Bahá’í World/Volume 18/Five International Conferences

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[Page 138]

1. FIVE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES A PICTORIAL REPORT

DUBLIN—QUITO—LAGOS—CANBERRA—MONTREAL 1982

THE Universal House of J ustice called for five_international conferences to be held to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf and the midpoint of the Seven Year Plan (1979—1986). Originally the Asian/Australasian Conference was scheduled for Manila, but because of local conditions it could not be held there. It was, therefore, moved to Canberra.

The Hand Ofthe Cause Collis Featherstone, official representative Ofthe Universal House ofjustiee, opened the Conference held in Dublin from 25 to 27 June 1982 and challenged the friends tofind means ofawakening Europe to its spiritual purpose. ‘This must now be your constant preoccupation, the subject of your deliberations, the purpose of your lives. . .‘

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Some 1,900 Bahá’ís gathered in the premises of the prestigious Royal Dublin Society. The late Hand of the Cause George Townshend'sfather was a member of this Society and rendered it ‘a'istinguished services'. In attendance at the reception were a number ofprominem officials and leaders of thought.

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[Page 139]139

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I’ ACTIVITIES

The Dawn-breakers ofAustria sang the special Conference song composed in honour of Bahíyyih Khánum by two Irish Bahd‘t’s, Caro.line and Paul Hanrahan.

Mrs. Marion Hofman addressed the Conference on the life of the Greatest Holy Leaf.

The other prjtcipal speakers were Counsellors Agnes Ghaz avi, Betty Reed and Adib Taherzadeh.

The Hand of the Cause John Robarts beautifully delineated the spiritual dimension of'the Local Spiritual Assembly, pointing out that it is a divine institution.

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The musical events were particularly rich and varied. The duo pictured to the left are from

[Page 140]140 THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

The Hands of the Cause Collis Featherstone and John Robarts occupy front-row seats during one Ofthe sessions. Counsellor Dorothy Ferraby and Mrs. Lottie Tobias are seated behind Mr. Robarts.

Persian Bahá’í ladies display their colourful costumes. Bahá’í’s from 60 countries were represented at the gathering.

Bahd'z’youth are seen consulting during one of their committee meetings.

More than 250 Bahzi’l’ children attended. Here a group of them is seen entertaining at one of the Conference sessions. The friends at the Conference sent flowers to be placed on the graves of Shoghi E ffendi and George Townshend.

[Page 141]141

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I, ACTIVITIES

AGOSTO 6, 7 Y 8 de 1982 Quito—Ecuador

A reported 1,450 Bahá’ís from 43 countries attended the Quito Conference held from 6 t0 8 August 1982. Thirteen Counsellors and representatives from 21 Indian tribes were present when the Conference opened.

Dr. Patricia Romero B., the Prefect Of Pichincha, spoke as the Conference was inaugurated. He praised the work and ideals of the Bahá’í’s and welcomed them to Ecuador.

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The Hand Ofthe Cause Paul E. Haney read, in both Spanish and English, the message of the Universal House of Justice. His own comments were translated into Spanish by Counsellor Burafato. Srta. Maria Perugachi translated from Spanish to Quechua and also spoke on the role of women.

[Page 142]142 THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

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NOAMERICA Y EL DARIHE

Camino del Sol (Trail ofLight), consisting of two teams of North American believers of Eskimo and Indian origin from Alaska, Canada and the United States entertained the Conference with their music and traditional dances.

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oz mmummm v a mum ‘ ’ , Members of Camino del Sol visited with local

I native believers. Prior to the Conference they had travelled to ten countries of Central and South America for two months proclaiming the message and meeting indigenous and nonindigenous believers.

A handsome woven poncho was presented to Mr. Haney 0n behalfofthe Bahá’ís of Bolivia. Later, the Conference participants visited the grave of the Hand Ofthe Cause Rahmatu’lláh Muhájir who is buried near Quito and whose memory was invoked by the House of Justice in its message to the Conference.

Sr. Rufino Gualivisi, an outstanding teacher and thefirst believer of Ecuador to be appointed a member offhe Auxiliary Board, arose spontaneously and addressed the Conference. comparing its spirit ofunity to a seed which must be planted throughout the worldfor the good ofall mankind.

[Page 143]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAH ”f ACTIVITIES 143

BAHA’I

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A group ()fmusicians from Bolivia is seen entertaining. There were also groups from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Puerto Rico who presented songs, dances and sketches.

Dancers from Colombia performed the ‘Cumbé’ and a group from Ecuador's Esmeraldas Province executed a graceful ‘Costefio’ dance. Bolivians in their colourful dress, Peruvians, Mapuches of Chile, all contributed to the excitement of the panorama of the Bahá’ís Of the Americas. The public was invited to attend the festive ‘Folklore Night’.

A musical group from Chile. The Conference had a positive effect on Ecuadorian authorities, provided an opportunity for television appearances by the guests and enabled the staffs of Bahá’í radio stations to share their experiences with CIRBAL (Centro para Intercambio Radiofénico Bahz’l’l’ de América Latina).

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U 2;} 2 igl‘ H Alf; _ - . g 1 £312 2 Members of the Continental Board of Counsel .AT'NU AME” 3 CA Y £3» CAR g 355 lorsfor the Americas who attended the ConferV , . A ence are seen with the Hand of the Cause Paul Haney. The Counsellors later held a meeting of their Board at Guayaquil. A brotherly embrace

of North and South was seen to be the distinguishingfeature of this Conference.

[Page 144]144

THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

Those attending posed for the Conference photograph in front of the attractive National Arts Theatre where the C onference sessions were held.

Thursday, 19 August was registration day for the Lagos Conference which was held from 19 (0 22 August 1982. Some 1,110 Bahá’ís ram 46 countries, representing 90 ethnic groups,

were presemfor the event.

The Secretary of the State Government, M . Bashoron, read the address of'the Governor of Lagos State. He welcomed the Bahá’ís and expressed admiration for the principles of the Faith such as truthfulness, faithfulness and loyalty. Nigerian Television filmed the opening

of the Conference.

[Page 145]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 145

The Hand of the Cause John Robarls, who represented the Universal House oflustice, read its message and commented on the growth of the Faith in A frica. He later described the Conference as ‘magnificent’ and praised its ‘radiant spirit. ’ A committee of five, including Ibo, Yoruba, Iranian and American members, oversaw the Conference arrangements.

Mrs. Sabri’s stirring address was followed by a call for pioneers by the Hand of the Cause John Robarts who had been, himself, a pioneer to Africa. Mr. and Mrs. Robarts were named by Shoghi Effendi Knights of Bahá’u’lláh for Bechuanaland (now Botswana).

Counsellor Isobel Sabri spoke on the spiritual destiny of A frica, pointing out that the A fricans were dearly loved by both the Master and the beloved Guardian. Eleven Counsellors from Africa took the opportunity of meeting the 54 Auxiliary Board members who attended from 23 countries.

Many believers from A frican villages were in attendance.

[Page 146]146

The villagers brought their songs with them, to the delight ofall. Mrs. Joanie Lincoln sang and taught to the audience a moving song she composedfor the occasion, ‘La Plus Sainte Feuille’—(the Greatest Holy Leaf).

Seen on the right is another group of believers from the villages. When the relatives ofmartyrs were invited to the dais there was an A frican among them who represented his Iranian wife's recently-martyredfather. The audience rose

to its feet and spontaneously sang a prayer dedicated to the martyrs.

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THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

Among the extra-currieular activities were fireside meetings such as the one pictured here, held in the exhibition hall. An important segment of the C onference was devoted to discussion Ofthe role of women, to which impressive contributions were made by African believers.

The happiness of the Conference participants is reflected in their radiantfaces. ‘A great unity characterized the Conference, ' an observer reported. ‘It is impossible to describe in words.‘

[Page 147]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA‘I’ ACTIVITIES

‘Bahá’í Intemdtionaf Conference:

Canfierra 1982 \

1-5 September

Believers from 45 countries—2,400 in allregixteredfor the Conference, twice as many as originally expected. On opening morning the believers sent flowers to the restitzg-plaees Of the Greatest Holy Leafmzd the Hand? Ofthe Cause John and Clara Dunn and Agnes Alexander.

147

Australian Aboriginal believers pose in front of the Lakeside Hotel where the Canberra Conference was held from 2 t0 5 September I 982.

The Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery represented the Universal House of J ustice and read its message to the Conference. A fterwards. Dr. Giachery cabled the House Oflustice that this was the finest C onference he had ever attended, one that could result in ‘durable achievements all regions between poles within brief time'.

[Page 148]148 THE BAHA

It was a happy Conference that was made even more joyful by the attendance ofa large delegation of believers from Japan who came to participate in the discussion Ofthe ‘Spiritual Axis’ mentioned in the Guardian's last message to Australia.

Unprecedented publicity was given the

Conference by the media. One portion Ofthe

Conference that was televised and screened

hation-wide three times was the roll call of the nations .

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1’ WORLD

Since the Conference could not be held in Manila, the Philippine Bahá’í’s sent a scroll containing the signatures ofover 4,000 Philippine believers.

. . . illustrating the great diversity of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh.

[Page 149]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I’ ACTIVITIES 149

Music was supplied by the choir conducted by Russ Garcia.

A press interview was held with Counsellors Peter Khan, Richard Benson and Tinai Hancock. A total of fifteen Counsellors were in attendance including Anneliese Bopp Of the International Teaching Centre who spoke on the life and service of the Greatest H 01y Leaf.

A large delegation from New Zealand was present.

Man y attended~ from the Pacific Islands.

[Page 150]150 THE Bahá’í WORLD

The Hands of the Cause Collis Featherstone and Ugo Giachery, along with Counsellors Owen Battrick and Anneliese Bopp, enjoy one of the sessions.

A telephone link was established between the Canberra Conference and the one which was held concurrently in Montreal. Mr. Featherstone is seen speaking on the Canberra end of the line.

The official Conference photograph.

A fter the close of the Conference in Canberra thefriends went to Sydney to attend a programme of worship in the Mother Temple

of the Antipodes which wasfilmed by two television stations with dignity and respect. Summing up the Canberra Conference, a participant cabled that the friends were inspired by the vision of the Faith ‘radiating outwards spiritual axis’ and felt challenged as never before to carry out this task.

[Page 151]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA

CONFERENCE INTERNAHONALE

‘IhTERNATIO‘NAL CONFERENCE

Montréal

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. . . over 9,000 Baha ls who gathered in Montreal’s Velodrome. Acoustics in the huge hall presented a problem, but cassette

recordings of the talks were made available. Simultaneous translation was provided in English, French, Persian and Spanish.

9

f ACTIVITIES 151

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The M ontreal Conference was also held from 2 to 5 September 1982. Believers from 101 countries and all five continents were in attendance. Amam’l—Baha Ruhz’yyih Khánum, the official representative of the Universal House of J ustice, was piped into the auditorium by a bagpiper clad in the Sutherland tartan. She read the message of the House of J ustice t0

The distinguished guests includedfour other Hands of the Cause: Gen. flzu‘d‘u’llah ‘Ald’l’, Mr. D_hikru’lla’h lflza’dem, Mr. John Robarts and Dr. ‘Alf—Muhammad Varqd. A skybarmer reading ‘Bienvenue aux Bahá’ís du monde’, flown by Daoud Tedjarati, welcomed the believers to the Conference site.

[Page 152]152 THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

A poignant part of the programme was the recital ofrzames of'those Bahá’ís in irdn who have been martyred. Memberx Of the families of the martyrs were asked to stand.

Dr. Bahíyyih Nak_hjavdnispoke 0n thesignificance Of the hfe and services of Bahíyyih lflldmlm, the Greatest Holy Leaf, to whose memory the series of C 0n ferences was dedicated.

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An unforgettable moment occurred on the afternoon ofSLmday, 5 September, when 1,200 children came from their own Conference across the Plaza t0 the Velodrome where they performed their Conference theme song, ‘We are Bahá’ís'.

The children's chorus was under the direction

ofJack Lenz, a Canadian composer and musician. Mr. Lenz trained and directed a Bahá’í choir and rehearsed and conducted a 25—piece orchestra for the Saturday evening concert.

[Page 153]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I, ACTIVITIES 153

Amatu’l—Bahd Rzihiyyih Ifl’tdnum gave a special talk to the children.

A huge area was set aside for the display

and sale of Bahti'z’ literature, teaching aids and other special materials. This was the largest display ever mounted with 40 suppliers participating and close to 200,000 items on vzew.

The evening sessions were enriched by contributions from Bahá’ís in the performing arts, including singer Nancy Ward J ohnson, pictured here. Other artists included Nancy Ackerman, Gordie Munro, Suzanne Hebert, the Do’a Group, Kiu Haghighi, Lucie Dubé and Jacques Prouls, Doug Cameron and Bruce Gibson, Jeff White, Marg Atkinson Raynor, Steve Porter and Susan Aldridge.

The ballet group 'Shayda' performed a ballet inspired by the recent martyrdoms in irdn and a dramatic presentation was made by a team of actors, under the direction of Betty Martin, of excerpts from the work of the Canadian poet, Roger White.

[Page 154]154

The members of the ‘Trail of Light’ team who

had completed a highly successful tour of various Latin countries before attending the Quito Conference appeared in Montreal and were greeted by Amatu 'I-Bahd Ruht’yyih [Quinlan

Some participants in the satellite conference held in Nairobi, Kenya; 15—17 October 1982.

THE BAHA

’1’ WORLD

The Hand of the Cause J ohn Robarts raised the call for pioneers. More than 300 responded and subsequent! y met with representatives of pioneering committees. The total attendance at all five C onferences was 16,000. The spirit generated by these vast gatherings stimulated and galvanized to greater action thousands more in a number ()fsatellite C onfererzces held throughout the world.

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Numerous conferences of a similar nature, dedicated to the memory of the Greatest Holy Leaf, were held throughout the world.

[Page 155]

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A representative sampling from Canadian newspapers of references to the International Bahd'z’ Conference held in Montreal fr.0m I to 5 September 1982. Four major Montreal newspapers alone printed sixteen articles. In addition, two nattonal televzsum networks earned reports and there were many references on radio.

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[Page 156]2. MESSAGES OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE TO THE FIVE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

A. TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN DUBLIN REPUBLHZOFIRELAND

25—27 June I 982

To the Friends gathered at the International

Conference in Dublin Dearly-loved Friends.

The world is in travail and its agitation waxeth day by day. Such shall be its plight that to disclose it now would not be meet and seemly. The shattering blows dealt to the old, divisive system of the planet and the constantly accelerating decline in civilized life since that dire warning was uttered by Bahá’u’lláh a hundred years ago, have brought mankind to its present appalling condition. Consideration of how the Bahá’ís of Europe, confronted by this situation, can meet their responsibilities, spiritually and actively, is the main purpose of this Conference.

The holding of this Conference in Dublin calls to mind the historic and heroic services of Ireland in spreading the divine religion throughout pagan Europe. Europe’s response was to develop, through many vicissitudes, the most widespread and effective civilization known. That civilization, together with all other systems in the world, is now being rolled up, and Europe’s plight in proportion to her former pre-eminence, is desperate indeed. By the same token her opportunity is correspondingly great. The challenges to her resilience, to her deep-seated spiritual vitality, nourished over the centuries by the Teachings of Christ —now, alas, neglected and even contemnedcan and must call forth a more magnificent response than was ever made by the divided and contending peoples of olden times. Yours is the task to arouse that response. The power of Bahá’u’lláh is with you and this Day, as attested by the Báb, is immensely exalted . . . above the days of the Apostles of old.

In this great Day Europe is blessed as never before in its history, for the Manifestation of

God, the Lord of Hosts, spent five years of His exiles within its borders, sending forth. from His remote prison the first of those challenging, world-shaking addresses to the kings and rulers, six of whom were European potentates. There is no authenticated record of a Manifestation of God ever before setting foot in Europe.

You are engaged on a Seven Year Plan and have made devoted and sacrificial efforts to attain its objectives. But its ultimate purpose, as that of all other plans, namely the attracting of the masses of mankind to the all-embracing shelter of the Cause of God, still evades us. Particularly in Europe. We have .not, as yet, found the secret of setting aglow the hearts of great numbers of Europeans with the divine fire. This must now be your constant preoccupation, the subject of your deliberations at this Conference, the purpose of your lives, to which you will attain only ifyou arise to Irample beneath your feet every earthly desire . . . We call upon every Bahá’í in Europe to ponder this vital matter in his inmost soul, to consider what each may do to attract greater power to his efforts, to radiate more brilliantly and irresistibly the joyous, regenerating power of the Cause, so that the Bahá’í community in every country of Europe may stand out as a beacon light repelling the dark shadows of godlessness and moral degradation now threatening to obliterate the last remnants of a dying order. We call upon the Continental Board of Consellors to consult following this Conference with every National Spiritual Assembly in Europe, and together, launch such a campaign of spiritualization of the Bahá’í community, allied with intensified personal teaching, as has never been witnessed in your continent. The

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[Page 157]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I’ ACTIVITIES

goals of the Seven Year Plan can all be accomplished as the result of such a programme and the European Bahá’í community may achieve through it the spiritual force and character to demonstrate to a stricken and declining civilization the peace and joy and order of the 10ng~awaited, Christ-promised Kingdom of God on earth.

157

May the loving spirit and saintly life of the Greatest Holy Leaf, the fiftieth anniversary of whose ascension is commemorated in this Conference, imbue your thoughts and aspirations and resolves with that dedicated, self-sacrificing, utter devotion to Bahá’u’lláh and His Cause which she so greatly exemplified.

B. TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN QUITO, ECUADOR

6—8 August 1982

To the followers of Bahá’u’lláh gathered at the International Conference in Quito, Ecuador

Beloved Friends,

We hail with joyous hearts and eager anticipation the soldiers of Bahá’u’lláh’s Army Of Light gathered together in Quito, the capital city of the Republic of Ecuador, to do honour and homage to the blessed memory of Bahi’yyih 19.2mm, the Greatest Holy Leaf, the most outstanding heroine of the Bahá’í Dispensation, the fiftieth anniversary of whose ascension was so recently commemorated throughout the world.

Conscious of the beloved Master’s plea to promulgate the oneness of mankind to a spiritually impoverished humanity, inspired by the memory of the Hand of the Cause Dr. Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir whose mortal remains are interred in the soil of Quito, and deriving spiritual stimulus from the Mother Temple for Latin America, the friends are reminded of the galvanizing words of our beloved Guardian addressed to ‘. . . the eager, the warm—hearted, the spiritually minded and staunch members of these Latin American Bahá’í communities . . .’: ‘Let them ponder the honor which the Author of the Revelation Himself has chosen to confer upon their countries, the obligations which that honor automatically brings in its wake, the opportunities if offers, the power it releases for the removal of all obstacles, however formidable, which may be encountered in their path, and

,

the promise of guidance it implies . . .

Praiseworthy indeed are the achievements thus far made by the communities of South and Central America and the islands of the Caribbean in the first half of the Seven Year Plan. Full advantage should be taken of the current high tide of proclamation engendered by the crisis in fran to attract to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh earnest and seeking souls from every stratum of society, thereby enriching the spiritual and material diversity of our communities. Great effort should be made to utilize more fully the valuable possibilities of radio and television as a means of reaching the vast multitudes whose hearts and minds offer fertile soil for the planting of the seeds of the Faith. All elements of the Bahá’í community, particularly the women and youth, should arise as one soul to shoulder the responsibilities laid upon them. All outstanding goals of the Seven Year Plan should be pursued with enthusiasm and assurance of their accomplishment.

All National Spiritual Assemblies during the remaining fast-fleeting years of this radiant century, in collaboration with the Institutions of the Faith standing ready and eager to assist them, must greatly reinforce the foundations of maturing National and Local Spiritual Assemblies to enable them to cope successfully with the multifarious and challenging problems that will confront them.

At a moment in Bahá’í history when the persecuted, beleaguered friends in the Cradle.

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of the Faith heroically continue to face the trials ordained for them in the Major Plan of God, meeting martyrdom, as need be, with joyous acceptance, it behooves the friends throughout the Bahá’í world to endeavour by their own greatly increased acts of self-abnegation to make fruitful the spiritual

THE BAHA‘I’ WORLD

energies released by the sacrifices of their stricken brethren.

May you all immerse yourselves in the spirit of the saintly life of the Greatest Holy Leaf whose self—sacrificing devotion to her beloved Father’s Cause is a worthy example for every believer to emulate.

C. TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

1 9—22 A ugust 1982

To the Friends gathered at the Bahá’í International Conference at Lagos

Dearly-loved Friends,

With hearts overflowing with love for the people of Africa, so richly endowed with the gifts of the spirit, so abundantly and repeatedly blessed since the dawn of this Revelation, and so gloriously promising in the unfoldment of their hidden potentialities. we welcome the friends gathered at this Conference held in one of the most important capitals of their emergent continent.

As we review the annals of our Faith we see that since the days‘ of the Blessed Beauty and up to the early 19505, the activities of the friends in Africa had produced the formation of one National Spiritual Assembly with its seat in Cairo, Egypt, the opening of twelve countries to the light of the Faith, and some fifty localities established throughout its vast lands. It was at such a time that the beloved Guardian ushered in the first African Teaching Plan, to be followed during the remaining years of his ministry and in subsequent years after his passing, by a series of challenging and bravely executed plans designed to implant the banner of the Faith throughout the length and breadth of that continent and its neighbouring islands..Today, after the lapse of a little over three decades, we stand in awe as we view with admiration one of the most valiant contingents of the Army of Light, guided by its own Board of Counsellors, led and administered by thirty-seven National Spiritual Assemblies and 4,990 Local Spiritual

Assemblies, privileged to serve an eager and radiant community of believers drawn from 1,152 African tribes residing in 29,000 localities.

How wonderful that it has been possible to convene this Conference on African soil with such a large number of African friends in attendance, in loving memory of the most distinguished heroine of the Bahá’í Dispensation, the eldest daughter of the King of Glory, who lived a long life of sacrificial service to the Cause of her Beloved Father. Her meekness, her unassuming nature, the purity of her soul, the sensitivity of her heart, the calmness of her demeanour, her patience and long—suffering in trials. and above all, her unshakeable faith, her tenderness and love, and the spirit of self-renunciation which she evinced throughout her blessed life, are outstanding characteristics that we can well emulate, particularly in Africa, where these heavenly qualities play such an important part in attracting the souls, and winning the hearts to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

We rejoice in the knowledge that some communities have already initiated in her name teaching and consolidation campaigns of far-reaching magnitude, that many Bahá’í women inspired by her example are accepting an ever-greater share of responsibility in running the affairs of the community, and that numerous newsletters are reflecting eulogies of the station she occupied, the sufferings she endured and the heroism she demonstrated in her love for the glorious Cause of her Lord.

[Page 159]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA‘I’ ACTIVITIES

The fortunes of the Seven Year Plan in Africa are in the balance. As we draw near to the midway point in the unfoldment of the processes it has set in motion, we call upon its valiant promoters on the African mainland and its surrounding islands, to take stock of their position, to re-appraise their progress, and to concentrate their resources on whatever portions of the goals are as yet unachieved. Chief among its objectives are a widespread recruitment of many more supporters of the Most Great Name‘ the deepening of the individual believers, for the fulfilment of all goals ultimately depends upon them, and a notable increase in the number of newly-formed as well as firmly-rooted Local Spiritual Assemblies, to serve as bases for the manifold activities of the community, including the Bahá’í education of children, a greater participation of women and youth in Bahá’í activities, and the formulation of ways and means to enrich the spiritual lives of the ‘noble’ and ‘pure-hearted' believers of a ‘fast

159

awakening continent”.

May the participants in this Conference carry to the mass of their devoted fellow believers. whose personal circumstances have made it impossible for them to attend. the spirit of joy and optimism which we hope will be generated at this gathering and the flames of enthusiasm which we pray will be enkindled in their hearts.

May the memory of the Greatest Holy Leaf. who through her life of heroic self-sacrifice has left to us ‘a legacy that time can never dim‘, inspire the friends in every country of the continent to rededicate themselves to the Cause of God, not to allow any opportunity for mentioning the Faith to slip by unutilized, and not to permit one day of their lives to pass without a noble effort to draw nearer to the good-pleasure of the Blessed Beauty.

Our fervent prayers surround you as you proceed with your deliberations.

D. TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA

2—5 September 1982

To the Friends gathered in the Asian—Australasian Bahá’í Conference in Canberra

Dearly-loved Friends,

These are momentous times. The institutions of the old world order are crumbling and in disarray. Materialism, greed, corruption and conflict are infecting the social order with a grave malaise from which it is helpless to extricate itself. With every passing day it becomes more and more .evident that no time must be lost in applying the remedy prescribed by Bahá’u’lláh, and it is to this task that Bahá’ís everywhere must bend their energies and commit their resources.

New conditions now present themselves making it easier to accomplish our purpose. Galvanized by the fires of fierce opposition and nurtured by the blood of the martyrs, the forces of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh are, at long

last. emerging from obscurity. Never before in history has the Faith been the subject of such universal attention and comment. Eminent statesmen. parliamentarians. journalists. writers, educators, commentators, clergymen and other leaders of thought have raised their voices and set their pens to expressions of horror and revulsion at the persecutions of our brethren in lran 0n the one hand. and t0 paeans of praise and admiration of the noble principles which motivate the followers of the Most Great Name on the other.

The five International Conferences of the Seven Year Plan were called to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf, to discuss anew the present condition of the Faith in a turbulent world society. to examine the great opportunities for its future growth and development

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and to focus attention on the unfulfilled goals of the Plan. We are certain that the contemplation of the gathered friends on the sterling qualities which distinguished the heroic life of the Greatest Holy Leaf will help them to persevere in their noble endeavours.

This particular Conference is unique in many ways. The geographical area of concern spans over half the globe, including within its purview all the vast continent of Asia as well as the water hemisphere which comprises all of Australasia. Within the continent of Asia is the ‘cradle of the principal religions of mankind . . . above whose horizons in modern times. the suns of two independent revelations . . . have successively arisen . . . on whose western extremity the Qiblih of the Bahá’í world has been definitely established . . .‘ The first Mashriqu’l-Adjkar Of the Bahá’í World was erected on this continent under the direction of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and now another is arising on the Indian sub-continent in the midst of the world’s largest Bahá’í community. In Australasia the Mother Temple of the Antipodes, dedicated to the Glory of God just two decades ago, looks out across the vast Pacific Ocean in whose midmost heart still another Mashriqu’l-Atihkar is being built on the mountain slope above Apia in the country of the first reigning monarch to embrace the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

The population of Asia and Australasia is well over half the world population. The area includes Asiatic USSR. and mainland China, accounting for more than one thousand million souls who are, for the most part, untouched by the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. Obviously present conditions in these areas call for the exercise of the utmost wisdom and circumspection. Yet this vast segment of humanity cannot be ignored.

Canberra, where you are now meeting, is at the southern pole of the spiritual axis referred to in the beloved Guardian’s last message to the Bahá’ís of Australia as ‘extending. from

THE Bahá’í’ WORLD

the Antipodes to the northern islands of the Pacific ocean . . Referring to the National Spiritual Assemblies at the northern and southern poles of that axis, Shoghi Effendi went on to say:

‘A responsibility, at once weighty and inescapable, must rest on the communities which occupy so privileged a position in so vast and turbulent an area of the globe. However great the distance that separates them; however much they differ in race, language, custom, and religion; however active the political forces which tend to keep them apart and foster racial and political antagonisms, the close and continued association of these communities in their common, their peculiar and paramount task of raising up and consolidating the embryonic World Order of Bahá’u’lláh in those regions of the globe is a matter of vital and urgent importance which should receive on the part of the elected representatives of their communities a most earnest and prayerful consideration.”

These guidelines, penned a quarter of a century ago, are as valid today as when they were written, and can be taken to heart by all Bahá’í communities on either side of the axis.

We are approaching the midway point of the Seven Year Plan. As we review our accomplishments with respect to the goals of that Plan, it is essential that we fortify ourselves for the tasks ahead, and that we rededicate ourselves to that Cause for which our beloved martyrs rendered their last full measure of devotion. We can do no less!

We shall be with you in spirit during your important deliberations. Our prayers ascend at the Holy Threshold for the success of your Conference and the International Conference being held concurrently in Montreal. We shall ardently supplicate that the blessings and confirmations Of Bahá’u’lláh will descend upon you and surround you wherever you go in service to His Faith.

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E. TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN MONTREAL, CANADA

2—5 September 1982

To the Friends gathered at the Bahá’í International Conference in Montreal

Dearly-loved Friends,

Seventy years ago ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited Montreal, hallowing it forever. The visit of the beloved Master to America, the laying by Him of the cornerstone of the first Mashriqu’l-Ad_hkzir Of the West and the revelation by Him five years later of the Tablets Of the Divine Plan, which invest its chief executors and their allies with spiritual primacy, constitute successive stages in the gradual disclosure of a mission whose seeds can be found in the Bab’s address to the peoples of the West. urging them to aid God’s Holy Cause. This mission was given specific direction through Bahá’u’lláh’s summons to the rulers of America, calling on them to heal the injuries of the oppressed and, with the rod of the commandments of their Lord, to bring their corrective influence to bear upon the injustices perpetrated by the tyrannical and the ungodly. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá revealed in clearer details than those given by either the Báb 0r Bahá’u’lláh the nature and scope of that glorious mission. In His eternal Tablets unveiling America’s spiritual destiny the Master wrote, . . . the continent of America is, in the eyes of the one true God, the [and wherein the splendours of His light shall be revealed, where the mysteries of His Faith shall be unveiled, where the righteous will abide and the free assemble. Therefore, every section thereof is blessed . _. . and, referring to Canada, He asserted that its future is very great, and the events connected with it infinitely glorious. Even more specifically, He expressed the hope that in the future Montreal may become so stirred, that the melody of the Kingdom may travel to all parts of the world from that Dominion and the breaths of the Holy Spirit may spreadfrom that centre to the East and the West of America.

After the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and under the guidance of the Guardian the Bahá’ís Of the world witnessed with awe and admiration the North American community arising as one man to champion the Adminis trative Order taking shape on their own soil. to embark upon the first collective teaching plan in the annals of the Faith. to lead the entire Bahá’í world in intercontinental teaching campaigns. to demonstrate with devotion their exemplary firmness in the Covenant. to extend their support and protection and relief to the oppressed followers of Baha‘u’llz’ih throughout the East and particularly in His native land, and to send forth valiant pioneers and travelling teachers to every continent of the globe. These marvellous and noble exertions, calling for the expenditure of resources almost beyond their means, paved the way for the achievement of glorious Victories which synchronized with a series of world convulsions, signs of universal commotion and travail. and with repeated crises within the Faith. And in this day. while the blood of the martyrs of Persia is once again watering the roots of the Cause of God and when the international outlook is impenetrably and ominously dark, the Bahá’ís Of North America are in the van of the embattled legions of the Cause.

Less than a score of years remain until the end of this century which the Master called the century of light, and He clearly foresaw that ere its termination an advanced stage would have been reached in the striving towards the political, racial and religious unity of the peoples of the world, unfolding new horizons in scientific accomplishments, universal undertakings and world solidarity.

The calls of the Master and the Guardian plainly summon the Bahá’ís Of the Americas to prodigies of proclamation, of teaching and of service. The American melting-pot of peoples needs the unifying power of the new Faith of God to achieve its fusion. The representative character of the Bahá’í community should therefore be reinforced through the attraction, conversion and support of an ever-growing number of new believers from the diverse elements constituting the population of that vast mainland and particularly from among Indians and Eskimos about

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whose future the Master wrote in such glowing terms. In the glorious freedom which enables you to proclaim. to teach and confirm, to educate and deepen yourselves and others in the verities of the Faith. you have precious opportunities of service denied to many of your fellow believers elsewhere. If your blessed communities are to lead the world spiritually. as the Master envisaged. then the Faith must strike deeper roots in your hearts. the spirit of its teachings must be exemplified in ever greater measure in your lives, and God’s Holy Cause must be taught and proclaimed with ever greater intensity. In His immortal Tablets addressed to the Bahá’ís of North America ‘Abdu’l-Bahá assures each one of you that whosoever arises in this day to (ltffllse the divine fragrances, the cohorts of the Kingdom of God shall confirm him . . .

You are met in this Conference to review the progress of the Seven Year Plan. to be confirmed, galvanized and sent into action. It is not enough for-the North American believers to stand at the forefront of the Bahá’í world: the scope of their exertions must be steadily widened. In the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The range of your future achievements still remains undisclosed. l fervently hope that in the near future the whole earth may be stirred and shaken by the results of your achievements . . . Exert yourselves; your mission is unspeakably glorious. Should success crown your enterprise, America will assuredly

evolve into a centre from which waves of

spiritual power will emanate . . . The valiant countries of North America should in the second half of the Seven Year Plan ensure that an ever-swelling number of pioneers and travelling teachers will arise and travel to and settle in countries which need their support, however inhospitable the local conditions may be, ceaselessly endeavouring to contribute to the expansion of the teaching work and the strengthening of the foundations of the com 'l‘HE BAHA‘I’ WORLD

munities they are called upon to assist. They should, moreover, continue their defence of the downtrodden, open their doors to their Bahá’í brethren who are seeking refuge in their lands, provide technological expertise to communities which need it, and supply an uninterrupted flow of resources to support the ever-increasing international projects of the Faith.

In their respective homefronts the Bahá’ís of North America should intensify the drive to attract the masses to God’s Holy Cause, to provide the means for their integration into the work of the Faith, and should become standard-bearers of an embryonic Bahá’í society which is destined to gradually emerge under the influence of the integrating and civilizing forces emanating from the Source Of God’s Revelation. Such noble objectives cannot be fully achieved unless and until local communities become those collective centres of unity ordained in our Writings, and every individual earnestly strives to support the structure and ensure the stability of the Administrative Edifice of the Faith.

How fitting that this Conference, and the one held for Bahá’í children on a scale unprecedented in North America, should commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of Bahfyyih Khánum, the Greatest Holy Leaf, whose love for the North American believers and whose admiration for their heroism were so deep and so sustained and whose natural fondness for children was so characteristic of Bahá’u’lláh. May each of you emulate her unswerving devotion and loyalty to the Covenant of God» and her perseverance in the path of His love. We shall mark this first day of your Conference, together with the one being held concurrently in Canberra, with prayers at the Holy Shrines that all may become assisted in service and like unto brilliant stars shine in these regions with the light of guidance.