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| No. 508 | BAHA’I YEAR 130 | JULY, 1973 |
International Teaching Centre Established in Holy Land
ANNOUNCE ESTABLISHMENT HOLY LAND LONG ANTICIPATED INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTER DESTINED EVOLVE INTO ONE THOSE WORLD-SHAKING WORLD-EMBRACING WORLD-DIRECTING ADMINISTRATIVE INSTITUTIONS ORDAINED BY BAHÁ’U’LLÁH ANTICIPATED BY ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ ELUCIDATED BY SHOGHI EFFENDI. MEMBERSHIP THIS NASCENT INSTITUTION COMPRISES ALL HANDS CAUSE GOD AND INITIALLY THREE COUNSELLORS WHO WITH HANDS PRESENT HOLY LAND WILL CONSTITUTE NUCLEUS ITS VITAL OPERATIONS. CALLING HOOPER DUNBAR FLORENCE MAYBERRY ‘AZÍZ YAZDÍ PROCEED HOLY LAND ASSUME THIS HIGHLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE. OFFERING PRAYERS HEARTFELT GRATITUDE SACRED THRESHOLD THIS FURTHER EVIDENCE ORGANIC EVOLUTION ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER BAHÁ’U’LLÁH. —THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
Haifa, Israel |
The One-Hundredth Anniversary of the Revelation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas[edit]
Delegates to the Third International Convention visit the House of ‘Abbud where the Kitáb-i-Aqdas was written
[Page 3]
The newly elected members of The Universal House of Justice were called forward as the results of
the election were announced to the Convention. Standing, left to right: Hugh E. Chance, David S. Ruhe,
H. Borrah Kavelin, Charles Wolcott, David Hofman, Ian Semple, Amoz Gibson, Hushmand Fatheazam
and ‘Ali Nakhjaváni. The order in which members received the greatest number of votes is from
right to left.
Universal House of Justice Crowning Victory[edit]
To the Bahá’ís of the World
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
It is now possible to share with you all the news of an event which crowns the victories with which Bahá’u’lláh has blessed His followers during the Nine Year Plan, an event of which the true significance will be fully understood only in the course of centuries to come: a reigning monarch has accepted the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
Among those to whom The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh was presented in 1967 was His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, the Head of State of the independent nation of Western Samoa in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. His Highness, who had already heard of the Faith, showed immediately that the sacred Words had touched his heart, and The Universal House of Justice thereupon asked the Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery, who had presented the book to him, to return to Western Samoa for further audiences with His Highness. Following this visit the Malietoa conveyed his acceptance of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh to The Universal House of Justice and became the first reigning sovereign to enter beneath the shade of this Cause.
His Highness decided, with the full agreement of The Universal House of Justice, that it was not propitious to make his declaration public at that time. He has been visited from time to time by Hands of the Cause and other believers, and continual touch with His Highness has been maintained by The House of Justice through Mr. Suhayl ‘Alá’í, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Australasia. Gradually the Malietoa has let it be known to those around him that he has accepted Bahá’u’lláh. Now he has judged the time ripe to share this wondrous news with his fellow-believers in all parts of the world, by addressing to the International Bahá’í Convention the gracious and inspiring message of which a copy is enclosed with this letter.
The friends everywhere are asked to strictly avoid any publicity to non-Bahá’ís in connection with this historic event. If any publicity is to be given to this most joyous news, it will be given by National Spiritual Assemblies after they have received appropriate instructions from The Universal House of Justice.
—THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
May 7, 1973
Bahá’í Centre
Haifa, Israel
Letter from His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II:
Office of the Head of State
Vailima, Western Samoa March 31, 1973 |
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Greatly esteemed members of The Universal House of Justice, much admired Hands of the Cause of God, respected Counsellors and honoured delegates attending the Third International Convention My Spiritual Brethren: |
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It is a joy for me and for my fellow Bahá’ís of the Samoan Islands in the heart of the Pacific, to be with you in spirit and with the friends of God throughout the world, in celebrating this most significant first century of the revelation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Most Holy Book of Bahá’u’lláh. We pray for the success of the historic convention now being held in the shadow of the Mountain of God in the Holy Land. Although we are unable to be with you in person on this memorable occasion, our hearts share with you these never to be forgotten days and the knowledge of the tremendous victories won for the Faith of God. To the north, to the south, to the east and to the west, to the most populous and to the most remote places, we send our fond greetings and cherished love. May the spirit created by your gathering at the Holy Shrines pave the way for the rapid establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth and the unity of all the peoples of the world. Alofa tele atu lava matou uma i Samoa nei. |
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Malietoa Tanumafili II
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[Page 4]
The friends at the Third International Bahá’í Convention gathered at the site of the building to be erected for the seat of The Universal House of Justice on Monday morning, April 30, 1973. Prayers were recited; Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke about the significance of the project, and the Tablet of Carmel was read.
Third Bahá’í International Convention[edit]
Sixteen Hands of the Cause of God, thirty-eight members of Continental Boards of Counsellors and 412 members of National Spiritual Assemblies from the far corners of the earth gathered in the Holy Land during the Riḍván Festival to attend the Third International Bahá’í Convention. It was a thrilling sight to see the wide diversity of nations and races represented. Many were heard to comment that this was, perhaps, one of the most representative gatherings of believers ever held.
The three days immediately preceding the Ninth Day of Riḍván were set aside to give the friends an opportunity to visit the Shrines, the other Holy Places and the International Archives. They were taken by bus in small groups to the Prison in ‘Akká and then to Bahjí where they visited the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh and the Mansion. The Shrines of the Báb and the Master were kept open during the morning, afternoon and evening of each day so that delegates might have the opportunity to meditate and pray as much as they wished in preparation for the discharge of their most important duty: the casting of their ballots in the election of the members of The Universal House of Justice.
During this same period The Universal House of Justice and the Hands of the Cause of God held important meetings concerning the affairs of the Cause, including consideration of new institutions to deal with the anticipated rapid expansion of the Faith in the years immediately ahead.
The three-day Convention period was officially opened on the morning of the Ninth Day of Riḍván when the delegates assembled at Beit Harofe in Haifa to cast their ballots in the election of The Universal House of Justice. Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum presided. Prayers were recited or chanted in several languages. Silently, deliberately and prayerfully the ballots were marked and sealed in their envelopes. When all had finished, the roll was called by name of National Spiritual Assembly—one hundred and thirteen of them.
Circumstances beyond their control prevented fourteen National Spiritual Assemblies from being represented in person, but there was at least one delegate from each of the remaining ninety-nine, and the entire membership of five National Spiritual Assemblies—Canada, Iceland, Ireland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom—was present. It required approximately one hour and thirty minutes for the chief tellers to call the names of the one thousand seventeen members of National Spiritual Assemblies—a process which was frequently punctuated with spontaneous applause in recognition of some special fact or circumstance attaching to a particular delegation. Ballots sent by mail were cast by the tellers during the roll call. Finally the last ballot was placed in the box and the nineteen tellers retired to the Master’s House to begin the long process of counting the votes—a task which lasted through the night into the early hours of the following morning.
One of the delegates casts her ballot in the election of The Universal House of Justice. Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, who chaired the proceedings, is seated at the center. The chief tellers called the roll and supervised the casting of the ballots.
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Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum addresses the first consultative session of the Third International Bahá’í Convention on Monday, April 30, 1973. Hand of the Cause John
Robarts chaired the session.
The Feast in observance of the Ninth Day of Riḍván
was held in the precincts of the Shrine of the Báb. Seating was provided in the courtyard in front of the Pilgrim
House, extending more than half-way up the long drive
toward the entrance gate.
After the opening prayer, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, on behalf of The Universal House of Justice, announced that the first ruling monarch ever to embrace the Faith, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, Head of State of Western Samoa, had declared himself a Bahá’í shortly after being presented with the special edition of The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh by the Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery in 1967. She related the circumstances of his declaration and spoke of its historic significance, citing several passages from the Writings. She then read the beautiful letter written by the Malietoa to The Universal House of Justice, the Hands of the Cause of God, the members of Continental Boards of Counsellors and the delegates attending the Third International Convention.
A committee was appointed by The Universal House of Justice to draft an official reply from the Convention to His Highness, and this was signed by the members of The Universal House of Justice, the Hands of the Cause, Counsellors and delegates and given to members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Samoa for presentation to the Malietoa when they returned to their country which has been favored by this great bounty.
In the evening following the Feast the friends reassembled in the Convention hall to hear the Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga read the Riḍván Message of The Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the World—a Message recounting the victories of the Nine Year Plan which had just been concluded. A slide program entitled “Entry by Troops” produced by the Audio-Visual Department for the Convention visually supplemented the written report on the Nine Year Plan. That same evening copies of A Synopsis and Codification of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and of The Constitution of The Universal House of Justice were made available to those attending the Convention.
The proceedings for the second day of the Convention were opened by a visit to the site above the Arc on Mount Carmel where the building for the Seat of The Universal House of Justice is to be erected in the near future. Prayers were said on that spot, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke of the significance of the developments on the Arc, and the Tablet of Carmel was read. Just before the friends departed for Beit Harofe, the official Convention photograph was taken.
Rúḥíyyih Khánum addressed the Convention on the theme of the Convention: “What are the major challenges to the Bahá’í world during the next decade and how are they to be met?” She spoke of the paramount importance of unity in promoting the growth of the Faith, of the need for the feeling of oneness at all levels and in the relationship of the institutions of the Faith to
One of the Ethiopian delegates casts his ballot in the
election of The Universal House of Justice. Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, who chaired the proceedings,
is seated at the center. Standing near her are the chief
tellers.
Discussion groups which met between plenary sessions of
the Third International Bahá’í Convention. They consulted on the Convention theme: “What are the major
challenges to the Bahá’í World during the next decade
and how are they to be met?”
[Page 7]
Counsellor William Maxwell of Nigeria speaks during
one of the plenary sessions of the Third International
Bahá’í Convention.
each other. She drew frequently from her experiences in
travelling and teaching in Africa, speaking of her meetings with heads of state and other important people, and
stating that during the latter part of her trip she had
begun to speak much more directly to them about the
spiritual aspects of the Cause but at the same time
avoiding a direct confrontation in presenting the Teachings.
At the conclusion of Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s talk, the chief tellers were called to the platform to announce the results of the election for the members of The Universal House of Justice. One by one, as their names were called, the newly elected members went forward and stood before the huge assembly: ‘Alí Nakhjavání, Hushmand Fatheazam, Amoz Gibson, Ian Semple, David Hofman, Charles Wolcott, Borrah Kavelin, David Ruhe, Hugh Chance.
During the afternoon and evening hours the delegates were divided into groups to discuss the theme of the Convention: “What are the major challenges to the Bahá’í world during the next decade and how are they to be met?” Reports were assembled, condensed and correlated so that all the friends could be provided with an overview of all the discussions, and during the last day of the Convention two plenary sessions were held, providing the delegates with a further opportunity to consult on the Convention theme.
Opening the final session the Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery alluded to the great celebration of the Centenary of the Revelation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas which was to be held the following day. He introduced the Hand of the Cause William Sears who closed the Convention with an eloquent and inspiring address on the need for cooperative effort in the advancement of the Cause. He said that frequently he had travelled great distances just to meet with one Continental Board of Counsellors or a National Spiritual Assembly, but that most of them were represented here and he could address them all at once. He spoke of the great need for these two exalted institutions to combine their efforts.
To the strains of “Alláh-u-Abhá” the friends slowly dispersed from the hall, remembering what the Hand of the Cause John Robarts had said earlier, “None of us will ever be the same again. We must take all of the blessings to our own communities. If we do, the Faith will go ahead as never before.”
The Twelfth Day of Riḍván was entirely given over to the celebration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh’s Most Holy Book—the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. The friends visited the very room in the House of ‘Abbúd where it was revealed, and in the afternoon assembled in the Haram-i-Aqdas at Bahjí for the Feast. The Hands of the Cause and the members of The Universal House of Justice were the last to visit the House of ‘Abbúd and to offer prayers in that holy spot, and then they joined the believers at Bahjí. The final act of the observance was the visitation to the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.
CANADIAN GOALS FILLED[edit]
The Canadian National Pioneer Committee, in January, was assigned additional responsibilities for pioneer moves to homefront goals when it was realized that these goals were in jeopardy.
Canadian pioneers who filled overseas goals number 132. Of these, 64 filled goals assigned to Canada, 68 filled goals of other national communities. These include only the 132 in residence at Riḍván, 1973. In addition there are a large number of Canadian pioneers who left during earlier plans.
Over 50 traveling teachers visited most large land masses as well as many lesser islands.
The second priority, after pioneering, is French teaching. Proclamation in Quebec is noteworthy; in a region which for six decades seemed hopelessly closed to the Cause there are now eight or nine vital centers of activity. Another reason for teaching French-speaking Canadians was the great demand for pioneers in other parts of the world where French is spoken.
When an appeal came for teaching among French-speaking people in the Caribbean islands, a bilingual team of five responded and met with overwhelming success, attracting 1,000 new believers and establishing a number of Spiritual Assemblies in a brief two-month period. The Canadian believers supplied some additional manpower, funds and literature to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward and Virgin Islands for this important work.
The CANADIAN BAHÁ’Í NEWS is now bi-lingual.
A first major endeavor of the summer’s French teaching program (1972) was the Chalet project. Summer homes were rented in many locations and host couples and Bahá’ís came from all over Canada to carry out various proclamation and teaching projects. The Jalál musical group attracted many friends who joined them and visited the localities which had chalets, also the Montreal and Hull areas. Substantial TV and press coverage of the Faith was obtained.
Institutes were held in many localities across Canada, the busiest place being the Laurentian Bahá’í School which prepared members for participation with the teams in Quebec.
About 39 groups grew to Assembly status during the year. The goal of 57 Incorporated Assemblies was exceeded by 31! As a base of future endeavors, the Canadians now have achieved the victory of 200 local Assemblies! Individuals and committees became re-vitalized in an all-out effort to achieve these goals.
National Teaching Institute of Ghana[edit]
Soon the last details will be completed on the building of
the National Institute of Ghana which is located in
Fankyenebra, about six miles outside of Kumas. Financial assistance for this was one of the goals of the United
States.
Devoted Handmaiden, Mrs. Agnes Parsons[edit]
In 1920 on her second pilgrimage, Mrs. Agnes Parsons
of Washington D.C. had received challenging instructions from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He said, “I want you to arrange a Convention for the unity of the white and colored races”.
Now, eight years later Mrs. Parsons had become a particularly brilliant star, important to the world as well as to our generation of young Bahá’ís whose privilege it had been to know her even for a short time. She was a lady of such inherent dignity that it was difficult not to be shy with her. Her relationship with us was never familiar, certainly never demonstrative, yet beyond externals, we knew that she maintained a humble fellowship with us.
On this evening in 1928 we sat with Mrs. Parsons and Mr. Louis Gregory around a table in a Geneva, New York, farmhouse, candlelight and an applewood fire inviting intimacy. One of us spoke of personal and universal love and asked Mr. Gregory and Mrs. Parsons which he or she preferred. Mrs. Parsons impulsively said “Personal”, but Mr. Gregory said “Universal. It’s safer”. To us it seemed to show the seeking human heart of Mrs. Parsons, whom we had thought unapproachable, and the disciplined detachment of Mr. Gregory for all his genial affability.
The stories she had told us by the fire that afternoon had shown us how that love had been set aglow on her first visit to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1910. As she described it, her reasons for going had been a blend of curiosity and hope. I think she could not quite believe that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was real! Now, after waiting two years she had gone to find out for herself, to see Him and to judge the Faith by Him. She felt fortified by her own values. Certainly she was not yet a believer.
She was annoyed that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá kept her waiting. When summoned at last she entered His presence in that mood. He looked at her and a ray of blinding light seemed to pass from His eyes into hers—and she fell prostrate on the floor at His feet. She thought she must have lost consciousness for the first thing she knew He was courteously raising her to her feet. No mention was made of this. What had happened?
A night’s perspective and Mrs. Parsons visited the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh to ask for another “proof”. She felt that there she had received two signs. Although it was a breezeless day, suddenly the flowers in front of the Tomb became agitated and swayed back and forth. At the same moment a little bird flew into the bosom of her dress and nestled there. And there were other stories... Some pilgrims find a strange world there at Bahjí where a supernatural order seems to overlap this world. According to her accounts this was the way God spoke to Mrs. Parsons and transformed her. She returned to Washington a confirmed believer to identify herself
Program of a Most Important Convention, May 19, 20, 21, 1921
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Page three of Program
Page four of Program
gloriously with the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.
When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in 1912, had stayed and taught in Mrs. Parsons’ Washington home He had pointedly concerned Himself with the large Negro population in the Capital. A number of years passed until ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s appointed moment to make a bold forward step, the above mentioned “Convention for the unity of white and colored races”. Mrs. Parsons’ friend, Mrs. Miriam Haney, writing of her in the Bahá’í World, was to say later, “She became a Bahá’í in middle life and stepped forth from a sheltered haven into fast moving seas”. How fast these seas were to move was suddenly revealed to her by this sure call. Her answer was immediate: “I will be able to do it. I must, for it is the will of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá!”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s added phrase: “You must have people to help you” provided the first step. As Mrs. Parsons described it later, she did not consider herself an organizer, could not speak in public—but she could get together a working committee. And together they did launch a successful Inter-racial Convention in prejudice-ridden Washington, the pioneer effort of its kind. Mrs. Parsons cabled “Convention successful. Meeting crowded. Hearts comforted.”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá replied, “Never since the beginning of time has one more important been held. This Convention stands for the Oneness of humanity.” He called it “the Mother Convention from which many would be born”. Soon similar conferences were held in all the large cities of America over a period of years, a widespread demonstration of our basic principles that became a turning point for the accelerated growth of our numbers. Now, as Chairman of the National Inter-racial Committee Mrs. Parsons led the way.
For this was only the beginning of her dedication to the Cause of Oneness. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá now called her to go forth and “Teach” with Oneness her theme. When she said, “But I can’t make talks,” He told her that in that case she must memorize the Bahá’í Writings on that subject and recite these from the platform. Thus was developed her effective, thrilling, approach as she recited in her beautiful, cultured voice the addresses of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Words of Bahá’u’lláh.
Mrs. Parsons died at seventy-three as the result of an accident. Looking back over her life: the earlier experiences at the Shrines; the setting aside of her early patterns to be a Bahá’í; the acceptance of an overwhelming task; the dedication of her later years to detailed responsibilities, one grasps the meaning of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words—“God has elected you and led you to the Kingdom of Abhá”.
The world of humanity is like a garden and the various races are the flowers which constitute its adornment and decoration ... In origin and intention of creation mankind is one. Distinctions of race and color have arisen afterward ... Therefore strive earnestly and put forth your greatest endeavor toward the accomplishment of this fellowship and the cementing of this bond of brotherhood between you. Such an attainment is not possible without will and effort on the part of each; from one, expressions of gratitude and appreciation; from the other kindliness and recognition of equality ... Love and unity will be fostered between you, thereby bringing about the oneness of mankind. For the accomplishment of unity between the colored and whites will be an assurance of the world’s peace.
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Delegates at the Convention with Dr. Daniel C. Jordan, Chairman, presiding.
The Sixty-Fourth Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States[edit]
As delegates and visitors were arriving one could feel the exultant mood of this Convention joyous and triumphant over the global victories recorded at the completion of the Nine Year Plan. One was inclined to listen for a chorus of paeans of praise from the Supreme Concourse, singing “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”
Beginning on Friday morning, May 18, 1973, this Convention echoed with the spirit generated at the Third International Convention in Haifa, held between the Ninth and Twelfth Holy Days of Riḍván. After the usual preliminaries, the first item on the agenda was a sharing with those attending, by means of vivid word-pictures, of the Haifa Convention by two National Spiritual Assembly members, Miss Charlotte Linfoot, Assistant Secretary and Mr. Glenford Mitchell, Secretary.
As all delegates were invited to arrive early in Haifa, they were able to make pilgrimages to the several Holy Places and there was an opportunity also to meet many of the National Spiritual Assembly members from other countries, some of whom had gone forth as pioneers from the United States long before the beginning of the Nine Year Plan. The roll-call was most exciting, especially as some new National Spiritual Assemblies were represented by their full membership, as, for example, Ireland and Iceland. “To us the Kingdom of God has begun” said Miss Linfoot. When people from all parts of the world, many dressed in their native costumes climbed the mountain to the site on which the buildings for The Universal House of Justice are to be erected, she felt that here was the literal fulfillment of the verses of Isaiah, Chapter II, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established ... and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the Law ...”
Then the Convention viewed slides of the Holy places and groups of National Assembly members made on this momentous occasion. All present felt the outpouring of the spirit which would indeed bring about peace to a sorely tried world, and that we had achieved a momentous milestone on that path.
The first roll call of the National Convention was answered by 141 delegates. Dr. Daniel Jordan was elected Chairman of the Convention and Mr. Glenford Mitchell was elected Secretary. The Chairman appointed Mrs. Barbara West and a committee of reporters to provide summaries of each session for the delegates. A suggestion box was available which any delegate could use for recommendations and suggestions which could be included in session reports and could be introduced for consultation from the floor, if so voted by the delegates. The Riḍván message from The Universal House of Justice thrilled the delegates with the victories for the Faith which it recounted. A committee was appointed to draft a reply to The Universal House of Justice. A prayer was said for the health of Hand of the Cause of God Hasan Balyuzi, and a motion was passed that a letter from the Convention be sent to him, thanking him for his brilliant, historic volumes on the Faith and in anticipation of the next planned on the life of Muḥammad.
Further ties to the recent Haifa Convention came when a number of persons who had been present were introduced: Auxiliary Board members Miss Irene Bennett from Uganda and Mrs. Marge Jackson from Australia;
[Page 11]
Dr. William Baker, National Spiritual Assembly
member from Peru; John Mills, New Guinea; Mr. and
Mrs. John Leonard, Falkland Islands; Mr. Leyton
Rochester, Bermuda; Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Gruber from
Botswana were also present, but not when the Chairman
called them to be introduced.
The Hand of the Cause William Sears was welcomed and introduced at the Friday afternoon session. He, too, described the dedication of the site of the building for The Universal House of Justice and said: “Haifa will never be the same again.”
The Annual Report of the National Spiritual Assembly was read by Mr. Glenford Mitchell who announced that 1,099 pioneers left the United States under the Nine Year Plan and the 656 are still at their posts; financial aid was given in acquiring 19 properties, which include six Temple sites, eight Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds and five teaching institutes. In the United States the Assembly goal was exceeded by 200 with the goal of localities where Bahá’ís reside exceeded by 1,809. Every state has now recognized Bahá’í marriages and Bahá’í Holy Days. During this last year of the Plan, 143 young people were involved in international teaching projects in Europe and in Latin-America.
Much of the consultation revolved around consolidation of Assemblies, nurturing the institutions; how to promote unity in diversity; elimination of prejudice; deepening; education of children, producing children’s songs and children’s films.
Friday evening, the National Treasurer, Dr. Dorothy Nelson, in her report and budget presentation was well equipped with figures and assisted by staff members, gave lucid answers to all questions. There was a slide presentation to aid delegates to understand the main features of the National Bahá’í Fund. At the close of her presentation there was immediately a breathtaking motion to accept the budget of two and a half million proposed by the National Spiritual Assembly and no discussion was required to carry the vote unanimously.
Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, explained some of the significance of the Summary and Codifications of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, which, with The Constitution of The Universal House of Justice, is now available. “In the Aqdas”, he explained, “Bahá’u’lláh has given us the laws that are to govern us
The Hand of the Cause William Sears.
for 1,000 years, but they will be applied gradually. Whatever is written and given to us by The Universal House
of Justice must be obeyed.” He said that the document
should not be used for public proclamation, but should
be treated with the greatest respect as it is the sacred
charter of world civilization.
Saturday morning the delegates elected the members of the National Spiritual Assembly. Non-delegates attended a special meeting at a nearby school. This session was presided over by the Chairman of the National Teaching Committee, Mrs. Kathleen Javid, who introduced members of the Teaching Committee and staff and the International Goals Committee and its staff. The “Skokie Warblers” sang a number of beautiful songs with
Dr. William Baker of Peru, pioneer from the United States.
Doc Whitesinger, who chanted a prayer in Navajo.
Mr. and Mrs. John Leonard of the Falkland Islands.
National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States
Held in Wilmette, Illinois on May 18, 19, 20, 1973[edit]
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Bahá’í sentiments.
The Hand of the Cause William Sears reminded us that rank on rank of angels are waiting to rush to our aid in delivering the Message, and that if we do our part, even the climate could change. Mr. Sears told of the goals achieved in Persia, that there are now Assemblies in Tabríz, Mah-Kú, Chihríq, Zanján, Bárfurúsh and other Bahá’í historic sites; 416 new Assemblies were formed in the last three years in Persia, representing the equivalent of a new center each day in that period of time. He talked particularly on the significance of this time and urged us not to slacken the present tempo of teaching but rather to increase it.
During the Saturday afternoon plenary session the results of the election of members of the National Spiritual Assembly were announced in order of their votes, as follows: Dr. Dorothy Nelson, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Dr. Daniel C. Jordan, Mr. Glenford Mitchell, Miss Magdalene Carney, Mr. Franklin Kahn, Dr. Dwight Allen, Miss Charlotte Linfoot, Dr. Sara Martin Pereira. As part of the afternoon’s agenda, Dr. Victor de Araujo, representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the Non-Governmental Organizations of the United Nations, traced the influence of Bahá’í Teachings on the attitudes of persons at the U.N. “Next year will be World Population Year” he said, “and 1975 will be Woman’s Year.”
Several activities in connection with the Convention but out of session were noteworthy. Thursday evening there was an opening prayer service under the Temple dome and downstairs afterward an informal reception where friends could visit with members of the National Spiritual Assembly and each other. Each morning before Convention session, there was a devotional program in the Auditorium of the Bahá’í House of Worship. Outstanding was the Saturday morning service dedicated to the Hands of the Cause, the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh, the pioneers and, indeed, all believers who had passed into the Abhá kingdom during the Nine Year Plan.
Saturday evening a banquet of celebration was held at the Orrington Hotel in Evanston with Dr. Sarah Martin Pereira presiding. Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh gave a short talk about the victories of the Nine Year Plan, and Mary Louise Creekmore, soprano and a Bahá’í, with Dr. Daniel C. Jordan accompanying her at the piano, charmed her audience with a program of operatic arias and some familiar light-opera numbers which brought several standing ovations. To the five hundred attending, it was a mellow, heart-warming evening.
At the concluding session on Sunday morning, officers of the National Assembly were announced, as follows: Chairman, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh; Vice-Chairman, Dr.
At one of the Convention sessions, delegate Pearl Schuyler is taking notes.
Dr. Dorothy Nelson presenting the budget. In the background are Steve Jackson, Assistant Treasurer, Lauretta
Voelz and Tom Armistead of the office of the Treasurer.
Daniel C. Jordan; Secretary, Mr. Glenford Mitchell;
Assistant Secretary, Miss Charlotte Linfoot; Treasurer,
Dr. Dorothy Nelson.
Mr. Glenford Mitchell outlined some of the plans and changes adopted for next year. Most of them are aimed at meeting the individual needs of localities. A new National Education Committee will deal with education of children, the family, youth and local community, and eventually will direct the various Bahá’í summer and winter schools. The National Information Committee will be responsible for public information and three Bahá’í publications of the National Spiritual Assembly.
Regarding goals, every Assembly will be asked to systematically teach children, including non-Bahá’ís; to contribute to the Fund each Bahá’í month; to take an inventory of human resources and how to use them to the best advantage; to focus on universal participation and deepening. The National Spiritual Assembly will conduct a training institute for field representatives who will act as arms of the National Spiritual Assembly in dealing with certain types of problems in local communities.
Dr. Daniel C. Jordan presented the first five sections of the Comprehensive Deepening Course on which the National Spiritual Assembly has been working for more than two years (now available through the Bahá’í Publishing Trust) and described the other subjects of the Faith to be covered in the remaining sections. Part of the deepening materials is an amusing film strip in which various kinds of birds are pictured as representing types of individuals found on most Local Spiritual Assemblies and it shows how diverse mixtures of qualities can be used to the advantage of the community.
During the consultation period, Mrs. Alberta Landsdowne of South Carolina made a plea for couples to settle in her state where there are 11,000 registered believers and only a few deepened teachers.
Attention was turned to the American Indians by Mrs. Vivian Fellows, delegate from Wisconsin, who related an incident in which certain valuables were stolen from her and her empty purse was found and returned to her by a local Indian group, thus opening the way for several Bahá’í meetings among the Indians in the community. Mrs. Nancy Phillips reminded us that we should seek out the first Americans, seek their advice and listen to what they have to say before attempting an aggressive teaching program with them. Mrs. Pearl Schuyler, a Navajo living on the Navajo Reservation, cautioned about over-administration with Indians. A
[Page 15]
Counsellor Florence Mayberry addressing the Convention. Seated in the background are Auxiliary
Board members Dr. Peter Khan, Mrs. Opan Conner, Mrs. Eunice Braun, Mrs. Marje Jackson from
Australia and Miss Irene Bennett from Uganda.
ninety-year old Navajo Bahá’í chanted a prayer in his
language for safe travel home.
During the last hour of this Sixty-Fourth Convention on the platform with The Hand of the Cause Sears were Counsellor Florence Mayberry; Auxiliary Board members Irene Bennett of Uganda and Margo Jackson of Australia; from the United States were Eunice Braun, Opal Conner and Dr. Peter Khan. Counsellor Mayberry, who had briefly addressed those assembled several times during the Convention, again brought all back to the unforgettable International Convention in Haifa. She said: “Being with The House of Justice gives the same feeling as being with the Guardian.” She commented on the feeling of power and well-being, the great justice and never harshness of the Universal House.” And, she asked, “What is justice but love for everybody?”
Mr. Sears, in his closing remarks, again reminded the friends of the promises of assistance from the Supreme Concourse if we will but draw upon it.
Following the closing prayer, with hearts refreshed and reinforced for their next endeavors for the Cause and with renewed dedication, delegates and visitors alike departed reluctantly for all points in the United States and many places abroad.
At the Victory banquet, Mary Louise Creekmore entertains the guests.
[Page 16]
Participants at the week-end school of Messina, Sicily
Sicily Week-end School[edit]
Messina, Sicily, was the location of a week-end school held from January 4 through 7, 1973, attended by forty people from all sections of Italy, including the Piedmont and Sardinia. The committee had a well prepared plan centered on three main points: cooperation with other communities on an international level, consolidation of existing Spiritual Assemblies, and the progress of the Faith in Italy.
During this brief period of time the Faith was proclaimed in all Messina. Printed leaflets were distributed. One reached the minister of an Adventist Church who made favorable comments to his Sunday morning congregation on the words of Bahá’u’lláh in the leaflet.
At the end of the school, five youth from Messina who had been present at most of the sessions expressed their desire to declare themselves, having felt the spirit of love and unity generated among the Bahá’ís. A non-Bahá’í friend thanked the Bahá’ís for having come to Messina and for the dynamic spirit that was evident at all the meetings.
Italian National Bahá’í Teaching Conference Rome, November 11, 12, 1972
Distinguished Visitors at Tororo Girls’ School[edit]
Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga recently spoke to more than 600 students at the Tororo Girls School in Tororo, Uganda. The film “And His Name Shall Be One” preceded the talk. The next day many students crowded around him for a deepening session and prayers, while Mrs. Olinga commented on the role of young women and encouraged them to study the Teachings.
During the past year Tororo School was blessed with the presence of Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir and Counsellor Vasudevan.
The Bahá’í club is composed of students who represented many different tribes of Uganda. Each school day they gather to say prayers at mid-day and when there are visitors they bring much joy by singing Bahá’í songs.
During the Fast, twenty-five of the Bahá’í Club members met at the flat of Miss Zylpha Mapp very early, said prayers and had breakfast together before dawn. At noon they returned for more prayers and songs, and in the evening, attended a deepening class. When the Fast was over they had a wonderful Naw-Rúz celebration.
Some of the members of the Bahá’í Club at Tororo Girls’
School. Pioneer Zylpha Mapp, who teaches at this school
and is the club sponsor is in the center on the back row.
Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga (second from left) with
members of his family; to his left, his daughter, Florence,
a student at Tororo Girls’ School; to his right, his wife,
Elizabeth; and extreme right, his son, George.
Forough Ehsani from Írán became the bride of George
Olinga, son of Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga
on Naw-Rúz, March 21, 1973. It was an unforgettable day
at Kikaaya Hill, the Temple grounds in Kampala,
Uganda, for it was on this day that the families and
friends of George Olinga from Teso and Forough Ehsani
came together—her parents, sister and brother-in-law
and other Persian friends. Forough had been pioneering
in Uganda since 1970.
There was a short service of praise and thanksgiving after the vows were taken, and then a reception. Vida Abassi had composed a song specially for the occasion. Guests enjoyed the dancing and drumming of a local group.
A second reception was held in Tilling, Teso, hosted by Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga and his wife. A throng of friends from Kampala journeyed to Teso to join in the festivities. The Persian visitors were introduced to their new relatives and friends in the Bahá’í school at Tilling after a short devotional service. There was music and traditional dancing, welcoming the bride, which continued late into the evening.
International Youth Conference in Argentina—1973
THE GREAT SAFARI[edit]
of Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum[edit]
Part eighteen
Our few days in Durban before going to Swaziland
were very happily spent. In a holiday resort for the
Africans, friends gathered for a morning and afternoon
meeting. Bahá’ís from the city locations as well as
towns and settlements farther away had been invited to
come and meet with Amatu’l-Bahá and hear her speak.
Quite a number of believers were present and a very
happy atmosphere prevailed. Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke
about the progress of the Faith all over Africa and all
over the world. She encouraged the friends to study the
Teachings more so as to deepen their faith and teach
their own people the Message of Bahá’u’lláh because
they are now free to do so.
On behalf of the Bahá’ís, an old Zulu believer presented Amatu’l-Bahá with a three-legged iron pot typical of those used throughout all the countries of Southern Africa as a momento of her visit. No doubt the news had spread around that Rúḥíyyih Khánum liked these pots as well as the traditional mealie meal cooked in them.
In Swaziland[edit]
The six week tour of Amatu’l-Bahá in Swaziland was packed with many thrilling occasions and great victories
One of the earliest believers in South Africa, Mr. Isak
Zulu, on behalf of the Bahá’ís, presents Rúḥíyyih
Khánum with a traditional three legged iron pot, bead
cover and meali meal.
Professor Bishop Brown, a long time pioneer from the
United States who is Chairman of the National Spiritual
Assembly, presents Amatu’l-Bahá, on its behalf, with a
momento of her visit.
for the Faith. This was the twenty-eighth independent African country we had entered in the past
three years. Once again we had the joy of having the
companionship of Mrs. Bahiyyih Ford. A dear American pioneer in Manzini, with generosity and love for
Rúḥíyyih Khánum, moved out of her own apartment and
offered it to us. This was greatly appreciated as it gave
us the comfort of a home and the freedom to rest more
and eat a little simple home cooking for a change.
Swaziland is truly blessed by a relatively large number
of distinguished pioneer families from both the West and
the East, among them many new arrivals. The spirit of
unity and harmony among all the believers of that
country is truly exemplary and brought rejoicing to the
heart of Amatu’l-Bahá. The Knights of Bahá’u’lláh of
that country are still living there, as active as ever and
faithful to the plea of the Guardian that the pioneers
should not abandon their posts. As there are very few
believers holding this rank conferred by Shoghi Effendi
(those who opened up new countries at the beginning
of the World Crusade), it does one good to witness the
faithfulness and steadfastness of these souls. Amatu’l-Bahá’s unique position and compelling personality were
used by the National Spiritual Assembly, the pioneers
and all the friends to proclaim the Faith in that land.
Received by the King[edit]
Rúḥíyyih Khánum was received by His Majesty King Sobhuza II, through the help of Prince Masitsela, the distinguished royal prince who is also one of the Ministers in the Government of the King. He had met Amatu’l-Bahá in Haifa and was entertained by her, as well as his sister, Princess Gcinaphi, said to be the favorite daughter of the King. For the meeting with the King, Amatu’l-Bahá was accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. John Allen, the original pioneer couple to Swaziland who had known the royal family for years, and the writer.
[Page 19]
The interview lasted for an hour and ten minutes.
King Sobhuza II is one of the outstanding rulers of Africa today. He belongs to a dynasty unbroken for 300 years.
His Majesty is a tall, handsome man in his seventies,
every inch a King. He is fair-minded, powerful, tolerant
of all religions and a follower of the ancestral religion.
He is well informed of the Bahá’í Faith and respects its
ideals and principles. This historic interview took place
in the evening of August 25, 1972 in the home of La Ma
Suka, said to be his favorite wife. Prince Masitsela and
Princess Gcinaphi and two other court officials were
also present. The King was seated with his wife beside
him on a chair and our party all on chairs, but the rest
sat on the floor out of respect for the King.
The King Asks Questions[edit]
The King was entirely at ease, very genial, and asked many questions on the origin of the Faith, its aims and principles. He asked when Bahá’u’lláh passed away. When Rúḥíyyih Khánum said “In 1892”, he was surprised and commented: “I was born in 1899 and only seven years before my birth the Founder of this religion passed away. It is so close to our time.” At one point he asked Rúḥíyyih Khánum if the Bahá’ís had any trouble or disagreement with members of other religions. She replied “We Bahá’ís have no quarrel with anyone. If two men are tolerant and wise and broad-minded thinkers, then there is no quarrel. It is only through narrow-mindedness and prejudice that men disagree.” On his fingers the King enumerated some of the world’s religions and asked why there are so many of them. With much warmth and courtesy Rúḥíyyih Khánum explained the principle of progressive revelation and ended by saying “We think that even the traditional religion of Africa was from God and a link in the chain of divine education.” He was very pleased and said, “When the Christians came here the missionaries condemned our religion as idolatry and evil. This was not true. We were never idolaters. We always believed in one God, the Creator. We believe in the intercession of our ancestors; through our father, grandfather and great grandfather, we reach out to the supreme power of God.”
He asked “What is the law of marriage in the Bahá’í Faith? Do you believe in polygamy or not?” (The king is known to have over 200 wives and several hundred children). He continued: “If we do not believe in polygamy, how do we deal with members of our religion who had more than one wife before accepting the Bahá’í Faith?”
Rúḥíyyih Khánum explained that there was nothing wrong with polygamy; “In the past it was the rule in most societies of man. It had not then been forbidden. But in this age the law of Bahá’u’lláh is monogamy because the world is rapidly changing. In some societies now, and in all societies in the future, one wife at a time for a man will be enough. But if a man has many wives, like Chief Kabwere in Kenya who had seventy wives when he accepted the Bahá’í Faith, we do not ask him to divorce all his wives but one. That would be most unjust. After all, he did not do anything wrong according to the law by which he married them. However, now that he is a Bahá’í, he cannot marry another wife, for that would then break the Bahá’í law.” She also mentioned that many of Chief Kabwere’s wives had become Bahá’ís too. The King liked this answer very much and said it was fair.
Rúḥíyyih Khánum presented the King with a beautiful clock she had especially bought for him a year ago in Switzerland which he graciously accepted.
The Reed Dance[edit]
The following day, at the invitation of Princess Gcinaphi, we attended the famous Reed Dance. This is
Amatu’l-Bahá, Princess Gcinaphi and Violette Nakhjavání dressed in the national costume of Swaziland before
leaving the home of the princess to attend the traditional
Reed Dance.
the traditional dance of the maidens which has now
been revived by the King since independence. All the
young unmarried girls of the land are free to participate. Thousands of beautiful girls, dressed only in colorful bead belts and necklaces, carrying a long reed
upright in their hands, danced before the King and his
ministers. The princesses of royal blood arranged red
feathers fan like, in their hair, similar in effect to a large
Spanish comb. These red feathers are exclusively used
by those of royal blood; even the King, on occasions,
wears them. For us, the most wonderful event of the day
was the public favor the King showed to Amatu’l-Bahá,
which was tantamount to showing it to the Faith.
The King and his Prime Minister were seated on chairs but his entire cabinet ministers, the royal Princess and the chieftains were seated on the ground near him. Through the Princess, his daughter, Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Mrs. Allen and the writer were invited to join him and were seated on chairs at his right, the only other person seated on a chair was a visiting Minister of Information from Nigeria.
At one point Princess Gcinaphi came to Rúḥíyyih Khánum and asked her to go with her and join the dancers. Amatu’l-Bahá, dressed in the Swazi traditional dress by the Princess herself, was unwilling to offend by a public refusal. She took off her sandals and joined with the Princess in the front row of dancers who reminded one of beautiful butterflies. The King was obviously pleased to see a white woman of her age and rank join so naturally in this national festival with an audience of four to five thousand people.
Princess Gcinaphi told us that after the first visit with the King he praised Rúḥíyyih Khánum, and in their own language, referred to her as “he”. Asked why, the King answered it was because she has the mind of a man.
The night of the festival, Prince Masitsela invited Amatu’l-Bahá to a dinner party given in honor of the visiting Nigerian Minister. After dinner and a speech by the Nigerian Minister, he mentioned the Faith warmly and introduced Rúḥíyyih Khánum. She then gave a short speech in reply, mentioning her thoughts on Africa’s great destiny. This obviously pleased the many
[Page 20]
distinguished guests. After all these events, the Bahá’ís
felt the Faith has received the proclamation and widespread recognition it deserved. Their cup was full.
A good radio interview served to further spread the Message of Bahá’u’lláh. As before it was almost impossible to get any mention of the Faith on the air, this was particularly important.
At a reception given by the National Spiritual Assembly of Swaziland and Mozambique in honor of Rúḥíyyih Khánum, attended by many distinguished officials of the government and others, she gave a brief talk by which they were deeply impressed. We were also invited to attend the Prime Minister’s garden party held in the beautiful gardens of his home in conjunction with this period of festivities and the occasion of the National Independence Day celebrations. The Prime Minister was very cordial to Rúḥíyyih Khánum. She was invited to attend the official celebration of Independence Day on September 6, and we were seated in the royal box immediately behind His Majesty the King and his Prime Minister. In short, Swaziland accorded Amatu’l-Bahá a welcome befitting her high station.
One of the first Bahá’í activities Amatu’l-Bahá attended in Swaziland was a Youth Conference at the national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. One hundred and twenty-five young Bahá’ís from Swaziland, South Africa and Rhodesia were present. Swaziland had twenty-nine localities represented. Amatu’l-Bahá spoke about service to the Cause; encouraged them to organize themselves into teams and in a systematic way go out, teach and consolidate until all the goals were achieved. She mentioned her beloved mother and her deep love and devotion to the Faith. She said that once her mother was in great pain, and she said “Oh, mother, you must have suffered a great deal of pain in your life.” Her mother replied, “Yes, that is true, but one drop of the love of God washes away a thousand years of pain!”
Amatu’l-Bahá met with the National Spiritual Assembly and two members of the Board of Counsellors and the visiting Counsellor from India, reviewing the remaining goals of the Nine Year Plan and consulting on ways and means of accomplishing them.
In Many Villages[edit]
In the village of Bhuna, Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke at a public meeting held in a school house. Her topic was “The Message of Bahá’u’lláh and Its Aim for the World.”
In the village of Bhekenkosi, after introducing the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh someone asked if one can be both a Bahá’í and a member of his previous Church. She answered this with a beautiful example. She said: “Suppose a man is walking in a desert searching for water. He finds the water at last. Does he then drink a drop and then continue his search?” The audience got the point and laughed.
An old man with a sad face, who was obviously slightly intoxicated said: “I cannot understand religions; religion is like a woman, very beautiful but impossible to understand!”
In the village of Musi and Dwaleni, a number of Bahá’ís and their friends attended the meetings and heard the wonderful explanations of Rúḥíyyih Khánum, asked many questions and were deeply grateful for her answers. By the light of candles in a meeting in the town of Nhlangano, high in the mountains, over thirty-five eager enquirers heard the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh. Though we were extremely cold the meeting continued until late at night. In the village of Mantamba, in the home of a devoted Bahá’í woman whose
Rúḥíyyih Khánum at the meeting at Tshonene, Swaziland
[Page 21]
Amatu’l-Bahá with the Bahá’ís of Bhekenkosi
whole family have embraced the Faith and are active
teachers, Amatu’l-Bahá spoke to a large number of
Bahá’ís and their friends. At the end of the meeting our
hostess said “Now you have heard it for yourselves; you
have seen our beloved guest and are all moved by her
words. As soon as she goes, don’t go back to your lazy
ways, sitting under the trees in the sunshine with your
legs outstretched, doing nothing!”
After a dinner reception at the home of one of the Bahá’ís in Manzinini, Amatu’l-Bahá spoke to a good number of believers and their friends on the Word of God, saying that it is life-giving and endowed with miraculous power. A dignified elderly pastor of a Christian church who was present was impressed by her talk and at the end of it said: “The Word of God is like a piece of soap God has given to us for our use. Now if you have a piece of soap but do not wash your garment with it your clothes cannot get clean.”
Amatu’l-Bahá receiving a gift of meat from Chief Sizwangendaba in the village of Nginamadolo, Swaziland.
Rúḥíyyih Khánum said this is a beautiful example “I
accept it from you as a gift and shall use it in my talks.
In return I will give you a gift of a beautiful example
given to us by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.” Then she told them of the
heart being like a mirror which if turned to God and
spiritual matters will reflect heavenly light; but if
turned earthward will only reflect the darkness of this
world of material things, our baser nature of animal
desire. “Then if a mirror is left exposed for some time
the dust and dirt cover it and this dulls its capacity to
reflect the light. Likewise the heart of man becomes dark
by the dust of passion and greed, jealousy and desires,
and so on. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told us that we can clean the
mirror of our heart through prayer.” The pastor was
very happy with this example and he said he would use
this in his sermons.
The largest village gathering we attended in Swaziland was at their Bahá’í school. Over 200 believers came for an all-day meeting and a delicious lunch. The chief in this area is a devoted Bahá’í. He ceremoniously presented Rúḥíyyih Khánum with the meat of half a sheep, which she accepted, according to their local custom, and took it back to the town where, a few nights later, we ate it in the home of one of the friends. Amatu’l-Bahá spoke on the subject of service to the Cause and the station of the first believers. She said “At the beginning it takes courage and force of character to accept the Faith and be different from the rest of society. When the Faith becomes known and accepted by many it no longer requires this kind of courage to embrace it. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has said that in the future when many people acknowledge the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh there will no longer be any special distinction or honor in becoming a Bahá’í. The honor is in recognizing it as the truth before it has become popular.” She urged the friends to champion the Faith even in the face of adverse public opinion and proclaim this wonderful Message of God for this day.
In the town of Tshanene the friends had arranged a public meeting for Rúḥíyyih Khánum and many of the distinguished members of that township attended and were deeply impressed by her talk. She spoke of the spiritual Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and talked at length
[Page 22]
The meeting in Mantamba. Note the beautiful thatching on the Swazi hut.
about the power of prayer and intercession. The beloved Guardian, in his beautiful message after the
passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf clearly calls on her
and asks her to go to her beloved Father and intercede
for him. Rúḥíyyih Khánum said that Shoghi Effendi
explained that we can turn to and address our prayers to
holy souls who have passed away, to members of our
family and those we love, and of course to Bahá’u’lláh
or to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—as long as we understand their
stations and do not confuse one with another in our
minds. She said, “I have often turned my heart in prayers to my father or to my mother, asking them to help
me. After the passing of Shoghi Effendi, when I was
trying to complete his work of finishing and decorating
the International Archives, I often turned to my father
for help, because he was a great artist and an architect,
and I often felt he was helping me from the invisible
world.” With the most exquisite smile on her face,
Rúḥíyyih Khánum said, “Sometimes on this trip, when I
am driving on a particularly bad patch of so-called
road, or there is trouble with the car, I call out to the
Supreme Concourse and say ‘there must be someone
there who knows something about cars or mechanics,
come and help!’—and it has always worked!”
At the end of these very full and happy six weeks in Swaziland we passed a few days in visiting the famous Kruger Game Park on our way to see Lorenco Marques, the capital of Mozambique. Although Amatu’l-Bahá was only able to spend one night there she met with a few of the Portuguese Bahá’ís for an informal social evening together in the lobby of our hotel. As there are restrictions on holding meetings, this was all that was possible at that time. As we made this trip with the two oldest pioneers to Swaziland, we drove with them back to Manzini to pick up the Land Rover and say farewell to the dear Bahá’ís there. In a last meeting in the national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, a large number of believers came to listen to their beloved guest and bid her goodbye. Amatu’l-Bahá spoke of the joy and blessing of teaching the Faith and serving it. She said, “At the inception of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh it was easy to sacrifice for Him. One could simply go forward and by saying he was a believer, could give his life, his belongings and his all. But today it is almost impossible to make any sacrifice for Him. Even at the beginning of the Ten Year Crusade the believers were more fortunate in being able to make small sacrifices for Him, as the material conditions of many countries were such that many commodities we are accustomed to in the West were not available. But now one can hardly find a country where one cannot have electricity, refrigerator, automobiles, a variety of foods, etc.” She said, “The friends must realize that teaching and serving the Cause are great bounties, the greatest means of learning and developing. When I look back at these three years in Africa, I realize how much I myself have learned and developed in my understanding of the Teachings. We must go out eager and prepared to learn from the people we come in contact
[Page 23]
with.” She recalled the warnings of Shoghi Effendi at the
end of his life about the calamities ahead of mankind
and said, “You people of Swaziland and other countries
such as yours are very fortunate as you may be the ones
who will escape whatever destruction lies ahead if there
should be another war. You are too poor and insignificant in the eyes of the great nations on which to waste
an atomic bomb! You may yet count it a blessing that
you are still an underdeveloped country and not a fully
developed one!”
Nairobi, February, 1973 (To be continued)
The End of a Safari[edit]
The Nairobi Airport on February 24, 1972 was crowded with hundreds of Bahá’ís who had come to say goodbye to Hand of the Cause of God Rúḥíyyih Khánum as she was preparing to leave Africa after a three and a half year Safari throughout the continent. The crowd included members of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Central and East Africa, Auxiliary Board members and pioneers. Many came hundreds of miles from neighboring countries to be once more in the presence of this precious Hand of the Cause.
With Violette Nakhjavání, companion on the safari, they were honored with several dinner parties before their departure, one at the home of Patrick Robarts. Some who were there were: Mamajahn Banání, wife of the late Hand of the Cause Músá Banání, and Mrs. Enoch Olinga. After a luncheon at the Yazdi’s, the writer and Mrs. Olinga were delighted to help with the packing—which included much African art and articles of interest.
It was with hearts overflowing with love that the two boarded the plane that was to take them back to Europe and finally to their home in Haifa, the Bahá’í World Centre.
Some of those who came to see Rúḥíyyih Khánum as she
was preparing to leave Africa. Standing, left to right: A.
Yazdi, Zylpha Mapp, F. Ashraf. Seated: O Pawlowska,
K. Oule, Rúḥíyyih Khánum, O Peyeru, Isabel Sabri.
Seated, front: F. Mukalama.
Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum entering the Pilgrim House following her return to the Holy Land.
NEWS FROM MALAWI[edit]
A young lady who is travelling throughout Africa recently wrote of her experiences in Malawi: “The funniest and most exciting thing that happened was going to see the Chief of the area.... He is translating The New Garden and The Pattern of Bahá’í Life but apparently is not a Bahá’í himself. So the National Spiritual Assembly asked me to go and see him. We had agreed to go on Sunday; it’s a six-mile walk through the bush so we planned to start early.
But on Saturday night it rained and Sunday they said, ‘You can’t go because we have to cross the river and it’s waist high.’ Sure enough when we got to the river it looked like the Thames in full spate. And then one of the Bahá’ís picked a banana leaf and tied it around his waist, then proceeded to take off his trousers. He wasn’t wearing anything else, but the banana leaf was extremely modest and made him look like a ballerina. He said, ‘I will guide you across.’ I was wearing a long skirt and a long petticoat so I took off my skirt and shoes and the petticoat was quite decent, and so garbed I approached the muddy incline. In fact the bottom of the river was sandy, not muddy, and the sweet Bahá’í took my hand and took me across the river, where we all shook the water off, put our clothes back on and marched on! But I did think, ‘If mother could see me now!’
“And then we got to the Chief. He was quite charming and had worked as a British Broadcasting Corporation producer. We spent four long hours with him ... I asked him why, after all this, he is not a Bahá’í. He said, ‘But I am a Bahá’í,’ and then went on to describe his belief in Bahá’u’lláh....
“Malawi was really quite good; they sent me up North where there is a fairly remote village community of about 100; it’s Karonga ... Beautiful attitude to the Writings and Teachings and administration; their questions were detailed and deep ... they meet together every day for prayers and the problems which you find all over Africa seem to be faced here.... These people were quite delightful....”
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FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS to BAHÁ’Í NEWS: Local Assemblies, groups and individuals in countries other than the United States and Canada must inquire of their own National Spiritual Assembly. It is shipped in bulk to each National Assembly for distribution within their national area.
The National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Zaïre, a goal of the Nine
Year Plan, was acquired on October 27, 1972. The National Spiritual Assembly searched for some years for a
suitable location in Kinshasa City, where costs of buildings are exceedingly high. The friends thought the design of the bars on the window frames which are like a
radiating sun, were symbolic of the Faith, and suitable
for the Center. The Center is located in “Zone Kinshasa”,
in the center of Kinshasa City, with over a million and a
half inhabitants.
National Spiritual Assembly members of Zaïre at the new Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds.
CORRECTION: In the BAHÁ’Í NEWS of May 1973, the article on page 14 began with an introductory heading of a
prayer: “O, Lord, open Thou the door, provide the means
...” and attributed to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
The editors have now learned that there is no evidence that this is authentic, and apologize for not having verified this before using it.
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.
