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No. 360

BAHA’I YEAR 117

MARCH, 1961

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African Temple Dedicated January 14

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Hands of Faith Announce Dedication Of Temple in Africa

“Joyously share (with) Bahá’í world (the) news (of) completion (and) dedication (of the) Mother Temple (of) Africa, marking significant milestone (in the) development (of the) institutions (of our) Faith (in) that richly blessed continent.

“Memorable dedication ceremony (was) attended (by) ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum and nearly five hundred believers representing nineteen countries. Presence (of) more than (one) thousand visitors (at) inaugural service (of) public worship (and) wide publicity (in) press (and) radio attest (to the) growing recognition (of the) importance (of the) African Bahá’í community.

“(We) urge (the) friends everywhere (to) join (in) prayers (of) thanksgiving (for the) attainment (of) this cherished goal (of the) beloved Guardian’s plan. Airmail message (to) all National Assemblies.”

(signed) HANDSFAITH

Received January 24, 1961

Aerial View of Temple with Surrounding Gardens

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Kampala Temple Features Stately Terrazzo Columns Wood-panelled Doors Flanked with Concrete Grilles

Above: Close-up view of one of the nine doors panelled in mvule, a mood much prized in England where it is A known as “iroko.” Precast concrete grilles carrying amber and green glass flunk each door.

Above: A low wall built of local quartz stone marks the edge of the thirty-foot circular lawn.

Below: A feature of the terrazzo columned verandah is the treatment of the flower boxes which stand between each of the nine flights of five steps.

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Uganda Argus Publishes Supplement on Kampala Temple

(The following page has been excerpted from a special supplement published by the Uganda Argus, January 14, 1961, on the construction and dedication of the Bahá’í Temple.)

The site selected for the Temple was the crest of Kikaya Hill, which was virgin bush; and before work could be started, an access road had to be built. This was completed in May, 1957.

The Temple was conceived by and designed under the direction of the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, and was accepted for execution by the Kampala firm of architects, Messrs. Cobb, Powell and Freeman . A Before any concrete could be laid, arrangements had to be made to bring water to the site. The only water anywhere near was swamp water—useless for mixing concrete—and in November, 1957, the Mowlem Construction Company successfully sank a borehole to 140 ft. A pump was installed to provide a water output of 500 gallons per hour . . .

The building is unusually beautiful. Nine massive columns, each two feet in diameter, support the great dome, itself forty-four feet in diameter at its base; while the two roofs are supported by two sets of twenty-seven slightly smaller columns. The overall height is 127 ft., the internal diameter of the building is eighty-four feet and the seating capacity over 600.

The inside of the dome is painted a pale blue; the rotunda, into which are set nine enormous windows and fifty-four small windows, all filled with green, amber and pale blue glass, is painted a brilliant white, while the columns and the lower walls are painted a very pale green. All this lends itself to an effect of lightness and airiness which is intensified by the large green and amber glass-filled grilles which stand on either side of the huge mvule doors.

The exterior of the building gives a green and stone color effect. The dome is faced with sparkling light green ceramic mosaic, imported from Italy, and the roots are covered with glazed ceramic pantiles from Belgium. The walls of the rotunda and the window frames are covered with high quality precast stone made in Kampala . . .

The finishing materials of terrazzo, mosaic and precast stone for the lantern, dome and drum were selected not merely for their beauty, but for their self-cleansing surfaces. Murrum dust and driving rain would quickly affect a rough or plastered surface and necessitate periodic cleaning and repainting at high cost with expensive scaffolding . . .

This edifice, built entirely in concrete and steel with no wood other than that of its doors, has been raised for the worship of God. Bahá’ís, believing that Divine Revelation is a continuous and progressive process, and that all the great religions of the world are divine in origin, will open the doors of their House of Worship to peoples of all races and religions.

KAMPALA WELCOMES BAHÁ’Í FOLLOWERS

Members of the Bahá’í Faith from many parts of Africa and from Europe, America and the Middle East have gathered in Kampala this week-end, January 13th-l6th, for the dedication of their newly completed House of Worship on Kikaya Hill . . .

Over two hundred and twenty African Bahá’ís are in Kampala as special guests at the dedication, from the Congo, Kenya, Ruanda Urundi, Tanganyika, and Uganda. Mrs. Rúḥíyyih Rabbani, Canadian wife of the late beloved Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, is in Kampala to dedicate the House of Worship.

On Sunday, January 15th, an Inaugural Service will be held at the House of Worship. A choir, especially selected from among Kampala’s finest singers and directed by Mr. Peter Wingard of Makerere College, will perform six choral works during the Inaugural Service . . .

A special Conference of the Bahá’ís is being held at the Makerere College Hall on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday.

On Monday evening, January 16th, at 5:30 p.m. a public meeting on the theme, “Bahá’í — A World Faith“ will be held at the National Theater, Coryndon Road, Kampala.

Public Inaugural Service

January 15, 1961

Choral Selections:

O Son of Being — Dan Jordan

The Lord is My Shepherd # Arr. by Gordon Jacobs

A Message for the Inauguration of the House of Worship

‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum

Readings from the Old Testament:

Psalm No. 24

Psalm No. 96

Readings from the New Testament:

Matthew Chap. 5, V. 3-l7

John Chap. 16. V. 12-13

Readings from the Qur’án:

The Fatihah — Chanted in Arabic

Sura No. 2, V. 81, 130, 284-286

Choral Selections:

O my Lord, my Beloved, my desire! Befriend me in my loneliness. — Dan Jordan

O Thou Incomparable God. (In Luganda) — George Kakoma

Reading from the Bahá’í Sacred Writings:

Prayer of Bahá’u’lláh in Praise of God

Prayer of 'Bahá’u’lláh for Spiritual Unity — Ateso, Swahili, Acholi

Words of the Báb, Herald of Bahá’u’lláh — Chanted in Arabic

Prayer of Bahá’u’lláh for Spiritual Assistance — Chanted in Persian

Prayer of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for All Mankind — Luganda

Prayer of Bahá’u’lláh for Spiritual Unity — Luganda

Words of Bahá’u’lláh Calling Mankind to Unity

Prayer of Bahá’u’lláh for Enlightenrnent

Choral Selections:

God is a Spirit — William Sterdale Bennett

O Son of the Wondrous Vision — Dan Jordan

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Hands Call All National Assemblies To Inaugurate German Temple Fund

“Announce joyous news (that) cornerstone (of the) Mother Temple (of) Europe (was) laid (in) impressive ceremony attended (by) nearly one thousand Bahá’ís (and) guests (and the) sacred dust (from the) Shrine (of) Bahá’u’lláh placed (in the) foundation by beloved Hand (of the Cause) Amelia Collins.

“Excavations, foundations (and) walls (are) being rapidly completed (and) plans laid (for) early construction (of the) superstructure but (the) actual beginning (of) this work (is) dependent (on the) availability (of) sufficient funds. (The) heavy increase (in) building costs (which developed) during (the) unavoidable seven year delay (in) overcoming serious obstacles now requires (a) steady, uninterrupted flow (of) contributions. (The) completion (of) this historic structure during (the) Crusade now necessitates fulfillment (of the) beloved Guardian’s stirring call for (a) great outpouring (of) treasure by believers throughout (the) world.

“(We) request all National Assemblies (each to) immediately inaugurate (a) special fund (for the) construction (of the) Mother Temple (of) Europe (and to) urge all (the) friends (to) support this fund liberally (and) continuously. (The) attainment (of) this vital goal (of the) Ten—Year Plan will release untold spiritual power and prestige (for the) Faith, demonstrate (the) vitality (of an) ever victorious world Bahá’í community (and) attract (the) divine confirmations (and) blessings promised by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to all those who sacrifice for (the) House of the Lord.

(signed) HANDSFAITH

Haifa, Israel

January 12, 1961

COMMENTARY BY NSA OF THE U.S.

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

In April 1957, the convention message from our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, was received by the delegates assembled in twenty-four Bahá’í conventions held simultaneously on all five continents. Little knowing this was to be the last convention message he would ever send to us, we read with wonderment the record of amazing success achieved by the world-wide Bahá’í community in the performance of its mission. We realized with gratitude how his unfailing guidance had inspired us to accomplish these tasks. Eagerly, we noted the future—“So brilliant and diversified a record of services to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, has been greatly enriched by the plans now initiated for the launching of an ambitious three-fold enterprise, designed to compensate for the disabilities suffered by the sorely-tried Community of the followers of His Faith in the land of His birth, aiming at the erection, in localities as far apart as Frankfurt, Sydney and Kampala, of the Mother-Temples of the European, the Australian and African continents . . .”

The completion and dedication of the Mother Temple of Africa has been accomplished. Before the end of this year, Australia will dedicate the soon-to—be-completed Holy House of Worship in Sydney. With the Mother Temple of Europe the sole remaining structure to be erected by Riḍván 1968 in fulfillment of the triple undertaking assigned by the beloved Guardian to the believers of the world, we earnestly urge the friends to respond liberally to this appeal.

As you will note in the cablegram, each National Spiritual Assembly is requested to inaugurate a special fund for this purpose. Contributions from believers in the United States should be made payable to the “National Bahá’í Fund,” earmarked “Fund for the construction of the Mother Temple of Europe” and sent to the National Treasurer’s office at 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.

—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Members of the Bahá’í Teaching Committee of Bandung, West Java, and teachers in charge of conducting study courses in Bandung.

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Hands of Western Hemisphere Recount Signs of Victory Among American Indians

Beloved Co-workers:

‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His magnificent Tablets of the Divine Plan, the very Charter of the Ten Year Plan of our beloved Guardian, foretold clearly that when the native Indian peoples of North and South America accepted the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, they, like the Arabs who accepted the Faith of Muhammad, would set aglow this part of the world, and lend a tremendous impetus to the final victory of the Cause of God.

Therefore, it will bring joy and inspiration to know that already signs of this great Day are appearing on the horizon:

1. You already know of the great number of Indian believers who have accepted the Faith in Bolivia.

2. You know of the beginnings in the United states, where on different Reservations, members of this noble and great race have also embraced the Cause.

3. Canada has sufficient new Indian believers enrolled to form two new all-Indian local assemblies next Riḍván, and reports new Indian believers participating in several other areas.

4. Mexico reports their first group of Indian believers in Chalula.

5. Nicaragua reports the first four Maskito Indian believers in Bluefields. This joyous news was followed by the report that four (the first) new Ramacay Indian believers had entered the Faith — also in Nicaragua. The Secretary of the Central American NSA has written of the recent Congress in Nicaragua: “A spiritual force never before felt in Nicaragua was generated at this Congress.”

6. Ecuador reports a new all—Indian community at Vagabundo, with plans to have concentrated traveling teaching in this area which has been set ablaze.

7. Peru has begun work among the Indians near Huancayo, and a native Peruvian Indian who helped with the translation of the first pamphlet into Kechua, Mario Leon Paitan, has volunteered to go and pioneer full time among his own people, where many contacts already exist.

8. A group of 20 people gathered in the famous Blue Mountains of Jamaica, an area where the original native people still reside, the Arawak Indians. Regular meetings are being held for the first time in this area.

We are not yet gathering the harvest of fruits, but are these not the blossoms appearing on the trees, heralding the coming of the springtime? Is not this the hour for every available Worker to hasten into the vineyard? Can any follower of Bahá’u’lláh, Wherever he or she may reside, fail to lend an even greater measure of support to the glorious teaching work, and the conversion of individual souls, which our beloved Guardian tells us is the underlying “purpose of the Plan in all its ramifications”?

In the words of the beloved Guardian himself, “These, indeed, are the days when the heroism is needed on the part of the believers. Self-sacrifice, courage, indomitable hope and confidence are the characteristics they should show forth, because these very attributes cannot but fix the attention of the public and lead them to inquire what, in a world so hopelessly chaotic and bewildered, leads these people to be so assured, so confident, so full of devotion.”

(BAHÁ’Í NEWS—no. 157, p. 1)

With only 101 days until Riḍván, let every single believer arise and hasten the day promised in these words of the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

“O ye believers of God! Do ye not look upon the smallness of your number and the multitudes of the nations. Five grains of wheat will be endowed with heavenly blessings, whereas a thousand tons of tares will yield no results or effect. One fruitful tree will be conducive to the life of society, whereas a thousand forests of wild trees offer no fruits. The plain is covered with pebbles, but precious stones are rare. One pearl is better than a thousand wildernesses of sand, especially this pearl of great price, which is endowed with divine blessing. Ere long thousands of other pearls will be born from it. When that pearl associates and becomes the intimate of the pebbles, they also change into pearls.” (America’s Spiritual Mission, 17. 52)

What a promise! Be a grain of wheat, a fruitful tree, a precious stone, a pearl—and the multitude of pebbles will be changed into pearls by your love!

With warmest and deepest Bahá’í love,

In the service of our beloved Guardian,

CORINNE TRUE

HERMANN GROSSMANN

ZIKRU’LLÁH KhÁDEM

JOHN ROBARTS

WILLIAM SEARS

January 10, 1961

Beloved friends:

The thrilling story of the Indian work continues to reach us from various sections of the Western Hemisphere.

The National Teaching Committee of Canada reports: “May we share with you some wonderful news! The far northern city of Whitehorse, in the Yukon Territory, has had thirteen declarations in the last month and a total of twenty-six since August! Of these, fifteen are Indians!”

The National Spiritual Assembly for Central America reports: “There are now six new Indian believers in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. It seems that the local assembly goals of last year are vitally alive and the nearest to mass conversion which is their watchword and highest aspiration. They are Quetzaltenango, Guatemala; Tela, La Ceiba, Puerta Cortes, and Taulabe, Honduras; and Bluefields, Nicaragua.”

These are but the latest reports of the work so dear to the heart of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and our beloved Guardian.

With warmest and deepest loving gratitude for your constant and dedicated efforts on behalf of our precious Cause,

HANDS OF THE FAITH IN THE WESTERN HEIWISPHERE

January 24, 1961

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The Spiritual Assembly of Santa Fe, N.M., meeting with the first Pueblo Indian believer, Augustine Mirabal of Taos Pueblo and Santa Fe, on Dec. 3, 1960 when he made his declaration.

Bahá’ís of Bologna, Italy, Demonstrate Worldwide Fellowship of Faith

People of all nations and races long to widen their circle of human contact and understanding. In some hearts. it is a candle that burns dimly, barely recognized if at all. Bahá’ís know this to be the normal and natural instinct of the human heart today, struggling toward wholeness, for Bahá’u’lláh has declared, “The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.”

The Bahá’í Community of Bologna, Italy, consisting of Italian, American and Persian believers, demonstrated the spirit of Bahá’u’lláh’s words on January 7 at a social gathering that included friends from Eritrea, Africa and Italy. A travelogue on Asia was shown, concluding with views of the Shrine of the Báb, to further advance the international spirit of the occasion.

Although the gathering was intended as indirect teaching in order to further friendly relationships with the guests, the occasion soon turned into an enthusiastic fireside.

One Italian guest remarked: “You have such a variety of friends—American, Italians, Persians, Africans, and of varying ages. This is a real international party!”

“I have heard of the Bahá’ís in my country,” said an African student. “Tell me about your Faith.”

A student from another part of the world said: “Now I understand it is religion that brings all of you together!”

The Bahá’ís of Bologna, already consisting of eleven members, state: “This is only the beginning of growth in Bologna. Before the guests left, the follow-up plans had begun and new invitations were being extended. The Community plans another gathering of this kind for the celebration of Naw-Rúz.”

Pioneers Meet With Italian Believers To Discuss Crusade Goals

It was a joyous gathering, this group of seventy believers who met together at the national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Rome. Most of them were pioneers who had come long distances to a new country to help win the goals of the Ten-Year Crusade. Many had come from Persia, some from the British Isles, and some from the U.S.A., mingling with Italy’s own pioneers and the other friends who had gathered together from November 11 to 13, to consider all possible ways and means of achieving their remaining goals.

The conference, conducted in three languages, Italian, Persian, and English, was opened at 9:30 a.m. with introductory remarks by Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery, who welcomed everyone warmly and stressed the importance of achieving the remaining goals as a firm base for the coming Universal House of Justice.

Mr. M. Majzub spoke on “The Universal House of Justice,” basing his discussion on the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. This was followed by Mr. F. Khazrai on “The Fulfillment of the Goals of the Crusade.”

Professor Bausani opened the second session with a talk on “Catholic Psychology and Bahá’í Teaching.” Mrs. Angeline Giachery illustrated her theme, “Firmness in the Covenant,” from the original words of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

The second day was highlighted by Dr. Giachery’s presentation of the annual message from the Hands of the Cause in Haifa, which gave great impetus and inspiration to the conference. He outlined some of the plans of the Hands of the Cause and the Auxiliary Boards for teaching during the next two years, and also delighted the friends with the announcement that Hand of the Cause Mr. Furútan would be visiting Italy shortly.

Auxiliary Board member Professor Piarulli spoke on the “Bahá’í Life,” and this ended the third session. A private bus and several private cars conveyed all of the friends to a large restaurant where a banquet was arranged by the Bahá’ís of Rome.

During the fourth session a large map of Italy was used to illustrate, graphically, details of strength and weakness in the allocation of pioneers and in the teaching work that still remains. Jerry Bagley, secretary of the National Youth Committee, spoke on the work of students as pioneers or travelling teachers. The final speaker was Mr. Haddad who told some of the little-known aspects of the history of the Faith.

Appreciation was expressed to Mrs. Emma Rice and the Bagley family who have given their devoted service iii the island of Sicily, from which eight pioneers have gone out to other areas. A spirit of dedication was evident and the conference was not just an assemblage of individuals, but rather a single body, united to fulfill the plan initiated by the National Teaching Committee of Italy who did an excellent job of organizing the conference.

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International News Briefs

A model of the Australian temple, now under construction near Sydney, was displayed at Hobart, Tasmania at the four-day Royal Show attended by 97,000 people. Literature was distributed to interested visitors. In Ballarat, Victoria, the model was shown at the Spring Centenary Show, with a series of newspaper advertisements appearing six weeks preceding the show. Many hundreds of people examined the display and asked questions and this interest was followed up with a public meeting and a series of firesides.

The National Education Committee of Southwest Africa is experimenting with a new teaching method among the women in the Salisbury, Rhodesia area. combining teaching the Faith with lessons in home skills and arts such as knitting and sewing. Thirty different women have attended the class, twenty-two of whom have been at every session. By the end of the third class two of the students were ready to make their declaration, and five others became Bahá’ís either directly or indirectly through the class.

The Anchorage and Spenard, Alaska communities were hosts to seventy-five service men from the nearby bases of Elmendorf and Ft. Richardson in December. After serving a dinner, a talk was given followed by slides on the Holy Land.

Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh, Auxiliary Board member from the U.S.A. has been in Canada assisting in teaching work in Toronto, Oshawa, Ottawa and the Greater Montreal area, to be followed by visits to the Maritimes. After this she will travel to the western provinces, being preceded in this area by another Auxiliary Board member, Mrs. Peggy Ross.

The New Territories Committee Bulletin of Canada states that there are now nine Bahá’ís in St. Johns, Newfoundland, and they are planning their first public meeting in the near future.

Five new centers have been opened recently in Northeast Africa, two in the Sudan and three in Ethiopia. Those in the Sudan include Talodi in Kordofan Province, Western Sudan and Rumbek in South Sudan. The three new towns opened in Ethiopia are Volisso, Bedele and Shashemenn.

A conference of the World Parliament Association was held this autumn in the Palace of the Doges in Venice, Italy. Parliamentarians from Brazil, South Africa, Pakistan, India, United States of America and many other countries attended this important event. Bahá’í pioneer in Venice, Miss Maria Pia Taffa writes, “Lady Hornell, Christine Baillie and I were introduced to the chairman oi the Republic of World Citizens. He knew of the Faith and told of his visit to the Holy Places in Haifa . . . Before the beginning of the conference he received from Lady Hornell the Tablet of ‘Amatu’l-Bahá to the Hague in 1919.” Many Italians are enthusiastic about the idea of a World Parliament, and the Bahá’ís of Venice have become good friends with this group of world citizens.

African Teaching Conferences were held during the past year at Mashi and Tanga, in Tanganyika. Hand of Cause Músá Banání is shown with the gathering at Mashi holding Greatest Name, with Mrs. Banání and Mrs. Mary Elston. Another pioneer, Nirvana Furhoumand, is at left cente1, and Allen Elston appears in upper right.

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Bahá’ís attending a study course in Bandung to prepare teachers for settlement in unopened areas of West Java.

A “first” event for Palo Alto, Calif, took place when the Bahá’ís of Palo Alto Mountain View Judicial District held a public meeting in commemoration of the visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Stanford University in 1912. Notices of the event were in the local newspapers. The newspaper with the original story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit and talks was on display at the meeting. Mrs. Joseph McCormack of Sierra Madre spoke to an audience of over one hundred persons.

The Hilo, Hawaii, Bahá’í group held a two—week winter school for the purpose of deepening the believers and informing non-Bahá’ís of the essential principles of the Bahá’í Revelation. The seven sessions were attended by both Bahá’ís and their friends. Two of the sessions were planned especially for the non-Bahá’ís. “Prophecy,” “Progressive Revelation,” “The Spell of the Temple,” were some of the subjects covered. On a Sunday an all-day picnic was arranged for the friends.

An isolated Bahá’í in Missouri, Mr. Albert Felker, in his great desire to do something about the emphasis given to teaching the American Indians, corresponded with the American Indian Service Committee. This correspondence resulted in the suggestion that he attempt to establish contact with the Indians in Oklahoma, and in this way he has travelled constantly and found numerous ways of serving the Indians and demonstrating the oneness of mankind. He has been invited to participate in Indian Feasts, attend an Indian funeral (a great honor for a white man), and has been asked to consult with the Governor of Oklahoma, Ford Foundation representatives and the Bureau of Indian Affairs on how best to help these impoverished people. Such a firm foundation of friendship will inevitably lead to more direct teaching.

In Macy, Nebraska, Mrs. Edna Atkins, Bahá’í, has a weekly Sunday class attended by twenty children, ages four to fourteen, from the Indian Reservation.

“Fellowship and love among the believers” is the spirit felt by those participating in a united teaching effort of the communities of Seattle. Everett, Issaquah, Kirkland, North and South King County Commissioners Districts, all in Washington. There are seventy-four youth and children enrolled in the nine Sunday morning classes, and fifteen to eighteen adults attend the two additional classes set up for Bahá’ís and their contacts and for those preparing for enrollment.

The Jackson and Leoni Township groups in Michigan are having the success of some larger communities in their “special events” observances. Their Human Rights Day program drew an audience of thirty-four, and the excellent free publicity which was sent by non-Bahá’í parents to a son pioneering in South America resulted in arousing the interest of several to attend firesides.

Toledo, Ohio, has been caught up in a maelstrom of activity which includes six public meetings or fire sides in seven weeks where approximately 200 people heard of the Faith, weekly deepening classes where some of the inquirers furthered their knowledge of the Teachings, and social gatherings where the friends enjoy an evening of association and fellowship. All of this activity has resulted in three declarations.

Number of Schools Recognizing Bahá’í Holy Days is Increased

The Local Spiritual Assembly of Lima, Ohio, has reported’ that the Bahá’í Holy Days are now recognized by the Lima Public School System.

The Superintendent of Schools in Temple city, Calif., has informed the Local Spiritual Assembly of that city that while Bahá’í children may remain away from their classes on the Holy Days, it cannot be done as an “excused absence” since the Education Code regards only illness as an excused absence. He expressed appreciation of the Assembly’s “interest in the spiritual welfare of boys and girls” and stated that “with that we heartily concur.”

Bahá’ís attending a study course held in Djakarta, Indonesia, Nov. 4-9, 1960.

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First Bahá’í Marriage Legally Recognized in Canada

Ben Whitecow and Louise Many Guns were married July 1, 1960 in a Bahá’í service by the Spiritual Assembly of Calgary, Alberta. Thirty people attended from Edmonton, Lethbridge, Regina, Peigan Indian Reserve, and Calgary.

This event was unique in that it was the first legally recognized Bahá’í marriage in Canada. It is significant that an Indian couple should have this honor.

48 Attend Frogmore Winter Conference

Great was the bounty shared by the forty-eight people from South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, and North Carolina who participated in the Frogmore Winter Conference sponsored by the South Atlantic States Area Teaching Committee, on December 30 through January 2. This first winter conference was an historic and unprecedented occasion for the Southeastern area.

The classes themselves and the exceptionally fine teachers were the most outstanding features of the conference. The teachers keynoted the topics and led lively discussions often lasting for one or two hours after the class was completed.

Program emphasis was on the youth, with adult classes being taught concurrently. Paul Pettit’s classes on “The Covenant,” “Bahá’í Institutions,” and “Youth Teaching Problems” were basic and informative. Albert James approached his subject, “Shoghi Effendi’s Crusade Messages,” in a new and interesting way by reading the various cables and directives leading up to the Crusade Plan in 1953 and following the progress of individual pioneers and their victories as reported in BAHÁ’Í NEWS from 1953 to the present time. Mr. James’ class on “Bahá’í Heroes” was enthusiastically acclaimed by the youth as being a most interesting way to approach Bahá’í history. The third teacher, Jack McCants, a former minister, was Well qualified to teach “Bahá’í Understanding of Christian Subjects.” He mentioned that semantics are often a problem in dealing with Christian contacts. For example, the word “grace” has a different meaning to the Bahá’í than it does to the Christian. Mr. McCants did an equally fine job in maintaining interest at a high peak in both the adult and youth classes.

Some outstanding impressions were: The inspiring public talk given by Jack Mccants on “Why I Became a Bahá’í” telling of his unusual search from the ministry to the Bahá’í Faith; the warm, loving atmosphere of St. Helena Island with the opportunity to live the oneness of mankind in the deep South; the early morning devotions with special prayers for the progress of the Crusade; the stimulating opening talk by Paul Pettit on “Challenging Months Ahead.”

BAHA’I IN THE NEWS

Shiraz, Persian City of Saints and Poets, by A. J. Arberry, published by the University of Oklahoma Press, second book in a series called “The Centers of Civilization Series,” contains a good account of the Báb and of Prof. E. G. Browne’s meeting with Bahá’u’lláh.

A special article on “Aspects of Medical Education in Iran,” by James A. Halsted, M.D., visiting (Full-bright) professor of medicine, University of Shiraz Medical School, and chief of Medical Service at Nemazee Hospital, published in the April 7, 1960 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine makes reference to the Bahá’ís of Iran in the second paragraph which states: “Ninety-eight per cent of the (20,000,000) inhabitants (of Irán) are Moslems, with Armenians, Jews, Nestorian Christians, Bahá’ís and Zoroastrians making up small minority groups.”

In the September, 1960 issue of Memo Book, published by the Fred Estabrook Company, Inc., Boston, Mass., and sold to local companies to use as advertising give-away items there is this quote on page 11: “God gave each of us the priceless birthright of self-respect.” It is credited to “Rúḥíyyih Rabbani.”

Israelite, a small quarterly magazine published by the Hebrew Scripture Association in Washington, D.C., included in its October-December, 1960 issue a brief article taken from Israel Digest on “Israel’s Three Largest Cities,” Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa. Under “Haifa” it states: “There are fine residential suburbs on the slopes of Mt. Carmel. There are, too: The Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology; the Municipal Museum: the Bahá’í Temple and Gardens, the World Center of the Bahá’í Faith; and Elijah’s Cave on Mt. Carmel.”

The Bournemouth Times, Bournemouth, England, on July 29, 1960 published on page 3 an almost full-page story by Harold Purchese, with the title: “Secrets of Bahá’í.” A sub-title states: “They fight against man’s inhumanity of man — the toughest battle of all.” As illustrations there is a photograph of the Shrine of the Báb, one of a Persian tapestry on the wall of the local Bahá’í center, and another of a group of six Bournemouth Bahá’ís, one of whom is reading to the others from Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era. The article opens with reference to the local Bahá’ís and their activities and then reviews the history of the Faith and its basic aims and teachings.

The Boston, Mass., Evening American, October 4, 1960 published an article by Austen Lake in Haifa on “Haifa Truly International Seaport.” The opening paragraph reads as follows: “One of the best bargains in Israel costs only about 25 ‘grush’ (12 cents) for a funicular railroad ride up the steep slope of Mount Carmel to Panorama Road where you get a sweeping view of the tweedy hills, the misty olive green of the coastal flats, the kaleidoscopic mixture of the purple Bay, the formal gardens of the Bahá’í shrine and the shaded streets which slide sinuously along the mountain’s face. The whole scene makes a study in geometric solids which seem to float weightlessly in space, somewhat as a gossamer bridal veil flung over the top of Mount Carmel.”

[Page 11]

Bahá’í teachers in charge of Bahá’í schools in Mentawei Islands. Auxiliary Board member Mr. Surip Sukiman (standing fourth from left) and chairman of LSA of Padang (sitting first from left) together with other Bahá’í friends.

In Road in the Sky, a book by George Hunt William-son published by Neville Spearman Limited, London, 1959, there is reference on pages 241 and 242 to the book by Shoghi Effendi erroneously entitled by the author as “The Promised Day to Come.” He misquotes Shoghi Effendi and accredits to the Guardian other statements which do not appear in any form in The Promised Day is Come.

The Illinois Times, a small semi-monthly Negro newspaper published in Champaign, Ill., by a Bahá’í, E. G. Harris, leads off its October 15, 1960 issue with an article entitled, “Bahá’ís Regard Racial Conflicts as World’s Most Challenging Issue,” an ANP release from the San Francisco, Calif., Sun-Reporter. It quotes from the news release issued by the National Spiritual Assembly to the wire services and the Negro publications early in September. The article is illustrated with a picture of the Bahá’í House of Worship and a photograph of Charles Wolcott, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly. On the same page under “Bahá’í News” mention is made of the arrival of Hand of the Cause Dhikru’lláh Khádem and his family as residents of Champaign and of the departure from the city of chairman of the local Spiritual Assembly, William K. Baker, and his family.

The Lane College Reporter, published quarterly by Lane College, Jackson, Tenn., includes reference in its November, 1960 issue to Allan Ward, Ph.D., Ohio University, who is one of the ten new members on the faculty and staff of Lane College this year. It states that Dr. Ward “has appeared on stage and television productions and illustrated nationally-used textbooks, and he has toured the country as a public lecturer for the Bahá’í World Faith.” Dr. Ward who is a Bahá’í appears in the photograph of six of the ten new members.

Sacred Books of the World, by A.C Boquet, a Pelican publication, makes references to the Bahá’í Faith on pages 312 to 314. It is full of inaccuracies.

What Is Different About the Baha’i Community?

(An article by a member of the National Youth Committee of South and West Africa.)

‘Abdu’l-Bahá taught us that God loves those who work in groups. From our study of the Bahá’í Teachings we know that the chief purpose of God in this age is to create unity. This unity is to make the nations into 8 single nation. It is to unite the races so that all men and women are equally citizens of one world, To do our part in building the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh we must constantly rid our minds and hearts of prejudices and habits which are “imitations of the past.” We need new qualities of character to do this.

Community life in the Faith is based on the spirit of cooperation. In churches the minister is paid to do the study and spiritual reflection for the members; he is also largely responsible for many practical affairs. In the Bahá’í Faith we have a continuing responsibility for deepening our knowledge of the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. Under all circumstances there is always opportunity for us to cooperate and do our share in the great Bahá’í enterprise of building the Kingdom of God on earth.

To accept responsibility joyfully is to place trust in God to assist us in His service. Bahá’u’lláh wrote, “Verily we behold you from our realm of glory, and shall aid whosoever will arise for the triumph of our Cause with the hosts of the Concourse on high and a company of our favored angels.”

We will find that there is no sharp distinction in the Bahá’í Faith between the individuals spiritual life and the social life of the believers. The Guardian wrote, “To dissociate the administrative principles of the Cause from the purely spiritual and "humanitarian teachings would be tantamount to a mutilation of the body of the Cause.” A person cannot be a real Bahá’í if he separates himself from his fellow believers, He might be a man or woman of good character, but he cannot be a real Bahá’í unless he is actively associated with other Bahá’ís in building the divine institutions which Bahá’u’lláh created to safeguard the development of mankind in our time.

Religions in the past have placed great emphasis on individual salvation. A Bahá’í is interested in mutual salvation. By building a new world order on this earth, all men and women will have greater opportunity to prepare themselves for their life in the future worlds of God. In the Hidden Words Bahá’u’lláh says, “The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice.” Individuals may love each other, but justice is a social quality. Only social institutions can establish justice between individuals and groups. We best serve humanity by building the social institutions which Bahá’u’lláh has given us. Through them, world justice will come for all men and women. The Guardian wrote years ago, “The believers are building a refuge tor mankind. This is their Supreme, Sacred Task and they should devote every moment they can to this task.”

—BENJAMIN DLAMINI

[Page 12]

Bahá’í group of Turku, Finland, goal city for Riḍván 1961. Front row: Karl Olavi Ernst Kaleva, Turku, Finland; Miss Brigitte Hasselblatt, Shetland Is., Great Britain; Kauko Lempinen, Turku, Finland; Kenneth Muir, Boise, Idaho, U.S.A.; Back row: Fred T. Perry, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.; Milton Lundblade, Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.A Mr. Kaleva is the first Gypsy in the world to embrace the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, and thus a significant goal of the Ten-Year Crusade has been fulfilled.

Baha’i Publishing Trust

Pocket Calendar, 1961-1962. The small calendar to fit billfold or purse is again available and carries a photograph of the Archives Building in Haifa, This calendar begins on May 1, 1961 and runs through April 30, 1962. It is prepared early each year so that communities outside of the U.S. may have it in time for national convention distribution.

10 copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ .50

25 copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1.00

100 copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3.00

“Bahá’í Administration” Available

This valuable reference work, out of print for a few months, is again available. The content is the same as the previous edition.

Per copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2.50

Calendar of Events

FEASTS

March 21 — Bahá (Splendor)

April 9 — Jalál (Glory)

DAYS OF FASTING

March 2 to 21

HOLY DAY March 21 — Naw-Rúz (Bahá’í New Year)

U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS

March 24, 25, 26

Baha’i House of Worship

Visiting Hours

Weekdays

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Auditorium only)

Sundays and Holidays

10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Entire building)

Service of Worship

Sundays

3:30 to 4:10 p.m.

National Bahá’í Addresses

Please Address Mail Correctly!

National Bahá’í Administrative Headquarters:

536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Ill.

National Treasurer:

112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust:

110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.

Bahá’í News:

Editorial Office: 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.

Subscription and change of address: 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.

BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í World Community.

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 at the month preceding the date of issue for which it is intended.

BAHÁ’Í NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. The Committee for 1960-1961: Richard C. Thomas, Managing Editor; Mrs. Eunice Braun. International News Editor; Miss Charlotte M. Linfoot, National News Editor; Miss D. Thelma Jackson and Mrs. Harriett Wolcott, Assistant Editors.

Editorial Office: 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A

Change of address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.