Bahá’í News/Issue 259/Text
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| BAHÁ’Í NEWS | |||
| PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES | |||
| NO. 259 | BAHA’I YEAR 109 | SEPTEMBER, 1952 | |
THE GUARDIAN[edit]
THE GUARDIAN'S LAST APPEAL FOR FULFILMENT OF ALL NATIONAL TEACHING PLANS[edit]
Recall (with) feelings (of) profound emotion, as mid-August approaches, (the) distressing circumstances attending (the) dastardly act which, one hundred years ago, precipitated (the) chain (of) calamitous events, unparalleled (in) scope (and) severity (in the) annals (of the) Faith (of) Bahá’u’lláh (and) constituting, next to (the) martyrdom (of) its Herald, (the) darkest, bloodiest (and) most tragic episode (of the) Heroic Age (of the) Bahá’í Dispensation. Invite members (of) all communities (of the) Bahá’í World, standing (at the) threshold (of the) Holy Year (to) call (to) mind (the) manifold tribulations afflicting God’s infant Faith immediately preceding, accompanying (and) following (the) imprisonment (of the) Author (of the) Bahá’í Revelation (in the) Síyáh-Chál (in) Ṭihrán, (the) somber scene (of the) birth (of His glorious mission. Urge them (to) remember (the) multitude (of) barbarous acts in which king, government, people (and) ecclesiastics participated; (to) ponder (the) ferocious character (of the) persecutions; (and to) meditate (upon the) vastness (of) their range as well as (their) far-reaching consequences. Request them (to) dwell particularly (upon the) seeming helplessness (of) God’s struggling Faith (and) direct special attention (to the) ordeals undergone (by) Bahá’u’lláh, its sole surviving pillar, subsequent (to the) birth (of) His Mission, His ultimate banishment, (and) culminating (in)
| On April 8th work began on the Drum, the third unit of the Shrine of the Báb. The Drum is the foundation unit upon which the golden Dome will rest. The beginning of the double wall on the roof of the Octagon is shown above. |
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His incarceration (in the) Holy Land
(and in the) fulfilment (of) age-long
prophecies.
Address to them, as well (as to) their national representatives, my last appeal here (at the) commencement (of the) forthcoming Centenary Celebrations (to) exert (in the) course (of the) critical, fleeting months ahead, one final, supreme effort (to) ensure complete, total success (of) all plans formulated by National Assemblies (in) every continent (of the) globe, culminating (in the) Riḍván period, falling (in the) middle (and) marking (the) central features (of the) celebrations (of the) Holy Year.
Supplicating God’s bountiful blessings (on) each (and) every national enterprise, (the) triumphant consummation of which will be regarded (by) posterity (as a) befitting tribute paid by their participants (to the) immortal memory (of the) unexampled heroism (of the) dawn-breakers (of the) Apostolic Age (of the) Dispensation (of) Bahá’u’lláh (and) will crown (the) festivities commemorating (the) centenary (of the) birth (of) His Mission (and) will constitute (a) worthy prelude (to the) launching (of the) global spiritual crusade destined (to) culminate (in the) one hundredth anniversary (of the) formal assumption (by the) Author (of the) Bahá’í Revelation (of) His Prophetic Office, (and to) diffuse (the) radiance (of) His Faith (over the) face (of the) entire planet.
Share message (with) all National Assemblies.
Haifa, August 5, 1952
COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The revered Guardian’s message is the spiritual inauguration of Holy Year. Addressing the Bahá’ís of every community throughout the world, he depicts for us the “chain of calamitous events” which, next to the martyrdom of the Báb, constitute the “bloodiest and most tragic episode of the Heroic Age of the Bahá’í Dispensation.” He invokes in us the duty to recall these tribulations surrounding Bahá’u’lláh’s mystical experience in Síyáh-Chál, and to realize the apparent helplessness which concealed from unbelievers the potency of the Faith of God.
Steeped in grief and steeled in resolve by their contemplation, we heed the Guardian’s “last appeal” to assure complete success for all national Bahá’í plans. What bounty to be assured of God’s blessings for our enterprise, and to be worthy to pay tribute to the dawn-breakers.
Our national Bahá’í plan, as set forth in Bahá’í News after the Convention, involves intensive teaching and contributions to the National Fund under the current Resolve Plan. Let us study that plan once more, in the light of the Guardian’s “last appeal.” The door of bounty is still open, but it will close for us at the end of this Bahá’í year!
The Holy Year culminates in the spiritual crusade destined to diffuse the radiance of the Faith over the face of the earth. Here, indeed, resounds the deepest truth of this Revelation: that worship and action are conjoined, and no false mysticism can lure the soul into the path of ease and irresponsibility.
COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Beloved Friends:
On August 14 the National Spiritual Assembly received a letter from the Guardian dated June 30. Copies were immediately sent to local Assemblies and Regional Teaching Committees.
Shoghi Effendi’s words warn every American Bahá’í. It is for us as individual believers, as well as in our capacity of members of communities, groups, Assemblies or Committees, to meditate and pray upon this impassioned plea to fulfill our individual and collective obligation to the Cause of God in this, the final year of the second Seven Year Plan.
Let us mark well the grandeur and nobility of the station of sacrifice to which we are called. “... little wonder that the followers of such a Revelation should be called upon to pour forth, as a ransom for so much suffering, and in thanksgiving for such priceless benefits conferred upon mankind, their substance, exert themselves to the utmost, scale the summits of self-sacrifice, accomplish the most valorous feats ...” “... to each and every believer.... I feel moved, as the fateful hour of a memorable centenary approaches, to address my plea, with all the fervor that my soul can command and all the love that my heart contains, to rededicate themselves collectively and individually, to the task that lies ahead of them.” ... “I direct my impassioned appeal to obey, as befits His warriors, the summons of the Lord of Hosts....”
The hour of decision is here. We have the institutions, the plans the devoted believers—everything needed to reach and surpass the goals set for America this year. Let us study again, meditate upon, consult about and act upon, the presentation of the National Teaching Plan, the Annual Budget and Resolve Plan set forth on page 5 of Bahá’í News for May, immediately following the Annual Convention. In those brief statements we have the exact measure of the necessary expression of our faith in God and our love of mankind.
The National Spiritual Assembly awaits in humble prayer the vast outpouring which will be made to this “summons of the Lord of Hosts.”
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
One of the carved stone panels that form the sill of the eighteen lancet windows of the Drum.
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The Drum begins to rise above the Octagon. It will be 33 feet high and will contain eighteen lancet windows. The construction of the Drum presents a difficult engineering problem, because it must be a perfect circle, and because it has two walls, an outer stone wall and an inner thin reinforced concrete one, which must be built simultaneously. Work on this double wall is progressing rapidly.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
“Deeds, Not Words”[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly is well aware of the spirit of intense devotion which inspires the body of the believers in the United States. It is, however, not possible to present this awareness as news of specific acts, because the Assembly members are naturally not informed of all that individual believers are doing.
Therefore, when an occasion arises which enables the Assembly to cite a definite example of this spirit, the members feel it is a privilege to share the news with the friends.
Recently a letter was received written jointly by several Bahá’ís. These passages tell the story of what is needed if we are to meet the challenge of the second Seven Year Plan.
“Dear Friends:
“After pondering the recent Messages from our beloved Guardian and from our National Spiritual Assembly, we feel deeply that what is required this fateful year is the highest heroic action of which we American Bahá’ís are capable; action worthy of being considered perhaps a faint reflection of the self-sacrifice of those immortal martyrs and heroes whose spiritual descendants we are.
“Mindful of our Guardian’s words that ‘no sacrifice can be deemed too great’ to insure the victory of this Seven Year Plan, and bearing in mind his fervent plea to the American Bahá’ís to ‘rise as never before,’ we are placing ourselves and our entire personal resources at the disposal of our National Spiritual Assembly asking them to use us and our total resources as they may see fit, in helping along the necessary pioneering, teaching and eradication of the fund deficit.
“Our constant prayer is that we may all arise as one soul and gloriously seize our last and irretrievable chance.”
Correction in Cable of June 11, 1952[edit]
On August 20, 1952 the Guardian wrote through his secretary a correction to be made in the text of his cable of June 11 as published in Bahá’í News.
The passage in the last long paragraph should read as follows: “sacred precincts leading successively (to the) Holy Court, (the) outer (and) inner sanctuaries, the Blessed Threshold (and the) Holy of Holies.” Also: “surrounding Bahá’u’lláh’s resting place (and are) paving the way ...”
INTERNATIONAL NEWS[edit]
AFRICA[edit]
Opening of New Hazira[edit]
In his cablegram of February 29th the Guardian announced to the Bahá’í world his instructions to Hand of the Cause, Musa Banani, to acquire property in Kampala, Uganda for a local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, to be regarded as the nucleus of a future national administrative headquarters.
On June 2nd, the Kampala Spiritual Assembly officially took occupancy of the house purchased for the new Ḥaẓíra. The Assembly asked Mary and Rex Collison, newly arrived American pioneers, to undertake the responsibilities of being resident hosts and caretakers.
Improvements were made on the building and it was furnished, and on July 5th the opening celebration took place. Over sixty people attended, including a few children. Representatives of more than twelve African tribes were present.
The program began at nine in the morning with half an hour devoted to a special dedication meeting. At four in the afternoon, a special meeting was convened at the Ḥaẓíra. Tea and sandwiches were served, music was played and photographs were taken. The program which followed included talks on “The Spiritual Significance of the Ḥaẓíra,” “The Kampala Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds,” specially selected readings from the Writings, and brief talks by a member of the Spiritual Assembly and three African friends of the Faith. This historic occasion was concluded with the Prayer for Unity read in Luganda. Much literature was distributed, and valuable teaching work was done.
Shortly before Musa Banani left Haifa, the Guardian entrusted to him a number of precious gifts for the new Ḥaẓíra. The most cherished of all is a rug from the Inner Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh. In addition, photographs were sent of the Greatest Name; the Bahá’í Temple in Wilmette; the architect’s drawing of the Shrine of the Báb; Bahá’u’lláh’s seals; a facsimile of the hand-writing of Queen Marie of Rumania; and films of the Shrines and gardens at ‘Akká and Haifa. Rúḥíyyih Khánum sent a beautiful Persian carpet with the Greatest Name woven into it.
Two New Territories Opened[edit]
Two more of the twelve territories included within the African Project have recently been opened to the Faith, Nyasaland and Algeria. Only Madagascar, Zanzibar and Somaliland remain to be settled.
Bahá’ís gathered at the Twenty-second National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Germany and Austria, held at the Hazira, Frankfurt am Main, April 26 and 27, 1952.
Unique in the history of the Africa
Project is the settlement of Denis
Dudley-Smith Kutendele in Zomba,
capital city of Nyasaland. Mr. Kutendele was the first African believer
in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanganyika, and
was a member of the first Spiritual Assembly there. Now he has
returned with his family to his own
country and people, thereby becoming not only the first Bahá’í to settle
in Nyasaland, but also the first
African believer to carry the Faith
into a new territory.
Mr. K. Attar, a Persian pioneer has gone to Algiers, Algeria, as a pioneer.
New Pioneer Arrivals[edit]
Three more Persian pioneers have recently arrived in Africa. Mr. and Mrs. Mohamed Yazdani and their two children have arrived in Dar-es-Salaam, and Mr. Aziz Yazdi has joined the other pioneer in Livingstone, North Rhodesia.
Libya, North Africa[edit]
The Egyptian National Spiritual Assembly has received the first declaration of a new Bahá’í from Benghazi where Dr. Hussein Gollestaneh is working diligently to spread the teachings.
Sierra Leone, West Africa[edit]
The teaching work in Freetown, Sierra Leone, has received a wonderful stimulant with the arrival of Arthur Cole. Mr. Cole became a believer in England during the Six Year Plan and helped establish a new Community. He has now returned to his home to assist with the teaching work among his people.
Translations[edit]
Both the Kampala and Dar-es-Salaam Spiritual Assemblies have given serious attention to the Guardian’s desire that the literature be translated into Swahili and Luganda. A member of the Dar-es-Salaam Community is Mr. Leslie Matola, retired Chief Interpreter of the High Court of Tanganyika, and at seventy, he has taken on the task of translating the literature into Swahili.
In Kampala, a special Translations Committee is working on new translations in Luganda, and on the initial translations into Lutoro and Ateso, both languages known and used by several of the new believers in Uganda.
Dar-es-Salaam[edit]
The Dar-es-Salaam Community is sponsoring a regular series of informal social evenings called “Africa Nights” to reach the widest possible group of African contacts. During the course of the evening, several African speakers give brief talks about the life, work, customs, beliefs and traditions of their own and neighboring tribes, each followed by a discussion period. At the conclusion of the evening the host briefly outlines the unifying principles of the Bahá’í Faith.
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND[edit]
The Guardian’s latest communication to the friends “down under”
is a deeply-vitalizing message, which
states, in part: “As the Plan, to
which they stand committed, enters
upon the last stage in its unfoldment the members of this community, however remarkable their accomplishments have been in the past,
must steel themselves and through
a supreme effort, endeavor to rise
to still greater heights of dedication, display in the pioneering field
a still more compelling degree of
consecration, evince a still nobler
spirit of self-abnegation, and a greater awareness of the gravity of the
issues at stake and of the inestimable value of the prizes within
their reach.... That they may be
qualified to undertake a still greater
mission, assume weightier responsibilities and embark upon mightier
enterprises, the adequate discharge
of their present duties and the fulfillment of their sacred obligations
is no doubt essential. This community, now standing on the threshold
of an Era of unprecedented expansion, and gazing towards the glorious
future that awaits it, must seize the
priceless opportunities which these
fast-fleeting months offer it, and
must not allow for a moment its
vision to be dimmed.”
South Australia reports that a new venture has been undertaken there by the formation of a Bahá’í Correspondence School for children. Lessons are sent regularly to the South-East, 150 miles away, and the West Coast of the State, 180 miles distant. There are eight children on the rolls ranging in age from four to twelve years. A country Lending Library Service has also been successfully launched and books are sent great distances.
Mr. J. Katzmann, of Brisbane, Queensland, left for Rabaul, New Britain, in the Solomons in July. It is hard for Brisbane to lose this believer, but it is good to have yet another teacher going to the “Isles of the Sea” which are Australia’s responsibility.
Fiji[edit]
Mr. Fazal Khan, who is visiting the Fijian Friends in Suva writes: “The Faith of this Fijian Group is something to be seen to be believed. They are far above the rest of the Indian Community here. Wonderful how God chooses the best material for himself.” While in Fiji, Mr. Khan presented to the Public Relations Officer a parcel of Bahá’í literature on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand.
CANADA[edit]
Most Holy Shrine in Canada[edit]
The Canadian Bahá’í News—Memorial Issue to Mr. William Sutherland Maxwell gives us this most moving news: “The Maxwell home, blessed by the Master’s visit in 1912, has been declared a Shrine, to become to Bahá’ís, the most holy spot in Canada, surpassing even the future temple.”
The Maxwell home at 1548 Pine Avenue, Montreal, was the first Bahá’í home in Canada, established in 1902. Through the white doorway over the years have passed people of all races, classes and nations; all captive to the spirit of Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell. In 1912 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited Montreal and stayed at the Maxwell home. The three members of this distinguished Bahá’í family have each given unstintingly of their services to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh over the last fifty-four years. Mrs. Maxwell was a beloved handmaid and disciple of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; to the Bahá’ís she was the spiritual mother of Canada and of the Latin race,
Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany and Austria, 1952-1953. From left to right: Werner Hartwig, Dr. Heide Jager, Julius Henseler, Mrs. Johanna von Werthern, Ruprecht G. Kruger, Secretary, Mrs. Anna Grossmann, Otto Hafner, Treasurer, Dr. Adelbert Muhlschlegel, Vice-Chairman (Hand of the Cause), and Dr. Eugen Schmidt, Chairman.
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winning the “crown of martyrdom”
when she died in Argentina while
teaching there in 1940. Mr. Maxwell
was the architect of the Arcade and
Superstructure of the Shrine of the
Báb, and was elevated to the “front
ranks of the Hands of the Cause
of God” by the Guardian. Their
daughter, Rúḥíyyih Khánum, is the
wife of Shoghi Effendi. She has recently been designated Amatu’l-Bahá and appointed a Hand of the
Cause of God by the Guardian. Thus
the Maxwell home, the new Shrine
of Canada, has housed three of
Bahá’u’lláh’s outstanding servants.
Opportunities for Eskimo Teaching[edit]
Opportunities exist for employment in the Arctic through which the Cause may be taken to the Eskimos, a goal especially referred to by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Tablets of the Divine Plan. Believers interested in pioneering in this important field are invited to apply to the Eskimo Committee who will be glad to supply detailed information. Write: Mr. Craig Weaver, 3 Goswell Avenue, Islington, Toronto 18, Ontario. Occupations in which vacancies now occur include cooks, assistant cooks, diesel mechanics, nurses, radio telegraphers, policemen, mail clerks, scientists, weather observers (no previous training needed), teachers. In certain cases a husband and wife team are particularly favored by employers.
“Let Us Bury the Dead”[edit]
From a stimulating editorial in the Canadian Bahá’í News:
“It is time to stop and examine ourselves, our institutions, our teaching. The dead things that impede the flow of the spirit should be eliminated leaving only those agencies through which the spirit can operate.
“If our committees are failing to achieve results, then we should get out our spiritual stethoscopes and look for ‘rigor mortis.’ If we find ourselves going on year after year following the same old pattern and plan with no success then we should look at the pattern and plan. The spirit has probably departed. If it has, it is time for new methods. We all seem to have an unconscious tendency to build boney structures into which we crawl and hide.
“If our public lectures are failing to attract and interest people then rest assured that the spirit is absent. If we parrot trite and hackneyed phrases which are devoid of spirit, the words fall dead at our feet. They have no life and will impart nothing.
“Our firesides should be alive and stimulating. If they are not, we should eliminate the dead things, the old habits and practices through which the spirit no longer flows.
“In this way our teaching will be alive, our efforts will bear fruit.
“Let us quickly bury the dead so that this infant Faith with its new and vital spirit will have room in which to grow. Let us provide this youngster with an environment in which he will grow strong and healthy. For this is the infant who is destined to grow up and conquer the world.”
EGYPT AND SUDAN[edit]
29th Annual Convention[edit]
The 29th Annual Convention of the Egyptian Bahá’ís was inspired by the visit of Shu’a’ulláh Alai, Hand of the Cause, who brought a message from the Guardian, and spoke of the spread of the Faith in the East and West.
Mr. Alai visited the friends in Cairo, Port Sa’íd and Alexandria where he stressed the importance of the Holy Year and the global conferences to be held. He made a flying visit to the Bahá’í community of Khartoum in the Sudan, and “bestowed a new life and spiritual strength upon them.”
Striking evidence of the march of the Faith was given the believers through the short visits of pioneers to Africa, Mr. Agha Mohammad Yazdani with his wife and two children who were bound for Dar-es-Salaam, and Mr. Aziz Yazdi from Ṭihrán, going to Livingstone, North Rhodesia.
New National Spiritual Assembly[edit]
The following members were elected to constitute the National Spiritual Assembly for the year 109:
- Mr. Badi Bushroui, Chairman
- Mr. Mohamed Mustapha Suleman, Vice-Chairman
- Mr. Siyyid Mohamed Azzawi, Secretary
- Mr. Iskandar Hanna, Treasurer
- Mr. Sobhi Elias
- Mr. Hussein Amin Bikar
- Mr. Ali Hussein Ruhi
- Mr. Abdul-Rahim Yazdi
- Dr. Roushan Yazdi
Women in the News[edit]
In swift confirmation of the valuable services rendered last year by the first women elected to the Local Spiritual Assemblies of Egypt, is the news that this Riḍván not only have all but two of the Local Communities elected women to their Spiritual Assemblies, but that these women have been elected as officers of several of the Assemblies.
Egyptian Summer School[edit]
Land has been secured for an Egyptian Bahá’í Summer School in the vicinity of Ramleh, Alexandria, well-known as the suburb in which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá lived while in Egypt.
INDIA, PAKISTAN AND BURMA[edit]
Burma — Buddhist Monks Attend Meetings[edit]
From Mandalay comes this interesting account of teaching work during the past year. “Weekly meetings and Bahá’í Holy Days were regularly and fittingly observed. On Holy Days public meetings were held at the Bahá’í Hall. One great feature of these meetings was that they were attended by large numbers of Buddhist monks who asked very intelligent questions regarding the teachings of the Faith.
“At the occasion of the third Annual World Religion Day a public meeting was held. Buddhists, Muslims and Christians all gathered together and the Bahá’í Hall was full to capacity. After the lectures and talks were over, Bahá’í pamphlets were freely distributed among the audience. This was followed by two very important meetings, one with a Buddhist Group on February 3rd, and the other with a Christian Group on February 27th. In short a good and lively interest has been created among the religiously minded people in Mandalay, and we see a great future for the Cause in this land of pagodas and poongyees.”
19-Month Plan[edit]
The Guardian’s cables to the 1951 Annual Convention called upon the friends to undertake a number of
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tasks. After careful consideration of
these jobs, the National Spiritual Assembly drew up a 19 Month Plan to
begin on the 19th of September, 1951,
and to terminate on the 19th of
April 1953.
The objectives of this plan included the following:
- To contribute to the erection of the Báb’s Shrine.
- To translate and print Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era in Indonesian, Siamese, Malay, Kachin, Shan and Karen languages.
- To send pioneers and to open to the Faith the neighboring countries of Siam, Malaya, Indonesia, Indo-China, Nepal, and the Islands of East Africa, Zanzibar and Madagascar.
- To consolidate 20 weak assemblies and establish 18 new assemblies and reclaim 4 disbanded assemblies.
- To prosecute enterprises launched in Ceylon.
The whole community set about
achieving this plan. Ten volunteers
offered to go wherever they could
serve the Faith. An unsurmountable
obstacle was then encountered. No
visas could be obtained for the volunteers. The National Assembly
wrote to the Africa Committee of the
British Isles and requested help.
They are working on the problem
and have offered helpful suggestions
that might overcome this hurdle.
At the recent Annual Convention progress was reported on the Plan:
In Ceylon, the Spiritual Assembly of Colombo, the capital of the Island, has become a nucleus of Bahá’í activities. Two young men pioneers have gone to Kalutara and Batticaloa to establish the Faith. The Bahá’ís of Colombo are concentrating on Kandy and Galle, the two most important towns after Colombo. The roots of the Faith have gone deep into the soil of the Island, and soon a strong, self-sustaining Community will be developed.
In Indonesia progress is slow but steady.
Malayan progress is marvelous. There is a strong Spiritual Assembly established in Singapore, and it is already branching out into neighboring towns.
Several Bahá’í families have rendered outstanding service in these countries: Dr. M. E. Lukmani and his family in Ceylon, Dr. K. M. Fozdar and his family in Malaya, and Mr. K. H. Payman and his family and Mr. Burzoo Soheili in Indonesia.
Mr. and Mrs. Jamshid Fozdar have done wonderful work in Kuching, Sarawak. Though they have only recently gone there they have already attracted a small group who form the nucleus of the first Spiritual Assembly of British Borneo.
On the home front devoted pioneers and teachers have succeeded in forming four new assemblies and five centers, three disbanded assemblies have been reestablished, and eleven weak assemblies are now strong and sound.
Regarding translating and printing the New Era, little progress has been possible. The Indonesian translation is going ahead slowly, but the three languages of Burma, Shan, Karen and Kachin are very difficult problems. Few Shans know English, and those who do are not particularly interested in the arduous task of translating a religious text. Much the same applies to Kachin. The Karens are at war with the Burmese, so little can be done at the moment. Further avenues are being explored to uncover able translators and the National Assembly is confident that these objectives will be attained by 1953.
New National Spiritual Assembly[edit]
The new National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Pakistan and Burma has the following membership:
- Mr. A. A. Butt, Chairman
- Mr. A. C. Joshi, Vice-Chairman
- Mr. A. Rahman, Secretary
- Mr. N. A. Khavari, Assistant Secretary
- Mr. G. A. Amreliwala, Treasurer
- Mr. I. K. B. Bakhtiari, Assistant Treasurer
- Prof. Pritam Singh
- Prof. D. L. Khianra
- Mr. M. Samimi
NATIONAL NEWS[edit]
THE SOUVENIR OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA[edit]
|
National Bahá’í Addresses
National Bahá’í Administrative Headquarters:
National Treasurer:
Bahá’í Publishing Committee:
Bahá’í News Editorial Office:
|
The fortieth annual commemoration of the Unity Feast ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave in 1912 at West Englewood, New Jersey, was held on June 28th, 1952. Three hundred guests representing many races and countries attended the anniversary.
The program included the reading of the original talk given by the Master at the first Feast, which is a permanent part of the Souvenir each year. Miss Elsie Austin spoke on “Lo! The World Redeemer Is Come.” A prayer service was held in the grove where the Master stood when he addressed the friends forty years previously. In the evening slides and films were shown of the Bahá’í Temple and Shrines at Haifa.
GLEANED FROM BULLETINS AND REPORTS[edit]
Two Bahá’ís of Anchorage, Alaska, helped the Anchorage United Nations Association this year with a float in the annual Fourth of July Parade. The float carried a large globe of the world and depicted citizens of various nationalities. It won third prize in the parade as a whole, and first prize in the patriotic organizations section.
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There will be a Bahá’í exhibit at
the Topsfield Fair (August 31 to
September 6, 1952) near Boston,
Massachusetts. The Bahá’í cozy corner will be situated near the West
entrance of the Grange Building.
ROOM WHERE 'ABDU'L-BAHA SPOKE NOW BOSTON CENTER[edit]
The new Boston Bahá’í Center is Room 201 of the Kensington Building where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke in 1912. A meeting to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of that occasion was held on July 24th. The talk which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave in that room on the evening of July 24, 1912, was read by Mr. Matthew Bullock. Several Bahá’ís who had been present in 1912 recounted their memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and of the occasion.
TAHIRIH[edit]
Centenary of Martyrdom August 1852-1952[edit]
Ṭáhirih, the greatest woman of the Bábí Dispensation, was martyred in August, 1852, one hundred years ago last month.
She became acquainted with the writings of Shaykh Aḥmad, and subsequently engaged in correspondence with Siyyid Káẓim. It was Siyyid Káẓim who conferred upon her the name of “Qurratu’l-‘Ayn,” (Solace of the Eyes). The title of “Ṭáhirih” (The Pure One) was first associated with her name at the Conference of Badasht, and later confirmed by the Báb, who said: “What am I to say regarding her whom the Tongue of Power and Glory has named Ṭáhirih (The Pure One)?”
One night she dreamed a dream. A youth, a Siyyid, wearing a black cloak and a green turban, appeared to her in the heavens, who with upraised hands was reciting certain verses, one of which she noted down in her book. She awoke from her dream greatly impressed by her strange experience. When, later on, a copy of the Báb’s Commentary on the Súrih of Joseph, reached her, she, to her intense delight, discovered that same verse which she had heard in her dream in that book. That discovery assured her of the truth of the Message which the author of that work had proclaimed.
She immediately penned a message to that promised One: “The effulgence of Thy face flashed forth, and the rays of Thy visage arose on high. Then speak the word, ‘Am I not your Lord?’ and ‘Thou art, Thou art!’ we will all reply.” The Báb received the message and forthwith declared her one of the Letters of the Living.
Unwarned and uninvited, Ṭáhirih perceived the dawning light of the promised Revelation breaking upon the city of Shíráz, and was prompted to pen her message and plead her fidelity to Him who was the Revealer of that light.
The Báb’s immediate response to her declaration of faith which, without attaining His presence, she was moved to make, animated her zeal and vastly increased her courage. She arose to spread abroad His teachings, vehemently denounced the corruption and perversity of her generation, and fearlessly advocated a fundamental revolution in the habits and manners of her people. Her indomitable spirit was quickened by the fire of her love for the Báb, and the glory of her vision was further enhanced by the discovery of the inestimable blessings latent in His Revelation. The innate fearlessness and the strength of her character were reinforced a hundredfold by her immovable conviction of the ultimate victory of the Cause she had embraced; and her boundless energy was revitalised by her recognition of the abiding value of the Mission she had risen to champion. All who met her were ensnared by her bewitching eloquence and felt the fascination of her words. None could resist her charm; few could escape the contagion of her belief. All testified to the extraordinary traits of her character, marvelled at her amazing personality, and were convinced of the sincerity of her convictions.
Ṭáhirih met Bahá’u’lláh a number of times. She knew full well into whose presence she had been admitted. As it was with her acceptance of the Faith proclaimed by the Báb when she, unwarned and unsummoned, had hailed His Message and recognized its truth, so did she perceive through her own intuitive knowledge the future glory of Bahá’u’lláh. It was in the year ’60 that she alluded in her odes to her recognition of the Truth He was to reveal. In an ode the following verse occurs: “The effulgence of the Abhá Beauty hath pierced the veil of night; behold the souls of His lovers dancing, mote-like, in the light that has flashed from His face!”
Ṭáhirih gave her full life to the spreading of the Teachings of the Báb, and was finally caught in the maelstrom of persecution which followed the attempt on the life of the Sháh. She was hideously martyred in August of 1852.
She was born in 1817, the very year which witnessed the birth of Bahá’u’lláh. She was thirty-six years of age when she suffered martyrdom in Ṭihrán. May future generations be enabled to present a worthy account of a life which her contemporaries have failed adequately to recognize. May future historians perceive the full measure of her influence, and record the unique services this great woman has rendered to her land and its people. May the followers of the Faith which she served so well strive to follow her example, recount her deeds, collect her writings, unfold the secret of her talents, and establish her, for all time, in the memory and affections of the peoples and kindreds of the earth.
(See The Dawn Breakers, pp. 81-2, 269-70, 285-6, 628-9.)
‘Abdu’l-Bahá has written:
“Amongst the women of our time is Qurratu’l-‘Ayn, the daughter of a Muḥammadan priest. At the time of the appearance of the Báb she showed such tremendous courage and power that all who heard her were astonished. She threw aside her veil, despite the immemorial custom of the Persians, and although it was considered impolite to speak with men, this heroic woman carried on controversies with the most learned men, and in every meeting she vanquished them. When imprisoned she said, ‘You can kill me as soon as you like, but you cannot stop the emancipation of women’.”
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Progress in the landscaping of the grounds around the Temple can be clearly seen in this photograph taken August 1st. Evidences of the extensive grading work which has leveled the ground around the building are apparent. Two of the concave retaining walls which support the curved walk at the base of the Temple stairs are shown in the center. At the juncture of the two walks is one of the nine stairways which descend to the walks. At the right can be seen the partially completed long sidewalk which begins at the intersection of Sheridan Road and Linden Avenue. The visitor approaching the House of Worship along this path can read above the entrance before him, “My Love Is My Stronghold; He that Entereth Therein Is Safe and Secure.”
NATIONAL COMMITTEES[edit]
YOUTH ANNOUNCE NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR 1952-1953[edit]
The Jubilee Year is upon us! This is the year of jubilation, rededication, and consecration.
The National Youth Committee has prepared a year’s program of conferences and activities for Bahá’í Youth across the country. Make plans to attend each event! And arrange your other plans accordingly!
Jubilee Calendar 1952-1953:
September 27 - October 5, 1952
National Bahá’í Youth Week
- National Youth Conference, September 27-28
- “Consecration to Teaching.”
- National Youth Public Meeting, October 5
- “Why We Are Bahá’ís.”
January 10-11, 1953
- National Youth Conference “The Oneness of Mankind.”
March 7-8, 1953
- National Youth Conference
- “Our Last Irretrievable Chance.”
March 25, 1953
- World Youth Day
- “Hope in a Troubled World.”
Convention, 1953
- Youth Conference
- “The Jubilee Year.”
Stanford, California
TIPS FOR TEACHING[edit]
A Teaching Plan That Works[edit]
Have you had the experience that contacts come over and over again to firesides, but show no interest in further study of the Faith? Do some stop coming to public meetings or firesides because they feel that they hear the same thing over and
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over? Do they fail to glimpse the
significance and depth of the Teachings which await their investigation?
If you meet any of these situations in your community you may be interested in a brief description of a teaching plan that works; a plan that works whether a community is small or large, experienced or inexperienced in teaching the Cause. One small community barely holding Assembly status for three years, with this teaching plan that worked, was responsible for enrolling ten new, well-grounded believers in a little over a year.
The plan is based on the conviction that teaching must be a progressive unfoldment of the Cause. Contacts first attend firesides—this is essential. Essential, too, is a true Bahá’í spirit of unity and cooperation between those holding firesides and those carrying out the rest of the teaching plan, for upon the basis of continuous attraction of new contacts rest the successive steps.
As soon as the interest of the contacts is awakened, they are encouraged to join a group where in 10 or 11 weekly meetings they can get a well-rounded view of the Faith—information that is offered to everyone whether or not they become believers.
Briefly, the content of this series of meetings is:
- Cycles of civilization—stressing
the idea of progressive revelation and
the role of religion in civilization.
Meetings two through five concern the principal events in the lives of the three Central Figures of the Faith and the objects of Their Ministries: - The Báb
- and 4. Bahá’u’lláh
- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
At the next three meetings the contacts get an introduction to the Spiritual Teachings of the Faith by reading aloud, together with guidance and explanations by the teacher, selections from the Writings which deal with “the three worlds of being:” - “God, Singly and Alone.”
- The Manifestation
- Man
Depending on the background, special interests and needs of the inquirers this section may be expanded to go more deeply into the Teachings, or perhaps to study “Some Christian Subjects,” from Some Answered Questions. Flexibility, which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá so perfectly demonstrated as part of the divine method of teaching, should always be part of any plan. The final meetings concern the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh: - The Unfoldment of World Civilization from the beginning of the Nineteenth Century to the Golden Age.
- The Guardianship and the Administrative Order
- Summary
By the end of this series the inquirers themselves usually state,
without any questions from the
teacher, whether they wish to become Bahá’ís. Those who may not
feel ready to take this step are well-informed and friendly to the Cause
For those who do wish to become
Bahá’ís, actual preparation for enrollment now begins. This includes
study of The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh, the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and other material
suggested in the “Handbook of the
Two-Year Plan of Preparation.”
Several factors are important for the success of these introductory classes: the meetings must be held regularly, and preferably weekly; any subject that is missed should be made up with one of the teachers; two or three teachers are desirable to ensure regularity and to plan and cooperate in the teaching work. One of the teachers may be an “observer.” This is often valuable to new believers. It helps them to become more sure of their ground and to gain confidence in themselves.
This “plan that works” is by no means suggested as the only plan that will work. It is a proven way to help develop strong and active believers. Shoghi Effendi says: “... It is not sufficient that our numbers should increase; we want people who in turn arise and carry the Message to other people and guide other souls.” (Bahá’í News, No. 64.)
NATIONAL RADIO[edit]
“This I Believe”[edit]
Several months ago, Bill Sears participated in the program entitled, “This I Believe” broadcast over the CBS Network. No Faith or belief can be mentioned by name on this program. The script submitted by Mr. Sears, containing a clear statement of his understanding of the Teachings as they apply to the individual, however, was broadcast on the CBS Network, and broadcast locally on 196 stations across the country. It was also broadcast on the Voice of America in six different languages and on 140 Armed Forces Radio Service Stations overseas. There is a possiblity that the text of the script will be included in a book to be published by Simon and Shuster this October and will carry a 200-word biography of the author, listing him as a member of the National Radio Committee of the Bahá’í World Faith and stressing the International aspect of the Faith. The latest and most exciting report on the broadcast is that it has been selected by the U. S. Department of State as one of 39 scripts to be sent to 97 different countries through their local representatives (Public Affairs Officers) for use in foreign language newspapers throughout the world.
Prayer for All Nations on U.N. Program[edit]
William de Forge, Bahá’í Observer to the United Nations, has had two opportunities recently to speak of the Faith on the well-known “Tex and Jinx” program broadcast over the NBC Network.
These two particular programs dealt with various aspects of the United Nations. During one program he was able to give a brief message on the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
On the second broadcast, Mrs. McCrary (“Jinx”) introduced him as follows: “We feel it most appropriate that we again call upon Mr. de Forge, who is the National Bahá’í Observer to the United Nations. As the Bahá’í Faith is a universal church that is uniting all peoples and religions into one fellowship, Mr. de Forge will share with us the Bahá’í Prayer for All Nations.”
SPIRIT OF COOPERATION ... UNIVERSALITY OF VIEWPOINT[edit]
Report of Bahá’í Delegates to the U.N. Conference in Bolivia[edit]
The Bahá’í United Nations Committee sent a delegation to the United Nations Regional Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations, held in La Paz, Bolivia, March 26-31,
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1952. The delegates were Arturo
Cuella Echazu, Mrs. Yvonne de Cuellar and Mrs. Dorothy Campbell. The
delegates offered a number of fine
resolutions which were so highly
thought of by the Committee of Initiatives that they requested the U. N.
Officer in charge of the Conference
to refer the resolutions to the U. N.
Secretariat for further consideration.
In their report to the United Nations Committee, the delegates stated that they were grateful for the opportunity to attend the Conference and felt that they had made many new friends for the Bahá’í Faith, among the Bolivian organizations represented and among those from other countries.
“We were complimented a number of times,” the delegates have reported, “on our spirit of cooperation during the committee meetings, our faithful attendance and the universality of our viewpoint. We shall cooperate as much as possible with the national committee of the Non-Governmental Organizations of the United Nations in disseminating information about the work done by the U. N., and in celebrating United Nations Day and Human Rights Day — and would suggest that all Bahá’í Communities participate in these activities.”
The Bahá’í International Community has also been invited to send delegates to the Regional Conference of Non-Governmental Organization on United Nations Information, to be held in Manila, the Philippines, October 24-31, 1952, for organizations from Australia, Burma, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand.
The Fifth Conference of International Non-Governmental Organizations on United Nations Information will be held at the U. N. Headquarters in New York, in October. Five Bahá’í delegates will be sent to the Conference.
Regarding these United Nations Conferences, the Guardian, in a letter dated June 3, 1952, has written: “The attendance of the Bahá’ís at various U.N. Conferences during the last twelve months, he feels, has been a great success, and served to at least bring the Faith to intelligent people in high circles.”
AMERICANS IN AFRICA[edit]
Four American Bahá’ís are expected to be at pioneer posts in Africa by the end of this month. Shidan Fat-he-Aazam sailed for England at the end of August where he will meet with the British friends before going on to the Gold Coast. Mr. and Mrs. Laws, formerly of Corvallis, Oregon, will soon be in Nairobi, Kenya, where with the British pioneers they will concentrate upon getting a first Bahá’í assembly in Kenya. Valerie Wilson of California is expected in Liberia where she will join the new Liberian Bahá’í group strengthening them, and adding her efforts to what is now a group assured of assembly status for 1953. In addition to these friends Ted Weiss and Fred Schecter have been alerted for an African opportunity which seems to be developing for them. The Committee is overjoyed at these developments. However we are still requesting the prayers of the friends that new doors will open for the waiting American Bahá’í pioneers who long to join their brothers and sisters in the African field of service.
In a recent report the British Africa Committee stated that from their experience, there are two kinds of pioneers who have the best chance of success in getting into Africa: (1) those who have sufficient capital and experience to set up a business; and (2) those with abilities of a type needed in the African territories (particularly technical abilities) who can be sent there with sufficient money to support themselves until a job is obtained.
African Literature on the Teachings is now available for eight of the nine chosen countries. In addition to the printed pamphlets in Swahili, Chinyanza, and Hausa, pamphlets will be completed in Twi and Luganda by December. A compilation on the Bahá’í Scriptures is being prepared in Swahili and Luganda. So, the Faith marches by the printed word and the devoted heart in the “Dawn Continent” of Africa.
"WELCOME TO THE KINGDOM"[edit]
(Words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)
... The more love is expressed among mankind and the stronger the power of unity, the greater will be this reflection and revelation, for the greatest bestowal of God is love. Love is the source of all the bestowals of God. Until love takes possession of the heart no other divine bounty can be revealed in it.... (PUB 13)
The Bounty Is Great
The bounty of the Lord of the Kingdom is great and His outpouring is glorious. His favors are boundless. I ask, through His bounty, to grant thee readiness and capacity, so that the rains of mercy may cultivate flowers of significances in the garden of the heart. The Cup of Happiness
If thou lovest to be happy and pleasant, this is the cup that is full of the wine of glee and delight; and if tho desirest to have the ancient glory, the eternal retinue and the everlasting dominion, thou must look after these gifts which wave in the horizon of bounty with a brilliant light to all sides and regions. Whose Hearts Are Firm
By the life of God, all the confirmations of the Kingdom of God will surround those whose hearts are firm, whose feet are steadfast and whose souls are tranquilized in the Most Great Cause. Independent Investigation of Truth
Praise be to God! thou didst see with thine own eyes, thou didst hear with thine own ears and thou didst comprehend with thine own heart. (Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)
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The meeting room in the newly finished Hazíra, the National Administrative Headquarters, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The rugs on the walls are gifts from Shoghi Effendi.
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy and is the bearer of gladness. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life.
- Mrs. Pauline Ioas Hubbard, Kirkland, Ill., July 22, 1952.
- Mrs. Flora Magley, Columbus, Ohio, July 3, 1952
- Mr. Robert Larsen, St. Augustine, Fla., July 6, 1952
- Mrs. Grace Coulter, Chicago, Ill., July 7, 1952
- Miss Helen Griffing, Carmel, Calif., June 27, 1952
- Mr. Paul LaBranche, Jackson, Miss., June 27, 1952
MARRIAGES[edit]
New York, N.Y., Mrs. Juanita Chandler to Mr. William K. Vance, May 19, 1952
Logan, Utah, Miss Shirley Hawthorne to Mr. Wilford Morris (non-Bahá’í), June 10, 1952
Washington, D. C., Mrs. Maude Hamilton Gass to Mr. Kenneth P. Walker (non-Bahá’í), May, 1952
Boston, Mass., Miss Carolyn Ladd to Mr. Donald des Granges, Jr. (non-Bahá’í), date not reported.
Washington, D. C., Mrs. Flora Wine to Dr. William F. Brooks, July 5, 1952
San Mateo, Calif., Miss Johanna Berger to Mr. Clement E. Vanoni (non-Bahá’í), date not reported.
San Francisco, Calif., Miss Anne Gumbel to Mr. Eric M. Cross (non-Bahá’í), June 17, 1952
Chicago, Ill., Miss Betty Major to Mr. Roger Lador, June 22, 1952
Seattle, Wash., Miss Alice Thompson (non-Bahá’í) to Mr. Ralph W. Blohm, June 22, 1952
Flushing, Mich., Miss Barbara Hough (non-Bahá’í) to Mr. Richard W. Hoffman, May 15, 1952
NEW PUBLICATIONS[edit]
The Heart of the Gospel, paper (new price) 1.25
The Promise of All Ages, paper (now in stock) 1.00
Prescription For Living paper and cloth (now in stock) 1.00
World Development of the Bahá’í Faith, new pamphlet by George Townshend outlining stages of development, with references .25
Please watch Bahá’í News Publications Section and reorder when “Out of Stock” items appear.
110 Linden Avenue
Wilmette, Ill.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS[edit]
Anniversary:
- October 20 - Birth of the Báb
Feasts:
- September 8 - ‘Izzat, Might
- September 27 - Mashíyyat, Will
- October 16 - ‘Ilm, Knowledge
National Spiritual Assembly Meetings:
- October 3, 4, and 5
- November 8, 9, 10, and 11
BAHA’I NEWS is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. Copies are sent without charge to Bahá’ís throughout the United States, and to Bahá’í administrative bodies in other lands. Its purpose is to keep members of the Faith informed of international, national and local Bahá’í developments, and serve as an organ for the distribution of messages written by the Guardian of the Faith, the International Bahá’í Council, and the general announcements prepared by the American National Spiritual Assembly.
Reports, plans, news items and photographs of general interest are requested from national committees and local assemblies of the United States as well as from National Assemblies of other lands. Material is due in Wilmette on the first day of the month preceding the date of issue for which it is intended.
BAHA’I NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. The Committee for 1952-1953: Mrs. Eunice Braun, Managing Editor; Mr. William C. Henning, Miss Farrukh Ioas, Miss Joan Lozier, Mr. Robert Moul.
Editorial Office: 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
Change of Address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Administrative Headquarters, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
