Bahá’í News/Issue 543/Text

←Previous

Bahá’í News Issue 543

Next→

Proofread onceReturn to PDF view

[Page -1]

Bahá’í News

June 1976

Bahá’í Year 133

The spirit of Europe

[Page 0]

Universal House of Justice

Devoted maidservant Amelia Bowman passes

Grieved passing serene devoted maidservant Bahá’u’lláh Amelia Bowman her services pioneering field Scandinavia since opening years second Seven Year Plan unforgettable. Praying Holy Shrines progress her radiant soul Abhá Kingdom. Advise hold befitting memorial gatherings throughout Norway.

The Universal House of Justice

May 10, 1976

The passing of dearly-loved Saichiro Fujita

Dearly-loved tireless steadfast Saichiro Fujita passed to Abhá Kingdom after long years service Sacred Threshold. His rank in vanguard first Japanese believers his labors World Center his dedication humility sincerity love will forever be remembered and provide shining example to rising generations Japanese Bahá’ís who will view with pride distinction conferred upon him. Praying Holy Shrines progress his radiant soul under loving grace his Master and Guardian both of whom he served so well. Advise hold befitting memorial gatherings Japan.

The Universal House of Justice

May 9, 1976

[Page 1]

Contents

The spirit of Europe	2
Beginning a pictorial essay on the Bahá’í communities of Europe
International Teaching Conferences	6
‎Tlhree Three‎ Hands of the Cause due in Anchorage, Alaska
Around the world	6
Alaska, Australia, Belize, Canada, Colombia, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Guatemala, Hawaiian Islands, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Italy, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Samoa, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela

Page 6

Page 13

Page 15

On the cover: the monument on the Guardian’s grave in the Great Northern Cemetery in London hovers above photographs of the United Kingdom and France and Bahá’í activities in those two countries. The pictures show: top left—Lyon, France; top row, right to left—a Bahá’í conference in Aberystwyth, Wales; the countryside of Cornwall, England; and the George Ronald Publishing Company in London; second row, right to left—the English midlands at Hereford; teaching activities in Sens, France; and the area near Cornwall, England; bottom right—Bahá’ís gather for a meeting in Paris; bottom left at top—Annecy, France; left bottom at left—the Ronald Publishing Company; left bottom at right—the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

Bahá’í News is published monthly 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. Manuscripts submitted should be typewritten and double spaced throughout; any footnotes should appear at the end. The contributor should keep a carbon copy. Send materials to: Bahá’í News Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A.

Change of address should be reported directly to Office of Membership and Records, National Bahá’í Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A. Please attach mailing label.

Subscription rates: one year, US $8; two years, US $15.

Second class postage paid at Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

Copyright © 1976, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

[Page 2]

The spirit of Europe

Beginning a pictorial essay on the Bahá’ís of Europe

Text and photographs by Paul Slaughter

Activities throughout Europe are intensifying as the International Teaching Conferences called for by The Universal House of Justice in Helsinki, Finland, and Paris, France, draw near. The conferences are designed to generate increased teaching work to advance the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. This is the first in a series of pictorial essays on the countries of Europe and current Bahá’í activities. This report features the United Kingdom and France. Other European countries will be included in the months to come.

[Page 3]

United Kingdom

Hundreds of Bahá’ís from all over the world visit the Guardian’s grave (facing page) every year in the Great Northern Cemetery in London. Shoghi Effendi’s remains were laid to rest November 9, 1957, upon a rug from the Holy Tomb at Bahjí. Since that sad and memorable day, when the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom were made the custodians of so great a treasure, a beautiful yet simple memorial, designed by the Guardian’s widow, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, has been erected and surrounded by formal gardens. The cemetery is located on a beautiful, peaceful spot on a hill surrounded by rolling country. Below, top left, is a typical building at Balliol College at Oxford University where Shoghi Effendi attended college. Oxford is north of London between the villages of Cotswold Hills and Chiltern Downs. Top middle are the

[Page 4] National Center at 27 Rutland Gate (third entrance from left) and the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom in session. Bottom left the Bahá’ís enjoy a deepening weekend at Aberystwyth, Wales, a crowded seaside resort in the summer. At right, from top to bottom, a typical street scene in Cornwall, England; a display created by the Bahá’ís of Bangor at the conference in Aberystwyth; and a social event in Wales. The photograph on Page 4 shows the magnificent coastal area of Cornwall in the southwest portion of England. The Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom are active teachers who are reaching many of their countrymen with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh. One goal of the Five Year Plan is open to the Faith every county in the United Kingdom. At present, there are 122 Local Spiritual Assemblies.

[Page 5]

France

The friends in France are preparing for the largest Bahá’í gathering in France in history, the International Teaching Conference in Paris August 3-6. The pictures show: top right—the National Center at 11 Rue de la Pompe (corner ground floor entrance); bottom right—a fireside in the town of Clermont-Ferrand; at left, top to bottom—the friends in Nantes, a Bahá’í meeting in Tours, and teaching activities in Sens.

[Page 6]

International Teaching Conferences

3 Hands of the Cause due in Anchorage

Three Hands of the Cause of God will attend the International Teaching ‎Confernce Conference‎ in Anchorage, Alaska, July 23-25, the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska announced.

In addition to The Universal House of Justice representative, the Hand of the Cause of God Collis Featherstone, the Hands of the Cause of God John Robarts and William Sears will be present.

The Anchorage conference is one of eight sponsored by The Universal House of Justice in a major effort to generate tremendous impetus to the progress of the Five Year Plan.

The first conference will be held at Helsinki, Finland, July 5-8. Others are scheduled at Paris, France, August 3-6; Nairobi, Kenya, October 15-17; Hong Kong, November 27-30; Auckland, New Zealand, January 19-22; Bahia, Brazil, January 28-30; and Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, February 4-6.

Six Hands of the Cause will serve as representatives of The Universal House of Justice at the conferences: Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Paris; Ugo Giachery, Helsinki; Mr. Sears, Nairobi; Alí Akbar Furútan, Hong Kong; Abu’l-Quásim Faizí, Auckland; Enoch Olinga, Bahia; and Paul Haney, Merida.

The International Teaching Conference in Paris August 3-6 will be the first large gathering of Bahá’ís in France. Sessions will be held in the Palais des Congres, the building at left. Evening activities will take place in the Hotel Meridien, right.

Around the world

Alaska

Bahá’í TV series promoted widely

A Bahá’í weekly television series is being shown in 40 localities in Alaska. The series was distributed by the Public Information Office of Alaska.

The 40 sponsoring Bahá’í communities use various methods to promote the 13-show series: each Bahá’í calls 19 friends to remind them to watch the shows; Bahá’ís without televisions ask to view the shows at their neighbors’ homes; announcements are made at firesides and other meetings; newspaper, radio, and TV spots are used.

Many of the shows are narrated or feature presentations by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears. Five are interviews with Dizzy Gillespie, Russ and Gina Garcia, James and Dorothy Nelson, Seals and Crofts and Marcia Day, and England Dan and John Ford Coley. Others speak to the problems of youth, show how a Bahá’í community works, explain the Bahá’í relation to the United Nations and to the Holy Land, illustrate the principle of the oneness of mankind, and discuss prophecy and the Bahá’í Faith.

Australia

Youth enthusiastic at Brisbane conference

Bahá’ís at the recent National Youth Conference in Brisbane had the opportunity of consulting with the Hand of the Cause of God Collis Featherstone and Continental Counsellor Howard Harwood.

The 175 youth from all states of Australia and some Pacific and Southeast Asian countries began their conference by bringing non-Bahá’í friends to an interfaith service.

Each day of the conference the enthusiastic youth sang, danced, and held firesides in King George Square. Their presentation was televised at least twice. Interviews with Mr. Featherstone were broadcast on national radio stations and published in newspapers. Many new faces appeared at a public meeting, and four

[Page 7] people became Bahá’ís.

The conference also offered valuable deepening with National Spiritual Assembly members Joy Stevenson, Aflatoon Payman, and Andrew Gash; and Auxiliary Board members John Walker and John Davidson.

Thirteen youth volunteered to become homefront settlers, and traveling teaching teams went forth from the conference throughout Eastern Australia.

Faith proclaimed in radio broadcasts

A radio station in Victoria broadcast an interview with Bahá’ís on Naw-Rúz, and then rebroadcast it two times because it was so interesting.

Encouraged by this success, Auxiliary Board member Mahvash Master approached a radio station in Tasmania and a 15-minute program resulted.

Mr. Master had initiated the Victoria show. After receiving airtime, he had only five days to write a script. He told the producer that his English was far from perfect. The finished script, however, surprised the producer because it was so polished. It had been written as a joint effort by all the friends in Melbourne.

The Victoria station accepted another Bahá’í program for the Anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb.

The stations in Victoria and Tasmania are both public service stations which give airtime to community groups.

UNICEF official praises Bahá’ís

When the Bahá’í International Community requested information from UNICEF about Universal Children’s Day, it received a response which praised the Australian Bahá’í community.

Joan Bel Geddes, chief of the Editorial and Publications Services of UNICEF, wrote:

“... we are emphasizing youth group activities and religious activities, mentioning specifically the interfaith services that the Bahá’í community conducted in Australia.

“I am enclosing for you one copy of a series of small posters that Bahá’í has distributed in Australia in connection with the day. As I said to you on the phone, I have been very impressed with the way Bahá’í has helped with the day’s observances in Australia and I would certainly be glad to do whatever I can to help encourage similar activities in other countries.”

Belize

Traveling teachers aid in proclamation

Many West Indian and Mayan Indian Bahá’ís and seekers were visited by traveling teachers in Belize March 19-April 4. Felicia Fennell, Nancy Barnes, Bill Barnes, and Violet Clarke made their home base in Corozal and visited Concepcion, Cristo Rey, Chan Chen, Patchatkan, San Andres, San Roman, and Xaibe.

Dr. Clarke is a pioneer to Belize from Michigan.

The teaching team often visited three villages a day. In most places, they helped the friends elect delegates to the National Convention.

A proclamation meeting in Patchatkan was supported by the chairman of the Village Council. The team secured from him Centro Comunal building for their meeting, but when they arrived to prepare the room they found a business meeting in progress. Sr. Rocque, the chairman, dismissed the meeting, informing the people that the Bahá’ís would present a program and inviting them to hear the new Message. A half-hour before the Bahá’í program was to begin, the room filled with people: men, women with tiny babies, children, and youth; 140 people heard the Message that night.

In Concepcion, the Bahá’ís presented a proclamation program and then another meeting. A man who had attended the first meeting came and said he wanted to be a Bahá’í. He had received a pamphlet, but it wasn’t enough. He had borrowed a Bahá’í book from one of his friends, had read of the sufferings of Bahá’u’lláh, and said, “Do you know how I learned about Bahá’u’lláh? I had to borrow a Bahá’í book from my friend, because the night of the meeting you only gave me a pamphlet.”

“Well, this was the spirit of the people which made you feel like staying with them longer so you could teach them more and more about the Faith,” wrote Miss Fennell. And Mr. and Mrs. Barnes did stay longer, teaching in Belize for two months after the project ended.

Canada

Mr. Robarts speaks at teaching conference

French-Canadian Bahá’ís gathered at the first national Francophone teaching conference and enjoyed the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts. Mr. Robarts insisted on following the conference rule that all proceedings be in French. With the assistance of his wife, Audrey, he gave a brief talk on service.

The 80 believers who came from all parts of La Belle Province for the December 27-29 meeting also heard Douglas Martin, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; and Auxiliary Board member Ted Oliver. Mr. Martin spoke of the valuable work done by French-Canadian pioneers. Mr. Oliver, aided by his assistant, Huguette Vaillancourt, spoke on individual teaching.

Hearts were especially warmed by stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi told by A. R. Yazdi. As a youth, Mr. Yazdi met the Exemplar and the Guardian.

Colombia

Pioneer reports gain in islands

The Bahá’í Faith was unknown in the small islands of San Bernardino until a pioneer settled there about two years ago.

Eugenio de Hoyos, the first Bahá’í of San Bernardino, lives in the village of Islote. Pioneer Eric Teitelbaum lives in the home of Eugenio and his mother. About 10 families (300 people) live on the island of Islote. They call themselves Morenos. “They are very peaceful, friendly and pure-hearted,” wrote Mr. Teitelbaum.

The pioneer said that Mr. de Hoyos befriended him and helped ease the loneliness he felt in his new surroundings. As the friendship grew, Mr. de Hoyos read some Bahá’í literature. When Mr. Teitelbaum showed him a visual-aid book that is widely used in Colombia, he became a Bahá’í.

[Page 8] Eugenio de Hoyos (left), the first Bahá’í of San Bernardino, with pioneer Eric Teitelbaum.

The friends gather for the National Teaching Conference in Clermont-Ferrand, France, February 7-8.

Mr. de Hoyos, the first Moreno Bahá’í, is 25 years old and is a fisherman. He embraced the Faith on November 28, 1975.

“When Eugenio declared we both had a marvelous feeling of happiness,” wrote Mr. Teitelbaum.

“There have been a few other declarations,” he reported in April, “in the pueblo of Tolu, which is about 25 miles from Islote on the Colombian mainland. I go back and forth between the islands, Tolu, and Cartagena (a port city) by boat.”

The boat was supplied by the man who is deputizing Mr. Teitelbaum.

El Salvador

Work of projecteers nets 120 new believers

Traveling teachers proclaimed the Cause in nine towns in El Salvador March 19-April 15. The team of friends from El Salvador, Iran, and the United States traveled in a rumbling Land Rover which they filled with a P.A. system and prayers and songs in Spanish, Persian, and English.

Edward Diliberto, his daughter, Dawn, and son, Anthony, were projecteers from California. The efforts of the Dilibertos were aided by Salvadoranian youth Adela Ortiz, Manual Ortiz, Carlos Ortiz, Mauricio Brizuca, Cesar Morales, and Antonia Lorenzana. Driver and electrician for the trips was Persian pioneer Sohiel Moorani. A Persian pioneer family, the Shahidis, also participated.

The teachers stayed in San Salvador and traveled each day to a different town. They drove through town announcing the meeting through the P.A. system. When they took their dinner break they were usually viewed by a friendly, large crowd of children.

About 200 people attended each meeting, and about 120 people became Bahá’ís.

Ethiopia

Newsletter published in Amharic language

As a special gift to its community, the Spiritual Assembly of Addis Ababa published the first Bahá’í newsletter in the Amharic language at Naw-Rúz.

Addis Ababa Bahá’ís also commemorated the New Year with a reception that featured drama and music by 25 children. More than 75 children enjoyed the program. Many of them were non-Bahá’ís who had been attending children’s classes. All the children received gifts from the Children’s Committee which had initiated a special fund for that purpose.

Lunch-time prayer sessions had strengthened the community during the 19-Day Fast. One of the sessions was especially joyous because of a visit by one of the early pioneers to Ethiopia, who now lives in France. He was happy to see his spiritual children, many of whom had been youth when he taught them.

Naw-Rúz celebrated at Asmara Center

Youth performed on drums, cooking pots, glasses filled with pebbles, and guitars during a Naw-Rúz party in Asmara. Their improvisations, accompanied by rhythmic clapping from the audience, concluded a program by youth and children.

The children sang and read prayers and selections from the writings in Amharic, Tigrinya, English, and Italian. Nine young women danced an interpretation of the coming of spring.

Over 100 Bahá’ís welcomed about 100 guests, including 70 children, to the program at the Bahá’í Center of Asmara.

France

Mr. Giachery attends teaching conference

Over 100 Bahá’ís from every region of France enjoyed meeting the Hand of the Cause of God Ugo Giachery, Continental Counsellor Louis Henuzet, and Angeline Giachery at a National Teaching Conference.

[Page 9] Traveling teachers from the United States participated in teaching projects in Guatemala March 19-April 4. Many persons were attracted to the Faith.

Each Spiritual Assembly and regional teaching committee was represented at the conference in Clermont-Ferrand February 7-8. Each Assembly and committee reported on the progress of the Five Year Plan.

The friends enjoyed a Unity Dinner in a restaurant on Saturday evening and a public meeting at the Lycee Blaise Pascal on Sunday afternoon.

Bahá’ís were interviewed and the newspaper published an article about the conference on Sunday.

Gambia

Six communities building centers

Six Bahá’í communities in Gambia are erecting their own Bahá’í Centers.

Believers in Sotokoi, Kanfenda, Burock, Badjiran, Wassadoung, and Bulenghat are building their centers out of mud blocks with rafters, beams, and joists made of rhone palm.

It is a Five Year Plan goal for Gambian Bahá’ís to build seven new local Bahá’í Centers.

Guatemala

Earthquake-damaged areas hear Message

Traveling teachers to Guatemala, participants in the March 19-April 4 project, taught in Zona III their first night; the place had been devastated by the February earthquake and rubble was everywhere. The moonlit meeting was attended by many children.

Marcia Baltgalvis of California, Jess Portillo of Kansas, and Christopher Ruhe of New York, then proceeded to Villa Canales and assisted the election of National Convention delegates. Two women became Bahá’ís. The team found that throughout their trip the bold, loving teaching efforts of Mrs. Baltgalvis attracted many women to the Faith.

In Barbarena, a dignified, elderly man accepted the Faith. In Jalapa, Ernesto Rosales joined the team. He is a Salvadoranian Bahá’í pioneering in Guatemala.

After a large meeting in Jalapa, the teachers had a friendly interview with the mayor, who eagerly accepted books and arranged a second, larger meeting. He had attended the first meeting with his wife.

Two women became Bahá’ís in Jalapa, and the Bahá’ís were enthused by the visit. Jalapa had been badly hit by the earthquake. One of the Bahá’ís, a nationally recognized composer, entertained the teachers on the ‎saxaphone saxophone‎, performing by himself and with his son.

“During the course of the trip,” wrote Mr. Ruhe, “we gave out literally hundreds of pamphlets. The power of traveling for Bahá’u’lláh causes people to be attracted to the traveler in an amazing way. We taught on every bus trip. We sat purposely in separate seats so we could reach the soul that was guided to sit beside us. Soon, everyone around was reading his little pamphlet.”

The team taught in El Rancho, Saloma, and Esquintla. The earthquake had not struck Esquintla. They enjoyed the communal life of the towns, the bands that played in the plazas while people strolled and chatted. They met with Bahá’ís in the home of Roberto Zabaleta in Esquintla. Mr. Zabaleta is a member of the National Spiritual Assembly. At the meeting, his son and brother-in-law became Bahá’ís, and all enjoyed joke-telling, which is a national pastime in Guatemala. The projecteers traveled to Retalhuleu and returned

[Page 10] The delegates to the National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands pictured at the National Bahá’í Center in Honolulu.

to Esquintla for a joyous reunion with a family that had been taught by Mrs. Baltgalvis and Mr. Portillo. The elderly parents had both become Bahá’ís.

In El Rancho, the team was honored to meet Gregorio Alvarado, a Bahá’í who is an internationally noted author. He autographed copies of his most recent book for each member of the team. They also met Oliverio Martínez, a Bahá’í who heads part of Guatemala’s highway department, and who once lived near the House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

“It seemed like the journey had taken six months. How could it only have been two weeks?” wrote Mr. Ruhe. “I was not sad at saying farewell to my ‎procious precious‎ companions, rather I was filled with joy at having been able to share in such mercy and bounty and strength that only God can give to His Bahá’ís.”

Hawaiian Islands

33 delegates elect new National Assembly

Thirty-three delegates elected the members of the new National Spiritual Assembly at Hawaii’s National Convention in Honolulu April 23-25.

The newly-elected National Assembly includes Evelyn Musacchia, recording secretary; Michael Woodward; Ben Ayala, treasurer; Brad Hollinger; Tracy Hamilton, chairman; Craig Quick; Elizabeth Hollinger, secretary; Tony Pelle, vice-chairman; and Gertrude Garrida.

About 67 visitors also attended the convention.

Micronesia, Truk advances reported

“...first Bahá’í woman in Laura, so beautiful—her name is Atina Emil,” wrote Nancy Emerson from her pioneer post in Micronesia. “Gave fireside with Don, two more men declared: Kira Ken and Tebra Mek. We had three children’s classes today, about 12 to 18 each time. They laugh when I sing but they pick up English quickly. They say I talk so slow and simple, they understand my ‘da kine’ English.”

“...they are heart Bahá’ís who remain firm in spite of ridicule and abuse from their friends and families,” said Doug Terrel of the Bahá’ís in Truk. Mr. Terrel recently arrived from Hawaii to pioneer in Truk. “They believe,” he continued. “They’re so happy to see us. ‘Oh, Bahá’í! Oh, Bahá’í!’ they cry. They take us into their hearts, and we love them. They beg us to stay. When they find out we will, they are so happy.”

Bahá’í prayer opens Hawaii Legislature

A Senate session of the Hawaii Legislature opened with a Bahá’í prayer March 22.

Ceferina Caver read the Prayer for America. The Bahá’í Faith was listed on the State Senate’s Order of the Day. By a Senate resolution the legislators thanked Mrs. Caver.

Honduras

Name of Bahá’u’lláh attracts many souls

“It was our profound good fortune to attend the meeting with the Hondurans and

[Page 11] Newly-declared Bahá’ís at a fireside in La Paz, Honduras.

A section of the singing group during a musical fireside in Hong Kong.

the Hand of the Cause of God Raḥmátu’lláh Muhájir,” wrote Nick Bauer. “His message to the Honduran Bahá’ís formed the basis of my communications to all the Bahá’ís I visited. That message is one of immediate action: teach!”

Mr. Bauer, who is from Minnesota, toured a coastal region of Honduras during the March 19-April 4 traveling teaching project in Central America. Ernest Lopez, of Illinois, toured a mountainous region.

Mr. Lopez said that whenever he spoke he praised the Indian heritage of most Hondurans. At a fireside in La Paz, where, he said, “out of almost 30 people every one was either part Indian or all Indian,” a non-Bahá’í Indian woman and her husband beamed. “Thank you, it is good to hear these things,” she told Mr. Lopez.

“People were humble, with great dignity,” Mr. Lopez said. “Their courtesy, hospitality, generosity, were unexcelled by any other people I’ve met.”

Mr. Lopez spent time in Sequatepeque, working with two families of pioneers, the Cornells and the Mandigaris. Mr. Mandigari took Mr. Lopez to the top of a mountain on a teaching trip to the town of San Ysidro. There, he introduced Mr. Lopez to several Bahá’í families. Mr. Mandigari works three days a week at his business and spends three days a week touring a large area where he has brought many people into the Faith. He often travels on foot.

In Seguatepeque, the Bahá’ís have regular radio spots and a brief weekly program. All the spots end with the words “Bahá’u’lláh—La Gloria de Dios.” When the children of Seguatepeque see Bahá’ís, they call “Bahá’u’lláh! La Gloria de Dios!”

And children in San Buenaventura now know the prayer that begins, “O God, guide me...” They learned it at a public meeting from Nelly de Vasquez, Mr. Bauer, and several pioneers.

Mr. Bauer felt the power of Bahá’u’lláh’s name as he traveled to Olanchito in a hired car. “The car broke down in the mountains and, while repairs were being made, a heated religious discussion got under way among several passengers. Soon everyone was listening. When my opinion was asked of a certain belief, I replied that Bahá’u’lláh had explained it in such a manner. The argument vanished, as everyone questioned me about Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings on various topics. The result was a round of very favorable reactions to Bahá’u’lláh and a more amiable atmosphere in the car for the rest of the trip.”

Describing a radio interview that he had in Comayagua, Mr. Lopez said that the announcer became very excited about the Faith and extended the duration of the interview from five to 10 minutes, exclaiming several times, “This is exactly what people need in this day: unity and justice!”

Hong Kong

Music used effectively in teaching project

A Hong Kong teaching campaign, coordinated by Auxiliary Board member Shantha Sundram, involved 22 Bahá’ís from Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. One Malaysian remained in Hong Kong as a pioneer after the December project.

In Macau, Bahá’ís gave the group a grand welcome and took them to a remote Hakka village of about 80 people. The Hakka are a Chinese farming people. The headman had been visited by Bahá’ís and had received books. He was cordial, and the group sang for the villagers.

Some of the most exciting sessions of the campaign were performances in the Ocean Terminal Shopping Complex. For an hour on each of four evenings the Bahá’ís sang. Their music was piped through the center via a P.A. system. Many shoppers stopped to listen to the entire show. They took pamphlets. Some were tourists who said they would look for Bahá’ís in their homelands.

At a factory, Bahá’ís were allowed to give a musical fireside during the teabreak.

At a university, they mingled daily with students at the cafeteria. After a fireside, the students were invited to meet the choir. When the choir sang for them they applauded so enthusiastically and sincerely that friendships were easily formed.

The campaign climaxed with a party. All the seekers met during the 12-day campaign were invited. The hall soon filled with over 100 people of all ages, representatives of almost every group that had been contacted. The informal program included favorite Bahá’í songs with the audience joining in the choruses, clapping, and tapping their feet.

Returning to Malaysia, many of the teachers taught for over a week in Thailand. They gave musical firesides at universities and colleges in Bangkok and Chiengman.

[Page 12] Iceland

First Faroe pioneer celebrates 90th birthday

A call for pioneers was issued at a conference in Stockholm, Sweden, at the beginning of the 10 Year Crusade in 1953. Eskil Ljungberg was one of the pioneers who answered that call. He went to the Faroe Islands in 1953 and is still at his post. He was the first pioneer to the Faroes; therefore, the Guardian named him a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh.

Mr. Ljungberg celebrated his 90th birthday on May 20.

Mr. Ljungberg was the only Bahá’í on the Faroes for 16 years. Many people crossed to the other side of the street when they saw him. He found the first Faroese believer when he gave a pamphlet to a shopkeeper because she seemed sad. The shopkeeper, Emma Reinert, studied the Faith for a year and became a Bahá’í in 1969.

The first Spiritual Assembly of Torshavn formed in 1973. It was a goal of the Nine Year Plan.

Mr. Ljungberg keeps up a busy correspondence with Bahá’ís all over the world. He has translated, and still translates, Bahá’í literature from English into Swedish.

India

President receives Mr. Fozdar’s book

During a recent three-month tour of India, Jamshed Fozdar presented his new book, The God of Buddha, to President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.

Mr. Fozdar spoke in several prestigious universities, sometimes addressing audiences of over 500 people. University leaders invited Mr. Fozdar to speak because of his authorship of books on Hinduism and Buddhism, and his knowledge of telecommunications technology.

English and vernacular language newspapers printed interviews with Mr. Fozdar and covered his talks. Among these papers were the Times of India, the Indian Express, and the Deccan Herald. Mr. Fozdar was interviewed twice on All-India Radio. He was received by the governors of various states. He also conducted deepenings at many Bahá’í Centers.

Italy

Entire student bodies hear talks on Faith

A teacher of religious education in a large junior high school in Caggliari, Sardinia, recently invited a Bahá’í to speak in each of 36 classes. Three Bahá’í children attend the school.

The Bahá’í had spoken in 33 classes by April. She spoke two times in one class and three in another at the request of the students.

Bahá’ís in Alessandria were also invited by teachers of religion to address classes.

A Bahá’í who teaches in a professional institute in Sardinia asked if a Bahá’í could speak there. Every class was addressed. Two classes asked if they could hear the talk together so that they could have two hours of information instead of just one.

Hour-long interviews with Bahá’ís were broadcast on two Caggliari radio stations. One of the stations, which is owned by a Bahá’í, is presenting a children’s program two times a week. The program is prepared by the Child Education Committee and presented by one of its members with enthusiastic help from the children’s classes of Caggliari and Quartu S. Elena.

Quartu S. Elena formed its Spiritual Assembly in February. It is Sardinia’s second Assembly and it fills a goal of the Five Year Plan.

[Page 13] Radio Bolzano requested Bahá’ís in its area to grant five interviews. A 40-minute interview had been broadcast as well as two 20-minute programs, and the station wanted material for follow-up shows.

Nicaragua

Concentrated teaching program under way

An ambitious teaching plan was launched, after consultation with the Hand of the Cause of God Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir, by the National Spiritual Assembly of Nicaragua. For the second time in two years, the National Spiritual Assemblies of the United States and Nicaragua cooperatively launched a special teaching and consolidation program.

A two-week teaching project in Nicaragua began March 20 with orientation in Managua. Sessions were entirely in Spanish. The 12 projecteers, who came from California, New York, Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota, and pioneer posts in Central America, all spoke fluent Spanish.

Two projecteers remained in Nicaragua after the orientation. Dee Carson and Anne King began their work encouraged by the example of Dr. Muhájir. He spoke in two of the eight villages which the projecteers visited. More than seven people became Bahá’ís during and after his visit.

The projecteers visited newborn Bahá’í communities in eight villages. They traveled as far as Jinotega in the north and Rivas-Nancimi in the south, teaching on buses and as they walked down the streets. They met town leaders and consulted with new and veteran Bahá’ís.

Special treats were an exchange with native women of ideas about the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, and the deepening of children through song.

Five Year Plan goals for Nicaragua include the formation of 30 Spiritual Assemblies by Riḍván 1978.

Concentrated teaching efforts in Nicaragua are centered for three months each in Leon-Chinandoga, Managua-Jinotepe, Matagalpa-Beace, and Granada-Rivas.

Pakistan

Teaching highlights Asia Youth Conference

The first Continental Youth Conference of Western Asia was preceded by and followed with special teaching. The youth from Pakistan, Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dubai, Abu-Dhabi, Al Ajman, Muscat, Oman, and Al Fujairah, who met at Karachi March 24-25, expressed “with one voice” their desire to teach ceaselessly.

Key speaker at the conference was Continental Counsellor Masíḥ Farhangí. Three Auxiliary Board members also spoke. The conference was the fruit of a proposal made at an Inter-Assembly Conference in Ṭiḥrán.

Before the conference, 30 youth taught extensively in Karachi. They met professors, scholars, historians, scientists, doctors, and editors. They presented Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era to those leaders of thought, often during the course of deep discussion.

Hearing of the youths’ activities, Pyar Ali Allana invited them to his home March 23. Mr. Allana is the provincial minister of education for the government of Sind. Despite his many obligations on that day, which was Pakistan Day, he spoke with the youth for 1½ hours. He admired their devotion to their religion, and said that he hoped others would follow them.

The 30 teachers then joined others for the conference, which was highlighted by Mr. Farhangí’s talks on youth and the Five Year Plan and on the spirit of sacrifice.

After the conference all the youth dispersed throughout Pakistan to activate teaching plans that call for mass entry into the Faith.

The youth of Pakistan volunteered to enroll 4,000 new believers in one year following the Continental Youth Conference in March. The youth pictured are from Thatta (top) and Tharparkar (above). At left, Pyar Ali Allana, provincial minister of education for the government of Sind, meets with Bahá’í youth in his home.

[Page 14] Samoa

Center is dedicated on island of Tutuila

The first Bahá’í Center on the island of Tutuila was dedicated in Pago Pago on Naw-Rúz. Continental Counsellor Suhayl ‘Alá’í performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting with Filifili Tu’umalo standing beside him. The center is the former home of Mrs. Tu’umalo.

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly attended the dedication and participated in other ceremonies. In keeping with Samoan tradition, food was presented to the village of Pago Pago. A Samoan fire dance was performed by Leland O’Conner, who is Mrs. Tu’umalo’s nephew.

The center is a gracious house on a hill overlooking Pago Pago bay and harbor. Study classes for adults and children are held there each week.

United Kingdom

Widely traveled Assembly re-formed

Members of the Spiritual Assembly of Mull traveled a total of 2,500 miles to and from Assembly meetings last year. The Assembly celebrated its first birthday on Riḍván, having met 27 times during the year.

Mull is a beautiful island along the west coast of Scotland. Members of the Assembly live in the towns of Tobermorey, Salen, and Killiechronan, and on the island of Ulva.

Travel to and from Assembly meetings means swimming to moored boats, carrying boats across rocks, standing in waist-deep water to moor boats and night voyages home.

For a recent 19-Day Feast in Ulva, Bahá’ís rowed through seas tossed by a strong gale.

The Assembly canceled only two meetings during its first year because of the weather.

United States

4 Hands of the Cause attend 67th convention

Four Hands of the Cause of God, two Continental Counsellors, and five Auxiliary Board members were present at the 67th Bahá’í National Convention April 29-May 2.

Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum visited the convention to introduce her exciting film of the Green Light Expedition and the Hands of the Cause of God Dhikru’lláh Khádem. Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir, and William Sears addressed the delegates and friends. Counsellors Edna True and Sarah Pereira gave short talks and introduced Auxiliary Board members Darrell Borland, Eunice Braun, Thelma Jackson, Javidukht Khádem, and Peter Khan.

Elected to the new National Spiritual Assembly by the delegates were Dorothy W. Nelson, Firuz Kazemzadeh, Glenford E. Mitchell, Daniel Jordan, William Maxwell Jr., Magdalene Carney, Franklin Kahn, Richard D. Betts, and Soo Fouts. At an organizational meeting, the National Assembly re-elected Dr. Kazemzadeh chairman, Dr. Jordan vice-chairman, Mr. Mitchell secretary, and Dr. Nelson treasurer.

Mrs. Fouts of Fairfax, Virginia, was elected to the National Assembly for the first time. Born in Hawaii of Korean ancestry, she has been a Bahá’í 36 years and was one of the first three Bahá’í youth of Hawaii.

In his address, Mr. Khádem urged the friends to turn to prayer to remove any traces of apathy, to put our trust in Bahá’u’lláh, and we will gain the necessary inspiration to advance the Cause.

Dr. Muhájir told the believers that this is the most important year of the Five Year Plan, the year of expectation and decision. He said that when the International Convention takes place in the Holy Land in 1978, many National Assemblies will report that they have completed their goals. They are not waiting for 1979, the end of the Plan.

“We must have a constant stream of new believers,” Dr. Muhájir said. “If we are united, we will progress.”

Mr. Sears urged the friends to arise and approach the goals with the spirit to attain them. “However hopeless the goals, if we set out to win them, Bahá’u’lláh will assist and reinforce us. And if we arise, Bahá’u’lláh will change the atmosphere and all the goals will be won,” Mr. Sears said.

[Page 15] Miss True and Dr. Pereira, reporting on developments for the Continental Board of Counsellors, pointed to the steadily deepening relationship and the spirit of collaboration between the Counsellors and the National Assembly. It was also announced that Dr. Khan, an Auxiliary Board member in the United States for the past nine years, is returning to his native Australia where he will be a professor at the University of Queensland in St. Lucia.

One of the highlights of the convention was the introduction of Design for Victory, a book published by the National Assembly to serve as the guide for individuals, groups, and local communities in their efforts to win the remaining goals. The book includes specific suggestions for individuals and communities.

In its annual report, the National Assembly said that Bahá’í year 132 was marked by an unprecedented range and intensity in proclamation activities, impressive progress in the international fields, but a lagging behind in the rate of expansion.

“We turn now to the path immediately ahead with a resolute feeling that more of last year’s good must be done but particularly that the lag in teaching must be no more,” the report said. “The atmosphere throughout the country is charged with new possibilities. But time is running out. We must seize our chance before it is too late.”

In a message to The Universal House of Justice, the delegates pledged to renew efforts to revivify the spiritual life of the Bahá’í community, to inflame the spark of teaching enthusiasm, and to enlist troops of believers.

There were these other major developments at the convention:

The delegates and friends gather on the steps of the House of Worship at the 67‎the th‎ National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States.

[Page 16] —Members of the Spiritual Assemblies of Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., were guests of the National Assembly at a luncheon meeting on May 1. The Local Assemblies reported their accomplishments of the past year and their plans for the future.

—The National Assembly reported a strong positive response to the successful launching of the Local Spiritual Assembly Development Program. A total of 150 Local Assemblies have fulfilled the requirements of the program.

—In its annual financial report, the National Assembly said that an anticipated deficit in the National Bahá’í Fund was eliminated by a sudden outpouring of contributions in the last two Bahá’í months of the year. Contributions from individuals increased by 28 per cent over the previous year, and Local Assemblies and groups increased their contributions by 14 per cent.

—It was announced that the Davison Bahá’í School at Davison, Michigan, will be converted into an educational institute devoted to training teachers and parents of children and youth.

—The National Assembly received from the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration a certificate of appreciation for the Assembly’s participation in the nation’s Bicentennial.

Charlotte Linfoot ill, praised at convention

The National Spiritual Assembly, the delegates and friends at the National Convention, and the Continental Board of Counsellors paid moving tributes to the dedicated service of Charlotte M. Linfoot, assistant secretary of the National Assembly for 22 years, who has been seriously ill since suffering a stroke last December 17.

In its annual report, the National Assembly said: “Charlotte Linfoot’s illness abruptly interrupted over twenty years of constant, heroic service at the National Center. We openly lament her absence and her pain. A sterling example of undaunted faith, uncommon loyalty, selfless devotion, and tireless vigor was removed from the administrative scene last December, perhaps never to return to its pristine radiance. No doubt her spirit helps us yet. We record in this report our testimony, however brief, to the inestimable magnitude of her gifts of mind and spirit to the progress of the Administrative Order in the United States. May able future scholars amplify this record with the details of her rich Bahá’í accomplishments.”

A “love letter” from the delegates and friends was presented to Miss Linfoot. It read: “We who are gathered here for the sixty-seventh Bahá’í Convention wish to convey to you our deep affection and our daily sense of loss that you are not with us. Please let us intrude on your modesty to express our collective appreciation of your years of selfless and tireless devotion to the Bahá’í community, the distinctive quality of your superlative services to the National Spiritual Assembly, and the extraordinary gifts of mind and pen that you brought to the service of Bahá’u’lláh. We cherish you and pray for your recovery.”

The delegates and friends gave Miss Linfoot a bouquet of 19 red roses which had been presented to the National Assembly from the National Assembly of Canada by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears. In addition, a contribution was sent to The Universal House of Justice in Miss Linfoot’s name.

Counsellor Sarah Pereira, who served on the National Assembly with Miss Linfoot for 13 years, spoke of her selfless service, her warm and loving friendship. “She was a quiet fortress of strength, a giant spiritually,” Mrs. Pereira said.

Firuz Kazemzadeh, chairman of the National Assembly, talked about her clarity of mind. He also said that to many Miss Linfoot, who handled many unpleasant personal status cases, may have looked stern. “But that was just a shell to hide what would have been a vast, emotional outpouring of love,” he said.

When she suffered the stroke, doctors gave very gloomy reports regarding her immediate survival. Prayers were offered by The Universal House of Justice at the Most Holy Shrine at Bahjí. Prayers were said at the Holiest House of Worship.

In early January, Miss Linfoot showed remarkable signs of recovery which prompted the attending physician to use such terms as “astounding,” “very good.” Her faculties seemed suddenly to be revitalized and her whole being vibrated with life.

Miss Linfoot left the hospital in March and is gradually convalescing in a nursing home.

Venezuela

Pioneer describes Orinoco River trip

“One exciting trip was with a friend from Caracas to the Amazon,” a pioneer from Venezuela recently wrote. “A local believer, over 60 years old (a woman), a 9-year-old girl, and the two of us went with two Indian motorists to visit a few of the communities along the Orinoco River where Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum had been with the film crew.”

Susan Isaacs and her companions visited six villages and assisted with the elections of five Assemblies. They also spent time with the children in each of the villages.

“It was completely new to me—the jungle, river travel, and the election of Local Spiritual Assemblies,” wrote Miss Isaacs. “We slept in hammocks—ate some canned foods and once were given local fish that was delicious, the best meal we had. In one village we bought casaba, a flat bread made from roasted ground yucca—a root that the Indians plant. It’s a lot of work and the people in the villages have very active, productive lives. It was interesting, because as we approached the villages after hours of travel in our lancha (a small, covered canoe) I wondered what in the world people would do who lived ‘so faraway from everything.’ But there’s a lot of work building homes, caring for the land and the children, planting, fishing, clearing new land, using the plants to make baskets.

[Page 17] “In one village every person was a Bahá’í. It was the cleanest, loveliest village we had seen, and the people offered us a school house, helped us set up our hammocks, and stayed until well after dark waiting for the election results—the women with babies in arms—until the last votes were counted.”

Referring to the films taken by Rúḥíyyih Khánum and her Green Light Expedition, Miss Isaacs said, “it will be wonderful when the films of this region will be available to the Bahá’ís.”

Miss Isaacs took the trip down the Orinoco River during her first months in Venezuela. Right after her arrival she had attended the National Convention, which, she said, “was very exciting, with representatives from all the diverse regions of Venezuela—the Amazon territory—the Goajira, where there are about 10,000 Indian Bahá’ís, and, they say, over 100 Local Spiritual Assemblies. Also, people came from the East and West, speaking English (a few), Spanish (of course), and some just their Indian languages.”

Miss Isaacs is pioneering in San Cristobal, a city in the Andes Mountains. There she finds increasing interest in the Faith, which she says, “is what keeps a pioneer at her post.”

---

Green Light Expedition film is available

The film of the Green Light Expedition is available. Narrated by Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, The Green Light Expedition is the story of her voyage through Amazonia: a 13,000 kilometer journey through South America.

The two-hour color-sound film allows viewers to share travels up the tropical rivers of Venezuela to Indian villages; to shoot the rapids of Surinam in a dugout canoe and visit Bush Negro villages; to climb a high Andean mountain in Bolivia and sing and dance at the peak with Indian Bahá’ís; to stand where “the sun was tied” in the Inca city of Machu Picchu in Peru.

The Hand of the Cause of God shares her view of pioneering in intimate discussions during the journey.

A 16 mm color film with optical sound track costs $350; insurance and postage extra. A Super 8 mm color film with magnetic sound track costs $150; insurance and postage extra. Future editions of the film will cost more. The film is available in English, Spanish, or French.

Order from the International Bahá’í Audio-Visual Centre, 1640 Holcomb Road, Victor, N.Y. 14564, U.S.A. 16mm sound film projectors are easily available in most countries, and can be rented or borrowed for a Bahá’í showing from the United States Information Service (USIA), Alliance Francaise, or some other cultural organization. 16mm film projects on large screens in theaters and halls as well as on small screens.

Super 8 film can be projected only by a special Super 8mm magnetic sound film projector on small screens.

UNESCO certification for the Green Light Expedition has been requested. Under the terms of the UNESCO Beirut Agreement, such certification would class the film as religious educational material and make it eligible for duty-free entry into some countries.