brief description of each item. With the intensive, worldwide proclamation of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh and the widespread expansion of the Faith, the Bahá’í literature becomes ever more important, not only for its direct use in proclamation and teaching, but also for the persistent effort of the believers to understand more and more the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. In the words of The Universal House of Justice: “The answers are to be found in the Sacred Writings of our Faith and in their interpretation by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’ and our beloved Guardian. Let the friends immerse themselves in this ocean, let them organize regular study classes for its constant consideration, and, as reinforcement to their effort, let them remember conscientiously the requirements of daily prayer and reading of the Word of God enjoined upon all Bahá’ís.” (Wellspring of Guidance, p. 114)
Order from Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, 60091.
The Local Spiritual Assembly (An Institution of the Bahá’í Administrative Order). Compiled by The Universal House of Justice.
In August 1970 The Universal House of Justice addressed all National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’í world stating: “As the Bahá’í Administrative Order rapidly expands throughout the world it behooves everyone associated with it to familiarize himself with its principles, to understand its import and to put its precepts into practice. Only as individual members of local spiritual assemblies deepen themselves in the fundamental verities of the Faith and in the proper application of the principles governing the operation of the Assembly will this institution grow and develop toward its full potential.” Enclosed in the letter was a brief compilation from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi setting forth some of the Bahá’í principles and their application. The Universal House of Justice expressed the hope that these extracts would “suffice as an introduction to a more profound study of the subject, and lead to a more efficient functioning of local spiritual assemblies everywhere.”
This compilation was sent in mimeograph form by the National Spiritual Assembly to all Local Spiritual Assemblies, and it has now been made available in a convenient 5½”x8½” printed booklet.
10 copies | $2.50 |
25 copies | $5.00 |
Bahá’í Prayers (Combined), Paperbound. A new
printing of Bahá’í Prayers includes an attractive paperbound combined edition which will sell at the low
cost of fifty cents per copy. The paper cover has been
double coated for extra strength, is in a maroon color
and distinctively designed. The contents and size are
the same as the leatherette bound edition.
General edition, per copy | $1.35 |
Combined edition, leatherette cover, per copy | $1.60 |
Combined edition, paper cover, per copy | $ .50 |
New Cassettes
| 20-C-2011 |
A Commentary on Epistle to the Son of the Wolf by Bahá’u’lláh; commentary by Firuz Kazemzadeh | $2.50 |
| 20-C-2015 |
Pronunciation Guide to the Bahá’í Glossary, by Amín and Lailá Banání | $2.50 |
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published for circulation among Bahá’ís only by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís 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. Evelyn Hardin, Managing Editor; Miss Charlotte Linfoot, National Spiritual Assembly Representative; Mr. Rexford C. Parmelee, Mrs. Sylvia 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 Membership and Records, National Bahá’í Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. 60091.
