Bahá’í News/Issue 712/Text
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| Bahá’í News | August 1990 | Bahá’í Year 147 |
India’s Bahá’í House of Worship:
still setting attendance records
Bahá’í News[edit]
American entertainer Red Grammer completes tour of Soviet Union | 1 |
Germany announces goals of Two Year Plan for East Bloc countries | 2 |
42 astronauts, cosmonauts at center of UN’s Earth Day ’90 program | 4 |
Participants in Landegg Symposium issue statement on environment | 5 |
UN Conference on Environment and Development set for ’92 in Brazil | 6 |
India’s Bahá’í Temple continues to welcome record number of visitors | 8 |
Around the world: News from Bahá’í communities all over the globe | 10 |
Bahá’í News is published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í world community. Manuscripts submitted should be typewritten and double-spaced throughout; any footnotes should appear at the end. The contributor should keep a carbon copy. Send materials to the Periodicals Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A. Changes of address should be reported to the Management Information Systems, Bahá’í National Center. Please attach mailing label. Subscription rates within the U.S.: one year, $12; two years, $20. Outside the U.S.: one year, $14; two years, 24$. Foreign air mail: one year, $20; two years, $40. Payment in U.S. dollars must accompany the order. Second class postage paid at Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright © 1990, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
Soviet Union[edit]
Red Grammer completes successful tour[edit]
On April 20, Red Grammer, the American singer/songwriter who thrilled audiences at the San Francisco Peace Conference in 1986, began a tour of the Soviet Union.
In Moscow, Mr. Grammer took part in two concerts and a television program. He also performed for children at a secondary school.
While in that city, he and his wife, Kathy, were hosted by Vladimir Meegoolja, a well-known Russian folk musician. An assistant of Mr. Meegoolja’s became interested in the Faith, and some important hours were spent with him as he helped move the Grammers from one event to another. He was able to meet some of the Bahá’ís in Moscow.
Another man, who had loaned his apartment to members of the Grammer tour group, was distant though cordial on meeting them, and the first night left to sleep elsewhere. Upon returning the next morning and spending the day with them, he attached himself to the group, sleeping on the floor the entire time they were in Moscow.
He became a valued companion, as his language skills were good and he was caught up in the spirit of the work of the Bahá’ís. Devouring the message of the Faith, he phoned ahead to his family in Kiev to tell them of the group’s impending arrival. His family attended the concert in Kiev and took the friends on a tour of the city.
On April 21, the Grammer tour group was present for the election of the local Spiritual Assembly of Moscow and were privileged to hear a talk by the Hand of the Cause of God ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan who was also present at that event.
The tour then moved to Kiev, where the Grammers were guests of the first Ukrainian Bahá’í couple. The day of the Kiev concert marked the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster,
The tour was a success on several levels: the Red Grammer music tour, a teaching trip, and a training ground for future teaching in the USSR. As a result of having Bahá’ís stay in their homes, about six people became Bahá’ís.
so the presentation was quite subdued. A film commemorating the tragedy was shown, after which Soviet musicians presented a program in honor of the occasion before Red Grammer performed. He presented the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh, tenderly and tactfully, as a promise of a better future for us all.
Every night during the Grammer tour group’s stay in Kiev, firesides were held at the hotel where the camera crew was lodged. They were well-attended, and gave the Bahá’ís a splendid opportunity to answer questions in an unhurried manner.
A man who performs music for children became very close to Red Grammer, and this resulted in their doing some film work together. He shared the stage at the Grammer concert. He, too, has become interested in the Faith and is now studying it.
In Odessa, there was a meeting at the university intended for a tour-group consultation. So many people wanted to remain close to the group—it seemed impossible to turn them out of even an official meeting—that the meeting was turned into a fireside and informal musical presentation, with discussion taking place along with the teaching and singing.
During a 36-hour train journey from Odessa to Leningrad, the group celebrated the Festival of Riḍván. Leningrad was filled with teaching opportunities, and the friends were able to revisit some of the contacts from the El Viento Canta tour earlier in the year.
While in Leningrad, Mr. Grammer and others taped a 30-minute television program with the same woman who had hosted a Bahá’í program taped in March. She had studied the Bahá’í literature and knew of Mr. Grammer’s music as well. The half hour was divided equally between music and interview.
There was also a school concert and an evening concert. In addition to the school concert, the friends visited three other schools and spoke about the Faith at each of them.
On two evenings the group was invited to the home of a Russian couple who had encouraged them to use their home as a clearing center for storing and processing literature and making and receiving phone calls from all over the country. Their 18-year-old son was of great help to the group because of his excellent English and his desire to be of service. He and his parents are quite close to the Faith.
At every concert throughout the country the group was able to offer Bahá’í literature to those in the audience.
The tour was a success on several levels: the Red Grammer music tour, a teaching trip, and a training ground for future teaching in the USSR. As a result of having Bahá’ís stay in their homes, about six people became Bahá’ís.
But as always with the Soviets, leaving was difficult. “We come here,” the Bahá’ís reported, “they love us, care for us, give us everything they can, try to believe in what we share with them, and pour their hearts out to us....We ‘fall in love’ and then have to tear ourselves away and watch from the train window as they disappear ... all of us calling out goodbyes through tears from our mixed emotions.”
Eastern Europe[edit]
Details of Two-Year Plan disclosed[edit]
To all National Spiritual Assemblies
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
We are delighted to inform you about the detailed goals of the Two Year Plan 1990-92 for the Eastern Bloc countries which are the responsibility of the German Bahá’í community. The plan has been approved by the Universal House of Justice. In a message dated April 17, 1990, the Universal House of Justice stated: “All goals are, as usual, minimum goals, and the friends in this volatile region should under no circumstances be held back from winning victories beyond those which are the goals of the plan.”
You are free to share the details of the plan with your community in the best way you deem fit.
May the Bahá’ís throughout the world be spurred on, through a careful study of the message from the Universal House of Justice dated February 8, 1990, and this year’s Riḍván message, to new heights of teaching and pioneering. We warmly welcome offers for travel teaching and pioneering, and assure you that our Eastern European Office is eagerly looking forward to assisting those who will volunteer.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
of the Bahá’ís of Germany
April 24, 1990
•
Two-Year Plan 1990-92 of the German Bahá’í community
for Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union and Mongolia
Riḍván 1990 through Riḍván 1992
German Democratic Republic[edit]
(GDR/East Germany)
- All activities are based on an understanding of the particular social and psychological situation of East German citizens. Bahá’ís from the West should avoid giving the impression of trying to implement Western concepts and standards to East Germany.
- Establishment of six local Spiritual Assemblies.
- Opening of 30 localities.
- Bahá’í Groups in at least 12 localities.
- Identifying West German Bahá’í communities with special assistance goals for East German goal cities.
- Six pioneers from West to East Germany.
- Establishment of a Bahá’í Center in Berlin.
- Establishment of contacts to the government, presentation of the peace statement to national leaders.
- Holding of Bahá’í schools.
- Public relations and media activities.
- Establishment of Bahá’í university clubs.
- Integration of East German Bahá’ís into the activities of the German-speaking Association for Bahá’í Studies.
- Establishment, at Riḍván 1990, of an East German Literature Fund for cheap access of literature to East Germans; initial donation of DM 10,000 to that Fund by the National Spiritual Assembly.
Soviet Union[edit]
- Establishment of a National Spiritual Assembly at Riḍván 1992.
- Establishment of 19 local Spiritual Assemblies by Riḍván 1992: Moscow, Ashkabad, Duschanbe, Baku, Minsk, Krasnodar, Kazan, Leningrad, Murmansk, Samarkand, Tashkent, Yerewan, Ginjeh, Tiblisi, Frunze, Kishinef, Mary, and two other cities, thus ensuring one local Spiritual Assembly in each of the Soviet Republics under the jurisdiction of Germany.
- Promotion of numerous teaching and proclamation activities in a great number of Soviet cities by all means.
- Sending as many pioneers as possible with priority to the goal cities mentioned.
- Holding of teaching and deepening institutes in the USSR.
- Great increase in the production of Bahá’í literature in Russian.
- Establishment of a cooperative for Bahá’í publishing in Moscow.
- Encouragement of participation by the Soviet believers for the fulfillment of the goals of the plan.
Poland[edit]
- Establishment of a National Spiritual Assembly at Riḍván 1992.
- Establishment of a local Spiritual Assembly in Warsaw at Riḍván 1990, and as soon as possible but no later than Riḍván 1992, in five other cities (Krakow, Lodz, Wroclaw, Gdansk and another city such as Lublin, Szczecin, Bydgoszcz, Poznan, Radom).
- Recognition of the Faith in 1990.
- Establishment of a Hazíratu’l-Quds in Warsaw by Riḍván 1992.
- Completion of the Bahá’í Center in Hajdany by summer 1991.
- Increase of Bahá’í literature.
- Establishment of a Bahá’í library in Hajdany and subscription to Bahá’í magazines for the community.
- Presentation of the peace statement
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Pictured are Bahá’ís who gathered last February 24-25 for the first National Bahá’í Conference to be held in the Soviet Union in about 60 years.
- to national leaders and, if possible, to regional and local authorities.
- Translation and presentation to official agencies and authorities of statements of the Bahá’í International Community about current issues.
- Holding of firesides in each locality.
- Increase in the teaching work.
- Promotion of Esperanto activities, holding of Bahá’í Esperanto Congress in summer 1991, follow-up activities with Esperantists.
- Opening of the north of Poland.
- Sending of at least five pioneers.
- Holding of Bahá’í schools and deepening institutes.
Albania[edit]
- Establishment of one Group with at least nine Bahá’ís in Tirana.
- Opening of three localities.
- Sending of two pioneers.
Bulgaria[edit]
- Establishment of two local Spiritual Assemblies: Sofia and Plovdiv.
- Opening of six localities.
- Sending of two pioneer families.
Romania[edit]
- Establishment of a National Spiritual Assembly at Riḍván 1992.
- Establishment of four local Spiritual Assemblies by Riḍván 1992: Bucharest, Cluj, Tirgu Mures and one other city.
- Opening of 10 localities.
- First priority for pioneers: Bucharest.
- Holding of Bahá’í schools.
Mongolia[edit]
- Establishment of one Bahá’í Group.
- Opening of three localities.
- Sending of six traveling teachers.
El Salvador[edit]
Aziz Yazdi (left), a former Counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre, presents the Bahá’í view on achieving world peace at a public meeting in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador. The presentation was one of many given during Mr. Yazdi’s weekend visit to El Salvador last February. The translator is Marvin Dreyer, a long-time member of the National Spiritual Assembly of El Salvador.
United Nations[edit]
Astronauts key Earth Day observance[edit]
Earth Day 1990! And what a day it was at the United Nations.
On April 22, a program sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme was held. Assembled for the celebration of “Only One Earth” were 42 astronauts and cosmonauts from 13 countries. It was their space traveler’s view of earth from outer space that inspired the theme of the ceremony.
Earth Day 1990 launched the “Decade of the Environment” and marked the beginning of a long-term commitment to building a safe, just and sustainable planet.
The climax of the program was the appearance, one by one, of the astronauts and cosmonauts on the stage of the General Assembly. As each name was announced, his photograph was flashed on a giant television screen overhead.
When the last astronaut’s name was called, the entire audience of more than 1,000 UN delegates, representatives of non-governmental organizations, friends and dignitaries rose to give them a prolonged standing ovation.
Before the introduction of the space travelers, the president of the 44th UN General Assembly opened the program, and an address was made by Maurice Strong, secretary-general of the 1992 UN Conference on the Environment.
An “Only One Earth” video presentation featured scenes from outer space, and statements were made by six of the space travelers in the six languages of the United Nations.
They spoke about industrial pollution and disarmament, and presented a potent message about the fragility of the planet, and how, from up there, they could see that we all drink the same water, breathe the same air, and that the oceans are really all only one body of water.
Cuban space explorer Arnaldo Tamayo-Mendes (left at podium) addresses assembled guests at the United Nations ‘Only One Earth’ celebration April 22 as fellow astronauts and UN officials look on.
Noel Brown, regional director of the United Nations Environment Programme, accepted a crystal plaque and an “Only One Earth” treaty signed by the astronauts and cosmonauts. He then spoke about the need to restore and preserve the planet.
Another highlight of the program was a direct video communication to the assembled guests from the Russian space station MIR whose cosmonauts urged that the planet be considered as one home by everyone on earth.
The event ended with rousing music by the youth choir “Evergreen—Everblue,” directed by a Canadian Bahá’í, Jack Lenz, and songs by the internationally famous singer, Raffi.
Mentioned on the program as one of the two organizations taking part in planning and producing the event was the Bahá’í International Community.
Hugh Locke, director of the Office of Public Information for the BIC in New York, coordinated the event and helped with fund-raising.
The BIC offices designed and printed the program and invitations to the program and reception that followed, handled responses from the invited guests, recruited and helped train the 30 ushers (mostly Bahá’ís), sponsored the appearance of the youth choir “Evergreen—Everblue” from Toronto, coordinated Canadian press releases, and arranged for the appearance of Amy Milne, a seven-year-old environmentalist from Saskatchewan, Canada.
As Saudi Arabian astronaut Sultan Bin Salman Al-Saud said of his experience in space: “The first day or so we all pointed to our own countries. The third or fourth day we pointed to our continents. By the fifth day we were aware of only one earth.”
Switzerland[edit]
April 13-19, 1990
SYMPOSIUM ’90
THE ENVIRONMENT:
PROTECTING OUR BIRTHRIGHT[edit]
Landegg Academy
Switzerland
A STATEMENT SUBMITTED BY THE PARTICIPANTS
The challenge of assuring worldwide environmental integrity is an unprecedented opportunity to establish a
global, peaceful civilization.
Participants from 24 nations ranging from Australia to the Soviet Union, North America to China, and from Sweden to Swaziland attended the Bahá’í Youth Symposium on the Environment at Landegg Academy in Switzerland. Entitled “Protecting Our Birthright,” the Symposium focused on two major concerns: our rights as individuals to a healthful, natural environment, and humanity’s responsibility to ensure that future generations enjoy the same privilege. We view the environment as a trust, the care of which is the responsibility of all who inhabit the earth.
We are in the midst of an environmental crisis. Deforestation and ozone depletion are but two of the many challenges which were discussed during the Symposium and which have been analyzed in great detail by the World Commission on Environment and Development in its report Our Common Future. Forests are burned in the Amazon, stripped for fodder in Africa and devastated by pollution in Europe. The destruction of the earth’s stratospheric ozone layer as a result, primarily, of the use of chlorofluorocarbons, is a problem many people fail to consider with sufficient concern because of its physical remoteness.
If present trends continue, our children’s birthright may be to live shortened lives in a contaminated world.
However, among the positive signs of a growing awareness of the state of the environment are the commitments being made by political leaders, increasing public interest in the issue, the flowering of many organizations focused on environmental concerns, and the active, long-term involvement of the United Nations.
Current economic and political systems continue to be based on a materialistic foundation and as a result, the above-mentioned initiatives often have limited impact. This in the long term leads to pessimism and despair. Experience has shown that materialism has failed to provide viable solutions to environmental and other global problems. We must make a concerted effort to develop a new worldwide ethic based on spiritual and moral values which will provide the motivation that mere scientific explanations and information are incapable of generating.
We may, in fact, be the last generation that has the opportunity to preserve the ecological balance of the world and to effect those changes needed for the reconstruction of our society. We therefore commit ourselves to those processes we believe are indispensable to transform this potential into an enduring achievement. Given that the human heart and the environment cannot be segregated, we must focus our efforts on the transformation of individuals. Only then can we carry forward an ever-advancing civilization. We must wholeheartedly work together, individually and in our communities, to create a greater awareness and to act decisively to conserve the environment.
We call on the nations of the world to recognize our common interests as one humankind, for the well-being of mankind, its peace and security are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.
We urge the youth of the world to break down the barriers that have separated us from each other and from the earth on which we live, to develop the consultative processes which, when properly conducted, can lead to unity in an environmentally harmonious world.
Let it be this generation.
United Nations[edit]
Conference on Environment in Brazil[edit]
In June 1992 representatives of governments, international organizations, and grass-roots groups will converge on Brazil for what is expected to be the largest international meeting on environmental issues to date—the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Much is at stake in the two-week event: It will set the course of international cooperation to protect the future of our planet, and it will reveal whether the world body can play a central role in promoting “sustainable development.”
The 1992 conference—initiated by Sweden and urged by the World Commission on Environment and Development at the 43rd General Assembly—has its precedent in the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm. This gathering was initiated by the North to deal with the environmental consequences of industrialized society.
In the years since Stockholm, both the developing and the developed worlds have come to see that hopes for sustained economic growth can only be fulfilled if the environment is recognized as a major factor. The 44th General Assembly made this link clear when it mandated the 1992 conference to elaborate strategies that will promote “sustainable and environmentally sound development in all countries.” These strategies are intended not only to halt but to reverse the effect of environmental degradation.
Despite near-universal agreement on the link between environment and de-
During the debate the developing countries expressed concern that the concept of sustainable development would lead the multi-lateral lending and financial institutions to set still more conditions for loans and other assistance.
velopment, the debate on the conference’s scope and objectives during the 44th General Assembly was highly politicized. The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) North America News quoted one UN official as saying that it was the lengthiest and most difficult debate he had ever witnessed. “What appeared increasingly clear,” he said, is that environment-development issues “may be replacing security-related issues as the hottest political debate in the UN, shifting that debate from the traditional East/West axis to a North/South one.”
During the debate the developing countries expressed concern that the concept of sustainable development would lead the multi-lateral lending and financial institutions to set still more conditions for loans and other assistance. Many also asserted that the developed countries have produced most of the environmentally damaging substances and therefore bear the greatest responsibility for finding longterm remedies. A spokesman for the “Group of 77” developing countries expressed a fear that the industrialized countries had not fully committed themselves to the concept of sustainable development.
In May, at an international meeting in Geneva on strengthening the Montreal Protocol to protect the ozone layer, the U.S. confirmed this suspicion when it backed down from a March agreement to help finance developing-country efforts to phase out ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons. Under heavy pressure from the United Kingdom, the U.S. reversed its position in mid-June.
As one UN official explained: “The developing countries consider technology transfers and financial aid essential to carrying out plans for environmentally sound development,” but the industrialized countries are not yet ready to deal with these issues. Conference Secretary-General Maurice Strong asserts that “very substantial amounts of additional funding and access to technologies” are in fact required. Strong is president of the World Federation of United Nations Associations and was secretary-general of the Stockholm conference.
After much debate, the General Assembly agreed on specific issues to be tackled, ranging from climate change and deforestation to “improving the living and working environment of the poor and eradicating poverty through measures that integrate environmental and developmental concerns.”
| This article on the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Brazil was written by UNA Public Affairs Coordinator Jennifer Metzger and is reprinted from the inter dependent (Volume 16, No. 2), a publication of the United Nations Association of the United States of America. |
Coordinating the complex two-year planning process, drawing up the provisional agenda, and drafting the resolutions for consideration by the conference is a preparatory committee made up of all members of the UN and its specialized agencies and chaired by Tommy Koh, former Permanent Representative of Singapore to the UN.
The committee has established two working groups to help it with specific issue areas. Working Group I will deal with the atmosphere, land resources, conservation of biological diversity, and the sound management of biotechnology. Working Group II will deal with oceans, seas, coastal areas, and fresh water resources; waste management; and the international dumping of toxic wastes. These issues will be
[Page 7]
examined from a developmental perspective, taking into account such matters as indigenous patterns of consumption and production, the relationship between food security and agricultural practices, and the development of
human resources. The groups are to report to the Preparatory Committee at
its four sessions, the first of which will
be held August 6-31 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Formal provisions have been made for regional, national and non-governmental input. Each region will hold an advance conference. The first of these—a high-level meeting for Europe and North America—took place from May 8-16 in Bergen, Norway, with others scheduled for late summer and fall. Member states have been asked to form national preparatory committees, and the secretariat will be providing guidelines for the national reports that will be submitted to the Preparatory Committee at its first session. A special fund for voluntary contributions was established by the committee to help the developing countries—particularly the least-developed—participate fully in the preparatory process.
According to both Strong and UN Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are to play an important role in the preparatory process as well as in the conference itself. Strong has given NGOs assurances that he will look to them in matters of substance, although the extent of their participation will not be fully defined until the August session of the Preparatory Committee. So far, it has been agreed that NGOs that enjoy consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) should take part in the conference, but some fear that this will have the effect of excluding many NGOs of the developing countries. It was also agreed that national preparatory committees should include representatives of independent groups and be broadly based, but there is no guarantee that governments will comply. The U.S. government says that NGO involvement in the preparatory process for the 1992 conference is both “necessary and desirable.”
The week after the organizational session, 150 representatives from 115 NGOs of 40 countries met in Vancouver, Canada, with Strong and Gro Harlem Brundtland, chairman of the Commission on Environment and Development, to discuss NGO participation in the conference. Strong recommended that these groups and others form “a loose coalition or coalitions at national, regional and international levels and/or by sector or issue,” so that NGO participation in the preparatory process will be as inclusive as possible.
India[edit]
House of Worship draws record crowds[edit]
The Bahá’í House of Worship near New Delhi, India, welcomed more than 175,000 visitors during the first three days of April including a record 117,112 on April 3 alone. On this day, the anniversary of the birth of Lord Rama, thousands of devotees who thronged to the nearby Kalkaji Temple came to the House of Worship along with many other visitors. Although it was not possible to interact individually with such great numbers of people, the staff reached out to them through the Word of God which was chanted during six prayer programs held at short intervals. The prayer hall was packed, and the visitors sat reverently as soon as the prayers began. The total number of visitors in April was 395,079.
Riḍván celebration[edit]
Riḍván, the “King of Festivals,” was celebrated at the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár with special prayer programs. On April 21 the Spiritual Assembly of Delhi arranged a prayer service for Bahá’ís and seekers. Among those attending was the Temple architect, Fariburz Sahba. The program was followed by short talks in the conference hall in English and Hindi on the significance of the day. To mark the Ninth Day of Riḍván, the Bahá’ís of Delhi, with Counsellor Zena Sorabjee, the newly elected members of the National Spiritual Assembly of India, and delegates to the National Convention from the various states gathered at the House of Worship for a morning prayer session. It was an exhilarating experience, capped by the chanting of a prayer in Arabic by the 21-member House of Worship choir.
Dignitaries[edit]
Heading the list of dignitaries visiting the Temple in April was Mahmoud Baryali, deputy prime minister of Afghanistan, who was in Delhi on an informal visit. During his short stay, he said he appreciated the warm welcome he was given and the beauty of the Temple.
“I am deeply impressed by the humanism and universalism of the Bahá’í religion,” said P. Balogh, ambassador of Hungary to India, during his second visit to the Temple. He extended his embassy’s help in translating Bahá’í literature into Hungarian, and said a film crew from Hungary would arrive in India in a matter of weeks and would like to film the Temple.
Nikorn Praissengpetch, the ambassador of Thailand to India, paid a second visit to the House of Worship in April along with the Thai ambassador to Nepal and some other officials. He said the Temple has become the most important place to visit in New Delhi, and all important guests are brought there. He too offered his help in translating Bahá’í books into the Thai language.
The Soviet deputy minister of aviation, accompanied by two Russian ornithologists, sought information about the Faith and said that since there is now religious freedom in the Soviet Union the people are searching for a suitable religion. Sonia Diaz Llera, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba, asked about the history of the Faith and its relevance and need in today’s world.
Lt. Gen. F.N. Bilimoria, general officer and commander-in-chief, Central Army Command, Lucknow, paid a surprise visit with his family and stayed for an hour. The general’s mother disclosed that they had come to the Temple directly from a ceremony at which the general was given a gold medal by the President of India. He wrote his impressions in the Temple’s visitors’ book: “This House of Worship is so splendid and awe-inspiring; the environment and atmosphere so pleasing to the eyes, heart and mind.” It was the second visit for Mrs. Bilimoria, who said she thought the Temple “an ideal place for meditation.” Their two sons were impressed with the modern approach to religion taken by the Faith, and asked questions about various aspects of the Cause.
Russian visitors[edit]
The House of Worship and the Faith are gaining popularity within official Russian circles in New Delhi. Representatives from the House of Soviet Culture and the USSR Trade Representation Centre escorted technologists, engineers, architects, academicians and newly appointed Soviet Embassy officials to the Temple in April. In fact, a professor of international economics remarked that “in the House of Soviet culture, where the atmosphere is so ideologically and politically motivated, my colleagues have a high regard for the Bahá’í Temple and the contribution it is making in spreading the message of unity.”
The open acceptance by Russian visitors of the freedom of practicing one’s religion has caused a resurgence of interest, reiterated during a meeting with B.M. Belousov, the Soviet minister of defense industries, who said through his interpreter that they now have a video tape of the Temple, professionally prepared by an expert from the Soviet Cultural Centre in New Delhi. Mr. Belousov, who was unable to visit the Temple because of other pressing duties, said he planned to do so on his next visit to New Delhi, adding that he would come prepared with questions about the Faith.
Growing interest among Chinese[edit]
A remarkable opportunity to present in some detail information about the Faith to mainland Chinese came about in April during a visit to the Temple by several delegations of high-ranking
[Page 9]
Chinese officials. A significant aspect
of this was the interest in the Faith
shown by the younger members. The
first delegation to visit was comprised
of members of the Chinese news media
who, as guests of the government of
India under the Indo-Chinese Cultural
Exchange Program, were escorted by a
public relations officer from the Indian
Ministry of External Affairs. Heading
the delegation was the director of
newspapers for the Press and Publication Administration of China who,
along with his colleagues, spent two
hours at the Temple, almost every moment of which was spent seeking detailed information about the Faith, all
of which was carefully transcribed into
Chinese. While explaining about the
religious diversity in China, the director warmly welcomed the Bahá’ís to
China.
Li Xu’i, vice-chairman of the state commission of science and technology and minister for protection of the environment, who visited with six other Chinese officials, remarked afterward, “Wonderful religion and miraculous architecture.” He added that “the Bahá’ís are warm people, and I hope the Bahá’í religion comes to China and a Bahá’í Temple will be built there.” During the latter part of April, a Chinese Bahá’í from Singapore came to serve at the Temple. This was most fortunate, as visitors included three large delegations of Chinese who were in Delhi to attend the Asian Development Bank conference. These were led by the president of the Agricultural Bank of China, the president of the China Investment Bank, and the governor of the Peoples Bank of China. After hearing an explanation of the principles of the Faith and the Station of Bahá’u’lláh, each of these visitors expressed his appreciation, and each was given Bahá’í literature in Chinese.
Two groups of Chinese from Taiwan, numbering 15 and 10, also were given information about the Faith, and a few left their addresses so that Bahá’ís might keep in touch with them. One remarked, “Your religion is very good and we want to know more about it.”
It was, however, a young Chinese studying in England, Kua Du, who was most touched by the Bahá’í Teachings. She first came early in April and promised to return, taking with her in addition to a pamphlet in Chinese another in Thai for a friend. On her second visit she arrived too late to enter the Temple, but during a third visit was able to take more pamphlets in Chinese to send to her brother and other relatives in China. She was delighted to learn that she could contact Bahá’ís in England, and said that on her return to college in Brighton she would share the Bahá’í message with all her friends.
Japanese visitors[edit]
Although relatively few in number, Japanese visitors in April showed considerable interest in the Faith. It was a happy coincidence to have for the last few days of the month a Japanese Bahá’í volunteering as a Temple guide. One visitor in particular seemed especially touched by The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh; she confided that her visit appeared to have been guided by an invisible Hand, and said she would be happy to receive Bahá’ís in her home in Japan.
The deputy chancellor of the Japanese Embassy visited one morning with eight of his Japanese students. He spent an hour talking to our Chinese volunteer, and returned that evening to present his card to her, at which time he was introduced to the Japanese volunteer. He invited her to his home to learn more about the Faith. The invitation was accepted, and the following day she visited his home, accompanied by a member of the National Spiritual Assembly and some other Bahá’ís. A wonderful fireside ensued, a set of Bahá’í literature was presented to the deputy chancellor, and he was asked to present another set to the principal of his school.
Groups[edit]
Throughout the month, large groups from West Bengal and Gujarat visited the Temple, and since there are guides from both states, the Bahá’í message was widely disseminated among them. A number of groups from France also visited, and they were briefed and escorted by a volunteer from the U.S. who speaks French. The principle of a universal auxiliary language proved especially appealing to a group of 10 Italian visitors; their tour leader, who has visited the Temple several times, is fascinated by the Faith, and assured the staff in the visitors’ book that “as a tour leader who comes to India often, I will do my best to introduce to all the tourists in my groups this great and exceptional creation of faith and humanity which will certainly leave its sign in this world which is still unaware of the need for this Unity.”
Because of summer examinations few school groups visited in April; but a group of young students from the Ramakrishna Mission School in Arunachal Pradesh listened intently as they were briefed in the conference hall. A few of them were keen to know more and to be contacted by Bahá’ís. The teacher who accompanied them wrote on their behalf: “The idea behind this institution is all-embracing religious faith which impressed our boys very much.”
Individuals[edit]
Dr. Suman Shah, a reader in Gujarati at the school of languages, Gujarat University and freelance journalist, came to the Temple with his wife during the last day of his stay in Delhi, and, after seeing the audio-visual program, remained for two hours to learn as much as he could about the Faith.
Mrs. Usha Bhardwaj was deeply troubled when she came to the Temple, having recently lost her 12-year-old son. She said the visit had given her renewed strength and courage, and enkindled in her a desire to further investigate the Faith.
The atmosphere of peace within the Prayer Hall moved V.K. Mehrotra, chief justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, to write in the visitors’ book: “A visit to this fascinating place—possibly the only one of its kind in the world—is an experience in itself which makes one instinctively pray to Him. The place by His grace is being kept, as it should be, by the faithful in the manner which is most befitting.”
The world[edit]
Dizzy Gillespie tours Eastern Europe[edit]
At the invitation of the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany, the renowned jazz trumpeter John Birks (Dizzy) Gillespie, a Bahá’í from the United States, traveled recently to Eastern Europe to perform at a series of European media events, “One World Week,” in which the Bahá’í community of Germany was participating.
Mr. Gillespie’s musical tour began May 9 in East Berlin where some 2,000 people gathered for his concert at the Palast der Republik. Among the special guests were the president of the East German Parliament and the mayor of the city of Duisburg. During the concert, Mr. Gillespie mentioned that he is a member of the Bahá’í Faith whose goal is the unity of mankind.
On May 10, under the patronage of Raisa Gorbachev, who had flowers presented to him onstage, Mr. Gillespie played for a full house of about 2,000, after which he met at the Moscow Press Centre with some 80 journalists from the Soviet Union and other countries who asked about the Faith.
In Prague, Czechoslovakia, the following day, a sold-out house of 2,000 at the Cultural Palace heard Mr. Gillespie’s concert. Among those in the audience were President Vaclav Havel, Mrs. Havel, and U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia Shirley Temple Black.
During that concert, Mr. Gillespie read a Bahá’í quotation referring to the unity of mankind and world peace.
A Dutch television team filmed the concert for a documentary to be presented on international TV systems.
On June 6, the National Youth Radio Broadcasting System of East Germany, “DT 64,” carried an hour-long interview with two Bahá’ís.
Christopher Sprung, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany, and Monika Schramm, a Bahá’í from the Frankfurt area, answered many detailed questions about the Faith, its principles, and especially the degree to which the Bahá’í community is able to put into effect the high standards enunciated by Bahá’u’lláh.
The cities of Bremen (West Germany) and Rostock (East Germany) held a “Volkfest” last January to celebrate the recent changes in those countries and the new partnership of the two cities.
Bahá’ís built an information stand for the festival at which they spoke to hundreds of people and met a family who offered their home as a meeting place for the Bahá’í community. They also gave out 10,000 copies of a shortened version of the peace statement.
Hundreds of people from East Germany, who had been given pamphlets and copies of the peace statement during the first few days after the opening of the Berlin Wall, have asked for more information about the Faith.
More than 80 of them registered to attend a weekend event planned by the Regional Teaching Committee as an introduction to the Faith.
Argentina[edit]
The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum (left) pays a courtesy call on Dr. Carlos Menem, president of the Republic of Argentina, during her visit to that country last February to attend a ‘Uniting the Americas’ International Bahá’í Conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of the passing of Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum’s mother, the Hand of the Cause of God May Bolles Maxwell, in Buenos Aires.
Switzerland[edit]
From April 13-19, more than 140 young people from 24 countries including Czechoslovakia and Romania took part in the second annual symposium on the environment at Landegg Academy in Switzerland.
The symposium, dedicated to an analysis of today’s global environmental crisis, was entitled “The Environment: Protecting Our Birthright.”
Twenty experienced resource people took an active part in the symposium including Lawrence Arturo, director of the Bahá’í International Community’s recently established Office of the Environment.
Two Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre, Drs. Farzam Arbab and Magdalene Carney, also were present with Counsellor Sohrab Youssefian and two members of the European Bahá’í Youth Council.
Following an overview of the global environment’s present status, participants studied the nature of man, his relationship to the environment, and the role of the individual in protecting our natural birthright.
The symposium was dedicated to the memory of Richard St. Barbe Baker, and an evening was set aside to review his far-reaching contributions to raising awareness of the vital importance of trees and the role individuals and governments must play in preserving these “lungs of the earth.”
About 30 of the participants were not Bahá’ís, but four were enrolled during the symposium and others said they would investigate the Faith upon returning home.
These young people gathered last April 13-19 at the Landegg Academy in Switzerland for a symposium whose theme was ‘The Environment: Protecting Our Birthright.’
(A statement by participants in the symposium appears on page 5.)
Spiritual and physical well-being were the topics of week-long workshops held last spring at the Landegg Academy in Switzerland.
During the week of May 23, 22 non-Bahá’ís were among those who took part in a course on Spiritual Dimensions of Health.
Many non-Bahá’ís also attended a course on Marriage: A Fortress for Well-Being during the weekend of June 1-4.
That same weekend, a workshop was held on Spiritual Growth and Bahá’í Identity.
Australasia[edit]
Mrs. Helen Perkins, a Bahá’í from Australia, recently completed a teaching trip through New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
On Mare Island in the Loyalty Islands, where she was warmly received, Mrs. Perkins held classes on spiritual transformation, the laws of the Faith, and Bahá’í administration, and spoke about the Bahá’í teachings concerning “black magic.”
In Vanuatu, where entire villages are Bahá’í, she had some difficulty meeting with the friends, as it was the rainy season and there was also much sickness among them. She was, however, able to present the Faith to fellow guests in her hotel and did manage to visit a number of villages.
She visited the large Bahá’í Center in Lanakel, on Tanna, which is used by UNICEF field workers, the World Health Organization, government employees and others who come to the island to speak with villagers.
Mrs. Perkins also met the wife of the Head of State in Vanuatu, a gracious Tongan woman who works for the World Health Organization and is a good friend of the Faith.
She then returned to Noumea in New Caledonia, where she and a newly arrived pioneer from Benin were invited to speak at a well-attended gathering that had been advertised on three radio stations.
Estonia[edit]
On May 1, a group of 12 Bahá’í adults, their children, and seven guests came from Latvia, Lithuania, Russia and Sweden to join the Bahá’ís of Riga, Estonia, for a “Baltic Bahá’í Rally” whose purposes were to consult on Bahá’í activities and deepen in the Writings.
During the meeting, each person told how he or she had become a Bahá’í or been attracted to the meeting. Later, questions raised by the visitors and new Bahá’ís were discussed.
Two of the guests, from Kiev, happily received a gift copy of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era in Russian. Afterward, everyone enjoyed musical entertainment and group singing.
Uganda[edit]
The women of Uganda’s Mbale Bahá’í community took part last March in International Women’s Day activities organized by the National Council of Women.
Among the highlights was a fundraising ball during which women and children appeared in a fashion show entitled “People of Our World,” planned by a Bahá’í, which used various costumes to depict unity in diversity.
Part of the program featured Bahá’í children dressed in a variety of costumes who held lit candles while singing “Good neighbors come in all colors.”
The Minister of Women’s Development was quite impressed, saying it was the first time she had seen such a cultural show in Uganda.
The Bahá’í exhibit, which tied for first place in a competition held during the program, drew many admirers; articles for display, made by Bahá’í women, included baked goods, potted plants, toys, embroidery, woodwork, tie-dye, and batik.
The guest of honor, member of Parliament Mrs. Masaba, and Mr. Byaruhanga, district administrator of Mbale, made favorable comments about the display and the Faith.
The administrator expressed his wish to receive Bahá’í literature, and an appointment was made for a Bahá’í delegation to meet with him.
Bahá’í efforts including a literacy campaign, tree-plantings and primary health care education drew praise from Minister of Works Florence Nkurukenda, who noted that they are in line with government policy.
“Youth Commitment and Collective Effort for Global Unity” was the theme of a Bahá’í National Youth Conference held last December 14-17 at the National Center in Kampala, Uganda.
El Viento Canta, a traveling Bahá’í musical group from South America, performed during the conference, after which some of the youth planned a teaching project.
Pakistan[edit]
Three young winners seem pleased with their victory in the annual elocution competition held at the Bahá’í-operated New Day School in Karachi, Pakistan. The purpose of the contest, which is conducted in Urdu as well as English, is to help the children become more comfortable when making public appearances.
Romania[edit]
At Naw-Rúz, the first local Spiritual Assembly in Eastern Europe was elected in Cluj, Romania.
On March 20 a public meeting was held to celebrate Naw-Rúz. One hundred people attended including six Bahá’ís from Tirgu Mures and others from Austria, Germany, Japan and Sweden.
The election of the Assembly took place the following day in Cluj with the full participation of the city’s nascent Bahá’í community.
Recent enrollments have brought the total number of believers in Romania to 40 and the number of localities opened to the Faith to eight.
Panama[edit]
A two-day seminar on literacy, co-sponsored by the Bahá’í community of Panama and the country’s Ministry of Education, was held last April 23-24 in Panama City.
The seminar included sections on literacy in general, literacy in rural areas, and excellence in teaching.
The Bahá’ís were asked specifically to present a talk on spiritual qualities, and on the second day they presented a talk entitled “Universal Elements Essential in Education.”
In preparing for the seminar, the Bahá’ís had been able to meet with the Minister of Education, Ada de Gordon, and to present her with a copy of the peace statement and a Bahá’í book.
Media coverage was thorough, including interviews with Minister de Gordon and two Bahá’ís, Oscar Torrez and Lydia de Diaz, who presented talks at the seminar.
Traveling teacher ‘Azíz Yazdí shares stories of his experiences in many countries and his memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with the friends in Panama City. Also attending the gathering at the Bahá’í Center were Counsellors Hizzaya Hissani and Ruth Pringle. Mr. Yazdí has been cheering and inspiring the friends throughout his recent journeys to the South Sea Islands and Central America.
Réunion[edit]
When Peggy Baichoo, a Bahá’í pioneer to Réunion, returned to the island after attending an International Women’s Day conference in France, she was invited to collaborate with the Regional Delegate for Women’s Status to help ensure women’s rights throughout the Indian Ocean area.
Mrs. Baichoo was invited by the President of France, Francois Mitterand, to attend a party at the Elysee Palace with 450 women from various countries. During that event, she met with the State Secretary for Women’s Status.
After returning to Réunion, Mrs. Baichoo paid a courtesy visit to the Regional Delegate for Women’s Status for that country, who asked her to take part in a project to secure women’s rights in the Indian Ocean area.
Soviet Union[edit]
The Hand of the Cause of God ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan (center) is pictured during his visit to the Soviet Union last March-April with members of the Mamedof family in Dushanbe.
Ecuador[edit]
The year dedicated to the memory of the Hand of the Cause of God Rahmatu’lláh Muhájir has begun well and is gaining momentum in Ecuador.
At the outset, a team composed of Bahá’ís from seven countries received 69 declarations in the Bolivar area. Mrs. Muhájir has since traveled to the area, encouraging the friends and visiting the Teaching Institute named for her late husband.
One hundred forty-one people have been enrolled in the Faith in Ecuador as a result of the Muhájir Teaching Campaign which began last February in three areas of the country.
Forty-eight declared in the city of Quininde, 47 in the Otavalo area and 46 in Guayaquil.
Austria[edit]
While in Austria from March 7-16, the Hand of the Cause of God ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan took part in a joint meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly and its Teaching Committee for Eastern Europe.
Eleven young people who had recently become Bahá’ís in Eastern Europe made a special trip to Vienna to meet Mr. Furútan. He met with them twice, and a young woman who had accompanied the group from Hungary accepted the Faith.
On March 10, Mr. Furútan spoke to 250 Bahá’ís from all over Austria about the importance of teaching, especially at this crucial time.
After touring Russia, Mr. Furútan returned to Vienna on April 30, and on May 1 he met with about 20 of the friends there before returning to the Holy Land.
Ireland[edit]
A Bahá’í conference on “The Role of Women in the Year 2000” drew more than 120 women and men last March 31 to Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The aim of the conference was to stimulate consultation on the development of harmony between men and women and the role of women in bringing about world peace.
It was organized by the Bahá’í Women’s Institute of Northern Ireland, and, with the support of a group called Co-operation North, was the second conference to be held on the role of women.
Represented were a number of groups including the Town’s Women’s Guild, Gingerbread, Well Women’s Centre, Women’s Aid, Mothers’ Union, and the Federation of Women’s Institute of Northern Ireland.
This “cross-border” event had a unique spirit, fostering new bonds between the north and south of Ireland, as well as involving those in both communities whose interest lies in social development.
El Salvador[edit]
An ailing ‘Mr. World,’ Efrain Gonzalez, visits the doctor’s receptionist, Susan Quintanilla, during a dramatic presentation by children last February at the Jamaliyyih Bahá’í Institute in El Salvador. The play was part of a day-long conference held as a climax of the weekend visit by Aziz Yazdi, former Counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre in Haifa. About 150 people from 20 Bahá’í communities attended the conference.
Bahá’í youth in Santa Tecla, El Salvador, recently presented a number of evening presentations on the Faith in local high schools.
The programs consisted of music and a brief introduction to the Faith, followed by a half-hour talk about the present world situation, the solutions offered by the Faith, and the role of youth at this critical time.
The effort brought the Faith to the attention of almost 1,000 students, and has led to plans for follow-up activities by the youth.
Honduras[edit]
Only eight weeks after the launching of Project Olinga at the beginning of 1990, the Bahá’ís of Honduras reported the enrollment of 1,400 new believers.
A consolidation program for the new believers includes classes for children and youth, community meetings, and study classes.
A five-day teacher training institute, attended by more than 250 Garifuna Indians, included an appearance by ‘Azíz Yazdí who was visiting the area at that time.
Mali[edit]
As World Health Day 1990 approached, a delegation of three Bahá’ís representing the National Spiritual Assembly of Mali met last March 22 in Bamako with Dr. Charles Randianana, the regional representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), to describe the Bahá’í socio-economic development program of primary health care now being implemented in a number of African countries.
During the meeting, the Bahá’ís offered to undertake such health-related programs in Mali as a means of promoting the aims of WHO’s program, “Health for All by the Year 2000.”
In his capacity as a high-ranking health official with jurisdiction over 17 countries in Northwest Africa, Dr. Randianana encouraged the Bahá’ís of Mali to pursue those plans.
Brazil[edit]
The first International Exposition on Education for Peace, sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil, opened last June 4 in Brasilia and was attended by representatives of 23 national embassies and educational institutions.
Countries represented at the opening included Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Czechoslovakia, Great Britain, Hungary, Israel, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Senegal, Sweden, Thailand and the USSR.
The exposition highlighted the efforts being made by these and other countries to attain peace through education.
The Bahá’ís were applauded by those attending the exposition for their initiative, while a positive television interview was broadcast throughout the country that same day.
Special visitors included the Secretary General of the Ministry of Education and the ambassador from Israel. As many as 2,000 government officials were invited to attend, and 25,000 pamphlets were prepared for distribution during the event.
The National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil has begun a correspondence course to help consolidate the Bahá’í community.
The course, based on one offered by the National Spiritual Assembly of Trinidad and Tobago, is to be made available to all newly enrolled Bahá’ís in Brazil. The first 500 copies were sent to those who were enrolled during a teaching campaign in Rio Grande do Sul, Alvorades.
Alvorada, a town in southern Brazil, has recently been the scene of successful teaching efforts and is reported to be “yielding new fruits.” Two other localities have also been opened to large-scale teaching: Cara-Zinho, which has had 15 enrollments, and Esteio, with 32. Each of these communities was expected to form its own local Spiritual Assembly at Riḍván.
A booklet entitled The Bahá’ís and the Berlin Wall, released to all Bahá’í communities in Brazil, is being distributed to authorities and leaders of thought. It presents a correlation of the recent events in East Germany and the transformations in the world, and the main topics presented in the peace statement.
Enayatollah Vahdat (second from left), a Bahá’í pioneer for more than 30 years to Porto Alegre, Brazil, receives from city councilman Dilamar Machado a scroll signifying his new title of ‘Citizen of Porto Alegre’ in recognition of his many years of community service. Looking on are Mayor Olivio Dutra (left) and city council president Valdir Fraga. The honor was conferred on Mr. Vahdat by a unanimous vote of the city council.
The booklet analyzes nationalism, war, disarmament, racism, various ideologies, and racial strife in the light of recent events.
Taiwan[edit]
Hsu Shui-teh, Taiwan’s Minister of the Interior, recently visited the National Bahá’í Center in Taipei.
It was his wish to meet and consult with Bahá’ís as part of his project to survey each of the major religions in Taiwan to learn how each one may be of help to society as a whole.
Four members of the National Spiritual Assembly and one Auxiliary Board member met for 25 minutes with Mr. Hsu, explaining to him how the activities of the Bahá’í community contribute to the well-being of society.
Mr. Hsu was surprised to learn that membership in the Bahá’í community of Taiwan has grown during the past three years from less than 1,500 to more than 12,000.
One especially significant result of the meeting was that Mr. Hsu agreed that it would be appropriate, in view of the Faith’s world-view embracing all cultures, that its official name in Taiwan could be changed from “Da Tung Chiao,” which means “The Religion of Great Harmony” and alludes to Confucius’ description of an ideal society, to “the Bahá’í Faith.” The government in previous years did not approve of the change, preferring to retain the old name with its connection to traditional Chinese culture.
Italy[edit]
Sixty Bahá’í youth from various parts of Italy took part in a recent conference in Gela organized by youth. The themes were “Individual Behavior for a Better World” and “Economy for a New World.”
The enthusiasm and devotion of the young people made possible the promotion of a large individual heart-to-heart teaching campaign in the streets of Gela. Hundreds of young people attended an evening fireside at which six youth were enrolled in the Faith.
Australia[edit]
A Bahá’í has received approval from the Queensland (Australia) Committee of Religious Studies to include the Faith in her curriculum for a class in the study of comparative religion which she teaches at the school in her community.
With the help of her local Spiritual Assembly, Mrs. Lyn Cooper obtained the permission of the school principal, parents, representatives of local churches, and the director of religious studies of the Queensland Department of Education to present the course on comparative religion which she had designed herself.
Subsequently, Mrs. Cooper’s Assembly received a letter from the Department of Education that appears to give the Assembly chairman the authority to appoint people to teach the course in any school in Queensland.
In addition, Mrs. Cooper is being nominated to serve on the advisory committee for the development of the curriculum for religious studies for the government of Queensland.
Montserrat[edit]
Bobbie Martin, a Bahá’í on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, was honored recently for his diligence as Hurricane Hugo swept through the islands in September 1989. Mr. Martin manned his ham radio non-stop throughout the hurricane to transmit information about the island’s plight to the outside world.
In several subsequent radio interviews, the fact that Mr. Martin is a Bahá’í has been mentioned. He was the guest of honor at a special reading of poems relating to the hurricane, and received the Funkeyman Award for his services to those on the island.
India[edit]
At the end of its first month, the Dr. Muhájir Border Teaching Campaign, a collaborative effort between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, India, reported 6,000 enrollments in 12 border villages.
Proclamations in schools and colleges in two districts resulted in 700 enrollments.
Zaire[edit]
Shown during a meeting at the school are teachers and parents of 70 students of the ‘Enfants du Monde’ (Children of the World) Kindergarten in Bukavu, Zaire. During the meeting Mrs. Mary Gibson, a Bahá’í, presented to the school a painting of her aunt, Mrs. Armina Lana McCoy, in whose memory Mrs. Gibson had contributed financially to the building of the school some years ago. Mrs. McCoy, born in Virginia in 1886 of parents who had been slaves, and lacking a formal education, nevertheless devoted her life to encouraging others to learn to read and write.
The Bahá’ís of Zaire recently took part in two major teaching events, reaching more than 10,000 people with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
At a children’s fair in Kinshasa, the Faith was proclaimed to more than 10,000 visitors. A number of them, some of whom embraced the Cause, visited the Bahá’í National Center.
At a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Women’s Condition and Family Life in Zaire (CONDIFFA), Bahá’í women from all over the country made a deep impression on those gathered with a presentation on the Faith.
Brazil[edit]
The first local Spiritual Assembly of the Mura tribe in Amazonas State, Brazil, was formed at Riḍván. The village, about 12 hours by boat from the village of Beruri, was visited recently by Auxiliary Board member Darioush Akhavan and some other Bahá’ís. During that visit, 11 people including nine adults embraced the Cause.
Swaziland[edit]
Children attending a Bahá’í pre-school and primary school in Swaziland observed Naw-Rúz on March 20 by planting three trees in support of the “Clean and Beautiful Swaziland” campaign.
The event was covered on television, and both local newspapers printed articles about it under headlines that read “Bahá’í Pre-School Goes Tree-Planting” and “Bahá’í Kids Clean Up.”
In the Swazi Observer, the article was accompanied by a large photograph with a caption explaining that the Bahá’í children were being taught environmental awareness by planting the trees.
Cameroon[edit]
Pictured are some of the 57 children who gathered last June 21-23 at the second annual All-Children’s Bahá’í Summer School in Bamenda, Cameroon. Also pictured are some of the teachers and parents who facilitated a variety of programs to fill each day. At the close of the school, the children entertained their parents and teachers at an evening program during which they made presentations based on the lessons and principles they had learned.
Malagasy Republic[edit]
Last April, Bahá’ís in Madagascar began a project at the northern tip of the island during which they visited and presented books to dignitaries in the area, held an exhibit in Diego Suarez, and gave public talks on Bahá’í-related social issues.
The friends called on the president of the province, the presidents and vice-presidents of the sub-provinces, the provincial prosecutor, and the provincial director of social education.
They were warmly welcomed by all of the dignitaries, who seemed eager to hear about the Faith.
The Bahá’ís were able to describe their collaboration with the government in socio-economic development projects, and were asked many questions, especially concerning what else the Bahá’í community could do to serve Madagascar.
About 50 people helped with the Bahá’í exhibit, which was visited by about 600 people. It was shown on television and mentioned on the radio, which helped attract public attention.
Many people asked directions to the local Bahá’í Center so they could “come to pray.” Some took literature and were invited to attend the weekly community fireside, at which three people immediately accepted the Faith.
A teaching campaign held last August in Madagascar led to the enrollment of 724 new Bahá’ís. About 40 Bahá’ís from Réunion, Mauritius, the Seychelles and France traveled to Madagascar to help in the campaign.
Among those who enrolled was a philosophy teacher who wants to teach those in his class about the Faith. His wife also accepted the Faith, and the couple has offered their home for Bahá’í meetings.
The entire population of the village of Beravna embraced the Cause. Their first action as a Bahá’í community was to lay a foundation stone for their Bahá’í Center.
Western Samoa[edit]
Bahá’ís in Western Samoa march in the anniversary parade honoring His Highness the Malietoa Tanumafili II on his 50 years of service to the people of that country. The Malietoa is a Bahá’í, as are several members of his family.
Belize[edit]
A report presented during the 24th annual Bahá’í National Convention in Belize announced that the “Purest Branch” teaching campaign in that country had seen the enrollment of more than 1,000 people, primarily from among the Garifuna tribe, in the previous 63 days.
Zikrullah Khadem
The Itinerant Hand of the Cause of God
With Love
by Javidukht Khadem
| by Mr. Khadem, each one illustrating the emphasis he placed on obedience to the institutions, on Bahá’í family life and unity, and on fasting, prayer, pilgrimage, and teaching.
HC $24.95 / SC $14.95 |
| AN INSPIRING BIOGRAPHY of the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem, this book is a story of love—one man’s love of God, of the Central Figures of the Bahá’í Faith, and of his unfaltering devotion to
Shoghi Effendi. Written by Zikrullah Khadem’s wife, Javidukht Khadem, this book is a tender portrait of her husband, depicting over sixty-one years of service to the Bahá’í Faith. Also contained in the biography are essays written by the five Khadem children that capture the spirit of love and guidance given |
