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| Bahá’í News | October 1989 | Bahá’í Year 146 |
PEACE ’89 FEST
Bahá’í News[edit]
Israel’s President, Chaim Herzog, and his wife visit the World Centre | 1 |
South Carolina’s Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute hosts Peace Fest ’89 | 2 |
Dr. Zlmarian S. Walker leaves rich legacy of service to Cause of God | 5 |
Guyana’s prime minister addresses 3rd Caribbean Youth Conference | 6 |
Nearly 800 attend 14th Conference of Association for Bahá’í Studies | 9 |
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 Management Information Systems, Bahá’í National Center. Please attach mailing label. Subscription rates within the U.S.: one year, $12; two years, $20. Outside the U.S.: one year, $14; two years, 24$. Foreign air mail: one year, $20; two years, $40. Payment in U.S. dollars must accompany the order. Second class postage paid at Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright © 1989, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
World Centre[edit]
Israel’s President Herzog pays visit[edit]
To National Spiritual Assemblies
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
The Universal House of Justice is pleased to share with the Bahá’í communities around the world news of the successful visit of the Head of State of Israel. His Excellency Chaim Herzog, President of the State of Israel, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Aura Herzog, paid an official visit to the Bahá’í World Centre on May 25, 1989. The President and his wife came at the invitation of the Universal House of Justice and were received by the nine members at 10 a.m. on the steps of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. This was Mrs. Herzog’s first visit. Due to illness she had not accompanied her husband on his visit in October 1984, when he was the first Head of State to be received by the Universal House of Justice in its new Seat.
After the President’s party was greeted by the Hand of the Cause of God Alí-Akbar Furútan, tea was served in the Concourse of the Seat. The President was escorted to view models of the Arc and terraces and received an explanation of plans for future developments on Mount Carmel from Fariburz Sahba. Both the President and Mrs. Herzog showed keen interest in the projects.
A few weeks earlier, on May 7, Mrs. Herzog, as international President of the Council for a Beautiful Israel, had presented one of the 1989 Magshim Awards to the Bahá’í World Centre for its contribution to the beautification of the country, in a gathering held at the residence of the President. The President himself attended the function. This was historic recognition of the distinctive features of the beautiful gardens designed by Shoghi Effendi.
At that time President Herzog addressed the Bahá’ís in the presence of the other prize winners and more than 200 guests, saying, “every place where the Bahá’í(s) step you brought with you a special feeling and sensitivity for beauty and aesthetics. The Centre in Haifa, which shortly I will visit again....is one of the examples of the spirit of your Faith.”
After viewing the models at the Seat, the President and his party, accompanied by the members of the House of Justice, walked through the Monument Gardens and visited the Shrine of the Báb. They then proceeded to Bahjí, visited the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, the Mansion, and sections of the gardens. The President and Mrs. Herzog, together with the mayor of ‘Akká, Eli de Castro, and Mrs. de Castro, who joined the party at the Mansion, as well as the members of the Universal House of Justice, the secretary-general and deputy secretary-general of the Bahá’í International Community and their spouses, had lunch together under the arches of the Mansion.
Admiration for the beauty of the Bahá’í gardens and buildings, compliments on the community service of the Bahá’ís, and gratitude for greetings received from Bahá’í communities in the countries the President and Mrs. Herzog have visited were repeatedly expressed. A gift of a Persian miniature painting was given to the President and his wife, after which a special presentation of 50 Araucaria trees was made to Mrs. Herzog for the use of the Council for a Beautiful Israel.
In his concluding speech at the Mansion prior to his departure, the President particularly reiterated the pleasure of the State for the existence of the Bahá’í World Centre here, and conveyed the good-will of the people of the country to Bahá’ís everywhere.
Department of the Secretariat
June 1, 1989
United States[edit]
Peace Fest ’89: wow![edit]
As a part of their ongoing response to the Six Year Plan goal to increase the involvement of the Faith in the life of society, the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute and WLGI Radio Bahá’í in South Carolina warmly embraced the local community September 15-17 with Peace Fest ’89, a dynamic program of music, fellowship and prayers for peace.
As has been the case since the first Peace Fest four years ago, the center-piece was a Peace Concert that featured a heart-stirring performance by the 18-member Bahá’í Peace Orchestra.
The concert, held Saturday evening at the new state-of-the-art Myrtle Beach High School auditorium, also included:
- the presentation of the 1989 Peace Award to Dr. William F. Gibson of Greenville, chairman of the National Board of Directors of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the Ambassador Award for Humanitarian Service to Mrs. Juanita Dawes;
- performances by the Greater Inspirational Mass Choir of Horry County and the Bahá’í musical duo “Swan.”
‘That’s music to my ears,’ says saxophonist Marvin (Doc) Holladay, leader
of the 18-member Bahá’í Peace Orchestra, as trumpeter George Graham solos during the gala Peace Concert
held September 16 in Myrtle Beach,
South Carolina, as a part of the Louis Gregory Institute’s Peace Fest ’89.
Dr. William F. Gibson, chairman of
the National Board of Directors of the
NAACP and recipient of the 1989 Bahá’í Peace Award.
Peace Fest ’89 began Friday evening with a Gospel Jubilee in Hemingway at which 10 of the best gospel choirs and singers in the area shook the rafters at the Mitcheon Community Center for more than four hours.
Even before the official opening, however, the Peace Orchestra and Swan were in action, presenting a workshop Friday afternoon at Myrtle Beach High School for some 1,500 young students from throughout the area. Other components of this year’s Peace Fest were a Talent Showcase, held Saturday afternoon at the Mitcheon Center in Hemingway; an interfaith worship service, “Peace in the World,” and the traditional closing picnic and barbecue, both held on Sunday at the Gregory Institute.
In honor of Peace Fest ’89, the week of September 11-17 was proclaimed “South Carolina Peace Week” by Gov. Carroll A. Campbell Jr.
Despite heavy afternoon rains that caused flooding, disrupted power and held attendance to about 200, the Saturday evening concert was a memorable event from any standpoint with the Peace Orchestra in top form on its own and in a rousing gospel-flavored finale with the Horry County choir.
The concert was opened in marvel-
[Page 3]
Above: Ensemble work by the polished
and precise Bahá’í Peace Orchestra. Below: Vocalist Suzanne Swan and her
husband, guitarist/vocalist Kingsley Swan, perform during the gala Peace Concert in Myrtle Beach.
ous style by vocalist Suzanne Swan and her husband, guitarist/vocalist Kingsley Swan, who recently moved from Rhode Island as homefront pioneers to Griffin, Georgia.
The Peace Award, given to an individual or group to honor a significant contribution to constructive social progress and the peace and well-being of this nation and the world, was presented to Dr. Gibson by Dr. William Smith, a Bahá’í who is president of Comtel Communications, a video production company in Massachusetts.
Dr. Smith, a native of Greenville, is a long-time friend of Dr. Gibson.
In accepting the award, Dr. Gibson said, “I have been very fortunate to have received a number of honors and awards in my lifetime.
“Tonight I say to you, and not merely for the occasion, that I am more honored to receive this award than all the others I have received before.”
Dr. Gibson also spoke at the Sunday morning worship service, recalling the visit by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the fourth annual Convention of the NAACP (“friends, it took a lot of heart to visit the NAACP Convention in 1912”) and praising the Bahá’ís for their devotion to the ideal of world peace.
“Today,” Dr. Gibson said in closing, “I believe that ‘these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the Most Great Peace shall come.’ ”
The Ambassador Award, given to a local person or group for community service, was presented to Mrs. Dawes for her exemplary work with children. Since 1980 she has welcomed more than 40 foster children into her home.
Appearing Friday evening at the Gospel Fest were Sister Sylvia Brown, the Andrews Community Choir, The Gospelettes, the District No. 1 Youth Choir, the True Peace Singers, the Temple Tones, the Singing Disciples of Manning, Sam and the Exciting Linen Singers, the Rev. Gene Linen and the Dynamic Tones of Harmony, and the Sensational Brown Brothers.
The Talent Showcase, which spotlighted such local performers as the Upstage Children’s Theatre, Rico and the Educators, and King Clyde, also featured performances by the South Carolina Bahá’í Youth Workshop and by Ladjamaya Green and her son, Akeem, from the Green Acre Bahá’í School.
[Page 4]
The Peace Orchestra, which performed in August at the Bahá’í Center
in Los Angeles and is trying to raise
money for an appearance in December
at the West African Bahá’í Music
Festival in Monrovia, Liberia, was led by baritone saxophonist Marvin (Doc)
Holladay.
Other members were saxophonists Jay Corré, Ernest Hensley, Roger Hogan and Pat Longo; trumpeters Dean Betts, George Graham, Greg Ives, Roger Lewis and Paul Seaforth; trombonists Brian Lambeth (bass), Charlie Lee, Harry Massoth and Vincent Winnie; pianist Bob Rozario; drummer Sherman Ferguson; bassist Frank Esposito; and guitarist Kingsley Swan.
Above: Taking solo turns with the Peace Orchestra are (left to right) Dean Betts, Jay Corré and George Graham. Below left: Trumpeter Roger Lewis gives some pointers to an aspiring young musician at the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute. Below right: The Peace Orchestra and Greater Inspirational Mass Choir of Horry County combine to present a foot-stomping gospel/jazz finale to the Peace Concert.
Brazil[edit]
Zl Walker: ‘We all loved her very much’[edit]
This brief biographical sketch of Zlmarian Jeane Stoakley Walker, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil who died last July of cancer, was written for Bahá’í News by her father-in-law, James Walker.
Zlmarian Jeane Stoakley Walker’s list of accomplishments was long—and it was lifelong.
At the age of 12 she pioneered with her family to Mississippi, at a time when it was dangerous merely to be black—and to be there. Her parents, Robert and Charles Ella Stoakley, began teaching her, even at that tender age, how to love her way through the many kinds of difficulties she would face in life. In other words, they taught her how to be a Bahá’í.
She was a big sister to all of her younger brothers, but the important thing was that they were all Bahá’ís together. They were truly a family of Bahá’ís.
Social and academic accomplishments? She had many, and from many places in the world. Perhaps most interesting to the reader would be her marriage to Robert Walker, a white American, at a time when, as she once jokingly observed, anywhere they moved—black neighborhood or white—they “integrated” it.
She and Bob went to Bolivia, South America—high in the Andes mountains among the Quechua Indians—for research on his master’s degree, and while there they planned to attend a conference at which Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum was to speak. The bus went only as far as the town where Bob and Zl lived, so Mme. Rabbaní blazed the trail the rest of the way in her Land Rover. Zl was unable to attend, but Bob walked the remaining distance. Mme. Rabbaní, sorry that Zlmarian had been unable to go, stopped on her way back and invited Zl on a two-week teaching trip through the Bolivian Andes. Zl accepted, thus beginning a friendship that lasted until Zl’s death of cancer last July 9. Mas’úd Khamsí of the International Teaching Centre sent a cable on behalf of himself and Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, recalling that teaching trip and expressing their sorrow at Zl’s passing.
DR. ZLMARIAN S. WALKER
Bob earned his doctorate at about the same time as Zl, and since both of them were invited to teach graduate university courses in their respective educational specialties in Brazil, it became the perfect opportunity to pioneer abroad for the Faith. So they began pioneering in Brazil in the spring of 1974.
The pioneer experience evolved into doing many different kinds of things for the Faith. Zl continued in her capacity as a school teacher, in recent years at the well-known and well-respected Escola das Nacóes (School of the Nations) in Brasilia. This led, among a great many other things, to her becoming a widely recognized expert on the teaching of peace in the schools of the world.
Both before and after she was elected to serve on the National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil, she traveled far and wide, talking and teaching about peace and how to imbue our young people with the many and serious abilities to deal with building it. “The Promise of World Peace” provided a platform from which she spoke often, and several cables from peace organizations around the world, sorrowing at her passing, attest to the universality of her work.
A member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil pointed out that usually messages of condolence from the Universal House of Justice are addressed to the family, but that its message regarding Dr. Walker sorrowed for the loss sustained by all of Brazil.
Those who knew Zl well marveled at her great ease with life. Nothing ever ruffled her. She might have six people coming for a lunch-fireside, and a Bahá’í committee meeting in the morning, and a Bahá’í conference somewhere for which the plane left at 4:30 that afternoon, but she still found time to help someone with a little job that needed doing right now, or to listen sympathetically to one of her children—or someone else’s—and to be so relaxed about it that it seemed as though that were the only thing in the world that mattered at that moment.
In Paris Talks, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says: “This is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people. Service is prayer.”
At the time of her death in July, Zl’s agenda was full through the end of October. As Phil Cantor, one of her Bahá’í friends, said, “She lived until she died.”
Dr. Zlmarian Walker. We all loved her very much.
Guyana[edit]
Third Caribbean Youth Conference[edit]
August 11-14 was an historic time for the Bahá’í youth in the Caribbean as more than 220 people gathered at President’s College, Golden Grove, Guyana, for the third Caribbean Bahá’í Youth Conference.
Young people from Guyana and 18 other countries took part in the conference whose special guests included Counsellors Robert Harris, Peter McLaren and William Roberts.
The conference theme was “We can make a difference, we can make a change.” Among the many activities were dawn prayers, talks, discussions, workshops, teaching, and a memorial service for the Hand of the Cause of God Ugo Giachery who passed away in July.
On Sunday, August 13, the main address was given by the Prime Minister of Guyana, the Hon. Hamilton Green.
“You who have gathered here on this beautiful Sunday morning under the Bahá’í banner,” he said, “have shown not only an awareness of what is taking place around you, but in a conference such as this, you signal, I believe, a desire and a determination to discuss these issues and hopefully to be active participants in seeking solutions to the many problems which afflict mankind today.
“In Guyana,” the prime minister added, “we have ... become accustomed to the many laudable and worthwhile projects sponsored by the Bahá’ís, and this conference is certainly a forward and welcome step for the youth of the Caribbean.”
There is, he said, “still too much fighting and conflict (in the world) and not enough love and regard for one’s neighbors ...
“The Bahá’ís, of course, see all the peoples of the world as belonging to one family.
The Hon. Hamilton Green, prime minister of Guyana, receives a standing ovation following his electrifying address August 13 at the third Caribbean Bahá’í Youth Conference at President’s College, Golden Grove, Guyana.
“You believe that all mankind are participants and members of a single family. For the solutions to all the problems I have identified, we need, I believe, to start with that excellent concept that we are all one family....
“I find sometimes that people who do good,” said Mr. Green, “who believe in this concept that you have, tend not to want to proselytize—not to want to sell themselves. Evil sells itself. Good must also sell itself.
“Every one of you young people must set as your target, as a goal at the end of this conference, each day, each week, each month to persuade some of your colleagues, friends, workmates or those you come in contact with to move in the direction you have found.
“I believe that thought and good ideas must lead to action. We must not be weak and stop at knowing what is good.”
Young people, the prime minister said, “have an urgent and enormous responsibility in discussing and suggesting solutions to the many problems which face us in an increasingly selfish and difficult world. I have a suspicion that this group will lead us in the right direction.
“I urge that your deliberations be as practical as possible with workable plans and solutions coming out of those suggestions. And indeed if out of your proposals there is anything that this government or my ministry can do to further those ideas, I invite you to discuss them so that we can convert a paper into practical and purposeful resolution.
“I wish your conference great success, and hope that the conclusions you reach will be applied in order to improve our region and the lives of not only our young people but those in every corner of the globe.”
[Page 7]
Pictured are some of the more than 200
young people from 18 countries who
attended the third Caribbean Bahá’í
Youth Conference last August 11-14 at
President’s College in Guyana. Among
the highlights of the historic event was
an address by the Hon. Hamilton
Green, prime minister of Guyana.
Special guests included Counsellors for
the Americas Robert Harris, Peter McLaren and William Roberts.
| To the Universal House of Justice
IN HISTORIC, MOVING ADDRESS GUYANA’S PRIME MINISTER, MR. HAMILTON GREEN, ELECTRIFIED CONFERENCE BY STRONGLY URGING YOUTH TO CARRY BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S MESSAGE TO GREATER NUMBER OF CARIBBEAN YOUTH. QUOTING THE HOUSE OF JUSTICE HE STRESSED THE GREAT NEED FOR RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE, UNITY, MORALITY, AND PEACE, PLEDGING HIS GOVERNMENT’S PARTNERSHIP IN OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE SOCIETY. THE MOVEMENT OF YOUTH IN ‘SPARKS OF PEACE’ PROJECT PRODUCED POWERFUL BONDS AFFECTION AND ENDURING FRIENDSHIPS. WE PRAY THIS MAY SERVE AS A MODEL OF HOPE AND OPTIMISM TO ENTIRE REGION—BREAKING BARRIERS OF SUSPICION AND PREJUDICE—OPENING WAY FOR MANY COOPERATIVE PROJECTS AMONG THESE NATIONS. AS WE OFFER OUR SOLEMN PLEDGES OF SERVICE TO BAHÁ’-U’LLÁH, WE BEG YOUR PRAYERS THAT EACH ONE OF US WILL HELP THIS GENERATION ACHIEVE ITS DESTINY. THAT WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND CHANGE THE FUTURE FOR MASSES OF CARIBBEAN YOUTH. Youth Conference, Guyana
August 11-14, 1989 |
Responding to the warm welcome he received, the prime minister invited about 20 of the youth to dinner at his home after the conference. The youth responded enthusiastically, and enjoyed an evening of dinner, discussion and a tour of the prime minister’s private art collection.
Conference participants sent a cable to the Universal House of Justice and received one in return. Other messages were received from Shridath S. Ramphal, secretary-general of the British Commonwealth, and Roderick Rainford, secretary-general of the Caribbean.
Countries other than Guyana represented at the conference were Antigua, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, United States, Virgin Islands, and Venezuela.
For the 16 members of the Caribbean “Sparks of Peace” program, the conference represented the final leg of a teaching effort that began July 18 in Antigua, and they taught for a few days in Guyana before the event began.
The conference inspired others from Guyana and other countries to take part in similar teaching efforts in communities throughout Guyana.
Several of the young people took an active role as featured speakers at the
| Office of the Commonwealth Secretary-General Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London Message to the Third Caribbean Bahá’í Youth Conference on World Peace
For, as the teachings of the Bahá’í community rightly proclaim, we live in one world, and share one common, inseparable humanity; and peace, like humanity, is indivisible. There can be no true peace while the evil of racism, institutionalized by the apartheid regime of South Africa, mocks the reality of our common humanity. There can be no true peace while, in a world of plenty enjoyed by the few, so many millions of the world’s people are oppressed by absolute poverty and haunted by the spectres of disease and starvation. There can be no true peace while the thoughtless destruction of our global environment impedes all progress toward sustainable development. True peace, though it will come, can come only with great and continuous human effort. The answer to these problems is surely a world order of global management and collective security founded on the rule of enforceable law world-wide. A start has been made toward the establishment of this new order, but such a profound change will only come about if first there is a change in human hearts. The governance of our global affairs must be based not on old instincts of selfishness and separation but on a new ethic—an ethic of human solidarity. In achieving this, the influence of the world’s religious leaders and thinkers is crucial. The many obstacles to world peace are not reasons for despondency but rather calls for action—especially to young people everywhere. We have urgent need of their energy and their faith. They know better than their elders that the world is one and how much it yearns for peace. They must help us all to join in a partnership to save it. Only thus can the gift of peace be secured and handed on to their world of the 21st century and beyond, the world of tomorrow. Shridath S. Ramphal
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth June 8, 1989 |
conference including Enrique Beust of Brazil (“The conditions of the world and how we can influence or change them”); Ganesh Ramsahai of Trinidad (“Youth as agents of change”); Juliana Augiste Day of St. Lucia (“The Covenant and the youth”); Shane Etzenhouser of the U.S. (“What is the Bahá’í youth movement?”); and Terrance Simmons of Guyana (“The time is now—can we afford a moment’s hesitation?”).
In smaller groups the young people discussed such topics as moral challenges facing youth, substance abuse, marriage and family life, employment and careers for youth, and prayer and teaching.
Evenings were given over to entertainment and special events such as the showing of a slide program on construction of the terraces and Arc on Mount Carmel.
Leisure-time activities included dance sessions conducted by Rena Robinson, aerobics classes led by Frank Robinson, and non-competitive games introduced by Carl Henlow, all of whom are from the U.S.
Youth representatives from the Caribbean Islands extend warm greetings to the Hon. Hamilton Green, prime minister of Guyana (second from left), who spoke on Sunday, August 13, at the third Caribbean Bahá’í Youth Conference at President’s College, Golden Grove, Guyana.
Canada[edit]
ABS holds 14th annual Conference[edit]
“Full Partnership: An International Conference on the Equality of Women and Men” was the theme of the 14th annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies.
The Conference, which drew nearly 800 people including many scholars and artists who are striving to promote Bahá’u’lláh’s message of the equality of the sexes, was held September 15-17 at the Irvine Hilton and Towers in Irvine, California.
In her welcoming address, Counsellor for the Americas Jacqueline Delahunt reminded her audience that the equality of women and men already exists, because, she said, “Bahá’u’lláh decreed that they are equal; however, the realization and establishment of this equality in our evolving social order remains to be achieved.
Above: Louise Profeit-Leblanc addresses the Conference. Below: The friends discuss issues raised in the plenary sessions.
“The purpose of achieving the recognition of equality (of the sexes) is that humankind cannot reach its full potential without it.”
Co-chairing the Conference with Counsellor Delahunt was Judge Dorothy W. Nelson, chairman of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly.
In her opening statement, Judge Nelson gently prompted those present to remember that the worldwide Bahá’í community is a workshop in which men and women from diverse backgrounds strive to put the concept of equality into practice.
The keynote address, “Full Partnership: Prerequisite to Human Progress,” was given by Dr. Robert C. Henderson, secretary of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly.
“Let us dedicate this weekend,” he said, “to the furtherance of our understanding of all the ways in which we can make advances in this struggle....Let us open our minds and our hearts to new possibilities, explore new alternatives, so that this conference is productive of more than expanded intellectual understanding, but will produce changes in our lives that will lead to ... full partnership.”
Other speakers at the plenary sessions included Riane Eisler, co-founder of the Center for Partnership Studies; Louise Profeit-Leblanc, chairman, and Dr. Hossain Danesh, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada; and Bahá’í scholar/authors Bahíyyih Nakhjavání and Dr. Gwen Etter-Lewis.
Also, Dr. David Young of Grants Pass, Oregon, presented a paper by Dr. John Hatcher of the University of South Florida who was unable to attend the Conference.
In her talk, “Equal Partnership Between Women and Men: Foundations for a World Peace,” Mrs. Eisler explored the human potential for partnership relations in society, especially
[Page 10]
Above left: Conference co-chairman
Judge Dorothy W. Nelson, chairman
of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly. Above right: Playtime during the
children’s session. Below: Dr. Richard
Thomas (left of center, holding book) chairs a day-long seminar on Intercultural Issues which preceded the annual Conference of the Association.
among women and men, contrasting it with the “dominator mode” from which humanity is slowly emerging.
“The way a society structures the most fundamental of all relationships, that between women and men,” she said, “not only impacts directly our personal lives but impacts everything about a social system—institutions, family, politics—determining whether that system is peaceful or warlike....”
Dr. Etter-Lewis’ talk, “Early Black Women in the Professions: A Model for Full Partnership,” illustrated the inspirational effect of Bahá’í principles on some of the first black Bahá’í women in America.
Plenary sessions included performances by a number of talented artists including dramatists Deborah Chicurel Conow, Susan Lyons, Muhtadia Rice and Freddie deGruy, and musicians Kelly Khademi, Lorenzo Tappano, Jamie Heath, Kiu and Keely Haghighi, Farhang Sharif and Tim McClain.
A wide variety of workshops looked at the issue of sexual equality from many angles, some in group discussions and some by the presentation of papers on the topic.
Also included were special programs for the more than 30 children and 30 youth who attended the Conference.
Before the official opening of the Conference on Friday evening, September 15, a full day of professional interest seminars was held.
Meeting at those seminars were members of the Bahá’í Agricultural Institute, Bahá’í Institute for the Arts, and Bahá’í Institute for Environmental Design.
Other seminars covered business and economics, consultation and conflict resolution, education, intercultural issues, marriage and family, the study of religion, and science and technology and the philosophy of science.
On Thursday, a day-long meeting of the Bahá’í International Health Agency was focused on “Women’s Issues in Health.”
| Canada’s second Festival of Arts a great success
With featured appearances by Seals & Crofts, Doug Cameron, Jack Lenz, Bernard Gosselin, Nancy Ward and other well-known performers, the conference included many other artists in the fields of music, drama, dance, gymnastics, architecture, fashion design and the visual arts. Performances were held simultaneously in several theatres; exhibits were presented in a number of buildings; and a crafts fair and book store were set up at the Festival. Presentations, which were made in English and French, drew a number of non-Bahá’í guests. A children’s festival was also held, and children took part in some of the events on the main stage. Other highlights included presentations by American Indians, a panel of artists speaking on the creative process, and “Mid-Summer Noon,” a drama about the life of the Báb. As an expression of appreciation to the university, the Bahá’ís planted a peace garden consisting of a circle of nine crabapple trees with a row of day lilies on an axis marking the points of sunrise and sunset. A number of Bahá’ís from the U.S. attended and/or performed in the Festival, which is sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly and Bahá’í Arts Council of Canada as a part of the country’s Six Year Plan. Next summer’s event will be held in one of Canada’s Central or Western provinces. |
Among the speakers at the Association’s 14th annual Conference were Bahíyyih Nakhjavání (left photo) and Dr. Gwen Etter-Lewis.
Santour player Kiu Haghighi and daughter Keely on piano entertain.
On Saturday evening, recognition was made of those who had won the Association’s annual essay contest. This year’s winners were:
- Ann Boyles, “The Passing of Exquisite Music: A One-Woman Play About Martha Root.”
- Kerry Hart, “The Role of Music in the Advancement of Civilization.”
- Robert Rowenfeld and Michael Winger-Bearskin, “Principles of Consultation Applied to the Process of Innovation in a Corporate Environment.”
- Shahin Vafai, “The Concept of Race Unity.”
The Conference ended Sunday with a luncheon followed by the annual meeting of the Association for Bahá’í Studies.
The world[edit]
Peace Moves ’89 Conference in Madrid[edit]
The third “Peace Moves ’89 Regional European Youth Conference” was held last July 20-23 in Madrid, Spain, with about 700 people from 26 countries on four continents present to make this the largest gathering of Bahá’ís ever held in that country.
Among the special guests were Counsellor Sohrab Youssefian, members of three National Spiritual Assemblies, and six Auxiliary Board members.
The gathering was spiritually charged by a message to Bahá’í youth in Europe from the Bahá’í youth of Iran which expressed the longings of the youth in the Cradle of the Faith to serve the Cause and included a gift and message to those at the conference. The gift was their “hope for divine confirmations,” their message that their “hopeful eyes are fixed on you, and we are eagerly awaiting the glad tidings emanating from your efforts to spread the Divine Civilization in this turbulent world....”
Seven new believers were enrolled during the conference, after which 100 volunteers traveled to about a dozen cities to help projects organized by the National Teaching Committee of Spain.
More than 700 Bahá’ís from 26 countries took part July 20-23 in the third ‘Peace Moves ’89’ regional European Youth Conference in Madrid, Spain. The young people shown here were among the many talented youth who had a chance to entertain and serve at the conference.
Cameroon[edit]
During “Youth Week” last February at the Higher Teachers Training College in Yaounde, Cameroon, the Bahá’í University Club held a round-table conference on “The Role of Youth in a World in Search of Peace.”
This is the second year in which the Bahá’í Club has sponsored such a conference as a public forum for consultation on an issue related to youth. Last year’s theme was “African Youth Facing the Challenges of Modern Society.”
This year’s speakers included Dr. Ekema Agbaw, lecturer at the University of Yaounde; Dr. Boyomo Assala, sub-director of the Ministry of Information and Culture; Dr. Peter Agvor Tabi, director of the Institute of International Relations; and Dr. Dion Ngute, deputy general manager of the National Center for Administration and Magistracy.
Besides helping to develop relations with these and other prominent members of the community and educating the public about this important issue, the conference resulted in the publication of two newspaper articles.
Bahá’ís in 61 communities in Cameroon are holding regular children’s classes. As a result, 714 children have been registered as Bahá’ís with the National Education Committee.
Singapore[edit]
Representatives of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia met June 17-18 in Singapore to consult on Chinese teaching in that area.
Also taking part were Counsellors Rose Ong and Shantha Sundram as well as representatives of the International Chinese Teaching Committee and the Continental Pioneer Committee for Asia.
A message from the meeting read in part: “Now is the time to intensify and unify our efforts. We are resolved to unleash a new spiritual energy in our region.”
Macau/China[edit]
At Riḍván the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum represented the Universal House of Justice at the first National Bahá’í Convention in Macau. Following that historic event she made a special trip to mainland China where she visited a number of cities including Beijing; Ulan Bator, capital of the People’s Republic of Mongolia; Shanghai, and Dalian.
While in Beijing, the Hand of the Cause showed slides of her “Green Light Expedition” to South America to 27 prominent Chinese guests.
In Ulan Bator, she gave lectures about her travels and about world peace to students of English at a university. She later remarked that “Mongolians are a singularly fine, very impressive, talented and upright, distinguished people.”
On May 22 Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum traveled to Shanghai where she stayed for five nights, dining in the home of the dean of the Department of Foreign Languages at a prominent university and attending a concert that included a performance by one of China’s better-known vocalists. Afterward the Hand of the Cause met the singer, whom she was happy to see again during another part of her journey.
She was in Beijing on June 4 when a student demonstration for democracy created considerable turbulence in the area. Continuing on to Dalian, she again presented slides of the “Green Light Expedition” and met with a number of prominent people from the area before returning on June 14 to Macau via Hong Kong.
The Hand of the Cause met with the National Spiritual Assemblies of both countries to discuss the teaching work there.
The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum visits primary school students at the School of the Nations during her visit to Macau last May. Children from 19 countries attend the school.
Members of a Bahá’í teaching team in Macau enroll a new believer during intensive teaching efforts last May. The team was composed of a local Bahá’í, a pioneer to Macau, and a traveling
teacher from Malaysia. A second local
resident (right) surveys the scene with
interest.
Republic of Ireland[edit]
On March 24-27, more than 65 young people from the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, other European countries and the Bahá’í World Centre attended the first All-Ireland Youth Spring School in Closkelt, Northern Ireland.
In anticipation of the establishment of the European Bahá’í Youth Council, and stirred by the new vision enkindled by a growing European identity, the youth enthusiastically considered the role of their generation in the unfolding Plan of God, and many pledged to take part in summer teaching projects.
The spirit of the occasion was raised by the presence of representatives from the Continental Board of Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Republic of Ireland.
St. Vincent/Grenadines[edit]
Songs and prayers were among the highlights of a “Teen Teacher” training institute held last July 22-23 at the Bahá’í National Center in St. Vincent.
Twelve junior youth attended the institute, which was designed to prepare them to teach Bahá’í children’s classes. Half of those attending have volunteered to help start children’s classes in their communities.
India[edit]
A recent teaching campaign in O’velly, Tamil Nadu, India, has led to the enrollment of 400 new believers in that area. Meanwhile, in Karaikal, further teaching and consolidation has resulted in the enrollment of 237 new believers.
The National Spiritual Assembly of India sent representatives to two gatherings in New Delhi that were held to observe World Environment Day.
The first, held June 3 at the CSIR Science Centre, was organized by the Indian Institute of Environmental Studies and was chaired by Pram Kirpal, former secretary of the Ministry of Education and present chairman of the executive board of UNESCO. The Bahá’í representative was Mrs. Rashmi Dhindsa.
The other observance, held June 5 at the India National Centre, was planned by the United Nations Office in Delhi and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.
The Bahá’í representative at this meeting, whose topic was deforestation, was Ali Merchant who presented an outline of Bahá’í-sponsored afforestation projects at the Rabbani School in Gwalior and the New Era Development Institute in Panchgani.
After the meeting, several journalists approached Mr. Merchant for information about the Bahá’í projects for inclusion in their articles.
Despite hot and humid weather, the Bahá’í House of Worship in Bahapur, India, drew more than 200,000 visitors in June. During weekends the number of visitors ranged from 10,000 to 15,000 a day.
An officer in the Indian Peace Keeping Force serving in Sri Lanka learned about the Faith while working with some United Nations officials. During his visit to the Temple he said, “For a man who is always living under gunfire, this breeze of peace, although experienced for a few moments only, has touched my heart. I have to go back, but now I must find out what this new Teacher has brought for an ailing humanity.”
He carried back with him a Bahá’í prayer book and a copy of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era.
United Kingdom[edit]
This photograph appeared in a local newspaper following a clean-up project last May along a main road on the edge of Londonderry by young Bahá’ís from all over Northern Ireland. The youth later received a letter of thanks from the city’s mayor.
Members of the Bahá’í community of Northern Ireland were instrumental in forming a local chapter of “Men of the Trees,” an international society for the planting and protection of trees that was founded by a Bahá’í, Richard St. Barbe Baker.
The Northern Ireland branch of the society took an immediate decision to offer to plant trees on school properties and follow up with classroom visits.
Alaska[edit]
Carol Krein, a Bahá’í from Anchorage, Alaska, was honored recently for her work with the Anchorage School District as “Carol Krein Day” was celebrated at Elmendorf Air Force Base where she began an enrichment program for school children last year.
The program, which consisted of a series of Saturday morning mini-courses which she organized for students from three schools on the base once every nine weeks, was so successful that 250 children chose to take part.
Ms. Krein has been recognized for her volunteer work on many fronts. For example, she won a trip to Washington, D.C., for her work as Volunteer State Coordinator of the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project which involves enlisting school districts and teachers to develop leadership training and energy conservation programs for students.
While in Washington she received further recognition for her work as volunteer coordinator of NEED when Alaska won an award as the “Most Improved Program” in energy conservation education due largely to her efforts.
Western Caroline Islands[edit]
After several unsuccessful attempts to air Bahá’í video tapes on local television, Bahá’ís in the Western Caroline Islands finally obtained permission to show “Mona with the Children.” Since it was broadcast, four more Bahá’í-sponsored programs have been shown, all of which have received favorable response from the public.
Guyana[edit]
Dr. Abdul-Missagh Ghadirian visited Guyana in April as part of a seven-country tour of Central and South America he undertook in cooperation with the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas.
Dr. Ghadirian, a professor at McGill University and senior psychiatrist at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Canada, is a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, author of the book In Search of Nirvana and a consultant to the Bahá’í International Community at the United Nations.
In Guyana, his itinerary was planned by Bahá’ís appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly with help from the National Coordinating Council on Drug Education, which is the government’s appointed agency concerned with all issues relating to the prevention of drug abuse.
Dr. Ghadirian visited with Prime Minister Hamilton Green; the Guyanese Minister of Health, Dr. Noel Blackman; and Chief Medical Officer Dr. W. Gobin, all of whom expressed their appreciation for Bahá’í efforts in the field of medicine and drug abuse.
From April 7-11, Dr. Ghadirian presented six lectures on topics that included “Drugs and the Mind,” “Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Children and Teen-Agers,” and “Stress and Substances Abuse Among Professionals.”
His visit was covered by the press, and a 30-minute interview was broadcast on the national radio station.
Dr. Abdul Missagh Ghadirian (left), a Bahá’í from Canada, pays a courtesy call on Suriname’s Minister of Health, Dr. H. Alimohamed, during Dr. Ghadirian’s recent seven-nation visit to share the Bahá’í teachings about substance abuse and its prevention.
Cayman Islands[edit]
Pictured are some of the Bahá’ís from Canada, the Caribbean and the United States who attended the first Bahá’í summer school in the Cayman Islands. Among the topics studied at the school, which was held June 30-July 3, were: The Majesty of the Faith, the Covenant, Living the Life, Consultation, and Marriage and Family Life.
Switzerland[edit]
A memorial exhibit in honor of Dr. Auguste Forel, a Swiss physician and social reformer who was one of the first Bahá’ís in that country, was displayed April 10-May 12 at Geneva’s Centre Médical Universitaire.
The exhibit was organized under the auspices of the University of Zurich.
Among the items displayed was a Tablet from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Dr. Forel. Another was Dr. Forel’s will, in which he affirmed his belief in the Bahá’í Faith. The explanatory notes in the display case read:
“In 1921, Auguste Forel wrote that ‘the Bahá’í Faith is the real religion for the good of mankind, and it is devoid of all dogmas, clergy and priests. It brings together all the peoples who live on this small planet Earth. I have become a Bahá’í, and I hope that this religion will endure, and be victorious. This is my highest wish.’ ”
Philippines[edit]
As a part of her recent visit to the Far East, the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum made a 33-day stop in the Philippines. Her itinerary there included interviews with the news media, meetings with government officials, lectures at universities, and five regional Bahá’í conferences.
She arrived in Manila on July 8 and spent about two weeks in the capital city discussing issues related to peace with women’s groups and university students. She also presented a talk, “Peace and Ecology,” at the World Peace Congress in Manila.
Also in the capital, she was received by the Chief Justice of the Philippines, Marcello Fernan, and the Speaker of the Senate, Jovito Salonga.
More than 1,000 believers from almost 100 localities joined the Hand of the Cause at five regional conferences held in San José, Mindoro; Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao; Cebu City, Baguio, and Manila.
In Cagayan de Oro, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum was met by the mayor and governor of the state and held a large press conference attended by 27 journalists and publishers. The meeting lasted for three hours and included an exceptionally friendly discussion of the Faith.
Ecuador[edit]
To help celebrate Naw-Rúz this year, Radio Bahá’í in Ecuador sponsored a “Marathon for Unity.” In the spirit of the ancient Inca empire, runner-messengers left the Bahá’í radio station to spread the message of unity.
Eight messengers started, each carrying copies in Quechua of a summary of “The Promise of World Peace” and a booklet in Spanish entitled “El Camino Grande de Bahá’u’lláh” (Bahá’u’lláh’s Great Path).
The runners passed through 45 communities, and in each one they were joined by more runners. By the end of the marathon the group was 200 strong.
Progress of the marathon was broadcast throughout the day on Radio Bahá’í. The program ended at 8 p.m. with a performance by eight local folk music groups.
The Raul Pavón Bahá’í School in Otavalo, Ecuador, continues to uphold its reputation for providing an excellent education. The number of students increased by 28 over the past year, bringing the total enrollment to 130. Most notable was an increase in the number of Indian students.
Jamaica[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Jamaica recently celebrated the 14th anniversary of their radio program, “Bahá’í World Unity,” which is broadcast every Thursday at 11 p.m. on Radio Jamaica.
The National Spiritual Assembly of Jamaica commended the committee that is largely responsible for this important achievement.
Zaire[edit]
Three conferences on “The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh” were held last July in Zaire to discuss the empowerment of women and their spiritual destiny.
In Fizi, nearly 5,000 people, some of whom had to walk 800 kilometers to attend, joined representatives of 174 local Spiritual Assemblies at the conference. In Mwenga, 1,600 Bahá’ís from 35 Assemblies gathered, while in Bukavu the conference was covered by four radio and newspaper reporters and attended by dignitaries including the mayor, the regional secretary for women’s affairs, and other high-ranking local government officials.
The conferences were organized by Counsellors Beatrice Azare, Edith Senoga, Lally Warren and Hizzaya Hissani. Other topics covered besides the Mission of Bahá’u’lláh included the Riḍván message from the Universal House of Justice, the Covenant, the Administrative Order, the equality of men and women, youth and service, and the Arc Fund.
Italy[edit]
About 600 young people from 20 countries gathered last July 13-17 at the European Bahá’í Youth Conference in San Marino, Italy.
Among those attending were Counsellor Sohrab Youssefian and members of the National Spiritual Assemblies and Auxiliary Boards from Italy and the United Kingdom. Especially appreciated was the participation of 43 young Bahá’ís from Turkey.
The conference was co-sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Culture in San Marino in collaboration with the State Tourist Bureau and was officially opened by the Minister of Education and Culture. Another special guest speaker was the Minister of Transport and Communications, Tourism and Sports. The opening ceremony was carried on San Marino state television.
Six newspaper articles were published in San Marino’s most popular newspaper before and during the conference, augmenting the 7,700 invitations sent to heads of families residing in the Republic. Also, a number of copies of the peace statement were distributed during a joyful afternoon that began with the release of 500 balloons from San Marino’s main square.
Consultation at the conference was centered on the individual’s commitment to teaching.
In the name of the late Hand of the Cause of God Ugo Giachery, the Italian youth announced the initiation of an Arc Fund Project designed to motivate participants at the conference to return home as ambassadors of the Cause in order to obtain outstanding success for the Arc Fund and to spearhead campaigns for the maturation of Bahá’í communities.
During the conference, five young people were inspired to enroll in the Faith.
Chile[edit]
A recent teaching campaign among the Mapuche Indian people of rural Chile resulted in the enrollment of 68 people in only 20 days.
Australia[edit]
Bahá’ís took part early this year in a World Assembly in Melbourne, Australia. The conference, sponsored by the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP), brought together 600 delegates and observers from 60 countries representing 10 religions to discuss peace issues from the perspective of their various cultural and religious backgrounds.
Representing the Faith were John Davidson of the Bahá’í International Community; Graham Hassall, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia; Tahana Waipouri-Voykovic from the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand and WCRP of New Zealand; Martin and Barbara Kleyne and their daughter Chantal from the WCRP of Holland; and Miguel Gil and Vafa Payman from the Multi-Faith Resource Center in Melbourne.
The World Assembly in Melbourne was the fifth such gathering held by the WCRP since its formation in the late 1960s. Its theme was “Building Peace Through Trust: The Role of Religion.”
A special prayer service for China and world peace was held June 11 at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Sydney, Australia.
Prayers were recited in English and Chinese. Of the more than 250 people who attended, about 60 were of Chinese origin.
Among the special guests were Joy Stevenson, a Counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre in Haifa; Counsellors Kamran Eshragian and Violette Haake; and Helen Sham-Ho, a member of the New South Wales legislative council.
All of the Chinese guests were given copies of the peace statement.
The service was announced in two Chinese-language newspapers, the Australian Chinese Daily and Sing Tao, resulting in at least 10 inquiries afterward.
Mrs. Ann Stark, representing the Bahá’í community of Tasmania, attended a civic reception given last May 26 by the city of Hobart, Tasmania, to welcome the newly appointed governor-general of Australia, Bill Hayden.
Venezuela[edit]
‘Play Jazz for Peace’ was the theme of a free outdoor concert/exhibit held last June 18 in Caracas, Venezuela. Chris Keller, a pianist and Bahá’í traveling teacher from the United States, brought together a group of professional musicians who performed music inspired by the concept of peace. More than 400 people attended the concert (above) held in conjunction with a peace exhibit by the Bahá’í community of Caracas. The display (below) featured photographs illustrating the peace theme as well as posters with quotations from the Sacred Writings. One hundred-seventy of those who saw the display signed a document entitled ‘My Promise for Peace’ which expresses one’s personal commitment to the process of achieving world peace.
Zimbabwe[edit]
Almost 125 children attended a conference last June 4 hosted by the Bahá’ís of Windsor Estate, Zimbabwe.
The purpose of the event was to introduce children from different areas to one another. Included on the program were stories, songs, games and a quiz.
toward achieving one of the goals of the Six Year Plan,
fostering the maturation of Bahá’í communities
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| National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States |
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