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Bahá’í News

October 1984

Bahá’í Year 141

Bahá’í Youth Conference in Canada

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Bahá’í News

Dedication ceremony is held for the Bahá’í House of Worship in Samoa	1
Nearly 2,000 youth attend Bahá’í International Conference in Canada	3
Also in Canada, Bahá’í House—Yukon opens to educate Indian people	8
In Taiwan, a Pioneer Conference honors the memory of a young martyr	9
And in the U.S., the annual Green Lake Conference celebrates 25 years	10
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 within U.S.: one year, $12; two years, $20. Outside U.S.: one year, $14; two years, $24. Foreign air mail: one year, $20; two years, $40. Payment must accompany order and must be in U.S. dollars. 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.

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Mother Temple of Pacific dedicated

OVERJOYED AUSPICIOUS UPLIFTING HEART-WARMING EVENTS ASSOCIATED DEDICATION TO PUBLIC WORSHIP OF MOTHER TEMPLE PACIFIC. COMMENTING UPON ARRIVAL AMATU’L-BAHÁ RÚḤÍYYIH KHANÚM IN WESTERN SAMOA COUNSELLOR ‘ALA’Í CABLED:

‘AMATU’L-BAHÁ WAS BEFITTINGLY AND GRACIOUSLY RECEIVED AT AIRPORT BY HIS HIGHNESS MALIETOA TANUMAFILI II, HEAD OF STATE, AND WAS LATER ACCOMPANIED BY HIS HIGHNESS IN HIS LIMOUSINE WITH FULL MOTORCADE CEREMONY TO APIA.’ ALSO PRESENT AT AIRPORT WERE HONORABLE PRIME MINISTER OF WESTERN SAMOA TOFILAU ETI, CABINET MINISTERS, DIPLOMATIC AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AS WELL AS MANY BAHÁ’ÍS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. ‘AMATU’L-BAHÁ WAS IMMENSELY TOUCHED AND HEARTS FRIENDS LEAPT WITH JOY AND FILLED WITH SENSE GRATITUDE THANKSGIVING TO BAHÁ’U’LLÁH THIS UNPRECEDENTED RECOGNITION AND RESPECT BESTOWED UPON REPRESENTATIVE UNIVERSAL HOUSE JUSTICE BY HIS HIGHNESS MALIETOA WHO VALIANTLY AND COURAGEOUSLY DEMONSTRATED HIS UNDIMINISHED LOYALTY PROFOUND LOVE FOR SUPREME BODY IN MANNER UNPARALLELED HISTORY OF FAITH IN SAMOA.’

AMATU’L-BAHÁ RÚḤÍYYIH KHÁNUM DEDICATED THE MASHRIQU’L-ADHKÁR IN APIA, WESTERN SAMOA, ON 1 SEPTEMBER 1984 IN PRESENCE HIS HIGHNESS, MEMBERS OF ROYAL FAMILY, PRIME MINISTER AND FOUR MEMBERS HIS CABINET, AS WELL AS MANY REPRESENTATIVES OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND HIGH-RANKING OFFICERS SAMOAN CHURCHES, TOGETHER WITH MORE THAN 1,000 BAHÁ’ÍS FROM 45 COUNTRIES AND ISLANDS.

RÚḤÍYYIH KHÁNUM DESCRIBING HISTORIC OCCASION CABLED: ‘MOTHER TEMPLE PACIFIC ISLANDS SCENE UNTIL LAST MOMENT HUNDREDS BELIEVERS ALL PARTS WORLD, ALL AGES, ALL COLORS, LEVELING GROUND, PLANTING SHRUBS, CREATING ROCK GARDENS, CLEANING HUGE EDIFICE ... SAMOAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND BAHÁ’ÍS, FORGOING DAY AFTER DAY REST OR SLEEP, WORKED ROUND THE CLOCK PREPARATIONS ALL DEPARTMENTS ENSURE BEFITTING SPIRITUAL MATERIAL CELEBRATION HISTORIC EVENTS SEPTEMBER FIRST DEDICATION. SAMOAN LADIES CREATED HUNDREDS OF FEET FRAGRANT FRANGIPANI GARLANDS ALONG ENTIRE LENGTH MAIN PATHS, DECORATING ELECTRIC STANDARDS IN GARDENS WITH PLAITED PALMS AND FLOWERS, HANGING CHAINS FERNS INSIDE ON TEMPLE BALCONY ...

‘THE ONE-HOUR TEMPLE SERVICE, CHARACTERIZED BY BEFITTING PROTOCOL AND DECORUM, COMMENCED WITH HIGHLY SUITABLE, DIGNIFIED AND MOVING SPEECH IN BOTH SAMOAN AND ENGLISH BY HIS HIGHNESS MALIETOA TANUMAFILI II, OUTLINING HIGHLIGHTS TEMPLE HISTORY AND THANKING UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE FOR ITS ERECTION IN WESTERN SAMOA. THE BEAUTIFUL SINGING OF THE CHOIR, THE WONDERFUL SELECTIONS FROM BAHÁ’Í SCRIPTURES AND THE BIBLE, READ IN BOTH SAMOAN AND ENGLISH, CULMINATING WITH INSPIRINGLY-CHANTED PRAYER WERE ALL PERFECT AND CREATED UNPRECEDENTED GLORIOUS HISTORIC OCCASION.

‘ALL GATHERED IN PERFECT WEATHER FOR BOTH SACRED FIRST SERVICE IN PRECIOUS MASH-RIQU’L-ADHKÁR AND, FOLLOWING DEDICATION, THE JOYFUL TRADITIONAL SAMOAN SUA CERE-

[Page 2] MONY HELD OUTSIDE WHICH LASTED ONE AND A HALF HOURS ...’ THIS CEREMONY INCLUDED PRESENTATION BY RÚḤÍYYIH KHÁNUM TO HIS HIGHNESS OF TEMPLE MODEL SENT AS GIFT BY UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE, AND PRESENTATION OF TRADITIONAL GIFTS OF ROAST PIGS, FINE MATS, TAPA CLOTH AND FOOD TO ALL HIGH OFFICIALS PRESENT. JOYFUL SPEECHES SINGING DANCING AND WELL-ATTENDED BANQUET ENDED OPENING DAY FESTIVITIES.

BELOVED AMATU’L-BAHÁ FURTHER REPORTED: ‘SUNDAY MORNING IN THREE SESSIONS LASTING OVER FIVE HOURS OVER ONE THOUSAND BAHÁ’ÍS WERE ANOINTED ATTAR OF ROSE AND VIEWED PORTRAIT BLESSED PERFECTION IN TEMPLE, OBVIOUSLY OVERCOME BY PRIVILEGE AND GREAT EVENTS TAKING PLACE. PACIFIC ISLANDERS CONSPICUOUSLY REVERENT, DEEPLY STIRRED, AWARE GREAT PRIVILEGE. SUNDAY EVENING TEMPLE PACKED FULL SERVICE DEDICATED BELOVED MARTYRS AND PERSECUTED BRETHREN IRAN ...’

PRAYING HOLY SHRINES THAT FORCES NOW SET IN MOTION WILL RESULT UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH FAITH SAMOA AND ALL AREAS VAST PACIFIC OCEAN.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
SEPTEMBER 7, 1984

Trinidad/Tobago

The Hand of the Cause of God H. Collis Featherstone explains the significance of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice to Bahá’ís and their guests during his visit last March 20 to Palmyra District Bahá’í Center in Trinidad.

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Youth Conference a resounding success

TO THE BAHÁ’Í YOUTH CONFERENCE IN LONDON, ONTARIO WE HAIL WITH JOY AND HOPE THE ENNOBLING PURPOSES OF YOUR CONFERENCE IN LONDON, ONTARIO. YOU ARE GATHERED AT A MOMENT WHICH RESOUNDS WITH THE SIGNIFICANCES AND CHALLENGES POSED BY THE WORLD-SHAKING EVENTS ENVELOPING THE COMMUNITY OF THE GREATEST NAME IN BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S NATIVE LAND. THE OUTPOURING GRACE PROVIDENTIALLY VOUCHSAFED THE ONWARD MARCH OF OUR HOLY CAUSE AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THESE EVENTS IS CLEARLY EVIDENT. OUR HEARTS LEAP AT THE INNUMERABLE IMMEDIATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FURTHER UNFOLDMENT OF THE ORDER OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH TO WHICH, UNDOUBTEDLY, YOU CAN AND WILL APPLY YOUR ABUNDANT TALENTS, YOUR ZEST FOR ACTION AND, ABOVE ALL, THE ENTHUSIASM OF YOUR DEVOTION. SURELY, YOU WILL SEE THAT THE HEROIC DEEDS OF SACRIFICE ON THE PART OF YOUR IRANIAN BRETHREN ARE MATCHED WITH CORRESPONDING EFFORTS ON YOUR PART IN THE VAST FIELDS OF TEACHING AND SERVICE LYING OPEN BEFORE YOU. THE EXHORTATIONS ESPECIALLY ADDRESSED TO YOUTH BY OUR BELOVED MASTER AND THE GALVANIZING INFLUENCE OF THE GUARDIAN’S GUIDANCE WILL ECHO EVEN MORE LOUDLY IN YOUR HEARTS NOW. INDEED, WE WILL PRAY ARDENTLY AT THE HOLY SHRINES THAT YOU MAY REALIZE IN YOUR LIVES THE IDEALS THEY SO PERSISTENTLY UPHELD, THAT YOU MAY THUS ‘ACQUIRE BOTH INNER AND OUTER PERFECTIONS’ AS YOU INCREASE YOUR STUDY OF THE HEAVENLY WRITINGS, STRIVE TOWARD EXCELLENCE IN THE SCIENCES AND ARTS, AND BECOME KNOWN FOR YOUR INDEPENDENCE OF SPIRIT, YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND YOUR SELF-CONTROL. MAY YOU, AS ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ WISHED, BE ‘FIRST AMONG THE PURE, THE FREE AND THE WISE.’ THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE AUGUST 25, 1984

By DAVID E. OGRON

The Youth Movement and its impact on the Faith in North America was the centerpiece August 25-27 as nearly 2,000 young people from 52 countries gathered at Canada’s first International Bahá’í Youth Conference to rededicate themselves to securing a resounding victory in the final months of the Seven Year Plan.

The conference, whose theme was “If you only knew ...,” was blessed by the presence of the Hands of the Cause of God ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan, John Robarts and ‘Alí-Muḥammad Varqá.

Registration figures showed that about 800 youth from the U.S. and another 800 from Canada were among the 1,972 participants who also included four youth who traveled all the way from the Philippines, 10 who came from Germany, and six youth from Japan who are members of that country’s National Teaching Committee and National Youth Committee.

Original music

India and Australia were represented by youth who are now attending college in the United Kingdom.

Conference speakers, in addition to the three Hands of the Cause, included Counsellors Farzam Arbáb and Lloyd Gardner; four members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada; and Auxiliary Board members Carol Bowie, Reginald Newkirk and David Smith from Canada and Robert Harris from the U.S.

The program included original music composed for the event by Canadian Bahá’í musicians, and dance interpretations ranging from contemporary ballet and classical dances from India to a break dancing competition.

The conference was opened by Hugh Rooney, assistant vice-president of the University of Western Ontario, who welcomed the participants on behalf of the school. Mr. Rooney was also present at a Bahá’í-sponsored tree planting ceremony on the campus.

Another special guest, Canadian Senator Jacques Hébert, discussed the important contributions to be made in developing countries by youth as a part of his description of Canada World Youth, an international assistance organization which he founded.

Bahá’í speakers focused on topics that included the United Nations International Youth Year 1985; thinking and creativity; free will; dealing with stress; accounts of recent martyrdoms; and of course, the Youth Movement.

Referred to time and again through-

[Page 4] out the conference, this “movement,” which is in reality a grassroots rededication by Bahá’í youth in Canada and the U.S. to serve the Cause of God, had its inception during meetings of Counsellors, National Assembly members, Auxiliary Board members, members of National Youth Committees, and selected Bahá’í youth that took place last February in Invermere, British Columbia, and in May at the Louhelen Bahá’í School in Michigan. Those meetings were held in response to the message of January 3, 1984, from the Universal House of Justice to Bahá’í youth all over the world.

Since then, the Movement has manifested itself in an increased level of youth activities that has included service and teaching projects in Canada and in states from California to South Carolina.

Some young people arrived in Canada two days before the conference was to open to attend a special Youth Movement session at which plans for teaching, deepening, proclamation and service projects were set forth and developed.

Many of the youth wore round, solid green lapel buttons devoid of any lettering, the symbol of the Youth Movement.

Throughout the conference, youth signed their names to a scroll addressed to the Universal House of Justice which carried this pledge:

“We, the participants of the Bahá’í Youth Movement in North America, pledge, in response to your message of January 3, 1984, to seize all opportunities, at this portentous hour, to serve the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh and to move the world.”

The scroll, bearing the signatures of many conference participants, stretched from one end of the stage to the other when it was unrolled by some of the youth during the final conference session.

In a cable to the Universal House of Justice, the youth in London, Ontario, invited young Bahá’ís throughout the world to join the Youth Movement.

Dr. Hossain Danesh, the conference chairman and chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, read a letter of greetings from the National Spiritual Assembly of El Salvador and asked for a committee of youth to draft a reply.

Dr. Jane Faily, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, speaks to the youth.

Later, Dr. Danesh announced that it had been decided that the message from the Universal House of Justice would be read each day that the conference was in session.

Speakers at a panel session on International Youth Year included Charles “Cap” Cornwell, secretary of the U.S. National Teaching Committee, and Nancy Mondschein, a member of the U.S. national secretariat’s Department of Community Administration and former representative of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly to the United Nations in New York.

Other panelists were Canadian youth Vafa Akhavan and Dr. Sharon Hatcher; Ann Datson, director of the International Youth Year secretariat in the Canadian State Department; and Nancy Ackerman, public information officer for the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.

A large conference bookstore provided taped copies of conference presentations that were offered for sale while the conference was still in progress.

The agenda, although full and busy, allowed some time for outdoor activities including competitive and non-competitive games and a service project in which a large number of youth cleaned up litter in city parks.

The Hands of the Cause of God ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan (left) and John Robarts embrace before addressing the International Youth Conference in Canada.

[Page 5] Addressing the Bahá’í Youth Conference are (left to right) Fereydoun Ardestani, an engineering student from Ottawa; U.S. Auxiliary Board member Robert Harris; and Mrs. Nancy Monaschein from the United States.

Among the evening activities were a dance and rock concert featuring Canadian Bahá’í singers and musicians.

Mr. Furútan, who spoke on three occasions, delighted the audience with his sharp sense of humor and marvelous stories of his days as a student when he was the only Bahá’í at his university.

Dr. Varqá spoke on two occasions, during which he drew the attention of his audience to the future opposition to the Faith which was described so eloquently by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and traced the steps outlined by the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, to reinforce one’s inner spiritual life in order to withstand that opposition.

Mr. Robarts’ light-hearted presentation included some of his musings on being among the dwindling number of the Hands of the Cause.

Each of the Hands of the Cause was presented with a green Youth Movement button and a red rose.

“Dealing with Stress” was the topic of a presentation by Dr. Jane Faily, a clinical psychologist and member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, and Fereydoun Ardestani, an engineering student from Ottawa.

A young woman rises to ask a question while others wait their turn during an informal ‘rap session’ for pre-youth conducted by Auxiliary Board members Carol Bowie and Reginald Newkirk.

Logical proofs of the existence of God were discussed by Dr. William Hatcher, a professor of mathematics at Laval University in Québec City and member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.

[Page 6] A scroll (shown at left) signed by participants at the International Youth Conference in London, Ontario, and sent to the Universal House of Justice is unfurled on stage to thunderous applause.

Another member of the National Assembly of Canada, Dr. Glen Eyford, spoke on thinking and creativity, while “Evolution” was the topic addressed by Dr. David Smith, an Auxiliary Board member from Canada.

Robert Harris, an Auxiliary Board member from the U.S., used humor and the theme of youth as Bahá’u’lláh’s “spiritual soldiers” to make his points.

Entertainment between the various conference addresses included a performance by Ballet Shayda from Ottawa, which presented a blend of classical and modern dance, and an appearance by the Neda Bahá’í Youth Choir from Detroit, Michigan.

One of the most poignant and heart-stirring moments came when Rouhi Jahanpur, a 27-year-old Bahá’í who was among a group of 21 Bahá’í women arrested and imprisoned in Shíráz, Iran, described the sufferings and heroism of her fellow-believers including her close friend, Muna Mahmudnizhad, an 18-year-old who was one of 10 Bahá’í women executed in Shíráz in June 1983 for their repeated refusal to recant their faith.

Doug Cameron, a Bahá’í musician from Canada, had written a song in memory of Muna, but when he tried to sing it he was overcome with emotion and was unable to finish.

The audience, many of whom were weeping, arose as one in tribute to a fellow Bahá’í youth who had made the ultimate sacrifice for Bahá’u’lláh.

Although she made no reference to herself, Miss Jahanpur was given 74 lashes with a steel cable for refusing to recant while she was in prison.

An optional evening program featured a lively rap session for 14- to 16-year-olds with Auxiliary Board members Carol Bowie and Reggie Newkirk.

Counsellor Gardner sat among the teen-agers to observe their enthusiastic participation. The youth asked a num-

[Page 7] Bahá’í youth gather outside Alumni Hall at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada, to prepare for the opening session of the 1984 International Bahá’í Youth Conference. More than 1,900 youth from 52 countries attended the event.

ber of perceptive and penetrating questions relating to specific applications of Bahá’í qualities and standards of conduct.

Even though a dance was next on the conference agenda, many of the young people lingered long after the formal ending of the rap session to speak with the two Auxiliary Board members.

Mrs. Bowie later observed that the teen-agers showed a definite knowledge of the Bahá’í writings during the consultation.

About 80 non-Bahá’ís attended an evening proclamation held in downtown London that was sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of that city and featured musical presentations by some of the youth at the conference.

Media coverage included reports on local radio stations, a well-written article in a local newspaper, and video taped interviews by a crew from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s news magazine program, “The Fifth Estate,” with two Bahá’ís from Iran who had been imprisoned there before emigrating to the West.

The CBC program on the continuing persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran was scheduled to be broadcast throughout Canada near the end of September.

Above: Entertainers at the Bahá’í Youth Conference in London, Ontario, included Canadians Gordie Munro (left) and Nancy Ward. Below: Today’s youth were joined at the conference by one of tomorrow’s youth, 9-month-old Emily Jenkins of Guelph, Ontario, who looks happy to be there.

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Bahá’í House—Yukon is opened

“You must attach great importance to the Indians, the original inhabitants of America ... should these Indians be educated and properly guided, they will become so enlightened that the whole earth will be illumined.”

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá,
Tablets of the Divine Plan

•

A question that could be asked of historians is, how did you know which events to chronicle? How did you know, when things were actually happening, which ones were important to write down and keep track of?

The weekend of July 6-8 at Lake Labarge, outside Whitehorse, Canada, left no question of its importance in anyone’s mind. The dedication of the Bahá’í House-Yukon was important enough to be taped and photographed by people from two countries and representatives of uncounted Local Spiritual Assemblies who came at their own expense to share this momentous occasion.

The Canadians made it clear that Alaskans were welcome and warmly invited: “It’s your house, too,” they said. Twenty-six Local Spiritual Assemblies in Alaska were represented, six members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Alaska were there, and four members of the National Teaching Committee attended. Out of the 500 or so people who visited the facility over the weekend and shared in the festivities, at least 100 were Alaskan Bahá’ís.

Why was it so special? Why did two of the Hands of the Cause of God, Dr. ‘Alí-Muḥammad Varqá and John Robarts, come and make addresses, and why did the Hand of the Cause

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Bahá’í House-Yukon is a facility to provide education for the Indian people of Canada and Alaska; the education they need to deal with the world of today and still retain the integrity and spirit of their own culture and identity.

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William Sears send a recorded message? Why were two members of the Continental Board of Counsellors, Lauretta King and Angus Cowan, there?

One of the foundation teachings of the Faith is that of education. Few Bahá’ís are unfamiliar with the idea that education is of primary importance and frees us from the fetters of ignorance. Most Bahá’ís also know that the Indians were special to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and that He predicted an important role of leadership and guidance for Indians in our future.

Bahá’í House-Yukon is a facility to provide education for the Indian people of Canada and Alaska; the education they need to deal with the world of today and still retain the integrity and spirit of their own culture and identity. Bahá’í House instills in them the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, educates on the way to live in this modern world, and preserves the person not as an imitation white man, but as an Indian.

With training and knowledge gained at Bahá’í House-Yukon and others like it in India, Haiti, Colombia, the southwestern United States and elsewhere, Indian people will enkindle the flame of the love of God in the hearts of all mankind.

The three-day celebration opened Friday evening with a dinner for dignitaries, a special welcome by the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, a concert and other entertainment. In an address Saturday morning, Dr. Varqá said, “The confirmation of Bahá’u’lláh is this institution.”

The dedication also was held Saturday morning, and the rotunda and hall were filled. Dr. Jane Faily, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, gave the dedication address, invoking the names of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the Greatest Holy Leaf. She commented that the Canadians had been under the illusion that the center belonged only to them: “The Yukon also belongs to Alaska,” she conceded.

The unity and fellowship that permeated the entire weekend certainly spoke of no boundary lines, national or otherwise. At the conclusion of the dedication, Dr. Faily said, “In obedience, devotion and servitude to the Universal House of Justice, in pursuance of their hopes for us, we dedicate Bahá’í House-Yukon.”

This article about the dedication of Bahá’í House-Yukon is reprinted from Alaska Bahá’í News, July 1984.

In further celebration, several native people including Paul George of Nenana, who sang “Ani Happy Day,” either spoke or recited prayers. Eugene King, a Tlingit Indian who is a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska, brought a message from that body emphasizing the unity between the two countries and their Indian communities, particularly in light of blood relations. Two hundred years ago, Tlingits in Angoon migrated to what is now Whitehorse. Recently, their descendants went to Angoon for a visit.

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Conference remembers youthful martyr

Pictured are the 47 Bahá’ís who attended a Pioneer Conference last July 1 in Taichung, Taiwan.

Forty-two adults and five children attended a Pioneer Conference last July 1 in Taichung, Taiwan.

The conference was held at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly and was planned by the National Pioneering Committee with help from many of the friends.

The gathering was dedicated to the memory of Zarrin Muqimi, one of the young martyrs of Shíráz.

Miss Mugimi wanted to pioneer, and was given a gift by her Bahá’í teacher, Mr. Khademi, to be opened when she arrived at her post.

On the day of her death, the gift remained unopened in her room. Although she was never able to fulfill her desire to become a pioneer, she was called upon instead to offer her life for her Beloved, and she did so with calmness, steadfastness and dignity.

Miss Mugimi’s story was recalled at the conference and touched the heart of everyone who attended.

Edward Chang conveyed to the friends the National Spiritual Assembly’s love and appreciation for their efforts, and urged them to remain at their posts and continue to teach.

Kit Yin Kiang, a pioneer for 15 years, inspired the audience as he reminded them of the need to remain firm and to try at all costs to stay at one’s pioneer post.

Kenton Dunbar, a member of the National Teaching Committee, announced the names of the seven goal cities that have been chosen as places in which to raise up new Spiritual Assemblies.

To carry out the task, seven teams are to be formed, each one named for an Assembly in Iran that has been disbanded.

The idea was received enthusiastically, and 39 people signed up to serve on the teams.

An eighth team, the Zarrin team, is to concentrate on teaching in the mountain areas.

Consultation was centered around how to achieve these goals, and how to get homefront pioneers in the goal cities.

Also speaking to the conference were three other members of the National Teaching Committee—May Chen, Amir Kiani and Danel Boone.

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Green Lake marks 25th anniversary

Above: Robert Henderson (at podium), secretary of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, addresses the 25th annual Green Lake Conference as other members of the National Assembly look on. Below: The musical group ‘Children of Time’ entertains at the conference.

More than 1,130 Bahá’ís and their guests gathered September 14-16 at the American Baptist Assembly conference center in Green Lake Wisconsin, for the 25th anniversary celebration of the Green Lake Bahá’í Conference.

The theme of this year’s conference, which was blessed by the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God Dhikru’lláh Khádem, was “Confirmation of Your Initiatives.”

Special presentations were made Saturday morning and again Saturday evening by the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, which held its regular monthly meeting at Green Lake.

Mr. Khádem addressed the conference on two occasions, as did Dr. Jane Faily, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.

Among the other speakers was John Kolstoe, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska.

This year’s gathering included a special Sunday afternoon World Peace Day observance.

The U.S. National Assembly used its Saturday morning presentation to answer questions from the audience. Questions dealt with a wide range of topics from teaching, consolidation and administration to pioneering, the Funds, the spiritual destiny of Native Americans, the Iranian refugee question, Bahá’í involvement in “movements,” and the National Assembly’s Campaign of Unified Action.

That evening, individual members of the National Spiritual Assembly told of their recent travels to Africa, Israel, and the dedication of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Western Samoa.

As always, Saturday afternoon was devoted to a number of stimulating optional sessions conducted by individual Bahá’ís as well as by the National Race

[Page 11] Speaking at the Green Lake Bahá’í Conference are members of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly (left to right) Dorothy W. Nelson, Robert C. Henderson and Chester Kahn.

Unity Committee, the Office of the Treasurer, the Office of Public Affairs, the International Goals Committee, the National Education Committee, the American Indian Teaching Committee, and the Persian Affairs Committee.

Musical entertainment covered a wide spectrum from classical to Persian to folk, country and jazz.

Younger children were well-cared for while older children and youth enjoyed a variety of social and recreational activities including a spirited game of “Dungeons and Dragons” that left most of them pleading for more.

An audio-visual program from the International Audio-Visual Department at the Bahá’í World Centre was presented Saturday evening. The Sunday morning session included the introduction of those who had attended all of the 25 Green Lake conferences as well as those Bahá’ís who had declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh at Green Lake.

The 1,132 participants came from 22 states and the District of Columbia as well as from Alaska and Canada.

Of course, the Green Lake Conference wasn’t all fun and games, and even the youngest participants found there was ample opportunity to meet new people and make new friends, as shown by this earnest classroom discussion.

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The world

Radio Bahá’í—Bolivia is on the air

About 100 people including Counsellor Athos Costas, the local mayor, the sub-prefect of the province, and newspaper and television reporters were present last March 31 for the first broadcast by Radio Bahá’í in Caracollo, Bolivia.

The event followed many years of striving and work to create this Bahá’í radio station.

A dinner that same evening in Oruro was attended by many prominent people who expressed their appreciation for the new radio station and their willingness to help with the work of Radio Bahá’í.

On May 23, Radio Bahá’í increased its broadcast schedule from two hours a day to four hours. Reports indicate that the new station’s signal is strong and clear in Huayllamarca, Inquisivi Province and in the La Paz Department of Bolivia where Bahá’ís have been running from house to house to learn how to tune in the station.

Early broadcasts included only the station identification and the time in the three primary languages of Bolivia—Quechua, Aymara and Spanish—along with music.

Argentina

Shown are members of the Spiritual Assembly of Burzaco, Argentina, with Counsellor Athos Costas (standing third from left) during the Counsellor’s recent visit to Argentina.

World Centre

Members of the Universal House of Justice joined the Hands of the Cause of God residing in the Holy Land and the Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre last April 15 for special prayers at the inaugural meeting in the new seat of the International Teaching Centre at 10 Haparsim St., Haifa, which served as the first office of the Universal House of Justice from 1963-1983.

In a letter to the Continental Boards of Counsellors announcing the move, the International Teaching Centre explained that the site of the building is one of the spots on Mount Carmel where Bahá’u’lláh pitched His tent.

The building itself was originally built to house western pilgrims. During the years immediately following the passing of the Guardian, the structure served as the home of some of the Hands of the Cause serving at the World Centre.

“Through the generosity of the Supreme Body and under the guiding hand of Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum,” wrote the International Teaching Centre, “the building and its gardens have been restored to their former condition and appearance during the lifetime of the Guardian.”

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Sweden

Pictured are delegates and guests at this year’s Bahá’í National Convention in Stockholm, Sweden.

Nigeria

In spite of ill health, Meherangiz Munsiff, a traveling teacher from the United Kingdom, continued to proclaim the Faith vigorously during a visit last February 11-March 1 to Nigeria.

Mrs. Munsiff met with 100 women at Ife University, appeared on seven half-hour television programs, met with the minister of education, the permanent secretary of education, the secretary to the permanent secretary of education, and another permanent secretary. She presented the country’s minister of education with a copy of The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh.

Mrs. Munsiff also spoke at firesides and during a weekend institute on prayer and meditation.

* * *

As a result of the Bendel State Teaching Project, 24 Local Spiritual Assemblies were formed at Riḍván in the Ogharefe area of Nigeria.

The success of the campaign is related to the large and diverse number of believers who were involved over a long period of time. For example, groups of as many as 14 Bahá’ís from Lagos made the four-hour drive to the Ogharefe area nearly every weekend from February 25 until Riḍván.

Equatorial Guinea

The National Spiritual Assembly of Equatorial Guinea was invited by the country’s Minister of Information to participate as an observer at the first International Hispanic African Congress of Culture that was held last June 2-8 in Bata and sponsored the United Nations Economic and Social Council, UNESCO.

The Bahá’í community also was asked to prepare a statement outlining the Faith’s view of topics to be explored during the congress including that of the role of women in society and the importance of education and unity.

The Bahá’í statement, composed in Spanish and French, provided a unique opportunity for making contact with high-ranking officials including several ministers of art and culture.

Those taking part in the congress included representatives from North and South America, Europe and Africa as well as from a number of international organizations.

The only other religious group invited to attend was the Catholic Mission.

The congress was designed to define a cultural aim for Equatorial Guinea and to help make that country better known around the world.

A reception given at the conclusion of the congress by Equatorial Guinea’s prime minister gave the Bahá’í delegation a further opportunity to briefly present the Faith to several prominent people.

Malta

Sarah Cassar, a Bahá’í artist who is a pioneer to Malta, was the focus last March 24 of a one-person art show sponsored by the minister of foreign affairs and culture and held at the New Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta.

While the show was reviewed in several newspapers, the one that most surprised Mrs. Cassar appeared in The Sunday Times. The writer was the only critic who did not personally meet Mrs. Cassar, yet he included a full history of the Faith in a balanced and accurate manner.

It was this same newspaper that earlier had refused to accept a paid ad about the Faith that was longer than the weekly Hidden Word that it publishes. That week’s Hidden Word appeared beneath the art review that described the Faith.

[Page 14]

France

The National Spiritual Assembly of France has acquired a new and larger national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in what it describes as a more prestigious location in Paris.

The move, reports the National Assembly, “considerably enhances the external representation of the Faith” in France.

The acquisition of the new structure was one of the major goals for France during the second phase of the Seven Year Plan.

The Bahá’ís visited more than 60 properties before a decision was made to purchase a townhouse at 45 rue Pergolese in the 16th “Arrondissement” of Paris.

The site is of historical significance because ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spent much of His time during His two visits to France in this part of Paris, and the Guardian expressed his desire that the first Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds should be located there.

The three-story building has been renovated to provide for meeting rooms and reception areas on the ground floor; expanded book sales, printing, a kitchen and informal meeting area in the basement; offices for the National Spiritual Assembly and its Secretariat on the second floor; and committee rooms on the third floor.

Delegates and guests at this year’s National Convention were able to appreciate the enhanced dignity and improved functioning of the administration which these new facilities permit.

The former Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, at 11 rue de la Pompe, was scheduled to be sold sometime this fall.

This three-story townhouse at 45 rue Pergolese in the 16th ‘Arrondissement’ of Paris is the new national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of France. The renovated structure provides improved facilities for the administrative functioning of France’s National Spiritual Assembly and marks the completion of a major goal of the second phase of the Seven Year Plan in that country.

Colorfully costumed Bahá’ís ride atop a float that was entered last April in municipal parades in Cavalaire and Sainte-Maxime, France.

Bahá’ís from Marseilles to Nice in southern France joined in the creation of the first Bahá’í-sponsored float on the Côte d’Azur which was supervised by the National Teaching Committee and entered last April in municipal parades in Cavalaire and Sainte-Maxime.

The Bahá’í float received an enthusiastic welcome from the public and parade authorities. Designed by an eminent architect from Nice, it featured singing children wearing a variety of national costumes and a replica of the earth along with a dove.

The Bahá’í float led to many requests for information about the Faith, and pamphlets were given in response to the requests.

About 70 people including local officials and those who helped complete the float were invited last May 6 to a Persian dinner party sponsored by the Bahá’ís.

United Kingdom

Gordon Kerr, a Bahá’í from Oakham, England, who manages the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom, has been given a special award by the British Institute of Management.

The award was presented after a postgraduate course in management at Leicester Polytechnic where Mr. Kerr earned a diploma with honors and was nominated as top student.

Mr. Kerr received the award at a special dinner at Leicester University attended by 150 people. The president of the British Institute of Management’s Leicestershire branch spoke at length about the Bahá’í beliefs and of Mr. Kerr’s work for the Faith. Many at the dinner were hearing of the Faith for the first time.

[Page 15]

Mexico

Pictured during a visit to the Mayan ruins at Uxmal, Mexico, are some of the 80 Mayan youth, Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís, who attended a special week-long Bahá’í-sponsored youth program last July at the Martha Root Institute in Muna, Yucatán. The event was organized by the Counsellors, Auxiliary Board members and Regional Teaching Committees in Mexico.

More than 80 Mayan Indian youth, Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís, from Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula attended a week-long program last July 21-27 at the Martha Root Bahá’í Institute in Muna, Yucatán.

The program, which was planned by the Regional Teaching Committee, the resident Counsellor, and members of the Auxiliary Board, covered a variety of topics with a balance between spiritual themes and events of a cultural or social nature.

There were presentations on manual arts, traditional medicines, Mayan culture and arts, traditional Mayan dances, and numerous workshops and talks on aspects of the Faith and its teachings.

The youth also visited the Mayan ruins at Uxmal.

As the week progressed, the youth began to listen more closely, participate much more actively, and become visibly happier. By the end of the week there was a lovely spirit of unity among them.

No distinction was made between Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í youth, and eventually a total of 22 youth were enrolled in the Faith.

Seychelles

Pictured with Counsellor Shidan Fat’he-Aazam (back row second from right) are the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Republic of Seychelles who were elected at Riḍván 1984. They are (front row left to right) Willis Pierre Prosper (vice-chairman), Calneh Jamal Accouche (secretary), Lisa Accouche, Jimmy Servina, Bernadin Renaud (chairman), and (back row left to right) Roch Pillay, Jude Lunez Padayachy, Mathew Docteur, Counsellor Fat’he-Aazam, Saul Accouche.

[Page 16]

Panama

A three-member Bahá’í delegation met last July 25 with Dr. Diogenes Cedeño Cenci (left), director of Panama’s National Institute of Culture, and Ricardo Franco (second from left), legal representative of the Institute. The Bahá’ís are (left to right) Counsellor Ruth Pringle; Livia De Sanctis, secretary of the Bahá’í Public Relations Committee of Panama; and Jorge V. Harper, secretary of the country’s National Spiritual Assembly. During the cordial meeting, Dr. Cenci expressed his sympathy for the Bahá’ís and his disapproval of the persecutions in Iran. The meeting was a part of the National Assembly’s goal of proclaiming the Faith to prominent citizens.

Counsellor Ruth Pringle was among a delegation of four Bahá’í women who met last March 9 with Panama’s first lady, Luzmilla de Illueca.

During a long conversation with Mrs. de Illueca, the Bahá’ís discussed community health and disease prevention.

The first lady was interested to learn of various Bahá’í projects among the Guaymi Indians such as tutorial schools and the Bahá’í radio station that is being developed.

She asked many questions concerning who would benefit from these programs, and was assured that Guaymis in general, both Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís, would receive educational, material and cultural benefits.

Pictured are 13 teachers of Bahá’í tutorial schools in Panama who are holding certificates they received from the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama upon completion of a three-week teacher training institute last February 1-23 which was held at the Bahá’í School of Villa Virginia near Capira. They attended classes on the Bahá’í teachings, agriculture and health, and how to teach mathematics, reading and social sciences. The institute was a project of the Guaymi Cultural Center.

Burma

Two recent reports from Burma describe the enrollment of 316 new Bahá’ís in the Rangoon area, 100 more in Shan State, and another 325 in the Okalapa area.

In addition, it is reported that during a five-day teaching trip by several Bahá’ís, 123 people were enrolled in the Faith and 12 new localities opened.

Kenya

The results of a nine-day teaching campaign last March 24-April 1 in Kenya’s eastern Embu Province included 58 new believers, 16 localities opened to the Faith, one Spiritual Assembly formed, one village ready to elect its Assembly, and nearly 1,500 people having heard about the Faith.

[Page 17]

El Salvador

The second phase of the Raúl Pavón Teaching Project, in which team members are visiting each new Bahá’í community that came into being during its successful first phase, is now under way in El Salvador.

The ongoing consolidation work includes week-long visits to new communities where daily adult classes are held along with children’s classes and training sessions for prospective Bahá’í teachers.

Public proclamations are held on Saturday evenings, and deepening institutes are held on Sundays.

* * *

Some 230 people attended a National Bahá’í Youth Conference held last August 3-5 in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Among the speakers were Richard Mirkovich, an Auxiliary Board member from Costa Rica, and Rafael Martinas, a representative of the Ministry of Education who welcomed those who were present at the start of the conference.

The agenda included workshop sessions on recent messages from the Universal House of Justice; spiritual health; love and sex; and morality and marriage.

About 230 people attended a Bahá’í National Youth Conference last August 3-5 in San Salvador, El Salvador, at which plans for the observance of International Youth Year 1985 were discussed.

“Candlelight Night,” held in memory of the martyrs in Iran, was a moving experience for everyone present. There were talks about the heroism of the martyrs and accompanying music.

Plans for next year’s observance of International Youth Year were shared during the conference.

Hawaii

Governor George R. Ariyoshi of Hawaii (seated) displays the World Peace Day proclamation he has just signed as a three-member Bahá’í delegation looks on. The Bahá’ís are (left to right) Robert Putnam, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska; Mrs. Putnam; and Charlotte Pelle, a member of the Bahá’í community of Honolulu. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam, who were visiting Hawaii, were asked to take part in the signing ceremony since both Alaska and Hawaii are celebrating their 25th anniversary of statehood.

Zimbabwe

Eight hundred-twelve people from 140 villages declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh and seven Spiritual Assemblies were formed with another seven or eight to be elected last Riḍván as a result of the William Masehla Teaching Campaign in Murewa, Zimbabwe.

The successful campaign, dedicated to the memory of Mr. Masehla, a Counsellor for Africa who died July 17, 1983, has inspired both old and new believers in Zimbabwe, and it is felt that the campaign will continue to bear fruit in the months and years ahead.

* * *

One hundred-thirty people were enrolled in the Faith in Zimbabwe over a two-day period last February.

On February 9, Zimbabwe’s Roving Teaching Committee sent a teaching team to Murewa. Besides enrolling new believers, the team members helped the friends elect a Spiritual Assembly in Duku.

[Page 18]

For the seventieth anniversary

of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s historic trip to America

A NEW EDITION of

THE

PROMULGATION

OF

UNIVERSAL

PEACE

Features of new edition

139 talks by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

new foreword

Howard MacNutt’s original introduction written at ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s behest

detailed table of contents

chronology of dates, cities, and addresses of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s talks

new index

The Promulgation of Universal Peace is a compilation of many of the talks and discourses ‘Abdu’l-Bahá delivered during His historic 239-day visit to the United States and Canada in 1912.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s purpose in coming to the West was “to set forth in America the fundamental principles of the revelation and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.”
His topics included:

• the equality of men and women
• the harmony of science and religion
• the need for universal education and a universal language
• the oneness of God
• the oneness and continuity of the prophets of God
• the oneness of mankind
• the elimination of racial prejudice

All are essential for the universal peace that Bahá’u’lláh came to bring, and that gives the book its title.

---

Cloth edition only. xx + 469 pages, chronology of talks, index.
Catalog No. 106-039.  $16.00*

*Valid only in the 48 contiguous States of the United States.
All others write for prices and ordering and shipping instructions.

This new edition, published to mark the seventieth anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s trip to America, is a special gift—and a challenge to fulfill the obligation of arising and carrying on the work of teaching the Cause that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá “so gloriously initiated.”

Available from

Bahá’í Publishing Trust

415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091