Bahá’í World/Volume 32/Worldwide Jubilee

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[Page 41]

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OPENING OF THE TEN YEAR CRUSADE

In 2003-04, many Bahá’í communities celebrated their golden jubilees and remembered the beginning of an ambitious global plan for the expansion of the Bahá’í Faith.

Nineteen fifty-three was a momentous year for members of the Bahá’í Faith. Intercontinental conferences convened in Africa, Asia, and North America, and the year saw completion of two major projects: the superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb in Haifa, Israel, and the dedication of the House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, USA. These triumphs offered visible and compelling proof of the growing influence and prominence of the Bahá’í community. But the victories that were to follow that year would be greater still.

Shoghi Effendi chose 1953 to inaugurate a worldwide "Spiritual Crusade" that would span a decade and have as its intent the spread of the Bahá’í Faith to those nations and territories not yet "opened" to the Faith. Known as the Ten Year Crusade, the campaign was the latest in a succession of plans implemented by Shoghi Effendi to carry out the mandate for the spread of the Faith initiated in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablets of the Divine Plan.

Calling the plan "at once arduous, audacious, challenging, unprecedented in scope and character in the entire field of Bahá’í history," Shoghi Effendi challenged the Bahá’í community to "achieve [Page 42]in a single decade feats eclipsing in totality the achievements which in the course of the eleven preceding decades illuminated the annals of Bahá’í pioneering."

The objectives for the plan were fourfold: development of the institutions at the Bahá’í World Centre, consolidation of existing and newly formed Bahá’í communities, and expansion to "unopened" territories, where there were no Bahá’ís. The ambitious scheme included introducing the Faith to some 131 countries and territories and forming 48 new National Spiritual Assemblies.

Also included were resolutions to vastly increase available Bahá’í literature and translate Bahá’í texts into many new languages, to erect two new Houses of Worship, and to greatly expand not only the number of Spiritual Assemblies around the world but also the number that had achieved legal incorporation.² The culmination of the Ten Year Plan came in 1963, coinciding with the centenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s public proclamation of His mission and the first election of the Universal House of Justice.

Shoghi Effendi carefully plotted out the course of the campaign, outlining its aims and assigning to each continent certain duties and responsibilities. Previous plans had made initial steps in spreading the Faith in Latin America, Africa, and Europe, but this global plan greatly expanded both the range of activity and the size of expectations.³

"4 Notwithstanding the tremendous accomplishments called for by the plan, its spiritual significance was its most distinguishing trait. Shoghi Effendi wrote that "the primary aim of this Spiritual Crusade is none other than the conquest of the citadels of men's hearts." And once the plans were delineated, individuals began to respond almost immediately to pursue that "conquest"-eager to bring the Faith's teachings to new territories and inspire the peoples of the world with its message.

News of victories in country after country spread, as many people set out from their homes to participate in this unprecedented expansion in the global scope of the Bahá’í Faith. Those who rose up to assist the execution of the plan were distinguished by their spiritual strength and courage, choosing for themselves lives of sacrifice and hardship in order to spread the Faith around the world. [Page 43]Those who carried the Faith to those virgin nations and territories were given the accolade "Knight of Bahá’u’lláh," a title not only appropriate to the crusade metaphor but also a fitting tribute to their perseverance and steadfastness through adversity. The victories won by the Knights, as well as by others who arose to support the plan's objectives, were seeds that have now borne fruit in many countries where vibrant Bahá’í communities contribute, through the application of Bahá’í principles, to the welfare of their societies.

Throughout the next 10 years, Bahá’í communities in those countries will hold anniversary celebrations commemorating triumphs won half a century ago and the development of their communities in the intervening years.

In 2003-04, Bahá’ís in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, and North America all had opportunity to come together and reflect on both the circumstances of their beginnings and their prospects for the future. It would be impossible here to comprehensively examine the activities and effects of the Bahá’í communities in each of the countries, or to provide a complete survey of their illustrious histories, but the following presents some highlights of these anniversary gatherings.'

CAMEROON

The achievements by the Bahá’ís of Cameroon were among the most remarkable in the Ten Year Crusade. In 1953 ‘Alí and Violette Nakhjavání and Enoch Olinga undertook a difficult two-month car journey across Africa from Uganda with two other Bahá’ís to establish the Faith in Cameroon and other countries. Then, in early April 1954, Shoghi Effendi told Mr. Olinga that he wanted some Bahá’ís in Cameroon to take the Faith to five other countries and territories by 21 April, the First Day of Ridván. When there were more volunteers than needed, the Bahá’ís decided to choose the names by lot.

Samuel Njiki went to French Cameroon (now part of Cameroon), David Tanyi departed for French Togoland (now Togo), and three others went to territories now part of Ghana: Edward Tabe moved to British Togoland, Benedict Eballa to Ashanti Protectorate, [Page 44]A group of participants at the jubilee celebrations in Cameroon in August, 2003.

A 1954 photo of Baha’is who played historic roles in Cameroon: (front, left to right) Enoch Olinga, Alí Nakhjavání, (back, left to right) Benedict Eballa, David Tanyi, and Samuel Njiki. [Page 45]and Martin Manga to Northern Territories Protectorate. Each of the five men was later named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh.

Meanwhile, so many people had become Bahá’ís in Limbe through the efforts of Enoch Olinga in the few months since the Faith had been introduced in the country that a Local Spiritual Assembly was formed there in April 1954. Shoghi Effendi referred to Mr. Olinga as Abu’l-Futúh, a designation meaning “the father of victories,” and he was later appointed as a Hand of the Cause of God in addition to being named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for British Cameroon.

The Bahá’í community in Cameroon is now 40,000 strong, with 58 Local Spiritual Assemblies. The country currently comprises the former French Cameroon and part of the former British Cameroon, which merged in 1961. The first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Cameroon was elected in 1967.

More than 560 Bahá’ís from all regions of Cameroon attended the 50th jubilee celebrations in Yaounde on 22 and 23 August 2003. Other guests came from Australia, Botswana, Canada, Equatorial Guinea, France, Morocco, Rwanda, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Among the guests of honor were George Olinga, son of Enoch Olinga, and former member of the Universal House of Justice ‘Alí Nakhjavání and his wife, Violette. Other prominent guests included Joan Lincoln, Counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre; her husband Albert Lincoln, Secretary-General of the Bahá’í International Community; Knight of Bahá’u’lláh Benedict Eballa; and Tiati à Zock, member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Africa.

The celebrations included music and two evenings dedicated entirely to cultural performances. Some 15 groups from all parts of the country, each comprising about 20 people, presented songs, poetry, and traditional dance.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

The Bahá’ís of the Democratic Republic of the Congo marked the 50th anniversary of the Faith’s activities within its borders with celebrations in Kinshasa on 6 and 7 September 2003. Guests of honor at [Page 46]the jubilee included ‘Alí and Violette Nakhjavání and Joan and Albert Lincoln. All four had spent many years as pioneers in Africa.

Jean Baptiste Nsa Lobete, Political and Diplomatic Counselor to the Governor of Kinshasa, spoke at the opening of the jubilee, saying that Bahá’í efforts in the country "justify the respect that the authorities of this country feel towards the Bahá’í community."

The Bahá’ís in the country have experienced much adversity as a result of the nation's political strife. Colonial authorities did not permit the promotion of the Faith by Bahá’í pioneers before 1953. Though there had been Bahá’í visitors to the country, they were prevented from spreading the Faith. Efforts to teach the Faith there did not begin until the Nakhjavánís, driving across Africa from Uganda, took Ugandan Bahá’í Samson Mungongo to the city of Kamina. At the same time, some Congolese who had become Bahá’ís in Rwanda and Burundi moved back to settle in their home provinces. The first Local Spiritual Assembly was elected in 1957; there are now 541. The first National Spiritual Assembly formed in 1970.

A reconciliation program is now under way after five years of turmoil in this country (which was once known as the Belgian Congo, and then, after independence in 1960, by a variety of other names, including Zaire). The turmoil had prevented all nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly from meeting together since 1998 until the jubilee.

The Vice-Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, Sefu Lemba, read a message from the Universal House of Justice that lauded the community's steadfastness in the face of its trials: "Despite years of political strife and adversity that have severely torn the fabric of the society around you, the spirits of the believers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have remained unbroken, and you have managed to lay the foundations of a community whose influence is felt throughout the continent."

The jubilee program included songs from the Dawn of Carmel Choir, including performers who won acclaim throughout the Bahá’í world as the Congo Youth Choir at the opening of the terraces on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, in May 2001. Among many others to sing were the Navvab Choir, and the Mona Choir from the neighboring Republic of the Congo. [Page 47]Members of the Dawn of Carmel Choir, which performed at the jubilee in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Among the 600 participants at the celebrations in the capital were three of the first Congolese Bahá’ís: Louis Selemani, Remy Kalonji, and Valerien Mukendi, now all in their 80s. They were joined by a dozen former pioneers from Europe, North America, and other parts of Africa. Bahá’ís in remote areas who were unable to attend the main jubilee festivities in Kinshasa held their own celebrations in support of the main event.

REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

The Bahá’í community in the Republic of the Congo celebrated its golden jubilee by honoring the struggles of the past and looking forward to its future. Two hundred people attended the 50th anniversary celebrations in Brazzaville from 29 to 31 August 2003. The event included 28 theatrical and musical performances, including a play by a theater troupe from Pointe Noire and a film that highlighted the history of the Faith in the country.

Severe political and social unrest in the country has affected the Bahá’í community, but the survival of the Faith in the Congo is a testament to the patience and fortitude of the Bahá’ís. The national [Page 48]Bahá’í center—the venue of the jubilee festivities—was seized by the Communist regime in 1978 and occupied for 14 years, during which period the Bahá’í community was forced to stop its organized activities. Bahá’ís supported one another through mutual encouragement and informal family contacts, but without their elected administrative bodies.

When the Bahá’í community was reinstated in 1992, after the election of a new democratic government, the Bahá’ís regained use of the national center, were able to reestablish their administrative bodies, and resumed their community activities. There are now 20 Local Spiritual Assemblies, and the Bahá’í community is an active contributor to the country’s development.

The Bahá’í Faith came to what is now the Republic of the Congo on 20 September 1953, when Ugandan Max Kanyerezi arrived in Brazzaville with ‘Alí and Violette Nakhjavání. He was the first Bahá’í to reside in the country, then known as Middle Congo, and was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh.

The ‎Nakhjavánís Nakhjavánís‎ returned to the country to attend the 50th jubilee celebration, along with Bahá’í guests Joan and Albert Lincoln

Congolese Bahá’ís dancing at the celebration in Brazzaville. [Page 49]and Dr. Ezzatullah Tai, who played a key role in assisting the growth of the Congolese Bahá’í community. Special guests included Roger Packa, the Cabinet Director for the High Commission charged with Moral and Spiritual Education, a branch of the Presidency of the Republic of the Congo.

National television news reported on the jubilee, and Albert Lincoln gave an interview on the radio and on one of the country’s most popular TV shows.

A Lesotho Bahá’í singing group performing at the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

LESOTHO

Following a reception at the national Bahá’í center, more than 170 Bahá’ís gathered at the Lesotho Sun Hotel for two days of celebrations. Guests came from South Africa and Swaziland to enjoy performances of dance, music, and storytelling for the community’s 50th anniversary, held 10–12 October 2003 in Maseru. The Butha Buthe Bahá’í Choir, the Men’s Choir from Lesotho, and the Swaziland Bahá’í Choir all performed at the event, and a group from South Africa, Beyond Words, performed dances and depicted the lives of the first Lesotho Bahá’ís in a play written for the occasion.

Continental Counsellor Enos Makhele of South Africa spoke about the historical significance of the anniversary and Mapeko Mofolo, the Secretary of the National Assembly, told stories about the early days of the Bahá’í Faith in Lesotho. [Page 50]The first Bahá’ís to arrive in the region, then known as Basutoland, were Frederick and Elizabeth Laws from the United States, who arrived in the country on 13 October 1953 and were each named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh.

The affection they earned from the local people was reflected in the endearing nicknames they received: Mrs. Laws became known simply as “Malerato” (Mother of Love) and Mr. Laws as “Lerato” (Love). They stayed in Basutoland for 30 months, but when Mr. Laws could not get a work permit, they were forced to depart for South Africa. By that time there were 85 Bahá’ís in Lesotho and five Local Spiritual Assemblies. The community continued to grow even without its founding members, and the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Lesotho formed in 1971. There are now 26 Local Spiritual Assemblies, and Bahá’ís live in more than 470 localities throughout the nation.

MADAGASCAR

Representatives of Bahá’í communities on four Indian Ocean islands gathered to celebrate from 19 to 21 December 2003 in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Fifty Bahá’ís came from Réunion, Mauritius, and Seychelles to join with the 120 Malagasy Bahá’ís and visitors from Africa, Europe, and North America. Special guests included Malagasy government ministers, local government leaders, and representatives of other religious communities.

Interior Minister General Soja spoke at the gathering about the world-embracing principles of the Faith, noting the origin of the community on 21 April 1953, with the arrival of Meherangiz Munsiff. Ill health forced her to leave the country only a few months later, but by that time Danile Randrianarivo had become the first Malagasy to accept the Faith. Mrs. Munsiff’s daughter, Jyoti, attended the jubilee and told stories of the early days of the Faith in Madagascar.

The first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Tananarive was formed two years after Mrs. Munsiff’s arrival, in April 1955, and the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Madagascar was elected in 1972. There are now 33 Local Spiritual Assemblies.

The celebrations garnered extensive media coverage: several newspapers published articles about the events, and the national television channel covered the closing ceremony. [Page 51]The group BABY (Blantyre Active Bahá’í Youth) performing at the 50th jubilee of the Bahá’í Faith in Malawi.

MALAWI

Bahá’ís came from all over Malawi and nearby African countries such as Lesotho, South Africa, and Zambia to join in the celebrations held in Lilongwe on 9 August 2003. Other guests came from as far away as Australia, Bermuda, and Mauritius.

Jubilee festivities included a formal reception held at the Capital Hotel, where guest of honor Counsellor Enos Makhele of South Africa gave a talk on the Bahá’í Faith. Among the distinguished guests were British High Commissioner Norman Ling and Lilongwe City Councilor Stella Thunyani.

In her address, Councilor Thunyani spoke of the oneness of humanity and the unity of religions. “You may wish to ask yourself as to why a group of people of different races and creeds are dining together in a friendly atmosphere,” Councilor Thunyani said. “I feel [Page 52]it is through the divine love which is taught to us by the different messengers of God that we are one.”

Members of the Bahá’í community recalled the struggles of the early days, caused by the separation of whites and blacks. Enayat Sohaili, a Bahá’í of Persian background, had arrived from India in 1953 and was classified as white, while the first Malawian Bahá’í, Dudley Smith Kumtendere, was black. These two original members of the Bahá’í community in Malawi would meet in the bush at night where they would say prayers, discuss plans, and then go their separate ways.

The colonial policy of discouraging racially mixed gatherings ended when Malawi, once known as Nyasaland, gained its independence in 1964. Since then, Bahá’ís have been able to meet openly and work in support of racial harmony in the country.

There are now some 15,000 Bahá’ís in Malawi, along with a national center, 15 local Bahá’í centers, two institute buildings, and 101 Local Spiritual Assemblies.

MAURITIUS

Representatives of three generations of Bahá’ís joined in the celebration in Port Louis, Mauritius, held from 12 to 14 December 2003. Members of the first generation of Bahá’ís appeared on the stage and lit candles held by representatives of the second generation of Mauritian believers, who in turn passed on the light to the third generation. Five members of the first generation spoke to the hundreds gathered at the event about the initial years, which were laden with difficulties and triumphs.

A group of youth presented an Indian dance and then depicted in a short dramatic sketch the introduction of the Faith to Mauritius and the events that led up to the current focus on children’s classes, devotional meetings, and study circles. The youth workshops Citoyens du Monde (Citizens of the World), Melody Channel, and the Diversity Dance Workshop also performed at the event.

Speakers included Eddy Lutchmaya, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Africa, Bahá’í author Lowell Johnson, and long-standing Bahá’ís Sir Harry Tirvengadum, Paul Fabien, Retnon Muree, and Somoo Valayden. [Page 53]Vice-President of Mauritius Raouf Bundhun (left) views a display at the country’s anniversary gathering.

The Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius, Raouf Bundhun, spoke at the event as the guest of honor and offered the Bahá’í community his best wishes for “success and great achievements in the future,” saying, “The Bahá’í community has all the time been working assiduously, discreetly, and with a seriousness of purpose, and promoting the development of its members and the welfare of the people at large.”

Special guest speaker Dr. Graham Walker of the United Kingdom described how only three years after the 1953 arrival of Ottilie Rhein, the first Bahá’í in Mauritius, there were more than 100 members of the Faith, and three Local Spiritual Assemblies had formed by 1956. There are now 100 Local Assemblies.

Dr. Walker also gave a public address on “Science and Morality,” an occasion opened by Dr. Indraduth Chunnoo, president of the Medical Council of Mauritius.

NAMIBIA

The early history of the Bahá’í Faith in Namibia was remembered at a gathering held from 19 to 21 December 2003 in Windhoek, with satellite celebrations held in the coastal towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. At the main jubilee gathering, local Bahá’ís welcomed Bahá’í guests from Botswana, Germany, Malawi, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Sandra Tjitendero, a member of the local Bahá’í community and wife of the Speaker of the Namibian Parliament, read the speech [Page 54]Hilifa Andreas Nekundi and Gerda Aiff at the jubilee celebrations in Namibia.

of her husband, Dr. Mose Tjitendero, who was ill on the day he was due to speak but joined the celebrations the following evening. Dr. Tjitendero praised the principles of the Bahá’í Faith and said that they not only give personal inspiration to him but they are also the highest aspiration of the government of Namibia. In particular he praised the “courage and spirit of those early Bahá’ís . . . who, despite the hostile political and social environment that existed at the time, persevered to demonstrate the principle of unity and oneness.” Also present at the event were Maina Mkandawire, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Africa who resides in Malawi, and Lally Lucretia Warren, a former member of the Board and now a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Botswana.

Bahá’í youth from different regions of the country entertained participants with musical and dance performances. The 40-member Omaruru Children’s Choir, from the Erongo area, sang songs in English and ‎Otijherero Otjiherero‎. Also performing was a dancing choir from the Kavango region of Namibia.

Hilifa Andreas Nekundi, the first Namibian to become a Bahá’í, told participants at the jubilee celebrations the dramatic story of how he joined the Faith. Mr. Nekundi (also known as Tate Hilifa) first heard about the Bahá’í teachings in 1955 from Ted Cardell of the United Kingdom, who was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. [Page 55]The two met when Mr. Cardell was looking for someone to translate a Bahá’í pamphlet into one of the local languages. Mr. Nekundi, an official police translator, agreed to help. Because of restrictions on interaction between different races in the country, the two men had to drive to an isolated place outside the city in the evenings, where they worked on the translation over a period of six weeks. The Bahá’í writings attracted Mr. Nekundi and inspired him to embrace the Faith for himself.

He later served on the first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Windhoek and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Namibia. Today there are 25 Local Spiritual Assemblies, and Bahá’ís reside in 247 localities in the country.

Bahá’ís from former French West Africa and elsewhere at the Senegalese jubilee.

SENEGAL

Bahá’ís from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo gathered in Dakar, Senegal, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Bahá’í Faith in French West Africa. Guests from other parts of Africa, as well as Europe and North and South America, came to the festivities, held between 26 and 28 December 2003.

Some early Bahá’ís in the region gave accounts of the major events involving the Faith during the past 50 years. The first to bring [Page 56]the Bahá’í teachings to the country were brothers Labíb and Habíb Iṣfáhání, who arrived from Egypt in December 1953 and in April 1954, respectively. Since their arrival the community has expanded to 382 localities, with 54 Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Two distinguished guests at the celebration were Ibrahim Galadina and Moussa Kamaye, members of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Africa. The festivities were marked by joyous artistic performances by a variety of groups. A theatrical troupe from Mali performed dramatic stories about the early believers in Persia. The Bahá’í choirs of Burkina Faso, Dakar, and Kaolack entertained guests with their dances and songs, and a Bahá’í dance group from Dakar, Les Etincelles, performed two well-received shows.

SEYCHELLES

The golden jubilee celebration held 8 November 2003 in Victoria, Seychelles, garnered extensive coverage on television, on radio, and in the newspapers. The first events were a workshop on virtues education in schools and a presentation of books to the Ministry of Education, sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Seychelles.

Organizers received an overwhelming response to the workshop—with more than 100 teachers from public and private schools attending and extensive inquiries from members of the public who wanted to obtain a publication on virtues for their own use.

Sarah René, the First Lady of Seychelles and a member of the NSA, spoke at the event on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly. The Minister of Education, Danny Faure, also spoke, thanking the Bahá’í community for its gift of books and lauding its contributions to education in the island nation.

Munirih Zarqani, the wife of the late Abdul Rahman Zarqani, one of the first Bahá’ís to pioneer to Seychelles, was in attendance and unveiled a commemorative plaque along with Dr. Badi Abbas, the son of the late Kamil Abbas, who arrived in Seychelles from Iraq in November 1953. Both Kamil Abbas and Mr. Zarqani were named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh.

The celebrations also included artistic performances, with some 100 performers in a pageant presenting songs, video, dances, and [Page 57]The Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, Antonio Gopal (right), presents books to Seychelles Minister of Education, Danny Faure, at the jubilee gathering.

skits. The pageant generated so much interest that it was staged twice more in the following week, both times to full houses.

SOUTH AFRICA

Members of the local community of Phokeng organized most of the South African jubilee celebrations, held there from 21 to 22 November 2003. More than 600 Bahá’ís attended the main festivities, and additional gatherings were held in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Mafikeng, Pretoria, Sabie, and Umtata.

African dancing, music, and dramatic performances, including presentations by the group Beyond Words, gave artistic and emotional energy to the national jubilee celebrations. At one point, all the members of the National Spiritual Assembly sang to the audience from the stage.

The Queen Mother of the Bafokeng tribe, Dr. Semane B. Molotegi, a guest of honor at the celebrations, said she was delighted the jubilee was held in her province—the home of the first indigenous South African Bahá’ís—and she praised the Bahá’í community’s work for peace and unity. Members of the Continental Board of Counselors Beth Allen and Enos Makhele also gave talks at the gathering.

Ephens Senne, whose wife was the first South African woman to accept the Faith, spoke about the early history of the Faith in South Africa and how the racial tensions were almost overwhelming. He [Page 58]Above left: Hand of the Cause of God ‘Alí-Muḥammad Varqá (front row, second from right) with members of the first National Spiritual Assembly of Congo and Gabon in 1971. Above right: Hand of the Cause of God William Sears (left), his wife, Marguerite, and son Michael on their way to South Africa in 1953.

Above: Participants at the first national convention in Malawi in 1970. Top left: Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for Namibia Ted Cardell with his wife, Alice, and two of their children in 1960. Bottom left: Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga on a visit to the Solomon Islands. Below: (Left to right) Early Bahá’ís in the Cook Islands in 1955: Rima Nicholas, Tuaine Karotaua, and Edith Danielsen. [Page 59]Above left: A participant at the Bahá’í community’s 50th jubilee in the Republic of the Congo. Above right: Participants at the 50th anniversary celebrations in the Canary Islands.

Directly below: Bahá’í pioneer Nan Greenwood (right) with Lady Maui Short at the anniversary gathering in the Cook Islands. Far below: The Lakalaka Dance Group performing at the Tongan jubilee.

Above: ‘Alí and Violette Nakhjavání at the September celebrations in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Below: Young Bahá’ís at the jubilee. Senegal. [Page 60]Cousins Direlang Nakedi (left) and Kelebogile Khunou praise their grandparents for their contributions to the Bahá’í Faith in South Africa at the jubilee celebration.

described the oppressive atmosphere of apartheid, explaining that he and his wife were initially scared that the Bahá’ís, because they were white people, had plans to kill them. That fear vanished as they got to know the Bahá’ís, but still they had to be very careful about meeting them because of their apprehensions about official surveillance.

The first Local Spiritual Assembly formed in 1954 in Johannesburg, and the election of the National Spiritual Assembly, responsible for administering the whole of southern Africa, followed two years later. It assisted the formation of 14 National Spiritual Assemblies in southern Africa and also three "homeland" regions, which were later incorporated again within South Africa. Today South Africa has its own National Spiritual Assembly, which also administers the island of St. Helena. There are 38 Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, his wife Marguerite, and their son Michael were the first of 37 pioneers to arrive during the Ten Year Plan. Their farm became a place for people of different racial and religious backgrounds to deepen their understanding of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. [Page 61]Participants at the 50th jubilee festival in Zimbabwe.

ZIMBABWE

Jubilee festivities in Harare, Zimbabwe, featured a variety concert following the opening ceremony; it was attended by Bahá’ís from every province of Zimbabwe. Among the performers was a Bahá’í youth group from Bulawayo, Isitsha Sothando (Portal of Love), which performed the Ndebele tribe’s traditional dance for community celebrations. Other groups included Letters of the Living, a group from Mashonaland Central Province, and the Chiweshe Bahá’í Choir. Children and youth from Harare also sang during the event, and a Bahá’í youth from Matabeleland, Sithule Moyo, recited a poem.

The event, held 12–14 December 2003, followed smaller regional congresses throughout the year to mark the golden jubilee. Television, radio, and newspapers provided extensive coverage of the event, [Page 62]and the Herald, a national newspaper, carried two major articles on the Faith.

In the official opening address, the founder and acting Vice-Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa, Hope Sadza, called the 50th anniversary “a remarkable landmark.” Dr. Sadza said she cherished the hope that the Bahá’ís would help Zimbabwe to “become an abode of peace and tranquility and the envy of the rest of the world.”

Among those in the audience were a former cabinet minister, a representative of the diplomatic corps, leaders from Christian churches, and other distinguished guests. Nathan Shamuyarira, a government official, addressed the conference and spoke about his high regard for the Faith’s teachings and principles, and his great respect for the Bahá’ís.

Bahá’ís live in more than 1,600 urban and rural localities in the country, and there are 43 Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Some of the early Bahá’ís of Zimbabwe were also introduced to the participants. They included ‘Izzatu’lláh Zahrá’í, Douglas Kadenhe, Nura Faridian (now Steiner), Enayat and Iran Sohaili, and

Participants gathered at the Yukon Bahá’í center for the anniversary celebration there. [Page 63]former member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Africa Shidan Fat’he-Aazam and his wife Florence.

Mr. Zahrá’í was the first Bahá’í to arrive in the country during the Ten Year Crusade. He was followed soon after by Claire Gung, Eyneddin and Tahereh Alai, and Kenneth and Roberta Christian. All six received the accolade Knight of Bahá’u’lláh.

Americas

YUKON

In a four-day gathering from 29 August through 1 September 2003 at the Yukon Bahá’í center on Lake Laberge, Bahá’ís in Canada’s Yukon Territory celebrated the arrival of the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh Ted and Joan Anderson. The gathering brought attendees from several regions of Canada and the United States.

Some 100 people attended the celebration, including guest of honor Ted Anderson. He spoke at the celebration about the early history of the Faith in the Yukon and of the 50 years of progress since then. Other special guests included Auxiliary Board member John Sargent, members of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Slim Lubeseder and Robert Fleming, two of the first three people to become Bahá’ís in the territory.

Much of the gathering reflected the culture of the First Nations peoples, and Mr. Anderson’s grandson Teddy performed a native hoop dance as part of the entertainment. Other native elements included a healing circle, a pipe ceremony, a sweat, and a sacred campfire that was kept burning throughout the celebrations.

Asia

ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR

Jubilee events held 10–12 November 2003 in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar, included a dinner for high-ranking officials. Lt. Governor Shri N. N. Jha praised the work being carried out by the Bahá’ís in the territory, which is composed of 540 islands. At a unity concert attended by some 700 people, the Chief of Staff of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, Rear Admiral Rakesh Kala, wished the Bahá’ís all the best in their work and activities. [Page 64]Jamshed Fozdar (left) presents a memento of the anniversary celebration to the Chief of Staff of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, Rear Admiral Rakesh Kala.

Jamshed Fozdar was one of the guests of honor at both the official dinner and the concert. His father, Dr. K. M. Fozdar, first brought the Bahá’í Faith to these islands in 1953 and received the title of Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. Although he had to leave the islands after four months, by then four local people had become Bahá’ís, and they continued the development of the community.

The events attracted wide coverage in both English- and Hindi-language newspapers. All India Radio repeatedly led its bulletins with news of the jubilee, broadcast quotations from Bahá’u’lláh’s writings, and carried live interviews with three Bahá’ís. Local television also covered the unity concert, which featured a program of songs and dances presented by Bahá’í youth and other high school students, all on themes of peace, harmony, and unity.

Australasia

COOK ISLANDS

More than 100 people attended the jubilee celebrations in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, held from 10 to 15 October 2003. Among the official guests at the jubilee were Queen Elizabeth II’s representative to the Cook Islands, Frederick Goodwin, and his wife, Ina Goodwin; the [Page 65]former representative, Sir Apenera Short and Lady Short; and Prime Minister Robert Woonton and his wife, Sue Woonton.

The festivities were also attended by traditional tribal chiefs and a representative from the country’s Religious Advisory Council. Bahá’í speakers included Heather Simpson, member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, and Alan Wilcox, Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand.

Georgie Skeaff, who has compiled a record of the Cook Islands Bahá’í community, led a tour to historical Bahá’í landmarks, which included places where the first Bahá’í pioneers in the country lived.

The Faith came to the islands through the efforts of Edith Danielsen, from the United States, who arrived in 1953, and Dulcie Dive, from New Zealand via Australia, who arrived in 1954. Both were named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh. In March 1955, two Cook Islanders, Tuaine Karotaua (also known as Peter Titi) and Rima Nicholas, became Bahá’ís. A year later, the first Local Spiritual Assembly was formed.

The jubilee events also included a devotional gathering that opened with a prayer said in eight languages, and featured children

Youth and children celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bahá’í Faith in the Cook Islands. [Page 66]singing and reading from the Bahá’í holy writings. Other highlights included a concert with singing, drumming, and dancing, and a visit to the island of Aitutaki.

KIRIBATI

The President of Kiribati was among the attendees at the anniversary celebrations in Abaiang, Kiribati, held on 4 March 2004. President Anote Tong addressed the gathering, urging, “governments of the land and spiritual governments should work hand in hand for the welfare of the people.”

A report from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Kiribati was read to the participants by Atita Atanrerei. The report recounted the introduction of Faith by Elena and Roy Fernie, who left their home in Panama and arrived to live in the village of Tuarabu, Abaiang, on 4 March 1954. Both were named Knights of

The President of Kiribati, Anote Tong (left), being greeted by Iotebatu Tiare, the Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Kiribati. [Page 67]Bahá’u’lláh. In the 50 years since their arrival, more than 10,000 local people have joined the Faith throughout the country.

Among those participating in the jubilee celebrations were Taukoriri Eritai, who became a Bahá’í at the time the Fernies were on Abaiang, and Bahá’í teachers in Kiribati, Joe Russell and John Thurston. Also attending was a representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand, Michael Fudakowski, who lived for some 17 years in Kiribati with his wife, Robin White, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Australasia, and their family.

The celebration included a feast and musical and dramatic performances. Two national newspapers and two national radio stations covered the events.

SOLOMON ISLANDS

Celebrations to mark the anniversary of the arrival of the Faith in the Solomon Islands, held between 27 February and 1 March 2004 at the national Bahá’í center in Honiara, were attended by some 500 people from all over the country. The celebrations welcomed visitors

Members of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Togori, Makira, Eastern Solomon Islands, at the jubilee, with Counsellor Jalal Mills (left). [Page 68]from Australia and Papua New Guinea, and satellite functions were also held in Gizo, Hareapa, and Malaita.

The jubilee’s guest of honor was Governor-General Sir John Ini Lapli, who commended the Bahá’í community for “endlessly and untiringly promoting unity, peace, and the brotherhood of mankind in the country over these 50 years of [the country’s] life.”

The Deputy Prime Minister also attended the official function, along with other government ministers, ambassadors, and high-commissioners from all diplomatic missions, a High Court judge, and many prominent members of the community. Among the Bahá’í guests was Continental Counsellor Jalal Mills, a son of John Mills, who was the first expatriate to become a Bahá’í in the country. John Mills and his wife were also present at the jubilee celebrations.

The jubilee was covered by both main national newspapers and the national radio, the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation.

The Faith was introduced to the islands by Bahá’í pioneers Alvin and Gertrude Blum from the United States, who arrived on 1 March 1954 and were subsequently named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh. Keithie Blum Saunders, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Blum, who lives in Honiara, gave an account of the lives of her parents and told of their services in establishing the Bahá’í community in the Solomon Islands and in opening various businesses. Gertrude Blum also helped to establish the National Council of Women and the Red Cross Society, and her husband was a member of the Honiara Town Council, a chairman of the Medical Board, and one of the founders of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Scout Movement.

A photo exhibition featured images of the history of the Bahá’í community in the Solomons from the mid-1950s to the present day, with photographs of some of the early Bahá’ís, including the first Solomon Islander to accept the Faith, Billy Gina, and a traditional chief from the Are Are region of Malaita, Hamuel Hoahania, whose conversion was the start of large-scale enrolment in the Bahá’í Faith by residents of Malaita.

TONGA

Highlights of the jubilee celebrations in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, held from 24 to 28 January 2004, included a welcoming ball with 600 [Page 69]Tongan Bahá’ís outside the royal palace after the parade.

guests, a morning devotional gathering attended by 500, and a luncheon attended by some 800 guests, including a member of the royal family. Bahá’ís from various Tongan island groups, such as Eua, Haapai, and Vavau, gathered for the jubilee. Others came from Australia, Hawaii, the Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Samoa, and the continental United States.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a, the first son of King Taufa’ahau Tupou ‎iv IV‎, welcomed a parade of more than 400 Bahá’ís who arrived at the royal palace after setting off from the newly renovated national Bahá’í center. They wore traditional Tongan woven clothing and carried flags and banners proclaiming such principles of the Bahá’í Faith as the oneness of religion and the unity of mankind.

A local Bahá’í dance troupe presented a traditional Tongan dance, called Lakalaka, and Native American artist Kevin Locke, representing the Bahá’ís of the United States at the jubilee, performed a hoop dance that was broadcast on the national news. [Page 70]Bahá’ís from Vanuatu parading through the streets of Port Vila as part of their anniversary events.

Following royal protocols, traditional orators Masila and Leka—both of them Bahá’ís—spoke on behalf of the Bahá’í community and expressed their appreciation to the royal family. The Prince’s orator, Vakalahi, assured the Bahá’ís that the Faith would continue to be under the blessing of the royal family and noted the many contributions of the Bahá’í community to Tonga.

Among the special guests was Stanley Bolton, who arrived from Australia as the first Bahá’í in the country on 25 January 1954, for which he received the accolade Knight of Bahá’u’lláh, as did two other pioneering Bahá’ís: Dudley Moore Blakely and his wife Elsa (Judy) Blakely, who arrived from the United States on 12 July 1954.

The Honorable Ma’atu, the second son of the King, was the guest of honor at a jubilee luncheon. Other guests were retired Speaker of the Parliament, Hon. Fusitu’a, accompanied by his daughter; Donald Blanks, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Australasia; representatives of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Samoa; and many government officials, community leaders, and members of the Christian community of Tonga.

The jubilee was an occasion of unprecedented media coverage of the Bahá’í Faith in Tonga, with the national tv channel and radio [Page 71]covering three nights of the jubilee. Reporters from two newspapers also covered the events.

The evening program featured a choir competition that included groups from Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga, with songs based on the Bahá’í sacred writings. The five-day jubilee celebrations ended with a picnic and a dance that saw participants from different islands dressed in traditional garb.

VANUATU

On the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Bahá’í Faith in Vanuatu, a parade set out from Bahá’í Street and moved through the center of Port Vila, the capital city, led by traditional dancers from the island of Tongoa. Members of local Bahá’í communities, wearing outfits in different floral prints, followed them, singing and waving to the crowd under banners proclaiming principles of their Faith such as “the oneness of humanity.”

Interspersed with the marchers were colorful floats, including a replica of the SS Caledonien, the ship on which Bertha Dobbins traveled to Port Vila in 1953. Mrs. Dobbins was the first to bring the Bahá’í Faith to what was then known as New Hebrides.

In the time since her arrival, the Bahá’í community of Vanuatu has been established in 199 localities throughout this archipelago of some 80 islands, with a National Spiritual Assembly and 44 Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Before a 500-strong audience that included many government and community leaders, the chairman of the National Council of Chiefs, Chief Paul Tahi, welcomed the parade and congratulated the Bahá’ís on the anniversary, lauding the community’s contributions not only to the unity of the country, but also to business and health.

At a public festival on Port Vila’s tropical seafront, other leaders to speak about the Faith included Vanuatu’s Director-General of Education, Abel Nako, and the Mayor of Port Vila, Patrick Crowby.

Representatives came from Bahá’í communities in French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and the Solomons. Among the many international guests attending the jubilee were a representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia, Kath Podger, and a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, Stephen Hall. [Page 72]A Bahá’í choir and dance groups from the Vanuatu island of Efate, and from New Caledonia and French Polynesia, provided entertainment for the event, which included a full-day public concert of song and dance staged on the city’s seafront.

Bahá’í communities in Ambae, Malakula, Pentecost, and Tanna held additional local jubilee festivities.

Europe

BALEARIC ISLANDS

Celebrations for the golden jubilee of the Faith in the Balearic Islands took place in Calvia, Mallorca, and Soller from 21 to 23 November 2003. Many artists, including the local Bahá’í choir and the San Jaime Choir, performed at the events. Regional dances and performances on violin and piano were also part of the entertainment.

Guests included Emilio Egea, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, and members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Spain, along with representatives of Buddhist, Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim organizations, who participated with the Bahá’ís in a panel discussion on religious dialogue, which was covered by the local media.

Several high-ranking officials also attended the celebrations, including the Director of the Human Rights for Children Office, a UNESCO representative, and senior members of the Education Council, who praised the Bahá’í community’s work for social welfare.

Charles Monroe Ioas of the United States, one of the first to bring the Faith to the islands, was present at the jubilee. He was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh, as was Virginia Orbison of the United States, who arrived in August 1953 as the first Bahá’í in the Balearics. Jean and Tove Deleuran from Denmark, who followed soon after, were also named Knights.

CANARY ISLANDS

Songs originating in the Canary Islands were a highlight of the festivities held in the capital, Las Palmas, from 10 to 12 October 2003. Guests from Austria, Morocco, Senegal, and Spain joined local Bahá’ís to watch a video documentary about the 50 years of Bahá’í activity in the islands, while another film, produced by local youth, [Page 73]depicted the significant role young people played in the history of the Bahá’í community.

Mahnaz Nekoudin, in a speech at the celebration, paid tribute to the early Bahá’í pioneers, many of whom were present at the jubilee and received roses as a gesture of gratitude.

The Faith first came to the Canary Islands in October 1953 when George and Peggy True and their son Barry arrived from the United States. Mr. and Mrs. True were both named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh. Two other Bahá’ís were named Knights for their contributions to the early community: Gertrude Eisenberg of the United States and Shoghi Riaz Rouhani, a Bahá’í from Egypt. Both settled on the island of Grand Canary.

Mr. Rouhani, who was present at the jubilee, talked about the significance of the historic events 50 years ago. Barry True addressed the gathering and offered an affectionate reminiscence of his parents. Also contributing to the festivities were Emilio Egea and Sohrab Youssefian, members of the Continental Board of Counsellors.

Participants at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Bahá’í Faith in the Canary Islands. [Page 74]Youth in Sicily gathered for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Bahá’í Faith on the island.

In conjunction with the jubilee, the Bahá’ís organized an inter-faith panel discussion, which was held at the Writers’ Guild of Las Palmas, and brought together members of the Buddhist, Catholic, and Jewish communities, as well as the consuls representing Ireland and Italy. The jubilee events were covered in two regional newspapers and on television.

SICILY

From 19 to 21 September 2003, the Bahá’ís of Sicily celebrated the golden jubilee of the arrival of the Bahá’í Faith on their island. Three hundred guests from 15 countries attended the celebrations held in Campofelice di Roccella near Palermo.

Guests of honor included former member of the Universal House of Justice ‘Alí Nakhjavání and his wife, Violette. The celebration was an occasion to recall how the community has grown over the years. [Page 75]The Bahá’í Faith first arrived on the staunchly Catholic island in 1953, borne by Emma Rice, who left behind a comfortable family estate in the United States to settle there. She was followed a week later by Stanley and Florence Bagley and their three teenaged children, also from the ‎us US‎.

Mrs. Rice and the members of the Bagley family were all designated Knights of Bahá’u’lláh. Through the activities of the Bahá’í pioneers and other arrivals, and with visits by Hand of the Cause of God Ugo Giachery, the Faith grew. The first Local Spiritual Assembly formed in 1957.

At the jubilee, Italian Bahá’í Mario Piarulli shared memories of Dr. Giachery, who was born in Palermo. Mr. Piarulli has recently finished writing a book, Gli Ambasciatori di Bahá’u’lláh (The Ambassadors of Bahá’u’lláh), which he dedicated to the memory of Dr. Giachery.

Another author present was Rino Cardone, who launched his recently published history of the Sicilian Bahá’í community, La Sicilia dalle Infinite Perle (The Countless Pearls of Sicily).

A highlight of the jubilee was a teleconference between the participants and Hand of the Cause of God ‘Alí-Muḥammad Varqá in Haifa, Israel. Dr. Varqá, who has been a regular visitor to Sicily, also sent a special letter for the occasion, which read in part: “Following 50 years of hard effort and activities, you have been successful in creating a community which could be presented as a model of integrity, harmony, and fellowship that generates the sweet fragrance of divine love in all parts of the islands of the Mediterranean Sea.”

NOTES

¹ Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Bahá’í World 1950–1957 (Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1995), pp. 41, 42.

² A summary of these goals can be found in The Bahá’í World, vol. XII (Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1956), pp. 256–74, and in Shoghi Effendi’s cable announcing the launch of the plan, in Messages to the Bahá’í World, pp. 40–45.

³ This system of plans for the development of the Bahá’í community continues still today, under the direction of the Universal House of Justice. The current Five Year Plan was launched in 2001.

⁴ Messages to the Bahá’í World, p. 152. [Page 76]⁵ More information about many of these jubilee celebrations can be found on the Web site of the Bahá’í World News Service, http://news.bahai.org/. For a comprehensive list of countries and territories opened during 1953–54, see Glenn Cameron with Wendi Momen, A Basic Bahá’í Chronology (Oxford: George Ronald, 1996), pp. 291–320.