National Bahá’í Review/Issue 51/Text

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[Page 1]

THEF UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

To the National Spiritual Assembly of the ,United States

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

We were delightedwith the information contained in your semi-annual statistical report. The believers in the United States are to be applauded for opening, during the past six-month period, 642 localities to the Faith and enrolling 3,053 believers.

_,. We note that the new teaching methods

ou have developed, in reaching the waiting masses, have substantially influenced the winning of your goals, and we urge the American Bahá’ís, one and all, newly enrolled and believers of long standing, to arise, put their reliance in Bahá’u’lláh and armed with that supreme power, oontinue unabated their efforts to reach the waiting souls, while simultaneously consolidating the hard—won victories. New methods inevitably bring with them criticism and challenges no matter how successful they may ultimately prove to be. The influx of so many new believers is, in itself, a call to the veteran believers to join the ranks of those in this field of service and to give wholeheartedly of their knowledge and experience. Far from standing aloof, the American believers are called upon now, as never before, to grasp this golden opportunity which has been presented to

X February 14, 1972

them, to consult- together prayerfully and widen the scope of their endeavors.

Efforts to reach the minorities should be increased and broadened to include all minority groups such as the Indians, Spanish—speaking people, Japanese and Chinese. Indeed, every stratum of American society must be reached and can be reached with the healing Message, if the believers will but arise and go forth with the spirit which is conquering the citadels of the southern states. Such a program, coupled as it must be with continuous consolidation, can be effectively carried out by universal participation on the part of every lover of Bahá’u’lláh.

Your goals are well-nigh won and you have only“ to form one Local Assembly in Bermuda and one in the Falkland Islands. You must pursue your efforts to translate and publish literature in Kazakh and _enrich literature for the Indians. The palm of victory is within your reach.

We shall continue to pray fervently at the Holy Shrines for the self—sacrificing labors of the beloved friends in the'United States.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

—The Universal House of Justice

MARCH 1972

[Page 2]Included in recommendations adopted by the 1971 State/District Conventions were several requesting the National Spiritual Assembly to report by Districts actions on all recommendations, even though some of them may have dealt with matters acted upon and reported in previous years. The National Spiritual Assembly considers this impractical, especially in view of the fact that several Conventions made the same recommendations. A number of recommendations dealt with matters already accomplished or in process of development. In every instance those requiring study or action by specific committees have been referred to those committees for implementation at the appropriate time, or for investigation. and referral back to the National Spiritual Assembly for final decision or approval.

District Conventions in South Carolina and several other states called for consolidation of the Faith in South Carolina. Since the ideas are already being incorporated in the overallconsolidation program for that state, no‘ reference is being made to those particular recommendations in this report.

The perennial recommendations calling for the inclusion of articles on the Bahá’í Faith in public reference sources, text books, and books on comparative religion have been receiving the aggressive and continuing attention of the Public Information Committee for several years and notable progress has been made.

A few recommendations called for restatement and clarification of Bahá’í Laws or procedures which should be known to all believers as soon as they enroll. These will be handled by publication in the NATIONAL BAHA'I’REVIEw of brief articles on these subjects over the next several months.

Recommendations other than those referred to in general terms in the foregoing paragraphs, and the actions taken thereon are as follows:

THAT the voting age for participation in Bahá’í elections be lowered to eighteen

MARCH 1912

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY. ACTIONS

On Recommendations from the 1971 State] District Conventions

years. Action: See article on this subject in this issue of the NATIONAL Bahá’í' REview, page 5.

I THAT the National Spiritual Assembly publish a clear policy regarding the enrollment of children under the age of fifteen years‘, of Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í parents. Action: As soon as the Data Processing System has been geared to handle such enrollments, a statement of guidelines and procedures will be announced. Meanwhile enrollment of children under fifteen years of age may be handled in accordance with the temporary procedures

‘to

recommended by the National Teaching ‘

Committee: namely, Local Spiritual Assemblies may accept and register these declarations of Faith in Bahá’u’lláh and retain the records locally until advised to forward them to the National Spiritual Assembly for the national membership records.

.5’\

THAT the National Spiritual Assembly review its current position on the draft with regards to 1-A-0 classification, with the possibility of permitting 1-O. Action: The current policy with respect to the draft in relation to the Teachings is under constant review. The 1-0 classification is best suited to persons regarding themselves as pacifists, persons refusing involvement with the military activities of the Government irrespective of the reasons for such -activities. Bahá’í's abhor war but cannot take the extreme position of pacifists, Therefore, until there is further change in the draft laws, the National Spiritual Assembly advises Bahá’ís facing the draft to apply for the 1-A-O status and not 1-O. Individuals needing further information should write to the National Spiritual Assembly.

THAT the National Spiritual Assembly make available charm bracelets, necklaces, and pins carrying the symbols of

all religions as they appear on the exterio’\

ornamentation of the Temple to indicate belief in the oneness of religions. Action: Not approved.

[Page 3]REVIEW

THAT consideration be given to distributing throughout the United States" hundreds of thousands of copies of some particular Bahá’í book to publicize the Faith. Action: lmpracticable at this time.

THAT the delegates in each state get together about a month prior to the National Convention to meet with the -believers in order that recommendations can be made for consultation at the national level. Action: Not approved. The State/District Convention is the place where the believers may express their views concerning national and local developments in the Faith. A statement on the responsibilities of delegates to the National Convention will appear ‘in a future issue of the NATIONAL BAHA'I’ REVIEW.

THAT the National Spiritual Assembly clarify whether or not service in the Peace Corps is a good vehicle for Bahá’ís to use for pioneering. Action: A statement on this subject was published in the U. S. SUPPLEMENT (to BAHA'I’ NEWS), #106, December 1966, page 4.

THAT the National Spiritual Assembly

" ‘onsider organizing a Bahá’í burial policy

or foundation. Action: Impractical.

THAT the National Spiritual Assembly assist in arranging a Bahá’í music conference, inviting nationally prominent musicians to attend. This conference could explore the possibilities of the use of music in proclamation and possibly plan such a campaign. Action: A similar proposal made by the National Bahá’í Committee on Music a few months ago could not be approved. This is not an activity that demands high priority at this time.

THAT the National Spiritual Assembly consider ways of updating plans to make Green Acre Bahá’í School a center for higher learning. Action: The National Spiritual Assembly is ever mindful of this goal for Green Acre but it is not possible of achievement at this time.

THAT the National Spiritual Assembly consider continuing committee membership with controlled guidelines to keep the

”“*ommittees functioning. Action: The ex act intent of this recommendation is not clear, but it is the policy of the National

Spiritual Assembly when appointing committees to furnish them with definitions of their continuing functions and operations. It is also the general procedure whenrappointing committees annually to re-appoint at least a few persons from the previous membership so that there will not be an abrupt interruption in the committee’s operations.

THAT every Bahá’í community be urged to hold Bahá’í children’s classes, whether or not there are any children in

V the Bahá’í community, since having such

classes available for all children will provide local opportunities for newspaper and radio publicity. Action: This recommendation is heartily approved. The overall program of consolidation of the Bahá’í' community, which has been under preparation for some time, will continue to encourage and provide material for Bahá’í child education and classes.

THAT there be made available to Assemblies and Bahá’í groups more concise guidelines for dealing with the broad spectrum of social problems that arise in the communities. Action: Material of this nature is under preparation and will be made available as soon as possible.

THAT the National Spiritual Assembly reconsider the current policy that does not permit the formation of Local Spiritual Assemblies in unincorporated cities. Action: The intent of this recommenda tion is not clear, but the National Spiritual Assembly wishes it to be known that the Guardian provided guidelines for forming Local Spiritual Assemblies in civil and geographic areas other than incorporated towns. Each case is decided separately.

THAT the National Spiritual Assembly reduce mailing costs by avoiding repetition of information in the BAHA'I' NEWS, THE AMERICAN BAHA'I’ and state bulletins. Action: A continuing attempt is being made to do this but repetition is important because it serves the newly enrolled members of the community and reminds members of long standing who often miss or forget information previously published.

THAT the National Spiritual Assembly consider establishing some plan whereby

[Page 4]MARCH ‘1972

Assemblies, groups and individuals in the United States may‘ supply teaching and consolidation aids to developing communities outside the United States, i.e., “Adopt a Sister Community” plan. Action: The spirit of this recommendation is commendable and appreciated, but circumstances do not permit encouragement of such a plan at this time. A more practical application of this idea at this time would be to “adopt” a sister community in one of the areas in the United States where the believers and teachers have little or no funds to purchase urgently needed teaching and deepening materials for both adults and children. The National Teaching Committee can suggest such areas.

THAT the National Spiritual Assembly be advised that there are many Bahá’ís who would like to serve on national committees but do not know whatchannels exist through which to offer their services. Actio-n: Any Bahá’í who feels he is qualified‘ to serve on some committee and wishes to do so, may make that wish known (1) by volunteering his service directly to the committee in which he is interested or (2) by writing directly to the

. National Spiritual Assembly, stating his

qualifications and experience which he feels would be useful to that committee.

THAT home addresses of college stu— ‘

dents who have enrolled while at college and receive their mail at college be made

[available to Local Spiritual Assemblies

and District Teaching Committees in their home areas so that these students may

' be included in local activities during va cations. Action: Since students enrolling at colleges seldom furnish their home addresses if different from the city in which the college is located, the National Teaching’ Committee has been instructed to urge Bahá’í' college students, through communications sent from that committee to such youth, to make their presence known and to offer their assistance to the Local Spiritual Assembly in their home community and/or to the District Teaching Committee.

THAT the National Spiritual Assembly authorize District Teaching Committees to place Bahá’í telephone listings in phone books where no Bahá’ís reside or where the Bahá’ís are financially unable to do so.

Action: Not approved. The cost to the National Bahá’í Fund would be prohibitive and would serve no useful purpose in localities where there are no Bahá’ís.

THAT a supplement to Me.<;.sa(_;es to the Bahá’í World be published separately for the benefit of those who already own the old edition of this book. Action: The cost of publishing a limited edition of such a supplement would be such that the purchase price to the individual would be almost if not as much as the new and complete edition which includes certain messages inadvertently omitted in the first edition.

THAT the National Spiritual Assembly’

should hold large scale institutes for Bahá’í children up to the age of fifteen. Action: This recommendation is unclear. If it means bringing together large numbers of children under fifteen years of age for some kind of teaching or training experience this is impractical. However, Local Spiritual Assemblies or District Teaching Committees might consider occasional one-day Bahá’í programs for children from several neighboring communities‘,

perhaps on Naw-Rúz or some other fes—’ "5

tive Holy Days.

THAT the National Spiritual Assembly

set aside a day or series of days for the American Bahá’ís to pray a particular prayer such as the Tablet of Ahmad, and that maybe this could be extended to the international level. Action: Not approved. Prayer is primarily a personal spiritual obligation and it would seem improper for Bahá’í institutions to develop or legislate specific activities in this area of Bahá’í life. The institutions do have the responsibility of calling the attention of the friends to the Writings which urge daily prayer as a spiritual obligation and to those prayers, such as the obligatory prayers and the:Tablet of Ahmad, that are invested by Bahá’u’lláh with a special potency and significance. On certain occasions, the institutions make appeals to the friends for prayers in the interest of particular objectives, leaving it to them to respond to the extent to which they are moved. And, of course, the friends are free to agree among themselves as to the saying of certain prayers for reasons that are important to them. But the National

T

[Page 5]REVIEW

Spiritual Assembly is wary of taking any institutional action that may tend toward a system or regimentation in acts of prayer, and feels it would be improper to go beyond the requirements of the. Sacred Texts to legislate a nationwide program of specific prayers to be said at specific times under specific circumstances. —NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Bahá’í Youth and the Voting Age

From 1971 State/District Conventions and from other Bahá’í Conferences as well as from Local Spiritual Assemblies has come the recommendation that now that the United States has made youth eligible for voting in civil elections at the age of eighteen years, they should also be eligible to vote in Bahá’í elections and to hold elective offices.

The beloved Guardian established 21 years as the minimum voting age in Bahá’í elections even at a time when in several countries eighteen was the minimum voting age in civil elections. The Articles of Trust and By-Laws, first adopted by

the National Spiritual Assembly of the

United States and Canada, and which, at the Guardian’s- direction, became the model for the legal constitution of all National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world, establish the voting age for Bahá’ís as 21 years. Only The Universal House of Justice can decide whether this age can or may be changed. Until such time, the Bahá’í youth in the United States attain the privilege of voting in Bahá’í elections or holding Bahá’í elective offices, local, state, or national only when they reach the age of'2l years. This restriction does not apply to voting on recommendations at the Nineteen Day Feast or on local or national committees on which youth may be members. It does apply in voting for officers for the State/ District Conventions, but does not prohibit youth members participating in

\ these Conventions in other ways.

Pending the attainment of 21 years of age all Bahá’í youth are encouraged to participate actively in all teaching and deepening activities of the community

thereby gaining knowledge and experi—‘

ence which will enable them to develop the qualifications necessary to later vote

in Bahá’í elections and to hold Bahá’í elec—.

tive offices.

The Greatest Name. Symbol of the Cause

“It beseemeth all men, in this Day, to take firm hold on the Most Great "Name and to establish the unity of all mankind,” said Bahá’u’lláh. The Greatest Name is the Name of Bahá’u’lláh Himself. It “is a distinctive mark of the Cause and a symbol of our Faith.”

The power of the Word of God is focussed in the verbal symbols of the Faith, in a real sense, for us who are the community of the Most Great Name. The friends therefore must learn periodically the meaning of that Name which is so often the carrier of our deepest feeling for the Cause. Since believers wear a form of the Greatest Name upon their rings, utilize another form as a religious symbol in their homes and inscribe it upon their Houses of Worship or upon publications of the Holy Words, and use still another form as an intimate brotherly greeting between Bahá’ís, clarification of these several usages will be helpful.

In 1949 the Guardian affirmed that all forms of the Greatest Name are versions of the name of Bahá’u’lláh or refer to Him. Thus “Baha” (meaning Glory, Light, Splendor) is the title taken by Husayn‘Al1’ of Nur at the famous 1848 conference of Bábis at Badasht in Persia, at which time the new religion of the Báb made its clear break from its origins in Islam. “Bahá’u’lláh (meaning the Glory of God/Allah) is the amplified title of the High Prophet, assumed following His declaration in 1863. It affirms implicitly the divine role of the Great Educator who is “the Glory of God.” As Shoghi Effendi asserts: “Bahá’u’lláh has appeared in God’s Greatest Name, . . . He is the supreme Manifestation of God.” In the familiar ringstone symbol of Bahá, the letters “B” (or Ba) and “H” (or Ha) are combined, with two stars added to typify, by one interpretation, the twin Prophets of this Dispensation.

There are several additional forms of the Greatest Name, used as verbal or written allusions to Bahá’u’lláh. One is the familiar “Alláh-u-Abhá,” which means “God the All-Glorious!” In the East this use of the Greatest Name “is, generally speaking, confined to a greeting. It is not said at the end of prayers.” And

[Page 6]the Guardian has indicated that “the less it is used freely in public by the Bahá’ís of the West (before strangers) the better, as it gives a very peculiar impression of us, and makes us seem like some strange Oriental sect.” Another Greatest Name is that invocation (which preferably is expressed inwardly, in silence’) Whose Arabic script is upon our Houses of Worship and is used upon certain selected publications.- “Yá-Bahá’u’l—Abhá,” means “O Thou Glory of Glories” or “O Glory of the All-Glorious!” It is used “as an address to Bahá’u’lláh Himself; it can be used at any time.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá exhorted the friends to “recite the Greatest Name at every morn, and (to) turn . . . unto the Kingdom of Abhá, until thou mayest apprehend My mysteries.” Again He says: “There lie glorious meanings in the words Alláh-u-Abhá. I hope thou wilt discover those significances.” At another place He implies the profundity of the ringstone symbol, saying: “I hope that . . . thou mayest become informed of the concealed mystery and recondite symbol of the stone of the Most Great Name.” Again, through use of the Greatest Name, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá urges that “the doors of the Kingdom of God open, illumination is vouchsafed, and divine union results . . . The use’ of the Greatest Name, and dependence upon it, causes the soul to strip itself of the husks of mortality and to step forth freed, reborn, a new creature. . . .”

“The Greatest Name should be found upon the lips in the first awakening moment of early dawn. It should be fed upon by constant use in daily invocation, in

MARCH ‘1972

trouble, under opposition, and should be the last word breathed when the head rests upon the pillow at night. It is the name of comfort, protection, happiness, illumination, love and unity.”

Let us summon the Greatest Name of Bahá’u’lláh to our lips and to our lives!

-—From U.S. SUPPLEMENT, October 1964

The Use of Symbols of ‘the Bahá’u’lláh

In order to protect the Bahá’í Faith against misuse of certain of its terms and symbols, and to prevent their becoming public domain, the National Spiritual Assembly has had these terms and symbols legally registered as Bahá’í' trademarks.

The friends are requested not to reproduce for commercial use or local publicity purposes the Arabic script of “The Greatest Name,” the nine—pointed star, the nine petaled rosette or any other symbols and items-identified with the Bahá’í’ Faith without first securing permission from the National Spiritual Assembly.

Among the registered trademarks is a photograph of the Bahá’í House of Worship, but this or any other View of the Temple may be used for publicity purposes without prior permission, particularly if they are photographs or newspaper mats available from BAHA'I' PUBLISHING TRUST. If a photograph of the Bahá’í House of Worship or any symbol of

the Faith appears in advertisements by '

non-Bahá’í groups. in local newspapers, copies should be sent immediately to the National Spiritual Assembly.

——From U.S. SUPPLEMENT, July 1966

In Memoriam

Charles Albert Hartsville, South Carolina Unknown

Mrs. Sandra Bagby _Los Angeles, California July 1971

Mrs. Marguerite Breugger Bentonville, Arkansas January 9, 1972

Mrs. Flora Crossen

Indianapolis, Indiana January 27, 1972

Mrs. Jessie Mae Currie

Hartsville, South Carolina Unknown

Terry Gronich

January 24, 1972 Miss Ruth Hammonds

Unknown

Carl A. Hannen Orlando, Florida February 4, 1972

Mrs. Dinah Harrston

August 1971

Miss Donna Johnson Phoenix, Arizona January 30, 1972

Eugene Johnson Alt_adena, California January 19, 1972

North Hollywood, California

Hartsville, South Carolina

Darlington, South Carolina

Mrs. Catherine Sehmer Westlake, Ohio December 28, 1971

Mrs. Florence Thompson Battle Creek, Michigan January 8, 1972

Oscar Timmons Mullins, South Carolina January 8, 1972

Miss Ruth Westgate Mendota, Illinois October 17, 1971

Mrs. Agnes Wright Jackson, Michigan December 9, 1971

Ernest Johnson Hartsville, South Carolina Unknown

Mrs. Edna McManamy Fruitport, Michigan January 29, 1972

Theodore R. Minor Durham, North Carolina Unknown

Henry B. Newman Hartsville, South Carolina January 13, 1972

Arthur E. Regal Downers Grove, Illinois

February 3, 1972 Cliff Rogers

Baytown, Texas January 27, 1972

[Page 7]REVIEW

BAHA,'I, DIRECTORY CHANGES

ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Arizona North Maricopa County: Mrs. Nina Bird, 2310 W. Village Dr., Phoenix 85023 Tempe: Mrs. Gladys Baumann, P.O. Box 504, 85281 8 Arkansas Little Rock: Mrs. Helena J. Ward, 309 Arthur Dr., 72204 Northern California Davis: Mrs. Garreta Heinrich, P.O. Box A 578, 95616 Healdsburgz Mr. Robert Siegel, 212 First St., 95448 Vallejo: Mrs. Betty Sarty, P.O. Box 866, 94590 Central California Dist. #1 ‘ Redwood City: Mrs. Hollie Ledet, P.O. Box 103, 94064 ' San. Jose: Mrs. Caron Krams, P.O. Box 6381, 95150

Santa Cruz J.D.: Mr. Paul E. DeFay,.

pro-tem, 862 Olive Springs Rd., 9506 Southern California Dist. #2 .Desert J.D.: Mr. Kettlon Dunbar, P.O. Box 1191, Palm Desert 92260Garden Grove: Mrs: Maria Wright, 11542 Garden Dr., 92640 Oceanside: Mrs. Enola A. Leonard, 143 Swallow Lane, 92054 San Bernardino: Correct zip code to 92411 Southern California Dist. #3 Oxnard: Mr. Calvin Halsey, P.O. Box 854, 93030 Connecticut Darien: Mrs. Carole Burrow, 4 Hampton Rd., 06820 Delaware Milton: Mrs. Jennie L. Hogan, P.O. Box 79,19968 Georgia

Richland: Mrs. Vera M. Askew, P.O.

600, Millikan Ave., 31825 Northern Illinois Evanstonz Mrs. Mary Kurrus, pro-tem, 1315 Jenks St., 60201 Indiana South Bend: Miss Druzella Brenneman, pro-tem, 1314 Lincoln Way E., 46613 Terre Haute: Mrs. Merrie Stradtner, 720‘/_» S. 6th St., Apt. 8, 48707 Louisiana Baton Rouge: Mrs. Sharon Edwards,

3915 N. Blvd., 70806‘

Baton’Rouge East Parish #1: Mrs. Forough Shadravan, pro-tem, 10512 Cal Rd., Baton Rouge 70809

Massachusetts

Holyoke: Miss Virginia McElroy, 69

Main St., 01040 Mississippi

Jackson: Mrs. Mary Fowlkes, 3610 Al bemarle Rd., 39213

Missouri Affton: ‘Mrs. Georgia Culis, 5622 Willard, 63123 Nebraska _ Lincoln: Mrs. Kathy Aflatooni, P.O. Box 80601, 68501 New Mexico Carlsbad: Mrs. Sara Tolman, 502 N. Second, 88220 Eastern New York Town of Hempstead: New secretary to be reported

Western New York

Town of Farmington: Mrs. Deane B. Waite, 211 Huckleberry Rd., Macedon 14502 ' '

North Carolina

Charlotte: Mrs. Dorothy J. Mileham, 1000 Belmont Ave., 28205

Raleigh: Mr. Thomas Moore, Bahá’í Center, 203 Chamberlain St., 27607

Oklahoma

Norman: Mrs. Christie Akhtarkhavari, 1015 Jenkins, 73069

Oklahoma City: Mrs. Arabelle W. Haywood, 4105 N. Everest, 73111

South.Carolina .

Charleston: Mr. Arthur Zucker, 99 Bull St., 29401

Greenville: Mrs. Sharon Rochester, P.O. Box 8026, 29604 1

Orangeburg: Mrs. P.O. Box 1545, 29115

Eastern Texas

Corpus Christi: Mrs. Hope Joyner, 3762 Up River Rd., Apt. 14, 78404

University Park: Mrs. Jean M. Minney, pro-tem, 4129 Glenwick Lane, Apt. 15, Dallas 75205

Wichita Falls: Mr. Abbas Effendi, protem, 1515 Nunnely, 76306 '

Marshall: New secretary to be reported

Pasadena: Mrs. Cynthia D. Ramsey, 1309 Lawrence, 77502

Kathleen Hanna, _

[Page 8]Virginia Richmond: Mrs. Jeanne Cessna, protem, PO. Box 1003, 23208 Eastern Washington Franklin County Commissioners Dist.

1. 3: Mrs. Miriam Richmond, 5919 Augent Rd, Pasco 99301

Western Washington King County Councilman’s Dist. #7: Mrs. Donna Quist, 27011 8th Ave.,. S., Kent'9803l

Wyoming Casper: Mr. John L. Stauffenberg, 340 S. Ash, 82601 —*

DISTRICT TEACHING COMMITTEE SECRETARIES

Northern Arizona: Mrs. Roxanne Gardner, P.O. Box 1576, Cave Creek.85331

Southern Arizona: Correct spelling of name to “Haley”

Central California #1: Mrs. Judith Koplan, 2413 High St., Palo Alto 94306

Southern California #2: Mrs. Vera Longyear, 616 Hewlett, Bakersfield 93309

Northern Colorado: Mrs. Dona Crutchfield, 1369 Garfield, Denver 80206 '

Northern West Virginia: Mrs. Barbara Carr, P.O. Box 6214, Wheeling 26003

Southern West Virginia: Mrs. Joyce Chalmers, 6220 East Gate Rd., Huntington 25705 6

CALENDAR

Feasts

March 21 Baha (Splendor)

April 9 Jalél (Glory)

April 28 Jamal (Beauty) Special Days .

March 2— Beginning of Fast,

continues for nineteen days Feast of Riḍván (Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh) April 21-May 2

May 23 Declaration of the Báb

May 29 Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh Baha"I’ Holy Days on Which Work Should Be Suspended

March 21 Naw—RL'iz

April 21 The first day of Riḍván

April 29 The ninth day of Riḍván

May 2 Twelfth day of Riḍván

May 23 Anniversary of the Declaration

of the Báb

National Assembly Meetings

March 24-26 (Wilmette)

April 21-24 (Wilmette)

which

MARCH ‘1972

National Bahá’í Fund

1971-1972

5 200,000

150,000 Mon C111 1] Goal

100,000

50,000

a ~ M m ’ m Q n

ma BI r I

I

I I I

m

M

W Ma‘fl Sha at Sun n lk

a

B J

,¢v\___ Qud Q

Sultan Mulk Fiscal Year (Sovereignty) (Dominion) to Date INCOME: Regular Contributions $ 73,785.95 $ 85,939.29 $1,288,343.39 Special Contributions 7.80265 6,964.13 48,344.55 Total » Contributions $ 81,588.60 $ 92,903.42 $1,336,687.94 Estates 1,980.91 30,476.66 93,729.83 Other Income 207.18 652.85 39,801.02 Total Income $ 83,776.69 $124,032.93 $1,470,218.79 Budget $120,000.00 $120,000.00 $1,920,000.00

National Convention (Note Change) April 22, 8:30 a.m. through April 24, 1:00 p.m.

Dedication of Louis G. Gregory Institute Postponed—to be_ announced later

Panama Temple Dedication April 29-May 2, 1972

Conferences Deepening by Continental Board of Counsellors

March 31—April 2, Fort Wayne, Indiana Same dates as above, Reno, Nevada

Schools

Geyserville Spring-Session — March 26 March 30

North West Bahá’í School, Seabeck, Washington — June 24-June 29

Oklahoma/Texas Bahá’í School, Summer session, August 6-12.