Bahá’í News/Issue 505/Text
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| No. 505 | BAHA’I YEAR 130 | April, 1973 |
| Next Global Plan to be Launched 1974 |
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To: All National Spiritual Assemblies Dear Bahá’í Friends, As the Bahá’í world approaches the triumphant conclusion of the Nine Year Plan it gives us the utmost gratification to see that a few National Spiritual Assemblies have already formulated plans for activity during the coming Bahá’í year. The next global plan will be launched at Riḍván 1974 and you will therefore have twelve months to prepare for it. We call upon you all to take the greatest possible advantage of that year to: Strengthen the foundations of your achievements through developing and enriching Bahá’í community life, fostering youth activity and through all means suited to your circumstances; and Continue expansion of the Faith, trying new openings and possibilities not fully explored when you were under the pressure of other priorities. Obviously conditions differ in the various areas under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assemblies, and the goals which each Assembly adopts must be suited to its particular circumstances and possibilities, but, as the beloved Guardian once pointed out, “The broader the basis” of such a campaign, and “the deeper its roots, the finer the flower into which it shall eventually blossom.” We ask you to make your plans now and to send us your report of them to reach us as soon as possible and not later than 1st April 1973 so that we may present a consolidated summary to the International Convention. We feel that such a summary will be an inspiration and a source of new ideas to the delegates when they are consulting upon the challenges that lie before the Bahá’í community in the years ahead and which must be faced during the next global plan. Moreover, the achievements of the coming year, added to the great victories of the Nine Year Plan, will enable the worldwide Bahá’í community to enter with even greater assurance upon the next stage of its ever-unfolding destiny. We pray at the Holy Shrines that the blessings of Bahá’u’lláh may guide and assist you with a fresh measure of His divine grace in the few months separating us from the glorious festivities of next Riḍván. With loving Bahá’í greetings,
—The Universal House of Justice Bahá’í World Centre |
Obeying the Law of God in Our Own Lives[edit]
The following statement is taken from a letter written by The Universal House of Justice in response to the questions of an individual believer:
Just as there are laws governing our physical lives,
requiring that we must supply our bodies with certain
foods, maintain them within a certain range of temperatures, and so forth, if we wish to avoid physical disabilities, so also there are laws governing our spiritual lives.
These laws are revealed to mankind in each age by the
Manifestation of God, and obedience to them is of vital
importance if each human being, and mankind in general, is to develop properly and harmoniously. Moreover,
these various aspects are interdependent. If an individual
violates the spiritual laws for his own development he will
cause injury not only to himself but to the society in
which he lives. Similarly, the condition of society has a
direct effect on the individuals who must live within it.
As you point out, it is particularly difficult to follow the laws of Bahá’u’lláh in present-day society whose accepted practice is so at variance with the standards of the Faith. However, there are certain laws that are so fundamental to the healthy functioning of human society that they must be upheld whatever the circumstances. Realizing the degree of human frailty, Bahá’u’lláh has provided that other laws are to be applied only gradually, but these too, once they are applied, must be followed, or else society will not be reformed but will sink into an ever worsening condition. It is the challenging task of the Bahá’ís to obey the law of God in their own lives, and gradually to win the rest of mankind to its acceptance.
In considering the effect of obedience to the laws on individual lives, one must remember that the purpose of this life is to prepare the soul for the next. Here one must learn to control and direct one’s animal impulses, not to be a slave to them. Life in this world is a succession of tests and achievements, of falling short and of making new spiritual advances. Sometimes the course may seem very hard, but one can witness, again and again, that the soul who steadfastly obeys the law of Bahá’u’lláh, however hard it may seem, grows spiritually, while the one who compromises with the law for the sake of his own apparent happiness is seen to have been following a chimera: he does not attain the happiness he sought, he retards his spiritual advance and often brings new problems upon himself.
To give one very obvious example: the Bahá’í law requiring consent of parents to marriage. All too often nowadays such consent is withheld by non-Bahá’í parents for reasons of bigotry or racial prejudice; yet we have seen again and again the profound effect on those very parents of the firmness of the children in the Bahá’í law, to the extent that not only is the consent ultimately given in many cases, but the character of the parents can be affected and their relationship with their child greatly strengthened.
Thus, by upholding Bahá’í law in the face of all difficulties we not only strengthen our own characters but influence those around us.
The Bahá’í teaching on sexual intercourse is very clear. It is permissible only between a man and the woman who is his wife. In this connection we share with you extracts from four letters written on behalf of the Guardian which throw light on various aspects of the matter. One of them contains the paragraph that you quote in your letter.
“With reference to the question you have asked concerning the Bahá’í attitude towards the problem of sex and its relation to marriage:
“The Bahá’í Teachings on this matter, which is of such vital concern and about which there is such a wide divergency of views, are very clear and emphatic. Briefly stated the Bahá’í conception of sex is based on the belief that chastity should be strictly practiced by both sexes, not only because it is in itself highly commendable ethically, but also due to its being the only way to a happy and successful marital life. Sex relationships of any form, outside marriage, are not permissible therefore, and whoso violates this rule will not only be responsible to God, but will incur the necessary punishment from society.
“The Bahá’í Faith recognizes the value of the sex impulse, but condemns its illegitimate and improper expressions such as free love, companionate marriage and others, all of which it considers positively harmful to man and to the society in which he lives. The proper use of the sex instinct is the natural right of every individual, and it is precisely for this very purpose that the institution of marriage has been established. The Bahá’ís do not believe in the suppression of the sex impulse but in its regulation and control.”
“The question you raise as to the place in one’s
life that a deep bond of love with someone we meet
other than our husband or wife can have is easily
defined in view of the Teachings. Chastity implies
both before and after marriage an unsullied, chaste
sex life. Before marriage absolutely chaste, after
marriage absolutely faithful to one’s chosen companion. Faithful in all sexual acts, faithful in word
and in deed.
“The world today is submerged, amongst other things, in an over-exaggeration of the importance of physical love, and a dearth of spiritual values. In as far as possible the believers should try to realize this and rise above the level of their fellowmen who are, typical of all decadent periods in history, placing so much over-emphasis on the purely physical side of mating. Outside of their normal, legitimate married life they should seek to establish bonds of comradeship and love which are eternal and founded on the spiritual life of man, not on his physical life. This is one of the many fields in which it is incumbent on the Bahá’ís to set the example and lead the way to a true human standard of life, when the soul of man is exalted and his body but the tool for his enlightened spirit. Needless to say this does not preclude the living of a perfectly normal sex life in its legitimate channel of marriage.”
[Page 3]
“Concerning your question whether there are any
legitimate forms of expression of the sex instinct
outside of marriage; according to the Bahá’í Teachings no sexual act can be considered lawful unless
performed between lawfully married persons. Outside of marital life there can be no lawful or healthy
use of the sex impulse. The Bahá’í youth should, on
the one hand, be taught the lesson of self-control
which, when exercised, undoubtedly has a salutary
effect on the development of character and of personality in general, and on the other should be
advised, nay even encouraged. to contract marriage
while still young and in full possession of their
physical vigor. Economic factors, no doubt, are
often a serious hindrance to early marriage but in
most cases are only an excuse, and as such should
not be over stressed.”
“As regards your question whether it would be
advisable and useful for you to marry again; he
feels unable to give you any definite answer on that
point, as this is essentially a private affair about
which you, and the friends around you or your Local
Assembly are in a much better position to judge. Of
course, under normal circumstances, every person
should consider it his moral duty to marry. And
this is what Bahá’u’lláh has encouraged the believers to do. But marriage is by no means an obligation. In the last resort it is for the individual to
decide whether he wishes to lead a family life or
live in a state of celibacy.”
You express surprise at the Guardian’s reference to
“the necessary punishment from society”. In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas Bahá’u’lláh prohibits sexual immorality and in
the Annexe to that Book states that the various degrees
of sexual offenses and the punishments for them are to
be decided by The Universal House of Justice. In this
connection it should be realized that there is a distinction drawn in the Faith between the attitudes which
should characterize individuals in their relationship to
other people, namely, loving forgiveness, forbearance,
and concern with one’s own sins, not the sins of others,
and those attitudes which should be shown by the Spiritual Assemblies, whose duty is to administer the law of
God with justice.
A number of sexual problems, such as homosexuality and trans-sexuality can well have medical aspects, and in such cases recourse should certainly be had to the best medical assistance. But it is clear from the Teaching of Bahá’u’lláh that homosexuality is not a condition to which a person should be reconciled, but is a distortion of his or her nature which should be controlled and overcome. This may require a hard struggle, but so also can be the struggle of a heterosexual person to control his or her desires. The exercise of self-control in this, as in so very many other aspects of life, has a beneficial effect on the progress of the soul. It should, moreover, be borne in mind that although to be married is highly desirable, and Bahá’u’lláh has strongly recommended it, it is not the central purpose of life. If a person has to wait a considerable period before finding a spouse, or if ultimately, he or she must remain single, it does not mean that he or she is thereby unable to fulfill his or her life’s purpose.
In all this we have been speaking about the attitude that Bahá’ís should have towards the law of Bahá’u’lláh. You, however, as a doctor working mainly as a counsellor in family and sexual problems, will mostly be concerned with advising non-Bahá’ís who do not accept, and see no reason to follow, the laws of Bahá’u’lláh. You are already a qualified practitioner in your field, and no doubt you give advice on the basis of what you have learned from study and experience—a whole fabric of concepts about the human mind, its growth, development and proper functioning, which you have learned and evolved without reference to the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. Now, as a Bahá’í, you know that what Bahá’u’lláh teaches about the purpose of human life, the nature of the human being and the proper conduct of human lives, is divinely revealed and therefore true. However, it will inevitably take time for you not only to study the Bahá’í Teachings so that you clearly understand them, but also to work out how they modify your professional concepts. This is, of course, not an unusual predicament for a scientist. How often in the course of research is a factor discovered which requires a revolution in thinking over a wide field of human endeavour. You must be guided in each case by your own professional knowledge and judgment as illuminated by your growing knowledge of the Bahá’í Teachings; undoubtedly you will find that your own understanding of the human problems dealt with in your work will change and develop and you will see new and improved ways of helping the people who come to you. Psychology is still a very young and inexact science, and as the years go by Bahá’í psychologists, who know from the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh the true pattern of human life, will be able to make great strides in the development of this science, and will help profoundly in the alleviation of human suffering.
German Travel-Teaching in a Bus[edit]
Dr. Frank Haendel and Mrs. Haendel, from Massachusetts, U.S.A., for a number of weeks have been traveling throughout Germany in a camping bus. With untiring efforts this couple are helping to fulfill the goals of the Nine Year Plan for Germany. Dr. Haendel became a Bahá’í five years ago in Massachusetts. As director of the Harvard University Drug Clinic in Boston he was in contact with countless youth.
The goal city of Oldenburg reports that during the Winter School in Bremen they learned that the Haendels were coming to their city and had only forty-eight hours to make plans. The youth were contacted and they provided a meeting place, took care of a display and sent out personal invitations. Even youth who were not yet Bahá’ís participated in the preparations.
The Haendels were reinforced with four more Bahá’ís who came with them. About sixty youth attended the meeting. Many of them sat on the floor while Dr. Haendel spoke of mastering the drug problem through the Bahá’í Faith. Following the talk a lively discussion lasted far into the night. After the heating system shut down, candles, hot tea and music dispelled the cold.
The teaching effort in the goal city lasted for two afternoons and the evening. Good cooperation was secured by the North-West Newspaper which announced the meeting, and afterward carried a report of an interview with Dr. Haendel.
There were two declarations and many interested persons as a result of this teaching effort.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Peacemakers[edit]
A current reference to the travel of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the United States in 1912 is given in an article “Shades of an Important Past” published in the Winter 1972-73 issue of The Mohonk Bulletin. The article relates some circumstances of the visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Lake Mohonk, New York, and His address there on the topic of universal peace.
In August, 1911, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had written to the founder of the Lake Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration, Mr. Albert Smiley, and also to the secretary of this organization, Mr. C. C. Philips. To the latter, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed these words:
“Bahá’u’lláh has clearly stated that this Universal Peace is the cause of the tranquility of the realm of creation. Now as the International Conference on Arbitration is organized in America and as this problem is a branch which will ultimately bring about the unity of the world, therefore we remember you with the utmost respect, that, praise be to God, you have arisen to perform such a universal service. God willing, that Conference will progress day by day and will bring about all-embracing results and will establish reconciliation and universal love between the different nations, races and peoples of this world.”
To Mr. Smiley, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed these words: “Today in the world of existence there is no more important and greater cause than this (peace and arbitration) for it is conducive to the promotion of happiness in the commonwealth of humanity and is the cause of tranquillity of all the nations and countries and the prosperity of the individuals of the human world.”1
One of the purposes of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in visiting the United States was to be able to be present at this Peace Conference at Lake Mohonk at which He was invited to speak.2
“Shades of an Important Past”[edit]
The account from the winter 1972-73 edition of The Mohonk Bulletin is given below:
A gift of great interest has been received from Mrs. Beverly Hunsaker, who left us two books on Bahá’í: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by H. M. Balyuzi, a biography of one of the leaders of this religion, and Foundation of World Unity, by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. On page 193 of the biography the following appears:
The next three days, May 14th-16th (1912), ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spent by Lake Mohonk, having been invited to attend the Conference on Peace and Arbitration held there. The first evening He delivered an address, and the audience, composed of some of the leading men and women of America, as well as representatives from other lands, clapped and clapped, asking for more. But ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had to decline, because He was tired and had to rest His voice. When He left to return to New York He made a gift of an exquisite Persian rug to the president of the Conference.”
The Persian rug is still in use in the Mountain House; it is indeed an exquisite one. A check of the
The Mohonk Mountain House on Mohonk Lake where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed a Peace Conference on
May 14, 1912. The location still attracts serious minded people who love the outdoors. In addition to
being used as a summer resort it is used in winter for ice skating, sledding and skiing.
House register for 1912 confirmed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit; He occupied room 166, and His entourage included six friends from His native Persia, two from Washington and one from San Francisco. His speech, reproduced in the 1912 Arbitration Report, contains points of considerable contemporary interest. He looked upon the 20th Century as one of light and bounty: “In the past, the unity of patriotism, the unity of nations and religions was established: but in this century, the oneness of the world of humanity is established; hence this century is greater than the past.” His plea for universal love and peace is not dated; it is as current as our thinking this very moment.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá concludes His enumeration of the beliefs of Bahá’í with the statement: “It is the Holy Spirit of God which insures the safety of humanity, for human thoughts differ, human susceptibilities differ. You cannot make the susceptibilities of all humanity one except through the common channel of the Holy Spirit.”
Dr. Baghdadi and the Rug[edit]
The story of the rug was told by Dr. Zia Baghdadi, one of those who accompanied the Master on the Lake Mohonk trip, and is given below:3
On May 14, 1912, the International Peace Society held its Conference at Lake Mohonk, N.Y., and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was invited to address the members. Here He remained three days.... On May 16, 1912, about nine o’clock, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, “We have to
Dr. Zia Baghdadi
leave this place tomorrow and I wish I had one of my Persian rugs here, that I might give it as a present to our host, Mr. Smiley, President of the International Peace Society.” Those who were in His company told Him that it would be impossible for anyone to go to New York and return in one night, as all have to leave about ten o’clock in the morning. Then He looked at this servant and asked, “Well, what do you say?” I said, “I am not afraid to try anything for you, my Lord.” He handed me
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Origin and Continuity of Mohonk
By Virginia Viney Smiley
A few years later, in 1895, Albert invited to Mohonk leaders in world affairs, for a Conference on International Arbitration, which was to become an annual affair, until interrupted by the events of World War I. Each spring and fall for many years from 250 to 400 men and women of integrity and high purpose were entertained by Albert for a week, at his own expense, while attending these two conferences. It was written at the time: “Perhaps the chief value of the conference (International Arbitration) is not in the resolutions adopted as much as in the influence that results from the assembling for a common purpose of more than 300 persons of many opinions and of almost every known calling, most of them prominent in public affairs.” It was said, also, that the influence of these arbitration conferences “resounded through the halls of The Hague” during the formation of the League of Nations. The atmosphere created by these conferences was surely directly contributory to the development of what is sensed by all new visitors, and is known as the “Mohonk spirit.” Albert, dying childless, left his resort and his ideals in the care of a dedicated half-brother, Daniel, who, with his sons and grandsons have guarded carefully the treasured traditions, while maintaining Mohonk as a home, rather than as a relic of the past. In their turn the grandsons, Daniel, A. Keith, and Gerow, concerned for the future of the land they love and the ideals they cherish, should anything happen to the resort business, in 1963 formed The Mohonk Trust, a charitable and educational enterprise. Their hope was to carry on the long-term family interests in the areas of man’s relation with man and with nature, in the belief that interdependence in its finest sense—man at peace with man, and all men in harmony with their natural environment—is a requisite for survival. The Mohonk Trust celebrates its 10th anniversary next month, with its trustees happy in the knowledge that contributors have believed sufficiently in their hopes to make it possible to conduct 10 conferences of international students, with a total of 273 young people from 92 countries participating. The Trust has also co-sponsored conferences of United Nations Diplomats, the International Peace Academy, and meetings on Latin America and the Implementation of Global Development Studies. The site is just ninety miles north of New York City and is open to the public on a moderate fee basis. Studies are under way to find means of coping with increasing public demand, without reducing the esthetic and spiritual quality of the outdoor experience. Tradition, unless it is a living thing, is sterile and worthless. The Trust hopes, through constant self-evaluation, to maintain the vital elements of the past, while accepting the challenges of the present, for a future encompassing the best of the old and the most valid of the new. |
His key and said, “Take this and go to my room and bring a rug. May God bless you.”
From Lake Mohonk I hired a carriage to take me to the railroad station. To my disappointment, I learned on arriving there that there was no passenger train at that hour for New York, but a freight train was just leaving. I jumped the tracks and made a wild dash as fast as I could run. Finally I caught the rear end of that speeding train and succeeded in climbing up without mishap. Then while I was trying to catch my breath, the conductor came and protested my action and ordered me to get off at the next station. I showed him my professional card and told him that I was going on a very urgent mission. “O you are a doctor! That is all right.” Fortunately, the kind conductor did not ask what the nature of the urgent call was.
About two o’clock in the morning I reached ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s apartment and had to awaken Mrs. Grace Ober and her sister, Miss Ella Robarts, to let me in. They were very kind and asked me to have something to eat and to rest a while, but I thanked them and told them that I was in a great hurry. Then I selected one of the most precious rugs from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s room and hastened to the railroad station. I took the first early morning train. It was about nine o’clock when I landed at Lake Mohonk station. From the station it would take one hour to reach Lake Mohonk by carriage, and I had to be there at ten o’clock. I looked around and there was no vehicle of any kind in sight. But finally, the mail-carrier appeared with his little wagon and got off at once to receive the mail. I got on the little wagon and awaited his return.
When he came and saw me, well! was I nervous?
It was certainly one of the embarrassing moments of my life. However, I explained my position to him, namely, that I was in the service of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, whom we regarded as our spiritual king, and I showed him the rug that had to be delivered right away to Mr. Smiley, President of the International Peace Society. Then as a last resort, I suggested that in case it was against the law to let me go with him, he could at least let me relieve him that morning because I knew how to drive a horse, and if it was necessary, he might consult with the postoffice or the police.
O what a relief came when he said, “It’s all right I guess, I am going up there anyway.”
We arrived at our destination just at the time when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was shaking hands with Mr. Smiley and preparing to leave. He took the rug with a smile and presented it to Mr. Smiley to keep as a souvenir.
“Why this is just what I have been seeking for many years!” Mr. Smiley exclaimed. “You see we had a Persian rug just like this one, but it was burned in a fire and ever since my wife has been broken-hearted over it. This will surely make her very happy.” Afterward the Secretary of the International Peace Society, who was the last one to leave, came and said to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “We all appreciate your blessed visit and we believe what you said is the truth.”
Notes:
- Star of the West, Volume 11, No. 15, p. 3-4
- Star of the West, Volume 3, No. 3, p. 3
- Star of the West, The Bahá’í Magazine, Vol. 19, No. 6, pp. 180-182
Deepening Conference held in Siguatepeque, Honduras in November, well attended from all parts of the country. Host pioneers were Nematoh’allah and Ruhi Mandegari, Khalil and Jacky Cornell and Fred Kluss.
Robert Turner, First Black Beleiver of the United States[edit]
Bare outlines of the story of Robert Turner, the first
American Negro to become a Bahá’í, have been related
to the writer, over a long period of years. Those who
mentioned him have been Mrs. Lua M. Getsinger, probably the first American woman to embrace the Faith;
and one of the most active and effective early teachers;
Dr. Edward C. Getsinger; Mrs. May Maxwell; Mírzá
‘Ali-Kuli Khan; and Madame Khan. There is agreement
in the statements coming from such well known sources
and, although few, they establish essentials of a strong
and abiding faith and are worthy of being recorded as
a fitting memorial of a truly great soul.
Robert Turner was the butler of Mrs. Phoebe Hearst, early Bahá’í and mother of the well known publisher of that name. Robert Turner’s post was one of unusual responsibility, carrying with it largely the stewardship of his wealthy and socially prominent employer. He was faithful, dependable and wise.
When Mrs. Hearst was given the Bahá’í message by Mrs. Getsinger in Paris, Robert Turner, from the vantage ground of his service station, listened with eager interest to words not addressed to himself. He sought opportunities to know more about so wonderful a Faith, was taught and became a firm believer. In the year 1900 he accompanied the Hearst-Getsinger party to ‘Akká, Palestine, to see ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, still a prisoner under despotic and corrupt government rule.
When the party entered the room of the Master, they assumed that Robert Turner who was with them would of course follow. After greeting them with His welcome, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá waited with His face turned toward the door, in evident expectation. The ladies looked around, and to their surprise they found that Robert was not in the room. The Master then went to the door on the outside of which Robert stood in an attitude of deepest humility. At sight of the Master he dropped upon his knees and exclaimed: “My Lord! My Lord! I am not worthy to be here!” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá raised him to his feet, giving him a most affectionate, fatherly embrace. The exceedingly great kindness of the Master to Robert Turner was most impressive.
On one occasion the honor was bestowed upon him of sharing the Master’s servitude. He was also assured that if he remained firm and steadfast until the end, he would be a door through which a whole race would enter the Kingdom.
During those early days the confirmations were mighty, but the tests and trials were also great. Many trees were uprooted by the storms of trials. But those that were firm took deeper roots. Robert Turner, with what our Persian brothers call “Iron Sight”, had his clear vision of reality. Henceforth he refused—to use his own expression—to “let the world throw dust in his eyes.”
After a few years there came to him an illness which proved fatal. It came at a time and place that surrounded him with non-Bahá’ís. His attendants heard him often repeat, even when delirious, an expression strange and unknown. After his passing inquiry revealed that his last word was the Greatest Name. Thus he measured up to the divine standard of faith and loyalty, and constantly increasing are those who owe so noble a character gratitude and reverence. Following his death, which was really the portal to a richer and more exalted life, a Bahá’í burial ring-stone was placed upon his finger by Mírzá ‘Ali-Kuli Khan.
An incident closely connected with this sketch is that Mrs. Phoebe Hearst, prompted no doubt by her experiences at ‘Akká and her esteem for Robert Turner, upon returning to her Washington, D. C. home, invited there a number of the most prominent educators of the colored race to meet her. They were entertained in her sumptuous home not only by material attractions, but with heavenly food, the glad tidings and the Great Message. Radiantly she announced to them that the Deliverer of mankind had indeed come!
Note: Mr. Louis G. Gregory, author of this article, at the time of his death was named a Hand of the Cause of God by the Guardian.
Vol. 12, p. 28-29, April 1946.
“In the estimation of God there is no distinction of color; all are one in the color and beauty of servitude to him. Color is not important; the heart is all-important ... He whose morals and virtues are praiseworthy is preferred in the presence of God; he who is devoted to the Kingdom is most beloved. Therefore strive earnestly and put forth your greatest endeavor toward the accomplishment of ... fellowship and the cementing of this bond of brotherhood between you ... For the accomplishment of unity between the colored and whites will be an assurance of the world’s peace.”
Travel-Teaching in the Pacific[edit]
Pua Pua Village, American Samoa, November 1972.
Bahá’ís are playing volleyball before a meeting with
travel-teacher Greg Dahl.
National Bahá’í Center at Tonga.
Bahá’ís in the National Center of Tonga. Canadian pioneer Nan Greenwood (right rear) was soon to be on her
way to Cook Island.
Tahiti—November 16-19, 1972
I was met at the airport by Terri Pae, oldest native believer in Tahiti, and his wife. This was planned by the Continental Pioneer Committee and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Southwest Pacific. There are sixteen believers in Tahiti, and only two are foreigners, a young French couple named Solange, and he is with the French Army. The Sailhacs, pioneers from France, moved six months ago to Moorea, ten miles distant, to form a group there. The third Bahá’í is a young Chinese, Silon Tchan Lo, the only mechanic on the island, a sincere, very busy young man. There is language difficulty and French-speaking travel teachers are needed.
American Samoa—November 19-20, 1972
Probably the most beautiful island I shall see, American Samoa has one of the most attractive Bahá’í communities. The spirit and music are not easily forgotten. The village people are undoubtedly the most ready for the Faith.
Western Samoa—November 20-22, 1972
The people here impressed me as being culturally and socially advanced. I was also impressed with some of the pioneer youth in teaching and deepening in the villages, especially Phil Beattie who spends full time in this work. During my brief visit the friends organized an informal meeting for me with the Bahá’ís at which I was able to show slides and sing songs; a public meeting attended by some thirty non-Bahá’ís in Apia; an interview with the Director of the Department of Economic Development, Hans Kruse, which proved to be very cordial and productive; and a visit to Bahá’ís in villages on the main island.
Tonga—November 23-25, 1972
Tonga is an isolated country with many similarities to the Gilberts. I met several pioneers there during my stay: Grenville Kirton from Australia; Bob Dutton, pioneer from the United States here only three weeks; and Nan Greenwood, from Canada en route to the Cook Islands. In Fiji I met a young American leaving for Tonga in the Peace Corps, Jeff Hougland, whom I had known in Virginia. My host was Auxiliary Board member Mosese Hokafonu who seems to be universally loved wherever he has traveled. During my stay a teacher training institute was in progress attended by around ten students. Activities arranged for me were as follows: a very dignified public meeting attended by about fifty, chaired by the Mayor of the capital city, with translation by the Principal of the largest high school; an interview with the Secretary of the Government, which was very informative and ended cordially; a unity feast attended by forty Bahá’ís with delightful Polynesian dancing, singing, sumptuous food and an opportunity for me to show slides. An article with pictures appeared in the eight-page weekly newspaper.
Fiji—November 25-28, 1972
Hospitality was given me in the home of Australian pioneers in Suva, the Lucas family. I joined a teaching team which consisted of twelve young Bahá’ís fresh
[Page 9]
from a week-long institute, and led by an Australian
youth pioneer, Tom Vudrag, veteran of the Gilbert and
Ellice Islands. This team was based in the home of a
chief in Volivoli Village and teaching took place in
surrounding areas. After the first week of a planned
three-week campaign, there were fifty-six new Bahá’ís.
Efforts were being made to bring the new believers to
their base during the day for deepening.
Funafuti, Ellice Islands—November 28 - December 2, 1972
Funafuti was devastated by a hurricane a month before my arrival. Dr. Tilinga, the only doctor for the Ellice Islands and an islander himself, offered me hospitality. Unfortunately he had to leave soon after I arrived and so I lost my translator. There are four believers in this location.
Tarawa, Gilbert Islands—December 2-7, 1972
According to the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, Mabel Aritiera, a pioneer for fifteen years, there are 2700 believers in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands together, with 51 Assemblies. It would take two years for one person to visit all the islands, so travel-teachers are necessary with thirteen now being sponsored. One other pioneer here is Joe Russell, who arrived in 1959 and
Tonga Bahá’ís Mele Taufalele, left, and Paea Fifita, right, with pioneer Bob Dutton of the United States, center.
Volivoli Village, Fiji, November 1972. Bahá’í youth teaching team in the Chief’s house.
Betio, Tarawa, Gilbert Islands. Native believer Masipei,
left, and right, Hawaiian pioneer John Thurston in front
of John’s humble house. A fish trap is in the left foreground.
Two views of the National Bahá’í Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds and
properties of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, at Tarawa in
December 1972.
[Page 10]
now is married and has a family. His fluent Gilbertese
is a great asset. Another is John Thurston from Hawaii
living in Betio and operating a youth club, a singing
group. Other pioneers are Kurt Munchmayer and Greg
Wagner, from Hawaii and Canada, respectively, traveling on other islands. The Tafakis are here, with a new
baby (Irene is British). Activities arranged for me included meetings with Bahá’ís at the National Center in
Bikenibeu, an informal meeting in Betio, a twenty-minute radio interview with songs, and an interview
with the government economist.
Japan—December 15-22, 1972
I stayed in the Tokyo center with pioneer Tom Mandeville from the United States. The language barriers are very difficult. After the friends discovered I could sing, tapes were made and a special fireside in the home of the Schwerins was held. During my stay the singing group from the United States managed by Marcia Day were in Japan and unprecedented publicity resulted. In Osaka I was a guest of the Katirai family. At the meeting held at the Vahdat home about forty attended, mostly youth. The program consisted of group singing, short talks, the viewing of my slides, with two declarations of faith resulting.
Korea—December 22-29
Auxiliary Board member Toni Mantel went with me to Seoul where we were the guests of Captain Kelley of the U.S. Navy and Mrs. Kelley. Three meetings were held, two at the National Center and one at the home of Counsellor John McHenry. The smaller meeting was devoted to learning songs which I understand the friends are now singing there. I hope they begin to learn songs in Korean. From December 23 through 26 was spent with Counsellor McHenry in the southern part of Korea in and near Young Chun and Gyeong-Ju (Kyong-Ju) attending a teacher training institute held in the village school, teaching in the villages, and visiting with Regional and Area Committees in the Bahá’í Institute in Gyeong-Ju. I was impressed by the spiritual receptivity of the Korean farming people. But the effort is inadequate to the task of deepening the 13,000 on the list. Armies of teachers are needed.
Taiwan—December 29 - January 5, 1973
Toni Mantel and I proceeded together to Taiwan where we were joined by Philip Marangella of Hong Kong. Accommodations were in International House where Mr. Edgar Olson of Guam is staying. Two meetings were held in Taipei, one on the topic of “Bahá’í
Bahá’í teaching in a village in Southern Korea. Teacher in foreground is Miss Kim Han-Ju.
National Bahá’í Headquarters, Suva, Fiji, November 1972.
The Bahá’í “Maneaba” or meeting place and its keeper; Tarawa, Gilbert Islands.
Bahá’í Teaching Institute held in a public school building in rural Southern Korea, December 1972.
[Page 11]
Economics” and a Nineteen Day Feast at which we
sang songs. We met Victor Tom, a pioneer there. On
January 2, Phil Marangella, Toni Mantel and I went by
train to Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan, where Canadian
pioneer Nancye Becker lives. We had a small but warm
meeting in her little apartment. The next day she
accompanied us to Tainan where the Suleimani family
have been pioneering since October 1954.
Hong Kong—January 5-9, 1973
Phil Marangella preceded me to Hong Kong where my time was well used. The Mockons, from the Philippines and Charles Duncan, all pioneers in Macao, came over for a day. A highlight of my stay was an afternoon spent in one of the parks where we formed ourselves into a singing group. The Hong Kong friends were inspired to see the success of this method of teaching. A public meeting in the Center in Kowloon was attended by about fifty persons mostly new people, and with one young man making his declaration. Young pioneers from Malaysia have greatly contributed to this community. David Mockon in Macao has composed some impressive songs which I recorded.
Philippines—January 9-19, 1973
My visit to the Philippines was very full. The first day was spent with a leading industrialist, Eligio Tavanlar, adviser to President Marcos on agrarian reform and a friend of the Bahá’ís. On January 11, I flew to Davao, Mindanao, for four nights where eleven meetings were scheduled. A total of 2,600 attended, mostly in the University of Mindanao. My schedule also included a visit to Kidapawan. The spirit among the pioneers in Davao is exemplary and confirmations astoundingly abundant. Perhaps these are some of the fruits of the soil so recently watered by martyrs’ blood.
The highlight of a visit filled with highlights was a songfest at the University of Mindanao attended by some 600 to 800 high school and college students and teachers. Many Bahá’í songs were sung, including a simple round “World, World, Why do you reject your Lord? When will you receive your Savior, Bahá’u’lláh?” Several days later pioneer Dale Eng heard a classroom of high school students singing this round for fifteen minutes while waiting for their teacher to arrive. Such is the power of song!
Cibu was visited on January 15 and 16, where there are seven Iranian students and a few native believers. A public meeting was held. Following this I appeared on TV with two of the Iranian students for a friendly twenty-minute interview.
There was a meeting in Manila on January 17 which brought some interested seekers. Tonight, January 18, a meeting is scheduled in Los Banos, one hour from Manila by bus. Tomorrow, God willing, I proceed to Djakarta.
Bahá’ís in front of their center at Magkaalam Village, in
rural Mindanao, Philippines, at a meeting with Greg Dahl
of the United States.
Bahá’ís in front of the Teaching Institute at Kidapawan,
Mindanao, Philippines, in January 1973. Auxiliary Board
member Miss Shahin Rouhani is second from right.
All Efforts for the Faith Are Rewarded[edit]
The following report from Lakeland, Florida, of their activity on January 20, 1973 will be an encouragement for those who have had or may have similar situations to deal with. May the friends be inspired by the faith and stamina displayed by this group of fellow believers. The report follows:
Our expectations were high for the program planned at the Neighborhood Service Center in Lakeland, a social services coordinating agency located in the heart of the major black residential area. After our encouraging meeting in Winter Haven that afternoon, all the friends were hoping for great victories with a spiritually receptive group. Arriving at the Center, we were stunned to be greeted by a dark, empty looking building. Something was wrong! Attempts to reach staff members of the Center proved fruitless. What were we to do? After some hasty prayers, the Director of the Center appeared on the scene. She had thought that the program was next week. The only reason she had come by tonight was because a friend she had with her needed some materials from the Center!
By now, the scheduled beginning of the program had long since passed and no inquirers were in sight save the Director and her friend. We went ahead, setting up a literature table, projector for the films, etc. Still, no one appeared. The community wasn’t coming to us, so the friends decided to try to meet them half-way. We all congregated on the front steps of the building and gave a half-hour concert of Bahá’í songs, our unrehearsed professionalism perhaps overshadowed by our
CANADIAN CARIBBEAN REPORT[edit]
December 15, 1972—January 18, 1973[edit]
The project began with a briefing of the team with the National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward and Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands on December 16. During this meeting the team demonstrated its teaching materials and methods while the National Assembly related its enrollment policy, described the work previously done in the French Antilles and assured the team of its full administrative support. Auxiliary Board member for Central America Mrs. Marjory Harmer was present.
The team proceeded to Guadeloupe for a ten-day stay. During the very first days of teaching the team was impressed with the spiritual receptivity in the French-Antilles. There were over fifty declarations that first day. From the start it was necessary to adapt to the tempo of the work and try to keep the process of consolidation running at the same pace. Along with declarations that came flooding in daily, deepening meetings were organized for the new believers consisting of slides, films, songs and talks on the Faith. Institutes were held whenever possible in homes of new believers or in hotels where team members were staying.
These institutes in Guadeloupe and in the other islands covered the points that The Universal House of Justice suggested: the three main figures of the Faith, the spread and stature of the Faith, laws of prayer and teaching, Bahá’í administration, the Nineteen Day Feast and the Fund.
New believers were provided, whenever possible, with the opportunity of teaching the Faith with the team. Numerous new Bahá’ís opened their homes to teaching, took team members to see their families and friends and aided in many ways in opening new areas to the Faith. An important lesson the team learned early was to always put the new believer first. In this way many souls were confirmed and became experienced teachers.
Two Local Spiritual Assemblies were elected while the team was on the Island of Guadeloupe, one in Petit Bourg and one in Gosier. Both elections were with a wonderful spirit and had a representative number of new believers attending. During this time on Guadeloupe part of the team made a teaching trip to the island of Marie Galante which was very successful, resulting in forty-five declarations in one day. A deepening meeting was held and a Local Spiritual Assembly on that island was organized. When the team left Guadeloupe the numerical results were as follows: 346 enrolled, 2 new Local Spiritual Assemblies, 6 new communities opened to the Faith.
Martinique was a striking phase of the project because by this time the team had developed a method combining teaching and consolidation suitable to the location. It was a three phase method involving a first day of teaching and an invitation to a meeting the next night; a second day of teaching and presenting in the evening the film “It’s Just the Beginning” and slides illustrating the principles of the Faith as well as songs; a third day of teaching, holding the election for the Local Spiritual Assembly in the evening. In each phase, teaching and consolidation are combined and each part of the sequence of events prepares for the next part; thus enthusiasm is sustained and new believers are integrated into the Faith. The election was supplemented by institutes and in many cases after the election there was an institute about electing officers. The team was divided in such a way that on any given night there would be perhaps a deepening meeting in one place and an election in two other different areas.
During the stay in Martinique the team was assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Martial, believers native to the island
Bahá’í friends in Martinique.
[Page 13]
and Chuck Fitzsimmons, a member of the National
Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward and Virgin Islands,
and his wife, Betty. Before leaving Martinique there
were 480 new believers enrolled, 6 new Assemblies
formed, 10 communities opened to the Faith and innumerable institutes held.
The remaining five days were spent on three of the smaller islands in the Caribbean, Ilés des Saintes, Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin. Most notable was Ilés des Saintes, called by the islanders “The Citadel of Christianity.” Here 85 declarations were made in one and one-half days and a new Local Spiritual Assembly was formed.
Before leaving the Caribbean the team had another meeting with the National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward and Virgin Islands which provided an opportunity to relay information which will be useful in follow-up. As for consolidation, the team thinks of it in terms of successive waves of teaching and consolidation. The second wave is already starting with Roland Estall and his wife pioneering to Martinique and Chuck Fitzsimmons and his wife pioneering to Guadeloupe. Terri Rhéaume, team member, is an important link with new Bahá’ís in the area. Bob Phillips was sent to do teaching in the French Caribbean and to report back about the needs there.
A cable was sent to The Universal House of Justice upon leaving the Caribbean Islands “Overjoyed final victory Caribbean Team 936 enrolled, 9 Local Spiritual Assemblies, sixteen communities opened. Assured follow-up successive waves teaching consolidation request prayers continued services—Love, Canadian Caribbean Team”
The team hopes that things learned will also be useful in Canada. Especially helpful was the illustrated teaching book which speaks in a simple language addressed to the heart. The method of putting the new believers in the forefront of teaching so that they take the team to their families and friends will bring the Faith into the very fabric of the community.
First International Youth Conference of Mexico[edit]
The recent Youth Conference held in Puebla City and the Amelia Collins Institute at Acatepec was a tremendous success. Many youth and adults from all over the Americas attended. Bahá’í representatives traveled from El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador, New York, Iowa, New Mexico, California, Texas, Mexico DF, Oaxaca, Morelos, Guanojuato and many towns.
The first day of the Conference only about forty Bahá’ís had arrived. By the last day there were over 200.
The Conference was officially opened with many beautiful prayers and all were welcomed by members of the National Youth Committee. Many talks were given with special appeal to Bahá’í youth. “How to live the Bahá’í life”, for instance, covered subjects such as drugs and the damage they do to the soul, and the importance of following the Laws and Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. It was pointed out that one must not condemn or judge others when they backslide, but must always attempt to love and help all. Another talk was on the Bahá’í attitude of life after death and the importance of understanding this level of existence. Also it was stressed that by developing and striving toward the attributes of God as revealed by Bahá’u’lláh we gain this understanding and growth.
Carmen Burafato, Resident Counsellor, spoke to the group twice. Her main theme was the New World Order and our part in it. She stressed the importance of obedience to the Administrative Institutions and our comprehension of them. She also pointed out the importance of Bahá’í youth to the Faith, mentioning the ages of the Báb and the early martyrs.
An interesting discussion took place on the topic of “The economy of the Bahá’í youth.” As many Bahá’í youth are in school it is difficult, sometimes impossible, for them both to study and work. Much emphasis is put on the importance of education in the Writings and the Bahá’í youth understand this. But the youth feel that they must put forth every effort to contribute to the Fund by going without extras and thereby learning the mystery of sacrifice.
There was also a talk on Bahá’í courtship and conduct between men and women. There were many questions on this subject and The Advent of Divine Justice was often quoted.
Most of the talks ended with a lively question and answer period. Carmen Burafato and Paul Lucas, Auxiliary Board member, helped clarify many points in the Teachings, also quoting directly from the Writings.
The Conference was well balanced with prayer, consultation, music and socializing. There was a tremendous sense of harmony and unity among those present because all shared in the activities.
There were two young students, one from Brazil and one from the United States, who spent quite a lot of time at the Institute. They were both Christians and had never heard of the Faith before. They certainly learned a lot in a very short time. They left with smiles of gratitude and a solid understanding of Bahá’í unity. They said they would get in touch with the Bahá’ís in their home communities.
As there were many English-speaking people present, all the presentations were translated. Our thanks especially to Paul Lucas for a wonderful job of translation with patience and humor.
The Committee worked very hard and their efforts were well rewarded. Everything went very smoothly. All participated and everyone was well fed, warm and very happy, including many seekers.
We pray the Conference brought to all the needed spiritual energy to help us reach all of our goals for the last few moments of the Nine Year Plan.
Mr. E. Sahari, left, Chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Northampton, England, presents The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to Alderman Ken Pearson, Mayor of Northampton. Auxiliary Board member Ted Cordell is on the right. A very large number of public figures in England have now accepted this volume. The Mayor in this case personally organized press coverage of the event and expressed sympathy with the Faith.
Report of Human Rights Day Observances[edit]
SRI LANKA (CEYLON)[edit]
An all-day seminar on human rights was organized by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Negombo, in celebration of the 24th Anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Important speakers from the private and public sectors and the United Nations addressed a large audience at Browns Beach Hotel, Negombo. Mr. Neil Kulatunga, on behalf of Dr. C. Hart Schaaf, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, in giving the welcoming address, expressed his pleasure at receiving an invitation from the Bahá’ís, who enjoy consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations through the Bahá’í International Community, a non-governmental body, and noted particularly the non-political character of the Bahá’í Faith. Following Mr. Kulatunga, in the morning session, Mr. D. S. Karannagoda, Deputy Commissioner of Probation and Child Care, Colombo, discussed “Youth and Human Rights.” Mr. J. P. Delgoda, Superintendent of Prisons, Prisons H. Q., Colombo, spoke about “Society and The Criminal”, and Professor L. G. Hewage, Dean of Arts and Professor of Education, University of Sri Lanka, spoke on “Education and Human Rights.” During the afternoon session, Mr. Lalith De Mel, Managing Director, Reckitt and Colman, Colombo, discussed the subject of “Business and Human Rights.” Bahá’í—and UN Expert—Edward Parker, Project Manager setting up the telecommunications school at Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, explained the role of the United Nations in the field of Human Rights, and Hand of the Cause H. Collis Featherstone appeared on the program to comment on “Religion and Human Rights,” saying that the hearts of men need to be reoriented in their relationship to God so that human rights may be applied by governments and individuals with proper spirit and motives. He also mentioned the need for the United Nations’ Covenants on Human Rights to be ratified and implemented throughout the world. Mr. Raymond Peter, member of
At left, one of the speakers for Human Rights Day in
Negombo, Ceylon, Mr. T. R. Mahamood, Chairman of the
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Negombo; second
from left, Mr. Raymond Peter, Bahá’í; and at right the
Chairman of the Negombo Lions Club.
The observance of Human Rights Day at Negombo, Ceylon.
the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Sri Lanka,
made the closing remarks, noting that the topics of the
seminar were carefully selected to take participants
from stage to stage—Youth, to Society and the Criminal,
to Education, to Business, to the United Nations and
finally to Religion, the foundation for the education of
the morals of man. He expressed the hope that the
seminar would help to lay a basic foundation for the
unity of mankind.
An attractive folder, gift of Lions International in Negombo, contained United Nations material on Human Rights along with “A Bahá’í Declaration of Human Obligations and Rights” and “The Earth is but One Country and Mankind its Citizens”, a pamphlet published by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Negombo.
FINLAND[edit]
Human Rights Day 1972 was observed by all the Bahá’í groups and Local Spiritual Assemblies of Finland. Recognition was given to the day in a variety of ways. The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Espoo held a public meeting, featuring a slide show, a talk, and films. Hundreds of invitations were distributed at the shopping center of Tapiola, and some 50 people attended the program. In Kangasala, the Local Spiritual Assembly sponsored a panel discussion and a film-showing. The Bahá’ís distributed invitations in the streets and placed an ad in the local newspaper. The Bahá’ís of Tampere sold 800 UNICEF cards at their public meeting, and the Bahá’í community of Mariehann hung posters and purchased a newspaper ad to publicize their public observance, which included a film-showing and a talk. The Local Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of Helsinki, Lahti, Kuopio, Savonlinna, and Turku, and the Bahá’í groups of Jyvaskyla, Naantali, Salo, Tornio, Vantaa, and Varkaus, discussed the Bahá’í Faith and Human Rights at their weekly firesides.
PAKISTAN[edit]
The Bahá’í community of Lahore, Pakistan held a highly successful Human Rights Day program on December 10 at the Hotel Intercontinental, at which the Honorable Muhammad Haneef Ramay, Finance Minister of Punjab Province, was chief guest. The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Lahore sponsored the event. One hundred and forty civic leaders and Bahá’ís from various centers of Punjab Province attended the observance.
As Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Issat’u’lláh Sheikh, Vice Chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Lahore, began the meeting by giving a brief description of the work of the Bahá’í International Community as a Non-Governmental Organization accredited to the United Nations. Mrs. Edward Filstrup, representing the Bahá’ís, followed with a talk on the history of human rights, stating that the greatest proclamation of human rights had come from the Prophet-Founders of the world religions. She also told of the work of the United Nations in the field of human rights, particularly the work of the Human Rights Commission. The Honorable Muhammad Haneef Ramay, speaking for the people of Punjab, then gave tribute to the principles of peace taught by the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and spoke words of appreciation for the work of the Bahá’í International Community. (Mr. Ramay’s speech was later heard on Radio Lahore.)
Following the talks, Mr. Ramay cut a special Human Rights Day cake decorated with the United Nations flag and the flags of the member-nations; and as tea was served the guests were entertained by Bahá’í music from around the world.
Second from the left is Honorable Muhammad Haneef
Ramay, Finance Minister of Punjab who was the speaker
for the occasion and guest of honor.
GILBERT AND ELLICE ISLANDS[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands reports that their Human Rights Day observance took the form of two five-minute radio broadcasts in two languages, Gilbertese and Ellice. The program was on the equality of men and women, with passages from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and a report on the advancement of women in the Colony in the last 10 years, especially in education and job possibilities. The radio announcer had not known of Human Rights Day when he was approached by the Bahá’ís, but he gladly gave the time for their program and asked some questions about the occasion. Later in December when the station broadcast a talk on Human Rights by the Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Dinner sponsored by the Local Spiritual Assembly of
Lahore on the occasion of Human Rights Day, December
10, 1972.
emphasizing particularly the equality of men and
women, followed by a discussion of local men and
women on the same topic, the Bahá’ís felt that their
broadcast had stimulated interest in this area of Human
Rights.
HONDURAS[edit]
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, arranged a public meeting for Human Rights Day with assistance from the local office of the United Nations Development Program. The UNDP office contributed a selection of pamphlets for distribution and kindly provided some beautiful photographs which were used along with flowers to decorate the meeting room. Articles in the local press announced the program and invited the public to attend. Señor René Sánchez Bardales was the speaker for the occasion. About fifty people gathered to hear his talk which stimulated many questions and comments. The program concluded with refreshments and music from different lands.
Members of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Sri Lanka (Ceylon). Standing, left to right: Raymond Peter; R. D. David; B. D. Saleh, Treasurer; K. C. Suwarnaraj; K. G. Chandradasa. Seated, V. Chitravelu, Secretary; Mrs. B. A. Cadir; Anwer Cadir, Chairman; M.L.C. Chandrasekera, Vice-Chairman.
THE GREAT SAFARI[edit]
of Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum[edit]
Part fifteen
During almost all of her visit to the Southern countries
of Africa, Amatu’l-Bahá was accompanied by one or the
other of the Counsellors for that area. Sometimes it was
our good fortune to have them both with us at the
same time. Again we were joined by Counsellor Shidan
Fat’he-Aazam for the month we spent in Botswana.
Challoner Chute, Junior, a Bahá’í youth and a cousin
of Rúḥíyyih Khánum was also with us on this part of
the tour, having come from the United States at her
invitation to join us for six weeks.
On June 9 we crossed into Botswana, which, unlike Rhodesia, is an arid country largely composed of the Kalahari desert. It has a peculiarity of its own in that at certain seasons such as the time we were there, one has difficulty in finding the people in their towns or villages. In order to eke out a living, they have a home in a town or village, another on their bit of farming land and still another place where they graze cattle near a bore hole. Often, on arrival at a village where a meeting had been arranged, we would find only a few, the majority being away at either of the other two locations.
In Selebi-Pikwe a public meeting was arranged in a local school house. The Chief of the area, a very distinguished elderly gentleman, attended and was keenly interested in the Faith. A dear pioneer couple who live in this town were truly exemplary. We were surprised and touched when a young mother carrying her one-week old baby in her arms was the first to meet us, an hour’s drive from the town. All hearts were drawn to her. The villagers were deeply touched by her demonstration of love for the Cause and her confidence in bringing such a young baby with her.
In the interior of the country at the village of Ratholo, Amatu’l-Bahá met with and addressed a group of teachers, speaking on the purpose of creation and the journey of the soul of man throughout the worlds of God.
All of us spent a night in a government High School compound in Moeng as the guest of a young pioneer who is a teacher there. Rúḥíyyih Khánum was able to meet with some of the teachers who had shown an interest in the Faith.
A most satisfactory feature of the Botswana Bahá’í community to us was fact that the three pioneer families all reside in different areas of the country and are thus able to be of greater service. In some other countries, regrettably, pioneers are often clustered in the capital city while the rest of the country has to do
Amatu’l-Bahá, Counsellor for Southern Africa Shidan Fat’he-Aazam, and eight of the National Spiritual Assembly members for Botswana in front of the Land Rover.
[Page 17]
without them. Sometimes this is due to job difficulties.
Botswana has very well built huts with beautiful thatch roofs but most of our meetings were held in the center of the village, the place where the village court and councils are held, a typical practice of the country. Often we met under the shade of a huge tree in the picket fence enclosure made of bales of trees.
In Seleka a number of teachers and farmers, including the Chief, gathered around Rúḥíyyih Khánum in such a spot to hear about the coming of Bahá’u’lláh, His Teachings on the state of the soul of man in the next world, and so on. This subject of life after death is a never-ending source of interest to the Africans. Amatu’l-Bahá often speaks of it and if she doesn’t, I have noticed that it is usually brought up in the question period.
In the township of Serewe, Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke to over a hundred girl students in the Teachers’ Training College on the “Role of Women in Modern Society.” She said that one of the distinguishing aspects of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is the fact that, for the first time in the history of religion, the Manifestation of God has decreed equal rights for men and women. She said in the Teachings of the Bahá’í Faith humanity is likened to a bird; one wing men, one wing women; when the two wings of the bird are equally strong the bird can fly high. She pointed out that to be a woman as well as a teacher by profession was a wonderful honor and privilege as women are the first teachers of the human race. It is from his mother that a child learns to eat, to walk, to talk and learns the difference between right and wrong. If the mother is endowed with a good character as well as an education she can shape the new generation to follow in the right path.
An interesting question was asked by a young lady: “From what I understand you have no priest or paid clergy in the Bahá’í Faith; therefore is this religion only for educated people who can read and understand for themselves?” Rúḥíyyih Khánum replied, “No, this is not true. Bahá’u’lláh has brought the principle of universal education and we see clearly in the world today that the circumstances of civilization are making it possible to eliminate illiteracy all over the world in one or two generations. But faith and recognition of the truth from God is not dependent upon book learning. There are two doors through which people can recognize spiritual truth; the door of mind or intellect and the door of the heart or intuition. The illiterate man instinctively knows in his heart whether it is the truth or not. This is why, I am proud to say, we have so many tens of thousands of village Bahá’ís all over the world who are illiterate, yet deep and convinced believers.”
In the capital city, Gaberone, that same evening Rúḥíyyih Khánum addressed a select audience in Lady Khama Center. An American missionary asked an interesting question: “Do the Bahá’ís believe in the power and existence of evil spirits?” Amatu’l-Bahá explained that the difference between the animal and man is in the fact that animals are governed by instinct but man has the power of reason, of choice and free will. “At every moment of our lives we have the freedom to choose which way we will go. Evil is not a concrete power in itself, but rather the absence of good. Good is like light, it is a positive force, whereas evil is like darkness, which is only the absence of light, just the way cold is the absence of heat. If we turn away from God and His Teachings we place ourselves in spiritual darkness and then the lower forces of our nature derive strength and we become evil. But we do not believe in Satan as a being, a personification of evil, as God is of Good.”
At a village meeting in Bonwapitse Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke to a group of Bahá’ís and their friends on the importance of prayer and the meaning of “Alláh’u’Abhá”,
Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Challoner Chute, Junior (wearing
hat), and Shidan Fat’he-Aazam with some of the Bahá’ís
at Shoshang, Botswana.
which is in itself a short prayer of Bahá’u’lláh
and should be taught to the children for their protection.
While in the village of Mmutlane, she addressed the school children and their teachers and later spoke to the believers and their friends on the subject of dreams and their significance, a fascinating subject to the Africans who are great believers in dreams. She related how Bahá’u’lláh in His childhood dreamed He was floating on the sea and His long hair was spread out on the water and each hair was held in the mouth of a fish. Bahá’u’lláh told His father about this dream who asked an interpreter of dreams what it signified. He was told that his son would give a Teaching to the world, and all the people, like the fishes in the sea, would attach themselves to His Teachings. “We Bahá’ís, all over the world are the fulfillment of that dream,” she said.
She also recounted the prophetic dream of the Báb when He stood before the severed head of Iman Ḥussayn and held out His hands to catch some of the precious drops of blood which with great respect He drank, and how, when He awoke from this dream He knew that God had chosen Him to proclaim His Message.
In Mahalapye some of the Bahá’ís were able to come to the hotel to meet their beloved guest and spend a happy and sociable evening with much discussion. In Pallard nearly forty people, mostly seekers, gathered under the shade of the village tree to hear about the Message of Bahá’u’lláh and held long discussions on the proof of His claim based on the Biblical references.
Rúḥíyyih Khánum gave a beautiful example of the way different individuals react to spiritual matters. She told how some years before her marriage, she, on one of her pilgrimages to Haifa, with another pilgrim who also later became a Hand of the Cause, were taken to view the archives. When the mirror used by Bahá’u’lláh was shown to them she said they each reacted entirely differently. He took the mirror in his hand and with joy and wonder looked into it, probably saying to himself, “I am looking into a mirror where the blessed face of the Manifestation of God was once reflected.” Rúḥíyyih Khánum, however, held the mirror far from her, thinking, “I dare not reflect my face in a mirror wherein the face of the Blessed Beauty was once reflected!” Then she pointed out how different these two reactions were, but both pure and genuine, based on the love of Bahá’u’lláh, and added that we should not condemn a man because his understanding or reactions are the opposite of ours.
[Page 18]
A typical village meeting in Botswana. Palla Road Bahá’ís and their friends meet with Amatu’l-Bahá.
The Kalahari Desert[edit]
The highlight of this tour was a four-day trip into the Kalahari desert which fulfilled a life-long desire of Rúḥíyyih Khánum. Always keenly interested in the variety of ethnic groups everywhere, and to see the Bushmen of the Kalahari had long been one of her dreams. Our guide was the Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Botswana, who is a linguist and is studying the language of the Bushmen. We were very happy to have him accompany us. As at this time there were only two or three Bushmen in the country who were believers, the object of the trip was to visit them, rather than to teach them the Faith as this would require that one remain near and communicate with this highly nomadic people. The bands of Bushmen are constantly moving from place to place in search of food and water. Nevertheless, the possibility of all-Bushmen Local Assemblies in the future is an exciting goal which the National Spiritual Assembly is actively working to accomplish.
We were able to see several groups of Bushmen in four different places. They call themselves “the harmless people” and are one of the rare treasures of Africa, still living in the stone age. They ask for nothing but to be left alone and are but dimly aware of the outside world which is being forced upon them, threatening their integrity as a people. The Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh are the only thing which can possibly sustain such minority groups, cherish them and lovingly help them to come into the twentieth century without losing their God given qualities of gentleness and goodness. These five days, often driving over 180 miles a day in deep sand tracks which the Land Rover could barely go through even in low gear power drive, were very exhausting for the driver, Rúḥíyyih Khánum. But the scenery was strange and beautiful, the people a joy to meet.
We drove from Gaberone to Lethlakeng where we picked up our young guide and from there on the roads became progressively worse. Our first two nights were spent in a tiny village called Kungwane in the great grass land desert of the Kalahari with its sparse sprinkling of mostly stunted thorny trees no larger than bushes.
Mr. Fat’he-Aazam had kindly loaned us his tiny tent which we decided to sleep in after surveying the two mud huts of a villager at our disposal which were in a little circular compound surrounded by a fence of piled up thorn bushes, mainly to keep the goats out. The three men would use one hut and the other would be used for stores and eating. As this was during the coldest part of the winter we had brought along a gas cylinder with a heating unit. We kept this lighted all night in the tent in the eighteen-inch space between our sleeping bags and the ground. We were in peril of being burned to death, but that was preferable to being frozen to death!
We had brought a large three-legged iron pot and this over a fire of twigs and wood was used to boil water to make porridge for breakfast. Lunch usually consisted of sandwiches and supper was a bowl of soup if we had enough strength left to make a fire and heat the water.
Two nights were spent with this arrangement, and two more, deeper into the desert at an equally hospitable home. This time it was the dwelling of the white Afrikaan traders who ran the only store and petrol pump at Kang, half way to Khanzi, the ultimate jumping-off place in the desert, too far for us to reach. Life is so wild and hard in this part of the country that without this kindness and hospitality no one without full equipment of expedition facilities could visit it.
We drove one day farther west to find Bushmen at Digby’s Well and Lone Tree, both of which are water bores for cattle. They simply consist of a couple of tin shacks, a petrol pump and most importantly water in troughs in order to supply the vast herds grazing in the Kalahari.
Some of the little Bushmen families we met were living without even the rough branch shelter they usually erect. They were seated on the earth around their fire used for heat and cooking, with their quivers of arrows, their bones, leather bags for extra grain. A few meager rags of clothes were hanging in the
In the Kalahari desert Rúḥíyyih Khánum emerges from her tent for breakfast.
[Page 19]
branches of a thorn tree nearby. The people are very
friendly, quite musical, and give the impression of being
energetic by nature. We felt that they can play a valuable part in the Faith if pains are taken to teach them
deeply and enable them to find their way into a useful
role in the world surrounding them.
In pursuit of these elusive nomads, one evening we drove literally miles over the wilderness following a foot path in the high grass, visible only to the local guide we had picked up. We were rewarded by finding Bushmen families living next to a village of Bantus, and they sang and danced for us that night about the fire. We were so entranced by this unique opportunity to be with them socially and happily, that we ignored what lay ahead of us in trying to find our way back home (over forty miles) in the dark. Even our local guide lost his footpath a number of times but we eventually climbed back up our own roadless hill and in and out of trees until we located our thorn fence. Frozen and exhausted we ate our soup and crawled into our welcome fire-trap, to doze uncomfortably with the vision of Bushmen dancing before our eyes.
Amatu’l-Bahá and Shidan Fat’he-Aazam met with members of the Botswana National Spiritual Assembly who occasionally have special meetings when they spend their time studying the Faith and discussing different aspects of teaching and Bahá’í Administration. The theme of this session was “consultation” and they asked Rúḥíyyih Khánum to speak on this vital topic. She said that she believes in the future this topic will be taught in the schools to the children. “People do not know how to consult or the meaning of consultation. Often a member gives his view as if putting it on the table but then does not take his hand off it, but holds it, restates it over and over, considers it his precious right; the result is waste of time for everyone. We should be objective about our views and willing to submit to the majority view.”
At Digby’s Well, Kalahari desert, Amatu’l-Bahá with Bushmen.
She was asked whether or not it is permissible to
loan the money of the Faith to an individual believer
who was in need. Rúḥíyyih Khánum said: “The Assembly is only a trustee of the Bahá’í Fund; they do not
own it and, therefore, how can they presume to spend
it on matters which are not directly connected with the
work of the Faith?” She explained that the money of
the Faith is sacred, it is given with much love and often
real sacrifice. “If we do not expend it for the specific
purpose for which it is given we have greatly erred and
are responsible to God.”
In the village of Themaga a small number of believers
Students and teachers at the meeting where Amatu’l-Bahá spoke at Mmutlane, Botswana.
[Page 20]
met Rúḥíyyih Khánum and joyously told her that they
have given a piece of land for an endowment. The
friends proudly took their guest to see the site of the
future Bahá’í Center to be built on this property. It has
been legally registered and thus fulfills one of the goals
of the Nine Year Plan for Botswana.
Many people heard the Message of Bahá’u’lláh during a radio interview and also at a well-attended public meeting held in Gaberone, the capital city. Among others attending this meeting were the Honorable E. S. Masisi, the Minister of Agriculture, and his wife. Both showed great interest in Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s subject: “The Bahá’í Faith and the Social Order.”
At Lobatsi, one of the larger towns of Botswana, Amatu’l-Bahá spoke at the Teachers’ Training College on “The Role of Youth in Modern Society” to a large body of students and teachers. Among other pertinent remarks she said: “Youth are the future of any society and today they are becoming increasingly international minded as the result of modern means of communication. In the field of education, more or less the same subjects are taught all over the world. Music and art are increasingly the same in the East, West, North and South. The restlessness of Western youth has communicated itself to the rest of the world. Eager and idealistic youth, if enlightened, can change society for the better.” She pointed out: “The force and influence of an individual on society can be tremendous; one man, Shakespeare, had a tremendous impact on English literature; one Pasteur left his mark in the world of medicine; likewise one Napoleon created such havoc in Europe that he earned the title ‘butcher of Europe’.” Rúḥíyyih Khánum said: “We should not be discouraged by the force of the masses of humanity and say ‘What can I, an individual, do in the face of millions and billions of people?’ Each one of us in this hall is contributing to the level of the society of all of us; if I am a better individual, the total value will be higher. If I am worse, I debase the standard by that much. It is the same principle as the amount of gold; twenty-four carats is pure gold, but nine carats means a baser alloy makes up the rest. We can add individually, so to speak, to the gold in our society and cause it to have a higher value.”
At the end of this talk the Headmaster caused a great deal of laughter when he said: “Madam Rabbani, I have a confession to make. When I heard that a lady, a religious figure was coming to give a lecture in my school I had some misgivings. I thought she would most probably be one of those strange females with strange ideas in a long dress with strange colors who would speak on all kinds of mystical, incomprehensible, metaphysical subjects and I truly did not look forward to it. However, I owe you a special vote of thanks for such enlightened thoughts and ideas.”
On our way out of Botswana, in the small town of Good Hope, Amatu’l-Bahá spoke to a large gathering of mostly non-Bahá’ís. The Chief called a special meeting to hear about the Bahá’í Faith but was ill so the sub-chief acted as Chairman. When Rúḥíyyih Khánum asked him if he knew anything about the Bahá’í Faith he said: “No, and I do not know if I would like it.” Rúḥíyyih Khánum said that was fair enough, he could like it or not as he pleased. After the talk he said that he did like it! Two of the very early believers of this part of Africa were present and we were most happy to meet this elderly, devoted couple.
It was late in the afternoon of June 29, 1972 when we in the Land Rover, and Challoner Chute with Mr. Shidan Fat’he-Aazam in his car, crossed the border into the Republic of South Africa where Amatu’l-Bahá was eagerly welcomed by the Chairman and Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly and Counsellor Mrs. Bahíyyih Ford, a friend of hers since childhood.
At the Good Hope, Botswana, meeting. Mr. and Mrs.
Moncho, early African believers, with Rúḥíyyih Khánum
and Violette Nakhjavání.
enthusiastic volume. Still no inquirers, but we had aroused the distant curiosity of some folks across the street who were listening from the security of their front yard. With this limited audience of lawnchair onlookers, we decided to stage the first area outdoor showing of Bahá’í films. Projector and screen were moved outdoors and situated so passers-by and our shy audience across the street could view and hear from an uninvolved distance.
All this time, of course, the friends were individually saying prayers for assistance and guidance. The true fruits of our labors and supplications were maturing almost unnoticed beneath the hurried surface of our attempts to adapt to an unexpected and apparently futile situation. Throughout the entire evening of music, films and fellowship the Director of the Center had been observing with a watchful eye and an open heart. She developed an interest in the Faith and asked many questions. This interest, with her impression of the Bahá’ís as a spirited and undiscouraged group, led her to plead with us to come back in the near future. After profuse apologies for forgetting the correct date, she said that, when we came back, she and her staff would help us with publicity and transportation, and that we could expect a minimum audience of 300 (yes, three hundred) people.
Prayers answered and spirits uplifted, the Bahá’ís of Polk County are now proceeding with plans for another program at the Neighborhood Service Center in Lakeland. And this time, to perhaps avoid some of the suspense, we are considering focusing more of our prayer efforts well before the scheduled event!
February, 1973
West African Summer School, Bomi Hills, Liberia[edit]
Once more Bahá’ís and friends of various national and racial backgrounds from different parts of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana and Nigeria came together in Bomi Hills and made the West African Summer School December 22-30 a scene of lively and joyous activities. Classes were held on “Administration”, “Bahá’í History”, “Bahá’í Conduct”, and “Mass Teaching.” In the evenings friends from the different localities entertained the participants with interesting programs, cultural shows with skits especially from the friends of Sierra Leone, some quite amusing.
Mr. Sterling Glenn, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Ghana, was present for a few days and entertained with his guitar and singing. Among others attending were two Auxiliary Board members, Mr. Shidan Koucheckzadeh of Sierra Leone and Mr. Friday Ekpe from Nigeria, who added to the singing and happiness.
Our newest believer, seventy-two years old Mrs. Bertha Corbin, was present. Whenever she speaks of Bahá’u’lláh her eyes flash with enthusiasm. She repeatedly emphasizes that Bahá’u’lláh has come to Africa and this is the day for Africa to receive its spiritual bounty. Recently President Tolbert of Liberia awarded her the Star of Africa Medal of Honor for her meritorious services to Liberia.
Among the non-Bahá’í participants were the National Secretary General of the Y.W.C.A., an intellectual person with a beautiful spirit, and her three year old son. She is now making a thorough study of the Faith.
The school closed with a public meeting at which the Mayoress of Tumanburg City (Bomi Hills) and the representatives of the Superintendent were present. Guest speaker was Mr. Kenneth Best, Assistant Minister of the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs of Liberia. Speaking of Bahá’í literature he had read he said: “It filled me with a deep sense of appreciation for the inspired teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.” Each guest received a Bahá’í book presented by the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of West Africa.
News of the Bahá’í Summer School was broadcast by radio several times during the sessions. Newspapers also announced the event, and parts of Mr. Best’s speech were published in both national newspapers.
Speakers’ row at the public meeting. At left, Mr. Kenneth
Best, Assistant Minister of Information and Cultural Affairs of Liberia. Third is the Mayoress of Bomi Hills.
Attending the Bomi Hills Summer School, in center, Mrs.
Bertha Corbin, older believer, a Bahá’í of only three
months, with the youngest who attended the school, three
year old Reggie Deshield. At right is Mrs. Vivian Wesson,
pioneer who has long been at her post, with Liberian
friends.
Group photo of those attending the West African Summer School at Bomi Hills, Liberia.
Southern Ute Indian Reservation Site of Teaching Conference[edit]
The Spiritual Assembly of Durango, Colorado, sponsored a teaching team and conference, December 26-30, 1972, on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, a very successful event.
The team consisted of five Bahá’ís, including a coordinator from Durango. They visited many people on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation and invited them to the conference on December 29th and also gave them Bahá’í literature if they were interested.
The conference, dedicated to Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory, opened with a special briefing for the Bahá’ís of the area on “Guidelines for Indigenous Teaching,” presented by Mrs. Rhoderoi Myers of Durango. The afternoon session was opened to the public and included a puppet show, music and a filmstrip about the Faith. A number of children attended along with the several adults.
Guest speaker Mr. Chester Kahn, from the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, gave the evening talk to an audience of mostly Ute peoples plus the area Bahá’ís on “The Oneness of Mankind.” The tribal newspaper editor, Mr. Eddie Box, Sr., attended the program and took pictures for the tribal newspaper. Carol Brooks from Denver, Colorado, provided musical entertainment. Each person attending received a gift copy of the pamphlet, “Above All Barriers,” which is about Louis G. Gregory. About eighteen local residents were present despite a heavy snowfall that same day.
Weekly follow-up teaching trips are scheduled to the Ute Reservation by the Durango believers.
A Bahá’í school held in Havana, Cuba, in December 1972
Mr. Chester Kahn, at right, speaking at the Southern Ute Community Center on “The Oneness of Mankind, on December 29, 1972. In the center of the audience is Mr. Eddie Box, Sr., Editor of the Southern Ute Tribal newspaper.
Notes from Japan[edit]
Hokkaido: A deepening institute was held in Sapporo under the sponsorship of the National Teaching Committee over the weekend of December 2. Kimiko Schwerin, National Teaching Committee member, was the coordinator. Terry and Cathleen Riggins provided their home for the occasion. Auxiliary Board members Mr. Umagea and Mr. Suzuki were present along with thirteen Hokkaido Bahá’ís. One declaration was made.
Sandai: Tom and Donna Mandeville are pioneers who have recently arrived from the United States and are now living in Sandai and holding regular Feasts and firesides. Neither speak Japanese so help is needed. Tom works in Tokyo and commutes but Donna is home at all times.
Direct teaching was conducted in the Sandai area from December 26 to January 7. It began with a pre-team composed of the Mandevilles, the Riggins and Miss Watamabe from Hokkaido and Jim Jamison from Nagoya. This team put up posters, visited universities, and libraries and newspapers. Kimiko Schwerin, National Teaching Committee coordinator, arrived on January 3 with the rest of the team, Tim Mauldin and Keiji Hayashi from Tokyo. Teaching started with three teams composed of one Japanese speaker and two speakers of English. The first day brought two declarations, and another on the last day. Each team used a teaching book which combined pictures with the principles of the Faith, an effective and easy method of teaching. The declarants were deepened immediately with books similar to those used by the National Teaching Committee in their deepening institutes. Sandai now has a growing community and hopes soon to have a Local Spiritual Assembly.
Kanto: The Kanto youth have been active in providing social activities for Bahá’ís and their friends. A hiking trip was held in November with fifteen attending. A skating trip was made in December with thirty attending, two-thirds, pre-Bahá’ís.
Ube: Yamaguchi University was the site of intensive proclamation during November resulting in several declarations and the formation of a university club.
Tokyo: In December Tokyo was set ablaze by visits of outstanding American Bahá’ís. Greg Dahl, noted musician and producer visited Tokyo on his way around the world on a travel-teaching trip. Some of Greg’s songs were recorded for possible use in Japan.
A musical group composed of England Dan and John Ford Coley, accompanied by their manager, Marsha Day, were in Tokyo for commercial engagements. They held many press, radio and television interviews in which half the time was devoted to discussion of the Bahá’í Faith. At all their five concerts they mentioned Bahá’u’lláh and the Faith. On the eve of their last concert in Japan they held a fireside at their hotel attended by forty people. It is estimated that because of their efforts approximately three million people were reached with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
Konsai: England Dan and John Ford Coley held a free concert at the Konsai University, attended by about 1,000 students. Literature was distributed and an invitation extended to a fireside that evening. Greg Dahl was also in the Konsai area and held a youth meeting.
India-Faith Overcomes Prejudices[edit]
American pioneers attending the Bangalore Teacher Training Institute were invited to speak at the Cooperative Training College there. The first meeting was with around thirty-five members of the faculty and student body. The next evening they addressed 250 students who were taking a special course. In introducing the speakers the Principal of the school stated that he had invited the Bahá’ís to speak because he felt that a religion which had succeeded in fostering brotherhood among the members of many religions should be studied by people in the cooperative movement.
Dick Grover began the program with songs in three languages: Hindi, Hebrew and English, all with the same message: “God is One”. He then introduced LaNelma Johnson and Jane Grover who each spoke briefly on the principles of the Faith and told how they felt that living in India helped them and their families to be better Bahá’ís. Dick Grover then spoke on progressive revelation. Many questions were asked, and a spirit of love and mutual respect grew between the people in that gathering.
At the close a faculty representative gave a special tribute of thanks. He described his unfavorable picture of the typical American and then said, “But these friends from America have shown us a different image. They have told us that there are many Bahá’ís in America, who, like themselves, love and respect all the peoples of the world. We hope that this religion will spread quickly to change the hearts of all mankind and bring about peace and unity in the world.”
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Phuntsholing, Bhutan, elected on April 21, 1972 with Mr. Kamal Singh Sisodia, young pioneer to Bhutan from India, in the center of the front row. He had reached Bhutan in July 1971 with another pioneer from Sikkim and their joint efforts resulted in bringing twenty-five people into the Faith.
Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Honduras. Left to right: Chris Ruhe, Recording Secretary;
Cesar Laboriel; Bill Stover; Nelly de Vasquez, Corresponding Secretary; Jere McKinney; Olinda Sierra
Andrade; Carlos Vaquez, Treasurer; Luis Bouche, Chairman; and Jose Lopez Ochoa, Vice-Chairman. The photo
was taken by Auxiliary Board member Parvis Rohani.
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BAHÁ’Í NEWS[edit]
Subscription is $6.00 a year (payable in advance) in the U.S. and Canada, and is for Bahá’ís only.
WORLD ORDER is a quarterly for Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís which is intended to stimulate, inspire, and serve thinking people in their search to find relationships between contemporary life and contemporary religious teachings and philosophy. Domestic subscription $4.50 ($3.50 for students); foreign subscription $5.00. Payable in advance.
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CANADIAN BAHÁ’Í NEWS may be ordered by sending $4.00 for a one-year subscription (2nd Class) $6.00 airmail.
- Write to: Canadian Bahá’í News Committee:
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BONNY, NIGERIA[edit]
Bonny, a city in the Rivers State of Nigeria, was one of
the ancient slaving ports of West Africa. A measure of
the transformation of modern society is that Bonny today
is one of the principal petroleum storage and trans-shipment ports of the world. Recently thirteen Bahá’ís from
Port Harcourt, in Nigeria, took the three and one-half
hour canoe ride to consolidate the recently opened community of Bahá’ís in Bonny. After a beautiful study class,
the visiting Bahá’ís were hosted at a luncheon by the
Bonny Bahá’ís most of whom work for the Shell Oil Company. They were also given a tour of the Oil Storage
Depot. Included in the above photograph is National
Spiritual Assembly Secretary and United States Pioneer
Miss Evelyn Spears (center); the Chief Pharmacist for
the Rivers State, Mr. Alagoa (white hat, rear); and Counsellor William Maxwell, Jr. (second from left, rear).
Don’t forget to renew your own subscription and your
gift subscriptions to Child’s Way. Send $4.50 ($5.00 outside the U.S.) to
- Bahá’í Subscriber Service
- 415 Linden Ave.
- Wilmette, Ill. 60091
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: Mrs. Evelyn Hardin, Managing Editor; 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 Membership and Records, National Bahá’í Center. 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois. U.S.A. 60091.
