Bahá’í News/Issue 387/Text
| ←Previous | Bahá’í News Issue 387 |
Next→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
| No. 387 | BAHA’I YEAR 120 | JUNE, 1963 |
First Historic House of Justice Is Elected[edit]
(On the) occasion (of) worldwide celebrations (of the) Most Great Jubilee commemorating (the) centenary (of the) ascension (of) Bahá’u’lláh (to the) throne (of) His sovereignty, with hearts overflowing (with) gratitude (for) His unfailing protection (and) overflowing bounties, (we) joyously announce (to the) friends (of the) East (and) West (the) election (of the) supreme legislative body ordained by Him in His Most Holy Book (and) promised by Him (to) receive His infallible guidance. Members (of the) first historic House (of) Justice, duly elected by delegates comprising members (of) fifty-six national assemblies, are
| Charles Wolcott | Ian Semple | Hugh Chance |
| ‘Alí Nakhjavání | Lotfullah Hakim | Amoz Gibson |
| H. Borrah Kavelin | David Hofman | Hooshmand Fatheázam |
To (the) jubilation (of the) entire Bahá’í world (for the) victorious completion (of the) beloved Guardian’s unique Crusade (is) now added (the) humble gratitude (and) profound thanksgiving (of the) followers (of) Bahá’u’lláh for (the) erection (of the) Universal House (of) Justice, (that) august body to whom all believers must turn, whose destiny is to guide (the) unfoldment (of) His embryonic world order through (the) administrative institutions prescribed by Bahá’u’lláh, elaborated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (and) laboriously erected by Shoghi Effendi, and (to) insure (the) early dawn (of the) Golden Age (of the) Faith when the Word of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.
| Haifa, Israel, April 22, 1963 | (signed) HANDSFAITH |
Members of the Universal House of Justice in the Shrine Gardens on Mt. Carmel. From left: Charles Wolcott,
Amoz Gibson, Hooshmand Fatheázam, Hugh Chance, H. Borrah Kavelin, Ian Semple, Lotfullah Hakim, David
Hofman, ‘Alí Nakhjavání.
[Page 2]
Hands and delegates leaving the Shrine
of the Báb where prayers were offered
just prior to the election of the Universal House of Justice. The election took
place in the house of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
First International Convention Richly Rewards Participants[edit]
The date of April 21, 1963 — the first day of Riḍván, year 120, the hundredth anniversary of the declaration of Bahá’u’lláh of His sacred mission, has now been recorded in history as the day that witnessed the birth of the Universal House of Justice, that supreme administrative body of the Bahá’í Faith referred to in Bahá’u’lláh’s prophetic Tablet of Carmel and which Shoghi Effendi stated “is to be the exponent and guardian of the Divine Justice which can alone insure the security of, and establish the reign of law and order in, a strangely disordered world.”
As early as November 5, 1961, the Hands of the Cause had called the First International Convention of the Bahá’í Faith at which the election of this crowning administrative institution was to take place. The delegates were the 504 members of the fifty-six national and regional spiritual assemblies elected at their respective annual conventions in Riḍván 1962, charged with the sacred privilege and duty of voting for the nine male members of the Bahá’í world community who would comprise the membership of the Universal House of Justice.
To enable the delegates to prepare themselves spiritually for their great responsibility, arrangements had been made by the Hands of the Cause with the cooperation of the International Bahá’í Council for all to visit the several holy places on God’s sacred mountain, Mt. Carmel in Haifa, and in its twin city, ‘Akká. This was the greatest mass pilgrimage ever to have been made to the World Center of our Faith.
For the five-day period, April 20 to April 24, the Shrine of the Báb was closed to the public, thus making it possible for the delegates to visit this most
‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum gives instructions to the tellers who worked straight through the night in order to report the election results promptly.
[Page 3]
Commemorating the hundredth anniversary of the Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh, the Riḍván Feast took place in the
gardens at Bahjí on April 21. Here the
believers are seen facing the Shrine of
Bahá’u’lláh.
Feast of Riḍván
April 21, 1963 (1) Tablet of Riḍván (2) Prayers and Meditations, LXXI (3) Readings from The Dawn-Breakers (4) Excerpts from The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh (5) Excerpts from God Passes By (6) Poem by Andalib (7) Tablet of Visitation |
sacred spot on Mt. Carmel to pray and meditate at any hour and as many times as they wished.
Also, on each of three evenings a designated group of delegates spent more than two hours in the International Archives Building viewing the sacred relics and documents, beautifully preserved and arranged in accordance with the personal instructions of the beloved Guardian, and gaining a deeper understanding of the significance of this edifice which he said is the first of the several structures which will eventually constitute the Ark referred to by Bahá’u’lláh in His Tablet of Carmel and become the World Administrative Center of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh whose beginnings trace back to the concluding years of the Heroic Age of the Faith.
The election of the Universal House of Justice, designated by Shoghi Effendi as “the supreme legislative body of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh,” took place on the morning of the first day of Riḍván. The manner in which it was carried out and the results were reported by Hand of the Cause Paul E. Haney at the Most Great Jubilee a few days later, as follows:
After casting their ballots for the first Universal House of Justice, the delegates leave the house of the Master.
[Page 4]
Delegates assemble at the International Archives Building between sessions of the convention.
The election was held in the House of the Master
and the Guardian in Haifa.
The delegates gathered and entered the main hall silently and all were in their designated places by 9:30 a.m.
‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum gave a brief address of welcome and explained the mechanics of the election. There were two prayers only, preceding the election itself.
The 288 members of the fifty-one national and regional spiritual assemblies present proceeded to fill out their ballots.
Ballots were received from every national and regional spiritual assembly — fifty-six in all. Representatives were present from all but five of these fifty-six assemblies.
In silence the roll was called, each National Assembly in alphabetical order. The members present placed their ballots in the ballot box and those from absentee delegates were called and deposited by the chief tellers.
As the various assemblies came forward, Mr. Haney commented, one was continuously impressed by the widely representative character of the electors and that we “were privileged to witness one of the great events of history taking place before our eyes.”
“When the balloting was completed,” he concluded, “every one felt that Bahá’u’lláh had indeed been present in that gathering and that a unique and wonderful pattern had been established for the world to marvel at and in the fullness of time, to follow.”
Following the casting of the ballots and the appointment of eighteen tellers representing as many countries, all the delegates except the tellers adjourned for luncheon. In mid-afternoon they gathered a second time at Bahjí where, in the beautiful gardens in front of the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, they, together with the believers who reside in and near the Twin Holy Cities of ‘Akká and Haifa, commemorated the Feast of Riḍván, followed by another visit to the resting place of Bahá’u’lláh.
The three-day convention resumed the following morning. Opened by ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, there were three sessions on each of the remaining two days, with one of the Hands of the Cause presiding and the discussion led by a different delegate.
The program included the subjects listed elsewhere, none of which, unfortunately, can be summarized because of lack of space and time for preparation for this issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS. Suffice it to say that all
[Page 5]
Except for the first day, all of the convention sessions took place at the Beth Harofe auditorium in Haifa.
FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
April 21-23, 1963
‘Akká - Haifa
World Center of the Bahá’í Faith
| April 21 | |
| 9:30 a.m. | Election of the Universal House of Justice |
| 4:00 p.m. | Riḍván Feast Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh |
| April 22 | |
| 10:00 a.m. | The Victories of the World Crusade |
| 3:00 p.m. | Teaching the Faith |
| Mass Conversion | |
| Home Front Teaching | |
| Liberalization of Enrollment of New Believers | |
| 8:30 p.m. | Status of Other Crusade Goals |
| (including the Mother Temple of Europe) | |
| April 23 | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Consolidation of the Faith |
| Preservation of Local Assemblies—The Spiritual Prizes | |
| Importance of Pioneers Remaining at their Posts | |
| Establishment of Administration and its Proper Use | |
| The Nineteen Day Feast | |
| 3:00 p.m. | Consolidation of the Faith (continued) |
| Protection of the Faith | |
| Importance of Firmness in the Covenant | |
| Public Relations of the Faith | |
| Meeting Attacks | |
| Making Friends for the Faith | |
| Need for Caution in Critical Areas | |
| 8:30 p.m. | Intensification of the Spirit of Teaching throughout the World |
| Closing of the Convention |
With great happiness Rúḥíyyih Khánum offers best wishes to members of the new administrative body.
Charles Wolcott, having received the highest number of votes, responds to applause of the delegates.
[Page 6]
discussions were very spirited, and while no formal
resolutions were presented or adopted, all delegates
have taken back to their national communities many
valuable ideas which they may be able to incorporate
in their own teaching and proclamation plans in the
years ahead.
The results of the election (reported in the cablegram from the Hands of the Faith printed on page 1 of this issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS) were announced at the close of the morning session of the convention on April 22. The nine members were introduced and greeted by Rúḥíyyih Khánum and each believer present felt he had witnessed not only the birth of an institution which would be regarded by posterity as the “last refuge for a tottering civilization” but also the beginning of a new and more glorious stage in the evolution of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. This was indeed an occasion of great rejoicing in the community of the Most Great Name around the world and another historic and history-making step toward “that blissful consummation” envisioned by the beloved Guardian in his message of April 1955 “when the shackles hampering the growth of their beloved Faith will have been finally burst asunder, when its independent status will have been officially and universally recognized, when it will have ascended the throne and wielded the scepter of spiritual and temporal authority, when the brightness of its glory will have illuminated the whole earth, and its dominion will have been established over the entire planet.”
“... from the heart of Zion there cometh the cry: ‘The promise is fulfilled. That which had been announced in the holy Writ of God, the most Exalted, the Almighty, the Best-Beloved, is made manifest.’ ” (Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, page 211.)
Hand of Cause Leroy Ioas with a few of the delegates.
Group of delegates in the gardens at Bahjí.
During a visit to Bahjí the friends gather briefly in one area of the beautiful verdant gardens.
BAHÁ’Í WORLD CONGRESS[edit]
April 28 - May 2, 1963
PROGRAMME OF SPEAKERS
| SUNDAY April 28 |
3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | |
| OPENING OF THE FIRST WORLD BAHÁ’Í CONGRESS THE DAY OF VICTORY | ||
| Chairman: | Enoch Olinga | |
| Speakers: | ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum | |
| Hasan Balyuzi | ||
| ‘Alí Akbar Furútan | ||
| MONDAY April 29 |
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | |
| THE MISSION OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH | ||
| Chairman: | Zikru’lláh Khádem | |
| THE PROMISE OF ALL AGES | Marion Hofman | |
| THE BLESSED BEAUTY | Amoz Gibson | |
| Ṭaráẓulláh Samandarí | ||
| 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | ||
| CELEBRATION OF THE NINTH DAY OF RIḌVÁN THE RIDVÁN FEAST | ||
| Chairman: | Luis de Fretes | |
| TUESDAY April 30 |
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | |
| THE UNFOLDMENT OF THE DIVINE PLAN | ||
| Chairman: | H. Borrah Kavelin | |
| THE VISION OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ | Rowland Estall | |
| Jan Sijsling | ||
| UNPARALLELED ACHIEVEMENTS | ||
| UNDER THE INFALLIBLE | ||
| GUIDANCE OF SHOGHI EFFENDI | Ian Semple | |
| Knights of Bahá’u’lláh will be presented | ||
| 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. | ||
| THE WORLD CENTRE OF THE FAITH | ||
| Chairman: | Charles Wolcott | |
| ITS UNIQUE SPIRITUAL | ||
| SIGNIFICANCE | Dr. Ugo Giachery | |
| ITS SUPREME ADMINISTRATIVE | ||
| IMPORTANCE | Paul Haney | |
| 8 p.m. | ||
| PUBLIC MEETING | ||
| WORLD UNITY WITH SECURITY | ||
| Chairman: | John Long | |
| Speakers: | Philip Hainsworth | |
| William Sears | ||
| WEDNESDAY May 1 |
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | |
| THE SPIRITUAL CONQUEST OF THE PLANET | ||
| Chairman: | ‘Alí Nakhjavání | |
| THE OPENING OF NEW TERRITORIES | ||
| VICTORIES OF THE PIONEERS | ||
| Speakers: | Enoch Olinga | |
| Ruth Pringle | ||
| Massoud Khamsi | ||
| 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | ||
| THE SPIRITUAL CONQUEST OF THE PLANET | ||
| Chairman: | K. K. Bhargava | |
| ENRICHMENT OF THE WORLD BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY | ||
| ENROLLMENT OF THE MASSES | ||
| Speakers: | Shirin Bowman | |
| Alvin Blum | ||
| Jamshed Fozdar | ||
| Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir | ||
| THURSDAY May 2 |
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | |
| OUR SACRED DUTY, OUR GLORIOUS CHALLENGE | ||
| Chairman: | Gila Bata | |
| Speakers: | Annaliese Bopp | |
| H. Fatheázam | ||
| Peter Khan | ||
| John Robarts | ||
| 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | ||
| SHOGHI EFFENDI, THE SIGN OF GOD | ||
| Chairman: | William Masehla | |
| Speaker: | ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih | |
| Khánum | ||
| CLOSING OF THE CONGRESS | Abu’l-Qásim Faizí | |
| DEVOTIONAL | ||
[Page 8]
United States believers gather in front of the Albert Memorial in London, May 2, 1963.
“Most Great Festival” Is Joyously Commemorated[edit]
“There must be something in a religion that prompted an old Cypriot woman to sell her cow to help pay her passage to England.
“Others had been saving for ten years. Many others of course could afford the trip. But however they managed to converge on London, the thousands of Bahá’ís who are meeting at the Albert Hall this week present one of the most astonishing examples of international unity that can be imagined outside Utopia.
“Their religion, Bahá’í, which began in Persia in 1844, has now spread throughout the world and 260 countries were represented today at the Albert Hall conference.
“It was a colorful scene, but mingling mantillas, sombreros, saris and other national clothing is only an outward semblance of international unity.
“There is something else, but it would be an impudence to define what it is on a brief acquaintance.”
The foregoing item which appeared in the London Evening Standard April 28, one of many to be published in the London newspapers in the four days to follow, represents the spirit in which the great city received the more than 6,000 Bahá’ís gathered there in commemoration of the accession of Bahá’u’lláh to the throne of His sovereignty one hundred years ago and the world-wide establishment of His Faith.
Just as it would be an impudence to define what it was that brought the followers of Bahá’u’lláh to Royal Albert Hall, so would it be an impudence to try to recount in this brief report the never-to-be-forgotten events and experiences that combined to make this a gathering such as the world had never witnessed in the past.
Because this issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS must go to print within a week following the close of the World Congress, the most that can be done at this time is to share with the friends the program and just a few highlights of some of the memorable sessions, each one unique in its content and for its speakers. Later issues will carry some of the addresses in full and others will summarize special events which left an indelible impression upon the minds and hearts of all who were present.
Although the Jubilee did not begin until Sunday afternoon, April 28, believers began to arrive in London by plane, by ship and by bus a week earlier. Ten chartered planes each carrying 150 or more Bahá’ís and members of their families came from the United States alone. Royal Hotel Hall, open from April 21 to April 28, served as a meeting place where one could find old friends and make new ones and secure information about the Congress. Several hundred took advantage of these days to tour parts of England or to visit places of interest in London itself whose innumerable parks were bedecked in spring’s most magnificent color and bloom.
The imposing statue of Prince Albert in the park across the street from Royal Albert Hall was the background for hundreds of photographs of small and large groups of Bahá’ís who assembled there early and late and between sessions.
Long before the first session opened on Sunday afternoon, the main-floor seats, the boxes and balconies of Albert Hall were filled to capacity, but those who were obliged to find seats in the topmost rows under the ceiling had the advantage of seeing spread before
[Page 9]
them, as a colorful garden, believers of every race
and color, many in the national or native dress of
the countries from which they came.
On the spacious platform, decorated with beautiful floral arrangements, there were seated the Hands of the Faith and the members of the newly elected Universal House of Justice who were to be introduced on Tuesday forenoon by Hand of the Cause Paul E. Haney. Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga called the vast audience to order and following prayers and chants in several languages, he introduced ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum who spoke about the great victories which the Bahá’í world community was celebrating on this historic occasion, comparing the current statistics, already out-of-date, with those given by the beloved Guardian on the occasion of the launching of his Ten-Year Global Crusade.
Hand of the Cause Hasan Balyuzi followed, speaking on the same subject, “The Day of Victory,” and Mr. ‘Alí Akbar Furútan, speaking in Persian also on the same subject, concluded the first session.
Thus the keynote of the Great Jubilee was struck and for five days the friends listened attentively, sometimes moved to tears of gratitude, sometimes applauding, to the addresses of the speakers who recounted the tremendous growth and strength which the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh had achieved under the leadership of the beloved Guardian and in his memory. There were moments when one felt that the Master and the Guardian were looking on, smiling happily and murmuring “Well done.”
Hand Recounts Visit with Bahá’u’lláh[edit]
While each session was unique and equally impressive, those which seemed to touch the hearts of one and all most deeply were those addressed by ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum and Hand of the Cause Ṭaráẓu’lláh Samandarí. In his talk on “The Blessed Beauty” 88-year-old Mr. Samandarí recounted his experiences during his visit at the age of sixteen with Bahá’u’lláh and quoted from some of the most poetic writings of the Best Beloved. At one point he called for an expression of appreciation and love for the beloved Guardian, and for at least fifteen seconds the entire audience stood in absolute silence, each and all feeling they were in the very presence of Shoghi Effendi whose earthly remains lay at rest in a cemetery a few miles away in that very city.
Another memorable and moving address was that by ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum in the closing session when she spoke of Shoghi Effendi as “The Sign of God,” his arduous and glorious — and sometimes almost heart-breaking — mission as the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, his wisdom and his great love for the believers, including glimpses of him as a man. Her explanation of the symbology of the monument erected to his memory in the London cemetery made the visits of the believers to his resting place all the more impressive.
Tremendous Crowd at Public Meeting[edit]
The celebration of the Ninth Day of Riḍván, completely devotional in content, and the public meeting on Wednesday evening were two of the very special events, the latter drawing a tremendous crowd. The address by Hand of the Cause William B. Sears at this session included moving references to the part that has been played by London and Great Britain in the history of the Faith, including Queen Victoria’s reply to the tablet addressed to her by Bahá’u’lláh, and the great bounty conferred upon that city in being the site of the resting place of Shoghi Effendi.
Further reports will cover more of the Jubilee, including the message which was read from the National Spiritual Assembly of Iraq which had been deprived for reasons beyond its control of serving as the host to this historical gathering, and the remarks of the wife (who was present with her children) of one of the three Moroccan Bahá’ís who have been condemned to death because of their allegiance to Bahá’u’lláh and His laws.
Although the victories of the Faith in the past one hundred years, and particularly the last ten, have been unprecedented in number and scope, every Bahá’í who was present at this historic gathering left the Congress with full appreciation of the fact that what has been achieved is only a beginning and that our task for long years ahead is the completion of the mission assigned to us in the Master’s Tablets of the Divine Plan, the strengthening of the administrative institutions of the Faith, and the conquest of the hearts of all peoples throughout the entire planet.
LEFT: One of the oldest U.S. Bahá’ís at the World Congress, Lucy Marshall of San Francisco saw ‘Abdu’l-Bahá several times during His visit to America in 1912. RIGHT: Group of believers from six countries—England, India, Malaya, Nigeria, Pakistan, United States.
[Page 10]
Typical of the departure scenes in several cities as hundreds of U.S. Bahá’ís started for London on charter flights to attend the World Congress, these pictures were taken at O’Hare International Airport, Chicago.
London newsstand advertises Bahá’í World Congress in effort to sell souvenir edition of News and Star.
Newspapers Carry Accounts of World Congress[edit]
As this issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS goes to press, several comprehensive reports of the World Congress in London have appeared in U.S. newspapers. For example, the Chicago Tribune ran stories on April 25 and 29, the second about three-fourths of a column long, and both credited to the paper’s London bureau.
Other papers which have representatives in London provided similar coverage. The accounts thus far observed were unbiased and for the most part factually correct.
Stories and pictures were naturally prominent in London newspapers. Notable was the Evening News and Star which devoted practically two full pages, in a special souvenir edition, to illustrations of groups of believers from around the world, as well as a fine view of the inside of Royal Albert Hall with its many tiers of seats filled with Bahá’ís. This same paper carried another article on the closing day of the Congress.
While some of the headlines were a little startling, the stories were sympathetic and in the main accurate. One account stated that the Bahá’ís gathered in London “present one of the most astonishing examples of international unity that can be imagined outside Utopia.”
New Bahá’í Institution Extends Condolences to Government of Israel[edit]
The first official action of the newly elected Universal House of Justice was to send two representatives accompanied by two members of the body of the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land to Jerusalem on April 24, 1963, to attend the funeral of the late President of the State of Israel, Izhak Ben-Zvi, who passed away the previous day. Representing the Bahá’í world community, they were assigned a position of prominence among high-ranking officials of the Government of Israel, members of the diplomatic corps and dignitaries of other religions.
The following telegram was sent to the Government of Israel by the Universal House of Justice:
“Members of (the) newly elected supreme administrative body (of the) Bahá’í Faith extend condolences (to) your Government and people on (the) passing (of) your much loved President Izhak Ben-Zvi. His contributions to (the) betterment of human society (are) indelibly inscribed (on the) pages of history.”
The Hands of the Cause also sent their condolences in the following message:
“On behalf (of the) Bahá’í communities throughout the world (we) wish (to) express (our) profound sympathy (over) the passing (of) Israel’s much loved, highly respected President Izhak Ben-Zvi.”
Holy Days Given Recognition by School Systems in U.S.[edit]
The Spiritual Assembly of Davenport, Iowa, reported on April 2 that the Davenport Public Schools have recognized the Bahá’í Holy Days. The children will be granted excused absence and will make up their school work.
On April 6, 1962, the superintendent of the Alexandria (Virginia) City Schools extended to Bahá’í children the same privilege which had previously been granted to children of other religions to remain away from classes on their Holy Days. A written request from the parent of each child must be presented.
National Assembly Cited by U.S. Committee for the United Nations[edit]
In its annual report for 1962 the United States Committee for the United Nations has, as previously, given special commendation to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States. The Assembly was one of eighteen national organizations cited as outstanding among the one hundred thirty-five that last year cooperated with the Committee in developing community interest in the United Nations.
Specifically the Bahá’ís were one of four organizations commended for their cooperation in supplying UN materials, notably for United Nations Day. (The assiduous efforts of the Bahá’í UN Committee in getting the materials to assemblies and groups were highly effective.)
Passing of Auxiliary Board Member Is Great Loss to Teaching Work[edit]
The members of all the national spiritual assemblies and all of the believers, particularly in the Western Hemisphere, were shocked to learn of the sudden death of Auxiliary Board member William deForge on May 3 in Paris, France, where he had gone with his family for a brief visit following the Most Great Jubilee. On receipt of the sad news, the Universal House of Justice sent the following cablegram to Mrs. deForge and her son, William deForge, Jr.:
“Grieved (to) learn (of the) passing (of) beloved, devoted, steadfast servant, William deForge. His exemplary service (is) memorable (and) deeply appreciated. Prayers (have been) offered (for the) progress (of) his soul (in the) Abhá Kingdom.”
In transmitting to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States a copy of the foregoing message, the Universal House of Justice added the note that Mr. deForge’s “passing (is an) inexpressible loss (to the) teaching work (in the) Western Hemisphere.”
Believers of Monaco Tell of Progress[edit]
Extensive teaching work this past year in Monaco resulted in enrollments which brought the total number of believers up to twenty. Other declarations, no doubt, will be made through the continuing and dedicated efforts of the friends.
Several conferences were held in Monte Carlo, and firesides were continuous. A number of visiting teachers, including Hand of the Cause Dr. Giachery, added greatly to the interest of the contacts.
The first Bahá’í marriage in the principality took place early in 1963, uniting the daughter of a pioneering family and a Monegasque.
Some of the guests at the Most Great Jubilee celebration held in Wilmette, Illinois, with the cooperation of Evanston and Winnetka.
Mother Temple of Europe[edit]
A blue mosaic with the Most Great Name in golden letters has been placed in the lantern, the doors are installed and the ambulatory is enclosed with glass.
Hawaii Moves Toward Goal of Mass Conversion[edit]
Since being called to the task of mass teaching in November of 1962, the Honolulu Extension Teaching Committee has enlisted the aid of every Bahá’í in Hawaii. The cooperation and endeavor of the believers has been magnificent; newly declared friends, though inexperienced in teaching, have been very effective through their sincerity and enthusiasm. A dispersion has begun, several of the teachers having resigned their jobs to relocate, and it only remains to reap the fruits of their efforts. The versatility, ingenuity and unflagging devotion of the teachers has created a real awareness of the Bahá’í Faith. The deepening of new believers is the developing need.
The difficulties are evident when it is realized that all travel is by air over open seas, and that innumerable small settlements and plantation camps must be reached where no accommodations exist. In addition, the barrier of some fourteen different languages commonly in use in the islands has posed some problems of communication. Translations into Ilocano (one of the major Filipino dialects spoken in Hawaii) of Bahá’í prayers have been made, and thousands of copies printed in pamphlet form.
The general teaching method employed has been to send teams of two or three Bahá’ís from their home islands to one of the other islands, since new contacts appear more stimulating than “neighbors.” The teams are chosen in order to present the interracial character of the Faith to the people of this multi-racial society. Plans and details of a teaching trip are made by the local communities, and the visitors arrive to accomplish the mission through love, enthusiasm and discussion.
As many as sixteen teaching teams per month have been sent to the four “outer islands” from Honolulu. Over five hundred interested contacts have been developed on one island alone, and several entire church groups have shown definite interest on another island. The declaration of one Christian minister and the help of several community leaders in forwarding the work are among the “seeding” results to date; and new opportunities arise weekly. An average week-end teaching trip involves firesides and public meetings in eight to ten locations, with up to five hundred miles of travel and four to five hundred persons being contacted. State teaching conferences, formerly held once a year, are now being held monthly; and the mutual assistance of all the Hawaiian communities has knitted the believers into a unity never before experienced.
Conference called by the European Hands last December in Luxembourg (see March issue, page 5). LEFT: Believers and guests at Unity Banquet. RIGHT: ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum addresses the gathering, with Annaliese Bopp interpreting. Seated, left to right: Mrs. Angeline Giachery, Dr. Eugen Schmidt, Mrs. Marion Hofman, Hand Ugo Giachery, Hand Hasan Balyuzi, International Council member Miss Jessie Revell, Hand Adelbert Mühlschlegel.
[Page 13]
All-Indian Bahá’í community of
Agua Linda in Apure State,
Venezuela, with Dr. Israel Posner. The members are all of the
Yaruro Tribe.
First Caribe and Yaruro Indians of Venezuela Enter the Faith[edit]
Members of the Guahibo Tribe in the Amazon Territory were the first Indians in Venezuela to accept the Message of Bahá’u’lláh—October 1962. Since then news of the Prophet of the new era has been carried by various pioneers to several other Indian regions, and two of these areas have already brought forth their first fruits.
In the interior of Apure State, a region of extensive and lonely plains, fourteen very humble but warmhearted Yaruro Indians from the village of Agua Linda entered the Faith on December 31. These Indians are extremely poor, and manage to eke out a meager existence primarily from hunting and fishing. They requested that the pioneers return as soon as possible to teach them more about the divine message, and expressed their desire to travel up the river in order to teach the Yaruros in other villages.
Almost simultaneously, on January 5, in another part of the country, the first members of the Caribe Tribe in Venezuela also entered the Faith. In the village of Mayagua in Bolívar State, a Bahá’í community has been formed with sixteen Caribe members. These Indians, also very poor, live primarily from agricultural products grown along the shores of the Orinoco River.
A month later another visit was made by Dr. Israel Posner to the village of Mayagua resulting in four additions to the Bahá’í community, and the establishment of a group in nearby Montañita. An isolated Indian believer from Buena Vista entered the Faith at this time.
With all-Indian local assemblies formed in Agua Linda and Mayagua, and with the added advantage that most of the Indians speak Spanish, it is hoped that the Faith will spread rapidly in these regions.
Prayers of Believers Will Strengthen Pioneers[edit]
Taken from a letter written by a pioneer in Guatemala, the following extracts could well apply to pioneer posts around the world.
“I do believe the pioneers are a forgotten army except to the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee and the National Spiritual Assembly. Without their prayers and help, some of us could not have stayed. How much stronger would we be if each Bahá’í of the United States would add to the obligatory prayer a daily prayer for us.
“Now the Crusade is almost over. Some of our native pioneers are returning home to look for steady work. Some native pioneers are just going out. Almost all of the U.S. pioneers here will remain on the job. Give up? I should say not! There will be another Crusade soon. Why go home only to return? Some pioneers are supported by other pioneers who have work and can’t go into the hills.
“The last few months we have had a larger influx of new believers than ever before.... They are the Indians of the hills around Huehuetenango, Chichicastenango and Quezaltenango. This is not mass conversion but I believe we are beginning to see it.
“The ways of God are mysterious ... when we were asked, ‘How many will be in London or Haifa?’ nine raised their hands with quaking hearts for only two knew for sure they could go ... but five of the National Assembly members will be in Haifa and more of us in London. Tell me, please, how pioneers with no money can go halfway around the world without the help of Bahá’u’lláh. He must want us there.
“When we come back we will enter another fast period. This time because of funds. But who cares after going to those places ... Who will need material food?”
Brazil Exceeds Assigned Goals[edit]
Mogi Mirim
Recife
Santo André
Belem
Through gaining five new local assemblies between
April 21 and December 31, 1962, Brazil more than
doubled the number specified by the beloved Guardian
in his Ten-Year Plan. He requested six and thirteen
were established.
Pictures, counter-clockwise from upper right:
First Spiritual Assembly of Belem, Brazil, formed 1962. Left to right, seated: Manuel Caldeira (chairman), Dirce Cavalcanti, Lucinda Chaves (treasurer), Ester Garcia, Evangelino Miranda (recording secretary). Standing: Ruy Ventura, Paquita Lopez (secretary), Maria Almeida, Walber Garcia (vice-chairman).
First Spiritual Assembly of Mogi Mirim, Brazil, formed December 1962. Left to right, seated: Maria Arias, Antonio Esquina, Manuela Gonzales, Sebastião Gonzales, Stella Nikobin. Standing: Qodratullah Soltani, Ferdoz Soltani, Manucher Nikobin, Dora Connor.
First Spiritual Assembly of Recife, Brazil, elected Riḍván 1962. Members: Alberto Souza, Peter Prior, Kouros Ghobad, Feridoon Ghobad, Alberta Souza, Mrs. Prior, Eline Ghobad, Elizabeth Rozsler, Pouran Ghobad.
First Spiritual Assembly of Santo André, Brazil, formed September 1962. Left to right, seated: Tahereh Abrarpour, Shoghieh Kashani, Rosicler de Oliveira, Mrs. Sigolo, Amelia Attadia. Standing: Parvis Abrarpour, Mohamad Shaikzadeh, Afonso Attadia, Lelio Sigolo.
[Page 15]
Part of the audience at one of a series of public meetings in the mass proclamation effort, Lucerne, Switzerland, with Dr. Walter Ott as speaker.
International News Briefs[edit]
Miss Nyoakee Baker, recently declared youth in Gulfport, Mississippi, spoke to 395 girls between the ages of 14 and 18 at a meeting of the New Homemakers of America, telling them about the Faith. She used some of the Bahá’í principles in a skit which was part of her presentation.
When the Urban League of Flint, Michigan, asked the public for help in its efforts to improve human relations, the Spiritual Assembly accepted the challenge and offered a program. A presentation of the Faith, especially in regard to the oneness of mankind, was made to an audience of 300 which asked many questions. Literature was left for further study, and it was announced that classes would be available to those interested.
A program was offered to a Flint TV station, which resulted in twenty-two minutes of questions and answers. The interviewer expressed a desire to learn more about the Faith, and was given literature. This was an excellent contact and could well lead to other programs.
Under the guidance of their teachers the Bahá’í children of Vevey, Switzerland, gave an Intercalary Day
party for their friends and the adult members of the
community. The program included supper, entertainment and an exhibit of their work.
Window displays in the new post office of bi-lingual Biel, Switzerland. LEFT: Predominantly in German, this exhibit was used in December and January. RIGHT: This display, in French balanced by the Bahá’í principles in German, was used in February and March.
Naw-Rúz 120[edit]
Naw-Rúz was the occasion chosen for ceremonies opening the new Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Son-Tinh, Quang-Nam Province, Central Vietnam. The observance drew village officials and guests from other towns. Built in commemoration of the Most Great Jubilee, it is the seventh Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds to be constructed in Vietnam.
The Naw-Rúz celebration in Rockville, Maryland, started with a dinner for 120 Bahá’ís and guests. LEFT: Pilgrim Church Choir which sang Bahá’u’lláh’s healing prayer with musical setting by Maryland believer Mrs. Phoebe Pfaehler (at piano). RIGHT: “The Versatiles” who provided part of the music for the evening. They were impressed by the obviously amicable interracial gathering and asked for literature.
A large number of communities and groups participated in the Naw-Rúz observance attended by 135 in Cleveland,
Ohio. Starting with a buffet supper, a varied program was enjoyed by adults and children. Shown is the audience
during a puppet show given by Bahá’í youngsters, the eldest being only eleven years of age.
[Page 17]
Naw-Rúz celebration held at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Thu Duc District of Gia Dinh Province in South Vietnam.
Believers and their friends at a Naw-Rúz gathering in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Part of the believers and guests who gathered to welcome the new year in Stamford, Connecticut. In addition, the community gave a party for Bahá’í children
in the afternoon.
Naw-Rúz celebration of Durham (North Carolina) believers and friends, including Christians, Hindus and Zoroastrians who contributed to the occasion.
The Springfield (Illinois) community and guests at a Naw-Rúz celebration which also commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of Springfield.
[Page 18]
In Bangkok, Thailand, Naw-Rúz was observed with a
large dinner attended by more than eighty dignitaries,
including Thai officials, several ambassadors and diplomatic representatives. The prime minister, unable to
be present, sent his good wishes. Shown is Dr. Hans
Ulrich Von Schweinitz (left), West German ambassador, being greeted by Jamshed Fozdar of the Regional Assembly of South-East Asia.
Cooperating Communities Stage “Giant Firesides”[edit]
In October of 1962 the Spiritual Assembly of Beverly Hills, California, after having obtained the approval of the National Spiritual Assembly, requested the communities of Burbank, Culver City, Los Angeles, Santa Monica and West Hollywood to join in planning a series of large intercommunity firesides as an adjunct and stimulus to the teaching activities being carried out in those cities.
Representatives of the communities met and their consultation brought agreement that the philosophy of the intercommunity firesides would be to conduct, in a large rented hall, meetings that would convey the essence of warmth, friendship and love to be found in firesides held in Bahá’í homes. The meetings were termed “Giant Firesides,” and were held once a month beginning in November.
Each community arranged a Giant Fireside in its area and was administratively responsible for the meeting. The representatives met once each month to review the previous fireside and assist in the preparation of the next one. Mindful of the admonition to demonstrate the basic principle of the oneness of mankind to the public, it was determined to utilize the talents of the various races. Each spiritual assembly was asked to request that all of its members conscientiously attend each meeting thereby assuring minimum attendance of fifty-four persons. These meetings were a cooperative effort from first to last even to the contributing of funds.
Advertising was placed by each community in its local paper. The community conducting the meeting placed the largest “ad,” using the largest allotment of funds set aside for that purpose. Invitations were ordered in sufficient quantity for all six meetings, and divided among the communities for mailing.
The first Giant Fireside was presented on November 30, and the sixth and last on April 12.
Though following closely a prepared format of choosing the chairman from the host community, having two speakers, a question-and-answer period and refreshments, each meeting developed its own character. All the gatherings achieved the desired atmosphere of warmth, love and relaxed friendliness, and the attendance was more than gratifying with close to 200 persons each time and once nearly 250.
A totally unexpected result of the success of these meetings was the holding of Giant Firesides by other groups of communities in the Southern California area and even as far distant as San Francisco. The most rewarding direct results were declarations in three of the localities, thus helping to “swell the ranks” of believers. An added bounty is a new dedication among the members of the cooperating communities together with a renewed sense of unity and fellowship among the members not only within each individual community, but also between the communities. The positive and constructive impact of these meetings will become increasingly evident in the months to come.
Giant Firesides in California. LEFT: Part of the audience at the Burbank meeting. RIGHT: West Hollywood gathering at which prayers of Bahá’u’lláh were given in English, French, German and Spanish.
[Page 19]
Indian proclamation conference in Nebraska. LEFT: Some attendants at the Pow Wow Grounds of the Omaha Reservation. RIGHT: A section of the round dance on the Winnebago Reservation.
“Gathering in Prayer for the New Day”[edit]
A proclamation conference—“Gathering in Prayer for the New Day” — was held the last of March on the Omaha and Winnebago Reservations in Nebraska. Since the first all-Indian assembly was formed on the Omaha Reservation (at Macy in 1947), the meetings were arranged to advance active interest in the Faith among the Indians of these adjoining areas.
Several radio stations publicized the gatherings, and five newspapers carried articles. Posters were placed in three towns, and notices were sent to reservations and communities in the central portion of the United States.
The first day’s program, at the “Self-Help Building” on the Winnebago Reservation, opened with a beautiful prayer service outdoors, with prayers in several languages. During the afternoon and evening sessions several speakers gave highly interesting and inspiring talks on the Faith. A round dance took place, in which Bahá’ís, their Indian friends and guests joined in a large circle around the Winnebago drummers and singers. About eighty persons, fifty non-Bahá’ís, were present.
Sunday morning the meeting in Macy began with prayers, followed by color slides of other Bahá’í Indian gatherings. After lunch there was a program of prayers and Bahá’í speakers. About a hundred people attended, including seventy non-Bahá’í Indians. A wonderful spirit of fellowship and love was felt during both days of the conference.
The meetings provided a fine example of mutual cooperation. Believers from several locations gave assistance, those from Sioux Falls assuming a large portion of the total task. Several speakers and participants traveled long distances in order to attend. Some Indian members of the All Nations Club of Winnebago helped with food preparation and provided Indian dancers and singers. The Minute Women of Macy, an all-Indian women’s club, cooked much of the food for Sunday. Cooperation was given by the tribal councils on both reservations.
A spiritual awakening was no doubt created, and a spiritual unity through prayer was clearly demonstrated. Several non-Bahá’í Indians remarked on the sincere friendliness and kindliness of the believers. Of course this feeling was mutual.
LEFT: Sigrid and Nils Rutfjäll of Tendalen, Sweden, the first Somer people (Lapps) to embrace the Faith, February 1963. RIGHT: A group of believers, including Mr. Rutfjäll, and friends at a gathering in Uppsala, Sweden.
BAHA'I IN THE NEWS[edit]
A two-thirds-page article on the Faith, including an illustration of the Wilmette Temple, in the April 26 issue of U.S. news magazine Time quoted from an interview with Rúḥíyyih Khánum and mentioned both the election of the Universal House of Justice and the London World Congress. Slanted and inaccurate in many respects, the story disturbed and exasperated believers but, like similar pieces in the past, promptly gave rise to inquiries from interested readers.
The U.S. National Spiritual Assembly immediately cabled the magazine from London, protesting the presentation of the Faith in such a false light and calling attention to specific errors. The National Assembly requested that the long cable be published. (‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum has not remarried and she was misquoted.)
The U.S. Congressional Record of February 18 includes a statement by Senator Keating regarding the persecutions in Morocco. His comments concerning the Faith were accurate, and he stressed “the importance of religious tolerance and self-restraint throughout the world.”
The April 3 issue of Christian Science Monitor refers to the Bahá’í Moroccan situation in connection with King Hassan’s comments at an Overseas Press Club luncheon in New York City.
The April 26 Jerusalem Post Weekly, overseas edition of the Jerusalem (Israel) Post, reported election of the Universal House of Justice, named its members and announced their departure for the World Congress in London. It also mentioned a one-minute silence observed and a prayer offered by believers present in Haifa for the international convention, on the occasion of the death of President Izhak Ben-Zvi of Israel, and the message of condolence sent to the Speaker of the Knesset.
Under its section devoted to “Pick of the Paperbacks” the Saturday Review of March 23 lists the book “Non-Christian Religions A-Z,” first of four reference books planned by Universal Library, and mentions that “the book is concerned with religion through history and includes Celtic mysteries, Bahá’í, Hinduism and Zoroastrian.”
The January issue of Sasanggye (Intellectual World), Korea’s most widely circulated magazine, carried an article in which a professor in a Methodist-sponsored university severely attacked the Faith. A lengthy reply by pioneer William Maxwell Jr. was published without change in the March issue, and since foreigners rarely write in Korean journals, the
Participants in workshop at Sarasota, Florida, one of the nation-wide institutes held in March.
reply was featured in ads in leading newspapers to
gain added readership. As a gratifying sequel, the
managing editor of Sasanggye was himself strongly
attracted to the Faith and requested books to read.
A new U.S.-published Holiday Magazine Travel Guide book called “Israel” contains a paragraph on What to See in Israel that makes complimentary statements about the Faith as well as the Mt. Carmel Shrine and gardens.
Calendar of Events[edit]
- FEASTS
- June 5 — Núr (Light)
- June 24—Rahmat (Mercy)
- PROCLAMATION EVENT
- June 9 — Race Amity Day
Baha’i House of Worship[edit]
- Weekdays
- 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Entire building)
- 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Auditorium only)
- Sundays and Holidays
- 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Entire building)
- 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Auditorium only)
- Sundays
- 3:30 to 4:10 p.m.
- Sunday, June 16
- 4:15 p.m.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published for circulation among Bahá’ís only by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í World Community.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee: Mr. and Mrs. P. R. Meinhard, Managing Editors; Mrs. Eunice Braun, International News Editor; Miss Charlotte M. Linfoot, National Spiritual Assembly Representative.
Material must be received by the twentieth of the second month preceding date of issue. Address: Bahá’í News 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.
