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Baha'i

The American

‘The real treasury of man is his knowledge’—Bahd’u’llah

Volume 22, No. 1

January 1991

UN’s Third Committee reaffirms concern over Iran’s rights abuses

On December 4, the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee (Economic and Social Affairs) adopted a resolution by consensus reaffirming international concern for the human rights of Iran’s citizens including the Baha’fs.

It is significant that the Iranian government joined in agreement to the text of the resolution and acknowledged for the first time a need to ‘‘rectify” the violations of human rights.

The resolution cited ‘‘the findings of the UN Special Representative on the situation of the Baha’{s in the Islamic Republic of Iran.’’

In his report to the UN, the Special Representative, Reynaldo Galindo Pohl, quoted from 20 official Iranian documents or court decisions which, he said, provide ‘evidence of discrimination, confiscation, rejection by universities, suspension of pensions, demands for the return of pensions earned and paid, denial of passports and other irregularities” against the Baha’is.

The documents show that actions against Baha’is are taken solely on account of an individual’s belief in the Baha’i Faith.

Following the release of Mr. Pohl’s report but before the consensus resolution was passed in the UN, an editorial in The New York Times (November 26) commented on the report.

“‘Deplorably,’’ The Times stated, ‘‘Iran continues to persecute members of the minority Baha’i faith. Bahdé’{ adherents lose jobs, pensions and access to secondary schools. They’re also compelled to return their salaries as public employees unless they renounce their religion.

See RESOLUTION page 6

‘ 4 On November 17, more than 130 people including 60-70 Native Americans gathered in San Jose, California, for an evening devoted to cultural and spiritual awareness of the American Indian. The event was co-sponsored by the Bahd’t community of San Jose and

the American Indian Center of Santa

Clara County. The program included a special blessing of the grounds by an elder of the Indian Center, prayers, talks, traditional American Indian dances, and a display of Native American arts, crafts and cultural objects.

As local Assemblies continue development process

Fund goal response marks evolving maturity

The spirited and substantial response by local Spiritual Assemblies across the country to the establishment of local Fund goals is an encouraging sign on several levels.

One of the marks of the evolving maturation of our local institutions is the serious and productive attention which has been given to these goals by each local Spiritual Assembly.

The evolution of local and national institutions is linked by Shoghi Effendi to the coming of the Lesser Peace. In recognition of this vital duty, more than 400 local Assemblies have already begun the process of development at conferences called specifically for that purpose. These conferences have introduced various modules for local Spir itual Assembly development.

The process of institutional development presently under way is by definition a never-ending operation. Many Assemblies have initiated the process at conferences which have introduced the concept and certain of the educational modules at various sites in the country.

These conferences are continuing to enlist enthusiastic support for the program, as those attending last month’s meeting in Portland, Oregon, will attest.

The conferences provide a suitable introduction to the never-ending process of maturation. Scores of local Assemblies in every area have already undertaken, in association with the Aux

Teaching Committee calls on friends to arise, win homefront pioneer goals

During the final years of the Six Year Plan, the National Teaching Committee is calling for dedicated Baha’{s to arise as homefront pioneers and disperse to goal areas throughout the country. This call goes beyond the need for Baha’ is to move from one place to another; homefront pioneering in its truest sense is equal to international pioneering. Its purpose is to help local believers build strong Ba ha’f communities.

Pioneers can ensure that a balance is maintained between expansion and consolidation in the process of teaching, helping to establish new local Assemblies and laying the foundation for a systematic, unprecedented increase in the growth of the American Baha’{ community. The chief goal of the pioneer is to raise from among the local residents the teachers and administrators of the Faith who will

carry the Cause forward into the future.

Below are some of the priority goals for homefront pioneering set by the National Teaching Committee. Listed is the locality name; its status as a Bahd’{ community; the approximate number of believers residing in the community; and the name, address and phone number of a contact person who can provide fur ther information.

Special emphasis has been placed upon the need for homefront pioneers to set See HOMEFRONT page 11

iliary Board member for their region, a study of one of more of the development modules presently available. Matters of urgent concern to the Assembly for, the effective and spiritual leadership of the community are addressed by these modules.

The material, and the opportunity for interchange between a facilitator and the members of the Baha’{ community, combine to foster a new understanding of the spiritual character of the institution and the proper exercise of its stewardship.

Modules already in use and available for study include those dealing with prayer and the spiritual nature of the local Assembly, the application of spiritual principle, consultation, teaching, diversity, Feasts, the Fund, social and economic development, Persian-American integration, cultivating the arts, and managing stress within the Baha’{ community.

To receive one or more of these modules, you may request them from the Auxiliary Board member for your

See DEVELOPMENT page 2

Pilgrimages to Holy Land postponed until April 1

In view of the uncertain situation in the Middle East, the Universal House of Justice has decided to postpone pilgrimage for those who have received invitations to come between now and April 1, 1991.

Your places on the waiting list for pilgrimage will be maintained, and you will be invited on another date in due course.

Hand of the Cause Varga visits Southern California on National Assembly’s behalf

The Hand of the Cause of God and Trustee of Huququ’ll4h Ali-Muhammad Varqg4 recently visited several communities in Southern California at the invitation of the National Spiritual Assembly.

On November 17, Dr. Varqé attended a special meeting of the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles at which its members took advantage of his advice and guidance.

Later that day he spoke to a group of several hundred friends in English, and the following day spoke in Persian to a capacity audience at the Los Angeles Baha’i Center.

On November 19, nearly 400 Baha’fs from Orange County gathered at the University of California-Irvine to hear Dr. Varga speak, and on November 20 he addressed two groups at the San Diego Baha’{ Center, in English and Persian, then visited Oceanside to speak to some of the friends in North San Diego County.

Counselor Fred Schechter was present in Los Angeles and San Diego to welcome and introduce Dr. Varga.

In his talks, Dr. Varga explained the significance of the times and the importance of achieving the goals of the Six Year Plan; the role the buildings of the Arc will play in the process of the maturation of Baha’{ institutions; the interrelatedness of the various agencies at the World Center; and the urgency of increasing the number of adherents of the Faith.

On November 22, Dr. Varga traveled to Tucson, Arizona, where he joined the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears at the Desert Rose Baha’i School. �[Page 2]2./ The.American Bahá’t / January 1991

Answers to frequent questions about teaching institutes

The following are answers to questions that have been most commonly asked of a member of the Auxiliary Board in regard to teaching institutes. The answers to these questions are gleaned from correspondence from the International Teaching Center. The Board member has shared these questions and answers with the National Teaching Committee, and the committee in turn would like to share them with the American Bahd’t community.

° What is a teaching institute?

A teaching institute is a core group of believers who ‘“‘function as a small group of people around which a program of understanding and action evolves continuously.”” A teaching institute can be formed with as few as two or three dedicated and committed individuals who have the desire to teach and serve and help in the entry by troops in their area. The Auxiliary Board member or assistant in that area might be contacted when a new institute is formed, as they stand ready to lend their support, guidance and prayers for the success of the teaching efforts. Also, sharing news with the Auxiliary Board is one way in which the

Pioneer institute focuses on needs on Reservations

A second homefront pioneering institute focusing on meeting the needs of pioneers on or near American Indian Reservations was held November 30-December 2 near Salem, Oregon.

Attending were nearly 40 Baha’is from Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Northern California.

Like the previous institute held in August, discussions centered on the Covenant, American Indian teaching, and the nature of pioneering.

Counselor Jacqueline Delahunt and Kevin Locke, a member of the N: tional Spiritual Assembly, led the discussions about teaching and pioneering among American Indians. Auxiliary Board member Marshall Murphy spoke about the Covenant.

Besides conducting the deepening on the nature of pioneering, staff members from the Office of Pioneering and the National Teaching Committee office helped lead an interactive cultural awareness exercise.

Plans are under way for more pioneering institutes with an emphasis on preparing homefront pioneers. It is the hope of the National Spiritual Assembly and the National Teaching Committee that many homefront pioneers can be placed on Indian Reservations throughout the remainder of the Six Year Plan.

For more information about American Indian teaching, please contact the National Teaching Committee office, American Indian teaching coordinator, Mrs. Ada James, at 708-869-9039, ext. 361.

vital link of information is created so that the Universal House of Justice and the International Teaching Center may rejoice in the progress of teaching and deepening in every Baha’{ community. What is the purpose of forming a teaching institute?

“«|.. sustained expansion of the Faith in a region depends largely on the number and the quality of teachers who are being trained systematically, especially from among the new believers.”

What are some of the qualities that the institute seeks to develop in the participants?

They include: ‘‘self-confidence, reliance on God, profound love for humanity, eagerness and burning desire to teach and serve mankind, steadfastness in the face of tests and trials, abundant joy and radiance of heart: in short, all those attitudes and attributes that are essential for a life of dedicated service to the Cause.’’

How is a teaching institute formed?

Quite simply, a person who has a burning desire to teach and serve the Faith seeks out another person (and perhaps a second or third) who has a similar interest and desire. A commitment of several years on the part of the members of a teaching institute is made, so that the efforts may be sustained and the results long-lasting. How do they spend their time?

The members decide on a place and time to-meet and spend their time becoming enkindled by reading the Creative Words and memorizing them, choosing a receptive population and forming strategies through consultation, teaching in between sessions and welcoming new believers as teachers and resources for the community. What is the relationship between the teaching institute and the local Spiritual Assembly?

The local Assembly will be there to give guidance to the teaching institute, and its members should be open to receive that guidance. The teaching institute is there to serve the institutions of the Faith through enkindlement and action at the grass roots of the community.

Can our community deepenings be called a teaching institute?

“Not every deepening activity of a group of Baha’{s, of course, could be called an institute.”” A deepening does not often implement the same focus as a teaching institute, whose focus should be teaching the Cause to a specific population decided upon through consultation by the core group, depending on the needs and conveniences of the area in which it is being formed and/or the specific interests and backgrounds of the individuals who make up that group.

What should be the focus of a teaching institute?

The attention of a core group should

The American Bahd’t is published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to Management Information Systems, Bahd’t National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Executive editor: Jack Bowers. Editorial assistant: Scot Corrie. The American Bahd’t welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Faith, Articles should be written clearly and concisely; color or black-and-white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials to the Editor, The American Bahd’i, Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright © 1990 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’{s of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

be ‘‘focused initially on the preparation of the believers themselves for teaching, the development of materials and methods appropriate for teaching among the population, and the actual implementation of teaching plans.” So, the main purpose of a teaching institute is the dynamic deepening of the individuals involved which focuses them on teaching the Faith.

How are new believers involved?

“As the number of believers increases in the region, the most urgent matter before the institute is the deepening of the new believers so that they also participate in teaching and help achieve a sustained rate of expansion.”’ When is a teaching institute most effective?

Teaching institutes are most effective ‘‘when the explicit goal in designing and carrying out their programs is the spiritual empowerment of the believers.””

What is the single most important aspect of a successful program?

“Emphasis on the study of the Sacred Writings stands out as the single most important aspect of a successful program.”’

What else can help us in our institutes?

“An increasing number of institute participants throughout the world are also finding that memorization of passages from the Writings is of profound assistance to them in their efforts to walk the path of spiritual transformation.”” - a What is meant by “‘participative methods”?

“Another characteristic of successful institute programs is the use of participative methods. It is only when participants learn to become active agents of their own learning, rather than passive listeners, that the desired attitudes

toward service are born and develop.”” The action carried out by the individual in between scheduled teaching institute meetings is an indication of the success of the institute and whether the individual is truly learning to use participative methods.

How can we keep the institute from dying out?

“‘Where the Creative Word and participative methods are employed, the programs of the institute become attractive to the population, and the number of participants usually increases and does not dwindle. In such programs, it is unnecessary, then, to depend upon repeated emotional appeals as a motivational technique . . .”” What should the atmosphere of an effective teaching institute be like?

“Institute activities are highly effective when participants clearly perceive that the institute expects spiritual discipline of them and when, at the same time, the atmosphere of the institute is so permeated with love that the development of spiritual discipline becomes a personal goal rather than a requirement imposed from outside.’”

°

The International Teaching Center was established in 1973 in the Holy Land by the Universal House of Justice, as ordained by Bahd’u’lláh. Its membership embraces the Hands of the Cause of God residing in the Holy Land and International Counselors. Its many duties include coordinating, stimulating and directing the activities of the Continental Boards of Counselors and being fully informed of the situation of the Cause in all parts of the world.

For more information about teaching institutes, please contact your Auxiliary Board member or assistant.

Eight Baha’is play active role in annual meeting of American Academy of Religion in New Orleans

Eight Bahd’{s attended the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature held November 16-20 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The meeting drew some 5,600 college professors, graduate students, scholars and publishers interested in the fields of religious studies and biblical studies.

Also included was an exhibition area where about 93 publishers including the Baha’{ Distribution Service displayed their books and software.

Besides making and renewing contacts with a large number of academics and scholars, the Baha’is presented a panel discussion at one of the AAR sessions.

Three papers were presented: William Collins’ ‘‘Sacred Mythology and the Baha’{ Faith,’’ Susan Stiles Maneck’s ‘‘The Conversion of Religious Minorities to the Baha’i Faith in Iran: Some Preliminary Observations,’”’ and Robert Stockman’s ‘‘Redeemer Nation Revisited: American Baha’{s and the Sacred History of America.’’

After introducing himself as a Baha’i at a session on ‘‘ The Changing Face of Religion in Eastern Europe,” and presenting a business card that included ‘‘International Baha’i Library,”’ Mr. Collins was asked to pre sent a three-minute talk on the history and development of the Faith in Eastern Europe.

Development from page 1

area, or you may order directly from the Baha’{ Distribution Service. Arrangements can then be made for a facilitator to visit your community.

Because the process of Assembly development is continuous, new modules are constantly being developed and older ones revised and updated.

Modules are presently being prepared to help us better understand the Baha’{ electoral process, and to foster and maintain successful relationships with agencies outside the Faith.

An especially exciting evolution is the soon-to-be-released revision of the module on teaching. This module will be a great help to Assemblies, to make them the agents of inspiration and the developers of opportunity for an unprecedented wave of individual teaching.

Such a wave will be essential to the gift of victory we propose to deliver on the centenary of the inauguration of the Covenant of Bahd’u’llah in 1992. �[Page 3]

“The first condition is absolute love and harmony among the members. . . .”°—‘Abdu’l-Baha

National Fund growth continues

Contributions to the Baha’{ National Fund have continued to rise well above last year’s level of giving.

At the end of November, contributions stood at $4,975,846, a 19 percent increase over the previous year. Offerings earmarked for the Arc Projects Fund were $2,193,365, up 272 percent from November 1989.

Including estate bequests of $386,000, total contributions in these three categories were $7,556,770, which was fully 56 percent above the previous year’s figure as of November.

The Office of the Treasurer believes that these trends appear to indicate a sustainable new level of giving. The

friends continue to challenge old patterns, and across the U.S. we seem to be trying to find new ways of raising money and of thinking about this vital aspect of Baha’t life.

As for the annual goal of $25 million, the Treasurer’s Office feels that there is still a good deal of work to be done before the goal is met. The recently launched program of local Spiritual Assembly goals is helping to create the kind of unified focus that must be there in order to make good progress, and individual contributions from the Baha’is have traditionally risen at this time of the year as the income tax deadline approaches. It is expected that the community will be surprised and happy at its own progress.

What’s everyone saying?

California: ‘‘In view of the monumental tasks the National Spiritual Assembly has to deal with, we thought it only fitting that we do our best to do our share. .. .Our resolve to accept the community’s goal was based on the realization that we must rise to a greater level of service and sacrifice. We ap

Pictured are participants in December’s Hispanic retreat co-sponsored by

the National Teaching Committee and the Bahd’t Group of Saugerties, N.Y.

Hispanic retreat is held in Saugerties, New York

An Hispanic retreat, designed as a consultation on achieving strategies for taking the Message of Bahda’u’lláh to mankind, was held December 1-2 in Saugerties, New York.

Twenty-five Baha’{s and six guests attended the retreat, which was sponsored by the Baha’{ Group of Saugerties and the National Teaching Committee.

The participants, who now reside in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts, represented seven Latin American countries and the U.S.

The key point of the weekend’s discussions was the love of Baha’u’llah. Participants spoke of the transforming power of His love and the need to share our love for Him in teaching.

Many of the non-Baha’is who attended agreed that it was the spirit created by love and the demonstration of that love by the friends that attracted them to Baha’u’ll4h and His Cause.

Expressing one’s love of Baha’u’ll4h in teaching, the participants agreed, is imperative. A lover of Baha’u’lláh will assist Him by sharing His Message with others.

Ways of sharing the Message include inviting seekers to one’s home or to Baha’i activities or celebrations such as

teaching institutes, deepening classes, and Holy Day observances.

But, it was agreed, it is important to remain focused on such activities as being a demonstration of one’s love for Baha’u’llah.

One Baha’{ couple offered an example from their teaching experiences. They host weekly gatherings in their home, to which they invite Baha’is and non-Baha’is of various nationalities.

At these gatherings, they share food and music and discuss a variety of issues. The key to their success, they said, is the expression of love for Baha’u’ll4h by showing love for humanity and demonstrating Baha’{ unity.

The highlight of the retreat was the declaration of belief in, and commitment to, Baha’u’llah by two of the participants who had come as seekers.

The jubilation felt in their hearts in turning to Bahda’u’ll4h was joyously celebrated through music and dance.

On Sunday, the participants left one another with a renewed fire of love for Baha’u’ll4h, and, ‘‘having attained sufficiently the individual regeneration—the essential requisite for teaching,’’ were ready ‘‘to teach His Cause with righteousness, conviction, understanding and vigor.’’

The American Baha’{ / January 1991 / 3

Fund contributions continue pattern of steady growth

preciate getting a concrete goal to work toward. .. .Teaching and consolidation are the long-term approaches we are grappling with to reach all the goals of the Faith... .Your letter was the impetus we needed to move aggressively forward in developing and implementing a vision and teaching plan for our community.’”

South Carolina: ‘‘The experience of our Assembly over the last year has been that decisions must be based on spiritual principle and obedience, not on our perceived limitations. Although there did not seem any way possible that this community could achieve the level of giving required immediately, it was felt that over time we would be able to reach it.’”

Florida: “‘The Spiritual Assembly has agreed to accept this challenge with love and unity. We pray for the fulfillment of this commitment not only by this community but for all the other American communities in this very privileged and blessed endeavor.” Young pen pals

From a proud father:

“Please find check in the amount of $7 dated December 3, 1990. My daughter made ‘spin-art’ cards and sold them for 50 cents apiece. She wanted to do something ‘to help Baha’u’llah’s Fund...’ It’s with a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat that I feel so proud of her act of action and sacrifice, as I write this letter to you.’’

Indiana: ‘(Our contribution) figures seem to make a goal of $4,000 by the end of this Baha’{ year practically im possible. . . .The Assembly wished to explain this reality to (our) community; however, after much deliberation and prayerful consideration, the challenge of a $4,000 goal was accepted joyfully and unanimously. . . .It is our hope and our prayer that despite the fewness of our numbers and the inadequacy of our means, we will be given the capacity to arise to this extraordinary opportunity for sacrificial giving and that with the help of the Blessed Beauty we will achieve our goal by Ridvan. Please keep us in your prayers as we keep you in ours.””

Illinois: ‘Though this is a great challenge as it appears beyond our means, yet we have (accepted the suggested goal) so to be in unity with that spirit of audacity and faith that must animate the entire American Baha’{ community in order to win the national goal of $25 million.”

Illinois (again): “‘After much serious thought and consultation our Assembly has decided to pursue our teaching efforts even more vigorously in an effort to add to our membership and thus hopefully to increase our giving.’’

New York: ‘‘Our Assembly has consulted on the goal of $7,000 suggested by you as our part in helping the National Fund achieve its goal of $25 million by next Ridvén. We are happy to report our unanimous approval of the goal and the spirit of unified action needed in these special times of crisis. We... feel confident that we can fulfill the remainder of our obligation by Ridvan. .. .””

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�[Page 4]4/ The American Baha’i / January 1991

Publications for Teachin

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een eannuenean The Secret of Divine Civilization New pocket-size edition by ‘Abdu’l-Baha

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Contemplating Life’s Greatest Questions

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A Pictoral History of the Baha’i Faith in South Africa, 1911 to 1989

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One of the central principles of the Bal jith-the organic and spiritual oneness of the entire human race-! many areas of the world, a formidible challenge to apply. Here is a straightforward chronicle of the South African Baha’i community’s example to their fellow countrymen and the world at large. It is an excelient resource for those who ask, “Whi is the Baha’ response to apartheid?” and “What is the Baha’i community of South Africa doing to unite the diverse peoples of that country?” Here, vividly presented through the history of this community, is the Baha model for the unification of humanity in action.

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@ GREATEST QUESTIONS

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distribute widely.

2-7/8 x 4 inches, 24pp.

Bahd’i Publishing Trust

of the United Kingdom FAX your order

by dialing:

�[Page 5]The American Baha’{ / January 1991 / 5

Inspirational and Educational Materials

for Children, Youth and Adults

EARTIRECACL

oon

PARRISH, TOPPANO

THE SHORES OF THIS GREAT OCEAN

PAVON INTERNATIONAL

NEW CALENDAR

Baha’i History Calendar

147-148 B.E. CA $6.50

This year’s calendar is entitled The Bab... The Morn of Truth features scenes and obje: ated with the life and this Manifestation of God's

Dispensation. It also i a pullout map of Pers the nineteenth century, listing significant dates and events of the Babi revelation.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd’is of the Hawaiian Islands

NEW AUDIO CASSETTES FOR ALL AGES

To the Planters of Trees

by Nancy Ward

CS $10.95

Ti an album that Nancy Ward fan of depth and compassion. Nancy won our h Grow Up album in which she used song and captivating story-telling to encourage young children to acquire the virtues of responsible world citizens. Her To the Planters of Trees is a marvelous collection of lyrical songs and powerful m ddressing global is from healing the environment to fe ne qualities and spiritual ights-all conveyed through natural, evocative images. These are songs for the heart, mind, and spirit of our t Water Music, Inc.

_ The Shores of This Great Ocean

by Parrish & Toppano

CS $9.95

First released in Europe by Parrish and Toppano as a follow-up to thei Royal Falcon album, t lection of songs was warmly received by the commercial non-Baha’i market as well as by the Baha’is of Europe. An intriguing blend of piano, synthesizer, and New Age sound effects, containing Baha’ as well as pre-Baha’t influences, The Shores of This Great Ocean expands the ever-growing body of Baha’ arts and culture. Digital Stereo Chrome; 37:55 minutes

Pavon International / Global Arts, Inc.

WE RECYCLE

& other songs for EARTH KEEPERS by Dave & Helene Van Manen

CS $9.95

Here is a delighiful album for children and the entire family. The Van Manens have once again produced an endearing and joyful collection of songs that continue many of the themes they began on Barley Bread & Reindeer Milk. You may remember the World Pledge on that album. That theme has returned in WE RECYCLE in the title song, in Earthkeeper, Going to My Garden, and in Warm Fuzzi ited. Another theme was F Here it is presented in What is P ally the theme of the symbiotic nature of all life tinued in two selections, Family Tree and We are uplifts the spirit, and would be a wonderful casion.

People Records

have been waiting for-an album s with her We Want to

STORIES AND COLORING BOOKS, CARDS FOR CHILDREN

Stories for Young Bahd’is by Elise Liknaitzky; illustrated by Jane Williams SC $3.95

Here are three wonderful stories of love. “Mahe

Makes a Friend” is the

story of a young boy befriending the new boy at school, despite his difference from the other children. In “The Wings of the Bird,” a young boy and girl must overcome the of evil spirits in order to help an old

g about themselves in the process. And uggle to maintain their love for one e delightful stories provide enjoying reader. Suitable for children three , 44 pp.

of South Africa

man, thereby learning someth “The Bitter Tree,” two another despite life’s adve ment and valuable lessons years and older. 5-7/8 x 8-1/4 inch

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bah

“Blessed is the Spot” Wall Frieze Coloring Card Set

illustrated by Sarah G. Swain-Nisbet

CD $9.50

This attractive set of eighteen separate coloring cards illustrate various of this well-known quotation of Baha'u'llah. The bla ind white line drawings reflect the diversi s environments and its human cultures ina variety o! s. Children ages 4 through 10 will enjoy coloring thi ried s nd developing their creative talents. 11-7/8 x 11 inche cards

Baha'i Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE Contact the Department of Human Resources, Ms. Geneva Sutton, Baha'i National Center at 1-708-869-9039

if you would like more information or would like to apply for at Publishing Trust and Distribution Service: EDITORIAL EDITOR; CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRE

of the following positions at the Baha’i

ENTATIVE

VIDEO TAPES PROVIDE TOOLS FOR TEACHING eR

Morning Stars | A Profile of

| Kevin Locke

VT $29.95

Produced

Morning Stars A Profile of Kevin Locke

cooperation with the

lic Television, Productions, introduc tion to the Baha’i Faith was recorded at Premiere Dance Theater in Canada. Starring Native American hoop dancer/flute musician Kevin Locke, with drumming and singing by Chester Mahooty, Morning Stars features cultural aspects of traditional Lakota Sioux as expressed through dance, music, and storytelling. Mr. Locke, who is renowned for his contribution to keeping these art forms alive, also discusses his personal view of the ith as a fulfillment of many of the traditional Lakota religious fication of the peoples of the Four Directions (the peoples of the ‘est, North, and South) in a society that welcomes the contributions of all cultures. Morning Stars was co-produced and directed by Shar Lenz and David Andrews. Musical director for the project was Jack Lenz.VHS, 28:54 minutes

Stay Focused Productions / Global Arts, Inc.

nd Stay Focu

ee Baha’i Newsreel, Vol. 1, No. 3, Fall 1990 VT $15.95

The third in this very popular series, the Baha’i Newsreel is meant not only to inform the Baha’i community of its teaching and development activities throughout the world, but is also a valuable chronicle of the growth and history of the Faith. It is an excellent teaching tool for those who have already expre y thy with the principles and claims of the Faith Some of the highlights in number 3 include: the Sino-American Women’s Conference in China, Native American teaching activities, live satellite coverage of the Hiroshima Day commemoration, and the Soviet documentary film of the Baha’i Faith

U.S. Baha’i Media Services

NNR Baha’i Coloring Book, Set of Four compiled by Elizabeth M. Witham

SC $7.50 This inexpens quotations from the Bal Africa. A brief quot

s the mood for a

hemes found in prayers and d portrays aspects of daily life in Africans, and Xhosa on the left-hand mple black and white illustration on the right ingle-page biography of one of the Central

Quotations in book one focus on teachings for this new day; those in book two focus on faith, certitude, and detachment. Book three focuses on developing a spiritual character, those quotations in book four focus on knowing and loving God. 8-//4 x 11-3/4 inches, 21 pages per volume. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd’is of South Africa

Bahd't D Te aT CS tom ial A Ordered by:

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�[Page 6]6 / The American Baha’i / January 1991

Baha’i Chair: ‘immense importance’ to Cause

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified notices in The American Baha’i are published free of charge as a service to the Bahd’{ 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 Sriends should exercise their own judg ment in responding to them. °

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

THE FOLLOWING positions are presently available overseas: AFRICA—Kenya: physicians, RNs, PAs. General: regional finance director, regional program director, auditors, technical adviser for Food Aid Management grant, information systems/organizational development staff. AMERICAS— Venezuela: civil engineer. ASLA—India: economist. AUSTRALASIA—Marshall Islands: patrol officers, English teachers. Saipan: MDs—family practice, emergency room, internal medicine, surgeons. EUROPE—Romania: pediatricians; pediatric surgeons and nurses; occupational, physical, recreational and speech therapist; child psycholgist; nutritionists; family planning specialists for short-term assignments. For more information about any of the above, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahd’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039. PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

SUNSHINE, beaches and the arts are commonplace in Sarasota, Florida, but young Baha’is are not! We would extend Southern hospitality to any Bahd’{, but the Baha’{s of Sarasota are especially interested in welcomii younger Baha’is who are professional classical musicians or students of art. Opportunities abound for motivated musicians interested in freelancing and/or forming a chamber ensemble in the ‘cultural capital’ of Florida, and the Ringling School of Art and Design is conveniently located in this small but beautiful city. For more information, please write to Deborah Bennett, Baha’is of Sarasota,

South, Sarasota, FL 34236, or phone Patricia Wicker, secretary, 813-955-3073.

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Baha’ Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Cornelia Groot, Ethel and George Gross, Charlotte Grover (died Davis, CA, 1975), William Guhr, Mrs. Woodward Guile, Lena Gutberlet, Frances and Walter Guy (Frances died Augusta, ME, 1952), Lee Hager, Frederick Haines, and Catherine E. Hall. Anyone knowing family members or other relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian are asked to contact the National Baha’ Archives, Bahd’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or to phone 708-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Baha’{ Archives is seeking photographs and personal recollections of sessions at the Green Acre, Louhelen, Geyserville and Bosch schools and the Louis Gregory and Native American Baha’i Institutes. Anyone having pictures or recollections they could share are asked to send them to the National Baha’{ Archives, Bahd’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

WANTED

POETRY AND PROSE wanted for an anthology of Baha’i responses to Mount Carmel and the Shrines. I am compiling a collection of the believers’ creative writing ebout their personal response to being on Mount Carmel and experiencing the Shrines. It is hoped that the collecti will make an anthology for publication by the Holy Year. Poems of any length and prose pieces of not more than 1,000 words required. Please send work to Rob Weinberg, . Kingston Lane, Southwick BN42 4SN, UK.

WANTED: stories and recollections about Keith Ransom-Kehler or copies of any of the many articles she wrote. The information will be used to compile a manuscript about her life, her travels and her writings, Please send information to Carol W. : " MA 01270. Thank you.

On February 12, 1990, the Universal House of Justice announced to the Baha’is of the world ‘‘an achievement of immense importance to the accelerating progress of the Cause of Baha’u’lláh,”’ the establishment of the Baha’{ Chair for World Peace, ‘‘a direct response to the peace statement . . .””

The Center for International Development and Conflict Management at the University of Maryland, College Park, and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahda’is of the United States have established the Baha’i Chair for World Peace. The purpose of the Chair is (a) to conduct and publish, research, design courses and conduct seminars in the fields of Baha’i studies

and world peace within an interdisciplinary context; (b) to initiate public forums for discussing the issues proposed in the statement of the Universal House of Justice entitled ‘The Promise of World Peace’’; and (c) to establish academic linkages with and provide technical assistance to Baha’i institutions in the fields of peace education and international development. The Chair is administered by an advisory committee of seven distinguished individuals, five of whom were appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly. Dr. Suheil Bushrui, a Baha’i who is a visiting professor at the Center for International Development and Conflict Management, has been

appointed director of the Baha’{ Chair for World Peace. He oversees and helps to develop and implement the fund-raising activities for this historic event which is yet further evidence of the emergence of the Faith from obscurity and the taking of a more active role in the life of society.

Resolution from page 1 “Mr. Galindo Pohl found that treatment of Bahd’is has improved only to the extent that fewer are imprisoned and executions have apparently ceas”

The resolution was adopted by the General Assembly in December.

Your local Assembly is best place to start Want to travel and teach but don’t have the money? Read on

I want to go traveling teaching but I don’t have the money! Where do I go? Who do I ask?

The Two Year Plan for the teaching work in Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, Mongolia and China has released extraordinary energies in our community and many friends are arising, offering their talents to travel and teach in these areas.

The enthusiasm of the friends to enter the teaching arena in these communities is a source of joy; however, this very enthusiasm has often clouded

the good judgment of the friends regarding the financing of such projects, creating misunderstandings for both the individuals and the institutions.

If you are interested in traveling teaching, but do not have all of the funds necessary to support your project, READ ON.

Once you have contacted the Office of Pioneering, decided where you would like to serve, and determined the cost of your project, your next step is to consult with your local Spiritual As

Racial unity theme of 15th annual Conference of Association for Baha’i Studies in Atlanta

“Models of Racial Unity’’ was the theme of the 15th annual Conference of the Association for Baha’i Studies held November 9-11 at the Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel in Atlanta.

More than 650 people attended the event which included plenary sessions, simultaneous workshops, culturai presentations, awards, and professional interest seminars.

Among the highlights were:

© The Hasan Balyuzi Memorial Lecture by Dr. Elsie Austin.

° A keynote address by Dr. Robert C. Henderson, secretary general of the National Spiritual Assembly.

° A talk and flute performance by Kevin Locke, a Lakota Indian who is a member of the National Spiritual Assembly.

© Presentations by noted non-Baha’i speakers, a welcome by a representative of the mayor of Atlanta, a jazz concert with many accomplished musicians, performances of African and Asian dance and music, and an art exhibit sponsored by the Baha’i Institute for the Arts.

An inspiring program commemorating the Birth of Bahd’u’ll4h consisted of stories and music by the Tennessee Baha’{ Choir directed by Tom Price and additional prayers and music.

The conference was opened with

day-long professional interest seminars by sections of the Association for Baha’i Studies including Arts, Business and Economics, Consultation and Conflict Resolution, Education, Health, Intercultural Issues, Marriage and the Family, the Study of Religion, Science and Technology, and Women’s

Issues.

Consultation and presentations in the seminars focused on various aspects of ‘‘the most challenging issue’’ as they related to the topic of each seminar.

Awards were presented to Arash Abizadeh for an essay entitled ‘‘Liberal Democracy and the Baha’i Administrative Order’’; to William Collins for an essay on ‘‘Sacred Mythology and the Baha’i Faith”; and to Hoda Mahmoudi and Richard Dabell in the multi-author category for their essay, “Rights and Responsibilities in the Baha’i Family System.”

Workshops featured video presentations, panel discussions, talks, papers, drama, and a performance by the Michiana Bahaé’i Youth Workshop. The conference was concluded with the Annual Meeting of the Association for Baha’ Studies.

Race Unity: An Imperative for Social Progress, a recently published book by Dr. Richard W. Thomas, conference program coordinator and associate professor at Michigan State University, was available at the conference. The book can be purchased through the Baha’j Distribution Service (ABS members may order directly from the Association at a member’s discount).

WARNING

Baha’is traveling to Missoula, Montana, should be aware that there are Covenant-breakers in the city and that they should avoid the “Baha’i Center’? and should not call 721-5737. The correct Bahd’t telephone number is 406-549-8714.

sembly. Bring to the consultation a clear presentation of your plans, the actual cost of the project, your present financial capacity, and the extent to which you are able to earn the necessary funds.

Ask your Assembly to help you plan activities to raise the remaining funds. It is important to remember that unless your local Spiritual Assembly chooses to sponsor your project, assuming full responsibility for ensuring that the believers involved receive the proper training for the activity and that it will be accountable for all the actions of those involved, your endeavor is a personal teaching project.

If your tour is being coordinated through an organization owned by Baha’is, such as the Soviet Amer’can Cooperation Society, InterNational Soviet Resources Inc., or NetEast, it is merely being planned by individual Baha’is as a private venture. Neither the tour nor the organization is officially sponsored or endorsed by Baha’{ institutions.

As a general policy, the National Spiritual Assembly does not approve of individuals soliciting funds in the name of the Faith for persona! ieaching endeavors. Should an appeal for funds be necessary for your project, it is the local Assembly that should make it and not the individual(s) involved.

If an appeal is to go beyond the jurisdiction of the local Assembly, approval must be obtained from the National Spiritual Assembly. If the local Assembly is not sponsoring the teaching project, all contributions made to it are donations to a personal project, not contributions to the Fund.

While individuals and local Spiritual Assemblies are free to deputize a person for traveling teaching or pioneering, the proper channel for doing so is to contribute to the National Baha’{ Fund, earmarking the funds for the particular individual or project.

The Office of Pioneering is eager to learn of your plans and to help the friends in whatever way possible. Please contact the office if you have any questions, would like to serve the Cause internationally, or would be interested in offering financial help to those friends who are able to travel and teach or to pioneer in your stead. The address is Office of Pioneering, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039). �[Page 7]The American Baha’{ / January 1991 / 7

BIC in forefront of three important UN- related events

UNITED NATIONS

Representatives to the United Nations of the Baha’i International Community (BIC) and the National Spiritual Assembly were in the forefront of three important UN-related events that took place in New York City in November and December.

On November 15, a symposium on Women’s Initiatives in African Food Security: The Link Between Micro Activities and Macro Policies, was held at the UN.

Months of preparation preceding the symposium and much of the consultation and groundwork took place at the BIC offices. Mary Power, BIC representative to the UN, convenor of the Advocates for African Food Security, gave the welcoming speech to the participants who met in the Dag Hammarskjéld Auditorium.

Mona Grieser, a Baha’i who is director of the New Era Foundation for International Development, was a panelist.

The BIC is one of the Advocates’ founding’ organizations.

At the symposium, speakers from the UN, non-governmental organizations in the U.S., Canada and Africa, and from financial and development institutions discussed the impact of women’s initiatives at the grassroots

UN Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuellar (left) accepts the results of the “Book Voyage Project’ of the International Task Force for Literacy from

level on national policy related to women farmers in Africa.

From November 30-December 3, the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) held its national convention in New York.

The UNA-USA is a national organization dedicated to strengthening the UN system and to enhancing U.S. participation in international institutions.

The U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, a member of the UNA’s Council of Organizations, sent three representatives: Kit Bigelow, deputy director of the Office of External Affairs; Shirley Lee, the National Assembly’s UN representative; and Ashley Avaregan, one of only seven youth delegates.

Ms. Bigelow took part in a skills session on human rights and made comments from the floor on a resolution on the environment; Ms. Lee, a panelist in the skills session on ‘‘Getting the Message Out,’’ was appointed to the 35-member Board of Governors of the organization.

Ms. Lee was also elected to the nominating committee for the next convention, to be held in 1993.

Also at the UN, BIC representative Daniel Wegener, a member of the International Task Force on Literacy (ITFL), was chairman of the planning committee for the celebratory programs marking the end of International Literacy Year.

The BIC was the moving force be Bool: Voyage

Magdalene Gathoni, literacy learner representative from Kenya, and Daniel Wegener, the Bahd’i International Community’s UN representative.

Senate ratifies UN Convention on Torture, National Assembly thanks friends for help

On October 27, the U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent to ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Convention on Torture).

The National Spiritual Assembly would like to thank all local Spiritual Assemblies and individuals who responded to its requests over the last three years to write to their senators and the President regarding support of the Convention.

The next stage in the ratification process is to pass legislation that will make the Convention a part of the U.S. legal code.

During the next year, the Senate and House Judiciary Committees will hold hearings on “implementation legislation.’’ It was during this stage in the ratification process for the Convention on Genocide that Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary general of the National Spiritual Assembly, testified on behalf of the Baha’{ community in 1988.

When the implementation legislation is passed by Congress, it will be forwarded to the President for his signature. The final step after signing the legislation will be the deposit of the treaty with the United Nations Secretary-General.

Participants in Symposium II sponsored by the Advocates for African Food Security at the UN on November 15 included (left to right) Mary Power, representative to the UN for the Bahd’i International Community and convenor of the Advocates; Ruth Bamela

hind the preparation and presentation of two important programs: a reception December 10 at the UN for learners around the world, and a seminar, “International Literacy: 1990 and Beyond,”’ held in cooperation with

= a bbs. Engo-Tjega, UN Program of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development Secretariat; Gloria Nikoi, former Minister of Foreign AfJSairs, Ghana; and Virginia Hazzard, UN representative for the American Association of Retired Persons.

UNESCO the following day.

After spending several days at the BIC offices in New York, Magdalene Gathoni, Kenya’s literacy learner representative, said she had “‘found God’s people”’ and became a Baha’{.

Atlanta Baha’i Youth Workshop completes busy three-month schedule, celebrates fourth birthday

September, October and November were exciting months for the Atlanta Baha’i Youth Workshop.

On September 14 the Workshop celebrated its fourth birthday with a gala party, and two weeks later performed at Southwest DeKalb High School’s Spirit of Community Festival for about 300 students, faculty and parents.

On October 11, the Workshop gave another performance at the Roswell Youth Week Variety Show for an audience of about 100 children, youth and parents. Two days later some of the members returned to Roswell to take part in the Youth Day Parade. Thousands of residents turned out to watch the parade, and many asked questions as the Baha’is passed by.

On November 11, the Workshop performed for children and youth at the Baha’i Race Unity Conference, and the following day, about 300 students and faculty at Oakwood High School

Forum for educators held

A forum for educators, hosted by the National Baha’i Education Committee, was held December 7-9 at the Louhelen Baha’i School.

The purpose of the forum was to review and critically evaluate a draft core curriculum prepared by the committee.

Thirty-five Baha’is, who are professional educators and dedicated teachers, were stimulated and challenged by the ideas presented in the core curriculum, which calls for total community participation in the educational process, moving away from structured, limited-time classes to a new way of viewing Baha’{ education.

The results of the weekend’s consultation will be incorporated into the Education Committee’s next draft to be used for a pilot parent-teacher training conference.

witnessed yet another performance, after which the principal and some teachers asked the members to stay for a two-hour discussion about the Faith in the school’s media center.

About 50 students, several teachers and the school’s principal attended the session, asking about the origin of the Workshop, the Baha’ Faith, and how Workshop members deal with contemporary social issues.

Two Baha’is attend meeting of Coalition on Education

Two members of the staff of the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of External Affairs recently attended the first meeting of the U.S. Coalition for Education for All.

The coalition is a diverse group of international, domestic, government and non-government groups, associations and individual educators who have joined forces to promote effective programs to ensure that every person has access to a basic education.

Worldwide, more than 100 million children do not have access to any formal schooling, and more than 900 million adults cannot read or write.

The U.S. Coalition was created as an outgrowth of the World Conference on Education for All, held in March 1990 in Jomtien, Thailand.

The Baha’i International Community took an active role in that conference whose main sponsors were the World Bank, UNESCO, UNICEF, and the United Nations Development Programme.

The U.S. Coalition will be constructing a program to promote basic education through conferences, workshops, and publications aimed at improving the practice of basic education both in the U.S. and in U.S.-supported programs around the world. �[Page 8]8 / The American Baha’ / January 1991

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Rocky River, OH. 44116

Dr. Elsie Austin P.0. Box 927 Silver Spring, MD. 20910

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News from OVERSEAS

Between 8,000 and 10,000 people in the city of Londrina, Brazil, gathered at the local stadium in September for a Peace Fest that was part of the Education for Peace campaign launched this year by the National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil... .

A year of teaching dedicated to the Hand of the Cause of God Rahmatu’ll4h Muhdjir has brought some 2,300 people into the Faith in Ecuador since the campaign’s inception last February. Baha’is from seven countries have supplemented the full-time Ecuadorian teams in visiting each of five goal areas targeted by the National Spiritual Assembly... .

“The ‘Religious Community of the Baha’{s in the DDR’ is recognized by the State’’ reads the first sentence of the Document of Recognition handed to a representative of the Baha’i community of Germany on September 17. The presentation was made at the Ministry for Religious Affairs in the Cabinet Council of the German Democratic Republic in Berlin by the head of the department, Secretary of State Kalb... .

More than 130 people have accepted the Faith during the first phase of the Duarte Marques Vieira Teaching Campaign, which began last August in Guinea-Bissau. The campaign is dedicated to the memory of the first African Baha’i martyr... .

On August 14, during a celebration of the birth of Krishna, about 40,000 people visited the Bahd’i House of Worship near New Delhi, India, and the following day, when the people of India celebrated Independence Day, about 70,000 visited the Lotus of Bahapur. On both days, four prayer services were held so that as many people as possible could be inspired by the Words of God. .. .

To call public attention to the United Nations World Summit for Children last September, the Baha’is of Yamaguchi, Japan, organized a candlelight vigil, co-sponsored by the Yamaguchi University UNICEF Club and the Junior Red Cross Club. About 70 people attended the vigil at the Shichokaku Center in Yamaguchi. . . .

About 25 people attended a recent institute for Baha’{ children’s class teachers in Niamey, Niger. Formal courses were held, as well as discussion and musical breaks during which songs were learned to be taught to the childMore than 500 people attended an observance of Universal Children’s Day at the Baha’{ House of Worship near Sydney, Australia. All readers were children ages 4-14 years, some of whom were non-Baha’is from public schools in which Baha’{ religious instruction is given. The Baha’{ children’s choir sang, as did the Temple choir... .

About 30 adults and 24 children attended Japan’s first National Baha’{ Children’s Conference at the Daystar International School in Kumamoto. The gathering fulfilled one of the country’s goals for the Six Year Plan... .

In Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada, the Bahd’{ community held a recent ‘‘bikea-thon”’ to raise funds for the Arc.

ig ‘4

Nine children, two youth and three adults were sponsored by Bahd’is to

ride bicycles along a designated route. The bikers raised $700 for the Arc.

Ruhu’llah: example of faith, courage for every young Baha’i

Ruhu’ll4h, the child-martyr of the Baha’i Faith, was a prodigy. At the age of 12, his knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, his powerful arguments in defense of his beloved Faith in the presence of the dreaded religious authorities of Persia, the beautiful poetry he wrote and his sweet, saintly nature won him admirers everywhere he went.

Many of the noted enemies of the new Faith were charmed by his eloquence, while others came to look upon him as a living miracle.

When Rthu’llah, his father and MirzA Husayn were arrested because of their beliefs and were being taken to Tehran in chains, the soldiers in charge were so attracted by the charm of this child of 12 that they wished to take the heavy chains from round his neck, but he would not have it so.

“Tam quite happy with these chains,’’ he assured them. ‘‘Besides, you must be faithful to your trust. You were given orders to take us to Tehran in chains, and it is your duty to obey those orders.”’

°

In the prison of Tehran, the Baha’is were treated with extreme cruelty. There were four of them there, all chained together with the ‘black pearl’? which was put round their necks. This chain was so heavy that it was difficult for the men to keep their heads up. Ruhu’ll4h collapsed under its weight and two supports had to be put under the chain on each side of him to keep him in a sitting position.

°

. .. The account of the incident is recorded by Mirz4 Husayn, who was chained with Varga and Ruhu’ll4h in the prison. The summary of a part of this chronicle is as follows:

“«. . . Hajibu’d-Dawlih entered the prison with a number of executioners clad in their scarlet clothes, and gave orders that all the prisoners should be chained to their places. No one knew what he had in mind and a terrible fear seized everyone. Then the jailer came to us Baha’is and said: ‘Come with me. You are wanted in court.”

“We got up to follow him, though we did not believe what he said. ‘It is not necessary to put on your ‘abas,’ he told us, but Rthu’ll4h insisted on

wearing his. As we came out into the prison yard, we were surprised to see armed soldiers standing everywhere and wondered if they had come to shoot us.

“The executioners too were standing in a row, and Hajibu’d-Dawlih had a savage look in his eyes. But there was not a sound from anyone, and the silence was terrifying. At last Hajibu’dDawlih asked the jailer to open the locks on our chains and send us two by two.

“The jailer’s hands were trembling so badly that he could not open the’ locks, so another man stepped forward and unlocked our chains. Varga and Ruhu’llah were the first to be taken away....

.

««” ., Later on I saw one of the jailers who had shown us some kindness before. I caught hold of him and begged him to tell me what had happened. I made him swear by the martyred saints of Islam that he would tell me the truth as he had seen it take place. This is what he recounted:

««*. , , Hjibud-Dawlih said to Varqa: ‘Which shall I kill first, you or your son?”’ Varga replied: “‘It makes no difference to me.’’ Then Hajibu’dDawlih drew his dagger and thrust it into Varqa’s heart, saying: ‘‘How do you feel now?’ Varqa’s words before he died were: ‘‘I am feeling much better than you are. Praise be to God!’’

“* ‘Hajibu’d-Dawlih ordered four executioners to cut Varqd’s body into pieces. The sight of so much blood was horrible to see. Rihu’ll4h was watching all the time, overcome with grief. He kept on repeating, ‘‘Father, father, take me with you!”’

• • ‘Hajibu’d-Dawlih came to him

and said: ‘‘Don’t weep. I shall take you with me and give you a proper salary. I shall ask the Shah to give you a position!”” But Ruhu’llah replied: ‘I want neither a salary from you, nor a position from the Shah! I am going to join my father.’’

“* ‘Hajibu’d-Dawlih asked for a piece of rope, but no one could find any rope so they brought the bastinado and put Ruhu’lláh’s neck in it. Two of the jailers lifted the bastinado from either side and held it while Rihu’ll4h gasped for breath. As soon as his body

Quote of the month

««” |. Heed not your weaknesses and frailty; fix your gaze upon the invincible power of the Lord, your God, the Almighty. Has He not, in past days, caused Abraham, in spite of His seeming helplessness, to triumph over the forces of Nimrod? Has he not enabled Moses, whose staff was His only companion, to vanquish Pharaoh and his hosts? Has He not established the ascendency of Jesus, poor and lowly as He was in the eyes of men, over the combined forces of the Jewish people? Has He not subjected the barbarous and militant tribes of Arabia to the holy and transforming discipline of Muhammad, His Prophet? Arise in His name, put your trust wholly in Him, and be assured of ultimate victory.’’ (The Bab, addressed to the Letters of the Living, quoted in The Dawn-Breakers, p.

94)

was still, they put him down and Hajibu’d-Dawlih called for the two other Baha’is to be brought in.

“* ‘But just then, the child’s body made a sudden movement, raised itself from the floor and fell several feet away. Then it was still again. This incident shook Hajibu’d-Dawlih so badly that he did not have the nerve to carry on with any more killings.’

“You can imagine how we felt after hearing the details of the martyrdom of Varqd and Ruhu’ll4h. The picture came to life, and I could not put it out of my mind.

“My heart would not be consoled, and I wept for my beloved friends all through the night. Finally I fell asleep and had a dream. I saw Rihu’lláh coming toward me, looking extremely happy.

“He said: ‘Did you see how ‘Abdu’lBaha’s promise came true?’ Ruhu’ll4h had often told me with great pride that when he was saying farewell to ‘Abdu’l-Baha after visiting Him in the Holy Land, the Master had patted him on the shoulder and said: ‘If God so ordains...He will proclaim His Cause through Ruhu’ll4h.’ ”? (Excerpted from Gloria Faizi, Fire on the Mountain-Top, pp. 86, 88-91) �[Page 11]The’ Ameridant Bahi't'? January fool 7 11

Homefront

from page 1

tle in state capital cities which do not have Spiritual Assemblies and on Indian Reservations. Other posts include areas where initial teaching activity has brought in many new believers; jeopardized Assemblies; Assemblies in need of special assistance; and areas that could form Assemblies with the help of a few

deepened believers.

Homefront Pioneering Goals December 1990

CC = Capital City JA jeopardized LSA

RG = Registered Group Alabama, S/Florida, NW: Selma, AL (RG, 8); Union Springs, AL (AA, 29). DTC of AL, S/FL, NW, c/o Robert Riley, secretary, ~ Milton, FL 32570 (904-623

5315).

Arizona N: Sacaton District (UG, 10); San Carlos (UG, 2). DTC of Arizona, Northern, c/o Beverly McMillin, secretary, Prescott, AZ 86301 (602-445-0843).

California, C No. 2: Atwater (JA, 8); Porterville (RG, 36); Yosemite/El Portal (JA, 5). DTC of California, C No. 2, c/o Salimata Dia, secretary,

Atwater, CA 95301 (209-394-8355).

California, N No. 1: West Sacramento (JA, 8). DTC of California, N No. 1, c/o Grace Shahrokh, secretary,

_ Fair Oaks, CA 95628 (916-966-7490).

California, S No. 1: San Fernando (JA, ?). LSA of San Fernando, c/o Susan Selaya, secretary,

, San Fernando, CA 91340 (818365- 2723).

Colorado, NE: Golden (JA, 7); Northglenn (RG, 8); Thornton (RG, 8); Westminster (JA, 8). DTC of Colorado, NE, c/o Stephanie Troxel,

Golden, CO 80401 (303-665-6059).

DelMarVa: Wilmington, DE (JA, 8); Somerset Co., MD (RG, 18); Worcester Co., MD (AA, 14). DTC of DelMarVa, c/o Helen Hope, secretary,

Wilmington, DE 19802 (302-764-0371).

Florida, SE-N: Lake Okeechobee Area (MT, 300). DTC of Florida, SEN, c/o Ellen Wheeler, secretary, Pittsburg Paints,

Palm Beach Garden, FL 33410 (407686-3212).

Georgia, NW: Griffin Area (MT, 162); Marietta Area (MT, 47). Atlanta Task Force, c/o Ann Haynes,

8 Marietta, GA 30064 (404-427-1753).

Georgia, S: Several areas. DTC of

Georgia, Southern, c/o Anne Jalali, Fort Valley, GA 31030 (912-825-3542).

Idaho, N/Washington, E: Richland, WA (JA, 7-8); Wapato, WA (JA, 5); Yakima CCD3, WA (JA, 4). DTC of Idaho, N/Washington, E, c/o Barbara Krejci, secretary,

Richland, WA 99352 (509-967- 3509).

Idaho, S: Fort Hall Res. (RG, 10). DTC of Idaho, Southern, c/o Jane Crumbaugh, ID 83402 (208-233-4306).

Illinois, N No. 1: De Kalb (JA, ?). DTC of Illinois, N No. 1, c/o Judy Moe, secretary,

Rockford, IL 61 103 (815-968-7626).

Illinois, N No. 2: Northfield Township (JA, 7). NTC office, c/o Ada

MT = Mass Taught Area AA UG = Unregistered Group

LSA Needing Assistance

James, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (708-869-9039, ext. 361).

Iowa: Grinnell (UG, 6); Oskaloosa (UG, 6). DTC of Iowa, c/o Brian Daugherty, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (319-362-4974).

Kentucky: Berea (RG, 6); Oldham County (RG, 6). DTC of Kentucky, c/o Constance Donley, secretary,

Hopkinsville, KY 42240 (502-885-9168).

Maine: Augusta (RG, 8). DTC of Maine, c/o Stephen Gargiulo, secretary, RFD Brunswick, ME 04011 (207- -729-6609).

Massachusetts: Greater Boston; Montague (JA, 8); Lowell (MT, 125). DTC of Massachusetts, c/o Christine Pratt, secretary,

Belchertown, MA 01007 (413- 3235232).

Montana: Fort Peck Res. (JA, 7); Great Falls (JA, 7); Helena (CC, 8); Lewis/Clark County (JA, 8); N. Cheyenne Res. (JA, 7). DTC of Montana, c/o Terry Dumont, secretary,

_ Billings, MT 59105 (406-245-2049).

Navajo/Hopi: Aneth Chapter, UT (UG, 21); Red Lake Chapter, AZ (UG, 33); Tuba City Chapter, AZ (UG, 14). DTC of Navajo/Hopi, c/o Norman Hodge, secretary, Box 1337, Chinle, AZ 86503 (602-674-5904).

New Jersey: Trenton (CC, ?). DTC of New Jersey, c/o Kamran Ruintan, secretary, NJ 07601 (201-343-7860).

New Mexico, N: N. Sandoval County (JA, ?). DTC of New Mexico, N, c/o Linda Wilson, secretary,

Albuquerque, NM 87105 (505-821-2975).

New York, E: Albany (CC, 11); St. Regis Res. (UG, 7). DTC of New York, E, c/o Lee Jones, secretary,

ae Kingston, 12401 (914-339-5671).

North Dakota: Bismarck (CC, 8); Dunseith (RG, 11); Fort Totten Res. (RG, 12); Fort Yates (JA, ?); Mandaree (RG, 18); Minot (RG, 11). DTC of North Dakota, c/o Rosalin Thinglestad, Minot, ND 58701 (701-852-4148).

Oregon, W: Benton County (JA, 8); Troutdale (JA, 7). DTC of Oregon, Western, c/o Lydia McCarter, secretary, P.O. Box 1065, Portland, OR 97207 (503-245-4385).

Pennsylvania, W: Altoona (RG, 7); State College (RG, 6). DTC of Pennsylvania, W, c/o Susan SpauldingBurke,

Monroeville, PA 15146 (412-! 856-1897).

South Carolina: Several areas. Coordinating Committee, c/o Betsy Haynes, secretary, OS

. . Charleston, SC 29418 (803-767-8755).

NY

South Dakota: Cherry Creek (RG, 8); Crow Creek Res. (UG, 14); Martin (UG, 12); Parmalee (RG, 43); Pierre (CC, 1); Pine Ridge District (RG, 11); Rosebud (UG, 34); Soldier Creek District (UG, 11); White Clay District (UG, 22); White River (RG, 8). NTC office, c/o Ada James, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (708-869-9039, ext. 361).

Tennessee, E: Knoxville (AA, 17); Maryville (RG, 6). DTC of Tennessee, E, c/o Bettye Hobbs, secretary,

Crossville, TN 38555 (615484-1977).

Vermont: Montpelier (CC, 6). DTC of Vermont, c/o Elizabeth Corgnati, secretary, P.O. Box 352, White River Junction, VT 05001 (802-296-7181).

Washington, NW: San Juan Island (JA, 6). Spiritual Assembly of San Juan Island, c/o Donna Stirling-Zoller, secretary, P.O. Box 81, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 (206-378-4202).

West Virginia: Charleston (CC, Huntington (AA, ?). DTC of West Virginia, c/o Richard Taylor, secretary,

- Gassaway, WV 26624 (304-364-2477).

Wisconsin, N/Peninsular Michigan: Lac du Flambeau (?, 25). DTC of Wisconsin N/Pen MI, c/o Mary Butchert, secretary, Eau Claire, WI 54701 (715-835-4370).

Wyoming: Wind River Res. (?, 11). DTC of Wyoming, c/o Dru Hanich, secretary, WY 83127 (307-883-2277).

Florence Bagley, Knight of Baha’u’llah to Sicily,

long-time teacher of Cause, dies in Alabama at 76

DEEPLY SADDENED LOSS STALWART STEADFAST KNIGHT BAHA’U’LLAH FLORENCE BAGLEY WHOSE SIX DECADES DEVOTED SERVICE HIS CAUSE HIGHLY DISTINGUISHED BY OPENING SICILY, WITH HER DEVOTED HUSBAND STANLEY AND THEIR THREE CHILDREN, DURING HISTORIC TEN YEAR WORLD CRUSADE. HER LEONINE DEFENSE COVENANT FRANCE AND HER PIONEERING ACTIVITIES VIRGIN AND LEEWARD ISLANDS AND FRENCH ANTILLES ON WHOSE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES SHE SERVED ARE UNFORGETTABLE. FERVENTLY PRAYING PROGRESS HER ILLUMINED SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. KINDLY CONVEY OUR LOVING SYMPATHY

MEMBERS HER DEAR FAMILY.

Florence Bagley, a Knight of Baha’u’ll4h, was born January 3, 1914, and enrolled in the Faith in 1935.

In October 1953, during the Ten Year Crusade, she and her husband, Stanley, arrived with their three children in Sicily, opening that area to the Faith.

In addition to spending a year in Sicily, the Bagleys pioneered for eight years in France and for a year in Belgium. They returned from Europe in

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE DECEMBER 10, 1990

1963 and lived in the southern U.S. where they took an active part in the teaching work.

Florence also made several teaching trips to the French-speaking islands of the Caribbean. Following Stanley’s retirement, the Bagleys pioneered again, in 1976, to the island of Guadeloupe where they remained for several years.

Since their return to the U.S. in 1981, the Bagleys had been living and serving the Faith in Alabama.

Deputy director of Office of External Affairs honored at Human Rights Day luncheon for work on UN treaties

A Baha’{ was among those honored December 10 at a Human Rights Day community luncheon in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the United Nations Association of the United States of America, Capital Area Division.

Kit Bigelow, deputy director of the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of External Affairs, was recognized with representatives of six other organizations who are part of an informal network known as the Ad Hoc Work ing Group for the Ratification of UN Human Rights Treaties.

They are working in collaboration with the Senate and Bush administration for the eventual ratification of the Convention on Torture and several other pending UN human rights conventions including the Convention on Racial Discrimination, the Convention on Women, and the Covenants on Civil and Political Rights, and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

IN MEMORIAM

Sorour Amir Jacquelyn Fisher Alexandria, VA Torrance, CA Fernando Avalos Betty Gardner Gilbert, AZ Bonsall, CA Saundra Bainter Leona Guild Selma, CA Barstow, CA Louis Bourget Francis Heller Sacramento, CA Gretna, LA

Maura Kaufman Miami Beach, FL

Rochelle Lanier

Elmer Carpenter Warwick, RI

Joseph N. Cole

Fort Myers, FL Chicago, IL Irene H. DeLoria _ Rachael Lysager Milwaukee, WI Stoughton, WI Terry Dorsey

Poston, SC

Eshagh Mashhood Yorba Linda, CA

Ordalia Matthews

Geneva Reimer West Allis, WI

Mohammad Sabihi

Manteca, CA Gaithersburg, MD Robert L. Moore Donald Stellmaker Ruidoso, NM Lakewood, CO Elisabeth Morton Benjamin Shreibman Center Harbor, NH Key West, FL

Dorothea Nesbitt Crescent City, CA Sayyareh Rabbani Montgomery, AL Al Reed Raymond, CA

Katie D. Trickey Jefferson City, MO MayBelle Venzzet Sacramento, CA Julius W. Young Jamestown, NY �[Page 12]12 / The American Baha’{ / January 1991

260 Baha’is take part in Romania’s first National Teaching Conference

The first National Teaching Conference of the Baha’{s of Romania was held November 30-December 2 at Poiana Brasov, about 20 km (12.4 miles) outside of Brasov in the Carpathian mountains.

Two hundred-sixty Baha’is took part, among whom were 230 Romanian Baha’is, 30 foreign Baha’{s from 10 countries on five continents, Counselors for Europe Sohrab Youssefian and Foad Kazemzadeh, and Christopher Sprung, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany.

News of the conference was broadcast on regional television in Brasov and on national TV in Bucharest, with a brief reference to the aims of the Faith.

As a result of ongoing teaching activities before and during the event, about 40 seekers declared their belief in

' MOVING? I TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving your copy of The American Bohd’s, send your new address and your mailing label to MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, as soon as you know where you are going to move and what your new ad Baha’u’llah and were welcomed as new believers by those at the conference.

A number of activities were agreed on at the conference including regular teaching in six cities; national deepening institutes in January, February and March; a national Baha’i winter school in February and spring school in April; and various local activities.

On November 29, the day before the conference began, the Romanian government, at a meeting with an official Baha’i delegation in Bucharest, promised that the Faith would soon be given the status of a recognized religious association in Romania.

A message to the conference from the Universal House of Justice was received with great joy, as was the message from the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany.

———-—-—- - - 5

This form may be used for one person orf family. Please be sure to list 1ES AND ID. NUMBERS for

iduals, ages 15 years or older, who will be affected by this change

ess will be. A Ape epee. AeA YL Yee DEAR AERA GO POEs DF Title Pull name—Please DO NOT use nicknames Ppaenenni ee Semen oe ee ee sae 1DF Tide Full name 3. sea a se 2. Soe 3 1DF Title Full name a Nl a a i 1DF Tile Fall name B—NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: (C—NEW MAIL ADDRESS: House/Space #, P.O, Box or other Mailing Address Gry State Zip Gy fis Sate Zip

D--NEW COMMUNITY:

Name of new Baha'i community

E—HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:

sities Number

‘Area Code

please cancel the copy for the ‘son(s) whose name(s) and 1.D. num ber(s) are listed

BAHA'I NATIONAL CENTER

112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091

F—WORK TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

Please indicate in the right-hand space whose work numbers these are

We have listed abo ‘of all family members as they ‘the national rec

ly one copy.

Moving date

Area Code Number Area Code Number

Our household receives only one copy of The American Baha'i, | ‘wish to receive my own copy as well, and have listed my name, 1.D. num: ber and address above so that I may bbe put on the mailing list to receive my own copy.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JANUARY 1

11-13: Pioneering Institute, Bosch Baha’{ School, Santa Cruz, California. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

18-21: Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, Atlanta, Georgia. Parade, march, other events. For information, phone Paulette Trail, 404-426-7713. FEBRUARY

8-10: Consultation and Models of Dispute Resolution, Louhelen Baha’i School. Conducted by Rick and Barbara Johnson. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

9-10: LSA Development Conference, Howard Johnson Hotel, 1485 Montgomery Highway, Birmingham, AL. For information, phone Keitha Hudson, 205-595-9905.

15-18: Special session for singles, Bosch Baha’{ School. To register, send a deposit of $35 per person to the Registrar, Bosch Baha’i School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Information about registration: 408-423-3387. Program information: 805-933-1253.

28-March 3: International Baha’i Youth Conference, . amaica. Theme: “From a Spark to a Flame: Igniting the Promise of Peace.”’ Open to all Baha’{ youth and non-Baha’is (provided they have some knowledge of the Faith). For information, write to the National Youth and Children Education Committee, Bahd’{ National Center, 208 Mountain View Avenue, Kingston 6, Jamaica, West Indies.

MARCH

2: Ayyam-i-Ha Festival, Louhelen Baha’i School.

15-17: Junior Youth Conference, Louhelen Baha’i School.

23: Naw-Ruz celebration, Louhelen Baha’i School.

29-31: Conference for Mothers, Louhelen Baha’i School.

APRIL

5-7: Spring Celebration of Victory, Louhelen Baha’i School.

12-14: Senior Youth Conference, Louhelen Baha’{ School.

20: Ridvan celebration, Louhelen Baha’{ School.

SPRING Pioneering Institutes: Evanston, Illinois, and Austin, Texas. For more in formation, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039). MAY

3-5: Parent-Child Conference with Robert Harris and June Thomas, Louhelen Baha’i School.

17-19: Second annual Asian Teaching Conference, Louhelen Baha’i School.

4-5: Baha’i Family Reunion 1991, Mahaffey Theatre at the Bayfront Center, St. Petersburg, Florida. Inspired by Curtis Kelsey’s Baha’{ Family Gathering held in 1970, this event will launch a statewide expansion project in Florida. For registration information, write to Baha’{ Family Reunion, P.O. Box 2251, Largo, FL 34649, or phone 813-584-2080.

30-June 7: Pacific Women’s Conference, University of Hawaii, Hilo. Cosponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands and the University of Hawaii and open to Baha’{ and non-Bahda’{ participants. For more information, write to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the Hawaiian Islands, P.O. Box 28003, Honolulu, HI 96827, or phone 808-595-3314.

JULY International Youth Conference, Guadalajara, Mexico. AUGUST 10-14: Art Forum, the Netherlands.

National Assembly offers a unique opportunity for Baha’i youth to take part in summer pilgrimage

The National Spiritual Assembly is reserving nine places for youth in the June 24-July 2, 1991, pilgrimage group. This will be a unique opportunity for nine young Baha’{s to enlarge their spiritual horizons.

The cost is about $1,500 plus air fare from your city to New York City. The chaperones, chosen by the National Assembly, will work closely with the travel agent of their choice in planning the itinerary. The group will travel to and from Israel together.

Requirements are that you be a U.S. Baha’i, that you have not been on pilgrimage previously, that you are between the ages of 15-24 years (inclusive) as of June 24, 1991, and that you hold an American passport or a reentry permit which has an expiration date no later than June 24, 1992.

If interested, please send a postcard with your name, address, telephone number, birth date and Baha’{ I.D. number to the Pilgrimage Office, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, and an application will be sent to you. Postcards will be accepted until February 28.

Dinner/auction raises $5,055

On November 11, the Baha’{ community of San Jose, California, hosted a dinner/auction fund-raiser for the Arc and San Jose Baha’i Center.

$5,055 was raised, half of which was contributed to the Arc Fund and the other half to the San Jose Center Fund.

Actually, two auctions were held, one for adults and the other for children. The children’s auction raised $74 of the total. �