The American Bahá’í/Volume 15/Issue 6/Text

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The American Bahá’í June, 1984

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[Page 1]

Congress hears more Bahá’í testimony on Iran

Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, testifies May 2 before the House Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations. To his right is Wilma Brady, vice-chairman of the National Assembly; to his left is Said Eshraghi who also testified.

By JACK BOWERS

For the second time in two years, the House Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations has heard testimony about the persecution of Bahá’ís and repression of the Faith by Iran’s Islamic revolutionary government.

AMONG the witnesses at the House panel’s session May 2 in Washington, D.C., were Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly; Dr. Wilma Brady, vice-chairman of the National Assembly; and Said Eshraghi, an Iranian Bahá’í now living in Texas whose father, mother and 22-year-old sister were hanged last June in Shiraz.

They were accompanied by Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, who did not testify but stood ready as an expert in the genesis and history of Iranian persecution of the Faith to respond to questions by subcommittee members.

The Bahá’í position was supported and amplified in testimony by the session’s two lead-off witnesses: the Hon. Elliott Abrams, Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, and Rep. John Porter of Illinois who is co-chairman of the House Human Rights Caucus and a co-sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution No. 226, introduced last November, which condemns the persecutions in Iran.

Five members of the 10-member subcommittee were able to attend the two-hour long session held before a standing-room-only audience at the Rayburn House Office Building. The subcommittee chairman, Rep. Gus Yatron of Pennsylvania, sent his apologies, saying he was unable to be there because of a meeting of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Drive for victory in Plan launched at Convention

Teaching and expansion of the Faith dominated consultation at the 75th Bahá’í National Convention as delegates and their guests used the historic gathering as a springboard from which to launch a nationwide drive for victory in the final two-year phase of the Seven Year Plan.

THE Convention, held April 26-29 at the McCormick Inn in Chicago, was blessed by the presence of two of the Hands of the Cause of God, Zikrullah Khadem and William Sears.

Mr. Khadem addressed the non-delegate session Saturday morning and the full Convention the following day, while Mr. Sears spoke Saturday evening during a dual celebration of the Ninth Day of Ridván and the 75th anniversary of the National Convention and again on Sunday morning.

The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears makes a point during one of his two addresses at the 75th Bahá’í National Convention held April 26-29 at the McCormick Inn in Chicago.

Among the 1,200 believers from 47 states and 10 countries (including the U.S.) at the Convention were two members of the Continental Board of Counsellors for the Americas, Fred Schechter and Velma Sherrill.

The delegates, 151 of whom were able to attend the Convention, assembled Saturday morning in Foundation Hall at the House of Worship in Wilmette to elect the members of the National Spiritual Assembly for 1984-85.

Those members are: Judge Dorothy W. Nelson, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Judge James F. Nelson, Soo Fouts, Chester Kahn, Dr. Alberta Deas, Dr. Wilma Brady, Dr. Robert Henderson and Dr. Dwight W. Allen.

The 20 delegates who were unable to attend the Convention all cast absentee ballots by mail.

SOME of the most heartwarming and exciting news came from the Office of the Treasurer which reported that the final month of the fiscal year, the month of Jalál, was a record-breaker in every respect with an unprecedented total of nearly $1,030,000 contributed by more than 10,300 individuals along with Groups and Local Spiritual Assemblies.

The previous records for contributions in a single month and number of individuals contributing to the Fund, both set in the final month of the previous fiscal year, were $572,238 and 6,479 respectively.

Year’s final month a record-breaker

10,300 individuals give $1,029,000-plus

The outcome of the National Day of Unity and Sacrifice was outstanding!

The American Bahá’í community should be proud and pleased with itself, not only for the amount of money that was raised, but for the level of participation attained.

THE National Spiritual Assembly called for participation and sacrifice at the local level, and the response to that appeal was both overwhelming and unprecedented.

While we did not quite reach our $10 million contributions goal or our goal of 20,000 individual contributors, the results were nevertheless most praiseworthy.

The community contributed more than $1,029,000 in the final month of the fiscal year.

Measured against past years, that amount is an all-time record: the highest amount ever contributed before in any single Bahá’í month was $572,238, or about $456,000 less than the new standard.

Is it any wonder that the accounting staff at the Treasurer’s Office was still counting contributions eight days into the new fiscal year?

Individual participation during the same period also reached a record level with 10,317 Bahá’ís contributing directly to the Fund.

THE HIGHEST one-month total prior to this was the 6,479 recorded last year. [Page 2]

Feast letter

To the American Bahá’í community

Dear Friends: ynomitee It is hard to convey in writing the highly charged atmosphere of the room in the Rayburn building where, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 2, 1984, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations heard the testimony of Congressman John Porter, assistant Secretary of State Elliott Abrams, National Spiritual Assembly Chairman James Nelson, National Spiritual Assembly Vice-Chairman Wilma Brady, and Mr. Said Eshraghi, son and brother of three martyrs of Shiraz.

FOR THE SECOND TIME in two years we presented our case to the Congress, and for the second time we won the respect, admiration and sympathy of everyone involved in the hearing, including the representatives of communications media.

When Mr. Eshraghi finished telling the heart-rending story of the martyrdom of his father, mother and sister, the atmosphere in the room was charged with emotion. Many cried openly; others fought tears.

In a few hours, the Voice of America would carry the news and commentary in many languages, including Persian, to all parts of the world, and, the next morning, newspapers would come out with accounts of the hearing which once again established that the Bahá’ís are cruelly persecuted in Iran on purely religious grounds, that all the charges brought against them by the clerical enemies are but a tissue of lies, and that humanity has the moral d to speak up in their defense.

We, American Bahá’ís, can take pride in the broad proclamation which has brought the Faith out of obscurity. We must also remember that the victories so far gained must not be dissipated by individual inaction.

EVERY Bahá’í, old and young, veteran and neophyte, must embark on a personal campaign of teaching so that we may achieve every remaining goal of the Seven Year Plan and redeem the sacrifice of life made by our Iranian brothers and sisters.

With loving greetings, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

Delegates cast their ballots during the 75th Bahá’í National Convention in Chicago to elect the members of the National Spiritual Assembly for 1984-85.

Green Acre's Summer Youth Program to emphasize service

"The Green Acre Youth Task Force has been working hard in recent months to prepare the Summer Youth Program," says chairman Rick Higgins of Concord, New Hampshire.

The task force chose "A Conscious Level of Participation Through Service" as its summer youth theme.

Two morning classes, afternoon service projects and recreation, and a public speaking program will give each youth a variety of opportunities for self-development, says Mr. Higgins.

The first morning class will be based on the Creative Word and the life of Bahá’u’lláh; the second will center around examples of how other people, notably ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, demonstrated service in their lives.

Mr. Higgins explains that to encourage maximum participation, junior youth (ages 12-14) and senior youth (ages 15-18) will have separate classes, but the goal for all other activities is for people of all ages to be together as members of one family.

Officers are elected

At its meeting May 11-13, the National Spiritual Assembly elected its officers for 1984-85. They are:

Chairman, James F. Nelson; vice-chairman, Firuz Kazemzadeh; secretary, Robert Henderson; treasurer, Dorothy W. Nelson.

In South Georgia, a glimpse of another world

This month's column, "How Long Must They Wait?" was written by Julia Doris of LaGrange, Illinois; Becky Lorentzen of Blue Island, Illinois; and Monira Sohaili of Wilmette, Illinois.

We came to South Georgia with our children to help form Assemblies; we left with many stories and memories—and with much more work to be done.

We would like to share with other Bahá’ís the joys we experienced during our three days in Georgia—they represent merely a glimpse of another world.

WE STAYED with a wonderful family, the Jalalis, who have dedicated their time and resources to consolidation efforts in South Georgia, working steadily from their home in Fort Valley with more than 1,000 mass-taught believers in 35 communities over the past several years.

They were most appreciative of our help, and we in turn are most grateful to them for helping to make our stay so pleasant.

In Montezuma, Georgia, we had nearly given up trying to locate the local Bahá’ís but decided to ask once more if anyone knew how to find them. This time we succeeded.

We found the address for which we were looking on the computer print-out list—but no one was home.

We then went to get one of the children who was with a woman across the street. She said, "Come in! Come in! I knew you were coming! I too am a Bahá’í!"

She was nearly overcome by the joy of finally seeing Bahá’ís again so many years after she had declared.

SINCE HER whole family was there, we told them what we believe. As we turned the pages in the green teaching book, the woman's daughter-in-law exclaimed, "I believe! I believe! Don't worry about the book! I believe!"

The family had been reading The American Bahá’í since the mother-in-law declared, and were waiting for the day when Bahá’ís would return so they too could become Bahá’ís.

This family then offered their home as a meeting place for the election of their Local Assembly.

As we were leaving, they asked: "When will you be back?..."

Later, we found a young man awaiting us in his home with his wife.

"I was 17 years old when they (the Bahá’ís) came, and a bunch of us became Bahá’ís," he said. "It's been 10 years! Where have you been?"

We read some prayers and deepened him. As she listened, his wife, who had been reading his copy of The American Bahá’í for the past few years, expressed her desire to become a Bahá’í.

WHEN we arose to leave, the man asked pleadingly, "When will you be back?" We tried to reassure him that some other Bahá’ís would come to visit, but we couldn't tell him how long he'd have to wait this time.

In Twiggs County another team was out trying to locate Bahá’ís and came across a woman who hadn't seen a Bahá’í in five years.

After inviting the team in, she sang a gospel song with tears in her eyes.

Wanting more challenges, we traveled the next day to Byronville to see if any Bahá’ís were still there, to teach, and, if need be, to form an Assembly.

We began by sharing the Message with a woman on her porch, then proceeded along a row of housing development town houses.

One woman insisted that we wait while she went inside the house and brought out a copy of The American Bahá’í, saying, "I am a Bahá’í too!"

Nearly everyone we taught accepted the Faith, and soon we had four new Bahá’ís. We then visited four local believers, and in less than two hours had helped the friends in Byronville elect an Assembly.

IN Buena Vista we visited another local Bahá’í family, then went to teach. We found five new Bahá’ís (people who declared, black and white, living side by side), and had an Assembly election in about two hours.

One woman said she had just been talking to a friend about how to achieve racial unity and have one world when we walked in and told them both about the Faith.

To our regret, we had to cut short the visit to help form more Assemblies.

On our last day, after forming two Assemblies, we decided to stop on our way home in Ideal, Georgia, to see if anyone there might wish to become a Bahá’í.

The first three people we taught—a farmer, his son and a neighbor—accepted the Faith.

As we headed for our car, they ran after us and begged that we leave with them a copy of the green teaching book.

"There's so much politics in this town," one of the farmers said, "that I want to have this to explain about how this (the Faith) is a better way."

WE TOOK our Bahá’í children (and one grandchild) with us to most places as we visited the local Bahá’ís. They set a marvelous example as people saw the Faith in action... Persian, white and... [Page 3]

LETTERS

"The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions."—‘Abdu’l-Bahá

The American Bahá’í welcomes letters to the editor on any topic of general interest. The purpose of the "letters" column is to allow a free and open exchange of ideas, never to derogate another's opinion or attack anyone on a personal level.

Letters should be as brief as possible (a maximum of 250 words is suggested). Letters are subject to editing for length and style. Please address all letters to the Editor, The American Bahá’í, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Friends should consult on Montreal message

To the Editor:

As we enter the final phase of the Seven Year Plan with several goals, especially teaching goals, unfulfilled, and our Persian brethren continuing to sacrifice their lives for our beloved Cause, it occurs to many of us that "something extra" is needed from the American believers.

Bahá’u’lláh has commanded us to rescue mankind from "impending extinction." Has there ever been a time when that seemed more crucial?

I would like to suggest that we Bahá’ís, at home and abroad, consult on the message from the Universal House of Justice to the friends gathered at the Bahá’í International Convention in Montreal (Bahá’í News, November 1982, pp. 4-5) to discover that "something extra."

This extremely important message, which is directed specifically to believers in North America, openly challenges us by saying:

"If your blessed communities are to lead the world spiritually as the Master envisaged, then the Faith must strike deeper roots in your hearts, the spirit of its teachings must be exemplified in ever greater measure in your lives, and God's Holy Cause must be taught and proclaimed with ever greater intensity."

For starters, perhaps we can use the "letters" column in The American Bahá’í. But since many pioneers do not receive it, and since Canadian believers are almost entirely left out, perhaps a new and independent newsletter or forum is needed to adequately continue such consultation.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá has promised us that consultation is a "brilliant light in a dark world" that can reveal the "right way and guidance." Surely this is what we need. Friends, let us seize our birthright!

Niki L. Glanz La Paz, Bolivia

Comment

(Continued From Page 2)

...black American children playing together with children of the local people.

One woman who hadn't seen any Bahá’ís for many years was a little hesitant when we first arrived. But her heart melted and she soon warmed up as one of our children told her children, "I don't like to fight! I'd rather play with you."

The stories are endless. In three days, we helped form 13 Assemblies and witnessed 22 declarations. It really is another world!

With our help, whole towns right here in America could become predominantly Bahá’í.

It's like teaching in Africa or India or South America but with all the modern conveniences.

But how long must these Bahá’ís in South Georgia wait to receive deepening and direction in how to bring about the changes Bahá’u’lláh has envisioned for mankind?

How long must they wait for a Bahá’í prayer book or an audio tape or other deepening materials?

And how long must these people wait to see another Bahá’í, to learn more about the Faith, and to help bring about the new World Order?

They are waiting, patiently waiting, to help us establish God's Kingdom on earth.

Letters

To the Editor:

For years now I have noticed an unusual attitude among some Bahá’ís toward modern medical science.

Some seem to think that because modern physicians rely heavily on powerful synthetic drugs that this is somehow an inferior, unnatural mode of healing. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's remarks about the use of foods, hot and cold waters and natural substances as healing agents are often cited.

FURTHERMORE, we are reminded that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá indicated that the science of medicine was at an immature stage, but that when perfected, cures would be effected by means of fragrant fruits, aliments, etc.

The Báb tells us it is the duty of Bahá’í physicians to advance the healing arts to that stage.

I have noted, however, that some Bahá’ís assume that the best means of eliminating and curing diseases at this time is via those methods advocated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; i.e., fragrant fruits, foods and herbs.

I believe this attitude is incorrect, even dangerous, for two reasons:

One, it may cause delay in seeking definitive medical help for a serious condition; and two, it may give seekers the wrong impression of the Bahá’í teachings.

Bahá’ís encourage rational, scientific thought. This should apply to the medical sciences as well as to other sciences.

TO understand ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's statements, we must appreciate their historical context.

In 1912, a sick person had an equal chance of recovery whether he saw a doctor or not. Diseases were poorly understood; physicians had perhaps one in two effective medications. All other drugs were impure, ineffective and frequently toxic.

Surgical anesthesia was crude; operations often were performed on a kitchen table. Childbirth often ended in tragedy. Infectious diseases were rampant.

Since that time, medical advances have been enormous. The basis for this has been scientific research and modern pharmacology.

Without modern drugs and vaccines, this progress would have been impossible. Can tuberculosis, appendicitis or cholera be cured by fragrant fruits? Can rabies, malaria or schizophrenia be treated properly with a tea? Can sickle-cell anemia, a genetic disease, be cured by waters, hot and cold?

WESTERN medicine, firmly rooted in the scientific method, has provided astonishing cures and treatments.

It has even given us a glimpse of the promised future by eradicating one scourge, smallpox, from the face of the earth.

I believe that all diseases will finally be controlled by this same scientific medicine, coupled with social and economic advancement and the spiritual progress of mankind.

At that time, the relatively minor ailments of mankind could be treated with carefully selected herbs or pure foods.

Until then, for serious diseases, we must rely upon the judicious use of modern medicine. Indeed, to deny this method would be to deny God's bounty.

To be sure, some modern drugs and treatments are over-prescribed or over-used for personal profit. The Bahá’í ethical standards will play an important role in addressing such problems.

Furthermore, the healing practices of diverse cultures, both new and traditional, must be more carefully evaluated.

Finally, I would suggest that when explaining the Bahá’í teachings on health and healing, we place appropriate emphasis on scientific understanding and try to place ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's statements in the proper context.

Robert P. Smith Lubbock, Texas

To the Editor:

The Bahá’ís who are facing martyrdom in Iran must truly understand the meaning and the importance of the Bahá’í Faith.

Must we here in the U.S. wait for disaster to strike before assuming such an awareness?

It has been said that there are two kinds of Bahá’í: one whose life is built upon the Faith as its foundation, and the other who is busy with his other activities and tries to squeeze the Faith in through a few cracks from time to time if it doesn't disrupt his life too much.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke of the Bahá’í whose life is like a candle lit for God that drips away, in service, all his days.

I was not aware when I became a Bahá’í that there are so many who feel that after they have served the Faith for a certain number of years, their obligation has ended and they don't have to do anything more.

This attitude is making it difficult to form and maintain Assemblies, especially in areas where there are few Bahá’ís. It is also very disruptive to those who are still active and are trying to work for the Faith.

Elaine Calli Carson City, Nevada

To the Editor:

The responsibility of achieving the universal recognition of the Bahá’í Faith, of fulfilling ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's fondest hopes, has been given to the West, and particularly to the "Great Republic of the New World."

The beloved Guardian reminded us that "Persia, the cradle of an unfolding world civilization, is still bereft of her freedom, sunk in ignorance, a prey to contending policies and factions, beset on one hand by the power of orthodoxy and sectarian fanaticism and assailed on the other by the forces of materialism and unbelief. In her evil plight she is radiantly confident that the Flame she has kindled in the world will, in the fullness of time, blaze forth in the heart of the mighty West and shed redeeming illumination upon the silent sufferers of a distracted country." (Bahá’í Administration)

Then, the head of the Faith reported that "America, with a noble and decisive answer, has seized the torch of Divine Guidance from Persia's fettered hands and with it set the western world aflame."

The paramount and most urgent duty of every Bahá’í, he said, is "first strive to live the life and then arise with one heart, one mind, one voice, to reinforce our numbers and achieve our end."

As true believers in the West, we must teach until "the reform Movement destined to usher in that golden Era craved for by the followers of the Faith in Bahá’u’lláh's native land" is established.

Abbas Lohrasbi Youngstown, Ohio

To the Editor:

When The American Bahá’í arrives, the first place I turn is to the "letters" section.

It offers entertainment, variety, controversy, information and humor (intentional and otherwise).

I especially enjoy the letters discussing the major controversies that have arisen such as career vs.

THE DAWNING PLACE

Bruce W. Whitmore's long-awaited story of the building of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette and the forging of the North American Bahá’í Community

331 pages with foreword, appendices, notes, index 83 black-and-white photographs and illustrations

Hardcover Cat. No. 332-119 $20.00* Softcover Cat. No. 332-120 $12.00*

Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order (including 10% for postage and handling, minimum $1.50) to Bahá’í Publishing Trust 415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091

• Price valid only in the United States

[Page 4]

DR. ZIA M. BAGDÁDÍ

Friends said that Dr. Zia Mabsut Bagdádí's actions often demonstrated his "instant, exact and complete obedience" to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Center of the Covenant.

FOR example, Grace Ober recalled the time in 1912 when she was keeping house for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and His party in New York while the Master was attending a peace conference at Lake Mohonk.

Late one night, she said later, Dr. Bagdádí arrived at her home, his clothes disheveled and hair uncombed.

It seems the Master had asked for a rug to be delivered from His quarters in New York City so He could present it to the secretary of the conference before the end of the last session the following day.

Owing to the lateness of the hour no passenger trains were running, so Dr. Bagdádí had returned to New York City on a freight train.

After finding the carpet he refused to take any time to eat or rest but instead returned immediately to Lake Mohonk, again riding a freight train, and arrived in time for the presentation.

Dr. Bagdádí, who was born in Beirut, Syria, in 1882, attended the Arabian Literature school, Turkish Government school and American University in Beirut.

HE CAME to the U.S. in 1909 to complete a course in medicine and spent the remaining 28 years of his life in this country.

Besides having a career as a physician and surgeon, Dr. Bagdádí was an active teacher and speaker and an ardent supporter of the construction of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

He also compiled and wrote the manuscripts for the Persian sections that were published in more than 50 issues of Star of the West magazine.

And it was Dr. Bagdádí who, in 1921, turned the first shovel of earth that marked the start of excavation for the first caisson of the Temple.

Congressional Hearing on Persecutions in Iran

...which he is also a member. Presiding in his absence was Rep. Tom Lantos of California, another co-sponsor of the recent House resolution condemning the persecutions in Iran, who has on many occasions expressed his support for the Bahá’ís.

OTHER subcommittee members present were Reps. Jim Leach of Iowa (the only member who also attended the hearing on May 25, 1982, when Bahá’ís first presented testimony before the panel), Ted Weiss of New York, Mel Levine of California, and Gerald Solomon of New York.

Also attending the session was Rep. Mervyn Dymally of California who no longer serves on the subcommittee but was a member when Bahá’í testimony was given two years ago.

"The Bahá’ís in Iran have long suffered tremendous pressure and persecution," Rep. Lantos said in his opening remarks, "but they are now being slaughtered by the Khomeini regime for adherence to their Faith.

"It is time once again to look intently at the gruesome picture that Khomeini is painting for the world in Iran. But we must not only watch—we must denounce and we must condemn this savagery."

Some panel members, noting that the persecutions have continued in spite of government resolutions and appeals including one last May by President Reagan which preceded the hanging of 16 Bahá’ís including three teen-age girls in Shiraz, said the time has come to go beyond mere condemnation and denunciation.

Rep. Solomon said he plans to introduce legislation that would prohibit any form of trade or commerce with Iran until it ceases its relentless persecution of the Bahá’ís and would ask other governments also to cease trading with the Khomeini regime.

REP. Lantos said he would like to see an international conference to discuss the persecutions and consider possible solutions.

Mr. Abrams, asked about the possibility of such a conference, said he has been "surprised and disappointed" by the "startlingly small reaction" of other nations to the persecutions in Iran, but added that such a conference is certainly within the realm of possibility.

Rep. Lantos said the International Red Cross, which recently aided Iranians who allegedly were gassed by Iraqis during their long-simmering border war, should be approached and urged to press the Khomeini government for access to the more than 700 Bahá’ís who are known to be in prison in Iran.

In summarizing the Reagan administration's response to the persecutions in Iran, Mr. Abrams said, "... we have given special consideration in both our refugee and asylum programs to the vulnerabilities of Bahá’ís, Christians and Jews.

"In July 1983, the decision was made to extend refugee processing priorities 5 and 6 to Iranians. The decision was based on humanitarian concerns for those who have fled Iran because of a very real threat of persecution and who are in urgent need of resettlement."

THE priorities to which Mr. Abrams referred are (1) additional family reunification of refugees who are married siblings, unmarried grandchildren who have reached their majority, or married grandchildren of persons in the U.S., or more distant relatives who are part of the family group; and (2) other refugees whose admission is in the national interest.

"This administration," said Mr. Abrams, "has been very much aware of the Khomeini regime's persecution of the Bahá’ís.

"President Reagan has personally condemned this tragic persecution. We have documented our abhorrence of this flagrant violation of human rights and international standards of decency in our annual human rights reports to the Congress as well as in the official statements of department spokesmen.

"In addition, the United States has been working with allied and other friendly countries in international forums to focus attention on this problem, to support involvement by the United Nations Secretary General in attempts to alleviate this and other human rights abuses in Iran, and, to the extent possible, to bring international pressure to bear on the Iranian authorities.

"In so doing, we must be sensitive, however, to the Iranian regime's tendency to make the baseless charge that the Bahá’ís are a 'fifth column' of American agents in Iran, and that our interest in the Bahá’ís is not solely based on humanitarian concerns."

MR. ABRAMS said the administration supports House Concurrent Resolution No. 226.

The purpose of that resolution, said Rep. Porter, "is threefold: (1) it holds the government of Iran responsible for upholding the rights of all of its citizens, including the Bahá’ís; (2) condemns the Prosecutor General's edict which banned the Bahá’ís; and (3) calls upon the President to work in the United Nations and other forums with the leaders of other countries to form a broad-based appeal to the Iranian government.

"We in Congress," he added, "must raise our voices in protest loudly and clearly so that the cause of human freedom is echoed throughout the world.

"We can only hope that one day soon the murderous regime in Iran will finally hear our outrage and will cease (its) unforgivable persecution of the Bahá’ís."

Judge Nelson gave the subcommittee an update on events in Iran since the Bahá’ís offered testimony in May 1982, while Dr. Brady's testimony was presented from the point of view of "one member of the second generation of four generations of an American Bahá’í family."

By far the most moving testimony was offered by Mr. Eshraghi who told the subcommittee members and a hushed audience about two telephone calls he had received last summer from a brother in Australia.

ON JUNE 17, Mr. Eshraghi's brother informed him that their father had been executed; two days later his brother phoned again, this time to say that their mother and sister, Roya, had been hanged.

"Those events added a new dimension to my life," said Mr. Eshraghi. "Now I had the three dearest members of my family executed for the Cause of God."

During the past two months, said Mr. Eshraghi, the authorities in Shiráz confiscated the family home, dispossessing his youngest sister, Rosita, who is 18.

"It is heartbreaking," Judge Nelson said, "that in the two years since this subcommittee heard our initial testimony the situation in Iran has not improved.

"In spite of worldwide protests from statesmen, intellectuals, parliaments, philanthropic societies, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens of dozens of nations on several continents, the authorities of the Islamic Republic have relentlessly pursued their cruel aim of extirpating the Bahá’í Faith from the land of its birth."

The killings and imprisonment, he testified, "are accompanied (by) insults, beatings, and every form of degrading behavior.

"THERE have been instances..."

Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh (left), secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, discusses a Bahá’í exhibit with the Hon. Elliott Abrams, Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights.

Testifying at the House subcommittee meeting May 2 are (left to right) Said Eshraghi; Rep. John Porter of Illinois; and Dr. Wilma Brady, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly. [Page 5]

Communities comment on Treasurer services

Communities responding to the 1983 "Bahá’í Fund Progress Survey" were asked to comment on the services provided by the Office of the Treasurer. This is the second in a series of features that will provide examples of the range of comments offered.

Commenting generally on the services of the Treasurer’s Office:

-Efforts are excellent; if response from the friends just met your efforts halfway, we could make our goals on all levels.

-Services solid but not inspiring. Positive reinforcement please!

-It seems that there is more about the Fund all the time, and that more people are taking it seriously, and this is a good trend. How can we go even farther? Education must be the key.

-Feel that the Treasurer’s Office is doing everything possible and still keeping with the principles of the Faith.

Commenting specifically on the Treasurer’s Feast letter:

-Too much emphasis on dollars and not enough on spiritual principles. Seems to be an overemphasis on the Fund to the friends who are already giving as much as they can.

-Too much hoopla and hard sell. Let’s hear more quotations that are spiritual and creative from the Sacred Writings. One line from Bahá’u’lláh is more inspirational than all the pages and pictures.

-More personal stories of sacrifice. We feel the emphasis has become more statistical and there is too much emphasis on monetary goals. Our community responds better to the stories of sacrifice and of what’s happening around the country and world. We need more inspiration.

-Monthly letters are inspirational. I often (as treasurer) wonder how the national Treasurer can so consistently write such positive letters when things obviously get pretty depressing some months.

-Impressed by the level of loving encouragement present in the letters.

-Some feel they are being pressured financially through the National Treasurer’s letter, which reminds them of former religions and disturbs them quite deeply.

-The Feast letters are short, poignant, snappy and interesting to children as well as adults. Good variety.

Commenting specifically on the monthly Feast tape:

-The majority of the friends felt that generally the tapes were not very inspiring, nor were they helpful. We do hope that they will be discontinued, as surely the money can be used to better advantage elsewhere.

-We have really enjoyed the tapes for WLGI and have found them most inspirational and exciting. Hope they can continue.

-WLGI tapes are the highlight of our Feasts.

-An occasional inspirational message on the tape from the National Assembly seems to have a great impact on the community.

Record

reached at the end of last year, so the jump to 10,300-plus was truly remarkable.

There were a number of questions at the National Convention about the exact amount contributed just from the Day of Unity and Sacrifice.

It is not possible to report that figure with complete accuracy because many contributions to the National Fund undoubtedly came as a result of events connected with the Day of Unity and Sacrifice but were not marked as such.

We can project, however, based on experience from prior years, that without the Day of Unity the final month’s contributions would have been about $450,000.

This means that the special activities on April 21 yielded an estimated additional $600,000 for the Fund.

At the beginning of the month, total contributions for the year were estimated at $6.2 million, which would have resulted in a cash shortfall of about $600,000 when all expenses were paid.

THE RESULT of the sacrificial outpouring on April 21 was to improve that estimate by more than $400,000. Expenses now exceed revenue by only $176,000.

One of the most important aspects of the successful Day of Unity and Sacrifice is that there were no outstanding large gifts from individuals.

The largest single donations were in the $10,000 range—which is not to say that these weren’t handsome gifts entailing great sacrifice by those individuals.

But this success is made all the sweeter to the National Assembly by the knowledge that the Universal House of Justice’s words have been proven to the believers:

"... large numbers of small sums combine into a mighty river that can carry along the work of the Cause..."

‘Day of Unity’ gives VIE campaign big shot in arm

Get out your February issue of The American Bahá’í in which the "VIE" campaign was introduced. Now compare those figures with the ones presented here.

Of course, the national Day of Unity and Sacrifice contributed to the vast changes in the statistics for the month of Jalál, but there is definitely an upward trend!

Prior to Jalál, the highest percentage of participation achieved by any district was 27 per cent. For the last six Bahá’í months and four issues of The American Bahá’í, even the "top 10" districts have rarely reached above 20 per cent participation.

In Jalál, however, all of the top 19 districts are above 27 per cent—the top 13 are above 30 per cent—the top three are above 40 per cent, and Number 1 (congratulations, Georgia Northeast!) achieved 46 per cent participation. Everywhere the trend is UP.

The upward movement in the "most improved" category is equally dramatic. Eastern Oregon, in the No. 1 spot for Jalál, has improved its participation by more than 600 per cent since the "starting point" figures were published in February.

In that first article, 50 per cent was the long-range dream. We now have one district that is within four percentage points of reaching that goal in only six Bahá’í months.

"Vie ye with one another" toward a 50 per cent nation, for in increased participation we can truly take pride in our strength.

Numbers rise as campaign warms up

Contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund by District

• • 'Starting Block' Info**

District Name | Membership | Number of participants as of 12/9/83 | Percentage of participation Alabama S/Florida NW | 349 | 10 | 3.0 Alabama N | 307 | 21 | 6.8 Arizona N | 941 | 51 | 5.4 Arizona S | 410 | 21 | 5.1 Arkansas | 476 | 24 | 5.0 California C No. 1 | 2,722 | 190 | 7.0 California C No. 2 | 445 | 40 | 9.0 California N No. 1 | 585 | 70 | 12.0 California N No. 2 | 389 | 41 | 10.5 California S No. 1 | 2,709 | 180 | 6.6 California S No. 2 | 1,158 | 112 | 9.7 California S No. 3 | 441 | 42 | 9.5

• • Current Month Info (Jalál)**

District Name | Membership as of 5/4/84 | Number of participants | Percentage of participation Alabama S/Florida NW | 338 | 24 | 7.1 Alabama N | 306 | 28 | 9.2 Arizona N | 928 | 71 | 7.7 Arizona S | 395 | 43 | 10.9 Arkansas | 470 | 33 | 7.0 California C No. 1 | 2634 | 482 | 18.3 California C No. 2 | 442 | 117 | 26.5 California N No. 1 | 588 | 118 | 20.1 California N No. 2 | 384 | 88 | 22.9 California S No. 1 | 2682 | 528 | 19.7 California S No. 2 | 1145 | 279 | 24.4 California S No. 3 | 449 | 118 | 26.3

The Winners' Circle

• • Highest Percentage Participation**

1. Georgia, Northeast 2. New Hampshire 3. Iowa 4. Wisconson/N Michigan 5. Maine 6. Minnesota, Northern 7. Minnesota, Southern 8. Nevada, Southern 9. Ohio, Southern 10. Wisconsin, Southern 11. Colorado, Northeast 12. Vermont 13. Nebraska 14. North Dakota 15. Missouri 16. Oklahoma, Eastern 17. Tennessee, Eastern 18. Illinois, Northern No. 2 19. Utah

• • Most Improved Participation**

1. Oregon, Eastern 2. South Carolina, South No. 2 3. South Dakota 4. South Carolina, Northern 5. South Carolina, Western 6. Oklahoma, Eastern 7. South Carolina, East No. 1 8. Texas, Eastern No. 1 9. South Carolina, East No. 2 10. New Mexico, Northern 11. South Carolina, South No. 1 12. Nevada, Southern 13. Georgia, Northeast 14. Maine 15. Virginia, Northern 16. New Hampshire 17. North Carolina, Central 18. Louisiana, Southern 19. California, Southern No. 1

Funds of the Faith

Local Bahá’í Fund (local address). Supports teaching, consolidation and administrative work of the local Bahá’í community.

National Bahá’í Fund (Wilmette, IL 60091). Supports the efforts of the National Spiritual Assembly to direct, coordinate and stimulate Bahá’í activities throughout the country.

Continental Bahá’í Fund (Wilmette, IL 60091). Enables the Continental Board of Counsellors and its Auxiliary Boards to perform their missions of protection and propagation of the Faith in the Americas.

Bahá’í International Fund (P.O. Box 155, Haifa, Israel 31-000). Enables the Universal House of Justice to assist the work of National Spiritual Assemblies around the world, to maintain and beautify the Holy Shrines at the World Centre, and to provide services to pilgrims. [Page 6]

IGC: PIONEERING

The American Bahá’í A brief description of some U.S. pioneer goals

As you know from reading the May issue of The American Bahá’í, the U.S. has been assigned 82 pioneer goals by the Universal House of Justice.

The complete listing appears in last month's issue.

THE Supreme Body hopes that "these goals will be filled by the end of the first year of this new phase (of the Plan), thereby helping to usher in the triumphant conclusion of the Seven Year Plan."

Each month we will describe some of the goal countries, starting this month with the four in Central America in which pioneers must settle.

YUCATÁN, MEXICO

Yucatán, Mexico, needs four pioneers. Anyone wishing to be immersed in a bath of radiant love should consider teaching the Faith there.

People of any age can be effective. The Mayan families are not separated by age groups as in the U.S.; the grandparents or great-grandparents are surrounded by young children.

Radiance is the word that describes the people. The teaching work is limited only by the energy and physical resources of the people able to travel. Pioneers with cars are needed.

The programs that are being undertaken by the Spiritual Assembly of Merida and the Regional Teaching Committee of the Yucatán are sensible and well-founded, but are limited by a lack of money and trained teachers.

People with "life experience" are especially useful, as older teachers are treated with exceptional regard by people of all ages. The wisest, most gentle and patient believers who speak Spanish or Mayan would do best with the Mayans, as would families with children.

In Yucatán, the weather is hot and humid, the land flat. It would be possible to live there for about $200 a month. Jobs are hard to find, but it is possible to earn money teaching English or French. A job with a U.S. company would be most desirable. Medical facilities are more than adequate.

Roberta Escobedo recently wrote to the International Goals Committee to announce the news of the birth of her daughter in Yucatán.

"Naturally with a little babe," she wrote, "I won't be able to help elect as many Local Spiritual Assemblies this year as in the past, but I will try to do some. We have over 100 to form.

"On the books there are a lot of pioneers here, but all of the others—Artemus and Dee Lamb, Val Nichols, Edna Ford and Louise Caswell—are in their 80s. However, they are still amazing."

GUATEMALA

Guatemala needs two pioneers. The climate is 60 to 80 degrees all year round in the mountains, warmer on the coast. The country is mountainous.

There is an interim military government at present, with elections scheduled for late 1984 for president and congress, and a new constitution is being written.

Spanish is the main language, with more than a dozen indigenous languages used in various regions. The cost of living is about $400 a month per person, or $600 for a couple.

Those with children need more because of school fees.

Jobs are usually available for elementary school teachers. Retired persons are welcomed by the government, and the laws favor them.

The exchange rate is Quetzales 1.00 equals $1 U.S. Companies such as Texaco, Esso, Shell, Gold Medal Flour, Goodyear, and IBM may hire Americans in the States and send them to Guatemala. There are good medical facilities.

HONDURAS

Honduras has been assigned three more pioneers. Pioneer Sharon Keefer recently wrote:

"I live in Comayaguela, the twin city of Tegucigalpa. Last weekend we were expecting four Bahá’ís from the campo for supper. As I was cooking the spaghetti sauce, another pioneer came in the front door with 17 people, most of whom were Cumi Indians including the chief and his wife.

"Well, did I water down the sauce, said the Remover of Difficulties, and didn't have time to really panic. We fed everyone, and even had some left over.

"Then we had to borrow foam mats so we could put them up for the night. They had come for a weekend conference, and had traveled 10 hours by bus just to learn more about the Faith.

"They return home to teach other Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís more about the Faith. There is a conference every month... We had a great Ayyam-i-Há party here. It was like a mini-United Nations.

"We invited people who teach, neighbors, and friends. There were several Hondurans, one black, one Japanese, one Filipino, one Greek, a couple from London, another from the Netherlands, one man from Belgium, a couple from Iran, and several from the States.

"The house I live in is very pretty—three bedrooms plus a maid's quarters, and two baths. We have a huge kitchen with a floor to ceiling window overlooking a patio. We have lots of ornamental plants, most of which are now in bloom, including a banana tree.

"Bus service is cheap, and they run every 15-20 minutes, but they really pack them in."

Sharon is teaching at a Mayan school and has joined a judo club.

Lea Iverson, who is pioneering there with her husband, Vern, and daughter, Amelia, recently wrote:

"Our pioneering days are filled with service to the Cause. This year has been extremely busy with Bahá’í activities, everything from 'Camino del Sol' visiting our fair town, Ruth Pringle and Artemus Lamb, Counsellors also helping La Ceiba with teaching activities, more firesides directed toward the educated and middle class members of this society, and the construction of a regional Center.

"It is a lovely building, large enough to house 300 believers at one time for conferences and institutes.

"We continue to visit the villages weekly, helping each community to develop its own permanent teaching team. Vern has been instructed to be the 'caretaker' of the three islands off the coast of Honduras, visiting the Bahá’ís whenever he can, teaching and deepening the believers.

"He was lucky enough this December to travel on his vacation to travel teach in the Mosquitia area on the border between Honduras and Nicaragua. He found the people there so receptive, kind, and hospitable, many times giving up their only meal so that the Bahá’í travelers might eat.

"Whole villages are Bahá’í. Children would run up to them calling ‘Bahá’u’lláh’ or ‘Alláh’u’Abhá.’

"We have more to look forward to this year. Our annual float will be constructed for the grand carnival in May. The theme will be universal peace.

"We have Ruhi Institute deepenings planned; our regular radio program on the Faith continues to be broadcast, and our community of native believers continues to grow and develop.

"Regular children's classes are being held in La Ceiba, as well as proclamation meetings and teaching meetings every Sunday night. The activity level has increased a hundred fold.

"I feel so good that the Faith is really developing grass roots here, never to be shaken by adverse winds. Encourage all the pioneers in all parts of the world. Progress is being made. Nothing can stop this mighty Faith."

There are presently about 17,000 Bahá’ís in Honduras, and consolidation is greatly needed. Honduras is a democracy, and Spanish is the main language, although English is spoken in the cities. It has a tropical coastal region in the north, and is temperate in the mountains. The drier coastal region is in the south.

The cost of living including food averages about $500 to $800 a month for a 2-3 bedroom house with a maid in one of the larger cities for a family of four.

Labor-oriented business is well received, and there are good investment opportunities. Tourist-related business is tax-free.

Bi-lingual teachers are needed, as teaching school is the most likely source of employment.

There are good bi-lingual schools for pioneer children in La Ceiba, Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Luna, and Siguatepeque. Medical services are good in the cities, but there are no clinics in the countryside. Iranian Bahá’ís need approval from the foreign ministry before entering the country, but should encounter no problems. It is possible to start a business with a Honduran partner.

EL SALVADOR

El Salvador requires two pioneers. Teachers can secure positions at either the American or International School, both of which like to have Bahá’ís, and both of which teach in English.

Terry and Gloria Trotter of San Salvador, El Salvador, with their new baby, Kevin David.

One such teacher is pioneer Terry Trotter who wrote in April:

"We're still in fine shape here. I keep hearing from family and friends that they're pretty worried about me down here due to the news in the media. All I can say is, they should come for a visit and see for themselves.

"I'm very busy at the Escuela Americana with my high school math classes and Saturday ESL adult classes. Also, I'm presently teaching a college level math class for Universidad Americana, and beginning June 1 I'll start a new class in college algebra that will run through August 10.

"The fall semester of Escuela Americana begins August 14, so I guess there's no vacation for me this year. Not complaining though, mind you." [Page 7]

Service to others can help spread Cause

Let’s talk about service. We all know that the Writings stress the importance of being of service, and the recent message from the Universal House of Justice underscores the necessity of our becoming more service-oriented.

BUT WHAT exactly is “being of service”? Is it giving to the poor? Helping the elderly, the handicapped, the disadvantaged?

Yes, but it is much, much more. Being of service is first an attitude of giving of yourself.

We are blessed in this Dispensation to have the perfect Example of service to emulate: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Servant of the Servant, the appointed Exemplar of the Cause of God.

He wasn’t service-oriented only on special occasions, and He didn’t organize service projects. Instead, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was a servant always, giving of Himself for others and helping others to help themselves.

He saw what the need was and gave, not waiting to be asked for help. This Gift of God has been given to us to pattern our lives after.

“... look at Me, follow Me, be as I am; take no thought for yourselves or your lives, whether ye eat or whether ye sleep, whether ye are comfortable, whether ye are well or ill, whether ye are with friends or foes, whether ye receive praise or blame; for all of these things ye must not care at all. Look at Me and be as I am; ye must die to yourselves and the world, so shall ye be born again and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Behold a candle how it gives light. It weeps away its life drop by drop in order to give forth its flame of light.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, An Early Pilgrimage, p. 42)

We, as American Bahá’í youth, have a specific and rich destiny to fulfill during this period of the Faith’s growth.

WE ARE TO BE living sacrifices. We must fulfill this destiny even as the ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ of Iran are fulfilling theirs by sacrificing their lives for the Cause.

What can we do specifically? First, we must draw upon the Master’s example, studying His life and His style of service.

We must also pray to be given the necessary attributes that will allow us to reach the exalted station of servitude. We must honestly examine our motives. Are we serving because, deep down inside, we want to look good to others? Is this simply an act, or is it a real expression of our inner selves?

“Let deeds, not words, be your adorning,” Bahá’u’lláh counsels us in The Hidden Words, and, cautioning us to clarify our motives, He says: “Holy words and pure and goodly deeds ascend unto the heaven of celestial glory. Strive that your deeds may be cleansed from the dust of self and hypocrisy and find favor at the court of glory; for ere long the assayers of mankind shall, in the presence of the Adored One, accept naught but absolute virtue and deeds of stainless purity.”

Finally, we must act. Act by giving of ourselves, by going out of our way to give others what they need, rather than what we think they need. It is preferable to teach a hungry man to plant a garden rather than to give him food. It is preferable to teach a child to read rather than to read to him.

All around us there are countless needs waiting to be filled by true servants. “The world,” Shoghi Effendi has said, “is tired of words; it wants example, and it is up to the Bahá’í youth to furnish it.”

More than 50 youth, junior youth take active role at 75th Bahá’í National Convention in Chicago

More than 50 youth and junior youth were present April 26-29 at the 75th Bahá’í National Convention in Chicago.

These young Bahá’ís enjoyed a full program of activities scheduled by the Bahá’í National Youth Committee that included a special visit to the House of Worship in Wilmette.

Among the activities planned for the youth were discussion groups and special presentations by Counsellor Fred Schechter; National Assembly member Chester Kahn; Linda Ahdieh, a youth from New York City who serves as the Bahá’í representative to the United Nations Youth Caucus; and Nancy Mondschein, who has served as the U.S. Bahá’í representative to the United Nations.

Members of the National Youth Committee hosted the programs for youth, and also participated in a dramatic presentation, “Glimpses of Victory,” which launched the final two-year phase of the Seven Year Plan.

The Bahá’í observance of International Youth Year 1985 was begun at a special Holy Day celebration of the Ninth Day of Riḍván in Foundation Hall at the House of Worship.

The program featured a moving tribute to the youthful martyrs who were hanged last summer in Shiraz.

The “Tree Project,” which has been adopted by the youth in observance of International Youth Year, was launched during the Holy Day program.

A small orange tree from a seed of the tree planted by the Báb at His house in Shiraz was a focus of the program, and has been chosen to serve as a symbol of the Tree Project.

Wide variety of projects, conferences, schools makes summer of ’84 an especially exciting time

A summer full of activities has begun this month for Bahá’í youth. Conferences, travel teaching trips, summer projects, and much, much more ...

Among the selection of youth programs available are a host of international teaching and service programs being coordinated by the International Goals Committee.

Projects have been set for several European countries as well as throughout the Caribbean and Central America.

Interested youth should immediately contact the International Goals Committee office at the Bahá’í National Center by phoning 312-869-9039.

Each of the permanent Bahá’í schools has planned youth and junior youth week programs.

The junior youth week programs will be held at Bosch in California from June 23-28, at Louhelen in Michigan from July 28-August 2, and at the Louis Gregory Institute in South Carolina from July 29-August 3.

Green Acre in Maine will offer junior youth programs throughout the summer, and will host a Bahá’í Youth Academy from June 24-30 and a hiking trip from August 12-16 for which applications must be filed.

Youth Week programs are scheduled as follows: Bosch, July 28-August 2; Louhelen, June 17-22; Louis Gregory Institute, July 15-20.

Teaching projects are also a highlight of the summer of ’84, and the possibilities seemingly are endless.

Major projects have been established in all areas of the country, and complete details can be obtained by contacting the National Youth Committee office, 305-462-1919.

Plans have been completed in Rochester, New York; South Carolina; Georgia; Oklahoma; South Dakota; Northwest Washington state; Eastern Oregon; Southern California; and on the Navajo-Hopi Reservation in Arizona.

Of course, no summer would be complete without youth conferences, and several have been scheduled in various parts of the country.

In Indiana, Bahá’í artists and musicians will gather at “Wildfire: Bahá’í Conference of the Arts” from June 22-24 at DePauw University in Greencastle.

The Youth Energizing Service of Central California District No. 1 will host a youth conference July 13-16 in Concord, and that will be followed August 3-5 by a regional youth conference in Pennsylvania sponsored by that state’s District Youth Committee.

Topping off the summer is the big International Youth Conference at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada. The dates are August 24-28.

That major conference will feature the Hand of the Cause of God ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan and many other special Bahá’í guests.

Attendance is limited to 2,500 youth from 13-24, so early registration is a must! For registration information on each of these conferences, please contact the National Youth Committee office at 305-462-1919.

Members of the Bahá’í Youth Energizing Service of Anaheim, California, take a break from planning the Western Regional Youth Conference which is to be held July 13-16 in Concord.

Amnesty official notes persecutions at forum

Curt Goering of Washington, D.C., Amnesty International’s regional coordinator for Europe and the Middle East, discussed the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran during a forum held March 27 at Texas Tech University in Lubbock.

During a question-and-answer period, Mr. Goering praised the ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ of the U.S. for the high quality and reliability of the information they supply to his office.

He then proceeded to elaborate in detail the many aspects of extreme repression and, in his words, “planned genocide” directed toward the Bahá’í community in Iran.

Message to Bahá’í youth gives Youth Clubs added weight

Local Youth Clubs have always been an important part of the Youth Network established by the National Youth Committee.

Now, however, they have gained new significance in light of the recent message from the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’í youth of the world which calls for “a mighty mobilization of teaching activities reflecting regularity in the patterns of service rendered by young Bahá’ís.”

What better place to establish regularity than within one’s own community.

Meeting with your Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í friends in an atmosphere of warmth and acceptance that is the hallmark of Bahá’í gatherings helps increase your love for your Bahá’í brothers and sisters and helps your non-Bahá’í friends recognize the Bahá’í Faith as the shelter it really is.

The goals of Local Youth Clubs are teaching, service, deepening and fun. And you can start with as few as two members!

If you’re interested in forming a Local Youth Club in your area—whether you’re a youth or an adult who is willing to lend a hand—simply fill out the coupon below and mail it today for your copy of the new Local Youth Club guidelines.

The National Youth Committee is waiting to help you.

YES! I want to help form a Local Youth Club in my community.

My name is _____________________________________________________

My address is __________________________________________________

My telephone number is _________________________________________

My Bahá’í community is _________________________________________

Mail to National Youth Committee, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 [Page 8]

EDUCATION

• Assembly Development Program
• Bahá’í Schools
• Brilliant Star (Child’s Way) Magazine
• Local Education Adviser Program
• Personal Transformation Program

Family Unity Night (Fun)

FIRST WEEK OF JULY: MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB. Thought for the week: “It is the cause, not the death, that makes the martyr.” (source unknown) Prayer: Tablet of Ahmad or Tablet of Visitation. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials. What do you know of this event by the written accounts? Suggested materials: 1. “The Martyrdom of the Báb,” Chapter 19, Release the Sun. 2. “The Martyrdom of the Báb,” pp. 57-59, Stories from the Dawn-Breakers. 3. “The Execution of the Báb,” pp. 97-107, Days to Remember. 4. “The Execution of the Báb,” pp. 52-55, God Passes By. 5. Select and listen to songs written about the Báb (record albums: Flight, Happy Ayyám-i-Há, The Lote Tree). Activity: 1. Plan a family, or help plan a community, observance with readings and prayers (perhaps music) for noon on July 9. 2. After reading the story of the martyrdom, someone can conduct a mock TV or radio interview of (a) a soldier in the first firing squad, or (b) a man or woman in the crowd of onlookers. Be aware of media you are exposed to during the week—TV, radio, newspapers. Try to see how the words chosen can create for you the “facts” about events or persons. See next week’s activity No. 3 (WORDS). Refreshments: Plain yogurt with honey and chopped nuts on top.

SECOND WEEK OF JULY: KALIMÁT (WORDS). Thought for the week: “The sum of thy word is truth.” (Psalms 119:160) Prayers: Steadfastness, p. 160, or Triumph of the Cause, p. 202. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials: 1. The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 154-56. 2. Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 172-73. 3. Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 5 and pp. 192-200. 4. Bible, Deut. 18:15-21. 5. Bible, John 1:1. 6. Bible, Psalms 33:6. Activity: Cinquain poetry (five-line poetry from France). Try creating your own expressive poetry. Line 1—title (a noun, one word). Line 2—describes the title (two words). Line 3—action words or phrase about title (three words). Line 4—describes a feeling about title (four words). Line 5—refers to title (one word). Example: BAHÁ’U’LLÁH GOD’S MOUTHPIECE BRINGING NEW MESSAGE LIGHT OF THE WORLD UNITY 2. To help younger children appreciate the creative and expressive power of words and similes, fill in the blanks (make up others). As hot as ____. As loud as ____. As gentle as ____. As dark as ____. As sweet as ____. As loving as ____. 3. Select an article and examine it for slanted or emotionally loaded words. Substitute words that carry a different connotation and see how your perception of the “facts” changes. Refreshments: Sliced apples and cheese.

THIRD WEEK OF JULY: BAHÁ’Í CALENDAR. Thought for the week: “You will never find time for anything; if you want time, you must make it.” (Charles ‎Cuxton Buxton‎) Prayer: Children, p. 37, “O God, guide me,” or Praise and Gratitude, p. 126. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested materials. Keep in mind that we are in a new “season,” a new era. 1. “The Influence of the Stars,” pp. 245-247, Some Answered Questions. 2. “The Bahá’í Calendar,” pp. 178-79, Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era. 3. Bible, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. 4. Encyclopedia Americana, “The Calendar” (history). 5. Sing the Bahá’í months song from (a) We Are Bahá’ís (tape recording); (b) Sing a New Song (children’s song book). Activity: Write names of the Bahá’í months on cards cut from construction paper or on index cards, Divide the family into two teams, giving each half of the cards. Have teams put their cards in the correct order, or work together as a group to order the months correctly. 2. Have a “naming bee” to see if you can say the corresponding English name for each Persian word (month) or vice versa. Refreshments: Build a giant ice cream sundae, using different flavors and toppings.

FOURTH WEEK OF JULY: UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE. Thought for the week: “Nature revolves, but mankind advances.” (source unknown) Prayer: “Blessed Is the Spot” or Spiritual qualities, p. 141. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials. What is the importance of this Institution of the Faith? How is it elected? Who can serve? For how long? 1. “13th Glad Tidings,” pp. 26-27, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh. 2. Bahá’í World Faith, pp. 446-48. 3. Some Answered Questions, pp. 172-73. 4. “The Substance,” p. 68, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. 5. Arabic Hidden Words Nos. 1 and 2. 6. Bible, Isaiah 2:2-4 and Isaiah 35:1-2. 7. “Lawh-i-Karmil,” p. 1, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh. 8. Bahá’í Administration, p. 20, pp. 39-41, pp. 63-64. Activity: Draw a mural of the world Centre on Mt. Carmel. Show the gardens and buildings of the Arc. Color/paint your mural. Share it at Feast, at a children’s class, or hang it on a wall in your home. Refreshments: Dried fruit and nuts. Lemonade or iced mint tea.

Pictured at a recent meeting in Lahaska, Pennsylvania, are members of the Brilliant Star magazine editorial board (left to right) Janet Richards, Mimi McClellan, Keith Boehme, editor Mary K. Radpour and Debbie Bley with Jayne Mahboubi (far right), a member of the National Education Committee who consulted with the board. The meeting was hosted by the magazine’s art director, Rita Leydon, who took the photograph. At the meeting, plans were made for the distribution of T-shirts that are being offered in the May/June issue.

May/June Brilliant Star magazine features an all-star lineup

What do Roger White, Wendy Heller, Rouhi Huddleston, Louise Taylor, Spud Grammer, Anne Atkinson and Melinda Armstrong (and many more!) have in common?

They’ve all contributed to the May/June issue of Brilliant Star magazine. The issue focuses on what we take in—from food to hugs to spiritual food.

The cover of the May/June issue shines with four “brilliant stars” sporting our new Brilliant Star T-shirt. It’s red with a new logo in bright orange and yellow.

If you send in five subscriptions from gifts or from friends, you can get a T-shirt free! Or they can be bought for $6.95 for children in sizes small (6-8), medium (10-12) and large (14-16), and $7.50 for adults in sizes small, medium or large (plus $1 with each order to cover shipping and handling).

They may be ordered from Brilliant Star, c/o Janet Richards, Yardville, NJ 08620.

Now is definitely the time to renew your subscription and/or enter a new subscription, because the prices are going up soon.

Don’t miss the game Merci, “Dexter and the Food Factory,” a new cartoon, and good advice about personal concerns related to diet, all in the May/June issue.

Subscription prices are $9 for one year, $17 for two years. Send to Brilliant Star, Suburban Office Park, Hixson, TN 37343.

Green Acre holds 7th annual Arts Conference

The seventh annual Green Acre Arts Conference was held April 13-15 at Fellowship House in Eliot, Maine.

The conference was dedicated to the memory and spirit of Grace DeCarlton Ross, a Bahá’í dancer and actress who died in December 1983.

A 50-minute film about her life, entitled “Grace,” was shown during the weekend, followed by the reading of her favorite prayer and spontaneous statements by those who knew her.

The conference also included a movement workshop led by Larry McColough, a concert by bluegrass performers Mike Rogers, Steve Thompson and Rick Harris, Japanese dance by Anne Gordon Atkinson, a rendering of the popular folk song “Greensleeves” with historical commentary by Dick Grover, poetry read by Lynn Ascrezzi and Mike Lewis, a jazz dance by Janine Burke, sculpture by Joe Ascrezzi, paintings by Chris Page, a workshop on the Kodaly approach to music by Sharley Richardson, a cello and violin performance Ms. Richardson and a partner, and a discussion of music led by Anne and Charlie Jennison and Randy Armstrong.

A quilt made by Bahá’í women in Brattleboro, Vermont, was auctioned in a sealed-bid auction, and more than $600 was raised for the National Fund.

Participants also attended a Saturday evening performance by the Do’a World Music Ensemble in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which attracted many non-Bahá’ís.

A fireside that followed the concert was well-attended.

Three special weekend conferences mark Green Acre’s summer opening

Three special weekend conferences will mark the opening of the 1984 Green Acre Bahá’í Summer School.

A conference the weekend of July 7-9 will address the principle of the equality of men and women, an issue referred to in the 1984 Riḍván message from the Universal House of Justice.

Linda Giardina, a member of the National Education Committee who is the conference organizer, said the sessions are to focus on equality and complementarism, adding that men as well as women from many cultures, races and backgrounds are invited.

A Northeast Teaching Conference is scheduled the weekend of July 14-15 and will include as its speakers Auxiliary Board members Robert Harris and Nathan Rutstein, plus a member of the National Teaching Committee.

In addition, there will be a special session in Spanish for Hispanic Bahá’ís and their friends.

Douglas Martin, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, will be the speaker the weekend of July 21-22.

On Sunday morning, Mr. Martin will present a lecture about the founder of the Green Acre Conferences, Sarah Farmer, inaugurating what is to become an annual lectureship in honor of Miss Farmer and her famous parents.

The lectureship is being arranged by the Green Acre Bahá’í School and the Association for Bahá’í Studies.

Our sacred obligation

National Bahá’í Fund

Wilmette, IL 60091

[Page 9]

TEACHING

The homefront pioneer

The new Homefront Pioneer Booklet is now available from the National Teaching Committee.

The booklet lists and explains the National Teaching Committee’s priorities for homefront pioneers along with helpful information for ALL BAHÁ’ÍS regarding homefront pioneering.

YOU WILL want to have this information for yourself and for your Assembly to be knowledgeable about the homefront pioneer program and how we can use it to help win the goals of the Seven Year Plan.

For a free copy of this new publication, write to the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039, ext. 235.

NOW is the time to renew your commitment to the homefront pioneer program and to the goals of the Seven Year Plan.

As a homefront pioneer, you can help win these goals by (1) moving to a mass-taught area; (2) moving to an area with a preferred goal Group or jeopardized Assembly; (3) moving to a state with a low Bahá’í population; or (4) moving to an area with a Bahá’í group or to an unopened locality.

Since one purpose of pioneering is to help strengthen Spiritual Assemblies, it is understood that one should consider pioneering only if his own Assembly is securely established.

AS A pioneer to a mass-taught area, you’ll have an opportunity to work with people who have become Bahá’ís but have not been deepened in the Faith.

Your presence will stimulate activity in these fertile areas which have the potential for an immediate Bahá’í community.

District Teaching Committees, which are skilled in handling the mass-taught areas, will welcome your interest and offer their assistance.

See HOMEFRONT Page 28

D.C.’s ‘Project 1000’ moves steadily forward

Shortly after Riḍván 1983 “Project 1000” was begun in Washington, D.C.

Its goal is to raise 1,000 new believers. As of April 13 of this year, there have been 44 declarations.

TWENTY-ONE of these have been enrolled, and the remaining 23 also will be enrolled once they have been visited twice.

Fourteen of the new believers have since participated in activities at the Washington Bahá’í Center. The declarants include blacks, Hispanics, Haitians, Africans, and a Sri Lankan, among others.

At the request of the Bahá’í community of Washington, the National Teaching Committee recently sent a representative to help inspire the friends to teach.

A weekend institute was held for that purpose which resulted in some ideas that have made the project even more successful.

Prayers are said each morning at the Bahá’í Center (as of April 8 there were 142 days of prayer) for the success of the campaign.

Areas of the city have been named after Assemblies that were disbanded in Iran, and teaching teams are named after Iranian martyrs.

TEACHING methods include mass proclamation, street teaching, informal public meetings, international worship services, and of course, firesides.

A display booth and banners are also used in direct teaching activities.

‘Bro Ah’ entertains during the Naw-Rúz observance at the Bahá’í Center in Washington, D.C. He received a letter of invitation, sent back the return postcard, and is now investigating the Faith.

Classes in English as a second language have been initiated at the Center. Invitations were handed out in a neighborhood where many are in need of such a service. The course is based on the Faith, and of six non-Bahá’í participants, one has since been enrolled in the Faith.

The bulk of the teaching work to date has been done by youth.

Plans for the rest of the year include organized deepening of the new believers, concentration on their families for new declarations, the use of a correspondence course for deepening, and periodic teaching institutes that will include the new believers.

Teaching buttons

“Reach Out and Teach Someone.”

Yes, the buttons are still available. Sold by the National Teaching Committee at the 75th National Convention, they can have your friends wondering just what it is you want to teach them, and can help make your point at teaching conferences and other events.

The buttons, which are three for $1, which includes postage and handling, can be ordered from the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

‘Wage Peace’ event held in Tacoma, Washington

One hundred sixty-one people including representatives of all 64 Spiritual Assemblies in Washington state attended a “Wage Peace” teaching institute April 7 in Tacoma.

THE EVENT was sponsored by the Spiritual Assemblies of Seattle and Tacoma and the District Teaching Committees of Northwest and Southwest Washington in cooperation with the area’s two Auxiliary Board members and the national Office of Public Affairs.

Among the speakers were Robert G. Wilson, secretary of the National Teaching Committee; Auxiliary Board member Opal Conner; and Burl Barer, a Bahá’í from Walla Walla who is a media expert.

The institute was devised by the Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs for Western Washington to seek ways in which to link media proclamation directly with teaching efforts that would lead to community consolidation.

Included was an afternoon working group session during which several small groups consulted on issues that required the creative use of tools of proclamation, expansion and consolidation in responding to sample situations.

Circumstances presented for discussion included: the eruption of a racial crisis in one’s community; a 15-member Bahá’í community that receives 10 declarations in one month; and the arrival in a community of several Bahá’í refugees.

Following the presentation of how the working groups would respond to these situations, the panel of speakers offered their own suggestions on the nine topics that were discussed.

Later, representatives of each Spiritual Assembly and Bahá’í Group present were invited to remove a “golden bird” sign from a map of the world and to raise up an Assembly in the name of a lost Iranian Assembly one of whose names was written on each bird.

The institute ended that evening with a public talk by Mr. Wilson and Mr. Barer on the topic of waging peace.

Teaching becomes dominant theme at 75th annual National Convention

For the last year the National Teaching Committee has shared with the American Bahá’í community monthly enrollment statistics for each state.

Owing to a backlog of paper work created by the time spent preparing for the 75th annual National Convention, the figures for this month are not available.

The theme of this year’s Convention became teaching. With the news of the imminent completion and initial broadcast of WLGI Radio in South Carolina, the heartwarming report of the Temple Restoration Committee about our great “Silent Teacher,” the House of Worship, and with nearly everyone wearing “Reach Out and Teach Someone” buttons prepared by the National Teaching Committee, the consultation at Convention sessions and conversation in the hotel hallways was often on the subject of teaching.

When, where, why, to whom, how eagerly and joyfully, and with what desired result, the talk of teaching the Faith continued throughout the weekend.

Then, the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears stepped to the podium Saturday evening and challenged the American believers to bring about the “vast increase” of new believers called for by the Universal House of Justice during the Seven Year Plan.

Mr. Sears’ message, printed on the back of a huge red heart, was crystal clear: our vast increase of new believers will come about only when we love them enough to bring them into the Faith by the busful.

No need to argue about the best way to teach, we recall Mr. Sears saying to us; the best method is that which helps bring about a vast increase in the number of new believers.

We left the National Convention and returned to our homes to ponder what each of us could do, individually, to bring about that vast increase. For the next Bahá’í year, the results of your commitment will be reported in the enrollments column in The American Bahá’í.

TEACHING THROUGH FRIENDSHIP TEAMS

Summer is almost here, with many teaching opportunities for Friendship Teams.

GETTING friends and families interested in the Bahá’í Faith is a common predicament. Often, a stranger will attend a fireside before a brother or sister will.

Your Friendship Team may wish to pledge to find a way to bring the Bahá’í teachings to those closest to you, those friends and family members who know you best.

This summer would be a good time to host a Unity Feast. A large “family style” picnic with time for a softball game or poles for a volleyball net, play pens for the babies and shade trees for the grandparents may provide that vital mix of Bahá’ís, friends, family, co-workers, isolated believers, people of all ages and colors, to start those eager picnic table discussions that can light the candle of desire for a seeker.

Sponsored by a Friendship Team, your Unity Feast can be as large or as small as you wish, with a few close friends invited for a backyard party or the whole district invited to a city park.

As friends and as a team, your individual teaching efforts can bring the desired result: guiding those you love to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. [Page 10]

Office of Treasurer’s financial report: 1983-84

The annual financial report of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States for 1983-84 was presented to the assembled delegates and guests at the 75th National Convention on April 29, 1984. The following is an updated summary of that report, based on more recent contributions figures since the national Day of Unity and Sacrifice on April 21. The report as presented to the Convention is available on request from the Office of the Treasurer (figures estimated as of April 30, 1984).

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

The outpouring of contributions during the national Day of Unity and Sacrifice resulted in an estimated contributions total for the year of $6,624,000—up more than 12 per cent over the previous year’s total of $5,849,000. The total includes $210,000 ‎eartaled earmarked‎ for House of Worship repairs.

Although the goal of $10 million was not reached, the year was a record-breaker in every other respect. Contributions to the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute and radio station WLGI earlier in the year totaled $1,300,000. Added to the National Fund total, the American Bahá’í community gave an unprecedented $7,924,000 to support its nationwide activities!

Never before has as much been given in one year—never before has as much been given in a single month (more than $1 million during Jalál)—and never before have so many individuals contributed directly to the National Fund in a single month (more than 10,000 contributors during Jalál).

Average participation by Local Spiritual Assemblies increased by 5 per cent, from a monthly average last year of 703 to 736 this year. This established a new participation record for Spiritual Assemblies. A record number of Assemblies (875) contributed during the final month of the fiscal year. Average monthly participation by Groups remained about the same as last year (241).

Although the high participation by individuals at the close of the year increased substantially the monthly average, participation by individuals did not increase this year. The 7 per cent drop (from 5,012 individuals monthly last year to 4,660 this year) is a cause for concern since the campaign to reach 20,000 individuals giving directly to the National Fund each month is still in effect.

Exhibit No. 1

National Bahá’í Fund—Contributions

Exhibit No. 2

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES

COMBINING STATEMENTS OF FUND EXPENSES

FOR THE YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 1984 (ESTIMATED) AND 1983

	National Bahá’í Fund	NSA Properties, Inc.	Bahá’í Publishing Trust (1984)	Bahá’í Home, Inc. (1984)	Combined Total (1984)	Combined Total (1983)
Salaries and wages	$ 2,452,000	$ —	$ 323,000	$ 139,700	$ 2,914,700	$ 2,782,748
Payroll taxes, health and welfare benefits	412,000	—	37,000	25,900	474,900	432,180
Travel	182,000	—	3,000	—	185,000	191,164
Meals, lodging and meetings	121,000	—	—	2,600	123,600	97,079
Supplies	131,000	—	15,000	4,500	150,500	123,345
Telephone and telegraph	140,000	—	28,000	2,400	170,400	160,313
Postage and shipping	174,000	—	6,000	—	180,000	196,512
Office facilities and equipment rental and maintenance	70,000	—	15,000	—	85,000	49,087
Professional fees	424,000	—	36,000	2,100	462,100	325,765
Property taxes	44,000	—	12,000	—	56,000	62,383
Insurance	17,000	—	2,000	1,500	20,500	23,444
Utilities	248,000	—	19,000	19,800	286,800	225,337
Maintenance and Repairs	112,000	—	52,000	6,700	170,700	145,174
Transportation	75,000	—	—	1,100	76,100	67,859
Printing, literature and audiovisual	181,000	—	6,000	800	187,800	154,887
Contributions to related organizations	1,267,000	—	—	—	1,267,000	1,100,000
Deputization and financial assistance	82,000	—	—	—	82,000	128,132
Food service	90,000	—	—	31,400	121,400	112,846
Interest	140,000	152,000	—	—	292,000	289,975
Depreciation	—	460,000	35,000	12,500	507,500	445,155
Cost of sales of books and special materials	—	—	324,000	—	324,000	370,030
Total	$ 6,362,000	$ 612,000	$ 913,000	$ 251,000	$ 8,138,000	$ 7,483,415

PARTICIPATION

Individual participation is down, but the response to the national Day of Unity and Sacrifice was simply overwhelming, and the hope is that it will be a confirming and educational experience for the many who gave for the first time. The entire purpose behind the current “VIE” campaign is to increase individual participation in the National Fund each month. “VIE” is gaining momentum around the country, and its effects may soon be seen and felt.

Although participation by Spiritual Assemblies has steadily increased, that growth has not kept pace with the growth in the total number of Assemblies. The National Treasurer’s Representatives continue to work directly with Assemblies on a local basis to improve their understanding of this important responsibility.

NATIONAL TREASURER’S REPRESENTATIVES

The NTRs were increasingly visible ‎inis this‎ year, helping with the WLGI campaign and offering the two newest courses from the Office of the Treasurer: “Where There’s a Will...” (practical guidelines on fulfilling the Bahá’í law to write a will), and “America’s Spiritual Destiny” (a study of the Bahá’í Writings regarding America’s role in establishing the new World Order and the special challenges given to American Bahá’ís). These courses are available now in every state, and all communities are encouraged to schedule them through their National Treasurer’s Representative.

EXPENSES

Expenses exceeded revenue by $176,000 which was due to a number of factors: an increase in the monthly contribution to the International Fund; an increase in expenses at the Louhelen Bahá’í School during its first full year of operation; an increase in the diplomatic work of the National Spiritual Assembly; and increased security for the House of Worship and National Center.

Among the financial statements printed in the report is a table (see Exhibit 2) showing the combined expenses of 1984 compared with 1983 (including the National Fund, NSA Properties Inc., the Publishing Trust, and the Bahá’í Home). The exhibit shows “where the money goes” in a different manner than a budget, which shows proposed expenses by committee (see Exhibit 4).

The expense categories are “administrative” because the National Fund is primarily responsible for the administration of the Faith in this country. Teaching projects and events involve transportation, postage, and telephone expenses. The exciting diplomatic work of the National Assembly in Washington, which reaps such stimulating results, is the product itself of often routine activity such as photocopying, printing, meals and professional fees. Even contrib- [Page 11]...uting to the International Fund to help the Faith around the world is categorized as "contributions to related organizations." The increases in the various expense categories from 1983-84 reflect normal growth.

SIX-YEAR REVIEW

A single year’s financial report does not always present a realistic perspective on the progress of the National Fund. A review of the last six years, however, is most revealing (see Exhibit 3).

In the six fiscal years from 1979-84, the National Fund received total revenues of nearly $36 million, with expenses during that same period amounting to $37 million.

When looking at figures of this magnitude, a $1 million shortfall does not appear so critical. A test score of 36 correct answers out of 37 questions would be 97 per cent, a solid “A.” The American Bahá’í community can be proud that it has done so well.

Contributions of nearly $36 million in six years is a remarkable accomplishment, and that does not even include the $1 million contributed to help rebuild the Louhelen Bahá’í School, or the $1.3 million contributed for WLGI.

Also in those six years, the community has grown by nearly 18,000 new believers and added 300 new Local Spiritual Assemblies. We sent out 1,231 international pioneers, reconstructed the Louhelen School, the Haziratu’l-Quds, and the apron of the House of Worship. We purchased the National Center building and the land and buildings for the Southwest Bahá’í Institute, and we contributed to the building of the Indian and Samoan Temples and the permanent Seat of the Universal House of Justice.

If that isn’t enough proof of the community’s strength, ask where else those contributions have gone. Since 1979 we have developed the Personal Transformation Program; consistently published Bahá’í News, The American Bahá’í, and Child’s Way magazine (now Brilliant Star); expanded our properties, security and administrative services; increased the number of temporary Bahá’í schools from 22 to 36, and increased attendance by 25 per cent last year at those schools; and established the offices for Persian Affairs, Community Administration and Diplomatic Work.

All of these advances should not blind the community to the fact that during those same six years, a deficit of $1.4 million (including retroactive adjustments) has occurred. Ready assets have fluctuated throughout the years, ranging from $962,000 in 1979 to the current level of $1,018,000. Current liabilities, however, have steadily risen from a low in 1979 of $924,000 to this year’s high of $2,400,000. This is a serious shortfall which affects the financial health of the National Spiritual Assembly and the financial credibility of the Faith in general.

Exhibit No. 3

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í FUND

SUMMARY OF REVENUE, EXPENSES AND TRANSFERS TO OTHER FUNDS FOR THE SIX YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, (In thousands of dollars)

	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984 (Est.)
Revenue
Contributions	$ 3,223	$ 3,599	$ 4,654	$ 5,675	$ 5,849	$ 6,624
Estates bequests	2,537	1,012	261	-	-	-
Investment, rental & tuition income	396	526	521	265	296	360
Total revenue	6,156	5,137	5,436	5,940	6,145	6,984
Expenses and Transfers
Expenses	$ 4,359	$ 5,120	$ 5,400	$ 5,744	$ 5,695	$ 6,362
Transfer to Properties	1,784	55	276	408	258	798
Transfer to Bahá’í Pub. Trust	-	250	500	-	-	-
Total expenses and transfers	6,143	5,425	6,176	6,152	5,953	7,160
Excess Revenue (Expenses and Transfers)	$ 13	$ (288)	$ (740)	$ (212)	$ 192	$ (176)

SUMMARY OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE AT APRIL 30,

	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984 (Est.)
Assets	$ 962	$ 1,207	$ 989	$ 843	$ 1,004	$ 1,018
Liabilities	924	1,457	1,979	2,247	2,217	2,431
Fund Balance (Deficit)	38	(250)	(990)	*(1,404)	(1,213)	(1,413)
Ratio of Assets to Liabilities	1.04	.83	.50	.38	.45	.42

*Includes retroactive adjustments totaling $202,000 due to (1) a change in accounting for compensated absences, and (2) recognizing the present value of retirement benefits due to certain current or retired employees who are not members of the pension plan.

BUDGET

The presentation of a proposed budget for fiscal 1985 was made by the National Spiritual Assembly at the National Convention’s Saturday evening session (see Exhibit 4). It was explained that because the Temple repairs will not be as costly as originally estimated, the expense can be spread out over the next several years as part of the operating budget, eliminating the need for a separate fund drive for the Temple. It was therefore possible to reduce the budget from $10 million to $9 million.

Consultation following the budget presentation covered the spectrum from concern that the proposed budget was too high, to statements that the budget should be increased above last year’s goal. The National Assembly explained that close to $8 million was contributed this year when the amount for the WLGI project is included. If contributions increase 12 per cent above that total, the $9 million goal can be met. The new monthly contributions goal is $474,000. The delegates moved to accept the proposed budget, and it has since been adopted by the National Spiritual Assembly.

The friends should take heart from the good news in this report in order to increase their determination to work on the less-than-satisfactory deficit. The Fund balance deficit must be reduced over the next several years if a trouble-free administration is to be maintained. The way to reduce that deficit is two-fold: 1. Hold down spending. 2. Increase the base of support from the community by continuing to educate the believers, and by increasing the numbers of new believers who are willing to take on the full privilege and responsibility of membership in the Cause of God for this Day, including the privilege of supporting the Cause financially.

Exhibit No. 4

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í FUND COMPARATIVE BUDGETS FISCAL YEARS ENDING APRIL 30, 1984 AND 1985 ($000’s)

	Current 1984	Proposed 1985
International, Continental and Temple Funds
International	1167	1500
Continental	40	60
India and Samoa Temples	60	80
	1267	1640
Teaching, Education and Proclamation
International Goals Committee	252	283
National Education Committee	223	234
Schools, program operations and maintenance	409	414
National Teaching Committee	436	509
WLGI operations	68	175
Southwest Institute	18	20
House of Worship Activities Committee	134	133
Race Unity Committee	21	21
Public Affairs	180	140
National Media Committee	25	-
UN Representative	30	55
Diplomatic work	250	305
Business and Professional Affairs Committee	12	12
Committee for Blind, Deaf and Ref. Library	2	2
Social and Economic Development	-	20
	2060	2323
Properties
National Office	145	175
National Center buildings	425	481
National Center grounds	130	149
Security	240	271
Reserve for major repairs	700	825
Mortgage payments	294	302
	1934	2203
Administration and Services
National Spiritual Assembly	427	442
Community Administration	120	137
Purchasing and Mail Services	100	96
Membership and Records	146	177
Studio	65	66
Periodicals	225	231
Conventions	35	28
Data Processing	196	183
Personnel	100	144
Persian Affairs Committee	100	140
Archives Committee	50	47
Office of the Treasurer	320	366
Interest	150	132
Equipment	88	145
	2122	2334
Working Capital
Bank loan repayment	-	400
Unallocated	117	100
	117	500
Dedicated for House of Worship and International Fund	2500	-
TOTAL	10,000	9,000

Prepared by the Treasurer’s Office April 20, 1984 [Page 12]‘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-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 54)

Trends

Government: Discrimination increasing

An unfortunate trend ...

Discrimination is on the rise in the U.S., according to recent government reports. And the reason for the growth is an increase in harassment, violence and vandalism against Asian-Americans.

A recent article in the newspaper USA Today quotes experts as saying, “Much of the hostility comes from the frustrated unemployed—whites, blacks and Hispanics—who feel threatened by another large minority group.”

Asian-Americans are the country’s fastest growing ethnic group. According to the article, the Census Bureau estimates their population at 3.5 million and expects it to double by the year 2000.

Along with verbal and physical attacks, Asian-Americans find themselves being manipulated by others’ selfish interests. They are, according to Glenda Joe, president of Houston’s Asian-American Council, the “minority of convenience. They’re Asian when an institution needs federal funds for minorities, and white when a school needs to shuffle around its faculty ratio.”

A reproach to the nation

The plight of black America is a reproach to the nation and a threat to its future, according to New York Times columnist Tom Wicker.

In a recent article, Mr. Wicker cited the following statistics regarding the economic deprivation of black Americans:

• Black unemployment in December 1983 stood at 17.8 per cent, more than double the over-all unemployment rate in the U.S.
• Unemployment among black teen-agers was a staggering 42.7 per cent in October 1983; for white youths, the figure was 18.3 per cent.
• In 1982, one out of every three blacks in the U.S. lived below the poverty level.
• The median income for black families in 1982 was $13,598; for whites, the figure was $24,593.

On the upside, however, the high school completion rate for blacks rose in 1980 to 79 per cent.

Mr. Wicker admonished those who feel that political candidates or parties can guarantee those economic and educational changes necessary to turn the tide for blacks. He added, “Nor can they quickly do away with the white indifference and hostility that has so deeply prejudiced the possibilities for blacks to reap the full benefits of American life.”

More than a decade ago, the Kerner Commission warned that this country was dividing itself into “separate and unequal” nations. According to Mr. Wicker, the latest Urban League assessment suggests that the trend is continuing.

In honor of Black History Week, the Bahá’í community of San Jose, California, presented a copy of To Move the World, the biography of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis Gregory, to the Berryessa Union School District which has done outstanding work in the area of multi-cultural awareness. Shown at the presentation are (front row left to right) Eva Bishop; school Superintendent K. Jessie Kobayashi; district Human Relations Coordinator Carolyn Keagle; Ron Gilpatrick, superintendent of Belmont schools and chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of San Jose; Mrs. Minou and Dr. Bijan Miraftabi; Essey Asbagh, and (back row left to right) district Reading Specialist and Bahá’í community member Meredith Mazur-Harris; Greg McAllister; district Personnel Director Joseph D. Taylor; and Leon Davis, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of San Jose.

Pictured at the 75th Bahá’í National Convention in Chicago are members of the national Race Unity Committee (left to right) Roy Jones, Debra Nesmith, Mary K. Radpour, Marilyn Greene, and Duane Dumbleton.

Book review

SNCC: Key element in struggle for race equality

In Struggle: SNCC and the Black Awakening of the 1960s, by Clayborne Carson (Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1981)

If you have any memories of SNCC (the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee), there’s a good chance that the words “radical” and “revolutionary” come to mind with mental pictures of black youths clothed in jeans and cover-alls also are a part of your thoughts.

YOUR memories are at least partially correct. There was, however, much more to SNCC than this.

In Struggle examines the events that were a catalyst in the development of the organization, its steady yet sometimes shaky growth, and its eventual demise.

Mr. Carson’s book affords the reader an opportunity to become reacquainted with many of the important figures of the 1960s and 1970s, i.e., Eldridge and Kathleen Cleaver, John Lewis, James Forman, and ‎Stokley Stokely‎ Carmichael (Kwame Touré).

More important, it is the story of dedicated people fighting the cancerous condition of racism in this country.

The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, or SNCC, grew out of the massive student “sit-in” movement in the South. It was the culmination of a two-month protest that involved some 50,000 black students.

“SNCC’s founding was an important step in the transformation of a limited student movement to desegregate lunch counters into a broad and sustained movement to achieve major social reforms,” the author writes.

Therefore, he says, SNCC spearheaded voter registration drives and freedom-rider activity. It enlisted the aid of northern white students and expanded to involve non-students as well.

In the beginning, writes Mr. Carson, “the use of non-violent tactics allowed black students to picture themselves as patient agents of progress pitted against obstinate, unreasoning whites.”

President Eisenhower, commenting on the student movement, said he was “deeply sympathetic.”

However, such patience was short-lived. SNCC soon sought to become a reformer, and with this idea came difficulties within its ranks.

THE organization’s primary concern, writes Mr. Carson, had been to develop “leadership (among) the indigenous peoples” of the South.

Therefore, the movement would “swell” from the ranks. Meaningful attempts and accomplishments were made in that area.

From the beginning, SNCC suffered from internal, personal differences, which would later spread into conflicts with other civil rights groups.

The conflicts can best be described, the author says, as “SNCC (becoming) a centralized political organization” rather than a mere fund-raising and distribution resource “not interfering with local autonomy.”

So greatly was patience to wane while radicalism waxed ever stronger that former members of SNCC would eventually band together to create the Black Panther party.

In Sheboygan, Bahá’ís honor Dr. King’s memory

On January 20, about 20 men, women and children gathered at Fountain Park in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor his commitment to peace and unity.

When various members of the public were asked to share their thoughts, Donna Gridley, a member of the Wilson Township Bahá’í community, quoted from the Bahá’í Teachings, saying the most challenging issue facing the U.S. today is that of racial unity.

“Once that is in place,” she said, quoting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “it will mean the great resurgence of peace. A spiritual uplifting will follow the cooperation and coming together in peace of all races.”

The quote was picked up by the Sheboygan Press which explained that it was from the Bahá’í Teachings and gave Ms. Gridley’s name and Bahá’í affiliation. [Page 13]

National Spiritual Assembly’s annual report for 1983-84

The annual report of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States:

This year, as last year, the greatest successes of the American Bahá’í community were achieved in the fields of government relations and proclamation.

THE continuing persecution in Iran aroused public interest and provided the spiritual energy that made possible the widest dissemination of basic knowledge about the Faith and its principles. The word “Bahá’í” no longer sounds strange to American ears.

On December 9, 1983, the eve of Human Rights Day, at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., the President of the United States mentioned the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran as a glaring example of the violation of human rights.

It may have been the first public occasion on which an American President formally took cognizance of the Faith and spoke in its defense.

The press from coast to coast continued to run news items, feature stories and editorials in unprecedented numbers. The New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Examiner, Time magazine, U.S. News and World Report, and USA Today are among the major publications which covered the story of the Iranian persecution.

In the course of such coverage, more and more information on the nature and principles of the Faith became available to the public.

THE PAID ads about the savage killing of 10 Bahá’í women in Shiraz in June 1983 brought a strong response from readers, some of whom even sent us unsolicited monetary contributions as a demonstration of admiration and sympathy.

Radio and television were not far behind. On July 28, the ABC-TV program “20/20” included a segment on the assault of the Islamic regime on Iranian Bahá’ís which vividly brought the story of the persecution into the homes of millions of viewers.

The CBS and PBS networks also dealt with the Bahá’ís on their various radio and television programs. The Voice of America broadcast several interviews and statements by the chairman and secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, and by Mrs. Ramna Mahmoudi Nourani.

In July and December, the Voice of America aired editorials on the Faith in English, Persian and other languages.

Grassroots activity by many Bahá’ís led to the passage by state legislatures of more than a dozen resolutions condemning the Islamic regime in Iran for its barbarous treatment of Bahá’í citizens.

LOCAL and national publicity in turn helped the National Spiritual Assembly’s successful efforts to open new categories of admissibility for Iranians stranded in several countries without residence permits, without prospects for work or of permanent settlement. In cooperation with the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, we have greatly expanded our efforts in behalf of Iranian Bahá’í refugees.

The Persian Affairs Committee and the Persian Affairs Office at the National Center conducted programs designed to integrate the large number of recently settled Iranian friends into the American Bahá’í community.

Their efforts were enhanced by the creation of six new Area Persian Affairs Committees under the sponsorship of the Local Spiritual Assemblies of Atlanta, Georgia; Bethany, Oklahoma; Kansas City, Missouri; San Jose, California; Seminole County, Florida; and Tempe, Arizona.

In cooperation with the National Teaching Committee and the International Goals Committee, the Persian Affairs Committee has encouraged Iranian friends to fill Seven Year Plan goals and to settle in communities with jeopardized Assemblies.

It is significant that of the 24 Bahá’í refugees who entered the country in January-March 1984, 20 settled in homefront goal areas. The 400 “Friendship Teams” testify to the growing spirit of cooperation among the Iranian and American friends.

PERHAPS the most brilliant achievement of the American Bahá’í community in the past year has been the successful fund drive and construction of radio station WLGI at the Louis G. Gregory Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina.

The friends, inspired by an appeal by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, exceeded the $1 million goal by more than 20 per cent and made it possible for the station to begin test broadcasts during the current Ridván period.

Our community continued to discharge its international duties. Two hundred twenty-one pioneers went abroad, bringing their number in the present Seven Year Plan to 929 and the total of our pioneers from all the Plans currently residing abroad to 1,457.

It is a joy to report that fewer than one per cent of pioneers in the field, only 14 individuals, required financial support from the deputization fund.

Teaching on the homefront was less successful than we had hoped. Indeed, as of March 1 we counted 1,983 enrollments, 16 per cent below last year’s figure. When this report went to press we did not yet have a tally of Assemblies formed at Ridván.

CONSOLIDATION proceeded apace. Four hundred seventy-five Assemblies took courses offered by the National Education Committee.

Three thousand five hundred individuals, 1,000 of them non-Bahá’ís, participated in various activities at the Louhelen School. One thousand educational advisers served the community from coast to coast.

The Race Unity Committee, working in an extraordinarily difficult field, won a clear success with the Race Amity Conference held October 14-16 in Charleston, South Carolina, where the National Spiritual Assembly was meeting at the time.

The House of Worship, our greatest teacher, continued to proclaim the Faith to young and old. In 1983, 203,089 people visited the Temple.

During the last week in March the 5,000,000th recorded visitor, a school girl, arrived at the House of Worship. She was presented a copy of the newly published book, The Dawning Place.

The comprehensive report of a highly competent committee of experts showed that the condition of the House of Worship was much better than had been believed at first.

THOUGH the Temple is in need of major and expensive renovation, its deterioration has not been extraordinary, was not a result of improper maintenance or lack of care, but was rather normal deterioration expected in Chicago air and climate.

The work of restoration has begun and will continue in the coming year. The current restoration, generously supported by the entire community, is expected to assure the House of Worship another 50 years of trouble free life before the next major renovation.

The Publishing Trust witnessed declining sales in spite of a vigorous program of publishing new titles and reissuing standard texts.

In addition to The Dawning Place by Bruce Whitmore, the Trust issued a biography of Martha Root by Mabel Garris and The Bahá’í Proofs by Mirza Abu’l-Fadl Gulpaygani.

The Kitáb-i-Íqán and Some Answered Questions were reissued in the same pocket edition series as the Gleanings, a title that has been reprinted this month because the earlier printing sold so well. In addition, the Trust has produced a new edition of The Advent of Divine Justice and a softcover edition of To Move the World.

The National Spiritual Assembly feels that one of the greatest challenges facing the American Bahá’í community is rapidly and greatly to increase teaching activity that would lead to increased enrollments.

The Bahá’í community must expand to fulfill the additional tasks that have fallen to it with the temporary eclipse of the Bahá’í community of Iran.

In close collaboration with the Continental Counsellors and their Auxiliary Board, the National Spiritual Assembly, Local Spiritual Assemblies and all the ancillary institutions of the Cause must arise to ensure the triumphant completion of the Seven Year Plan.

Youngsters attending the 75th Bahá’í National Convention in Chicago give their undivided attention as a teacher reads them a Bahá’í story. Special classes were planned by the National Education Committee for the 164 children at the Convention.

News from the Bahá’í House of Worship

A driving tour of Scotland

A magazine article about Scotland is certainly an unlikely place to find mention of the House of Worship. Yet the closing paragraph of just such an article in the December 1983 issue of Chicago magazine (circulation 186,000) reads:

“‎Tobormory Tobermory‎, with its brightly painted buildings lining the harbor and our castle-like hotel high above the town on a cliff, looks like a fairy-tale village. One shopkeeper on the shore, who sold leather and woolens, sighed when he saw an address label I’d made out. ‘Wilmette,’ he said. ‘I’d like to go there someday. I’m a Bahá’í.’”

It’s even more interesting that the author of the article felt it unnecessary to elaborate why Wilmette is important to Bahá’ís!

Guides’ impressions

The following are excerpts from the guides’ log kept at the main entrance to the House of Worship:

April 17: “Rain mixed with snow! But when there aren’t as many visitors you have more opportunities to teach those who care to investigate!”

April 22: “2nd Day of Ridván. Two bus tours—about 30 people each. Visitors from England, Germany, Japan, Africa, India, Pakistan and South America.”

April 29: “This is my last day till I leave for Rhode Island and my own Bahá’í community. May God grant that I may bring back some of the spirit and teaching of this House of Worship.”

The latest tally

Visitor count for April: 11, 259. Visitor count year-to-date: 28,290. Visitor count same period last year: 29,096. Visitor count last year: 203,089. [Page 14]Michael Orona, a 13-year-old member of the Bahá’í community of Lordsburg, New Mexico, was one of six students from his junior high school in Lordsburg to participate in the annual Washington Workshops Foundation program in Washington, D.C. Young students from across the country, chosen by their teachers on the basis of character, educational promise and scholastic achievement, spent eight days in the nation’s capital visiting government centers and points of national interest and holding small group meetings with the senators and congressmen from their respective states.

Ecumenical Council in Maine approves resolution on Iran

On Saturday, March 17, the Greater Yarmouth (Maine) Ecumenical Council approved unanimously a resolution that condemns the government of Iran for its persecution of Bahá’ís in that country.

The council, says the resolution, “abhors the atrocities committed against the Bahá’ís by the government of Iran,” and adds that “we furthermore support the efforts of our national and state governments to bring an end to these activities.”

The Spiritual Assembly of Yarmouth is a member of the council, which also includes representatives of Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, Congregational and Universalist churches.

Arizona Bahá’í named city’s Woman of Year

Cora Langston, a member of the Bahá’í community of Winslow, Arizona, has been named that city’s Woman of the Year for her involvement as a founding member and current president of Winslow United Multi-Purpose Services, a non-profit youth service organization whose purpose is to promote education and leisure activities for Winslow’s young people.

Another Bahá’í, Donna Guiher, also has been active in the youth organization.

Youth Jeunes

INTERNATIONAL BAHÁ’Í YOUTH CONFERENCE 1984

August 24-28, 1984 University of Western Ontario London, Ont. CANADA

The National Spiritual Assembly enthusiastically invites Bahá’í youth to Canada’s first International Bahá’í Youth Conference.

While joining in the tradition of those great gatherings of youth already held in the U.S. and Alaska, Canada’s Conference is being directed entirely towards youth 14-24 years old.

The powerful theme chosen for the Conference, a carefully thought-out and well-organized program, a beautiful setting, and distinguished speakers, including the well-loved Hand of the Cause, Mr. Furutan, promise much to those “from whom much is expected. . .”

The Conference is open to Bahá’í youth 14-24 years old inclusive. Non-Bahá’ís are welcome when introduced by letter of a local Spiritual Assembly.

General Sessions Saturday, Sunday and Monday 9 a.m. — 11 p.m. each day

Featured Speaker: Hand of the Cause of God Mr. A.A. Furutan

Conference Registration begins Friday, August 24 — Noon University Community Centre Gym

Room & Meal Registration begins Friday, August 24 — 2 p.m. University Community Centre

Social Gathering Friday evening — 6 p.m. to midnight University Community Centre

Conference Fee — $130.00 includes 4 nights shared accommodation (twin beds) Friday to Monday — 10 meals ‎(4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners)‎ — all applicable taxes — Conference Kit — includes $25.00 Registration Fee

Book Store opens Friday, August 24 — Noon to 9 p.m.

If you only knew...

“Would that ye had the power to perceive the things your Lord, the All-Merciful, doth see . . . things that attest the excellence of your rank, that bear witness to the greatness of your worth, that proclaim the sublimity of your station! God grant that your desires and unmortified passions may not ‎binder hinder‎ you from that which ‎bath hath‎ been ordained for you.”

Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í World Faith, p. 118

SPACE FOR ONLY 2500 PERSONS — ADVANCE REGISTRATION CUT-OFF JULY 1, 1984 — A $25.00 NON-REFUNDABLE REGISTRATION FEE MUST ACCOMPANY REGISTRATION FORM.

Volunteers (over the age of 24) are urgently needed. Please write for volunteer form. [Page 15]

1984 INTERNATIONAL Bahá’í YOUTH CONFERENCE

JIM HEIDEMA, Secretary ____________________, Ontario, Canada L3T 2A1

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM

GENERAL CONFERENCE: August 24-28, 1984 Registration: $130.00 payable in advance to above (includes shared accommodation and meals)

NAME ________________________________________ DATE OF BIRTH __________/__________ Surname                        First Name                    Initial                        Month/Year

ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________________________ Street No., Name, Apt. No.                        City/Town                        State/Province

____________________________________________________________ SEX [ ] Male [ ] Female Country                            Postal/Zip Code

TELEPHONE No. ( ) ________________________________________

ARRIVAL: August ____, 1984 – Time: ____________________ DEPARTURE: August ____, 1984

PLEASE NOTE: Only two persons per room

[ ] I am sharing a room with _________________________________________________________________ (Their registration form is attached)                    Surname                    First Name                    Initial

[ ] I will share a room with whomever the conference Committee assigns to share with me.

[ ] I am a Bahá’í in good standing or as a non-Bahá’í I will arrive with a letter of introduction from the:

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of ______________________________ in the country of ______________________________

I am under the age of 18, and my parents have signed this form below thereby giving authority to the above Committee to act as good and kindly parents while I am in their care.

____________________________________________________________ Parent of Youth Attending

____________________________________________________________ Date: ____________________, 198__. Signature of Youth Attending

MODE OF TRAVEL:

[ ] Air (via Toronto) [ ] Bus [ ] Car [ ] Train

London, Ontario is serviced by: AIR ONTARIO from Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A., Montreal, Quebec and Toronto, Ont. TRAIN from Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. and Toronto, Ont. BUS from all American and Canadian cities.

---

Lua Crofts, the 11-year-old daughter of Dash and Billie Lee Crofts of Northridge, California, participated recently in the annual International Gymnastics Children’s Classic in Reno, Nevada. In her first international competition, Lua made it to the semifinals while her team brought home a sixth-place trophy. Lua, whose coach in Los Angeles is Fritz Reiter, a former Olympic gymnast from Austria, says her goal is to be the first Bahá’í gymnast to compete in the Olympics. ‘Only the best make it that far,’ she says, ‘but I’m trying hard for 1988.’

Youth Committee sets 9 conferences to open 1984-85 Campus Plan

The National Youth Committee has called for nine College Club conferences to be held at various sites this fall to begin the Campus Plan for the 1984-85 school year.

The conferences will be hosted by the Bahá’í College Clubs listed below at their campuses, and each one-day program will be held between September 15-October 15.

Details will be announced in future issues of The American Bahá’í and in Youth Hotline, the committee’s monthly newsletter.

The conference sites: Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. University of Massachusetts, Amherst. University of South Carolina, Columbia. San Diego State University, San Diego, California. University of Dallas, Texas. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Portland State University, Oregon. University of California, Berkeley. The Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan (hosted by the Saginaw Valley State College Bahá’í Club).

Make your plans early to attend the conference nearest you!

Bahá’í National Center Office Hours 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time) Monday-Friday Phone 312-869-9039

[Page 16]

B.E. 140: Obscurity gives way to recognition

MAY

• More than 700 members of National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world gather at the fifth Bahá’í International Convention at the World Centre in Haifa, Israel, to elect the nine-member Universal House of Justice and consult on affairs of the Cause.

For the first time, the election of the Supreme Body is held in the newly constructed permanent Seat of the House of Justice on the slopes of Mount Carmel.

• On May 22, President Ronald Reagan, reacting to the deteriorating situation in Iran, issues a strong statement in which he deplores the “persecution and severe repression” of Bahá’ís in that country and appeals to Iran’s leadership not to carry out the death sentences imposed on some Iranian Bahá’ís.

Mr. Reagan’s statement, which is timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Faith’s beginning in Iran, is given wide media coverage including a front page article in The New York Times and mention on the evening news programs of two of the three major U.S. television networks.

DR. MAGDALENE CARNEY

• A complete transcript of Bahá’í testimony before a subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives in May 1982 is included in a new government document titled “Religious Persecution as a Violation of Human Rights: Hearings and Markup Before the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Its Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations, House of Representatives, 97th Congress.”

• In a letter to the Bahá’ís of the world announcing the expansion of the International Teaching Centre, the Universal House of Justice appoints four new Counsellor members of the Centre who will reside in the Holy Land.

One of the four is Dr. Magdalene M. Carney, a member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly since November 1970 and its assistant secretary since May 1978.

• For the second year in a row, the Bahá’í National Convention is blessed by the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears who addresses the friends on two occasions during the 74th National Convention at Chicago’s McCormick Inn.

Among the more than 1,500 Bahá’ís who are present are one member of the Universal House of Justice, Glenford E. Mitchell; two members of the Continental Board of Counsellors for the Americas, Dr. Sarah Martin Pereira and Velma L. Sherrill; and one of the four new Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre, Dr. Magdalene Carney. Responding to pleas from many of the delegates, the National Spiritual Assembly raises its proposed $6.7 million budget for the coming year to $10 million.

JUNE

• In two messages sent one day apart, the Universal House of Justice informs the Bahá’í world of the executions in Shiraz, Iran, of six more Bahá’í men and 10 women including three teen-age girls.

The women had been arrested for their activities in the Bahá’í community including the education of youth. News of the executions is not publicly announced, nor is any formal notice given to the families of the victims, and authorities refuse to allow the families to receive the bodies for burial or even to see them.

• Meanwhile, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, appears before a congressional human rights caucus in Washington to report on recent developments in Iran.

The 150 congressmen, who formed the caucus after hearings in 1982 that included testimony on religious persecution of Bahá’ís, ask Dr. Kazemzadeh to bring them up to date on what has happened in Iran since members of the National Spiritual Assembly testified before a House subcommittee in May 1982.

• On June 23, the Universal House of Justice sends a message to Bahá’í youth all over the world calling on them to rededicate themselves to the urgent needs of the Cause and not to allow the fresh blood shed by youthful martyrs in Iran to remain unvindicated.

The National Youth Committee responds with an open letter to all Bahá’í youth in the U.S. asking that they resolve to carry out the charge of teaching the Faith, especially to those of their own generation, which has been called for by the Universal House of Justice.

• On June 30, the Universal House of Justice informs the friends of yet another hanging in Shiraz. The most recent martyr, a 24-year-old man, brings to 142 the number of Bahá’ís known to have been killed since the Islamic revolution in Iran. Another 14 Bahá’ís have disappeared and are unaccounted for.

JULY

• The Universal House of Justice reports that more than 130 Bahá’í youth including women and children in the Iranian village of Ival, Mazandaran Province, were held captive without food or water for three days in a walled-in field.

When the friends refused to give in to the pressure and recant their faith, the report says, they were allowed to return home, but on July 1, their first night at home after the ordeal, they were attacked by villagers and forced to hide in a nearby forest. The House of Justice also informs the believers of the kidnapping in Tehran of two prominent Bahá’ís.

• The Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem takes part in a special meeting at the Bahá’í House of Worship between members of the National Spiritual Assembly and its national committees and five members of the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas and 28 of its 30 Auxiliary Board members in the U.S.

DR. FIRUZ KAZEMZADEH

The gathering comes during the annual meeting of the Board of Counsellors in the Americas and its Auxiliary Board members.

• Mayor Edward Koch of New York City writes a letter to President Reagan in which he describes the recent executions of 17 Bahá’ís in Iran as “ritual murders of a minority group on no ground other than religious persecution for political gain.”

The mayor calls on Mr. Reagan to support a UN resolution censuring Iran for its treatment of Bahá’ís.

• On July 9, Bahá’ís in hundreds of localities throughout the country attend memorial services commemorating the anniversary of the martyrdom of the Báb and paying tribute to the 17 Bahá’ís who were hanged during June in Shiraz, Iran.

• On July 26, the Universal House of Justice reports that pressures against Bahá’ís in Iran are mounting, particularly in Tehran where members of Bahá’í institutions are being hunted down and their homes raided.

The House of Justice reports that 22 Bahá’ís including 11 women have been arrested in Iran between July 11 and July 22.

• On July 31, the House of Justice announces the formation at Ridván 1984 of nine new National Spiritual Assemblies including three in Africa: the Cape Verde Islands, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon; three in the Americas: French Guiana, Grenada and Martinique; two in Asia: the Andaman/Nicobar Islands and Yemen; and one in Europe: the Canary Islands.

• Three days earlier, the ABC-TV network news program “20/20” includes a lengthy report on the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran. According to the A.C. Nielsen Company, the program ranks 11th among all U.S. TV programs that week with an estimated audience of 13,160,000 households.

AUGUST

• The Universal House of Justice reports that persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran remains unabated and that waves of arrests of prominent believers have recently been intensified.

The Supreme Institution reports the arrest of 17 Bahá’ís in two cities at the end of July and the arrest of 24 others, including 10 women, between August 3-5.

• Bahá’ís from Colorado, Ohio and Kansas gather at Macy, Nebraska, for the final two weeks of the Amoz Gibson teaching campaign in which more than 60 declarations are recorded during its first phase at Wanblee, South Dakota.

As a result, three new Spiritual Assemblies are to be formed on Indian Reservations.

• Seventy-three people in Ensenada, Mexico, declare their belief in Bahá’u’lláh during the opening phase of a year-long border teaching campaign sponsored by the District Teaching Committee of Southern California No. 4.

Among those embracing the Faith are many business and professional people.

• About 70 Bahá’ís from five states and the District of Columbia participate in a “March on Washington” held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the famous march for civil rights led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The mayor calls on Mr. Reagan to support a UN resolution censuring Iran for its treatment of Bahá’ís.

• On July 9, Bahá’ís in hundreds of localities throughout the country attend memorial services commemorating the anniversary of the martyrdom of the Báb and paying tribute to the 17 Bahá’ís who were hanged during June in Shiraz, Iran.

A Bahá’í-sponsored program of dawn prayers, held at the main assembly point for the march on the Mall, is the day’s opening event.

• Sylvia K. Ioas, the widow of the Hand of the Cause of God Leroy C. Ioas, dies August 24 in Olney, Maryland, at the age of 87.

SEPTEMBER

• In a message dated September 13, the Universal House of Justice announces the dissolution of the

CARMEN DeBURAFATO

Bahá’í administration in Iran following a statement August 29 by that country’s Attorney General in which he bans Bahá’í administrative bodies and adds that the existence of a Bahá’í administration is henceforth officially considered to be against the laws and constitution of the country.

In response to his statement, the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran immediately abolishes all Bahá’í administrative bodies in Iran and follows that action with an “open letter” to the government dated September 3 in which it refutes all spurious charges brought against the Bahá’í community and demands an end to harassment and the dispensation of basic human rights to all members of the Bahá’í community.

Meanwhile, the Universal House of Justice calls on Bahá’ís all over the world to vindicate by their reconsecration to the immediate tasks ahead the unabated suffering of their brethren in Iran.

In the U.S., the National Spiritual Assembly cables news of the dissolution of Iran’s Bahá’í administration to government officials and the news media, while the National Teaching Committee urges every believer in the country to help reclaim every jeopardized Assembly and raise every large Group to Assembly status in the name of one of Iran’s lost Spiritual Assemblies. [Page 17]

YEAR IN REVIEW

• A record 1,305 people are present at the 24th annual Green Lake Bahá’í Conference in Wisconsin.

The guest speakers include the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem; Counsellor Carmen de Burafato; Dr. Alberta Deas, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly; Dr. Hossain B. Danesh, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada; and Auxiliary Board members Stephen Birkland, Khalil Khavari and Paul Pettit.

• On September 27, a four-member "Camino del Sol" (Trail of Light) teaching team composed of Bahá’ís from Bolivia, Chile and Panama begins a month-long visit to the western United States.

OCTOBER

• Dr. Sarah Martin Pereira, representing the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas, and Judge James F. Nelson, representing the National Spiritual Assembly, break ground October 16 at the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute in South Carolina for WLGI Radio, the first Bahá’í-owned and operated station in North America.

About 60 Bahá’ís including all nine members of the National Assembly are present for the historic occasion.

• In a letter to the ‎Bahá’í Bahá’ís‎ of the world dated October 20, the Universal House of Justice announces "the establishment at the World Centre of the Office of Social and Economic Development, which is to assist the Universal House of Justice to promote and coordinate the activities of the friends throughout the world in this new field ..."

The Supreme Body reports that the worldwide Bahá’í community

RAÚL PAVÓN

has "... grown to the stage at which the processes of this development must be incorporated into its regular pursuits; particularly is action compelled by the expansion of the Faith in Third World countries where the vast majority of its adherents reside ..."

• More than 500 people from 20 states attend a Race Amity Conference in Charleston, South Carolina.

The conference, sponsored by the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee, comes 62 years after the first U.S. Race Amity Conference which was called for by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and held in Washington, D.C., in May 1921.

• Raúl Pavón, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas, dies October 22 while on a teaching trip to Lima, Peru.

In a cable announcing his passing, the Universal House of Justice describes Sr. Pavon as a "distinguished promoter ‎Faith of the Faith‎ and indefatigable worker in teaching indigenous peoples ‎Latin America in Latin America‎ ..."

NOVEMBER

• On November 15, concurrent resolutions condemning the government of Iran for its brutal treatment of Bahá’ís in that country are introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The resolutions urge President Reagan to work with other nations in drafting an appeal to save the Bahá’ís from further persecution.

The Senate resolution, introduced by Sen. John Heinz of Pennsylvania, is co-signed by 33 senators. The House version is introduced by Reps. Tom Lantos of California, Jim Leach of Iowa, John Porter of Illinois and Gus Yatron of Pennsylvania.

Earlier that same day, Sen. Heinz and Reps. Lantos and Porter take part in a Capitol building press conference with Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, to voice publicly their support for the Bahá’ís in Iran and express their outrage at the edict issued by Iran’s Revolutionary Prosecutor General in which membership in Bahá’í institutions is declared to be a criminal act.

• In a letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies, the Universal House of Justice reports that intense pressures against the Bahá’ís in Iran are continuing.

Many Bahá’ís who are imprisoned, the letter says, are being tortured when they refuse to deny their love for Bahá’u’lláh.

Since the Attorney General’s statement banning Bahá’í administrative institutions in Iran, at least 140 more Bahá’ís have been arrested, and although a number have been released from prison, more than 450 remain incarcerated.

• More than 500 people from 13 countries attend the eighth annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies at the Palmer House in Chicago, marking the first time the event has been held outside of Canada.

Among the distinguished speakers are Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly and professor of Russian history at Yale University, who delivers the annual Hasan Balyúzí Lecture; Dr. Ervin Laszlo, director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR); Dr. Udo Schaefer, a well-known Bahá’í author from West Germany; Dr. Amin Banani, professor of Islamic studies at UCLA; and Dr. Glen Eyford, professor of international development at the University of Alberta, Canada, and member of that country’s National Spiritual Assembly.

• Twenty-three Bahá’ís from 14 states who have expertise in science, architectural design, engineering and other construction-related fields participate in a three-day Temple Restoration Seminar at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

Their report to the National Spiritual Assembly indicates that

MRS. RAMNA NOURANI

the Temple needs repairs but that the structure is basically sound and not threatened by collapse.

The National Assembly later appoints a six-member Temple Restoration Committee to proceed with more detailed studies, restoration scheduling, and implementation of plans.

DECEMBER

• In an official proclamation marking the 35th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, President Reagan cites the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran as one of the most serious violations of human rights in the world today.

Among the participants at the Human Rights Day observance in the White House are Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; and Mrs. Ramna Mahmoudi Nourani, whose parents are among those Bahá’ís who have been executed since the Islamic revolutionary government came to power in Iran some four years ago.

• In a letter to the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, the Universal House of Justice responds to comments it has received in recent months from American Bahá’ís expressing their distress over the persecutions in Iran and suggesting ways to register a protest including public demonstrations and the wearing of arm bands or ribbons.

The Supreme Body says in part that the response of the believers "... should neither be solely pragmatic nor solely spiritual ...," adding that it must meet both the test of the immediate crisis and match the "challenge of the historic moment."

• On December 28, three days before its deadline, the National Spiritual Assembly announces in a cable to the Universal House of Justice the exciting news that the $1 million goal for the construction and operation of radio station WLGI and the expansion of the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute in South Carolina has been won.

In early December, the fund drive for North America’s first Bahá’í-owned and operated radio station, which was launched less than a year before, has barely passed the halfway mark.

But following a taped appeal by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, the contributions start pouring in, and by December 31 total $1,043,000. By January 5 the total has reached $1,200,000.

• Members of the National Spiritual Assembly meet at the Bosch Bahá’í School near Santa Cruz, California, with five members of the Continental Board of Counsellors for the Americas.

The National Assembly invites the Counsellors to share their thoughts about the needs of the Faith as a prelude to consultation concerning strategies for the next 16 years until the year 2000.

JANUARY

• In a letter addressed to the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in every land, the Universal House of Justice reports that for the past two years there has been a steady decline in the amount of money contributed to the international funds which, if not reversed, could frustrate plans that would enable the Faith to "seize the unprecedented opportunities now before it ..."

The Supreme Body lists four areas in which immediate action is needed in addition to carrying on the general work of the Faith: completion of the Temples in India and Samoa; further development of the World Centre; the prosecution of programs of social and economic development; and the development and coordination of worldwide proclamation to a far more extensive and varied audience than ever before.

Each Bahá’í is called upon to "... give sacrificially of his substance, each in accordance with his means, to the funds of the Cause ..."

• Three more Bahá’ís are martyred in Iran, the Universal House of Justice reports, while the number of believers in that country arrested between November 7 and January 17 totals 250 including women, infants and children.

• Enrollments in the U.S. during January total 139, the lowest monthly figure since May 1978 when 133 were enrolled.

In expressing its concern, the National Teaching Committee says that if enrollments should continue at the same pace through Ridván, the U.S. Bahá’í community would end the year with its lowest yearly enrollment total in more than a decade.

• The National Spiritual Assembly receives guidelines from the Universal House of Justice’s Office of Social and Economic Development on the implementation of social and economic development projects.

They propose that conferences and seminars be held to acquaint the Bahá’í community with the relevant issues and to offer advice to communities concerning the selection of projects they might wish to undertake.

• Twenty Bahá’ís from across the U.S. attend a National Assembly-sponsored financial planning seminar at the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute in South Carolina.

In a pre-seminar message to participants, the National Assembly says the conference is necessary "... to provide Bahá’í institutions with the knowledge and management of funds without which no social and economic development projects will ever succeed."

FEBRUARY

• The persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran is mentioned in a voluminous report entitled "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1983" that is submitted by the U.S. State Department to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The report describes Iran’s human rights record under its present government as "one of the worst in the world, but, with the important exception of increased persecution of the Bahá’ís, there

JUDGE JAMES F. NELSON

was some improvement in 1983."

• The National Spiritual Assemblies of the U.S. and Mexico hold a two-day meeting in Mexico City with Counsellors Carmen de Burafato and Artemus Lamb to discuss teaching along the U.S.-Mexican border, the status and needs of the Mexican Bahá’í community.

See YEAR Page 24 [Page 18]

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge as a service to the Bahá’í community. Notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial 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.

THE PHILIPPINES has openings in educational work with refugees. A TESL supervisor is needed to train TESL teachers and supervise their performance. This person should have a graduate degree in TESL and some background in teaching and training. Also needed is a curriculum developer for TESL courses. This person should also have experience in teaching TESL and in training people. An instructional media services officer is needed to develop and coordinate media and educational materials. This person should have a background in television and audio-visual production and a degree in communications. A testing and measurement specialist and technical supervisor also are needed. Those with relevant experience and education are required for each of the positions. If you are interested in applying for any of these jobs and helping to fulfill a goal of the Seven Year Plan, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

SPANISH-speaking or bi-lingual homefront pioneers are needed on any of three Indian Reservations: Toppenish, Wapato and Yakima, all in Washington state. Please contact the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039, ext. 235.

ELECTRICAL engineers: come help the goal community of Norwich, Vermont. A growing wind energy firm needs two electrical engineers with power generation and transmission and electro-mechanical/electronics backgrounds. Come work with other Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’í employees. Phone immediately, 312-869-9039, ext. 235.

HONDURAS needs three pioneers during the final phase of the Seven Year Plan. Teachers will be needed for 1985-86 at one of the country’s finest schools, offering good benefits and good salaries. Spanish is not necessary at first. Openings are for a science teacher, secondary and part-time band teacher, and possibly a library position. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

WANTED: A homefront pioneer to start a gardening community on Class I land provided rent free to the first squatter, and to introduce the Faith to the small town of Friend, Nebraska. Some employment opportunities exist, but a financially independent person is preferred, especially one with a trailer that can be sited in secluded woodland in summer and in open sun or taken on a tour in winter. Write to Charles Novak, Crete, NE 68333.

THE U.S. Virgin Islands needs a visiting assistant professor of education with a PhD., preferably in elementary education, and some teaching experience. Duties would include supervising student teachers and teaching some graduate and undergraduate courses in the evenings. The position includes a sizable salary and other benefits. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 312-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking copies of the following books by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in good or excellent condition: Abdu’l-Bahá in London (paper, 1912), Foundation of World Unity (cloth, 1927, 1945), Foundation of World Unity (paper, 1945), Paris Talks (cloth, 1912, 1969), Paris Talks (paper, 1912), Some Answered Questions (cloth, 1937). Please respond to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

WORK in Dallas and live 25 minutes away in beautiful goal areas. Two full-time jobs are open for a nutrition counselor and social worker. Must be fluent in Spanish. Contact Dr. Ilham De Loomy, Los Barrios Unidos Clinic, Dallas, TX 75212.

TEACHERS are needed for all age groups for a conference October 13-14 in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, which is to feature the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem. For information, please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Broken Arrow, P.O. Box 1119, Broken Arrow, OK 74013.

THE CARIBBEAN island of Grenada needs science, math and English teachers, and health care professionals including doctors, nurses, nutritionists, health administrators and others. The House of Justice has called upon the American community to supply at least two pioneers to this special island. If you are able to arise and serve the Cause overseas, please write to the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039 right away!

BI-LINGUAL (French and English) word processing machine operator needed. Fill the position and homefront pioneer to North Carolina. Input, revision, and output of all documents in French. Ability to work under pressure and communicate well with people. Must type 50 wpm, have 24 months or more experience in word processing. Salary is $11,700 a year. Phone the National Teaching Committee now, 312-869-9039, ext. 235.

NORTH Dakota needs you! Bismarck, Fort Yates, the Sioux Reservation, Fort Berthold Reservation, Devils Lake Sioux Reservation, all need homefront pioneers. YOUTH are especially needed and are encouraged to inquire about the low-tuition schools compared to other states. Residency can be granted after six months. For details, contact the National Teaching Committee, 312-869-9039, ext. 235.

H.F.P. please call home! Have you recently arrived at a homefront pioneer post? Remember, you can’t be counted as a homefront pioneer if we don’t have notice of your arrival. Please send your new address, Bahá’í I.D. number, phone number, and previous Bahá’í community’s name to the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

YUCATÁN, Mexico, needs teachers of English as a second language. Spanish is not necessary, but is helpful. The salary is large enough for a single person, or a family with a supplemental income. The Yucatán must receive at least four pioneers by next Ridván to fill a goal given to the U.S. by the Universal House of Justice. Write to the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

ONLY THREE more active Bahá’ís are needed to raise Cedar Park, Texas, a town of 2,850 about 16 miles northwest of the University of Texas in Austin, to Assembly status (but more are welcome, of course). Many other colleges and universities can be found in Austin and the surrounding area, and Cedar Park is only a short distance from the Highland Lakes area and the lovely Texas hill country. Technical jobs in clean industry can be found within easy commuting distance. Come and enjoy the warmth and hospitality of central Texas with its mild climate and abundant opportunities. Please contact June Welch, 1500 Heritage Lane, Cedar Park, TX 78613, or phone 512-258-2408.

COME to Columbus, Indiana, an architecturally unique and clean city. Needs: skilled business people, industrial and technical engineers, and others in all areas of medical work. For more information, please phone the Bahá’ís of Columbus at 812-372-5936.

JOBS for educators are available in Saranac Lake, New York. Help this small but active Spiritual Assembly to spread the Message of Bahá’u’lláh. Only nine miles from Lake Placid, near the Canadian border. Needed for fall ’84: two high school math teachers, two high school history teachers, a guidance counselor at the middle school level, two elementary school teachers. For more information, write to the National Teaching Committee or phone 312-869-9039, ext. 235.

MISSISSIPPI needs you! We are in need of deepened, active Bahá’ís who are willing to work hard. The job situation isn’t good, but retired couples, college students, and those interested in starting their own business are much needed—in Greenwood and Yazoo (phone 601-636-9439 for information), Hattiesburg, home of the University of Southern Mississippi (phone 601-544-4332), Oktibbeha County, home of Mississippi State University (phone 601-324-2424 weekday evenings except Thursdays), and Philadelphia, near a Choctaw Indian Reservation (phone 601-856-4658).

NEED a homefront pioneer? Help us send one to your locality. Keep us informed about jobs, schools, rooms for rent, homes to share, and a general description of your community. These are most helpful in matching pioneers to posts. Please write to the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039, ext. 235.

AN INTERNATIONAL school in Togo, West Africa, has positions open for a principal and a teacher, preferably a teaching couple, of math, science, music and art, or English as a second language. The principal would be responsible for managing the school as well as recruiting, program development and part-time teaching. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

DO YOU work in an employment agency or related field? Consider helping in a referral network with other Bahá’ís around the country. Please write to the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039, ext. 235.

LESOTHO, South Africa, a goal of the present phase of the Seven Year Plan, is looking for a couple without children to live in its National Center as caretakers. They would need to be there for two years or longer. For information about this pioneering opportunity, write to the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

NEW Hampshire family pioneering to Finland in July wishes to sell two family-owned businesses: 1. a chimney sweep business, and 2. a bakery. Both are run out of a lovely and peaceful farm in the White Mountains. Rugged work but much peace and freedom. Idyllic environment for children with seven loving and active Bahá’ís in nearby towns. Family is committed to leave for Finland in mid-July. Please contact Channing and Liza Snyder, Eaton, NH 03832, or phone 603-447-5654.

Dr. Peter Khan, a Counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre in Haifa, addresses an audience of Chicago-area Bahá’ís May 9 in Foundation Hall at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, the first stop on a two-week visit to eight U.S. cities. Dr. Khan’s itinerary included stops in San Francisco, Denver, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Boston, and Ann Arbor, Michigan. He consulted with the National Spiritual Assembly at the Louhelen Bahá’í School, met with members of national committees, and represented the International Teaching Centre at the annual meeting May 11-14 in Lincolnwood, Illinois, of Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members in the U.S. [Page 19]

Convention

Continued From Page 1

final month of fiscal 1983-84, were $572,238 and 6,479 respectively.

Heartened by the Treasurer’s thrilling report, the delegates unanimously endorsed the National Spiritual Assembly’s proposed $9 million budget for fiscal 1984-85.

Included in that budget is $1.5 million for the Bahá’í International Fund, $60,000 for the Continental Bahá’í Fund, and $80,000 for the Temples now being built in India and Samoa.

Also included is $175,000 for the operation of WLGI Radio in South Carolina, a sum the South Carolina delegation to the Convention pledged to raise and present to the National Assembly at next year’s Convention so that no money from the National Fund need be spent to underwrite the operation of the station.

After a brief organizational session and a reception for the delegates Thursday evening, the Convention began in earnest Friday morning with the reading of the Riḍván message to the Bahá’ís of the world from the Universal House of Justice.

This was followed by the annual report of the National Spiritual Assembly, presented by the secretary, Dr. Kazemzadeh, and the National Assembly’s financial report, presented by the treasurer, Dorothy Nelson, with help from her administrative assistant, Steve Jackson, and the National Center’s comptroller, Geoff Wilson.

After consultation and a break for lunch, the National Teaching Committee formally launched its program for the final phase of the Seven Year Plan, and a special report on the situation of Iranian Bahá’í refugees was given by Stephen Barnes, a lawyer from Washington, D.C., who recently completed a fact-finding trip to Pakistan, Turkey and other countries at the behest of the National Spiritual Assembly to look into the problems faced by refugees in gaining entry into the U.S. and recommend ways in which the National Assembly might help expedite their relocation.

The Friday evening session included a progress report on WLGI Radio and a report by the Temple Restoration Committee.

Dr. Kazemzadeh was the guest speaker at a special gathering later that evening for the Persian-speaking friends that included an audio-visual program about the martyrs in Iran.

While the delegates were at the House of Worship casting their ballots for the National Spiritual Assembly, Saturday morning’s non-delegate session was centered around the theme of social and economic development, with presentations by Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh of New York City and Flyraiva Taafari, a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts from Tuvalu who is director of the Bahá’í rural development project at the New Era School in Panchgani, India.

Consultation at Saturday afternoon’s Convention session was devoted entirely to teaching and expansion of the Faith, reflecting the delegates’ concern over the statement by the Universal House of Justice in its Riḍván message to the Bahá’ís of the U.S. that “... we cannot help noting the sad lag in the rate of your enrollments, a lag which is conspicuously at variance with the high energy of your endeavors and the teaching opportunities abounding in your richly blessed land.” (See The American Bahá’í, May 1984, p. 14)

Special sessions, programs and activities were scheduled by the National Youth Committee for the 42 youth at the Convention, and by the National Education Committee for the 164 children who were present.

Among those who entertained the children were the “Heart Sisters” (Susan Engle and Jean Marks) and their back-up musical group who recently completed the album Loving Hands, which is available from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust (Cat. No. 832-028, $8).

The children themselves appeared onstage during the non-delegate session Saturday morning and joined in singing several songs.

TO THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

DELEGATES AND OVER 1,000 VISITORS TO 75TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE UNITED STATES CONVEY LOVE, APPRECIATION AND DEVOTION TO OUR SUPREME UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE. CONVENTION MESSAGES GALVANIZED OUR SPIRITS, FILLED OUR HEARTS WITH UNQUESTIONED RESOLVE AND BROUGHT NEW AWARENESS OF THE AWESOME TASKS AHEAD. MAJOR CONSULTATION CENTERED AROUND WAYS TO INCREASE NUMBERS OF BELIEVERS AND BRING SEEDS PLANTED BY PROCLAMATION, PUBLICITY AND MEDIA COVERAGE TO FRUITION THROUGH ENROLLING VAST NUMBERS OF AN ‘INCREASINGLY RESPONSIVE HUMANITY.’

HEART-RENDING REPORT OF BELEAGUERED, COURAGEOUS, UNDAUNTED IRANIAN BRETHREN SEEKING REFUGEE STATUS THIS COUNTRY MADE US INCREASINGLY COGNIZANT OF INDISSOLUBLE BOND BINDING BELIEVERS OF EAST AND WEST. CONFIDENT AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY WILL TIRELESSLY SEEK TO DISTINGUISH ITSELF THROUGH INCREASED TEACHING AND LIVING OF EXEMPLARY BAHÁ’Í LIVES, TO MERIT STATION OF PRIMACY BESTOWED UPON IT BY BELOVED MASTER.

COMPASSIONATE RESPONSE FROM LEADERS OF THOUGHT AND GOVERNMENT THROUGHOUT WORLD PROVIDES FURTHER IMPETUS TO OUR EFFORTS. TREASURED PRESENCE HANDS OF THE CAUSE KHADEM AND SEARS AS WELL AS TWO MEMBERS OF CONTINENTAL BOARD OF COUNSELLORS LENT SPECIAL INSPIRATION AND COURAGE.

WE PLEDGE TO INCREASE OUR EXERTIONS A THOUSANDFOLD TO BECOME WORTHY OF THE PRAISE HEAPED UPON US. WE BESEECH YOUR PRAYERS AT THE HOLY THRESHOLD THAT WE MAY BE EMPOWERED TO ACCOMPLISH OUR SACRED TASK.

75TH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES

DEEPLY MOVED SPIRIT RECONSECRATION HOLY TASKS CONVEYED MESSAGE PARTICIPANTS 75TH ANNUAL CONVENTION. WARMLY APPRECIATE SENTIMENTS EXPRESSED. ASSURE ARDENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES THAT BLESSED BEAUTY MAY AID MEMBERS YOUR MUCH FAVORED COMMUNITY REALIZE FULL MEASURE PLEDGE CONVENTION ADVANCE HIS FAITH IN NEW MIGHTY EFFORT.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE MAY 1, 1984

The “Heart Sisters” (Susan Engle, left, and Jean Marks) entertain during the non-delegate session at the Bahá’í National Convention.

Scenes from the 75th Bahá’í National Convention: Right, some of the youngsters get together for a friendly game of chess during one of the children’s classes planned by the National Education Committee. Below left, another of the more than 160 children at the Convention is absorbed in cutting and pasting. Below center, Alonzo Nesmith, a delegate from South Carolina, casts his vote for the members of the National Spiritual Assembly during the Saturday morning session. Below right, the Bahá’í Publishing Trust bookstore draws the rapt and undivided attention of one Convention-goer. [Page 20]و از مونا محمودنژاد چه بگویم. جوانترین شهید قرن جدید. سن ۱۷ سال محصل دبیرستان. مونا در فردای دستگیری‌اش امتحان زبان دی داشت. مونا عاشق شهادت بود، بی‌مهابا آن را بیان میکرد. بارها در زندان بشوخی به مونا میگفتند مونا تو بچه‌ای شهید نمیشوی و او بی‌نهایت ناراحت شده و میگفته من از همه شما قشنگتر شهادت را میپذیرم مانند پدر بسیار عزیزش جناب محمودنژاد فدائی احباء. در بازجوئیها همه از جواب دادن‌اش متحیر بودند، آیا چطور توانستند این همه عشق و محبت را و این همه معصومیت و مظلومیت را اعدام کنند. مونا خوابهای بی‌نظیری میدیده حتی در ۱۳ سالگی خواب شهادت پدر را می‌بیند. آخ آخر من چگونه تو را وصف کنم؟

سیمین صابری سن ۲۴ سال تحصیلات تا دیپلم. شوخ و فعال. هرگز از خدمت خسته نمی‌شد با وجودی که وضع مالی خوبی نداشتند هرگز از یاد بی‌چیزتران غافل نمی‌شد. همه میگویند اگر لحظه‌ای به وجود خدا و عوالم بعد شک کنیم سیمین جواب شک ماست سیمین دو سال قبل تمام نحوه دستگیری و شهادتش را خواب دیده بود و به هیچ کس آنرا ابراز نداشته بود تنها بعد از شهادتش آنها را در دفتر خاطراتش پیدا کردند. سیمین یک بار خواب دیده که حضرت عبدالبهاء به او فرمودند (سیمین با اوراق به ملاء اعلی خواهی رفت) اوراق = خانمها. همیشه مشغول یادگرفتن حرفه‌ای بود و آنقدر در فعالیتهای امری خدمت میکرد که حدی نداشت. از نظر مادی به هر نحو که میشد به خانواده‌اش کمک میکرد. مادرش میگوید بعد از شهادت سیمین من یار و انیسم را از دست دادم و نمی‌دانم چه کسی تمامی این خون دلها و این اشک چشمها را خواهد کرد. تاریخ قضاوت میکند که کدامین اینها جز صداقت و خدمت آرزوئی و هدفی داشتند شهادتشان برای یار و اغیار جز حسرت چه ببار آورد. افسوس که نه من یارای بیان واقعیات را دارم و نه میتوانم. فقط کافی است به چشمهای بیگناه فرزندانشان نگاه کنیم به آههای جگرسوز مادران و صبر همسران و بپرسیم به کدامین گناه کشته شدند؟

از لحاظ روحانی چیزی جز لیاقت و قابلیت و استعداد نمیتوان دید و از لحاظ جسمانی جز تأسف که چرا ایران میتواند این چنین از این مغزهای متفکر استفاده کند باید بخاطر تعصب مذهبی چنین ننگی و چنین داغی را تا ابد باقی گذارد.

وظائف جوانان

قسمتی از نامه‌ای که شهید عزیز شیوا خانم محمودی اسدالله‌زاده در تاریخ ۲۴ مهر ۱۳۶۰ چندروز قبل از گرفتار شدن به یکی از یاران مقیم ایالات متحده مرقوم داشته‌اند.

... ریاض عزیزم این وقایعی که در این ایام در کشور مقدس ایران بوقوع می‌پیوندد در قالب جمله و کلام و کلمه در نمی‌آید همه اش احساس است عشق است ایثار است جان باختن است و ... خیلی چیزهای دیگر که سخت است آنرا بنویسی و بروی کاغذ آوری و مطلقاً برای کسانیکه دور از این خاک مقدس هستند قابل درک نمی‌باشد بحرحال روزها و ایام و ساعات بسیار مشکل سپری میشود اکثر دوستان خوبم را از دست داده‌ام و هر روز و ساعتی و هر هفته و ماهی خبری جدید و اتفاقی تازه در یکی از نقاط کشورمان رخ میدهد البته نهایت همه این وقایع اعتلای امر و اشتهار آئین مبارک است ولکن تحمل فراق یاران عزیز، بیخانمان شدن دوستان و مشاهده اطفال کوچک بدون سرپرست ظاهری کار آسانی نیست، بهرحال ایامی است که باید این چنین سپری شود، ریاض جان وظائف شما سنگین است باید وجود خود را از هر لحاظ سرشار کنی با تمام وجود بکوشی در کنار کسب علم و تحصیل بکسب معارف امری بپردازی و بپردازید تا در آینده این همه جای خالی یاران از دست رفته را پر نمائید ...

تمنای لجنه ملی امور احبای ایرانی

چنانکه قبلاً نیز باستحضار احبای گرام رسیده است در دفتر لجنه آرشیو مخصوصی از نامه‌ها و مدارک و عکسهای مربوط به شهدای عزیز ایران و مصائب وارده بر یاران مظلوم و ممتحن آن خاک پاک ترتیب داده شده است که از جهتی عنداللزوم مورد استفاده محفل مقدس روحانی ملی واقع شود و از جهت دیگر سوابق تاریخی این ایام ‎براستلا براستی‎ محفوظ بماند.

علی‌هذا از دوستانی که چنین اسناد و مدارکی را در اختیار دارند تمنی میشود سواد واضح و قابل خواندن آنرا برای تکمیل آرشیو مذکور بدفتر این لجنه در دارالانشاء محفل روحانی ملی ارسال فرمایند. در صورت لزوم ممکن است اصل عکس یا مدرک را ارسال داشت تا پس از نسخه برداری اصل به فرستنده عودت داده شود.

میدان خدمت

در ماه جون امسال بار دیگر طرح تبلیغی بیاد ‎متمادال متوکل‎ علی‌الله جناب ‎ایماس آموز‎ گیبسون عضو سابق بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی که چندین سال از عمر خود را وقف خدمت و تبلیغ در بین سرخپوستان نموده بودند ترتیب داده شده است. طرح تبلیغی ‎ایماس آموز‎ گیبسون امسال در منطقه سکونت قبایل هوپی و ناواهو اجراء خواهد شد و مقر اصلی آن دارالتعلیم بهائی است که سال گذشته در ایالت آریزونا بنا شده است.

هدف اصلی طرح عبارتست از تقویت محافل روحانی محلی در آن ناحیه و هدایت نفوس مستعده بمنظور تقویت جوامع محلی کلاسهای تربیت امری برای اطفال برنامه‌های تفریحی و آموزشی برای جوانان و بسیاری فعالیتهای تربیتی دیگر ترتیب داده خواهد شد. مبلغین و مشوقین نیز به منازل احبای آن منطقه خواهند رفت و ضمن تشویق آنان به دوستان غیربها ئیان ابلاغ کلمه مینمایند.

جناب نوید حقیقی که سرپرستی برنامه جوانان را بعهده دارند در جستجوی جوانان بهائی هستند که بتوانند در برنامه‌های ورزشی شرکت کنند و ضمناً در تزئید معلومات جوانان محلی بکوشند. مربیان کلاسهای اطفال نیز مورد نیازند، همچنین کسانی که بتوانند وسیله نقلیه در اختیار مجریان طرح قرار دهند. دارالتعلیم جنوب غربی به یک نفر پرستار یا بهیار نیز احتیاج دارد. بعلاوه آن عده از یاران که شخصاً فرصت شرکت در این برنامه تبلیغی را ندارند میتوانند با ارسال تبرعات نقدی به موفقیت طرح کمک کنند.

برای کسب اطلاع بیشتر و ثبت نام بایستی نام و نشانی و شماره تلفن و سن را به خانم برندا کان در آدرس ذیل اطلاع داد.

Brenda Kahn Box 77 Houk, Arizona 86506

ضمناً در کلیه مناطق زندگی سرخپوستان بوجود مهاجرین ایرانی نیاز است. تجربه رسیده است که موفقیت احبای ایرانی در تبلیغ مردم بومی امریکا بیش از دیگران است. برای آشنا شدن با امکانات موجود ممکن است با خانم و آقای کان در آدرس فوق و یا بوسیله تلفن شماره ۴۵۳۱-۸۷۱-(۶۰۲) تماس گرفت.

هفتاد و پنجمین کانونشن ملی

هفتاد و پنجمین انجمن شور روحانی ملی از ۲۶ الی ۲۹ آوریل ۱۹۸۴ در ‎مهما سرای مهمانسرای‎ مک‌کورمیک در شیکاگو تشکیل شد و جلسات انجمن با حضور حضرات ایادی عزیز امرالله جناب ذکرالله خادم و جناب ویلیام سیرز جلوه خاصی حاصل نمود و شرکت کنندگان از بیانات آن دو وجود نورانی محظوظ و مستفیض گشتند.

جمعاً حدود ۱۲۰۰ نفر از احباء از ۴۷ ایالت مختلف و ۹ کشور خارجی در کانونشن حضور یافته بودند از جمله دو نفر از اعضاء هیئت مشاورین قاره‌ای و عده‌ای از اعضاء هیئت معاونت. از جمع ۱۷۱ نفر نمایندگان ۱۵۱ نفر در کانونشن حاضر بودند و صبح شنبه ۲۸ آوریل در سالن تحتانی مشرق الاذکار برای انتخاب محفل روحانی ملی جدید مجتمع شدند – ۲۰ نفر نماینده که موفق به حضور در کانونشن نشده بودند نیز آراء خود را بوسیله پست ارسال داشته بودند. اعضاء محفل روحانی ملی در سال تشکیلاتی ۸۵-۱۹۸۴ بترتیب اکثریت آراء عبارتند از:

امه‌الله دکتر دوروتی نلسن (امین صندوق)، جناب دکتر فیروز کاظم‌زاده (نایب رئیس)، جناب جیمز نلسن (رئیس)، امه‌الله سو فاستر، جناب چستر کان، امه‌الله دکتر آلبرتا دیز، امه‌الله دکتر ویلما بریدی، جناب دکتر رابرت هندرسن (منشی)، و جناب دکتر دوایت الن.

شنبه شب جلسه خاصی بجهت احبای فارسی زبان ترتیب داده شده بود که قسمتهای اصلی برنامه آن عبارت بود از بیانات جناب دکتر فیروز کاظم‌زاده منشی محترم محفل روحانی ملی و برنامه سمعی و بصری بیاد شهدای عزیز ایران که مورد توجه حاضرین واقع شد. ضمناً در غرفه‌های مؤسسه مطبوعات امری و لجنه ملی امور احبای ایرانی قریب به ۴۰ نوع کتاب و جزوه امری بزبانهای فارسی و عربی بمعرض فروش گذاشته شده بود و مورد استقبال احبای ایرانی قرار گرفت. [Page 21]

داستان شهادتان

... بسیار عزیزم الله‌ابهی

امیدوارم خوب و خوش و موفق باشی. صبح با هات تلفنی صحبت کردم و اینقدر هیجان زده شدم که سرم درد گرفت بهر حال فکرم را متمرکز کردم و هرچه بنظرم می‌آید می‌نویسم. داستان شیراز حدود دو هفته قبل از شهادتها به زندان رفته و برای اتمام حجت با زندانیان دستور داده که چهار جلسه کلاس ارشاد ترتیب دهند و بعد از پایان چهار جلسه اگر کسی توبه کرد آزاد می‌شود و در غیر این صورت حکم اعدام اجرا خواهد شد. از بند زنان، خانم اشراقی، زرین مقیمی و از بند آقایان آقای اشراقی اولین نفرات بوده‌اند تا آنجا که خبر داریم آنها را خواسته‌اند و ازشون پرسیده‌اند آیا بهائی هستید یا نه؟ همه اعتراف کرده‌اند که بهائی هستند و خواهند ماند. و بعد از این چهار دفعه اقرار بعد از کمتر از یک هفته حکم اجرا شد. خانم ... که آن زمان در زندان بوده‌اند تعریف کرده‌اند که وقتی خانم اشراقی و زرین را سه دفعه به این به اصطلاح کلاس ارشاد برده‌اند همه منتظر بودند که بعد از جلسه چهارم حکم اجرا شود وقتی برای بار چهارم آنها را صدا زدند همه با هم خداحافظی می‌کردند، یکدیگر را بغل کرده می‌بوسیدند و طلب شفاعت می‌کردند و می‌خندیدند سایر زندانیها اشک می‌ریختند و با تحسین با آنان وداع می‌کردند. رویا کوهه‌ای ایستاده بوده و آرام لبخند می‌زده و اشک می‌ریخته. وقتی آنها را برای بار چهارم به کلاس می‌برند بعد از امضاء اعتراف به تمسک به دیانت بهائی از جا برمی‌خیزند و به رئیس زندان می‌گویند ما آماده‌ایم کجا برویم؟ با تعجب می‌پرسند برای چه؟ خانم اشراقی و زرین می‌گویند برای اجرای حکم ما تصمیم خود را گرفته‌ایم. مسؤولین بهت‌زده از این همه شجاعت می‌گویند نه حالا برگردید بعداً خبرتان می‌کنیم و وقتی برخلاف نظر همه و در مقابل تعجب همه، آنان به سلول باز می‌گردند خانم اشراقی و زرین با حسرت می‌گویند چرا حکم را اجرا نکردند ما که یک قدم بیشتر فاصله نداشتیم. بعد از خانم اشراقی و زرین بقیه را هم به ترتیب می‌برند بجز دو سه نفر و در بند آقایان فقط این شش نفر و سهیل هوشمند که بعد از آنها به شهادت رسید به کلاس رفته و گویا دیده‌اند که هیچ فایده ندارد و احیای عزیز راه خود را انتخاب کرده‌اند. در بند آقایان هم وضع کمی مشابه بوده است. بهرام یلدائی که با آقای اشراقی به شهادت رسید با قدرت تمام در ورقه ارشادی نوشته تمسک خود را به دیانت مقدس جهانی بهائی ۴ بار اعلام می‌دارم. به به به این شهامت و رشادت. بهرام فوق لیسانس اقتصاد داشت جوانی بود بی‌نهایت فعال و کسی که کمتر وقتش را تلف می‌کرد و در صرف و نحو عربی بسیار مهارت داشت و در شیراز کلاسهای فراوان را اداره میکرد. عاشق خدمت بود و آنچه که بسیار مدنظر همه است همان معلومات و اطلاعات بسیارش است. مادر بهرام با خانم اشراقی و دیگران به شهادت رسید و مادری نمونه و بسیار مهماندوست بود خانه‌شان امید همه. خانم یلدائی عضو محفل شیراز بود. اگرچه از لحاظ جسمی بسیار در ضعف بود و بیماریهای مختلف زجرش می‌داد ولی روح فعالش را از حرکت باز نمیداشت. غمخوار همه بود و اگر غم همه بیش از خود رنج میبرد. در طی دوران سجن شکنجه‌های فراوان را با این تن رنجور تحمل کرد و در ‎اذای ازای‎ این همه رنج و مشقت که در زندگی تحمل نمود و سپاس موفقیتش در تربیت فرزندانی چنین شایسته آنهم با وضع مالی نه چندان خوب بود که خداوند لیاقت چنین فصلی را دراو دید. فرزندان دیگرشان همه (بجز بهرام) در گوشه و کنار جهان در ظل امر، موفق و مفتخرند.

... بعد از شهادتها (حدود ۲، ۳ ماه بعد) برای صورت برداری اموال شهدا آمدند و در همان موقع خانه‌ها و اثاثی که در آن بود مصادره گردید و مستأجرها را هم بیرون کردند... هرچه اقدام کردیم موفق به پس گرفتن خانه‌ها نشدیم ‎پیشنهداد پیشنهاد‎ کردند که یا شهری کنیم و از همه امکانات استفاده نمائیم و یا اطاقی در جائی با مستمری بما تعلق بگیرد تا زمانی که شوهر کنیم ... دعا کنید که شوهرهای خوب و پولداری زود نصیبمان شود. فعلاً هم از طرف خودشان کسانی در خانه‌ها ساکن هستند.

دکتر بهرام افنان متخصص قلب و عروق و در رشته کارهای هنری شاعر، نقاش و موسیقیدان و در عشق شیدائی، دکتر افنان عضو محفل روحانی شیراز بودند شهادت آن چنان صدائی در شیراز مخصوصاً بلند نمود که حد نداشت همه مریضهای دکتر تأسف می‌خوردند که چرا نباید از این وجود نازنین که هدفی جز خدمت ندارد استفاده نمود. ایشان ۴۸ سال سن داشتند. و بعد از ده سال ازدواج سه فرزند (دو پسر و یک دختر) دارند. پسر بزرگشان کلاس سوم دبستان است بارها از دست مدیر بخاطر عدم شرکت در نماز جماعت کتک خورده ولی میگوید پدرم بخاطر حضرت بهاءالله شهید شد من چرا نماز احتیاط باشم. دختر کوچکش دو سه ساله‌ است و میگوید بابا رفته پیش خدا ولی گاهی بی تابی میکند. ایشان حتی در زندان و در بین کادر آنجا و زندانیان محبوبیت فوق‌العاده داشته‌اند و اغلب مریضهایی را که سایرین نمیتوانستند معالجه کنند نزد ایشان می‌آوردند. ایشان همان کسی است که طناب دار را بوسه زد و بر گردن خودش آویخت.

جناب آزادی ۶۴ سال سن داشتند اصلا در خورموج کازرون بدنیا آمدند در دامپزشکی مهارت داشتند و همه به ایشان دکتر میگفتند تمام مدت عمر زحمت و مرارت کشیدند تا فرزندانی همه تحصیل کرده، فعال و مؤمن تربیت نمایند با سختی بسیار و مشکلات مادی فراوان. فرزندانشان هر کدام در گوشه‌ای از دنیا به خدماتی فائق موفقند. ‎تنه تنها‎ کسانی که با ایشان دوستی نزدیک دارند میتوانند عظمت وجود این مرد را حس کنند که با چه مشکلاتی توانستند چنین فرزندانی تربیت نمایند و تحویل جامعه بشری دهند. فرزندانی که مانند پدر عاشق خدمت به عالم انسانی هستند. جناب آزادی در اکبرآباد در دهی حدود ۱۰ کیلومتری شیراز مهاجر و عضو فعال آنجا بودند گناه خدمتگزار عالم انسانی این بود.

شهید کورش حق بین ایشان در ‎سربل دهاب سرپل ذهاب‎ زندگی میکردند بعد از شروع جنگ به شیراز آمده و در مرودشت نزدیک شیراز ساکن شدند بسیار فعال و مهربان بودند. بعد از ایشان تعمیرگاهی داشته و مشغول بودند از ایشان علاوه بر همسر شجاعش یک دختر ۷ ساله و یک پسر ۳ ساله باقی مانده که سرمشق همه هستند. تصور میکنم کورش عضو محفل مرودشت بود و اتهامش همین بود.

جمشید سیاوشی که خانمش طاهره ارجمندی هم با خانم اشراقی به شهادت رسید اصلاً یزدی بودند عضو فعال محفل روحانی شیراز و عاشق خدمت. تمام جنگ‌زده‌ها می‌دانند که ایشان شب و روز برای راحتی آنها و تأمین زندگیشان چقدر تلاش می‌نمودند طاهره خانمش در بیمارستان و پاک‌سازی شده در حالی که چقدر در این موقعیت جنگ میتوانست سودمند باشد. این زوج خوشبخت فرزندی نداشتند ولی عشقشان و شهادتشان فرزندان عالم را تربیت نمود روح سرشار از عشق و فداکاری این زوج همه جا الگوی همه است و واقعاً که فرشته‌ها در دنیای خاکی ما تاب ماندن ندارند.

از فرشته‌های ملکوت چه بگویم یکی از یکی برگزیده‌تر زرین مقیمی متولد ۱۳۳۲ شاگرد اول دانشگاه ملی در رشته زبان. دو سال از طرف دانشگاه بورس تحصیلی بهش تعلق گرفت ولی بخاطر وضع خانواده و خدمت به ایران آنها را قبول نکرد. طبع روان و قلم شیوایش زبانزد خاص و عام است حتی اشعاری بسیار زیبا به انگلیسی دارد. زرین عاشق خدمت بود، آنقدر مهربان و دوست داشتنی بود با قلبی لطیف و حساس، وضع مالی چندان خوبی نداشتند. زیبائی کلامش و نحوه پاسخ‌گوئیش به سئوالات به نحوی بوده که حتی با زجر بیش یک بار به زرین گفته شما بی‌نهایت معلومات دارید.

مهشید نیرومند لیسانس فیزیک، عضو لجنه جوانان. همه می‌گویند اگر به مهشید فرصت می‌دادند با این هوش سرشار میتوانست بهترین دانشمند فیزیک شود ولی حتی مدرکش را هم بخاطر عقیده به او ندادند اخراج شد و با وجود این همیشه قوی و شجاع و لبخند بر لب بود بجای پروردن چنین مغزهائی حاضر شدند به زندگانی سراسر محبت و خدمتش پایان دهند.

شیرین دالوند لیسانس جمعیت شناسی. شیرین تنها عضو خانواده‌اش بود که در ایران مانده بود بخاطر ادامه تحصیل و بعد از دانشگاه اخراج شده بخاطر بهائی بودن حق خارج شدن از کشور هم نداشت. او با مادر بزرگش زندگی میکرد. مهربان و دوست داشتنی بود قلبش برای محبت به همه جا داشت. همیشه میخندید و شوخی میکرد. در تمامی مدت زندان مادر بزرگش را دلداری می‌داد. گوئی اصلاً غمی وجود ندارد.

اختر ثابت مظهر مظلومیت. اختر پرستار بود ولی بخاطر عقیده اخراج شد. شاید اگر ساعتها کنارش می‌نشستی جز صداقت و سکوت چیزی نمی‌شنیدی. خانواده‌اش هم که چنین فرزند شایسته‌ای تربیت نموده‌اند از همان سکوت و مظلومیت اختر بهره‌مندند. [Page 22]...بالغ می‌شود. پنج محفل روحانی ملی دیگر نیز در رضوان ۱۹۸۵ تأسیس خواهد شد. این محافل عبارت خواهند بود از محافل روحانی ملی در سیسکای و مالی و موزامبیک در آفریقا، و جزائر کوک و جزائر کارولین غربی در اقیانوسیه. باین ترتیب نقشه هفت‌ساله با وجود حداقل ۱۴۸ محفل روحانی ملی خاتمه خواهد یافت و تا آن زمان باید طرح تکمیل قوس محیط بر حدائق و مقامات واقعه در جبل کرمل مشتمل بر تعیین محل و تهیه نقشه‌های لازم برای ساختمانهای باقیمانده که باید در اطراف قوس مزبور مرتفع گردد آماده و تصویب شود.

شک و تردید نیست که از این ببعد تقدم و پیشرفت امر الهی متضمن ارتباط روزافزون با سازمان‌ها و مؤسسات و فعالیت‌ها و افراد پیشوایان در جامعه خارج است. جامعه بهائی در سازمان ملل متحد شخصیت بیشتری خواهد یافت و در مذاکرات دول بیش از پیش شناخته خواهد شد و در وسائل خبری قیافه آشناتری خواهد داشت و علماء و دانشمندان بدان علاقه و رغبت بیشتری نشان خواهند داد و قطعاً مورد بغض و حسد مؤسسات روبزوال واقع خواهد شد. برای آمادگی و مقابله با این وضع باید مستمراً به تربیت معلومات و معارف امریه و تمسک تام باصول عدم مداخله در امور سیاسیه و ترک تعصبات جاهلیه و بالاتر از همه به ازدیاد درک و فهم حقایق اصلیه امر و تناسب و ارتباطشان با دنیای جدید قیام کنیم.

همراه با این پیام رضوان، پیامی برای دعوت ۲۹۸ نفر مهاجر بین‌المللی برای استقرار در ۷۹ کشور و نیز پیامهای اختصاصی خطاب به هر یک از ۱۴۳ جامعه ملی موجود در عالم بهائی ارسال می‌شود. این پیام‌ها حاصل مطالعات عمیق و مشورت بیت‌العدل اعظم و دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی است و در آنها اهداف و مقاصدی که باید هر یک از جوامع ملی بهائی تعقیب کنند و تحقق بخشند تعیین و مشخص شده است تا رضوان ۱۹۸۶ شاهد اکمال این نقشه جلیل با فتح و ظفر کامل باشد. این نقشه در دورانی که اغتشاشات بین‌المللی با علی درجه رسیده است بمرحله اجرا در می‌آید و قوه حیات‌بخش و تقدم غیرقابل مقاومت و خلاقیت نیروی اجتماعی امر اللهی را اثبات خواهد نمود و در مقایسه با انحطاط روزافزون مقدرات عامه بشریت جلوه‌ای بدیع خواهد داشت.

یاران محبوب، عنایات و عون و حمایت جمال اقدس ابهی در حفظ و پرورش هیکل جدیدالولاده نظم بدیع در این دوران پرتلاطم تغییر و تحول و امتحان و افتتان بما اطمینان کامل می‌بخشد که هر آینه اگر در سبیل هدایتش سالک گردیم شاهد فتح و ظفر نهایی خواهیم شد و اقدامات ناقابل ما را با بذل الطاف ‎لانیهایش لایتناهایش‎ چنان پاداش خواهد بخشید که نه تنها موجب تقدم و پیشرفت امر الهی میشود بلکه سبب اطمینان و تسریر قلوب ما می‌گردد تا بتوانیم با وجوهی نورانی و بشاش به دیگران بنگریم و یقین داشته باشیم که از خدمات کنونی ما آینده‌ای برسعادتی بوجود خواهد آمد که نسل‌های آینده بارث خواهند برد و جلال و جبروت حضرت بهاءالله "امیر صلح" و "منجی امم" را خواهند ستود.

با تحیات ابدع ابهی بیت‌العدل اعظم

(۱) سطور از برنامه ترویج تبلیغ است که هر محفل روحانی نقاطی را در اطراف حوزه آن محفل برای خدمات تبلیغی و تأسیس محافل روحانی تعیین و با کمک اعضای آن جامعه فتح نماید. (مترجم)

رسیدگی سوکمیسیون حقوق بشر کنگره آمریکا به وضع بهائیان ایران

نمایندگان جامعه بهائی در جلسه سوکمیسیون حقوق بشر کنگره آمریکا

سوکمیسیون حقوق بشر و سازمانهای بین‌المللی کمیسیون امور خارجه کنگره ایالات متحده طی جلسه خاصی روز ۲۲ مه ۱۹۸۲ برای بار دوم به وضع بهائیان ایران رسیدگی کرد. این جلسه در تعقیب جلسه‌ای که دو سال قبل توسط همین سوکمیسیون تشکیل شده بود و برای پی‌گیری و کسب اطلاع از تحولات اخیر در وضع بهائیان ایران انعقاد یافت و در طی آن جناب جیمز نلسن رئیس محفل روحانی ملی، امة‌الله دکتر ویلما بریدی نایب رئیس محفل روحانی ملی، و جناب سعید اشراقی که والدین و همشیره ۲۲ ساله ایشان سال گذشته در شیراز بجرم بهائی بودن بدار آویخته شده بودند از جانب جامعه بهائی گزارشاتی ارائه نمودند. بعلاوه آقای الیوت ایبرامز معاون وزارت امور خارجه ایالات متحده در امور مربوط به حقوق بشر و همچنین آقای جان پرتر عضو کنگره از ایالت ایلینوی اطلاعاتی درباره صدمات وارده بر احبای ایران و تضییقاتی که جامعه بهائی در آن سرزمین تحمل نموده و مینماید در اختیار اعضای سوکمیسیون قرار دادند.

عده کثیری تماشاچی و نمایندگان رسانه‌های گروهی در جلسه سوکمیسیون حاضر بودند و ۵ نفر از ده نفر اعضاء سوکمیسیون موفق به حضور در جلسه شدند. گزارشاتی که تقدیم سوکمیسیون شد بالاخص شرح شهادت اعضاء خانواده اشراقی که با بیانی بسیار بی‌تکلف و ساده توسط جناب سعید اشراقی بیان گردید حاضرین و نماینده دولت و اعضاء کنگره را بشدت تحت تأثیر قرار داد. بنحوی که تا چند لحظه سکوت کامل بر تالار جلسه حکمفرما شد و حضار را از شدت تأثر یارای تکلم نبود.

نکته‌ای که بیش از هر چیز احبای حاضر در جلسه را مسرور و مشعوف نمود و عظمت امرالله را بوضوح مشاهده نمودند آشنائی کامل نماینده دولت و اعضاء کنگره به اصول عقاید و تعالیم دیانت مقدس بهائی بود. هر یک بنوبه خود ضمن محکوم کردن رفتار غیرانسانی که از جانب مسؤولین امور در ایران نسبت به احباء معمول می‌گردد اظهار تأسف می‌نمودند که چنین ظلم و اعتسافی را نسبت به مردمی چنین سلیم‌النفس و خیرخواه عموم و خادم بشریت که هدف و مقصدی بجز وحدت عالم انسانی و رفاه و آسایش اعضاء جامعه بشری ندارند روا می‌دارند. استماع چنین اظهاراتی از طرف عالیترین مقامات هیئت مقننه و دولت آمریکا باعث افتخار و مباهات یاران حاضر در جلسه بود و ارزش حقیقی جانبازیهای خواهران و برادران ثابت‌قدم و شجیع مهد امرالله را آشکار می‌نمود.

گذشته از تأیید و پشتیبانی از قطعنامه مشترکی که از طرف جمع کثیری از اعضاء کنگره و سنای آمریکا تهیه شده اعضاء سوکمیسیون و معاون وزارت امور خارجه پیشنهاد تشکیل کنفرانسی بین‌المللی را برای رسیدگی به وضع بهائیان ایران مطرح نمودند و اظهار امیدواری کردند که این فکر ‎فرا موش فراموش‎ نشود. قطعنامه مشترک کنگره و سنا دارای سه هدف اصلی است:

۱- مسؤول شناختن دولت ایران برای حفظ حقوق جمیع ملت ایران من‌جمله بهائیان

۲- محکوم کردن رأی دادستان کل انقلاب ایران مبنی بر غیرقانونی شناختن تشکیلات بهائی

۳- دعوت از رئیس جمهوری ایالات متحده به کوشش و همکاری با رؤسا و رهبران سایر دول در چارچوب سازمان ملل متحد و تشکیلات جهانی دیگر برای مراجعه به دولت ایران در دفاع از بهائیان آن کشور

پس از خاتمه جلسه سوکمیسیون مخبرین جراید و رادیو و تلویزیون‌ها با اعضاء محفل روحانی ملی و آقای سعید اشراقی مصاحبه نمودند و متن این مصاحبه‌ها نه تنها در جراید و رسانه‌های محلی و ملی منتشر شد بلکه صدای آمریکا گزارش جلسه را بزبانهای مختلف من‌جمله فارسی و روسی به سراسر عالم مخابره نمود.

حقوق الله
نشانی معاونین محترم امین حقوق الله	Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA 90402	Mr. Moussa Mostaghim P. O. Box 296 Ephrata, PA 17522

[Page 23]

پیام بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی

ترجمه پیام رضوان ۱۹۸۴ بیت‌العدل اعظم به قاطبه یاران در سراسر جهان

یاران عزیز و محبوب

جامعه جهانی بهائی تحت تأثیر تحولاتی در داخل و خارج قرار گرفته که با انقضاء مرحله مجهولیت که از مختصات برجسته امر الهی در پنج سال اول نقشه هفت‌ساله محسوبست ملازمند. در جامعه خارج آثار و علائم ظهور و بروز ‎تموز تموّج‎ مشعشعی از امر در اذهان عمومی نمایانست که گرچه مبتنی بر اطلاعات لازمه نیست حالتی دوستانه دارد. در داخل جامعه نیز ازدیاد لیاقت و توانائی تشکیلاتی و اداری و ذوق و شوق جوامع بهائی به ادامه خدمات عمومی و درک و فهم عمیق‌تری از ارتباط و تناسب پیام الهی با مسائل روز جملگی حاکی از رشد و تکاملی تدریجی و حصول مراتب ایقان و اطمینان است. حال که سومین مرحله یعنی مرحله نهائی نقشه هفت‌ساله آغاز می‌شود باید باین دو جنبه توجه مخصوص مبذول گردد.

سالی که هم‌اکنون بپایان میرسد تحت‌الشعاع اضطهادات و تضییقات وارده بر احبای ایران بوده‌است. یاران ایران را به انحلال تشکیلات امری وادار کرده، به عذاب و ستوه آورده، از هستی ساقط و از ادامه مشاغل و کار ممنوع و از استخدام محروم، و دربدر و بی خانمان نموده و اطفالشان را از ادامه تحصیل ممنوع ساخته‌اند. در حال حاضر بالغ بر ششصد نفر از رجال و نساء و کودکان بهائی زندانی هستند. برخی از این مسجونین بالمره از هر نوع ارتباطی با اقوام و دوستانشان ممنوعند، و بعضی تحت شکنجه و آزار قرار گرفته‌اند، و همگی تحت فشارند تا از ایمان و عقیده خود تبری جویند. استقامت بی باک و سرمشق‌آمیز این یاران قهرمان سبب عمده خروج امر حضرت یزدان از مرحله مجهولیت بوده‌است. سبب اصلی خروج امر حضرت یزدان از مرحله مجهولیت استقامت و ثبات سرمشق‌آمیز و قهرمانی یاران ایران بوده‌است و پیشرفتهای بی سابقه‌ای که بر اثر مصیبات وارده بر آنان در تبلیغ امرالله و ابلاغ و اعلان پیام الهی به دنیائی که بشدت نیازمند نیروی شفابخش آنست حاصل شده مایه تسلای قلوب محترقه آن یاران ممتحن است. باین خاطرات که آن عزیزان به اعلی درجه خدمت که نثار جان در ره جانان است قیام کرده‌اند. وظیفه ما کاملاً روشن است. در چنین شرائط و احوالی نمیتوانیم آن یاران عزیز را ‎نامید ناامید‎ سازیم. در پی هر فرصتی که در اثر اضطهادات و تضییقات وارده بر یاران ایران برای اعلان امر حضرت رحمن فراهم می‌شود باید با فداکاری به بذل مساعی تبلیغی پرداخت باشد که این قیام و اقدام حامل پیام عشق و محبت و یگانگی روحانی ما به آن عزیزان گردد.

در عرصه مجاهدات بین‌المللی حضرات ایادی عزیز امرالله بیش از پیش مایه جلب محبت و تحسین یاران بوده‌اند و تا حدودی که صحّتشان اجازه میداده‌است سبب هدایت و تشویق آنان و ترویج وحدت و یگانگی در جامعه و موجب پیشرفت و تقدم این سپاه حیات گشته‌اند. دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی که در مقر جهانی‌اش بخدمت اشتغال دارد هیئت‌های مشاورین قاره‌ای را با حکمت و محبت هدایت و ارشاد کرده است. نطاق خدمات این عصبه جلیله، در اثر تفویض مسؤولیت‌های جدید و ازدیاد عدد مشاورین عضو آن هیئت به هفت نفر وسعتی فوق‌العاده یافته است. خدمات خالصانه لایقه اعضای هیئت معاونت، در تقویت صحت روحانی و وحدت اصلیه جامعه جهانی بهائی بسیار ذیقیمت بوده است. بمنظور تکامل بیشتر این جناح مهم نظم اداری مقرر شده است که از ۲۶ نوامبر ۱۹۸۶ به بعد دوره خدمت اعضاء هیئت معاونت پنجسال تعیین شود. اقدامات جامعه بین‌المللی بهائی در حفظ ارتباط با سازمان ملل متحد موجب تقدیر و تحسین روزافزون اصول و مبادی اجتماعی این امر نازنین گشته و در بعضی موارد علی الخصوص در جلسات مربوط به حقوق بشر مشارکت و مدافعات احبا تماشائی و اعجاب‌انگیز بوده است و این نیز حاصل دلاوری و استقامت یاران عزیز ایران است. دفتر جامعه بین‌المللی بهائی در ژنو با افزایش تعداد کارکنان تقویت شده تا برای خدمات ‎دامنةالتزایدش دامنه‌التزایدش‎ مهیا گردد. ساختمان مشارق اذکار در هند و ساموآ علیرغم مشکلات شدیده پیشرفتی رضایت بخش داشته است و مشرق الاذکار ساموآ طی مراسم مخصوصی که از ۳۰ آگست تا ۳ سپتامبر ۱۹۸۴ برگزار می‌شود و حضرت ایادی امرالله امةالبها روحیه خانم ‎بنمایندگی به نمایندگی‎ بیت العدل اعظم در مراسم مزبور شرکت خواهند نمود رسماً برای عموم افتتاح خواهد شد. بلافاصله بعد از کانونیشن بین‌المللی در رضوان گذشته دو محفل روحانی ملی جدید در سنت‌لوشیا و دومینیکا تأسیس گردید. در سال جاری دو فرستنده جدید رادیوئی بهائی آغاز بکار میکنند که عبارتند از رادیوی بهائی بولیویا در کاراکولو و فرستنده WLGI رادیوی بهائی مؤسسه لوئیس گرگوری در ممالک متحدهٔ امریکای شمالی. در یازده کشور که همگی از ممالک جهان سوم هستند و از آن میان ۹ کشور را جوامع جزیره‌نشین تشکیل میدهند تعداد احباء به معادل یا متجاوز از یک در صد جمعیت کل کشور بالغ شده است.

در شهور نهائی دومین مرحلهٔ نقشهٔ هفت‌ساله چه احبای الهی و چه مؤسسات امری به تقاضای مربوط به احتیاج به ازدیاد تبرعات به صندوق بین‌المللی کریمانه پاسخ گفتند. یقین است که استمرار تبرعات مرتب در طی مرحله نهائی نقشه موجب تحقق یافتن کامل اهداف و مقاصد نقشه خواهد گردید. ورود امر الهی در صحنه بین‌المللی از اظهار نظرهائی که درباره آن بیانشان را "اعضاء نمونه جامعه شریف"، "مطیع قانون"، "بی‌تقصیر و بیگناه در مقابل جنحه و جنایت سیاسی" توصیف کرده‌اند واضح و آشکار میشود، اظهاراتی که اگرچه عالی است اما از لحاظ معرفی واقعیت امر و اهداف و مقاصدش ابداً کافی نیست. با وجود این مردم مایلند مطالب مربوط به امر را استماع کنند و این فرصت را باید مغتنم شمرد. پیوسته باید بر مساعی و مجهودات افزود تا پیشوایان جهان، در جمیع شئون و شقوق، با حقیقت واقعی امر حضرت بهاءالله بعنوان تنها امید برای استقرار صلح و یگانگی در جهان آشنا شوند. همزمان با این برنامه باید تبلیغ امرالله بدون وقفه و با شدت تمام ادامه یابد تا معلوم شود که جامعه بهائی جامعه‌ای است در حال رشد و توسعه، و با عمل باحکام و حدود مربوط به حیات بهائی جامعیت راهی که امر بهائی برای زندگانی ارائه میدهد اثبات شود و سایرین بمشارکت در آن علاقه مند گردند. در اثر جمیع این اقدامات تدریجی و مستمراً تصوری که در اذهان عمومی از امر بهائی وجود دارد به حقیقت واقع نزدیک‌تر خواهد شد.

ظهور و بروز شور و اشتیاق در سراسر عالم بهائی برای یافتن امکانات جدید جهت توسعه و عمران اجتماعی و اقتصادی سبب دلگرمی و موجب تعالی آمال و نیات اهل بهاست. این نیرو و اشتیاق در داخل جامعه بهائی، اگر با دقت و حکمت هدایت شود، بدون تردید عصر جدیدی را در توسعه و تحکیم جوامع بهائی مفتوح خواهد ساخت و بنوبه خود سبب عطف توجه وسیعتر و بیشتری بامر خواهد گردید و بالنتیجه هر دو جنبه تحولاتی که در ابتدای این پیام اشاره شد که در جامعه جهانی بهائی در جریان است ممد و موید یکگر خواهند شد. در این هدایت دقیق و حکیمانه عامل اصلی حصول نصرت و موفقیت در نقشه هفت ساله و بذل توجه به تقویت و تحکیم محافل روحانیة محلیه است. سعی بلیغ و مجاهدات شدید لازم تا این محافل روحانیه محلیه به وظائف اصلیه خود آشنا و عامل شوند. این وظایف اصلیه عبارتند از تشکیل یافتن مرتب جلسات محفل، انعقاد جلسات ضیافات نوزده روزه و ترتیب دادن جشنها در اعیاد و محافل در ایام محرمه امری، تشکیل دادن کلاسهای درس اخلاق برای اطفال، تشویق احبا به ترتیب دادن جلسات دعا و مناجات در خانواده، اقدام به تعهد و اجرای برنامه‌های ترویج تبلیغ (۱)، اداره امور صندوق محلی، و تشویق و ترغیب مستمر یاران و هدایت جوامع بهائی به خدمات و اقدامات امری. در حال حاضر تساوی حقوق رجال و نساء در همه موارد و در همه جا مراعات نمیشود. در مناطقی که سن و آداب معمول در جامعه موجب عدم تساوی است و مانع از مراعات این اصل میشود احبا باید در اجرای این اصل پیشقدم گردند. زنان و دختران بهائی باید تشویق و ترغیب شوند که در فعالیت‌های روحانی و اجتماعی و اداری جامعه مشارکت جویند. جوانان بهائی که در حال حاضر نیز بخدماتی خالصانه و سرمشق‌آمیز در صف مقدم سپاه حیات و جنود جنات قائمند باید تشویق شوند که در ضمن اینکه به تجهیز خود برای خدمات آینده اشتغال دارند به طرح و اجرای نقشه‌های تبلیغی مخصوصی در بین اقران و همسالان خود اقدام کنند.

حال که مرحله دو سال نهائی نقشه هفت‌ساله آغاز میشود بسیار مسرور و مشعوفیم که نه محفل روحانی ملی جدید به تعداد محافل ملیه افزوده میگردد. سه محفل ملی در افریقا، سه محفل ملی در قارات امریکا، دو محفل ملی در آسیا و یک محفل ملی در اروپا و بالنتیجه تعداد محافل ملی به ۱۴۳ محفل [Page 24]

Year in review

Continued From Page 17

nity, and the observance in 1985 of the United Nations International Year of Youth.

During its stay in Mexico City, the U.S. National Assembly also holds its own separate meeting.

• The National Teaching Committee reports that the number of enrollments in the U.S. has taken a dramatic upswing since January with signs of increased teaching activities throughout the country as Riḍván approaches.

Robert Wilson, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, reports that the number of jeopardized Assemblies has declined from a high of 177 in January to 140.

Much of the decrease, he says, can be attributed to the 21 home-front pioneers who have recently arisen to help save an Assembly or bring a Group to Assembly status.

• The National Teaching Committee and National Youth Committee call for 19 teaching campaigns to be carried out in the U.S. during the final two-year phase of the Seven Year Plan.

Some sites for the campaigns already have been identified and are to be announced in April at the 75th Bahá’í National Convention.

• Responding to a request from the Universal House of Justice, the International Audio-Visual Centre invites 50 Bahá’ís from throughout the Americas to a three-day conference in Florida to discuss the needs, opportunities and resources in the audio-visual media field.

Speakers include Counsellors Lauretta King, Shapoor Monadjem, Ruth Pringle and Donald Witzel, and Dr. Glen Eyford, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.

Also attending are representatives of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, the Bahá’í Distribution Service of Canada, and privately owned distribution centers.

• One hundred forty-five Bahá’ís from 10 countries and territories attend the Bahá’í International Health Agency’s third conference on Health in Daytona Beach, Florida.

LAURETTA KING

MARCH

• On the evening of March 22, flashing aircraft warning lights on the 500-foot tower of WLGI Radio at the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute near Hemingway, South Carolina, light up the night sky for the first time as the station nears completion and its initial broadcast date sometime in May.

The new tower is an impressive sight that is visible for many miles around the Institute. A small building at the base of the tower will house WLGI’s 50,000-watt FM stereo transmitter.

The station’s general manager is Howard C. (Kip) Carter Jr., a native South Carolinian with more than 20 years of experience in broadcast management and engineering.

• A high school senior from Park Ridge, Illinois, Sasha Pisarski, is the 5,000,000th recorded visitor to the House of Worship in Wilmette.

She is greeted March 30 by James Mock, chairman of the House of Worship Activities Committee, and Bruce Whitmore, the committee secretary and manager of the House of Worship, who present her with a copy of Mr. Whitmore’s new book, The Dawning Place, which recounts the Temple’s history.

• About 1,000 Bahá’ís and their guests attend a Naw-Rúz celebration in Los Angeles that marks the official opening of that city’s new Bahá’í Center.

The building, a former bowling alley, was purchased in 1980 by the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles, and since then has been completely remodeled, chiefly through the efforts of architect Rouhollah Nikkesal and the generous support of the friends in the Los Angeles area and in many other states and even other countries.

When funds permit, the Center’s 1,000-seat auditorium will be completed.

APRIL

• In its Riḍván message to the Bahá’ís of the U.S., the Universal House of Justice commends the friends for the progress achieved during the first five years of the Seven Year Plan in the areas of teaching and proclamation, then calls for an increased rate of expansion during the final two-year phase of the Plan.

The Supreme Body lauds the American believers’ defense of the persecuted ‎Bahá’is Bahá’ís‎ in Iran, saying: “The Faith has never before witnessed such sympathetic attention from the media and from those in authority. The results have been truly spectacular, they are a source of pride and satisfaction to the entire Bahá’í world.”

On the other hand, the House of Justice notes “the sad lag in the rate of your enrollments,” and points out that “the progress of the Cause in your country undoubtedly depends upon such expansion.”

The Supreme Body asks the American friends to “give special attention to expanding the teaching work among the Native Americans with the intention of preparing the way for the eventual launching on one or two reservations, of pilot projects of social and economic development which, in addition to assisting those involved, may serve as models for other areas ...”

• In its message to the Bahá’ís of the world, the Universal House of Justice calls for “sacrificial action in teaching and promoting the Cause of God ...” which “... must follow every instance of publicity ...” resulting from the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.

The House urges “persistently greater and greater efforts” to acquaint the leaders of the world with the true nature of Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation while at the same time carrying on an “... unabated, vigorous pursuit of the teaching work ...”

BRUCE WHITMORE

The Supreme Body announces that the House of Worship in Samoa will be dedicated and opened to the public between August 30 and September 3, and rejoices in the addition of nine new National Spiritual Assemblies, bringing the worldwide total to 143 with five more to be established next Riḍván.

Finally, the House of Justice notes the Faith’s “ever-increasing relationship to the agencies, activities, institutions and leading individuals of the non-Bahá’í world,” and foresees the Faith’s greater stature at the United Nations as it becomes a familiar figure to the media, a subject of interest to academics, “... and inevitably the envy of failing establishments.”

• Twelve hundred people attend the historic 75th Bahá’í National Convention which is held April 26-29 at the McCormick Inn in Chicago.

Among the speakers are the Hands of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem and William Sears, and Counsellors Fred Schechter and Velma Sherrill.

A special program of classes for various age groups is provided for the 164 children present.

• For the final phase of the Seven Year Plan, the Universal House of Justice calls on the U.S. Bahá’í community to supply 82 new pioneers as a part of the overall goal of 298 pioneers that is assigned to 39 National Spiritual Assemblies.

The House of Justice reports that 450 pioneers have settled in goal areas throughout the world since its last general call for pioneers in November 1981.

• In an open letter to American Bahá’í youth, the National Youth Committee shares details of the National Youth Plan for the final two-year phase of the Seven Year Plan.

Among its general goals are calls for 300 youth projecteers to support regional youth teaching projects; 20 international youth pioneers; 40 homefront pioneers; and 19 youth to serve in year-long service and teaching programs in the U.S. and abroad.

• Fifty people attend a Youth Program Directors’ training session April 14-15 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School in Michigan.

Participants attend workshops designed to prepare them for service as youth program directors at the nearly 50 Bahá’í Summer Schools in the U.S.

Ernestine Taliaferro (right), chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Cleveland, Ohio, and Cecelia P. Smith (left), the Assembly’s recording secretary, present a copy of the book A Crown of Beauty by Eunice Braun and Hugh Chance to Regina Kuncitus, the librarian at Case Western Reserve University’s Freiberger Library. The presentation was made April 11 in memory of Lydia J. Martin, a Bahá’í who worked at the Freiberger Library for 17 years before her retirement in 1968. Miss Martin, the sister of Counsellor Sarah Martin Pereira, was a member in 1953 of the first Bahá’í Interracial Teaching Committee appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly. She died March 30, 1983.

New from Kalimát Press
THE WONDER LAMP
An enchanting fable inspired by a story originally told by Hand of the Cause Mr. A.Q. Faizi. Full color illustrations bring this simple fable of the renewal of religion to life for children of all ages. $12.95* Available in cloth only. Catalog No. 332-109
Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order (including 10% for postage and handling, minimum $1.50) to Bahá’í Publishing Trust 415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091 *Price valid only in the United States

[Page 25]

PUBLICATIONS

June 1984 25

THE BAHÁ’Í WRITINGS

The Advent of Divine Justice: Study it not once, but 1,000 times

The Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem surprised the delegates and visitors to the 1984 Bahá’í National Convention by holding up the only copy of The Advent of Divine Justice sent to Persia by Shoghi Effendi. Mr. Khadem’s admonition was short but pointed:

“FRIENDS,” he said, “I urge you to study this, The Advent of Divine Justice, not once, twice, but one thousand times.”

Mr. Khadem went on to say that in the first pages of The Advent of Divine Justice “Shoghi Effendi ... praises you, tells you how you are so dear to the Central Figures of the Faith and to him. He speaks of your station.”

Near the end of the book, Mr. Khadem noted, the Guardian “tells you everything that is happening now in the world, everything we hear and watch on television and radio: all the problems and chaos in the world, Shoghi Effendi has predicted.”

And what of the heart of the book? The new thematic table of contents, observed one veteran Bahá’í, finally enables one to find easily his favorite section or passage in the book.

For example, did you know that Shoghi Effendi’s magnificent letter has five parts: (1) an overview of the North American Bahá’í community—about which Mr. Khadem talked; (2) a call for the acquisition of virtues needed to equip Americans to fulfill their spiritual destiny; (3) a call for the carrying out of the material tasks upon which America’s destiny rests—translate that into Temple work and teaching; (4) assurances of North America’s ultimate success; and (5) the destiny of America.

The thematic table of contents and the new index are detailed enough to help you locate in a moment passages on prerequisites for successful teaching and pioneering, appeals to youth, and many more.

If you have 999 more times to read and study The Advent of Divine Justice, don’t you think it’s time you got started?

Available in:

Hardcover ● Catalog No. 108-045 ● $12.

Softcover ● Catalog No. 108-046 ● $6.50.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust has several new video tapes available for sale

A number of video tapes are now available from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, according to Larry Bucknell, the Trust’s general manager.

The tapes, available in 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch format, VHS only, include:

• Attracting the Heart (teaching reverence to children).
• Ohef Shalom Temple—Shabbat Service, featuring Rabbi Norman and Judge James F. Nelson.
• Louhelen Reconstruction documentary.
• Martha Root: Lioness at the Threshold, featuring M.R. Garis talking about her biography of the foremost Hand of the Cause.
• A Cry from the Heart, featuring the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears addressing the 1982 Bahá’í National Convention.
• The Gift, featuring the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears addressing the 1983 National Convention.
• $3.10 Book and Eduardo Duarte Viera, featuring the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears.

Each tape is $25, plus $1 for postage and handling. Mail orders, in the full amount, plus postage and handling, should be sent to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

Credit card orders are also accepted by phone (1-800-323-1880) and by mail; a VISA or MasterCard account number and expiration date must be included.

PUBLISHING TRUST’S TOP 25 ACCOUNTS

1. Louhelen Bahá’í School 2. Green Acre Bahá’í School 3. Los Angeles, CA 4. San Francisco, CA 5. Bosch Bahá’í School 6. New York City 7. Washington, D.C. 8. Clackamas County, OR 9. Riverside, CA 10. San Jose, CA 11. San Diego, CA 12. Amherst, MA 13. Dallas, TX 14. Seattle, WA 15. Oklahoma City, OK 16. Rapid City, SD 17. Peoria, IL 18. Kansas City, KS 19. Asheville, NC 20. Tucson, AZ 21. Sacramento, CA 22. Lincoln, NE 23. North San Diego, CA 24. Colorado Springs, CO 25. Lakewood, WA

NEWS ... from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Shoghi Effendi—new edition

The Advent of Divine Justice A new thematic table of contents and a new index (yes, and new page numbers) make more accessible than ever before Shoghi Effendi’s handbook that will ensure success in teaching and pioneering during the final phase of the Seven Year Plan. (HC, Cat. No. 108-045, $12) (SC, Cat. No. 108-046, $6.50)

New for adults

The Dawning Place Bruce W. Whitmore’s captivating account of the building of the Bahá’í House of Worship in North America and of the forging of the North American Bahá’í community. Amply illustrated with period photographs. Treat yourself and a friend to the story of your spiritual roots. (HC, Cat. No. 332-119, $20) (SC, Cat. No. 332-120, $12)

New for youth

Fly Away Home A haunting tale of mystery, danger, daring and fantasy that takes you from the dark crevasses of the soul (in the unruly hawks and crows) to spiritual triumph (in the plucky sparrow and ladybug). Written by Steven Bret Breneman; illustrated by Carol Joy. (SC, Cat. No. 353-021, $4.50)

New for children

Loving Hands Sixty minutes of new songs (17 in all) from the Heart Sisters (Susan Engle, Jean Marks). Side one features songs about Bahá’í life ranging from an ABC song to one about world peace. Side two contains devotional music (Hidden Words, prayers, lullabies) for quiet times. (CS, Cat. No. 832-028, $8)

Persian/English for children and youth

O God, My God ... A new Persian/English prayer book for children and youth. Each prayer is printed in English on the right-hand page; the Persian (with some Arabic) equivalent appears on the left-hand page. Contains attractive design and some new calligraphy by Mr. S. Monjazeb. (HC, Cat. No. 315-089, $5)

Titles from around the world

ABS—Association for Bahá’í Studies BBPT—British Bahá’í Publishing Trust KP—Kalimát Press

Books in print

The Pattern of Bahá’í Life A popular compilation that explores the spiritual and social ramifications of purity, kindliness and radiance—the three virtues mentioned by Bahá’u’lláh in the first Arabic Hidden Word. Excellent for those interested in the moral teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. (BBPT) (SC, Cat. No. 315-030, $1.75)

New Legacies of Service cassettes

Because We Love the Faith The Hands of the Cause of God Dorothy Baker and Amelia Collins See TRUST Page 26

New concordance

Concordance to the Kitáb-i-Íqán (KP) (SC, Cat. No. 368-067, $9.95)

For adults

Bahá’í Studies Notebook 4: Development With a new Office of Development in Haifa, you can’t afford not to know what is going on in the field: Read essays by such authors as Counsellor Farzam Arbáb, Gregory C. Dahl, John Huddleston, and Will C. van den Hoonaard. (ABS) (SC, Cat. No. 337-053, $6.50)

Persian/English prayer book for children draws wide interest at 75th Convention

O God, My God..., a new Persian/English prayer book for children and youth, was among the most successful new titles released at the 1984 Bahá’í National Convention, according to Larry Bucknell, general manager of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

The new prayer book features a prayer or Tablet in English on the right-hand page and the Persian or Arabic equivalent on the left-hand page. It contains 36 prayers and Tablets.

O God, My God... is particularly appealing to families that speak both Persian and English, for many families manage to be bi-lingual. But they find it hard to be bi-literate as well.

Persian adults with a limited reading knowledge of English will also find the Persian/English prayer book useful.

O God, My God... was a cooperative project involving the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and Persian Affairs Committee.

It was also an international project. Many of the Persian prayers were photocopied from the “Hova’llah” edition published by the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, the calligraphy for which was prepared by Amanollah Mughen, now living in France.

New calligraphy for five prayers not in the “Hova’llah” edition was prepared by Mr. S. Monjazeb of Canada.

O God, My God... is available in a hardcover edition only (Catalog No. 315-089) for $5.

Coupon for Ordering from the Publishing Trust

Qty.	Title	Price	Qty.	Title	Price
___	Advent Divine Justice, HC	$12.00	___	Fly Away Home, SC	$4.50
___	Advent Divine Justice, SC	6.50	___	Foundations Learning, CS	7.00
___	Notebook: Development	6.50	___	Loving Hands, CS	8.00
___	Bahá’u’lláh New Era, SC	2.50	___	O God, My God ..., HC	5.00
___	Because We Love Faith, CS	7.00	___	Pattern Bahá’í Life, PM	1.75
___	Concordance, Íqán	9.95
___	Dawning Place, HC	20.00
___	Dawning Place, SC	12.00

Enclosed is my check or money order for $__________ (including 10 per cent for postage and handling, minimum $1.50).

Charge to: ($10.00 minimum order)

Visa ____________________ Card expires __________

MC ____________________ Card expires __________

Name ________________________________________

Address ______________________________________

City ____________________ State __________ Zip __________

(All orders are NET—no discounts. No charges on librarians’ accounts accepted. Credit card orders accepted by phone: 1-800-323-1880.)

Bahá’í Publishing Trust 415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091

TAB 6/84 Prices good through August 15, 1984 Prices valid only in 48 contiguous states of the United States [Page 26]

Pioneers

(Continued From Page 6)

Pioneers in El Salvador are excited about the growth of the Faith. The country now has 60 Local Spiritual Assemblies, and 230 localities.

Legally, El Salvador is a republic with a constitution and legislative body, but a military-civilian junta runs the government.

The people are energetic, industrious, outgoing and friendly, and there are no known restrictions on teaching the Faith.

There is a 30 per cent inflation rate at present, and a couple would need at least $500 a month for living expenses. The weather averages 75 degrees all year.

Our pioneers there are veterans, some having served in El Salvador for as long as 28 years, and good advice can be obtained by writing to them. They desperately need your help.

Much more information about these and other countries, the jobs that are available, contact people, addresses of pioneers already living there, and information about their National Spiritual Assemblies is available from the International Goals Committee.

Trust

(Continued From Page 25)

are featured on a new Legacies of Service cassette. Invite a Hand of the Cause to your next fireside! (CS, Cat. No. 831-057, $7)

The Foundation of Learning

The Hand of the Cause of God Abu’l-Qásim Faizi is featured on the second of the new Legacies of Service cassettes. Excellent for individual and group study. (CS, Cat. No. 831-058, $7)

Back in print

Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era

The pocket-sized edition of the popular introduction to the Faith by the Hand of the Cause of God John Esslemont is back in print. Order for summer teaching events. (SC, Cat. No. 231-005, $2.50)

Mr. Khadem to speak at Oklahoma event

The Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem will be the featured speaker at a statewide conference October 13-14 in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

The conference is sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Broken Arrow, a suburb of Tulsa that is easily reached from the Broken Arrow Expressway (Highway 51).

Separate programs will be provided for children and youth. Everyone is invited.

For information, contact the Assembly at P.O. Box 1119, Broken Arrow, OK 74013.

Can you identify anyone in this picture?

This is probably a photograph of the Bahá’í community of Washington, D.C., taken during the lifetime of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Anyone who is able to identify any of those in the picture is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Archives opens records of 2 pioneer committees for research

The National Bahá’í Archives has recently completed processing and opened for research the records of two important overseas pioneering committees.

THE FIRST, the Inter-America Committee, was formed in 1936 to encourage the spread of the Faith in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Its efforts were culminated in the formation of two regional National Spiritual Assemblies for Central America, Mexico and the Antilles, and for South America, in 1951, after which the Inter-America Committee went out of existence.

As the first of the overseas teaching committees set up by the National Spiritual Assembly, the Inter-America Committee was an important model for later committees established by the North American Bahá’í community to organize international teaching.

The records of the Inter-America Committee contain much of the early history of the Faith in many countries of Central and South America, documenting its growth there through the efforts of pioneers, traveling teachers and native believers and institutions.

The records also provide much information about the process of teaching the Faith in virgin territory, and then establishing the institutions of the Faith in those new areas; publishing in various languages; the individual experience of pioneering; the early use of radio by Bahá’ís in Latin America; and the effects of World War II on the Bahá’í international activities.

THE SECOND committee, the Africa Teaching Committee, was the U.S. pioneer committee for Africa.

It was established in 1951 to support the African pioneer activities of the British National Spiritual Assembly. However, with the launching of the Ten Year Crusade (1953-63), its activities became concentrated on the U.S. African pioneer goals of that global campaign.

The contents of the Africa Teaching Committee’s records closely parallel those of the Inter-America Committee, but in the different context of another continent and a more recent period of time.

The committee was disbanded after the end of the Ten Year Crusade but two of its members continued to work with American pioneers to Africa for several more years.

These two committees, together with the European Teaching Committee and the Asia Teaching Committee, were the predecessors of the familiar International Goals Committee of today, and their records document the historical strength of the North American Bahá’í community’s commitment to supporting the growth of the Faith outside its own geographic boundaries.

Archives Institute to be held July 19-22

The National Bahá’í Archives is planning to hold its 1984 Archives Institute July 19-22 at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette, Illinois.

Those who are interested in attending the institute should submit to the National Bahá’í Archives a brief statement of their background and why they would like to attend.

The institute is designed to introduce believers interested in the archival field to the nature and functions of a Bahá’í archives. Attendance will be limited to eight, and each participant is responsible for his or her own expenses and housing.

Please address all requests to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Information needed

The National Teaching Committee is interested in obtaining information about what teaching activities have taken place among the Gypsies and how many Gypsy Bahá’ís there are in the U.S. If you have any information about this, please contact the National Teaching Committee, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039. [Page 27]

INTERMEDIA

News from the Office of Public Affairs

Winners Watch your next edition of The American Bahá’í for exciting news about the newly produced TV public service announcements. The reception given these spots at the Public Affairs display at National Convention was overwhelmingly positive. A video tape of the six 30-second spots is available in 3/4-inch format for $20 from the Office of Public Affairs.

Bahá’í Faith on computer network Dr. Frank Haendel of Boulder, Colorado, reports that he receives from 10 to 25 callers per day to his computer-generated “Bahá’í Bulletin Board” on a privately run computer data base which is accessible to the public by computer modem. His IBM computer program functions 24 hours a day and has been in operation for a year.

Computer buffs can tap into the program by calling 303-449-3306. It functions at the 300/122 band. Callers can leave messages or ask questions on a variety of topics that have been programmed into “readable” files.

Subjects such as “destiny,” “science and religion,” and “suffering” are available, each considered from a Bahá’í perspective and each reflecting Dr. Haendel’s interest in human growth and development.

Two files, one with short messages and another with longer messages, can be accessed. They include “principles of the Bahá’í Faith,” “basis for beliefs,” “the persecutions,” and solutions to contemporary problems. Public domain software is used, and it is suggested that callers hit their return carriages a few times on entry.

Computers again The Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs for the Inland Empire (Northern Idaho-Eastern Washington) recently sponsored a Bahá’í booth at a computer science fair. The fair was held just outside Spokane, Washington, and lasted for 30 hours. More than 4,500 people paid to see the fair, and the ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ gave away more than 1,000 pieces of literature.

With the theme “Bahá’í Faith: Religion of the Future,” the booth featured a continuously playing video cassette recorder of five video tapes on the Faith and a questionnaire on a computer where interested observers could type the number of the question in order to find out the Bahá’í answer.

Some sample questions: What is the essential message of the Bahá’í Faith? ‎Do Bahá’í’s believe Do Bahá’ís believe‎ in the Bible? Where can I get more information on the Bahá’í Faith?

More than 500 people made use of the computer questions, and about 50 talked to the Bahá’ís attending the booth and were given the phone numbers of Bahá’ís in their communities.

State legislatures respond By the end of Riḍván, 19 states had passed resolutions condemning the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.

Is your state one of these: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin. Resolutions are pending in Florida, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

The resolutions that have been passed were displayed at the 75th National Convention, included in the materials presented at the May 2 Congressional hearing in Washington, D.C., and will be sent to the Universal House of Justice.

Letters from the Assemblies spearheading these projects reflect enthusiasm about the success of their efforts and the unifying effect this has had upon Bahá’í communities statewide.

Art Lacroix (second from left), the mayor of Rapid City, South Dakota, accepts a copy of William Sears’ book, A Cry from the Heart, from Rapid City Bahá’ís (left to right) Patt Haugen, Hamed Rafiee and Ethel Myers. The presentation was made at the mayor’s office.

Archives seeks papers of early Bahá’ís

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking the personal papers of early New York City Bahá’ís including those of William Hoar, Arthur P. Dodge family, Howard MacNutt, James Brittingham and Roy C. Wilhelm.

The Archives is especially interested in original letters, diaries, personal recollections, manuscripts and photographs.

Anyone having information about the personal papers of these or other Bahá’ís in New York City is asked to write to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Reader praises ‘Spiritual Revolution’ program

To the Editor: About four years ago I moved from Houston, Texas, to Long Beach, California.

A year later (1981), I happened to turn the television on to a “Spiritual Revolution” program.

During the next four or five weeks I watched several more of these programs, which were my first and only contact with the Bahá’í Faith until 1984.

Last January I wrote to Wilmette asking for information, which I received and enjoyed. In February I attended my first fireside.

Because of the warmth of the Bahá’ís at Tooba Soupikian’s home, and the beautiful groundwork laid by the “Spiritual Revolution” series, I declared my belief at that first fireside.

Now, as a two-month-old Bahá’í, I would like to recommend highly to all other Bahá’ís working in media councils that they continue their efforts to see that the “Spiritual Revolution” is telecast in their area.

It ranks high as an excellent teaching aid. Its quality is excellent; its message is the Message for today’s world.

Jim Scott Birmingham, Alabama

PUBLISHING TRUST’S TOP 20 BEST SELLERS 1983-84
1. Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, HC
2. Martha Root, SC
3. Gleanings, PS
4. The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Vol. 3
5. Bahá’í Proofs
6. Bahá’í Date Book
7. Bahá’í Prayers, HC
8. Bahá’í Prayers, SC
9. Bahá’í Marriage and Family Life
10. English/Persian Hidden Words
11. Bahá’í Wall Calendar
12. Martha Root, HC
13. The Bahá’ís in Iran
14. The Importance of Deepening
15. The Diary of Juliet Thompson, HC
16. To Move the World, SC
17. The Light of Bahá’u’lláh
18. The Kitáb-i-Íqán, PS
19. From Behind the Veil
20. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá color photograph

New from BellwoodPress

a tale of mystery, fantasy, and reality for children 8 to 80

FLY AWAY HOME

written by STEVEN BRET BRENEMAN illustrated by CAROL JOY

three worlds — of the unruly hawks and crows, of the gentle Eva and Reed, and of the seeking sparrows and ladybug — merge into one pervaded by the mysterious presence of a nightingale who shows how one can fly away home into a fantasy that is reality

74 pages 5½ x 8¼ inches $4.50* Softcover Cat. No. 353-021

Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order (including 10% for postage and handling, minimum $1.50) to Bahá’í Publishing Trust 415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091

• Price valid only in the United States

The Bedrock of all other Institutions National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091 [Page 28]

VIE Chart

Continued from Page 5

District Name	‘Starting Block’ Info			Current Month Info (Jalál)
	Membership as of 12/9/83	Number of participants	Percentage of participation	Membership as of 5/4/84	Number of participants	Percentage of participation
California S No. 4	981	82	8.4	949	202	21.3
Colorado NE	483	61	12.6	458	152	33.2
Colorado SE	181	15	8.3	179	38	21.2
Colorado W	195	23	11.8	181	41	22.7
Connecticut	471	57	12.1	457	124	28.1
DelMarVa	292	15	5.1	290	31	10.7
Florida C	382	19	5.0	387	47	12.1
Florida N	284	19	6.7	286	49	17.1
Florida SE	1,113	54	4.9	1062	144	13.5
Florida SW	495	43	8.7	492	125	25.4
Georgia NE	339	48	14.2	330	153	46.4
Georgia NW	876	17	1.9	862	20	2.3
Georgia S	1,158	8	0.7	1175	14	1.2
Idaho N/Washington E	473	63	13.3	480	113	23.5
Idaho S	183	21	11.5	188	51	27.1
Illinois N No. 1	596	52	8.7	584	123	21.1
Illinois N No. 2	1,148	143	12.5	1159	326	28.1
Illinois S	742	68	9.2	705	132	18.7
Indiana	541	66	12.2	522	126	24.1
Iowa	383	63	16.4	366	147	40.2
Kansas	340	35	10.3	345	86	24.9
Kentucky	231	25	10.8	229	47	20.5
Louisiana N	84	11	13.1	81	16	19.8
Louisiana S	536	21	3.9	506	59	11.7
Maine	216	26	12.0	215	82	38.1
Maryland W/D.C.	752	79	10.5	766	166	21.7
Massachusetts	946	103	10.9	944	236	25.0
Michigan Mainland	1,171	126	10.8	1157	306	26.4
Minnesota N	166	26	15.7	158	59	37.3
Minnesota S	434	79	18.2	432	161	37.3
Mississippi	415	18	4.3	395	17	4.3
Missouri	657	75	11.4	648	186	28.7
Montana	347	36	10.4	346	75	21.7
Navajo/Hopi	370	9	2.4	365	26	7.1
Nebraska	307	45	14.7	294	90	30.6
Nevada N	165	14	8.5	176	31	17.6
Nevada S	150	16	10.7	154	54	35.1
New Hampshire	339	44	13.0	351	144	41.0
New Jersey	693	78	11.3	696	181	26.0
New Mexico S/Texas W	979	22	2.2	993	38	3.8
New Mexico N	481	37	7.7	471	125	26.5
New York E	1,254	93	7.4	1244	201	16.2
New York W	582	78	13.4	587	160	27.3
North Carolina C	636	31	4.9	624	92	14.7
North Carolina E	654	17	2.6	645	21	3.3
North Carolina W	408	32	7.8	395	60	15.2
North Dakota	137	16	11.7	126	37	29.4
Ohio N	551	66	12.0	539	141	26.2
Ohio S	388	46	11.8	388	131	33.8
Oklahoma E	358	26	7.3	328	94	28.7
Oklahoma W	499	28	5.6	479	73	15.2
Oregon E	276	4	1.4	264	27	10.2
Oregon W	1,255	103	8.2	1254	206	16.4
Pennsylvania E	452	60	13.3	451	110	24.4
Pennsylvania W	195	26	13.3	196	53	27.0
Rhode Island	108	13	12.0	104	12	11.5
South Carolina C	1,314	10	0.76	1298	23	1.7
South Carolina E No. 1	2,397	3	0.12	2337	10	0.4
South Carolina E No. 2	2,017	6	0.29	1994	20	1.0
South Carolina N	821	4	0.48	805	16	2.0
South Carolina S No. 1	627	6	1.0	602	20	3.3
South Carolina S No. 2	794	4	0.5	796	22	2.8
South Carolina W	386	15	3.9	383	59	15.4
South Dakota	266	7	2.6	261	29	11.1
Tennessee E	159	23	14.5	156	44	28.2
Tennessee W	300	19	6.3	290	34	11.7
Texas C No. 1	528	34	6.4	513	61	11.9
Texas C No. 2	105	3	2.9	97	5	5.2
Texas E No. 1	1,269	83	6.5	1279	287	22.4
Texas E No. 2	838	70	7.4	856	149	17.4
Texas N	186	13	7.0	176	35	19.9
Texas S	219	12	5.5	206	11	5.3
Utah	251	29	11.6	237	66	27.8
Vermont	156	20	12.8	154	48	31.2
Virginia N	670	53	7.9	672	168	25.0
Virginia S	538	40	7.4	541	68	12.6
Washington NW	1,011	93	9.2	1003	202	20.1
Washington SW	356	38	10.7	360	66	18.3
West Virginia	178	15	8.4	175	32	18.3
Wis. N/Peninsular Mich.	237	41	17.3	246	96	39.0
Wisconsin S	757	130	17.2	747	251	33.6
Wyoming	151	15	10.0	150	28	18.7

Homefront

Continued from Page 9

the additional manpower that is badly needed to accomplish all that they wish.

As a pioneer to a preferred goal Group (seven or more believers) or to a jeopardized Assembly area, you can be a spark that leads to increased teaching and further growth for the Faith.

1. Pray daily for specific pioneers; 2. help a pioneer to find housing and employment in a goal area; 3. help a pioneer move to a goal area; 4. offer moral and emotional support to pioneers who are moving from your community even though you may miss them dearly; 5. correspond with a homefront pioneer and offer constant encouragement; 6. deputize a pioneer through your earmarked contributions; 7. phone the National Teaching Committee to obtain the names of homefront pioneers near you.

During the past year, 284 homefront pioneers arrived at posts all over the country. Of these, 55 are known to have either saved or helped form Local Assemblies.

Many more who saved or formed Assemblies have not been reported by name to the National Teaching Committee.

Of the Spiritual Assemblies that have reported, 53 have sent out pioneers to posts this year!

We must not let the momentum of these Riḍván successes subside. New goals continue to become available even as others are filled.

We are confident that the dedication and service of many more homefront pioneers will once again yield even more Local Spiritual Assemblies, more registered Groups, and more opened localities in the year ahead.

The National Teaching Committee encourages all Assemblies and homefront pioneers to notify us of potential pioneers or those who are already at their post.

Pioneers who move to states with a low Bahá’í population will be fulfilling a goal specifically mentioned in the 1981 Naw-Rúz message to the Bahá’ís of the U.S. from the Universal House of Justice:

“Endeavor to increase the number of Assemblies and localities in those states where ‎there their‎ number is relatively small, thus achieving a more balanced distribution.”

BAHÁ’ÍS are often surprised to learn that even some of the most densely populated states are among those with a low Bahá’í population. These states are:

Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

As a pioneer to a locality with less than nine believers, you can help organize a registered Bahá’í Group and speed its progress toward becoming a divine institution.

A Bahá’í Group is the “solid foundation” upon which a future Local Assembly will be built.

If the locality has no other Bahá’ís, the pioneer will be fulfilling the goal of opening a new locality.

If you cannot be a homefront pioneer, you can contribute to the program in many other ways.

UN report cites Sheboygan Bahá’ís

The Bahá’í communities of Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, are mentioned in the annual United Nations Association of the U.S. report to the President of national observances of UN Day.

On page 13, the report states: “Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The mayor’s committee on UN Day in conjunction with Bahá’í communities of Sheboygan County sponsored a panel discussion titled ‘The UN: Its Role in World Peace.’”

“Four panelists included a Bahá’í, a professor of international politics, the superintendent of postal operations, and the state director of UNICEF. The event was covered by local cable TV. Also during the program, four area 6th graders read their essays on ‘My Wish for a Peaceful World.’”

Second ‘Wildfire’ Arts Conference slated June 22-24

The second “Wildfire” Conference of the Arts will be held June 22-24 at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.

The conference provides an opportunity for creative Bahá’ís, professional and amateur, to share their ideas, talents or works in an atmosphere of loving interaction and support—without the barrier of competition.

Included will be (1) continuous musical, dance and dramatic performances; (2) two major proclamation events; (3) an expanded art exhibit; (4) hands-on workshops; and (5) an all-star orchestra.

For information, telephone 213-507-8151.

A REMINDER TO BAHÁ’Í COLLEGE CLUBS

A REMINDER TO BAHÁ’Í COLLEGE CLUBS: Monies raised by college clubs can only be used for college club activities. They cannot be donated to Local Spiritual Assemblies, the National Fund, or any other institution or committee associated with the Faith.

If there are any questions about this policy, please contact the National Youth Committee at 305-462-1919. [Page 29]

Ten years ago... in The American Bahá’í

For the first time in American Bahá’í history, a group composed of Hands of the Cause of God, members of the National Spiritual Assembly and Continental Board of Counsellors, Auxiliary Board members, and representatives of major national committees attends a conference to brief the members of the various bodies on aspects of the teaching work in this country.

Among the participants are the Hands of the Cause Zikrullah Khadem, John Robarts and William Sears, and Counsellors Lloyd Gardner, Sarah Martin Pereira, Velma Sherrill and Edna True.

The conference, held in Wilmette, focuses on measures adopted to execute the Five Year Plan, and is seen as the first step in implementing a recommendation from the Universal House of Justice that Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members be kept informed of plans made by the National Spiritual Assembly...

More than 900 Local Spiritual Assemblies are elected at Ridván, an increase of more than 90 over the 817 recognized the year before.

The National Teaching Committee reports that as many as 100 Assemblies were in jeopardy during the months preceding the Riḍván elections...

Between January and March, more than 20,000 people attend concert hall firesides by Jim Seals and Dash Crofts in cities where the popular music group Seals & Crofts performs.

More than 1,000 of those at the firesides later attend follow-up meetings organized by local Bahá’í communities

A three-day proclamation campaign in North Hempstead, Long Island, New York, ends with an address to more than 250 people by Dr. Stanwood Cobb, a Bahá’í educator and author...

The first extensive program in the U.S. for training teachers of Bahá’í children is held at the Green Acre Bahá’í School in Eliot, Maine.

The week-long program of lectures, discussions and practical classroom experience is sponsored by the National Bahá’í Schools Committee...

About 80 people attend the last session of the historic Geyserville Bahá’í School held at a rented facility near Santa Cruz, California.

Following the spring session, the Geyserville school ends its activities after nearly 50 years of service to the American Bahá’í community...

Hearing

...in which professional police and prison officials expressed shock and dismay at the treatment of Bahá’í prisoners by members of Islamic committees and the Revolutionary Guard."

The hanging of 10 women, among them three teen-age girls, "was a particularly heinous crime," said Judge Nelson. "The courage and steadfastness of the victims have already become legendary among Iranian Bahá’ís."

Eyewitness accounts from survivors of Iranian prisons, he said, "are full of gruesome details of beatings. They tell of prisoners whipped with metal cables; of prisoners having boiling water poured on their heads, and having their heads smashed against concrete walls; of prisoners being kicked with heavy boots and being beaten with fists and sticks; of prisoners being beaten on the soles and then forced to run on lacerated feet."

Recent reports, he testified, "indicate that torture is being used not only to force recantations and conversions to Islam but also to extract false confessions of various fictive crimes, confessions which would 'prove' the old accusations that the Bahá’ís are Zionist or imperialist agents, foreign spies, or a political subversive group.

"Having failed in five years to produce a single document or a single genuine admission indicating Bahá’í participation in any anti-government activity, the authorities seem desperately anxious to force their Bahá’í victims to incriminate themselves and their community."

MEANWHILE, Judge Nelson said, the government of Iran has continued to "deprive Bahá’ís of work, to deny pensions to retired Bahá’ís, to expel Bahá’í children from schools, to bar Bahá’í youth from universities, to withhold business licenses from Bahá’ís, and to make every effort to impoverish the Bahá’ís, thus breaking their spirits and making them amenable to conversion to Islam.

"The voice of the Iranian Bahá’í community," said Judge Nelson, "has been stilled. Through the thick walls of the Islamic Republic's dungeons the world hears only the muffled groans of those whose bodies are torn and mangled by the torturer's lash. We, American Bahá’ís, who live in freedom have the duty of alerting the world....

"We hope that the Congress will reaffirm its support for the oppressed Bahá’ís and invite other governments and peoples to raise their voices in defense of the most fundamental rights of an oppressed minority."

After providing the subcommittee members with an overview of the American Bahá’í community and expressing her personal reaction to the persecutions in Iran, Dr. Brady summarized the actions taken by national, state and local governments in response to the persecutions, and conveyed the gratitude of the Bahá’í community for the splendid response by the media, private organizations and individuals in the U.S. and abroad.

"The results of this activity," she said, "cannot be easily gauged. However, there can be no doubt that the government of Iran has been put on notice.

"It knows that the world knows of the murders, the mock trials, the tortures, the discrimination inflicted upon men, women and children whose only crime is the faith they hold in common with us and with so many others throughout the world—their belief in God, in the brotherhood of mankind, in the essential unity of religion, and in peace...

"We appeal for continuing support so that the voice of this nation may always sound in defense of the persecuted and the oppressed."

In expressing his appreciation to the Bahá’ís for their testimony, Rep. Lantos said, "The idea of an international conference (to discuss the persecutions in Iran) will not die."

That same evening, Dr. Brady, Dr. Kazemzadeh, and Judge Nelson were the guests on a popular hour-long radio talk and call-in show that elicited a good audience response.

Archives has guide to those collections open for research

The National Bahá’í Archives has available a guide to those collections open for research.

The 19-page guide covers 149 collections of institutional records, personal papers, community histories and personal recollections, giving the collection title, quantity, and some information about contents and significance.

The guide can be ordered for $2 from the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Bagdádí

...the House of Worship.

In 1929, he wrote a book entitled Treasures of the East which includes his description of "the many days and nights" he had the privilege of spending as a child in the presence of Bahá’u’lláh in the Mansion of Bahjí.

IN THAT Mansion, he wrote, Bahá’u’lláh "... used to hold my hand while walking to and fro in His large room, revealing Tablets, chanting the prayers with the most charming and melodious voice, while one of the attendants took them down."

When he was born, Dr. Bagdádí was given the name "Zia" (light) by Bahá’u’lláh who also gave him the Turkish title "Effendi."

Later, when Bahá’u’lláh would see him and ask about his health and that of his parents, young Zia would respond each time with the Arabic word "Mabsoot" (I am happy).

Bahá’u’lláh would laugh heartily, and afterward the Blessed Beauty always called Zia "Mabsoot Effendi" (the happy one).

It was Dr. Bagdádí's father, Muhammad Mustafá, and his grandfather, Shaykh Muhammad-i-Shibl, who accompanied Táhirih from Iraq to Iran.

And Dr. Bagdádí himself helped his father carry the hidden remains of the Báb from a home in Beirut to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in ‘Akká.

IN 1914, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arranged for Dr. Bagdádí's marriage to a young woman named Zeenat who, with her family, was a Bahá’í exile with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Haifa. Zeenat's father was one of the Master's personal attendants.

Zeenat Khánum traveled to the U.S. to become Dr. Bagdádí's wife. The couple had one daughter, Parvene.

In addition to his many years as a traveling teacher, Dr. Bagdádí helped establish the Spiritual Assembly of Wilmette, Illinois, in 1927.

Later, he and his family moved as homefront pioneers to Augusta, Georgia, where Dr. Bagdádí died early in 1937.

At the Guardian's request, a memorial service for Dr. Bagdádí was held at the Bahá’í House of Worship. Shoghi Effendi sent a message that began:

"Distressed sudden passing dearly beloved Dr. Bagdádí. Loss inflicted (upon) national interests (of the) Faith irreparable. His exemplary faith, audacity, unquestioning loyalty, indefatigable exertions unforgettable....

In Memoriam

Lowell Allen Ferndale, MI 1983

Charlie Anderson Hawkinsville, GA January 1984

Max Billsie Blanding, UT August 5, 1981

Frank Britton Prichard, AL 1982

Charles Brown Wagoner, OK Date Unknown

Patrick Broyhill Enterprise, OR January 29, 1984

Margaret Bryant Nashville, TN May 25, 1983

Maddie Buchanan Cheraw, SC Date Unknown

Virgel Cain Sr. Tucson, AZ March 1, 1984

David R. Carey N. Hollywood, CA March 29, 1984

Troy Clack Luling, TX 1982

Jimmie Coltharp Salem, AL January 21, 1982

Willie Crisp Livingston, TX March 1983

Thyra Fusaro Minneapolis, MN March 23, 1984

Helen Guelich Westminster, MD March 25, 1984

Aretha Harris Suffolk, VA 1983

Sarah Harris Hawkinsville, GA March 23, 1984

William Hawkins Suffolk, VA 1979

Christine Higgins Encinitas, CA June 8, 1981

Mabel Hoegner Tucson, AZ February 1984

Sadie Johnson Prineville, OR Date Unknown

Gary A. Korber Milwaukee, WI January 14, 1984.

Ronne Lee LaJune Akron, OH December 20, 1983

David Mabley Hawkinsville, GA Date Unknown

Douglas McGhee Greene County, AL April 21, 1983.

Gentry McHenry Wagoner, OK Date Unknown

Evelyn Miller Omaha, NE January 6, 1984

Virginia Percival Tucson, AZ March 21, 1984

Jose Rios Luling, TX 1983

Julrus Robertson Redbird, OK Date Unknown

Edwin (Bud) Rounds Seattle, WA Date Unknown

Patricia Saladin Webster Groves, MO November 22, 1983

Richard Smith The Dalles, OR April 20, 1984

James Stanley Newberry, SC October 1983

Delia Sullivan Lexington, SC October 18, 1979

Kenneth Sullivan Gadsden, AL Date Unknown

Annie Kay Tell Hawkinsville, GA Date Unknown

Betty Tyson Carrollton, GA May 11, 1982

Donald Ulery Glendale, AZ March 27, 1984

Don White Redbird, OK Date Unknown

Mark Whitman Portland, OR September 25, 1983

Eddie Williams Prichard, AL 1980

Georgia Williams Pinehurst, GA March 12, 1984

James Williams Tamms, IL Date Unknown

Willie Williams Pinehurst, GA September 1, 1983

Theodore Winfield Stockton, CA December 1981 [Page 30]

Letters

Continued From Page 3

stay-at-home mothers and courtesy vs. freedom of expression.

In addition to this, the letters section offers something else that is quite valuable.

When my friends hear about the Faith, they often have a negative reaction to our belief in the absolute authority of Bahá’u’lláh and our divinely guided administration. The usual impression is one of rigidity and uniformity of thought and lifestyle among “cookie-cutter” Bahá’ís.

Our local community is too small to demonstrate much diversity, and pictures of Bahá’ís of many races together, while beautiful, say nothing about differences of thought.

Fortunately, there is the letters section of The American Bahá’í. It offers actual evidence of the variations in Bahá’í thought, feelings and lifestyle.

The fact that these letters are published and widely read shows how much Bahá’ís respect and value the opinions of others. I think it’s wonderful, and my friends agree.

Marjorie Blizard Willimantic, Connecticut

To the Editor:

I am writing concerning Bahá’í involvement in the “peace movement.”

In answer to a question from some Bahá’í college students as to whether they could participate in a public “protest against racial prejudice,” the Guardian replied affirmatively, saying he did not see how the Bahá’ís could “remain indifferent.” (Bahá’í News insert, June 1964)

SOME Bahá’ís have taken this to mean that Bahá’ís may—indeed should—take an active part in the peace movement, because “peace,” like the “elimination of racial prejudice,” is a Bahá’í principle, and we should stand up for it in this fashion.

I feel it would be a misapplication of the Guardian’s comments to use his letter for guidance on the issue of Bahá’ís participating in today’s anti-war marches.

The clear distinction between today’s peace marches and the “protest” the Guardian encouraged the friends to participate in is that that protest was non-political in character.

That protest was not critical of our government, and did not seek to pressure the government to change its policies. It simply stood publicly for a Bahá’í principle.

This is not a minor distinction—it makes a world of difference for a Bahá’í.

IF THERE were an event today that was simply a “protest against war,” then, presumably, Bahá’ís could participate.

But today’s marches go far beyond merely upholding that Bahá’í principle; they are, almost universally, highly politicized events that protest government policy and vilify public officials.

Bahá’ís do not oppose the policies of the government—the “considered views” of “them who are in authority,” as Bahá’u’lláh clearly admonishes us (Gleanings, p. 241)

Nor do Bahá’ís criticize government officials, the “rulers” whom we do not “mention” except to “speak well of them.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’í Meetings/The Nineteen Day Feast, p. 8; see also Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í News, April 1933, p. 3)

Far from encouraging us to participate in protests bearing upon affairs of government, Shoghi Effendi told us to “shun politics like the plague” (Bahá’í News, March 1951, p. 14) and forbade our “interference in matters pertaining to the policy of the state.” (Unfolding Destiny, p. 428)

THAT we are encouraged to be of service to our fellow-men, to stand up fearlessly for our principles, and to associate with non-Bahá’í groups is beyond question. It is also beside the point.

When any action is directed at the political action of the government, it is categorically prohibited: “The Bahá’í should refrain from signing petitions designed to bring pressure on the Government which may have any political character whatsoever.” (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian dated March 19, 1946, and published in Unfolding Destiny, the Guardian’s letters to the Bahá’ís of the British ‎Isies Isles‎, p. 444).

We must not become indistinguishable, in the eyes of our government, from today’s peace activists.

There are many today who are quick to condemn all military action as a threat to world peace—an attitude not shared by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá or Shoghi Effendi.

In fact, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said that “there are times when war becomes the powerful basis of peace,” and that when war is waged “for a righteous purpose” it is “the cornerstone of peace.” (The Secret of Divine Civilization, pp. 70-71)

The GUARDIAN praised America’s “effective participation in both” World Wars for shortening the duration of hostilities, and for helping to defeat “the exponents of ideologies fundamentally at variance” with Bahá’í principles. (Citadel of Faith, p. 36)

These are attitudes one will look hard to find in today’s peace movement, and we should be certain that our association with various groups does not make us indistinguishable from them, and jeopardize, in our government’s view, our non-political stance.

Just as we fearlessly uphold our world-mindedness before the war-like and nationalistic, so must we fearlessly uphold, in the face of political activists, our non-political stance and our complete freedom from the sense of alienation from our government that affects many of our contemporaries.

Prior to my introduction to the Faith, I was a peace activist who had organized and spoken at anti-war demonstrations, and I had been convicted in Federal court for refusing to submit to military induction on the grounds of religious (Catholic) pacifism.

I would not trade one day of being an active Bahá’í for all of those efforts for peace.

THE BEST thing we can do for world peace, as asserted emphatically and repeatedly by the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice, is to concentrate on our Bahá’í work.

The Guardian wrote: “This is why the Bahá’í must turn all their forces into the channel of building up the Bahá’í Cause and its Administration. They can neither change nor help the world in any other way at present. If they become involved in the issues the Governments of the world are struggling over, they will be lost. But if they build up the Bahá’í pattern they can offer it as a remedy when all else has failed.” (Shoghi Effendi through his secretary, Bahá’í News, March 1951, p. 14)

In the same way, the Universal House of Justice has written: “...the task ... of creating true unity and spirituality culminating in the Most Great Peace—is that of the Bahá’ís ... It is to this work that we must devote all our energies, for there is no one else to do it.” (Wellspring of Guidance, p. 134)

Brent Poirier Scotts Valley, California

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BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER Wilmette, Illinois 60091

To the Editor:

“The fact is that with all our racial diversity, the rich cultural heritage of each and every group is there for us to enjoy, to share and to adopt. When you get right down to it, these parts add up to one big universal heritage: a heritage telling us that everybody’s the same, everybody’s different.” (From Mexicans Don’t Always Eat Tacos)

The above phrase was sent home in my children’s school paper during a week-long ethnic festival sponsored by the Green Circle Program.

During the week the children learned about different cultures through art and music programs.

The school was decorated with pictures, costumes and artifacts from all over the world. On the last night, the parents brought ethnic foods for everyone to taste.

There were folk dancers, ethnic songs, multi-cultural arts and crafts, and games for the children to play.

My purpose in writing is to let people know about the Green Circle Program, whose purpose is to teach children about others who are different from themselves and to let them into their circle (their world).

My involvement in this program has been a great teaching tool. When asked at my first meeting what attracted me, I replied that so many of the principles are the same as those of my Faith.

They were quite interested in finding out about the Faith, and are including the nine-pointed star in their section on religions and their symbols.

I’ve found this a great way to become involved in the community while at the same time teaching.

Anyone who is interested in finding out if your community has an active Green Circle Program, or who would like to help start one in your area, can contact the Green Circle Program Inc., Philadelphia, PA 19105 (phone 215-922-1639).

Janet Pound Huntington Woods, Michigan

To the Editor:

Terming the current bleeding, battered, war-torn state of the world “the Lesser Peace” is like calling child abuse “the Lesser Love.”

If we are living in the time of the Lesser Peace, I am sure it will come as a surprise to those who have lost their homes, lives, children, husbands, wives and hope during the past 24 hours.

Whether or not this is the Lesser Peace is not a matter of personal opinion to be decided by each individual—it is either fact or fiction.

I trust that an event as historic as the establishment of the Lesser Peace would certainly have come to the attention of the Universal House of Justice. I also trust that the House of Justice will comment on the Lesser Peace when it is indeed established.

Until such time as the Universal House of Justice confirms that the Lesser Peace has been established, I shall continue to regard such assertions as a desperate disregard for reality.

Burl Barer Walla Walla, Washington