The American Bahá’í/Volume 23/Issue 16/Text

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Persecution of Iran's Bahá’í community continues unabated

The National Spiritual Assembly has received news of the continued persecution of the Iranian Bahá’í community, and has brought it to the attention of U.S. government officials and national news media. The details are as follows:

YAZD

In Yazd, 11 families are at present affected by confiscations of property. Mr. Dariush Dahmoubidi’s family, now residing in Taft, had already been evicted forcibly and their house and all its furnishings taken over by the Imam Khomeini Foundation.

The families of 10 other Bahá’ís named here were served notice by the Islamic revolutionary institutions to vacate their homes and hand them over to the government. Although the houses have not yet been evacuated, because the Bahá’ís have appealed to higher authorities, they are under severe pressure to relinquish their homes. The heads of these families are:

Mr. Ataollah Lur, Mrs. Irandokht Hakhamaneshi, Mr. Ghulam-Hoseyn Shadpour, Mr. Ruhollah Rostami, Mr. Ataollah Rostami, Mr. Khodayar Akhtarkhavari, Mr. Jamshid Lur, Mr. Panjali Arabi, Mr. Habibullah Tafakkori, Mr. Adib Daneshiya.

TEHRAN

In Tehran three cases were reported as follows:

Mrs. Mehrangiz Rowhani, who had been dismissed from her position as midwife at the Public Health Department, was served an order by the Islamic Revolutionary Court that her house had been confiscated. Although she has appealed, no action has been taken by the court and the case is not resolved.

A complex consisting of a shop and 10 apartments, as well as a two-story residential building, belonging to Mr. Qodratollah Heshmati were occupied by members of the Imam Khomeini Foundation against the will of the owner. In this case there was no official order from the judicial authorities. To date, Mr. Heshmati’s appeals and complaints to the authorities have not succeeded in returning

See PERSECUTIONS page 11

The American Bahá’í

Volume 23, No. 16 | ‘...knowledge is a veritable treasure for man. ...’—Bahá’u’lláh | Qudrat B.E. 149 / November 4, 1992

WORLD CONGRESS

Bahá’ís to gather in New York City to celebrate Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant

By KEN BOWERS

This month Bahá’ís from all over the world will gather in New York City to celebrate the centenary of the inauguration of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh.

THE SECOND Bahá’í World Congress will provide an opportunity for the followers of the Blessed Beauty to express their boundless gratitude to Him for the blessing of His mighty, world-unifying Covenant, their loyalty to and love for Him Who was the Center of that Covenant, and their faith in the Covenant’s power to protect and support them as they carry forward the work of establishing the Kingdom of God on earth.

Such an assembly, marking the consummation of a full one hundred extraordinary years since the Covenant’s establishment—years replete with grave crises and exhilarating victories—will also demonstrate to the world at large the efficacy and inviolable nature of Bahá’u’lláh’s great legacy to mankind.

The Bahá’í World Congress, in the words of the Universal House of Justice, is destined to “impress upon the public the profound fact of the appearance in the world of the Lord of the Covenant and the aims and achievements of His sublime mission.”

This celebration is the second of the two “major world events” scheduled to take place during the Holy Year. The first was the commemoration last May of the centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, the main feature of which was the gathering of the living Knights of Bahá’u’lláh with a world representation of believers in the Holy Land.

The House of Justice, preparing the believers for these occasions, stated at Ridván 1990 that “The friends everywhere must now orient themselves to the significance of these twin anniversaries. They must be spiritually prepared through prayer and study of the Teachings to obtain a deeper appreciation of the station and purpose of Bahá’u’lláh and of the basic meaning of His mighty Covenant.

“THE PROSPECT of such events,” the Universal House of Justice also wrote, “should encourage the friends to study the history and meaning of the Covenant.”

As indicated by the House of Justice, such an appreciation requires the perspective of history. Many are the instances in the annals of the Faith that illustrate the invincible power of the Covenant. There is one episode in particular which, when viewed in the light of upcoming events, demonstrates the profound influence of that force in our evolution as a community.

INSIDE:
2	Peace Fest ’92 Music, Peace Award mark annual event at Louis G. Gregory ‎Instiute Institute‎
3	Trail of tribulation Bahá’u’lláh’s ordeal of exile fulfills prophecies of past Revelations
12	Taking ‘Action’ Bahá’ís of New York City sponsor ‘Action Against Racism’ contest

‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ IN NEW YORK

By June 1912 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had been in the United States for several weeks. His schedule had been one of unabated, exhausting activity. Already He had spoken at scores of public meetings and numerous Bahá’í gatherings. He had attended

See NYC page 8

Pictured are members of the newly created Bahá’í Service Corps that has been helping victims of Hurricane Andrew in South Florida.

Bahá’ís in South Florida organize relief effort to help beleaguered, homeless victims of Hurricane Andrew

On August 29 and September 6, members of the newly created Bahá’í Service Corps of Palm Beach and Broward County, Florida, traveled in convoys to areas of South Dade County that had been devastated by Hurricane Andrew.

CARS, VANS and trucks in this ongoing relief effort organized by the Bahá’ís carried food, water, medical and baby supplies, tar paper, cleaning materials and other items to those left homeless and destitute by the hurricane which leveled a 30-mile-wide area in and around Homestead.

Greeting the Bahá’ís and their volunteer helpers, the teams reported, was “a scene almost beyond belief. Trees not downed had been stripped of bark and foliage. Twisted metal lay in yards and around trunks of trees. Villas, trailer homes, and houses had been reduced to debris or, if standing, had parts of their roofs missing and plywood covering gaps in walls and broken windows. Many houses bore messages warning looters to stay out.”

The Bahá’í Service Corps, a grassroots initiative supported by area Assemblies and the Auxiliary Board, helped Bahá’í homeowners in South Dade and their neighbors by cutting away trees and branches. These, together with torn tar paper, wood, glass, soaked carpeting and fiberglass, were piled on sidewalks to be removed by the city.

While Bahá’ís who are roofers and construction workers laid new tar paper, a Bahá’í who is a nurse cleaned and bandaged the feet of a Lutheran minister who had stepped on glass and nails. He had been too busy caring for those sheltered in his church to address his own needs.

An afternoon meal of more than 100 hamburgers and hot dogs was barbecued for residents of a low-income housing complex. Supplies were distributed in West Kendall and in poor, remote areas of Homestead and Florida City.

A camp for migrant workers with only one small shelter still standing was visited. The workers said they did not need food or water, but were eager to receive more medical supplies than the team had on hand.

The areas affected by Hurricane Andrew need electricians and roofers. Also, the following items are urgently needed: medical supplies, bug spray, sun screen, paper products, flashlights and batteries, can openers, toothpaste, soap, feminine articles, toys, baby supplies, and senior citizens’ diapers.

FLORIDA’S toll roads are waiving the tolls for relief vehicles.

In addition to the Service Corps, individual Bahá’ís in Florida and elsewhere have given time to the food bank while others have conveyed supplies and food to friends and relatives in the damaged areas.

Those who would like to help the relief effort may phone Auxiliary Board member Charles (Cap) Cornwell, 407-845-0123, or the Eikevik residence, 305-426-4532. [Page 2]

PEACE FEST ’92

Music, awards ceremony celebrate oness of humankind

BY KEN BOWERS

The oneness of humankind was celebrated in the soulful sounds of gospel music and big band jazz as Bahá’ís and their guests gathered September 18-20 for Peace Fest ’92, the seventh annual event sponsored by the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina.

The featured attractions of this year's festival were a performance by the 18-member Peace Fest Orchestra, composed of musicians from across the country and led by saxophonist Roger Hogan and trumpeter Warren Kime; and a Gospel Jubilee with popular soloists and groups from the Hemingway area. Both events were broadcast live by WLGI Radio Bahá’í.

TRUITT White, director of the Louis Gregory Institute, described Peace F est as "a forum for creative thought centering on peace, a unifying cultural celebration, and an opportunity for fellowship and spiritual sharing.

"The main purpose," he added, "is to focus attention on the importance of individual and collective efforts in establishing peace: in the family, community, nation and, ultimately, the world."

Mr White also noted that events such as Peace Fest help to carry forward an important part of the National Spiritual Assembly's agenda for the Holy Year, namely, the public promotion of the Bahá’í principle of the unity of humanity.

As in years past, the Peace Fest ’92 program helped convey the Bahá’í message of unity to area residents in a variety of ways. One important activity was the conducting of music workshops in a local middle school by members of the Peace Orchestra, whose presentations included brief explanations of the purpose of Peace Fest.

Another traditional aspect of the program is the recognition of those who have made outstanding contributions to peace and understanding in their communities. Each year the Ambassador Award is presented to an individual or group from northeastern South Carolina for community services transcending the bounds of race, belief and class.

Vocalist Suzanne Swann gives it her all as she belts out a tune with the Bahá’í Peace Orchestra during the gala Saturday evening concert that was the centerpoint of Peace Fest ’92.

PEACE FEST 92

Ninety-year-old Mrs. Vashti Smith, recipient of this year's Ambassador Award at Peace Fest ’92, receives the award from guest speaker Anne Breneman of Florence. Looking on are Truitt White, director of the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, and Dante DiAmalfi (behind Mrs. Smith), a volunteer at the Institute.

This year's honoree was Mrs. Vashti Smith of Florence, founder of a local home for the elderly that houses both black and white residents. Mrs. Smith, recognized for several decades as a force for racial understanding, is also well-known for her services to such humanitarian organizations as Habitat for Humanity, United Church Women's International and United Negro Women.

PEACE FEST opened with Friday evening's Gospel Jubilee, held at the Mitcheom Community Center in Hemingway. The Jubilee began and ended with Bahá’í prayers, and included a presentation on the purpose of Peace Fest by Mr. White. Musical entertainment included Bahá’í soloist Beverly Abercrombie, who offered a moving rendition of "Amazing Grace," and lively performances by eight other groups.

The Wilson High School auditorium in Florence was the site of Saturday evening's Peace Concert featuring a typically energetic performance by the Peace Orchestra. The program included blues, swing and contemporary numbers in the best big-band style.

Among the selections were several original compositions on Bahá’í themes including "Promise of World Peace" by Larry Dwyer, and "Enoch Olinga" and "Thank You Mr. Sears," by Roger Hogan. Mr. Hogan also contributed "LGI," a tune in honor of the Bahá’í Institute, and "A Blues for Dizzy," saluting the world-renowned Bahá’í musician Dizzy Gillespie.

This year's vocalist was Suzanne Swan, a Bahá’í from Griffin, Georgia. She and her husband, Kingsley, make up the popular duo "Swan." Mr. Swan was present as well, serving as guitarist for the Peace Orchestra.

The American Bahá’í is published 19 times a year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Second class postage paid at Evanston, IL, and additional mailing offices. ISSN Number: 1062-1113. Executive editor: Jack Bowers. Associate Editor: Ken Bowers. Art director: Scot Corrie. The American Bahá’í welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Bahá’í Faith. Articles should be clear and concise; color or black-and-white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials and correspondence to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to Management Information Systems, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Copyright © 1992 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

Mrs. Smith was honored during the Peace Concert with the 1992 Ambassador Award. Dr. Anne Breneman, a Bahá’í from Florence, presented the plaque inscribed with the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: "Service to the friends is service to the Kingdom of God, and consideration shown to the poor is one of the greatest teachings of God."

Dr. Breneman recounted some of Mrs. Smith's many accomplishments, beginning with her completion of nursing school in spite of severely limited means, and culminating with the honorary doctorate awarded her by Morris College in 1979. She also served as South Carolina's representative to the National Council on Aging.

Mrs. Smith responded that "It means so much to love people, because love begets love.

"This is the beginning of the celebration of my 90th birthday," she said. "God has been good to me....I try so hard to be used for the glory of God each day I live. I shall cherish this evening and everything you are doing here this evening....I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you.

Another highlight of the Peace Concert was a talk by Mr. White, who recalled the origins of Peace Fest, which was inspired by the Bahá’í International Peace Conference held in San Francisco in 1986. Mr. White also read a proclamation from Governor Carroll Campbell declaring the week "Peace Week 92" in South Carolina. The concert was followed by a public reception at the Bahá’í Center in Florence.

THE final event of Peace Fest ’92 was Sunday morning's interfaith "Unity for the World" worship service, held at the Gregory Institute. The service, which also was broadcast live on WLGI Radio Bahá’í, included Bahá’í prayers and readings in several languages. Also on the program were musical selections by various performers including the Show Stoppers, a local barbershop quartet.

The guest speaker for the service was Alonzo Nesmith Jr., from Adam's Run, South Carolina. Mr. Nesmith, a hospital administrator, is a former member of the Bahá’í National Committee on Women.

HE BEGAN his talk by stating that Bahá’u’lláh had come to the world to fulfill Christ's promise of the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. This will be accomplished, he said, through the implementation of such of His teachings as the elimination of racial prejudice.

"Racism and peace cannot co-exist," he said. "What is important now is that all of us take a stand and fight against racism wherever we find it. We must live the life and do the right thing.

"This underscores the value of such events as Peace Fest," he added. "As an activitiy that actively promotes the oneness of humanity it has become a festival for the world community, a festival of hope, and a festival of life."

Peace Orchestra trumpeter Gray Bishop harmonizes with a young clarinetist during a special Peace Fest clinic at a local school.

1992 Peace Orchestra personnel

Saxophones: Benny Bailey, Jay Corre, Ernest Hensley, Roger Hogan, Marvin "Doc" Holladay. Trumpets: Gray Bishop, Gregg Ives, Warren Kime, Roger Lewis. Trombones: Chris Connelly, Kevin Esposito, Ed Kraft, Charlie Lee. Piano: Chris Keller. Drums: Ron Free. Bass: Frank Esposito. Guitar: Kingsley Swan. Vocals: Suzanne Swan. [Page 3]

Bahá’u’lláh’s exiles fulfilled prophecies of past Revelations

BY KEN BOWERS

In the years 1853-68 Bahá’u’lláh suffered several successive exiles, beginning with His banishment from Iran and culminating in His arrival in the Holy Land.

These exiles, undertaken in four stages, alternated with periods of residence in Baghdad, Constantinople, Adrianople and, finally, the fortress city of ‘Akká, where, in the city and its environs, He would spend the last third of His life and more than half of His Ministry.

Bahá’u’lláh’s journey from His homeland to the scene of His greatest triumphs, as well as His most dire tribulations, offers many lessons for humanity. One of the most important is that His banishment fulfilled the prophecies of past Revelations.

It was clearly established in ancient Scriptures that the Holy Land would witness the appearance of the One known by such titles as the "King of Glory," the "Lord of Hosts," and the "Prince of Peace." Some prophecies, especially from the Old Testament, make specific references to events and locations associated with the life of the Promised One. The prophet Hoseah had this to say about the future of the Children of Israel:

"And I will give her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor [modern ‘Akká] for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt....

"And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.

"I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord."

Micah prophesied the travels of the Lord with remarkable accuracy:

"In that day he shall come to thee from Assyria, and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain....

"FEED thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old."

In other places, such as the following psalm, it is stated that the Holy Land will be the place from which God will accomplish the unification of mankind:

"Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!...As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."

Such passages in the Scriptures of past Revelations are innumerable. Their fulfillment in the life of the Blessed Beauty is a joyous sign that God’s ancient Covenant with humanity has been fully redeemed.

These prophecies also demonstrate that the Blessed Beauty wielded a power different from, and far greater than, any earthly sovereignty.

It is ironic that in the eyes of most of His contemporaries He was devoid of any power whatsoever. The rulers of the earth, as well as their subjects, saw in Him a mere Prisoner unable to control His own destiny, let alone the destiny of mankind. Little did they realize that those who were responsible for His banishment, far from frustrating God’s Will, were in fact the unwitting instruments whereby His purpose was realized.

Bahá’u’lláh compared His Station to that of the rulers of the world in these terms:

"Ye are but vassals, O kings of the earth! He Who is the King of Kings hath appeared, arrayed in His most wondrous glory, and is summoning you Himself, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting....Arise, and serve Him Who is the Desire of all nations, Who hath created you through a word from Him, and ordained you to be, for all time, the emblems of His sovereignty."

The Blessed Beauty often said that in the Word of God infinite meanings can be found. The writings of the Faith indicate that in the lives of the Prophets there are also many significances. For example, in God Passes By, Shoghi Effendi draws a parallel between Bahá’u’lláh’s exile and similar events associated with previous Manifestations:

"This enforced and hurried departure of Bahá’u’lláh from His native land, accompanied by some of His relatives, recalls in some of its aspects, the precipitate flight of the Holy Family into Egypt; the sudden migration of Muhammad, soon after His assumption of the prophetic office, from Mecca to Medina; the exodus of Moses, His brother and His followers from the land of their birth, in response to the Divine summons; and above all the banishment of Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees to the Promised Land—a banishment which, in the multitudinous benefits it conferred upon so many divers peoples, faiths and nations, constitutes the nearest historical approach to the incalculable blessings destined to be vouchsafed, in this day, and in future ages, to the whole human race, in direct consequence of the exile suffered by Him Whose Cause is the flower and fruit of all previous Revelations."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Some Answered Questions, explored in more detail the exile of Abraham and its consequences:

"...He [Abraham] was born in Mesopotamia, and of a family who were ignorant of the Oneness of God. He opposed His own nation and people, and even His own family, by rejecting all their gods. Alone and without help He resisted a powerful tribe, a task which is neither simple nor easy....

"THESE PEOPLE believed not in one God but in many gods, to whom they ascribed miracles; therefore, they all arose against Him, and no one supported Him except Lot, His brother's son, and one or two other people of no importance. At last, reduced to the utmost distress by the opposition of His enemies, He was obliged to leave His native land. In reality they banished Him in order that He might be crushed and destroyed, and that no trace of Him might be left.

"Abraham then came into the region of the Holy Land. His enemies considered that His exile would lead to His destruction and ruin, as it seemed impossible that a man banished from His native land, deprived of His rights and oppressed on all sides—even though He were a king—could escape extermination.

"But Abraham stood fast and showed forth extraordinary firmness—and God made this exile to be His eternal honor until He established the unity of God in the midst of a polytheistic generation. This exile became the cause of the progress of the descendants of Abraham, and the Holy Land was given to them. As a result the teachings of Abraham were spread abroad, a Jacob appeared among His posterity, and a Joseph who became ruler in Egypt.

"IN CONSEQUENCE of His exile a Moses and a being like Christ were manifested from His posterity, and Hagar was found from whom Ishmael was born, one of whose descendants was Muhammad. In consequence of His exile the Báb appeared from His posterity, and the Prophets of Israel were numbered among the descendants of Abraham. And so it will continue for ever and ever.

"Finally, in consequence of His exile the whole of Europe and most of Asia came under the protecting shadow of the God of Israel. See what a power it is for a Man Who was a fugitive from His country to found such a family, to establish such a Faith, and to promulgate such teachings...."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá then concluded with this significant statement:

"Since the exile of Abraham from Ur to Aleppo in Syria produced this result, we must consider what will be the effect of the exile of Bahá’u’lláh in His several removes from Tehran to Baghdad, from thence to Constantinople, to Rumelia and to the Holy Land."

The very fact of Bahá’u’lláh’s traveling must have been highly portentous in and of itself, for on another occasion ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stated that "The movement...from place to place, when undertaken for the sake of God, hath always exerted, and can now exert, its influence in the world...." (The Advent of Divine Justice, p.70)

Bahá’u’lláh Himself clearly foresaw the consequences of His exile in the Lawh-i-Sayyáh, a Tablet revealed during the first years of His residence in Adrianople. In it He predicts His journey to ‘Akká, alluded to as the "Vale of Nabil" (the words Nabil and ‘Akká having the same numerical values). "Upon Our arrival," the Tablet predicted, "We were welcomed with banners of light, whereupon the Voice of the Spirit cried out saying: 'Soon will all that dwell on earth be enlisted under these banners.'" [Page 4]

Bahá’í youth called to serve Cause during Holy Year

The spirit of the Holy Year has already moved an increasing number of youth to offer their lives in service to Bahá’u’lláh. In 1984 the Universal House of Justice called upon the youth of the world to "give attention to the idea of volunteering a set period, say, one or two years, to some Bahá’í service, on the homefront or abroad, in the teaching or development field."

This need is as vital now as it was then. In response to this call, American Bahá’í youth have journeyed to every continent to emblazon the name of Bahá’u’lláh and serve His beloved Cause.

At the World Congress, representatives of Bahá’í national communities from around the globe will share tantalizing opportunities for service in their countries. Whether you can't wait and are getting ready to go before the World Congress, or will leave afterward, a few easy steps will set you in motion.

First, for U.S. believers, no matter when you plan to give your year(s) of service, call or write the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Tel: 708-869-9039, Fax: 708-869-0247 so we can send you information and an application.

Second, begin consulting with your parents and your local Spiritual Assembly about your response to the call of the Universal House of Justice.

Third, begin focusing your creative energy on how you can raise your own funds for this unique service.

TRAVELING TEACHING CALENDAR

UGANDA: Bahá’í International Youth Conference, December 25-27.

NEW ZEALAND: Hui (gathering) of Indigenous Women of the World, February 3-8 1993, Christchurch. Forum on "The Equality of Men and Women," followed by two days of activities around the topic, February 13-15, Wellington. Hui celebrating the inauguration of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, February 24-28, Turanqawaewae Marae (central North Island).

Call or write for complete information: Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039; fax 708-869-0247, Attn: Office of Pioneering).

AFRICA (F) Burundi. (E) Ciskei.

TRAININGS: FROM WORLD CONGRESS THROUGH SUMMER 1993

The schedule of upcoming BYSC training institutes is as follows:

JANUARY 5-10 at Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, CA. All youth who live on the west coast and in the western states, please note: THIS IS THE ONLY TRAINING THAT WILL BE HELD IN YOUR REGION THIS HOLY YEAR AND UNTIL JANUARY 1994. MARCH at Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, ME. MAY at the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL. JUNE at Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, MI. AUGUST 31-LABOR DAY WEEKEND at Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, SC.

"So imbued are we by the sacred remembrances evoked by this Holy Year, that we can do no less than invite you all to take pause to enter into this period of reflection, this time of reconsecration, this stage of preparation for tasks yet to be done, heights yet to be attained, splendors yet to be unveiled." (The Universal House of Justice, Ridván 1992)

Watch The American Bahá’í for exact dates. Remember, you must take part in a training institute before you leave for your post! Make your plans to attend. Write to the Office of Pioneering at the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 or phone 708-869-9039.

SHORT-TERM PIONEER GOALS

AFRICA Goals (months): 144 Completed: 106

Ciskei: 24 (Goals) / 7 (Months Completed) Guinea-Bissau: 12 / 4 Liberia: 12 / 0 Nigeria: 12 / 17 Tanzania: 36 / 24 Uganda: 24 / 0 Zambia: 24 / 54

AMERICAS Goals: 396 Completed: 398

Argentina: 24 / 0 Bahamas: 12 / 20 Barbados: 12 / 10 Brazil: 24 / 21 British V.I.: 12 / 14 Colombia: 24 / 4 Dominica: 12 / 0 Ecuador: 12 / 18 Guyana: 24 / 46 Honduras: 24 / 27 Jamaica: 24 / 30 Leeward Islands: 12 / 51 Martinique: 12 / 0 Mexico: 36 / 82 Nicaragua: 24 / 2 Panama: 36 / 28 Paraguay: 24 / 0 Puerto Rico: 12 / 3 Uruguay: 24 / 20 Venezuela: 12 / 22

ASIA Goals: 96 Completed: 40

India: 24 / 2 Japan: 24 / 23 Pakistan: 12 / 0 Taiwan: 36 / 17

AUSTRALASIA Goals: 48 Completed: 20

Mariana Islands: 24 / 0 Marshall Islands: 12 / 6 W. Caroline Islands: 12 / 14

EUROPE Portugal: 24 / 4

6 YEAR PLAN U.S. PIONEERING GOALS

AFRICA (Goals Assigned / Goals Open) (E) The Gambia (Preferably Persians): 2 / 0 (E) Kenya (Preferably Outside Nairobi): 3 / 0 (E) Nigeria: 2 / 0 (E) Sierra Leone: 1 / 0 (E) South Africa: 0 / 0 (E) St. Helena: 1 / 0 (E) Namibia: 1 / 0 (E) Transkei: 2 / 0 (E) Uganda (One to teach the Faith in the university; one doctor): 2 / 0 (E) Venda: 2 / 0 Total for Africa: 32 / 2

AMERICAS (Goals Assigned / Goals Open) (E) Bahamas (North Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, Long Island): 3 / 0 (E) Barbados (Employment opportunities for a dentist): 1 / 0 (E) Belize (For radio, consolidation, development projects; skills for the National Secretariat): 1 / 0 (P) Brazil (Preferably for Amazon project, possibly of Persian background): 2 / 0 (S) Chile (Juan Fernandez Islands, preferably a Spanish-speaking couple): 2 / 2 (E) Dominica: 2 / 1 (F) French Guiana (Preferably Persian): 3 / 1 (E) Grenada: 1 / 0 (F) Guadeloupe (Opportunities for English teachers): 2 / 2 (E) Guyana (Preferably East Indians and Blacks): 2 / 0 (S) Honduras (Bay Islands, Yoro, Colon; preferably self-supporting): 2 / 1 (E) Jamaica (Preferably self-supporting for rural areas to work in village development): 4 / 2 (F) Martinique (French-speaking youth to enroll in university or with musical talent): 2 / 2 (S) Nicaragua (Preferably Persian): 2 / 2 (E) St. Lucia (Skills in community consolidation): 4 / 0 (E) St. Vincent & Grenadines: 2 / 0 (D) Suriname (Preferably Persian): 2 / 1 (E) Trinidad & Tobago (Preferably Persian): 2 / 0 (S) Uruguay: 2 / 1 (S) Venezuela: 2 / 0 (E) Virgin Islands, British: 2 / 0 Total for Americas: 45 / 9

ASIA (Goals Assigned / Goals Open) (E) India: 2 / 0 (E) Malaysia (To help develop public relations experts): 1 / 0 (E) Nepal: 2 / 0 (M) Taiwan (Chinese Background): 1 / 0 Total for Asia: 6 / 0

AUSTRALASIA (Goals Assigned / Goals Open) (E) Marshall Islands (To help with administration): 1 / 0 Total for Australasia: 1 / 0

EUROPE (Goals Assigned / Goals Open) (P) Portugal (Couples for goal areas outside greater Lisbon, preferably Portuguese or Spanish-speaking): 2 / 1 Total for Europe: 2 / 1

Total goals assigned: 100 Total goals filled: 22 Pioneers to goal countries: 77 Pioneers to non-goals: 66 Pioneers filling goals for other countries: 18 Total Pioneers sent: 777

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

ONGOING TRAVELING TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES

AUSTRALIA; ALBANIA; BAHAMAS; BANGLADESH; BELIZE; BULGARIA; BURKINA FASO; CAMBODIA; CHINA; CISKEI; COLOMBIA; COOK ISLANDS; COSTA RICA; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC; EAST GERMANY; EQUATORIAL GUINEA; FIJI; FRENCH POLYNESIA; GAMBIA; GERMANY; GUATEMALA; GUADELOUPE; GUINEA BISSAU; GUYANA; HAITI; HONG KONG; HUNGARY; ICELAND; INDIA; IRELAND; ITALY; MALAYSIA; MALTA; MOZAMBIQUE; NEPAL; NEW CALEDONIA; PAKISTAN; PANAMA; PHILIPPINES; PORTUGAL; PUERTO RICO; ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES; SAMOA; SIBERIA; SIERRA LEONE; SWEDEN; TAIWAN; THAILAND; TONGA; TRANSKEI; TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO; TUVALU; UGANDA; UNITED KINGDOM; VANUATU; WEST LEEWARD ISLANDS; YUGOSLAVIA; ZAMBIA. [Page 5]

Constantinople, Gettysburg, and the unfinished work of oneness

In November 1863, Bahá’u’lláh was preparing His family to leave Constantinople and begin the cruel winter journey to Adrianople. There He would become the first Manifestation of God actually to set foot on the continent of Europe, and to proclaim His Message of the unity of mankind to the rulers of His time.

FROM THE MIDST of His seeming abasement, Nabil records Bahá’u’lláh’s affirmation to the ministers of the Sultan: "His Cause transcends any and every plan you devise....His Cause will rather encompass all the kings of the earth, nay all that hath been created from water and clay...."

Meanwhile, on November 19, 1863, at the Soldiers Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Abraham Lincoln declared that the American nation had been "conceived in Liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." The purpose of the Civil War, he said, was for "testing whether that nation,...so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure."

President Lincoln called on the 20,000 or so in attendance, and through them his fellow citizens, "to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced...that we here highly resolve that...this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."

Within the limits of his time and understanding, Lincoln grasped an essential truth: that the destiny of the United States was bound up with the realization of oneness. The process begun by Bahá’u’lláh had already, one might conclude, started visibly to encompass the thinking of the leader of "the great Republic of the West."

Indeed, one recent writer has asserted that Lincoln, virtually alone among his peers, bore the unshakable conviction that the Constitution of the United States was essentially an imperfect political agreement. The more important principle, for Lincoln, was asserted by the people of the new nation in their Declaration of Independence: the proposition that "all men are created equal."

Thus Lincoln saw himself obliged to lead the country into a war to defend that principle, and set in motion a process eulogized by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in these words: "The first proclamation of emancipation for the blacks was made by the whites of America. How they fought and sacrificed until they freed the blacks! Then it spread to other places. The blacks of Africa were in complete bondage, but your emancipation led to their freedom also-that is, the European states emulated the Americans, and the emancipation proclamation became universal. ...Were it not for this effort, universal emancipation would not have been proclaimed." (The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 45)

At a later date, the beloved Guardian would write, "Could anything less than the fire of a civil war with all its violence and vicissitudes-a war that nearly rent the great American Republic-have welded the states, not only into a Union of independent units, but into a Nation, in spite of all the ethnic differences that characterized its component parts?" (The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 45)

IT IS NO accident that the issue of race unity was described by Shoghi Effendi as "the most vital and challenging issue confronting the Bahá’í community" and the nation to which it belongs. Instead, it has been a part of our heritage from the earliest days of the new Revelation and creates for us a role which exerts a profound influence on the world as a whole. We are called upon to exert leadership in this arena, so that we will help our nation cleanse itself of the "stain which this patent evil has left" on its "fair name."

How may we show this leadership? One important way is through the actions, policies and programs of strong local and national institutions.

The strength of our divinely ordained administrative bodies, in turn, rests upon the support-spiritual, practical and material of every believer. To pursue an active campaign to promote race unity is a costly endeavor.

For its part, and on behalf of the community, the National Spiritual Assembly already has invested several thousands of dollars in materials, public events, and consultations aimed at creating methods and agencies that will assist in the application of these principles at new levels within our society.

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly’s open letter to President Bush is one visible example of the kind of outlays implicit in the exercise of the kind of national leadership increasingly demanded of our Assembly. The passage of time will bring many such opportunities to the fore both locally and nationally.

The need to seize the initiative in this, as in so many fields, amply illustrates the need to maintain an uninterrupted flow of resources to the Fund. This is the material expression of our united commitment to finish the vital work of oneness.

THE BAHÁ’Í FUNDS

"Our contributions to the Faith are the surest way of lifting once and for all time the burden of hunger and misery from mankind...."

AUTOMATIC CONTRIBUTION ENROLLMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS

Yes, I/we would like to enroll in the Automic Contribution System (ACS). I have enclosed a voided check from my bank account.

I, ______________ authorize the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States to charge my checking account the amount of $__________ each Gregorian month (12 times yearly) to be distributed as follows:

Bahá’í National Fund $__________ Bahá’í International Fund $__________ Continental Bahá’í Fund $__________ Other (please describe) $__________

Total $__________

Bahá’í I.D. # __________ Signed ____________________ Phone (H) __________ (W) __________

NOTE: If this is a family contribution, please include the names and Bahá’í I.D. numbers of all participants. Thank you.

I/we give discretion over those portions of contribution(s) given to Funds other than the National Fund to the National Spiritual Assembly; such gifts will become part of the budget of the National Assembly.

No, I/we have decided not to enroll in the ACS at this time.

Name ____________________ Bahá’í I.D. # __________

Thank you for your time and consideration. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE TREASURER

Progress Update: Contributions and Local Spiritual Assembly Contribution Goals

• • Contributions**

(Aug-91 / Aug-92 / % Change) Bahá’í National Fund: $3,087,323 / $3,608,197 / 14% Bahá’í International Fund: $426,528 / $152,600 / -180% Arc Projects Fund: $281,465 / $274,320 / -3% Continental Bahá’í Fund: $62,625 / $83,564 / 25% Total: $3,857,941 / $4,118,681 / 6%

• • Local Assembly Goals**

Status at September 7, 1992 Aggregate Goal Amount: $8,961,682 Aggregate Contributions: $1,316,499 Percent of Year Elapsed: 35% Average Percent Goal Met: 15% Number of LSAs Contributing: 1,008

High level of spirit, energy marks annual Green Lake (Wisconsin) Conference

A highly successful Green Lake (Wisconsin) Bahá’í Conference, held September 18-20, was enjoyed by more than 1,000 participants.

The conference, which was marked by a high level of spirit and focused energy, was dedicated to a deeper study and appreciation of the Holy Year, with the theme "Know Thou the Value of These Days."

The gathering was blessed by extraordinary plenary addresses focusing on such topics as the Hands of the Cause of God, the Advent of this Most Great Revelation, the Most Holy Book-the Kitáb-i-Aqdas-the Bahá’í World Congress, and the Covenant.

Special guests giving presentations included Auxiliary Board member Javidukht Khadem, wife of the Hand of the Cause Zikrullah Khadem who so often lent his support to the Green Lake Conference; Auxiliary Board members Robert Malouf and Kevin Locke, Dr. Jena Khodadad, Robert Harris, Ernestine Berkey, and Dr. Soheil Bushrui.

Some highlights of the conference include Dr. Bushrui’s comments in preparation for the annotated English publication of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas later this year. He reminded the participants that all of the talks given at conferences are simply personal opinions, and stated, "If you want the truth, you must go to Bahá’u’lláh’s Writings."

The conference closed with moving remarks from Robert Malouf, who gave a spontaneous and heart-rending tribute to Bahá’u’lláh. He recalled the depths of the sufferings of Bahá’u’lláh and charged his audience with the mission of ever striving to attain a deeper appreciation of "the most precious Being ever to have drawn breath on this planet."

The spirit of the conference was enhanced throughout by extraordinary audio-visual presentations. Fred Badiyan and David Schlesinger contributed visual images of the glory of the Holy Year, the commemoration of the centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh held in the Holy Land, and recent interviews with the Hands of the Cause of God.

There were several declarations of faith during the course of the weekend.

‘Social’ nets $175 for Arc

About $175 was raised for the Arc Fund at an old-fashioned ice cream social held August 15 and sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Elkhart, Indiana.

Besides such delicious ice cream flavors as Strawberry Sacrifice, Persian Peach and Verily Vanilla, those at the social enjoyed a performance by the Bahá’í Youth Workshop of Michiana. [Page 6]

KITAB-I-AQDAS

The Universal House of Justice has informed us that the Kitab-i-Aqdas is currently in production. We expect to receive our shipment by February 1993. We are unable to take backorders at this time, but we will keep you informed as additional information becomes available.

NEW VIDEOS

An Introduction to Bahá’u’lláh by Douglas Martin VT $14.95

Originally prepared for TV broadcast in Canada, Mr. Douglas Martin, Director of the Office of Public Information at the Bahá’í World Centre, talks about Bahá’u’lláh. His engaging comments are based on the recent publication written by the Office of Public Information at the request of the Universal House of Justice. This program is not only an excellent program for Bahá’ís who are studying the statement on Bahá’u’lláh, but also provides a fine introduction to Bahá’u’lláh for those encountering the Faith for the first time. Ideal for use at firesides, Bahá’í-club meetings, and classes on comparative religion. 27 minutes Vision TV / Visual Services Office

The Bahá’í Newsreel, Volume 3, Number 2 by Bahá’í Media Services VT $15.95

SPECIAL HOLY YEAR EDITION! Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh-expanded coverage of the commemoration services in the Holy Land and around the world. Twelve new National Spiritual Assemblies formed at Ridván. Brazilian Federal Chamber of deputies holds solemn plenary session to pay homage to Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’í International Community addresses world leaders at UNCED "Earth Summit" in Rio de Janiero, BIC activities at the related "Global Forum" conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Rio: Symposium on moral leadership, contribution of Bahá’í children and youth, "Global 500" award for Bahá’í Institute in India, Peace Monument enduring Bahá’í legacy. Commemorative postal stamps in Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago. The Prime Minister of Guyana responds to Bahá’í development activities. Bahá’í leadership on race issues in the wake of the Los Angeles riots in America. Tribal chiefs embrace the Faith as the "Ocean of Light" spreads to Vanatu. 48 minutes

THE 1993 MULTIFAITH

Multifaith Calendar 1993 CA $8.50

A beautifully produced calendar which details the holidays and holy days of the world's great religions. Brief explanations are included for the holy days of the following religions: Aboriginal Peoples, Bahá’í Faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, Unitarianism, and Zoroastrianism. A table containing a summary of the world's religious festivals is printed at the back. Each month features an attractive full-color reproduction of original artwork, printed on high-quality glossy stock. This calendar will be a favorite for Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís as well! 10-1/2" x 13-7/16" Canadian Ecumenical Action

TEACHING MATERIALS

Teacher Training Manual by the Ruhi Institute SC $11.95 CS $5.00

Teacher Training Manual For Children's Classes Age 6 Ruhi Institute

The courses of the Ruhi Institute are designed around paths of service. This book contains six courses designed to prepare youth or adults to teach children's classes. It is an English language version of the teacher training classes for children used in South America, India, and other countries throughout the world. The manual contains six courses in a workbook format. Three courses focus on the spiritual preparation of the teacher: prayer, understanding the Bahá’í writings, and life after death. The other three courses center on the education of children, addressing concepts of Bahá’í education, a set of fifteen lessons, and practical skills for children's teachers.

A cassette containing 15 children's songs for use with the lessons is also available separately. 8-1/2" x 11", 212pp., prologue, references Palabra Publications

The Bahá’í Faith by Patrick Vickers HC $11.50

This book looks at the Bahá’í Faith, the youngest of the world religions, from the viewpoint of two Bahá’í children. The clear, easy-to-read text covers family and community life, holy days, basic beliefs, and Bahá’í history. Combined with original full-color photographs and illustrations, it conveys in a straight-forward way what it means to be a young Bahá’í. This book will be particularly welcomed by teachers working in a multi-faith context because of its stress on shared spiritual values and respect for all the world's great religious traditions. 6-1/2" x 9-1/8", 64pp., contents, index Oneworld Publications

Exploring a Framework for Moral Education by Lori McLaughlin Nogouchi, Holly Hanson, and Paul Lample SC $3.00

A well-written and thoughtful essay outlining a model for moral education. By exploring the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the authors define moral purpose as an evolving organizing principle. They brilliantly define this principle without adopting a moralizing tone. The essay is divided into 5 main sections. the first section "briefly analyzes the changes now being experienced by societies throughout the world, which form the context within which new codes of morality and new processes of moral education will be developed. Subsequent sections investigate the task of moral education in relation to different aspects of individual development and explore some of the characteristics that one must possess in order to contribute to social progress and effect personal transformation." 6" x 9", 27pp., contents, foreward, preface, notes Palabra publications

Journal of Bahá’í Studies Vol. 4, No. 2 SC $6.00

This issue features a comprehensive article on the role of women in art. Anne Atkinson delves into the Bahá’í writings to support the belief that in a Bahá’í society women's creativity, fully developed and recognized, will be a powerful force for the advancement of humanity. ** Phyllis Chew, a language teacher in Singapore, draws partially on her own background in her detailed comparison of traditional Taoist beliefs in relation to the Faith and other religions. ** Another educator, Maija Pihlainen, describes a participatory approach to learning at the Macau-based School of Nations that she characterizes as "a potential instructional model within which Bahá’í principles and ideas, with their emphasis on moral education, participation, cooperation, and consultation could be effectively implemented." The issue also contains five reviews of book relevant to the Bahá’í Faith. 6"x9", 92pp., contents, biographical notes Association for Bahá’í Studies

Journal of Bahá’í Studies Vol. 4, No. 1 SC $6.00

• • Baharieh Ma’ani's detailed historical examination of the role North American women played in education and women's’ movements in Iran includes brief biographies of such luminaries as Dr. Susan Moody and Keith Ransom-Kehler, ** Bret Brenneman takes a close look at Socrates’ use of rhetoric in his dialogues, and concludes that, at its best, Socrates’ "pedagogical" rhetoric "demonstrates the nurturing nature of refined speech." Michael Sours probes into the relationship and meaning of some of the central figures in Christianity and the Bahá’í Faith, with emphasis on Sophia, the Greek personification of wisdom, and The Maid of Heaven. ** Ross Woodman offers and unfettered interpretation of the work of the famous modern artists in a Bahá’í context.

6"x9", 95pp., contents, biographical notes Association for Bahá’í Studies [Page 7]

FORTHCOMING

Call to Remembrance

compiled by Geoffry W. Marks

We are pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of a special edition being prepared for the Bahá’í World Congress. Call to Remembrance is a devotional book containing accounts, prayers, and meditations from Bahá’u’lláh’s own writings about the major events of His Life and Ministry, presented in chronological order. The purpose of the book is to imbue the reader with a deeper love for Bahá’u’lláh and His writings and to enable the individual believer to acquire a deeper understanding of Bahá’u’lláh’s Station, of the divine character of His life, of the nature and reason for His sufferings, and of how He responded to tests and tribulations. This item will be available from the Distribution Service immediately after the Bahá’í World Congress. No backorders can be taken at this time; we do not have final prices.

6" x 9", 308pp., contents, preface, glossary, chronology Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Naw-Rúz: New Day

A Compilation HC $14.95

Read this exciting new compilation on Naw-Rúz, long-celebrated in Iran as the ancient New Year—now a world holiday of the Bahá’í Faith. Contains prayers and sacred writings for the occasion, historic Bábí and Bahá’í celebrations, significance of the Bahá’í calendar, and some Persian customs associated with Naw-Rúz, including recipes for delicious Persian food!

5-1/4" x 7-1/4", 92pp., table of contents, preface, sources, Kalimát Press

Forever in Bloom

by Raghu Rai and Roger White HC $75.00

An art photography book, commissioned by The Universal House of Justice, capturing the breath-taking beauty of the India temple in all four seasons. The text is written by well-known Bahá’í author Roger White, and provides interesting insights into the history of the construction period of the India temple and bears eloquent testimony to the spirit and teachings of the Faith in India and throughout the world. A letter written on behalf of The Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, states: As this beautiful edifice has achieved wide international fame, the publication of a tasteful and artistic rendering of it by a master photographer was very timely, indeed. This book, entitled “Forever in Bloom”, will be a beautiful ‎edition addition‎ to any Bahá’í library, and a highly suitable gift for dignitaries and non-Bahá’í contacts on special occasions.

9" x 13", 127 pages, 102 photographs Time Books International

Bahá’í Families

Perspectives, Principles, Practice by Patricia Wilcox SC $10.95

When two people marry they set about creating a family unit. Each one has an idea of what a family should be. Where do these ideas come from?

Bahá’ís derive their understanding of marriage from the Bahá’í writings, a priceless storehouse of divine guidance.

In Bahá’í Families: Perspectives, Principles, Practice Patricia Wilcox—teacher, family counsellor, and mother of five—draws on the teaching of the Bahá’í Faith to provide an insight into the development of happy, strong, and united families. In particular, she looks at marriage as a “fortress for well-being,” unity and diversity within the family, the equality of women and men, and family in transition. She also examines the education of children and consultation as a tool for progress.

5-1/4" x 8-1/2", 166pp., contents, ‎foreward foreword‎, references, bibliography George Ronald, Publisher

The Eternal Voice

by Cordelia Norder SC $4.95

An easy-to-read, informative, introduction to the world’s great religions designed to stress the fundamental unity of each religion and its position in contemporary society. Now in its sixth printing, the Bahá’í Distribution Service is pleased to offer this edition for distribution. The author briefly describes the major ‎tenants tenets‎ of Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, the Great Spirit of the American Indian, and the Bahá’í Faith. By comparing these religions and focusing on their common message, the author succeeds in illustrating the unifying principle of Bahá’u’lláh. In Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’u’lláh says that the prophets of each of the world’s religions “are all but one person, one soul, one spirit, one being, one revelation.” This book is an excellent teaching tool and great gift.

4-1/4" x 6-3/4", 95pp., preface, contents, bibliography Legacy Press

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Bahá’í Faith in America	9.95	5.00
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Bahá’í Studies 15: Abiding Silence	5.00	3.00
Blessings Beyond Measure	14.50	7.25
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Creating Patterns of Unity, Guide	6.95	3.50
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From Strength to Strength	2.00	1.00
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[Page 8]the National Conference on Peace and Arbitration at Lake Mohonk, New York, as its featured speaker; had completed a three-week tour of Bahá’í communities, including Washington, D.C., where He had spoken at Howard University, among other places; and had presided over the laying of the cornerstone of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. He had also paid brief visits to Boston, Philadelphia, and New Jersey.

Most of the Master's time, however, had been spent in New York City, which was home to one of the largest groups of believers in America. Immediately upon His arrival in the U.S. He had expresssed His admiration of the port city and His hopes for its future spiritual progress. Among the highlights of His days in New York were His trip to the Bowery Mission, His talk on religion and science at Columbia University, His first address on race unity at the Kinney home, and the wonderful occasion of His first visit to the Church of the Ascension, during which He extolled the missions of both Christ and Bahá’u’lláh.

That meeting, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá later said, would be remembered "thousands of years hence."

‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ had showered the Bahá’ís in New York with His love and blessings. And on June 19 He would bestow upon them the greatest gift imaginable, one fraught with awesome potential. On that day He elaborated fully on His station as the Center of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, and designated New York as the "City of the Covenant."

The Master based the divulgence of His station on a Tablet revealed by Bahá’u’lláh while in Adrianople. Entitled the Tablet of the Branch, it had recently been translated into English. In it the Blessed Beauty lauded the station of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (The Branch), referring to Him as "the Trust of God," "this sacred and glorious Being," "this Branch of holiness," "the Limb of the Law of God," "the most great favor," "this sublime, this blessed, this mighty and exalted Handiwork." Bahá’u’lláh also said this about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

"Well is it with him that hath sought His shelter and abideth beneath His shadow. ...They who deprive themselves of the shadow of the Branch, are lost in the wilderness of error,.....and are of those who will assuredly perish."

With His sudden and dramatic declaration, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had revealed Himself to the believers in the full glory of His power. The Master, the Son of Bahá’u’lláh and His chosen Successor, stood before them as "the Most Mighty Branch," as "Him Whom God hath purposed," the Wielder of that "mighty force," that "consummate power" the "unifying influence" of which the Blessed Beauty, in the Book of the Covenant, had commanded His descendants to fix their gaze upon.

MOREOVER, He, the Center of the Covenant, had blessed the city of New York with the title of City of the Covenant.

What a tremendous bounty that was! ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had linked that city with Himself, investing it with immense capacity and ensuring that it would one day manifest to the world that transforming power which is the animating force behind God's Cause.

At another time ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stated that "New York will become a blessed spot from which the call to steadfastness in the Covenant and Testament of God will go forth to every part of the world."

The Bahá’ís of the world, aware as they were of the special place held by New York City in the history of the Faith, were thrilled at the announcement made by the Universal House of Justice in its message of January 2, 1986, that a second Bahá’í World Congress would be held in the City of the Covenant in the Holy Year 1992.

In subsequent statements the Universal House of Justice shed further light on the purpose and significance of the Holy Year. The end of the Six Year Plan, at Ridván 1992, would mark the beginning of a "conscious year-long pause to allow His followers to pay fitting regard to the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh and of the inauguration of His world-unifying Covenant."

On the importance of New York as the site of the World Congress, the House of Justice reminded the friends that it was there that "the beloved Master revealed the implications of His statement as the appointed Center of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh" and which He had called the City of the Covenant.

The Universal House of Justice also recalled the great hopes ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had held for the future of the city.

ACTIVITIES commemorating the Centenary will not be limited to New York, however. Related events, as during the centenary observance of Bahá’u’lláh's Ascension, are planned on the local and national levels "to give vent to the innermost sentiments of the Bahá’ís." As a corollary to these observances a statement on the life and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh was published, to be used for public distribution and as a source of inspiration to the Bahá’ís themselves.

"In these and other ways," wrote the House of Justice, "the community of the Greatest Name will endeavor to blazon the Name of Bahá’u’lláh across the globe, to make it a known eminence in the consciousness of peoples everywhere."

Just as important, then, as the physical gathering of the Bahá’ís in New York will be the spirit behind it, if it is to properly demonstrate to the world the distinctive character of Bahá’u’lláh's Revelation.

ON APRIL 3, 1991, the House of Justice sent a message to all National Spiritual Assemblies in which counsel was offered as to the proper attitude the friends should have as they plan and participate in the celebrations associated with the World Congress:

"Celebration in this connection does not mean merely festive activities. It is primarily a spiritual celebration that is called for: occasions for deep reflection on the historic importance, the uniqueness, the meaning and the efficacy of the Covenant established by Bahá’u’lláh, on the outstanding results of its influence in raising up a worldwide community comprising a great diversity of members, and on the triumph of its virtues as a unifying power.

"At the heart of such reflections will be the contemplation of the peerless purpose, magnetic person, luminous character and exemplary acts of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His station as the Center and living embodiment of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh. Consciousness of the exceptional and glorious stage in humanity's spiritual evolution initiated by the Covenant, the awe such consciousness inspires and the thankful gladness it induces are of the essence of the celebration intended by the World Congress and all other events associated with this centenary.

"A major purpose of these events will therefore be to evoke this solemn consciousness, which is itself the wellspring of the most exquisite celebratory joy. In this spirit the commemorative activities around the world should acclaim and proclaim the Covenant as the pivotal center of unity for all humankind and illustrate its dynamic effect on the struggle, the spread, and the redemptive achievements of the Bahá’í community since the passing of the Blessed Beauty."

THESE achievements are intended to be showcased on several levels. First will be the presence of the believers in their magnificent diversity, representing an extraordinary spectrum of races and nationalities, and demonstrating to the public the world-wide scope of the Faith. Even more remarkable will be the atmosphere of love and reverence among the friends, proving that the Bahá’ís are a community united in spirit and in purpose.

The program of events will draw upon and stimulate the spirituality of the believers. It will, in its mixture of devotions, talks, exhibits, music and dramatic presentations, arouse, says the House of Justice, an "ineffable sense of significance such as to affect both the attitude of the Bahá’ís themselves and the quality of proclamation directed to the public."

Also, the World Congress, as well as the auxiliary activities connected with it, will offer a profound model of Bahá’í administration in action. Planned and executed wholly within a Bahá’í framework, the occasion will be a practical manifestation of the spiritual principle of unity which lies at the heart of Bahá’u’lláh's teachings, and will demonstrate in a unique and unprecedented way that in His Revelation lies the power to translate ideals into reality.

SERVICE AT THE BAHÁ’Í WORLD CONGRESS

The spirit of service is an integral part of the success of any Bahá’í event. The success of the World Congress has been dependent upon the service of thousands of Bahá’ís around the world. Please show your appreciation for their services with warmth, patience and respect.

If you wish to offer your services, you may sign up to serve at a Volunteer Recruitment Desk in the Congress check-in area at each Congress activity hotel and at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.

ORIENTATION SESSIONS

The complexity of scheduling during the World Congress will require that each participant be fully informed to assure cooperation. We have prepared orientation sessions where you will receive information you will need in order not to miss the opportunities that have been provided for you. For example, you will find out what time to be at the main program sessions at the Javits Center, shuttle bus routes, dates, times and locations of the evening auxiliary activities, etc.

It is important to attend the orientation sessions shortly after your arrival in New York City. They will be in the Javits Center and in several of the Congress activity hotels. For time and location, refer to your Congress registration materials that will be provided when you check in to your Congress hotel if you were booked through the World Congress Logistics Office. If you have made other arrangements, materials will be available at the Javits Center.

SAFETY AT THE WORLD CONGRESS

With sensible caution New York can be enjoyed as the highly exciting, varied, multi-cultural collective center that it is. You may want to follow this sound advice:

• Carry few personal items and little money. All valuables, airline tickets, passports and other documents should be kept in your hotel safe.
• Keep to well-lighted places and do not stay in the Javits Center area after the Congress sessions are over.
• Carry purses under your coat with the strap diagonally across your chest.
• Show only small amounts of cash when paying for food, taxis, tickets, etc.
• Carry cameras by a strap placed over your head and shoulder. There will be no photography (flash or non-flash) nor video taping of Congress sessions allowed in the Javits Center or during the "Abdu'l-Baha: Mission to New York" pavilion at the Hilton Hotel.

TICKETED EVENTS

There are three Congress-related activities that will require tickets. A voucher form will be included in each participant's registration packet. Vouchers can be exchanged for tickets. Tickets are assigned so that you have an opportunity to attend the function of your choice. Due to space limitations, it is not possible for all participants to attend all Congress activities. Congress Activity ticket offices are located at the New York Hilton and the Jacob Javits Center.

SHUTTLE BUSES

Your Congress credentials will enable you to ride on the shuttle buses provided for all registered participants. For more information as to the location of shuttle bus stops, please attend the Congress orientation session or refer to your program guide.

COMMEMORATIVE ITEMS

There will be a small selection of commemorative items bearing the World Congress logo for sale in the Javits Center. These include a porcelain mug, a porcelain tray, leather bookmark, posters (one of which is designed for adults to take home to their children), a bronze medallion paper weight, and a tote bag.

The U.S. Post Office has agreed to provide postal service at the Javits Center. They have also agreed to create a special cancellation for the World Congress for use at their mobile unit at Javits. This cancellation will be used in no other location. We are creating post cards and a commemorative cover for sale for Bahá’ís to send to their friends and relatives. They will be sold only during three days of the World Congress, November 23-25. [Page 9]For this reason even the logistical and practical arrangements will contribute their share to the over-all spirit of the Congress. All aspects have been coordinated so as to allow the friends to devote themselves to the event itself, and not be distracted by the many problems normally associated with a stay in New York.

The institutions and individuals involved, in every detail of their preparations both within and without the Bahá’í community have striven, through strict adherence to principle, to display to the world the viability and integrity of Bahá’u’lláh’s Order. This has meant striking a delicate balance between humility and courage, selflessness and candor, patience and efficiency, cooperation and individual initiative; so that all will acknowledge the capacity of the Faith to govern people in a manner which respects the rights and recognizes the worth of both the person and the community.

‘Let all the friends,’ wrote the House of Justice, ‘—every man, woman and youth—demonstrate through the high quality of their inner life and private character, the unified spirit of their association one with another, the rectitude of their conduct in relation to all, and the excellence of their achievements, that they belong to a truly enlightened and exemplary community; that their Best Beloved, whose Ascension they will commemorate, had not suffered His life on earth in vain.’

THOSE WHO plan to attend the World Congress or one of the auxiliary celebrations need to do their part by supporting wholeheartedly the efforts of the institutions and their appointed representatives. They must arrive in New York aware that they will not be attending an ordinary conference, at which they can simply absorb the spirit of the proceedings and leave. They should be prepared to give to the Congress by manifesting in practical ways their belief in the power of united action.

The first Bahá’í World Congress, held in London in 1963, marked at once the end of the Ten Year Crusade and the centenary of the Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh. That “Most Great Jubilee” also witnessed the formation of the Universal House of Justice, the supreme administrative institution of the Bahá’í world. ‎to it it To it, it‎ will proclaim to all humanity that a new world religion has been firmly established—a movement that stands alone in its capacity to address the needs of the present age.

WE CANNOT afford to underestimate the importance of this stage in history. We stand at the juncture of the age of prophecy and the age of fulfillment, and are moving closer to that time which will witness the “coming of age of the entire human race.” The Holy Year will mark a milestone, and perhaps a turning point, in the process of world transformation initiated by Bahá’u’lláh, and which will be sustained to its full fruition through the power of His holy Covenant.

The rest of humanity is struggling for unity, yet its plight is becoming more and more desperate. At the World Congress the Bahá’ís have a unique chance to offer “a signal of hope to those who despair.”

Coming on the heels of extraordinary victories in teaching and development, the first World Congress established in the eyes of the believers themselves that they were a truly global community. In a similar manner, the second Bahá’í World Congress and the activities ‎related event related to the event‎, let us look forward to the fulfillment, at least in part, of the soul-stirring words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

“Deliver my greeting and praise and my abundant longings to my beloved ones in that city (New York) which hath become the City of the Covenant, and the town of the love of God. The signs thereof will surely appear as the sun at midday.”

‘O army of God! Through the protection and help vouchsafed by the Blessed Beauty...ye must conduct yourselves in such manner that ye may stand out distinguished and brilliant as the sun among other souls. Should any one of you enter a city, he should become a center of attraction by reason of his sincerity, his faithfulness and love, his honesty and fidelity, his truthfulness and loving-kindness toward all the peoples of the world, so that the people of that city may cry out and say: “This man is unquestionably a Bahá’í, for his manners, his behavior, his conduct, his morals, his nature, and disposition reflect the attributes of the Bahá’ís.” Not until ye attain this station can ye be said to have been faithful to the Covenant and Testament of God. For He hath, through irrefutable Texts, entered into a binding Covenant with us all, requiring us to act in accordance with His sacred instructions and counsels.’ —Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 71

Guidelines on dealing with news reporters at second World Congress

The Office of Public Information would like to remind Bahá’ís who attend the Bahá’í World Congress that journalists and reporters from around the ‎wor', world‎ are expected to be present at the Congress and at many of the ancillary events.

The World Congress Media Task Force is coordinating relations with the media for the World Congress. The Task Force will issue news releases and will coordinate interviews with journalists and reporters. News media centers will be established in the Jacob Javits Center and in the Hilton Hotel.

Should you be approached by a reporter during the week of the World Congress and ask for information about the Bahá’í Faith or about the Congress, please direct the reporter to one of the media centers. Directions to the media centers will be available at information booths in the Javits Convention Center and in the lobby on the second floor of the Hilton Hotel.

Bahá’ís are free to respond to reporters’ questions about what the World Congress means to them or about the experience of being at the Congress. However, the Media Task Force asks that questions about the nature and purpose of the World Congress, the nature and teachings of the Faith, and about the worldwide Bahá’í community be referred to the media centers. Inquiries from reporters should not be considered opportunities for individual Bahá’ís to teach the Faith to the reporter or to the reporter’s audience.

The Media Task Force requests the help of the believers to ensure that reporters receive accurate and consistent information. Bahá’ís are asked not to visit the news media centers.

Media Task Force ready to ‘emblazon His Name’ at Congress

Envision major television networks vying to cover the Bahá’í World Congress, reporters and interviewers crowding the media centers at the Javits Center and Hilton Hotel, TV stations around the world waiting to tap into a satellite broadcast, and a global network of newspapers and magazines eager to include articles about the Faith and World Congress—in other words, emblazoning the Name of Bahá’u’lláh throughout the planet.

For more than two years, the World Congress Media Task Force (WCMTF) has been working to make the vision a reality.

The first and most important concern of task force members was to develop an approach to publicizing the Congress that would draw the attention of the media.

The task force decided to emphasize three facts: that the Faith is the second most widespread religion in the world; that it is one of the fastest-growing world religions; and that its principles, unique to this age, offer spiritual solutions to the world’s most vexing problems.

Experience has shown that the most attractive element of this approach has been the statement that this is the second most widespread religion in the world, a fact that had gone largely unnoticed by the media until now.

It was reasoned that once the attention of the media was attracted, questions about the principles of the Faith, its Founder, and its history would be certain to follow.

The next step was to increase the number of national Bahá’í Public Information Offices (NPIOs) to form a truly global Bahá’í media network. Since February 1991 the network has grown to include 111 countries, an increase of 89 National Public Information Offices.

The efforts expended by members of this network to publicize Holy Year activities may well lead to the transformation of the network into a cohesive and experienced global operation.

The WCMTF has in effect a program of help to the newly formed Public Information Offices that includes creating and mailing to all NPIOs a press kit of news releases, background information, suggested activities and photographs pertaining to the World Congress and the Faith; monthly mailings of “The Bulletin” with the latest reports and suggestions that relate to use of the media for publicizing the World Congress; and telephone and fax communications soliciting reports of national activities, encouraging the NPIOs to develop relations with the media and gleaning information about media coverage that can be used to provide information about a particular country to reporters covering the Congress.

The hub of this activity is the Office of Public Information at the Bahá’í International Community offices in New York.

More than 50 members of the press attended a luncheon in New York in May to introduce the media to the World Congress. Regularly scheduled contacts are being made by the task force—in person, by telephone, fax or mail—with more than 500 media outlets in the U.S., many of them major television stations and national magazines and newspapers.

NPIOs have been informed of the four-hour satellite broadcast to take place from the World Congress on November 26 so that their local or national stations can access the transmission.

The Public Information Office in Wilmette has provided information about the World Congress and Bahá’u’lláh to more than 1,000 public information repre-

See MEDIA page 22

Speaking at a reception held for members of the foreign press last May is David Hofman, retired member of the Universal House of Justice. The reception and luncheon at the Hilton Hotel in New York City was sponsored by the World Congress Media Task Force. [Page 10]

Asian teaching moves forward in Modesto, Sacramento

The Bahá’í communities of Modesto and Sacramento, California, made considerable progress this past summer in Southeast Asian teaching and integration.

The Bahá’ís of Sacramento led the way in Southeast Asian enrollments with 41 new believers (10 adults, 31 children) who joined the Cause through heart-to-heart interaction with American Bahá’ís who visited them in their homes and invited them to firesides and other gatherings.

Modesto, meanwhile, continues to be one of the most active and inspirational Bahá’í communities in welcoming, teaching and consolidating newcomers from Southeast Asia.

A member of Modesto’s Southeast Asian Teaching Institute reports that a total of 21 adults and youth of various races in the community have declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh since the start of the Holy Year including those of Laotian and Cambodian origin, and that they have “many more friends who are close to” embracing the Cause.

The Institute has begun weekly race unity firesides in an effort to establish an atmosphere in which sincere and lasting friendships can develop among people of various racial and socio-economic backgrounds.

These well-attended firesides, held each Wednesday at noon, include an “enormous” potluck lunch.

Multi-cultural teaching campaign marks second summer in Woodburn, Oregon

In Woodburn, Oregon, a small town 20 miles south of Portland, a multi-cultural teaching campaign has completed its second summer of full-time activity.

The campaign, sponsored by a Portland-area Assembly, is designed to serve the Hispanic, Russian and American populations that make up the town’s rich diversity.

It began in May 1991 with invitations to Hispanic migrant workers in dozens of camps in the area to attend classes in English at the new Bahá’í Center in Woodburn.

As a result of these classes, about 150 people, mostly Hispanic, embraced the Faith, and two local Assemblies were raised.

This past spring, with the return of the migrant Hispanic Bahá’ís, the community was emboldened by stories of continued teaching carried forward into neighboring cities, states and countries.

One day, for example, a man journeyed two hours from the Oregon coast to Woodburn to learn more about the religion that had so affected the Mexican friends with whom he worked. The man became a Bahá’í, and a cousin of his soon followed his example.

Recently, the two men who had introduced them to the Faith came to the home of a community member in Woodburn with six other interested friends from their workplace. A fireside was promptly held at their request.

These Bahá’ís and others, recently enrolled, are carrying the Message far and wide in Oregon and elsewhere, while the Woodburn project, which has drawn homefront pioneers and youth from Alaska, California, Chile, Mexico and Venezuela, continues to spread the Faith among the diverse population in its own area.

For information about the Woodburn project, phone Jan House, 503-678-5162.

Bahá’í World Congress Video For Youth

The Bahá’í World Congress Youth Movement Forum Task Force has prepared a video to help youth prepare for the World Congress. It is accompanied by an insert that should be used for discussion after the video is shown. If you would like a copy of this video, send a check for $10, made payable to “Bahá’í Services Fund,” to Laura Cessna, National Teaching Office, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Excellence in all things . . .

DR. VIRGIL NORTON, a Bahá’í who is director of the Division of Resource Management and professor of resource economics at West Virginia University in Morgantown, has received the 1992 Distinguished Member Award from the Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association for “excellence in teaching, research and administrative activities, and his contributions to the profession.”

BADI DURAIN JEFFERS, a Bahá’í from Laguna Niguel, California, is one of only two students at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona to complete the first two years of academic study with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. Earlier, he was graduated cum laude with a major in biological sciences from the University of California-Irvine, where he also captained the varsity soccer team.

ROUHI HAMMOND GUFFEY, an 11-year-old Bahá’í who is a straight-A student at Banneker Elementary School in Mechanicsville, Maryland, received the school’s Colleen Boyce Scholarship for academic honors and leadership during the fifth-grade graduation assembly in June. Rouhi is a member of the school band and chorus, is active in the Girl Scouts, Bahá’í children’s classes and the Bahá’í Youth Club.

MONIKA BERGENTHAL, a Bahá’í from Bronxville, New York, was recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Columbia University where she was a member of the Bahá’í Club, the Gilbert & Sullivan Society, and the university radio station. Elected to Phi Beta Kappa, she received a B.A. in French language and literature with a concentration in German. She will enter the Manhattan School of Music this fall to pursue a degree in vocal studies.

WILL VAHID JEFFERS, a Bahá’í from Ontario, California, has been graduated cum laude with a major in biological sciences from Western Oregon State University, where he also played point guard on the varsity basketball team, and has begun his medical schooling at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona.

BARTON LAVINE, a Bahá’í from Overland Park, Kansas, was named Employee of the Month in June at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Mr. LaVine, senior video production person in Audio Visual Services, was recognized for “the consistently high level of professionalism he brings to his job.”

This float, built by a Bahá’í in Pueblo, Colorado, has been entered this year in five parades with plans to take part in a sixth. The float won two first-place awards in a parade in Rocky Ford and received trophies at parades in Colorado Springs (St. Patrick’s Day), the Canon City Music and Blossom Festival parade, the Rodeo parade in Elizabeth, and the Labor Day parade in Fountain. It was also featured photographically in at least two newspapers.

SOUTHEAST ASIAN LITERATURE AVAILABLE FROM THE U.S. BAHÁ’Í REFUGEE OFFICE

To order any of the following items, please send check or money order, payable to “U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office,” to: U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. For more information, write to the Refugee Office or phone 708-869-9039 (fax: 708-869-0247, Attn: USBRO).

Please note: Due to limited quantities, we are unable to handle large orders.

New Bahá’í literature in Laotian (available for purchase as photocopies only): The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh (booklet), $2; Bahá’í Prayer Book, $2; Statement on Bahá’u’lláh (booklet), $3; Statement on the Holy Year (booklet), $2; program of the 100th anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh (booklet), $1; ‎Bahá’i Bahá’í‎ prayer sheets (set of 3; minimum of 5 sets, please), $1.50/5 sets.

Other Southeast Asian-language materials: Cambodian—Bahá’í Deepening Tape (audio cassette), $3; Bahá’u’lláh Principles and History (audio cassette), $3; The Nineteen Day Feast (audio cassette), $3. Hmong—The Hidden Words (book), $2.75; Teaching pamphlets (10/package), $2. Laotian—Bahá’í Prayer Book, $1; Teaching pamphlets (10/package), $2. Vietnamese—“Authority and Duties of the LSA” (pamphlet, 10/package), $6; Basis of World Economy (book by Horace Holley), $3.50; The Hidden Words (book), $4.50; Bahá’í Prayer Book (photo-copy), $3; “The Promise of World Peace” (booklet), $1.50; “What Is the Bahá’í Faith?” (pamphlet, 10/package), $3.50.

Free on request: Short Obligatory Prayer in Hmong (1 sheet)

U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office Publication About American Culture: American Culture & Traditions: A Handbook for New Americans (in English), $2.

This handbook was developed by the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office for individuals and agencies involved in the resettlement and integration of U.S.-bound refugees and immigrants (Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í). It briefly covers a wide range of topics in a straightforward, informative style, and can facilitate the orientation of the newly arrived including Southeast Asian newcomers.

Two declarations at Race Unity picnic in Seminole County

Two American Indian guests declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh during the second annual Race Unity Day picnic August 8 sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Seminole County, Oklahoma.

Fifty-six people including 10 children and 18 non-Bahá’í guests attended the event, one of whose speakers was Hirum Ryan of the local chapter of the NAACP.

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

[Page 11]

Young Bahá’ís take part in Martin Luther King Youth Assembly

For more than five years the National Spiritual Assembly has supported the annual "I Have a Dream" Youth Assembly sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission. This year's Assembly, held August 7-9 in Raleigh, North Carolina, was entitled "Unity Through the Peaceful Resolution of Conflict." It drew more than 800 young people ages 11-18 from across the country including representatives of the 4-H Club, YMCA and Girl Scouts of America.

Cornelia Rutledge, the National Spiritual Assembly's liaison to the event, and more than 40 Bahá’í youth and adults took an active part in the program and other activities of the Assembly.

Many Bahá’ís from Raleigh, other parts of North Carolina and other states worked tirelessly to prepare workshops on conflict resolution, healthful lifestyles, and cultural diversity. Mrs. Coretta Scott King, addressing an audience of more than 1,000, characterized the assembled youth as "a flower garden."

At the close of the Assembly, in honor of Mrs. King, a performance by the Connecticut Bahá’í Youth Workshop of Bahá’í Rena Robinson's dance, "Black and White," was received with enthusiastic applause as its spirit of urgency, love and conciliation transformed the conference with its message of hope and promise.

In addition to two youth participants embracing the Faith, many important contacts were made with representatives from the White House, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Raleigh Human Rights Commission, and 4-H leaders.

The site of next year's Youth Assembly is Washington, D.C.

More than 40 Bahá’í youth and adults took part in the fifth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Assembly held August 7-9 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The theme of this year's event was 'Unity Through the Peaceful Resolution of Conflict.'

LETTERS

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

The American Bahá’í welcomes letters to the editor on any topic of general interest. The purpose of the "letters" column is to allow a free and open exchange of ideas and opinions, never to denigrate another's views or to attack anyone personally. Opinions expressed in these columns are those of the writers, and are not necessarily those of the National Spiritual Assembly or the editors. Letters should be as brief as possible (a 250-word maximum is suggested) and are subject to editing for length and style. Please address all letters to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Music: International language

To the Editor:

Music is the only true international language, a language understood by most of the peoples of the world.

Music can soothe, unite, uplift and alter moods. To Bahá’ís, music is an important tool for teaching. Music attracts.

In our teaching throughout the world, the main problem we encounter is how to attract people so that we can teach them. Music is one of the best solutions to that problem.

In this, the Holy Year, teaching has more than ever become the focus of our goals. Plans to involve the media are under way so that people everywhere will hear about the Faith. We can't sit back and let this opportunity pass.

In Canada, a recording of Bahá’í choral music has been produced and is available through the Distribution Service. Bahá’í choral music will be performed at the World Congress; now is the time for Bahá’í communities to form music and choral groups. Bahá’í musicians and singers are needed to help advance the Faith throughout the world.

A community that is able to form a musical or choral group will find that opportunities to perform will happen, giving them a chance to spread the Message. Smaller communities may be able to join with nearby Assemblies or Groups to form choirs or music groups. Their formation will require the efforts of the entire community, not just the musicians and/or singers.

Musical presentations are a community effort. Music attracts the people and sets the mood for the teaching that follows.

Another way of teaching includes incorporating music by Bahá’ís in non-Bahá’í concerts. This can be accomplished by introducing such music to community or college music directors on an informal basis.

When music is lovely, the musicians generally do not care who wrote it. Many public performances have a program that gives credit to the composer, and if it is mentioned that the composer is a Bahá’í, the audience will be exposed to the Faith, even if in a small way.

Now is our chance; now is the year that we need to become involved and do something that will produce lasting benefits not only for the Bahá’í community, but also for the cities and towns in which we live.

Suzanne Watkins Las Vegas, New Mexico

The Apostle Paul

To the Editor:

It has come to my attention that there are Bahá’ís who believe that the Apostle Paul was some kind of "false teacher." This viewpoint is not correct.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá referred to Paul, saying, "Paul, the Apostle, was in his early life an enemy of Christ, whilst later he became His most faithful servant." (Paris Talks, p. 147)

The Universal House of Justice, in a letter to a believer dated February 25, 1980, wrote: "The Research Department has found nothing in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá or the Guardian which states that St. Paul 'usurped the station of Peter' or that he 'changed the basic message of Peter' or that he 'changed the basic message of Christ.'"

It is so much easier to teach Christians without having to deny Paul. In fact, I've found that Paul is my best friend when talking with Christians. Read his writings the way they really are—not the way people have twisted them.

Paul wrote: "We speak...expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things which come from the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (I Corinthians 2:14; New International version)

Paul's teachings must be spiritually discerned or spiritually interpreted.

Paul's writings on resurrection are the oldest on this topic in the New Testament. He explains that when a person dies, his/her being is like a seed. "It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. ..." Speaking of Jesus' resurrection, he wrote: "...the last Adam [who was Jesus] became a life-giving spirit...flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God." (I Corinthians 15; Revised Standard version)

As one can see, Paul's teachings agree with the Bahá’í view on resurrection. When his teachings are "spiritually discerned" you'll find that they agree with the Bahá’í writings. Resurrection, ascension, and return as taught by Paul and Peter are identical with the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Paul is a Bahá’í's friend. It's time to start treating him as such.

Joel Smith Carbondale, IL

Interracial families

To the Editor:

Since humankind has "come of age," so too has the support for and recognition of America's millions of families and couples who are interracially married and have children who are of multi-ethnic/multi-racial lineage.

As a Bahá’í who has been interracially married for more than 25 years, I have found that now, more than ever, is the time for Bahá’ís everywhere to know about, support and be at the forefront of interracial unity by taking part in local support groups for interracial families and multi-ethnic/multi-racial individuals.

Persecutions

...his properties to him.

Mrs. Mowhebati was forcibly evicted from her home after being served an order by the Attorney General that her house was to be confiscated.

ISFAHAN

In Isfahan the following cases were reported:

Mrs. Badkubel had donated a two-story building to the Bahá’í community before the Islamic Revolution, retaining her tenancy for life in one apartment while renting out the other as her only source of income. According to Islamic as well as civil law, she is entitled to occupy the building for life. However, she has been pressured to vacate the house, and the authorities have already compelled the tenant of the other apartment to leave the premises.

Perhaps the most tragic case is that of Mr. Ahmad Eshraqi, a resident of Isfahan, who is more than 80 years old. In mid-September, several government officials invaded his home and took away all his books, numbering several thousand volumes. They forced him from his home and took possession of the building. Mr. Eshraqi was not able to take anything with him and is now dependent on his friends. The authorities have not responded to any of the appeals or complaints in this case.

Officers of the Attorney General of Isfahan have entered the homes of eight other Bahá’ís during the past two weeks, taking away books, household items, radios, television sets, recorders, cameras and cash. The Bahá’í owners have lodged complaints with the judicial authorities without any result so far.

The National Spiritual Assembly said in a press release to government officials that it is "anxious that the news of the recent confiscations and harassment of the Iranian Bahá’ís be made public and that the U.S. government use every means to protest the continued denial of rights to that country's largest religious minority.

"We hope that the current session of the United Nations General Assembly might provide numerous opportunities for mentioning the increase in persecution since last year's human rights resolution on Iran.

"The National Assembly shall also be alerting the media to the recent actions of the Iranian authorities and shall keep you informed when further news becomes available." [Page 12]

New York ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ sponsor ‘Action Against Racism’ contest

By JULIETTE SODERBERG

A creative arts exhibition combined with an awards presentation and auction June 20 capped a two-month long city-wide “Action Against Racism” contest sponsored by the Bahá’í community of New York City.

THE CONTEST, appealing to children, youth and adults, was a grassroots proclamation, bringing the name “Bahá’í” and its central theme of unity to hundreds of thousands in the New York area.

Leading up to the contest and awards ceremony was a three-year series of concentrated efforts by the Bahá’ís of New York City to promote race unity including public forums at New York University, informal bi-monthly dialogues at the Bahá’í Center, public meetings at the Center on race unity, an advertised theatrical skit, and a series of institutes on race unity.

In 1991 news media throughout the city were given a press kit that identified not only the local Bahá’í community but also its concern about the issue of race unity. Enclosed in the kits were copies of the National Spiritual Assembly’s statement, “The Vision of Race Unity.”

Race Unity Task Forces in each of the city’s five boroughs have been contacting leading local officials. Neighborhood teaching institutes have been involved in various activities such as social and religious projects in Harlem and annual race unity and “clean-up-the-park” picnics in the Bronx.

Those taking part in the “Action Against Racism” contest were asked to express their ideas about what the people of the city, as individuals, can do to combat racism. This was in response to the National Assembly’s statement on race unity, in its reference to individual initiative.

The contest, developed by the local Assembly’s public information officer, was submitted as a proposal to the Assembly, which enthusiastically endorsed it and appointed a four-member planning task force.

Although the original concept was for a project that would primarily involve written statements on individual initiatives for combating racism in the city, the task force expanded the scope and nature of the contest, deciding that entries could express ideas not only as essays but also as poems, songs, paintings, photographs or in any other art form.

DURING development of the contest, the theme “Racism. Just Undo It” was introduced and accepted as the contest theme. To protect it as a Bahá’í initiative, the theme was legally copyrighted.

It was then made into an eye-catching logo by a member of the planning group who is a commercial artist and who, in consultation with the task force, also designed effective posters.

In addition to “Racism. Just Undo It” appearing in all of the contest press releases, on special stationery, and as a stamped message on mailing envelopes and buttons, T-shirts were produced with the logo emblazoned across them.

Response to the T-shirts, from ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ and others, has been outstanding.

It was decided that the contest would include three categories of participants: children, youth and adults. This proved successful, as submissions totaling several hundred came from all three groups.

To reach the targeted areas of children and those in the professions, thousands of posters and flyers were mailed to schools throughout the city and to various organizations and individuals.

To reach the general public, from the start of the contest on March 15 to the time of the exhibition itself, a continuing stream of correspondence and news releases was sent to newspapers, radio and television.

In all, there were about 700 “Racism. Just Undo It” media mailings, establishing in both the media’s and public’s minds that Bahá’ís are truly concerned about the vital need for race unity.

Also, “Racism. Just Undo It” invitations to the exhibition were mailed to a large number of organizations, art galleries and individuals, further identifying the Faith with the issue of race unity.

The task force consulted at length on what might stimulate people to enter the contest, as cash prizes were out of the reach of the community’s resources.

It was decided that awards to the most outstanding entries in each of the three categories would be engraved brass-on-wood plaques while entries of special distinction would be identified at the exhibition with colorful ribbons.

Through the city’s Commissioner of Community Affairs, a police lieutenant in the Office of Youth Services was able to serve as a judge. Others on the four-member panel of judges were ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎.

Judging was held two weeks prior to June 20 to allow enough time to set up the exhibition. Judging was at the Bahá’í Center where all entries had been sent; the exhibition itself was in the huge gymnasium of a midtown high school.

THE DECISION on how to effectively display the entries was an important one. Some were submitted in scrawled handwriting, some typed single-spaced, and some written on lined paper, all of which were not acceptable for showing despite the excellence of their content.

To solve the problem, entries were computer-printed on good quality paper in a variety of type faces for easy reading. Then each of these written entries—statements, poems, songs—was mounted on a colorful background board. The effect was stunning.

Next came the challenge of displaying the mounted written entries, framed oversized photographs, smaller framed art work, and several many-paged manuscripts as well as published books so that there would be coherence in the over-all exhibit.

As the ceiling of the gymnasium was quite high with a series of narrow pipes running horizontally beneath it, the pipes were used for a free-form display.

An almost-invisible wire was attached to the top corner of each entry, extended over one of the ceiling pipes and brought down to be attached to the opposite corner of the entry. When all entries had been hung, it appeared as if row after row were floating in the air at eye level.

To face the problem of what to do with the entries after the exhibition, which was a single evening event, a silent auction was held. Visitors indicated in a hard-cover note pad the price they would pay for an entry, and at the end of the evening the highest bidders carried off their favored pieces.

IN PRESS releases, it was announced that proceeds from the auction would be divided among three non-profit groups: Literacy Volunteers of New York, the National Institute Against Prejudice and Violence, and the United Negro College Fund. The total for each was more than $500; the organizations were delighted.

A presentation of awards for the most outstanding entries was made during the evening. Visitors to the exhibition were given copies of “The Vision of Race Unity.”

At the close of the contest, all who submitted entries received thank-you notes and personalized certificates on parchment attesting their participation.

The Bahá’í community marked the contest as a most successful Holy Year proclamation event reaching a broad spectrum of residents in the city.

With the diversity of Bahá’ís attending the World Congress, the Bahá’í community in the City of the Covenant anticipates building on the awareness of the Faith and its role in race unity established among the members of the media and the public as a whole.

A reminder to pioneers about membership cards

Reminder to overseas pioneers who may be traveling to other countries or returning to the States for the World Congress, a short visit, or permanently:

Please get a membership card or a letter from your National Spiritual Assembly stating that you are a Bahá’í in good standing. Your U.S. membership card is no longer valid once you have been transferred to another country.

The Trustees of the Eshraghieh and Mahmoud Rabbani Charitable Trust, which has been operative since Mrs. Rabbani’s passing in January 1991, met recently with Counselor Wilma Ellis and Robert Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly. The purpose of their consultation was to review the activities of the Trust, discuss its vision and focus, and outline its future expansion and development. The Trust is recognized as a public charitable Trust by the Internal Revenue Service and the state of Florida. As a result of the meeting, the Trustees envision closer collaboration with the National Assembly and its affiliates: The Mottahedeh Development Foundation and NSA Properties Inc. Pictured (left to right) are Trustees Soo Fouts and Ken Gould; Dr. Henderson; Trustee Benjamin Levy; Counselor Ellis; and Trustees Fahimeh Rouhani and Larry Herring.

All Fund correspondence from National Center is being channeled to Secretary’s address

The computer system in use at the Bahá’í National Center presently allows only one address for each local Spiritual Assembly. In particular, Fund receipts are no longer being addressed to each Treasurer, for the reason cited. Kindly refer any questions or concerns to the Office of the Treasurer or to the Management Information Systems Department. [Page 13]

Washington's 'Open Doors' campaign includes summer Day Camp

In June, several Bahá’í youth and children from the Washington, D.C., area held a meeting to consult on launching an "Open Doors" summer teaching campaign. The idea sprang from meetings with Auxiliary Board member Tahereh Ahdieh, some of her assistants, and other youth; the vision was to emblazon the Name of Bahá’u’lláh in as many local areas as possible during the summer, in memory of the Purest Branch.

The consultations yielded an exciting plan of street teaching and firesides. To demonstrate Bahá’í unity, a diverse group of the friends formed teams that set out each Saturday morning to teach and distribute invitations to firesides.

One woman, who was moved by a fireside centering on the commemoration of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh in the Holy Land, attended a meeting at the Bahá’í Center in D.C. where plans for a summer Day Camp were finalized.

As the woman was well known in the community, she invited local children to attend. With the support and prayers of the local Assembly, the Day Camp was held at the Center from July 16-August 27, three days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The goals of the camp were (1) to provide a service to the neighborhood by keeping the children involved in productive activities while parents were at work; (2) to teach Bahá’í principles and encourage neighborhood children and adults to come to the Bahá’í Center for Sunday morning programs; and (3) to provide an opportunity for Bahá’í youth to be of service and to demonstrate love and friendship to participants in the Day Camp. Children and youth played a key role in organizing the activities.

The nine "campers," mostly from the neighborhood, learned about love, friendship, patience and reliability. Fourteen Bahá’í youth served at various times as junior counselors, along with 14 adult helpers.totalites

Workshops were conducted in dance movement, arts and crafts, dough-making, and story-telling. The program also included lessons on health and hygiene. Participants played outdoor games, took walks in the park, and learned several songs.

Pictured are some of those who took part in a six-week Bahá’í Summer Day Camp held in July and August at the Bahá’í Center in Washington, D.C.

At the end of the six-week Summer Camp, participants were given certificates at a closing "Parents' Night" ceremony.

Annual memorial service honors Thornton Chase, the first American Bahá’í

The annual memorial service honoring the memory of Thornton Chase, the first Bahá’í in America, was held September 27 at the Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.

The speaker was Judge Dorothy W. Nelson, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly and of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The memorial service is held in response to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s exhortation: "...may you ever remember him, be ever respectful to his family and be a source of comfort to them. As many times as possible, at least once a year, you should make it a point to visit his tomb, for his spirit will be exhilarated through the loyalty of the friends, and in the worlds of God it will be happy."

The Spiritual Assembly of Inglewood is soliciting funds for the Thornton Chase Monument. Contributions may be sent to the Spiritual Assembly of Inglewood, P.O. Box 587, Inglewood, CA 90301, marked "Thornton Chase Memorial Fund." Your canceled check is your receipt.

AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY Agenda for the Holy Year

1. Orient our Feasts, Bahá’í schools, our gatherings large and small, arts and music, and our study of the Bahá’í Writings to a deeper appreciation of the station and Person of Bahá’u’lláh and the meaning of His Revelation.

2. Direct our proclamation and teaching activities toward helping people understand Who Bahá’u’lláh is and what He teaches.

3. Arrange activities to celebrate and reflect on the Covenant, focusing on the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as Its embodiment.

4. Intensify individual and community efforts for spiritual growth, paying particular attention to heightening the qualities of joy and love in the Nineteen Day Feast.

INTRODUCTION

This is the second in a series of articles, begun in the 'Ilm (October 16) issue of The American Bahá’í. The intention of this series is to delve into a statement, made by the Guardian in The Advent of Divine Justice, which outlines prerequisites of success in teaching the Faith.

Shoghi Effendi drew attention to the importance of deepening our knowledge of the Faith as a preparation for delivering Bahá’u’lláh’s Message. In this passage, the Guardian comments on various facets of deepening.

Each of these facets will be discussed separately in upcoming issues of The American Bahá’í. In this discussion, the first of these actions is defined and examined, with supplementary references from the Writings and questions for individual study.

TEXT

"Those who participate in such a [teaching] campaign, whether in an organizing capacity, or as workers to whose care the execution of the task itself has been committed, must, as an essential preliminary to the discharge of their duties, thoroughly familiarize themselves with the various aspects of the history and teachings of their Faith. In their efforts to achieve this purpose they must study for themselves, conscientiously and painstakingly, the literature of their Faith, delve into its teachings, assimilate its laws and principles, ponder its admonitions, tenets and purposes, commit to memory certain of its exhortations and prayers, master the essentials of its administration, and keep abreast of its current affairs and latest developments." (The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 49)

ACTION

"... study for themselves, conscientiously and painstakingly, the literature of their Faith..."

• What does it mean to study "conscientiously and painstakingly"?

To act "conscientiously and painstakingly" is to be careful, meticulous, diligent, and devoted to the task. To study in this way implies an investment of self in the exploration of the Faith.

All Bahá’ís are called to study, every day, the Writings of the Faith. This study both imparts knowledge and feeds the spirit.

There is also a protection in study. The Guardian felt that "the more we read the Words the more will the truth they contain be revealed to us" (Centers of Bahá’í Learning, p. 8, #20).

The eternal truths to be found in the Writings are guides to living: "Indeed if an avowed follower of Bahá’u’lláh were to immerse himself in, and fathom the depths of, the ocean of these heavenly teachings, and with utmost care and attention deduce from each of them the subtle mysteries and consummate wisdom that lie enshrined therein, such a person's life, materially, intellectually and spiritually, will be safe from toil and trouble, and unaffected by setbacks and perils, or any sadness or despondency" (The Importance of Deepening, p. 20, #69).

SUPPLEMENTARY REFERENCES

"Peruse My verses with joy and radiance. Verily they will attract you unto God and will enable you to detach yourselves from all else save Him. Thus have ye been admonished in God's Holy Writ and in this resplendent Tablet." (Bahá’u’lláh, quoted in The Importance of Deepening, #7)

"The principles of the Teaching of Bahá’u’lláh should be carefully studied, one by one, until they are realized and understood by mind and heart—so will you become strong followers of the light, truly spiritual, heavenly soldiers of God, acquiring and spreading the true civilization in Persia, in Europe, and in the whole world." (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 22)

"If you read the utterances of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with selflessness and care and concentrate upon them, you will discover the truths unknown to you before and will obtain an insight unto the problems that have baffled the great thinkers of the world." (Shoghi Effendi, The Importance of Deepening, p. 21, #72)

"He does not ask us to follow Him blindly; as He says in one of His Tablets, God had endowed man with a mind to operate as a torchlight and guide him to truth. Read His Words, consider His teachings, and measure their value in the light of contemporary problems and the truth will surely be revealed to you." (Written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Importance of Deepening, p. 35, # 112)

"The friends need only read the Writings; the answers are all in them; we have no priests in this Faith to interpret or answer for us." (Written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Importance of Deepening, p. 53, #165)

QUESTIONS

What "literature of the Faith" should I be studying more thoroughly? What will be most meaningful to my life?

• When problems or questions arise, do I go to the Writings for answers and assistance?

[Page 14]

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 ads 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 seeking a recreational leader for its 1993 summer program. This person will work up to 40 hours per week during the summer session—10/11 weeks during the summer program—and will be housed on campus. Pay consists of room and board and 20 hours per week at minimum wage. Qualifications include knowledge of basic recreational activities such as volleyball, swimming, ping pong, baseball/softball. In addition, the person hired will be expected to conduct exercise/aerobics classes and morning jogs/walks, and will be responsible for checking out and maintaining in an orderly fashion all athletic/recreational equipment. This individual should also be able to serve as a swimming pool lifeguard, and musical talent would be helpful for sing-alongs and participation as needed during evening programs. Those who are interested should send a letter of intent to the Bosch School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or phone 408-423-3387 (fax 408-423-7564). Bosch will send an application form to those who ask for it by letter, phone or fax. Those who apply should understand that transportation at Bosch is limited, and the school is a good distance from metro areas, shopping centers or public transport. Service in this position would begin in early June 1993.

THE LOUHELEN Bahá’í School has a regular and continuing need for short-term and long-term volunteers in a variety of areas. Applications to serve are especially invited from individuals and/or couples interested in one-year or longer periods of service. The school is seeking help from professionally skilled Bahá’ís able to serve the school for a few days or weeks at regular intervals throughout the year. Especially needed are mechanics; building maintenance and heating/air conditioning specialists; gardeners and agriculturalists; and carpenters to provide scheduled service at mutually convenient times during the year and to help with preventive maintenance programs, seasonally-urgent projects, and special property-enhancement projects. Also needed is a talented gardener or small-scale agriculturalist who can offer long-term full-time service to the school. Room and board and full participation in Louhelen’s active Bahá’í conference schedule and community life are available for the person or couple invited to serve in this extremely important role. Those who are interested in any of these positions are asked to write to Dr. Rick Johnson, director, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 313-653-5033; fax 313-653-7181).

ASSISTANT cook: a full-time position during the summer program (10-12) weeks and part-time the rest of the year (20-30 hours per week depending on the session) at the Bosch Bahá’í School. Should have experience in food preparation for large groups—up to 150—breakfast, lunch and dinner. Knowledge of meal planning, menu preparation, nutrition and use of restaurant-type kitchen equipment would be helpful. Housing at Bosch may be available. Please send a letter of intent to the Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Phone 408-423-3387 or fax materials to 408-423-7564. Bosch will send application forms on receipt of letters of intent or phone/fax calls. A car is necessary, as the school is some distance from major shopping and population centers.

THE MAXWELL International Bahá’í School in Canada regularly needs retired persons to volunteer in supervisory/managerial positions such as for the uniform shop, laundry service, front desk, etc. Youth volunteers are also needed in many areas. Room and board provided. If you are interested, please apply to the Service Coordinator, Maxwell International Bahá’í School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia VOR 2W0, Canada, or telephone 604-743-7144.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

SANTA MARIA, California—center of the very best—about 170 miles north of Los Angeles, 270 miles south of San Francisco and 10 miles from the Pacific coastline, with mild, smog-free year-round climate and brisk marine air. During this Holy Year we appeal to you to consider pioneering to Santa Maria—a perfect retirement area—or Guadalupe, 10 miles north. The Spiritual Assembly of Santa Maria invites you to consider either of these communities as a teaching and consolidation post. For more information, please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Santa Maria, Box 5043, Santa Maria, CA 93456.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Linn County, Oregon, invites you to consider relocating to this area to help strengthen the community of 11 adults and help in the teaching work. We need energetic Bahá’ís—especially committed couples or families—who can open their home to firesides and teaching teams, and who are willing to drive 30 miles or more to attend functions, as we are a widely scattered community. Hispanic or Asian believers would help us to better exemplify the lovely diversity of humankind. Linn County, with its seat in Albany, is within commuting distance of Oregon State University, the University of Oregon, several community colleges, hospitals, and the state capital, Salem. We offer clean air, natural beauty, plenty of living space, a moderate cost of living, mild climate—and not as much rain as you might think! Act now! Write to Vonnie or Dan Lincoln, Lyons, OR 97358, or phone 503-859-2390 (evenings).

BAHÁ’ÍS who would like to move nearer to Hollywood while pioneering: we need more diversity in Malibu, whose active Bahá’í community includes only one man and seven women. Good schools, clean air, within commuting distance of studios, universities. For information, write to Ruth Rosenwald, Malibu, CA 90265, or phone 310-457-5336.

THE DIVERSE Bahá’í community of Monroeville, Pennsylvania (Chinese-American, African-American, Iranian-American and Caucasian-American) must replace one of its members who recently moved away to maintain its newly formed Assembly. Monroeville (pop. 30,000), 10 miles east of Pittsburgh, is in an area rated in recent years as having the over-all best quality of life in the country. Its active Bahá’í community holds Bahá’í Family School regularly and produces a monthly television program. Monroeville has a good climate, clean air, affordable housing, a good educational system, a rich cultural life and relatively safe environment. In nearby Pittsburgh are the University of Pittsburgh and its Medical Center, Duquesne University, Carnegie Mellon University, Westinghouse and Alcoa. An excellent realtor who is a Bahá’í will help relocate families. For more information, write to the Bahá’ís of Monroeville, Monroeville, PA 15146, or phone 412-373-6909.

MOVE where you can make a difference! The Bahá’ís of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, need you to help save their active, 11-year-old Assembly. Broken Arrow (pop. 50,000-plus) is clean, progressive and enjoys a healthy economy and reasonable housing. The area offers excellent educational opportunities including vocational-technical schools, junior colleges and universities. Broken Arrow is 20 minutes by car from Tulsa and 60 miles from four of the state's largest lakes. For information, write to the Spiritual Assembly of Broken Arrow, P.O. Box 1119, Broken Arrow, OK 74013, or phone Sharon Klemke, 918-455-0105.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas: AFRICA—Kenya: associate regional director to assist in over-all development, management and monitoring of family planning projects. AMERICAS—Bermuda, Brazil: elementary school teachers, kindergarten teacher. Guatemala: caretaker couple. ASIA—Sakhalin: teacher. Kazakhstan: coal mining advisers for AID-funded project. Taiwan: English teachers. AUSTRALASIA—Kwajalein Atoll: family practitioner, obstetrician/gynecologist. For more information on any of the above, please contact the Office of Pioneering at the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091, telephone (708) 869-9039 or fax (708) 869-0247 Attn: Office of Pioneering.

URGENT need in Brazil for a kindergarten teacher and two elementary school teachers for the School of Nations Bahá’í School. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette: IL 60091 (telephone 708-869-9039 or fax 708-869-0247, Attn: Office of Pioneering).

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Helen Irene McVay, Dorothy K. Meachem, Ella J. Meissner (died Portland, OR, 1948), Lillie A. Meissner (died Portland, OR, 1960), Andree Mercier, Emil G. Merkle, James G. Myers, Claire Michaels, and Alice Mickle. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í-National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking District Convention voting lists for the years 1952-67 for Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, eastern New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington state, West Virginia and Wyoming. Anyone having voting lists they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

WANTED

THE INTERNATIONAL Bahá’í Audio-Visual Center (IBAVC), a field agency of the Universal House of Justice, is looking for writers of radio scripts. We are especially interested in obtaining script series on topical issues such as the environment, racism, and world peace. IBAVC offers scripts to Bahá’í communities around the world—a wonderful way to multiply the effects of your teaching efforts. For more information, or to submit scripts, write to IBAVC, Maracaibo, Venezuela, or fax (59) (61) 618572 or (59) (61) 912958.

WANTED to purchase: Hard-cover edition of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, in good condition, for placement in a college library. Write to Ruth Dunbar, Spring Valley, CA 91977, or phone (collect) 619-461-8479.

WANTED: your personal “Bahá’í” stories (audio taped, handwritten or typed) for a collection to be shared at Bahá’í schools and in book form (the working title is “Stories of Everyday Miracles”). The four categories in which I am most interested are (1) your personal teaching stories/triumphs; (2) how/when/ where you became a Bahá’í (your own story of seeking); (3) stories that confirm “there are no accidents or coincidences”; and (4) your most meaningful “Bahá’í” dream (what it was and how it has affected your life choices since). Don’t worry about spelling or grammar. Please take the time to help me record the life stories and Bahá’í history that we “children of the half-light” are helping to create. Please send stories to Anne R. Jennison, Lee, NH 03824 (phone 603-659-3868).

FORUM, a new international Bahá’í magazine, is being published under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand. The quarterly magazine, whose purpose is to bring Bahá’ís closer together by promoting an exchange of information and ideas, invites contributions from writers. If you have something to offer, or would like more information about the magazine, please write to Forum, c/o The Marshall Family, Dunedin, New Zealand (phone/fax (64 3) 473-7279).

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, is known as the City of Festivals, and the Spiritual Assembly of Milwaukee would like to make Race Unity Day/Weekend one of the best festivals of them all. This year’s event, the only one in the city promoting its cultural diversity, drew more than 1,000 people. To make it an even greater success, the friends are looking for entertainers from diverse backgrounds. If you are interested in taking part, please send a letter outlining talent and fee considerations to: Race Unity Day Task Force, Milwaukee Bahá’í Center, 2526 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI 53205.

I AM SEEKING biographical information, photographs and personal anecdotes about Mary Tucker Hatcher to augment some notebooks and audio taped interviews that have been placed in my keeping. The information gathered will be organized into book form, with emphasis on Mary’s career as a Bahá’í teacher and homefront pioneer in New Hampshire. Please send any photos, letters or your handwritten, typewritten or taped reminiscences (don’t worry about spelling, grammar, etc.) to Anne R. Jennison, Lee, NH 03824 (phone 603-659-3868).

WANTED: correspondence from isolated believers. Knowing how lonely it can be, especially on Feasts and Holy Days, I would like to start a correspondence club to bring isolated believers together to discuss successes, problems, teaching efforts, and to deepen on matters of the Faith. Please write to M.J.A. Isaacs, Alpine, TX 79830. All correspondence will be answered.

MISCELLANEOUS

THE INTERNATIONAL Bahá’í Audio-Visual Center (IBAVC) will be publishing a catalog of materials related to the Holy Year (including videos, audio cassettes, radio programs, slide sets). The catalog will list information on what is available and who is distributing it. If you would like your materials to be included, please write to IBAVC, Maracaibo, Venezuela, or fax the relevant information to (59) (61) 618572 or (59) (61) 912958.

A RESOURCE LIST of Bahá’í environmental professionals is being compiled, the immediate purpose of which is to include Bahá’ís in overseas environmental projects with international agencies. Opportunities may be short-term or long-term with a special focus on projects in Eastern Europe. The list is being compiled in consultation with the Bahá’í International Community Office of the Environment and the International Teaching Center. If interested, please forward your résumé to Alexander Tavangar, Geo-Environmental Consultants Inc., 55 Valley Stream Parkway, Suite 140, Malvern, PA 19355. Fax 215-251-2366; telephone 215-251-0900.

FOR SALE

A SELECTION of six 8 1/2 by 11-inch reproducible flyers addressing issues relevant to American Indians is being offered by the Regional American Indian Teaching Committee for the Southern West States. For more information, please contact the committee in care of Mike Bigler, Stillwater, OK 74074. [Page 15]

World News

A recent mass-teaching campaign in Angola has resulted in the enrollment of more than 300 new believers and the formation of 23 new local Spiritual Assemblies. Consolidation of the new believers and institutions is under way.

More than 200 people have embraced the Faith in Ciskei since the Rose Gates Teaching Campaign was launched by that country's National Teaching Committee in July 1991. This represents unprecedented growth in Ciskei's national Bahá’í community. Peelton had the highest number of enrollments, 54, while Bisho and Balasi each had 26. The majority of enrollments were realized through a program of full-time traveling teachers initiated by the National Teaching Committee. Teachers from Ciskei were joined by others from South Africa, Transkei, the United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

A number of new Bahá’ís have begun teaching actively, and it is reported that "a new spirit of dedication, sacrifice and commitment is permeating the region."

A week-long teaching project to proclaim the Name of Bahá’u’lláh in Potosi, Bolivia, led to the enrollment of 53 people in the Cause of God. Sixty-four young Bahá’ís from Cochabamba, La Paz, Potosi, Sucre and Tarija were involved in the project, held last June 29-July 5. The youth were accompanied by Counselor Eloy Anello and two members of the Auxiliary Board.

Roberto Kringel Cuber, who had been an Anglican priest for 32 years in Puerto Rico, has embraced the Faith. At the time of his enrollment, Mr. Kringel Cuber was assistant headmaster of St. John's Episcopal Cathedral School in San Juan. He was introduced to the Faith by a student at the school, and accepted it after reading extensively and attending the commemoration of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh.

The local Spiritual Assembly of Vladivostok, Russia, was formed July 21 after a two-week-long teaching and consolidation program under the auspices of the Marion Jack Project.

Twenty people embraced the Faith as a result of teaching activities held during the Bahá’í summer school last July 25-August 2 in Waterford, Ireland. More than 400 Bahá’ís from 15 countries took part in the school along with Adib Taherzadeh, a member of the Universal House of Justice; Counselor Patrick O'Mara; and two Auxiliary Board members.

BABAT BOLY EAR? TA USA GA PALA BAHA] To Commemorate the 100th of 20th Hau Anniversari de the Ascension of BAHAULLI

In Western Samoa, Bahá’ís took part in a parade June 1 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Western Samoa's independence. The flag bearers were Terry Chang (left) and Etuala Vaiula.

A new local Spiritual Assembly has been formed in Kg Sarang, Kota Belud, Malaysia, following a teaching trip by two Bahá’ís during which 15 new believers were enrolled.

On July 9, the anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Báb, the National Post Office of Panama held a ceremony to mark the issuance of a special envelope with "Commemorations of the Bahá’í Faith in 1992." The new envelope is for sale to the public and commemorates the centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, the second Bahá’í World Congress, and the 20th anniversary of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Panama.

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About 150 young Bahá’ís from 15 countries gathered in July at the De Poort Conference Center in the Netherlands for the Benelux Youth Conference. Also taking part was Counselor Foad Kazemzadeh. The friends discussed the Centenary events taking place in the Holy Land, deepened on various aspects of the Faith, shared past experiences, and discussed ideas about future teaching activities to be carried out throughout Europe.

The Health Care Professionals Project, which took place May 16-29 in Ukraine and Moldova, offered "many opportunities to relate the healing spiritual message [of Bahá’u’lláh] to the physical and mental well-being of all peoples," according to a report from a member of the all-woman team of health-care experts. After discussing issues of health at hospitals, other medical facilities and schools, team members ended the tour in Moscow, meeting in the small cabin of a ship that serves as a hotel to commemorate the centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh with prayers and passages from the Writings.

As one of the activities held to mark the centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, the Bahá’ís of Ibadan/Idi-Ose, Nigeria, organized an essay contest whose theme was "The Importance of Unity of Religion in My Culture." The winner, a first-year medical student, was given copies of "The Promise of World Peace" and the statement on Bahá’u’lláh along with a cash prize. Copies of the books also were given to all guests at the award ceremony including the editor of the Nigerian Tribune.

At the School of the Nations in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, students join their teacher for a geography lesson. The Bahá’í-operated school has had noteworthy academic successes, and good evaluations from students, parents and teachers.

On July 21, the Transitional Government of Ethiopia issued a certificate recognizing the incorporation of that country's National Spiritual Assembly.

Seventy-one people, 58 of whom were not Bahá’ís, attended a public commemoration of the Holy Year held August 29 at the Hamamas Hotel in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. The keynote non-Bahá’í speaker was Mellie Paivu, the mayor or Rabaul. Speaking on behalf of the Bahá’ís was Margaret Elias, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Papua New Guinea and of the Papua New Guinea Minimum Wages Board.

Grasset, a publisher in France, recently released a novel, ("A Trial without appeal") by Iranian author Freidoune Sahebjam. The novel, his third, is based on the life of an imaginary Bahá’í hero who lives under the Pahlavi and Khomeini regimes and is finally condemned to death because of his faith in Bahá’u’lláh. Although the work contains some inaccuracies, the Bahá’í International Community's European Office of Public Information says it generally transmits the spirit of the Faith and should create sympathy for the Bahá’ís.

On July 12, the national television station in Portugal devoted its weekly program on religious minorities to coverage of the events commemorating the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh. The program was advertised in the most important national daily newspaper and in the television guide magazine.

Centenary celebration focus of annual Jubilee sponsored by Assembly of Greenwood County

On July 7, the Spiritual Assembly of Greenwood County North, South Carolina, sponsored its annual Jubilee.

Special guests at this year's event were Charles Abercrombie, Betsy Haynes and Knights of Bahá’u’lláh Gail and Gerald Curwin, all of whom were in Haifa, Israel, in May for the commemoration of the centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh.

Nearly 200 Bahá’ís from three states gathered at the Cambridge Academy in Greenwood for fellowship, a potluck lunch, and music by a local Bahá’í, pianist Jane Craig.

After lunch the four speakers shared their unique insights into the ceremony in Haifa including a detailed description by the Curwins of the laying of the scroll containing the names of the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh at the Threshold of the Blessed Beauty's resting-place at Bahjí.

As a special memento, the Spiritual Assembly of Greenwood County North gave to everyone present a laminated card with the words of Bahá’u’lláh, "Hear Me, ye mortal birds..." and petals from the gardens surrounding the sacred Shrines on the front, and the signatures of the Curwins on the back. [Page 16]This year, 19 people from grandparents to recent high school graduates—from Taiwan, the U.S., Canada and Japan—are volunteering their time and talents at the Maxwell International Bahá’í School in British Columbia, Canada. Volunteers have a special deepening every Friday night at which Maxwell staff and guest speakers share their insights and experience and join volunteers in studying the Writings. The school depends on the capabilities of its volunteers—their generosity, commitment, reliability and good humor are felt in the school’s unique atmosphere. A ‘year of service’ can start almost anytime, usually in May, August or January. If you are interested in serving, you may request an application by writing to the Office of Service, Maxwell International Bahá’í School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, BC V0R 2W0, Canada. Pictured (left to right) are volunteers Adam Varner (Atlanta, Georgia), Jennifer Estes (Chapel Hill, North Carolina), and Dolly Hakiman (Port Coquitlam, British Columbia).

Reception marks ratification of UN Covenant on Civil Rights

A reception sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly, Amnesty International USA, the American Bar Association and 11 other organizations was held September 15 in Washington, D.C., to mark the occasion of the U.S. becoming a State Party to the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Twenty-one senators and representatives including leaders in the Senate and House co-hosted the event.

Sen. Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and key Senate, administration and non-governmental participants were saluted for their contributions in bringing the vote for ratification of the Covenant to a successful conclusion.

Reception sponsors were recognized and given an opportunity to speak. Kit Bigelow of the National Spiritual Assembly’s secretariat in Washington spoke out for U.S. ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The National Spiritual Assembly is leading the initiative by non-governmental organizations to secure its imminent ratification.

Ms. Cosby also introduced Patricia Diaz Dennis, the new Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs.

Other speakers emphasized the importance of U.S. ratification of pending UN human rights treaties including the ‎Convenant Covenant‎ on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; the Convention on Racial Discrimination; the Convention on Women; and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as passage of implementation legislation for the Convention Against Torture.

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter had submitted the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to the Senate for its advice and consent; hearings were held beginning in 1979, and on March 4, 1992, the Foreign Relations Committee approved unanimously a resolution of ratification for the Covenant.

The full Senate ratified the Covenant on April 2, and it was signed by President Bush on June 5 for deposit with the UN Secretary-General. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights entered into force for the U.S. on September 8.

The Spiritual Assemblies of Spartanburg and Spartanburg County, South Carolina, have recently presented copies of ‘The Vision of Race Unity’ to a number of public officials including U.S. Congresswoman Elizabeth Patterson (second from right). Others receiving copies have been State Rep. Donald W. Beatty; Mayor Robert Rowell of Spartanburg; Police Chief W.C. Bain Jr.; the chancellor of the University of South Carolina-Spartanburg; and the presidents of Wofford College, Converse College, and Spartanburg Methodist College and Spartanburg Technical College. Copies were mailed with a cover letter to 15 principals and 34 guidance counselors in School District 7. Pictured with Rep. Patterson are Bahá’ís (left to right) Frank Kreismer, Curtis Ewing and Millie Ewing.

Free Bahá’í Literature in English Available Upon Request From the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office We have just received a limited quantity of Bahá’í prayer books and Daily Readings, both in English, as gifts from the Bahá’í Distribution Service for Bahá’ís of Southeast Asian origin. We ask that only one copy of each book be ordered per Southeast Asian family, unless the children are old enough and can read English, so they can have their own prayer books and Daily Readings books. We have also received some back issues of “Child’s Way” magazine (now “Brilliant Star”) from the Distribution Service. These magazines can be great gifts for children of Southeast Asian background to help them learn about the Faith in English. Any of the above materials may be ordered free of charge from the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

Firm dedicates conference room to memory of Bahá’í

On the first anniversary of her death, R.R. Donnelly & Sons of Stamford, Connecticut, dedicated a conference room to Hilda Dudley, a Bahá’í who was a long-time employee of the firm.

At the dedication ceremony, a plaque and photograph of Mrs. Dudley were placed in the room, one of her favorite Bahá’í prayers was read, and copies were given to everyone present.

‘The more one can give, the better it is...’ National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

[Page 17]

L.A. awards ceremony honors artists who work for oneness of humankind

More than 700 people including about 300 non-Bahá’ís gathered June 20 at the Bahá’í Center in Los Angeles for an awards ceremony saluting performers who have contributed to the oneness of humanity through the arts.

The event was sponsored by the bi-lingual magazine El Ruiseñor (The Nightingale) and dedicated to the memory of two Bahá’ís whose lives embodied the theme of oneness through the arts: the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears and the late member of the Universal House of Justice, Charles Wolcott.

The program was emceed by producer/director Gary Bulkin and headlined by singers Vic Damone and his wife, Diahann Carroll.

Awards were presented to 25 performing artists. Three of the recipients, Diane Varga, Buddy Childers and George Graham, presented a jazz tribute to Dizzy Gillespie, whose recent illness prevented his attendance.

The audience heard from Chinese filmmaker Wu Tien-Ming and Adolfo Noel, general manager of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of Los Angeles.

Bahá’í Oscar DeGruy was honored for his contributions as an actor and writer and for co-founding the Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Workshop.

Lua Crofts sang "Summer Breeze" and accepted an award on behalf of her father's group, Seals & Crofts, who were shown on video talking about the Faith during an appearance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Other film segments showed Alex Rocco accepting an Emmy award and thanking Bahá’u’lláh; Leslie & Kelly performing on television in Taiwan; and Parrish & Toppano singing about Bahá’u’lláh to an audience of 25,000 in Germany.

Soul singer Geraldine Jones brought the audience to its feet with her performance, then led the grand finale, featuring all the performers as well as the newly re-formed Los Angeles Victory Chorus.

In the lobby, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í artists displayed exhibits in various styles. Blue ribbons were awarded to 16 of the artists.

Emmy award-winning actor Alex Rocco (left) was among those honored June 20 at an awards ceremony at the Bahá’í Center in Los Angeles recognizing performers who have contributed to the oneness of humanity through the arts.

International legislation for environment and development

The following statement was presented by the Bahá’í International Community to the Preparatory Committee of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) which was held in June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

A little over a hundred years ago, in a series of letters to the world leaders of the day, Bahá’u’lláh spoke of humankind as entering on a period of history that would entail the radical restructuring of the life of the planet. Challenges never before contemplated would, He said, soon overwhelm the resources of even the most advanced nations. They could be addressed only by a world federal system whose central organ would be a representative world parliament empowered to create a code of universally agreed upon and enforceable international law. "The earth is but one country," Bahá’u’lláh asserted, "and mankind its citizens."

As the magnitude, complexity and urgency of environmental problems have gradually forced themselves on public attention, the logic of this prescription has become daily more apparent. The available international legislative machinery and processes are proving inadequate, primarily because they are based on laws governing nation-states. To the Bahá’í International Community it seems clear that, unless creative new steps in the restructuring of the international order can be taken, environmental degradation alone, and its long-term implications for social and economic development, will lead inexorably to a disaster of appalling dimension.

The current process for creating international environmental legislation, which addresses only one problem at a time, is fragmented and unsystematic. Conventions, treaties and protocols have been adopted on such diverse issues as the protection of the ozone layer and control of international traffic in hazardous wastes. Other conventions are being negotiated on climate change and on biological diversity. Still others have been suggested on such subjects as land-based sources of marine pollution. No one body is responsible for drafting international environmental legislation. Nor have the nations of the world agreed on a set of principles upon which environmental legislation can be based. Moreover, the countries signing the various legislative instruments are rarely identical. Thus, it is almost impossible to harmonize or combine agreements.

The international legislative process is well known to be slow, cumbersome and expensive. Once a problem is identified, meetings of experts are called to prepare a draft agreement. The agreement is negotiated by interested governments and signed at a plenipotentiary meeting. After what is often a lengthy period of ratification and accessions, the legislation comes into force, but only in those states which have signed it. A secretariat is generally established to facilitate and monitor the convention's implementation. If legislation has to be modified, as in the case of the Montreal Protocol, where increased ozone deterioration outstripped the protocol's provisions, updating can be as slow as adoption. Many countries with limited numbers of diplomats and experts cannot cope with such time-consuming and expensive procedures, particularly as the number of negotiations is increasing to respond to pressing global environmental problems.

The present ad hoc process for environmental legislation can only become more unmanageable. Numerous proposals have been offered to provide global mechanisms to create and support a sustainable pattern of development. Some experts advise strengthening the existing UN system by upgrading the mandates of agencies such as the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), reconfiguring the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), or using the Trusteeship Council to administer certain global resources. Others suggest creating new bodies such as an environmental security council, a World Court of environmental justice, or an international environmental negotiating body to prepare, adopt and revise international legislation on issues requiring global action.

However well motivated and helpful such proposals are, it seems apparent to the Bahá’í International Community that the establishment of a sustainable pattern of development is a complex task with widespread ramifications. It will clearly require a new level of commitment to solving major problems not exclusively associated with the environment. These problems include militarization, the inordinate disparity of wealth between and within nations, racism, lack of access to education, unrestrained nationalism, and the lack of equality between women and men. Rather than a piecemeal approach conceived in response to the needs of the nation-states, it seems clearly preferable to adopt an umbrella agreement under which specific international codes could be promulgated.

Long-term solutions will require a new and comprehensive vision of a global society, supported by new values.

SERVICE/EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT THE BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER

Some of the positions for which the National Spiritual Assembly is currently seeking qualified people are:

ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN Performs inspections, recordkeeping, tests and research for preventative maintenance, routine maintenance and repairs on the Bahá’í House of Worship. Assists with maintenance work. May perform similar work on other facilities. Must have two years experience in engineering technology and/or conservation work. Accredited degree in engineering technology. Skill in sketching, CAD and wordprocessing. Supervisory experience required.

MASTER TUCKPOINTER Performs inspections, preventive and routine maintenance work and coordination of repairs on the exterior and interior materials of the Bahá’í House of Worship. Performs similar work on other buildings when scheduled. Must have five years experience in the tuckpointer's trade and/or concrete restoration at the masters level including three years supervisory experience with crew of three or more. Demonstrated craftsmanship of the highest class. Prior conservation experience desirable.

APPRENTICE TUCKPOINTER Assists in inspections, preventive and routine maintenance work and repairs on the exterior and interior materials of the Bahá’í House of Worship. Assists with similar work on other buildings when scheduled. Must have three years experience in the tuckpointer's trade and/or concrete restoration at the apprentice level. Possesses developing craftsmanship skills of a high level. Prior conservation experience and some supervisory experience desirable.

For more information, please call Diana Harris (708-869-9039, ext. 320) or write to the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. [Page 18]

Pasos prácticos en el proceso de la enseñanza

El siguiente artículo explora la guía dada por los Escritos Sagrados sobre el proceso de la enseñanza como una serie de pasos. Sin embargo se debe notar que, actualmente practicándolos, estos pasos muchas veces ocurren al mismo tiempo.

1. Enseñarnos a nosotros mismos

Bahá’u’lláh dijo, “Quienquiera se levante entre vosotros para enseñar la Causa de su Señor, que ante todo, se enseñe a sí mismo, para que su palabra atraiga los corazones de los que le escuchan” (Pasajes de los Escritos de Bahá’u’lláh, p. 184).

Enseñarnos a nosotros mismos es esencialmente, prepararnos sobre cómo enseñar. Para hacer esto, leemos de los Escritos Sagrados para poder enseñar a la gente sobre Bahá’u’lláh y Su Revelación y estudiar cómo enseñar efectivamente. También Bahá’u’lláh nos aconseja que memoricemos pasajes de los Textos Sagrados que podríamos recitar a otros mientras compartimos el Mensaje con ellos:

“De los textos de las maravillosas Escrituras celestiales deberían memorizar frases y pasajes... para que en el curso de sus disertaciones ellos pueden recitar los versos divinos cada vez que la ocasión lo demande, puesto que estos versos sagrados son el elixir más potente, el más grande y poderosísimo talismán. Tan poderosa es su influencia que el oyente no tendrá razón para vacilar”. (Tablas de Bahá’u’lláh, p. 231)

Enseñarnos a nosotros mismos es un esfuerzo sin fin, y requiere que continuamente busquemos en los Escritos y reflejemos aquello de lo que hemos leído, así podemos determinar maneras para mejorar nuestros esfuerzos de enseñanza.

2. Encontrar y atraer almas receptivas

Shoghi Effendi enfatizó que, además del estudio de los Escritos, es importante no sólo por el éxito en general, sino para que Dios les mande las almas que están listas. Hay tales almas en cada ciudad...” (The Individual and Teaching, p. 30) (traducción no oficial).

También escrito en su nombre está, que “lo ‎mas más‎ importante, después de la oración es la acción. Después que uno ha orado y meditado, debe levantarse, confiando completamente en la guía y confirmación de Bahá’u’lláh, para enseñar Su Fe.” (The Individual and Teaching, p. 36) (traducción no oficial).

‘Abdu’l-Bahá aconsejó que para activamente encontrar y atraer a las almas receptivas, “los amigos de Dios deben entrelazar uniones de fraternidad con otros y mostrar amor y cariño absoluto hacia ellos” (The Individual and Teaching, p. 12). Entre estos muchos contactos sociales, podemos identificar y enfocar nuestra atención en las almas receptivas. Shoghi Effendi desarrolló más esta guía al decir que el maestro debe “considerar cada vía de entrada que podría utilizar en sus intentos personales para capturar la atención, mantener el interés, y profundizar la Fe, de aquellos que busca para traer al rebaño de su Causa. Deje que examinen las posibilidades que las circunstancias particulares en donde vive le ofrecen, evalúe sus ventajas, y que siga inteligente y sistemáticamente...” (The Individual and Teaching, p. 16). De esta declaración, vemos que nuestras acciones para encontrar y atraer a almas receptivas deben estar basadas en un esfuerzo deliberado, y un plan sistemático, para enfocar nuestro amor en un grupo de gente con quien nos relacionamos y conectar los corazones de las almas receptivas entre ellos al Mensaje de Bahá’u’lláh. (traducciones no oficiales).

3. Presentar el Mensaje con sabiduría

‘Abdu’l-Bahá dijo que al presentar el Mensaje curativo de Bahá’u’lláh a otros, “‘no todo lo que un hombre sabe puede ser divulgado ni todo de lo que puede divulgar puede ser considerado oportuno, ni cada palabra oportuna ser considerada apropiada a la capacidad de aquellos que lo escuchen.’ De tal manera es la sabiduría consumada a ser observada en la búsqueda. ...Primero diagnostica la enfermedad e identifica la dolencia, luego receta el remedio...” (The Individual and Teaching, p. 13) (traducción no oficial).

No hay otra mejor manera para compartir el Mensaje. Cuando el Mensaje de Bahá’u’lláh está presentado en una manera oportuna a las necesidades y capacidades de los individuos que se enseñan, las posibilidades serán mejores de que entiendan y acepten Su Verdad.

El escuchar cuidadosamente es un componente importante de la enseñanza. Cuando escuchamos, ganamos ideas con respecto a los intereses de la gente sobre la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh, nos damos cuenta de las oportunidades para mencionar la Fe, y descubrimos las mejores maneras para presentarla a ellos. Por ejemplo, podemos aprender a través de escuchar que la base religiosa de una persona incluye una esperanza que Cristo regresará. Una manera en donde se discute el cumplimiento de la promesa del regreso de Cristo puede ser algo que este individuo quiere oír. Como los cristianos tienen varias expectativas con respecto al regreso de Cristo, la manera en que enseñamos a un cristiano puede ser diferente de la manera en que enseñamos a otro cristiano.

Es tan importante escuchar como asegurar que aquellos a quienes estamos enseñando se les permita, y aún anime, a hacer preguntas y/o expresar sus pensamientos o sentimientos sobre lo que han escuchado. Al hacer esto, podemos continuar clarificando y explicando la estación de Bahá’u’lláh y cómo uno se convierte en Su seguidor. A través de la interacción con un individuo, podemos estar más conscientes de cuando él o ella esté listo para aceptar una invitación para hacerse un seguidor de Bahá’u’lláh.

4. Educar al alma receptiva hasta la aceptación de Bahá’u’lláh

Alguna gente está lista para declarar su Fe muy poco después de oír el Mensaje de Bahá’u’lláh, pero otros requieren más tiempo y atención. Con tal que los individuos muestren aún un interés en la Fe, tenemos que paciente y persistentemente continuar educándolos, buscando momentos oportunos para compartir más con ellos sobre la nueva Revelación, e invitarlos para alistarse en la Causa cuando estén listos.

¿Cómo sabemos cuando un individuo está listo para aceptar la Fe Bahá’í? Shoghi Effendi sintió que “la calificación más importante y fundamental para la aceptación es el reconocimiento de la estación de Bahá’u’lláh” (en nombre de Shoghi Effendi, A Special Measure of Love, p. 20) (traducción no oficial). La Casa Universal de Justicia ha identificado otros requisitos básicos para la inscripción, que debemos asegurar que se cumplan: “Los declarantes no tienen que saber todas las pruebas, la historia, las leyes y los principios de la Fe, pero en el proceso de declararse tienen que, además de arder con las chispas de fe, estar básicamente informados sobre las Figuras Centrales de la Fe, tanto como la existencia de las leyes que tienen que seguir y una administración que tienen que obedecer” (Wellspring of Guidance, p. 32) (traducción no oficial).

Tenemos que asegurar que cada buscador entienda que, si una persona cree en Bahá’u’lláh, él o ella debe inscribirse en la Fe como el primer paso de servir a su Causa. Este no es un punto de apresurar al buscador o “finalizar el trato,” sino trazar una línea de acción clara para que cada ser humano tenga la oportunidad de tomar parte en la Fe. Las obligaciones y responsabilidades espirituales de un Bahá’í no deben ser poco recalcadas, porque esta expectación determinará y ayudará a desarrollar el sentido de servicio a la Causa del creyente nuevo.

5. Ayudar al creyente nuevo a hacerse un Bahá’í activo y firme

“Después de la declaración,” la Casa Universal de Justicia ha escrito, “no se debe dejar a los creyentes nuevos a sus propios deseos. A través de la correspondencia y el despacho de visitantes, a través de las conferencias y los cursos de entrenamiento, estos amigos tienen que ser pacientemente fortalecidos y amorosamente ayudados para desarrollarse en la madurez Bahá’í completa” (Wellspring of Guidance, p. 32) (traducción no oficial). Podemos adelantar este proceso de la madurez mediante la ayuda a los creyentes nuevos para tomar parte en acciones concretas que profundizarán su amor por Bahá’u’lláh y fortalecerán su firmeza en el Convenio. Debemos presentar las obligaciones espirituales en este contexto, dejando que los creyentes nuevos entiendan tales obligaciones como la oración, leer los Escritos, la enseñanza, y la contribución a los Fondos Bahá’ís como imperativos espirituales que son vitales a sus vidas, y debemos ayudarlos a profundizarse en su amor por Bahá’u’lláh.

Con respecto a la enseñanza de la Causa, quizás inicialmente debemos usar otra palabra en vez de “enseñanza” para explicar esta obligación sagrada. Para muchos creyentes nuevos, la palabra “enseñar” lleva una connotación de conocimiento o competencia especial que puede hacerlos sentir que son inadecuados o no calificados para enseñar. Explicaciones que den énfasis en el “compartir nuestro amor por Bahá’u’lláh” o el “decir a otros Quién es Bahá’u’lláh” pueden ser útiles para animar al creyente nuevo a enseñar sin crear las barreras que muchas veces se forman para los creyentes nuevos.

Noticias del mundo Bahá’í

Angola: Ingresan Trescientos Nuevos Creyentes, Se Forman Veintitrés Nuevas Asambleas.

Un reciente proyecto de enseñanza en masa en Angola ha resultado en el ingreso de más de 300 nuevos creyentes y la formación de 23 nuevas Asambleas Espirituales Locales. Actualmente se está realizando consolidación de los creyentes y las nuevas instituciones. (Informe de los Consejeros)

Bolivia: Cincuenta y tres personas Aceptan la Fe Durante Proyecto Juvenil de Proclamación.

Un proyecto de una semana de duración para proclamar el Nombre de Bahá’u’lláh en la ciudad de Potosí resultó en el ingreso a la Fe de 53 personas. 64 jóvenes de las ciudades de ‎cochabamba Cochabamba‎, Santa Cruz, La Paz, Tarija, Sucre y Potosí participaron en el proyecto del 29 de Junio al 5 de Julio pasados. Acompañaron a los jóvenes el Consejero Eloy Anello y dos Miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar. El equipo tuvo 13 entrevistas por radio, con la participación de 6 de los Bahá’ís en dos programas radiales de jóvenes ambas con duración de 3 horas y media cada una. También hubo entrevistas en 7 canales de televisión y en los 3 periódicos principales de Potosí. Asistieron 11 periodistas a una rueda de prensa matutina sobre la Fe, al igual que los representantes de la estación de televisión y del sindicato de prensa. Los jóvenes Bahá’ís se entrevistaron con el ... Vea NOTICIAS página 22

On June 26-29, 200 Bahá’ís gathered at Arrowhead Ranch in California’s San Bernardino Mountains for the annual Southern California Bahá’í summer school, made memorable this year by no less than two earthquakes (7.4 and 6.9 on the Richter scale). The theme was ‘Preparation for the Lesser Peace: Are We a Model Yet?’ Highlights included a panel discussion on teaching, a presentation by Sheila Banani on the commemoration in Haifa of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, classes by three Auxiliary Board members, a talent show and dance, and late-night marshmallow roast and sing-along.

QUADRAT B.E. 149 / November 4, 1992 [Page 19]

نظر خواهی (پائیز ۱۹۹۲)

SURVEY 1992

محفل مقدس روحانی ملی مقرر فرموده‌اند که بررسی کلی از وضع اعضاء فارسی زبان جامعه بهائی ایالات متحده و مسائل مورد توجه آنان و نیازهایشان بعمل آید تا نتایج آن در تعیین اهداف و برنامه‌های نقشه سه‌ساله که از سال تشکیلاتی جدید آغاز خواهد شد بکار گرفته شود. از جمله وسائلی که برای این منظور پیش‌بینی شده پرسشنامه زیر است که از دوستان گرامی تقاضا می‌شود آن را با دقت تکمیل و در اولین فرصت به نشانی دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکایی ارسال فرمایند.

Persian/American Affairs Office Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091

چون گزارش بررسی باید در ماه دسامبر ۱۹۹۲ تقدیم محفل روحانی ملی گردد سرعت در ارسال اوراق تکمیل شده مهم است. متمنی است از ذکر نام و نشانی روی پرسشنامه و پاکت خودداری فرمائید. اگر برای پاسخ دادن به سوالی احتیاج به توضیح بیشتر دارید ممکن است از ورقه جداگانه‌ای استفاده فرمائید و پاسخ‌ها را با شماره سؤال مشخص کنید. قبلاً از همکاری شما سپاسگزاری می‌نمائیم.

۱. محل اقامت: ایالت ..................................................... شهر .......................................................................................

۲. سن: ( ) ۱۵ تا ۲۱ ( ) ۲۲ تا ۳۵ ( ) ۳۶ تا ۵۰ ( ) ۵۱ تا ۶۵ ( ) بیش از ۶۵

۳. جنس: ( ) زن ( ) مرد

۴. تأهل: ( ) متأهل ( ) مجرد ( ) همسر فوت کرده ( ) جدا شده، طلاق گرفته

۵. تعداد فرزندان تحت سرپرستی: ...........................................

۶. سن فرزندان: ........................................................................

۷. مدت اقامت در آمریکا: ( ) کمتر از یک سال ( ) ۱-۵ سال ( ) ۵-۱۰ سال ( ) ۱۰-۱۴ سال ( ) بیش از ۱۴ سال

۸. سطح تحصیلات: ( ) ابتدائی ( ) متوسطه ( ) فوق دیپلم ( ) لیسانس ( ) فوق لیسانس ( ) دکتری یا بالاتر

۹. وضع اشتغال: ( ) تمام وقت ( ) نیمه وقت ( ) خانه دار ( ) کمتر از نیمه وقت ( ) بازنشسته ( ) بی کار

۱۰. تا چه حد با زبان انگلیسی آشنا هستید؟

	بسیار خوب	خوب	متوسط	ضعیف
صحبت کردن	( )	( )	( )	( )
خواندن	( )	( )	( )	( )
نوشتن	( )	( )	( )	( )

۱۱. آیا عضو محفل محلی هستید؟ ( ) بله ( ) خیر ( ) در محل محفل وجود ندارد

۱۲. آیا در ضیافت نوزده روزه شرکت می کنید؟ ( ) هر ماه ( ) غالباً ( ) گاهگاه ( ) هیچوقت

۱۳. اگر شرکت نمی کنید علت اصلی چیست؟ (اگر بیش از یک جواب می دهید لطفاً آنها را به ترتیب اهمیت شماره گذاری کنید ۱ = مهمترین) ( ) کمبود وقت ( ) عدم آشنائی با احبای محل ( ) عدم تشکیل ضیافت ( ) دوری راه ( ) عدم آشنائی با زبان انگلیسی ( ) علل دیگر (لطفاً شرح دهید) ...............................................

۱۴. جلسات ضیافت به چه زبانی اداره می شود؟ ( ) تنها به انگلیسی ( ) تنها به فارسی ( ) قسمتهای مهم به فارسی ترجمه می شود ( ) قسمتهای مهم به انگلیسی ترجمه می شود ( ) تمام برنامه به هر دو زبان اجرا می شود

۱۵. آیا با بهائیان غیر ایرانی در خارج از جلسات امری معاشرت دارید؟ ( ) بله ( ) خیر

۱۶. اگر معاشرت دارید با کدام گروه یا گروه ها؟ (اگر بیش از یک جواب می دهید لطفاً آنها را به ترتیب اهمیت شماره گذاری کنید ۱ = بیشترین) ( ) سیاهپوستان ( ) سفید پوستان ( ) اسپانیولی زبان ها ( ) سرخ پوستان ( ) مردم جنوب شرق آسیا

۱۷. اگر معاشرت ندارید علت اصلی چیست؟ (اگر بیش از یک جواب می دهید لطفاً آنها را به ترتیب اهمیت شماره گذاری کنید ۱ = مهمترین) ( ) ندانستن زبان ( ) عدم توافق اخلاق و روش زندگی ( ) دوری راه ( ) آشنا نبودن با آداب و رسوم آنان ( ) عدم علاقه ( ) علل دیگر (لطفاً شرح دهید) ...........................

۱۸. در چه نوع کنفرانس‌های بهائی شرکت می‌کنید؟ ( ) در بیشتر کنفرانس‌ها ( ) فقط در کنفرانس‌های نزدیک به محل زندگی ( ) فقط در کنفرانس‌های مخصوص احبای ایرانی ( ) کمتر در کنفرانس‌های بهائی شرکت می‌کنم

۱۹. از چه جنبه یا جنبه‌های کنفرانس‌های بهائی بیشتر لذت می برید؟ (اگر بیش از یک جواب می دهید لطفاً آنها را به ترتیب اهمیت شماره گذاری کنید ۱ = مهمترین) ( ) ملاقات دوستان قدیمی ( ) شنیدن بیانات سخنرانان ( ) شرکت در جلسات بحث و مشاوره ( ) اطلاع از اخبار و بشارات امری ( ) آشنائی با اهداف و برنامه‌های جامعه بهائی ( ) جنبه‌های دیگر (لطفاً شرح دهید) .....................................................................................

۲۰. از چه جنبه یا جنبه‌های کنفرانس‌های بهائی ناراضی هستید؟ (اگر بیش از یک جواب می دهید لطفاً آنها را به ترتیب اهمیت شماره گذاری کنید ۱ = مهمترین) ( ) جمعیت زیاد ( ) دوری راه ( ) برنامه‌های انگلیسی ( ) فشرده بودن برنامه‌ها ( ) گرانی مخارج کنفرانس ( ) نبودن وسائل نگاهداری از کودکان ( ) جنبه‌های دیگر (لطفاً شرح دهید) ...........................................................................

۲۱. آیا اطفال خانواده شما در کلاس‌های درس اخلاق شرکت می کنند؟ بزبان انگلیسی: ( ) بله ( ) خیر ( ) درس اخلاق نداریم بزبان فارسی: ( ) بله ( ) خیر ( ) درس اخلاق نداریم

۲۲. آیا کودکان خانواده شما با زبان فارسی آشنائی دارند؟ صحبت کردن: ( ) خوب ( ) کمی ( ) هیچ خواندن: ( ) خوب ( ) کمی ( ) هیچ نوشتن: ( ) خوب ( ) کمی ( ) هیچ

۲۳. اطفال خانواده شما از چه راه با زبان فارسی آشنا می شوند؟ ( ) در کلاس‌های بهائی ( ) در کلاس‌های غیر بهائی ( ) تدریس در منزل ( ) راه‌های دیگر (لطفاً شرح دهید) ..................................................................................... ( ) کوششی برای فارسی یاد دادن نمی‌کنیم

۲۴. از کدام نشریات فارسی (امری یا غیر امری) استفاده می کنید؟

نشریه	مشترک هستم	مطالعه می کنم
امریکن بهائی	( )	( )
عندلیب	( )	( )
پیام بهائی	( )	( )
پیام بدیع	( )	( )
ایران نامه	( )	( )
ایران شناسی	( )	( )
نشریات دیگر (لطفاً نام ‎برید ببرید‎)
..............................................	( )	( )

۲۵. اگر هیچیک از نشریات امری فارسی را مطالعه نمی‌کنید مهمترین علت چیست؟ (اگر بیش از یک جواب می دهید لطفاً آنها را به ترتیب اهمیت شماره گذاری کنید ۱ = مهمترین) ( ) گرانی حق اشتراک ( ) عدم اطلاع از روش اشتراک ( ) جالب نبودن مطالب ( ) مشکل بودن نوشته ها ( ) علل دیگر (لطفاً شرح دهید) ...............................................

۲۶. در چه نوع فعالیت‌های تبلیغی شرکت می‌کنید؟ (اگر بیش از یک جواب می‌دهید لطفاً آنها را به ترتیب میزان مشارکت شماره گذاری کنید ۱ = بیشترین) ( ) جلسه تبلیغی در منزل خود ( ) سفرهای تبلیغی ( ) جلسه تبلیغی در منزل دیگران ( ) تبلیغ گروهی ( ) تبلیغ انفرادی ( ) فعالیت‌های دیگر (لطفاً شرح دهید) .............

۲۷. آیا شخصا نقشه تبلیغی برای خود تنظیم نموده‌اید؟ ( ) بله ( ) خیر

۲۸. آیا برای پیشبرد نقشه تبلیغی جامعه محلی فعالیت می‌کنید؟ ( ) بله ( ) خیر ( ) جامعه محلی نقشه تبلیغی ندارد.

۲۹. در چه نوع فعالیت هائی برای ایجاد وحدت بین نژادها شرکت می‌کنید؟ (اگر بیش از یک جواب می‌دهید لطفاً آنها را به ترتیب میزان مشارکت شماره گذاری کنید ۱ = بیشترین) ( ) درباره روابط نژادی در آمریکا مطالعه می‌کنم ( ) در جلسات مخصوص ترک تعصبات نژادی شرکت می‌کنم ( ) با افرادی از نژادهای دیگر معاشرت می‌کنم ( ) فعالیت‌های دیگر (لطفاً شرح دهید) ....................................... ( ) در این زمینه کمتر فعالیت می‌کنم

۳۰. به کدام صندوق‌های امری تبرع می‌فرمائید؟ (اگر بیش از یک جواب می‌دهید لطفاً آنها را از لحاظ میزان تبرع شماره گذاری کنید ۱ = بیشترین) ( ) حقوق‌الله ( ) صندوق محلی ( ) صندوق ملی ( ) صندوق قاره‌ای ( ) صندوق بین‌المللی ( ) صندوق ساختمان‌های قوس

۳۱. چه عواملی مانع از قیام شما به مهاجرت در داخل آمریکا شده است؟ (اگر بیش از یک جواب می‌دهید لطفاً آنها را به ترتیب اهمیت شماره گذاری کنید ۱ = مهمترین) ( ) مشکلات مالی ( ) ندانستن زبان ( ) مشکلات شغلی ( ) مشکلات آب و هوا ( ) دوری از منسوبین ( ) مشکلات دیگر (لطفاً شرح دهید) ..........................................

۳۲. چه عواملی مانع از قیام شما به مهاجرت خارج شده است؟ (اگر بیش از یک جواب می‌دهید لطفاً آنها را به ترتیب اهمیت شماره گذاری کنید ۱ = مهمترین) ( ) مشکلات مالی ( ) ندانستن زبان ( ) مشکلات شغلی ( ) مشکلات ویزا و تابعیت ( ) دوری از منسوبین ( ) آب و هوا ( ) ترس از تغییر محل زندگی ( ) مشکلات دیگر (لطفاً شرح دهید) ..........................................

۳۳. بنظر شما مهمترین مشکل احبای ایرانی در ایالات متحده چیست؟ (اگر بیش از یک جواب می دهید لطفاً آنها را به ترتیب اهمیت شماره گذاری کنید ۱ = مهمترین) ( ) بی کاری ( ) ندانستن زبان ( ) عدم آشنائی با محیط ( ) دوری از خانواده ( ) عدم آشنائی با جامعه بهائی آمریکا ( ) عدم توجه به سوابق و تجربیات احبای ایرانی ( ) تأثیر محیط بر اطفال ( ) مشکلات دیگر (لطفاً شرح دهید) .............................................................................

۳۴. اوقات آزاد شما صرف چه نوع فعالیت هائی می شود؟ (اگر بیش از یک جواب می دهید لطفاً آنها را از لحاظ میزان وقتی که صرف می کنید مرتب کنید ۱ = بیشترین) ( ) تشکیلات امری ( ) تحصیل ( ) تزید معلومات امری ( ) فعالیت تبلیغی ( ) رسیدگی به امور خانواده ( ) معاشرت با خویشان یا دوستان بهائی ( ) معاشرت با دوستان غیر بهائی ایرانی ( ) تفریح و ورزش فعالیت‌های دیگر (لطفاً شرح دهید) .............................................

۳۵. بنظر شما چه برنامه‌هائی باعث ازدیاد همبستگی بین احبای ایرانی و غیر ایرانی می شود؟ .................................................................................................

۳۶. چه توصیه‌هائی برای دفتر امور احبای ایرانی دارید؟ ................................................................................................. [Page 20]

آمادگی روحانی برای شرکت در کنگره جهانی

PREPARATION FOR THE WORLD CONGRESS

در پیام رضوان سال ۱۹۹۲ بیت‌العدل اعظم چنین فرموده‌اند:

"... در ماه نوامبر در دومین کنگره جهانی بهائی هزاران نفر از جنود حضرت بهاءالله در نیویورک گرد خواهند آمد تا به نمایندگی خواهران و برادران روحانی خود در سراسر عالم وفاداری خویش را به عهد و پیمانی که حضرت بهاءالله به میراث گذاشته‌اند ابراز دارند .

اینان خاطره نفس مقدّسی را احیاء خواهند نمود که به عنوان مرکز میثاق منصوب گردید و آن مدینه را به قدوم خود مزین داشت و آن را به نام "مدینه میثاق" تسمیه فرمود . یاران مجتمع در این کنگره نیروی وحدت و یگانگی را که تأمین آن برای جمیع مردم جهان هدف چنین عهد و میثاقی است به منصه ظهور و بروز خواهند رساند ... [و] با چنان روحانیت و وقاری مشارکت خواهند نمود که جالب و جاذب تأییدات ملاء اعلی شده، در قوای سازنده‌ای که در سراسر گیتی در کار است تأثیری عمیق خواهد داشت ."

نزدیک شدن زمان تشکیل کنگره جهانی در نیویورک و افزایش اشتیاق پیروان اسم اعظم در سراسر جهان و اجتماع قریب به ۳۰ هزار نفر از بهائیان جهان یکی از یاران رحمانی را بر آن داشته است که در نامه پر‌احساسی که خطاب به دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی نگاشته و ارسال داشته‌اند، نکات بسیار مهمی را یادآور شوند . ضمن تشکر از آن دوست ارجمند بعضی از نکات ایشان به اختصار درج می‌شود، باشد که رفتار ما تحقق نوایا و آمال معهد اعلی را که در بیان بالا بدان اشاره شده است، موجب گردد .

۱- سعی شود که رفتار ما معرف روح مهرپروری و ‎یکانگی یگانگی‎ آئین بهائی باشد . هر کسی که با احباء روبرو شود، باید احساس کند که اهل بهاء بندگان آن اسم اعظمی هستند که محور تعالیمش وحدت عالم انسانی است .

۲- باید از اهمیت روحانی آن اجتماع تاریخی آگاه بود و توجه خاصی بدان داشت . به خاطر داشته باشیم که در این سال مقدس، به فرموده بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی باید دربارهٔ یکصدمین سالگرد "غروب شمس جمال ابهی از صفحه غبراء" ... تدبر کنیم و با کمال توقیر و تکریم دربارهٔ مقصود از ظهور ابهی ثمره وجود و نفس مشکبار جمال موعود در عرصه شهود به تأمل و تفکر پردازیم .

بعلاوه در کنگره جهانی گذشت يك قرن از تاریخ اعلان عمومی عهد و پیمان حضرت بهاءالله را در "مدینه میثاق" و نیز حیات پر‌ثمر مرکز میثاق، سرالله‌الاعظم، حضرت عبدالبهاء روح ما‌سواه فداه را جشن می‌گیریم . یقیناً در تمام مدتی که در نیویورک به سر می‌بریم، چه در جلسات رسمی کنگره یا در جلسات جنبی و یا حتی در معابر و مهمانخانه‌ها و امکنه عمومی، آن دو وجود مقدس را در خاطر خواهیم داشت و برای بلند آوازه شدن نام نامیشان حاضر به همه گونه فداکاری خواهیم بود .

۳- در وضع لباس و آرایش و رفتار خود اعتدال را رعایت کنیم . خواهران و برادران روحانی ما که از گوشه و کنار جهان برای شرکت در این بزرگترین اجتماع بهائی به نیویورک روی می‌آورند، هر يك آداب و رسوم و شاید لباس و آرایش مخصوص به فرهنگ خود را خواهند داشت . بر ماست که کوشش کنیم رفتار و سکنات و طرز لباس پوشیدن و آرایش ما دلی را نرنجاند و خاطری را آزرده نکند .

۴- با مسؤولان و راهنمایان کنگره صمیمانه همکاری کنیم . شك نیست که نظم و نسق بخشیدن به چنین اجتماع عظیمی برای مدتی قریب به يك هفته کار آسانی نیست . مخصوصاً که شرکت‌کنندگان به زبانهای مختلف سخن خواهند گفت و اکثراً خود را در محیطی ناآشنا می‌یابند . وظیفه ماست که در هر حال نظم را مراعات کنیم و کار مسؤولان را آسان‌تر سازیم . در حقیقت باید خود را مهماندار عزیزانی بدانیم که از اطراف جهان به نیویورک آمده‌اند .

با همت دوستان ارجمند و به برکت الطاف معهد اعلی کنگره جهانی اثراتی و ثمراتی غیر‌قابل پیش‌بینی خواهد داشت و شور و نشوری در دلها ایجاد خواهد نمود که اهداف نقشه سه‌ساله در کوتاه‌ترین مدت تحقق یابد .

اطلاعاتی درباره کنگره جهانی

Information about the World Congress

نکاتی که شرکت کنندگان باید مراعات نمایند بعلت عده زیاد شرکت‌کنندگان و پیچیدگی برنامه‌های کنگره لازم است که یاران گرامی با جزئیات برنامه کاملاً آشنا شوند و با گردانندگان کنگره همکاری فرمایند . به این منظور جلسات توجیهی خاصی ترتیب داده شده است و از کلیه شرکت‌کنندگان در کنگره دعوت می‌شود که در یکی از آن جلسات حاضر شوند و اطلاعات لازم را کسب نمایند . در آن جلسات برای مثال ساعت جلسات اصلی کنگره، مسیر اتوبوسهائی که یاران را به محل کنگره خواهد برد، محل و تاریخ و ساعت جلسات و فعالیتهای جنبی کنگره اعلان می‌شود . بنابراین لازم است که پس از ورود به نیویورک فوراً در یکی از جلسات توجیهی شرکت فرمایند . جلسات مذکور در محل اصلی کنگره (Javits Center) و در تعدادی از هتلهای خاص کنگره ترتیب داده شده است .

به منظور حفظ و صیانت جانی و مالی در ایام کنگره توصیه می‌شود که: ۱- حتی‌المقدور اشیاء قیمتی و وسائل شخصی و وجه نقد همراه خود حمل نکنید . کلیه اشیاء قیمتی، بلیط هواپیما، گذرنامه و امثال آنها را به صندوق هتل بسپارید . ۲- از محلهای تاريك اجتناب کنید و پس از ختم جلسه اصلی در اطراف محل کنگره مرکز جاویتس (Javits Center) نمانید . ۳- کیفهای دستی را زیر پالتو نگاهدارید و بند آنرا دور سینه خود حمایل کنید . ۴- هنگام پرداخت قیمت غذا یا کرایه تاکسی و امثال آن مقدار زیادی پول نشان ندهید . ۵- بند دوربین‌های عکاسی را دور گردن و شانه خود بیندازید . ضمناً عکس‌برداری چه با فلاش و چه بدون فلاش و تهیه نوار ویدئو در جلسات کنگره و در نمایشگاه "رسالت حضرت عبدالبهاء" ممنوع است .

جلساتی که احتیاج به بلیط دارد برای شرکت در سه برنامه از برنامه‌های جنبی کنگره بلیط لازم است . جزو اوراقی که در کنگره دریافت می‌فرمائید برگ حواله‌ای هست که در مقابل آن می‌توان بلیط تهیه نمود . باین ترتیب دوستان می‌توانند در برنامه دلخواه خود شرکت کنند . بعلت محدود بودن جا کلیه شرکت‌کنندگان در کنگره نمی‌توانند در تمام برنامه‌های جنبی شرکت کنند . محل‌های تهیه بلیط در هتل هیلتن و در مرکز جاویتس است .

اتوبوس‌های کنگره کلیه کسانی که در کنگره ثبت‌نام کرده‌اند با ارائه کارت کنگره می‌توانند از اتوبوسهای کنگره استفاده کنند . اطلاع بیشتر در این خصوص در جلسات توجیهی و در راهنمای کنگره ارائه می‌شود .

اشیاء یادبود تعدادی کمی اشیاء یادبود که با علامت مخصوص کنگره مشخص شده است در مرکز جاویتس برای فروش موجود خواهد بود . اداره پست موافقت کرده است که در مرکز جاویتس خدمات پستی تأمین نماید . ضمناً مهر مخصوصی برای کنگره تهیه خواهند کرد که در هیچ محل دیگری مورد استفاده قرار نخواهد گرفت . کارت پستالها و پاکت‌های مخصوص نیز در دست تهیه است که در روزهای ۲۳ تا ۲۵ نوامبر به فروش می‌رسد .

رسانه‌های گروهی انتظار می‌رود که در ایام کنگره خبرنگاران وسائل ارتباط جمعی در کنگره حاضر شوند . توصیه می‌شود که اگر احبای الهی مورد سؤال آنان قرار گرفتند آنها را به مراکز خبری ویژه‌ای که در مرکز جاویتس و هتل هیلتن تأسیس خواهد شد ارجاع فرمایند . در هر حال افراد احباء نباید پرس و جوهای خبرنگاران را فرصتی برای ابلاغ کلمة‌الله به آنان یا تبلیغ خوانندگان جرائد و شنوندگان و بینندگان رسانه‌های گروهی تلقی نمایند .

دنباله "نتایج سرنگونی حضرت بهاءالله" از صفحه قبل

را اطمینان داده‌اند که ظهور بلا و سختی موجب انتشار امر الهی خواهد شد . این معنی را حضرت عبدالبهاء در فقره دیگری از کتاب مفاوضات چنین بیان فرموده‌اند: "[مخالفان] گفتند تا این شخص [حضرت بهاءالله] در ایران است، آسایش و راحت نیاید، پس باید این را اخراج کرد تا ایران آرام بگیرد . پس بر جمال مبارك سخت گرفتند تا از ایران اذن خروج طلبند، به گمان اینکه به این سبب سراج امر مبارك خاموش می‌شود، ولی بالعکس نتیجه بخشید . امر بلندتر شد ... بعد گفتند که عراق عرب نزديك ایران است، باید این شخص را به ممالك بعیده فرستاد . این بود که حکومت ایران کوشید تا آنکه جمال مبارك را از عراق به اسلامبول فرستادند . باز ملاحظه کردند که ابداً فتوری حاصل نشد . گفتند اسلامبول محل عبور و مرور اقوام مختلفه است و ایرانیان بسیار . لهذا کوشیدند تا جمال مبارك را به روملی فرستادند، ولی شعله پر‌زور‌تر شد؛ امر بلندتر گردید . عاقبت ایرانیان گفتند این محلات هيچيك موقع اهانت نبود، باید به محلی فرستاد که توهین واقع گردد و محل زحمت و اذیت باشد و اهل و اصحاب به نهایت درجه بلا مبتلا گردند . پس سجن عكا را انتخاب نمودند که حبسخانه عصاة و قاتلها و سارقها و قطاع طریق است . و فی‌الحقیقه در زمره این نفوس داخل کردند، اما ید قدرت الهیه ظاهر شد و اعلاء کلمه گردید و عظمت بهاءالله مشهود شد که در چنین سجنی در تحت چنین اهانتی ایران را از برزخی به برزخی دیگر نقل نمود، جمیع اعداء را مقهور کرد و بر کل ثابت کرد که مقاومت این امر نتوانند و تعالیم مقدسه‌اش سرایت در جمیع آفاق نمود و امرش ثابت گشت ."

حضرت ولی امرالله نیز در توقیع نوروز ۱۰۱ ما اهل بهاء را دعوت فرموده‌اند که "نظری به حوادث حیرت‌انگیز این قرن عظیم از حین طلوع فجر هدی از افق آن اقلیم پر ابتلا الی یومنا هذا اندازیم ... و از آنچه واقع گشته ... عبرت گیریم که چگونه انقلابات و امتحانات و بلایا و رزایا و زجر و حرق و طرد و نهب و ضرب و شتم و اسیر و نفی و حبس و قتل هيچيك مانع از پیشرفت این امر نازنین نگشت و فتوری در همت پیروان و مدافعینش در اقطار مختلفه عالم احداث ننمود ...." [Page 21]

ادامه تضییقات احبای ایران

PERSECUTION OF BAHÁ’ÍS IN IRAN

محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده اخبار زیر را در مورد تضییقات احبای ایران به آگاهی اولیای امور دولت ایالات متحده رسانده است. نامة زیر به اولیای امور ارسال شده و در میان رسانه‌های همگانی توزیع گردیده است.

محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده دفتر روابط عمومی

۱ اکتبر ۱۹۹۲

به تازگی اخبار زیر را دربارة ادامه تضییقات جامعة بهائی ایران دریافت داشته‌ایم و مایلیم مفاد آن را به آگاهی شما نیز برسانیم.

در چند هفتة گذشته تشکیلات انقلاب اسلامی ایران در یزد و طهران و اصفهان تعدادی از منازل شخصی و دیگر املاك متعلق به بهائیان را تصاحب کرده‌اند. بهائیان مورد نظر نه از افراد برجستة جامعه به شمار می‌روند و نه در فعالیت‌های تشکیلاتی بهائی دست داشته‌اند.

از قرار معلوم تصاحب املاك در یزد مبنی بر فتوائی است که امام جمعة سابق یزد، مرحوم آیة‌الله صدوقی به مقامات قضائی صادر کرده بود. بر اساس این فتوی اعضای بنیاد امام خمینی به تصاحب منازل بهائیان و آزار ساکنان آن پرداخته‌اند.

همچنین معلوم شده است که آیة‌الله مذکور آن فتوا را به تحريك کشمیری نامی صادر کرده است که سهم فعالی در ستمگری نسبت به بهائیان یزد داشته و تمایل شدیدی به غصب املاك‌شان نشان داده است.

نگرانی ما از آنجاست که اقدامات علیه بهائیان که تقریباً همزمان در بخش‌های گوناگون ایران رخ می‌دهد و پی‌آیند شدت یافتن تضییقات بهائیان در چند هفتة گذشته پس از اعدام یکی از خادمان بهائی، جناب بهمن سمندری در ماه مارچ سال جاری است، آغاز مرحلة تازه‌ای از تضییقات جامعة ستمدیدة بهائی ایران باشد.

جزئیات رویدادها به شرح زیر است:

یزد

در حال حاضر یازده خانواده در شهر یزد مورد فتوای تصاحب قرار گرفته‌اند. خانوادة آقای داریوش دهبیدی که اکنون در تفت به سر می‌برند، با اعمال زور از منزلشان اخراج شده‌اند و خانه و اثاثشان توسط بنیاد امام خمینی تصاحب شده است.

تشکیلات انقلاب اسلامی به خانوادۀ ۱۰ بهائی دیگر که نامشان در زیر خواهد آمد اوراق اخطاریه داده‌اند که خانه‌هایشان را تخلیه کنند و در اختیار دولت قرار دهند.

هر چند خانه‌های مذکور هنوز، به این علت که بهائیان به مقامات بالاتر تقاضای استیناف داده‌اند، تخلیه نشده است، با این حال افراد مذکور تحت فشار شدیدند که منازلشان را واگذار کنند. اسامی بهائیان مذکور عبارت است از: آقای عطاءالله لر؛ خانم ایراندخت هخامنشی؛ آقای غلامحسین شادپور؛ آقای روح‌الله رستمی؛ آقای عطاءالله رستمی؛ آقای خدایار اخترخاوری؛ آقای جمشید لر؛ آقای پنجعلی عربی؛ آقای حبیب‌الله تفکری؛ آقای ادیب دانش‌نیا.

طهران

موارد زیر از طهران گزارش شده است:

به خانم مهرانگیز روحانی که پیش از این از ادارة بهداشت اخراج شده بود، اخطاریه‌ای از جانب دادگاه انقلاب اسلامی داده شد که خانه‌اش تصاحب شده است. هر چند ایشان تقاضای استیناف کرده است، با این حال از جانب دادگاه به تقاضای مذکور رسیدگی نشده و قضیه همچنان معلق مانده است.

يك مجموعة مرکب از يك فروشگاه بزرگ و ۱۰ آپارتمان و يك ساختمان مسکونی دو طبقه که به آقای قدرت‌الله حشمتی تعلق دارد، به خلاف دلخواه مالك توسط اعضای بنیاد امام خمینی اشغال شده است. در این مورد اخیر هیچ فرمان رسمی از سوی مقامات قضائی صادر نشده بود. تا زمان حاضر شکایت‌ها و تقاضای رسیدگی مالك به مسؤولان امور نتوانسته است املاكش را به او بازگرداند.

خانم موهبتی پس از اینکه اخطاریه‌ای از سوی دادستان عالی کشور مبنی بر ضبط خانه‌اش دریافت داشت، به زور از خانه‌اش اخراج شد.

اصفهان

موارد زیر از اصفهان گزارش شده است:

خانم بادکوبه‌ای پیش از انقلاب اسلامی يك ساختمان دو طبقه را به جامعة بهائی تقدیم کرده بود با قید این شرط که در زمان حیات در یکی از آپارتمان‌ها سکونت گزیند و آپارتمان دیگر بعنوان تنها منبع درآمد اجاره دهد. ایشان بر طبق قوانین اسلامی و مدنی حق دارد تا آخر حیات در آن خانه ساکن باشد، اما تحت فشار قرار گرفته است که خانه را تخلیه کند و مسؤولان امور مستأجر آپارتمان دیگر را مجبور کرده‌اند که ملك مذکور را ترك کند.

اما شاید قضیة آقای احمد اشراقی ساکن اصفهان که بیش از ۸۰ سال دارد، از همه دردناك‌تر باشد. در اواسط ماه سپتامبر سال جاری چند تن از مأموران دولتی به خانة آقای اشراقی هجوم آوردند و تمام کتاب‌هایش را که بالغ بر چندهزار مجلد بود، بردند. سپس او را از خانه‌اش بیرون کردند و ساختمان را به تصرف خود درآوردند. آقای اشراقی نتوانست چیزی با خود به همراه ببرد و هم اکنون متکی بر دوستان خود است. مسؤولان امور به هيچيك از تقاضاها و شکایت‌های او پاسخی نداده‌اند.

در دو هفتة گذشته مأموران دادستانی کل اصفهان محل اقامت ۸ تن دیگر از بهائیان را مورد هجوم قرار داده و کتاب‌ها و اثاث خانه و دستگاه‌های رادیو و تلویزیون و ضبط صوت و دوربین و وجوه نقد را تصرف کرده‌اند. مالکان بهائی به مسؤولان امور قضائی عرض‌حال داده و تا کنون نتیجه‌ای نگرفته‌اند.

جامعة بهائی ایالات متحده مایل است که اخبار مربوط به آزار بهائیان ایران و تصاحب املاك و اموالشان اعلان شود و دولت ایالات متحده به هر وسیله‌ای شده نسبت به انکار پیوسته حقوق بزرگ‌ترین اقلیت دینی آن کشور اعتراض کند. امیدواریم که جلسة کنونی اجلاسیة عمومی سازمان ملل متحد فرصت‌های متعددی فراهم سازد تا افزایش تضییقات بهائیان ایران از زمان تصویب قطعنامة حقوق بشر راجع به ایران در آن ذکر گردد.

این محفل رسانه‌های همگانی را نیز از اقدامات اخیر اولیای امور در ایران آگاه خواهد ساخت و هر گاه به اخبار جدیدی دسترسی یابد، شما را از آن باخبر خواهد کرد. تقاضا می‌کنیم که در صورتی که سؤالی داشته باشید، با این جمع تماس حاصل نمائید.

با تقدیم احترام منشی روابط عمومی: فیروز کاظم زاده

نتایج ‎سرگونی سرنگونی‎ حضرت بهاءالله

EXILE OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

از سال ۱۸۵۳ تا ۱۸۶۸ حضرت بهاءالله در ۴ مرحله مختلف به نقاط گوناگون سرنگون شدند: نخست به بغداد، سپس به اسلامبول، بعد از آن به ادرنه و سرانجام به عکا. ثلث آخر حیات هیکل مبارك و بیش از نیمی از دوران رسالت مبارك در عکا گذشت.

اما سرگونی‌های گوناگون حضرت بهاءالله ـ با همۀ دشواری‌های بی‌شماری که در بر داشت ـ سرانجام به پیروزی انجامید. نهضت‌های فکری و اجتماعی را نمی‌توان با شدت عمل و شکنجه در جریان بازداشت تا چه رسد به ادیان آسمانی. حضرت عبدالبهاء در مقالة سیاح می‌فرمایند: «... خارج از قوۀ انسان است که بتواند به تعرض و اعتراض تبدیل ضمائر و وجدان نماید و یا دخلی در عقاید احدی کند. در کشور وجدان جز انوار رحمان حکم نتواند...»

سرگونی‌های جمال ابهی از يك سو پیش‌گوئی‌های کتب مقدسۀ گذشته را تحقق بخشید و از سوئی دیگر تاریخ زندگی مظاهر امر پیشین را بازگفت و تکرار کرد. حضرت بهاءالله در نظر معاصرانشان يك زندانی بودند که حتی سرنوشت مسکن خود را نیز به دست نداشتند. اینان چه می‌دانستند که نیروی الهی حاکم بر حیات هیکل مبارك بود.

حضرت ولی امرالله در گاد پاسز بای دربارۀ تبعید حضرت بهاءالله می‌فرمایند:

«این هجرت و عزیمت ناگهانی حضرت بهاءالله از موطن اصلی که به معیت جمعی از متعلقان و بستگان مبارك به عمل آمد از بعضی جهات حرکت بغتی و سریع عائلة مقدسه را از خاك یهودا به اقلیم مصر و هجرت رسول اکرم را پس از بعثت به رسالت از مکه به مدینه و خروج حضرت موسی و برادر و پیروان آن حضرت را از سرزمین اصلی بر حسب دعوت الهی و بالاتر از همه اخراج و تبعید حضرت ابراهیم را از اورکلده به ارض میعاد در خاطره مجسم می‌نماید. تبعیدی که نظر به شمول آثار و غیرۀ جمیعه‌اش بر ملل و نحل و مذاهب مختلفه می‌توان گفت با هجرت جمال اقدس ابهی و مواهب و برکات لایحصایی که در عصر حاضر و اعصار آتیه خداوند قدیر در نتیجه این هجرت عظیم برای عالم بشریت مقدر فرموده، مماثلت و مشابهت تاریخی دارد.»

حضرت عبدالبهاء در کتاب مفاوضات دربارۀ حضرت ابراهیم می‌فرمایند:

حضرت ابراهیم در بین نهرین از يك خاندان غافل از وحدانیت الهی تولد یافت و مخالفت با ملت و دولت خویش، حتی خاندان خود کرد. جمیع آلهۀ ایشان را رد نمود و فرداً وحیداً مقاومت يك قوم قوی فرمود... لهذا کل بر حضرت ابراهیم قیام کردند. کسی با او موافقت نکرد مگر برادرزاده‌اش لوط و یکی دو نفر دیگر هم از ضعفاء. بعد در نهایت مظلومیت حضرت ابراهیم از شدت تعرض اعداء از وطن خارج شد و فی‌الحقیقه حضرت ابراهیم را اخراج نمودند تا قلع و قمع گردد و اثری از او باقی نماند. حضرت ابراهیم از آن به فلسطین که ارض مقدس است، آمدند... این هجرت سبب شد که سلالة ابراهیم ترقی نمود؛ این هجرت سبب شد که ارض مقدس به سلالة ابراهیم داده شد؛ این هجرت سبب شد که تعالیم ابراهیم منتشر گشت؛ این هجرت سبب شد که سلالۀ ابراهیم یعقوبی پیدا شد و یوسفی آشکار گشت که عزیز مصر شد؛ این هجرت سبب شد که از سلالۀ ابراهیم مثل حضرت موسی ظاهر گشت؛ این هجرت سبب شد که مثل حضرت ‎مسیحی مسیح‎ از سلالۀ ابراهیم ظاهر گشت؛ این هجرت سبب شد که هاجری پیدا شد و از او اسماعیل تولد یافت و از سلالۀ او حضرت محمدی پیدا شد؛ این هجرت سبب شد که از سلاله‌اش حضرت اعلی ظاهر شد؛ این هجرت سبب شد که انبیای بنی اسرائیل از ابراهیم ظاهر شدند و همچنین تا ابدالآباد می‌رود... قدری دقت باید نمود که هجرت ابراهیمی از ‎اورفد اور کلده به‎ حلب به سوریه بود و نتایجش این گشت. آیا هجرت جمال مبارك از طهران به بغداد و از آنجا به اسلامبول و از آنجا به روملی و از آنجا به ارض مقدس چه نتایجی خواهد داشت؟

حضرت بهاءالله در آثار مبارکۀ خود بارها اهل بهاء... [Page 22]

Media

from page 9

sentatives in its network.

During the Congress, media centers will be made available at the Javits Center and Hilton Hotel for professional journalists from print and broadcast media. The centers will be staffed by task force members and a team of more than 150 volunteers from many countries who have been assigned as center coordinators, press escorts, translators, clerical and general assistants and spokespersons, and will have communications equipment for rapid communication worldwide.

Daily news releases and background information will be readily available at the media centers. A press briefing on Congress activities will be held each morning at the Javits media center.

Other media centers will be set aside at the Javits Center and Hilton Hotel for use of NPIOs and representatives of the U.S. Bahá’í media network.

By the end of the Holy Year the whole world may well have heard about Bahá’u’lláh, “the most precious Being ever to have drawn breath upon this planet.”

The North Dallas, Texas, area Bahá’í School has begun its third year of operation at a local day-care center. More than 80 students are enrolled in the school’s seven classes ranging from kindergarten to adult. The school serves nine communities and is still growing.

UPCOMING PIONEERING INSTITUTES

January 7-10, 1993—Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California. March 1993—Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine. May 1993—Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, Illinois. June 1993—Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan. Labor Day weekend 1993—Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina.

If you are interested in pioneering, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, telephone 708-869-9039 or fax 708-869-0247 for more information.

Letters

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By confronting America’s “most challenging issue” we can, as Bahá’ís, work toward obliterating the dissent, hatred and ignorance that fester in our society.

As co-founder of IFUN (Interracial Family Unity Network), I would like to make known to Bahá’ís who are interracially married and to individual Bahá’ís that there are now more than 50 local support groups nationwide and in other countries that offer a variety of services for them.

Many publish newsletters to which one may subscribe. There are two national magazines, Interrace and New People, which carry articles, merchandise and news about and for the interracial lifestyle in America.

It is not surprising that on November 12, 1990, the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, AMEA (Association of Multi-Ethnic Americans) was formed in San Francisco, with delegates coming from all over the U.S. AMEA also publishes a newsletter available by subscription.

As I subscribe and write to a number of support groups’ newsletters, I see occasionally the names “Bahá’í” and “Bahá’u’lláh” mentioned, as a number of Bahá’ís write to them identifying themselves as Bahá’ís who are interracially married.

We who are interracially married and/or multi-racial must take a firm position and be counted among those in the vanguard for the “unity race,” that one race whose establishment will bring about the “Most Great Peace.”

We are duty-bound to be active in whatever way we can, avoid complacency, be proud yet humble that we are special, for we are living examples of the oneness of humanity today and prototypes of unity for tomorrow.

The address for AMEA is San Francisco, CA 94107 (attn. Carlos Fernandez). Phone 415-695-0330.

My address is Jefferson City, MO 65109 (phone 314-635-2575). If you like, send me a long self-addressed, stamped envelope and I will send you a list of interracial family support groups at no charge. Also, please write to me about your Bahá’í experiences as an interracial couple or family; I would love to correspond with you.

Diana S. Page Jefferson City, Missouri

CORRECTION

In the issue for the Feast of ‘Ilm (October 16), on page 18, the following statement appears under the heading “The Right of God”: “At this time, the Law of Huqúqu’lláh is binding only on Persian believers and those who are required to observe the law in their native country. ...” Of course, this no longer is true, as the Universal House of Justice has extended the privilege of observing the Law of Huqúqu’lláh to believers in the West as well as in the East. We regret any misunderstanding this may have caused.

Renowned Persian singer Ahdieh Pakravan recently completed an eight-city concert tour of the United States, raising a total of $196,000 for the Arc project. Her itinerary, which was planned by the U.S. Persian/American Affairs Office and approved by the National Spiritual Assembly, included the following cities: Passaic, New Jersey; Newport Beach, California; San Francisco, California; Portland, Oregon; Wilmette, Illinois; Orlando, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; and Fairfax County, Virginia. In each community the concert program included prayers and readings from the Writings, musical performances in addition to Mrs. Pakravan’s, auctions or sales of items for the Arc Fund, and presentations designed to educate the friends on the significance of the Arc project. Mrs. Pakravan undertook the tour at her own expense, so that all proceeds could benefit the Arc; in addition, she has donated the profits from the sales of ‘The Fragrances of Mercy,’ her first video tape of Bahá’í songs and prayers, to the Arc Fund. Pictured with Mrs. Pakravan at the concert in Wilmette is her son, Hossein, who traveled with her as keyboard accompanist. The Pakravans currently reside in Spain.

Noticias

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Alcalde y con la Oficina del Gobernador y se les alentó a que regresaran a la ciudad para poder continuar compartiendo su Fe con la gente. (Informe de la Asamblea Nacional)

Francia: Novela Francesa Transmite el Espíritu de la Fe Bahá’í.

Grasset, un editor francés, recientemente publicó una novela titulada “Un Proceso Legal Sin Apelación” por el autor iraní, Fereidoune Sahebijam. La novela, la tercera conmovedora, dramática de un hombre quien vivió bajo los regímenes de Pahlavi y de Khomeini y quien finalmente es condenado por su Fe en Bahá’u’lláh. Aunque existen inexactitudes en la novela, la Oficina Europea de Información Pública de la Comunidad Internacional Bahá’í nota que el libro en general transmite el espíritu de la Fe y crea simpatía hacia los Bahá’ís. Desde la publicación de este libro, el autor ha aparecido con frecuencia en los medios de comunicación y en conferencias públicas y privadas proveyendo información correcta sobre la Fe. (Informe del Canadian Bahá’í News)

Irlanda: Ingresan Veinte Nuevos Creyentes Durante Escuela de Verano.

Veinte personas aceptaron la Fe como resultado de actividades de enseñanza realizadas durante la escuela de verano en Waterford del 25 de Julio al 2 de Agosto pasados. “Un espíritu maravilloso” se sintió en la escuela, que tuvo la asistencia de más de 400 amigos de 15 países. Entre los participantes se encontraban el sr. Adib Taherzadeh, miembro de la Casa Universal de Justicia, el sr. Patrick O’Mara, Consejero Continental y dos miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar. Otros puntos sobresalientes de la escuela de verano fueron el Primer Congreso de Niños Irlandeses y un instituto de enseñanza de 6 días de duración, un día de los cuales se dedicó a la expresión artística. (Informe de la Asamblea Nacional)

Panamá: Sobre y Sello Emitidos para las Conmemoraciones Bahá’ís en 1992.

El 9 de Julio la Oficina Nacional de Correos realizó una ceremonia por el primer día de emisión de un sobre especial titulado “Conmemoraciones de la Fe Bahá’í en 1992”. El sobre especial está a la venta del público y conmemora el Centenario de la Ascensión de Bahá’u’lláh, el Congreso Mundial Bahá’í en New York y el vigésimo aniversario de la Casa de Adoración Bahá’í en Panamá. En adición un sello de goma con las palabras “Vigésimo Aniversario de la Casa de Adoración Bahá’í de Panamá: La Fe Bahá’í Unidad en Diversidad” se implantó a las cartas que entraron y salieron del País durante el mes de Julio. [Page 23]

Auto accident in Indiana claims lives of two former pioneers

An automobile accident on September 18 took the lives of two former pioneers, Ruth Hawthorne and her daughter, Shirley Morris, both of West Lafayette, Indiana.

Mrs. Hawthorne served as a pioneer to Uganda between 1962 and 1966 with her husband, Leslie. The Hawthornes also served as traveling teachers here in the U.S., in addition to their years of devoted services in Indiana including inviting into their homes many local students, some of whom became their "spiritual children." Mrs. Hawthorne served for many years on the Spiritual Assembly of West Lafayette, and was still serving in that capacity, at age 88, when she died.

Mrs Hawthorne's daughter, Shirley Morris, spent a year in Côte d'Ivoire (then Ivory Coast) with her husband and four of their five children in 1973. In 1981 she served for two months in Burkina Faso (then Upper Volta) assisting in the National Office and in the development of Bahá’í children's materials.

In addition to these international services, Mrs. Morris served for many years in the West Lafayette community in child education and as a member of the Assembly and was its secretary at the time of her death.

Shirley's youngest daughter, Susan Morris, had just followed in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother by pioneering to the Bahamas a month before the accident.

Long-time pioneer Frederic Berest; served in Panama for 40 years

The Office of Pioneering recently became aware of the passing last March 8 in Panama of long-term pioneer Frederic Berest.

Mr. Berest, born November 8, 1910, responded to the call of the Guardian for pioneers early in the Ten Year Crusade.

Both Fred and his wife, Jean, were experienced in the theater arts and hoped to be able to serve where they could use their talents. Leaving the Los Angeles community, they arrived in Panama (then Canal Zone) in April of 1954.

During his 40 years of service in the Panama community, Mr. Berest served on the National Spiritual Assembly and as a member of the Auxiliary Board. In his later years he and his second wife, Lucy, served as caretakers for the Hazíratu’l-Quds. Both daughters, born in Panama, are now pioneering, in Spain and the Canary Islands respectively.

At the time of Mr. Berest's death, in his 80th year, the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama received the following cable from the Universal House of Justice:

GRIEVED LEARN PASSING DEVOTED STEADFAST SERVANT CAUSE GOD FRED BEREST. HIS PRAISEWORTHY SERVICES INCLUDING NEARLY FOUR DECADES AS PIONEER PANAMA WARMLY REMEMBERED. ASSURE PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES ADVANCEMENT HIS SOUL WORLDS BEYOND. KINDLY CONVEY LOVING CONDOLENCES HIS WIFE, FAMILY, FRIENDS.

O Friends!

"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

Manila H. Lee, member for 18 years of Los Angeles Assembly, dies at age 76

Manila H. Lee, who served for 18 years as a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles, California, and was elected 15 times as a delegate to the Bahá’í National Convention in Wilmette, died August 13 in Los Angeles, five days before her 77th birthday.

Mrs. Lee, a Bahá’í since 1946, was an educator by profession, having taught at schools in Phoenix, Arizona, and Los Angeles, and at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. She retired from teaching in 1975.

Mrs. Lee's marriage in 1946 to the late Asa P. Lee was the first Bahá’í wedding to be celebrated at the Bahá’í Center in Los Angeles, at a time when Bahá’í marriages still were not legally recognized in California.

In later years, Mrs. Lee served as librarian of the Los Angeles Bahá’í community and as manager of the Los Angeles Bahá’í Bookshop.

Fairfield community mounts colorful display at library

The Spiritual Assembly of Fairfield, California, has mounted a colorful display at the local public library in Fairfield.

Included are photographs of the Bahá’í Houses of Worship around the world and diverse groups of Bahá’ís; the letter of the National Spiritual Assembly to President Bush; excerpts from "The Vision of Race Unity"; a display of various Bahá’í books; and an article from a San Jose newspaper about the commemoration of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh written by a non-Bahá’í reporter.

Environment

view of the Bahá’í International Community, acceptance of the oneness of humanity is the first fundamental prerequisite for this reorganization and administration of the world as one country, the home of humankind. Recognition of this principle does not imply abandonment of legitimate loyalties, the suppression of cultural diversity, or the abolition of national autonomy. It calls for a wider loyalty, for a far higher aspiration than has so far animated human efforts. It clearly requires the subordination of national impulses and interests to the imperative claims of a unified world. It is inconsistent not only with any attempt to impose uniformity, but with any tendency toward excessive centralization. Its goal is well captured in the concept of "unity in diversity."

The Bahá’í Writings envision the world federal system proposed by Bahá’u’lláh as one "in whose favor all the nations of the world will have willingly ceded every claim to make war, certain rights to impose taxation and all rights to maintain armaments, except for purposes of maintaining internal order within their respective dominions." Such a world commonwealth will include "a world legislature, whose members will, as the trustees of the whole of mankind, ultimately control the entire resources of all the component nations, and will enact such laws as shall be required to regulate the life, satisfy the needs and adjust the relationships of all races and peoples. A world executive, backed by an international Force, will carry out the decisions arrived at, and apply the laws enacted by, this world legislature, and will safeguard the organic unity of the whole commonwealth. A world tribunal will adjudicate and deliver its compulsory and final verdict in all and any disputes that may arise between the various elements constituting this universal system." Under such a system, "a single code of international law—the product of the considered judgment of the world's federated representatives—shall have as its sanction the instant and coercive intervention of the combined forces of the federated units...." At the same time, "the autonomy of [the] state members and the personal freedom and initiative of the individuals that compose them [will be] definitely and completely safeguarded."

The Bahá’í International Community therefore urges the Preparatory Committee to consider bold and creative approaches to the creation of international legislative machinery and processes. No real change is possible without a vision. The proposed Earth Charter can go a long way toward articulating a unifying vision for the future and boldly asserting the values upon which it must rest. In its work on the text, the Preparatory Committee may wish to refer to The Promise of World Peace, a statement to the peoples of the world issued in support of the United Nations International Year of Peace (IYP) by the Universal House of Justice.

Bahá’ís the world over find in the UNCED process a powerful reinforcement of the optimism they feel about the future of humankind. We believe that, empowered by the universal recognition of the dangers presently facing the planet, the governments of the world can be moved to act courageously on behalf of the human race as a whole. The result may well prove to be not only an effective response to the environmental and developmental problems now facing us, but another enormous step forward in building a federal system able to take up the entire array of challenges confronting a rapidly integrating human race.

Alsea, Oregon, presents 5th annual scholarship

The fifth annual educational scholarship sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Alsea, Oregon, was presented this year to a recently declared Bahá’í, Jennifer Schmidt.

The $250 award is given to a high school senior who has displayed academic and humanitarian achievements during his/her high school career. Miss Schmidt is the first Bahá’í to receive the scholarship.

IN MEMORIAM

Mary Brandt-Smith Oxnard, CA August 27, 1992

Ellis Coker Columbia, SC Date Unknown

B. Corinne Drake Brantwood, WI August 9, 1992

Moses Jackson Dawson, GA Date Unknown

R.J. Jenkins Dawson, GA Date Unknown

Joe Johnson Lilly, GA April 1992

Irene Kapelac Green Bay, WI August 15, 1992

Lawrence Preston Independence, KS 1989

Lucy L. Ross Perry, GA April 22, 1991

William Sampson Cordova, MD Date Unknown

Irma Bell Shorter Byronville, GA Date Unknown

Howard Thomas Roy, UT June 10, 1992 [Page 24]Bahá’ís from five communities in Ohio get ready to march August 22 in the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival parade. The banners proclaiming the Bahá’í message were made by the friends in Bucyrus as a goal of their teaching institute. Helping to carry them in the parade were Bahá’ís from Bloomville, Mansfield, Ontario and Shiloh. A record crowd saw the 25th annual parade which was taped for broadcast the following week on local cable television.

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS.

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving your copy of The American Bahá’í, send your new address and your mailing label to MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, as soon as you know what your new address will be.

This form may be used for one person or your entire family. Please be sure to list FULL NAMES AND I.D. NUMBERS for all individuals, ages 15 years or older, who will be affected by this change.

A. NAME(S): 1. ____________________ I.D. # __________ Title __________ 2. ____________________ I.D. # __________ Title __________ 3. ____________________ I.D. # __________ Title __________ 4. ____________________ I.D. # __________ Title __________

B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: __________________________________________________ Street address __________________________________________________ Apartment # (If applicable) __________________________________________________ City _________________________ _________________________ State Zip code

C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS: __________________________________________________ P.O. Box or Other mailing address __________________________________________________ Apartment # (If applicable) __________________________________________________ City _________________________ _________________________ State Zip code

D. NEW COMMUNITY: _________________________ _________________________ Name of new Bahá’í Community Moving date

E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: (_____) __________________ _________________________ Area code Phone number Name

F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): (_____) __________________ _________________________ Area code Phone number Name (_____) __________________ _________________________ Area code Phone number Name

G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: [ ] we do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and I.D. number(s) listed above. [ ] the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.

H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY: [ ] Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, I.D. number and address above.

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

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NOVEMBER

5-9: First Sino-American Seminar on Women’s Issues, sponsored by the Shanghai Municipal Women’s Federation. Theme: “Women Today and Tomorrow.” For information, contact Seminar on Women’s Issues, Duette J. Rochelle, P.O. Box 725, Kapaa, HI 96746 (phone 808-822-5756 or 808-335-3566; Fax 808-335-0065).

23-26: Second Bahá’í World Congress, Jacob K. Javits Center, New York City.

26-December 1: Radio Bahá’í International Conference (sponsored by IBAVC, the Louis Gregory Institute, and WLGI), Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

DECEMBER

11-13: “Rendezvous of the Soul,” a special Holy Year program for personal reflection, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

23-27: Winter I (General Session, all ages), Bosch Bahá’í School. David Hofman, retired member of the Universal House of Justice, “A Provocative Study of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”; Ron Gilpatrick, “The World Congress: Reflections and Opportunities”; Marsha Gilpatrick and Sheila Banani, “A Fundamentally Different Order.” For children: “A Covenant Is a Promise.” International folk dancing, winter holiday activities. To register, send $80 deposit for each person to Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; MasterCard/VISA, phone 408-423-3387.

25-28: Eighth annual Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Phoenix, Arizona. Rooms from only $40. Youth workshops, entertainment, top speakers (Dr. William Roberts, Dr Suheil Bushrui, others). For more information please phone the GCBC hotline (24 hours a day), 602-375-9951.

30-January 3: Winter II (General Session, all ages), Bosch Bahá’í School. For program details, see Winter I Session (December 23-27). To register, send $80 deposit for each person to Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; MasterCard/VISA, phone 408-423-3387.

31-January 2: South Carolina Bahá’í Winter School, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

JANUARY

7-10: Pioneer Training Institute, Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California. For information, phone the Office of Pioneering, 708-869-9039.

15-17: “Rendezvous of the Soul,” a special Holy Year program for personal reflection, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

FEBRUARY

26-28: “Rendezvous of the Soul,” a special Holy Year program for personal reflection, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

26-28: Bahá’í Health and Human Services Conference, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

MARCH

Pioneer Training Institute, Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine, and Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, Illinois. For information, phone the Office of Pioneering, 708-869-9039.

MAY

Pioneer Training Institute, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL. For information, phone the Office of Pioneering, 708-869-9039.

JUNE

Pioneer Training Institute, Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan. For information, phone the Office of Pioneering, 708-869-9039.

SEPTEMBER

Pioneer Training Institute, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone the Office of Pioneering, 708-869-9039.

Professionals Sought for Race Unity Network and Referral Service

The National Spiritual Assembly is developing a network and referral system of professional individuals, corporations, and those active in the field of race unity to meet the needs of Bahá’í communities and other organizations who may request assistance with race unity initiatives. This network could assist local Bahá’í communities (on a minimal-expenses basis) by either personal visit, phone consultation, or, when developed, special materials, and assist organizations (educational, civic/governmental, or corporate) by operating in their professional capacities.

Professionals interested in becoming a part of this network should contact the National Teaching Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, phone (708) 869-9039. Correspondence should include the name of corporation/consulting firm, area of expertise (multi-cultural education for schools, experience with corporations, etc.), methodology (how the firm operates), range of fees for professional referral work, and availability to work on a minimal-expenses basis (could individuals volunteer, for example, once per month?). Professional participants would have the option to say, “No,” to a particular situation which may be referred to them.