The American Bahá’í/Volume 13/Issue 3/Text

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March, 1982

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[Page 1]

March 1982

American

The

ha’i

‘Relentless terror’ stalks Iran’s Baha’i community

To the Bahd’{s of the World

Dearly-loved Friends,

WITH INDIGNATION and anguish the Baha’fs of the world, over the past three years, have received continuously tragic news of the sufferings and martyrdoms of their brethren in Iran, where a reign of relentless terror is now encompassing that long-abused and downtrodden community.

The inhuman cruelties heaped on the followers of the Most Great Name—worthy descendants of their forebears, the Dawn-Breakers—in that land where the heroes and martyrs of the Faith have shed such lustre on their generations, are increasing daily.

We have seen how the House of the Bab in Shiraz and Bahd’u’ll4h’s ancestral home in Takur have been demolished, all Bahd’{ endowments, including our Holy Places, have been seized, and the main financial assets of the community sequestered,

WE HAVE SEEN with what callousness Baha’ children have been refused admission to schools, Baha’i employees dismissed from government positions, and the essential human rights of the sorely-tried Baha’is violated, their means of livelihood undermined or destroyed, their homes plundered, their properties confiscated, their very lives snuffed out.

Contemplating the history of the persecution of the Baha’is of Iran, we note an alarming acceleration in the degree of blatancy with which the traditional enemies of the Faith pursue their single purpose in extirpating the Faith in the jand of its birth.

In the past, with the exception of a few specific instances, the persecution of the members of the Baha’i community by those traditionally inimical to the Faith, was random and sporadic, resulting from the incitement of easily aroused mobs to attack the lives and properties of the Baha’is.

Now the enemies of God’s precious Cause who, as they themselves attest, have in the past twenty-five years or ganized themselves to counteract the influence of the Faith, to vilify and misrepresent its purpose and teachings, to inflame religious passions leading to the harassment and intimidation of the believers, to sow seeds of doubt among. the friends and sympathizers, have infiltrated the ranks of officialdom, where, from this more advantageous position, they continue to instigate the persecution of the Baha’is.

The incidence of violation of the rights of the Baha’is is © thus becoming more frequent as is well evidenced by reports published in the press of Iran in recent months.

Examples abound. For instance, formerly when Baha’is were arrested they were given an opportunity to defend themselves in some form of judicial proceedings held for the sake of appearance. On one occasion part of the proceedings which resulted in the execution of seven believers in Yazd, as late as September 1980, was televised.

BUT RECENTLY the court proceedings, if any, have Please See ENEMIES Page 4

a r SSS ‘The photograph at left, taken January 13, shows the completed structure of Dormitory No. 1 at the Louhelen Baha’i School in

Davison, Michigan, Still to be added were window and door trim, siding and paint. The photo at right shows carpenters erect school. Dormitory No.

Michigan draws statewide teaching plan

ing the walls for Dormitory No. 2 at 1 Is in the background at right. The $1.9-million Louhelen during the last few months.

Louhelen construction progresses

on schedule in spite of inclement weather

A PROPOSED statewide teaching plan for Michigan was introduced to Baha'is there during special day-long teaching conferences held January 30 in Detroit, in Saginaw the following day, and in Kalamazoo on February 7.

The conferences were arranged by the National Teaching Com=

What’s inside

A SUMMARY of actions taken by the worldwide Baha’i community in response to the persecution of Baha'is in Iran. Page 4

A BENEFIT concert in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by entertainer Danny Deardorff draws unprecedented publicity for the Faith. Page 6

COMPLETE details about the Baha'i International Conference scheduled for September 3-5 in Montreal, Canada. Pages 8-13

PUBLISHING Trust readies Louis Gregory biography. Page 15

mittee in response to a directive from the National Spiritual Assembly that an extensive teaching campaign be launched in Michigan to coincide with reconstruction of the Louhelen Baha'i School at Davison. Reconstruction of the Louhelen School was begun last August.

THE TEACHING plan introduced at the Michigan conferences is based on the “Rhythm of Growth”? concept. An 11-page booklet describing specific results to be gained from implementing this plan in each Baha’i locality was distributed to the friends.

Among the speakers at the conferences were Dr. Magdalene M. Carney, assistant secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; Auxiliary Board members Stephen Ader and Javidukht Khadem; Rose Lopez, secretary of the National Teaching Committee; Keyvan Nazerian, vice-chairman of the National Teaching Committee; David Smith, secretary of the

National Education Committee; Parks Scott, assistant to the secretary for Public Affairs; and members of the National Youth Committee.

Each of the conferences included afternoon workshop sessions on such topics as preparation for homefront pioneering, traveling teaching, extension teaching plans, the media and teaching, youth and the Seven Year Plan, and establishing a healthy and growing Baha’i community,

Mrs. Khadem introduced the concept of “Hub Teaching Centers,’’ a program of intercommunity “‘parties’” for Baha’u’llah that are held in the same person’s home at least once each Baha’i month,

The use of Hub centers, she said, can be of considerable help to the believers in achieving their teaching goals, as they have in

well in spite of inclement weather

CONSTRUCTION work at the Louhelen Bahá’í School in Davison, Michigan, which was begun last August 24, is not far behind schedule despite poor weather from September through early February, according to Sirouss Binaci, construction manager for the Louhelen School Reconstruction Project.

By the first week in February, says Mr. Binaci, the entire project was 38 percent complete, even in the face of inclement weather that put the work some six weeks behind schedule.

THE $1.9 million Louhelen

project includes the construction of four new buildings on the property. One of the new dormitories. was 60 percent complete by the first week in February, says Mr. Binaci, and a second dormitory was half built.

suite arrangement that includes restroom facilities.

The new school center building, 30 percent completed by early February, will house a cafeteria with kitchen, dining area, lounge with fireplace, an audio-visual and council room, and a reception desk.

The classroom building, also 30 percent completed by the first week in February, will include cight fully equipped classrooms plus an observation room for special students and sleeping quarters for children.

The classroom building and dormitory No. 2 also will have basements that can be used for storage, says Mr. Binaci.

The well that will supply water to the school campus has been installed, he says, as has the access road from Highway M-15 to the school site.

LSD

[Page 2]VIEWPOINT

The American Baha'i

Editorial

TV neglects mankind’s ‘greatest battle’

TURNING ON one’s television set to watch the evening news is becoming a hazardous undertaking.

Assaulting the mind and emotions of the attentive viewer each night is a seemingly never-ending stream of reports about strife in Poland, skirmishes in El Salvador, military engagements in Lebanon, Syria, and Afghanistan, terrorism in Ireland and Italy, and continuing battles in any number of formerly little-known locations around this fragile planet we call earth.

The over-all message to the viewer is clear: The world is a battleground. The message is being conveyed so strongly by the media that the average Baha’i could easily be tempted to forget Shoghi Effendi’s trenchant statement: ‘‘If we could perceive the true reality of things we would see that the greatest of all battles in the world today is the spiritual battle.’’

SPIRITUAL BATTLES, however, do not make for good news coverage. It is difficult to acquire film of an individual or community engaging in a spiritual battle to overcome such negative traits as prejudice or moral weakness.

Yet the Writings of Baha’u’llah are quite clear in indicating that it is upon the outcome of such spiritual battles that the future of the world ultimately rests.

As valiant soldiers in the spiritual Army of Bahá’u’lláh, we must be ever on our guard not to allow the transient events of the world to weigh down our spirits.

We must not let ourselves be lulled into thinking that the “‘spiritual victories” we win in the course of our daily lives have no great impact on the events taking place in the world at large. For each believer has been destined to play a significant role in God’s Great Plan, as evidenced by these words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha:

“From amongst all mankind hath He chosen you, and your eyes have been opened to the light of guidance and your ears attuned to the Company above and blessed by abounding grace, your hearts and souls have been born into new life

“To thank Him for yourselves a noble goal.’’

LET US FURTHER heed the counsels of the Guardian to an individual believer:

“If the believers like yourself, young and eager and full of life, desire to win laurels for true and undying heroism, then let them join in the spiritual battle—whatever their physical occupation may be—which involves the very soul of man.

“The hardest and the noblest task in the world today is to be a true Baha’i; this requires that we defeat not only the current evils prevailing afl over the world, but the weaknesses, attachments to the past, prejudices, and selfishnesses that may be inherited and acquired within our own characters; that we may give forth a shining and incorruptible example to our fellow-men.””

Letters

, make ye a mighty effort, and choose for

Northern Illinois reps map out teaching plan

REPRESENTATIVES of at least 20 Spiritual Assemblies in Northern Illinois Districts 1 and 2 participated January 24 in a follow-up inter-Assembly meeting at the Baha’s National Center in Wil

mette.

The day-long conference to consult on intercommunity teaching activities followed the first such inter-Assembly meeting last October 18.

Speakers at this most recent gathering included Auxiliary Board members Stephen Ader and D. Thelma Jackson and Rose Lopez, secretary of the National Teaching Committee.

The Assembly representatives consulted on intercommunity activities that will form part of an over-all teaching plan for Northern Illinois, such as an areawide information ‘center that would be based in Chicago.

The elements of the plan, said Mrs. Lopez, resulted from suggestions by Assembly representatives who attended the first meeting last October.

Those suggestions were collected, categorized and compiled by a four-member Northern Illinois Plan task force appointed for that purpose.

ee Michigan

Continued From Page 1

many areas of the country.

The booklet made available at the conference used the Rhythm of Growth concept to describe the potential growth of each Baha’i community in Michigan by Ridvan 1983 and Ridvan 1984 by implementing this phased and systematic plan of expansion and consolidation.

Dr. Wilma Brady answers a question from the audience during the National Spiritual Assembly’s meeting January 9 with more than 500 of the friends in the San Jose, California, area, one of a series of meetings the National Assembly

JULY 15, 1982, marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of Bahiyyih Khanum, the “‘Greatest Holy Leaf’? and eldest daughter of Baha’u’llah.

In a message dated January 24, the Universal House of Justice asked all National Spiritual Assemblies to arrange appropriate national commemorative services in memory of ‘‘the greatest woman in the Baha’i Dispensation,”’ and to ensure that local communities under their jurisdiction also plan befitting memorial gatherings either on July 15 or on the weekend immediately following that date.

has scheduled with Baha’fs in various parts of the country. Also present at the meeting in San Jose were Counsellor Fred Schechter and Auxiliary Board members Joyce Dahl, Margaret Gallagher and Paul Pettit.

Nationwide memorials to mark passing of Greatest Holy Leaf

Baha’u’llah Himself described Bahfyyih Khánum as having reached a station such as none other woman hath sur “Only future generations and pens abler than mine,’’ the beloved Guardian wrote, ‘‘can, and will, pay a worthy tribute to the towering grandeur of her spiritual life, to the unique part she played throughout the tumultuous stages of Baha’i history, to the expressions of unqualified praise that have streamed from the pen of both Bahd’u’ll4h and ‘Abdu’lBaha, the Centre of His Covenant.”

Teaching trip to Southwest brings joy, assurance

To the Editor:

L HAVE recently returned from a two-week teaching trip to the fourth annual Southern New Mexico/West Texas teaching project (December 19-January 3) and I am so happy!

Just as we should all make an effort to go on pilgrimage, I think that everyone owes it to himself to make at least one traveling teaching trip (after the first one, you’ll want more)!

The American Baha’i

Published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL. 60091. Editor: Jack Bowers Associate Edltor: David E, Ogron ‘The American Bahá’í welcomes news, letters and, other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Faith. Articles should be written in a clear and concise manner; black and white glossy photos should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials to The Editor, ‘The American Baha’, Wilmette, IL 60091, ‘Copyright © 1982 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. Wold rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

It is difficult to put into words how joyous I felt. I felt Baha*u’llah’s special protection and guidance, felt taken care of, my needs met, my fears melted away.

AT FIRST I was unsure of myself, because we were using the direct teaching method and I was inexperienced at this. I had my doubts—but not for long!

I prayed every day and had faith in what Bahá’u’lláh said: “The source of courage and power is the promotion of the Word of God, and steadfastness in His love.”’

Often during the day I would recite the words of the Bab: “Arise in His name, put your trust wholly in Him, and be assured of ultimate victory.’’

As I look back, I see that because of my faith and my desire to spread the Cause of God, Baha’u’ll4h blessed me with confirmations in this teaching method.

I'll never forget the first time a

The American Bahá’í welcomes

letters to the editor on any subject of general interest. Letters should be as brief as possible, and are subject to editing for length and style. Please address letters to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Baha’i declared! I felt the effects of the prayers of my silentteacher-partner, I felt like God’s channel, and I saw the spark of faith in a woman to whom I had given the Message of Bahd’u’ll4h.

She had been prepared; she was one of the ‘‘waiting souls’’ we pray to be guided to. I will keep in touch with her and try to nurture her.

DURING the project, at times there were 12 teachers, sometimes only two; many people offered hospitality and took care of children; and everyone prayed for the teaching work. As a result, many

people heard the name Baha’u'll4h for the first time, many strong contacts were made, and 151 people recognized Bahá’u’lláh and declared their faith.

I went on this trip to give of myself, and to give others the chance to hear of God’s Messenger for today; but I returned with much more than I could ever give.

Because of God’s bounties and the fellowship on the project, I came back with a quickened soul, on fire with love for God and Bahda’u’ lah,

I pray that all Baha’is will try to teach, whether at home or on a trip. It feels so good you don’t want to stop!

Harlene Finn Evanston, Illinois

To the Editor:

I WOULD like to say a few words in behalf of a special group of friends in our communities: Baha’{ musicians.

When a Bahd’{ musician per forms, he or she is offering a gift to the listener, a present no less valuable than any material gift he could give.

Yet how do we all too often receive it? We fidget, we fuss, we talk loudly and walk about, almost oblivious of the performer. This is neither kind nor courteous.

As for the performers, these dear souls are so tender-hearted and sensitive that they will not say anything when those of us who are not musically gifted unintentionally hurt them.

PLEASE, friends, if you have something to discuss while a musician is performing, leave the room and do it outside.

I’m sure it is only thoughtlessness that makes us behave this way, and no offense is intended. But the lack of attention, courtesy and respect is discouraging and sometimes humiliating to the performers.

See PERSECUTION Page 20

5k a RRS ICES ERD EST SE DEA SRO SEE PAS SPSL LTE TE

[Page 3]IGC:PIONEERING

March 1982

3

Thirty localities were opened to the Faith and three Local Spiritual Assemblies were elected during a three-month teaching campaign that was carried out last June through August in the Dominican Republic.

The project, which resulted from a teaching conference in La Romana early in June, was inspired by the message on mass teaching from the Universal House of Justice and was sustained by the prayers of the Supreme Body ...

Don Addison, a pioneer to Nigeria from the U.S. who teaches ethnomusicology at the University of Nigeria in Nsukka, participated last October and November in proclamation activities sponsored by the Baha’i communities of Jos and Bukuru.

Mr. Addison gave several public talks on the Faith, including one at the University of Jos. At a secondary school there, he and Auxiliary Board member Nariman Khayltash spoke to an audience of about 800 students.

Three radio and two TV interviews were arranged for Mr. Addison, each of which lasted for 30 minutes and all of which included music and many questions about the Faith ...

The Baha’ is of Mpika, Zambia, report that they have opened five new localities, introduced the Faith to the district authorities i Chinsali, and participated in agricultural shows at Mpika, Isoka and Chief Chikwanda where about 600 people heard about the Faith.

The community holds regular Nineteen Day Feasts. deepening classes, early morning prayer sessions and weekly firesides ...

The National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil sent a telegram of congratulations and one of its members to speak at graduation ceremonies last December for five young Bahá’ís who were graduated as engineers in materials from the Federal University of Sao Carlos.

Three of the recent graduates were members of the first Spiritual Assembly of Sao Carlos that was formed in 1980 and was composed entirely of university faculty and students ...

Forty-five women, Baha’fs and non-Baha’js, attended a women’s conference last November 26 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The nonBaha’i participants reportedly showed great interest in the Faith.

Meanwhile, Baha’ books were presented to the principals of six local colleges by representatives of the Baha’i community of Karachi during a proclamation week November 22-28 ...

Shortage of funds challenges Goals Committee plans

THE International Goals Committee is faced with an extraordi nary challenge.

Since last Ridvan the committee has succeeded in placing 65 pioneers in goal areas assigned to the world. Last November, the U: versal House of Justice assigned to the U.S. the additional goal of sending 46 individuals into the pioneering field by Ridvan 1982.

Normally, the National Spiritual Assembly, through the Goals Committee, would be able to contribute something toward transportation, or short-term deputization, to assist the pioneers if necessary.

HOWEVER, the committee’s budget has already been drawn

- The 26 people attending the Pio neer Training Institute held January 14-17 at the Baha’i National Center in Wilmette, Illinois, were making plans to pioneer to Ghana, the Leeward Islands, Bolivia, the Marshall Islands, the Mariana Islands, Southern Africa, India, Martinique, Panama, Nigeria, Samoa and Guatemala. Speakers at the Institute included Edna True (second row center) and Auxiliary Board member D. Thelma Jackson (second row right). Among the guests were a visiting pioneer from Martinique and a representative of the Spiritual Assembly of Dallas, Texas.

Guyana slates school

‘THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly of Guyana will hold its annual Baha’i Summer School in Georgetown from April 8-12.

The cost for five full days at the school is $10. Hospitality is available for those who could spend more time in Guyana to teach. Daily costs including travel, food and accommodations could be budgeted at $20.

Guyana Airways provides direct round-trip flights from New York to Georgetown for $600 and has a special fare of $350 from Miami to Georgetown.

For more information, write to the Summer School Committee, 220 Charlotte St. Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana.

upon to win the first set of pioneering goals, and the National Fund is unable to provide extra revenue since it already is stretched to meet the reduced national budget for the year.

Therefore, applicants for pioneering must be entirely self-supporting, as they cannot be helped to travel to the goal countries to look for work. t

Many of the new goals can be filled without financial assistance for the pioneers, while a few can be filled only if the prospective pioneers are assisted.

Every Baha’i should be familiar by now with the appeal made by the beloved Guardian in The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 55-56:

“I would particularly direct my appeal to those American believers ... who may find it possible, whatever be their calling or employment, whether as business men, school teachers, lawyers, doctors, writers, office workers, and the like, to establish permanently their residence in such countries as may offer them a reasonable prospect of earning the means of livelihood.

“They will by their action be relieving the continually increasing pressures on their Teaching Fund ...Should they find it impossible to take advantage of so rare and sacred a privilege, let them, mindful of the words of Baha

u’ll4h, determine, each according

to the means at his or her disposal, to appoint a deputy who, on that believer’s behalf, will arise and carry out so noble an enterprise.” WHILE one might think that deputizing a pioneer means giving large amounts of money over long periods of time, it is possible to contribute toward the deputization of a pioneer by sending small amounts on a regular basis. These amounts, it is important to point out, should be over and

TO: International Goals Committee

Baha’i National Center Wilmette, Minois 60091

above one’s regular contributions to the National Fund.

To deputize a pioneer, please fill out the coupon on this page and send it with your contribution, large or small, to the International Goals Committee.

Checks should be made payable to the National Baha’i Fund, earmarked on the check “‘IGC Deputization.’’ Your support will help assure our being able to fill the vital goals by Ridvan.

Thank you!

I (we) want to help deputize a pioneer. I (we) will send a contribution

(Clevery Baha’i month

(Clevery Gregorian month

Clone time only

in the amount of $.

for $. é Name(s).

Address.

Baha’i 1.D. Number(s).

. Enclosed is my

check money order

Please make checks payable to the National Baha’i Fund. Mark on

check ‘IGC deputization.”” Thank you.

U.S. Pioneer Goals—Revised November 23, 1981 Second Phase of Seven Year Plan—To Be Filled by Ridvan 1982

AFRICA

(E) Gambia

(E) Liberia

(F) Mauritania (A,F,S) Morocco

Assigned

erunn

ASIA

(J) Japan (P,E,C) Macao (E) Nepal (T,E) Thailand

A See

EUROPE (D) Denmark

aja

AMERICAS

(E) Bahamas 1 (F) Fr. Antilles Martinique 1 (E) Leeward Is. (F) Fr. Guiana 1 (E) Windward Is. Dominica 4 EANGUAGE KEY A—Arabic C—Chinese D—Danish E—English F—French J—Japanese P—Portuguese S—Spanish T—Thai

Filled Y AUSTRALASIA

(E) Caroline Is. Kosrae

(E) Fiji

(E) Marshall Is.

(E) Marianas Guam Rota

as

Africa Americas Asia Australasia Europe TOTAL

Saipan (F) New Caledonia

Assigned Filled Y

hes Ak

TOTAL ASSIGNMENTS

Mae

GOALS FILLED BY U.S.

U.S. Goals

Goals Assigned to Other Countries 4 Non-Goals, Overfills and Refills 52

TOTAL

Reopened Goals

“Bahamas “Fr. Antilles “Botswana

Austria

62

From first phase of Plan

Y—Youth

san SRR SA RT SARE ORE RUE NES TARA REE SE PENT SE AT EE EN AE TT TO TT TE

[Page 4]The American Baha'i

a

Enemies of Faith step up pressure on Iran’s Baha’is

Continued From Page 1

been held in camera, and reports have even been received of the torture of Baha’ fs before their execution.

No longer are the relatives of imprisoned Baha’is permitted to visit them, as they were until recently; no longer are the condemned permitted to solace their families with letters of farewell or the making of wills before their execution; and; more tragically, disturbed by the large number of Baha’ {s and sympathetic people of other religions who attended the funeral services of the slain Bahd’fs, the authorities have now seized the Baha’i cemetery in Teheran and do not permit burial there. Indeed, families of those most recently martyred were not even notified of the secret execution of their loved ones, whose bodies, unceremoniously deposited in graves for ‘‘infidels,”” were only fortuitously discovered.

Although the oppressors maintain that they are killing the Baha’is because they are guilty of serving as political agents and spies, it has been ascertained that in almost every instance of execution, the accused Baha’i was offered recantation as a means of release.

The inveterate enemies of the Faith imagine that their persecutions will disrupt the foundations of the Faith and tarnish its glory. Alas! Alas for their ignorance and folly! These acts of oppression, far from weakening the resolve of the friends, have always served to inflame their zeal and galvanize their beings.

In the words of ‘Abdu’lBahá, “‘...they thought that violence and interference would cause extinction and silence and lead to suppression and oblivion; whereas interference in matters of conscience causes stability and firmness and attracts the attention of men’s sight and souls; which fact has received experimental proof many times and often.””

EVERY drop of blood shed by the valiant martyrs, every sigh heaved by the silent victims of oppression, every supplication for divine assistance offered by the faithful, has released, and will continue mysteriously to release, forces over which no antagonist of the Faith has any control, and which, as marshalled by an AllWatchful Providence, have served to noise abroad the name and fame of the Faith to the masses of humanity in all continents, millions of whom had previously been totally ignorant of the existence of the Faith or had but a superficial, and oft-times erroneous, understanding of its teachings and history.

The current persecution has resulted in bringing the name and character of our beloved Faith to the attention of the world as never

before in history. © Many National Assemblies contacted immigration authorities and large number of Senators and Congressmen of the United States

As a direct result of the protests sent by the world-wide community of the Most Great Name to the rulers in Iran, of the representations made to the media when those protests were ignored, of direct approach by Baha’i institutions at national and international level to governments, communities of nations, international agencies and the United Nations itself, the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh has not only been given sympathetic attention

been discussed and resolutions of protest sent to the Iranian authorities by sovereign governments, singly and in unison.

The world’s leading newspapers, followed by the local press, have presented sympathetic accounts of the Faith to millions of readers, while television and radio stations are increasingly making the persecutions in Iran the subject of their programmes. Commercial publishing houses are

But in spite of this great wave ot publicity now bringing the name of the Faith to the attention of large masses of mankind, and in spite of the many representations made to the authorities in Iran, the persecution of the Baha'is there continues. The world stands helpless before the imperviousness of that country to outside opinion or criticism.

IN FACE of this tragic impasse we can only redouble our efforts

the character and principles of our beloved Faith created by the sufferings of the Persian community.

Indeed, this new wave of persecution sweeping the Cradle of the Faith may well be seen as a blessing in disguise, a “‘providence’” whose “‘calamity’’ is, as always, borne heroically by the beloved Persian community.

It may be regarded as the latest move in God's Major Plan, an in the world’s councils, but also its merits and violated rights have

beginning to commission books about the Faith.

SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE BAHA’{ INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, NATIONAL AND LOCAL BAHA'I INSTITUTIONS, GOVERNMENTS, NON-BAHA’l ORGANIZATIONS AND PROMINENT PEOPLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE PERSECUTION OF THE BAHA’{S OF IRAN

°

The Bahá’í International Community

kept the Secretary-General and appropriate offices of the United Nations apprised of developments as they occurred;

cabled the Ayatollah Khomeini, the President and Prime Minister

of Iran, and the President of the Iranian Supreme Court, urging their intervention and refuting accusations made against the Faith;

prepared materials and made statements in connection with the

adoption of resolutions by the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, the European Parliament, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe;

made statements at the United Nations Commission on Human

Rights on the Question of Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances;

contacted the Iranian representative to the United Nations in New

York in order to repudiate falsehoods made about the Faith and to provide him with the true facts;

and prepared the ‘‘White Paper” and ‘“‘Update”’ and arranged for

their translation in three languages, the ‘Chronological Summary of Indi al Acts of Persecution in Iran,” and other documents for submission to high-ranking officials, government and United Nations offices, and worldwide distribution to National Spiritual Assemblies.

Baha’i Institutions

© National Assemblies throughout the world cabled the Ayatollah Khomeini on four occasions, the Prime Minister and Head of the Iranjan Supreme Court three times each, and the Secretary of the Revolutionary Council of Iran once.

© 118 National Spiritual Assemblies cabled the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as did thousands of Local Assemblies, Baha’i groups and isolated centers. It was estimated that some 10-15,000 cables reached him, protesting the execution of seven Baha'is in Hamadan.

© Most National Assemblies contacted by letter or delegation, or sent cables to their respective Iranian Embassy or Consulate, on five occasions, and kept their government officials continually informed of developments.

© Selected National Assemblies cabled the Ayatollah Khomeini, the President and the Prime Minister of Iran, and the Secretary of the Revolutionary Council on several occasions. They also cabled or contacted their respective Iranian Embassy or Consulate at least eleven times; approached humanitarian, business or professional organizations; and were in constant touch with government offices and the media.

¢ A large number of National Assemblies pursued a well-organized campaign of approaching the mass media, providing them with accurate information about the Faith and refuting false accusations made by enemies of the Cause. As a result, an unprecedented volume of publicity occurred in leading newspapers and periodicals throughout the world, as well as in newspapers having modest circulations. Well-known journalists wrote articles, some of which were distributed through international news agencies. Interviews were held with families of the martyrs, individual Baha’is wrote letters to editors of newspapers, and many radio and television programs were aired, including ‘‘Iran’s Secret Pogrom’’ on WS TV in Canada, and ‘‘Day One’’ and ‘‘John Craven’s Newsround” on BBCI TV.

other trumpet blast to awaken the

to teach the Cause, taking advan- Lee eee eee ne Please See HOUSE Page 19

tage of the increasing interest in

appropriate government offices in efforts to assist the displaced Iranian Baha'is in extending their visas and obtaining work permits and travel documents. They established special committees to work specifically to assist the Iranian friends, and they set up Persian Relief Funds on a national scale to aid deserving cases. The National Assemblies of Australia and Canada worked out with their respective immigration offices procedures whereby the process of immigration by Iranian Baha’is would be facilitated.

Baha’i communities the world over have assisted Iranian students

abroad, who have been faced with the termination of their education because they are unable to receive funds from their families in Iran whose assets in Nawndhdlan Company were frozen, or did not receive funds becaus¢ the Iranian government prevented the transfer of money from Iran to Baha’i students abroad. In some areas, Iranian Embassies have refused to extend the visas of Baha’i students. Certain universities and colleges have allowed the Baha’i students to continue their studies, and in some instances their tuition fees have even been waived.

Resolutions Adopted on Behalf of the Bahd’fs in Iran

German Federal Parliament

A meeting held in a committee room of the House of Commons,

United Kingdom

United Nations Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, Commission on Human Rights (2)

International Association for Religious Freedom

Statements and Letters from Governments, World Leaders and Others

To name just a few: © Prime Minister’s Office of the United Kingdom ¢ President Miterrand of France Offices of the King and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium © President and Minister of Cultural Affairs of Luxembourg ¢ All three parliamentary parties in Luxembourg ¢ Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher of Germany © Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India

148 out of 150 Members of Parliament in the Netherlands

wiss Parliamentarians

Western Samoan Government
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Australia
Governor of the Hawaiian Islands, U.S.A.
Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Some Non-Baha’i Individuals and Organizations that Issued Statements, Letters, Cables, or Press Releases

¢ Human Rights Commission of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Switzerland

¢ Trinidad and Tobago Bureau on Human Rights ormer Chief Justice, India

Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism

Pacific Conference of Churches

Iran Committee for Democratic Action and Human Rights (based

in the United States)

Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (based in France)

[Page 5]

THE FUNDS

March 1982

a neni ten

5

Spirituality is motivating force in life of mankind

“THE NEED is very great, everywhere in the world, in and outside the Faith, for a true spiritual awareness to pervade and motivate people's lives. No amount of administrative procedure or adherence to rules can take the place of this soul-characteristic, this spirituality which is the essence of man.”’ (The Baha’i Life, p. 12)

This statement, from~a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, identifies the most fundamental aspect of man—his spirituality—and singles it out as the es sential motivation for one’ 5 The importance of spirituality is especially true as we pursue our responsibilities and opportunities as Baha'is, for Baha’u’llah’s Teachings are more than simply a set of regulations or guidelines.

THE FUND is perhaps the best example of this principle. It is easy to be caught up in the outwardly material aspects of the Fund, such as numerical goals, giving money,

the amount of contributions, budgets, deficits, etc.

But unless there is a spiritual awareness of the true nature of giving and sacrifice, one is iikely to become overburdened and distressed at the material side.

Contributions in support of the Faith are, at their most fundamental level, spiritual acts rather than material ones.

This spiritual principle is highlighted repeatedly in the writings of the beloved Guardian, who indicated that material sacrifices are intimately associated with the sacrifices of the martyrs. Consider the following quotations:

««..the accumulating deficit which has lately again thrown its somber shadow on an otherwise resplendent record of service, must, through a renewed display of self abnegation, which, though not commensurate with the sacrifice of so many souls immolated on the altar of the Faith of Baha*u’ll4h, may at least faintly reflect

Universal participation holds key to eliminating Fund deficits forever

This is the fifth in a seven-part series on important aspects of the Baha’i Fund. Although man functions in a material world through material expressions, he is called upon to acquire divine attributes and manifest spiritual behavior. The Fund, as a Divine Institution, provides man with a means to grow spiritually and to demonstrate that growth through action. The purpose of this series is to highlight the spiritual principles that underlie the outwardly material act of giving to the Fund.

°

UNIVERSAL participation is one principle that almost every Baha’i has heard described in connection with the Fund. This concept is fully outlined by the Universal House of Justice in Wellspring of Guidance, pp. 37-39.

What is the spiritual basis of universal participation? It is the divine power that is called into being as a direct result of the united action of individual believers.

Universal participation, as described by the Universal House of Justice, extends beyond the act of giving to the Fund:

“*...THE MEANING of universal participation (is) the dedicated effort of every Bahd’f in teaching, in living the Baha’i life, in contributing to the Fund, and particularly in the persistent effort to understand more and more the Significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation.”

Thus, this principle actually involves the fundamental role of each individual Baha’i in service to the Faith.

The Universal House of Justice points out that each believer can, and should, fulfill these responsi bilities, which, it states, is necessary for ‘‘the healthy development of the Cause.’”

The principle of universal participation in action is quite simple. As each believer carries out his sacred duties as a Baha’i, strength is added to the entire body of the Cause.

The greater the participation, the greater the outpouring of divine assistance, and the greater the final result.

The principle is effective in proportion to the degree and the spirit of the participation, not in consideration of amount or any other measure connected with the material world.

PERHAPS one of the earliest statements involving this principle was made by the Bab in the Persian Bayén. Admonishing all of His followers to turn to Baha’u'llah, He stated:

“‘l swear by the holy Essence of God, were all in the Bayán to unite in helping Him Whom God shall make manifest in the days of His Revelation, not a single soul, nay, not a created thing would remain on earth that would not gain admittance into Paradise.”’ (Selections From the Writings of the Bab, p. 85)

Consider another example relevant to this time: a contribution to the Fund of $20 versus one of $100. According to this spiritual principle, if the smaller gift were the result of contributions from all the believers in a community, it would have greater impact than the larger gift if the latter had been received by only one or two contributors from the same com Please See FUNDS Page 20

its poignant heroism, be obliterated, once and for all, from the record of a splendid stewardship to His Faith.” (Citadel of Faith, p. 103)

And again:

“*No lesser tribute can be paid the memory of the glorious Bab, the immortal Quddis, the lionhearted Mulla Husayn, the erudite Vahid, the audacious Hujjat, the illustrious seven martyrs of Tihran and a host of unnumbered heroes whose lifeblood flowed so copiously in the course of the opening decade of the first Baha’i century, by the privileged champion-builders of the World Order of Baha ‘u’ll4h during the present critical stage in the unfoldment of the Formative Age of His Dispensation, than a parallel outpouring of their substance by the builders of

the most holy House of Worship”

laboring in the corresponding decade of the succeeding century.’’ (Citadel of Faith, p. 66)

WHEN OUR relationship to the Fund becomes dominated by the desire to emulate and pay tribute to the beloved martyrs of the Cause, we will find no real financial difficulties, and instead each believer will seize the divinely provided privilege of supporting the work of the Faith, lovingly and

rind National Baha’i i

sacrificially, to the degree that he can.

In The Hidden Words, Baha’u’ll4h states: ‘‘Seek a martyr’s death in My path, content with My pleasure and thankful for that which I ordain ...””

Perhaps the station of martyrdom lies in achieving this contentment and thankfulness, and is attained by the beloved martyrs before the last moment when they are separated from their earthly bodies.

If so, then it is this spirituality, this soul-characteristic, that we are called upon by Shoghi Effendi to emulate.

Sovereignty—Sultan 138 BE

25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000

5,000

Individual Participation ©

goal—20,000 individuals

The spirit of your loving participation Keeps us warm through this winter's cold spells!

$400,000 300,000 | 200,000 100,000

0

received \ goal

goal—$316,000

Contributions

$4,239, 343,

Pat Goal

$4,740,000 rene

SHorTFALL: $500,657

[Page 6]The American Baha'i

b

Notes... from the Treasurer

Growing toward 20,000 ...

The number of individual believers who have indicated that they plan to be one of the 20,000 who contribute directly to the National Fund each month continues to grow.

The total as of the beginning of February was 6,664. We are still receiving cards in our office, as well as notes from those believers who have misplaced their card, or who never received one.

Many of the offices at the National Center have been reporting the progress of our efforts to reach 20,000 by stamping correspondence sent to the friends with a picture of ‘‘Unipar’’ and the latest total. We will continue to keep you informed!

“Mr. and Mrs.”

We have received many letters requesting clarification of the handling of joint contributions from couples. Please be assured that contributions from married couples are counted as two individuals participating.

To assure that the contribution is recorded as coming from husband and wife, both ID numbers, along with the corresponding name, should be included with the gift. The return receipt will reflect a joint contribution when it is printed with the husband’s ID number and with a ‘‘Mr. and Mrs.”’ before the husband’s name.

We realize that the “Mr. and Mrs.’ prefix does have some limitations. For those spouses who have different last names, or who for some reason would prefer not to have the receipt recorded in this way, we can provide separate receipts, crediting each individual with half the amount of the contribution. A note should be included with the contribution requesting separate receipts.

We appreciate your patience and understanding until the situation can be resolved in another way.

Children also counted ...

Among the 6,664 believers who have responded to the appeal for 20,000 regular contributors to the Fund are many children.

Children may also contribute directly to the National Fund. However, since they do not have Baha’i ID numbers it would be helpful ae a note with the contribution stating that the gift is from a Baha’i child.

A receipt will be returned to the child with a temporary identifying number that will vary from one contribution to another. There is no need to take note of this number (which begins ‘‘AA...”’) since it is used only for the purpose of processing that particular contrib: 5 Fund quiz ...

Beginning with the Feast letter for Sultan, January 19, we have included a Fund principles quiz on the back of the Treasurer’s letter for use during the Feast.

The quizzes relate to the series of articles on principles of the Fund that began in the November 1981 issue of The American Baha’i. This issue contains Part 5 of the seven-part series, and covers the topic of

universal participation. L.A. Supervisors hear prayer by the Master | | ALL OF THE members of the a Los Angeles County, California, Board of Supervisors stood February 2 in respect for the recent martyrs in Iran as Gloria Haithman, representing the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles, entered the meeting room to read the “Prayer for America’’ revealed by

Abdu’l-Bahá that would open

their weekly meeting. In the U.S., Ms. Haithman said in her brief introductory remarks, we tend to take religious freedom

for granted.

“But now,” she said, “‘American Baha’is are very conscious of this freedom because we are faced daily with the atrocities of the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.’”

Following the prayer, County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn introduced a motion that the county board write letters to President Reagan and the U.S. Senate expressing its concern for the treatment of Bahá’ís in Iran and calling on the government to take action on their behalf. The motion

was passed unanimously. ii

This Baha’i exhibit at the annual Manatee Couhty (Florida) Fair won a blue ribbon in its category. The display included a history of the Faith and a record of recent persecutions in Iran, the land of

Concert for disabled nets wide publicity in Dallas-Fort Worth

THE FAITH received unprecedented publicity in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, area in January as the result of a concert appearance January 9 by Danny Deardorff, a Bahá’í from Vashon Island, Washington, who is a musician and songwriter.

The concert, co-sponsored by the Baha’i communities in that area and a local committee of the International Year of Disabled Persons, was attended by about 600 people.

Proceeds from the concert, which was held at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, were used to help establish a scholarship fund at a local junior college for the benefit of handicapped students.

SOME $1,043 for the scholarship fund was collected in the name of the Baha’is of Greater Dallas-Fort Worth.

Publicity for the concert included interviews on five radio and three television stations, as well as an article in the leading daily newspaper in Dallas and a

19 attend UNICEF party

NINETEEN children including eight from Baha’i families attended a UNICEF party last October 17 sponsored by the Baha’is of Delta Community, East Contra Costa County, California, to celebrate Universal Children’s Day.

A wiener roast was followed by games, one of which involved balloons bearing the message ‘‘One Planet, One People ... Please.’”

The local newspaper publicized the event.

te!

BRR

its birth. The Spiritual Assembly of Bradenton reports that the exhibit attracted a greater interest in the Faith than any it has had during its 15 years of continuous participation in the Fair.

3rd ‘Spiritual Being’ seminar slated in June

THE THIRD annual seminar on “Self, Psychology and the Spiritual Being,’’ sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Grand Junction, Colorado, will be held June 18-20, 1982.

The seminar is for Baha’fs and

non-Baha’is who are interested in mental health and related fields. For further information, or to inquire about registration, please write to P.O. Box 2805, Grand Junction, CO 81502. Registration ited to 100.

series of three articles in a Fort Worth paper, one of which focused on the Faith itself and the persecution of Baha’is in Iran.

Additional publicity came from. paid air time and newspaper ads purchased by the believers.

A non-Baha’i who owns an airplane equipped with a light board for night-time advertising contacted the Baha'is and offered his services to support the benefit concert. As a result, the name of the Faith was seen in lights above the Dallas-Fort Worth area for three nights prior to the concert.

The success of the event has encouraged the Baha'is in Denton, Texas, to plan a similar concert with Mr. Deardorff, who is himself physically handicapped, on March 31.

All of the TV stations and two radio stations that interviewed Mr. Deardorff before the January concert have committed themselves to additional interviews when he returns to Texas for the concert in March.

IN ADDITION, the producers of “‘PM Magazine,”’ a syndicated television program seen in many cities nationwide, have indicated their desire to interview Mr. Deardorff in Denton.

Ronald Precht, secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Bedford, Texas, which initiated the idea of the January concert as a part of “Operation Befriend,” says Mr. Deardorff always mentioned the Faith, explaining that he is a Baha’, that the Baha’is brought him to Texas, and that the concert was sponsored by the Bahá’ís.

The concert, says Mr. Precht, was a rallying point for area believers. Baha’is who hadn’t been heard from in some time called to offer their services in the proclamation project, he says, adding, “Now teaching here is just going wild.”

Two people who had been attending firesides for some time declared their belief in Baha’u’llah during a fireside conducted by Mr. Deardorff on the day after the concert.

Also, a reporter for a local newspaper who covered the presentation by the Baha’is of scholarship funds to the junior college has begun attending firesides.

The benefit concert had its genesis when Dr. Lisa Wagner, a member of the Baha’i community of Bedford, acting on a suggestion by the Assembly that the friends support Operation Befriend by joining local organizations, became a member of a committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons.

DR. WAGNER asked her fellow committee members if they would be interested in help from the Baha’fs in the form of a bene

fit concert to establish a scholarship program for handicapped students.

The committee, which is composed primarily of handicapped people, gratefully accepted.

But committee members, she says, found it hard to believe that the Baha'is would do all this without any desire to share in the profits.

Members of the committee who had heard of Mr. Deardorff and his music could hardly believe that he was actually coming to give a concert on their behalf, says Mr. Precht. ven on the day of the con” he says, ‘they didn’t believe it was really going to happen that evening.” 4

A block of 300 tickets was set aside to be given to handicapped people, and seats were removed from a section of the auditorium to make room for wheelchairs.

Baha’i communities were encouraged to contact local agencies that work with the handicapped and ask if they would like some complimentary tickets to the concert.

Other tickets were placed on sale to the general public at local department stores. The Spiritual Assembly of Bedford had arranged for tickets to be distributed by a ticket agent.

AS THE project grew, the Assembly in Bedford called on Baha’i Information Services for Metropolitan Dallas, the inter-community media committee, for assistance with publicity.

The Dallas city councilwoman who presented Mr. Deardorff with a key to the city mentioned the efforts of the Bahá’ís on behalf of the handicapped during aimerting of the Dallas city council.

The Baha’i community of Denton has arranged for Mr. Deardorffs concert in March to be presented as part of the “‘Handicapped Week’? activities at North Texas State University, says Puran Stevens, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Denton, who has been working with the university’s Baha’i Associat planning this second Texas concert.

Service for Blind sets

~ complete catalog of Braille, tapes

$1 charge for catalog

THE BAHA’t Service for the Blind regrets that rising costs for printing and postage compels it to begin, as of May 1, 1982, to charge $1 each for its catalogs.

When ordering, please specify which catalog you wish: the one for tapes and cassettes only, or the

and cassettes.

Order from the Baha’i Service for the Blind, 3110 E. Lester St., Tucson, AZ 85716.

[Page 7]YOUTH NEWS

March 1982

7

Baha’i youth mobilized to respond to crisis in Iran

BAHA’{ youth from all over the country were mobilized recently in a campaign launched by the National Spiritual Assembly.

The campaign was specially designed to stimulate public interest and concern for the persecution of Baha’fs in Iran.

In a letter to all Baha’i College Clubs, the National Spiritual Assembly asked the clubs to distribute copies of an open letter to the Ayatollah Khomeini protesting the continuing summary arrests and executions of law-abiding Baha’fs in Iran.

‘THE CLUBS also were asked to write to their U.S. congressman and to call attention to the congressional hearings on religious persecution that were held in mid February.

“The request, sent to more than 230 college clubs and their sponsoring Assemblies, generated a wave of activity around the country among the Baha’i youth,”’ says Tracey Jeter, a member of the National Youth Committee.

“The response was instant and enthusiastic,” she says, ‘‘as the youth seized this precious oppor

Summer 1982 ... Things to look forward to!

..-A variety of international teaching projects will be held all over the world next summer. All interested youth with a foreign language ability should contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Project sites are now being confirmed in Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Europe.

...Domestic teaching projects are being set up for many regions of the country as well. District Youth Committees were recently asked to schedule a summer project in their area, and details of these upcoming efforts will be reported in The American Baha’i and in the Youth Hot -..The ‘Trail of Light’? campaign is scheduled to begin in June under the sponsorship of the Navajo-Hopi District Teaching Committee. This year’s Trail of Light will coincide with the Regional Youth Conference to be held in June at the Southwest Baha’i Institute in Ari zona.

...Four Regional Youth Conferences will be held this summer—in Louisiana, California, Michigan and Arizona!

April busy month with four big regional youth conferences scheduled

APRIL promises to be a busy month for Baha’i youth all over the country.

Four major youth conferences are scheduled for the weekend of April 9-11, and maximum attendance is anticipated at each of these events.

Two of these gatherings are Regional Youth Conferences sponsored by the National Youth Committee: one at the American Baptist Assembly in Green Lake,

Wisconsin, and the other at Lake Murray State Park near Ardmore, Oklahoma.

The Wisconsin conference will feature talks by Glenford Mitchell, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Auxiliary Board member Stephen Birkland.

TWO MEMBERS of the National Youth Committee, Walter Heinecke and Nanette Missaghi, also will attend and address the participants.

tunity to defend our family in the Cradle of the Faith.’”

In addition to conveying the request to college clubs, letters of instruction were sent to all local Youth Clubs and District Youth Committees asking for their help.

“The Youth Network, which has been steadily growing in size and strength, rose to the challenge,” says Miss Jeter, ‘‘and has played a significant part in putting this ongoing crisis before the public and the Congress. It has also helped to unite the youth as never before.”

This surge of defense has placed the Faith in the forefront on many campuses across the country, and the National Youth Committee is encouraging all college clubs to take advantage of this fresh opportunity to teach their fellow students.

A PACKET of posters proclaiming the Faith was sent to all college clubs and suggestions for increased media coverage on campus also were forwarded by the National Youth Committee.

“‘We hope that the clubs will make a special effort now to host programs of interest to the students and keep the Faith in this center of activity,’’ says Miss Jeter.

Seminars and panel discussions

The conference cost is $45 per person and includes food, housing and registration.

Among those at the Oklahoma conference will be Dwight W. Allen, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Auxiliary Board member Ronna Santoscoy.

Also attending will be Cap Cornwell and Albert Huerta of the National Youth Committee.

The cost for the conference is $35 per person.

REGIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM

Sex_____Age__ Baha’ I.D. Number.

South Carolina

Name.

Name. Sex_____Age__ Baha’ I.D. Number. Name. Sex. Age___ Baha’ I.D. Number. Name, Sex_____Age___ Baha’ I.D. Number. Address. Phone.

City. State. Zip.

Please reserve ___space(s) for the Regional Youth Conference at:

——Wisconsin Oklahoma _—_—Massachusetts

I enclose $. as a deposit for registration. ($5 per person, please.)

MAILING INSTRUCTIONS:

¢ For the conferences in Wisconsin, Oklahoma and South Carolina, checks should be made payable to

“‘Baha’i Conference Fund’’ and mailed to the Baha’i National Youth Committee,

Lauderdale, FL 33315.

Fort

For the conference in Massachusetts, checks should be made payable to ‘‘The Baha’ is of South Hadley”’

and mailed to the Bahá’ís of South Hadley, P.O. Box 241, South Hadley, MA 01075.

on human rights, religious persecution and world peace would be especially appropriate at this time.

Many clubs have established regular firesides on campus to accommodate the new seekers attracted to the Faith, and the oncampus media have been invited to profile the Faith and its turbulent history in Iran.

The National Youth Committee is certain that the seeds planted during these difficult days will yield a fresh harvest of devoted and dedicated new believers.

A letter of June 13, 1928, writ ten on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, states:

“*He was greatly pleased and encouraged with your... work among the members of the faculty and student body (in college). It is high time for the Bahd’fs to try and reach the thinking and educated youth of the country upon whom so much of the future depends, especially the stupendous task of applying the spirit and letter of the Bahd’{ teachings to the requirements of the time—a work for which generations of preparation might be necessary.””

Preliminary arrangements are made for 6 youth conferences in ’82-’83

IN ITS Rigvaén 1981 message to the Baha’is of the United States, the Universal House of Justice called upon the American Baha’ community to “‘hold at least five regional youth conferences annually’’ during the course of the second phase of the Seven Year Plan.

In response to that directive, the National Youth Committee has scheduled five regional conferences during the first year of the second phase and has made preliminary arrangements for the second year as follows:

The other conferences scheduled that same weekend are in South Hadley, Massachusetts, and Hemingway, South Carolina.

In Massachusetts, youth from the Northeastern states will gather at Holyoke Community College for a program that is to feature Auxiliary Board members Robert Harris and Nat Rutstein. Dawn Haghighi will represent the National Youth Committee.

THE COST for the conference, which is sponsored by the Auxiliary Board and the Spiritual Assembly of South Hadley, is $20 per person with housing in Baha’i homes in the area.

Youth in the Southeast will gather at the Louis G. Gregory Institute near Hemingway for their conference, which is sponsored by the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee and the Baha’i Youth Club of Greater Orangeburg, South Carolina.

The conference will focus on the development of Baha’i youth clubs and committees in South Carolina, as well as on career choices for Bahá’í youth. The conference cost is $35 per person.

To register for any of these four conferences, please fill out the coupon below and mail it to the proper sponsoring agency with a $5 deposit per person. Please refer to the mailing instructions listed. You will receive confirmation with details of the conference.

November 26-28, 1982: Hickory Knob State Park, McCormick, South Carolina.

Complete details on each of these six regional conferences, the theme for which will be ‘‘It’s FUN to be a Baha’i,”’ will be published in future issues of The American Baha'i.

Attendance at these conferences is one of the goals of the National Youth Plan for the three-year phase of the Seven Year Plan, and all youth are encouraged to make every effort to attend as many of these gatherings as possible.

How are you doing?

TIME IS running short on the goal set for every youth to welcome one new believer into the Faith by Ridvan 1982, Ridvan (April 21) is only weeks away. How are you doing with your teaching goal?

“In this day every believer must concentrate his thoughts on teaching the Faith ...O loved ones of God! Each one of the friends must teach at least one soul each year. This is everlasting glory. This is eternal grace.” (‘Abdu’l-Baha, quoted in The Individual and Teaching, p. 13)

Correction

IN THE article on Horace Holley (The Champion-Builders) in the January issue of The American Baha’i, the name of Mr. Holley’s widow, Doris, was inadvertently omitted. Mrs. Holley is presently living in the Republic of Ireland.

We regret the omission.

|b peace cee RS Mam ARR A ERE RRA SS ETERS TE AE EE EE TE EE ITS OE ETS RASA

[Page 8]MONTREAL CONFERENCE

The American Baha'i

Cre E builders.

THORNTON CHASE

WHEN Thornton Chase, the Chicago-based district manager of an insurance company, declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh in 1984, he was called by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá “‘the first American believer.”

Mr. Chase, who was born February 22, 1847, in Springfield, Massachusetts, attended Brown University and reached the rank of captain in the Union army during the Civil War.

According to his close friend, Carl Scheffler, Mr. Chase began searching earnestly for spiritual truth because he believed that this was the Day of God.

MR. CHASE first learned of the Faith in June 1894 from Dr. Ibrahim Khayru’llih who had come to Chicago from Egypt and who, up to that time, had received praise for his teaching work from “Abdu’l-Baha. Mr. Chase became a believer later that year.

After Dr. Khayru’lláh turned against the Master and was declared a Covenant-breaker, and many of the new believers left the Faith in doubt and confusion, Thornton Chase was one of those who remained firm in the Cause. “Abdu’l-Bahá renamed him Thabit (‘‘Steadfas

He met ‘Abdu’l-Baha in the Holy Land in April 1907, and later wrote of the experience in a short book entitled In Galilee.

In one passage, Mr. Chase offers this impression of a meeting with the Master:

“And, as each hungry pilgrim comes to that prison house, that banquet hall of heavenly gifts, He takes him in His arms and draws him to His breast with such sincerity and enthusiasm of love that the petty cares, thoughts, and ambitions of the world vanish away, and one is at peace and in happiness because he has reached home and found love there.””

In 1909, when there was still a scarcity of published material on the Faith available in English, Mr. Chase wrote a second book, The Baha'i Revelation.

Please See CHASE Page 19

Conifer Hill Bahá’í School schedules four exciting sessions during summer months

THE MOST exciting summer ever is planned for the 1982 session at the Conifer Hill Baha'i School in Colorado.

Four weeks of education, fellowship and Baha’i community experiences begin June 25, with each session lasting six days.

The first and third sessions, from June 2S-July 1 and July 9-15, are especially for youth ages 16 and older. Youth under 16 are welcome to attend if accompanied by a sponsor who is over 21.

THE SECOND and fourth sessions, July 2-8 and July 16-22, are “family camps’’ designed for adults and children as well as single Baha'is.

Of special interest to parents is the fourth session, which will feature a children’s day-camp program while parents and other adults are involved in a parent education seminar.

The two programs will be held at opposite ends of Conifer Hill to allow all participants the full benefits of their respective programs. Family activities will be

held each evening.

Be sure to reserve time during your summer schedule for the session or sessions of your choice.

Dormitory space is limited to 30 people and tent space to 75, so make your reservations early. For a brochure, write to Marilyn Fisher, 437 Pine, Boulder, CO 80302.

Gi

Event Site Dates and hours Cost Conference registration Olympic site 9 a.m.—I1 p.m. Free Pierre Charbonneau September 1-5 Centre Conference sessions Olympic site 9 a.m.—11 p.m. Free , Olympic velodrome September 3-5 Children’s Conference Olympic site 9 a.m.—11 p.m. check-in (for pre-regis- Pierre Charbonneau September 1-5 tered children) Centre Children’s Conference Olympic site 8:30 a.m.—S:30 p.m. $30—Ist child sessions Pierre Charbonneau September 3-5 $50—2 children Centre $60—3 or more Distribution Service Olympic site September 1-5 suai Committee sales Pierre Charbonneau (Books and all sales items) Centre

33 at World Religion Day panel discussion hosted by Baha’fis of New Haven, Connecticut

THIRTY-THREE people including 18 non-Baha’is attended a World Religion Day panel discussion January 17 sponsored by the Baha’i community of New Haven, Connecticut.

The panelists were Kathryn Johnson, a graduate student in the Department of Religious Studies at Yale University; Dr. Shalom

NERAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, MONTREAL, 1982

‘The International Conference program begins on Friday, September 3, 1982, at 9 a.m.

Endleman, professor of sociology at Quinnipiac College; and Dr. Howard Garey, associate professor of French and Romance philology at Yale University.

The moderator was the Rev. John W. Knoble, an Episcopal priest and religion writer for the New Haven Register.

VOLUNTEER FORM

MAIL TO

International Conference Committee

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

L3T 2A1

Below are listed a number of positions needing form and have it signed by your Assembly or RTC/ volunteers to fill and assist during the 1982 International Conference in Montreal. Please fill in this

OO —BAHA'I 1.0.

skill requirements.

MAILING ADDRESS

DTC. You will be contacted to explain the type of

PHONE NUMBER

I would like to volunteer for

We the Spiritual Assembly/RTC/DTC of___

individual as a suitable volunteer to assist at the 1

ZIP/POSTAL CODE

Baha'i in good standing and upon request will furnish more details.

Secretary

( )

Phone Number

982 International Conference in Montreal. He/she is a

recommend the above

re [Page 9]March 1982

an SEES SEEEETEESENEEESNOEEEE MONTREAL CONFERENCE

9

8

=

BAH{YYIH KHANUM, THE GREATEST HOLY LEAF

— 5 Baha’i conferences pay tribute | to memory of Greatest Holy Leaf

THE UNIVERSAL House of Justice has called five International Conferences for 1982.

Each of them is dedicated to the memory of the Greatest Holy Leaf, Bahiyyih Khanum, on the SOth anniversary of her passing.

It is the example of her sacrificial life of service that will provide the inspiration for the conferences whose focus is the continued successful prosecution of the Seven Year Plan.

THE GREATEST Holy Leaf,

4 Bahiyyih Khanum was the daugh ter of Baha’u’llah and sister of ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

To the beloved Guardian, she was his ‘‘chief sustainer.’’ In his tribute to her, written at the time of her passing in 1932, he recalled “the energizing influence of her love’?:

“Only future generations and pens other than mine can and will pay a worthy tribute to the towering grandeur of her spiritual life, to the unique part she played throughout the tumultuous stages of Baha’i history, to the expressions of unqualified praise that have streamed from the pen of both Bahd’u’ll4h and ‘Abdu’l Baha, the Centre of His Covenant, though unrecorded, and in the main unsuspected by the mass of her passionate admirers in East

The Olympic Velodrome, site of the Baha’i International Conference in Montreal, Canada ca RS EO A MP RT EE EES

and West, the share she has had in influencing the course of some of the chief events in the annals of the Faith, the sufferings she bore, the sacrifices she made, the rare gifts of unfailing sympathy she so strikingly displayed.”’ (The Baha’i World, Vol. V, p. 174)

At the International Conference to be held September 3-5 in Montreal, the Universal House of Justice will be represented by the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum.

The holding of the conference in Montreal coincides with the 70th anniversary of ‘Abdu’lBaha’s visit to that city in 1912.

For a part of His stay He was the guest of Amatu’l-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khaénum’s parents, William and May Maxwell. The Maxwell home in Montreal was later designated a Baha’i shrine by the Guardian.

THE MASTER'S trip to the West was undertaken at a time when ‘“‘repressive measures still continued to circumscribe the vast majority of (the Faith’s) adherents in the land of its birth ...””

“Tt was in the course of these epoch-making journeys and before large and representative audiences, at times exceeding a thousand people, that ‘Abdu’lBaha expounded, with bril simplicity, with pervasive force, and for the first time in His minis

try, those basic and inguished principles of His Father’s Faith ...”’

“«...as soon as He was released from His forty-year long captiviy ...He arose with sublime courage, confidence and resolution to consecrate what little strength remained to Him, in the evening of His life, to a service of such heroic proportions that no parallel to it is to be found in the annals of the first Bahd’{ century.”’ (Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, pp. 281, 279)

It is of the greatest significa: that as He embarked on His epi journey the Master, ‘‘with unhesitating confidence invested His trusted sister (Bahiyyih Khanum, the Greatest Holy Leaf) with the responsibility of attending to the mult ous details arising out of His protracted absence from the Holy Land.’’ (Shoghi Effendi, The Baha'i World, Vol. V, p. 177)

The beloved Guardian has characterized as perhaps the happiest years in the life of Bahiyyih Khanum that period associated with the Master’s western travels.

As a result of His spiritual victories, she ‘“‘found herself wellnigh overwhelmed with thrilling messages, each betokening the irresistible advance of the Cause in a manner which, notwithstanding the vast range of her experience, seemed to her almost incredible.” (The Baha'i World, Vol. 5, p. 177)

AMATU‘L-BAHA RUHIYYIH KHANUM

Such is the historic context in which the Montreal International Conference will be held in September. It is the conference primarily for North America, although it will undoubtedly draw believers from all over the world. The site

THE SITE of the conference is a building called the Velodrome in Montreal’s Olympic Park. It is one of an attractive complex created to house the 1976 Olympic Games.

The Velodrome will comfortably handle 10,000 people. When it is used as a conference center it is modified to accommodate a stage and auxiliary seating.

The building is a closed stadium with air conditioning and the usual conference features of a first-class auditorium. The site is easily accessible via the public transportation system, ‘‘le metro,” on which the Olympic Park is a major station. Simultaneous translation

Throughout the conference, simultaneous translation will be provided in English, French, Spanish and Persian. The official languages of the conference are English and French.

The friends are urged to come prepared to rent a transceiver for the duration of the conference, since some portions of the program will be conducted in French and some in English.

Transceivers will be available at the site for a flat rental fee of $10 for the three days. Transceivers are essential equipment for all who are not thoroughly bi-lingual. Program

AN interesting roster of international Baha’i speakers has been arranged, headed of course by the Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá

Please See CHILDREN’S Page 10

[Page 10]MONTREAL CONFERENCE

The American Baha’i

10

Children’s

Continued From Page 9 Rubiyyih Khánum.

One evening of the conference will be devoted to a concert given by talented Bahda’i professional musicians and other artists. International children’s conference

Coincident with the adult conference, a Baha’i children’s conference has been planned. The theme will be ‘We Are Baha’is.””

The objective is to make the children’s three days in Montreal a happy and memorable experience that will increase their love for and identification with the Faith.

This first International Chil conference to parallel Montreal

dren’s Conference has been designed to parallel the main conference with presentations and content suitable for children.

Guest speakers, musicians and other artists from the main conference will take part in the children’s conference. There will also be small group activities according to age groups, so that the children may enjoy games and recreation.

IT SHOULD be noted that the International Children’s Conference is being held for children ages 5 to 11 years only. Admission is by pre-registration, the form for which is provided in this issue of The American Baha’i. Children who are not pre-registered may

not be admitted.

You should also be aware that children under 12 years of age will not be admitted to the main conference in the Velodrome. Avoid disappointment by enrolling your child/children in the children’s conference now.

The Baha’i International Children’s Conference will be held September 3-5.

Pre-school children

Since facilities are decidedly limited for pre-schoolers, parents who plan to attend the conference are urged to make private arrangements to have their infants and toddlers taken care of at home.

Infants and pre-school children

(0-4 years) may not be taken into sessions at the Velodrome. Unfortunately, it has been determined that any large scale nursery service, with the necessary attendant professional services required, would be prohibitively expensive for the conference budget and for most Baha’i families.

A limited nursery with its own

fee schedule has been arranged at a separate location from the conference site. Details are available from the International Conference Committee, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada L3T 2Al, for those parents who are in special need of pre-school nursery service at the conference.

CONFERENCE CREDENTIALS

APPLICATION

1982 International Conference

Montreal, Canada

September 3rd ~5th 1982

The purpose of this procedure is to facilitate the obtaining of your Baha’i Conference Credentials in advance of your arrival at the Conference site. Ten thousand Baha’is are expected to attend.

We urge that you complete this form immediately for your Own convenience, and send it to your own National Assembly if you are a resident of United States, Alaska, or Canada. U.S. deadline is August 2, 1982.

PLEASE PRINT

SURNAME

BAHA‘i 1.D. NUMBER

FIRST NAMES

MAILING ADDRESS

Other family members, 12 years old and older who require conference credentials. Please indicate ages of youth.

SURNAME

FIRST NAME

AGE

BAHA'I 1.D. NUMBER

There is no charge for this pre-registration service. Upon receipt of this form, you will be sent a clip-on identification card. When you arrive at the conference site, please report to the pre-registration area of the Pierre Char bonneau Centre.

Remember to bring your conference credential card and your Baha’i |.D. card or a letter from your local Assembly or Regional/District Teaching Committee advising that you are a Baha’/ in good standing. Your conference credentials are not a substitute for your regular Baha’i 1.D. card. You must have both.

1 sp ARO SDE NASM RCM RN IN NTE RS SSS ETE EES TSN

gathering

Conference credentials

Some 10,000 Baha'is are expected to attend the Montreal conference. A_ pre-registration form is provided in this issue to aid you in obtaining your Baha’i conference credentials in advance of your arrival at the conference. The conference is for Baha’ {s only.

The completed form should be mailed as soon. as possible to the Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. (Please note that the registration form for the International Children’s Conference must be sent to Canada.)

Hotel accommodations

Please refer to the form provided in this issue to help you in making your hotel accommodation. Accommodations are being handled by a non-Baha’i agency, the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau of Greater Montreal. The address is provided on the form. Auxiliary accommodations

Information concerning trailer parks, camping areas, and tourist lodge type accommodations is available from the International Conference Committee, .___ ___

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada L3T 2A1. Reservations

Montreal is a thriving tourist center. The Baha’i conference is being held over the last holiday weekend of the summer, when accommodations will be at a premium. Now is the time to make your room reservations.

Plan a family holiday

Montreal combines the efficiency and convenience of a modern cosmopolitan city with the charm and elegance of French ‘Canada’s early heritage.

For the tourist the city is bilingual. Less than an hour away, the Laurentian highlands present a panorama of beautiful hills and lakes, where a wide selection of alpine inns, chalets, trailer parks and camping grounds is available for extended holiday trips.

Plan next year’s vacation around the International Baha’i Conference, September 3-5, 1982, in Montreal, Canada.

Got a new address?

MOVING? Got a new telephone number? Don’t forget to let your local community secretary and the National Spiritual Assembly know about your new address and phone number right away so there will be no interruption in receiving your Baha’i mail.

For your convenience, there is an address form on the last page of this issue of The American Baha’i. Simply put it in an envelope and mail to: Bahd’{

| | [Page 11]MONTREAL CONFERENCE

March 1982

11

Alll sales will be handled by the Baha’i Distribution Service Committee, 7200 Leslie St., Thornhill, Ontario, Canada 13T 2A1. Friends who have items to propose for sale, on any terms, including those in

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S CONFERENCE

5-M years old only

1982 International Conference MontrealCanada September 3rd-5th,1982

Special notice to those with items to sell

which all or part of the proceeds may be contributed to the Fund, should write to the committee giving full details. Goods may be offered for sale at the conference only by prior arrangement with the

Distribution Service Committee. The courtesy of the friends in observing this requirement is appreciated, and will best serve their own interests and those of the Faith at the International Conference.

The purpose of this form is to register your child/ children for the Baha’i Children’s Conference to be held concurrent with the International Baha'i Conference, Montreal, September 3rd-5th, 1982. In order for your child/children to attend, this form must be completed and mailed to the Children’s Conference Committee prior to June 30, 1982. After that date there will be no space available. The International Children’s Conference

CHILD’S/CHILDREN’S NAME(S) Sn

OTS DR se ne aT EU a a I

is for 5 to 11 years old only. The children must travel with a parent or legal guardian and be in the care of that adult. Sponsorship papers must be provided by the parent concerned for any child travelling to the Conference without his/her own parent or legal guardian. Sponsorship papers are available from the Children’s Conference Committee at the address given below.

BIRTH DATE

PARENT'S OR LEGAL GUARDIAN’S NAME

LOCATION OF ACCOMMODATION IN MONTREAL

ALLERGIES, DIETARY RESTRICTIONS, MEDICAL PROBLEMS

SPECIAL NEEDS a

LANGUAGE(S) SPOKEN

DAYS WILL BE ATTENDING CHILDREN’S CONFERENCE

UNDERSTOOD

FRI.95 0 SAT.950 SUN.950

Flat fee is $30.00 per single child, $50.00 for 2 children per family, $60.00 for 3 or more children per family. Lunch

_fees are extra and will be collected at the Conference.

MEDICAL RELEASE

|, parent or guardian ___-________, give any member of the International Conference Children’s Committee the authority to obtain medical treatment for the above named child(ren) in case of emergency during the Conference and | will be responsible for all expenses thus incurred.

SIGNATURE

DATED

Please complete this form and mail it along with your cheque or money order payable in Canadian Funds

to:

International Children’s Conference Committee, Box 207, Milton, Ontario, Canada LOT 4N9.

For more information, call Isabel Thomson (416) 878-0047, 9-5 p.m. (E.D.T.)

Association schedules its 7th Conference in Ottawa, Ontario

“THE BAHA’E Option’ is the theme of the seventh annual Conference of the Association for Baha’{ Studies scheduled for August 30-September 2 in Ottawa, Ontario.

The conference will be held the Monday through Thursday before the International Baha’ Conference in Montreal.

The conference site, the Chateau Laurier Hotel in downtown Ottawa, is only a two-hour drive from Montreal, leaving ample time to get there in time for the opening of the International Conference.

THE THEME of the Association’s conference refers to the fact that the Teachings of Bahd’u’ll4h provide a blueprint for achieving. unity at every societal level. Papers presented at the conference will reflect that theme.

The sessions are as follows:

Monday—The Baha’i Faith,

Human Rights, and Ethics.

Tuesday—The Future Law,

Economics and Organization,

For registration forms and further information, please contact the Association for Bahd’{ Studies, 34 Copernicus St., Ottawa, Ontario KIN 7K4 Canada.

Association slates four regional U.S. conferences

THE ASSOCIATION for Baha’{ Studies plans to hold four Wes regional conferences during

The first of these conferences, the California Spring Regional Conference, will be held May 14-16 at the Bosch Baha’i School near Santa Cruz, California.

The New England Regional Conference is scheduled for May 28-31 at the Green Acre Baha’i School in Eliot, Maine.

THE CALIFORNIA Fall Regional Conference will take place October 8-11 at the Bosch Baha’i School.

The Midwestern Regional Conference is slated for October 29-31 at the Louhelen Baha’i School at Davison, Michigan.

Those who are interested in submitting papers or literary or artistic presentations should send abstracts to the Association for review as soon as possible.

Send materials to the Association for Baha’i Studies, 34 Copernicus St., Ottawa, Ontario KIN 7K4 Canada.

Arrangements to attend the conferences should be made through the respective Bahd’{ schools.

a SSS SSS SSS SSS SS SSE ESS

[Page 12]

EDUCATION

The American Baha'i

12

Forming Local Assemblies is of vital importance

The following feature on the formation and election of the Local Spiritual Assembly, prepared by the National Education Committee, appeared originally in the March 1981 issue of The American Bahá’í. Because many Baha’i communities soon will be forming and re-forming their Assemblies, the article is being reprinted to help in answering questions that may arise about the electoral process.

.

1. Why is it important to form Local Spiritual Assemblies?

Bahá’u’lláh has revealed, ‘‘The Lord hath ordained that in every city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of Baha (9) ...”” (Synopsis and Codification of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 13)

And the Guardian has written, “« the absolute necessity of these Assemblies is manifest when we realize that in the days to come they will evolve into the local House of Justice ...’’ (Baha’i Administration, p. 37)

2. Is it obligatory then to form a Local Spiritual Assembly?

Shoghi Effendi, through his secretary, wrote, “...in any locality where the number of adult believers reaches nine, a local Assembly should be established. He feels this to be an obligation ther than a purely voluntary act. (Principles of Baha’i Administration, p. 45)

3. How is a Local Spiritual Assembly formed?

“Whenever, in any locality of the United States, the number of Baha’fs resident therein recog

As a part of ‘Operation Befriend,’ the Baha'is of Springfield, Oregon, sponsored a puppet show as a fund-raiser for the Children’s Services Division of the state government. The show, entitled ‘The Gift,’ was an adaptation of the book of that name. Puppets were

nized by the National Spiritual Assembly exceeds nine, these shall ... convene and elect by plurality vote a local administrative body of nine members, to be known as the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of that community ...

“When, however, the number of Baha’fs in any authorized civil area is exactly nine, these shall ... constitute themselves the Local Spiritual Assembly by joint declaration .. (‘‘Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States,’’ Article VII)

4. When is the Local Spiritual Assembly elected? The Guardian has instructed, ...to ensure uniformity throughout the East and throughout the West, all local Assemblies will have to be re-elected once a year, during the first day of Ridvan, and the result of polling, if possible, be declared on that day.”’ (Baha’i Administration, p. 41)

5. Who has responsibility for electing the Local Spiritual Assembly?

Shoghi Effendi emphasized, “every declared believer of twenty-one years and above, far from standing aloof and assuming an indifferent or independent attitude, should regard it his sacred duty to take part conscientiously and diligently in the election ... of his own local Assembly.” (Baha’i Administration, p. 39)

6. Who is eligible for election to the Local Spiritual Assembly?

“Any Baha’i whose member

hand-made and the stage specially designed. Puppeteers included adults, youth and one child, age 9. A second performance was given in Cottage Grove in connection with Universal Children’s Day. About 100 people including many non-Baha’fs attended the shows.

ae

my

ship is in good standing, who is at least twenty-one years of age and is a resident of the Assembly’s area of jurisdiction, is eligible to vote or to be elected to the Local Spiritual Assembly. The only exceptions are the Hands of the Cause of God and Continental Counsellors, who are exempt from administrative duties on elected institutions.”’ (Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies, p. 31)

7. Can a person announce beforehand that he does not wish to be elected to the Assembly?

The Guardian has stated, ‘‘I desire to remind believers of the necessity for unconditional acceptance of whatever position and duties may be assigned them .., I deprecate all refusals of candidature.”’ (Principles of Baha’i Administration, p. 18)

8. Is it permissible to vote for oneself?

Shoghi Effendi has written, “This is entirely a matter of conscience; if the individual feels for some reason justified in voting for himself, he is free to do so.” (Principles of Baha’ Administration, p. 47)

9. Does an elector have to cast exactly nine votes?

The Guardian wrote, “Inasmuch as Spiritual Assembly membership ... has been limited for the present to nine members, it follows that no electoral vote can be effective unless it is cast for exactly that number.”’ (Principles of Baha’i Administration, p. 47)

10. Are there special qualities an elector should consider when voting for Assembly members?

Shoghi Effendi stated, ‘* ...it is incumbent upon the chosen delegates to consider without the least trace of passion and prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration, the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience.” (Baha’i Administration, p. 88)

The Guardian, through his secretary, also stated, ‘‘ ...the qualifications ... are really applicable to anyone we elect to a Baha’i office, whatever its nature. But these are only an indication, they do not mean people who don’t fulfill them cannot be elected to office. We must aim as high as we can.”” (Letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, October 24, 1947)

11, What should be done if the results of the election indicate a tie vote?

“If two or more persons receive the same number of votes for the ninth position, a second ballot to break the tie must be cast by those present at the election meeting. Each voter should vote for one of the individuals who have tied ...

“There is an exception to this procedure if a person representing a minority is involved in the tie. In such a case that person should be accorded the priority without a revote. Where there is doubt, however, a re-vote should definitely be taken.’’ (Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies, p. 32)

12. How can the community deermine if one of the tied individuals represents a minority?

“In the United States, where there are a plethora of nationalities, the question of what constitutes a minority must be determined according to race. In a given community, many members could justly claim to belong to various nationalities—Polish, Scottish, Tongan, Lithuanian, and so on. This makes the settling of a tie on the basis of nationality unworkable.”’ (Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly to a Local Assembly, July 22, 1980)

13. In cases of tie votes, then, are Persian Bahá’ís considered a minority?

“,..Persian Baha’is are not considered a minority in cases of tie votes in Baha’i elections. When the Persian believers come to this culture, they are regarded by the government as Caucasians. Therefore, it is not possible for us to view them as a minority.’’ (Letter

from the National Spiritual Assembly to a Local Assembly, January 4, 1980)

14. How extensive should the tellers’ report be when informing the community of the election results?

“With regard to the extent of the tellers’ report, the tellers normally report the names of the Assembly members and the number of votes received. If the community, by majority vote, wishes to know more, it may. Whether the names of those receiving the next highest number of votes is reported, whether the names of all who received votes are reported, or whether the report is concluded with the reading of the names of the nine Assembly members is left to the community to decide.’’ (Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly to a Local:Assembly, May 6, 1980)

15. How should the community regard the newly elected Assembly?

The Guardian wrote, “‘Let us recall His explicit and often-repeated assurance that every Assembly elected in that rarefied atmosphere of selflessness and detachment is, in truth, appointed of God, that its verdict is truly inspired, that one and all should submit to its decision unreservedly and with cheerfulness.” (Baha’i Administration, p. 65)

(Additional information about the formation and election of Local Spiritual Assemblies can be found in Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies and The Bahd’ Electoral Process, available from the Baha'i Publishing Trust.)

Education Committee to provide new Bahai Curriculum Guide

THE NATIONAL Education Committee is making available a Baha’i Curriculum Guide that includes (1) educational topics, (2) suggested methods for teaching different topics, and (3) suggested age levels at which different topics are best taught.

The Guide provides a framework from which specific lesson plans can be developed.

“In the Seven Year Plan, the Universal House of Justice emphasizes the importance of graduated lesson plans for Bahd’{ children,” says David Smith, secretary of the National Education Committee.

“BY PROVIDING the framework for a curriculum and expecting lesson plans to be developed locally and regionally, lesson plans can be adapted to the needs of Baha’i children in various areas in a diverse national community.

“Also, teachers of Baha’f children will be enabled to invest their own creative energies in the teaching process,” Mr. Smith adds.

“We feel that this decentralized approach is appropriate for our diverse and talented national community.

“The Guide is intended to provide cohesion and direction for Baha'i child education, and to help insure a logical sequence of instruction.””

The Guide has application in the classroom, the home, and the local Baha’i community. It can be used by both the professionallytrained teacher and by the lay person with no formal training in the field of education.

It can be obtained by writing to the National Education Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. The cost is $2.

Checks should be made payable to “‘Bahá’í Services Fund’’and earmarked “‘Curriculum Guide.’”

OTHER child/parent education materials that are currently available from the National Education Committee office include:

Please See GUIDE Page 13

|r SSS SC SSS fa SEE TSS

[Page 13]MONTREAL CONFERENCE See? March 1982 ] 3

Pittsburgh announces

’ LAWRENCE Miller, a member Mr. Miller’s topic was “‘Im- Mr. Miller was given a clock Baha i addresses of the Baha’f community of Ros- proving Productivity and Making with the name of the college en- d il

th: 100 well, Georgia, who is president of Japanese Management Work in graved on it, and the president letails of conference

more an at Tarkenton and Company in At- the U.S." was given a copy of Bahd’u’ll4h FURTHER f fe

lanta, spoke to more than 100stu- Mr. Miller and the chairman of and the New Era. Ned con Pittsbar es

Tennessee School denis and faculty January 15 at the Spiritual Assembly of Ham- That evening, Mr. Miller spoke | €nce Planned May 8in Pittsburgh,

Walter State Community College blen County lunched with the at a fireside that was attended by | Pconsylvania, to commemorate

in Morristown, Tennessee. president of the college. six seekers. ie Pen eenesey Ok beau

announced in the February issue of The American Baha'i, have been released by the sponsoring Spiritual Assembly of Pittsburgh.

The conference is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 8, at the Mellon Institute, Sth and Craig Sts., on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh.

The program will include presentations on the Tablets of the Divine Plan, the Universal House

ice, teaching, and battling

~ The speakers will include Auxiliary Board members Robert Harris and Javidukht Khadem.

More information is available from the conference committee, P.O. Box 7190, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, or phone 412-362-69: There is no conference charge,

and no pre-registration is receense egies scceceee sell wade . quired.

Guide

Seat take as Mette ote aleretia ta) a) a a alae Continued From Page 12

¢ Child Education Teacher

Training Handbook. Topics include ““Educational Principles and Methods,”’ ‘“Materials and Resources,”’ “Curricular Samples,” and miscellaneous subjects ranging from “Recreation” to ‘‘AcPreferred Hotel/HOte) préféré : 2.2.0... eee cece rere terete ete tivities for Youth.”” $9.

. ’"{ Parent Program. A group program that is practical in nature, allowing parents the op| portunity to translate guidance from the Baha’ Writings on specific parent topics into action

within the home. | Topics that are addressed in the

program are: Expressing love in i} tangible ways; attractii your child to spiritual ideals; building a sense of Bahd4’{ tradition in the | home; communication and conArrival Date/Arrivée 2.2.0.0 eee cee cette eee eee ee PIMOe/HOUTE 2.66 e cee eee eee | sultation in the home; discipline; prayer, meditation and deepening in the home; developmental levels; nutrition; and literature in the

NAME/NOM ............--0+2000 sjnisieiviejeisin's © Siete ele iaiaiatt isle ayaa aies<i8 sence Cee eae dae ae

COUNTRY/PAYS

Single room Ea] Chambre 1 personne Twin a 2 personnes

Double bed requested C Lit 2 personnes requis

Sharing with/A partager avec: ....... cece eee eee e cree e ete e ete eeeee

Departure Date/Départ.......... BEV cna sta eine eC STING LToar RTP LGR IETS a

jome. ;

48h i | Matera ace a accor:

3 ivi i ight’ : Si i 6S eures, la pre- ] tor’s Guide” for organizing an NOTE: If arriving after 6:00 p.m., first night's NOTE: Si vous arrivez apr pl ens ule or cerantangent

deposit is required prior to arrival. miére nuit est a payer a I’avance. e Chile's a

| ha’{ Schools: Director’s Resource | Guide. Although prepared for use ] by directors of children’s programs at regional Baha'i summer/winter schools, this guide can be useful in planning weekend or other large special events and children’s programs. $1.

¢ The Hand of the Cause of God A.Q. Faizi Speaks on the Education of Children. Cassette tape. $1.50.

All checks for ordered materials should be made payable to “‘Baha’i Services Fund’? and carmarked for the specific item(s).

[ee a EE EN men |

[Page 14]PAGINA HISPANA

The American Baha’i

14

Curso de Estudio numero 2: La Revelacién Progresiva

La religién es una luz radiante y una fortaleza inexpugnable para la protecci6n y bienestar de los pueblos del mundo, ya que el temor a Dios impele al hombre a aferrarse a aquello que es bueno y rehuir todo Io que es malo. Si se Megara a oscurecer la ldmpara de Ja religién sobrevendra el caos y la confusién, y dejaran de brillar las luces de Ia equidad, de la justicia, de la tranquilidad y de la paz.—Bahdé’u’ llth

°

PUEDE observarse que el fundamento de todas las religiones es el mismo. De esto se desprende que la religién debe ser la base para estrechar los lazos entre los hombres.

Pero si por religién éntendemos la imitacién ciega de costumbres, tradiciones y ritos del pasado, o el sostener dogmas irracionales, entonces es evidente que estos factores han sido causa de separacién, superstici6n y fanatismo, que son enemigos de la verdad y de la dignidad humana.

Si nos dedicamos a promover estas cualidades negativas en nombre de la religién, entonces mas vale apartarse de tales practicas.

SI POR religién entendemos el sectarismo, el cisma, la arrogancia y el odio entre los adeptos de dif¢rentes denominaciones religiosa, entonces, repudiar tal actitud seria un verdadero acto de integridad y nobleza.

Si queremos entender la realidad y el significado intimo de la religién, debemos rechazar las apariencias engafiosas y formas oscurecidas que son contrarias al verdadero espiritu de la religién; sera necesario que acudamos a su misma fuente, para beberla en su pureza original.

Los grandes profetas, funda dores de la religién, la ensefiaron en su pureza y esencia. Ellos fueron los personajes mas poderosos de la historia, por cuanto su influencia civilizadora perduré por muchos siglos.

Abraham, Krishna, Moisés, Zoroastro, Budha, Cristo, Mahoma, el Bab y Bahá’u’ll4h alentaron y promovieron cada uno en su €poca, la mds alta educacién del pensamiento y. sentimiento humanos.

Todos ellos fueron desconocidos, humillados, perseguidos y sacrificados; pero sus enseflanzas iluminaron el mundo entero.

Algunos de los principales calendarios del mundo como el musulmén en Arabia, Persia y Egipto; el cristiano en Europa y América y el judié en Israel, cuentan los afios y los dias a partir de algtin acontecimiento relacionado con la vida de estos grandes profetas.

TODOS estos Mensajeros de Dios lucharon contra la ignorancia, los intereses creados, la vana imitacién y las supersticiones y denunciaron la opresién, la tirania y la corrupcién imperantes en sus respectivas épocas.

Abraham ensefio la adoracién pura del Dios unico, verdadero, que no podemos ver, oir, tocar, ni siquicra comprender, y destrozé con sus manos los idolos que su propio padre fabricaba, en medio de un pueblo idélatra; por este motivo fue desterrado.

Moisés sacé a su pueblo de la esclavitud en Egipto y le dié los Dicz Mandamientos de la Ley de Dios, los que atin hoy constituyen las bases de la moral y la legislacién de los paises de todo el mundo. Sufrio persecuciones y pas6 gran parte de Su vida en el desicrto, sin llegar a la tierra pro metida.

Cristo, en su sermén de la montafia, exalté las mas altas cualidades y virtudes del espfritu humano. Mahoma promovié la organizacién de las naciones, enfatiz6 la obediencia a la ley y la sumisi6n a la yoluntad de Dios y exalt6 la importancia de las ciencias a una altura sin precedentes, de tal manera que Sus seguidores fundaron las primeras universidades del mundo.

Mahoma sufrio persecuciones y humillaciones durante diez aiios, hasta que se vio obligado a abandonar la ciudad en que vivia.

Asimismo, el Bab y Baha’u’ lah sacrificaron Sus vidas y comodidad personal para promover el perfeccionamiento y el bienestar de toda la raza humana. ,En qué otra parte no sea la vida y ensefianzas originales de estos grandes educadores de la humanidad, podemos encontrar la esencia y significado de la religién?

TODOS estos grandes profetas, quienes, aparecieron a intervalos de quinientos a mil afios entre si, ensefiaron y confirmaron las eternas verdades del amor, la unidad y la justicia cumpliendo con ellas en Sus vidas y manteniéndose ficles a Su divina misién hasta Su wiltimo aliento.

Por otra parte, pensar que la religién en que nacimos es Ja unica, verdadera, y que todas las demas estan en el error, es un gran obstaculo en el camino hacia la verdad y la Gnidad.

Es solamente el conocimiento de la religién universal manifestada a travéz de todos los grandes profetas en el transcurso del tiempo, el que puede librarnos de la estrechez, del fantismo y de la ciega imitaci6n que han limitado a la generalidad de los adeptos de las

La Ensefianza Personal: Los Baha’is deben servir al Sefior con sabiduria, integridad y con cortesia

EL VERDADERO bahd’f no solamente cree en las ensefanzas de Bahd’u’ll4h, sino que encuentra en ellas la guia y la inspiracién de toda su vida, y gozosamente imparte a otros los conocimientos que son el motivo de su bienestar.

Sélo entonces recibiré plenamente ‘el poder y la confirmacién del Espiritu.” No todos pueden ser clocuentes oradores 0 escritores preparados, pero todos pueden enseilar “‘viviendo la vida.””

Baha'u'llah dice:

“LA GENTE de Baha debe servir al Seftor con sabiduria, su vida debe ser enseflanza para los demas y debe manifestar en todos sus actos la luz de Dios. El efecto de sus acciones sera més poderoso que el de sus palabras.”’ (Palabras de Paraiso)

Sin embargo, el baha’{ de ningtin modo ha de forzar sus ideas sobre aquellos que no quieren es cucharlas.

Atraer4 a la gente al Reino de Dios, pero no trataraé de presionarla. Ser4 como el buen pastor que guia su rebaito y hechiza a las ovejas con su musica, y no como el que va detrds de ellas apurandolas con el perro y el cayado.

Baha'u'llah dice en Palabras Ocultas:

“Oh Hijo del Polvo!

“Sabios son aquellos que no hablan a menos que tengan quien les escuche, como el copero que no Office su copa hasta que no encuentra un buscador, y el amante que no exclama desde lo hond6é de su corazon hasta que no contempla la belleza de su amado. Por lo tanto, siembra las semillas de la sabiduria y del conocimiento en la tierra pura del corazén, y manténlas ocultas hasta que los jacintos de la sabi i ten del corazén, y no del lodo y la

arcilla.””

También declara en la Tabla de Ishraqat:

“Oh pueblo de Baha! Sois los puntos del amanacer del amor y los manantiales del favor de Dios. No profanéis vuestras lenguas con juramentos 0 execraciones a yuestros semejantes, guardad vuestros ojos de lo que no es digno de ser visto. Mostrad aquello que poseéis, es decir, la verdad. Si es aceptada, el objetivo ha sido alcanzado. Si no, los reproches 0 interferencias con el que os rechaza, son vanos. Dejadlo consigo mismo y avanzad hacia Dios, el Pro tector, el que Subsiste por Si Mismo. ;No sedis la causa de pesar, cuanto menos de sedicién o de lucha! Se espera que os nutrdis a la sombra del Arbol de la Divina Bondad y que actuéis de acuerdo con la voluntad de Dios. Sois todos hojas de un mismo drbol y gotas de un mismo océano.””

religiones existentes. Una investigacién sincera de las jas Escrituras de Moisés, Krishna, Zoroastro, Budha, Cristo, Mahoma, el Bab y Bahá’u’lláh Nos muestra que todos ellos hablan del mismo Dios y que basicamente enseitan la misma verdad.

ePuede ser justo el aceptar a uno de ellos y rechazar a todos los demas? hay un solo Dios y El confiere Sus bondades a todos los pueblos de la tierra.

Grandes sectores de la humanidad aparecen como seguidores de alguno de estos profetas. Las estadisticas son engailosas por lo que no citaremos cifras de valor y significacin discutibles.

A FIN de cuentas, todas las rerigiones empezaron con un puRado de adeptos y crecieron en numero ¢ influencia con el transcurso de los siglos.

En Europa y América predomina el cristianismo; en Africa y Medio Oriente predomina el is14m; en India la corriente es el hinduismo y en la China y Japén la principal religién es el budismo. E! unico camino hacia la unidad y reconciliacién, la amistad y la colaboracién sincera entre todos ¢stos pueblos y naciones es el reconocimiento mutuo de la verdad

y realidad universal de la religién de Dios, por encima de las diferencias de secta y denominacién.

Esta misma verdad se nos presenta en los fenédmenos de la naturaleza; el mismo sol ilumina a toda la tierra y da luz, calor y vida a todos sus habitantes, sin tomar en cuenta diferencias en el nombre de dias, meses y ailos que usan sus moradores.

Como un solo sol de iluminacién espiritual, los grandes profetas han establecido el fundamento de la fraternidad y la armonia entre los seres humanos.

El propésito de la religién es unir a los corazones y despertar un entendimiento superior y mds noble.

Es como un remedio para curar las enfermedades, pero si en lugar de curar agrava el mal, entonces es mejor no usarlo.

La semilla de la religién debe ser nuevamente sembrada en el corazén humano para que como un gran drbol, cobije a toda la humanidad, creando una nueva sociedad de hombres y mujeres libres de prejuicios y fanatismo, con una comprensién esencial de la religion universal, que ésta mas all del sectarismo.

Revelacion

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More than 200,000 visited House of Worship in ’81

202,827 individuals visited the Baha'i House of Worship in 1981.

“This is the second highest visitor attendance ever recorded,” says Douglas Belzer, chairman of the House of Worship Activities Committee. “‘It also is only the third time we've passed the

200,000 mark. The last time was in 1971.”

Mr. Belzer notes that the new “Visit Cards,”” designed for hotels, tour agencies, etc., helped in surpassing the mark, and are expected to have an even greater impact this summer.

[Page 15]PUBLICATIONS

March 1982

VISITORS to the Baha’i bookstore during the 73rd National Convention April 29-May 2 will receive a double-barreled treat from the Baha’i Publishing Trust.

First, they will find a newly reprinted edition of The Promulgation of Universal Peace, that compelling compilation of informal talks and discourses given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha during His 239-day visit to North America in 1912.

Next, the fortunate browsers at the bookstore will find to their delight that To Move the World, the long-awaited biography of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory, is available.

IT IS especially appropriate that these two books should go hand in hand, since the lives of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and Louis Gregory are so inextricably bound together in the long struggle for peace and racial unity in this country and indeed all over the world.

It was Mr. Gregory whom the Master chose as the shining example to American Baha’is of the true meaning of racial concord and understanding between the white and black races in America.

In To Move the World, a remarkably candid yet extremely sensitive portrait of Louis Gregory and the times in which he lived, author Gayle Morrison, an historian by training, recounts in vivid detail the social and racial

‘Light of Baha’u’llah’ available in paperback

A NEW paperback introduction to the Faith entitled The Light of Bahá’u’lláh will be released at the 73rd National Convention in April, according to Greg Weiler, marketing manager at the Bahd’{ Publishing Trust.

The Light of Baha'u'llah will contain short chapters on nine aspects of the Baha’i Faith. Three deal with history—Bahá’u’lláh, Baha’i history, and progressive revelation. Three focus on the spiritual and social teachings of the Faith and Baha’i laws.

The final three chapters cover the organization of the Faith—Baha’{ administration, the Local Spiritual Assembly, and Baha’i community life. Dr. Dwight W. Allen has written a short introduction to the book.

The Light of Bahá’u’lláh will provide a comprehensive but not overly detailed survey of the Faith for seekers and for new Bahda’is who have gone through On Becoming a Baha’i but are not yet ready for more detailed surveys of the Faith. Teachers of teen-agers will also find the new book a welcome addition.

Price, stock number and other ordering information will be available from the Publishing Trust later in the spring, according to Mr. Weiler.

forces that shaped the communities—Baha’i and non-Baha’i—in which Mr. Gregory lived and which formed the backdrop for his audacious and unprecedented activities on behalf of racial amity.

The Promulgation of Universal Peace, first printed as two volumes in 1922 and 1925, and combined into one volume in 1939, includes talks given by ‘Abdu’lBaha in temples and churches, at colleges and universities, in mansions of the wealthy and in ordinary homes.

The overriding theme of these discourses is the imperative need for universal peace and the means by which it might be realized.

UPON HIS arrival in New York City, ‘Abdu’l-Baha said, ‘‘It is my purpose to set forth in America the fundamental principles of the

Promulgation, Louis Gregory biography scheduled for release at 73rd Convention

revelation and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. It will then become the duty of the Baha’is of this country to give these principles unfoldment and application in the minds, hearts and lives of the people.”

As you turn the pages of The Promulgation of Universal Peace, you may well find the outline of a fireside talk that sparked your interest in the Faith.

A detailed table of contents; a chronological listing of talks by date, city and site; and an expanded index will help you in your individual and community deepening efforts.

Specific ordering information for The Promulgation of Universal Peace and To Move the World will soon be available from the Publishing Trust.

‘ABDU’L-BAHA, THE CENTER OF THE COVENAN

Trust has two new books especially for young readers

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TWO EXCITING new booksone for children and one for youth—are now available from the Baha’i Publishing Trust.

Nine Days to Istanbul, by Jeanne Frankel de Corrales, will appeal not only to youth but to everyone with a youthful and adventurous spirit.

My Name Is Nabil, by Wendy Heller, will have a special appeal for Baha'i children from seven to 11 years old.

Available in a small paperback format, Nine Days to Istanbul tells the true story of the author’s 1963 pilgrimage to Haifa. Her “ordinary” trip began in Stamford, Connecticut, and took her across Europe and via the Orient

, Express to Istanbul, where she

was to take a ship to Haifa.

The supposedly swift journey turned out to be a fight for life against snow, freezing cold, little food, wolves, and lack of medical supplies.

‘Building Baha’i C of 8th Harrisburg

“BUILDING the Baha’i Ci

i zation’ is the theme of the eighth annual Spring Institute sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The institute will be held the weekend of June 11-13.

Speakers will include Auxiliary Board members Robert Harris and Javidukht Khadem, Dr. Martin Minney of Harrisburg, and Mrs. Rouhi Huddleston of Vienna, Virginia.

AT LEAST one special session will be presented for youth.

Entertainment will include a mime by Bill and Bridget George and their group, ‘‘Touchstone,”’ from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania,

ivilization’ theme Spring Institute

and a modern dance performance with music and slides by Ann Atkinson of Dover, New Hampshire.

Accommodations include two nights lodging, five meals, use of recreation facilities (swimming pool, tennis courts, volleyball and bowling), bedding and towels.

The cost is $35 for each person 10 years of age or older, $17 for children ages 3 to 9. Children under 3 may attend at no cost.

Pre-registration deadline is May 6. For a registration form or additional information, write to the Spiritual Assembly of Harrisburg, P.O. Box 3108, Harrisburg, PA 17105, or phone 717-232-9163.

But the fight ended in triumph when barriers of language and culture tumbled as the train’s i habitants worked together for survival.

Nine Days to Istanbul (Stock No. 352-078), the first in Kalimat Press’ Pioneer Paperback series, is priced at $2.50.

My Name Is Nabil is the story of Nabil Newman, a young Baha’i boy. In his own words he tells about his family—mom, dad, sister Lisa, and dog Fred—and about what it means to him to be a Baha’ child.

Through Nabil’s eyes we go toa Nineteen Day Feast, observe several Bahá’í Holy Days, prepare for Ayyam-i-H4, and go to summer school.

Nabil also shares with us his feelings about working around the house, praying, and being ‘‘different” from his friends.

the Bahay Faith “by,

Unity

For the second year in a row, the Baha’i booth at the Utah State Fair (September 10-20) in Salt Lake City has won first prize. Shown here at the booth are Baha’is Laura Lewis (left) and Parvin Eshraghi. An article was pub

My Name Is Nabil was written to help Baha’i children foster a sense of Baha’i identity. The tests they confront by being different from the society around them can be faced and conquered by support from their family and Baha’i community, by knowing about the Bahd’{ Faith and having the courage to tell their friends about it, and by developing their own spiritual nature.

Nabil has not yet read The Dawn-breakers, that remarkable book by his namesake. But he is learning how to be a real Baha’i.

My Name Is Nabil (Catalog No. 352-077) has 48 pages and is illustrated with many black and white drawings by Rex John Irvine.

To order Nine Days to Istanbul or My Name Is Nabil, see your local Baha’i librarian or phone the Publishing Trust, 800-323-1800.

Photo: Borzu Sohrab lished in the Salt Lake Tribune focusing on ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s visit to that city and to the State Fair in 1912. The article includ tial reprint on an original article about the visit.

[Page 16]CLASSIFIEDS

The American Baha'i

16

Classified notices in The American Bahda’{ are published free of charge as a service to the Baha’i community. Notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal messages can be accepted for publication. The opportunities referred to have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly, and the friends should exercise their own judgment in responding to them.

°

JEOPARDIZED Assembly on the Yakima Indian Reservation in Wapato, Washington, needs your help. Wapato is a small, quiet town in central Washington with a Baha’i Center off the main street. The area has a high. rate of unemployment, but if you have experience in agriculture, have an outside income, are fluent in Spanish, or are a Native American, this may be the place for you to serve the Cause. If interested, please write to the Baha’is of Wapato, P.O. Box 247, Wapato, WA 98951, or phone 509-877-4554 or 509-877-2583.

HELP is lovingly requested. A small, rural county in western Kentucky now has four young adult Baha’fs and prays for an Assembly in the days ahead. Quiet, rustic environment. Supportive friends. School, industry, university, and business opportunities within commuting distance across the state line in Evansville, Indiana. Come warm yourselves by the fire of a wood stove and let your teaching dreams become a reality. Write to Doug Crawford at Box 305, Corydon, KY 42406, or phone 502-533-6285. f

THE NATIONAL Youth Committ¢e is looking for talented youth and young adults to perform in a Baha’i ‘‘road show’ currently being developed. If you have vocal, dramatic, dance or instrumental (pop, folk, jazz or modern) ability, please write to the National Youth Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Send a summary of your experience with an audition tape and photograph.

WANTED: Bahá’í couples or individuals to locate in the goal cities of Monroe and Philomath near Corvallis, Oregon, on the Willamette River in the heart of the Willamette Valley not far from Cascade Mountain and Oregon coastal recreation areas. Corvallis, population about 40,000, is the home of Oregon State University. Monroe is 17 miles south and Philomath six miles west of Corvallis. Portland, the state’s largest city, is about 85 miles north. These localities, Monroe and Philomath, would be ideal for retired couples. For information please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Corvallis, P.O. Box 309, Corvallis, OR 97339, or phone 503-753-3943. .

CAPTAIN for yacht who is familiar with all aspects of sailing and navigation is needed to sail a 50-foot yacht in the Southwest Pacific. The yacht is to be used for

full-time teaching. All applicants considered, single or married. Send details of sailing experience to the International Goals Committee, Bahd’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

WHAT HAS three musicians, three nurses, one optometrist and needs you? Answer: The Bahda’{ Group of Bountiful, Utah! We have the largest Group in the state and are striving to reach Assembly status by Ridvan to help win a District Teaching Committee goal of two new Assemblies in Utah. Bountiful, a suburb of Salt Lake City, has ample employment opportunities, especially in the medical and nursing professions. It is within easy commuting distance of excellent university and colleges. Contact Karen Webb (correspondent), .

, Bountiful, UT 84010, or phone 801-298-4507.

PIERCE County, Washington, C.D. 1, which lost its Assembly last Ridvan and has now worked its way back up to a Group of eight adults, needs one more dedicated Baha’i to regain Assembly status. The area is near Tacoma and Puyallup (there are two incorporated areas within Pierce 1) and is within commuting distance of Auburn. A new Fairchild Camera and Istrument plant is being built, and will attract related industry and services to an already growing region. Pierce | also has many rural areas for those interested in farming or household gardening. There is a possibility of a home being available to share with a female or couple. Please write to Helen Kreling Walker, P.O. Box 337, Sumner, WA 98390.

NEEDED by. the Bahá’ís in Dangriga, Belize: A mimeograph or addressograph machine, electric or manual, in good condition and able to duplicate 1,000 copies minimum. The machine, if donated, would be used in consolidating the friends in Dangriga and nearby villages. Anyone who would be able to donate such a machine is asked to contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, TL 60091. Phone 312-869-9039.

WANTED: Baha’(s and friends to spend one or two weeks at the Conifer Hill Baha’i School in Colorado between June 25 and July 22. Staff is needed including a director who is responsible for the welfare and safety of all participants, for the operation of the school, and for maintaining the scheduled programs; a cook who is responsible for planning and preparing nutritious and delicious meals; a service/maintenance leader who schedules and directs service (work) projects that improve grounds and facilities, and also maintains water pumping, gas lights, refrigeration, etc. Salaries are available for these positions. Assistant cooks receive scholarships. Counselors also are needed for the children’s day camp, July

16-22. To apply, please send a resumé that includes educational and work experience, Baha’i activities, references, and a statement about why you would like to work at Conifer Hill to Mrs. Marilyn Fisher, secretary, Conifer Hill Baha’{ School Council, ' Boulder, CO 80302.

SPECIAL Education professionals and students: Homefront pioneering _possibil: galore! More than 400 vacant positions in Mississippi public school systems, especially for speech therapists and pathologists. Why? Salaries are lower than elsewhere. But consider the benefits to the Faith and of “rural living.”” For more information please contact the District Teaching Committee of Mississippi, Carolyn Reusche, secretary, Le ~ __, Starkville, MS

39759.

DELICIOUS international food is just one treat that awaits you at the second annual Race Unity Day festival in Wilmington, Delaware, on Saturday, June 12. We are looking for entertainment, food and crafts of an ethnic nature. Entertainment is gratis, but food and crafts may be sold. For more information and application forms, please write to Nelson McMillan, secretary, Race Unity Day Festival Committee, Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Wilmington, Box 846, Wilmington, DE 19899.

VERMONT summer program for 9-13 year olds is seeking specialized staff for 10 weeks from mid-June through August. We are a small private independent camp, accredited by the American Camping Association, with 20 years of experience in a unique international, intercultural outdoor living and learning program based on Baha’i principles. We eagerly await your reply if you like being with children (24 hours a day), have outdoor camping skills, or speak Spanish, French or Farsi, or have a strong musical talent and are between the ages of 18 and 100. These positions require a firm commitment, and their rewards are a direct result of the degree of energy, support and interest put into them. This is also an ideal chance for international teaching ‘‘at home’’ because not all of the children are Baha’is, but represent various countries and areas of the U.S. Become a part of our growing family! Please send a letter of introduction to High Rise, Institute for Human Understanding Inc., Rochester, VT 05767, or phone Carolyn Cruikshank or Irene Smead at 802-767-3303.

BOTSWANA: Two positions are open at the University of Botswana. 1. Lecturer in educational resources. Candidates should have at least a master’s degree in a media-related profession together with teaching experience in audio-visual aids and communication. Emphasis is on management of personnel and media; servicing AV equipment;

preparation and use of teaching resources; and reprographic services and TV studio. 2. Lecturer in nursing education. Candidates with at least two years clinical practice and teaching experience will be given preference. Appointee will be expected to develop psychiatric nursing curriculum, establish contact with relevant facilities, teach specific and other courses in the nursing program, and give academic advice to students. Two-year contract, renewable. For more information please contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

YOU DON’T have to be a fish or a duck to enjoy the humid climate of Tumwater, Washington. We need three more homefront pioneers to help shed some spiritual sunlight on this area and help maintain its Assembly. There are three colleges in the area, reasonable housing, and job opportunities in the medical and electrical fields. Contact Peter Gorman, __

} Tumwater, WA 98501, or phone 206-786-1090.

WANTED—Homefront pioneers to settle in Saginaw Township, Michigan, whose Assemby is down to six members. Saginaw Township is near two good twoyear colleges, has an excellent school system and numerous homes and apartments to buy or rent. Please, with your prayers and sacrifice, our Assembly will be saved. If interested, please phone Sally Singer, 517-792-8416, or Gloria Symons (collect) 517-790-0838.

GUYANA will hold its annual Baha’i summer school from April 8-12. The full cost for five days at the school is $10. Hospitality is available for those who can spend a longer period in Guyana to teach. Daily costs including travel, food and accommodations could be budgeted at $20. Guyana Airways provides direct flights from New York to Georgetown for $600 round trip, and has a special fare from Miami to Georgetown of $350 round trip. Guyana is an English-speaking country whose inhabitants are of diverse background such as East Indian, African, indigenous South American Indian, Chinese and European. Time is short. Please.contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 312-869-9039. Musicians and others who can contribute to this event are most welcome.

BECOME a part of the ongoing historical saga of Bisbee, Arizona. Bisbee is a registered national historic landmark, one of the original Arizona mining camps that refused to become a ghost town when the ore ran out. It has a wonderfully mild, high-desert climate with plenty of sun and pure air. “‘Ol’ Bisbee,” 90 miles from Tucson and five miles from the Mexican border, is perched precariously on the slopes of the love ly Mule Mountains and architecturally resembles a European mountain village. It’s a photographer’s paradise. Major sources of revenue are tourism and a dynamic art community that includes regionally and nationally known artists, writers and craftsmen. Annual events include poetry festivals and nationally sanctioned bicycle races. Housing is inexpensive, the cost of living low. There has, been a Spiritual Assembly in Bisbee since 1973, but owing to the transient nature of life there and a lack of employment, the community’s numbers remain low. Needed are deepened Bahda’is to reinvigorate the community, to help in teaching programs, and help retain a functioning Assembly. Please visit Bisbee—you’ll fall in love. If interested, please write to the Baha’i community of Bisbee, P.O. Box 1854, Bisbee, AZ 85603, or phone 602-432-5115.

NORTHERN Nevada needs Spanish-speaking Bahá’ís.‘ The area offers job opportunities, a mild year-round climate, clean lakes and streams, and a great community spirit. We’re 45 minutes from Lake Tahoe, a day’s travel from Los Angeles and only four and one-half hours from San Francisco. Please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Reno, P.O. Box 6447, Reno, NV 89513.

WANTED: The National Baha’i Archives Committee is seeking the records of Regional Teaching Committees for the 1930s and 1940s, especially minutes and correspondence. Anyone having such records is asked to write to the National Baha’i Archives Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

DENMARK by Ridvan. The American Baha’i community must fill seven goals in Denmark by Ridvan 1982. Although it is difficult for Americans to enter that country, it is easy for anyone from a Common Market country to live and work in Denmark. Anyone who has a dual passport, or has the opportunity to apply for a British or other European passport, may be in a position to fill one of these goals. Conditions that might allow one to obtain a European passport include having relatives living in that country, having parents or grandparents from that country, having been born in or having lived for an extended period of time in that country. If you feel you may be in a position to obtain a passport that would make it possible for you to fill one of these goals to Denmark, please contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone 312-869-9039.

The Fund Is the Life-Blood of the Faith Baha’ National Center

Wilmette, IL 60091

[Page 17]RACE UNITY

March 1982

Ronn eS ee ee ee

17

‘When the racial elements of the American nation unite in actual fellowship and accord, the lights of the oneness of humanity will shine...’ ((Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 54)

Reno, Nevada, community exemplifies racial ideals

By JANICE McGOURTY mankind. THE FIRST Spiritual Assembly In the 1940s a Race Amity in Nevada was formed in Reno at Committee was established by the Ridvan 1943. National Spiritual Assembly, and

Baha’i communities throughout the country formed similar committees at the local level.

The Nevada Bahda’{s very early gained recognition for their belief in racial equality. In 1944 a youth committee of the Spiritual Assembly of Reno formed an inter-racial club at the YWCA to promote racial harmony. The club was supported by (non-Bahd’s) black girls in the area.

Although racial prejudice was prevalent at the time, the club succeeded in gaining admittance for its black friends at the skating rink on Saturday afternoons, a privilege formerly denied them.

THE PASTOR of the Bethel AME Church thanked the Baha’is and congratulated them for their work to achieve Baha’i ideals,

At that time the Baha’i community of Reno also sponsored an annual Brotherhood Week. Large public meetings were held to which ministers of several races and faiths were invited to par True to the cosmopolitan nature of Nevada society, three racial groups were represented—black, white and Japanese.

Ray Cheatham was the first black Bahd’{ in Nevada, Robert Imagire the first Japanese. Robert was the Assembly’s first secretary. He later pioneered to Japan.

ONE OTHER outstanding member of the early Nevada Baha’{ community was Mariejeanne Morton, the first Basque believer in the state.

In those days Baha’i ideas were well ahead of their time. Now, of course, the world is aware of Baha’i principles. Heads no longer turn when people of different races converse on the street, as they did when Margery Dixon stopped to chat with Ray Cheatham one day in the 1940s.

The struggle for racial equality is one the Baha’is have been participating in since the inception of the Faith. Many teaching efforts are directed toward the oneness of

Racial Prejudice: Questions for discussion (Compiled by Janice McGourty)

I. DEFINITION

1. What is racial prejudice?

2. How much control do we have over it in our own lives?

3. How is it different from racism?

4, How can one tell if he is prejudiced?

5. Is being a member of a minority similar to being handicapped in the way society relates to you?

6. The premise that ‘‘all men are created equal’”’ is the backbone of this country. If the statement is true, why is there so much disunity now, and if it is not true, how has it affected our culture?

Il, AWARENESS

1. Do you think it is more difficult for Caucasians to be aware of the subtleties of racial prejudice than it is for minorities?

2. Are minorities overly sensitive to racial prejudice?

3. What role does difference in values play in racial prejudice?

4. What role does the family play?

5. The black/white prejudice in our country is unique. How are the two cultures different, and why?

6. What is the value of stereotypes?

i Prejudice often is caused by fear. If this is true, what are we afraid of?

8. Isn’t much of what is viewed as prejudice simply a lack of courtesy? If people respected each other more, wouldn’t there, in general, be less hostility between races?

Ill. ELIMINATION OF PREJUDICE

(Now that we have defined and elaborated on the problem of racial prejudice, let’s talk about solving the problem.)

1. How can parents educate their children so they won’t be prejudiced?

2. Racial prejudice is a phenomenon that provokes a wide variety of emotions—guilt, fear, hostility and frustration are a few. How can we get past these feelings and deal with the problem in a positive way?

3. Working out one’s own prejudices is hard enough, but how do we handle other people’s prejudices? How can we be assertive about our own convictions and remain friends with those who don’t share them?

4. How can one initiate interaction with a person of another race?

5. What will happen if we don’t resolve our differences?

6. Will love for each other solve our problems?

ticipate in a panel discussion.

A similar activity was the Race Amity picnics the Bahá’ís hosted at Geiger Lookout. An outdoor kitchen was set up and staffed by the Baha’is.

Indian women cooked Indian bread, and ‘‘all persons interested in actively promoting interracial goodwill” were invited. Many blacks and Native Americans showed up for this annual breakfast.

Many times, Baha’is will relocate to serve a particular need in an area. One Baha’i who moved into the Reno community from Washington state in 1946 was Bennett Dorn.

Miss Dorn, who was half black and half American Indian, came to help teach the blacks and Indians in Nevada. She traveled to Fallon and Stillwater to teach Native Americans and spoke to blacks at the Bethel AME church in Reno.

BENNETT Dorn remained a strong member of the Reno community for many years. In 1965 she moved to Arkansas, and later died in Texas.

Tom and Marion West moved to Sparks, Nevada, in 1957. Both dedicated traveling teachers, they are responsible for opening the towns of Elko, Carson City and Zephyr Cove to the Faith.

The Wests made a concerted effort to teach Indians in Nevada. Reaching the Native Americans has always been a special goal of American Bahá’ís.

In the Tablets of the Divine Plan, ‘Abdu’l-Baha stressed the spiritual potential of these peoples:

“*You must attach great importance to the Indians, the original inhabitants of America ... should these Indians be educated and properly guided, there can be no doubt that through the Divine teachings they will become so enlightened that the whole earth will be illumined.”

Two devoted women from Sparks were responsible for bringing the first Nevada Indians into the Faith. For many months, Norma Gimlim and Charlotte Nelson visited the Reno-Sparks Indian colony, talking with the Indians and tutoring school children.

WILLY Astor (Washoe) was the first to declare his belief in Bahá’u’lláh. His wife, Pearl (Washoe) and Harry Sampson (Paiute) soon followed.

Mr. Sampson was educated at the Stewart Indian School in Carson City and was once an instructor there. He helped identify native American plants for the University of Nevada at Reno, and also spoke there on the Nevada

Paiute language and culture. Both he and Willy Astor had served together on the early Inter-Tribal Council.

Eventually, enough Native Americans on the colony became Baha’is for an Assembly to be established.

Other Indians in the Reno area who did not live on the colony also joined the Faith. These included Alice and Willy Key (Navajo), Mary and Franklin Kahn (Navajo) and Alfreda Alverez (Shoshone).

A high point in the teaching efforts of Tom and Marion West occurred on the Dresslerville Indian Colony below Gardnerville. There the titular tribal chief, Hank Pete, was enrolled in the Faith during a public proclamation.

The Baha’ is in the Reno-Sparks area always made a special effort to include the Indian believers in Baha’i activities. There was even a special trip to Geyserville, California, to attend a meeting in the

Indians’ honor.

MORE Baha’i teaching took place on the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in the late 1960s when a summer school was established for the children.

At that time several Baha’is in the area were professional educators. Concerned about the Indian children who often fell behind in their studies, these teachers adopted a remedial program similar to ‘Head Start.””

For several years the teachers and high school youth working as aides taught all day at the colony during the summer. They strengthened the children in‘reading, writing and math, besides offering classes in cooking, sewing and art.

The principal of the local school remarked on how much the children had been helped by these summer programs—they had moved up in their classes to match the rest of the children.

John Joyce (center), director of Recreation and Parks in Park Forest, Illinois, accepts a donation of $353.65 for the Park Forest Memorial Park from Laura Schell and Chuck George, members of the Baha’i community of Park Forest. The Baha’is sponsored a recent rummage sale to help raise

Photo: S.C. Field funds for the memorial park; village officials worked in cooperation with the Bahd’fs, allowing them the use of an empty store in the Park Forest Plaza for the sale

and of the Clock Tower Stage in the center of the Plaza for a World Peace Day observance.

Your letters, cards are welcome

The Race Unity Committee has received mail from many parts of the country concerning ‘‘The Most Challenging Issue.’’ The ‘‘year of awareness’’ appears to have been a great success.

Mail expressing interest, concern and hope toward the eradication of the last of lingering prejudices has come from such places as Lansing, Michigan; Belford, New Jersey; Taylorsville, Mississippi; Rialto, California; Austin, Texas; Detroit, Michigan; Kent, Washington; Highland Park, Illinois; Charlottesville, Virginia; Champaign Township, Illinois; Lyons, Oregon; and Duluth, Minnesota.

Please continue to write to the Race Unity Committee c/o Dr. Carole Allen, secretary, Norfolk, VA 23508.

Reports of your plans to help eradicate prejudice and foster racial amity are most welcome. Please be aware that your letter might reach The American Baha'i, on the Race Unity Page, unless you specify that you do not want it published. Published letters may not be anonymous.

[Page 18]The American Baha'i

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[Page 19]

The American Baha'i

March 1982

19

Ago.

in The American Baha’i

The Hand of the Cause of God Zikru’lláh Khadem speaks about the role of Baha’i youth during ‘one of four regional ‘‘Wildfire’’ Baha’i youth conferences in February sponsored by the National Teaching Committee.

Three hundred-sixty youth are present at the conference in Beloit, Wisconsin, to hear Mr. Khadem and Auxiliary Board member Peter Kahn. A public meeting draws 600 people.

In Hayward, California, Auxiliary Board member Margaret Gallagher is among the speakers at the regional youth conference whose attendance surpasses 250.

Four hundred youth attend the conference in Storrs, Connecticut, where one of the speakers is Auxiliary Board member Adrienne Reeves.

Auxiliary Board member Paul Pettit addresses youth at the regional conference in Arlington, Texas. Among those present are black, white, Mexican, American Indian and Persian Baha’is ...

The International Goals Committee reminds the friends that although all homefront pioneering goals have been won, many crucial overseas goals of the Nine Year Plan remain to be filled.

Consolidation goals assigned to the U.S. by the Universal House of Justice include raising one more Spiritual Assembly in Bermuda and one in the Falkland Islands ...

The Continental Board of Counsellors announces deepening conferences to be held March 31-April 2 in Reno, Nevada, and Fort Wayne, Indiana ...

A panel of three terviewed on a television program in Wheeling, West Virginia, and is able to stress the concepts of the oneness of God, mankind and religion along with the ‘‘most challenging issue.

The Spiritual Assembly of Wheeling is invited to participate in another TV program on the Faith. Meanwhile, it sponsors follow-up firesides and lectures at a Catholic high school ...

Counsellor Florence Mayberry and Auxiliary Board member Paul Pettit speak at a second conference in Arlington, Texas, that is attended by 140 believers from five states and sponsored by the East Texas District No. 1 Teaching Committee ...

Dr. William Love, a member of the Deep South Committee, presents a copy of The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah to Dr. Luther Foster, president of Tuskegee (Alabama) Institute, on behalf of the

Baha’i community of Tuskegee ...

LONG DEDICATED DISTINGUISHED SERVICE KNIGHT BAHA’U'LLAH OLIVIA KELSEY ADDS LUSTRE ANNALS AMERICAN BAHA'I COMMUNITY. ASSURE PRAYERS BOUNTIFUL REWARD PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA

KINGDOM. Universal House of Justice October 15, 1981

PROFOUNDLY GRIEVED PASSING DEARLY-LOVED HANDMAID BAHA’U’LLAH OLIVIA KELSEY. HER EFFECTIVE TEACHING ACTIVITIES, STAUNCH LOYALTY, PIONEER SERVICES FEATURES HER EXEMPLARY LIFE. PRAYING ABUNDANT BLESSINGS LIFE BEYOND.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bah’fs of the United States

OLIVIA KELSEY

Knight of Baha’u’llah Olivia Kelsey dies in Yellow Springs, Ohio, at 92

OLIVIA Kelsey, who was named a Knight of Baha’u’llah by the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, after pioneering in 1954 to Monaco, died October 13 in Yellow Springs, Ohio. She was 92 years old.

Mrs. Kelsey, a native Ohioan, studied music and drama as a young woman and planned a career as a Shakespearean actress.

She learned of the Faith from her husband-to-be, Arthur Kelsey, to whom she was married in 1929. Three years later she declared her belief and was enrolled in the Faith.

IT WAS during their years together in New York City that she collected material for her book,

October 14, 1981 Chase

Continued From Page 8

HE ALSO wrote ‘‘A Brief History of the American Development of the Baha’i Movement,” which was published in Star of the West on January 19, 1915, and some early pamphlets on the Faith,

Shortly after his pilgrimage, Mr. Chase’s insurance company transferred him from Chicago to California in the hope, it is said, that he would spend more time working for the company and less time involved in religious activities.

In spite of this, he became more and more interested in furthering the Cause and far less interested in business.

Mr. Chase felt that he lacked sufficient knowledge of the Faith, and always strived to learn more.

Teaching Fever Is CONTAGIOUS! have YOU Caught the Fever Yet?

House

Continued From Page 4

heedless from their slumber and a golden opportunity offered to the Baha’ fs to demonstrate once again their unity and fellowship before the eyes of a declining and skeptical world, to proclaim with full force the Message of Baha’u’llah to high and low alike, to establish the reverence of our Faith for Isl4m and its Prophet, to assert the principles of non-interference in political activities and obedience to government which stand at the very core of our Faith, and to provide comfort and solace to the breasts of the serene sufferers and steadfast heroes in the forefront of a persecuted community.

Our motto in these days of world-encircling gloom should be

As ‘Abdu’l-Baha gradually unfolded aspects of the Administrative Order to the friends, he received each new piece of information with eagerness and enthusiasm.

While there were some believers who could not understand why the institution of the Spiritual Assembly was established, Mr. Chase appreciated its great importance and did everything he could to uphold and promote its authority.

In 1912, when ‘Abdu’l-Baha was in the eastern U.S., Mr. Chase. was hospitalized in Southern California. As the Master arrived in San Francisco in September of that year, Thornton Chase passed away in Los An eles.

‘ABDU’L-BAHA made what the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, later described as ‘a special pilgrimage’”’ to Mr. Chase’s grave site in Inglewood, California.

The Master scattered flowers over the grave and chanted a prayer on Mr. Chase’s behalf. That evening, ‘Abdu’l-Baha again praised Thornton Chase during a meeting in Los Angeles, and he encouraged the friends to visit his grave at least once a year.

the Words of God addressed to the Blessed Beauty Himself: “When the swords flash, go forward! When the shafts fly, press onward!””

Future historians will haves to assess the impact of this crisis on the onward march of a triumphant Faith. A detailed list of the steps that have already been taken by the Baha'is of the world during the past three years is attached for the study of the friends.

Our fervent prayers are offered most ardently at the Holy Shrines for the blessings of Bahá’u’lláh to surround His lovers and loved ‘ones in every land, and to assist and confirm them as they face with certitude and confidence the challenges of the future.

With loving Baha’i greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

January 26, 1982

“...The memory of such names,”’ the Guardian wrote, ‘‘as Lua, Chase, MacNutt, Dealy, Goodall, Dodge, Farmer and Brittingham—to mention only a few of that immortal galaxy now gathered to the glory of Bahd’u’ll4h—will for ever remain associated with the rise and establishment of His Faith in the American continent, and will continue to shed on its annals a lustre that time can never dim.”

Baha’i Answers, which was published (with the approval of the National Spiritual Assembly) in 1947.

After Mr. Kelsey’s death in 1937, Olivia began her long service as a Baha’i pioneer, moving first to Louisville, Kentucky, during the first Seven Year Plan.

In May 1944, she participated in the Centenary celebration of the Declaration of the Bab, held at the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette.

At the invitation of a friend, she” moved to Kansas, where she remained until the call for pioneers for the Ten Year Crusade was sounded in 1953.

Mrs. Kelsey arrived in Monaco in March 1954, and remained there until 1959, when she moved to France.

In failing health, she returned to the U.S. in 1964 and settled in Columbus, Ohio.

When the Five Year Plan was launched in 1974 she was able, at the age of 85, to undertake teaching trips to South Carolina and West Virginia.

In Memoriam

Henry Almanza Somerton, Ariz. Date Unknown Bernice Anderson Hayward, Calif. January 11, 1982 Mary Bauers Duluth, Minn. Havre, Mont January 12, 1982 December 4, B. Richard Carmichael Eloy Medina Lewisville, Texas Ft. Garland, January 13, 1981 Vera Red Elk

1981

South Bend,

September 21, 1981. December 25,

Sharif Sharifi Farahani Gracie A. Melody Willamina, Oregon

Alamo, California December 27, 1981 John E. Flood

Geneva, New York September 20, 1981

1981 Earl Mock

Rudolph Kurit N. Miami Beach, Fla.

Howard G. Longaker

December 12, 1981 Zeia Vera Bee McCoy Abolollah Roshan

Date Unknown

Frederick Meinzer Wolf Point, Montana Klamath Falls, Ore.

Springfield, Oregon Date Unknown

Barbara Redstone Ft. Yates, S. Dakota Date Unknown Mary Rogers Fremont, Calif. November 21, 1981

Indiana

ana Garden Grove, Calif.

1981 October 30, 1981 Iraj Samii

Colo. Cypress, California

Date Unknown Raymond Sirovitch

N. Miami Beach, Fla. 1981

Ruth Smith Alamogordo, N. Mexico December 19, 1981 Lawrence Standing Crow Ft. Yates, S. Dakota Date Unknown

, 1981

Jack Gartner Leon Mongram Bonnie J. Vitelli Panorama City, Calif. Mandaree, N. Dakota Corvallis, Oregon December 23, 1981 Date Unknown January 4, 1982

Willie Glover Pahokee, Florida 1981

Juli Hanna Herndon, Virginia August 2, 1981 Inez D. Harper Chicago, Illinois Date Unknown Leonard J. Hippchen Richmond, Virginia 1982

Florence V. Kohn Kirkwood, Missouri December 23, 1981

June 6, 1981

Carmen O‘Neill Walnut Creek, Calif.

Sylvester Pitts Sr. Chicago, Illinois Date Unknown Audrey J. Reed Peoria, Arizona January 5, 1982 Cecil C. Reed Niagara Falls, N.Y. November 10, 1981 William Rees Upland, California December 12, 1981

Nannie Williams Hibiscus Park, Fla. December 1981 Roy Williams Greensboro, N.C. September 13, 1981 Frank Wilson Pompano Beach, Fla. Date Unknown Mansfield Winbush Naples, Florida January 14, 1982

|e SES SR ESS EARS ZRF SSE RT ER SB SY

[Page 20]The American Baha'i

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

WILMETTE, IL PERMIT NO. 479

March 1982

Higher postal rates increase cost of publishing Baha’i materials

THE RECENT postal rate increases for non-profit second, third and fourth class mail will again affect the operating budgets for publishing and distributing Baha’i publications.

Because of the large volume of mailing done at the National Center, we wish to share with you a sense of the financial impact that such large rate increases have on the National Fund, especially with regard to The American Baha’i, which is most seriously affected.

Until January 1982 our monthly mailing costs for The American Baha’i were approximately $1,500; but :he new cost, starting with the February issue, is about $3,000 a month.

THE TOTAL yearly cost for production and distribution of The American Baha’i is approximately $105,000, or about 16 cents per copy.

Funds

Continued From Page 5

munity.

Naturally, we are not now considering the topic of sacrifice (the subject of article 6 in this series), which certainly has an effect on the release of spiritual power.

Also, an individual and his efforts are not penalized by the lack of participation by others. Yet the

-body of the Cause is certainly de prived of potential blessings if there is not united and extensive participation in action.

..the participation of every believer,” the Supreme Body has noted, ‘‘is of the utmost importance, and is a source of power and vitality as yet unknown to ist

In fact, so potentially powerful is this principle that the House of Justice has indicated that the American Bahd’{ community could achieve all of its financial goals without sacrifice if universal participation could be achieved.

Summarizing its letter on participation, the Universal House of Justice added prayer and fighting one’s own spiritual battles to the role of the individual as described above.

It concluded: “‘If every believer will carry out these sacred duties, we shall be astonished at the accession of power which will result to the whole body, and which in its turn will give rise to further growth and the showering of greater blessings on all of us.””

Canada Assembly won’t issue ID cards for B.E. 138

TO CONSERVE scarce funds, the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada has decided not to issue new identification cards for B.E. 139.

The friends in Canada are being instructed to retain their ID card for B.E. 138 and that it will be nsidered valid for B.E. 139.

Your help is needed to help keep the cost of services provided by the National Center from escalating even further.

We therefore ask your cooperation—first, by keeping addresses current, but even more important, by helping to reduce the number of unnecessary copies of the paper that get thrown away when too many copies are sent to the same household.

It is possible for us to alter our records to eliminate your name from the distribution list for The American Baha’i.

Please consider such a move, especially if you have a spouse or teen-ager who already receives a copy and your personal copy is really just an extra.

All you need do is advise the Office of Membership and Records to mark your record as ‘‘No American Baha’i required.”

You may do so sifhply by checking the box that appears above the address label on this page.

-— _ _ 1 1 Me : Moving? Name Mrs 1 Pret Miss i ell us your Residence new address Adcreas — | To avoid unnecessary delays in re ! sire rom oni oleae eee eee See ec ee I Bahá’í send your new address and Gity State Zip Code your mailing bel which includes yg | Your ID number to the Office of crass, Membership. and. Records, Babi Stet. Rural Route, or Post Office Box Number ji | National Center, Wilmette, IL I 60081, as soon as you know that you are going to move and what your new a Cees aE EE 1 address will be. We will do our best 1 to see that changes are processed New Bana) T Guickiy othatthetransferofmailto Community —__ 1 J) Yoer nen home is accomplished with Name of Local Assembly. group. or U'possble speed. ! { Moving Oate ! We have been receiving more than one copy I of The American Baha’i. Because we don’t 1 need extra copies, please remove my name from the mailing list for this publication. | | Please check box. | | BAA‘ NATIONAL CENTER " Wilmette, Minois 60091 ADDRESS ¢ CORRECTION REQUESTED I

Persecution of Iranian Baha’is certainly no ‘accident’

Continued From Page 2

Embarrassed or angered, he may choose to play less frequently, and then we all lose.

Although I am not a musician, I know the pain these gifted Bahá’ís must feel. If we would only accept the gift of music in the spirit in which it is offered, we would know what to do.

Eileen C. Tyson Piscataway, New Jersey To the Editor:

ON JANUARY 6, Judge James Nelson and Artin Mahmoudi were interviewed on televison in Los Angeles.

One point made during that interview was not delineated properly. Since many may be faced with the question, I ask that this letter be published.

The question was: You (Baha’is) are talking about the execution of eight people (the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran). Although this is sad, it may not be significant. For example (said the interviewer), last night 35 people were killed on highways!

‘WHILE we remember that the present regime in Iran has executed many more than “eight people,’”? we should not allow comparison of death from accidents or diseases with punishments imposed by a force in power.

The former is an act of nature or an “accident” while the latter is premeditated and planned.

The outcry is that a ‘‘government”? that should be protecting its law-abiding citizens is kidnaping and killing them in groups without charges, trial or even a chance to meet with their families or leave their wills, only because of differences of religious opin ion.

And unfortunately, as we see, the world is almost quietly ignoring it.

Piruz Khorvash Lancaster, California

To the Editor:

THINK OF all we could do if the American Baha’is consistently contributed more than necessary to the Fund!

We could make new plans; we could speed up the old. Teaching the Faith would enter a new phase—that of more intense collaboration between the National and Local Assemblies.

For example, the National Assembly could prepare an ad and broadcast it nationwide on television (for maybe two weeks). Meanwhile, Local Assemblies could do some advertising of their own and teach, teach, teach!

Such a development would be a tremendous boost to door-to-door teachers and small communities. Not only would it inform those we want to teach before we came to their door, it also would invigorate and inspire us in our teaching efforts.

Think of how dynamic our teaching will be when we all teach at once. Truly, when we learn to sacrifice, at least 20,000 of us, declarants will enter the Faith in troops!

Laura Connealy Netarts, Oregon To the Editor:

EACH ONE teach one, watch our numbers grow. As Bahá’ís we've heard the phrase quite often, but it wasn’t until we did an activity with the 7-10 year old class at the Louhelen Baha’i School that we actually saw what is meant by this.

The class pretended that each day was equivalent to a year. On the first day, each child placed one bean in a bottle to represent bringing one person into the Faith.

The next day the number was doubled, and this tontinued for five days. The class size varied each day between seven and 12.

We and the children were surprised to see that by the end of five days, the number of beans in the bottle had grown to 280. Think of it: from seven to 280 in only five days (years)!

Sandy and Alonzo Coleman Park Forest, Illinois

To the Editor:

ON October 23, 1961, a pioneer, her heart overflowing with love for Bahá’u’lláh, and with an indomitable faith in His Cause, arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (present day Zaire) in Central Africa.

Last October, this radiant maidservant celebrated her 20th anniversary in Zaire—20 years of selfless toil, sacrifice and service to the community of the Greatest Name in that country. Service that has been her hallmark since she was the first Baha’i to settle on the tiny islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, off the coast of Newfoundland, in 1953, for which she earned the title of “Knight of Baha’u’llah.””

During her 20 years in Zaire she has weathered unnumbered storms that defy description, and stood as a bastion for the Zairian believers, when the Faith was not officially recognized there.

ALL WHO meet her are struck immediately by the force of her personality, her strong sense of dignity, and most of all, her unshakable faith in her convictions.

But to meet her, one must go to the interior of Zaire where she has lived for the last 20 years and, hopefully, will continue to live for the next 20 as well.

Some day, down the road, we will undoubtedly read about her exemplary life of service. But we wanted to take this opportunity to express our gratitude and love to one who has played so pre-eminent a role in the development of the Faith in Zaire.

Her name: Alexandra ‘‘Ola’’ Pawlowska. Age 72. Auxiliary Board member, Knight of Baha u’ll4h, and humble maidservant to His Holy Threshold.

Thank you, Ola.

Dermot and Anita McHugh East Riverdale, Maryland

St. Louis notes large media interest in Faith

THE BAHA’i Metro Media Committee of St. Louis was able to capitalize on the recent visit to that city of Parks Scott, national Public-Affairs officer, by achieving extensive media coverage.

Mr. Scott appeared on KETC, the Public Broadcasting station, for a live half-hour interview with Dr. Ebrahim Amanat and Mrs. L. Naomi McCord.

The media committee also arranged interviews with the two major St. Louis daily newspapers, a black community weekly newspaper, and two papers in Illinois.

Other interviews were aired on the local CBS-TY affiliate and on AM and FM radio stations.

The efforts of the committee helped to publicize the plight of the Iranian Bahd’js and inform the public in the two-state area about the principles of the Faith.

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The American Bahá’í/Volume 13/Issue 3/Text