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Bahá’í News

January 1984

Bahá’í Year 140

Eighth annual Conference

[Page 0]

TO THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE WORLD

DEEPLY DEPLORE LOSS ZEALOUS SERVANT CAUSE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH RAÚL PAVÓN DISTINGUISHED PROMOTER FAITH AND INDEFATIGABLE WORKER IN TEACHING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES LATIN AMERICA. HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICES AS MEMBER BOARD COUNSELLORS AMERICAS AND UNIQUE ENDEAVORS ESTABLISHMENT FIRST BAHÁ’Í RADIO STATION WARMLY REMEMBERED. PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS RADIANT SOUL WORLDS GOD AND SOLACE LOVING COMFORT HIS BEREAVED FAMILY. FEEL CONFIDENT HIS DEARLY-CHERISHED PARENTS REJOICE ABHÁ KINGDOM RANGE HIS DEDICATED SERVICES. URGE ALL COMMUNITIES AMERICAS HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERINGS BEFITTING HIS HIGHLY-VALUED CONTRIBUTIONS BELOVED FAITH.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
OCTOBER 22, 1983

Bahá’í News[edit]

House of Justice establishes Office of Social, Economic Development	1
Iran’s National Assembly refutes charges in open letter to government	3
Association for Bahá’í Studies holds its eighth annual Conference	8
Counsellor Raúl Pavón, stalwart teacher of Faith, dies in Lima, Perú	12
Around the world: News from Bahá’í communities all over the globe	15

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, $12 U.S.; two years, $20 U.S. Second class postage paid at Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright © 1984, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

[Page 1]

World Centre[edit]

New Social, Economic Office created[edit]

To the Bahá’ís of the World
Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The soul-stirring events in Bahá’u’lláh’s native land and the concomitant advance into the theatre of world affairs of the agencies of His Administrative Order have combined to bring into focus new possibilities in the evolution of the Bahá’í world community.

Our Riḍván message this year captured these implications in its reference to the opening before us of a wider horizon in whose light can dimly be discerned new pursuits and undertakings upon which we must soon embark. These portend our greater involvement in the development of the social and economic life of peoples.

From the beginning of His stupendous mission, Bahá’u’lláh urged upon the attention of nations the necessity of ordering human affairs in such a way as to bring into being a world unified in all the essential aspects of its life.

In unnumbered verses and tablets He repeatedly and variously declared the “progress of the world” and the “development of nations” as being among the ordinances of God for this day.

The oneness of mankind, which is at once the operating principle and ultimate goal of His Revelation, implies the achievement of a dynamic coherence between the spiritual and practical requirements of life on earth.

The indispensability of this coherence is unmistakably illustrated in His ordination of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, the spiritual center of every Bahá’í community round which must flourish dependencies dedicated to the social, humanitarian, educational and scientific advancement of mankind.

Thus, we can readily appreciate that although it has hitherto been impracticable for Bahá’í institutions generally to emphasize development activities, the concept of social and economic development is enshrined in the sacred Teachings of our Faith.

The beloved Master, through His illuminating words and deeds, set the example for the application of this concept to the reconstruction of society. Witness, for instance, what social and economic progress the Iranian believers attained under His loving guidance and, subsequently, with the unfailing encouragement of the Guardian of the Cause.

Now, after all the years of constant teaching activity, the Community of the Greatest Name has grown to the stage at which the processes of this development must be incorporated into its regular pursuits; particularly is action compelled by the expansion of the Faith in Third World coun-

‘.... although it has hitherto been impracticable for Bahá’í institutions generally to emphasize development activities, the concept of social and economic development is enshrined in the sacred Teachings of our Faith.’

tries where the vast majority of its adherents reside.

The steps to be taken must necessarily begin in the Bahá’í community itself, with the friends endeavoring, through their application of spiritual principles, their rectitude of conduct and the practice of the art of consultation, to uplift themselves and thus become self-sufficient and self-reliant.

Moreover, these exertions will conduce to the preservation of human honor, so desired by Bahá’u’lláh. In the process and as a consequence, the friends will undoubtedly extend the benefits of their efforts to society as a whole, until all mankind achieves the progress intended by the Lord of the Age.

It is indeed propitious that systematic attention be given to this vital sphere of Bahá’í endeavor. We are happy, therefore, to announce the establishment at the World Centre of the Office of Social and Economic Development, which is to assist the Universal House of Justice to promote and coordinate the activities of the friends throughout the world in this new field.

The International Teaching Centre and, through it, the Continental Boards of Counsellors are poised for the special responsibilities which devolve upon them to be alert to possibilities for extending the development of social and economic life both within and outside the Bahá’í community, and to advise and encourage the Assemblies and friends in their strivings.

We call now upon National Spiritual Assemblies to consider the implications of this emerging trend for their respective communities, and to take well-conceived measures to involve the thought and actions of Local Spiritual Assemblies and individuals in the devising and implementing of plans, within the constraints of existing circumstances and available resources.

Progress in the development field will depend largely on natural stirrings at the grassroots, and it should receive its driving force from those sources rather than from an imposition of plans and programs from the top.

The major task of National Assemblies, therefore, is to increase the local communities’ awareness of needs and possibilities, and to guide and coordinate the efforts resulting

[Page 2] from such awareness.

Already in many areas the friends are witnessing the confirmations of their initiatives in such pursuits as the founding of tutorial and other schools, the promotion of literacy, the launching of rural development programs, the inception of educational radio stations, and the operation of agricultural and medical projects. As they enlarge the scope of their endeavors other modes of development will undoubtedly emerge.

This challenge evokes the resourcefulness, flexibility and cohesiveness of the many communities composing the Bahá’í world.

Different communities will, of course, perceive different approaches and different solutions to similar needs. Some can offer assistance abroad, while, at the outset, others must of necessity receive assistance; but all, irrespective of circumstances or resources, are endowed with the capacity to respond in some measure; all can share; all can participate in the joint enterprise of applying more systematically the principles of the Faith to upraising the quality of human life. The key to success is unity in spirit and in action.

We go forward confident that the wholehearted involvement of the friends in these activities will ensure a deeper consolidation of the community at all levels.

Our engagement in the technical aspects of development should, however, not be allowed to supplant the essentials of teaching, which remains the primary duty of every follower of Bahá’u’lláh. Rather should our increased activities in the development field be viewed as a reinforcement of the teaching work, as a greater manifestation of faith in action. For, if expansion of the teaching work does not continue, there can be no hope of success for this enlarged dimension of the consolidation process.

Ultimately, the call to action is addressed to the individual friends, whether they be adult or youth, veteran or newly enrolled.

Let them step forth to take their places in the arena of service where their talents and skills, their specialized training, their material resources, their offers of time and energy and, above all, their dedication to Bahá’í principles, can be put to work in improving the lot of man.

May all derive enduring inspiration from the following statement written in 1933 by the hand of our beloved Guardian:

“The problems which confront the believers at the present time, whether social, spiritual, economic or administrative will be gradually solved as the number and the resources of the friends multiply and their capacity for service and for the application of Bahá’í principles develops. They should be patient, confident and active in utilizing every possible opportunity that presents itself within the limits now necessarily imposed upon them. May the Almighty aid them to fulfil their highest hopes.”

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

The Universal House of Justice
October 20, 1983

Belgium[edit]

Shown here are Bahá’ís from Walcourt, Belgium, two municipal magistrates, and three members of the town council who attended a reception last June 25 in the Walcourt Town Hall for Bahá’í traveling teacher Meherangiz Munsiff (seated at left in front row). Mrs. Munsiff presented the Burgomaster of Walcourt, who is seated to her left, with a copy of the ‘white paper’ on Iran, the book Call to the Nations, and a press kit on the Faith. She is holding a ceremonial cup of the town that was presented to her. Mrs. Munsiff visited 11 towns in Belgium during a five-week teaching trip that also took her to France, Corsica, Sicily and Malta.

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Iran[edit]

An ‘open letter’ from National Assembly[edit]

On August 29, 1983, the Revolutionary Prosecutor General of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Siyyid Husayn Músaví Tabrízí, declared in a press interview that Bahá’í religious organizations were illegal and participation in them was a criminal act. The decree outlawed the National Spiritual Assembly, governing body of the Iranian Bahá’í community, and 400 local Spiritual Assemblies, as well as their committees and subsidiary institutions. In conformity with the teachings of their Faith, the Bahá’ís of Iran disbanded all their organizations.

The dissolution of organizations that the Bahá’ís call administrative institutions means much more than those who are unfamiliar with the role Spiritual Assemblies play in a community that has no clergy may imagine. The Spiritual Assemblies collectively perform the work of priest, teacher, adviser, trustee of funds, and keeper of records. They admit to membership, witness marriages, supervise the religious education of children, settle disputes among individuals, grant religious divorce, encourage good deeds and censure bad behavior. Thus Spiritual Assemblies are central to the life of the Bahá’í community.

The document presented here is a letter written by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Iran in response to the statement of the Prosecutor General outlawing Bahá’í administrative institutions. One will realize the degree of courage it took the members of the National Spiritual Assembly thus to address the Islamic government when one recalls that 17 of their predecessors on the National Assembly had been either abducted or executed by the same regime.

The letter, delivered to some 2,000 government officials and prominent personages in Iran, eloquently testifies

How could students, housewives, innocent young girls, and old men and women, such as those blameless Bahá’ís who have been recently delivered to the gallows in Iran, or who have become targets for the darts of prejudice and enmity, be ‘spies’?

to the heroism of its authors and the peaceful nature of the community they led. It exemplifies also the confidence and pride of those who firmly believe that the One unknowable God has decreed the ultimate triumph of truth and Justice.

•

The Banning of Baha’ Religious Institutions
An open letter (translated from Persian)
September 3, 1983

Recently the esteemed Prosecutor General of the Islamic Revolution of the Country, in an interview that was published in the newspapers, declared that the continued functioning of the Bahá’í religious and spiritual administration is banned and that membership in its is considered to be a crime.

This declaration was made after certain unjustified accusations were leveled against the Bahá’í community of Iran, and after a number of its members—ostensibly for imaginary and fabricated crimes but in reality merely for the sake of their beliefs—were either executed, or arrested and imprisoned. The majority of those who were imprisoned have not yet been brought to trial.

The Bahá’í community finds the conduct of the authorities and the judges bewildering and lamentable—as indeed would any fair-minded observer who is unblinded by malice. The authorities are the refuge of the people; the judges in pursuit of their work of examining and ascertaining the truth and facts in legal cases devote years of their lives to studying the law and, when uncertain of a legal point, spend hours poring over copious tomes in order to cross a “t” or dot an “i.”

Yet these very people consider themselves to be justified in brazenly bringing false accusations against a group of innocent people, without fear of the Day of Judgment, without even believing the calumnies they utter against their victims, and having exerted not the slightest effort to investigate to any degree the validity of the charges they are making. “Methinks they are not believers in the Day of Judgment.” (Ḥáfiẓ, a 14th century Persian poet)

The honorable Prosecutor has again introduced the baseless and fictitious story that the Bahá’ís engage in espionage, but without producing so much as one document in support of the accusation, without presenting proof in any form, and without any explanation as to what is the mission in this country of this extraordinary number of “spies”: what sort of information they obtain and from what sources? Whither do they relay it, and for what purpose?

What kind of “spy” is an 85-year-old man from Yazd who has never set foot outside his village? Why do these alleged “spies” not hide themselves, conceal their religious beliefs and exert every effort to penetrate, by every stratagem, the government’s information centers and offices? Why has no Bahá’í “spy” been arrested anywhere

[Page 4] else in the world?

How could students, housewives, innocent young girls, and old men and women, such as those blameless Bahá’ís who have been recently delivered to the gallows in Iran, or who have become targets for the darts of prejudice and enmity, be “spies”? How could the Bahá’í farmers of the villages of Afús, Chígán, the Fort of Malak (near Iṣfahán), and those of the village of Núk in Bírjand, be “spies”? What secret intelligence documents have been found in their possession? What espionage equipment has come to hand? What “spying” activities were engaged in by the primary school children who have been expelled from their schools?

Groundless accusations[edit]

And how strange! The honorable Prosecutor perhaps does not know, or does not care to know, that spying is an element of politics, while non-interference in politics is an established principle of the Bahá’í Faith. On the contrary, Bahá’ís love their country and never permit themselves to be traitors. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, successor of the Founder of the Bahá’í Cause, says: “Any abasement is bearable except betraying one’s own country, and any sin is forgivable other than dishonoring the government and inflicting harm upon the nation.”

All the other accusations made against the Bahá’ís by the honorable Prosecutor of the Revolution are similarly groundless. He brands the Bahá’í community with accusations of subversion and corruption.

For example, on the basis of a manifestly forged interview, the falsity of which has been dealt with in a detailed statement, he accuses the Bahá’í community of hoarding, an act which its members would consider highly reprehensible. The Prosecutor alleges that the Bahá’í administration sanctioned the insensible act of hoarding, yet he subtly overlooks the fact that with the proceeds that might be realized from the sale of unusable automobile spare parts whose total value is some 70 million túmáns—the value of the stock of any medium-size store for spare parts—it would be impossible to overthrow a powerful government whose daily expenditures amount to hundreds of millions of tumans. If the Prosecutor chooses to label the Bahá’í administration as a network of espionage, let him at least consider it intelligent enough not to plan the overthrow of such a strong regime by hoarding a few spare parts!

Yes, such allegations of corruption and subversion are similar to those hurled against us at the time of the Episcopalian case in Iṣfahán when this oppressed community was accused of collaboration with foreign agents, as a result of which seven innocent Bahá’ís of Yazd were executed. Following this the falsity of the charges was made known and the Prosecutor announced the episode to be the outcome of a forgery.

Bahá’ís are accused of collecting contributions and transferring sums of money to foreign countries. How strange! If Muslims, in accordance with their sacred and respected spiritual beliefs, send millions of túmáns to Karbalá, Najaf and Jerusalem, or to other Muslim holy places outside Iran, to be spent on the maintenance and upkeep of the Islamic sacred shrines, it is considered very praiseworthy; but if a Bahá’í—even during the time in which the transfer of foreign currency was allowed—sends a negligible amount for his international community to be used for the repair and maintenance of the holy places of his faith, it is considered that he has committed an unforgivable sin and it is counted as proof that he has done so in order to strengthen other countries.

Accusations of this nature are many but all are easy to investigate. If just and impartial people and God-fearing judges will only do so, the falsity of these spurious accusations will be revealed in case after case. The Bahá’í community emphatically requests that such accusations be investigated openly in the presence of juries composed of judges and international observers so that, once and for all, the accusations may be discredited and their repetition prevented.

The basic principles and beliefs of the Bahá’ís have been repeatedly proclaimed and set forth in writing during the past five years. Apparently these communications, either by design or by mischance, have not received any attention, otherwise accusations such as those described above would not have been repeated by one of the highest and most responsible authorities. This in itself is a proof that the numerous communications referred to were not accorded the attention of the leaders; therefore, we mention them again.

The Bahá’í Faith confesses the unity of God and the justice of the divine Essence. It recognizes that Almighty God is an exalted, unknowable and concealed entity, sanctified from ascent and descent, from egress and regress, and from assuming a physical body.

The Bahá’í Faith which professes the existence of the invisible God, the One, the Single, the Eternal, the Peerless, bows before the loftiness of His Threshold, believes in all divine Manifestations, considers all the Prophets from Adam to the Seal of the Prophets as true divine Messengers Who are the Manifestations of Truth in the world of creation, accepts Their Books as having come from God, believes in the continuation of the divine outpourings, emphatically believes in reward and punishment and, uniquely among existing revealed religions outside Islam, accepts the Prophet Muḥammad as a true Prophet and the Qur’án as the Word of God.

The Bahá’í Faith embodies independent principles and laws. It has its own Holy Book. It prescribes pilgrimage and worship. A Bahá’í performs obligatory prayers and observes a fast. He gives, according to his beliefs, tithes and contributions. He is required to be of upright conduct, to manifest a praiseworthy character, to love all mankind, to be of service to the world of humanity and to sacrifice his own interests for the good and well-being of his kind. He is forbidden to commit unbecoming deeds. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says: “A Bahá’í is known by the attributes manifested by him, not by his name; he is recognized by his character, not by his person.”

Virtue a requirement[edit]

Shoghi Rabbani, the Guardian of the Bahá’í Cause, says: “... a person who is not adorned with the ornaments of virtue, sanctity, and morality, is not a true Bahá’í, even though he may call himself one and be known as such.”

He also says: “The friends of God ... are required to be virtuous, well-wishers, forbearing, sanctified, detached from all except God and free from

[Page 5] worldy concerns. They are called upon to manifest divine attributes and characteristics.”

The teachings and laws of the Bahá’í religion testify to this truth. Fortunately, the books and writings which have been plundered in abundance from the homes of Bahá’ís and are available to the authorities, bear witness to the truth of these assertions.

Bahá’ís, in keeping with their spiritual beliefs, stay clear of politics; they do not support or reject any party, group or nation; they do not champion or attack any ideology or specific political philosophy; they shrink from and abhor political agitation.

The Guardian of the Bahá’í Cause says, “The followers of Bahá’u’lláh under whatever state or government they reside should conduct themselves with truthfulness, fidelity, trustworthiness and absolute virtue ... They neither thirst for fame nor clamor for leadership. They neither indulge in flattery, nor practice hypocrisy, nor are they impelled by selfish ambition or the desire to accumulate wealth. They are not anxious to attain high ranks and positions, nor are they the bondslaves of titles and honors. They abhor every form of ostentation and are far removed from the use of such methods as would entail violence or coercion. They have detached themselves from all else save God and have fixed their hearts upon the unfailing promises of their Lord. ... They have become forgetful of their own selves and have dedicated themselves to that which will serve the interests of humanity. ... They unhesitatingly refuse such functions and posts as are political in nature, but wholeheartedly accept those that are purely administrative in character. For the cardinal aim of the people of Bahá is to promote the interests of the whole nation. ...

“Such is the way of the followers of Bahá, such is the attitude of the spiritually-minded, and whatsoever else is but manifest error.”

Also, Bahá’ís, in accordance with their exalted teachings, are duty bound to be obedient to their government. Elucidating this subject, Shoghi Rabbani says: “The people of Bahá are required to obey their respective governments, and to demonstrate their truthfulness and good will toward the authorities. ... Bahá’ís, in every land and without any exception, should ... be obedient and bow to the clear instructions and the declared decrees issued by the authorities. They must faithfully carry out such directives.”

Bahá’í organizations have no aim except the good of all nations and do not take any steps that are against the public good.

Contrary to the conception it may create in the mind because of the simi-

‘Many are the pure and innocent lives that have been snuffed out; many the distinguished heads that have adorned the hangman’s noose; and many the precious breasts that have become the targets of firing squads.’

larity in name, it does not resemble the current organizations of political parties; it does not interfere in political affairs; and it is the safeguard against the involvement of Bahá’ís in subversive political activities. Its high ideals are “to improve the characters of men; to extend the scope of knowledge; to abolish ignorance and prejudice; to strengthen the foundations of true religion in all hearts; to encourage self-reliance, and discourage false imitation; ... to uphold truthfulness, audacity, frankness, and courage; to promote craftsmanship and agriculture; ... to educate, on a compulsory basis, children of both sexes; to insist on integrity in business transactions; to lay stress on the observance of honesty and piety; ... to acquire mastery and skill in the modern sciences and arts; to promote the interests of the public; ... to obey outwardly and inwardly and with true loyalty the regulations enacted by state and government; ... to honor, to extol and to follow the example of those who have distinguished themselves in science and learning. ...” And again, “... to help the needy from every creed or sect, and to collaborate with the people of the country in all welfare services.”

In brief, whatever the clergy in other religions undertake individually and by virtue of their appointment to their positions, the Bahá’í administration performs collectively and through an elective process.

The statements made by the esteemed Prosecutor of the Revolution do not seem to have legal basis, because in order to circumscribe individuals and deprive them of the rights which have not been denied them by the Constitution, it is necessary to enact special legislation, provided that legislation is not contradictory to the Constitution.

It was hoped that the past recent years would have witnessed, on the one hand, the administration of divine justice—a principle promoted by the true religion of Islám and prescribed by all monotheistic religions—and, on the other, and coupled with an impartial investigation of the truths of the Bahá’í Faith, the abolition or at least mitigation of discrimination, restrictions and pressures suffered by Bahá’ís over the past 135 years.

Alas, on the contrary, because of long-standing misunderstandings and prejudices, the difficulties increased immensely and the portals of calamity were thrown wide open in the faces of the long-suffering and sorely oppressed Bahá’ís of Iran who were, to an even greater degree, deprived of their birthrights through the systematic machinations of government officials who are supposed to be the refuge of the public, and of some impostors in the garb of divines, who engaged in official or unofficial spreading of mischievous and harmful accusations and calumnies, and issued, in the name of religious and judicial authorities, unlawful decrees and verdicts.

Many are the pure and innocent lives that have been snuffed out; many the distinguished heads that have adorned the hangman’s noose; and many the precious breasts that have become the targets of firing squads. Vast amounts of money and great quantities of personal property have been plundered or confiscated. Many technical experts and learned people have been tortured and condemned to long-term imprisonment and are still languishing in dark dungeons, deprived of the opportunity of placing their expertise at the service of the government and the nation.

Numerous are the self-sacrificing employees of the government who spent their lives in faithful service but who were dismissed from work and afflicted with poverty and need because

[Page 6] of hatred and prejudice. Even the owners of private firms and institutions were prevented from engaging Bahá’ís.

Many privately-owned Bahá’í establishments have been confiscated. Many tradesmen have been denied the right to continue working by cancellation of their business licenses. Bahá’í youth have been denied access to education in many schools and in all universities and institutions of higher education. Bahá’í university students abroad are deprived of receiving money for their education, and others who wish to pursue their studies outside of Iran have been denied exit permits.

Bahá’ís, including the very sick whose only hope for cure was to receive medical treatment in specialized medical centers in foreign lands, have been prevented from leaving the country. Bahá’í cemeteries have been confiscated and bodies rudely disinterred. Numerous have been the days when a body has remained unburied while the bereaved family pleaded to have a permit issued and a burial place assigned so that the body might be decently buried.

As of today, thousands of Bahá’ís have been divested of their homes and forced to live as exiles. Many have been driven from their villages and dwelling places and are living as wanderers and stranded refugees in other parts of Iran with no other haven and refuge but the Court of the All-Merciful God and the loving-kindness of their friends and relatives.

It is a pity that the mass media, newspapers and magazines, either do not want or are not allowed to publish any news about the Bahá’í community of Iran or to elaborate upon what is happening. If they were free to do so and were unbiased in reporting the news, volumes would have been compiled describing the inhumane cruelty to and oppression of the innocent.

For example, if they were allowed to do so, they would have written that in Shíráz seven courageous men and 10 valiant women—seven of whom were girls in the prime of their lives—audaciously rejected the suggestion of the religious judge that they recant their faith or, at least, dissemble their belief, and preferred death to the concealment of their faith. The women, after hours of waiting with dried lips, shrouded themselves in their chádurs, kissed the noose of their gallows, and with intense love offered up their souls for the One Who proffereth life.

The observers of this cruel scene might well ask forgiveness for the murderers at Karbalá, since they, despite their countless atrocities, did not put women to the sword nor harass the sick and infirm. Alas, tongues are prevented from making utterance and

As of today, thousands of Bahá’ís have been divested of their homes and forced to live as exiles. Many have been driven from their villages and dwelling places and are living as wanderers and stranded refugees in other parts of Iran ...

pens are broken and the hidden cause of these brutalities is not made manifest to teach the world a lesson.

The Prosecutor alleges that they were spies. Gracious God! Where in history can one point to a spy who readily surrendered his life in order to prove the truth of his belief?

Unfortunately, it is beyond the scope of this letter to recount the atrocities inflicted upon the guiltless Bahá’ís of Iran, or to answer, one by one, the accusations leveled against them. But let us ask all just and fair-minded people only one question: If, according to the much-publicized statements of the Prosecutor, Bahá’ís are not arrested and executed because of their beliefs, and are not even imprisoned on that account, how is it that, when a group of them is arrested and each is charged with the same “crime” of “spying,” if one of them recants his belief, he is immediately freed, a photograph of him and a description of his defection are victoriously featured in the newspapers, and respect and glory are heaped upon him?

What kind of spying, subversion, illegal accumulation of goods, aggression or conspiracy, or other “crime” can it be that is capable of being blotted out upon the recantation of one’s beliefs? Is this not a clear proof of the absurdity of the accusations?

In spite of all this, the Bahá’í community of Iran, whose principles have been described earlier in this statement, announces the suspension of the Bahá’í organizations throughout Iran, in order to establish its good intentions and in conformity with its basic tenets concerning complete obedience to the instructions of the government.

Henceforth, until the time when, God willing, the misunderstandings are eliminated and the realities are at last made manifest to the authorities, the National Assembly and all local Spiritual Assemblies and their committees are disbanded, and no one may any longer be designated a member of the Bahá’í administration.

The Bahá’í community of Iran hopes that this step will be considered a sign of its complete obedience to the government in power. It further hopes that the authorities—including the esteemed Prosecutor of the Islamic Revolution who says that there is no opposition to and no enmity toward individual Bahá’ís, who has acknowledged the existence of a large Bahá’í community, and has, in his interview, guaranteed its members the right to live and be free in their acts of worship—will reciprocate by proving their good intentions and the truth of their assurances by issuing orders that pledge, henceforth:

To bring to an end the persecutions, arrests, torture and imprisonment of Bahá’ís for imaginary crimes and on baseless pretexts, because God knows—and so do the authorities—that the only “crime” of which these innocent ones are guilty is that of their beliefs, and not the unsubstantiated accusations brought against them;
To guarantee the safety of their lives, their personal property and belongings, and their honor;
To accord them freedom to choose their residence and occupation and the right of association based on the provisions of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic;
To restore all the rights which have been taken away from them in accordance with the groundless assertions of the Prosecutor of the Country;
To restore to Bahá’í employees the rights denied them by returning them to their jobs and by paying them their due wages;
To release from prison all inno-

[Page 7]

cent prisoners;

To lift the restrictions imposed on the properties of those Bahá’ís who, in their own country, have been deprived of their belongings;
To permit Bahá’í students who wish to continue their studies abroad to benefit from the same facilities that are provided to others;
To permit those Bahá’í youth who have been prevented from continuing their studies in the country to resume their education;
To permit those Bahá’í students stranded abroad who have been deprived of foreign exchange facilities to receive their allowances as other Iranian students do;
To restore Bahá’í cemeteries and to permit Bahá’ís to bury their dead in accordance with Bahá’í burial ceremonies;
To guarantee the freedom of Bahá’ís to perform their religious rites; to conduct funerals and burials including the recitation of the Prayer for the Dead; to solemnize Bahá’í marriages and divorces, and to carry out all acts of worship and laws and ordinances affecting personal status; because although Bahá’ís are entirely obedient and subordinate to the government in the administration of the affairs which are in the jurisdiction of Bahá’í organizations, in matters of conscience and belief, and in accordance with their spiritual principles, they prefer martyrdom to recantation or the abandoning of the divine ordinances prescribed by their faith;
To desist henceforth from arresting and imprisoning anyone because of his previous membership in Bahá’í organizations.

Finally, although the order issued by the Prosecutor of the Islamic Revolution was unjust and unfair, we have accepted it. We beseech God to remove the dross of prejudice from the hearts of the authorities so that, aided and enlightened by His confirmations, they will be inspired to recognize the true nature of the affairs of the Bahá’í community and come to the unalterable conviction that the infliction of atrocities and cruelties upon a pious band of wronged ones, and the shedding of their pure blood, will stain the good name and injure the prestige of any nation or government, for what will, in truth, endure are the records of good deeds, and of acts of justice and fairness, and the names of the doers of good. These will history preserve in its bosom for posterity. Respectfully,

National Spiritual Assembly
of the Bahá’ís of Iran

India[edit]

Bahá’ís in the tribal area of Dang in Gujarat State, India, perform a traditional welcoming ceremony for visitors from Bombay who arrived last July for the dedication of a new Bahá’í Center in Bhisya. Among those present at the the dedication was Counsellor Zena Sorabjee.

[Page 8]

Canada[edit]

Association’s 8th annual Conference[edit]

More than 500 people from 13 countries participated November 4-7 in the eighth annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies, the first such event ever held outside of Canada.

This year’s Conference, at the Palmer House in Chicago, was blessed by the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God Dhikrulláh Khádem.

A splendid array of Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í speakers presented scholarly addresses on a wide range of topics within the framework of the Conference themes, “New Dimensions in Development,” “Integrating Personal and Social Change,” and “The Elimination of Violence as a Prerequisite for World Peace.”

Three simultaneous Saturday evening sessions included presentations on “Uses and Abuses of Power,” “Arts and Sciences in the New Age,” and “Historical Studies on the Bahá’í Faith.”

The annual Ḥasan Balyúzí Lecture, named in honor of the Hand of the Cause of God whose scholarly works on the history of the Faith are known to Bahá’ís all over the world, was delivered Sunday afternoon by Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, professor of Russian history at Yale University and presently secretary of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly.

Dr. Kazemzadeh’s topic was “The Soviet Official Interpretation of Bábi-Bahá’í History.”

Another first for this year’s Conference was a Sunday evening session at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

That session featured a slide presentation and talk on the history of the Temple entitled “The Dawning Place,” presented by Bruce Whitmore, administrator of the House of Worship and secretary of its Activities Committee, followed by an address by Dr. Amin Banani, professor of Islamic Studies at the University of California at Los Angeles, entitled “Religion or Foreign Intrigue: The Case of the Bábí-Bahá’í Movement in Iran.”

The Ṭáhirih Bahá’í Chorus from southern Ontario, Canada, entertains during the eighth annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies which was held November 4-7 in Chicago, Illinois.

The non-Bahá’í speakers at the Conference were Dr. Ervin Laszlo, director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and Dr. Joanna Macy, an author, community development facilitator and professor at the University of California at Berkeley.

Dr. Laszlo’s topic was “The Coming Transformation of Global Society and Today’s Action Imperative.”

Dr. Macy spoke on “A Spiritual Approach to Social Change.”

In memorial[edit]

Counsellor Pavón dies in Lima, Perú[edit]

On Sunday morning, October 23, the soil of Lima, Perú, once again claimed the precious remains of one of Ecuador’s champion-builders of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, Counsellor Raúl Pavón M., who was the father of mass conversion in his country and the mastermind behind the establishment of Radio Bahá’í in Ecuador.

The first of Ecuador’s heroes of the Cause to be buried in Lima was John Pope Stearns, the father of the Bahá’í Faith in Ecuador and the initiator of the use of radio to spread the Cause in Perú.

Since Bahá’u’lláh regards teaching as “the most meritorious of all deeds,” Counsellor Pavón certainly acquired many merits during his 25 years as a Bahá’í—during 23 of which he served as a volunteer teacher of the Cause, as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador and of Local Assemblies in Otavalo and Quito, and, for the last 10 years, as a member of the Board of Counsellors in South America and later in the Americas.

He was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador and served on that body until he was named a Counsellor in 1973.

When it was recognized that mass conversion was imminent in Ecuador, Sr. Pavón was appointed national teaching instructor for the entire country. He was not a learned person academically, having left school at an early age, but he was always interested in studying religion and the mysteries.

This tribute to Counsellor Raúl Pavón who died October 22 in Lima, Perú, was written for Bahá’í News on behalf of the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas and the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador by Mrs. Helen Hornby of Quito, Ecuador.

RAÚL PAVÓN

He once confided that he loved poetry, and that as a young man he would often go away alone and practice writing and reciting poetry and to pray.

He said that soon after he heard of the Bahá’í Faith he knew that this was what he had been searching for and felt he had a mission, but could not fathom what it might be.

When asked how he became interested in mass conversion, he said he became enthralled with the Guardian’s letters when he was introduced to them, and that he studied them carefully and somehow became caught up in the spirit of mass conversion; he felt that he understood the messages spiritually and felt inspired to try mass teaching in the campo.¹

Counsellor Pavón was actually a shy man who avoided the limelight whenever possible. His shyness, however, did not obscure his vision—a vision the scope of which often extended far beyond the reach of those who worked with him, and sometimes caused conflict. For example, his vision of mass conversion in rugged Ecuador was certainly far beyond the imagination initially of some members of that community including Assembly members and pioneers.

He once recalled that had it not been for the staunch support of Dorothy Campbell (Rougeou), the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, who had faith in him, he was not sure what he would have done—the pressure was so great at times against mass teaching and his efforts.

He often mentioned Dorothy, saying she was his constant teacher who had played a tremendous role in making him what he was.

Sr. Pavón’s vision regarding radio and its potential in developing and proclaiming the Faith was both praised and challenged. He deeply admired John Stearns, the first pioneer to Ecuador, and was astonished that John, even in those early days, had captured the vision of the role radio could play in proclaiming the Cause and had initiated the first Bahá’í broadcast in the country.

The Counsellor knew that the Guardian advocated the use of radio to spread the Teachings, and he diligently pursued that vision until it became a reality as Radio Bahá’í of Ecuador, the first Bahá’í-owned and operated station in the world.

Sr. Pavón is also responsible for the establishment of the Enoch Olinga Institute in Esmeraldas. At the close of the Five Year Plan he told the resident

¹ Information in this article regarding Raul Pavon is taken from personal interviews with him for the “History of the Bahá’í Faith in Ecuador” and from the Archives of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’í is of Ecuador.

[Page 13] pioneer in that city, Auxiliary Board member James Jensen, that it was time for Esmeraldas to have its own Bahá’í institute, and directed Jimmie to pursue that objective, which he did with success.

Olinga campaign mainstay[edit]

Again, it was Counsellor Pavón who envisioned and called for the Enoch Olinga teaching campaign which is being successfully carried out to this day along the river from Esmeraldas to Colombia and Panama. The Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga had planned to return to Ecuador and teach with the friends in these areas for several months. Since he died before he could accomplish that plan, the campaign was dedicated to his memory and adopted his name.

The mainstay of this campaign was none other than Raúl Pavón, with the Hand of the Cause of God Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir also a firm supporter. It is somewhat awesome to reflect that each of these three magnificent teachers should have passed away to the Abhá Kingdom so suddenly, and at such an early age.

For many years Sr. Pavón’s health was quite delicate. Srta. Teresa Jara, who was his “girl Friday” for a number of years in mass teaching, recalls how ill he would become while traveling over the high mountain ranges to reach the homes of the indigenous people; how on at least three occasions she witnessed the power of Bahá’u’lláh revive him in the mountains when it seemed obvious that he was dying and there was no help in sight.

The doctors had ordered Sr. Pavón out of the mountains years ago, but he was greatly attached to his home, his family (he was responsible for his parents accepting the Faith, and, gradually, everyone else in his immediate family), and the teaching work in Otavalo, and he would venture down to sea level only for short periods. As the years passed, however, and he was called upon to travel almost constantly, his attacks became more frequent, and often necessitated medical care while he was traveling.

Returning from a meeting of the Board of Counsellors last August, Sr. Pavón was taken ill at the Miami airport and had to be hospitalized in that city. The doctors wanted to operate, but as soon as he improved sufficiently to travel, he decided to return home to consult with his family and seek further medical advice.

Because his understanding of English was limited, Sr. Pavón asked Auxiliary Board member Charles Hornby to contact a Bahá’í specialist in the United States, who, after consulting with the doctors who had examined him in Miami, suggested that he come to the States, for it was possible that with proper treatment an operation could be avoided. Sr. Pavón went to the U.S. with his wife, and after a thorough examination it was decided that he did not need an operation, at least for the present. Corrective treatment was recommended, and he was allowed after a time to return to Ecuador.

On his arrival he found a cable from Bolivia urgently requesting his presence to handle an emergency situation that had arisen in connection with that country’s proposed radio station. Counsellor Pavón felt duty-bound to go, and left the following day without taking time to rest, going from the high altitude in Ecuador to an even higher one in Bolivia.

After spending a week there he became ill but was able to travel to Lima where he met with the National Assembly and lunched with friends. Refusing hospitality on this visit, he went to a hostel near the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds where his condition worsened during the night.

By the following day his condition was such that the devoted Bahá’í doctor, Enrique Sanchez, had him hospitalized. The news that Counsellor Pavón was hospitalized in Lima came as a shock to his family and friends, who had thought he was in Bolivia.

When his condition grew more serious the doctors decided to operate to be sure that their diagnosis, pancreatitis, was correct. This was a different ailment than the one he had suffered from over the years and for which he had been recently treated in the United States.

The doctors found that their diagnosis was correct, and saw also that Sr. Pavón could not live long in this condition. When his wife and daughter arrived in Lima, they were told that only a miracle could save him.

Raúl had a remarkable memory and loved to cite passages from The Advent of Divine Justice, speaking often of the pioneers not being fully aware of their blessings and high status. He longed to be a pioneer himself, and frequently said he was jealous of the pioneers who had left their country to serve the Cause, and that he desired to die serving the Faith in some other country, recalling Bahá’u’lláh’s promise: “They that have forsaken their country for the purpose of teaching Our Cause—these shall the Faithful Spirit strengthen through its power ... No act, however, great, can compare with it, except such deeds as have been ordained by God ...”

Surely Bahá’u’lláh heard his wish, and it is therefore especially fitting that this devoted servant of God should have passed away while serving His Cause in another country—a country where the friends held him in such high esteem, and where he had performed outstanding services in the teaching field.

It is touching to note that the National Assembly of Perú had a quorum of its members present in the hospital, praying for Sr. Pavón, and that many other members of the Peruvian community who could, spent days and nights at the hospital praying for his recovery. There was constant, in fact daily, communication between Perú and Ecuador to keep his family members and the community as a whole apprised of his condition.

It is interesting to note that Raúl’s letter of May 31, 1958, to the National Teaching Committee of Ecuador, requesting that he be accepted as a member of the Bahá’í community of Ecuador, ends on the same keynote as his last words before he passed away:

Esteemed friends:

Having known about the Bahá’í Faith for some time and having read the principle writings that were made available to me in Otavalo and Quito, and being in complete agreement with the principles expressed therein, and having accepted as Prophets of the Age the Manifestations of God, Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as Successor, and Shoghi Effendi as first Guardian of the Faith, as well as the Administrative Order, I direct this letter to you to request that I be ac-

[Page 14] cepted into the Bahá’í Faith as an isolated believer in Nanegalito (Ecuador).

I am hoping to be accepted in the bosom of the Ecuadorian and world Bahá’í family. I remain attentively yours,

(signed) R. Pavón M.

As the week passed and it became obvious that Sr. Pavón could survive only a short time, Dr. Sanchez asked him if he had a message for his family and for his fellow Counsellor, Mas’úd Khamsí. He answered, “Only that I love them very much.” Again, asked if he had any words for his family, he replied, “All the Bahá’ís are my family.”

Counsellor Raúl Pavón Mejia was buried in the new extension to the English Cemetery in Lima where John Stearns also is buried. Raúl loved beauty, and no doubt enjoyed looking down on the bed of multi-colored flower petals that covered his grave. There were many lovely floral arrangements, from the Universal House of Justice, the Board of Counsellors in the Americas, Auxiliary Board members, various National Spiritual Assemblies, individual Bahá’í friends and admirers, and of course, from his family. Since these exquisite arrangements could not be taken into the cemetery, the petals were taken from some of them to make a cover over the grave while others were put in vases and placed around the site.

Counsellor Pavón is survived by his widow, Piedad Báez Garzón de Pavón; three children, Badí Raúl Pavón Báez, age 15, Dorothy Dayyanéh Pavón Báez, age 14, and Nabíl Javier Pavón Báez, age 12; five sisters, one brother, and a host of relatives and friends who love him and miss him.

A eulogy presented by Donald R. Witzel, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas, at the funeral of Counsellor Raúl Pavón M., October 23, 1983, in Lima, Perú.

Dear friends, we all know of the great spirituality of Counsellor Raúl Pavón—of his humility, piety and devotion to God, Bahá’u’lláh and his loved ones. I have known Raúl for more than 20 years. First, I remember him as a young pioneer on the homefront of Ecuador. At that time he was not aware that he was a pioneer for having moved from one town to another for the purpose of teaching the Faith, but he did so to serve Bahá’u’lláh.

I remember Raúl as a Bahá’í teacher in the area of Imbabura, Ecuador, near Lake San Pablo, teaching the Faith and inviting the indigenous Bahá’ís to attend the first course at the Institute in Otavalo. Years later, another larger Institute was obtained which was dedicated in the name of Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum; afterward, the “Choza Bahá’í” was built behind the Institute. Raúl always participated actively in this work.

I remember Raul as an international traveling teacher to Cuzco, Perú. Here in this country he distinguished himself, especially in the indigenous work. We recall fondly the effort he initiated to unify the Quechua languages and dialects of Bolivia, Perú and Ecuador toward the end of translating and printing the books of our Faith. We carried out three conferences in as many countries in different years to accomplish this purpose.

I remember Raúl as a father with his wife and children—who are here with us today. I especially remember a trip in the country which we once made together near Otavalo with the family and other believers.

I remember him as member and chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador for more than 12 years.

I remember Raúl as teacher-coordinator for all the teaching of the masses in Ecuador for the campaigns during the Nine Year Plan.

I remember Raúl Pavón as a Counsellor for 10 years, dedicated to this institution. He was first a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for South America and afterward for the Americas.

In his role as Counsellor he achieved the highest position that an individual Bahá’í can attain today. He was one of the learned in our Faith.

Raúl Pavón distinguished himself by his creativity in his work with the indigenous peoples, in mass conversion in general, in the proclamation of the Faith, both by radio and television as well as by other media of mass communication. He encouraged the youth in the creation of music for the Faith throughout Latin America. We also recall the mobile institute, the regional and national children’s conferences, his book and system for literacy training. We remember his ingenuity and creativity in general, and his constant happiness and contentment with the Will of God as well.

Raúl was my colleague, collaborator and, especially, a true friend and brother. We were together for so many things. We worked together, mutually supported each other, and struggled for Bahá’u’lláh.

Raúl was always in the forefront of our battles in this “spiritual war” to conquer the citadels of the hearts of men for Bahá’u’lláh.

He was a great admirer of the Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir. We were together with other Counsellors when Dr. Muhájir passed away in Quito. Raúl always visited his grave either in departing or on returning from his trips.

Dr. Muhájir died as the youngest of the Hands of the Cause who were then living, and it seems to me that Raúl is one of the youngest and most active and creative of the Counsellors.

He has left us in the last year of the second phase of the Seven Year Plan. Surely, God and Bahá’u’lláh have a special job for him in the next world and need him there.

We are, for the most part, behind in the present Plan. We must win it for Raúl and in his name. We have the good fortune of being able to dedicate it in his name and for his spiritual progress. This is a blessing of Bahá’u’lláh which each one of us has.

Raúl is now very well in the Abhá Kingdom, harvesting the fruits of his self-denying service to Bahá’u’lláh.

We—his Bahá’í family—miss him. We feel a void—a painful loss, due especially to the love and esteem we have for Raúl and his beloved family. Only time and our faith and confidence in Bahá’u’lláh can support us in this moment.

In the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh it is explained this way: It is as though we all live in a great mansion. Presently we live on the first floor. The time arrives when we have to say good-

[Page 15] bye to our friends and families and ascend to the second floor. There we continue to live with those who have arrived before us. We can see the activities that are going on below on the first floor. We know that our friends and our families will join us later, at such time as they finish their household duties on the first floor.

So we say to Raúl, “so long for a while,” and later we will be together again in the world to come—our eternal home. We recall the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (quoted in The Open Door, p. 9):

“Why shouldst thou be sad and heartbroken? This separation is temporary, this remoteness and sorrow is counted only by days. Thou shalt find him in the Kingdom of God and thou wilt attain to the everlasting union. Physical companionship is ephemeral, but heavenly association is eternal. Whenever thou rememberest the eternal and neverending union thou wilt be comforted.”

The world[edit]

St. Lucia holds 1st National Convention[edit]

Fifty delegates and guests were present last May 27-28 at the first Bahá’í National Convention of St. Lucia in Castries.

The Universal House of Justice was represented by the Hand of the Cause of God Dhikru’lláh Khádem. Other special guests were Counsellor Ruth Pringle and Auxiliary Board member Shirley Yarbrough.

Consultation was focused on the many goals to be accomplished by the Bahá’í community of St. Lucia, with many suggestions and recommendations from the delegates concerning the teaching work.

A unity feast held during the Convention honored the presence of Esther Evans, a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh who brought the Faith to St. Lucia 30 years ago.

* * *

The first Bahá’í Summer School on St. Lucia was held last August 15-20 in the village of Dennery. Participating were more than 40 adults, youth and children from about eight villages.

Included were classes on progressive revelation, spiritual enrichment, Christ and Bahá’u’lláh, and living a Bahá’í life. Among the teachers were two Auxiliary Board members, Shirley Yarbrough from Barbados and Allison Vaccaro from Dominica.

During the Summer School, the Bahá’ís helped beautify the town hall by planting flowers there.

Shown here are some of the participants in the first Bahá’í Summer School held in St. Lucia. The school was held last August 15-20.

Audiences of 300 to 400 were present at public meetings which were held each evening during the Summer School. The programs included music, films and talks on the Faith.

As a result of teaching and proclamation efforts, 18 people declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh that week.

Zimbabwe[edit]

Fifty people attended a Race Unity Day observance this year in Harare, Zimbabwe, that had as its theme “What Is Race?”

Publicity was provided by posters and personal invitations. The program included a slide presentation and talk by Florence Fat’he-Aazam.

A radio reporter interviewed Mrs. Fat’he-Aazam for a brief report that was included the following week on the “Morning Mirror” program.

[Page 16]

Guyana[edit]

Balram Sarju (center), Guyana’s national youth coordinator, presents a national youth award to Shemroy Humphrey, chairman of the Bahá’í youth group of Plaisance/Industry, in recognition of the group’s active year of service to the Faith. The award, which will be given each year by the National Assembly to help motivate youth to increase their level of service, was presented last May during Guyana’s National Convention. Other youth in the picture are (left to right) Roseann Humphrey, Vilbert Leslie, Molly Humphrey and Leisha Humphrey.

More than 700 residents of Guyana learned of the Faith last May 14-18 during a visit by Bart Hoen, a Bahá’í from French Guiana.

Mr. Hoen, a professional musician, presented an hour-long show for an audience of 500 students and teachers at Vryman Community High School, mixing teaching and music.

A similar program was given for an audience of 200 students and teachers at Berbice High School. The response was enthusiastic, with students requesting special songs about the Faith.

Mr. Hoen also provided music at special film showings and at public meetings during his short stay in Guyana.

This resulted in enrollments in Vryheid Village, Palmyra Village, Ithaca, and New Amsterdam.

United Kingdom[edit]

An Iranian Bahá’í couple who settled more than a year ago in Corby, England, as homefront pioneers have been conducting an extensive proclamation program of their own.

They have placed Bahá’í books in the public and college libraries and stocked the free literature stands in each library with a constant supply of Bahá’í pamphlets.

They also mailed copies of a Bahá’í book to 168 prominent residents of Corby, and sent a pamphlet and cover letter to another 47 residents.

Carrying out instructions from their National Spiritual Assembly, the couple sent copies of a press release to their member of Parliament, to 30 women’s organizations, to churches, secondary schools, the local newspaper and radio station, the police superintendent, and other selected individuals.

The couple arranged to meet their representative in Parliament personally to give him a copy of the book Iran’s Secret Pogrom.

Pakistan[edit]

One hundred-twenty youth from 14 localities attended a National Bahá’í Youth Conference and Summer School last July in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

After hearing the message from the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’í youth of the world, the young people at the conference responded with a determination to carry the Message to all strata of society in the name of their martyred youthful brethren in Iran.

During recreational periods, some youth spontaneously composed a song based on the principal points of a message to the conference from the National Spiritual Assembly of Pakistan.

On July 21, the day after the close of the youth conference, a National Teaching Conference was begun.

Dr. Ṣábir Áfáqí, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Asia, analyzed the Seven Year Plan, calling special attention to the remaining goals.

Kamran Karimian, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Pakistan, gave a moving account of the 5th Bahá’í International Convention in the Holy Land.

As a part of the social periods, youth from several towns presented sketches depicting Bahá’í historical events. Songs were composed in memory of the martyrs in Iran, and a speech contest was held.

* * *

Bahá’ís in Pakistan have expressed their joy at the formation last August 13 of two new Spiritual Assemblies in the Punjab area.

One new Assembly is in Sialkot, near Lahore, while the other is in Multan, an ancient city that is the birthplace of Sa’íd-i-Hindí, one of the 19 “Letters of the Living” who were the first to recognize and accept the Revelation of the Báb.

Mauritius[edit]

Ninety-seven youth gathered last July 30-31 at a National Bahá’í Youth Convention in Port Louis, Mauritius, at which 19 island communities were represented.

Those present resolved to fulfill the hopes of the Universal House of Justice by carrying the Faith to their fellow youth.

[Page 17]

Alaska[edit]

Bahá’í communities in Alaska are providing a variety of social or humanitarian services for the general population.

In Bethel, for example, two Bahá’ís have been producing a weekly radio program for village children for nearly a year. The project was begun in an effort to enrich the spiritual lives and characters of local children.

In Kake, the Spiritual Assembly provides spiritual guidance for people who are being treated for alcohol-related problems through an arrangement with a government counselor who sends his clients to the Bahá’ís for help.

In Point Barrow, Bahá’ís are working to provide a radio news service in the Inupiaq language, and have loaned their Bahá’í Center to a radio station for use as a studio. Presently, all radio programming in that city is in English.

In Anchorage, the Spiritual Assembly has launched a monthly “coffee house,” thus providing a meeting place where alcohol is not served.

Chile[edit]

Shown are participants, most of whom are Mapuche Indians, at a special conference for assistants to the Auxiliary Board held last July at the Faizí Bahá’í School in Loncopulle, Chile.

More than 30 Bahá’ís including many indigenous Mapuche Indian residents, attended a four-day conference last July for assistants to the Auxiliary Board that was held at the Faizí Bahá’í School in Loncopulle, Chile.

Attending were assistants to the Auxiliary Board from 12 communities, traveling teachers, and other Bahá’ís from the area.

The conference featured workshops and classes on various topics including the history of the Faith, the Covenant, and prayer. Auxiliary Board members and one member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Chile served as teachers.

After classes, participants played native instruments and danced. One of the participants, Manuel Levipil, a Mapuche “Machi” (leader) from Quechocahuín, played a Mapuche drum and chanted, recounting points made in class and adding his own loving words about the Faith.

Following a workshop on the procedure for counting ballots in a Bahá’í election, indigenous assistants to the Auxiliary Board said, “Now it won’t be necessary to send people from the outside to help in our annual election in April. We can do it ourselves.”

Nearly 100 Local Spiritual Assemblies in Chile are composed solely of indigenous members.

Iceland[edit]

Will C. van den Hoonaard, a Bahá’í from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, visited leaders of thought in a number of fields during a trip last July 22-August 4 to Iceland. His visit resulted in favorable publicity for the Faith including a full-page article in a national newspaper and an interview about the Bahá’ís in Iran that was heard throughout the country over the Icelandic State Radio. Mr. van den Hoonaard, a former pioneer to Iceland, met with more than 30 people during his recent visit including those at the university, in government, police, fisheries, publishing and journalism. He had many opportunities to discuss the Faith and to present Bahá’í literature.

Perú[edit]

The “New Era Cultural Association,” acting on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly of Perú, has signed an agreement with that country’s Ministry of Education to collaborate in carrying out literacy and post-literacy activities through Radio Bahá’í of Lake Titicaca in the Department of Puno.

Technical experts and materials from an alphabetization unit and an audio-visual education team will be provided by Puno’s board of education, while Bahá’ís will supply air time, production personnel, announcers, and the facilities of Radio Bahá’í of Lake Titicaca.

[Page 18]

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