Bahá’í World/Volume 19/Bahá’í Scholarship 1983-1986

The Bahá’í World
Volume 19

356 THE BAH/Vi WORLD

7. BAHA’I SCHOLARSHIP 1983-1986 A. ASSOCIATIONS FOR BAHA’I STUDIES

Introduction

THE original Association for Bahá’í Studies was founded as the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá’í Faith in 1974‘ by the Canadian National Spiritual Assembly in response to a goal of the Five Year Plan (1974—79) ‘to cultivate opportunities for formal presentations, courses and lectureships on the Bahá’í Faith in Canadian universities and other institutions of higher learning.’ Among the purposes of the Association were the provision of a suitable means of approach to intellectuals and universities, and the bringing to these circles of an awareness of the Bahá’í Faith and an acquaintance with the academic resources which are available to facilitate formal study of it. From 1974 to 1979, four annual meetings were held, the Association grew in membership, published a series of monographs of high quality, initiated work on a textbook on the Faith of university calibre, and stimulated formal presentations at universities and colleges throughout Canada.

As time went on, the Association played an increasingly important role in the affairs of the international Bahá’í community and through its conferences and publications provided an exciting forum for intellectual exchange and the exploration of spiritual concepts.

In 1979, with the opening of the Seven Year Plan (1979-86), the House of Justice called upon the Canadian Bahá’í community to ‘expand the opportunities for teaching in Canadian institutions of higher learning and further develop the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá’í Faith.’ When the second phase of the Seven Year Plan was launched in 1981, the Universal House of Justice restated this goal, urging the Canadian community to both ‘foster the development’ of the Association and ‘intensify the teaching of the Faith in Canadian institutions of higher learning.’ The Association increasingly was recognized as a significant feature of the intellectual, social and spiritual life of the Bahá’í community.

In 1981, the name of the Association was changed to the Association for Bahá’í Studies. The change of name, which was recommended by the Canadian National Spiritual Assembly and approved by the Universal House of Justice, reflected the emerging nature of the Association’s membership and activities with national fraternal Associations for Bahá’í Studies which, as circumstances permitted, had been established in a number of countries.

Although comprehensive reports of the activities of all Associations for Bahá’í Studies for the period 140, 141 and 142 of the Bahá’í Era, (21 April 1983 to 20 April 1986) are not available, set out below are selected excerpts from accounts which have been received at the World Centre.

Australia The Association for Bahá’í Studies, Australia, times a year, holds national and regional con was first established in June 1984. Its operating secretariat is located in Perth, Western Australia. The organization committee has, since its formation, continuously attempted to set up policies, encourage membership, establish correspondence, and review Bahá’í Studies conferences and plans. The Association now has over 200 members, publishes a newsletter three

‘See The Bahá’í World, vol. XVII, pp. 197—200. Reports of the first Association’s subsequent activities appear in the relevant volumes.

ferences and distributes their annual proceedings. The Association also co-ordinates and stimulates the activities of Bahá’í Societies at universities and other tertiary institutions and has developed a uniform constitution for these organizations. The present plans of the Association call for the establishment of local Bahá’í Studies groups in all States of Australia; the publishing of selected papers; the production of kits for religious education; submission of papers for publication in suitable journals; the holding of seminars on various issues at colleges

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and universities; inviting non-Bahá’í scholars and notably scientists, historians and psychologists to present papers; encouraging Iranian youth to pursue Persian and Arabic studies so that they may eventually secure teaching positions; and the holding of forums at universities during the International Year of Peace. Fostering the arts is also an objective of the Association. At the second annual Bahá’í Studies conference held from 1 to 4 April 1983, for instance, a festival featuring Bahá’ís in the arts was offered with musician Cliff Stevens performing his own compositions and a spellbinding presentation of the spoken word by Phillip Hinton.

The third annual Bahá’í Studies conference was organized by the University of Tasmania Bahá’í Society under the aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and held at Yerrinbool, New South Wales, from 30 August to 2 September, 1984. The invited speaker, Dr. J. A. Davidson, spoke on ‘The Bahá’í Faith and World Peace’. Among the other papers presented were: ‘Teachings and Principles Unique to the Bahá’í Faith’ (F. M. Fozdar); ‘World Federalism and the Bahá’í Faith’ (J. Salter); ‘Man is the Supreme Talisman——However...’ (N. Hall); ‘The Teaching of Morality and the Morality of Teaching’ (A. Salter); ‘Women and Christianity: Analysis of Problems and a Comparison with the Bahá’í Faith’ (N. Vahdat); ‘Domestic-Public Theory and the Bahá’í Writings of Women’s Roles and Status’

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(T. Scrine); ‘Philosophy of the Australian Children’s Curriculum’ (1. Mann); ‘Knowing God and Thyself: A Spiritual Basis for Education’ (S. Mann); ‘The Fund’ (S. Stafford); ‘Fathers are parents, too: Some Thoughts on the Changing Role of Fatherhood’ (A. M. Stark); ‘The Effect of Utility Maximising Competition on the Aggregate Welfare of Mankind’ (A. Perkins); ‘Economic or Social Development?—A Twentieth Century Dilemma’ (J. Angus); ‘The Origins of Shi’ite Antagonism towards the Babi and Bahá’í Religions’ (M. Rowshan [Raw$an]); ‘Metereo-Economic Implications of Spiritual Phenomena’ (R. Markham); and ‘Twenty-First Century Schizoid Man: A Consideration of some aspects of Mysticism and Acute Schizophrenia’ (J. Angus).

More than 130 persons attended some part of the fourth annual Bahá’í Studies conference at Yerrinbool in April 1985, held this year under the auspices of the Association for Bahá’í Studies, Australia. The three previous conferences had been conducted by the University of Tasmania Bahá’í Society. Papers included one by Mrs. Joy Stevenson, member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, on the subject ‘The Destiny of Women’. Other presentations ranged through philosophical, historical and social issues relevant to the Faith. Workshops on peace gave primary attention to the letter from the Universal House of Justice about the International Year of Peace.

Austria

The Association for Bahá’í Studies for Germanspeaking Europe (i.e., Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg) was established in 1983, under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Austria. The Association’s Executive Committee is located in Austria.

The inaugural meeting of this Association was held at the Swiss National Spiritual Assembly’s Landegg Conference Centre on 23 and 24 October 1984. The participants discussed Bahá’í studies in general, the purpose and organization of the Germanlanguage Association, the relevance of the Bahá’í Faith to the ‘classical sciences’, which themes from the Bahá’í Writings are par ticularly important for humanity today, and Europe’s possible contribution to the development of the Bahá’í world community.

Subsequently, the Association for Bahá’í Studies for German-speaking Europe held its first annual conference from 25 through 27 April 1985 in Landegg on the topic of Bahá’í scholarship. Dr. Peter Khan attended this conference as the representative of the International Teaching Centre, while Dr. Hartmut Grossmann represented the Continental Board of Counsellors for Europe. The talks were as follows: ‘The Importance of Bahá’í Scholarship’ (Dr. Peter Khan); ‘Bahá’í Scholarship’ (Stephan Pernau); ‘The Spiritual Group Dynamic of the Bahá’í Religion’ (Dr. Nosrat

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Peseschkian [Nusrat Pizishkiyan]); ‘Love and Justice’ (Roland Philipp); and ‘The Role of German-speaking Europe in Bahá’í Scholarship’ (Dr. Hartmut Grossmann). A discussion period followed each talk. The annual conference also included a meeting of the Association’s members.

The second annual conference was planned for 8 to 11 May 1986 on the theme ‘Peace’, Peace will not only be the topic of the scholarly

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papers presented during the event, but also of supporting seminars, workshops, musical recitals, concerts and an art exhibition, all of which are intended to broaden the conference’s scope.

The Executive Committee publishes a semiannual bulletin for the members of the Association for Bahá’í Studies for German-speaking Europe, and plans to collect and publish the proceedings of the annual conferences.

Brazil

The first annual conference of this afliliate was held from 30 April to 1 May 1985 at the Soltanich Educational Institute, Mogi-Mirim, SE10 Paulo. Counsellor Farzam Arbab welcomed the participants and spoke of the vital importance of scholarship. Papers were read on the following subjects: ‘Science and Religion’ (F arhang Sifidvafi); ‘The Anisa Model’ (Ingeborg Grunwaldt); ‘Human Powers in Face

of the Truth’ (Rangvald Taetz), ‘The Bible—a book of texts from the lst century for the world of the 21st century’ (James Walker); ‘The Art and Science of Medicine’ (Farhad flayani); and a biography of Edmund John Miessler—19021977 (Margot Miessler Malkim). The proceedings of this gathering have now been published in Portuguese.

Chile

The formal creation of the fraternal afiiliate Asociacion de Estudios Baht? ’z's, Chile, took place on 19 October 1985 at the National Bahá’í Centre in Santiago on the occasion of an inaugural meeting of its founding members. Twentyfive Bahá’ís attended this event which was organized by a pro tem committee and chaired by Dr. Alejandro Reid. The program included an address by Mr. Robert Siegel, secretary of the National Assembly, welcoming the formation of the Association in Chile; a brief talk by Katharine Meyer on the importance of Bahá’í scholarship; and an explanation by Dr. Reid of the aims and purposes of the Association. The principal address, delivered by Jaime Duhart, an economist, centred on ‘The Challenge and Promise of Bahá’í Scholarship” and drew upon a letter on scholarship, dated 9 August 1984, from the International Teaching Centre to the Continental Boards of Counsellers.

The inaugural session also introduced the members of the Executive Committee named by the National Spiritual Assembly of Chile: Kate Sundby de Aparicio, chairman; Stephen

‘See The Bahá’í World, vol. XVII, pp. 195-6.

W. Pulley, secretary; Faraz Ma‘ani, treasurer; Roberto Gary Pefia y Lillo; and Danug Yusifi-Qalgatabadi. Although the initial membership was 40, this figure grew considerably even during the first year.

In March 1989, the first newsletter of the Association was issued with the purpose of informing members and’ subscribers about Bahá’í Studies activities in Chile and abroad. The Boletin is to be published three times a year.

The first annual essay contest of the Association took place in 1986, and included categories open to youth, university students, and adults, on themes related to the Bahá’í Faith. The Executive Committee published a magazine containing the principal essays contributed. Also published were Spanish translations of ‘The Challenge and Promise of Bahá’í Scholarship’; the letter dated 9 August 1984 on Bahá’í scholarship addressed to the Continental Boards of Counsellors by the International Teaching Centre; and the first issue of the Association’s magazine, Estudios Bahci ’z’s, which contained Dr. Farzam Arbab’s essay, ‘El Desarrollo, Un Desafio para Eruditos Bahá’ís’ (Development~—A Challenge for Bahá’í Scholars).

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In 1986 the Association established its library for Bahá’í' Studies and is gathering books and periodicals in English, Spanish and Persian. The Library’s reading room is open to all, while Association members are permitted to

borrow books for their studies.

Plans call for the holding of the first annual meeting and the first annual conference in August 1986 on the theme, ‘Peace and the New World Order’.

Colombia

The first international conference to be sponsored by this afiiliate was held in Cali, Colombia, from 24 to 26 August 1984, on the theme, ‘Analysis of and Answers to the Crisis of Moral Education’. Seven speakers with a wide experience in the general field of teaching, and with particular expertise in ethical and moral education, were invited to address the gathering. Two new books were presented, both of which were proposed as aids in the teaching of moral education: La Fe, el Amor y la Unidaa’ nos Iluminan (We are illuminated by Faith, Love and Unity), by Silvia San Cristobal, of Chile, and El poder de las Acciones Puras (The Power of Pure Actions), by Gustavo Correa L. and Jairo Roldan Ch. The former book is intended to be used in religion courses at primary level and has already been employed with success in the

Colegio Nur in Santiago; the latter work, the first publication of the Colombia Association, is designed to serve as a text for religion courses at high school level.

In addition to local participants, the conference drew guests from several countries including Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela. The speaker’s addresses and the lively consultation which followed have been recorded and edited and will be published.

Following are the addresses delivered: ‘General Concepts about Moral Education’ (Donald R. Witzel); ‘True Morality and Today’s Man’ (Gustavo Correa L.); Nur University (Eloy Anello); ‘The Dimension of Pure Deeds’ (Dr. Jairo Roldan Ch.); ‘The Family and Education’ (Habib Riḍváni); and ‘The Tutorial School’s Experience in Colombia’ (Allan Fryback).

Participants in tlzefirst International Conference of the Association for Bal2d’z' Studies of Colombia held in Cali from 24-26 August 1984.

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Finland

A conference on new religious movements in Finland, arranged by the Finnish Society for the Study of Comparative Religion, was held in Tvarminne from 9 to 10 November 1979. In 1984 Peter Smith reviewed for Stephen Lambden’s Ba/td’z' Studies newsletter Susan Sundback’s 1980 article ‘New Religious Movements in Finland’ which appeared in Temenos, vol. 16 and which noted the presence in Finland

of the Bahá’í Faith. A paper on the Bahá’í religion was presented by Harri Peltola who described the international developments of the religion since 1921, noted its expansion of membership in and around 1970, and attributed this growth to a natural interest stemming from the youth culture of the 1960s and to massive educational campaigns in the Third World.

Hawaiian Islands

The first Bahá’í Studies conference in Hawaii was held in September .1985 at the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. Consultation was held on the formation of a permanent group in Hawaii for regular presentations of Bahá’í research. Par ticipants in the September meeting devoted time to discussion of reports of the North American Association’s tenth annual meeting held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in August 1985.

India

The Association for Bahá’í Studies in India began in 1983. The first annual conference of this afiiliate was held in Panchgani at the New Era High School from 22 to 23 December 1984. Some sixty participants heard papers on and discussed themes related to the history of the Bahá’í Faith in India, with emphasis on social and economic development. The Association has devoted much energy to educating the community as to the need for intellectual presentation of the Faith in India, in particular

to the presentation of the Faith to institutions connected with academics.

In 1985, the Indian Association co-published a pamphlet entitled Without Peace There Can Be N 0 Joy. The next publication being considered is a study on events and individuals connected with the early years of the Faith in the Indian subcontinent. It has been noted with interest that to date three non-Bahá’í academics have approached the Association for research assistance concerning the Bahá’í Faith.

Ireland

On 8 December 1984 a small group of Bahá’ís met in the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, Dublin, to discuss the future activities of the Association for Bahá’í Studies, Ireland (English-speaking). Though the group was small, there were representatives from all over Ireland, and guests from England, Iceland and the United States. Counsellor Adib Taherzadeh (Tahirzadih) addressed the conference on the true meaning of Bahá’í

scholarship and provided a visual presentation of the type of work that could be undertaken by the Association. Discussion was held about the possibility of holding a similar ‘policy conference’ in England.

Annual conferences have been held in Ireland by the Association and beginning in November 1986 an annual newsletter has been published.

North America

The home territory of this Association is North America—Alaska, Canada, and the United States. There are now regional committees of the Association in Fairbanks, Alaska; the Pacific Southwest; the Pacific Northwest; the Midwest; New England; and Quebec. These regional bodies serve to promote interest in Bahá’í Studies through area conferences and seminars, and through increasing membership in the

Association. It is expected that additional regional committees will be formed. Professional interest sections have been established in the fields of health, the arts, environmental design, education, marriage and family studies, American Indian and Inuit studies, and religious studies. The Association has established a speakers’ bureau to provide presentations on the Bahá’í Faith through invited

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lecturers for university and scholarly audiences, and a collection of curricula to be used as a resource for the development of credit and noncredit courses on the Bahá’í Faith at institutions of higher learning.

The Association also serves as an international co-ordinating centre for all fraternal Associations for Bahá’í Studies in the world. Rights and privileges of membership in any Association for Bahá’í Studies confer rights in all other Associations for Bahá’í Studies. Currently, eight such Associations are functioning in: Australia; Austria (for German-speaking Europe); Brazil; Chile; Colombia; India; Ireland (for English-speaking Europe); and Switzerland (for French-speaking Europe).

The North American Association’s offices are housed in the Centre for Bahá’í Studies adjacent to the campus of the University of Ottawa. Within the Centre for Bahá’í Studies, the Association maintains a reference library comprising Bahá’í literature and studies on the Bahá’í Faith, including books, articles, theses, and dissertations.‘

The Association publishes Bahá’í' Studies, a series of scholarly monographs; Bahá’í Studies Notebook, collected shorter works; and the Bulletin, a newsletter which is distributed three times each year.

Publications in the period being surveyed were:

Bahd ’z' Studies

Vol. 12/13. The Persecution of the Bahá’ís of Iran.‘ 1844-1984, by Douglas Martin (1984).

Vol. 14. To the Peoples of the World: A Bahd’z' Statement on Peace, by the Universal House of Justice (February 1986).

Bahá’í' Studies Notebook

Vol. III, nos. 1 & 2. The Divine Institution of Marriage (March 1983).

Vol. III, nos. 3 & 4. Toward an EverAdvancing Civilization [Development] (February 1984).

Vol. IV, no. 1. Selected Proceedings from Bahd ’z'Internatz'onal Health Agency Conferences 1982-1984 (August 1985).

Vol. V, o. l. L ’Avenir despeuples minoritaires (April/May 1986).

As well, the Association has begun to publish special editions in a paperback format, the first title to appear being To the Peoples of the World: A Bahá’í’ Statement on Peace mentioned above.

The Association’s eighth annual conference

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was held at the Palmer House in Chicago in November 1983 and was attended by over 500 people from thirteen countries. The Association was fortunate to receive many excellent submissions from all over the world. The conference was also greatly enriched by the contributions of two eminent non-Bahá’í speakers, Dr. Ervin Laszlo of UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) and the Club of Rome, and Dr. Joanna Macy, author and professor at the University of California at Berkeley, a proponent of Dr. Ariyaratne’s Sarvodaya Movement. Their receptivity to the integration of the Bahá’í teachings with modern scientific findings was inspirational.

Topics of papers delivered by other speakers ranged through art, religion, social change, faith and science, theological questions, rural development, the structure of the administrative order, socio-political questions, crime, disarmament, and other subjects. Distinguished participants from abroad included Dr. Udo Schaefer, author and Senior Public Prosecutor of Heidelberg, West Germany, whose topic was ‘Justitia Fundamentum Regnorum: On the Future of Penal Law’; Dr. May Hofman Ballerio of Geneva, who presented a paper by Dr. John Paul Vader on ‘Professor Auguste F orel in Defense of the Persecuted Persian Bahá’ís: 1925—27’; and Dr. Christine Ḥakím, sociologist and author of Les Bahd’z's ou victoire sur la violence. Dr. Amin Banani, professor of Islamic Studies at the University of California at Los An geles, spoke on ‘Religion or Foreign Intrigue: The Case of the Babi-Bahá’í Movement in Iran’. The annual Hasan M. Balyuzi lecture, named to honour the late Hand of the Cause whose scholarly works on the history of the Faith are known to Bahá’ís the world over, was presented by Dr. Firuz Kazernzadeh (Kazimzadih). His topic was ‘The Soviet Official Interpretation of Babi-Bahá’í History’.

Three of the Hands of the Cause of God were among the 1,150 people present in Ottawa from 2 to 4 November 1984 for the ninth annual conference which was dedicated to the memory of Shoghi Effendi. The three Hands of the Cause, each of whom spoke at the gathering, were Zikru’lláh Khádem (Dhikru’lláh __K_l_1_adim), John A. Robarts and Dr. ‘Ali-Muhammad Varqa. Another Hand of the Cause, ‘Ali-Akbar Furutan, presented a paper on ‘Shoghi Effendi and the Countries of the East’, which was read

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A panel of people who had met the Guardian speaking during the ninth annual conference of the

Association for Bahá’í' Studies held in Ottawa, Canada, from 2-4 November 1984. Shown from left

to right: Mrs. Samihilz Banani, the Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts, Mrs. Audrey Robarts, and the Hand of the Cause of God D_hilcr'tt’llal1 K_hader11.

on Mr. Furutan’s behalf by Dr. A. M. Ghadirian (Qadiriyan).

Among the other distinguished conference participants were Dr. Farzam Arbab, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas; Dr. Victor de Araujo, chief representative of the Bahá’í International Community at the United Nations in New York; and Rodrigo Carazo, president of the United Nations University for Peace in Escazu, Costa Rica.

At each annual meeting of the Association a distinguished guest is invited to deliver the Hasan M. Balyuzi memorial lecture. For 1984, Mr. David Hofman, a member of the Universal House of Justice, was asked to do so. His paper entitled ‘Shoghi Effendi: Expounder of the Bahá’í Faith’ was presented by his daughter, Dr. May Hofman Ballerio, of Geneva.

The tenth annual conference, held from 15 to 18 August 1985, at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, provided an excellent forum for the exchange of ideas and insights on children, peace, and a range of other thought-provoking subjects. ‘From the eloquence of four children speaking on com parative religion, to a journalist born in Sri Lanka talking about his work with UNICEF, to the moving address of a native Bahá’í sharing her thoughts on peace—the conference was an intellectual and spirit-lifting experience,’ it was reported. Subjects of papers included, ‘Youth and Service to Mankind’ (Jack E. Matthews, Director for International Programs, Trent University, and founding Director of Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific); ‘Women and Peace’ (Dorothy MacKinnon, former National President of UNICEF Canada); ‘The Bahá’í Commitment to Unity and Peace’ (Dr. Victor de Araujo); ‘UNICEF: Children in Trouble’ (Varindra Vittachi, Executive Director of External Affairs for UNICEF); ‘An Indigenous Perspective on Education for Peace’ (Louise LeBlanc); ‘The Human Brain as a Model for Decision Making’ (Dr. William Maxwell); ‘Creative Principle and Propagation’ (Otto Donald Rogers); ‘Evolving Perspectives on Bahá’í Studies’ (Hossain Danesh [Husayn Danifl); ‘Spiritual Dimensions of Suffering and Martyrdom’ (workshop co-ordinator Firifltih Bethel assisted by facilitators Dr. A~M. Ghadirian [Qadiriyan] and Dr. Ann Schoonmaker);

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‘Socio-economic Development: A Bahá’í Perspective’ (workshop co-ordinator Michael Bopp assisted by facilitators Phil Lane, Jr., and Earl McCauley); ‘Youth: Being and Becoming’ (workshop co—ordinator Mehrdad A. Bahá’í [Mihrdad A. Bahá’í] assisted by facilitators Dr. Sharon Hatcher and Rocco Rossi); and ‘Pre Dr. Victor de Araujo speaking during the tenth annual conference of the Association for Bahá’í

Studies held in Vancouver, Canada, 15-18

August 1985.

paring a Scholarly or Scientific Paper for Publication’ (Dr. Peter P. Morgan). Submitted papers included: ‘Táhirih: A Religious Paradigm of Womanhood’ (Susan Stiles); ‘General Jack: The Immortal Heroine and Artist’ (Gol Aidun); ‘Bringing in the Dawn: Women and Peace’ (Susan Brill); Roger White’s ‘Poetry and Self-Transformation’ (read by Jan Tye—Chew); ‘Doukhobors and the Bahá’í Faith’ (A-M. Ghadirian); ‘Sacred Metaphor’ (Keith Blanding); ‘The Bahá’í Faith: Evolving Understandings of its Basic Teachings’ (Robert Stockman); ‘The Hermeneutic Circle and the Abhá Horizon’ (Paul McKibben); ‘Alcohol Education: A Challenge for the Bahá’í Community’ (Elizabeth Ritter); ‘An Examination of the Bahá’í Writings Concerning the Universal

)

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House of Justice Functioning Without a Guardian’ (Brent Poirier). In addition there were workshops on: ‘Bahá’í Historians Look at History’ (Nossratollah Rassekh [Nusratu’llah Rasi@); ‘Promoting Unity in a Multi-Racial Society’ (Richard Thomas); and ‘Women’s Issues—Towards Equality’ (Jane Goldstone, Leanna Wolfear, Nancy Ackerman). The annual Hasan M. Balyuzi lecture was presented by Dorothy Freeman on ‘From Copper to Gold—the Life of Dorothy Baker’. The conference was chaired by Dr. Glen Eyford and the closing remarks were delivered by Dr. Husayn Danesh. Five professional interest sections which have sprung from the parent organization

Mrs. Doro thy Freeman speaking during the tenth

I}!

annual conference of the Association for Baha 1

Studies held in Vancouver, Canada, 15-18

August 1985.

(health and healing, human habitat, the arts, marriage and the family, and education) held simultaneous meetings in advance of the general meeting.

Of particular significance were two conferences sponsored‘ by the Association in the period under review: the first symposium on the Bahá’í Faith and Islam held at McGill University, Montreal, Canada, in March 1984, and a ‘Marxist—Bahá’í Dialogue’ held at Louhelen

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Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan, U.S.A., in January 1986. V

A report of the symposium on the Bahá’í Faith and Islam reads:

‘In establishing the credentials of the Bahá’í Faith in the eyes of the academic community around the world, a thorough exploration of its relationship to its parent religion, Islam, will be critical. A major advance was made in this field at McGill University’s prestigious Institute of Islamic Studies, the weekend of 23-25 March 1984. With the collaboration of the faculty members of the Institute, the Association for Bahá’í Studies held its first Symposium on the Relationship between the two religions.

‘Chaired jointly by Professor Issa Boullata, Director of the Institute, and Douglas Martin, of the Association’s executive committee, the Symposium attracted contributions from an impressive array of scholarly experts from three continents: “The Language of Revelation in Islam and the Bahá’í Faith” (Amin Banani, Professor of Islamic Studies, University of California at Los Angeles); “The Bahá’í Perspective

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on the History of Religion” (Professor Alessandro Bausani, Professor of Persian Literature and Islamitics, University of Rome); “The Bahá’í Attitude Towards Peace and its Christian and Islamic Background” (J. C. Burgel, Professor, Islamwissenschaftliches Seminar, Universitat Bern); “The Bahá’ís of Yazd: An Anthropological Perspective” (Michael M.J. Fischer, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Rice University, Houston); “Islam and the Bahá’í Faith: Historical Interrelationship” (Heshmat Moayyad [fliflmat Mu’ayyad], Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, University of Chicago); “The Development of flaygi Thought in flfih Islam” (Vahid Ra’fati, Research Department, Bahá’í World Centre, Haifa, Israel); “The Role of Babism and Bahá’ísm in Iqbal’s Work” (Annemarie Schimmel, Professor of Islamic Mysticism, Harvard University); and “Interpreting Islam: Human Rights in Iran” (Marvin Zonis, Director, Personality and Political Ideology Study, Department of Behavioural Sciences, University of Chicago).

Prof Alessandro Bausani, professor of Persian Literature and Islamitics at the University of Rome, speaking during the first Symposium on the Baha 1 Faith and Islam, held in Montreal, Canada from 23-25 March 1984.

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‘Professor Bausani’s paper on the Bahá’í view of religious history was particularly interesting for its use of the perspective which Bahá’u’lláh’s own Writings, particularly the Kitab-i-fqdn, give to the interpretation of the Qur’án. Professor Schimmel’s discussion of the influence of the Babi Faith on the work of Mohammed (Muhammad) Iqbal, the leading poet of modern Indo~Muslim culture, included an examination of Iqbal’s fascination with the Babi poetess, Táhirih. One of the most challenging of the papers was Professor Moayyad’s very frank analysis of the reasons for §_hi’ih Muslim hostility to the Bahá’í Faith, which included not only a theological examination of the subject, but also a survey of some of the events of modern Iranian history.

‘Lack of space prevents an adequate treatment of the range of subjects covered by the contributions, but the result was to endow the Association with a unique collection of scholarly resources in this important field. Recognizing the value of the material, the Association is in consultation with a North American university on the joint publication of the papers in a book to be tentatively entitled Studies on the Ba/1d’z' Faith and Islam.’ Vol. I.

‘Particularly gratifying was the warm welcome given to the Symposium by McGill’s Institute of Islamic Studies. Professor Boullata was generous in his praise of the venture. He encouraged the Association to regard this year’s symposium as the first in a series designed to fully explore the relationship between the Bahá’í Faith and the religious milieu out of which it arose. Professor Charles Adams, another member of the Institute’s faculty, also chaired one of the sessions, and contributed valuable insights to the discussion. The Symposium attracted an audience of l40 members of the Association, drawn from both Canada and the United States.’

A clear indication of the intellectual force and respect which the Bahá’í teachings command, even when perceived by those who operate within the confines of other views of reality, was offered by the Marxist/Bahá’í dialogue sponsored by the Association for Bahá’í Studies at Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan, from 24 to 26 January 1986. Reporting on the seminar for Bahá’í' Canada, Gerald Filson stated that ‘Two of Canada’s leading Marxist scholars, much-published and highly 365

respected, participated in the Dialogue. These were Professor Colin Leys, graduate of Oxford and Princeton now teaching at Queen’s University, and Professor Howard Buchbinder, another Marxist scholar of significant renown. When faced by a clearly-reasoned and wellarticulated expression of the Bahá’í teachings, both acknowledged in their various remarks their awareness of the intellectual challenge of the Bahá’í claims, and the views of the Faith on such subjects as the nature of human beings and society, historical development and progress of the human race, the current historical situation, and other issues.’

Professor Buchbinder offered a clear and straightforward summary of the Marxist position following which Professor Leys delivered an eloquent and informative historical summary. Professor Meg Luxton of York having taken suddenly ill, a presentation of the Marxist view of the nature of human beings and society was made by an able graduate student, Laurie Adkin, who is one of Canada’s leading Marxist experts on Central American political events as well as a feminist advocate. The audience deeply appreciated the clarity of these presentations, and the evident care that was devoted to their preparation.

The report continues, ‘Each session began with a major presentation by a Marxist scholar along with additional comments provided by two other Marxists. The Bahá’í position was presented with comments, and discussion followed. Professor William Hatcher of Laval University presented the Bahá’í view on the spiritual nature of the human being. Counsellor F arzam Arbab (Farzam Arbab) of Colombia’s F UNDAEC Rural University (Fundacién para la Aplicacién y la Ensefianza de Zas Ciencias), and Professor Glen Eyford of the University of Alberta, commented. Dr. Arbab gave an important presentation on the Bahá’í approach to social and economic development.

‘Dr. John Huddleston, Budget Director of the World Bank, outlined the Administrative Order of the international Bahá’í community in another session, and Mrs. Sheila Banani and Dr. Eyford made additional comments on some of the practical and spiritual aspects of the Bahá’í community.

‘The dialogue was conducted in a wonderful spirit of courtesy, humour and dignity under extremely able chairing by Dr. Glen Eyford . . .

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From beginning to close, the seminar moved on a very high and spirited plane. In offering gratitude to the guests, Dr. Jane Faily drew attention to their essentially spiritual qualities, which had attracted the love of the Bahá’ís during the brief weekend gathering.

‘The dialogue gave ample proof of the potency of the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, even when understood in secular terms. It also galvanized the Bahá’í participants to labour more diligently in the field of Bahá’í scholarship, relying on consultation and collaboration in order to generate further conceptual tools for applying the Bahá’í teachings to the affairs of

THE Bahá’í WORLD

humankind. They also left with an increased motivation to study the current philosophies of the day, as a means of understanding the impact of world-views and assumptions about reality on the work of organizing human life and contributing to the progress of civilization.’

At the close of the seminar, it was reported, the executive of the Association for Bahá’í Studies expressed satisfaction and felt confirmed in their efforts to invite scholars to study and give expression to the Bahá’í teachings, and to develop challenging, creative and fresh insights which respond directly to contemporary needs and issues.

Switzerland

The committee for the Association of Bahá’í Studies of Francophone Europe, whose centre is in Switzerland, held its first informational meeting on 28 January 1984 at the Hotel de la Paix, Geneva, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed in 1911. Mr. Louis Hénuzet represented the Continental Board of Counsellors. The tasks of the newly created Association include: making contact with universities, production of research works on the Bahá’í Faith and their publication in periodicals, organizing public lectures, and encouraging Bahá’ís to become members of the Association.

The Association for Bahá’í Studies for

French-speaking Europe held a conference on the theme, ‘Approche pluridisciplinaire des processus de la paix’ (Multidisciplinary Approach to the Processes of Peace), at the Hotel Hilton in Strasbourg, France, from 2 to 3 November 1985. Speakers included Dr. William Hatcher, Dr. She'1p1’1r Rasifl, Dr. Agnes G_haznavi, Dr. Mihri Rasifl, Philippe Fanise, Louis Hénuzet, Amin K_hamsi, Simon van Pamel, and Roland Bernair.

The second annual conference of this affiliate will be held in Luxembourg towards the end of 1986 and will address itself to the subject ‘Les minorités’.

B. THE WEST AFRICAN CENTRE FOR BAHA’I STUDIES LAGOS, NIGERIA

Since its establishment in November 1982 under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of Nigeria with the approval of the Universal House of Justice, the major objective of the Centre has been to initiate activities in universities in the region, and to increase awareness of the Bahá’í Faith and its teachings. A series of international lecture tours sponsored by the West African Centre for Bahá’í Studies is being considered, and scholars and academics are invited to come to West Africa, travel to universities, and deliver papers on the Bahá’í Faith or on their area of research or interest. Lecturers may also be involved in public relations or proc lamation activities with the press and media on behalf of the Centre.

The West African Centre for Bahá’í Studies was created, in part, for the express purpose of ‘attracting non-Bahá’í professionals to investigate the Bahá’í Faith’. The Centre hopes to achieve and maintain the status of a learned society. It is open to affiliation by practising academics, holders of graduate degrees, postgraduate students and others of recognized scholarly interests, ability and experience. Student affiliation is open to undergraduates.

The Universal House of Justice has urged the Nigerian Assembly to consider increased

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teaching and proclamation in the universities of Nigeria as the top priority for the new Centre.

Five members of the Board of Directors have been named in Nigeria. They are: Mr. Akin Adeyemo, Dr. Loni Bramson-Lerche, Professor Jeffrey S. Gruber, Dr. Farhang Tahzib (Tahdhib), and Dr. Charles 0. Lerche. It was subsequently reported that the appointments of Professor Asare (Ghana) and Mr. Ekerendu (Cote d’Ivoire) had been approved by their respective National Spiritual Assemblies. Messrs. M. Forchu and Don Addison replaced two of the temporary members.

The constitution of the Centre, which came into effect on 20 November 1982, states that the aim of the body ‘shall be to contribute to the establishment of world unity and international co-operation through the fostering, in the light of the Bahá’í teachings, of paradigms appropriate for world civilization.’ Seen as immediate objectives are: preparation of a directory of affiliates; establishment and administration of a lecture bureau and programme; publication of a newsletter and journal; the encouragement and co-ordination of research and its publication; the organization of conferences, study groups, seminars, and workshops; the encouragement and co-ordination of the development of curricula and educational material; and the creation of consultative and co-operative association with institutions of related interest.

The University of Nigeria at Nsukka, in Anambra State, it was announced in April 1983, now has a course on the Bahá’í Faith in the Department of Religion. This significant accomplishment means, according to Professor Don Addison, a Bahá’í faculty member at Nsukka, ‘open, public recognition of the independent nature of the Bahá’í Faith by yet another academic institution in Nigeria’. He points out that the Faith has become much more widely known recently by the general public, and will become even more widely recognized now that religion and philosophy students will have an opportunity to take an introductory course on the Faith. The first lecture in the series was held on 18 February 1983 with 80 students in attendance. The class meets twice weekly and is, by one account, ‘proceeding at an inspiring pace, the presentations being given an exceptionally positive response by the students’.

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A seminar entitled ‘The Goals of a New World Order’ was held under the auspices of the Centre on 12 November 1984 at the University of Ife. Three papers were presented: ‘The Global Agenda’ (Dr. C. O. Lerche of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Benin); ‘Law, Ethics and Society’ (Mr. Kiser Barnes, Faculty of Law, Ife); and ‘Economic Interdependence and Potentiality for Growth in West Africa’ (Mr. Edet Ekerendu, African Development Bank, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire).

Professor J efirey Gruber was chairman of the first seminar of the Bahá’í Studies group which brought together 32 participants and generated lively discussion on each paper. Much effort had been given to publicity through the media and on the campus, and individual invitations had been sent to University officers and members of the academic community. After the seminar, Mr. Ekerendu was interviewed for half an hour on ‘Saturday Magazine’ of Radio Oyo and by NTA Ibadan.

On 25 March 1984 at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria the West African Centre for Bahá’í Studies sponsored a public lecture entitled ‘Health for all by the year 2,000——a case for world unity’. The address was given by Dr. Farhang Tazib (Tahflib) of the faculty of medicine, University of Sokoto. In his presentation he outlined the current urgent global health crisis, particularly in developing countries, reflecting the maladjustment of society to the new problems of the age. The greatest impediments to implementation of programmes to achieve health for all, the speaker said, are disunity, conflict and strife that divert and dissipate the limited resources and energies of mankind. The event was publicized by posters, invitations and the media. Thirty participants came from the university, engaging in lively discussion following the lecture.

Publication of the first issue of the newsletter of the West African Centre for Bahá’í Studies took place in March 1985. In the first issue it was noted that the exact nature of the relationship between the West African Centre for Bahá’í Studies, and the Canadian-based Association for Bahá’í Studies and its afiiliate Associations, is being worked out. Though slightly different in conception from the other groups, the West African Centre is considering becoming part of the afliliated network.

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C. BAHA’I AND BABI-BAHA’I SCHOLARSHIP SEMINARS UNITED KINGDOM

An informal seminar, loosely oriented around Bahá’í scholarship, was held at the home of Drs. Wendi and Moojan Momen (Mughan Mu’min), Biggleswade, Beds., England, over the weekend of 26-27 January 1983. The participants, in addition to the Drs. Momen, were: Harry Docherty, Stephen Lambden, Todd Lawson, Robert Parry, James Taylor, and Viva Tomlin. After discussing Dr. Denis MacEoin’s paper ‘Problems of Scholarship in a Bahá’í Context’, a paper by Dr. Moojan Momen entitled ‘Scholarship and the Bahá’í Community’ was summarized and reviewed. The third session was devoted to general issues relating to Bahá’í scholarship including the question of ‘Bahá’í bias’ in scholarly work; the appropriate Bahá’í approach to scholarship; what constitutes the field of Bahá’í scholarship; and proposed subjects of study. The concluding session dealt with the relationship between the Bahá’í scholar and the Bahá’í community, and illustrated the value of a healthy relationship in which the Bahá’í community accepts the responsibility of allowing the scholar the freedom to undertake research while providing him with an environment of spiritual encouragement. ‘As a safeguard against scholarly introversion and loss of faith,’ the participants agreed, ‘the Bahá’í scholar should lead a balanced Bahá’í life, maintaining contact with his community and actively participating in its affairs; the Bahá’í engaged in academic research should be both a scholar and a Bahá’í.’

A Babi-Bahá’í Studies Seminar took place over the weekend of 10-12 September 1983 at the Catholic Chaplaincy of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. The programme centred around the presentation and discussion of the following papers: ‘The Bahá’í Influence on the Reform Movements of the Islamic World in the 1860s and 18703’ (Dr. Moojan Momen [Muflan Mu’m1'I1]); ‘Talismanic Knowledge in Late Babism’ (Dr. Denis MacEoin); ‘Emergence From the Cultic Milieu: The Bahá’í Movement in America 1894-1936’ (Dr. Peter Smith); ‘The Islamo-Bahá’í Interpretation of Deuteronomy 33:2’ (Stephen Lambden); and ‘More Problems—Scientific Method or a Total Hermeneutic’ (Steven Scholl). ‘From Babism

to Bahaism: Militancy and Conflation in the Creation of a New Religion’, a paper by Dr. Denis MacEoin, was also read and discussed. ‘Unfortunately, no detailed report was made of the discussion which followed the presentation of papers,’ a spokesman stated.

As several would-be participants were unable to attend, it was a small group that gathered for the Bahá’í Studies seminar held in Berwick from 31 March to 2 April 1984. Nevertheless, a constructive meeting was held. Todd Lawson read from his annotated translation of the Báb’s T afsir Sztrat al-Baqara, and two papers were presented. The first, Richard Hollinger’s ‘Ibrahim George Kheiralla and the Bahá’í Movement in America’, which was read on the author’s behalf, utilized family archives to provide a detailed account of Kheiralla’s life and Bahá’í activities. The secondpaper, Peter Smith’s ‘The Pattern of Bahá’í Expansion and Distribution in Europe’ (which represented part of a larger work in progress) sought to explainprimarily by means of the quotient of Local Assembly numbers per million population—the variations in European Bahá’í distribution. Although at present necessarily speculative, some attempt was also made to identify such major factors as might account for the variations in distribution. In the smaller national communities endogenous factors—the movement of pioneers; the presence of consensus or initiative within the Bahá’í community-were held likely to predominate, whilst in the larger communities, exogenous factors—religions and ethnic divisions; the influence of ‘cultural’ secularization—were held to be increasingly important.

There was also some discussion of the desirability of greater contact between academic Bahá’í scholars and the British Bahá’í community, resulting in a resolution being formulated to suggest to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom that they might wish to arrange for annual conferences to encourage academic scholarship within the Bahá’í community.

In the period under survey (April 1983-April 1986), Stephen Lambden published and circulated a Bahá’í Studies newsletter from which most of the above information has been taken.

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369

D. BAHA’l HISTORY CONFERENCES LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.

The Los Angeles Bahá’í History Conferences, 21 series of academically oriented conferences on the history of the Bahá’í Faith, were inaugurated by a conference at the University of California at Los Angeles, 5-7 August 1983. Jointly sponsored by the UCLA Bahá’í Club and the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Los Angeles, the conference attracted some 80 participants from various parts of the United States and one from England.

The conference consisted of panels on three broad areas of historical enquiry, the ‘Middle East’, ‘Bahá’ís of the West’, and the ‘Third World’; and concluded with a session devoted to historical methodology. Participants were welcomed to the conference by Dr. Amin Banani, who described the purposes of the gathering as an attempt to foster an atmosphere of informality and exchange, and to offer a programme of works of a standard that would both advance the intellectual horizons of the participants as well as deepen their understanding of some facets of Bahá’í history.

The Middle East panel was chaired by Dr. Amin Banani, and included the following papers: ‘ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Iranian reform movements’ by Dr. Moojan Momen (Mug:-in Mu’rnin) who was unable to attend the conference in person; ‘Minority conversions to the Bahá’í Faith in Iran’ by Susan Stiles; ‘Attack on Karbila, 1843’ by Juan Ricardo Cole; and a biographical presentation on the Greatest Holy Leaf by Diane Taherzadeh (Tahirzadih).

Papers presented during the panel on Bahá’ís of the West, chaired by Anthony A. Lee, included ‘Observations on the Early American Bahá’í Community’ by Dr. Peter Smith; ‘Ibrahim @ayr’u’ll2'1h and the American Bahá’í Community’ by Richard Hollinger; and ‘ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Writings of Shoghi Effendi’ by Don Ewalt.

The Third World panel, chaired by David Langness, consisted of three presentations: ‘The Bahá’ís of India’ by Dr. William Garlington; ‘The Establishment of the Bahá’í Faith in West Africa’ by Anthony Lee; and an informal discussion of some aspects of Bahá’í expansion into the Third World by Peter Smith.

The methodology panel was chaired by

Richard Hollinger, and included two presentations, an informal discussion of Bahá’í' historiography by David Pifl", and ‘Bahá’í values and historical inquiry’ by Anthony Lee.

The format of the conference offered ample opportunities for comments and discussion of the presentations.

Bahá’ís from eight countries and several states attended the second Los Angeles Bahá’í History Conference held from 1 to 4 September 1984. The conference, co-sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles, the Bahá’í Club at UCLA, Kalimat Press and the Victory Foundation, drew nearly 200 serious students of the Faith to its various sessions. William Collins, of the Bahá’í World Centre library, and Dr. Vahid Ra’fati, of the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, each contributed to a discussion on sources of Bahá’í history in archives and libraries.

Roger Dahl, chief archivist at the National Bahá’í Archives in Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A., also attended and presented a paper, as did David Piff, chief archivist of the Northwest Regional Branch of the U.S. National Archives.

Dr. Ra’fati also presented a paper on the relationship of _S___l_1_ay@i doctrines to the religious thought of the Báb. The presentation was part of the Middle East panel among whose other members was Dr. Margaret Caton who discussed Bahá’í influences on Mirza ‘Abdu’lláh, an Iranian Bahá’í who is perhaps the most influential Persian musician of modern times.

- Dr. Denis MacEoin of the University of Newcastle, England, sent a paper to be read. In it, he discussed authority claims in the Babi community during the most obscure period of its history, 1850 to 1866.

Dr. Peter Smith of the University of Lancaster, England, made two presentations——one, a sociological analysis of the development of the Bahá’í Faith in the western world, and the other a discussion of liberal and fundamentalist attitudes as found in other religions and in the Bahá’í community.

Dr. Nader Saeidi O\I2'1dir Sa"idi), a professor of sociology at UCLA, discussed the role of faith and reason within the Bahá’í community,

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while Anthony A. Lee drew attention to the need for Bahá’ís to transcend limited attitudes toward other religions and cultures in a quest for the unity of mankind.

Viva Tomlin, who graduated from Oxford University with a degree in theology and is now pioneering in Honduras, gave a provocative presentation on the concept of knowledge in the Bahá’í Writings.

Steven Scholl of Seattle, Washington, made a presentation on the studies of the flaykhi school made by Henri Corbin, the French orientalist. Mr. Scholl is writing a thesis on that topic at McGill University.

Graham Hassall travelled from Australia to present his research into the history of the Bahá’ís in that country. His efforts represent the first systematic attempt to recover the history of the Australian Bahá’í community.

Papers were presented on the history of the Faith in West Africa by Don Addison and Anthony A. Lee, and in the United States by Richard Hollinger. All three of these presenters are doctoral candidates at UCLA.

Dr. Jalil Mahmoudi (Jalil Mahmudi), an Auxiliary Board member, addressed the conference on sociology and history. Olinga Ta’eed (Ta’id) of Leeds, England, sent a paper analyzing the question of belief by using general systems theory.

Turning to Bahá’í literature, Farzad Nakhai (Farzad Na@a‘i) discussed the work of the famous Bahá’í poet, Na’im, while Diana Malouf, a doctoral candidate at the State University of New York, sent a paper on Shoghi Effendi’s translation of the Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh which was presented on her behalf.

Among the non-Bahá’ís who attended the conference was Dr. William Royce, a professor of Oriental Studies at the University of Arizona, who chaired one of the conference sessions.

In addition to the intensive day sessions there were informal discussions in the evening. A concert and demonstration of classical Persian music and dance provided entertainment Saturday night.

The third Bahá’í history conference was held in Los Angeles from 21 to 24 November 1985. The event was held in conjunction with the annual convention of the American Academy of Religion, held in Anaheim, which for the first time had scheduled a special workshop on the Bahá’í Faith.

THE Bahá’í WORLD

The Bahá’í conference included two sessions on American Bahá’í history that sought to break new ground.

Mark Perry, a graduate student in the history of cultures at the University of Chicago, presented a paper that explored tensions in the relationship between the National Spiritual Assembly and the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago in the period from 1920 to 1940.

Jackson Armstrong-Ingram who is writing his doctoral dissertation on American Bahá’í history for Queen’s University in Northern Ireland discussed the development of art, music and other kinds of aesthetic expression in the early American Bahá’í community.

Duane Herrmann presented the fruits of his research on the history of the Faith in Kansas, remarking that Enterprise, Kansas, was one of the early large Bahá’í communities.

American history was also the topic of a paper presented by Robert Stockman, a graduate student at Harvard University, and author of the recent book The BaIid’z' Faith in America: Origins, 1892—1900.

One session, devoted to Babi history, included the presentation of a paper sent to the conference by Dr. Denis MacEoin, a non-Bahá’í at the University of Newcastle in England, which touched upon some of the issues in Babi history between 1850 and 1870.

Dr. Peter Smith, a professor at Mahidol University, Thailand, also offered a paper on the Babi movement. His paper sought to dispel some of the mystery surrounding the physical resources the Babis had at their disposal, such as communications, money and manpower.

Frank Lewis, a graduate student in Arabic literature at the University of Chicago, sent a paper on the Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, in which he demonstrated how Bahá’u’lláh made use of pre-existing literary patterns to create this Work.

Other papers sent by Bahá’ís unable to attend the conference covered such topics as Hawaiian Bahá’í history, Bahá’í divorce, the Navajo religion, and women in religious history.

On Saturday afternoon, the conference adjourned to the American Academy of Religion convention whose Bahá’í workshop session surveyed the academic work that has been done in the areas of theology and doctrine, American Bahá’í history, Middle Eastern Bahá’í history, and Bahá’ís in the Third World.

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Examples of monographs published by the Association for Bahá’í Studies and afiliates in the period Riḍván 1983-1986 from (top row): French-speaking Europe (Switzerland), Canada and Australia; (bottom) Chile and Colombia.

Examples of newsletters published by the Association for Baha ’z' Studies and afiliates in the period Riḍván 1 983-1986 from (top) Canada, Chile, German—speaking Europe (Austria), West Africa (Nigeria) and French-speaking Europe (Switzerland); (bottom) German-speaking Europe and Australia.