The American Bahá’í/Volume 19/Issue 8/Text

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[Page 1]

National Assembly names four teaching campaign sites

At its meeting June 24-26, the National Spiritual Assembly chose the four sites that will become the focus of large-scale teaching campaigns during the coming year.

After carefully considering proposals from local Assemblies, District Teaching Committees and Bahá’í communities, the National Assembly named the following as target areas: San Jose, California; the greater Atlanta, Georgia, area; Chicago, Illinois; and Boston, Massachusetts.

In a message informing them of their selection, the National Assembly said it anticipates that "these activities will result in the beginnings of entry by troops promised by the beloved Master and referred to by the Universal House of Justice in its Ridván 1988 message."

The large-scale campaigns are part of a teaching plan conceived by the National Spiritual Assembly during the sixth Bahá’í International Convention in April.

The four sites are among a dozen at which a series of preliminary conferences is scheduled later this year. The National Assembly has invited two former members of the Universal House of Justice, David Hofman and Borrah Kavelin, and the architect and project manager for the Arc on Mount Carmel, Husayn Amanat and Faríburz Sahba, to take part, and they may visit some of the conferences.

The purpose of these conferences is to explore the challenges of completing the Arc and bringing about entry by troops.

Besides the four named above, the hosts for the conferences are:

Spiritual Assembly of New York City; Spiritual Assembly of Seattle, Washington; Spiritual Assembly of Columbia, South Carolina; Spiritual Assembly of Houston, Texas; Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles, California.

Also, Spiritual Assemblies of Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas (co-hosts); Spiritual Assemblies of Alexandria, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. (co-hosts); Spiritual Assembly of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The National Assembly's over-all plan is scheduled to be implemented between September 1988 and February 1989.

'The real treasury of man is his knowledge.'—Bahá’u’lláh

House Subcommittee hears Iran testimony by National Assembly

For the third time in six years, the National Spiritual Assembly has presented testimony about the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran before the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations.

Appearing at the Subcommittee session June 29 were the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, Dr. Robert C. Henderson, and its secretary for External Affairs, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh.

Also testifying before the Subcommittee on behalf of the Bahá’ís were Rep. John Porter of Illinois and Richard Schifter, Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs.

The hearing followed by less than two months the introduction in the Senate and House of a joint resolution calling on the government of Iran to respect the civil rights of all its citizens including the Bahá’ís who are not protected under the Constitution that was put in place after the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

This latest resolution—also the third since 1982—has 90 co-sponsors in the House and 39 in the Senate.

Although no Bahá’í has been executed in Iran since last September.

More than 100,000 embrace Cause in June in India's Uttar Pradesh

WITH GRATEFUL HEARTS SHARE NEWS RESOUNDING TEACHING VICTORIES INDIA FIRST EVIDENCE RESPONSE RIDVAN MESSAGE APPEAL.

FOLLOWING DECISION NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DECLARE JUNE MONTH OF MASS TEACHING, STATE BAHÁ’Í COUNCIL UTTAR PRADESH DEVISED SPECIAL PLANS WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ENROLLING WOMEN YOUTH FAMILIES THREE DISTRICTS THAT STATE.

INSPIRED BY COUNSELORS AND LED BY THREE COORDINATORS TWO COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES 110 DEVOTED SOULS ARISE TO SPREAD LIFE-GIVING MESSAGE OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH AMONG THEIR COUNTRYMEN.

RESULT THEIR EFFORTS WITHIN ONE SHORT MONTH WAS BEYOND ALL EXPECTATION. OVER ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN WOMEN YOUTH MANY BELONGING SAME FAMILIES ACCEPTED FAITH.

EFFECTIVE FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM INITIATED ESTABLISHING AT LEAST FIVE DEEPENING INSTITUTES PER MONTH IN CENTRAL AREAS. ALREADY 1,000 NEW BELIEVERS CONTRIBUTED TO FUND SUBSCRIBING TO HINDI BAHÁ’Í MAGAZINE. LARGE QUANTITY HINDI LITERATURE INCLUDING PICTURE OF MASTER BEING PRODUCED WITH ASSISTANCE COUNSELORS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO NEW BELIEVERS.

AUDIO CASSETTES OF HOLY WRITINGS, PRAYERS, SIMPLE TALKS BEING PREPARED. THREE LARGE RURAL CONFERENCES FOR WOMEN YOUTH FAMILIES BEING PLANNED. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS BEING CONSULTED UPON.

CONFIDENT SUCH VICTORIES ATTAINABLE IN OTHER PARTS OF PLANET AS WELL. URGING FOLLOWERS MOST GREAT NAME THROUGHOUT WORLD ARISE WITH HIGH RESOLVE FOLLOW EXAMPLE THEIR INDIAN BRETHREN CALLING MANKIND TO FAITH OF GOD AT THIS CRITICAL JUNC-TURE HUMAN HISTORY. EAGERLY AWAITING NEWS RESULTS THEIR EFFORTS. ASSURE ARDENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES BESEECHING BLESSINGS ANCIENT BEAUTY THEIR DETERMINED EFFORTS MASS TEACHING FIELD.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Enthusiastic youth arise to 'set stage' for growth, victory

More than 3,000 pledge lives of service to Cause of God at Indiana Conference

By JACK BOWERS

More than 40 declarations of faith in Bahá’u’lláh... upwards of 3,000 commitments of service to the Cause of God... nearly 6,000 youth, adults and children from 50 countries and every continent on earth: this was a conference to cherish, to savor and to remember fondly for a lifetime.

What is more important, the 1988 Bahá’í International Youth Conference may be recalled by future generations as the event at which "the stage was set" for a remarkable transformation in the American Bahá’í community, one that would lead to victory in the Six Year Plan and help bring about the process of entry by troops which was, in the words of the Universal House of Justice, "promised by the beloved Master and which Shoghi Effendi said would lead on to mass conversion."

The conference, held June 30-July 4 on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, was marked by a serious-mindedness and sense of purpose seldom seen at an event of its size and scope.

This was underscored Sunday afternoon when young people from all over the world stood before a large audience including Counselors and members of the National Spiritual Assembly and described recent events in their countries that have helped advance the Cause of God, and again that same evening when the National Assembly asked for written pledges of service to the Faith.

As the audience stood and applauded, the pledges began arriving onstage—singly at first, then in handfuls, and finally boxes full of these marvelous commitments to serve, more than 3,000 in all.

The heart-stirring news was cabled immediately to the Universal House of Justice, which said in its reply:

"With joy and thanksgiving we..."

Egyptian court acquits 32 more Bahá'ís

In June, the National Spiritual Assembly received news that a court in Egypt had acquitted 32 Bahá’ís who were sentenced in 1987 to three-year prison terms on charges that they violated a 1960 edict barring organized Bahá’í activities in that country.

A District Court in Cairo ruled on June 13 that the monthly meetings held in Bahá’í homes were not illegal because they were "private and personal" in nature.

The 32 Bahá’ís thus acquitted were among a group of 48 sentenced in May 1987 to prison terms on religious charges. At that time, two of the accused who recanted their faith were found not guilty.

Thirteen others convicted last year were acquitted February 17 by the Egyptian Court of Appeals in Cairo.

The National Assembly said it is pleased that the independent courts of Egypt have upheld the country's long tradition of justice and religious tolerance, and expressed its gratitude for the efforts of the U.S. State Department, members of Congress and leaders of other governments on behalf of the Egyptian Bahá’ís.

According to reports from Cairo, the court rulings did not address the defense's argument that the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, to which Egypt is a signatory, requires Egypt to respect the rights of all citizens to practice their religion. [Page 2]

Universal House of Justice names 11 new Counselors

To the Bahá’ís of the World

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Recent events have given rise to 11 vacancies in the membership of the Continental Boards of Counselors. Mr. Adib Taherzadeh has been elected to the Universal House of Justice; Dr. Farzam Arbáb, Mr. Hartmut Grossmann, Mrs. Lauretta King, Mr. Donald Rogers, Mrs. Joy Stevenson, and Mr. Peter Vuyiya have been appointed as Counselor members of the International Teaching Center.

In addition, ill health has sadly made it impossible for Dr. Chellie Sundram to continue his services as a Counselor for Asia, Dr. Iraj Ayman and Mrs. Thelma Khelghati have been compelled by circumstances beyond their control to leave, respectively, the continents of Asia and Africa in which they were serving, and Mr. Adam Thorne has had to resign, for personal reasons, from the Continental Board of Counselors for Europe. We wish first to express our profound appreciation of the contributions these dear friends have made to the advancement of the Cause of God during their years of service as Counselors, and we pray that the blessings of Bahá’u’lláh will surround them in all they undertake in the future.

We now have great happiness in announcing the appointment of the following believers as Continental Counselors:

Africa: Mr. George Allen and Mr. Hizzaya Hissani. The Americas: Mr. Gustavo Correa, Mrs. Jacqueline Delahunt and Dr. William Roberts. Asia: Dr. Kim Myung-Jung and Mrs. Shantha Sundram. Australasia: Mrs. Violette Haake. Europe: Mr. Patrick O’Mara, Mrs. Elisabeth Mühlschlegel and Dr. Shapoor Rassekh.

Furthermore, as two of the Counselors now appointed to the International Teaching Center had been Trustees of their respective Continental Funds, we now appoint Counselor Peter McLaren to be Trustee of the Continental Fund in the Americas, and Counselor Ben Ayala to be Trustee in Australasia.

As was abundantly apparent at the time of the sixth International Bahá’í Convention and in the meetings of the Counselors which followed, the Bahá’í world has entered on a stage of the greatest importance in its development, when the teaching work throughout the world must be in the forefront of the thoughts of every ardent follower of Bahá’u’lláh. The challenges and opportunities are great, and are increasing in number with each passing day. We supplicate the Almighty to grant an unprecedented measure of divine confirmation to the institutions of His embryonic World Order and to His faithful believers who are laboring for the diffusion of His Message in every region of the globe.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

The Universal House of Justice June 16, 1988

Newly appointed Teaching Center convenes first meeting at Bahjí

With grateful hearts convey to the followers of Bahá’u’lláh throughout world joyful news first meeting newly appointed International Teaching Center.

On morning Friday third June the Hands of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and ‘Alí Akbar Furútan, the members of the Universal House of Justice and the nine Counselor members of the International Teaching Center gathered in Bahjí and entered the Most Holy Shrine for prayers before proceeding to the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh where their first joint meeting was held in room associated with Shoghi Effendi. All were acutely conscious of the inestimable blessing of initiating their consultations in these sacred precincts.

In this and subsequent consultations during the days which followed, the tasks of the International Teaching Center in face of the tremendous opportunities for teaching now before the Bahá’í world were reviewed, and new patterns of operation were formulated.

Rejoice new vistas opening for victorious promotion Cause God.

Universal House of Justice June 13, 1988

Oklahoma City Bahá’í Center

About two years ago the Bahá’ís in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, area made a commitment to acquire a Bahá’í Center "in the Spirit of the Roses." Thanks to the prayers and sacrifices of everyone in the community, the Center was purchased earlier this year for cash and has been in use since Ridván. Plans are being made to remodel and improve the building.

May Brown: a long life of service to the Cause

VIEWPOINT

This month's column, "May Brown, Handmaiden," was written by Duane L. Herrmann of Berryton, Kansas.

She was born within three years of the lifetime of Bahá’u’lláh. The automobile had been invented only eight years before, in 1887. The telephone was only 19 years old, and airplanes were still in the world of fantasy. Men were the ultimate authority in the family, and kings still ruled the earth. The year was 1895.

Two years after May Brown was born, the message of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh reached America, and when she was five several other native Kansans were affirming their belief in this Most Great Revelation in the town of Enterprise. But she knew nothing about it.

Before May was 10, Rose Hilty, a Bahá’í from Enterprise, moved to Topeka, becoming the first Bahá’í there. In a few years May would move near Topeka and live most of the rest of her life there.

In 1915 she had a high school classmate whose widowed father would, in the next decade, marry the second Bahá’í in Topeka, Bertha Hyde. May knew Miss Hyde, but did not know she was a Bahá’í.

In 1933, 14 years after she had married her childhood sweetheart, Paul Brown, a man came to the goat dairy they owned and operated. He had come because it was the only four-star goat dairy in the area.

The man's wife gave lectures on nutrition and wanted the best goat milk during her two-week stay in town. Part of the payment for the milk consisted of free tickets to the lecture series.

Neither May nor Paul had any idea that their lives were about to change radically and irrevocably. The lecturer was Orcella Rexford. Besides her nutrition lectures on weeknights, she gave free lectures on weekends—lectures about religion.

The paid lectures, it seems, enabled her to travel around the country to give the religious ones. May and her husband did not go to the first free lecture; they were quite satisfied with their religion and were active in their church. After all, wasn't that why they had recently built their house next to the church? And weren't they happy, busy members of it?

But when they returned to the nutrition lecture on Monday, everyone was astir over the lecture on religion. "Why, she had the nerve to say that Christ has returned! How could any sane person say such a thing?"

Curious, May and Paul decided to attend the next religious lecture and check these stories out for themselves.

There, Mrs. Rexford indeed proclaimed that Christ had returned in the Most Great Name. The Browns left the Bahá’í lecture transfixed. From that moment on, their lives were inextricably linked with the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.

With two others who had attended the lectures, they helped form a study group to learn more about this amazing claim of Bahá’u’lláh.

The study group was formalized in November 1933 and named the "Topeka Bahá’í Fellowship." It was the first documented organized Bahá’í institution in Kansas.

At Ridván 1934 the first Spiritual Assembly of Topeka was elected, but notification did not reach the National Assembly so it was not recognized.

The next Ridván the Bahá’ís in Topeka tried again and this time met with success. The Assembly was duly elected and Paul Brown became its first chairman, a position he held often for the next 40 years until his death in 1979.

May was also elected to that first Assembly and served as a member for more than 40 of the next 50 years.

Both were delegates from Kansas to various Bahá’í National Conventions, and both served frequently on regional, area or state teaching committees.

Their home was open to such traveling teachers as Dorothy Baker, Roy Wilhelm and others. In fact, every Bahá’í in Kansas knew his way to the Browns' hospitable welcome; their home was always open.

After Paul retired as a contractor, he and May traveled to the Geyserville and Green Acre Bahá’í schools as well as to the National Center where he gave freely of his time and knowledge in renovating or rebuilding many of the buildings that are still in use today.

He died knowing that many of his children and grandchildren had accepted the Faith. Even after several strokes, when he could no longer remember people's names, he could recognize the Greatest Name.

After Paul's death May was a tower of strength and source of consolation for her family, friends and the Bahá’í community. She continued to live in their home, which was for 20 years the Bahá’í Center of Topeka (really all of Kansas), served on the Assembly, ran the book sales and held regular firesides.

But when she reached her 85th year it began to be a bit too much for her. She moved to a retirement apartment near her sister but continued to serve on the Assembly, hold firesides, and teach, teach, teach.

She also continued her monthly letters to her grandchildren, which by the mid-1980s meant two dozen letters each month, three carbons at a time, using the two-finger typing method employed by the Guardian. "If it's okay for Shoghi Effendi," she would say, "it's okay for me."

In addition, she sent monthly letters to various isolated Bahá’ís. After a serious fall she knew it was time to move on. Her daughter in town had a room waiting for this day.

Moving would mean resigning, with great reluctance, from the Spiritual Assembly, which had moved its meeting place with her from house to apartment; file cabinet in one corner, bulletin board on a cabinet, chairs around the room. And it would have to meet, for the first time in more than 20 years, without "May Brown Cookies."

Despite these restrictions on her activities, May's devotion to and involvement with the Bahá’í community has not dimmed, even though her body has caused her to slow down.

She has contributed specifically, in the names of various children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to the building of every House of Worship after helping to build our own.

She continues to take such an active interest in local and national affairs that a letter from her was included by the National Spir [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 and opinions, never to denigrate another's views or to attack anyone on a personal level. Opinions expressed in these columns are not necessarily those of the National Spiritual Assembly or the editors.

Letters should be as brief as possible (a 250-word maximum is suggested) and 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.

Changing darkness to light

To the Editor:

I have noticed while reading the "letters to the editor" section of The American Bahá’í that many deal with some form of injustice: racial inequality, women's rights (or lack of), and one sad letter (April) from a new Bahá’í who needed a friend and found none. Dickens' phrase about "the best of times and the worst of times" seems very appropriate even today.

As the world becomes darker, we Bahá’ís need to become lighter. One way to do this is to deepen and pray and become the best Bahá’ís each of us is capable of being. This requires constant vigilance, bringing ourselves to account each day.

If there are not more Bahá’ís in the world right now, the only one who is at fault is each individual Bahá’í. We can only be responsible for ourselves; to spend time laying the blame on one another is to lose precious teaching time.

It would be nice if we were all wonderful, caring, perfect Bahá’ís. But we are not (myself included), and we are struggling with sometimes overwhelming problems just like everyone else in the world.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá warned us about becoming "unhappy if you look toward the people themselves. But if you look toward God you will love them and be kind to them, for the world of God is the world of perfection and mercy."

My point is that the injustices we see all around us—the poverty, immorality, drugs and alcohol, broken families, as well as racial and gender inequality—are all the result of mankind not heeding God's laws and not listening to His appointed Messenger for this day: Bahá’u’lláh.

There are many tests for us as Bahá’ís, and each of us must pray and fight his own spiritual battles, even though at times we may appear to be losing.

If we all did this, and then reached out to one another, encouraging, respecting and loving each one as God's child longing for an unconditional hug, I'll just bet we couldn't keep people away!

Brenda Snyder Olean, New York

Viewpoint

itual Assembly in its monthly letter to every Bahá’í community in this country for the Feast of Bahá to launch the year 144. And she still hosts Feast.

For several years May has wondered what Bahá’u’lláh yet wants her to do to complete her life so she can leave it. She refuses to consider that she has done anything on her own.

"I don't know why people make such a fuss over me," she once said. "I haven't done anything."

"No," she was told in reply. "You've gotten out of the way so that Bahá’u’lláh can do things. Other people don't always get out of His way."

"Well," she said after a pause, "I guess you're right."

Despite her advanced age she has kept on teaching. In the last half of 1987 two of her granddaughters came to Topeka, to her home, to declare their belief in Bahá’u’lláh. One flew nearly 500 miles especially to do this.

Theirs were the first declarations in Topeka in nearly a decade. And still May Brown wonders what she can do for Bahá’u’lláh.

‘An example to us all’

To the Editor:

Today (May 13) in Amarillo, Texas, a dear and devoted maidservant of Bahá’u’lláh was buried. Her name is Freda Belson. In July 1964 she came from New York City as a homefront pioneer to the Texas panhandle. For a middle-aged woman of Jewish background who had never lived anywhere but New York, I'm sure Amarillo was like a foreign land.

She lived on a limited income, but every Bahá’í in the area and any who traveled through for the next 24 years was showered with her love, prayers and hospitality. She could really be called the "mother" of the Bahá’í community in that area. Her steadfastness through all those years, with the ups and downs of the Bahá’í community, was an example to us all.

Only now, after having been a Bahá’í for a few years, do I really appreciate her devotion to the Cause, her deep love for Bahá’u’lláh, and her willingness to remain at her pioneer post through every difficulty.

She will be missed very much by the community.

Marie Griffith Westminster, Colorado

More on the gold standard

To the Editor:

This is in reply to the letter (April) by Bruce Koerber concerning the gold standard.

While it is true, as he says, that fiat money helped to finance many wars, the gold standard was in effect, both at home and overseas, during World War I.

That war was financed by taxes and bond sales; the money supply was linked essentially to increases in gold reserves of the U.S. and the world.

Bond financing is independent of the money supply of any country, whether money supplies are ruled by gold production or by the credit expansion policies of government (i.e., by fiat).

The essence of any monetary system, whether based on gold, other commodities, or fiat, is that people trust the use of their medium of exchange (that is, coin, currency, checks, etc.). Without that trust, the value is eroded by inflation and currency substitution.

What is needed is not disarmament per se, neither a gold standard per se. What is needed is an even greater degree of trustworthiness: trust to not use arms, trust that values can be easily and equitably transferred in all our business transactions.

When Bahá’u’lláh spoke of interest on loans (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 133), He referred, interchangeably, to gold, silver and money.

Elsewhere, when speaking of the establishment of a single world currency, He did not specify its form. Economic history has, most assuredly, ruled against gold, and for greater facilities of trustworthiness.

Keith Christian Jensen Professor of Economics Oceanside, California

To the Editor:

The American Bahá’í’s "letters" section is a stimulating forum, the meeting-place of Bahá’ís’ minds from around the country, even the Bahá’í world. Every once in a while a strange notion pops up, such as the proposal that a return to the gold standard as "international law" would somehow stop wars.

It is my understanding that gold has been feeding wars, even causing wars since its appearance in so-called "civilized" countries thousands of years ago until World War II.

Finally replaced by novel economic theories and banking practices, gold still fascinates some people as a "sure commodity" motivating a periodic rush of the primal hoarding impulse of man.

With apartheid at the forefront of news, gold is associated with the domineering racist society; however, the plight of the black miner in South Africa pales in comparison to the nightmarish ordeal of the tens of thousands of poor gold prospectors in Brazil.

In magazine pictures and film, they are shown crawling 12-hour days by the thousands, sucked by mountains of mud into the jungle where acre after acre of unstable and heretofore unviolated jungle soils are carved to provide two-thirds of Brazil's gold output.

To think that peace could depend on a return to this barbaric gold standard does not appeal to me. I would rather stay faithful to the inspiring Bahá’í vision of peace by "international law upheld by a world government."

Eliane A. Hopson New York, New York

Pioneering = Service

To the Editor:

Pioneering is a beautiful experience. Many of us have heard about the wonderful things that our pioneers have accomplished. I have great respect for the person who dedicates his time to glorify God, but let me say that there are some who have not yet realized the main objective.

As a pioneer you must endure a world of work. You will spend much of your time working on activities dedicated the promoting the Faith or on teaching programs.

As a pioneer you have to be able to understand and to help the people around you, and this requires real know-how.

Pioneering is not a game; it is a job that will probably show you things you never knew you could do. The rewards of pioneering will come later in life.

The idea I'm trying to project is that "pioneering equals work." Unfortunately, the idea that pioneering is "fun" has gained in popularity; therefore, I would like all of the Bahá’ís in the world to know that we are here to serve and honor God and not to have fun.

Percy Gonzales Deer Park, Texas

On ‘racism’ and ‘color’

To the Editor:

Recently a seeker and I were discussing the causes for apathy she had seen within the American Bahá’í community with respect to "the most vital and challenging issue."

During that discussion she made a profound observation that I would like to share with you. I hope that those who think racism is dead will read it and ponder.

"You know," she asserted, "the biggest handicap for people who are white is their skin color!

"Think about it," she continued. "If your skin is white no one calls you 'nigger.' If your skin is white your children don't come home saying, 'Mommy, I don't want to have black skin anymore."

"If your skin is white your heart does not break watching your child's self-esteem erode as he or she, daily and alone, confronts the insidious, malicious, subliminal monster of destruction—racism.

"If your skin is white you live in the illusion of comfort provided by your own ignorance of, and by your distance from, the daily pain of racism.

"If your skin is white one thing keeps you from experiencing the truth about racism—the color of your skin.

"If your skin is white, and you could understand, you could do something about it. If your skin is white you can do more to battle racism because of the color of your skin.

"If your skin is white you could expose the deceptive, insidious nature of racism to your contemporaries.

"But if your skin were white why would you go to all that trouble?"

On another occasion we were talking and I asked my friend, who has read many Bahá’í books and was asking for more, what was keeping her from joining the Faith.

To my astonishment, she said, "I've found from my experience that the Bahá’ís' treatment of the race issue is totally unacceptable."

To explain, she told me the story of a woman she had met at a recent Bahá’í conference.

The woman was black, from the South, a long-time and active Bahá’í who considered herself fortunate to have found, she thought, a religion that recognized, in black and white, the oneness of mankind, and promoted, at least in its literature, the importance of people living and working together as one.

See LETTERS

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh

The sixteen Tablets included in Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh were revealed by Bahá’u’lláh after the formulation of the laws and ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Shoghi Effendi characterized these Tablets as "mighty and final effusions of His [Bahá’u’lláh’s] indefatigable pen." They are Tablets that "must rank among the choicest fruits which His mind has yielded, and mark the consummation of His forty-year-long ministry."

These significant and much loved Tablets include the:

• Book of the Covenant
• Most Holy Tablet
• Glad Tidings
• Tablet of the World
• Tablet of Wisdom

From the U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust PS $4.50 Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 Tel. 1-800-999-9019 [Page 4]ber and none has been arrested since last February, said Dr. Kazemzadeh, "the Iranian authorities have not given any indication of relenting in their explicitly stated purpose of destroying the Bahá’í community..."

After listing a number of hopeful signs concerning the treatment of Iran's Bahá’í community in recent months, Dr. Kazemzadeh said, "It is an unfortunate fact that the persecution of the Iranian Bahá’ís has not ended and may at any time flare up again in its most savage forms.

"International complications, economic crises, changes in leadership, domestic upheavals could produce situations in which one or another group of extremists would want to use the Bahá’ís for a scapegoat, as has happened repeatedly in the last 150 years."

Dr. Henderson presented the testimony of two Bahá’ís who, he said, "cannot appear in person because threats have been made against members of their families still living in Iran."

Both of these individuals, according to their testimony, were harassed, imprisoned and tortured by Islamic authorities before they were able to flee the country.

The National Assembly also presented government documents showing instances in which Bahá’ís in Iran were dismissed from schools and employment, denied business licenses, pensions, inheritance, compensation for injury and even a proper burial, and had legal marriages annulled by the courts.

In every case, the reason given was none other than membership in the "errant sect," that is, the Bahá’í Faith.

Nevertheless, said Dr. Kazemzadeh, "in 1987 there began to appear signs of change in the Iranian government's treatment of Bahá’ís."

Since last September, he told the Subcommittee, "no Bahá’í has been executed; and no Bahá’í has been arrested since February 1988.

"Moreover, there has been a significant reduction in the number of Bahá’ís held in the various Iranian prisons.

"Eighteen months ago more than 750 Bahá’ís were in prison. The latest data show 152. ...

"Until recently, for every Bahá’í released, another one would be jailed. Currently, releases occur without new arrests, thus genuinely reducing the Bahá’í prison population.

There have been no reports of torture inflicted on any Bahá’í prisoners in the last several months," said Dr. Kazemzadeh, "and there are indications that the general treatment of prisoners has been somewhat improved."

For the first time, he added, "a few Bahá’ís have been issued visas and permitted legally to leave the country....

"In several instances Bahá’ís whose homes, shops or farms had been confiscated were permitted to resume ownership. It must be noted, however, that as of now only a small fraction of confiscated properties has been returned.

One of the most encouraging developments, said Dr. Kazemzadeh, "has occurred in the field of education," as some Bahá’í students who had been expelled from schools and colleges have been invited to resume their studies.

"We do not know how many," he said, "and it remains to be seen whether the right to education will be extended to all Bahá’ís or will be granted only in exceptional cases."

Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh (right), the National Spiritual Assembly's secretary for External Affairs, testifies before the House Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations. Looking on is Dr. Robert C. Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly.

In the absence of firm data, Dr. Kazemzadeh said, "it is futile to speculate about the reasons for the change in the treatment of the Bahá’ís by the authorities in Iran.

"Whatever the reasons, we welcome the change and hope that it will continue until the Iranian Bahá’ís are guaranteed all their human rights."

And despite the recent improvement in their condition, he said, "American Bahá’ís hope that the United States will continue to show, through its elected representatives in Congress, its concern for the fate of the Iranian Bahá’í community....

"The case of the Bahá’ís in Iran," Dr. Kazemzadeh concluded, "is such a pure instance of religious persecution that it may serve as an archetype.

"The American Bahá’ís hope that advocacy of the cause of the Iranian Bahá’ís would not only alleviate the sufferings of the Iranian Bahá’ís but help all who suffer persecution for their faith."

Nine-year-old Bahá’í delights friends at Feast with stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Nine-year-old Hamed Yazhari of Bedford, Texas, presents a story about the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at a recent Nineteen Day Feast in his community.

For the past year, working on his own, nine-year-old Hamed Yazhari has presented at each Nineteen Day Feast in Bedford, Texas, a story about the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

"The way Hamed tells his stories," says a letter from the Bahá’ís of Bedford, "is exceptional. He draws a picture with his words.

"For example, he doesn't just say 'they met in a garden.' Instead, he says ...the birds were happily chirping and all the people in the garden were happy to be there.'"

Now another Bahá’í child, Julie Afsahi, inspired by Hamed's example, has given a speech at Feast on how Bahá’ís can help bring about world peace.

"This dimension of youth involvement," the letter continues, "makes the Bedford Feasts unique and inspiring. After all, if eight- and nine-year-old children can talk in front of a group about the inspiration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the promise of world peace, so can we."

New York City host to Race Unity Conference

More than 200 people attended a Bahá’í-sponsored Race Unity Day conference held June 11 at International House in New York City.

The keynote speaker was Clarence Wood, external affairs officer of the National Urban League, who said that acceptance and tolerance of dissimilarities should be the goal of every individual regardless of race or sex.

Mr. Wood was followed at the podium by Dr. Cheng-Tsu Wu, an author, poet and professor who has served on New York City's Commission on Human Rights and on the state Advisory Council on Ethnic Affairs, and Auxiliary Board member Tahereh Ahdieh, who is director of neurology at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital.

The afternoon session was opened with Vickie Nizin speaking on "The Multi-Racial Family." She and her husband, Joel, are an interracial couple with two children.

Next came a panel discussion by a number of cross-cultural families: Sharon and John Joyce of Sodus Point, New York; Caroline and Eric Murray of Rhode Island; the Arrington family of Katonah, New York; and Marianne and Changiz Geula of Massachusetts.

Following entertainment by the Mahalia Jackson Gospel Choir from the Bronx, the conference was broken into workshops on The Multi-Racial Family, Children of the Multi-Racial Family, and The Emergence of Race Unity.

After a dinner break, the entertainment resumed with performances by the Swan Quartet, Chris French, Miguel Corrales, Mixashawn, and Ladjamaya.

The Spiritual Assembly of New York City has decided to make this an annual event, and has appointed a task force to begin planning the 1989 Race Unity Conference.

Bahá’í-sponsored Peace Conference held at Ohio State University in Columbus

Workshop participants discuss the role of the Grey Panthers in establishing peace during a Bahá’í-sponsored peace conference held April 30 at Ohio State University in Columbus.

The Bahá’í Peace Committee of Central Ohio and the Ohio State University Bahá’í Club sponsored a peace conference April 30 at Ohio State University, site of the 1985 Bahá’í International Youth Conference.

About 60 people, half of whom were not Bahá’ís, attended.

The conference was structured in workshop sessions to allow key issues relevant to the peace process to be discussed.

The over-all purpose was to investigate the individual's role in promoting peace.

Among the organizations that provided workshop leaders were Amnesty International, the Grey Panthers, the NAACP, Ohio Peace March, Peace and Human Understanding, World Federalists, Ohio SANE/FREEZE, Directions in Life, and the Global Learner Center.

A representative from the New Covenant Church of the Brethren discussed the "Peace Chair Initiative" project for the Ohio State University faculty.

Dr. Gwen Lewis was keynote speaker at the conference, which was closed with a theatrical performance entitled "Alice in Blunderland." [Page 5]

The National Bahá’í Fund

Advancing the Faith around the World

And they're off! in the 'FUNd Run' at the 1988 Bahá’í International Youth Conference at Indiana University in Bloomington. On-site contributions to the National Fund exceeded $7,200 with many thousands more pledged by sponsoring individuals and communities. One of the more than 200 runners of all ages completed 106 laps, generating an estimated $6,000 in pledges.

"O Son of Justice! Whither can a lover go but to the land of his beloved? And what seeker findeth rest away from his heart's desire? To the true lover reunion is life, and separation is death. His breast is void of patience and his heart hath no peace. A myriad of lives he would forsake to hasten to the abode of his beloved." —The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh

Some questions, answers about 'Fund deficit'

To the Treasurer:

On April 21 our community formed its first Assembly. At the Feast of Jamál I was reading the National Treasurer's letter and became quite concerned over one of the items.

My concern is over the rise in the Fund deficit. What exactly does that mean? Is it saying that the Fund is overdrawn? If so, this really concerns me.

I am hoping that the deficit merely represents that amount of money that is below the goals set for the Fund. And if this is the case, could it be possible that we have set our goals unrealistically high?

If the National Spiritual Assembly is to function as the new government in a new World Order, how can it possibly function properly if it is in a negative cash flow?

When we look at the situation the U.S. has gotten itself into, such as an unbalanced budget and being in debt, I am sure we will agree that this is no way to run a country or a world.

Are we allowing ourselves to create a new World Order that appears to be starting out the same way? Can we truly say that our way is a better one without a better example?

If we are trying to operate our governing body in the same troubled way we now find America, this does not seem anywhere near perfect to me and certainly not a way to teach the world that the Faith is the new way for a new World Order.

Kathi Ghareeb Anaheim, California

• • Yes, we sometimes have to borrow money**

To answer your questions, let us begin by explaining first what the "Fund deficit" means. Each year the National Fund receives a certain amount of contributions. This past year, for example, we received about $7.5 million. Each year we incur expenses (i.e., teaching programs, National Center staff, committees, conferences, literature, etc.). This past year our expenses totaled almost $8.7 million, which means we spent $1.2 million more than we received.

Therefore, for the past year we had a deficit Fund balance of $1.2 million. If we have received more in contributions than we spent, which was the case in 1987, we would have had a positive Fund balance (surplus) at the end of the year.

If you looked at each year going back about 10 years and added the deficits and surpluses, you would find that at the end of fiscal 1988 (April 30, 1988) the cumulative deficit had grown to about $2.7 million.

This does not represent an overdraft at our bank. Nor does it mean that we fell short of our goal by that amount. It means that we spent $2.7 million more than we received in contributions over that period of time.

You may wonder, "Well, where did that $2.7 million come from?" We borrowed it from Bahá’ís and from our banks. As contributions increase, we pay back these debts, reducing the deficit. For example, in 1986 and 1987 we received more in contributions than we spent; we paid off much of our debt and reduced the deficit to as low as $1.6 million.

We are still in the Formative Age, and as one of the chief national communities of the Bahá’í world our responsibilities are literally world-embracing. Years, as you know, are artificial periods of time. Whether we come to the end of a year somewhat ahead or behind is not so important. What is important is the trend. When the Fund deficit increases as sharply as it did last year, that is cause for concern. The National Assembly is considering this matter right now and discussing what adjustments to make.

The cash flow problem is a difficult one which we face to some degree every year—even in the years in which we end up with a surplus. The contributions tend to be lower in the summer months and higher in the winter and spring. Teaching and other activities, however, are typically at their peak in the summer and early fall. So when we need the cash the most (summer), it is coming in at the slowest pace. Should we stop teaching? Stop supporting the Universal House of Justice? Suspend summer schools? The National...

Children in S. Jersey raise $300 for Arc

On June 12, the children who attend the South Jersey Bahá’í School held at yard sale/picnic at which $300 was raised for the National Fund to help build the Arc on Mount Carmel.

Condition of Fund could delay opportunity for growth, change

In order to keep the entire American Bahá’í community more fully informed, the National Treasurer shares two recent letters addressed to the Bahá’í community for the Feasts of Kamal/Perfection and Kalimát/Words.

To the American Bahá’í community at the Feast of Kamál/Perfection

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Standing as we are on the threshold of major growth and change, the American Bahá’í community faces a most serious financial situation. If we do not significantly increase our contributions to the National Fund immediately, we will confront, in the next few weeks, the need to radically curtail all activities. We also face the prospect of not being able to make our full contribution to the Universal House of Justice.

Low contributions in the early months of this Bahá’í year have forced the National Spiritual Assembly to borrow money in order to sustain our activities. Contributions have not increased. Without a significant increase, our only option is to consider a reduction in all of our activities. This reduction would come at the same time the Universal House of Justice has said the opportunity is ripe for major expansion, as illustrated by the 100,000 newly enrolled believers in India this past month; at the same time, we are launching intensive teaching campaigns in the United States.

As the Guardian reminds us in Citadel of Faith (pp. 130-131): "Without his (the individual's) support... every measure adopted, and every plan formulated, by the body which acts as the national representative of the community to which he belongs, is foredoomed to failure."

As you can see, the American Bahá’í community is in danger of being paralyzed by the current state of the Fund.

"Every individual believer—man, woman, youth and child—is summoned to arise to this field of action; for it is on the initiative, the resolute will of the individual to teach and serve, that the success of the entire community depends."—The Universal House of Justice, Ridván 1988

With loving greetings,

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States William E. Davis, Treasurer

To the American Bahá’í Community at the Feast of Kalimát/Words

Dear Friends:

We are gratified by the overwhelming response from the National Convention delegates and local communities to our plan for teaching on an unprecedented scale. The National Assembly has chosen four sites to initiate the process of entry by troops: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and San Jose. These sites were chosen in part because of the high level of cooperation between local Assemblies and their eagerness to arise.

We decided to reduce our operational budget below last year's expenses for the American Bahá’í community to $6.5 million. The funds will be devoted primarily to teaching and the further development of a distinctive Bahá’í community as referred to in "The Promise of World Peace." We have increased our national pledge to the Universal House of Justice from $2 million to $4 million making the total contribution goal $10.5 million. It is our intention that every contribution you give to the National Fund directly support the needs of the Bahá’í World Center and construction of the Arc on God's Holy Mountain and simultaneously be devoted to the growth and development of the Faith and the establishment of world peace.

We call upon each individual, Bahá’í Group and local Assembly to arise and pledge your share, confident that universal participation is the key to success of this mighty endeavor. Let your contributions and pledges to the National Fund received during the month of Kalimát voice your commitment.

Since Isaiah, humankind has been awaiting this Day. How blessed we are! Why have we been chosen to carry out this divine mission?

With warmest Bahá’í greetings,

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States William E. Davis, Treasurer

National Teaching Committee named

Members of the recently appointed National Teaching Committee are Reynaldo Cruz of Phoenix, Arizona; Vicentee (Smokey) Ferguson of Jacksonville, Florida; Marcia Gitchell of Hutchinson, Kansas; Hoda Mahmoudi of Santa Monica, California; Larry Miller of Roswell, Georgia; and John W. Smith of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

During its first meeting in July, Dr. Mahmoudi was elected chairman of the committee, Mr. Smith was named vice-chairman, and Mr. Cruz was elected secretary. [Page 6]

PIONEERING

In January 1988 Ruby Lawson (Gubatayao) and her granddaughter, Leigh Anne Gubatayao (age 14), of the Tsimshian tribe of Alaska, and Shawn McConnell (16), of the Umatilla tribe, traveled to Lappland to visit the Sami people and share with them the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

This was a "Trail of Light" trip sponsored by the Sami Teaching Committee, an agency of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Finland, Norway and Sweden.

The feeling of unity and respect established between the Sami people and their American visitors was uplifting. As indigenous peoples of two different continents, they found they had much in common.

Ruby, Leigh Anne and Shawn visited more than 20 schools. At each, they followed a format in which Ruby would talk about the Faith and Indian culture and the two youth would help answer questions.

In every community they visited, the people were touched by the wholesomeness and courtesy of the Indian youth. On all their visits, Leigh Anne and Shawn gathered addresses of new friends who wanted to be pen-pals with youth in the States.

In Sweden, the three traveling teachers did a radio interview and spoke to 10 school classes.

They took part in a mini-conference: "Sami and Indian, the Meeting of Two Cultures," where 45 people attended. They also spoke at a school for 7-11 year olds and visited families in their homes.

In Norway and Finland, Ruby, Leigh Anne and Shawn lectured at schools, spoke at a cultural evening at a Youth Club where 80 children and youth were present, and helped start a Sami women's group in one of the towns in Finland by taking part in a sewing circle.

The three Bahá’ís returned to Sweden for the final event on their trip, an Ayyam-i-Há party in Karosuando, attended by 30 people. At that party, one of the Sami youth became a Bahá’í.

She had met Shawn and Leigh Anne earlier in their trip and was so attracted by their spirit that she asked to travel with them for a few days. When she met them again at the party, she declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

Altogether, there were three declarations during this Trail of Light visit, one of whom is an Inuit Indian living in Norway.

The American Bahá’ís were able to establish a special rapport with the Sami people, as their cultures and experiences are so similar.

The Sami Teaching Committee welcomes Indian Bahá’ís who come to Lappland to help with the teaching work. Families can be especially effective in building bonds with these people.

It is important to bring the symbols of culture, i.e. costumes, dances, songs, etc., as the material aspects of one's culture show a sense of identity and a desire to maintain that identity.

These artifacts also demonstrate the principle of unity in diversity, that differences are to be honored and respected.

If any Indian believers are interested in helping with the teaching work in Lappland, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

"You must attach great importance to the Indians, the original inhabitants of America. For these souls may be likened unto the ancient inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula, who, prior to the Revelation of Muhammad, were like savages. When the Muhammadan Light shone forth in their midst, they became so enkindled that they shed illumination upon the world. Likewise, should these Indians be educated and properly guided, there can be no doubt that through the Divine teachings they will become so enlightened that the whole earth will be illumined."

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, pp. 31-32

Ruby Lawson (right), a Tsimshian Indian from Alaska, presents her granddaughter, Leigh Anne Gubatayao, and their friend and fellow traveling teacher, Shawn McConnell of the Umatilla tribe, during a visit last January and February to the Lappland area of Finland, Norway and Sweden. The 'Trail of Light' trip was sponsored by the Sami Teaching Committee. (Photo by Ramin Golmohammadi)

U.S. INTERNATIONAL PIONEER CALL RIDVAN 1987-RIDVAN 1989

TOTAL GOALS ASSIGNED: 163 TOTAL PIONEERS SENT: 77 TOTAL GOALS FILLED: 22 TOTAL OPEN GOALS: 121

Pioneers to goal countries: 55 Pioneers to non-goals: 4 Pioneers filling goals for other countries: 0 Includes consolidation: 2

AFRICA (F) BURUNDI: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 2 (E) CISKEI: Goals Assigned 1, Pioneers Sent 1, Open Goals 0 (E) THE GAMBIA: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 1, Open Goals 1 (Preferably Persian) (B) KENYA: Goals Assigned 4, Pioneers Sent 1, Open Goals 3 (Preferably outside Nairobi) (E) NIGERIA: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 2 (E) SIERRA LEONE: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 2 (E) SOUTH AFRICA: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 2, Open Goals 0 (E) ST. HELENA: Goals Assigned 1, Pioneers Sent 1, Open Goals 0 (E) SOUTHWEST AFRICA/NAMIBIA: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 2, Open Goals 0 (E) TRANSKEI: Goals Assigned 1, Pioneers Sent 1, Open Goals 0 (E) UGANDA: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 2, Open Goals 0 (One to teach the Faith in the university; one doctor) (E) VENDA: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 2 Total AFRICA: Goals Assigned 23, Pioneers Sent 11

AMERICAS (E) BAHAMAS: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 2 (North Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, Long Island) (E) BARBADOS: Goals Assigned 1, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 1 (Employment opportunities for a dentist) (E) BELIZE: Goals Assigned 3, Pioneers Sent 2, Open Goals 1 (For radio, consolidation, development projects; skills for National Secretariat) (P) BRAZIL: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 2, Open Goals 0 (Preferably for Amazon project, possibly of Persian background) (S) CHILE: Goals Assigned 1, Pioneers Sent 1, Open Goals 0 (Juan Fernandes Islands, preferably Spanish-speaking couple) (E) DOMINICA: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 2, Open Goals 0 (F) FRENCH GUIANA: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 2 (Preferably Persian) (E) GRENADA: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 2 (F) GUADELOUPE: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 2, Open Goals 0 (Opportunities for English teachers) (E) GUYANA: Goals Assigned 3, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 3 (Preferably East Indians and) (S) HONDURAS: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 2, Open Goals 0 (Islands, Yoro, Colon) (E) JAMAICA: Goals Assigned 3, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 3 (Preferably self-supporting) (F) MARTINIQUE: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 2, Open Goals 0 (Preferably self-supporting for rural areas to work in village development) (S) NICARAGUA: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 2, Open Goals 0 (French-speaking youth to enroll in university or with musical talent) (S) PARAGUAY: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 1, Open Goals 1 (Preferably Persian) (E) ST. LUCIA: Goals Assigned 4, Pioneers Sent 1, Open Goals 3 (Skills in community consolidation) (E) ST. VINCENT & GRENADINES: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 2 (D) SURINAME: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 2 (E) TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 3, Open Goals 0 (S) VENEZUELA: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 2, Open Goals 0 (Preferably Persian) (E) VIRGIN ISLANDS, BRITISH: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 2 (To help develop public relations experts) Total AMERICAS: Goals Assigned 86, Pioneers Sent 38, Open Goals 55

ASIA (E) INDIA: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 2 (E) MALAYSIA: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 1, Open Goals 1 (E) NEPAL: Goals Assigned 1, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 1 (Preferably Persian) (M) TAIWAN: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 2 (Chinese background) Total ASIA: Goals Assigned 7, Pioneers Sent 1, Open Goals 6

AUSTRALASIA (E) MARSHALL ISLANDS: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 2, Open Goals 0 (To help with administration) Total AUSTRALASIA: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 2, Open Goals 0

EUROPE (P) PORTUGAL: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 2 (Couples for goal areas outside greater Lisbon, preferably Portuguese or Spanish-speaking) Total EUROPE: Goals Assigned 2, Pioneers Sent 0, Open Goals 2

LANGUAGE KEY (E) ENGLISH, (D) DUTCH, (F) FRENCH, (H) MANDARIN, (P) PORTUGUESE, (S) SPANISH

Esperantists to meet

Two special events for Esperantists will be held September 16-19 at the Landegg Center near Rohrschach, Switzerland:

The East Switzerland Esperanto Cultural Festival (organized by the Esperanto Cultural Center and the Swiss Esperanto Society).

An Esperanto Training Institute for Bahá’ís (organized by the Esperanto Committee of the Bahá’í community of Switzerland).

During the cultural festival, outstanding Swiss Esperantists including Renato Rosetti and Fritz Wassmann will speak.

Germany seeks traveling teachers

The National Spiritual Assembly of Germany has asked for up to three traveling teachers of diverse ethnic backgrounds with artistic or musical talent to join a teaching project from September 4-24.

The project will mostly involve visiting schools. Knowledge of German is helpful but not required.

For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039. [Page 7]

Message to the International Youth Conference

Message to the International Youth Conference in Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.A.

With joy and thanksgiving we hail the outstanding success of the International Youth Conference in Bloomington, Indiana, which has been distinguished by an unprecedented number of pledges of service to be carried out in support of the goals of the Six Year Plan.

The powers released by the advent of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh are inspiring in the hearts of humankind a heightened desire for unity and peace, and are shaping world events in an evolutionary process destined to yield, in due time, the Lesser Peace and to lead ultimately to the inauguration of the Most Great Peace.

Collateral with this new spirit at work in the world is a heightened spiritual impetus energizing the community of the Most Great Name which was evident in the consultations at the International Convention and which is producing a rich harvest of victories in the teaching field, news of which reaches us every day.

Today we have received the welcome news of the enrollment of over 100,000 new believers in the State of Uttar Pradesh in India. Country after country is joining the ranks of those areas blessed with entry by troops into the community of the followers of the Blessed Beauty.

As the chief executor of the Divine Plan, the American Bahá’í community is called upon to seize the privileges and obligations bestowed upon it, and by its noble exertions to inspire the entire Bahá’í world.

Let the dearly-loved Bahá’í youth of America arise as never before, in a consecrated and sustained endeavor to win fresh victories in the propagation of the Faith and the consolidation of its institutions. By this means they will hasten the advent of that day when, as prophesied by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, America will "evolve into a center from which waves of spiritual power will emanate, and the throne of the Kingdom of God will, in the plenitude of its majesty and glory, be firmly established."

Young people respond to challenge from Supreme Body

We have full confidence that the American Bahá’í youth, who comprise a strong element of the community honored by the Master with the title of "apostles of Bahá’u’lláh," will exert themselves to the fullest to fulfill the pledges they have made at this conference.

Our prayers will be offered at the Sacred Threshold, that these dear friends may be the recipients of unprecedented blessings as they embark on this new and exciting stage in their magnificent record of service to their Beloved.

Universal House of Justice July 4, 1988

Young Bahá’ís from some 50 countries gathered onstage at Indiana University's Auditorium during the 1988 Bahá’í International Youth Conference in Bloomington to recount news of recent victories for the Cause of God in their respective areas of the world.

60 pre-youth hold weekend retreat in Hoosick Falls, N.Y.

Sixty Bahá’í pre-youth from six states converged on the Johnson home in Hoosick Falls, New York, the weekend of April 23-24 for two days of prayer, classes and fellowship.

The weekend retreat was sponsored by the Regional Youth Committee, with all classes and activities planned and supervised by senior youth.

Four adults manned the kitchen, but all other activities were carried out by youth.

The retreat provided an opportunity to reach out to many friends of the Faith in the neighborhood. With only three Bahá’í families in the area, it was necessary to ask neighbors for sleeping-bag space in their homes.

One family, who planned to be away for the weekend, turned over the key to their house. Another family, who heard about the conference from a neighbor, called to offer space for any overflow.

In all, five Catholic, Protestant and Jewish families offered facilities, and as a result, feel even closer to the Faith than they did before.

The Bahá’ís of Benington, Vermont, a 20-minute drive away, offered hospitality and deepening classes for parents who drove the pre-youth to the conference.

During closing consultation, the pre-youth voted unanimously to have another such conference next year.

‘Service’ an exciting new topic for Bahá’í youth

By ROBERT HARRIS and KAREN PRITCHARD

There is a topic that is finding its way into the normal conversation of today’s Bahá’í youth. It is discussed with great excitement and in terms of personal action at every youth gathering.

Sooner or later it will be discussed in every Bahá’í home, and parents of youth will become well-informed. This exciting topic is Youth Service.

Twelve North American teenagers (including several Native American youth) traveled throughout a Caribbean island nation for six weeks in the summer of 1987, presenting anti-drug programs to hundreds of youth. They taught the Faith in rural villages, established children’s classes and worked on construction of the annex to the National Bahá’í Center of that country. Their tests ranged from the impossible to the unbearable—but they have said they would do it all again.

Youth can move the world

In its historic message of January 3, 1984, to the youth of the world, the Universal House of Justice issued a challenge to the young people living on our planet: "Undoubtedly it is within your power to contribute significantly to shaping the societies of the coming century; youth can move the world."

The Universal House of Justice points out that "the native urge of youth to move from place to place," and "their astounding zeal..." must lead them to "a mighty mobilization of teaching activities..." They further state: "One pattern of this mobilization could be short term projects in other lands, dedicated to both teaching the Faith and improving the living conditions of the people.

"Another could be that, while still young and unburdened by family responsibilities, you give attention to the idea of volunteering a set period, say, one or two years, to some Bahá’í service, on the home front or abroad, in the teaching or development field."

A young Bahá’í college student volunteered for his year of service. He was placed as an assistant teacher at a bi-lingual school, the school being a social and economic development project directed by the Bahá’ís of this South American country. The young man’s duties included teaching moral training classes to children at the elementary level, working with the parents of the students, and helping with maintenance at the school. His letters home spoke of the tests he faced, his new-found reliance on God, and his prayer to serve as a pioneer after completing his education.

Ongoing consultation: crucial questions

Since 1984, the Continental Board of Counselors has been involved in constant consultation with the 41 National Spiritual Assemblies in the Western Hemisphere, working to find a suitable response to this historic and urgent challenge issued by the Universal House of Justice. The spontaneous response by scores of youth who have already left North America and served in Third World countries or at the Bahá’í World Center has been gratifying.

Hundreds more of our youth are seriously planning their own service. Certainly our consultation must take on a greater urgency to assist these youth with their noble desires. As we have examined how we might assist them, four major issues requiring our attention have emerged. They are best expressed in four crucial questions directed to the four populations most affected by the call of the Universal House of Justice:

1. To the youth: Have you carefully and prayerfully examined your dedication, motivation, maturity, goals, timing, knowledge of the Teachings, age, health and service experience?

2. To the community sending the youth: Are the right youth selected, and are they well prepared to meet the challenges awaiting them?

3. To the community receiving the youth: Is the community set up to welcome, orient, integrate and mobilize the youth in Bahá’í service?

4. To the parents: Are we willing to help our children reject "the low sights of mediocrity (and) let them scale the ascending heights of excellence in all they aspire to do"? Are we really willing to support and encourage and even love their service to the Cause of God and to humanity?

A Persian teen-ager (fourth generation Bahá’í) attending a top college was barely making average grades. Although he had fuzzy ideas about becoming a physician, his grades were making that possibility remote. He went on a summer medical service project to a Third World island. After seeing with his own eyes the poverty and need for even the most basic health care, he returned to college, motivated as never before, much to the surprise and delight of his parents. He wants to return to that island to help his friends.

The immediate challenge

Excited and motivated youth often find that their parents are not anxious to help support them in their service, or even to let them go. Parents worry about timing (it may interfere with school or other plans), the youth’s maturity or his motivation.

Many times, youth appeal for someone to talk to parents and "convince them" to let their children go. The rule of thumb might be this: if you can't make a plan for the completion of your education, and if you can't convince your parents, wait! You are not ready yet! Get yourself ready and able to serve. Like the old saying: Save the world ... after you clean up your room!

Yet, the experience of those valiant youth who have already arisen to serve has shown that this extended service is a priceless education, an opportunity to serve selflessly and completely, a chance to experience other cultures, to learn about the needs of our world, and to learn, most significantly, about oneself and one’s relationship to our Faith.

It is, indeed, a major stepping stone in a lifetime of service to the Cause.

Prospects for future generations

The Youth Year of Service is not yet well-known among many of the friends, but it is a topic of constant conversation among the youth.

The Universal House of Justice has indicated that this type of youth service will certainly become a permanent part of Bahá’í culture. Right now, all over the world, National Spiritual Assemblies are establishing programs to channel and send youth, receive youth, orient them, and support their efforts.

In the words of the Universal House of Justice: "It would accrue to the strength and stability of the community if such patterns (of service) could be followed by succeeding generations of youth."

In the years to come, young Bahá’í families will raise their children for a period of service. "Youth service veterans" will visit their classes, sharing their experiences with children and parents. Local Spiritual Assemblies will assist youth in every aspect of this worthwhile activity.

Our young people will be protected from adopting the mediocre goals of a dying civilization. They will be informed of the real needs of the world from first-hand experience, and they surely will be motivated by their experience to deliver an ever-increasing measure of the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh to a world so much in need.

A 19-year-old girl volunteered to go to Africa. She was given her See SERVICE page 36 [Page 8]

Dizzy Gillespie headlines successful L.A. proclamation

The Bahá’ís of Los Angeles held one of the city's most successful proclamation efforts recently, with the focus on contemporary jazz and featuring an appearance by the legendary trumpeter, John (Dizzy) Gillespie.

Mr. Gillespie surprised and delighted a capacity audience at the Los Angeles Bahá’í Center’s newly completed 750-seat auditorium not only with his musical mastery but with the amusing story of how he had become a Bahá’í and with a challenging and electrifying reading of the Tablet of Ahmad.

At least half of those at the March 21 program, which was organized by the Black Task Force, were guests of the Bahá’ís who were there for the first time. Among them were scores of black professionals, a group that had previously been difficult for the Bahá’ís to reach.

Sharing the stage with Mr. Gillespie was a group of well-known jazz sidemen and session players, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í, who were known, for that evening only, as the L.A. All-Stars.

Also appearing were Alice and Oran Coltrane, the widow and son of the late jazz great, John Coltrane, and the Keith Compton Quintet.

The evening's most moving moment came when Mr. Gillespie surprised everyone, including the event's organizers, by taking out his prayer book and saying that he would like to read his favorite Bahá’í prayer.

As the house lights dimmed, he explained that the Tablet of Ahmad was given to the Bahá’ís by Bahá’u’lláh as a prayer of special potency.

Then he began to read, giving a unique interpretation that rose and fell and dipped and crescendoed with the rhythms of jazz. Forcefully and powerfully, Mr. Gillespie alternately embraced and challenged the audience with Bahá’u’lláh’s words.

When the prayer was over, the sense of spiritual peace and connection was palpable in the room. "That was incredible!" was the oft-repeated remark heard later.

A rousing musical encore closed the event, made even more joyous by the announcement from the National Spiritual Assembly that the Los Angeles community would re-elect its own local Spiritual Assembly at Ridván.

The Bahá’ís actively circulated among the masses of now-inspired and smiling seekers, and the post-event greeting, teaching and fellowship continued long into the night.—David Langness

Renowned jazz trumpeter John (Dizzy) Gillespie addresses a public proclamation and jazz concert held March 21 at the Bahá’í Center in Los Angeles as Judge Dorothy W. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, looks on. The audience filled the Center's recently completed 750-seat auditorium.

Health Agency sets Illinois conference

The seventh annual Conference of the Bahá’í International Health Agency will be held August 25-28 at the Orrington Hotel in Evanston, Illinois.

This year's theme, "Health Care in Transition: Toward the Year 2000 and Beyond," commemorates the 40th anniversary of the World Health Organization and the 10th anniversary of the Alma Ata Conference on Primary Health Care.

The program includes workshops, social activities, keynote addresses on "The Well-Being of Mankind: Developing Human Resources" and "Integrating Alternative Methods in Health Care," and a panel discussion on "Changing Lifestyles: Integrating Ethics and Morals."

For more information, phone the Bahá’í International Health Agency, 514-931-7640.

Justice Society holds 3rd Conference at Bosch

Participants from nearly 25 states gathered June 2-5 at the Bosch Bahá’í School near Santa Cruz, California, for the third annual Meeting and Conference of the Bahá’í Justice Society.

A capacity crowd took part June 2-5 in the third annual Meeting and Conference of the Bahá’í Justice Society at the Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California.

The annual conference marked the end of a second year of growth for the Society. More than 100 attendees gathered at Bosch to consider the theme "Justice: Achieving the Bahá’í Concept."

Speakers, including Counselor Wilma Brady; National Spiritual Assembly members William Davis, Dorothy Nelson and James Nelson; Juana Conrad, co-founder of Women for International Peace and Arbitration; retired California Supreme Court justice and human rights activist Frank Newman; and Farhang Javid, chairman of the New Era Foundation, focused on the theme from a variety of perspectives.

Among the issues discussed were women and the justice system; human rights; armed conflict and the United Nations; peaceful methods of dispute resolution; and ethics in the business environment. Discussion groups were organized around several of those topics and the issue of justice and racial prejudice.

In conjunction with the annual conference, the Justice Society elected Ted Amsden, Juana Conrad, Steve Gonzales, Linda Khadem and Yvor Stoakley to its Board of Officers for the coming year.

Another recent Justice Society event, co-sponsored with the Louhelen Bahá’í School in Michigan, was its first Regional Conference held early in May. More than 30 participants from Canada and the U.S. attended the Louhelen conference whose theme was "Bahá’í Law and Bahá’í Administration."

Included were sessions on "Bahá’í Law Applicable in the West" (conducted by Anna Lee Strasburg), "The Covenant" (Auxiliary Board member Javidukht Khadem), "Huqúqu’lláh" (Daryush Haghighi), "Organizing Legal Professionals in Europe" (Bahiyyih Tazib), and "Improving Consultative and Decision-making Skills" (Steve Connor, Michael Hyde and Nancy Moore of the BJS Dispute Resolution Task Force).

St. Louis Bahá’ís hold AIDS workshop

I HAVE AIDS Please Hug me I can't make you sick

Pictured (left to right) are moderators Donna Harding, Tommy Gregory, Catherine Lyle and Florence Reed who presided at a workshop on 'AIDS and Its Impact on the Bahá’í Community' which was held June 5 and sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of St. Louis, Missouri.

On June 5, more than 20 Bahá’ís took part in a workshop on "AIDS and its impact on the Bahá’í community" sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of St. Louis, Missouri.

The workshop moderators were Donna Harding, Tommy Gregory, Catherine Lyle and Florence Reed.

Six months in the planning, the workshop focused on three aspects of the disease—physical, emotional and spiritual—using guidance from the Bahá’í Writings to help the friends deal with the issue of AIDS.

Former pioneer to Portugal speaker at Massachusetts' 'Day of Portugal'

On June 12, Jack Harmsen, a former pioneer to Portugal, was invited to be the main speaker at an outdoor rally and concert that officially closed a week of cultural events commemorating "Dia de Portugal" (Day of Portugal) in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

In his remarks, Mr. Harmsen shared in the Portuguese language his experiences of living in Portugal for a dozen years as well as his appreciation of and admiration for Portuguese culture.

He referred to himself and his mostly immigrant audience as "world citizens," and described that reality by quoting the words of Bahá’u’lláh, "The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens."

Afterward, Mr. Harmsen was approached by a reporter from the New Bedford Standard-Times whose request for an interview led to a front-page article that included a brief description of the Faith.

D.C. to reprise civil rights march

Saturday, August 27, marks the 25th anniversary of the civil rights march on Washington, D.C. To celebrate the occasion, another march will be made on the nation's capital. It will start at the Sylvan Theater on the Mall and move to the Lincoln Memorial for the remainder of the program.

Come join the tens of thousands who want to remember the great march of 1963 and who are determined to keep the needs of jobs, peace, freedom and equality on our national agenda.

For more information, phone 202-484-2660. [Page 9]

Green Acre marks peace flag's 94th year, opens many summer events to the public

Children raise the 'peace flag' at the Green Acre Bahá’í School as a part of its series of summer programs open to all residents in the area around the school.

As part of its summer sessions, the Green Acre Bahá’í School is hosting events advertised and open to the public.

The kick-off event was the 94th anniversary raising of the world's first known "peace flag" presented in conjunction with, for the first time, Rotary International.

Amid rain showers, readings from various religions, songs and praise from area residents for Green Acre's ongoing contribution to the region, the children from a crowd of more than 100 opened the season when they unfurled the white banner with "Peace" printed in large green letters.

That evening there was a public slide showing on Egypt. On Wednesday, July 6, Mrs. Meherangiz Munsiff presented a talk on "The Role of Women in This Age."

The following Saturday found Zia Shamsey in Bahá’í Hall discussing his recent visit to the Soviet Union and showing slides of that trip.

Additional events including lectures, slides and concerts are to continue throughout the summer as Green Acre opens its evening programs on Wednesdays and Saturdays to area residents and announces the events in newspapers and on radio and television.

In the last year, Green Acre has experienced an increase in interest among the area's non-Bahá’ís in coming to Green Acre to learn about the Faith.

It is hoped that these open programs will stimulate even greater interest.

Disciples of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá provide enduring example of love, sacrifice

The disciples of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, ordinary people who rose to extraordinary levels of service, still today provide for us an example we would do well to emulate.

Their lives, their sacrifice, their love for the Cause of God remain for us to ponder and consider in our daily lives as Bahá’ís in America and the world.

Among the distinguished disciples of the Master were Sarah J. Farmer, the founder of Green Acre, and William H. Randall, an early Trustee of the Green Acre Fellowship, forerunner of the Green Acre Bahá’í School.

Many of the friends are familiar with Sarah Farmer's name, fewer with Mr. Randall's. Both were named disciples of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by the Guardian (see The Bahá’í World, Vol. IV, p. 119).

At the request of members of the Universal House of Justice for stories about these disciples, Mrs. Bahiyyih Winckler of South Africa, daughter of Mr. Randall, visited Green Acre in July to research the archives of both Green Acre and Eliot, Maine. We were fortunate to visit with her and would like to share this:

Mr. Randall was a successful businessman and shipping company president who actively pursued the study of religion.

"He first heard of the Bahá’í Teachings through Miss Alice Buckton of England, who told a group of our friends about the Bahá’í martyrs. Through Miss Buckton he met Mr. Harlan F. Ober who supplied him with Bahá’í literature, and who spent days and nights in our home explaining the Teachings. In the summer of 1912 Mr. Randall met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at the Charlesgate in Boston, and later ‘Abdu’l-Bahá came to our home (in Medford, Massachusetts)." (From Star of the West, Vol. 20, No. 1, p. 22)

Mrs. Winckler says that her father came to Green Acre because it had been a gathering place for Bahá’ís since 1901. He believed that if the Faith had the potency it claimed, it would transform the lives of people, and he wished to investigate.

As was the custom in those days, one did not declare but rather was placed on a committee. In 1913, Mr. Randall was appointed a Trustee of the Green Acre Fellowship and put on the Committee on Proposed Amendments and By-Laws.

In 1913, Mr. Randall sent the new by-laws with the following note:

"I hope the circulation of this letter, which expresses the views of the new Trustees, will be well received, and set at rest the minds of the Fellowship as well as the public mind, that we have any idea of either injustice or personal gain, but rather, that we stand together to serve the best interests of Green Acre and humanity, in giving our time and our money to its highest ideals."

Mr. Randall's appointment as a Trustee of the Fellowship came at a tumultuous time in the history of the school. In part: Sarah Farmer was confined to a sanatorium; an endowment complete with furnishings dictated the building of a "cottage"; the entire Fellowship was quite literally broke; and the "ownership" of the property and buildings was confused and contested.

In retrospect, we see that Sarah Farmer was released by arrangements of Mr. Randall; the endowment is known and loved as "Fellowship House"; the townspeople sided with the Bahá’ís and voted for Bahá’í ownership of Green Acre; and Mr. Randall wrote a personal check to avert the imminent loss of the entire facility.

An understanding of such motivation, dedication and personal commitment to the Cause and to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá can be gained from a passage in a letter written by Mr. Randall in 1922 and found in the Eliot, Maine, Bahá’í archives which says in part:

"When I was in Haifa in 1919, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá talked to me about Green Acre and requested that I do all I could to keep the foundation of Green Acre a living issue because He told me that someday Green Acre would be the Acca of America and would be the greatest spiritual center in America for the gathering of all peoples.

"When there in 1912, He (the Master) went to the top of Mt. Salvat, which is part of the Green Acre property there, and He told us that on this spot a great Mashrequ’l-Azkar would be built and that the whole hill would be covered with institutions of learning, science and religion, and to impress us with the importance of this Center, He said it had been created and was not a prophecy alone and ‘the Mashrequ’l-Azkar hung low over that place.’"

And the commitment was not only personal but family as well, as his wife, Ruth Wales Randall, was also busy serving Green Acre. As it was customary at the time for people to go out for afternoon tea, Mrs. Randall conceived the idea of the Golden Cock tea house and gift shop, a part of which is now Rogers Cottage.

Reports of that time were that a great "drink" was served at the Golden Cock—it was called the "Purple Cow" and consisted of sarsaparilla and cream.

William Randall gave deeply of his own time, energy, love, commitment and resources. We thought you would appreciate a glimpse of this remarkable man.

Today, Green Acre is again at a vital point in its distinguished

Want to order Bahá’í magazines? Subscriber Service provides the answer

"Where can I find out about Bahá’í magazines?" That's a question often asked by new believers and long-time Bahá’ís alike as they look for news and commentary about the Faith.

The answer is Bahá’í Subscriber Service, which manages circulation and promotion for Bahá’í News, World Order magazine, U.S. Bahá’í Report, The American Bahá’í (mailed outside the country), and Brilliant Star children's magazine.

Bahá’í News, the senior partner of all Bahá’í periodicals, is a direct descendant of Star of the West, and copies of the first issue, dated December 1924, are still available for purchase, as are most of the issues from the following 60 years.

World Order publishes articles on aspects of world order as reflected in religion, history, sociology, psychology, anthropology, education, poetry, architecture, science, ecology and the like. Almost every one of the back issues is still available at $3 each, and the articles in them are as fresh and challenging today as when first printed.

U.S. Bahá’í Report, published quarterly, is mailed to more than 1,800 non-Bahá’í individuals and institutions and carries news of the American Bahá’í community to friends made in government, the media, and interested others. Many local Assemblies and Bahá’í Groups have used U.S. Bahá’í Report with presentations of "The Promise of World Peace."

The American Bahá’í is mailed free of charge each month to every American Bahá’í household, and a recent decision of the National Spiritual Assembly allows Bahá’ís living outside the U.S. to subscribe. A one-year subscription to The American Bahá’í (via surface mail) is $15.

Brilliant Star, formerly Child's Way, is a colorful children's magazine published six times a year. Filled with stories, photographs, poems, music, and science and art projects, it strives to develop the child's understanding of the oneness of humanity while teaching Bahá’í history and beliefs.

To order any or all of these Bahá’í periodicals, simply use the handy all-purpose order form included with this article.

All Purpose Subscription Form Name Address City State Zip Gift from

Circle your choice: Bahá’í News $12.00 Bahá’í I.D.# World Order $10.00 Brilliant Star $12.00 U.S. Bahá’í Report $10.00 The American Bahá’í $15.00 (foreign only) Total Enclosed Bahá’í I.D.#

Enclose check or money order to Bahá’í Subscriber Service. Prices are for one year subscriptions within the U.S. only. For The American Bahá’í, prices represent foreign surface mail.

Mail to: Bahá’í Subscriber Service Bahá’í National Center Wilmette IL 60091 [Page 10]

Teaching by example an excellent way to get Message across

Annette McKissick, who is black, and Gail Plunkett, who is white, were walking together through Annette's Chicago neighborhood when they overheard a young black girl tell her friend, "Now there's an example of black and white together."

As easily as that, a principle of the Bahá’í Faith was demonstrated.

If they had told that young girl they believed in racial unity, chances are their level of sincerity would not have been questioned; already, it was obvious. But if they had never been associating with members of a race other than their own, there would be more room for skepticism.

We have all heard that one of the ways in which to teach the principles of the Faith is through our example. Perhaps it is the most effective way.

Although a Message from God should not be judged by its followers, often it is. Usually, people are affected more by what they see than by what they hear.

People are more inclined to accept visible proof than vague declarations. In addition, they want to see that an idea can work before ascribing to it.

It is evident that those who are especially concerned with particular issues are those who are directly affected by them. In this country, after centuries of oppression, the principles of the elimination of prejudice, racial equality and racial unity are of critical concern to black people.

If teaching by example is the most effective form of teaching, then demonstrating in a tangible way our sincerity in helping to bring about the elimination of prejudice, establishing racial equality and promoting racial unity are especially crucial in reaching black people.

Yet the Bahá’í Faith calls for far more than a mere demonstration of these principles: it calls for their reality. It calls for the sharing of a cup of coffee at the kitchen table, not just at a lunch counter. It calls for sitting together on the living room couch, not just on a city bus.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá did not hesitate to insist that Louis Gregory, a black Bahá’í, sit at His right during a dinner party of socially distinguished guests.

In the America of 1912, this was a bold gesture indeed—and a statement that was stronger, perhaps, than any words could have been.

As the Exemplar of the Bahá’í Teachings, the Master clearly showed us how to respond to the bidding of Bahá’u’lláh:

"Let deeds, not words, be your adorning."

Oregon dinner, auction raise $1,650 for Arc

On June 11, several Bahá’í communities in southern Oregon met in Grants Pass for a Persian dinner and fund-raising auction for the Arc.

The combined efforts of Ashland, Douglas County, Eagle Point, Greater Grants Pass, Grants Pass, Jackson County, Medford, Rogue River, Roseburg and Talent fed 85 people including two from Nigeria while raising $1,650 for the Arc.

Upcoming and Ongoing Teaching Projects

St. Ignatius, MT MISSION MTS PROJECT 9/21/88-6/1/88 Laurel Anderson 406/721-1425

Eagle Butte, SD SPIRIT OF THE ROSE PROJECT Ongoing Sandi Le Beau 605/964-7340

Lapwal, O PROJECT 95 Ruby Gubatayao 208/043-2007

Wind River Ros, WY Ongoing CHARLOTTE ORLICK 1968 PROJECT Summer, Dru Hanich 307/883-2277

NE Colorado BADI PROJECT Ongoing Can Fravel 303/665-6059

Houck, Az BADI PROJECT Ongoing Joff Kiely 602/367-5126x8595

Bakar, OR BAKER PROJECT Ongoing John Lang 503/389-1381

Miwuk Rancheria, CA TUOLUMNE MI-WUK PROJECT Ongoing Leo Hasp 209/586-7503

Tule River Rancharia, CA TUVER PROJECT Ongoing Vida Solo 805/833-8861

Los Angeles, CA SPIRITUAL CONQUEST OF THE CITY OF THE ANGELS Through next summer Lisa Janti 213/933-8291

Mission Viejo, CA MISSION VIEJO PROJECT Ongoing Ray Vajd 714/850-2719

Macy, NE AMOZ GIBSON PROJECT Ongoing Jo Elen Canon 402/846-5409

Browning, MT CHIEF MT. PROJECT August-Sept. 7, 1988 Marge Wason

Pueblo, CO PROJECT ARISE Ongoing Bill or Lori Emst 303/948-2219

Clark County, NV PROCLAMATION PROJECT Ongoing Monthly Jim Sadik 702/457-0015

Long Beach, CA EL DORADO PARK PROJECT Sundays Par Sorooshlan 213/493-3094

Imperial Beach, CA BUILDING SPIRITUAL BRIDGES ACROSS THE BORDER Ongoing Luis & Fanny Chavez 619/429-7720

Phoenix area, AZ PROJECT RAUL PAVON Ongoing Judith Spychalski 602/269-2703

Nation-wide NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE PROJECT Ongoing National Teaching Committee 312/869-9039

Phoenix, AZ PROJECT MIHDI Ongoing Sylvia Gonzalez 602/243-3290

So. Arizona DESERT ROSE PROJECT Ongoing Lafue Keys 602/378-6785

Bemidji, MN DAWNBREAKERS PROJECT Ongoing Nanette Missaghi 218/751-8282

Mandaree, ND MANDAREE PROJECT Ongoing Mavis Nymon 701/232-0058

Picuris Pueblo, NM PICURIS PUEBLO PROJECT Ongoing 58-3308

Kansas PROJECT ARISE Ongoing Gray Bishop 316/788-5378

Kansas City, MO ALBERT WALKUP PROJECT Ongoing Kathleen Norton 816/531-5109

Mille Lac, MN ANGUS COWEN PROJECT Ongoing John Skoog 612/532-3611

Middleton, WI SPIRIT OF AMANI Ongoing Bruce Koerber 608/377-2735

Minneapolis, MN MINNEAPOLIS PROJECT Ongoing David Ingham 612/823-9074

Phebs Co, MO KHADEM PROJECT Ongoing Lynn Wieties 314/364-2740

University City, MO UNIVERSITY CITY PROJECT Ongoing Art Mebane 314/862-7130

Easter Texas YELLOW ROSE PROJECT Ongoing Andrenea King 409/886-4853

Rock Island, IL ROCK ISLAND Ongoing Elizabeth Hickerson 309/762-2549

Davenport, IA FIRE IN THE HEARTLAND Ongoing Fred Frazer 319/391-3621

Milwaukee, WI MARIAN STEFFES PROJECT Ongoing Lyn Locust 414/786-5926

Evanston, IL HOUSE OF WORSHIP PROJECT Ongoing Robert Ferguson 312/864-8999

Vicksburg, MS SUMMER PROJECT Summer John Smith 601/636-8628

Avondale, LA AVONDALE PROJECT Ongoing Bernice Dormio 504/436-1581

Western Tennessee ODESSA MYERS PROJECT Ongoing Carolyn Eck 901/064-1694

On the map above are listed the ongoing and upcoming teaching projects in the United States that have been reported to the National Teaching Committee as of July 8. If your community is sponsoring a teaching project that does not appear on the map, please fill in the form (to the right) and return it to the National Teaching Committee. If you would rather that information about your project not be published in The American Bahá’í, please indicate this in the 'comments' section. Best wishes for a successful project—we look forward to hearing from you!

When planning one's first fireside, best thing to do is just go ahead and do it

By ANNETTE PROSTERMAN

Every individual believer—man, woman, youth and child—is summoned to this field of action...

"I thought I would have to be really deepened before having a fireside," said 16-year-old Kemba Thomas of East Lansing, Michigan, who hosted her first fireside in June. "But then I realized that I'll never be totally deepened, and that I should just go ahead and do it. Once I decided to do it, it was easy."

...for it is on the initiative, the resolute will of the individual to teach and serve, that the success of the entire community depends...

"It didn't turn out the way I planned. I had been teaching some friends, but they couldn't come, and neither could the other Bahá’í youth. But three of my brother's 9th grade friends came, and two college students. Also, a girl whose father has been investigating the Faith came. Later, she attended the International Youth Conference and is now really interested in the Faith. We didn't really know each other before, but we're close friends now."

...we urge you, with all earnestness from the utter depths of our conviction as to the ripeness of the time, to lay aside your every minor concern and direct your energies to teaching His Cause ...

"I asked Bruce Johnson, the youngest adult member of the community, to speak. I was surprised that my brother's friends, who are 13 and 14, were asking some really good questions. One of the seekers from the university was helping Bruce answer questions. He declared last week."

Have no fear or doubts. The power of the Covenant will assist you and invigorate you and remove every obstacle from your path...

"I think the most important thing is not to be scared. Just trust God—and say a teaching prayer. It may not turn out exactly the way you planned, but that doesn't matter."

Teaching is the food of the spirit; it brings life to unawakened souls and raises the new heaven and the new earth; it uplifts the banner of a united world; it ensures the victory of the Covenant and brings those who give their lives to it the supernal happiness of attainment to the good pleasure of their Lord.

"The next fireside we have," says Kemba Thomas, "my brother is going to host." Kemba's brother, Ali, is 13 years old.

Orinda Bahá’ís present scholarships

The Bahá’ís of Orinda, California, presented scholarships this year to three seniors at Miramonte High School who were chosen for their provocative essays on world peace.

The scholarships were presented by Nura Ioas of the Bahá’í community of Orinda on June 9 at the school's awards program to Nicole Townsend, Tom Harper and Michael Reeve.

Jacksonville, IL JACKSONVILLE PROJECT McAllister 618/537-6659

SW KY MARTHA JEFFERS PROJECT Ongoing Sarah Loe 606/263-1820

Montgomery, AL CARRIE MERRIWEATHER PROJECT Ongoing Farzaneh Guillebeaux 205/281-9765

Michigan, Mainland THE RIGHT TO KNOW Each Month Sally & Richard Singer 517/792-0416

Indianapolis, IN MR. KHADEM PROJECT Ongoing Carol Niss 317/547-3691

Bedford, IN VON SCHERB BEDFORD PROJECT Ongoing Terry Krasko 812/275-5746

Northwest Georgia GEORGIA ABLAZE Ongoing Sharon Wright 404/923-2361

SE Florida VISION 2000 Ongoing Dr. Molid 502/897-0072

Buffalo, NY PROJECT LUA Ongoing Jeane Delaney 716/825-5457

New Hampshire HATCHER RHODE PROJECT Ongoing Margaret Starks 603/225-7265

New Jersey S. JERSEY PROJECT Ongoing Kathy Tomari 609/769-4257

Massachusetts PROJECT MASSACHUSETTS (over 50 projects) Ongoing Charles Coope 617/745-2430

Providence, RI PROVIDENCE PROJECT Ongoing Kingsley Swan 401/273-8364

Louisville, KY DR. DAVUDI PROJECT Ongoing James Mock 305-845-0123

Warwick, RI WARWICK PROJECT Ongoing Maylo Murday 401/792-3579

Pocomoke City, MD DELMARVA PROJECT Ongoing Mary Springle 301/957-2740

FL, AL, SC HORIZON SEED PROJECT Ongoing Nun Riazati 603/547-5622

Northwest Georgia NEW JERUSALEM Ongoing Lay Mile 404/993-7067

St Petersburg, FL SE ASIAN PROJECT Ongoing Bruce Butler 813/323-0747

Falls Church, VA OLINGA PROJECT Ongoing Thomas Ndousse 703/573-2748

Lancaster, KY THOMAS LEON HILL PROJECT 606/266-8055

Connecticut SE CONNECTICUT PROJECT Karon James 203/443-6102

Xenia, OH PROJECT X Ongoing Rose Wonde 513/372-1844

Mt. Airy, NC RUHA PROJECT Ongoing Bruce Barker 919/789-7878

Pickens Co, SC DAWNBREAKERS PROJECT Ongoing until 1992 Truman Brown 803/268-2419

Nation-wide NATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE PROJECT Ongoing National Youth Committee 312/869-9039

Teaching Projects-1988/1989

Name of Project: Sponsor: Location: Contact Person: Phone Number(s): Type of Project: Goal(s): Comments: Return to: National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091

TEACHING PROJECT GUIDELINES

Recently revised by the National Teaching Committee, the "Teaching Project Guidelines" booklet provides helpful information to aid a Bahá’í community in organizing and carrying out several different types of teaching projects. Included are sections on project planning, securing resources needed for the project, implementation of plans, monitoring and reporting progress, and project evaluation. To order a copy of the guidelines, simply complete and return the order form below:

Teaching Project Guidelines Order Form Please send copy(s) of the Teaching Project Guidelines to: Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Telephone: Please include a check for $2.00 per copy payable to "Bahá’í Services Fund". Mail order to: National Teaching Committee Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

"loved ones of God! Each one of the friends must teach at least one soul each year. This is everlasting glory. This is eternal grace." —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Individual and Teaching, p.13. [Page 11]

Retiree Maggie McLendon travels (1,100 miles!) to teach

When it comes to teaching the Bahá’í Faith, Maggie McLendon is one intrepid, fearless lady. Maggie has a small house adjoining the Bosch Bahá’í School property near Santa Cruz, California. In the spring and summer, during school sessions, she helps in many ways including playing the piano when an accompanist is needed or simply playing for group singing.

She also extends her activities to nearby Santa Cruz where she helps with the senior meal program and frequently volunteers her music for various occasions. But come fall and winter, Maggie hops a bus—or accepts a ride if friends are going her way—and heads for Mexico.

She is fluent in Spanish, and so finds it relatively easy to teach the Faith south of the border.

This past winter, Maggie found a job in Mulegé, some 1,100 miles south of Santa Cruz in Baja California. In return for room and board, she played the piano at the Terrazas Hotel for evening entertainment.

During the day she busied herself with many civic-oriented projects: she helped the Rotarians distribute donated clothing, furniture, toys and household goods to the needy; acted as translator for the volunteer doctors, dentists and chiropractors who came down from the States and helped notify the public when these volunteer medics arrived; and helped a veterinarian in a program to limit the dog and cat population through spaying.

In her "spare time," she frequently became acquainted with tourists in parks and on the streets and made herself helpful as a translator and in giving general information.

Maggie says her piano playing was helpful in teaching because it was easier for people to listen to the Bahá’í message when they knew she was in Mulegé for more than one reason.

Also related to her piano playing, Maggie was able to help two children who had received for Christmas a toy piano that really played. Using the Suzuki method, which involves the mothers, she I was able to teach the children how to play, much to the delight of their parents.

Maggie says she received some important help in Mulegé from Bahá’ís who came to help with the teaching: Christine Hoyt, a pioneer and school teacher from Manzanillo; Rex Wilson, a school teacher from Southern California; Jeanne Serrano, secretary of a District Teaching Committee in Southern California; and Harold and Marjorie Thompson, who brought her to Mulegé and were very useful with their car.

Together, they were able to get the new Bahá’ís to meet for their first Unity Feast.

When Maggie McLendon arrived in Mulegé in November 1987 there were no Bahá’ís in the town. When she left in the latter part of March there were nine Bahá’ís, and many other residents were studying the Faith.

As a follow-up, she keeps in touch with these new believers by sending each one the Spanish page from The American Bahá’í. Members of Maggie's community give her their Spanish pages as a community project.—Lucy Tennant

Maggie McLendon takes her seat at the piano and prepares to entertain guests at the Terrazas Hotel in Mulegé, Mexico. As many of the town's residents found, she had much more than music to offer.

Special sessions used to introduce teaching booklets

An innovative way of introducing The Word of God and Effective Teaching was carried out during May by the District Teaching Committee of Illinois, Southern. Simultaneous meetings were conducted by members or representatives of the Teaching Committee in four cities, and the Bahá’ís in the surrounding smaller communities were invited to attend.

Each session (one in the morning introducing The Word of God and one in the afternoon introducing Effective Teaching) lasted for two hours—just long enough to "whet the appetite" of those who participated.

Bahá’ís from surrounding communities were urged to take the booklets back to their home communities and to begin study groups for more intensive deepening.

The Regional Schools Committee of Illinois is also involved in seeing that The Word of God reaches all the Bahá’ís in that state.

The youth program at the Heartland Bahá’í School, held July 20-24, was centered around the study of the booklet, which was produced by the National Teaching Committee and is available from the Bahá’í Distribution Service.

Dover, Delaware, forms first Assembly

Pictured are members of the first Spiritual Assembly of Dover, the state capital of Delaware, which was established at Ridván. Standing (left to right) are Joe Cain, Bruce Hutton, Arline Bogie, Robin Cain, Harold Bogie. Seated (left to right) are Pepper Oldziey, Peter Oldziey, D.C. Brown. Not pictured is Jim Bordley.

At Ridván, the Bahá’ís of Dover, Delaware, established the city's first local Spiritual Assembly, bringing one step closer the national goal of the Six Year Plan to raise an Assembly in every state capital.

For at least 15 years the formation of an Assembly in Dover was a primary goal of the District Teaching Committee of the DelMarVa Peninsula.

Once the formation of the Assembly became a national goal as well, the growth of the community accelerated.

Regular firesides were begun, and enrollments ensued. Auxiliary Board members Tahereh Ahdieh and Billy Roberts made regular visits and helped inspire the friends through some dark moments.

Meanwhile, The American Bahá’í published articles about Dover and encouraged homefront pioneers. Two families arose to fulfill the need. The arrival of each of these families was greeted with a new enrollment!

From five Bahá’ís three years ago, Dover has grown to comprise 13 adults and 13 children.

On May 1, approximately 50 Bahá’ís and their guests attended a formal celebration sponsored by the Bahá’ís of the DelMarVa district to honor the Spiritual Assembly of Dover.

The keynote speaker was Katherine Bigelow, deputy director of the National Spiritual Assembly Office of External Affairs in Washington, D.C.

Entertainment was provided by Paul and Sandy Huening and Adrienne Stengel.

One non-Bahá’í, Ontry Patten, who had first heard of the Faith when reading the Ebony magazine article in the late '60s and had always considered himself a Bahá’í but had not formally enrolled, decided the time had come.

After signing his card, he showed the Bahá’ís the dog tags he had worn in Vietnam. Next to his blood type were the words "Bahá’í Faith." Ontry had come home!

Asia-Pacific Conference in Singapore

The National Spiritual Assembly of Singapore is sponsoring a Bahá’í Asia-Pacific Conference focusing on Chinese teaching to be held December 18-21 in Singapore.

The National Spiritual Assembly of Singapore hopes to see people from many countries attending this conference. The greater the representation of different countries, races and backgrounds, the more richly rewarding will be the exchange of experiences for all who have an interest in the expanding field of teaching Chinese.

In addition to talks and workshops, there will be an exhibition at the conference of Chinese-language materials on the Faith. Arrangements are being made for simultaneous translation of all sessions from English to Chinese.

As it becomes available, more information will be provided in upcoming issues of The American Bahá’í.

Many S. Carolina communities need homefront pioneers' help

Many Bahá’í communities have grown slowly and steadily over the years. In these older, more established communities, new Bahá’ís have ample opportunity to learn from the "older" believers how a community functions.

For example, new believers can observe how Feasts are conducted and can learn about the Bahá’í principles of consultation by hearing others consult.

However, when a Bahá’í community is established through mass teaching, the new Bahá’ís do not have the benefit of having older, more experienced Bahá’ís to guide them.

Such communities have been formed throughout South Carolina. Many of the Spiritual Assemblies there need the administrative guidance and the loving nurturing of mature believers in order to learn how to function.

Homefront pioneers can provide such assistance.

South Carolina has a Bahá’í Coordinating Committee with a coordinator who helps homefront pioneers settle in South Carolina.

Moses Richardson, the Traveling Teaching and Homefront Pioneer coordinator for South Carolina, will be happy to help those who might be interested in arising to serve the Cause as a homefront pioneer to South Carolina. His address is Darlington, SC 29532 (phone 803-393-6649).

Although help is needed throughout the state, some areas of concentration have been identified:

CHERAW

Population: 5,654

Employment: Carolina Canners Inc., Carolina Packaging Inc., Cheraw Dyeing and Finishing Co., Cheraw Yarn Mills, Cooper Industries, Crown Cork and Seal Co., F&S Industries, INA Bearing, James Fabrics (Burlington), Pioneer Ltd., Pyramid Screen Printers, Robertson Factories Inc., Stanley Works and Stanley Tool Division.

Education: Three elementary schools, one junior high school, one high school, Chesterfield-Marlboro Technical College.

Transportation: No public transportation.

Housing: Current information available from the coordinator.

ORANGEBURG

Population: 15,477

Employment: Industry well-balanced with manufacturing plants in chemical, lumber and woodworking, metal-working, textile equipment. Manufactured products include aircraft parts, ball and roller bearings, clothing and other textiles, fiberglass products, fishing equipment, foodstuffs, lawn mowers, packaging, and plastic molds.

Education: 18 elementary schools, six middle and junior high schools, one vocational school, eight high schools, five private schools, five church-operated schools, South Carolina State College, Claflin College, Southern Methodist College, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, and Orangeburg-Calhoun Regional Hospital School of Nursing.

Transportation: Airport bases a number of corporate aircraft, accommodates jets and has a fixed base operator. Two railroads, four bus lines and four motor freight terminals.

Housing: Current information is available from the coordinator.

DILLON

Population: 11,961

Employment: Economy is based on textiles, retail trade and services. Burlington Industries (carpet yarn), Carpostan Industries (synthetic weaving), Dixiana Mills (carpets), Dillon Yarn, Buck Creek Industries (wool yarn), Craftex Creations (women's underwear), Rownd and Son (plywood), Packaging Corporation of America (corrugated boxes), Wix Corporation (auto filters), Dillon Veneer and Plywood (furniture).

Education: Several elementary [Page 12]

FOR NEW BAHÁ’ÍS... New World Order destined to unite peoples and nations

"Blessed is He." With these words the Báb foreshadows the ultimate fruit of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh—a new World Order destined to unite the peoples and nations of the world.

In Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings guidance is provided to foster the spiritual, the moral, and even the material development of individuals. He has likewise provided principles that serve to guide the progress of society—for example, teachings on universal education, the equality of men and women, and the creation and maintenance of international peace.

Such teachings alone, however, whether for the benefit of the individual or society, cannot accomplish their intended purpose unless they are incorporated in a structure that will govern the affairs of humanity.

As Shoghi Effendi explains, "...The Spirit breathed by Bahá’u’lláh upon the world... can never permeate and exercise an abiding influence upon mankind unless and until it incarnates itself in a visible Order, which would bear His name, wholly identify itself with His principles, and function in conformity with His laws....

"For Bahá’u’lláh, we should readily recognize," the Guardian continues, "has not only imbued mankind with a new and regenerating Spirit. He has not merely enunciated certain universal principles, or propounded a particular philosophy, however potent, sound and universal these may be.

"In addition to these He, as well as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá after Him, has, unlike the Dispensations of the past, clearly and specifically laid down a set of Laws, established definite institutions, and provided for the essentials of a Divine Economy.

"These are destined to be a pattern for future society, a supreme instrument for the establishment of the Most Great Peace, and the one agency for the unification of the world, and the proclamation of the reign of righteousness and justice upon the earth." (The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 19)

The existing Order of the world, based on the independent sovereignty of nations, daily demonstrates that it is no longer able to meet the needs of humanity. The threat of nuclear war, the unchecked spread of regional wars, the expanded use of terrorism, and the growing disparity between the rich and poor nations and peoples are only some of the major problems humanity has been unable to resolve.

These problems are a symptom of our lack of unity. And it is chiefly in establishing the basis of the unity of humanity that Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order will provide a remedy for the ills of society.

Bahá’u’lláh, as the Messenger of God for this Day, addresses the problems of the world in two ways, which Shoghi Effendi describes as the major and minor plans of God.

In the major plan, the spirit released by the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh acts in the world to stimulate the progress of movements and institutions that support principles in harmony with Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings.

At the same time, the ineffective and outdated structures of an old Order disintegrate under the stresses and problems that result from the world's disunity.

"The world's equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this most great, this new World Order," Bahá’u’lláh says. "Mankind's ordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System—the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed." (Gleanings, p. 136)

Carrying out God's minor plan is a task given to the Bahá’ís. It is the spreading of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh and the raising of the institutions of His Administrative Order.

The present Bahá’í administration, which includes the local and national Assemblies being raised even in the most remote regions of the world, is, according to Shoghi Effendi, the "nucleus" and "pattern" of the future World Order. (The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 144)

As time passes and the Message of Bahá’u’lláh comes to the attention of and is accepted by a larger number of people, the major and minor plans will draw closer.

The Faith, Shoghi Effendi informs us, will pass through the successive stages of "unmitigated obscurity (from which we have recently emerged), of active repression, and of complete emancipation, leading in turn to its being acknowledged as an independent Faith, enjoying the status of full equality with its sister religions, to be followed by its establishment and recognition as a State religion, which in turn must give way to its assumption of the rights and prerogatives associated with the Bahá’í state, functioning in the plenitude of its powers, a stage which must ultimately culminate in the emergence of the worldwide Bahá’í Commonwealth, animated wholly by the spirit, and operating solely in direct conformity with the laws and principles of Bahá’u’lláh." (The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 12)

The world as well will pass through various stages that will include the political unity of the nations and the creation of a world federation headed by a supreme tribunal. Eventually, the two processes will merge in the Bahá’í Commonwealth.

The ultimate outcome of God's plan is the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth—the establishment of Bahá’u’lláh’s new World Order.

It will involve not only the political and social unity of the peoples of the world, but a spiritual unity as well—the Most Great Peace. The establishment of the Bahá’í Commonwealth will be followed by the birth of a world civilization.

"This crowning stage in the evolution of the plan wrought by God Himself for humanity," Shoghi Effendi states, referring to the Bahá’í Commonwealth, "will, in turn, prove to be the signal for the birth of a world civilization, incomparable in its range, its character and potency, in the history of mankind—a civilization which posterity will, with one voice, acclaim as the fairest fruit of the Golden Age of the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh, and whose rich harvest will be garnered during the future dispensations destined to succeed one another in the course of the five thousand century Bahá’í Cycle." (Messages to the Bahá’í World, p. 156)

The Seat of the Universal House of Justice in Haifa, Israel

From the Writings..

"As we view the world around us, we are compelled to observe the manifold evidences of that universal fermentation which, in every continent of the globe and in every department of human life, be it religious, social, economic or political, is purging and reshaping humanity in anticipation of the Day when the wholeness of the human race will have been recognized and its unity established. A two-fold process, however, can be distinguished, each tending, in it own way and with an accelerated momentum, to bring to a climax the forces that are transforming the face of our planet. The first is essentially an integrating process, while the second is fundamentally disruptive. The former, as it steadily evolves, unfolds a System which may well serve as a pattern for that world polity towards which a strangely-disordered world is continually advancing; while the latter, as its disintegrating influence deepens, tends to tear down, with increasing violence. the antiquated barriers that seek to block humanity's progress towards its destined goal. The constructive process stands associated with the nascent Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, and is the harbinger of the New World Order that Faith must erelong establish. The destructive forces that characterize the other should be identified with a civilization that has refused to answer to the expectation of a new age, and is consequently falling into chaos and decline.

"A titanic, a spiritual struggle, unparalleled in its magnitude yet unspeakably glorious in its ultimate consequences, is being waged as a result of these opposing tendencies, in this age of transition through which the organized community of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh and mankind as a whole are passing."—Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 170

Discuss the passage with the Bahá’í who taught you the Faith, or with another believer. Together consider the following questions:

• What are some signs from current events of the breakdown of the old world order? What are some signs of the building of the new World Order?
• What does Shoghi Effendi say is the source of the forces bringing down the old order? What is the source of the forces establishing the new Order?
• How does the Order established by Bahá’u’lláh—which outwardly may seem to be a replica of the institutions of Christianity or Islam—differ from those of other religions? (See page 18 of The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh by Shoghi Effendi.)
• What is the role of the individual Bahá’í in the processes described by Shoghi Effendi? What can you personally do?

The following references that address the topic of Bahá’u’lláh’s new World Order are available from the Bahá’í Distribution Service:

The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, by Shoghi Effendi. This book includes a number of letters of the Guardian (including quotes from Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá) that deal with conditions surrounding the unfoldment of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order.

The Promised Day Is Come, by Shoghi Effendi, especially pages 108 ("The Continuity of Revelation") to the end of the book. This book examines the initial response of humanity to Bahá’u’lláh’s call and concludes with a look at the promise of the future.

Elements of Bahá’í Commonwealth set forth in Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

Unlike the institutions raised in other religions, the Order designed to guide the affairs of humanity that will result from the spread of the Bahá’í teachings is firmly established in the Writings of the Founder of the Faith.

Bahá’u’lláh, in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and in certain other Tablets has set forth the elements necessary for the establishment of the Bahá’í World Commonwealth.

The statements in the Aqdas are confirmed, supplemented and correlated in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, which, together with the Aqdas, serves as a charter for the emergence of Bahá’u’lláh’s new World Order.

"...the apostles of Bahá’u’lláh in every land," Shoghi Effendi writes, "...have before them in clear, in unequivocal and emphatic language, all the laws, the regulations, the principles, the institutions, the guidance, they require for the prosecution and consummation of their task.

"Both in the administrative provisions of the Bahá’í Dispensation, and in the matter of succession, as embodied in the twin institutions of the House of Justice and the Guardianship, the followers of Bahá’u’lláh can summon to their aid such irrefutable evidences of Divine Guidance that none can resist, that none can belittle or ignore. Therein lies the distinguishing feature of the Bahá’í Revelation. Therein lies the strength of the unity of the Faith...." (The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 21-22)

Indeed, it is not simply through our belief in and love for Bahá’u’lláh that we are united as Bahá’ís. Such love for the Manifestations of God in the past was not enough to preserve the unity of their followers.

Rather, it is in adherence to Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, particularly in regard to the Order He has established, that not only will the unity of the believers be protected but the ultimate unity of all humanity will be secured.

Don't forget!

to attend your District Convention

Your vote is important to help elect a delegate to next year's Bahá’í National Convention where he or she will in turn help elect the National Spiritual Assembly for 1989-90.

Make plans now to attend!

"Let him [the teacher] not be content until he has infused into his spiritual child so deep a longing as to impel him to arise independently, in his turn, and devote his energies to the quickening of other souls, and the upholding of the laws and principles laid down by his newly-adopted Faith."—Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 43-44. [Page 13]

Arts celebrate beauty, diversity of humankind at Canada's first 'Festival of the Human Spirit'

There was a burgeoning of creative expression at Canada's first "Festival of the Human Spirit," held June 30-July 3 at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.

The focus of the event was the importance of the arts in celebrating the beauty and diversity of the human spirit and contributing to a better world.

An estimated 1,000 people attended the festival, which was sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada and the Bahá’í Arts Council of Canada, an organization that was formed as a goal of the Six Year Plan.

At one of the opening sessions, Dr. Hossain Danesh, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, paraphrased a Japanese Haiku: "When the almond tree was asked of God, it blossomed."

There was much evidence of blossoming in the multi-faceted artistic presentations, exhibits, talks about marriage and education, and activities for children and youth, all of which served to encourage and integrate the artistic and intellectual capacities of the Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í participants (about one-third of the performers were not Bahá’ís).

Highlights on the main stage included music by Andrew Pemberton-Piggott; santour player Kiu Haghighi accompanied by his daughter, Keely, and Nancy Ward; a celebration of the folklore of French Canada presented by Ellie Melling-Cyr and a company of 18 singers, dancers and musicians; and the premiere of a ballet based on the story of Badí’, performed by Roderick Johnson & Co.

Among other evening events were a disco dance for people of all ages and two evenings of late-night informal performances (music, poetry and story-telling) hosted by Nancy Ackerman, a member of the Arts Council.

Many other presentations, performances and workshops were held in various buildings on campus. Topics ranged from "Educating Children for a Peaceful World: The Role of the Arts" to "The Art of Japanese Flower Arranging," "Sacred Ceremonial Sand Painting" and "Out of Africa: Views and Fashions."

Dramatic performances included a play, "Anticipation," by John Dunn; "The Passing of Exquisite Music," a one-woman play about Martha Root, written and directed by Ann Boyles and performed by Susan Lyons; and "Lord of the Flies," a creative adaptation acted by children (ages 9-16) under the direction of Daniel Danis of Group Capture.

Among other highlights were talks and poetry readings by poet Roger White; a slide presentation and talks by architect Faríburz Sahba, who designed the Bahá’í House of Worship in India; and a slide presentation and talk by artist and Counselor Donald Rogers.

Americans who took part in the festival included Kiu and Keely Haghighi (santour/piano), Mark Ochu (concert pianist), Donna Kime (jazz/classical fusion singer/pianist), and Deborah Chicurel Conow and Anne Gordon Atkinson, who performed dramatized versions of the poetry of Roger White with music by Donna Kime and lighting by designer Danny Phillips.

Festival exhibits included works by five contemporary Canadian artists, four of whom are non-Bahá’ís: Donald Rogers, Greg Curnoe, Jamelie Hassan, Geoffrey Holdsworth and Susan Shantz.

In addition, a "Festival Emporium" featured art works and crafts for sale.

The children's program included many quality performances and workshops in dance, drama and music. The Children's Festival Choir, composed of many of the children at the festival, performed for everyone at the closing ceremony.

Also provided was a day care program with arts and other activities for children under five years of age.

The National Spiritual Assembly of Canada has decided to make the Festival of the Human Spirit an annual event during the remainder of the Six Year Plan. Next year's festival is tentatively scheduled to be held in eastern Canada, with the following year's in one of the western provinces.

The power of the spirit was certainly evident at this first festival celebrating the diversity and creativity of humanity. Future festivals promise an even more abundant blossoming of the artistic efforts of Bahá’ís and their guests.—Anne Gordon Atkinson

Andrew Pemberton-Piggott (right) performs during the opening night of Canada's Festival of the Human Spirit in Ontario.

N.Y.C. youth slate series of lectures on the Covenant

Starting in September, the Bahá’í Youth Committee of New York City is presenting a series of lectures on the Covenant featuring well-known Bahá’í speakers.

The events, to be held at the Bahá’í Center in New York City, are made possible with the support of the Spiritual Assembly of New York City and Counselor Wilma Brady, director-general of the Bahá’í International Community.

The schedule of speakers and their topics:

September 10, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh (The Covenant and the Cause).

October 8, Dr. Robert C. Henderson (The Divine Plan for America).

November 19, Counselor William Roberts (The Covenant and the Individual).

December 10, Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh (Remembering Shoghi Effendi).

January 14, Mrs. Mary Kay Radpour (The Covenant, Christ and Bahá’u’lláh).

February 25, Dr. Roy Jones (This Matter of Race ... A Bahá’í View).

All Bahá’ís and guests in neighboring communities are warmly invited to attend. For more information, contact the Spiritual Assembly of New York City.

HUQUQU’LLÁH

"It is indeed a most excellent favor, a boundless grace vouchsafed unto whosoever is privileged in this day to render service to the Cause of God and to offer the Right of God, for its goodly results and the fruits thereof will last as long as the kingdom of earth and heaven will endure."—Bahá’u’lláh

Payments for Huqúqu’lláh should be made to "Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust" and sent to one of the Trustees:

Dr. Elsie Austin P.O. Box 927 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Tel: 301-589-8481

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA 90402 Tel: 213-394-5449

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH 44116 Tel: 216-333-1506

Inquiries regarding Huqúqu’lláh should be referred to one of the Trustees or to:

Office of the Secretariat Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust Rocky River, OH 44116

A CONCORDANCE to the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

Quickly find a passage from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh in any of 9 books and 24 compilations!

A Concordance to the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, compiled by Lee Nelson, is one of the most comprehensive tools available for finding and studying passages from the Creative Word. It lists alphabetically all of the significant words in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and includes a portion of the passage in which the word appears. This concordance has over 160,000 references to key words and provides access to nearly all of the published English writings of Bahá’u’lláh.

A Concordance to the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, a basic tool that belongs in every Bahá’í library, can help you to:

• Find a favorite passage
• Research specific subjects
• Prepare deepenings and compilations
• Prepare readings for firesides, Feasts, and Holy Days
• Explore and study the variety of meanings of words and groups of similar words
• Enhance understandings, expand scope, and narrow personal interpretations and misquoting of Bahá’u’lláh's writings
• Foster unity by what Bahá’u’lláh actually wrote rather than on what Bahá’ís think He wrote

A Concordance is indexed to these books:

• Epistle to the Son of the Wolf
• Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
• The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh
• Kitáb-i-ĺqȧn
• Prayers and Meditations
• The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh
• The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys
• Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh
• A Synopsis and Codification of Kitáb-i-Aqdas
• Plus 24 compilations

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 Tel. 1-800-999-9019 [Page 14]

STORIES OF THE MARTYRS: MRS. ISHRAQIYYIH FARÚHAR

Since the Islamic Revolution swept Iran in 1979 several Bahá’í couples have been martyred, among whom were Mrs. Ishráqiyyih Farúhar and her husband.

Mrs. Farúhar was born into a Bahá’í family in Tehran, in 1924. Her father was an active Bahá’í whose home was a center for many activities, particularly classes and deepenings.

In her childhood, Mrs. Farúhar saw and took part in such activities, and thus her faith in the Cause was laid on a solid foundation.

In 1945, after her graduation from one of the better high schools in Tehran, she met and married a young Bahá’í who had just moved to, and found employment in, that city.

Soon after the wedding Mrs. Farúhar became pregnant but had a miscarriage. Later she fell ill and, as a result, was no longer able to bear children.

Although this was a sad experience for her, yet she considered it a blessing in disguise, as it enabled her to spend the rest of her life serving the Faith.

In 1961 Mr. Farúhar resigned from his job in Tehran and, with his wife, decided to go homefront pioneering.

The Farúhars moved to Gawhar Dasht, a small town about 30 miles west of the capital. In a short time a few other Bahá’í families also moved there, and by the following Ridván a local Spiritual Assembly was formed.

In Gawhar Dasht, Mrs. Farúhar served the Faith by conducting Bahá’í classes for children and deepenings for adults, and by visiting Bahá’ís in nearby villages who were in need of deepened Bahá’ís for consolidation.

If there was an opportunity to teach the Faith, she always seized it. She also served on the National Women’s Committee, whose meetings were held in Tehran.

In August 1981, a number of Revolutionary Guards went to Mr. and Mrs. Farúhar’s home, confiscated their belongings, arrested them and took them to prison.

In prison they received harsh treatment and were tortured to make them recant their Faith, which they refused to do.

On May 8, 1982, Mrs. Farúhar was executed in Karaj, a town some 20 miles west of Tehran. The Universal House of Justice described the Farúhars as “highly-devoted” servants.

Bahá’ís spearhead Chicago’s ‘Walk for Unity’

On June 18, more than 500 Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís of many cultures, religions and ages exhibited a visible affirmation of racial unity by taking part in Chicago’s “Walk for Unity-in-Diversity.”

The event was organized and sponsored by the Chicago Area Race Unity Task Force of the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago. Co-sponsors included the Mayor of Chicago’s Commission on Human Relations, WMAQ-TV and the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

Support for the walk was provided by the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago, the National Spiritual Assembly, the National Race Unity Committee, the National Teaching Committee, the National Persian/American Affairs Committee, the District Teaching Committees of Illinois, the Departments of Human Resources and National Properties, and many local Assemblies and individual Bahá’ís.

Two special public service announcements, filmed by Al Dolan, a Bahá’í from Northfield Township, were seen on a number of Chicago area television stations during the weeks preceding the walk, which was held in downtown Chicago with coverage by two TV stations including WGN-TV, a “super-station” seen on cable television across the country.

An interview with one of the Bahá’í organizers of the walk was aired on more than one radio station in Chicago.

The walk was followed by a program that included talks by Dr. Robert C. Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; Stanley Davis, executive director of the National Conference of Christians and Jews; and James Eldridge, acting director of the Mayor’s Commission on Human Relations.

Entertainment was provided by Nacho Segura’s Mariachi Band; the Lee Street Band, a multi-cultural group of musicians from the Chicago area; the Chicago Bahá’í Singers; K.C. Porter, a Bahá’í songwriter, producer and performer who is well-known in Latin America; P.J. Walrus & Company, professional puppeteers whose show was custom-written for this program; and Milton Bullock, a Bahá’í who is a former member of The Platters and originator of Do It for the Kids Inc., a program designed to raise awareness and self-esteem in children.

Among those exemplifying racial unity were Hindus, Sikhs, Unitarians, Catholics, Jews, Iranians, Burmese-Americans, Hispanics, Southeast Asians, blacks and whites, most of whom were not Bahá’ís.

Bahá’ís came from as far away as Michigan and Indiana to take part in the event.

Warner Saunders, sportscaster for WMAQ-TV, was grand marshal of the Walk for Unity-in-Diversity, the first of what is to become an annual event in Chicago.

“We The People... Celebrate the Unity of Mankind”

Above: Bahá’ís march behind a large banner celebrating the ‘unity of mankind’ during Chicago’s ‘Walk for Unity-in-Diversity’ June 18. Right: Dr. Robert C. Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, addresses the crowd of more than 500 who took part in the event. (Photos by Gail Etzenhouser)

Of course, not everyone in the ‘Walk for Unity-in-Diversity’ in Chicago actually had to walk; a few were able to hitch a ride.

Leeward Is. to host Women’s Conference

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward Islands is hosting a Women’s Conference September 9-11 in Antigua.

Participants are being invited from all National Assemblies in the Caribbean, the Women’s Affairs Office of CariCom, the Women’s Affairs Office of the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Inter-American Commission of Women in Washington, D.C., and many other organizations and religious groups.

The conference will cover such topics as Family Life, the Sanctity of Marital Relationships, Child Care and Discipline, Women and Children and the Law, Violence in the Home, Alcoholism, Consultation in the Family, Women’s Role in the Home, Women as the Educators of Our Future Society, Building Self-Esteem, Equality, Work Ethics, Stress Management, and Women and the Community.

For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

Bahá’í to produce anti-drug film for Education Department

Phil Lucas, a member of the Bahá’í community of Issaquah, Washington, is one of eight independent film makers across the country chosen by the U.S. Department of Education to take part in a congressionally sponsored anti-drug program.

Mr. Lucas is using his $650,000 grant from the Education Department to produce an anti-drug film, “Lookin’ Good,” which uses young actors in the Seattle area.

The film’s message is simple and direct: peer pressure is usually what leads young people to experiment with drugs, and peer support is often the only way out for those battling addiction.

Mr. Lucas, an American Indian, formed his own film production company in 1979. He co-produced the PBS-TV series, “Images of Indians,” and filmed “The Honor of All,” a documentary about drug and alcohol abuse in a British Columbia Indian community.

Texas Bahá’í named to board of directors by anti-drug group

Dr. Sherdeana Bell, a member of the Bahá’í community of Duncanville, Texas, has been named to the board of directors of the Ethel Daniels Foundation in Dallas.

The purpose of the Foundation, established in 1987, is to support the individual efforts of substance abusers at improving the quality of life through counseling, education and self-image modification.

Dr. Bell, who has a private dental practice in Duncanville, is a member of that city’s local Spiritual Assembly.

Conference on Growth

“Every individual believer—man, woman, youth and child—” is this year’s theme of the Conference on Growth.

A briefing for the agencies of the National Teaching Committee September 2-5, 1988 Lincolnwood, IL. Open to all who wish to attend.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE AUGUST 19, 1988

For more information and to register by phone, call the National Teaching Office, Bahá’í National Center, 312/869-9039. Ask about special airline rates! [Page 15]

News from the Network

Cause makes news from coast to coast and in between

Public Information

Spanaway, Washington: The Dispatch published an article about the history and teachings of the Faith. The headline was "Bahá’í: Faith Beyond Faith." A photograph of the House of Worship in Wilmette was included.

Bedford, Texas: The Mid-Cities Daily News and the Northeast Extra Edition of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram published articles on the same day about a Bahá’í, Jane Hogue, who is one of the organizers of the International Women's Peace Conference for Peacemakers Inc.

The Colony, Texas: The Colony Leader published an article about brothers Arash and Shahriar Yekrangi who recently visited the Holy Land. The article mentioned their visit to the Bahá’í Holy Places and the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, and also described their visits to other cities in Israel.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina: The Winston-Salem Chronicle published an article about the local Bahá’í community which highlighted a quotation from the Bahá’í Writings and included information about the history and teachings of the Faith.

Hays, Kansas: The Daily News published an article about Ray and La Nelma Johnson who will be moving to British Columbia, Canada, to work as headmaster and director of residence, respectively, at the Maxwell International Bahá’í School. The article described in detail the structure and purpose of the school.

Sioux City, Iowa: The Sioux City Journal published a letter to the editor from Bahá’ís in the area. The letter applauded a campaign against alcohol and drug use being launched by the Sooland Black Ministerial Alliance and mentioned the Bahá’í teachings on the use of alcohol and drugs.

Jacksonville, Florida: The Florida Times-Union published a feature article about the local Bahá’í community with photographs of activities at the new Bahá’í Center. Included was a description of the teachings of the Faith and information about the Bahá’í communities in the area.

Danbury, Connecticut: The News-Times published a guest column about the Faith which described the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran and included a summary of the history and teachings of the Faith. The column also told the story of some Bahá’í refugees who are sponsored by the writer and her husband.

Salt Lake City, Utah: The Salt Lake Tribune published an article about Michelle Duiker, who will be taking part in the "Star 88" Project in central and southern Africa. The focus of the article was on the service project, sponsored by various National Spiritual Assemblies, which will take volunteer Bahá’í participants from Europe and the U.S. to Africa.

From the House of Worship

The House of Worship was overrun by young people. We would like this to be a permanent condition. Wonderful, radiant youth returning from the Youth Conference in Bloomington, Indiana, stopped and offered their willing hands to the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár as guides, office assistants, bookshop helpers and whatever else was needed. Many stayed for an extended period to serve the Mother Temple of the West.

These youth displayed one of the primary and distinctive characteristics of Bahá’í life—service. The staff at the House of Worship sends these youth a very warm "thank you." We also offer the following quotation from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

"Of those who arise in the service of this edifice there shall be no soul but shall be imbued by God with a power emanating from His mighty Kingdom, and upon him shall rain such spiritual, heavenly blessings as shall fill his heart with a wondrous light and illumine his eyes to behold the glory of the Ancient of Days."

Opportunities abound for service at the House of Worship. Do you speak a second language? There are visitors from many countries. It can be both exciting and frustrating to attempt to teach Bahá’u’lláh's message when you don't speak the same language; however, it is a bounty to be able to give out copies of "The Promise of World Peace" in other languages knowing that this universal message may be understood by all.

Garden teaching on Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m. until midnight presents a unique teaching opportunity. Guides personally escort visitors around the gardens and answer questions about the Bahá’í Faith and the House of Worship. Anyone who likes to teach, deepen and socialize makes a good garden teacher. There are an average of 30-40 visitors to be taught in an evening. On a "slow" night there are about 25 people, and on the best nights there have been up to 80 people in the two-hour period. No experience is necessary, as new teachers can be paired with an experienced teacher until they are ready to "solo."

The questions of visitors during the garden teaching sessions and in the Visitors' Center are much different than they were even five years ago. While people remain interested in the details of the building and gardens, they are more aware of the Faith itself. There is a genuine interest in knowing what the Faith is about. One of the bounties of service at the Temple is being able to answer their questions.

The influence of the "silent teacher" is felt in ever-widening circles. A recent readers' poll of the best things on Chicago's North Shore resulted in the "overwhelming" choice of the House of Worship as the best and most important landmark on the North Shore. A brief write-up about this is to appear in the September issue of North Shore magazine, and the House of Worship will receive a certificate noting the occasion.

In service to the House of Worship we have the chance to show forth the distinctive characteristics of a Bahá’í life and to attract waiting hearts to the regeneration of the world. Wherever you live, you may find some way to serve the Mother Temple. You can arrange your vacation to come and serve and share in the bounties of offering your prayers. Bahá’í communities can arrange special trips to the House of Worship. The spiritual significance of this holiest House of Worship is vital to the goals of the Six Year Plan.

In a letter written in 1929, Shoghi Effendi says: "For it is assuredly upon the consciousness of the efficacy of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh reinforced on one hand by spiritual communion with His spirit, and on the other by intelligent application and the faithful execution of the principles and laws He revealed, that the salvation of a world in travail must ultimately depend. And of all the institutions that stand associated with His Holy Name, surely none save the institution of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár can most adequately provide the essentials of Bahá’í worship and service, both so vital to the regeneration of the world. Therein lies the secret of the loftiness, of the potency, of the unique position of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár as one of the outstanding institutions conceived by Bahá’u’lláh."

Communication important link among Bahá’ís

In its Ridván 1988 message, the Universal House of Justice says, "The media are giving increasing attention to the Bahá’í world community; authors are acknowledging its existence in a growing number of articles, books and reference works, one of the most highly respected of which recently listed the Faith as the most widely spread religion after Christianity."

This quote from our Supreme Institution is a vivid example of the importance of communication between the Bahá’í community and the National Spiritual Assembly. Through the actions of one American Bahá’í, the Universal House of Justice was able to receive quick notification of statements about the Faith in the newly published Britannica Book of the Year.

A Bahá’í in Colorado received his new copy of the 1988 Britannica Book of the Year and noticed a reference to the number of Bahá’ís in the USSR.

He sent a copy of the page containing the reference to a Bahá’í friend, who recognized that there were several important statements about the Faith in the article. The friend brought the article to the attention of the Office of Public Information. The National Spiritual Assembly and Universal House of Justice were then able to see the wider implications of the entire article.

The National Spiritual Assembly relies on the Bahá’ís to keep it informed of references to the Faith in the media, books and journals.

Whenever a reference to the Faith is published in your local newspaper(s), please send two originals of the page containing that mention to the Office of Public Information as quickly as possible.

Whenever you see references to the Faith in other publications, please send a photocopy of the mention and the title page to the Office of Public Information.

The Cause of Bahá’u’lláh has become known worldwide, and it is vital that the National Spiritual Assembly be kept well-informed about what is published about the Faith.

The efforts of all public information representatives, members of public information committees, and the Bahá’ís in general are needed to fulfill this vital task.

The Bahá’ís of Boulder, Colorado, joined other religious groups in that city May 28-29 in the 'I Love Boulder' fair. About 5,000 people attended the fair, many of whom took information and asked about the Faith. The Bahá’ís taught by example by manning other tables, providing the bulk of cakes for the Boulder Council of Churches' cake sale, and providing manpower as needed.

Washington reception marks 100th year of Council of Women

On June 26, Bahá’ís in Washington, D.C., commemorated the 100th anniversary of the International Council of Women with a reception honoring Laura Dreyfus-Barney, a Bahá’í who was an ardent early supporter of the Council.

The reception was a collaborative effort among the Office of External Affairs of the National Spiritual Assembly, the Bahá’í National Committee on Women, the United Nations Office of the Bahá’í International Community, and the Office of Public Information in New York City.

The 55 guests included representatives from 18 countries who were in Washington for a meeting of the International Council of Women.

Remarks were made by Dr. Sookja Hong, president of the International Council, and Ms. Merrinelle Sullivan, president of the National Council of Women. They were both appreciative of the hospitality shown by the Bahá’ís, and Dr. Hong went so far as to comment that Bahá’í hospitality was now almost a tradition at gatherings of the International Council of Women.

Nation of Islam receives statement

On behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly, a delegation including a member of the National Assembly, Dr. William Maxwell, and representatives from the local Spiritual Assembly of Chicago presented a copy of "The Promise of World Peace" to Imam W. Deen Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam, during the dedication of its Mosque on Sunday, June 26.

Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali and Jabir Muhammad also received the peace statement at the same presentation.

The event was witnessed by about 1,000 Muslims, many of whom were from Moslem countries. Photographs and a video tape of the event were made.

The presentation ended with quotations from the Bible, the Qur'an, and The Hidden Words and a greeting of the Greatest Name which initiated a resounding response of "Alláh’u’Akbar" from the audience. [Page 16]Cindy Savage, author of the new book Nothing in Common, autographs a copy during the International Youth Conference in Bloomington, Indiana. Ms. Savage's novel ($4.95 SC), about a high school girl who encounters the Bahá’í Faith when her first date with a fellow student is a fireside, was the best-selling book at the conference.

A new and 'un-Common' book helps fulfill its author's fondest wish

The wish of a 15-year-old new Bahá’í has become part of a new career for Cindy Savage, author of the new book Nothing in Common.

Ms. Savage's book is a fictionalized version of her own investigation and acceptance of the Faith.

When Cindy Savage became a Bahá’í, she wished fervently that there was a book she could give to her friends. Eventually, she brought that wish to life, but it took some time.

After graduating from high school in Concord, California, Cindy earned bachelor of arts degrees in Spanish and ethnic studies and a teaching certificate in bi-lingual pre-school education. She taught for five years until she gave birth to the first of her three children.

It was then that she began to look for a career she could pursue from her home. At first, she had a successful custom interior design business; then she started an image consulting firm that took her to businesses all over California.

"In 1982," she recalls, "someone gave me a bag of about 30 books. That got me back into reading. I had always been a reader and a writer.

"My first poem was published when I was six, and I wrote all through high school and college. But in all that time no one ever said, 'Cindy, you ought to be a writer.'

"When I had finished all 30 of those books, I decided that this could be my job... a career for someone who wanted to stay home with her family. The blending of career and family had always been a priority.

"My first step," she says, "was to write a novel for practice. Then I joined a writers' group. The members told me all the correct steps to take on the long road to getting published.

"Instead, however, I called up an editor and said, 'I'm a writer. Do you need any articles written?' I got my first assignment in five minutes."

Ms. Savage wrote articles for newspapers and magazines, both local and national. And she began working on novels.

"The first novel I wrote," she says, "was adult fiction. But I realized I felt more comfortable writing for young adults.

"I liked young adults, I liked reading novels for young adults, and I wanted to write books my kids could read and enjoy when they got older.

"I wanted to make people happy with my stories. And I thought it would be possible to write books of substance, not fluff, that would include Bahá’í principles.

"It was about that time that I called the Publishing Trust with my idea about a novel for young adults."

That idea became Nothing in Common, the story of a high school junior (Katie) who meets a senior (Matt) who asks her out—not on a date but to a fireside. That part of the story closely parallels the way in which Cindy Savage heard about the Faith.

"The only thing that sank in (at her first fireside)," she says, "was someone saying that there were other prophets of God besides Jesus. It just blew me away. That had never occurred to me."

From that point on, Ms. Savage says, the book is more fiction than fact. It was designed to fulfill the author's wish to have a book that could explain the Faith in an easy and interesting way.

"I felt—and still feel—that youth respond well to fiction," she says. "They identify with the struggles, aspirations and goals of fictional characters their own age.

"There was nothing like this (book) when I was a Bahá’í youth. Fiction is a very non-threatening way to teach the Faith. If you give someone a book that's too steeped in the Writings, it seems as if you're pointing a finger at them, whereas with fiction they're learning about Katie and Matt and their struggle. It's a vicarious approach to teaching, and it's a down-to-earth approach."

Ms. Savage doesn't want Nothing in Common be seen only as a book for youth.

"It's an entertaining way of teaching the Faith that I think will appeal to all age groups," she says. "Everyone should find something in this book that they can relate to. Older people will get a different look at young people, pre-teens will get a look at some of the problems they'll be facing in a few years.

"At the Youth Conference in Bloomington, high school kids were buying the book and coming back the next day to say, 'That's what I'm going through now!'"

It was obvious at the Bloomington conference that Nothing in Common was the hottest-selling book because of its appeal to a broad spectrum of people.

Concordance to the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh: What are the readers saying?

THE ULTIMATE DESERT-ISLAND REFERENCE TOOL

"Every Spiritual Assembly who can afford a Concordance should have this book as a reference tool. By using the Creative Word and the Concordance and by practicing true consultation, our institutions can be fortified and release their inherent potentialities to offer solutions to the world's problems. The Concordance is an indispensable tool for the process of consultation. It is the ultimate 'desert-island' reference tool. It is perfect, complete, and easy to use!"

Gwyn Magaditsch Housewife, secretary, student Norco, California

CONNECTING COMMON THREADS

"I can't say enough about the Concordance. From a key word I can find in 10 minutes what used to take all day. Using the Concordance to research clusters of quotations on one theme has very special benefits. The impact of a particular concept is enhanced. And nuances that elude me in general reading become obvious. The Concordance has also made me aware of aspects of the Faith I've never thought about before. When I've researched common key words of other religions, I've found new common threads connecting all the religions. This book is indispensable for any serious or deep study of the Writings."

Dann May Teaches introductory philosophy and religion courses University of Northern Texas, Dallas

KEY PHRASES—QUICK AND EASY

"It is an enriching experience simply reading key word phrases. Don't wait until you are in need of a reference. Start with an idea of interest, and you'll find that one new insight into a small area of the Word of God sheds new light on the whole Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. Using references from the Concordance allows you to go from book to book very quickly. It is easy to find passages from the Writings, which gives greater impact to the meaning of the topic you are studying. Focusing on the Word of God can be a great source of unity as we increasingly rely on the Creative Word to settle disagreements and solve problems."

Lee Nelson Author San Juan Capistrano, California

Reduced price items

Unfolding Destiny

More than 800 letters and cables covering the first 36 years of the Formative Age of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. These messages from Shoghi Effendi not only progressively unfold the destiny of the British Bahá’í community but contain a great deal of guidance applicable to the entire Bahá’í world. The wealth of information includes biographical notes as well as a general index and annexes. This compilation is intended to be a never-ending source of inspiration, guidance and incitement to service for generations to come.

531 pp., biographies, index, annexes. HC $10.95, was $28.50

THE PROMISE OF WORLD PEACE

The statement about peace from the Universal House of Justice to the peoples of the world, in a pocket-size edition. Designed to fit into a woman's purse, a man's pocket, or a No. 10 envelope for mailing, the pamphlet is printed in blue ink on tan stock. Packaged in 10s, this handy edition offers many proclamation opportunities for sharing with friends, leaders of thought, or public officials in conversations or when relating to current events.

24 pp., packaged in 10s PS 10/$2.95, was $5.50

Forthcoming fall titles

The Bahá’í Publishing Trust will be releasing two new titles this fall—one for youth and adults, the other for children.

To Dance in the Market Square, by Linda Walbridge, is the story of Suzanne Cocia, a Canadian journalist, who arrives in Iran in 1979, during a lull in the revolution. She witnesses the beating of a young woman and goes to her assistance. Suzanne learns that the woman is a Bahá’í who is being persecuted for her beliefs, and meets her family.

As Suzanne's friendship deepens, she learns that members of the family have been persecuted in every generation. As these episodes unfold, we learn of the spirit of courage and conviction that animates Bahá’ís. To Dance in the Market Square is a thrilling adventure and a resource for teaching the Faith in an exciting but indirect way.

Willie and the Number Three Door and Other Adventures, by Adrienne Ellis Reeves, is a collection of four stories about a young black Bahá’í, Willie Johnson, of Sweet River, South Carolina. In the first story Willie starts first grade and confronts his fear about the "number three door," which a friend has told him is something awful. Because of his fear, he is unable to answer his teacher's questions, but with her help Willie learns an unforgettable lesson about the door, his teacher, and himself.

The other three charming stories are also about the struggles of a young boy growing up—a boy who is beginning to see that listening to one's heart, asking questions, and relying on God can help in surprising ways. Targeted for early and middle readers, Willie and the Number Three Door will delight boys and girls alike.

Watch The American Bahá’í for the prices and availability of these exciting new titles.

Bahá’í Distribution Service

415 Linden Avenue Wamette IL 60091

ORDER FORM

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ORDERED BY Name Address City State Zip Home Phone No. Work Phone No.

SHIP TO: (if different) Name Address City State Zip

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If you have questions please call 1-800-323-1880. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE [Page 17]

The Creative Word

All of the major works of Bahá’u’lláh available in English can now be purchased in dignified, inexpensive pocket-size or softcover editions!

Kitáb-i-Íqán: The Book of Certitude

Sets forth the grand redemptive scheme of God. The Íqán, Shoghi Effendi says, "contains the basic tenets" of the Bahá’í Faith. This book will help you "appreciate the true mission of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh," and to grasp "the full significance" of the scriptures of other religions. It "should be read over and over again by every soul who desires to serve" the Faith. 274 pp., glossary, index. PS $3.95

Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

Excerpts from the sacred writings of Bahá’u’lláh translated and compiled by Shoghi Effendi. This compilation includes discussions about the spiritual meaning of life, the potency of this age of unity, the divine nature of man and his responsibilities to God and society, and the source and outcome of the current world upheaval. 366 pp., glossary, index. PS $4.50

The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh

The essence of all revealed truth expressed in 153 brief, penetrating meditations. The Hidden Words, revealed by Bahá’u’lláh around 1858, "stands out as a mighty charter for the salvation of the human soul," writes Adib Taherzadeh. 52 pp. SC $3.95

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh

Sixteen Tablets revealed by Bahá’u’lláh after the formulation of the laws and ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Shoghi Effendi characterized these Tablets as "mighty and final effusions of His (Bahá’u’lláh’s) indefatigable pen" that "must rank among the choicest fruits which His mind has yielded, and mark the consummation of His 40-year-long ministry." 299 pp., notes, index. PS $4.50

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf

The last major Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh in which He frequently quotes from His own Writings as He "adduces proofs establishing the validity of His Cause" and proclaims His station as the Supreme Manifestation of God. Bahá’u’lláh also highlights some of the most important aims of His Cause, including blotting out every trace of enmity and hatred from the hearts of men and uniting mankind through the power of His peerless Revelation. Heart-rending stories of some of the martyrs show the transforming power of the Faith. 197 pp., glossary, index. PS $4.50

Prayers and Meditations

A collection of nearly 200 prayers and meditations of Bahá’u’lláh. Compiled by Shoghi Effendi, this book is intended to "deepen ... the spirit of devotion and faith in the friends" and "to charge them with all the spiritual power" needed to accomplish the challenges of the Cause. 347 pp., index. PS $4.50

The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys

Two treatises describing the stages the soul must traverse in its quest for God. The Seven Valleys, wrote Shoghi Effendi, "may well be regarded as (Bahá’u’lláh’s) greatest mystical composition." Translated by Marzieh Gail in consultation with Ali-Kuli Khan. 65 pp. SC $3.95

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 New toll-free number 1-800-999-9019 [Page 18]

Bahá’í Youth Conference: A closer look

TO THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE WITH RENEWED HOPE AND REVOLUTIONARY COMMITMENT TO MEET CHALLENGES AND OFFER VICTORIES 5,300 PARTICIPANTS FROM 36 COUNTRIES ARE GATHERED TOGETHER AT 1988 BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE IN BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA.

BLESSED BY PRESENCE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE MEMBER HOOPER DUNBAR, COUNSELORS WILMA BRADY, JACQUELINE DELAHUNT, ROBERT HARRIS, WILLIAM ROBERTS, FRED SCHECHTER AND ARTURO SERRANO AND FIVE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES, YOUTH DISPLAYING UNPRECEDENTED SERIOUSNESS TO TASKS DEFINED IN 1988 RIDVAN MESSAGE. THE CONFERENCE THEME, "THE STAGE IS SET," FOCUSES ON INDIVIDUAL TRANSFORMATION AND DEEPER COMMITMENT TO REVELATION AND COVENANT OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH. ALL PREPARED TO HELP FULFILL HIGH DESTINY AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY AS FORETOLD BY ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ.

3,200 YOUTH, 1,400 PARENTS/ADULTS, 700 CHILDREN ATTENDING TRIPLE CONFERENCE HAVE GLOBAL VISION OF BAHÁ’Í FAMILY BROADENED BY INTERNATIONAL PRESENTERS.

REQUEST PRAYERS HOLY THRESHOLD FOR DIVINE ASSISTANCE THAT YOUTH, PARENTS/ADULTS AND CHILDREN WILL INITIATE ENTRY BY TROOPS THIS CONTINENT "LEST OPPORTUNITY BE LOST."

LOVING GREETINGS, PARTICIPANTS GATHERED AT 1988 BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE JULY 4, 1988

TO THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE JOYFULLY REPORT SUMMARY RESULTS THUS FAR OF COMMITMENTS OF PARTICIPANTS-CHILDREN, YOUTH, ADULTS/PARENTS-INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE. PLEDGES REFLECT PROFOUND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING. 3,022 PLEDGES OF ACTION TO SERVE AND ADVANCE BELOVED CAUSE. UNIFIED SPIRIT OF DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT UNPRECEDENTED IN RECENT HISTORY OF THE CAUSE IN NORTH AMERICA. PLEDGES OFFERED TO SUPREME INSTITUTION IN THE SAME SPIRIT OF UGENCY CONVEYED IN RIDVAN MESSAGE.

THE SUMMARY OF PLEDGES IS AS FOLLOWS: PIONEER OFFERS, 442; YOUTH YEAR OF SERVICE, 502; TRAVELING TEACHING, 697; TEACHING/SERVICE PROJECTS, 378; FIRESIDES AND OTHER TEACHING, 1,429; FUND, 704 PLEDGES TOTALING $163,173 INCLUDING $81,592 FOR ARC PROJECT; NEW DECLARATIONS, 23; PRAYER-DEEPENING, 492; COLLEGE CLUB ACTIVITIES, 43.

HUMBLY REQUEST PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES FOR CONFIRMATIONS AND FULFILLMENT OF EVERY PLEDGE.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES JULY 4, 1988

1. A young visitor to the Youth Conference receives a typical 'Harris hug' from Counselor Robert Harris. 2. The varied entertainment at the conference included contemporary classical music on piano, violin and bongos. 3. A rule of thumb-and hand-for having fun in children's classes: the messier the better! 4. Hooper Dunbar, a member of the Universal House of Justice, was a most welcome guest at the historic conference. 5. A dramatic scene from the three-act play, ‘Táhirih, which was written and directed by Carolyn Duell and presented twice by the Louhelen Youth Theatre. 6. For sheer energy and visual pleasure, it would be hard to top the marvelously acrobatic Hromovytsia Ukrainian Dancers from Chicago.

THE STAGE IS SET BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE TRAC [Page 19]

THE STAGE IS SET

BAHANTERATIONAL YOUTH CONFER

THE

1. Facing the audience are entertainers Dorothy Powells and Red Grammer. 2. A view from the balcony of some of the booths in Assembly Hall. 3. A sliding duo-tot and rabbit-reach their destination during children's classes. 4. Socializing, of course, is always a big part of any Bahá’í Youth Conference as young people from all over the world meet to exchange ideas and get to know one another. 5. The friends gather for a plenary session in Assembly Hall. 6. The Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Workshop performs for an appreciative audience. 7. A teacher and her charge talk things over. 8. Counselor William Roberts (left) and Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, gather in some of the more than 3,000 pledges of service to the Cause made at the conference. [Page 20]

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge as a service to the Bahá’í community. Because of this, 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; the friends should exercise their own judgment in responding to them.

EMPLOYMENT

THE DEPARTMENT of Human Resources at the Bahá’í National Center is accepting applications for the following positions: Minority development cooordinator (National Teaching Committee): responsible for stimulating and developing all efforts related to minority teaching projects and issues in accordance with the Six Year Plan. Experience working with minority groups is essential. A college degree is preferred; some typing skills are necessary, and a willingness to learn computer skills is required. This person should be well-deepened in the principles of the Faith and possess some Bahá’í administrative experience. Administrative consultant (Community Administration): responds to letters and phone calls from his/her assigned geographical area and prepares background data on personal status cases. Qualifications include a sharp and discriminating mind, an eye for detail, an ability to organize one's work efficiently and to turn over a high volume of work on a timely basis. The position requires excellent typing skills, sound judgment, a strong understanding of the principle of confidentiality, a compassionate personality, psychological stability, a deep knowledge of the Bahá’í teachings, and the ability to apply Bahá’í principles to individual cases. Several years' experience in local Bahá’í administration would be beneficial; typing ability on a word processor or computer is helpful. Marketing manager (Bahá’í Publishing Trust/Distribution Service): responsible for stimulating and inspiring the friends in their love for and use of the Creative Word and other Bahá’í-related materials; planning and executing marketing activities; ordering all books and materials from other vendors; overseeing customer service activities; and taking part in discussions relating to the Publishing Trust's publishing program. Must be thoroughly familiar with Bahá’í literature, particularly the Creative Word, and have some Bahá’í administrative experience. Administrative aide (Office of the Secretary): to provide administrative and clerical support to the executive assistant to the National Spiritual Assembly. A pleasant phone manner, typing of 55 wpm and strong oral and written communication skills are necessary, and word processing skills are desirable. This person must have or be willing to obtain a valid Illinois driver's license. A solid knowledge of and respect for the Administrative Order and the institutions of the Faith is essential, as is some Bahá’í administrative experience. Secretary (Persian/American Affairs Committee office): position calls for a well-organized, patient individual who can provide clerical support to the office and help for the Refugee Program coordinator. An excellent understanding of Persian etiquette and experience in daily living and communication with those of Persian background is necessary. Must be fluent in English, type at least 45 wpm and be able to work well under pressure. A knowledge of the principles and institutions of the Faith is required. Those who are interested in serving at the National Center are encouraged to contact the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or to phone 312-869-9039 for more information or an application.

THE BAHÁ’Í World Center has an ongoing need for interested and qualified persons to serve in a variety of capacities including janitorial staff, gardeners, security and secretarial-clerical. Most specifically, there is an immediate need to fill the two positions listed here. Custodians of Holy Places: A married couple is needed to assume the position of custodians of one of the Holy Places. They should preferably be between the ages of 40 and 55, in excellent health with no responsibilities or dependent children. The custodians of a Holy Place bear over-all responsibility for the housekeeping, maintenance and security of the building and its contents. Some of this work they carry out themselves; in other aspects they receive help from various departments of the World Center. The custodians are also responsible for welcoming pilgrims and visitors and for ensuring that they are properly cared for. From time to time they are asked to receive and provide refreshments for prominent visitors to the World Center. Such a couple should, therefore, be devoted Bahá’ís with high standards, able to cope with mundane work on the one hand, and, on the other, to interact with a variety of visitors including tourists from many nations. They must be patient and flexible. Since the Holy Place cannot be left unattended, only a limited amount of free time is available. Bahá’í administrative experience would be valuable, and the ability to consult and carry out committee decisions is essential. The couple must have valid passports from a country other than Iran. Housekeeper for Holy Places: A mature person (or, preferably, a married couple) is needed to undertake the skilled and careful cleaning work at the Holy Places. This includes both heavy-duty cleaning and the cleaning and care of delicate fixtures, furnishings and ornaments, many of which are historic objects of museum quality. Previous experience in cleaning such kinds of objects is necessary. Flexibility and the ability to work with a variety of people are also essential. A working knowledge of the English language is required for both positions. Those who are interested may contact the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039, for an application or further information.

SON OF BEING!

Thy heart is My home; sanctify it for My descent. Thy spirit is My place of revelation; cieanse it for my manifestation -Bahá’u’lláh

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

RETIRED? Help three Bahá’ís at a lovely retirement village form an Assembly in Florida's Kissimmee resort area. Splendid apartments, reasonable rent, all amenities, security, numerous activities, shopping close by, also a mobile home area. Contact Russell Winget, Kissimmee, FL. 32741, or phone 407-933-1104.

ROSWELL, New Mexico, needs energetic and steadfast homefront pioneers. A regional teaching campaign has centered on Roswell, which is the geographic center of this electoral district. Roswell, a city of about 50,000 in southeastern New Mexico, has one active believer, some job opportunities, mountains to the west and desert to the east. Manufacturing, farming, tourism and retirement are Roswell's main industries, but education and service industries also need Bahá’í influence. If you can't move to Roswell, please pray for us. For information, write to Curtis Wynne, Carlsbad, NM 88220, or phone 505-887-2529.

UPPER Midwest community of Moorhead, Minnesota, would like energetic youth and/or adults as homefront pioneers. Assembly will be in jeopardy by late summer. There are three institutions of higher learning in the vicinity and many job openings in health care, specifically nursing, as well as in high tech and retail businesses. If interested, please write to Moorhead, MN 56560.

HELP US win important goals for the Six Year Plan on the U.S./Mexico border. The District Teaching Committee of Southern New Mexico/West Texas needs homefront pioneers in areas where Assemblies are being elected but are not functioning. If interested in receiving a descriptive list of the 12 Assembly areas that need pioneers, please write to Liz Arrambide, Anthony, NM 88021. Teachers, nurses, Spanish-speaking people, returning pioneers from Spanish-speaking areas, and college students are especially needed, but we need and welcome everyone who wants to come.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

PUERTO RICO: companion needed, preferably with some nursing or home care background, to live with an 86-year-old pioneer in good health. Room and board are provided, but will need own funds for personal expenses. If interested, phone Maureen Kraus, 809-833-8601.

TURKS and Caicos: urgent need for assistant manager in motorcycle sales, rental and service shop. Must have experience in motorcycle and bicycle mechanics, small engine maintenance and repair. Bookkeeping experience is helpful; any experience with PCVs and/or furniture manufacturing is a plus. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

GUYANA: obstetrician and internist needed in September for private 125-bed hospital. Housing provided for a nominal fee, plus salary and benefits; travel allowance. One-year assignment. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

SOUTH AFRICA: professor of English. Must have doctorate in English and outstanding record in teaching and research. Expected to contribute to the development of teaching, courses and research while alternating with present professor as head of the department. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

BAHAMAS: civil engineer for a commercial buildings project. Position is permanent with salary range of $36-$45,000 a year plus bonus. Must have a degree in civil engineering. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

BRAZIL: physicians (MDs, internal medicine, FPs, pediatricians, GPs) are needed to provide primary health care in clinical setting in the Amazon area. Knowledge of Portuguese required. Assignments range from one month to long-term. Food and housing are provided. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

INDIA: general physicians, dermatologist, physiotherapist needed for six months for a volunteer organization that is putting all its efforts into the total development of rural communities, serving the poorest population. The area is a lovely tropical-rural district. Food and housing offered. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

TAIWAN: physiotherapist, podiatrist, medical oncologist, hematologist, internist-infectious disease, and anesthesiologist, all physicians, must be board-certified in their specialty. Long-term, would require training in Chinese, at a 400-bed hospital opening a new building. Salary and benefits depend primarily on length of stay. For a stay of one year or more, salary, food and housing are provided. Also on Taiwan, public health nurse, infection control nurse, urologist, cardio-vascular surgeon, administrator, respiratory therapist and intensive care nurse needed by a growing 300-bed hospital. Need ideas on improving medical standards. Positions are from 3-6 months are are teaching positions. Compensation depends on experience; food and housing provided. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

NEPAL needs FP/GPS, TB specialists, pediatricians, internists, RNs, FNPs, agriculturist and administrative secretary for short- and long-term positions and PAs with Third World and tropical medicine experience to work at a new clinical hospital at the northeastern edge of Kathmandu. Quarters, hot lunches on duty days for a six-month assignment. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

MARSHALL Islands: human services director responsible for organizing all psycho-social counseling of rehabilitation referral programs. Implements programs of counseling and education for families relating to mental health or mental wellness and well-being. Requires a bachelor's degree in social work or related field; two to five years of progressively responsible experience in social work. Also, health planner to provide technical assistance and necessary labor to help health services staff in developing short- and long-term plans and provide the expertise to continue computerization of tracking system for medical record summaries, vital statistics, immunizations and other areas as deemed necessary. Masters degree in public health or related field plus two years' administrative experience are necessary. Also, medical director-MD with MPH preferred to provide a high standard of clinical care for clients of a community health center. Work closely with members of hospital medical staff. All positions are for a minimum of two years; travel, housing benefits, salary and vacation provided. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

MONTSERRAT: histologist is needed to provide instruction for first-year medical students at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. One-year or permanent full-time appointments available. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

BRAZIL: challenging opportunity to teach the Faith while helping to develop a model moral education curriculum. The Bahá’í-run "Escola das Nacoes" in Brasilia is seeking primary and secondary school teachers. Openings are possible in August 1989 and January 1989. Applicants should have three years of teaching experience and preferably be single. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

NIGERIA: optional teaching positions for Ob/Gyn, surgeon, internist and dentist to work in new but poorly equipped 50-bed hospital serving a population of 100,000 plus those in other communities. More than 100 patients seen daily (in- and out-patients). Located in Owerri. Two- or three-year assignments; salary, travel allowance and housing. Also, specialist surgeon for busy private hospital and modern surgical center. Should have board certification and five years' experience in specialty. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

JAMAICA: two dentists are needed for a volunteer organization in the densely populated area of Kingston. To provide comprehensive program in health specifically for the poor, unemployed and unskilled people in the area. Housing and local transportation provided. Long- or short-term assignments. No salary or travel expenses provided. Also, one physician and optometrist are needed for a volunteer organization in Kingston. In an urban ghetto area where health care is almost non-existent. Long- or short-term assignments; no salary or travel expenses provided. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

KENYA: physician is needed for two years. Teaching position serving an organization that has been operational in Africa for more than 20 years. Travel expenses, room, board and in-country expenses provided. Special arrangements are made for two years or longer; health and life insurance provided. Also, surgeon and water developer to begin as soon as possible at 185-bed mission hospital. Deal with both medical/surgical emergencies and give spinal or epidural anesthesia. Positions for May 1989. Surgeon, FP/GP, internists, Ob/Gyn. One to two-year assignments; informal teaching. No travel allowance; food, housing and stipend offered. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. or phone 312-869-9039.

VIETNAM: there is an urgent need for knowledgeable Bahá’ís of Vietnamese origin who can travel to Hong Kong to meet with and help establish classes for Vietnamese Bahá’ís now in a detention camp there. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

DOMINICA: dentists, surgeons, lab technicians urgently needed to serve a needy and poor population. The hospital has inpatient and outpatient care. Short- and long-term assignments are available; long-term may receive a stipend. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

PIONEERS are needed for a socio-economic project in Seward, Alaska. Opportunities for young men and women with an enterprising spirit include typesetting, layout, printing and sales; also, positions in a restaurant and cannery. For information, please contact Yvon Van Driessches, P.O. Box 601, Seward, AK 99664, or phone 907-224-3462 (home) or 907-224-8706 (work). A great pioneering opportunity!

WANTED

MINORITIES, especially black and Hispanic Bahá’ís, are wanted to settle or go to school in beautiful Boulder, Colorado. Our Assembly is not in jeo [Page 21]

CLASSIFIEDS

pardy, and we have an active, thriving community, but we need members of minority groups to make the community more representative of "unity in diversity." Boulder, nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, is the home of the University of Colorado. The job market is only fair, but Denver is only about 30 minutes away. Please consider us. Write to the Spiritual Assembly of Boulder, c/o Michele Ryland, P.O. Box 1554, Boulder, CO 80306.

RESOURCES needed. Attention, freelance graphic artists, designers and illustrators: the Bahá’í Publishing Trust is looking for experienced graphic artists, designers and illustrators (paid or volunteer) who are interested in helping to communicate visually the Bahá’í spirit in its publications. Especially needed are artists and illustrators with expertise in realistically and accurately portraying ethnic groups, minorities and various cultures in a variety of ages and settings. Designers experienced in book design emphasizing typography are also needed. Interested applicants should send a resumé and limited portfolio of representative and relevant work—pictures, slides, pages, galleys, covers and the like—to Mari Hurt, production manager, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-251-1854). All materials will be kept in a resource file. Artists wanting their samples returned must send a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

REMEMBER the Sound of Bahá’ís from Southern California (Costa Mesa) in the early '60s? Does anyone have the script sitting around? Would like to re-enact it for the '80s, if it has not already been done. Please write to Michele Ryland, Boulder, CO 80303, or phone 303-786-1012.

WANTED: ad slicks, print ads, samples, radio and TV PSAS developed and/or used by other Bahá’í communities. Please send to Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs of the Greater Houston Area, c/o Jackie Cone, Houston, TX 77081, or phone 713-667-2176.

BAHÁ’Í News: The Bahá’í community of West Linn, Oregon, was given a gift of many years of Bahá’í News, which are being bound, starting with 1964. We are missing about 30 issues between February 1973 and June 1985 to complete the set. If you are willing to donate some of your copies to help in this project, please contact Marcia VanOrman, 503-657-2929, or write to the Spiritual Assembly of West Linn, P.O. Box 145, West Linn, OR 97068. We also have extra copies to help anyone complete their library.

INTERESTED in joining the Team Bahá’í triathlon relay team? Needed are distance swimmers and bicyclists. Please write to Daniel Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116, or phone 216-333-9074.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking district convention voting lists for the years 1953-67 for the states of Washington, New Mexico, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Indiana, Kentucky and Maine. Anyone having lists they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

ARE YOU a Bahá’í who has lived in Graham or Greenlee County, Arizona, or Hidalgo County New Mexico? The Bahá’ís of Duncan, Arizona, are planning a 40-year anniversary celebration and would like any information you can provide about Bahá’ís who have lived in the area of Duncan-Safford-Clifton-Morenci, Arizona, and Virden-Lordsburg, New Mexico. Please contact Susan Cordova, correspondent, Bahá’ís of Duncan, P.O. Box 456, Duncan, AZ 85534 (phone 602-359-2477).

LISA ALTER, born June 1962, wishes to contact her mother, last name also Alter, who lived in New York at the time of Lisa's birth. Any information greatly needed and appreciated. Write to P.O. Box 340, New York, NY 10009.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Marilyn Bierman, Achill Bippart, Edith E. Birchard, Alberta Bird, George A. Birdsall, Jennie M. Birmingham, Thomas Bisher, David Blackmer, Mildred Blackmer, Allie M. Blackwell, Lee Blackwell, and Olivia H. Blackwell. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

SCHOOLS

RIGHT NOW, undiscovered, there are many historical letters, documents, programs, course outlines, photographs, tape recordings, furniture, relics and the like relating to the Green Acre Bahá’í School. These documents are in the hands of Bahá’ís as well as non-Bahá’í relatives who are unaware of their significance. As Green Acre works on its restoration, it feels the need to embark on a "treasure hunt" to collect historical records of the school as well as personal accounts of experiences from those who have attended sessions at Green Acre. Our goals are to help in making an accurate restoration, to produce a commemorative book, a thorough history of the school, and well-organized archives for future Bahá’ís before these records slip through our fingers forever. Please share with us the invaluable information, pictures, etc. you may have stored in your attic or elsewhere, or let us know if you would like to volunteer to help us collect information by dropping us a line: Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, ME 03903, or by phoning 207-439-7200. We will be happy to copy and return any original documents, photographs, cassettes and the like on request.

PERIODICALS

DON'T MISS these special issues of Brilliant Star magazine: July/August 1988 is all about courtesy and manners. Read stories and poems, sing a song, study Bahá’í history, all with the theme of courtesy in mind. May/June 1988 is all about science and discovery. Who were Nikola Tesla and Frederick Goland Hopkins? What don't you know about buttons and sourdough? Do you have a Commodore 64 or 128? Then do we have a game for you! Copies of back issues are available for $2.50 each, while subscriptions are $12 for one year (six issues) and are available from Subscriber Service, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

MISCELLANEOUS

WE EXTEND an invitation to all who have lived in or visited North Dakota to attend the state's Centennial Gathering of Bahá’ís and Friends, to be held July 1-4, 1989, at the lovely International Peace Gardens. An excellent program awaits you. For information, contact Marian Kadrie, secretary, North Dakota Bahá’í Centennial Committee, Fargo, ND 58103 (phone 701-235-3725).

THE BAHÁ’ÍS of Newberg, Oregon, would like to ask for prayers for teaching and proclamation. Help us make this garden even more "evergreen and lustrous." Thank you! Bahá’ís of Newberg, Newberg, OR 97132.

PLEASE PRAY for the potential of Southern New Mexico/West Texas to be released. The district is arising to teach on both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border. We need your prayers! (Not to mention traveling teachers and pioneers.) Send a postcard letting us know of your prayers, and if you can help us in any way, to Liz Arrambide, secretary, District Teaching Committee of Southern New Mexico/West Texas, Anthony, NM 88021 (phone 505-882-5670). Also, send your resumé or give us a call to see if we have a job in your field. We are working hard to help settle homefront pioneers in areas within the district.

FORMING an organization for professional hair designers who are members of the Faith. Anyone wishing to join or to receive information about the organization, please write to David E. Seagraves, Dayton, OH 45427, or phone 513-268-0504.

BAFA (Bahá’í Association for the Arts), a European-based organization sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Netherlands, is seeking to enlarge its membership to promote its universal aims. Goals of BAFA include encouragement, communication, deepening, education and coordination of arts activities among artists and others involved in the arts, as well as development of a Bahá’í view of the arts. Members receive four newsletters each year and two issues of the new magazine Global Artlife. They are encouraged to send news or other submissions to BAFA's editorial office c/o Helen Kontos, P.O. Box 17031, 54210 Thessalonika, Greece. To become a member of BAFA, send $25 (U.S.) to Anneke Buys, secretary, The Netherlands.

Local Bahá’í Fund (ask your local Bahá’í community for the correct address)

National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

Continental Bahá’í Fund c/o Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

Bahá’í International Fund P.O. Box 155 Haifa, Israel 31-000

Persian Relief Fund c/o Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust Rocky River, OH 44116

Year-end report notes progress in Chinese teaching

The year-end report of the National Chinese Teaching Committee stated that:

• 10 workshops on Chinese teaching were held.
• More than 50 social gatherings were held with Chinese and Bahá’í friends.
• More than 30 Bahá’ís attended Chinese New Year celebrations in at least five cities.
• About 50 Chinese friends attended Naw-Rúz and Ayyám-i-Há celebrations.
• More than 60 Chinese took part in commemorations of the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to North America.
• A musical proclamation event, announced on two radio stations, was held in New York City's Chinatown. Two famous Chinese musicians and a Persian Bahá’í performed, and the Faith was mentioned.
• Three articles about the Faith were published in local Chinese-language newspapers.
• The peace statement was presented to more than 30 Chinese exchange students, scholars, artists, community leaders and reporters.

In order for us to remain up to date on Chinese teaching activities across the country, we need your help. Please keep the committee informed of Chinese teaching activities in which you are involved or which are taking place in your community.

If you would like to become more involved in teaching the Chinese people and don't know how to get started, please contact us at P.O. Box 1889, Cambridge, MA 02238. We would be delighted to provide encouragement and materials for your Chinese teaching efforts.

DON'T FORGET TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE, SEPTEMBER 20!

NOTHING IN COMMON

A new teaching tool for youth and adults!

NOTHING IN COMMON by Cindy Savage

This is an intriguing story about a young woman's search for truth and her discovery of the beauty and challenge of the Bahá’í message. Katie's search becomes an adventure that brings her from feeling slightly out of sync with the crowd to realizing that it is her differentness that shows strength. Katie finds a niche in this new religion and learns how she can help show others that all people have a lot in common.

While Nothing In Common is especially appealing to young people, adults will find the issues challenging and will relive their own search and acceptance of the Faith. This story "teaches" by offering practical applications of Bahá’í principles to every day situations.

SC $4.95

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 Tel. 1-800-999-9019 [Page 22]

Plan de enseñanza anunciado por la Asamblea Nacional

El punto sobresaliente de la Convención Nacional de 1988 fue el anuncio hecho por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional sobre un plan dinámico de enseñanza a nivel nacional, concebido en Haifa cuando la Asamblea se reunió allá mientras asistían a la Convención Internacional durante Ridván.

El plan de enseñanza dará comienzo a esfuerzos de enseñanza en grandes escalas en las siguientes localidades: el area mayor de Atlanta, Georgia; el area de Boston, Massachusetts (incluyendo todo el estado); el area de Chicago, Illinois; y el area de San José, California.

Además, habrán doce conferencias, de un día y medio para 1,000 o más bahá’ís, las cuales intentarán inspirar una enfusión de contribuciones sin precedencia para la completación del Arco y los logros de la meta del Fondo Nacional.

Los oradores de las conferencias incluirán a dos miembros anteriores de la Casa Universal de Justicia, los señores David Hofman y H. Borrah Kavelin, Manos de la Causa de Dios que estén disponibles, miembros del Cuerpo Continental de Consejeros y la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, y otros amigos distinguidos.

A través de este plan de enseñanza, la Asamblea Nacional hace un llamado a los creyentes individuales a que presten sus energías a traer un vasto aumento en el número de adherentes declarados a la Fe.

Se espera que el plan de enseñanza sea implementado entre septiembre de 1988 y febrero de 1989.

La Asamblea de San Fernando invita los iberoamericanos a conferencia

La Asamblea Espiritual Local de San Fernando, California, cordialmente invita a todos los bahá’ís iberoamericanos a participar en la cuarta conferencia nacional, programada para el fin de semana del 7 al 9 de octubre de 1988 en la ciudad de San Fernando.

La conferencia enfocará en la enseñanza, bajo el tema de: "Motivación y Consolidación para una Vida Bahá’í Activa." Se esperan que asistan bahá’ís de todas las partes de la nación e invitados de la República de México.

Para más información, por favor de comunicarse con el Centro Bahá’í de San Fernando, 91340, o llame al 818-361-6931.

Tema de conferencia: igualdad de los sexos

Más de 100 personas asistieron a la segunda de una serie de conferencias sobre la igualdad del hombre y la mujer auspiciado por el Comité Nacional de la Mujer. Esta conferencia tuvo lugar el 29 y 30 de abril en el Centro Bahá’í de Phoenix, Arizona.

La primera de estas conferencias fue en febrero en la Universidad Spelman en Atlanta, Georgia, la cual enfocó en la mujer de color. La conferencia en Phoenix trajo juntas a la mujer hispana y nativa americana para consultar sobre sus necesidades particulares y sus preocupaciones y capacidades espirituales.

Un número de tribus nativo americano fueron representados incluyendo el Apache, Hopi, Navajo, Sioux y Tahuarmasa, con afables contactos hechos antes de la conferencia a las tribus de San Carlos Apache, Chemehuevi, Gila River y Quechua.

La oradora principal fue Jacqueline Delahunt, secretaria del Comité Nacional de Enseñanza, la cual proclamó la conferencia como histórica debido a su enfoque.

Ruby Gubatayao Lawson, miembro del Comité Nacional de la Mujer, pidió a los nativos americanos que se levantaran a cumplir con su destino espiritual descrito por ‘Abdu’l-Bahá en las Tablas del Plan Divino.

Los otros oradores incluyeron otros miembros del Comité Nacional de la Mujer; Roberta W. Maúll-Guiñals, miembro del Comité Nacional de Jóvenes; Manuela Villanueva, miembro del Comité Nacional de la Enseñanza Hispana; Dr. Farshad Agahi, Alice Bathke, Elizabeth Dahe, Sandi Frazier LeBeau, la Dra. Eileen Lourie y Joe Monteau.

Recientemente se reunió el Comité Nacional de Enseñanza Hispano con algunos de los bahá’ís en Los Angeles para discutir la enseñanza hispana.

Una ceremonia de una tribu ancestral por un grupo indígeno Azteca y un grupo animado de Ballet Folklórico de México fueron presentados bajo una noche llena de estrellas y una luna completamente llena.

Los participantes de la conferencia sintieron un re-encuentro con los lazos filiales entre los nativos americanos y los hispanos, los cuales habitaron el sur de América por 500 años.

Fue notable para todos como la Revelación de Bahá’u’lláh, especialmente a través del principio de la igualdad de los sexos, ayudo a unir los corazones.

Huqúqu’lláh atrae las bendiciones divinas

El Huqúqu’lláh (el derecho de Dios) es una gran ley y una institución sagrada.

Formulada en el Libro Más Sagrado (Kitáb-i-Aqdas), es uno de los instrumentos claves para la construcción de las bases y la sustentación de la estructura del Orden Mundial de Bahá’u’lláh.

Tiene ramificaciones de largo alcance que se extienden desde la promoción del bienestar del individuo, hasta el afianzamiento de la autoridad y la extensión de la actividad de la Cabeza de la Fe.

Al proporcionar una fuente regular y sistemática de recursos para la Institución Central de la Causa, Bahá’u’lláh ha asegurado los medios para la independencia y el funcionamiento irrevocable del Centro Mundial de Su Fe.

Identificando esta Ley como "El Derecho de Dios," Bahá’u’lláh ha vuelto a enfatizar la naturaleza de la relación entre los seres humanos y su Creador, como un Convenio basado en la confianza y las obligaciones mutuas; y al designar a la Autoridad Central de la Causa, a la cual todos han de dirigirse, como el receptor de este Derecho, El ha creado un nexo directo y vital entre cada uno de los creyentes y la Cabeza de su Fe, el cual es único en la estructura de su Orden Mundial.

Esta Ley les permite a los amigos reconocer la elevación de su actividad económica al nivel de aceptabilidad divina, un medio para la purificación de su riqueza y un imán que atrae las bendiciones divinas.

Los fundamentos de la ley del Huqúqu’lláh están promulgados en el Kitáb-i-Aqdas.

Más consideraciones acerca de su carácter distintivo pueden encontrarse en otros Escritos de Bahá’u’lláh, en Tablas de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, y en cartas de Shoghi Effendi y de la Casa Universal de Justicia, en su mayor parte, en respuesta a preguntas realizadas por los amigos.

Todas estas referencias principales han sido recopiladas por el Departamento de Estudios de la Casa Universal de Justicia, y publicadas por separado.

La Casa Universal de Justicia anuncia Consejeros Continentales

En un mensaje con fecha del 16 de junio de 1988, la Casa Universal de Justicia anunció a los bahá’ís del mundo el nombramiento de los siguientes creyentes como Consejeros Continentales:

Africa: el Sr. George Allen y el Sr. Hizzaya Hissani. Las Américas: el Sr. Gustavo Correa, la Sra. Jacqueline Delahunt, y el Dr. William Roberts. Asia: el Dr. Kim Myung-Jung y la Sra. Shantha Sundram. Australasia: la Sra. Violette Haake. Europa: el Sr. Patrick O'Mara, la Sra. Elisabeth Mühlschlegel, y el Dr. Shapoor Raseekh.

Estos nombramientos se deben a recientes cambios en la membresía del Cuerpo Continental de Consejeros. El Sr. Adib Taherzadeh ha sido electo a la Casa Universal de Justicia; el Dr. Farzam Arbáb, el Sr. Hartmut Grossmann, la Sra. Lauretta King, el Sr. Donald Rogers, la Sra. Joy Stevenson y el Sr. Peter Vuyiya han sido nombrados Consejeros miembros del Centro Internacional de Enseñanza.

Además, ya que dos de Consejeros nombrados al Centro Internacional de Enseñanza habían sido Fideicomisarios de sus respectivos Fondos Continentales, se han nombrado al Consejero Peter McLaren para ser Fideicomisario del Fondo Continental en las Américas, y al Consejero Ben Ayala como Fideicomisario en Australasia.

Resulto internacional, nueva Asamblea local

Cuando se trata sobre la enseñanza de la Fe Bahá’í, Maggie McLendon es una mujer audaz e intrépida.

Maggie tiene una pequeña casa junto a la propiedad de la Escuela Bahá’í Bosch. Durante las sesiones de la escuela en la primavera y en el verano, ella ayuda en diferentes maneras, incluyendo tocando el piano.

Ella también extiende sus actividades hasta Santa Cruz, en dónde ella asiste con un programa de alimentación y en varias ocasiones ofrece su música voluntariamente.

Sin embargo, cuando llega el otoño y el invieron, Maggie se dirige hacia México. Ella conoce el idioma español, y encuentra que es muy fácil enseñar la Fe en el sur, cerca de la frontera.

Este pasado invierno, Maggie consiguió un trabajo en Mulege, al sur de Baja California.

A cambio de hospedaje y comidas, ella tocaba el piano en el restaurante del hotel más grande del pueblo en las noches; por lo tanto, ella tenía las tardes libres para enseñar la Fe.

Durante el dia ella participaba en proyectos de desarrollo socio-económico, traducía para varios médicos voluntarios de los Estados Unidos, y también frecuentaba el parque conociendo así a los turistas, y sirviendoles como traductora al español.

Cuando Maggie llego a Mulege en noviembre de 1987, no habían bahá’ís en el pueblo. A través de sus esfuerzos sacrificados, persistentes y dedicados, juntos con los de otros bahá’ís quienes la visitaban desde California y otras partes de México, hubo nueve personas que se hicieron bahá’ís y otras que han quedado muy interesados en el estudio de la Fe Bahá’í.

Esta historia demuestra los grandes resultados que se pueden obtener para la Fe de Bahá’u’lláh si los bahá’ís confían plenamente en la asistencia divina, y enseñan con amor sincero.

Centro Mundial recibe Consejeros

CON CORAZONES AGRADECIDOS TRANSMITIMOS A LOS SEGUIDORES DE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH A TRAVÉS DEL MUNDO FELICES NOTICIAS PRIMERA REUNIÓN CENTRO INTERNACIONAL DE ENSEÑANZA ACABO DE NOMBRAR.

EN LA MAÑANA DEL VIERNES TRES DE JUNIO LAS MANOS DE LA CAUSA AMATU’L-BAHÁ RÚHÍYYIH KHÁNUM Y ‘ALÍ AKBAR FURÚTAN, LOS MIEMBROS DE LA CASA UNIVERSAL DE JUSTICIA Y LOS NUEVE CONSEJEROS MIEMBROS DEL CENTRO INTERNACIONAL DE ENSEÑANZA SE REUNIERON EN BAHJÍ Y ENTRARON AL SANTUARIO MÁS SAGRADO PARA ORACIONES ANTES DE PROCEDER A LA MANSIÓN DE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH DONDE SE LLEVÓ A CABO SU PRIMERA REUNIÓN CONJUNTA EN CUARTO ASOCIADO CON SHOGHI EFFENDI.

TODOS ESTABAN AGUDAMENTE CONSCIENTES DE LA BENDICIÓN INAPRECIABLE DE INICIAR SUS CONSULTAS EN ESTOS SAGRADOS RECINTOS.

EN ESTA CONSULTA Y LAS SUBSIGUIENTES DURANTE LOS DÍAS QUE TRANSCURRIERON, SE REVISARON LAS TAREAS DEL CENTRO INTERNACIONAL DE ENSEÑANZA EN VISTA DE LAS TREMENDAS OPORTUNIDADES PARA LA ENSEÑANZA QUE ENFRENTA AHORA EL MUNDO BAHá’í, Y SE FORMULARON NUEVOS PATRONES DE OPERACIÓN.

REGOCIJO NUEVAS PANORAMAS ABRIÉNDOSE PARA VICTORIOSA PROMOCIÓN CAUSA DIOS.

LA CASA UNIVERSAL DE JUSTICIA 16 DE JUNIO DE 1988 [Page 23]

'Old song' gains new meaning

"Jesus loves the little children All the children of the world. Red or yellow, black or white, They are precious in His sight; Jesus loves the little children Of the world. "

The words of this song take me back to my earliest memories of childhood and to the roots of my fundamentalist religious upbringing. I loved the song and the warm security I felt in my heart when I sang it with childhood fervor and conviction.

But something was wrong. In my small-town Texas world it was apparent that not everyone knew the words to my wonderful song, or at least did not take its message seriously.

This distressed me as I saw that people with darker shades of skin were obligated to drink from separate water fountains, use separate public restrooms, enter buildings through designated entrances or wait outside. People with foreign accents were seen as sinister, and anyone who was "different" in any way was subject to ridicule or seen as an object to be avoided.

Yet, everyone I knew owned a Bible and could quote the words of Jesus. When I questioned the prevailing atmosphere of segregation, I was told, "They have their place and we have ours, and it's better that way." Somehow, that explanation did not make me feel better.

By the time I was a teen-ager, some things had changed, but not enough. I was exposed to another form of religious belief that, despite exemplary social laws, taught in subtle ways that darker races were inferior due to some ancient curse, but nevertheless God would be merciful and forgiving if they met certain requirements.

This convinced me that religion was a source of confusion and the cause of strife and contention among the world's diverse cultures. The veils of disillusionment completely obscured my childhood vision of a world in which all races were equally loved.

One day, much later in my life, divine intervention began to penetrate the veils and I saw youth of mixed racial backgrounds singing and dancing together. They were singing a song that was new to me, but the message of my old childhood hymn was the same.

But wait! They were using another name in place of Jesus. It was strange and foreign to my ears. I didn't even think I could pronounce it, yet it was melodious and soothing as the name, "Bahá’u’lláh," was repeated in the rhythms of the song.

I longed to know more about this new Messenger. The words of my old song were being fulfilled before my eyes. It was too good to be true-or was it?

"So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth."—Bahá’u’lláh

"...one and all are the children of God. Love them all with your whole heart; no one is a stranger to the other, all are friends."—‘Abdu’l-Bahá

-By Glory June Welch

تبلیغی ۳۷۸ تعهد برای برنامه های خدماتی و تبلیغی ١/٤٢٩ تعهد برای تشکيل بيوت تبلیغی ٧٠٤ تعهد مالی به مبلغ ۱۱۳/۱۷۳ دلار مشتمل پر ٥٩٢/۸۱ دلار برای بنای ساختمانهای حول قوس کوه كرمل. ۲۲ تازه تصدیق ٤٩٢ تعهد برای جلسات دعا

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE PLEDGES

همانگونه که یاران عزیز استحضار دارند داشته اند. و تزئید ،معلومات ٤٣ تعهد برای فعالیتهای بیش از نیمی از شرکت کنندگان در کنفرانس بین المللی جوانان تعهدات خود را برای خدمت به کلوپهای بهائی در دانشگاهها امر الهی بر کاغذی .نگاشته و به محفل روحانی ملی با نهایت خضوع از معهد اعلی استدعا میشود تقديم به صلاحدید محفل ملی فقراتی از در اعتاب مقدسه جهت شمول تأیید و توفیق در این تعهدات که حاکی از ایمان و ایثار یاران عزیز اجرای هر يك از تعهدات دعا فرمایند. است در زیر درج میشود تا مشت نمونه ای از خروار محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده ترجمه تلگراف شرکت کنندگان در کنفرانس و اندك نمودار بسیار باشد. بین المللی جوانان به ساحت بیت العدل اعظم یکی از دوستان نوشته: مورخ 4 جولای سال ۱۹۸۸ در تعطیلات آخر هفته کلمه ای را آموختم که گوئی در تمام عمر مراد و مقصودم بوده است. با امیدی تازه و تعهدی انقلابی برای انجام دانستم که رویای من برای خدمت "مهاجرت" است. در وظائف روحانی و حصول انتصارات امری ۵۳۰۰ نفر از ۲۶ کشور در کنفرانس بین المللی جوانان بلومینگتون در ایالت ایندیانا گرد آمده اند. هم با برکت حضور عضو بيت العدل اعظم جناب هوپر دانبار Hooper Dunbar و مشاورین قاره ای خانم ویلما بریدی Wilma Brady و خانم جکلین درس عمرم آنگاه سراسر خواههم خواند تا پزشك شوم و را وقف خدمت به امر الله خواهم کرد.... دیگری گفته همین امروز صبح به تصدیق امر بهائی موفق تعهد میکنم که از لحاظ روحانی رشد نمایم و تعالیم امر مبارک را فراگیرم و آنچه را دلامانت Jacqueline Delahunt و جناب رابرت آموخته ام به دیگران نیز بیاموزم..... و جناب ویلیام رابرتس دیگری چنین مرقوم داشته جناب آرتورو سرانو هریس Robert Harris William Roberts Arturo Serrano و و ه تن از اعضای محفل شدم. تعهد میکنم که قبل از آخر سال به افریقا (زیمبابوی) بروم.... روحانی ملی ایالات متحده جوانان جدیت بیسابقه ای یکی دیگر از دوستان نوشته: جهت اجرای وظائف مذکور در پیام رضوان سال تعهد میکنم که هر نفس و هر قطره از خونم ۱۹۸۸، نمودار ساختند. موضوع کنفرانس "میدان را نثار محبوبم حضرت بهاء الله نمايم.... " عمل مهیا گردیده اختیار شده که متوجه تقلیب دیگری مرقوم داشته قلوب افراد و تعهد و تمسك عمیقتری به امر از امروز ۹ درصد تمام درآمدم را به امر مبارك حضرت بهاء الله و عهد و پیمان آن حضرت میباشد. جمیع شرکت کنندگان آماده اند که به تحقق وعود دیگری نوشته: پیرامون کنفرانس بین المللی جوانان حضرت عبدالبهاء درباره سرنوشت والای جامعه بهائی INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE امریکا مساعدت نمایند. چشم اندازی که این ۳۲۰۰ نفر جوان و ١٤٠٠ بزرگسال و تقديم خواهم کرد.... ایمان خود را به جمال مبارك اذعان مینمایم و از او میطلبم که مرا بعنوان یکی از بندگان تازه تصديقش قبول فرماید. تعهد میکنم که راجع به ۷۰۰ نفر خردسال امر بیشتر فراگیرم و آنرا به دیگران ابلاغ به ساحت بیت العدل اعظم مورخ 4 شرکت کننده در یک کنفرانس سه گانه از خانواده نمایم و جوانیم را وقف خدمت تبلیغی کنم...." جانی بهائی .دارند با برنامه هائی که توسط تازه تصدیق دیگری نوشته نمایندگان جوامع بین المللی ارائه گردید گسترش ترجمه تلگراف محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان نفر پدر و مادر و ایالات متحده جولای سال ۱۹۸۸ با سرور در خلاصه تعهدات شرکت کنندگان یافته است. کنفرانس بین المللی جوانان اعم از جوان و بزرگسال و خردسال را تا این زمان به استحضار میرسانیم. دعا از معهد اعلی تقاضا میشود که در اعتاب مقدسه . امشب ایمان خود را به امر بهائی اذعان کردم این احساس روحانی را با هر کسی که در طول عمرم ببینم در میان خواهم گذاشت. دوستان بسیاری دارم که آماده شنیدن ندای امر بهائی آرام نخواهم گرفت مگر آنکه همه آنها و مناجات فرمایند تا تأییدات الهيه شامل حال این تعهدات حاکی از بیداری روحانی آنان است و پیشبرد امرالله جوانان و بزرگسالان و کودکان شود تحقق ۲۰۲۲ تعهد برای اقدام به خدمت و وعده " يدخلون في دين الله افواجا میسر گردد. "مبادا روح وحدتی که در این تعهدات به چشم میخورد در تاریخ معاصر امر مبارک در آمریکای شمالی بیسابقه تعهداتی که به ساحت معهد اعلى تقديم است. که فرصت موجود از دست برود. با تقديم اشواق قلبيه شرکت کنندگان در کنفرانس بین المللی جوانان هستند. به ایقان و سعادت من دست یابند. یکی دیگر از یاران چنین نگاشته ' " با عشق به او " و با وفاداری تام به میگردد حاکی از همان ضرورت و فوریتی است که در بيت العدل اعظم و در تعقیب هدایت محفل روحانی پیام رضوان مذکور گشته است. خلاصه شرح تعهدات یادآوری در خاتمه کنفرانس تعداد کل شرکت ملی تعهد مینمایم که نهایت تلاش خود را برای کنندگان بالغ پر ۱۰۰۰ نفر بود و در مجموع تحقق وعده ، يدخلون في دين الله افواجاً ، مبلول ٤٤٢ تعهد برای مهاجرت ٥٠٢ تعهد برای نمایندگان بهائی از ۵۰ کشور در کنفرانس شرکت دارم بطوریکه از تمامی کوششهای قبلیم پیشی خدمات یکساله جوانان ۹۹۷ تعهد برای سفرهای داشتند. بگیرد. به قرار زیر است [Page 24]زحمت فرموده و مرا شرمنده نموده‌اند تشکر می‌کنم... هیچ برای ما ناراحت نباشید. روزی به دنیا آمدیم و روزی هم باید برویم. کمی دیر و زود مهم نیست. در این مدت هم رنجی نبردیم. حالا هم که این چند خط را می‌نویسم کاملاً راحت و راضی هستم... همچنین جسد مرا هم مثل شوهرم به بابا سلیمان ببرند. از همه متشکرم. از پاسداران محترم که در این مدت ۲۸۰ روز زحمت کشیده و لطف داشته‌اند تشکر دارم و امیدوارم که خداوند به آنها عمر طولانی بدهد."

خانم فروهر در زمان شهادت حدود ۵۷ سال از عمرش می‌گذشت. زندگی‌اش از دوران طفولیت تا دم آخر صرف خدمت به امر بهائی، که خود به معنی خدمت به عالم انسانی است، شده بود. پیمانی را که با محبوب خود بست به تمامی اجرا نمود و شرط وفا را کاملاً به جای آورد. یاد گرامیش پایدار باد!

PEACE STATEMENT PRESENTED TO NATION OF ISLAM LEADER

در روز ۲۶ جون جناب ویلیام مکسول William Maxwell یکی از اعضای محفل روحانی ملی به همراهی نمایندگان محفل روحانی شیکاگو از طرف آن دو محفل مقدس مأموریت یافتند که در شیکاگو در مراسم افتتاح مسجد "ملت اسلام" حضور یابند و بیانیه "وعده صلح جهانی" را به رهبر آنان، امام دین محمد ارائه نمایند.

محمد علی کلی قهرمان سابق مشت‌زنی سنگین وزن جهان و جابر محید جوانترین پسر الیاس محمد بانی "ملت اسلام" نیز بیانیه عهد اعلی را در طی همان مراسم دریافت داشتند.

مراسم مذکور با حضور ۱۰۰۰ نفر از مسلمانان که بسیاری از آنان اتباع کشورهای مختلف بودند، برگزار گردید. مراسم افتتاح با خواندن فقراتی از کتاب مقدس و قرآن و کلمات مکنونه و ذکر "الله ابهی" از جانب یکی از نمایندگان بهائی و پاسخ "الله اکبر" حاضران خاتمه یافت.

EGYPTIAN BAHÁ’ÍS ACQUITTED

محفل روحانی ملی در ماه جون سال جاری اخباری دریافت نمود که بر مبنای آن یکی از دادگاههای مصر ۳۲ تن از بهائیانی را که در سال ۱۹۸۷ به سه سال زندان محکوم شده بودند تبرئه کرد. بهائیان مصر به جرم تخلف از قانون منع فعالیتهای تشکیلاتی بهائی در مصر محکوم شده بودند.

بر طبق حکم یکی از دادگاههای قاهره که در روز ۱۳ جون سال جاری صادر شد، تجمع ماهانه احباء در منازل شخصی مشمول قانون منع فعالیتهای بهائیان نبوده، زیرا این مجامع خصوصی و شخصی تلقی گردیده‌اند.

بهائیانی که مطابق حکم دادگاه تبرئه گردیدند از جمله ۴۸ نفری بودند که در ماه می سال گذشته به زندان محکوم شده بودند. در آن زمان دو تن از محکومین از امر تبری نمودند و به همین جهت مجرم شناخته نشدند. ۱۲ نفر دیگر در ماه فوریه سال جاری مطابق حکم دادگاه استیناف قاهره تبرئه گردیدند.

محفل روحانی ملی اظهار خوشنودی نمود که دادگاههای مصر سنت دیرین عدالت و مدارای دینی آن کشور را همچنان مجری میدارند. همچنین محفل ملی از زحمات وزارت امور خارجه و اعضای کنگره و رهبران سیاسی ایالات متحده به خاطر همکاریهای آنان جهت آزادی بهائیان مصر اظهار قدردانی نمود.

لازم به یادآوری است که مصر از جمله امضاکنندگان "عهدنامه بین‌المللی حقوق اجتماعی و سیاسی" است و بنابراین به ناچار میباید حرمت حقوق اتباع خود را رعایت نماید. اما مطابق گزارشهایی که از مصر دریافت شده دادگاههای آن کشور استدلال وکلای احباء را مبنی بر لزوم رعایت مفاد عهدنامه مزبور، مورد بررسی قرار ندادند.

یاران عزیز بهائی

وقایع اخیر انتصاب ۱۱ عضو جدید را به هیئت‌های قاره‌ای مشاورین ایجاب نموده. جناب ادیب طاهرزاده بعضویت بیت‌العدل اعظم انتخاب گردیده و جناب دکتر فرزام ارباب، جناب هارتموت گروسمن Hartmut Grossman، خانم لورتا کینگ Lauretta King، جناب دونالد راجرز Donald Rogers، خانم جوی استیونسن Joy Stevenson و جناب پیتر ووییا Peter Vuyiya ملحق به اعضای مشاور دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی شده‌اند.

علاوه بر این، ضعف مزاج جناب دکتر چلی سوندرام Chellie Sundram متأسفانه ادامه خدمات ایشان را بعنوان مشاور قاره‌ای آسیا غیر ممکن ساخته، جناب دکتر ایرج ایمن و خانم تلما خلقتی علیرغم میل خویش و در نتیجه پیشامدهای اجتناب‌ناپذیر مجبور بوده‌اند که قاره‌های آسیا و آفریقا را که حوزه خدمات آنان بود ترک نمایند و جناب آدم تورن Adam Thorne بدلیل شخصی ناگزیر به استعفا از هیئت مشاورین اروپا گشته‌اند. پیش از هر چیز مایلیم امتنان قلبی خویش را از خدماتی که این یاران عزیز طی سالیانی که بعنوان مشاور انجام وظیفه مینمودند در راه تقدم امر مبارک تقدیم داشته‌اند ابراز داریم و شمول برکات جمال اقدس ابهی را بجهت مساعی آتیه آنان بدعا سائلیم.

ترجمه دستخط بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی خطاب به قاطبه احبای عالم مورخ ۱۶ جون ۱۹۸۸

حال با سروری موفور انتصاب یاران ذیل را بعنوان مشاورین قاره‌ای اعلام میداریم:

آفریقا: جناب جورج آلن George Allen و جناب هیزایا حسانی Hizzaya Hissani.

آمریکای شمالی و جنوبی: جناب گوستاو کوریا Gustavo Correa، خانم ژاکلین دلامانت Jacqueline Delahunt و جناب دکتر ویلیام رابرتز William Roberts.

آسیا: جناب دکتر کیم میونگ جونگ Kim Myung Jung و خانم شانتا سوندرام Shantha Sundram.

اقیانوسیه: خانم ویولت هاك Violette Haake.

اروپا: جناب پاتریک اومارا Patrick O’Mara، خانم الیزابت مولشلگل Elizabeth Muhlschlegel و جناب دکتر شاپور راسخ.

در ضمن نظر به اینکه دو نفر از مشاورینی که بعضویت دارالتبلیغ در آمده‌اند قبلاً امناء صندوقهای قاره‌ای بوده‌اند انتصاب حضرات مشاورین جناب پیتر مکلرن Peter McLaren و جناب بن آیالا Ben Ayala را بترتیب بعنوان امناء صندوقهای قاره‌ای در آمریکا و اقیانوسیه اعلام مینمائیم.

همانطور که در خلال ششمین انجمن شور روحانی بین‌المللی و جلسات مشاورین که پس از آن تشکیل شد واضح و آشکار بود، عالم بهائی وارد مهمترین مرحله رشد تکاملی خود گشته که طی آن تبلیغ امر در سراسر جهان باید نصب العین يك يك مؤمنین دلداده حضرت بهاءالله قرار گیرد. موقعیتها و فرصتها عظیم است و یوماً فیوماً در تزاید. از درگاه پروردگار مقتدر مسئلت مینمائیم که تأییدات بیسابقه خویش را شامل مؤسسات نظم بدیعش که حال مرحله جنینی را میپیماید نماید و بر مؤمنین وفادارش که در نشر نفحاتش در اطراف و اکناف عالم دائماً کوشا هستند ارزانی دارد.

با تحیات صمیمانه بهائی

بیت العدل اعظم

HUQUQU’LLAH

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است که تقدیمی‌های حقوق‌الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huququ’llah Trust و به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق‌الله ارسال فرمایند.

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA. 90402

Dr. Elsie Austin P.O. Box 927 Silver Spring, MD. 20910

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH. 44116

یادآوری: نشانی جناب دکتر امین بنانی تغییر کرده است. لطفاً یاران وجوه حقوق‌الله را به نشانی جدید ایشان که در بالا درج شده ارسال نمایند. [Page 25]

یادی از خانم اشراقیه فروهر

MARTYR'S PROFILE

پس از آنکه انقلاب اسلامی به سال ۱۳۵۷ در ایران رخ داد، چندین زوج بهائی در راه امر مبارک به شهادت رسیدند. سرکار خانم اشراقیه فروهر و همسر ایشان جناب محمود فروهر از جمله این شهیدانند که با شهامت و افتخار سر بدادند و دل ندادند، از جان گذشتند و راضی به نقش پیمان محبت و مودّت نشدند.

خانم فروهر بسال ۱۳۰۲ شمسی در طهران زاده شد. پدرش، آقا میرزا شعبان میثاقیان بر طبق نوشته جناب فاضل مازندرانی در کتاب "ظهور الحق" از پیروان باوفای جمال مبارک بود و خانه‌اش مرکز تشکیل مجالس و کلاسهای امری و بیوت تبلیغی بود. جلسات پر شوری که در منزل پدری خانم فروهر تشکیل میشد و خصوصاً آنهائی که با حضور بزرگانی چون حضرات فاضل مازندرانی و فاضل شیرازی و آقا سیّد عباس علوی تشکیل میگردید، بذر ایمان و اعتقادی را که بر اثر تربیت بهائی خانوادگی در اعماق روح خانم فروهر کاشته شده بود، آبیاری میکرد و در روان جوان و اثر پذیر او تأثیری مضاعف میگذاشت و از او بهائی موقن و وفاداری میساخت.

اما مجالس امری که در منزل پدر خانم فروهر منعقد میشد بازتابی ناگوار برای خانواده به همراه داشت. جناب میثاقیان به خاطر تشکیل آن جلسات دستگیر شد و مدتی را در زندان گذراند. قلبش که بر اثر سختیهای زندان آسیب فراوان دیده بود همراهی نکرد و چند ماه بعد، از تپش بازماند. بدین ترتیب سرپرستی خانواده با ۵ فرزند بر عهده همسرش قرار گرفت.

خانم فروهر از دبیرستان نوربخش در طهران به اخذ مدرک متوسطه توفیق یافت و در سال ۱۳۲۴ با جناب محمود فروهر که در همان اوقات به طهران آمده و در بانک شاهی استخدام شده بود ازدواج کرد.

چندی پس از ازدواج باردار شد اما جنین سقط شد. در همین اوقات بود که دریافت که به سرطان رحم مبتلاست. چند بار در بیمارستان شرکت نفت بستری شد و سرانجام برای معالجه نهائی عازم سفر به انگلستان گردید. خانم فروهر در بیمارستانی در لندن برای عمل جراحی بستری شد اما پیش از عمل نمازی از سر صدق و با سوز دل خواند و با دوست حقیقی عهد نمود که اگر از بیمارستان سالم بدر شود همه عمر را صرف خدمت به امر خدا کند. از قول خود او در یکی از شرحی که درباره‌اش نوشته‌اند چنین آمده:

"من ۱۲ سال از درد مریضی رنج میبردم و وقتی عمل جراحی تمام شد و طبیب انگلیسی گفت به احتمال نود درصد بیماریم عود نخواهد کرد، به او جواب دادم که مطمئنم صد در صد عود نخواهد کرد، زیرا من به مولای شفا دهنده‌ام قولی داده‌ام و اگر پیمانم را مو به مو به انجام برسانم مطمئن هستم او نیز به عهد خود وفا خواهد نمود."

بدین ترتیب خانم فروهر از بیماری مهلک رهائی یافت. البته خانم و آقای فروهر دیگر نمیتوانستند صاحب فرزند شوند و این امر هر چند دردناک و ناگوار بود، اما سبب شد که آن دو مومن همه عمر خود را وقف خدمت به دیانت بهائی نمایند.

خانم فروهر همواره در خیال مهاجرت بود، تا اینکه پس از استعفای شوهرش از کار اداری به گوهر دشت که شهرکی در خارج کرج است نقل مکان نمود. در واقع فاتح روحانی گوهر دشت خانواده فروهر بود. اما طولی نکشید که خانم فروهر چند خانواده دیگر را تشویق کرد که به آن شهرک نقل مکان نمایند. دم گرمش در جان عده‌ای از یاران موثر افتاد و پس از مدت کوتاهی محفل روحانی گوهر دشت تشکیل شد.

پس از تشکیل محفل روحانی خانم فروهر در ابتدا به سمت منشی و سپس به سمت ناظم انتخاب شد و تا قبل از دستگیری در همان سمت در محفل روحانی به خدمت مشغول بود. علاوه بر نظامت محفل روحانی، در لجنه تربیت اطفال و لجنه تبلیغ و مهاجرت گوهر دشت عضویت داشت. ضمناً در لجنه ملی حیات عائله نیز عضو موثر و فعالی بود و با عده‌ای از اعضاء آن لجنه به اطراف طهران سفر میکرد و برای ریشه‌کن کردن بیسوادی در میان خانمهای بهائی سخت میکوشید.

خانم فروهر زنی مهربان بود و بسا دیده و شنیده شد که پنهانی به خانه فقرای غیربهائی میرفت و از لحاظ مالی و غذائی به آنان کمکهائی میکرد. یکی از دوستانش راجع به اینگونه خدمتها چنین نوشته:

"يك روز قریب ساعت ۷ بعد از ظهر در حالیکه برف سنگینی زمین را پوشانده بود ایشان را دیدم که يك پیت حلبی ۱۰ لیتری در دست داشتند و به سوی ناحیه فوقانی گوهر دشت در حرکت بودند. ایشان را سوار اتومبیل نمودم و گفتم کجا تشریف میبرید. فرمودند منزل فلانی. تعجب کردم که این چه وقت دیدار فلانی است که به عناد به احباء معروف است. گفتند: نیمساعت قبل منزلش بودم و چون نفت نداشت هوای خانه‌شان سرد بود و بچه‌ها گوشه‌ای کز کرده بودند."

خانم فروهر اطلاعات گسترده‌ای درباره دیانت بهائی داشت و با مطالعه آثار مبارکه و بخصوص توقیع ۱۰۵ حضرت ولی امرالله به جهان بینی عمیقی راجع به امر مبارک دست یافته بود. با تأثیر از شیوه تدریس معلم فداکار خود، جناب هوشنگ محمودی، اکثراً مطالب امری را با استفاده از جداول و تصاویر به شاگردان خود تعلیم میداد و این سبب میشد که جوانان و نوجوانانی که در محضرش به فراگرفتن معارف امری میپرداختند مطالب را چون نقش بر سنگ، بر صفحه خاطر مرتسم داشته باشند.

خانم فروهر پس از انقلاب اسلامی نیز همچنان به خدمات خود ادامه میداد و دشواری اوضاع از شور و همت او نمیکاست. بعضی از دوستان به او پیشنهاد کردند که چون چند تن از آشنایان و بستگانش در ایالات متحده به سر میبرند او نیز راهی آن دیار شود تا شاید بتواند از بلایای محتوم رهایی یابد، اما او هرگز راضی نمیشد که آسایش روحانی حضر را به امن و امان سفر بدل کند.

در اول ماه آگوست سال ۱۹۸۱ عده‌ای به خانه خانم و آقای فروهر رفتند. اموالشان را مصادره نمودند و آن دو را دستگیر و روانه زندان کردند. خانم فروهر به مدت ۹ ماه و چند روز در زندان بود. در این مدت چند ماهی را بخصوص در شرایط سختی به سر برد. مورد فشار قرار گرفت. به شکنجه تن در داد و وادار به تبری از ایمان خود شد. ولی این بار نیز دلداده عاشقتر از آن بود که تیر تهدید و فشار شکنجه در ایمانش خللی ایجاد کند. لاجرم چون بجای انکار اصرار کرد حکم اعدامش صادر شد و در ۸ می سال ۱۹۸۲ تیرباران گردید.

خانم ژینوس محمودی که خود نیز چندی بعد به شهادت رسید، در ضمن نامه‌ای که در دوران زندان خانم فروهر برای یکی دوستانش نوشته چنین گفته:

"در تنها یادداشتی که همان اوائل از داخل (زندان) آورده‌اند، اشراق عزیز یعنی وسائل خواسته بود که هیچکدام از آنها به دردش نمیخورد. آن احساس و حالت قشنگ او که تمام وجودش برای دیگران بود و برای خودش هیچ نمیخواست، حتی در آن لحظات سخت هم با اوست و میدانم که ‎مرحم مرهم‎ دل ریش ‎خستدلان خسته دلان‎ است. همان رفتار خانمی و ‎کدخدمنشانه کدخدا منشانه‎ برای رسیدگی و كمك به دیگران او را لحظه‌ای بیکار نمیگذارد . . . ."

اينك قسمتی از وصیتنامه خانم فروهر:

"اعتراف و اقرار به وحدانیت خداوند و شناسائی کلیه پیغمبران سلف. فقط به جرم بهائیت محکوم شدم. اقرار میکنم که کوچکترین رابطه با صهیونیسم و یا دولت دیگر خارجی داشتم. بدین وسیله از دوستان گوهر دشت که این مدت قبول [Page 26]همچنین خوشوقتیم که باستحضار یاران برسانیم که علاوه بر چهار منطقه مذکور هشت محل دیگر برای انعقاد کنفرانسهائی جهت بررسی مسائل مربوط به اكمال بناهای حول قوس کوه کرمل و تحقق بخشیدن به وعده "يدخلون في دين الله افواجا" به شرح زیر انتخاب گردیده است:

نيويورك در ایالت نيويورك، سياتل در ایالت واشنگتن، الکساندریا در ایالت ویرجینیا با همکاری واشنگتن دی. سی. کلمبیا در ایالت کارولینای جنوبی، هوستن در ایالت تگزاس، چاتانوگا در ایالت تنسی، کانزاس سیتی در ایالت کانزاس با همکاری کانزاس سیتی در ایالت میزوری، لوس آنجلس در ایالت کالیفرنیا.

با شروع برنامه های گسترده تبلیغی در چهار منطقه شهری، از جامعه بهائی و افراد احبای این سامان تقاضا میشود که هم خود را جهت ازدیاد عده تازه تصدیقان مصروف دارند. هر يك از ما باید استعدادات و امکانات خویش را به بهترین وجه در راه تبلیغ امر مبارك بکار گیرد و فرصتهائی را که در این راه بدست میاید مغتنم شمرد. جوامع امری نیز باید به میزان بیسابقه ای عهده دار تبلیغ امرالله شوند و بخاطر داشته باشند که اگر هر يك از این جوامع در هر ماه از ماههای باقیمانده نقشه شش ساله به تسجيل يك نفر تازه تصدیق توفیق یابد، تعداد افراد بهائی در ایالات متحده دو برابر خواهد شد. بیائید هر روز را غنیمت دانیم و میزان بی انتهای "منابع بكر قوای سماویه" را بیازمائیم.

ای یاران عزیز بیائید با خوشبینی و عزم راسخ و اعتماد و با شهامت و روح اتحاد به پیش تازیم. هر چه محبت و اتحاد در میان یاران بیشتر شود به همان اندازه عنایات الهی که موید مساعی احباست، ازدیاد خواهد یافت. امید است که حق قدير دل و جان آن عزیزان را به زیور فداکاری و ایمان بیاراید تا جاذب تأییدات لشكر نجات و ملا اعلى گردد.

با تحیات بهائی محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده منشی: رابرت سی هندرسن

اعتذار: در ترجمه فارسی پیام فوق که به بعضی از ضیافات ارسال گردیده، اشتباهاً به جای شهر "سن حوزه" شهر "سان دیاگو" نوشته شده است.

NSA LETTER FOR THE FEAST OF KAMAL

ترجمه پیام محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده بمناسبت ضیافت شهرالکمال ١٤٥ بدیع اول آگست ۱۹۸۸

خطاب به جامعه بهائی ایالات متحده

یاران عزیز بهائی

ایكاش همه آن عزیزان میتوانستند با این جمع در کنفرانس بین المللی جوانان که در بلومینگتون در ایالت ایندیانا منعقد گردید، شرکت داشته باشند و نمایندگان ۵۰ کشور مختلف را که در کنفرانس حاضر بودند به چشم ببینند، نمایندگانی از "آلاسكا و بلیز و بوتسوانا و آفریقای جنوبی و سریلانکا و ونزوئلا و غيره و غيره ...." هر يك از این نمایندگان جوامع مختلف، وقتی نامشان خوانده شد، بر صندلیهائی که در بالای صحنه سالن کنفرانس نهاده شده بود، جلوس نمودند. سپس عضو محترم هيئت مشاورین قاره ای Arturo Serrano از مكزيك و رابرت هندرسن منشی محفل روحانی ملی از یکی از نمایندگان هر کشور دعوت نمودند که اخبار تبلیغی مملکت خود را به سمع حاضران برسانند.

نمایندگان محترم از هر خدمتی سخنی به میان آوردند: از رادیو بهائی در اکوادور، از برنامه های گسترده تبلیغی در بوتسوانا، از ١٦ مدرسه بهائی در برزیل، از برنامه های آموزش اطفال بهائی در كاستا ریکا، از جلسات تبلیغی و تزیید معلومات در تونگا، از انتشارات تبلیغی و افزایش تبرعات در گایانا و از خروج امر الهی از مرحله مجهولیت در آفریقای جنوبی.

اگر چه اینان از نقاط گوناگون جهان گرد آمده بودند، اما زبان دلشان یکی بود. سخنانشان مختلف اما هدفشان واحد بود: تأسيس ملکوت الهی در بسیط زمین. با شنیدن داستانهایشان شادی کردیم و از شوق گریستیم. مانند اعضای یک خانواده در آغوششان کشیدیم. حکایاتشان روح تازه ای در دلمان دمید. از آن پس همگی این نیاز را احساس کردیم که کاری باید کرد.

یکشنبه شب ۵۰۰۰ هزار نفر در سالن اجتماعات گرد هم آمدند. مشاورین قاره ای و اعضای محفل روحانی ملی تقاضا کرده بودند زمان ویژه ای برای صحبت درباره شور و اشتیاقی که در حضار بود بدانان اختصاص یابد. آنچه را معهد اعلی در باب فرصت های جدید برای تبلیغ در همه طبقات جامعه گوشزد فرموده، دوباره به استحضار حاضران رساندیم و این بیان بیت العدل اعظم را دوباره خواندیم که میفرمایند: "فرد فرد یاران از مرد و زن و خردسال و جوان به میدان تبلیغ فراخوانده شده اند." سپس از همه تقاضا شد در دل خود دعائی بخوانند و آنگاه تعهد خود را برای خدمت به امرالله روی کاغذی مرقوم نمایند.

در حالیکه شرکت کنندگان ایستاده بودند و سرودی حاکی از وحدت خانواده بشری میخواندند، هزاران ورقه تعهدات خود را تسلیم نمودند. حالت هماهنگی و وحدتی را که در آن سالن احساس میشد از یاد نخواهیم برد، حالتی که دلها را برای قیام به تبلیغ امر مبارك متعهد میساخت.

اعضای هیئت مشاورین قاره ای و محفل روحانی ملی در اتاق پشت سالن اجتماعات تا پاسی از شب گذشته را به شمارش اوراق تعهدات گذراندند. ۲۵ نفر اذعان به حقانیت ظهور جمال قدم نموده و هزاران نفر دیگر برای خدمت یکساله جوانان و مهاجرت و تبرعات و تبلیغ و تزیید معلومات امری تعهد کرده بودند. براستی نقل فهرستی از این تعهدات گویای محتوای واقعی آنها نیست چه که آن اوراق شواهد بلیغی از ایمان به حضرت بهاءالله و ایثار و وقف عمر برای تبلیغ امر الهی بود. اعضای محفل روحانی ملی و هیئت مشاورین قاره ای پس از قرائت اوراق تعهدات، خبر این آیات ایمان را به استحضار بیت العدل اعظم رساندند. در پاسخ، معهد اعلی "مجریان اصلی فرامین تبلیغی" را دعوت فرمودند که با عزم جزم به قیامی جهت ملهم ساختن جامعه جهانی بهائی مبادرت جویند. بیت العدل اعظم در پیام خود فرمودند: "(جوانان) قیامی بیسابقه نمایند و با جهدی بلیغ و تلاشی مستمر به فتوحاتی جدید برای تبلیغ امرالله و تحکیم اساس تشکیلات آن دست یابند."

پس از کنفرانس دفتر محفل ملی پاکت بزرگی از احبای کانزاس سیتی واقع در ایالت میزوری دریافت نمود. محتوای پاکت يك دسته ورقه تعهد و نامه ای از محفل روحانی کانزاس سیتی بود که عین آن را نقل مینمائیم:

"دوستان عزیز، جوفاً تعهدات شخصی احبائی را که در جلسه ضیافت شهرالکلمات حضور داشتند ارسال مینمائیم.

چند تن از اعضای جامعه امری این شهر در کنفرانس بین المللی جوانان شرکت داشتند و به اطلاع ما رساندند که چگونه ٤۰۰۰ نفر از یاران در پاسخ پیام رضوان تعهداتی برای قیام و خدمت نمودند. ما نیز از اشتیاق آنان به شوق آمدیم و تعهداتی کردیم.

امیدواریم محفل روحانی ملی ما را مانند آن ٤۰۰۰ نفر حاضران در کنفرانس به ارسال جوابی مفتخر دارد. البته نيك آگاهیم که نوشتن ٤۰۰۰ جواب ممکن است کار دشواری باشد. از آن محفل مقدس استدعا میشود تعهدات ما را که از جان و دل مایه گرفته با خیر مشروع محلی این ناحیه که آنرا "مشروع ۱۰۰۰" نامیده ایم به ساحت بیت العدل اعظم ارسال فرمایند.

با تحیات بهیه محفل روحانی بهائیان کانزاس سیتی، ایالت میزوری"

قلوب این خادمان سرشار از سرور گردید. وفاداری و ایثاری که در این نامه اظهار شده ما را به انجام نقشه شش ساله و اتمام بنای ساختمانهای حول قوس کوه کرمل و هدایت ملت آمریکا به ‎سرونوشت سرنوشت‎ روحانی خود موفق خواهد کرد. یاران عزیز کانزاس سیتی مطمئن باشند که پاسخ ایشان ارسال خواهد شد. کاری که آن یاران انجام میدهند اولویت فوری این محفل است.

با تحیات بهائی محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده منشی: رابرت سی هندرسن [Page 27]

پیام‌های بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی

MESSAGES OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

ترجمه تلگراف بیت‌العدل اعظم مورخ ۱۲ ماه جون سال ۱۹۸۸

این جمع با قلوبی سرشار از سپاس خبر بهجت‌افزای اولین جلسه دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی را که اعضای آن جدیداً انتخاب گردیده‌اند به اطلاع پیروان بهاءالله در سراسر عالم میرسانند.

در صبح روز سوم جون حضرات ایادی امرالله امة‌البهاء روحیه خانم و جناب علی اکبر فروتن و اعضای بیت‌العدل اعظم و نه نفر مشاورین عضو دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی در بهجی مجتمع گشتند و پیش از ورود به قصر مبارک برای تشکیل اولین جلسه مشترک آنان، در اتاق متعلق به حضرت ولی عزیز امرالله، جهت تلاوت ادعیه و مناجات وارد روضه مبارکه شدند. جمیع حاضرین از برکات ناشی از آغاز مشاورات در چنان مقر مقدسی به خوبی آگاه بودند.

در آن جلسه شور و همچنین در جلساتی که در روزهای بعد صورت گرفت، وظائف دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی در قبال فرصتهای خطیری که برای تبلیغ امرالله در برابر عالم بهائی قرار گرفته مورد بررسی واقع گردید و شیوه‌های تازه عملکرد و اجرا وضع شد.

وجود فرصتهائی از این قبیل برای پیشبرد پیروزمندانه آئین ربانی موجب حصول شادمانی است.

بیت‌العدل اعظم

ترجمه تلگراف بیت‌العدل اعظم مورخ ۴ جولای سال ۱۹۸۸ خطاب به شرکت کنندگان در کنفرانس بین‌المللی جوانان در بلومینگتون در ایالت ایندیانا

با سپاس و سرور موفقیت برجسته کنفرانس بین‌المللی جوانان را که در بلومینگتون در ایالت ایندیانا منعقد گردید، تهنیت میگوئیم. این کنفرانس با تعداد بیسابقه‌ای تعهد جهت اقدامات برای تحقق اهداف نقشه شش ساله امتیاز یافته است.

قوائی که با ظهور حضرت بهاءالله در جهان نبضان یافته تمایل بیشتری در قلوب اهل عالم جهت وحدت و صلح ایجاد نموده و حوادث جهانی را به نحو متکاملی شکل میدهد که مقدر است به ایجاد صلح اصغر و مآلاً به تحقق صلح اعظم منجر گردد. همراه با این قوای فعاله‌ای که در عالم سریان دارد تحرك روحانی متزایدی جامعه پیروان اسم اعظم را نیرو میبخشد و اثراتش در مشاوراتی که در کانونشن بین‌المللی به عمل آمد به چشم میخورد و در میادین خدمت به پیروزیهائی دست یافته که اخبار آن هر روزه واصل میشود.

همین امروز اخبار مسرت‌انگیزی واصل گردیده که ۱۰۰/۰۰۰ تازه تصدیق در ایالت اوتار پرادش در کشور هندوستان تسجیل شده‌اند. کشورها یکی پس از دیگری به صف سرزمینهائی که به مرحله دخول فوج فوج افراد به جامعه پیروان جمال مبارك رسیده‌اند، ملحق میشوند.

از جامعه بهائیان آمریکا بعنوان مجریان اصلی فرامین تبلیغی انتظار میرود که امتیازات و وظائفی را که بدانان اعطاء شده دریابند و با همت والای خود سراسر عالم بهائی را الهام بخشند.

باشد که جوانان محبوب و عزیز آمریکا به قیامی بیسابقه مبادرت نمایند و با جهدی بلیغ و تلاشی مستمر به فتوحاتی جدید برای تبلیغ امرالله و تحکیم اساس تشکیلات آن دست یابند. بدین ترتیب ظهور یومی را تسریع خواهند نمود که به فرموده حضرت عبدالبهاء "امريك مرکز منوحات رحمانیه گردد و سریر ملکوت الهی در نهایت حشمت و جلال استقرار یابد."

این مشتاقان مطمئنند که جوانان بهائی امریکا که پایه نیرومندی از جامعه‌ای میباشند که به زبان مرکز میثاق به "حواریون حضرت بهاءالله" ملقب گشته، تمام تلاش خود را برای ایفای تعهداتی که در کنفرانس نموده‌اند مبذول خواهند داشت.

در اعتاب مقدسه دعا میشود که آن عزیزان با ورود به این مرحله جدید و مهیج تقدیم خدمات به حضرت محبوب، مورد تأییدات و برکات بیسابقه واقع شوند.

بیت‌العدل اعظم

ترجمه تلگراف بیت‌العدل اعظم مورخ ۶ جولای سال ۱۹۸۸

با سپاس فراوان خبر انتشارات تبلیغی هندوستان را که از جمله اولین شواهد اجابت دعوت مذکور در پیام رضوان است با آن عزیزان در میان میگذاریم.

در پی تصمیم محفل روحانی ملی که بر مبنای آن ماه جون بعنوان ماه تبلیغ دستجمعی نامیده شد، شورای بهائی ایالت اوتار پرادش نقشه خاصی طرح نمود که مطابق آن تأکید ویژه‌ای برای تسجیل زنان و جوانان و خانواده‌ها در ۳ ناحیه آن ایالت شده بود.

۱۱۰ نفس منقطع بر اثر تشویق مشاورین و به راهنمائی ۲ تن سرپرست و ۲ تن از نمایندگان شورا جهت انتشار پیام حیات‌بخش حضرت بهاءالله در میان هموطنان خویش قیام نمودند.

نتیجه مساعی آنان در طی يك ماه به مراتب بیش از حد انتظار بود. افزون از یکصد هزار نفر زن و مرد و جوان که بسیاری هم خانواده بودند، به امر مبارك اقبال نمودند. برنامه‌های مؤثر تکمیلی با حد اقل ۵ برنامه تزئید معلومات در هر ماه در نواحی مرکزی آغاز گردید. هم اکنون ۱۰۰۰ تن از تازه تصدیقان مجله بهائی به زبان هندی را مشترك شده، به صندوق امری تبرع نموده‌اند. با كمك مشاورین مقدار زیادی آثار امری به زبان هندی به انضمام شمایل حضرت عبدالبهاء برای توزیع در میان تازه تصدیقان در دست تهیه است. همچنین نوارهای صوتی از آثار مبارکه و ادعیه و سخنرانیهای ساده در شرف تهیه میباشد. ۲ کنفرانس بزرگ روستائی برای زنان و جوانان و خانواده‌ها در دست طرح است. همچنین طرح برنامه‌های توسعه اجتماعی و اقتصادی تحت مطالعه و مذاکره است.

این جمع اطمینان دارند که در سایر نقاط جهان نیز انتشاراتی از این قبیل قابل حصول است. از پیروان اسم اعظم در سراسر عالم تقاضا میشود که با عزمی جزم به پا خیزند و بر اثر اقدام برادران خویش در هندوستان مشی نمایند و عالم انسانی را در این مقطع خطیر از تاریخ بشری به امر الهی فراخوانند. مشتاقانه در انتظار وصول اخبار مجاهدات آنان هستیم. مطمئن باشند در اعتاب مقدسه برای نزول تأییدات جمال مبارك جهت عزم راسخ آنان برای خدماتشان در سبیل تبلیغ دسته جمعی دعا میشود.

بیت‌العدل اعظم

پیام‌های محفل روحانی ملی

NSA LETTER FOR THE FEAST OF KALIMAT

ترجمه پیام محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده بمناسبت ضیافت شهرالکلمات ۱۴۵ بدیع / ۱۲ جولای ۱۹۸۸

خطاب به جامعه بهائی ایالات متحده یاران عزیز بهائی

اعلان محفل روحانی ملی در کانونشن ملی مبتنی بر طرح برنامه‌های گسترده تبلیغی در چهار منطقه بزرگ شهری شور و اشتیاقی در سراسر ایالات متحده ایجاد نموده است. محفل روحانی ملی تقاضاهای بسیاری از محافل روحانی محلی و لجنات ناحیه‌ای نشر نفحات دریافت نموده که بر اساس آنها از محفل ملی درخواست شده که نقاط و نواحی آنان برای اجرای برنامه تبلیغی در نظر گرفته شود. میزان پختگی و عمق و درجه اعتماد بنفس و تعهد یاران که در تقاضاهای ارسالی نمایان بود موجب دلگرمی این محفل گردیده است.

با سرور فراوان اعلان میداریم که چهار منطقه‌ای که جهت اجرای برنامه تبلیغی در نظر گرفته شده عبارتند از منطقه آتلانتا در ایالت جورجیا، منطقه بوستن در ایالت ماساچوست بانضمام تمام ایالت مذکور، منطقه شیکاگو در ایالت ایلینوی و منطقه سن حوزه در ایالت کالیفرنیا. تعهد جمیع محافل روحانی حومه این چهار شهر به مشارکت و همکاری در برنامه تبلیغی یکی از عوامل اصلی انتخاب مناطق فوق بود. [Page 28]

Pledges touch hearts with commitments to service

One of the most moving and memorable aspects of the 1988 Bahá’í International Youth Conference was the tremendous response to a request by the National Spiritual Assembly for pledges of service to the Cause. More than half of the nearly 6,000 youth, adults and children at the conference in Bloomington, Indiana, made commitments to serve in some way or to prepare themselves for a life of service in the years to come.

Those pledges, which will be forwarded to the Universal House of Justice, have touched the hearts of all who have seen them, and the National Assembly would like to share with you a representative sampling of what was written in response to its request:

"This weekend I learned the word that describes what I've wanted to do all my life. I learned that my dream to serve is called 'pioneering.' I will study to become a doctor, my studies forever guided by Bahá’u’lláh, and then I dedicate my life to serving wherever I can for the glory of the Cause and the Faith...."

"I have just declared my faith this morning. My pledge is to learn and grow spiritually in the Faith in order to educate others in the great belief that I feel...."

"I pledge to be a living sacrifice. Please God to accept me....

"I pledge to give to the Fund and become active in my community and teach locally....."

"I... pledge to go to Africa (Zimbabwe) before the end of 1988...."

"I pledge my every breath and every drop of life to my beloved Bahá’u’lláh...."

"In love of Him, in total dedication to the beloved House of Justice, and in following the lead of the American National Spiritual Assembly, I pledge... my utmost effort in ushering in the entry of troops, to outstrip all previous individual efforts, and to have 'no fear or doubts.' ..."

"I pledge to forget my shortcomings and with the assistance of the Blessed Beauty arise to serve the Cause to the utmost of my abilities, to improve my personal life, to teach the Faith daily, to live to serve the Cause. I humbly beseech my beloved Universal House of Justice to offer prayers at the Holy Shrine of the Blessed Beauty on behalf of myself and my family, that we shall always serve the Cause and be steadfast and firm in the Covenant...."

"I promise that I will learn a new prayer every month...."

"From today on 9 percent of all my earnings shall go to the Cause. 'I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.'..."

"I pledge to declare my faith in Bahá’u’lláh and to begin my divine exploration of the Faith...."

"I declare my faith that Bahá’u’lláh is the prophet from God, sent to bring forth the New Age. I pledge to teach the Love of Bahá’u’lláh in my home, among my friends, with my co-workers and to my family I have yet to meet...."

"I declare my belief in Bahá’u’lláh and His teachings....".

"I will declare (definitely) in the coming days, and since I hope to become a doctor, I will try to do all I can for both unfortunate and fortunate countries in the medical profession, probably a year of service after I graduate from college...."

"I confirm my belief in the Blessed Perfection, and ask that He will accept me as His servant, a new Bahá’í. I commit myself to learning and to teaching the Cause, and dedicate my youth to a teaching service. ..."

"Tonight, I declared my faith and I will not stop sharing this feeling with everyone that I encounter for the rest of my life. I have many friends that are ready for the Bahá’í Faith. And I won't be satisfied until each and every one of them is as sure and happy as myself...."

Singers Julie Walker (left) and Karen Ryan perform.

Young people respond to the National Spiritual Assembly's call to action by filling out some of the more than 3,000 pledges of service to the Cause of God made at the Bahá’í Youth Conference.

Homefront from page 11

and high schools; Francis Marion College is in nearby Florence and Pembroke State University is in Lumberton, North Carolina.

Transportation: No public transportation. Airport and Amtrak are in Florence.

Housing: Current information is available from the coordinator.

MYRTLE BEACH

Population: 27,500 (summertime, 350,000)

Employment: Tourism is the major industry and in 1985 provided 34,000 jobs. Other Horry County industries are: AVX Corporation (electronic components), Aynor Manufacturing Co. (women's apparel), Escod Inc. (electronic parts), AVX No. 2 Spingard, Stilley Plywood Co. (furniture), Canal Wood Corporation (lumber), New South Forest Industries (lumber), Hardee Manufacturing Co. (farm machinery).

Education: Nine elementary schools, six middle schools, seven high schools, three career centers, Center for Exceptional Children, USA Coastal College.

Transportation: Myrtle Beach Jetport-Piedmont Airlines, Eastern Air Lines, U.S. Air, Atlantic Southeast Airlines. Bus-Coastal Rapid Transit Authority. Train-Amtrak to Florence.

Housing: Current information is available from the coordinator.

GREENVILLE

Population: 58,242

Employment: A wide range of jobs is available. Information can be obtained from the Chamber of Commerce for a fee.

Education: Public and private elementary and high schools, Bob Jones University, Furman University, Greenville Technical College.

Transportation: Airport. Local bus service-Greenville Transit Authority.

Housing: Current information is available from the coordinator.

For more information about these and other areas of South Carolina in which homefront pioneers are needed, please contact Moses Richardson, the Traveling Teaching and Homefront Pioneer Coordinator. Also, please watch for more information in upcoming issues of The American Bahá’í.

Archives has items for sale through Distribution Service

The National Bahá’í Archives has the following items available for purchase through the Bahá’í Distribution Service:

1. Guidelines for Bahá’í Archives, a 63-page manual on the organization and functioning of a Bahá’í Archives. $7.50.

2. The American Bahá’í (1970-85) and National Bahá’í Review (1968-83) on 35mm microfilm. Set of five rolls of microfilm, $75.

Send orders to the Bahá’í Distribution Service, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. Overseas orders, add 15 percent.

Splendid array of performers provides balance at Youth Conference

Yes, the 1988 Bahá’í International Youth Conference was purposeful with thousands of young people deepening their commitment to and love for the Cause of God—but that sense of purpose was carefully counter-balanced by a splendid array of entertainers whose performances left their audience, young and old alike, eager for more.

Singly and in groups, these performers, many of whom were youth, inspired and delighted everyone with their enthusiasm, insight and professionalism. Included was music that ranged from classical to jazz, from contemporary to country, as well as dance, drama and satire.

Outstanding in the area of drama were two performances of "Táhirih," a three-act play written and directed by Carolyn Wistrand Duell and presented by the Louhelen Youth Theatre. Both performances were well-attended, and the audiences were visibly moved by the touching story of the Letter of the Living who became a martyr for women's rights and the Cause.

For sheer energy and visual excitement it would be hard to top the Hromovytsia Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Chicago, the beauty and precision of whose performance brought the audience in Assembly Hall to its feet. Also lending an international flavor was the lithe Middle Eastern interpretive dancer Jihan.

For children of all ages there was the inimitable Red Grammer, lead singer with the "Limelighters," who performed on stage and again during Saturday afternoon's outdoor "Celebration of the Family." After the youngsters responded to Red's invitation to name the various "places in the world" and to try to "sound like him," they were entertained by the Atlanta Bahá’í Youth Workshop.

And Atlanta wasn't the only Youth Workshop represented at the conference: Los Angeles, San Diego, Florida, Oregon, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., were also there to entertain, with San Diego presenting an especially thought-provoking series of vignettes on race prejudice.

For those who prefer their music country-style, there was Dan Seals, one of Nashville's hottest country stars whose recent albums have been best-sellers from coast to coast and most places in-between. Mr. Seals performed in concert Sunday evening.

Persian music was represented by the splendid santour player, Kamel Missaghian, from Puerto Rico, while Lakota Indian Kevin Locke was there to perform his spectacular traditional hoop dance.

For group singing, there was the Louis Gregory Institute Unity Choir which captured the hearts of everyone earlier in the year at the Bahá’í National Convention in Wilmette.

Vocalists included Barb Shanks; the duo of Karen Ryan and Julie Walker; and Dorothy Powells.

Among other talented performers were pianists Jameck Khazra and Sina Sabet; violinist Negin Mohtedi; and the group "919" (Rowshan Bashir, Dwight Bashir, Eric Johnson, Melissa Grevemburg and Nishi Gill).

Other entertainment included a Friday evening talent show featuring performers from across the country, and a celebration the following evening of "The Unity of Mankind" with music and dancing. [Page 29]

Bahá’í International Youth Conference

hail the outstanding success of the International Youth Conference in Bloomington, Indiana, which has been distinguished by an unprecedented number of pledges of service to be carried out in support of the goals of the Six Year Plan....

"We have full confidence that the American Bahá’í youth, who comprise a strong element of the community honored by the Master with the title of 'apostles of Bahá’u’lláh,' will exert themselves to the fullest to fulfill the pledges they have made at this conference."

While the significance of those commitments cannot be overstated, they were but one aspect of a stupendous gathering whose effects will be felt within the American Bahá’í community for many years to come.

The over-all theme, "The Stage Is Set," was taken from a passage by the Guardian (Messages to America: 1932-46, p. 17) in which he says: "...There is no time to lose. There is no room left for vacillation. Multitudes hunger for the Bread of Life.

"The stage is set. The firm and irrevocable promise is given. God's own Plan has been set in motion. It is gathering momentum with every passing day. The powers of heaven and earth mysteriously assist in its execution.

"Such an opportunity is irreplaceable. Let the doubter arise and himself verify the truth of such assertions. To try, to persevere, is to ensure ultimate and complete victory."

Every aspect of the conference, from plenary sessions to discussion groups and even social events, was geared toward realizing the goal of that theme: one's personal commitment to arise and serve the Cause of God.

The conference was blessed by the presence of several members of the senior institutions of the Faith whose wise counsel was ardently sought and freely given throughout the five-day event.

They included one member of the Universal House of Justice, Hooper Dunbar; Counselors Wilma Brady, Jacqueline Delahunt, Robert Harris, William Roberts, Fred Schechter and Arturo Serrano; and five members of the National Spiritual Assembly—William Davis, Alberta Deas, Robert Henderson, Jack McCants and Dorothy Nelson.

Also taking a leading role in the conference, which, as Dr. Henderson pointed out, "was planned by youth for youth," were a number of young speakers and masters of ceremonies from the U.S. and abroad whose outstanding contributions helped make this a truly memorable event.

The task of introducing speakers, entertainers and other participants at plenary sessions was capably handled by half a dozen Bahá’í youth including three from the U.S. (Traci Gholar, Ryan Heydarian and Mehr Mansuri) along with Nobi Garrigues (Spain), Rocky Moncho (Botswana) and Terrance Simmons (Guyana).

Apart from the Counselors, members of the National Assembly and its committees and agencies, the speakers were a diverse group who came from far and near and represented a number of ethnic groups.

They included Nelson Sapad (Southeast Asian now living in California), Sophie Berhane (Ethiopian now studying at the Louhelen Bahá’í School), Homa Sabet (California), Louis Henrique Beust (Brazil), and Varta Sokhanvar (Canada).

The conference was convened Thursday evening with an opening night social, the first of two presentations of a dramatic three-act play, "Táhirih," by the Louhelen Youth Theatre, and a late-night prayer session by candlelight.

Each morning from Friday through Sunday the youth, children and adults held separate sessions. Afternoons were devoted to discussion groups for parents and youth as well as other special activities, while evening sessions saw all groups coming together in IU's Assembly Hall for inspirational talks and entertainment.

A highlight of the Saturday evening session was the presentation of a plaque by the Spiritual Assembly of Bloomington to Dr. Herman B. Wells, long-time chancellor of Indiana University, recognizing his many years of devotion to the causes of world peace and human rights.

The following afternoon a tree was planted at the IU arboretum, also in honor of Dr. Wells.

Monday morning's closing session included a presentation honoring Tomilea Allison, the mayor of Bloomington, and a "challenge to the American Bahá’í community" by the Counselors and members of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Other special events included:

• A Friday evening talent show featuring performers from across the country.
• Late-night discussion groups at several locations on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• A FUNd Run to raise money for the completion of the Arc on Mount Carmel.
• A "Celebration of the Family" on Saturday afternoon whose centerpiece was a performance by Bahá’í singer/composer Red Grammer.
• A Sunday evening concert by well-known Bahá’í entertainer Dan Seals.
• A second performance Saturday afternoon of the play "Táhirih."
• A celebration that same evening of "The Unity of Mankind" with music and dancing.
• A reception hosted by the National Teaching Committee for youth and adults from countries other than the U.S.
• Several programs especially for Persian believers including a slide show, "The Time Is Now," and a reception for refugees hosted by the National Persian-American Affairs Committee.

Each of the plenary sessions was centered around a theme whose cumulative impact was designed to inspire the individual Bahá’í to arise in service to the Cause. Those themes were:

• Friday morning, "The Significance of This Day."
• Friday evening, "Bahá’u’lláh's Revelation."
• Saturday morning, "The Individual's Mission."
• Saturday evening, "The Immediate Future."
• Sunday morning, "A New Attitude."
• Sunday evening, "The Time Is Now."
• Monday morning, "Let the Doubter Arise."

The wide-ranging and provocative discussion groups for youth included something for nearly everyone, answering such questions as "Are Bahá’ís socialists?" and "Is Money the Root of All Evil?" and covering topics in such diverse areas as "the promise of world peace," life as a single adult Bahá’í, sexism and the media, prayer and meditation, families in crisis, a fresh approach to career/vocations, and Model United Nations: an international experience.

Meanwhile, parents were discussing topics that included developing cultural pride in one's children, moral challenges facing youth, spiritual and psychological survival in the '80s, spiritualization of the work place, developing your child's potential through reading and writing, and discipline: parenting's "most challenging issue."

In addition, there were two discussion groups for pre-youth: "Calling All Younger Youth!" (conducted by Counselors Wilma Brady and Robert Harris), and "Set Yourself Free!" (conducted by Cindy Savage, author of the new novel, Nothing in Common).

Ms. Savage's book was a best-seller at the conference, whose over-all sales were described by a representative of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and Distribution Service as "the best in at least a decade."

The conference was front-page news in the Sunday edition of the local newspaper, the Herald-Times, which described the event in a lengthy article with color photograph as "the biggest ever held in Bloomington."

The friends were also welcomed by a number of billboards and signs on roads and business establishments in and around the city.

The plenary sessions for youth (mornings) and youth, adults and children (evenings) were a skillful blend of talks and entertainment designed to inform, edify and inspire everyone at the conference and to instill a greater love for and commitment to the Cause of God.

That they succeeded in that purpose was evident in the large number of commitments made in response to the National Spiritual Assembly's request for tangible pledges of service.

The spirit of those commitments was equaled by that of two performing groups who, having rehearsed for months especially for the conference, were asked to relinquish their time so that the pledges could be received.

Although greatly disappointed, both groups—"Global Beat" from San Diego and "Fourth Epoch" from Michigan—agreed without hesitation to do so.

The speakers at this grandly international event came from many countries (others attending the conference came from as far away as Korea, Nepal, New Zealand and South Africa) and included several groups of youth and pre-youth whose remarks were especially well-received.

The first of these group presentations, "The Vibrating Influences of Bahá’u’lláh's Revelation," was given Friday evening by Shahrokh Bahador, Leon Graham, Parisa Payman, Natasha Miller, Glen Evans and Ricky Martinez.

A second, "Serving the Faith," on Saturday morning, consisted of brief remarks on that theme by Adriana Tomás, Bobby Ahdieh, Ndeley Agbaw, Margie Bulkin, Rambod Hashemi and John Stahl.

On Sunday evening, "Summoning the Heroes" was addressed by Kaylin Anderson, Michelle Lancaster, Verdia Louis, Cyprian Sajabi and Jene Wallace.

Young people from several countries gather onstage to read excerpts from the wills of Bahá’í martyrs in Iran.

The youngest speaker at a plenary session was 12-year-old Saba Firoozi of Glencoe, Illinois, whose theme was "Bahá’u’lláh." Saba is a participant in the children's public speaking project conducted by Gayle Woolson who gave three workshops on public speaking as a means of developing children and youth from "ordinary" to "extraordinary."

While the youth were meeting each morning in Assembly Hall, parents and other adults were at the Auditorium for talks and other presentations by such well-deepened Bahá’ís as Counselors Wilma Brady and Fred Schechter; Judge Dorothy Nelson, chairman, and William Davis, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly; Helen Markovitch Sanchez, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Costa Rica; Bahia Mitchell from the Bahá’í World Center; John Smith of the National Teaching Committee and Linda Ahdieh of the National Youth Committee.

Other activities for parents included two "open mike" sessions and a multi-media presentation, "The Seven Year Plan: A Retrospective."

The children's program, held each day in the Student Union, was varied and interesting with entertainment, games and other activities for those ages 3-11.

More than 200 people of all ages took part in Sunday evening's FUNd Run. On-site pledges to the Fund exceeded $7,200 with thousands of dollars more pledged by sponsoring individuals and communities.

One runner completed 106 laps, generating an estimated $6,000 in contributions.

In a sense, of course, everyone at this most remarkable conference was "running," or at the very least moving quickly forward toward a deeper understanding of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh and a greater commitment to teaching, which the Universal House of Justice said in its Ridván 1988 message to the Bahá’ís of the world is "the food of the spirit; it brings life to unawakened souls and raises the new heaven and the new earth; it uplifts the banner of a unified world; it ensures the victory of the Covenant and brings those who give their lives to it the supernal happiness of attainment to the good pleasure of their Lord." [Page 30]

Amherst Bahá’ís honor three legendary jazz musicians

What began as a frustrating experience for a Bahá’í in the Amherst, Massachusetts, area developed into an opportunity to place the Faith in the foreground in an original and creative way.

When Leonard Smith, an assistant to then-Auxiliary Board member (now Counselor) William Roberts, went to the Jones Library, which serves the Amherst area, to see its compact disc collection, he was disturbed to find only classical music on disc in the well-endowed library.

Mr. Smith was looking for jazz recordings, but instead found that in a multi-cultural, multi-national community such as Amherst there was only music which reflected the white European heritage.

Faced with such an anger-inducing situation, Mr. Smith consulted with the Spiritual Assembly of Amherst, and a plan emerged—an ambitious plan that was augmented as one idea built upon another.

The early plan was for the Bahá’í community to present the library with some compact discs of jazz notables, especially of those who teach and live in the area.

Funds would be necessary, an awkward circumstance since eyes were set on raising funds for the Arc on Mount Carmel.

Eventually, through donations from music stores that Mr. Smith had patronized and proceeds from a fund-raiser, enough money was raised to cover most of the costs of a sizeable CD collection.

As plans evolved, it was arranged to hold a reception for three world-renowned jazz and "new world" musicians who teach and live in Amherst, and to present each of them with a leather-bound copy of the peace statement.

This framework would provide a festive and memorable setting in which to honor the musicians and present the library a gift of compact discs and record albums.

On April 26 the event, arranged by the Bahá’ís of Amherst, was held at the Jones Library.

The presentations were made before more than 100 people, mostly fellow musicians and townspeople, in the library's large gallery with its lovely crystal chandelier.

Dr. Phyllis Gudger-Porter welcomed the artists and guests, and Dr. Robert was the keynote speaker.

Those honored were drummer Max Roach and saxophonists Archie Shepp and Yusef Lateef.

Mr. Roach, a noted composer, arranger, teacher, lecturer and recording artist, has twice been awarded the Grand Prix du Disque from France and, from Italy, the Primo Della Critica Discogratica Italiano, and has won critical awards from Downbeat magazine and other musical publications and societies.

Mr. Shepp, who has been garnering musical acclaim since 1962, both here and abroad, has won awards for Best Tenor Saxophone and Album of the Year. His creativity has spilled over to prose, poetry and theatre.

Mr. Lateef, perhaps best known as a tenor and alto saxophonist, also plays flute and oboe and is the first American musician to win the Downbeat award for oboe. He also won a Grammy award this year for his "Little Symphony."

Following enthusiastic remarks linking their musical work to peace, Irene Taafaki presented the peace statements to Mr. Shepp and Mr. Lateef.

Dr. Fred Tillis of the University of Massachusetts' music department accepted on behalf of Mr. Roach, who was on tour.

During the program a cablegram arrived from jazz great and Bahá’í Dizzy Gillespie in which he said, "I am thrilled to know that you are the first recipients of such recognition by my spiritual family."

Such recognition, he added, is "a long overdue honor. ..."

The artists responded to the events with words of joy, gratitude and appreciation; they were visibly moved.

Each mentioned his pride in having worked with and learned from Mr. Gillespie. Mr. Lateef related stories of Dizzy’s generosity and humane acts to people in other parts of the world.

In accepting the peace statement on Mr. Roach's behalf, Dr. Tillis commented on the diversity of those in attendance and said this was the most significant event to occur during his time in Amherst.

The program was closed by Nico Von Stein, a jazz pianist from the Bahá’í community of Springfield, who presented improvisational renderings of the musicians' works.

Left photo: Versatile jazz musician Archie Shepp thanks the Bahá’ís of Amherst, Massachusetts, during a program April 26 at which he and fellow musicians Max Roach and Yusef Lateef were honored. Right photo: Two guests browse through the collection of jazz records and compact discs donated to the Jones Library in Amherst by that city's Bahá’í community.

Martyr (from page 14)

"qualified and educated active Bahá’ís."

In spite of the hardships she endured in prison, Mrs. Farúhar, an exceptionally kind woman, wrote in her will:

"I am grateful to all. I thank the respected Pásdárs (prison guards) who have been so kind during these 280 days, and ask God to grant them long lives."

In that same document, she also refutes unequivocally the false charges brought against her:

"(I) confess that my only basis for conviction is my belief in the Bahá’í Faith. I declare that I have I never had any links with Zionism or a foreign power."

May her sacrificial services be an example to all Bahá’ís.

Can you identify anyone in this picture?

This photograph was apparently taken in Flint, Michigan, in 1948. If you know anyone in the picture, please send the name(s) to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Cindy (from page 16)

...ding to a Bahá’í Distribution Service staff member.

People of all ages and backgrounds were buying it. The fact that it is priced at only $4.95 certainly puts the softcover book within the reach of almost everyone.

But Nothing in Common isn't the only book Ms. Savage has written; she has four other extremely popular novels for young adults already in print for Willowisp Press, with four more scheduled for publication in the near future.

Ms. Savage also travels and lectures at elementary, junior and senior high schools. She takes copies of her books along and will be promoting Nothing in Common.

She hopes to write other books for young adults with Bahá’í themes: "The most important thing for a Bahá’í youth is to be encouraged to feel that nothing is impossible, whether it is teaching the Faith, their careers, or personal and family goals."

Because she spends so much time talking to young people—Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís—she believes she has a sense of some of the issues that need to be addressed. For youth brought up in Bahá’í families, those issues include chastity, forming lasting relationships, deciding whether or not there is a God, and whether to become a Bahá’í.

"Chastity is a big thing," she says. "Bahá’ís tell me they are the last hold-outs in their eighth-grade class. Many Bahá’í youth find that if they hold to their principles they lose many of their friends.

"There is pressure on them not to form interracial friendships. And there is the violence that surrounds that issue," she says. "Kids need to be able to roll with the punches, and they need to learn to be well-rounded people."

To round out her life, Ms. Savage is raising her three children, Linda (8), Laura (6) and Kevin (2). She and her husband, Greg, who is the testing and receiving manager for an almond-growing company, also have a foster son, Brian, who is 3.

They live on a three-acre farm near Sacramento, California. Its main crops are oats and tar weed, although Cindy says she does tend a small vegetable garden in her spare time.

A sequel to Nothing in Common is on the drawing board. It will carry forward the story of some of the characters introduced in the first novel.

Bahá’í named to serve on Portland UNA board

Lydia A. McCarter, a member of the Bahá’í community of Portland, Oregon, has been nominated to serve on the board of directors of the Portland chapter of the United Nations Association for the next two years.

Mrs. McCarter has been the coordinator for the past three years of the annual World Peace Award program sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Portland in conjuction with United Nations Day.

She also serves as secretary-treasurer of the District Teaching Committee of Western Oregon.

Also nominated to the UNA board of directors was Charlotte Easly, a local Bahá’í musician and composer.

Miss Easly will serve on the committee for the annual Folkfest sponsored by the UNA of Portland. [Page 31]

Four young Bahá’ís spend summer as BIC interns

de to vid

University of Illinois where she is majoring in international rela- UNITED NATIONS tions.

The summer of '88 provided a special kind of experience for four young Bahá’ís who served as interns at the Bahá’í International Community offices in New York.

Two of the Bahá’ís, Andra Grant of Plantation, Florida, and Layli Miller of Roswell, Georgia, will return to high school this fall, while Aaron Alizadeh of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Carrie O'Hare of Springfield, Illinois, will resume their studies at college.

Carrie O'Hare, who completed a year of service at the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa before interning at the BIC where she helped Brad Pokorny of the Office of Public Information with research and writing projects, embarks on her junior year at the US She says she came away from her internship with "an overwhelming feeling of confidence in the businesslike way the office is run, the professionalism of the presentations to the public and the press, and the rapid response to pressing issues.

"You get a feeling of being at the 'pulse-point' and have a strong feeling of connection to the Universal House of Justice."

For Layli Miller, it was "an experience I'll always remember.

"When I see so many organizations here working for a common goal, I realize that the incredible spirit of the Cause is definitely at work everywhere."

Aaron Alizadeh, who managed to take a course at NYU while interning at the BIC, says his work "gave me a sense of the international complexion of the Faith, of its relationship to the UN, how the various UN bodies function and some of their administrative problems.

"Most important, I learned what it's like to work together in a loving Bahá’í atmosphere where so much is being accomplished."

Aaron will be a junior in college, majoring in creative writing and literature, and hopes to further his studies after graduation.

For Andra Grant, a high school senior, the summer experience was "awesome! I highly recommend it."

Meeting so many people, she says, was impressive, and she learned a lot about "what is going on in the Bahá’í world."

Both Andra and Layli worked as volunteers at the UN on a project during the recent disarmament conference.

Anyone who is interested in becoming an intern with either the Bahá’í International Community's UN Office or the Office of Public Information in New York should send a letter to Dr. Wilma Brady, administrator-general, explaining your interest and including a resumé of your qualifications.

Write to the Bahá’í International Community, 866 UN Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017. Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Stipends for certain other expenses are negotiable, and the length of stay varies.

Due to limited space, the BIC can have a maximum of only three interns at a time.

AND TUDENTS! BECOME A D LAM MODELIN YOURTH PEACE UN

Pictured (left to right) are three of the four young summer interns at the Bahá’í International Community's offices in New York City: Layli Miller of Roswell, Georgia; Carrie O'Hare of Springfield, Illinois; and Andra Grant of Plantation, Florida.

Booth at Youth Conference presents information concerning Bahá’ís and UN

Shirley Lee (left), the National Spiritual Assembly's UN representative, and her assistant, Karla Tschiegg, at the U.S./UN booth.

The National Spiritual Assembly's United Nations office was one of 25 exhibitors displaying information at the recent Bahá’í International Youth Conference in Bloomington, Indiana.

Interested young people and adults stopped by the booth to learn about the work of the Bahá’ís at the UN.

Pamphlets were available on model UN conferences for high school and college students. UN posters were displayed with statements on youth presented at the UN by the Bahá’í International Community.

Information was also offered on Internships and Careers in International Affairs, a UN-U.S.A. resource book about internships and organizations available to students in the U.S. and abroad.

A drawing was held for "Give Peace a Chance," a board game based on conflict resolution that was created by 12-year-old Michelle Alexander who has played the game with the UN Secretary-General (and won!) and other world leaders.

The lucky winner of the drawing was Vonda McCrae of Fairfax, Virginia.

Reinforcing the display were two workshops on the model UN experience and the UN-U.S.A.'s Multilateral Project conducted by James P. Muldoon, director of Model UN and Youth Programs for the UN-U.S.A.

More than 50 young people attended the model UN workshop where fundamentals of the program were discussed and ideas, illuminating to both students and instructor, were exchanged by the participants.

Information about display items is available from the U.S. Bahá’í UN office, 866 UN Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017 (phone 212-751-1282).

UN office offers packet of statements

A packet of nine statements prepared by the Bahá’í International Community for distribution at UN-related activities is available from the National Spiritual Assembly's United Nations office.

Included in the packet are statements on issues such as peace and unity, nature, the family, social and economic development, women, and racial discrimination.

To order, send $5 to the U.S. Bahá’í UN Office, 866 UN Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017. These statements may be reproduced.

Reception held in N.Y. for tri-state Assemblies, Groups

A reception for Spiritual Assemblies and Groups in the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) was held June 17 at the Bahá’í International Community offices in New York City.

The reception was sponsored by the offices of the Bahá’í International Community: the United Nations Office and Office of Public Information, along with the National Spiritual Assembly's UN Office.

Guests were invited to browse through the new suite of offices, visit with the staff and enjoy refreshments.

The BIC/UN Office, the Office of Public Information and the National Assembly's UN Office, formerly in different locations in the same building, were moved into one suite in May 1987 along with the new Office of the Administrator-General.

Consolidation of space and equipment has proven to be cost-effective in many ways. The four offices now share communications and duplicating equipment, a central services staff, and conference, reception and food preparation areas.

Activities are more closely coordinated and a harmonious spirit unites the 18-member staff.

Along with the staff of each office, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary for External Affairs of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Dr. Wilma Brady, administrator-general of the Bahá’í International Community, were on hand to greet guests at the reception.

Staff members helped prepare displays and handouts describing the functions of the offices. A six-minute video tape of highlights from the International Convention... See RECEPTION page 36

Names of adult educators sought

The National Spiritual Assembly would like the names of Bahá’ís who hold advanced degrees or have considerable experience in adult education. Opportunities arise in which the National Assembly would like to call on those with expertise in adult education and in implementing literacy programs. Such people are needed occasionally to represent the Faith at national events.

Qualified persons are asked to send resumés or descriptions outlining their skills and experience to the National Spiritual Assembly Office of External Affairs, Washington, DC 20009.

Marriage: A Fortress for Well-Being

MARRIAGE A FORTRESS FOR WELL-BEING

From the Bahá’í Publishing Trust HC $15.95 SC $8.95

Offers insights about applying the Bahá’í teachings on marriage to the realities of everyday life. Examines the institution of marriage in the light of God's purpose for humanity. Challenges today's couples to contrast their attitudes, expectations, and behaviors absorbed from society with the model outlined in the Bahá’í teachings.

Addresses such topics as: • dating • preparing for marriage • the purpose of marriage • prayers for marriage • the equality of women and men • conflict resolution • interracial marriage • raising children • assistance from the Spiritual Assembly. • divorce and remarriage

Formerly published as A Fortress for Well-Being With a new cover designed by Mona Carloni New Foreword by Geoffrey W. Marks and Amy Seidel Marks

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091 [Page 32]

'Day of Sharing' with Native Americans held at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut

A conference entitled "Circle of Unity: A Day of Sharing with Native Americans" was held April 30 at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.

The conference was planned and organized by the Connecticut Native American Teaching Committee, a task force of the District Teaching Committee.

A diverse group of about 70 attended the event.

The keynote address and many of the workshops were given by American Indians, some of whom were Bahá’ís.

Workshops were held on such topics as Native American Healing Practices, Native American Identity, and The Way of the Pipe: Native American Religion Today.

Featured at a potluck lunch were a variety of American Indian foods.

A highlight of the day's events was a panel discussion on "Life as an American Indian."

The panelists spoke afterward of the warm sincerity and quick understanding of those assembled to hear them, and said it was a rare experience for them to find such qualities of empathy and comprehension in a cross-section of people as were represented there.

The meeting ended in an aura of fellowship and joy.

Ecumenical group in New Mexico admits Faith to membership

On March 10, the Gallup (New Mexico) Area Ecumenical Conference, which includes Christian churches of all denominations, voted to admit the Bahá’í community under the category "Friends of Ecumenism."

The local Assembly of Gallup had presented facts about the Faith to the members and asked permission to join.

After the vote, the Bahá’ís were welcomed and there was a round of applause from the members.

Indian Reservations well-represented at N.D. Winter School

All but two of the North Dakota Indian Reservations were represented among the 73 people who attended the annual North Dakota Bahá’í Winter School on February 12-14.

Discussions were held on the need to demonstrate love and unity within the Bahá’í community through personal social interaction among the various cultural and racial groups represented in the Faith.

Pictured during a recent Workshop for Bahá’í Men at the Native American Bahá’í Institute in Houck, Arizona, are Navajo Bahá’í Alfred Kahn (top) and his friend, Roger Coe. (Photo by Michael Frank)

Green Acre

history. As Bahá’ís in this country study the Ridván message from the Universal House of Justice and ready themselves for large-scale enrollments, this national institution, the Green Acre Bahá’í School, is in the first phase of a restoration project that will, among other things, restore and winterize the very Inn that housed our beloved Master for those days in 1912.

Now is the time to prepare for the many who will join our ranks under His banner.

The fund-raising goal in this first phase is $1.1 million which is needed by September 30 to begin construction.

While for the first time in the history of the Faith, fund-raising for such a project has been assigned to a region (the Northeast), we know that Bahá’ís everywhere love the school that was so richly blessed by the Master and wish to see it achieve its glorious destiny.

All are invited and encouraged to contribute to this noble enterprise. We especially appreciate the prayers of the friends around the world.

Contributions earmarked for the Green Acre restoration can be sent to the National Treasurer's Office or directly to the Restoration Fund, Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903.

If you wish to know more about any of the work being done at Green Acre or to receive program information, drop us a note or phone 207-439-7200 and we'll be happy to add your name to our mailing list.

Mrs. Winckler asks that anyone who has Green Acre historical information such as letters, programs, course outlines, photographs, written or taped memories send them to Green Acre at the above address. Copies will be made on request.

Fund

tional Assembly feels it is paramount to go forward with these activities and programs; therefore, it is willing to borrow money until the contributions increase.

This year we had an unanticipated surprise—the announcement by the Universal House of Justice regarding plans to complete the Arc. While we are genuinely excited and thrilled at this prospect and the spiritual energies it will release in the world, adjusting to this new reality is not a smooth process.

The new World Order that Bahá’u’lláh has ordained for us is perfect; we are not. The process of applying the laws and teachings He has revealed is an imprecise one in these early, formative years.

For example, Huqúqu’lláh is an important element of Bahá’u’lláh's "divine economy" for the world. But it will be many years before we either understand or fully implement it. We must, however, place our confidence and trust in Bahá’u’lláh and proceed with prudence and wisdom. That is the challenge before us. If we pursue faithfully that course we will be worthy examples for the world to emulate.—Office of the Treasurer

Navajo-Hopi women hold conference at Institute in Arizona

On May 7-8, a Navajo-Hopi Women's Conference was held at the Native American Bahá’í Institute in Houck, Arizona.

It was conducted by Ruby Lawson, a Tsimshian Indian from Lapwai, Idaho, who is a member of the National Committee on Women.

Consultation in the prayer hogan included about 15 women.

Auxiliary Board member and Lakota Indian Kevin Locke performs his well-known and much-appreciated hoop dance during the Bahá’í International Youth Conference in Indiana.

Peace statement given to 84 percent of House sponsors of Iran resolution

Of the 95 members of the U.S. House of Representatives who recently co-sponsored the 1988 Congressional resolution condemning the treatment of Bahá’ís in Iran, 80 (or 84 percent) have been given copies of "The Promise of World Peace" by local Bahá’í delegations as requested by the National Spiritual Assembly.

Nationally, to date, 296 (or 69 percent) of the 432 members of the House have received the peace statement.

Letters were sent to each congressman asking for his or her co-sponsorship of the resolution. The Office of External Affairs believes that the high percentage of representatives who responded positively to that request may be indicative of the fact that many of them had met with Bahá’ís.

It is important for local Spiritual Assemblies that have not yet completed their peace statement presentations to continue their efforts to meet with their government officials or one of the official's representatives.

In the future, the National Spiritual Assembly may have other reasons to contact nationally elected officials. Any information or requests from the Bahá’ís would be more readily received if the official already knew about the Faith and knew that Bahá’ís live in his or her district.

John H. Scott, retired professor, dead at 79

John Howe Scott, a retired professor of chemistry at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a Bahá’í since 1963, died May 27 in Minneapolis. He was 79 years old.

Dr. Scott, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was fluent in several languages including Russian, French and German, and was an ardent proponent of Esperanto. [Page 33]

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BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf	HC	$16.95
Epistle to the Son of the Wolf	PS	4.50
Fire Tablet/Holy Mariner--Eng/Per/Ara	HC	17.50
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	16.95
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh	PS	4.95
Gleanings--British Edition	PS	12.95
Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	6.50
Hidden Words--Chinese/English	HC	14.95
Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh--deluxe Edition	HC	13.95
Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh	PS	3.95
Hidden Words--British Edition	SC	3.50
Kitáb-i-Íqán--British Edition	HC	12.95
Kitáb-i-Íqán--British Edition	SC	9.00
Kitáb-i-Íqán	PS	4.95
Prayers and Meditations	HC	16.95
Prayers and Meditations--British Edition	HC	11.95
Prayers and Meditations	PS	4.50
Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	7.50
Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh	SC	3.75
Selected Writings of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	11.95
Seven Valleys and Four Valleys	HC	6.50
Seven Valleys and Four Valleys	SC	3.95
Synopsis and Codification of Kitáb-i-Aqdas	SC	2.50
Tablet to the Christians & An Appreciation	SC	5.00
Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	12.95
Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh	LT	O/P
Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh	PS	4.50
Writings of Bahá’u’lláh--A Compilation	HC	19.95

THE BÁB

Selections from the Writings of the Báb	HC	11.95
Selections from the Writings of the Báb	LT	6.95

‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ

‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London	HC	16.50
‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London	SC	5.95
Foundations of World Unity	HC	11.95
Memorials of the Faithful	HC	11.95
Paris Talks	HC	11.95
Promulgation of Universal Peace	HC	17.50
Secret of Divine Civilization	HC	11.95
Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	HC	12.50
Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	6.95
Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	LT	6.95
Some Answered Questions	HC	16.95
Tablets of the Divine Plan	HC	12.95
Tablets of the Divine Plan	PS	4.50
Traveler’s Narrative	HC	12.00
Traveler’s Narrative	SC	7.50

SHOGHI EFFENDI

Advent of Divine Justice	HC	12.95
Advent of Divine Justice	SC	8.50
Call to the Nations	SC	2.50
Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh	SC	4.00
God Passes By	HC	22.95
God Passes By	SC	13.50
Light of Divine Guidance/2-Letter-Germ.& Aust.	HC	21.95
Promised Day Is Come	HC	8.50
Selected Writings of Shoghi Effendi	SC	1.00
Unfolding Destiny	HC	28.50
World Order of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	12.95
World Order of Bahá’u’lláh	SC	7.50

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Constitution: The Universal House of Justice	SC	1.50
Messages from the Universal House of Justice	HC	4.50
Messages from the Universal House of Justice	SC	2.00
Promise of World Peace--Deluxe Edition	HC	10.00
Promise of World Peace--Illustrated Summary	SC	1.75
Promise of World Peace--Pocket-size, Pkg./10	SC	3.00
Promise of World Peace--Presentation Edition	SC	3.00
Promise of World Peace--Study Edition	SC	.95
To the Peoples of the World	SC	1.25
Wellspring of Guidance	HC	9.00
Wellspring of Guidance	SC	4.00

BOOKS FOR PRAYER AND DAILY MEDITATION

Bahá’í DayBook	SC	TBA
Bahá’í Prayers	HC	9.00
Bahá’í Prayers	SC	4.50
Bahá’í Prayers--British Edition	HC	5.95
Bahá’í Prayers and Holy Writings	SC	2.50
Bahá’í Readings	SC	5.95
Handmaidens of God: Prayers for Women	SC	2.00
Hidden Words and Selected Holy Writings	SC	2.50
Prayers and Meditations	HC	15.95
Prayers and Meditations--British Edition	HC	11.95
Prayers and Meditations	PS	4.50
Prayers and Thoughts for Peace	SC	3.25
Words of God	SC	2.00

BIOGRAPHICAL WORKS

Bahá’u’lláh
Bahá’u’lláh: The Word Made Flesh	SC	6.25
My Memories of Bahá’u’lláh	SC	9.95
Stories from the Delight of Hearts	HC	13.95
Stories of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	14.75	The Báb
Hour of the Dawn: The Life of the Báb	HC	18.75
Hour of the Dawn: The Life of the Báb	SC	8.50	‘Abdu’l-Bahá
‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Centre of the Covenant	SC	16.25
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Master	HC	8.50
Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	2.00
Blessings Beyond Measure	HC	12.95
In Galilee	HC	8.95
Master in ‘Akká	HC	18.95
Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	HC	12.95
Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	6.95
Mystery of God	HC	19.95
Portals to Freedom	SC	8.95
Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akká	SC	6.95
Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	9.50	Shoghi Effendi
Blessings Beyond Measure	HC	12.95
Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith	HC	25.95
Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith	SC	12.95
Meditation on the Eve of November 4th	SC	1.50
Priceless Pearl	SC	7.50
Shoghi Effendi: Recollections	HC	19.95	The Hands of the Cause of God
Hands of the Cause of God	HC	20.00
All Flags Flying--W. Sears	SC	10.00
Corinne True: Faithful Handmaid	HC	18.95
Corinne True: Faithful Handmaid	SC	11.95
From Copper to Gold--D. Baker	HC	16.50
George Townshend	SC	15.95
God Loves Laughter--W. Sears	SC	8.50
Martha Root: Lioness at the Threshold	HC	25.00
Martha Root: Lioness at the Threshold	SC	14.95
Story of My Heart--A. Furútan	SC	10.50
To Move the World--L. Gregory	SC	10.50
Tokoloshe--W. Sears	SC	9.95	Dawnbreakers and Early Bahá’ís
Dawn-Breakers--British Edition	HC	17.95
Eminent Bahá’ís in the Time of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	35.00
Eminent Bahá’ís in the Time of Bahá’u’lláh	SC	19.95
Mullá Husayn (young adults)	SC	3.50
Mullá Husayn: Disciple at Dawn	HC	19.95
Mustafá Rúmí: Memoirs and Letters	SC	6.50
Quddús (Young adults)	SC	3.50
Táhirih (Young adults)	SC	3.50

GENERAL COMPILATIONS

Bahá’í Education	SC	4.50
Bahá’í Marriage and Family Life	SC	O/P
Note: A Study Guide can be purchased separately		3.75
Bahá’í Writings on Music	SC	2.50
Bahíyyih Khánum: Greatest Holy Leaf	HC	10.50
Bahíyyih Khánum: Greatest Holy Leaf	SC	5.50
Centers of Bahá’í Learning	SC	1.50
Consultation	SC	1.50
Continental Boards of Counselors	SC	3.95
Covenant	SC	2.50
Crisis and Victory	SC	4.50
Days to Remember	SC	7.00
Death: The Messenger of Joy	SC	2.00
Desire of the World	SC	7.50
Divine Art of Living	SC	8.50
Divine Therapy	SC	11.95
Divorce: Writings Discouraging Divorce	SC	2.00
Family Life	SC	3.50
Huqúqu’lláh	SC	1.50
Individual and Teaching	SC	1.50
Inspiring the Heart	HC	9.50
Inspiring the Heart	SC	4.95
Life Blood of the Cause	SC	2.00
Living the Life	SC	2.95
Local Spiritual Assembly	SC	.50
National Spiritual Assembly	SC	1.00
Pattern of Bahá’í Life	SC	1.50
Peace	SC	2.95
Peace: More Than an End to War	SC	8.95
Pearls of Wisdom: Deepening Compilation	SC	1.95
Political Non-involvement	SC	1.50
Power of Divine Assistance--British Edition	SC	3.50
Power of Unity	SC	8.50
Principles of Bahá’í Administration	SC	7.95
Quickening of Mankind	HC	11.95
Special Measure of Love	SC	1.50
Spiritual Foundations	SC	1.50
Throne of the Inner Temple	SC	6.00
Trustworthiness	SC	1.50
Universal House of Justice	SC	3.95
Unrestrained As the Wind	SC	8.50
Unto Him Shall We Return	SC	8.50
Waging Peace	SC	7.95
Women	SC	2.00
General
Diary of Juliet Thompson	SC	13.95
For the Good of Mankind--A. Forel	HC	13.50
For the Good of Mankind--A. Forel	SC	5.95
He Loved and Served--C. Kelsey	SC	9.50
Leo Tolstoy and the Bahá’í Faith	SC	11.95
Leo Tolstoy and the Bahá’í Faith	HC	5.95
Lidia: Daughter of the Founder of Esperanto	SC	14.95
Once to Every Nation (How I became a Bahá’í)	SC	7.50
Rebirth: Memoirs of R. Szanto-Felberman	SC	6.95
Summon Up Remembrance--A. Khan	HC	28.50
Summon Up Remembrance--A. Khan	SC	15.75
Tristan	HC	19.95
Tristan	SC	9.50
Youth in the Vanguard	HC	5.00

CONCORDANCES AND REFERENCE BOOKS

Bahá’í World Volumes 1-12 (set)	HC	295.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 13 (XIII)	HC	27.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 14 (XIV)	HC	16.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 15 (XV)	HC	21.95
Bahá’í World: Volume 16 (XVI)	HC	22.95
Bahá’í World: Volume 17 (XVII)	HC	26.95
Bahá’í World: Volume 18 (XVIII)	HC	40.00
Concordance to the Hidden Words	SC	1.50
Concordance to the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	49.95
Reader’s Guide to Bahá’í Literature	HC	17.95
Reader’s Guide to Bahá’í Literature	SC	9.50

INTRODUCTION TO THE FAITH

All Things Made New	HC	19.95
All Things Made New	SC	9.95
Bahá’í Faith: The Emerging Global Religion	HC	15.95
Bahá’í Faith: An Introduction--Faizi	SC	1.50
Bahá’í Faith--Perkins and Haynesworth	SC	O/P
Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era	HC	12.95
Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era	SC	3.95
Earth Is But One Country	HC	14.95
Earth Is But One Country	PS	5.95
Light of Bahá’u’lláh	SC	3.95
Religion for Mankind	SC	7.50
Renewal of Civilization	SC	3.75
These Things Shall Be	HC	2.00*
To a Seeker	SC	6.95
What Is the Bahá’í Faith	SC	9.50

WORLD RELIGIONS

Christianity, Judaism, and the Bible	SC	14.95
Bahá’í References to Judaism, etc.	SC	4.95
Christ and Bahá’u’lláh	SC	TBA
Four-in-one the Christs	SC	9.95
Prince of Peace	SC	9.95
Promise of All Ages	HC	12.50
Promise of All Ages	SC	4.50
Tablet to the Christians & An Appreciation	SC	5.00
Thief in the Night	SC	4.95
Wine of Astonishment	SC	4.75
Islam
Shí’ih Islám: An Introduction	HC	33.00
Shí’ih Islám: An Introduction	SC	21.50
General
Golden Rule	SC	8.25
Imperishable Dominion	SC	14.50
Letters and Essays: Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl	HC	14.95
Miracles and Metaphor	SC	11.95
Story of Stories	SC	9.95

HISTORY

Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	2.00
Bahá’í Faith in America: 1892-1900	HC	17.95
Bahá’í Studies 12/13: Persecution 1844-1984	SC	7.25
Blessings Beyond Measure	HC	12.95
Dawn-Breakers--British Edition	HC	17.95
Dawning Place	HC	9.95
Dawning Place	SC	4.95
E. G. Brown and the Bahá’í Faith	HC	17.95
Fire on the Mountain Top	SC	3.50
Four on an Island	SC	1.50
From Strength to Strength	SC	2.00
God Passes By	HC	22.95
God Passes By	SC	13.50
Iran’s Secret Pogrom	SC	3.50
Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 1	SC	14.95
Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 2	SC	17.95
Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 3	SC	25.00
Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 4	SC	19.50
Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 4	HC	29.50
Seven Martyrs of Hurmuzak	HC	11.50
Studies in Bábí and Bahá’í History, Vol. 1	HC	24.95
Studies in Bábí and Bahá’í History, Vol. 2	HC	22.50
Year with the Bahá’ís of India and Burma	HC	8.95
Youth in the Vanguard	HC	5.00

BAHÁ’Í HOLY PLACES AND HOUSES OF WORSHIP

Crown of Beauty (World Center)	HC	21.95
Dawning Place (House of Worship in Wilmette)	HC	9.95
Dawning Place (House of Worship in Wilmette)	SC	4.95
Dawning Place of the Pacific	SC	8.00
Door of Hope (World Center)	SC	17.95

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

Continental Boards of Counselors	SC	3.95
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of NSA/LSA	SC	1.00
Local Spiritual Assembly	SC	.50
March of the Institutions	HC	8.50
National Spiritual Assembly	SC	1.00
Principles of Bahá’í Administration	SC	7.95
Universal House of Justice	SC	3.95

THE COVENANT

Covenant (compilation)	SC	2.50
Covenant (It’s Meaning, Origin, etc.)	SC	2.00
Eternal Covenant	HC	19.95
Power of the Covenant 1-3 Set	SC	6.95

BAHÁ’Í LIFE

Child Education
Bahá’í Education--British Edition	SC	4.50
Education in the Bahá’í Family	HC	16.50
Education in the Bahá’í Family	SC	8.95	Deepening Aids
America’s Spiritual Destiny	SC	7.95
Centers of Bahá’í Learning (Bahá’í schools)	SC	1.50
Word of God	SC	2.00	Family Life and Marriage
Bahá’í Marriage and Family Life	SC	O/P
Bahá’í Marriage and Family Life Study Guide	SC	3.75
Bahá’í Studies Notebook: Marriage and Family	SC	7.50
Divine Art of Living	SC	8.50
Divorce: Writings Discouraging Divorce	SC	2.00
Education and the Bahá’í Family	HC	16.50
Education and the Bahá’í Family	SC	8.95

[Page 34]

Family Life

Family Life	SC	3.50
Gift of Life--Pkg. of 10 with Envelopes	CD	12.95
Guidelines for Parents	SC	2.00
Living the Life	SC	2.95
Marriage: A Fortress for Well-Being	HC	16.95
Marriage: A Fortress for Well-Being	SC	8.95
My Baby Book	HC	12.00
Pattern of Bahá’í Life	SC	3.50

Health

Bahá’í Studies Notebook: Health	SC	7.50
Throne of the Inner Temple	SC	6.00

Life and Death

Burial Ring	JW	5.00
Death: The Messenger of Joy	SC	3.50
Unto Him: Pkg. of 10 with envelopes	PA	3.25
Unto Him Shall We Return	SC	8.50

Self Help

Becoming Your True Self--Pkg. of 5	PA	7.00
Closer Than Your Life’s Vein	SC	5.95
Divine ‎Therape Therapy‎	HC	12.95
Drops From the Ocean	SC	4.95
Finding the Real You	SC	7.50
To Understand and Be Understood	SC	7.50
Way to Inner Freedom	SC	7.50

Spiritual Foundation

Bahá’í Studies 11: Concept/Spirituality	SC	5.00
Consolation	SC	1.50
Crisis and Victory	SC	2.75
Divine Art of Living	SC	8.50
Huqúqu’lláh	SC	1.50
Inscriptions of the Heart	SC	4.95
Inspiring the Heart	SC	4.95
Power of Divine Assistance--British Edition	SC	3.50
Prayer: A Bahá’í Approach	HC	12.50
Prayer: A Bahá’í Approach	SC	7.50
Purpose of Physical Reality	SC	9.95
Spiritual Foundations	SC	1.50
Trustworthiness	SC	1.50

Preschool and Early Readers

Basic Truth Series: Set 1	SC	8.95
Birth of the Bahá’í Faith	SC	1.00
God and His Messengers	HC	7.50
Guebe and the Toy Truck	SC	4.50
I Am a Bahá’í--Sunflower Set 2	SC	5.50
Mama Buzurg Is Coming	SC	4.50
Naming of Femi’s Brother	SC	3.75
Stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	5.50
Stories for Children	SC	3.00
Wonderlamp	HC	12.95

Juvenile

Anthology for the Bahá’í Child	SC	3.25
B. J. and the Language of the Woodland	SC	4.50
Bahá’í Principles for Children	SC	2.50
Diamond in the Darkness	SC	4.50
Dragons of Rizvania	HC	9.95
From Mountain to Mountain	HC	19.95
Fly Away Home	SC	2.95
Mama Buzurg Is Coming	SC	4.50
My Name Is Nabil	HC	6.00
Pokka Stories	SC	2.95
The Promise #1 (Ages 6-8)	SC	5.00
The Promise #2 (Ages 9-11)	SC	5.00
Remember My Days	SC	4.50*
Second Birth	HC	8.00
Second Birth	SC	5.00
Secret in the Garden	HC	5.95
Secret in the Garden	SC	3.50
Song in the Ground	SC	3.50
Special Strengths	SC	4.50
Spotlessly Leopard	SC	4.50
Stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	5.50
Stories for Children	SC	3.00
Stories from Star of the West	SC	3.00
Story of Stories	SC	9.95
Wonderlamp	HC	12.95
Zahra’s Search	SC	3.50

Introductory Materials

SPN: Bahá’u’lláh y la Nueva Era	SC	8.50
SPN: Datos Basicos	PA	.10
SPN: La Bahá’í Teaching Booklet	SC	1.50
SPN: Renovación de la Civilización	SC	3.25
SPN: Respuestas Bahá’ís	PA	.25
Miscellaneous
SPN: Christo y Bahá’u’lláh	SC	3.95
SPN: Fortaleza para el Bienestar	SC	3.50
SPN: Prescripción para Vivir	SC	5.00
SPN: El Rosedal	SC	1.00

PAMPHLETS AND BOOKLETS

Bahá’í Peace Program--Pkg. of 5	PA	4.50
Becoming Your True Self--Pkg. of 5	PA	7.00
Building a Unified Community	PA	3.00
Communion with God--Large Type	SC	1.50
God’s Great Plan	SC	2.00
In Search of the Supreme Talisman--Pkg. of 10	PA	3.00
Peace Pamphlets: General Introduction--Pkg/50	PA	7.50
Peace Pamphlets: More Than End to War Pkg 50	PA	7.50
Peace Pamphlets: Oneness of Religion--Pkg/50	PA	7.50
Peace Pamphlets: Race Unity--Pkg/50	PA	7.50
Peace Pamphlets: World Government--Pkg/50	PA	7.50
Peace Pamphlets: 10 Assorted from above	PA	2.00
Peace Pamphlets: 100 Assorted from above	PA	10.00
Perspect. Series: Intro. to Bahá’í Faith Pkg. of 10	PA	9.95
Perspect. Series: Social and Econ. Development Pkg. of 10	PA	9.95
Promise of Disarmament and Peace--Pkg. of 50	PA	10.00
Prophecy Fulfilled--Pkg. of 10	PA	4.50
Race Unity--Pkg. of 20 includes 10 each: Interracial Marriage, America’s Challenge	PA	2.00#
Social & Economic Development--Pkg. of 10	PA	9.95
Success in Teaching--Pkg. of 5	PA	7.00

SOCIAL ISSUES

Peace

Achieving Peace by the Year 2000	SC	5.95
Bahá’í Focus on Peace	SC	5.00
Bahá’í Peace Program--Pkg. of 5	PA	4.50
Beyond Disarmament	SC	5.95
Circle of Peace	SC	11.95
Peace Bible	HC	8.95
Peace Compilation	SC	2.95
Peace: More Than an End to War	SC	2.25
Phoenix and the Ashes	SC	8.25
Political Non-Involvement	SC	1.25
Prayers and Thoughts for Peace	SC	2.95
Promise of Disarmament and Peace--Pkg. of 50	PA	10.00
Promise of World Peace--Deluxe Edition	HC	10.00
Promise of World Peace--Illustrated Summary	SC	1.75
Promise of World Peace--Large Format	SC	2.95
Promise of World Peace--Pocket-size, Pkg./10	SC	2.95
Promise of World Peace--Presentation Edition	SC	3.00
Promise of World Peace--Study Edition	SC	.95
To the Peoples of the World	SC	2.95
Thoughts: Education for Peace	SC	14.50
Unity: Creative Foundation of Peace	SC	8.95
Waging Peace	SC	7.95
Way Out of the Dead End	HC	13.50
Way Out of the Dead End	SC	7.95
World Peace and World Government	SC	3.25

Equality

Bahá’í Focus on Human Rights	SC	6.00
Peace Pamphlets: Race Unity--Pkg. of 50	PA	7.50
Power of Unity	SC	8.50
Race Unity--Pkg. of 20 includes 10 of America’s Challenge/10 of Interracial Marriage	PA	2.00
To Move the World--L. Gregory	SC	10.50

Women

Equal Circles	SC	12.95
Handmaidens of God	SC	2.00
Women Compilation	SC	2.00

Miscellaneous

Bábí and Bahá’í Religions--Smith	HC	25.00
Bábí and Bahá’í Religions--Smith	SC	14.75
Bahá’í Faith and Marxism	SC	4.00
Bahá’í Focus on Development	SC	5.00
Bahá’í Focus on Human Rights	SC	6.00
Bahá’í Statement on Nature	SC	1.75
Bahá’í Studies 2: Science of Religion	SC	5.00
Bahá’í Studies 6: Violence-Free Society	SC	7.00
Circle of Unity	SC	12.95
Political Non-Involvement	SC	1.25
Radio Bahá’í, Ecuador	HC	17.75
Science and Religion	SC	7.50

TEACHING AND PIONEERING

Effective Teaching Instructor’s Guide	SC	2.00#
Effective Teaching Workbook	SC	2.00#
Individual and Teaching	SC	1.50
Nothing in Common	SC	4.95
Quickeners of Mankind	SC	1.00
Special Measures of Love	SC	1.50
Success in Teaching--Pkg. of 5	PA	7.00
Teaching the Bahá’í Faith	SC	8.95
To a Seeker	SC	6.95

ART, POETRY, ESSAYS, FICTION, AND MUSIC

Another Song, Another Season (poetry)	SC	2.00
Bahá’í Studies 15: Abiding Silence (poetry)	SC	5.00
Bahá’í Writings on Music	SC	2.50
Conversations (novel)	SC	11.95
Dawn Over Mount Hira (essays)	SC	2.00
Drawings, Verse and Belief	HC	19.95
Mission of Bahá’u’lláh (essays & poetry)	SC	12.50
Nothing in Common (novel)	SC	4.95
Reginald Turvey/Life and Art	SC	17.95
Selections from the Writings of E. G. Browne	HC	36.50
Selections from the Writings of E. G. Browne	SC	19.95
Song Celestial (poetry)	HC	8.00
Touchstone of Sincerity (fiction)	SC	7.50

CHILDREN’S PRAYER BOOKS AND LITERATURE

Books of Prayers and Readings	HC	9.95
Blessed Is the Spot	HC	5.50
Let Thy Breeze Refresh Them	HC	5.50
Magnified Be Thy Name	SC	3.95
O God, Guide Me	SC	7.95
O God, My God...	SC	1.95
Prayers for Children	SC	1.95
Purify My Heart--Chinese/English	SC	3.00
Tablet of the Heart	HC	10.50

YOUTH

Conversations	SC	11.95
Mullá Husayn	SC	3.50
Nothing in Common	SC	4.95
Promise #3 (Ages 12-14)	SC	5.00
Quddús	SC	3.50
Refuge and the Cave	SC	5.95
Secret of the Stolen Mandolin	SC	3.75
Song of the Wind	HC	14.95
Unrestrained As the Wind	SC	8.50
Youth in the Vanguard	HC	5.00

LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH

Chinese

Hidden Words--Chinese/English	HC	14.95
Peace Scroll--Chinese/English	PS	4.50
Purify My Heart--Chinese/English	SC	3.00

Persian

Bahá’u’lláh
PER/ARA: Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	26.50
PER/ENG/ARA: Fire Tablet/Holy Mariner	HC	21.95
PER: Epistle to the Son of the Wolf	HC	20.00
PER: Five and Eight	SC	1.50
PER: Gleanings	HC	21.95
PER: Synopsis/Codification of Kitáb-i-Aqdas	SC	2.50
PER: Tablets/Bahá’u’lláh After Kitáb-i-Aqdas	HC	25.95
The Báb
PER: Life of the Báb	HC	29.95
PER: Selected Writings of the Báb	HC	17.50
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
PER: Mufávadát-i-‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Some Ans.Ques.)	HC	9.95*
PER: Secret of Divine Civilization	SC	4.00
PER: Selected Letters of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	HC	8.00
PER: Sel. Letters of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Vol. 2	HC	6.50
PER: Tablets of the Divine Plan	SC	1.80
PER: Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	HC	17.95
Shoghi Effendi
PER: Advent of Divine Justice	SC	4.25
PER: Call to the Nations	SC	6.25
PER: Prayers of Shoghi Effendi	HC	3.50
The Universal House of Justice
PER: Promise of World Peace	SC	.60
PER: U.H.J. Messages to Iran	SC	5.50
Prayers and Compilations
PER: Tablets of Ahmad	HC	12.00
PER: Amr Va Khalq Volume 1 & 2	HC	24.95
PER: Amr Va Khalq, Volume 3 & 4	HC	32.95
PER: Bahá’í Life	SC	1.50
PER: Bahá’í Taránum	SC	4.00
PER: Daryáy-i-Dánish (Tablets and Prayers)	HC	8.95
PER: Golzár-i-Ta‘álím-i-Bahá’í	HC	8.95
PER: Prayers of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	12.95
PER: Prayers of the Bahá’í Faith	HC	12.50
PER: Tablets for the Departed	HC	25.95
PER: Tasbyh-u-Tahlil (Prayers and Meditations)	HC	9.95
History
PER: Anchleh Kunad u Kunan	HC	22.95
PER: Athár-Guharbar (Precious Pearls)	HC	13.95
PER: Baday’u’l-Athar. Vol. 1	HC	21.95
PER: Baday’u’l-Athar. Vol. 2	HC	22.95
PER: Bahá’í Faith Not Political	SC	4.00
PER: Chand Bahth-i-Amr	SC	4.00
PER: Collected Works of Dr. Davudi	HC	22.50
PER: Khavatirat-i-Natiq	HC	12.95
PER: Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	HC	20.00
PER: Memoirs of Nine Years in ‘Akká	HC	15.95
PER: Ma’idat (Ishraq-Khavari)	HC	31.95
PER: Nawnihalan	HC	12.95
PER: Success in Teaching	SC	1.25

Spanish

Bahá’u’lláh
SPN: Epistola al Hijo del Lobo	SC	7.50
SPN: Estudio de los Escritos Bahá’ís	SC	4.00
SPN: Kitáb-i-Íqán	SC	6.00
SPN: Oraciones y Meditaciones	SC	8.50
SPN: Palabras Ocultas	SC	3.50
SPN: Pasajes de los Escritos de Bahá’u’lláh	SC	8.50
SPN: Sinopsis y Codificación Kitáb-i-Aqdas	SC	3.75
SPN: Tablas de Bahá’u’lláh	SC	7.50
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
SPN: Respuestas a Algunas Preguntas	SC	12.75
SPN: Seleccion Escritos de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	10.95
Shoghi Effendi
SPN: Advenimiento de Justicia Divina	SC	3.75
SPN: Día Prometido Ha Llegado	SC	5.25
SPN: Dios Pasa	SC	10.50
SPN: Dispensación de Bahá’u’lláh	SC	3.75
Universal House of Justice
SPN: Constitución: Casa Universal de Just.	SC	5.00
SPN: Promesa de Paz Mundial	SC	1.00
Prayer Books and Compilations
SPN: Flores de los Altares	SC	2.75
SPN: La Hoja Mas Sagrada	SC	9.00
SPN: Oraciones Bahá’ís	SC	1.25
SPN: Palabras de Dios	SC	.50
SPN: Poder de Asistencia Divina	SC	1.00
SPN: Recopilación de Escritos	SC	3.50

AUDIO

Informational Recordings

Hands of the Cause of God
Address to Parents & Child--R. Khanum	CS	8.00
Are you Happy?--Olinga	CS	8.00
Because We Love the Faith--Collins/Baker	CS	8.00
Carmel the Mountain of God--Khadem	CS	8.00
Foundations of Learning--Faizi	CS	8.00
In His Presence--Samandari	CS	8.00
In the Days of the Guardian--‎Iaos Ioas‎	CS	8.00
My Only Desire--Alexander	CS	8.00
Strengthening Administrative Order--Holley	CS	8.00
Two Centuries of Progress--Balyuzi	CS	8.00
Visit with the Master--True	CS	8.00
Other Speakers
Apostle of Bahá’u’lláh...Khan	CS	8.00
Echoes of the Lotus--Set of 4 (W/Music cass)	CS	29.95
Major and Minor Plans of God...Khan	CS	8.00
Meeting the Master, Volume 1	CS	8.00
Seek...The Promise	CS	8.00
This Century of Progress...B. Mitchell	CS	8.00
Women: Equality and Peace...Khan	CS	8.00
Stories and Drama
Stories for New Generation	CS	8.00
Stories from the Dawn-Breakers--Set of 4	CS	27.95

Music Recordings

Come On, Rise Up--D. Cameron	CS	8.00
Daily Food for Lotus--Various artists	CS	8.95
Flight--Various artists	LP	2.00
Jewel in the Lotus--Various artists	CS	8.00
Let It Be This Way--Various artists	CS	8.00
Loving Hands--Heart Beat	CS	9.95
Mona with the Children--D. Cameron	CS	8.00
Nightingale--D. Newton-Powell	CS	8.00
Teaching Peace--R. Grammer	CS	8.00
This is the Day	CS	8.50
Unity in Diversity--G. Munro	CS	8.00
Victory	CS	9.95
We Are Bahá’ís--D. Cameron	CS	8.00
We Are One--Leslie & Kelly	CS	8.50
Want to Grow Up--N. Ward	CS	8.00
Wildfire--W. Johnson	CS	7.00

VIDEO

Ark of Destiny--Beta/VHS	VT	25.00
Bahá’í Faith: An Introduction Beta/VHS	VT	29.95
Bahá’í Faith: Through Eyes/Young Bahá’ís--Beta/VHS	VT	25.00
Bahá’í Faith: Unity in Diversity--Beta/VHS	VT	25.00
Blessed Is the Spot (Greenacre) Beta/VHS	VT	25.00
Education/Trustees--Beta/VHS	VT	30.00
Films of A. Q. Faizi--Beta/VHS	VT	49.95
Greenlight Expedition--Beta/VHS	VT	39.95
Heart of the Lotus--Beta/VHS	VT	25.00
Meeting the Master--Beta/VHS	VT	19.95
"Mona" Music Video--Beta/VHS	VT	45.00
Peace...The Promise--Beta/VHS	VT	25.00
Pilgrimage--Beta/VHS	VT	39.95
Samoa: The Dawning Place--Beta/VHS	VT	25.00

(INDICATE BETA OR VHS WHEN ORDERING)

CARDS, CALENDARS, PHOTOGRAPHS, MISCELLANEOUS

Calendars

Bahá’í Datebook	CA	2.95
Bahá’í History Calendar	CA	5.50
Bahá’í Pocket Calendar Pkg of 10	CA	2.95
Bahá’í Wall Calendar	CA	5.75
Do-It-Yourself Calendar Sticker Kit	CA	2.95
Peace Organizer	CA	9.95
Scroll Calendar (silk)	CA	4.50
Wall Calendar (wood)	CA	15.00

Cards

Birth Announcements--Pkg. of 10 with Envelope	CD	4.50
Feast Invitations--Pkg. of 10 with Envelopes	CD	12.50
Open Door--Pkg. of 10 with Envelopes	CD	11.95
Peace Note Cards--Pkg. of 9 with Envelopes	CD	2.95
Tapestry Note Cards--Pkg. of 10 with Envelopes	CD	12.95
What Is the Bahá’í Faith H.O.W.--Pkg. of 25	CD	4.50

Photographs and Prints

‘Abdu’l-Bahá Color Lithograph, 11" X 14"	PP	8.00
Báb’s Ringstone--Illuminated Print	PP	5.00
Greatest Name--Illuminated Print	PP	5.00
Wilmette House of Worship Poster	PP	1.00

Miscellaneous

Bahá’í Faith Presentation File Folder	FD	.50
Bookmark	PS	.50
Children’s Prayer Scroll	PS	1.50
Marriage Prayer Scroll	PS	1.50
Peace Quotations Scroll	PS	4.50

[Page 35]

10 YEARS AGO

The National Spiritual Assembly announces that the government has designated the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette "one of the nation's cultural resources worthy of preservation" and has listed it in the National Register of Historic Places. In a letter to the American Bahá’í community, the National Assembly says such recognition means that "...our efforts to protect the physical existence of this sublime edifice have now been fortified a thousandfold." The official registration takes place on May 23, exactly 134 years after the historic Declaration of the Báb....

The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears addresses more than 1,500 Bahá’ís and their guests June 24 at Evergreen Cabin in Teaneck, New Jersey, where the 66th annual Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá picnic launches the second "Victory Weekend" observance. Food- and flower-laden picnics are held in many Bahá’í communities throughout North America and Hawaii, commemorating the visit by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912 to Teaneck and West Englewood, New Jersey. Also present at the Teaneck observance are Counselors Sarah M. Pereira and Edna True, and Soo Fouts, the National Spiritual Assembly's assistant secretary for teaching....

Three "road shows" organized by the National Teaching Committee and National Youth Committee spend the summer traveling through Illinois, New York and four southern states, proclaiming the Faith. The shows are based on a proposal to the National Spiritual Assembly by Carolyn Cheeks, a Bahá’í from Wisconsin who directed four previous shows and is coordinating these four as well. Thirty-five performers, ages 14-31, are involved in the shows, which are to run for three to four weeks beginning in mid-July. The four southern states visited are North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida....

At least 14 local Spiritual Assemblies are formed in South Carolina from Riḍván to the end of June, "more than we usually form in a whole year," according to Trudy White, secretary of the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee. The ongoing campaign to have 1,000 active believers and 80 local Assemblies in the state by the end of the Five Year Plan looks promising, says Mrs. White....

To publicize Race Unity Day in North Georgia, the Atlanta Bahá’í Metro Media Council helps arrange a two-part panel discussion on the Georgia Educational Television network's weekly program, "A Second Look," whose host is a Bahá’í....

The first three weeks of the North Texas Victory Campaign, which began early in June, produce 95 declarants whose enrollment could increase the district's Bahá’í population by 70 percent and raise the number of local Spiritual Assemblies from three to nine....

Letters

Imagine her excitement on discovering this Faith; and imagine her disappointment when the Bahá’ís consistently failed to take a leadership role—or any role—in addressing what is described by the Guardian as "the most vital and challenging issue" facing the American Bahá’í community. But she had faith. She was enrolled as a Bahá’í, raised her children as Bahá’ís, and hoped that perhaps the next generation.... Now imagine her delight 20 years later when her eldest son, an active Bahá’í, and his Bahá’í girlfriend decided to marry. And imagine her horror when the girl's Persian Bahá’í parents, third generation Bahá’ís, while acknowledging her son's excellent character, refused to give permission for them to marry because of the color of his skin! Now imagine that you are her son. Imagine that you are suffering the shock, the excruciating grief, and the personal torture. Imagine yourself being torn by racism. "Why should I," my friend said to me, "and my family, join this Bahá’í community? For lip service? Why should I subject my family to more pain? At least in the outside world you know who the enemy is!" My friend has roused my soul from its slumber, and I thank her for her frankness and courage in sharing with me, an American Bahá’í from the South whose skin is white, some of the pain experienced from her perspective as an American whose skin is black. I beg God to forgive me for my folly during my unconscious ignorance. I am indebted to my friend for "raising my consciousness" so that now I can see more clearly the "most vital and challenging issue" confronting the Bahá’í community, and am thereby consciously committed to its eradication.

Berdina A. Jenkins Front Royal, Virginia

To the Editor: I have read many letters in The American Bahá’í that address the topic of racism. We have all landed, quite innocently, in this place and time in history and found ourselves surrounded by this plague which has caused and continues to cause so much pain and suffering. Now we have, by the grace of God, become Bahá’ís, and are promised that the cure for this horrible condition is to be found in the teachings of this holy Cause. At the same time, we are charged with the responsibility of developing ways to apply this one and only remedy. Frankly, I am excited and challenged by this realization, but am also frustrated and feel so unprepared and inadequate. I do not think these feelings are uncommon. One thought that may enable us to arise to this challenge in a more powerful way was expressed at a recent meeting: "The working principle must be at one with the goal." In other words, if we seek unity, we must begin with unity. Before we can move forward, we might do well to recognize the oneness we already share. While we share a vision of the "oneness of humanity," each of us has been infected by the plague of racism; but however it may have injured our lives or our mannerisms, still we share the same hope and dream, still we long to sacrifice ourselves in the path of its realization. We utter the same sweet prayers each day; we hold in our hearts the same desire. If this is kept in the forefront of our minds, if it were to be mentioned before we began to consult about such a despairing topic, it could well serve to empower us to accomplish our truest goal. Perhaps, in this way, we can "set (our) faces toward unity, and let the radiance of its light shine upon (us)." Then, perhaps, we would be enabled to "...root out whatever is the source of contention amongst (us)."

Mrs. Kathy Liebman Fenton, Missouri

Benefits of college club

To the Editor: There are many benefits that come from forming a Bahá’í college club—even if no students can devote any time to running it. Staff at the college can also take part and are often happy to do the work. Meeting rooms, projectors, phone listings become available. But at least two students are required, and some colleges require more, although not necessarily card-carrying Bahá’ís. Ten at Dartmouth! If you are an undergraduate or graduate student Bahá’í with no time at all, please let your name be used to help fill the requirement. Please don't hide simply because you'll not be able to give a minute of your time; only your name may be needed.

M. Jeffries Burlington, Vermont

‘Science for peace’

To the Editor: The momentum of the emerging Lesser Peace is rapidly unfolding as a paramount force in the progress of humanity, and everywhere one can find indications of its existence. quently, we will never participate in any research or education to be used for military purposes. (2) We reassert that nuclear war is a crime against the whole of humanity and call for an instant elimination of all nuclear weapons. (3) We seek to contribute to the advancement of human welfare and world peace by research, education and dissemination of information on the earth sciences. (4) We appeal to all earth scientists around the world to approve this declaration and to construct their own declaration in their places of work. It is time for Bahá’ís to take this consideration to heart in relation to our own commerce and workplace. How can we subscribe to the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh if the fruits of our labor contribute to the vast militarization of the nations of the world?

Richard N. Francis Reno, Nevada

Hats off to committee

To the Editor: I wish to express my scarcely containable delight at news of the appointment of the National Development Committee which was announced in the June issue of The American Bahá’í, the purpose of which is to "assume a major role in the training and development of Bahá’í Assemblies (and) Bahá’í communities, and the fostering and supporting of projects of social and economic development." The linking together of the principal issues which our communities face—race unity; equality of the sexes; promotion of unity in true diversity, grassroots initiative and the establishment of networking mechanisms; improving the practice of consultation in Assemblies and communities; the need for more effective teaching—into one agenda alludes to our acknowledgement and increased understanding (perhaps overdue) of the vital importance and challenge of community-building. I am also deeply impressed by the apparent association, as described in the article, of issues related to community-building with a social and economic development mandate, suggesting that it is only strengthened Bahá’í communities that are able to contend with the serious social and economic crisis into which we are rapidly sliding as a society. Hats off to all involved with assurance of my prayers and support.

June G. Harris Seattle, WA

Anna C. Vakil Ann Arbor, Michigan

At the same time there is a dark side; it is a tyrannical attitude that encourages the propensity toward vast military growth that exploits our human, spiritual and natural resources, resulting in the promotion of blind prejudice, the erosion of the quality of life and the devastation of the earth's ecosystem, the so-called catastrophe. According to scientific definition, "catastrophe" means change under stressing force. The Bahá’í Dispensation is a force that will turn this event into a quantum leap in the evolution of a world civilization. A recent example came during the 41st meeting of the Association for Geological Collaboration held last August in Japan. Since its founding in 1946, the Association has been conducting research in earth sciences with the slogan "science for peace." Reaffirming the peaceful uses of science during their commemorative meeting in Japan, the Association members made the following declaration: (1) We refuse to use the sciences, technology and education for military purposes.

IN MEMORIAM

Oddvar Aabel Pleasant Valley, NY April 26, 1988

Martin Apodaca Rincon, NM December 1987

Virginia Apodaca Rincon, NM 1986

Freda Belson Amarillo, TX May 12, 1988

Emma Bethel Miami, FL April 21, 1988

Dorothy Borhani Monroe, MI June 6, 1988

Shirley Bryant Florence, SC Date Unknown

Robert Burks Houston, TX Date Unknown

Thelma Burks Houston, TX Date Unknown

Raymond Burton Millsboro, DE Date Unknown

Joseph Chandler Kingstree, SC Date Unknown

Matt Cole Covington, GA Date Unknown

Francis Czernewjewski Sr. Richmond, VA May 28, 1988

William DeBenny Chicago, IL May 18, 1988

Jourabchi Ghods Burbank, CA June 4, 1988

Owen Good Face Lower Brule, SD Date Unknown

John Grant Eatonville, FL Date Unknown

Walter Haynes Buford, GA September 3, 1987

Josephine Hipp Apache Junction, AZ April 24, 1988

Carlotta Holmes Durham, NC May 24, 1988

Anna Johnson Manokin, MD Date Unknown

Octavia Jones Palo Alto, CA May 14, 1988

Ervin Kelly Andrews, SC Date Unknown

Fredrick Krueger Walnut Creek, CA 1987

Ross A. Lindstrom Portland, OR May 21, 1988

Hazel Marchbank Chicago, IL Date Unknown

James McDuffie Mullins, SC February 13, 1981

Kavous Monadjemi Eugene, OR February 18, 1988

Tajmah Monadjemi Coeur d'Alene, ID April 1988

Lexi T. Moore Tallahassee, FL Date Unknown

Hazel M. Murray Chicago, IL June 20, 1988

Ann Pardue Jackson, MS April 17, 1988

Daniel Allen Platz Missouri City, TX February 17, 1988

Concha Ramos Las Cruces, NM Date Unknown

Lillian Riemland San Luis Obispo, CA June 1988

Janie Rush Andrews, SC October 11, 1987

Ray W. Schilling Oakland, CA June 6, 1988

Essie Shaw Kingstree, SC Date Unknown

Florie Shaw Kingstree, SC 1988

Mary Shaw Kingstree, SC Date Unknown

Clayton Shute Sanford, ME June 23, 1988

Romell Timmons Johnsonville, SC 1985

Viola White Princess Anne, MD Date Unknown

Susie Wiggins Maitland, FL Date Unknown

Jennie Williams San Marcos, TX Date Unknown

Evelyn Wilson Youngstown, OH Date Unknown

Herley Wilson Maitland, FL Date Unknown

Isaiah Wright Florence, SC Date Unknown

Sinclair Wright Fruitland, MD March 31, 1988 [Page 36]A view of booths (lower level) and balcony at Indiana University’s Assembly Hall where plenary sessions were held during the 1988 Bahá’í International Youth Conference.

Association’s 13th annual Conference to examine building a global civilization

The 13th annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies, to be held October 7-10 at the Skyline Ottawa Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, will examine those forces which contribute to the building of a global civilization.

How will this vision become a reality? How can this process of growth be understood and enhanced so that individual and social development will be harmonious and balanced? How can the Bahá’í community take part in this process and share its distinctive qualities and energies with all mankind?

To help answer these and other questions, the following themes will be incorporated into the conference weekend: (1) Culture and Civilization, (2) Culture and Identity, and (3) Culture and Social Change.

Special activities will include a children’s conference on the over-all theme, Toward a Global Civilization; unique cultural presentations and interpretations by three distinct cultural groups; and a film festival.

Guest speakers will include Dr. Noel Brown, director and special assistant to the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program; David Burleson, UNESCO senior adviser and liaison officer to UNICEF; Dr. Riane Eisler, co-founder of the Center for Partnership Studies, Pacific Grove, California; Dr. Alvino Fantini, director of the Language and Culture Center at the School of International Training, Brattleboro, Vermont.

Also, Dr. Edward T. Hall, noted lecturer, author and anthropologist; Dr. Kurt Hein, director of WLGI Radio Bahá’í in Hemingway, South Carolina; Maggie Hodgson, director of Nechi-Poundmakers Lodge, St. Albert, Alberta; Mildred Mottahedeh, a Bahá’í lecturer from New York City; Louise Prophet-LeBlanc, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada; Shapoor Rassekh, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Switzerland.

Also, Dr. Susan Stoddart, USAID information officer; Daniel Wegener, representative of the Bahá’í International Community Office in New York City; and Bernard Wood, director of the North-South Institute in Ottawa.

This year’s Hasan Balyúzí Lecture will be presented by Dr. Moojan Momen, a physician and noted Bahá’í historian and author from Bedfordshire, England.

On Friday, October 7, before the formal opening of the conference, a number of professional interest seminars/institutes will be held dealing with agriculture, the arts, business and economics, consultation and conflict resolution, education, environmental design, intercultural issues, marriage and the family, science and technology, and women’s studies.

For more information or to register for the conference, write to the Association for Bahá’í Studies, Ontario K1N 7K4, Canada, or phone 613-233-1903.

If you can’t pioneer—deputize!

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving your copy of The American Bahá’í, send your new address and your mailing label to MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, as soon as you know where you are going to move and what your new address will be.

This form may be used for one person or your entire family. Please be sure to list FULL NAMES AND I.D. NUMBERS for all individuals, ages 15 years or older, who will be affected by this change.

Service

from page 7

...own hut in a village. For eight months, she taught a literacy program to young girls and women, and established children’s classes. In many ways, she helped plant the seeds of change in that village. The generation of young women who learned to read and write under this youth’s love and encouragement will challenge the old patterns of oppression and poverty in that society. In the face of that kind of empowerment, growth and improvement will occur. The young woman who gave of herself in that period of service is astonished at her own spiritual growth. In Africa, she made some of the dearest friends she will ever have in her life. She is now back in a U.S. university, studying with mature intensity, preparing for the rest of her “life of service.”

No matter what they choose

One or two years of service, local youth projects, college club service, traveling teaching in the summer, a period of service in Haifa or Wilmette, studies overseas, or a life devoted to pioneering—whatever the young Bahá’í in your home or community chooses, youth must be constantly involved in the motions of selfless service to humanity. The Universal House of Justice makes it crystal clear:

“Regardless of the modes of service, however, youth must understand to be fully engaged, at all times and under all conditions.”

For more information about youth service around the world, contact the National Youth Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Robert Harris is a member of the Continental Board of Counselors in the Americas; Karen Pritchard is Youth Service Coordinator for the U.S. National Youth Committee.

Reception

from page 31

...tion in Haifa was shown by the Office of Public Information.

Guests commented in particular on the attractive decor of the offices. Others were impressed by the volume and importance of the work that is accomplished by the Bahá’ís at the United Nations and with influential non-governmental organizations.

The Universal House of Justice, in a message to a meeting of the senior officers of the UN office in 1986, wrote, “As windows of the Bahá’í community to the world, these offices must display ever more clearly the unifying principles, the hope, the promise, the majesty of this emerging order.”

Bahá’í only student in S. Carolina to win Truman Scholarship

Lisa Stevens, a Bahá’í from North Charleston, South Carolina, has won the prestigious Truman Scholarship for 1988, the only South Carolina student to be so honored by the Harry S Truman Foundation.

Miss Stevens, a sophomore at Furman University in Greenville, plans a double major in economics and political science and plans to use part of the scholarship for postgraduate study in law and international relations.

Recipients are given $7,500 a year for two years of undergraduate study and two years of postgraduate study.