Bahá’í News/Issue 401/Text
| ←Previous | Bahá’í News Issue 401 |
Next→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
| No. 401 | BAHA’I YEAR 121 | AUGUST, 1964 |
NSA Highlights U.S. Tasks During Next Nine Years[edit]
As we set about charting our individual and collective courses for our services to our beloved Faith for the next nine years, the American Bahá’ís have both a wide range of choice of services and almost the whole world in which to put them into action.
In the hope that it may aid in bringing our plans into proper focus, the National Spiritual Assembly has reviewed the goals of the Nine Year Plan given to the believers of the United States by the Universal House of Justice and has set them forth in the following manner for easy reference. In doing so we also share with our fellow believers throughout the world the knowledge of the numerous tasks that are ours alone as well as the areas in which we have been called upon to lend assistance to other national Bahá’í communities.
In the Western Hemisphere we are called upon to:
- OPEN — Turks and Caicos Islands in the British West Indies with the assistance of the NSA of Jamaica.
- — Barbuda, St. Kitts-Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatis, St. Martin and Guadeloupe (with the assistance of the NSA of Haiti), all in the Leeward Islands.
- — St. Vincent and Dominica in the Windward Islands.
- RESETTLE — Antigua and Martinique (with the aid of the NSA of Haiti), islands in the Leeward group.
- ESTABLISH AT LEAST ONE LOCAL ASSEMBLY in
- — St. Lucia, Leeward Islands, and in Barbados, Windward Islands.
- — The Bahamas (additional)
- ESTABLISH TWO LOCAL ASSEMBLIES in
- — Bermuda
- — Grenada (Windward Islands) and the Virgin Islands (with the help of the NSA of the Dominican Republic).
- ESTABLISH AT LEAST THREE LOCAL ASSEMBLIES in Puerto Rico, with one of them to be incorporated.
- RAISE TO FIVE THE NUMBER OF CENTERS in Bermuda and the Bahamas.
- RAISE THE NUMBER OF LOCALITIES where Bahá’ís reside in the Leeward and Windward Islands to fifty.
- FORM THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY of the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands, with its seat in Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands.
- INCORPORATE THE AFOREMENTIONED NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
- ACQUIRE — A national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds for that National Spiritual Assembly.
- — A national endowment for same.
- — A Temple site in or near Charlotte Amalie.
- OBTAIN LEGAL RECOGNITION of Bahá’í Holy Days and Bahá’í Marriage Certificates in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
- ASSIST MEXICO in teaching the Mayan Indians in Campeche, Chiapas, Yucatan and Quintana Roo.
- ASSIST BOLIVIA in consolidating mass teaching areas.
- ASSIST CHILE AND VENEZUELA in acquiring Temple sites in Santiago and Caracas, respectively.
- In the Pacific Ocean — Assist the NSA of the Hawaiian Islands to consolidate the Marshall, Caroline and Mariana Islands.
- In the Indian Ocean — Assist in the acquisition of a national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Réunion Island and a teaching institute in Mauritius.
- In Asia — Assist the NSA of North East Asia in the consolidation of the teaching work and the formation of a National Spiritual Assembly in Taiwan.
- — Establish one local Assembly in Kazakhstan (circumstances
- permitting) and translate and publish Bahá’í literature into Kazakh.
- In Europe — Open the Ukraine.
- — Assist the National Assemblies of the Netherlands and Portugual to acquire Temple sites in The Hague and in Lisbon, respectively.
- In Africa — To assist the following National Spiritual Assemblies in their tasks of consolidation, acquisition of national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, teaching institutes, and summer/winter school properties:
- North East Africa
- North West Africa
- Tanganyika and Zanzibar
- Uganda and Central Africa
- West Africa
- West Central Africa
- South and West Africa
- On the Home Front —
- Raise the number of localities where Bahá’ís reside from the present 1,650 to 3,000.
- Increase (virtually double) the number of local assemblies to 600, including at least two in each state.
- Incorporate at least one assembly in each state.
- Obtain legal recognition of the Bahá’í Holy Days and the Bahá’í Marriage Certificate in each state.
- Translate and print basic selections of Bahá’í literature for the steadily increasing number of Indian believers.
- Enroll a greater number of believers from minority groups, especially Chinese, Japanese, Spanish-speaking, Indians and Negroes.
- Sharply increase contributions to the National and International Bahá’í Fund to meet the need of the expanding institutions of the Faith at the World Center and of the Cause as a whole.
In assigning these prodigious tasks to the American Bahá’í Community the Universal House of Justice has reminded the believers that the beloved Guardian, in the first epoch of the Formative Age of the Faith, on more than one occasion addressed them as the “spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers” and “champion builders of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh” upon whom the Center of the Covenant showered his special blessings and promises of victory provided their exertions “increase a thousand fold.” Under the Nine Year Plan responsibility for the prosecution of the Master’s Divine Plan “although now abundantly shared by over three score national communities” is still primarily vested in the American Bahá’í Community. The immediate needs are the following:
- An army of self-supporting pioneers to open the many new islands and to establish the fifty new centers in the Caribbean area.
- Pioneers and settlers to establish a second local assembly in the nine states of the United States where there is now only one assembly.
- Individuals and families to disperse from the large communities to raise up 300 new local assemblies throughout the country and to open up 1,300 new towns, cities and villages to the Faith.
- An outpouring of sacrificial funds to acquire the large list of properties and Temple sites listed above as well as to support the ever increasing needs of the Faith at home, at the World Center, and throughout the entire world.
From this moment onward to 1973 our every thought, our every prayer, our every effort and interest must be oriented to these goals, believing with all our hearts that if we arise to do our part “this community will find itself securely established upon the throne of an everlasting dominion.”
First National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Malayasia held in Kuala Lumpur April 25-28, 1964.
Baha’is of the Indian Ocean Hold First Convention - Elect National Spiritual Assembly[edit]
LEFT: First National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Indian Ocean. Left to right, seated: S. Appa, E. Lutchmaya, N. Doomun, H. Tirvengadum. Standing: R. Lutchmaya, P. Murday, R. Muree, P. Fabien, S. Valayden. BELOW: First Convention of the Bahá’ís of the Indian Ocean. Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga was an honored guest of the convention.
Amatu’l-Bahá Ruhíyyih Khánum Distinguished Visitor at Ceylon National Convention[edit]
The third National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Ceylon was held on April 21-22 in Colombo. Rúḥíyyih Khánum arrived in Ceylon on April 20 and during her two and one half day stay she addressed a large audience of inquirers at the Convention Hall, a reception at the home of Lady de Soysa (President of the Y.W.C.A.) which was attended by nearly 100 prominent ladies, and a village meeting at Kuruwita, which is an all Buddhist village. In addition there were numerous press conferences and a radio interview.
The Convention opened with prayers read in Sinhala, Tamil and English. ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum then read the message from the Universal House of Justice which included the ten goals to be achieved by Ceylon during the next nine years. She concluded, I’m confident you can accomplish these in two years. Take the Message to everyone, offer this gift and watch the souls of men become quickened.”
The 1964-65 National Spiritual Assembly was elected and consists of the following members: Lionel Peraji, V. Chitravelu, S. Raveendra Raj, A. C. M. Fassy, Mrs. M. Fassy, Anwer Cadir, Keith de Folo, B. D. Saleh, and M. D. Bascran.
The work of mass teaching has begun in Ceylon and the believers are hoping and praying for the time when the Faith will spread across the jungles, mountains and valleys as it has in India.
Bahá’ís of Ceylon at the airport to welcome ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum.
FIRST NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY ELECTED IN VIET NAM[edit]
The first National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Viet Nam and the election of the first National Spiritual Assembly was given wide publicity by the press and radio. Newsreels and radio covered both the meetings and the convention for six days. Finally on April 30 the National Spiritual Assembly was officially and publicly received by the Chief of State and the Deputy Prime Minister on behalf of the Government.
The last event is of special interest not only per se but because exactly one year previously, on April 21, 1963 the then Interior Minister Bui-van-Luong banned the Cause and its activities in Central Viet Nam. Seven months later the Diem regime was toppled and Ngo-Dinh-Diem and Ngo-Dinh-Nhu were shot. Bui-van-Luong fled and the Faith was emancipated and began its upward march.
Recently the Bahá’ís appealed to the Minister of Defense to release Mr. Le-Loc member of the National Spiritual Assembly, who had been drafted into the Army one year ago by the past Government. They explained that as a member of the National Assembly Mr. Le-Loc’s religious obligations require his presence. The Defense Minister graciously cabled the release of Mr. Loc who has just returned to work full time for the Cause of God.
The message from the Universal House of Justice extended a loving welcome to the newly formed National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Viet Nam. It also listed the goals assigned to that community for the new Nine Year Plan. Some of these are: To establish the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Cambodia
Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir with some of the delegates and friends including a delegate from the Javai tribe in traditional hat and costume.
with its seat in Phnom-Penh, to acquire a national
Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Phnom-Penh, to acquire a site for
the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in or near Phnom-Penh,
to incorporate sixty local spiritual assemblies, and to
acquire a site for the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in or
near Saigon. In addition, Viet Nam is to assist the National Spiritual Assembly of Thailand in establishing
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Laos.
The tasks are great but the believers are assured that with the grace of God they will be aided to accomplish all of the goals assigned to them.
Delegates to the first National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Viet Nam.
[Page 5]
First National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Viet Nam. Left to right: Pham-Huu-Chin, Jamshed Fozdar (chairman), Le-Loc, Daug-Binh (vice-chairman), Do-Nguyen-Hanh, Le-Can, Trinh-Dinh-Khoi (secretary), Nguyen-van-Nhuong, Gary Morrison (treasurer).
Meeting in Murcia, Spain addressed by Hand of the Cause John Ferraby.
First Convention Hears Report of Six Thousand New Believers[edit]
The first national convention of the Bahá’ís of the Philippines was held on April 25-28 in the suburbs of Manila. The large hall was beautifully situated in a palm grove by the sea and at night the twinkling lights of the city across the bay were an attraction for the delegates from the villages.
Nearly 150 delegates and believers from twenty provinces and ten different tribes attended and this was the first time that many of them had been with people of a different tribal background. The convention was honored to have as a guest Hand of the Cause Dr. Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir who shared his love and inspiration with everyone.
Each day prayers were read in different dialects and a Bahá’í of two months from the Mansaka tribe was able to recite his from memory. Loving messages from the National Spiritual Assemblies around the world were read during the four days. The report from the National Teaching Committee was very inspiring. During the last Bahá’í year more than 6000 new believers enrolled including six new provinces and 200 new localities. The addition of twelve new tribes raised the total to twenty-two and literature is now translated into twenty-one languages.
The convention was the first time in the history of the nation that the different tribes, all of whom are Filipinos, had come together in love and harmony. Many were not able to speak the various dialects but were able to communicate with their brothers in the Faith through the language of the heart.
Just before the close of the convention a message arrived from the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land and it rekindled the spirit which had been generated during the preceding four days. On this last day, one of the believers from the Mangyan tribe, who had been shy and withdrawn on the first day, was sitting next to a Bahá’í from the Negrito Tribe, which is from the far north. Previous to their meeting they had never known that the other’s tribe existed. The Negrito was expressing his sadness that they would not see each other again. The Mangyan said gently, “You will take part of my heart to the North Cagayan Valley and I will take part of yours to my island in the south and we will always be together in the spirit.”
LEFT: First National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the Philippines held in Parañaque, Rizal April 25-28, 1964.
RIGHT: First National Spiritual Assembly of the Philippines. Left to right, standing: Theo Boehnert, Orpha Daugherty, Pablo Mercade (vice-chairman), Neva Dulay (treasurer), Jack Davis (secretary). Sitting: Dominador Anunsacion, Luisa Mapa-Gomez, Vicente Samaniego (chairman), Ruth Walbridge.
South, and West Africa Convention Accepts New Challenges[edit]
The historic national convention of the Bahá’ís of South and West Africa was held in Swaziland in a vacated prison camp. Coils of barbed wire encircled the camp, a vivid reminder that this Cause had its early beginnings in “The Most Great Prison.” It created a renewed sense of dedication to Bahá’u’lláh and a nearness to the World Center, the source of inspiration and guidance.
The convention opened the evening of April 30 with the Riḍván feast. Prayers, readings from God Passes By and a talk on significance of Riḍván set the tempo for the whole convention.
Some one hundred people were in attendance, the large majority being indigenous people who had, with great perseverance, overcome the various difficulties created by the border which exists between Swaziland and the Republic of South Africa. Many more would have come if they could have obtained the necessary permits. None from the Mozambique side were able to obtain passports so none of these devoted souls were able to attend. They were greatly missed.
The keynote of the convention was set by the messages detailing the Nine Year Plan from the Universal House of Justice. In the discussion that followed, the convention was of the opinion that this was a personal challenge to every single believer needing the serious consideration of all the believers in the Region. This Plan was discussed at great length and recommendations were made to the National Spiritual Assembly of ways and means whereby this Plan could be carried on to a successful conclusion. It made the convention realize that the time of the pioneers as we know them has now passed as someone put it: “The work now rests firmly on the shoulders of the new believers themselves with the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly to carry the Cause of God on to greater victories than ever before.”
One of the main tasks of the convention, that of electing the Regional Spiritual Assembly, was carried out in an atmosphere of devotion and humbleness with prayers for guidance that the right choice should be made by the delegates as they fulfilled their sacred task.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South and
West Africa Riḍván 1964. Left to right, top row: Lowell
Johnson (chairman), Max Seepe, Bishop Brown (treasurer). Middle row: Dale Allen, Paddy Mazebuko (vice-chairman), Mrs. Valera Allen (assistant secretary).
Bottom row: Mrs. Bahiyyih Ford (recording secretary), Mrs. Ephens Senne, William Masehla (secretary).
A stirring message from the Hands of the Cause in
Africa pointed out that the beloved guardian, Shoghi
Effendi made this promise to the believers when he
prepared them for the Ten Year Crusade: “May those
who are privileged at this auspicious hour to render
so noble a service to the Cause of God and fulfill
so glorious a destiny, arise to perform befittingly their
task to achieve such feats in the days to come as to
draw forth from the Source on High a still greater
measure of divine blessings that will enable them to
write a still more brilliant chapter in the annals of
God’s Infant Faith and to contribute an outstanding
share to the worldwide establishment and ultimate
recognition of its newlyborn Administrative Institutions.”
First National Convention held in Swaziland in a building once used as a prison.
[Page 7]
First Spiritual Assembly of Santa Cruz, Bolivia formed in Riḍván 1964. This was one of the most recent cities open to the Faith.
National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia elected Riḍván 1964. Left to right, seated: Andres Jackakallo, Angelica Costas, Yolanda de Lopez, Carmello Jackakallo. Standing: Estanislao Alverez, Alberto Rocabado, Athos Costas, Nazario Tirado, Sabino Ortega.
Fourth National Convention Held in Bolivia[edit]
The fourth National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Bolivia was held in La Paz. Because of the delicate political situation only twenty-seven of the thirty-eight delegates were able to attend. Hand of the Cause Jalál Kházeh was a distinguished guest and he explained the Nine Year Plan.
Some of the goals of the Nine Year Plan which were discussed were: Bolivia is to have 1200 centers and 600 assemblies, recognition of the Holy Days is to be obtained, literature is to be translated and published in the Chiriguano, Siriano, Yanoiguia, Moxos, Tokano and Chipaya languages, literature in Quechua is to be enriched and Bahá’í education is to be extended to as many youth and children as possible.
|
CORRECTION
In BAHÁ’Í NEWS No. 388 on page eight the first report from the Universal House of Justice should be changed as follows: The word “recalls” in line 15 of column 2 should be changed to “records.” |
Following are some of the goals which the National Spiritual Assembly has set for the coming year: the centers are to be raised to 1200, assemblies to 150 and three assemblies are to be incorporated, the Holy Days are to be nationally recognized, a school for children and youth is to be established in North Potosi, courses at the deepening school in Cochabamba are to be increased.
The enrollment of new believers did not increase much during the past year but deepening and consolidation has been excellent.
1964 Convention of Bolivia held in La Paz. Hand of the Cause Jalal Kházeh is seated in the center.
MOTHER TEMPLE OF EUROPE DEDICATED JULY 4[edit]
3000 newspapers and magazines were invited to write in for documentation of the dedication of the Frankfort Temple. To those replying an excellent portfolio was sent containing: a booklet explaining basic facts about the faith, information on all Bahá’í Temples and the Frankfurt Temple in particular, architectural details of the Temple construction, an invitation to attend the inaugural service with reply card, a sample copy of Bahá’í Briefs (German magazine), a copy of the Bahá’í literature catalog, quotations from the Writings, a sheet of Bahá’í statistics, photos of the Temple, map of Temple location and a covering letter from the national secretary on special letterhead.
Since BAHÁ’Í NEWS goes to press several days before the dedication the details will have to wait for the September issue.
Detail of the Dome by day and night. Below: view of the Frankfurt Temple along the approach road.
[Page 9]
Delegates and visitors at the National Convention of Belgium held in Brussels.
Belgium Holds Annual Convention[edit]
There has been a steady and dynamic rate of activity in Belgium throughout the last few months resulting in an increase in the number of new believers. The city of Brussels alone has added fifteen new Bahá’ís in the last few months. The Race Amity Day observance held in Liége was well attended by guests from all over Belgium.
The annual convention was held in Brussels April 28-May 1. Members of the National Spiritual Assembly for this year are: N. A. Kamran (chairman), S. Gillain (vice-chairman), R. Swinnen (secretary), A. Samii (treasurer), Mrs. S. Bastogne (recording secretary), Shoghi Ghadimi, Mrs. Lea Nys, Jean Laperehe, Ben Levy.
National Spiritual Assembly of Mexico 1964-1965. Left
to right, seated: Rafael Quiroz, Anna Howard, Dr.
Edris Rice-Wray, Valeria Nichols, Romeo Guerrero.
Standing: Juan de Dios Pena, Sam Burrafato, Juvenal
Gutierrez, Alejandro Cervantes.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Huntsville, Alabama elected on Riḍván 1964. Left to right,
seated: Mrs. Eva Schmidt, Mrs. Joyce Chalmers, Mrs.
Frances Lochner. Standing: Robert Chalmers (treasurer), Sigurd Schmidt, Mrs. Florence Bagley (secretary), Benjamin Lochner, Stanley Bagley (chairman),
Lester Himes (vice-chairman).
Spiritual Assembly of Southern Judicial District of San Mateo County, California, recently incorporated.
Race Amity Observances Increase in Variety and Scope[edit]
In a public proclamation dated May 19 and published in the local newspaper on June 4, Edgar M. Elbert, Mayor of Maywood, Illinois, stated: “... in recognition of the service being rendered our community by the Maywood Assembly of the Bahá’í World Faith in establishing peace, love, harmony, and friendship among the various races, (I) do hereby proclaim Sunday, June 14, 1964, ‘Race Amity Day’ and so declare it to be a day of special services of love, good will, harmony, peace and friendliness toward all mankind, regardless of color, race, nationality or religion.”
On publication of this proclamation the Proviso District Ministerial Association urged its some seventy member churches to lend their support, although only a small number arranged special observances or programs for the event. However, in some cases they featured non-whites as soloists, organists, and ushers. Several ministers used for their sermons subjects such as: “One Mankind — One God,” “Our Brothers,” “All Men Created Equal,” “Mankind Indivisible.” It was noted that these remarks appeared on outside bulletin boards: “House of Prayer and Worship for All Mankind,” “All Races Welcome.”
Bahá’ís put Race Amity Day wreath on Lincoln Memorial.
The small Bahá’í community of Maywood itself held
a lawn party with prayers and readings by children
and young people, followed by a barbecue luncheon.
Fifty-two persons were present. Chinese, Negro and
Caucasian were represented. The key results were
two: first, one interested person requested a Bahá’í to
visit her home to discuss the Faith with her and her
husband; and, second, a good foundation was laid for
more widespread observance of this event by the
churches and their communities next year.
The Euclid, Ohio, Bahá’í community with the support of the Cleveland community observed its Race Amity Day on Wednesday evening, June 10, on the advice that a week-day meeting would attract more visitors. The program consisted of a panel discussion on “The Material and Spiritual Aspects of Race Amity,” the participants being Carl Stokes, Ohio State Representative, Stuart Wallace, head of the real estate firm of Fair Housing, Inc., and Mrs. Betty Lewis, of Cleveland, who presented the Bahá’í point of view. Howard Tangler of Berea, Ohio, acted as moderator.
In order to prevent incidents by supremist groups and rabble-rousers in the “white suburb” of Euclid where the meeting took place, there was no advance publicity or advertising. Instead, the Bahá’ís mailed more than 500 invitations to clubs, schools, and churches. One hundred persons responded and some excellent contacts were made for the Faith.
In Redding, California, the Bahá’í community observed its Race Amity Day by joining with the Negro Christian Methodist Episcopal Church for their regular Sunday morning service. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas West of Sparks, Nevada, were the guest speakers during the period usually reserved for the minister’s sermon. Their topic was: “Race Unity — Assurance of World Order.” Twenty Bahá’ís and fifty-five church members were present. The minister set the mood for the receptivity of his congregation by his repeated affirmation of the dynamic messages delivered by the speakers. The Redding believers feel that this was the most successful and important meeting ever held in the community and that it was a complete demonstration of race amity. At the close of the meeting the minister spoke “The Greatest Name” twice to the congregation and invited all to return again. During the social hour which followed many questions were asked and two Bahá’í pamphlets were given to every one.
In reporting its local observance of this event, the Los Angeles community stated that the audience filled not only the Center’s public meeting room but also the Platt Annex and overflowed onto the patio. It was estimated that seventy per cent of those attending were guests.
Against a mural background by Leonard Herbert on the “Oneness of Mankind” the speaker, Elwyn G. Van Zandt told of Duart Brown’s “Parable of the Nine Springs,” and stories of Sidney Sprague taken from
[Page 11]
the 1946 edition of The Bahá’í World. The talk was
followed by a varied program of entertainment including recitations from Shakespeare, songs, sonnets, delightful stories of love and amity, folk songs and prayers. The report states: “The program was one of the
longest proclamation programs Los Angeles has presented. It lasted almost three hours.”
Youngstown, Ohio, Bahá’ís sponsored a panel discussion on the human rights aspects of civil rights. One panelist was a woman prominent in civic and social affairs; another, a former candidate for the school board, and another a director on the board and national delegate for the local chapter of the NAACP. Still another was a Hungarian born, free lance photographer and social scientist who has worked in a number of trouble spots of the United States during the integration crisis. A third of the audience was non-Bahá’í.
Peoria Heights, Illinois, Bahá’í community also held a public meeting of the panel discussion type with Winnie Foster and Mrs. Augustine Todd as speakers. This meeting received widespread publicity through the local press and by television. A cameraman from the TV station arrived before the meeting and took pictures of the chairman, speakers and the audience which were featured on the ten o’clock broadcast that evening with good coverage of the meeting and a potent explanation of the views of the Bahá’í Faith regarding racial problems. The Monday edition of The Peoria Journal also carried a picture of the speakers and an excellent caption of the aims and purposes of Race Amity Day.
The Bahá’ís of Hamburg Village and Hamburg Township, New York, held their Race Amity Day program on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation at the United Missions Presbyterian Church Hall with 126 persons present, half of whom were non-Bahá’ís. An interracial group consisting of an American Indian, an American Negro, an Eskimo Indian, an African from Ghana, and a Persian Bahá’í were the speakers on “What Brotherhood Means to Me.” The Cattaraugus
Members of the Eugene, Oregon community observe as Mayor Edwin E. Cone signs Race Amity Day Proclamation.
Race Amity Day gathering of Bahá’ís and guests of Manatee County, Florida.
Indian Inter church Choir sang before and after the
program and an Indian friend chanted a dawn prayer.
A picnic supper in the church yard followed with most
of the people remaining for an afternoon of fellowship.
At the Baltimore, Maryland, commemoration the guest speaker was Cortez Puryear, Associate Director of Community Service of the Baltimore Urban League. A graduate of Hampton Institute in Virginia, Mr. Puryear since 1960 has been at Morgan College, and has served with many organizations and agencies in the fields of health, education, welfare and housing with religious emphasis. He spoke mainly about the advances made by the Negro and the ways in which doors are now opening in business, education and public recognition. The Bahá’í speaker was Clarence M. Percival who spoke about the potentialities of man as one race to develop the attributes of God and to establish the Kingdom of God on earth.
Montgomery County, Maryland, Bahá’ís were host to nearly 200 friends and guests in the Howard High School Auditorium where the speakers on the panel were ministers from two Christian churches, a lay leader of the Ohab Shalom Congregation and Albert James representing the Bahá’í Faith. Clarke Langrall, a local Bahá’í, served as moderator. The report states that the speakers sometimes amused the audience and often surprised themselves “when confronted with dramatic and profound questions from those who listened.” The program was interspersed with beautiful music in praise of God by a Methodist choir and a quartet of young sisters from a Roman Catholic Church. There was also a Bahá’í choir growing larger and better in every performance, which sang “Passin’ Through,” a traditional folk song with new words by Ed Hockenberry, succinctly relating the story of progressive revelation.
Earlier in the day a group of Bahá’ís in the District of Columbia laid a wreath inscribed with the words “Race Amity Day — Bahá’í World Faith” on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial. Bahá’í prayers were said at the side of the reflecting pool. This action not only drew attention from those in the vicinity but the wreath remained throughout Monday when the mass of New York clergymen staged their march on the Capitol in support of the Civil Rights Bill.
In Nashville, Tennessee, the Race Amity Day observance took the form of a tribute to those organizations
[Page 12]
and individuals who have dedicated themselves to the
establishment of amity and equal opportunity among
men. Invitations were sent to nineteen organizations.
Twelve responded. Twenty-five guests attended. At the
conclusion of the program a folder titled “A Tribute
to Workers for the Oneness of Mankind” was presented
to each organization represented. Included in this folder were three Bahá’í pamphlets: “A Pattern for Future
Society,” “Above All Barriers,” and “One World —
One Family.” During the social hour which followed
many expressed a desire to know more about the Faith.
Some two hundred persons attended the observance sponsored at the International Students Center by the Bahá’ís of Beverly Hills, Culver City, Culver City Judicial District and West Hollywood, California. The spirit of the gathering was so joyous that, with few exceptions, all stayed from three o’clock in the afternoon until nine in the evening, many of them experiencing for perhaps the first time the unique spirit of love and fellowship that can always be found when people allow themselves to be enveloped in the light and beauty of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
The program centered around the theme: “Race Amity — A Means to World Peace.” It opened with quotations from different Holy Books and philosophers on the oneness of mankind, with the readers representing various racial, religious and national backgrounds. Robert Quigley acted as chairman and introduced the guest speaker, Councilman Thomas Bradley of Los Angeles, who stressed the importance of solving the racial problem in America and commended the Bahá’ís for their efforts and sincere dedication to this principle. Mrs. Lisa Janti closed the meeting with a short talk on the Bahá’í teachings of world unity, the universal implications of prejudice, and the responsibility of everyone arising to serve his fellow men.
In San Francisco, California, 150 Bahá’ís from the Bay City area constituted a peaceful parade from a given spot to the Harding Theatre where 400 persons gathered to listen to Municipal Court Judge Joseph Kennedy and Bahá’í speaker Wayne Hoover discuss Civil Rights movements. Dignified placards were carried so that persons along the route would be informed of the purpose and sponsorship of the march. As far away as Sacramento the parade received commendable television coverage by means of a short film clip and commentary.
In Fort Worth, Texas, the Bahá’ís observed their Race Amity Day event by participating in a workshop conference with the Fort Worth Chapter of the Southern
Bahá’ís and guests attending a Race Amity Day program and cook-out in Maywood, Illinois.
Part of the audience at a program in Peoria, Illinois.
Christian Leadership Conference at which George
Galinkin, chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly,
presented the major address describing the work of the
Bahá’ís for race amity and human rights. The discussion period was led by the minister of the Negro
Methodist Church who has had a long acquaintance
with the Faith and was the one who invited the Bahá’ís
to participate in the workshop when he learned that
they were looking for a place for a Race Amity Day
program. As a result of the workshop a woman who
had attended the Race Amity Day program a year ago
called to report that she now wanted to become a
member of the Faith.
The Bahá’ís of Rapid City, South Dakota, sponsored a public meeting followed by questions and conversation time with tea. The speakers were Robert Burnette, member of the National Congress of American Indians from the Rosebud Reservation; James Francis, Secretary of the local chapter of the NAACP, and Glenford Mitchell (Bahá’í), Assistant Editor of Africa Report magazine. The chairman was Bill Myers, vice-chairman of the local Assembly. Approximately 45 persons attended, representing Negroes, Indians, Jews, and Caucasians.
In Durham, North Carolina, Race Amity Day was sponsored by the believers of a number of neighboring communities, and took the form of a picnic at Tylers Lake near Greensboro. After lunch there was a period of prayer, followed by a brief welcome and a talk about the Bahá’í Faith by William Allison. On the preceding Sunday the Bahá’ís of Durham held a local observance at which time Miss Valerie Wilson related valuable experiences while living and teaching as a Bahá’í pioneer in Liberia for eleven years.
It is impossible to include even a brief reference to the many other reports that have been received from all parts of the country. The foregoing were chosen principally to give a picture of the great variety of observances and the ingenuity of the Bahá’í communities in arranging programs that would provide not only opportunity to proclaim the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh on the oneness of mankind but also to demonstrate to the public that the Bahá’ís do indeed practice them in their daily lives and relationships. Race Amity Day was first observed by the Bahá’ís of the United States in 1952 and it continues to be a very special event which lends itself to an infinite variety of ways of proclamation and demonstration of the basic tenets of the Faith.
BAHA'I IN THE NEWS[edit]
An excellent article about the Bahá’í Faith appeared in the May 9 edition of the Indianapolis Times. It was part of a series of articles entitled “What My Neighbor Believes” which presents histories and facts of some of the lesser known religions which exist in the city. The article on the Faith gave a brief resume of its history and stated its major principles. It also emphasized that the Bahá’í teachings require an extremely high standard of moral conduct. The article concluded by stating Bahá’í beliefs on the immortality of the soul and the purpose of man’s creation. These beliefs are seldom mentioned in articles about the Faith and as a result many people have the erroneous impression that Bahá’í is an eclectic humanism rather than an independent religion having definite spiritual teachings of its own.
The entire Food Fare page of the April 17 issue of the Arizona Republic was devoted to the Bahá’í Faith. The first three-quarters of the page showed photographs of Phoenix Bahá’ís at a fireside, at Sunday school classes for children and other related activities. In addition there was a large photo of the Bahá’í Temple in Wilmette and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá above a large headline “A New World Faith.” The last quarter of the page was entitled “Fireside Foods” and showed a photo of Mrs. David Gander in front of a buffet table filled with food. Recipes for interesting foods served at firesides were listed with the names of the contributors. The back page of the section had a good article about the Faith which listed the basic principles, mentioned other teachings and described the Temples in America, Africa, Australia and Europe. This was a very unusual and clever idea which obtained excellent publicity for the Faith.
The April 20 edition of the St. Paul Pioneer Press contained a three column article about the Bahá’í Faith and a photograph of the Temple. The article briefly mentioned some of the history of the Faith including the place and date of its introduction in the United States. The basic principles were listed and “independent investigation of truth” was stressed. The article emphasized that Bahá’ís do not seek to convert people but rather to aid them to investigate the truth for themselves.
Living Goals for Everyone, a 78-page book by John A. Hannum, written to assist the reader in “achieving insight through self-development,” published by Exposition Press Inc., New York, N.Y., includes in a bibliography of “little books” which the author has found inspiring, reference to the publications of the Bahá’í Faith, “the number and length of which,” he states, “are very great.” After mentioning the title he liked best, Mr. Hannum says: “This faith, which is a relatively recent development (mid-nineteenth century), has provided me with much inspiration and is unusual for its tolerance, high moral tone and ardent practice. Their viewpoint is amazingly enlightened, and if one can do nothing more, one must agree that they set a fine example.”
BAHÁ’Í DAY IN FRENCH SWITZERLAND[edit]
Eighty-five Bahá’ís and their friends (left) gathered in Vevey, bordered on beautiful Lake Léman, to celebrate the fourth Bahá’í Day in French Switzerland, generally known as Journée Bahá’í Romande.
Recently declared Bahá’ís told of the factors that led to their acceptance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Faith. One told how his intellectual research of the Faith gradually took hold on his heart and climaxed in his declaration. Another spoke of his strong religious and Biblical background and his joy in discovering that the Bible prophecies had been fulfilled.
After luncheon (left) Dr. Shoghi Ghadimi spoke on “The Prestige of Science” and how the powers of science must be counterbalanced and complemented by true religion.
[Page 14]
National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Canada held April 1964 in Toronto, Ontario.
Training Session for Summer Youth Projects Held at Davison[edit]
The insistent requests by the Bahá’í youth that their enthusiasm and vigor be used for the Cause has evoked a pilot plan for summer youth projects, each project to be sponsored by Bahá’í communities. Projects are, in general, of two kinds — Bahá’í teaching and Bahá’í service to the underprivileged. A number of projects submitted are also concerned with human rights — “the most challenging issue.” A committee composed of Jane McCants, secretary, Harold Johnson, Robert Walker and Donald Streets planned a week’s training session for the projects at Davison Bahá’í School, June 13-21.
The training session brought together students and staff from 27 states. There were more than 100 registrants of which more than 80 were youth. Perhaps 50 visitors attended different sessions. The program included two days on direct teaching of the Faith, methods and experiences; one day each on social service projects for youth and human rights issues; two days on specific training for the projects, with heavy emphasis on the Bahá’í life and behavior. Many special events were possible with an able faculty including the committee — Mr. and Mrs. Dan Jordan, Jack McCants, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Dr. Sarah Pereira, Bettijane Walker, Douglas Martin, Jamison Bond, George F. Hutchinson, Richard Thomas, Dr. Albert Porter, Dr. Irvin Lourie, Glenford Mitchell, Alyce Earl (music), Charles Abercrombie, Ruth Perrin, Ken Jeffers, Richard Greeley, Tom Hooper and others. A youth faculty group participated most effectively — Robert Walker, Douglas Ruhe, Roger Williams and many others. Emanuel Reimer, with Virgil Ghant provided excellent management. Dr. and Mrs. David Ruhe served as administrators.
An extraordinary feeling of dedication and purpose permeated the week of intense experience. Music was part of every session, thanks to Alyce Earl and Ed Hockenbury and a corps of enthusiastic singers. Serious study, animated discussion and purposeful thought were the rule in this project-focussed week.
On Sunday, June 21, project teams set off for Greenville, S.C. (6), Atlanta, Ga. (6), Rochester and Red Lake Indian Reservation, Minn. (6 and 2 later), Gallup, N.M. and Phoenix, Arizona (3) and Niles, Michigan and Washington, D.C. (2). The remainder headed to their homes, resolved to develop summer youth efforts in their local areas. In the main, projects were four to six weeks long, financed by anonymous donors who have almost liquidated the support commitment of the NSA. Year-round efforts were stressed and the summer project hopefully will have repercussions throughout the Nine Year Plan, including pioneering service when the youth have, through such service as this, reached maturation.
Some of those attending the training session at Davison
[Page 15]
Some of the many youth attending the Wichita Conference.
Wichita Youth Conference Exceeds Expectations[edit]
Sixty-five participants, including forty-eight youth from five states, attended the Wichita, Kansas Youth Conference over the weekend of May 15, 16, and 17. Approximately half of these were non-Bahá’ís, and the three youth declarations expressed the atmosphere of warm fellowship and earnest study that prevailed.
Keynote speaker for the conference was Dan Jordan, who spoke on “Chastity, Courtship, and Marriage,” “Understanding Race,” and “Looking Ahead to ’73.” Nancy Dobbins of Ft. Worth spoke on “Being of Service”; Lois Goebel of Clayton, Mo., spoke on “Choosing an Occupation”; and Brandie Watson of Oklahoma City spoke on “What is an Educated Man?” Dan Jordan also spoke on “The Bahá’í Faith: from Dissonance to Harmony” at a public meeting preceding a youth party on Saturday evening.
Concurrent with the youth sessions were separate sessions for adults on “Bahá’í Principles of Child Education.” These were conducted by Paul Pettit, Nel Golden, and Florence Avis of St. Louis and by Jean Randazzo of Lawrence, Kansas. Not only was this discussion valuable, but the separate adult sessions guaranteed that the conference remained truly a youth conference.
The conference site was a Y.W.C.A. camp on the edge of Wichita. The outdoor, country atmosphere added much to the “summer school” spirit of the conference, and the convenience of a central location allowed maximum use of time.
Particularly stimulating to the youth were the opportunities for small group discussion. Most of the sessions began with a ten or fifteen minute keynote talk, during which the basic Bahá’í principles were outlined. Then the large group was broken up into three small discussion groups, each of which was led by one of the four conference teachers and discussed a predetermined aspect of the general subject. After approximately forty minutes of discussion, the large group reassembled to hear reports from each discussion group. This format allowed the maximum of youth participation while still maintaining a purposeful agenda. On Sunday morning the youth also presented an informal panel discussion on “The Bahá’í Standard vs. the American Standard.”
Planning was begun in December for this conference, but the bounties of the conference far exceeded the efforts or expectations of the Wichita Community. This was the first youth conference ever held in Wichita, and planning has already begun for next year.
Summer Project Follows Powwow[edit]
A Bahá’í sponsored International Powwow, taking place on the Red Lake Indian reservation in northern Minnesota over the weekend of May 30 and 31 attracted over 100 campers, including 35 foreign students coming as guests of the Bahá’ís. Others came from as far south as Milwaukee (650 miles) and as far north as Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada (750 miles).
During the weekend a warm and friendly relationship developed with many of the Indian people in the settlement of Ponemah. Many were invited into homes and asked to return. Much literature was distributed and many individual firesides held. One immediate fruit was the first declaration at Red Lake and the acceptance of the Faith by a visiting Canadian Indian, Charles Ryder, former chief of the Assiniboines in Saskatchewan. In addressing the gathering Mr. Ryder stated that he had been hearing speeches about brotherhood for many years, but had never seen it until this Powwow.
An immediate follow-up project will be directed by Robert and Norma Cameron, who will camp on the reservation during the month of July. With them will be some college-age youth from Duluth and six Bahá’í youth from the Bahá’í Summer Youth Project. This activity will be located at Ponemah and will consist of service through the summer recreational program handled by the school system and direct teaching of the Faith to those interested. These efforts will be supplemented by assistance from other Bahá’ís planning to be there for briefer periods.
First Spiritual Assembly of Daly City, California
formed in Riḍván 1964. Left to right, standing: Bill Reimann, Parviz Mahboubi, Tom Burke, Tad Swanagen,
Ed Karres, Zabih Mahboubi. Sitting: Juliet Karres,
Lee O. Day, Peggy Schultz.
Slides of Bahá’í World Congress and International Bahá’í Convention Now Available[edit]
After painstaking care and at the request of the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land a slide program of 82 carefully chosen color slides has been arranged to portray the great historic significance of the 1963 International Bahá’í Convention in Haifa and the Bahá’í World Congress in London. Each set of slides has an informative booklet with a running commentary that may be read to the audience as the slides are projected.
The program is appropriate for use at any Bahá’í group or community activity, such as firesides, feasts, conventions, institutes and schools, and makes a valuable addition to any archives, local or national. It is NOT suitable for use as an introduction to the Faith.
The slide set is available with or without a recorded English “sound track,” which includes voices of some of the speakers at the Royal Albert Hall. The recording is available either as a 12-inch long-playing record or as a 3¾ I.P.S. tape. Spanish and Persian versions are in preparation and when ready will be announced in BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
How to Order[edit]
|
National Bahá’í Addresses
Please Address Mail Correctly! National Bahá’í Administrative Headquarters: National Treasurer: Bahá’í Publishing Trust: Bahá’í News: |
BAHÁ’Í RESIDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES may order the slide sets and narrations from the Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091. The 82 slides with the narration booklet cost $7.50. The set with the booklet and the narration on either tape or record costs $12.00. Each order must be accompanied by a remittance in the proper amount, and if the narration is desired the order should indicate whether it should be the tape or the record.
ORDERS FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES should be sent through the appropriate National Spiritual Assembly to the Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091, and each order must be accompanied by a remittance in United States Dollars. Please be sure to specify whether the order is for the slides and the booklet only, or for the slides, booklet and record or tape narration.
Calendar of Events[edit]
- FEASTS
- August 20—Asmá’ (Names)
- September 8—‘Izzat (Might)
- U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS
- August 7-9
- September 5-8
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, August 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: 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.
