| ←Previous | Bahá’í News Issue 496 |
Next→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
| No. 496 | BAHA’I YEAR 129 | July, 1972 |
|
Decision Design New Building
World Center Announced
—THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
Bahá’í World Center |
Martha Root “Herald of the Kingdom”[edit]
“O that I could travel, even though on foot and in the
utmost poverty, to these regions, and, raising the call of
‘Yá-Bahá’u’l-Abhá’ in cities, villages, mountains, deserts and oceans, promote the Divine teachings! This,
alas, I cannot do. How intensely I deplore it! Please
God, ye may achieve it.”1
That call of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Tablets of the Divine Plan came to Martha Root daily, she said as, the very first to arise in response to His call, she traveled through South America in 1919.2
It was only the beginning of successive and continuous trips to which Martha gave the remaining twenty years of her life. She taught the Faith on every continent and in over four hundred universities throughout the world. Wherever she went she spread information as widely as she could, arranging for translations of Bahá’í books, giving booklets whenever she lectured and to whomever she met, visiting what newspapers she could and sending articles to the rest, placing books in libraries and writing home for more. She spoke for universities, women’s groups, press societies, Esperantists, and Theosophists; for socialist, religious, educational, and peace congresses; and over the radio. She enlisted the admiration of princes and presidents for the Bahá’í teachings—and the allegiance of a queen.
She was already middle-aged when she started her journeys—small, frail, and often ill. Undaunted, she wrote back from South America that future Bahá’í travelers should carry “a thermometer and simple remedies.”3 And from China she wrote, “I leave many things undone, and every day I lie down for two hours to get the strength to do the most important work—I mean in Shanghai I have done this and thus the strength has come. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá knows I have done my utmost. The test of the year is if the Message has been spread in China, it isn’t a question of health or how much or how little work, but only if the Holy Spirit has poured over China, if some souls know ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He told us not to be concerned about the harvest.”4
Miss Root was not wealthy; she supported herself on her travels by writing articles for newspapers and magazines. While she was planning her trip to South America, the head of a newspaper syndicate based in New York met her at a fireside and asked her to sell him her articles from South America.5
She wrote ‘Abdu’l-Bahá of her intended trip to South America, and He answered her:
O thou enkindled with the fire of the love of God!
Your detailed letter dated November 7, 1918, was in these days received. The contents produced great joy, for they indicated a benevolent purpose, an untiring effort and an extended tour around the different parts of the globe. Today the promulgation of the ideal principles of His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh, which are manifestly recorded in the books, is the spirit of this age and the cause of the realization of assistance and confirmation. Assuredly whenever thou holdest fast to it, in whatever enterprise thou mayest engage, thou shalt find the doors of might and power flung open to thy face. My hope from the blessings of His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh is that thou mayest forget rest and composure and like unto a swift-flying bird, thou mayest cover long distances and in whatever land thou tarriest thou mayest reproduce the melody of the Kingdom and engage in songs and music in the best of tunes....
As ears are awaiting the summons for Universal Peace, it is therefore advisable for thee to travel, in case comfortable journey is possible, to the different parts of the globe and roar like unto a lion in the Kingdom of God. Wide-reaching consequences thou shalt witness and extraordinary confirmations shall be exhibited unto thee....
I very much desire that thou shouldst visit the Holy Land and thus to meet thee, but teaching stands above everything else and if thou deemest it advisable, engage thou in the spreading of it throughout the regions of the world.6
In another tablet, He wrote to her, “Thou art indeed serving in the path of God, art with all thy energy showing love to others, art raising the call of the Kingdom and art illumining the hearts of men.”7
Martha Root set sail July 22, 1919 for South America. The cruise required two weeks, and she knew she must
[Page 3]
somehow in that time reach the other passengers. So she
summoned up her courage and joined in the “sports
contest” sponsored on the ship, admitting that “she
didn’t know very much about sports.” She also donated
one of the prizes (a farewell gift she had received from
one of the Bahá’ís). “The next day being the first Sunday
at sea,” she reported, “Miss Root asked the captain’s
permission to speak in the evening on the Bahá’í Cause.
The purser put a large notice on the bulletin board. No
person aboard had heard of the Bahá’í Movement. The
men on the sports committee were the first ones to enter
the music room; they helped to make it popular, and
everyone invited everyone else.”8
Martha Root proclaimed the Faith in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Panama, and Cuba—all without any knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese or any literature in those languages (none had been printed yet). She relied on sign language, showing her address on a slip of paper to policemen and street car conductors in Rio de Janeiro, pointing to Bahá’í articles in the newspaper files of a library there where she wanted to give books—or in what French she knew, giving the principles to newspaper editors in French so that they could print them in Spanish or Portuguese.
In Pernambuco, Brazil (now Recife), she was fortunate in finding an interpreter. Hearing that there was an American businesswoman staying at one of the hotels, she went there, only to find that the woman was the cousin of Lua Getsinger! (See BAHÁ’Í NEWS. December, 1971). The woman, Mrs. Vegas, took Martha Root to the five newspaper offices in town and interpreted for her there.
Miss Root was discouraged from going on to Bahía, Brazil (now Salvador, on the Bahía de Todos Santos—Bay of All Saints), because of reports of yellow fever there. It was feared that she might not be able to get out of quarantine to leave again. But she remembered ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s injunction, “Visit ye especially Bahía, on the eastern shore of Brazil. Because in the past years this city was christened with the name of Bahía, there is no doubt that it has been through the inspiration of God.”
So Martha Root went to the stateroom of her ship in perplexity and threw herself down on the bunk. She looked through the porthole and, seeing Jupiter shining brightly, steady in its course, she rose up and ordered her bags taken ashore.9
Later, newly made friends in Buenos Aires tried to dissuade her from crossing the Andes in wintertime, but she was determined to travel up the western coast of South America in order to reach Panama, of which the Master had said, “The teachings once established there, will unite the East and the West, the North and the South.”
Failing in their first effort, her friends plied her with “gifts of books, flowers, fruits, candy and lunches.” Her hostess gave Martha her own heavy overcoat and long underwear, for, despite ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s instructions that Martha travel “in case comfortable journey is possible” the only way across the Andes then was by mule. Read her own description:
The trip by mule-back over the “top of the world” ... was thrilling enough for the most sensational. To pray the “Greatest Name” among these minarets of God was to glimpse the glory of the Eternal, Unknowable. The ancient trail led 10,400 feet above sea level. The people on mule back were infinitesimal specks clinging to mighty terraces ... they huddled on the edge of jagged peaks, frozen chasms, and stiffened mountain torrents.... Fortunately the sun shone brightly, and the acute cold was not so terrible as all had expected....
A detour through one dark tunnel took over an hour in stumbling, slipping blackness in which the frightened mules shied and fell. Miss Root, as her mule plunged downward into the mouth of the tunnel, gripped the pommel, threw her body far back, closed her eyes, and prayed the “Yá Alláh’u’l-Mustagháth” for all. Over and over again in that black uncertainty, the clear, vibrant voice of the Italian girl would ring down the line of mules: “Mademoiselle, are you all right?” ...
Later, out from the tunnel, when the procession came to precipitous downward slopes toward Chile, Miss Root could not even see the one inch margin that had been promised.... And so it was with great joy that she saw the men getting off their mules and walking farther in down the mountain side. She did the same for the mules would sometimes slip a yard in their perpendicular path and they were frightened too. Taking the guide’s hand they made the descent together, and when they could not walk they could run! The warm sun had melted the crisp ice just enough that they could get a foothold. They stopped every few minutes to breathe as one’s breath is very short in this altitude. Some fainted, some had “puna,” which is bleeding of the nose and ears. Everything given Miss Root was passed along to those who needed it.12
On the journey by ship, up the western coast of South America, Martha’s supply of 500 booklets which she had brought with her gave out, and she began to hand out newspapers and magazines containing articles which she had had published. She was ill: “Grippe had to be the shadow to make one appreciate the sunshine, so the first few places are but memories of trying to get ashore to newspaper offices to explain the Bahá’í Message, then leaning against the friendly lamp posts for strength to drag one’s self back to the boat.”
She spent a week in Panama (see BAHÁ’Í NEWS, March, 1972). And on the ship out she recalled ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s admonition to “roar like a lion” and again summoned up the courage to ask a ship’s captain for permission to speak. Writing home about it, she said, “If anyone feels timid about asking opportunities to speak, let him remember that no day comes twice to any servant in the Cause.”15
When Martha Root returned from South America, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote her: “Thou art, in truth, a herald of the Kingdom and a harbinger of the Covenant.... Thou art truly self-sacrificing. Thou showest kindness unto all nations. Thou art sowing a seed that shall, in due time, give rise to thousands of harvests. Thou art planting a tree that shall eternally put forth leaves and blossoms and yield fruits, and whose shadow shall day by day grow in magnitude.”16
He also wrote: “Praise be to God the Call of the Kingdom hath been received in South America and the seeds of Guidance have been sown in those cities and regions. Certainly the heat of the Sun of Reality, the rain of the Eternal Bounty and the breeze of the love of God will make them germinate: have confidence.”17
Martha Root “rested” from her nine-month trip by helping to edit the STAR OF THE WEST and by travel-teaching in the United States and Mexico.
China-ward[edit]
Her second great journey was to China, responding to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s eloquent appeal:
China, China, China-ward the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh must march.... Where is that holy, sanctified
[Page 4]
Bahá’í to become the teacher of China! China has
most great capability. The Chinese people are most
simple-hearted and truth-seeking. The Bahá’í
teacher of the Chinese people must first be imbued
with their spirit, know their sacred literature, study
their national customs and speak to them from their
own standpoint and their own terminologies. He
must entertain no thought of his own but ever think
of their spiritual welfare. In China one can teach
many souls and train and educate such divine
personages that each one of them may become the
bright candle of the world of humanity. Truly, I
say, the Chinese are free from any deceit and
hypocrisies and are prompted with ideal motives.
Had I been feeling well I would have taken a journey to China myself!18
Martha Root felt compelled to try to carry the Message to all the places where Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá themselves could not go. From China she wrote:
If Christ could have lived and traveled, if Bahá’u’lláh could have been free to visit all countries, if ‘Abdu’l-Bahá could have come to China and to Indo-China, how great would have been the results! Man, in his ignorance and blind prejudices, prevented Them. Now the only way the Most Great Peace can come is for Their faithful disciples—and the disciples of all the other world
|
The Call for Pioneers
“It is the teaching goals which must engage our attention and effort. Although more than 260 territories have achieved their assigned goals of localities where Bahá’ís reside ... there are still some 60 territories where this goal is yet to be won and where its attainment must be given absolute priority between now and Riḍván 1973. ... A detailed listing of all territories throughout the world which have not yet won their goals for localities and Local Spiritual Assemblies will be sent to every National Spiritual Assembly for urgent release to the friends. ... Those communities which have already attained their goals ... should consider the world picture ... and do everything they can ... to assist their fellow communities with pioneers and traveling teachers ... we call on all believers everywhere to prayerfully consider their personal circumstances, and to arise while there is yet time, to fill the international pioneer goals of the Plan.... Our immediate and inescapable task, however, is to ensure that every attainable goal of the Nine Year Plan is achieved. This must be done at all costs. No sacrifice, no deferment of cherished plans must be refused in order to discharge this ‘most important’ of the many “important” duties facing us. Who can doubt that one last supreme effort will be crowned with success?” —THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE in BAHÁ’Í NEWS, May 1972.
Bahá’u’lláh Gleanings p. 334-5
‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Tablets of the Divine Plan, page 22
“They cannot be the chosen people of God—the recipients of the Master’s Divine Plan and do nothing about it. The obligation to teach is the obligation of every Bahá’í, and particularly, the obligations of the American Bahá’ís towards humanity are great and inescapable. To the degree to which they discharge them will they be blessed and protected, happy and satisfied. ... The Bahá’ís are the leaven of God, which must leaven the lump of their nation. In direct ratio to their success will be the protection vouchsafed, not only to them but to their country. These are the immutable laws of God, from which there is no escape: ‘For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.’ ” Guardian’s Message, Sept. 21, 1957.
Riḍván Message, 1965, Hands in Western Hemisphere. |
teachers—to take these universal Bahá’í principles for world peace and carry them to every land.19
Miss Root stopped first to visit Agnes Alexander and Ida Finch in Japan, where she gave twenty lectures. Then she spent six months in Peking studying the language and customs of the people, supporting herself by writing for a news syndicate and giving private English lessons. Shoghi Effendi sent her a cable her first week in China, saying, “ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá guiding you. Success assured. Shoghi.”20 After summering in Peking, Martha Root debated with herself whether to teach English in a university there, which would have given her more security financially, or to travel-teach. Finally she decided on the latter and received a cable of confirmation from Shoghi Effendi.
She traveled southward from Peking to Shanghai, visiting the cities between as she went. She was ill and unable to get out much when she first arrived in Shanghai, so she spent her time writing newspaper articles. Later, as the articles began to appear in the papers, she was able to get speaking engagements easily, so she felt that her illness had brought good results, writing, “O, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has blessed every move and am so grateful today.” That day, she wrote, nine newspapers were carrying Bahá’í articles, but she had neither time nor money to go out and buy them all—as some cost twenty cents a copy.21
In March, though ill with the flu (then called “the grippe”), she determined to make a teaching trip up river to Hangchow and Wuchang in the interior of China:
I arose about five to take the boat next morning from Nanking, waited in a cold rain for an hour for the ricksha, then waited seven hours for the boat in a place with nothing but a roof over, no sides. When the boat came it had no fires, no bed (we were supposed to take beds). There was only one foreigner, a Russian young man, aboard. I said I could not go, so ill, he said “try it,” and I went. It rained every minute of the trip for those three days. When I reached Hangchow my arms were so numb I could not hold the fork or eat or write and my temperature would frighten any one not a Bahá’í. I went right to bed and stayed in bed two days, except getting up every little while to take exercises to conquer the numbness. I prayed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to heal me, and He did, and then wonderful things happened. The syndicate articles written in Peking and sent out by the Asiatic News Agency for whom I had worked last summer had penetrated this “heart of China.” ... One Esperantist to whom I had written came to call and said, “Your name is not a stranger to Wuchang,” and he showed me the clipping from the Hankow papers of last summer about the Bahá’í Cause, and it had been much studied and underlined. He was a prepared soul and was my truest friend. He was teaching economics in National Commercial College of Wuchang, 250 students. I lectured there, and he arranged for me to speak in Wuchang University, 1600 students, and the President also sent out written invitations to the girls’ Normal College and to the Y.M.C.A.22
By the time Martha Root left China she had taught in nineteen of the principal cities and in nearly a hundred universities, colleges, and schools. She wrote back encouraging others to come, to correspond with Chinese, or to teach the Chinese in America, saying, “It is a favor and a bounty of God to have the privilege to do anything for China. I do not think one of you will ever come who will not love the Chinese people.”23
She left China for Saigon and visited the newspaper, the library, and nineteen schools, societies or individuals in the short stay of five days. Stopping briefly again in China and Japan, she proceeded to Australia and New Zealand for a four-month teaching trip. There she traveled with Effie Baker, Katherine McLaughlin, and Gretta Lamprill, broadcasting from every large radio station and giving lectures—more than sixty of them in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney—speaking two, three, four, and occasionally five times a day.24 She stopped in South Africa and spent a month in Haifa before proceeding to Europe, scene of her most important endeavor.
NOTES:
- 1Revised translation as found in God Passes By, p. 389.
- 2“Came to her daily”—Star of the West, vol. XI, p. 109 “first to arise”—God Passes By, p. 386.
- 3Star of the West, vol. XI, p. 115.
- 4Letter, January 11 and 12, 1924.
- 5Star of the West, vol. XI, p. 107.
- 6Ibid., vol. X, pp. 29-30.
- 7Ibid., p. 234.
- 8-15Ibid., vol. XI, pp. 107-118 and 206-216.
- 16Bahá’í World, vol. V, pp. 48-49.
- 17Ibid.
- 18Star of the West, vol. XIII, p. 185.
- 19Ibid., vol. XV, p. 44.
- 20Letter, May 13, 1923.
- 21Ibid., January 11, 1924.
- 22Ibid., March 19, 1924.
- 23Star of the West, vol. V, p. 47.
- 24Ibid., p. 374.
Pioneers to the Tuamoto Archipelago León and Elise Nahenahe. The wife is from the Loyalty Islands while Leon Nahenahe is a Tahitian. They left Noumea, New Caledonia to re-open the Tuamoto Archipelago, first opened by Knight of Bahá’u’lláh Jean Sevin, now in Noumea. Mr. Nahenahe is a fisherman. As nothing grows on the coral islands where they live, sacks of soil are bought in order to grow a few vegetables.
Seychelles Bahá’ís Elect Their First National Assembly[edit]
“We hail with joyful hearts the emergence of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Seychelles, a territory included by the beloved Guardian in his Ten Year Spiritual Crusade, and which, ever since its opening to the light of Bahá’u’lláh, has been the scene of splendid feats performed in His blessed Name ...” Thus ran the opening words of the Message from The Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of Seychelles which was read to the first Convention by Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel, who represented The Universal House of Justice.
Geographically the Seychelles Archipelago consists of well over one hundred islands of which only eighty-three are named, scattered over some 400,000 square miles of the western Indian Ocean. Permanently settled islands number forty-six. Mahe is the principal island of the group with Victoria as its capital. In 1956 pioneers from ‘Iráq donated a piece of property to the Faith. This was the scene of the first Convention of the Bahá’ís of the Seychelles Islands.
On April 22 the first business session of the Convention was opened by Counsellor Appa. Some seventy National Assemblies sent special greetings.
The highlight of the first session was the presentation by the Secretary of the National Teaching Committee of the historical background of the Faith in the Seychelles. Pioneers first came from ‘Iráq, then from India and later from Persia, beginning some nineteen years ago. The first Assembly was formed in 1955 and the community won the victory of incorporation by special legislation in 1959. The community now has its Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, eight Local Assemblies and twenty-eight locations where Bahá’ís reside. Seychelles pioneers have settled in far off Chagos Archipelago. Now a regular fifteen minute radio program is presented. The community is alive and vibrant.
Dr. Mühlschlegel read the Riḍván Message from The Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’í world and then the one specifically addressed to the Bahá’ís of Seychelles. In the latter were given tasks to be achieved by the end of the Nine Year Plan in 1973: 1) Raise the number of localities where Bahá’ís reside to at least forty. 2) Obtain from the civil authorities recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days and Bahá’í marriages. 3) Establish a Local Assembly in Agalega Island. 4) Reopen, circumstances permitting, the Chagos Archipelago. 5) Convert the local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds into the headquarters for the National Spiritual Assembly.
There was a detailed discussion of the Riḍván Message. Counsellor Appa made a call for pioneers for Agalega and three youth of Victoria responded.
Dr. Mühlschlegel was the first Hand of the Cause to visit these islands. With Counsellor S. Appa, on April 17, they paid a courtesy call to the Chief Minister of Seychelles, Honorable James R. Mancham, which extended for forty-five minutes. Counsellor Appa presented the Chief Minister with the book The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh which was received with reverence. The Minister read the opening sentence and said he would read a portion of this Book every morning and night before retiring in order to receive inspiration. In token of his sincere appreciation the Chief Minister presented to Dr. Mühschlegel and Counsellor Appa autographed copies of Seychelles—Island of Love as a personal gift. During the interview the Chief Minister was pleased to hear about the emphasis Bahá’ís place on loyalty to government. He assured the visitors of his cooperation and assistance to the Bahá’í community whenever needed. A copy of the proclamation volume was also presented to the Deputy Governor of Seychelles, Honorable J. R. Todd.
Dr. Mühlschlegel recorded a twenty-five minute interview in the Seychelles Broadcasting studio during which he dealt with many important aspects of the Faith. He and Counsellor Appa were guests of honor at a reception given by the Bahá’ís where over fifty dignitaries were present. The wife of the Deputy Governor asked for literature on the Faith. Dr. Mühlschlegel addressed a large public meeting on the topic “A Way of Unity for Mankind.” His activities included a day-long visit to the Island of Praslin. When he departed his destination was Nairobi on his way to Ruanda where he was to represent The Universal House of Justice at their annual Convention.
Hand of the Cause Dr. Mühlschlegel (seated, center), Counsellor Mr. A. Appa (to his right) and Mr.
P. Sauboorah, representing the National Spiritual Assembly of the Indian Ocean (standing, second
from left), with members of the Seychelles National Spiritual Assembly. Seated, left to right: Mr. W.
Andre, Mr. H. Mussard, and last in the row, Mr. R. Pillay, Treasurer. Standing, Abdu’l Rahman,
Secretary; third, Mr. Bernadin Renaud, Chairman; Antonio Gopal (holding the Greatest Name); Saul
Accouche; David Petrouse, Recording Secretary; Andre Samson, Vice-Chairman.
Hand of Cause Robarts Visits Papua, New Guinea[edit]
During March this year Hand of the Cause John A. Robarts visited Papua, New Guinea. He had only enough time to visit two towns, Port Moresby and Goroka.
In Port Moresby the believers held a meeting for him in a welfare center hall. Forty-three Bahá’ís and ten seekers attended the meeting. This included Auxiliary Board members Rodney Hancock and Vi Hoehnke. Everyone was delighted with his stories of Africa, a
Hand of the Cause John A. Robarts with some of the friends on his arrival at the Goroka airport.
continent with which Papuan and New Guineans obviously identify. The Hand of the Cause was also able to
address a session at the first Teaching Institute in
Papua, held in the new building in Sogeri.
In Goroka the believers were fortunate to meet with him on several occasions. Mr. Robarts enjoyed the crisp mountain air and all the beautiful fresh fruit and vegetables available from local gardens. The pioneers were particularly uplifted by his visit and his talks on prayer and spiritual renewal.
Hand of Couse Giachery Visits Miami[edit]
Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery and Mrs. Giachery visited the Bahá’ís of Dade and Broward County in early March, 1972. They had been visiting the Bahá’ís in Central America as part of their extensive travel plan undertaken at the request of The Universal House of Justice, they stayed several days in Miami enroute to Haiti and other Caribbean Islands. Two meetings were held, one at the home of Mrs. Emily Bethel in North Miami, the second at Toby Emanuel’s residence in Miami Beach.
Dr. Giachery brought all the friends close to the person of the beloved Guardian through his many intimate stories of his years of personal association with Shoghi Effendi. Dr. Giachery emphasized the compelling need to study the words of the Guardian and to treasure, read and re-read God Passes By. To the youth he stressed the necessity of reinforcing their understanding of the precepts of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh through an intimate knowledge of the station of Shoghi Effendi whom he repeatedly described as the “sign of God” on earth. A vivid description of the appearance of the Guardian and the awe with which he inspired everyone in his presence brought the Bahá’ís close to the person of this great and humble grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Both Dr. and Mrs. Giachery also related stories of the victories achieved in Italy, and how prophecies of Bahá’u’lláh regarding the decline in the fortunes of the Church continue to be fulfilled with every passing day.
Dr. Giachery was interviewed on WMBM Radio—Blanche Calloway’s program “Progress Report.” It is a four and one-half minute program broadcast three times daily. There were two separate interviews, aired on April 3 and 4, 1972.
Panama Temple Dedication and International Conference
April 28-May 2, 1972[edit]
Since 1967 when the cornerstone was laid, the whole Bahá’í world has been anxiously awaiting the formal dedication of the Mother Temple of Latin America, which took place April 28-29, 1972.
The Queen of the day, of course, was the House of Worship itself, a thing of magic beauty, glistening like mother-of-pearl by day, and glowing by night like an unreal globe of light from another planet, tethered delicately upon the hilltop of Sonsonate, six miles north of the City of Panamá.
Panamá was chosen as the site for the first House of Worship of Latin America because of the great importance attributed to the Republic by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His Tablets of the Divine Plan:
“Ye must give great attention to the Republic of Panamá, for in that point the Occident and the Orient find each other united through the Panama Canal, and it is also situated between the two great oceans. That place will become very important in the future. The Teachings, once established there, will unite the East and the West, the North and the South.”
This prophecy came true during the days of the Dedication ceremonies and the International Conference, May 1-2, 1972. More than four thousand Bahá’ís from “the East and the West, the North and the South” landed in Panama’s Tocumen Airport. Early in the week there was a trickle, then more and more each day, until on Friday the heavens opened!
To meet the chartered planes were not only the Welcoming Committee and friends expecting guests, but also a group of Panamanian dancers in typical historical costume sent by the Institute of Tourism.
This gesture of welcome by the Republic of Panamá was one of many during the five days of the Conference. Brigadier General Omar Torrijos and his government went all-out in their helpfulness and courtesies to the Bahá’ís, who couldn’t believe it when they were whisked through customs without a bag being examined!
The three Hands of the Cause of God attending the Conference. Rúḥíyyih Khánum is standing at the podium. Seated are Dr. Giachery and Mr. Khádem.
[Page 9]
In the lobbies of the hotels the big posters “Conferencia Bahá’ís” were prominent; the registration tables led
hundreds to ask for pamphlets. The newspapers displayed banner headlines, “Bahá’í Faith to Give Spiritual Breath to Panamá’s Progress, Believers Pledge” (a
quote from Dr. Giachery’s press conference), and full
page spreads of text and photos. The chartered buses
were labeled “BAHÁ’Í”. The constant going and coming by taxi and bus to the New Panamá Gymnasium, the
Conference Hall, the Cuna and Choco and Guaymi Indian costumes, the overpoweringly interracial flavor of
the groups conversing in the patios, dining in the restaurants, the 337 plate banquet in the Bella Vista Room
of the plush Hotel El Panama—all this made the Bahá’í
Faith the big story of the week.
Riḍván Feast[edit]
It all began at the Riḍván Feast, Friday evening, April 28. We entered the huge circular Auditorium to find the entire lower floor completely filled. From our seat in the balcony we gazed down on the speakers’ table decorated with colorful floral arrangements of red ginger, gladioli, pink and white chrysanthemums and carnations, and the native anthuria, a large red flower resembling a patent leather leaf. Seated at the table were the three Hands of the Cause, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Representative of The House of Justice, Mr. Dhikru’llah Khádem and Dr. Ugo Giachery; the Chairman and Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Panamá, Raquel de Constante and Leota Lockman.
After the Devotions, Sra. de Constante in her musical Spanish welcomed the friends to Panama and the Conference, and her remarks were translated into English and Persian. Following the introduction of the three Hands, Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum addressed the Feast:
A Panamanian band and native dancers in beautifully
embroidered and colorful native dress, performing as
chartered planes arrived at the airport for the Dedication
and Conference.
“As I stood here,” she began, “my eyes fell on this
flower before me. It is so like our gathering tonight—so
many hundreds of petals, each petal entirely unique,
yet, united, these petals make this beautiful flower. This
flower bloomed because of the sun. Because of the Sun
of Bahá’u’lláh we grew these flowers in this room.
“I remember when there were no Bahá’ís in Latin America. Shoghi Effendi longed for Bahá’ís on this continent. Now, see the Bahá’ís we have in Central and South America.
“It is hard to realize the significance of things happening in the Faith. I am sure that the Bahá’ís of the black and white races are happy we have Indian Bahá’ís now. When a race enters the Faith we are erecting one of the walls of the Faith. We cannot visualize the future. But we know that it is not going to be an American or a Persian or an African future. As we build it together it will develop into a world future, a world civilization.
“We have no time to waste. The receptivity of the world today is greater than any of us have ever found before. Don’t deprive yourself of this wonderful day in the world. Shoghi Effendi always said that the immediate future is very dark; the distant future is very bright. The fields are so wide, the hearts so hungry. Never let a day go by without doing something for the future.”
Mr. Peter Tillotson, English architect of the Temple, was called to the platform and spoke of his joy in the beauty of the finished structure.
The musical entertainment at the close of the Feast was the performance of the lovely composition of the “Tablet of Aḥmad” on the organ by its composer Charles Peterson of Panamá, and sung in a glorious full soprano by Constancia Bell, a talented Panamanian artist.
Dedication of the Temple[edit]
The next morning, Saturday, April 29, at 8:00 a.m., the first session of the Dedication ceremonies began. Another was called for eleven, and in the afternoon, at two and five o’clock. As the seating capacity was only 550, many stood during each ceremony.
As we mounted the steps and entered the Auditorium through the wide open gate, we found this fifth House of Worship in bridal array. Our eyes flew instinctively toward the east, where six lovely tropical floral sprays made a bower of the white grill panels. Pine garlands made by the Guajiro Indians of Colombia and flown in for this occasion encircled the red ginger and anthuria, white and pink chrysanthemums and carnations. The effect of the dazzling white purity of the interior was exquisitely beautiful, and the view of the surrounding wooded mountains and deep blue Pacific visible through the many openings, breath-taking.
[Page 10]
Counsellor Alfred Osborne, among the earliest believers
in Panama with Cora Oliver, who with Louise Caswell
pioneered in Panama in 1939. She is now pioneering in
British Honduras.
Louise Caswell, who pioneered with Cora Oliver to Panama in 1939. She is now in Livingston, Guatemala.
First on the program was a choral selection by the
National Conservatory of Music. Then, Hand of the
Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum read from
Prayers and Meditations of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 331-332. The
readings for all sessions were the same. (See BAHÁ’Í
NEWS, June 1972).
After the conclusion of the prayers, Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum rose and stood to the right of the table upon which the Sacred Portraits of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb rested. The line formed in the aisle and began slowly to move toward her. She annointed each of the Bahá’ís as they paused before her, and on to view the portraits of the Messengers of God for this Day.
Outside, the friends lingered in the fresh mountain breeze. The newly planted gardens will soon be in fuller bloom, as the rainy season waters their roots. The small royal palms, cannas and ground cover had been grown in pots, along with other plants given by individual believers, over a period of several years, before transplanting to their permanent beds. The cannas came from Changuinola in Bocas del Toro. They were not supposed to bloom until three months after transplanting; but, planted just a month before the Dedication, they unexpectedly burst into flower that very day. Rúḥíyyih Khánum had asked that some frangipani be planted as it was the Guardian’s favorite flower. Some cuttings had been sent from Hawaii, and were placed in the gardens.
Public Dedication of the Temple[edit]
Sunday, April 29, the Public Dedication was held in two sessions, one at ten in the morning, the other at three in the afternoon. The program for this was more varied:
Choral selections by the Panama National Conservators of Music Choir consisted of: “Blessed is the Spot” by Charles Wolcott, “Ave Verum”, by Mozart, and “Hymno de la Noche”.
Hand of the cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum gave a brief Dedication speech.
The message left with the people was that of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, printed in the attractive program:
“The world of existence may be likened to this Temple and place of worship; for just as the external world is the place where people of all races and colors, varying faiths, denominations and conditions come together, just as they are submerged in the same sea of divine favors, so likewise all may meet under the dome of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár and adore one God in the same spirit of truth, for the ages of darkness have passed away, and the century of light has come.”
Banquet and Meetings[edit]
The Public Meeting, Saturday evening, was addressed by Hooper Dunbar, Counsellor for South America. His subject: “The New Race of Men”, was given in Spanish and English. A musical program followed by the Emily Butcher Choir of Panamá, the Jin-ai singers of the state of Washington, Thomas Kavelin and Kay Harris, opera singer and former pioneer to the San Blas Islands.
The banquet for dignitaries was held in the Bella Vista Room of the El Panama Hotel, Sunday evening. There were 337 guests and Bahá’ís present. Background music was provided by the Jannowitz String Orchestra of Panamá City.
The official hostess for the National Spiritual Assembly, Raquel de Constante, welcomed the guests, giving much appreciation from the Bahá’ís to the Government of Panamá for its many courtesies in relation to the Dedication and International Conference.
Sra. Constante then introduced Mr. Peter Tillotson, architect for the Temple. Mr. Tillotson spoke of his happiness in seeing how beautifully his design had been erected.
Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum was introduced, and pointed out that Mr. Tillotson was so very fortunate to have achieved this eminent position so young in life; that people from all over the world would come to see his design, the Temple, and that few architects have ever had such an experience. She added that God had
[Page 11]
truly blessed him with such worldwide recognition.
“Maybe,” she said, “God will bless him again.”
While the banquet was being held, the rest of the friends met for Entertainment Night in the New Gymnasium of Panamá. Moises Guevara was master of ceremonies for the first part of the musical program and Linda Marshall for the last half. The Panamá Dancers performed their typical graceful dances, whirling in their colorful costumes. The tone of the evening was lively and youthful. Dan Gilmer from Maryland, Tommy Kavelin, pioneer in Venezuela, Phil Lucas from Nicaragua played guitar and sang. Dan England accompanied on the piano by John Ford Caley, professionals from Hollywood, gave several lively numbers, followed by Seals and Crofts, always favorites.
Beginning of the Conference[edit]
May 1, Monday morning at 9 a.m. the Conference officially opened, convened by the Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Panamá, Sra. Raquel de Constante, a member from its inception of that body. From her position as Chairman of the National Assembly, she has served as expert and liaison with Government departments. Her public appearances as Chairman of the banquet for dignitaries and of the Conference were always gracious and eloquent.
The three Hands of the Cause were introduced to the Conference, as were the seven attending members of the Continental Board of Counsellors, the twenty-two Auxiliary Board members and the twenty-six representatives of National Spiritual Assemblies.
The Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Panamá, Leota Lockman, read greetings from the Bahá’í world, and presented some of the many gifts sent for the new Temple. There was such a flood of beautiful gifts, she said, that only a few could be mentioned: a Navajo
Leonard Holsapple Armstrong who left the United States
in 1920 to pioneer in Brazil and is considered the “Spiritual Mother” of many. See BAHÁ’Í NEWS, June 1971.
Mr. and Mrs. Arturo Cuellar, formerly of Bolivia. Mrs.
Cuellar, born in France, was the first in Bolivia to become
a Bahá’í. A sign on their home, the Bahá’í Center in La
Paz, attracted Andres Jachacollo, which led to widespread growth of the Faith among the indigenous people
of Bolivia.
rug with the design of the Greatest Name was presented
by Mr. Franklin Kahn, whose wife had woven it. He said
that the Navajos weave like the spider, and as they
weave they clear the cobwebs out of their minds.
Navajo rugs represent the inner thoughts of the weaver.
Several Persian rugs were gifts, a Buddhist gong, a
piece of the wall of the Australian Temple, dust from the
window ledge at the prison of Mah Ku. Among the
precious gifts was a lock of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s hair, and
small stones from the tomb of the Purest Branch. Also,
a silk scarf given to Paul Theile by Hand of the Cause
Mr. Faizí.
Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum read the message from The Universal House of Justice. (See BAHÁ’Í NEWS, June 1972, page 3)
The Chairman of the afternoon session was Alfred Osborne of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Central America, one of the first Bahá’ís in Panamá and Chairman of the first National Assembly of Panamá elected in 1961. He introduced Mr. Robert McLaughlin, architectural consultant of the Panamá Temple for The Universal House of Justice, who gave a resumé of the building of the Temple. He spoke of the Temple as a building where function and form unite in complete clarity and simplicity. He explained that nine concrete arches support the thin shell dome, and that these arches rest on eighteen massive reinforced concrete buttresses which form a nine-pointed star. This is the first thin shell dome, he said, of this magnitude to be erected in Central America by the guniting process.
The one sad note of the dedication was the absence of engineer Paul Theile, now desperately ill in Hawaii. The Secretary of the National Assembly of Panamá, Leota Lockman, who had worked so closely and long with him when he was engineer in charge of Temple construction, rose to speak of his service and sacrifice. His wife, Helen, represented him at the Conference. She was brought forward to the podium and presented to the Conference who gave her the warm welcome they longed to extend to her husband. Mrs. Lockman called him a great example and said, “He served to his very last ounce of strength.” He truly gave his all for our Temple, and our anxious and loving prayers go up to God for his healing.”
Hand of the Cause Dr. Giachery addressed the Conference on the subject “A Call to the Believers to Proclaim
[Page 12]
At the banquet Mrs. Constante, Chairman of the Panama
National Spiritual Assembly, is presiding with Alan
Pringle as interpreter. Near the podium are Hand of the
Cause Mr. Khádem, Mrs. Giachery, Mrs. Salvatore Pelle,
and Peter Tillotson, architect of the Panama Temple.
In front, facing the audience is Auxiliary Board member
Ruth Pringle.
Choir of the National Conservatory of Music, who gave selections both at the Dedication and the Conference.
Rúḥíyyih Khánum after a session of the conference.
the Faith to Mankind.” “We are a new race of men,” he
said, and reminded us of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s expectations
for us: “... to be an example, have clean thoughts, a
pure heart, love and compassion for every single man.
Our duty is to spiritualize mankind. The Administrative
Order,” he said, “had to be built before we could proclaim to the masses; they had to have some place to go
for deepening and organization. We must always work
within the framework of this Divinely Appointed Administrative Order.”
Dr. Peter Khan spoke on “Individual Deepening of the Spiritual Life.” He said that the world is losing respect for authority, and that we must remove the barriers to obedience within ourselves. The spiritual self, he reminded us, is nourished by prayer and meditation, then action. Action causes the opening up of the heart; teaching opens the heart of him who teaches, and develops the soul and enriches the nature.
At the closing of the session, the two first pioneers to Panamá in 1939 were given a standing ovation. Louise Caswell and Cora Oliver were thanked for their services as first resident Bahá’ís.
Then, the mother of Latin America, Leonora Holsapple Armstrong was called to the platform. She spoke briefly, “All our hearts must rejoice today, overflow with joy and gratitude.”
The evening session was conducted by the youth, with Rodrigo Tomás as Chairman. The three speakers were Mr. Paul Lucas, Auxiliary Board member from Mexico, Felicia Fennell of Panamá and H. Fitz-Henley of Jamaica. Their subject: “Bahá’í Youth—the Advancing Army of Bahá’u’lláh—Their Role and Privilege of Participation in Proclamation.” On the program was printed the quotation from the Guardian, “They are the ones to raise the call of the Kingdom and arouse the people from slumber. If they fail, the Cause is doomed to stagnation.”
Felicia Fennell’s talk brought out the fact that the leading figures in this Faith were extremely young, all under forty when they began their work. The Báb was only twenty-five, Bahá’u’lláh twenty-seven, the Beloved Guardian only twenty-four when he was called to assume the leadership of the Faith. Shoghi Effendi had praised the youth, their vigor, their eager spirit, alertness and optimism as qualities which would spur them on to great endeavor. “They must always bear in mind,” he warned them, “that their enthusiasm must be tempered by wisdom, discretion and dignity when teaching the Faith.”
Mr. Fitz-Henley quoted Bahá’u’lláh, “Guidance hath ever been given by words, and now it is given by deeds.” He spoke of the great need to live the life, as the “greatest challenge and opportunity.” “The generation gap,” he pointed out, “is alien in character to the Faith and its best interests.... The House of Justice counsels the student to be patient and humble ... this situation offers great opportunity to teach in substance and in spirit.”
Second Day of Conference[edit]
The second day of the Conference, Tuesday, May 2, began with the taking of the official photograph. The bright red and gold of the Cuna dress, the mother-hubbard style of the Guaymi, contrasted sharply with the pant suits and mini skirts of the Americans and Panamanians. The Mexican women wore their very feminine embroidered costumes, and there was a group in elaborate Turkish and Oriental attire for both men and women that called for many admiring private photos. In other words, it was a typical Bahá’í crowd smiling up at the photographer high above the street.
Chairman of the morning session was Mr. Wallace Baldwin, Chairman also of the National Teaching Committee of Panamá. He introduced the speaker of “A Call for Pioneers,” Mrs. Javidukht Khádem, Auxiliary
[Page 13]
Board member from Evanston, Illinois. She recalled
some of the great names of pioneering in the early days
of the Faith and gave tribute to them all. “We must
sever ourselves from everything except God,” she said,
“Our human personality must recede. No sacrifice is too
great to achieve the goals of the Nine Year Plan. Let us
be soldiers in the army of Bahá’u’lláh.”
When she voiced the call for pioneers to arise, 103 persons walked and wept their way to the platform. Mr. Khádem embraced as many as possible and each volunteer was given a flower.
Some humor was injected into the serious business of pioneering by the delegate from Belize, Mrs. Gladys Stewart. “My very presence here,” she said, “shows there is a spiritual solution to the economic problem!” She quipped her call for help for her small country in its proclamation effort, and was lustily applauded.
Don Alberto Perez, the Guaymi teacher and blind pioneer of Panamá, spoke eloquently on “Teaching the Masses”, followed by Dr. Farzam Arbab.
The afternoon session was chaired by Mr. Richard Mirkovich of Costa Rica. Donald Witzell, Counsellor for South America, elaborated on the theme of training local teachers to carry on the work after the traveling teacher has left an area. “A small number of traveling teachers cannot possibly handle the numbers coming into the Faith now,” he said, “and more expansion local teachers must be raised up.” He quoted from Shoghi Effendi’s letter to Latin America in 1957: “Great as are the services rendered by the pioneers and unforgettable as are the deeds accomplished, they cannot take the place of the indigenous element which must constitute the bedrock of the community, and carry on its own affairs.”
Sr. Raul Pavon of the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador continued this discussion, citing examples from his vast experience as pioneer to the Indian tribes of that country. Artemus Lamb of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Central America, living at present in Costa Rica, added: “Perhaps the first step toward resolving the vital task of consolidation is to understand and accept the fact that it is a long and arduous and inevitable process, requiring patience, love, wisdom, and a dogged perseverance. The second step is to make systematic plans and then stick to them regardless of all obstacles. These plans should include many different types of activities, the purpose of which is to constantly encourage and train the new believers and communities to function actively.”
“The greatest gift of God has been a spirit of sacrifice,” Hand of the Cause Mr. Khádem told the nearly 4,000 believers filling the great auditorium. “The Messengers give the example. All of them suffered and accepted Their sufferings in order to prove that they were sincere. The Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá suffered so much—prisons and trials—for humanity Bahá’u’lláh said in the “Tablet of Visitation” that none had suffered like He. From the earliest history we read of sacrifices. Abraham was willing to sacrifice His two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. The Purest Branch was a sacrifice in the Bahá’í Era. Men, women and children loved
Some of the Indians attending the Conference. In front, right, Cunas from the San Blas islands. Sixteen tribes were represented.
[Page 14]
Sra. Raquel de Constante, Mrs. Leota Lockman and Hand
of the Cause Mr. Khádem. Sra. Constante is Chairman of
the National Spiritual Assembly, was first Chairman of
the Regional Assembly of Central America, and worked
with the staff committee for the construction of the
Panama House of Worship. Mrs. Leota Lockman is in
her ninth year of service as Secretary of the Panama
N.S.A. She has made teaching trips visiting the Guaymi
Indians in the Chiriqui Mountains, the Cunas in the San
Blas Islands and the Choco Indians in Darien.
Bahá’u’lláh so much they accepted all kinds of physical
suffering and sacrifice to be near Him. Bahá’u’lláh
asked three people if they were ready to enter the Abhá
Kingdom. The first answered, “No! It is too early!” The
second replied, “Suit yourself. I am ready.” The third
said, “I am deaf. I can’t hear what you say!”
Hand of the Cause Dr. Giachery recalled, for his farewell message, the wonderful work and life of Shoghi Effendi. “I cannot describe the Guardian to you,” he said, “he was the man of the century. He struggled singlehandedly for more than thirty-six years, and accomplished more in that time than any other man in 300 years. He was the forerunner of the Peace Corps; volunteers went out under his guidance.” He then spoke tenderly of the Guardian’s death; how he had never thought that the Beloved Shoghi Effendi would die first. Very gently he reminded the Bahá’í youth to remember how the Guardian always taught that Bahá’ís must be dignified in everything they do, an example for others. It was the Guardian, he said, “who had started the international conferences which mingle all the races and peoples together, creating this new race of men.”
When Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum rose to give her goodbye message, she joked, “At the end of a Chinese dinner they always serve boiled rice. I am the boiled rice of the Conference!” She told of a believer in prison in Mozambique who had made ten ivory rings with the Greatest Name on them, one of which he had sent to her. She was offering it for sale, the money to be sent to The House of Justice for the next Temple. Her subject as announced was: “The Joy of Serving the Faith.” “To be honest,” she began, “serving the Faith is not all joy! We get very tired and discouraged sometimes, but we go on and try to do our best to be a Bahá’í under all circumstances and all our lives.”
“Mass teaching,” she said, “is like getting struck by an atomic bomb. We find ourselves suddenly in the next world. But stick with it,” she encouraged, “you must be tried and tried again. Pioneers are like travelers on a road; they see a forest and want to go there. So they go to it, but after they get in it, they no longer can see the forest. It surrounds them. Pioneering takes infinite patience. Villagers don’t own clocks; they don’t live by the clock as we do. They have other values more human. The most important thing in the pioneer field,” she emphasized, “is unity and harmony among the friends. Inharmony makes you ill. It ruins everything. You find that the people you have gone to teach have evaporated. They can’t take inharmony. We are losing so many and so much because we are not sufficiently united and harmonious. When people actually see love and unity they will come in; you don’t have to say anything.”
She warned the Bahá’ís not to take on Christian or Muslem customs in our practices. Other sects don’t like it and won’t come in. People must find that the Faith is bigger than any other and all inclusive. She gave the suggestion that in our teaching we talk more of life after death; to speak of the soul, the “ghost” of primitive people, and to tell them how much of their beliefs is true, how much is superstition.
Incidents[edit]
One of the most appealing stories of the entire Conference was the experience of Laurence Coward of Trinidad. He had a beautiful Bahá’í ring, the anniversary gift of his wife. When an appeal was made for funds, he gave his ring to be sold for the Fund. An American friend brought the ring and gave it back to him. Dear Mr. Khádem was there and asked the young man his name. When he said Laurence Coward, Mr. Khádem protested, “Oh no! Not that name for a Bahá’í. You must change it. From now on you are Badí!” So Laurence told us privately that he would change his name and be known as Laurence Badi from now on.
One day during lunch, one of the Indian babies choked on food so badly that he stopped breathing. A cry for help went up, and as it happened none of the medics were there. A believer from the U.S. hurried to help, as she had first aid training. After removing the piece of food from the child’s throat, she gave mouth to mouth respiration until the child began to breathe again. The self discipline of the other believers present was very obvious in that they held back to give air to the child, without being told, but were intensely interested and praying for his recovery.
The last moments of the Conference were given to an ovation for the National Spiritual Assembly of Panamá for its outstanding labors in the work of building the Temple. The Temple Committee was made up of the entire National Assembly and the engineers. It is impossible to mention and thank all the pioneers and Panamanians who worked so hard on committees and as volunteers. The spirit of service was universal. The Panamá Bahá’ís rose as one man to give their time and talents for the success of the Dedication and Conference.
During the entire Dedication and Conference, Kiva Films was photographing the proceedings. Under the guidance of Board member Ruth Pringle they filmed scenes at the Lion’s Club, at the Dedication and at the Conference. The film, when finished, will be on mass teaching, deepening and consolidation in Latin America. Some of the associates of Kiva Films are Bahá’ís, and the company was commissioned to make the film by The Universal House of Justice. The film will be in Spanish.
With a strange mixture of sadness at parting and joyful inspiration from our days together, we turned to say goodbye to each other. Secure in the House of the Lord, warm in His Everlasting Arms, friends who had been estranged embraced, hearts were healed of old wounds, hurts forgotten. We looked at each other aware of the shining faces; souls, tethered to the emanation of the Holy Spirit bathing the Temple and Conference Hall, experienced that unity Bahá’u’lláh came to develop and toward which we strive. Sadly but happily we turned to go; another great Conference was ended.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The August issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS will
carry the story of the Lions’ Club camp where about 400
Indian Bahá’ís and visitors stayed during the Dedication and Conference in Panama.
[Page 15]
Counsellor Mrs. Shirin Boman and Bahá’í delegation presenting the proclamation Book of Bahá’u’lláh to the President of Bangla Desh at his official residence.
First National Convention of Bangla Desh[edit]
The first National Bahá’í Convention of Bangla Desh, formerly East Pakistan, was held at Dacca on April 22-23, 1972. Present as representative of The Universal House of Justice was Continental Counsellor Mrs. Shiran Boman. Also present were Auxiliary Board member Mr. Amjad Ali, fourteen out of nineteen delegates and twenty observers. The Message of The Universal House of Justice was read and translated into Bengali.
Members elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly are: Mr. Moghaddus, Chairman; Mrs. Simin Moghaddus, Treasurer; Mr. Masoomul Huda, Secretary; Mr. Kamal Jehangir; Mr. S. M. Imamuddin; Mr. Danish Ali; Mr. Shah Alam Chowdhuri; Mr. Abdul Rashid; Mr. Mojibullah.
Many recommendations were made by delegates for consideration by the National Spiritual Assembly. The by-laws sent by The Universal House of Justice were presented and it was decided to file them immediately with the civil government. When incorporation is achieved the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Dacca will be transferred to the National Spiritual Assembly.
Two telegrams were sent to The Universal House of Justice. This required much persuasion with the postal authorities who said these were the first telegrams sent to Israel from Bangla Desh.
Mrs. Boman arrived early to make some preliminary arrangements for the Convention. Most important was a visit to the President of Bangla Desh. A delegation of four Bahá’ís was received with great respect on April 21, 1972. The President stood up when receiving The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh which Mrs. Boman presented on behalf of The Universal House of Justice. She informed the President that this Book contains letters of Bahá’u’lláh to the then kings and rulers of the world, that it is a Revelation from God; that it was sent to Heads of States throughout the world and was now being presented to him as a new Head of State. After a brief presentation about the Faith he asked question after question. He was impressed with the story of the martyrdom of the Báb. Mrs. Boman told him that the Báb prayed that His life be a sacrifice so that the Promised One of all religions would soon become manifest and fulfill past prophecies. The eagerness of the President caused the time for the interview to be extended. He assured the believers he would read the book and asked for more literature. He appreciated the statement “Loyalty to Government.”
An interview was arranged with Dr. Kamal Hussain, the Law Minister of Bangla Desh. When presented with the proclamation volume he said that he had seen the Temple in Wilmette.
Mrs. Boman was successful in arranging for telephone facilities for the Bahá’í Center, which had been delayed for some six months, by presenting literature, explaining about the Teachings and the necessity for the phone. When word spread to others who were also waiting for phones, an outcry was made but the authorities, reinforced by Bahá’í literature, were able to satisfy the protesters.
On the first day of Riḍván, Dacca Radio broadcast a ten-minute program on the Bahá’í Faith, explaining the importance of the Holy Day. Proclamation and teaching is continuing and many youths and students are being attracted.
Some of a group of Íránian Bahá’ís standing on the steps of the House of Worship in Wilmette. They had just come from the Dedication of the Panama Temple and were making a world tour.
First National Convention of Brunei and Eastern Malaysia[edit]
Members of the National Spiritual Assembly, left to right, seated: Mr. Choo Yoke Boon, Treasurer;
Dr. J. K. Fozdar, Chairman; Mr. Rusi Irani, Vice-Chairman; Mr. M. Maniam, Secretary. Back row,
standing: Mr. N. Ragai ak Lang, Mr. P. Thinatayallam, Mr. Lim Boon Huat, Mr. G. Kuppusamy,
Mr. Sapong ak Andar.
Historic first National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Eastern Malaysia and Brunei held at the “Uma
Orang Ulu”, Kuching April 28-30, 1972. One hundred and seventy attended from Sabah, Brunei and
Sarawak including Hand of the Cause of God Mr. Jalál Kházeh representing The Universal House
of Justice, Counsellor Dr. C. J. Sundram, and Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Grete Fozdar.
Windward Islands Form First National Spiritual Assembly[edit]
The spiritual excitement present at the formation of a new National Spiritual Assembly was well in evidence in Barbados, West Indies April 22-23 during the first Convention of the Bahá’ís of the Windward Islands. This newly born national area includes the islands of St. Lucia, St. Vincent, the Grenadines, Grenada, and Barbados.
Delegates and visitors from these islands, from the Virgin Islands and from the United States assembled on the campus of the University of the West Indies, Barbados, for this historic first Convention and first national election. Showering her love and wisdom upon the convention was Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, the official representative of The Universal House of Justice to the Convention. Also present was Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Marjorie Harmer.
Mr. George Howard, delegate from St. Vincent, presided as the Convention chairman. Fourteen of the nineteen delegates were present.
The Convention was opened with the reading of Messages from The Universal House of Justice by Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum. The beloved Hand of the Cause also addressed the Convention on the subject of The Universal House of Justice. Mrs. Karen Wood spoke on The Administrative Order, and Mr. Philip Wood on The National Spiritual Assembly. Mr. and Mrs. Wood, speaking before the election, made their addresses as members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands, the “mother” body of the new National Spiritual Assembly.
Greetings from around the world were read and gifts were presented.
The morning of the second day of the Convention began with an address by Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Marjorie Harmer, whose home is on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. This was followed with consultation on the Riḍván Messages from The Universal House of Justice and on the goals of the new National Spiritual Assembly.
In its Message to the Bahá’ís of the Windward Islands, The Universal House of Justice called upon the friends to “carry the Message of God to every waiting soul in these beautiful islands, nor to rest until the Divine Truth is known to all inhabitants.”
The Convention was closed with a highly moving speech by the Chairman of the new National Spiritual Assembly on behalf of the delegates and visitors in which he expressed humble, heartfelt gratitude to The Universal House of Justice for the presence of beloved Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum.
During the Convention it was announced that during this past year fifteen localities had been opened to the Faith and seventeen new Local Spiritual Assemblies were formed.
Preparations for the Convention included the production of press kits which were sent to all newspapers, radio and television stations in the area. The kits included two news releases, a fact sheet, a photograph of the World Center, and an invitation to a press conference. The Windward Islands Broadcasting Service carried long pre-Convention reports from its stations on four of the islands. Newspaper coverage was also given to the event, one newspaper using an entire page for the story.
First National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the
Windward Islands, elected in Barbados on April 22, 1972.
Standing, left to right: Mrs. Karen Wood, Secretary; Miss
Hazel Beckels; Mrs. Carol Haynes; Miss Diana Bourne;
Mrs. Patricia Paccassi, Recording Secretary. Seated, left
to right: Mr. Philip Wood, Chairman; Mr. Frank Farnum; Mr. George Howard, Vice-Chairman; Mr. Frank
Paccassi, Treasurer.
[Page 18]
A rich mixture of ethnic and cultural origins is represented in the above picture of some of the nearly 1,000
participants in the first National Children’s Conference
in Ecuador.
At right is Bahman Eshraghi, who brought sixteen children to the Conference. He is the Persian pioneer who
opened the Salasacas and Chibuleos Indian areas where
there are now hundreds of believers in both groups.
One Thousand Bahá’í Children Gather in Ecuador[edit]
Encouraged by advances in consolidation obtained through a series of Regional Teaching conferences and eleven Regional Conventions, at which large numbers of believers attended, the National Teaching Committee of the National Assembly of Ecuador conceived the ambitious plan of holding a national school for children with the goal of gathering together 1,000 children. The term ambitious was no exaggeration when we think of what it means to mobilize children between the ages of eight and twelve years of age in a country with primitive transportation facilities and extremes of climate and altitude change at a time when budgets are low and the few dedicated teachers already exhausted and considering the prospect of having to elect 220 Local Assemblies within another month.
The Regional Teaching Committee of Esmeraldas shouldered the responsibility of making arrangements for the Conference. Pioneers Nooshin Escandari and Jim Jensen accepted the challenge. Invitations to send representative were sent to all Bahá’í communities in the country and to the different neighborhoods of the city of Esmeraldas. With the cooperation of Local Assemblies and other Regional Teaching Committees, children from Chota, Ibarra, Otavalo, Quito, Salasaca, Chibuleo, Carchi and Riobamba braved the cold rainy season, unpaved roads, and poor buses to challenge the majestic snow-covered Andes Mountain range to join their Bahá’í brothers and sisters on March 19, 1972 in the hot, humid, jungle surrounded, Pacific coast port city of Esmeraldas. Sixty neighborhoods of the city of Esmeraldas were represented: the coastal villages of Tachina, Rio Verde, San Vicente, Las Piedras and Palestina moved their children en mass to Esmeraldas.
The site of a government school received in its large interior patio the multitude of just less than 1,000 children, each colorful in the native dress typical of its ancestral region. Faces were toasted by sun or dried by wind, but still reflected the innocence of tender years. The spectator received an unforgettable impression of springtime, the significance of which only a Bahá’í heart could comprehend. Each child wore on his chest with undisguised pride as if he had just received the highest honor as the most distinguished citizen of the world, a large circular pin depicting the Unity of the Human Race.
These two young Bahá’ís are Chibuleo Indians and they
sang and participated in the program of the Children’s
Conference.
[Page 19]
Prayers of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sung in choir
by those 1,000 children filled the atmosphere and joyously swelled the heart. The visiting children presented
the programs they had prepared especially for the occasion. The principles of the Faith were reviewed. New
songs were learned. By their presence and contribution,
Auxiliary Board members Rufino Gualavici and Charles
Hornby added grace and dignity to the occasion. Then
came the social part and the closing of this historic
occasion.
No detail was overlooked by the committees, who on March 20, treated the children to a visit to the shores of the Pacific Ocean at Sua and Atacames. The mountain children, with eyes accustomed to only the green pastures of narrow valleys and golden table lands could not disguise their surprise and fright at finding themselves surrounded by the songs and flutter of tropical birds, the forms of unknown animals, jubilant vegetation and the Pacific Ocean—a strange world which their young minds could neither have imagined nor dreamed.
Filled with a sense of having accomplished their mission and with the sure knowledge that the world does not end at the point where mere sight diminishes, these new citizens of the world returned, for the most part, to their adobe or cane homes to share their adventures with their companions and seniors, leaving the teaching committees with yet another preoccupation—teaching the young!
Rufino Gualavisi, Auxiliary Board member who has
brought literally thousands of indigenous people into the
Faith, is shown here with a group of children attending
the Children’s Conference. At the lower left is a Chibuleo
Indian woman who accompanied the children from her
area.
Happy, Historic Convention in Sweden[edit]
Nineteen delegates attended the 1972 Convention in Sweden, where before the largest number had been nine. The National Spiritual Assembly report was a source of joy, and highlights were:
- Ten Local Spiritual Assemblies, exceeding the goal by two.
- The goal for localities exceeded by four, a total of fifty-eight.
- Formation of the Swedish Bahá’í Publishing Trust and its legalization by the authorities.
- Translation of Bahá’í literature into the Samish (Lapp) language, fulfilling a cherished goal.
- Translation of Paris Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá into the Estonian language. This was a surprise by Mr. Jacob Kain, from Uppsala.
- Proclamation of the Faith to more than 2500 clergymen and thirteen bishops, some of whom wrote back, expressing thanks and asking for more information.
- Enrollment of more than seventy new believers, an unprecedented number for any of the Scandinavian countries in a single year.
- Formation of the Bahá’í Student Committees of the Universities of Uppsala and Gothenburg and presentation of the proclamation book to the Chancellor of the University of Uppsala.
- A wave of pioneering effort which rebuilt the Local Spiritual Assembly of Malmo, consolidated the Local Spiritual Assembly of Vasteras, and helped form the Local Spiritual Assembly of Åland, a joint goal of Finland and Sweden.
The loving cable of The Universal House of Justice crowned the efforts and gave fresh impetus for the challenging tasks ahead.
Bahá’í—United Nations Activities Around the World in 1971[edit]
In its consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the Bahá’í International Community continued during 1971 to expand its activities in support of the economic and social goals of the United Nations. At the UN Headquarters in New York, Dr. Victor de Araujo and Mrs. Annamarie Honnold, respectively UN Representative and Alternate Representative for the Bahá’í International Community, participated in the sessions of the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies, the Commission for Social Development and the Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. At the UN Headquarters in Geneva, the Bahá’í International Community Permanent Representative Mrs. Janet Lindstrom covered the session of the Commission on Human Rights and the summer session of the Economic and Social Council. These meetings afforded many opportunities for formal and informal contacts with members of the UN Secretariat and delegates of UN Missions, in which the Bahá’í “presence” was made known and Bahá’í views expressed when appropriate.
Further, the Bahá’í International Community was invited to send representatives to special seminars for member-states held by the United Nations in observance of International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. The first one was held in Yaounde, Cameroon, June 16-29. Dr. Aziz Navidi, the representative of the Bahá’í International Community for the Continent of Africa, was the official observer. He was assisted by Counsellor Dr. Mehdi Samandari. Dr. Navidi presented two papers explaining the Bahá’í point of view towards race, emphasizing the general principles concerning the oneness of mankind. Both were well received and many people expressed their admiration. Both Dr. Navidi and Dr. Samandari had many opportunities to visit with representatives from other countries and to acquaint them with the Bahá’í Faith.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Egbe Tabi, said, “This Conference is of the greatest importance; we cannot realize how important it is. I am reminded of the words of Bahá’u’lláh ‘Ye are the leaves of one tree and the fruits of one branch’ and ‘The earth is one country and mankind its citizens’ and ‘Glory is not his who loves his native land; but glory is his who loves his kind.’ ” In his closing address, Mr. Tabi mentioned the need for morality and spirituality in order to bring an end to racial discrimination, and he then said “I am ending my talk with the words of Bahá’u’lláh which I mentioned in the opening of the seminar.” At a later meeting with Dr. Navidi and Dr. Samandari, Mr. Tabi told them he could never forget the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and felt compelled to quote His Words.... He said that he had been taught the Faith by Hand of the Cause Mr. Enoch Olinga and, in turn, had taught Mr. Dickson who is now treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly of Cameroon. He indicated his desire to study the Faith and welcomed an invitation from Dr. Navidi and Dr. Samandari to attend a reception and to meet other Bahá’ís.
The second special UN governmental seminar was held in Nice on August 24-September 6, 1971. Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery, assisted by Mr. Al Lincoln and Miss Guilda Navidi, represented the Bahá’í International Community. Subject of the seminar was “The Dangers of a Recrudescence of Intolerance in all its Forms and the Search for Ways of Preventing and Combating it.” Twice the Bahá’í representatives were given opportunity to present the viewpoint of the Faith on specific subjects being discussed. A great deal of attention was given to both presentations and favorable comments were made by many government delegates. Many excellent contacts were made for the Faith while at the same time effective and durable friendships were established. The press, too, seemed favorably impressed with the Bahá’í delegation, devoting a special article to the Faith. No other NGO or government representative received any acknowledgment from the press.
In its affiliation with the United Nations Office of Public Information, the Bahá’í International Community and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States joined hands in participating fully in the Annual Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations, held at UN Headquarters in New York on May 25 and 26. The Bahá’í International Community was represented by Dr. Victor de Araujo, Mrs. Annamarie Honnold, Mrs. Betty de Araujo, Mr. Phil Christensen and Mr. J. Michael Cavitt; the National Spiritual Assembly was represented by Mrs. Mary Sawicki, Mrs. Etta Mae Mikhael, Miss Delano Barbour, Mr. Stephen Waite and Mr. Foad Katirai. The theme of the Conference was “The United Nations and the Human Environment.”
Assistance in support of the aims and activities of the UN came also from Bahá’í communities throughout the world. Some of these activities have been reported in the January and February issues of BAHÁ’Í NEWS. We have since heard exciting reports of valuable cooperation in the following countries:
Bathurst, The Gambia[edit]
The National Teaching Committee of the Gambia organized the observance of UN Day in Bathurst. The meeting received paid publicity and one free radio release. The same talk was repeated at Yundum College where a lively audience of some 100 students listened and discussed with great interest for a long evening.
British Honduras[edit]
It is estimated that close to 1,000 people attended celebration of United Nations Day arranged by the Bahá’í Proclamation Committee in a public park in Belize City. The park was chosen with a view to reaching as many as possible from the general population. A popular band contributed their services. Some 50 large cardboard flags of UN member nations had been made by children in primary schools and by committee members. The school children were trained by a Bahá’í dance director in a most effective dance with these flags and, at a given time, they reversed these to show large letters on the backs spelling out “UNITED NATIONS—OUR BEST HOPE” and “HELP THE UNICEF CHILDREN’S FUND”. The United States Consul had loaned a very effective and moving short film on the work of UNICEF entitled “Three of Our Children,” which proved to be both enjoyable and informative. During the picture the children moved among the audience with collection boxes for the Children’s Fund. An impressive sum was given to the Minister of Education to be sent to UNICEF. Prominent newspaper publicity was received.
Dominican Republic[edit]
UN Day was celebrated in Santo Domingo, Santiago and Moca. All the programs consisted of informal talks in which the aims and achievements of the United Nations as well as the relationship of the Bahá’í Community to the United Nations were explained. Many, especially young people, attended. United Nations pamphlets and wall sheets received through the Bahá’í International Community office were used to advantage.
Fiji Islands[edit]
An unusual ad was run by the Bahá’ís of Suva, Fiji for their United Nations Day meeting. It read in part as follows:
“Fiji has become a member of the United Nations since Independence. What influence can Fiji have?”
Dr. E. Hald, the United Nations Liaison Office for Fiji, was the guest speaker. The program also included two color films: “The Story of UNICEF” and “Workshop for Peace”. The chart display attracted attention. Literature was distributed.
In private conversation Dr. Hald expressed his appreciation that at least one group of people in Fiji was taking an interest in publicizing the work of the United Nations. It is reported that representatives of women’s organizations who were present almost enviously questioned the Bahá’ís on how they were able to obtain so many charts, so much literature and such good films of the United Nations. They admitted having a good representative at the United Nations Headquarters.
It is also of interest that the pamphlet, “The United Nations—Twenty-Five Years of Working for You”, is included in the travel-teacher’s scrap book which is taken out to villages and outer islands.
France[edit]
United Nations events were sponsored by the Bahá’ís of different towns, including Paris, Marseille, Celle-St.-Cloud and Tours. Departing from the public meeting idea, the Marseille Bahá’í Community sponsored a big bus with an exhibition on the United Nations and on the Bahá’í Faith. UNESCO was very cooperative in supplying posters and many other useful items.
Írán[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Írán published a special issue of their BAHÁ’Í NEWS (No. 16) to commemorate The International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1971).
Italy[edit]
Many communities observed UN Day and Human Rights Day, including Milan, where Prof. Alessandro Bausani spoke at a conference on Human Rights Day on the topic: “Bahá’u’lláh, Standard-bearer of Human Rights”. On the Island of Elba announcements of a UN Day meeting were placed in shop windows in Portoferraio and Porto Azzurro.
Kenya[edit]
Five UN Day programs were held on October 24th. These gatherings took place in Nairobi, in Western Province, in Nyanza Province, in Coast Province and in Central Province. United Nations Day literature was made available.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia[edit]
One hundred and seventy-five Bahá’ís and their guests celebrated UN Day in Kuala Lumpur on October 24, 1971. The speakers were Mrs. Minna Chiew, director of information services for the UN Development Programme, and Mrs. Elizabeth Gibson, Bahá’í pioneer, who showed slides of United Nations Headquarters in New York before speaking on the UN’s International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. THE MALAYSIAN BAHÁ’Í NEWS, October 1971, reports “The response from the audience was wholehearted enthusiasm. The response from the media was: Tamil-speaking radio announced the meeting with full particulars over the air the day before. The Chinese press printed a release. The Malay Mail covered the event with a quarter page story and photo the next day. TV wrapped up the coverage with a lengthy resumé of the meeting on the world news program the following week. Success? More than the Bahá’ís of the Kuala Lumpur area even imagined!”
Monaco[edit]
In response to the wish expressed by the Bahá’í International Community and within the framework of the International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, the Bahá’ís sponsored a conference on December 7, 1971 at the House of Youth and Culture of Monaco. Mrs. Diane Starcher, a graduate in biology and residing in Saint-Cloud, France, lectured on “Racism and Science”. School principals were informed of the forthcoming event, posters were distributed and ads run. Most of the audience consisted of young people, most of whom took a very active part in the small discussion groups which followed.
Paraguay, Costa Rica and Norway[edit]
Svolvaer and Lillehammer
These countries have also cooperated in this work.
Samoa[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Samoa sent the Health Departments of American Samoa and Western Samoa an excerpt from World Health Magazine concerning a diet supplement biscuit for children, together with an offer to assist in any way possible in the institution of such a program. The Director of Health of the Government of Western Samoa acknowledged “the Bahá’ís keen interest in promoting health for the people of Western Samoa.”
Spain[edit]
In the meeting room of the Hotel Balmoral, in Barcelona, a public meeting was held on the occasion of Human Rights Day, 200 persons attended, 150 of whom were not Bahá’ís. The previous day a press conference had been called. The guest speaker’s topic was “Equality of Rights and Opportunities, Especially Regarding Women” while Bahá’í Professor Mehrabkhani developed “The Spiritual Source of Human Rights.” A display table proved a center of attraction. The professor was interviewed by radio broadcasting stations.
Switzerland[edit]
It is gratifying to note that the Bahá’ís in Switzerland held Bahá’í-UN observances in Nyon, Lausanne, Locarno and Lugano. One-hundred-fifty students and faculty from Franklin College in Lugano came out to hear “Combat against Racism”. A large article appeared in the press about the meeting held in the little town of Nyon on Lake Geneva.
Canada[edit]
Toronto Bahá’ís held a Race Unity children’s party to celebrate the annual UN Day, and to call attention to the “International Year to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination”. The event took place in the Toronto Bahá’í Center which is located in a neighborhood of mixed racial and national backgrounds. Before the party, 500 colorful fliers went out to the homes in the immediate area, and announcements were made on radio and TV, extending an open invitation to residents. The local chapter of the United Nations Association contributed 100 large balloons for distribution. About
[Page 22]
250-300 children came. Each was given “sunny money”
and invited to choose a variety of activities, including a
“candy tree”, finger printing and other crafts, a pet
show and apple bobbing. One member of the community
displayed her collection of 750 dolls from many nations.
Each child went home with a balloon and many adults
took literature about the UN.
Chile[edit]
On Human Rights Day, a ceremony took place at the Aula Magna at the University of Chile, organized by the Bahá’í community with the cooperation of UNIS, including a lecture on Human Rights and the showing of the UNESCO film “Mundo Fragil.”
The Bahá’í friends of Santiago responded with courtesy and kindness to Mr. David Exley, Chief, NGO Section, United Nations Office of Public Information, when he visited Santiago recently. The friends met him en masse at the Santiago airport and escorted him to his hotel, where a pleasant discussion was held regarding Bahá’í-UN activities in Chile.
Jamaica[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Jamaica distributed a large selection of UN publications, which were received from the Information Center in Trinidad, to all Bahá’í communities and suggested that their UN Day programs focus on the “International Year to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.” Also, a newspaper release which related the Bahá’í Faith to the United Nations was published in the Sunday Gleaner, a Kingston newspaper.
Japan[edit]
Mr. Hiroshi Tsunoi, a member of both the National Spiritual Assembly of Japan and the Japanese Federation of UNESCO Associations, was the major speaker at a United Nations Day observance in Nagoya, Japan. The subject of his talk was “The Formation of the UN and World Peace” and was delivered to an audience of 20 people.
Nigeria[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Nigeria is officially listed with the United Nations Information Center in Lagos and receives from that United Nations office their regular report on UN activities. On several occasions last year, articles from this report were reprinted in the Nigerian Bahá’í monthly newsletter. Even closer relations with the United Nations were established by the Bahá’í community of Nigeria when Mr. Penuel Malafa, Director of the United Nations Information Center in Lagos, met Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum at a reception-buffet dinner given in her honor by the Bahá’ís of Lagos on September 13.
Panama[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Republic of Panama sponsored an effective United Nations Day observance last October. To their knowledge, it was the only such observance for the United Nations in the Republic on October 24th, United Nations Day. Among the 175 people in attendance were ambassadors and other distinguished guests. There was good publicity. Parts of the program appeared on television throughout the Republic the following day.
The program included volunteer dancers of high professional quality, well known in Panama. At the end many of the audience joined in the dancing, a tamborito, making it an even more festive and happy occasion.
Paraguay[edit]
United Nations Day was celebrated by the Bahá’ís of Asuncion, Paraguay with a public meeting featuring two speakers. Dr. Enrique Vela, Director of the United Nations Information Centre, gave an excellent talk on the elimination of prejudice. The Bahá’í talk was based on the same theme and received high praise. Music for the program was composed and presented by a U.S. Peace Corpsman and two Paraguayan youth. The melodies were lovely and the lyrics very moving, on the theme of human brotherhood. Instruments were an interesting combination of guitars, French horn and recorder. Preceding the program, there were TV and radio interviews which explained the significance of the Bahá’í Faith. The film “Taller de la Paz”, which was provided by the United Nations Information Office, was also shown.
Solomon Islands[edit]
Bahá’ís of the Solomon Islands plan to introduce United Nations publications and audio-visual materials into their school programs. Two Bahá’í schools are in operation. Portable projectors have been acquired and they plan to utilize UN slides in conjunction with the booklet, “The United Nations and What You Should Know About It”.
Tonga and the Cook Islands[edit]
From the Bahá’ís of Tonga and the Cook Islands comes a report that slides of the UN buildings have drawn enthusiastic interest when shown in villages where, for the first time, there was awareness of the UN as a reality. One of the large Methodist high schools has borrowed all materials that the Bahá’ís have had to offer including UN charts, and indicate a desire to have all future UN materials which become available. All are clearly marked as the property of the National Spiritual Assembly of Tonga. Effort is also being made to offer a series of UNDP slides. A showing of these slides has already been arranged at the local Rotary Club in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
Nicaragua[edit]
On October 24, 1971, Bahá’ís of Nicaragua held a celebration in recognition of the Twenty-sixth Anniversary of the United Nations. Official representatives of the UN, the Technical Counsel of the Ministry of Public Education, the Ramirez Goyena Institute and of the Bahá’í community of Nicaragua were present. After a talk given by Mr. Fills, the UN representative, Mr. Artemus Lamb, member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, spoke of the similarity of the aims and purposes of the Bahá’í Faith and the United Nations. Five hundred special invitations were sent out. The meeting place was attractively decorated for the occasion with posters depicting UN themes, and informative pamphlets on the Bahá’í Faith and the United Nations were distributed.
|
CHILD’S WAY is interesting, attractive, and useful. Have you subscribed? Have you considered giving a subscription to a new community? They can use it immediately, and start building up a library ... Would a friend who is pioneering abroad appreciate a gift subscription .... from you? .... from your Local Spiritual Assembly? For 6 issues a year, in the U.S.A.: $4.50 Child’s Way, Box 551, Amherst, Mass. 01002 U.S.A. |
Wilmette Celebrates Hundredth Birthday[edit]
Wilmette is the location of the Mother Temple of the West and the National Bahá’í Center, and as such plays an important role in the history of the Bahá’í Faith. This year the Village of Wilmette celebrates its one-hundredth anniversary.
On May 21, 1972, the Wilmette Bahá’í community held a “Bahá’í Salute to Wilmette.” The event opened with a buffet-reception at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds to which Wilmette officials and other dignitaries were invited.
Following the buffet Bahá’ís, guests and the general public attended a devotional service at the Bahá’í House of Worship which had the general theme “His Praise Glorified.” In addition to Bahá’ís, the Mayor of Wilmette and the Chairman of the Wilmette Historical Society read at the devotions. A special choir and soloist presented a cappella music for the occasion.
Following the devotions, at 8:00 p.m. an historical and musical program was presented in Foundation Hall of the House of Worship. Music was provided by Mr. Milton Norman, guitarist and by Mr. Kiu Haghighi and Mr. Syrus Haghighi playing the Persian santour and zarb. The santour is a resonant 80-string instrument which originated in Írán in the ninth century. The zarb is an Íránian drum.
The historical portion of the program consisted of a slide show of the history of the Bahá’í House of Worship from 1908 to the present time. The entire program stressed the close relationship between the growth of Wilmette and the history of the Faith, and the part Bahá’ís have played and are playing in the growth of Wilmette. After the slide show, refreshments were served.
The event was well publicized by special invitations, a public invitation in the local newspaper and by news and radio releases. All of the Village officials were high in praise of the event and many indicated that the Bahá’ís had done more for Wilmette’s Centenary than any other group in the Village.
Mr. Kiu Haghighi (in front) playing the Persian santour
and his brother, Mr. Syrus Haghighi, who played the
zarb. This was an outstanding musical treat which featured ancient Persian music as well as an original composition for these instruments.
The Italian Dawn-Breakers[edit]
Italian Dawn-Breakers performing in one of the cities visited in summer 1971.
The Italian Dawn-Breakers made an extensive teaching tour for two months following the conference at
Fiesch. This group, consisting of seventeen young
people traveling in cars and sleeping in tents, visited
twenty-two cities in Italy, including the islands. When
reaching a town, usually where the Faith had not been
taught, they would go to some open square, put out
their equipment which would include big signs with
quotations from the Writings and “Bahá’í World Faith”
in big letters. The people would be attracted and listen
to this group singing songs about peace and unity.
When the program was over the Bahá’ís would disperse among the crowd that had gathered around them, answering questions and proclaiming the Faith.
In the evening, roundtable discussions were organized, open to everyone, with lively debates. In most places they visited, the radio and the press would announce the meetings. A number of news articles about the Faith were printed.
The result of this trip was that two-hundred people made their declarations.
| CONTENTS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
PHILIPPINES: At a Naw-Rúz celebration are members of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Batong Malake, Los Baños, Laguna, with Auxiliary Board member Fred Ramirez and National Spiritual Assembly member Zeny Ramirez. Standing, left to right, back row: Fred Ramirez, Jaime Go, Temeng Carpio and Mario Angeles. Front row, seated: Steve Pamulaklakin; Sofia Pareja, mother of seven children, whose husband and eldest daughter are pioneering in the Cook Islands; Zeny Ramirez; Luming Go; Bert de los Santos.
Newly elected members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Spain. Front row, left to right: Mr.
Jiminez, Secretary; Mr. Foroughi, Recording Secretary;
Mr. Ruiz; Mr. Medina; Mr. Torella, Treasurer. Standing,
left to right: Mr. Saenz, Chairman; Continental Board
member Annalise Bopp; Mr. Forghani; Mr. Mehrabkhani, Vice-Chairman; Mr. Martinez.
SPANISH NATIONAL CONVENTION[edit]
The National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Spain took place in Tarrasa, Spain on the 30th of April and the 1st of May 1972. Amongst the delegates and more than 200 Spanish friends who attended from all parts of Spain including the Canary Islands was George True (a pioneer in the Islands for 19 years), and also in attendance was Continental Board of Counsellors member of Europe, Annalise Bopp. The first day of the Convention consisted of opening prayers asking Bahá’u’lláh to crown our efforts with success for the Nine Year Plan and hearing a cable from The Universal House of Justice. That evening the election was held and the results were announced.
During the second day of the Convention, Miss Bopp raised a call for home front pioneers to the Canary Islands and one family volunteered and six other Bahá’ís offered their vacations to go to the Islands in order to win more victories for the Cause of God.
FOR GIFT GIVING OCCASIONS have you thought of a subscription to BAHÁ’Í NEWS? The recipient (who must be a Bahá’í since the publication is for Bahá’ís only) will be notified of your gift. The giver also will receive an acknowledgment.
SUBSCRIPTION to BAHÁ’Í NEWS is $6.00 a year, postpaid, in the United States and Canada.
| Write: | Bahá’í Subscription Service |
| 415 Linden Avenue | |
| Wilmette, Ill. 60091 |
FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS: Local Assemblies, groups
and individuals in countries other than the United
States and Canada must inquire of their own National
Spiritual Assembly for subscriptions to BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
It is shipped in bulk to each National Assembly for distribution within their national area.
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.
