National Bahá’í Review/Issue 50/Text

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Remove from The American Baha'i and keep separately. Cut at this line.

No. 50 BAHA'I YEAR 128

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES

FOR BAHA'IS ONLY

112 Linden Av., Wilmette, III. 60091 Second-class postage paid at Wilmette, Illinois

FEBRUARY 1972

The Supreme Duty of

The American Baha'is

Excerpt from letter from the Guardian through his secretary dated May 9, 1947

He cannot urge upon you all sufficiently, and through you the American believers, the importance of the Baha’is’ realizing that direct, concentrated and efficiently carried out Baha’i work is not only their supreme duty but the best way they can serve the interests of humanity and hasten the day when at least the Lesser Peace will

become a reality. We must always bear in mind that Baha’u’llah’s Order is the sover eign remedy, and all other measures, inaugurated by the United Nations or various governments, are in the nature of pallia

tives, however sound and progressive they may be. We must concentrate on perfect ing our characters as individual Baha'is,

and on maturing our still embryonic, and as yet improperly understood, World Order; on spreading the Message, according to the provisions of the Divine Plan; and on building a tightly knit, world-wide Baha’i Community. We are relatively few in numbers, and have such a precious, unique and responsible task to carry out we must concentrate our full forces upon it.

KNOWLEDGE

‘Knowledge is like unto wings for the being, and is as a ladder for ascending. To acquire knowledge is incumbent on all, but of those sciences which may profit the people of the earth, and not such sci ences as begin in mere words, and end in

mere words. . . : Indeed, the real treasury

of man is his knowledge. Knowledge is the:

means of honor, prosperity, joy, gladness, happiness and exultation.”’

Baha’u’llah

(Baha’i World Faith, p. 189)

This passage can be a source of guidance for those who have not finished their edu

cation and therefore are not able to fully support themselves and contribute as much as they would like to the Faith, both in teaching ability and in material wealth. It can assist one in deciding to learn a trade, take an advanced study course or to learn a craft to enhance one’s leisure time. It can aid youth in the difficult choice of whether to finish one’s education first or to go pioneering at once. The acquisition of knowledge also means that every one who has finished his or her academic education is presumed to be studying the Sacred Writings and acquiring a profound knowledge of the Faith.

[Page 2]Incorporated Assembly Fargo, North Dakota

The Matter of Parental Consent for Marriage

For assistance of the Local Spiritual Assemblies as well as the individual believers who experience difficulties in ob taining the consent of. the parents of a |

couple wishing to be married according the Baha’i Law, we quote the following paragraphs in a letter recently received by an individual believer from The Universal House of Justice:

“Although a Baha’i ceremony is required, it is not necessary that the parents consent to the ceremony;, the only requirement is that they consent to the marriage. However, if consent be withheld because a Baha’i ceremony is to be conducted, this must be accepted. The freedom of the parents in giving or refusing consent is unrestricted and unconditioned. They may refuse consent on any ground and they are responsible to God alone. “Although it is preferable to have the consent in writing, the fact that consent is given may be established in other ways. The necessary element is that the Spiritual Assembly responsible for certifying the marriage be satisfied that consent has in fact been given. For example, the Local Assembly could appoint one or more people who could testify that they heard the parents consent orally to the marriage.” —

Since there seems to be the impression in some quarters that when refusal to give _ consent to the marriage is based on racial

FEBRUARY 1972

prejudice, the law requiring parental consent may be waived, careful note should be taken of the statement that the parents “may refuse consent on any ground and that they are responsible to God alone.”’ Baha’is who marry without providing verified parental consent are subject to deprivation of their Baha’i administrative

rights and privileges. | — NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Status of Art Volume of Writings of Bahd'u'llah

In April, 1968 the National Spiritual Assembly of France announced plans for the publication of a volume of Writings of Baha’u’llah in the original Arabic and

» Persian, with a French translation. The

proposed publisher was a well-known producer of beautiful art volumes. All of the pages, a number of them in color, would be exquisitely illuminated by an artist working in Turkey. The text of The Hidden Words would be those in the handwriting of the emanuensis of Baha’u’llah.

In order to begin publication of this prestigious work, it was necessary for the National Spiritual Assembly to guarantee a sale of 300 copies at a maximum of $40.00 per volume. The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States invited the American Baha’is wishing to procure this visual tribute to the beauty of Baha’u’llah’s Words to subscribe for their copies promptly with an initial payment of $10.00 for each order. Unfortunately, many unforeseen difficulties arose in various aspects of the production, but now we are able to inform the friends who placed their orders with the understanding that the additional payments would be made as the work progressed, that the National Spiritual Assembly of France has completed the paging of the French text for this publication and is in process of finalizing details with the edition. The letter states: ‘‘We acknowledge the intolerable delay in this publication and

‘fully appreciate the impatience of those

friends who made deposits for the book some time ago. Be assured that the funds deposited are in reserve with our National Spiritual Assembly. We will give you more definitive information on the publication of this book during the next few weeks.’’ [Page 3]REVIEW

New Public Information Kits

As part of the proclamation and public information effort of the United States Baha’i Community to increase public awareness of the Baha’i Faith, its history and its teachings, the National Baha’i Public Information Office has prepared a Public Information Kit for Baha’i Holy Days and Anniversaries.

Included in the kit are press and radio releases for the Holy Days and Anniversaries officially observed throughout the Baha’i Year. The Birth of Baha’u’lla4h and Naw-Ruz, while Holy Days, are also observed as Baha’i Special Event days and therefore are not included in the booklet.

Included in the Kit are press and radio releases for the Feast of Ridvan, Declaration of the Bab, Ascension of Bahau’ll4h, Martyrdom of The Bab, Birth of The Bab, Day of the Covenant and the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

Baha’i communities, groups, clubs and isolated Baha’is should, where possible, make every effort to send or take these releases to their local daily and weekly newspapers and radio and television stations prior to the date of the Holy Day or ‘ Anniversary concerned. _ An important part of the national proc lamation and public information program is to gain recognition and understanding of the Baha’i Holy Days and Anniversaries.

Copies of the Public Information Kit on Baha’i Holy Days were sent to most Assemblies, groups and clubs. Copies of the Kit can be obtained from the National Public Information Office.

The National Baha’i Public Information Office will be sending to Baha’i communities and public information representatives the following Public Information Kits: for Naw-Ruz, for the National Convention, for the Panama Conference, and for Race Unity Day.

The kits will give Baha’i communities and public information representatives guidelines for the observance of the Baha’i Special Event Days and other events, and radio, television and newspaper releases for these events.

Future issues of the NatTionaL BaHa’I REvIEW will give more information on the above events.

Proclamation Themes for

1972 and 1973

The National Spiritual Assembly has approved: World Peace-Prelude to World Unity, as the proclamation theme for 1972. The basic theme and activities for the year will revolve around what has to be done to achieve true world peace.. Since during most of 1972, the Baha’i Faith will also be observing the anniversary of the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and since He was greatly concerned with world peace it is appropriate that the theme for 1972 be world peace.

In 1973, the proclamation theme for the year will be: World Unity Through World Faith.

The various Baha’i Special Event days will have themes reflecting the overall themes for the year. Further details and guidelines will be provided by the National Baha’i Public Information Office and will be sent to Baha’i communities and Public Information Representatives in future mailings. More details will also be published in future editions of the NaTionAL BaHa’l REVIEW.

International Book Year

Calendar year 1972 has been designated by UNESCO as International Book Year (IBY) with the slogan ‘‘Books for all.”’

The basic goal of IBY is to focus the attention of the general public, as well as governments and international and domestic organizations, on the importance of books and other print media in the lives of individuals and in the affairs of society.

Guidance on how Baha’i communities can best tie in with IBY will be provided by the National Baha’i Public Information Office. As a start the year offers an opportunity for Baha’i Communities to arrange for displays of Baha’i books as part of the observance of the year.

While the U.S. Baha’i Community will take part in the observance of IBY, the U.S. Baha’i theme for 1972 will deal with peace. [Page 4]FEBRUARY 1972

Public Information Representatives

Does your Assembly, group, Baha’i club have a public information representative? New Assemblies, groups and clubs are reminded of the need to appoint such representatives.

The duties of the public information representatives are to promote publicity on the Baha’i Faith in the local newspapers, radio and television stations and other media of publicity; to assist writers in writing stories on the Faith for local news media; to utilize the suggested news releases sent by the National Public Information Office; to maintain a publicity file which includes clippings from newspapers; and generally to develop and execute an effective public information program. All this is done after the represen_tatives secure from their Assemblies or groups authority to act on national projects sent them which may require immediate action and approval of their proposed local public information programs.

Public information representatives (and also secretaries of Local Spiritual Assemblies) will receive material from the Na

tional Public Information Office. This includes Public Information Kits on the

Special Event Days (World Religion Day, ©

Race Unity Day, Naw-Ruz, World Peace Day, United Nations Day, Birth of Baha‘uw’ llah, Human Rights Day, and including all the Holy Days, the Public Information Newsletter and other special material and guidance. In turn the public information

’ representatives send to the National Pub lic Information Office copies of newspaper clippings about the Faith, reports on what was done on Special Event days, photos of Baha’i activities, and any other information that would be of interest to the Office. ;

When a public information representative is appointed by an Assembly, group or club, the name, address and phone number should be sent to the National Baha’i Public Information Office, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill. 60091. Isolated Baha’is can act as their own representative, but if they wish to do so they should send name, address and phone number to the above office to be included on the list of public information representatives.

BAHA'I DIRECTORY CHANGES

ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Alabama Mobile: Miss Charlotte Creech, 86608 Arkansas Pine Bluff: New secretary to be reported Central California Dist. #1 San Jose: Mrs. Joan Bergman, P. O. Box 6381, 95150

Santa Cruz J.D.: Mr. Chucker Carnagey,

, santa Cruz 95060 Central California Dist. #2

Fresno: Mrs. Gloria Cox, , 93728

Southern California Dist. #1 Burbank: Mrs. Berry Carey, | , Apt. 233, 91506 Southern California Dist. #2 Garden Grove: New secretary to be reported Victor J.D.: Mrs. Doris Russell, P. O. Box 908, Apple Valley 92307

Colorado Arvada: Mrs. Joy McClain, oe ~ — , 80002 El Paso County: Mrs. Opal D. Ryter,

Colorado Springs 80906

Delaware Wilmington: Mrs. Sara Taylor, , 19801 Florida

Tallahassee: Mrs. Janice L. Turner, P. O. Box 2032WS, 32304 Tampa: Mrs. Barbara Miller, P. O. Box 7001, 33603 Georgia Americus: New secretary to be . reported Dooley County Dist. #1479: Mrs. Jessie Mae Fedd, 31070 Burke County: Mrs. Bulah Hannah, , Hephzibah 30815 Keysville: delete entirely, it is the same as ‘‘Burke County’’ Assembly. [Page 5]

" he rs

~ eS aS "Uae SES ye ink \ ne ee

REVIEW

Northern Illinois Northbrook: Mrs. Virginia Busey,

pro-tem, - , 60062 Iowa Waterloo: Mrs. Jane Sires, , 90702 Louisiana Lafayette: Mrs. Rubie Jones, 70501 Maryland Rockville: Mrs. Yetlie Kern, . , 20850 Massachusetts Cambridge: Mrs. Mildred McClellan, , 02140 Nebraska Lincoln: Mrs. Kathy Aflatooni, pro-tem, , 68502

North Carolina Raleigh: c/o Baha’i Center, , 27605

North Dakota Grand Forks: Miss Diane Thompson, , Apt. 4, 58201

South Carolina Chester: New secretary to be reported Greenville: Mrs. Virginia Ford, pro-tem, P. O. Box 8026, 29604 Hartsville: Mr. John H. Bristow, , 29550 Eastern Texas Garland: Mr. Roy Kuykendahl, , 79042

Grand Prairie: Mrs. Mary Dashtizadeh, . , Apt. E, 75050 ; Irving: Mrs. Paula Whitworth, , 15062 Pasadena: Mr. Robert Carpenter, pro-tem, , Apt. 72, 77502 Western Texas Eagle Pass: Mrs. Jeanne Kilgore, , 18852 Lubbock: Mr. William Tix: Vittitow, Box 2275, 79401

Wisconsin Milwaukee: Mrs. Frances Del Moro, Eaoaad Wyoming

Cheyenne: Mrs. years Fitzpatrick, pro-tem, P. O. Box 2274, 82001

DISTRICT TEACHING COMMITTEE SECRETARIES East Georgia: Mr. Lee Wheeler, , Augusta 30904 Nebraska: Mr. Toba, W. Rinehart, pro-tem, . . , Valley 68064 New Jersey: Mrs. Helen Bakum, Box 462, Springfield 07081 Northern Ohio: Mr. Dennis Rule, , Fostoria 44830 Rhode Island: Miss’ Mary Brogo, , Providence 02906 South Carolina a Mrs. Earline Evans, P. O. Box 397, N., Myrtle Beach 29582 (new comm.) Vermont: Mrs. Kathy Gray, , Brattleboro 05301

In Memoriam

Mrs. Berthalin Allien Santa Cruz, California December 15, 1971 Ismael Perez Barajas Healdsburg, California December 6, 1971

Mrs. Darselie Barnes South Gate, California December 24, 1971 Mrs. Florence Benedict

Rochester, New York December 3, 1971 Miss Martha Dean Salisbury, Rhodesia December 24, 1971 Dr. Sydney I. Dean Concord, California December 26, 1971 Mrs. Mary Lizzie Drake Fort Valley, Georgia May, 1971

Mrs. Georgette Franklin Bolingbroke, Georgia November 4, 1971

Charles C. Howard Canon City, Colorado December 31, 1971

William H. Howe Holicong, Pennsylvania December 12, 1971 Mrs. Edna Hyatt Cambridge,- Ohio October 19, 1971 Mrs. Florence Jerome East Point, Georgia December 24, 1971 Ralph W. Kroll Sioux City, Iowa November 17, 1971 Mrs. Zuna Larson Glendale, California September 26, 1971

Ivory Hines

Florence, South Carolina January 10, 1972

Mrs. Mary MacDonald

Roberta, Georgia Unknown

Mrs. Berdette Northrup Matteson

Hayward, California January 25, 1971

Mrs. Dorothy A. Myers

Detroit, Michigan December 30, 1971

David Thomas

Fort Valley, Georgia October 1971

Ceasar Tomas

Fort Valley, Georgia Unknown

Mrs. Myrtle Elizabeth Will

Bremerton, Washington December 23, 1971

[Page 6]FEBRUARY 1972

An Open Letter to the

American Baha'i Community

Dearest Friends,

Your help is needed! According to a recent urgent letter from The Universal House of Justice, ‘‘The situation of the teaching goals in Portugal is acute.’’ Although the teaching must be discreet, it is possible to spread the Divine Message and the Portugese people are thirsting for the Word of God. To stress the immediateness of this request, we share with you portions of this letter from The Universal House of Justice appealing for ‘**’. . a number of pioneers to resolve the situation. We call upon (you) to raise as quickly as possible ten pioneers ... We ask you to give this matter your urgent attention and to do your utmost to find friends ready to undertake this meritorious service.”

Will you be the one to answer this call?

Can you pioneer? Can you travel-teach?

International Goals Committee 110 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Illinois 60091

Revised List of Unfilled Goals as of October 15, 1971

AFRICA

(F) Afars & Issas (Hr. Terr): o.s<...c. ih (F) Central African Republic ........ 2 (E> Ethiopia. Seales) 2 Biba tia if KE) AVORY > COASTERS as serrate See ee 1 CH) SeSOthGaieck a, cet ecanie infin co ace 1 CEs) Malawian i et tetas ao is sod I GET). St; -belenaey ts ener eae Rey is. Nae 2 (2) SouthswWestvAtnicass.. <.- 2%... 0.8 2 GH) Eanzania ss cgestaetne 2 ce scp scans 2 eR) SEI eS eae eer aut er ete Ve a Fede seh a 1 (F) Zaire Republic (Formerly Congo

TSINSHE SA) i cata east ae cee te aes 3

AMERICAS

5). BOL C aiseicns a0 ar ae Aes we Worcs ny aliens 3

(5) H CHiles seo rk cece See eH 2 (CS) Mietiado res. resi. dons. ccetenegatquee 6 (CS) IR ERUE ATs Satie ce Behl, rh recientes 2 (GD) SS urinate es eek cake, sete Voces ie alae eee 2 (5): URU BH AVS = ian ai ics. poem cence 4 (S) “Venezuela sirc.§ ht cent een ee 3 ASIA

Afghanistan csi pe oot) wean: 2 Indonesia ..... Oe Be eb be craven Page 2 JAS. hay ah batt aaslpata te ncotam e cenies 4 StKhazakhstane (© Pisses trees eo 1 ViQOS oe vac ee ee a ae 2

(P) Pottuguese Timorte, 26 002 >. me. 1 = WikrainestG.P ) ae Ge ee emma an rete 1

AUSTRALASIA

(E) Gilbert & Ellice Islands ......... = af Solomoneislandseitnne weet nett tenet 1

(i) Tonga Islands 215-3. nee ss Oo 2 (Hy Westermissamoa (ch. Gira ole 3 1

EUROPE

(PY A ZOReSt ras db a hae ed eee ees 1 Denmarkessaa.8 1. ethene eos 3

AW inlandea costs. eos Wee, open acs 2 Dialysis ae ee ae ae ate iL

(Py Waderravel. Moores eas cove at 2 IN OUWiA Ver cren Ooiaks eet yaae tue 4 (CERT ae ci pres aectee = hchahecie rae 1

KEY:

D — Dutch-speaking E — English-speaking F — French-speaking P — Portuguese-speaking S — Spanish-speaking

- __ Circumstances permitting
_ Special circumstances: check with I.G.C.

All applications or inquiries should be sent to:

INTERNATIONAL GOALS COMMITTEE

112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Illinois 60091

‘‘Center your energies in the propagation of the Faith of God. Whoso is worthy of so high a calling, let him arise and promote it. Whoso is unable, it is his duty to

‘appoint him who will, in his stead, pro claim this Revelation, whose power hath caused the foundations of the mightiest structures to quake, every mountain to be crushed into dust, and every soul to be dumbfounded.”’ i

Baha’u’llah in Gleanings, p. 196-197 [Page 7]a en a

I SS eae eee SS

REVIEW q Auxiliary Board Members of North America Territorial Assignments in the United States, Canada and Alaska Mr. R. Ted Anderson Yukon Territory, British Mrs. Javidukht Khadem Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Columbia, Southern Al- Pennsylvania. Whitehorse, Yukon, berta. Evanston, Illinois 60201 Canada Dr. Peter J. Khan Michigan, Minnesota, Mr. Howard J. Brown Alaska, in conjunction : Wisconsin, South DaP.O. Box 371 with Mr. Caldwell. Ypsilanti, Mich. 48197 kota. Haines, Alaska 99827 Mr. Anthony F. Lease Southern California

Mr. Jenabe E. Caldwell a — ~~ , Sp. 26-B Anchorage, Alaska 99504

Alaska, in conjunction with Mr. Brown.

Mrs. Opal L. Conner Washington, Oregon, South Idaho. Seattle, Washington 98168 Mr. Angus W. Cowan Manitoba, Keewatin,

N.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada Mrs. Margaret A. Gallagher

Montana, North Dakota.

Northern’ California (Northern and Central Districts), Northern Nevada (to a dividing line immediately north of

Hayward, Calif. 94544

Tonopah), Utah, Wyoming. Mr. Fred Graham Ontario. Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada Miss D. Thelma Jackson Illinois, Indiana, Kenoo : tucky, West Virginia, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 Bahamas. Mr. Albert B. James Maryland, Washington D.C., Delaware, New

Jessup, Md. 20794 Mr. Chester Kahn

P.O. Box 694

Chinle, Ariz. 86503

Jersey, Virginia.

Special advisor all Indian territory (and particularly to assist in Arizona and New Mexico).

Miss Thelma E. Thomas

New Orleans, La. 70122

(Southern Districts), Southern Nevada (up to and including Tonopah), Arizona.

North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida.

South Laguna, Calif. 92677

Dr. Jane McCants ;

Greenville, S.C. 29607 (Temporary address)

Mrs. Katherin McLaughlin R.D. 1, Box 276 York, Maine 03909

Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Bermuda.

Mr. Edward Oliver Quebec, Labrador.

Beloeil, Quebec, Canada Mr. Paul R. Pettit

P.O. Box 8024

Dallas, Texas 75205 Mrs. Adrienne E. Reeves

Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas.

Connecticut, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, related Maritime Islands, Newfoundland. Northern Alberta, District of Franklin, Greenland, Saskatchewan, McKenzie Territory. Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico.

Hartford, Conn. 06112

Mrs. Peggy Ross

Cardiff, Ontario, Canada

Mrs. Velma Sherrill

Webster Groves, Mo.

63119 Alabama, Mississippi.

Louisiana,

How To Contact

Local Spiritual Assemblies, groups and individual Baha’is may contact directly the Auxiliary Board member assigned to their territory. If they desire the assistance of an Auxiliary Board member not assigned to their territory, they should contact the

America, P.O. Box 369, Santa Paula, California 93060.

District Teaching Committees of the United States, Regional Goals Committees of Canada, and Area Goals Committees of Alaska may contact directly the Auxiliary

Board member assigned to their territory in accordance with directives given them by their respective National Spiritual Assemblies.

National committees desiring the services of the Continental Board of Counsellors or of Auxiliary Board members should channel their requests through their National Spiritual Assembly.

CONTINENTAL BoaRD OF COUNSELLORS FOR THE PROTECTION AND PROPAGATION OF THE BaHA’i FaitH In NortH AMERICA February, 1972 : [Page 8]

8 FEBRUARY 1972 CALENDAR National Bahai Fund

Feasts $ 1971-1972

March 2 ‘Ala’ (Loftiness) pee

March 21 Baha (Splendor) Special Days

February 26 to March 1 Ayyam i-Ha

150,000

(Intercalary Days) March 2— Beginning of Fast, which continues for nineteen days Baha’i Holy Days on Which Work Should Be Suspended March 21 Naw-Ruz April 21 First Day of Ridvan (Local Elections) April 29 Ninth Day of Ridvan May 2 Twelfth Day of Ridvan National Assembly Meetings February 18-20 March 24-26 at Hemingway S.C. National Convention (Note Change) April 22, 8:30 a.m. through April 24, 1:00 p.m. Dedication Louis G. Gregory Institute Hemingway, S.C. March 25-26 Panama Temple Dedication April 29-May 2, 1972 Schools Geyserville Spring Session — March 26March 30 North West Baha’i School, Seabeck, Washington — June 24-June 29 Oklahoma/Texas Baha’i School, Summer session, August 6-12.

Date of Naw-Ruz Clarified

For the friends who may think that the Feast of Naw-Ruz and the Nineteen-Day Feast of Baha are one and the same because they fall on March 21, the following excerpt from.a letter to the National Spiritual Assembly from the Guardian through his secretary July 5, 1950 will clarify the misunderstanding:

“The Naw-Ruz Feast should be held on March 21 before sunset and has nothing to do with the Nineteen-Day Feast. The Nineteen-Day Feast is administrative in function whereas the Naw-Ruz is our New Year, a Feast of hospitality and rejoicing.”

Monthly Goal

100 ,000

50,000

Masa’il Sharaf Fiscal Year (Questions) (Honor) to Date INCOME: Regular Contributions $143,808.34 $ 82,934.86 $1,128,618.15 Special Contributions 3,642.50 7,392.12 33,577.77 Total 3 Contributions $147,450.84 $ 90,326.98 $1,162,195.92 Estates 3,285.14 ~ 9,846.26 61,272.26 Other Income 11,678.70 260.00 38,940.99 Total Income $162,414.68 $100,433.24 $1,262,409.17 Budget $120,000.00 $1,680,000.00

$120,000.00

(Quoted in Bad’ News October 1950 and in March 1956)

This instruction makes it clear that the Nineteen-Day Feast of March 21 should be observed separately from the Feast of Naw-Ruz which can be shared with members of the family and friends who

are not Baha’is.

The hours during which the Naw-Ruz Feast may be celebrated are after sunset on March 20 and until sunset March 21, provided the spring equinox does not fall before sunset March 20. This year the spring equinox occurs at 3:37 A.M. on March 21, therefore the Naw-Ruz celebration may be held any time between sunset March 20 and sunset March 21. �