Bahá’í News/Issue 558/Text

←Previous

Bahá’í News Issue 558

Next→

Proofread onceReturn to PDF view

[Page -1]

Bahá’í News

September 1977

Bahá’í Year 134

‘Abdu’l-Bahá In Chicago

[Page 0]

[Page 1]

Contents

‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Chicago
An account of the Master’s four visits there in 1912	2
The New Era Bahá’í School
In India, an innovative Bahá’í institution gains renown	9
Around the World
News from Bahá’í communities in every corner of the globe	12

Cover

Sixty-five years ago ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Mystery of God and Center of His Father’s Covenant, posed for this picture at Chicago’s Lincoln Park during one of His four visits to the city that were a part of His epochal coast-to-coast journey through the United States.

Change of address should be reported directly to Office of Membership and Records, Bahá’í National Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A. Please attach mailing label. Subscription rates: one year, U.S. $8; two years, U.S. $15. Second class postage paid at Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright ©1977. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

Bahá’í News is published monthly 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. Manuscripts submitted should be typewritten and double spaced throughout; any footnotes should appear at the end. The contributor should keep a carbon copy. Send materials to: Bahá’í News Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A.

[Page 2]

‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Chicago

An account of the Master’s four visits to the Windy City 65 years ago

By EDWARD E. BARTLETT

In 1912, during His epic journey to the United States and Canada, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited Chicago on four occasions.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “the embodiment of every Bahá’í ideal, the incarnation of every Bahá’í virtue, the Most Mighty Branch sprung from the Ancient Root, the Limb of the Law of God,”¹ about to enter His 69th year of life, arrived from Washington, D.C., for the first of these visits in the evening hours of April 29.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá came to Chicago not only to promulgate the Bahá’í Teachings, but also to protect the emerging Chicago Bahá’í community, the oldest and one of the most pre-eminent in the nation, from a small group of Covenant-breakers.²

During the 19 days He spent in Chicago, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave at least 26 talks, addressed congregations in three churches,

[Page 3] granted innumerable private interviews, visited the grave site of Davis True, dedicated the site of the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, visited the Lincoln Park Zoo, and met with local leaders of social welfare organizations, women’s rights movements, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Theosophists, and religious organizations. His visits resulted in 22 newspaper articles written about His travels and the Bahá’í Faith.³

First Visit

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s first visit to Chicago was the longest, lasting eight days, and was probably the most significant of His four visits.

Apparently ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived later than expected by the Chicago Bahá’ís, because the Chicago Daily News headlined, “Bahaist Chief Missing/‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Head of Cult, Disappears on His Way to Convention in Chicago/Puzzles His Followers.”⁴ The Daily News later recounted, “... Chicago followers had passed an anxious morning and afternoon meeting inward bound trains and trying to account for his nonarrival.” When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá finally reached Chicago on the evening of April 29, Mirza Mahmud-i-Zarqani, the chronicler of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s journeys in Europe and North America, recorded:

“At night the train reached Chicago. The city was as lighted up with electric lights as if it were the feast of illumination. The moment the friends saw the Beloved they cried out ‘Allah’u’Abha’ and ‘Ya ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,’ and the whole station resounded with their cries.”⁵

‘Abdu’l-Bahá and His entourage then proceeded to the Plaza Hotel, on the southeast corner of Clark and North avenues, adjacent to Lincoln Park.

The following morning, April 30, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá consented to interviews with friends, inquirers, and reporters in His suite at the hotel. The Chicago Daily News printed an extensive article on these interviews, including a photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and recorded part of that first encounter:

“Without the door of the Plaza hotel suite a dish of radishes and celery, sprinkled with water, was discovered. This was part of the Breakfast of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who has in his company a Persian cook. On the door was a sign which read:

“ ‘Don’t ring bell. Knock softly.’

“One of the delegation knocked softly. Ameen Fareed opened the door and down a long corridor ushered the visitors to the room of ‘the master.’

“ ‘Marhaba!’ came a voice from the sunshiny room, speaking the Persian word of welcome.”⁶

After this warm greeting, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke through Dr. Aminu’llah Farid, His interpreter, encouraging reporters to be purveyors of truth, touching on the history of the Bahá’í Faith, and summarizing six basic teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.

After an appropriate time spent with the reporters, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá signaled the conclusion of the interview with a wave of His powerful-looking hand, and presented a red apple from a fruit dish as a present to each of the journalists, saying:

“Today I shall pass looking about your city ... It is such a great place. In this country the flag of universal peace must first fly. The American democracy is the one to cope with the problem.”⁷

Before leaving, the reporters requested a photograph of the Master. He acceded to

Children were always greatly attracted to the Master because of His boundless love for them. Here He poses with three of the Bahá’í children at Lincoln Park.

[Page 4] their request, changing His dull black aba for a lighter, fur-lined garment. After a half-dozen snapshots, a cordial farewell was extended by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with a handshake to all present.

Before attending His afternoon engagements, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá journeyed to the home of Corinne True, whose 25-year-old son, Davis True, was very ill. He visited Davis in his upstairs room for a time, then told Mrs. True that he was better than anticipated (referring to Davis’ spiritual state rather than, as Mrs. True assumed, his physical condition), and that she should attend the public meetings planned for that afternoon.

That day ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave well-attended talks at two sessions of the annual convention of the fledgling National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): one address in the cavernous Bowen Hall of the Jane Addams Hull House, the second address in the Handel Hall at 29 E. Randolph Street (on the site of the present Marshall Field store). Regarding the first speech, Mahmud penned:

“The address was so impressive and His similes were so terse and eloquent that a commotion was set up among the hearers. There is a marked hatred for the colored among the whites of America, who ... think it beneath their dignity to mix with them in certain buildings and hotels.”⁸

‘Abdu’l-Bahá then crossed the street to the Masonic Temple, on the northeast corner of State and Randolph streets, and ascended to the Drill Hall to attend the last session of the Bahá’í Temple Unity Convention, where 2,000 persons were in attendance. Mahmud recorded the event:

“Although all were not Bahá’ís, yet the whole audience involuntarily rose the moment ‘Abdu’l-Bahá entered the hall.

“Friends raised the well-known cries of ‘Allah’u’Abhá’ and the whole hall resounded with their voices.

“After a song of praise and glorification by the friends, the Beloved gave a detailed and eloquent address, particularly on the purpose of the temples and the gathering together of people under the shadow of one word. He concluded it with a most impressive prayer in Persian.”⁹

The following morning, May Day, after receiving friends at the hotel, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá journeyed 12 miles by motorcar to the site of the future House of Worship, then just a grassy knoll overlooking Lake Michigan.

According to the newspaper account, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá became lost on His trip to suburban Wilmette, and arrived at 1 p.m., two hours after the scheduled time for the ceremony.¹⁰ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave a brief address to the crowd of 300, saying:

“Thousands of Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs, dawning points of praise and mentionings of God for all religionists, will be built in the Orient and Occident, but this being the first one erected in the Occident has great importance.”¹¹

Afterward, the friends adjourned to the outside of the large marquee tent, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and representatives of diverse nations and races placed the cornerstone, a discarded gray stone transported to the site by Nettie Tobin from a construction site in Chicago. Following the modest ceremony, the friends formed a double line through which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá passed to ascend the “horseless carriage” to return to the Plaza Hotel.

On May 2, following His customary interviews at the hotel, He traveled to the LaSalle Hotel in downtown Chicago to give addresses to the Cook County Federation of Women’s Clubs and to a reception of the Bahá’í women.

More than 1,000 men and women “representing all sections of Chicago and many down-state cities”¹² listened to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s address in the Grand Ballroom on the LaSalle Hotel’s 19th floor. Speaking at a time when the women’s suffrage movement was embroiled in a national controversy, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s addresses received coverage in three of Chicago’s four daily newspapers. The Chicago Inter-Ocean headlined, “Persian Purist Urges Ballot for Women/‘Abdu’l-Bahá Abbas Addresses Bahá’í Woman’s Assembly of Illinois and Pleads for Golden Rule, Sanctity of Home and Equal Suffrage.”¹³ The Chicago Examiner recorded the astonishment of the suffragettes who wondered how a person from a Muslim country could have such progressive views of the equality of the sexes.¹⁴

Following His address to the Federation of Women’s Clubs, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá adjourned to the Red Room (now known as the Century Room), across the central foyer from the Grand Ballroom, for a reception hosted by the Bahá’í women. Addressing this group, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke on the human powers and the existence of God:

“When we consider the kingdoms of existence below man we find no distinction or estimate of superiority and inferiority of male and female. Among the myriad organisms of the vegetable and animal kingdoms, sex exists but there is no differentiation whatever as to relative importance and value in the equation of life.”¹⁵

That same evening, after a day of meetings and addresses that would have exhausted those without indefatigable spiritual energies, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá continued to meet with more inquirers and friends at

[Page 5]

‘During those meetings...He spoke of proofs of the existence of God, of the confirmations of the Kingdom of Abhá, of the need for divine civilization, of the necessity for racial unity, and of the dangers posed by the Covenant-breakers.’

the Plaza Hotel, and gave yet two more talks in the hotel’s main salon when the swelling number of eager seekers could not fit in His suite at one time.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá continued His usual busy schedule the two following days, consenting to interviews with His well-wishers and supporters, giving addresses at the hotel, and speaking before the Theosophists at the Northwestern University Hall in Evanston.

One day a number of representatives of the Indian Club of Chicago presented ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with an address of welcome:

“Sir:

“We the members of the Indian Club welcome you to this country. The Cause which has brought your Excellency to these parts is certainly a source of honor and grace to us ...

“Further, we believe that our country, India, will be greatly benefited by a visit from your Excellency. The lack of unity between Hindus and Mohammedans has kept them in utmost contention and strife. But as your Excellency’s teachings are very much like the teachings of our religious leaders, they will undoubtedly unite them and make these contending nations one ...”¹⁶

‘Abdu’l-Bahá received all friends and visitors with an attitude of utmost love, humility, and wisdom.

One of the more dramatic moments of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Chicago occurred on the morning of May 5 at the newly-constructed Plymouth Congregational Church, 935 E. 50th Street. Mahmud wrote:

“As the Beauty of the Covenant came to the pulpit, the audience arose. Although they were in church, they received Him with prolonged cheers. The Beloved beckoned them to order and delivered a very impressive address ... The whole atmosphere seemed replete with the Holy Ghost. It occasioned such a stir in the people that we could scarcely make our way to the door. Groups of people surrounded Him on each step, shook His hand and implored His blessing and assistance.”¹⁷

Of that meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá later remarked, “History will never forget that day.”¹⁸

That afternoon ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited the grave site of Davis True, who had ascended on April 30. Accompanied by Corinne True and others, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá offered the Prayer for the Dead for him, as well as for all other persons buried in the Oak Woods Cemetery.

That evening ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed a gathering of Christian Scientists at the All Soul’s Church in the Lincoln Center, 700 E. Oakwood Boulevard. Mahmud succinctly records, “A great commotion was created among the people of this church also.”¹⁹ The knowledgeable and erudite minister of this congregation, Jenkin Lloyd Jones, later wrote in his yearly report:

“Notable Visitors. It has given me great pleasure during the year to introduce to my own and other audiences the illustrious ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, from the Orient ...”²⁰

The following day ‘Abdu’l-Bahá left for Cleveland, Ohio, departing from the LaSalle Street Station on the New York Central train.

Second Visit

The second arrival of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Chicago, on September 12, 1912, was recorded by Mahmud in the following words:

“The Beauty of the Covenant alighted from the train. The spacious building of the train was packed with friends. As soon as the Beloved came close to them a commotion arose. One hastened to shake hands with Him; one ran to kiss His mantle; one held a bouquet of flowers in his hand to present to Him; and the other raised his voice in gratitude on attaining the bounty of meeting Him.”²¹

With the exception of an address to the Theosophical Society at the Northwestern University Hall on the afternoon of September 14, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá remained in the home of Corinne True at 5338 N. Kenmore Avenue, meeting individually and collectively with inquirers and friends. During those meetings at the True home He spoke of proofs of the existence of God, of the confirmations of the Kingdom of Abhá, of the need for divine civilization, of the necessity for racial unity, and of the dangers posed by the Covenant-breakers.

Later that day (September 14) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá went for a walk on the beach, just a few blocks east of the True home. During the course of the day a Mr. Jacobsen of Wisconsin beseeched Him to visit Kenosha for a day.

Thus on September 15 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá left for Kenosha. The party was scheduled to change trains en route to Kenosha. Unfortunately the connection was missed, but ‘Abdu’l-Bahá commented, “Oh, it matters not. There is wisdom in it.”²² Shortly thereafter, while riding the next train to Kenosha, they passed the wreckage of the first train, which had collided with another train. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had been providentially saved from harm!

Third Visit

‘Abdu’l-Bahá returned to Chicago on September 16, and remained in the city only one day. On arriving in Chicago, some of the friends offered money to Him. Despite their insistence, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá instructed that the offering be distributed among the poor.

As during His previous visit, the Master spent most of His time engaged in fellowship with the friends at the home of Mrs. True. Poems and prayers were played on the piano. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá walked among those present, exhorting them to spread the fragrances of God, to proclaim the Bahá’í teachings, and to show kindness to everyone. All shed tears of love and joy that day.

[Page 6]

‘Chicago has great capacity. I hope that the banner of universal peace will be unfurled from this city...Then, and only then, the dormant pulse of this country will be stirred.’

That evening, on the way to the Astor Hotel, 172 N. Clark Street, Mahmud recorded one of the few depressed moments of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

“ ‘I am bearing these hardships of traveling so that the Cause of God may push on uncontaminated. For I am still anxious about what is going to happen after Me. Had I had ease of mind on this score I would have sat comfortably in one corner. I would not have come out of Holy Land ... I fear after Me self-seeking persons may disturb again the love and unity of the friends.’ He talked in depressed and sorrowful tones until the automobile stopped before the hotel.”²³

The next morning at 10 a.m., ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s train departed from the Chicago and Northwestern Station for Minneapolis, Denver, and California.

Fourth Visit

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s fourth visit to Chicago was made on His return from California to New York City. Those five days were particularly cherished by the Chicago Bahá’ís, because most knew they would never again be blessed by His physical presence.

When the Master reached Chicago in the early morning of October 31, the LaSalle Street Station was thronged by expectant and joyful Bahá’ís. From the station ‘Abdu’l-Bahá proceeded to the Plaza Hotel, where He received friends and inquirers. Many religious leaders beseeched ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to address their congregations, and the Master had to politely decline some of the invitations owing to lack of time.

The next morning, Friday, November 1, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá took a walk to the Lincoln Park Zoo, one mile north of the Plaza Hotel. This stroll was recorded by Honore J. Jaxon in Star of the West.²⁴ After observing animal and bird life at the zoo, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá consented to be photographed by the Small Animal House²⁵ (used as the Commissary in present times), descending a broad staircase²⁶ (200 feet east of the Small Animal House), and on the High Bridge,²⁷ originating 500 feet south of the staircase and crossing the wide lagoon. Standing at the acme of the bridge, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gazed northward toward Wilmette and quietly remarked in English, “Beautiful.”

Subsequently descending the west end of the bridge, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá returned to the animals’ quarters of the zoo. The friends, emboldened by their success in photographing ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the High Bridge, determined to record His image including the abundant silver locks that protruded from under His turban and flowed across His back.

As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá became apparently engrossed with the activities of the formidable polar bear, the friends quietly tiptoed out of the way to allow a perfect photograph to be taken. Carefully the tripod was placed, the correct time exposure set, and the optimal focus measured. Then at that opportune moment as the flash bulb was aimed, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, with a knowing chuckle, turned toward the camera, blocking His hair from its view, and gave the would-be perpetrator of this photographic larceny a love tap on his neck with His walking cane.

The morning’s stroll in Lincoln Park culminated with an exhilarating session under a grove of trees near the lake. Drawing upon His ceaseless spiritual reserves, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke to the friends in an exquisite tone of loving and intimate counsel, admonishing them thusly:

“Some of you may have observed that I have not called attention to any of your individual shortcomings. I would suggest to you, that if you shall be similarly considerate in your treatment of each other, it will be greatly conducive to the harmony of your association with each other.”²⁸

On November 2 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá met with the never-ending flow of visitors who sought His blessings and advice, dined at the home of Eva Russell and Dr. Susan Moody, and addressed an interracial gathering at the Frederick Douglass Center, a settlement house established to meet the needs of the recent black immigrants from the South. He spoke of Isfandíyár, the Negro servant of Bahá’u’lláh, recounting his obedience, faithfulness, and goodness of heart. After His speech many in the audience came forward to shake His hand and to express gratitude.

On Sunday, November 3, the last day of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit in Chicago, He maintained His usual busy schedule. In the morning He met with the friends to encourage them to establish within themselves the utmost love and harmony. He then departed for the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood Mahmud recounted:

“The pastor of the church introduced the Beloved in words glowing with praise and esteem. He called the Holy Temple the Persian apostle and the Eastern prophet. He described the forty years of His life in prison, His freedom after that period, His travels to America and Europe, His addresses in the churches and auditoriums of the two continents, and lastly his own conviction of the value of the Blessed explanations and discourses. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá rose and unfurled decisive proofs and arguments. His address described the appearance of the manifestations of God, the veils and opposition of the people, the tablets of the Supreme Pen to the sovereigns, and the prevalence of the Cause of God among the people. The statements were so penetrating that every soul was stirred and informed of the problems of the day of the Manifestation.”²⁹

That same afternoon ‘Abdu’l-Bahá made His second visit to the Plymouth Congregational Church. Again the people

[Page 7] The Master’s serenity is apparent in this informal photo, also taken at Lincoln Park in Chicago.

responded with joy to the eloquence and majesty with which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá expressed Himself. Afterward, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited the home of the church’s pastor, Reverend Melbourne. At the request of a newspaper reporter, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá revealed one of His most buoyant Tablets revealed in Chicago, which included the following words:

“Be happy! Be happy! The Sun of Truth has shone!

“Be happy! Be happy! The Light of the Spirit has surrounded the world!

“Be happy! Be happy! The doors of the Kingdom are opened!

“Be happy! Be happy! The song of the Supreme Concourse is raised!

“Be happy! Be happy! The breaths of the Holy Spirit are life-giving and the world of man is being quickened!”³⁰

That evening ‘Abdu’l-Bahá met with the Chicago Bahá’ís at the Nineteen Day Feast in the home of Mrs. Ellen F. Davies, 5847 S. LaSalle Street. All present shared a sumptuous banquet, and later the Master answered questions regarding the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, its gardens, and surrounding dependencies.

The next day, the final departure of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá from Chicago on November 4 revealed a pathetic sight:

“At the Chicago railway station the friends of God, both men and women, wept when they saw the Beloved leaving them. The penetrative power of the Divine Cause and the greatness of the Covenant of God became a warning to the people of wisdom and sagacity. Respected persons of the West were attracted by the Beloved of the East. They hovered like moths around the Divine Lamp and wept at their Heavenly Friend’s departure.”³¹

The pain of separation was no doubt eased for those believers who realized that they must instead love the light, not the lamp. And from the light there never exists separation.

The Destiny of Chicago

‘Abdu’l-Bahá not only blessed Chicago with 19 days of His presence; He also enunciated its high station in several speeches and tablets. The first night He arrived in Chicago, He made these comments:

“ ‘You have a good city. I hope that Chicago shall show a great capacity for the Cause of God. It shall be illumined by the lights of the Kingdom as it is enlighted by the light of electricity.

“ ‘In Washington we always had one thousand and two thousand hearers in large meetings. Day and night I had no rest. A close friendship has been created between the colored and white friends. They have become excellent believers. Even those who have not become believers, have come much nearer. ‎Nothwithstanding Notwithstanding‎ all this, I like Chicago more, because the first voice of Bahá’u’lláh was

[Page 8] raised from this city. I hope you shall be assisted to great things and shall live together in utmost love and harmony!’ ”³²

During His final visit to the city, He stated:

“ ‘Chicago has great capacity. I hope that the banner of universal peace will be unfurled from this city. The friends of this place shall be united, and as different flowers they will become a lovely divine garden to embellish the world of man. Then, and only then, the dormant pulse of this country will be stirred.’ ”³³

But ‘Abdu’l-Bahá reserved His strongest words of praise of Chicago for the Tablets of the Divine Plan. He devoted almost one-half of His Tablet of February 8, 1917, to the exalted station of Chicago, enumerating five reasons: first, the initial mention of the Bahá’í Faith in the Western Hemisphere was made in Chicago (in the present Art Institute Building); second, a number of devoted teachers are furthering His cause in that “blessed spot”; third, Chicago was specially blessed during ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s sojourn there; fourth, all efforts exerted in Chicago have “spread to all parts and to all directions”; and fifth, the first House of Worship in the West was constructed there, an “honor and distinction ... infinite in value.

“Continually my ear and eye are turned toward the Central States; perchance a melody from some blessed souls may reach my ears—souls who are the dawning-places of the love of God, the stars of the horizon of sanctification and holiness—souls who will illumine this dark universe and quicken to life this dead world. The joy of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá depends upon this! I hope that you may become confirmed therein ...”³⁴

References

1. Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 134.
2. Chicago Examiner, May 7, 1912, p. 4.
3. Allan L. Ward, An Historical Study of the North American Speaking Tour of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and a Rhetorical Analysis of His Addresses, Ph.D. dissertation, University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Mich., 1960, p. 211
4. Chicago Daily News, April 29, 1912, p. 2.
5. Mirza Mahmud-i-Zarqani, The Wondrous Annals (known as Mahmud’s Diary), April 29, 1912.
6. Chicago Daily News, April 30, 1912, p. 3.
7. Ibid.
8. Mahmud, April 30, 1912.
9. Ibid.
10. Chicago Daily News, May 1, 1912, p. 2.
11. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, Chicago, 1922, pp. 67-68.
12. Chicago Inter-Ocean, May 3, 1912, p. 3.
13. Ibid.
14. Chicago Examiner, May 5, 1912, p. 3.
15. Promulgation, pp. 74-75.
16. Mahmud, May 3, 1912.
17. Mahmud, May 5, 1912.
18. Mahmud, November 1, 1912.
19. Mahmud, May 5, 1912.
20. Annals (of) All Soul’s Church, Chicago, 1910-1914, p. 51.
21. Mahmud, September 12, 1912.
22. Mahmud, September 15, 1912.
23. Ibid.
24. While the date of the stroll is not given by Mr. Jaxon, it is apparent from the scarce foliage that the event occurred during ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s November visit. Judging by the small numbers of men and children in the photographs of that walk, one can assume that the visit to the zoo took place on a weekday. While it is possible that the stroll was on Thursday morning, October 31, it is more plausible that it was on November 1, allowing ‘Abdu’l-Bahá a day of rest following His non-stop train journey from Denver to Chicago.
25. Chicago Inter-Ocean, May 3, 1912, p. 3.
26. Star of the West, Vol. III, No. 4, p. 27.
27. Mystery, p. 98.
28. Star of the West, Vol. III, No. 4, p. 29.
29. Mahmud, November 3, 1912.
30. Ibid.
31. Mahmud, November 4, 1912.
32. Mahmud, April 29, 1912.
33. Mahmud, November 1, 1912.
34. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, pp. 41-43.

[Page 9]

The New Era Bahá’í School

Southeast of Bombay, India, a Bahá’í school is gaining renown for the diversity of its students, the excellence of its facilities, and the attractiveness of its curriculum.

The following article is based on an interview with Truitt White, the acting vice-president of the New Era School, and an article that appeared in the July 1977 issue of Bahá’í Journal, a publication of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom.

India, a land of more than half a billion people known for its diverse geography, its tradition of religious tolerance, and its social caste system, is the site of the New Era Bahá’í School, which has more than 400 students from 23 countries.

The school is located approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) southeast of Bombay in the town of Panchgani. The school grounds, three-fourths of the way up one of the five mountainsides in the area, overlook the Krishna River that flows through Chikli Valley 457 meters (1500 feet) below. It is not surprising that in the Hindi language “Panchgani” means “five mountaintops.” The mountain summits are flat and covered with lakes, owing to the presence of a glacier during one of the Ice Ages.

The New Era School had its beginnings on August 1, 1945, when Mrs. Rezwan Mobedzadeh and Mrs. Salisa Kermani left Poona, the Indian town to which they had pioneered, and began a Bahá’í children’s place of lodging. The hostel was established at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India and Burma.

For the first six months, the school served only as a hostel, offering spiritual instruction to the children in the morning and evening. Gradually classes were added, and in 1948 the school was given the name “New Era.”

In 1953, a large property, “Woodland,” was purchased. For the first time academic and physical education were offered side-by-side.

Over the years, the Guardian wrote many statements and letters about the school, all of them pointing to its future. In an early letter to the Spiritual Assembly of Panchgani he said he would “especially

[Page 10]

‘The more distinctive the school becomes, the more visible it will be. It will be a point of criticism but will become more renowned and appreciated at the same time.’

pray for the growth and progress of the Bahá’í children’s hostel so that it may become perfect and distinguished in every respect.” He later expressed the hope that it would someday become a Bahá’í university.

Truitt White, acting vice-principal for the school, said in an interview in Wilmette, Illinois, in August, “One of the things the Guardian mentioned which the Universal House of Justice has reemphasized in the Five Year Plan is the need to develop the ‘distinctive characteristics of Bahá’í life.’

“The more distinctive the school becomes, the more visible it will be. It will be a point of criticism but will become more renowned and appreciated at the same time.”

The school already enjoys international renown to some extent. Its student population represents more than 20 nations, with only 40-50 per cent of the students from Bahá’í families. The remainder of students are from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu or Muslim backgrounds, among others.

Many of the parents, says Mr. White, “acknowledge the statement of Christ, ‘Ye shall know them by their fruits,’ though tradition, politics and religion may inhibit them from becoming Bahá’ís, or even from openly declaring the beauty and validity of the Faith and how it is able to deal with human behavior.”

He said that among the parents, those who recognize the Faith the fastest are the ones “who can see what it is doing for their children as opposed to what is happening to other children.”

The students are quite united, largely because of an Eastern culture that dictates submissiveness by students to their environment and to adults and teachers. There are, of course, many things tradition continues to carry forward that are not conducive to unity among the students.

One such tradition is the inequality of men and women. Mr. White said striving forequality “definitely produces conflict. But the Guardian says truth goes through three stages: conflict, questioning, and finally the self-manifestation of truth. Until government institutions start providing the environment where the initial psychological and spiritual conflicts can take place, we can never get to the second stage: questioning the validity of our own concepts of truth.”

The cultural ties among students, said Mr. White, serve as a unifying force. Over the years, the school curriculum has taken on many new aspects, and today there is offered a full range of academic subjects and extracurricular activities. Inter-school events, including a sports day, drama and school festival, are held each year.

Spiritual education is given great emphasis, and both moral and deepening classes are provided for the students.

New Era is an accredited member of the Maharashtra State Government educational system and has proven itself a source of pride and inspiration to both its local community and the world community of Bahá’ís. The school is coeducational, has both boarders and day students, and offers instruction from kindergarten through the higher secondary level.

The present day functioning of New Era is the result of continual guidance from the Universal House of Justice, the National Spiritual Assembly of India and its appointed school committees.

One reason the New Era School is growing is because it is one of the few English-language schools in the area. Also, approximately one-third of the students receive some form of scholarship for their tuition, room and board, which is unheard of in India. These students would otherwise be unable to afford any English medium school in India, because all other such schools charge tuition, even at the elementary level.

In the past 10 years, the government has started to subsidize village schools for up to seven years of education. But the students are taught in the local dialect, which can isolate them educationally for the rest of their lives. “People may live 10 kilometers apart and not be able to communicate, and the cultures of villages may be different enough to cause strife should intermarriage between the villagers occur,” said Mr. White.

The Indian government encourages every school to have a social service program, but few do as much as New Era.

The older students help to clean the school compound, assist at school functions, make greeting cards for hospitals, visit orphanages, assist local doctors, perform first aid, assist village people to plant trees and build roads, and take part in

[Page 11]

‘An international team of Bahá’ís in the fields of agriculture, animal husbandry, public health, hygiene, economics and engineering works... with the students to bring an over-all rise in the standard of living in the villages.’

many other activities in a spirit of service.

New Era stresses the importance of social service not only for the benefits it extends to the disadvantaged, but also because it offers a needed balance in the education of the students.

One of the social service projects is the Rural Development Program. Funded by donations from the Mottahedeh Foundation in New York, and begun in October 1975, the program allows students to “work in the material sense and the physical sense with the principles of the Bahá’í Faith to educate villagers in the valley below the school,” said Mr. White.

The students enhance the lifestyles of the villagers by helping to build roads, pull weeds or carry rocks. The students may spend as many as two or three days in a village, but usually return to school each day, as the villages are only a half-hour walk down the mountainside.

An international team of Bahá’ís in the fields of agriculture, animal husbandry, public health, hygiene, economics and engineering works in conjunction with the students to bring an over-all rise in the standard of living in the villages.

The students who participate in the Rural Development Program at the high school level do not focus on one field, as students at the junior college level might do.

At the high school age students are encouraged to gain as comprehensive an education as possible, “taking literally the expression by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that true education is comprehensive,” said Mr. White. “The Guardian said that one should know something about everything and everything about something. The complete balance is important. In the Faith, you have an equalizing principle that makes everything workable.”

The Rural Development Program is independent of the school, yet integrated into the school because of the students’ participation in it. “It becomes an educational process for the students,” said Mr. White.

The school compound consists of 79 hectares (32 acres) and contains six dormitories, a large classroom building, kitchen and dining facilities, a medical dispensary, a workshop and staff quarters.

There is also a large recreation area with facilities for many sports, including an indoor squash court. There are many beautiful gardens. Surrounding the academic area are agricultural areas where wheat and various fruits and vegetables are grown for school use.

The first major structure to be built was a spacious classroom building completed in 1975 in time for the 30th anniversary of the New Era School. The cornerstone of this structure was laid by the late Hand of the Cause Ṭarázu’lláh Samandarí.

It contains 24 classrooms, a science laboratory, art and music rooms, offices and a spacious library. A new kitchen-dining hall and sports center is under construction.

Presently, 90 per cent of the teachers at the school are not Bahá’ís. Mr. White said the administration plans to have a much larger percentage of Bahá’í teachers as the school expands in the next few years from 400 to 600 or 700 students. Ninety per cent of the administrative staff is Bahá’í, a percentage that will also increase.

There are plans now for the school to become a full-fledged university, where students may earn doctorates, or degrees in medicine or law.

The New Era School is indeed unique in India, and seems destined to grow in its distinctiveness.

[Page 12]

Around the World

Barbados and Windward Islands

First Carib Indian adult believer enrolled in Dominica

“We are most happy to give you the news of the first Carib Indian adult believer to be enrolled in Dominica,” the National Spiritual Assembly of Barbados and the Windward Islands said in a letter to the International Center in Haifa dated June 17.

“He is already actively involved in the teaching work that is going on. The whole community is excited by the activity in Dominica and the teaching plans that will spread to the other islands,” continued the letter.

Australia

North Sydney forms its first Assembly

Nine months of teaching activity by the communities of Kuring-gai and North Sydney, Australia, resulted in the election June 25 of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of North Sydney.

Sixty friends from surrounding communities attended the celebration at the Cammeray Community Center. Flowers, music, and love marked the occasion.

Before the Assembly election, the friends were reminded of the four aspects of the institution: its spiritual reality, its duties and functions, the relationship between the Assembly and the community, and the election itself.

After the election, the friends present enjoyed a delicious cake decorated especially for the occasion.

Bahá’í program aired on Sydney radio

The opening of a new radio station in Sydney provided an opportunity for the Bahá’ís to have a 30-minute program on the air.

The program was aired during the second test broadcast of Radio Eastern Sydney Association on July 15-17.

The Bahá’ís had read about the new radio station in the local newspaper and attended a few meetings of the Radio Eastern Sydney Association to become acquainted with the people involved.

When the Bahá’ís offered to produce a half-hour program, the Association readily accepted.

The program was produced at the home of a local Bahá’í, in the format of a fireside, with one person asking three questions about the Faith and a second person answering.

The radio station manager said he is eager for further Bahá’í programs in future broadcasts.

Turkish believer assists teaching

A member of the Bahá’í community of Turkey, Mr. Doktoroglu, spent time in Australia recently teaching the Turkish residents there about the Faith.

Following his visit, two declarations were received from Turks taught by Sydney Bahá’ís.

Tapes of talks in Turkish—including talks made for Melbourne ethnic radio—are being reproduced by the Bahá’í National Goals Committee for use by believers involved in Turkish teaching.

Libraries of Bahá’í books in Turkish have been established in Melbourne and Sydney.

Mr. Doktoroglu wrote to the friends in Australia that he would recommend to the National Spiritual Assembly of Turkey that it form a committee to assist in the teaching of Turks in Australia.

Tasmania plans teaching project

A special month-long teaching project will be held in Tasmania, an island south of continental Australia, in January.

In conjunction with the teaching campaign, a National Youth Conference also will be held in Tasmania in January, in the town of Hobart.

Switzerland

Children, parents hold conference

Children and parents from the German-speaking areas of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, including a family visiting from Germany, met for a Children’s and Parents’ Weekend in Lutzelfluh, Berne, at the end of May.

They met in a house belonging to a Quaker family. “One evening,” the group reports, “the owner of the house told us about the Quakers and of the parallels between his religion and the Bahá’í Faith.

“He already had several Bahá’í books in his library. We were able to talk about the history of the Faith, and about the future as well. In thanksgiving for the loving care given us by our hosts, we presented them at the end of the weekend with a copy of God Passes By.”

During the two-day meeting, the children studied in two age groups, where they learned about the station of the Manifestations of God, progressive revelation, and the childhood and Declaration of the Báb. Each day the meetings began with the children chanting prayers from memory.

Similar gatherings may be held in the future.

Ghana

Teaching efforts lead to increase in enrollments

Bahá’í teachers, traveling throughout Ghana, have held many spontaneous gatherings that have brought about an increase in the number of believers.

The entire community of Asebu was invited to a slide show about the Faith. Seats were reserved for the town’s dignitaries, who listened to the Message of Bahá’u’lláh with great respect.

During a follow-up fireside, several villagers declared, including the first woman to embrace the Faith in Asebu.

In Ankroman, more than 200 people attended a proclamation. The traveling teachers were assisted by the Bahá’ís of Kwahu-Tafo for this event.

Four meetings were held during a two-day visit in Akoasi. So genuine was the interest that two of the meetings were held at 6:30 in the morning.

Eight youth in Prampram have become Bahá’ís. Four more youth have accepted the Faith in Tamale, and one youth has declared in Lgatanga.

[Page 13] Trinidad and Tobago

More than 800 declare belief

With two of five teaching projects completed, the Bahá’ís of Trinidad and Tobago report that more than 862 individuals have enlisted under the Banner of Bahá’u’lláh.

One of the projects, held in the east, resulted in 262 declarations, the opening of 11 localities and the formation of eight Local Spiritual Assemblies.

The project held in the south saw the enrollment of more than 600 Bahá’ís, the opening of 18 localities, and the assurance of 14 Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Sierra Leone

New believers attend deepening institute

New believers in Kambia, Sierra Leone, attended a deepening institute sponsored by the Bahá’í Group there on July 15-16.

The institute was aimed at preparing the new believers to teach the Faith.

Six Bahá’ís attended the Friday morning and afternoon sessions, and four attended the Saturday morning session.

The topics covered were Bahá’í history, which included brief lessons on the lives of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; Bahá’í principles and laws; and teaching the Faith. The twin aspects of words and deeds were emphasized in the teaching session.

The friends were drawn closer together at a Friday evening gathering at which a filmstrip about the Holy Land was shown, followed by refreshments and music.

After the institute, many of the new believers gathered literature and declaration cards from the secretary of Kambia’s Bahá’í Group and left on teaching trips.

Translation completes Five Year Plan goal

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Sierra Leone has fulfilled one of its Five Year Plan goals with the first translation into the Mende language of Prayers and Brief Selections from the Bahá’í Writings.

In addition, the West African community has translated the same publication into Temne, another of its major languages.

Both translations are ready for publication.

Conference inspires renewed efforts

‘Abdu’l-Bahá says, “O ye believers of God! Do ye not look upon the smallness of your numbers and the multitudes of the nations... One fruitful tree will be conducive to the life of society, whereas a thousand forests of wild trees offer no fruits.”

Perhaps at the beginning of the annual National Teaching Conference in Magburaka, Sierra Leone, the less than 30 believers in attendance felt the group was small. After all, there are nearly three million people in the country.

But by the end of the conference, they must have felt the strength promised to the people of Bahá, for it was a conference to be remembered.

For the first time in the history of the Faith in Sierra Leone, the conference sessions were conducted entirely by local believers, with the exception of a talk by Auxiliary Board member Charles Bullock.

The conference will be remembered by those present because one devoted believer stood up and donated a piece of land as an endowment.

The conference will be remembered because the majority of believers present made a successful teaching trip to Makump, a few kilometers from Magburaka. Their willingness to endure rain and a long walk back to the conference site in darkness helped bring about four declarations.

The conference will be remembered because of the ability and potential exhibited by each of the teachers.

The conference addressed the topics of Bahá’í laws and principles, teaching the Faith, and consolidation.

The participants learned how to conduct children’s classes in villages.

The Netherlands

The first Spiritual Assembly of Emmen, The Netherlands, is one of 24,045 new Local Assemblies formed in the world so far during the course of the Five Year Plan. The Universal House of Justice has said that B.E. 134, the fourth year of the Plan, is the crucial year, and has called upon believers everywhere to arise to the challenge of achieving the victory.

[Page 14] Belize

American reports on teaching efforts in Cayo district

Belize, formerly British Honduras, is on the Caribbean side of Central America and is bordered by Mexico and Guatemala.

Its population is a sea of diversity. Two indigenous tribes, as well as Spanish, Chinese, Lebanese, West and East Indian, African, American, and British cultures, and mixtures of these, are evident.

Raymond W. Hassen, an American Bahá’í who taught the Faith in Belize from August of 1976 until April of this year, says the diversity in culture is reflected in the variety of languages spoken in Belize.

He reports: “Although the national language is English, many other village languages and Spanish are spoken. Because of the developing educational system and the constant reversion to using native tongues instead of English, one finds that Belizeans do not speak, read, or write the English language as well as might be expected.”

One of Mr. Hassen’s key jobs was to consolidate and deepen the friends in the village of Georgeville, in the Cayo district.

He planned meetings that were held every Sunday afternoon. He invited the friends to attend and saw to it that prayer books and literature were available. He says, “Teachers should have a planned program but be flexible and have alternatives. They should have a variety of teaching materials and their spiritual attributes ready for use.”

In many of the outlying areas there are inactive Bahá’ís. They have not been deepened owing to a lack of literature, the all-too-rare visits from Bahá’í teachers, and a limited understanding of English.

Even in Georgeville, many Bahá’ís were not deepened. The Local Spiritual Assembly was inactive. “Not at any time in my eight-month stay was I able to get the Local Assembly to meet,” says Mr. Hassen. “It seems the most difficult task facing Bahá’í teachers in Belize is building a desire among the Bahá’ís to meet together.”

Past experiences with foreigners have not been conducive to unity.

Bahá’ís in Belize meet for Feast and a picnic, enjoying music and fellowship.

“It took nearly six months for many Belizeans to feel comfortable around me, and I was working with the same families every Sunday,” says Mr. Hassen.

“A traveling teacher needs patience. Often it seems that all the work done has given no fruit. One finds he must be very accepting of others’ beliefs, feelings, and actions, both Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í. The Bahá’í teacher must realize that the communities may be at a different stage of Bahá’í development than his community at home.”

He gave deepenings centered on Christian prophecy, the Central Figures of the Faith, Local Spiritual Assembly development, and Bahá’í virtues and attributes.

“The children were always eager to learn. I found that whenever a planned deepening could not be held, a children’s class could be held in its place. They enjoyed songs, prayers, short stories, and games. Often a few of the 12- to 15-year-olds would say the opening and closing prayers at the adult deepening and listen closely to the lesson. They are usually able to read as well as or better than their parents.”

Two Bahá’í youth in Georgeville were instrumental in causing a delegate to be elected to the Bahá’í National Convention of Belize and for the election of the Spiritual Assembly of Georgeville at Riḍván.

The youth, girls aged 14 and 15, went house-to-house in the village inviting more than 30 adult Bahá’ís to participate in the election. They did this twice: 10 days and three days before the election.

Just before Mr. Hassen’s departure, one of the girls, “an excellent reader, expressed an interest in starting a local Bahá’í library which she no doubt could manage without difficulty,” he says.

Of his stay in Belize, Mr. Hassen observes: “People with all kinds of practical skills, especially mechanical, are needed. Even so, jobs are hard to find because there is no ready market for skilled people to enter.”

He adds: “People, especially children, smile a lot. Be ready to smile back.”

Italy

Australian musicians present two concerts

The Italian city of Mantova was the site of two recent concerts by the Dawn Breakers, an Australian Bahá’í musical group.

The morning concert was given for more than 600 school children, and an evening concert was given for the general public.

Between performances, the Dawn Breakers met with students in a schoolroom and explained aspects of the Faith.

A few days later, one of the students asked to become a Bahá’í.

[Page 15] Alaska

Auxiliary Board conferences held

Between June 11 and July 17, five Auxiliary Board Team Conferences were held in Alaska.

The conferences were hosted by the Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of Bethel, Dillingham, Juneau, Kodiak, and Rainbow.

Friends from those communities and from Auke Bay, Chugiak, Douglas, Eagle River, Matanuska Valley, and Spruce Cape attended, together with a few visitors.

Each session began with a discussion of the Central Figures of the Faith, followed by talks on the development of the Bahá’í Administrative Order and the state of the goals of the Five Year Plan.

Friends host to Dr. Allen

Dr. Dwight Allen, presently a professor at the University of Massachusetts in the United States, and for many years a member of that country’s National Spiritual Assembly, made a sweeping tour of Alaska the first week in June.

His visit was in connection with investigating for the U.S. government the possibilities of launching and operating a satellite program for the purpose of educating people in several African countries through radio and television.

This would be a complex project involving the collaboration of many nations in the development of educational programming on many subjects and probably in at least 200 languages.

Juneau was Dr. Allen’s first Bahá’í stop in Alaska. More than 20 friends enjoyed an evening with him at the Bergamashi Bahá’í School.

Other stops included Bethel, Aniak, Holy Cross, Chuathbuluk, Barrow, Fairbanks, and Anchorage.

Dr. Allen returned to the U.S. this year after spending two years in Lesotho, Africa. His wife still serves on the National Spiritual Assembly of Lesotho.

Uganda

Hand of the Cause Olinga discusses goals with believers

Bahá’ís of Uganda, concerned about completing their Five Year Plan goals, met at the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Kampala on June 18-19. They were honored by the presence of the Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga, who is from Uganda.

The Universal House of Justice sent a message to the conference. Mr. Olinga said it is unusual for conferences of 52 believers, the size of the Five Year Plan goals conference, to receive a message from the Supreme Institution.

The group consulted on the teaching work and on the role of the Women’s and Children’s Education Committee.

Mr. Olinga emphasized the importance of the Nineteen Day Star newsletter. His wife, Elizabeth, said she had seen it on travels in Jamaica and Trinidad, in the West Indies.

Many of the believers present, including 13 youth, pledged even greater service to the Cause.

Mr. Olinga opened the final session of the conference by saying, “The whole Bahá’í world has its eyes on Uganda; Shoghi Effendi called us ‘the spiritual heart of Africa.’ This means we are to be strong and lead the way ... so that in the end we may report to the Supreme Body, the Universal House of Justice, the bounties showered on us from the Concourse on High.”

The conference cabled the Universal House of Justice: “... Confident wonderful spirit generated will lead accomplishment Five Year Plan through individual commitments and over-all nine-month plan.”

Counselors O. Epyeru and Kolonario Oule and eight members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda were present at the conference.

Ocean Island

The Spiritual Assembly of Ocean Island (or Banaba) was elected for the second time at Riḍván. The island lies between the Gilbert Islands and the Island of Nauru, approximately 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of the equator, and is within the territory of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Gilbert Islands and Tuvalu.

Singapore

Women’s conference sparks teaching

At a Malacca State Bahá’í Women’s Conference on May 15, 96 women volunteered to aid the Area Teaching Committee in doubling the number of Bahá’í families in Malacca in the following three-month period.

Of the 175 attendees, 106 were women, representing 20 localities. Seven of those

[Page 16] in attendance came to the conference as seekers and left as Bahá’ís.

Representatives of Bahá’í Women’s Committees who were at the conference are planning to organize similar events in their home states.

The Spiritual Assembly of Singapore reports in its newsletter that the increased women’s activities in Malaysia are a fitting prelude to the All-Asia Bahá’í Women’s Conference to be held in New Delhi, India, in October.

The success of the Malacca conference is attributed to prayer circles, increased teaching at all levels, close cooperation among Local Assemblies in the state, and the work of the Regional Teaching and local youth committees with the assistance of Bahá’í teachers from outside Malacca.

United Kingdom

More than 1,100 attend Persian conference

More than 1,100 Iranian Bahá’ís from 15 countries gathered in London June 18-20 for a conference called by the Universal House of Justice.

The entire conference was conducted in the Farsi language, with special talks by Hands of the Cause Shu’á’u’lláh ‘Ala’i, ‘Ali-Akbar Furútan and Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir.

Mr. Furútan said non-Bahá’ís learn about the Faith by watching how Bahá’ís conduct themselves. He also addressed the subject of child education.

Dr. Muhájir spoke about teaching large numbers of people at one time, and teaching minority groups. He then spoke with deep feeling about pioneering.

Pioneering was also the topic of a talk by Continental Counsellor Adib Taherzadeh.

Some 85 people arose to fill the European goals of the Five Year Plan, and 20,000 pounds sterling was given to the Fund.

The believers saw the Farsi language version of The Green Light Expedition, a film about Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s teaching trip to South America.

On the final day, the children presented a program for the conference.

The Universal House of Justice cabled the conference urging the rapid implementation of the 85 offers for pioneering and travel teaching, and assured the Iranian believers of prayers for assistance in winning the goals of the Five Year Plan.

Pilgrimage made by Bahá’í youth

For the first time, a pilgrimage has been made to Haifa comprised entirely of Bahá’í youth from the United Kingdom.

The pilgrimage, taken in late December of last year, began at the Guardian’s grave near London, where some of the youth said prayers.

They then proceeded to the World Center where the Universal House of Justice had arranged meetings with the pilgrims, and one of the youth writes, “Many of us could not communicate, but the watering eyes and the smiles were enough to express feelings—we were all joined in the love of Bahá’u’lláh.”

The youth were taken for their introductory visit to the Shrine of the Báb by a Hand of the Cause.

On the second evening, they met with the Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum at the Master’s house.

Cathy Cardell, one of the youth on the trip, emphasized how privileged they felt “because of the trust from our own National Assembly and the House of Justice.”

Germany

Persian friends confer at Mainz

Approximately 450 Persian believers including 70 children met in Mainz, Germany, in June for one of two Persian conferences held in Europe this year. The other was held in London, also in June.

The Hands of the Cause ‘Ali-Akbar Furútan and Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir and Continental Counsellors Anneliese Bopp and Adib Taherzadeh greatly inspired the friends.

Eighteen of those present said they would travel in Europe to teach the Faith, and 41 said they would travel outside of Europe, to Africa and other places.

Israel

This is a general view of the construction area of the Universal House of Justice building as it appeared on June 21. The upper basement is in the foreground and the lower basement is beyond, looking toward the east.

[Page 17] Virgin Islands

7 Bahá’í women attend regional UN conference

Seven Bahá’í women attended an International Women’s Year Territorial Conference in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, June 24-25.

One of the workshops at the conference—“Principles Which Enable People to Work Together”—began with four speeches. One of the speeches was given by the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward and Virgin Islands.

At the same workshop session, the chairman of the workshop said the National Assembly is a national Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) affiliated with the Bahá’í International Community and the United Nations Economic and Social Council. She then explained the meaning of “NGO.”

Another workshop, on education, featured a talk by the secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of St. Thomas. She also assisted with the organization of that workshop.

When conference participants were invited to speak from the floor, Joyce Owen, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly, talked about the need for harmony. She then to introduced a series of recommendations with modifications from a Bahá’í viewpoint.

About the conference, the National Spiritual Assembly reported, “We have many new friends. The Bahá’í teachings have attracted the attention of more women while confirming others in the study of the Faith. We are in regular contact with the Conference Coordinating Committee regarding follow-up activities.”

United Nations

‘Flowers of Garden’ is UNICEF theme

“Ye Are the Flowers of One Garden” is the theme chosen by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for International Children’s Day, to be held in October.

Kits containing French, English and Spanish versions of the song, “Ye Are the Flowers of One Garden,” and a poster designed by Eliane Hopson, an American Bahá’í from New York, are being sent around the world to groups such as Girl Guides that host Children’s Day events.

The Bahá’í Writings will be cited as the source of the quote.

The United States Committee for UNICEF has been consulting with the Bahá’í office at the United Nations regarding the selection of a “Oneness of Mankind” theme for International Children’s Year, coming up in 1979.

India

Cooperation leads to greater activity

Cooperation between institutions of the Faith—the Continental Board of Counsellors in South Central Asia and its Auxiliary Board members with the Local Spiritual Assembly of Poona, India—has led to a series of successful activities in Poona, one of the first Bahá’í communities in India.

Firesides, deepening classes and twice-weekly meetings for youth all have been well-attended by young Bahá’ís and their friends.

Poona also was the site of a teaching conference sponsored recently by the National Youth Committee of India. Eighty youth delegates from all parts of India met with representatives of the Counsellors and members of the Auxiliary Board.

Even All-India Radio has taken notice. A public presentation on the Faith on July 9 was reported in both Marathi and English in a morning news broadcast.

The Continental Board of Counsellors in South Central Asia said this is believed to be the first time the Faith was mentioned by the Poona station of All-India Radio.

Mysore Assembly organizes visits

The Local Spiritual Assembly in Mysore, India, has organized visits to neighboring villages every Sunday.

On three consecutive Sundays, eight villages were visited. In one of the villages, 28 people asked to become Bahá’ís. Twelve firesides and two children’s classes also were held.

Portugal

Teaching conference renews determination

Seventy friends attended the recent National Teaching Conference in Portugal. The believers cabled the Universal House of Justice that they are “determined (to) become (a) beacon (in) Europe with (the) aid (of) prayers (at the) Holy Shrines.”

Continental Counsellor Hooper Dunbar, a member of the International Teaching Center, was present, as were two Auxiliary Board members.

The report on the progress of the goals of the Five Year Plan in Portugal revealed that two Bahá’í communities were ready to form Local Spiritual Assemblies; two Local Spiritual Assemblies had been reestablished; 36 persons had declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh, and 30 believers had volunteered to travel throughout Portugal to teach the Faith.

New Hebrides

Pioneer requested for Society Islands

For the first time the believers in the New Hebrides have been asked by the Universal House of Justice to send a pioneer overseas. Their goal locality is the Society Islands (Tahiti).

The National Spiritual Assembly of the New Hebrides has called upon all believers there to prayerfully consider pioneering.

The assignment of the Society Islands to the New Hebrides came in the recent appeal by the Universal House of Justice for an additional 462 pioneers to settle in various countries in the remaining two years of the Five Year Plan.

Irán

Seminars planned

The Women’s Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran has planned seminars geared to the needs of women believers in Irán so they may fully develop their potential talents.

Members of the Women’s Committee have traveled to cities outside Ṭihrán to assist with the seminars.