The American Bahá’í/Volume 21/Issue 4/Text

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[Page 1]

Loving cooperation key to local Assembly development

Between August 1989 and April 1990, more than 300 local Spiritual Assemblies took part in 11 Assembly Development conferences held across the country.

From Seattle to New York, from Atlanta to Los Angeles, from Houston to Green Acre, the friends gathered for an intensive weekend of presentations, workshops and consultation centering on the institution of the local Spiritual Assembly.

Hundreds of other Assemblies are presently using a series of modules on the functioning of local Spiritual Assemblies that are being conducted by Auxiliary Board members and their assistants.

The topics of the modules range from consultation to teaching, from the application of spiritual principles to unity in diversity, from the prayer for Assemblies to the Funds.

The overriding focus of the conferences and modules, however, has been the spiritual significance and station of the local Spiritual Assembly.

Responses from those participating in the conferences or modules has been overwhelmingly positive, prompting the National Spiritual Assembly to consider scheduling additional Assembly Development conferences during

To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

...your report of the great success thus far of your recently launched local Spiritual Assembly Development Program and the spirit of loving collaboration between the two arms of the administration which attends its execution has brought us much gladness. We heartily applaud the bold effort you have undertaken to assist the local Spiritual Assemblies under your jurisdiction to accelerate their maturation, which, apart from being significant to the objectives of the Six Year Plan, is an absolute necessity if the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh is to demonstrate its capacity to fulfill the hopes of all peoples for a just, cohesive and progressive society.

Be assured of our ardent prayers in the Holy Shrines that the Blessed Beauty may strengthen, guide and assist all those involved in this laudable endeavor.

Universal House of Justice February 15, 1990

State Department's report, UN Commission all censure Iran for persecuting Bahá’ís

The last weeks of winter witnessed an intense period of activity concerning the human rights of Bahá’ís in Iran. After several months of effort, four events, in the U.S. and in Geneva, Switzerland, took place within three weeks.

On February 21, the State Department released its annual "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices" for 1989 which documents the continuing repression of Iranian Bahá’ís and describes in detail Iranian government actions against the Bahá’ís there.

The report notes that no Bahá’ís were executed last year and that the number of Bahá’ís held in prison fell to fewer than 15. This is in contrast to the record of the previous eight years, during which more than 200 Bahá’ís were executed and thousands were imprisoned on account of his religious belief.

In oral testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Human Rights, Ambassador Richard

From Hand of the Cause of God William Sears

Beloved Friends:

We were all thrilled by the January 23 letter from the Universal House of Justice at the Feast of Mulk (Dominion). They summoned us to immediate united action. They told us that $26 million of the $50 million urgently needed to complete this phase of the plan for the mighty "Arc" of God on the side of Mount Carmel has already been contributed.

The remaining $24 million is required if we hope to launch and complete this vital phase of the work. This is our only way to protect and preserve this unimaginably sacred Site for all time and for all mankind.

All the next morning I sat at my desk gazing up at the heart-touching photograph of our beloved Guardian as a little child. I keep it there always in a special place, so he can look down upon me as I work. (I love him so!) I never forget the historic words which the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, wrote about Shoghi Effendi on the day of his birth:

"Verily that infant is born... and there will appear from his Cause a wonder thou will hear in the future. Thou shalt see him with the most great gift, most complete perfection, most great power and strongest might! His face glisteneth a glistening whereby the horizons are illumined! Therefore forget not this account as long as thou art living, for as much as there are signs for it in the (coming) centuries and ages." (Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Vol. II, p. 48)

What has all this to do with the $24 million we are about to pour forth to raise our glorious "Arc"?

Everything!

It is another "sign" and "wonder" from our beloved Guardian, although it is less than 40 years since he left us and not "ages" and "centuries" in the future. We can only imagine what wonders that coming future will hold for us.

Those of you who have been on pilgrimage or have attended one of the World Conventions have already been excited by that magnificent, matchless, wrought-iron gate that leads to the Seat of our supreme Universal House of Justice.

A masterpiece!

Each and every one of you will see it one day, be sure. When you do, remember this marvelous story of yet an other "wonder" and "sign" of our beloved Guardian, which I now share here.

As that stupendous, breath-taking wrought-iron gate swings wide to admit you to the sight of sweeping green lawns, rainbows of multi-colored flowers everywhere, flowering bushes and trees in great profusion; tall, dark, cool, green cypress trees stand as sentinel guards.

Suddenly there on your left at the top of a rise, in the midst of all this beauty, you see the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, "the House of the Lord of Hosts," foretold in prophecy; snow white, breathtaking in beauty standing there, at the very center of the mighty "Are" of God on His Holy Mountain.

At one time in the grave and perilous history of our precious Faith, right where that magnificent gate now stands, it was part of a long-planned city street to enter and go across our property, dividing this sacred site in half.

Imagine the endless flowing traffic: cars, buses, trucks, exhaust fumes; growing ever more heavy-back and forth-beauty, serenity, and God's promises shattered. After all, it was part of a long-planned cross-street from one side of Haifa to another.

Think of how we would feel today if such a disaster had taken place. Imagine our sorrow! (and shame) if we had failed to arise and prevent such an eternal tragedy.

Only the wisdom, vision and guidance of our beloved Guardian prevented this awesome event from happening. From the beginning of his min

Hand of the Cause of God Jalal Khazeh dies

DEEPLY GRIEVED ANNOUNCE PASSING STAUNCH TIRELESS PROMOTER FAITH HAND CAUSE GOD JALAL KHAZEH. HIS STRENUOUS ENDEAVORS CRADLE FAITH HOLY LAND LATIN AMERICA AND WORLDWIDE TRAVELS AFTER PASSING BELOVED GUARDIAN SET SHINING EXAMPLE OF UNSHAKEABLE DEDICATION AND COURAGE, OF UNDEVIATING LOYALTY AND PERSEVERANCE, IMPERISHABLE RECORD HIS STERLING SERVICES AS GIFTED TEACHER DEFENDER CAUSE NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN. HIS NOBLE SPIRIT NOW ABHÁ KINGDOM WILL UNDOUBTEDLY INTERCEDE BEHALF PERSIAN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY WHOSE VITAL INTERESTS HE SERVED WITH SUCH HIGH DISTINCTION OVER SEVERAL DECADES. FERVENTLY PRAYING HOLY SHRINES FOR PROGRESS HIS ILLUMINED SOUL IN REALMS ON HIGH. ADVISE FRIENDS EVERYWHERE HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL GATHERINGS HIS HONOR PARTICULARLY ALL HOUSES OF WORSHIP.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE FEBRUARY 22, 1990 [Page 2]

Amid many exciting signs of progress, Fund lags behind as time grows short in current Bahá’í year

To the American Bahá’í community for the Feast of Bahd (Splendor)

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

The National Spiritual Assembly has just concluded the second of three meetings with the Continental Board of Counselors. We consulted on the progress of the Faith in the United States and reviewed the programs of the past year as we look into the future. We were encouraged by the news of enthusiastic teaching activities taking place throughout the country, especially through teaching institutes.

There are exciting reports of growth of the Faith in many areas of the country, including Texas, Arizona, Virginia and California. The commendable efforts of the Counselors, their Auxiliary Boards and their assistants have lent a special spirit to the Assembly Development program. Indeed, the Universal House of Justice, in its letter of February 15, 1990, applauded the efforts undertaken in a spirit of loving collaboration by the Counselors and the National Spiritual Assembly to foster the maturation of local Spiritual Assemblies.

We concluded that there is evidence of progress of the Faith in virtually every sphere of activity, a fact that should fill every Bahá’í’s heart with happiness. The one major area that remains out of balance with this general pace of development, however, is the National Bahá’í Fund. Our current position is this:

Year-to-date Contribution Goal: $7,500,000 Actual Contributions Received through 1/31/90: $5,771,950 Shortfall through 1/31/90: $1,728,050

National Spiritual Assembly Pledge to the Bahá’í International Fund: $2,100,000 Paid Year-to-Date: $833,330 Remaining to be Paid: $1,266,670

We are confident that the lovers of Bahá’u’lláh across the country will arise to meet the needs of His Faith using every means available.

In His service,

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States March 21, 1990

At Harvard Law School: Bahá’í activities at UN topic of lecture

The past 11 years of activities by Bahá’ís throughout the world and at the United Nations on behalf of their persecuted co-religionists in Iran was the topic of a recent lecture given at the Human Rights Program Speaker Series at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

On February 15, Katharine Bigelow, deputy director of the National Spiritual Assembly Office of External Affairs in Washington, spoke on the topic "Can World Opinion Affect Human Rights Violations? The Case of the Bahá’ís in Iran."

"The experience of the Bahá’ís," Ms. Bigelow said, "has been that national governments care very much about their reputation in the global arena.

"We believe that the support of the United Nations, the U.S. Congress and other national governments in repeatedly urging the Iranian government to grant the Bahá’ís their basic human rights has contributed to the decision to release several hundred Bahá’ís from prison and has prevented any recent executions. It is difficult to persecute others in the broad daylight of publicity."

Ms. Bigelow explained that four resolutions citing Iranian persecution of Bahá’ís have been passed in the U.S. Congress since 1982, and that a concurrent resolution in the Senate is pending.

The latest resolutions note that although no Bahá’ís in Iran have been executed because of their religious belief since 1987, the Bahá’í community remains an oppressed minority deprived of basic human rights.

Schifter said, "Countries that engage in similarly severe repression include Iran, which does it in the name of religion, and Iraq and Syria, which do it in the name of secular political ideology. In the case of Iran, religiously motivated repression continues to single out the Bahá’í for the most serious victimization."

On February 26, the United Nations Human Rights Commission, meeting in Geneva, released the report on Iran of the Special Rapporteur, Galindo Pohl, that includes reports of abuses toward the Bahá’ís.

The special report is based on the first on-site investigation of Iran's human rights practices and examines a wide variety of violations. It quotes a directive from Iran's Prime Minister stating that Bahá’ís are not allowed to practice or teach their religion.

"While the report states correctly that individual Bahá’ís are treated somewhat better than in recent years," said Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, the National Spiritual Assembly secretary for External Affairs, "it confirms that the Bahá’í community is denied the basic rights guaranteed by international law."

Dr. Kazemzadeh expressed concern that Bahá’ís, whom Iran considers "unprotected infidels," are not allowed to elect their leaders, educate their children, or carry on normal activities of a law-abiding religious group.

The report also notes that most Bahá’ís continue to be deprived of their pensions and that most are refused passports. In addition, Bahá’ís experience problems in connection with the right of inheritance; they cannot obtain inheritance certificates because they do not belong to one of the four recognized religions in Iran.

"The Iranian government fights hard to defeat these UN resolutions," said Dr. Kazemzadeh, "especially any resolutions mentioning the Bahá’ís.

"But thanks to international pressure, no Bahá’ís have been executed for two years, and fewer than 20 remain in prison."

On Tuesday, February 27, the day after the release of the Special Rapporteur's report, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed (404-0) House Concurrent Resolution 87 calling for "the emancipation of the Bahá’í community in Iran."

The resolution was submitted to the House by Reps. Gus Yatron and Doug Bereuter and was co-sponsored by more than 140 congressmen. Since 1982, Congress has passed four resolutions regarding the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.

This latest resolution calls on the President to continue to emphasize the need for improvement in the government of Iran's human rights record and to cooperate with other governments at the UN and in other joint efforts to protect the religious rights of the Bahá’ís, and to provide for humanitarian assistance for those Bahá’ís who are forced to flee their homeland.

During his statement prior to the vote, Rep. Yatron noted that "although Bahá’ís constitute the largest religious minority in Iran, their religion is not recognized and their places of worship have been destroyed. Their marriages are not sanctioned and their children are denied college education."

"Bahá’ís are still not a legally recognized religion in Iran," added Rep. John Porter, "and are still imprisoned for their religious beliefs, denied the right to organize, choose their leaders, acquire and maintain places of worship, operate religious schools or conduct religious activities."

"For more than a decade we have pleaded for equal rights in the religious arena for members of the Bahá’í Faith," said Rep. Tom Lantos. "We are sending word to the government in Iran that we will not go away. We will continue to raise the Bahá’í issue year after year after year."

Statements were also entered into the Congressional Record by Reps. Dymally, Gilman, Mfume, Meyers, Lehman of Florida, Berman, Stark, Morella, Hall of Ohio, Fascell, Smith of New Jersey, Broomfield and Feighan.

"The action of the House today reflects the deeply felt concern of the U.S. Congress and the American people with the situation of the Bahá’í community in Iran today," House Speaker Tom Foley noted in a statement released after passage of the resolution. "All Americans share the hope that the Bahá’í community will enjoy the freedoms that all of us consider basic to human dignity and progress."

Following these events, the National Spiritual Assembly held a press briefing on March 1 in Washington to publicize recent developments. Speaking at the briefing were Dr. Kazemzadeh and Reps. Gilman and Porter, who spoke for himself and on behalf of Sen. John Heinz of Pennsylvania.

The briefing highlighted the news that 16 congressmen had signed a letter to UN Commission Chairman P. Valera Quisumbing stating that firm resolutions have proven to "help persuade the Iranian regime to mitigate its most repressive actions against the Bahá’ís."

The briefing resulted in an article in The Washington Times and coverage on the Voice of America.

Finally, on March 2, the UN Commission on Human Rights passed a resolution welcoming the decision of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to allow a further visit to Iran and asked the Special Rapporteur to present an interim report to the UN General Assembly on "the human rights situation of minority groups, such as the Bahá’ís," in Iran, and a final report to the Commission at its 47th session.

El Paso's 'El Limon' project sees 50-plus declarations in area

As of last November the "El Limon" teaching project in El Paso, Texas, which grew out of a teaching institute, had recorded more than 50 declarations.

The project is supported by the Spiritual Assembly of El Paso, which provides materials, child care and meals.

Some of the teaching institute's members live in Anthony, New Mexico, which has supported the project by providing a Sunday school for new believers and their children.

The core group of 8-10 people meets for most of the day each Saturday to study, pray and consult about its plans. That same evening, the group holds a fireside to which the new believers have brought their friends.

Thank you!

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to thank those selected local Spiritual Assemblies which the National Assembly asked to write to their U.S. Representatives. The 140 Representatives co-sponsored House Concurrent Resolution 87 condemning the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran. The resolution was passed February 27 by a vote of 404-0. [Page 3]

More than 500 at Denver's Vision to Victory conference

More than 500 people attended the Vision to Victory conference held February 16-18 in Denver, Colorado. This conference, the third in a series of "working conferences" designed by the National Teaching Committee, generated a number of substantive discussions about the nature and process of teaching.

The plenary sessions consisted of three panel discussions, each of which focused on a specific aspect of teaching—the efforts of individuals, the plans of communities, and mass-teaching efforts.

Through the use of pertinent references found in the conference workbook, each level of growth was discussed by the panelists: Counselor William Roberts; William Davis, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly; Reynaldo Cruz and John Smith of the National Teaching Committee; Auxiliary Board member Carol Brooks; and local Bahá’ís Taraz Samandari, Elaine Losey and Alejandro Melendez, each of whom contributed to one session.

Topics addressed included understanding the process of teaching, the need to confirm new believers in the Faith to the point at which they are active servants and teachers of the Cause, the necessity and effects of making community teaching plans, how to integrate the Faith into local communities, the challenge of mass teaching in this country, and the diversity of teaching methods that can be used in the quest for large-scale growth.

In addition to the panel discussions on teaching, the needs of the Fund were addressed. On Saturday evening, Counselor Roberts spoke of the significance of building the Arc on Mount Carmel. His talk was followed by the video, "The Seat of God's Throne."

On Sunday, Counselor Roberts and Mr. Davis made an appeal for increased sacrifice in our contributions, both to the National Fund and for the Arc.

Thanks to the Denver area task force and community, the conference was greatly enhanced by the inclusion of several talented local individuals. Saturday evening began with a devotional program by local children and a musical performance by the Van Manens. Red Grammer made a special appearance to close the evening.

Sunday morning began with a series of workshops designed and carried out by local teachers, scholars and artists, with concurrent classes for the children.

In addition, the community had an immediate follow-up proclamation activity: on Sunday afternoon, a public meeting was held that was a forum for addressing racism in the schools.

The collaboration by the institutions of the Faith represented on the panels began a pattern of consultation on teaching that could transform communities. Channeling the guidance and energy generated during this conference may yield significant growth in the Rocky Mountain area.

Panelist Elaine Losey (second from left) responds to a question during the Vision to Victory conference in Denver, Colorado. Other panelists were (left to right) Counselor William Roberts, National Teaching Committee member John Smith, Auxiliary Board member Carol Brooks, and National Spiritual Assembly member William Davis.

Bahá’í youth, children encouraged to attend 1990 summer schools

Now is the time to make plans to attend the 1990 regional Bahá’í summer schools. The National Teaching Committee is encouraging all youth and children to make a special effort to attend their summer schools this year.

In light of the guidance written on behalf of the Guardian that "the ambition of every young Bahá’í should be, indeed, to become a well-informed and competent teacher" and that it is "for this very purpose (that) the institution of Bahá’í summer school has been established, and its importance so strongly and repeatedly emphasized," the Teaching Committee feels that it is especially important for youth and children to have the opportunity to receive detailed guidance and training at the schools.

Local Spiritual Assemblies should consider sponsoring their young community members, as the guidance they receive will no doubt be of benefit to the entire community.

Summer schools offer interesting courses of study. These include training in teaching the Faith, explanations of the elements of building Bahá’í community life, and deepenings that are focused on the history and administrative order of the Faith, the station of its Central Figures, the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation, and the guiding principles of the Faith.

The International Teaching Center has stated that young people "should be seen as a door to entry by troops." Efforts should be made to ensure that these vital resources for the future do not miss the opportunity for study, deepening and training.

Assemblies asked to expand, improve, revise teaching plans

And share them with National Teaching Committee

The National Teaching Committee has identified some important elements of community teaching plans and has recently shared them with local Spiritual Assemblies to help them create their own plans.

A form for community teaching plans has been developed, and it is hoped that every local Assembly will make a plan and record it with the National Teaching Committee.

Assemblies are being asked to consider the status of their present teaching efforts in making plans for the coming year. They are not being asked to abandon any current plans, but to consider ways to expand, improve or revise what they may already be doing.

The committee is looking forward to receiving copies of community plans and may be able to share some ideas gleaned from them in upcoming issues gleaned from them in upcoming issues of The American Bahá’í.

Teaching cannot be left to chance if it is to be ultimately effective. As seeds that are systematically planted and watered will yield the greatest harvest, so seekers who are carefully cultivated and attended have a greater chance of thriving than those who are approached haphazardly and rarely nurtured.

Teaching requires regular and persistent action. It is futile, for example, for a community to schedule a weekly fireside and simply wait to see who shows up. Certain steps need to be taken to ensure that the firesides not only take place but that seekers will come and be welcomed.

Taking such steps, which secure the success of our teaching efforts, depends upon planning.

Outlining a community teaching plan gives us a framework around which to build regular action that will ensure persistent effort. While we cannot control the results of our efforts, we can control the effort we make through systematic planning. The Universal House of Justice assures us that if our efforts are regular and persistent, they will bring success.

A primary element of community teaching plans is that attention be focused on reaching a particular population; for example, those who live in a certain neighborhood. This focal point will help draw the principles of teaching out of the abstract and allow concrete ideas for action to develop.

The local Assembly or Bahá’í Group should take into account the needs and opportunities available in the local community before choosing a target population. If the community is strong, plans should be made to reach more than one population to make certain that, ultimately, all segments of society are reached with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

In developing plans, the Assembly or Group should consider carefully the financial, human and other resources necessary and available to make the plans effective. Beyond that, however, they must be able to mobilize those resources, an easier task once it has been decided exactly what should be done.

Other important elements in planning are to consider appropriate methods to be used in reaching the target population and appropriate ways to present the Faith.

As plans are carried out, their progress must be evaluated regularly. Communities as well as individuals can continually develop better approaches or improve upon their teaching plans in other ways.

When evaluating teaching plans, new believers should be consulted. Drawing them into the ongoing process of teaching benefits the individual as well as the community, as new believers are often our greatest source of fresh understanding and renewed energy.

Reston, Virginia, community hosts successful Symposium on Global Environmental Issues

About 150 people attended a Symposium on Global Environmental Issues presented February 10 by the Bahá’í community of Reston, Virginia.

Dr. Ruth Allen of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Science Analysis and Coordination served as moderator of the program, which consisted of a brief talk by each of four panelists followed by a period of general discussion between the panel and audience.

The panelists were Dr. Donald Lesh, president of the Global Tomorrow Coalition (GTC); Walter Reed, a physical ecologist with the World Resources Institute (WRI); Richard Laska of the EPA's Office of Communications and Public Affairs; and Dr. William Gregg, an ecologist with the National Park Service.

Dr. Allen and Dr. Gregg are Bahá’ís.

Folders containing copies of "The Promise of World Peace," the Bahá’í statement on the environment, and the Bahá’í International Committee's statement to the World Commission on Environment and Development were distributed to panelists and members of the audience. [Page 4]

An American 'goes home' to pioneer post in Thailand

The Office of Pioneering has received the following happy letter from pioneer to Thailand Bob Mcllvride. As a child, Bob lived in that country with his missionary parents but had not expected to return. When he answered an appeal for pioneers he had other climes in mind; but after attending a Pioneer Training Institute in Wilmette, he was guided to return to Thailand where his early experiences with the culture and people would be an asset to his services as a pioneer.

He set to work immediately to put into effect his plans for pioneering by settling in a U.S. community where he could study the Thai language, finish his course work for teaching English as a second language, and work part-time in his field. Bob's focused efforts toward reaching his goal provide an example for us all.

Dear Friends,

Talk about going home again. It's not enough that the U.S. Pioneering Committee (sic) sends me home to Thailand. Nor is it enough that the Thai National Assembly decides I should live in Chiang Mai, where I grew up.

When I get here, it looks like the best job I can find (best pay and benefits, best schedule, best location, best opportunity to learn and grow) is at the Chiang Mai International School, where I went from grades 3-8, and is the closest place to paradise that a kid could ever hope to find.

I am living in the Bahá’í Center in Chiang Mai, a large, brand new home on the outskirts of town. A Thai family lives at the Center, and the wife, Silaa, is the caretaker. We have frequent guests from all over the world, and last weekend there was a Bahá’í winter school with 50 participants.

I haven't been lonely yet, but it is sometimes difficult to get anything done!

The Center is close to work, but transportation is limited. Buses are cheap but infrequent, and taxis are expensive, so I plan to get a motorcycle. There is a restaurant nearby that can make any kind of vegetarian Thai food that I can order for 35 cents a plate.

All preparations—TESL degree, computer purchase, language study, monetary savings, etc., have paid off well—especially language study. I've visited Bahá’ís in villages and other cities with Thai-speaking companions, and felt quite at home. I'm reading and studying grammar 1-2 hours a day, and every day feel more confident in speaking and understanding.

Being in Thailand is a blast. Chiang Mai is not the same city it was 20 years ago, though. It is packed with tourists and all that they bring—congestion, big hotels, high (relatively) prices, and millions of shops. Many of the places I used to live in and visit are still here, as if time stood still. Others are gone or changed enough to be nearly unrecognizable.

Traffic is pretty heavy. The "superhighway" near the Bahá’í Center, a two-lane road by U.S. standards, is a veritable river, with three lanes of traffic moving in each direction. Fast-moving cars, overloaded trucks, tour buses and motorcycles drive down the middle of the road, passing precariously.

Three-wheeled taxis ("tuk-tuks"), motorcycles with side-cars and/or pulling trailers, small trucks, local buses and (I swear it's true) pedal ice cream carts travel along the outside part of the road. On the shoulder you have slower motorcycles and bicycles traveling in both directions, people making left turns, buses and taxis picking up and dropping off passengers, and pedestrians. So far I've only seen one accident!

The Thai culture hasn't been much of a shock to me so far, partly because I was prepared for coming, through language and cross-cultural studies, but mainly because I feel I've come home.

Eating certain native foods like "lamoot," sweet sticky rice, noodle dishes, and fried Indian bread called "roti"; hearing familiar sounds like roosters crowing at all hours of the day or night; sales people calling "roast chicken for sale" through the open bus window; the "open mike" party next door blaring Thai music until 3 a.m. one Friday night; the sight of palm branches swaying in the wind, the haze-covered slopes of the nearby mountain Doi Sutep, and about everything else I see or hear reminds me that this is not a hardship post as pioneering posts go, but simply returning home and picking up where I left off. As the Báb wrote:

"O peoples of the world! Whatsoever ye have offered up in the way of the One True God, ye shall indeed find preserved by God, the Preserver, intact at God's Holy Gate."

This may not yet be "God's Holy Gate," but it sure feels like it.

Bob Mcllvride Chiang Mai, Thailand

Northern Star Bahá’í Project

A special project for Bahá’ís Sponsored by The National Teaching Committee National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Alaska 13501 Brayton Drive Anchorage, Alaska 99516 Telephone 907/345-3740

Alaska is continuing a major campaign of service and teaching projects, the scope of which has not been tried here in over a decade. These projects involve a coordinated effort of all Alaskan Bahá’í offices and resources. All the pieces to the puzzle are in place except for one...

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We have urban and rural communities from the southern end of the Aleutian Island Chain to the northernmost villages in Alaska who are asking for volunteers. Alaskan Bahá’ís are arising, but their numbers are quite small and the demands are greater than they can meet alone. We invite you to join us in responding to the Universal House of Justice's call for the Alaskan Bahá’í community to "... organize a concerted campaign for entry by troops." Become a part of the Northern Star service and teaching projects, June 8 - July 6 and/or July 6 - August 1, 1990. Return this form and we will send you a Questions and Answers booklet and a Project Registration Form.

Name _________________________________ Address _______________________________ Sex ___ Age ___ Phone _________________________________ Sponsoring National Spiritual Assembly __________________ Date of Application ____________________

One Planet Parade

Last December 9, a small but enthusiastic group of Bahá’ís marched in the East Orange County (Orlando, Florida) Chamber of Commerce's annual Christmas parade. In addition to colorful banners, they carried signs on which were printed basic principles of the Faith.

Overseas events, projects, conferences

Alaska: Northern Star Project. Need traveling teachers to help teach in the Aleutian Island chain villages, June-August 1990.

Barbados: Caribbean Bahá’í Youth Conference, August 10-12.

Canada: Yukon Bahá’í Institute; ongoing.

China: Sino-American Women's Conference, June 25-28.

El Salvador: Ongoing project in metropolitan areas, emphasizing teaching and consolidation. Youth are especially welcome.

Fiji Islands: Radio communications volunteer to help produce radio programs to help deepen local believers; ongoing.

Guatemala: Project Quiche. Urgent need for Spanish-speaking teachers to help reach the Maya Quiche Indians; ongoing.

Malawi: Bahá’í International Summer School, December 21-27.

Puerto Rico: Brilliant Star Project, mass teaching; ongoing.

Switzerland: Ongoing teaching projects in St. Gallen, Lucarno and Lausanne; Bike Tour for Peace, August 1990; Landegg Youth Symposium: Spiritual Dimensions of Health (German), May 23-28.

Trinidad: Dr. Ugo Giachery Teaching Project; ongoing.

For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039. [Page 5]

Simplicity, economy key elements in new Fund system

'THE FIRST CONDITION...'

"The first condition is absolute love and harmony among the members...."—‘Abdu’l-Bahá

The Bahá’í Writings remind us that "the progress and execution of spiritual activities is dependent and conditioned upon material means."

In this regard, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá established the institution of the Fund. Consequently, the Guardian implemented the establishment of four Funds to which it is our privilege and responsibility as Bahá’ís to contribute both directly, as individuals, and collectively, through our Spiritual Assemblies.

In an effort to follow the guidance of the Universal House of Justice that "each National Assembly must find ways and means to stimulate the offering of contributions, in cash or kind, to make it easy for the friends to contribute and to give proper receipts to the donors" (Wellspring of Guidance, p. 35), the National Spiritual Assembly has attempted to economize by managing the Funds more efficiently and to simplify the Fund contributing and receipting processes.

• New cash management systems have been put into place that consolidate our accounts nationwide. Among other advantages, this generates additional interest income and allows for the availability of monies to be used instantly to the greatest benefit of the Faith.

• Starting in May, great savings to the Bahá’í Funds will be realized through use of a new one-piece Fund receipt mailer. By using the redesigned reply portion, your contribution will be processed more rapidly and efficiently.

• In the near future, the new Fund receipt mailer will tie into a lock box system that will allow all contributions to go to work for the promotion of the Faith more quickly.

Fund envelopes will be received at a post office lock box designed by our bank for the National Spiritual Assembly. They will be collected from the post office and forwarded to the lock box at the bank every 90 minutes, seven days a week.

The contributions will then be deposited by the bank to the National Assembly's bank accounts for clearance that same day.

Thank you, dear friends, for your continued patience, support and suggestions. The new money management systems, the Fund receipt mailer and other exciting news will be part of upcoming Feast messages and issues of The American Bahá’í, as well as of your delegate's report from the 81st Bahá’í National Convention.

If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to phone 708-869-9039 or write to the National Assembly's Office of the Treasurer at any time.

Leading poets, writers honor Robert Hayden

By LAURA H. ARTHUR

At University of Michigan

About 600 people including a number of the country's leading poets and writers attended "Words in the Mourning Time," a conference to celebrate the poetry of the late Robert Hayden, held February 22-24 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The conference, co-sponsored by the Association for Bahá’í Studies and the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of Michigan, was followed February 25 by a memorial service that marked the 10th anniversary of Mr. Hayden's passing.

Mr. Hayden, a native of Detroit, was a world-renowned poet and the first black to be named consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress in Washington.

For more than two decades he taught English and creative writing at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and at the time of his death was a professor of English at the University of Michigan.

Mr. Hayden authored more than a dozen books of poetry including American Journal (nominated for the National Book Award in 1978), Angle of Ascent, The Night-Blooming Cereus, Words in the Mourning Time, Heart-Shape in the Dust, Figure of Time and A Ballad of Remembrance (winner of the grand prize at the first World Festival of Negro Arts in Dakar, Senegal, in 1966).

A Bahá’í for many years, Mr. Hayden served for more than a decade as poetry editor of World Order magazine.

The conference provided a forum for scholars, poets, poetry lovers and the general public to explore Mr. Hayden's poetry, which so eloquently reflects human conditions in a changing world.

Special guests included Gwendolyn Brooks, poet laureate of Illinois and the first black American to win the Pulitzer prize in poetry (in 1950, for Annie Allen); Rita Dove, associate professor of English at Arizona State University and the second black American to win the Pulitzer (in 1987, for Thomas and Beulah); Michael Harper, a critically acclaimed poet who is Kapstein professor of English at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island; and Sherley Anne Williams, a poet and editor of Callaloo magazine.

The guest poets shared their insights and understandings of Mr. Hayden's poetry and offered readings of their own works.

The keynote address, "The Achievement of Robert Hayden," was given by Darwin Turner, a poet and literary critic who is a leading expert on black American literature.

Among those offering their unique insights into the life and work of poet Robert Hayden during the tribute to him at the University of Michigan were Pulitzer Prize-winning poets Rita Dove (left) and Gwendolyn Brooks.

Among the speakers who took part in three panel discussions on Mr. Hayden's life and work were two Bahá’ís: Dr. John Hatcher, professor of English at South Florida University in Tampa and author of From the Auroral Darkness, a book on the life and poetry of Robert Hayden; and Xavier Nichols, who is working on a book about Mr. Hayden.

Other panelists were writer/poets Melba Boyd, Laurence Goldstein, Lemuel Johnson, Eugene Redmond, Richard Tillinghast, Alen Wald and Pontheolla Williams.

Each session had a focused topic for discussion. The first was "Robert Hayden: His Evolution as an Artist." The others were "Robert Hayden: Blues Poet or Modernist?" and "The Tension Between Belief and Ideology in the Work of Robert Hayden."

Following each session, the floor was opened for discussion between panel members and the audience.

Saturday evening's program, "Angle of Ascent," was a dramatic presentation of Mr. Hayden's work by guest artists including jazz saxophonist Marvin (Doc) Holladay; dancer/choreographer Linda Spriggs; composer Stephen Newby; and Biza Sompa and the Bichinis Bia Congo dance troupe.

Panelists field questions from the audience during the tribute at the University of Michigan to the late Robert Hayden, a Bahá’í who was a world-renowned poet.

In spite of a winter storm that paralyzed much of the city, the well-advertised program drew an audience of more than 300.

Among the 600 people at the conference were 125 high school students who attended workshops in poetry conducted by Gwendolyn Brooks, Michael Harper and Sherley Anne Williams.

During a luncheon Saturday afternoon, certificates were presented by Ms. Brooks to those students who displayed promise as young poets.

The program for students was arranged by William Diehl, administrator of the Louhelen Bahá’í School near Davison, Michigan, and adjunct faculty member in reading education at the University of Michigan.

Also during the conference, the Robert Hayden Memorial Lounge was dedicated at the university's Center for Afro-American Studies (CAAS). Dr. Lemuel Johnson, director of the CAAS, presided.

Other features included an exhibit on Mr. Hayden and black American poetry that featured selections from the National Bahá’í Archives and the University of Michigan's collection, and the presentation of two films: "Robert Hayden" by Donald Hall, and "Detroit's Hayden: America's Poet Laureate" by Ronald Scott. [Page 6]

NEW BIOGRAPHY FROM THE PUBLISHING TRUST

A CHAMPION BUILDER BOOK

Zikrullah Khadem, The Itinerant Hand of the Cause of God: With Love

by Javidukt Khadem

HC $24.95 / SC $14.95

AN INSPIRING BIOGRAPHY of the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem, this book is a story of love—one man’s love of God, of the Central Figures of the Bahá’í Faith, and of his unfaltering devotion to Shoghi Effendi.

Written by his wife, Javidukt, this book is a tender portrait of Zikrullah Khadem, depicting over sixty-one years of service to the Bahá’í Faith. She writes about his early life in Iran, their marriage and family life, and his appointment in 1952 as a Hand of the Cause of God. His international travels are chronicled, including trips to Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, and his involvement with Bahá’í schools, conferences, and conventions around the world.

Contained in the biography are five essays written by the Khadem children that capture the spirit of love and guidance given by Mr. Khadem, each one illustrating the emphasis he placed on obedience to the institutions, on Bahá’í family life and unity, and on fasting, prayer, pilgrimage, and teaching. These accounts provide a vivid, unique glimpse of family life grounded in the teachings of the Faith.

An appendix includes letters of remembrance from other Hands of the Cause of God, from Counselors, from Bahá’í Institutions, and from many friends who were touched by his warmth and inspired by his zeal.

Zikrullah Khadem, The Itinerant Hand of the Cause of God: With Love will inspire readers to live their lives as Mr. Khadem did—with unwavering commitment to the principles of the Bahá’í Faith. He truly is a shining example of steadfastness, humility, and love.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

PICTURESQUE CALENDARS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Scroll Calendars for 147 B.E.

CA $4.50 each

Featuring beautiful illustrations of native birds in China, ‎complimented complemented‎ with a verse from The Hidden Words in both English and Chinese, these scroll calendars in wood or silk also list the Bahá’í Holy Days in both languages. Excellent for teaching and gift giving.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of Taiwan

BACK IN PRINT

Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

SC Price TBA

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament, Shoghi Effendi writes, is “the immortal Document” from which the Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh “derives its authority”; it is “The Document establishing that Order, the Charter of a future world civilization, which may be regarded in some of its features as supplementary to no less weighty a Book than the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. . . .” The Will and Testament delineates the major features of the administrative Institutions of the Bahá’í Faith and ensures the protection of the integrity and unity of the Faith.

The price to be announced, this important document will be available in late April.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

translated by Shoghi Effendi

PS $6.50

A compilation by Shoghi Effendi of excerpts from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh discussing the Manifestations of God; the potency of this age of unity; spiritual aspects of the coming World Order; the divine nature of man and his responsibilities to God and society; the spiritual meaning of life; the soul and immortality.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

AVAILABLE AGAIN

Arohanui Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand

HC $15.95

Written to both individuals and institutions, this compilation of messages from the Guardian is a source of guidance, inspiration and love to all Bahá’ís. Originally published in 1982 in commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the formation in 1957 of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the Fiji Islands

AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS

The Bahá’í Newsreel Vol. I, No. 1 Winter 1990

produced by Bahá’í Media Services, an agency of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

VT $15.95 / Beta or VHS

Highlighting teaching and development activities in the United States and around the globe, this video, the first in a series of videos to be produced quarterly, includes glimpses from:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration March, Atlanta, Georgia
• John Birks (Dizzy) Gillespie National Medal of Arts Award, Washington, DC
• Renovations to the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh and the House of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Pashá, Haifa, Israel
• Restoration of Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois
• “Green Light Expedition” Television Debut, China
• Promise of World Peace Tour, Russia
• Forthcoming Video Productions on:
  • Bahá’í House of Worship, India
  • “From Haitian Roots,” Haiti

Excellent for use at firesides, community events, or for personal viewing.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

FORTHCOMING

From Haitian Roots

produced by Bahá’í Media Services

Video Price TBA Beta or VHS

Documentary of social and economic development in Haiti shows how belief in Bahá’u’lláh and the application of Bahá’í principles are transforming daily life in this rural island setting. The fast-moving 20-minute video portrays the successes of rural schools, health care clinics, and economic development projects with use of consultation and other Bahá’í principles.

This video will be of particular interest to seekers who want to know how the Bahá’í Faith can solve social problems.

Co-produced by the National Spiritual Assemblies of Haiti and the United States, From Haitian Roots will be available in late April.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

RECENT NEW CS

The Promise of World Peace To the Peoples of the World

from the Universal House of Justice

Audio Cassette $9.95

Now available in audio format, the message continues to inspire the Bahá’í community to new levels of teaching and service. Its message of hope helps us to gain fresh insights into the challenges facing the peoples of the world and is as relevant now as when it was written in 1985. The cassette is especially useful to commuters, to those whose vision is impaired, to those who have difficulty with written English.

Images International

VISA / MasterCard / American Express / Check / Money Order

Order through your Local Bahá’í Distribution Representative, or send your order with payment to: 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091

1-800-999-9019

Order now through the Bahá’í Distribution Service [Page 7]

From Family Life to World-Wide Events — Understanding Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order

The Eternal Quest for God An Introduction to the Divine Philosophy of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Julio Savi SC $15.95

This book discusses the deepest questions of existence using research from the Bahá’í writings. These concepts, which have been expounded by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, will assist the reader to understand, appreciate, and put into practice the practical and concrete suggestions which the Bahá’í Faith offers to individuals and societies for achieving a world of justice and peace. George Ronald, Publisher

Letters from Bonaire by Marion West SC $9.95

Here is a warm-hearted, often humorous, story of a down-to-earth, adventurous woman who took up the challenge to live as a lone Bahá’í on the tiny Caribbean island of Bonaire. Told through her letters home, we learn of the spiritual, practical and sometimes hilarious realities of being a pioneer. George Ronald, Publisher

VERSES IN POETRY

Prickles and Plums by Hazel Mori SC $7.95

These poems drawn from the deepest regions of the author’s mind, soul and heart form a sensitive and compelling response to the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. With lyrical grace, these verses reflect the courage, resourcefulness and infinite trust of a poetess, answering truthfully the question which posterity will ask of the early generation of Bahá’í pioneers, and perhaps with particular ardour of the women among them: “What was it like?” Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the Philippines

ADMINISTRATIVE AID

Bahá’í Chairman’s, Secretary’s, or Treasurer’s Manuals SC $2.00 each

Immediate reference manuals outlining functions and guidelines for these roles in the Bahá’í community. Bahá’í Publications Australia

RECENT NEW TITLES / REPRINTS

Bahá’í Elections The Sanctity and Nature of Bahá’í Elections SC $1.95 from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice at the Bahá’í World Center

Conservation of the Earth’s Resources A Compilation of Extracts from the Bahá’í Writings on the Relationship between Humankind and the Environment SC $1.95 from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice at the Bahá’í World Center

The Bahá’í Faith / Perkins & Hainsworth A brief, yet comprehensive introduction to the Bahá’í Faith. SC $3.95 Ward Lock Educational

Vision-to-Victory: From the American Dream to a New World Order A stirring talk given by David Hofman at the 1989 Vision-to-Victory Conference in Pasadena, California VT $19.95 / Beta & VHS formats available Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

TITLES BACK IN STOCK

Lights of Guidance / HC $29.95 A Bahá’í reference file for institutions and individuals compiled by Helen Hornby and published by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of India.

Guidelines for Parents / SC $2.00 A booklet by Margaret Ruhe on the education and training of children, published by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of India.

Effective Teaching Instructor’s Guide / SC $3.00 Effective Teaching Audio Cassette / CS $3.50 Supplementary to the Effective Teaching Workbook, these items were prepared by the National Teaching Committee and published by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States.

Marriage Scroll / CA $4.50 Peace Scroll / CA $4.50 Children’s Prayer Scroll / CA $4.50 These wall hanging scrolls are decorative reminders of concepts of the Faith. Produced by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of Taiwan.

Burial Rings / RG $5.00

Bahá’í Faith: An Introduction / VT $19.95

Foreign Language Materials Inventory Increased

RUSSIAN
The Promise of World Peace / SC $2.95	The New Garden / SC Forthcoming, price TBA
Perspective Series: The Bahá’í Faith / PA / $1.15 each	Paris Talks / SC Forthcoming, price TBA
Pathway to Peace / SC $2.50	Pattern of Bahá’í Life / SC Forthcoming, price TBA
CHINESE	The Bahá’í Faith / PA Forthcoming, price TBA
The Promise of World Peace (Bi-lingual from Hong Kong) / SC $2.00	On Becoming a Bahá’í / SC Forthcoming, price TBA
The Promise of World Peace (Simplified, from Singapore) / Forthcoming, price TBA	Words of God / SC Forthcoming, price TBA
The Hidden Words / SC Forthcoming, price TBA	! SPANISH
	Perspective Series: The Bahá’í Faith / PA / $1.25 each

PLEASE NOTE: Year End Inventory April 30-May 4

All orders need to be received by April 13 in order to be shipped by fiscal year end. Due to National Convention April 25-30 and inventory the week of April 30-May 4, orders will not be shipped again until Monday, May 7. Your patience during this annual period will be appreciated.

LOOK FOR THE RECENT UPDATED PRICE LIST FROM THE BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST AND DISTRIBUTION SERVICE ELSEWHERE IN THIS ISSUE OF THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í.

MARKETING MANAGER SOUGHT

Applicants are being sought for this key position at the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and Distribution Service. Previous experience in marketing, sales, customer service, or fulfillment are desirable, but not necessary. If you or someone you know has strong communication, organization, and supervisory skills, please contact the Department of Human Resources at the Bahá’í National Center for more information (1-708-869-9039).

Bahá’í Distribution Service / 1-800-999-9019 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091

QTY	TITLE	COST	AMOUNT
TOTAL

Order through your Local Bahá’í Distribution Representative, or send your order with payment to: 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091

1-800-999-9019

Order now through the Bahá’í Distribution Service

[Page 8]

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.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

THE BOSCH Bahá’í School is accepting applications for summer employment. Positions available include children's teachers, maintenance assistants, kitchen helpers and recreation director. Positions are from mid-June through August, room and board are provided with a small stipend. Those interested in applying are asked to send a brief resumé to the administrator, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

BLACK Mountain, North Carolina, is an appealing small town in the mountains of western North Carolina, about 15 minutes from Asheville. A Bahá’í home or meeting place is urgently needed in Black Mountain to facilitate the teaching work. Extensive support is available from Bahá’ís in the area; six acres of land have been purchased in Asheville where construction of a Bahá’í Center should begin soon. A move to Black Mountain offers the dual opportunity to help construct the Center in Asheville while helping the teaching work in Black Mountain. If you are interested in relocating to this lovely town, please write to Jim Turpin, P.O. Box 1335, Fairview, NC 28730, or phone 704-628-4247.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of DeKalb, Illinois, is in jeopardy. Needed are at least two adult Bahá’ís. Also, Bahá’ís are needed to reactivate the once-active Bahá’í Club at Northern Illinois University. Please help us. Write to the Bahá’ís of DeKalb, P.O. Box 702, DeKalb, IL 60015, or phone 815-758-2292.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Burnsville, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is in jeopardy and needs four adults. Burnsville (pop. 42,000) has the newest hospital in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, an extensive park system, excellent public and private schools, available housing of all types, and a surplus of jobs (the state unemployment rate is only 3.5 percent) with employment opportunities in health care, retail sales, clerical, and service industries. Burnsville is a major retail shopping center for southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, and is located near several tourist attractions. For information about the Bahá’í community, write to P.O. Box 1103, Burnsville, MN 55337.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

EMPLOYMENT overseas: Africa—Ciskei: social and economic development practitioners. Kenya: physician, surgeons, PAs, internist. Nigeria: ob-gyn, surgeon, internist, dentist, project adviser for child survival project. Transkei: medical doctors, veterinarians. Americas—Bahamas: senior systems programmer/analyst, systems programmer. Honduras: college instructors. Asia—Nepal: infection control nurses (RN/MT), physical therapist, quality assistance RNs. Australasia—Marshall Islands: physicians, hospital administrator. Multi-Regional—faculty positions in graduate programs in public administration, grant officers, program coordinators for international health programs, environmental/natural resource economists, agricultural economist, forest economist, foreign service auditors, junior-level industrial or mechanical engineer, international attorney, associate Peace Corps directors. The Peace Corps is presently seeking volunteers trained in TESL and university-level math and science instructors for Poland. Also, English teachers are sought for Hungary. For more information about any of the above, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

SCHOOLS

WANTED: Bahá’í college students to attend James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Virginia) to help the Bahá’í Club teach the Cause to a rapidly growing number of interested persons. There is a growing need for students to help the highly motivated community organize teaching activities, meetings, etc. JMU is a liberal arts school in the heart of Virginia’s historic Shenandoah Valley surrounded by the natural beauty of mountains, lakes and rivers and only two hours from Washington, D.C. If you are interested in serving the Faith in this way, please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Harrisonburg, c/o Laura Miller Draim, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or phone 703-433-2870.

THE Bahá’í Association at the University of Texas, one of the largest and most active Bahá’í clubs in the country, is highly respected on campus. The club draws a large number of seekers and supports a number of projects including a tutoring program and the Global Village project.

Attendance at weekly on-campus firesides has been such as to necessitate the occasional use of a lecture hall, and local youth deepenings usually have several seekers attending. If you are looking for a top-rated school in one of the loveliest areas of Texas that provides many opportunities for service to the Cause, write to The Bahá’í Association at the University of Texas, c/o the Austin Bahá’í Center, Austin, TX 78722

Employment opportunities

The Department of Human Resources at the Bahá’í National Center is presently accepting applications for the following positions. For more information, applications, and position descriptions, please check the position(s) in which you are interested and return this form to the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

-Administrative Services: media services assistant (Studio); secretary (float in three departments); filing clerk (part-time, records room)

-Bahá’í Publishing Trust: associate editor; shipping and receiving clerks (2); marketing manager

-Bosch School: morning cook, full-time (September-June); maintenance assistant

-Department of Human Resources: personnel secretary/receptionist

-Native American Bahá’í Institute: caretaker/host

-National Teaching Committee Office: youth activities coordinator; secretary to the NTC secretary

-NSA Properties Inc.: full-time base station guard; full-time rounds guard

-Office of External Affairs (Washington, D.C.): national liaison to Non-Governmental Organizations

-U.S./UN New York Office: administrative assistant

-Office of Pioneering: administrative assistant

-Office of the Secretary: administrative aide/District Convention coordinator

-Office of the Treasurer: staff accountant; administrative assistant

-Persian/American Affairs Office: translator (must be fluent in Persian and English)

-U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office: refugee program assistant

Name ________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________ City/state/zip __________________________________________ Phone ( ) home ( ) work ________________________________

ARCHIVES

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: Judith A. Eggman, M.L. Elias, Margaret Ellis (died New Orleans, 1965), Amalia Ellison, Ben Ellison, Della and Ralph Emery, Albert and Alice Entzminger, Frances Esty (died Buffalo, NY, 1963), Masud Ettehadiah, Edward J. Eubank and Ada Mae Fadner (died Fort Collins, CO, 1961). Anyone knowing family members or relatives who may have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or to phone 708-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking District Convention voting lists for 1952-1967 for Wyoming, West Virginia, Washington state, Virginia, Vermont, Utah, Texas and Tennessee. Anyone having voting lists he/she could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

WANTED

WANTED: "Up with People" alumni who are Bahá’ís. Do you know about the UWP 25-year reunion in Denver next July 25-29? All alumni, parents, children, host families and sponsors are invited. Please contact me, whether or not you are going to help share the Faith with more people who are waiting to serve the Cause. Write Kitty Hodges Latas, RD4, Box 275A, Danville, PA 17821, or phone 717-275-6161 (you may call collect).

THE Bahá’í Esperanto League is trying to put together an archive of older or historic Bahá’í Esperanto materials. Also interested in Persian materials for studying Esperanto, or in developing such materials. Anyone who has potential archival materials or who would like to help in the creation of Persian-Esperanto learning materials, please contact the League at P.O. Box 9182, McLean, VA 22102

WANTED: members for a support group for Bahá’í law enforcement officers (e.g. state troopers, deputies, peace and police officers, corrections officers, etc.) from any state or country. The primary goal is to promote fellowship among Bahá’í law officers and, most importantly, to act as a support group for problems faced on and off the job. Anyone wishing to inquire and/or help the group get off the ground is asked to send ideas and suggestions to Officer Walter Gavula, P.O. Box 542, Bolton Landing, NY 12814 (phone 518-644-2031).

MISCELLANEOUS

COUPLE presently pioneering to St. Lucia will be out of the country from August 1990 to September 1991. Their three-bedroom home, with furnishings if requested, is available to a Bahá’í couple at a minimal rental cost. Other living expenses in St. Lucia are also low. This is a perfect opportunity to fulfill a short-term pioneer goal for the Universal House of Justice. For information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

“Literacy” theme as San Jose community holds 9th annual Community Service Awards banquet

“Literacy: Key to the Treasury of Human Potential” was the theme February 3 as the Bahá’í community of San Jose, California, held its ninth annual Community Service Awards banquet.

More than 210 people attended this year’s event whose keynote speaker was Dr. Ray Johnson, headmaster of the Maxwell International Bahá’í School in Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada.

Awards were presented to:

• Mrs. Winona Sample, a member of the Santa Clara Human Relations Commission, for her many years of service in education.

• Mrs. Jennie Smith Collett, principal of O.B. Whaley Elementary School, whose work with students has twice earned her schools the California Distinguished School Award and the National Excellence in Education Award.

• Bill and Kate Bigler, founders of the Literacy Volunteers of America in San Jose for their work in training and placing tutors to work on a one-to-one tutoring basis.

• Dr. James Gray, senior lecturer at the School of Education, University of California-Berkeley and director of the California/National Writing Project.

The awards, sculpted by Bahá’í Vern Allie, were created to symbolize the tree of knowledge, and an attached plaque was inscribed with the names of those honored and a quotation from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh.

An additional honor for the Santa Clara County recipients was a special Resolution of Commendation issued by the County Board of Supervisors, signifying its appreciation for their community service.

Dr. Ron Gilpatrick was master of ceremonies at the banquet, with music by Isabelle Chapuis, professor of flute at the University of California-San Jose.

(Photo Caption: Dr. Ray Johnson, headmaster of the Maxwell International Bahá’í School in Canada, delivers the keynote address at the ninth annual Community Service Awards banquet presented by the Bahá’í community of San Jose, California. The theme of this year's event was "Literacy: Key to the Treasury of Human Potential.")

Bahá’ís, Unitarians co-host Religion Day observance

The Bahá’ís of Tamarac, Florida, and the Unitarian Universalist Church co-sponsored a World Religion Day observance January 20 in Tampa that brought together people of various religions.

The program consisted of a panel discussion among representatives of the Buddhist, Hindu, Catholic, Methodist, Unitarian and Bahá’í faiths, followed by questions from the audience. [Page 9]

UNA-USA, Sierra Club Issue new guide on environment for interested groups

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States is a member organization of the United Nations Association of the United States (UNA-USA).

UNA-USA, in coordination with the Sierra Club, has issued a briefing book on the environment for use by interested groups. It is a helpful guide for the study of global environmental problems that can be used as a program resource throughout the year or as a guide for discussion groups held by local chapters of UNA-USA that other interested individuals and organizations are welcome to attend.

The results of these consultations and panel discussions will be compiled in a national consensus report to be released shortly before United Nations Day, October 24. Thereafter, the report will be presented to the Bush administration, Congress, other national governments and UN officials.

The report is expected to be an important contribution to the policy dialogue leading up to the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development. These discussions provide opportunities for participants to add their perspectives and suggestions to the consensus-forming process.

The briefing book, entitled "One Earth Many Nations," is available through the Publications Department, UNA-USA, 485 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017. The price for Bahá’ís as members of an affiliated organization is $6 per copy ($7.50 for non-members).

U.S. Ambassador James Wilkinson, deputy representative on the United Nations Security Council, meets with the Executive Committee of the UNA-USA in New York City. Members of the Executive Committee represent 130 non-governmental organizations. Shirley Lee (seated at right), chairman of the UNA-USA Executive Committee, is the representative to the UN for the Bahá’ís of the United States.

Bahá’ís take part in meetings to consider U.S. policy decisions on UN-related issues

Bahá’ís took part early this year in a number of meetings related to U.S. policy decisions on United Nations-related issues.

In January, Mary Power, representative to the UN for the Bahá’í International Community, and Katharine Bigelow, deputy director of the National Spiritual Assembly Office of External Affairs, attended a U.S. State Department meeting at which information was solicited from organizations interested in women's issues. The consultation took place prior to U.S. participation at the meeting of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in Geneva, Switzerland.

On February 15, the executive committee of the UNA-USA Conference of UN representatives met, at their request, with U.S. Ambassador James Wilkinson, deputy representative on the Security Council, at the U.S. Mission to the UN in New York.

The meeting was held to initiate an exchange of information about U.S. policy on certain issues and the concerns of non-governmental organizations represented on the Council. Those issues included increasing the representation of women on U.S. delegations, the possibility of initiating a policy-making process that would include consultation with representatives of U.S. non-governmental organizations, plans for ratification by the U.S. of UN Conventions, and U.S. funding for the UN system.

About U.S. participation in International Literacy Year (ILY), Ambassador Wilkinson said that an indication of U.S. interest was that the U.S. is a co-sponsor of the World Conference on Education for All and had donated $250,000 to the conference.

The meeting was considered to be an excellent forerunner to periodic dialogues between the executive committee and the U.S. Mission to the UN. The chairman of the executive committee is Shirley Lee, representative to the UN for the Bahá’ís of the United States.

Dr. Wilma Ellis (left), administrator-general of the Bahá’í International Community, welcomes Lawrence Arturo, director of the Bahá’í Office of the Environment, and his wife, Zeena, who will serve as administrative assistant to the UN representative for the Bahá’ís of the United States.

Universal House of Justice establishes Office of Environment in New York City

The Universal House of Justice recently established the Bahá’í International Community's Office of the Environment.

Named to direct the office was Lawrence Arturo, a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a master of arts degree in social and economic development studies.

The Office of the Environment represents the environmental interests and concerns of the Bahá’í International Community in the UN system and in collaboration with other international organizations, and is located near the UN in New York along with other BIC offices.

The main function of the Office of the Environment is to provide a link between environmental expertise at the international level and the growing body of community-based environmental projects worldwide. It seeks to fill a critical gap in the global conservation effort. Its current focus will be on trees as a foundation for conservation activities.

The goals and activities of the new office include encouraging local Bahá’í conservation efforts through information sharing and by providing technical advice through a volunteer corps of environmental consultants.

It will link conservation projects at the grassroots level with national and international agencies that have technical expertise and resources. It will be a clearing-house and referral service to provide information on successful, small-scale conservation activities.

In recent years, local Bahá’í communities have initiated more than 50 conservation projects in at least 30 countries, ranging from ongoing tree-planting and reforestation efforts to the local manufacture of fuel-efficient stoves; from rural research centers investigating the application of appropriate technologies such as bio-gas and solar energy to the introduction of conservation curricula at selected primary and tutorial schools.

The aim of the Office of the Environment is to promote a vision of sustainable development that combines economic, ecological and spiritual principles, and highlights the capacity of humanity to play positive, life-affirming roles in sustaining the earth.

National Assembly appoints Literacy Task Force to make recommendations for UN Literacy Year

The National Spiritual Assembly recently appointed a Literacy Task Force to make recommendations about possible Bahá’í activities during the United Nations International Literacy Year (ILY) 1990.

The task force suggested that local Spiritual Assemblies consider the following activities:

1. Make certain that the literacy needs of your Bahá’í community are being met.

2. Encourage individuals to become trained as literacy tutors.

3. Provide room in Bahá’í Centers or elsewhere for literacy training.

4. Encourage individuals to volunteer to help existing literacy organizations (on telephones, as drivers, etc.).

5. Write letters or articles to local newspapers about the efforts initiated by Bahá’ís or others related to the International Year of Literacy.

6. Sponsor or co-sponsor activities related to furthering literacy.

7. Encourage "each one teach one" individual initiatives (adopt someone to teach).

8. Concentrate efforts on impoverished areas. Train residents to teach the illiterate, who can in turn teach others.

9. Encourage the development of reading skills. Suggest that individuals initiate "Great Books" programs in local schools, libraries and workplaces encourage individuals to dedicate one night a week (or month) to reading or story-telling to a family.

10. Encourage Bahá’ís to start reading clubs in the neighborhood, school. [Page 10]

Logro del primer Cátedra Bahá’í para Paz Mundial

A los bahá’ís del Mundo

Anunciamos con sentimientos de agradecimiento y júbilo un logro de inmensa importancia para el progreso acelerado de la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh.

La Universidad de Maryland y la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de los Bahá’ís de los Estados Unidos recientemente firmaron un memorandum de entendimiento, estableciendo "La Cátedra Bahá’í para la Paz Mundial" en el Centro de Desarrollo Internacional y Manejo de Conflicto en esa universidad.

El propósito manifestado de la Cátreda es de "realizar y publicar investigación, diseñar cursos y llevar a cabo seminarios en el área de estudios bahá’ís y la paz mundial dentro de un contexto inter-disciplinario; de iniciar foros públicos para discutir los asuntos propuestos en el Mensaje de la Casa Universal de Justicia titulado "La Promesa de la Paz Mundial"; y de establecer lazos académicos con y de proveer ayuda técnica a las instituciones bahá’ís en las áreas de la educación de la paz y el desarrollo internacional."

Esta primera iniciativa por una institución superior de aprendizaje significate y bien basada, para formular un programa de estudios bahá’ís de tal seriedad es una respuesta directa al Mensaje de la Paz, tal como se expone en una carta dirigida a nosotros por el Director del Centro de Desarrollo Internacional y Manejo de Conflicto en la cual manifestó:

"Con esta carta estoy respondiendo de parte de CDIMC y la Universidad de Maryland a su llamado: 'Si la experiencia bahá’í puede contribuir en cualquier medida a fortalecer la esperanza en la unidad de la raza humana, nos sentimos complacidos de ofrecerla como un modelo para su estudio.'"

Completamente conscientes del elogio de Bahá’u’lláh para con el conocimiento como "alas para la vida del hombre" y de la importancia que Él asigna a la adquisición de éste; del consejo de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá que deberíamos "buscar presentar el Mensaje a personas de influencia y llegar a ser una causa de guía para los doctos y distinguidos"; y del llamado de Shoghi Effendi por un "esfuerzo decidido" de reforzar medidas "para el establecimiento de contacto más estrecho con los líderes de pensamiento público, con colegios y universidades," acogemos este evento seminal como un marco de la emergencia de la Fe de la oscaridad al igual que el presagio de ese dia en que las huestes de eruditos dedicarán sus energías a la exploración, exposición y defensa de los principios dinámicos animando del Orden Mundial de Bahá’u’lláh, logrando a la necesidad identificada por el amado Guardián de "gente bien educada, bien leida, capaz de correlacionar nuestras enseñanzas a los pensamientos actuales de los líderes de lo sociedad."

En ese día atestiguaremos una expansión y una consolidación de la comunidad como no se ha experimentado aún.

Que la Bendita Belleza le permita a la nueva Cátreda Bahá’í de la Par Mundial lograr su propósito loable; que Él derrame Sus confirmaciones abundantes sobre todos aquellos que la apoyen.

La Casa Universal de Justicia 12 de febrero de 1990

Lanzamiento de Plan de Enseñanza subsidiario de dos Años-Europa O. y Asia

A LOS SEGUIDORES DE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH EN TODO EL MUNDO

EVENTOS TRASCENDENTALES DESARROLLÁNDOSE ESCENARIO MUNDIAL, PARTICULARMENTE EN EUROPA ORIENTAL Y UNIÓN SOVIÉTICA, EN UMBRAL DÉCADA FINAL CARGADO DE DESTINO DEL SIGLO DE LUZ, PROVEEN EVIDENCIA DRAMÁTICA ADICIONAL OPERACIÓN IRRESISTIBLE DEL PLAN MAYOR DE DIOS PARA TRANSFORMACIÓN DE LA SOCIEDAD HUMANA. RÁPIDOS SUCESOS IMPREVISTOS EXIGEN ACELERACIÓN PARALELA CORRESPONDIENTE EM EMPRESAS VIVICANTES PERSIGUIÉNDOSE POR HEREDORES REVELACIÓN RESPLANDECIENTE DE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH.

NOS REGOCIJAMOS POR LO TANTO AL ANUNCIAR LANZAMIENTO EN RIDVAN DE PLAN DE ENSEÑANZA SUBSIDIARIO DE DOS AÑOS PARA REGIONES INMENSAS RESTANTES EUROPA ORIENTAL Y ASIA. PASO TRASCENDENTAL INCLUYE DESENVOLVIMIENTO SISTEMÁTICO ADICIONAL PROVISIONES TABLAS PLAN MAESTRO DE ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ YA EN ESTADO AVANZADO DE OPERACIÓN OTRAS ÁREAS PLANETA. EMPRESA REGIONAL, CONCEBIDA EN CONSULTA CENTRO INTERNACIONAL DE ENSEÑANZA, DISEÑADA PARA REFORZAR SIGNIFICATIVAMENTE PLAN DE SEIS AÑOS GLOBAL ACTUAL. OBJETIVOS INCLUYEN ATRACCIÓN NUMEROSOS NUEVOS ADHERENTES A LA FE, GRAN AUMENTO TRADUCCIÓN, PUBLICACIÓN Y DISEMINACIÓN LITERATURA BAHÁ’Í EN IDIOMAS REQUISITAS ÁREA ENTERA, Y EXTENSIÓN INFLUENCIA BENEFICIENTE ORDEN ADMINISTRATIVO DIVINAMENTE NOMBRADO POR MEDIO ERECCIÓN MARCO INSTITUCIONES BAHÁ’ÍS LOCALES NACIONALES EN TANTOS PAÍSES ORIENTALES COMO SEA POSIBLE HASTA RIDVAN DE 1992 INCLUSIVE.

HACIENDO UN LLAMADO A AQUELLAS ASAMBLEAS ESPIRITUALES NACIONALES DE EUROPA, ASIA Y AMÉRICA QUE LLEVAN RESPONSABILIDAD PRIMARIA POR NACIONES INDIVIDUALES INVOLUCRADAS, PARA QUE CONSULTEN CON CONSEJEROS Y FORMULEN DETALLES METAS ESPECÍFICAS INCORPORANDO Y SUPLEMENTANDO AQUELLAS QUE YA HAN SIDO ADOPTAS Y QUE ESTÉN EN PROCESO DE LOGRO BAJO PLAN DE SEIS AÑOS. CONMOVIDOS A RENDIR HOMENAJE HORA ACTUAL LOGROS NO ALABADOS EXTRAORDINARIOS AQUELLAS INSTITUCIONES Y CREYENTES INDIVIDUALES ACTUALMENTE LABORANDO AVANCE CAUSA EN EUROPA ORIENTAL Y UNIÓN SOVIÉTICA, LOGROS QUE HAN ABIERTO CAMINOS PARA INICIATIVA VENIDERA EN GRAN ESCALA. HACEMOS UN LLAMADO AL MUNDO BAHÁ’Í A LEVANTARSE A APOYAR DIFUSIÓN MENSAJE MUNDIALMENTE REDENTOR DE LA FE ÁREAS META MEDIANTE RADICACIÓN PIONEROS Y MEDIANTE DESPACHO FLUJO CONTINUO MAESTROS VIAJEROS, ESPECIALMENTE AQUELLOS CON CONOCIMIENTO IDIOMAS PAÍSES Y REPUBLICAS BLOQUE ORIENTAL.

CONCOMITANTE ESTAS MEDIDAS, PROCESO CONTÍNUO VITAL ENSEÑANZA CHINA RECIBIENDO IMPETU ADICIONAL. EXTENSAS PANORAMAS ACTUALMENTE ABIERTAS A LA FE DE DIOS PROVEEN OPORTUNIDADES INAUDITAS LOGRAR NUEVAS VICTORIAS COMO OFERTA DIGNA SAGRADO UMBRAL BENDITA BELLEZA OCASIÓN CONMEMORACIÓN PRIMER CENTENARIO DE SU ASCENSIÓN EN AÑO SANTO VENIDERO. IMPLORANDO ABUNDANTE EFUCIÓN CONFIRMACIONES DIVINAS PARTICIPANTES TODAS FACETAS HISTÓRICA CAMPAÑA DE SEIS AÑOS.

LA CASA UNIVERSAL DE JUSTICIA 8 DE FEBRERO DE 1990

Petición de Tablas de las Figuras Centrales

Actualmente la Oficina de Archivos está identificando los destinatarios de las Tablas de las Figuras Centrales de la Fe y las cartas de Shoghi Effendi.

Para poder ayudar con esta tarea, le pedimos a cualesquier de los amigos cuyos parientes hayan recibido Tablas reveladas por Bahá’u’lláh, el Báb o ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, o cartas de Shoghi Effendi, nos provean con información sobre estos individuos. Esto puede incluír historias o biografias de familia breves, árbol genealógico u otro material relevante.

También se apreciarián fotocopias de las Tablas y cartas y una breve identificación de los destinatarios.

Favor de enviar toda información a: Archives Office, Bahá’í World Center, P.O. Box 155, Haifa 31 001, Israel.

Editorial, article in New York Times cite Iran for continuing persecution of Bahá’í minority

In an editorial headed "Iran Squirms on Human Rights," The New York Times noted on March 10 the continuing persecution of Bahá’ís in that country.

Citing the State Department's annual survey of human rights, the editorial says that "it deplores Iran's efforts to stigmatize and harass the Bahá’ís, a minority faith of about 400,000. Tehran regards the Bahá’ís as 'unprotected infidels,' and forbids them to elect their own leaders or educate their children.

"When the UN investigator asked about the Bahá’ís, Iran responded that its only recognized religious minorities were Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians; all others are consigned to limbo. That reflects the zealotry that sets Iran apart. It's of a piece with the death threat, now reconfirmed by the Ayatollah's heirs against British novelist Salman Rushdie."

The Times also cited the State Department report in a separate article that same day, noting that "A United Nations investigation of human rights abuses in Iran has found that many Bahá’í holy places have been confiscated, Bahá’í students are denied admission to universities, and followers of the Bahá’í faith are prevented from emigrating.

"While the findings were generally negative," the article added, "the report did say that the imprisonment and killings of Bahá’í believers has declined since the early days of the Islamic revolution in 1979, when Muslim animosities against the Bahá’ís were unleashed."

World Center Archives asks help to locate historic Tablets, letters

The Archives Office at the Bahá’í World Center is identifying the recipients of Tablets from the Central Figures of the Faith and letters from Shoghi Effendi.

To help with this task, we ask any of the friends whose family members have received Tablets revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb or ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, or letters from Shoghi Effendi, to provide us with information about these individuals. This may include brief family histories or biographies, family trees or other relevant material.

Photocopies of the Tablets and/or letters and a brief identification of the recipients would also be appreciated.

Please send all information to: Archives Office, Bahá’í World Center, P.O. Box 155, Haifa 31 001, Israel. [Page 11]

A charter for Bahá’í schools

This "Charter for Bahá’í Schools," prepared for the National Spiritual Assembly of India by its Department of Social and Economic Development and Education, is presented here for the information and use of those involved in Bahá’í education. It sets forth basic principles which may guide the development of Bahá’í schools and other educational programs, amply documented by selections from the Writings of the Faith.

Prepared by Dr. Stephen H. Waite, head of the Department of Social and Economic Development and Education, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The teachings of the Bahá’í Faith include many principles whose application will offer us new patterns for education. Yet it is premature for us to surmise the directions which may evolve. The following statement is therefore only a brief summary, for our current reference, of some of the essential features to be considered by Bahá’í educators. Fostering these characteristics in our educational efforts will help us to perceive and explore further features as our awareness and capacities increase.

Bahá’í Writings. Second, a dynamic and creative process of interaction will occur as these principles are implemented in culture; there will even be interaction among the principles themselves. The implementation of broad philosophical principles will engender unique solutions depending upon the persons, culture, circumstances and efforts of each school. From this process gradually will emerge what will be accepted as a Bahá’í system of education.

The function of education

The role that has been given to education in the Bahá’í Writings is a most important one. Education is critical to the development of both the individual and society at large. When speaking of the individual, Bahá’u’lláh states: "Education can, alone, cause it (man) to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom." In this regard ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states: "Education is the indispensable foundation of all human excellence and alloweth man to work his way to the heights of abiding glory."

As regards civilization, Bahá’u’lláh says that the greatest means provided for the "exaltation of the Word of God amongst His servants, and likewise, to the advancement of the world of being and the uplift of souls... is the education of the child." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá adds that "... learning and the use of the mind" is the "mightiest" of the "pillars" and "unshakable supports of the faith of God." In another place ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says, "...in this New Cycle, education and training are recorded in the Book of God as obligatory and not voluntary." "All must receive training and instruction... universal education is a universal law." "You must attach the greatest importance to the education of children, for this is the foundation of the Law of God, and the bedrock of the edifice of His Faith." "This school is one of the vital and essential institutions which indeed support and bulwark the edifice of mankind... straight, he will grow straight, in perfect symmetry. It is clear that the mother is the first teacher and that it is she who establisheth the character and conduct of the child."

To fathers, Bahá’u’lláh says: "Unto every father hath been enjoined the instruction of his son and daughter in the art of reading and writing and in all that hath been laid down in the Holy Tablet."

To schools and teachers, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says: "According to the explicit divine Text, teaching the children is indispensable and obligatory. It followeth that teachers are servants of the Lord God, since they have arisen to perform this task, which is the same as worship. You must therefore offer praise with every breath, for you are educating your spiritual children."

To the local Spiritual Assembly, the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, writes: "They must promote by every means in their power the material as well as the spiritual enlightenment of youth, the means for the education of children, institute whenever possible Bahá’í educational institutions, organize and supervise their work, and provide the best means for their progress and development." "To assist the children of the poor in the attainment of these accomplishments, and particularly in learning the basic subjects, is incumbent upon members of the Spiritual Assemblies, and is counted as one of the obligations laid upon the conscience of the trustees of God in every land."

Further, the Universal House of Justice has confirmed that the Bahá’í schools which are operated by the institutions of the Faith are social and economic development projects, to be developed in accordance with the principles and guidelines it has provided. Accordingly, those schools operating under the jurisdiction of Bahá’í institutions should strive for self-sufficiency and self-reliance.

The synthesis of some of the teachings of the Faith represented here in a charter for Bahá’í schools has been influenced by the experience of working to develop the Rabbani School under the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India. Of greatest import during the Rabbani years has been the guidance from the Universal House of Justice relating to the development of the school. Further, this synthesis was enhanced by consultations held during a National Education Conference called for the purpose of consulting on the "distinguishing characteristics of Bahá’í education and Bahá’í schools." The conference was held January 23-26, 1988, at the New Era School in Panchgani, Maharashtra, India. In the four days that were spent, the proposed list of principles of Bahá’í education was discussed in detail and several new ones were added. It was agreed during the conference that the process of adjusting each of our existing school's programs to more fully reflect Bahá’í characteristics can best be assisted by a simple, straightforward statement or definition of the Bahá’í school. A school's governing body and administration can first come to understand the main principles. These can then be shared with the faculty, the students and the parents. Once all concerned persons understand the ultimate goal, the process of change in that direction can begin.

We look forward with anticipation to many discoveries and insights as we put Bahá’í educational principles into practice. In the last century, in Iran, schools such as the Persian Tarbiyyat Schools became potent instruments for progress and development of the nation, communities in general, and improvement in the status of women. A similar capacity for the dynamic transformation of society now exists in India. That is, in our schools—through the application of spiritual principles derived from the sacred Writings of the Bahá’í Faith—is now presented a unique opportunity for social advancement. It is hoped that this document will help us accelerate the process.

INTRODUCTION

What is a Bahá’í school? What are its primary and distinguishing characteristics? The answer to these questions is a matter of urgent and fundamental importance to the almost 300 emerging schools in India. The Bahá’í Writings do not detail a system which can simply be adopted and put into practice; rather, a Bahá’í educational system will gradually evolve as a result of the involvement of Bahá’í scholars and educators concentrating on this question. The first step in the process is the identification of the basic principles and teaching ideals which are reflected in the Bahá’í Writings.

Responsibility for education

The Bahá’í Writings assign responsibility for the education of children to various groups and individuals in the community. They are, respectively (1) the individual; (2) the mother; (3) the father; (4) the parents; (5) the family as a unit; (6) the community through its elected institutions; (7) the schools; and (8) the teacher. Each has a specific and important role to play as a function of the relationship to the child to be educated.

To the individual, Bahá’u’lláh says: "Strain every nerve to acquire both inner and outer perfections, for the fruit of the human tree hath ever been and will ever be perfections both within and without. It is not desirable that a man be left without knowledge or skills, for he is then but a barren tree. Then, so much as capacity and capability allow, ye needs must deck the tree of being with fruits such as knowledge, wisdom, spiritual perception and eloquent speech."

And ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says: "O loving friends! Exert every effort to acquire the various branches of knowledge and true understanding. Strain every nerve to achieve both material and spiritual accomplishments."

To mothers, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says: "Let the mothers consider that whatever concerneth the education of children is of the first importance. Let them put forth every effort in this regard, for when the bough is green and tender it will grow in whatever way ye train it. Therefore it is incumbent upon mothers to rear their little ones even as a gardener tendeth his young plants. Let them strive by day and by night to establish within their children faith and certitude, the fear of God, love of the Beloved of the worlds, and all good qualities and traits...." In another place He states: "The mother is the first teacher of the child. For children, at the beginning of life, are fresh and tender as a young twig, and can be trained in any fashion you desire. If you rear the child to be straight, he will grow straight, in perfect symmetry. It is clear that the mother is the first teacher and that it is she who establisheth the character and conduct of the child."

The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár and the school

Eventually every locality will have its own Mashriqu’l-Adhkár. The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is not simply a temple for worship, but rather is a concept combining worship and service in a dynamic relationship. Worship is through the central edifice while service is through the dependencies.

The Universal House of Justice, in its letter of October 20, 1983, to the Bahá’ís of the world, states:

"The oneness of mankind, which is at once the operating principle and the ultimate goal of His Revelation, implies the achievement of a dynamic coherence between the spiritual and practical requirements of life on earth. The indispensability of this coherence is unmistakably illustrated in His ordination of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, the spiritual centre of every Bahá’í community round which must flourish dependencies dedicated to the social, humanitarian, educational and scientific advancement of mankind."

Our schools will eventually become one of these dependencies of local or national Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs. The school as a dependency of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is an agency to utilize spiritual forces emanating from the House of Worship. Prior to the actual construction of a local house of worship, our schools must still reflect this basic concept and base themselves in this dynamic relationship linking worship and service. Education and training provide the skills whereby a person can offer service to the community, and worship provides the energy or spiritual power.

Summary

Education is understood to be one of the cornerstones upon which the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh is being constructed; it is a key to the regenerative and restorative processes urgently required. Bahá’í schools already have served as effective instruments for such fundamental social change. [Page 12]An outstanding contribution was made to the development of society in Iran by schools, along with other Bahá’í development efforts. So must our schools in India begin to understand their vital role to help transform society.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá states in this regard: "Instruction in the schools must begin with instruction in religion. Following religious training, and the binding of the child's heart to the love of God, proceed with his education in the other branches of knowledge." "These schools for academic studies must at the same time be training centers in behavior and conduct, and they must favor character and conduct above the sciences and arts. Good behavior and moral character must come first, for unless the character be trained, acquiring knowledge will only prove injurious."

The evolution of mature educational institutions able to make a significant contribution to the establishment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh is a process that will depend on understanding the role which they can play. This role is based upon what the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, calls "certain basic principles" or "teaching ideals." These principles will be identified from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Guardian. Presented herein are a number of such principles in the form of articles of the charter. Some of these principles have been identified by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in one reference where it is stated: "All schools and colleges should have these three foundations.... First, they should be sincere in the service of training the souls (Article II). Second, training in morality is necessary (Article I). Third, service to the world of humanity should be obligatory (Article V)."

The charter structure of this document, it is hoped, will at once set a clear direction in which our schools must begin moving, and will also stimulate, through the isolation of major and distinguishing characteristics of Bahá’í education, the production of appropriate curricula and teacher training materials and methodologies.

ARTICLE I Spiritual Development Is the Basis for Human Development

The essential basis of human development is the nurturing of spiritual capacities. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states:

"And from amongst all creatures He hath singled out man, to grant him His most wondrous gift, and hath made him to attain the bounties of the Company on high. That most precious of gifts is attainment unto His unfailing guidance, that the inner reality of humankind should become as a niche to hold this lamp; and when the scattering splendors of this light do beat against the bright glass of the heart, the heart's purity maketh the beams to blaze out even stronger than before, and to shine in glory on the minds and souls of men.

"The attainment of the most great guidance is dependent upon knowledge and wisdom, and on being informed as to the mysteries of the Holy Words. Wherefore must the loved ones of God, be they young or old, be they men or women, each one according to his capabilities, strive to acquire the various branches of knowledge, and to increase his understanding of the mysteries of the Holy Books, and his skill in marshaling the divine proofs and evidences."

It is evident from the Bahá’í Writings that attainment unto this unfailing guidance is a process that begins from the very moment life begins. In this regard Bahá’u’lláh states:

"That which is of paramount importance for the children, that which must precede all else, is to teach them the oneness of God and the Laws of God."

"As to the children: We have directed that in the beginning they should be trained in the observances and laws of religion; and thereafter, in such branches of knowledge as are of benefit, and in commercial pursuits that are distinguished for integrity, and in deeds that will further the victory of God's Cause or will attract some outcome which will draw the believer closer to his Lord.

"We beg of God to assist the children of His loved ones and adorn them with wisdom, good conduct, integrity and righteousness,"

Further, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states that children must receive such spiritual training directly from their mothers. In this spiritual training lies "the beginning of the process; it is the essential basis of all the rest."

"O thou servant of God! Thou didst ask as to the education of children. Those children who, sheltered by the Blessed Tree, have set foot upon the world, those who are cradled in the Faith and are nurtured at the breast of grace—such must from the beginning receive spiritual training directly from their mothers. That is, the mother must continually call God to mind and make mention of Him and tell of His greatness, and instill the fear of Him in the child, and rear the child gently, in the way of tenderness, and in extreme cleanliness. Thus from the very beginning of life every child will be refreshed by the gentle waftings of the love of God and will tremble with joy at the sweet scent of heavenly guidance. In this lieth the beginnings of the process; it is the essential basis of all the rest." 25

Spiritual training for the child should begin with the education of the prospective mother in terms of her preparation for this most important role. Schools must develop training programs for girls that will prepare them for this very special responsibility. This training should be based upon the elements of the process which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has identified in the above citation.

This process for training the child, begun from the very moment of the beginning of life, should continue in appropriate ways throughout childhood and into adulthood. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states in this regard:

"The indispensable basis of all is that he should develop spiritual characteristics and the praiseworthy virtues of humankind." The development of praiseworthy virtues will be accomplished through effective spiritual education combined with a balanced exposure to and training in academics, vocations, arts, crafts, music, and in effective service to the world of humanity. Our goal is to train persons in possession of the requisite skills, eager to attain the highest station to which an individual can attain, namely, service to the world of humanity.

Schools must contribute their rightful share to the spiritual training a child will receive. Curricula need to be developed to accomplish this goal. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states that "training in morality" should be one of the three main components of all schools and colleges:

"Training in morality is necessary, so that the pupils' good conduct may remain unchanged and so that they may progress in a most befitting manner, become possessed of lofty ideals, lovers of the world of humanity, and so that they will hold fast to the spiritual perfections and to that which does not displease God." 27

Training in morality should include developing the child's understanding of the law of God regarding reward and punishment, the "Promise and the Threat." Understanding the relationship between reward and punishment will lead the child to respect and to fear God. We must fear God, not "because He is cruel, but we fear Him because He is just, and if we do wrong we deserve to be punished, then in His justice He may see fit to punish us. We must both love God and fear Him."

Bahá’u’lláh states: "Schools must first train the children in the principles of religion, so that the Promise and the Threat, recorded in the Books of God, may prevent them from the things forbidden and adorn them with the mantle of the commandments; but this in such a measure that it may not injure the children by resulting in ignorant fanaticism and bigotry." 11-29

ARTICLE II A Praiseworthy Character: Sincerity Is Essential for Teachers and Schools

Sincerity must distinguish our schools, says ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Sincerity implies being genuine, straightforward, truthful, honest, and free from deceit or hypocrisy. When this virtue is truly reflected by our institutions and their teachers, then will we be successful in eliminating "ignorance and the lack of knowledge" and witness how "the lights of science and knowledge shine forth from the horizon of the soul and heart." Regarding the role that the teacher and the institution can play in this process, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states:

"First, they should be sincere in the service of training the souls. They should discover the mysteries of nature, and extend the circle of art, commerce, etc., so that ignorance and the lack of knowledge will pass away and the lights of science and knowledge shine forth from the horizon of the soul and heart. In all schools and universities, a general rule for training should be made."

One can understand the importance of sincerity when one reflects on the reputation of an institution sincerely dedicated to the service of training people vs. one that is not. There may be many motivations for either a school or a teacher to become involved in education. According to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, sincerity must be at the root of any of these.

Institutions are made up of the individuals who comprise the administration and faculty. The embodiment of sincerity must therefore be those same administrators and teaching faculty. Institutions in and of themselves cannot reflect virtues. The power of virtue is expressed through the life of these persons and what they lead the institutions to represent through their policies. It is our deeds, conduct and character which, according to Bahá’u’lláh in the following passages, "can ensure the victory of Him Who is the Eternal Truth."

"Say O people of God! That which can ensure the victory of Him Who is the Eternal Truth, His hosts and helpers on earth, have been set down in the sacred Books and Scriptures, and are as clear and manifest as the sun. These hosts are such righteous deeds, such conduct and character, as are acceptable in His sight. Whoso ariseth, in this Day, to aid Our Cause, and summoneth to his assistance the hosts of a praiseworthy character and upright conduct, the influence flowing from such an action will, most certainly, be diffused throughout the whole world."

Trustworthiness is a synonym for sincerity. Bahá’u’lláh refers to it as the greatest portal leading to the tranquility and security of the people.

"Trustworthiness is the greatest portal leading unto the tranquility and security of the people. In truth the stability of every affair hath depended and doth depend upon it. All the domains of power, of grandeur and of wealth are illumined by its light."

Shoghi Effendi says that the transforming potential of the Faith can only be demonstrated by the lives we lead:

"Not until we live ourselves the life of a true Bahá’í can we hope to demonstrate the creative and transforming potency of the Faith we profess."

In exalted language, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gives the teacher his/her charge:

"Wherefore, O loved ones of God! Make ye a mighty effort till you yourselves betoken this advancement and all these confirmations, and become focal centers of God's blessings, daysprings of the light of His unity, promoters of the gifts and graces of civilized life. Be ye in that land vanguards of the perfections of humankind; carry forward the various branches of knowledge, be active and progressive in the field of inventions and the arts. Endeavor to rectify the conduct of men, and seek to excel the whole world in moral character. While the children are yet in their infancy feed them from the breast of heaven-" [Page 13]Bahá’u’lláh states: "The Great Being saith: Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom." 39

ly grace, foster them in the cradle of all excellence, rear them in the embrace of bounty. Give them the advantages of every useful kind of knowledge. Let them share in every new and rare and wondrous craft and art. Bring them up to work and strive, and accustom them to hardship. Teach them to dedicate their lives to matters of great import, and inspire them to undertake studies that will benefit mankind." M

ARTICLE III: Development of an 'Unshakable Consciousness of the Oneness of Mankind' Is Fundamental to the Process of Bahá’í Education

Bahá’í schools must help the community at large establish an "unshakable consciousness of the oneness of mankind" in the hearts and minds of all persons.

"Acceptance of the oneness of mankind is the first fundamental prerequisite for reorganization and administration of the world as one country, the home of humankind. Universal acceptance of this spiritual principle is essential to any successful attempt to establish world peace. It should therefore be universally proclaimed, taught in schools, and constantly asserted in every nation as preparation for the organic change in the structure of society which it implies."

Our Bahá’í schools should teach the love of humanity as a whole, as well as legitimate forms of patriotism which recognize the wholesome value of pride in our own culture, traditions, foods, music, dress, language, etc. Understanding unity in diversity enables the consciousness of the oneness of mankind, and is therefore an essential concept in the child's education. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states in this regard:

"Consider the flowers of a garden; though differing in kind, color, form and shape, yet, inasmuch as they are refreshed by the waters of one spring, revived by the breath of one wind, invigorated by the rays of one sun, this diversity increaseth their charm and addeth unto their beauty. How unpleasing to the eye if all the flowers and plants, the leaves and blossoms, the fruits, the branches and the trees of that garden were all of the same shape and color! Diversity of hues, form and shape, enricheth and adorneth the garden, and heighteneth the effect thereof. In like manner, when diverse shades of thought, temperament and character are brought together under the power and influence of one central agency, the beauty and glory of human perfection will be revealed and made manifest. Naught but the celestial potency of the Word of God, which ruleth and transcendeth the realities of all things, is capable of harmonizing the divergent thoughts, sentiments, ideas, and convictions of the children of men."

In another place, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá clearly delineates the role that education must play in terms of the elimination of barriers which separate mankind and preclude the realization of the oneness of mankind:

"Bahá’u’lláh has announced that inasmuch as ignorance and lack of education are barriers of separation among mankind, all must receive training and instruction. Through this provision the lack of mutual understanding will be remedied and the unity of mankind furthered and advanced. Universal education is a universal law."

ARTICLE IV: Education Should Provide a Balance of Academic, Spiritual and Vocational Training (Head-Heart-Hand)

Because the potential of each human being is unlimited, and we all have been endowed with a unique, wide set of talents and faculties, Bahá’í education must be structured in a properly balanced way to develop or uncover what we inherently possess.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá adds: "In the school of realities they educate these sons and daughters, according to the teachings from God, and foster them in the bosom of grace, so that they may develop along every line, show forth the excellent gifts and blessings of the Lord, and combine human perfections; that they may advance in all aspects of human endeavor, whether outward or inward, hidden or visible, material or spiritual, until they make of this mortal world a widespread mirror, to reflect that other world which dieth not." 40

"In this new and wondrous Cause, the advancement of all branches of knowledge is a fixed and vital principle, and the friends, one and all, are obligated to make every effort toward this end, so that the Cause of Manifest Light may spread abroad, and that every child, according to his need, will receive his share of the sciences and arts—until not even a single peasant's child will be found who is completely devoid of schooling." 41

"Not all, however, will be able to engage in these advanced studies. Therefore, such children must be sent to industrial schools where they can also acquire technical skills, and once the child becometh proficient in such a skill, then let consideration be given to the child's own preferences and inclinations. If the child hath a liking for commerce, then let him choose commerce; if for industry, then industry; if for higher education, the advancement of knowledge; if for some other of the responsibilities of humankind, then that. Let him be placed in that field for which he hath an inclination, a desire and a talent."

It is clear from these references that both for the individual and for humankind as a whole, it is important that each person be enabled to develop whatever talents he/she has been given. For this we must offer children training in a balance of academic, spiritual and vocational skills and knowledge. The sciences, arts, crafts, music and the vocations all should be studied: "Arts, crafts and sciences uplift the world of being and are conducive to its exaltation....The knowledge of such sciences, however, should be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth, and not those which begin with words and end with words."

Further, because the amount of knowledge and skill areas continues to expand, there is a need to seek the more profound interrelationships and integrations among the widening content areas that we have to master. One interrelationship is between the theoretical and the practical. Many fields of study are more clearly understood when both the practical and the theoretical are understood. In the following reference from the Office of Social and Economic Development of the Universal House of Justice, an aspect of this is explored:

"The potential of each human being is unlimited. By offering a curriculum of academic subjects and practical experience in trades and crafts, a student will have a better learning opportunity toward finding and cultivating his/her natural talents and inclinations. In developing practical skills as well as learning theoretical knowledge in an environment devoid of prejudice toward any occupation, a person will not be confined by the basic tasks required of him in life but can continue the process of lifetime learning as a motivated and radiant human being." (See Appendix A)

Other integrations occur in Bahá’í education as a result of combining service to the world of humanity, spiritual training, and vocational training. Through vocational training students learn skills that can be used in service to others, which allows them to put into practice praiseworthy virtues.

Our teachers need to be competent in teaching methodologies designed to help uncover the students' talents. Special training should be designed to help them master this orientation and the skills to facilitate this objective.

ARTICLE V: Service to the World of Humanity Is a Foundation of the School Program

Because service to the world of humanity is the highest station to which a person can aspire, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says that all schools must have as a foundation of their program, service to the world of humanity.

"Service to the world of humanity should be obligatory. Every student should know, with perfect certainty, that he is the brother of the people of all religions and nations and that he should be without religious, racial, national, patriotic or political bias, so that he may find the thoughts of universal peace and the love of humankind firmly established in his heart. He should know himself as a servant of human society of all the countries of the world. He should see God as the Heavenly Father and all the servants as His children, counting all of the nations, parties and sects as one family. The mothers in the home, the teachers in the schools, the professors in the universities, and the leaders in the lofty gatherings, must cause these thoughts to be penetrative and effective, as the spirit circulating in the veins and nerves of the children and pupils, so that the world of humanity may be delivered from the calamities of fanaticism, war, battle, hate and obstinacy, and so that the nether world may become the paradise of heaven."

In another place, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says: "One of the most important undertakings is the education of children, for success and prosperity depend upon service to and worship of God, the Holy, the All-Glorified."

A communication from the Office of Social and Economic Development of the Universal House of Justice explains the specific role that Bahá’í schools are to play as regards development of the function of service, particularly as it relates to spiritual training and the development of the attitudes that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has referred to above. Interesting, also, is the idea that service is linked with the practice of skills that are vocational in nature. (See Appendix A for the full text of this statement)

"In the Bahá’í community and in the Bahá’í school the attitude of service will be taught, its example carried out, its effectiveness demonstrated and its true value nurtured."

It is clear that a Bahá’í school must incorporate a service program for children from an early age, as it is through the process of building attitudes of service to others that a child will have the opportunity to put into practice those praiseworthy virtues learned in class; hence, service is the practical expression of spiritual training.

Training in the vocations also helps the child acquire the attitude of service. Vocational skills will provide the child with a means to offer service to others. Further, training in the vocations allows the child to discover the full breadth of his/her God-given talents, such that these talents can be further perfected.

ARTICLE VI: Vocational Education Will Be Integrated into the Curriculum

"The acquisition and exercise of those practical skills often associated with the term vocational education, and heretofore isolated as a separate curriculum, must become fundamental to the process of education and to the development of the whole person and ultimately the local community." The reasons for this are: first, the acquisition and exercise of those practical skills learned through vocational education will become fundamental to the program of service and spiritual training. Second, they are necessary to enable the education of the whole person, where, without prejudice for or against any occupation, the ethic "all work performed in the spirit of service is equal in the sight of God" can be propagated. Third, there is a need to extend theoretical study to both the practical application of theory and the execution of these applications. Such a pragmatic curriculum is felt to be superior to either of the extremes, the purely theoretical or the purely vocational. [Page 14]tional. It is expected that benefits will accrue to the learner as new, more easily understood, and possibly more profound inter-relationships are found.

"If a student actually raises a crop, makes a gar- ment, prepares a nutritious meal, or builds a cabinet as part of the educational experience, the student has not only acquired the rudiments of a skill that will al- low him/her to begin to function independently, but has also greatly improved the possibility of suc- cessfully applying underlying theoretical knowledge in new ways."

ARTICLE VII Bahá’í Schools Must Give Priority to the Education of Girls and Women

Special opportunities and programs for girls and women must be provided by our schools. The eman- cipation of women and the consequent achievement of full equality between the sexes is critically needed for the future of mankind. Bahá’í schools have a special role and responsibility in this regard.

The priority given to the education of girls and women can express itself in the actual establishment of schools for girls, or in an emphasis on the recruit- ment of girls, with special support programs for their continuation and completion of school. Special pro- grams need to be designed and implemented to train girls and women for their future role and respon- sibilities as mothers. Both boys and girls in school might receive training in preparation for marriage, with particular emphasis on the distinctive qualities of the Bahá’í family and the special needs and re- sponsibilities of each family member. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has explained:

"The school for girls taketh precedence over the school for boys, for it is incumbent upon the girls of this glorious era to be fully versed in the various branches of knowledge, in science and the arts and all the wonders of this pre-eminent time, that they may then educate their children and train them from their earliest days in the ways of perfection."

"Devote ye particular attention to the school for girls, for the greatness of this wondrous Age will be manifested as a result of progress in the world of women." $1

That is not to say, however, that boys should not also receive an education, but only that our schools should recognize a special responsibility toward girls.

"The first duty of the beloved of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful is this: They must strive by all possible means to educate both sexes, male and female; girls like boys; there is no dif- ference whatsoever between them. The ignorance of both is blameworthy and negligence in both cases is reprovable. Are they who know and they who do not know equal?

"The command is decisive concerning both. If it is considered through the eye of reality, the training and culture of daughters is more necessary than that of sons for these girls will come to the station of motherhood and will mold the lives of the children. The first trainer of the child is the mother. The babe, like unto a green and tender branch, will grow ac- cording to the way it is trained. If the training be right, it will grow right, and if crooked, the growth likewise, and unto the end of life it will conduct itself accordingly." 12

the stronghold of all perfections, and with the protec- tion of a goodly character, will, when they them- selves become mothers, bring up their children from carliest infancy to have a good character and conduct themselves well.

"Let them also study whatever will nurture the health of the body and its physical soundness, and how to guard their children from disease. When mat- ters are thus arranged, every child will become a peer- less plant in the gardens of the Abhá Paradise." "

‘Abdu’l-Bahá makes a number of curriculum sug- gestions:

"And further, those present should concern them- selves with every means of training the girl children; with teaching the various branches of knowledge, good behavior, a proper way of life, the cultivation of a good character, chastity and constancy, per- severance, strength, determination, firmness of pur- pose; with household management, the education of children, and whatever especially applieth to the needs of girls—to the end that these girls, reared in the counsels which you and the friends can give her, can effectively remedy this situation." 61

ARTICLE VIII A Supportive Affective Environment Should Distinguish the Bahá’í School

The creation of a properly supportive classroom environment is an important part of Bahá’í educa- tional methodology. It is a task that primarily de- pends upon the skills of the teacher. Providing a child with a positive and loving environment, in which encouragement and praise are the primary pedagogical tools of a teacher, is our aim. A letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi explains: "Love and kindness have far greater influence than punish ment upon the improvement of human character." "

And ‘Abdu’l-Bahá instructs: "Rear the child gently, in the way of tenderness, and in extreme cleanli- ness." "He describes the teacher as a "loving gar- dener" who cares for the growth of "young plants." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá describes the environment needed to support gentleness, encouragement, love and kind- ness:

"It followeth that the children's school must be a place of utmost discipline and order, that instruction must be thorough, and provision must be made for the rectification and refinement of character; so that, in his earliest years, within the very essence of the child, the divine foundation will be laid and the struc- ture of holiness raised up.

"Know that this matter of instruction, of character rectification and refinement, of heartening and en- couraging the child, is of the utmost importance, for such are basic principles of God." 36

In another place, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá defines more ex- tensively the goals of encouragement:

"The children must be carefully trained to be most courteous and well-behaved. They must be constant- ly encouraged and made eager to gain all the summits of human accomplishment, so that from their earliest years they will be taught to have high aims, to con- duct themselves well, to be chaste, pure and undefil- ed, and will learn to be of powerful resolve and firm of purpose in all things."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá further explains the importance of encouragement and praise in the following two encouragement and praise in the following two specific situations:

"The children who are at the head of the class and when any one of them shows good advancement, must receive premiums. They must be encouraged for further development they must be praised and en- couraged therein." "

"If a pupil is told that his intelligence is less than his fellow-pupils, it is a very great drawback and han- dicap to his progress. He must be encouraged to ad- vance." 39

The Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, in two letters writ- ten on his behalf, states that, even for more complex children and situations, wise handling, love, patience and encouragement are what is required.

"Very few children are really bad. They do, how- ever, sometimes have complicated personalities and need very wise handling to enable them to grow into normal, moral, happy adults." "He feels that nothing short of your motherly care and love and of the counsels which you and the friends can give her, can effectively remedy this situation." 61

In this regard, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says:

"The child must not be oppressed or censured be- cause it is underdeveloped; it must be patiently trained." a

‘Abdu’l-Bahá speaks to mothers in the following passage, describing a methodology: to praise the child for doing well; to counsel him if a mistake is made; to choose a punishment based on reason, if ever necessary. These guidelines are equally useful for the teacher.

"Whensoever a mother seeth that the child hath done well, let her praise and applaud him and cheer his heart; and if the slightest undesirable trait should manifest itself, let her counsel the child and punish him, and use means based on reason, even a slight verbal chastisement should this be necessary. It is not, however, permissible to strike a child, or vilify him, for the child's character will be perverted if be be subjected to blows or verbal abuse."

ARTICLE IX The Responsive Relationship Betweeen the School and the Community

The local Spiritual Assembly is assigned, in the Ba- há’í Writings, the responsibility for responding to the needs of the community and for ensuring the educa- tion of its members. The schools should initiate and coordinate programs to respond to these needs ac- cording to the recommendations of the local Assem- bly. The schools thereby become potent environ- ship between the school and the community requires ments for social progress. This responsive relation- our understanding of several important concepts:

First, the type of education prescribed by Bahá’í principles is one in which education is based partly upon the child's understanding of service. In this context both in "the Bahá’í community and in the Bahá’í school the attitude of service will be taught, its example carried out, its effectiveness demonstrated and its true value nurtured." "Service programs and opportunities will be within the real-life situations provided by the community, i.c., through these pro- grams students will take an active role in the affairs of the community as part of their education.

Second, the dynamic coherence between worship and service, between the spiritual and the practical, Adhkár, will require the harmonization of worship as prescribed within the concept of the Mashriqu’l- with service as a part of the total life of the communi- ty, including the school.

Third, the integration of the school into the affairs of real life will help the school maintain the prag- matic character of the curriculum. Education in this sense will be more "relevant" for both students and society. Also, the practical application of theory will provide the student with the "rudiments of a skill that will allow him/her to begin functioning in- dependently." It will also greatly improve "the possi- bity of successfully applying underlying theoretical knowledge in new ways.""

In short, the "compulsory" nature of service train- vice, and the desirability of a pragmatic "relevant" curriculum all suggest a much closer integration be- tween the school and the community.

Other dimensions, both suggested by the Bahá’í exhortation to the individual to continually investi- gate truth and to increase one's knowledge, and also by the evolving nature of society, which requires the individual to continually update skills and knowl- edge, require that education be viewed as a life-long process that people of all ages will enjoy. This "new" concept of education suggests that new ways will be found to "open up" schools to permit a new rela- tionship with the members of the community. This process should foster a responsive and dynamic rela- tionship between the school and the needs of society.

ARTICLE X Excellence Is the Goal, Volition Is the Means

The exhortation to develop our God-given poten- tialities, our "talents and faculties," to the highest degree of perfection is a clear and persistent require ment of Bahá’u’lláh. It is equally clear that the devel- opment of these faculties depends upon the exercise of will or volition by the individual. He states:

"Strain every nerve to acquire both inner and outer perfections, for the fruit of the human tree hath ever been and will ever be perfections both within and without." "In another place Bahá’u’lláh states: [Page 15]"Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom." Education is not a passive process, however; it is a process whose final outcome depends upon the exercise of volition by each individual. "Unto each one hath been prescribed a pre-ordained measure, as decreed in God's mighty and guarded Tablets. All that which ye potentially possess can, however, be manifested only as a result of your own volition. Your own acts testify to this truth." (emphasis ours)

‘Abdu’l-Bahá says that although knowledge of principles is required it is not sufficient; in addition, the exercise of will and volition is required to accomplish anything:

"Mere knowledge of principles is not sufficient. We all know and admit that justice is good but there is need for volition and action to carry out and manifest it. For example, we might think it good to build a church, but simply thinking of it as a good thing will not help its erection. The ways and means must be provided; we must will to build it and then proceed with its construction."

The training of the human will through an understanding of the Will of God provides the force needed for the attainment of perfections or treasures which we inherently possess. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states:

"Will is the center or focus of human understanding. We must will to know God, just as we must will in order to possess the life He has given us. The human will must be subdued and trained into the Will of God. It is a great power to have strong will, but a greater power to give that will to God. The will is what we do, the understanding is what we know. Will and understanding must be one in the Cause of God. Intention brings attainment."**

Affirming this relationship between making a mighty effort and the goal of excellence, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states:

"Make ye then a mighty effort, that the purity and sanctity which, above all else, are cherished by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, shall distinguish the people of Bahá; that in every kind of excellence the people of God shall surpass all other human beings; that both outwardly and inwardly they shall prove superior to the rest; that for purity, immaculacy, refinement, and the preservation of health, they shall be leaders in the vanguard of those who know. And that by their freedom from enslavement, their knowledge, their self-control, they shall be first among the pure, the free and the wise." TL

We must, according to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, "constantly encourage" and make children "eager to gain the summits of human accomplishment" so that children will have "high aims," "to conduct themselves "to conduct themselves well," "to be chaste, pure and undefiled," and most important, to "learn to be of powerful resolve and firm of purpose in all things." Schools have a key role in the process.

"They must be constantly encouraged and made eager to gain all the summits of human accomplishment, so that from their earliest years they will be taught to have high aims, to conduct themselves well, to be chaste, pure and undefiled, and will learn to be of powerful resolve and firm of purpose in all things." n

APPENDIX A

Excerpt from a letter from the Universal House of Justice's Office of Social and Economic Development dated December 25, 1987.

Vocational Elements in Education

In its broadest sense the process of education is part of the growth and development of a community. The community's aspirations and activities should be reflected in its schools. Each Manifestation of God has brought new social teachings for the improvement of peoples and a concern for the well-being of societies which become natural channels for translating the principles of faith into action. As the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh continues its emergence from obscurity, more emphasis is being given to the continued application of social teachings through social and economic development of communities.

Academic training is only a part of the educational function, and must be supported by a spiritual and moral training as well. Effective spiritual education combined with training in the sciences, arts and crafts will spontaneously produce the desire to serve the community. And, since service to others is the highest station to which a Bahá’í can aspire, the function of community service will be held in the highest esteem in every Bahá’í community.

One distinctive feature of this view is that in the Bahá’í community and in the Bahá’í school the attitude of service will be taught, its example carried out, its effectiveness demonstrated and its true value nurtured. The acquisition and exercise of those practical skills often associated with the term vocational education, and heretofore isolated as a separate curriculum, will become fundamental to the process of education and the development of the whole person and ultimately the local community. Far from the current practice of according varying degrees of rank and prestige to certain professions over others, the Bahá’í school should inculcate and demonstrate the Bahá’í school should inculcate and demonstrate the ethic that all work performed in the spirit of service is equal in the sight of God.

In many countries in the developing world, the spirit and function of service will be realized through teaching those practical skills most needed in the development of rural communities, initially in such broad areas as basic literacy training, agriculture and health-related fields. Community service by Bahá’í students in Bahá’í schools is not considered an appendage of the curriculum, but rather it is a primary focus meeting the current needs of the local community. The following points are offered as examples of the implications that can be drawn from this view of education and its relationship to the community as applied to the specific situations of local communities and their educational requirements.

1. The potential of each human being is unlimited. By offering a curriculum of academic subjects and practical experience in trades and crafts, a student will have a better learning opportunity toward finding and cultivating his/her natural talents and inclinations. In developing practical skills as well as learning theoretical knowledge in an environment devoid of prejudice toward any occupation, a person will not be confined by the basic tasks required of him in life but can continue the process of lifetime learning as a motivated and radiant human being.

2. Theoretical study must be extended to both the practical application of theory and the execution of these applications. If a student actually raises a crop, makes a garment, prepares a nutritious meal, or builds a cabinet as part of the educational experience, the student has not only acquired the rudiments of a skill that will allow him/her to begin to function independently, but has also greatly improved the possibility of successfully applying underlying theoretical knowledge in new ways.

3. A pragmatic curriculum is that which weds theory with practice and is superior to both the purely literary or the purely scientific.

FOOTNOTES

1. Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahd u’lláh (Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 4th ed., 1969), p. 260. 2. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahd’f Education: A Compilation, Research Department, Universal House of Justice (New Delhi: Bahá’l Publishing Trust, 1984), p. 48. 3. Bahá’u’lláh, in Bahd’f Education, p. 5. 4. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, trans, by committee at the Bahá’í World Centre and by Marzieh Gail (Haifa: Bahá’s World Centre, 1978), p. 126. 5. Ibid., pp. 126-127. 6. Ibid., p. 128. 7. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahd’! Education, p. 46. 8. Ibid., p. 60. 9. Bahá’u’lláh, in Bahd’l Education, p. 7. 10. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahd’ Education, pp. 43-44 11. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’s Bahd, p. 125. 12. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahd’! Education, p. 82. 13. Bahá’u’lláh, in Bahd’f Education, p. 6. 14. ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, in Bahd’Y Education, p. 54. 15. Shoghi Effendi, in Bad Education, pp. 91-92 16. ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, in Bahd! Education, pp. 96-97. 17. The Universal House of Justice, "Letter to the Bahdis of the World," Haifa, Israel, October 20, 1983. 18. Shoghi Effendi, in Bahd’! Education, p. 108. 19. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in "Star of the West," val. XVII. p. 161. 20. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahd’! Education, pp. 15-16. 21. Bahá’u’lláh, in Bahd’f Education, p. 8. 22. Ibid., pp. 12-13. 23. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahd’! Education, p. 58. 24. Ibid., p. 62. 25. Ibid., p. 66. 26. Ibid., p. 70. 27. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in "Star of the West," vol. XVII, p. 161. 28. From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in Bahd’ Education, pp. 120-21. 29. Bahá’u’lláh, in Bahd’! Education, p. 9. 30. Ibid., p. 161. 31. Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bohd u’lldh, trans. Shoghi Effendi (Wilmette, IL: Baba’s Publishing Trust, 4th ed., 1969), p. 287. 32. Bahá’u’llah, Tablets of Bahá’w’llah Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, trans. Habib Taherzadeh with help of a committee at the Bahá’í World Centre (Haifa: Bahá’ World Centre, 1978), p. 37. 33. Shoghi Effendi, Bahdi Administration (Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 5th rev. ed., 1960), p. 68. 34. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahd’Y Education, pp. 4748 35. The Universal House of Justice, "The Promise of World Peace," p. 13. 36. Ibid., pp. 13-14. 37. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in The Advent of Divine Justice by Shoghi Effendi (Wilmette, IL: Baha’s Publishing Trust, 1st rev. ed., 1963), pp. 45-46. 38. Ibid., p. 128. 39. Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 260. 40. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahd’l Education, pp. 46-47 41. Ibid., p. 64. 42. Ibid., pp. 69-70. 43. Ibid., p. 26. 44. Office of Social and Economic Development of the Universal House of Justice, "Vocational Elements in Education," Haifa, December 25, 1987. 45. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in "Star of the West," vol. XVII, p. 161. 46. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahd’i Education, p. 59. 47. "Vocational Elements in Education." 48. Ibid. 49. Ibid. 50. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahd’! Education, p. 74. 51. Ibid., p. 58. 52. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Divine Art of Living, comp. Mabel Hyde Paine (Wilmette, IL: Bahá’! Publishing Trust, 1944), P. 63. 53. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahd’! Education, pp. 81-82. 54. Shoghi Effendi, in Bahd’ Education, p. 105. 55. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahd’! Education, p. 66. 56. Ibid., pp. 37-38. 57. Ibid., p. 72. 58. Ibid., p. 123 59. Ibid., p. 126. 60. Shoghi Effendi, in Bahd’l Education, p. 116. 61. Ibid., p. 104. 62. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahá’í Education, p. 128. 63. Ibid., p. 84. 64. "Vocational Elements in Education." 65. Ibid. 66. Bahá’u’lláh, in Bahd’ Education, p. 7. 67. Ibid., p. 5. 68. Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 149. 69. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Foundations of World Unity, p. 26. 70. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in Julia M. Grundy, Ten Days in the Light of Acca, pp. 30-31. 71. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu Bahd, p. 150. 72. Ibid., p. 135. [Page 16]

S.C.'s Louis Gregory Institute hosts Literacy Symposium

On January 26-28 about 40 people, mostly from North and South Carolina, took part in a Literacy Symposium at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute near Hemingway, South Carolina.

The keynote speaker was Dr. William (Bluey) Diehl, administrator of the Loubelen Bahá’í School in Michigan.

Also speaking and serving as a workshop facilitator was Dr. Dwight Allen, a professor at Old Dominion University in Virginia.

Dr. Diehl guided the participants in exploring a unique literacy training model that he has been developing over the past 10 years. The interactive model uses Bahá’í writings, concepts and principles as its sole content source.

Dr. Diehl emphasized that one does not have to be highly trained or educated to use the model. In fact, a number of participants had little or no formal training in education but expressed a high level of comfort with the model during closing evaluation sessions.

Dr. Allen discussed current trends in literacy training and pointed to directions in which it is going.

Throughout the symposium, he helped participants plan practical ways to implement the many concepts and ideas that were being shared.

One of those, introduced by Dr. Diehl and amplified by Dr. Allen, was the idea of "spiritual literacy" as expressed by the Universal House of Justice in its letter of last July 10 to the Bahá’ís of the world.

Another participant, Simona M. Dunn, shared a model that not only stressed the importance of a person-to-person interactive approach to literacy but emphasized the importance of teachers recognizing and appreciating that most low-functioning readers have learned to derive meaning from the world around them in order to survive.

Many who don't read or write well, she said, probably have other highly developed interactive skills. When these are recognized and validated by the teacher, the teaching-learning relationship is enhanced, enriched and in some ways becomes reciprocal because the teacher is also recognizing and understanding new skills.

"The cause of universal education ... deserves the utmost support ... that the governments of the world can lend it."—The Universal House of Justice, "The Promise of World Peace"

Dr. William Diehl, administrator of the Louhelen Bahá’í School, presents his literacy training model during a Literacy Symposium held January 26-28 at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute in South Carolina.

A "Literacy Update' Symposium" is scheduled October 5-7 at the Gregory Institute. For information, write to the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute (Attention: Literacy Symposium), Route 2, Box 71, Hemingway, SC 29554, or phone 803-558-5093.

Task force

... or workplace.

11. Encourage volunteers/tutors to visit the homes of friends who need tutoring to inspire and motivate literacy participation.

12. Train youth in literacy approaches so they can be summer volunteers; encourage retired persons to take part.

13. Form high school or college clubs of literacy volunteers.

If you are involved in a literacy program or activity, please send information about your efforts to The American Bahá’í, Wilmette, IL 60091.

New video depicts transforming influence of Faith in Haiti

From Haitian Roots, a fast-moving 20-minute video to be released in April, shows how belief in Bahá’u’lláh and the application of Bahá’í principles are transforming daily life in rural Haiti, portraying the successes of rural schools, health care clinics and economic development projects.

The Anís Zunúzí School is an excellent example of social and economic development in the Haitian Bahá’í community. Established nine years ago, this dynamic school uses the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to combine moral education with academic and vocational training.

From Haitian Roots shows children learning, singing and working in an environment of love and mutual respect between teachers and students.

The Anís Zunúzí School can be likened to a heart from which spiritual energy is flowing to other projects in Haiti. So far, four satellite pre-schools have been established, drawing upon the teaching talents of some of the students enrolled at the Zunúzí School.

The school also sponsors reforestation projects in a country devastated by erosion. A tree nursery at the school produces 120,000 seedlings a year, which are provided to local farmers along with training in new agricultural methods.

Grassroots development projects such as those connected with the Anis Zunúzí School are greatly needed in a country that has been stripped of 95 percent of its one-lush forests. Despite the fact that Haiti has received more than $65 million in international development aid since 1980, it remains materially the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.

Haitian commentators have noted that the country's bitter history of slavery and exploitation has left a legacy of mistrust among the people—mistrust that has aborted many of the potential benefits of foreign assistance. Yet the need for effective social and economic development remains.

The Bahá’í response to this need has emphasized local problem-solving based on consultation and cooperation. From Haitian Roots shows how agricultural cooperatives called "Groupements" are using consultation to achieve what past initiatives and foreign aid had failed to provide: vision and unity.

Similarly, it spotlights rural medical clinics organized by several local Spiritual Assemblies that cooperate with government agencies. Together they provide reliable health care where it had been patchy or non-existent before.

The National Spiritual Assembly of Haiti was instrumental in the making of From Haitian Roots. According to co-producers Charles Nolley and Mark Sadan, the National Assembly initiated the project, raised funds for it, and mobilized people for filming and interviews.

From Haitian Roots opens with lovely aerial footage of the island and the Caribbean and closes with a powerful symbol of what happens when Bahá’u’lláh's Revelation is taken up wholeheartedly by the people: a Persian lime branch grafted onto a native Haitian citrus tree, successfully bearing fruit—with Haitian roots.

By providing a case study of how Bahá’í principles are giving new hope to the Haitian people, the National Spiritual Assembly of Haiti hopes that From Haitian Roots will stimulate greater interest and involvement on the part of the North American friends in the Anis Zunúzí School and related projects.

While From Haitian Roots is a documentary, it is also a powerful teaching tool that can help the friends reach out to the many people who are interested in social and economic development. It provides tangible proof that the cure for mankind's "diverse ailments" is "the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh."

National Assembly presents 5th Kellum Awards to two priests for youth work, anti-drug campaign

On February 24, the National Spiritual Assembly presented the fifth annual David Kellum Awards to the Rev. George Clements and the Rev. Michael Pfleger of Chicago for their work with youth of all ages and their anti-drug campaign.

The event was held in Foundation Hall at the Bahá’í House of Worship as a part of its Black History Month observance that included a look at Bahá’í contributions through the years to race unity and an exhibit of works of art by African-American artists as well as profiles of African-Americans who made significant historical contributions and their present-day counterparts.

On February 11, Harry Porterfield, a Chicago newscaster, spoke to more than 300 people at the House of Worship on "The African-American's Contribution to Shaping the Lives of People Everywhere."

Also on that program were several prominent blues singers of the 1930s and 1940s including Fingers Johnson, Jelly Ho and John Young, and storyteller Glenda Baker from Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music.

More than 100 people attended the Kellum Awards program. The awards are named for the late David Kellum of Chicago, a journalist and long-time Bahá’í who founded Chicago's annual Bud Billiken Day parade.

"Integrating" conference for singles held at Bosch

"A Time for Renewal: Integrating Mind, Spirit and Body" was the theme for a Singles Conference held February 16-19 at the Bosch Bahá’í School near Santa Cruz, California.

More than 125 resident and day students attended the three-day conference, which stressed the relationship between the Bahá’í Writings and the present-day insights on diet, exercise, personal habits and an over-all healthy life.

Correction

In the Bahá’í Newsreel video prepared for the Feast of Mulk (February 7), a photograph of Peter Catches was incorrectly identified as that of Arvol Lookinghorse. We regret the error. [Page 17]

Bahá’ís In Los Angeles collect clothing to distribute to city’s poor and homeless

Inspired by the example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who gave warm cloaks to the poor at the start of every winter, the Los Angeles Bahá’í community’s Area Council of Kamál launched “The Coats Project” last fall to collect and distribute warm clothing to the homeless in the Los Angeles area.

Starting last November, a large number of Bahá’ís from the Kamál area and throughout the community brought donations of clothing at every Feast.

One of the friends, inspired to follow the Master’s habit of arranging for cloaks in advance with a clothing shop, purchased 100 coats and donated them to the project.

In all, about 500 articles of clothing—coats, jackets, sweaters and children’s clothing—were collected.

About a dozen Bahá’ís and their friends gathered December 24 to sort the clothing and take it to St. ‎Augustin’s Augustine’s‎ Church in Santa Monica, where FAITH (Family Assistance Involving the Homeless) was preparing a Christmas eve dinner for nearly 1,000 needy people.

After the meal, those in need of clothing were greeted by the volunteers who, again following the example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, helped the recipients with their choices and placed the coats around their shoulders.

The Council of Kamál is one of four seven-member area Councils appointed last year by the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles to help administer the affairs of its large Bahá’í community. The Councils—Kamál, Jamál, ‘Alá’ and Núr—consult with the believers in their areas and organize activities, projects and area Feasts.—Susan Hegarty

Pictured are some of the Bahá’ís in Los Angeles who took part last December in a social and economic development project in which the community’s Area Council of Kamál followed the example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by distributing warm clothing to the city’s poor and needy.

Trust booklets given out

The Spiritual Assembly of the Town of Smithtown, New York, recently presented copies of the commemorative booklet on the Sacred Literature Trust to four local libraries, 25 churches and synagogues, and two local newspapers.

As a result, one of the newspapers published an article about the Trust, which led to requests from nine readers for copies of the booklet and more information about the Faith.

Chicago Bahá’ís mark late Dr. King’s birthday with diverse program of ‘Spiritual Remembrance’

Pictured are some of the young people who took part January 13 in the annual observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sponsored by the Bahá’í community of Chicago.

On January 13, about 60 people were taken on “A Spiritual Remembrance” in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The event, at the Chicago Bahá’í Center, was the annual commemoration of Dr. King’s birthday sponsored by the Bahá’í community of Chicago and planned by its Race Unity Task Force.

On the program were Bahá’í, Sufi Muslim and Buddhist prayers and meditations; poetry; songs, and a panel discussion on aspects of Dr. King’s life and ministry.

Panelists were David Smith of the Community Renewal Society and two Bahá’ís from Chicago, Cheryl Rak and Eric Bruns.

The evening ended with vocal renditions of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” “Amazing Grace” and “Listen, Listen, Listen,” followed by refreshments.

A number of non-Bahá’ís were involved in planning, preparing food for and photographing the event.

News in brief

Bahá’ís in S.C. gather to chart progress of ‘Project South Carolina’ campaign

On February 18, 195 Bahá’ís from throughout South Carolina gathered in Columbia for a meeting organized by the state’s Bahá’í Coordinating Committee to discuss the “Project South Carolina” teaching campaign.

The proposed goals for the campaign include enrolling 1,000 new Bahá’ís, contributing $1,000 each month to the National Fund, and establishing 100 teaching institutes and 25 Bahá’í children’s classes throughout the state.

Highlights of the February meeting included talks by members of the National Spiritual Assembly, the Auxiliary Boards, and National Teaching Committee, and a fund-raiser that netted $1,900 for the Arc.

The Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute will serve as a center for ongoing activities to support the goals of the campaign. So far, the coordinating committee has scheduled a series of new believers’ institutes, orientations for traveling teachers, workshops for Spiritual Assemblies, and teaching institutes for the spring and early summer.

As a part of the Northside Interfaith Project (NIP), the Bahá’ís of Indianapolis, Indiana, presented a public unity feast February 13 that drew more than 40 non-Bahá’ís and led to a half-page article about the Faith in the Indianapolis Star.

Acting in response to the letter of January 23 from the Universal House of Justice explaining the urgent need for funds with which to complete the Arc on Mount Carmel, the Bahá’ís of Carbondale, Illinois, decided to hold an auction for the Arc.

An isolated Bahá’í in nearby Carterville obtained a site, notices were sent, and on February 24 the auction was held.

Items auctioned ranged from a golf cap donated by a child to a copy of Bahá’í World Faith autographed some years ago by several of the Hands of the Cause of God with the understanding that the book would be used to raise money for the Fund.

The book was auctioned last, and in a unique way. Each of the friends “bought” the book by writing a check to the Fund at a level he/she could afford. Checks were then put into a bag, shaken up, and one was drawn. That person took the book home, until the next auction.

In all, the 12 adults, three youth and eight children raised more than $1,200 for the Arc.

As a means of learning first-hand about the early days of the Faith in South Carolina, the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute in Hemingway has begun a “Teacher in Residence” program in which veteran Bahá’ís share and record their memories, thoughts and experiences during a week-long residency at the Institute.

In February, the teacher in residence was Mrs. Minnie (Eva) Flack Flagler of St. Mark.

ABS seeks race unity papers for 15th annual Conference

The Association for Bahá’í Studies is seeking the submission of papers for its 15th annual Conference to be held late next fall in Atlanta, Georgia.

To carry out its theme, “Models of Racial Unity,” the Conference will focus on practical working models of race unity as exemplified by some of the groups, organizations and institutions working to achieve that goal.

Submissions may be sent to the Conference convenor, Dr. Richard Thomas, Department of History, 409 Morrill Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, or to the Association for Bahá’í Studies, 34 Copernicus St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada ‎KIN K1N‎ 7K4. [Page 18]

گزارش دفتر امور خارجی محفل روحانی ملی

REPORT BY THE EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICE

هفته‌های آخر زمستان امسال شاهد فعالیت‌های زیادی جهت احقاق حقوق احبای ایران بود. پس از ماه‌ها کوشش، در فاصله سه هفته چهار رویداد مختلف در ایالات متحده و ژنو در کشور سوئیس صورت گرفت.

در روز ۲۱ فوریه سال جاری وزارت امور خارجه ایالات متحده گزارش سالانه خود را در مورد حقوق بشر در کشورهای گوناگون جهان منتشر نمود. در این گزارش مدارکی در خصوص مظالم وارد بر احبای ایران ارائه شده و جزئیات اعمال دولت ایران بر علیه بهائیان آن سامان بازگو گردیده است.

در روز ۲۶ فوریه «کمیسیون حقوق بشر» سازمان ملل متحد در جلسه‌ای که در ژنو تشکیل شد، گزارش نماینده مخصوص خود را انتشار داد. گزارش مذکور حاکی از آزار و اذیت یاران ایران است. این گزارش مخصوص متکی بر اولین بررسی رفتار دولت ایران در زمینه حقوق بشر است که توسط نماینده مخصوص در ایران صورت گرفته است. در این گزارش دستوری از نخست وزیر ایران نقل گردیده که بر مبنای آن بهائیان حق تبلیغ دین خود و عمل به احکام آن را ندارند.

به گفته دکتر فیروز کاظمزاده، منشی امور خارجی محفل روحانی ملی «هر چند این گزارش صریحاً اعلام می‌دارد که با افراد بهائی در سال‌های اخیر کمی بهتر از سال‌های قبل رفتار شده است، ‎مسلكاً مسلماً‎ تأیید می‌نماید که حقوق اولیه جامعه بهائی که توسط قوانین بین‌المللی تأمین گردیده، از آن جامعه سلب شده است.»

در روز ۲۷ فوریه يك روز بعد از انتشار گزارش نماینده مخصوص سازمان ملل متحد قطعنامه‌ای به اتفاق آراء صادر نمود و در ضمن آن خواستار استخلاص و آزادی جامعه بهائی ایران گردید.

در قطعنامه مذکور از رئیس جمهوری ایالات متحده خواسته شده است که تأکید درباره نیاز دولت ایران به بهبود کارنامه حقوق بشر آن کشور را ادامه دهد و همچنین با سایر کشورهای جهان در سازمان ملل متحد جهت حفظ و تأمین حقوق دینی بهائیان ایران همکاری نماید و کمک‌های انسانی خود را به بهائیانی که مجبور شده‌اند از ایران فرار کنند افزایش دهد.

آقای تام لنتوس Tom Lantos یکی از نمایندگان مجلس اظهار داشت «بیش از ده سال است که از دولت ایران تقاضا نموده‌ایم که برای اعضای جامعه بهائی در زمینه حقوق دینی قائل به مساوات و انصاف باشد. پیام ما به ایران این است که ما از صحنه بیرون نخواهیم رفت و هر سال مسأله بهائیان را مورد مذاکره قرار خواهیم داد.»

آقای تام فولی Tom Foley رئیس مجلس شورای آمریکا در بیانیه‌ای که پس از تصویب قطعنامه مجلس منتشر نمود، اظهار داشت: «اقدام امروز مجلس نگرانی عمیق نمایندگان مجلس و مردم آمریکا را در خصوص وضع جامعه بهائی در ایران امروز بازگو می‌نماید. همه آمریکائیان این امید را در دل می‌پرورند که جامعه بهائی از تمامی آزادی‌هایی که همه ما بعنوان آزادی‌های اساسی برای شرافت و ترقی انسان تلقی می‌کنیم، برخوردار باشند.»

به دنبال این وقایع محفل روحانی ملی در روز اول مارچ يك جلسه مصاحبه مطبوعاتی جهت انتشار وقایع اخیر تشکیل داد. در این جلسه دکتر فیروز کاظمزاده و نمایندگان مجلس آقایان گیلمن Gilman و پورتر Porter یادداشتی اظهار نمودند. دو نماینده مذکور همچنین به نیابت از جانب آقای جان هاینز John Heinz سناتور آمریکائی از ایالت پنسیلوانیا در این جلسه شرکت نموده بودند.

در این جلسه گفته شد که ۱۶ نفر از نمایندگان مجلس نامه‌ای به رئیس «کمیسیون حقوق بشر» سازمان ملل متحد نوشته و در ضمن آن اظهار داشته‌اند که به تجربه اثبات شده است که قطعنامه‌های قاطعی که خطاب به دولت ایران صادر می‌شود، باعث شده است که رژیم ایران رفتارهای خشونت‌آمیز و شدید خود را نسبت به بهائیان تعدیل نماید.

اخبار این جلسه مطبوعاتی در روزنامه «واشنگتن تایمز» و رادیوی «صدای آمریکا» منعکس گردید.

در روز ۲ مارچ «کمیسیون حقوق بشر» سازمان ملل متحد قطعنامه‌ای صادر نمود و در ضمن آن از تصمیم جمهوری اسلامی ایران مبنی بر صدور اجازه به نماینده ویژه آن سازمان جهت بازدید از ایران و تهیه گزارشی در خصوص اقلیت‌هایی مانند بهائیان تقدیر نمود.

همچنین فعالیت‌های بهائیان در ۱۱ سال گذشته در سراسر جهان و همچنین در سازمان ملل متحد جهت احقاق حقوق همکیشان محنت دیده خود در ایران موضوع سخنرانی برنامه‌ای بود که درباره حقوق بشر در دانشکده حقوق دانشگاه هاروارد تشکیل گردید. در روز ۱۵ فوریه خانم کترین بیگلو Katharine Bigelow دستیار رئیس دفتر امور خارجی محفل روحانی ملی نطقی با عنوان «آیا آراء عمومی می‌تواند موارد نقض حقوق بشر را تحت تأثیر بگذارد؟» ایراد نمود. خانم بیگلو در طی سخنرانی خود اظهار داشت که تجربه جامعه بهائیان این بوده است که دولت‌های جهان بسیار نگران حیثیت خود در پهنه جهانی هستند. بهائیان معتقدند که حمایت سازمان ملل متحد و کنگره آمریکا و دیگر دولت‌های جهان باعث شده است که صدها بهائی که در ایران زندانی بوده‌اند، آزاد شوند.

نوجوان نمونه

EXEMPLARY YOUTH

اخیراً يك نوجوان بهائی به نام ندا جم در جلسه صبحانه‌ای که جهت اهدای جوایزی برای روز مارتین لوتر کینگ تشکیل شده بود، نطقی ایراد کرد. خبر این نطق در یکی از روزنامه‌های سن حوزه به نام حوزه مرکوری نیوز San Jose Mercury News منتشر گردید.

روزنامه مذکور در مقاله‌ای با عنوان "عالم بشری يك خانواده است" چنین نوشته است: "ندا جم که نوجوانی ۱۲ ساله است و هنگام ایراد سخنرانی سرش به سختی از پشت میز خطاب دیده می‌شود، با نطق خود کسانی را که در جلسه بزرگداشت زندگی مارتین لوتر کینگ شرکت داشتند، مسحور کرد. تنها معدودی از سیاستمداران می‌توانند چنین کاری انجام دهند."

ندا که یکی از اعضای "کلوپ سخنرانی کودکان بهائی" است، نطقی را که مخصوصاً برای جلسه مذکور تهیه شده بود، حفظ کرده بود. نطق ندا حاوی بسیاری از آثار حضرت بهاءالله و حضرت عبدالبهاء بود.

این نطق بعنوان کوچک‌ترین نبوی ایراد شد و چنان مؤثر بود که خبرنگار روزنامه که در آن جلسه شرکت داشت، بعد از خاتمه جلسه مصاحبه‌ای با ندا ترتیب داد. در مقاله‌ای که در روزنامه درج گردیده، ذکر شده بود که نطق ندا حاوی آثار بهائی بود.

۴۰۰ نفر از احباء در جلسه شرکت داشتند که حدود ده درصد از حاضران را تشکیل می‌دادند. چند تن از یاران در کمیسیون برگزاری این جلسه عضویت داشتند و مناجات شروع و خاتمه توسط نوجوانان بهائی تلاوت شد.

مجموعه «پیام آسمانی»

PUBLICATIONS IN PERSIAN

چنانچه یاران عزیز مستحضرند حدود ده سال پیش انتشار مجله "پیام آسمانی" به ارائه خدمت به خانواده‌های عزیز ایرانی مقیم خارج کشور آغاز گردید. در حال حاضر این مجله به تجاوز از ۱۰۰ کشور فرستاده می‌شود.

از جمله مطالب ثابت این نشریه از آغاز تا به امروز صفحاتی بوده که به درج نصوص مبارکه به خط خوش جناب امانت‌الله روشن اختصاص یافته است. بنا به تقاضای مکرر بعضی از خوانندگان آن نصوص مبارکه در مجموعه‌ای تحت عنوان "پیام آسمانی" جمع آوری شده و در دسترس یاران گرامی قرار گرفته است.

هیئت تحریریه "پیام آسمانی" امیدوار است که احبای عزیز از این مجموعه استقبال نمایند و بدینوسیله نه فقط موجبات تشویق خادمان نشریه را فراهم آورند بلکه به نحو غیرمستقیم آن هیئت را در ادامه خدماتشان مساعدت فرمایند.

بهای مجموعه "پیام آسمانی" با هزینه پست ۱۲ دلار است. علاقمندان می‌توانند این مجموعه را از طریق تماس با دفتر مجله "پیام آسمانی" خریداری نمایند.

B. P. 9 06240 Beausoleil, FRANCE.

آثار قلمی جناب دکتر قدیمی

PUBLICATIONS IN PERSIAN

چنانچه یاران ایرانی استحضار دارند، جناب دکتر ریاضی قدیمی از مبلغان معروف ‎امرالهی امراللهی‎ جامعه امرند. ایشان در چند سال گذشته به نگارش چندین کتاب و رساله مبادرت نموده‌اند. مطالعه این کتاب‌ها و رساله‌ها برای همه یاران ایرانی بخصوص جوانان بسیار سودمند است. صورتی از آثار مذکور در زیر نقل می‌شود:

۱- "فرهنگ لغات منتخبه": حاوی بیش از ۱۹ هزار واژه عربی و فارسی و برخی از اعلام که در آثار امری به کار رفته است. قیمت: ۹۰ دلار.

۲- "سلطان رسل، حضرت رب اعلی": تاریخ مختصری از دوره حضرت اعلی و شرحی از اهمیت دور بابی. قیمت: ۵ دلار.

۳- "سید رسل، حضرت محمد، دیانت اسلام و فرق آن": شرحی از حیات حضرت محمد و رسالت آن حضرت و بحثی درباره حقانیت اسلام و تاریخ و فرق آن. قیمت: ۱۵ دلار.

علاقمندان می‌توانند جهت خریداری آثار فوق با آقای کامران نجاتی تماس حاصل نمایند.

Kamran Nejati c/o Ontario, M2J 4T6 CANADA

اطلاعیه مؤسسه معارف بهائی

ANNOUNCEMENT BY PERSIAN BAHÁ’Í INSTITUTE

کتب و رسالات زیر آماده فروش است:

۱- "نفحات فضل ۱" متضمن صلوة و ادعیه مخصوصه با نوار صوتی، ۹ دلار.

۲- "الواح در آثار بهائی" تألیف دکتر وحید رأفتی، ۹ دلار.

۳- "عقل و دین و جامعه در اندیشه بهائی" نوشته دکتر نادر سعیدی، ۵ دلار.

۴- "مجموعه آثار مبارکه در مورد عهد و میثاق" ۵ دلار.

۵- "نفحات فضل ۲" شامل الواح احتراق و انت الکافی با نوار صوتی، ۹ دلار.

۶- "مطالعات تحقیقی و جامعه بهائی" نوشته دکتر موژان مؤمن، ۴/۵ دلار.

در قیمت‌های فوق برای یاران مقیم افریقا و آمریکای لاتین و آسیا (به استثنای ژاپن) در حدود ۲۰ درصد تخفیف داده خواهد شد. ضمناً دوستان می‌توانند با پرداخت یکصد دلار کلیه نشریات مؤسسه را مشترک شوند. به محض انتشار نشریه جدید يك نسخه از آن به ضمیمه صورت‌حساب برای مشترک ارسال خواهد گردید.

چنانچه مبلغی بیش از يك هزار دلار به صندوق مؤسسه تبرع شود، علاوه بر رسید معافیت مالیاتی که صادر و ارسال خواهد شد، مؤسسه نیز آن را بعنوان وجه اشتراك مادام‌العمر محسوب داشته، جزوات منتشره را برای بقیه حیات ناصری که امیدوار است هر چه طولانی‌تر باشد، تقدیم خواهد داشت.

مؤسسه معارف بهائی به لسان فارسی Persian Institute for Bahá’í Studies P.O Box 8464 Dundas, Ontario, CANADA L9H 6M2

فرا رسیدن عید مبارک رضوان را به یاران عزیز تبریک می‌گوییم [Page 19]

پیام‌های بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی

MESSAGES FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

ترجمه پیام تلگرافی معهد اعلی مورخ ۲۲ فوریه ۱۹۹۰ درباره صعود ایادی عزیز امرالله جناب جلال خاضع علیه رضوان الله

با کمال اندوه صعود مروج ثابت قدم و خستگی ناپذیر امر الهی ایادی امرالله جناب جلال خاضع را به اطلاع میرسانیم. مساعی جمیله آن متصاعد الی الله در مهد امرالله و ارض اقدس و آمریکای لاتین و سفرهائی که پس از صعود حضرت ولی امرالله به اقطار جهان نمودند، نموده‌ای است درخشان از شجاعت و اخلاص راسخ و وفاداری و پشتکاری خلل ناپذیر. سوابق جلودار خدمت خالصانه ایشان بعنوان مدافع و مبلغی توانا برای امر الهی هرگز از یاد نرود. بلاتردید روح آن نفس جلیل هم اکنون در ملکوت ابهی واسطه جلب تأیید جهت جامعه Bahá’í ایران است، جامعه‌ای که در طی سالهای متوالی به صالح حیاتی آن خدمت نمودند. در اعتاب مقدسه برای ارتقاء روح پر فتوح آن ‎متخارج متصاعد‎ الی الله در عوالم الهی صمیمانه دعا می‌کنیم. به یاران در جمیع نقاط توصیه می‌شود محافل تذکر شایسته‌ای مخصوصاً در جمیع مشارق اذکار منعقد سازند. بیت‌العدل اعظم

ترجمه بخشی از دستخط بیت‌العدل اعظم خطاب به محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده گزارش آن محفل مبنی بر موفقیت شایانی که تاکنون در مورد "برنامه تقویت محافل روحانی محلی" نصیب آن یاران گردیده و نیز همکاری مهرآمیزی که مابین دو جناح نظم اداری در جریان اجرای آن برنامه مشهود گشته، باعث حصول شادمانی این جمع گردیده است. از مساعی دلیرانه آن عزیزان در خصوص کمک به محافل روحانی سیار تحت اشراف آن محفل جهت تسریع بلوغ محافل مذکور تقدیر می‌نمائیم. مساعی مذکور بوجهی انیق در سبیل تحقق اهداف نقشه شش ساله از اهمیتی خطیر برخوردار است. جهت اثبات توانائی دائم بدیع حضرت Bahá’u’lláh در تحقق آمال همه مردمان برای رسیدن به جامعه‌ای صلح‌پرور و امنیت و پیشرو نیز ضرورتی مطلق دارد.

جمیع کسانی را که در این تلاش شایان تحسین سهمی بر عهده دارند، به ادعیه حاره در اعتاب مقدسه جهت شمول تأیید و تقویت و هدایت جمال اقدس ابهی اطمینان می‌دهیم. بیت‌العدل اعظم ۱۵ فوریه ۱۹۹۰

بیش از ۴۰۰ محفل روحانی محلی از آگوست سال ۱۹۸۹ تا اول آپریل سال جاری در ۱۱ کنفرانس تقویت محفل روحانی Assembly Development Conferences شرکت نموده‌اند. احباء از سراسر آمریکا در این کنفرانس‌ها شرکت کردند و درباره تحکیم مبانی محافل به بحث و مذاکره پرداختند.

همچنین در حال حاضر صدها محفل روحانی دیگر نیز از راهنمای مستقل برنامه تقویت محافل که اعضای هیئت معاونت و مساعدین آنها تدریس می‌نمایند، استفاده می‌کنند. در این راهنما مطالبی چون مشورت و تبلیغ و کاربرد اصل روحانی "وحدت در کثرت" در زندگی روزمره و جز اینها مطرح می‌شود.

نقطه تمرکز کنفرانس‌ها و راهنمای مذکور تأکید بر اهمیت روحانی و مقام و مرتبه محافل بوده است. اما عاملی که بیش از همه به موفقیت این مشروعات کمک نموده، همانا همکاری نزدیک هیئت‌های جامعه (محفل روحانی ملی و محافل محلی) با هیئت‌های انتخابی (هیئت‌های مشاورین قاره‌ای و معاونین و مساعدین آنها) بوده است. پیام فوق در ارتباط با این تحولات صادر گردیده است.

از دوستان عزیز استدعی است که تقدیم‌های حقوق‌الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق‌الله ارسال فرمایند:

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA. 90402	Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH. 44116
Dr. Elsie Austin P.O. Box 927 Silver Spring, MD. 20910

پیام ایادی امرالله جناب ویلیام سیرز

MESSAGE OF HAND OF THE CAUSE MR. SEARS

اخیراً ایادی عزیز امرالله جناب ویلیام سیرز نامه‌ای خطاب به احبای ایالات متحده نگاشته و ملاحظاتی درباره وجوه لازم جهت بنای ساختمان‌های قوس حول مرقد مطهر در آن درج نموده‌اند. ترجمه آزاد بخش‌هائی از نامه جناب سیرز در زیر نقل می‌گردد.

دوستان عزیز، دستخط بیت‌العدل اعظم مورخ ۲۴ ژانویه، جوش و خروشی در دل همه احباء ایجاد نمود. معهد اعلی ما را به اقدام دعوت نمودند. فرمودند که از ۵۰ میلیون دلاری که برای اجرای مرحله مقدماتی بنای ساختمان‌های قوس لازم است، ۲۶ میلیون دلار تا کنون تبرع شده است.

حال برای اتمام این مرحله به ۲۴ میلیون دلار نیاز است. این تنها راهی است که برای حفظ این مقام مقدس برای همه عالم انسانی در پیش داریم.

روز بعد از زیارت دستخط بیت‌العدل اعظم پشت میزم نشسته بودم و به عکسی که از دوران طفولیت حضرت ولی امرالله دارم خیره شده و در فکر فرو رفته بودم.

آن دسته از دوستانی که توفیق زیارت اعتاب مقدسه را داشته‌اند، حتماً از دیدن دروازه زیبا و بی نظیر آهنینی که به مقر بیت‌العدل اعظم باز می‌شود، محظوظ شده‌اند. این دروازه یک شاهکار است!

مطمئن باشید که روزی می‌رسد که همه شما آن را ببینید. وقتی که آن را ببینید این داستان را که می‌خواهم راجع به یکی از شگفتی‌های حضرت ولی امرالله برایتان نقل کنم به خاطر بیاورید.

این دروازه زیبای آهنین به منظره چمن‌های سبز و گل‌های از همه رنگ و درختان پر برگ و بوته‌های گلدار چشم‌نوازی گشوده می‌شود. در سمت چپ در میان این همه زیبائی مقر با شکوه بیت‌العدل اعظم که مژده‌اش در بشارات کتب آسمانی داده شده است، با گنبدی سفید و جمالی حیرت‌افزا در وسط قوس حول مرقد مطهر، در کوه مقدس الهی به چشم می‌خورد.

در یکی از دوره‌های مصیبت‌زای امر مبارک قرار بود درست همان جائی که این دروازه پر جلال قرار دارد، خیابانی ساخته شود و از املاک امری بگذرد و این امکنه مقدس را به دو نیم تقسیم کند. برای یک لحظه هم که شده، عبور کامیون‌ها و اتوبوس‌ها و خودروها و نیز دود اتومبیل‌ها و ترافیک سنگین آن خیابان، همه را در نظر آورید و آرامش و زیبائی وعده‌های الهی را که عظیم مانده، تصور کنید. هر چه باشد قرار بود که این خیابان یک طرف حیفا را به طرف دیگر آن متصل کند.

تصور کنید اگر این خیابان ساخته شده بود، الان ما احباء چه حالی داشتیم. اگر جلوی این ضرر را نمی‌گرفتیم، چه افسوسی می‌خوردیم و چه خجالتی می‌کشیدیم!

فقط و فقط حکمت و هدایت و فراست حضرت ولی امرالله بود که مانع از بروز چنین فاجعه‌ای شد. از همان اوائل دوره ولایت، حضرت شوقی ربانی خطراتی از این قبیل را از امر مبارک دور می‌ساختند. طبیعت مهربان و کیاست و دوراندیشی آن حضرت مانع شد که چنین خیابان بی روح و روان‌خراشی هرگز ساخته نشود.

وقتی که به همسر و چند تن از دوستان نزدیکم گفتم که تصمیم دارم نامه‌ای برای احباء بنویسم به این امید که در اسرع وقت ۲۴ میلیون دلار باقیمانده تبرع شود، همسرم به من گفت که این هم مانند ایستگاه رادیوئی WLGI خواهد بود. به او گفتم اما آن وقت فقط یک میلیون دلار لازم بود، این بار ۲۴ میلیون دلار لازم داریم. او گفت اما یادم باشد که فی‌الفور آن مبلغ فراهم شد. گفتم راست می‌گوئی اما در آن موقع ما خودمان حد اقل هزار دلار داشتیم که برنامه تبرعات را با آن آغاز کنیم، ولی حالا آن را هم نداریم.

یکی از احبای عزیزی که آن طرف اتاق روبروی من نشسته بود، دسته چکش را از جیبش در آورد و چکی به مبلغ هزار دلار به من داد و گفت "حالا هزار دلار را داریم." من هم تشویق شدم که این نامه را بنویسم.

اول شروع به محاسبه کردم: اگر ٢٤ هزار نفر از احباء هر يك مبلغ هزار دلار تبرع كنند، وجوه لازم جمع‌آوری خواهد شد. یا اگر ٢٤ نفر از احبای ثروتمند هر كدام يك ميليون دلار بدهند، یا اگر ٢٤٠ نفر از احباء هر كدام ١٠٠ هزار دلار تبرع كنند... اما بهتر از همه ‎میلاد مفاد‎ است که در یکی از پیام‌های رضوان بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی آمده است: از جمیع یاران مرد و زن و جوان و خردسال دعوت شده است که قیامی بی‌نظیر نمایند!

مطمئنم که وقتی احباء عکس خردسالی حضرت ولی امرالله را که در آغاز این نامه است (به صفحه اول نشریه مراجعه فرمائید) ببینند، قلبشان تندتر می‌تپد و آثار شجاعت و فداکاری بیشتری از آنان ظاهر می‌شود. با هر تپشی مقدار بیشتری سکه و اسکناس تقدیم خواهند کرد و اینها همه قطره قطره جمع خواهد شد و تا چشم بزنی ٢٤ میلیون دلار و حتی بیشتر از آن هم فراهم شده است. امیدوارم که احبای همه جهان به نسبت استطاعت خود تبرع کنند.

آنچه تا بحال برایتان گفته‌ام، مربوط می‌شود به قسمت‌های بالای کوه کرمل. اما نشریه راجع به دامنه "ابن عرش الهی" سخنی نگفت و مطلب را همین جا تمام کرد.

در آثار حضرت ولی امرالله به ما گفته شده است که مقام حضرت اعلی مرکز کره زمین است که در وسط ۹ دایره محیط بر هم واقع شده است. حقاً که این مقام مقدس قلب کره زمین است. این ۹ دایره‌ای که هر کدام محیط بر دایره‌ای دیگر و مرکز همه آنها یکی است، عبارتند از:

۱- سراسر کره زمین، ۲- اسرائیل، ارض اقدس، ۳- کوه کرمل، ۴- املاک امری واقع بر کوه کرمل، ۵- حرم اقدس، باغ‌ها و طبقات مقام حضرت اعلی، ۶- بنای اولیه مقام که بعنوان مرقد حضرت باب پیروزی شد، ۷- غرفه‌های داخلی که به دست حضرت ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ساخته شده است، ۸- در قلب این مقام مقدس سردابه‌ای است که تابوت مبارک در آن قرار دارد، ۹- و در آن سردابه‌ای تابوت مرمر سفید حاوی بقایای منصوری حضرت اعلی قرار گرفته است.

ملاحظه کنید که این نقطه را حضرت Bahá’u’lláh تعیین فرموده و بر آن نقطه حضرت ‘Abdu’l-Bahá مرقد مقدس را بنا نموده است. روبروی این مقام مبارک، ‎لبلة قبلة‎ اهل بهاء، مرقد مطهر حضرت Bahá’u’lláh قرار دارد. سمت راست آن به تپه‌های جلیل، موطن حضرت مسیح می‌رسد و سمت چپ آن غار ایلیا واقع شده و پشت آن شهر اورشلیم قرار دارد.

در احادیث اسلامی آمده که علم ۲۷ حرف است. تا ظهور موعود فقط ۲ حرف ظاهر شده و در زمان ظهور کلی الهی ۲۵ حرف باقیمانده ظاهر خواهد شد. تمام ادیان قبل فقط ۲ حرف را ظاهر کرده‌اند. در این روز مقدس بهائیان قادرند همه ۲۷ حرف علم را به مردمان بیاموزند.

البته نباید سوء تعبیر کرد. فرض كوچك شمردن هيچيك از اديان الهی نيست. همه اديان، منجمله ديانت Bahá’í صور مختلف يك حقيقتند و هيچيك از آنها برتر از ديگری نيست. فقط شرايط زمانی مختلف است.

در جميع اديان گذشته راجع به روز رستاخيز و ظهور دو مظهر الهی که یکی پی دیگری ظاهر خواهد شد، بشاراتی داده شده است. اکنون زمان تحقق این بشارات است! هرگز فراموش نفرمائید که وقتی به تبلیغ امر مبارک قیام می‌کنید، همه ۲۷ حرف علم را به مردم تعلیم می‌دهید.

به همین جهت است که تلطیف شخصی اهمیت فراوانی دارد و همه افراد Bahá’í از زن و مرد و جوان و خردسال باید به آن دست بیابند. گفته شده است که ساختن جامعه‌ای تلاش با افراد مبین ممکن نیست. بنابراین باید همه ملاء شویم! حضرت Bahá’u’lláh ما را نصرت فرموده است. همه حروف علم در دست ماست. اگر خود را از لحاظ روحانی تلطیف کنیم، آن وقت همه جهان را می‌توانیم تلطیف نمائیم.

عزیزان من، یکبار دیگر به صورت زیبا و معصوم حضرت ولی امرالله نگاه کنید. سپس برخیزید و مانند موجی خروشان عجائب الهی را در جهان پدیدار سازید. اما وقت این قیام هم اکنون است، همین الان، نه در اعصار و عهود آینده.

در وقت دعا و مناجات مرا هم در خاطر داشته باشید. برادر شما، ایادی امرالله ویلیام سیرز [Page 20]

Letter from William Sears

istry, Shoghi Effendi averted all such dangers to the Faith. His loving nature, diplomacy and foresight won the support and good-will of the government of Israel, and the plans for this spirit-killing street were canceled.

The beloved Guardian placed these Bahá’í properties in the trust of special legal bodies, which he himself created and established, so that everyone would know that these properties were held in trust for all mankind.

These bodies were called: the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States-Israel Branch; the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom-Israel Branch; and on and on, Canada, Australia, India, New Zealand-Israel Branch.

When I told Marguerite and a few close friends that I planned to write this letter in hopes of helping to win, in the shortest time possible, the $24 million victory, she said, "It's something like helping WLGI, the Bahá’í radio station at the Louis Gregory Institute, isn't it?"

I told her, "That was only $1 million, this is twenty-four."

"But I remember that almost at once, we went over the million dollars."

True, I agreed, "but then we had a thousand dollars of our own to launch the campaign, as the beloved Guardian used to do. Now, we don't have it."

Across the room, one of our dear Bahá’í friends opened her purse, wrote out a check and handed it to me.

"Now," she said, "you do."

The check was for $1,000.

I was encouraged to go ahead with this letter.

I was encouraged to go ahead, why not? I figured it out.

1. If 24,000 of my fellow-Bahá’ís each gave $1,000, that would make the $24 million, wouldn't it?

2. If 24 of my more affluent Bahá’í friends would take another look at that photograph of the beloved Guardian as a child, maybe they would decide not to wait for the "ages" and "centuries" ahead.

Who knows? The sign of God on earth has always been a miracle worker. If 24 wrote a check for $1 million each, that would do it. Right? Or 240 offered $100,000 each, that would also be $24 million. Am I right?

3. Or, the one dearest to my own heart, and I'm sure to that of the beloved Guardian and the Universal House of Justice: In a recent Ridván message, the Supreme House called upon "every man, woman, youth and child" to "arise" as never before.

Since that hour, I have been hearing the sound of their hearts beating with a new and faster rhythm of "heroism" and "sacrifice."

I feel confident that when they look at that wondrous "face" at the top of this letter, the miracle will begin to happen and will never end.

Every heart-beat will release a flow of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half-dollars, fives, tens and $20 bills—on and on—until the $24 million is met, surpassed, and continues until the entire "Arc" in all its final glory, beauty and majesty is finished.

So that we (you and I) may be the people who arose to participate in something the like of which the eyes of man have never seen.

Of course it's a quote! Everything of value which I say is a quotation that comes from the Writings. The beloved Guardian said that the Hands of the Cause had no "light" of their own. They took their light from him. He was the sun, and they were the moons to his sun.

I know that, and when I am not turned to him, or in these days to the Universal House of Justice, I am less than the dust. But when I contemplate the reality of this Mountain of God, like Mullá Husayn on that first night with the Báb, my heart cries out:

"Predominant among all my emotions is a sense of gladness and strength which seem to transfigure me." How feeble and impotent I felt before, but now I felt possessed of such courage and power "that if the whole world arose against me, I would singly and alone, withstand them all, and win the victory."

What I'm really looking forward to is for all of us, every Bahá’í in the world, to participate together under 1, 2 or 3. $24 million worth.

And the most wonderful thing of all is this: I have saved the very best part about this Holy Mountain for the very last.

So far, I have spoken almost exclusively of the majesty and incomparable greatness of the "upper slopes" of Mount Carmel. Every word the eternal truth.

However, we cannot leave our theme without mentioning the "lower slopes" of this veritable Throne of God.

Prepare to be overwhelmed.

In order to fully appreciate the beauty, eloquence and power of these next words, every Bahá’í should read once again pages 95-96 from Citadel of Faith.

Shoghi Effendi tells us:

"Just as in the realm of the spirit, the Báb is the point round Whom the reality of all the Prophets and Messengers of God revolve. (Bahá’u’lláh said that) in like manner on this physical, visible, earthly plane, the Báb's sacred Remains constitute the heart and soul of nine concentric circles already referred to."

From Him, the Báb declares, "God hath caused to proceed the knowledge of all that was and shall be." Bahá’u’lláh describes the Báb as the "first and Primal Point from which hath been generated all created things."

The historic reason for this unique and unequaled outpouring of "knowledge" can be found in several places in the Writings of our Faith. Read them for yourself.

Stated simply, the traditional prophecy declares that all of the knowledge which God planned to reveal to mankind would be given progressively. This symbolic prophecy states clearly that all of this "knowledge of God" would consist of "Twenty and seven Letters."

Most significant of all, the prophecy points out that from the time of Adam up until the coming of the Báb in 1844, only two of these "Letters of Knowledge" were revealed to mankind by all the previous Manifestations, Messengers of God.

Bahá’u’lláh confirms the words of this fantastic prophecy, explaining that when the Qa’im ("He who ariseth," the Báb) appears at that time, all the remaining 25 Letters of Knowledge will be revealed. Thus with the coming of the Bahá’í Faith, all knowledge from God was at last revealed and released to the peoples of the world.

What this means to our teaching is that up until the coming of our Faith, all religions have taught mankind from a platform of two of the Letters of Knowledge from God. In this day, we the Bahá’ís teach from a platform of all 27 of the "Letters of Knowledge." In other words, from all knowledge of whatever was, is, and shall ever be.

This in no way relegates the previous religions to a lesser or inferior station. Never!

The Holy Shrine of the Báb, we are told, is the Center of the Earth. It stands at the center of nine concentric circles. It is the heart of everything on this planet.

Here, it is simply stated, without the awe, the majesty, the magnificence and wonder of the exact quotations in Citadel of Faith. Simply put:

These nine concentric circles are as follows:

1. The world, the entire planet. 2. Israel, the Holy Land. 3. Mount Carmel, the Vineyard of God. 4. The Bahá’í properties on God's Holy Mountain. 5. The Holy Court, the Haram-i-Aqdas (the gardens, terraces and precincts of the Shrine). 6. The original structure of the inner Shrine raised by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the tomb for the Martyr-Herald of the Faith. 7. Within this shell (tomb) is enshrined that "Pearl of Great Price," those chambers which constitute the tomb itself, which were constructed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. 8. Within the heart of this "Holy of Holies" is the tabernacle, the vault wherein reposes the most holy casket. 9. This vault contains the alabaster sarcophagus in which is deposited that inestimable jewel, the Báb's holy dust.

So precious is this dust that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá "extolled" the Site of that Shrine as being "beyond compare," and "the tomb itself housing this dust" as the center of the earth, the "Spot round which the Concourse on High circle in adoration." Not occasionally, or from time to time, but always!

Imagine!

It was the Supreme Redeemer of men, the Founder of our Faith, Bahá’u’lláh Himself, Who chose the Site for this Shrine, Who blessed it with His presence; it was ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’u’lláh's successor, Who erected the inner chamber with "such infinite care and anguish, embosomed in so sacred a mountain, on the soil of so holy a land, occupying such a unique position, facing on the one hand, the silver-white city of ‘Akká, the Qiblih of the Bahá’! world; flanked on its right by the hills of Galilee, the home of Jesus Christ, and on the left by the Cave of Elijah; and backed by the plain of Sharon and, beyond it, Jerusalem."

All religions, including the Bahá’í Faith, are part of one Redemptive Scheme of God for man. None is greater than the other. They are all equal. Only the time in history is different. It is beautiful, true, germane and powerful; the one and only path to God for man in that day—perfectly suited to the time and conditions.

All past religions spoke of the coming of these great "last days" and the appearance of two Messengers of God in rapid succession.

The day to accomplish this is now!

Never forget that whenever you go out to teach the people of the world, you do so from a platform of all 27 Letters of the Knowledge of God. You alone, of all the religions up until this time, have "all knowledge" at your disposal; all the spiritual knowledge that "was," that "is," and that "shall ever be."

That is why "personal transformation" is required of every Bahá’í—man, woman, youth and child. It has been said that you can't make a golden society out of leaden individuals. We must become "golden" too.

Bahá’u’lláh has given the victory to us. All knowledge is in our hands, if we will arise and first "transform" ourselves; then we shall easily transform the world.

Beloved friends, fellow-Bahá’ís, gaze one more time upon that endearing, soul-uplifting face of the beloved Guardian as a little child, then let us arise like a mighty tidal wave to make this "sign" and "wonder" come true—now, today, not in "ages" and "centuries" ahead.

Open your hearts to these words of the Blessed Beauty, Bahá’u’lláh, Who tells us in everlasting language what the Mountain of God is all about.

One paragraph, 14 lines from pages 14 and 16 in Gleanings. Bahá’u’lláh is speaking to each one of us:

"All glory be to this Day, the Day in which the fragrances of mercy have been wafted over all created things, a Day so blest that past ages and centuries can never hope to rival it, a Day in which the countenance of the Ancient of Days hath turned towards His holy seat. Thereupon the voices of all created things, and beyond them those of the Concourse on high, were heard calling aloud: 'Haste thee, O Carmel, for lo, the light of the countenance of God, the Ruler of the Kingdom of Names and Fashioner of the heavens, hath been lifted upon thee.'... Call out to Zion, O Carmel, and announce the joyful tidings: He that was hidden from mortal eyes is come!"

Please remember me in your prayers.

Your fellow-Bahá’í, William Sears Hand of the Cause of God

More than 30 Florida Bahá’ís walk in Dade County parade

On February 11, more than 30 Bahá’ís, adults and children, from five communities in Dade County, Florida, walked in the third annual Kendall Pride parade.

About 400 copies of "Ten Things I Can Do for Peace" and 100 colorful balloons marked "Mankind Is One" were given out to spectators along the parade route. [Page 21]

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Barley Bread and Reindeer Milk, CS 25.00 Basic Bahá’í Dictionary, HC 8.00 Basic Facts/Bahá’í Faith-100/pkg., PA 13.00 Basic Truth Series: Set 1-3pkg., SC 8.95 Basic Truth Series: Set 2-3/pkg, SC 8.95 Because We Love the Faith, CS 8.00 Becoming Your True Self-5/pkg., PA 7.00 Being a Spiritual Revolutionary, CS 8.00 Beyond Disarmament, SC 1.50 Birth Announcements-10pkg. CD 4.50 Blessed is the Spot, HC 11.50 Blessed is the Spot-Beta/VHS, VT 25.00 Blessed is the Spot/Lesns./Rever., PC 6.40 Blessings Beyond Measure, HC 13.50 Building the Arc: Adv./King. of God, CS 8.00 Building a Unified Community, PA 3.25 Burial Ring with silk pouch, JW 5.00 B. J. Language of the Woodland, SC 4.95 Bábí and Bahá’í Religions, HC 25.00 Bábí and Bahá’í Religions, SC 14.75 Bahá’í Calendar, PC 1.60 Bahá’í Consitn: Lamp/Guidance., SC 3.25 Bahá’í Datebook, 147 B.E, CA 3.50 Bahá’í Daybook, SC 6.50 Bahá’í Education-compilation, SC 4.95 Bahá’í Ed for Peace /Cur Guide, Vol 1,HC 15.75 Bahá’í Ed. for Peace /Cur.Gde, Vol 2,HC 10.95 Bahá’í Elections, SC 1.95 Bahá’í Faith-10pkg, PA 3.00 Bahá’í Faith in America: 1892-1900, HC 19.95 Bahá’í Faith and the Arts-100/pkg, PA 24.50 Bahá’í Faith and the Arts-10/pkg, PA 2.50 Bahá’í Faith: /Emerg. Global Rel., SC 9.95 Bahá’í Faith/Introduction-Beta/VHS, VT 19.95 Bahá’í Faith: An Introduction-Faizi, SC 1.50 Bahá’í Faith and Marxism, SC 4.00 Bahá’í Faith-Perkins/Hainsworth, SC 3.95 Bahá’í Faith Presentan Fidr-Aus., FD 1.50 Bahá’í Faith Teaching Booket, SC 1.50 Bahá’í Faith Eyes/Young/Bahá’ís, VT 1.00 Bahá’í Faith: Unity/Diversity, VT 25.00 Bahá’í Faith World Com.-10/pkg.. PA 2.75 Bahá’í Faith World Com.-50/pkg.. PA 10.50 Bahá’í Faith World Rel. Stats-10/pkg, PA 8.00 Bahá’í Focus on Development, SC 6.50 Bahá’í Focus on Human Rights, SC 6.50 Bahá’í Focus on Peace, SC 5.00 Bahá’í: Follower of the Light, SC 2.50 Bahá’í Funds: Contrib/ Administration, SC 6.00 Bahá’í History Calendar, 1990, CA 3.75 Bahá’í Marriage/Fam/Life Study Guide, SC 4.50 Bahá’í Newsreel, VT-VHS only 3.50 Bahá’í Peace Program-5pkg. PA 9.95 Bahá’í Pocket Cal. 147 B.E.-10/pkg., CA 3.50 Bahá’í Prayers, HC 9.95 Bahá’í Prayers, SC 5.50 Bahá’í Prayers-British edition, HC 5.95 Bahá’í Prayers and Holy Writings, SC 3.00 Bahá’í Principles for Children, SC 2.50 Bahá’í Readings, SC 9.00 Bahá’í References to Judiasm, etc., SC 14.95 Bahá’í Religion, SC 5.95 Bahá’í Ringstone-illuminated print, PP 5.00 Bahá’í School Lesson Plans, PC 22.50 Bahá’í Statement on Nature, SC 1.75 Bahá’í Studies 2: Science of Religion, SC 5.00 Bahá’í Studies 6: Violnce.-Free Society, SC 5.00 Bahá’í Studies 11: Concept/Spirituality, SC 5.00 Bahá’í Studies 12/13: Persecution, SC 5.00 Bahá’í Studies 15: Abiding Silence, SC 5.00 Bahá’í Studies 16 Bahá’í Faith: Sect or Rel, SC 4.00 Bahá’í Studies Notebook: Mar/ Family, SC 7.50 Bahá’í Teachers Guide/Children, PC 44.60 Bahá’í Teachings (large print), SC 2.00 Bahá’í Wall Calendar, 147 B.E., CA 2.75 Bahá’í World: Volumes 1-12 (set), HC 335.00 Bahá’í World: Volume 1 (1), HC 14.95 Bahá’í World: Volume 2 (11), HC 20.95 Bahá’í World: Volume 3 (1), HC 20.95 Bahá’í World Volume 4 (IV), HC 27.95 Bahá’í World: Volume 5 (V), HC 34.95 Bahá’í World: Volume 6 (VI), HC 33.95 Bahá’í World: Volume 7 (Vi), HC O/P Bahá’í World: Volume 8 (Vill), HC 33.95 Bahá’í World: Volume 9 (IX), HC 33.95 Bahá’í World: Volume 10 (X), HC 32.95 Bahá’í World: Volume 11 (XI), HC 32.95 Bahá’í World: Volume 12 (XII), HC 33.95 Bahá’í World: Volume 13 (XIII), HC 27.00 Bahá’í World: Volume 14 (XIV), HC 16.00 Bahá’í World: Volume 15 (V), HC 21.95 Bahá’í World: Volume 16 (XVI), HC 23.95 Bahá’í World Volume 17 (XVII), HC 26.95 Bahá’í World: Volume 18 (XVII), HC 40.00 Bahá’í Writings on Music, SC 3.50 Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, HC O/S Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, SC TBA Bahá’u’lláh New Era/Study Gde., PC 4.00 Bahá’u’lláh: The Word Made Flesh, SC 6.25 Bahíyyih Khánum: Grtst. Holy Leaf, HC 10.50

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Dawn-Breakers-"British edition, HC 14.95 Dawning Place, low-priced HC 10.50 Dawning Place, low-priced SC 5.50 Dawning Place of the Pacific, SC 8.00 Days to Remember, SC 8.50 Death: The Messenger of Joy, SC 3.95 Declaration of Trust/By-Laws/NSALSA, SC 1.10 Desire of the World, SC 7.50 Devel. Distv. Bahá’í Communities, SC 24.95 Diamond in the Darkness, SC 4.50 Diary of Juliet Thompson, SC 13.95 Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh, SC 4.00 Dispensation/Bahá’u’lláh Study Gde., PC 2.80 Divine Art of Living, SC 8.95 Divorce: Writings Discouraging Divorce, SC 2.00 Do'a The Early Years, CD 16.50 Do-It-Yourself Sticker Kit, CA 3.25 Door of Hope-World Centre, SC 17.95 Drawings, Verse & Belief, HC 19.95 Drops from the Ocean, SC 6.95

E

E. G. Browne and the Bahá’í Faith, HC 17.95 Earth Is But One Country, HC 16.50 Earth Is But One Country, PS 6.50 Echoes from the Lotus-set of 4, CS 32.50 Echoes from/Lotus-various artists, CS 9.95 Education and the Bahá’í Family, HC 16.50 Education and the Bahá’í Family, SC 8.95 Education/Trustees-Beta/VHS, VT 30.00 Effective Teaching, CS 3.50 Effective Teaching Instructor's Guide, SCTBA Effective Teaching Workbook, SC 2.50# Eminent Bahá’ís/Time Bahá’u’lláh, HC 35.00 Eminent Bahá’ís/Time Bahá’u’lláh, SC 19.95 Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, HC 17.95 Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, PS 5.50 Equal Circles, SC 12.95 Eternal Covenant, HC 19.95 Eternal Quest for God, SC 15.95 Everlasting Covenant/Greater Cov., PC 16.20 Evolutionary Approach/Tchg. Institutes .50 Excellence/All Things-Aus." ed., SC 9.95

F

Facts Sheet Set/3 (NSA), PR 1.00 Family Life-compilation, SC 3.50 Family Repairs/faint. Manual, SC 7.95 Family Worship, HC 9.00 Fast and Naw-Ruz, PC 80 Fasting: A Bahá’í Handbook, HC 11.95 Fasting: A Bahá’í Handbook, SC 7.95 Films of A. Q. Faizi-Beta/VHS, VT 49.95 Finding the Real You, SC 7.50 Fire on the Mountain Top. SC 3.95 Fire Tablet/Holy Mar-Ara/Eng/Per, HC 19.50 Flickerings-coloring book, SC 5.50 Fly Away Home, SC 5.50 Foundations of Learning, CS 8.00 Foundations of World Unity, HC O/P Four on an Island, SC 7.25 Fourth Epoch Opens-Beta/VHS, VT 19.95 From Behind the Vell, SC 4.95 From Copper to Gold, HC 16.50 From Haltian Roots, VT TBA* From Mountain to Mountain, HC 19.95 From One Parent/Anoth.-100/pkg, PA 16.95 From One Parent to Another-10/pk., PA 2.00 From Strength to Strength, SC 2.00 Fund, PC 4.50

G

Gemstones-Deepening Program, SC 7.00 George Townshend, SC 15.95 Gift of Life-10/pkg. with envelopes, CD 13.50 Gleanings Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, HC 17.95 Gleanings /Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, PS 6.50 Gleanings/Writ. /Bahá’u’lláh-Br. ed., HC 12.95 Glorious Journey, SC 7.95 God and His Messengers, SC 7.50 God Loves Laughter, SC 8.50 God Passes By. HC 24.00 God Passes By, SC 14.00 God's Creation, Level l-ages 6-9, SC 10.95 God's Creation Par/Tchr Gde, Lev.L, SC 9.95 God's Creation, Level II-ages 9-13, SC 10.95 God's Creation Par/Tehr Gde, Lev.ll, SC 9.95 God's Great Plan, SC 2.25 Golden Rule, SC 8.25 Gospels and the Christs, SC 7.95 Gr. Name CR, asst colors-10pk 5.00 Greatest Name CR, while gold/black 1.50 Greatest Name-uminated print, PP 1.60 Greenlight Expedition-Beta/VHS, VT 39.95 Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, HC 27.50 Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, SC 13.95 Guebe and the Toy Truck, SC 4.50 Guidelines for Bahá’í Archives, SC 6.95

H

Handmaidens of God: Prayers/Women, SC 2.00 Heart of the Lotus-Beta/VHS, VT 25.00 He Loved and Served, SC 9.50 Hidden Words, HC/SC TBA Hidden Words-deluxe edition, HC 13.95 Hidden Words-deluxe edition, SC 11.95 Hidden Words-British edition, SC 6.95 Hidden Words-Chinese/English-sik, HC 14.95 Hidden Words/Sel. Holy Writings, SC 3.00 Horse of the Moonlight, SC 4.25 Hour of the Dawn: The Life of the Bab, HC 18.75 Hour of the Dawn: The Life of the Bab, SC 8.50 Huququáh-compilation, "Brited, SC 4.95 Huququllah-compilation, "Canada'ed SC 85

I

I Am a Bahá’í-Sunflower Set 2, SC 14.50 Imperishable Dominion, SC 3.00 Imp. of Deep/Know/Und/Faith, SC FREE Index: Dev. Distv. Bahá’í Comm. 8.95 In the Days of the Guardian, CS 8.00 In Galilee, HC O/S In His Presence, CS 8.00 In His Pres.:Visits/‘Abdu’l-Bahá, HC 12.95 In Search of Nirvana, SC 8.95 India Temple-poster, 11"x17", PP 10.00 India Temple-poster, 22" X 28", PP 15.50 Ind. Rgts/Free W.Order/Bahá’u’lláh, SC 3.00 Individual and Teaching-compilation, SC O/S Iranian Refugees in America, SC 1.00 Inspirational Music, CS 8.95 Inspirational Music Book, SC 4.95 Inspiring the Heart, HC 11.50 Inspiring the Heart, SC 8.25 Iran Persecution Background Pkg., WB 4.00 Iran's Secret Pogrom, SC 3.50

J

Jewel of the Lotus-various artists, CS 8.00 Journal of Bahá’í Studies (cur. Iss.), SC 5.00

K

Keeping Faith/Change/Crisis, CS 8.00 Kitab-i-lgan, HC O/S Kitab-i-lgán, PS 6.50 Kitab-i-lqán-British edition, HC 13.95 Kaab-i-lgan-"British edition, SC 9.95

L

Leaf of Honey, SC 17.25 Leo Tolstoy and the Bahá’í Faith, HC 19.95 Leo Tolstoy and the Bahá’í Faith, SC 11.95 Let It Be This Generation-var, artists, CS 5.95 Let Thy Breeze Refresh Them, HC 8.00 Letters from Bonaire, SC 6.50 2.75 Letters/Essays: Mirza Abul-Fad, HC Lidia: Daughter/Founder of Esperanio, SC 14.95 Light of Bahá’u’lláh, SC 14.95 Light of Div. Guid. 2Let. Germ./Aust, HC 5.50 Light Upon Light, CS 21.95 Lights/Guidance. Bahá’í Refer File, HC 9.95 Living the Lile, SC 29.95 Local Spiritual Assembly, SC 3.50 LSA Chairman's Manual, SC 9.00 LSA Resource Materials Pkt-pk, SC 3.50 LSA Secretary's Manual, SC 75 LSA Treasurer's Manual, SC 2.00 Loving Hands, CS 3.00 (Special price until 4/30/90.)

M

Magnified Be Thy Name, HC 5.50 Major and Minor Plans of God. CS 8.00 Mama Buzurg Is Coming, SC 4.50 Man's Dual Nature, PC 12.20 March of the Institutions, HC 8.50 Marriage: A Fortress for Well-Being, HC 16.50 Marriage: A Fortress for Well-Being, SC O/S Marriage Prayer Scroll, PS 1.50 Martha Root: Lioness at the Thrshid, HC 24.00 Master in 'Akka, HC 18.95 Meditations on the Eve of Nov. 4th, HC 4.50 Meeting the Master-Beta/VHS, VT 19.95 Meeting the Master, Volume 1, CS 8.00 Memorials of the Faithful, HC 12.50 Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, HC 13.50 Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, SC 7.50 Messages/Universal House of Justice, HC 4.50 Messages/Universal House of Justice, SC 2.00 Microsim: Am. Bahá’í, Nart Bahá’í Rev. 75.00 Mission of Bahá’u’lláh, SC 50 Mona with the Children, CS 8.00 Mona Music Video-Beta/VHS, VT 45.00 Mullä Husayn, SC 3.50 Mulla Husayn Disciple at Dawn, HC 19.95 My Baby Book, HC 12.50 My Memories of Bahá’u’lláh, SC 9.95 My Name is Nabil, SC 7.95 My Only Desire, CS 8.00 Mystery of God, HC 19.95 Mystery of Sacrifice, PC 16.80

N

Naming of Femis Brother, SC 3.75 National Spiritual Assembly, SC OP New Gospel, HC 11.95 New Gospel, SC 8.95 Nightingale, CS 8.00 Nineteen Day Feast, PC 4.80 Nothing In Common, SC 6.25 Now You Are a Bahá’í, SC 2.25

O

Objectives/Bahá’í Child/Ed.Program, PC 2.80 O God, Guide Me, SC Os O God, My God, HC 8.95 Ocean of My Words, SC 3.50 Once to Every Man and Nation, SC 7.50 One Universal Faith-100/pkg, PA 13.00 Open Door-10/pkg with envelopes. CD 12.50 Omament of Hope, CS 9.95 Our Children: A Bahá’í View-10/Pkg. 2.35"

P

Paris Talks, SC 5.95 Pattern of Bahá’í Life, SC 3.50 Peace-compilation, SC 2.95 Peace Bible, HC Os Peace More Than an End to War, SC 9.95 Peace Note Cards-9pkg with env. CD 2.95 Peace Pamphlets ass1-10pkg SC 2.25 Peace Pamphlets: asst-100pkg, SC 12.95 Peace Pamphlets Gen1 Intro-50pkg, PA 7.95 Peace Pmpt: More/End War-50/pkg PA 7.95 Peace Pmpt: One Religion-50/pkg PA 7.95 Peace Pmpt: Race Unity-50/pkg PA 7.95 Peace Pmpt: World Govt-50pkg. PA 7.95 Peace The Promise, CS 8.00 Peace The Promise-Beta/VHS, VT 25.00 Peace Quotation Scroll, PS 4.50 Pearls of Wisdom: Deepening Comp, SC 1.95 Percival the Piano, SC 5.75 PER/ARA Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, HC O/P PER/ENG/ARA: Fire Tab /Holy Mar, HC 19.50 PER: Aalvah-+-Vasaya-yi-Mubaraki-yi Hadrat-+-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, SC 2.008 (Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá) PER ‘Adam-i Mudakhilh dar "Umuri Siasi, CS 3.00 (Non-Involvement in Politics) PER Amr Va Khalq, Volume 1 & 2 HC 23.50 (Revelation & Creation, Volume 1&2 -Bahá’í Laws and Principles) PER: Ame Va Khalq, Volume 3 & 4, HC 29.50 (Revelation & Creation, Volume 3&4 -Bahá’í Laws and Principles PER: Amrika Sarzamin-i Muhajirin, SC 2.008 (America: A Nation of Immigrants) PER: Anchich Kunadu Kunad, HC 15.50 (He Doeth as He Pleaseth-compilation on Bahá’í Laws & Principles) PER Albari Guharbar, HC (Prec Pearts) 13.95 PER: Badlyu1-Athar, Volume 1, HC 18.95 (Mahid's Diary, Volume 1) PER: Badayu1-Abar, Volume 2, HC 19.50 (Mahoo's Diary, Volume 2) PER: Bahíyyih Khánum, HC 16.50 PER Bisharatu-Nor, HC 22:50 (Tablets for the Departed PER: Chand Bahth-Amri, SC 4.00 [Page 22]

Bahá’í Publishing Trust & Distribution Service • Price List Effective April 1, 1990 • 1-800-999-9019

(Some Bahá’í Discourses) PER: Dariyáy-i-Dánish, HC 8.95* (Collection of Tablets and Prayers) PER: Diánat-i-Bahá’í Yik Nihdat-i-Nisá’ (Bahá’í Faith Not A Political Movement) O/S PER: Farámín-i-Tablíghí, SC 2.50 (Tablets of the Divine Plan) PER: Gulzar-i-Ta’álím-i-Bahá’í, HC 9.50 (Garden of Bahá’í Teachings) PER: Hadrat-i-Nuqtí-yi-’Ulá, HC 24.95 (Life of the Báb) PER: Hál Va Áyandih-yi-Jahán, SC 6.25 (Call to the Nations) PER: Hayát-i-Bahá’í, SC (Bahá’í Life) 1.75 PER: Hayát-i-Hadrat-i-’Abdu’l-Bahá, HC O/P (Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá) PER: Hidden Words, CS 5.00 PER: Insán dar Á’ín-i-Bahá’í, HC 22.50 (Collected Works of Dr. Davudi) PER: Khatírát-i-Nuh Sálih, HC 33.95 (Prospect of Persis) PER: Khatírát-i-Nuh Sálih, HC 19.95 (Memoirs of Nine Years in ’Akká) PER: Khuttat-yi-Vá’id-yi-Sulh-i-Jahání, SC 1.00# (Promise of World Peace Summary) PER: Lawh-i-Ahmad, HC (Tab. of Ahmad) 15.50 PER: Lawh-i-Ibn-i-Dhi’b, HC 20.95 (Epistle to the Son of the Wolf) PER: Majmú’i-yi Alváh-i-Jamál-i-Aqdas-i-Abhá, HC 26.50 (Tablets/Bahá’u’lláh After Kitáb-i-Aqdas) PER: Majmú’i-yi Khatábát-i-Hadrat-i-’Abdu’l-Bahá, HC 18.95 (Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá) PER: Mutálivi’át-i-’Abdu’l-Bahá, HC 9.95* (Some Answered Questions) PER: Muhádírát (Ishraq-Khavari), HC 32.50 (Dialogs) PER: Munáját-yi-Hadrat-i-Bahá’u’lláh, HC 10.95 (Prayers of Bahá’u’lláh) PER: Munáját-yi-Hadrat-i-Valí-yi-Amru’lláh, HC 3.50 (Prayers of Shoghi Effendi) PER: Muntakhabát-yi Alváh-i-Hadrat-i-’Abdu’l-Bahá, HC O/S (Selected Letters of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá) PER: Muntakhabát-yi Alváh-i-Hadrat-i-’Abdu’l-Bahá, Jild-i-Duvvum, HC 6.50 (Selected Letters of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Vol. 2) PER: Muntakhabát-i-Ayát-Az Áthár-i-Hadrat-i-A’lá, HC O/P (Selected Writings of the Báb) PER: Muntakhabát-i-Áthár-i-Hadrat-i-Bahá’u’lláh, HC 19.50 (Gleanings/Writings of Bahá’u’lláh) PER: Muntakhabát-i-Az Payámhá-yi-’Umúmí-yi-Baytu’l-’Adl-i-A’zam-i-Iláhí Khatáb bi Yárán-i-Irání, SC 6.95 (U.H.J. Messages to Iran) PER: Muvaftaqíyyat dar Tablígh, SC 1.25 (Success in Teaching) PER: Nár va Núr, HC (Fire and Light) 14.95 PER: Nawnihálán-i-Má, SC 3.50 (Our Children in the Cradle of the Faith) PER: Nazm-i-Jamá’í, SC 1.00# (Introduction to Bahá’í Administration) PER: Ráhnimá-yi-Ahibáy-i-Irání dar Ayálát-i-Muttahidih, SC 2.00# (Handbook for Newly-arrived Bahá’ís) PER: Risáli-yi-Madaníyyih, SC 6.50 (Secret of Divine Civilization) PER: Tádris-i-’Arabí, CS 30.00@ (Learning Arabic) PER: Talkhís va Tadvín-i-Ahkám-i-Kitáb-i-Mustatáb-i-Aqdas, SC 2.75 (Synopsis/Codification of Kitáb-i-Aqdas) PER: Tasbíh-u-Tahlíl, HC 9.95 (Prayers and Meditations) PER: (Trustworthiness), SC 2.50 PER: Tughih-yi-Rahmání, SC 7.00# (Devotional writings with English translation) PER: Usúl-i-Tadris-i-Bahá’í, SC 2.50 (Principles of the Bahá’í Faith) PER: Va’di-yi-Sulh-i-Jahání, SC .75 (Promise of World Peace) PER: Va’di-yi-Sulh-i-Jahání—Khulásih-yi-Shudih, SC 3.00# (Promise of World Peace—presentation ed.) PER: Zuhúr-i-’Adl-i-Iláhí, SC 3.00# (The Advent of Divine Justice) PER: Zuhúr-i-’Adl-i-Iláhí, SC 4.25 (The Advent of Divine Justice)

Faith—10/pkg 9.95 Pers. Ser.: Social/Ec. Dev.—10/pkg., SC 9.95 Phoenix and the Ashes, SC 8.25 Pilgrimage—Beta/VHS, VT 39.95 Political Non-Involvement, SC 2.65 Portals to Freedom, SC 9.95 Power of the Covenant—1-3 Set, SC 11.25 Power of Divine Assist.—“can.” ed., SC 2.75 Power of Unity: Beyond Prej./Racism, SC 8.95 Prayer: A Bahá’í Approach, SC 7.50 Prayers for Children, SC 2.50 Prayers and Meditations, HC 17.95 Prayers and Meditations, PS 4.95 Prayers and Meditations—“Br.” ed., HC 13.95 Presentation Packet—press kit, PR 8.00# Present Opportunities/Urgent Chal., CS 8.00 Prescription for Living, SC 6.50

Priceless Pearl, SC 9.50 Priced and Plums, SC 7.95 Prince of Peace, SC 9.95 Principles of Bahá’í Administration, HC 9.50 Principles of Bahá’í Administration, SC O/P Principles of World Unity—card game, GM 5.50 Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, HC 5.50 Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, SC 3.75 Progressive Revelation (King), PC 21.80 Progressive Revelation (Schaeffer), PC 8.20 Promise, No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, SC—each 10.50 Promise of All Ages, HC 12.50 Promise/Disarm/1/Peace—50/pkg., PA 10.00 Promise of World Peace, SC 1.50 Promise of World Peace—dlx. edition, HC 10.95 Promise of World Peace—lg. format, SC 10.95 Promise of World Peace—ps, 10/pkg., SC 3.00 Promise of World Peace—pres. ed., SC 3.00 Promised Day Is Come, HC 9.50 Promulgation of Universal Peace, HC 17.95 Purify My Heart—Chinese/English, SC 3.00 Purpose of Physical Reality, SC O/S

Q

Quddús, SC 3.75*

R

Race Unity—20/pkg: 10 ea. of America’s Challenge & Interracial Marriage, PA 2.50# Race Unity: Bahá’í Perspective, VT 20.00# Radio Bahá’í Ecuador, SC 17.75 Raising Children as Peacemakers, SC 17.95 Reader’s Guide to Bahá’í Literature, HC 17.95 Reader’s Guide to Bahá’í Literature, SC 9.50 Rebirth: Mem. R. Szanto-Felberman, SC 8.50 Refuge and the Cave, SC 7.50 Reginald Turvey: Life and Art, SC 11.95 Religion for Mankind, SC 7.50 Remember My Days, SC 4.50 Renewal of Civilization, SC 3.75 Resurrection and Renewal, SC 29.95 Rev. of Bahá’u’lláh—4 vol. set/Guide, SC 75.00 Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh Study Gde, SC 2.50 Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 1, SC 17.95 Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 2, HC O/P Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 2, SC 19.50 Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 3, HC 25.00 Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 3, SC 19.50 Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 4, HC 29.50 Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 4, SC 19.50 RUSS: Pathway to Peace, SC 2.50 RUSS: Peace Statement, SC 2.95 RUSS: Perspective Series Intro, SC 1.15*

S

Samoa: The Dawning Place, VT 25.00 Science and Religion, SC 7.50 Scroll Calendar, 147 B.E.—silk, CA 4.50 Scroll Calendar, 147 B.E.—wood, CA 4.50 Search for a Just Society, HC 39.95 Seat of God’s Throne—Beta/VHS, VT 25.00 Second Birth, SC 5.95 Secret of Divine Civilization, PS TBA Secret in the Garden, HC 6.50 Secret of the Stolen Mandolin, SC 3.75 Secret of Wealth, PC 17.00 Selected Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, HC 13.50 Selected Writings of Shoghi Effendi, SC 1.00 Sel. from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, HC 12.50 Sel. from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, LT 6.95 Sel. from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, SC 9.50 Sel. from the Writings of the Báb, HC 12.50 Sel. from the Writings of the Báb, LT 6.95 Sel. from the Writings of E.G. Browne, HC 36.50 Sel. from the Writings of E.G. Browne, SC 19.95 Seven Martyrs of Hurmuzak, HC 11.50 Seven Valleys and Four Valleys, HC 6.95 Seven Valleys and Four Valleys, SC O/S Shi’ih Islám: A Selection, SC 33.00 Shi’ih Islám: An Introduction, SC 15.50 Shoghi Effendi: Recollections, HC 19.95 Significance/Bahá’u’lláh/Revelation, SC 2.50 Sing/New Song/Songs for Children, PC 8.80 Six Year Plan, SC .75# Social & Econ. Development—(Brit.), SC 7.95 Social & Econ. Development—(Aus.), SC 4.75 Some Answered Questions, HC 17.95 Some Answered Questions, PS 6.50 Some Spiritual Verities: Study Guide to 4 Vols. Revelation/Bahá’u’lláh, SC 3.50 Song Celestial, HC 8.00 Song in the Ground, SC 4.00

SPN: Span. Lesson Guide, PC 7.40 SPN: Advenimiento de Justicia Divina, SC 3.25* (Advent of Divine Justice) SPN: Asambleas Espiritual Nacional, SC O/S* (National Spiritual Assembly) SPN: Bahá’u’lláh y la Nueva Era, SC O/S* (Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era) SPN: La Consulta, SC (Consultation) O/S* SPN: Cristo y Bahá’u’lláh, SC O/S* (Christ and Bahá’í Faith) SPN: Datos Básicos (Basic Facts), PA O/S* SPN: El Dia Prometido Ha Llegado, SC O/S* (The Promised Day Is Come) SPN: Dios Pasa (God Passes By), SC 9.00* SPN: La Dispensación de Bahá’u’lláh, SC O/S* (The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh) SPN: Divina Sinfonía, SC O/S* (Divine Symphony) SPN: El Divorcio, SC (Divorce) O/S* SPN: Educación Bahá’í, SC O/S* (Bahá’í Education) SPN: Enseñanzas/sobre/Vida/Muerte, PA O/S* (Teachings on Life and Death) SPN: Epístola al Hijo del Lobo, SC O/S* (Epistle to the Son of the Wolf) SPN: El Estudio de los Escritos Bahá’ís, O/S* (Imp. of Deepening/Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith), SC SPN: Excelencia en Todas Cosas, SC O/S* (Excellence in All Things) SPN: La Fe Bahá’í (Faizi), SC O/S* (The Bahá’í Faith—Faizi) SPN: La Fe Bahá’í Teaching Booklet, SC TBA (Bahá’í Faith Teaching Booklet) SPN: La Fe de Bahá’u’lláh, SC O/S* (The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh) SPN: Fiesta de los 19 Dias, SC O/S* (Nineteen Day Feast) SPN: Las Flores de los Altares, SC O/S* (Flowers of the Altars) SPN: Flores de un Solo Jardin, SC O/S* (Flowers of One Garden) SPN: Fortaleza para el Bienestar, SC O/S* (Fortress for Well-Being) SPN: La Gema Sagrada, SC O/S* (The Most Holy Leaf) SPN: Llamado a las Naciones, SC O/S* (Call to the Nations) SPN: Kitáb-i-Íqán, SC O/S* SPN: Meta/Nuevo Orden Mundial, SC O/S* (Goal of a New World Order) SPN: Misión de Bahá’u’lláh, SC O/S* (Mission of Bahá’u’lláh) SPN: La Mujer, SC (Women) O/S* SPN: Narración de Nabíl (Nabíl’s Narr.) O/S* SPN: Nuevo Jardín, SC (New Garden) O/S* SPN: Nuevo Mundo, PA (New World) O/S* SPN: Orac’n. Bahá’ís, (Bahá’í Pray.), SC O/S* SPN: Oraciones/Meditaciones, Rústica/SC O/S* SPN: Palabras de Sabiduría, Tela/HC O/S* (Prayers and Meditations) SPN: Palabras/Dios, (Words of God), SC O/S* SPN: Palabras Ocultas (‎Wrds Words‎), SC O/S* SPN: Pasajes de los Escritos de Bahá’u’lláh, O/S* (Glean/Writings of Bahá’u’lláh), SC SPN: Pasajes Inmortales, SC O/S* (Immortal Passages) SPN: La Perla Inapreciable, SC O/S* (Priceless Pearl) SPN: Perspective Series Intro., SC O/S* SPN: El Poder de la Asistencia Divina, SC O/S* (Power of Divine Assistance) SPN: El Poder del Convenio, SC O/S* (Power of the Covenant) SPN: Portales a la Libertad, SC O/S* (Portals to Freedom) SPN: Principios de Admin. Bahá’í, SC O/S* (Principles of Bahá’í Administration) SPN: Promesa de la Paz Mundial, SC O/S* (The Promise of World Peace) SPN: Realidad del Hombre, SC O/S* (Reality of Man) SPN: Recopilación de Escritos, SC O/S* (Selections from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, The Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá) SPN: Reconocimiento de Dios, PA O/S* (Importance of Deepening) SPN: Religión Unificada, (Rel. United) O/S* SPN: Renovación de la Civilización, SC 2.35* (Renewal of Civilization) SPN: Resolución Espíritu/Prob./Econ, PA O/S* (Spiritual Solution to Econ. Problem) SPN: Respuestas a Algunas Preguntas, SC (Some Ans. Ques.) O/S* SPN: Resp’stas bahá’ís (Bahá’í ‎Ansrs Answers‎), PA O/S* SPN: El Rosedal, SC (The Rose Garden) .55 SPN: La Sabiduría de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, SC O/S* (Paris Talks) SPN: Secreto de Civilización Divina, SC O/S* (Secret of Divine Civilization) SPN: Sel./Escritos/‘Abdu’l-Bahá, SC 7.50* (Sel. from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá) SPN: Signif. Espiritual/Adversidad, PA O/S* SPN: Sinops./Codif./Kitáb-i-Aqdas, SC O/S* SPN: Tablas de Bahá’u’lláh, HC O/S* SPN: Tablas de Bahá’u’lláh, SC O/S* (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh) SPN: Tablas del Plan Divino O/S* (Tablets of the Divine Plan) SPN: Vida Familiar, SC (Family Life) O/S* SPN: Voluntad/Test/‘Abdu’l-Bahá, SC O/S* (Will & Testament/‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Special Measure of Love, SC 1.60 Special Strengths, SC 4.50 Spiritual Assembly Growing Pains, SC 2.25 Spiritual Foundations, SC 1.60 Spotlessly Leopard, SC 4.95 Stay With Me, CS 10.95 Stirring of the Spirit, SC 2.95 Stirrings of the Heart, SC 3.25 Stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, SC 5.50 Stories of Bahá’u’lláh, HC 14.95 Stories for Children, SC 3.95 Stories from Dawn-Breakers—set/4, CS 29.95 Stories from the Delight of Hearts, HC 13.95 Stories from the Star of the West, SC 5.95 Story of My Heart, SC 10.50 Story of Stories, SC 9.95 Strengthening/Administrative Order, CS 8.00 Studies/Bábí/Bahá’í History, Vol. 1, HC 24.95 Studies/Bábí/Bahá’í History, Vol. 2, HC 22.50 Studies/Bábí/Bahá’í Rel., Vol. 3, HC 22.50 Studies/Bábí/Bahá’í Rel., Vol. 5, SC 24.50 Study/Tablet to the Christians, HC 22.95 Study/Tablet to the Christians, SC 13.95 Success in Teaching—5/pkg., PA 7.00 Summon up Remembrance, HC 28.50 Summon up Remembrance, SC 15.75 Sushi in the Kremlin/We Gen., CS 3.00 Synopsis/Codification/Kitáb-i-Aqdas, HC 2.50

T

Tablet/Christians/Appreciation, SC 3.25* (Lawh-i-Aqdas) Tablet of the Heart: God and Me, HC 11.95 Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, PS 4.95 Tablets of the Divine Plan, SC 3.50 Tadhkirih, SC 3.50* Tapestry Note Cards—10/pkg., CD 13.50 Teaching the Bahá’í Faith, HC 10.95 Teach. Cds, Wilmette H.O.W.—25/pkg, CR O/P Teaching Peace, CS 8.95 Ten Days in the Light of ’Akká, SC 7.95 These Things Shall Be, HC 4.75 These Things Shall Be, SC O/S Thief in the Night, SC 8.95 This Century of Progress, CS 8.00 This is the Day, CS 8.50 Thoughts: Ed. for Peace & One World, SC 15.95 Throne of the Inner Temple, SC 8.95 To Be One: A Battle Against Racism, SC 11.75 To Move the World, SC 10.95 To the Peoples of the World, SC 2.50 To a Seeker, SC 6.95 To Understand and Be Understood, SC 7.50 Tokoloshe!—act 4, CS 29.95 Top of the Hill, SC 4.95 Touchstone of Sincerity, SC 7.50 Traveler’s Narrative, HC 12.50 Traveler’s Narrative, SC 7.95 Tristan, HC 19.95 Tristan, SC 9.50 Triumph of the Cause, CS O/S Trustworthiness, SC .85

U

Unfolding Destiny, HC 12.50 Unity: Creative Foundation of Peace, SC 6.50 United Doves—Invitations, 20/pkg., PP 8.95 United Doves—Mini-pmph., 100/pkg., PP 4.95 United Doves—Poster, 100/pkg., PP 30.00 Universal House of Justice, SC 3.95 Unrestrained As the Wind, SC O/S Unto Him Shall We Return, SC O/S

V

Victory, CS 9.95 VIET: Auth./Duties LSA—10/pkg., PA 6.00* VIET: Basis of World Economy, PA 1.50 VIET: Promise of World Peace, PA 1.25* VIET: We Are Seeking Day World Religion—10/pkg., PA 3.00* VIET: What is ‎Bahá’i Bahá’í‎ Faith—10/pkg., PA 3.50* Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, SC 9.50 Vision-to-Victory: From the American Dream to a New World Order, VT 19.95 Visit with the Master, CS O/S

W

Waging Peace, SC 7.95 Way to Inner Freedom, SC 7.50 Way Out of a Dead End, SC 7.95 We Are Bahá’ís, CS 8.00 We Have to Grow Up, CS 8.00 Wellspring of Guidance, HC 8.00 What is Bahá’í Faith? An Introduction, SC 9.50 What is Teaching? Why Teach?, PC 1.60 Where There’s a Will, SC 2.50# Wildfire, CS 7.50 Will and Testament/‘Abdu’l-Bahá, SC TBA* Wilmette House of Worship—poster, PR 1.25 Wine of Astonishment, SC 4.75 With All My Heart—Beta/VHS, VT 15.00# Women—compilation, SC 4.95 Women: Equality and Peace, CS 8.00 Word of God, The, SC 2.50# Words of God—lg. print—“Aus.” ed., SC 2.85 World Dance, CD 16.50 World Dance, CS 9.95 World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, HC 13.50 World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, SC O/S World Peace and World Government, SC 3.25 Writings of Bahá’u’lláh—compilation, HC 21.95

Y

Year with the Bahá’ís of India & Burma, HC 6.95 Youth for One World, PC 23.20 Youth Programs/Bahá’í Schools, PC 6.80 Youth in the Vanguard, HC 5.50

Z

Zikrullah Khadem, Itinerant Hand of the Cause of God: With Love, HC 24.95* Zikrullah Khadem, Itinerant Hand of the Cause of God: With Love, SC 14.95*

Call our toll-free number when placing orders or for further information about any of the items we distribute. 1-800-999-9019 [Page 23]

Teaching Indians Cause can help 'illumine whole earth'

In the Tablets of the Divine Plan, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá speaks of the great importance of teaching the American Indians: "... 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 become illumined."

Efforts to reach these indigenous people with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh and to begin this illumination of the earth are being carried out all across the continent. The breadth of teaching efforts literally stretches to every corner of our country, from Maine to California, from Washington state to Florida.

Similarly, the range of the methods of teaching being used is significant. Many efforts are made to reach the Indians living on Reservations including those of traveling teachers and pioneers who have made a long-term commitment to living on or near a Reservation.

But there are many Indians who do not live on Reservations, and they have not been forgotten. One of the most loving and persistent efforts in reaching Indians is in the urban area of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The teaching project in Minneapolis began more than two years ago and focuses on the Phillips neighborhood. This neighborhood, though economically distressed, is notable for the wide ethnic variety of the people who live there. A large number of American Indians live in the Phillips community.

The Bahá’ís of Minneapolis, who have been helped by individuals from other communities in the area, are determined to reach this population and have systematically delivered the Message of Bahá’u’lláh in the Phillips neighborhood.

For the past two years, one Saturday of each Bahá’í month has seen teams of two teachers go door-to-door to discuss the newest Revelation from God. As a result, many people in the neighborhood are familiar with and are studying the Faith.

A small core group is involved in the project, yet not all of those who support it are door-to-door teachers. Some important contributions are made by individuals who stay behind and pray for the success of the effort. Others help the teaching by providing rides to the area, child care, or food for the teachers when they return from the neighborhood to discuss their experiences.

As Minneapolis has one of the largest populations of urban Indians in the country, the turnout for public meetings can be quite large.

About a year ago, Kevin Locke, a Bahá’í who is a noted scholar of his Lakota culture, came to Minneapolis to perform traditional Indian songs and dances, to speak of the Indian culture, and to make mention of the Bahá’í teachings. More than 700 people came to see him, of whom only about 70 were Bahá’ís.

On February 10 Mr. Locke returned to Minneapolis for a smaller gathering of about 165 people. This latest meeting was held in a community center in the Phillips neighborhood.

The persistent, regular efforts of the community to expand and include more members of this population has resulted in new believers. Last summer, one new believer from the neighborhood hosted a Nineteen Day Feast and a unity Feast at which one person declared.

It is hoped that the friendships that have been formed because of this project will secure the entry of many more new believers in this community.

The National Teaching Committee is pleased to see the long-term commitment to teaching American Indians by the friends in Minneapolis. It hopes that nationally, teaching efforts will become stronger and proceed with even greater force in the future.

To help in the development of American Indian teaching, the National Teaching Committee has a coordinator for American Indian teaching as a member of its staff. For information or guidance with teaching efforts, or to share news of your activities, please contact Sherri Smith in the National Teaching Committee office at the Bahá’í National Center (phone 708-869-9039).

An American Indian Pioneering Institute is being planned for August 4-6. Be sure to mark the date on your calendar and watch for further information!

Dr. Edris Rice-Wray, pioneer to Mexico, world-renowned family planner, dies at post

DR. EDRIS RICE-WRAY IN 1974

Dr. Edris Roushan Rice-Wray, a long-time pioneer to Mexico, died in February at her post in Puebla.

Dr. Rice-Wray entered the international pioneering field in 1948 when she settled in Puerto Rico and worked for the Public Health Department. In 1957 she moved to Mexico, first working for the World Health Organization (WHO) and then founding Latin America's first family planning clinic through which she became world-famous.

She later taught at the University of the Americas in Puebla, but is most noted professionally for her work in family planning.

Because of the research done at the clinic she was able to travel to many parts of the world to lecture and present results. Wherever she went she gave talks on the Faith and was interviewed on radio and television.

Dr. Rice-Wray retired at 80 but continued to serve the Faith until her death. On learning of her death, the Universal House of Justice cabled the National Spiritual Assembly of Mexico:

"Saddened news passing dedicated veteran pioneer tireless distinguished promoter Cause God Dr. Edris Rice-Wray. Her long record unforgettable services both teaching and administrative fields especially Mexico holds promise bountiful reward. Outstanding scientific services mankind also recalled. Fervently supplicating Sacred Threshold progress her radiant soul worlds beyond. Kindly convey heartfelt loving sympathy her relatives and friends."

Knight of Bahá’u’lláh Esther Evans, 90, dies at pioneer post in St. Lucia

Esther Evans, a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh to the island of St. Lucia, died last October 17 at her pioneering post after 36 years of service.

Born March 29, 1899, in New York City, Esther declared her faith in Bahá’u’lláh in Victor, New York, in 1942. In 1953, during the Ten Year Crusade, she offered her services as a pioneer.

By the end of that same year she had left her home in Rochester and arrived in St. Lucia, Windward Islands, opening that island to the Faith. She served that community as its only pioneer for the next 12 years until the arrival of a pioneer family from the U.S. in 1965.

Development

A major factor contributing to the success of this new process of Assembly development is the close spirit of cooperation between the elected and appointed arms of the administration. Initially conceived through consultation between the Continental Board of Counselors and the National Spiritual Assembly, every subsequent step of the process has witnessed a bonding of love and action between the two institutions.

The National Spiritual Assembly is confident that this strong demonstration of unified action will continue to generate a positive transformation in the functioning of local Spiritual Assemblies throughout the country.

It hopes that the members of every Assembly will take advantage of this unique opportunity to further their understanding of and appreciation for the spiritual destiny of the institution on which they have the privilege of serving.

'Our primary response must be to teach—to teach ourselves and to teach others—at all levels of society, by all possible means, and without further delay' —The Universal House of Justice, Ridván 1989

UPCOMING UN INTERNATIONAL DAYS

June 5: World Environment Day September 8: International Literacy Day September 18: International Day of Peace October 1: Universal Children's Day

Packets of information for the celebration of Environmental Sabbath Weekend, June 2-3, can be ordered free of charge from the United Nations Environment Programme, Room DC2-0803, United Nations, New York, NY 10017. These kits may be used for inter-faith services throughout the year.

IN MEMORIAM

Douglas Adams Sr. Crow Agency, MT November 1989

Maurice Baha Chicago, IL January 8, 1990

Zeddie Bullard Austin, TX January 14, 1990

Justine Defender Warm Springs, OR Date Unknown

Sophia Derbyshire Costa Mesa, CA Date Unknown

Ruth Didier Kettering, OH February 17, 1990

Karen J. Fritts Lincoln, NE January 9, 1990

Helen Gilliland Aumsville, OR April 1989

Donald H. Hansen Lincoln, NE December 12, 1989

Thomas Hartter Orlando, FL Date Unknown

Margaret Hoffer Jensen Beach, FL December 25, 1989

Edna Jackson Columbia, SC Date Unknown

Eucles (Gus) Knight Richmond, VA February 22, 1990

Moses McClendon Cheraw, SC January 1990

Sarah McMullen Williamsport, MD September 22, 1987

Lawrence Mitchell Minneapolis, MN January 8, 1990

Ann Morris Tucson, AZ February 2, 1990

Monireh Mottahedeh Los Angeles, CA January 2, 1990

Edna F. Neff Yelm, WA December 29, 1989

Theodore A. Peno Webster, NH March 12, 1983

Kenneth Rabbani Arlington, VA October 25, 1989

Edris Rice-Wray Choluba, Mexico February 1990

Mildred Silva Berkeley, CA December 10, 1989

Louise Taylor Montague, MI February 21, 1990

Ray Turner The Dalles, OR December 1989

Mary Wallice Vero Beach, FL September 1989

Donel Washington Gainesville, FL January 8, 1990

John Yocum Marietta, GA March 4, 1990 [Page 24]

LET THE LIGHT OF PEACE SHINE

Bahá’ís from the Denver/Boulder, Colorado, area prepare to take part last January 14 in the annual parade marking the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

MOVING! TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS

To avoid unnecessary delays is 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.

Full name—Please DO NOT use nicknames ID# Title

Full name ID# Title

Full name ID# Title

NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: House/Space Street or Description City State Zip

NEW MAIL ADDRESS: PO Box or other Mailing Address City State Zip

NEW COMMUNITY: Name of new Bahá’í community

HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: Area Code / Number

WORK TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Area Code / Number / Name Area Code / Number / Name

We receive extra copies because the last names and address on our address labels do not match exactly. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.

We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) listed above.

Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy as well, and have listed my name, I.D. number and address above so that I may be put on the mailing list to receive my own copy.

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 21-22: Fund-raiser for the Arc, sponsored by the Spiritual Assemblies of Coral Springs and South Broward County, Florida. Special guests: the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears and Marguerite Sears. For information, phone Joanne Sabet, 305-345-9281, or Roya Fallah, 305-384-6556.

April 26-29: 81st Bahá’í National Convention, Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois. Seating by advance reservation only.

April 28: Riḍván celebration, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

May 4-6: Parent-Child Conference (with Counselor Robert Harris), Louhelen Bahá’í School.

May 23-28: Study Session: Spiritual Dimensions of Health (German), Landegg Academy, Switzerland.

May 25-27: 17th annual Conference of Nur, Elizabethtown (Pennsylvania) College. Theme: "The Unity of the Races." Speakers: Counselor Wilma Ellis, James Sturdivant, Nat Rutstein. For accommodations, costs and additional information, write to the Spiritual Assembly of Harrisburg, P.O. Box 3108, Harrisburg, PA 17105, or phone 717-232-9163.

May 25-28: Regional Bahá’í Youth Conference, Huntington, West Virginia. Theme: "Be the Lighters of Unlit Candles." Speakers: Jack Lenz, Tahereh Ahdieh, Soheil Bushrui, Fred Meyers. Cost: $85 per person. For information, contact Roya Dorost, Montgomery, WV 25136, or phone 304-442-4828.

May 25-28: Spiritual Renewal Retreat for Couples, Bosch Bahá’í School. Sessions on love, marriage and parenting conducted by Dan Popov and Linda Kavelin Popov. Text: "Family Life," compilation of the Universal House of Justice. Registration: Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (phone 408-323-3387).

June 1-3: Young Adult Conference, "Rendezvous with the Future: An Exploration of the Bahá’í Message in Today's World." Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California. For registration information, write to Bosch School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or phone Hooshyar Naraghi, 415-324-1055.

June 14-17: South Carolina Bahá’í Summer School, Louis G. Gregory Institute, Hemingway. Theme: "South Carolina Count-Down: The Remaining 677 Days of the Six Year Plan." For information, phone the Institute, 803-558-5093, or Moses and Ursula Richardson, 803-332-2411.

June 14-17: Bahá’í International Chinese Symposium, Kingston, Jamaica.

June 22-24: Fifth annual Meeting and Conference of the Bahá’í Justice Society, Wilmette, Illinois. Speakers to include Hugh Chance, a member of the Universal House of Justice; Alan Smith, a member of the Continental Board of Counselors for the Americas; and Judge Dorothy W. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly. For information, contact Ted Amsden, P.O. Box 43142, Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI 48243, or phone 313-568-6554.

June 25-28: First Sino-American Conference on Women's Issues, Beijing, People's Republic of China. For information, phone Global Interactions Inc., 602-272-3438.

June 28-July 14: Bahá’í Outdoor Leaders' Course (grades 11-13), Camp Kamal, Wisconsin. For information or to register, write to James Lewicki, Camp Kamal director, Viroqua, WI 54665, or phone 608-637-2743. Camp Kamal is sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Beloit, Wisconsin.

June 29-July 5: Seventh annual Bahá’í Teacher-Training Conference, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone Karen Olin, 805-466-1077, or the Louhelen School, 313-653-5033.

July 6-11: Louhelen School session, "Lifetime of Service," Special emphasis on families with program for children.

July 7-14: Wilderness Base Camp (grades 5-8), Leadership Development Camp (grades 9-10), Camp Kamal, Wisconsin. For information or to register, write to James Lewicki, Camp Kamal director, Viroqua, WI 54665, or phone 608-637-2743. Camp Kamal is sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Beloit, Wisconsin.

July 14-19: Session on the environment, Bosch Bahá’í School. Bahá’ís who are professionals, students or active volunteers in environmental issues are invited to submit one-page summaries of papers for possible presentation at the session. Send to: Program Director, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For program information, phone 805-933-1253. To register, send a deposit of $35 to the school address or register by charge card, 408-423-3387.

August 4-6: American Indian Pioneering Institute; location to be announced.

August 10-12: Caribbean Youth Conference, Barbados.

September 1-2: Pioneer Training Institute, Louis Gregory Bahá’í Center, Hemingway, South Carolina.

October/November: Pioneer Training Institute, Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine (exact dates to be announced).

December 21-27: Bahá’í International Summer School, Malawi.