Bahá’í News/Issue 400/Text
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| No. 400 | BAHA’I YEAR 121 | JULY, 1964 |
Importance of Coming Nine Years Emphasized[edit]
Beloved friends, during the Riḍván period this year the world entered the third epoch of the Formative Age of the Cause of God, that “tenth and last part” which, in the words of the beloved Guardian, “is destined to culminate in the stage at which the light of God’s triumphant Faith ... will have suffused and enveloped the entire planet.”
In its first Riḍván Message to the Bahá’ís of the world, the Universal House of Justice recalled that a decade ago Shoghi Effendi reminded us that this “tremendously long tenth part” will consist of a series of plans extending over “successive epochs of both the Formative and Golden Ages of the Faith.”
With the first of these successive plans now unfolded before us, it would be well to review the nine preceding stages in the evolution of “the Plan wrought by God Himself for humanity” by which we have arrived at this particular epoch of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. Therefore let us read again this particular portion of the beloved Guardian’s letter of May 4, 1953 which set in motion his glorious World Crusade whose victories we celebrated just over a year ago in London.
This “majestic process,” he said, had its beginning “six thousand years ago, with the planting, in the soil of the Divine Will, of the Tree of Divine Revelation” and was destined to “pass through many stages ere it attains its final consummation.”
The Plan Wrought by God Himself[edit]
“The first part of this process was the slow and steady growth of the Tree of Divine Revelation, successively putting forth its branches, shoots and off-shoots, and revealing its leaves, buds and blossoms, as a direct consequence of the light and warmth imparted to it by a series of progressive Dispensations associated with Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad and other Prophets, and of the vernal showers of blood shed by countless martyrs in their path.
“The second part of this process was the fruition of this Tree that ‘belongeth neither to the East nor to the West,’ when the Báb appeared as the perfect Fruit and declared His Mission in the Year Sixty in the City of Shiráz.
“The third part was the grinding of this sacred Seed, of infinite preciousness and potency, in the mill of adversity causing it to yield its oil, six years later, in the City of Tabríz.
“The fourth part was the ignition of this oil by the Hand of Providence in the depths and amidst the darkness of the Síyáh-Chál of Tihrán a hundred years ago.
“The fifth was the clothing of that flickering Light ... after an eclipse lasting no less than ten years, in the City of Baghdád.
“The sixth was the spread of the radiance of that Light, shining with added brilliancy in its crystal globe in Adrianople, and later in the fortress-town of ‘Akká, to thirteen countries in the Asiatic and African continents.
“The seventh was its projection, from the Most Great Prison, in the course of the ministry of the Center of the Covenant, across the seas and the shedding of its illumination upon twenty sovereign states and dependencies in the American, the European, and Australian continents.
“The eighth part of that process was the diffusion of that same Light in the course of the first, and the opening years of the second, epoch of the Formative Age of the Faith, over ninety-four sovereign states, dependencies and islands of the planet, as a result of the prosecution of a series of national plans initiated by eleven National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the Bahá’í world, utilizing the agencies of a newly emerged, divinely appointed Administrative Order” culminating in the one hundredth anniversary of “the birth of Bahá’u’lláh’s Mission.
“The ninth part of this process”—the stage we entered with the opening of Shoghi Effendi’s Ten Year Plan during the Riḍván period in 1953—was “the further diffusion of that same Light” throughout most of
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the remaining countries, dependencies and islands of
the world; the termination of the World Crusade, and
the election of the Universal House of Justice, that
coincided “with the Most Great Jubilee commemorating the centenary of the Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh in
Baghdád” attended by more than six thousand Bahá’ís from all parts of the world.
The Tenth Part[edit]
And now we stand on the threshold of that tenth part in which sixty-nine national spiritual assemblies and a vast army of followers of Bahá’u’lláh throughout the world join hands and resources, human and financial, for the release of those mighty spiritual forces through which the Kingdom of God will, if we but play our part, be speedily established upon the earth.
To each of the sixty-nine national assemblies the Universal House of Justice has assigned certain special and certain cooperative goals whose details will become familiar to all Bahá’ís in due course. But in order that we may quickly grasp the magnitude and challenge of these world-embracing goals we quote the following summary of the objectives of the Nine Year Plan, other than those to be accomplished at the World Center itself. (For the World Center tasks see BAHÁ’Í NEWS, No. 399, page 2.)
Summary of Goals to Be Attained by 1973[edit]
Bahá’í Temples to be constructed (Panama and Tehran) | 2 |
National Spiritual Assemblies to be established | 46 |
National Spiritual Assemblies to be incorporated | 65 |
National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds to be acquired | 52 |
National Temple sites to be acquired | 62 |
National endowments to be acquired | 54 |
New territories to be opened | 70 |
Territories to be resettled | 24 |
Languages in which Bahá’í literature is to be translated | 133 |
Languages in which Bahá’í literature is to be enriched | 45 |
Minority groups and races to be taught and enrolled | 55 |
Bahá’í Publishing Trusts to be formed | 4 |
Summer/Winter Schools to be established | 4 |
Teaching Institutes to be established | 32 |
Countries to recognize Bahá’í marriage certificates | 87 |
Countries to recognize Bahá’í Holy Days | 95 |
Number of Local Spiritual Assemblies to be raised to | 13,737 |
Number of Local Spiritual Assembly incorporations to be raised to | 1,711 |
Number of localities where Bahá’ís reside to be raised to | 54,102 |
In addition there are 219 special projects calling
for inter-Assembly collaboration and 114 miscellaneous
untabulated goals.
The Role of the Individual[edit]
Awe-inspiring as the Nine Year Plan is to every believer and friend of the Faith, each of us must ask ourselves how we can best play our individual part in meeting this greatest of spiritual challenges.
There is need for pioneers and settlers for the achievement of the home front goals in every national Bahá’í community as well as for the new territories to be opened and those to be re-settled and consolidated. There is urgent need also for greater and constant increases in the outpouring of financial support. For general guidance in mapping out our personal goals we call attention once again to these passages from the Riḍván Message from the Universal House of Justice:
“The healthy development of the Cause requires that this great expansion to be accompanied by the dedicated effort of every believer in teaching, in living the Bahá’í life, in contributing to the Fund, and particularly in the persistent effort to understand more and more the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. In the words of our beloved Guardian, ‘One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.
“For whatever convulsions the waywardness of a godless and materialistic age may yet precipitate in the world, however grievous may be the effects of the rolling up of the present order on the plans and efforts of the Community of the Most Great Name, we must seize the opportunities of the hour and go forward confident that all things are within His mighty grasp and that, if we but play our part, total and unconditional victory will inevitably be ours.”
First Guajiro Bahá’í School Held in Venezuela[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of Venezuela sponsored the first Indian Bahá’í School in the Guajiro Peninsula on March 26, 27 and 28. Previously, a series of teaching trips to the Guajiro had resulted in the enrollment of 500 Guajiro Indians in less than four months. The school marked the first time that the Guajiro believers had gathered together with their fellow believers who had come to teach them and who had travelled from such distant cities as Caracas, Maracay and Valencia.
The three days of the school consisted of a full program of study classes, prayers, songs and recreation. Subjects studied included Bahá’í History, Administration (which was taught through practice sessions), Spiritual Teachings and Bahá’í Laws. A new teaching booklet entitled La Luz de Bahá’u’lláh was explained and a copy was presented to each student. All the students made little books of Bahá’í photographs which they will later use to teach the Faith. In addition, the short obligatory prayer was memorized by most of the students.
All who attended the school thought that there was a very special spirit present and many people expressed happiness at having been able to attend.
Ridván Sees Formation of New National Spiritual Assemblies[edit]
Korea[edit]
RIGHT: The first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Korea elected April 24, 1964. Left to right, seated: Suh Byong-in, Mrs. Joy H. Earl. Kim Ch’ang-jin and Kim Bong-ch’ol. Standing: Pak Sam-bong, Dr. David M. Earl, William W. Smits, Yang Jae-ho and Kim Myong-jong. BELOW: Some of the 65 who attended the First National Convention from April 22-25, 1964 in Taegu, Korea. Hand of the Cause, Dr. Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir (holding the Greatest Name) attended.
Indonesia[edit]
LEFT: New National Assembly of Indonesia. Standing, left to right: R. L. Mailangkay, Dr. N. Soraya, Ganto Suaro, Rustam Paymanian and Putu Dana. Seated: K. A. Samini (vice-chairman), Eng. H. Sajuti (chairman), Dr. H. Maani (treasurer), Jusuf Ottoluwa (secretary). ABOVE: Sixty-one delegates attended the first Convention in Jakarta.
Marian Anderson Rose Planted in Temple Garden[edit]
Miss Marian Anderson at the microphone acknowledges the welcome to the Bahá’í gardens by Dr. David S. Ruhe (right) Secretary of the National Assembly. Included in the contingent of guests seated at the left are Howard C. Decker, President of the Village of Wilmette and Mrs. Decker; Hand of the Cause Leroy C. Ioas and Mrs. Ioas, Jacob Barmore, Consul-General of Israel and Mrs. Barmore; representatives of the Swedish Consul and Mrs. Clarence Smith of the American Rose Society (holding Miss Anderson’s Bouquet).
First Illinois Planting Marks Memorial Day[edit]
“It is befitting that in these beautiful gardens surrounding this universal House of Worship, dedicated to the oneness of mankind, of religion and of God, Miss Anderson should plant this universal symbol of the unity of the world, of purity and of perfection ... for the rose is truly the one universal flower, found in all parts of the world.”
These words by Hand of the Cause Mr. Leroy C. Ioas express the purpose of a special ceremony sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States on Sunday, May 3, 1964 for the planting of Marian Anderson roses in the gardens surrounding the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois — the first planting of this particular rose anywhere outside the State of California, and the only rose dedicated to a living American Negro.
How did this event come to pass? In the fall of 1962 a proposal was made by the Negro counsellors of Rose Hills Memorial Park near Los Angeles that the organization name a rose for an outstanding Negro and introduce it at the next annual “Pageant of Roses.” Having long been an admirer of Miss Marian Anderson’s great artistry, Mr. F. Joseph McCormack, a Bahá’í associated with the public relations department of the Rose Hills Memorial Park, suggested that permission be sought from Miss Anderson to name the proposed rose for her. The idea was immediately and enthusiastically approved, but being a person of great humility, Miss Anderson did not take the request seriously. However, she finally agreed to visit the Pageant of Roses Garden when in Los Angeles for a concert in March, 1963.
In the meanwhile the search began for an appropriate rose among the many new hybrids being developed by Dr. Walter Lammeris, one of the world’s great rose hybridizers. After some months the choice was made — a lovely cherry red Grandiflora “with a golden heart” — and it was immediately accepted and registered by the American Rose Society.
The next step was to secure Miss Anderson’s permission to name this rose for her. At first she was reluctant, but finally she acquiesced, and then started months of preparing a proper affair at which to introduce the rose and on a date that would fit in with Miss Anderson’s busy schedule. This was achieved on October 8, 1963 when a tea was given in Rose Hills Memorial Park for several hundred civic, cultural and music leaders of all races from the Los Angeles area, reported to be the first and largest affair of its kind ever staged in that area.
Some months later, at the suggestion of Mr. and Mrs. McCormack, the National Spiritual Assembly requested of Miss Anderson the honor of planting a dozen Marian Anderson rose bushes in the Bahá’í Temple gardens in recognition of her great talents, inspiration and example to the people of America and the world. Miss Anderson graciously agreed and the date was set for May 3, 1964.
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PHOTOS TOP TO BOTTOM
Miss Anderson holding her bouquet of roses while talking with Dr. David S. Ruhe (left) and Leroy C. Ioas. Mrs. Wilson Rankin of Glencoe, Illinois presents Miss Anderson with a bouquet of the roses named in her honor and flown from California for the occasion. Miss Anderson talks with a young guest at the planting ceremony as the crowd accompanies her to the Auditorium of the Bahá’í House of Worship for the program of public worship. |
A special committee appointed to handle all the publicity for the ceremony mailed formal invitations and
letters to some four hundred persons prominent in religious and civic affairs, the arts, and human rights in
many parts of the country; arranged for press, television and radio releases before and after the event; assisted a second committee in planning a reception, and
cooperated with Mr. L. Wyatt Cooper, Superintendent
of the Bahá’í Temple and Grounds, in arranging for the
seating of speakers and special guests, and the actual
planting by Miss Anderson personally of one of the dozen bushes in the chosen garden.
The ceremony began at 2:30 p.m. with the arrival of Miss Anderson at the entrance to the gardens accompanied by two members of the National Spiritual Assembly. Dr. David S. Ruhe acting as Master of Ceremonies, escorted her to the east garden where the planting ceremony was to take place. Here before a large gathering of people of various races and nationalities Miss Anderson was presented by Mrs. Wilson Rankin, a Bahá’í of Glencoe, Illinois, with a large and beautiful bouquet of Marian Anderson roses air shipped from California to Wilmette by Mr. McCormack for the occasion.
Tribute Paid by Many[edit]
Among those beside Mr. Ioas who also paid tribute to Miss Anderson in the brief half-hour ceremony were: Mr. Howard C. Decker, President of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Wilmette; Mrs. Clarence C. Smith on behalf of the American Rose Society of the Illinois-Indiana District, and Mr. Jacob Barmore, Consul-General of the State of Israel who expressed the hope that some day soon the Marian Anderson rose might also blossom in the renowned Bahá’í Gardens on Mt. Carmel in the Holy Land.
Miss Anderson responded to the words of welcome and tribute with a charm and beauty of spirit that instantly won the hearts of all present. She spoke of her high regard for the aims and purposes of the Bahá’í Faith, the beauty of the Temple, her love and respect for the Bahá’ís with whom she has been associated, and expressed her humble gratitude, not only for having had a beautiful rose named in her honor but for the privilege of knowing that it will soon be blooming in the shadow of the Bahá’í House of Worship.
Following the placing of the rose bush in its prepared spot, Miss Anderson was escorted by the local
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members of the National Spiritual Assembly into the
Auditorium of the Temple to attend the regular Sunday program of public worship which, on this occasion,
included the a cappella rendition of the Words of Bahá’u’lláh, “Blessed is the Spot ...,” set to music some
years ago by Charles Wolcott with Miss Anderson’s
beautiful contralto voice in mind.
After the service which drew an unusually large attendance, more than 250 Bahá’ís and specially invited guests were given opportunity to meet Miss Anderson personally at a tea in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. Toward the end of the afternoon she was presented with a beautiful framed picture of the Bahá’í House of Worship as a token of the gratitude of the Bahá’ís of the United States for the honor she had bestowed on them by bringing her rose and beauty of spirit to the Temple.
Although the following remarks by Dr. Ruhe were included in his welcome and introduction of Miss Anderson at the opening of the ceremony, it seems fitting to close with them as they express the respect and admiration of the Bahá’ís of the United States for this outstanding American woman. He said:
“It is always most proper to place Marian Anderson in a religious setting, for her art is essentially religious, her spirit the song of the ages crying for the unification of mankind.... By planting this beautiful rose in this particular garden that looks over the wide world eastward to the Cradle of our Faith we not only pay humble tribute to this great impassioned and selfless artist, but affirm the truth that from us poor humans can spring those inner beauties which are the true reality of man.... Miss Anderson is the living symbol of a Godly purpose: that all men shall be recognized for their essential worth and dignity, for their capacity to create and to contribute what God has uniquely given them.... And by her act [of planting this rose bush] Miss Anderson invests our beautiful gardens with her spirit and endows the roses with their true ‘hearts of gold.’ ”
LEFT: Some of the Bahá’ís and guests present at the rose planting ceremony. RIGHT: Miss Anderson holding the Marian Anderson rose bush while L. Wyatt Cooper fills in the earth.
Chilean Magazine Article Recalls Teaching in Burma[edit]
A popular weekly news magazine, Ercilla, published in Chile contains an excellent article on the Bahá’í Faith in its April 29 issue. This magazine, also widely read in other Spanish-speaking countries, carries a sixty-column-inch article recounting the travels of two Iranian Bahá’ís, Abudallah and Issa Ommidvar, and their meeting with Bahá’ís in the U.S.A. and in Burma. The Bahá’í teachings are extensively and accurately presented, and the article is illustrated with a photo of the Temple in Wilmette and another of a group of Bahá’ís in Burma. Considerable detail is given on Burma, the hospitality and friendliness of the people and the broad spread of the Bahá’í Faith which has been established in that country for over eighty years.
Although the article does not give this detail, it would be of interest to Bahá’ís to know how the Faith was introduced in Burma. One of the first Bahá’í teachers in Burma was Siyyid Mustafá Rúmi, named as a Hand of the Cause by Shoghi Effendi at the time of his passing. He arrived in Burma in 1878, from Madras, India, his family having emigrated from Iraq previously. He had been taught in India by Jamál Effendi, the first teacher sent to India by Bahá’u’lláh in 1875. Siyyid Mustafá Rúmí labored ceaselessly throughout his lifetime in Burma, consolidating the Bahá’í centers in Rangoon and Mandalay and establishing a center in Daidanaw, the Bahá’í village in the township of Kungyangoon. The headman of this village, having been befriended by a Bahá’í in a time of great need, consulted with the village elders and then invited Siyyid Rúmí to come to their village to teach their people the Bahá’í Faith. As a result the whole village embraced the Cause, after which Siyyid Rúmí worked, with the help of other Bahá’ís of Burma, to improve their conditions and to establish schools. Siyyid Rúmí, who was still actively teaching at the age of 99, had a kindly disposition combined with scholarly knowledge of the Bahá’í teachings and the holy books of other Faiths, making him an outstanding teacher. His exemplary teaching methods, described in a story of his life in Bahá’í World, Volume X, offer guidance and inspiration to anyone who longs to teach the Cause of God today.
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National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Norway held at Stavanger May 1-3, 1964.
Vietnam Government Includes Bahá’ís on Advisory Council[edit]
In Vietnam last March the government invited many prominent civic, religious and labor organizations to send delegations to a conference, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Social Action, for the purpose of creating an Advisory Council which would assist the Ministry in the government’s program of social action for the welfare of the masses. It is gratifying that the Bahá’í Community was included, as this was the first time that an official invitation from the Central Government of Vietnam has been addressed to the Faith in any capacity, and it is clear that the representatives of the Bahá’ís made a very favorable impression indeed.
The Bahá’í delegation to this conference comprised three believers, and a fourth Bahá’í, Dr. Tran-van-Liem, was present in his capacity as founder of the Vietnamese Blood Donors Society.
The conference lasted five hours, during which Dr. Tran-van-Liem was elected Secretary General of the Advisory Council, and two other Bahá’ís, Mr. Khoi and Mr. Ha-van-Ut, were elected members.
Bahá’í Books Accepted for Peace Corps Libraries[edit]
A few months ago, shortly after the passing of President Kennedy, the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the U. S. was invited to submit titles of books for possible placement in the John F. Kennedy Memorial Libraries, Peace Corps division. Since this was an educational project, books to be presented could not be for the purpose of teaching or promoting a religion, as such, and had to be passed by the book coordination director of the Peace Corps as acceptable for either college or secondary school use. The information supplied, therefore, emphazied either historical content or the socio-cultural, unitive theme of the books. Four titles were submitted and all were accepted in May and the books shipped to the Peace Corps representatives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Djakarta, Indonesia; San Jose, Costa Rica; and Ankara, Turkey — a total of sixteen books in all. Letters of thanks have been received from several of the Peace Corps representatives at the time of this report.
The titles and the descriptive information supplied were as follows: Foundations of World Unity by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: a selection of the Western talks given in 1912 in churches, synagogues, peace and scientific societies and universities, which won attention of such figures as Woodrow Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt, Dr. David Starr Jordan, Alexander Graham Bell and other American leaders; advocates need for international cooperation of all nations, the unity of scientific with philosophical and religious thought, the equality of all races and the universal foundation of all the world’s revealed religions. Release the Sun by William Sears: an historical account of ‘Alí Muḥammad (known as the Báb) and the early Bábis of Írán over 100 years ago; annotated by Prof. Granville Browne (Cambridge University) and Comte de Gobineau. Prescription for Living by Rúḥíyyih Rabbani: Relates the underlying ills of the world to the ills of the individual personality, his lack of knowledge of his true source and his inability to contribute his inner, moral and spiritual strengths to the big scheme of life on the planet—the unity of the whole human race. Great Themes of Life by Eric Bowes: five essays on five great themes of the Old and New Testament that present a modern interpretation for today’s needs of relationships between peoples of Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and other great religions.
United States Baha’i Convention Hears Role in Nine Year Plan[edit]
“To be at the launching of the Nine-Year Plan is an honor and a wonder,” were the words of William B. Sears, Hand of the Cause of God, on the first day of the fifty-fifth annual convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States. “We do not yet fully comprehend what these launchings mean in the progress of the Cause and in the history of the world,” he added.
Caught up from the very first morning by the glorious vision of God’s Kingdom on earth about to be realized, which was called to mind most graphically by the two messages received from the Universal House of Justice, the delegates contemplated that “divinely propelled process” which has carried mankind forward for 6,000 years to this tenth climactic stage that will bring the Golden Age. But they were also momentarily subdued by the tremendous challenge of the tasks that the Nine Year Plan laid out before them, giving again to the American believers the lion’s share of responsibility for “planting the banners of light” throughout the globe.
As the two messages from the Universal House of Justice were read, one addressed lovingly to the Bahá’í World Community and one to the American believers, the friends present heard in detail the tasks allotted to the Bahá’í world community, those to the American believers alone, those 219 specific projects for intercommunity cooperation and those astonishing and long-hoped-for goals to be achieved at the World Center.
All these endeavors, they learned, are to be contributory and identified with the twin processes that must characterize the awakening of the masses throughout the world during the Nine Year crusade: 1) “Huge expansion of the Cause of God” and 2) “Universal participation by all believers in the life of the Cause.”
The presence in Convention much of the time of the three Hands, Leroy Ioas, Zikhru’lláh Khádem and William Sears; and their words of understanding and assurance were a special bounty. Delegates hoped to be able to carry to post-convention meetings their loving and illuminating advice and stories.
Resources Analyzed for Nine Year Plan[edit]
After reviewing the goals with the aid of a map and realizing that Bahá’ís should memorize these goals, a first task of the convention was to analyze the resources of the American Bahá’í community. This it did, following the example set by the Universal House of Justice in the messages: “Once more, dear friends, we enter the battle but with an incomparable greater array than which embarked upon the World Crusade in 1953.”
The supplementary report of the national secretary showed encouraging statistics reflecting the membership growth of the community in the United States. Local spiritual assemblies now number 334, which number is to be increased to at least 600 by 1973.
After taking stock of the deficit of $125,000 in the National Fund, the convention faced up to the challenge of the great tasks to be accomplished and voted to recommend that the National Assembly adopt the increased budget of $775,000 which it had worked out as a minimum for 1964-65. Only further sacrifice, regular giving and a gaining of many new recruits will strengthen this bedrock of the Cause, the treasurer stated, as he pointed out the needs at the World Center in the pioneer areas and on the home front in attaining
Friends gathered in front of the Wilmette Temple on the last day of the Fifty-fifth annual Convention.
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During the last hours of the Convention eighty dedicated Bahá’ís stepped forward and volunteered to pioneer. One by one they addressed the assembled delegates.
the goals of the Nine Year Plan.
Current Teaching Opportunities[edit]
Animated discussion of the human rights situation in the United States, which offers to the American believers some of the greatest opportunities on the home front, brought out many vital points; the National Assembly is working on clarification of legal issues involved and on the publishing of materials; the National Assembly statement of September 1963 is our guide, supplementing passages in The Advent of Divine Justice, and a new statement in the May BAHÁ’Í NEWS should permit and encourage diverse, creative action in this sphere as in all fields of home front activity. Whether active in direct Bahá’í activities or in non-Bahá’í human rights activities, every believer should remember that his primary goal is to win followers for Bahá’u’lláh. “Be sure the banners we lift are high!” counselled Hand of the Cause, Leroy Ioas.
A high point of the convention was the introduction of an Arizona delegate, Chester Khan, a Navajo, and of other Indians, representing a total of seven tribes. The intensity of interest shown in these believers and in all minority race problems reflected the unique significance given these subjects by the Master and Shoghi Effendi. “The Indians are waiting to hear the Message of God,” said the Indian Bahá’í from the Oklahoma Cherokees. “They have reached the end of the road and do not know where to turn.”
The Bahá’í Youth at convention responded spiritedly and decisively to the call of the Universal House of Justice with a plan for teaching which they recommended to the National Assembly. This would include a period of training in June at Davison Summer School of interracial youth teams, for participation in Bahá’í-planned teaching and human rights projects, and service activities. So stirring to the convention was the report of this action that it was recommended that adults plan for a similar program.
Consolidation at National Level[edit]
Explanations made from time to time by National Assembly, and national committee members revealed, that vigorous and far-seeing moves are already in process on the part of the National Assembly to concentrate the center of all American Bahá’í activities in Wilmette, including the immediate establishment of the National Teaching Committee at the national headquarters; to further the evolution of the national Assembly into a secondary House of Justice with reference both to executive and judicial functions; to improve the physical condition of the permanent summer schools and to arrange a co-ordinated curriculum; to establish counsellor teams to assist the National Assembly with development problems of local spiritual assemblies; to establish a bureau of marital and social status problems, composed of professionally trained Bahá’ís advisory to the National Assembly; to publish immediately a booklet analyzing and explaining the Nine Year Plan; to include study of the Nine Year Plan in the summer schools; to use the voluntary resolve plan for giving to the National Fund this year.
National Assembly for 1964-1965[edit]
The election of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly was conducted in a particularly quiet and impressive period on Friday afternoon. The members and officers are Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, chairman; Robert Quigley, vice-chairman; Dr. David S. Ruhe, secretary; Miss Charlotte Linfoot, assistant secretary; Miss Edna M. True, recording secretary; Arthur L. Dahl, treasurer; Daniel Jordan; Dr. Sarah Martin Pereira; Paul Pettit. All but Mr. Pettit were members last year.
The morning devotions in the Auditorium enhanced the convention tone of earnestness and dedication. The Riḍván Feast observance was a double event, with Bahá’ís worshipping in the sacred atmosphere of the Auditorium prior to the public meeting in Foundation Hall. At the latter there was an overflow audience addressed by Mozhan Khádem on the theme of material and divine civilization.
Thus began at convention the “mobilization of all resources, both human and financial,” to meet the prodigious goals assigned to the American Bahá’í community. One great thing was still to come before adjournment. This was the rising tide of volunteers for pioneering which began halfway through the final session and flowed forward in convention hall until more than eighty had offered to go to specific territories or to any appointed goal. Among these were several tested and tried pioneers of previous plans who were visitors and contributors to the convention.
It was possible after this to cable to the Universal House of Justice how gallantly the American community had responded. It had “set its face toward leadership of the world community with all that leadership entails of sacrifice at home and sustaining less fortunate communities abroad ...”
The Convention was honored by the presence of three
Hands of the Cause. Left to right: Zikru’lláh Khádem,
Leroy Ioas and William Sears.
First National Spiritual Assembly of Hawaii Elected[edit]
Governor Addresses Prelude to Convention[edit]
It was December 26, 1901, when a young lady, fresh from a trip to Europe and glowing with a new inner knowledge alighted from a steamer—the first Bahá’í in Hawaii. It was not easy, in those days, for a member of a famous missionary family to speak of a new faith but the courage came and the torch was placed in other hands. The young lady moved on then by direction of the beloved Master to plant the banner of Bahá’u’lláh in Japan.
It was fitting that the young lady, now known and loved throughout the Bahá’í World as Hand of the Cause Agnes Alexander, represented the Holy Land at the historic First National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands. It was fitting, too, that at a public meeting held at Waikiki’s Princess Kaiulani Hotel as a prelude to the convention, the State of Hawaii honored Miss Alexander as Governor John A. Burns presented her with a lei. The Governor, in his address of greeting at that meeting, stated, “... the basic goal of your organization — world peace — is certainly an ideal with which no sane person can quarrel. For world brotherhood, after all, is a condition we all seek; and it is through mutual understanding that such a condition will be attained. It is heartening indeed to see an organization such as yours paying more than lip service toward that common goal of peace-loving nations.”
A quick glance at the 200 or so invited guests in the audience was proof of his words. It was a flower garden of humanity with every imaginable hue clearly
First National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the
Hawaiian Islands formed April 26, 1964. Seated, left to
right: Miss Evelyn Musacchia (recording secretary),
Mrs. Lei Chapman (corresponding secretary), Miss
Elena Marsella, Miss Gertrude Garrida. Standing:
James Wada, Dr. Claude Caver (treasurer), Hugh Chapman (chairman). Jacques Smith, Michael Woodward (vice-chairman).
Governor John A. Burns of Hawaii presents lei to Hand
of the Cause Agnes Alexander at the public meeting
preceding the Convention.
visible. Even the young ushers, identified by orchid
leis, were a multi-racial group — Negro, white, Philippino, Hawaiian, Chinese and Eurasian. As Mrs. Velma
Sherrill of the National Assembly of the United States
spoke on the subject of “Foundations of World Unity”
it was evident that that foundation had been laid in
Hawaii.
The Honolulu Bahá’í Center, chosen as the site of the Convention, had been carefully scrubbed, polished and dressed in a profusion of orchids for the great occasion. Early on Saturday morning, April 25, the delegates and friends began to gather from the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and, of course, Oahu, and were properly registered. The moving devotional period set the mood of love and unity that was to blanket the two-day conclave. Presiding over the initial phase of the meeting was Auxiliary Board Member and official representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, Mrs. Velma Sherrill, who, with a sure and loving hand, guided the deliberations. Her first acts were to read a letter of authorization and instructions from the mother assembly in Wilmette and an inspirational greeting from the Hands of the Cause in the Western Hemisphere.
The business of the roll call and election of convention officers done, the moment finally arrived when the messages from the Universal House of Justice were read — delineating the Nine-Year Plan for the Bahá’í World—and the specific plan for the Hawaiian Islands. Perhaps it was their youthful enthusiasm —
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First National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands held April 25 and 26, 1964 at the Honolulu Bahá’í Center.
or could it have been their faith in the power of Bahá’u’lláh — that moved the assembled delegates to rise
time after time to ask that the new National Assembly
consider rescheduling various of Hawaii’s nine-year
goals to one, two or five-year deadlines. Whatever the
reason, there was no doubt that the challenges flung
out to them were unhesitatingly, confidently and joyfully accepted.
Stirring talks on the spiritual foundation of the National Assembly, its functions and responsibilities and the institution of the Bahá’í Fund were heard, and a constant stream of questions and answers clarified the finer points involved. The first day of the convention, with its fruitful and enthusiastic consultation centered on the newly-assigned goals, drew to a close as the friends moved from the Center to the resting place of Martha Root—“Leading Ambassadress of His Faith and Pride of Bahá’í teachers” — to read prayers and to be reminded of that greatest bounty, complete dedication and service to the Cause of God.
On Sunday morning, in the atmosphere that exemplifies Bahá’í elections, the nineteen delegates cast their ballots for the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands.
The presence of Miss Henriette From, who had labored tirelessly for the Faith in the islands for nearly half a century, who nursed Miss Martha Root during her last days, added to the knowledge that what was happening was not a triumph of the hour, rather, the fruit of patience, devotion and sacrifice of that valiant band of believers through the years.
Fourth Annual Convention Held in Colombia[edit]
A spirit of free and frank consultation marked the fourth Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Colombia held May 1 and 2 at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Bogotá. Three of the four sessions were opened by the delegates and the enthusiasm generated resulted in offers of pioneering for the new goals of the Nine Year Plan. Originally planned for only three sessions the Convention was extended to the afternoon of May 2.
On Thursday afternoon, April 30, a pre-Convention program was held which featured three topics: “The Historic Importance of the Faith” by Mrs. Hilda Albelo of Puerto Rico, “The National Convention and Duties of the Delegates” by Allah K. Kalantar and “The Future of the Faith” by Ellen Sims. The program was followed by a reception given by the Bogotá Community.
Messages were sent to the Hands of the Cause in Haifa and the Universal House of Justice.
There were demonstrations of new teaching methods used among the Indians and in poorer sections of the large cities. Heavy enrollments have occurred in the north of Colombia following a visit by Donald Witzel, Auxiliary Board Member.
The new National Spiritual Assembly was elected and consists of the following members: Luis Montenegro (chairman), Gloria Fritzsche (corresponding secretary), Teresa Alarcón (recording secretary), Leonor Porras (vice-chairman), Stewart Waddell (treasurer), Habíb Rezvání, Charles Hornby, Ellen Sims and Monica Reller. The next day new officers and national committee members were announced. That evening slides of the World Congress in London were shown at a special youth night.
The special goals for Colombia were discussed with enthusiasm and it was felt that they could be achieved in one year since twenty-two of the twenty-seven local spiritual assemblies have already been formed. In addition there were offers to go to Ibague, San Andrés and other goal cities. Special mention was made of the training of Bahá’í youth and children and of the incorporation of assemblies.
On the last day of the Convention, while the National Spiritual Assembly met with the delegates, visitors enjoyed an outing in the beautiful National Park.
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First National Convention of Thailand held May 1-3 in Bangkok.
Thailand Holds First National Convention[edit]
The First National Convention of Thailand was held on May 1, 2 and 3 in Bangkok. The friends were delighted to welcome Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum as a distinguished guest.
The first National Spiritual Assembly of Thailand was elected and is composed of the following members: Mrs. Shirin Fozdar (chairman), Akom Saensangar, Sawaeng Thongsoot (secretary), Pramook Poolsurapun, Jaigopal Varma (vice-chairman), Thienthai Aphijatabutr (treasurer), Kirti Boonsombat, Vollop Ratanavibul, Tonda Gattasilla. Rúḥíyyih Khánum addressed the Convention after the election and stressed the need for effective consultation. In addition she explained the function and the procedures of the National Spiritual Assembly.
During her stay in Thailand Rúḥíyyih Khánum was honored at two public functions. One was a dinner for dignitaries at the Royal Sports Club which was attended by 100 people. The Prime Minister was unable to attend as he was out of town but he sent a letter conveying his greetings to Rúḥíyyih Khánum and wishing success to the Bahá’í Faith. The Deputy Minister for the Interior, who is also Dean of the University, presided over the dinner and officially welcomed Rúḥíyyih Khánum on behalf of the Government of Thailand. He stated that he hoped that the Bahá’í Faith would spread rapidly in the world because it stands for world brotherhood and world peace. Rúḥíyyih Khánum then spoke and explained the things for which the Faith stands.
The second function was a reception given at the Israeli Embassy by the Israeli Ambassador H. E.Yahiel Ilsar and his wife. Over 100 people attended including most of the Ambassadors residing in Thailand. Mr. Graham-Martin, the American Ambassador, was also present. Many of the guests requested literature about the Faith. The press gave excellent publicity to the latter event thereby increasing the prestige of the Faith in Thailand.
School for Delegates Precedes Convention[edit]
The fourth annual Convention of the Republic of Panama was held May 1 and 2 in the Indigenous School about forty miles from Panama City. Among the eighteen delegates present were twelve representatives of the three Indian tribes of Panama. Frank Keith was elected chairman of the Convention and Vicente Montezuma, a Quaymi Indian, was elected secretary.
Panama was blessed with the presence of Dr. Ugo Giachery, Hand of the Cause in the Western Hemisphere, who was a great source of love and inspiration. Throughout the entire Convention a wonderful spirit of companionship prevailed.
A school for delegates preceded the Convention and an inter-community Riḍván Feast was enjoyed by many of the friends on Friday night. Two Latin believers
Eight members of the First National Spiritual Assembly of Thailand with ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum.
Delegates to the 1964 Convention of the Republic of Panama with Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery (fourth from left, seated).
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Some of the friends attending the Convention held at the Indian School in the Republic of Panama.
volunteered to pioneer in the central provinces
and one of the Quaymi Indians offered to establish a
Bahá’í school in Chiriqui Province. One of the recommendations to the new National Spiritual Assembly
was that three indigenous schools be established in the
San Blas Islands.
The reading of the tasks for Panama for the next nine years was received with great enthusiasm, especially the first one which stated, “...to erect on own soil the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of Latin America.”
San Pedro Sula Site of Honduras Convention[edit]
The fourth annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Honduras was held in San Pedro Sula on April 24, 25 and 26. The opening reception was held in a lovely hall made festive with bowls of gardenias and carnations which were set in windows open to the tropical evening. Much joy was expressed over the number of new believers present.
Among the noteworthy accomplishments of the past year was the election of five new assemblies in Cocolito, Rio Estéban, Armenia, Punta Pietra and Corazel. There were also reports that many people along the North Coast of Honduras are now interested in the Faith and it is hoped that some new assemblies will materialize there during the year.
Reyes Martinez, first of the Jicaque Indians of Honduras to declare his belief in Bahá’u’lláh. Now his wife, two brothers, children and mother have also embraced the Faith.
1964 National Convention of Switzerland held in Bern.
Los Angeles Community Responds to Challenge[edit]
(It is with pleasure that we print the following report received from the Teaching Committee of the Los Angeles Community. This immediate response to the challenge of the Nine Year Plan is to be commended and some of the suggestions that resulted could be of interest to other assemblies.)
No sooner had the Los Angeles, California, Spiritual
Assembly received the Riḍván message of the Universal House of Justice than it took steps through its
Teaching Committee to prepare the members of its
community for active participation in the Nine Year
Plan. A two-day teaching workshop was planned for
May 9 and 10, attended by a total of 95 believers (42
on Saturday, 53 on Sunday) from fifteen nearby communities and groups and some isolated centers.
After prayers and devotions, Elwyn Van Zandt was introduced as the keynote speaker and, with his opening words, he called the Bahá’ís to action. He noted that this religion of God is an ever-evolving process and that the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh had been in preparation for seven thousand years. He pointed out the first part of this process ended with the Declaration of the Báb; that we are now in the tenth part of the process; and that we are at the threshold of the Golden Age of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. He emphasized the tremendous responsibility this entails for each Bahá’í in carrying forth this great Plan of God. His inspiring call to action filled all present with the desire to go out and teach or pioneer or whatever was necessary to proclaim the Faith.
Small Discussion Groups Set Up[edit]
The session was then divided into four work groups of ten to twelve people — a total of twelve groups for the three sessions. The subjects chosen for consultation were: Problems in Teaching; Teaching and
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Kitsap County Community District #1, Washington formed April 21, 1964.
Left to right, standing: Arthur Lundy, Mrs. Harriet Meis, Mrs. Esther Young, Mrs. Joyce Eklund
(treasurer), Arnold Eklund (vice-chairman). Seated:
Mrs. Vera Harris, Shamseddin Afnan (chairman), Mrs.
Olga Ruys. Theodorus Ruy (secretary).
First Spiritual Assembly of Salinas, California elected
April 21, 1964. Seated, left to right: Marvin Newport
(chairman), Nona McMahan (secretary), Mary Meason,
Clifford Hansen, (vice-chairman). Standing: Pat Wilson,
Norma Gimlin (treasurer), Dorothy Hansen, Jack
Meason, Charlotte Nelson.
Solutions to Some of Its Problems; Creative Methods
in Teaching. Four group leaders were chosen specifically to draw out problems; four were chosen as teachers to lead discussion and consultation; four were
chosen to stimulate creative ideas.
On the second day of the workshop, a panel discussed the Nine Year Plan, pointing out the great bounties to be derived in helping to accomplish this Plan presented to the world by the first Universal House of Justice.
Emphasis Placed on Individual[edit]
Throughout the entire workshop emphasis on individual responsibilities was constantly repeated. Many suggestions were offered as to how the administrative institutions could assist the individual in adapting himself to these responsibilities. For example: When a person becomes a Bahá’í he should ask a Bahá’í who is well learned in the many aspects of the Faith to assist him in deepening and in orienting himself to his new environment. The Spiritual Assembly should assist him in choosing such a partner, or, in a larger community, a special agency could be set up for this function. This would bring the new Bahá’í well into the Bahá’í picture so that he would feel at home.
In the field of teaching non-Bahá’ís, it was recommended that the less formal system of social meetings be adopted in place of the now formalized small proclamation meeting type firesides. It was also suggested that some type of plan be instituted so that less known Bahá’ís could be utilized in more functions to release much overworked almost permanent leaders.
Among the many other practical ideas offered were: the incorporation of the arts — dramatics, music, etc. — into teaching efforts; the formation of choral groups to sing at firesides and public meetings; the utilization of free time on television.
A clear appreciation of the Fund was felt by all present. It was suggested that the Bahá’ís could contribute to the Fund an extra hour’s wages a day, or maybe an extra half-day’s wages a week; or when contributing,
[Page 15]
add the price of a postage stamp to the contribution.
The list of suggestions will be considered in projecting teaching activities for future workshops. The feeling at the end of the sessions was one of such enthusiasm that another workshop had to be planned. Everyone left with a revived spirit and great anticipation as to how he, individually, would fit into the Nine Year Plan.
Honolulu Community Establishes Blood Bank[edit]
The Honolulu community, in cooperation with the American Association of Blood Banks established its own blood bank reserve several years ago and the local assembly states: “It would be an understatement to say that it is a very worthwhile project.” Recently it was possible to supply from this reserve, blood for one of the members of the community as well as to turn over to the blood bank extra quantities to eliminate the handling charge which would have been assessed against the patient’s family.
This seems to be a project that might very well be considered by the larger communities throughout the country located in cities that have blood banks.
BAHA'I IN THE NEWS[edit]
A journal of opinion entitled The New Republic contained a brief reference to the Faith in its issue of January 25. In an article about Roger Baldwin, founder of the American Civil Liberties Union and member of the International League for the Rights of Man (an organization accredited by the UN which aims to
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of De Kalb County,
Georgia Incorporated October 14, 1963. Left to right,
seated: Aubrey Cole (vice-chairman), Mrs. Rama Cole
(secretary), Raymond Lindsey (chairman), Mrs. Ruth
Cummings (treasurer). Standing: John Haynes, Mrs.
Sally Brown, Silas Cummings, Mrs. Estelle Lindsey,
Philip Breitenbucher.
Following the United States National Convention an interracial teaching team spoke at public meetings and
firesides in Springfield, Illinois; Minneapolis, Duluth and
Red Lake Indian reservation in Minnesota. Shown at a
Duluth fireside meeting are panel members. Left to
right, seated: Robert Manuelito, James Wonders, Carl
Manuelito and Lucy Manygoats. Standing: Reginald
Newkirk and Nancy Phillips, member of the American
Indian Service Committee who travelled in Minnesota
with the group. The Manuelitos and Lucy Manygoats
are Navajo believers from Wyoming.
spread civil liberties around the world) the writer
mentions how the League, by applying public pressure
on the King of Morocco helped save the lives of the
Bahá’í prisoners who had been sentenced to death.
Mr. Baldwin was quoted discussing the League, “All
this adds up to the very tiny beginnings of a system by
which the UN itself would examine and process complaints and ultimately help set up a world court of human rights.”
The Local Spiritual Assemblies of Tonawanda and Amherst, New York jointly sponsored a talk and discussion on Human Rights on Sunday, February 23. The featured speaker was Victor Einach, civil rights leader in the Jewish Community and Regional Director of the New York Commission for Human Rights. Several Negro educators were present and they asked questions and joined in the social hour following the program. Nine non-Bahá’ís showed interest in the talk and also inquired about the Faith.
Robert Quigley, member of the National Spiritual Assembly and well known radio and television producer, presented a color slide lecture entitled “The True Story of Africa” on Sunday, February 16 at the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club in Chicago. The program was sponsored by the Chicago Bahá’í Community and was attended by over 200 Bahá’ís and their friends. Full radio and newspaper coverage was given to the event, including a fifteen minute interview of Philip O’Brien, co-ordinator of Temple activities, on radio station WAAF.
Bahá’í Holy Days Recognized[edit]
Through the efforts of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Springfield, New Jersey, approved by the State Commissioner of Education, Bahá’í students attending Union County Regional High School District No. 1 in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, may now be excused from classes on Bahá’í Holy Days.
The announcement to the Assembly was dated January 7, 1964 and states that the students will be excused “upon presentation of a suitable excuse upon their return to school from the days missed” for such observances.
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National Bahá’í Addresses
Please Address Mail Correctly!
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As a matter of record and of information to the Bahá’í world community, BAHÁ’Í NEWS publishes photographs of first local assemblies but not those formed in
succeeding years. All new local assemblies are urgently requested to furnish such pictures, and as soon as
possible. This request also applies to assemblies that
achieve incorporation.
In this connection attention is called to the desirability of dignified dress and pose on the part of both men and women.
The Child’s Way[edit]
The Child’s Way is an eight-page magazine published by an Editorial Committee appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly. Its function is to gather material that can be useful in guiding children and junior youth to the understanding of the reality of man as revealed in the Bahá’í Writings.
The art of teaching, and a philosophy of education must apply to all ages. So, whether or not there are children in your community, it is quite possible that some of the articles from many sources, the editorials, the techniques for teaching, the study guides, book reports, music and stories, poems and pictures might be useful to you in your work as a Bahá’í teacher. Holding classes for young people, even when there are none from Bahá’í families, has been known to attract others to the Faith. It can also open the door for community service. Many people report that The Child’s Way has helped them in teaching youth and adults as there is such variation in education and experience among the people today.
Bahá’í Teachers and Parents from all over the world can share their ideas and activities in The Child’s Way. The magazine is a communication link in the world community and it depends on the friends both for its content and its finances. It is not a part of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust. Make out your checks to THE CHILD’S WAY and send them to that name at BOX 245, WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091. Subscription prices: Continental U.S. $2.00 (6 issues), elsewhere $2.50.
Calendar of Events[edit]
- FEASTS
- July 13 — Kalimát (Words)
- August 1 — Kamál (Perfection)
- HOLY DAY
- July 9 — Martyrdom of the Báb
Baha’i House of Worship[edit]
Daily: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Entire building)
Sundays: 3:30 to 4:10 p.m.
Sunday, July 19: 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: James Cloonan, Managing Editor; Mrs. Lilian Cloonan, Assistant Editor; Mrs. Eunice Braun, International Editor; Miss Charlotte 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.
