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THE Bahá’í
WORLD ‘19
Selected events around the Bahá’í World during the 1992—1993 Bahá’í Holy Year:
CHRONOLOGY
APRIL 1992
Bahá’í WORLD CENTRE
The Universal House of Justice announced the fomlation of ten new National and Regional 5pmtual Assemblies: the National Assemblies of Albania. Angola. Azerbaijan. Bulgaria. Greenland. Hungary and Poland; the Regional Assemblies of the Baltic States: Central Asia. comprising the republics of Kazakhstan. Klrgizia. Tadzhiklstan. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan: and Ukraine. Belarus and Moldova. The re—establishment of two National Spiritual Assemblies was also announced: the Congo Republic and Niger. Thwe formations brought the totai number of Assemblies to 165.
MARIANA ISLANDS
The Bahá’í Women‘s Association of Guam (BWA) participated in Earth Week (16-24 April) with a display and the distribution of copies of the Bahá’í International Comunity’s Statement on Nature. Seed lings provided by the Department of Agx1culture were distributed by the BWA to children and adults visiting the display as a symbol of the earth's regeneration.
TRINXDAD 6L TOBAGO
A Bahá’í stamp was Issued on 21 AprubythePostalServioeaspart of a five-sfamp series In recap)!flan of the Inter-Religlous Organization of Trinidad and Tobago and its efforts to foster harmony among the country‘s religious organizations.
UNITED STATES
Prime Minister Hamiltdn Green of Guyana addressed the Bahá’í National Convention [11 the United States. He also addressed a reception in his honor sponsored by Health for Humanity. an organization founded by Bahá’í physicians operating under the acgs of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Statest During an Interview on public radio. Prime Minister Green highlighted
120 THE
the services provided by the Bahá’ís in Guyana.
The Bahá’í community of Los Angeles mobilized emergency relief units in the wake of the violent race riots in their city. The Bahá’í Center. which survived in one of the hardest hit areas of the city, became a hub for food and clothing distribution and a dispatch for calls for transportation and other assistance.
MAY 1992
ALBANIA
A Liaison Office was established In the Faculty of Philosophy and Socioloy of the University of
Clockwise from Top Left: The newly elected NSAs of Azerbaijan. Hungary and _ N iger (reformed) were among ten formed at the start of the Holy Year.
BAHA'iWORLD
Tlrana to enhance. Coordinate and facilitate academic and cultural relations between the University and Landegg Academy. which opere ates under Bahá’í auspices in Switzerland.
At 1J1c request of the Institute of Pedagogical Studies of Albania. the Institute of International Education and Development of Landegg Academy organized a second national symposium on the role of the family in moral education. which was held in Tirana from 15 to 17 May. The purpose of the symposium was to present Albanian educators and parents with alternative approaches to the moral education of children following the change in Albania's political climate.
THE Bahá’í
CENTENARY OF THE ASCENSION OF BAHA'U'LLAH
Some 3000 Bahá’ís from more than 165 countries and dependent territories and a wide array of ethnic backgrounds gathered in the Holy Land to commemorate the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá‘u'lláh. At 2:00 am on 29 May, after a program of prayers and readings. the solemn assemblage of believers circumambulatcd the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh along paths lined with thousands of flickering candles. Observances were also held by Bahá’í communities worldwide.
BRAZIL
The Federal Chamber of Deputies held a special two-hour "solemn
nght: The Bahá’í stamp Issued as part of a fivestamp series In recognition of me Xnter-Rellgious Organization of Trinidad and Tobago.
WORLD IZI
session" on 28 May to observe the 100th anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh‘ Deputies representing twelve major political groupings gave addresses in tribute to Bahá‘u'lláh, which were published for distribution to all federal departments. '
CANADA
Live Unity: Toronto 1992 was held on 26 May at Massey Hall. Toronto. The concert featured intemauonally-known performers including Red Granular. Dan Seals. Seals & Crofis. Buffy Saint-Mane. Flora
Purim and Alrto. The aim of the concert. a tribute to Bahá’u’lláh on the centenary of H15 ascension. was to manifest cultural unity through music. Similar events are planned for Berlin and Beijing.
‘22 THE'
GERMANY
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany hosted a tribute to Bahá’u’lláh attended by more than 900 people on 26 May. The event took place in the Paulskirche in Frankfurt which was chosen for its significance as the site of the first sessions of the first democraticallyelected German parliai ment which passed the democratic constitution of Germany in 1948. Messages in recognition of the event were sent by Chancellor Helmut Kohl. who assured the Bahá’ís of continued governmental efforts in human rights issues. and former Chancellor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Willy Brandt.
Above? The solemn session of the Federal Chambers of Deputies of Brazil in ComA memorafion of the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh.
Bahá’í WORLD
GUYANA
A series of postage stamps in various monetary denominations. displaying an orchid design and overprinted with ”Bahá’í Holy Year 1992," was released on 29 May by the postal service in Guyana.
KIRIBATI
The Bahá’í community of Kiribati commemorated the Ascension Of Bahá’u’lláh at 2:00 am on 29 May with a one-hour service broadcast on national radio and a meeting and banquet held on 30 May‘ Among the guests attending the banquet were the president of Kin'ban. several government ministers. and the New Zealand high commissioner.
Below: More than 900 peoi ple attended a tribute to Baha'u'llah hosted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany in Frankfurt's Paulskirche.
THE Bahá’í
LUXEMBOURG
A photo exhibition on the theme “The Promise of World Peace" was shown during International Exhibition Week. 22 to 30 May. in Luxembourg City. The exhibit attracted thousands of visitors.
MALAYSIA
At the request of the National Council of Women's Organizations. the State Bahá’í Women's Committee of Perak organized a oneeday AIDS Awareness Training Programme held on 17 May. The program. funded by WHO. featured presentations by weleown medical specialists and discussions on solutions to the AIDS problem.
N ETHERLANDS
The Dutch Bahá’í community was officially represented for the first time at a meeting of the Dutch Women's Council. the most influentjal women's organization in the Netherlands, on 21 May. The agenda included a presentation about the Bahá’í International Community. '
UKRAINE & MOLDOVA
The Health Care Professionals Project took place in the Ukraine and Moldova from 16 to 29 May. A group of professional women from several countries visited medical
WORLD
facilities. professional associations, and institutes and spoke about health care from a Bahá’í perspective.
VAN UATU
Afemata Mali Chang. 3 high chief of Samoa. led a traditional presentation to the people of Tanna. Vanuatu as part of the Ocean of Light Campaign designed to share the message of Bahá’u’lláh with the Pacific peoples. A reenactment of the arrival of Samoan Christian missionaries in Tanna in 1850 was undertaken by the visiting Bahá’í chiefs. The paramount chief on the island presented the visitors with a kava root as a symbol of the fulfillment of a prophecy that a “special message" would be brought to the people of Tanna in 1992.
Below: A member of the
Health Care Professionals tour presents information to a US. Embassy official.
ii; THE
JUNE 1992
AUSTRALIA
Nelve-year-old May Eshraghl. a Bahá’í, was chosen as a member of a delegation of 20 Australian Children and youth to represent their country at the Global Children's Hearing held during the Earth Summit In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
BELIZE
The National Arts Council sponsored a showing of calligraphy by Bahá’í Tommy Oliver entitled “To the Glory of God." The exhibit held In Belize City. featured quotations from the Bahá’í Writings. The show received significant television and radio coverage.
At the request of the Human Rights Commission of Belize, 2
Above: Members of the Ocean of Light Project in Port Vila. Vanuatu.
Bahá’í WORLD
representative of the Bahá’í community was included in the Belize delegation to the Human Rights and Religion regional conference held In Honduras. 10 to 13 June.
BRAZIL
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Brazil. and Bahá’í communities around the world. assisted by the Bahá’í International Community's Office of the Environment. made many contributions to the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED), known as the Earth Summit. and the parallel non-governmenta] organizations' event. the Global Forum. In Rio de Janeiro. from 3 to 14 June.
CAMEROON
For African Chlld Day, 16 June. \he Bahá’í community of Bamenda participated in a radio program nailed Kid‘s Special. a parade. and a round-lable discussion on “Abandoned Children and the Right of a Cth to a Home.”
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
A school in Bata recognized the Bahá’í Faith as an independent religion. allowing Bahá’í students to take their mandatory religion classes, with regular exams, at the local Bahá’í Centre.
THE Bahá’í
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
On 11 June. the European Parliament adopted a resolution candemning the 18 March execution of Bahman Samandari, a Bahá’í. in Evin Prison. Teheran. Iran. The resolution urged the European Community “to support the Bahá’í struggle for the right to practice their religious beliefs without fear of persecution or execution,” and expressed concern that the Islamic Republic might return to the “bruta] persecutions" it inflicted on the Bahá’ís during the first decade following the revolution
INDIA
The Bahá’í Vocational Institute for Rural Women in Indore received the prestigious United Nations Environment ProgTamme's Global 500 award in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil on World Environment Day. 5 June. The nonprofit educational program was one of 74 individuals and institutions to receive the award. The
WORLD
Institute Was honored for its success 1n the complete eradication of guinea worms through educating villagers on prevention tactics. When the program began 752 people were infected and 211.813 were at risk.
MALAYSIA
To aid the blood bank at the General Hospital in Kangar. the Local Spiritual Assembly of Perlis organized a highly successful blood donation campaign on 19 June. Various public officials. including the State Director‘General of Health. commended the Bahá’ís for their efforts.
MAURITIUS
The Bahá’í community hosted a commemoration of the centenary of the passing of Bahá’u’lláh at the University of Mauritius on 17 June. The Prime Minister of Mauritius addressed the gathering of nearly commenting that
700 people. Below: As part of African Child Day activities in Cameroon. Bahá’í children participated in a parade;
IN THE
Bahá'u'iléh has “given the world a strong spiritual basis to bring about unity and peace among the human race." The Minister ofArts and Cu]ture also addressed the audience which included mayors and other prominent persons.
NEW ZEALAND
The Auckland Bahá’í community hosted a luncheon for women on 20 June to honor the heroine Téhixih. a disciple of the Báb. Among the guests were members of Parliament. magazine editors. academics. and authors. Actress [Iona Rodgers served as mistress of ceremonits for the program which included prayers in several languages. musicai entertainment. and an account of the life ofTáhirih.
SWITZERLAND
The Swiss government officially exempted Bahá’í children from school on six Bahá’í Holy Days.
UNITED STATES
The United States House of Representatives unanimously passed the Bahá’í Emancipation Resolution on 2 June condemning the execution of Mr. Bahman Samandari and the continued persecution of the Bahá’ís in the islamic Republic of Iran.
BAHA‘TWORLD
ZAMBIA
Community leaders and a Senior Chief participated in the William Masethla Bahá’í Institute's observance of World Environment Day on 6 June. The guests were introduced to the Institute's environmentrelated activities. including a tree plantation. an agro-forestxy demonstration plot, a wood-saving mud cooking stove. and a market garden maintained through sustainable agriculture methods. The Senior Chief announced his decision to encourage his headmen to work with the institute on projects related to fuel conservation and the planting of trees.
JULY 1992
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Kevin Locke. a native American indian dancer and musician. toured four cities in ten days in the Czechoslowkia sharing his culture and the Bahá’í teachings with his audiences.
GREECE
In Volos. a seminar on The Environment as a Divine Element" was held on 29 .1qu in conjunction with an exhibition on Bahá’u’lláh.
MALAYSIA
Three Bahá’í communities (Malaysia. Bolivia and Cameroon) were
THE Bahá’í
chosen by the Bahá’í International Community to participate in a joint two-year project with UNIFEM to enhance the status of women In society. First on the agenda was to identify through consultations the important issues facing the women of Malaysia. Then consultants will be trained through workshops and practical experience to monitor related projects.
PANAMA
The National Post Office held a ceremony on 9 July for the official stampng of a commemorative enve< lope entitled “Cummemoratjons of the Bahá’í Faith in 1992.“ The issue was in commemoratlon of the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá‘u'lláh. the Bahá’í World Congress. and the 20th anniversary of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Panama.
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I27
U NITED STATES
The United States Senate approved a resolution urging Iran to grant religious rights to Bahá’ís in that country. The United States State Department specifically criticized Iran's “continuing repression Bf the Bahá’í religious community."
AUGUST 1992
BANGLADESH
A seminar on "Building a New World Economy“ was held at the National Bahá’í Center on 27 August, in Dhaka. The Minister of Commerce was the keynote speaker for the event.
Below. A stamp. featuring the Bahá’í House of Worship in Panama. was issued by the country's National Post Office in commemoration of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh.
in THE
CANADA
A university colloquium, organized by a Bahá’í professor. was held at the Unlversity of New Brunswick on 17 August and featured presentations on various Bahá’í topics by professors of several Canadian universities. The president of the University of New Brunswick opened the colloquium by highlighting some of the 'goals the university and the Bahá’í Faith have in common.
CANARY ISLANDS
A group of Bahá’í artists held an exhibition of their works in G‘aimar from 15 to 30 August which was visited by a broad reprwentation of the public.
GHANA
The Bahá’ís of Ghana. in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Council of Ghana, organized a symposium in Accra on 5 August entitled “After Rio—Finding Roles in Sustaining Ghana‘s Environment." More than 100 participants from government departments, nongovernmental organizations. public corporations and the general public formulated recommendations to the Government and NGOs suggesting ways ‘m protect Ghana’s environment.
TANZANIA
Five Bahá’í community health workers were acknowledged by
Bahá’í WORLD
regional authorities for their success in educating 260 village families In primary health care.
VANUATU
A local Bahá’í began a grass roots literacy project on the island of Tanna for adults with a training Institute held on 15 to 16 August which was attended by several villagers dashing to assist their localities. Another Bahá’í on the island of Santa offered literacy classes in an area currently without schools. Several youth were trained to teach their own classes. The villagers were taught skills to improve the quality of life In their own villages with the ultimate goal of alleviating the need for them to move to the towns to survive.
SEPTEMBER 1992
B OTSWANA
Botswana‘s Bahá’í community organlzed a celebration in honor of Bahá’u’lláh on 2 September. More than 200 guests attended including the acting president and the minister of works and communications The local television station produced and aired a 30—minute program about the event.
CHINA The Intemaflonai Association of
Bahá’í Publishers participated in the 1992 Beijing international Book
THE BAHA'I'
Fair from 2 to 7 September. Contacts were also made with about 20 Chinese publishing companies to explore future business cooperation.
EL SALVAD O R
The Jamaliyyih Bahá’í Institute inaugurated Its Mobile Library on 25 September in the city of Arce. The mayor participated in the event. as did several school marching bands and cultural centers.
HONDURAS
An awards ceremony was held on 4 September to announce the winners of the national essay contest, "Woman for the Year 2000.” sponsored by the Bahá’í community of Honduras, UNICEF. UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) and the Ministry of Culture.
HONG KONG
On 17 September. the Bahá’í Professional Society was founded with the aim of providing the Hong Kong professional and business community a forum for exploring social. economic. philosophical and spiritual issues as they relate to current trends of thought.
Bahá’í Children of the World. a performing group of 13 children from different ethnic backgrounds. attending the School of the Nations in Macao. toured Hong Kong from 5 to 6 September. The children were
WORLD
129
also Invited to perform at the studio of one of Hong Kong's leading television stations.
INDIA
The Bahá’í community of mm; was asked to present a paper at the Intemattonal Religious Conference on World Peace held from 17 to 19 September in Sandlla, Uttar Pradesh.
A seven-month long Unity Message March sponsored by the State Bahá’í Council of Kerala began on 6 September in an effort to combat the growing communalism in the state by sharing Bahá’u’lláh's message of the oneness of humanity.
MAURITIUS
The minister of Rodrigues officially opened Bahá’í Week during a ceremony in Baje-aux—Hum'es on 19 Septembert The minister spoke about Bahá’u’lláh's vision of world unity and the values and principles He promulgated. Duflng the week. cultural and informational events were sponsored by the Bahá’ís cf the Island.
PORTU GAL
On 15 September. a representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Portugal was asked to address thousands of participants at a World Peace Day demonstration organized by Emma
ISO THE
Kumarts University and supported by the Municipal House of Lisbon.
SOUTH AFRICA
The National Spiritual Assembly of South Africa officially opened its new National Center In Johannesburg. Among the guests were the deputy to the mayor of Johannesburg and the former president of the African National Congress. Mr. Oliver Tambo‘
TANZANIA
The Bahá’í community of Dar es Salaam had a booth in the Fourth National Book Week Festival More than 15.000 people visited the Festivalt
BAHA'Ii WORLD
UNITED KINGDOM
Hand of the Cause of God and widow of the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith. Madame Rúḥíyyih Rabbanl. was the honored guest at a recep< tlon at the Brltish Museum on 15 September. The reception inaugurated the first exhibition of Bahá’í manuscripts from the British Library‘s Oriental and India Office Collection. Assistant Keeper of the Department of Oriental Antiquities, Dr. Sheila Canby, welcomed the guests with a warm tribute to the Bahá’í community. Among the 180 guests were Princess Helene of Romania and various foreign diplomats Represenmuves of the media were also present.
Above: The Bahá’í community of India presented a paper at the Intematlona] Religious Conference on World Peace held in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Left: The Tanzanian Minister of Education and Culture visits the Bahá’í booth at the country‘s 4th National Book Festival.
THE Bahá’í
ZAMBIA
A three-year literacy program was launched on 8 September by the Bahá’í community to mark the occasion of World Literacy Day. The program began with teacher training at the William Masethla Bahá’í Institute in February 1993. The program is funded by the Swedish Bahá’í community and the Swedish International Development
Agency. OCTOBER 1 992
AUSTRALIA
The Bahá’í community of the Gold Coast sponsored a United Nations Day celebration on 24 October which was attended by more than 900 people, including many
Above: Madame Rúḥíyyih Rabbaru' and Princess Helene of Romania at the official opening of the Exhibition of Bahá’í Manuscripts at the British Museum.
WORLD 13}
dignitaries and media. Prime Minister Paul Keating and Opposition Leader John Hewson both sent congratulatory messages Former Youth of the Year and Olympic athlete. Kathy Freeman. an aboriginal Bahá’í. and former Australian of the Year and Humanist Of the Yea}. Professor Fred Hollows, addressed the audience.
BANGLADESH
The Bahá’í community was asked to address the participants of a seminar on women and the environment sponsored by the Association of Business and Professional Women's Clubs on 16 October. The Bahá’í representative spoke about the Bahá’í Faith and the Bahá’í International Community's environmental activities.
m.“
132 THE
CANADA
Representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada were Invited to make a presentation on the Canadian Bahá’í views of public religious broadcastlng to the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunlcatlons Commission. The presentation was broadcast on cable TV stations and on the VlslonTV network.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Charles University of Prague Included in its course offerings “The Bahá’í Falth——An mtroductlon to its History and Teachings." The course was taught by visiting assistant professor, Dr. Vahtd Behmardt. of the Department of Near Eastern and African Studies and translation was provided for non-Engllsh speakers.
0 HANA
A Peace March sponsored by the National Commission on Democracy was held In Accra on 30 Octcr bet. The march. organized by various religious groups. including the Bahá’ís. ended with a bee planting ceremony at Parliament House;
INDIA
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India issued a statement entitled “Communal Harmony: India's Greatest Challenge"
Bahá’í WORLD
In Hindi and English. The statement was distributed to about 6000 senior government officials. mintsters, university Chancellors. state chief ministers and governors. and other prominent leaders in India.
IRELAN D
”l‘he Earth is but One Country: A New World Order. the Environment and Development" Conference was held in Dublin from 10 to 11 October. Speakers Included environmentalists. representatives from UNCED-Geneva and the Association of World Federalism. as well as prominent Bahá’í scholars.
JAPAN
Prlnce Alfred van Lichtenstein toured ten cities In Japan from 25 October to 11 November delivering “Memorial Lectures" celebrating the centenary of the passing of Bahá’u’lláh. Nearly 3000 people attended his talks.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
The deputy prime minister, a former prime minister. a representative of the govemor—geneml, two members of the cabinet and other gavemment officials attended :1 dinner to commemorate the Bahá’í Holy Year hosted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Papua New Guinea. The deputy prime minister. Sir Julius Chan. spoke about the life of the first Bahá’í of Papua New Guinea.
T H E B A H A ‘ i RUSSIA The “New Jerusalem Musical
Autumn Festival,“ the first recorded cultural event In Russia to be organized according to Bahá’í principles. was held on 4 October at the New Jerusalem Monastery 50 kilometers from Moscow. Participating musicians were selected because of their commitment to the unity of humanldnd. The New Jerusalem Monastery, built In the 17th century. was chosen as the site of the Festival because it symbolizes the unity of the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity.
SWITZERLAND
The Second lntemational Music Forum from 22 to 25 October. entitled "l‘he Role of Music in a Changmg World.“ attracted artists from nine countries who gathered to hear lectures on music. ethics and creativity. A concert, featuring Bahá’í musicians, virtuoso violinist Bijan Khádem-Missagh and composer/pianist Michael Neunteufel, both from Austria. and concert planist Mark Oahu from the United States. opened the forum.
The “Role of Women in a United Europe" was the theme of another conference held at Landegg Academy from 28 October to 1 November under the auspices of the secretary-general of the Council of Europe, Cathenne mlumiere. and the president of the Swiss National Council of Women's Organizations. Regula Lanz-Bauer. Among the speakers were Helvi
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133
Siptlé of Finland, who was the first woman to be appointed assistant secretaIy-general Of the United Nations.
TURKEY
A representative of the Bahá’í International Community joined the Head of Bosphorus University‘s Institute of Environmental Sciences and various Turkish officials in presenting papers at a conference on “Globalization and Environment" which was held on 3 October at the University. The conference was attended by prominent people including the district governor of Faflh. Istanbul. and a representative of the Sis“ Town Council.
Six Bahá’í doctors of various professional specializations donated their services for the Mation of 600 patients in two days as part of a health check program supported by the mayor and Municipality of Kegiéren.
UGANDA
The Bahá’í community participated in the national observance of World Food Day in Kapchorwa on 16 October. setting up an exhibit with the theme "I‘he Farmer Comes First“ and marching in the parade.
U NITED STATES
Hmong Bahá’í, Mr. Chue Chang. was one of 68 Southeast Asian community leaders invited to discuss the situation of Southeast
134 THE
Asian refugees in the United States and In the refugee camps of Thailand and the Philippines at the White House and at a meeting of Non-Govemmental Organizations at the United Nations In New York.
NOVEMBER 1 992
ARGENTINA
Ecologfa y Untdad Mundlal (Ecology and World Unity). a magazine published by the Bahá’í community of Buenos Alree. dealing with ecology in a broad sense and covering development. Indigenous culture. urbanization. and world peace. began publication. The magazine is sold In the [cloaks of main cities in Argentina and nearby countries‘
AUSTRALIA
A special servlce to observe Universal Children's Day was held at the Bahá’í House of Worship on 8 November. Children from various rellglous scrlpture classes In the area served as readers dunng the service.
AUSTRIA
The Esperanto film 'Sheepfold of the Ninth Prophet.“ about the Bahá’í World Centre. was presented to the 77th Universal Esperanto Congress in Vienna. The film orlgnally premiered on television in Poland with an estimated audience of 15 million.
Bahá’í WORLD
BOPHUTHATSWANA
The anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh was celebrated by a gathering of the Bahá’í community and its guests at the National Bahá’í Center in Mmabatho on 11 November. Guests Included the governor of Molopo and senior acav demics of the University of Bophuthatswana.
BRA21L
A "Culture. Education. Peace” contest was organized by the Nucleus for Social Well-Belng (bar Linda Tanure) and supported by the Bahá’í community. the Secretary of Education and Culture. the Municipal Secretary of Education and the Brazilian Sodety of Education for Peace. The first lady of the State of the Amazon. who is also State Secretary for Social Action. contributed theprlzatobegtventnthewlnners of several disciplines. The awards ceremony was featured on a
Manaus television channel. 1V Globe.
CANADA
The Canadian government
declared the second week In November of every year to be Unity in Diversity Week through an act of Parliament. The Bahá’í community of Canada had inmated the pro posal.
THE Bahá’í
CAPE VERDE
The Bahá’ís of Cape Verde come memorated the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh with a public conference on '"I‘he Mission of Bahá’u’lláh" in the Parliament Hall. Representatives of the president of Cape Verde and the president of the Municipal Council of Praia, UNICEF workers and other community leaders attended. A pictorial exhibition about the life and teachings of Bahá‘u'lláh was displayed in the entrance of the Hall.
GERMANY
Fflednch-thhelms University mittated a series of talks on the Bahá’í Faith which were presented by professors from several German unlversities and included the topics “Orlgin and Implication of the Bahá’í Religion.” and "The Bahá’í Approach to Peace and Their Chris‘ tian—lslamic Background."
Right: The Bahá’í community of Brazil supported the “Culture. Education. Peace" contest organized by Brazil‘s Nucleus for Social Well-Being (Lar Linda Tanure).
WORLD ‘35
The Bahá’ís of Berlin participated in a demonstration of more than 100.000 people. convened by the President of Germany. on 8 November. Called the ”Chain of Lights.” the event was a public show of solidarity of the German people with foreigners livlrfg in their country. The Bahá’í delegation carried a banner reading. "Bahá’u’lláh: The Earth is but One Country.“
HAWAII
The East-West Center received the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Island's Martha Root Award for Achievement and Community Service in honor of the role it has played in providing a research and resource base for the counmes of the Pacific Rim.
I“ THE
INDIA
"The Prisoner of Akka.‘ a video documentary about Bahá’u’lláh. was broadcast on the guvernment—run national television channel to approximately 85 percent of the Indian television audience.
SINGAPORE
During the national Clean and Green Week 1992. the Ministry of the Environment honored a Bahá’í with a Green 1%! Award recognizing her environmental activities. The Bahá’í community participated in the Week by adopting the Wat Coast Park and Beach to clean up,
TRINIDAD 81 TOBAGO
The Bahá’í community mounted a photo and book exhibit about the Bahá’í Faith in the Departure Lounge of Piarco Airport to run from 15 November to 10 December.
TURKEY
Bahá’í publisher. Baha Joint Stock Company. represean the Bahá’í community In the Traditional Book Fair in Istanbul from 7 to 15 November. More than 200.000 people vl§lted the Fair.
UGANDA
The Bahá’í House of Worship for the African continent In Kampala was reopened afler completion of
Bahá’í WORLD
restoration on 12 November. More than 1000 attended the public ceremony. including the German ambassador. the wife of the Russian ambassador. the USAID director. and several religious lmders. Press coverage was extensive.
UNITED STATES
The second Bahá’í World Congress was convened for four days. 23 to 26 November, in New York City with some 27.000 participants. Conyatulatory messages were received from the president of the United States, George Bush. and the governor of New York. Mano Cuomo. Mayor David Dlnldns of New York welcomed the Bahá’í: to New York City during the opening session of the Congress. Two celebratory eoncerts. one classical and the other jazz, were held at Carnegie Hall In conjunction with the event.1
ZAIRE
The Bahá’ís of Zaire held a private reception in Kinshasa in honor of the Bahá’í World Congas on 26 November. Among the 70 guests were the president of the Human Rights League. the secretary genera] of the prime minister's party. the superintendent of the Ameflcan School. the secrétalre rapporteur of the National Unity Conference. and five ambassadors.
1. See ”The Second Bahá’í Holy Yeat.‘ page 95.
THE Bahá’í
DECEMBER 1 992
ALBANIA
The Bahá’í community was invited to attend several meetings of the
special commission In charge of drafting Albania's new constitution. The document, “Some
Thoughts on Drafting of a National Constitution.” was presented to the Commission members.
AUSTRALIA
A Statewide Women's Conference was held in Melbourne at the request of the National Bahá’í Women's Committee to educate. inspire and encourage both women and men to build equality between the sexes as a step towards world peace.
Bahá’í WORLD CENTRE
The Universal House of Justice announced the initiation of a new phase of the Mount Carmel pr0< jects. This phase Involves excavation for the International Teaching Centre building and the terraces above the Shrine of the Báb.2
The Universal House of Justice also announced the formation in New York of the Office for the Advancement of Women. as an agency of the Bahá’í International Community. The Office will coordi 2. See ‘The Mount Carmel Projects.‘ page 169.
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nate worldwide Bahá’í activities and will collaborate with international organizations that deal with the rights and status of women worldwide.
BRAZIL
Tomorrow Belongs to the Children a collection of children's artwork and essays centeflng on environmental themes and published for the Earth Summit. was presented to Mrs. Ralsa Gorbachev by representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Brazil during the Gorbachevs‘ visit to the National Congress in Brasilia on 9 December. Mrs. Gorbachev warmly received the gift.
A representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of Bra211 was invested as a counselor of the National Council on the Rights of Children and Adolescents [CONANDA) of the Ministry of Justice on 16 December. CONANDA's directive Is to formulate a national policy in defense of the fights of children and adolescents and to oversee the execution of the Statute of the Child and Adolescent.
Os Sete Vales e Ontros EscriA tos (The Seven Valleys and Other Writings) by Bahá’u’lláh was presented to the Museum of Image and Sound in 5510 Paulo during a ceremony on 18 December. An exhibition about the Bahá’í Faith and the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh was featured in the Museum until the end of the month.
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HONG KONG
The first Hong Kong Award for Service to Humanity was presented to Mr. Tong Chalfong by the Bahá’í community of Hong Kong. ML Tong has worked for nearly two decades with the city's street people and dmg abusers. Former senior government official. Mr. Denis Bray. offered the award during a banquet.
LUXEMBOURG
The Christian. Muslim. Jewish and Bahá’í communities of Luxembourg participated in an ecumeniml prayer service for pace in the former Yugoslavia sponsored by the Council of Luxembourg for Refugees and the Catholic Association for the Abolition of Torture. Representatives of all the reiigions signed a final statement urgng peace in the region.
PAKI STAN
The Bahá’ís of Peshawar hosted a Mushaim with the theme “World Peace“ in which well-known poets were invited to recite their poetry. The chief guest was Mr. Mohsin Ahaan. head of the English Department at Islamla College in Peshamr and a prominent poet.
PHILIPPINES
A concert dedicated to environmental protection was organized on 22 December by the Bahá’í communities of the Mindoro Islands. with the
support of the Community Environment and Resources Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. More than 3000 attended the event which featured folk and modern music.
PORTUGAL
A 30~minute program about the Bahá’í World Congress in New York was aired on the national television channel. RTP. on 26 December. The footage was filmed by a Portuguese television crew which asked the Bahá’í community to assist with the editing and preparation of the script.
SWITZERLAND
landegg Academy hosted a Forum for Young Professionals from 27 December to 2 January. One hundred participants from 22 countries attended lectures and discussed the theme 'Ethics for a Global Society.”
TCHAD
Tchad—Tele'vision invited the Bahá’í community to participate in a televised mund‘table discussion on AIDS on 5 December. The Bahá’í community was the only religious organization in the counuy running organized information seminars on AIDS and training rural health agents to deal with the disease.
THE Bahá’í
TUVALU
During their visit to the Bahá’ís of Tuvalu. several high chiefs of Samoa called on the prime minister to pay their respects with a traditional sua ceremony. The prime minlster had recently rejected a suggestion by the Christian Tuvalu Church to ban all other religious organizations.
JANUARY 1 993
Bahá’í WORLD CENTRE
The revelation by Mr. Reynaldo Gallndo Pohl. the United Nauons' special representative in charge of monitoring the human rights situation in Iran. of a secret docmnent written by Iran's Supreme Revolutionary Cultural Council (ISRCC) in February 1991 sparked a worldwide information campaign organized by the Bahá’í International Community to inform governments. human rights agencies. and non-governmental organizations about the document. The Iranian memorandum details government practices for the treatment of the Bahá’ís. Mr. Galindo Pohl highlighted the contents of the document in his 22 February report to the 49th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. 3
3. See “the Case of the Bahá’í Minority In Iran,” page 247.
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BOLIVIA
The first Latin American Bahá’í Social and Economic Development Seminar took place from 29 to 31 January in Santa Cruz. Representatives from 16 countries attended and discussed projects In the‘areas of health. education. environment. child welfare, literacy and the advancement of women.
FRANCE
The Bahá’ís of Monaco sponsored a Symposium on Environment from 16 to 17 January in Monte Carlo. Featured speakers were Dr. Arthur Dahl. deputy coordinator of the Earthwatch program of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and Dr. Frédéric Briand. Director of CIESM (International Commission for the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean). The Symposium was covered by both print and television media.
GERMANY
The Senate of Berlin published a booklet entitled “Unity in Diversity—World Religons 'in Berlin” which Includes a section on the Bahá’í Faith.
GUYANA
The new president, His Excellency Cheddle Jagan. received a delegation from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Guyana. They discussed several issues
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Including racial harmony and the country's water supply problems and how the Bahá’í community is working towards their solution.
INDIA
Mrs. Nama Yeltsina, wife of President Boris Yeltsin of the Russian Federation. accompanied by the wife of the Russian ambassador to India. visited the Bahá’í House of Worship in New Delhi. The delegation was received by Mrs. Zena Sorabjee. member of the Continental Board of Counsellors. and Mr. R. N. Shah, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India» As an architect. Mrs. Yeltsina was impressed by the unique architecture of the lotus-shaped temple.
MOZAMBIQUE
The Bahá’í community sponsored a celebration of World Religion Day in Maputo on 17 January 1993. Invitafions were sent to 94 religious groups in Maputo. A representative of the Department of Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Justice welcomed the more than 100 partieipants. and talks and prayers from seven religions were presented.
PANAMA
The Bahá’í community of Roberto Durz'm held a march to commemorate World Religion Day. Accompanying the marchers was the Radio Bahá’í truck which carried banners stating “Religion must be the cause
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of unity.“ The march concluded with a public devotion service at the Bahá’í House of Worship.
SIERRA LEONE
The Bahá’ís of Sierra Leone contributed to a week of prayer and fastlng. called for by the head of state. by creating a twenty minute devotional program for National Radio. The program consisted of prayers and meditations on subjects such as the security and protection of nations.
UNITED STATES
St. Peter‘s Lutheran Church in New York City was the setting for the funeral on 9 January of worldrenowned jazz musician and Bahá’í‘ John Birks (Dizzy) Gillespie. The Bahá’í community of New York and the Bahá’í International Community participated in the funeral.
More than 700 Bahá’ís from around the country participated in the National March of Celebration in honor of the birthday of Drt Martin Luther King. Jr. in Atlanta. Georgia on 18 January. Robert Henderson. Secretary-General of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. was a Co-Grand Marsha] and spoke to a rally of some 150.000 about the Bahá’í principle of the oneness of humanity and the need for racial unity.
The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland in College Park was officially
THE Bahá’í
inaugurated on 19 January Dr. Sahel] Badl Bushmi Is the first professor to hold this Chair. which resides in the University's Center for International Development and Conflict Management The goal of the Chair is to promote non-violent resolution of conflict using the Bahá’í experience as a basis.
ZAMBIA
The Banani International Secondary School for girls. 80 kilometers north of Lusaka, was opened with a ceremony on 31 January. The school was built by the Bahá’í community and features six class‘ rooms. a 120~bed dormitory. and a dining hall. The curriculum concentrates on practical training In science and agriculture and follows
Right: Najna Yeltsina. wife of Russian Federation President Boris Yeltsin. visits the Bahá’í House of Worship in New Delhi during a visit to India.
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the University of Cambridge Exams Syndicate to provide the students with the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) upon graduation. Because only 20 percent of girls in Zambia have the opportunity to pursue and complete a basic educatioxf. the Bananl School accepts only girls
FEBRUARY 1 993
BRAZIL
"Tomorrow Belongs to the Childrcn—Phase II" was Initiated on 1 February by the Office of the Environment of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Brazil in collaboration with UNICEF. The six month environmental education
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project lnvotves 3000 students and 120 teachers in the outskirts of Brasilia and will result in the production of 1000 educational kits. each Including a video and a book of nmtenals to be used in environmental education courses for students and teachers. The courses will teach environmental Issues through the arts.
GERMANY
The mayor of Offenbach dedlGated a Bahá’í Holy Year Exhibit on Bahá‘u'lláh as a permanent exhibition in the City Hall during an official ceremony. The mayor himself chose two quotations from Bahá’u’lláh's wfltlngs which he hoped would Influence understanding among the people of 106 nationalities ang in Offenbach.
ISRAEL
A stamp featuring the Seat of the Universal House of Justice was Issued by the Philatelic Service of the Israel Postal Authonty on 16 February as part of an ongoing series of stamps in honor of the religions represented 1n the Holy 12nd. The design for the stamp was chosen in a national contest.
N EW ZEALAN D
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’í: of New Zealand sponsored a national celebration of the Bahá’í Holy Year. Among the honored guests were the Maori Queen
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of New Zealand and leader of the Klngitanga Movement [a loose federatton of Maori tribes). Dame Te Ata-I»rangi-kaahu. Sir Thomas Davis of the Cook Islands and Princess Tosl Malletoa of Samoa. Queen Te Ata-i-rangl-kaahu uncharacteristically chose to address the audience herself rather than through her spokesperson to thank the Bahá’ís for inviting her and for addressing the Issue of unity 1n diversity.
A tribute concert to Dizzy Gillespie was held In the Auckland Town Hall on 17 February. The program. hosted by the Auckland Bahá’í community. Included big band music led by international composer-conductor. Russell Garcia. video trlbutes from Oscar Peterson. George Shearing and Mike bongo and a live tribute by actress Iloua Rodgers. The concert was attended by 14001371 fans.
TAIWAN
The 130th anniversary of the introduction of the Bahá’í Faith in China was marked by a banquet hosted by the Bahá’ís of Taiwan. Guest speakers were the Minister of the Interior. who spoke about the contribution the Bahá’ís have made to Taiwan. and Mr. Douglas Martin. directorgeneral of the Bahá’í lntemationa] Community's Office of Public Information. who spoke about the importance of religion In society. Among the 130 guests were dignitarles from the Taiwanese government as well as representatives of embassies and consulates.
THE/Bahá’í
TU RKEY
The Bahá’í youth of Iskenderun and Antakya, in collaboration with the Municipality oflskcnderun. planted 1500 trees in an area designated by the municipality as an environmental project.
UNITED KINGDOM
As a result of her activity as a mem< ber of the Bahá’í Women's Commit tee. a Bahá’í from Newtownabbey. Northern Ireland was invited to participate in a meeting in Belfast wiLh the president of the Republic of Ireland. Mrs, Mary Robinson
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UNITED STATES
As part of its observance of Black History Month, the National Spirl. tual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of ‘he United States presented the ninth annual David Kellum Awards to OMNI Youth Services of Buffalo Grove. Illinois and Oscar H. DeGruy. founder of the Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Workshop. on 27 February‘ The awards recognln: Individuals or groups that serve as role models for youth and help to build understanding between the races.
Above: A Bahá’í stamp and accompanying first day cover were Issued by the Israel Postal Authority as part ofa series of stamps in honor of me religions represented in the Holy Land.
Left: Paul Bennett performs at the tribute to Dizzy Gillespie sponsored by the Auckland Bahá’í community in New Zealand.
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MARCH 1 993
BRAZIL
The School of the Nations 1n Brasilia was loaned a videophone by the Hawaiian Teleclass International Company to foster cultural exchanges between Hawaiian schools and the School of the Nations. Therfirst telephone call. which h'ansmtts both audio and visual signals. took place on 4 March. The director of the School of the Nations explaJned that these exchanges help to “create a consciousness of world citizenship in the children." which Is the school’s goal.
CHINA
A group of Bahá’í women visited the All Chtna Women's Federation in Beijing as part of the “Overseas Chinese Women Delegation to Chlna—A Homecoming Party." Chlnese women from eight countries visited the People's Republic of China to reestablish ties with their Chinese sisters on the mainland and to discuss joint projects for the future.
GERMANY
Mr. Volker Neumann. member of the German Federal Parliament and vice-chalrman of the Subcommittee for Human Rights and Humanitarian Assistance. issued a press release urging the Federal Government to protest against Iran's per Bahá’í WORLD
secutlon of the Bahá’ís and for the immediate retraction of the policies outlined in the confidential document issued by Iran's Supreme Revolutionary Cultural Council.
GUYANA
A symposium to commemorate International Women‘s Day was sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Guyana. First lady. Janet Jagan. welcomed the nearly 120 participants who represented many civic and religious groups. Workshop sessions focused on various issues related to women including education, mothering. and equality of the sexes.
INDIA
A round table discussion to observe International Women's Day on 9 March was organized by the Office of Public Information of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India. in collaboration with the All India Women's Conference and the United Nations Information Centre, New Delhi. Many distinguished people took part and media coverage was significant.
NORWAY
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Norway collaborated with the Hawkodden Art Center to present an exhibition of the paintings of Mark Tobey. The opening ceremony on 27 March was
THE Bahá’í
attended by nearly 200 including the Emflan Ambassador and the attache of commerce for the Chinese Embassy. The director of Hawkudden spoke on the art and life of Mark Tobey. highlighting the change in his art when he became a Bahá’í. The exhibition ran until 2 May.
U GANDA
The Bahá’í community was involved in several observations of Interna< fional Women's Day. On 1 March. the Bahá’í community sponsored a seminar on the Bahá’í Faith and gender issues. On 8 March. the Bahá’í community participated In national commemoraflons with an information and handicraft stall and a delegation In a parade.
UNITED NATIONS
A resolution was adopted at the 49th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights expressing concern about Iran's continued violation of human rights, including its discriminatory treatment of the Bahá’ís. and calling for continued international monitoring of the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic. The mandate of its special representative. Mr. Reynaldo Galindo Pohl, was extended for another year.
The Bahá’í International Community mailed the book Tomorrow Belongs to the Children to all Heads of State or Government and to United Nations agency
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heads. The gift from the Bahá’í International Community and UNICEF was presented in honor of the first anniversary of the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil.4
UNITED STATES ’
Vice-President Albert Gore. Jr.. issued a press release on 4 March expressing the Clinton Administration's concern about Iran's continued violation of human rights, specifically mentioning the “systematie repression" of the Bahá’í community. Also on 4 March, a press conference was called to denounce Iran's human rights violations and to announce the initiation of congressional legislation to officially condemn the Iranian Government's treatment of its Bahá’í community. Spokespersons at the press conference were Representatives John Porter and Tom Lantos of the Congressional Human Rights Caueus, Senators John McCain and Chris Dodd. and the U.S. Bahá’í community's spokesman. Flruz Kazemzadeh.
WEST LEEWARD ISLANDS
The Bahá’ís of St. Kitts and the Business and Professional Women's Club hosted a concert by worldrenowned concert pianist and Bahá’í. Mark Ochu. on 20 March.
4‘ See “Bahá’í Involvement at the Bath Summit.‘ p; 177.
[HE mm nma- ‘ "Eienmmm h THERE:
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APRIL 1993
RUSSIA
The Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Russia. Georgia and Armenia was officially recognized by the Russian Government as the legal head of the Bahá’í Faith in Russia. All matters involving the approval for' registration of Local Spiritual Assemblies henceforth are to be handled by the Regional Assembly and not by the Government.
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SPAIN
The first Bahá’í Congress of Camlunya took place from 10 to 12 April in Barcelona. The Congress focused on Bahá’u’lláh and Bahá’í views and solutions for issues such as the environment, multiculturalism and the role of culture in a new world order, and socioeconomic development. Many prominent people attended the Congress Including representatives of the European Parliament and the National Con gress of Spain. writers, journalists. scholars and academics.
Left: Bahá’ís march in a parade as part of Uganda's events in honor of International Women's Day.
