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No. 478

BAHA’I YEAR 127

JANUARY, 1971

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A Message of Love from Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga

After his triumphant tour through the Western Hemisphere, Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga sent the following letter to all the National Spiritual Assemblies. It is an example of the love and understanding of our problems, which characterized his entire visit.

Enroute to the Pacific and Asia
October 28, 1970

National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of

South America, Central America, North America,

and the islands of the Caribbean.

Beloved Bahá’í friends,

Before leaving the Western Hemisphere, it is my wish to try to express the love and gratitude flowing from my heart to all the believers who have welcomed, assisted and sustained me in these travels. For the past six months, in South, Central and North America, and the Antilles, rare experiences in the company of the soldiers of the Blessed Perfection have been granted me. Indeed, when I recall how the beloved Guardian expressed the hope to me that some day I would travel in the Western Hemisphere, to meet the friends and teach His Cause, it is now one more sign to me of the kindness of the Loving Creator to His servants that this experience should have come my way and these months be spent in a manner so pleasing to my soul.

For what can bring more happiness than seeing, from the tip of South America to the far reaches of Alaska, the triumphs of self-sacrificing soldiers in the army of the Blessed Beauty? The promises of the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, are everywhere evidenced in their fruition, for now that the healing Word of God is being carried to the masses, they are entering our beloved Faith in troops and we are seeing the rapid expansion and simultaneous consolidation predicted for these days.

So many moments of joy and profound gratitude have been experienced during these months. It is impossible to cite them all, but to share the sweetness of one of them, I would mention the evening spent in Harlem in the company of Mr. John Birks Gillespie and a large group of Bahá’í friends. All my memories of visiting this beloved friend and brother, dear John Birks, are treasured, and it is my feeling and my prayer that with his deep devotion to the Cause and his many spiritual qualities, he will be of great service to humanity and hopefully to the work of the Faith in Africa.

And so it is with all the soldiers on fire with the love of God in this day.

With many, in different lands, I shared the healing memory of an evening spent in the presence of the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, when he said to us that Bahá’ís should be very happy, always; that we should never permit anything to disturb the tranquillity of our heart, or its peace and happiness, for we are really living in wonderful days.

[Page 2] The beloved Guardian said that Bahá’ís should be very happy indeed that they have been enabled by God himself to recognize the greatness of this day, to accept the universal Manifestation of God and to wear His holy name. That is the first condition, the condition of happiness and gratitude to our Father that we have been permitted to recognize His Cause in this great day.

And then the beloved Guardian reminded us that the Master taught that although there are very few states in the spiritual world, there are many spiritual conditions and degrees of perfection. Therefore, it is not enough to say that we believe in Bahá’u’lláh, but we must also accept this Supreme Manifestation and attempt to promote His Cause. Bahá’ís are spiritually higher than those who are not believers, for they have fulfilled that requirement made of man in the day of the coming of each Messenger of God, to recognize and accept that Messenger. He is the Manifestation of Truth, and the Revealer of the Will of God, of which the Lord Jesus Christ spoke when He encouraged us to pray that the Will of God “may be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

One evening the beloved Guardian was explaining to us that an African Bahá’í in a small African village who believes that Bahá’u’lláh is the Manifestation of God for this day, that He is the return of the spiritual reality of all the Manifestations, the Lord of the Vineyard — that Bahá’í, unable to read and write, before God occupies a position higher than the honored prelates of Christendom.

And so the beloved Guardian made clear to us that many people believe the principles and find them beautiful, but they remain sympathizers, while a Bahá’í is the one who believes in the divine unity, and makes no distinction between the prophets of God, centering his energy in promoting the Faith of God for this day through the teachings of the Ancient Beauty, Bahá’u’lláh.

Therefore, dear friends, with this in our hearts, with the assurance of the beloved Guardian himself as to our high station, may we not review the Writings and the messages from the Universal House of Justice, to find what our share of heroic action in the army of the Blessed Beauty may be in this day? Inspired by the Writings of the Glory of God, Bahá’u’lláh and His Holiness the Exalted Báb, encouraged and supported by the example of the blessed Center of the Covenant, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, with the supreme, infallible body, the Universal House of Justice to channel our efforts to their fullest advantage, may we become soldiers armed with divine instruments. These instruments are love, devotion to the Faith, steadfastness, service, and complete attraction to the Abhá kingdom. Wherever we go with these arms, we will conquer that city and that place.

O my beloved sisters and brothers, make effort in this manifest Day of God and win the favor, grace and pleasure of the Lord. “What result is forthcoming from material rest, tranquillity, luxury and attachment to this corporeal world,” asked the beloved Master, “it is evident that the man who pursues these things will in the end become afflicted with regret and loss.” We should close our eyes to these things, and “these thoughts, long for eternal life, the sublimity of the world of humanity, the celestial developments, the Holy Spirit, the promotion of the Word of God, the guidance of the inhabitants of the globe, the promulgation of universal peace and the proclamation of the oneness of the world of humanity.

This is the WORK!”

The Master used to say that the general does not love most the man in the back of the ranks—He loves most the man in the front, leading the way.

I hope and pray that “with hearts overflowing with the love of God, with tongues commemorating the mention of God, with eyes turned to the kingdom of God” you will, all of you, arise like never before and diffuse the divine fragrances, assured that “in whatever meeting ye enter, in the apex of that meeting the Holy Spirit shall be waving and the heavenly confirmations of the Blessed Perfection shall encompass” you.

With deepest loving Bahá’í greetings to each and every one of you, and assurance of my prayers for your unfailing guidance, protection and confirmation in the Cause of our Beloved,

—Enoch Olinga,
Hand of the Cause of God.

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The Renovated Bahá’í Institute: Mauritius — Indian Ocean

Two of the Nine Year Plan goals of Bahá’ís of the United States were joint goals with the Bahá’ís of the Indian Ocean: establishment of a national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds on Reunion Island and a teaching institute on the Island of Mauritius. The first of these goals was completed in 1968 with assistance from our National Fund. With additional sums contributed from our Fund, in 1970, the Bahá’ís of the Indian Ocean were able to modify and convert a building on the Island of Mauritius, which had been used as a temporary Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, into a suitable teaching institute, completing the second goal. The above photograph evidences the excellent improvement that has been accomplished in an old building which had been in great need of repair. A deteriorated verandah was replaced with a concrete structured hall and interior modifications were made to consolidate the whole building. As the photograph shows, teaching can now be conducted on the Island of Mauritius in a building of which the Bahá’ís of the Indian Ocean, of the United States and of the world may be justly proud.

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YOUTH CONFERENCE INSPIRES MOVIE

A new proclamation film on the Bahá’í Faith entitled “It’s Just the Beginning”, is now being distributed in the United States.

The film is a 16 mm, color, sound, of 24 minutes duration. It was made at the National Bahá’í Youth Conference in June, 1970. The conference provided a backdrop for the film. The film stars individual Bahá’í youth explaining the Mission of Bahá’u’lláh, the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, and what the Faith offers to a confused and troubled world. In addition to showing Bahá’í youth of different races and nationalities, the film also presents remarks by Hand of the Cause of God Rúḥíyyih Khánum and Mr. Glenford E. Mitchell, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.

The film was produced by Kiva Films, Inc. of New York City, which has produced films for the television series “Sesame Street” and a 60 minute documentary “Indian Circle” on the American Indian, which was awarded second place at the American Film Festival 1970. Kiva Films is also producing films for the 1970 White House Conference on Children. Mark Sadan and David Walker, President and Vice President of Kiva Films are both Bahá’ís. Another Vice President, who worked on the film, Kirk Smallman, while not a Bahá’í, is very knowledgeable about the Faith.

“It’s Just the Beginning” will be made available to organizations by Modern Talking Pictures Service, Inc. This organization has numerous film libraries across the United States, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii. The company will list the film in catalogues sent to schools, churches, clubs, hospitals, libraries, etc. The film is available on free loan to these organizations. At present, Modern Talking Pictures Service is handling the distribution of the film “A New Wind” and in four months has had almost 1,000 showings of the film.

“It’s Just the Beginning” will also be distributed to television stations in the United States and is expected to reach over 5 million viewers in the next year.

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Reports Highlight United Nations Day Observances

Members of the Wheatridge, Colorado Bahá’í Group present The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to Mayor Albert Anderson. This was done in connection with the Group’s observance of United Nations Day October 27. Doris Bazille is presenting the book while Vivian Olinger observes.

The Mayor of Verde, Arizona signs the proclamation for observance of UN Day as Bahá’ís look on.

On October 24, United Nations Day was observed by Bahá’ís all over the country; and already more than fifty reports have been received by the U.S. Bahá’í Committee for United Nations. Preliminary estimates indicate that more than 150,000 people heard and read why the Bahá’ís support the United Nations.

Two major themes were featured — “Peace, Justice and Progress” and “International Education Year”; activities ranged from a one-day proclamation at a new shopping center in Pennsylvania to a week-long observance in Eugene, Oregon featuring the appointment of a Bahá’í as UN week chairman by the Mayor of that town.

Words cannot describe the broad range of functions, activities, exhibits, shows and demonstrations which were designed and developed to mark the day. Literally, thousands of people were brought together under the common banner of world unity through the development of a new global set of values. We have come part of the way towards the achievement of world peace through the UN since ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s tablet to the Hague. We as Bahá’ís often hear criticism of the UN; here is some food for thought sent by a Bahá’í from California — “..., in its twenty-four years of operation, UNICEF has assisted more than 950 projects in 135 countries.” In the process of helping 800 million children in underdeveloped countries, the following are among the accomplishments. For example:

—More than 200 million children have been vaccinated against tuberculosis.

—More than two million leprosy victims have been treated.

—More than 46 million persons, half of them children, have been cured of yaws.

—An estimated 24 million victims of trachoma have been saved from blindness.

—With UNICEF aid, 135,000 midwives’ kits have been distributed; 3.3 billion vitamin capsules and 1.5 billion pounds of dried milk have been shipped.”

When you stop to consider that UNICEF is only one of the many ‎specialied specialized‎ agencies of the UN systems, all working diligently for the betterment of mankind, the reasons for our strong support of this organization become self evident.

Activities were not limited to Bahá’í Centers, Community Centers, Shopping Centers and Auditoriums; our young people played major role in making UN day a memorable event — e.g. a two week old Bahá’í association at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, with a well planned full day of events attracted forty-five guests and fourteen believers through sheer dedication, enthusiasm and hard work.

In summary, with the reports half counted, UN Day by any standard was a rousing success.

—U.S. Bahá’í Committee for United Nations

Bahá’ís in Nicaragua Celebrate United Nations Day

The first meeting of its kind to be held by the Bahá’ís of Nicaragua took place on United Nations Day in Managua. The UNESCO representative spoke about the United Nations following which there was a Bahá’í talk showing the similarity in aims of this world wide organization and the Bahá’í Faith. Thus in one more way the Faith was brought to the attention of the public.

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United Nations Day is Commemorated in Japan

Mr. Tsunoi before the Kofu, Japan UNESCO Association on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The chairman of UNESCO meeting is at his left. To the far left are Mrs. Fozdar and Dr. Suzuki, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, who spoke next on the program. This meeting was held October 25, 1970.

Bahá’ís of Tokyo participated in two meetings marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the United Nations. A Tokyo Bahá’í, Mr. Hiroshi Tsunoi, was section chief for the UNESCO office in Japan for several years and is not a government official, but still closely connected with UNESCO work. He arranged participation on the program of the UNESCO Association in Kofu, a town near Tokyo. Mr. Tsunoi spoke about UNESCO and the Faith to an audience of about thirty-seven. He said he had been interested in UN activities since his student days and that he believed in the principles put forth by the UN but that he found them devoid of the spirit. Activities seemed to be only on a local level and he couldn’t find a true feeling of cooperation on international levels nor even international thinking. In his search for some spiritual values he came upon the Bahá’í Faith whose aims were the same as these of the UN, but infinitely broader, more inclusive and, most important, with a spiritual basis.

It so happened that Mrs. Shirin Fozdar was in Japan, representing the Bahá’ís at the World Congress on Religion and Peace. She spoke to the Association members, many of whom were women at this particular session, and they listened with great interest as she told about some of the principles of the Faith, relating them to present conditions in the world. She spoke of the teachings on the equality of women and the advancement of the status of women since the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh had caused Ṭáhirih to throw off her veil. Many questions were directed to Mrs. Fozdar, Dr. Suzuki, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, translating for her.

Three days later there was another UNESCO meeting in the town of Numazu, not far from Tokyo. Again Mr. Tsunoi spoke on the Faith telling the audience of about twenty that the aims and purposes of the United Nations could be realized through the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. In this meeting also mimeographed sheets and pamphlets were passed out and all questions at the end of the meeting were about the Faith.

The Bahá’ís of Japan have been seeking ways to reach various levels of people in that country and it was most gratifying to have been able to participate in two such meetings where those attending were so receptive to the Faith.

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United Nations Day Program in Liberia

The Bahá’ís of Monrovia, Liberia celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the United Nations with a meeting of the United States Information Service auditorium on October 25, 1970.

There was outstanding radio publicity, which was productive and helped create an audience for the meeting, half of whom were inquirers. Display tables with dolls of all nations and Bahá’í literature added to the effectiveness of the meeting and was well received.

The Liberia United Nations Association (LUNA) was represented at the meeting with a talk by Mrs. Georgia Sanchez (American Bahá’í pioneer in Liberia) and Auxiliary Board member Mr. Shidan Kouchezadeh of Freetown, Sierra Leone, was the Bahá’í speaker.

After the meeting the community participated, with LUNA, in a pot-luck dinner with international dishes.

At the United Nations Day meeting in Liberia

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The Birth of a Local Spiritual Assembly

The first Local Spiritual Assembly of Klawock, Alaska was formed at Riḍván 1970. The Assembly, however, did not just appear, but was the result of several years of dedication and sacrifice by many believers.

In response to the call from the Universal House of Justice in 1964, which designated Prince of Wales Island, one of Alaska’s virgin goals, to be settled during the Nine Year Plan, Vern and Evelyn Huffman decided to move there. They arrived on September 18, 1965, and immediately began meeting and learning about the inhabitants of the island. Life on the island is made difficult by the almost incessant rain, lack of electricity, except from 3:00 pm till midnight each day, poor radio reception, and no modern conveniences, fresh fruits, or vegetables.

Even though ill-health forced the Huffman’s to leave in 1967, there were already two declared believers on the island, one a member of the Tlingit tribe of Indians.

The next year, Ernie and Natalie Baumgartner responded to the need for a pioneer on the island, and they arrived in September with three small children, a small sack of groceries, 200 pounds of luggage, $20.00, and faith in Bahá’u’lláh.

After securing housing and employment, they systematically made friends with all strata of the Klawock population. First they got acquainted with the older generation, enjoying their stories; then they reached the teenagers with their motorcycle; then the young adults through joining the basketball team.

Eventually, several other pioneer-settler families joined them, and this Riḍván, the virgin goal of the Prince of Wales Island has been achieved.

It is through the love, courage, and sacrifice of these people that future generations of people born in that locality will be aware of the message of God for this day.

First Alaskan Teacher Training Institute

Between August 23 and 31 of 1970 the First Alaskan Teacher Training Institute was held in Chugiak, Alaska. Sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Alaska, and conducted by Auxiliary Board member Jenabe Caldwell, it proved to be an inspiring spiritual experience for all.

Working from the premise that the source of spiritual strength and the key to unlock resources result from a deep understanding of the Word of God, the time was largely devoted to serious study of five Bahá’í books— Bahá’í Prayers, Hidden Words, Seven Valleys, The Advent of Divine Justice, and Tablets of the Divine Plan.

The first day was spent in prayer, which resulted in a feeling of group solidarity and a sense of humility in the individual. This was felt to be in accordance with the teachings concerning the need to eliminate one’s self from consideration when attempting to carry out one’s part in building the New World Order. Only when one is cleared of self can the power of God fully guide a person’s affairs and actions.

The remainder of the nine day institute was spent in

First local Spiritual Assembly of Klawock, Alaska, formed at Riḍván 1970. Left to right, front: Florence Howard, Natalie Baumgartner, secretary; Joyce Norman, treasurer; Vern Wakefield; rear: Delores Wakefield, James Anniskette, Fred Norman, vice chairmen; Ernie Baumgartner, chairman; Bill Thiemeyer.

study of selected Hidden Words, parts of Seven Valleys, and the other books mentioned. Significant parts were read and the nineteen people attending were encouraged to discuss at length what each person felt it meant; thus, all could share the many aspects of a spiritual principle, or of a specific instruction.

The result of this total immersion in the Word of God, was that every person who attended was flooded with confidence, joy, and an eagerness to spread the fire of the Faith across the land. Individual goals were set by people, and after the institute many set out to teach the Cause throughout Alaska.

On the last day all the participants were given Diplomas. These were completely unexpected and deeply touched the students. On the front was The Greatest Name, and inside was the Báb’s Address to The Letters of the Living.

The feeling of the Alaskan National Spiritual Assembly was that the institute was very successful and that further ones will have to be held. The continuous attendance of a limited number of people was believed to be the factor that allowed a building of both knowledge and spirit which will assist greatly in the attainment of Alaska’s goal of raising the number of centers to 105.

A Teaching Trip to Samoa

During the month of September Russ and Gina Garcia made an extensive teaching trip to Samoa, visiting the Islands of Upollo, Savaii and Tutuila in both the Western and American Samoan groups. Highlights of their visit were a public “Sing-a-long” held in Apia with over 700 people attending, and in Pago Pago with 300 people attending. Engagements at various schools in Upollo including the Teacher’s Training College and the Pava’ia’i school in Tutuila, with over 500 children crowding into one classroom during a heavy tropical rainstorm. Russ and Gina visited almost all centers where Bahá’ís reside and had good newspaper and radio publicity. Many people who had met them on previous visits to Samoa came to the meetings whilst the youth made up the greater part of the audiences in all places.

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Bahá’í Students in Thailand place first in Contest

The students at the Santitham School, Santitham meaning the Religion of Peace, a Bahá’í High School of 250 students where many teachers and students are Bahá’ís, placed first in a forensic debate sponsored by the Provincial Office of the Ministry of Education. Contestants came from larger, better financed and well-rated schools, and also from the Teacher’s College.

The result of the contest was broadcasted over the regional radio affording a statement of the purpose and the expectations of the Bahá’í Faith to be aired to many regional listeners.

Standing among the students is Mr. Chalad Bromawongsanonda, headmaster of the school, and also a member of the National Spiritual Assembly.

THE HOLIEST HOUSE OF WORSHIP

A Progress Report on Maintenance

Winter weather brought a temporary halt to the extended process of cleaning the exterior of the House of Worship in Wilmette. As first reported in the October, 1969 issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS the work has been done substantially by Bahá’í Youth as one of many summer projects at the National Bahá’í Center. The dome was cleaned and sealed and the clerestory was partly cleaned in 1969. The work was resumed in 1970 but was delayed when a trucking strike slowed the delivery of necessary scaffolding and detergent. In all phases of the unprecedented and difficult operation, safety considerations and careful workmanship have taken priority over speed of completion.

The area between the two decks, being the largest one and forty-five feet in height, was cleaned with detergent in the summer of 1970. Progress was also made in cleaning the pylons and lowest section which is the one largest in diameter. After the initial operation using a detergent, a very fine sand-blasting removes heavy residual carbon encrustations. When both of these operations are completed in 1971, the cleaned area will be sealed with an acrylic sealer as was done for the dome.

Experience has shown that the areas that have been cleaned and sealed can easily be recleaned using high-pressure water alone. To reduce the carbon which accounts for the most persistent deposits, the heating boilers of the House of Worship were converted late in 1970 from burning heavy to light oil. Plans are well along to convert the heating system to new gas-fired boilers early in 1971, and a contract has been signed assuring an adequate supply of natural gas in the future. The conversion from oil to gas should eliminate the carbon deposits which have proved one of the principal sources of unsightly discoloration. The conversion has the added advantage of reducing the cost of maintaining the boilers.

The accompanying pictures clearly show the progress being made but were taken before the work was suspended for the winter.

[Page 8] Bahá’í Summer School held at Annecy/Sevrier August 25-29, 1970.

French Summer School an Inspiration for Teaching and Study

A summer school session sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of France was held from August 23 to 29, 1970 in Annecy/Sevrier. It was attended by over one hundred Bahá’ís and friends who came from a number of countries besides France including: Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Great Britain, Iran, Morocco, Tunisia, Spain and Mali.

Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Ugo Giachery and Mrs. Giachery were present and brought a wonderful spirit of warmth and encouragement. Dr. Giachery gave several brief and inspiring talks about the beloved Guardian which were most welcome.

Others present included: Continental Counsellor Mr. Louis Henuzet, Auxiliary Board members Miss Lucienne Migette, Mrs. Haeni deBons and Mr. Bijan Ghaznavi.

There were four classes covering the following topics: “The Spirit of Bahá’í Administration” (Mr. Henuzet); “God Passes By” (Mr. Daniel Schaubacher”) “Teaching” (Mr. Gilbert Robert); “Prayers” (Mrs. Guillion David). The method of presentation used, involving questions and discussion, was most effective and well received.

During the session a public meeting for proclamation was held in Annecy with good success and many inquirers in attendance. The subject of the talk was “Bahá’í Program for Universal Peace”. Three hundred posters placed in prominent places as well as 2000 leaflets distributed added to the effectiveness of this proclamation.

The Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh is Marked in Vietnam

On November 11, in Saigon, Vietnam the birthday of Bahá’u’lláh was marked by a public meeting at the Bahá’í Center. Mr. Le Loc, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Vietnam, spoke to the civic and religious leaders of the Saigon community on “An Educational System for World Peace”. He gave the Bahá’í teachings on the importance of peace, and stressed that the attainment of peace is a necessary step in the continuous evolution of man. The meeting is pictured here.

[Page 9]

National Spiritual Assemblies of North East Asia; Guatemala

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of North East Asia for 1970-1971. Left to right, seated: Dr. Ikuo Mizuno, vice chairman; Hiroshi Yamazaki, chairman; Mrs. Barbara Sims, assistant secretary; Abbas Katirai; standing: Toshikazu Taniguchi, Masazo Odani, Attaullah Moghbel, treasurer; Naomi Hashimoto, Dr. Toshio Suzuki, secretary.

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Guatemala elected at Riḍván 1970 at the tenth Convention of Bahá’ís of that country held in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Left to right, front: Thelma Chapman, Marion Tyler, Mary Creitz, Louise Caswell; rear: Mario Garcia, Joe Zingali, Morris Chapman, Daird Leal, Oscar A. Sierra.

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Teaching Teams in Argentina

Part of the group which began large scale enrollment in the North Chaco region of Argentina in October, 1970. An informal planning session at Resistencia Province, the Chaco. Left to right: Jerry Bagley, Counsellor Hooper Dunbar, Ramon Lescano, Ouida Coley, Marilyn Dunbar.

The group which initiated large scale enrollment in the southern part of Argentina at Gral. Roca Province of Rio Negro. There were forty declarations in five hours on one day in October, 1970. Left to right: Dean Ganges, Aramis Costas, Mrs. Costas, Ricardo Costas, Edward Diliberto, Tony Diliberto.

NEW WORLD WIDE STATISTICS

The Universal House of Justice has provided updated statistics for inclusion in the Bahá’í Faith Fact Sheet of the United States Public Information Office. The number of independent countries opened to the Faith is 134, and the number of significant territories and islands opened to the Faith is 179, making for a total of 313 countries and territories now opened to the Faith.

The number of localities where Bahá’í reside as of April 1970, is 42,341. The number of local spiritual assemblies world wide as of April 1970, is 10,318.

The number of languages into which the Bahá’í literature has been translated and published, is in excess of 428.

Bahá’í schools and institutions world wide now number 112.

Sites acquired for future Houses of Worship around the world amount to 52.

The number of tribes and minority groups represented in the Faith are in excess of 1,136.

To complete the corrections in the Bahá’í Faith Fact Sheet statistics, the following also should be changed: The number of National Spiritual Assemblies around the world is presently 94. The number of localities where Bahá’ís reside in the United States is growing, and as of publication was 3,300.

The number of local spiritual assemblies in the United States is presently 517.

These changes will be incorporated into the Fact Sheet.

[Page 10]

NEWS FROM THE UNITED STATES

Key West Won at Last

The goal of Key West, so dear to the heart of Shoghi Effendi, so long awaited by the American Bahá’í Community, so well seeded by the Bahá’ís pioneering there, has finally yielded fruit in the fullness of time. A self-appointed task force of Bahá’u’lláh’s Army of Light, fourteen strong, condensed their spirits and bodies into two Volkswagens and drove over 700 miles from Dillon, South Carolina to Key West off the Miami Coast in Florida. They were aflame with the Fire of God and many made great material sacrifices to be able to go on the teaching trip.

Assisted by prayers, song and sandwiches from other Bahá’ís, the group met with the friends along the way for advice, directions, and encouragement. Arrival at the Campgrounds was made warm by the believers from Key West, and by midnight all were settled and eagerly awaiting the dawn of a new day.

The next day the group of dedicated teachers decided to start in the City Park with morning prayers, however, when they arrived they found a man sitting at one of the tables, leaning back on his elbows, looking across the water. One member of the group said, “There is a waiting soul,” and shortly thereafter, upon hearing the message of Bahá’u’lláh, this man became the first Black native of the island to embrace the Bahá’í Faith. He had walked two miles to be in the park, and said that he had not been there previously for almost two years, nor did he know what led him to go there on that particular morning.

When he took the Bahá’ís to his home, which was also the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, his wife was told of the Bahá’í message and she too affirmed her belief in Bahá’u’lláh. She said, that since her husband had signed a Bahá’í enrollment card that “he has signed for me too, because we are one.”

After many exciting and interesting experiences in the short yet bustling streets of the island, a public meeting was held in the City Park, and in the evening, the Bahá’í Film “And His Name Shall be One,” was shown after which a young man embraced the Faith. This young man who was called Chief El C. Thunder, said that he was the last living descendent of the Yucca Indians of Mexico and South America. In the film he had recognized The Greatest Name as a symbol that his tribe had used. He said that he had been walking a few blocks away and was drawn to the park.

The next morning found El C. Thunder enrolling a Spanish woman into the Faith of God, and he spent the rest of the day assisting in the mass teaching effort. That evening found the tired yet joyous traveling teachers the spiritual mothers and fathers (collectively) of forty-three baby Bahá’ís.

As they left Key West in triumph, they traveled back through Florida spreading joy and glad tidings to the friends, and leaving the declaration cards with the State Goals Committee.

HOUSE OF WORSHIP GREETS MANY VISITORS

This year the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, regarded by Shoghi Effendi as “The most hallowed Temple ever to be erected by the followers of Bahá’u’lláh” had approximately 200,000 visitors, bringing the number of people of all faiths who have come here since the opening of the auditorium in June of 1932 to approximately 2,500,000.

Each person who enters “The Dawning Place of the Mention of God”, receives a brochure which describes the edifice itself, and gives a brief yet meaningful outline of the basic beliefs of the Bahá’í Faith. As each visitor enters the Auditorium, he or she is greeted with a smile and a gentle “welcome”. Thus the spirit of reverence and respect which Bahá’ís feel toward the building is quickly communicated. Inside the diffused light from the lacework of the dome that surrounds the Greatest Name, impresses all with its beauty.

As the visitor leaves he is directed toward Foundation Hall, beneath the auditorium, where exhibits and slide shows are set up to explain the history of the Faith and of the House of Worship. If a visitor has any questions there are several Bahá’í guides who are donating their time to teach the Faith in the House of Worship.

In the three summer months this year there were 94,000 visitors — more than 1000 each day, and each one was exposed to the name of Bahá’u’lláh and to the basic principles of the Bahá’í Faith.

Even with the beautiful exhibits and audio-visual media the real teaching is done by the personal contact that people have with Bahá’ís who are guiding at the House of Worship. They answer particular questions, and exude the spirit of love and joy which attracts people to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Next summer there will be even more people who will visit the House of Worship, and even more guides will be there to teach them. Vacationing Bahá’ís can have the bounty of serving and teaching at the Temple by scheduling part of their time to be in Wilmette.

This winter the Temple will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. while next summer the hours will again be increased because of the many visitors, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

All who work in and around the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár are kept aware of the words of Shoghi Effendi upon the completion of the Temple. “Now that the Temple is completed it will be filled to the full with pure, seeking souls. It should be different from other Houses of Worship, where, even if they are filled, their source of attraction is the music heard. Here the spirit should be so powerful as to awaken the hearts of everyone that enters to the Glory of Bahá’u’lláh.”

[Page 11]

Newly Incorporated Assembly

Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Newhall Judicial District, California, incorporated September 23, 1970. Left to right, front: David Ross, Gerald Healy, treasurer; Rear: Don Swihart, vice chairman; Linda Swihart, recording secretary; Linda Dye, chairman; Sharon Holland, Virginia Healy, corresponding secretary; Susan Ross, Gladys Fitzgerald.

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Presentation to a Mayor

Mayor William S. Hart of East Orange, New Jersey accepts The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh from John Babuska, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of East Orange. Mrs. Amie Wright, secretary and Mrs. Phyllis Tonkonogy, treasurer are shown at left and right respectively. The presentation was made on November 3, 1970 at which time the Mayor, who had previously affixed his seal to the World Peace Day proclamation, received the Bahá’ís warmly, accepting their offer to help him in any way they could toward improving the quality of life in East Orange.

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Teaching By Exhibit

During October 1970, the United States Public Information Office was responsible for exhibits on the Bahá’í Faith at three national meetings, thereby exposing more than 5,000 leaders from throughout the country to the universal principles of Bahá’u’lláh.

The first one, on October 17, was for the Bahá’í United Nations Committee-NABOHR sponsored U.N. International Education Year Symposium and Awards luncheon in New York City at the Statler Hilton Hotel. The exhibit was seen by not only the nearly 500 persons attending the symposium and luncheon, but also by many other visitors at the hotel who seemed irresistibly drawn to the Garden Terrace where the exhibit stood in the foyer and where the Bahá’ís were happily greeting each other.

From New York the exhibit was taken to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the 55th Annual Meeting of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, October 22-25. Members of this organization are educators, school principals, students, attorneys, book publishers, historians, and artists, most holding positions of leadership throughout the country. In addition to being open to the convention attendees, the exhibits were available to the public and the response was favorable and enthusiastic.

The next stop was Tulsa, Oklahoma for the annual convention of the National Association of Intergroup Relations Officials (now National Association of Human Rights Workers) October 26 through 30. Many of the 200 members who attended are state and federal officials of Human Relations Commissions and related agencies and are in a position to influence public opinion. At this conference there were also representatives of the American Indians and Spanish Americans, and some valuable friendships were made with these people.

It was very interesting to note the response to the Bahá’í exhibit at this event. At first it was slow, but as the meeting progressed interest in the exhibit grew. By the end of the week almost everyone was very friendly and receptive and they were taking another look at the Faith which is bringing such diverse peoples together in unity. One woman who was sitting at the registration table across from the exhibit kept looking at it all week. She picked up a few items and read them and then, the day before the conference was to end, she came over to talk. “Do you mean to say you really believe everyone will eventually be a Bahá’í?” she asked. “Yes,” was the reply, “we do. It may take some time, but eventually it will happen.” “Oh, I could never believe that!” she said, as she walked away. The next day, as the exhibit was being packed, she came over again, this time looking positively radiant. “Do you know,” she said, “I think I’m going to become a member of the Bahá’í Faith!”

The same exhibit was used at all three events with modifications to make it appropriate for each group. One panel, featuring the Louis G. Gregory Award for Service to Humanity, and another panel, featuring an enlargement of the new proclamation advertisement, were used at all three places. Colored pictures, quotations on “the most challenging issue,” education and human rights were used in various ways. Continuous slides and music were used at both the ASNLH and NAIRO Conferences.

Among the items given out were the Education Year issue of WORLD ORDER Magazine, “Human Rights” bumper stickers, the Human Rights Statement, Ebony reprints, On Becoming Your True Self, One God, One Mankind, One Religion, mini-cards, Bahá’í House of Worship folders, Bahá’í UN Statement of Human Rights and Obligations, Above All Barriers, Man One Family, and two especially prepared items: a little booklet Why Bahá’í giving an analogy of the necessity of the physical sun for physical life, the necessity of the spiritual sun for spiritual life, and proclaiming Bahá’u’lláh as the Spiritual Sun for our time; and a phonograph record, “Bahá’í Faith — Alternative to Chaos.”

Response so far indicates that Bahá’í exhibits at national meetings on a continuing basis are some of the most important and fruitful efforts to reach leaders and prominent people of all races. The main reason for this is that the Bahá’ís meet them on their own ground, so

[Page 12] Bahá’í Exhibit at National Association of Human Rights Workers, Tulsa, Oklahoma, October 26-30, 1970.

to speak. These leaders appreciate the readiness of the Bahá’ís to take the time and trouble to go to their meetings and to present material which is of interest to members of these groups. Also, those who have known of the Faith before, but on a limited, local basis, gain an understanding of the world wide aspects of the Faith that they did not grasp previously. Seeing an exhibit from the National Bahá’í Center reinforces tremendously their already favorable, but somewhat limited concept of the Faith. Approximately 5,000 pieces of literature were given out and nearly 300 people requested to be put on the mailing list. A followup has been sent from the Public Information Office and those who request it will be referred to local Bahá’ís for further contact.

It is hoped to expand exhibit activities to include a wide variety of national conferences in the near future. This activity is certain to result in many new and influential friends for the Faith, and, who knows how many of these may be added to the ranks of the ever-advancing army of Bahá’u’lláh! Teaching by exhibit provides a ready made audience for the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

CONTENTS	Page
Letter from Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga	1
Institute in Mauritius	3
New Movie Produced:
“It’s Just the Beginning”	4
Reports of United Nations Day Observances	4
Alaska: New local Assembly; Institute	6
Briefs from Samoa; Thailand	6; 7
Wilmette House of Worship: Maintenance report	7
French Summer School	8
Vietnam: Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh	8
North East Asia;
Guatemala National Spiritual Assembles	9
Argentina: Teaching Teams	9
New World Wide Statistics	9
News from United States: Key West; Visitors to House of Worship; incor. local Assembly; presentation; Teaching By Exhibit	10

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BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published for circulation among Bahá’ís only by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í world community.

BAHÁ’Í NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee: Miss Charlotte Linfoot, National Spiritual Assembly Representative; Mr. Rexford C. Parmelee, Mrs. Sylvia 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.