Malaysian Bahá’í News/Volume 9/Issue 4/Text

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Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.4 Dem 73_Jul,J 74

PERMANENT SEAT, UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

JOYFULLY ANNOUNCE ACCEPTANCE EXQUISITE DESIGN CONCEIVED BY HUSAYN AMANAT FOR BUILDING To SERVE AS PERMANENT SEAT UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF IUSTICE MOUNT CARMEL STOP DECISION MADE To PROCEED NEGOTIATE CONTRACTS CONSTRUCTION THIS NOBLE EDIFICE SECOND THOSE BUILDINGS DESTINED ARISE AROUND ARC CONSTITUTE ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRE BAHA'l woRLD. 7th Feb. '74. THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Front elevation of the design for the building for the Seat of the Universal House of Justice on Mount Carmel in Haifa. The building is to be sited on the central axis of the Arc and will face northward toward ‘Akká and Bahjí. The architect is Mr. Husayn Amanat.

Architects needed for Bahá’í Temples

The Universal House of Justice will soon be considering the selection of architects for the Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs to be erected in India and Samoa. Those wishing to be considered as architects for either of these Temples are invited to submit statements of their qualifications. Such submission may include examples of works previously designed and/or executed and, if desired, any thoughts or concepts of proposed designs for the Temples may be expressed in whatever way the applicant chooses. The design of each Temple will be developed by the architect selected in relation to the climate, environment and culture of the area where it is to be built.

The initiation of construction of these Temples is a goal of the current Five Year Plan.

Cable from the Universal House of Justice

CHARLES MASON REMEY WHOSE ARROGANT ATTEMPT USURP GUARDIANSHIP AFTER PASSING SHOGHI EFFENDI LED TO HIS EXPULSION FROM RANKS FAITHFUL HAS DIED IN FLORENCE ITALY IN HUNDREDTH YEAR OF HIS LIFE BURIED WITHOUT RELIGIOUS RITES ABANDONED BY ERSTWHILE FOLLOWERS STOP HISTORY THIS PITIABLE DEFECTION BY ONE WHO HAD RECEIVED GREAT HONOURS FROM BOTH MASTER AND GUARDIAN CONSTITUTES YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE FUTILITY ALL ATTEMPTS UNDERMINE IMPREGNABLE COVENANT CAUSE BAHA'U'LLAH. April 5, '74.

[Page 3]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:.9 No.»5 Duo. 78-July 7.5

To all readers of the Malaysian Bahá’í News

Dearly loved Friends,

This is the ninth year of the publication of the Malaysian Bahá’í News and. it ‘is with mixed feelings that we inform you that this will be the last issue of the magazine in

this format.

This issue coincides with the 21st year of the founding of the West Malaysian Bahá’í Community. It is also significant as East and West Malaysia and Brunei have been merged together under the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia, at the direction of the Universal House of Justice.

This year also witnesses the launching of the Global Five Year Plan. To fulfill the need for communication effectiveness on the homefront, a new format will be substituted for the Malaysian Bahá’í News. It will be printed in five languages —- English, Tamil, Chinese, Malay and lban, as more than three-quarters of the Malaysian community live in rural areas where these vernacular languages are spoken.

The decision to replace the Malaysian Bahá’í News was made after considerable consultation, when Mrs. Shantha Sundram who has been the Editor since the first issue in 1965, requested to be relieved of this heavy responsibility because of her appointment as Auxiliary Board Member.

We wish to take this opportunity to express our appreciation and gratitude for all the wonderful work that she has put into the magazine all these years. Throughout the pages of the Malaysian Bahá’í News have been recorded the events, people and institutions that have contributed to the emergence of the Bahá’í Community of Malaysia which now envelops almost 30,000 registered believers in over a thousand localities. Surely future Bahá’í historians will find the Malayasian Bahá’í News a rich source of information, and inspiration for others to come.

We thank our readers at home and abroad for their interest and subscriptions to the Malaysian Bahá’í News, and hope that they will equally enjoy the new publications in good time.

With loving Bahá’í greetings, The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Malaysia. July 1974

Malaysian Bahá’í News, a quarterly magazine, is the official organ of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Malaysia — for circulation among Bahá’ís only.

Editor: Mrs. Shantha Sundram, 3, Minden Heights (8), Penamg, Malaysia. Circulation: Miss Margaret Chan. Publishing Manager: Dr. Chellie J. Sundram, 3, Minden Heights (8), Penang, Malaysia.

A note to subscribers who have kept back issues of the MBN:Vol.3. No. 4 is non-existent, as the volume numbers were changed that year to coincide with the‘ Bahá’í calendar, and that issue, (March 1968), was numbered Vol. 4 No.1.

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[Page 4]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.4 Dec, 73—July 7.4

Message to the Bahá’ís of the World

from the Universal House of Justice Naw-Rúz 1974

Dearly-loved friends,

A span of eighteen years separates us from the centenary of Baha'u'|lah's Ascension and the unveiling of His Almighty Covenant. The fortunes of humanity in that period no man can foretell. We can, however, confidently predict that the Cause of God, impelled by the mighty forces of life within it, must go on from strength to strength, increasing in size and developing greater and greater powers for the accomplishment of God's purpose on earth.

The abundant evidences of Divine confirmation which have rewarded the strenuous and dedicated efforts of the Bahá’í community during the past decade are apparent throughout the earth and give incontrovertible assurance of its capacity to win the good pleasure of Baha'u'llah and answer every call made upon it in His service.

The Five-Year Plan to which this community is now summoned is the opening campaign of these critical years. It is the third global plan embarked upon by the Army of Light in its implementation of Abdu’l-Bahá's Divine Plan, that world-encompassing programme disclosed in His perspicuous Tablets and described by the Guardian of the Cause of God as the Charter for the propagation of the Faith throughout the world. It was the Guardian himself, the beloved “sign of God," who, through his exposition and interpretation of the Revelation, through his discipline and education of the Bahá’í community and through a series of national plans assigned to the various units of that community, forged the Administrative Order of the Faith and made it an instrument for the carrying out of this great Charter, and he himself designed and launched the first global plan, the unique, brilliant and spiritually glorious Ten Year Crusade. The victories of that crusade implanted the banner of Baha'u'llah throughout the planet and the following Nine Year Plan reinforced and extended the bastions of the Faith and raised the number of National Spiritual Assemblies - the supporting pillars of the Universal House of Justice — to one hundred and thirteen, a number increased to one hundred and fifteen by the formation at this Riḍván of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Hong Kong and South East Arabia.

This Five—Year Plan has three major objectives: preservation and consolidation of the victories won; a vast and widespread expansion of the Bahá’í community; development of the distinctive character of Bahá’í life particularly in the local communities. The achievement of these overall aims requires the accomplishment of particular tasks at the World Centre of the Faith, and by national and local communities.

At the World Centre work will continue on the collation and classification of the Sacred Texts; authorized translations of three compilations of Scripture will be made and published, namely, Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab—i—Aqdas, prayers and extracts from the Writings of the Báb, greatly augmenting the fragments of His Utterance now available in the West, and of the Master's works comprising a wide selection from the vast range of subjects illumined by His Divine wisdom; construction will begin on the building on Mount Carmel to serve as the seat of the Universal House of Justice and it is hoped to complete it during the Five Year Plan; further extension and beautification of the gardens and lands surrounding the Holy Places will take place; strengthening of the relationship between the Bahá’í International Community and the United Nations will continue; and efforts will be constantly made to protect the Faith from persecution and to free it from the restraints imposed by religious orthodoxy.

In the international sphere the erection of two Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs —- one in India and one in Samoa —— will be initiated; eight International Teaching Conferences will be held during the middle part of the FiveYear Plan; two for the Arctic, one in Anchorage and one in Helsinki during July 1976, one in Paris in August 1976, one in Nairobi in October 1976, one in Hong Kong in November 1976, one in Auckland and one in Bahia, Brazil in January 1977 and one in Merida, Mexico in February 1977.

Sixteen new National Spiritual Assemblies will be formed, namely the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahamas, Burundi, Cyprus, the French Antilles, Greece, Jordan, Mali, Mauritania, the New Hebrides, Niger, Senegal. Sierra Leone, Somalia, Surinam and French Guiana, Togo, and Upper Volta; their national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, Temple sites and endowments must be acquired; the dissemination of news and messages, so

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Message to the World (continued)

vital to the knowledge, encouragement and unity of the Bahá’í community, must be made efficient and rapid, and in anticipation of a vast expansion in the number of believers. of Local Spiritual Assemblies and of localities where Bahá’ís reside a co-ordinated programme of translating and publishing Bahá’í literature with the eventual aim of providing the Sacred Text and the teachings of the Faith to all mankind is to be developed — a programme which will include the founding of six Bahá’í Publishing Trusts and the continued subvention of Bahá’í literature, 409 inter-Assembly assistance projects are scheduled and, at the outset of the Plan, 557 pioneers are called for.

One of the distinguishing features of the Cause of God is its principle of non-acceptance of financial contributions for its own purposes from non—Bahá’ís; support of the Bahá’í Fund is a bounty reserved by Bahá’u’lláh to His declared followers. This bounty imposes full responsibility for financial support of the Faith on the believers alone, every one of whom is called upon to do his utmost to ensure that the constant and liberal outpouring of means is maintained and increased to meet the growing needs of the Cause. Many Bahá’í communities are at present dependent on outside help, and for them the aim must be to become self-supporting, confident that the Generous Lord will, as their efforts increase. eventually enable them to offer for the progress of His Faith material wealth as well as their devotion, their energy and love.

The proclamation of the Faith, following established plans and aiming to use on an increasing scale the facilities of mass communication must be vigorously pursued. it should be remembered that the purpose of proclamation is to make known to all mankind the fact and general aim of the new Revelation, while teaching programmes should be planned to confirm individuals from every stratum of society.

The vast reservoir of spiritual energy, zeal and idealism resident in Bahá’í youth, which so effectively contributed to the success of the Nine Year Plan, must be directed and lavishly spent for the proclamation, teaching, and consolidation of the Cause. Spiritual Assemblies are urged to provide consultation and the offer of guidance to Bahá’í youth who seek to plan their lives in such a way as to be of utmost service to the Cause of God.

The education of children in the teachings of the Faith must be regarded as an essential obligation of every Bahá’í parent, every local and national community and it must become a firmly-established Bahá’í activity during the course of this Plan. It should include moral instruction by word and example and active participation by children in Bahá’í community life.

The Five Year Plan must witness the development in the world-wide Bahá’í community of distinctive Bahá’í characteristics implanted in it by Bahá’u’lláh Himself. Unity of mankind is the pivotal principle of His Revelation; Bahá’í communities must therefore become renowned for their demonstration of this unity. In a world becoming daily more divided by factionalism and group interests, the Bahá’í community must be distinguished by the concord and harmony of its relationships. The coming of age of the human race must be foreshadowed by the mature, responsible understanding of human problems and the wise administration of their affairs by these same Bahá’í communities. The practice and development of such Bahá’í characteristics are the responsibility alike of individual Bahá’ís and the administrative institutions, although the greatest opportunity to foster their growth rests with the Local Spiritual Assemblies.

The divinely ordained institution of the Local Spiritual Assembly operates at the first levels of human society and is the basic administrative unit of Baha'u'llah's World Order. It is concerned with individuals and families whom it must constantly encourage to unite in a distinctive Bahá’í society, vitalised and guarded by the laws, ordinances and principles of Baha'u'llah's Revelation. It protects the Cause of God; it acts as the loving shepherd of the Bahá’í flock.

Strengthening and development of Local Spiritual Assemblies is a vital objective of the Five Year Plan. Success in this one goal will greatly enrich the quality of Bahá’í life, will heighten the capacity of the Faith to deal with entry by troops which is even now taking place and, above all. will demonstrate the solidarity and ever-growing distinctiveness of the Bahá’í community, thereby attracting more and more thoughtful souls to the Faith and offering a refuge to the leadorless and hapless millions of the spiritually bankrupt, moribund present order.

“These Spiritual Assemblies", wrote ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. “are aided by the spirit of God. Their Defender is Abdu’l-Bahá. Over them He spreadeth His wings. What bounty is there greater than this? Likewise, these Spiritual Assemblies are shining lamps and heavenly gardens, from which the fragrances of holiness are diffused over all regions, and the lights of knowledge are spread abroad over all created things. From them the spirit of life streameth in every direction. They. indeed, are the potent sources of the progress of man, at all times and under all conditions”.

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Message to the World (continued)

During the Five Year Plan Local Spiritual Assemblies which are being formed for the first time, are to be formed whenever there are nine or more adult believers in the relevant area; thereafter they must be elected or declared at Riḍván. National Spiritual Assmblies are called upon to assign, and encourage the Local Spiritual Assemblies to adopt goals within the overall framework of the Five Year Plan, to consult with them and to assist them to make great efforts to gradually assume their proper function and responsibilities in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. The friends are called upon to give their whole-hearted support and co-operation to the Local Spiritual Assembly, first by voting for the membership and then by energetically pursuing its plans and programmes, by turning to it in time of trouble or difficulty. by praying for its success and taking delight in its rise to influence and honour. This great prize, this gift of God within each community must be cherished. nurtured, loved, assisted, obeyed and prayed for.

Such a firmly-founded, busy and happy community life as is envisioned when Local Spiritual Assemblies are truly effective, will provide a firm home foundation from which the friends may derive courage and strength and loving support in bearing the Divine Message to their fellow-men and conforming their lives to its benevolent rule.

The deeds and programmes, all these multifarious world-wide activities to which you are summoned have but one aim — the establishment of God's Kingdom on earth. At every stage of this process and at all levels of Bahá’í responsibility. whether individual. local or national. you will be encouraged, advised and assisted by the divinely ordained institution of the Hands of the Cause of God. an institution powerfully reinforced by the successful establishment of the International Teaching Centre. Through the emergence of this Centre the seal has been set on the accomplishment of the goal, announced nearly ten years ago, of ensuring the extension into the future of the specific functions of protection and propagation conferred upon the Hands of the Cause in the Sacred Text. Through the work of the International Teaching Centre, which supervises and co-ordinates the work of the Boards of Counsellors around the world, the love, the guidance, the assistance of the Hands, through the Boards of Counsellors, their Auxiliary Board members and their assistants, permeates the entire structure of Bahá’í society.

The Chief Stewards of Baha’u’llah's embyonic world commonwealth have indeed assured to that growing community, the care for its welfare, for the development of its character, for its spiritual encouragement which are among the duties of their high office.

As the old order gives way to the new. the changes which must take place in human affairs are such as to stagger the imagination. This is the opportunity for the hosts of the Lord. Undismayed and undeterred by the wreckage of "Long-cherished ideals and time-honoured institutions", now being “swept away and relegated to the limbo of obsolescent and forgotten doctrines", the world community of Bahá’ís must surge forward eagerly, and with ever-increasing energy. to build those new, God-given institutions from which will be diffused the light of the holy principles and teachings sent down by God in this day for the salvation of all mankind.

The Universal House of Justice Nawruz 1974

Elucidations on the Message to the World and clarifications on Malaysia's goals —- pages 46-48.

"There is a power in this Cause — a mysterious power -— far, far, far away from the ken of men and angels; that invisible power is the cause of all these outward activities. It moves the hearts. It rends the mountains. It administers the complicated affairs of the Cause. it inspires the friends. It dashes into a thousand pieces all the forces of opposition. it creates new , spiritual worlds. This is the mystery of the Kingdom of Abhál"g/ac/3 ®

5; {aegis-, . ,

Abdu’l-Bahá — The Covenant of Baha.’u’llah.

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Malaysian goals under the Five Year Plan

Universal House .of Justice Nawruz 1974 To the Bahá’ís of Malaysia Dear Bahá’í friends,

As we embark upon a new campaign we give thanks to Baha'u'|lah for the valiant Bahá’í community in Malaysia. Your achievements during the past years have been not only a source of joy to the Bahá’í world, but a fountain of inspiration to your fellow believers throughout Southeastern Asia. The great potentialities and resources of the friends in the Eastern and Western parts of Malaysia will now be combined, enhancing your unity and increasing your potency to serve. Every community in the Bahá’í world is required, while pursuing the overall objectives of the Five Year Plan, to achieve a number of tasks within its own area and in association with other national communities. The specific goals assigned to your community are to:

Raise the number of localities where Bahá’ís reside to at least 1,500;

Raise the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies to a minimum of 400;

Raise the number of incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies to 250;

Acquire 20 Local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, of which 10 should be large enough to accommodate activities of a number of communities in the surrounding district;

Establish a Bahá’í Publishing Trust;

Develop, in accordance with the needs of the expansion and consolidation work, a programme for the translation and publication of Bahá’í literature in the languages used in your country;

Encourage and organise regular Bahá’í activities and classes for women, youth and children of the communities in your area;

Assign extension teaching goals to at least 50 Local Spiritual Assemblies within your area;

Hold at least two Regional Teaching Conferences for South East Asian countries;

Whenever and wherever feasible, encourage the friends to gather for early morning prayers in their local communities;

Encourage and offer guidance to Bahá’í youth to plan their lives to be of greatest service to the Faith and provide means whereby their offers of specific periods of teaching and other service beyond their normal teaching activities can be organised and used to the best advantage;

Mobilise the Bahá’í youth to teach the Cause to their own generation, particularly in colleges and universities.

Plan and carry out a programme for the training of one or more believers from local communities having a Local Spiritual Assembly which will enable them to assist their fellow believers to deepen in the Cause and to work for the consolidation of the community;

Greatly increase the number of believers, endeavouring to reach all sections of the population, particularly those of divers backgrounds;

Organise correspondence courses for deepening the friends in the knowledge of the Cause, and for teaching the Faith throughout the country;

In the field of international cooperation your community is privileged to:

Assist the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’í of Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana; Taiwan and Thailand by sending pioneers to those countries;*

Assist the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of Hongkong, Singapore and Taiwan in the translation and publication of Bahá’í literature in Chinese;

Assist the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of India and Sri Lanka in the translation and publication of Bahá’í literature in Tamil;

Provide a continuous flow of travelling teachers to various parts of the world to assist in the teaching programs of your sister national communities, especially in countries where large numbers of people of Chinese origin reside.

May the Beloved shower upon you His confirmations and guide you in every effort you exert in the service of His precious Faith.

With loving Bahá’í greetings, The Universal House of Justice.

• Pioneer goals: 1 to Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana. 2 to Taiwan and 2 to Thailand.

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On the 29th and 30th of March four members of the Continental Board of Counsellors of the S.E. Asian region, met for the

first CBC-ABM meeting to be held in Malaysia. Their sessions were held at the National Haziratu'I-Quds in Kuala Lumpur, and the Counsellors also met briefly with the National Assembly. Present at the meeting were Counsellors Yan Kee Leong (who had flown in from Hong Kong) Firaydun Mithaqiyan from Laos, K.H. Payman from Indonesia, and Dr. Chellie Sundram from Papua New Guinea (where he was on a WHO assignment). Vic Samaniego was unable to be present. The Auxiliary Board Members were Shirin Fozdar from Thailand, Maha Bousi from Laos, Shahin Azadeh from the Philippines, Dr. Suraya from Indonesia, Grete Fozdar from East Malaysia, and lnbum Chinniah and Shantha Sundram from West Malaysia.

Counsellors Conference

On Sunday 3Ist March the Counsellors and Board Members met the Bahá’í Community for a day-long conference which was held at the Y.M.C.A. hall. Over a hundred believers representing almost all states in West Malaysia were present. Topics discussed were pioneering, teaching, role of women, in-depth institutes and the need for the believers to revolve themselves around the Divine Plan. The theme of the conference was preparation for the Five Year Plan.

New Auxiliary Board Members

Malaysia — Mrs. Shantha Sundram was appointed on the Auxiliary Board in November, '73 but with the consent of the Universal House of Justice, she continued to serve also on the NSA until Riḍván '74.

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COUNSELLORS AND AUXILIARY BOARD MEMBERS OF S.E. ASIA MEET IN MALAYSIA

Counsellors of the S.E. Asian Zone — from left to right: Dr. Chellie Sundram, K.H. Payman. Firaydun Mithaqiyan, Yan Kee Leong. Vicente Samaniego.

Laos — A. Kannabran, MaIaysia’s youth pioneer to Laos was appointed as an Auxiliary Board Member for Laos.

Thailand — Mr. Nasser Jafari of the National Assembly of Thailand and of the Area Teaching Committee of South Thailand was appointed Auxiliary Board Member.

Assistant Auxiliary Board Members

Mr. Soh Aik Leng of Penang was appointed assistant ABM for West Malaysia and Mr. G. Kuppusamy of Sarawak was appointed assistant ABM for East Malaysia.

Mr. Freddie Ton, of the Singapore NSA was appointed assistant ABM for Singapore.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

“There are two kinds of Bahá’ís, one might say: those whose religion is Bahá’í and those who live for the Faith. Needless to say if one can belong to the latter category — if one can be in the vanguard of heroes, martyrs and saints, it is more praiseworthy in the sight of God".

(From letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 1950)

vvvv v v v v vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvrv

Counsellor Payman meeting with members of the NBYC after the conference in Kuala Lumpur.

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Peninsular Malaysia enters her 21st year in 1974 . . and we take pleasure in presenting...

Van Kee Leong

our first believer

On the 19th of December 1953, a Malayan Chinese artist by the name of Yan Kee Leong signed a little card accepting Bahá’u’lláh and His Teachings. Possibly the only person aware of the historical significance of that moment was pioneer Mrs. Shirin Fozdar, who handed him the card, making him the first believer in Malaya, (known today as West Malaysia). That simple act heralded the birth of a new era for this country, which has reached the mature age of 21 years in 1974, and whose national register now lists the names of over 30,000 believers of both East and West Malaysia.

The Bahá’í story of Yan Kee Leong began when the seed of the Faith was first sown in

Yan Kee Leong and Tunku Abdul Rahman at the World Federalist Conference in lapan, 1952, where they represented Malaya.

Dec. 73-—Julu N

the story of

the town of Shantiniketan in India in 1949, when he attended a World Pacifist Conference there as the official Chinese delegate from Malaya. A lucky chance (or was it fate?) placed him next to an eloquent speaker representing a religion called "Bahá’í", and he recognized in the talk something that sounded exactly like what he had been searching for. He immediately suggested to the speaker, Mrs. Shirin Fozdar that she should visit Malaya and lecture on the Faith. Yan Kee Leong although a Roman Catholic, had in fact been such an earnest seeker, that he was at that time the founder of a Society of Universal Brotherhood whose aims were in line with the teachings of the Faith.

In 1952, Yan Kee Leong was once again a delegate from Malaya at an international gathering, the World Federalist Government Conference held in Japan. His colleague was Tunku Abdul Rahman, (who later achieved world fame as Malaysia's first Prime Minister). At this conference, partly held in Hiroshima, fate again placed Yan Kee Leong next to another distinguished pioneer, Agnes Alexander, with whom he later kept up a regular correspondence. (Agnes Alexander was elevated to Hand of the Cause in 1957).

First pioneers arrive

Around the Bahá’í world, the Seven Year Plan inaugurated by the beloved Guardian, was in progress, and in Bombay, a call for pioneers was answered by Dr. and Mrs. K.M. Fozdar who arrived in Singapore in 1950 as the first pioneers to this region.

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A state of emergency existed in Malaya at the time, restricting free and easy travel, and it was three years later in 1953 that Yan Kee Leong was able to arrange talks for Mrs. Fozdar in Malacca, Seremban and Kuala Lumpur. By the end of that tour, he had signed himself into history by becoming the first Bahá’í of Malaya.

An exciting beginning

Bahá’í records around the world have the names of many first believers who have since been lost through inactivity, but for Yankee*, as he is popularly called, this was only the beginning of an impressive series of firsts. He was an ardent theosophist and last no time in passing on his exciting discovery to his colleagues, many of whom recognized in Baha'u'llah's teachings the culmination of their search, and the Theosophical Society of Seremban (Yankees hometown), closed its doors that year as all their members became Bahá’ís. Some of them were privileged to serve on the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Seremban, which was the very first assembly to be elected in Malaya, on April 21st, 1954.

Dr. and Mrs. Fozdar then charged Yankee with the responsibility of opening up Malacca and Kuala Lumpur. He wasted not a moment and Baha'u'llah guided him to the waiting souls in these places. By next Riḍván, the LSAs of Malacca and Kuala Lumpur were also formed.

There was no National Spiritual Assembly in the region at that time, and declaration cards were returned to the NSA of India and Burma for recording. In 1957, the Regional Spiritual Assembly of South East Asia was formed, with jurisdiction over seven countries in S.E. Asia, and Yankee was privileged to serve for a time on that body.

Dec. 73-Julu 7’;

Mass-teaching begins

Yankee was the first Bahá’í from Malaya to travel—teach in the neighbouring countries of Brunei and Sarawak at the invitation of John and Minoo Fozdar who were pioneering there, and he began mass-teaching among the lbans with the help of an interpreter, Philip Cheng. Many of the lban residents of the long-houses in up-country villages still remember Yankees early visits. Jantom ok Ugo, the first lban believer, became a Bahá’í during Yankee's first visit in T960, and is still on the Brunei Local Assembly and active in the Faith.

On the mainland of Malaya, Yankee was the first Bahá’í to take the Faith to the aborigines (Aslis) in the jungles at the request of the Regional Spiritual Assembly. His most treasured memory is of the time when the first Asli village accepted Bahá’u’lláh in T959 in the state of Perak. This achievement is all the more remarkable when one realizes that Yankee was not a youth at this time, but a good sixty years old, and that the Malayan jungle can be a nasty place with thick undergrowth, criss-crossed with rivers and filled with leeches.

International activities

The National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia: came into being in April, 1964 and Yankee was elected as its first secretary. By the following year, he was appointed as an Auxiliary Board Member and his travels and projects continued with ever-increasing zeal. Together with Auxiliary Board Member Mr. Leong Tat Chee, Yankee visited Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, being the first Malaysians to go there. On their return, both these stalwarts continued to appeal for teachers from Malaysia to help in these countries, resulting in a great awareness of their needs and culminating in our first few pioneers there.

• Chinese names are traditionally written with the surname first, so "Yan" is actually the surname, and not

"Leong" as it may appear from this story.

IMALAYSIA was then made up of the Federation of Malaya (known as West Malaysia), Sabah and Sarawak,

(known as East Malaysia), and Singapore.

Brunei, a separate country, was also under the NSA of Malaysia.

[Page 11]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:.'} No.1.

In 1968, Yankee was appointed a member of the first Continental Board of Counsellors for the South East Asian Zone and has since represented the Board in Burma, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and elsewhere.

Yankee's journeys to the surrounding countries were not merely in the nature of visits to encourage the believers. In spite of his age and health, he was always in the forefront of active teaching projects. To the mountains of up-country Thailand he went with the friends, and helped to open up new communities of tribal believers. In Laos also he travelled to remote regions with the pioneers, staying under primitive conditions, and helped to bring into the Faith members of different Laotian and Meo tribes.

At the request of Dr. Muhájir, Yankee visited the Philippines in 1966 where he had the joy of bringing the first Chinese Bahá’í into the Faith. He was also privileged to guide the first Chinese believers of Burma into the Faith during his visit there in 1972, and it was at his suggestion that the NSA formed their first National Youth Committee which today is a very active group in Burma.

Singapore and Hong Kong

When Singapore needed help before the formation of her National Assembly, Yankee went over to assist the handful of workers there, and together with Leong Tat Chee, manned the Bahá’í Centre working ceaselessly for many months. At Riḍván '72 he had the bounty of being present at the birth of the National Spiritual Assembly of Singapore, on which his daughter Rose Ong was elected chairman and his grandson Henry Ong served as a member.

In 1971 an intensive forty-day teaching campaign was organized in Hong Kong, and Yankee was right there in the front-line walking up and down in the villages in the New Territories and also taking the Message to the nearby islands.

In early '74 at the request of the Board of Counsellors, Yankee spent some months in

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Dec. 73-July M

Hong Kong to assist in the preparation of the first Convention. He was there to help usher in the new National Assembly which was formed at Riḍván '74 in the presence of beloved Hand of the Cause, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum.

Today

Much has happened in Malaysia in these last 21 years since the time when a single dedicated believer undaunted by the scepticism of family and friends, started the process of sharing his new-found Faith with others. Over the years, he has had the joy of seeing his children become pillars of the Faith in different parts of the country, and his grandchildren, active Bahá’í youth.

Today there are about 300 Local Spiritual Assemblies and over 1000 localities under the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia, which has sent pioneers to many countries around the world, including Africa, India, Ceylon, Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong among others.

Counsellor Yan Kee Leong, the only Chinese member of the Continental Board, is currently visiting countries where Chinese reside, with Vietnam as his first destination and possibly Mauritius the next.

Seventy-five and young at heart, our first believer, beloved Yan Kee Leong, is still out in the front line, an inspiration for this generation and others to come.

Sha/rzrtha, Swndwim

Yan Kee Leong in an interview with the Mayor of Saigon. during his current visit, July 1974.

[Page 12]il1aLaz/sium Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.4

Dec. 73-July 7!,

THE PENANG HILL INSTITUTE

If nineteen friends at a NineDay Institute feel that they can hardly describe their experience in mere Words, then one can imagine how difficult it would be to describe What happened when sixty friends attended such an institute.

This took place from December 3-ll, T974, at a beautiful setting half-way up Penang Hill, when Jenabe Caldwell was invited by the NSA of Malaysia to co-ordinate a deepening institute to inspire the friends for a teaching campaign prior to the National Youth Conference.

No limit was set on numbers, and six friends who had previously attended such an institute came to this one for a refresher course. They knew from experience that the size of the group should ideally be about nineteen or less, and they were a little curious as to how this one would be conducted. Imagine their surprise when Jenabe divided up the sixty participants into smaller groups, and called upon these friends to be coordinators and monitors. Gone was their dream of relaxing, in heaven...... Jenabe turned this mammoth .in-depth institute into a Co-ordinators Course as well as a Teaching Institute by adding sessions to the usual schedule of a Nine-Day Deepening Institute. It was really a very rich feast.

The daily schedule

The normal routine of two hours of personal prayer and six hours of study class was maintained, and while the social hour was in progress in the main hall, Jenabe had a briefing with the co-ordinators and monitors, who realised for the first time, the extent of preparation necessary to keep an

l2

institute going smoothly! They learned how to quietly guide the discussion, keeping themselves as much out of it as possible, and letting Baha'u'llah open up hearts and minds to understand His words.

Back in the hall, after some lusty singing led by Layli Caldwell who had come from Alaska to assist her father, Jenabe held a session on teaching techniques gleaned from Abdu'l Baha's writings and lavishly interspersed with stories from his experiences.

As the days flew by, spirits soared higher and higher and at times it seemed that the roof would lift off with the spiritual force generated. Physical appetites appeared to keep pace with the spiritual, and the cooks were kept busy all day long catering for sixty hungry Bahá’ís who descended into the dining hall, chattering, laughing or singing, six times a day (breakfast, coffee-break, lunch, tea-break, dinner and supper).

It would seem that nothing more could be added to this crowded schedule, but somehow firesides were held and a few of the workers living up Fenang Hill became Bahá’ís. (An LSA was formed at Riḍván).

In addition, Bahá’í students from the Penang University who could not attend the Institute, managed to come up the Hill in the evenings and stay for deepening sessions with Jenabe.

On top of everything else, a wedding took place during the Institute. Two of the participants, Wong Meng Fook and Susie Chong were married on Sunday between T and 2 p.m. which was the daily rest period. Auxiliary Board Member lnbum Chinniah who was attending the Institute officiated at the

[Page 13]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.5

request of the LSA of Georgetown. Sessions were held on schedule that day, but during the one hour, everybody found time to change into festive clothes. Flowers were gathered together for a bridal bouquet, and the bare hall was hurriedly converted into a reception room. The bridal couple were enveloped in a heavenly atmosphere of love as sixty people who were overflowing with the spirit, sang and wished them ioy.

The premises of the Penang Hillview Institute at which the course was being held, was only available for seven out of the nine days, so the whole group had to come down the hill for the last two days. The only transport up and down the hill was by funicular railway, and as the friends came down in batches, they attracted considerable

attention through their radiant happiness.

The Institute continued as scheduled at the Glugor‘ Centre, and accomodation was somehow found for everyone to be together. It ended officially at about 5 p.m. on the llth of December with prayers, pledges, laughter and tears, but instead of dispersing, everyone stayed on for a grand Unity Feast, as it happened to coincide with the 19 Day Feast of Masail..

Teaching Campaign

A five-clay teaching campaign had been planned by the NSA to follow straight after the lnstitute, and when volunteers were called for, fifty—five out of the sixty pledged to stay on, the few who couldn't make it, having exhausted all their leave. The magnificient sum of $900 was collected that night to cover the expenses of this army of light. Considering that all had paid for their nine days’ expenses and that many were youth, this was a remarkable demonstration of dedication and sacrifice — the immediate fruit of the nine-day institute.

Dec. 73-July 75

A newly declared Bahá’í family in the fishing village of Telok Bahang, Penang, with members of the team.

Even more remarkable was the fact that through further sacrifice only $300 was spent for the whole campaign and the remaining $600 contributed to the National Fund.

Jenabe had to leave for India the next day, but until the minute he left, he briefed the army on the type of discipline that was expected of them. NSA member Ganesan was appointed the commander, and Layli Caldwell his adviser, because of her experience in such campaigns.

The areas selected were Batu Maung, Bayan Lepas and Balik Pulau on the south-east coast of Penang Island, and Taniong Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and Telok

Soh Aik Leng (right) teaching prayers in the home of new declared fisher-folk.

[Page 14]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:.9 No.5

Bahang on the north-west coast, Kulim on the Kedah-Penang border, Butterworth and Prai. The target areas were all within fairly close reach of a Bahá’í Centre which served as home-base for the army.

The strategy

Six teams moved out each morning after prayers and briefing. The members of the teams and their captains were changed each day. In this way many different friends learned to plan and make decisions so that they would be better fitted to arrange such campaigns in their home-towns later. Every member of the team wore a Bahá’í badge, which was his uniform. All were cautioned against simply collecting cards. They were to collect hearts. (see details page 26)

A musical fireside was scheduled for every night of the campaign and invitations were distributed freely. The invitations served as the means for establishing contact with strangers. Pamphlets were only given if interest was shown. The army was reminded that enquirers should be touched by the spirit of the Faith, and then if they were receptive and wished to accept Baha'u'llah, they could be enrolled as Bahá’ís.

Throughout the campaign a twenty-four hour prayer vigil was maintained and every evening when the soldiers returned to base, a de-briefing took place. It was always exciting to see how many would turn up for the musical fireside, but even when the number was only a handful, the beautiful atmosphere was just the same. An average of fifty to sixty new Bahá’ís were enrolled each day that the campaign lasted, and the majority of these new believers were Chinese.

The spirit released by the institute and teaching campaign had to be felt to be believed. It propelled itself through the activities during the Youth Conference in Port Dickson, reached down to Singapore to the Winter School held there, was carried back to East Malaysia via the three friends who

14

Dec. 73-July 74

came from Sarawak and was also taken up into South Thailand through one Bahá’í who managed to attend from there.

The happiest part of this story is that most of the fruits of the campaign have survived and matured . . . . ..

Dr.

MU HAJlR'S VISITS

Malaysia was one of the earliest ports of call on Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir's current orbit around Earth — Mission Five Year Plan.

He arrived on the 8th of March and met with the National Spiritual Assembly. As the Global Plan had not arrived yet, he recommended that a draft plan be made in anticipation, and he particularly stressed the need to eliminate a social delay between receiving the plan and the beginning of ACTION. Then he left for his next port of call.

After a few days, the long-awaited Five Year Plan arrived. Dr. Muhájir who was then in Indonesia turned right around and flew back to Malaysia and met with the NSA again. His constructive suggestions were all carefully noted, and immediate plans were made to be presented to the community at the Convention-Conference, when the plan was to be launched.

Among his suggestions, were that learning Chinese should be an obligation every youth should undertake, and that Malay literature should also be undertaken by the new Publishing Trust with the help of Indonesia. The Global Plan only mentions literature in English, Tamil and Chinese.

[Page 15]illalai/aian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.1.

Der. 7.u'—.Iul;u 7 .4

llrh CONVENTION OF THE l3A|lA’lS OF MALAYSIA

On the 26th of April, 1974 forty-four delegates and several observers gathered at the N.U.B.E. hall at the 81/3 milestone Port Dickson for the Eleventh Convention of the Bahá’ís of Malaysia which was to be followed the next few days by a grand conference to launch the Five Year Plan. This was the first time that a convention was being held outside of the federal capital, the reason being that no suitable accommodation could be arranged in Kuala Lumpur for the number that was expected at the conference.

In 1972 and 73 the Bahá’ís of East Malaysia and West Malaysia had elected separate National Assemblies, but the Universal House of Justice had directed that this year there was to be only one NSA for both the regions. (Brunei was not to be considered as part of the home-front but the NSA of Malaysia was to be responsible for the work in Brunei.)

The Convention began at 4-30 p.m. with S. Nagaratnam being elected chairman and Ganesa Murthi secretary. Among the significant events brought to the attention of the delegates were the following: One Year Plan

A teaching plan was launched at the beginning of April 1973, with a target of 2,700 new believers in Malaysia. The enrolment reached 2323 out of which 919 were Asli believers. The monthly average of declarants” was lower than in the previous years, but the imbalance of the different races had been corrected.

NSA membership

Mr. Yin Hong Shuen, on being elected national secretary had given up his job in Penang and gone to Kuala Lumpur to work.

15

A by-election had been held in March 74 due to the resignation of Dr. M. M. Sreenivasan owing to personal and unavoidable circumstances. Mr. Choo Yoke Boon had been elected in his place.

Consolidation

A maior break-through in consolidation was achieved through the assistance of Mr. Jenabe Caldwell and his daughter Layli, and Mr. and Mrs. Stern of Alaska who coordinated Nine Day lnstitutes. ln Kedah several indepth institutes were held in the Tamil language and their success is a major achievement of the State.

Correspondence Courses are available in English, Tamil and Chinese.

Publications

Pocket-sized prayer books are available in three languages, Chinese, Tamil and

English. These are given free to all new believers on their declaration. A small booklet called Guidance One was also

printed in Chinese and English for free distribution. The Tamil version was not yet ready. A new pamphlet, "Loyalty to Government" was printed in English and also available in Malay. A Tamil deepening magazine Oli Uthayam is published monthly.

East Malaysia

The report of the NSA of East Malaysia was read out by Choo Yoke Boon in the absence of any Assembly representative.

Election of NSA

The total number of delegates for East and West Malaysia was 133, with 73 from West Malaysia and 60 from East Malaysia.

[Page 16]Mixlag/si'an Bahá’í News Vol:9 No./, Dec. 73-Jul_u 7/,

The total number of ballots received was made up of six members from West Malaysia H9. The results of the elections were and three from Sarawak, East Malaysia, one announced at midnight. The new NSA was of them an Iban believer.

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Malaysia

Mr. S. Nagaratnam — chairman Mr. Choo Yoke Boon Dr. John Fozdar — vice-chairman Mr. Maniam

Mr. Yin Hong Shuen — secretary Dr. Singaraveloo

Mr. lsaac D‘ Cruz — treasurer Mr. Ragai anak Lang Mr. Ganesan Murthi — asst. secretary

Launching the Five Year Plan

A great conference followed the con- pilation from the House of Justice on the vention in Port Dickson on the week-end of Local Spiritual Assembly. the 27th and 28th of April 1974, to launch _ the Five Year Plan. Around 300 Bahá’ís of General goals were glven for all the

. . . local assemblies throughout the country and ‘ 1‘ . . .

‘lil;c:oll1lfclel:eY1VCe;e Asll frlencls were present 0 special extension teaching goals were

assigned to fifty selected assemblies in East and West Malaysia. Certain strong assemW0Tk5h°P5 Were held Oh the Me-95°99 blies were given specific tasks such as 0i‘ The UnlVeF5Gl l'l0U$e Of JU5hCe *0 The translations, assisting the Asli committee, World, end else Oh the Me5509e l0 MClle)’5l0- assisting Singapore, assisting Thailand, comSuggestions and recommendations on how pilation of vernacular songs and developing best to fulfil the goals given to Malaysia musical talent. were made by the participants as they studied the Five Year Plan which was sub-divided into different parts for easy reference. The first phase of the Global Plan was

The existing set-up of National and State Teaching Committees was changed to place greater emphasis on the role of the local assembly. In place of the original NTC, three other working groups were Pl'e5ehled 05 ‘3 ihree'm°hlh'Pl°h Sierhhg appointed — The National Teaching and from the lst of May 1974 and ending on the Proclamation Committee, the National Con3lst of July. The objective of the first phase $0llololloh Cemmlllee Ohel the_ Cemmuhll)’ was to start the process of strengthening and Developmerll C°mm‘llee- T_l"e'r lerms °l developing the Local Spiritual Assemblies reference were lake" Slrmghl from the

. Message of the House. all over Malaysia. Part of the programme

for Cleeleehlhg the l-SAS W05 the Slud)’ etc With the launching of the Five Year Plan selected subiects Wl1lCh included the GlolQCll came 0 fresh understanding of the role of Plan, Will and Testament of Abdu’l-Bahá, the Local Spiritual Assembly and the start Tablets of the Divine Plan and the com- of 0 new era in the country,

16

[Page 17]Illalm/sian Bahá’í Neu:.~: I’al:9 N04

Asli friends who were invited to attend the National Convention to be held on the 26th of April at Port Dickson were requested to be at the Seremban Centre (the National Asli Headquarters) by the evening of the 25th. The invitation had been extended to

them only via their newsletter and not through the personal persuasion of any travel-teacher, so the number who could come was unknown. The highest figure at past conventions had been around forty, and the average number that attended fortnightly deepening courses was between twelve and fifteen.

They arrive. . . .

Pauline was quietly relaxing at home in Seremban on the afternoon of the 23rd, when a group of thirty Asli friends suddenly appeared at the door. Surprise, surprise, Alláh-u-Abhá! Alláh-u-Abhá! selamat datang sila masok, (welcome! please come in), and off she hurried to the kitchen to put some rice on the fire, knowing full well that they would not have had a meal since they left their jungle homes the previous evening, and trekked through the night to be at the busstop by morning. Thirty was a large number to cook an emergency meal for, but Pauline could cope. Before it was ready, there was a general stir outside Alláh-u-Abhá! Alláh-u-Abhá! Alláh-u-Abhá! — and another twenty smiling tired Aslis all proudly wearing Bahá’í badges crowded into their small home.

More rice in the pot — more sardine tins opened. . . . Alláh-u-Abhá! Alláh-u-Abhá!

another forty friends from the jungle arrived,

17

Doc. .".'7—J rim 7/,

S haxrrtha Sumlmm

then another group, and yet another, until in all there were 150 Aslis determined to be bright and early for the convention! (What's in a day or two?)

Pauline's little stove couldn't cope with the quantities that had to be cooked so a wood fire was made in the yard. Soon there was enough food to feed the whole contingent. Meanwhile, Isaac dashed off to the Bahá’í Centre down the road to send out an SOS to the other Seremban friends who rallied round immediately. Neighbours watched in amazement as pillows, mats, dishes appeared from everywhere, and soon everyone was fed and bedded, sleeping wherever they could find a place to stretch.

Breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner had to be prepared for all for the next two days, and the whole Seremban community participated — both in cooking and in conducting impromptu courses for the Aslis during this unexpected interlude.

When they finally arrived in Port Dickson for the Convention the first announcement that Isaac made was to

appeal for cooks as a relief measure to assist the hard—pressed Seremban friends!

Convention and Conference

The Aslis were housed at the Sunshine Camp a few miles away from the Convention Hall and a special programme arranged for them at the times when they were not with the rest of the group who were immersed in workshops on the Five Year Plan. Whenever possible, ioint sessions were held and they particularly enioyed the social night.

[Page 18]illultzmrirm Buhu,’z' News l"nl:!) No.4

Many of the Aslis had never met a single Bahá’í outside of their jungle villages as they had accepted the Faith entirely through the teaching activity of other Aslis. This Conference was therefore a really great event in their lives, as they were able to witness for themselves the reality of the unity and love about which they had only heard before.

The Five Year Plan was explained to them and they pledged to give the Message to other tribes who lived deep in the jungle.

When the call for funds was made, they clustered together in a group for consultation, and most of them literally emptied their pockets of their last cent (total of about ninety-eight dollars). So great was their desire to contribute for the Faith, that in the end, these simple people had to ask the National Treasurer to assist them with a few dollars to cover their transport back to the fringes of the jungle, from where some of them would have to trudge for a few days before they reached their villages. All of them had also paid their own expenses to come for the Convention.

The Aslis went home with unforgettable memories of their meeting with the friends, and the rest of the Bahá’ís returned with lessons learned from them of faith and sacrifice.

(Isaac D'Cruz is chairman of the Asli Committee and his wife Pauline usually cooks for the Asli courses which are held in Seremban every fortnight. -— Ed.)

Photos from top to bottom:

1. Some of the Asli travel-teachers who came to the Ftidvan Conference at Port Dickson.

2. Members of the National Asli Committee. From left to right: Lily Ng, Rama Naidu, Nagendran, Isaac, G.A. Naidu, Yong, Sattanam, Tan, Lawrence. (Missing Pauline D’Cruz.

3. 18 penghulus (chiefs) attended the Conference and many deputy penghulus (not in the photo).

4. Happy group of volunteers who cooked and served the Asli friends during the Conference at Port Dickson, April 26-28, 1974.

18

Dec. rrr-—.I uly 7 J,

[Page 19]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.1.

Dec} 7.3’--‘-July/7!;

Whnfs Happening in Singapore

Winter School and Musical Fireside The Penang singing group came down from Malaysia in December iust before the

Winter School and a musical fireside was quickly arranged. A team immediately went round distributing invitations and it was so nice to receive phone calls from people inquiring what a musical fireside was. We told them to come and find out. . .. About fifteen came and seven became Bahá’ís.

The Winter School was a small and happy one held at the Tanah Merah Holiday Camp from 26-29 of December. A public performance of the musical team was arranged at the bandstand of the MacRitchie Park after the Summer School.

Teaching Campaigns

Intensive teaching trips were organized by the N.T.C. in Geylang and Stamford but in spite of all the campaigns organized in both areas, Stamford and Geylang still did not have enough adults to form L.S.A.s.

During all these teaching trips we had 37 declarations but most were youths.

Other Activities

During the lntercalary Days, the NSA arranged for a visit to a Home for the Aged where the Bahá’ís were warmly welcomed and the Message given along with biscuits.

The youth organised a successful blood

donation campaign.

A teaching conference was arranged by the NTC and a three-day institute was conducted in Tamil in January, co-ordinated by Muniandy. Another institute was held in English in June, co-ordinated. by Lena Tan.

Hand of the Cause, Dr. Muhájir met with the National Assembly and discussed the Five Year Plan which was released at Naw Ruz. A detail plan was drawn up.

National Convention

The National Convention was held at the Bahá’í Centre on the 27 and 28th April, 1974. The new National Assembly was elected by 19 delegates.

N.S.A. of Singapore — Riḍván '74

Mr. Freddy Tan — Chairman Mr. Robin Maule — Vice Chairman Mrs. Rose Ong — Secretary Mr. Teo Geok Leng — Treasurer

Mrs. Lena Tan — Asst. Secretary Members: Mr. Kenneth Mak, Mr. Edward Teo, Mr. Muniandy, Mr. Henry Ong.

(In July, Kenneth Mak, working in the Foreign Service, was posted to Indonesia, and Lily Ng of Malaysia, pioneering in Singapore, was elected onto the NSA).

Friends gathered at Tanah Merah Holiday Camp Singapore for the Winter School.

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[Page 20]Mahyaian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.4

Dec. 73-July 74

THE WORK-OUT OF S|NGAPORE'S FIVE YEAR PLAN

1.

(0)

(ll (2) (3)

Establish an LSA in each of the civil administrative divisions of the country.

Singapore is divided into eight Municipal districts:- Bukit Paniang, Queenstown, Serangoon, Katong, Tanglin, Stamford, Geylang.

Macpherson,

During the lst year -— the National Assembly will consolidate and strengthen the existing 6 Local Assemblies — Bukit Paniang,Macpherson,Queenstown,Serangoon, Katong, and Tanglin so that each Assembly will work on its own without outside help.

During the second year to see to the establishment of the seventh local assembly, and in the third year, the eighth local assembly should be formed.

Incorporate the National Spiritual Assembly This goal to be accomplished by the end of BE 131.

Raise the number of incorporated local Spiritual Assemblies to four

To start inquiries immediately after the National Assembly is incorporated, and try to incorporate two LSAs in the third year and another two the following year.

Acquire a national endowment

The National Assembly took into consideration that the value of land in Singapore has gone up tremendously, but will look into the possibility of acquiring a small plot anywhere in Singapore, even in the surrounding islands —— during the third year.

Develop in accordance with the needs of the expansion and consolidation work, a program for the translation and publication of Bahá’í literature in Chinese, assisted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taiwan.

to establish a co-ordinating committee in consultation with the Continental Board. The co-ordinating committee to hold a meeting with representatives from Hong Kong. to translate 10 books; 3 of which must be the Holy Writings. 5 to be published.

Hold a major National Teaching Conference to which you should invite believers from South Eastern Asia

The N.S.A. proposed to hold a major National Teaching Conference sometime in early November 1977, and will consult with neighbouring assemblies on this matter.

Greatly increase the number of believers, endeavouring to reach all sections of the population, particularly those of divers backgrounds.

It was proposed that the number of believers be raised to 800 in the first year, then progressively increased each year till 5000 was reached by the end of the Plan.

In the field of international co-operation your community is privileged to assist various NSAs in their teaching work in countries where large numbers of people of Chinese origin reside.

At present we are sadly lacking in Chinese-speaking teachers —— but will use and develop the talents of our few believers.

20

[Page 21]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.5

Dec. 73-July 74

NEWS FROM SARAWAK

New deepening method

The biggest thing that has happened in East Malaysia is the institute method of deepening introduced by Jenabe Caldwell and launched at the Nine Day Institute in Kuching in December '73. The NSA followed up with a series of institutes and the effect on our Bahá’ís who have attended them has been very encouraging. There are of course some, who although inspired at first, do not carry on from there but fall back into their old lethargy and inactivity. On the whole however we found things began to happen.

The first Nine Day Institute which we conducted on our own, ran into initial difficulties due to our inexperience, but proved to be a great success bringing happiness and inspiration to all participants. Many joined the mass-teaching effort which followed immediately afterwards, and Miri has been able to elect a Local Spiritual Assembly for the first time thanks to our own little “Army of Light”.

Three-day Institutes held in various parts of the country have also resulted in a deepening of the native believers, and some local assemblies show a high degree of maturity when handling problems, and many send out teachers to both open up new areas as well as assist others.

Army of light In Sibu, with Sibu friends at the Baha’| Centre. January '74.

Friends in Miri out teaching.

Bahá’í Centres are coming up everywhere. Requests for Institutes from many assemblies show us how meaningful and welcome has been this new approach to deepening among the native believers, although many of them are illiterate.

reported by ABM Grete Fozdar

National Teaching Committee for East Malaysia

Dr. J. K. Fozdar (Chairman)

Mr. G. Kuppusamy (Vice Chairman)

Mr. Maniam (Secretary)

Mr. Lim Pun Huat (Treasurer)

Mr. Tan Hock Siew, Mr. Sapong, Mr. Sampai, Mr. Ragai, Mr. Vishnupatham.

f\lSA meets in Sarawak

For the first time a meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia was held in Kuching, on July 29 and 30. Three members, Nagaratnam, Ganesan and Isaac D'Cruz attended from W. Malaysia, and they were able to participate in Summer Schools and conferences, and to visit different communities in East Malaysia.

[Page 22]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.6

News-briefs from

Surat Gawi 19 Hari (19 Day Feast Letter of East Malaysia)

Follow-up mass-teaching campaigns

East Malaysia launched into successful teaching-campaigns which started in December '73 and continued for over three months. Eighteen friends took part in the project which followed the Nine Day Institute and the Winter School. There was continuous teaching, and visiting of old Bahá’ís through eleven towns in Sarawak from Kuching to Lutong and as far into the interior as Kapit. The small band led by pioneer Kuppusamy consisted of youths from Kuching and Kapit and were joined by other Bahá’í friends from Sibu and Dalat, in parts of the programme.

There were two intensive campaigns which lasted for nine days each, in Sibu and Miri supported by round-the-clock prayer vigils. In Sibu, the friends were amazed to find enquirers flowing into the Bahá’í Centre and accepting the Faith. Every evening enjoyable musical firesides were held. There were about thirty new declarants in Sibu and fifteen in Miri. Although the numbers were not large, the Faith was made known to most of the residents especially in' Miri. Schools were visited during the campaign both to teach and to encourage the Bahá’ís there to be firm. The whole campaign was

_Dec. 73-July 7.5

tremendously successful and a source of great inspiration to the Bahá’ís in all the towns visited. Publicity

The Unit Convention which was held in Kuching on the 14th-15th of April, was attended by over a hundred Bahá’ís, and a photograph appeared in the Sarawak Tribune. Also mentioned in the news was the information that "Similar Regional Conventions have already been held during March and April in Limbang, Mukah, Marudi, Kapit, Sibu and Betong."

Inter-community exchange programme

The Area Teaching Committee of Sebangan sub-district, collaborating with local assemblies in the area devised a new method to bring interest into their children's classes. Under this system nineteen Bahá’ís who have been teaching children's classes were selected and posted to teach for two or three days in a village other than their own under a "teacher's exchange programme". Through this method they have improved the standard of children's classes.

A later issue of the newsletter reported that the ATC of Sebangan again selected youths for its exchange programme, this time a total of thirty-one were chosen and not for two or three days but for a period of two months. It was most heartening to note

that a good number were girls. (continued on page M)

I Some of the friends who attended the Winter School in Kuching.

22

[Page 23]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:.') No.4’

0

J59 2:115

jg fl 49 li

2 i

lliill . fifi [7 Victor Greenspoon

Dec. 73—.Iul2/ -76

-v.,\ l

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Eillllllliiilllllll

ln answer to an S O S from the Area Teaching Committee of South Thailand a team of Malaysians under the direction of NSA member Isaac D‘ Cruz. crowded into a packed third-class railway coach and

headed for Songkhla.

Counsellor Yankee Leong who was just recovering from an operation. Auxiliary Board

Members Shahin Azadeh from the Philippines and Maha Bousi from Laos who had just attendedaconference

in Kuala Lumpur also took part in the teaching campaign, as well as Carmen Rabena from Laos.

Altogether

14 Malaysians participated including Elan Govan, one of our resident pioneers in Thailand.

Who could have imagined the wonderful joy and intensity, and the glorious results as the youthful Army of Light started gathering for its majestic spiritual assault upon the inhabitants of the province of Songkhla. As that early day in April drew nearer, anticipation and determination, faith and despair, filled our hearts as we scurried about making the never-ending preparations.

Even before the battalion of wonderful Malaysian troops arrived, we lost little time in proclaiming the Message. On streets and on buses, the people of Songkhla began to hear the first whisperings about the Faith that soon turned into a mighty roar.‘

At last our friends from the south arrived, soon to be followed by a stream of additional recruits. It was a joyous reunion — even with friends we had never met before, we felt reunited.

We spent a good portion of the first day praying, studying the Holy Writings about teaching the Faith, and consulting about tactics. Prayer soon became an integral part of our assault, of our lives, for the next seven days.

We were keen to get started that very afternoon. Armed with pamphlets, invitations

23

to our nightly musical fireside, guitars and prayerbooks, we headed for the scenic and gentle Songkhla Beach Park, bordering the frothy edge of the Gulf of Siam. Soon the strollers and passers—by were being attracted by the melodic and vibrant music of this racially-mixed group — Chinese, Indian, Thai, Lao, Philippino, Persian and Jewish. The next morning, we returned to the same area, and situated ourselves under a centrallylocated pavilion where, it happened, a month previously, we had sat and earnestly prayed for God's assistance. At the end of our

Olan a Thai Bahá’í youth of Songkhla making posters

[Page 24]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:.‘) No.A

prayers, one of us had remarked how nice it would be if a loud-speaker could be mounted at that spot to proclaim the Message. Little did we imagine that, a month later, 25 loud and joyous speakers would be filling the air with such glad tidings!

The next morning, we were off for Hadyai. While waiting for the train that would take us back to Songkhla, all the people, waiting for trains, heard of the Faith. The long lines, queuing to buy tickets, were drawn like by a magnet towards the lively music and excitement. One of those at the station who heard about Baha'u'llah, drove that very evening, with her brother and two friends, the 26 kms to the fireside in Songkhla, and declared themselves as Bahá’ís.

In the few days that followed, we sang, gave talks, and chatted with small groups or with individuals at the Technical College, Nursing School, College of Education, Teachers College, private commercial schools and at the Prince of Songkhla University.

The campaign culminated with a conference at the Samila Hotel to which hundreds of people from village and town, young and old, new Bahá’ís, old ones and inquirers all came for a comprehensive presentation of the Faith through songs, slides and talks.

As the last guests were leaving, we raced to catch taxis to speed the musical group to the T.V. station in Hadyaai. That night, for the first time in Thailand, the Faith was presented on television throughout all of Southern Thailand and “Ya-Baha'u'l-Abhá" filled the airways for a radius of hundreds of miles. The programme was also viewed by many people on the Malaysian side of the border. By the end of the campaign one hundred and sixteen new brothers and sisters had found their Bahá’í family, and thousands of others had heard of the Faith.

Dec. 73-July 7/,

Captions for photos: 1.

2.

24

Singing on T.V. in Hadyaai. This was the first appearance of the Malaysian musical group on T.V. Part of the audience at the closing conference, held at the Samila Hotel.

Malaysian youth teaching in the campus of the Prince of Songkhla University.

Mrs. Benjamat at table, signing her declaration card. She drove all the way from Hadyaai to attend the fireside in Songkhla.

[Page 25]Maku/aiarn Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.4

Fruits of the Institute Teaching Campaign

Batu Maung

Before the army of light invaded Batu Maung on the S.E. coast of Penang, it was just a small fishing village of little consequence, occasionally visited by tourists. But ever since it was declared a target area

"of the teaching campaign, it has loomed

large on the Bahá’í map of the island.

Years ago the Penang believers tried to open up the village but met with such little response from the busy fishermen that they gave up their visits. Now obviously, prayers had changed the atmosphere there, because when the teaching teams poured into the village, they were welcomed with smiles and rewarded with declarations. it was particularly exciting because the village was entirely Chinese.

The success of a campaign however, is not in the number who sign cards. Bahá’ís have learnt this from sad experience, so the follow-up was planned with care and concern. It was soon discovered that consolidation was not going to be easy because the villagers came from two different groups, the inshore fishermen who live in Batu Maung village and the trawler fishermen who live on their boats anchored off the coast, and

whose homes are in the far-off island of Pangkor, in the state of Perak.

A visit to Pangkor island during the Chinese New Year holidays brought overwhelming rewards. The trawler fishermen had returned home to be with their families and they were delighted that the Bahá’ís had come all the way to visit them. They gave them a really warm welcome and many of their families became Bahá’ís, which was

25

Dec. 73-July 74

Some Members of the LSA of Batu Maung addressing a gathering after Riḍván ’74.

quite amazing as they were the orthodox type of Chinese.

in Batu Maung itself, some of the new Bahá’ís have guided the friends to other fishing villages on the island where their relatives are living. Telok Bahang on the N.W. coast of Penang is one of the villages thus opened up.

Deepening all these new believers is no easy task as they are Chinese-speaking and largely illiterate, but the spirit is lovely and consolidation is slowly but steadily taking place in many different ways — In return for hospitality at Georgetown Centre, the Batu Maung Bahá’ís have invited the friends to go fishing with them on their trawlers, so fishing trips and island picnics, (complete with enquirers) form part of the teaching and consolidation programme of the Penang Bahá’ís. (Any pioneer offers for Penang?!)

Youth from Georgetown and Glugor with some of the Bahá’ís of Batu Maung on a “fishing fireside" trip.

[Page 26]lilrzltu/sian Bahá’í News Vol:.9 No.4’

TEACHING TIPS. . . .

Taken from sessions during the nine-day institute in Penang co-ordinated by lenabe Caldwell. of Abdu’l Baha, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of

guide-lines are based on selected writings

Justice. They were put into practice during the teaching campaign that followed the Institute.

P-rcprtre yourself with prayers before undertaking any mass-teaching project. Remember it is Baha'u'llah who is going to guide you; by yourself. nothing can be achieved. A continuous prayer—vigi| should be maintained while the campaign is on. While out in the field, when one person is teaching the rest should be praying, quietly and unobstrusively, but praying all the time.

Do not collect cards. collect hearts. Declarations should not be forced. Teaching should be enthusiastic, but not fanatical.

New declarants must become basically informed about the Central Figures of the Faith as well as the existence of laws they must follow, and an adminitration they must obey. Give each new believer a copy of Guidance One and go through the little booklet with him. This is his first deepening.

Give the Message as a gift to a king.

Do not argue with the person you are trying to teach. Contention is (Lbs-olutely forlridden.

Teach everybody. but. if a person does not respond positively to the Message, do not press him. Remember Abdu’l-Bahá's warning about disinterested or antagonistic ’people.*

Ask a person about his religious background, it makes it easy to start talking.

Photo albums can be used as an effective teaching aid.

Do not speak about politics.

Keep to the teachings of Baha'u'llah and avoid

giving personal opinions.

Mention the name of Baha'u'llah as many times as

possible. Do not presume that the seeker will be prejudiced by His Name. Remember the nine-point plan. * *

Those who declare themselves as Bahá’ís should become enchanted with the beauty of the Teachings and touched by the love of Baha'u'llah.

Dec. 73—JuI_u 7!,

These

(see page 12)

Speak about prayer. and give the new declarant a

prayer book. lf possible pray with him or make him read a prayer himself. Invite him to join in teaching if possible. Remember

that if he prays, he is safe; if he teaches he is

confirmed.

Be happy, be happy, be happy.

Tips for team members

Once a team leader has been appointed, his decisions are final. (This is not the place for consultation, which may cause confusion while the army is in the frontline). The leader is also responsible for keeping the team happy under all conditions!

To maintain the spirit of unity, no special privileges should be available to any individuals (except for

illness) .If sacrifice is called for, then all share the hardship — one eats, all eat — one starves. all starve!

Do not stray This

Stay together as much as possible. off from the area designated for the group. helps to reinforce the spirit.

If problems arise, they should not be discussed among the team members, but reported to the captain.

field is an ambassador of Baha'u'llah .......... .. Remember Guardian's caution against "frivolous conduct and easy familiarity".

(refer ADJ_pn,ge 25) The spirit that should permeate the team is summed up in the following words of Abdu’l-Bahá: Every Bahá’í in the

"Be thoughtful concerning your own spiritual development and close your eyes to the shortcomings of one

another". (BWF page 3(i(i)

(for team strategy see page 14)

• “ ....... .. But people who have not the capacity, no matter how much one explains the Divine behests and

advices, or breathes the breath of the Holy Spirit. it will not make any effect; nay, rather they add to their

hardness and heedlessness."

• • Nine points; Baha'u'llah came,

simply explaining the Bahá’í Teachings, try,

Baha'u'llah came, Baha'u'llah came, oneness, of God, oneness of religion. oneness of if possible. to‘ introduce each "new concept by Ba,lia’u’lla/1 came and taught us ....... .. There is power in the Greatest Name. '

(Refer Ba/m’2' World Faith page 361,)

Baha'u'llah came, Baha'u'llah came, Baha'u'llah came,

instead of saying > that

man. In other words.

l

[Page 27]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:.9 No.4 090- 73—J'ullJ 74

Letter from the Universal House of Justice to the Youth of Malaysia

Beloved friends,

We take great pleasure in addressing the youth of your country who have such CI distinguished record in the annals of our Faith. Your heritage is great and your future is highly promising, as you are possessed of both devotion and ability. We "point with pride to your record of service in both your country and abroad in South-eastern Asia and on the continent of Africa.

4 We pray that this Conference will reinforce the noble spirit which has impelled you to. such heights of service and that you will devote yourselves unceasingly to teaching other youth in the universities, assisting the National Spiritual Assembly with the teaching work in both the Eastern and the Western parts ofMalaysia, while actively engaging I your Asli Bahá’í brethren in all these activities. As you are now united may you remain so‘ in spirit when you go forth to gain your objectives and win the victories which will surely be yours if you unfailingly rely upon the aid of Baha'u'llah.

We shall offer prayers at the Sacred Threshold that each one of you may be enabled to nobly serve the Cause, contributing that full measure which each can give.

With Loving Bahá’í Greetings, The Universal House of Justice.

mational youth eoufierence %ecemberi" 73

We were driving back to Kuala Lumpur It is_true I was cu bit sceptical about things

when I asked a youth beside me’ what he like world unity,_ Bahá’í love and all that, felt about the Conference he‘ had just but these doubts have all vanished..." attended. He looked up, beamed and

This youth had become a. Bahá’í only

replied’ “I am glad you asked‘ Aduolly l five days before, and had most reluctantly

was dying to tell someone about this wonder ful new experience l have iust been through. Really it is a feeling l just cannot describe. You know, all at once I could feel that Bahá’í spirit I have always been told about.

agreed to "attend this Conference.

>Z<

2;:

The National Bahá’í Youth Conference held in Port Dickson on '20th to 23rd

[Page 28]lllakzysianv Bahá’í News Vol.'9 No.5

(Youth Conference continued)

Dec. 73-July 7/;

Workshops at the youth conference on the messages from the Universal House of Justice.

December 1973 was an occasion many youths and adults won't forget in a hurry. It proved to the Malaysian community that our youths could rise to new responsibilities and fresh

challenges. They had been given the challenge of raising enough money to finance the whole Conference. They swung

into action and their contributions earned through much hard work and sacrifice exceeded the budget. A record number of sixty, out of the existing sixty-six youth committees in the country were represented at the Conference. New faces, familiar faces, young faces and old faces. All happy faces and all smiles.

The Conference was held at the National Union of Bank Employees Building, situated on a hill facing the Straits of Malacca with a lovely stretch of sandy beach. It was a beautiful setting. Aux. Board Member, Mr. I. Chinniah declared open» the Conference while the Chairman of the National Bahá’í Youth Committee officially welcomed the friends. Messages and cables came in from all over the world. Foreign countries represented were Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, East Malaysia and Hong Kong. A camp-fire by the beach added to the glamour and delight of the evening.

28

Workshops The inspiring message from the Universal House of Justice — the first one addressed

directly to the Malaysian youth was studied at workshops the next day, and plans made to extend youth activities. The presence of two Counsellors, Dr. Chellie Sundram and Firaydun Mithaqiyan contributed to the success of the Conference.

Musical Fireside

A highlight of the Conference was a musical fireside held on the third night at a school hall about eight miles from the Conference. Describing that event, one youth exclaimed — “It was unbelievable! The whole town was on fire! A few enquirers accepted Baha'u'llah without a single question!" Another youth, on enquirer during the fireside, but a very active believer now, said, "I don't know what came over me. I felt like crying. All those wonderful songs of love, joy and peace. . . . I just had to become a Bahá’í." About seventy enquirers attended the fireside of which fifty declared.

The Pledge

Most of us who attended._the Conference will also not forget the dedication programme on the last day, when the youth arose and together took a pledge that they will arise

[Page 29]Makzysian Baha/i News Vol:.9 Na./4

even more dramatically to fulfil the goals of the Five Year Plan. It was a memorable ceremony, and many were emotionally moved. A few youths quietly left the hall to wipe their eyes. The pledge was later sent to the Supreme Body in the form of a handlettered scroll. A beautiful reply was received later from the House —— Quote: “....The beloved youth in your community did indeed succeed in their wish to gladden the hearts of the members of the Universal House of Justice. The pledge they made was read to the groups of pilgrims when it was received by the Universal House of Justice. It is especially noteworthy that such a high percentage of the total number of local youth committees were represented at the recent Conference. We were proud and happy to learn that the beloved youth themselves financed this large gathering and greatly admired this display of their responsible attitude.

We are ardently supplicating that the magnificient services of the youth in Malaysia may continue to increase and may be increasingly blessed by the Blessed Perfection."

With loving Bahá’í greetings, Universal House of Justice

• >1‘

St!

The success of a conference can only be judged by its results, and the immediate

results were dramatic, as the teaching campaigns brought in a few hundred believers — but that was under Malaysia's

One Year Plan. . ..

We are now under the Global Plan of the Universal House of Justice and our pledge of action has been given.... May our deeds speak louder than our words.

S. Balasekeran, secretary NBYC.

Dec. 73-July 7/;

29

Musical group at the conference.

Postscript

The group who came in through the musical fireside at the Conference did not fall away after the campaign, but an active corp remained over the months and an LBYC was formed. Two of them were elected to the LSA of Port Dickson this Riḍván, and the youth have formed a musical group. Nine of them went down recently to Seremban to help in their public teaching campaign, and performed at the musical fireside on the 29th and 30th of June. One is going for short-term pioneering to Singapore and Sarawak.

A group of Port Dickson youth, most of whom had become Bahá’ís during the fireside at the Youth

Conference. This photo was taken at the Riḍván Conference which they attended four months later...

[Page 30]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:.9 No.1.

Dec. 7:?-—J'uln Tl

“Lift up your hearts above the present and look with eyes of faith into the future. Today the seed is sown, the grain falls upon the earth, but behold the day will come when it shall rise a glorious tree and the branches thereof shall be laden with fruit." Abdu'l-Bciha.

OONSOLIDATION INSTITUTE

Breathes there a community that hasn’t cried out at sometime — "What we need is consolidation.”!

But what constitutes consolidation? Deepening classes? Attendance at Feasts? Institutes? Fellowship? Some communities have tried a few methods, others have tried all, some with outstanding success and others with depressing results. What is the missing factor?

The National Spiritual Assembly was considering an institute to study the problem of consolidation, that hopefully a solution would be found. Just at that time, Mr. and Mrs. Stern, travel-teachers from Alaska were visiting Malaysia and offered their Bahá’í services in any capacity. They were requested to co-ordinate a consolidation institute. They had never done it before, but they agreed.

Thirty friends from North Malaysia attended. The Institute which was arranged in Penang on the lst-3rd of March, was held at the Bahá’í Centre of Glugor where all the participants stayed. The programme started with breakfast at 6-00 a.m. on the first day of the Fast. It was different from other institute courses, in that there were “stretch-breaks" instead of tea and coffee breaks, and siesta-time for two hours instead of a lunch break.

The thirty friends were divided into two groups, co—ordinated by Mr. and Mrs. Stern. A selection of quotations from the Writings pertaining to consolidation was the basis of the study and discussion. The selection had been compiled by the National Assembly of

30

(The Reality of Man)

Alaska. During the night sessions, friends were divided into groups of nine, and problems of consolidation were given to them to solve as though they were an LSA.

The institute ended after dinner on the third night with each participant writing down his personal pledge towards consolidation. All had come to a realisation that the name of the game was PATIENCE and that there was no set way to consolidate. AbdulBaha has told us that "The first thing to do is to acquire a thirst for spirituality, then live the life! Live the Life! Live the Life."

“Faith is the magnet which draws the confirmation of the Merciful One. Service is the magnet which attracts the heavenly strength. I hope thou wilt attain both."

Abdu’l-Bahá. (Tab. Vol. 1)

Nine-day institute

Mr. and Mrs. Stern also conducted a nine-day deepening institute at Cameron Highlands at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly. It was attended by seventeen Bahá’ís from all over Malaysia including several Penang University students.

Consolidation institute held in Penang March 1-3. Mr. Stern seated centre, and Mrs. Stern second from left.

[Page 31]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:.9 No.4

Dec. 73-July 7.5

At the gateway of China, the first National Spiritual Assembly of

the Bahá’ís of Hong Kong and Macau was elected during Riḍván

’74

graced by the presence of Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum.

The following report was written by Lawrence Ip. the young secretary of the newly elected Assembly.

Many days before that great day, I took all my holidays, seventeen days, to get things ready. Everyone was so excited and so busy. Many of us could not sleep for worrying Eblout everything. James Liew was such a

e p.

Everyone was so happy. We had booked the Conference hall on top of the Mandarin Hotel for the Convention. Nearly one hundred Bahá’ís were present. Really we

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Hong Kong and Macau with Amatul-Baha Rúḥíyyih Khánum and Counsellor Yan Kee Leong (holding Abdu’l-Bahá’s picture) Seated left, Chester Lee. Lachmi Datwani, right, Thomas Lane. Standing left to right Gian Datwani, Charles Duncan, K.H. Attar, Lawrence Ip. H. Azizi and David Mockon.

were very honoured that the Universal House of Justice had sent Amatul Baha to be at our Convention. Chester Lee and I did the translations into Cantonese.

There were Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members present from both the N.E. and S.E. Asian Zones and a representative of the NSA of N.E. Asia under whose jurisdiction Hong Kong and Macau have been all these years.

Our newly elected National Assembly was indeed fortunate that Amatu’l-Bahá was able to spend sometime in Hong Kong and meet with us during Assembly sessions. She gave us so much precious advice and encouraged us a lot; she also presented us with a sacred and priceless gift for our national archives a framed lock of Baha'u'llah's hair. Everyone was inspired and we will never forget this historical period.

As I write this report, that wonderful

A Convention is just a memory. Now we are

faced with reality and we have so many problems ahead of us. Hong Kong is not an easy place to live the Bahá’í life, but Baha'u'llah will surely guide us.

Lawrence lp

Our Pioneers in Hong Kong

Happenings in Hong Kong are of special interest to Malaysians as under the Five Year Plan she has to send a constant stream of travel-teachers there. At present we have one pioneer in Hong Kong, James Liew of lpoh who went there in January '74 and hopes to serve for a year or two. His fluent Cantonese and his knowledge of administration have been most useful. James’ most recent letter was full of hope and

31

enthusiasm as he had just conducted an allChinese workshop and was thrilled at the response of the local people. "Things are moving again and what's more important is that we are getting the real people of this place" wrote James. "We have been having a few declarations at our firesides and you can imagine our joy after the initial drought — At lost our prayers have made the right connection up there. Ya-Baha-ul-Abhá!“

[Page 32]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 2%.;

Dec. 75-July 73%

NEWS ABOUT OUR PIONEERS

THAILAND

A few months before Malaysia's oneyear-plan ended she was able to fulfil a promise made to the NSA of Thailand, and send two pioneers there. They were Goviden of Malacca (formerly serving in Singapore) and Elan Govan, a youth from Alor Star. News has been received from Thailand that they were posted for brief periods in various places, and served with initiative and devotion.

At present Govinden has been settled in Nakhorn Sawan, where he has been active in the Teacher's College, and in a short time several students have accepted the Faith.

Elan Govan (Allan to his friends) is now stationed in Udorn in N.E. Thailand. He is shouldering a great responsibility in that area, and as a member of the NTC and the ATC of the Northeast, has to travel much. He has visited all the old communities and managed to re-activate the ATC and many old believers.

LAOS

Our young pioneer in Laos, A. Kannabran, was appointed as an Auxiliary Board Member in March '74, and Counsellor Firaydun Mithaqiyan has paid a glowing tribute to him and to Malaysia. He wrote that Kanna has moved among the villagers and the tribes with such understanding and humility that he has won the love of the youth, the children and the adults for whom he has organised many classes and gatherings. Serving on National Committees he has travelled throughout the country and composed and taught Bahá’í songs in the Lao language. His teaching albums, posters and other visual aids are widely used throughout Laos.

TAIWAN

After many months of waiting for a visa, our young pioneer to Taiwan, Chang Chee Ping of Butterworth finally left for Taipei in July '74. He hopes to do fulltime Bahá’í work for a year, and to try and extend his stay indefinitely if circumstances allow.

Some of the sixty friends who attended the first Bahá’í Youth Institute in Luang Prabang. Laos, December 1973. ABM Kannabran seated extreme left.

32

[Page 33]Itlalayeian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.4

Our pioneers in

Bangladesh

Early this year, Malaysia was able to fulfil another goal of her one-year-plan and send two pioneers to Bangladesh, Joe Swaminathan of Kuala Lumpur who left in January '74 and Sunny Lim Beng Joo, a youth of Penang who joined him in March.

Teaching in Bangladesh has presented them with many new challenges, as 70 million of the population there is Muslim.

Both of them have been posted in several different villages and have many experiences to tell of the difficult conditions under which the people live. Their own main problem is the language barrier, although they are struggling to pick up Bengali. They did intensive pre-Riḍván teaching but only succeeded in re-electing fifteen out of twenty-one local assemblies. Joe had an interesting tale to tell —— quote:

Dee. 75-July 74

“On the first day of Riḍván, l was sent to a place called Khulka in the company of a local friend who had opened up this area during the ‘liberation war’. He told me a story of how two Bahá’ís who were teaching there at that time, had to escape and seek refuge in a nearby village called Fuethala. When they entered this village they were welcomed by a lady who said that she had had a dream in which she was told to give shelter to two people who would come with a message: The whole village later became Bahá’í. I met the friends in Fuethala and they were a lovely group. Really the ways of Baha'u'llah are wondrously mysterious.

"We also visited the nearby town of Jessore and here we met a dedicated person by the name of Aziz. He was a simple trishaw man, but a very tactful and wise teacher. He had prepared four souls, of whom two accepted the Faith as soon as we confirmed the teaching which Aziz had given them. One was a teacher and the other a mulla."

Amatul-Baha Rúḥíyyih Khánum with the friends In Decca when she visited Bangladesh in early June '74. She is dressed In sarl seated between Voilet Nekhiavanl (holding the Greatest Name) and Counsellor Shirin Boman.

33

[Page 34]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.1.

Meeting with the Prime Minister

Sunny and Joe were greatly privileged to have been included by the NSA in the official delegation of nine Bahá’ís that paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh after the National Convention. They were led by Counsellor Shirin Boman, and the interview lasted almost an hour.

Bombay Conference ‘

Their most exciting happening was to have been able to attend and meet Rúḥíyyih Khánum at the conference in Bombay in May '74. They had been dreaming about this event ever since they heard about it, but they needed a miracle to get there because a railway strike loomed as a large insurmountable obstacle.

Eventually by the "direct assistance of Baha'u'llah" they were able to make it on the very first train to reach Bombay, after ten days of a strike which lasted for three weeks.

The reception at the Bombay Airport for Rúḥíyyih Khánum was fantastic. A tent had been erected in front of the Airport and over 300 Bahá’ís awaited her arrival!

A letter from our pioneers described the wave of joy that passed through the crowd when she arrived, and their description continued as follows, "The friends were lined up to meet her and when we were introduced as Malaysian pioneers she declared, ‘Oh, Malaysian pioneers — they need no introduction —— they are like this!" (pointing her thumb upwards). We were so surprised and we beamed in delight but we also suddenly realised how much. the local people expected of us. . . .

"The conference itself was of course wonderful. There were over six hundred friends there, many of whom had come from Arabia and Iran. You can imagine how it would have been. During. the latter part of the Bombay Conference, we learnt that Rúḥíyyih Khánum was going to

34

Dec. 73-July 7/.

Bangladesh so we hurried back to Dacca and had the bounty of her presence for a week. She honoured us personally with an invitation to dinner and left such an impression on us of the need to go out and teach, that we have been really busy ever since. I am preparing charts for the tribes as the NSA is going to send us to the Chittagong Hills where the tribes are most receptive." (quoted from Joe Swmm‘na.tlLan’s letter June '74)

Postscript: Later information was received in July from Sunny, quote: "Joe is in Chittagong and I will be joining him soon to carry on our tribal teaching work. It is not easy — partly due to lack of workers and partly to the rain which never stops.

We are happy to say that one tribal LSA has been formed and two new localities opened up. The Prince of the tribes, a welleducated man, has promised to help us, and we are praying that we may be able to open up the Hill Tracts, just like in Malaysia."

'lt';:'1l7I\'liKfili7n\'ll75\'tl7|\'ll'fa\'1lZ.A\'liKei\'t’tmli7§1lZfillZiTll7flF Malaysians in India

There are at present about 20 Malaysians in India, some who went as pioneers, others as students and some who became Bahá’ís over there. Most of them are actively serving on committees and assemblies. Five are currently on the State Teaching Committees of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka and three were elected delegates to the Annual Convention in Delhi this Riḍván. Nine Malaysians were privileged to be at the grand Conference in Bombay in June '74 when beloved Rúḥíyyih Khánum was present.

Malaysian pioneers in India were greatly honoured recently when the continental Board of Counsellors, through their Auxiliary Boards, appointed K. Krishnan and Sree Ganesh as Assistant Auxiliary Board Members, for Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Joe Swaminathan was appointed Assistant Auxiliary Board Member in Bangladesh. A J

[Page 35].7lIaIau.~n"un Bahá’í News l"0l:.'I ;\’o..l

Der-. 73——.I-uly 7 /,

The longest teaching tour in Tamil Nadu

India has the Bahá’í

largest population in the World, but Tamil Nadu in the south (approximately the size of Malaysia)is almost a virgin area for the Faith, except for

a few places. Although the literacy rate is comparitively high, the people are still orthodox, and teaching here is not easy.

An intensive teaching campaign codenamed "Operation Locomotive" was suggested a year ago by Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir. The plan was to travel by train wherever possible in order to keep down expenses and also make it easier for future consolidation. Preparation for this project had taken several months and finally the train blew to a start at Egmore Station, Madras, at 8-25 p.m. on l8th December, 1973, while the team was still grappling with its multitude of bags! We managed to get the train to wait for us, and by almost superhuman effort, the small band of youths got everything aboard. This was the beginning of a long adventure, and a great test of true Bahá’í spirit.

The train chug-chugged at a snai|'s pace stopping at almost every station on the way and we could neither sleep nor sit comfor tably in the over-crowded compartment, until we reached Pondicherry, our first destination at 6-35 in the morning. Our

baggage formed a small hill in front of the‘ station, and about twenty porters and rickshaw riders harrassed us, creating a big scene. What a start to our great campaign!

All were tired and ready for bed but there was no time to rest — soldiers of Baha'u'llah should not be found sleeping in

reported by K. Krishmm

the front line. Soon work began in earnest. Books were arranged. Pamphlets stamped and made ready. A banner hoisted in the centre of the town. One team went scouting for reporters and public libraries. Cards were despatched to the Bahá’ís and we stormed the city with all our resources and the materials we had carried with such difficulty. Slides were placed in five theatres. All-India Radio announced our arrival. We met the Governor and Mayor and presented them with books.

Where to after Pondicherry? At the station we were told that the train for Mayuram was cancelled due to shortage of cool. So we loaded on to a bus and after a whole day of travelling, changing bus to train and then train to bus, and horse-carts and bullock-carts, we finally arrived at Karaikal Bahá’í Centre at 9-30 p.m. Mr. Doraisamy, a pioneer from Malaysia was there to welcome us. It was great to see him and we related all our adventures before curling up here and there to sleep.

When the train was cancelled!

[Page 36]ItIuI.u;i/sia-n Bahá’í News Vul:.9 No.4’

There were many Bahá’ís in this town but all activity had come to a standstill when the old pioneers left, and our duty was to contact the Bahá’ís, encourage and reactivate them. 'Contact' was a mild word we virtually had to hunt them out. In the town the spirit was dead. So we went to the surrounding villages which were green and beautiful and the simple folks who lived there were still holding onto the Faith.

We reached Tanjore on a cloudy evening. Clouds of doubt and suspicion also weighed heavily in the atmosphere, for this town was under the influence of a social reformer who had preached against God in his effort to eradicate superstition. The following day the sky cleared and the scorching heat was enough to make the strongest feel weak and helpless, but we worked on, and after a few days of successful teaching we left for Tiruchy.

Chance led us into the spacious compound of the Railway Zonal Training School where we met the superintendant, a dynamic man named Zacchaus. During our conversation he took out a file and read out from a report he had made to his head office in New Delhi. I almost iumped to my feet when he read: "Count Leo Tolstoi, a Russian philosopher wrote, ‘We are spending our lives trying to unveil the mysteries of the universe, but, a Turkish prisoner Bahá’u’lláh, in Akka, had the key." He explained that he had seen this Bahá’í quotation in Poona, and was inspired to use it in framing his report, which will eventually be published in the railwaymen's magazine. This incident gave a real boost to the friends and we did some successful teaching here.

The team prodded on and it took one

I day and night to reach Madurai by train.

Here we proclaimed the Faith with banners and posters, and placed books for sale in all the five leading bookshops of this newest city in India. We met the Mayor, spoke at

36

Dec. 7'3—J1(I_I/ '2'/,

Proclamation banners during operation locomotive...

clubs, colleges and an orphanage. Pamphlets made their way to many enquirers, among whom was a casual visitor from another town, a Medical College professor, who not long after became a Bahá’í.

Next destination —— Cape Comarin, land’s end of India where the Faith was proclaimed resulting in about forty declarations at the Vivekananda College.

At Peruvillai, a simple village about five miles from Nagercoil, we came upon a group of youth who had founded a "Club of Knowledge", with an interesting and enlightened constitution. When they heard about the Bahá’í teachings, they recognized its divine source and many accepted Baha'u'Ilah without any reservation; they also began to spread the Faith on their own.

Operation Locomotive kept going from town to town in Tamil Nadu, moving with prayer and minimum expenses. The project ended on I8th February, 1974 after two months of intensive teaching. We had visited I9 towns, covering a distance of about 3000 kilometres, resulting in 95 declarations, and the opening up of many new areas.

(Three members of the grroup were Mala-ystkms, includxzlng K. Kmlshnam. the leader of the team — Ed.)

[Page 37]ltlulaysian b'aha.'i NCTUR Vol:9 No.1,

UNIVERSITY BAHA'| SOCIETIES

A third University Bahá’í Society has been formed in Malaysia in July '74 at the Agricultural University, Serdang, Selangor, with six youths forming the nucleus.

The Bahá’í Society at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur has lost some of its most active members but is happy to have new—comers from many states and also from East Malaysia.

l

In Penang at the University Sains Malaysia, the young Society has had its first annual general meeting and elected a new executive committee with members representing the first, second and third year students. A new member from East Malaysia Goh Long Say, was elected onto the committee. Functions this year have included a grand musical fireside attended by over 100 students, during orientation week in June.

In Singapore two girls from Malaysia, Teh Hong Choo of Alor Star and Padma Sundram of Penang have gained admission into the law faculty of the University. The Bahá’í Society there has been dormant for sometime with Stella Ong of Singapore and Mr. Moh of Sarawak holding the fort.

The executive committee and members of the University Sains in Penang, July 1974. Seated left to right: Goh Long Say, Loh Ghee Juan, Chew Chee Kong, Loh Lee Lee (secretary). K. Ananthan (chairman). Standing: Ng Choy Har, Ooi Ewe Lim, P. Muthu and Appalasamy.

37

Dec. 73-July 75

NEWS ABOUT OUR PIONEERS

(continued from page 32) AFRICA Cameroon Republic

Information was received in May from the Cameroons that our pioneer Kamachee was seriously ill. Soon after, further letters brought the distressing news that pioneer S. Bhaskaran had met with a nasty accident in his home and had to be flown to London for specialist treatment. The news was relayed to the community via the T9 Day Feast Letter and prayers for their recovery were said throughout the country.

Both have recovered and are back at their pioneer posts where they hope to remain as long as they are allowed. Kamachee had a serious attack of malaria followed by severe hepatitis. She was nursed back to health through the kindness of some Persian and American pioneers in Victoria, who also took turns to stay with Bhaskaran's wife and family during the time that he was under treatment in U.K. Bhaskaran has suffered the loss of the sight of one eye.

Swaziland

Our pioneer in Swaziland, Ravichandran, is still at his post and will remain there for another year till his contract expires.

England

N. S. Seelan, who is articled to an Accountant's firm in London has been actively teaching and serving on various local and national committees ever since he left Africa. He was of great assistance to Bhaskaran during his convalescence in England.

Seelan has also been busy on another project — this culminated in his marriage on July 6th to Tahere Jaafari, a Persian pioneer whom he met while serving in Kenya . . . . .. They are now living in Sheffield, where Tahere is at the University; they hope to return eventually to Africa.

"God who sees all hearts, knows how far our lives are the fulfillment of our words." Abdu’l-Bahá (Pa/ris Talks)

[Page 38].’IlriI<u/eiiun Bahá’í News Vol:.‘I No./, U(’<‘- 751-v/"ll! 7’:

Proclamation and Recognition

Dawn Prayers over Radio Sarawak

Radio Malaysia in Sarawak has added a new feature to its already existing regular Bahá’í evening programs which are broadcast every fifth week in Iban, Chinese and English. Now Bahá’í prayers in lban are also broadcast early morning once in five days. In addition, there are special Bahá’í programmes broadcast on the Holy Days.

Bahá’í Holy Days Gazetted in Malaysia

All nine Bahá’í holy days have been listed in the official government gazette in Malaysia and a circular (PEKELILING PERKHIDMATAN BIL. 33 TAHUN 1973) has been sent to all government offices in the country. Bahá’í employees may now take five days unrecorded leave on any of their holy days. This privilege was also accorded to Bahá’ís in the past, but this official document is a further step in the recognition of the Faith.

Bahá’í Representative at U.N. Ecafe Conference

A United Nations Seminar on the Integration of Women in Development, was held in Bangkok from May 13-17, 1974, at which the Bahá’í International Community was represented by Auxiliary Board member Shantha Sundram.

Bahá’ís invited to Parliamentary Consultation

On December 28, T973, representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly met the Malaysian "Parliamentary Joint-consultative committee on non—Muslim marriages" and presented the Bahá’í point of view, at their invitation. The results of the recommendations are not known yet.

Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly

The Memorandum and Articles of Association, for the incorporation of the National Assembly have been drafted, signed and submitted by our lawyers to the authorities, thus completing the first stage of incorporation under the Company's Act of 1965.

Asli Assemblies officially registered

Two Asli Local Spiritual Assemblies were registered for the first time in 1973. They were Kampong Sungei Jentong and Kampong Menderang in Perak.

First Penghulu’s Conference

The first Asli Penghulu's Conference was held in July at Trolak, Perak, where about thirty penghulus (headmen) met with members of the National Assembley and the Auxiliary Board. The meeting was of great importance as Asli teaching work is carried on entirely by the Aslis themselves.

Honour for local Bahá’í

Lily Janz, the chairman of the LSA of Georgetown, Penang, was selected by Her Highness, the Raia Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia as her personal hair-dresser on the State visit of Their Royal Highnesses to England in July, 1974. Lily stayed with the royal party at Buckingham Palace in London, and was able to present two illuminated prayer cards to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. A very gracious acknowledgement was received.

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[Page 39]Malausian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.4

Dec. 71-July 74

FIRST YOUTH CONFERENCE AND CONVENTION AT

llB|lU’l BllHll’S VILLAGE IN BURMA

The Bahá’í youth of Burma had invited participants from eleven countries to their very first youth conference held immediately after the Convention in April 1974 at Daidenaw, known as Abdu’l Baha’s Village. They had only one youth representative from a foreign country —— Malaysia It was a happy and great experience.

Rúḥíyyih Khánum in Abdu’l-Bahá’s Village

Burma is a beautiful country, its people unspoiled by the mad rush of civilization around them. The Bahá’ís of Burma are a miracle in themselves — a community that began in the days of Abdu’l Baha and lost touch with the outside world, but still remained steadfast with a distinctly Bahá’í identity. A loving people, hospitable beyond words, unsophisticated, eager and enthusiasite — such were the Bahá’ís of Burma who had gathered for their Annual Convention and Youth Conference in Daidenaw.

National Convention '

Riḍván '74 was a very special time for the Bahá’ís of Burma, for beloved Amatu’l Baha Rúḥíyyih Khánum was present at their Convention. It was held in Daidenaw especially in her honour as she had expressed a wish to visit this historic village.

Speaking to an audience of about 300 Bahá’ís ranging from tiny children to venerable old men and women, Rúḥíyyih Khanun said that as a little girl in Montreal,

39

she could remember being told about a village in Burma where all the people were Bahá’ís, and it had been one of her greatest wishes to go there and meet them. Violet Nakhjavani, who accompanied Amatu’l-Bahá, added that as far back as she could remember, the Bahá’ís in Iran also used to tell stories of Abdu'| Baha's Village in the heart of Burma.

The public address system set up for the Convention had loudspeakers that extended almost onto the street outside, and as the whole village consisted of houses on either side of the main street, it virtually reached the whole village. The Five Year Plan from the Universal House of Justice which had been read at the opening of the Convention by beloved Rúḥíyyih Khanun herself, had therefore reached out to everyone in Abdu’l Baha's Village.

National elections were held later in the clay, and it was interesting to see how seriously the delegates took their respon [Page 40]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.4

sibility. Four improvised "polling booths" had been set up behind the meeting place, and delegates moved up quietly and took their place at a booth when it was vacated, then returned to join the meeting which remained in progress throughout the day.

While sessions of the convention were on, Rúḥíyyih Khanun, dressed in native costume, and with flowers in her hair, walked around the small village with some of the friends, learning about the customs of the place.

Youth Conference

Padma Sundram, the youth representative from Malaysia, addressed the youth conference and told them simply what the Malaysian youth were doing at home. Everything was translated sentence by sentence and the crowd applauded so heartily after each translation, that she began to wonder what her interpreter was saying! When she told them about the musical firesides they asked her to sing, and not being a soloist by any means, she blushed to think

.:of what the group back home-would have

commented, if they heard about the encores

she received!

The youth were involved in all the physical arrangements for the large convention and conference which had the

Dec. 73-—July TL

Counsellor Firaydun Mithaqiyan was also present at the Convention and is seen here briefing members of the NBYC on their responsibilities in the Five Year Plan.

atmosphere of a great big family re-union. They were not only busy in the kitchen with the catering but had also arranged a book and poster exhibition which was held in the Shrine of Mustafa *Roumi, the martyr-pioneer of Daidenaw. The shrine is adjacent to the wooden Bahá’í Centre at which the Convention and Youth Conference was held.

At present the people of Burma are not permitted to travel to other countries, but as soon as these restrictions are lifted, we can be sure that the active youth of Burma will find their way to Malaysia to meet the rest of their big Bahá’í family.

Members of the National Bahá’í Youth Committee

' - of Burma with Padma Sundram of Malaysia (in

Burmese dress) The Malaysian NBYC has close connections with the NBYC of Burma through correspondence.

Some of the beautiful Burmese youth who attended the convention and first, youth conference at Abdul Baha's village, Riḍván 1974. Burmese, old and young, wear their national costume all the time.

[Page 41]Illahwsian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.4

Dec. 78-July 7.6

The Story of l)ai<lenaw—AlJrlul-Baha’s Village

Daidenaw is iust a very small and seemingly insignificant little village in the district of Kungyangoon in Burma. The whole village stretches a few miles on either side of a trunk road that runs through countless other similar villages. What makes it different to people passing by, is the unexpected and striking white brick doublestoreyed shrine of Mustafa Roumi, an outstanding proclamation of the love and respect that the Bahá’ís have for the man who brought them the Faith.

The remarkable story of how it happened is all the more remarkable when one discovers that it began through a simple act of kindness by a Bahá’í to a stranger. The story began long ago in a courthouse in Rangoon when two villagers who had come from Daidenaw with some legal problems, found themselves stranded because they had no friends in Rangoon to stand security for them.

Abdul Kareem, a Bahá’í of Rangoon who happened to be in the courtroom that day, saw their plight and offered his assistance. He not only stood bail for them but extended them hospitality in his home, and also gave them the greatest gift of all — the message of Bahá’u’lláh. They were very interested so he took them to meet a Bahá’í friend, Siyyid Mustafa Roumi and they invited him to visit Daidenaw to tell the rest of the village about Bahá’u’lláh. This, of course he was very happy to do. He made many trips there, and the whole village became Bahá’í making Diadenaw one of history's first all-Bahá’í villages. This took place during the days of Abdu’l-Bahá who was so happy to hear of it that He referred to Daidenaw as His village.

Mustafa Roumi spent the latter part of his life in Daidenaw, deepening and strengthening the Bahá’í community, and was over 90 years of age when he died there. He was posthumously elevated to the rank

41

Some of the oldest residents of Daidenaw were invited by Rúḥíyyih Khánum to recall the early history of the village. Translating their stories is M-a Thoung Khin. a member of the NSA of Burma.

of a Hand of the Cause by the beloved Guardian.

During the second world war, the village of Daidenaw was overrun by gangs of looters causing the residents to flee to other parts of Burma. Wherever they settled, they formed the nucleus of Bahá’í groups and communities, and it was interesting to meet delegates at the Convention from different parts of Burma, and learn that their’ parents or grandparents had originally came ‘from Daidenaw. ‘ T '

Historical footnote on Siyyid Mustafu‘_Rciumi

The first pioneer sent by Baha'u'llah to India and Burma was Jamal Effendi,-who arrived in India in 1875 and met Siyyid Mustafa Roumi's family who were settled in Madras. When Jamal '.Effendi. left :’Madr.as, Mustafa "Roumi who was.i.n his early twenties was so attracted ’ by. the Faith that - he accompanied‘ himland travelled throughout India and Burma. In 1878 Mustafa Roumi settled in Rangoon where he married into a wealthy family and became a business partner. He carriedon Bahá’í activity" under the direction of Abdu’l-Bahá,'and established a few Local Spiritual Assemblies notably Rangoon and Mandalay where he lived for some years.

In 1899 he was very privileged to carry the remains of the Bob to the Holy Land,

together with some other Bahá’ís of Burma.

reported by Shantha Sundram who also attended the Convention.

[Page 42]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.4

Dec. 73-July 74

Happy group at the Araluen Youth Conference in Western Australia. at which about 90 friends from all over Australia participated, including some Malaysian students.

W. Australian Youth Conference

A historic and very successful youth conference (first time in Western Australia) was held at a camp at Araluen about 20 miles from Perth in Jan. 1974. Among the participants were a few Malaysians studying or settled in Australia and also one representative of the NBYC of Malaysia, Susheela Sundram of Penang. Her account of all the activities at the conference, contained these interesting comments: "Although the heat was almost unbearable, the sessions were wellattended throughout, and punctuality W05 maintained. Each youth promised to read five books recommended by the Guardian -— God Passes By, Dawn-Breakers, Gleanings, Kitab-i-lqan and Some Answered Questions. Each youth also promised to try and say the Long Obligatory Prayer daily."

Susheela, who was secretary of the Glugor (Penang) LBYC, is now studying in Perth, and has written to say that the friends there are well organised and very active, and the teaching is fantastic.

42

Vietnam calls for travel-teachers

Among the thousands of Bahá’ís in Vietnam are a few hundred of Chinese origin, and Malaysia has been requested to send travel-teachers there for short-term consolidating. Miss Yaw Kam Sim (our national book-shop manager) has volunteered for a few months and will leave in September.

Miss Khoo Siew Thay of Penang has a WHO job in Saigon, and is sewing on a Foreign Teaching Committee, as well as helping with children's classes.

Miss Cuc, a Vietnamese friend, and Khoo Siew Thay (right), with a children’s class in Saigon.

[Page 43]Mulzu/sian Bahá’í 1\’¢>u'.-1 l'ol:!) No.4

TABLET ON

Dec. ?x—~.I1rl;r/ 74’

PURITY

The following tablet in which Abdu’l-Bahá speaks about tobacco, is being published here at the request of many friends, who are aware that smoking is not forbidden in the Kitab-i—Aqdas, but would like to know what has been written about it

0 pure friends of God!

Cleanliness and sanctity in all conditions are characteristics of pure beings and necessities of free souls. The first perfection consists in cleanliness and sanctity and in purity from every defect. When man in all conditions is pure and immaculate, he will become the center of the reflection of the manifest Light. In all his actions and conduct there must first be purity, then beauty and independence. The channel must be cleansed before it is filled with sweet water. The pure eye comprehendeth the sight and the meeting of God; the pure nostril inhaleth the perfumes of the rose-garden of bounty; the pure heart becometh the mirror of the beauty of truth. This is why, in the heavenly Books, the divine counsels and commands have been compared to water. So, in the Quran it is said, "and we have caused a pure water to descend from heaven;" and in the Gospel, “Except a man hath received the baptism of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." Then it is evident that the divine teachings are the heavenly grace and the showers of the mercy of God, which purify the hearts of men.

The meaning is, in all conditions, cleanliness and sanctity, purity and delicacy exalt humanity and make the contingent beings progress. Even when applied to physical things, delicacy causeth the attainment of spirituality, as it is established in the Holy Scriptures.

External cleanliness, although it is but a physical thing, hath a great influence upon spirituality. For example, although sound is but the vibrations of the air which affect the tympanum of the ear, and vibrations of the air are but an accident among the accidents which depend upon the air, consider how much marvelous notes or a charming song

43

influence the spirits! A wonderful song giveth wings to the spirit and filleth the heart with exaltation. To return to the subject, the fact of having a pure and spotless body likewise exerciseth an influence upon the spirit of man.

Now, see how much purity is approved in the Court of God, that it should be especially mentioned in the Holy Books of the Prophets. So the Holy Books forbid the eating of any unclean thing, or the use of anything which is not pure. Certain prohibitions are absolute and imperative for all; he who commits that which is forbidden is detested by God and excluded from the number of the elect. This applieth to the things forbidden by an absolute prohibition and of which the perpetration is a grave sin; they are so vile that even to mention them is shameful.

There are other forbidden things which do not cause an immediate evil and of which the pernicious effect is only gradually produced. They are also abhorred, blamed and rejected by God, but their prohibition is not recorded in an absolute way, although cleanliness and sanctity, spotlessness and purity, the preservation of health and independence are required by these interdictions.

Tobacco

One of these last prohibitions is the smoking of tobacco, which is unclean, malodorous, disgreeable and vulgar and of which the gradual harmfulness is universally recognised. All clever physicians have judged, and have also shown by experiment, that one of the constituents of tobacco is a mortal poison and that smokers are exposed to different indispositions and maladies. That is why cleanly people have a marked

aversion for its use. (continued overleaf )

[Page 44]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:.9 No.4

Tablet on Purity (continued)

His Supreme Highness, the Bob — may my soul be His sacrifice! —— in the beginning of His Cause, openly forbade it and all the friends abandoned its use. But, as it was a time for caution and he who abstained from smoking was ill-treated, persecuted and even killed, therefore the friends were obliged as a matter of prudence, to smoke. Later, the Kitab-i-Aqdas was revealed and as the prohibition of tobacco was not clearly stated in it, the friends did not renounce it. But the Blessed Perfection had always a marked aversion for its use. At the beginning of the Cause, for certain reasons, He smoked a little, but later He abandoned it completely, and the holy souls who obeyed Him in all circumstances, also entirely gave up smoking.

I wish to say that, in the sight of God, the smoking of tobacco is a thing which is blamed and condemned, very unclean, and of which the result is by degrees iniurious. Besides, it is a cause of expense and of loss of time and it is a harmful habit. So, for those who are firm in the Covenant, it is a thing reprobated by the reason and by tradition, the renouncement of which giveth gradual repose and tranquility, permitteth one to have stainless hands and a clean

mouth, and hair which is not pervaded by a bad odor.

Without any doubt, the friends of God on receiving this epistle will renounce this injurious habit by all means, even if it be necessary to do so by degrees. This is my hope.

Abdu'l Baha (Tab. 17. 581 and BWF p. 333)

Dec. 73-July 71;

(continued from page 22) News from Sarawak

Group teaching

The Bahá’ís of Kampong Lunying set out to teach on 15th March. They travelled to Kg. Stika where they were warmly welcomed by the beating of drums, children singing Alláh-u-Abhá, and the chanting of prayers. Flowers were showered on the visitors and 86 Bahá’ís attended the meeting. They took some Bahá’ís from Stika and proceeded to Kg. Nibong, where they were welcomed by girls in traditional dress. They travelled further to Kg. Tungkah and Kg. Sebuyau Ensengai, and then to Sungei Bulu. By the time they reached Sg. Bulu, the group numbered 32.

Sungei Bulu reports that the group had a meeting in their Kampong where 200 Bahá’ís attended. While there, they witnessed the Bahá’í marriage of a new believer.

Opening of new Centres

At Kampong Stika about 150 representatives from 10 Bahá’í localities gathered to witness the opening of the Bahá’í Centre, the entire cost of which was contributed by the local believers themselves. The funds collected during this occasion were sent to the Centre Building Fund, Kuching.

On the 8th and 9th of June, about 60 Bahá’ís gathered at Kg. Sekendu to witness the dedication of their beautiful Centre. They had a conference on the Five Year Plan the next day.

A devoted Bahá’í

A Bahá’í somewhere from Simunian travelled for two whole days to the National Centre in Kuching just to confirm whether the post of Tuai-Rumah (long-house chief) is acceptable to a Bahá’í. He was not clear whether the post was a political one or not. This believer is illiterate but his depth in the Faith is an inspiration for all.

[Page 45]Mabaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.4 I Dec. 73-July 74

Letter from Hand of the Cause Amatul—Baha Rúḥíyyih Khánum

To the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia

BeZo12ecl friends,

I was very sorry not to be able to visit Malaysia on my recent trip to Hongkong. You may be sure that if there had been any way I could have fitted it in with the other things I had already made plans to do, Iwould have gladly done so. But I find I can only stand so much pressure and haste when travelling and on this last two months‘ trip there was really nothing else that could be added without running the risk of getting ill,

I think of the Malaysian Bahá’ís much more often than they realise and remember the thrilling occasion of your first Bahá’í Convention and the election of your Assembly. I hope that next time I am able to go to that part of Asia, I can visit the Bahá’ís in Malaysia. In the meantime, I send you all not only my warmest love, but wish to assure you that I greatly admire the spirit in which the Malaysian believers work at home, and their teachers and pioneers, whom I have met, abroad. I think that in common with a few other countries in that part of the world, you are going to provide a vast reservoir of exemplary pioneers and teachers for the rest of the world.

I/Vlith loving greetings, July I2, 1974. Rúḥíyyih

Transfer of Continental Pioneer Committee to Malaysia

In a letter to the National Assembly of Malaysia dated 22nd July 1974 the House of Justice announced the transfer of the seat of the Continental Pioneer Committee for Asia, from Persia to Malaysia. (This was because of the difficulty of Bahá’í institutions in Iran to freely communicate with, and keep in touch with pioneers in the continent). This move is indeed a great honour for Malaysia.

Members of the Continental Pioneer Committee will be appointed by the Universal House of Justice. The work of the Committee is primarily executive and it is responsible directly to the Universal House of Justice. It will maintain close and direct collaboration with the Continental Boards of Counsellors in the area. The responsibilities of the Continental Pioneer Committee cover three inter-related areas — information, pioneering and travel-teaching. They compliment, but in no way replace the functions and responsibilities of the Continental Boards of Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies.

“Rejoice, for the heavenly table is prepared for you. Reioice, for the angels of heaven are your assistants and helpers. Reioice, for the glance of the Blessed Beauty Bahá’u’lláh is directed upon you. Reioice, for Baha'u'llah is your protector. Reioice, for the glory everlasting is destined for you. Reioice, for the life eternal is awaiting you."

(Promulgtttion of Universal Peace) Abdu’l-Bahá.

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[Page 46]iilalaz/sian Bahá’í .’\"r=u-.«i l/ol_~.0 No.4

Dec. 7.‘}—J uly 7.4

ezari/ications on C)7Za[a(Lysia's /we (:2/eczr SD/an/.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Malaysia Dear Bahá’í Friends,

To help you in carrying out the tasks assigned to you in the Five Year Plan, we send you the following further clarifications.

One of your goals is to train one or more believers from local communities to assist in the deepening and consolidation work. Obviously a vital step in the consolidation of the Bahá’í community is the bringing into full activity of all the Local Spiritual Assemblies. This can be achieved in several ways. One is by the Continental Board of Counsellors taking advantage of the permission to have their Auxiliary Board members appoint assistants, and then ensuring that these assistants are given training in the teachings of the Faith and the working of the Administrative Order, so that they can effectively assist the Local Spiritual Assemblies. Another method is the setting up of small tutorial schools for the primary education of village children and for teaching adults how to read and write. Bahá’ís who teach in such schools may, in addition to their school work, assist their fellow believers to deepen in the Cause and give helpful advice to the Local Spiritual Assemblies. A third way is for the National Spiritual Assembly to carry out the programme stated in this goal, in which capable Bahá’ís would be selected in each village, and would be trained in the teachings so that when they returned home they could offer to share their knowledge with their fellow believers and enhance the functioning of the local community. All or any of these ways, and any others that can be thought of, may be energetically followed.

As the fulfillment of the teaching goals assigned to you will require the raising of a number of pioneers,

it is important for your National Spiritual Assembly to give careful consideration to providing means to enable them to become self-supporting at their posts. For example, certain National Spiritual Assemblies provide vocational training, in the form of a simple course or instruction acquired as an apprentice, over a period of some two to three months, depending on the nature of the vocation to be acquired, before their prospective pioneers set out for their goals. Such training enables the pioneers to engage in a trade, however modest it may be, and soon become self-supporting. It is our hope that by adopting such methods you will assist your pioneers to become financially independent, to increase thereby the effectiveness of their services at their posts, and to relieve the Bahá’í funds from having to support them for an indefinite period.

As your National Assembly area now comprises both Western and Eastern regions of the country, you should ensure that the tempo of the teaching activities which were carried out so effectively in the Eastern region is maintained. We suggest, therefore, that you appoint a separate National Teaching Committee for that region, and allocate an adequate budget for its operations. Although your National Spiritual Assembly will have ultimate and general authority over the work of this Committee, in view of the prevailing conditions, you may empower that Committee to handle all matters of detail pertaining to the region it serves.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the Bahá’ís under your jurisdiction as you embark upon the execution of your share of the goals of the Five Year Plan.

With Loving Bahá’í Greetings,

The Universal House of Justice.

EIucidations On the World Message §

. . . . ..to all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í friends.

To supplement the message which is being addressed to each of your communities giving its specific goals under the Five-Year-Plan, we now share with you a number of elucidations. Certain of the paragraphs which follow may apply to goals which have not been allotted to your community, but it will no doubt be of interest to you to read them in relation to the world-wide scope of the Plan.

46

When choosing localities to be opened to the Faith and when deciding which localities should have Local Spiritual Assemblies, you should bear in mind the need to have the Bahá’í community represented broadly across the area under your jurisdiction. It is likely that some areas will show themselves particularly receptive and numerous local Bahá’í communities will

[Page 47]‘.2.

3..N.’

.7‘ list

{ii fl

"be made clear that by being given such goals a

.. ‘Spiritual Assembly is not being given jurisdiction over

Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.4

Elucidations on the World message (continued)

speedily arise there, but while fostering such growth you should not neglect those areas In which the Faith is as yet unrepresented.

The institution of the Local Spiritual Assembly is of primary importance in the firm establishment of the faith, and we hope that you will give particular attention to ensuring that as many as possible. and in increasing numbers, are, in the words of the beloved Guardian, “broadly based, securely grounded” and “efficiently functioning”.

The time has come, we believe. when increasing numbers of Local Spiritual Assemblies should assume responsibility for helping the teaching work of groups, isolated believers, and other Spiritual Assemblies in their neighbourhood. Such extension teaching goals should be assigned by the National Spiritual Assembly or one of its teaching committees, or can be spontaneously adopted by Local Spiritual Assemblies, and should be carried out within the framework of the overall teaching plans of the country. It should also

believers outside its area, still less over other Local Spiritual Assemblies. but is being called upon to collaborate withwthem in their work.

.-“r , .v"_=p;.,,

_w‘¢.!:I2.-:‘.:.v _ ._

The Five Year Plan does not include specific goals for the recognition of Bahá’í marriage certificates or of Bahá’í Holy Days because, in most countries where these goals are not already won, achievement depends upon circumstances beyond our control. Nevertheless, National Spiritual Assemblies should bear in mind the need to increase recognition of the Faith and should be alert to possibilities of winning these goals where they are as yet unattained.

There are a number of national incorporation goals of the Nine Year Plan towards the attainment of which considerable progress has already been made. These have not been included as goals of the FiveYear-Plan although they are still pending, but of course they should be pursued to completion.

If acquisition of a National Hazirutul-Quds is a responsibility assigned to you under the Five-YearPlan you should treat this as an urgent matter in view of the world-wide condition of inflation and rising property costs. Such a building, which must be suitable to serve as the seat of the National Spiritual Assembly, should be purchased as economically as possible. Preferably it should be a free-hold detached building, although if such is not obtainable. a semi-detached or an apartment may be considered or even a property on a long-term lease.

A sight for the future Mashriqu’l Adkhar can be as small as 8,000 sq. meters in area if a larger

47

Dec. 73-July 74

property would be too expensive. It should, If possible, be situated within the city designated or. if this is not feasible, within 25 kilometres from the city.

A national endowment should be regarded as an investment in real estate owned by the National Spiritual Assembly. It may be anywhere in the country and can be a small, inexpensive piece of land donated by one of the friends, or else acquired out of the resources of the National Fund.

Where we have given a goal to acquire a Ḥaẓíratu’l -Quds which is to serve the entire community in a certain country. it is to be a local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds at the present time but should be of a size and quality to serve as an administrative centre and focal point for the whole community. We envisage that some of such Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, may, at a later date, be converted into National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, and these facts should be borne in mind when acquiring them.

In the goal for local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds given to some communities we state that a certain number should be large enough to accommodate activities of a number of communities in the surrounding district. While not being at all in the same category as the Ḥaẓíratu’l -Quds described in the last paragraph above, these particular buildings are intended to be rather more substantial structures than the average local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, and should be located in areas which form easily accessible, central gathering places for districts in which large numbers of Bahá’ís are living. In addition to serving as a local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds for its own town or village, such a building can be used for district gatherings. for the holding of teaching institutes, conferences, deepening classes, etc. for the larger area, and could possibly accommodate the office of the district teaching committee.

In general we intend that the local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds called for in the Plan should be very simple structures to serve as focal points and meeting places for the local communities. It is hoped that land for them can be provided by local believers and that they can be built, for the most part, by the local friends. In certain instances the National Spiritual Assembly may feel justified in giving a small amount of assistance from the National Fund.

The acquisition of local endowments, which is given as a specific goal to some national communities. is intended to assist in the consolidation of local communities and to foster the spirit of unity and collaboration among the believers. A local endowment can be quite a small piece of land; it can be purchased by the Local Spiritual Assembly or is more usually the gift of one or more of the believers. If the Local Assembly is incorporated, the endowment should be registered in its name but if it is not. the endowment can be held by one or more of the believers or on

[Page 48]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.5

(Elucidations continued)

behalf of the community. For example, if one of the believers gives a small piece of land he can continue to hold it in his name, but it will be known that he does so on behalf of the Local Spiritual Assembly and that the land will in time be transfered legally to the Assembly when that is possible. in some countries land is owned by the state or the tribe and only the use of the land can be assigned; in such places the goal can be considered achieved if the Local Spiritual Assembly can obtain the use of a plot of land in its own name. In some countries. even if the land can be purchased. government regulations require that within a specific time a building must be erected on the land held by religious institutions. This problem can be met in several ways; it may be possible for the Spiritual Assembly to obtain the use of, or acquire, a plot of land for agricultural purposes, thus avoiding the need to erect a building; or if the most practical course is to erect on the land a Bahá’í institution such as a local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, the Assembly could, in its own records. demarcate a portion of the land to be the endowment, distinct from the portion on which the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds stands.

One of the c istics of Bahá’í society will be tffg gathering of the believersmgach, a uring the hours‘ e een dawn an 0 hours ater sunrise to listen to the refigand c of them

d. in many communities at‘??? present ti , especially in rural ones, such gatherings would fit naturally into the pattern of the friends‘ daily life, and where this is the case it would do much to foster the unity of the local community and deepen the friends’ knowledge of the teachings if such gatherings could be organised by the Local Spiritual Assembly on a regular basis. Attendance at these gatherings is not to be obligatory, but we hope that the friends will more and more be drawn to take part in them. This is a goal which can be attained gradually.

The holding of regular national teaching conferences has proved to be a valuable stimulus to the work in a number of countries, as well as a means for forging more strongly the bonds of unity among the believers. Beyond this, many national communities are presented with a special opportunity to hold a highly effective teaching conference at the time of the eight International Conferences which are being called at the mid-way point of the Plan. Believers travelling to. and from these International Conferences are likely to be eager to assist the work in the countries through which they pass. Therefore, if you hold a

erence shortly afgflie ln on erence w ich is ne to you, it may well be atten<Te%‘B§7°' believers from other lands who will bring with them

48

Dec. 73-July 74

the spirit of that Conference, and, by augmenting the numbers attending your national conference will greatly assist its effectiveness as a means of proclaiming the Faith and enthusing those believers who will have been unable to attend the International Conferences.

Bahá’í should be encouraged to think of their studies an of their training for a trade or profession as

art of their was t3 the Ca se of God and in in’: confext of a I ' that will e devoted fo advancing

‘iv!’ the inte A ftfieggth. At the same time, durihigmf‘

years of study, youth are often able to offer specific periods of weeks or months, or even a year or more, during which they can devote themselves to travel teaching or to serving the Bahá’í community in other ways, such as conducting children's classes in remote villages. They should be encouraged to offer such service, which will in itself be admirable experience for the future, and the National Assembly should instruct an appropriate committee to receive such offers and to organise their implementation so as to derive the greatest possible advantage from them.

A very important activity which has been pursued effectively in all too few countries, is the undertaking by the National Spiritual Assembly of a sustain, planned effort to foster cordial relations with prominent people and responsible government officials and to familarize them personally with the basic tenets and the teachings

» f the Faith. Such an activity must be carried out

with wisdom and discretion, and requires the constant attention of responsible committee as well as periodic review by the National Spiritual Assembly itself. Where successful it can effectively forestall opposition to the Faith and smooth the way for many essential aspects of the development of the Bahá’í community.

Enclosed with this letter you will receive a list of pioneer assistance initially called for at the opening of the Plan. Any National Spiritual Assembly which has pioneers abroad from previous plans is still responsible for helping them to remain at their posts, or replacing them, if the services they have been rendering are still needed. However, if you have any still unfilled pioneer goals from the Nine Year Plan or from the current year, you may consider them cancelled, because such unfilled goals have been taken into consideration in assigning the goals of the Five Year Plan. Best results can be obtained when pioneer projects are arranged in consultation between the sending and receiving National Spiritual Assemblies or their appropriate committees.

With loving Bahá’í Greetings, The Universal’ House of Justice.

[Page 49]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol.1? No.‘

Dec. 73-July 74 qnileotoneo in Cwlalayoian $aha'i geiotory

1950 1950 1952 1953 1954 1955 1957

1 958

1959 .

1960 1960

1961

1 962

1963

1 964

1 965

1959

Arrival of Dr. K. M. Fozdar (followed soon by Mrs. Fozdar), first pioneers to Malaya and Singapore. Local Spiritual Assembly of Singapore elected.

Enrolment of the first believer in Malaya — Mr. Yan Kee Leong of Seremban.

First Local Spiritual Assembly elected in Malaya — Seremban.

Local Spiritual Assemblies of Kuala Lumpur and Malacca elected.

Election of the first Regional Spiritual Assembly of South East Asia, which had jurisdiction over Malaya —-— seat in Jakarta, Indonesia.

A small pilot Summer School held in Malacca.

Hand of the Cause, Dr. R. Muhájir visted Malacca — (first visit to Malaysia).

Penang, first LSA in N. Malaya, formed through initiative pioneers Jeanne Frankel, Margaret Bates. First Pan-Malayan Summer School organized in Malacca.

A plot of land purchased by pioneer Bill Smits later donated for National Teaching Institute. inter-Continental Conference held in Singapore (transferred from Jakarta). "

Mrs. George Lee donated a plot of land, which was later sold to purchase the premises of the National Ḥaẓíratu’l Quds in Kuala Lumpur and the Centre in Singapore.

First Bahá’í wedding in Malaya and South East Asia —— Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Fernandez.

The first National Teaching Committee of Singapore and Malaya was appointed by Fl.S.A.

First Asli teaching took place (in Perak) and first Asli village became Bahá’í. through efforts of Yan Kee Leong under R.S.A.

1969

Hand of the Cause, Dr. Muhájir visited East Coast states of the Malay peninsular.

Summer School held at Port Dickson with Hand of the Cause, Dr. Muhájir present.

First burial ground acquired in Malaya, in Seremban.

Hand of the Cause. Tarazullah Samandari visited Malaysia for the first time.

Amatu’| Baha Fluhiyyih Khánum visited Malaysia for the first time.

First issue of a news bulletin called “Bahá’í News" was published by the R.S.A. of S.E. Asia. 1st Pan Malayan Bahá’í Youth Conference in West Malaysia held in Port Dickson.

First Bahá’í Youth Committee formed by NTC.

A translation Committee was appointed for the first time to translate Bahá’í literature into Tamil. Nineteen Day Feast Newsletter was first published.

Appointment of the first Publications Committee to prepare and publish materials.

Burial ground acquired in Malacca.

A committee to initiate Mass Teaching was appointed by the NTC. This sparked off entry into the Faith of large numbers of Indian believers in rubber estates.

Malaysian Bahá’ís chartered a plane to attend the Centenary World Congress in London.

A newsletter called "Malayan Bahá’í" published in Malacca, (for a few months).

First Aborigine Teaching Committee formed by R.S.A. with pioneer Fl. Wolff participating.

First National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Malaysia, organized by the Regional Spiritual Assembly of South East Asia met in Kuala Lumpur and elected Malaysia's first National Spiritual Assembly. Amatu’l-Bahá Fluhiyyih Khánum represented the Universal House of Justice.

The Nine Year Plan was launched.

First translation of Bahá’í into Asli dialect done by K. Krishnan — (Semai).

Burial ground acquired in Alor Star. Kedah.

Mr. Leong Tat Chee of Malacca appointed as first Auxiliary Board Member for Malaysia.

An attempt to ban the Faith was averted through legal representation.

The National Haziratu’| Quds was officially opened, at 32, Jalan Angsana, Kuala Lumpur.

First issue of the Malaysian Bahá’í News was published with Mrs. Shantha Sundram as Editor. Visit by Universal House of Justice member, Mr. Fatheazam. Attended Summer School in Malacca. First National Bahá’í Youth Committee appointed by the NSA.

First Bahá’í Youth Training Camp organized by the NTC at Port Dickson.

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[Page 50]Malaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.4

Dec. 78-July 7.6

(Milestones continued)

1 966

1967

1 968

1 969

1970 1970

Departure of first Malaysian pioneer abroad —- Yin Hong Shuen to Ceylon. Appointment of All Malaysian Students and Youth Executive Committee to replace NBYC. Departure of the first Malaysian pioneer to Brunei —- K. Krishnan.

National Teaching Institute officially opened by Aux. Bd. Member, Leong Tat Chee in Malacca. Yan Kee Leong appointed Aux. Bd. Member for Asia, with special reference to Brunei and Sarawak. First National Spiritual Assembly of Brunei elected. It was previously under the NSA of Malaysia. Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone attended Malaysia's Convention.

2nd Visit of Hand of the Cause Tarazullah Samandari.

First time that Chinese villagers came in by troops. (Masjid Tanah, Malacca).

Border Teaching Committee formed to teach in South Thailand.

Third Visit of Hand of the Cause, Tarazullah Samandari to Malaysia. organized in Singapore by NSA of Malaysia.

Departure of first Malaysian pioneer to Taiwan — Kit Yin Kiang. First pioneer to Thailand — Mr. Sabapathy.

First pioneer to Solomon Islands — Miss Lean Beng Liew of Kuala Lumpur. World-wide Proclamation launched by Universal House of Justice.

Appointment of NSA Secretary, Mr. S. Vasudevan as Auxiliary Board Member for Ceylon, and his departure as Malaysia's first pioneer to India.

Mr. Leong Tat Chee presented his home as Bahá’í Centre of Malacca.

Mr. Yan Kee Leong presented his home as Bahá’í Centre of Seremban.

First Bahá’í Society in college formed — The Technical College Bahá’í Society, Kuala Lumpur. National Bahá’í Youth Council appointed by NSA — sparked off extensive nation-wide youth activity. South East Asian Regional Conference held in Kuala Lumpur after the Intercontinental Conference In New Delhi, with Hands of the Cause A. Q. Faizi and Dr. R. Muhájir present.

First Malaysian-Thai Summer School held in Songkla, South Thailand.

First time Nawruz officially announced over Radio Malaysia in mid-day news bulletin on March 21.

First Continental Board of Counsellors appointed by the Universal House of Justice, Mr. Yan Kee Leong, Dr. C..l. Sundram and Mr. K.H. Payman appointed to the South East Asian Zone.

Malaysian pioneer in India, ABM Vasudevan, appointed Counsellor for the N. W. Asian Zone. First issue of the newsletter of the National Bahá’í Youth Committee “Unity" was published. Inauguration of the Bahá’í Society of the University of Malaya (Kuala Lumpur).

Inauguration of the Bahá’í Society of the Malaysian Teachers‘ Training College, (Penang).

First S. E. Asian Regional Bahá’í Youth Conference held in Kuala Lumpur with Hand Faizi present. Members of the NSA of Malaysia made their first official visit to East Malaysia and Brunei. Local Ḥaẓíratu’l Quds acquired at Alor Star, officially opened by Hand of the Cause Faizi. Jasin Secondary School (Malacca State) became the first school to have a Bahá’í Society.

First course for teachers to teach in Asli areas held at Teaching Institute Malacca.

The Inter College Bahá’í Societies Council was formed to co-ordinate activities of Bahá’í Societies. First National Bahá’í Women's Conference held at National Hazira in Kuala Lumpur.

The Bahá’í Information Service of the NSA was formed.

Regional Youth Conference was held in Singapore, organised by NBYC of Malaysia. Temple-site negotiations begun and deposit paid for 5 acres of land in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. 1974

Appointment of Mrs. Betty Fernandez as Auxiliary Board Member for Malaysia and Singapore. Inauguration of the University of Singapore Bahá’í Society.

Shíráz, a University Bahá’í Society Newsletter first appeared on the campus of the University of Malaya and later on the Singapore University campus.

"52 Bahá’í Talks" a book by Sidney Dean published by NSA.

Small (English) prayer book with over 50 prayers published by NSA. Mrs. E. Gibson of U.S. arrived Malaysia, stayed three years —— dynamic involvement activity. First time World Peace Day celebrated in Malaysia (Petaling Jaya).

He attended a special seminar

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[Page 51]Illalaysian Bahá’í News Vol:9 No.4

Dec. 73-July 74

(Milestones continued)

1971

1972

1973

1974

— Oceanic Conference held at Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore with a participation of 400.

Hands of the Cause, Enoch Olinga, Collis Featherstone attended. Exhibition —— Preceeded by extensive nation-wide proclamation.

Highlighted by superb Bahá’í

“Light of the Age" a national monthly deepening magazine was published, (for two years).

First time mass-teaching done by teams in -city streets, following youth conference in Kuala Lumpur. First Pioneer to Hong Kong — Yin Hong Shuen, followed by T. K. Lee and Teh Teil< Hoe, early 1972. First Malaysian pioneer to Laos, Miss Lean Beng Liew.

Seremban became Headquarters of Asli Committee — Asli training courses began. Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Abdu'l—Baha's Ascension observed throughout country.

First National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Singapore elected with Hand of the Cause Jalal Khazeh representing the House of Justice.

First National Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Eastern Malaysia and Brunei elected at Kuching. First time two Summer Schools organized simultaneously (Penang and Malacca) in Malaysia. Six travel teachers left for Africa to assist in accomplishing the goals of the Nine Year Plan. Four travel teachers left for South India at the request of Indian NSA.

Fir-st Nine-Day-Institute (co-ordinated by lenabe Caldwell) held in Port Dickson — attendance 20. First children's institute ("pre-dek" institute) held in Penang for children of pre-declaration age. First Winter School held in Malaysia — in Johore.

Appointment of Mr. I. Chinniah as Auxiliary Board Member for Malaysia and Singapore. National Tamil literature unit formed — (based in Alor Star).

Translation of literature into five Asli dialects completed by Lim Kok Hoon (goal of nine year plan). Nineteen Day Feast Letter published in Tamil, Chinese and Malay as well as English.

Nine Year Plan concluded successfully.

Oli Uthayam, first Tamil monthly magazine was published.

A One Year Plan was launched, with guidance from Dr. Muhájir.

Legal proceedings were started to incorporate the NSA under the Company's Act.

First two Asli LSAs were registered — Kg. Sungei lentong and Kg. Menderang in Perak.

First Musical Fireside held in Malaysia (Penang).

First Summer School held at lpoh, with first public performance of Malaysian musical group.

The Bahá’í Society of University Sains, Penang, was formed.

Appointment of Mrs. Shantha Sundram as Auxiliary Board Member for Malaysia and Singapore.

9 Bahá’í Holy Days first tabulatd in circular to all government departments.

NSA of Thailand met for consultation with NSA of Malaysia — (in Penang).

First pioneers to Bangladesh — Joe Swaminathan of K.L. and Sunny Lim Beng loo of Penang. First three-day deepening institutes conducted in Tamil —— in Kedah.

Conclusion of Malaysia's One Year Plan.

First conference of Counsellors and Auxiliary Board Members held in Kuala Lumpur.

Soh Aik Leng of Penang appointed first assistant ABM for West Malaysia.

9 Bahá’í Holy Days officially listed in Government Gazette in West Malaysia.

The NSA of Malaysia and the NSA of Eastern Malaysia and Brunei were merged together.

Five Year Global Plan was launched at a special conference at Port Dickson.

Continental Pioneer Committee transferred from Persia to Malaysia by Universal House of Justice. Malaysian Bahá’í News ceased publication in this format.

(These milestones are a record of major events in West Malaysia upto July 1974).

The collage on the cover of this issue is symbolic of the sea. of events that have taken place in Malaysia over

the last decade. The editor regrets that lack of space and the absence of important photographs have made this a very incomplete coverage. The art work was done by Loh Wan Wan. a Penang youth.

Printed by The Ganesh Printinig Works, Penang.

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