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| Bahá’í News | September 1983 | Bahá’í Year 140 |
The works of Duffy Sheridan:
Bahá’í artist in the Falklands
[Page 0]
PRESSURES MOUNTING AGAINST BAHÁ’ÍS IRAN, PARTICULARLY IN TEHERAN WHERE
MEMBERS OF BAHÁ’Í INSTITUTIONS ARE BEING HUNTED, THEIR HOMES RAIDED. IF
NOT FOUND, THEIR FAMILIES ARE BEING HARASSED.
TWENTY-TWO BELIEVERS INCLUDING 11 WOMEN WERE ARRESTED BETWEEN 11 AND 20 JULY, AS FOLLOWS:
TEHERAN: HADI SHAFI’I, BAHIYYIH KAYHANIRAD, SHAHNAZ MUSSAMAPARAST, TUHFIH ZANJANI, TAHIRIH PAKAZMA, MAJDHUBP MU’MIN, MIHRANGIZ RAMZI (IMAMI), MULUK KHADIM, IRAJ QANUNI, AZIZU’LLAH DIHQAN, MAWLAVI, KASHANI, AZIZU’LLAH BADI’I.
YAZD: MIHRABAN LUHRASB, SIMIN LUHRASB, ATA’U’LLAH LUR, SHAHRIYAR PURKHURSAND, MUNIR MIHRIGANI, SIMIN AKHTARKHAVARI.
SHIRAZ: FARZANIH BAHRAMSHAHI. MASHHAD: MUNIRIH VAHDAT, NUSRATU’LLAH VAHDAT.
THE ABOVE FRIENDS IN YAZD WERE ALSO EXILED TO KHASH, BALUCHISTAN ON 16 JULY, ALONG WITH THREE PREVIOUSLY IMPRISONED IN THAT CITY WHOSE NAMES ARE: TAHIRIH VAHDATI, AZIZU’LLAH VAHDATI, IRAJ LUHRASB.
URGE YOU APPEAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, ORGANIZATIONS USE THEIR OFFICES ASSIST FREE INNOCENT VICTIMS ENEMIES FAITH IRAN.
JULY 26, 1983
PERSECUTIONS IRANIAN FRIENDS REMAIN UNABATED. WAVES ARRESTS PROMINENT BAHÁ’ÍS RECENTLY INTENSIFIED. REGRET INFORM FOLLOWING DETAINED ON 28 JULY:
TEHERAN: MAHBUBIH NADIRI, SUHRAB DUSTDAR. KARAJ: GHULAM HUSAYN FARHAND, IHSANU’LLAH KATIRI, NA’IM BADI’I, FIRUZ ATHARI, YUNIS NAW-RUZI, INAYATU’LLAH HAQIQI, TAHIRIH MUTLAQ, JAMSHID PURUSTADKAR, INAYATU’LLAH IZADI, PARI VUJDANI, ABAZAR SADRI, BAHRAM ISHANI, NURU’LLAH YIKAN, NASIR ARDALAN, MAHBUBIH MUVAFFAQ.
AUGUST 2, 1983
Bahá’í News[edit]
Virgin Islands resolution condemns persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran | 1 |
U.S. National Assembly secretary speaks to Congressional caucus | 2 |
International Bahá’í Youth Conference is held in Anchorage, Alaska | 3 |
Britain’s House of Lords debates question of persecutions in Iran | 4 |
Mayor of New York City requests UN resolution in letter to President | 6 |
Bahá’ís in Wisconsin present translated Writings to Oneida Indians | 7 |
London exhibit features paintings by Bahá’í artist in Falkland Islands | 8 |
Around the world: News from Bahá’í communities all over the globe | 10 |
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, $12 U.S.; two years, $20 U.S. Second class postage paid at Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright © 1983, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
Virgin Islands[edit]
Virgin Islands approves resolution[edit]
On June 8, the Fifteenth Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands approved unanimously a resolution condemning the persecution of the Bahá’í community in Iran.
The resolution, which was co-sponsored by all 15 members of the Legislature, was introduced by Senator Brent Lawaetz of St. Croix.
In his introductory remarks, Mr. Lawaetz gave his reasons for drafting the resolution and for asking his fellow lawmakers to co-sponsor it.
He acknowledged that the correspondence he had received from the Bahá’í community in the Virgin Islands concerning the mistreatment of Bahá’ís in Iran had elicited his sympathy, and added:
“I got further correspondence, and I got, among other literature, the book that they (the Bahá’ís) circulated to all of us, called A Cry from the Heart. And I took the time to read the book, and to look into the matter further, and found out, in fact, that the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran is happening, and what is happening is dreadful ...
BILL NO. 15-0338 FIFTEENTH LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Regular Session • WHEREAS it is the cultural and democratic heritage of the people of the Virgin Islands to respect the human and civil rights of all people; and |
“And I thought that it is appropriate, and in fact we should take some time out to express our sorrow,
Senator Brent Lawaetz of St. Croix introduces during the 15th Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands a resolution to condemn the persecution of the Bahá’í community in Iran. The resolution was passed on June 8, 1983.
our sympathy, to share with those members (of the Bahá’í Faith) of the Virgin Islands who are suffering for their fellow Bahá’ís, to be with them in their hour of sorrow.”
Senator Lawaetz said the act of passing the resolution would represent a reaffirmation of values cherished by the people of the Virgin Islands who feel fortunate to live in the kind of community where people of all religions, races and backgrounds can live together in peace and harmony.
United States[edit]
Bahá’í addresses human rights caucus[edit]
Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, appeared June 28 before a congressional human rights caucus in Washington, D.C., to report on recent developments in Iran regarding the persecution of Bahá’ís.
Some 150 congressmen are members of the caucus, which was formed following the 1982 hearings on religious persecution around the world.
The case of the Bahá’ís in Iran figured prominently in those hearings before the House Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations.
Afterward, concerned congressmen formed the bipartisan human rights caucus to keep alive the issue of religious persecutions and other violations of human rights.
The caucus holds periodic meetings to discuss and hear evidence of particular cases of human rights violations anywhere in the world.
Dr. Kazemzadeh was asked to bring caucus members up to date on developments in Iran since members of the National Spiritual Assembly presented testimony before the House subcommittee in May 1982.
The following is a summary of Dr. Kazemzadeh’s comments:
“The present Islamic regime in Iran has unleashed a new wave of anti-Bahá’í terror. In the last three years more than 150 Bahá’ís, virtually all of them belonging to the leadership, have been executed on various trumped-up charges.
“In reality the hatred is based on the fact that the Bahá’í Faith, a separate and independent religion, is seen as a challenge to the Shiite belief that Islam is the final religion and that Muḥammad was the last Prophet ever to appear on earth.
DR. FIRUZ KAZEMZADEH
“The hatred is further fed by Bahá’í belief in the unity of mankind, the equality of races, the equality of sexes, universal peace, universal education, and the harmony of religion and science.
“The clerical regime has declared through the chief judge of the Islamic court of Shíráz that there is no place in Iran for Bahá’ís.
“Since the U.S. Congress passed its concurrent resolution (September 30, 1982) the situation has not improved.
“There have been 27 executions, the latest having occurred on June 16 and 18 in Shíráz where six men and 10 women were hanged in spite of the appeal of President Reagan to spare their lives.
“Of the 10 women, three were teenage girls. Thousands of Bahá’ís have been deprived of pensions, tens of thousands have lost their jobs, other thousands have left the country, becoming homeless refugees. Thousands of children have been denied an education.
“The Bahá’ís will continue to be harassed, maltreated, and killed in a country where the jail and the hangman’s noose have become common instruments of persuasion.
“However, the suffering can be mitigated and lives can be saved if the public opinion over much of the world expresses its indignation and demands the cessation of terror against the innocent.
“American Bahá’ís hope that the U.S. government would take the lead in urging the Secretary-General of the United Nations to implement the resolution of March 7, 1983, of the UN Commission on Human Rights and intercede with the Islamic regime in behalf of the Bahá’ís.
“We hope that the U.S. will urge other nations to join in a campaign to prevent further executions and to stop religious persecution.
“We also hope that a way can be found to admit into this country a number of refugees who do not qualify under the categories presently open to Iranians.
“The attacks on the Bahá’ís in Iran will continue. Much perseverance and patience will be needed to carry on a humanitarian campaign halfway across the world.”
The primary significance of the caucus, Dr. Kazemzadeh said later, “lies in its capacity to focus the attention of the American public on the issue of human rights.”
Alaska[edit]
600 attend Bahá’í Youth Conference[edit]
Approximately 600 young people from Alaska, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Perú and the United States attended a Bahá’í International Youth Conference held June 24-26 at West High School in Anchorage, Alaska.
Speakers at the three-day gathering included Counsellors Lauretta King and Fred Schechter; Jackie Eghrari, a member of the U.S. National Youth Committee; Auxiliary Board member Stephen Birkland; and Bahá’í musician John Ford Coley who also spoke at a public meeting that was attended by about 400 people.
During the conference a panel composed of youth from several countries including some who work at the World Centre in Haifa discussed youth activities around the world.
Entertainment included dancing by Eskimo Bahá’ís and music by Cesar Cortes Peralta, a Bahá’í youth who works at Radio Bahá’í in Perú. Mr. Peralta performed native music on an authentic Peruvian Indian instrument.
Above: Rita Blumenstein (right), an Eskimo Bahá’í, performs the ‘Eskimo Ice Cream Dance’ for children at the Bahá’í International Youth Conference in Anchorage, Alaska. She also performed the dance for adults at the conference.
Left: Behrad Majidi, a 19-year-old Bahá’í from Washington State, addresses
the Alaska International Youth Conference on ‘The Future of the World.’
Far left: John Ford Coley, a Bahá’í
from California who is a well-known
and popular entertainer, speaks on
‘Humor in Teaching.’
United Kingdom[edit]
House of Lords debates Iran question[edit]
The question of the execution of Bahá’ís in Iran was discussed for 45 minutes June 28 during parliamentary debates in Britain’s House of Lords.
Following is a transcript of that discussion taken from the Hansard (House of Lords official report):
2:55 p.m.
Lord McNair: My Lords, I beg leave
to ask the Question standing in my
name on the Order Paper.
The question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government
whether they will protest in the strongest possible terms and in every available forum against the execution of twelve more Bahá’ís in Shíráz, Iran,
this month.
Baroness Young: My Lords, the Government view with abhorrence recent reports that 16 Bahá’ís from Shíráz have been executed in Iran. The United Kingdom has on many occasions made clear to the Iranian Government its deep concern at continuing reports of persecution of the Bahá’ís for their religious beliefs. We are in touch with our partners in the Ten to determine how best to register our strong views with the Iranian authorities and what course of action might best help the considerable Bahá’í community in Iran.
Lord McNair: My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that clear and forthright Answer, which is only what one would expect of her and from any British Government. May I ask the noble Baroness, further, whether she recalls the very striking speech made in this House by the late Bishop of Guildford shortly before his untimely and much lamented death—a speech in which he showed that it is only by a very dubious, debatable interpretation of the holy Koran that the Iranian theocracy attempts to justify its be-
‘... the Government view with abhorrence recent reports that 16 Bahá’ís from Shíráz have been executed in Iran. The United Kingdom has ... made clear to the Iranian Government its deep concern at continuing reports of persecution ...’
havior? As the Koran is one of the texts which the Bahá’ís themselves regard as sacred, may I ask the noble Baronness whether she will consider getting in touch with some of the Islamic members of the Commonwealth to see whether they, too, could perhaps make representations in Tehran?
Baroness Young: My Lords, I cannot in honesty say that I recall the particular speech to which the noble Lord has drawn attention. I take note of the suggestion which the noble Lord has made on this matter, but I believe that it would be unwise of me to say more than that at this juncture because we wish to proceed in the best possible way to further the ends of helping the Bahá’ís but at the same time we must be very careful not to make their position more difficult.
Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos: My Lords, while joining the noble Baroness in a total condemnation of these monstrous atrocities, may I ask her whether she does not recall the newspaper reports which stated that (the) United Nations had been invited by the Government of Iran to send an envoy to investigate violations of human rights in Iran? Can she confirm whether that was in fact the case, and what has developed from that invitation if it was issued?
Baroness Young: My Lords, there have at times been suggestions that there should be an envoy sent to investigate these matters; but the view of our Government is that the best way we can proceed is that which I set out in my Answer to the Question. We believe that way is in the best interests of the Bahá’ís in Iran.
Lord Jenkins of Putney: My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that the Ayatollah’s regime is not a Government but a barbaric organization deserving of the utmost condemnation? Is she further aware that the last group of Bahá’ís to be shot in Iran were all young women—two of them teenagers—who were not guilty of any offence other than a belief in their faith? In these circumstances, is it not time that the Government considered whether it is proper for us to continue to have relations with such a regime?
Baroness Young: My Lords, we do of course utterly condemn what has happened to the Bahá’ís, and other executions, in Iran. At the present time we are represented in Iran by a Head of Mission, who looks after our interests—and, of course, there is the opportunity for him, too, on appropriate occasions, to make protests about what is going on.
Lord Monson: My Lords, would the noble Baroness say whether in her opinion the systematic extermination of men and women for refusing to renounce their religion constitutes in international law the crime of genocide?
Baroness Young: My Lords, without notice I could not say whether that is the case; but, of course, all the civilized world condemns what has been happening by these executions.
Lord Elwyn-Jones: My Lords, is it not an unhappy fact that there is no tribunal before which these men can be indicted?
[Page 5]
Baroness Young: Yes, my Lords; but
your Lordships may know that on 1st
March my noble friend Lord Colville
of Culross, our delegate at the Commission of Human Rights, made a
statement in which he expressed his
Government’s deep concern at reports
of the continuing persecution of Bahá’ís, and on 3rd March our delegation
co-sponsored a draft resolution at the
commission which urged the Iranian
Government to respect the human
rights of all individuals under its jurisdiction.
Baroness Gaitskell: My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that over 50 years ago this was a crucial question and in some ways a very easy one, except that no one would do anything about it? Is it not time that we now took this matter really seriously and tried to do something about it? There would be many on this side who would help to do this, and I am one of them.
Baroness Young: My Lords, I note what the noble Baroness, Lady Gaitskell, has said. The Government have considered very carefully all the options open to them on this matter, and we believe that the best way to help the Bahá’ís is as I have set out in the Answer to the Question.
Lord Kilbracken: My Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness whether she and the Government feel equal concern about the plight of the Kurdish people in the same country, in view of the fact that they are being subjected to even greater persecution and subjection, and particularly in view of the major military offensive against them which was launched on Friday?
Baroness Young: My Lords, the noble Lord will appreciate that that is another question, but if he cares to put down a Question on that subject I will do my best to answer it.
Lord Whaddon: My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that the Commission of Human Rights urged the Secretary-General of the United Nations to send an envoy to Iran on this matter? Did I hear the noble Baroness aright as saying that she was not totally in favor of sending such an envoy? Is she aware that the vast majority of those of us who are deeply concerned about this matter would welcome such a visit, and will the Government press
‘... I have already indicated what has happened at the Commission of Human Rights. At the session of the United Nations Commission of Human Rights in March 1982 the United Kingdom co-sponsored a draft resolution which urged the Iranians to respect the human rights of all individuals under their jurisdiction.’
the Secretary-General to send an envoy?
Baroness Young: My Lords, I have already indicated what has happened at the Commission of Human Rights. At the session of the United Nations Commission of Human Rights in March 1982 the United Kingdom co-sponsored a draft resolution which urged the Iranians to respect the human rights of all individuals under their jurisdiction. The resolution also called for the United Nations Secretary-General to continue his efforts to ensure that the Bahá’ís were allowed to enjoy their full human rights and fundamental freedoms, and at the same time to prepare a draft report on the human rights situation in Iran.
| From the Universal House of Justice
To the Bahá’ís of St. Lucia On this inaugural day of the National Spiritual Assembly of St. Lucia, its seat in the capital city of Castries, your vigorous community has emerged into independence with the raising of another of those pillars of the Universal House of Justice which lie along the Caribbean island arc. You have been successful in firmly implanting the Faith of God in the soil of St. Lucia, have made it acceptable and well-known among your receptive peoples of coast and mountain. During the remaining year of the second phase of the Seven Year Plan your community will gain a sharper focus and create a new purpose in your hearts, accelerating the expansion of the Cause, intensifying cooperation with your neighboring island communities and consolidating your community through greater efforts to enhance the spirit of the Faith among the believers and their families. We call upon the Bahá’ís of St. Lucia to increase the number of believers throughout the island from all levels of society, raising significantly the number of localities where Bahá’ís reside, and the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies. You are urged to continue your efforts to develop the Bahá’í way of life through programs of spiritual enrichment. You should continue diligently to pursue the specific goals which now relate to St. Lucia from those assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Windward Islands at the outset of the second phase of the Seven Year Plan. We hail this auspicious hour, and pray that the generous Lord will assist you to be the means of spreading the spirit of unity among the varied peoples of St. Lucia. We shall supplicate at the Holy Threshold that St. Lucia may be favored by the bounties of the Blessed Beauty, and may become a beacon to the West Indies, a dawning place of the pervading Spirit of the new age. With loving Bahá’í greetings, The Universal House of Justice
April 6, 1983 |
United States[edit]
Mayor of New York urges UN resolution[edit]
On July 6, two months after meeting with a delegation of seven Bahá’ís at city hall, Mayor Edward Koch of New York City wrote a letter to President Reagan in which he described the recent executions of 17 Bahá’ís in Iran as “ritual murders of a minority group on no ground other than religious persecution for political gain” and called upon the President to back a United Nations resolution censuring Iran for its treatment of Bahá’ís.
“To the best of my knowledge,” the mayor wrote, “neither the General Assembly nor the Security Council of the United Nations has ever enacted resolutions censuring the government of Iran for its genocidal behavior toward this religious group.
“The best that the United Nations has done to date is through its Human Rights Commission, which passed a resolution on March 8, 1983 ...
“There are those who take the position that this is an internal matter for Iran,” Mayor Koch went on to say. “They are the same people who would have undoubtedly said the same about Nazi Germany and the holocaust.
“The latter was not an internal matter, nor are the attacks on the Bahá’ís ...
“Mr. President, let us put the United Nations to the test. That could be done by the United States offering a resolution sanctioning Iran as a result of these executions, and calling upon that country to cease and desist this appalling example of genocide against a peaceful and innocent people.
“The Bahá’ís are small in number. They have few friends. I am sure they look to the United States for some help. We dare not turn away.”
On May 5, the mayor met for 15 minutes at city hall with a Bahá’í delegation that included two members of the Spiritual Assembly of New York City.
Mayor Edward Koch of New York City (seated at left) is interviewed by the news media following a 15-minute discussion May 5 with a delegation of seven Bahá’ís whose members included (seated left to right) Dr. Hussen Ahdieh, Farzad Azizzi, and Dr. Hooshmand Taraz. The Bahá’ís informed the mayor of the persecution of their fellow believers in Iran and presented him with two books, A Cry from the Heart and A Crown of Beauty.
At the close of that meeting Mayor Koch was presented with copies of the books A Cry from the Heart and A Crown of Beauty.
Afterward, members of the news media were invited into the mayor’s office and heard him speak out against the persecutions. He said all government leaders should do the same, as the weight of public opinion might prove to be a deterrent.
The meeting with the mayor came about when the Bahá’ís in New York, following a request by the National Spiritual Assembly, sent Mr. Koch a copy of the Fall 1982 issue of World Order magazine which included correspondence from Bahá’ís just prior to their martyrdom.
The mayor responded with an invitation to visit him at city hall.
United States[edit]
Oneida Indians receive Bahá’í Writings[edit]
| DELIGHTED YOUR PARTICIPATION ELEVENTH ANNUAL ONEIDA POW-WOW OFFERING OPPORTUNITY MAKE SUITABLE PRESENTATION SPECIALLY BOUND VOLUMES TRANSLATION INTO ONEIDA LANGUAGE SELECTIONS FROM THE BAHÁ’Í WRITINGS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED 25 YEARS AGO. KINDLY CONVEY INDIAN BROTHERS ASSURANCE OUR PRAYERS REALIZATION THEIR HIGHEST ASPIRATIONS SERVICE GOD AND HUMANITY.
UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
|
About 50 Bahá’ís were present July 3 at the Oneida Indian Reservation near Green Bay, Wisconsin, for the 11th annual Oneida Pow-wow and Festival of Performing Arts during which the Bahá’ís presented the Oneida Nation with special editions of the Bahá’í Writings in the Oneida language and a sand painting by Bahda’i artist David Villaseñor.
The presentation of the two specially bound copies of Bahá’í Writings in Oneida marked the 25th anniversary of their original publication.
About 26 years ago Marian Steffes, an Oneida who was the first Native American to become a Bahá’í, sought out Oscar Archiquette, an Oneida who was well-known as the foremost authority on his tribal language.
Mr. Archiquette agreed to serve as chief translator of the Bahá’í Writings into Oneida. He worked with Mrs. Steffes for more than a year to produce the translations.
At the request of the Bahá’ís, the director of the Oneida Nation Museum spoke during the presentation ceremony in honor of the late Mr. Archiquette.
Mrs. Archiquette and other members of his family were present for the Bahá’í presentation, which was made by Kevin Locke, a Lakota Sioux Bahá’í from McLaughlin, South Dakota.
The National Spiritual Assembly underscored the significance of the occasion in this message:
“Dear Friends:
“On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the first translation and publication of Bahá’í Writings into the Oneida language, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States sends its greetings to the Native Americans whose advancement has great significance for the future of all the inhabitants of this continent.
“The National Spiritual Assembly takes this opportunity to extend to the Oneida people its best wishes and to express confidence that the day of the unity of all mankind is not too far away.”
The Bahá’í Writings and sand painting were accepted by representatives of the Oneida Tribal Council, the director of the Oneida Nation Museum, and the head librarian of the Oneida Community Library.
Pat Glover, a Stockbridge Indian Bahá’í from Milwaukee, read a portion of the book Blessed Is the Spot, and Mr. Locke sang an honoring song that originated with Sioux chief Sitting Bull and is reserved for honoring great leaders.
Mr. Locke also performed a traditional Indian hoop dance.
“How moving it was,” said Lori J. Block, secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Green Bay, “when the Bahá’ís who were present walked down the hillside together and joined the circle of dancers” for a traditional Native American honoring song that followed the presentation of the sand painting by the Bahá’ís.
Kevin Locke, a Lakota Sioux Bahá’í from McLaughlin, South Dakota, performs a traditional Native American hoop dance during the 11th annual Oneida Pow-wow held July 3 near Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mr. Locke, who is cultural representative of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, presented special editions of the Bahá’í Writings in the Oneida language and a sand painting to the Oneida Nation on behalf of the Bahá’ís of Green Bay.
Falkland Islands[edit]
Bahá’í artist has exhibit in London[edit]
Duffy Sheridan, a Bahá’í pioneer from the United States to the Falkland Islands who is rapidly earning an international reputation as a fine artist, was featured prominently in a recent edition of the London Sunday Times Magazine in connection with an exciting and successful art exhibit at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
The exhibit came about while Mr. Sheridan was en route to the U.S. from the Falklands at the invitation of the U.S. International Goals Committee to set up exhibitions of his works throughout the country.
He showed 19 new works in London, as well as some others that had been sold earlier to British art lovers.
One of the paintings belonged to Simon Winchester, a prominent correspondent for the London Times.
Mr. Winchester suggested that the Sunday Times might be interested in previewing the exhibit in its color magazine.
It was unlikely that an article would be published to coincide with the exhibit (June 15-July 3) because the magazine’s deadline had been passed by several weeks, but Mr. Sheridan went to the Times office for an interview, as requested, with some of his paintings.
Shortly afterward, the cover originally scheduled to appear on the June 12 issue was scrapped in favor of a portrait by Mr. Sheridan of a young Falklands girl, and an extensive feature article appeared inside the magazine with photos of 10 of his other paintings.
The article referred to the Bahá’í Faith and explained why the Sheridans had gone to the Falklands more than seven years ago.
The interest since the Falklands war in knowing more about this tiny British colony gave the Sheridans a ready-made opening to answer all inquiries by telling about the Faith.
The cover of the London Sunday Times magazine featuring a portrait by Bahá’í artist Duffy Sheridan, a pioneer to the Falkland Islands.
Between 8,000 and 10,000 people, many of whom had read about it in the London Times, saw Mr. Sheridan’s exhibit.
During a reception for its opening, which was arranged by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom, the artist met with several prominent citizens including members of the House of Lords who have become
[Page 9]
A part of the extensive article in the London Sunday Times of June 12 that was devoted to the work of Duffy Sheridan, a Bahá’í artist living in the Falkland Islands whose paintings were shown in June and July at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
friends of the Faith and have spoken out against the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.
The exhibit also was seen by Sir Rex Hunt, the civil commissioner (governor) of the Falkland Islands who happened to be in London at the time.
A small portrait of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá drew considerable attention, and many people expressed a desire to own it.
That painting was not for sale, but will eventually be presented to Lady Lillian Carpenter, the wife of the Dean of Westminster Abbey.
Lady Carpenter has for many years been devoted to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and speaks of Him and His teachings to royalty and commoners alike, often quoting from the Bahá’í Writings and reading Bahá’í prayers at public functions.
The London show has proven to be one of the most effective proclamation efforts that the Bahá’í community of the United Kingdom has ever been able to present.
The London Sunday Times has offered the use of the article, in any city in which it has connections, and that includes most of the larger cities in the world. Sydney, Australia, already is reprinting it.
In addition, the British Broadcasting Corporation wants to present a 15-minute program about Mr. Sheridan in its “Light of Experience” series.
The British Forces Broadcasting Service aired a 20-minute interview with Mr. Sheridan all over the world. Nearly half of the program focused on the Faith.
Above left and right: Two more portraits of Falkland Islanders by Bahá’í artist Duffy Sheridan who has been a pioneer to the islands with his family for several years.
The world[edit]
9 new National Assemblies to form in ’84[edit]
OVERJOYED ANNOUNCE FORMATION AT RIḌVÁN 1984 FOLLOWING NINE NEW NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES:
THREE IN AFRICA: CAPE VERDE ISLANDS, EQUATORIAL GUINEA, AND GABON.
THREE IN AMERICAS: FRENCH GUIANA, GRENADA, AND MARTINIQUE.
TWO IN ASIA: ANDAMAN/NICOBAR ISLANDS, AND YEMEN (SAN’A).
ONE IN EUROPE: CANARY ISLANDS.
LAST TWO NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES NAMED ABOVE ARE SUPPLEMENTARY ACHIEVEMENTS SEVEN YEAR PLAN. PRAYING SHRINES BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS MAY SURROUND SUPPORT FRIENDS EVERYWHERE IN THEIR ENDEAVOURS PROMOTE GOD’S HOLY FAITH.
JULY 31, 1983
Hong Kong[edit]
Teaching efforts in Macau by the Bahá’ís of Hong Kong had been yielding no immediate fruits before a one-day visit there last January 10 by the Hand of the Cause of God H. Collis Featherstone. Since then, at least 30 people in Macau have declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.
It began with two declarations by long-time seekers that occurred on the day of Mr. Featherstone’s visit. One of the new Bahá’ís, 16-year-old Wong Kin Chak, soon guided six others to the Faith and set an example for the entire Bahá’í community.
One of those attracted to the Faith by Mr. Wong was Choy Loi, a fisherman who is a member of a new minority group represented in the Faith in the Hong Kong and Macau area. Soon, six of Mr. Choy’s friends and relatives who also are fishermen had become Bahá’ís.
The Bahá’í community of Macau has established weekly morning prayer sessions in its goal area of the Taipa Islands, and members of the community have recently been interviewed by reporters from the local press and the press in Hong Kong concerning the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.
Mauritius[edit]
This photograph was taken during the Bahá’í National Convention of Mauritius, held May 28-29 at the Bahá’í Institute in Belle-Rose. The Convention received favorable coverage on local radio and television news programs.
Proclamation doors previously closed to Bahá’ís in Mauritius have recently been opening.
At Naw-Rúz, the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly was interviewed on a television news program. The interviewer asked questions about the Faith’s history in that country, the essential Bahá’í beliefs, and the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran as well as the significance of the Fast and of Naw-Rúz.
The Faith was again the subject of favorable news reports on radio and TV during the National Convention, which was held May 28-29 in Belle-Rose.
Officials at two secondary schools invited Bahá’ís to talk to their students and to answer questions. Teachers also attended the presentations and asked questions. At one college, a teacher asked how she could become a Bahá’í.
One widely read newspaper in Mauritius recently published a well-written article about the Faith, while another paper has published reports about the persecutions in Iran.
Nigeria[edit]
Pictured are delegates and guests at the 14th Bahá’í National Convention of Nigeria held May 27-29 in Benin City, Bendel State. Friday Ekpe, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa, was a special guest at the Convention, which was the largest ever held in Nigeria. Local television and other media proclaimed the Faith during the Convention, while delegations of Bahá’ís met with numerous officials.
Belgium[edit]
Bahá’í musicians perform songs from several countries during a Naw-Rúz observance in Eupen, Belgium, a city located in a goal area of eastern Belgium. More than 300 Bahá’ís from five countries attended the event.
Shown are some of the more than 300 Bahá’ís from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg who attended a gala Naw-Rúz observance in the goal city of Eupen in the eastern part of Belgium.
More than 300 Bahá’ís and their guests from Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland attended an international Naw-Rúz celebration in Eupen, Belgium, which is located in the German-speaking eastern region of the country that has been designated as a goal area of the Seven Year Plan.
The observance was a joyous reunion of family and friends, many of whom had traveled long distances to be present. It was organized by a special proclamation committee from the nearest region already opened to the Faith, which happens to be French-speaking.
After an introductory talk on the Faith by the chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany, Bahá’í musicians from Belgium and Germany provided music with an international flavor, and an eight-year-old Bahá’í from Germany spontaneously got on stage and charmed the audience with her interpretation of Persian dancing to Greek music.
Owing to the presence of a local dignitary, the Naw-Rúz observance was mentioned on a local radio station during its prime time news report the following evening.
This and other recent teaching efforts have emboldened the fairly new French-speaking proclamation committee working in this mostly German-speaking area of Belgium.
Zimbabwe[edit]
The number of schools in Zimbabwe visited recently by Bahá’ís has grown to 18 with a proclamation event or other follow-up being a part of each recent trip to a school.
Last April, 25 people at the Domboshawa Training Centre attended one Bahá’í meeting while a group of 50 students accompanied by the school’s principal were present for a second visit by the group of Bahá’ís.
On April 8, at the Mutonda School, all of the students and the deputy headmaster, who helped with translation, attended a Bahá’í presentation.
The prayer by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that begins, “O God, Guide me ...” was written out for the staff so that they could help the children memorize it. The school’s headmaster said he would use the Bahá’í prayer for school assembly.
Meanwhile, children at the Lewisam School are having weekly Bahá’í classes during the school’s fixed time for scripture study.
The Faith was proclaimed in a rather unusual way last April 9 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, when Auxiliary Board member Enayat Sohaili officiated at a Bahá’í wedding ceremony for a non-Bahá’í couple. The event was attended by more than 150 Jews and Christians.
Some time ago, Mr. Sohaili was approached by some Jewish friends and asked if he, as a marriage officer, would officiate at the marriage of their son to a Christian woman.
The wedding ceremony included readings from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible and from the Bahá’í Writings.
“It was a memorable wedding,” Mr. Sohaili wrote, “in the sense that this may have been a rare occasion (in Zimbabwe) when a Jewish groom married a Christian bride according to the Bahá’í ceremony.”
Trinidad/Tobago[edit]
Pictured are Bahá’ís who attended a training session May 14-15 for coordinators of the Olinga (Ruhi) Institute in Trinidad. The session was held at the Palmyra Bahá’í Center. At the far left is Auxiliary Board member Laurence Coward.
New Zealand[edit]
The first Bahá’í in Morrinsville, New Zealand, is blind. She became a Bahá’í after having parts of the book God Loves Laughter by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears read to her.
After becoming a Bahá’í she went to the local high school and took her certificate in English, using in her course work one of the poems by Roger White from his book, Witness of Pebbles. She did her major book review on Mr. Sears’ book.
The Institute for the Blind made a set of tapes of the book especially for her, and she did such a splendid review that the book was requested from the school library by several students.
Fiji[edit]
Dr. Laurence Poncini, a lecturer in chemistry at the University of the South Pacific and chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Suva, Fiji, has received the 1982 Allan Joseph Casey Medal for sugar research.
The gold medal was presented to Dr. Poncini by the International Sugar Research Foundation of New York City through its member society, the northern division of the Queensland Society of Sugar Cane Technologists in Australia.
Dr. Poncini’s award was reported in the June 10 edition of the Fiji Times. The brief article, accompanied by a photograph, explained that Dr. Poncini was honored for discovering how sugar molecules come apart when sugar is heated.
The medal is given to scientists in sugar research who have contributed to advancements in sugar chemistry.
Central African Republic[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Central African Republic has received official permission from the Ministry of Information to publish articles about the Faith in newspapers in the Republic.
In expressing to the World Centre its gratitude for this latest development in the progress of the Faith in that country, the National Assembly noted that proclamation victories have often coincided with the period of fasting.
United States[edit]
Nineteen Bahá’í youth recently participated in the first American All-Youth Pilgrimage to the World Centre.
Accompanied by two chaperones, the young men and women arrived June 5 at the Pilgrim House in Haifa to begin the nine-day pilgrimage which followed a tour of much of Israel.
In the grand hall of the new permanent Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the youth were welcomed by representatives of the Supreme Body. They heard talks by the Hands of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum and ‘Ali Akbar Furútan whose topics were for the most part directed toward youth.
The young pilgrims spent many hours in prayer and meditation at the Holy Shrines.
Following their pilgrimage they flew to Frankfurt, Germany, where they were divided into three teaching teams. Under the guidance of several National Spiritual Assemblies, and in collaboration with the U.S. International Goals Committee, the teams spent several weeks traveling and teaching in Europe before returning to the U.S.
Twenty-six-year-old Alonzo W. Nesmith Jr., a Bahá’í who lives in Charleston, South Carolina, has been appointed as the first black member and youngest member of the board of trustees of The Citadel, the military college of South Carolina.
Mr. Nesmith is chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Charleston and of the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee.
He was named to The Citadel’s board of trustees by the governor of South Carolina. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Nesmith mentioned his being a Bahá’í to the governor and discussed some of the tenets of the Faith with the governor’s administrative assistant.
A large part of his work on the board will be to help implement the state’s desegregation plan which is designed to see that the college’s student body and faculty include racial minorities.
ALONZO W. NESMITH JR.
Left: The 19 American Bahá’í youth
who recently completed a pilgrimage to
the World Centre are shown with their
chaperones at the Pilgrim House.
Deeply grieved passing Knight Bahá’u’lláh Rex Collison. His long record
devoted services in teaching, pioneering fields at home and Africa has immortalized his name. Doubtless his rich reward Abhá Kingdom source joy
pride his life companion Mary. Praying Shrines continuing unfoldment his noble soul worlds God.
June 27, 1983
Rex Collison, an American Bahá’í who with his wife, Mary, was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for their pioneering services in Ruanda-Urundi (now Rwanda and Burundi), Africa, died June 25 in Geyserville, California.
In 1952, following Mr. Collison’s retirement as an agricultural researcher at Cornell University, the Collisons pioneered to Kampala, Uganda, where they served on the committee that was overseeing construction of the Mother Temple of Africa.
They also served on the first Intercontinental Conference Committee in 1953 and again in 1958 when the Temple’s cornerstone was laid by the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum.
At the outset of the Ten Year Crusade in 1953, the Collisons were among the first Americans to arise, and with Dunduzu Chisiza, a young African Bahá’í from Nyasaland, they settled in Ruanda-Urundi, remaining there until government policy required that they leave the country.
They left behind them about 20 Bahá’ís who became the foundation for the Faith’s development there and in the entire eastern Congo region.
The Collisons were instrumental in establishing Bahá’í publishing in Uganda with the development of literature in several African languages and in English and French.
In 1963 the Collisons made an around-the-world trip, visiting Bahá’ís in many countries. Mrs. Collison died August 11, 1970.
Japan[edit]
Shown are participants in a fireside held July 3 in Utsunomiya City, Japan, at the home of a pioneer couple who are the only Bahá’ís in Utsunomiya. In the back row (left to right) are seekers Ryouichi Tabuchi and Toshimasu Takauchi; the guest speaker, Dr. Toshio Susuki, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Japan; and a seeker, Sachiko Ogasawara. In the middle row (left to right) are Daryoush Yazdani, a pioneer to Utsunomiya; Mineko Masuyama, a seeker who is the sister of the city’s mayor; and a Bahá’í, Chiyo Suzuki. In the front row (left to right) are Shazin Roussoukh, a Bahá’í who was visiting Japan; Marife Yazdani, a pioneer to Utsunomiya; and a seeker, Yoshie Kawakami.
Daryoush and Marife Yazdani, a pioneer couple who are the only Bahá’ís in Utsunomiya, Japan, a city of 350,000, have been hosting well-attended monthly firesides in their home.
The gathering on July 3 was attended by five seekers including the sister of the city’s mayor. The guest speaker was Dr. Toshio Susuki, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Japan.
Puerto Rico[edit]
Among the participants in an International Bahá’í Youth Conference last March in San José, Costa Rica, was this group of youth from Puerto Rico (left to right) Mari-Ileana Martínez, Brett Smith, Tahirih Gómez (official representative from Puerto Rico), and Juan Rivera Acevedo. Not shown is Roberta Maull, another youth from Puerto Rico who attended the conference.
Zaire[edit]
A series of talks on the Faith was presented recently to various government officials in Mbandaka, the capital of Zaire’s Equateur Province.
The presentations were planned by the Regional Teaching Committee of Equateur in consultation with Auxiliary Board member Rohan Vahabi.
After obtaining proper approval, Miss Vahabi and two other Bahá’ís, Mr. Bossongola and Barbara Harasym, presented a talk on Bahá’í teachings and principles to 40 people from four high schools and elementary schools; a presentation at the town clinic that was attended by 40 people including two nuns; another at the post office that was attended by 14 people; a talk to a group of 30 in Mbandaka and Wangata that included the mayor of each town; and a lecture to 30 students at the School of Higher Literary Studies.
The Bahá’ís also made presentations to a group of 40 theologians, in a shipping company’s offices, and to employees at the city’s planning and water departments.
India[edit]
Three hundred-thirty women including more than 100 tribal members from 40 villages participated April 9-10 in the first Bahá’í women’s conference on the state level in India, held in Tumkur, Karnataka.
The women were thrilled by receipt of a cablegram from the Universal House of Justice; another from the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum; a hand-delivered letter from the Hand of the Cause H. Collis Featherstone; and a cable from the National Spiritual Assembly of India which called for “a great upsurge of teaching by women throughout India.”
The speakers included Counsellors Shirin Boman and Dipchand Khianra; the deputy commissioner of Tumkur, Mrs. Vatsala Watsa; and Gloria Faizí, an author and widow of the Hand of the Cause of God Abu’l-Qásim Faizí.
Extensive press coverage continued throughout April in Tumkur newspapers. Some of the articles focused on cultural events held during the conference including a singing competition, flower arranging, classes on baking, and lectures on medical subjects.
The headline above one report in an English-language newspaper read: “Bahá’í Women on Mission of Peace and Unity.”
For the first time, the headmasters at two government-operated schools in Bangalore, India, have given permission to a Bahá’í traveling teacher to teach Bahá’í lessons in morals to students for one 45-minute period each week.
On his own initiative, the teacher, N. Krishnappa, contacted the headmasters of the primary school at Kannur village, which has 60 students, and the Sri Siddhartha residential high school in Kothanur, which has 300 students, and was given permission to teach.
A regional Bahá’í Teaching Conference held February 12-14 in Patna, Bihar State, was attended by about 400 people, most of whom were residents of rural areas of Bihar.
The program included workshops on teaching women, tribal teaching, children’s classes, and the consolidation of Local Assemblies.
Counsellor Shirin Boman was one of the speakers at a public meeting on the third day of the conference that was attended by 1,000 people.
The event was well publicized throughout Patna, and All-India Radio broadcast news of the conference.
Three hundred people attended the first of four regional Teaching Conferences in India during 1982-83 that was held last November 10-12 at the Rabbani Bahá’í School in Gwalior.
Speakers included Chinese-speaking pioneers from Singapore, and the program included talks in Mandarin Chinese, English and Hindi, a film, and songs with Bahá’í themes.
In connection with the conference, the Spiritual Assembly of Gwalior arranged a public meeting and book exhibit that included a display of Bahá’í prayers in more than 300 languages.
About 500 Chinese guests attended the first Bahá’í public meeting for Calcutta’s Chinese community last October 20. The event was arranged by the Spiritual Assembly of Calcutta and its Chinese Teaching Committee.
Speakers included Chinese pioneers from Singapore, and the program included talks in Mandarin Chinese, English and Hindi, a film, and songs with Bahá’í themes.
Local Bahá’ís mingled with their guests offering literature, answering questions, and exchanging views in a cordial atmosphere.
The meeting’s success was attributed in large measure to groundwork laid two years earlier by Chinese-speaking pioneers from Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong and to Lilian Leo, a friend of the Faith who arranged for an ad in a Chinese-language daily newspaper inviting residents to the Bahá’í meeting.
Shown in a photograph taken May 24 are delegates and guests attending the 54th Bahá’í National Convention of India, held at the construction site of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár near New Delhi. Among those present was the Hand of the Cause of God H. Collis Featherstone.
Honduras[edit]
More than 400 people, half of whom are indigenous residents of Honduras, declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh during a recent 15-day regional teaching campaign that was carried out in 11 communities in five states of Honduras.
Called “Camino del Sol” (Trail of the Sun), the campaign was planned by the National Teaching Committee of Honduras and was dedicated to the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum. The eight team members included members of the Miskito, Garifana, Hicaque and Paya Indian tribes, one member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Honduras, and one Auxiliary Board member.
Camino del Sol was designed to concentrate on three of the main indigenous groups in Honduras: the Hicaque, Paya and Garifana peoples.
It marked the first time that members of various indigenous tribes in Honduras had united together to take the Message to their Indian brothers and sisters.
More than 160 people from 10 countries attended an International Bahá’í Youth Conference March 31-April 2 in Siguatepeque, Honduras.
Participants came from El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Belize, Guatemala, Peru, Panama, Mexico, Honduras, Canada and the United States.
Counsellors Hidáyatu’lláh Aḥmadíyyih, Artemus Lamb and Ruth Pringle were present, as were Auxiliary Board members Eduardo Tey (Guatemala), Boris Handel (Peru), and Bill Stover and Barry Smith (Honduras).
The Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members presented some of the talks and workshops.
Topics discussed during the three-day gathering included the Covenant; spiritual enrichment; the Bahá’í Funds; the reality of man; Bahá’í institutions; the avoidance of alcohol and other drugs; teaching and consolidation; love, engagement and marriage; sacrifice; principles of the economic system of the future; and the role of youth in today’s world.
Responding to a call for pioneers and traveling teachers, 13 people volunteered to pioneer and 54 others expressed a desire to travel and teach.
A highlight of the evening programs was a presentation of the film “The Pilgrimage.” Youth from several countries shared their singing talents, while others performed dances or presented short plays.
Shown are members of the ‘Camino del Sol’ teaching team that visited 11 communities in Honduras during a recent 15-day regional teaching campaign. They are (left to right) Blas Lopez, a Paya Indian; Prudencio Gonzales, a Hicaque Indian; Carlos Castillo, a Garifano Indian; Jhemhm Stover, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Honduras; the mother of Prudencio Gonzales; Rene Lopez, a Paya Indian; and Eddington Wilson, a Meskito Indian. Not shown are team members Hernan Montes, a Hicaque Indian; and Auxiliary Board member Bill Stover.
Residents of Siriano, Honduras, a Hicaque Indian village, are shown with members of the ‘Camino del Sol’ teaching team who visited the village during a recent 15-day teaching campaign that led to the enrollment of 409 new Bahá’ís.
Argentina[edit]
Pictured are delegates and guests at the Bahá’í National Convention of Argentina, held May 28-29 in Buenos Aires.
French Antilles[edit]
Three weeks in Guadeloupe and one in Martinique for traveling teacher Jagdish Saminaden resulted in eight radio interviews totaling more than six hours of air time.
The programs, arranged by the Media and Teaching Committees of the French Antilles, ranged from interviews of Mr. Saminaden to phone-in programs in which he shared his appearances at times with two local Bahá’ís, John Keller and Daniel Caillaud.
Mr. Saminaden, from Mauritius, is of Indian ancestry, and had a strong appeal for the Guadeloupians whose Tamil ancestors migrated to the Caribbean islands from southern India. Quite a few, said Mr. Saminaden, bear the same family name as his with slight spelling variations.
One of the seven people who were enrolled in the Faith during Mr. Saminaden’s visit is of Indian extraction.
Papua New Guinea[edit]
Articles about the observance of the Martyrdom of the Báb appeared July 8 in two of Papua New Guinea’s leading newspapers.
Each of the articles included information about the early history of the Faith and was accompanied by a photograph of the Shrine of the Báb.
Chad[edit]
As of last January, the goal for the establishment of new Local Spiritual Assemblies in Chad was exceeded by 90.
Since 1982 special attention has been given to consolidation. Sixty Local Assemblies in Chad were chosen as “mother Assemblies” to help others open new localities to the Faith and to increase the number of Bahá’ís.
The mother Assemblies also helped with the observance of the Nineteen Day Feasts and Holy Days.
A report submitted through the Board of Counsellors in Africa tells of Assemblies teaching in neighboring villages, opening localities among the tribes of Ritos, and beginning to reach the Mbororos people of Chad.
Cassette tapes are playing an important role. In Moissala and Sarh, for example, prayers, Tablets and songs have been recorded in various languages including French. Also, composers of songs in local languages have recorded attractive tunes with guitar and native instruments.
The Samandarí Teaching Institute in Manda, Chad, was opened last May following a several-year interruption caused by difficulties in that country.
The institute, named in honor of the late Hand of the Cause of God Ṭaráz-ulláh Samandarí, was planned and funded several years ago, but work was brought to a halt until conditions allowed it to resume again in 1981.
The inauguration of the institute was described by the National Spiritual Assembly of Chad as “an historic and glorious occasion.”
Ecuador[edit]
Radio Bahá’í in Ecuador has developed what it terms “mural newspapers” that are being placed in village homes and community centers.
The poster-like “newspapers” are composed primarily of illustrations with a brief text that can be quickly explained by someone who is able to read to those who cannot.
They include a “thought of the week,” a concept taken from The Divine Art of Living, a book by the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum.
Each “newspaper” contains a Bahá’í message and a social comment such as tips on nutrition or planting or health. There are now more than 145 such “newspapers” in place in village homes and community centers in Ecuador.
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