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Bahá’í News

October 1980

Bahá’í Year 137

The Hand of the Cause of God

Adelbert Mühlschlegel

[Page 0] WITH SORROWFUL HEARTS ANNOUNCE PASSING BELOVED HAND CAUSE ADELBERT MUHLSCHLEGEL. GRIEVOUS LOSS SUSTAINED ENTIRE BAHÁ’Í WORLD PARTICULARLY FELT EUROPE MAIN ARENA HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICES CAUSE GOD. SERVING FOR MANY YEARS NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY GERMANY HE BECAME AFTER ELEVATION RANK HAND CAUSE ONE OF CHAMPION BUILDERS EMERGING EUROPEAN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY CONSTANTLY TRAVELLING ENCOURAGING RAISING SPIRITS FRIENDS RESIDING WHEREVER SERVICES MOST NEEDED FINALLY PIONEERING GREECE AND SURRENDERING HIS SOUL PIONEERING POST. HIS CONSTANT WILLINGNESS SERVE HIS ABILITY ENDEAR HIMSELF BELIEVERS AND OTHERS ALIKE BY HIS LOVING GENTLENESS SERENE HUMILITY RADIANT DEDICATION BLESSED BEAUTY PROVIDE WONDERFUL EXAMPLE BAHÁ’Í LIFE. ADVISE FRIENDS COMMEMORATE HIS PASSING AND REQUEST BEFITTING MEMORIAL SERVICES ALL MOTHER TEMPLES. KINDLY INFORM BOARD COUNSELLORS.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

July 29, 1980

[Page 1]

Contents

The media
Radio-TV conference in Perú helps plan 2nd Bahá’í radio station	2
Marianas Center
Dedication ceremony held on 136th anniversary of Faith’s birth	9
Bahá’í studies
Canadian Association grows stronger, holds fifth conference	10
Around the world
News from Bahá’í communities in every corner of the globe	14

Cover

In July the beloved Hand of the Cause of God Adelbert Mühlschlegel became the fourth member of that august and venerated Institution of the Faith to die within the last year, joining his fellow Hands Enoch Olinga, Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir and Ḥasan M. Balyúzí in the Abhá Kingdom. Dr. Mühlschlegel was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God by the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, on February 29, 1952. He traveled extensively in the 15 countries of Western Europe, as well as to Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Greece and Yugoslavia, finally pioneering to Greece where he resided until his death.

Change of address should be reported directly to Office of Membership and Records, Bahá’í National Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A. Please attach mailing label. Subscription rates: one year, U.S. $8; two years, U.S. $15. Second class postage paid at Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright © 1980, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

Bahá’í News is published monthly 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.

[Page 2]

The media

Bahá’í radio-television conference in Perú helps plan world’s second Bahá’í radio station

By MICHAEL J. STOKES

United by a common desire that greater numbers of people should hear the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, and by their professional backgrounds or interest in mass communications media, about 100 Bahá’ís gathered May 29-June 2 in Puño, Perú, for the International Bahá’í Radio and Television Conference of Lake Titicaca.

Sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Perú and organized by its National Radio and Television Committee, the conference was attended by two members of the Continental Board of Counsellors for South America, Mas’ud Khamsí and Raúl Pavón.

Also participating were Dean Stephens of Puerto Rico and Mrs. Susan Leich McLaren of Trinidad and Tobago, who serve as assessors of the various radio and television projects in Latin America under the direction of the Audio-Visual Department of the Universal House of Justice.

The purpose of the conference was to help in the planning of a new Bahá’í radio station—to be based near the village of Chuquito, about 16 kilometers (10 miles) southeast of Puño—and to share the knowledge Bahá’ís have accumulated in the field of mass communications over a period of nearly 40 years.

The crisp, cloudless days added to the inspiration provided by the sight of world-famous Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world at 3,812 meters (about 12,580 feet) above sea level. In the villages and countryside that surround its approximately 7,500 square kilometers, one can see the present-day heritage of two great cultures—the Quechua speakers, descendants of the Incas, and the Aymaras, who also maintain their own language. Added to this cultural confluence is the presence of a Spanish-speaking population with its own distinct contributions.

It is here that the world’s second Bahá’í-operated radio station will be built to serve these highly receptive people. The project, approved by the Universal House of Justice and moving toward reality under the guidance of the National Spiritual Assembly of Perú, formed one of the principal themes of the conference. The other concerned obtaining radio and television time for Bahá’í programming at low or no cost.

By Thursday morning, May 29, nearly all the delegates, representing nine Latin American countries from Panama to Chile, as well as Australia, Canada, Írán, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States, had arrived. The friends gathered in the auditorium of the Universidad Nacional Technica del Altiplano (National Technical University of the Altiplano), the conference site, to hear opening prayers in Quechua, Aymara, Spanish, Portuguese, Persian and English. The official languages of the conference were Spanish and English.

After the delegates were welcomed by members of the conference committee, Counsellors Pavón and Khamsí were called upon to present the opening remarks.

Mr. Pavón dedicated the conference to the memory of the late, beloved Hand of the Cause of God, Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir, who died last December while on a teaching trip to Ecuador. Mr. Pavón said that whatever was learned at the conference must be learned in the light of mass teaching, of entry by troops. He cited various pieces of news showing that the Faith has grown dramatically at all levels of society and in all areas of Latin America. For example: in Chile, 1,200 enrollments in a single month; in Brazil, the opening of 16 localities to the Faith in five days;

[Page 3] in Perú, the great receptivity in the city of Puño even before the conference began.

Mr. Pavón went on to predict an unprecedented expansion of the Faith in the Andean altiplano region of Bolivia and Perú. We already know, he said, that radio helps facilitate the teaching process, so that what we must do now is concentrate on improving our methods to bolster this all-important aim.

Mr. Khamsí said his thoughts were on the friends in Írán, who are suffering such terrible persecutions, wishing that they might know that such a marvelous conference was taking place in another part of the world. We can inform them, he said, through the power of the communications media. This is the power of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, he reminded his listeners, recalling a story attributed to the Báb and His companions who were caught in a storm at sea and were unable to notify those ashore of the danger. It was on that occasion, said Mr. Khamsí, that the Blessed Báb is said to have implored God that man might discover a means to circumvent distance in his communications.

This conference, the Counsellor continued, was destined to inspire a new use of the mass media that would bring new victories for the Faith. But we Bahá’ís are behind others in taking advantage of these powerful instruments, he said, and that must change. Mr. Khamsí also thanked Mr. Stephens, who had suggested the conference as a stimulus to the new radio project and as a means of sharing knowledge in the area of mass communications.

Mrs. Isabel de Sánchez, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Perú, read that body’s message to the conference. It expressed the hope that new standards would arise from the gathering that would orient the work of the believers to make possible a fuller utilization of mass communications that would enable the inhabitants of the region and the entire planet to know of the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

“Never in history has man had such powerful means of communication as those we now have,” the message continued, “and, nonetheless, how incapable we are of using this instrument for the betterment of humanity. Rather, the lack of knowledge, of a true ideal, of ethical norms have made of this instrument an accelerator of the spiritual decadence of society. How great, therefore, is the spiritual responsibility of the Bahá’ís, who have had the blessing of being able to draw near to the Source of wisdom and guidance, of sharing with their fellow-beings that which signifies their only salvation and refuge. It is because we are conscious of this responsibility that we are here, anxious to learn and eager to work in this vast field.”

The message concluded by saying that the cornerstone is being laid for the building of a new spiritual culture that will fulfill the promise of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in which He says that the indigenous peoples “... will become so illumined that they will illumine the entire world.” Mentioning the key role of radio in the Andean countries, the message highlighted the importance of reaching these peoples in their own tongues, thus increasing their understanding so that each one in those regions might be converted into a brilliant star.

Mr. Stephens then reminded the friends of how special it was to be making Bahá’í history at this conference. He recalled the first such gathering of Bahá’ís in this field in Puerto Rico in 1975, and remembered having said, “Here we are, few in number, but if we don’t do this work, who will? We’re all we’ve got!”

Centering his talk on one of the main conference themes, that of using radio and television by means that are free or at low cost, Mr. Stephens pointed to the crisis in the Bahá’í Fund and the need to utilize the mass media in such a way as to achieve the maximum results with each effort.

He also addressed the matter of assistance to the new Peruvian radio project, calling for a sharing of experience on the part of its sister com-

Bahá’ís relax between sessions at the International Bahá’í Radio and Television Conference in Puño, Perú.

[Page 4] munity, Ecuador, which has had the first Bahá’í radio station in operation for more than two years, and an international exchange of ideas among Bahá’ís in the communications field.

Finally, Mr. Stephens cited the message from the Universal House of Justice for Naw-Rúz 1980 that said “unprecedented publicity has been accorded the Cause of God, chiefly as a result of the persecutions in Írán. In addition significant gains have been made in the Bahá’í radio operation in South America, where short wave transmission has greatly extended the range of Radio Bahá’í in Otavalo, Ecuador, and where a new station is being established in Puño, Perú, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Both these achievements offer immeasurable new opportunities for the teaching, proclamation and consolidation of the Cause in that area.”

Mrs. McLaren, also representing the Audio-Visual Department of the Universal House of Justice, said that while 39 countries had a goal of using the mass media more effectively and extensively during the Five Year Plan, there are 67 countries with that same goal in the Seven Year Plan. She echoed Mr. Stephens’ reminder that we must use the mass media to the highest degree possible, meanwhile taking advantage of free or low-cost time, in view of the present crisis in the Fund. She asked that everyone think about this, and pray that God might illumine their hearts and minds so that we can reach that goal.

As coordinator for CIRBAL, the Bahá’í Radio Interchange for Latin America, Mrs. McLaren mentioned various materials that are available, and said the conference was an ideal setting for the interchange of ideas among the friends.

She recalled the sentiments of Dr. Muhájir, expressed shortly before his death, that the conference would prove successful and would obtain results, not only for the altiplano, but for the entire world.

As the auditorium was somewhat cool owing to the winter weather, the friends took advantage of the between-session breaks to warm up outside in the sun, and to teach among the university students, many of whom were curious about the Bahá’í Faith and its message. By the end of the first break there were three declarations, and there would be more than 20 before the conference ended.

In a second address to the conference that afternoon, Counsellor Pavón spoke about the use of mass media in the Faith. “The message must go everywhere, to all parts,” he said, “but what should we communicate? That it is the principal duty of every human being to accept Bahá’u’lláh and to follow His Teachings.”

How we communicate, he added, is very important, saying that we must display an attitude as Bahá’ís that we are followers and observers of Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings. We must, he said, communicate our love for Bahá’u’lláh and our total unity. We must tell everyone about the focal point to which he must direct himself to become spiritualized: Bahá’u’lláh and His blessings for all mankind. “In this light,” he said, “mass communication means communicating the Creative Word plus our feeling of certitude and faith in Bahá’u’lláh.”

Fernando Schianterelli, an Auxiliary Board member who is a television and film producer in Lima, presented the philosophy and objectives guiding the Radio Bahá’í of Lake Titicaca project, saying that such a station implies causing a change in the individual to bring about a new World Order through the Revealed Word.

“Radio Bahá’í must serve everyone,” he emphasized. “We must educate for material and spiritual needs. We must be a part of the community. We must have a clear life objective that is admired by our audience.”

The tone of the conference then shifted from new hopes to present realities as Marcelo Quintero, an announcer, writer and member of the Commission for Radio Bahá’í in Ecuador, and Alfredo Espín, an announcer at the station from its very first days, made the first of several presentations on behalf of Radio Bahá’í.

They told of how the success of Bahá’í programs on a local commercial radio station in Ecuador had led Counsellor Pavón and other Ecuadorian Bahá’ís to advance the idea of seeking permission from the government for a Bahá’í-owned and operated station. After three long years of prayers and patience and waiting, the license was granted, the station built, and broadcasting begun on a regular basis late in 1977. The presentation of the early history of the station ended with a description of its formal inauguration in August 1978 and the first annual festival of folkloric music sponsored by Radio Bahá’í.

A pleasant surprise for those at the conference was the unexpected arrival of Kamran Mansurí, a Persian pioneer to Ecuador who gave much of his time and knowledge to the early stages of the project and served, at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador, as the station’s first manager.

Mr. Mansuri showed his home-made 8mm film of the construction of the station, including the difficult and dangerous erection of the antenna in Cajas, near Otavalo, and concluding with the friends gathered to listen to the first historic broadcast of Radio Bahá’í in Ecuador on October 12, 1977. One could sense the enthusiasm and anticipation of the Peruvian friends for

[Page 5] The official photo of the International Bahá’í Radio and Television Conference of Lake Titicaca was taken at the site of the world’s second Bahá’í radio station soon to be built near Puño, Perú.

what lies ahead as they looked back on the achievements of their sister community to the north.

The delegates enjoyed a social evening of singing and special presentations organized by the youth of Perú. A part of the program was the presentation by representatives from Bolivia and Puerto Rico of recent developments in the use of mass media in their respective communities.

The Bolivians, who have been placing Bahá’í programs on radio with national coverage for a number of years, told of the present reorganization of the national office and the work of the friends who share in the writing, production, and distribution of materials.

The delegate from Puerto Rico, Kurt Grove, a pioneer from the United States, outlined the success of a multi-media campaign using radio, TV, newspapers, posters, and direct mail throughout the island. All materials are based on a single theme, “Crece con nosotros” (Grow with us).

A number of university students attended the program at the invitation of the conference committee, and the delegates were delighted to hear that nine more of them had declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh during the course of the evening.

Counsellor Khamsí, the first speaker at Friday’s morning session, focused on the relationship of the Counsellors to Radio Bahá’í. Like any believer, he said, the Counsellors must place themselves wherever there is a need to help the Faith. Radio, he said, is vitally important in the teaching work, and for that reason, the Counsellors are solidly behind it.

Mr. Khamsí reviewed the modest beginnings of the use of radio in Ecuador in the 1940s and Bolivia in the 1950s, recalling that funds were few but the programming was beneficial. The project in Ecuador, he said, launched a new stage in the relationship of radio to the Faith.

In a presentation on the spiritual prerequisites for working on a Bahá’í radio project, Mr. Stephens listed 10 items, led by the necessity of having a Bahá’í perspective of one’s work and devotion to Bahá’u’lláh and His Cause. Talent, although admittedly important, was the last item on his list.

Miss Maria Eugenia González, a delegate from Perú and a professional radio broadcaster, reviewed the characteristics of radio broadcasting, including its advantage of being the most widespread communications medium and its disadvantage of having less impact on its audience than, say, television, because it is listened to less attentively. Its greatest power, according to Miss Gonzalez, lies in its ability to suggest a situation to the listener in such a way that he or she will be encouraged to seek a solution.

Other Peruvian Bahá’ís spoke of actual successes. Omar Brdarevic of Lima told of the assistance provided by the National Radio and Television Committee to Bahá’í communities in placing materials with stations in various localities. He related the success of approaching sta-

[Page 6] tion managers with Bahá’í materials to be broadcast free as a service to the community.

Raymundo Quiñones of Puño spoke of another aspect of the work, that of preparing programs in Quechua and Aymara for use in the Lake region. He related the bemused reaction of the indigenous friends upon hearing their own voices on radio for the first time. Whereas before they had been somewhat anxious about participating, they now became eager to help. Scripts were written and produced, but only very slowly in a workshop at the Bahá’í Institute in Juli, Perú.

At last, he said, the programs were broadcast regularly over a commercial station in Puño. When Mr. Quiñones went into the countryside to see how they were being received, he found to his delight that not only were people listening to the programs and learning about the Faith, they were asking for more programs of even greater length.

A moment of high artistic value in the conference came with the recital by Pancho Aménabar of several inspirational poems with guitar accompaniment. Mr. Aménabar, who recently returned to Chile after having lived for 13 years in Spain, was one-half of the professional duo “Día Prometido” (Promised Day) that recorded six long-playing albums during its years of success.

Types of programs useful in delivering the Bahá’í Message was the topic of a talk by Michael Stokes, a delegate from Ecuador. He spoke of the effectiveness of having truly newsworthy Bahá’í events covered on local newscasts, and of the importance of keeping reporters and station managers apprised of Bahá’í activities and facts about the Faith.

He mentioned several other kinds of formats, ranging from group discussions to radio drama, and devotional programs produced either by the station with Bahá’í participation, or by the Bahá’ís themselves. One suggestion was that of a “fireside of the air” with non-Bahá’ís participating as guests. Mr. Stokes noted that on one such program in Ecuador, there were declarations on the air.

Miss Ann Miller, another delegate from Ecuador and a member of its National Spiritual Assembly, discussed the elements of radio in a Bahá’í context, including the proper use of the Creative Word, construction of the text, and the integration of music and sound effects.

During a break in the afternoon’s proceedings, Mr. Schianterelli disclosed that he had just returned with several other conference participants from what they had been told would be a “workshop” with the regional radio announcers’ association. Instead, they had found themselves in front of live microphones for a broadcast over a chain of radio stations that form the “Lake Titicaca Network.” Each of them was interviewed and given ample time not only to explain the nature of the conference, but to proclaim in detail the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

More success stories were shared. Dr. Alejandro Reid of the National Spiritual Assembly of Chile told of the appearance of Bahá’ís on a variety program on the most powerful radio station in that country. He also said free weekly programs about the Faith were being broadcast in the city of Temuco.

The Brazilian delegation, consisting of 10 youth and young adults, astonished the conference with story after story of the victories being won in Brazil through the efforts of its new National Radio-Television Committee.

As an example, they cited the television program, “Unity in Diversity”—broadcast for one-half hour weekly in the city of Victoria. It has been on the air regularly for two and one-half years at no cost to the Bahá’ís. Some of its guests have been the Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir, Counsellor Pavón, and members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil.

In the same city, they said, there is a daily five-minute radio program about the Faith broadcast at very low cost.

In the city of Manaus, the Bahá’ís started with radio spot announcements, and the station requested more programming. Production studios now exist in a number of cities besides Manaus to handle an increasing demand for Bahá’í broadcast materials.

One of the more unusual developments of the conference took place on Friday evening when about 100 university students, members of the local Communist student organization, entered the auditorium and were seated with the friends.

These students, unhappy that a “religious sect” was using the university facilities, wanted to debate the Faith with those present and to offer their views of the Communist system.

Counsellor Khamsí took the stage and asked if the students might not want to hear about the Faith and its principles before debating it. Although some of the student leaders said they already knew about religion and did not wish to hear more, the majority urged that Mr. Khamsí be allowed to speak.

With that, the Counsellor presented a tactful and impressive 15-minute summary of the Faith from a materialist viewpoint, explaining that while the Bahá’ís are fully aware that religion is in a corrupted state, and has been a source of oppression and control of people in the past, the influence of pure religion on society cannot be ignored or belittled. He urged his listeners to

[Page 7] look at the influence of religion, speaking of the great advances in science and mathematics that resulted from the Islamic Revelation—advances so profound that they form the base of science to this date and enabled man to travel to the moon.

He further explained that the Bahá’í beliefs are not blind or unchallenged, that we reject superstition and see the necessity for harmony and balance between science and religion. The Counsellor agreed with some of the points made by Marx and Lenin, but said they were misinformed about religion. He pointed out that the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, because it takes into account man’s total reality, spiritual and material, is the Agency that is truly adequate to the needs of this day and offers the complete solution to the problems that beset mankind.

During the time allotted for rebuttal, the student leaders raised many issues that already had been addressed by Mr. Khamsí. When time ran out, they asked that the discussion be continued the following day. However, they did not return, despite having asked for books about the Faith, presumably to enhance their understanding of its point of view so that they might be better able to attack it.

The students left cordially and without incident. The most important result of the debate, in the opinion of many of the friends, was that it had offered an opportunity to proclaim the Faith to those who otherwise might not have heard about it, students who showed an apparent concern for social conditions and who may well accept the Faith once they can see its precepts more clearly.

On Saturday, May 31, Mr. Dexter, a member of the Radio Commission for Bahá’í Radio in Ecuador, shared a compilation of all of the guidance from the World Centre since the beginning of the project, encompassing the hopes and specific instructions of the Universal House of Justice and its Audio-Visual Department.

Miss Grima Flores and Alberto Guerrero of the Otavalo staff presented an overview of the various kinds of social services provided by Radio Bahá’í, ranging from announcements of community activities to help in locating lost children.

Eduardo Sandoval then discussed the music format of Radio Bahá’í, which he described as the base for gaining a solid and devoted listenership. He reminded the friends of the need to select carefully the music used on a Bahá’í radio station, as we must constantly reflect the dignity of the Faith.

In the afternoon, the delegates went by bus to Chuquito, site of the future Radio Bahá’í of Lake Titicaca. The physical beauty of the lake and surrounding hills under a brilliant blue sky engraved an unforgettable image on the mind of each participant.

After an explanation of the site by Mr. Stephens, the friends formed a large circle by holding hands and chanted and recited prayers and sang various Bahá’í songs. Later that evening, when the call went out for volunteers to help with the future Radio Bahá’í, some 20 of the friends arose. Some will come to Puño as pioneers; others will help on a part-time basis as their services are needed.

Obtaining radio time free or at low cost was the subject of a presentation later that afternoon by two delegates from the United States: Douglas Carpa, a member of the Greater Phoenix (Arizona) Media Committee, and Burl Barer, president of Barer, Goldblatt and Associates, a Washington State advertising firm, who is better known to American Bahá’ís as “Jeff Reynolds” of the radio series “Bahá’í Perspective: The Jeff Reynolds Show.”

Each of them stressed the importance of laying solid groundwork by contacting the media, getting to know their personnel, and maintain-

Bahá’ís from Ecuador who attended the International Bahá’í Radio and Television Conference of Lake Titicaca included Counsellor Raul Pavón (center front wearing dark glasses), the recipient of the John Stearns award; Mrs. María Perugachi (second from left), a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador, and Auxiliary Board member Ralph Dexter. Also shown are U.S. pioneers to Ecuador Ann Miller, Janet Dexter and Michael Stokes (second, third and fourth from left in back row) and pioneer from Persia Manuchir Kamran (second from right in back row).

[Page 8] ing an accurate fact sheet about the Faith with each local station.

An especially exciting moment came Saturday afternoon with the announcement of the winner of the John Stearns Award, honoring the memory of a Bahá’í pioneer from the U.S. to Ecuador in the 1940s who was one of the first in Latin America to use radio for the proclamation of the Faith. The handsomely engraved plaque that includes a photo of the antenna and transmitter of Radio Bahá’í in Ecuador was presented amid the cheers of the delegates to “the father of Radio Bahá’í, Counsellor Raúl Pavón.”

A dinner Saturday evening for local officials in Puño was attended by 40 delegates and four local administrators. Following the dinner, Counsellor Khamsí spoke on the basic teachings of the Faith, emphasizing its non-partisan nature and the obedience of Bahá’ís to government.

Each of the four officials spoke warmly of the Faith, with the last one saying that she felt at the meeting that she was part of a family. She clearly recognized the great need for these teachings, she said, and expressed a desire to become a part of the Faith.

The final day of the conference began with a presentation of the effects of Radio Bahá’í in Ecuador on the teaching there by Miss María Perugachi, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador and its Radio Commission; Mrs. Janet Dexter, and Mrs. Mercedes Quimbo.

Dr. James Theroux from the U.S. spoke about radio and education, warning that radio can create a sense of dependence in the listener, especially in the rural poor who have few other sources of information. We must use radio, he said, in such a way that it will encourage each listener to become an independent light.

José Luis Reyes, one of the chairmen of the International Bahá’í Radio and Television Conference, is shown with (left to right) Omar Brdarevic, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Perú; María Eugenia Gonzales, the conference’s other chairman, and Susan McLaren of CIRBAL, the Bahá’í Radio Interchange for Latin America.

Mrs. Marcia Day, long-time manager of the Bahá’í recording duo, Seals and Crofts, spoke of a practical solution to the need for more Bahá’í TV programs by sending a trained crew into a country with a mini-camera unit. This team, she said, would train local Bahá’ís in the production process and would leave behind finished programs.

Mrs. Day also proposed that Bahá’ís consider buying small commercial radio stations in their respective countries. Counsellor Pavón suggested that such a venture might be a family operation, done commercially but with Bahá’í standards, with a certain amount of time reserved daily for the Faith.

Mr. Pavón brought the conference to a close, saying that it was more like finishing a party and looking forward to the next one. “That which will happen from this time forward will unite us,” he said. “We will all leave here a little different, with the knowledge that the Faith will be established of its own force, but knowing also that we have a most marvelous opportunity today to serve Bahá’u’lláh. When the time comes that we must defend the Cause, it will grow in a way that we cannot imagine now.”

Twenty-six conference participants from several countries agreed to remain in Puño an additional week for teaching projects around Lake Titicaca designed to take advantage of the splendid publicity generated by this most successful gathering.

They would meet one week later in La Paz, Bolivia, for a satellite conference on the teaching work, sharing their teaching experiences and their confirmation that the use of radio in the area had indeed opened doors for the Faith. But however great that influence may have been in the past, it is only a prelude to the possibilities inherent in Radio Bahá’í of Lake Titicaca, for which these and other Bahá’ís had helped lay the groundwork at this historic conference.

[Page 9]

Marianas Bahá’í Center

Gala dedication ceremony is held on 136th anniversary of Faith’s birth

Bahá’ís and guests enter the Bahá’í National Center of the Mariana Islands at its dedication ceremony held May 23, 1980. The Center is in the community of Malojloj on the island of Guam in the Pacific Ocean. At the right in this photo is Edgar A. Olson, a long-time pioneer to Guam who spoke the words of dedication before cutting the ribbon at the entrance to the Center.

May 23, 1980, the 136th anniversary of the inception of the Bahá’í Faith in Persia (Írán), was the date chosen for the dedication of the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of the Mariana Islands.

The National Center for the Marianas is in Malojloj, municipality of Inarajan, Guam, an area of high land on the island’s southeastern coast, less than one mile from the site of the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár.

The program, held outdoors under canopies adjacent to the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, was attended by dignitaries that included Jose G. Roberto and Larry Aflague, both representing the Governor of Guam, the Honorable Paul M. Calvo.

Among the Bahá’ís present were the Honorable Richard H. Benson, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for North Eastern Asia and a judge of the Superior Court of Guam, and six members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Mariana Islands, elected the previous month: Dr. David M. Earl, Dr. Thomas Smithwick, Mrs. Patricia Daniels, Herbert Johnson, Wesley Daniels, and Dr. Anna J. Smithwick, all from Guam. The other members of the National Assembly, Sisan Suda, John Spock Jr. and Patricia Murday, all from Saipan, were unable to attend.

The half-hour program began with the song, “Nightingale of Paradise,” sung by Mrs. Barbara Jamison, and the prayer, “O Thou Kind Lord,” read by Mrs. Cynthia Pruski.

Dr. Earl, who is chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, explained the significance of the occasion and the purpose of the building being dedicated. The program continued with readings from the scriptures of the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Bahá’í Faiths, and the song, “Blessed Is the Spot,” sung by Mrs. Jamison.

Then came the moment of dedication. Spoken by Edgar A. Olson, a long-time pioneer to Guam, the words rang out: “... dedicated to the three fundamental verities animating and underlying the Bahá’í Faith—the unity of God, the unity of His Prophets, the unity of mankind.”

Following another prayer, Mr. Olson cut the ribbon at the building’s entrance, and the Bahá’ís and their guests entered.

[Page 10]

Bahá’í studies

Steady growth, development mark forward progress of Canadian Association for Studies on Bahá’í Faith

In its message of Naw-Rúz 1974, the Universal House of Justice called upon the Canadian Bahá’í community as one of its goals in the Five Year Plan to

“Cultivate opportunities for formal presentations, courses and lectureships on the Bahá’í Faith in Canadian universities and other institutions of higher learning.”

In January 1975, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada invited some 30 individuals to a “policy conference,” a device the National Assembly had frequently and successfully used to find ways of meeting new challenges.

The participants came from various backgrounds and from all parts of Canada. They were chosen because it was felt that they might contribute effectively to an examination of the request from the Universal House of Justice.

The conference, held at the University of Ottawa, had two specific objectives: (1) consultation on the above-mentioned goal of the Five Year Plan, and (2) planning a one-day conference with scientific, academic and artistic presentations on themes related to or inspired by the Bahá’í Faith and its Writings.

The result of consultation during the “policy conference” was a recommendation that the National Spiritual Assembly establish a “Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá’í Faith.” Those at the conference expressed a belief that such an association represented a traditional mode of relating to the university system and one that would be most likely to find easy acceptance by the academic community.

The Association, it was felt, would at once relieve the administrative agencies of the Faith of a heavy load of largely extraneous tasks while at the same time opening a new field of service for qualified believers. The Association would, however, take its basic direction from the National Spiritual Assembly, which would appoint the membership of its Executive Committee.

The recommendation to establish the Association was approved by the National Assembly at its meeting of February 21-24, 1975. The newly-created Executive Committee, which has full responsibility for directing the affairs of the Association, in accordance with its constitution and under the direction of the National Assembly, met for the first time in May 1975. During this and subsequent meetings, the committee decided that the Association should direct its attention toward the cultivation of opportunities for the formal presentation of the Faith at Canadian institutions of higher learning, as directed by the Universal House of Justice in 1974 and reinforced in its message to Canada in 1979 inaugurating the Seven Year Plan, in which that community was directed to

“Expand the opportunities for teaching in Canadian institutions of higher learning and further develop the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá’í Faith.”

In the committee’s opinion, the word “cultivate” in the House of Justice’s message of Naw-Rúz 1974 encouraged careful attention to the preparatory stages of a program designed to awaken the Canadian academic community to the existence of the Faith, to make the members of that community aware of its intellectual and spiritual integrity, and to acquaint them with the quality of the academic resources that it offers.

The committee therefore felt that the emphasis during its initial phases of work should be on the development of the Association’s resources.

[Page 11] With that in mind, it was decided to embark upon the objectives of (a) increasing membership and contributions among members of the Bahá’í community; (b) publishing Association proceedings and various monographs (Bahá’í Studies); (c) publishing a textbook on the Bahá’í Faith as the basis for the development of course outlines; (d) convening annual meetings of the Association; and (e) making formal presentations at Canadian universities and other institutions of higher learning.

Membership in the Association has shown a steady increase, and in a most encouraging trend, many Bahá’ís from outside Canada have become members. As of September 1979, membership in the Association stood at 507.

Thus far, six volumes in the Bahá’í Studies series have been published, under the following titles: Volume 1, Proceedings of the First Annual Meeting of the Association for Studies on the Bahá’í Faith; Volume 2, The Science of Religion; Volume 3, The Metaphorical Nature of Physical Reality; Volume 4, Three Studies on Bahá’í History; Volume 5, The Bahá’í Faith in Russia: Two Early Instances; and Volume 6, The Violence-Free Society: A Gift for Our Children.

In December 1976, the Executive Committee approached a group of scholars at the Université de Montréal who were collaborating with Editions Fides on a series of volumes on the world’s major religions. The purpose was to assure that the Faith was accurately treated in the series. After further consultation, the group agreed to publish a separate volume in the series on the Bahá’í Faith, under the title La Foi Bahá’íe. Editions Fides also approved the project.

The Association sought the advice of the Universal House of Justice concerning suitable authors, and approached several who were recommended by the Supreme Body. Eventually, two of these writers were commissioned and took up the task. The manuscript is now in the final stages of preparation prior to publication. The committee decided to proceed simultaneously with an English-language version of the book (The Bahá’í Faith), also through a commercial publisher.

The Association held its first and second annual meetings at Cedar Glen in Bolton, Ontario, near Toronto. Each was attended by more than 100 individuals. The third annual meeting took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, the fourth at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education in Toronto, and the fifth May 30-June 1, 1980, in Ottawa (see Page ). This year’s meeting was the largest to date with attendance reaching 256. In addition to the annual meeting, regional conferences were held during 1979 in Halifax, Saskatoon, Toronto and Vancouver.

During the first four years of its existence, the Association was able to sponsor the following formal presentations and lectures:

Five lectures by Carol Bowie on “Women in the Bahá’í Faith” at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario.

Lectures on “Science and Religion” by Dr. William S. Hatcher at the University of New Brunswick and the University of Alberta at Edmonton.

Two presentations on “Women in the Bahá’í Faith” by Elizabeth Kerr-Wilson at Carleton University, Ottawa.

A presentation on “The Function of Revelation in Artistic Expression” by D. O. Rogers at the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts.

In 1979, plans were approved for non-credit extension courses on the Bahá’í Faith to be offered at the University of British Columbia and at McGill University. Negotiations are under way for similar courses at the University of Toronto, the University of Ottawa, and Carleton University in Ottawa.

The present objectives of the Association include the following:

1. To work toward the creation of a “Centre for Studies on the Bahá’í Faith.”
2. To offer qualified Bahá’í lecturers to Canadian universities and other institutions of higher learning.
3. To develop curricula for formal courses on the Bahá’í Faith.
4. To encourage university students to study the Bahá’í Faith as part of their regular academic activities and to collect and catalog their theses, dissertations, etc.
5. To undertake a study of the holdings on the Bahá’í Faith in Canadian university libraries, and to advise these libraries about available materials.
6. To encourage the preparation and publication of books, articles, and reviews on the Faith.
7. To organize formal conferences for members and other interested persons, in addition to the annual meeting of the Association.
8. To publish the serial monograph Bahá’í Studies.
9. To cultivate relationships with university administrations, and to acquaint them with the nature and aims of the Faith.
10. To provide scholarships for Bahá’í students.
11. To develop a bibliography on the Bahá’í Faith, and to keep it updated.
12. To propose research projects to Bahá’í scholars.

Membership in the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá’í Faith is open to all regis-

[Page 12] tered Bahá’ís. Members are entitled to receive free registration at annual meetings of the Association, new volumes of Bahá’í Studies, and Association bulletins published during the membership year. The Association’s address is 224 Fourth Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 2L8. Present annual membership dues are $10 (U.S.) for students, $15 for adults, and $25 for couples.

The significance of the activities and work of the Association was recognized by the Universal House of Justice in a letter dated March 19, 1979:

“The efflorescence of the Canadian Association for Bahá’í Studies has been, in the eyes of the House of Justice, one of the very favorable outcomes of the Five Year Plan and bodes well for the maturation and eminence of the Canadian community.”

---

Hand of Cause Robarts present at Canadian Association’s fifth annual conference

The fifth annual meeting of the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá’í Faith, held May 30-June 1, 1980, in Ottawa, was blessed by the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts.

Registration at the meeting reached 256, making it the largest such gathering in the five-year history of the Association. Among the participants were Dr. Victor de Araujo, the representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations; a total of six National Spiritual Assembly members from Haiti, Switzerland and Canada; six Auxiliary Board members, and an array of distinguished and much-loved friends from throughout Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and New Zealand.

One of the unique events that took place at this conference was the initiation of a special lectureship in memory of the Hand of the Cause of God Hasan M. Balyúzí.

Dr. Abbas Afnan and Dr. Muhamed Afnan, both of whom were related to Dr. Balyúzí and belong to the family of the Báb, spoke of the illustrious lineage of Dr. Balyúzí. The Hand of the Cause Mr. Robarts spoke about Mr. Balyúzí as a member of the Institution of the Hands, reminding his audience of the immensity of the responsibility that the Hands of the Cause shouldered during the years between the passing of the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, and the election in 1963 of the Universal House of Justice. This period, said Mr. Robarts, will no doubt be recorded as one of the most important in the annals of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh with respect to the preservation of its unity and integrity within the stronghold of the Covenant.

Douglas Martin, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada and a historian, presented the final talk of the lectureship session, reviewing the immense work of Mr. Balyúzí as a historian who produced volumes on the lives of the Báb and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Muḥammad and the Course of Islám, Edward Granville Browne and the Bahá’í Faith, and finally, a trilogy on Bahá’u’lláh, the first volume of which, The King of Glory, has just been published.

Another unique facet of this fifth annual meeting was the presentation of awards for the three best essays and research on Bahá’í studies.

Catherine Nelson-McDermott of British Columbia received an award for the best essay in the high school category for her paper, “Ṭahirih.”

Alanna Robertson of Prince Edward Island was chosen best in the university category for an essay entitled, “Music: Its Influence on the Spirit.”

Robert Stockman of Rhode Island was given the award for best research in the individual category for his work, “A History of the Rhode Island Bahá’í Community.”

Each winner was the guest of the Association, presented his/her paper during the conference, and received a commemorative plaque.

The presentations on the theme of Bahá’í history were extremely interesting, informative and rewarding. Dr. Allan L. Ward’s talk, “ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the American Press,” a scholarly presentation given with ease, clarity and humor, set the tone for the meeting.

Gol Aidun recounted the relationship of Manakji Limji Hataria, an historic figure in the Zoroastrian community, with the Bahá’í Faith. In

[Page 13] ‘Three new volumes of “Bahá’í Studies” ... are in various stages of preparation.’

the process, she informed her audience of many facts about this ancient Persian religion that were hitherto unknown to them.

Stephen Whitney’s interesting paper, “The Second Century,” reviewed the conditions of the world’s major religions in their second century of existence and compared their history to that of the Bahá’í Faith in its second century. Through this interesting comparison, he invited his audience to look into the future to see what awaits the Faith.

A major presentation by Dr. Jean-René Milot of the University of Montreal entitled, “L’Origine de la foi Bahá’íe sur l’arriere plan shi’ie,” enabled the friends at the conference to witness the accuracy and fairness with which truly informed non-Bahá’í scholars can view the Bahá’í Faith.

A panel discussion on “Bahá’í Scholarship” was inaugurated this year, and was quite successful in spite of the fact that three of its original members were unable to appear. The participation and contributions by Dr. Betty J. Fisher, general editor of the U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust; Todd Lawson; and National Spiritual Assembly members Glen Eyford and Hossain Danesh were highly appreciated.

A welcome addition to the conference was the presence of Richard St. Barbe Baker and his presentation, “The Founding of the Men of the Trees.” Mr. St. Barbe Baker, a 91-year-old believer, has devoted his life to the service of humanity, especially in the area of conservation of natural resources.

It was announced that a formal course on the Bahá’í Faith has been established in the Department of Continuing Education at the University of British Columbia. Similar courses are being negotiated at other Canadian universities, and final approval of a credit course on the Faith at the University of Toronto seems near at hand.

Three new volumes of Bahá’í Studies, the main publication of the Association, are in various stages of preparation. The French version of the book, The Bahá’í Faith, is in the hands of the publishers, while the English version is being edited. A new publication that would include many articles on various themes related to the Faith as well as poems, essays, plays, music, etc., is being prepared.

Among the more exciting announcements by the Executive Committee of the Association was the approval by the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada for the purchase of a building in the vicinity of the University of Ottawa to initially house the offices of the Association and eventually expand into a Center for Bahá’í Studies. As such, it will have a reference library, facilities for research on various aspects of the Faith, and will provide the opportunity for development of curricula for study of the Faith, making them available to institutions of higher learning as well as to the Bahá’í community.

The participants at the conference responded to this news with an enthusiastic and sacrificial outpouring of funds. Slightly more than $10,000 was contributed toward the purchase of the Center.

[Page 14]

Around the world

Transkei

The first National Spiritual Assembly of Transkei was elected May 3 during that country’s inaugural National Convention in Umtata.

Transkei was formerly under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly of South and West Africa.

William Masehla, a Continental Counsellor for Southern Africa, delivered a special message from the Universal House of Justice in the absence of the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears.

Mr. Sears sent a cable to the Convention expressing his regret at not being able to attend due to ill health. He indicated his desire to visit Transkei later in the year.

Bahiyyih Winckler, another Continental Counsellor for Southern Africa, delivered the message from the Counsellors to the National Convention.

Six members of the National Spiritual Assembly of South and West Africa and a similar number of visitors from other nearby countries were among the 53 believers at the Convention.

Prayers in English, Xhosa, Persian and Setswana were offered at a special reception held on the evening before the Convention convened.

A presentation on the history of the Faith in Transkei was made during the Convention by Counsellor Masehla and Lowell Johnson, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of South and West Africa. The presentation included remembrances of pioneers who introduced the Faith in the area that is now Transkei.

Delegates expressed concern about the situation faced by believers in Írán. The tragedy of the loss of three Hands of the Cause of God in so short a time also was discussed during consultation. Believers expressed a realization of the urgency of the Faith’s needs while opportunities still exist.

The newly-elected National Spiritual Assembly of Transkei includes believers of Persian, American and Transkeian backgrounds. They are Manucher Roohani, David Garcia, Henry Fitzpatrick, Enayat Besharati, Flora Sibobi, Agnes Msindwana, Julia Nodada, Tayebeh Sobhani and Sue Greer.

Cameroon Republic

Delegates and guests at the National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Cameroon.

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Cameroon for 137 B.E., elected at the National Convention, are (seated left to right) Naz Yeganeh, Simon Medjo, Marthe Ekemeyong, Alexander Agbor, Ursula Samandari, and (standing left to right) Eyong Tatah, Auebe François, Ekema Agbaw, Richard Gray.

[Page 15]

Samoa

The excavation site for the foundation of the Mother Temple of the Pacific Islands was visited April 27 by some of the delegates and guests at the Bahá’í National Convention in Samoa. The Temple site is located near Apia, Western Samoa.

Ecuador

A capacity crowd of more than 1,500 including children from 13 rural schools participated May 11 in the second Children’s Festival sponsored by Radio Bahá’í in Otavalo, Ecuador.

The festival, titled “Huahuamanta Huahuapag” (By Children for Children), was held at the Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum Institute in Otavalo.

The groups of children presented dances, songs, poems and dramatizations. Many of the performances were done in the Quechua language.

Representatives from many schools present at the Children’s Festival thanked Radio Bahá’í for allowing the participation of their students. “Please invite us again next year,” was the comment made by one teacher.

All of the participating schools were presented with gifts of books for their school libraries. The winning group that performed a traditional dance will present it on a nationwide children’s television program. The youngsters will also tour two museums during their visit to Quito, Ecuador, as contest winners at the Children’s Festival.

Ireland

Adib Taherzadeh, a Continental Counsellor for Europe, and Auxiliary Board members Quentin Gargan, Beman Knosravi and Keith Munro were among the 200 delegates and guests at the Bahá’í National Convention April 27 in Rathfarnham, Republic of Ireland.

Convention participants consulted on a number of topics related to teaching and consolidation work called for in the Seven Year Plan.

Three new Assemblies must be established in Ireland to complete the requirements of the first two-year phase of the Plan. Many personal sacrifices led to the reelection of all 16 Assemblies in Ireland at Riḍván.

Counsellor Taherzadeh praised the work of the Irish Bahá’í community and said the friends must now move into a new phase that will attract greater numbers to the Faith.

Confidence, faith, a positive attitude and perseverance are required for success in the teaching work, said Mr. Taherzadeh. He then outlined the distinction between teaching and proclamation and the need for balancing the two.

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly elected at the Convention are Joe Watson, chairman; Paddy Dawson, secretary; Paddy O’Mara, treasurer; Leslie Taherzadeh, Jack Nagle, Fonsie Nagle, Frances Beard, Val McGinley and Zebby Whitehead.

Brazil

Copies of the book Call to the Nations were sent to city and state government officials by the Spiritual Assembly of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as a special proclamation effort.

As a result, the State of Rio de Janeiro’s Legislative Assembly issued a proclamation expressing the Assembly’s appreciation to the Bahá’ís.

The Legislative Assembly referred to “... the exceptional book, Call to the Nations, by the distinguished thinker, Shoghi Effendi,” calling the volume “a true masterpiece of universal thought, which translates in an incomparable manner the longing for peace and communion among the peoples, inherent to all humanity.”

[Page 16]

Bénin

More than 75 people from three of Bénin’s six provinces attended the dedication last December 9 of the country’s first Regional Bahá’í Center.

The Center, in Porto Novo, is named for the Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga.

Following a welcome by Dénagan Chancouin, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, and a prayer by National Assembly member Adrien Gnambodé, Auxiliary Board member Frédéric Hodonou cut a ribbon across the main door of the Enoch Olinga Regional Bahá’í Center, officially opening the facility.

Several local officials were present and were given Bahá’í literature.

The children read prayers and sang songs in a palm branch shelter that was erected for them outside the Center. Bahá’í women from Malanhui, a nearby village, performed original songs for the occasion.

Two of the more than 75 people who attended a public meeting March 21 at Bénin’s national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Cotonou discuss the Faith during a reception that followed talks by Counsellor Thelma Khelghati and Auxiliary Board member Frédéric Hodonou.

The observance of the 25th anniversary of the founding of Bénin’s Bahá’í community began with this conference last February 24 at the Enoch Olinga Regional Bahá’í Center in Porto-Novo. The more than 40 participants came from localities in three of the country’s provinces.

Several activities held earlier this year to mark the 25th anniversary of the birth of the Bahá’í community in Bénin brought attention to the Faith and joy to the friends.

Public meetings were held at Naw-Rúz in the national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Cotonou and on March 22 at the regional Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Porto-Novo.

More than 125 people attended the gatherings in Cotonou and Porto-Novo at which Counsellor Thelma Khelghati and Auxiliary Board member Frédéric Hodonou spoke about the history and principles of the Faith. Question-and-answer sessions followed each talk.

The meeting in Cotonou ended with a reception, slide presentation and performance of Bariba dances.

Also in Bénin, more than 40 people from seven localities in three provinces participated February 24 in a conference at the Enoch Olinga Regional Bahá’í Center in Porto-Novo.

Members of Bénin’s National Spiritual Assembly spoke of the significance of the occasion that marked the opening of celebrations to observe the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Bénin’s Bahá’í community.

On February 20, Calixte Aïssi, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, met with Mathieu Kerekou, the president of the Republic of Bénin, who was interested in the Faith’s 25-year history in that country.

As a result of his invitation to the National Assembly to send a delegation to meet with his technical adviser on education, six members of the National Assembly and an Auxiliary Board member met two days later with the education adviser and judicial adviser.

The Bahá’ís offered the government officials a detailed overview of the history and administration of the Faith in Bénin and worldwide. They also explained some of the Bahá’í principles during the one and one-half hour meeting.

Local Bahá’í Centers were dedicated March 23 in Agbojedo and Vakongbo. Counsellor Khelghati participated in the Vakongbo dedication. Those attending had the pleasure of local food, singing, and dancing accompanied by the huge traditional drums.

The Centers, thatch-roofed circular buildings, were constructed during the Five Year Plan.

Spain

The first issue of “Pensamiento Bahá’í” (Bahá’í Thought), a new bi-monthly publication in Spain, was distributed in January.

The editorial committee, in a letter asking for prayers, said the future of the periodical will depend on its reception among members of the Spanish Bahá’í community.

“Our intention is to keep improving it in appearance and in quality as we keep increasing the number distributed, which, in this first printing, has been only 500 copies,” the committee wrote.

[Page 17]

Bolivia

The Hand of the Cause of God Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir (standing at right) is shown conducting a fireside in Cochabamba, Bolivia, only one week before his untimely death last December. To Dr. Muhájir’s right is Auxiliary Board member Eloy Anello, who translated. Dr. Muhájir introduced a fireside technique that has proven to be quite successful in Bolivia. After a brief presentation, Dr. Muhájir divided his audience into several small groups in which seekers could more freely ask questions of individual Bahá’ís.

Hawaii

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Hawaii, elected at the National Convention in Honolulu, April 25-27, are (front row left to right) Craig Quick; Tony Pelle, vice-chairman; (second row left to right) Duane Troxel; Elizabeth Hollinger, corresponding secretary; Elizabeth Habermann, recording secretary; Tracy Hamilton, chairman; and (third row left to right) Brad Hollinger, treasurer; Gary Morrison; S. Pattabi Raman.

India

A contract for the construction of the Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent was signed April 21 in New Delhi.

The contractor, M/S Engineering Construction Corporation, Ltd., is considered to be one of the best construction firms in India.

Fariburz Sahba, the Bahá’í architect for the Indian House of Worship, has received two requests for details of the new Temple for displays in the United Kingdom and in Australia.

The Science Museum of London wants to prepare a model of the lotus-shaped House of Worship for permanent display in the museum. The model will be part of a series demonstrating “some peaks of achievement” in the use of various construction materials.

In Australia, the Sydney and Environs Development and Advancement Society wants to include photographs and drawings of the Indian Temple in a series of exhibitions on examples of outstanding architecture from around the world.

•

A four-page centerfold article on the Bahá’í centenary in India appeared May 18 in “Contour,” a new national magazine published by the Hindustan Times newspaper group of Delhi, India.

The article, carrying the title “Belief in a Universal Faith: Celebrating a Proud Centenary,” is illustrated with a full-page color portrait of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and another full-page in color showing a model of the Bahá’í House of Worship being constructed in New Delhi. The article also includes a photograph of the National Spiritual Assembly of India.

The article was generated by the interest of a reporter invited to a press conference at the Bahá’í National Center for a briefing on centenary events.

The feature story traces the history of the Faith in India, beginning with the arrival in 1872-3 of Jamal Effendi, emissary of Bahá’u’lláh to the Indian subcontinent.

R. N. Shah, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, is quoted about the growth of the Faith in India. Within a span of 20 years, according to Mr. Shah, the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in India has grown from 65 to 10,000.

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