Bahá’í News/Issue 456/Text
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| No. 456 | BAHA’I YEAR 125 | MARCH, 1969 |
Naw-Rúz[edit]
“O ye children of the Kingdom!
“It is New Year; that is to say, the rounding of the cycle of the year. A year is the expression of a cycle (of the sun); but now is the beginning of a cycle of Reality, a New Cycle, a New Age, a New Century, a New Time and a New Year. Therefore it is very blessed.
“I wish this blessing to appear and become manifest in the faces and characteristics of the believers, so that they, too, may become a new people, and having found new life and been baptized with fire and spirit, may make the world a new world, to the end that the old earth may disappear and the new earth appear; old ideas depart and new thoughts come; old garments be cast aside and new garments put on; ancient politics whose foundation is war be discarded and modern politics founded on peace raise the standard of victory; the new star shine and gleam and the new sun illumine and radiate; new flowers bloom; the new spring become known; the new breeze blow; the new bounty descend; the new tree give forth new fruit; the new voice become raised and this new sound reach the ears, that the new will follow the new, and all the old furnishings and adornments be cast aside and new decorations put in their places.
“I desire for you all that you will have this great assistance and partake of this great bounty, and that in spirit and heart you will strive and endeavor until the world of war become the world of peace; the world of darkness the world of light; satanic conduct be turned into heavenly behavior; the ruined places become built up; the sword be turned into the olive branch; the flash of hatred become the flame of the love of God and the noise of the gun the voice of the Kingdom; the soldiers of death the soldiers of life; all the nations of the world one nation; all races as one race; and all national anthems harmonized into one melody.
“Then this material realm will be Paradise, the earth Heaven, and the world of Satan become the world of Angels.”
The relationship between the Fast and Naw-Rúz is indicated in the Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh on pages 183-185 of Bahá’í Prayers, and the reciting of this Tablet is an integral part of the observance of Naw-Rúz. In
1906, the beloved Master revealed a New Year’s greeting for the American believers which is quoted
above in its entirety. It is hoped that it will be included in your commemoration of this joyous Holy Day.
Hands of the Cause of God Travel Throughout World[edit]
Hand of the Cause A. Q. Faizí began an extended tour through Asia in early December. He went first to India where, on Human Rights Day, December 10, he delivered an illuminating speech at the Bahá’í Center which received wide publicity, with accounts in Free Press Journal, Indian Express, and Hindustan (Sindhi). He was in Madras for two days, spent nineteen days in Ceylon and then went to Malaysia where he participated in the Regional Youth Conference. He also visited various other centers and held classes in Penang before flying to Laos where he met with the National Spiritual Assembly. By the end of February he will have visited also Malaysia, Burma, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Thailand and again India. He expects to go to Ṭihrán on about March 1.
Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga has visited India, Ceylon and Pakistan, returning to participate in India’s Winter School in Panchgani December 26-31. The Local Spiritual Assembly of Panchgani gives the following report:
“The Winter School was a glorious success.... It was inaugurated by the beloved Hand of the Cause Mr. Enoch Olinga ... whose gracious presence along with Mrs. Olinga, Counsellor Mr. Farhangi, Mrs. Farhangi and members of the Auxiliary Board among the large number of participants, created an atmosphere of perfect love, unity, spirituality and joy.
“This winter school was memorable in every respect. It was well organized, well attended and well conducted. The teachers were capable, experienced and learned. The participants, seventy percent of whom were youth, were attentive and eager to learn the subjects which were taught in depth.
“In addition to six daily periods of fifty minutes each, every evening there was a one and one-half hour program organized by the youth of Panchgani, Poona, Bombay and the National Youth Committee.”
Hand of the Cause ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan spent two months following the Oceanic Conference visiting almost every Bahá’í center in Turkey, inspiring and stimulating the friends as well as assisting the National Spiritual Assembly and the Auxiliary Board members in their work.
During October and November, Hand of the Cause Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel visited Yugoslavia and Greece, later traveling to various centers in France, Luxembourg and Germany. He returned to Austria to attend the Winter School.
Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery has written of a Maya pioneer who traveled a long distance to visit him in Mexico City. He says: “His knowledge of the Teachings and the depth of the understanding of the universality of Bahá’u’lláh’s Message were truly outstanding. I can see the day when many administrative posts in Mexico will be held by believers like him. His name is Claro Jimez Hu.”
At the international Bahá’í summer school held in La Falda, Argentina, December 21-28. More than 100 friends gathered from four countries. Present were members of the South American Board of Counsellors, and Auxiliary Board member Richard Mirkovich.
Central American School “Karbila” Holds December Sessions[edit]
Karbila, near Tegucigalpa, Honduras, scene of Bahá’í School
Eight miles from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, situated on
a hill rising from a bend in the Grande River, surrounded on all sides by beautiful mountains, praises to
God were raised at dawn.
To this Karbila Central American school, held from December 25 to 30 and sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of Honduras, invited people came by plane, bus, truck and on foot. They came to deepen in the Bahá’í Faith in association with members from Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and seven departments in Honduras. Thirty six attended in all, thirty students, six teachers and five children. Many of the students were youth.
Classes covered—Great Figures of the Faith-Administration—Divine Plan—What is the Greatest Gift of God?—The Guardian (given by one who had visited the Guardian)—The two Natures of Man—Evolution of the Spirit—Hands of the Cause—Bahá’í Laws and the importance of teaching the Faith.
Some of those who attended sessions at Karbila in Honduras
International News Briefs[edit]
Latin America
The Government of Guatemala has granted recognition of the Bahá’í marriage certificate, thus fulfilling another goal of the Nine Year Plan. The vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Guatemala has been appointed by the Government to officially perform the marriage ceremony for Bahá’ís throughout the country.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Nicaragua has announced that its incorporation has been accomplished and an announcement of it appeared in the Gaceta Oficial, the official newspaper of the Government of Nicaragua.
St. Martin, Leeward Islands, was the site of the second national teacher training institute held November 28-December 1, 1968, sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands. Discussion courses were led by Mrs. Marjorie Harmer, Auxiliary Board member, Mrs. Louise Dickerson and Mrs. Lorana Kerfoot, with planning and arrangements handled by William Nedden. A news story in the Windward Island Opinion announced the institute.
In Sucre, Bolivia, radio programs have been presented three times weekly for a period of five months. Copies of the Bahá’í Human Rights proclamation were given to all of the Justices of the Supreme Court in that city.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Dominican Republic reports that the Faith was presented on television throughout the country in a ten-minute question and answer program on the principles of the Faith with Benito Alejandro Peres. Mr. Artemus Lamb, who visited there in November, appeared on that same program during his visit. In Haina at the Youth Club Rafael Benzan presented the subject “Science and Religion” to a capacity audience of teachers, students and members of other clubs. The press and radio throughout the country cooperated very well in giving publicity to these events. An interview with Mr. Artemus Lamb was published in the newspaper Listin Diario and the magazine, Ahoro featured a long article on the Faith.
School in Ecuador[edit]
Bahá’í Summer School held in the national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Quito, Ecuador
during August and September. It was planned by the Teaching Committee for
Children and Youth of that country.
New Communities in West Africa[edit]
Newly established Bahá’í community of Dschang, East Region of Cameroon, with pioneers Bernard Nkwa and Oscar Njang.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Santa Isabel, capital of the
new Republic of Equatorial Guinea, established Riḍván, 1968.
On October 9, 1968, the new President-elect of the Republic
granted recognition to the Bahá’í Faith in a special document,
on the eve of the Republic’s national independence. This recognition of the Faith covers both Fernando Poo Island and Rio
Muni, including the islands of Corisco and Annobon. American
pioneers Mr. and Mrs. George Karch (not shown on photo)
were present on the day recognition was granted.
Members of newly established Bahá’í community of Bafoussam, East Cameroon.
BOOK REVIEW[edit]
with introduction by Horace Holley
112 pp. Baha’i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois
THE BOOK OF THE “KNOWLEDGE OF GOD” is
the human heart; the seat of awareness, of faith,
and of realization of the cause of existence. It is to this
sensibility in the human being that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addresses Himself, through man’s intellectual as well as
his emotional capacity. The creative word does not
depend on the printing press or penmanship to be
effective. Concepts of reality are contained in such
form as a useful means by which to transmit them with
integrity.
In the realm of intangibles, as well as external and describable phenomena, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s legacy shines with an ever increasing luminescence. As the decades pass, widening the gap between His life of service and our generation, the import of His messages becomes more powerful, illuminating as they do the increasing need to put into action the creative Word of God for this day.
Modern World Conditions[edit]
In this slim volume of talks and tablets, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá analyzes the condition in which the world of man now finds itself, outlines the means by which the problems can be resolved and indicates the potential results of unified efforts toward peace. When He describes the condition of strife in the world today, He does not dwell on the perversity of man, nor point with approbation toward any one human source. Briefly, with sure, bold strokes. He paints a picture of the modern world encumbered with an abundance no former century has ever witnessed. No one society or group was completely prepared for the deluge of advancement, scientific, technological or social, that has signified the bewilderment of this century.
When the individual today contemplates the world around him, he must be confounded by the confusion in the social, political and governmental realms. To try to live in today’s world with yesterday’s concepts is as frustrating as waiting at a depot for a train whose scheduled runs have been discontinued and the rails it hurried along in the past starting to rust. The best that most persons can do is try to cope with the confusion and the seeming overwhelming mass of “newness”.
What is clear to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and to us as we extend the ideas He voices, is that these same trials can be the means by which a new world society is evolved — a society which will achieve heights unequalled in history. For as a counterpoint to all of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s analyses, warnings and cautions, is the implacable message He utters that this is the century of light, the time for the unification of mankind.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá identifies the sources of confusion and trouble and yet counterbalances them with a deep, immovable assurance in the capacity of mankind to alter the condition for the better He recognizes the deficiencies of our present society and still proclaims universal justice and equality as not only possible but a necessary achievement.
Means of Achieving Accord[edit]
This book deals with the means by which the world can be brought to the condition of accord and agreement. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is clear and positive in stating that only spiritual guidance and a spiritual foundation can truly weld the nations in harmony. As He claims, “Peace is guidance; war is error.” “Wars, religious, racial or political, have arisen from human ignorance, misunderstanding and lack of education.” He illustrates this point by stating, “Consider the ignorance and inconsistency of the human race. If a man kills another, no matter what the cause may be, he is pronounced a murderer, imprisoned or executed; but the brutal oppressor who has slain one hundred thousand is idolized as a hero, conqueror or military genius.”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá states: “... the divine teachings are intended to create a bond of unity in the human world and establish the foundations of love and fellowship among mankind.” He carefully explains the relationship of the Messengers of God who founded the world’s great religions; the essential oneness of their station, their teachings, and the one God from whom all creation and guidance stems. He relates the thread of unity that exists through all divinely revealed religions, explains how the essential purpose is the same, stemming from the same Source. He analyzes the concept of the
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foundation and purpose of religion to establish divinely
ordained civilizations.
All the Prophets of God were educators of mankind and have guided man through successive stages of development. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá shows how Bahá’u’lláh, Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, deals with the specific problems mankind faces in this age. He explains that “spiritual brotherhood” is established by the Manifestations and that “the time has come when all mankind shall be united.”
Unity of Conscience is Essential[edit]
In the chapter from which the book Foundations of World Unity gets its title, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá points out that, although Universal Peace is greatly desired by many, and considered of great importance, “... unity of conscience is essential....” He develops the theme saying that Universal Peace must be supported by other universal conditions, such as the abandonment of prejudice, establishing equality of men and women, maintaining order through the safeguards of law and the religion of God, to mention a few. For, as He states, “If the question is restricted to Universal Peace alone, the remarkable results which are expected and desired will not be attained.” Climaxing the presentation of the ultimate goal of creating a Supreme Tribunal for international law and order, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá firmly states, “Today, nothing but the power of the Word of God which encompasses the realities of things can bring the thoughts, minds, hearts and spirits under the shade of one Tree.”
Since “unity of conscience is essential,” reformation in the affairs of men depends on more than the institution of new governmental systems and signed treaties. Humanity must be enlightened in all phases of life, not merely agree to a set of rules.
Thus, not every chapter in this book deals directly or in the specific terms of a plan for world order. But every subject has bearing on the statement “unity of conscience is essential.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explores diverse subjects of vital importance to today’s world under chapter headings such as “The Spirit of Justice,” “Cooperation,” “The Cause of Strife,” “Racial Harmony,” “Education,” “Science.”
Human Potential for Peace[edit]
Foundations of World Unity has to do with the enlargement of human consciousness, lifting up the hope of mankind that a durable peace is possible. It has to do with spiritual awakening to a broader concept of creation and the family of man. Although ‘Abdu’l-Bahá speaks of the innumerable grievances in the world, He does not dwell on them at length. The message of hope He raises is strongly based on a grasp of history, a universal view of the affairs of men and confidence that the means for renewal of civilization are at hand.
In simple terms ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains the life cycles of all created things and shows how the family of man has reached the stage of maturity, that, like the tree in springtime, is bursting with buds which promise a great harvest. He associates this procession of seasons and cycles with the flow of guidance which has been brought, in successive ages, by the Manifestations of God, the dawning points or spiritual suns. He points out the evidence that we are in the dawn of a new era and identifies Bahá’u’lláh as the sun of guidance for this day. He supports this claim with a presentation of the specific guidance Bahá’u’lláh enunciated on the establishment of love and unity in the world: guidance that centers on the world as it is today, guidance which also centers on the capacity of the human heart to encompass the ideas and translate them into action.
Roots of Imbalance[edit]
Never before has the world been beset with the pressures, clamor and unrest that involve all nations and peoples today. Political differences, economic competition and widely varied living standards are only a part of the picture of distress. The roots of imbalance are deep, not easily disturbed or removed.
The great effort man has to make in establishing a new state of equality is in finding a new set of reasons for eradicating the inequalities. For example: “... the accomplishment of unity between the colored and whites will be an assurance of the world’s peace. Then racial prejudice, national prejudice, limited patriotism and religious bias will pass away and remain no longer.” Speaking of the state we now witness of a portion of humanity living in comfort while others exist in poverty and misery, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says. “This household is not well arranged.” Then he claims, “Therefore, a law must be given to this family by means of which all the members of this family will enjoy equal well-being and happiness.”
Call of the Divine Physician[edit]
Varied as the subjects in Foundations of World Unity are, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá constantly reminds the reader of the source of existence, knowledge and human capacity. Awareness of the cause of disease enables a physician to apply knowledge to healing, or a mechanic to repair an engine. From the diagnosis a remedy can be selected, a choice made and a course of action determined. So too in the affairs of mankind, action based on awareness of reality is the potent elixir for the unification of divergent forces, becomes the tool by which broken associations can be mended, alliances made strong.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá raises the call to all persons, of all backgrounds, of varied racial and national origins, to the all-encompassing standard of the Oneness of Mankind. This is the underlying theme, the chord, the pulse, the absolute center upon which Universal Peace can be established. Peace will come as a result of the application of the universal concepts Bahá’u’lláh has brought, of a new “conscience”, and the application of love on a greater scale than has ever been demonstrated before. Justice stems from the roots of love and unity. Only with justice established can true peace exist, a peace not limited by human restrictions but expanded by the guidance of divine love, divine unity and divine justice.
International News Briefs[edit]
Swaziland
During the Independence celebrations in Swaziland, His Majesty King Sabhuza II referred to the great need of unity among Swazi people, especially in the realm of religion. He mentioned the heavy responsibilities resting upon the shoulders of their King and then referred to kings as “the Trustees of God on earth.” The Swazi Bahá’ís recognized the phrase as coming from The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh.
A meeting was held at the Swazi National Secondary School at Matsapa at which a team of Bahá’í speakers addressed 220 students at the Sunday morning service. Questions from the audience continued for two hours after the meeting had formally closed.
At this school the first Bahá’ís were found in 1954 and it is dear to the heart of every Bahá’í pioneer in Swaziland. Nearly all the leaders of Swaziland have graduated from this school and teachers there have been among the first to grasp the significance of the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. Many of the Bahá’í youth have come from that group of students, among them some of the children of the King.
Senegal
In October Mr. Husayn Ardikani, member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Northwestern Africa, visited Zinquinchor, Senegal. In the course of a four-day visit he met about thirty of the Bahá’ís of that town and addressed a public meeting held in a school. He also visited the Bahá’ís of Kaolack enroute back to Dakar, Senegal.
Ethiopia
Mr. Riby-Williams, of the Economic Commission for Africa, was guest speaker at a public meeting sponsored by the Bahá’í community of Addis Ababa. The subject was “Human Rights are God-Given Rights”. Ministers, ambassadors and other high-ranking officials were invited and the meeting received excellent and favorable publicity.
Rwanda Teaching Institute[edit]
Bahá’í Teaching Institute held in July 1968 at the home of Mrs. Alexandra Pawlowske in Rwanda, Kasai Province near the Congo. The Institute was a great success and brought joy and inspiration to all those privileged to attend.
Pioneers to Chagos[edit]
Mr. Atherville Cedras and his wife who, with their three children sailed from their home in the Seychelles for the pioneer
post of Chagos in November 1968. Their Bahá’í friends in Seychelles say, “The family was in excellent spirits and we are all
confident that this devoted and spiritual family will be able to
raise the banner of our beloved Cause in that difficult part of
the world and will be successful in achieving the goal of the
Nine Year Plan for that place.”
An Entire Village Accepts the Faith[edit]
The first entire village in the Kampur (India) area to accept the Cause of God is Gurraiyanpurwa. The Bahá’ís of Kampur attended a one day conference arranged by the local believers in early December. Classes were conducted by a number of friends.
Mr. V. P. Sharma, a Bahá’í, had concentrated on the village since November and was able to enroll all of the people of the village. The Bahá’ís of Gurraiyanpurwa have offered a new building, which is presently under construction, for the local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds.
The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh has been presented in the Kampur area to the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, the Mayor of Kampur, the District Magistrate and to one of the three leading industrialists of India. During the months of November and December the Faith was mentioned forty-one times in various local newspapers.
International News Briefs[edit]
Six Buddhists from the village of Kya-in visited the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Rangoon, Burma, and remained many hours asking questions about the Faith. All of them accepted the Faith upon the conclusion of the interview. They invited members of the National Spiritual Assembly to visit their village where they say many will be enrolled. A visit is planned in the near future. The new Bahá’ís also plan to teach immediately in nearby villages.
The National Assembly of Thailand has drafted a letter in Thai, a copy of which will accompany each of approximately 400 copies of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era to be presented to each library in Thailand.
Human Rights Day Marked in Seychelles[edit]
Picture presentation of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights displayed at the public meeting sponsored by the Bahá’ís
of Seychelles.
The Bahá’ís of Seychelles scored yet another “first”
in sponsoring a public function on Human Rights Day,
December 10, 1968, to mark the twentieth anniversary
of the Declaration of Human Rights. This event received good publicity in both the press and on the
radio. A five-minute live broadcast on Radio Seychelles
by the secretary of Victoria Bahá’í Assembly, and its
publication next day in the Seychelles Government
News Bulletin, furthered the interests of the Cause in
the Seychelles.
At the public meeting, two Bahá’ís presented in simplified form the thirty clauses of Declaration of Human Rights, followed by a talk in Creole on the Faith and Human Rights by visiting Bahá’í teacher, J. Ragoo. A talk in English by the secretary of the Assembly concluded the program.
News Briefs (con.)[edit]
The Bahá’í Summer School in Ṭihrán was attended by almost two hundred boarding students and in addition five groups of visitors came. There was a Summer School also in Sangar which lasted five days and was attended by sixty.
In order to create a spirit of gaity and rejoicing among the Bahá’í children, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Indian Ocean has planned a National Children’s Day to be held during the Intercalary period.
The Youth Committee of Madagascar reports a teaching trip which reached 309 people of whom six declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.
Two Auxiliary Board members and more than one hundred visitors attended the Winter School held recently in Pakistan. There were two other conferences, for youth and for Bahá’í women, which were held simultaneously.
Human Rights Day Programs Emphasize Need for Active Concern[edit]
Reports of the 1968 Human Rights Day celebration on December 10 were received from all corners of the country — from Vermont to New Mexico to Florida to Montana. With this celebration ends the United Nations designated Human Rights Year but with the involvement of effort exerted by a host of Bahá’ís, as well as non-Bahá’ís not only across the United States but around the world, the realization of the tremendous importance of human rights for all peoples has been crystalized in the minds and hearts of those who can and must stand up for those values they deem sacred and essential for the overall happiness of mankind.
Putting on a Human Rights Day program is not all nectar and ambrosia — everyone knows that! Frustration along with a little bit of radiant acquiescence seem to be common amongst a number of reports. Sending out hundreds sometimes even thousands of invitations and ending up with a rather meager attendance, presenting articles to newspapers and spot announcements to local radio and television stations and discovering afterwards that nothing was utilized, sensing that one’s community is really rather apathetic about doing anything, having to deal with the now already infamous Hong Kong flu — all these can most certainly amount to a few undertone grumbles of frustration. But despite all these little things which make big headaches for individuals or communities which are trying to do their best, this past year’s Human Rights Day seems to have been observed or at least helped along by a large number of concerned Bahá’ís.
Although it can be said that the vast majority of reporting communities had public meetings of some sort, the most popular approach being panels composed of community leaders and some Bahá’í participants, there were a number of other creative and interesting programs.
Some communities built up enthusiasm and interest by a presentation of an award to an outstanding citizen; others concentrated on spot announcements for radio and television time. One community held a well-publicized luncheon with folk music from around the world as well as an award presentation; another large community had a three week build up prior to the December celebration by presenting seminars opened to Bahá’ís and their friends concerned with human rights in relation to literacy, housing and education. Others found it more effective to volunteer their services to various organizations which had already made their own plans. Films, pamphlets, window and store displays, attractive hand-outs and art contests were also used — and used effectively. Involvement, participation, meeting new people within the communities and a more comprehensive understanding of the importance of the whole realm involved in human rights were just a few of the net results of everyone’s endeavors.
The observance of Human Rights Day, the rhetoric expressed and the emotion felt on such occasions merit nothing unless we not only have a basic understanding of just what human rights are and what they encompass but that we actually participate in pursuing and establishing those rights around us which others may have subliminated and employ those very rights in the nitty-gritty moments of our lives as well.
Oregon Bahá’ís Place Exhibit in State Capitol[edit]
The Governor of Oregon appointed a committee to coordinate state wide observances for Human Rights Year. In the summer the Salem Bahá’ís approached the committee and offered to assist in any way they could. Subsequently it was learned that the state committee had nothing planned so the Bahá’ís offered to place an exhibit in the rotunda of the capitol building during the week of December 7-14. The offer was gratefully accepted.
Each day of the week a different chorus sang in the rotunda during the noon hour and people gathered to hear the singing and view the exhibits.
Bahá’í exhibits in rotunda of State capitol at Salem, Oregon.
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First Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Auke Bay,
Alaska, formed at Riḍván 1968. Left to right, rear: Mrs. Beverly
Milton, Mrs. Sue Wilson, Mrs. Georgia Haisler, Mrs. Jean D.
Dorman; front: Bob Milton, John Ross, John Wilson, Walter
Gnagy, Tom Haisler.
Three pioneers in Valdez, Alaska, have begun their Proclamation with quarter-page ads in the Valdez Breeze to proclaim the Bahá’í Message, and have presented the Faith to an inter-faith discussion class.
The National Spiritual Assembly of Austria has scheduled a Bahá’í exhibition to be shown in various cities throughout the country. Advance preparations as well as follow-up plans are being effected by the believers in the various cities. To date, an average of thirty people have visited the exhibit daily.
Summer School in Finland Announced[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of Finland announces the summer school to be held June 27 to July 2, 1969 in the Motel Harmala in the city of Tempere, Finland. Friends from the United States are heartily welcome. For further details write to: National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Finland, Sirkka Salmi, Secretary: Post Box 10423, Helsinki, Finland.
The Southeastern Bahá’í Winter School[edit]
The Southeastern Bahá’í Winter School was held at Camp John Hope, Fort Valley, Georgia, December 26-31, 1968. From thirteen states one hundred and forty-five Bahá’ís, friends, young and old, whole families, three medical doctors and their families, the crippled and the partially seeing came to this spiritual Feast.
Working and mingling together for Bahá’u’lláh this heterogeneous group created an atmosphere which was a joy to the soul. The heart and soul of this extraordinary experience were the courses taught by our dedicated and inspired teachers.
Mrs. Z. Khádem opened our hearts and minds and taught us the true meaning of “What It Means To Be The Spiritual Descendants Of The Dawn Breakers.” Did you know that Americans are spiritual descendants of the dawn breakers?
Mrs. Ruhaniyyih Ruth Moffett with her thorough understanding, profound knowledge, and deep spiritual insight gave us a graphic documented panorama of the religious history of the world and the relationship of religions to our total existence. This inspired and a great teacher taught in five days a six weeks course on “New Authentic Keys to the Book of Revelation,” and gave us a glimpse of man’s future unfoldment and the fulfillment of the Promise of the Ages.
Mrs. Dan Jordan elucidated expertly on “The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh — The Last Refuge for a Tottering Civilization.” The structure is an embodiment of the spirit of the Cause. American Bahá’ís are the champion builders of a New World Order.
The youth and children were ably directed and taught by capable Bahá’í teachers which teaching enabled them to conduct the memorable Feast of Honor in which there were nineteen readers. The readings were interspersed by songs by the Youth Group from Gainesville, Florida.
The music for the school under the superb direction of Mrs. Erma Hayden of Nashville, Tennessee added the necessary ingredient to make the whole Winter School as nearly perfect as is humanly possible.
At the Southeastern Winter School, December 26-31, 1968 held at Fort Valley, Georgia.
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Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Alton, New Hampshire at
the time of its formation at Riḍván 1968. Left to right, front:
Mary Vik, Effie Granfors, Dora Gustafson; rear: Ann Young,
treasurer; Nella Gustafson, chairman; Judy Fugere, secretary:
Wayne Gustafson, Gail Freymuth, Muriel Gurney.
Bahá’í in the News[edit]
The Daily News, New Plymouth, New Zealand published an account and a photograph of the “second wedding ceremony conducted by the Bahá’í Faith” in that city. The article gives some brief historical background on the Faith, and mentions that prayers were read in four languages.
The September 1968 Newsletter on International Year for Human Rights published by the United Nations Office of Public Information on pages 42 and 43 reports on the Human Rights Year plans and activities of the Bahá’í International Community.
Issue No. 23 of Outreach, the newsletter of the Foundation for Spiritual Understanding of which Marcus Bach is the director makes mention of the article titled: “He Changed My Life” by Marcus Bach that appears in the December 1968 issue of The Rotarian, the magazine of Rotary International. This article is the story of Mr. Bach’s interview with Hand of the Cause of God Ṭarázu’lláh Samandarí during his last visit to America.
The January 4, 1969 edition of the Los Angeles Times carries a feature article on the Bahá’í Faith by the Times Religion Writer, John Dart. The article is titled: “Bahá’í Faith Attractive to Activists and Liberals — Racial Equality Big Subject of Concern With Worldwide Unity as a Primary Goal.”
A Los Angeles Times News Service article which appeared in newspapers across the U.S. made mention of the Bahá’í Faith. The article deals with the career of Singer Vic Damone and mentions the importance of the Bahá’í Faith in changing his life.
Baha’i Distribution and Service Department[edit]
Slide Set — Second International Bahá’í Convention
Thirty-six slides by the Audio-Visual Department of
the Universal House of Justice give a comprehensive
view of the second International Bahá’í Convention in
Haifa, April 1968 when delegates from national spiritual
assemblies all over the world met to elect the members
of the Universal House of Justice.
The slides offer a first-hand view of the physical process of the election and of the pilgrimage to the Shrines. They are appropriate for many purposes: explaining the process of the Bahá’í election; as part of a course on the administrative institutions of the Faith; or as part of a sequence in a program on the activities of the Faith in the Holy Land. They are suitable for showing to Bahá’ís and pre-Bahá’ís, and at feasts, firesides, Bahá’í classes, institutes and conferences.
A five page index accompanies the slides and identifies the people, places and events shown on each slide. No narrative is available with this series.
Slide set (36 slides with index) | $9.00 |
Slide Set — Mediterranean Bahá’í Convention, Palermo
A set of thirty-six color slides records the Bahá’í
Conference of August 1968 in Palermo and the Commemoration in the Holy Land that followed it.
The slides taken in Sicily show Palermo from the air, exterior and interior views of the hall during the Conference, the Persian Bahá’ís and the ship they came in, volunteers answering the call for pioneers, Hands of the Cause and members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors. Those taken in the Holy Land show the youth volunteers meeting with members of the Universal House of Justice, the ship Kentavros arriving in Haifa from Palermo, pilgrims at the Most Great Prison, the House of ‘Abúd, the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, attending the Commemoration program at Bahjí, ascending Mt. Carmel to the Shrine of the Báb, friends of many backgrounds at the Shrine of the Báb, and the funeral of Hand of the Cause Ṭarázu’lláh Samandarí leaving the House of the Master.
Many of the friends will wish to expand their own collections with these fine slides, using them as illustrations of a recent episode in Bahá’í history and to demonstrate the international character of the Faith and show the results of teaching in various parts of the world. The sets are suitable as gifts to new Bahá’ís, treasured friends or to pioneers in neighboring or remote areas. The pictures shown can be used effectively at firesides, Bahá’í schools, institutes and conferences.
Each of the slides is described in an index included with the set.
Slide set (36 slides with index) | $9.00 |
Order from: BAHÁ’Í DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT, 112 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091.
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: Mrs. Sylvia Parmelee, Managing Editor; Mrs. Eunice Braun, International Editor; Miss Charlotte Linfoot, National Spiritual Assembly Representative; Mr. Rexford C. Parmelee.
Material must be received by the twenty-fifth of the second month preceding date of issue. Address: Bahá’í News Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091, U.S.A.
Change of address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. 60091.
