Bahá’í News/Issue 498/Text
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| No. 498 | BAHA’I YEAR 129 | SEPTEMBER, 1972 |
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the “Mystery of God”
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The fundamental purpose of the faith of Bahá’u’lláh
Letter from The Universal House of Justice
Dear Bahá’í Friends, The blessings of the Ancient Beauty are being showered upon the followers of the Greatest Name. Our efforts to serve Him and humanity are being crowned with victories throughout the world. As we give thanks for these splendid achievements, as the Cause of God spreads in every land, as our institutions become more perfected, as the number of believers increases over the face of the planet, our individual lives must increasingly mirror forth each day the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and we must so live our lives that all will see in us a different people. The acts we perform, the attitudes we manifest, the very words we speak should be an attraction, a magnet, drawing the sincere to the Divine Teachings. Bahá’u’lláh tells us that prejudice in its various forms destroys the edifice of humanity. We are adjured by the Divine Messenger to eliminate all forms of prejudice from our lives. Our outer lives must show forth our beliefs. The world must see that, regardless of each passing whim or current fashion of the generality of mankind, the Bahá’í lives his life according to the tenets of his Faith. We must not allow the fear of rejection by our friends and neighbors to deter us from our goal: to live the Bahá’í life. Let us strive to blot out from our lives every last trace of prejudice—racial, religious, political, economic, national, tribal, class, cultural, and that which is based on differences of education or age. We shall be distinguished from our non-Bahá’í associates if our lives are adorned with this principle. If we allow prejudice of any kind to manifest itself in us, we shall be guilty before God of causing a setback to the progress and real growth of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. It is incumbent upon every believer to endeavour with a fierce determination to eliminate this defect from his thoughts and acts. It is the duty of the institutions of the Faith to inculcate this principle in the hearts of the friends through every means at their disposal including summer schools, conferences, institutes and study classes. The fundamental purpose of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh is the realization of the organic unity of the entire human race. Bearing this glorious destiny in mind, and with entire reliance on the promises of the Blessed Beauty, we should follow His exhortation: We love to see you at all times consorting in amity and concord within the paradise of My good-pleasure, and to inhale from your acts the fragrance of friendliness and unity, of loving-kindness and fellowship.
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The Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá[edit]
Along the slope and crest of a gentle hill in Teaneck,
New Jersey, five miles west of the George Washington
Bridge, are located the Wilhelm Properties, one of the
most sacred Bahá’í spots in America. Here in a fragrant
evergreen grove on June 29, 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave a
Unity Feast to over 300 guests. Radiating joy and the
spirit of brotherhood He welcomed the friends, walking
among them, greeting each personally, and with His
own hands serving them delicious Persian food. Shoghi
Effendi in God Passes By refers to it as “the symbolic
Feast He Himself offered to a large gathering of His
disciples assembled in the open air, and in the green
setting of a June day....”1
Those privileged to be present on that day must have been keenly aware that it was an unusual occasion. Let the words of Juliet Thompson, recorded in her diary, recapture for us the setting and the scene.
The great words He spoke to us then have been preserved.... But He said one thing which woke my whole being:
“This is a new Day; a new Hour.”
By the time He had finished the feast was ready, but just as it was announced a storm blew up—a strange, sudden storm, without warning. There was a tremendous crash of thunder; through the treetops we could see black clouds boiling up, and big drops of rain splashed on the tables.
The Master rose calmly and, followed by the Persians, walked out to the road, then to the end of it where there is a cross-road. A single chair had been left there and, as I watched from a distance I saw the Master take it and sit down, while the Persians ranged themselves behind Him. I saw Him lift His face to the sky. He had gone a long way from the house; thunder still crashed and the clouds rolled frighteningly low, but He continued to sit perfectly motionless, that sacred, powerful face upturned to the sky. Then came a strong-rushing wind; the clouds began to race away; blue patches appeared above and the sun shone out. And then the Master rose and walked back into the grove.2
Part of the gathering on June 24, 1972, attending the annual Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
[Page 4]
The Wilhelm House in Teaneck, N.J. where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spent the night of June 29, 1912.
Arbor of wisteria and walk that separates the Wilhelm House and the Cabin.
Evergreen grove where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave His Unity Feast in 1912.
From the center of the large circle around which the
tables were arranged, now marked by a section of the
pylon base from the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke:
This is a delightful gathering; you have come here with sincere intentions and the purpose of all present is the attainment of the virtues of God. The motive is attraction to the divine kingdom. Since the desire of all is unity and agreement it is certain that this meeting will be productive of great results. It will be the cause of attracting a new bounty for we are turning to the kingdom of Abhá seeking the infinite bestowals of the Lord. This is a new Day and this is a new Hour in which we have come together. Surely the Sun of Reality with its full effulgence will illumine us and the darkness of disagreements will disappear. The utmost love and unity will result, the favors of God will encompass us, the pathway of the kingdom will be made easy. Like candles these souls will become ignited and made radiant through the lights of supreme guidance. Such gatherings as this have no equal or likeness in the world of mankind where people are drawn together by physical motives or in furtherance of material interests, for this meeting is a prototype of that inner and complete spiritual association in the eternal world of being.
True Bahá’í meetings are the mirrors of the kingdom wherein images of the Supreme Concourse are reflected. In them the lights of the most great guidance are visible. They voice the summons of the heavenly kingdom and echo the call of the angelic hosts to every listening ear. The efficacy of such meetings as these is permanent throughout the ages. This assembly has a name and significance which will last forever. Hundreds of thousands of meetings shall be held to commemorate this occasion and the very words I speak to you today shall be repeated in them for ages to come. Therefore be ye rejoiced for ye are sheltered beneath the providence of God. Be happy and joyous because the bestowals of God are intended for you and the life of the Holy Spirit is breathing upon you.3
After the meal ‘Abdu’l-Bahá blessed each guest, placing rose perfume upon his forehead. In the evening a meeting was held on the lawn of the Wilhelm House where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke from the veranda to about 150 guests. He remained with the Wilhelm family until Sunday morning when He left to fill an engagement elsewhere in New Jersey.
In a tablet revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Mr. Roy Wilhelm in 1913, He wrote: “O thou, my dear son! Thy letter dated July 3, 1913, was received. Its contents indicated the firmness and steadfastness of the believers of God
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and told of holding a divine meeting in your radiant,
charming country place. Praise be to God that that day
was spent in the utmost joy and happiness. That Annual
Memorial Meeting will be The Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, especially when it is passed with infinite delight
and gladness.”
Faithful to the Master’s prayer, that memorable Day has been celebrated every year since 1912 on the last Saturday in June by what has come to be known as “The Annual Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá” when several hundred guests gather in the spacious surroundings of the Wilhelm Properties and listen to the reading of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s address given there in June 1912. A keynote talk also is given followed by prayers in the grove. Earlier in the day a picnic is held in an atmosphere of joy and fellowship reminiscent of that Unity Feast hosted by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
In addition to the Souvenir held annually on the grounds blessed by the feet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Wilhelm Properties are the center of continual activities of a varied nature. The “Cabin” is the Teaneck Bahá’í Center where the Spiritual Assembly, national and local teaching and administrative committees meet the year round, where an institute is held on Sunday mornings, and where study classes, public meetings, socials, marriages, conferences, and prayer sessions abound. Not to be omitted, of course, are the frequent declarations of new believers who are made aware of the unique “presence” of the Master.
The late Roy C. Wilhelm, Hand of the Cause, commenced the building of Evergreen Cabin in 1916. Subsequently he made additions to it until it contained nine rooms, a kitchen, an attic and basement. Within the Cabin is a fireplace composed of stones from many parts of the world. To Mr. Wilhelm there was a significance in the arrangement of the colored and differently shaped stones which symbolized to him the Bahá’í ideal of a united humanity.
The Wilhelm House where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spent one night now harbors a tenant in order to furnish a source of income for the numerous expenses necessary to maintain the Properties which are held under a trusteeship by the National Spiritual Assembly. However, the future may well entertain a larger role for them as the Bahá’ís of New York and New Jersey increase their numbers. Many friends envisage a hostel, a nursery, a meeting hall, an enlarged parking lot, and a grove exquisitely landscaped to befittingly commemorate the blessed spot that may become one of the principal memorials to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in America.
In close proximity to the Cabin is a two-storied building that houses the caretaker and a tenant. In the garage rests the 1911 Reo touring sedan in which Mr. Wilhelm drove ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on several occasions during His visit to New Jersey. On the left rear door of the car Mr. Wilhelm placed the familiar reference in Nahum 2:4: “The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall jostle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.”
To Bahá’ís the Wilhelm Properties are the cynosure of many warm thoughts and a lodestone that attracts believer and seeker alike for spiritual sustenance in a world darkened by heavy clouds of atheism, materialism and racialism. Whether they stand in silent prayer in the grove, meditate in the shadow of the Wilhelm House, listen in rapt attention to a discussion in the Cabin, or gaze with lively interest at the 1911 Reo, all are deeply aware that this is a place which is an approach to the reality of God.
_____
- 1Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 288.
- 2Juliet Thompson, Unpublished Diary.
- 3‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 208-9.
At the Bahá’í Cabin, Teaneck, N.J., Honorable Frank Burr, Mayor of Teaneck (at the right, seated) participating in the activities of the Bahá’í Children’s Sunday School on World Religion Day, 1972. On this day he received The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh from the Teaneck Bahá’í Community.
Observances of the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá[edit]
November 28, 1971 marked the 50th anniversary of the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Since ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited and traveled across America in 1912, many communities had an excellent opportunity to use this day as a proclamation.
The Bahá’ís of Washington, D.C. held a meeting in the Parson’s home where the Beloved Master spoke during His visit. It was widely attended by other communities including the Bahá’ís of Montgomery County, Maryland who sent releases to five newspapers and five radio stations.
The Inglewood, California community held a seminar starting at 2 p.m. which included a pot luck dinner, the observance of His Ascension at 1 a.m. and ended with breakfast at a near-by coffee shop. Of the twenty-nine who attended, nine were youth and seven non-Bahá’ís.
A Friday Fireside started a week-end proclamation in Morristown, New Jersey where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited in July of 1912. The proclamation ended with the commemoration of His Ascension Sunday.
In Chicago, Illinois, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited in April and May of 1912, the Bahá’ís held a public meeting at their Center.
A bus was rented in New York City, New York for the believers to view all the places the Master visited in the City. Then a large number of Bahá’ís saw the movie of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá made while He was in America.
Two newspaper articles appeared in the Palm Springs, California newspapers. One very good account told of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s life and journey through America. Not only did they observe the anniversary of the 1 a.m. Ascension, but they held a public meeting Sunday with a talk on His life and a slide show of His pictures with a background of some of His writings.
Mrs. Nancy Bowditch, eighty-two, who met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when she was twenty two years old shared her experiences with the Meriden, Connecticut community. They also arranged an interview for her on the local radio station. Several articles appeared in the papers including one in Spanish inviting people to attend the public meeting which started with everyone receiving a red rose.
A memorial dinner was held in Temple City, California with movies shown of the World Congress in London, followed with prayers.
North Plainfield, New Jersey received good publicity with two newspaper articles and seven one-minute spot announcements. At their meeting they read stories from WORLD ORDER and THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í, finishing with prayers.
A weekend institute was held in Palmdale, California supported by the Bahá’ís of Newhall and Antelope Valley.
The Southern Nevada Youth Conference held in Las Vegas drew more than 300 with twelve states represented. As its core, the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was commemorated with slides, a tape of His chanting and an 8-minute movie of His visit to America. A full-page spread with pictures appeared in their local paper. Thirty-seven teams went mass teaching in Las Vegas and the area, including the Moapa Indian reservation. There were twenty declarations during the weekend. Although ‘Abdu’l-Bahá did not visit this area during His travels, the people who attended said, “He was here in spirit all through the conference.”
Mansfield, Ohio had good publicity including an interview on their local radio station.
Full-page spread in the Las Vegas, Nevada, Review-Journal.
Palo Alto, California was the host community to the
San Francisco Bay Area for a deepening and small
group discussion—nine groups of nine each—on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, His life and writings. The communities finished
the day at the Stanford Memorial Chapel (‘Abdu’l-Bahá
spoke on the Stanford University campus) where prayers were read.
A commemoration sponsored by the Bahá’í Community of Hempstead, New York was held in Manhasset for the Bahá’ís of Nassau County.
A children’s book display was placed in the local library by the Lyon County (Nevada) Bahá’í Group.
The greater St. Louis, Missouri area held a pot-luck supper followed by a speaker. News releases were sent to radio and newspapers.
A prayer service and social gathering were held in Beacon, New York for the Bahá’ís in Dutchess County. The commemorative edition of WORLD ORDER on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was read and discussed.
A study institute, community dinner and public meeting, followed with the 1 a.m. commemoration of the Ascension, were held in Salem, Oregon.
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The newspapers, radio and television were all used to
inform the public about Great Falls, Montana’s commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s
Ascension. The local bank sent the clipping to the community in a nice folder titled “Good News About You
We Thought You’d Like to See.”
An all day deepening class was held on the Covenant in Salina, Kansas.
Since last August Pueblo, Colorado has concentrated on putting articles in their two local newspapers. A beautiful display of books, the Temple model and Bahá’í records are displayed in the foyer of the new Pueblo Regional Library which services over 200,000 people in southern Colorado.
Two articles in the Bozeman, Montana papers told of the meeting planned for the commemoration of the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Special memorial slides were shown at the public meeting.
The life and example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was the topic of discussion at the public meeting in Houston, Texas.
The children of Torrance, California planned the program for the anniversary of the Ascension.
Releases were sent to five radio stations in East Orange, New Jersey.
Pompano Beach, Florida hosted an inter-community public meeting with over 150 in attendance—forty non-Bahá’ís.
Good newspaper coverage was received in Loveland, Colorado in three papers as well as spot announcements on three radio stations. Over 230 handwritten invitations were mailed for the public meeting and posters were scattered around town.
... And now I give you a commandment which shall be for a Covenant between you and me—that ye have faith; ... for I am with you always, whether living or dead, I am with you to the end ...
The Passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—Fiftieth Anniversary[edit]
The Universal House of Justice had requested that the three days, November 26/28 during which the Day of the Covenant and the anniversary of the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá occur, should be set aside this year by all Local Spiritual Assemblies for specially arranged gatherings and conferences on the main themes: the Bahá’í Covenant, the Formative Age and the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Copies of a program for local meetings were sent throughout the community and special meetings were held in London, Oxford, Bristol, Liverpool and Edinburgh, all of which the Master had visited in 1912. On display in Edinburgh were two of that community’s most treasured possessions—a signed photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and a Tablet from Him to Mr. Graham Pole, which the Scottish Theosophical Society had generously presented to the Local Spiritual Assembly. At the London meeting, the friends listened in awe to the recorded voice of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá chanting a prayer. At Oxford Mr. Dudley Richards, Senior Tutor of Manchester College, was presented with a copy of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the newly published book by Hand of the Cause Hasan Balyuzi. Mr. Richards mentioned that he had been asked to review the book and so was pleased to meet the Bahá’ís and learn something of the Faith. He later conducted the party to the Carpenter Library, where many early books on the Bahá’í Faith are kept for reference and recalled that Dr. Carpenter had chaired the meeting in Manchester College Library in 1912 when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed a distinguished gathering. In Bristol the friends gathered for prayer outside the house in which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had stayed and at a large meeting in Liverpool the chairman opened one session by reading an article from the Daily Post and Mercury, written on the Master’s visit in 1912. All these activities surely served to kindle in our hearts the feeling of personal relationship with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and to strengthen the desire to serve Him.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Signs of the Faith in Thai[edit]
Signs about the Faith in the Thai language, and at
least one in English, have been placed in downtown
Sriracha, about 100 k. m. south-east of Bangkok, Thailand.
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Dr. Victor de Araujo, Accredited Representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United
Nations and recently re-elected Chairman of the Executive Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations, is shown presiding at the recent Annual Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations at
United Nations Headquarters in New York. Those pictured above are (left to right) David Exley,
Chief of the NGO Section, Office of Public Information; F. Bradford Morse, Under-Secretary-General
for Political and General Assembly Affairs; Secretary-General of the United Nations Dr. Kurt Waldheim; Dr. de Araujo.
United Nations Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations[edit]
The United Nations Annual Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations was held at UN Headquarters in New York, May 31 and June 1, 1972. The Bahá’ís were, as usual, well represented, both at international and national levels. The Bahá’í International Community had as delegates Dr. Victor de Araujo and Mrs. Annamarie Honnold; as observers, Mr. Pattabi Raman and Mrs. Betty de Araujo; while attending as delegates for the National Spiritual Assembly were Mrs. Mary Sawicki and Mrs. Patricia Jackson; and as observers, Mr. Foad Katirai and Miss Susan McGuirk.
The theme of this year’s conference was “The United Nations: The New Phase.” The range of topics—from science and technology to the seabed, from trade to disaster relief to narcotic drugs—stressed the steadily increasing usefulness of the United Nations in solving economic and social problems on a global scale. While the political role of the UN in keeping peace has been frustrated by the limitations of national sovereignty, the effectiveness of this world body in building peace through steady improvement of the social and economic conditions of all peoples has been most reassuring.
Dr. Victor de Araujo, United Nations Representative for the Bahá’í International Community chaired the two-day meeting. He has been serving for the last year as Chairman of the Executive Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations with the UN Office of Public Information, and was re-elected by the Conference for another year. He was privileged to welcome the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, as well as Mr. F. Bradford Morse and Mr. Robert Guyer, both United Nations Under-Secretary-Generals, who participated in the program along with other distinguished members of the UN Secretariat, UN Missions, the UN Press Corps, and Non-Governmental Organizations.
In speaking to the NGOs about the crisis of confidence in the United Nations, Secretary-General Waldheim noted that UN critics forget what has been done in these twenty-seven years by this world body. He stressed that there was no alternative to the UN; it was an instrument of peace which had to be used. The enormous problems that confront the world—human environment, the population explosion, the peaceful uses of outer space and the seabed—know no boundary lines and can only be solved through international cooperation.
Keynote speaker, Mr. Robert Muller, Director of the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, laid the framework for the talks and discussions of the conference by exploring areas of international action where the United Nations is making inroads.
In speaking enthusiastically about the scientific and technological developments in our world, and the needs that these have created for international arrangements, machinery and institutions, he mentioned the changes in basic attitudes that will necessarily be brought about in people, government and leaders, as they react to these new conditions. He emphasized that only through international cooperation can the world’s problems be solved; and those who are already aware of this fact,
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must help others understand so that they also can take
action.
The program also featured a panel discussion on “New Structures for Global Problems,” focussing on the application of science and technology to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor nations, the peaceful exploitation of the seabed and the ocean floor, and the regulation of trade for the benefit of the whole of mankind; and a discussion of “The Globalization of Social Concerns,” consisting of a review of the steadily growing involvement of the United Nations in coordinating assistance for large-scale natural (and some man-made) disasters, and the vital concern of the UN and its steady progress in the field of narcotics control. Later, a panel discussion by representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations examined ways in which NGOs, in explaining the aims and the work of the UN clearly and realistically, could help mold public opinion towards world undertakings. A luncheon, with Mr. Bradford Morse as guest speaker, provided an enjoyable opportunity for Bahá’ís to make friends with representatives of other organizations and acquaint them informally with the ideals of the Faith.
The program closed with a provocative panel on “The Mass Media and the United Nations,” featuring, among others, the well-known UN correspondent, Miss Pauline Frederick, of NBC; and a final encouraging view of the forward world thrust of the UN, in spite of its inherent limitations, offered by Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, Mr. Roberto Guyer.
In attending this conference Bahá’ís were reminded of the many steps that must gradually lead to that most significant large achievement in the development of a world civilization: the Lesser Peace; and they recalled how Shoghi Effendi had outlined most vividly this first stage:
Suffice it to say that this consummation (the World Commonwealth) will, by its very nature, be a gradual process, and must, as Bahá’u’lláh has Himself anticipated, lead at first to the establishment of that Lesser Peace which the nations of the earth, as yet unconscious of His Revelation and yet unwittingly enforcing the general principles which He has enunciated, will themselves establish. This momentous and historic step, involving the reconstruction of mankind, as the result of the recognition of its oneness and wholeness, will bring in its wake the spiritualization of the masses, consequent to the recognition of the character, and the acknowledgement of the claims, of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh—the essential condition to that ultimate fusion of all races, creeds, classes, and nations which must signalize the emergence of His New World Order.
Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day Is Come, p. 128
Bahá’í Participation in United Nations Conference—Stockholm[edit]
The Bahá’í International Community took an active part in the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held during the first two weeks of June in Stockholm, Sweden. With the increasing awareness of the global nature of many environmental problems, the need for international action has become urgent. The Stockholm Conference brought together representatives from over 100 governments to take the first steps towards global cooperation in caring for the human environment.
To Bahá’ís, of course, these environmental problems are further symptoms of man’s failure to follow the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, who warned a hundred years ago about the dangers of civilization carried to excess, and provided the spiritual and social principles necessary to meet global problems. These basic spiritual and
Bahá’í delegates and observers attending the annual United Nations NGO Conference, May 31-June 1,
1972. Left to right, Pattabi Raman, Miss Isabelle Silk, Mrs. Annamarie Honnold, Mrs. Mary Sawicki,
Mrs. Patricia Jackson, Mrs. Betty de Araujo, Dr. Victor de Araujo, Miss Susan McQuirk, Foad Katirai.
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social needs were reflected in the Conference documents, which called for a new set of ethics for man, and
stated that “the ills of the environment ... are probably
symptoms of a deep-seated crisis in the evolution of
modern societies.”
The two accredited observers from the Bahá’í International Community were Dr. Arthur Lyon Dahl, a marine ecologist from the United States, and Mr. Torleif Ingelog, a forest ecologist and member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Sweden. A Bahá’í statement was presented before one Conference session, resulting in the improvement of some conference recommendations. The Bahá’ís also contributed to a joint statement to the Conference from the representatives of many non-governmental organizations.
A special pamphlet, The Environment and Human Values, a Bahá’í View, was prepared for the Conference and sent to the 1,500 government delegates and 600 observers in attendance.
The Bahá’í Faith was also actively represented at the Environmental Forum held in conjunction with the UN Conference, where many non-governmental groups came together to present their views and discuss environmental issues. A large exhibit sponsored by the Bahá’í International Community with the assistance of the National Spiritual Assembly of Sweden illustrated some of the Bahá’í principles most pertinent to environmental problems. Bahá’ís from Sweden were present continuously at the exhibit to answer questions and tell more about the Faith. Many copies of the environment pamphlet were distributed in both English and Swedish, together with other Bahá’í literature in many languages. Bahá’ís also organized and took part in a number of seminars and workshops where there were many opportunities to explain the Bahá’í approach to the world’s problems.
While much of the other activity in Stockholm emphasized the dangers of the environmental crisis and described in great detail the symptoms of the old order being rolled up, the Bahá’í approach stood out as a positive program of action, laying the foundation for a new world society in harmony with its environment.
Supplementary Reports[edit]
Sweden[edit]
U.N. Day: UN Day was celebrated with public meetings and Bahá’í speakers by Bahá’í communities in: Gotland, Gothenburg, Linköping, Lund, Malmö, Karlstad, Sigtuna, Stockholm, Uppsala, Umea and Västeras. In connection with public meetings, exhibitions were arranged in Gotland and Gothenburg.
Human Rights Day: Human Rights Day was celebrated with public meetings and Bahá’í speakers by communities in Karlstad, Sigtuna, Stockholm, Uppsala and Västeras. Firesides were held in the communities of Solna and Gothenburg.
India[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India reports that nineteen communities observed UN Day and Human Rights Day in 1971. Audiences totaled approximately 2500 on UN Day and 2100 on Human Rights Day. Public meetings were held during the celebration of these events, and literature from the United Nations was distributed as well as Bahá’í publications. These observances were a source of remarkable publicity through press and radio, acquainting the general public with the aims and purposes of the United Nations and demonstrating Bahá’í support for this international institution.
Bahá’í exhibit at the United Nations Conference on Environment, Stockholm, Sweden.
FIRST CONVENTION OF AFGHANISTAN[edit]
Some of those attending the first Convention in Afghanistan. The photograph was taken at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds at Kabul.
At the first Afghanistan Convention, Mrs. Bahiyyih
Nadiri, left, represented the National Spiritual Assembly of ‘Irán, the mother Assembly, while Mr. Hádí Rahmani Shirazi, right, represented The Universal House of
Justice.
THE EDUCATION OF NATIONS[edit]
A BOOK REVIEW
The Secret of Divine Civilization, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, author, translated by Marzieh Gail; Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois. Copyright 1957, 116 pages, hardback, $3.00.
“The happiness and pride of a nation consist in this,
that it should shine out like the sun in the high heaven of
knowledge.”*2 This was ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s hope for His
native Persia, that it should shine with wisdom as it had
in earlier ages. Seeing Persia as it was in 1875, fast in a
“drunken sleep,” the “object of pity, deplored by all
nations;”8 the young ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed The Secret of Divine Civilization to the Sháh and people of
Persia anonymously, with one purpose, He said, “to
promote the general welfare.”6 He called upon all to
join Him in this effort:
We must now highly resolve to arise and lay hold of all those instrumentalities that promote the peace and well-being and happiness, the knowledge, culture and industry, the dignity, value and station, of the entire human race. Thus, through the restoring waters of pure intention and unselfish effort, the earth of human potentialities will blossom with its own latent excellence and flower into praiseworthy qualities, and bear and flourish until it comes to rival that rosegarden of knowledge which belonged to our forefathers.4
‘Abdu’l-Bahá emphasized the need for good government in order that a backward nation might become advanced, an ignorant people enlightened, an impoverished country wealthy. He praised the Sháh for forming Persia’s first parliament “by the grace of God and the spiritual influence of His universal manifestation,”10 but warned that great results cannot be expected from legislatures and parliaments unless the members are qualified. The members of “assemblies of consultation” must be both right-minded and knowledgeable:
First, the elected members must be righteous, God-fearing, high-minded, incorruptible. Second, they must be fully cognizant, in every particular of the laws of God, informed as to the highest principles of law, versed in the rules which govern the management of internal affairs and the conduct of foreign relations, skilled in the useful arts of civilization, and content with their lawful emoluments.17
And lest we despair of ever finding such members, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá assured us that they would not be impossible to find.
As the legislature depends upon learned men37, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spent the greater part of His book describing the learned man33-105. So this book will surely be one of those we shall turn to when it comes to the setting up of Bahá’í universities for the training of future leaders of society—the members of “assemblies of consultation.”
In outlining His subject, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá turned to one of the authoritative utterances of Muḥammad, which states: “As for him who is one of the learned: he must guard himself, defend his faith, oppose his passions and obey the commandments of his Lord.”34 He then expounded each of the points in turn.
First, to “guard oneself,” He said, does not mean to avoid tests, as the prophets and saints have never done so, but to acquire the attributes of spiritual and moral perfection.34-5
Second, to “defend one’s faith,” He said, does not mean only to observe its forms, but to promote it throughout the world.
Third, in calling upon leaders to “oppose their passions,” He pointed to “the supreme desire” of the governments of His day to “conquer and crush one another”61, so that opposing this passion would be to seek wholeheartedly for peace.64
Fourth, “obedience to the commandments of the Lord” is the very cause, He said, of “the progress, achievement, and happiness of man.”71
It is certain that the greatest of instrumentalities for achieving the advancement and the glory of man, the supreme agency for the enlightenment and the redemption of the world, is love and fellowship and unity among all the members of the human race. Nothing can be effected in the world, not even conceivably, without unity and agreement, and the perfect means for engendering fellowship and union is true religion.73
He then showed what great changes took place in western culture as the result of the revelations of Jesus and later Muḥammad and alluded to the new revelation of Bahá’u’lláh by announcing to the people of Persia that, “The winds of the true springtide are passing over you ... the dawn star is shining ... the sea of might is swelling....”104-105
Returning to the first requirement of the truly learned, that of acquiring the attributes of spiritual and moral perfection, we see what high standards ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has set. Among the attributes of perfection, He said, are learning and the cultural attainments of the mind; justice and impartiality—regarding humanity as a single individual; arising with complete sincerity and purity of purpose to educate the masses; fearing God; loving God by loving His servants; the exercise of mildness and forbearance and calm; being sincere, amenable, clement and compassionate; having resolution and courage; trustworthiness and energy, striving and struggle; being generous, loyal without malice; having zeal and a sense of honor; being high-minded and magnanimous, and having regard for the rights of others. “Whoever is lacking in these excellent human qualities is defective,” He said!35-40
Of all these attributes, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave learning first and foremost. Suppose a member of any consultative body wanted to follow His advice and acquire “learning and the cultural attainments of the mind,” what would he need to know? ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spelled out a complete curriculum:
... This eminent station is achieved when the individual combines in himself a thorough knowledge of those complex and transcendental realities pertaining to God, of the fundamental truths of Qur’ánic political and religious law, of the contents
*Numbers inserted in this manner are the page numbers of the book being reviewed, The Secret of Divine Civilization.
of the sacred Scriptures of other faiths, and of those regulations and procedures which would contribute to the progress and civilization of this distinguished country. He should in addition be informed as to the laws and principles, the customs, conditions and manners, and the material and moral virtues characterizing the statecraft of other nations, and should be well versed in all the useful branches of learning of the day, and study the historical records of by-gone governments and peoples. For if a learned individual has no knowledge of the sacred Scriptures and the entire field of divine and natural science, of religious jurisprudence and the arts of government and the varied learning of the time and the great events of history, he might prove unequal to an emergency, and this is inconsistent with the necessary qualification of comprehensive knowledge.35-36
But where are we to find the “comprehensively learned individual”? Even ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said they were “hard to come by.”37 His solution, until such time as comprehensive education is a fact, is to form a body of scholars, “the various groups of whose membership would each be expert in one of the aforementioned branches of knowledge. This body should with the greatest energy and vigor deliberate as to all present and future requirements, and bring about equilibrium and order.”37
By this means can the reforms badly needed in each country be brought about. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá listed many of those needed by Persia of His time: a definite procedure for the settlement of disputes so that decisions would not be appealed from one court to another interminably, a limit to the authority of provincial governors so that they could not hand out death sentences at will, the elimination of bribery, and so on. He urged that Persians not be afraid to try out foreign ideas, even though those ideas might come from people the Persians considered infidels. The important thing is the results:
If the country were built up, the roads repaired, the lot of the helpless improved by various means, the poor rehabilitated, the masses set on the path to progress, the revenues of public wealth increased, the scope of education widened, the government properly organized, and the free exercise of the individual’s rights, and the security of his person and property, his dignity and good name, assured....”115
A glittering culture is not the goal of all this striving and change, for civilization is only the means to an end. The end is human happiness. “The primary purpose, the basic objective,” said ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “in laying down powerful laws and setting up great principles and institutions dealing with every aspect of civilization, is human happiness.”60 And what is human happiness? He said, “... Human happiness consists only in drawing closer to the Threshold of Almighty God, and in securing the peace and well-being of every individual member, high and low alike, of the human race....”60
And the greatest blessing for an individual is “that he should become the cause of the education, the development, the prosperity and the honor of his fellow-creatures.”103
The highest righteousness of all is for blessed souls to take hold of the hands of the helpless and deliver them out of their ignorance and abasement and poverty, and with pure motives, and only for the sake of God, to arise and energetically devote themselves to the service of the masses, forgetting their own worldly advantage and working only to serve the general good.103
First National Spiritual Assembly of Bangla Desh[edit]
First National Spiritual Assembly of Bangla Desh, Riḍván, 1972. Seated, left to right: Mr. S. M.
Imanuddin, Vice-Chairman; Mr. Bahman Maqaddas, Chairman; Mrs. Simin Maqaddas, Treasurer;
Mr. Shah Alam Chowdhury. Standing: Mr. Md. Masoomul Huda, Secretary; Mr. K. L. Khosro; Mr.
Mujeebullah; Mr. Danish Ali, Mr. Md. Abdul Rashid. See the story of the Convention of Bangla Desh
in the July 1972 issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
Second National Convention of Chad[edit]
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Chad
for 1972-73. Standing, left to right: Thomas Rowan,
Vice-Chairman; Dominique Savio, Assistant Secretary;
John B. McDonald; Dimanche Michel; Bijan Yazdani,
Treasurer. Seated: Nosrat Mossayed; Bille Georges,
Chairman; Olive McDonald, Secretary; Francois Dom.
Under the protecting wings of Bahá’u’lláh, forty-seven delegates and thirty-seven visitors joyfully gathered for the second annual National Convention of the
Bahá’ís of Chad, held at Fort Lamy on April 28 and 29,
1972.
Mr. Ernest Ndouba, newly appointed Auxiliary Board member, representing the Continental Board of Counsellors, directed an inspiring delegate-training institute for two days preceding the opening of the Convention, and guided the delegates and officers through the Agenda and election of the new National Spiritual Assembly with the utmost love and patience.
In response to the urgent call from The Universal House of Justice in its stirring Riḍván message, fourteen Bahá’ís from many parts of Chad arose to offer land in their villages as local endowments to complete Nine Year Plan goals.
The annual report of the Secretary revealed that this new branch of Bahá’u’lláh’s divine tree, notwithstanding the many adverse winds with which it had been buffetted during its first year of growth, had withstood the storms and was beginning to produce good fruit.
Of the recommendations made by the delegates, the most strongly urged were those for more pioneers: pioneers to serve in the outlying regions of Chad; pioneers to serve in each main Bahá’í center; pioneers to guide the teaching activities of youthful and inexperienced believers, struggling to expand and consolidate the Faith in their areas without mature help; pioneers who speak and write French well. Other recommendations were for more teaching institutes, for more contributions to their Faith by all Bahá’ís, and for greater emphasis in living the Bahá’í life.
Twenty spic and span, and perfectly behaved children from the Bahá’í School at Gassi thrilled the Convention when they appeared before it to say the Bahá’í prayers they had memorized and to sing Bahá’í songs in French and in their native language.
Prayers were said and a loving message of congratulations drafted for the Bahá’ís assembled in Panama for the historic dedication of the beautiful Panama Temple.
During the evenings, friendly groups gathered under the stars outside the Convention Hall where they celebrated a Nineteen Day Feast hosted by the Local Spiritual Assembly of Fort Lamy, commemorated the ninth day of Riḍván, enjoyed educational films, and joined in happy Bahá’í songs to the accompaniment of a guitar strummed by a pioneer.
The Convention came to an end with the reading of a rousing call from Hand of the Cause William Sears for every Bahá’í to arise to carry the Nine Year Plan to complete victory, and with all hearts united in prayer that the confirmations of the Blessed Beauty would encircle all his servants in Chad during this vital year in His service.
HAITI[edit]
National Spiritual Assembly members for Haiti for 1972-73 are, seated, left to right: M. Mussolini Theus, Lelien Jean-Pierre, M. Sauveur Ferdinand, M. Georges Marcellus. Standing, from left to right: M. Pierre André, M. Serge Bastien, M. Alfred Cassion, M. Philippe Bastien, M. Voegeli Juste Constant.
Haiti has won its Nine Year Plan goals with the exception of the formation of a Local Spiritual Assembly in one province.
There are five Bahá’í schools in different parts of Haiti managed by the Bahá’ís in those localities, which are becoming quite successful. The students receive a general education as well as a Bahá’í education. There are no government schools in these districts, which made these schools possible.
Haitian Bahá’ís are devoted and fervent and most of the teaching is being done by them except around the capital city of Port-au-Prince where the pioneers help.
SUMMER PIONEERING IN GERMANY[edit]
There are sixteen Americans in Germany this summer. We are split into five teams: Münich, Erlangen,
Lübeck, Köln and Hofheim (the Temple area). Each
team has three goal towns near these towns. The Germans need twenty-three new Assemblies and an unbelievable number of new localities. The Riḍván letter of
The Universal House of Justice says that failure is
unthinkable, so we are trying.
Each team has from two to five Germans and Persians with them. There is a music group, who travel between the stationary teams, called “The New Garden” after the book from the Indian Publishing Trust. In each town the team goes in the morning and they speak informally to people on the streets. Some have a table or a car with chairs nearby. Some use guitars to attract people, but all simply teach on the streets. Doesn’t sound very exciting but it has been. We aren’t having fifty declarations in four days like in Japan, but that story inspired us to try harder.
Once while teaching and praying for confirmation one of the German Bahá’ís met a man who poured out his heart to him. Another stopped as though struck and turned. There stood a man who asked very politely if he could learn about the Bahá’í Faith. Young people in a local club near Lübeck have told us that they wish to be Bahá’ís, but since they learned about it only recently
The smiling lady in the foreground is Frau Ann Marie
Krüger, Secretary of the German National Spiritual
Assembly. In the background are American projecteers.
American youth on the Summer Project in Europe at the Frankfort House of Worship. Roberta Barrar,
who wrote the letter, is standing at right, next to the end. She was a coordinator of activities at the
Wilmette House of Worship before going to Germany.
[Page 16]
they would like to think about it a little. The owner of
this club has become a fast friend of the Faith. He has
never had so many people in his place on off nights. He
allows us to pass out literature and to talk for hours and
hours about the Faith to people in the place. Speaking
English is fashionable and Americans are unusual in
this small town, so we are getting quite an audience.
Recently I was with the team in Dachau. We visited the Concentration Camps and said prayers there, at the site of the horror of our century. There is a museum which attracts a lot of tourists who never seem to see the town, which is lovely. Imagine having such an address as Dachau! Through a chance contact on the street we were invited to address a class.
These things we are doing are not spectacular, they are not new. We are taking first steps in this country, proclaiming, seed-planting, routine walking through towns, saying “Yá-Bahá’u’l-Abhá”. We are blessed and confirmed at every turn.
Convention of Swaziland and Mozambique[edit]
Swaziland and Mozambique held its Sixth Annual National Bahá’í Convention at the two-year-old Leroy Ioas Teacher Training Institute on beautiful Malaguane Hill in Mbabane, over the week-end of April 28-30, 1972.
The Convention was honored not only with the thrilling Message from The Universal House of Justice but as a special bounty, Hand of the Cause William Sears sent a personal message of affection and inspiration. These, with the presentation by Counsellor Bahiyyih Ford of a message from the Continental Board of Counsellors for Southern Africa, set the stage for the consultation by the delegates on a high note of dedication and absolute assurance that the goals of the Nine Year Plan can and will be achieved.
Delegates came from many parts of Swaziland. A note of special joy was brought by the attendance of several of the friends from Mozambique. This was the first time that more than three had been able to attend. This year there were six.
The Convention revolved around one central theme: “How to Win the Remaining Goals of the Nine Year Plan.” Suggestions and teaching methods were exchanged by the assembled delegates.
The friends from Mozambique told how one of the remaining goals, that of translating teaching material into the Makhuwa language, had been won. They said, “When the heart is pure and willing to serve, Bahá’u’lláh can accomplish His purpose. Injustice and prison bars led to finding the soul who could fulfill one of the goals of the Nine Year Plan—the translation of Bahá’u’lláh’s Message into the Makhuwa language.”
The goal of fifty Local Spiritual Assemblies for Swaziland and ten for Mozambique was uppermost in the minds of all so the Convention was enlivened by accounts of last-minute miracles that enabled the formation of the thirty-two local Assemblies in Swaziland on April 21. These gave hope and assurance that the eighteen remaining Local Assemblies could be achieved by Riḍván, 1973.
One young lady, Margaret Shongwe, reported how they had walked from house to house singing Bahá’í songs. When doors opened they gave the Message and invited the people to a fireside. This won several enrollments. Still they lacked the required nine so Margaret shut herself in her room and kept saying the Tablet of Aḥmad over and over. Finally her prayers were interrupted by her husband knocking gently and calling her to come and help form the Local Spiritual Assembly. A young man who was a Bahá’í living in the area had heard of the meeting and came to inquire!
Group photo for Swaziland and Mozambique.
[Page 17]
Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Swaziland and Mozambique. At back, left to right: Jacob
Mdluli, John Allen, Benjamin Dlamini, Charles Ducker,
Charles Caprez. Front row: Valera Allen, Margaret
Shongwe, Ruth Dlamini, Angelica Duna.
The youth, too, were right out in front. This sector of
the Bahá’í community was greatly enhanced by the
arrival of three youth from the United States: Gary
Worth, Jeffrey Norman and Douglas Allen who had entered high school in Swaziland for the express purpose of
helping Swaziland win the remaining goals of the Nine
Year Plan. They have held proclamation meetings, one
at the Swazi National High School where they entertained 300 students with songs from the Southern States
and talks on the Bahá’í Faith; formed a small choir of
Swazi youth; held youth meetings and helped in the
teaching field. At the Convention they arranged a youth
night which was full of fun and entertainment for all.
Their enthusiasm burned high during the weeks before Riḍván and together with the Swazi youth and Sue Greer, also a pioneer from the States, they aided greatly in the formation of Local Assemblies. In one village they “sloshed” through mud, overcame indifference and disappointments yet came at sunset on the evening of April 20 with only eight believers. They were walking down the hillside wondering where they had failed. They heard a voice calling. Yes, the man was calling them! He had just inquired about the American youth and was told they were teaching the Bahá’í Faith. He couldn’t wait, he rushed after them, jubilant that he had again found the Faith!
The consultation among the delegates was enthusiastic and mature. Following are some of the contributions given by them:
- Mrs. Christina Zwane: “When once you have received the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, you must give it out and not keep it in you.”
- Mrs. Sabina Msibi: “A Bahá’í must live a good life and show others.”
- Mr. Moses Dlamini: “If you teach the people then they find you stealing—how then can you teach the Faith?”
- Mrs. Lizzie Maseko: “Through prayers we get assistance from God. When we bring someone into the Faith we must teach them to go out and teach.”
- Mrs. Josephina Dlamini: “The Local Spiritual Assemblies should learn to consult in an orderly manner so things can progress smoothly.”
- Mr. Albert Dlamini: “I heard in the Message from The Universal House of Justice that in ‘Iráq the National Spiritual Assembly is dead. We Bahá’ís here in Convention must say the ‘Remover of Difficulties’ for them.”
- Miss Ruth Dlamini: “We must teach by showing oneness and unity.”
- Mr. Joseph Mnisi: “I always smile and speak to everyone I meet. People think I know them so pause to talk and then I give them the Message.”
One delegate in speaking of the Fund, said: “Now we are taken care of by our fathers and mothers, but sometime we will have to take care of ourselves. We must therefore, learn to give too.”
New areas for opening to the Faith were discussed. Counsellor Ford suggested the idea of having a Bahá’í wagon pulled by a donkey to open new localities. This was made a recommendation to the incoming National Assembly.
The Convention closed on the happy note of having Elliot Hlatshwayo, a youth, ask to sign his enrollment card. He was presented with a book by the National Spiritual Assembly.
Following the Convention was a two day Teacher Training Institute conducted by Mrs. Ford. It consisted of a thorough grounding by means of questions and visual aids in such Basic Bahá’í Teachings as “Who is God?” “Who is the Prophet?” “Who is Bahá’u’lláh?”, etc.
To the question of “How do you know Bahá’u’lláh is a Manifestation of God?” one young student answered, “Because He makes my heart go pitter-pat.” During the second day of the Institute the group split up into teams and were transported to various teaching areas. They returned happy and enthusiastic, ready to go to their homes and spread the Faith with renewed vigor.
No report on the National Convention would be complete without mention of the singing. In this medium, the Swazi is completely at home, and he can pour out in harmony the adoration of his heart. Sometimes it seemed as if walls could not contain the joy and enthusiasm in the praise of their Lord, Bahá’u’lláh!
Four who attended Convention proudly wearing Swazi costumes.
Eastern Airlines Salutes Bahá’í House of Worship[edit]
Eastern Airlines has just released a radio commercial under their “Wings of Man” series which spotlights the Bahá’í House of Worship as a famous Chicago landmark.
Last year alone over a quarter of a million people from all over the world visited the House of Worship. This unsought recognition from a major airline only reemphasizes the fact that the House of Worship is the great “silent teacher.” Free publicity like this commercial, which will be aired throughout the United States in the next few months, will make more people aware of the Faith and its principles.
Narrator: “It took 40 years to build ... this House that so closely resembles the Taj Mahal. This House that appears to be carved from a giant piece of ivory and stands framed like a flower with the petals of nine formal gardens. A house that sings welcome to anyone who chooses to visit it.
Choir: “Bahá’u’lláh! For the Great Day of Peace has come!”
Narrator: “It is the Bahá’í House of Worship, outside Chicago. A majestic sanctuary for meditation and prayer. A gift from the people of the Bahá’í Faith to the world in the name of brotherhood and love.
“Chicago ... one of the places that makes Eastern Airlines what it is ... the second largest passenger carrier of all the airlines in the free world.
“The wings of man.”
Bahá’ís who wish to write their local Eastern Airlines representative, telling them of their awareness of this commercial and their interest and approval, are free to do so. This is one of the signs of recognition in relation to efforts made during the Nine Year Plan.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES[edit]
Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States for 1972-1973. Left to
right: Miss Charlotte Linfoot, Assistant Secretary; Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Chairman; Mr. Glenford E.
Mitchell, Secretary; Miss Magdalene Carney; Dr. Dwight Allen; Dr. Daniel C. Jordan, Vice-Chairman; Dr. Sarah M. Pereira: Mr. Franklin Kahn: Dr. Dorothy W. Nelson, Treasurer.
Teaching Momentum from the United States Convention[edit]
State and regional bulletins for the Bahá’ís of the United States are now indicating the upsurge of inspiration from teaching ideas consulted upon and recommended in the annual Convention this year.
The feeling of urgency was generated in discussing the Riḍván Message of The Universal House of Justice with its call to pioneering in order to fill all the possible goals in this last year of the Nine Year Plan. The phrase “while there is yet time” sank deeply into the hearts of the delegates.
As related in the June issue of the bulletin from Southern California, District Number One: “Certainly the delegates assembled at the sixty-third Convention did not doubt. Each knew that this ninth year of the Nine Year Plan would be the year of victory for the entire Bahá’í world. And with that knowledge and determination came a flood of ideas of such vast scope and depth that Dr. Kazemzadeh (Convention Chairman), proclaimed he was ‘staggered by the self-discipline’ of the delegates, and Continental Board member Florence Mayberry lovingly said she would always remember this Convention ‘as the delegates’ Convention because you have been so creative.’ ... Teaching quickly became the central pivot of the Convention as delegates made their recommendations and expressed their hopes and concerns, a unified awareness of the direction in which we must move descended upon the gathering ... We must, every one of us, be involved in mass teaching. As Dr. Kazemzadeh stated, ‘Mass teaching is simply inevitable. It is a matter of arithmetic.’
“By the second day of the Convention, the recommendations evolved into an elaborate, detailed plan for mass teaching ... It includes a plan in which every Local Spiritual Assembly will choose a goal area in which to raise up a new Assembly.”
From the July bulletin for Colorado we read: “Those (delegates) attending the National Convention ... felt a strong need to make this (Convention) report somewhat different, to convey to the friends back home as much as possible of the love, the joy, the radiance, the confirmation, and the urgency generated at this year’s annual meeting ... So they mapped out an itinerary that was to take them nearly 2,000 more miles to about 225 believers in eleven cities. The idea was reinforced when Ken Willey and Carol Greene returned from Panama on fire ... and contributed a 50-slide presentation.
“The show opened in Boulder, Colorado on May 7. The following weekend it went to Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming and Loveland and Denver, Colorado. On May 20 and 21 some participants traveled nearly 1100 miles to visit the Southern Colorado communities of Montrose, Ignacio, Alamosa, Pueblo and Colorado Springs. The final city visited was Casper, Wyoming....
“The show opened with an hour’s slide presentation about Panama ... The second part centered around a 45-minute excerpt from the Convention highlights cassette tape ... The recording was stopped periodically to permit persons to share their own feelings and consult, as the delegates relived parts of the convention....
“The delegates also told their listeners that they and their families were leaving their districts to serve the Faith.... Three delegates (Colorado and Wyoming) experienced unprecedented confirmations that changed the course of their lives....”
From the teaching plans initiated in California are we to conclude that California, which for a number of years had the largest number of believers of any of the states, and at the same time sent out numerous pioneers, is now out to regain its numerical supremacy from South Carolina?
According to the July bulletin from Newhall, California: “Operation Nightingale will be the largest and most detailed teaching plan ever to occur in Western United States.... The goal is to establish Local Spiritual Assemblies ... in the County (Los Angeles) by next Riḍván, thereby raising the total number of Assemblies in the District Number One from thirty-six to eighty-one.”
New Zealand Fills Nine Year Plan Goals[edit]
The goal was ten Assemblies, one in each province and one extra. The localities goal was sixty four, and now there are ninety-five localities where Bahá’ís live. There were four Assemblies in 1969, five in 1970, eleven in 1971 and in 1972 there are sixteen Assemblies.
The formation of Local Spiritual Assemblies at Greymouth and Blenheim in South Island and the re-formation of the lapsed Assembly of New Plymouth in the North signalled the completion of the Nine Year Plan goals for New Zealand.
Two additional Assemblies were formed in the North Island, Manakau City and Gisborne, the latter with drama. By April 20, the last pioneer had arrived in Greymouth, the last goal unfilled, and there were nine adult believers. Would-be pioneers from Gisborne, (at this time a group of six), and from Nelson were told that the goal had been attained. On April 21, an adult declaration in Greymouth made ten for the Assembly, and at the same time Gisborne reported the likelihood of a declaration there. Many toll calls resulted in the would-be pioneer from Gisborne to Greymouth being told to stay there, while the prospective pioneer from Nelson to Greymouth turned about and headed toward Gisborne. A pioneer to Gisborne from Auckland only recently arrived from the south, found herself heading back north again. This gave Gisborne eight adult members. The sun began slowly to sink below the horizon—it was just a short minute away to the end of April 21 when a Gisborne adult declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh and the first Local Assembly of Gisborne was formed.
Last year Napier, 150 miles south of Gisborne, formed its Assembly with fifteen minutes to spare, while nearby Hastings, in contrast, had achieved its goal with some comfort the year before, a whole day ahead. On each occasion the Assembly was formed by a late declaration of Faith.
Members of the first Local Assembly of Blenheim,
New Zealand, formed at Riḍván 1972. Back row, left to
right: Jean Perryman, Dick Hale, Edwin Darby, David
Putland, Barry McSweeney. Front row, left to right:
Pauline Hale, Le Atakohu Lani Noble, Pauline Putland,
Naomi Darby. Le Atakohu Lani Noble, wearing headband, is the first Maori believer in South Island, New
Zealand.
Race Unity Day Observances[edit]
| Proclamation Fostoria Ohio | |
| WHEREAS, | in this age the world has shrunk in time and space to a global village, and |
| WHEREAS, | it is imperative if man is to achieve world peace in this age that he must first recognize the oneness of mankind, and |
| WHEREAS, | all persons of whatever sex, race, nationality, ethnic group, religion, or economic class are creations of God and are all equal in their spiritual essence and human dignity, and |
| WHEREAS, | to discriminate against any person demeans the dignity of that person and is contrary to the true spiritual heritage of America, and |
| WHEREAS, | America can never achieve its true greatness until by its example it proclaims to all the universality of mankind, and |
| WHEREAS, | human rights are in reality God-given rights, it is important that we uphold an equal standard of human rights for all persons, and |
| WHEREAS, | the Bahá’ís of the City of Fostoria, Ohio are joining in the national observance of Race Unity Day to promote the cause of the brotherhood of man under God; |
| NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dale Mills, Mayor of Fostoria, Ohio do hereby proclaim Saturday, June 10, 1972 as
RACE UNITY DAY
in the City and urge all the residents of the Community to make this a day of dedication to the fundamental concept that mankind belongs to one family under one God, to fight prejudice wherever it is found, and to assure all persons an equal opportunity to develop their unique capacities. | |
The 15th annual observance of Race Unity Day was held June 11, 1972. Inaugurated by the National Spiritual Assembly in 1957, this year’s theme was “Oneness—Pathway to Peace.”
The purpose of Race Unity Day is to focus attention on the most challenging issue facing America—racial prejudice and discrimination, and to stress the essential oneness of mankind under God, as well as to spread the concept of the spiritual unity of man, irrespective of race, religion or color.
The public has become increasingly aware of this day. It has been listed in several calendars used by various peoples, organizations, businesses and religions.
The National Bahá’í Public Information Office in Wilmette plans the theme, sends out suggested news releases, radio spot announcements and proclamation ideas. The increased use of Bahá’í sponsored days helps to spread the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. Excellent publicity was given this special day and many interesting proclamations were held around the country.
El Cajon, California held their third annual Festival of Race Unity with a large attendance. Their publicity chairman stated: “We have gained momentum by making the Race Unity Festival an annual affair.... This year ... the crowds were greater than previously.” They received good publicity in three papers with the largest running an article prior to the event and a post-photograph on the front page: “Hundreds of persons were attracted to the event which featured entertainment by Mariachi and Latin bands.”
A Human Rights Award was given in Spokane, Washington to the school superintendent for his “personal commitment to, and efforts on behalf of, equality of opportunity for all, regardless of race, in the diversified field of education.” His selection was the result of a poll of church and civic groups which received publicity in two papers.
A “Friendship Festival” was held in Hayward, California. Their local paper printed a very large picture announcing the event with the caption reading: “From racial unity to world peace.” They received spot announcements on both their local radio and television stations. The public library displayed the Mayor’s Proclamation.
A large article appeared on the Church Page of the Laramie, Wyoming paper announcing the joint Race Unity picnic for Laramie and Cheyenne. This is noteworthy because the two communities are more than fifty miles apart which shows that distance is no barrier to inter-community activities.
Another good inter-community celebration was held in North Dakota with the communities of Minot, Newton and Williston participating in meetings in all three towns. They received publicity in all three local papers.
DeWitt, Iowa received good publicity and also contacted thirty-seven local organizations offering them speakers. They presented the Mayor with The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh and held a picnic with forty-five in attendance—seven non-Bahá’ís. The Iowa UN Forum published an article on Race Unity Day and drew attention to the Des Moines Bahá’ís.
There were many radio stations which carried either spot announcements or news stories and interviews. Charlotte, North Carolina had a thirty-minute television program with six Bahá’ís of different ages, race and national backgrounds participating. As a result of this they will have another program in August.
The Governor of Missouri signed a Race Unity Day proclamation which was carried as a news item on two radio stations in Jefferson City. The president of Lincoln University also signed a proclamation for Race Unity Week on campus and met with members of the Bahá’í Club. They had one declaration.
The Melrose Township Group near Quincy, Illinois had announcements read over two radio and two television stations.
Fostoria, Ohio sent announcements to four radio stations. One station requested and read the whole newspaper release over the air.
A picnic in the afternoon and a fireside in the evening were the attractions offered by the Antelope Valley South Bahá’ís (Palmdale, California). They received radio coverage from four stations through spot announcements carried two or three times a day in the community news. They also obtained articles in three newspapers.
Missoula, Montana received approximately 200 thirty-second spot announcements for a total of 100 minutes of air time on their local radio station. They decided to not only make the day a proclamation event, but “a social ... as well ... for better (community) relations.” They wanted Race Unity Day to be more than a “token” event.
An unusual event was held in North Dade (Miami, Florida). Over 100 people, at least half non-Bahá’í, ate forty-five lbs. of fish at their Race Unity Day Fish Fry.
The Tri-Cities Intergroup of Oak Grove, Kentucky held a picnic with softball afterwards. They invited other picnicking groups to join them in the fun.
The Youth Task Force of Sacramento, California planned and coordinated an “all day teaching effort
[Page 21]
with selected teachers using National Teaching Committee Guidelines for Teaching the Masses.” They climaxed the event with a night of guitar playing, singing,
a speaker, a showing of the film “It’s Just the Beginning”
in a public park. This shows what the youth can do.
Bahá’ís from four localities in Kentucky as well as visitors from Winnipeg and Manitoba, Canada attended the Lexington, Kentucky picnic where steps were taken to initiate incorporation.
A picnic was held on the Boston, Massachusetts Common and the discussion afterwards was attended by many people who wandered into the area. The public library as well as many store fronts displayed fifty posters inviting people to attend.
“Bahá’í Week” was held in Anoka, Minnesota with mass teaching in the park one day and then mass proclamation on the streets inviting people to attend the Race Unity Day Festival. There was a series of lectures and discussion groups held every day of the week as well.
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the State of Maine, John Stevens (a new Bahá’í) spoke on the University of Maine Campus in Portland, Maine with thirty-six in attendance.
Not a Race Unity Day event, but something that should be shared with all was the “Spring Unity Faire” held in Sacramento, California. They obtained eleven radio interviews, both about the Faith and the Faire; television coverage, including spot announcements and news as well as press coverage. The Day included “free” music, art displays and information booths in the Sacramento Park. There was diversified entertainment including folk, hillbilly, western, Flamenco guitar, rock music groups and a barbershop quartet.
Many more of the Bahá’í Communities around the United States joined in this unique proclamation day. Race Unity Day, as well as World Peace Day (September 17) and World Religion Day (January 21) give the Bahá’í Community an opportunity to proclaim the Faith through areas of increased world-wide interest.
Teaching Pointers from Australia[edit]
At a Teaching Conference held in Australia, as reported in the June 1972 AUSTRALIAN BAHÁ’Í BULLETIN, Leonie Penrith changed the title of her talk from “Teaching the Aboriginal People,” to “Loving Them.” She told how her first contact with aborigines was at a Conference in November 1969 when she met Harry (whom she later married) saying “You have much to learn from us.” Leonie’s talk was worthy of being made into a book, and the tapes taken of her talk should be heard by any Bahá’í contemplating this area of teaching, which is another goal of the Nine Year Plan.
Said Leonie: “In loving the aboriginal people, let your light shine fully—make the most of our opportunities before they disappear. Try to find the more stable people. Love them, be gentle and patient. Don’t expect anything. Time is nothing to them—they live in the present. The importance of regular contact can’t be stressed enough. Make it daily contact.
“What do the aborigines think of the whites? They talk too much, talk too fast, and use too big words. So, use simple words, don’t be too organized and efficient—they appreciate you being in a muddle! Use visual aids, short talks. They love slides, as they are hungry for knowledge about other countries and about their own culture. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s photograph has a special attraction for them. The aborigine is gay, light-hearted, naturally friendly, and he appreciates real talent, especially in music. So, turn your heart to the heart of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and teach them with love!”
ARGENTINA[edit]
Bahá’í friends in Saenz Pena, Argentina. Left, Florentine) and Luciana Gomez; center, Eugene Dornbrook, U.S.
pioneer; right, Mauricio Gomez.
Group photo of Institute at Saenz Pena, in October
1971. Center, near post, Miss Eve Nicklin, Auxiliary
Board member from Paraguay; right at rear: Eugene
and Suellen Dornbrook, U.S. pioneers to the Chaco. Counsellor Hooper Dunbar also attended and served as the
photographer for this picture.
Convention for North-West Africa[edit]
Members of the National Spiritual Assembly for North-West Africa. Seated, left to right: Mr. Ayachi Khaldy,
Assistant Secretary; Mrs. Malika Kouraichi, first
woman elected to the National Spiritual Assembly; Dr.
Fouad Ahmadpour, Vice-Chairman; Auxiliary Board
member Dr. Nousratullah Moayed; Mr. Shoghi Riaz
Rouhani, Secretary. Standing: Mr. Fouad Tahan, Treasurer; Mr. Omar Wariachi; Mr. M’Barek Ait H’Mitti,
Chairman; Mr. Ahmed Bouabid-Gharbi; Mr. Mustapha
Azuagh.
Liberian Youth—a New Stimulus[edit]
A first of its kind in Liberia was a project entirely planned by the Bahá’í Youth Club of Monrovia, consisting of a combined workshop and social, held in the spacious home of Mr. James Peabody, one of the members of the Youth Club. It was attended by about thirty with twenty-one of them pre-Bahá’ís, and from all backgrounds.
The first part of the planned program consisted of dividing the group into four separate ones, who for thirty minutes conducted a discussion in which all participated. The four topics for discussion were: “Why the necessity of equality of men and women—of one World Language—of a World Court or Tribunal—of compulsory education for all?” The discussions were lively. After the allotted time a representative summarized the opinions of his group to the whole assemblage.
The Chairman of the Monrovia Youth Club Committee, Mr. Alexander Foley, stirred the youth by his enthusiasm and gave promise of victory to the efforts of the youth of Monrovia. Miss Georgia Sanchez asked for youth to become future “pillars” of the Faith in order to implement the principles and bring about the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. She exhorted them to believe that these principles can become a reality in their life-time if they are strong, steadfast and willing to face pressures of present-day society, reinforced through the Teachings of the Faith.
The final part of the occasion was social, with dancing and games. Hearty helpings of “Jallaf Rice” were served. As the evening drew to a close two of the youth present expressed their desire to become Bahá’ís.
Liberia Has Weekly TV Spot[edit]
The Publicity Committee of Liberia was most successful in securing a unique opportunity for Bahá’ís in Monrovia and surrounding communities in Liberia to proclaim the Faith every week over the national television network on the program “Epilogue.”
This series of five-minute presentations is becoming a valuable asset to the teaching activities. Many TV viewers have reported to the Bahá’ís that they eagerly await each Wednesday evening when they are shown magnificent slides of the various Bahá’í places, which are shown simultaneously with prayers and readings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh.
Other faiths are regularly represented by a particular minister or priest, however the Faith is represented by a variety of persons, old or young, of varied national or tribal backgrounds. Now being appreciated by the audience is this demonstration of “unity in diversity” of the Faith. The Bahá’í program is always presented with dignity and it is promoting the prestige of the Faith.
HAWAIIAN MILESTONE[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of Hawaii has received three separate notifications from the sixth Hawaiian Legislature, containing copies of House Resolution Number 267 and Senate Resolution Number 219, both confirming their passing. These documents give state-wide recognition of the celebration of Naw-Rúz.
A Bahá’í prayer said by Kimiko Schwerin opened the forty-fourth day of the session of the House of Representatives and the Senate meeting was opened with a Bahá’í prayer read by Sue De Sena.
Certified copies of all meetings in regard to the resolutions were sent to the archives of Hawaii, along with signed proclamations from both the Mayor of Honolulu and the Governor of Hawaii.
World Book Fair, New Delhi[edit]
Bahá’í Book Stall at the World Book Fair, New Delhi,
held from March 18 to April 4, 1972. Over 50,000 persons
visited it.
The then Lt. Governor of Delhi, Mr. Pimputkar with
Mrs. Pimputkar examining The Proclamation of
Bahá’u’lláh at the World Book Fair, New Delhi.
A Travel-Teacher in Dahomey[edit]
Mrs. Munsiff, travel-teacher from the British Isles,
being received by Mr. Apithy, one of Dahomey’s three
Presidents.
Mrs. Mehrangiz Munsiff, a travel-teacher from the
British Isles, and twice a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh, during a
seven-day visit to Dahomey was received by one of the
three Presidents of the country, Mr. Apithy at his residence, where she presented him with a copy of Hidden Words. He welcomed Mrs. Munsiff and wished her success in teaching the Faith in Africa.
Another important visit was to Mrs. Gankpé, the head Fetish Priestess of Dahomey. They discussed the importance of the role of women in society. Mrs. Munsiff also visited several villages in Dahomey. She was a great encouragement to the friends.
Niger Recognized Officially[edit]
Mr. Aziz Navidi visited Niger especially to help the
friends there to obtain official recognition from the government, which was granted on April 7, 1972. Left
to right are Mr. Navidi; President of the Republic, His
Excellency Diori Harmoni; and Minister of the Interior,
Mr. Kazende.
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Kenya National Youth Conference
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Kenya Bahá’í Booth[edit]
A booth was installed by the Kenya Bahá’í community at Jamhuri Park in the All-Africa Trade Fair held during February and March of this year. The photograph shows friends talking to seekers. This proclamation effort was very successful. People of many nationalities visited the booth; to name a few: Canadian, English, American, Indian, Pakistani, Swazi, Basuto, Madagascan, Yugoslav, as well as people from neighboring countries of Africa. Thirty-eight countries were represented at the Fair—attendance at over 120,000. More than 6,000 pamphlets were handed out at the booth. The stand was due to the efforts of some youth who worked until early morning hours to decorate it.
The photograph shows a few of those who attended the National Youth Conference held in Nakuru, Kenya on March 26, 1972, sponsored by the National Youth Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of Kenya. This was one of the three successful youth conferences held in recent months; others were at the Gidimo Bahá’í Center in the Western Province of Kenya and in Mombasa in the Coast Province.
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