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Bahá’í News

February 1982

Bahá’í Year 138

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WITH HEAVY HEARTS INFORM FRIENDS THROUGHOUT WORLD EIGHT MEMBERS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IRAN ARRESTED 13 DECEMBER WERE EXECUTED 27 DECEMBER. THEY ARE:

MR. KAMRAN SAMIMI
MRS. ZHINUS MAHMUDI
MR. MAHMUD MAJDHUB
MR. JALAL AZIZI
MR. MIHDI AMIN AMIN
MR. SIRUS ROUSHANI
MR. IZZATULLAH FURUHI
MR. QUDRATULLAH ROUHANI

FAMILIES NOT NOTIFIED OF ARRESTS, TRIAL, EXECUTIONS. BODIES BURIED UNCEREMONIOUSLY IN BARREN FIELD RESERVED BY GOVERNMENT FOR INFIDELS. INFORMATION DISCOVERED FORTUITOUSLY. GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES TOTALLY SILENT, UNCOOPERATIVE.

THIS HEINOUS ACT CAUSES US FEAR THAT MEMBERS PREVIOUS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND TWO AUXILIARY BOARD MEMBERS WHO DISAPPEARED AUGUST 1980, AS WELL AS TWO OTHERS WHOSE WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN OVER TWO YEARS, HAVE SUFFERED SAME FATE. NAMES THESE HEROIC DEDICATED SERVANTS BLESSED BEAUTY ARE:

AUXILIARY BOARD MEMBERS DR. YUSIF ABBASIYAN, DR. HISHMATULLAH RAWHANI. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS DR. ALIMURAD DAVUDI, MR. ABDUL-HUSAYN TASLIMI, MR. HUSHANG MAHMUDI, MR. IBRAHIM RAHMANI, DR. HUSAYN NAJI, MR. MANUHIR QAIM-MAQAMI, MR. ATAULLAH MUQARRABI, MR. YUSIF QADIMI, MRS. BAHIYYIH NADIRI, DR. KAMBIZ SADIQZADIH. MEMBER LOCAL ASSEMBLY TEHERAN MR. RUHI RAWSHANI. PROMINENT TEACHER MR. MUHAMMAD MUVAHHID.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER THESE SELFLESS GLORIOUS SOULS SOURCE INSPIRATION TO BAHÁ’ÍS OF WORLD. WHILE NOT ABLE WIN CROWN MARTYRDOM LIKE PERSIAN BRETHREN, VALIANT DETACHED FRIENDS EVERY LAND UNDOUBTEDLY ARE ENDEAVOURING EVINCE SAME SPIRIT FOLLOW SAME PATH CONSECRATION DEDICATION GOD’S HOLY FAITH. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT SANCTIFIED BLOOD OF THESE DESCENDANTS DAWNBREAKERS WILL SERVE STRENGTHEN BODY CAUSE GOD THROUGHOUT GLOBE, PRODUCE UNPRECEDENTED VICTORIES TO COMPENSATE LOSSES SUSTAINED CRADLE FAITH.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
DECEMBER 29, 1981

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[Page 0]

Bahá’í News

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Baltimore, Maryland, in November 1912	1
Construction progresses on Mother Temple on the Indian Subcontinent	5
Successful teaching campaign held on island of St. Lucia, West Indies	6
Historic first Bahá’í National Convention of Bophuthatswana is held	8
Bahá’í House of Worship in Australia observes its 20th anniversary	9
In New Zealand, Bahá’ís write script for radio program on the Faith	10
In Tonga, the funeral of a well-known Bahá’í helps proclaim the Faith	11
Around the world: news from Bahá’í communities all over the globe	12

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 © 1982, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

[Page 1]

‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Baltimore

By Allison Vaccaro
and Edward E. Bartlett

The Bahá’í Faith was introduced in America at the Columbian Exposition in 1893, shortly after the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh. The early pioneers to the U.S. were dispatched by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and it was under His guidance that the American Bahá’í community was nurtured.

Aware of the threat that Covenant-breakers posed to the fledgling American community, and acceding to the imploring requests that He visit the western hemisphere, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá finally decided to make such a trip. At the time of His western sojourn in 1912, there were approximately 30 Local Spiritual Assemblies in North America. One of these was in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh was brought to Baltimore around the turn of the century. Its close proximity to Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia made Baltimore a logical target area for many early Bahá’í teachers.

According to the archives of the Baltimore Bahá’í community, Mrs. Isabel Brittingham had visited that city in 1900 in what may have been the first traveling teaching trip to Baltimore.¹

Letter to the Master

Later, Col. Nat Ward Fitz-Gerald of Washington, D.C., and Mírzá ‘Abu’l-Fadl, who was sent to the U.S. by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, spoke at a public meeting in Baltimore attended by about a hundred people in February 1902.² The number of Bahá’ís in the city grew, until in May 1909 the “Bahá’í Assembly of Baltimore” was formed. A constitution and by-laws were drafted and approved, and a letter was sent to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá informing Him of the accomplishment.

There is little doubt that the Bahá’ís in Baltimore were ecstatic about the news of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s imminent arrival in their region. They were even more fortunate to have Him stop in their city; although He earlier had spent several weeks in nearby Washington, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá did not visit Baltimore until near the end of His American sojourn.

The news of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to America prompted lengthy and generally accurate newspaper articles in the Baltimore newspapers. In a city noted for its quality journalism, having spawned such outstanding talent as H.L. Mencken, the Baltimore Sun made only one major error in its reporting. That was with respect to the expected date of an address by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Baltimore.

On April 6, 1912, five days before ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s steamship berthed in New York harbor, the Sun papers declared, “ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Coming. Son of Founder of Bahá’í Movement to Lecture Here—Seeks Unity of Religions—Persian Savant Also Maintains That There Should be Equality of the Sexes.”³ The article stated that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would speak on Sunday, April 21, at the First Independent Christ’s Church (Unitarian).

Six-month delay

In his book 239 Days, Dr. Allan L. Ward suggests that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s itinerary was sometimes planned on a day-to-day basis and that no official schedule was given to the American friends prior to His arrival in New York on April 11, 1912. Since ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke in Washington, D.C., on April 21, it can only be assumed that the enthusiastic Bahá’ís in Baltimore had acted somewhat presumptuously in their advance planning and press releases.

From Washington, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá departed for Chicago and points west, and was not destined to reach Baltimore until more than six months later.

On November 12, 1912, the Baltimore American heralded the long-awaited arrival:

To Speak in Unitarian Church—Abdu’l-Bahá, the Persian peace advocate, who is making a tour of the United States after having been incarcerated in Acca, Syria, where he had been exiled by the Mullahs for antagonizing the religious beliefs of his country, will visit Baltimore tomorrow and deliver an address at noon at the Unitarian church Charles and Franklin Streets. Abdu’l is now in Washington after having completed a trip through the West and Southwest. He will leave Baltimore tomorrow night for New York.⁴

‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived by train in Baltimore’s Camden Station at 11 a.m. on

[Page 2] November 11. The entourage that accompanied Him included Dr. Ameen Fareed and Mírzá Ahmad Sohrab (interpreters), Mírzá Mahmúd, Mírzá ‘Ali Akáh, Mírzá Valiollah Khán, Dr. Zia Bagdadi, and Saya Assadollah.⁵

Press interviews

They went at once to the Hotel Rennert at Saratoga and Liberty Streets, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá granted press interviews. Mahmúd recorded in his diary, “Among those who were honored with interviews was a press representative who heard a detailed discourse regarding universal peace and the capacity of the United States of America as a nation and government to enforce it, which was noted for publication.”⁶ In all probability this interview was the basis for an article that appeared the following day in the Baltimore American.⁷

The chapel of the Unitarian church where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was to speak was packed with Johns Hopkins University faculty members and many local professional men. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived promptly at noon and began His address in Persian without any introduction. His translator was Dr. Fareed, who had studied previously at Johns Hopkins. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke on the unity of religions and the oneness of God:

We declare the foundations of the divine religions to be one; and if we forsake these accidental imitations—by imitations we mean the teachings that have crept in, dogmas which have crept into religion, and which have nothing to do with the foundation—then we have a basis for unity amongst the religions, then we have a cause or source of illumination of all humanity.⁸

Undaunted in his enthusiasm, a Sunpapers artist captured the animated delivery of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s talk in five unique sketches that appeared in the paper the next morning.⁹ Among several poses, they showed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with upraised palms, stroking His beard in meditative thought, and forcefully expounding a truth with a sculpted left hand. The accompanying article observed:

In appearance the Persian teacher is a striking-looking man of about 70 years. He is of the average height, with a strong rugged face covered with a short white beard. His cheekbones are high, his eyes bright and flashing.

At the lectures he wore a robe of black with a triangular insert of light tan in front reaching from the hem to the neck. The long sleeves of the garment were turned back from the strong hands. Distinguishing him from his escort was a white turban which he wore, from beneath which gleamed locks of iron gray. Members of his escort wore black turbans.

As frequently happens, this event was accompanied by an anecdote, completely unsubstantiated, that has nevertheless been passed down through the oral tradition of long-standing Bahá’ís. According to the story, two Catholic priests arrived late and took a position behind the speaker’s platform to listen to the speech through a half-opened door. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is said to have noticed them and closed the door!

Mahmúd wrote of the address:

The Beloved delivered at the Unitarian Church of Baltimore an address regarding the oneness of the world of man, the immutability of the principles of the divine religions and the changing of the social laws according to the demands of the time.¹¹

At the conclusion of the address, women kissed His hand and others tearfully greeted Him at the door of the chapel. Pressed by a busy schedule, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and His traveling companions hurried by car to the home of Howard Struven at 1800 N. Bentalou Street for a mid-afternoon meal.

Globe-circling trip

Present among the Baltimore believers at the luncheon were Mr. and Mrs. Struven and Mrs. Maude Thompson Amendt. Mr. Struven is credited in God Passes By with circling, “for the first time in Bahá’í history, the globe visiting on his way the Hawaiian Islands, Japan, China, India, and Burma” with Charles Mason Remey.¹² In an interview given in 1966, Mr. Struven related that the trip took place in 1902 and was financed by money that had been set aside for his college education.

The Rennert Hotel at Saratoga and Liberty Streets in Baltimore where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá rested upon his arrival in that city on November 11, 1912.

[Page 3] He did not attend college, but later became a successful businessman.¹³

Mrs. Amendt had spent the morning walking out to a farm east of Baltimore to get fresh chicken for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and thus had missed His talk at the Unitarian church. Mrs. Amendt was described as a stout, corseted woman. After the meal, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá motioned her out of the kitchen and invited her to sit by Him on the floor in the tiny living room. One can only surmise that there was a twinkle in His eye as He extended the loving invitation to Mrs. Amendt who declined to attempt such an improbable feat of agility.¹⁴

Ursula Shuman Moore was living at the Struven home at the time of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit, and it was she who provided the most extensive account of that interlude spent in the Struven home:

Yesterday, the 11th, he (sic) came over to our house in Baltimore and had dinner with us at our table! Did you ever dream that this would come to pass. He came to Baltimore about twelve o’clock and spoke at the Unitarian Church, and then they came out to our house and we had dinner for him. Many of the Washington believers came over too and many of the Baltimore believers came up. We had about 55 or 54 to feed. Had a grand chicken dinner, with rice and celery, peas, ice cream and cake, and vegetable soup. He said we had given him a good dinner, a fine dinner, and that he ate much. When I brought in the big platter of chicken and set it before Him at the table he said, “Oh, chicken!” and seemed to be much pleased with it. He said everything was cooked well. We had him and the Persians in his party sit down first, 12 at the table, and served them, and then we had four relays and every body had something. They all seemed so glad to be there and enjoyed themselves so much. I was so glad for Mother could be near him and see him. I introduced Mother to him, and he took her hand and said “Oh, your Mother!” and looked at her very kindly. I told him she had been and was sick, and that we

Above. the Baltimore Sun of November 12, 1912, included these interesting sketches of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with an article about His address at the Unitarian Chapel. Below: Camden Station where the Master arrived in Baltimore and from where He departed by train that same afternoon.

[Page 4]

asked that she might be well. He said “In Shalah.” So I hope she will get well soon now. They did not stay very long, as they left on the (3 o’clock) train. It surely was a great privilege to have him in our house, and something that we will always remember.¹⁵

It was reported by another observer that after the dinner, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had a brief nap upstairs at the Struven house before the public meeting.¹⁶ Mahmúd penned the Master’s comments during that post-prandial discussion:

“Praise be to God! I see that you may become more enlightened and spiritual. When I reach the Holy Land I shall lay My head on the Threshold of the Blessed Tomb and with tears in my eyes I shall supplicate heavenly favors, eternal honor and everlasting happiness for you.”

He then left for the station. On the way to the station the Beloved embraced Mr. Struven as a kind father embraces a son and with utmost kindness He mentioned his services to the Cause of God.¹⁷

‘Abdu’l-Bahá departed from the Camden Station on the 3 o’clock train for New York City, having spent four hours in Baltimore. During that brief interlude He gave interviews to the press, delivered a public address, and shared a luncheon with the friends in the Baltimore area. For a man of 68 years, His energies seemed endless, and His dedication to teaching the Bahá’í Cause was absolute. So much could be gained for the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh if each of us were to teach tirelessly after the example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

An exterior view of the Unitarian Church on Charles Street in Baltimore. It was here that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke about the oneness of mankind on November 11, 1912.

Following His address at the Unitarian Church in Baltimore, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had lunch at the home of Howard Struven, 1800 N. Bentalou St.

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REFERENCES

1. Archives of the Bahá’í community of Baltimore, March 29, 1910.
2. The Sun, Baltimore, February 1, 1902, p. 7.
3. The Sun, Baltimore, April 6, 1912.
4. Baltimore American, November 10, 1912.
5. Baltimore American, November 12, 1912, p. 13.
6. Mahmud-i-Zarqání, The Wondrous Annals. Entry dated November 11, 1912.
7. Baltimore American, November 12, 1912, p. 13.
8. Address by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá delivered November 11, 1912, in Baltimore, Maryland. Recorded by Jack Salomon, stenographer for the Baltimore Sun.
9. The Sun, Baltimore, November 12, 1912, p. 9.
10. Interview with Mr. Albert James of Jessup, Maryland, June 1980.
11. The Wondrous Annals. Entry dated November 11, 1912.
12. Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1970, p. 261.
13. Interview with Mrs. Nancy Lee of Owings Mills, Maryland, December 1980.
14. Interview with Mr. Albert James, June 1980.
15. Letter of November 12, 1912, from Ursula Shuman Moore to Louise Shuman Irani, available in the Baltimore Bahá’í archives.
16. Recollections of Mr. Howard Struven, audio tape recorded August 14, 1966, available in the Baltimore Bahá’í archives.
17. The Wondrous Annals. Entry dated November 11, 1912.

[Page 5]

Progress on the Mother Temple

The lotus petal-shaped entrances to the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent began to take form last September with the erection of temporary steel beams. This aerial view shows the temporary steel structure for three of the arches and several completed sections of the outer podium slab. By the end of September all nine sections of the outer podium had been concreted, and pouring of the first arch was scheduled for mid-October 1981.

[Page 6]

Teaching campaign sweeps St. Lucia

From July 27 through August 17, 1981, the island of St. Lucia was host to a teaching project the depth and vitality of which was previously unknown in the Caribbean area.

It was called the “Grandma Snyder Project” in honor of the first pioneer to die at her post in the Windward Islands.

The three-week campaign, planned and carried out by the District Teaching Committee for St. Lucia, had no numerical goals. Rather, its aims were to teach family groups, then to re-visit and strengthen, deepen and consolidate these families into Bahá’í communities.

The project led to the enrollment of 464 people in the Faith. Local Spiritual Assemblies were formed in each of the desired localities, a start was made toward deepening these new communities, and much Bahá’í literature was distributed.

In each area, active new believers were found who can help strengthen the community.

Bahá’ís from two countries and seven Caribbean islands participated—nine from the United States, one from Canada, one from Barbados, two from Dominica, one from Grenada, one from Guadeloupe, two from Martinique, two from St. Vincent, and more than 20 from the host island, St. Lucia.

Goal areas covered

The project was divided into two main theatres of operation—one in the South, centered in LaFargue, and the other in the North, centered in Castries. Arrangements were made at each center for food preparation and cleanup so that projecteers would not be burdened with those chores. Transportation was provided, and each center had a vehicle at its disposal.

David Yamartino, a pioneer from the United States to St. Lucia, teaches in Periot during the ‘Grandma Snyder’ teaching project last July and August.

Bahá’ís with direct teaching experience were paired with those who had no such experience, and since most people in St. Lucia speak Patois (a French dialect), a youth who speaks Patois was assigned to most teams.

The North teams were assigned goal areas that included Barre Denis, Ciceron, Marchand, Bexon, Forrestiere and Baboneau. The South teams were assigned to Bellevue, Perrot, Augier and Opicion.

The plan for each area was simple: visit and teach for one entire day, visit again the next half-day, one-half day of rest, and then on to the next area. Each area was to receive four and one-half days of visits during the project. The communities of Barre Denis, Forrestiere, Baboneau and Bellevue were to elect Spiritual Assemblies.

Although St. Lucia is a relatively small island (population 140,000), each community is a separate entity with its own traditions, ethnic makeup, and, in most cases, a dominant religious background, usually Catholic or Anglican.

The people of the island are generous in nature and generally receptive to the Message of the Faith. Teaching in Barre Denis (a remote country village) and Marchand (a community within the city of Castries) was especially successful. There were many declarations in Barre Denis including 18 in one family.

Prayer, deepening stressed

The real surprise, however, was Marchand, a generally poor and crowded community, where more than 70 people declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

There was some opposition to the campaign, notably in Bexon and Forrestiere. In Bexon, the people were told that this was a part of the “Jim Jones cult,” and teaching in that community was difficult. In Forrestiere, a minister told his congregation that anyone becoming a Bahá’í would have to move off church land. The church owns many houses in that town. Nevertheless, a Spiritual Assembly was formed in Forrestiere.

In every area, an attempt was made to encourage families to pray and deepen together. This effort was generally regarded as highly successful.

A prayer book was given to each new believer, and a copy of The New Garden was given to good readers. Others received a copy of “Day of Peace,” a graphic presentation of the life of Bahá’u’lláh. Plans were made by the District Teaching Committee to follow up with regular study classes in each community.

The Feast of Kamál (August 1) was held in Castries with 53 believers present, many from Marchand. The Feast of Asmá (August 20) was held in Barre

[Page 7] Denis with 16 adults and youth and many children attending. At this Feast, a contribution was given by the Barre Denis community to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Windward Islands, one indication that, for the first time, there are new believers on the island who not only say, “Yes, I want to be a Bahá’í,” but who also are willing to participate in the affairs of the Faith.

The final day of the Grandma Snyder project witnessed an all-island teaching conference. A large bus was hired to bring the friends from the southern part of the island, and about 60 Bahá’ís attended. Classes were held on “Bahá’í Community Life,” “The Fund,” and “Teaching Your Family and Neighbors.”

The idea of a religion without clergy was emphasized, and many believers left impressed that they could actually have an active role to play in building the new World Order. Many teaching and deepening pamphlets were available at no cost, and everyone left with aids to help them teach their families and friends.

Three generations of new Bahá’ís in one family pose with some of the Bahá’í teachers in Opecion, St. Lucia.

Martin Devoux, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Windward Islands, explains enrollment procedures in Periot, St. Lucia.

Bahá’í teachers take a break for lunch in Opecion, St. Lucia.

[Page 8]

Friends gather at historic first National Convention

The historic first National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Bophuthatswana was held last May 1-3 at the Lapolagong School library in Montshiwa.

Friends from throughout the region including 13 from Botswana and others from South Africa and Lesotho came to witness the election of the first National Spiritual Assembly of Bophuthatswana.

The Universal House of Justice was represented at the Convention by the Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts who, with his wife Audrey, had pioneered to this area from Canada in the 1950s.

Mr. Robarts read the message to the Bahá’ís of the world from the Universal House of Justice as well as its message to the Bahá’ís of Bophuthatswana.

The new Plan, it was learned, calls for wide expansion of the Faith in that country. There are to be 35 Local Spiritual Assemblies and 150 localities in which Bahá’ís reside. In the next three years, eight, five and five Spiritual Assemblies, respectively (making a total of 18) are to be deepened to the point of functioning on their own.

The balance of the goals for the second phase of the Seven Year Plan were equally challenging. Each of them was consulted on by the body of delegates to give the new National Assembly a direction and sense of the country’s feelings.

More than 100 of the friends were present on the opening day of the Convention when the report from the Bophuthatswana Teaching Committee was given thrilling news that the locality goal for the first phase of the plan had been won and the Assembly goal of 30 surpassed, with 34 Assemblies having been formed as of May 1.

Later that evening it was announced that a 35th Assembly was formed, thereby winning the minimum goal assigned for the second phase of the Seven Year Plan.

The delegates voted Saturday afternoon in an atmosphere of prayer and reverence for the first National Spiritual Assembly of Bophuthatswana.

The results of the balloting were made known Sunday morning, when chief teller Lally Khoatsane read the names of the members of the new National Assembly: Cornelius Khunou, Jane Khunou, Stanlake Kukama, Stephen Lekhonkhobe, Wright Lekhonkhobe, Alan Moore, Ephens Senne, Judy Worth, Steve Worth.

The new National Spiritual Assembly met May 10 and elected its officers: Ephens Senne, chairman; Cornelius Khonou, vice-chairman; Steve Worth, secretary; Alan Moore, treasurer; Judy Worth, recording secretary.

One of the highlights of the Convention was a Saturday evening session with the Hand of the Cause and Mrs. Robarts. who reminisced about their years as pioneers in the area and marveled at the many changes and achievements made since the 1950s.

Mr. Robarts also spoke about his memories of Haifa and of the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi. The Guardian, he said, often mentioned his great love for Africa.

Also on Saturday evening, Lowell Johnson, secretary of the parent National Spiritual Assembly of South and West Africa, presented slides and films showing Bophuthatswana’s Bahá’í history.

Mr. Robarts addressed the Convention a second time on Sunday morning, saying among other things that Mrs. Lucretia Molema (the widow of the late Dr. Molema, the first indigenous Bahá’í in Mafikeng) had declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh and signed a declaration card on April 19, 1981. Mrs. Molema was given a standing ovation as she and her daughter Warata and several other Bahá’í members of her family came to the front of the hall.

The remainder of the Convention was devoted to consultation on the goals of the second phase of the Seven Year Plan. Everyone left with a renewed sense of dedication and devotion, knowing that the Bahá’í community of Bophuthatswana is in the safe hands of its new National Spiritual Assembly.

The members of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Bophuthatswana are (standing left to right) Alan Moore (treasurer), Jane Khunou, Stephen Lekhonkhobe, Stanlake Kukama, Cornelius Khunou (vice-chairman), Wright Lekhonkhobe, Judy Worth (recording secretary), and (kneeling left to right) Steve Worth (corresponding secretary), Ephens Senne (chairman). The first National Convention of Bophuthatswana was held May 1-3, 1981.

[Page 9]

House of Worship sees 20th anniversary

The Hand of the Cause of God H. Collis Featherstone was among those who participated last September 11-13 in ceremonies marking the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Sydney, Australia.

The observance began with an evening reception in Assembly Hall at the House of Worship. The following day was devoted to talks about the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár as a divinely-ordained Institution, and reminiscences by many of those who were involved in the formative days of the Temple in Australia.

Mr. Featherstone inspired the audience with the imperative necessity of seizing every opportunity to use that wonderful building as a teaching medium at this crucial time as did those who were involved 20 years ago.

On Sunday, a special public service was well attended by Bahá’ís and their guests. It was followed by a buffet luncheon served on the grounds.

One week later the anniversary celebration was culminated with a tree planting ceremony at the House of Worship by the Men of the Trees.

The ceremony was supervised by the founder of the movement, Dr. Richard St. Barbre Baker, who is a Bahá’í. The world renowned silviculturist and author, who is 92 years old, was returning from a trip to China, Africa and Great Britain.

Richard St. Barbre Baker (center), a Bahá’í who is founder of the worldwide organization known as ‘The Men of the Trees,’ is shown during a tree-planting ceremony last September that was a part of the 20th anniversary observance of the dedication of the Bahá’í House of Worship near Sydney, Australia.

[Page 10]

Radio program on Faith is broadcast

The following article is the text of a radio script prepared on behalf of the Bahá’í Public Relations Committee of New Zealand. It was broadcast last October 10 in that country as one of a series of programs entitled “What’s New in the World of Religion.”

•

New Zealand has recently been going through a period of social and political ferment. The recent Springbok tour (by a South African rugby team—ed.), the forthcoming elections, high unemployment and rampant inflation have all contributed to this ferment.

Many New Zealanders have been quick to apportion blame for the troubles. It is either the government, the unions, a militant minority, or some other group which is responsible.

Where do Bahá’ís stand? Do we have an official viewpoint on playing rugby with South Africa, on who to vote for, on how to deal with the unions, on how to stop food prices going up?

People are often surprised and disappointed to learn that Bahá’ís do not have official positions on any of these matters—and that, moreover, we are forbidden to voice our personal feelings on controversial matters, even to each other.

This prohibition goes back to the beginnings of our Faith. Bahá’u’lláh Himself wrote: “Dispute not with anyone concerning the things of this world and its affairs, for God hath abandoned them to such as have set their affections upon them.” (Gleanings, CXXVIII)

Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Faith, insisted that Bahá’ís should shun politics “like the plague”; be obedient to whatever government was in power wherever they resided; and never side with or denounce political figures in their public utterances. (Directives nos. 149, 150, 151, 152, 153)

Little wonder, then, that many who are genuinely concerned about the future of New Zealand, and indeed of the world, could easily conclude that Bahá’ís are simply not interested in “real” problems.

Such a conclusion is far from the truth. Bahá’ís are indeed concerned about the condition mankind finds itself in, and we do want to change it.

But the Bahá’í approach is fundamentally at variance with the prevailing one of individual governments seeking short-term palliatives to individual problems besetting their country, without any integration into a global economic or social plan.

Bahá’ís are not interested in offering a series of specific answers to the current problems facing any particular nation. Nor do they wish to become involved in divisive political wrangling between political parties, much of which involves destructive personal criticism of others, and self-praise.

It is a fundamental Bahá’í belief that mankind was created by God to know Him and to worship Him, and that the sole aim of our lives should be to learn how to know and worship God.

It is also fundamental to the Bahá’í approach that we know God only through His Manifestations; that Bahá’u’lláh is the latest Manifestation of God, Whose writings reveal God’s purpose for mankind in this age.

We worship God, Bahá’u’lláh tells us, not only by prayer—although it is important—but also by our deeds, by being obedient to God’s instructions.

Bahá’u’lláh tells us that, in this age which marks the “coming of age” of mankind, God has given us twin responsibilities.

Our first responsibility is to develop in ourselves those qualities that bring us spiritually closer to God, and that benefit our eternal souls in all the worlds of God. These qualities include justice, truthfulness, kindliness to others, humility, patience and detachment from worldly desires. All of the Manifestations of God have reaffirmed their importance.

Our second responsibility, as Bahá’ís, is the spiritualization of mankind. We can achieve this both by our shining example to others, as individuals and communities, and by spreading the Bahá’í teachings.

Until the spiritual condition of the human race as a whole is fundamentally changed, Bahá’ís believe, there can be no lasting change for the better in its material affairs: “The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.” (The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 203)

But once the world is governed by justice, kindliness, truthfulness, and all the other divine virtues which Bahá’u’lláh upholds, material benefits will surely follow.

Bahá’u’lláh declares: “The fear of God hath ever been a sure defense and a safe stronghold for all peoples of the world. It is the chief cause of the protection of mankind, and the supreme instrument for its preservation.” (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 63) Bahá’u’lláh emphatically stated that the union of mankind into one world commonwealth is ordained by God, and that nothing will stop it. (Gleanings, CVII and CX).

It is clearly taking place right now, in a painful and tumultuous way. Before too long the political unification of the world will be completed. (Wellspring of Guidance, p. 133)

The process of breathing life into this world commonwealth, of creating true unity and spirituality, based on Divine principles and the fear of God, is our task as Bahá’ís. This is the work to which we must devote all our energy.

[Page 11]

Bahá’í funeral proclaims the Faith

A lovely and memorable proclamation of the Faith was made recently at the funeral of a well-known Bahá’í in Tonga.

Although other Bahá’í funerals have been conducted there, this one was unique in that it was attended by more than 500 non-Bahá’ís including government officials and members of the noble class.

On Saturday, July 18, 1981, 60-year-old Tevita Soakai passed away after a long illness in the village of Haveluloto, near the capital of Nuku’alofa.

Mr. Soakai had become a Bahá’í in 1961 in his home village of Felemea in the Ha’apai islands. At that time he was a government primary school teacher.

He soon became an active proponent of the Faith, teaching ardently as he was moved in his profession from one island to another in the Ha’apai group. Later he was a member of the founding class of the Government Teacher Training College in Nuku’alofa, settling then on the main island of Tongatapu. At the time of his retirement Mr. Soakai was head teacher at the Nuku’alofa Government Primary School, the largest primary school in Tonga. For many years, up to the time of his death, he was a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Haveluloto.

Well-respected beliefs

In Tonga, funerals are important events involving one’s whole clan (kainga), and the arrangements are overseen by the ‘ulumotu’a, the highest ranking member of the kainga.

In the past this has sometimes led to difficulties when the ‘ulumotu’a and other close relatives of deceased Bahá’ís have been staunch church members and did not want a Bahá’í funeral to be conducted.

In this case, however, the Bahá’ís were called upon to conduct the service, even though Mr. Saokai’s wife and other family members were not Bahá’ís, since his beliefs were well-known and respected by others, and especially since it was seen that the local Bahá’ís continually visited him during his long illness.

The funeral, held Sunday, July 19, was attended by many fellow school teachers and members of the Education Department. As Mr. Soakai was closely related to the noble Fielakepa and Tu’i Ha’angana families, Fielakepa and his ceremonial attendants and the widow of the late Tu’i Ha’angana and other members of that family also were present.

The service included Bahá’í prayers, readings from the Writings, and a talk on the Bahá’í teachings on the progress of the soul after death. The vast audience listened attentively to all that was said, and many commented afterward about how beautiful the funeral was, and how unusual it was in not being mournful or gloomy.

After the final prayer for the dead, the noble Fielakepa and the ‘ulumotu’a each presented a brief eulogy of Mr. Soakai and thanked the Bahá’ís for conducting such a beautiful funeral.

In this way the Message of Bahá’u’lláh was brought to many people including government officials and nobles who otherwise would not easily have been approached, a lovely and fitting memorial to Tevita Soakai.

Shown at the funeral of Tevita Soakai, held July 19, 1981, at Haveluloto, Tongatapu Island, Tonga, are (standing left to right) Mrs. Ema Heimuli (member of the Local Spiritual Assembly), Sione Tuitahi (assistant secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly), Iloa Piu (treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly), Dr. Steve Garrigues (chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly), Isileli Kaho (member of the Local Spiritual Assembly), Mrs. Siteli Taufalele (member of the Local Spiritual Assembly), Mrs. Mele Pateta (member of the Local Spiritual Assembly), Sione Taufalele (member of the National Spiritual Assembly), and Pekoni Paasi (member of the National Spiritual Assembly). More than 500 non-Bahá’ís attended the funeral.

[Page 12]

The world

Faith praised by Irish Labour Minister

The Bahá’í community of the Republic of Ireland was praised by the Minister of Labour and the Public Service during an address last October 7 that was read on his behalf at the opening of the national Bahá’í Exhibition in Bray, County Wicklow.

“For over 100 years,” the Minister observed, “your community has striven to achieve the unity of mankind, to promote world peace and world order ... the development of spiritual qualities ... the eradication of prejudice, superstition and other impediments to human progress and the achievement of a balance between the material and spiritual aspects of life ...

“Long before it was fashionable to do so,” he continued, “(you) advocated the full application of equal rights, opportunities and privileges to both men and women.”

He indicated that he and his colleagues were following closely the treatment of Bahá’ís in Iran, having exchanged information and views on the subject with their partners in the European community who are equally concerned.

The exhibition in Bray was attended by three members of the Irish Parliament and several local dignitaries.

Bermuda

More than 30 Bahá’ís and their guests attended the first Bahá’í summer school in Bermuda last September 4-6, fulfilling a goal given to the newly formed National Spiritual Assembly of Bermuda by the Universal House of Justice.

Classes covered Bahá’í history, administration and laws. The program included a presentation on recent events in Iran entitled “Bahá’í Heritage.”

More than 25 non-Bahá’ís attended an evening public meeting and barbecue held during the summer school session.

One of those who attended that meeting was Bermuda’s only opera star, mezzo-soprano Joy Blackett, who accepted the Faith the following evening.

Six hundred dollars to aid the United Nations-sponsored International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP) was raised during a dinner last November 8 at the Bahá’í National Center in Bermuda. The event was sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of Bermuda. Eunice Jones, the IYDP coordinator for Bermuda, accepts a check on behalf of the Bahá’í community of Bermuda from Marvin Brock (left) and Frank Esposito.

Spain

Members of 26 Bahá’í communities in Spain participated in a recent national Bahá’í school in Valladolid, the first for the north-central region of the country.

The 103 persons attending included representatives from Portugal and Germany, and seven seekers, two of whom enrolled in the Faith.

[Page 13]

South and West Africa

Shown are the pioneers who attended a Pioneer Institute last July 25-26 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The two-day institute, sponsored by the Pioneer Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of South and West Africa, drew believers from South Africa, Bophuthatswana, Venda, Ciskei and Transkei.

The Netherlands

A proposal by the National Spiritual Assembly of The Netherlands for reclassification of the Faith in European libraries has been adopted by the Fédération Internationale de Documentation in its Universal Decimal Classification. This system is used by 5,000 libraries, technical journals and abstracting services throughout Europe.

The new listing, which appeared in the Fédération’s April 1981 publication, corrects a prior misleading listing for the Faith under two separate numbers and introduces the proper term, “Bahá’í Faith,” for the first time.

The Bahá’í entry is now found under the general number 298, “Younger Religions and Religious Movements.” There is now one number, 298.8, for “Bábism: Bahá’í Faith.”

The April publication from the Fédération was published in 11 languages, including Japanese. The Universal Decimal Classification developed by the Fédération dates from an international bibliographic conference in Brussels, Belgium, in 1895, and is used today throughout the European continent.

India

Shown here are members of the Spiritual Assembly of Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, a city located in southern India.

More than 90 Bahá’ís, 60 of whom traveled from remote villages, attended a deepening institute last September 11 at the Kanpur Bahá’í Center in India’s Uttar Pradesh province.

The institute featured original plays illustrating Bahá’í social and moral concepts and was presented in full costume and makeup. The plays, in the Hindi language and accompanied by songs, were presented in the manner of folk tales.

“Drama,” said Auxiliary Board member F. Daliri, “was the most exciting part of the program and made the conference memorable.”

The players have offered to perform their original dramas at another conference in the near future.

[Page 14]

Hawaii

Bahá’ís from all parts of Hawaii helped put the finishing touches on this Bahá’í float that was awarded first place in the non-commercial division of Hawaii’s 1981 ‘Aloha Week’ parade. The Bahá’í entry also won the Mayor’s Award in the parade. Covered with some 40,000 mums, marigolds and other flowers, the float was designed by a member of the Bahá’í community of Honolulu; its construction was directed by a believer from Waianae, Hawaii. The parade, held September 26, was seen by hundreds of thousands along the parade route and on television. It was also covered by Japanese and French TV stations.

Norway

A group of seven traveling teachers from Denmark, Norway and the United States proclaimed the Faith last July 26-August 10 during a week-long gathering of 3,000 Christians from throughout Scandinavia and a week-long European jazz festival, both of which were held in Molde, Norway.

Arriving at the Bahá’í National Center in Oslo, five young American Bahá’ís were directed to Molde, a town 300 miles north of Oslo, where they were joined by a traveling teacher from Denmark and another from Norway.

The group set up a Bahá’í information booth that served as their headquarters during the teaching effort.

The believers found that demonstrating their love, unity and devotion to the Faith made a far greater impression on the people than any other form of teaching. Many people learned to understand and respect the Faith during this proclamation effort.

This group of traveling teachers proclaimed the Faith during a two-week project July 26-August 10 in Molde, Norway. Participants in the project are (front row left to right) Paree Sobhani and Sherine Sobhani from the United States and Kari Lem from Norway, and (back row left to right) Holger Karsbak from Denmark, Shahraum Sobhani, John Bower and Eric Mandel, all from the U.S.

Austria

“The Dawnbreakers,” a Bahá’í musical group from Austria, appeared in concert last July in Steyr, Austria, to support a self-help group of disabled people and their families.

In the audience of 330 was the observer representing the Austrian Bahá’í community at the Vienna office of the United Nations Information Service who gave an informative talk on the International Year of the Disabled.

“The Dawnbreakers” have planned a series of benefit concerts in the nine provincial capitals of Austria with the proceeds to go to organizations made up of disabled persons.

Zambia

The National Teaching Committee of Zambia planned for Bahá’í participation again last year in many of the country’s agricultural shows.

From May through August, regional teaching committees, Local Spiritual Assemblies and individual Bahá’ís helped proclaim the Faith at shows in 12 areas of the country.

After examining a copy of the book All Things Made New that was presented to him by the Spiritual Assembly of Kitwe, Zambia, and the Copperbelt Regional Teaching Committee, Prime Minister Nalumino Mundia commented, “This is wonderful.”

In 1980, the Faith was proclaimed through Bahá’í booths at 10 provincial and local agricultural shows in various parts of Zambia.

Sri Lanka

Two of the Seven Year Plan goals assigned to Sri Lanka, “opening the islands of Delft and Mannar,” have already been won with the formation of three Local Assemblies on Delft and one on Mannar, prompting the National Spiritual Assembly of Sri Lanka to ask for approval from the Universal House of Justice to adopt two other small islands as goals for opening during the second phase of the Plan.

[Page 15]

Pakistan

Seventy youth from Karachi and Hyderabad, Pakistan, attended a weekly deepening session last September in Karachi that featured youth as teachers for morning and afternoon classes that focused on a variety of Bahá’í-related subjects.

Also in September, a two-month teaching trip to the Punjab area of the country was made by Syed Mahmud Jilani on behalf of the National Teaching Committee of Pakistan.

Mr. Jilani visited the cities of Multan, Khanewal, Gujrat, Sahiwal and Lahore, meeting with the believers and visiting non-Bahá’í acquaintances.

He later reported to the National Teaching Committee that there are opportunities for pioneers to settle in the Punjab and for the formation of new Local Assemblies there.

Another recent teaching trip was made to Peshawar, Charsada, Naushehra and Kohat by Mr. S. Najmi, his wife and daughter.

In Peshawar, they taught a children’s class and held an informal fireside with four seekers.

In the other cities, they presented Bahá’í literature to leaders of thought and donated Bahá’í books to local libraries. The family reported a warm reception wherever they went on their teaching trip.

Meanwhile, the Faith was proclaimed to teachers, professors, government education officials and students at Sind University during a Bahá’í proclamation week September 10-17 in Hyderabad. The friends arranged for a mailing of Bahá’í literature to all of the government high schools in the Hyderabad district.

More than 70 youth from seven cities in Sind Province attended a youth deepening program September 25-26 in Hyderabad, during which classes were conducted by the youth themselves.

Classes were held on the history of the Faith, its development in Pakistan, and non-involvement in politics. Evening workshop sessions discussed the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh.

The local Bahá’í Ladies Committee of Karachi organized a public meeting in memory of the renowned Bahá’í poetess, Ṭáhirih. Invitations were sent to writers and poets in Karachi, and many non-Bahá’ís were in the audience.

A Bahá’í speaker discussed the life of the poetess, and a non-Bahá’í guest who is editor of a periodical in Pakistan spoke on “Ṭáhirih the Pure.”

Seventy-three people from 15 cities in Pakistan attended the annual Bahá’í Summer School held September 18-20 in Rawalpindi. Participants included two Auxiliary Board members.

Classes were held on the Central Figures of the Faith, prayer, teaching, Bahá’í laws, and the Seven Year Plan.

Bolivia

Bahá’í artist Alfredo Loaiza displays one of his oil paintings, part of a recent exhibit of his works in Cochabamba, Bolivia, that was sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Cochabamba. Mr. Loaiza, a well known artist from Potosi, Bolivia, often discusses the Faith and its influence on his work during newspaper and television interviews. He openly attributes his inspiration to the Cause.

Eighty adults, youth and children gathered for a recent week-long Bahá’í Summer School in Villa Moscú, Bolivia. Among those present was Counsellor Athos Costas.

Two hundred-sixty people, Bahá’ís and their Aymara-speaking guests, attended a Bahá’í conference last September 5-6 in Mojlli, an Indian area of Cochabamba, Bolivia, during which the local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds was dedicated.

Another conference, held September 8-10 in Sucre, was attended by 200 people including Continental Counsellor Athos Costas.

Mr. Costas said he was impressed by the nature of the consultation and by the fact that the Indian friends came on foot or paid for their own transportation.

Entertainment at that conference was provided by four Indian singing groups.

[Page 16]

Nicobar Islands

This recently completed local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in the village of Lakshminagar, Nicobar Islands, was built entirely by members of the local Bahá’í community there. A state teaching committee under the National Spiritual Assembly of India has been given the goal of raising up at least 20 Local Spiritual Assemblies in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which are in the Bay of Bengal. The establishment of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with its seat at Port Blair is a goal of the Seven Year Plan.

Tanzania

A cabled message from Tanzania to the World Centre on October 26 tells of the formation of an entire Bahá’í village called Busimu in Ukerewe Island of Lake Victoria.

Lake Victoria lies in east central Africa and borders Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

Malaysia

Some of the participants in the first Tamil-language Bahá’í summer school in Malaysia held last April 30-May 3 at Port Dickson prepare food for the 250 people who attended the school. One hundred-ninety people attended a second summer school in July and August at Butterworth. The Tamil-speaking believers were so inspired by the two schools that they set a goal of enrolling at least 600 new Bahá’ís during the first half of the second phase of the Seven Year Plan.

Uganda

Two Bahá’í primary schools, established in Uganda in 1961 and operated by the Bahá’ís until 1967 when they were taken over by the former government, are once again coming under the direction of Bahá’ís.

More than 1,000 people including Continental Counsellor Kolonario Oule attended a program last August 22 at the Odusai School in Tororo, Uganda. Prominent residents expressed their support for the school.

In his welcoming address, the school’s headmaster described the return of the Bahá’ís to renovate, develop and support the school after the unofficial ban on the activities of the Faith in Uganda was lifted in April 1979 as something “received as cordially as a farmer receives rain clouds after a long drought.”

In Tilling, Ngora, the delegation visiting that Bahá’í primary school included Counsellor Oloro Epyeru.

The believers consulted with the management committee and the headmaster. They noted that the buildings are strong but in need of renovation.

That evening, the headmaster served dinner to the Bahá’í delegation. Afterward, about 200 believers arrived for a special slide presentation.

[Page 17]

Nigeria

Three hundred-fifty students at the Federal Government College in Kano, Nigeria, attended a recent musical program that featured Miss Tim Reed, a visiting Bahá’í from Alaska.

Because the Kano believers had previously introduced the Faith to the college president, they were able to arrange the musical program on short notice.

Miss Reed’s ability to sing in English, Yoruba, Chinese and the Navajo languages delighted the audience. A short song sung in the Hausa language was especially well received.

In all, the students enjoyed 30 minutes of songs by Miss Reed and participated in a sing-along.

Shown here are some of the participants in the first Bahá’í Youth Conference ever held in eastern Nigeria. Among the teachers at the conference, held April 9-12 at the Afikpo District Bahá’í Center in Ndibe Village, was Auxiliary Board member Paul Alu (standing at far right).

The three members of a Bahá’í teaching team (right) talk with village youth during the Youth Conference held last April 9-12 at Afikpo, Imo State, Nigeria. Four such teaching teams organized during the conference visited villages and compounds near the conference Site.

About 50 people attended the dedication last August 30 of the new Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Apapa, Nigeria. Fred Assam, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Nigeria, is seated second from right (with dark glasses) in the second row. Apapa is near Lagos, the capital of Nigeria.

The Bahá’í communities of Nigeria and Ghana have begun to exchange traveling teachers.

The first Bahá’í from Ghana to spend a month teaching in Nigeria is Edward Larbi, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Ghana, who arrived in Lagos in December 1980.

A member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Nigeria will reciprocate by teaching in Ghana for one month this year.

United Kingdom

Two hundred-thirty Bahá’ís participated July 25 in the first national Bahá’í Women’s Conference in the United Kingdom, held in Manchester, England.

Gathering at the Manchester Institute of Science and Religion, the participants studied the lives of well known Bahá’í women and ways in which women can more fully develop their potential as envisaged by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Swaziland

On July 22, 1981, the occasion of his diamond jubilee, His Majesty King Sobhuza II of Swaziland was given a beautifully illuminated scroll bearing several quotations from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh on the subject of kings and kingship by the National Spiritual Assembly of Swaziland.

Nicaragua

This spacious, well-located building in Bluefields, Nicaragua, was dedicated last June as a Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, fulfilling a goal of the Seven Year Plan. Continental Counsellor Artemus Lamb was among the believers present for the dedication of the building, which will serve as a regional Bahá’í Center for Nicaragua’s eastern seaboard, known as the Miskito Coast.

[Page 18]

S T O R I E S   F R O M   T H E

DELIGHT
OF
HEARTS
THE MEMOIRS OF ḤÁJÍ MÍRZÁ ḤAYDAR-‘ALÍ
TRANSLATED AND ABRIDGED BY A. Q. FAIZI
♦
MR. FAIZI’S LAST BOOK

Only a few months before his passing, the Hand of the Cause Mr. Faizi published his
translation of this testimony of courage, faith, and service. He thus made available
to the West the recollections of “the Angel of Carmel,” Ḥájí Mírzá Ḥaydar-‘Alí.

This great Bahá’í teacher served the Faith during the Ministries of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh,
and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. With poignant devotion, surprising frankness, and delightful humor,
Ḥaydar-‘Alí recalls his life in the presence of the Central Figures of the Faith.

This exciting book is a must on every Bahá’í reading list.

BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST
415 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Illinois 60091

ISBN 0-933770-11-1
Clothbound · 168 pp. · Photographs

Catalog No. 331-098-10   Cloth   $9.00