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| Bahá’í News | August 1981 | Bahá’í Year 138 |
Planting the seeds in Alaska
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The seven Bahá’í martyrs of Hamadan, Iran, are shown in a photo taken during the month of Farvardin 1360 (March 21-April 21, 1981) in the prison at Hamadan. The seven are (standing left to right) Husayn Khandil, Dr. Nasir Vafa’i, Suhrab Habibi, Dr. Firuz Na’imi, Tarazullah Khuzayn, and (kneeling left to right) Suhayl Habibi, Husayn Mutlaq. They were executed at dawn on June 14.
WITH STRICKEN HEARTS SHARE NEWS SEVEN MEMBERS LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY HAMADAN MARTYRED AFTER BEING TORTURED. EXECUTIONS CARRIED OUT DAWN JUNE 14 WITH APPROVAL SUPREME JUDICIAL COUNCIL ON USUAL
TRUMPED UP CHARGES. THIS FRESH BLOW ANOTHER STEP IN PROSECUTION
SCHEME TRADITIONAL ADVERSARIES UPROOT FAITH IN LAND ITS
BIRTH ... NAMES OF SEVEN MARTYRS ARE AS FOLLOWS: MR. HUSAYN MUTLAQ,
MR. SUHAYL HABIBI, MR. SUHRAB HABIBI, DR. NASIR VAFA’I, DR. FIRUZ NA’IMI,
MR. HUSAYN KHANDIL, AND MR. TARAZULLAH KHUZAYN.
JUNE 15, 1981
Bahá’í News[edit]
Message from the World Centre | 1 |
Bahá’í National Conventions | 2 |
Commentary from Canada | 4 |
Alaska: the early years | 6 |
Around the world | 10 |
Bahá’í News is published monthly 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 the Periodicals Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A. Changes of address should be reported to the Office of Membership and Records, Bahá’í National Center. 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 © 1981, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
World Centre[edit]
Glorious triumphs, new challenges[edit]
To the Bahá’ís of the World
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
At the outset of the Seven Year Plan, faced with tremendous tasks to be accomplished by the Bahá’í world, and confronted by the seemingly crippling financial losses that resulted from the savage onslaught of inveterate enemies upon the valiant believers in the Cradle of the Faith, the Universal House of Justice turned with fervent hope to the believers in the rest of the world, calling upon them to arise and champion the cause of their persecuted brethren in the international arena and, through self-sacrifice and the exercise of wise stewardship of the funds of the Faith, to enable its work to go forward unhindered by the sudden inability of the believers in Iran to continue their major role in providing the life-blood of the Cause. In both fields, these past two years have witnessed astonishing victories.
The manner in which the case of the persecuted Faith of Bahá’u’lláh has been blazoned in the media, conveying its message to millions of souls who had scarcely if at all heard of it before; and the degree to which world authorities have risen to plead its case and call for its vindication, have both been witnessed with eager and uplifted hearts by Bahá’ís in all lands. Now the Universal House of Justice has instructed us to inform you that in supporting the Bahá’í International Fund the self-sacrificing followers of the Blessed Beauty have won similar victories.
The manifold acts of devotion and service that have been so distinctive a mark of progress in the opening phase of the Seven Year Plan have not only laid a firm foundation for the development of the institutions of the Faith worldwide, but have also been manifested in an outpouring of financial substance that has made possible the setting of goals for the second phase of the Plan that will enhance the prestige of our beloved Faith and hasten the day of its complete emergence from obscurity.
The financial needs of the first phase of the Plan have been fully met. The teaching work has continued with unabated zeal. The Seat of the Universal House of Justice is now nearing completion and the funds required for that tremendous task are in hand. The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of the Indian sub-continent is rising and the work on that for Samoa will shortly begin.
Now the Universal House of Justice turns with loving confidence to those beloved ones of God who have responded with such zeal to fulfill the commitments that it has been guided to undertake, and has asked us to lay before you the needs of the year which has just begun.
Although the task of raising the Seat of the House of Justice on God’s Holy Mountain is now well-nigh behind us, the work on the two Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs has acquired additional urgency. The unstable condition of the world and rapidly rising prices make it essential to complete these two enterprises at the earliest possible date. Thus, major expenditures which it had been hoped could be spread over a number of years must be met within the next twelve months.
The public attention drawn to the Faith by the Iranian situation and the many valuable friendships and contacts that have been made with those in authority demand, if the ground now gained is not to be rapidly lost, expansion and intensification of the activities of the representatives of the Bahá’í International Community with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, as well as with other international bodies such as the Parliament of Europe. The Universal House of Justice has therefore taken the decision to establish an office of the Bahá’í International Community at Geneva, with a full-time representative. It has also become necessary to allocate large sums to the provision of a wider range of Bahá’í literature in many languages and to develop Bahá’í use of radio.
The Universal House of Justice has estimated that to meet all these urgent goals as well as carrying on the current work of the faith during the year 1981/82, an increase of 50 per cent over the amount of contributions for the year just past will be required. It therefore asks every believer and every community to consider prayerfully the degree to which they can take part in this mighty effort, and to strain every sinew to ensure that the tasks placed by an omniscient and all-wise Ordainer on the shoulders of His privileged lovers will be worthily and speedily performed.
The House of Justice assures you all of its loving, fervent prayers in the Holy Shrines for your guidance and assistance.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Department of the Secretariat
June 8, 1981
National Conventions[edit]
Redeeming the sacrifices[edit]
Cablegrams dispatched to the World Centre from National Conventions in progress during the Riḍván period tell the story of a resolute community of the Most Great Name, stirred by the challenging messages directed to them by the Universal House of Justice, deeply moved by the suffering of their Persian brethren, conscious of their debt to the Iranian followers of Bahá’u’lláh, and determined to redeem the sacrifices made in His name.
Almost without exception, those who gathered on five continents and in remote islands and territories refer to victories gained in the names of the precious deceased Hands of the Cause of God, and of the present-day martyrs to that same Cause.
Another strong theme woven through the messages of loyalty and loving support of the Supreme Institution is gratitude for the role of the Continental Boards of Counsellors, and appreciation for the assistance of the Auxiliary Boards.
Bahá’í life, its distinctive character, and its enhancement and enrichment is a major theme of many deliberations. But the dominant refrain that comes through clearly in almost every case is the “pledge” to win all goals of the new three-year phase of the Seven Year Plan. Over and over, communities report “animated consultation” or “radiant spirits” as they pore over the challenges given them in the messages—“resolved,” “dedicated,” “committed” or “galvanized” to act upon them all with “unity,” “eagerly” and “joyously.”
News from Uganda brought a special thrill, as that National Assembly announced its re-formation after a lapse of three years of troublous times and tragic events.
Of the 132 National Spiritual Assemblies formed, six were elected for the first time: Bermuda, Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, Tuvalu, South West Africa/Namibia, and Bophuthatswana. From the inaugural Conventions of the newest national bodies, the following excerpts are shared:
Bermuda reports “inexpressible joy this momentous occasion, erection yet another pillar in the Americas. Spirit permeating Convention awakened Bermudian interest investigation Revelation ... Convention blessed attendance Hand Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Counsellor Sarah Pereira, (U.S.) National Spiritual Assembly representative Glenford Mitchell.”
The Hand of the Cause herself cabled: “Blessed isle Bermuda, pearl Atlantic, uplifted new heights ... wonderful spirit reception preceding Convention, graciously attended (by) Premier’s wife, also leading Senator and Minister Health, other distinguished guests including 63 overseas Bahá’ís. Premier cordially received me. Spoke Rotary Club, television, press, radio interviews, myself and others. Bahá’í programs saturated public news, our historic election first National Spiritual Assembly.”
From its seat in St. John’s, Antigua, the Leeward Islands Convention cables: “... Prayers, guidance, your faith in us have made possible this joyous occasion inauguration National Spiritual Assembly Leeward Islands. Also thank you further pleasure, distinct honor presence Hand Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum ... 67 believers present from 16 islands. Happy announce dedication beautifully redecorated new Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. Your message created enthusiasm, determination fulfill new goals.”
Windward Islands cabled: “With joyful hearts, singing paean praise inaugural Convention. Bounty of presence Hand Cause Varqá ... many friends three islands. Some friends Grenada and all Dominica unable to attend (due to) bad weather conditions. Delighted announce formation 41 LSAs all islands. Hopefully 17 more. Generous gift Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds St. Lucia, from Paris ... Greetings exchanged amateur radio from Dominica to Convention.”
From its seat in Funafuti, the new National Spiritual Assembly of Tuvalu hails the “marked victory of the ninth pillar of the Universal House of Justice in Australasia ... Convention uplifted presence Hand of Cause of God Collis Featherstone ...” Mr. Featherstone comments: “National Spiritual Assembly now established ... presence all delegates. Convention held in new nine-sided meeting centre. Wonderful spirit throughout. Plans made, firm foundation Assembly.”
From Windhoek, seat of the National Spiritual Assembly of South West Africa/Namibia comes an expression of “heartfelt gratitude your representative Hand Cause William Sears ... Also present Counsellor Masehla, 4 National Spiritual Assembly representatives, 4 Auxiliary Board members, 10 delegates, 66 believers, 10 children ... All greatly inspired by beloved Hand, election first National Spiritual Assembly.”
Assembled at Mmabatho, Bophuthatswana, the delegates to the first Convention of that young nation of
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Shown here are delegates and guests at the 21st Bahá’í National Convention of the Dominican Republic held in Santiago de los Caballeros.
southern Africa cabled the Universal House of Justice: “Inspired presence Hand Cause John Robarts ... Grateful guidance Universal House of Justice, parent Assembly (of) South and West Africa and representative (of) Counsellors ... Assembly goal already achieved ... Determination surpass goal fulfill confidence beloved House. Total attendance 117 ... Request prayers, guidance.”
Following are brief excerpts from the many other reports received from National Conventions around the world:
Alaska—“Resolved spiritually conquer financial goals ... $24,000 raised.”
Argentina—New Assembly “includes representatives of Toban, Mataco tribes ... Believers Chaco elected seven Assemblies by own efforts.”
Australia—“Eagerly anticipate historic step reinforcing Japan-Australia spiritual axis referred to (by) beloved Guardian.”
Bolivia—“Overjoyed permission House Justice to apply for radio frequency.”
Canada—“Profoundly grateful privilege host International Conference Montreal 1982 ... our love, our hearts, our all go out to the Universal House of Justice, for whom, in name Bahá’u’lláh, we stand poised and ready to do what has been asked of us.”
Costa Rica—“Active participation indigenous delegates, high attendance.”
Dominican Republic—“All goals first stage won ... Youth carrying the plan forward.”
Ecuador—“Large turnout ... believers prepare upcoming International Conference Quito.”
El Salvador—“Goal 110 Local Spiritual Assemblies accomplished.”
France—“150 participants shared spirituality, fervour, enthusiasm to achieve second phase Seven Year Plan. French community deeply moved ... and expresses respectfully, deep devotion and love.”
The Gambia—“Contributions made four Funds. Reported Assemblies formed surpassed goal first phase.”
Germany—“We are glad about the formation of 83 Local Spiritual Assemblies on Riḍván and deeply moved that the sacrifices of our Persian brethren have resulted in a lasting echo. By news agencies’ reports, some 50 press articles, several broadcasting interviews and at least one nation-wide transmission.”
Italy—“20th Italian Convention, hearts full of joy presence beloved Hand Cause Giachery.”
Japan—“Beseech prayers for early fulfillment prophecy of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for this country.”
Malaysia—“Enough funds raised for child education material printing project.”
South and West Africa—“Hearts burdened continuous persecution ... yet joyous, uplifted advances, expansion Holy Cause God. Blessed presence beloved Hand William Sears.”
Suriname and French Guiana—“Suriname numerical goals LSAs, localities for second phase Plan already surpassed. In response to call LSAs, individuals contributed 1,500 Suriname Guilders to National Fund.”
Thailand—“Spirit sacrifice evidenced generous outpouring cash, pledges ensuring continued financial self-sufficiency.”
Togo—“Unprecedented participation in Togo Bahá’í annals ... more than double all previous Conventions.”
Tonga—“Twelfth Convention ... total attendance 125 adults, 106 youths, 120 children. Largest representation ever from outer island groups.”
United Kingdom—“Loving greetings 81 delegates, 560 friends ... Joyfully announce formation 174 Assemblies ... Inspired shining example beloved brethren under fire persecution Iran. Make us worthy serve befittingly.”
United States—“2,000 gathered at 72nd Convention ... in presence of Hands of the Cause Shu‘á‘u’lláh ‘Alá’í and Zikrullah Khadem ... stirred by tragic news of the three martyrdoms on the eve of our Convention’s opening ... attracting the light of public attention and compassion, guaranteeing growth and speeding the emergence of the Faith from obscurity.”
Shown are delegates and guests at the 15th Bahá’í National Convention of the Virgin Islands. The Convention, held at the Windward Passage Hotel in St. Thomas, marked the first time that the Virgin Islands held its annual election as a separate entity owing to the formation this year of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward Islands.
Commentary[edit]
‘Powerless to resist His force’
The following commentary is reprinted from Bahá’í Canada, January 1980.
No Bahá’í can read a newspaper today or watch a television broadcast without becoming more aware of how tightly the nations of the world are being gripped by the hand of God and how powerless mankind is to resist His force. With each passing day, the future predicted for mankind one hundred years ago in the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh takes visible form around us.
The correspondences in all departments of life are breathtaking. The gaze of the whole human race is being steadily riveted on those regions of the planet which were honored by the footsteps of the Blessed Beauty, of His Holiness the Báb, and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The great foundation principles of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation are becoming the central concerns of nations, peoples and individuals everywhere.
Our neighbors and friends are experiencing at first hand the effects of those social and spiritual developments which the Guardian said would, in time, “disillusion the masses” and create a widespread receptivity for the message of the Faith.
Part of a process[edit]
The renewed persecution which the Cause is experiencing in the land of its birth has heightened our awareness of being part of a process which is irresistible and divinely ordained. The news stories on the events in Iran have opened a door for the proclamation of some of the characteristic principles of the Faith which nothing else could have accomplished.
Our own faith has been deepened as we have talked to Members of Parliament, government officials and representatives of the media about the integrity with which our fellow believers in Iran refused all efforts to involve them in political concerns. We have begun to appreciate the significance of such steps as the acquisition of consultative status at the United Nations and the formal incorporation of our own National Assembly by Act of Parliament, steps through which the beloved Guardian painstakingly “vindicated the independent character” of the Faith entrusted to his care.
Even the fate of those who have raised their hands against the Cause of God has been a part of our education. We have seen such people “seized with a madness” as the Master predicted they would be. We have watched with amazement as the hatred for God and man which so long motivated them is overnight exposed for the whole world to see and their credibility is destroyed in the eyes of people everywhere, through their own acts of passion and unwisdom.
The focus sharpens[edit]
Recent events have suddenly sharpened the issues for us. Almost overnight, the forces which Bahá’u’lláh said His Revelation had unleashed have begun to reveal not merely the falsity of the material civilization around us, but its failure. The economic and even personal security which it promised and which always seemed reassuringly present, has begun to dissolve. Our hearts know that there is no alternative to the spiritual life which Bahá’u’lláh has brought into existence; increasingly our minds see the daily evidence of it.
This is the real opportunity that history is giving us. Reality is coming steadily into sharper focus. Alongside the failure of the alternatives we see the extraordinary success of our Faith. We see the Bahá’í community achieving and over-achieving every goal set for it by the unerring guidance of God’s House of Justice. We see the rise and consolidation of the institutions of the Faith and the slow but steady emergence of the Bahá’í community as an alternative way of life on this earth. We see our fellow believers in Iran, men, women and children, making enormous sacrifices for the Cause of God and purchasing for it opportunities which are vastly increasing the range of its message.
Entering an era[edit]
What does this mean for the Cause? It means that, no matter how turbulent and tragic events around us may be, the Cause is entering an era of unparalleled opportunity. For our non-Bahá’í acquaintances, the basic spiritual issues of life are becoming steadily clearer and more urgent. As the alternatives shrink and grow less and less secure, human beings question their previous assumptions and begin to look seriously at possibilities which had never before commanded their attention.
The signs of this new receptivity are everywhere around us in the “Valley of Decision” into which the masses of mankind are being driven by the events of contemporary history.
Decisions that are just as fundamental face us who have already found the Faith. We, too, have been drawn by the undertow of the materialistic civilization which produced us. No day has passed that has not seen each
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one of us, to one extent or another, facing a real struggle in following ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s loving advice that we
turn our gaze to spiritual reality and away from the illusions of the material world. The struggle has often
been a very confused one because of the extent to which
worldly goals and pursuits have claimed the power to
confer well-being.
Our own personal lives[edit]
Who can contemplate such developments without reassessing his own life and priorities? The same spiritual forces which have brought victories to the Bahá’í community can open up new dimensions in the life of each one of us as an individual. “Let the doubter arise,” Shoghi Effendi challenges, “and himself verify the truth of such assertions.”
Now is the time to put the great promises of Bahá’u’lláh to the test in our own personal lives. All around us people are being prepared by events in their own lives to recognize truth when they hear and see it; now is the time for far greater audacity in the presentation of the message of the Cause. The society in which we live is disintegrating because it lacks any ground for moral assurance; now is the time to cultivate in our lives the fruits of obedience to the laws of God. The economic systems that promised security are failing everywhere; now is the time to experience for ourselves the divine law that “to be continually giving out ... undeterred by the fear of poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of the Source of all Wealth—this is the secret of right living.” The world, Shoghi Effendi says, is “groaning, is dying to be led to unity”; now is the time to win the victory over those differences of personality and understanding which have handicapped many of our Assemblies and communities.
These are the lessons which events in Iran hold for Bahá’ís everywhere. Yes, we are different. Yes, our moral standards are contrary to most of those current in present-day society. Yes, we believe that the only solution to the chaos into which our world is sinking is for mankind to turn to the Message of God for today. Yes, we are immensely proud of our Faith, of its achievements, its heroes and its moral character. Bahá’u’lláh Himself assures us, the day will come when this Faith will embrace the whole of humankind.
United Nations[edit]
The struggle for human rights[edit]
The following statement concerning religious discrimination in Iran was presented to the United Nations by representatives of non-governmental religious organizations at UN Headquarters in New York.
To respect the right of freedom of religious thought, association and practice is an essential measure of the development and maturity of peoples and nations. For the 154 countries of the United Nations there are standards approved in the UN Charter and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as delineated in the International Covenant on Civil Rights and Political Rights.
On behalf of a number of Religious Non-Governmental Organizations at United Nations Headquarters, we are deeply concerned over all violations of religious freedom wherever they occur. We feel it a solemn duty to call to the attention of United Nations agencies, governments and private organizations, as well as to our widespread constituency, the urgent need to be alert to the protection of religious freedoms. This urgency is of the highest priority when the very life and safety of individuals of a religious community are at stake.
While most regrettably violations occur in several countries, at this time we are particularly concerned with the grave position of the Bahá’í Community of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We urge the Islamic Republic of Iran and all responsible agencies and persons promptly to grant the Bahá’í Community, as well as all religious minorities, full protection of life, property, association, and religious freedom. We ask that religious freedom, whether specifically mentioned or not in a Constitution of the country, be extended to include the release of any prisoners primarily held because of their religious preference and we ask for the return of or compensation for any confiscated or destroyed properties.
As representatives of Religious Non-Governmental Organizations at United Nations Headquarters, we shall always plead the cause of religious freedom and seek affirmative support of such freedom not only in the Islamic Republic of Iran but also in all states where it is in jeopardy. We deplore the suffering and inhumane tribulation caused innocent people by the persecution of religious minorities.
for the Religious Non-Governmental
Organizations at UN Headquarters
Alaska[edit]
Planting the seeds of victory
‘Abdu’l-Bahá forced the shovel into the still-frozen earth at the site of the Mother Temple of the West on that cold and blustery first day of May, 1912.
The believers who were gathered with Him in Wilmette, Illinois, for the laying of the cornerstone of the Bahá’í House of Worship were invited by the Master to turn a spadeful of earth and dedicate it to some country where the Message had not yet been taken.
When 33-year-old Charlotte Gillen lifted the spade, she called out the name of Alaska. Forty-eight years later, in 1960, she would pioneer to Alaska where she would be lovingly referred to by the friends as “Grandma Gillen.”
Coincidentally, the first recorded mention of Alaska of a Bahá’í’s name (but not of the Faith itself) also occurred in 1912. On December 30 of that year, the Nome Nugget reported that “Ali-Kuli Khán and his charming wife” were visiting the U.S. The article did not mention that the reason for their visit, at the direction of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, was to assist the believers in North America.
Nearly four years after Mrs. Gillen called out the name of Alaska at the Temple site, the first written appeal from the Master for Bahá’ís from North America to go to Alaska arrived in a Tablet dated April 8, 1916. In it, He said:
“... Alaska is a vast country; although one of the maid-servants of the Merciful has hastened to those parts, serving as a librarian in the Public Library, and according to her ability is not failing to teach the Cause, yet the call of the Kingdom of God is not yet raised through that spacious territory ...
“Perchance, God willing,” the Tablet continued, “the lights of the Most Great Guidance will illuminate that country, and the breezes of the rose garden of the love of God will perfume the nostrils of the inhabitants of Alaska.”
The first pioneer[edit]
Margaret Duncan Green, the librarian referred to in that Tablet, is believed to have been the first Bahá’í to pioneer to Alaska. She worked from June 1915 to June 1918 at the public library in Juneau, teaching the Faith there and in Sitka, the former capital of Alaska. She also placed Bahá’í books in the library at Juneau.
Mrs. Green wrote poems about the Faith, some of which she sent to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. One verse of a poem entitled “Our Glorious Lord Eternal” said: “Now is the springtime of this truth/Time to scatter far/The seed that contains within its heart/The knowledge of Bahá.”
Acknowledging her poetry, the Master sent her the following Tablet: “He is God! O thou daughter of the Kingdom, your letter and poetry have arrived. Your letter contained the supreme glad tidings that—praise be to God!—the Light of Truth is shining in Alaska. As for your poetry, it was of the utmost eloquence and fluency. Its contents were very sweet. I hope that your desires for that country will be realized, and that the breezes of the Holy Spirit will give the people eternal life, that the eyes will see, the ears will hear, and the dead will be resuscitated, that every day a new confirmation will reach you from the Celestial Kingdom. In the Koran, the Book of God, He says, ‘He chooses whomsoever He wishes through His mercy, and praise be upon the one who follows guidance.’ (Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Abbas.”
The second Bahá’í to go to Alaska was Mrs. Susan Rice who in 1916 traveled up the Yukon River to Dawson in the Yukon Territory, and from there westward to Fairbanks. Her trip was later described in the magazine Star of the West:
“Mrs. Susan Rice spent her vacation in Alaska, and her account of her trip all alone way up the Yukon (River) to Dawson is most interesting.
“At the little town of Eagle nearby, she gave the Glad Tidings to everybody there. This may prove to be a beginning which will lead eventually to our reaching the Eskimos ... who knows?
“Mrs. Rice left believers and interested inquirers in Fairbanks, White Horse and Dawson, as well as one lady who traveled with her and heard the Message with great eagerness and went to stay at Wiseman. Mrs. Rice is in touch with all these places.”
In 1917, the year after Mrs. Rice’s trip, the Master again mentioned Alaska to the North American believers, saying in a Tablet revealed on March 8: “Select ye important personages ... (to) arise and travel throughout Alaska ...”
It was not until 1919, however, when the Tablets of the Divine Plan
The first of a three-part series on the history of the Bahá’í Faith in Alaska was compiled from information provided by Ray Hudson and John Kolstoe.
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Charlotte Gillen, who in 1912 turned a spadeful of earth for Alaska at the dedication of the Mother Temple of the West in Wilmette, Illinois, then pioneered there some 46 years later, is shown at the 1960 National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Alaska.
were unveiled at the Riḍván celebration in New York City, that Bahá’ís once again arose to travel to the “last frontier.”
The believers who went to Alaska that time were Emogene Hoagg (1869-1945), who had been recently widowed and was financially independent, and Marion Jack (1866-1954) of New Brunswick, Canada, who had spent some time during 1908 in the Holy Land teaching English to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s grandchildren.
The two women set out from San Francisco in July 1919 aboard the Alaskan steamship Victoria, arriving in Nome on or about July 15. From there the trip would take eight months and cover more than 6,000 miles.
On July 26 they arrived in St. Michael. Unfortunately, all of Mrs. Hoagg’s luggage except for one suitcase had been left behind in Seattle, and did not catch up with her until two months later, in Dawson.
From St. Michael the two Bahá’ís went up the Yukon River, made a side trip on the Tanana River to Fairbanks, traveled back to the Yukon and then to Dawson and Whitehorse in Canada, and finally south to Skagway and Juneau in Alaska.
The passage up the Yukon was made aboard a commercial boat, the Julia B, that stopped at many communities along the river to deliver supplies.
In her diary, Mrs. Hoagg noted that the villages visible from the boat were picturesque, even if they were not “extraordinary in architecture.”
She continued: “The fishracks are ever present and the row of chained dogs always greet the boat with concerted howls while we will not mention the regiments of mosquitoes that had such friendly interest in the passengers and crew equally. The only hope is that while we are being attacked the poor dogs are getting a rest. Never have you seen such mosquitoes! Without joking, they penetrate the shoe, find the seams, and reach in for a nibble. I can vouch for this, having had the experience.”
Usually the first thing Mrs. Hoagg and Miss Jack would do on arriving in a town was to have an announcement placed in the local newspaper saying they had arrived from San Francisco. Sometimes the announcement would mention the Faith.
Later they would return to the newspaper office, and often Mrs. Hoagg would be asked to submit an article about the Faith, which usually was printed in its entirety.
An accomplished artist[edit]
If there were no immediate opportunities to teach, Miss Jack would set up her easel and paint portraits, meanwhile engaging her subjects in conversation. Eventually she would ask, “Have you ever heard of the Bahá’í Faith or Bahá’u’lláh?”
If the person seemed interested, she would send him or her to Mrs. Hoagg and begin painting the next portrait.
Miss Jack, an accomplished artist who had studied in France, charged $50 to $250 for a portrait. She apparently painted a number of them while in Alaska, but the Bahá’ís there have been unable to locate any of them.
In Fairbanks, Mrs. Hoagg met a tourist who had seen ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in New York. However, her diary records her frustration with their stay in that city; apparently, no one was interested in hearing the Message.
Mrs. Hoagg and Miss Jack then traveled about 50 miles south-southwest of Fairbanks to Nenana, where they found miners and “sourdoughs” (prospectors and pioneers) who expressed some interest in the Faith. In the 1940s Mrs. Hoagg wrote a letter in which she related her disappointment at not being able to look up any of the contacts she had made during her earlier stay in Nenana.
In Fort Yukon the two Bahá’ís encountered a “Mr. Stuck,” who is believed by present-day Bahá’ís in Alaska to have been Hudson Stuck, noted for his early missionary work in that area and for having been one of a party of four who first scaled Mount McKinley in 1913.
Honor Kempton, one of the first among the ‘second wave’ of Bahá’í pioneers to Alaska in the 1930s, stands in front of her bookstore in Anchorage in a photo taken around 1939.
In Dawson they stayed with some of Miss Jack’s distant relatives. Mrs. Hoagg’s luggage finally caught up with her; letters from the U.S. in-
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formed them that Martha Root had
left for South America. Other letters
were received from members of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s family, letters that
Mrs. Hoagg called “gifts from the
Holy Presence.”
From Dawson they traveled to the smaller town of Whitehorse, and from there by rail to Skagway, where they encountered some resistance to their teaching efforts. After some inquiries they learned that earlier travelers to that town had said that Bahá’ís advocate “free love.”
Emogene Hoagg, who traveled to Alaska to teach the Faith in 1919 with Marion Jack, is shown in her later years with Dr. and Mrs. Bidwell.
Their next stop was Juneau, where Miss Jack stayed while Mrs. Hoagg traveled by boat to Cordova, Valdez, Seward and Anchorage. At each of these stops she was given excellent newspaper coverage, especially in Anchorage. The editor of the paper there happened to have been on the same boat with her, starting in Juneau. Not only was her arrival announced in his paper, the entire text of one of her public talks was published on November 20, 1919.
Also on the boat trip from Juneau, Mrs. Hoagg met a Captain Blazer who offered her the use of his theatre in Anchorage for a series of lectures on the Faith.
She remained in Anchorage for some time, returning finally to Juneau via Seward and Valdez. In Valdez she met Judge Love, who had studied the Faith with the first Bahá’í teacher sent to the West by the Master.
Mrs. Hoagg arrived in Juneau on December 21. She lectured in Italian and English and was well-received by a number of people including Gov. Riggs who invited her to a New Year’s Eve ball.
Mrs. Hoagg’s mixed feelings about their extended teaching trip are recorded in her diary. All of Alaska, she wrote, had heard the call of “Ya Bahá’u’l-Abhá,” yet there were no new believers there.
More than two years passed before another Bahá’í traveled to Alaska. Beginning in June 1922, Orcella Rexford journeyed from Dawson to Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks.
She presented paid lectures on health and personal appearance, and followed them with an invitation to a free lecture “on a most wonderful subject you have never heard about.” An audience of 550 heard her speak in Dawson.
The first enrollments[edit]
In Juneau she was invited to tea by the governor and his wife, and became acquainted with Captain Austin E. Lathrop who offered her the use of his theatre for lectures.
Miss Rexford regularly was the host at firesides at the studio of well-known Alaska artist Sidney Laurence. She was happy in Juneau, but on the spur of the moment decided to travel to Anchorage. There she lectured to about 500 of the city’s 2,800 residents. From that lecture came the first recorded believer to enroll in the Faith in Alaska—Dr. Gayne B. Gregory, a leading dentist—followed shortly by the first woman to enroll in the Faith in Alaska, Victoria Robarts.
In November 1922 Dr. Gregory and Miss Rexford were married. The following July, after a brief trip to the U.S., they started Bahá’í study classes in Anchorage.
Some people joined the Faith, writing to Haifa if they wished to confirm that they were Bahá’ís. Basically, the community was centered around fireside discussions.
The Gregorys hoped to establish a Bahá’í Center in Anchorage, but found it difficult because of the shifting population. By the end of 1924 they had sold their property in Alaska and returned to the U.S., leaving the small group of Alaskan believers to be deepened and nurtured by Mrs. Robarts.
When shortly afterward she left for California, the group of Bahá’ís in Anchorage, the only Bahá’í community in Alaska, began to drift
[Page 9]
apart.
In 1926 Dr. Gregory became the first Bahá’í from Alaska to undertake a pilgrimage to Haifa. Although ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s sister, the Greatest Holy Leaf, because of her age and the large number of pilgrims, did not ordinarily receive individual believers, she did have an audience with Dr. Gregory because he was the first person in Alaska to embrace the Faith.
In 1937 the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, issued a call for Bahá’ís to settle in Alaska. Orcella Rexford Gregory wrote that she and her husband wished they could go, but that their work was finished and it was time for others to carry on.
The first Bahá’ís to teach in Alaska—Margaret Duncan Green, Susan Rice, Emogene Hoagg, Marion Jack, Orcella Rexford Gregory, Gayne B. Gregory and Victoria Robarts—came in succession from 1915 to 1926. When the last of them departed, there was still no permanent Bahá’í community in that country, and there would be none before the beginning of the first Seven Year Plan in 1937.
Next month: Growth and development, 1937-1957.
Dagmar Dole, who pioneered to Alaska in 1944, and later to Denmark and Italy, became the first believer to give her life for the Cause during the European project when she died in Switzerland on November 12, 1952, the 135th anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh.
The grave of Marion Jack in Sofia, Bulgaria. Miss Jack was one of the first to respond to the Master’s call in the Tablets of the Divine Plan for Bahá’ís to go to Alaska, traveling there in 1919 with Emogene Hoagg.
Around the world[edit]
India[edit]
The unique design of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of the Indian subcontinent continues to draw worldwide attention.
Fariburz Ṣahba, the Bahá’í architect of the Temple, was invited by the Sydney (Australia) and Environs Development and Advancement Society to participate last November 18-28 in an exhibition at the New South Wales Institute of Technology.
A number of photos and designs, along with extracts from the Sacred Writings about the Bahá’í House of Worship and explanations of its architectural concept and significance, were submitted to the society.
In expressing his appreciation, the president of the society wrote: “The fine concept of the lotus-shaped shell structure aroused great interest among visitors.”
This photo, taken March 31, shows progress on the construction of the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent in New Delhi, India. The nine central columns in the central hall have been concreted and the remaining columns are in various stages of shuttering and concreting.
Germany[edit]
Members of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Europe and their special guests gathered for this group photo during the inaugural meeting of the Board in January at the Bahá’í House of Worship near Frankfurt, Germany. Participants in the meeting were (front row left to right) Counsellors Ursula Mühlschlegel, Erik Blumenthal, Betty Reed; Anneliese Bopp, a Counsellor who is a member of the International Teaching Centre in Haifa; the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem; Counsellor Dorothy Ferraby, and (back row left to right) Counsellors Louis Hénuzet, Dr. Agnes Ghazvani, Hartmut Grossman, Dr. Leo Niederreiter, Adib Taherzadeh.
Brazil[edit]
Recognizing the establishment of the Faith in Brazil some 60 years ago, the mayor of Vitoria, Brazil, proclaimed March 21-28 as “Bahá’í Week” in that city.
The proclamation says that the Bahá’í community of Vitoria has contributed to the renewal of moral and spiritual values and has worked to create a spirit of unity, love and understanding among followers of all religions.
Many residents of Vitoria accepted Bahá’í pamphlets and requested the Bahá’í correspondence course.
The theme of the week of proclamation was “One Planet, One People ... Please!”
France[edit]
“The greatest indirect proclamation of the Faith that we have held up to the present time” is the way in which the Spiritual Assembly of Bron, France, described the concert it sponsored last January 21 in observance of the United Nations International Year of the Disabled.
The benefit concert of classical music was performed by 12 members of the symphony orchestra of nearby Lyon, who volunteered their time and talents. Proceeds were given to a regional committee for the handicapped.
Publicity for the Bahá’í-sponsored event included the distribution of 3,000 leaflets by school children and the placement of 500 posters by friends of the Faith.
In addition, more than 100 invitations were delivered personally to area officials.
The six-page concert program included an article about the Faith by the UN Information Service.
In its report, the Spiritual Assembly of Bron called involvement in UN-sponsored events worthwhile, and concluded that music is an excellent means of indirectly proclaiming the Faith.
“Our efforts,” the Assembly wrote, “were repaid by the joy of seeing the name ‘Bahá’í’ in large letters in almost every store in Bron, and by several stories in the press.”
Tonga[edit]
Fifty-two Local Spiritual Assemblies were elected during Riḍván in Tonga, surpassing that country’s goal of 50 Spiritual Assemblies.
More than 300 people including delegates, Continental Counsellor Lisiata Maka, and three Auxiliary Board members, were present May 2-3 at the Bahá’í National Convention of Tonga.
Among the highlights was an evening of entertainment that included traditional dances from four countries, songs, and refreshments.
About 150 people attended a daylong teaching conference held immediately after the National Convention. Participants discussed the second phase of the Seven Year Plan.
Five people volunteered to pioneer on the homefront, and five youth were chosen by the National Spiritual Assembly to pioneer to the Caroline Islands.
Following the teaching conference, the National Bahá’í Women’s Committee of Tonga held a two-day conference. The 50 participants discussed the role of women in teaching and consolidation.
At the close of the conference, six women sailed to Ha’apai, an island group 70 miles north of Tongatapu, for two weeks of teaching.
More than 50 youth attended a two-day conference that followed the women’s gathering. The last afternoon saw the young people working on a farm and donating their wages to the Fund.
A recent four-month proclamation effort in Tonga included the
establishment of a Bahá’í information center in downtown Nuku’alofa, the capital city of Tonga. Each week a large number of interested people is attracted to the center.
Meanwhile, Tonga’s National Bahá’í Publishing Committee has hired two full-time employees, and as a result, more Bahá’í literature has been published in the Tongan language.
Four booklets were recently published, and at Riḍván most sections of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era were published in book form.
More than 30 believers from all parts of Tonga attended a conference in late January, the first ever held at the country’s newly acquired Temple site.
Participants at the gathering, sponsored by the Area Teaching Committee of Tongatapu (the largest of Tonga’s 36 inhabited islands) heard speakers discuss the spiritual importance of the Temple site and its relationship to the teaching work.
Participants also helped begin clearing the land at the site of the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár.
Some of the participants at the first conference held at the site of Tonga’s future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár listen to speakers discuss the spiritual importance of the Temple site. The conference was held January 15.
A young Bahá’í performs a traditional Tongan dance during an evening social program that was part of the activities during the annual Bahá’í National Convention.
Guatemala[edit]
The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum addresses an audience of believers in Guatemala during her visit to that country in early March. During a conference March 6-8 sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of Guatemala, she spoke about living a Bahá’í life, the work of the Guardian, and the significance of the Fast. Also shown are translator Tim Farrand (left) and Roberto Gabaleta, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Guatemala.
United Kingdom[edit]
Vincent Crilly (center), secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Castlereagh, Belfast, Northern Ireland, presents a copy of All Things Made New by John Ferraby to the mayor of Castlereagh following a tree-planting ceremony at a city park in April. A ‘tree for peace’ was presented to the city by the local Bahá’í community. This photo, which appeared in a local newspaper, includes Auxiliary Board member Dr. Beman Khosravi (second from left) and Dr. Iain Palin (far right), a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom has announced the acquisition of the first Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Wales.
The purchase of this property in Bangor completes the outstanding Five Year Plan goal for the United Kingdom that called for the establishment of four more Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds—one in England, one in Scotland, one in Northern Ireland, and one in Wales.
The delay in acquiring the Welsh property was caused by the difficulty in obtaining permission to use the building as a Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds.
Pakistan[edit]
The Hand of the Cause of God Paul Haney, accompanied by Counsellor Manúchihr Salmánpúr, visited Bahá’í communities throughout Pakistan in January.
Arriving January 7 in Karachi, Mr. Haney met with members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Pakistan, and with Auxiliary Board members in that city and in Lahore.
The visitors also met with the friends to discuss the progress of the Faith in Pakistan.
About 200 people including a
number of non-Bahá’ís attended the
annual Bahá’í winter school last
December 25-29 in Hyderabad,
Pakistan.
Among the participants were believers from 25 localities in Pakistan and some guests from other countries who had the bounty of sharing experiences with believers from mass-taught areas of the country.
Fifty believers from 15 localities
in Pakistan attended a two-day
deepening conference last December
30-31 at the recently acquired
Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Nawabshah.
Following the meeting, three groups of Bahá’ís made teaching trips to several communities in outlying areas.
Finland[edit]
Hartmut Grossman, a Continental Counsellor for Europe, was among those attending the 20th Bahá’í National Convention of Finland.
Panama[edit]
A visit to the Bahá’í House of Worship in Panama City, Panama, was the highlight of a day-long trip February 15 by 17 Bahá’í children from the village of Lajamina, more than 400 miles away in Panama’s Los Santos Province.
The trip, sponsored by a Bahá’í couple, took many of the children the farthest distance they had ever been from their homes.
In addition to seeing the House of Worship, the children visited old ruins in Panama City and the Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal before returning to their village.
Upon returning home in the early hours of the morning, the children spontaneously filled the air with their singing of “Bahá’u’lláh es la Gloria de Dios” (Bahá’u’lláh Is the Glory of God).
The trip resulted from a promise to reduce the children’s disappointment when they learned that plans for a proposed children’s institute had to be canceled.
This group of 17 Bahá’í children from the village of Lajamina in Panama’s Los Santos Province visited the Bahá’í House of Worship in Panama City February 15. For many of the children, the 400-mile trip was the farthest they had ever been from their homes.
Peru[edit]
Bahá’í women serve food during one of the five teaching conferences held in March and April that were sponsored by the Regional Teaching Committee of Puno, Perú.
Participants at one of the weekly sessions at the Bahá’í Teaching Institute in Juli, Perú.
A member of the Bahá’í Club at the University of Puno, Perú, presents the rector of the university with a copy of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era.
A “100-Day Teaching Plan” sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of Perú that ended at Riḍván resulted in the election of 125 Local Spiritual Assemblies, the enrollment of 700 new believers, and the acquisition of a local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds.
The Regional Teaching Committee of Puno, Perú, sponsored a
series of five teaching conferences in
March and April that were attended
by a total of more than 175 believers.
The Faith was proclaimed to about 400 people during the conference March 30 in the Pilcuyo district.
Twenty-four people were enrolled in the Faith during the conference April 17 in the Pomata district. Many other new believers were not enrolled that day due to an insufficient supply of enrollment cards.
On March 19, the day following
the granting of broadcast authorization for “Radio Bahá’í of Lake
Titicaca,” Perú, a local radio station in Puno broadcast a 15-minute
attack against the proposed Bahá’í
radio station.
After members of the local Bahá’í community inquired about the broadcast, the station manager offered them 15 minutes of free broadcast time to reply to the criticism.
It was later learned that many people first heard of the Faith as a result of the attack against Radio Bahá’í on that commercial radio station.
El Salvador[edit]
One hundred seventy-nine Bahá’ís attended the National Bahá’í Convention in El Salvador, held May 1-3 near the capital city of San Salvador.
Bahamas[edit]
These believers are part of a larger group of Bahá’ís who participate regularly in deepening sessions at the Bahá’í National Center in Nassau, Bahamas. The deepenings are part of a spiritual enrichment program begun last December that will continue throughout 1981. Weekend deepening institutes have been held on the major islands of New Providence, Abaco, Andros, Grand Bahama, and Eleuthera with good attendance reported.
Children begin a ‘treasure hunt’ during an Ayyám-i-Há party on the grounds of the Bahá’í National Center in Nassau, Bahamas. Other Ayyám-i-Há activities included a potluck supper and Bahá’í film festival.
Hawaii[edit]
Alejandra Dusseault, a member of the Bahá’í community of Koolaupoko, Hawaii, reads a Bahá’í prayer March 25 before the State House of Representatives in Honolulu.
Bangladesh[edit]
Sixty-one delegates and many other guests attended the 10th Bahá’í National Convention of Bangladesh held May 1. Among those present were Continental Counsellor Dipchand Khianra and three members of the Auxiliary Board.
Ireland[edit]
Two hundred people, most of whom were non-Bahá’ís, attended a Naw-Rúz celebration sponsored by the Bahá’í community of Dublin, Ireland.
Two declarations occurred during the observance.
Among those present was a radio announcer who has mentioned the Faith several times on his program.
More than 600 people visited a
traveling exhibit on the Faith in late
March at the Imperial Hotel in Dundalk, Ireland. The exhibit was sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of Ireland.
Local publicity for the exhibit was good. The Bahá’í community of Dundalk engaged in follow-up efforts after the proclamation.
Alaska[edit]
One hundred-thirteen Bahá’ís and their non-Bahá’í guests from 23 localities in Alaska, the Yukon, Canada and Seattle, Washington, attended the 14th annual Winter Weekend last December 26-28 in Palmer, Alaska.
Speakers included Continental Counsellor Lauretta King and Auxiliary Board member Raye Mullin.
Separate classes were held for children and youth.
Suriname[edit]
Terry Madison, a Bahá’í pioneer from the United States to Suriname, a country on the northeastern coast of South America, planned and conducted a five-hour telethon May 2 for physically handicapped persons in that country. Ms. Madison is shown here with one of the guests on the telethon, Desi Bouterse, commander of the military forces that control the government of Suriname. The nationally televised event featured many of Suriname’s top entertainers, some of whom are physically handicapped themselves.
Dominican Republic[edit]
Undiscouraged by heavy rains, 150 people attended a public talk May 8 by the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum at a hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The Hand of the Cause spoke to the believers on a wide variety of topics during her week-long visit to the Dominican Republic.
She participated in a weekend conference planned in her honor and answered a number of questions from the Bahá’ís who were present.
Fifty Bahá’ís and their guests participated February 27-March 1 in a
youth conference in Puerto Plata,
Dominican Republic. The conference focused on study of the Tablets of the Divine Plan and individual
goal-setting.
During the two weekends following the conference, two new localities were opened to the Faith.
In addition, three youth who declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh during the conference began immediately to conduct children’s classes and to participate in teaching trips.
Milagros Jimenez had a problem.
She wanted to return to her village
of Los Ranchitos, Dominican Republic, to participate in an annual
memorial service for her father and
to teach her family about
Bahá’u’lláh—but she had no
money.
She approached the teaching committee for help, and it was decided to give her money for transportation along with an illustrated teaching booklet and some pamphlets.
Because Milagros is illiterate, she had to ask members of her family to read the pamphlets and teaching booklet to others.
She sang Bahá’í songs to them, and by the time she was ready to leave her village 17 people had said they wished to become Bahá’ís.
Later, Auxiliary Board member Rafael Benzan and some other believers went to the village of Los Ranchitos, and 15 people were enrolled in the Faith.
On his return, Mr. Benzan compared his list with Milagros’ and found that only three names were on both lists.
The result was another trip to the village during which the members of Milagros’ family were enrolled in the Faith.
Now Los Ranchitos has a good-sized Bahá’í community and a Spiritual Assembly, thanks to Milagros Jimenez who offered only what she had—the love of Bahá’u’lláh.
Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Dominican Republic elected during Riḍván are (front row left to right) Justina de Benzan, Carol Hoff, Sheila Rice-Wray, Maria de McLean, and (back row left to right) Don McLean, Felipe Peña, Mark Freehill, Rowell Hoff, Victor Perez Payano.
Virgin Islands[edit]
Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Virgin Islands elected at its 15th National Convention are (front row left to right) Allen Smith, Magda Grunweig-Smith, John Rushford, Carlos Sterling, Charlotte Milden, Joan Bennett, and (back row left to right) Jean Randazzo, Jan Conley, Marc Towers.
Sri Lanka[edit]
Three hundred people including dignitaries of the Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Christian faiths attended the first observance of World Religion Day in Sri Lanka on January 18.
The Bahá’í-sponsored program in Colombo was covered by the state radio station. Ten reports of the meeting with photos were published by seven newspapers in both English and Tamil.
[Page 18]
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