The American Bahá’í/Volume 22/Issue 5/Text

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[Page 1]In spite of the unsettled political situation in the Middle East and the resulting interruption to the construction industry, work on the terraces of the Shrine of the Báb—as foretold by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, envisioned and planned by Shoghi Effendi, and carried out systematically by the Universal House of Justice—has continued unabated at the World Center in Haifa, Israel. Part of the project involved strengthening the retaining wall directly in front of the Shrine and covering the wall with facing stone to match the design for the rest of the terraces. Some historic features of the terraces, such as the water cistern and pool built during the Ministry of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, have been retained and incorporated into the new terrace design. As of February 15, 90 percent of the work on the main terrace had been completed, with work on the lower terraces to follow.

U.S. Senator John Heinz, long-time friend of Faith, killed in plane accident

U.S. Senator John Heinz of Pennsylvania, who was in the forefront of efforts to alleviate the suffering of Bahá’ís in Iran, was killed April 4 when the light plane in which he was a passenger collided with a helicopter that was trying to locate the source of a reported landing gear problem on the plane.

Seven people died in the fiery crash over Philadelphia including two children in a school playground struck by pieces of the wreckage.

"The American Bahá’í community," Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, the National Spiritual Assembly secretary for External Affairs, said in a statement released immediately after the accident, "mourns the tragic death of Sen. John Heinz of Pennsylvania, who personally initiated and led important congressional efforts in support of a persecuted religious community, the Bahá’ís of Iran.

"In 1982, Sen. Heinz introduced and led to passage a congressional resolution expressing concern that the government of Iran had launched a conscious effort to destroy the Bahá’í community."

Taking Care of Business in Russia

Bahá’ís teach well-attended sessions in Odessa

National Assembly's Annual Report

Full text of statement to Bahá’í community

Confidence, optimism, joy animate 82nd Bahá’í National Convention

The 82nd Bahá’í National Convention was held April 25-28 amid an ever-growing feeling of confidence, optimism, anticipation and joy at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

The attitude of unshakeable confidence was occasioned by the heart-stirring words of the Universal House of Justice, which stated in its annual Ridván message that "...from whatever direction we gaze, the power of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation is visibly at work in the world," an observation borne out by the remarkable advances made during the past year by the Cause of God in almost every sphere of activity and in all parts of the world, especially those in which teaching the Cause was until quite recently proscribed by government decree.

Optimism, high at the outset, continued to grow throughout the weekend, bolstered by news of work on the construction of the Arc on Mount Carmel, the manifold achievements of the U.S. Bahá’í community during the first five years of the Six Year Plan including an unprecedented rise in the level of contributions to the Funds.

Swiss Offer Tribute to Mark Tobey

Celebration marks birthdate of noted artist

Message to Convention from House of Justice

Delegates to the 82nd Bahá’í National Convention of the United States of America

Your message emanates joy, enthusiasm, a spirit of rededication to your sacred tasks, and the fragrance of prospective triumph of the Six Year Plan in the United States. Our hearts are stirred with thankfulness and delight.

The determination of your National Spiritual Assembly and your ready acceptance to pursue a campaign to promote racial unity in your country are of critical importance to the advancement of the Cause in America and to the ultimate success of your country in fulfilling the world-transforming mission foreshadowed for it in the prophetic words of the beloved Master: "May this American Democracy be the first nation to establish the foundation of international agreement. May it be the first nation to proclaim the unity of mankind. May it be the first to unfurl the standard of the Most Great Peace."

We cannot but heartily applaud the bold initiative you have described and to express the hope that the entire community of the Greatest Name in the United States will arise with single-minded purpose to carry it forward with courage, consistency and confidence. That this campaign may abundantly multiply the possibilities of a resounding victory in the Six Year Plan for the American Bahá’í community will be a cherished object of our supplications on your behalf at the Holy Threshold.

We extend to all the dear friends assembled at your National Convention our loving greetings and best wishes.

Universal House of Justice

National Assembly, BIC meet

Reception held at offices in New York City

Spreading the Word in Portsmouth

Bookstore stocks volumes on Faith [Page 2]

TEACHING

With this month’s issue of The American Bahá’í, the National Teaching Committee begins a series of short articles written to encourage and facilitate traveling teaching and homefront pioneering. Local Spiritual Assemblies, Bahá’í Groups, or District Teaching Committees that wish to request traveling teachers or homefront pioneers may call or write to the National Homefront pioneering, traveling teaching Teaching Committee. Please give a brief description of upcoming opportunities for those who are traveling teaching so that they may take part in teaching efforts, or of opportunities for those who are wishing to resettle as homefront pioneers that may help them to relocate in the area. Also, friends who wish to offer their services as traveling teachers or homefront pioneers may send the National Teaching Committee information about when they would be available, what kinds of teaching and administrative experience they have had, with what kinds of activities they would be able to help, and any special needs they may have. Because the National Teaching Committee may need to contact Assemblies or individuals for further information, and because preparing and printing The American Bahá’í takes time, we ask that information be submitted at least three months before teaching activities are to take place or before individuals are free to travel or relocate.

HOMEFRONT PIONEERING: An Hispanic bilingual homefront pioneer is needed in Mesa, Arizona, which has a Bahá’í community of 98 adults and 10 children. The Hispanic population is very receptive to the Faith and there have been several declarations among Hispanics in the past two years. Opportunities for employment in Mesa exist in the health, clerical, food service, and technical fields. It’s a buyer’s market for homes and rent is reasonable, falling between $275-$450 for a one-bedroom apartment, $300-$650 for a two-bedroom apartment, $700-$800 for a three-bedroom house. Elementary and high schools in Mesa are considered excellent. Mesa has a community college, and Arizona State University is located nearby. Prospective pioneers are advised, however, that public transportation is not extensive and a car will be needed to get around town. For further information, contact the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Mesa, c/o Ann Gandomi, secretary, P.O. Box 5487, Mesa, AZ 85211 (phone 602-820-0372.

TRAVELING TEACHING: The Bahá’ís of Woodburn, Oregon, extend an invitation to those traveling during the summer to take part in an ongoing Teaching Project focused on Hispanics and other international populations. For more information, phone David House, 503-678-1085

National Assembly to take part in UN Conference on Environment, Development

The Universal House of Justice has encouraged National Spiritual Assemblies to act as a unifying force among non-governmental organizations and to promote an awareness of Bahá’í principles as they apply to environment and development. In response to this call, the National Spiritual Assembly has become an active participant in the U.S. Citizens Network on the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).

The UNCED will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992. It is being called the “First Earth Summit,” and will be the largest and most important conference of its kind in the history of the United Nations. The UN has asked governments of the world, as well as non-governmental organizations, to cooperate on an unprecedented level to make the conference a turning-point in the relationship of human life to the planet. The response has been tremendous and has stimulated more grassroots involvement than any other UN conference.

The U.S. Citizens Network on UNCED is composed of more than 100 diverse organizations. Its purpose is to serve as a clearinghouse and to facilitate citizen group participation in the UNCED process. A staff member of the National Assembly’s Office of External Affairs serves as secretary of the Network’s Executive Committee as well as co-chair of the Network’s Working Group on Ethics, Development and the Environment.

The goal of the Working Group is to formulate ideas for an “Earth Charter,” one of the major aims of UNCED. The “Earth Charter” will be a statement of spiritual principles, an ethical framework upon which all decisions on environment and development will be made.

Many groups are working together to clarify these principles. A recent example of collaboration between organizations was the International Coordinating Committee on Religion and the Earth (ICCRE) meeting, which took place April 20-22 in Rye, New York. Two representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly attended the gathering which included 50 representatives of various faiths.

The purpose of the meeting was to create a draft of suggestions for the Earth Charter. The Bahá’ís played a key role by offering spiritual principles and by serving as members of the drafting committee.

During the same time period, the Bahá’í International Community was involved in an UNCED meeting in Geneva and presented a Bahá’í statement there suggesting elements for inclusion in the proposed Earth Charter. The Bahá’í statement became a primary influence in the draft prepared by the ICCRE group.

A representative of the National Spiritual Assembly has been invited to join 35 others at a prestigious gathering sponsored by the North American Coalition on Religion and Ecology (NACRE) on April 23-25. Gathering at the Chautauqua Institution in New York state, the attendees will address the ethical aspects of the Earth Charter and discuss socio-economic indicators relevant to a sustainable global society.

NACRE has formed a network of local chapters which are becoming active in promoting awareness of UNCED and of ecological concerns in general. A booklet, “Getting Involved in UNCED,” published by NACRE, describes how local communities can participate in the UNCED process. It can be obtained by sending $7.50 to NACRE, 5 Thomas Circle, Washington, DC 20005 (phone 202-462-0591).

The UNCED process should involve citizens on the local level. Local Spiritual Assemblies are encouraged to seek out other organizations interested in the environment and collaborate with them on important local environmental issues.

The environment is an area of concern to all people and is an excellent arena for cooperation between Bahá’ís and other concerned groups.

Los Angeles conference to turn spotlight on arts as way of teaching Cause

As a response to the Universal House of Justice’s directive that the arts be used to the fullest extent possible in teaching the Cause of God, the “First Encounter of Bahá’í Artists” will be held June 14-16 in the Auditorium of the Bahá’í Center in Los Angeles.

The three day event is co-sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles and El Ruiseñor magazine.

Among those taking part will be Donald Rogers, a Counselor member of the International Teaching Center in Haifa, Israel.

Especially welcome are writers, musicians, singers, actors, painters, sculptors, dancers, cinematographers, TV professionals, technicians, and anyone else in the arts, professional or amateur, published or unpublished. The conference will be conducted in English.

The conference opens at 7:30 p.m. June 14 and closes at noon Sunday, June 16.

A Saturday evening arts presentation at the Bahá’í Center will be followed by a concert.

For information, phone 213-933-8291 or 818-354-4833.

Registration is open for 1992 Bahá’í World Congress

Registration is now open for the 1992 Bahá’í World Congress. Local Spiritual Assemblies, Registered Groups and District Teaching Committees should have received registration packets for distribution to the friends. Isolated believers, please contact your District Teaching Committee or the World Congress Logistics Office. Your patience in waiting for registration forms and information is appreciated. Please read the materials carefully. The Congress registration staff are happy to answer your questions. Please call the special phone number at the Congress registration office: 708-869-2294. The phones are staffed between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (CDT).

In addition to the cost-savings benefits, the Congress air and hotel travel packages are arranged to be as worry-free as possible so that the friends arrive at the Congress ready for a unique spiritual experience. The friends are reminded not to call the hotels in New York. The blocks of rooms for the Congress have already been reserved for you through Congress registration.

Each person who registers for the Congress must fill out an individual Registration Form. Forms and the requisite payments will be accepted only by mail.

Citadel Traveling Troupe

Citadel Traveling Troupe, an Oregon-based teaching team, spent six busy days in Pendleton in March, giving 11 musical performances and taking part in several civic and school discussion groups. The group distributes copies of the peace statement and invites members of its audience to attend ongoing local firesides. Half the group’s performances were on the nearby Umatilla Reservation, after which a number of American Indian youth began to join them each evening for music, fellowship and deepening. There have been two declarations so far as a result of the visit, with others reading, questioning, and asking to accompany the team to its next destination. Citadel performed for senior citizens in Pendleton and on the Reservation, for religious groups, for schools, and at an American Legion pow-wow on the Reservation, after which the chief and other elders of the tribe joined the team for its final song to express their feeling of oneness with the group and its message of peace and love. [Page 3]

Convention

during the year just past, and the promise of even greater victories as we approach the end of the Plan and the onset next Ridván of the Holy Year 1992.

Anticipation was centered on the second Bahá’í World Congress, to be held in November 1992 in the City of the Covenant, and on the reaction of Americans in every walk of life to the National Spiritual Assembly's powerful statement on race unity, which delegates and guests heard for the first time at the Friday morning session. (The full text of the statement will appear next month in The American Bahá’í).

Joy was everywhere apparent as delegates considered and consulted upon these and other vital aspects of the Cause of God, heard again the matchless words of the Supreme Body of the Faith in its reply to the Convention's cable to Haifa (text on Page 1), warmly welcomed the members of the newly elected National Spiritual Assembly for 1991-92, received fresh inspiration and insights from Counselors Wilma Ellis and David Smith, heard news of the establishment of the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland, and expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the Universal House of Justice for its decision to make the sacred Law of Huququ’lláh universally applicable as of Ridván 1992.

Joy was likewise the overwhelming reaction to several special Convention events: a presentation of the marvelous new film, "The Jewel in the Lotus," chronicling the history of construction of the Bahá’í House of Worship near New Delhi, India; a viewing of the latest edition of the "Bahá’í Newsreel," which includes segments on the first and second Bahá’í World Congresses and on the plans and achievements of Bahá’í youth in many parts of the world; a presentation by Counselor Ellis and Juana Conrad, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, on the upcoming second World Congress; a moving depiction, in words and music, of the life of Bahá’u’lláh, "In the Presence of the Blessed Beauty," by the combined House of Worship and Tennessee Bahá’í choirs directed by Tom Price; and a presentation on the Law of Huququ’lláh by its Trustees in North America, Drs. Elsie Austin, Amin Banani and Daryush Haghighi.

On Saturday morning, delegates assembled at the House of Worship to elect the National Spiritual Assembly for the coming year. Its members are: Dr. Robert C. Henderson, Kevin Locke, William Davis, Judge Dorothy W. Nelson, Judge James F. Nelson, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Juana Conrad, Dr. Alberta Deas and Jack McCants.

All but Dr. Kazemzadeh were present at the Convention. He was in Moscow, representing the National Assembly at the election of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Soviet Union.

A conference call with Dr. Kazemzadeh was held Saturday evening, during which the National Assembly elected its officers for the coming year: Judge James Nelson, chairman; Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary-general; Dr. Kazemzadeh, secretary for External Affairs; Judge Dorothy Nelson, vice-chairman; William Davis, treasurer; Juana Conrad, assistant secretary.

The Convention was opened Thursday evening, at which time delegates and guests heard the Ridván message from the House of Justice and opening remarks by Counselors Ellis and Smith, who had conducted a deepening session for delegates earlier that day.

The growing maturity of the American Bahá’í community was reflected in the high level of consultation, which this year was carried out in a manner that required and received self-restraint and cooperation from individual delegates.

Rules governing the number of times delegates would be allowed to speak and the time consumed by their remarks were discarded, and delegates were asked to "police" themselves. To everyone's delight, the new system worked extremely well, and the bonds of love and unity among delegates were reinforced and strengthened.

On Friday morning, following the annual report of the National Spiritual Assembly (see pages 11-14) and consultation on that report, the National Assembly made the first public presentation of its statement on race unity, which was developed over the past year in collaboration with the National Race Unity Committee.

After delineating the history and consequences of racism in America, the National Assembly offers the teachings of the Faith and the experience of our community for examination, "convinced that these can make a contribution toward the eradication of racism endemic in American society.

"We do so," the National Assembly continues, "with firm faith in the assistance of our Creator, Who, out of His infinite love, brought forth all humanity from the same stock and intended that all belong to the same household.

"We believe, moreover, that the day of the unification of the entire human race has come and that 'the potentialities inherent in the station of man, the innate excellence of his reality, must all be manifested in this promised Day of God.'"

After the statement has been published and distributed to the friends, the hope is that it may be placed in the hands of every one living in the United States.

Many of the delegates shared lunch Friday with staff at the Bahá’í National Center. Focused consultation began that afternoon, with sessions devoted to each of the three main aspects of the Six Year Plan singled out by the National Assembly for special consideration during the final year of the Plan: expansion; fostering the maturation of institutions of the Faith; and the education of children, youth and adults.

Besides consultation, the Friday evening session included an audio-visual presentation on the House of Worship Restoration Project by project director Robert Armbruster.

While delegates elected the National Spiritual Assembly on Saturday morning, non-delegates toured the offices at the Bahá’í National Center.

Saturday afternoon was devoted to consultation, and Saturday evening to special events including the Bahá’í Newsreel, the presentation on the World Congress in New York City, and the concert, "In the Presence of the Blessed Beauty."

In speaking of the World Congress, Counselor Ellis, who is director-general of the Bahá’í International Community, reminded the friends that there will be special programs for youth but that the House of Justice has decided that for reasons of safety, no children under the age of 12 may attend the Congress.

Highlights of the Congress are to include a concert at famed Carnegie Hall, an exhibit devoted to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's visit to America in 1912, an art show, and a jazz concert by trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, who celebrates his 75th birthday in 1992.

At Sunday morning's final Convention session, Dr. Austin spoke of the spiritual significance of Huququ’lláh, Dr. Banani on its relationship to the other Funds, and Dr. Haghighi on its history, reminding the friends that the House of Justice's decision to apply the Law universally comes some seven years after delegates to the U.S. National Convention petitioned the Supreme Body to extend the bounty of Huququ’lláh to those in this country.

The petition was drafted following an impassioned speech on the Law of Huququ’lláh by the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem.

After the cable from the House of Justice was read, the Convention's closing remarks were made by Counselors Ellis and Smith. [Page 4]

The Landegg Academy

May 1991-January 1992

June 21-20, Bahá’í Religion-History & Teachings

July 8-August 3, Certificate Program World Order Studies, Year I

July 8-August 3, Certificate Program World Order Studies, Year II

July 8-August 3, Certificate Program World Order Studies, Year III

August 8-11, The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, French-open to the public

August 5-8, The Challenges of Multiculturalism-English, German

August 12-18, Annual Course in the Arabic Language

August 12-18, Asking Questions (open course)

August 19-25, Preparation of Reading Materials for Children

August 19-25, Annual Course in the Spanish Language

August 26-September 1, Annual Course in the Persian Language

September 2-7, Persian Arts and Literature

September 13-15, Switzerland in the International Dialogue on a Global Society

October 17-20, (after lunch) Assemblies Facing Problems

October 31-November 3, The Role of Architecture in a Changing World

October 31-November 3, The Role of Agriculture in a Changing World

October 31-November 3, The Role of Music in a Changing World

December 27, 1991 January 2, 1992, Forum '91, Annual Event for Young Professionals

TRAVELING TEACHERS

Area/Country Goal Filled Ukraine 100 97 Kazakhstan 6 2 USSR (Other Republics) 150 135 Bulgaria 5 3 Czechoslovakia 30 14 DDR/East Germany 10 1 Hungary 35 10 Poland 15 7 Romania 10 4 Yugoslavia 4 2 Mongolia 40 35 China 4 2 Totals 440 306

Pioneer Training Institute

The 47 participants in the Pioneer Training Institute held April 4-7 at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette listed among their destinations Japan, Uruguay, the USSR, Romania, Yugoslavia, Germany, China, Costa Rica, Taiwan, Kenya, India and Poland.

AFRICA

Goals Assigned / Pioneers Sent / Open Goals

(F) Burundi: 1 / 0 / 1 (E) Ciskei: 2 / 2 / 0 (E) The Gambia (Preferably Persians): 2 / 2 / 0 (E) Kenya (Preferably Outside Nairobi): 2 / 1 / 1 (E) Nigeria: 3 / 3 / 0 (E) Sierra Leone: 2 / 2 / 0 (E) South Africa: 6 / 5 / 1 (E) St. Helena: 2 / 2 / 0 (E) Namibia: 2 / 2 / 0 (E) Transkei: 1 / 1 / 0 (E) Uganda (One to teach the Faith in the university; one doctor): 2 / 2 / 0 (E) Venda: 1 / 1 / 0

Total for Africa: 51 / 15 / 17

AMERICAS

(E) Bahamas (North Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, Long Island): 3 / 0 / 3 (E) Barbados (Employment opportunities for a dentist): 2 / 0 / 2 (E) Belize (For radio, consolidation, development projects; skills for the National Secretariat): 3 / 0 / 3 (P) Brazil (Preferably for Amazon project, possibly of Persian background): 2 / 17 / 0 (S) Chile (Juan Fernandez Islands, preferably a Spanish-speaking couple): 2 / 2 / 0 (E) Dominica: 2 / 2 / 0 (F) French Guiana (Preferably Persian): 3 / 0 / 3 (E) Grenada: 2 / 4 / 0 (F) Guadeloupe (Opportunities for English teachers): 2 / 2 / 0 (E) Guyana (Preferably East Indians and Blacks): 2 / 7 / 0 (S) Honduras (Bay Islands, Yoro, Colon; preferably self-supporting): 2 / 14 / 1 (E) Jamaica (Preferably self-supporting for rural areas to work in village development): 2 / 0 / 2 (F) Martinique (French-speaking youth to enroll in university or with musical talent): 5 / 0 / 5 (S) Nicaragua (Preferably Persian): 1 / 0 / 1 (E) St. Lucia (Skills in community consolidation): 1 / 0 / 1 (E) St. Vincent & Grenadines: 1 / 0 / 1 (D) Suriname (Preferably Persian): 2 / 0 / 2 (E) Trinidad & Tobago (Preferably Persian): 5 / 0 / 5 (S) Uruguay: 4 / 2 / 2 (S) Venezuela: 1 / 1 / 0 (E) Virgin Islands, British: 1 / 0 / 1

Total for Americas: 23 / 49 / 33

ASIA

(E) India: 3 / 0 / 3 (E) Malaysia (To help develop public relations experts): 2 / 0 / 2 (E) Nepal: 2 / 2 / 0 (M) Taiwan (Chinese Background): 1 / 1 / 0

Total for Asia: 8 / 3 / 5

AUSTRALASIA

(E) Marshall Islands (To help with administration): 2 / 2 / 0

Total for Australasia: 2 / 2 / 0

EUROPE

(P) Portugal (Couples for goal areas outside greater Lisbon, preferably Portuguese or Spanish-speaking): 2 / 2 / 0

Total for Europe: 2 / 2 / 0

Total goals assigned: 208 Total goals filled: 364 Pioneers to goal countries: 77 Ploneers to non-goals: 58 Pioneers filling goals for other countries: 45 Total Pioneers sent: 580

Language Key: (E) English (D) Dutch (F) French (M) Mandarin (P) Portuguese (S) Spanish [Page 5]

Bahá’ís conduct first 'business school' in Soviet Union

SOCIO/ECONOMIC

The first Bahá’í-conducted Business School ever held in the Soviet Union was conducted February 22-March 10 by 14 Bahá’í men and women from the U.S., Canada, Venezuela, and Haifa, Israel. The group visited Kiev and Odessa, holding public seminars about corporate and small business. Each seminar drew more than 60 people, most of whom were business managers or executives.

Workshops focused on private enterprise and entrepreneurship from a Bahá’í perspective. Topics included "My Philosophy of Business," "Free-lance Computer Software Writing," and "How to Get the Facts You Need to Get the Job Done."

Conducting the sessions were Jennifer Burgess and Russell Friesen from Haifa; Carol Evans, Bryn King, Tom Gossen, William A. Lemmon and Larry Smith from Canada; Evaz Fanaian from Venezuela; and Nouri Riazati, Riaz Khadem, Soheila Powell, Virginia Rogers, Parks Scott and Lynda Godwin from the U.S. Ms. Godwin was the project coordinator.

During the forums, many participants became interested in the Faith including one who lost all interest in the workshops and wanted only to hear about the Bahá’ís and their beliefs. The most enlightening information he received at the forum, he said, was about the Faith.

"When I become a Bahá’í, in a couple of weeks," he said after a long conversation with some of the friends, "I will put all my effort into gaining Bahá’í virtues.

Each workshop emphasized the application of Bahá’í principles in the workplace. One business manager was so affected by this that, on returning to his office, he called a meeting of his employees and gave a lecture on the detrimental effects of gossip and backbiting in the workplace.

The Bahá’í speakers were later invited to visit universities and government institutes, where they were able to discuss business ethics and exchange ideas.

Firesides were held in Kiev and Odessa. At the hotel in Odessa, more than 70 people attended a fireside which ran so late that guests had to move upstairs to private rooms to continue their discussions.

When the speaker that evening showed slides of Bahá’í Houses of Worship around the world, one guest was astonished to recognize the Temple in Uganda from a dream he had had a few nights before. He tearfully expressed his gratitude to the Bahá’ís for having brought him the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

San Jose Bahá’ís present third in series of dinners for 'Cultural Enlightenment'

On March 9, the Bahá’í community of San Jose, California, presented the third in its "Cultural Enlightenment" series, an evening of Chinese music, food and culture.

More than 30 Chinese guests joined area Bahá’ís for the potluck dinner and program that included a violin-piano duet and Hawaiian-Chinese dance.

The event had the flavor of the Chinese New Year, as each person received a traditional "lay-see" envelope with a coin indicating prosperity in the coming year.

The meeting room was decorated with Chinese ornaments, and on the tables were baskets of mandarins, a traditional symbol of good luck.

Previous events in the Cultural Enlightenment series highlighted the Persian and American Indian cultures; next up are presentations on Southeast Asian and Hispanic cultures.

Bahá’ís in Texas form 'Junior Peacemaker Club' to help youngsters teach Faith while preaching non-violence

Two Bahá’ís in Texas, looking for ways to encourage Bahá’í children to teach the Faith while involving their friends, came up with the idea for a "Junior Peacemaker Club."

The first club, formed nearly two years ago in Harlingen by Bahá’í parents Leslie Wilder and Teri Paradiso, now has more than 30 members ranging in age from five to 17 years who meet each week to learn and practice peace-making skills through songs, games, skits, and mini-lessons.

Similar clubs have since been formed in Edinburg and McAllen, Texas, with others ready to get under way in St. Louis, Missouri, and Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

The clubs have three major goals: • To provide an opportunity for young people to become friends with children of various ethnic, economic and religious backgrounds. • To teach peacemaking skills such as how to resolve conflicts nonviolently, communication skills, and creative problem-solving. • To achieve their goals through service projects.

The club in Harlingen has put together a presentation on world peace and has found performing an effective way in which to promote its ideals. The presentation includes the "Junior Peacemaker Pledge," songs, memorized quotations, and a dance routine.

The club has appeared on local news programs, performed at church socials, a convention for educators, and at "Riofest," and marched in the annual Christmas parade.

Club members also performed twice for the "Up with People" cast and presented a dramatic play about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Last July, the group traveled to Austin to perform for national leaders of the Dreikur Relationship Center.

Addressing the club during the year were speakers from El Salvador and Germany and a young American who was U.S. Youth Ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1988.

The club in Harlingen is incorporated and has been given tax-exempt status. Its founders have written a handbook to enable other communities to form Junior Peacemaker Clubs. For information, write to Teri Paradiso, Harlingen, TX 78550.

[Photo Captions]

Pictured are many of the children who attend the Bahá’í Family School of San Jose, California, which serves several communities south of the San Francisco Bay area. The school year runs from mid-September to mid-May with classes from 10 a.m. to noon each Sunday. Enrollment for the past year was, at last count, 91 adults and 84 children. The year's schedule includes 30 regular classes, four special Sundays in which the whole school gathers to celebrate Holy Days, and an Awards Day at the end of the year. There are classes for adults, young adults and junior youth, with the children divided into five additional classes. A nursery room is also available. The children have their own Fund boxes, and decide themselves which of the Funds they wish to send the money to. At semester break this year, the children voted to send $168 to the Are Fund.

In January, Bahá’ís in central Florida took part in a number of activities commemorating the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Included were a breakfast program and potluck lunch in DeLand, an interfaith religious service and commemorative banquet in Sanford, and a concert/worship service at a church in Orlando. Pictured are Bahá’ís who attended the interfaith service in Sanford. [Page 6]

New Publications for Adults & Children to Aid in Understanding Principles of the Faith

The Divine Art of Living

Selections from the Bahá’í Writings compiled by Mabel Hyde Paine revised by Anne Marie Scheffer SC $9.95

A collection of gems from the Bahá’í writings, The Divine Art of Living provides spiritual guidance on a number of topics to help make your life less harried and to assist you in making life a “divine art.” This is a book that will not fail to support and inspire you when you need encouragement and a positive perspective on life. Providing practical spiritual guidance, The Divine Art of Living helps Bahá’ís to understand the basic purpose of human life—knowing and worshipping God—while helping them to work on “carrying forward an ever-advancing civilization.” This book should inspire readers to delve into other volumes of the Bahá’í writings to understand the dynamics and reap the rewards of the “‎diving divine‎ art” of living. 5-1/4 x 8-1/4 inches, 156 pages, foreword, references, index

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Enlighten Curriculum

Vol. 2 Kindergarten, and Vol. 3 First Grade by Lea Iverson SC $19.95

This curriculum was developed between 1988-1990 for the Glad Tidings Bahá’í School located in Minneapolis, Minnesota—one of the longest-running Bahá’í children’s schools in the United States. It represents their efforts to develop an easy-to-use comprehensive curriculum for Bahá’í children’s class teachers. The Kindergarten volume focuses on “What is Prayer,” “Bahá’u’lláh’s Early Life,” “Friendliness and Friendship,” “‘Abdu’l-Bahá: The Perfect Exemplar,” “World Peace,” etc. The First Grade volume deals with subjects such as “Teaching our family and friends,” “Jealousy and Anger,” “Evolution,” “The Báb and Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation,” “Review all Virtues,” and “Contentment.” Each lesson has a variety of activities including “Challenge” activities for the students who may have more deepening in the Faith, reading/memory verses, take home sheets for parents to trace their ‎childs child’s‎ progress, etc. 8-1/2 x 11 inches, 94 pages

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

The Purpose of Physical Reality

by John Hatcher SC $10.50

Why has God ordained that spiritual beings—human souls—should begin their lives in the physical world? Dr. Hatcher suggests a challenging resolution to the seeming dilemma of this age-old question. Through an examination of the Bahá’í writings, as well as of various traditional approaches, he demonstrates in a dramatic way that physical experience offers unique and practical assistance to spiritual development both here and hereafter. Dr. Hatcher describes the world as a classroom designed by God to instigate and nurture mental and spiritual growth. The Purpose of Physical Reality examines the components of this classroom to show how everyday experience can induce spiritual insight. Thus we come to appreciate the overall justice of God’s plan, as well as the subtle interplay between human free will and divine assistance in unleashing human potential. 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches, 154 pages, bibliography

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Green Acre on the Piscataqua

A Centennial Celebration by The Green Acre Council HC $50.00 / SC $19.95

Who was Sarah J. Farmer and what was her vision of Green Acre? What attracted such people as W.E.B. Dubois, Swami Vivekananda, William Lloyd Garrison, and Booker T. Washington to Green Acre in its early days? How was Green Acre given its name by the poet John Greenleaf Whittier? What happened during ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s week-long stay at Green Acre and why did He refer to it as the “Akka of the Western World?” These and other questions are answered in this moving account of Green Acre’s one-hundred year history, which chronicles its development as it evolved from a resort hotel in 1890 to a Bahá’í school attracting visitors from all over the world.

8 x 9-1/2 inches, 131 pages, foreword, introduction, map, 103 photographs

The Green Acre Bahá’í School Council

Growing into Peace

A Manual for Peace-Builders in the 1990’s and Beyond by Mary Perkins SC $10.95

Will peace on earth ever be possible? Is there hope for a planet devoid of strife and bloodshed? Everyone, regardless of nationality, language, or gender, will at some time in their life ask such questions as these. Too often such questions have remained unanswered so we isolate them in our thoughts and concentrate on daily living. But the questions do not go away, and our lives increase in stress and the collective life of humanity worsens. Growing into Peace serves as a guide to: 1) outline the current situation, and 2) discuss the necessary attitudes that must be established and the practical steps that must be taken to resolve this desperate state of global anarchy. It is an excellent introductory book of Bahá’í teachings for those concerned with issues of peace and justice. 5-1/4 x 8-1/4 inches, 133 pages, introduction, 46 photographs

George Ronald, Publisher

Compilation of Compilations

compiled from the Bahá’í Writings HC Two-Volume Set $39.95

This is a collection of compilations prepared over the last several years by the Research Department of the Bahá’í World Center. The contents include Bahá’í writings on: Music; Family Life; Peace; Women; Excellence in all Things; Bahá’í Education; Divorce; Trustworthiness; The Nineteen Day Feast; Huqúqu’lláh; The Power of Divine Assistance; Crisis and Victory; A Chaste and Holy Life; Teaching Prominent People; The Universal House of Justice; Consultation; The Gift of Teaching; The Covenant; Conservation of the Earth’s Resources; and The Importance of Prayer, Meditation, and the Devotional Attitude. This set is designed for the permanent home library, a community reference library, an Assembly reference library, for Bahá’í school use, as a gift to the local University or Public library, etc.

Bahá’í Publications Australia

...Your True Brother

Messages to Junior Youth by Shoghi Effendi SC $6.50

Adolescence is a time for asking questions and often, challenging parents’ ideas. For young Bahá’ís it is a crucial time for investigating the truth for oneself. This collection of eight of the Guardian’s letters to adolescents expresses his deep love and respect for this age group. Undoubtedly Shoghi Effendi understood the kind of pressures that a young Bahá’í would be under: the pull toward drinking and backbiting; the challenges to chastity and cleanmindedness; the overemphasis on material possessions. Your True Brother answers many of the questions of youth in a very bold and straightforward way. In answering the question, “Who am I?” Shoghi Effendi tells youth that they are first Bahá’ís in name and that, with time, they become Bahá’ís by nature. To this generation of junior youth, who will witness the “Lesser Peace,” Shoghi Effendi’s messages have a special meaning and relevance. They are messages full of assurance, encouragement, and loving advice. They are, after all, letters from a member of our own family—our “true brother, Shoghi.”

6-1/8 x 9-1/4 inches, 24 pages, introduction, map, drawing, 8 photographs

George Ronald, Publisher

La Fe Bahá’í Y Su Comunidad Mundial

by the Office of Public Information PA 10 pkg. $3.50 / 50 pkg. $15.50

This translation of the popular pamphlet The Bahá’í Faith and Its World Community presents brief sections of information of an introductory nature, the Bahá’í writings, Bahá’í principles, various characteristics of the Bahá’í community, such as the development of spiritual qualities and the eradication of prejudices, and Bahá’í laws. It also presents the non-partisan nature of the Faith and describes the Bahá’í administrative order, as well as the development of social and economic projects. The establishment of the Bahá’í Houses of Worship and the Bahá’í World Center are outlined, along with the relationship with the United Nations. This pamphlet will be very useful for spring or summer teaching projects. 3-3/4 x 8-1/2 inches

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Use our handy Order Form on the following page to place your order.

Order now through the Bahá’í Distribution Service • 1-800-999-9019 [Page 7]

Recent New Materials • Special Offers • Publication Schedules

Willie and the Number Three Door and Other Adventures by Adrienne Ellis Reeves illustrated by Leona Hosack SC $9.95 A collection of four stories in the life of a young South Carolina Bahá’í boy, Willie Johnson, as he enters the first grade through the third. Using familiar ordinary incidents faced by children, the author presents a series of adventures in which Willie learns that the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith are a touchstone as he confronts his fears and attempts to develop the spiritual qualities of courage, honesty, patience, trustfulness, and responsibility. 5-1/4 x 8-1/4 inches, 120 pages, 24 black-and-white illustrations Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Teaching Peace by Red Grammer CS $9.95 One of the most popular of Bahá’í children’s tapes, Teaching Peace, is once again available from the Distribution Service, after more than a year of being unavailable. Teaching Peace not only speaks to children and the child in all of us but also presents a children’s chorus that is very successful in involving children. The message of the songs, although presented on a child’s level, speaks to the unity of all humanity, the upraising of personal esteem, the equality of women and men, the power of language to inspire or hurt, global consciousness, and many more. Suitable for children ages 3 and up. Smilin’ Atcha Music

Teaching Peace Teacher’s Notes edited by Kathy Grammer SC $7.95 Kathy and Red Grammer have worked closely with schools and teachers with the original intention that the Teaching Peace tape be used in social skills and social education curricula. They report that recently it has been used on a wide scale by schools implementing Whole Language Curriculums. The guide for teachers covers four areas dealing with each of the songs on the cassette tape. The first is “the basic theme of the song.” Next are “discussion ideas and questions,” followed by “possible subject areas for the song’s use,” and “Activity ideas.” 8-1/2 x 11 inches, 40 pages, introduction, 4 note pages Smilin’ Atcha Music

Bahá’í Prayers, HC/SC The Publishing Trust regrets that, due to an unacceptable level of quality, reprints of both editions of Bahá’í Prayers have been delayed. The production of these editions from the printer is inferior in quality and appearance. Rather than release an inferior product to the Bahá’í community, we have decided to reject the books and require a level of quality that preserves the dignity of the sacred writings and presents a product that justifies the price. We deeply regret any inconvenience that results from being out-of-stock on these editions and ask for your understanding and patience. Please be assured that we will do everything in our power to resolve this as quickly as possible, and will advise the community when details are available.

Lights of Guidance compiled by Helen Hornby HC $22.95 WAS $29.95 The Distribution Service has decided to extend through May the sale price of $22.95 on this well-known reference book that has served as a mainstay for Bahá’í communities around the globe since its first introduction in 1983. It presents quotes from the Central Figures, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice on a wide variety of topics including: the Administrative Order, The Fast, Education of Children, Begging, the Haziratu’l-Quds, Ceremonies, Death, The Covenant, The Family, The Bahá’í Fund, Consultation, The Feast, Firesides, etc. 6-1/4 x 9-1/4 inches, 540 pages, preface, addenda, supplement to addenda, index Bahá’í Publishing Trust of India

Jewel in the Lotus VT $25.00 The Bahá’í Lotus Temple of Bahápur India is an architectural marvel of the twentieth century and the spiritual magnet of the Indian subcontinent. Since its dedication millions of souls from the world over have flocked to it. This remarkable video traces its history from the Indian Bahá’í community asking ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for permission to construct a House of Worship, to the dedication, in 1986, of this spiritual gift to humanity. The video highlights the special symbolism of the lotus to all the cultures and religions of southern Asia, and the unique unity that enabled hundreds of workers of a variety of cultures, religions, and languages to complete the project. Construction demands required a unity of action, sometimes with split-second timing, to complete a project that many called impossible within India. United States Media Services

Pathways to Living in Harmony with the Earth Family Activity Book WB $5.95

Pathways to Peace Family Activity Book WB $5.95

The Seven Candles of Unity The Story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Edinburgh by Anjam Khursheed HC $49.95 / SC $29.95

Teaching Prominent People A Compilation of Extracts from the Bahá’í Writings SC $1.50

The Virtues Guide A Handbook for Parents Teaching Virtues WB $29.95

To the Peoples of the World by the Universal House of Justice PA 100 pkg. $25.00 • 500 pkg. $100.00 • 1,000 pkg. $175.00

Like an Eagle in the Sky VT $10.95 A thirteen-minute video adaptation of a slide presentation, it features scenes of Native American Bahá’ís at various Council Fires and portrays a strong sense of the mission of the Native American peoples as outlined by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The video is designed to empower and uplift Native peoples so they might arise to realize the bright future that awaits them in the redemption of humanity. In addition, the video is a tool that should be viewed by those non-Native peoples who have chosen to help, teach, and learn from Native peoples. United States Media Services

Artists for the Arc by various artists CS $9.95 A compilation of musical selections from artists around the country—a celebration of modern musical styles. Selections feature santour and acoustic guitar, pop and ‎raggae reggae‎, unaccompanied voice, and more. The opening selection is the long-awaited song “One Family” by Red Grammer. This piece was part of the sound track of the popular “Promise of World Peace” slide presentation that was viewed at several of the Vision-to-Victory conferences throughout 1989. “‘Abdu’l-Bahá,” an inspiring tribute performed by Mark and Leslie Spiro concludes the cassette. Other artists perform a variety of works in various languages. Included are Seaforth & Jenkins, Manoochehr Sadeghi, Matthew Levine, L.A. Jazz Chorus, James Findlay, Don Reed, K.C. Porter, and Sandra Simmons. A variety of uplifting musical performances. 34:38 minutes World Beat Records

The Bahá’í Distribution Service has purchased a small quantity of the two titles below at a reduced, pre-publication price of $55.00 from the publisher. This is a limited, one-time offer. When these have been sold, the price will rise to the normal list price of $65.00.

Bibliography of English Language Works on the Bábí and Bahá’í Faiths 1844-1985 compiled by William P. Collins HC $55.00

PER: Bahá’u’lláh: Shams-i-Haqiqát by H. M. Balyuzi; translated by Minu Sabet HC $55.00

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[Page 8]HELP WANTED Experienced, intelligent person, energetic, good language skills, computer experience helpful but not necessary. Apply in person.

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 and care in responding to them.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

THE BOSCH Bahá’í School is accepting applications for summer 1991 employment. Positions available include children’s teachers (3), assistant cook, recreation director, lifeguard, music director, kitchen assistants (2) and maintenance assistants (2). All positions require a willingness to serve and interact with children, youth and adults. Those chosen will serve from July through August (9-10 weeks) and receive a small stipend plus room and board. To apply, send a brief resume of your experience or request an application form for employment from the Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (phone 408-423-3387).

THE GREEN ACRE Bahá’í School is accepting applications for summer employment. Positions available include children’s teachers, kitchen and housekeeping help, maintenance, office help, and program assistant. Applicants should be available from mid-June through the end of August. Room and board are provided with a small stipend. Please send a brief résumé to the Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903, or phone 207-439-7200 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) for more information.

CHILDREN’S program teaching staff sought at the Louhelen Bahá’í School: child education coordinators, master teachers, teachers’ assistants for weekend conferences through the summer months. For details or to apply, contact the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or telephone 313-653-5033.

THE LOUHELEN Bahá’í School is accepting applications for summer positions. These include children’s education director, adult program director, registrar, recreation director, dishwasher/food service assistant (two positions), housekeeper, assistant librarian/book sales, and groundskeeper. Room and board and a stipend are provided. Applicants should be able to serve from the middle or end of June through August 22. Please send a brief résumé listing applicable experience and position desired to: Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone 313-653-5033.

SCHOOLS

SYLVAN LAKE Bahá’í Conference and Training Centre, in the parklands of central Alberta, midway between Calgary and Edmonton, offers a full menu of Summer School sessions from May through August. Included are courses on teaching, pioneering and the Covenant, plus one-week and two-week sessions for children, a Youth Day, and Family Weekend. For information, write to the school c/o General Delivery, Sylvan Lake, Alberta, ‎TOM IZO T0M 1Z0‎ Canada, or phone 403-887-5728.

CATALOG of summer conferences at the Louhelen Bahá’í School is available from the Registrar, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

“REFLECTIONS” catalog listing “Mankind is One” sweatshirts, T-shirts, tapes, books and other Bahá’í-related materials is available at no cost from the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 313-653-5033).

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Republic of Ireland is seeking someone experienced in public relations to assist the Irish Bahá’í community in its public relations work and to train one or more individuals to continue the work. The Bahá’í community of Puerto Rico is seeking pioneers deepened in Bahá’í administration to settle in Ponce. Would prefer self-supporting believers. For additional information on the above, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 or telephone 708-869-9039.

AUSTRALASIA: Johnston Atoll: Chief Medical Officer, Physicians, Production Director, Television Production Technician. Samoa: Caretaker for the Mother Temple of the Pacific. Yap: Lawyer to assist in office of Attorney General. EUROPE: Poland: Library/Book Fellow. Romania: Library/Book Fellow. Soviet Union: Library/Book Fellow (3 months). Yugoslavia: Library/Book Fellow. AFRICA: Swaziland: Caretaker couple for the National Bahá’í Center. AMERICAS: Bahamas: Couple or male Caretaker for the National Center. Belize: Custodians for the Amelia Collins Institute. Honduras: Elementary School Teachers (2). Dominican Republic: ESL/Teacher Trainer. ASIA: Thailand: Montessori Trained Teacher. AUSTRALASIA: Marshall Islands: Firefighters. Palau: Secondary School Math, Science and /English Teachers. Samoa: Caretaker for the Mother Temple of the Pacific. Yap: Lawyer to assist in office of Attorney General. EUROPE: Poland: Agribusiness Specialists. MULTI-REGIONAL: Systems Analysts, Organizational Development/Training Specialist, Project/Program Manager, Auditors and Inspectors for USAID; Program Officers needed by Ford Foundation for Soviet and Eastern European programs. For additional information on any of the above, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 708-869-9039.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

HOMEFRONT pioneers needed for the rural North Carolina communities of Roxboro (pop. 12,000) and Person County (pop. 18,000) about 30 miles north of Durham with easy access to major universities and employment opportunities. Inexpensive land and housing available; one isolated Bahá’í presently lives in the area. For information, please contact Terri Hamrick, Roxboro, NC 27573, or phone 919-597-4687 (home) or 919-599-8366 (work).

WANTED: homefront pioneers for the Navajo and Hopi Indian Reservations. Gain pioneering experiences and bounties while still living in the U.S. Positions are available Reservation-wide for teachers, nurses, physicians’ assistants, doctors, lab technicians, pharmacists and others. For details, write to Navajo/Hopi DTC, Box 1337, Chinle, AZ 86503, or phone 602-674-5904.

DIVERSITY: Northern New Mexico has it all. Diversity in culture: Hispanic, American Indian, black, white and Asian. Diversity in climate: from 10,000-foot mountains to warm flatlands. Diversity of populated areas: from small towns to modern urban centers. Diversity of employment: from opportunities in health-care to education to laundromats. Northern New Mexico needs Bahá’ís in all these areas to support existing local Assemblies and Groups and to help form new Assemblies and save those in jeopardy. For more information, contact Sharon Ewing, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

MOVING? Put your shoulder to the wheel in one of many localities in Northern California which need Bahá’ís to retain, regain or attain Assembly status. Area has small to large colleges, ethnic diversity, mountain solitude or western “foothill” towns, agriculture, or close-to-capital city excitement. For information, please write to the District Teaching Committee of Northern California No. 1, c/o Grace Shahrokh, secretary, Fair Oaks, CA 95628, or phone 916-966-7490.

WANTED

WANTED: prospective, former and visiting international pioneers to join us July 5-10 for a Family Pioneering Institute with a focus on “A Lifetime of Service to Bahá’u’lláh.” The Institute will be held at the Louhelen Bahá’í School in Davison, Michigan (near Detroit Metro Airport). Bring your stories, music, poetry. Also, if you have a presentation or workshop you would like to share, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039) or phone Mary Jo Clarken, 906-228-5654.

BAHÁ’Í youth is looking for a ride from Dallas, Texas, to Guadalajara, Mexico, for the International Youth Conference. Please write to Ferishteh Vaughn, Marietta, GA 30062.

THE BAHÁ’Í Club at Dartmouth College is looking for Bahá’ís who are Dartmouth alumni. We would like to keep them updated on the activities of the Bahá’í Club. Please write to the Bahá’í Club of Dartmouth, Tucker Foundation, 102 College Hall, Hanover, NH 03755.

ANY AND ALL Bahá’ís who have lived or taught in eastern North Carolina are invited to return for a homecoming in July. For more information, please contact the District Teaching Committee of Eastern North Carolina: Mike Hillis (919-291-1187) or Mary Spires (919-446-5889).

ESSAYS needed about American youth who have professed their faith in Bahá’u’lláh to be compiled in a chronicle entitled 99 Lights Across America. Essays should explain how the individual came to recognize Bahá’u’lláh and how this transformed his/her life. The book will be an inspiration for teaching the Faith, and will attest to the fact that everyone is potentially a Bahá’í regardless of race, religion, social or economic background. Publication of the identity of the author of each essay is optional. Please send essays as soon as possible to Jennifer Redson, Ellicott City, MD 21043 (phone 301-750-0570) or Andieshe Samandari, Folsom, CA 95630.

AN EXCITING feature of the Bahá’í World Congress in New York City in November 1992 will be a specially-created World Congress Choir, consisting of singers from all parts of the world. Bahá’ís who plan to attend the World Congress are invited to audition for the choir. Singers from any part of the world can try out by mail provided they are able to record their voices on cassette tape. Information about how to do this is available from the World Congress Program Committee. In addition to the main choir, singers are needed for special choirs from various parts of the world including Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, Iran, India, Europe and the Far East. The World Congress is not able to pay for transportation or housing of singers. Bahá’ís who feel they may be capable of taking part in this project are warmly encouraged to send for an application form and audition procedures. Write to: Bahá’í World Congress Choir Audition, P.O. Box 789, Wilmette, IL 60091 U.S.A.

THE UNIVERSAL House of Justice has given the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly the task of publishing Bahá’í sacred writings and other Bahá’í literature in the Ukrainian and Kazakh languages. Individuals with skills in these languages are needed to serve as translators. If you are interested in helping with this important work, or if you know of someone who might be, please contact Melanie Smith, Ukrainian and Kazakh Desk, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, East Lansing, MI 48823 (phone 517-337-2858).

DISTRIBUTORS: individuals, groups or Assemblies are sought to serve as distributors of the “Mankind Is One” sweatshirts and T-shirts. Distributors will receive consignment discounts. Write to “Reflections,” Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

FOR SALE

HELP US reach our National Fund goals and receive in return a 42-minute cassette tape of lovely meditative piano music (Chopin, Debussy, Brahms, Bach, Pachelbel, Ravel and others) performed by Nancy Harper. The tape is designed to be used during Feast and Holy Day observances or for one’s own peaceful meditations. “Meditations” is available for $10 plus shipping and handling from the Spiritual Assembly of Santa Fe, P.O. Box 1767, Santa Fe, NM 87504. All proceeds go to the National Bahá’í Fund.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Edmond, Oklahoma, has received three wool and silk carpets of exceptional beauty and value. The donor has earmarked proceeds from the sale of two of these carpets for the Arc, and the third for the local fund. All carpets are 62 to 70 inches long and 42 to 45 inches wide; pattern colors are predominantly a rich blue or maroon, or both, on a beige background. Prices are $1,200, $1,950 and $2,100. Anyone who is interested in purchasing one or more of these carpets may write to the Spiritual Assembly of Edmond, P.O. Box 1178, Edmond, OK 73083, or phone 405-348-9992 or 405-341-0233.

FOR SALE for the Arc: billboard poster (11 by 25 feet) with white dove of peace on cranberry-colored paper and the message “Spread the Promise of Peace—One Heart at a Time; Bahá’í Faith.” This silent auction is a fundraiser for the Arc; the poster goes to the highest bidder. Your check is your bid and payment in full. All bid-checks received become part of the fundraiser. Send bid-checks to the Spiritual Assembly of Broken Arrow, P.O. Box 1119, Broken Arrow, OK 74013. For more information, phone Sharon Klemke, 918-455-0105.

HERALD OF THE SOUTH

A Bahá’í Magazine from AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND featuring:

Bahá’í History, Fiction, Poetry, Biography. Art and Music. In depth articles on Religion, the Environment, Education, and Social and Economic Development. Beautiful Full Color Photography with an Emphasis on the Fine Arts.

A Perfect Gift for a Seeker, Friend, Teacher, Youth or Yourself. Published Quarterly

U.S. DELIVERY ONLY [ ] 1 year $24 [ ] 2 years $43

Name _________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________ City/State/Zip __________________________________________ Bahá’í ID# _____________________________________________ Gift from: _____________________________________________ Make your check out to:

Bahá’í Subscriber Service Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091 (708) 869-9039 [Page 9]

WORLD NEWS

Two Bahá’ís have been honored by the governor of Alaska for their contributions to the state. Dr. Mary Ann Navitsky, a Tlingit Indian, is one of seven Alaskans chosen to receive the governor’s "Eight Stars of Gold Citizenship Awards" for preventive dental work she carried out with children over a six-month period in the village of Angoon, and for helping to organize classes to revive a traditional form of Tlingit weaving. Ray Hudson, who has pioneered for many years in the Aleutian Islands, was one of six Alaskans to receive the 1990 Governor’s Award for the Arts for his promotion of the fine art of Aleut basket weaving and his work in preserving Aleut oral traditions. ...

The Spiritual Assembly of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil celebrated its 50th anniversary last year with a number of special events. The Assembly, established in 1940, is the oldest on the continent—the "Mother Assembly" of South America. ...

More than 80 Bahá’ís gathered February 8-14 in Felix, Romania, for that country’s first Bahá’í Winter School. ...

As of February 8, 22 local Spiritual Assemblies had been established in the Soviet Union, the most recent in Yalta and L’vov.

On February 2, Bahá’ís representing the National Spiritual Assembly of Hawaii presented a copy of "The Promise of World Peace" to His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, head of the Coptic Christian Church, during his visit to Hawaii en route to a World Council of Churches meeting in Australia.

The Bahá’ís of Basel, Switzerland, gathered last November 29 to observe the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mark Tobey, a Bahá’í who was a world-renowned painter.

A special conference held under the auspices of the Association for Bahá’í Studies (English-speaking Europe) took place January 12 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Its goal was to consider the relevance of the Faith and its teachings to some of the problems facing humanity today. ...

The Wildfire Theatre Group of young Bahá’ís toured south Queensland, Australia, in December and January, performing a show entitled "The Do-It-Yourself Peace Show." An estimated 2,100 people attended the programs, with another 2,500 watching promotional performances. ...

During 1990 thousands of men, women and children were enrolled in the Cause of God in Honduras, mainly through the efforts of a small group of Bahá’ís that included four Garifuna Indians. Under the inspired guidance of the late Counselor Hedayatu’lláh Ahmadiyeh, the first team grew during a six-month period into five teaching teams composed of old and new Garifuna believers working in various areas of the coast developing weekly adult study groups and children’s classes. ...

The New Era Development Institute (NEDI) in Panchgani, India, sponsored a training course last December for poultry farmers. The goal was to provide short-term training to educated but unemployed village youth. Thirty young people from 13 villages took the course, and all qualified for certificates that will enable them to apply for government help should they decide to start poultry operations of their own. ...

A teaching team spent one month recently in Iba, Zambales, the Philippines, and enrolled more than 1,000 people in the Faith. About 800 of these new Bahá’ís are youth, and the National Youth Committee of the Philippines went to Iba to help consolidate the new believers. ...

In Chad, the Préfet of Moyen Chari (center), escorted by Bahá’í pioneers Changiz and Tahereh Vatankhah, is seen attending a celebration of the formal opening of the Bahá’í-operated Hakim Dispensary last November. The dispensary has since expanded its services.

National Spiritual Assembly encouraged to accelerate teaching efforts among East Asian population in U.S.

By Universal House of Justice

The Universal House of Justice, in a message dated March 28, 1990, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, wrote:

"We have noted with much happiness that your recent reports have included details about the impetus evident in the teaching work among the East Asian populations in the United States, particularly the Chinese, Cambodian, Hmong and Vietnamese peoples. We heartily encourage your community to greater efforts in these important activities, recognizing that many victories can be won at this time."

According to reports received by the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office (USBRO) from Bahá’í institutions overseas, there are between 7,000 and 8,000 Southeast Asian Bahá’ís in the United States. So far, the Refugee Office has only been able to account for a few hundred of them. After arriving in the States, most of them do not feel comfortable enough with English and with their new surroundings to contact the Bahá’ís. Some are unsure about their Bahá’í standing and are unaware that the National Spiritual Assembly has made it a policy for local Bahá’í communities to welcome them whether or not they possess Bahá’í credentials.

Some local Bahá’í communities, determined to include the newcomers in the work of the Cause, have taken the initiative to find them through neighborhood teaching and by fostering relations with Southeast Asian community organizations. Such efforts, when undertaken with love and perseverance, have always proven successful.

If you would like to help your Bahá’í community achieve the "many victories" envisioned by the Universal House of Justice, but do not know if there are Southeast Asians in your community or where to find them, the first step is to investigate.

1. Check your local telephone directory for the names of Vietnamese, Hmong, Laotian and/or Cambodian community organizations in your area.

2. Contact the organization(s) and ask if they know any Bahá’ís. If so, get the names and telephone numbers (and addresses if possible). Since the Bahá’í National Center may not be aware of the Southeast Asian Bahá’ís you find, you should forward this information to the USBRO (the address and phone number are given below), so these friends can begin receiving The American Bahá’í.

3. If there are many Southeast Asian Bahá’ís in your area, organize a neighborhood deepening project to lovingly and systematically bring them into the Bahá’í community. If there are only a few, it will suffice to have one or two deepened Bahá’ís visit them regularly to promote the newcomers’ involvement.

The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office publishes quarterly the Southeast Asian Helpers Bulletin, which is intended to facilitate the growth of a network of those who are promoting the integration of Southeast Asian Bahá’ís newcomers in the United States.

If you are interested in joining the "helpers" network, please let the USBRO know by writing to: USBRO, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or by calling 708-869-9039, ext. 216.

Amin Khamsi (right), a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Switzerland, discusses memories of Bahá’í artist Mark Tobey with art gallery owner Ernest Beyeler during an observance last November in Basel of the 100th anniversary of Mr. Tobey’s birth (see article on this page).

San Diego Bahá’ís take lead in ecumenical program series

On January 23, Bahá’ís in San Diego, California, presented the first in a series of ecumenical meetings planned by the National Conference of Christians and Jews to promote understanding among the various religious groups in the San Diego area.

Attending were 30 Bahá’ís and 20 guests. The program included a brief introduction to the Faith by Tom Shanks, and slide programs on India by Jihmye Collins and on Haifa by Steve Varner.

More than 500 flyers were sent to various religious groups in the area to promote the event. [Page 10]

Association for Bahá’í Studies

Membership drive seeks to add 3,000 members

A path to individual spiritual enrichment and a way to carry the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the generality of humankind—this is the two-fold emphasis the Universal House of Justice placed on Bahá’í scholarship and membership in the Association for Bahá’í Studies (ABS) in its Six Year Plan message of 1986 to the Bahá’ís of the world.

Benefits of membership in ABS have been increased in a drive to stimulate followers of Bahá’u’lláh from every stratum of society to join the Association and help reach people of prominence and accomplishment both in institutions of higher learning and other walks of life.

"The House of Justice commends the efforts you are making, with the support of the Counselors and the National Spiritual Assemblies of North America, to expand the scope of your activities and to increase the membership of your Association," the Supreme Body wrote in a letter to ABS dated December 25, 1990.

"It feels you have an important role to play in fostering Bahá’í scholarship and in demonstrating the value of this scholarly approach in reinforcing the endeavors of the Bahá’í community to reach the diverse strata of North American society."

As a part of its membership drive, the Association's Bulletin is being redesigned, enlarged and published quarterly instead of semi-annually. The upgraded Bulletin will include more graphics, abstracts of published Bahá’í scholarship, columns in which scholars will exchange comment and information, reviews of useful books, and practical tips on research.

Members will, of course, continue to receive The Journal of Bahá’í Studies, the maturing agency of the Faith Association's flagship publication, in carefully edited, readable format. Forthcoming articles will focus on how the Faith relates to such areas as agriculture, sacred mythology, human rights, the development of communications, the Qur'an, architecture, and the evolution of reality.

The influence of the Journal is spreading: several of its articles have been reprinted in pamphlet form and are being used in proclamation to non-Bahá’í agencies.

The 16th annual Meeting of the Association, to be held next August at the University of Victoria on lovely Vancouver Island in British Columbia, will be a special one, oriented toward preparing the friends for the Holy Year of 1992. Its theme will be "Bahá’u’lláh: His Life and Writings."

Distinguished speakers including Hands of the Cause of God have been invited, and the four-day conference also will include workshops, seminars, plenary sessions and musical performances.

But to fulfill its mission by the end of the Six Year Plan, the Association needs at least 3,000 new members. ABS and the National Spiritual Assembly are calling on Bahá’ís to act now to help this rapidly growing agency.

The Association has launched a promotional campaign in which it expects to enroll a broad base of Bahá’ís from every walk of life in North America in the next few months. Since student participation forms an important part of the Association's activities (and students are its future), the Association suggests that adults consider sponsoring a student as well as joining ABS themselves.

"All Bahá’ís can be Bahá’í scholars," says Hossain Danesh of the Association's Executive Committee. "Bahá’í scholarship is a matter of degrees of immersion in the Holy Word, not of academic degrees.

"While the Association continues to expand its role in presenting the Faith internationally to leaders of thought and people of capacity, we extend a warm welcome to all Bahá’ís to join in the bounty of membership in the Association."

Membership in the Association is $40 per year ($50 for couples, $20 for students or senior citizens). The Association is sponsoring a toll-free, 24-hour-a-day telephone line for the duration of the membership campaign. To join, simply phone 1-800-387-8998. VISA and MasterCard are accepted.

Service/employment opportunities at the Bahá’í National Center

"The administration of the Cause in the United States is entering a completely new phase, of high promise, challenging problems and golden opportunities. You are the cradle of the Administration, and in this development you can become a pattern for the entire Bahá’í world." (Excerpt from a letter by the Universal House of Justice addressed to "the Believers in the Cradle of the Bahá’í Administrative Order," December 29, 1970.)

The National Spiritual Assembly is calling for talented, qualified people to arise to serve the National Assembly at this time. There is a particular need for the following:

Bahá’í Volunteers • Volunteers are critically needed to support the World Congress in the following areas: film script writing, video editing, video directing, video camera operation, photojournalism, public relations, audio, and photo processing.

Administrative Assistants Essential to the efficient functioning and quality of service provided by the Bahá’í National Center • Must be well-versed in Bahá’í principles and administration • Must be skilled in word processing; type 50-60 wpm. • Must have strong self-management and organizational skills

Director, Management Information Systems • Oversees all information services for the National Spiritual Assembly including the design and maintenance of a coordinated plan for all data management and data accessing • Requires 5-8 years experience in the MIS field • Experience in a DEC environment preferred; knowledge and experience in Ingress data base a plus • Must have managerial experience in staff supervision, budget control, policy formation and implementation

General Manager, NSA Properties Inc. Assumes overall responsibility for the acquisition, development and maintenance of all Bahá’í properties in the U.S. owned by NSA Properties Inc. • Must have general management experience including strong financial management and people management experience or background • Requires 3-4 years experience in property development and management with emphasis on general business management • Must be familiar with all phases of design and construction • Must have working knowledge of pertinent legal issues critical to the work • Prefer special skills in renovation of historic properties

Other opportunities include: - Bahá’í Publishing Trust: Associate Editor, Editorial Assistant, Marketing Assistant - House of Worship: Office Manager - Office of the Treasurer: Assistant Controller - Periodicals: Writer/Reporter - World Congress Logistics Office: Registration Processing Specialists.

If you are able to share your talents with the National Spiritual Assembly, please send your résumé to the Bahá’í National Center, Department of Human Resources, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone Diana Harris at 708-869-9039.

New Publications for members

Can you understand the Writings and apply them to your life as well as you would like?

At one time, Bahá’ís had to rely only on personal study of the Writings. NOW YOU CAN enrich your daily study through groundbreaking new information services available to all members of the Association for Bahá’í Studies.

Consider the wisdom unveiled each day in previously untranslated scripture as well as original insights published by other Bahá’ís.

"The House of Justice has asked us to express ...its high commendation for the work of the Association for Bahá’í Studies. Its activities have already been extremely valuable for the Cause, and can only increase in significance and value....." (Office of the Secretariat, Universal House of Justice)

By keeping abreast of these developments in the Faith, we can "grow in astonishment" from day to day, grow in clarity as to why we are Bahá’ís, and keep motivated in the vigorous work of personal deepening and spiritual growth. This advantage is now available to you in your daily study...

The Association for Bahá’í Studies Bulletin contains previously untranslated scripture, as available, abstracts of the past three months' published Bahá’í scholarship, and much more.

Its companion, The Journal for Bahá’í Studies, offers informed discussion of spiritual solutions to the problems of humanity and details of Bahá’í social and economic development successes around the world.

Membership, which includes conference and special publication discounts, is a superb value for just $40 per year / $50 for couples / $20 for seniors and students.

While it's still fresh in your mind, consider picking up the phone and joining right now.

ASSOCIATION FOR BAHÁ’Í STUDIES MEMBERSHIP LINE 1-800-387-8998 VISA/MasterCard accepted - Phone answered 24 hours a day during promotion

OR USE THIS COUPON -- Yes! Enroll me in the Association for Bahá’í Studies: Name Address State Zip

ASSOCIATION FOR BAHÁ’Í STUDIES Make your check for $40 ($50 for couples: $20 for seniors and students) payable to Association for Bahá’í Studies, 34 Copernicus St, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada KIN 7K4 [Page 11]

Annual Report of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

The Queen of Carmel is safe. The “abode of the prophets, the home of His Holiness Elijah, the mountain where Isaiah took refuge, through which the spirit of God, Jesus Christ . . . passed and where the footsteps of the Lord of Hosts (Bahá’u’lláh) trod . . . ,” where the sacred remains of His Holiness The Báb and those of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Holy Family are interred, and where the Supreme Institution resides, is secure. The guiding light of the Universal House of Justice never flickered during the Gulf War. Despite the danger, the work of building the new world was carried on.

The American Bahá’ís, too, despite the anxiety and fear that swept the world, and despite their concern for their coworkers at the World Center, did not waver. Indeed, the quality and variety of their activities have led us to conclude that we are at the threshold of expansion. A summary of the highlights of the year 147 B.E. illustrates the reasons for our confidence.

While hatred and war accelerated the destruction of the old order, the American Bahá’ís took advantage of the increasing openness among friends and acquaintances to share the contents of The Promise of World Peace and Bahá’u’lláh’s healing message for humanity. At the same time, the Bahá’ís moved to assure the continuation of the building of the new world order through generous contributions to the Funds. For the first time one thousand local spiritual assemblies were asked to consider goals suggested by the National Spiritual Assembly for their contributions to the National Fund. Their replies touched our hearts deeply. Spiritual assembly after spiritual assembly expressed feelings of privilege and honor as they became partners in a new way of sustaining the work of the Cause. Such devotion and steadfastness is but one reason for our confidence in the readiness of our community to grow.

Some of the other reasons for our confidence were:

• The passage last May of the U.S. Senate resolution calling for the emancipation of the Bahá’í Faith in Iran and the urging, by members of Congress, for a fifth resolution in support of the Iranian Bahá’í community.
• The success of five delegations to China, led by members of the National Assembly, to help the All China Women’s Federation develop a five-year-plan for women, to take part in the First Sino-American Women’s Conference, and to arrange exchanges of legal professionals and vocational educators and of the participation of our Publishing Trust in the Beijing Book Fair.
• The hosting of a delegation of five women lawyers from the China Law Society of the ‎Peoples People's‎ Republic of China.
• The purchase of property for a Haziratu’l-Quds in Stanley, Falkland Islands.
• The completion of the fund-raising needed to establish the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace Studies at the University of Maryland and the designation of that chair by the University for eminent-chair status, thus making it eligible for additional funding from the State of Maryland.
• The widespread involvement and increasing leadership of Bahá’ís in the life of society, particularly in the promotion of race unity, sexual equality, and the protection of the environment. Of special note are our growing relationship with the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Non-Violent Social Change and the Martin Luther King Federal Holiday Commission, the recent requests received by the National Assembly and by local communities to help cities and organizations resolve intergroup conflict and foster unity, and the growing range of activities to promote race unity within and without the Bahá’í community.
• The presentation to and discussion of the peace statement with former President Jimmy Carter by a delegation of National Assembly members and Georgia Bahá’ís.
• The participation of a member of the National Spiritual Assembly and his presentation of a major address to statesmen, scholars and journalists in an international “Education Against Hate” conference held in Haifa, Israel that was jointly sponsored by the Eli Wiesel Foundation for Humanity and the University of Haifa.
• The increasing number of teaching institutes, now estimated at one thousand, and the growing percentage of that number actively engaging in teaching activities.
• The perseverance of the friends in dozens of organized teaching projects throughout the country.
• The increased use of the arts as a medium of teaching.
• The growing success of some 450 local Bahá’í schools, 38 regional summer and winter schools, 3 permanent schools and 2 institutes serving more than 35,000 Bahá’ís.
• The expansion of the Spiritual Assembly development process among 700 local spiritual assemblies, in collaboration with the Board of Counselors and their Auxiliary Boards, and the completion of 13 instructional modules.
• The growing participation of Bahá’í youth in the Youth Year of Service program and in Youth and Junior Youth Academies at Bosch Bahá’í School, Louhelen Bahá’í School, the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, and the Native American Bahá’í Institute and among Indian youth in South Dakota.
• The increasing number of well-organized, locally sponsored youth conferences and Bahá’í youth performing groups and children’s activities and the discernible effects these activities are having on Bahá’í children and youth.
• The dispersal of 576 pioneers to 213 goal countries thus far in the Six Year Plan and of 44 pioneers and 309 traveling teachers to Eastern European countries in partial fulfillment of the special Two Year Plan.
• The publication of approximately 3,500 articles on the Bahá’í Faith in local newspapers, the appearance of significant articles and editorials in most of the nation’s major newspapers, and the growing number of television and radio programs on the Faith.
• The popularity of Radio Bahá’í WLGI and the high quality of its Bahá’í programming.
• The impressive array of activities and services in teaching, spiritual education, leadership development, worship, the education of children and youth, and community service provided by the Louis G. Gregory and Native American Bahá’í Institutes.
• The increasing numbers of requests for support and assistance from the Bahá’í community from national organizations, city governments, schools and colleges, private industry, and even nations.

The administrative foundation of our community is also growing stronger, as evidenced by:

• The complete reorganization of our national Treasury, the results of which prompted our bankers to state their admiration for the competent and disciplined management of the Faith’s financial affairs.
• The installation of a new DEC computer system powerful enough to serve the needs of the Faith for some years to come.
• The expansion of the World Congress Logistics Office and the rapid progress of the planning work for the Congress.
• The growing popularity of the electronic bulletin board, providing 950 users with 8,800 files this year.
• The increase in training sessions for Bahá’í National Center staff to assist them in meeting the growing challenges of Bahá’í service.
• The beginning of a reorganization of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust.
• The redesign of the format and the redirection of the editorial agenda of The American Bahá’í and the plan to publish issues once every nineteen days.
• The increase in the number of Bahá’í Newsreels from three to four per year, enhancing our ability to convey the world-embracing vision of the Faith and show the panorama of Bahá’í activities, and the expansion of our video production capacity, enabling us to produce The Jewel in the Lotus and an introductory video on the second Bahá’í World Congress.
• The development of a core curriculum (nearly completed) for the Bahá’í education of children from the ages of six through twelve and the beginning of a nationwide program of teacher training to facilitate the curriculum’s use.

The reports of our Offices of External Affairs and the Treasury and those of our agencies provide more details about the impressive scope and high level of Bahá’í work. However, this cursory review of the year’s highlights demonstrates the vigor, strength, and competence of the American Bahá’í community. As one of the Continental Counselors remarked at a meeting with the National Assembly, “At the outset of the Six Year Plan, we were asked to build a spiritual home for the nation in a forest crowded with the trees of our unresolved issues. Now we have cleared the forest, and we are ready to build.” Our confidence is unshakable, we are ready to grow.

Plans for the Coming Year

Race Unity. It is increasingly apparent that the American nation has no prospect for race unity other than the Bahá’í Faith and that urgent action is needed to halt the cancerous spread of racism and to restore the all-but-vanished hope for the unity of the races.

During the year 148 B.E. the National Spiritual Assembly will publish a race unity statement that will define the problem and present Bahá’í solutions. The statement will be the centerpiece of a campaign of proclamation, teaching, and service within and without the Bahá’í community on the most vital and challenging issue facing our nation. We will endeavor to present the statement to national, state, and local leaders, to social agencies and churches, and to the public at large. Additional materials, including pamphlets, videos, study guides, and training materials and services, will be available to support the campaign. Among the special efforts to be made in the next year are:

• A study of models of racial, ethnic, and religious unity to be carried out jointly by the City of Chicago and the National Spiritual Assembly.
• The establishment of a speakers’ bureau on issues related to race unity.
• The sponsoring of a race unity conference.

We do not believe, however, that the publication of a race unity statement, a multi-faceted campaign for racial unity, and several special efforts alone will unify the races. Ultimately, models are needed. People need to see models of unity in diversity, of conflict resolution, of intermarriage. For such models we must turn to you, the Bahá’ís of the United States. You must be the ones to define the language of unity, to demonstrate the secret harmony that lies beyond the limits of race, class, sex, and religion. Therefore, you must perfect the unity of our communities to ensure that they become beacons of light. This urgent responsibility, we believe, rests squarely on your shoulders.

The Final Year of the Six Year Plan. Only one year remains of the Six Year Plan and before the beginning of the Holy Year commemorating the centenary of the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh and the establishment of His Covenant. Most of the goals of the Plan are already in hand, and we are confident that all of them will be won. The outstanding and most significant goal, the conquest of the hearts of large numbers of our brothers and sisters, is but an act of will away from achievement.

With the loving and wise advice of the Continental Counselors plans to intensify the teaching work have already been made and will be conveyed to you shortly. Meanwhile Spiritual Assemblies, groups, and individual believers should review the Six Year Plan teaching goals [Page 12]

Annual Report of the National Spiritual Assembly

and determine the actions needed locally to achieve a breakthrough in the teaching work.

Victory in the Six Year Plan depends on you. There are no barriers in your way. Every resource in the heavens and on earth is at your disposal. You are the agents of universal salvation. No force on earth can stop you. By accepting your true self, you can rescue the struggling masses "bereft of discernment to see God with their own eyes, or hear His Melody with their own ears."

As you go forward to perform that service, which only you, the followers of Bahá’u’lláh, can render, bear in mind these confidence-inspiring words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

Erelong ye will with your own eyes witness how brilliantly every one of you, even as a shining star, will radiate in the firmament of your country the light of divine guidance, and will bestow upon its people the glory of an everlasting life.

External Affairs

During the past year the National Spiritual Assembly received two letters from the Universal House of Justice that illustrate the significance of the National Assembly's external affairs work and its relation to the destiny of America.

In September 1990 the Universal House of Justice sent the following message to the National Spiritual Assembly:

...we reaffirm the sentiments we have previously expressed about the inestimable value of your external affairs activities not only because of their indispensability to the progress of your national Bahá’í community but also because of their high importance to the interests of the Faith in other parts of the world.... You have achieved remarkable feats through the operations of this Office...

As a mark of our profound appreciation for the importance of your external affairs work, we have decided to contribute $100,000 towards your expenses for this year.

After the passage in May 1990 by the U.S. Senate of its resolution concerning the Bahá’ís in Iran, the Universal House of Justice sent the following message to the National Spiritual Assembly:

We are delighted by news from Washington. The action of the Senate... in adopting a resolution in support of efforts to emancipate the Iranian Bahá’í community owes its significance not only to the stated objective but also to the evidence which it gives of the spiritual blessings with which Bahá’u’lláh has specially endowed the Great Republic of the West. May its people and the Community of the Greatest Name within receive a fresh impetus towards fulfilling the promises of their glorious destiny.

Joining a similar resolution passed by the House of Representatives in February 1990, the Senate resolution, sponsored by 59 senators, was passed unanimously. Seven senators made speeches about the long-suffering Bahá’ís, declaring the US government's commitment to human rights and the defense of the Bahá’ís in Iran.

In spring 1991, the National Spiritual Assembly prepared to submit a fifth resolution to the Congress calling for an end to the persecution and for the emancipation of the Iranian Bahá’í community.

The National Spiritual Assembly's secretary for external affairs, Firuz Kazemzadeh, continued to visit regularly the State Department, White House offices, and members of Congress and its staff to present the most recent status of the Iranian Bahá’í community. The State Department "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1990" outlined extensively the situation of the Bahá’ís in Iran. The report mentioned also the Bahá’ís in Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan and Morocco.

While he was in Washington, D.C., the secretary for external affairs also met with officials responsible for the U.S. delegations at the United Nations General Assembly and Human Rights Commission. This year the U.N. again adopted resolutions on Iran that mentioned the Bahá’ís and continued the mandate of the Special Representative on Iran whose 1990 and 1991 reports confirmed the grievances of the Bahá’ís. His visits and meetings were arranged by the extraordinary efforts of the public relations professional who was in her tenth year of service to the National Spiritual Assembly.

In June 1990 the National Spiritual Assembly's assistant secretary, Juana Conrad, served on the steering committee and headed a group of thirty-five Bahá’ís, including a member of the Office of External Affairs staff, at the Sino-American Conference on Women's Issues in Beijing, China. Several Bahá’ís presented papers on education, health, family and child care, and employment. Others served as reporters, topic leaders and workshop coordinators. Many of the Bahá’ís travelled in delegations throughout China before and after the conference, meeting with local women's federations to discuss the issues highlighted by the conference. The assistant secretary of the National Assembly visited China twice after the June Conference to plan future exchanges between the women of China and the U.S.

Several members of the National Spiritual Assembly were involved in various external affairs activities during the year. In June 1990 the secretary for external affairs attended a meeting in Brazil of members and representatives of several Latin American National Spiritual Assemblies to discuss external affairs work throughout the continent and coordination of activities between national communities in the hemisphere. Alberta Deas and Jack McCants, along with Auxiliary Board member, Soo Fouts, presented The Promise of World Peace to former President Carter at the Carter Center on January 29. The National Assembly hosted a reception in Washington, D.C., on September 25 for Kevin Locke on the occasion of his receiving the Folk Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts. In February 1991 the staff of the national office in Washington, D.C. met for two days with the chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia to discuss the establishment of an external affairs office in that country.

Through its office in Washington, D.C., the National Assembly expanded its contact and collaboration with government officials and non-government organizations in areas such as human rights, race relations, the environment, and education. It also continued further to educate the Bahá’í community in external affairs principles and policies.

For the past seven years the Bahá’ís have been active members of an ad hoc working group to support ratification of United Nations human rights conventions. On March 7, the working group and over twenty U.S. senators and representatives hosted a reception to honor the Senate advice and consent to ratification of the U.N. Convention on Torture given in October 1990. The purpose of the reception was to urge the President to ratify the Torture Convention and to encourage Senate and Administration support for ratification of other U.N. human-rights conventions concerning the rights of children, the rights of women, and the elimination of race discrimination. In August 1990 the National Spiritual Assembly submitted a statement in support of ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women that was published in a hearings record of the House of Representatives subcommittee on Human Rights.

Other organizations with which the National Assembly regularly collaborated on human rights issues included the American Bar Association, Amnesty International, B'nai B'rith International, B'nai B'rith Women, the United Church of Christ, the Armenian Assembly, Interaction, and the United Nations Association.

The National Spiritual Assembly's representative to the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Non-Violent Social Change and its Federal Holiday Commission continued to serve as co-chair of the Commission's Religious Involvement Committee and to organize Bahá’í participation in King Day activities and the King Center's annual Youth Assembly and Conference on Education. Over eight hundred people heard the National Assembly's representative read ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Prayer for America at the International Interfaith Breakfast in Washington, D.C. The Bahá’ís were the co-chair of the Holiday Parade and March Committee in Atlanta. On January 21, five hundred Bahá’ís marched in the Parade, including Seals and Crofts, who were introduced on national television as Bahá’ís.

Other noteworthy activities by the representative included attendance at the "Spiritual Gathering of the Tribes" in Canada and chairing the M.L.K., Jr., World Prayer Day and Multicultural Program, the American Indian Forum on Unity and Justice, and the Interfaith Exchange Program for King Week. The representative also helped arrange for Counselor Jacqueline Delahunt to receive an award on behalf of her grandfather, Chief Luther Standing Bear, at the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama.

Several events during the year provided opportunities for the Bahá’ís to assist and to participate in environmental activities. The National Spiritual Assembly became a member of the Global Tomorrow Coalition, an organization of over 150 members involved in population, resources, environment, and sustainable development. The director of the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) Office of the Environment and representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly participated in several conferences, including the North American Conference on Religion and Ecology (NACRE) in May 1990, and a meeting in October 1990 that launched the U.S. Citizens Network on the U.N. Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) to be held in Brazil in June 1992.

A member of the Office of External Affairs staff has been the secretary of the Network's executive committee and the co-chair of its working group on ethics, development and the environment. The working group is drafting suggestions for the U.S. government position paper to be presented at the UNCED in June 1992. In collaboration with the BIC Office of the Environment, the National Assembly sent representatives to conferences of the International Coordinating Committee on Religion and Earth in Seattle in October 1990 and in New York in March 1991. In October 1990 the National Spiritual Assembly invited several local Bahá’í communities to establish discussion groups on the Public Broadcasting System series, "Race to Save the Planet." The national office in Washington, D.C., coordinated the effort with educational materials from Global Tomorrow Coalition and from NACRE.

Other organizations that hosted conferences and activities in which the staff of the Washington, D.C., office participated included the Alliance for Our Common Future, and White House and State Department conferences on women, the environment, refugees, and foreign policy. Representatives also attended a meeting of the Coalition on Education for All and the Children's Defense Fund conference. The National Spiritual Assembly appointed a representative to the international interfaith organization, the Temple of Understanding.

World events during the past year provided many opportunities for the National Spiritual Assembly to guide the Bahá’í community on national and international issues and the application of Bahá’í principles. Ranging from collective security to collaboration with like-minded organizations at the local level, the issues of concern to the U.S. Bahá’í community were addressed by statements and editorials from the National Assembly and guidance through the staff of the office in Washington, DC.

Over nine hundred public information representatives and sixty committees coordinated contacts with their local communications media and distributed press releases from the National Spiritual Assembly. The Office of Public Information (OPI) in Wilmette increased its use of the Bahá’í electronic bulletin board to disseminate information to the community. The director of OPI met with Bahá’ís in Boston; New York; Charlotte, North Carolina; Ft. Lauderdale; and at the Green Acre Bahá’í School and the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute.

References to the Bahá’í Faith in newspapers and magazines and on radio and television decreased slightly from last year. Approximately 3,500 newspaper articles and letters to the editor mentioned the Bahá’í Faith. However, the annual average number of references in newspapers is 70 percent greater during the current Six Year Plan than the number of references that were published during the last five years of the recent Seven Year Plan.

The Office of Public Information began to plan the approach to the national communications media about Holy Year activities and the second Bahá’í World Congress. The staff of the OPI also consulted with several media professionals, who are Bahá’ís, about the public release of the upcoming National Spiritual Assembly statement on race unity. The Office worked with the World Congress Media Task Force to prepare an international plan for contact with the media before, during, and after the World Congress.

The staff of the OPI also maintained relations with the Religious Public Relations Council. The director of the OPI, in his role as external affairs representative at the Bahá’í National Center, coordinated a meeting with members of the U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference and visits to the Bahá’í House of Worship by the president of the Union of Soviet Architects, the Hmong Buddhist High Priest for Thailand, and staff from the national television program Good Morning America.

The U.S. United Nations Representative was an active participant in many of the most important arenas for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at the U.N. She was [Page 13]the chair of the United Nations Association (UNA-USA) Conference of U.N. Representatives Executive Committee, as well as a member of its by-laws committee and its resolutions committee. She was elected to its Board of Governors and the convention nominating committee for the 1993 UNA-USA convention. The representative was a member of the NGO/U.N. Department of Public Information Executive Committee and a member of the North American Environmental Sabbath Committee.

The representative co-hosted a reception for American Indian spiritual leader, Thomas Banyacya, and represented the Bahá’ís at the World Days for Prayer Ceremony and Musical Celebration. She collaborated closely with the Bahá’í International Community Offices of the United Nations and of the Environment on issues of human rights, the environment, and religion. She attended a conference on "News and the New World Order," a symposium on Women's Initiatives in African Food Security, and the Albert Schweitzer Symposium. Members of the staff participated in the U.N. Department of Public Information annual NGO conference on "A World Safe for Children: Meeting the Challenges of the 1990s."

Treasury

The American Bahá’í community has made significant, even historic changes in its support for the work of the Faith. These changes can be seen in the quality of discussions about the Faith's financial affairs and in the emergence of new patterns of response to the Funds of the Faith both of which reflect a renewed sense of spiritual commitment.

The National Spiritual Assembly's Office of the Treasurer has worked diligently to support an increase in contributions from the friends, to help the National Spiritual Assembly continue to develop its capacity to manage the funds of the Faith efficiently, and to foster communication and education about the financial affairs of the Cause.

1503 Quarterly Contributions "FY 91 Int'l Fund Nat'l Fund FY 92

Contributions to the four major Funds of the Faith increased 35% over last year’s levels to approximately $15 million, including $10.2 million for the National Bahá’í Fund, and $3.6 million for the Arc Projects Fund. Automatic contributions provided some $2.4 million of the total, representing offerings from some 4,200 individuals and 475 institutions.

The American Bahá’ís’ unprecedented response to the Bahá’í Funds this fiscal year has contributed greatly to the community's health. The National Spiritual Assembly has been able to remain current on its $2 million pledge to the Universal House of Justice and to give an added $1.5 million to the Arc Fund. Earmarked contributions have added $4.2 million to the amount remitted to the Bahá’í World Center, compared with $3.2 million a year ago.

At home increased contributions have enabled the National Spiritual Assembly to reduce short-term borrowing needs, thus reducing interest costs. The deficit in the National Bahá’í Fund, which peaked at over $4 million in August, is now an estimated $3.2 million. The many programs and activities made possible by the friends' contributions are detailed in the accompanying Annual Report of the Agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.

To enable the National Spiritual Assembly to control costs and manage its financial resources, the Office of the Treasurer and the Management Information Systems Department continue to collaborate in producing more complete and timely information on expenditures by national committees and agencies. Each month, the National Spiritual Assembly can now monitor and correct actual and projected expenses by agency and by project. Together with a cash-concentration system, which permits centralized management of the cash position of every office and agency of the National Spiritual Assembly, these advances have produced important savings in both operating and interest expenses.

Other financial management activities of note included renovating the entire accounting system so as to take best advantage of the new computer, creating and using a new receipt system and new receipt forms, improving the processing of automatic contributions, and instituting a centralized purchasing procedure for the offices and committees of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Accepted Local Assembly Goals Responses 4% Committed 8% Undecided Objected 34%

Three programs begun during the year—the Local Assembly Goals Program, the Town Meetings Program, and the Weekend Visits Program—have had a strong effect on the community's understanding of the affairs of the Faith and its financial requirements.

The Local Assembly Goals Program launched in October elicited an immediate and positive response from local spiritual assemblies and sparked in-depth consultation within many communities and with the Office of the Treasurer.

Developing annual giving programs, planned giving programs, and a major gift program.

Working jointly with the National Teaching Committee to develop materials for new believers, youth activities and programs, and other programs.

• Continuing to automate accounting, budget, and contribution processing systems.

Implementing a lockbox contribution processing system that will allow believers to send contributions directly to the bank instead of the Bahá’í National Center, thereby shortening processing time and increasing Fund liquidity. With almost no limit to its capacity to accommodate increases in the number of contributions, the lockbox system will require little or no additional staff while at the same time permitting more personalized attention to each giver.

Many of the National Spiritual Assembly's fund development and education efforts depend on continuing to educate the staff of the Treasurer's Office. In order to gain access to current information and practices within the field of fundraising, the Treasurer's Office regularly meets with professional fundraisers and has joined the National Society of Fund Raising Executives (NSFRE), the leading professional association in its field. As a result, we have learned that the expense of raising funds for the Faith is far less than that incurred by other national organizations. While it is not uncommon for a university to spend 15 to 20 cents for every dollar raised, the National Spiritual Assembly spends only 1.8 cents on its fund-development activities.

The imperative for the coming year is growth: growth in the number of avowed adherents to Bahá’u’lláh’s Message; growth in the resources offered through loving sacrifice in service to the human family. We are confident that the community will continue to build on the renewed sense of spiritual commitment it has shown this year, keeping in mind the call to action voiced by the Universal House of Justice at Naw-Ruz 1986: "In a sense, the imminent launching of the Six Year Plan... is a salute to your immortal triumphs as 'spiritual descendants of the Dawnbreakers' and a fresh reminder that you possess the vast, largely unrealized potential of a community blessed by Bahá’u’lláh with a unique destiny in the unfoldment of His mighty World Order.... As the beloved Guardian repeatedly stated in his letters to the American believers, it is the individual who has the power to act, and on whom, 'in the last resort, depends the fate of the entire community.' Onward, then, with your inescapable but glorious tasks!"

53%

The Town Meetings Program, begun on May 15 as a complement to the Local Spiritual Assembly Development Program, has also fostered increasingly open and frank discussion with the community and has provided the National Spiritual Assembly with vital information about many aspects of the community's life and its present condition. Planned by members of the Treasurer's Office in collaboration with local spiritual assemblies and members of the Auxiliary Boards, approximately 150 town meetings have drawn some 6,500 Bahá’ís from more than 600 local communities.

The Weekend Visits Program begun last year has continued to evolve into an important means by which the National Spiritual Assembly consults with the community and shares its thoughts and concerns. Three gatherings were held at the Bahá’í National Center, where groups of fifteen to twenty Bahá’ís met with members of the National Spiritual Assembly and its staff to discuss the work of the Faith at the national level. Attendees have returned to their communities with a new understanding of the issues facing the National Assembly and the community at large and now can explain them to the friends in their local communities.

Plans for the coming year are designed to consolidate last year's extraordinary achievements. The plans include:

• Adopting a $25 million annual contribution goal.
• Adopting a national budget that will reflect continuing austerity.
• Extending the Local Assembly Goals Program to all spiritual assemblies and maintaining existing goal levels unless changed by local assemblies themselves.
• Continuing the Town Meeting and Weekend Visit programs.
• Developing annual giving programs, planned giving programs, and a major gift program.
• Working jointly with the National Teaching Committee to develop materials for new believers, youth activities and programs, and other programs.
• Continuing to automate accounting, budget, and contribution processing systems.

Implementing a lockbox contribution processing system that will allow believers to send contributions directly to the bank instead of the Bahá’í National Center, thereby shortening processing time and increasing Fund liquidity. With almost no limit to its capacity to accommodate increases in the number of contributions, the lockbox system will require little or no additional staff while at the same time permitting more personalized attention to each giver.

Many of the National Spiritual Assembly's fund development and education efforts depend on continuing to educate the staff of the Treasurer's Office. In order to gain access to current information and practices within the field of fundraising, the Treasurer's Office regularly meets with professional fundraisers and has joined the National Society of Fund Raising Executives (NSFRE), the leading professional association in its field. As a result, we have learned that the expense of raising funds for the Faith is far less than that incurred by other national organizations. While it is not uncommon for a university to spend 15 to 20 cents for every dollar raised, the National Spiritual Assembly spends only 1.8 cents on its fund-development activities. [Page 14]20 cents for every dollar raised, the National Spiritual Assembly spends only 1.8 cents on its fund-development activities.

The imperative for the coming year is growth: growth in the number of avowed adherents to Bahá’u’lláh’s Message; growth in the resources offered through loving sacrifice in service to the human family. We are confident that the community will continue to build on the renewed sense of spiritual commitment it has shown this year, keeping in mind the call to action voiced by the Universal House of Justice at Naw-Rúz 1986: "In a sense, the imminent launching of the Six Year Plan... is a salute to your immortal triumphs as 'spiritual descendants of the Dawnbreakers' and a fresh reminder that you possess the vast, largely unrealized potential of a community blessed by Bahá’u’lláh with a unique destiny in the unfoldment of His mighty World Order.... As the beloved Guardian repeatedly stated in his letters to the American believers, it is the individual who has the power to act, and on whom, 'in the last resort, depends the fate of the entire community.' Onward, then, with your inescapable but glorious tasks!"

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

Years ended April 30, 1991 (estimated) and 1990

CONTRIBUTIONS

	1991 Estimated	1990	% Change
Bahá’í National Fund	$10,175,000	$7,763,185	31.07%
Bahá’í International Fund	775,600	601,090	28.93%
Arc Projects Fund	3,650,000	2,194,778	66.30%
Continental Bahá’í Fund	310,000	440,718	-29.66%
Total	$14,910,000	$10,999,771	35.55%

COMBINED OPERATING RESULTS

	1991 Estimated	1990	% Change
Total revenue	$14,022,866	$11,076,883	26.60%
Total operating expenses, including contributions to the Bahá’í International and Arc Projects Funds	14,021,581	12,300,108	14.00%
Excess revenue (expenses)	$1,285	$(1,223,225)	-100.11%

CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL FUNDS

	1991	1990	% Change
Bahá’í International Funds	$2,100,000	$2,100,000	00.00%
Arc Projects Fund	1,560,000	0	00.00%
Total	$3,660,000	$2,100,000	74.29%

FINANCIAL CONDITION

National Bahá’í Fund:	1991	1990	% Change
Assets	$1,739,725	$1,527,550	13.89%
Liabilities	4,941,219	4,680,477	5.57%
Fund balance (accumulated deficit)	$(3,201,494)	$(3,152,927)	1.54%
All operations and agencies combined:
Assets	$16,462,078	$16,547,039	-0.51%
Liabilities	5,730,352	5,816,598	-1.48%
Fund balance	$10,731,726	$10,730,441	0.10%

NOTE

The 1991 results, as noted above, are estimated. In principle, however, we have made the following achievements:

• A substantial increase in contributions and total revenues.
• A substantial increase in contributions to the International Bahá’í Funds, including the Arc Projects Fund.
• A significant step towards reducing and controlling costs, resulting in a possible break-even in operating revenues and expenses.

[Page 15]

A los bahá’ís del mundo

Ninguna lengua terrenal puede sonorizar el agradecimiento que sentimos por los dones extraordinarios concedidos por la Bendita Belleza a Su comunidad mundial y al Centro Mundial de Su Fe durante el año que acaba de clausurar. Nos inclinamos las cebezas en humildad ante las notables evidencias de Su gracia sostenedora y Su fuerza que todo lo compele.

El peligro abrumador que, como resultado del tumulto en el Oriente Medio, envolvió a Tierra Santa a finales del año retrocedió sin detener ni obstaculizar seriamente siquiera el funcionamiento de la administración bahá’í. La situación fue un recordatorio agudo del contraste entre el discreto Sistema de Bahá’u’lláh marcadamente integrador, de continuo desarrollo, y la naturaleza turbulenta de la Edad de Transición, "cuyas tribulaciones," declara Shoghi Effendi, "son los precursores de aquella Era de felicidad dichosa que ha da encarnar el objetivo final de Dios para toda la humanidad." Fue otra de los presagios ominosos que proclaman simultáneamente las agonías de una civilización desintegrativa y los dolores de parto de aquel Orden Mundial—aquel Arca de salvación humana—que debe necesariamente levantarse sobre sus ruinas.

Las fuerzas que unieron las reacciones remediadoras de tantas naciones a la crisis repentina en esta región demostraron, más allá da cualquier duda, la necesidad del principio de la seguridad colectiva prescrita por Bahá’u’lláh hace más de un siglo como medio de resolver conflicto. Mientras que el arreglo internacional visualizado por El para la aplicación completa de este principio se encuentra aún lejos de adoptarse por los gobernantes de la humanidad, se ha dado asi un gran paso hacia el comportamiento delineado para las naciones por el Señor de la Época. Cuán iluminadoras son las palabras de Bahá’u’lláh presagiando la reorientación futura de las naciones: "Sed unidos, oh concurso de los soberanos de la tierra," escribió, "pues así la tempestad de la discordia entre vosotros será apaciguada y vuestros pueblos hallarán descanso. Si alguno de vosotros toma armas contra otro, levantaos todos contra él, porque esto no es sino justicia manifiesta."

Efectivamente, desde cualquier dirección que contemplamos, vemos que el poder de la Revelación de Bahá’u’lláh está operando visiblemente en el mundo. En el llamado para un nuevo orden mundial, que se ha emitido como estribillo de las declaraciones de líderes políticos y pensadores influenciales aun cuando ellos mismos eran incapaces de definir su propio significado, puede discernirse el lento despertar de la humanidad al propósito fundamantal de Su Revelación. El que tal llamado hubiese venido tan insistentemente del jefe de aquella república que está destinada, según las palabras de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, a ser "la primera nación en establecer la base de acuerdo internacional" y de "encabezar todas naciones espiritualmente," es un indicio de la eficacia y de la aceleración de dos procesos simultáneos, el uno funcionando fuera y el otro dentro de la Causa, los cuales nos dice Shoghi Effendi están destinados a culminar "en una sola consumación gloriosa."

Dentro de la Causa, son abundantes los signos de logros abrumadores para el Plan de Seis Años, aunque no necesariamente según se proyectaron al comienzo. Son evidentes ejemplos llamativos tras los cambios fenomenales ocurriendo en la Unión Soviética y sus antiguos países satélites. Justo un año desde el restablecimiento de la Asamblea Espiritual Local de Moscú, ha de formarse una Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de la Unión Soviética. Semejantemente, hace poco más de un año desde los cambios políticos revolucionarios en Rumania, y actualmente el Gobierno ha reconocido a la comunidad bahá’í como una asociación religiosa con el derecho de difundir las enseñanzas de Bahá’u’lláh; aquí también ha de formarse una Asamblea Espiritual Nacional este Ridván. La expansión rápida de la Fe en Checoslovaquia compeló la decisión tomada apenas en semanas recientes de establecer allí también una Asamblea Espiritual Nacional. A la vez, en el área del Caribe, se formará la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de las Islas de Sotavento Occidental como resultado de la división del grupo de les Islas de Sotavento en dos unidades administrativas regionales. Con estas cuatro formaciones muy bienvenidas, el número de Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales asciende a 155.

Nos complace decir que tres Manos de la Causa de Dios representarán a la Casa Universal de Justicia en estos eventos históricos: Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum en Rumanía, el Sr. ‘Alí Akbar Furútan en la Unión Soviética, y el Dr. ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá en Checoslovaquia. La Consejera Ruth Pringle será la representante en las Islas Sotavento Occidental.

Otra ilustración de la autoridad aumentativa de la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh en la mente pública surge del Alemania donde la Corte Constitucional Federal, la autoridad legal mayor del país, pronunció una decisión de capital importancia para el reconocimiento de la Fe. Una serie de tribunales inferiores se había negado a inscribir los estatutos de una Asamblea Espiritual Local basado en el hecho de que la autoridad investida a la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional en aquel documento violaba el principio legal requiriendo la autonomía de todas las asociaciones legalmente incorporadas. Los puntos involucrados son efectivamente complejos y no pueden elaborarse aquí. Basta con decir que la Corte Constitucional Federal apoyó la apelación de la Asamblea Espiritual Local en una larga decisión estrechamente razonada, en la que, entre otras cosas, afirmó el derecho de la comunidad bahá’í de ganarse capacidad legal en la forma misma ordenada en las escrituras de la Fe bahá’í y declaró que su naturaleza como religión reconocida estaba confirmada incuestionablemente por su carácter inherente, por conocimiento público, y por el testimonio de eruditos de religión comparada. Tan significante fue el veredicto al juicio de la Corte misma, que se tomó el paso excepcional de emitir una declaración a la prensa explicando su decisión. Este acto sobresaliente tendrá implicaciones para la comunidad bahá’í mucho más allá de las fronteras de una Alemania unida.

Aún otra instancia de la apreciación pública aumentativa por las perspectivas penetrantes de la Causa atañe a la República de Sudáfrica, donde la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, aprovechando las iniciativas del Gobierno hacia la resolución del problema de hace décadas de apartheid, decidió proponer sus puntos de vista para la redacción de una nueva constitución para el país. El Presidente de la Comisión de Leyes de Sudáfrica, el juez que ejercía de parte del Gobierno, quien recibió la presentación de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de manos de una delegación nombrada por dicha Asamblea, comentó que los bahá’ís eran el único grupo hasta la fecha cuyas ideas habían provisto una base espiritual y moral para una constitución.

Cualesquiera sean los efectos individuales de cualquiera de estos hechos mencionados previamente—y de otros tales como la aparición de un representante de la Comunidad Internacional Bahá’í como el único ponente no-budista invitado a dirigirse a una reunión pública realizada junta con la Conferencia Budista Asiática para la Paz en Mongolia; la mención específica de los bahá’ís por el Papa Juan Pablo II en una recepción durante su visita reciente a Burundi; la anotación oficial de la Fe bahá’í como una de las religiones comunes en Tuvalu; la Exhibición Internacional sobre la Educación para la Paz auspiciada por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de Brasil con la participación de 23 embajadas e instituciones educacionales—una cosa es abundantemente clara: el impacto cumulativo por todo el globo afirma la emergencia de la Fe de la oscuridad. Tales señales de reconocimiento público aumentativo de la naturaleza verdadera y las potencialidades ricas de la comunidad bahá’í son una faceta distintiva del avance de la Fe en la cuarta época de la Edad Formativa.

Al contemplar estas señales y presagios maravillosos, no podemos resistir el impulso de expresar nuestro amor y aprecio profundos a los Consejeros Continentales, y a sus Cuerpos Auxiliares, quienes estimulan y apoyan esfuerzos que hacen posible el logro de hechos tan estupendos como los que ya se han citado y cuyas ministraciones, más especialmente, incitan el empuje dinámico del trabajo de la enseñanza, la cual es lo fundamental de todos los éxitos de la comunidad. Estamos deleitados y alentados inmesurablemente por el comienzo vigoroso que han dado los Cuerpos de Consejeros al entrar en el nuevo término de sus indispensables servicios al mundo bahá’í que son altamente apreciados. Las iniciativas nuevas hacia las cuales, con el aliento de todo corazón y el apoyo espléndido del Centro Internacional de Enseñanza, dirigen actualmente sus energías es de buen agüero para una culminación grata del Plan de Seis Años. Que sus esfuerzos se refuercen grandemente por el aumento, a partir del Día del Convenio de este año, en el número de miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar a 846: 90 miembros más de los que existen en la actualidad. La comunidad mundial ciertamente aceptará con bienvenida el poder que traerá esta acción al abarque y a la calidad de los deberes espirituales asignados a los miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar y a sus ayudantes, cuyo funcionamiento de base es una garantía de la expansión y de la consolidación continuas de nuestra Fe gloriosa.

El progreso magnífico del Plan de Seis Años ilumina nuestros espíritus y exalta nuestras esperanzas. Han pasado todos menos uno de los años de aquel Plan y se ha hecho un avance poderoso hacia el logro de sus siete objetivos mayores. Nuestra comunidad ha cambiado dramáticamente de lo que era a comienzos del Plan en el 1986. Se ha expandido y desarrollado grandemente. Es más diversa, más dinámica, más distintiva. Al entrar nosotros en el año final del Plan de Seis Años, un horizonte de perspectivas emocionantísimas nos enfrenta a todos:

La preparación de la traducción al inglés, anotada y largamente esperada del Kitáb-i-Aqdas, el Libro de las Leyes, el Libro Más Sagrado, el Libro Madre de la Revelación de Bahá’u’lláh, será completada: un logro monumental que solo y de por si hará entrar una nueva etapa en la evolución del mundo bahá’í y coronará así los logros del Plan de Seis Años.

Comenzará el movimiento de tierras en las Terrazas inferiores del Santuario del Báb y la excavación para el Centro del Estudio de los Textos y el Anexo al Edificio de los Archivos Internacionales, iniciando así una nueva fase en estas poderosas empresas sobre el Monte Sagrado de Dios que son de significancia incalculable.

El final del Plan marcará el comienzo del Año Santo, de 1992 a 1993, una pausa consiente de un año de duración, para permitirle a Sus seguidores rendir tributo digno al Centenario de la Ascensión de Bahá’u’lláh y de la inauguración de Su Convenio unificador del mundo. Según ya se ha anunciado, se están planificando observancias mayores para reflejar la naturaleza distintiva y la importancia mundialmente estremecedora de las dos ocasiones.

El uno: la concurrencia de representantes del mundo bahá’í, juntos a los Caballeros de Bahá’u’lláh, en Bahjí en los recintos de la Mansión, desde donde el Espíritu liberado de Bahá’u’lláh acudió al trono de Su soberanía celestial, y en las cercanías del Santuario Más Sagrado, en donde se depositará la Lista de Honor de los Caballeros de Bahá’u’lláh como gesto indicativo de la respuesta de Sus amantes a Su llamado de difundir Sus enseñanzas en todo el mundo. Allí en Bahjí esta concurrencia se ocupará en un acto solemne de alabanza, las lecturas sagradas para el cual se compartirán próximamente con las comunidades bahá’ís en todos sitios para usarse en sus propias conmemoraciones, para asi unificar la experiencia devocional del mundo bahá’í entero durante esta observancia centenaria.

El otro: El Congreso Mundial programado a realizarse del 23 al 26 de noviembre de 1992 en la Ciudad de Nueva York donde el amado Maestro reveló las implicaciones de Su posición como el nombrado Centro del Convenio de Bahá’u’lláh y la cual El designó como la Ciudad del Convenio. En todo el mundo, las comunidades bahá’ís realizarán eventos auxiliares apropiados para magnificar el propósito del Congreso, el cual es de celebrar el centenario de la inauguración del Convenio de Bahá’u’lláh y de proclamar sus metas y su poder unificador. Un corolario a estas actividades será la distribución amplia de una declaración sobre Bahá’u’lláh, preparada a pedido nuestro por la Oficina de Información Pública, la cual servirá tanto como fuente de estudio e inspiración para los bahá’ís mismos al igual que una publicación informativa para presentación al público. [Page 16]

REGIONAL BAHÁ’Í SUMMER SCHOOLS

Attending a Bahá’í Summer School can be an invigorating experience. It is here that the friends can deepen in their knowledge of the Faith, learn more about teaching the Cause, and feel a wonderful sense of fellowship in a Bahá’í atmosphere. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

ALABAMA

Dates: June 20-23 Location: Montevallo State University, Montevallo, AL Facilities: College dormitories, cafeteria meals, college classrooms Recreation: Swimming, volleyball, basketball Rates: please call For more information, contact Keitha Hudson, Birmingham, AL 35222; (205) 595-9905

CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN

Theme: "The Teaching Work: To Labor, Serenely, Confidently and Unremittingly... Leading Humanity to the Loftiest Summits of Power and Glory'" Dates: June 28-July 1 Location: Pilgrim Pines, Yucaipa, CA Facilities: Heated cabins, main lodge for meals, lodges and rooms for classes Recreation: Hiking, swimming, volleyball Rates: $110 Adult, $90 Youth (10-15 years), $50 Children (3-9 years), $10 Infants (0-2 years); $30 Day students Pre-registration: June 1 Registrar: Farhad Shahriary, Chino Hills, CA 91709; (714) 628-6877

COLORADO-EAST

Theme: "The Life of Bahá’u’lláh" Dates: August 9-13 Location: YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch, near Granby, CO Facilities: Lodges, cafeteria meals (vegetarian available) Recreation: Horseback riding, hiking. swimming pool, volleyball, roller skating Rates: $110 Adults, $78 Youth and Children (3-15 years) Registrar: John Bolz, Lafayette, CO 80026; (303) 666-9275

COLORADO-WEST

Theme: "The Significance of the Station and Mission of Bahá’u’lláh" Dates: June 20-23 Location: Camp Ilium, near Telluride, CO Facilities: Dormitory and cabins, cafeteria meals, some tent space available Recreation: Volleyball, fishing, hiking Rates: $40 Adult (21 and older), $32 Youth (13-20), $15 Junior Youth (5-12), $10 Children (5 and younger); Day students $15 Adult and Youth, $5 Children 12 and younger Registrar: Carol Hitti, Cortez, CO 81321; (303) 565-7910

FLORIDA

Theme: "All Are Created By God"; topics of study include the Mission of Bahá’u’lláh, Living the Life, Teaching the Cause Dates: July 3-7 Location: Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL Facilities: Dormitories, cafeteria-style meals (special meals available), college classrooms Recreation: Tennis courts, basketball, swimming pool Rates: call registrar Pre-registration: June 24 Registrar: Peggy Johnson, Sunrise, FL 33313; (305) 748-0936

GREEN LAKE CONFERENCE-WISCONSIN

Dates: September 13-15 Location: American Baptist Assembly, Green Lake, WI Facilities: Dorms, campsites, cabins, private rooms, cafeteria-style meals Recreation: Swimming pool, biking, hiking, boating, fishing, tennis, golf Rates: please call For more information, call Sue Schaut, Sun Prairie, WI 53590; (608) 837-8609

IDAHO

Theme: "Reach Out and Teach" Dates: June 12-16 Location: Camp Sawtooth, near Ketchum, ID Recreation: Volleyball, basketball, indoor and outdoor games Rates: If preregistered, $65 Adult, $45 Child, plus variable rates, call registrar Pre-registration: June 1 Registrar: Seme Newlin, American Falls, Idaho 83211, (208) 548-2677

ILLINOIS

Theme: "The Life, Role, and Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá” Dates: June 26-30 Location: Camp Wokanda, near Peoria, IL Facilities: Lodging in rustic cabins, your own tent, or nearby motels, group meals in camp dining hall, classes in hall, cabins and tents Recreation: Large swimming pool, hiking, outdoor sports Rates: $105 Adults (15 and older), $70 Youth/Children (3-14), $20 Children (2 and younger); contact registrar for day and weekend rates Pre-registration: June 12 (Save $10 per person if pre-registered) Registrar: Leon Stevens, Salem, IL 62881; (618) 548-0269

IOWA

Theme: "The Significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation" Dates: July 4-7 Location: Briar Cliff College, Sioux City, IA Facilities: dormitory and college classrooms Rates: Approximate; $85 for Adults; call registrar for more information Pre-registration: June 15 Registrar: Autumn Wagner, Boone, IA 50036, (515) 432-5162

KANSAS

Theme: "The Station and Mission of Bahá’u’lláh" Dates: June 1-3 Location: Rock Springs 4-H Camp, Junction, KS Facilities: Cabins, family-style dining in cafeteria; convention buildings with auditorium and meeting rooms Recreation: Swimming pool, horseback riding, canoeing, hiking Rates: $75 Adults, $65 Youth (13-18), $55 Children (5-12) Registrar: Shahrokh Khaze, P. O. Box 862, Topeka, KS 66601; (913) 266-2419

KENTUCKY

Theme: "Bahá’u’lláh: His Life and Teachings" Dates: June 21-23 Location: Kentucky Leadership Conference Center, Lake Cumberland, KY Facilities: Individual rooms, single to quad, families can room together, camping available; group meals Recreation: Swimming, hiking, lakeside games Rates: Variable with room type chosen and age; call registrar Registrar: Chris Hamilton, Bowling Green, KY 42101; (502) 782-9060

MARYLAND

Theme: "The Station and Mission of Bahá’u’lláh" Dates: August 2-5 Location: Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD Facilities: Dorm rooms and cafeteria; camping nearby Recreation: Swimming, softball, nature walks Rates: $110 Adult double, $115 Adult single, $90 Children double, $50 Child, $60 Day students Pre-registration: July 1 Registrar: Pam Rodgers, Sterling, VA, 22170; (703) 444-1512

MINNESOTA

Theme: "The Fourth Epoch" Dates: August 21-25 Location: Camp Onamia, Onamia, MN Facilities: cabins, dormitories, camping available, cafeteria meals; indoor meeting halls Recreation: Softball, shuffleboard, swimming pool, boating, hiking Rates: Contact registrar Pre-registration: August 7 Registrar: Mr. Stephen Grams, Willmar, MN 56207; (612) 235-6530

MISSISSIPPI

Theme: "Connecting Hearts with Bahá’u’lláh" Dates: June 14-16 Location: USM Gulf Park Conf. Center, Long Beach, MS Facilities: Hotel-style lodging, meals provided at site Rates: $79 Adult, $79 Youth, $29 Children (10 and younger); $32 Day student Adult, $9 Day student child Registrar: John Cotton, Vicksburg, MS 39180; (601) 634-4939

MONTANA

Dates: August 4-10 Location: Luccock Park Camp, near Livingston, MT Facilities: Cabins and meals provided, camper space available Recreation: Horseback riding, swimming at Hot Springs, fishing, hiking, softball Rates: $100 Adult (16 and older), $70 Youth (12-15), $40 Children (5-11), $10 Toddlers and Infants (0-4) Registrar: Jahan Lohrasbi, Butte, MT 59701; (406) 494-6627 [Full scholarship available for American Indians]

NEBRASKA

Theme: "The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh" Dates: July 18-21 Location: State 4-H Camp, Halsey National Forest, Halsey, NE Facilities: Cabins and dorms, some camping available; meals and classes in lodges Recreation: Indoor and outdoor, team sports plus hiking, swimming, canoeing Rates: Call registrar Pre-registration: June 18 Registrar: Colin Taylor, North Platte, NE 69101; (308) 534-3737

NEVADA-NORTH

Theme: "The Life and Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh" Dates: July 4-7 Location: Clear Creek Youth Camp, near Carson City, NV Facilities: Dormitories, camp dining hall, classrooms in camp education building Recreation: Hiking, basketball Rates: Registration fee: $12, $4.50 per bed per night, $3.50 breakfast and lunch, $5.50 dinner Pre-registration: June 15 Registrar: Susan Matheny, Carson City, NV 89701; (702) 883-7814

NEW YORK

Theme: "Life and Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, the King of Kings" Dates: August 16-25 Location: Oakwood School, Poughkeepsie, NY Facilities: Dormitories, 2 beds per room, meals in dining room Recreation: Gymnasium, tennis courts, pool, volleyball Rates: Call registrar Pre-registration: Aug. 1 Registrar: Jean Jaczko, Newburgh, NY 12550; (914) 564-3813

OREGON-EAST

Theme: "Life and Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh" Dates: August 14-18 Location: Meadowood Speech Camp, near Tollgate Recreational Area of Umatilla National Forest Facilities: Cabins, dormitories, large dining hall with separate classroom sites Recreation: Swimming pools, boating. outdoor sports Rates: $60 Adult, $60 Youth (12 and older), $50 Children (3-11), $225 Family [Rates cheaper if pre-registered] Pre-registration: August 1 Registrar: Jackie Barthel-Hines, Island City, OR 97850; (503) 963-8559

OREGON-WEST

Theme: "Station and Mission of Bahá’u’lláh" Dates: August 14-18 Location: Camp Myrtlewood, near Roseburg, OR Facilities: Camp with dormitories, space for tents, RVs, good bathroom facilities, excellent meals Recreation: Swimming, hiking, outdoor sports Rates: $55 Adult, $45 Youth (9-20), $33 Children (2-8), $180 Family Pre-registration: August 5 Registrar: Mrs. Star Stone, Roseburg, OR 97470; (503) 673-6627

SOUTH CAROLINA

Theme: "Bahá’u’lláh, the King of Kings" Dates: June 13-16 Location: Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í In- [Page 17]

EDUCATION

stitute, Hemingway, SC Facilities: Dorms and nearby hotels Rates: contact registrar Registrar: Jannie Green, LGI, Hemingway, SC 29554; (803) 558-5093

TENNESSEE

Theme: "Bahá’u’lláh: Catalyst to a New World Order" Dates: August 30-September 2 Location: Dubois Conference Center, Mt. Eagle, TN For more information, contact Linda Hendrickson, Chattanooga, TN 37421; (615) 855-1370

TEXAS-NORTH

Theme: "Life and Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh" Dates: August 17-20 Location: Bridgeport Conference Center Facilities: Closed campus, meals provided, bring own bedding and linen, air-conditioned Recreation: Swimming, summer sports, hayrides Rates: $99 Adult (15 and older), $87 Youth (10-14), $57 Children (3-9) Pre-registration: August 2 Registrar: John Leonard, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; (214) 641-6566

WASHINGTON-EAST/IDAHO-NORTH

Dates: June 30-July 6 Location: Camp Wooten, near Pomeroy, WA Facilities: Cabins for 12, meals provided Recreation: Indoor heated pool, hiking, team sports, tennis, canoeing Rates: $80 Senior Citizens, $105 Adults (18 and older), $75 Youth (15-17), $60 Junior Youth (11-14), $45 Children (6-10), $30 Children (2-5), $17 Infants (0-1); $365 Family Pre-registration: June 15 Registrar: Carla Freeman, Ellensburg, WA 98926; (509) 962-6669

WASHINGTON-WEST

Theme: "The Life and Station of Bahá’u’lláh" Dates: August 11-16 Location: Brighton Creek Conf. Grounds, McKenna, WA Facilities: cabins, cafeteria-style meals in dining hall, classes indoors and in tents Recreation: hiking, nature trails, volleyball, badminton Rates: $150 Adults, $110 Youth (8-12), $92 Children (3-7) Pre-registration: July 15 Registrar: Peg Van Meer, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273; (206) 336-2588

WISCONSIN

Theme: "A Study of Epistle to the Son of the Wolf" Dates: July 15-19 Location: Byron Center, Brownsville, WI Facilities: 2-3 beds per room with shared bath, camping available with electricity, family-style dining room, indoor classes Recreation: Swimming pool, hiking, baseball, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes Rates: $140 Adults (14 and older), $70 Children (5-13), $425 Family Pre-registration: June 30 Registrar: Jim Hannen, North Prairie, WI 53153; (414) 392-3304

PERMANENT BAHÁ’Í SCHOOLS-SUMMER SESSIONS

Full brochures of activities at the permanent schools are available from their offices.

BOSCH BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL

500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; (408) 423-3387

June 29-July 4 "China is the Country of the Future": Classes in Mandarin and English will study topics including "The Divine Polity: Unity East and West," Chinese Philosophy and the Bahá’í Faith, and Communicating Across Cultures; texts studied include Bahá’í Administration

July 6-11 "A Sound Economy in a Just Society: Addressing the Environmental Dilemma": Focus will be on the environment, forming an "action agenda," equality of men and women as it relates to the environment and a sound economy, and the "Cultural and Human Environment: Spoletto Island, A Case Study"; texts for study include The Conservation of the Earth's Resources and The Promise of World Peace

July 13-18 "Bringing Up Parents": A workshop study of family life; "Understanding Our Primary Mission": A study of the Kitáb-i-‘Ahd and the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; "A Standard of Excellence: Making Work an Expression of Worship" and "But What About the Homemaker?"; plus intensive optional classtime further studying "Our Primary Mission"

[contact Bosch for information on general and intensive sessions]

July 20-25 "The Healing of Racism": Texts for study will be The Advent of Divine Justice, 1991 Statement on Race Unity from the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S., and The Power of Unity, a compilation; "A Study of Epistle to the Son of the Wolf": please bring the study guides from The American Bahá’í; "Women and Men/Mothers and Fathers"

July 27-August 1 Junior Youth Week: "The Significance of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh"

August 3-8 "The Oneness and Wholeness of the Human Family": A study of race unity, guided by the 1991 Statement on Race Unity issued by the National Spiritual Assembly, with careful study of The Advent of Divine Justice and The Power of Unity, a compilation; "The Qur'an": Storytelling of the life and family of Bahá’u’lláh, plus a storytelling workshop

August 10-15 "The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh"; "Creating True Community through Personal Action"; texts include The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í Administration, The Advent of Divine Justice

August 17-22 "The Example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá"; "Personal Transformation"; "A Study of The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys"

August 24-29 "A Fundamentally Different Order," studying the principles and processes of Bahá’í Administration as they relate to the transformation of self and of society; "A Study of Epistle to the Son of the Wolf"; "A Messenger of Joy," studying the meaning of death; "Shoghi Effendi's Guidance for Teaching and Transformation," particularly studying Citadel of Faith

LOUHELEN BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL

3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423; (313) 653-5033

June 7-9 Women's Conference, "Women in the Vanguard": Sessions will explore issues and the Writings about the equality of women and men, the development of individual capacity, and the significant role of women in this age

June 14-16 Youth Workshop Training for youth involved in or interested in dance/music/drama workshops

June 23-28 Camp Louhelen: spiritual, educational, social, emotional, and physical development of children in a camp-style program; children should be between grades 3 and 6; contact Louhelen for specific details

June 28-July 3 Teacher Training Week: "Empowerment: Teaching about Bahá’u’lláh," focusing on how to empower children and youth by teaching about Bahá’u’lláh and empowering the teachers of children and youth with insights, skills, materials, and tools to help carry out this task. Please register early

July 5-10 "A Lifetime of Service-Conference on Pioneering," sponsored and arranged by the Office of Pioneering, sessions will discuss the Covenant, life goals, preparation for pioneering, cultural awareness, and a special session for returned pioneers

July 12-17 Senior Youth Week for ages 15 and older, please check with Louhelen for further details

July 18-21 Persian Arts and Culture Conference: co-sponsored by the National Persian/American Affairs Office and a special Louhelen committee; the sessions will primarily be held in Persian, with some similar programs in English; its purpose is to familiarize Bahá’ís with the cultural background of the Writings and to help the Persian friends retain contact with their culture

July 21-27 Elderhostel, sponsored by Louhelen and the University of Michigan-Flint; emphasis is on grandparents and grandchildren

August 2-7 Family Week 1 Adult Sessions: "Learning, Teaching and Transformation on the Road to Entry by Troops," and "The Challenge Facing Us," based on recent directives from the Universal House of Justice and senior institutions Children's Classes and Afternoon Family Sessions will be focused on environmental and cultural awareness

August 9-14 Junior Youth Week for junior youth, ages 11-15. Contact Louhelen for more details.

August 16-21 Family Week 2-Focus on Environment and Education Adult Sessions: "Turning Over a New Leaf," studying environmental issues and the Writings; "Balancing Family Life, Career and the Faith," covering Bahá’í marriage, being whole people, and integrating our lives Children's Classes and Afternoon Family Activities: "Environmental Awareness-Singing the Earth Beautiful"

August 30-September 2 Homecoming Weekend: social occasion for Louhelen alumni, old and new, to gather for fellowship, recreation, inspiration, and fun

GREEN ACRE BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL

188 Main St.; Eliot, ME 03903; (207) 439-7200

General notes: •Primary courses of study are highlighted here. Each session also includes various short topics by special guest speakers, and interesting activities for those of all ages. •All sessions, with the exception of the Youth Institute, include classes for all ages. •Capacity is limited, and early registration is strongly encouraged. For a program brochure, phone 207-439-7200 or write to Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903.

July 14-20 "Youth Institute" with intensive, disciplined study of the Bahá’í Writings patterned to prepare young Bahá’ís to better serve the Cause. Limited participation: Bahá’í youth ages 14-19; special application required. Contact the Green Acre office.

July 21-26 "Epistle to the Son of the Wolf: Bahá’u’lláh's Last Great Tablet." Presenter Duane Troxel. "Seeking Spiritual Enlightenment and Transformation," reflecting on the way of life of the Holy Family, the Bab and Bahá’u’lláh.

July 28-August 2 "Building the City of God," reflections on the significance of the completion of the Arc, the centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, and the inauguration of His Covenant. Presenter: Bob Harris. "A Day in the Life of a Bahá’í," investigating the importance of Bahá’í Holy Days, the Feast, and rites of passage. Presenters: Rodney and Janet Richards, Barbara Harris

August 4-9 "Quickeners of Mankind." Presenter: Thelma Khelghati. "The Environment: A Bahá’í Perspective." Presenter: Andrew Fraser. Forerunners of the New Age," identifying and relating the accomplishments of many individuals from various nationalities and religious backgrounds as they relate to the establishment of the new World Order. Presenter: Andrew Fraser

August 11-16 "Living with Bereavement." Presenter Pamela Frankenfeld. "Marriage and Family in the New World Order. Presenter: Marvin Hughes.

August 18-23 "Justice: My Gift to Thee." Presenter: Marvin Hughes. "Toward a Divine Civilization," analyzing the process of community building and the Institutions of the Faith. Presenter: Cap Cornwell.

A note to those who may be moving

MOVING? Got a new telephone number? Please don't forget to let your local community secretary and the National Spiritual Assembly know about your new address and/or phone number right away so there will be no interruption in receiving your Bahá’í mail.

For your convenience, an address change form appears on the last page of each issue of The American Bahá’í. Simply fill it out, place it in an envelope, and mail to: Management Information Systems, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. [Page 18]

انتشارات جادالل - NEW PUBLICATIONS

با نهایت شادی به آگاهی یاران فارسی زبان میرساند که به تازگی موسسه چاپ و انتشارات مرات اقدام به چاپ تاریخ نبیل زرندی به زبان فارسی نموده است. این اولین بار است که کتاب مذکور تصحیح و حروف چینی شده است. در حال حاضر نسخه های استنسیل شده که در ایران تکثیر شده بود کمتر در دسترس دوستان است و سالهاست که بسیاری از یاران مشتاقانه در انتظار بوده اند که به نسخه ای از این کتاب شیرین و خواندنی دست یابند.

مؤسسه چاپ و انتشارات مرات اعلان کرده است که در ایام رضوان امسال این کتاب را در اختیار دوستان عزیز قرار خواهد داد چاپ جدید دارای ۲۳۱ عکس است که عیناً مطابق ترجمه تاریخ نبیل به زبان انگلیسی است. بعلاوه فهرست مفصل اعلام و اسکنه و همچنین شماره آیه و سورة قرآنی نیز تهیه گردیده است.

این کتاب با جلد عالی زرکوب و کاغذ اعلا و چاپ خوب به قطع ۶ اینچ در ۹ اینچ چاپ خواهد شد و قیمت آن ۳۵ دلار آمریکایی است. به موسسات امری ۲۰ درصد تخفیف داده خواهد شد. قیمت کتاب شامل بسته بندی و هزینه پست نیست. لطفا برای پست هوائی ۱۴ دلار امریکائی و برای پست زمینی کلی دلار آمریکایی اضافه بفرمائید.

همچنین کتابهای دیگری که توسط این موسسه چاپ شده عبارت است از:

گلین معانی اثر طبع جناب وثوق الله بلبل معانی قیمت با پست هوائی ۸ دلار و با پست زمینی و دلار امریکائی

در صورتی که هر دو کتاب با هم سفارش داده شود قیمت آن با پست هوائی ۲۴ دلار و با پست زمینی ۱۷ دلار امریکایی خواهد بود.

MIKAT PUBLICATIONS PO BOX (27) NEW DELHI-11004- INDIA

اطلاعیه مؤسسه معارف بهائی

به لسان فارسی

در سال ۱۴۲ بدیع بیت العدل اعظم الهی متعاقب مطالعات مقدماتی که حسب الامر آن ساحت جلیل انجام شده بود مقرر فرمود موسسه ای برای تعلیم و تدریس و تحقیق و معارف امر بهائی به زبان نزولی (فارسی و عربی) تأسیس شود و از فضلای ام که اکنون در سراسر جهانند برای این منظور استفاده شود و با اتکاء به قابلیت دانشمندان و استمداد از همه احیای فارسی زبان ادامه این خدمت تضمین گردد.

به منظور تحقق اهداف فوق موسسه اقدام به تهیه و چاپ و توزیع نشریات متعددی به نحو شایسته با حفظ اصالت و قداست آثار مقدسه امر اعظم الهی و برازندگی و نفاست کتب و جزوات بهائی نموده است.

یاری و راهنمایی دوستان عزیز موجبات تشویق خادمان موسسه را فراهم آورده و آنان را در عرضه و اشاعه معارف بهائی هر چه بیشتر و صحیح تر و نفیس تر در آینده ترغیب خواهد نمود صورتی از انتشارات این موسسه در زیر درج می گردد.

• • عهد و میثاق** این مجموعه حاوی اصل فارسی و عربی و ترجمه نصوصی است که در مجموعه انگلیسی تحت عنوان The Covenant توسط دائرة مطالعه الواح و نصوص مرکز جهانی بهائی تنظیم و از طرف بیت العدل اعظم نشر گشته است. زیارت آثار قلم اعلی و الواح حضرت ‘Abdu’l-Bahá و توقیعات حضرت ولی امرالله و دستخطهای بیت العدل اعظم الهی که در این مجموعه گردآوری شده برای دوستان عزیز بسیار مغتنم خواهد بود. قیمت ۵ دلار

• • نفحات فضل ۲** تهیه این مجموعه یکی از بهترین راههای فراگرفتن و خواندن صحیح لوح مبارك قد احترق المخلصون زیارتنامه روضه مباركه، لوح شفاء، انت الكافی، و مناجاتهای دیگر بوده است که علاوه بر اعراب صحیح و توضیحات و لغتنامه يك نوار صوتی نیز به همراه دارد استفاده از این مجموعه به همه دوستان توصیه می شود. قیمت ۹ دلار

• • دیانت بهائی آئین فراگیر جهانی** این کتاب به وسیله دو دانشمند بهائی جناب دکتر ویلیام هچر و جناب داگلاس مارتین نوشته شده و به راستی جای خالی نوشته جامعی راجع به همه مطالب امر الهی را در بین نوشته های امری پر کرده است. مؤسسه معارف بهائی این اثر بسیار جالب را که توسط خانم پریوش سمندری و جناب روح الله خوشبین به زبانی ساده ترجمه شده و برای مطالعه احباء و همچنین منجویان حقیقت کاملاً مناسب است اخیراً چاپ و منتشر کرده است. قیمت با جلد شمیزی ۱۱ دلار و با جلد مقوائی ۱۸ دلار

• • نابغه بهائی** شرح حیات این دانشمند بزرگ که با زیارت لوح مبارك حضرت ‘Abdu’l-Bahá مؤمن به امر الهی گردید به راستی خواندنی است اصل لوح مبارك به فارسی و ترجمه آن به زبان انگلیسی که توسط حضرت ولی امرالله انجام یافته در این جزوه درج گردیده است. قیمت ۷ دلار

• • نظم جهانی بهائی** جناب هوشمند فتح اعظم با نثری شیرین و جذاب توقیعات صادره از قلم معجز شیم حضرت ولی عزیز امرالله را که به زبان انگلیسی در کتاب The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh چاپ و منتشر شده اقتباس و ترجمه کرده اند مطالعه این کتاب برای وقوف به حوادث مقارن ظهور کلی الهی و وقایع زمان حاضر و سرنوشت اجتماع انسانها در قرن های آینده بسیار لازم است قیمت ۱۲ دلار

قیمت با پست هوایی ۲۰ دلار و با پست زمینی ۱۴ دلار

• • جزوات آموزش معارف بهائی نظم بدیع و نظم اداری محافل روحانی محلی خداشناسی و اثبات وجود خدا** در این سه جزوه به زبانی ساده و آسان نوشته شده است. این جزوات برای دروس مکاتبه ای تهیه شده ولی بعنوان نوشته مستقلی نیز میتوان از آن استفاده نمود. بهای این جزوات بسیار نازل تعیین شده تا همگان بتوانند آن را تهیه کنند. قیمت ۲ دلار

• • عقل و دین و جامعه در اندیشه بهائی** جناب دکتر نادر سعیدی در این جزوه مطالب بسیار جالب فلسفی و علمی را درباره موقف خرد در ظهور کلی الهی، تطابق دین و عقل، نفی بنیادگرایی دینی و اسطوره خرد نام و بسیاری مطالب دیگر را مورد بررسی قرار داده اند. قیمت ۵ دلار

• • مطالعات تحقیقی و جامعه بهائی** در این جزوه ارزش مطالعات و تحقیقات امری برای جامعه بهائی و شرایط روحانی محقق بهائی به نحوی بدیع و جالب توسط جناب دکتر موژان مؤمن مطرح شده است. مطالعه این جزوه مختصر برای محققان و نویسندگان بهائی بسیار سودمند خواهد بود. قیمت: ۳/۵۰ دلار

• • مآخذ اشعار عربی در آثار بهائی** این اثر تحقیق دقیقی است که توسط جناب دکتر وحید رافتی به عمل آمده است و درك مفاهیم برخی از آثار الهی را آسانتر می نماید قیمت ۱۱ دلار

• • مفهوم حیات روحانی** مطالعه این کتاب که توسط جناب دکتر ویلیام هچر با عنوان Concept of Spirituality نوشته شده است برای احبای فارسی زبان مناسب خواهد بود. قیمت ۷ دلار.

توجه علاقه مندان به تهیه کتب و جزوات فوق را به نکات زیر جلب می نمائیم: ۱. بهای کتب درخواستی باید با مانی اوردر Money Order یا چک قابل پرداخت در بانکهای آمریکا و کانادا همراه باشد. ۲. هزینه پست و بسته بندی در قیمتهای فوق منظور شده است. ۳. قیمتهای فوق در کانادا به دلار کانادائی و در کشورهای اروپائی و ایالات متحده و ژاپن و استرالیا به دلار امریکائی خواهد بود. ۴. برای خریداران ساکن در کشورهای امریکای لاتین و آسیا و افریقا ۱۰ درصد تخفیف در نظر گرفته خواهد شد. ۵. دوستان میتوانند با پرداخت مبلغ ۱۰۰ دلار نشریات مؤسسه را مشترك شوند. برای مشترکین حساب جداگانه ای باز خواهد شد و کتب و جزوات به محض انتشار به ضمیمه صورت حساب و بازمانده حساب برای آنان ارسال خواهد شد. از یاران درخواست میشود در صورت اشتراك مشخص فرمایند کدامیک از کتب و نشریات برایشان ارسال شود.

Persian Institute for Bahá’í Studies P.O. Box 464 Dundas, Ontario, CANADA L9H 5G1

BAHÁ’ÍS AND MILITARY SERVICE

بهائیان و خدمت نظام وظیفه

اخیراً بسیاری از احباء با محفل روحانی ملی تماس حاصل کرده و درباره خدمت نظام کسب تکلیف نموده اند. یاران از محفل ملی پرسیده اند که اگر حکومت خدمت نظام را اجباری کند، احباء چه روشی باید در قبال حکم دولت برگزینند.

از آنجا که خدمت نظام وظیفه هنوز اجباری نشده است محفل روحانی ملی مصلحت نمیداند که حکمی در این مورد بدون آگاهی از جزئیات شرایط و موارد خدمت اجباری صادر نماید.

اگر دولت فدرال شهروندان امریکا را به خدمت نظام فرا خواند بهائیان باید تقاضا کنند که خدمات غیر جنگی به آنان محول شود این تبصره در قوانین و مقررات کنونی وجود دارد. در آن موقع محفل روحانی ملی کسانی را که به خدمت خوانده شده باشند راهنمایی خواهد کرد و نامه ای به آنان ارسال خواهد داشت که به کمیسیون خدمت اجباری تسلیم نمایند.

در حال حاضر محفل روحانی ملی از همه احبای ذکور بین سنین ۱۷ تا ۲۵ سال درخواست می کنند که اطمینان حاصل نمایند که دفتر محفل ملی اطلاعات صحیحی در رابطه با نشانی و تاریخ تولد و تاریخ تسجيلشان دارد. بعلاوه اگر مجلسین آمریکا خدمت نظام را اجباری کند، احباء باید به جمع آوری مدارك لازم مبنی بر شرکتشان در فعالیتهای امری اقدام نمایند تا شاهدی برای نشان دادن مدتی باشد که بهائی بوده اند.

اصول کلی درباره خدمت نظام در مجموعه ای که اخیراً محفل روحانی ملی جهت تحکیم مبانی محافل روحانی تهیه نموده درج گردیده است یاران میتوانند به مجموعه مذکور رجوع نمایند.

Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities Guidelines for Spiritual Assemblies, Pages 19.7 and 19.8

موفقیت يك جوان بهائی

رابرت عهدیه یک جوان بهائی ایرانی تبار ساکن سینت دیوید در ایالت نیویورک است نوزده سال دارد ولی با کمی سن مدتی طولانی را در خدمت امر مبارک گذرانده است.

رابرت ۹ ماه در مرکز جهانی به خدمت مشغول بوده و سپس به مدت سه ماه به اتحاد جماهیر شوروی سفر کرده و به انتشار پیام محبت های شفابخش حضرت Bahá’u’lláh پرداخته است.

این جوان خدوم در شوروی به همراه ۱۱ نفر دیگر از جوانان از مسکو و لنینگراد دیدار کرد و در بیش از ۵۰ شهر و شهرستان در سراسر سیبریه و اوکراین سفر نمود و در طی این سفرها با اجرای برنامه های هنری و جلسات تبلیغی مردمان آن نواحی را با تعالیم اساسی امر مبارك آشنا ساخت.

همچنین رابرت عهدیه از لحاظ تحصیلات نیز موفقیتهای بسیار داشته است شاگرد ممتاز دبیرستانش بوده و جوائز بسیاری بر اثر کفایت و لیاقتش دریافت داشته و در دانشگاه پرینستون که یکی از معتبرترین مؤسسات آموزش عالی در ایالات متحده است به تحصیل در دانشکده امور بین المللی اشتغال دارد.

اخیراً یکی از نمایندگان کنگره آمریکا رابرت عهدیه را بعنوان یکی از نقاط نورانی (points of light) برنامه ای که از جانب رئیس جمهور امریکا پیشنهاد شده نامزد کرده است و آقای جورج بوش در نامه ای خطاب به رابرت از تعهد او نسبت به خدمت به جامعه تقدیر نموده و او را نمونه درخشانی برای همه دانسته است.

موفقیت روزافزون رابرت را آرزو می کنیم و مادر و پدرش را برای تربیت جوانی چون او تبریک می گوئیم. [Page 19]

انجمن ادب و فرهنگ ایرانی PERSIAN ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION

همانگونه که در شماره پیشین این نشریه به آگاهی یاران عزیز رسید اولین کنفرانس انجمن ادب و فرهنگ ایرانی از تاریخ ۱۸ تا ۲۱ جولای سال جاری در مدرسه Bahá’í لرهلن در ایالت میشیگان تشکیل خواهد شد.

هدف دفتر امور استای ایرانی امریکایی از تشکیل این انجمن به شرح زیر است اشاعه زبان فارسی کمک به یاران فارسی زبان جهت آشنائی بیشتر با زبان و ادب فارسی و هنر و فرهنگ ایرانی و در نتیجه حصول درک بهتر و عمیق تری از آثار مباركة امر Bahá’í اشنا ساختن پاران با فرهنگ و هنر ایرانی

قرار است کنفرانسهای انجمن هر سال حد اقل در در محل در ایالات متحده تشکیل گردد کنفرانس دوم برای ژانویه سال ۱۹۹۲ در لوس آنجلس پیش بینی شده است. در این کنفرانسها سخنرانیهای فاضلانه و ادیبانه ای درباره زبان و ادب فارسی ایراد خواهد شد همچنین برای این کنفرانسها برنامه های هنری ویژهای موسیقی شعر خوانی نمایش خطاطی غیره) در نظر گرفته شده است. علاوه بر این برنامه های مخصوصی تین به زبان انگلیسی برای استفاده کسانی که با زبان فارسی اشنائی نداشته باشند. اجرا خواهد شد.

موضوع های گوناگونی توسط سخنرانان و دیگر مجریان در طی برنامه ها ارائه خواهد شد. از جمله مباحثی درباره شعر سنتی ایران شعر و شاعران نوپرداز فاضلان و دانشمندان برجسته Bahá’í مکاتب فلسفی و فرقه های دینی در ایران تحقیقات تاریخی موسیقی سنتی ایرانی هنرهای تزئینی از قبیل خوشنویسی مینیاتور تذهیب و غیره

امید است که این کنفرانسها یاران را در سراسر این کشور به شور و جنبش وادارد و باعث شود که جلسات مشابهی در نقاط مختلف امريكا تشکیل شود و بدین ترتیب بر معلومات استای عزیز، اعم از ایرانی و غیرایرانی درباره سوابق فرهنگی آثار مبارکه و تاریخ امر الهی افزوده گردد.

گزارش فرستاده ویژه سازمان ملل متحد به ایران UN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE'S VISIT TO IRAN

همچنانکه در شماره های پیشین آمریکن Bahá’í به آگاهی یاران عزیز رسید در ماه فوریه سال گذشته آقای گالیند و هراتی بل Galinde Pahl نماینده سازمان ملل متحد برای رسیدگی به موارد نقض حقوق بشر در ایران گزارشی از سفر خود تهیه نموده بود.

به گفته نماینده مذکور این گزارش حاوی اطلاعات مندرج شده در بسیاری از مدارکی است که به مهر و امضای اولیای امور در مقام های گوناگون اداری در ایران رسیده است این افراد مانع از آن میشوند که پیروان آئین Bahá’í از حقوقی که دیگر شهروندان ایران از آن برخوردارند بهره مند باشند.

بدین سبب است که باید از دولت ایران درخواست شود که بدون استثناء رفتار همانند و عادلانه ای نسبت به همه شهروندان ایران از جمله پیروان دیانت Bahá’í داشته باشد بر اساس گزارش گالیند و پل کمیسیون حقوق بشر سازمان ملل متحد قطعنامه ای صادر نمود. به دنبال صدور این قطعنامه در روز ۷ مارچ سال جاری جناب دکتر فیروز کاظم زاده منشی امور خارجی محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده بیانیه ای که در رابطه با قطعنامه مذکور نوشته شده بود چنین اظهار داشت

بهائیان امریکا از صدور قطعنامه کمیسیون حقوق بشر سازمان ملل متحد که ناظر بر رفتار و روش ایران در خصوص حقوق بشر است استقبال مینمایند.

قطعنامه کمیسیون مذکور به ویژه از جامعه Bahá’í که تنها بر اساس دلائل دینی همچنان مورد ستم و آزار رسمی قرار دارد، نام می برد.

این قطعنامه پیشنهاد نماینده ویژه سازمان ملل متحد را در بر دارد که بر اساس آن از کمیسیون حقوق بشر خواسته شده است که از ایران درخواست شود که بدون استثناء رفتار همانند عادلانه ای نسبت به همۀ شهروندان ،ایران از جمله پیروان دیانت Bahá’í داشته باشد.

این قطعنامه با اتفاق آراء به تصویب رسید و با توافق دولت ایران نیز مبنی بر حمایت از نص قطعنامه همراه بود.

بدین ترتیب واضح است که قطعنامه های بسیاری که در ده سال گذشته توسط کنگره آمریکا و کمیسیون حقوق بشر و مجمع عمومی سازمان ملل متحد به تصویب رسیده، منجر به بهبود رفتار ایران نسبت به افراد بهانی گردیده است.

ما جامعة Bahá’í بعنوان يك جامعه دینی از حقوق اولیه ای چون داشتن تشکیلات و انتخاب رهبر و تملك املاك و تعلیم اطفال و نوجوانان و انجام فعالیتهای معمول جوامع دینی تابع قوانین محروم است.

امیدواریم که اقدامات کمیسیون حقوق بشر و دیگر اظهارات آن مبنی بر نگرانی مداوم بین المللی دولت ایران را بر آن دارد که جامعه Bahá’í را از آزادی برخوردار سازد و حقوقی را که مطابق منشور بین المللی حقوق بشر و دیگر پیمانهای بین المللی تأمین شده و ایران نیز آنها را پذیرفته است. به همه شهروندانش اعطاء نماید

درگذشت سناتور جان هاینز SENATOR JOHN HEINZ DIES

در روز ۳ اپریل سال جاری آقای جان هاینز John Heinz سناتور ایالت پنسیلوانیا که از مدافعان حقوق بهائیان ایران در مجلس سنای ایالات متحده بود در اثر یکی سانحه هوائی کشته شد ۷ نفر دیگر نیز در این تصادف ناگوار جان خود را از دست دادند که دو نفر از آنان از اطفالی بودند که در حیاط مدرسه خود مشغول بازی بردند.

دکتر فیروز ،کاظم زاده منشی امور خارجی محفل روحانی تلی در بیانیه ای که پس از این سانحه هوائی صادر شد اظهار داشت: جامعه Bahá’í امریکا سوگوار حادثه جانگداز مرگ سناتور جانهاینز است. ایشان شخصاً بانی و حامی اقدامات مهم کنگره آمریکا در خصوص حمایت از جامعه ستمدیده بهائیان ایران بود

سناتور هاینز در سال ۱۹۸۲ قطعنامه ای تنظیم نمود و به تصویب کنگره آمریکا رساند که در آن اظهار نگرانی شده بود که دولت ایران عالما تلاشی برای از میان بردن جامعه بهانی آغاز نموده است.

در آن زمان دولت جدید جمهوری اسلامی ایران بیش از ۱۰۰ نفر از رهبران دینی Bahá’í را اعدام کرده و طرح مفصلی برای آزار بهائیان ایران که بزرگترین اقلیت دینی آن کشور است در نظر گرفته بود.

سناتور هاینز به مند ۱۰ سال عمتهای در کسب آزادی دینی بر عهده داشت و عامل اصلی صدور هي چهار قطعنامه ای بود که توسط کنگره آمریکا در دهه گذشته به تصویب رسید

این اظهار نگرانی کنگره آمریکا باعث شده است که دولت ایران رفتارش را نسبت به بهائیان تعدیل نماید جامعة بنهائی ایالات متحده کوششهای سناتور هاینز را ارج میشهد و سپاس می گوید و امیدوار است که این کوششها به همراه دیگر موفقیتهایی که در دوران خدمات اجتماعیش بدان نائل شده است چنانکه باید شناخته شود.

اینجانب شخصاً مراتب حزن و اندوهم را از فوت آن دوست عزیز که بیش از ۳۰ سال پیش یکی از شاگردانم در دانشگاه پیل بود ابراز می دارم سناتور هاینز بیش از ۲۰ سال در کنگره ایالات متحده عضویت داشت

آشنائی با فرهنگ چین CULTURAL ENLIGHTENMENT IN SAN JOSE

روز ۹ مارچ سال جاری جامعة امرى سن حوزه در ایالت کالیفرنیا سومین جلسه از سلسله جلسات آشنائی فرهنگی خود را تشکیل نمود شرکت کنندگان در این جلسه علاوه بر صرف غذاهای چینی از برنامه های فرهنگی و موسیقی چینی لذت بردند.

بیش از ۳۰ نفر از چینیان آن ناحیه بعنوان میهمان در جلسه فوق که حال و هوای جشن سال نوی چینیان را داشت شرکت کردند و هر یک پاکتی حاوی يك سنگه به رسم سنتی آنان که ریزی از آرزوی سالی پر موفقیت است دریافت نمودند.

اتاقی که جلسه در آن گرفته شده بود با تزئینات آراسته شده بود و روی میزها زنبیلهای نارنگی به نشان بختیاری در سال نو چنانکه رسم چینیان است نهاده شده بود.

در جلسات مشابهی که در گذشته گرفته شده بود فرهنگ ایران و فرهنگ سرخپوستان آمریکا مورد شناسائی قرار گرفته بود. همچنین قرار است در آینده جلساتی درباره آشنائی با فرهنگ مردم جنوب شرقی آسیا و نیز فرهنگ مردم اسپانیولی زبان آمریکا تشکیل شود.

اولین مدرسه بازرگانی بهائی THE FIRST BAHÁ’Í BUSINESS SCHOOL

اولین مدرسه بازرگانی Bahá’í از ۲۲ فوریه تا ۱۰ مارچ سال جاری با همکاری ۱۴ نفر از بهائیان ایالات متحده و کانادا و ونزوئلا و حیفا در اتحاد جماهیر شوروی تشکیل شد. گروه مذکور از شهر کیر Kiev و اودسا Odessa دیدار کرد و سمینارهایی درباره اداره شرکتهای كوچك ترتیب داد در هر يك از سمینارها بیش از ۶۰ نفر شرکت کردند که بیشتر آنها از روسا و مدیران اداری بودند

بسیاری از شرکت کنندگان در این سمینارها با امر مبارك آشنا و خواستار اطلاعات بیشتر درباره امر Bahá’í شدند حتی یکی از شرکت کنندگان علاقه به امور بازرگانی را به گلی از دست داد و میخواست فقط راجع به امر الهی با او صحبت شود. پس از اینکه برخی از یاران با او صحبتی طولانی کردند چنین اظهار داشت تا دو هفته دیگر که Bahá’í بشوم تمام کوششم را جهت کسب فضائل Bahá’í مبذول خواهم کرد.

در این سمینارها اصول و تعالیم Bahá’í مورد تاکید احباء قرار میگرفت و تأثیر آن چنان بود که یکی از مدیرانی که در برنامه مخصوص شرکت کرده بود پس از پایان برنامه به دفتر کار خود رفت و جلسه ای تشکیل داد و راجع به اثرات سره غیبت و بدگوئی در محل کار داد سخن داد

پس از تشکیل این سمینارها از سخنرانان و معلمان Bahá’í دعوت شد که از دانشگاهها و موسسات دولتی دیدار کنند و درباره کاربرد اخلاق در امور اداری و بازرگانی به ترتیب تبادل آراء پردازند. همچنین در کپور و اودسا جلسات تبلیغی دائر شد. بیش از ۷۰ نفر در جلسه ای که در یک هتل در اودسا تشکیل شد شرکت کردند و جلسه چنان به طول انجامید که میهمانان ناچار شدند برای ادامه صحبت به اتاق های خصوصی بروند.

وقتی که سخنران آن شب اسلایدهای مشرق الاذکارهای مختلف Bahá’í در سراسر جهان را به حاضران نشان داد یکی از آنان از دیدن عکس مشرق الاذکار اوگاندا حیرت زده شد زیرا چند شب قبل از آن جلسه ساختمان مشرق الاذکار را در خواب دیده بود. بدین ترتیب در پایان جلسه با چشمانی اشکبار از اظهار قدردانی و سپاس کرد که پیام حضرت بها بالله را به او رسانده بودند.

تقویم ماه

۲ اپریل ۱۹۹۱ دوازدهم عید اعظم رضوان ۲۳ اپریل ۱۹۹۱ بعثت حضرت رب اعلی ۱۹ اپریل ۱۹۹۱ صعود جمال اقدس ابهی [Page 20]

پاسخ بیت العدل اعظم الهی به نمایندگان هشتاد و دومین کانونشن ملی ایالات متحده مورخ ۲۸ اپریل ۱۹۹۱

MESSAGE OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE TO THE 82nd NATIONAL CONVENTION

از پیام آن عزیزان نغمه شادی و شور و شوق و نفحة قیام به ایفای وظائف مقدستان بر میخاست و عطر پیروزی آینده در ارتباط با اتمام اهداف نقشه شش ساله ایالات متحده به مشام سی.رسید بدین سبب قلوب این مشتاقان سرشار از سرور و سیاس .است

تصمیم و عزم محفل روحانی ملی جهت پیگیری برنامه ای که وحدت نژاد را در آن سرزمین تعمیم دهد و قبول فوری و بی تردید برنامه از جانب آن یاران از اهمیت ویژهای برخوردار است برای پیشرفت امرالله در ایالات متحده همچنین برای تحقق ماموریتی که در آثار نبوت شمار حضرت مولى الورى جهت آن جامعه پیش بینی شده به فرموده مبارك امید است ملت امريك اولين ملت و جمعیتی باشد که اساس الفان و آشتی بین ملل را بنیان نهد و یگانگی نوع انسان را اعلان .نماید پرچم صلح اعظم برافرازد. (ترجمه)

الحاد این جمع اقدامات مشهورانه ای را که در نامه آن عزیزان وصف گردیده است صمیمانه تحسین مینمایند و امیدوارند که جامعة ستايندگان اسم اعظم در ایالات متحده با وحدت نظر قیام نمایند و با شجاعت و ثبات و اطمینان به پیشبرد اقدامات مذکور پردازند از جانب آن عزیزان به درگاه الهی دعا میکنیم که برنامه مذکور امکان پیروزی درخشان جامعة Bahá’í آمریکا را در سبیل اتمام نقشه شش ساله چندین براین افزایش دهد مراتب محبت خود را نسبت به جميع عزیزان مجتمع در کانونشن ملی ایران میداریم

بيت العمل اعظم

پیشرفت عملیات ساختمانی در ارض اقدس

PROGRESS OF THE ARC PROJECT

بخشی از این پروژه متضمن تقویت دیواری است که در جلوی مقام اعلی قرار دارد و بخش دیگر آن شامل هماهنگ ساختن روکاری آن دیوار با سبك و طرح دیگر طبقات مقام اعلی است. عليرغم وضع نابسامان خاورمیانه و وقفه ای که در امور ساختمانی به وجود آمده است عملیات ساختمانی طبقات مقام حضرت اعلى بدون وقفه به پیش میرود. این پیشرفت با پیش بینیهائی که حضرت ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ،فرمود ماند و نقشه هایی که حضرت ولی امرالله در نظر داشته و طرح نموده اند و اقداماتی که بيت العدل اعظم البهی در جهت اجرای آن صورت دادماند.

برخی از ویژگیهای تاریخی طبقات از جمله فواره و حوضی که در دوران حضرت ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ساخته شده بود، حفظ و مرمت شده و در طرح طبقات جدید قرار گرفته است.

تا ۱۵ فوریه سال جاری حدود ۹۰ درصد عملیات ساختمانی طبقه اصلى مقام اعلی تکمیل شده بود. عملیات ساختمانی طبقات زیرین مقام به زودی آغاز خواهد شد.

مطابقت دارد بيت العدل اعظم الهی

عریضه نمایندگان هشتاد و دومین کانونشن ملی ایالات متحده

MESSAGE OF THE 82ND NATIONAL CONVENTION TO THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

نمایندگان مجتمع در هشتاد و دومین کانونشن ملی که با حضور مشاورین قارهای سرکار خانم ويلما البس و جناب دیوید اسمیت برکت یافته است از درگاه الهی سپاسگزارند که مرکز جهانی Bahá’í را محفوظ بداشت و اخبار الهام بخشی را که در پیام رضوان درج گردیده به گوششان رساند.

با تاتل درباره پیام رضوان معهد اعلی که در ارتباط با پیشرفت سریع امر مبارك حاوى جزئیات رویدادهای شگفت انگیزی در سراسر جهان است و نیز با تفکر راجع به بشارات محفل روحانی ملی در خصوص پیشرفت جامعه امری آمریکا به خود میبالیم که حاملان نامی پرحرمت و پرافتخار و پرتوانیم

با شادی تنفیذ حكم مقدس حقوق الله و همچنین ورود به مرحله جدیدی از پیشرفت عالم Bahá’í را که اعطاء کتاب مستطاب اقدس از جانب معهد اعلی به جامعه Bahá’í میمتر خواهد ساخت، انتظار میبریم

اما مهم ترین قسمت از مشاورات این جمع همانا تقليب قلوب و ارواح بود که از عزم و تصمیم محفل روحانی ملی در خصوص تحقق وحدت نژاد که در پیام آن هیئت با عنوان حیاتی ترین مساله چشم انداز وحدت نژاد اعلام گردیده بود ناشی گردید آغاز این طرح قلوبمان را با اعتقاد تازهای راجع به خود که نژاد تازهای از نوع بشریم مستظهر داشته و برایمان مسلم شده است که قوای امر حضرت Bahá’u’lláh اشکارا در جهان در کار است

اين بيانيه متین و مشهورانه که موجب بروز سیلی از پیشنهادها از جانب نمایندگان جهت اجرای آن گردیده است. وسيلة لازمی جهت اتمام اهداف نقشه شش ساله به شمار خواهد رفت.

تردیدی نیست که باران رحمانی با توجه به اشاره معهد اعلی در تحقق بخشیدن به نوایای محفل روحانی ملی بر یکدیگر سبقت خواهند گرفت و با مطالعه و توزيع بيانية محفل ملی تحول و انقلابی روحانی در این ملت و جامعه بوجود خواهند آورد تا انشاء الله در سال آخر نقشه شش ساله جنبشی روحانی در میدان تبلیغ پدیدار شود و اهداف باقیمانده نقشه اکمال یابد آنوقت است که همگی با سربلندی در کنگره جهانی سال مقدس شرکت خواهیم کرد و ناظر شروع مرحلة دخول دستجمعی مردم در ظل لوای اسم اعظم خواهیم بود.

با تقدیم احترام و محبت نام نمایندگان حاضر در هشتاد و دومین کانونشن ملی

چشم انداز وحدت نژاد بیانیه محفل ملی درباره وحدت نژاد

THE VISION OF RACE UNITY

در جریان هشتاد و دومین انجمن شور روحانی ملی Bahá’íان ایالات متحده که از ۲۵ تا ۲۸ اپریل ۱۹۹۱ در مشرق الاذكار ويلمت ام المعابد غرب تشکیل شد محفل مقدس روحانی ملی بیانیه ای را که در خصوص وحدت نژاد و اهمیت تحقق آن در این کشور صادر فرمودهاند برای اولین بار در اختیار نمایندگان و سایر پاران حاضر در کانونشن قرار دادند در این سند مهم که منشور برنامه ها و فعالیتهای آتية جامعة Bahá’í خواهد بود محفل ملی مردم آمریکا را به خطرات ناشی از ادامه تبعیض نژادی هشدار دادهاند و قبول اصل وحدت عالم انسانی را که محور تعالیم دیانت Bahá’í است بعنوان چاره و علاج مشکلات حاصل از تعصبات جنسی و نژادی و ملی به آنان توصیه فرموده اند.

محفل روحانی ملی چنین مقرر فرمودهاند که احبای الهی و محافل محلى مطالعة بيانية مذكور را وجهة همت خود قرار دهند و پس از آشنائی کامل با مفاد آن از هر فرصتی برای توزیع آن بین اطرافیان خود مخصوصا مسؤولین امور و کسانی که رهبری افکار عمومی را بعهده دارند استفاده کنند. بیت العدل اعظم الهی نیز در پیامی که در پاسخ به عریضه نمایندگان کانونشن از ساحت رفیع صادر گشته و در همین صفحات درج شده این برنامه محفل ملی را برای پیشرفت امرالله در ایالات متحده و همچنین برای تحقق رسالتی که در آثار حضرت مولی الوری برای این جامعه پیش بینی شده مهم دانسته اند.

نسخ بيانية محفل روحانی ملی را میتوان از مرکز پخش مؤسسة مطبوعات امری تهیه نمود.

حقوق الله

HUQUQU’LLAH

بیت العدل اعظم الهی میفرمایند: این حکم محکم به شهادت قلم اعلی دارای مصالح و حكم لا تحصى است. سبب تطهير اموال است و دافع خسران و ویال باعث نعمت و عزت است و علت خیر و برکت اتفاقی است که نسبتش إلى الله است و خدمتی است که شد ارتفاع امر الله اعطاء حقوق به فرموده مرکز میثاق برای امتحان مؤمنان است. و سبب ثبوت و رسوخ ایشان در ایمان و ایقان

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است تقدیمیهای حقوق الله را در وجه Bahá’í Haqequilah Trout به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق الله ارسال فرمایند.

Dr. Amin Banai Santa Monica, CA 90402

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH 44116

Dr. Elsie Austin P.O. Box 927 Silver Spring, MD. 20910 [Page 21]

Bahá’í delegation takes part in 35th session of UN Commission on Status of Women

UNITED NATIONS

From February 27-March 8, a delegation representing the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) took part in the 35th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Heading the delegation to the conference in Vienna, Austria, was Mary Power, representative to the UN for the BIC in New York. Representatives from BIC Geneva were Gianni Ballerio and Liesbeth Bos; and from BIC Vienna, Bahia Ettehadieh and Neda Forghani.

Priorities addressed by the Commission were equality: vulnerable women including migrant women; development: national, regional and international machinery for effective integration of women in the development process; and peace: refugee and displaced women and children.

An oral statement was presented by the BIC on behalf of the Advocates for African Food Security: lessening the burden for women. The BIC is a founding member and convenor of the Advocates which continues to provide opportunities for linking with delegates of African governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Ms. Power chaired a luncheon consultation held by the Advocates and attended by delegates and representatives of international NGOs.

A recent project undertaken by the Advocates is a survey on African food security that is being circulated among individuals and NGOs. Mrs. Alasebu Gebre Selassie (BIC) will analyze the results which will then be compiled in a booklet to be circulated to UN offices, government delegates and interested NGOs.

Indicative of the warm relationships developed over time through the BIC’s work on women’s issues were the many invitations to major receptions received by the Bahá’í delegates. The ready acceptance of Bahá’í principles put forth by Bahá’í delegations at international forums on not only women’s issues, but on human rights, education and environment is increasingly apparent.

Representatives from the U.S. to the 35th session in Vienna, Austria, of the UN Commission on the Status of Women were (left to right) Juliette McLennan, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Commission on the Status of Women; and representatives to the UN for non-governmental organizations: Esther Hymer, International Federation of Business and Professional Women; Kay Fraleigh, International Alliance of Women; Mary Power, Bahá’í International Community; Virginia Hazzard, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

Orlando Intercalary Days celebration, puppet show draws more than 200

More than 200 Bahá’ís from central Florida gathered in February for an Intercalary Days celebration in Orlando.

Preparations for the event were chronicled in an article February 23 in a half-page article in the Orlando Sentinel that included interviews with Bahá’ís and background information on the meaning of Intercalary Days and the history and teachings of the Faith.

The observance itself consisted of a potluck supper, prayers, fellowship, and entertainment including songs by the children and a puppet show, “The Small Puppets for a Great Tomorrow,” written and directed by Lea Nys, a traveling teacher from Brussels, Belgium.

Also performing was Wendy Lewis, a Bahá’í youth from Winter Springs, who presented a brief ballet excerpt from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” suite.

Bahá’í delivers benediction for S.D. State of City address

In January, Mayor Maurene O’Connor of San Diego asked a Bahá’í, Margaret Hough, to deliver the benediction preceding the mayor’s annual State of the City address.

More than 1,400 people in the audience heard a Bahá’í prayer for mankind, and the prayer was also included in an invitation sent to more than 2,000 people.

Sen. Heinz

from page 1

“At that time, the government of the new Islamic Republic of Iran had executed more than 100 Bahá’í religious leaders and had unleashed a campaign of harassment against the Bahá’í community, Iran’s largest religious minority group.

“For 10 years, John Heinz played a key role in this work for religious liberty. He was a leading sponsor of each of the four concurrent resolutions and other appeals adopted by the U.S. Congress over the past decade.

“These expressions of congressional concern have helped to persuade the Iranian government to moderate its treatment of Bahá’ís.

“We value and honor Sen. Heinz’ work for religious liberty, and hope that this effort will be recognized along with his many other achievements in his career in public life.

“I also express my personal grief at the death of a good friend who was my student at Yale University more than 30 years ago.”

Sen. Heinz, who was heir to the Heinz catsup fortune, devoted his life to public service and was a member of Congress for the past 20 years.

Chili supper raises $1,400

The Bahá’ís of the greater Cincinnati, Ohio, area were the guests February 10 of the Spiritual Assembly of Cincinnati for a chili lunch entitled “The Ridván Goal Chili Company.”

The Assembly served all of the Bahá’ís and their guests, enjoyed their fellowship, and raised $1,400 for the National Fund.

BIC welcomes National Spiritual Assembly to its offices in New York City

Left photo: Dr. Victor de Araujo (right), who recently retired after serving 23 years as Bahá’í representative to the United Nations, and his successor, Techeste Ahderom (left), discuss UN issues with members of the National Spiritual Assembly (left to right) Firuz Kazemzadeh, James F. Nelson and Robert C. Henderson during the National Assembly’s visit in February to the Bahá’í International Community offices in New York City. Right photo: William Davis (left), treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly, discusses the state of the National Fund with David Chittleborough, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia.

On February 15, the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) officially welcomed the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States to its offices.

The National Assembly started its weekend of meetings in New York City with an evening of fellowship with the staff at the BIC.

The UN representatives were given an opportunity to share with the members of the National Assembly and with Counselor William Roberts and David Chittleborough, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia, news of their various projects and undertakings.

“For the Bahá’í International Community in New York,” said Counselor Wilma Ellis, director-general of the BIC, “this is an historic occasion. We had the great honor of welcoming Counselor William Roberts, the members of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, and the chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia.

“This visit will further strengthen the global ties that the BIC is endeavoring to develop with the National Assemblies worldwide.” [Page 22]

BAHÁ’Í DISTRIBUTION SERVICE OPINION SURVEY

The National Spiritual Assembly is seeking your opinions and comments on how the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and Bahá’í Distribution Service can better serve the Bahá’í Community. The Assembly is currently undertaking a study of these operations. The theme of this study is "striving for excellence" in service. The goal is to build stronger organizations that better reflect this attitude of excellence in their service to the community.

The following survey is intended to give you an opportunity to do your part in helping the Assembly in this endeavor. Please complete the survey by checking the appropriate box for each question. Any questions and all completed surveys should be directed to:

Bahá’í National Center Office of the Secretary Wilmette, IL 60091 Phone 708-869-9039 ext. 201

1. Do you feel you are well-informed regarding the release of new Bahá’í materials? Never Sometimes Always

2. In general, what is your opinion of the prices of Bahá’í books? Low Just Right Too High

3. How would you rate the service provided by the Bahá’í Distribution Service? Poor Good Very Good Excellent

4. Does your Bahá’í community have an active, functioning Bahá’í Distribution Service Representative? ☐ No ☐ Yes

5. Do you usually find books in languages other than English to be in stock? Never Sometimes Always If not, what languages are needed?

6. Please rate the importance of the following categories of books. A. Sacred Texts (Central Figures of the Faith). Lowest 01 02 03 04 5+ Highest B. Children's books. -01 02 03 04 ☐ 5+ C Teaching and deepening materials (Mass Distribution). 13 4 5 D. Biographies of Bahá’ís 01 02 03 04 5+ E. Scholarly works on the Faith 01 02 03 04 05 F Compilations from the Writings. 01 02 03 04 ☐ 5+ G. General histories of the Faith 01 2 3 4 5 H. Books on aspects of teaching 01 02 03 4 5+ I General introductions to the Faith - 01 02 03 4 5+

7. Are Bahá’í materials available for sale at Bahá’í events you attend? Never Sometimes Always

8. How does the price of Bahá’í books compare to similar books from general publishers? Lower Same Higher

9. How would you rate the level of service and response you receive from the BDS when placing an order by: A. Phone 01 02 03 04 ◎ 5+ B. Mail - 01 02 03 04 ☐ 5+ C. Your BDS Representative 1 2 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5+ when dealing with a problem by: 1 2 3 4 5 01 02 03 04 ☐ 5+ 1 2 3 4 ☐ 5+

10. I prefer to acquire Bahá’í materials by: A Ordering from the BDS directly B. Ordering through my BDS Representative C. Purchasing at Bahá’í events D. I do not ever order Bahá’í books

11. Do you purchase books published by other Bahá’í Publishers through BDS or directly from the publishers? the publisher BDS both

12. What portion of your BDS orders are usually fulfilled? (Give answer in a percentage, for example 80%),

Bahá’ís conduct clinic for two weeks at hospital in Palacios, Honduras

From December 28 to January 12, Dr. Wayne Davenport, a surgeon from Alaska and friend of the Bahá’ís, and Dr. Bill Gitchell, a Bahá’í from Hutchinson, Kansas, traveled with their wives to Hospital Bayán in Palacios, Honduras, where they held a two-week surgical clinic.

Project Bayán is a combination hospital and Bahá’í teaching project serving an isolated area in northern Honduras of widely scattered villages connected by rivers, bayous and lagunas and containing about 10,000 or more people who have no other access to medical services.

The hospital, which opened in 1986, was built largely by Dr. Barry Smith and his wife, Marilyn, Bahá’ís from Indiana; Dr. Housheng Sabripour and his wife, Na'ime, Persian Bahá’ís who are now citizens of Honduras; Vem Iverson of Minneapolis, and countless other volunteers and donors.

This was Dr. Davenport's and Dr. Gitchell's second trip to perform medical services at the hospital. In their two visits, they performed 55 procedures.

Their wives, Marcia Gitchell and Terry Davenport, both of whom are Bahá’ís, also worked in the operating room where, because of the hospital's remoteness and the difficulty of maintaining electricity and obtaining supplies, conditions are comparable to those seen in the U.S. 75-100 years ago.

The Davenports and Gitchells plan to return twice a year as long as possible to offer continued services.

Besides the medical services offered by Drs. Smith and Sabripour, they have a continual flow of young Bahá’ís on a year of service who use Project Bayán as the center for teaching operations.

These young people travel by canoe and often walk many miles to villages to teach the Faith. As a result of their efforts, thousands of new Bahá’ís have been enrolled in the area in the past several years.

Since Hospital Bayán is not yet self-supporting, Dr. Smith works several months each year outside of Palacios as a public health physician for all of Central America under a U.S. government-sponsored program.

13. Would you financially support the establishment of an endowment for the Sacred Text that would be used to ensure their availability? Yes No ☐ Possibly Or a long-term loan for such a purpose? Yes No ☐ Possibly

14. I last ordered Bahá’í materials, months ago. The order totaled $

15. Please comment on the Bahá’í books from the following publishers. Appearance 1 2 3 4 5 Usefulness 1 2 3 4 5 Quality of Content 1 2 3 4 5 Overall Value 1 2 3 4 5

Bahá’í Publishing Trust - USA George Ronald Kalimat Press One World Naturegraph Bahá’í Publishing Trust - INDIA Bahá’í Publishing Trust - UK Association for Bahá’í Studies

16. What suggestions or comments would you like to make regarding the BDS?

Ben Short, a young Bahá’í from Bettendorf Iowa, is pictured shortly after earning his "Unity of Mankind" badge as a Cub Scout. The cake he is holding was baked by his mother to celebrate the occasion; its design is a copy of the pin Ben received and now wears on his Scout uniform. [Page 23]

Mensaje

maneras, la comunidad del Más Grande Nombre se esforzará por proyectar el Nombre de Bahá’u’lláh por todo el globo, a hacer de El una eminencia conocida en la conciencia de los pueblos en todas partes.

Una confluencia tan excepcional de logros inminentes—la publicación del Kitab-i-Aqdas, el progreso de los proyectos de construcción en el Monte Carmelo, la conclusión del Plan de Seis Años, el comienzo del Año Santo—anima la expectativa del mundo bahá’í, prepara el escenario para esfuerzos más poderosos de los que ya se han intentado, y nos dirige a todos hacia la apertura de una nueva fase en la historia. Parece digno pues que la ley sagrada que le permita a cada uno expresar su sentido personal de devoción a Dios en un acto de consciencia profundamente privado que promueve el bien común, que conecta directamente al creyente individual con la Institución Central de la Fe, y que, por sobre todo, le asegura al obediente y al sincero la gracia inefable y las bendiciones abundantes de la Providencia, debe, en esta coyuntura propicia, abrazarse por todos aquellos que profiesen su creencia en la Manifestación Suprema de Dios. Con humildad ante nuestro soberano Señor, anunciamos en este momento que a partir de Ridván de 1992, el comienzo del Año Santo, la Ley del Huququ’lláh, el Derecho de Dios, se hará vigente universalmente. A todos se les llama amorosamente a observarla.

Nuestros muy queridos hermanos y hermanas: Atestiguen cómo el Bienamado ha respondido a nuestras súplicas. Vean cómo manos nuevos e instituciones nuevas en El ha enriquecido nuestras vidas con her- tierras hasta ahora cerradas a Su Palabra curativa. Consideren con cuánta potencia se están afrimando Sus prescripciones divinas como pautas para el comportamiento de naciones grandes y pequeñas. Seguramente tales bendiciones abundantes les han imbuído de valentia indomita y de confianza para enfrentar un futuro desafiante pero brillante. En verdad, ustedes se han emprendido en este año propicio ceridos para el triunfo definitivo del Plan de Seis Años.

Que continúen, por medio de sus actos abnegados en Su servicio, siendo bendecidos de la mina inagotable de Su amor y tierno cuidado.

"O Friends! "Abandon not the everlasting beauty for a beauty that must die, and set not your affections on this mortal world of dust."--Bahá’u’lláh

Casa Universal de Justicia Ridván de 1991

‘Excellence in all things...’

Jim Haslip, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Tuolumne County, California, is one of nine school superintendents nationwide to receive this year's Kennedy Center School Administrator award. Dr. Haslip, superintendent of the Twain Harte School District, was recognized for his commitment to exellence in arts education. Last December, he was named the state's top school administrator by the California Alliance for Arts Education and recognized as an "outstanding school administrator" by the state Department of Education.

Robert Ahdieh, a 19-year-old Bahá’í who is a freshman at Princeton University, has been recognized by President George Bush for his "commitment to community service." A letter to Robert commended him for his activities that, the President said, are "a shining example for us all." Mr. Ahdieh was recommended as a candidate for the President's "Daily Points of Light" by Congressman Bill Green of New York, who referred to him as an extraordinary young man. While at Radnor (Pennsylvania) High School, Robert and his sister organized the school's Peace Club. He was also active in various volunteer services for senior citizens and the environment. After graduation, he undertook a Youth Year of Service at the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa, Israel.

Ramine Yazhari, a 16-year-old Bahá’í from Belle Mead, New Jersey, has won first prize of a $1,000 college scholarship in an essay-writing contest, "Take a Leap into Books," sponsored by Bell Atlantic-Harper's Magazine Foundation. Ramine, who picked up an entry form only three days before the contest deadline, leaped into Shakespeare's play, "Hamlet," as a confidante of the brooding prince of Denmark, rewriting the tragedy as a tongue-in-cheek satire in which he and Hamlet win a basketball shoot-out with Claudius (the murderer of Hamlet's father) and Polonius, the father of Ophelia (the woman who would be Hamlet's wife). Shamed by the loss, Claudius renounces his throne, Polonius allows Ophelia to marry Hamlet, the ghost of Hamlet's murdered father finally finds rest, and Hamlet repays Ramine by writing his high school term paper (on "Hamlet," of course), showing such insights that the paper earns an A-plus-plus-plus.

Claudia A. Whitworth, a Bahá’í who is editor of the Roanoke (Virginia) Tribune, has been named by Gov. L. Douglas Wilder to serve a four-year term as a member of the Board of Visitors at Norfolk State University. She was chosen, according to a letter from Lee W. Smith, rector at NSU, for her "broad background and rich experiences....intense interest in education....contributions to the life of the community....and knowledge of the growth, development and struggles of NSU." Mrs. Whitworth has served on the President's Roundtable at NSU since its inception in January 1989.

Valerie Cunningham, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was honored in January by the Martin Luther King Coalition for her work as a community activist, which includes lobbying for a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in New Hampshire. Ms. Cunningham is an administrative secretary at the University of New Hampshire's Counseling and Testing Center.

Andrew Lavadour, a Bahá’í who is an eighth-grade student on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon, has won his school's level of competition and an opportunity to compete at the state level in the National Geographic Society's "National Geography Bee." Besides qualifying for the second year in a row for state competition in the contest, Andrew is an honor student and member of the school team that recently earned third place in a Regional Math Tournament.

Two years ago, Bahá’ís in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, approached the owners of a local bookstore to ask that they consider accepting Bahá’í books on consignment The owners, Barbara and Jerrey Smith (pictured), who had once lived and worked in Chicago and were familiar with the House of Worship in nearby Wilmette, readily agreed, and Bahá’í books are now carried on the shelves under 'religion and philosophy. In February, a front-window display for Black History Month included Gayle Morrison's biography of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis Gregory, and To Be One by Bahá’í Nat Rutstein.

LETTERS

Divorce in Bahá’í community

To the Editor:

It is occasionally rumored that the divorce rate in the American Bahá’í community is as high as, or higher than, the divorce rate in American society as a whole. These comments usually reflect the experience in a local Bahá’í community, where suddenly several couples seek a divorce in a relatively short period of time, thereby creating the impression that Bahá’ís frequently get divorced. The fact that in other communities, or in the same comunity at other times, relatively few Bahá’í marriages fail, often is forgotten.

No effort to collect Bahá’í divorce statistics systematically has ever been made, and therefore no one can say that the American Bahá’í divorce rate is either higher or lower than the American population as a whole. But even if such statistics were assembled, they would be largely meaningless because the American Bahá’í community is almost impossible to compare demographically with the rest of American society.

As a result, it would seem that there is no value in debating whether the Bahá’í divorce rate is higher or lower than the rate of other groups until detailed data can be gathered and professionally analyzed Bahá’ís have a legitimate concern about divorce in the American Bahá’í community. This concern would probably be focused best on strengthening the existing marriages, and on deepening the believers so that they enter into marriages more wisely, thereby minimizing the scourge of divorce in our community.

Robert H. Stockman Evanston, Illinois

Our Sacred Obligation National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

IN MEMORIAM

Mel Altman, Tamarac, FL Allini Ayotte, Woodstock, NH Harry Bizzell, Goldsboro, NC Elisabeth Buffington, Kennett Square, PA Ashely Carral, Goldsboro, NC Larry Chapman, Charleston, WV Julia Coleman, Evanston, IL Richard Denig, South Beach, OR Joseph Dickerson, St. Louis, MO Alberta Dubin, Merion Station, PA Mary Edens, Charleston, WV Atahollah Etemad, Bromall, PA Gladys Goss, Santa Maria, CA H. Vincent Hayden, Concord, NH Mehrdad Hatam, San Diego, CA Pink Hendrick, Swannanoa, NC Alice Johnson, Vero Beach, FL Anne Kelson, Burton, SC Monzelle Lemme, Takoma Park, MD Esiella Longoria, Harlingen, TX Ica Lower, Kelso, WA Audrey Munroe, Manteca, CA Mahmoud Neshati, Pleasant Hill, CA Elizabeth Patterson, Buffalo, NY Vera Powell, Stockton, CA Russell Read, San Diego, CA Virginia Reich, San Diego, CA Monireh Rezvani, Silver Spring, MD Elvina Mae Rhoden, Springfield, OR Irene Richmond, Manchester, NH Mary Rivera, Pocopson, PA Fred Robinson, Potosi, MO Agnus Smith, Merritt Island, FL Mary Swan, Charleston, MA Gerardo Ureño, El Paso, TX Glen C. Weaver, St. Louis, MO Curtis Wilson, New York, NY Viola Winston, Grady, AR Brenda Worob, Elk River, MN Jamileh Yeganeh-Arani, San Diego, CA Florence Zimmerman, Altoona, PA Arthur Zucker, Mariana Islands [Page 24]

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Six hundred thirty-five people took part January 21 in a commemoration of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., among whom were the Bahá’ís of Thurston County, Washington, and the Tacoma Urban League. The Faith was mentioned in the program as a contributor to the event, and these Bahá’ís served cookies, coffee and punch, collecting more than 1,000 cookies from local bakeries and supermarkets and baking some themselves.

MOVING TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS. A. NAME(S): To avoid scary delays in moriving your copy of The Americas Bold, wed your new wder and your mailing label to MANAGE MENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, Bea's National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, as soon as you know what your new adds will be ID. Ticke Full -No tickownes please! 107 Tile Full swese IDF LD F B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: Stoet Cay D. NEW COMMUNITY: e of new Babi Community Full name Full cane This form may be used for one person or your mone family Please be so last FULL NAMES AND LD. NUMBERS for all individuals, egr 15 years or older, who will be affected by this change C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box or Olex miling add Apfpplicable) CRY Tap code F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): Amx code Phoxe marker Na Zip code E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: Moving date Area code Phone mamber Name G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: we do not have the last We do t we can copies, so please cel the copy for the person) and LD number) led above BAHAT NATIONAL CENTER 112 Linden Avenue NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID WILMETTE, IL PERMIT NO.479 Wilmette, IL 60091 Area code Phone number the hates and adds on our add labels do not match. We have and above the full as of all family men bera as they should appear on the national cunds, their LD ambers, and the con tions so that we will receive only one copy Name H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY: Our household motives only one copy of The Americas Bobft I wish to motive my own copy. I have listed my name, LD. mamber and address above

MAY

23-26: Navajo Unity Gathering, Native American Bahá’í Institute, Burntwater, Arizona

24-26: 18th annual Conference of Nur, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Harrisburg. For information, phone 717-232-9163.

30-June 7: Pacific Women's Conference, University of Hawaii, Hilo. Co-sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands and the University of Hawaii; open to Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í participants. For information, contact the University of Hawaii at Hilo, CCECS Conference Center, Hilo, HI 96720, or phone 808-933-3555 (Fax 808-933- 3684).

JUNE

5: United Nations World Environment Day. For information, write to Bahá’ís of the US, UN Office, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017 (phone 212-751- 1282).

7-9: Women's Conference with Counselor Jacqueline Delahunt, Louhelen Bahá’í School For information, phone 313-653-5033.

9: Race Unity Day.

14-16: "Project "91" youth dance/music/drama workshop, Louhelen Bahá’í School For information, phone 313-653-5033.

14-16: "First Encounter of Bahá’í Artists," Bahá’í Center, Los Angeles, California. Co-sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles and El Risenor magazine. For information, write to P.O. Box 512, San Fernando, CA 91340, or phone 818-361-6931.

16-27: Youth Academy, Native American Bahá’í Institute, Houck, Arizona. Local Spiritual Assemblies are encouraged to inspire and sponsor youth to attend. All youth are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to Native American youth. As there are only 20 spaces available, please apply as soon as possible to: Carl North, registrar, Native American Bahá’í Institute, P.O. Box 187, Houck, AZ 86506, or phone 602-367-5126, ext 8595.

22-23: Conference for Bahá’í media professionals, Bahá’í International Community office, New York City. Sponsored by the World Congress Media Task Force

23-28: Fifth annual Camp Louhelen for children grades 3-6, Loubelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

28-July 3: Eighth annual Teacher Training Conference, Louhelen Bahá’í School. With Dan and Linda Popov, the Grammers, Louhelen's Teacher Training Committee, others. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

29-July 4: Bosch Bahá’í School summer session: "China Is the Country of the Future," "The Divine Polity: Uniting East and West," "Chinese Philosophy and the Bahá’í Life.

29-July 11: 1991 Summer Youth Academy, Bosch Bahá’í School. Other sessions to be held July 13-25, August 3-15, and August 17-29. To inspire Bahá’í youth through a disciplined academic approach to deepen in the fundamentals of the Faith. Local Spiritual Assemblies are encouraged to sponsor youth to attend. Previous Youth Academy graduates may apply and be considered for an advanced program. As attendance is limited to 20 students per Academy, early application is advised. Please write to the Academy registrar, Mrs. Angelina Allen, Cardiff, CA 92007, or phone 619-944-6441.

30: Artists for the Arc, 7:30p.m., Los Angeles Bahá’í Center auditorium. For information, phone Mina Sabet, 714-974-5426

JULY

3-7: Sixth Continental Indigenous Council, Maxwell International Bahá’í School, Shawnigan Lake, B.C., Canada. Theme: "Transformation and the Family. "For information, contact Christine Lucas, Maxwell International Bahá’í School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, B.C., Canada VOR 2W0.

5-10: Pioneer Institute, "Lifetime of Service," with emphasis on the family, Loubelen Bahá’í School. Co-sponsored by the Office of Pioneering. For information, phone 313-653- 5033.

6-11: "The Environment: Fundamental Issues of a Sound Economy in a Just Society," Bosch Bahá’í School. Bahá’í professionals, students or active volunteers in environmental fields are invited to take part in a panel for ACTION AGENDA. To register, send a $35 deposit to: Registrar, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or order by charge card by phoning 408-423-3387. To take part in the panel, please submit a brief bio, Attention Program Director.

8-13: "Directions for Esperanto-Local and National," 3rd Midwest Conference, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. For information, phone Sherry Wells, 313-543-5297, or Steve Brewer, 616-626-8202.

11-14: International Youth Conference, Guadalajara, Mexico. For information, contact the Youth Desk at the Bahá’í National Center (phone 708-869-9039).

12-17: Senior Youth Week, Louheen Bahá’í School.

18-21: Second annual Persian arts and culture conference, Louhelen Bahá’í School. The conference is part of an effort to promote familiarity with the language and culture of Iran and to facilitate an appreciation for and understanding of Bahá’í history and writings. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

21-27: Elderhostel, sponsored by Louhelen and the University of Michigan-Flint, Loubelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033,

27-August 1:Junior Youth Week, Bosch Bahá’í School.

AUGUST

2-7: Family Week 1, Loubelen Bahá’í School, with Auxiliary Board members Sam McClellan and Morris Taylor. For information, phone 313-653-5033

9-14: Junior Youth Week, Loubelen Bahá’í School.

10-14: Art Forum, the Netherlands.

16-21: Family Week 2, Louhelen Bahá’í School, with focus on the arts and education. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

30-September 2: Homecoming, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313- 653-5033.

30-September 1: Pioneer Institute, Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

30-September 2: National Conference on Growth, Hyatt Lincolnwood Hotel, Lincolnwood, Illinois. Sponsored by the National Teaching Committee. For information, phone the Teaching Committee office, 708-869-9039