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| Bahá’í News | September 1982 | Bahá’í Year 139 |
WITH GREAT SORROW INDIGNATION ANNOUNCE FURTHER MARTYRDOMS FOUR MORE VALIANT DEVOTED SERVANTS BAHÁ’U’LLÁH, ALL PROMINENT BAHÁ’ÍS QAZVIN AND SURROUNDING AREAS: MUHAMMAD MANSURI, JADIDU’LLAH ASHRAF, MUHAMMAD ABBASI, MANUCHIHR FARZANIH-MU’AYYAD. PRESSURES AGAINST BAHÁ’ÍS IRAN MOUNTING, THEIR SCOPE WIDENING, ENGULFING BAHÁ’ÍS ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
JULY 12, 1982
SADDENED REPORT YET ANOTHER STALWART SUPPORTER GREATEST NAME IRAN ABBAS-ALI SADIQIPUR EXECUTED 15 JULY SHIRAZ. CHARGES PUBLISHED LEADING NEWSPAPER IRAN WERE BASED HIS CONNECTION FAITH, INCLUDING BEING ACTIVE BAHÁ’Í.
SUCH CHARGES SIMILAR THOSE RESULTING EXECUTION OTHER PROMINENT BAHÁ’ÍS CONFIRM EVIL INTENTIONS AGAINST FRIENDS CRADLE FAITH. REQUEST YOU INFORM GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS MEDIA AS BEFORE.
AUGUST 2, 1982
Bahá’í News[edit]
Glenford E. Mitchell elected to serve on Universal House of Justice | 1 |
U.S. Senate passes a resolution condemning the persecutions in Iran | 2 |
Messages from National Conventions reflect spirit of hope, optimism | 4 |
In Ecuador, Radio Bahá’í’s fourth Children’s Festival bigger than ever | 8 |
Radio Bahá’í in Perú also hosts a large and colorful music festival | 10 |
In Des Moines, Iowa, 23 Cambodians declare their belief in Bahá’u’lláh | 11 |
Around the world: News from Bahá’í communities all over the globe | 12 |
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 the Periodicals Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A. Changes of address should be reported to the Office of Membership and Records, Bahá’í National Center. 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 © 1982, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
World Centre[edit]
Glenford Mitchell elected to serve on the Universal House of Justice[edit]
TO THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE WORLD
WARMLY WELCOME NEWLY ELECTED MEMBER HOUSE JUSTICE GLENFORD MITCHELL.
JULY 15, 1982
TO GLENFORD E. MITCHELL
ASSURE YOU ARDENT PRAYERS DIVINE ASSISTANCE CONFIRMATIONS NEW FIELD SERVICE. LOVING BEST WISHES.
JULY 15, 1982
Glenford E. Mitchell, who has served for the past 14 years as secretary of
the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahá’ís of the United States, has been
elected to membership on the Universal
House of Justice.
The results of the special by-election to replace Amoz Gibson, a member of the Supreme Body for 19 years until his death on May 14, were announced July 15 by the House of Justice.
Mr. Mitchell, who was first elected to the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly in 1967 and became its secretary the following year, also served as managing editor of World Order magazine, secretary of the Trustees of the U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, and secretary of the Board of Directors of the Bahá’í Home in Wilmette, Illinois.
Prior to his election to the National Spiritual Assembly, he served as chairman of the National Teaching Committee, director of the National Department of Youth and Student Activities, and chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Washington, D.C.
A journalist by profession, Mr. Mitchell has authored numerous articles and pamphlets and co-edited the book, The Angry Black South, which was published in 1962 by Corinth Books, New York.
From 1962-63 he was assistant editorial director of Maryknoll Publications and executive secretary of the Maryknoll Book Club in New York.
He later served as assistant editor of “Africa Report” magazine in Washington, D.C., and as an English instructor in the Upward Bound program at Indiana State University in Terre Haute and at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
In 1980 Mr. Mitchell received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the National College of Education in Wilmette.
Born in 1935 in Jamaica, West Indies, Mr. Mitchell attended private preparatory and secondary schools in his homeland.
He received a B.A. degree in business education in 1960 from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University in New York City.
Mr. Mitchell is a member of the Sigma Delta Chi professional journalism society and Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society.
He and his wife, Bahia, have a 5-year-old daughter, Tarissa.
GLENFORD E. MITCHELL
United States[edit]
Senate’s historic resolution condemns persecution of Iran’s Bahá’í community[edit]
| A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 73) to condemn the Iranian persecution of the Bahá’í community.
Whereas the Bahá’í community in Iran is experiencing persecution, harassment and disappearances of family members, job discrimination, seizure of bank funds, destruction of personal property, and torture; Whereas current reports show at least one hundred and thirteen executions of Bahá’ís and Bahá’í religious leaders by the Government of Iran; and Whereas the continued harassment and murder of Bahá’ís demonstrates that the Government of Iran has launched a conscious effort to destroy the Bahá’í community; Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the Congress of the United States condemns persecution of the Bahá’ís, holds the Government of Iran responsible for upholding the rights of all its citizens, including the Bahá’ís, and expresses the hope that the discrimination and brutal executions within the Bahá’í community cease immediately. The Congress urges the Iranian Government to end this extermination of law abiding citizens who only wish to worship in freedom. |
On June 30, the United States Senate approved by voice vote and without dissent an historic resolution condemning the government of Iran for its persecution and “brutal executions” of Bahá’ís in that country.
The concurrent resolution, which was introduced in mid-March by Sen. John Heinz (R-Pennsylvania) and unanimously approved in May by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had more than 20 co-sponsors.
Its passage came nearly five weeks after the House Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations heard testimony by Bahá’ís about the steadily worsening situation faced by the hard-pressed Bahá’í community in the Cradle of the Faith.
Included in that testimony (see Bahá’í News, August 1982) were moving statements by Mrs. Ramna Nourani whose mother, Mrs. Ginous Mahmoudi, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, was secretly executed last December with seven other members of that body, and whose father, Houshang Mahmoudi, a member of the previous National Assembly of Iran, disappeared in August 1980 with the rest of its members and is presumed dead.
Also testifying at that hearing were three members of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly—Judge James F. Nelson, chairman; Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, vice-chairman; and Glenford E. Mitchell, secretary—and two Congressmen, Reps. Edward J. Derwinski of Illinois and Fortney (Pete) Stark of California.
The passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 73 was fully reported in the Congressional Record on June 30.
Also placed in the Record was a complete transcript of Judge Nelson’s testimony before the House Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations.
“The reported 113 executions of Bahá’í citizens during the past year,” Sen. Heinz said while speaking in support of the resolution, “only too vividly illustrates the extent to which the Khomeini government is attempting to exterminate the Bahá’í religion.
“As a nation committed to the human rights of all,” he added, “we cannot understand how a nation can inflict such torture and execution on members of their own community.”
The Senate resolution, said Mr. Mitchell, “strengthens the efforts of the American Bahá’ís to call urgent public attention to the genocidal acts being perpetrated against the Bahá’ís in Iran.”
Since the passage of the Senate resolution, the Universal House of Justice has announced the martyrdoms of five more Bahá’ís in Iran, four in the Qazvin area and the other in Shiraz.
The Supreme Body also reported that in spite of support from a number of governments, and from such international organizations as the United Nations and the Parliament of Europe, the pressures against Bahá’ís in Iran are mounting and their scope widening.
“We have a responsibility to speak out on this matter,” Sen. Heinz told his colleagues, “even though our relationship with the Government of Iran is, at best, strained. People of good conscience cannot ignore terror and murder, and perhaps by bringing it forcefully to the world’s attention we can in some way influence the course of events in Iran.
“... By expressing America’s concern and outrage over the Iranian Government’s inhuman treatment, we have the opportunity to bring to light the Bahá’ís’ struggle. Considering recent developments, outside pressure is a very important, if not vital, method of helping the Bahá’ís secure the basic human rights all people deserve.
“Iran should be held responsible for upholding the rights of all its citizens, including the Bahá’ís, and I hope this
| Hawaii Senate passes resolution
Senate Resolution No. 86 Adopted April 23, 1982 URGING PURSUIT OF ALL AVAILABLE MEANS TO PUT AN END TO THE CAMPAIGN OF GENOCIDE AGAINST THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH IN IRAN WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii in its Constitution guarantees the right to religious freedom and to due process; and WHEREAS, Hawaii has accepted on its soil the establishment of all religious faiths in an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual respect, and all of the world’s major faiths have found expression in Hawaii; and WHEREAS, the Bahá’í Faith was first brought to Hawaii 81 years ago by Agnes Baldwin Alexander; and WHEREAS, any and all acts of religious persecution are to be deplored, and are a threat to religious freedom everywhere; and WHEREAS, acts of violence and terrorism against members of the Bahá’í Faith in Iran have been sanctioned and perpetrated by the government and/or religious leaders of that country and which acts have been reported widely in the world press, and have been a cause for alarm on the part of such organizations as the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the Parliaments of Canada, Australia, and the Federal Republic of Germany; and WHEREAS, the Bahá’í Faith in Iran, comprising the largest non-Muslim religious community in that country, is presently being subjected to an organized and systematic attempt at its eradication, best characterized as genocide, on the part of the Iranian government and certain Muslim religious leaders as evidenced by the known assassination and execution of over 100 of its most prominent members from 1978 to January 1982, by the summary arrest and detention of hundreds more, by the government’s stated policy to refuse national identity cards to Iranian Bahá’ís thereby causing them to become non-persons and illegal residents within the country of their birth, by the confiscation and destruction of Bahá’í properties and religious edifices, by the desecration of Bahá’í cemeteries, by the government’s refusal to recognize Bahá’í religious law such as marriage, even marriages of many years standing, and the legitimacy of children born of Bahá’í couples to the extent of barring these children from attendance at public schools; and WHEREAS, the religious community in Hawaii has expressed grave concern for the safety and well-being of the Bahá’í, Christian, Jewish and other religious minorities in Iran; now, therefore BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Eleventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 1982, that the President of the United States, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations, and the Governor of Hawaii, are urged to pursue all available means to dissuade and to deter the government of Iran from its present policy of religious persecution and for it instead to promote an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual respect among all religious communities in Iran; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, to the Secretary of State, to the Secretary General of the United Nations, to the Governor of Hawaii, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands, and to the representative of the Bahá’í International Community at the United Nations. |
resolution will demonstrate to Iran, as well as the rest of the world, our commitment to human rights and our determination that other nations protect their most fundamental freedoms.”
Several other Senators spoke in favor of Resolution 73 including Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Massachusetts).
“As one who has long been committed to the cause of human rights in the world,” said Sen. Kennedy, “I welcome the Senate’s action in taking up that cause again in the name of the Bahá’ís.
“The Iranian authorities have blatantly violated Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which they are a State Party. Article 18 states:
“ ‘Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. The right shall include freedom to have or adopt a religion or a belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice, and teaching.’
“Amnesty International, the Human Rights Commission of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Switzerland, and other organizations and journals have documented and protested the inhumane treatment of the Bahá’í community in Iran. It is time the United States lent its strong support to the international appeals to the Iranian authorities to cease this brutal persecution of a peaceful people.
“In all cases where human rights are denied, we must not hesitate to denounce the violations and appeal for human justice. We cannot bear silent witness. We must speak out.
“... I am proud to cosponsor Resolution 73 in defense of the Bahá’ís, and I urge my colleagues to support this call to human decency.”
National Conventions[edit]
Messages from National Conventions convey a spirit of hope, joy, courage[edit]
AFRICA[edit]
Bophuthatswana—“Twenty-five delegates and 85 other friends from several districts significant increase attendance rural Bahá’ís. Believers Bophuthatswana respond joyfully, redouble efforts ... redeem blood beloved martyrs.”
Burundi—“Remarkable consciousness of challenge, initiative. Love, unity have released new energies.”
Cameroon—“Glorious contrast Bahá’í and old world ... Deeply moved new situation heroic Bahá’ís Iran, inspired ‘Pilgrimage’ film ... Numerous pledges ... translate Sacred Writings into local languages.”
Kenya—“Grateful continuous flow guidance Supreme Body. Rejoice worldwide achievements. Honored host Conference Nairobi October.”
Liberia—“Nineteenth Convention ... emphasis on service, hope for successful coming year.”
Malawi—“Launching new nationwide teaching project.”
Mauritius—“70 delegates, 147 friends ... much emphasis ... greater participation women, youth Bahá’í community life, development child education.”
Nigeria—“New Assembly elected including one woman. Great spirit enthusiasm, dedication fulfill momentous tasks coming year including historic Conference.”
Réunion—“Universal participation slogan for this year ...”
Seychelles—“Emphasis laid on reformation all Local Spiritual Assemblies.”
Swaziland—“Moved sacrifices Persian Bahá’ís worldwide progress Faith, pledge redouble activities all fields. Memory Greatest Holy Leaf, win goals three-year plan.”
Tanzania—“1,200 shillings collected in name martyrs NSA Iran.”
Transkei—“Third annual Convention ... first in own National Centre.”
Uganda—“Renewed spirit determination optimism evident ...”
Zambia—“Opportunities long dreamed of for teaching and progress Faith appearing most parts Zambia ... Charging our National Assembly pay special attention developing youth activities.”
Zimbabwe—“Expect maintain number Local Assemblies (despite restricting). More elected without assistance. Determined strengthen this foundation coming year.”
Heartening messages were also received at the World Centre from Benin, Botswana, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Mali, Lesotho, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sénégal, Sierra Leone and Southwest Africa/Namibia.
THE AMERICA[edit]
Alaska—“Indigenous (local) Assembly formed independently ... friends vigorously arising serve independently carry out teaching process. 25 teaching groups formed ... 337 attendance ... $20,000 contributions.”
Bahamas—“Counsellor Cowan two Auxiliary Board members, newly-arrived pioneers elevated spirit Convention. Proclamation enhanced by well-arranged media interview including television ... Over thousand dollars donations received.”
Barbados—“1,550 Barbados dollars contributed toward Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds renovation and 1,210 Barbados dollars
Auxiliary Board member E. Lutchmaya, representing the Continental Board of Counsellors, addresses delegates and guests at the Bahá’í National Convention of Mauritius, held at Riḍván at the Bahá’í Institute in Belle-Rose.
[Page 5]
to the National Fund. Work on Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds started today ... Enthusiasm and vigor continue throughout
coming year.”
Bermuda—“Attendance of all 19 delegates Second National Convention. Last hour dedicated to memory martyred Counsellor Dr. Farhangí ... Bermudian community invigorated, stimulated ... charged hopeful sponsorship satellite conference following Montreal.”
Brazil—“400 believers ... pledges totaling equivalent 78,000 dollars ... Good prospects establish six Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds by the end of this year ... Consultation delegates launched child education year ... -Published 15 new books ... promising near future publication of ‘Dawn-Breakers’ ... Media communication proclaim Faith all expressed deep sympathy inhuman persecutions Iranian friends. For the first time a national authority ... addressing the Federal Senate informed it of the persecutions of Iranian Bahá’ís and requested the foreign minister to use his influence with the Iranian Embassy to put a stop to these persecutions.”
Canada—“Profoundly moved emotional appeal Hand of Cause William Sears to exploit teaching possibilities ‘A Cry from the Heart’ ... Delegates including 10 Indians, one Inuit, five French-Canadians, 25 persons other minorities ... impressed response media, support Government Bahá’í appeal justice Iranian crisis ... Moderate, confident, wide-ranging consultation marks unique historic Convention.”
Costa Rica—“New power, resources active LSA’s evident past year stimulated consultation further development this important goal and utilization their strength enrollment masses, consolidation rural communities. Many capable youth newly enrolled. Youth Conference held simultaneously Convention ...”
Dominican Republic—“As an offering to the Greatest Holy Leaf we are determined to achieve personal goals in teaching, consolidation and giving to the Funds.”
Ecuador—“Historic decision arise support Fund and cut economic aid International Fund.”
El Salvador—“72 percent delegates elect NSA, success first year economic self-sufficiency. 37 volunteer for teaching teams. Friends motivated, resolved exploit new opportunities.”
Mexico—“22nd National Convention held Muna, Yucatan ... Historic participation 66 percent delegates, majority Mayan Indians.”
Panama—“Heartened news progress Faith resulting heroism beloved martyrs. Friends throughout Panama praying for Iranian brothers.”
Shown here are delegates and guests at the 21st Bahá’í National Convention of Finland, held April 24-25 in Naantali. Among the guests was Hartmut Grossmann, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Europe. The Convention program included the first classes for youth on the systematic advanced study of the Faith.
Paraguay—“Unitedly announce financial self-sufficiency. 16 volunteers covering 16 Departments pledged 500 new believers this year ... Three Indians members NSA.”
Puerto Rico—“Rejoice announce anonymous offer double days contributions Fund up to $5,000. Convention renewing determination, channeling energies Bahá’ís entire island.”
Suriname and French Guiana—NSA includes members two Bush Negroes, two Nickerie (East Indians), one French Guiana. Goals LSA localities surpassed Suriname. LSAs won French Guiana, including three Amerindian villages. Generous contributions Fund. Money raised send Bush Negro delegate Quito ... Bush Negroes inspired friends increase service Faith.”
Uruguay—“Announce financial self-sufficiency. Pledged $8,000 National Fund, $4,000 radio studio equipment. Raised four homefront pio-
[Page 6]
Continental Counsellor Artemus Lamb was a special guest at the Bahá’í National Convention in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Shown outside a restaurant at which the Counsellor was greeted during a luncheon shortly after his arrival in St. Thomas are (back row left to right) Julie Armbruster, secretary of the National Teaching Committee; Elizabeth “B.J.” Smith, a newly enrolled believer; Counsellor Lamb; Melenda Chvatal, and (front row left to right) Joan Bennett, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Virgin Islands; St. Thomas administrator Louis Boschulte; Meherangiz Munsiff, a traveling teacher from the United Kingdom; and Jean Randazzo, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Virgin Islands.
neers ... Nineteen volunteers monthly visit nineteen Departments.”
United States—“High spirit generated by release House of Justice Riḍván message, appearance Hand Cause Sears. Loving candid interactions between National Assembly and delegates at our annual Convention portends renewed vigor American community.”
Venezuela—“Convention coinciding dedication new Gardevi Institute, Ocumare.”
Virgin Islands—“Our annual budgeted contributions general fund exceeded, due generosity, devotion believers this national region.”
Other Assemblies who sent loving greetings to the World Centre were Belize, Bolivia, French Antilles, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Perú, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Windward Islands.
ASIA[edit]
Burma—“Over a thousand friends. We also had youth and children training classes.”
Hong Kong—“The Riḍván Festival was launched with media coverage made possible by the blood of the martyrs ... The delegates proposed to channel the already active youth into a Bahá’í Youth Club with government recognition, and to provide training in public speaking. With sacrifice and through universal participation the friends at Convention set and achieved a goal of 10,000 Hong Kong dollars as a gift of love to the Supreme Body, which the incoming National Assembly has pledged to match ... Determined to achieve all goals of the Plan. We see this as our covenant with you.”
Japan—“Visit to construction site for new National Center and site for future House of Worship heartened believers who extended Convention period for further consultation.”
Korea—“Four Auxiliary Board members contributed much to spirit and consultation ... Surpassed National Fund goal.”
Malaysia—“Inspired presence beloved Hand Collis Featherstone ... 66 delegates and 366 observers ... simultaneously held Conference native believers.”
Nepal (re-formed after a six-year hiatus)—“With joyful hearts pleased inform Nepal Convention successfully held ... 25 delegates, many observers.”
Singapore—“Hand Cause Featherstone’s message on urgency of teaching timely and stimulating. Deeply moved ... Vigor and enthusiasm evident in consultation ... NSA project ‘Year for Teaching.’ ”
Sri Lanka—“Announce in pursuance honor memory of martyrs, completion of all quantitative goals of second phase of Seven Year Plan ... 113 Local Assemblies elected including 48 new ones ... number new believers since last Riḍván is 898. As token of special devotion this Convention has grasped the priceless opportunity while time still remains to contribute towards Seat of your august Body and collected Rupees 6,870.25 (U.S. $343.50) ... in addition to other pledges for various budgetary goals totaling Rs. 10,000 per month.”
Thailand—“Launching immediately three-day institute followed by seven-day teaching campaign central Thailand dedicated Greatest Holy Leaf. 19 travel teachers volunteered ... Funds fully contributed, cash 30,399 Baht, pledges 156,129 Baht. Thai Bahá’ís resolve open all 13 goal Provinces as soon as possible.”
Encouraging cables also came from India, Pakistan, Sikkim, the Philippines, and Turkey.
AUSTRALASIA[edit]
Australia—“Determined, this momentous year ... proclaim Cause Bahá’u’lláh all strata society.”
Caroline Islands—“Spirit Caroline Islands uplifted much progress accomplishment goals ... Eleven Assemblies confirmed.”
Fiji Islands—“Overjoyed, encouraged positive loving spirit understanding, determination friends ... Emerging maturity Fiji community evident.”
Hawaiian Islands—“Increased pub-
[Page 7]
lic awareness of the Faith was evidenced with the passage of a resolution
in the Hawaii State Senate on April 23,
1982, urging the pursuit of all available
means to put an end to the campaign of
genocide against the Bahá’ís of
Iran ...
“Assembled delegates, Board members, guests stirred by presentation ‘A Cry from the Heart.’ All present brought to tears overpowering emotional response supreme sacrifices offered by our beloved brothers and sisters Cradle Faith. Hand Sears imagery (of) impossibility destruction orange tree blessed Báb symbolized our unshakeable confidence futility enemies annihilate Faith of God. United Convention spontaneously sang ‘Alláh-u-Abhá.’ Stunned silence broken chanting name Bahá’u’lláh cemented hearts knowledge pride being Bahá’í ...”
Kiribati—“Overjoyed victories achieved, saddened persecution friends in Iran. 50 Assemblies elected and expect more ...”
Marshall Islands—“Convention held National Center, 18 delegates attended, over 100 friends.”
New Caledonia—“Delighted to inform excellent Convention, high and determined spirit ...”
New Zealand—“Convention marking twenty-fifth year anniversary establishment National Spiritual Assembly, 70th year arrival Faith New Zealand ... Resolve accomplish goals, memory sacrifices sufferings devoted Iranian friends.”
Papua New Guinea—“High attendance 42 delegates, many new pioneers, believers.”
Samoa—“The love of Bahá’u’lláh is continually growing in our islands and is evident in numerous new faces at this Convention.”
Solomons—“Joyfully report 34 delegates attended Convention ... ten souls arose teaching deepening commencing Convention close ... mature attitude, positive spirit prevailed throughout.”
Tonga—“Determined accomplish all goals, dedicate efforts to oppressed brothers Iran.”
Tuvalu—“Convention attended by all delegates ... Anticipating buoyant activities year ahead.”
Vanuatu—“16 delegates, including 10 at their first Convention, with over 200 friends. Delegates joyful, eager share ideas future expansion Faith Vanuatu, anxious fan fire now ablaze Tanna.”
EUROPE[edit]
Denmark—“Hearts filled love Bahá’u’lláh ... Challenged (by) suffering, devotion Bahá’ís Iran, conscious unique opportunity vital proclamation, teaching. Community resolved financial independence.”
France—“In presence Hands of the Cause Giachery, Khadem ... 182 participants 139th Convention consider galvanizing messages.”
Germany—“... About 400 friends. Uplifting spirit of devotion and harmony.”
Iceland—“80 friends gathered 11th National Convention Bahá’ís Iceland ... Deliberations delegates on teaching, deepening, child and youth education and overseas goals rich and fruitful, boding well, promise coming year.”
Ireland—“Concerned worthily serve Cause while emerging from obscurity ... tackle remaining goals Plan, mindful qualitative goals ... determined achieve wider participation contribution Fund, establish firm base child education. Friends eager, ready serve participants historic Conference ... Witness larger conversion, rising prestige Cause God this land.”
Portugal—“Happy report increase LSA’s, attainment Fund goal.”
Switzerland—“36 delegates ... and 150 Swiss friends ... Uplifted by ardor to serve beloved Cause, all firmly pledged to considerably increase their efforts following example friends heroically dedicated in Cradle Faith.”
United Kingdom—“650 believers 85 delegates pledged fulfillment Master’s prophecy seize torch fettered hands believers Iran, set western world on fire ... Convention inspired through life Greatest Holy Leaf and spiritual forces released martyrs Iran, generating powerful cohesion youth and veteran believers.”
Other European Assemblies cabling good news from Conventions were Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain.
Shown here are most of the delegates and guests at the Bahá’í National Convention of Kiribati (formerly the Gilbert Islands), held April 30-May 2 in Bikenibeu, Tarawa. A special guest was Counsellor Owen Battrick (center wearing glasses and holding the Greatest Name). Also holding the Greatest Name is Tebutii Hicking, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Kiribati.
Ecuador[edit]
32 schools participate as Radio Bahá’í hosts fourth Naw-Rúz Music Festival[edit]
Radio Bahá’í’s fourth annual Children’s Festival, “Guaguamanta Guaguapag” (By the Children, for the Children), held at Naw-Rúz 1982, was a smashing success and bigger than ever, attracting more than 2,000 children and adults from Ecuador’s Pichincha and ImBábura provinces as well as many dignitaries.
Thirty-two rural schools were invited to participate in this year’s event, thus broadening the scope of the festival to include the isolated mountain village of Pesillo to the south and an all-black rural school of El Chota to the north as well as the urban schools within Otavalo itself.
Many schools were found to be preparing for their performances even before they were invited. Spot announcements on Radio Bahá’í promoted the event.
The festival sponsors, Radio Bahá’í and its Radio Rural Development Project, “Caminando Juntos,” also invited many political, cultural and educational officials including the Ecuadorian Minister of Education.
Speaking from the colorfully decorated stage, constructed in the barrio court near the studios of Radio Bahá’í, Clemencia Pavón de Zuleta, the Caminandos Juntos project director, greeted the crowd, emphasizing the importance of promoting cultural and artistic expression among the indigenous people of the region. She also mentioned the great importance of child education.
Marcelo Quinteros, executive manager of Radio Bahá’í, and its indigenous National Assembly member, Maria Perugachi, acted as masters of ceremonies for the festival.
Children from 13 rural schools participated in the three-hour event, which was broadcast live over Radio Bahá’í. Segments also were video taped for a
Three young boys from the Quinchuqui School, who won in the poetry category in the fourth annual Children’s Festival sponsored by Radio Bahá’í in Ecuador, perform on Tele-Amazonas in Quito, the largest television station in Ecuador.
Girls and boys from the El Chota community in Ecuador are shown interpreting the traditional “bottle dance,” in which girls dance with bottles on their heads, for a telecast on Tele-Amazonas in Quito, the largest television station in the country. The school shared the top prize in dance at the fourth annual Children’s Festival sponsored by Radio Bahá’í.
[Page 9]
visual report to the World Centre in
Haifa.
This year’s festival was divided into four artistic categories: folk dance, song, drama, and poetry. The panel of judges, led by Dr. Rafael Pavón, included two school superintendents, an indigenous Quechua language university professor, and the director of a primary and secondary school.
Among those attending was the representative to Ecuador of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), who spoke on behalf of the Canadian ambassador.
Also present were the superintendent of schools representing the Provincial Director of Education for Imbabura; the director of the Otavalo Ecuadorian Cultural Center; the representative of small industries to the Ecuadorian House of Representatives; the director of the weekly newspaper, Presencia, and others.
Each of them extolled in glowing terms the educational, cultural and spiritual work of Radio Bahá’í and its Radio Rural Development Project as well as the ongoing festivals.
In the dance category, the festival winners were the all-black school from El Chota and another school from Miguel Egas.
First place in song was won by the Pesillo School; Quinchuquí School won the poetry award, and the Peguchi School won first place in drama for its representation of the St. John masquerade festivities that are popular in the communities around Otavalo.
Each winning school received didactic materials such as a large map of Ecuador, boxes of chalk, erasers, etc.
After the festival, winning schools traveled to Ecuador’s capital city of Quito and performed on Tele-Amazonas, the largest television station in the country.
They were video taped on a popular children’s program that aired on April 6 and 7, 1982, and has been seen a number of times since.
Two girls from Cuicocha, Ecuador, sing a typical song of the Imbabura Valley during the fourth annual Children’s Festival sponsored last March by Radio Bahá’í.
Shown are some of the 2,000 people who gathered in Otavalo, Ecuador, last March 21 for the fourth annual Children’s Festival sponsored by Radio Bahá’í and its Radio Rural Development Project, “Caminando Juntos.”
Perú[edit]
Radio Bahá’í in Chucuito music festival[edit]
On Sunday, March 21, Radio Bahá’í in Puno, Perú, participated in a folk music festival, the opening event in a week-long celebration of the 417th anniversary of the founding of the village of Chucuito.
The festival was organized by the Municipality of Chucuito, the district administration of the Ministry of Education, and Radio Bahá’í, marking the first occasion on which a Bahá’í radio station has collaborated with other organizations to sponsor such an event.
A crowd of about 2,000 witnessed the competition, which was limited to one kind of instrument, the flute-like chacallada, and the drums and dancers that accompany its melodies.
Presentation of the groups and commentary on their dances was offered by Radio Bahá’í announcers in three languages: Aymara, Quechua and Spanish.
A young native musician (center) is honored by the judges for his talent with a special prize. At right is Michael Stokes, a representative of Radio Bahá’í.
Chucuito, historically significant for its Inca ruins, and graced by two churches that date from the Spanish colonial era, is gaining new recognition throughout the Lake Titicaca area as the community where Radio Bahá’í is based. Only those who understand the meaning of the Cause of God now realize the potential of this community as a center of education and spiritual illumination for the people of the altiplano, thanks to the station’s presence there. But already this “new neighbor,” Radio Bahá’í, was a cause for celebration as Chucuito observed another year in its long and colorful history.
United States[edit]
In Iowa, 23 Cambodians embrace Cause[edit]
Twenty-three Cambodians who now live in Des Moines, Iowa, have recently become Bahá’ís, and several other Cambodian families there are studying the Faith.
The influx began last fall when the Bahá’ís of Des Moines agreed to sponsor a Cambodian refugee family as a community project.
Nath Khvien, his wife, Saran Kong, and their two daughters, ages 6 years and 3 weeks, arrived in Des Moines in September 1981.
After Mr. Khvien repeatedly told a local believer he wished to study the Faith, firesides were organized and held.
After attending about six firesides, Mr. and Mrs. Khvien both signed declaration cards and were enrolled by the Spiritual Assembly of Des Moines.
Taking quite seriously Bahá’u’lláh’s injunction to teach the Faith, these new believers immediately told all of their Cambodian friends about it.
Mr. Khvien translated a teaching booklet into Cambodian so that he could use it to tell others about the Faith at a fireside that was attended by more than 20 Cambodian adults and as many children along with some of the local Bahá’ís.
Interest was high at that meeting, so the Des Moines Assembly rented a park shelter house once a month at which meetings were held in April, May and June.
Since most of the Cambodians in the area had no transportation, Bahá’ís from nearby suburbs joined with the friends in Des Moines to provide transportation to and from the meetings.
By June, the Des Moines Assembly had appointed an Inter-community Asian Teaching Committee to plan the gatherings that now included music, games, refreshments, and a brief bilingual presentation of the Teachings.
At the request of the Cambodians, the meetings were increased to two each month.
Literature in Cambodian was requested from the Universal House of Justice, and four pamphlets in that language later arrived and were distributed at a fireside held on July 2.
After the Cambodians who were present at that meeting read authentic translations of Bahá’í prayers in their own language, many were heard to say, “Now I understand.”
Before the evening was over, 12 Cambodian adults and two youth had declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.
Later in July, another seven Cambodians were enrolled in the Faith, bringing the total number so far to 23.
The Spiritual Assembly of Des Moines is meeting frequently to work out details of enrollments, plan children’s classes for a community that has suddenly more than doubled in size, and look for a larger meeting place.
Meanwhile, the teaching work among the Cambodians goes on. Six other families who have attended firesides are interested in continuing to learn about the Faith.
Several hundred more Cambodians are scheduled to arrive in Des Moines in the near future, and Mr. Khvien plans to contact each of them personally with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
Twelve Cambodians from among those who attended this fireside July 2 in Des Moines, Iowa, declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh after the meeting. A total of 23 Cambodians in that Iowa city have recently embraced the Faith.
The world[edit]
Brazil’s National Senate records its first official mention of Faith[edit]
The first mention of the Faith in the official record of the Brazilian government appears in the May 1, 1982, issue of “Diário Official,” the record of Brazil’s National Senate, the upper chamber of that country’s Congress.
Entitled “Situation of Extreme Persecution in Which the Sect of the Bahá’ís of Iran Is Now Encountered,” the article includes the transcript of a speech made in the Brazilian Senate by Sen. Leite Chaves.
The senator describes his meeting with Auxiliary Board member Guity Milani and her son, and a letter that he received from the National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil in response to his request for more information about the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.
Documents included by Sen. Chaves include an article, first published in London, that was later translated and published in the Rio de Janeiro journal, “O Globo.”
The article, entitled “Bahá’ís of Iran, a Persecuted and Massacred Faith,” includes a history of the Faith, a description of its tenets, the history of past and present persecutions in Iran, and a list of recent martyrs and reasons for their executions provided by the Iranian government.
Sen. Chaves makes a strong appeal to the Brazilian minister of foreign affairs to use his influence with the Iranian Embassy to put a stop to the present violations of human rights in Iran. He then requests a motion that the Senate express its solidarity with the Faith to the Bahá’í National Convention, which was then in session in Sao Paulo, and that “such violence and so much suffering in relation to the followers of this religion should cease, as it should, in the country of its birth and of the Founder, where He had received the inspiration to create it and to spread it throughout the world.”
India[edit]
Members of a new tribe were enrolled in the Faith during the first Bahá’í Summer School in Tamil Nadu (formerly Madras State), in southern India, bringing to more than 60 the number of tribal groups represented in India’s Bahá’í population.
The self-supporting Bahá’í school, held early in June in Yercaud, was attended by three members of the Auxiliary Board.
Following the school, a group of the friends began a teaching campaign dedicated to Amoz Gibson, a member of the Universal House of Justice who died in May.
After a strong Local Assembly was formed in Yercaud, more than 400 people were enrolled in the Faith, most of them members of one tribe.
The goal of the campaign is to enroll 10,000 tribal members from 68 villages.
Madagascar[edit]
Continental Counsellor Shidan Fat’he-Aazam (seated third from left) is shown with members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Madagascar who were elected during that country’s 11th National Convention this year. Members of the National Assembly are (seated left to right) Faramala Razaka, Guy Razaka (chairman), Voahangy Rasamisoa, Jean-Rellon Rasandratanarivo, Loulou Rajaonarivo (vice-chairman), and (standing left to right) Kistnasamy N. Appasawmy, Rabemanantsoa (treasurer), Fred Bastian, Raharivola Andrianivahoaka (secretary).
South and West Africa[edit]
Delegates and guests at the Bahá’í National Convention of South and West Africa, which was held May 1-2 in Ikageng Township, near Potchefstroom and about 60 miles from Johannesburg.
Transkei[edit]
Eighteen delegates and 33 guests from 13 localities in Transkei attended that country’s third Bahá’í National Convention, held April 30-May 2 in the newly acquired Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Umata.
Among the guests were Auxiliary Board member Thozamile Nomvete and three Bahá’ís from Lesotho.
Delegates consulted on goals for Transkei that include raising the number of Local Assemblies to 80, increasing the number of Bahá’í localities to 180, and pursuing a program of spiritual enrichment.
Consultation also centered on the need for more Local Assemblies to contribute to the Fund, teaching work in secondary schools, and the goal of acquiring more local Centers in Transkei.
The following cablegram was sent from the Convention to the Universal House of Justice:
“DELEGATES AND FRIENDS GATHERED THIRD ANNUAL CONVENTION TRANSKEI FIRST IN OWN NATIONAL CENTRE INSPIRED YOUR RIḌVÁN MESSAGE DETERMINED ACHIEVE ALL GOALS PHASED OVER NEXT TWO YEARS IMPLORE PRAYERS HOLY THRESHOLD CONFIRMATIONS BLESSED BEAUTY.”
New Caledonia[edit]
Bahá’ís and their guests are shown at the dedication last January 30 of the new Bahá’í Center in Nakety, New Caledonia. Designed as a traditional-style hut, the Center was built for the Bahá’ís of Nakety by believers from nearby Maré Island.
One hundred non-Bahá’í guests were among those who attended the dedication January 30 of a new Bahá’í Center in Nakety, New Caledonia, that was built by Bahá’ís from Île Maré in the Loyalty Islands group.
In speaking at the dedication, the local “customary” chiefs pledged to respect the progress of the Cause in that area because, they said, they were touched by the spirit of unity between the Bahá’ís of New Caledonia and those from Île Maré.
An arrow symbolizing the solid establishment of the Faith in the area was planted in the ground of Nakety. The area’s only television station broadcast a four-minute report of the dedication that included a description of the Faith’s message of unity and the Name of Bahá’u’lláh.
Haiti[edit]
Inspired by its consultation with Counsellor Dr. Farzam Arbab during and after the National Convention, the National Spiritual Assembly of Haiti, in conjunction with the Auxiliary Board, has launched a three-fold plan centering around teaching and consolidation teams, the translation and production of educational materials, and training institutes for team members and children’s teachers.
Thirty-eight Bahá’ís from seven widely scattered localities in Haiti were trained during an institute April 2-8 at the Anis Zunuzi Bahá’í School in Lilavois to lead children’s classes and deepening sessions in rural communities.
Classes focused on the Local Spiritual Assembly, the Bahá’í education of children, the Covenant, and individual initiative in meeting the goals of the Seven Year Plan.
Non-Bahá’í guest speakers at the institute discussed malnutrition, early childhood stimulation, agricultural cooperatives, and self-sufficiency.
Each evening, local residents of Lilavois were invited to attend Bahá’í-sponsored activities including showings of the film, “The Green Light Expedition,” an introductory presentation of the Faith, dancing, and football matches. As a result, five local residents embraced the Faith.
Two months after the institute, seven teams of teachers were functioning in and around the major cities in Haiti.
Team members visit goal localities regularly, contact local believers, con- duct children’s classes, encourage Local Assemblies, and deepen with the friends.
The National Spiritual Assembly reported at the Bahá’í National Convention that as a result of the new team approach, 15 localities in Haiti now have regular children’s classes. Also, 18 communities conducted their own elections of Local Spiritual Assemblies at Riḍván without any assistance.
Auxiliary Board member René Jean-Baptiste leads a discussion of the principles of Bahá’í education during a special deepening institute held April 2-8 at the Anis Zunuzi Bahá’í School in Lilavois, Haiti.
West Germany[edit]
Members of the Bahá’í community of Rosenheim, West Germany, are shown with King Chiu Pau (standing sixth from left), a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Hong Kong, who visited their community in June.
A deepening on the progress of the Faith in Southeast Asia was presented in June to members of the Bahá’í community of Rosenheim, West Germany, by King Chiu (Charlie) Pau, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Hong Kong.
Following his presentation, Mr. Pau prepared and served a Chinese dinner to 15 Bahá’ís and their guests, after which he conducted a fireside.
Rosenheim, on Germany’s southern border, formed its first Spiritual Assembly in March through the efforts of pioneers from Bahrain, The Netherlands, Germany, Iran and the United States.
The Netherlands[edit]
Two leading magazines in The Netherlands recently published accounts of the persecutions of Bahá’ís in Iran.
Anton Wessels, a professor at the Free University of Amsterdam, wrote a positive and friendly account of the Bahá’í situation for the February 20 issue of Hervormd Nederland, an ecumenical magazine that is widely read in church circles.
In March, Prof. Jan Peters, a lecturer on Islam at the Catholic University in Nijmegen, wrote a reasonably accurate review of the history and teachings of the Faith for an eminent Roman Catholic journal, De Bazauin.
Also, four Dutch Bahá’í youth were interviewed March 17 on a popular radio program for young people. The interviews, positive in tone, made up a 20-minute segment of the program. On May 11, a weekly TV news program devoted 15 minutes to the plight of Bahá’ís in Iran. Included were interviews with a Bahá’í who recently left Iran, a relative of a Bahá’í who was martyred, and the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of The Netherlands.
The program featured shots of the opening of this year’s National Convention in The Netherlands and photos that provided evidence of persecutions in Iran. It concluded with a direct appeal to the Dutch Parliament to raise its voice for the protection of Bahá’ís in Iran.
Pakistan[edit]
Shown are delegates and guests at a special election of the National Spiritual Assembly of Pakistan that was held June 11. Seated in the second row (center) are Counsellors Burháni’d-Dín Afshín and Dr. Sabir Afaqi. Four members of the Auxiliary Board also were present. The Universal House of Justice called the special election when it found the tellers’ report of the Riḍván election unacceptable.
During a visit to Pakistan from May 17-22, the Hand of the Cause of God H. Collis Featherstone met with members of the Bahá’í communities of Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Bahá’ís from surrounding communities joined the friends in Karachi on May 18 to greet Mr. Featherstone and his wife, Madge. On his visits to the three other cities, Mr. Featherstone was accompanied by Counsellor Burháni’d-Dín Afshín.
The Hand of the Cause discussed basic Bahá’í principles during a well-attended study class May 21 in Karachi that was organized by the Auxiliary Board members in Pakistan.
He also spoke about the life of the Greatest Holy Leaf during the daylong meeting.
The following day, Mr. and Mrs. Featherstone left Pakistan for Kuwait.
In a cable dated May 24, the Universal House of Justice authorized Counsellors for Asia Burháni’d-Dín Afshín and Dr. Sabir Afaqi to arrange for a new election of the National Spiritual Assembly of Pakistan.
The new election was called for when the Supreme Body found the tellers’ report from the regular national election unacceptable.
Working with members of the Auxiliary Board and their assistants, the Counsellors arranged for the election to be held June 11. At that time a new National Spiritual Assembly was elected.
Zimbabwe[edit]
Students and faculty at schools and universities in Zimbabwe have been designated a “target population” for teaching work during the second phase of the Seven Year Plan.
In Mashonaland, where the capital city of Harare (formerly Salisbury) is located, 22 high schools, colleges and training institutes had Bahá’í visitors during the past year.
The Faith was described to more than 5,000 students and teachers at secondary schools, high schools, colleges and training institutes in Zimbabwe. As a result, 87 students and 11 teachers declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.
In the Midlands, a total of 2,600 people at nine secondary schools and institutes were reached with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
The Faith is now included in the religious studies syllabus on “The Major Religions” at the Mkoba Teacher Training Institute in Gweru (formerly Gwelo).
In addition, Bahá’í literature has been presented to school libraries, and pamphlets have been given to headmasters and deputy headmasters of various schools throughout Zimbabwe.
Japan[edit]
Hideya Suzuki, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Asia, was the guest speaker at a public meeting March 22 in Okinawa that was arranged by six resident believers and attended by 20 seekers.
The Counsellor spoke about the significance of Naw-Rúz and the need for an international auxiliary language. Later, he answered many questions from members of the audience.
Alaska[edit]
This aerial view of the Chilkat Valley Bahá’í School near Haines in south-eastern Alaska shows the main building (foreground), which houses the library on its first floor and caretakers’ quarters on the second, and the classroom building (rear) to which a kitchen has now been added. At the left are two dormitory buildings. The property was purchased in July 1979 by the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska. Three weeks later, a Bahá’í summer school was held there.
More than 110 people including 25 youth attended a Bahá’í conference May 29-30 in Wildwood, Alaska, whose theme was “Excellence in All Things.”
Speakers included National Spiritual Assembly members Jetta Brewer, who spoke on “Social Life—In and Out of the Faith,” and John Kolstoe, who described “The Power of Divine Assistance.”
Other presentations focused on tests and obedience, character, Bahá’í family life, prayer, and nutrition. “Keys to Coping” was the topic of a presentation at a public meeting held during the conference.
The youth organized games for recreation and fellowship. The cost of the conference was more than offset by donations from participants, and the excess was given to the National Fund.
Ethiopia[edit]
A special teaching conference for visually handicapped Bahá’ís was held February 20 at the Bahá’í National Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In the spirit of the United Nations Year of the Disabled, the program that was arranged by the Service for the Blind Committee was designed to encourage the 17 blind believers in that community to take a more active part in Bahá’í activities.
Blind Bahá’ís took part in the program’s preparation and in presentations that covered the coming of Bahá’u’lláh, the importance of teaching, and living the Bahá’í life.
Laos[edit]
The Ban Amon Bahá’í Center was built four years ago on the Bahá’í Temple property east of Vientiane, Laos. The first formal function held at the Center was a special meeting last January 31 that was attended by local and district officials and by non-Bahá’í parents of children who are enrolled in weekly Bahá’í children’s classes.
Costa Rica[edit]
The Bahá’í communitiés of Santa Ana and Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica, recently decided to compete to see which of the two could double its numbers in the shortest time.
The prize would be a party given by the loser for the winning community.
Santa Ana doubled its membership first, enrolling 23 new believers through efforts that focused on weekly firesides that were attended by 30 to 40 seekers.
Since then, Bahá’ís in Ciudad Colon have begun holding weekly meetings for Bahá’í women and their guests to help develop their craft skills and to conduct Bahá’í classes for pre-school children. Both activities fill local community goals of the Seven Year Plan.
Dominican Republic[edit]
Participants in the Dominican Republic’s Bahá’í Summer School held June 10-13 are shown at the home of a Bahá’í family that was the site of the sessions.
Three new Local Spiritual Assemblies were formed and 94 people were enrolled in the Faith during a recent teaching effort in the northwestern area of the Dominican Republic by a group of 23 Bahá’ís.
The teaching campaign began after a teacher-training session at a Bahá’í school. All of the participants, who were divided into teams of four members each, concentrated on money-saving tactics to make their teaching funds stretch as far as possible.
More than 80 people attended an
evening unity feast held during the annual National Youth Conference in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican
Republic.
The conference, which began with a large outdoor picnic, was held in the San Juan de la Maguana City Hall. Publicity included announcements on three radio stations.
On the last day of the youth conference, two young people from San Juan de la Maguana declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.
Australia[edit]
The Faith was the subject of two nationwide television programs in Australia on the weekend of May 29-30.
Featured in one of the two 15-minute programs was the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum. Described by the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia as “extremely well done,” the program included views of the Shrine of the Báb, the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the International Archives, the Mansion of Bahjí, and the House of Worship near Sydney, Australia.
The second program telecast nationwide was described by the National Spiritual Assembly as “a well-balanced and sympathetic presentation” of the Faith and the current persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.
Taiwan[edit]
Members of the Committee for the Study of the Standardization of the Representation of Bahá’í Terminology in Chinese Characters are shown during their first meeting in August 1981 in Taiwan. The committee’s first task was to produce a list of more than 100 Bahá’í terms in Chinese. The work has been shared with National Spiritual Assemblies and Publishing Trusts involved in the production of Bahá’í literature in Chinese. Committee members are (left to right) David Huang, So Aik Ling, Tsui Siu Hing, Kueh Lip Kuang, James Keenan.
- For the seventieth anniversary
- of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s historic trip to America
- A NEW EDITION of
- For the seventieth anniversary
THE
PROMULGATION
OF
UNIVERSAL
PEACE
Features of new edition
- 139 talks by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
- new foreword
- Howard MacNutt’s original introduction written at ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s behest
- detailed table of contents
- chronology of dates, cities, and addresses of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s talks
- new index
The Promulgation of Universal Peace is a compilation of many of the talks and discourses ‘Abdu’l-Bahá delivered during His historic 239-day visit to the United States and Canada in 1912.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s purpose in coming to the West was “to set forth in America the fundamental principles of the revelation and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.”
His topics included:
- the equality of men and women
- the harmony of science and religion
- the need for universal education and a universal language
- the oneness of God
- the oneness and continuity of the prophets of God
- the oneness of mankind
- the elimination of racial prejudice
All are essential for the universal peace that Bahá’u’lláh came to bring, and that gives the book its title.
Cloth edition only. xx + 469 pages, chronology of talks, index.
Catalog No. 106-039. $16.00*
*Valid only in the 48 contiguous States of the United States.
All others write for prices and ordering and shipping instructions.
This new edition, published to mark the seventieth anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s trip to America, is a special gift—and a challenge to fulfill the obligation of arising and carrying on the work of teaching the Cause that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá “so gloriously initiated.”
- Available from
415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091
