Bahá’í World/Volume 18/Survey by Continents

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[Page 163]

IV

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I ACTIVITIES 1979—1983 1. SURVEY BY CONTINENTS

BASED ON REPORTS OF THE CONTINENTAL BOARDS OF COUNSELLORS

A. AFRICA

THE BAHA’I community of Africa embraces fifty mainland countries. plus nine major islands or island groups. At the close of the period under review there were thirtyseven National Spiritual Assemblies, plus five countries where the Faith had been banned for the time being and the National Assemblies dissolved in accord with government decrees. In Zaire, the Universal House of Justice had temporarily replaced the National Spiritual Assembly with three Administrative Committees. There were, by Ridvz’m 1983. a total of over 5,000 Local Spiritual Assemblies, and the Faith was established in approximately 28,000 localities.

During this period three new National Spiritual Assemblies were formed in Africa. In 1980 the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’í’s Of Transkei had been elected with its seat in Umtata and in 1981 the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Bophuthatswana with its seat in Mmbatho and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South West Africa/Namibia with its seat in Windhoek. It is noteworthy that the National Assemblies of Transkei and Bophuthatswana were the first National Spiritual Assemblies to be formed in the former tribal homelands of South Africa which have been declared independent nations by the government of the Republic. Two other countries had been prepared in this period for National Spiritual Assembly status: Cape Verde Islands and Gabon. The National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda was reformed in 1981 after the Faith

had been banned there for a period of nineteen months during the Amin regime.

Proclamation, Public Relations and the Media

Unquestionably, the most notable accomplishment of this historic four-year period in the history of the Faith in Africa stemmed directly from the resurgence and severity of the persecutions in Iran. In the mid-19505 the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, had linked the sufferings of the believers in Persia to the establishment of the Faith in Africa when he announced that the Mother Temple of Africa would be built in Kampala, Uganda. as a ‘worthy answer to the challenge’ of the repressions in Iran which had prevented the building of the Persian Mashriqu’l-Atflkér. Now, twenty-five years later, the heroic struggle of the Persian believers once again resulted in a major new development in the Faith in Africa through the continent-wide efforts of national communities to publicize the persecutions through press, radio and television, and through public relations programmes designed to reach Heads of State, government officials and prominent people in all walks of life, to explain the plight of the Iranian Bahá’í Community and attract support for its relief. Thus the achievement of two important goals of the Seven Year Plan was advanced to a marked degree: that of contacting people in the upper strata of society and of increasing the use of the media for proclaiming the Faith.

In Nigeria, such efforts reached officials and notables in all nineteen states of this vast,

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THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

Bushman and other participants who attended an Auxiliary Board member deepening institute held in K/mdumelapye, Botswana; July 1981.

populous country. In the Ivory Coast, twenty government ministers were contacted, and the authorities then officially condemned the persecutions. In Kenya, a special and extensive information folder on the situation in Iran was presented to the Head of State, to all Ministers and to prominent citizens, as well as to the media. In Gambia, public officials of all ranks, from the Head of State and his Ministers to thirty District Chiefs, were contacted and significant amounts of literature were distributed. In Senegal, a wider public recognition of the Faith was achieved through the extensive press coverage. In Togo, 90 per cent of the government officials down to regional level were reached, and the government recorded a favourable vote for the Faith in the United Nations Human Rights Commission. The Swaziland Bahá’í community had developed good, friendly relations with the Swazi King, Sobuza, and with his family, as well as with the authorities generally, and were also able to proclaim the Faith widely throughout the country. The believers in Malawi, Sierra

Leone and Upper Volta undertook special programmes of proclamation to public officials and through the media. Togo successfully initiated the use of book exhibitions, as did Madagascar, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. In Reunion Island, all branches of the media were very usefully contacted regarding the Iranian situation. In Sierra Leone, books were placed for sale at a bookstore, and in several countries gifts of books were made to public and academic libraries. In the Seychelles Islands, radio was very well utilized. In Uganda, Burundi, Zambia and Benin there was very fruitful contact with public officials. In Zambia, the traditional rulers were also approached and introduced to the Faith. In Zambia, Kenya and Tanzania the Bahá’í communities participated as exhibitors at national and regional agricultureand trade shows. Several Bahá’í communities had succeeded in obtaining regular weekly programmes on radio. The believers in Central African Republic, remarkably, celebrated their first complete decade of weekly Bahá’í radio broadcasts,

[Page 165]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA~I AC'I'IVI'I'IES

alternately in French and in the Sango language, and their admirable record of good public relations continued. Liberia obtained a 15-minute weekly radio programme, plus the broadcasting of Bahá’í prayers and readings morning and evening. Chad also had a weekly radio broadcast.

In the broader field of international relations. the Togo Community admirably supported United Nations events, including the special Years of the Handicapped and of Disarmament, and made use of distinguished guest speakers on these occasions. Botswana also did a fine job of supporting United Nations activities and programmes. In Kenya, where a number of United Nations agencies have their world or regional offices, there was frequent representation of the Faith at international conferences as well as very cordial exchange of speakers for United Nations Day programmes.

Teaching

The peoples of Africa have long been spiritually receptive to the Faith, and attracting individuals to the Cause has never been difficult. During the period of this report there continued to be a good, steady increase in the numbers of people entering the Faith, though the general pace of teaching slowed in some countries in contrast to the dramatic increase of earlier years. This was largely due to the requirements of consolidation and to the generally difficult social and political conditions prevailing in some areas. The number of newly-opened localities likewise increased steadily, though a pattern of lapsing Local Spiritual Assemblies emerged in areas where sizeable numbers of Assemblies had been formed in quick order.’

The work of the Continental Board of Counsellors and the Auxiliary Board members in assisting the National Spiritual Assemblies and the National Teaching Committees to develop special teaching projects, particularly in fulfilment of the goal of encouraging entry of new believers into the Faith ‘by troops”, is noteworthy. Many such projects were both creative and fruitful. Teaching across the borders between countries was found to be very useful in West Africa and was successfully carried on by the believers in Liberia, Ivory Coast and Guinea, between Upper Volta and

165

Togo, and by Senegal, Mauritania and Gambia. Also in southern Africa, there were projects which brought about co-operation amongst the friends in Zambia, Zaire and Angola.

Several countries had outstanding or unusual results in the teaching field. In Benin, there was an exhilarating surge of success in the months following the Lagos International Conference when a number of satellite conferences and international travelling teachers brought new stimulation. In Botswana, there was intensified teaching amongst the Bushmen Of the Kalahari Desert. In Kenya, several projects‘ particularly attractive to the youth, were organized and successfully carried out for entry by troops, while in Tanzania, a similar very successful project took place on the Ukererwe Islands of Lake Victoria. In Togo, the members of the Gourma tribe, which had formerly rejected both Christianity and Islam. embraced the Faith with particular responsiveness. Through several intensive teaching projects in which the youth played a vital role, the size of the Togolese community was doubled in this four—year period. Nigeria also successfully persevered in developing ‘entry by troops” activities, as did Ivory Coast where 700 new believers were recorded in one such project in the Bangolo area. Upper Volta managed to double its number of Local Spiritual Assemblies and localities and to send African travelling teachers to Mali and Ghana. while Mali, a small community, quadrupled its Local Spiritual Assemblies and localities. In Cape Verde, where the islanders are very receptive, all the islands were opened to the Faith. and the number of believers was increased several times over. Malawi had steady success in its teaching activities which were carried on by well-deepened Malawian believers. In Transkei, the pioneers and indigenous believers worked happily and successfully together in teaching teams. In both Chad and Zimbabwe, despite severe civil disturbances and necessary changes in teaching areas and patterns, good results were recorded. In both Zimbabwe and Cameroon, teaching in the cities received special emphasis. Both Zambia and Bophuthatswana concentrated heavily and with marked success on both individual and Local Spiritual Assembly extension teaching.

Many outstanding teaching conferences took

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place during this period which greatly encouraged and stimulated the believers throughout the continent. The colourful and vibrant Lagos International Conference in August of 1982, attended by the Hand of the Cause John Robarts and 1,150 believers from 46 countries and 90 ethnic groups, followed by many fine satellite conferences throughout West Africa, as well as by three in Southern Africa and one in East Africa attended by the Hand of the Cause William Sears, all brought rich results in increased teaching and were a significant turning point in the affairs of the Faith in West Africa particularly. A number of regional teaching conferences brought together believers from sizeable groups of countries. One of the most successful was held at Ouagadougou in Upper Volta, attended by 100 believers from eight countries.

The need to reach all strata and components of society brought about a greater diversification of teaching methods and projects than had ever formerly been the case. In many areas special efforts were made to reach all sectors of the community in imaginative ways: for example, the effort in Tanzania to address the members of the various professions through

4“ «é‘ - 2L _ L 1' THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

teaching activities specifically related to their mode of work.

Consolidation

The major challenge faced by the majority of the National Bahá’í communities in Africa during this period was that of successfully consolidating the many teaching victories won during both the Nine and Five Year Plans: the thousands of new believers and localities and the hundreds of Local Spiritual Assemblies to be preserved and deepened. At the commencement of the period under review, there occurred a sudden outflow from the continent of pioneers who had tenaciously held to their posts until the end of the Five Year Plan but were unable to stay longer. This loss, combined with the seemingly inevitable drop in numbers of Local Spiritual Assemblies as the communities paused for breath, plus the inexperience of many Local Spiritual Assemblies and Regional Teaching Committees, brought the consolidation needs into sharp focus. In the larger communities this was particularly the case: Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire. The goals of the Seven Year Plan reflected a strong emphasis on this vital

u ‘ .a ,-"- , ‘ w

Some of the forty-three participants who attended the first Bahá’ísummer School held in Victoria, Cameroon Republic; March 1980.

[Page 167]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY 01: CURRENT BAHA‘I’ ACTIVITIES

requirement. A truly heroic struggle commenced in which all the institutions of the Faith combined efforts in coming to grips with the urgency and scope of this problem. bringing about a significant broadening and diversification of activities including an increased focus on the use of the Creative Word of God as a deepening instrument.

During the first two phases of the Seven Year Plan there was strong emphasis in the activities of most national communities on the holding of deepening institutes and conferences as well as Summer or Winter Schools, all of which gradually became regular and successful aspects of Bahá’í community life. In the southern part of the continent an annual international Summer School which, by mutual agreement, was held in a different country each year. became an especially attractive event on the Bahá’í calendar. In Chad. deepening institutes and conferences were successfully combined with village teaching projects carried out by the Chadian believers as they travelled long distances by foot through the remote rural areas. In Upper Volta the emphasis was placed on helping Local Spiritual Assemblies to take responsibility for their own annual re-election. In Central African Republic, deepening of the individual believers and their participation in both the teaching and administration of the Faith were the objectives of special nine-day institutes; also. a twelve-lesson correspondence course was started for the assistants to the Auxiliary Board members. In Malawi as well, the emphasis was on strengthening the individual believers, including the women and youth, and conveying to them the Bahá’í way of life and service. In Zambia, special efforts were made to train the officers of the Local Spiritual Assemblies and success was achieved in raising up some very capable, devoted believers. In Swaziland, local deepening/teaching conferences for small areas accessible by foot proved useful. In Kenya, correspondence courses were started for the Local Spiritual Assemblies, and the ‘mother’ Assembly principle was applied in an effort to help the weaker Assemblies. The registration of Bahá’í births and deaths progressed quite methodically in some countries and was a project very well received by the believers in general. The establishment in Nigeria in 1982 of the West

167

Africa Centre for Bahá’í Studies was another step in the consolidation process.

In a number of countries the problem of consolidation was compounded by the disturbed civil state of the country or its economic problems; but the believers struggled perseveringly to continue the teaching activities, preserve the local communities and fulfil their goals. Uganda, Zimbabwe. Ghana, Chad, Mozambique and Zaire were amongst such countries. In other areas the activities of the Faith were temporarily suspended by government order, e.g. in Niger and Congo.

Reference should be made here to the very effective efforts made by Dr. ‘Aziz Navidi to assist the many French-speaking National Spiritual Assemblies to cope with problems related to the banning of the Faith and to difficulties in obtaining official recognition of the Cause. as well as in a variety of other legal problems‘ not to mention his attendance on behalf of the Faith at international conferences and his successful public relations activities with numerous government leaders and people prominent in public or private life.

The Hands of the Cause

The visits of the Hands of the Cause of God William Sears and John Robarts played an important part during these years in the consolidation and progress of the Faith on the African Continent. The loss, however. of the Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga. murdered in most brutal circumstances in his own home in Kampala, Uganda, with his wife and three youngest children, dealt a terrible blow to the rank and file of the believers whose love and respect he had attracted through his radiant spirit, his devotion to the Uganda Bahá’í community during its long travail, his warm sense of humour and his loving manner. Likewise. the passing of the Hand of the Cause Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir was sorely felt in Africa where he had laboured so assiduously and conscientiously in the promotion of the mass teaching work.

When he heard the shocking news of Mr. Olinga’s death, the Hand of the Cause William Sears, former pioneer in Southern Africa, promptly offered to reside and serve again in Africa, at least for a period, after having been absent from its shores for a number of years. Mr. Sears’s presence subsequently lent signifi [Page 168]168

cant support to the new Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa at the time of its formation in November, 1980, and his travels in the south served greatly to encourage and stimulate the believers in those parts of the continent. The Hand of the Cause John Robarts also travelled to visit the friends in Africa where he had formerly pioneered for many years, and was most warmly welcomed by many whom he had not seen in the long years since his return to Canada.

The Continental Board of Counsellors

The Continental Board of Counsellors for Africa, the members of the two Auxiliary Boards and their large number of assistants throughout the continent were very active partners with the National Spiritual Assemblies in virtually all aspects of the development of the Faith and the pursuit of the goals in Africa during this period. The campaign for improved standards in the teaching work which was launched by the Counsellors at the Lagos International Conference was very well received, and its prompt implementation now augurs well for the future in the sound spread of the Faith to new areas. The travels of the Counsellors and the Auxiliary Board members to many parts of the continent and their varied activities there seemed to encourage and guide the communities and to provide for both the Universal House of Justice and the International Teaching Centre a clear picture of what was transpiring everywhere. There was a heartening continuation of the close, warm collaboration between the Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assemblies which had long characterized their work together.

The Youth

The youth of the Bahá’í communities of Africa were a joy to behold in this period, especially the second generation of youngsters whose parents had been the stalwart pillars of the Cause in countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Cameroon since its inception in those areas. Many of these young people arose during the years of this review to study the teachings deeply, to spearhead the ‘entry by troops’ projects, to reach out with the Message of Bahá’u’llz’ih to their own educated generation in schools and colleges and to organize themselves for the service of the Faith.

'l‘HE Bahá’í’ WORLD

National Youth Committees became more prevalent and effective in their work; the scope of the youth activities was broadened to include conferences, school and university study classes, clubs, singing groups, social and sports activities. Likewise, the youth became an essential and vital element in the Bahá’í community as a whole.

The Women and Children

One of the most important and significant developments in the Faith in Africa during the period of this report was the greatly increased consciousness of the needs and, in some places, the solid work done in the field of Bahá’í child education. The improved production of syllabuses and lessons, the training of teachers, the running of tutorial schools and the holding of local children’s classes, though still totally inadequate to meet the needs of the large number of Bahá’í children in Africa, offers firm ground for future progress.

The initiation in Nigeria of a Bahá’í children's quarterly magazine, The Shining Stars; the holding of a children’s conference in Gambia and the efforts made for the introduction of Bahá’í religious knowledge classes in the schools there; the many children’s classes held in Chad .and the Opening of a nursery school there; the running of a Bahá’í kindergarten in the precincts Of the Mother Temple of Africa in Kampala; the opening of a number of “education centres” in Zaire; the production of lessons for children in Rwanda; the numerous children‘s activities on Reunion Island, are all examples of the types of child education programmes that had been initiated in various parts of the continent.

Parallel with the work amongst the children was the development of women’s activities, some of which related to the role of Women as mothers. The fiftieth anniversary of the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf stimulated the holding of women’s conferences dedicated to her memory, some attended by prominent non-Bahá’í’ women. In Gambia, an essay competition on the role of women was conducted in her honour and a public award ceremony held. In Liberia, a special cassette tape was prepared about her life and services. In Togo, special conferences were held on family life. In Senegal, a special deepening course for women was sponsored. With

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I ACTIVITIES 169

The first Local Spiritual Assembly of Mariental, South West Africa/Namibia, whose members are of five different tribes and speak as many languages; 14 September 1980.

the emphasis on women in the Faith, there was also a notable increase in the number of properly-conducted Bahá’í marriages in some countries. National women’s and children’s committees were appointed in many countries and have served to increase effectively the Bahá’í activity in both groups. In most countries, the number of women active in the Faith and serving on its institutions substantially increased.

Literature

Amongst the most encouraging signs of progress in Africa during this period was the more widespread and intensive translation, publication and dissemination of the Holy Writings and other literature about the Faith in the numerous vernacular languages of Africa. This literature programme was assisted through the formation of two new Bahá’í Publishing Trusts, in the Ivory Coast and Nigeria. Likewise, the legal registration of the Publishing Trust of Kenya and the re-activation of the Uganda Publishing Trust served to advance still further these objectives. The

value of cassette tapes of the Holy Writings was gradually realized, and the work of producing such material took hold as the goal was pursued. The establishment of an International Audio—Visual Distribution Centre in Ivory Coast laid a foundation for the future in that field.

Especially notable victories in the field of literature were the translation and publication of The New Garden, by Ḥushmand Fatheazam, in four of the seven vernacular languages of Zambia and the publication and dissemination of Paris Talks and Nabil’s Narrative in Swahili by the Publishing Trust of Kenya. Central African Republic, Cameroon, South Africa, Swaziland and Togo carried out particularly active programmes of translation and publication during this period.

The more regular production of national, regional, local and youth news bulletins, a number of them bilingual, served greatly to stimulate the believers, deepen them and inform them of what was planned and carried out in their own communities and abroad. This was a much needed and very beneficial development in Africa.

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Properties

The acquisition of Bahá’í properties continued to add substance and grace to the Bahá’í community. In the Ivory Coast, a new National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds was built, and in Gabon and Mauritania the first National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds were acquired. In Benin, two regional centres were obtained and in Nigeria and Mali one each. In several countries. national and district centres were renovated or enlarged, and in numerous areas local centres were erected. In Bomi Hills, Liberia, cemetery land was acquired; and in Malebo, Equatorial Guinea, a National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds site was bought. The Mother Templeof Africa in Kampala was renovated throughout, as were the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds and institute buildings nearby. In Chad, the Samandari Institute was completed and put to use. In Zambia, the temple site was developed through digging of a borehole, erection of a caretaker’s dwelling, and through levelling, clearing and planting of many trees on the land. Likewise, in Zambia, a regional centre in Mumbwa was upgraded to an institute through addition of a dormitory and kitchen.

Three subjects remain to be mentioned in this report each one of which is essential and carries with it its own special perfume.

Pioneers and Travelling Teachers

The first is the pioneers, both international and home—front, without whose dedicated, sacrificing services the progress of the Cause in Africa would be severely handicapped. There are large populous countries and Bahá’í communities in Africa, such as Zaire, Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Nigeria and Uganda, where the presence of the pioneers has long been and still is almost indispensable to the general perpetuation and welfare of the community. There are other areas as yet little open to the Faith where the pioneers have been working in almost virgin situations, such as Cape Verde Islands, the Guineas, Gabon, Somalia, Djibouti and St. Helena Island. But wherever they are and in whatever circumstances they labour their services have been vital and deeply appreciated. Similarly, the many devoted, able, experienced international and national travelling teachers who have visited the coun THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

tries of Africa have contributed another very valuable element to the activities on that vast, needy continent.

Financial Self-support

The second is the subject of the efforts made for self~support by the national communities. There was a very considerable and sacrificial struggle in many countries to win this goal. Considerable solid success has attended this effort, which has been generously and substantially supported by the international pioneers everywhere but which has also been lovingly and touchingly the object of the concern and pride of the African believers too: as example, the simple. village woman in Kenya who insisted on paying for the cablegram to President Khomeini appealing against the martyrdom of the Iranian believers.

Numerous countries were able to achieve self—sufficiency in regard to their administrative expenses, while a number of other countries achieved virtually total financial independence in all of their activities. The Nigeria community not only became self—supporting but, astoundingly, paid all of the heavy expense of holding the Lagos International Conference as well. Many other countries greatly reduced their dependence on the international funds of the Faith. And all without exception became more deeply conscious of the need to strive in that direction.

The Holy Land

And finally, mention must be made here of the developing role of the Holy Land in the spiritual life of the Bahá’í community of Africa. A gradual stream of African believers had begun to arrive as pilgrims at the World Centre of the Faith in ‘Akká and Haifa, and a number of communities rejoiced and benefited in this period to receive their radiant returning pilgrims. Likewise, the International Convention of 1983 witnessed a far larger contingent of African delegates than ever before, with some of the communities sending all nine members of their National Spiritual Assemblies. Some of the first African women pilgrims and delegates arrived in the Holy Land in this period and returned to Africa to convey in their quiet way a new sense of the sacredness of the Faith and its Holy Places, 3 deep consciousness of the urgency of its affairs and

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its teaching work, and a feeling of love of and devotion to the Universal House of Justice which will long serve to strengthen the ties

which bind the Bahá’í world together and link it to its spiritual heart.

B. THE AMERICAS

The area comprising the Americas includes North‘ Central and South America, Bermuda. the Bahamas and the islands of the Caribbean.

At the close of the period under review there were thirty—eight National Spiritual Assemblies, more than 6,000 Local Spiritual Assemblies, and the Faith was established in more than 25,000 localities. Fortunately, this part of the Bahá’í world community still enjoys relative freedom to propagate the Faith.

Nevertheless, political unrest in Central and parts of South America hindered the progress of the Faith somewhat. In Nicaragua, some Bahá’ís left the country, many more were timid about attending meetings of any kind, and some of the pioneers had to leave. Bahá’í communities in the extensive Department of Zelaya were lost because the believers, most of them Indians, had been driven out. In spite of these difficulties, the morale of the Bahá’ís, and in particular, the National Spiritual Assembly and National Teaching Committee, has remained high; and starting in 1983, new expansion projects were initiated which are attracting new believers, especially youth, and resulting in new Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Travelling teachers were not often allowed to visit the believers in Argentina. Frequent disruptions in communications also affected the transmission of news and information within the Bahá’í community. The believers in Bolivia had to withstand such strong opposition from local fanatical elements, both political and religious, that appeals had to be made to the civil courts.

Disregarding the tests and difficulties, most of the believers have remained firm in the Faith and stand ready to respond to the great receptivity that obtains amidst the confusion and clamour.

During the period under review, five new National Spiritual Assemblies were formed in the Americas. At Riḍván 1981, three new National Assemblies came into being: Bermuda

with its seat in Hamilton, the Leeward Islands with its seat in St. John‘s Antigua and the Windward Islands with its seat in Kingstown, St. Vincent. Riḍván 1983 saw the establishment of the National Spiritual Assembly of Dominica with its seat in Roseau and of St. Lucia with its seat in Castries.

Proclamation

As the year 1979 reached its midway point, the outbreak of persecutions in Tran powerfully galvanized the believers throughout the hemisphere as never before. The wide publicity accruing to the Faith in the wake of these tragic events raised proclamation to a height never before attained in the history of the Cause. Unprecedented results were obtained by many national communities when they appealed to their governments. For example, the Canadian Parliament passed a unanimous resolution condemning the increasing persecution of the Bahá’í community of Tran. Following this action, the National Spiritual Assembly successfully negotiated, with a very sympathetic Department of Immigration, the granting of refugee status to hundreds of bona fide Bahá’ís stranded outside Train, and the process continues.

The intensification of the cruel hardships imposed upon the Bahá’í’s in the cradle of the Faith and the sharp increase in the number of those martyred, drove the believers in the West to the depths of agony and, at the same time, made them more determined than ever to proclaim the Faith through all forms of mass communication media. The press in many places was extremely sympathetic and generous, often commenting on the noninflammatory character of our releases, their accuracy and human appeal. Memorial programmes for those martyred brought national and local press and television coverage. One such programme for the seven martyrs of Yazd held in the United States at the Temple in Wilmette, supported by hundreds of simul [Page 172]172

taneous programmes throughout the country, was covered by national and local television and generated a flood of publicity.

In the United States on 25 May 1982. the Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US. House of Representatives heard the testimony of six witnesses concerning the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran. A two-hour videotape of this Congressional hearing was shown widely throughout the country generating further publicity.

A rabbi in Norfolk, Virginia, was moved by the persecutions to host a memorial programme in the synagogue and he made the book A Cry from the Heart, written by the Hand of the Cause William Sears, the centrepiece of a large mailing to his colleagues throughout the country. Bahá’í youth clubs distributed 3,500 copies of Mr. Sears’s book on more than 280 college campuses.

In addition to numerous resolutions being passed in both Houses of the United States Congress, a record number of speeches recorded in the Congressional Record, and forceful editorials in almost all of the major newspapers in the country, public recognition reached new heights when President Reagan issued a statement strongly protesting the killing of Bahá’ís, calling upon the Iranian authorities to spare the lives of those who had been condemned to death, and inviting other world leaders to join him in appealing, on behalf of the Bahá’ís, to the government of Iran.

In Panama, wide publicity about the persecutions Of Bahá’ís in Iran caused people in remote rural communities to enquire about the Faith.

Hundreds of copies of the book, A Call to the Nations, were presented to the higher levels of society in the French Antilles and the “White Paper on Iran’ was sent to mayors, government officials, the Prefect and DeputyPrefect.

Numerous government officials throughout the Americas experienced indignation upon hearing of the cruelties meted out to the Bahá’ís and gave sympathetic attention to the appeals on their behalf. Some sent cables to the government of Iran, others paved the way for widespread media coverage of local Bahá’í activities. This was especially notable in Belize

THE BAHA‘I’ WORLD

and Costa Rica.

There can be no doubt that the attacks on the Bahá’í’s in Iran, unparalleled in viciousness and intensity since the early days of the Cause, opened the door to an unprecedented public recognition of the Faith and contributed to its gradual emergence from obscurity.

Another kind of proclamation activity aroused indigenous believers to a new level of participation. In 1981 the project called Camino Del 501 0r ‘Trail of Light‘ was launched through collaborative efforts of the Continental Board of Counsellors and several National Spiritual Assemblies in the Americas. Indigenous believers from North America travelled through Central and South America in a programme of cultural exchange which included participation in the Intercontinental Conference in Quito, Ecuador, and in the Continental Indigenous Council on the Blood Reserve in Canada, and which culminated in a presentation of traditional songs and dances by the indigenous people attending the Intercontinental Conference in Montreal, Canada.

It is estimated that Close to 10,000 people became aware of the Faith through this project. In Guatemala, those showing intense interest and support around San Juan Chameloo, Alta Verapaz, included government officials, educators and students. The diversity of the Visiting group clearly demonstrated the principle of the oneness of mankind and that, in itself, appealed to the population wherever they travelled. In Honduras, the team visited the Paya and Jicaque tribes and rekindled their eagerness to let the Faith illumine their lives.

Nor was that all. Other aspects of the teaching work quickened as well. Many projects were dedicated to the martyrs and t0 deceased Hands of the Cause.

Efforts have been made to align proclamation activities more Closely with expansion and consolidation. In Nicafagua, several well planned and executed public meetings were held at the Intercontinental Hotel and were attended by leading citizens. Unsolicited press notices arising from such meetings have opened new doors.

Another kind of public recognition came to the Faith in Panama when the National Spiritual Assembly successfully petitioned the government to issue a stamp to commemorate

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Is Open to MAI ’, . So are Our Teachings:

The Unity of Mankind The Equality of Men and Women.

Establishment of World Peace Harmony of Science 8; Religion

0

O

O Elimination of All Prejudice o

o

O Divine Source of All Religions

It’s time for a change

Bus posters, such as this one used in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.,

invited the

public to investigate the teachings of the Balui'!’ Faith.

the tenth anniversary, in April 1982, of the formal dedication of the Mother Temple of Latin America.

Expansion and Consolidation

Perhaps one of the best signs of the growing maturity of the Bahá’í community is that expansion and consolidation activities are being integrated. The Colombian Bahá’í community achieved a high degree of success in this respect. For sixteen months, some twentytwo teams engaged in regular visits to communities to help in organizing Nineteen Day Feasts, children’s classes, youth meetings, and discussions of family life as well as aiding in the enrolment of new believers. This organic approach brought 12,000 new believers into communities ready to absorb them into Bahá’í activities.

Based on this experience, another programme evolved which holds promise for even more effective integration of the expansionconsolidation process. Under this programme a group of five to ten teachers visit a community for five to ten days. In the mornings, the teachers engage in deepening and spiritual enrichment for themselves. In the afternoon, they visit families and attempt to converse with each member. Each one is invited to join the Faith. In the evenings, meetings are held with the entire community. By Riḍván 1983, seven to eight communities had been touched by the expansion—consolidation campaign. The results were exhilarating indeed. The number of Bahá’ís in each community, including children, had more or less tripled. A number of youth had arisen to participate in deepening classes, and the Local Spiritual Assemblies

had developed a new vision of their function. The campaigns were also serving the purpose of raising new teachers and confirming them in the service of the Cause. Parallel to these activities, the Ruhi Institute was strengthened during this period and its field of service expanded. The nine courses pertaining to the first level of studies at the Institute programme were gradually taken to other parts of the country through extension courses, each lasting about two weeks. Finally, the courses were established as a tutorial programme serving not only Colombia but other Latin American countries. An increasing number of teachers from the Ruhi Institute began courses in villages and neighbourhoods of the cities on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, thus bringing the benefits of a very effective deepening course to a larger and larger number of youth.

Further development of the Ruhi Institute courses took place when in 1982 a pilot programme for the training of teachers for Bahá’í pre-school centres was established. This proved very successful and by Riḍván of 1983 Bahá’í kindergartens were functioning in seven villages in the region near Cali. These pre-school centres have proved to be important factors in the functioning of the Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Honduras has also benefited from teaching campaigns that carry out expansion-consolidation activities simultaneously. Through a series of annual projects, entitled ‘Operations’ and carrying such names as ‘Daybreak’ and ‘Badf", the Bahá’í population was more than tripled and the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies substantially increased. These projects utilized a permanent nucleus of some

[Page 174]174 THE Bahá’í’ WORLD

five experienced and capable Bahá’ís with the help, in different sections of the country, of local pioneers and teachers. The core team stayed in each area approximately a week, publicly proclaiming the Faith and teaching all sectors of the population. The area most receptive was that of the so—called ‘Caribs’, 0r ‘Garifunas’—a mixture of the original Indian population of the Caribbean and black Africans, who live along the north coast of Honduras. Some of their villages now are from fifty to ninety per cent Bahá’í.

Another important indicator of increasing Bahá’í maturity is that indigenous peoples are taking more initiative in shouldering the responsibility for propagating and administering the affairs of the Faith. This trend is noted particularly in Alaska, Bolivia, Argentina, Canada, the United States and in some of the Caribbean Islands.

Institutes and Native Councils are favourite structures for indigenous activity. In July 1980, the Native American Council held in Wilmette brought together fifty tribes under the dome of the holiest Mashriqu’l-Aflka’r. This activity, the fruit of collaboration of the Bahá’í communities of Alaska, Canada and

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llll

the United States, was visually spectacular, spiritually dynamic, procedurally unique and a source of inspiration to all who experienced it. The movement of these believers through these countries released a spiritual impulse whose ramifications are incalculable.

In Canada, Native Councils have become an important element in the encouragement of believers of Indian and Inuit heritage to freely consult about the expansion and consolidation of the Faith among their own groups and provided the milieu within which they could, themselves. assume responsibilities for the progress of the Cause of God. Similarly, ‘Council’ consultations have also been an effective arena in which the French-speaking believers could air their views and become inspired to further promote the work of the Faith.

Alaska’s institute structure accommodates weekend activities. Five-day youth institutes were held yearly in June and December. Teaching in the local area was an integral part of this experience.

The Guaymis of Panama have arisen to become the executors of a plan to develop a cultural centre which will involve a Bahá’í

Antonio Cruz Of Veracruz, Mexico, first Bahá’í Of the Totonaco tribe in that city (wearing lraditional dress).

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,

i ACTIVITIES 175

Participants in the second continental indigenous council photographed on the steps of the House

of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois, USA. The gathering; held in July 1980, was attended by the

Hand of the Cause D_hikru’lláh lghddem; several Counsellors; members of the National Spiritual

Assemblies of Alaska, Canada and the United States; and by representatives of more than fifty

tribes indigenous to the Americas, Mr. Amoz Gibson is seen seated in the centre of the front row with Mrs. Mary Gibson.

educational programme directed towards moving the entire population under the shadow and protection of the Faith.

The convocation Of the first Native Council in Panama which provided an unfettered sounding board for the Guaymis at the time of the visit of the first ‘Trail of Light’ contingent represented a tremendous step forward in the development of the consultative process in the Indian way. The impact was tremendous and helped instil in these believers new pride in their indigenous origins and the desire to recapture and preserve their heritage as they move forward and become effective contributors t0 the establishment of a future worldwide civilization, the crowning point of this Revelation.

Bush Negro believers in Surinam are likewise assuming responsibility for the spread of the Faith. A Regional Teaching Committee composed entirely of Bush Negro believers is now functioning actively. Frequent teaching trips to villages along the river, are organized. For transportation, the teaching teams use a small river boat which was built by the Bush

Negro friends and which is powered by an outboard motor purchased with money from the national Bahá’í Fund. One district Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds is in use along this river, and more local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds are in the planning stage.

The spiritual receptivity of the Bush Negroes is evidenced by comments heard in some villages where travelling teachers have taken the Faith more recently. These dear people gently asked why the Faith had been taken first to villages further up the river. They had heard the wonderful news, were anxious to receive the Faith, and did not wish to be ‘bypassed’ by the Bahá’í teachers.

Yet another sign of the growing maturity of Bahá’í communities is that the number attaining financial self—sufficiency has increased during this period and others are earnestly striving to achieve this goal. A closely related goal is that local and district Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds be acquired and carefully maintained. That number, too, is growing.

Efforts to serve mankind may be seen in the development Oftut01ial schools and educational

[Page 176]176

centres. Bolivia has made notable progress in this direction. These centres will offer the Bahá’í Teachings, literacy classes for children and adults, and practical courses such as sanitation, agriculture and the like.

The ability of Local Spiritual Assemblies to hold their own elections, without outside assistance, attests to their growing maturity. In order to prepare remote villages to hold their own elections each Riḍván, an “election” tape was made by the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska and certain villages were chosen to receive it. Some were able to elect their own Assemblies at Riḍván 1983.

In this maturing process, a most welcome trend is the steady increase in the number of Bahá’í Summer and Winter Schools and the gradual improvement in the quality of the courses being offered.

Youth

Galvanized by the martyrdom of some of their peers in Iran, thousands of youth have come forward, offering their services in all

A poster advertising a dance created

and performed by Ballet Shayda of

Canada in memory of the martyred Bahá’í’s Of irdn.

’I‘HE BAHA’I’ WORLD

aspects of the teaching work including proclamation, expansion and consolidation.

There has been an upsurge of international collaboration at the border area between Surinam and Guyana. This led to a highly successful first International Youth Camp held in Nw. Nickerie, Surinam, in March 1983, which was attended by 130 believers from Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana. Plans are under way to make this an annual event.

In Trinidad and Tobago, two active regional youth committees have gradually involved the Bahá’í youth of the country in village teaching. deepening meetings, proclamation activities, and the teaching of childrens’ classes, leading up to a successful National Bahá’í Youth Conference. At the University of the West Indies, interest in the Faith has increased, and several staff members and students have enrolled.

The number of regional Youth and National Conferences called for in the Seven Year Plan has been surpassed many times throughout the region.

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SEVEN BAHAISEXECUTED FOR THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

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The martyrdoms of seven Bahd'z’s Of

Yazd in September 1980 inspired a

local Bahá’í community in the United States to produce this poster.

[Page 177]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAH/i‘l’ ACTIVITIES

A Continental Youth Conference held in Kansas City in July 1982 was graced by the participation of Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih fliénum.

Youth have done an outstanding job proclaiming the Faith on their college campuses. They have organized youth and high school clubs, participated in service projects, and developed ‘buddy‘ systems for pre—youth.

The Hands of the Cause

The irretrievable loss of five Hands of the Cause during the first phase of the Plan made us all more keenly aware of the inestimable value of the services of the Chief Stewards of our Faith. The remaining Hands of the Cause solaced us in our grief and continued to extend their loving services, nurturing and inspiring Bahá’í communities in all parts of the world.

One of the most significant events to occur in Canada during 1982 was the extended visit of Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rfihi’yyih Ifiiénum. In addition to the major role that this beloved Hand carried out as representative of the Universal House of Justice at the International Conference in Montreal, intensive visits within Canada were undertaken to such widely scattered communities as: Halifax, Sydney, and Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; Summerside, Prince Edward Island; Montreal and the Magdalen Islands, Quebec; Toronto and Port Hope‘ Ontan'o; and Whitehorse and Carcross, Yukon.

Her deep love for the native people of North America was reflected in visits to many Indian reserves including: Blood Reserve, Alberta (where a major Native Council took place); Carcross Band Reserve, Yukon; Fountain Band and Thunder Bird Band Reserves in British Columbia; Peigan Reserve, Alberta; Dreamers Rock at Whitefish Bay Reserve. Manitoulin Island, Ontario; Lennox Island Reserve, Prince Edward Island; and Eskasoni Reserve, Nova Scotia.

Believers in some of Canada’s geographically remote communities, which all too seldom receive travelling teachers. will be forever grateful for her loving consideration in visiting: St. John’s and Grand Falls, Newfoundland; Happy Valley, Labrador. and Frobisher Bay, Baffin Island. Even Canada‘s overseas north 177

ern goals were included with especially significant visits to Nuuk. Greenland, and Reykjavik. Iceland.

Bahá’í communities throughout Central and South America as well as the Island communities in the Caribbean have also enjoyed the bounty of visits from the Hands of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Igtz’mum, John Robarts, ‘Ali-Muhammad Varqa, D_hjkru’llah Khádem and Paul Haney. Mr. Haney represented the Universal House of Justice at the Intercontinental Conference in Quito, Ecuador.

Touching, indeed. was the constant assistance of the Hand of the Cause William Sears to the US. Bahá’í Community in rallying the friends to provide the resources to launch the first North American Bahá’í radio station, WLGI, located at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute in Hemingway. South Carolina. The inaugural broadcast is expected to be made in 1984.

Continental Board of Counsellors

Alaskans rejoiced at the appointment to the Continental Board of Counsellors of Lauretta King, a Tlingit and first Native Counsellor in North America.

The Bahá’í community of Panama was honoured in January 1981 by receiving all sixteen members of the Continental Board of Counsellors for its historic first plenary meeting following the consolidation of three Boards into one. The meeting was further enhanced by the presence of the Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rfihfyyih Khánum and Mr. Hooper Dunbar Of the International Teaching Centre. Since that time there has been a steady stream of Counsellors through the Americas nurturing, encouraging and stimulating the friends.

The changes in the institution of the Continental Boards of Counsellors which placed the United States community within the sphere of influence of the Board for all the Americas were to register their immediate positive effects when, in August 1981, ten members of the newly constituted sixteen-member Board of Counsellors came together with members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States for the inaugural consultations of these two institutions. They were joined, for part of the time, by several members of the

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National Spiritual Assembly of Canada. The Counsellors, through their own travels, do all they can to keep the vision of the Faith before the friends.

The effective work of Auxiliary Board members and their assistants with the committees and agencies of National Spiritual Assemblies has been responsible in large measure for the achievement of local community goals. For example, in Falcon State, Venezuela, such close collaboration of the Regional Teaching Committee with Auxiliary Board members, native Bahá’í teachers and pioneers yielded excellent results. The number of Local Spiritual Assemblies grew from five to eight, then nine and twelve. A number of teaching campaigns were held in the State. In Mene de

THE Bahá’í’ WORLD

ww

Of Chucutto, Puno, Peru; 1981.

Mauroa, a six-consecutive-weekend campaign was held and the Bahá’í population reached 228 believers in that town. Previously, a weekend proclamation activity was held in the local theatre with good attendance. Afterwards, a children’s conference was successfully carried out, and well-organized consolidation activities have begun with the new believers of Mene de Mauroa.

The Counsellors have effectively championed spiritual enrichment for Bahá’í communities. Moreover, through their Auxiliary Boards more consistent emphasis has been placed on individuals using the Creative Word to transform their characters. This matter has also been placed in the forefront of courses at Bahá’í schools, conferences and institutes.

C. ASIA

In his message to the Bahá’í worldgdated October 1953, the beloved Guardian referred to the continent of Asia as ‘. . . the cradle of the principal religions of mankind; the home of so many of the oldest and mightiest civilizations which have flourished on this planet; the crossways of so many kindreds and races; the battleground of so many peoples and nations; above whose horizons. in modern

times, the suns of two independent revelations—the promise and consummation of a six-thousand-year-old religious cycle—have successively arisen; where the Authors of both of these revelations suffered banishment and died; within whose confines the Centre of a divinely-appointed Covenant was born, endured a forty-year incarceration and passed away; on whose western extremity the Qiblih

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f ACTIVITIES 179

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA

‘Children of Bahd’, a Bahá’í children’s cho’ir, performing during a meeting in observance of the United Nations Human Rights Day, Ungwrsiry 'of Southern California, 9 December 1979. The singers wear shirts bearing the legenaE‘One planet, one people—please.'

‘The Chosen Highway’, a Bahá’íyouth choir ofNew Era High School, Panchgani, Maharashtra, India. In June 1982 the members visited ten cities giving fifty-two performances before audiences totalling more than 16,000 listeners.

[Page 180]180 THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

of the Bahá’í world has been definitely established; in whose heart the city proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh as the “Mother of the World" is enshrined; within whose borders another city regarded as “the cynosure of an adoring world” and the scene of the greatest and most glorious revelation the world has witnessed is embosomed; on whose soil so many saints, heroes and martyrs, associated with both of these revelations, have lived, struggled and died . . .’

This vast continent is now the scene of unparalleled expansion of the Faith and prodigious receptivity to the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. Asia, the world’s largest continent, with more than half of the world’s population, is also proud of having more than half of the Bahá’í population of the world. Of the 25,121 Local Spiritual Assemblies in the world, 13,174 are in Asia; and, of a total of 113,111 localities where Bahá’ís reside, Asia alone has 55,273.

Among the innumerable important achievements which have been recorded during the period under review, the following may be cited as particularly outstanding: the development of innovative measures for the Bahá’í education of children and of specialized educational curricula for tribes; increased participation of women in all Bahá’í activities; exemplary dedication of Bahá’í youth to teaching the Faith and to active participation in projects relating to economic and social development; and the largest increase in the number of Chinese embracing the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in any period.

The friends in the Arabian countries of Western Asia and in Afghanistan are restricted in their activities. They are, however, a shining example of fortitude and of adherence to the Bahá’í way of life. On many occasions they have generously contributed towards the achievement of goals in international fields.

The events in Train, the sacrifices of the friends in that cradle of the Faith, the martyrdom of so many holy and steadfast souls have been and continue to be a source of inspiration, a vitalizing force and an assurance of confirmation to all those who arise to teach and serve the Cause. A detailed report on the persecutions appears elsewhere in this volume of the international record.

Indonesia is another country where organ ized Bahá’í activities are banned and some of the friends who taught the Faith on an individual basis are now in prison.

In India, the Faith has spread among people of all shades and castes, women and children, the young and the old, the privileged and disadvantaged. The first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár for the whole of the Asian continent is being built in India. The phrase ‘Unto our Lord, are we building the Temple” is heard on all lips.

Almost every day a conference, deepening class or a Summer or Winter school is held in some part of India. Here are found the largest Bahá’í tribal communities.

The Bahá’í Academy of India, established and developed through close co-operation between the National Spiritual Assembly and the Continental Board of Counsellors, promises to be an outstanding institution for the higher study of the Teachings.

Among the most exciting developments that are taking place in India is the establishment of educational institutions all over the country, including tutorial schools, primary schools and colleges. Notable among these are the New Era School, the Rabbani School, the Institute of Rural Technology and the Rural Development Programme. Unquestionably these institutions are invested with potentiality for becoming powerful instruments for the expansion and consolidation of the Faith in India.

Realizing that the status of women in India is very low, partly because of their lack of education and skills to become gainfully selfemployed, a rural Women’s Vocational Training Institute was established in Indore where Bahá’í women from nearby villages are trained in simple skills such as soap—making, candlemaking and chalk-making to name but three.

Bangladesh has successfully achieyed all its goals. Women’s activities there are of high quality and play a significant role in Bahá’í community life. Co-ordinated by the National Bahá’í Women’s Committee, deepening classes and conferences are organized for both Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í women. The youth also are very active and have their own newsletter.

The historic achievement of obtaining official recognition of the Faith by the authorities is among the outstanding accomplishments of the Bahá’ís of Pakistan. Some of the other noteworthy achievements of this community

[Page 181]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I’ ACTIVITIES 181

are the sustained and collective efforts to mobilize Bahá’í youth in the service of their Faith, the holding of successful Summer and Winter Schools. and the unprecedented increase in the number of teaching conferences.

Activities in Burma, 3 country which has one of the oldest Bahá’í communities in the world. have been for a long time and still continue to be subject to strict control by the authorities. These restrictions are general and not specifically directed against the activities of Bahá’ís. However, the efforts of the friends to promote cordial relations with people in authority, and their attempt to explain to them the principles of the Faith and the loyalty of the friends to their government, paved the way for the implementation of some teaching and 'consolidation projects leading to a remarkable increase in such activities and the revitalization of the community in general.

The prestige of the Tadong Bahá’í School is largely responsible for the continued growth of the Faith not only in Sikkim but in other Himalayan States including Darjeeling and Kalimpong. The government officials in these areas are friends of the Faith and attend Bahá’í annual functions by hundreds. The authorities are co-operative in all respects.

These Himalayan States have populations of various religious backgrounds and the Tadong School has Tibetan, Lepcha, Bhutia and Indian students. A number of Bahá’í tutorial schools have been established. The women in these Himalayan States often take a leading part in general Bahá’í activities and in projects relating to social development.

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Nepal was re-established in 1982. Cordial relations exist with officials and dignitaries. The Cause of God is progressing smoothly and satisfactorily.

The Bahá’í community of Sri Lanka has come through many difficult times and has survived tests and trials as well as hardship resulting from the political disturbances that have afflicted this beautiful island.

In terms of systematic expansion and consolidation, the period 1979—1983 may be considered one of the most productive in the history of the Faith in Thailand. The continued development and maturity of the National Spiritual Assembly has been a notable feature of the progress of the Faith in this country. An outstanding accomplishment has been the acceptance of the Faith by hundreds of Indochinese in the refugee camps and the

Some Bahá’ís Of the Dang tribe, Gujarat, India; 1982.

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establishment of a strong Local Spiritual Assembly in Phanat Nikhom Refugee Camp in north-east Thailand. Another significant development was the handing over to the National Spiritual Assembly of Thailand of a multi-purpose educational complex, called the Santitham Vithayakam School, established by Mrs. Shirin Fozdar. Situated in the Province of Yasothon with approximately sixty Local Spiritual Assemblies in close proximity, this complex has the potential to serve as the centre of socio-economic development projects.

During the period under review the most significant development in Laos was the programme of recovering Local Spiritual Assemblies lost previously due to political disturbances. Through the concerted efforts of the National Teaching Committee and dedicated individuals. the National Assembly was able to recover twenty Local Assemblies during the second phase of the Seven Year Plan. In spite of restrictions on travelling within the country the community of the Most Great Name organized well-attended, live-in teaching conferences in Vientiane. The good relations, mutual trust and respect maintained by the National Assembly with the authorities in Laos is one of the most meritorious achievements of the Bahá’ís i that country.

The Bahá’í community of Malaysia has continued to progress. There are two disparate communities in East and West Malaysia and each has different aspects of development.

East Malaysia has a large rural community with hundreds of localities. Many of the villages have good Bahá’í communities which hold Assembly meetings, Nineteen Day Feasts, children’s classes and women’s activities. Women are the mainstay of community activities. They organized several women’s conferences and, together with the youth, are doing communal farming. East Malaysia is exemplary in the holding of large numbers of regional teaching conferences, youth conferences, women’s conferences, children’s classes and teachers’ conferences.

In West Malaysia, as a result of government re-zoning, the number of Local Assemblies has been altered. The believers in the cities, towns and estates have all-Bahá’í activities for community and individual development. Conferences and courses for youth, as well as classes for women and children, are held all

THE BAHA‘I’ WORLD

over the Peninsula. The Faith gained better recognition when the community was invited to send representatives to participate in a prayer session for peace and unity held on Armed Forces’ Day. Bahá’í marriages have legal recognition and numerous Bahá’í Assistant Registrars have been appointed by the government to conduct marriages. In East Malaysia, also, native believers who are not covered by this marriage law seek to marry according to Bahá’í procedure.

Malaysian Bahá’ís, acting on the instructions of the National Spiritual Assembly. have undertaken a new project to donate blood during the Muslim month of Fasting during which Muslims are not available as blood donors. Bahá’í communities all over Malaysia have been quite successful and their activities have been accorded good publicity.

Bahá’í correspondence courses are issued in four languages with lessons geared to meet the needs of beginners, advanced students, Local Assembly members and children. Summer and Winter Schools are held in different parts of the country, and recently Summer Schools conducted in Tamil and Chinese have been held regularly.

The continued mobilization of Bahá’í youth for participation in expansion and consolidation; the successful conferences and Summer and Winter Schools which have been held; the increasing participation of women in Bahá’í activities; the satisfactory increase in the use of the press, radio and television for the proclamation of the Faith; and the translation and publication of literature in local languages are among the noteworthy achievements of the Bahá’ís of Korea.

The small dynamic community of Singapore has recently bought its own new National Centre. Singapore has sent travelling teachers to the Philippines, Thailand, Burma and India. Its contributions to the Bahá’í Funds, international and national, are very liberal.

In spite of the fact that some of the pioneers had to leave the Philippines, this community resolved to carry on resolutely to win the goals of the Plan and increase the members‘ knowledge Of the Teachings. They have established successful tutorial schools under most difficult conditions and have established for themselves an excellent reputation'with the authorities. This latter point is illustrated by the fact that

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183

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Some Bahá’í women who participated in a meeting celebrating the establishment of the Faith in Burma; Spring 1983.

the Bahá’ís Of Baguio City were invited by the city government to participate in its campaign against drug addiction because it recognized that Bahá’ís are positive in their approach to their fellow men and can thus effectively promote unity. As part of this campaign the Bahá’ís will visit more than one hundred villages or barangays where they will work mostly with youth.

The valiant community of Japan has done excellent work in the teaching and administrative fields, has been successful in increasing the number of believers and has prepared for the formation of several new Local Spiritual Assemblies. The friends there have, in an organized manner, brought to the attention of members of parliament and government officials the situation of the Bahá’ís in Tran.

The prospects are bright for the progress of the Faith in Taiwan. There is a great deal of Bahá’í activity, increases in the numbers of

D. AUSTRALASIA AND

The period from Riḍván 1979 to Riḍván 1983 has been one of consolidation with some expansion in the very widespread and difficultof-access Australasian area. The community in most island countries has settled back on a more solid foundation whilst at the grass roots level there is greater strength and many of the

believers are anticipated, and plans have been laid for a country-wide teaching project. Further, the Publishing Trust is gaining in strength and has produced two beautiful new prayer books in Chinese, one a regular prayer book attractively printed and bound, and a second, designed for Children, with Chinese and English texts. Relations between the Bahá’í community and the authorities are very cordial. Two members of the Taipei community are employed by the English-language radio station, one as manager and the other as newscaster.

The Bahá’ís Of the world gaze expectantly at Asia whose peoples have shown such marked receptivity to the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and where, when the true nature of the Bahá’í Revelation is understood and its followers are free to promulgate its life-giving, spiritual principles, great benefits will result.

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

Local Spiritual Assemblies have grown in maturity. Difficult tests'have been experienced in most areas as the communities evolved and gained new strength. Increasingly women are taking their place in the affairs of the Faith and youth are preparing for their new responsibilities. There prevails an increased recog [Page 184]a

1’ WORLD

184 THE BAHA

Some participants who attended the regional teaching conference held in Auckland, New Zealand; June 1981.

The Local Spiritual Assembly of Albury, New South Wales, Australia; 1979. The establishment Ofthis. the one hundredth Spiritual Assembly of Australia, represented completion of the goals of the Five Year Plan for that country.

[Page 185]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAH/yl/ ACTIVITIES

nition that by living the life and working in accord with Bahá’í principles we shall better prepare ourselves for the next stage in the development of the Faith. With a new spirit pervading the community——a spirit released through the sufferings of our brothers and sisters in Iran—we witness results in teaching amongst Aboriginal peoples, joint projects between National Assemblies, circulation of travelling teachers and pioneers, and a greater use of radio and television. As the Faith has emerged from relative obscurity, the National Assemblies. especially in countries where the Faith has been long established, have acquired a new confidence in their approach to the authofities which has resulted in strengthening the prestige of the Faith. In the continental perspective, the collaboration between the Board of Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies has developed progressively, whilst the Bahá’í International Community has continued to cement relations With the South Pacific Commission.

The Australasian continental zone was increased in November 1980 by the addition of four Central Pacific island countries—the Caroline Islands, Hawaiian Islands, Marshall Islands and the Mariana Islands—all with existing National Spiritual Assemblies. The new total of fourteen National Assemblies was increased by one with the formation

' during Riḍván 1981 of the National Spiritual Assembly of Tuvalu, a small, newly-emerged independent State of only 7,357 people living within the island group and an estimated 1,700 living elsewhere. The community has grown impressively. The expansion in Tuvalu has been matched by that in only three other Pacific island areas: Vanuatu saw mass entry on the island of Tanna, and Tonga and the Mariana Islands have enjoyed steady expansion.

Most other island communities were unable to maintain and consolidate the unusual successes of the Five Year Plan. Efforts at consolidation were either insufficient or hampered by the difficulties of travel. Sometimes circumstances beyond the control of pioneers made it impossible for them to remain at their posts. Thus the indigenous Polynesian. Melanesian and Micronesian believers have had to shoulder increasingly responsibilities that previously were carried out by the pioneers. There has been a heartening effort by

185

these fine believers to improve the quality of their Bahá’í lives and to assume initiative in teaching and administrative activities.

The French areas of New Caledonia and Loyalty Islands, as well as French Polynesia, suffered many setbacks as did the Caroline Islands and Fiji. Even Kiribati, which during the Five Year Plan achieved resounding successes, fell back considerably. But in all these areas determined efforts are being made to improve the situation.

During the entire period the sufferings of the dear‘ courageous friends in Iran have been constantly in the thoughts and prayers of the believers. Through the efforts of the National Spiritual Assemblies these persecutions have been brought to the attention of the authorities. In Australia and Fiji this led to resolutions being passed in their parliaments. Media coverage has increased in all places. Proclamation and the establishment of cordial relations with officials and leaders of thought has continued throughout the zone. As usual. Hawaii has met with particular success in activities of this kind and has initiated imaginative measures.

In almost all areas the determination to vindicate the sufferings of the believers in the Cradle of the Faith has shown itself in the increased confidence with which the friends are arising to commit themselves anew to service. Australia and New Zealand have witnessed a steady growth in numbers and an unprecedented degree of community development. Their Local Assemblies are maturing, evidenced by their increased ability to more effectively handle extension teaching projects and the administrative affairs of the Faith. Development of Bahá’í scholarship was fostered in this period to an unprecedented degree. There has been an increase in the number of Bahá’í Summer Schools that were held and greater attention was devoted to the translation of the Revealed Word. There have been new and outstanding strides taken amongst Aboriginals in Australia and the Maon's in New Zealand. In Papua New Guinea, a country of some three million inhabitants, the community has recently rallied itself to gain 114 of the 140 Local Assemblies required in the Plan. It is interesting to note that more declarations resulted from the correspondence course than from any other form of

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teaching. A dramatic effort in consolidation of this large stream of new believers featured a visit of a team by helicopter to the Mountain Brown area. Fiji has seen revived success amongst its large Indian population. Recent teaching efforts in the Marianas resulted in attracting many Filipinos and some indigenous Chamorro believers. There has been spontaneous teaching on distant islands: 21 Local Spiritual Assembly has been established on Tikopia. a small ‘dot‘ of an island in the Eastern Solomons some 500 miles across the sea from the capital of Honiara, and in the Carolines the distant atoll of Satawal now has a group which includes a Chief.

A highlight of this period was the Bahá’í International Conference held in Canberra. the capital of Australia, attended by 2,400 believers from forty-five countries of both Asia and Australasia. The Australian National Spiritual Assembly skilfully planned and implemented this outstanding conference commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf. The Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery, representing the Universal House Of Justice, by his very presence provided a spiritual force recognized by all. Our own beloved Hand of the Cause, Collis Featherstone, led a spirited two-way telephone link-up with the more than 9,000 Bahá’í’s assembled at the Montreal Conference. Dr. Giachery, in a telex sent to the World Centre, described this as UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS OF ANY CONFERENCE EVER ATTENDED and noted that it MAKES ME HIGHLY HOPEFUL or GREAT DURABLE ACHIEVEMENTS ALL REGIONS BETWEEN POLES AXIS WITHIN BRIEF TIME.

The conference placed in focus the spiritual axis linking Australia and Japan, an axis which the beloved Guardian described as ‘extending from the Antipodes to the northern islands of the Pacific‘ an axis whose northern and southern poles will act as powerful magnets, endowed with exceptional spiritual potency’.

The Continental Board of Counsellors was reconstituted on 3 November 1980 with the Hawaiian Islands and Micronesia added to its previous zone. Our gratitude and appreciation go to the three retiring Counsellors who gave years of outstanding and devoted service during which they travelled, often in difficult

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circumstances, all over this vast expanse of ocean. Two of these—Howard Harwood and Thelma Perks—had served from the inception of the Board in 1968; and the third, Violet Hoehnke, since May 1973. The remaining three members—Mr. Suhayl ‘Ala‘i, Mr. Owen Battrick and Dr. Peter Khan—welcomed the appointment of three new members: Mr. Ben Ayala Of the Hawaiian Islands, Mrs. Tinai Hancock of New Zealand and Mr, Lisiate Maka of Tonga. Counsellor Richard Benson was transferred from the former Northeast Asian Beard to this zone, making the seventh member. The number of Auxiliary Board members was increased from forty-five t0 sixty-three to serve the enlarged zone. This period has been one in which the devoted efforts of ‘these precious souls—the Auxiliary Board members and their assistants—’ have contributed markedly to the strengthening of the fabric of the Cause.

There has been continuing improvement in the collaboration between the institutions of the Board of Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assemblies as well as between the Auxiliary Board members and the Local Assemblies. This collaboration and the resulting effort has enhanced the deepening of the believers in their understanding of the principles and teachings of the Faith. Nineteen Day Feasts are better attended and are of higher calibre, and children’s classes have grown and improved as have all local community activities. Pioneer effort and the movement of travelling teachers have increased within the continental zone and several National Assemblies have participated in joint projects. For example, there has been an exchange of travelling teachers between the Solomons and Vanuatu, between Australia and Papua New Guinea, and a teaching project by Australia and Japan in Micronesia. Australia and New Zealand have taken measures to revive the magazine Herald of the South.

Noticeable throughout the period has been the greater degree of participation of women. and more recently of youth. Women are making their presence and their value felt at the very foundation of the community, in child training and family life The youth are coming to the forefront in teaching activities and are often the initiators of development projects in the area.

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. 4W“ 1‘

.‘A

Same participants in the service held at the Bah

The eyes of the friends have been turning expectantly to Western Samoa where the Mashriqu’l-AcLhkar is now rising upon a beautiful hillside in Apia. Despite difficulties and delays the work has progressed steadily throughout the period and the dedication is anticipated some time in 1984.

The Bahá’í International Community has continued to be represented each year at the South Pacific Commission Conference by Counsellor Tinai Hancock. She is accompanied on each occasion by an alternate representative chosen from among the local believers in each venue of the conference.

In January 1923 the beloved Guardian referred to the Pacific Islands in delightful

2)!

at House of Worship, Sydney, Australia, in observance of United Nations Day; October I 980.

terms: ‘. . . their very names evoke within us so high a sense of hope and admiration that the passing of time and the vicissitudes of life can never weaken or remove.’ As this brief survey goes to press, we who serve in that area, already blessed by the presence of the first reigning monarch to espouse the Faith, soon to be further blessed with a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár on a Pacific Island, and finding ourselves linked by this ‘spiritual axis’ with another area of great potential, can but have a feeling of wonder as we sense the forces of the Army of Light being challenged, tempered and strengthened for tasks that will test us further.

E. EUROPE

An outstanding feature of the Five Year Plan (1974—1979) was the establishment in Europe of Local Spiritual Assemblies across an area extending from the snows of the Arctic t0 the islands in the Mediterranean Sea. The value of these local institutions became clear in the four years under review in this survey. They

grew in stature within their local Bahá’í communities and they served to broaden the base from which the Bahá’ís of Europe could arise as one and defend their persecuted brethren in Tran.

The trumpet—blast that sounded again and again as the persecutions in Tran continued

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188 THE BAHA

Some participants in the first teaching institute to be held in Sisimiut (formerly Holsteinsborg), Greenland; 25 July 1982. The thirteen Bahá’ís seen here are from six different countries.

National Hazz’ratu’l-Quds of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin; acquired September 1982.

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reverberated throughout this continent. The National Spiritual Assemblies led their communities in protest against this blatant religious discrimination and cruel violation of human rights. Their actions were co-ordinated by the European Office of the Bahá’í International Community in Geneva.

Supportive response came from international, national and local levels, as well as from governments, cabinet ministers and from ecclesiastical circles. Most outstanding have been the resolutions of the Parliament and of the Council of Europe; the resolutions passed on two occasions by the Parliament of the European Economic Commtinity; the debates in the British House of Lords; the resolutions of the German Bundestag and the Parliament of the Netherlands; and the wholehearted support of representatives of European governments of démarches and of the resolutions put forward in sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, meeting in Geneva. In Switzerland, the Federation of Protestant Churches issued a report on the plight of the Persian Bahá’ís. In England, the Dean of Canterbury participated in the ceremony when a tree was planted within the precincts of Canterbury Cathedral as a living memorial to the martyrs, the site marked by a plaque reading ‘In memory of the Persian Bahá’ís who gave their lives for God’. The heads of Oxford Colleges registered their feelings on two occasions by signing statements protesting against the continuing persecutions.

It is impossible in this brief summary to mention all the national and local publicity accorded the Faith through the mass media in Europe as a result of its persecution in Iran. Outstanding have been articles in Le Mamie, The Times, The Guardian, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Neue Ziircher Zeitung, national radio and press publicity in Northern Ireland, and the response in the Frenchspeaking countries of Europe to the book Les Bahá’ís, ou Victoire sur la Violence by Mrs. Christine Samandari (née) Ḥakím and in the United Kingdom to Iran’s Secret Pogrom by Dr. Geoffrey Nash. A typical example of the quantity of press coverage devoted on the local level to the persecution of the Iranian Bahá’ís is the 1,110 column centimetres which appeared in the year 1982—1983 in the press of East Lothian, Scotland.

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The sacrifices of the Bahá’ís of Iran have proclaimed the Faith continuously throughout this continent. Much of the energy of the Bahá’í communities, nationally and locally, has been channelled into these activities. This of itself has brought new experience and has had a unifying and consolidating effect on the communities. At the same time, many Bahá’ís have come to Europe from Iran as part of the world—wide dispersal which resulted from the persecutions in their native land. This has presented both a challenge and an opportunity to Bahá’í communities, already diversified, to achieve integration of east and west on-an unprecedented scale. A not unusual example of ‘unity in diversity’ is found in one of Norway‘s Local Spiritual Assemblies, whose nine members are of five different nationalities.

One of the most far-reaching developments occurred in November 1980 when the Universal House of Justice increased from five to nine the membership of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Europe. The greater personal contact thus made possible served to strengthen the relationship between the Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assemblies and, through the Auxiliary Board members and their assistants, also strengthened relationships with the Local Spiritual Assemblies and local communities. The co-operation achieved between these two major pillars of the Bahá’í Faith has had a profound effect upon every aspect of Bahá’í activity.

The composition of Bahá’í communities themselves has gradually changed. Bahá’í children have grown into youth and an increase in the number of young married couples has given a new meaning to Bahá’í family life. This in turn has brought a new awareness of the role of the Local Spiritual Assemblies in their relationships to children, youth and families, as well as to the older believers. In every country there has been a sustained interest in studying the Bahá’í Writings for guidance concerning the family and the spiritual education of children and youth. There is constant effort to develop joyous, dynamic and well-oriented Bahá’í communities that can triumph over the debilitating influences of a sceptical and materialistic environment.

Each national community has held Summer and Winter Schools regularly; Germany, Italy

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and the United Kingdom have held several each year in different parts of their respective countries. With programmes of ever—increasing value and interest, the wonderful spirit of each of these Schools has attracted a growing number of participants from other countries. Norway Sweden and Denmark, which previously joined together for these activities, held independent Summer Schools for the first time in 1979, and each has gone from strength to strength in the development of their Summer and Winter Schools.

A need became apparent for special provision for the growing number of children attending national and reglonal gatherings. The Bahá’ís of the Netherlands took the lead in conducting children’s classes of particular excellence at such functions in their country. Children’s Summer Schools and Summer Camps are held in several countries, notably Germany and France, where they are firmly established.

Teaching conferences, seminars, institutes, weekend and one-day schools have been held in every country and have called for a greater number of Bahzi’l’ teachers. In Denmark and Iceland, in particular, successful weekend teacher—training programmes have been conducted for the past several years.

In four countries the national communities joyously reported that their growth has been such as to require their obtaining larger national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. New administrative headquarters of increased capacities have been acquired in Norway, the Republic of Ireland, France and Luxembourg. The National Spiritual Assembly of Switzerland administers the excellent ‘Landegg Conference Centre” for Bahá’í purposes. It is situated in the northeast of the country and promises to develop into a study centre serving all Europe.

Scotland (which has its own legal system) and Denmark have joined those countries where Bahá’í marriages, conducted by Bahá’í’s, are legally recognized.

Links with the United Nations have been strengthened through the celebration of Human Rights Day and United Nations Day, as well as through the holding of special events in support of UNICEF and UNESCO. The Bahá’í community of Denmark actively participated in the United Nations International Women’s Conference held in Copenhagen in

THE BAHA‘I’ WORLD

1980, and in 1982 itself organized a special Women’s Seminar.

The fourth European Youth Conference, held from 6 to 10 September 1980 at Fiesch, Switzerland, was attended by three Counsellors and more than 900 young Bahá’ís from every country in Western Europe and many other parts of the world. Strengthened by the experience of shared learning and social interaction in the spiritual and joyous atmosphere of the conference, the youth dispersed to serve with energy and enthusiasm in the Seven Year Plan. Their eagerness to undertake ‘border teaching’—one of the international goals of the Plan in Europe—continues to bear fruit.

Among other co-operative activities, two ‘North Sea Border Conferences’ were held, with friends from Belgium, the Netherlands and the east coast of England participating. Switzerland, Austria and Germany joined in a successful ‘Bodensee Proclamation Project’. Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands support activity in the newly—opened Germanspeaking area of Belgium. Finland and Sweden continue to work together in the Aland Islands. And the Bahá’ís in the far north of Norway, Sweden and Finland co-operate ‘horizontally’ across those three areas in Lapland. There are strong links between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. France and Switzerland work together, as do Italy, Corsica'and Sardinia; and Cyprus works with both Greece and Turkey, especially in the field of publishing. In the Basque region, France and Spain co-operate.

Nine travelling teachers from Iceland have visited Greenland where the teaching work is steadily developing through the aid of the Danish Bahá’í community which has offered additional support by sending pioneers, travelling teachers and visitors. The first Local Spiritual Assembly in Greenland was established in the capital city, Nuuk, at Riḍván 1979. Eleven young Greenlanders have accepted the Faith since the much-appreciated visit there of Amatu’l-Bahá Rfihi’yyih Khánum in September 1982. Greenland is an example of intercontinental co-operation: the Bahá’í community of Canada has the goal of assisting in its development, and geographically it is part of the area of the Counsellors of the Americas who themselves—and through their

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A selection of major original publications in European languages: from top (clockwise): Bahá’u’lláh, Lif Hans 0g Opinberun (1982) by Eavaré T. Jénsson (Icelandic); Der Bahá’í in der modernen Welt (1981) by Ua'o Schaefer (German); Perspectivas de un Nuevo Orden Mundial (1982) by J. L. Marque’s y Utrillas (Spanish); Le Prisonnier de Saint-Jean-D’Acre (1982) by Andre' Brugiroux (French); Gli Otto Veli (198/) by Augusta Robiati (Italian).

National Youth Symposium, Seiano, Italy; June 1980.

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Auxiliary Board members and assistants—are constantly in touch with the friends there. Both the American and the European Counsellors work with and give practical support to the National Spiritual Assembly of Denmark in its work in Greenland.

Numerous Local Spiritual Assemblies were formed in earlier Plans in the islands around Europe’s coastline. In the summer of 1981 Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum brought joy to the friends in some of the northern islands when she Visited Mull. the Outer Hebrides. Orkneys and Shetlands. She made a number of visits to Cyprus. In 1982, while visiting Europe, the Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone visited the Baltic island of Bornholm which is one of those in which a Local Assembly is to be formed during the Seven Year Plan. An outstanding ‘island victory’ is the development of the Canary Islands, part of the Bahá’í community of Spain, whose progress by Riḍván 1982 had led them to the threshold of the establishment of their own National Spiritual Assembly. Responsibility for Malta was transferred from the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom to that of Italy at Riḍván 1980.

European Counsellors have made a point of visiting and maintaining close contact with the island Bahá’í communities from the North Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea and they have also supported the work of National Spiritual Assemblies and their committees by making a special effort to keep in touch with the more isolated communities in each country, both through their personal travels and through the work of the Auxiliary Board members and their assistants.

The teaching work and the ensuing deepening and consolidation is conducted in sixteen different European languages. This gives rise to a constant need for translation and publication of the Holy Writings, as well as all manner of other books and deepening material. Some notable recent publications are the first book in Luxembourgian, a Bahá’í prayer book; Gleanings from the Writings OfBahri-’u'lla’h, A Synopsis and Codification Of the Kitab-l-Aqdas and Some Answered Questions in Dutch; a compilation of Bahá’í prayers, The Hidden Words and Some Answered Questions in Greek; Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh in Swedish; a compilation of

THE Bahá’í WORLD

Writings of the Central Figures in Icelandic; and a book about the life of Bahá’u’lláh by Eavaro T. Jonsson. the first Bahá’í book to be written in Icelandic; and the first introductory book translated into Faroese, The Bahá’í Faith by Gloria Faizi.

In 1981 Switzerland commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of its famous scientist and humanitarian, Professor August Fore], one of the earliest Swiss Bahá’ís. The Swiss Bahá’í community recalled his association with the Bahá’í Faith by producing and dedicating to him a special issue of its magazine La Pensée Bahá’íe. A doctoral dissertation by John Paul Vader entitled For the Good of Mankind: August Fore] and the Bahá’í Faith written on that occasion received an award from the University of Lausanne in Professor Forel’s native Canton of Vaud.

Europe has many personal links with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Who visited the continent in 1911 and again in 1913. In 1983 the Bahá’ís of Austria celebrated the seventieth anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Vienna by republishing Maria von Meymayer’s drama Qurratu’l‘Ayn and distributing it to prominent persons and institutions throughout the country. In the United Kingdom, Bahá’í youth journeyed by train, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself had done, from London to Edinburgh, to join the Scots Bahá’ís in their observance of the seventieth anniversary of the Master’s visit to the Scottish capital. The celebration began with the welcoming skirl of bagpipes as the train drew into Waverley Station and it continued on a joyous note for the whole weekend.

Portugal is one of the Bahá’í communities which has enjoyed outstanding success with general proclamation activities in the form of newspaper articles, exhibitions and television programmes.

The Bahá’í community of the Republic of Ireland, already outstanding for its devotion to the Cause, the services of its pioneers on the homefront and abroad. and for the loving enthusiasm of its travelling teachers, befittingly organized and welcomed the International Conference in Dublin in June 1982. It was attended by 1,900 Bahá’ís from sixty countries. This conference was one of a total of five convened by the Universal House of Justice and dedicated to the memory of the Greatest Holy Leaf, the fiftieth anniversary of

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Some participants in the annual convention of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iceland; 198]. Counsellor Betty Reed is seen in the centre of the second row.

whose passing it commemorated. It was the high point of the four years under review. The message from the House of Justice to the conference gave a new direction to the European Bahá’í community. It called upon the Continental Board of Counsellors to consult with every National Spiritual Assembly in Europe and ‘together, launch such a campaign of spiritualization and personal teaching, as has never been witnessed in your continent’. It urged that ‘the Bahá’í community in every country in Europe . . . stand out as a beacon light’. After describing Europe’s response to Christianity as the development ‘through many

vicissitudes’ of ‘the most widespread and effective civilization known’, the message outlined the task of the Bahá’ís as that of arousing in the people of Europe a more magnificent response to the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh ‘than was ever made by the divided and contending peoples of olden times’. In a continent where there has developed among the populace a revulsion against religion and where there has been a powerful growth of materialism, this task is not an easy one, but it now animates and activates the European Bahá’í communities and will undoubtedly inspire them to unprecedented efforts.