Bahá’í World/Volume 14/International Survey of Current Bahá’í Activities

The Bahá’í World
Volume 14

II

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’l ACTIVITIES

“Call out to Zion, 0 Carmel, and announce the joyful tidings: He that was hidden from mortal eyes is come! H is alI-conquering sovereignty is manifest; His all-encompassing splendour is revealed. . . Ere long will God sail H is Ark upon thee, and will manifest the people of Baha' who have been mentioned in the Book of Names.”

RivaN 120(1963), a date well remembered. No doubt future generations will look back on those twelve days as some of the most momentous in human history. At that time, however, only a handful of people had any concept of their importance in shaping the destiny of mankind. It was the one hundredth anniversary of the Most Great Festival,1 and the Bahá’ís were beginning to assemble in London to observe the Most Great Jubilee,” while to the east in the Holy Land their elected representatives were meeting in convention3 to elect, for the first time, the members of the Universal House of Justice.

Those fate-laden days introduced a period of untold significance both to the future unfoldment of the Cause of God and to human destiny, a period which embraced the opening of the second epoch in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan and the beginning of the tenth and last part of that divinely propelled process which began six thousand years ago at the dawn of the Adamic cycle and which, as stated by Shoghi Effendi, is destined to culminate in “the stage at which the light of God’s triumphant Faith shining in all its power and glory will have sufiused and enveloped the entire planet.”

Having triumphantly concluded the beloved Guardian’s Ten Year Global Crusade, the believers were afforded a one year respite before the launching, at Ridvz’m 1964, of a new worldwide teaching plan covering a nine year period, culminating in 1973, the centenary year of the ‘ Rldvén 1863, when Bahá’u’lláh first announced His mission. 3 See page 57 of this volume for a detailed account of the

Bahá’í World Congress.

‘ See page 427 of this volume for a report of the first International Convention.

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Bahá’u’lláh: Tablet of Carmel

revelation of the Most Holy Book (Kitdb-iAqdas).

Although no specific goals were assigned, during the intervening year the rapid expansion of the Faith continued. Thirteen new National Spiritual Assemblies were formed at Riḍván 1964; 1,015 Local Spiritual Assemblies were added; and there were 4,114 more centres established throughout the world making a total of 15,186 localities where Bahá’ís resided. During that year Bahá’í literature was translated and printed in 37 additional languages, and believers from 83 new tribes enrolled under the banner of Bahá’u’lláh; and there were many other accomplishments such as the establishment of 55 new Bahá’í Schools and Institutes.

In preparing the Bahá’ís of the world for the launching of the Nine Year Plan‘ the Universal House of Justice reminded the friends that “We stand now upon the threshold of the second epoch of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan. . .” and that the Cause of God “. . . now enters a new epoch, the third of the Formative Age.” The message launching the Plan at Riḍván 1964 stated that Shoghi Effendi “clearly foresaw in the ‘tremendously long’ tenth part of the process already referred to, a series of plans to be launched by the Universal House of Justice, extending over ‘successive epochs of both the Formative and Golden Ages of the Faith.”’2

In broad outline the Nine Year Plan3 called for the settling of nearly all territories remaining unopened to the Faith; the adding of fortysix new National Spiritual Assemblies; nearly 1 Message to the Bahá’ís of the world, October 1963.

’ For full text of the message see page 102 of this volume.

‘ For an account of this Plan see “The Launching of the Nine Year Plan” beginning on page 101.

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tripling the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies; nearly quadrupling the centres where Bahá’ís reside; the building of two Bahá’í Temples; the acquisition of numerous Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, Temple sites, endowments, schools and institutes; establishing four new Publishing Trusts ; enriching the supply of Bahá’í literature in many languages and adding new translations; publication of 3. Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas; formulation of the Constitution of the Universal House of J ustice; development of the Institution of the Hands of the Cause of God, with a view to the extension into the future of its appointed functions of protection and propagation; continued collation and classification of the Bahá’í sacred Scriptures as well as the writings of Shoghi Effendi; continued efforts directed towards the emancipation of the Faith from the fetters of religious orthodoxy and its recognition as an independent religion; the preparation of a plan for the befitting development and beautification of the entire area of Bahá’í property surrounding the Holy Shrines; the extension of existing gardens on Mount Carmel; development of the relationship between the Bahá’í Community and the United Nations; the holding of Oceanic and Intercontinental Conferences; coordination of world—wide plans to commemorate in 1967—68 the Centenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s proclamation to the kings and rulers which centred around His revelation in AdIianople of the Sziriy-i—Muhik.1L

The formulation of the Teaching Plan was not the only consideration of the Universal House of Justice during the first year of its existence. It had to provide its own offices; settle its members and their families in the Holy Land; assemble a staff to assist with its work; provide for the continuation of the Pilgrimage ; define its relationship with the Hands of the Cause, both those residing in the Holy Land and those responsible for continental areas; provide for the continuing custodianship and maintenance of the Holy Places and their surrounding gardens; set up procedures for the conduct of its business and for the handling of its communications; take charge of and provide for the replenishment of the Bahá’í International Fund; consult upon such important matters as the razing of the Temple in ‘Ishqé ‘ A more detailed presentation of the launching of the Nine Year Plan appears on page 101 of this volume.

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bad,1 the completion of the Mother Temple of Europe,2 the persecutions in Morocco; and deal from day to day with the cares and concerns of a growing Bahá’í international community.

THE GUARDIANSHIP

But the major question to be resolved, and the one which only the Universal House of Justice, by virtue of the authority conferred upon it by the Pen of Bahá’u’lláh, could speak upon at this time, was that of a successor to Shoghi Effendi as Guardian of the Cause of God. On October 6, 1963 the House of Justice informed all National Spiritual Assemblies that after prayerful and careful study of the Holy Texts and after prolonged consultation the Universal House of Justice “finds that there is no way to appoint or to legislate to make it possible to appoint a second Guardian to succeed Shoghi Effendi.”3 Subsequently the brief text of the resolution of the House of Justice was elucidated in letters written to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Netherlands‘ and to an individual believer,5 citing references which had been studied by the Universal House of Justice prior to the release of its letter of October 6, 1963 and further explaining the relationship between the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice.

PURIFICATION OF THE MOST HOLY SHRINE

On November 11, 1965 the Universal House of Justice sent the following cable to the United States for publication in Bahá’í News and shared the text with National Spiritual Assemblies by letter:

ANNOUNCE BAHAI WORLD REMOVAL FROM IMMEDIATE PRECINCTS HOLY SHRINE BAHAULLAH REMAINS MIRZA DIYAULLAH YOUNGER BROTHER MIRZA MUHAMMAD ALI HIS ACCOMPLICE IN EFFORTS SUBVERT FOUNDATIONS COVENANT GOD SOON AFTER ASCENSION

1 For a detailed account see the article on the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár beginning on page 479 of this volume.

‘ ibid. page 483.

Wellspring of Guidance, page 11.

Letter dated March 9, 1965—see page 439 of this volume. 5 Letter dated May 27, 1966—see page 441 of this volume.

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BAHAULLAH STOP THIS FINAL STEP IN PROCESS PURIFICATION SACRED INTERNATIONAL ENDOWMENTS FAITH IN BAHJI FROM PAST CONTAMTNATION WAS PROVIDENTIALLY UNDERTAKEN UPON REQUEST FAMILY OLD COVENANT BREAKERS A PROCESS WHOSE INITIAL STAGE WAS FULFILLED BY ABDULBAHA WHICH GATHERED MOMENTUM EARLY YEARS BELOVED GUARDIANS MINISTRY THROUGH EVACUATION MANSION ATTAINED CLIMAX THROUGH PURIFICATION HARAMIAQDAS AND NOW CONSUMMATED THROUGH CLEANSING INNER SANCTUARY MOST HALLOWED SHRINE QIBLIH BAHAI WORLD PRESAGING EVENTUAL CONSTRUCTION BEFI'I‘I‘ING MAUSOLEUM AS ANTICIPATED BELOVED SIGN GOD ON EARTH

—Universal House of Justice

Mirzá Muhammad-‘Ali, half—brother of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, designated by Shoghi Effendi as the “archbreaker of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant,” had challenged the appointment of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the Centre of that Covenant. Following the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, Muhammad-‘Ali, his children, relatives and a few other Covenant Aerial view of Bahjz’; 1963.

(Photo by F . Csasznik, Jerusalem)

breakers continued to live in the immediate vicinity of the Sacred Tomb, having inherited some shares in the Mansion and adjacent buildings. Muhammad—‘Ali died in 1937, five years after the Guardian had succeeded in removing him from the Mansion itself and restoring it to its former beauty. Over a long period of years Shoghi Effendi was able to carry out the legal steps that eliminated most of the unsightly structures which stood near the Mansion and the Shrine, and which continued to be occupied by the Covenant-breakers.

011 September 6, 1957, shortly before his passing, Shoghi Effendi announced the “complete evacuation of the remnant of Covenant-breakers and the transfer of all their belongings from the precincts Of the Most Holy Shrine and the purification, after six long decades, of the Ḥaram-i-Aqdas from every trace of their contamination.” The removal of the remains of Mirzá Dlyé’u’llah from the inner sanctuary of the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh was final evidence of the decline of the fortunes of those who for so many years had attempted to subvert the Cause of God.

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WORLD CENTRE GOALS

At the end of the fourth year of the Nine Year Plan, the Universal House of Justice reported progress on the World Centre goals.

PUBLICATION OF A SYNOPSIS AND CODIFICATION OF THE KITA’B—I-AQDAS

Preliminary studies for the realization of this important objective have been completed and the Universal House of Justice, on the basis of a draft prepared by Shoghi Effendi in his own handwriting, is actively engaged in codification of the laws of the Most Holy Book.

In addition to the above mentioned draft by the beloved Guardian which includes the Annex to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, known as the “Questions and Answers”, there are a number of supplementary documents which must be studied in connection with the codification of the laws such as:

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh in “elaboration and elucidation of some of the laws”. “Subsidiary ordinances designed to supplement the provisions of His Most Holy Book, ’ ’ revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in some of His Tablets.

The letters and writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi in interpretation of the laws and ordinances of the Kitdb—i—Aqdas.

It may also be recalled that at the instruction of the beloved Guardian, and with his approval, the laws of personal status were codified in Egypt to serve as a legal document to be submitted to the Egyptian Government. Furthermore there are a number of compilations in Persian by Bahá’í scholars in which attempts were made to classify the laws of the Kitdb-iAqdas and collate the Writings connected with those Laws.

FORMULATION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

The Universal House of Justice has been working toward the accomplishment of this goal since the inception of the Nine Year Plan, but since its achievement is dependent upon careful study of the Texts and the instructions

of the beloved Guardian as well as upon the resolution of many important questions, it has not yet been possible to formulate the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice. A document of such fundamental importance to the Faith will require, it is anticipated, many more months of intensive study and deliberation for its realization.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSTITUTION OF THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE1 OF GOD, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE BODY OF THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE, WITH A VIEW TO THE EXTENSION INTO THE FUTURE OF ITS APPOINTED FUNCTIONS OF PROTECTION AND PROPAGATION

The passing of the Guardian and the impossibility of appointing a successor to Shoghi Effendi left the Universal House of Justice as the sole infallibly guided institution in the Faith and, ipso facto, its head. This brought about an entirely new relationship between the Universal House of Justice and the Hands of the Cause of God, a relationship which has to be progressively defined by the House of Justice itself.

The responsibility for and authority to expel Covenant-breakers had been conferred upon the Hands of the Cause in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as part of their function of protection. This responsibility became operative following the passing of Shoghi Effendi when the Hands, as Chief Stewards of Bahá’u’lláh’s embryonic World Commonwealth, had to undertake the direction of the Cause pending the election of the Universal House of J ustice. In October 1963 the Universal House of Justice confirmed that the Hands would continue to exercise this authority, fully investigating all cases involving Covenant-breaking and expelling violators from the Faith, subject to the ultimate approval of the House of J ustice itself.

In May 1963 the Hands of the Cause had decided that their Auxiliary Board members should be freed from administrative responsibilities and had requested them to decide by

1 For a further report on the Hands of the Cause see page 459 of this volume.

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Riḍván 1964 in which function they wished to serve. In view of this decision and request, the Universal House of Justice ruled in November 1963 that Auxiliary Board members would continue to be eligible for election to National Spiritual Assemblies, but that whenever one was elected he would have to choose between service on the Auxiliary Board or the Assembly.

This, therefore, was the situation when the Nine Year Plan was launched in April 1964, with the Hands of the Cause of God as its Standard Bearers.

At the end of October and in early November 1964 the Universal House of Justice consulted the Body of the Hands of the Cause of God and, after considering their views and recommendations, and studying the Sacred Texts, concluded that there is no way to appoint, or to legislate to make it possible to appoint Hands of the Cause of God.

This decision was the first major step indicating the direction which the fulfilment of the goal of the Plan must take. Clearly, the functions of protection and propagation would have to be continued in the future and the development of the Institution of the Hands would have to follow a course which would enable it to carry out its functions at the present time while facilitating the future transition.

Three steps were then taken to develop the work of the Institution of the Hands:

1. The continents of Asia and the Western Hemisphere were each divided into zones for the day-to-day work of the Hands, one or more Hands being responsible for each zone; the Hawaiian Islands were transferred from the continental area of the Western Hemisphere to that of Australasia.

2. The number of Auxiliary Board members for the propagation of the Faith was increased in each continent, raising the total number of Auxiliary Board members in Africa from eighteen to twenty-seven; in Asia from fourteen to thirty-six; in Australasia from four to nine; in Europe from eighteen to twentyseven; and in the Western Hemisphere from eighteen to thirty-six.

3. In accordance with a precedent established by the beloved Guardian, the Hands of the Cause in each continent were called upon to appoint one or more of their Auxiliary Board members to act in an executive capacity on

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behalf of and in the name of each Hand, thereby assisting him in carrying out his work.

As this goal is specified to be achieved in consultation with the Hands of the Cause, the Universal House of Justice and the Hands of the Cause are carefully reviewing all available Texts on this subject in preparation for full consultation during the gathering of the Hands which is to be held in the Holy Land following the International Convention in Riḍván 1968.

CONTINUED COLLATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE BAHA’I’ SACRED SCRIPTURES AS WELL AS THE WRITINGS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI

Ever since the Universal House of Justice has come into existence, it has been deeply conscious of the need to refer continuously to the Sacred Scriptures, as well as to the writings of Shoghi Effendi, to draw guidance and enlightenment on the manifold problems with which it is faced.

Thanks to the efforts of Shoghi Effendi and the response of the friends in Persia to his call, great strides have already been taken in the collation of the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. A special National Committee in Persia is assiduously and regularly engaged in classifying the Holy Texts in fulfilment of this goal.

The collation and indexing of the writings of Shoghi Effendi, in both English and Persian, have been the object of the closest attention of the House of Justice. Through one of its Departments continuous and uninterrupted efforts are made to make extracts and to index important passages from his communications available at the World Centre. Shoghi Effendi's published writings, quotations from his letters that have appeared in “Bahá’í News”, and various compilations made by Assemblies and individual Bahá’ís have proved of immense assistance to this work. In this connection we wish to express appreciation to the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land for their invaluable help in this field.

In most cases Shoghi Effendi preserved the letters and cables addressed to him. Now that these have been classified chronologically, it is found that a comparison of the text of his

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answers with the original questions or reports as presented to him, results in a fuller understanding and a deeper appreciation of the manifold implications of his inspired replies. In December 1967, the House of J ustice appealed, through all National Spiritual Assemblies, to all recipients of letters from Shoghi Effendi for copies of these texts.

CONTINUED EFFORTS DIRECTED TOWARDS THE EMANCIPATION OF THE FAITH FROM THE FETTERS OF

RELIGIOUS ORTHODOXY AND ITS

RECOGNITION AS AN INDEPENDENT RELIGION

To carry forward this essential objective, a number of measures have been taken in countries that have for many years been traditionally opposed to the Faith:

Persia

That National Spiritual Assembly, following instructions of the House of Justice, has taken a number of official actions to bring to the attention of the ghah, the Prime Minister, certain cabinet ministers, government officials of lower rank in the capital as well as those in the provinces, the disabilities and difficulties which have affected the lives of many of the believers in that country. On a number of occasions, discussions of these problems resulted in their removal in a limited degree.

At the United Nations a number of officials in the Human Rights Department have been briefed on conditions in Persia affecting that Bahá’í community.

An official memorandum listing some of these disabilities has been submitted by our United Nations representative to the franian delegate to the Human Rights Conference.

Morocco1

The grave problem caused by the imprisonment of a number of Bahá’ís in that country was being dealt with prior to the establishment of the Universal House of Justice in April 1963. Full responsibility for its further solution was assumed by the House of Justice, and ultimate success was achieved resulting in the complete exoneration and release of all the imprisoned

‘ For a more complete report see page 97 of this volume.

Bahá’ís. (However, it was learned in early 1968 that another Moroccan believer had been detained and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.)

Turkey

For a number of years, the Cause in that land was in the stage of obscurity. It was misunderstood as a sect of Islam and consequently banned as a matter of government policy affecting religious sects. Vigorous steps were taken to have the Faith recognized as an independent religion, as the result of which a number of Bahá’ís have been successful in obtaining a Court ruling permitting them to change the designation of their birth certificates from “Muslim” to “Bahá’í” thereby, in effect, giving official recognition to the Faith as an independent religion.

Indonesia

The National and Local Spiritual Assemblies were forbidden, under a ban which involved a number of international organizations, to conduct any administrative activities. Measures to clarify the position of the Faith and to remove all misunderstandings as to its true character were taken, both within and outside the country.

Malaysia

In Selangor Province, a bill was in process of introduction which, if adopted, would have resulted in banning the Cause in that Province, and might have had serious consequences in the rest of the country. Prompt intervention by the Bahá’ís in explaining the true character of the Faith brought about the abandonment of the government bill in Selangor. Further measures are being taken to strengthen the foundations of the Faith in order to avoid the possibility of similar activities on the part of the government in future.

FURTHER RECOGNITION OF THE F AITH

The surmounting of tests and difficulties is often followed by significant victories. During the quinquennium covered by this volume, one of the outstanding recognitions accorded the Faith was the incorporation in 1966 of the National Spiritual Assembly of Italy, a goal

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long sought by the friends in Italy and the attainment of which freed their activities from the fetters of a religious orthodoxy centred for centuries in their country. Great strides in the teaching and proclamation programmes were made, and it was possible to select Palermo as the site of the first of the Oceanic Conferences called for in the Nine Year Plan.

Another significant achievement in this period was the incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the principality of Monaco.

Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly Of Reykjavik, Iceland was an important step toward establishing a firm foundation for the election of a National Spiritual Assembly in that country during the course of the Nine Year Plan.

The incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of Finland on September 18, 1963 brought about a unique recognition entitling the Bahá’í Faith to its own religious register. This was a notable accomplishment in a country which has a state church, but also has a religious freedom law. Through this recognition the secretaries of Local and National Spiritual Assemblies were granted the authority to prepare and execute official documents required by Bahá’ís in many instances when dealing with local or federal authorities.

The United States Army also granted a special kind of recognition to the Bahá’í Faith. The Chief of Army Chaplains wrote: “. . . the Bahá’í World Faith is recognized as an independent religion by the United States Government, and therefore by the United States Army.” Bahá’í servicemen were thereafter entitled to be identified as Bahá’ís in the section of their service record describing religious preference and on their “dogtags”.

In Canada the action of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration in defining the status of Bahá’í pioneers as “representatives” of the Bahá’í “organization” in foreign lands exempted them from automatic loss of citizenship after prolonged absence from their home country.

Other incorporations and recognitions of Bahá’í Holy Days and the Bahá’í marriage certificate, too numerous to mention in this survey, were achieved during the period covered by this report and many of them are referred to elsewhere in this volume.

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THE PREPARATION OF A PLAN FOR THE BEFITTING DEVELOPMENT AND BEAUTIFICATION OF THE ENTIRE AREA OF Bahá’í PROPERTY SURROUNDING THE HOLY SHRINES

The extension of existing gardens on Mount Carmel

As those who have visited the Holy Shrines in Bahjí and on Mount Carmel well know, the Bahá’í properties in those areas are very extensive, approaching 550,000 square metres. Much less than half this total area has been developed into gardens and therefore it must be realized that any plan for the extension of the gardens and the beautification of the surroundings of the Holy Shrines might well take many years to implement.

Development at Bahjz'

From the time of the first International Bahá’í Council in 1951 attempts had been made to close the unpaved road which ran close by the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh and bisected the Bahá’í property. This was accomplished in 1968 and the road re—routed so as to permit the extension of the formal gardens to the east of the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh. A quadrant in similar design to the quadrant of the Ḥaram—i-Aqdas was laid out. Suflicient ground lies to the south and west for the development in future of the other two quadrants completing the circumference of the gardens around the Holy Shrine. Plans were made for a new entrance making for a more direct approach to the gardens from the main road. Closing the unpaved road also made it possible to erect a fence completely around the Bahá’í property, thus giving a measure of protection to the gardens.

Mt. Carmel

A distinguished Bahá’í architect was called to the Holy Land on two occasions by the Universal House of Justice to prepare a concept for the extension of the gardens above the Shrine of the Báb and the Archives Building, and in this connection a photogrammetric survey was obtained. Based upon this survey the architect prepared tentative plans for the development of the entire property and representations were made with both the Haifa Municipality and the Government of the State of Israel towards the adoption of definite plans

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Mu.

.5

Formerly used to accommodate pilgrims from the East, this building now serves as a reception centre for pilgrims from both East and West.

for the development of the area in consonance with the wishes expressed by the beloved Guardian. Beyond this, extended improvements were made, such as, the fencing of property on Mt. Carmel, including the Temple site; the development of gardens and parking lots adjacent to the Pilgrim House; the paving of the Arc and the main entrance; the building of a wall and the extension of the sidewalk along UNO Avenue adjacent to the Bahá’í gardens, and adding new soil to higher levels of the gardens where erosion had taken place. The Guardian’s plan for the floodlighting of the Archives Building was implemented, the floodlighting of the Shrine of the Báb and the Monument Gardens was extended, and all the electrical circuits in the gardens were rewired.

Holy Places and other buildings

One of the first decisions which had to be taken by the Universal House of J ustice related to providing its own offices. This was accomplished by converting to office space the former Western Pilgrim House and arranging accommodations at the Eastern Pilgrim House for both eastern and western pilgrims.

Practically all the Holy Places and other buildings underwent extensive repairs and maintenance. Included were the following projects: re-tiling the roof of the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh and re-building the portico of the Shrine; re-roofing the Pilgrim Houses in both Bahjí and Haifa; repainting the Mansion at Bahjl and the House of ‘Abbfid in ‘Akká; painting and gilding the ornamentation on the Shrines of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb and the various gates and ornaments in the gardens at Bahjí and on Mt. Carmel. The flat roof of the Shrine of the Báb was also repaired, and extensive repairs had to be made to the eastern wing of the terrace in front of the Shrine of the Bab due to the collapse of a retaining wall.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE Bahá’í COMMUNITY AND THE UNITED NATIONS

In pursuance of this objective at number of measures were taken, the most significant of which was the decision that the status of the Faith in the world had reached a level justifying

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Seated in the Conference Room is a group of Bahá’ís who toured the United Nations headquarters in April, 1965. T0 the left of the photograph is Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh, accredited representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations.

application for recognition by the United Nations of the Bahá’í International Community as a non-governmental organization with consultative status. To this end the Universal House of J ustice decided to assume the function of representing the Bahá’í International Community in its relations with the United Nations, a responsibility which had been shouldered for many years, with great distinction, by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.

The Universal House of Justice decided in 1967 that the volume and scope of the work of the Bahá’í International Community justified the appointment of a full-time observer. Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh, who had performed devoted and distinguished part-time service in that office for nearly twenty years, asked to be relieved of the heavy responsibility, and Dr. Victor de Araujo was appointed Accredited Representative. Mrs. Mottahedeh accepted appointment as Alternate Representative of the Bahá’í International Community.

A number of valuable and constructive acti vities were carried out during the 1963—68 period. In continuing its observer status as a Non-Governmental Organization, the Bahá’í International Community sent representatives to meetings open to it as well as maintaining current contact with the activities of the United Nations in New York and elsewhere. Bahá’í delegations attended the annual conferences of Non-Governmental Organizations associated with the United Nations and a delegation also attended the Observances of the Twentieth Anniversary of United Nations held in San Francisco in June 1965. At this gathering, as a token of appreciation and support of United Nations, the Bahá’í International Community presented to each delegation and to some of the officials a small, beautifully finished wooden box bearing on its cover the celestial and terrestrial globes of the world. The following message was attached:

Presented in appreciation by the Bahá’í International Community on the occasion of the Twentieth Anniversary Commemorative

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Meetings of the United Nations, San

Francisco, June, 1965.

“The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.” Bahá’u’lláh

Observances of United Nations Day and Human Rights Day were also held in many local communities throughout the Bahá’í world each year. The Bahá’í International Community continued to play an increasingly active role in promoting interest in United Nations activities.

One of the important assignments given by the Universal House of J ustice to its representative was the presentation on behalf of the Universal House of J ustice of The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to fifty-six Heads of State via their ambassadors to the United Nations. This delicate mission was carried out with great success and with but few exceptions, for reasons beyond control, all the fifty-six ambassadors received this historic document.

In late 1965 the Bahá’í International Community established its own offices in New York, renting space in a new building facing the United Nations complex to the south. The Bahá’í United Nations Committee met for the first time in the United Nations Plaza Building in December 1965.

THE HOLDING 0F OCEANIC AND INTERCONTINENTAL CONFERENCES

In October 1967, the Bahá’í world entered the third phase of the Nine Year Plan. Over nine thousand believers assembled in six simultaneously—held Intercontinental Conferences, deliberated on ways and means to proclaim the Divine Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the leaders and masses of the planet.1 Thus the third phase of the Nine Year Plan, which added “proclamation” to the scope of Bahá’í activities, was inaugurated. In keeping with the urgency of the hour, barely a month elapsed from the close of the six Intercontinental Conferences to the announcement by the Universal House of J ustice that the first Oceanic Conference would be held at Palermo, Sicily in August 1968, just prior to the commemoration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s arrival in the Holy Land. With this auspicious beginning, the world-wide community of the Most

1 For a report on the Six Intercontinental Conferences see page 221 of this volume.

Great Name launched on a global scale the long-to-be-sustained campaign to bring the Divine Message of Bahá’u’lláh to all mankind.

COORDINATION OF WORLD-WIDE PLANS TO COMMEMORATE IN 1967/68 THE CENTENARY OF Bahá’u’lláh’S PROCLAMATION TO THE KINGS AND RULERS WHICH CENTRED AROUND

HIS REVELATION OF THE S URI Y-I-M UL UK IN ADRIANOPLE

In the message sent by the Universal House of Justice at Riḍván 1965 to the Bahá’ís of the world, the preparation was called for of “. . . national and local plans for the befitting celebration of the centenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s proclamation of His Message in September/ October, 1867, to the kings and rulers of the world. . .” and all National Spiritual Assemblies were called upon to “consider now the appointment of National Proclamation Committees. . .”.1

The world-wide Bahá’í Community arose to meet this challenge. National and local plans were made and carried out at the appointed time, and in the capitals and major cities of the world as well as in smaller towns, Villages and islands public announcements of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh were made. Such events as public meetings, receptions, exhibitions, radio programmes, banquets and other activities, reported in the press in many instances, were undertaken, initiating a universal proclamation of the Cause on a scale never before attempted.

On the international stage three events took place. On the Feast of Mafiiyyat (September 26, 1967) six Hands of the Cause of God, representing the Bahá’í world, visited the site of Bahá’u’lláh’s house in Adrianople where the celebrated Stiriy-i-Muhik, the chief depository of His general messages to the kings had been revealed a hundred years before, and in long hours through day and night made ardent supplication for the confirmation of the activities of the friends in the new phase of the Nine Year Plan, and indeed of the Cause itself. At the same time the Universal House of Justice offered its prayers in the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.

From this holy and historic site these six Hands of the Cause made their ways, as the

1 For a report on proclamation activities see page 195 of this volume.

[Page 91]CURRENT Bahá’í ACTIVITIES 91

distinguished representatives of the Universal House of Justice, to the six Inter-Continental Conferences which had been called to commemorate the inception of Bahá’u’lláh’s Own proclamation of the Cause of God, to “. . .sound the ‘opening notes’ of a period of proclamation of the Cause of God. . .” and to deliberate on ways to achieve the goals of the Nine Year Plan. Each Hand bore, from the World Centre, a photograph of the Blessed Beauty to be shown to the friends attending the Conferences, which are described elsewhere.

The Universal House of Justice compiled and published a book entitled The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh1 comprising the greater part of the Stiriy—i-Muluk, Tablets to specific kings and potentates, addresses to other monarchs and rulers named in the Kitdb-i—Aqdas, and essential passages from His announcement to religious leaders and to mankind in general. Two editions of this volume were made, one limited to three hundred copies with embellished text and rich binding and the other a general edition. Copies of the limited edition were presented to Hands of the Cause and to all National Spiritual Assemblies, an adequate number being held in reserve for presentation to new National Spiritual Assemblies to be established during the Nine Year Plan. One hundred and forty copies of the special edition were designated for Heads of State.” To kings, presidents and rulers, individual letters were addressed by name and inserted in these one hundred and forty copies. The gist of these letters was to call to the attention of the rulers the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, to refer, where relevant, to Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet to his or her predecessor, to beg the recipient not to set the message lightly aside and to assure him of prayers for his welfare and that of his country. Of these one hundred and forty books, fifty-six were scheduledforpresentationthroughtheambassadors to the United Nations of the countries concerned, a task of personal interviewing discharged with conscientious devotion by the Bahá’í International Community’s accredited representative to the United Nations. Three were sent by registered post. The remainder were assigned to National Spiritual Assemblies to present by personal interview or in whatever way they could. Bahá’í delegations have been 1 The complete text of this book begins on page 1 of this

volume. See page 204 of this volume for additional report.

courteously received by kings and presidents and in some instances the name of the Cause has appeared in the press for the first time.

Many National and Local Spiritual Assemblies are using the general edition for presentation to ministers of state, religious dignitaries, state and provincial governors, mayors and other leaders of society.

PILGRIMAGE

When the Universal House of J ustice decided to use for its offices the building in Haifa which had been for so many years the Western Pilgrim House, it became necessary to find other accommodation for the western pilgrims. It was found possible, by slight alteration, to accommodate all the pilgrims from both east and west in the former Eastern Pilgrim House and its adjacent buildings. These alterations were made in time for the beginning of the pilgrimage season in November 1963. It was also decided that the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land would continue to be responsible for the pilgrimage programme.

THE INTERNATIONAL Bahá’í AUDIO-VISUAL CENTRE

On February 21, 1967 the Universal House of Justice announced to National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world the establishment of the International Bahá’í Audio-Visual Centre in Victor, outside Rochester, New York. Its functions included “creating, producing, storing, indexing, marketing and distributing audio-visual materials for the benefit of the World Centre and National Spiritual Assemblies”. It was not designed, therefore, to retail to Local Spiritual Assemblies or to individuals, but rather to act as a wholesale supplier to National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world. It was also envisaged that IBAVC would operate and be managed on a basis similar to that of the Bahá’í Publishing Trusts, i.e., would be self-supporting. Mr. William Richter was named manager.

The first assignment of the International Bahá’í Audio-Visual Centre was to arrange for audio-visual coverage of the six Intercontinental Conferences held in October 1967. The outgrowth of that assignment was the production and distribution of a slide programme

[Page 92]92 THE Bahá’í WORLD

President Zalman and Mrs. Shazar of Israel, and Mayor and Mrs. Aba Khoushy of Haifa, 0n

the occasion of their formal visit to the Shrine of the Báb and the Bahá’í gardens on M t. C armel in the spring of 1964.

entitled The Hundredth Year featuring the sights and sounds of the historic Conferences held in Kampala, Frankfurt, Panama City, New Delhi, Sydney and Chicago. The Centre also reproduced and distributed copies of the sound-slide presentation Carmel—The Mountain of God which the Audio-Visual Department of the Universal House of J ustice had prepared for showing at the Conferences

Other early projects included assistance in distributing the ColumbiaBroadcasting System television film And His Name Shall Be One to those National Assemblies which acted as hosts to the Intercontinental Conferences, and the acquisition and copyright clearance of photographs of the kings and rulers to whom Bahá’u’lláh had addressed His momentous Tablets.

Office space and other facilities for use of the Centre were generously made available by Mr. Richter on the farm owned by him in Victor. The tenant house was converted for use as an office and workshop. Photographic laboratories, a small printing shop, and other facilities were installed in the basement of the

Richter residence. Ample space is available in other out-buildings for future expansion.

The counterpart of the International Bahá’í Audio-Visual Centre was established at the WorldCentrethrough the creation of an AudioVisual Department responsible directly to the Universal House of Justice. Mr. Juan Cabén was named secretary of the Department.

RELATIONS WITH THE STATE OF ISRAEL

The State of Israel from its inception has accorded high status to the international institutions of the Faith located at the World Centre. Historically speaking, there had always been, from the time of Bahá’u’lláh Himself, high respect for the Faith and its leaders on the part of local government officials. The rights, privileges and status granted to the Bahá’ís in the time of the Mandate were continued and in some respects enlarged following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.

The first official act of the Universal House of J ustice following its election at Riḍván 1963

[Page 93]CURRENT BAHA

was to send a delegation consisting of two Hands of the Cause and two members of the House of J ustice to attend the State funeral of Israel’s second President, Izhak Ben Zvi, which was held in Jerusalem on April 23, 1963.

Israel’s third President, Zalman Shazar, accepted the invitation of the Universal House of Justice in the spring of 1964 to pay a formal visit to the Shrine of the Báb and the Bahá’í gardens on Mount Carmel. Included in the Presidential party on that occasion were Mrs. Shazar and Mayor and Mrs. Aba Khoushy of Haifa. Later a delegation composed of Hands of the Cause and members of the Universal House of J ustice returned the visit by calling on President Shazar at Beit Hanassi in Jerusalem.

The cordial relationship which exists between the World Centre and the State of Israel was further enhanced when Mark Tobey and Bernard Leach each presented a piece of their work to the new Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The Mayor of Jerusalem, who is also Director of the Museum, expressed great pleasure and gratitude for these gifts from Bahá’ís of such fame.

The change in management of the various Israel Branches of National Assemblies from the Custodians to members of the Universal House of Justice was officially accepted by the State of Israel, and in all other respects the status of the Universal House of Justice as the head of the Faith was recognized and respected.

In 1966 a stone wall and new entrance to the Bahá’í cemetery in Haifa were constructed, resulting in the beautification of this treasured visiting place of Bahá’í pilgrims where many outstanding early Bahá’ís are buried at the foot of Mount Carmel just below the cave of Elijah.

WESTERN HEMISPHERE

Two National Spiritual Assemblies were formed in the Western Hemisphere during the fiveryear period ending in 1968. Both were formed at Riḍván 1967: Belize (British Honduras) with its seat in the city of Belize, and the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands with its seat in Charlotte Amalie. The Hawaiian Islands were under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States until Riḍván 1964. At that time a new National Assembly was formed in the Hawaiian Islands

,r

I ACTIVITIES 93

and the territory was transferred to Australasia.

The twenty-six National Assemblies in the Western Hemisphere at Riḍván 1968 were:

Alaska Haiti

Argentina Honduras

Belize Jamaica

Bolivia Leeward, Windward Brazil and Virgin Islands Canada Mexico

Chile Nicaragua Colombia Panama

Costa Rica Paraguay

Cuba Peru

Dominican Republic United States of Ecuador America

El Salvador Uruguay

Guatemala Venezuela

The beginnings of mass teaching in Bolivia in the closing years of the Ten Year Crusade spread to other Latin American countries, notably Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Panama. The National Spiritual Assembly of Belize was able to win all its home-front teaching goals during the first year of its existence. By 1968, six thousand and ninety-eight Bahá’í centres had been established in the Western Hemisphere1 and one thousand one hundred and seventeen Local Spiritual Assemblies had been raised up. A total of one hundred and sixty-five American tribes and ethnic minorities were represented in the Faith and Bahá’í literature in fifty-eight American languages and dialects had been published.

The great focus of attention, however, was on Panama where, during the course of the second half of the Nine Year Plan the majestic Mashriqu’l-Adhkár conceived by architect Peter Tillotson was to be erected on Cerro Sonsonate hill just outside Panama City.

Widespread use of television for proclaiming the Faith had its beginnings in the United States with the release of the Columbia Broadcasting System’s film And His Name Shall Be One. Produced originally for use by the Columbia Broadcasting System in a series of religious programmes, the film was used extensively by the Bahá’ís throughout the world.

The California Victory Campaign launched by a Victory Committee appointed by the

1 Fignres inclede areas temperatily under the jurisdiction of National Spiritual Assemblies m the Western Hemisphere.

[Page 94]94 THE Bahá’í WORLD

Mr. Hendrik Olsen (second from the right), the first indigenous Bahá’í OfGreenland;July, 1965. To the left is Mrs. Jahanne Haeg, Auxiliary Board member, and to the right Dr. H. Ra’fat, both of Denmark.

The first Yaqui Indian to become a Bahá’í in the Sr. Martin Zamora ofEmbaracio’n, Argentina, State of Sonora, Mexico; 1966. To her right is the first believer of the Mataco tribe. Sr. Esther Krieger, Bahá’ípz'oneer. Zamora assisted in making the first translations of the Bahd’z' Writings into the Mataco

language.

[Page 95]CURRENT Bahá’í ACTIVITIES 95

National Assembly in 1965 heralded the beginnings of a new dimension in teaching in the United States. The Hand of the Cause William Sears, assisted by Auxiliary Board members Florence Mayberry and Anthony Lease, made outstanding contributions to the eight-month campaign. The goal was to double the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in the State.

An impudent and somewhat na‘ive attempt by the followers of Mason Remey to gain possession of all Bahá’í properties and funds in the United States, including the Mother Temple of the West in Wilmette, was commenced in 1964. The first intimation of this fantastic claim was a letter from a lawyer received in the summer of that year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States setting out the demands of the Covenant-breakers, suggesting that the whole matter could be settled without recourse to the courts, and proposing a date for discussion of the matter.

On November 5, 1964 the Covenant-breakers formally filed suit in the United States District Court for Northern Illinois, supporting their claims by allegingthat they were the “orthodox’ ’ Bahá’ís and that Mason Remey was the “hereditary guardian”. The National Spiritual Assembly, defendant in the case, answered this claim, stating its historic and legal right to all Bahá’í properties in the United States. The National Assembly also filed a counter—claim asking the court to restrain the Covenant-breakers from using Bahá’í names and symbols protected by United States trademark.

On March 23, 1965 the Covenant-breakers’ case was dismissed on technical grounds; they filed a further suit making the same claims and this was dismissed on March 8, 1966, leaving the National Assembly’s counter-claim out‘ standing. This was set for trial on June 1, 1966 but the Covenant-breakers failed to appear and defend. Judgement was rendered in favour of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.

As a result of this action the authority and rights of the National Assembly over the properties and funds in its care were upheld by the court, and the dwindling group of Remey followers was forbidden to use those Bahá’í names and symbols which by long use have become associated with the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and its Administrative Order.1L

1 United States Bahá’í’News, No. 431 (February 1967) p. 1.

EUROPE

No new National Spiritual Assemblies were formed on the European continent during the period 1963—1968. The fifteen European National Assemblies already established were:

Austria Luxembourg Belgium Netherlands British Isles Norway Denmark Portugal Finland Spa in France Sweden Germany Switzerland Italy

Europe was honoured by being the host to approximately seven thousand believers attending the World Congress in London at Riḍván 1963—the largest gathering of Bahá’ís ever witnessed—and in the following year (July, 1964) the eyes of the Bahá’í world were focused on Langenhain (near Frankfurt) on the occasion of the dedication of the Mother Temple of Europe.

Outstanding recognitions for the Faith were the incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly in the predominantly Roman Catholic country of Italy, as well as in Finland and Monaco. Also noteworthy was the election of a Local Spiritual Assembly on the fringes of the Arctic Circle in Reykjavik, Iceland and its incorporation.

By 1968 one thousand and eighty—two Bahá’í centres had been established in Europe1 and one hundred and eighty-two Local Spiritual Assemblies elected. A new Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Maison d ’Edition, for the publication of Bahá’í literature in the French language, was formed at Brussels by the Belgian National Assembly, thus accomplishing a major goal of the Nine Year Plan.

AFRICA

In 1963 there were four Regional National Spiritual Assemblies in the vast African continent:

Central and East Africa with its seat in Kampala

North East Africa with its seat in Addis Ababa

1 Fignres givenlinelude areas temporarily under the jurisdiction of National Spiritual Assemblies in Europe.

[Page 96]96 THE Bahá’í WORLD

North West Africa with its seat in Tunis South and West Africa with its seat in Johannesburg

At Riḍván 1964 new National Spiritual Assemblies were formed in all these regions except North East Africa. The National Spiritual Assembly of Central and East Africa was dissolved and the following new National Spiritual Assemblies established:

Kenya with its seat in Nairobi

Tanganyika and Zanzibar (Tanzania) with its seat in Dar-es-Salaam

Uganda and Central Africa with its seat in Kampala

The National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda and Central Africa had jurisdiction over the following countries:

Uganda

Burundi

Rwanda

Congo Republic (Leopoldville) Congo Republic (Brazzaville) Gabon

Central African Republic Chad

In that same year the territory of the National Spiritual Assembly of North West Africa was altered and two new National Spiritual Assemblies were formed. These National Spiritual Assemblies and the territories comprising them were as follows:

North West Africa Tunisia Algeria Morocco Mauritania Rio de Oro Spanish Sahara Ifni Madeira Canary Islands

West Africa with its seat in Monrovia Liberia Sierra Leone Guinea Gambia Senegal Portuguese Guinea Cape Verde Islands

Ivory Coast Mali Upper Volta

West Central Africa with its seat in Victoria Cameroon Republic Spanish Guinea Fernando Po Island Corisco Island 850 Tomé and Principe Islands Nigeria Niger Dahomey Togo Ghana

Also in 1964 the area of South and West Africa. was altered and two new National Regional Assemblies were formed. Their names and territories follow:

Indian Ocean with its seat in Port Louis Mauritius Chagos Archipelago Rodriguez Island Malagasy Republic Seychelles Islands Comoro Islands Reunion Island

South Central Africa withits seat in Salisbury Northern Rhodesia Malawi (Nyasaland) Southern Rhodesia Bechuanaland

South and West Africa with its seat in

Johannesburg South Africa South West Africa Zululand Angola St.Helena Basutoland Swaziland Mozambique

In 1967 an additional four new National Spiritual Assemblies were formed, making fourteen in all. The new Assemblies were as follows:

Algeria and Tunisia with its seat in Algiers

The Cameroon Republic with its seat in Victoria

Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique with its seat in Mbabane

[Page 97]CURRENT Bahá’í ACTIVITIES 97

t :.

Moroccan Bahá’íprisoners leaving Kenitra prison, December 13, 1963.

Zambia (Northern Rhodesia) with its seat in Lusaka

The seat of the National Spiritual Assembly of North West Africa was transferred from Tunis to Rabat.

By Riḍván 1968 Bahá’ís resided in six thousand three hundred and nineteen localities in the African continent1 and two thousand and sixty-six of these had formed Local Spiritual Assemblies. A total of six hundred and sixty-four tribes and minority groups were represented in the membership and Bahá’í literature had been translated and published in one hundred and thirteen African languages and dialects. Seven National Spiritual Assemblies had been incorporated—one of them, the Indian Ocean, by legislative enactment.

The spectre which hung over Africa at the time of the Most Great Jubilee observance in London was the persecution of Bahá’ís in Morocco. Beginning with the arrest of four believers in Nador on April 12, 1962 the number

1 Figures given’include areas temporarily under the jurisdiction of National Spiritual Assemblies in Africa.

of Bahá’ís imprisoned in Morocco finally reached fourteen. They were eventually arraigned on charges of ( 1) rebel] ion and disorder, (2) attacks on public security, (3) constitution of an association of criminals, (4) constitution of an association and (5) attacks on religious faith. Upon trial in December 1962, though the prosecution made no attempt to prove the charges, nine were convicted. Three were sentenced to death; five to life imprisonment; one to imprisonment for fifteen years.1

The sentences were appealed to the Supreme Court. The focus of world public opinion, favourable to the Bahá’ís, was brought to bear on the Moroccan government. Representations were made at the United Nations; a white paper on the Moroccan persecutions was prepared and widely circulated; the public press was aroused in many countries; and Bahá’í Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world appealed to King Hassan II for the release of the prisoners.

After nearly a year of patient waiting for the

1 The Bahá’! World, vol. XIII, p. 288.

[Page 98]98 THE Bahá’í WORLD

Lu» ._ -__. -.. Mr. P. I. Pukoya, first indigenous believer Of the Laccadive Islands (right); Mr. S. B. Mobedzadeh, Auxiliary Board member (centre); and Mr. A. P. Kumaran, Bahá’í pioneer (left); 1966.

Supreme Court to hear the appeals, the Universal House of Justice called “for believers throughout the world to pray at the Feast of Qawl (November 23) that early favourable action may be taken in the cases of these devoted and steadfast friends whose long suffering on behalf of our Faith has been an inspiration to Bahá’ís everywhere.”1

Shortly after the Feast of Qawl the Supreme Court heard the appeals, reversed the decision

1 Universal House of Justice, letter of October 17, 1963.

of the trial court and ordered the release of the prisoners. The men were freed on Friday, December 13, 1963 following twenty months of close confinement and one year after hearing sentences of death and imprisonment imposed on them.1L Prayers of gratitude were offered throughout the world, and letters expressing gratification for the decision of the Supreme Court were written by National Spiritual Assemblies to the King.

‘ Universal House of Justice, letter of December 18, 1963.

[Page 99]CURRENT Bahá’í ACTIVITIES 99

ASIA

At the time of the launching of the Nine Year Plan six new National Spiritual Assemblies had been raised up in Asia and in the process the Regional National Assembly of South East Asia was dissolved:

Indonesia with its seat in Djakarta and comprising Indonesia, the Mentawai Islands, Portuguese Timor and West Irian.

Korea with its seat in Seoul Philippine Islands with its seat in Manila

Thailand with its seat in Bangkok and having jurisdiction over the Bahá’ís of Laos

Vietnam with its seat in Saigon and having jurisdiction over the Bahá’ís of Cambodia

Malaysia with its seat in Kuala Lumpur and comprising Malaya, Singapore, Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak

In 1966 the National Spiritual Assembly of Brunei was established with its seat in Brunei town, and in 1967 four additional National Spiritual Assemblies were formed in Asia, raising the total to nineteen:

Eastern and Southern Arabia with its seat in Bahrayn

Laos with its seat in Vientiane

Sikkim with its seat in Gangtok

Taiwan with its seat in Taipeh

The mass teaching in India which had begun in the closing years of the Ten Year Crusade continued with thousands enrolling under the banner of Bahá’u’lláh in that country each year. Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam also experienced the results of mass teaching, making the Asian continent1 the world leader in total Bahá’í population. In 1968 there were seventeen thousand four hundred and ninetynine centres in Asia (more than half the world total) of which three thousand three hundred and seventy-three were Local Spiritual Assembly areas. A total of two hundred and twentyfive Asian tribes and minority groups were represented in the Faith, and Bahá’í literature had been translated and published in one hundred and thirty-two languages and dialects.

One of the great victories of this period was the acquisition and possession of Qihriq, the fortress on the northern border of Persia wnere the blessed Bab was once imprisoned and from

1 Fignres givenjnclude. areas temporarily unqler the jurisdiction of National Spiritual Assemblies in Asna.

whence He was taken to His martyrdom. This achievement immensely enriched the spiritual and historical endowments of the Faith.

AUSTRALASIA

At the time of the Most Great Jubilee this vast region comprised only three National Spiritual Assemblies: Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands. At Riḍván 1964 the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands, with its seat in Honolulu, was formed, and its territory was added to this region. The Regional National Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Islands was dissolved and its territory divided into two National Assembly areas:

South Pacific Ocean with its seat in Suva (Fiji) and comprising the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Nauru Island, Fiji, Western Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga and Cook Islands.

South West Pacific Ocean with its seat in Honiara (Solomon Islands) and comprising the Solomon Islands, the New Hebrides Islands, New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands.

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands was formed at Riḍván 1967 with its seat in Tarawa.

By 1968 Bahá’ís resided in five hundred and seventy-four localities in Australasia1 of which one hundred and two had formed their Local Spiritual Assembly. Sixty-one tribes and minority groups were represented among the believers of this region, and Bahá’í literature had been published in forty-eight different languages and dialects.

One of the outstanding achievements in Australasia during this period was the enactment of a new law in the Solomon Islands, as a direct result of the efforts of the Bahá’ís, which enabled them to incorporate the National Assembly and all Local Assemblies in the Solomons. The bill was presented to the legislative assembly in December 1964 where it received warm praise and support from government and non-government members alike. It received the assent of the Queen’s official representative on December 29th of that year.

I Fignres givenflnclude areas temporarily under the jurisdiction of National Spiritual Assemblies in Australasia.

[Page 100]The first Teaching Conference

Hand

of the Cause Collis Featherstone is seen on the far right.

001

amom Lynva HHL