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The American Baha’i

Volume 24, No.17

‘...knowledge is a veritable treasure for man. ...’—Baha'u'llah

Qawl B.E. 150 / November 23, 1993

Marzieh Gail, translator, author, pioneer to Europe dies in San Francisco

Marzieh Gail, a renowned Baha’{ author and translator and offspring of the first marriage between Persian and American Baha'fs, died October 16 in San Francisco, California.

Mrs. Gail wrote several books and pamphlets about the Faith (including The Sheltering Branch, aloving portrait of ‘Abdu’ lBaha) and translated Baha’f works from Persian and Arabic into English. She also pioneered to Europe.

Mrs. Gail was born in the United States, the daughter of a Persian diplomat and an American woman.

“Ali-Kuli Khan Nabil was Persia’s chief diplomatic representative to the United

Cables paying tribute to Mrs. Gail and her services to the Cause are on page 2.

States during the presidencies of Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson.

When he married Florence Breed of Boston and Lynn, Massachusetts, ‘Abdu’ IBah wrote, “This is the first conjugal union between East and West.”

Ata young age, Mrs. Gail accompanied her father to Paris, where he was a member of Persia’s peace delegation to the Versailles Peace Conference, and to other posts. In Tehran, she was presented at the Court of the then Crown Prince Regent.

Mr. Khan also served for more than a year as an amanuensis to ‘Abdu’l-Bah4.

Mrs. Gail was graduated “with great distinction” and Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University and earned a master’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley. She was the first woman to work on the staff of a Tehran newspaper.

Later, as a Baha’{ pioneer, Mrs. Gail spent 10 years in Europe with her American husband, Harold Gail, who preceded her in death. They helped to form the local Spiritual Assemblies of Nice, Salzburg and Arnhem, and she served for a time as chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Austria.

During that period, she engaged in historical research on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Her books on historical subjects include Avignon in Flower, Life in the Renaissance, The Three Popes, and Persia and the Victorians.

The Baha’ f work for which Mrs. Gail is best known is The Sheltering Branch, which draws heavily on her remembrances of the Master and on the diary of her mother. She also translated such books as ‘Abdu’ l-Baha’s The Secret of Divine Civilization and Memorials of the Faithful.

“Voice mail’ helps reach seekers 2 Hearts, history link friends to Arc 5 Guidance on relations between sexes 10-11 Spanish-speakers conference atBosch 12 Filming ‘The Prisoner of Akka” 15 NYC opens newly remodeled Center 19.

‘Vision in Action’

National Assembly’s message presents challenge

to fulfill destiny of Ame

By Tom MeNNILLO

Calamity is upon the American nation and only the Bahd’t Faith holds the answers.

Our number are too few, though, to have a fundamental impact on the country’s direc- . tion. Our material resources are too limited even to meet our own community’s needs.

Growth is the solution. Every individual must arise immediately to achieve it.

That urgent message is being carried throughout the country in aseries of “Vision in Action” meetings called by the National Spiritual Assembly as a response to the crisis in American society.

The heart-to-heart sessions, which began November 7, are being hosted by 300 specially briefed Baha’fs.

Meetings will be held in each electoral unit, and all believers are encouraged to take an active part in them.

“Victory in the Three Year Plan will bring our nation closer to its only hope— the Cause of Bahd’u’lléh,” the National Spiritual Assembly said in welcoming the 300 presenters to their briefings last month.

“The pressing social and economic problems confronting America can only be resolved when the Cause of God is given due regard by our nation’s people. Our discussion will focus on the immediate need for a massive increase in the number of American Baha’ fs and in material support to the Fund.

“Although significant, these issues gain their full import when viewed in the context that we are building a ‘home’ under the Banner of Baha’u’llah that can welcome all humankind. It will be the shelter that can ‘minister to the crying needs of humanity in its hour of deepening despair.’”

Our community has distinguished itself throughout history at times of great need, the National Spiritual Assembly reminded the presenters.

Witness the Ten Year Crusade. American Baha’ is raised aloft the standard of Bahd’u’ lah around the world and helped found many of the National Spiritual Assemblies.

Witness the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. When increasing oppression of the Iranian Bahé’{ community jeopardized its construction, American Baha’is took up the cudgel and became a pillar of financial strength.

Now, the presenters were told, such a herculean effort is needed again. And they have taken the urgency of the message to heart.

the training session held October 16-17 in Foundation Hall at the Bahd't House of Worship.

“This is a wake-up call to the American Baha’ f community from the National Spiritual Assembly,” said presenter Nina Karamallis of Sandy Springs, Georgia.

“Tt comes at a critical time, early in the Three Year Plan,” she s: “We can’t wait until we are three-fourths through the Plan to respond.”

Mrs. Karamallis said she came away from the briefing with a better sense of the rapid deterioration in American society and was “struck that we as Baha’ is need to directly impact what is happening.”

She said the briefing also challenged her to approach the teaching work differently.

“There’s lots of energy out there. Individual Bah4’fs are doing a lot of work

rican Baha’i community

in terms of teaching,” she said.

“But much of the teaching we do does not follow a whole process,” she said. “It’s random. And when it is planned, we don’t do the follow-through necessary to enroll people.”

The answer, Mrs. Karamallis said she learned at the briefing, lies in a systematic approach to the process of proclamation, teaching and consolidation.

Shirley Pleasant of Little Rock, Arkansas, was similarly heartened by the vision outlined by the National Spiritual Assembly.

“T felt sad over-all that we haven’t done

See VISION page 13

To all National Spiritual Assemblies Dear Baha't Friends,

by the House of Justice: 108. the Baydn $77

future generations.”

With loving Baha'i greetings,

Changes in annotation in translation of Aqdas

The Universal House of Justice has asked that we advise you of changes in the wording of one of the annotations to the Kitdb-i-Aqdas. Inadvertently an earlier draft version of note No. 108 was reproduced in the first edition. This note should be replaced in subsequent editions with the following version originally approved

The Bayan, the Mother Book of the Babf Dispensation, is the title given by the Bab to His Book of Laws, and it is also applied to the entire body of His Writings. The Persian Baydn is the major doctrinal work and principal repository of the laws ordained by the Bab. The Arabic Baydn is parallel in content but smaller and less weighty. When describing the Persian Baydn in God Passes By, Shoghi Effendi indicated that it should be regarded “primarily as a eulogy of the Promised One rather than a code of laws and ordinances designed to be a permanent guide to

The second paragraph of the note should remain as published.

The Universal House of Justice Department of the Secretariat August 17, 1993

[Page 2]2 Tue American BanA'l

ra =

By Tom MeNNILLO

Most days, Alfred Skerpan is squirreled away working on his doctoral dissertation in American history.

But the graduate student at the University of Wisconsin at Madison wants to be more involved in Baha’f teaching.

So earlier this year he asked for and received permission from the Spiritual Assembly of Madison to set up a voicemail information line, and in June the service went online to provide seekers with a “non-threatening” first contact with the Faith.

One declaration has resulted thus far. A woman who called the line later took part in the Green Lake Conference and declared her belief in Baha'u'llah.

Mr. Skerpan said the voice-mail line— technically known as an automated attendant system—gives callers a two-minute description of the Faith.

‘The line also allows callers with a touchtone telephone to press “1” on the phone’s dial for a menu of topics of further information. (Those without touch-tone service are given a telephone number to call for information from a “live” voice.)

Then they press the number corresponding to the topic about which they want to hear.

In all, a total of about 30 minutes of information is available on seven topics:

• history of the Baha’ Faith;

• selections from the Writings and

prayers;

+ how to find books and other materials on the Faith;

• what it means to become a Baha’ f;

• Baha’{ telephone numbers to call in

Madison and the surrounding area;

• Baha’{ gatherings the public can attend; and

• the principles and teachings of the

Faith, in the form of a talk that is changed daily.

Mr. Skerpan said the voice-mail line garnered six calls in June, 19 in July, 62 in August and 28 in September.

The high August figure, he said, is attributable to a series of four advertisements he purchased in an alternative news and entertainment weekly newspaper. Those ads are being renewed.

He also has promoted the information line through the Madison Assembly’s “church listing” on the Saturday religion

Albany, GA, Baha'is heavily involved in city's efforts to promote race unity

In June, Bahd'fs in Albany, Georgia, presented copies of “The Promise of World Peace” and “The Vision of Race Unity” to the mayor. After a long talk about racial problems in Albany, the mayor invited the Baha'is to join the newly formed group, Coalition for Diversity, and proclaimed June 13 Race Unity Day in Albany.

The Bahd’fs held a Race Unity Day picnic that day. About 20 Bahd'fs and six non-Baha'fs took part in the event, which was covered by the local newspaper.

From contacts made there, the Baha'fs

Faith is represented at Gary Race Unity Conference

The Faith was represented October 10 at an interfaith Race Unity Conference in Gary, Indiana.

Henry G. Curry, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Gary, was one of three featured speakers at the conference. The others were Rabbi Stanley Halpern of Temple Israel and the Rey. Barbara Edgecombe of the First Unitarian Church of Hobart.

Their dialogue, followed by an open discussion, addressed the persistent problem of racial segregation in northwest Indiana's Lake and Porter counties, described in a 1989 study by Northwestern University as one of the most segregated areas in the country.

met with the executive director and chairman of the Coalition for Diversity and began to take part in a meaningful way.

A Baha'f was named co-leader of the Coalition's community action task force, and the Bahd'fs invited author and educator Nathan Rutstein to come to Albany. During his two and one-half day visit, Mr. Rutstein spoke on television for about 30 minutes, was featured in three newspaper articles, and reached about 300 people including government, business and education leaders, in several meetings with the Baha’f message of race unity.

In August, members of the Baha'f community accepted invitations to serve on the Albany 2000 Educational Reform Movement, sponsored by the federal government and the Chamber of Commerce of Albany.

One Bahd'f is serving as a consultant on the general education task force, and another is serving as secretary to the task force on pre-school and readiness education.

Also in August, Bahd'fs were instrumental in bringing Cheri Steinwender and Mark Hays, Baha'fs from Houston's Institute for the Healing of Racism, to Albany for a weekend training session attended by 30. Space for the meetings and free meals for participants were provided by co-sponsor Procter & Gamble.

Since then the Baha'f

States, 1233 Central St., E postage paid at Evanston, IL, and additional ISSN Number: 1062-1113. Executive editor:

in the U.S.A.

The American Bahd't is published 19 times a year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bah4'fs of the United ton, IL 60201. Second class ling offices. jack Bowers. Associate Editor: Tom Mennillo. The American Bahd't welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Baha'{ 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 Bahd't, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to Management Information Systems, Bahd't National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Copyright © 1993 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahé'fs of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed

community has remained active with the Coalition for Diversity, helping to set up racial dialogues and discussion groups throughout the city. The Atlanta Baha'i Youth Workshop was scheduled to perform September 25 at the Albany Civic Center with entertainment by Bahda'f musicians Mike and Bev Rogers of Fort Valley.

In October, the Baha'is of Albany were to host the two-day South Georgia Baha'f School.

Qawe BE. 150 / Novemeen. 23, 1993

page of the Madison daily newspaper and through ads he bought in a “new age” publication and the University of Wisconsin at Madison student newspaper.

And Mr. Skerpan is putting up posters in various campus locations in conjunction with the Baha’{ Association at UW-M.

The goal of the information service is to give “souls who are ready” but who might be reluctant to talk about religion an opportunity to anonymously approach the Faith, he said.

In addition, using a voice-mail line allows the local Baha’fs to reach beyond their circle of acquaintances for seekers. Mr. Skerpan said this is especially valuable in Madison, where Covenant-break Wisconsin Baha'i uses ‘voice mail’ to introduce seekers to Faith

ers have disrupted public proclamation efforts in the past.

All this, he said, has been achieved for a modest cost to him.

He contracts with a local telephone answering service, freeing him from having to invest in equipment or a second telephone line. A telecommunications consultant in the Baha’f community is looking at alternatives that might be even more cost-efficient.

Mr. Skerpan said other communities may contact him for information on the Madison experience with voice mail. He can be reached at 608-257-6396—preferably in the mornings; after all, he is trying to write his dissertation.

The Baha'ts of Ventura, California, joined their friends and neighbors in June to commemorate Race Unity Day with a gathering at Mission Park. About 100 people including Mayor Greg Carson of Ventura took part in the event, joining hands to form a ‘chain of unity to break the chains of racism.’ Among the speakers was Auxiliary Board member Hoda Mahmoudi of Ventura (seated at right), chairman of the Sociology Department at California Lutheran University.

Scriptures and as a pioneer.

wi acti

Cables from House of Justice, National Assembly, Ruhiyyih Khanum pay loving tribute to Marzieh Gail

Deeply saddened passing Marzieh Gail faithful maidservant Bahdé'u'll4h. Her pioneering efforts and her various endeavors as English translator original Bah4'f literature and as author books and articles ensure enduring remembrance her outstanding services Cause God. Fervently praying Holy Shrines progress her soul Abha Realm.

Deeply saddened at the loss of beloved maidservant of Baha'u'llah Marzieh Gail who left a rich legacy of service in her valuable translations of the Sacred

Our hearts will surround her as we pray in the House of Worship for the speedy ascent of her soul in the Abh4 Kingdom.

I would like to express my sympathy to the American Baha'f community on the occasion of the death of Marzieh Nabil Carpenter Gail, distinguished daughter of Ali-Kuli Khan, a trusted and esteemed Baha'{ who accompanied ‘Abdu’I-Bahé at His invitation on His journeys to Europe and North America and acted as one of the translators and members of His entourage.

In addition to her other services, Marzieh was requested by the beloved Guardian to undertake certain translations of the Baha'f texts, which she did distinction. Her steadfast devotion to the Cause of God and all its fies assure her, I feel confident, of a warm welcome into the Abha Kingdom and a just reward for her services and devotion.

The Universal House of Justice October 19, 1993

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'ts of the United States October 21, 1993

Ruhiyyih Haifa, Israel October 19, 1993

[Page 3]

THe AMERICAN BAaHA 3 MISSION 19 x" TO GO!) 3g ioe 3 LAN U.S. Baha’i Community Current Goals and Status - Qawl 150 - November 23, 1993 a) \

. Tue HEAT Is ON!

FiRESIDE TEACHING CAMPAIGN

‘TEACHING

TRAVELING TEACHING GOALS

Homerront PIONEER GOALts

E

HEB 60a forthe 3 Year Plan

[7] Completed as of this report [BBY Needed as of this report

THE FUND

(As of September 30, 1993)

Four Major Funps

Youd

$4,937,961

GR al for 150 BE.

[E} Contributions to Date

NATIONAL FuND $4,309,554

INTERNATIONAL FuND.

$613,589

Arc Projects FuNp

CONTINENTAL FUND Bl $50,000 $69,370

HEM s119,370

HB From Nav Bahai Fund

Earmarked Dollars

[BD Total Contributions

Host a fir

ide, or assist a host, when the Wave i:

18 ‘lim

17 Mashiyyat 9727-1015

10 ‘Azamat S/17-6/4

The HEAT Wave fireside teaching campaign has begun!

FiresiIDE AREAS

10/16-113

Jamél 428-SN6

With one month finished, and a total of seventeen to go, one area is already on fire from the recent activity. With one region setting the stage for the rest of the community, we have but to follow suit to set the nation ablaze. Help light the souls on fire! your area, and continue to hold those fires teaching prayers for the area of the Wave; and remember, Hold Everything And Teach!

10 ‘Azamat_ 5/17-6/4

Sharaf 1231-118 Pe

les throughout the year. Say

Oklahoma, Texas

Year to date.

TOTAL ENROLLMENTS

September GOO, Oct. (partial) ......37

Spiritual Assembli

Name: Street:

Date moved:

| | | | | | also. | | | | | | |

500 Homefront Pioneers Sought for Three Year Plan

Homefront Pioneers are Baha’ fs of all ages who move to localities without local Are you a Homefront Pioneer? The National Spiritual Assembly would like to count your efforts toward its goals! If you have moved to an area without a local Spiritual Assembly within the United States, please return this form to: National Homefront Pioneer Coordinator, Baha’f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Please remember to include children and infants,

City/State/Zip:

Where did move from?

Qawt 8.€. 150 / Novemser 23, 1993

Qudrat 11/4-11/22 Illinois, lowa, Missouri | 1LNdr 6/5-6/23 Arizona, New Mexico QAWL 11/23-12/11_ INDIANA, OHIO. 12Rahmat 6/24-7/12 California: Electoral Units 025, 026, 3 Masd’il 12/12-12/30 Michigan, Wisconsin 027, 029, 030, 031 4 Sharaf —12/31-1/18 — Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, 13 Kalimat. 7/13-7/31 California: Electoral Units 015, 019, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, 020, 021, 022, 023, 024, 028 Vermont 14Kamél —8/1-8/19 California: Electoral Units 008, 009, 5 Sultén — 1/19-2/6 New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania 010, O11, 012, 013, 014, 016, 017, 018 6 Mulk 217-2125 Delaware, Maryland, Vi 15 Asma’ 8/20-9/7 Oregon Washington (DC), West Virginia 16 ‘Izzat —-9/8-9/26 Washington 7 Baha 3/21-4/8 Georgia, N. Carolina, S. Carolina 17 Mashfyyat9/27-10/15 Colorado, Idaho, Montana, 8 Jaldl 4/9-4/27 Florida Nevada, Utah, Wyoming 9 Jamal 4128-S/I16 Alabama, Arka’ Kentucky, 18 ‘lim 10/16-11/3 Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee N. Dakota, S. Dakota XS Y, IF ial

ID #:

[Page 4]4 The American BanA'l

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS...

Euisa Castio, a 21-year-old Baha'f, is starting graduate school in psychology at the University of Wisconsin after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Puerto Rico and receiving the John F. Kennedy Medal for merit in the social sciences. Her 17-year-old sister, Susana, is starting college at Harvard University where she plans to major in physics. Susana was valedictorian of her Catholic high school class and won many merit awards including one for religion. She was offered scholarships to MIT and CalTech.

Morris Taytor, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Evanston, Illinois, has been chosen by Allstate Insurance Company as one of its 1993 Healthy American Fitness Leaders. Mr. Taylor is one of two employees selected from among the 6,000 employees at Allstate's national headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois, and one of only 42 chosen from Allstate's 50,000 employees nationwide. In winning the award, sponsored by Allstate since 1982, Mr. Taylor was cited for his personal commitment to fitness; his work as a martial arts instructor; his participation in the Healthy American Games, an annual fund-raising event for the U.S. Olympic team; and his community service on behalf of the Baha'f community.

Susan Lewis WaicHr, a Bahd'f from Denver, Colorado, who is a professional singer and songwriter, recently released a compact disc, “Down in Mexico,” on Wooden Boats Music that includes five of her own compositions and one Bahd'f-oriented song, “Tomorrow Belongs to the Children.”

Justin Vanio Deverse, a Bahd'f from Las Vegas, Nevada, received several awards as an outstanding scholar last May at Dodgeland High School in Juneau, Wisconsin. Among them were a student achiever award from the Bradley Foundation, a certificate of excellence from the University of Wisconsin Engineering Exposition, and a Lioness Club award for forensics and band. Justin, who is now in the mechanical engineering program at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, was amember of the National Honor Society, first chair saxophone in the high school band, received two awards for musical performance at the state solo ensemble competition, and was the highest scorer on the Academic Decathlon team at the state competition.

Anne R. JENNISON, a Bahd'f from Lee, New Hampshire, was inducted last April into Alpha Sigma Lambda, the national honor society for adult college students who carry grade-point averages of 3.5 or higher. Mrs. Jennison, a mother and member of the Spiritual Assembly of Lee, made the dean's list at the College for Lifelong Learning, one of the four colleges in the University System of New Hampshire, with a 3.96 grade-point average. Three of her children, Kort (age 13), GeorGiaNna (10) and Amanpa (8), earned the Girl Scouts' “Unity of Mankind” Bahd'f religious recognition award last summer, along with six non-Baha'f members of their respective Girl Scout troups.

Leyta Hepayati, a Baha'f from Graham, Texas, has been chosen to attend this year’s National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. The Conference is a leadership development program for 350 high school students across America who have demonstrated leadership potential and scholastic merit. Miss Hedayati is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Club, Thespians, and Business Professionals of America at Graham High School.

MaSovaioa Moraan, a Bahd'f fourth-grade student in Kingwood, Texas, has been chosen as one of the Outstanding Girls of America by Barbie, the Magazine for Girls, and Mattel Inc. She was chosen for publishing a multicultural newspaper and for being an accomplished writer. She will receive a two-day trip to New York City, a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond, and an assortment of Barbie for Girls products.

On September 23, the Ben Franklin School in Rochester, Minnesota, held an award ceremony at which ANDREW KLANN, a 16-year-old Baha'f, was recognized for his achievement in becoming an Eagle Scout, the first Baha’f youth in that area to receive this high Scouting award.

Lives in Channel, an autobiographical account by Eieen Maopocks of Middletown, Connecticut, of her spiritual journey to acceptance of the Baha'f Faith, was published in September in Portuguese and released by a Brazilian publisher in Rio de Janeiro. Ms. Maddocks was graduated in June from the School of Broadcast Communications at Middlesex Community Technical College and is starting a career as a producer for Connecticut Public Television.

At Boswett, a member of the Bah4'f community of Gary, Indiana, was recently named Coca-Cola Educator of the Month in Gary. Mr. Boswell, who has served the Gary school system for 29 years, is chairman of the Speech and Drama Department at West Side High School. As a performer, he has received awards as best director and best supporting actor from the William Marshall Committee and the Gary NAACP Award for Contribution to the Arts.

Rauri McGee, a nine-year-old Baha'f from La Crescenta, California, recently earned his Baha'f Unity of Mankind medal from the Cub Scouts. To do so, he carried out a number of service projects, learned the principles of the Faith, and memorized half a dozen prayers.

Justin Deverse

traveling teaching projects, events

HUNGARY: All Baha’ fs of Hungarian origin are urgently needed in the Three Year Plan teaching work, starting immediately.

INDIA: Baha'i Academy of Panchgani—Dec. 14-23: three-year course for higher study of the Baha’{ Teachings. Part I:i ntensive study of the Kitdb-iAqdas. March 25-April 9, 1994: second course for international traveling teaching and short-term pioneering to the New Independent States and other Asian countries.

MACAU: Chinese-speakers are needed

for the initiation of a campaign to “carry the healing message of Baha’ u’llah to the generality of mankind”; October 20, 1993January 23, 1994.

MALTA: International Year of the Family world forum for Non-Governmental Organizations, entitled “Promoting Families for the Well-being of Individuals and Societies,” November 28-December 2, 1993.

For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’{f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Telephone 708-869-9039, Fax 708-869-3342.

aap Meine

Pictured with panels from a mural they renewed on a busy street corner on Staten Island, New York, are members of the ‘Richmond Youth Squad—Taking No Shortcuts,’ a social and economic development project of the Bahd'ts of Staten

Island.

Staten Island's ‘Richmond Youth Squad’ lends hand in urban renewal efforts while proclaiming Faith

A city-wide program that helps to fund grassroots youth groups struck a chord with the Baha’fs of Staten Island, New York City’s southernmost borough.

Why not work with neighborhood youth to provide positive alternatives in their lives, they asked themselves.

Thus was formed the “Richmond Youth Squad—Taking No Shortcuts” as a social and economic development project of the Baha’ fs of Staten Island.

The Baha’ fs’ request for city funding of the project was approved, and with the proceeds two artist consultants (one a Bahd’f) were hired to coordinate the renewal of a deteriorating mural on a street comer and to help the youth come up with a design for T-shirts.

Today, the 40-foot-long mural, with a sign that reads “Art work by Richmond Youth Squad—Taking No Shortcuts, assisted by members of the Baha’f Faith,” stands gleaming at one of the busiest intersections on Staten Island.

The mural project required the help of every local Baha’ f family. The non-Baha’f artist was so astonished at the cooperation of adults of a variety of ethnic backgrounds who did not live in the neighborhood and who were not related to the youth group members that she began to ask questions about the Faith and agreed to attend a fireside.

The project made such a difference in the neighborhood itself that the Richmond Youth Squad has been invited to join with other youth organizations ina variety of civic renewal activities.

For example, the group provided two dinners for clients of the AIDS program at Project Hospitality, a local service organization. It also is considering joining the

mayor's “Increase the Peace” citywide organization, and the parks department has asked the Youth Squad to adopt a local park.

Other Youth Squad projects planned for this year include two sign language workshops and a trip out of the neighborhood.

A local bank has offered space to the group. The Local Development Corporation also has offered assistance and advice and has invited the group’s advisory committee to speak about the Faith at an upcoming event.

The advisory committee, comprised of several of the Baha’fs and a non-Baha’f spouse, has invited the mayor to come to the area so he can see the fruits of the funds. that were provided.

In fact, additional funds have been requested to enable the Baha’ fs to expand their work with neighborhood youth.

GOING ABROAD? MAKE YOUR TRIP COUNT!

Beloved friends, the international travels of the followers of Baha’u’Ilah from the United States form a significant part of the history of the development of the Faith. The Universal House of Justice has asked us to keep detailed records of our international trips of any nature. It is important to remember that your mere presence as a Baha’{ in another country can potentially bring the spirit of the Faith of Baha'u'llah to that land. To record your international travels as a U.S. Baha’f, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Telephone 708-869-9039; fax 708-869-0247, Attn. Office of Pioneering.

Qawi B.€. 150 / Novemser 23, 1993 [Page 5]THe AmerIcAN BaHA'T 5

Hearts and history link U.S. Baha'is to the Arc Projects

I CONTRIBUTION UPDATE — SEPTEMBER 30, 1993

Let us travel back in time, to the night in 1909 when the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, laid the body of the Bab in its final’ resting place on Mount Carmel.

This is how Shoghi Effendi described that scene:

“When all was finished, and the earthly remains of the Martyr-Prophet of Shiraz fely deposited for he bosom of God’s holy mountain, ‘Abdu’l-Bah4é, Who had cast aside His turban, removed His shoes and thrown off His cloak, bent low over the still open sarcophagus, His silver hair waving about His head and His face transfigured and luminous, rested His forehead on the border of the wooden casket, and, sobbing aloud, wept with such a weeping that all those who were present wept with Him. That night He could not sleep, so overwhelmed was He with emotion.’

In the Tablet ‘Abdu’l-Bahé later wrote, announcing to His followers the news of this victory, He mentioned our community’s direct link with the Holy Mountain:

“By a strange coincidence, on that same day of Naw-Rtiz, a cablegram was received from Chicago, announcing that the believers in each of the American centers had elected a delegate and sent to that city...and definitely decided on the site and construction of the Mashriqu’lAdhkér.” (God Passes By, p. 276)

From that day to this, we have been directly involved in the happenings on that Mountain. It is a fascinating story. Here are a few of the highlights. PALESTINE BRANCH OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

From the early days of his ministry, the beloved Guardian; Shoghi Effendi, associated the properties and developments at the World Center with the American Baha’ community, and particularly the Temple in Wilmette.

Those who have attained the privilege of pilgrimage will recall seeing a section of the House of Worship ornamentation gracing the garden pathway between the Pilgrim House and the Shrine of the B4ab—a memorial, perhaps, to thatlongago night when His remains were entombed there. $

In the "40s this process took on a new shape, when the Guardian incorporated the Palestine Branch of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.

As he mentions in God Passes By, once Baha’{ lands were exempted from taxes, the Guardian carried out no less than 30. transactions, transferring almost 50,000 square meters of land on Mount Carmel into the name of this new organization.

Indeed, the plots of land on which the Shrine itself stands are formally registered in the name of our National Spiritual Assembly.

In 1952, we find Shoghi Effendi an

How are we doing this year?

Nae) fees) ir aie) Monthly Goal * $2,083,333 $2,083,333 $2,083,333 $2,083,333 $2,083,333 $10,416,665 Monthly Contributions 795,877 935,589 1,170,258 941,181 1,106,757 4,949,662 International Fund 27,646 33,245, 56,867 61,188 34,234 213,180 National Fund 692,055 766,359 1,036,217 815,818 995,049 4,305,498 Arc Projects Fund 62,771 122,250 61,978 51,382 63,233 361,614 Continental Fund 13,405, 13,735 15,196 12,793 14,241 69,370

• National goal for B.E. 150 is $25,000,000

$2,500,000 $2,000,000 $1,500,000 $1,000,000

$500,000

PCeeeecececccececccesceseecevecce

$0 May ’93

June ’93

July 93 Aug. 93 Sept. 93

Goal

Contribution

nouncing to the Bah4’f world the final victory over the last band of Covenantbreakers, through which control of all the land around the Tomb of Baha'u'llah and the Mansion at Bahjf was finally secured for the Faith.

In that same message he informs the friends that key parcels of land, including that on which the Qiblih of our Faith sits, had been transferred to the U.S. Assembly's Palestine Branch.

By doing this, the Guardian accomplished two vitally important objectives.

First, he reaffirmed to the local authorities the worldwide character of the Faith of God, in such a way that all observers would understand his unspoken message: the people of the United States would now have a direct and personal stake in everything affecting those Holy Places.

Second, he perfected a spiritual link between East and West, between us as members of the American Baha’ { community and the holiest Dust on the face of the

Dr. Elsie Austin, 20901 (telephone 301-589-8481).

Dr. Amin Banani, 310-394-5449),

Dr. Daryush Haghighi, (telephone 216-333-1506).

Rocky River, OH 44116.

HUQUQU’LLAH

Payments for Huqtqu'll4h should be made to “The Baha'f Huqtqu'll4h Trust” and sent to one of the Trustees:

Inquiries regarding Huqtiqu'll4h should be referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Baha'f Huqdqu'll4h Trust,

Silver Spring MD Santa Monica, CA 90402 (telephone Rocky River, OH 44116

planet. Fart IN ACTION

What we have done, knowingly or not, is respond to this privilege with action. The spiritual power that flows through this linkage the Master and the Guardian created has galvanized us to action.

Most of the Knights of Baha’u’ lah, for example, who opened virgin territories to the Cause during the beloved Guardian’s World Crusade were from our community.

Even today, we share with the Iranian community the distinction of having sent the lion’s share of pioneers and traveling teachers out into the field.

We have also supported the Funds of the Faith. Time and time again, we have giyen of our “treasure,” in the Guardian’ phrase, to ensure the progress of the Institutions of the Faith.

When the revolution in Iran, for instance, shattered that community’s economic power, we responded and ensured that the Seat of the House of Justice would be constructed on time.

Over the years, the sacrifices of high and low alike have made possible the progress of the Cause of God. Who can forget the example of Hand of the Cause of God Amelia Collins?

She supported legions of pioneers and traveling teachers; she provided the Guardian with the means to purchase Temple Jands and national Centers all around the world; she gave him the money he used to take his yearly vacations, sometimes traveling with him as a member of his family;

and her name was immortalized though the naming of the wonderful gate that leads to the Shrine of Baha’u’lléh, which she gave to the Faith.

Today, our community is the single strongest pillar of the Universal House of Justice. As our own Fund goes, so, to a large extent, goes the work of the Cause worldwide. All of us have our part in that success story.

In very real ways, then, the work of the Are is our work. Through our National Spiritual Assembly we own, at least technically speaking, much of the land even now being excavated for the buildings and the terraces. It is our land; we hold it in trust for all the Baha’ fs, for all humankind.

Over and over again, in the messages of the Guardian and of the Universal House of Justice, we see the phrase “ applied to our responsibilities: in teaching, in material support, in administrative development and progress.

Anice phrase, that, and one our community has earned; one we can wear with pride.

UPCOMING Baha'f Youth Service Corps/Pioneering Institutes:

January 11-16, Bosch Baha’{ School, Santa Cruz, California.

If you are interested in pioneering, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Telephone 708869-9039 or fax 708-869-0247 for more information.

Qawi B.£. 150 / Novemeer 23, 1993 [Page 6]6~- The American Baha’i

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Qawt B.. 150 / Novemser 23, 1993 [Page 8]8 Tue American BaHA'l

WEELIATANE Be ate aT ET EE TT

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified notices in The American Baha'f are published free of charge as a service to the Bahda't 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 GREEN ACREBahé'f Schoo! eking a program coordinator. This is a full-time, year-round position primarily responsible for planning and coordinating educational programs and activities at Green Acre. Qualificas include an in-depth knowledge of the Bahd'f writings and Administrative Order; experience in planning and coordinating instructional services; ability to communicate ely to large groups and to interact with range of people; proven success in organizing and coordinating multiple tasks over an extended period of time. The position requires a personable, creative, highly mo’ vated person who is a strong self-starter; experience in teaching or direct involvement with Bah4'f educational programs for adults, youth and children is highly desirable. Please send letter of introduction and résumé to the Office of Human Resources, Baha’ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly ii is seeking a general manager for the

lishing Trust. This position requires a strong general manager capable of managing large numbers of people, preparing and managing significant budgets, developing plans and strat

ing experience a plus. Please send résumé to the Bahd'f National Center, Department of Human Resources, Wilmette, IL 60091.

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR wanted at the Bosch Bahd'f School near Santa Cruz, California, to serve as the school's chief executive officer and supervise the management of buildings, grounds and programs. The administrator works closely with the National Spiritual Assembly under the direction of the national Education and Schools Coordinator. For information or an application, write to the Office of Human Resources, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708869-9039.

THE GREEN ACRE Baha'f School is seeking an individual or retired couple to serve as resident caretaker(s). This is a year-round volunteer position primarily responsible for building and grounds sect at designated times, opening and closing buildings as needed for functions, helping with light-duty maintenance, responding to emergencies, and greeting visitors to the school. Requires a mature Person or couple with proven experience in carrying out these respons pus residence (two-bedroom apartment) will be provided. Applicants may also apply for other openings at the school. Please submit a letter of introduction and résumé with detailed description of your qual ifications and background to: Administrator, Green Acre Bahd'f School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903.

NEEDED urgently to serve in the Office of Properties at the Baha’{ World Center in Haifa, Israel: (1) property development specialist to negotiate the acquisition and disposal of real property, and (2) technical specialist to provide technical services regarding the structural integrity and repair of buildings, and to monitor repairs, improvements and encroachments. The property development specialist should have real estate experience, preferably commercial; business and negotiating experience; and willingness to learn Hebrew. The

RTS STE ERS

technical specialist should have construction and drafting experience and good clerical

skills. Please send résumé and other relevant *

information to the Office of Personnel, Baha'f World Center, Box 150, Haifa 31 001, Israel.

THE LOUIS GREGORY Baha‘ Institute, a site for volunteers of the Youth Service Corps, has some positions for service open. Opportunities to serve as a support in daily operations and special programs by helping in administrative, manual, and production tasks in all departments of the Institute including the education center, radio station, learningliteracy laboratory and teaching projects are available. If you are interested, please contact the National Teaching Office, Bahd'f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-8699030).

THE BAHA'T Youth Workshop for Southeastern Florida is recruiting a director and youth coordinator to help the youth achieve

ture adult with demonstrated ability to manage and supervise long-range programs; the

position of youth coordinator requires “handson” leadership with emphasis on supervi and creative program development. Ability to travel state-wide with the youth group is also terested candidates should contact the Spiritual Assembly of Plantation, c/o Karen Pritchard, Plantation, FL 33317, or telephone 305-587-1863.

ate) tt ci 1

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas: AFRICA—Zambia: urgent need for teachers for the Banani International Secondary School. AMERICAS—Honduras: junior high school English/social studies teacher for grades 7-9. Turks & Caicos: handyman, small-enginerepair mechanic; retired general practitioner te in medical clinic. ASIA—Mongolia: teachers to teach commercial English at newlyestablished school. AUSTRALASIA— Solomon Islands: single male architect. For more information on any of the above, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’f National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (telephone 708-733-3512).

PIONEERING: HOMEFRONT

PETERSBURG, Virginia, an historic city (pop. 35,000) 20 miles south of Richmond, has a small but active Bahd'f community in need of one or two dedicated Baha'f families to help teach and achieve Assembly status. Virginia State University is nearby, with two other major schools (the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University) within modest driving distance. The population of Petersburg is 70 percent black, and African-American Bahd'fs are especially welcome. Pleasant climate with good employment opportunities in the Central Virgi area. For more information about Petersburg, or help in locating housing and employment, please contact Jim Harris, 804-861-9899 between 7 and 9 p.m. weeknights, or write to the Bahd'fs of Petersburg,

Petersburg, VA 23805.

TEXARKANA, Texas (gateway between the West and South) warmly welcomes Baha'fs who are willing to relocate to help us re-form our Assembly. Texarkana (pop. 53,000) is a city targeted in the Three Year Plan to raise to Assembly status. It has a growing economy, affordable housing, excellent public schools, and a soon-to-be-completed new hospital. In addition, East Texas State Univers Texarkana and Texarkana College offer a variety of degrees. For more information, please write to the Baha'fs of Texarkana,

Texarkana, TX 75501, or phone 903832-6181.

HOMEFRONT pioneers: enjoy the uplifting scent of the salty sea, beaches, oceanfront parks, sailing, and much, much more. Please help form the first Assembly in the town of Marblehead, Massachusetts (only 20 miles from Boston). We're an enthusiastic and energetic Group of four adults and one child,

RNR

ETT RT ITE Fe active with teaching, and would especially love to welcome pioneers with children. Schools in Marblehead are excellent. We would be happy to help you with apartments to rent, houses to buy, and supply leads for employment, opportunities for which are available in engineering, science, medicine, business, restaurants and colleges. The cost of living is fairly high, so it would be necessary to have some money saved before moving here. For more information, please phone Barbara Anton, 617-631-8175.

THE BAHA'L Group of Jefferson City, Missouri, warmly invites Bahd'fs to relocate to this state capital to help re-form its Assembly. Lovely Jefferson City (pop. 40,000) has a comfortable year-round climate, affordable housing, and plentiful employment in almost all fields. Lincoln University is located there, as well as an extension of Columbia College. Missouri has many wonderful Bahd'fs who will welcome you with open arms. We will be happy tosupply you with materials on Jefferson City and help you find employment and housing. For information, please phone Jeanne, 314-635-9899 (home) or 314-636-0491 (office), or fax 314-636-2112.

THE BAHA'f community of Smyrna, Tennessee, warmly welcomes homefront pioneers. Smyrna, less than 30 minutes by car from Nashville or Murfreesboro, both of which have many fine educational institutions, has eight active adult Bah4'fs, one youth and four children. There is a Nissan Motors plant and other industries. Smyrna lost its Assembly at Ridv4n and is establishing a teaching institute to begin large-scale expansion and regain Assembly status by Ridvén 1994. For information, please write to Susan Hakiman,

Smyrna, TN 37167, orphone 615-355-4981.

WANTED

ARTICLES wanted: Parents, teachers, education experts, children and youth are invited to send articles or other interesting materials—activ’ book reviews, games, crafts, art, stories, etc.—for a Bahd'f education magazine. Send to Bahd'f Education Resource Center, P.O. Box 923 Leeton, NSW 2705, Australia. Phone (069) 556322.

THE CONTINENTAL Board of Counselors in Australasia has asked the National Spiritual Assembly for help in finding any information it can about Captain (or Sergeant) Jacob Wall, who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the South Pacific during World War Il. Anyone who remembers anything about Mr. Wall is asked to send the information to the National Spiritual Assembly, Office of the Secretary, Bah4'f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or to phone 708-869-9039.

THE WOODBURN (Oregon) Teaching Institute, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Woodburn, is looking for a single person or couple to serve as building managers and rent the upstairs living quarters at the Center. The ideal person(s) would help supervise the refurbishing and maintenance of the building, and propose and coordinate plans

Sa EIT eT for future work. Fluency in Spanish would be an asset, as the Center serves a large Hispanic population six days a week. For more information, please contact Mrs. Erica Toussaint, Milwaukie, OR 97222, or phone 503-654-7129. You may also write to Jan and David House, P.O. Box 136, Aurora, OR, or phone 503-678-5162.

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly's Research Office would like to hear from Bah'fs who are interested in Religious Studies, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, Arabic, Persian, sociology, history, literature, philosophy and ethics. The office seeks to improve its ability to help such persons apply these fields of study to the Bahd'f Faith, and network such Baha'fs with one another. Please send a letter to the Research Office, Bahd'f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, fax 708-869-0247, or phone Robert Stockman, 708-733-3425.

VIDEO TAPE footage of Baha'f classes for children and youth or related activities is wanted by the Bahd'f Education Resource Center of Australia. Don't be concemed if the video is not of the highest quality, as much editing is anticipated. Footage should be about 15-30 minutes on a two-hour tape. Please send to P.O. Box 923, Leeton, NSW 2705, Australia. Phone (069) 556322.

‘THE NATIONAL Baha‘ Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Samuel J. Rosenheim, David W. Roston, Irving Rothstein (died New York City, 1943), Charles A. Rublee (died San Antonio, TX, 1962), Muriel Rucker (died Toronto, Canada, 1937), A. Bruce Russell, and Iva B. Russell (died Somers Township, WI, 1957). Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Baha'{ Archives, Bah4'f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or to phone 708-8699039.

THE NATIONAL Bahd'f Archives has available several free information sheets on local archives and records. Any local Spiritual Assembly wanting a copy is asked to write to the National Baha'f Archives, Bahd'f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or to phone 708869-9039.

MISCELLANEOUS

BAHA't “pen friend” project. The Baha'f Education Resource Center of Australia encourages Bahd'f children's classes and individual children to acquire pen friends in other countries to strengthen the feeling of brotherhood among the children of the world. The Center will coordinate the project. Write to P.O. Box 923, Leeton, NSW 2705, Australia. Phone (069) 556322.

UNABLE TO USE normal print because of a visual or other disability? Contact the Baha'i Service for the Blind, P.O. Box 463, Ludington, MI 49431.

marketing and/or public relatioy work admi ration. Those applying for the posi experience worl

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly must fill two positions in the Office of Public Information that is soon to open in New York Information Officer to manage public informati assistant to support the National Public Information Officer by preparing publi formation materials, analyzing news clippings, and helping on other projects as needed. Candidates for the position of National Public Information Officer should have a degree in public relations or English (master's preferred), at least five years’ experience in some supervisory or managerial experience, ability to a large diverse organization, and be well-verse

g in an office and some familiarity with personal computers including word processing and telecommunications (must know WordPerfect 5.1), and a firm knowledge and understanding of the Baha'f Faith and its administrative order. Please send a résumé and other relevant information to the Office of Human Resources, Baha'{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039; fax 708-869-0247).

The following positions are presently open at the Baha’f National Center in Wilmette: general manager and production department coordinator, Bahé's Publishing Trust; and program assistant, Persian/American Affairs Office.

The Bosch Bah4'f School is seeking an assistant director and program coordinator. To apply for any of these positions or to obtain more information about them, please write or phone the Office of Human Resources at the address or number given above.

. Needed are a National Public activities, and an administrative

in the principles of Baha’f rative assistant should have

ion of ad:

Qawt B.£. 150 / Novemser 23, 1993 [Page 9]THe American BaHA'i 9

During the latter part of August, the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Baha Rthfyyih Khaénum traveled from Russia to the Baltic states as part of her extensive tour of countries in the former Soviet Union. She was accompanied on the tour by Violette Nakhjavanf, and they were joined in Estonia and Latvia by Counselor Polin Rafat. Many Baha'is from Finland and Sweden also drove to Estonia to take part in the Bahd'f activities there. On August 12, the Hand of the Cause traveled from St. Petersburg to Tal i tal of Estoni: days and had cordial interviews with the Minister of Environment and the secretary-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A press conference in Tallinn was attended by 10 journalists and crews from two television stations. m of the event was shown that evening as part of the national news. Later, during a personal interview, a well-known columnist for a women's mag: expressed her deep attraction to the Faith. More than 150 people, most of whom were not Baha’ attended a public meeting at whi Amatu'l-Bah4 Rihiyyih Khénum spoke. On August 16, she began a five-day visi to Riga, Latvia, where she was received by two ministers representing the environment and natural resources, and was able to mention Baha'f involvement in last year's Earth Summit in Brazil. After a press conference attended by jourt and representatives of radio and televis stations, the Hand of the Cause had a number of personal interviews with reporters. She also met with the Baha'fs in hada special meeting with the youth, and, was the speaker at a well-attended public meeting. After leaving Riga, she spent three days in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, where she conducted two telen interviews, a radio interview, and a s conference.. The director of ia's Ministry of the Environment visited with the Hand of the Cause, and she again spoke at a well-attended public meeting. She was also the guest of honor at a banquet and special meeting with the

Bahd'fs. From Riga, Amatu'l-Baha Rthfyyih Khénum was driven to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, where she was received by the deputy director of the National Museum who escorted her on a tour of that facility. It was filmed by the crew of the local television station, who interviewed the Hand of the Cause in one of the art galleries. After meeting with the deputy director for Religious Affairs for Belarus and the Minister and Deputy Minister of Culture, she visited with the Bah: new local Hazfratu'l-Qud: held a press conference and television interview and spoke at a public meeting before continuing on to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, for an eight-day visit. Among the officials she m ith in Kiev were the Deputy ster of Ju: . Deputy Minister of Foreign Eco

SSRN

nomics, and the director of the Office of the Ministry of the Environment, every one of whom expressed the wish that the teachings of the Faith might spread rapidly in Ukraine and that greater numbers of people would become a part of the Baha'f community. A press conference and interview resulted in the Faith's being mentioned twice on the national television station. At a well-attended public me: ing, at which the Ambassador of the SI vak Republic, his wife and other notables were present, Amatu'l-Bahé Réhfyyih

Khdnum gave a lucid and comprehensive introduction to the Faith. Although she layed

was fatigued and not well, she afterward and answered many q Unfortunately, she had to cancel a p!

and unique trip to 13 countri pendent territories and 17 major ci the former Soviet Union—which brin, 183 the total number of nations, i

and dependencies visited by Amatu'l-Baha Rthfyyih Khénum—lasted alm and covered, from the

and the central part of Rus

In June, with temperatures ranging from 44 to 49 degrees Centigrade (102-110 degrees Fahrenheit), a cluster of villages inthe Chambal area was visited by Baha'fs as part of a long-term te: g campaign in Madhya Pradesh, India. More than 25 Baha'is took part in the two-week effort

including Counselor Perin Olyai, members of the State Bahd'f Council, and members of the Auxiliary Board. As a result, several hundred people embraced the Faith including more than 100 in the village of Seva, more than 30 youth inDongarpura, and almost everyone in the village of Churela in the Morena district. On June 24, a follow-up visit to the village of Barapura disclosed that more than 150 Baha'f men and women were taking part in the Nineteen Day Feast.

Following a Baha'f summer school held in August in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, a Youth Conference was held in Alma Ata, Kazakhstan, during which 17 people declared their belief in Baha'u'llah, bringing the number of new believers ina seven-day period to 32 including 15 who had enrolled during the summer school. The youth conference was attended by more than 310 Baha'is and their guests from 16 countries.

During the annual Baha'i summer school held July 4-10 in Vemdalsskalets Hégfjallshotell, Hiirjedalen, Sweden, 10 people declared their belief in Baha'u'llah. This was a “first” for Sweden's national community, and added joy to an already wonderful gathering attended by 160 people including Counselor Polin Rafat, two Auxiliary Board members, and Baha'fs

from Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway and the U.S. More than half the participants were under 21 years of age.

A landmark event took place in Mongolia in June when the Faith was granted state registration as “Association of Baha'fs.” Among the rights this involves are the rights to own property and to issue invitations to foreign visitors.

One Country—the newsletter produced by the Baha'i International Community— won two “Awards of Excellence” in the APEX '93 competition sponsored by Com

In the Congo Republic, Baha'is of Pointe-Noire work to clean a beach along the Wild Coast (Céte Sauvage). The project was a joint effort of the Women's, Youth and Teaching Committees, and news of their public service was broadcast on national radio.

munications Concepts Inc., a consulting group in Virginia. One Country was one of 11

In Vanuatu, Counselor Afemata Moli Chang (right) presents a copy of the Kitab-i-Aqdas to Chief Fongota on the island of Tanna. The chief was most appreciative, and said, ‘When I gave you the kava root [last year], I gave you the key to the belief of the people of Tanna. Now you have given me the key to heaven. I promise you that all Tanna will become Bahd't!’

publications judged best in the Non-Profit External Newsletter category, and won a second award in the Feature Writing category. In 1991, One Country won top honors in the APEX Newsletters category, and in 1992 won an Award of Excellence in Newsletter Writing.

During the final days of the Holy Year, arrangements were made to broadcast regular Bahd'f television programs on the Vidétron network in Québec, Canada. The s , to be aired monthly, will reach a potential audience of almost 2,000,000 viewers in Québec.

From June 30-July 9, the fifth International Baha'f Radio Seminar was held in Quito, Ecuador, with more than 50 people attending from Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Switzerland, the United States and Venezuela. Attention was focused on the Three Year Plan, the importance of emblazoning the Name of Bahd'u'llah across the globe, and the entry by troops into the Cause of God.

Development Department seeks reports of local efforts in social/economic programs

Are you involved in a social or economic development program? Then the National Spiritual Assembly’s Development Department wants to know about it. Efforts in the field of race unity, family assistance, literacy, medical care, or microenterprise are just some of the kinds of projects the National Assembly needs to hear about.

Responses to a survey of Local Spiritual Assembly initiatives have been slow in coming in, and do not reflect some of the programs the National Assembly knows are under way in the community. In order to capture the breadth of individual initiative displayed by the friends, the Assembly is now requesting information from individual believers about what they are doing.

Information gathered will be incorporated into the annual report submitted by the National Assembly to the Universal House of Justice, and may also be published separately. Please submit a short program summary to: Office of the Treasurer/Development Department, Baha’f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

" Qawt 8.€. 150/ Novemser 23, 1993 [Page 10]10 UTE AMERICAN BanA't

SEXUAL ABUSE

SERRE Ss Mau cS NOED WONDER DDN WTO NOT TSU SLd VIET A SUE DETTORI NS PR MOETENT ONOTNCET

Baha'i Writings call for higher standards of conduct

The following letter, dated January 24, 1993, was written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual Bahd't.

Dear Bahd't friend,

Further to our letter of November 14, 1991, the Universal House of Justice has now completed its consideration of your letter of September 21, 1991, in which you raised a number of questions pertaining to violence and to the sexual abuse of women and children. We have been instructed to provide the following response to your questions.

in the Baha'f Teachings. This principle is far more than the enunciation of admirable ideas; it has profound

implications in all aspects of human relations and must be an vanearal element of Bahd'f domestic and commu

for many centuries. An example of thi: response provided on behalf of Shoghi question about whether the traditional practice

whereby the man proposes marriage to the woman is altered by the Bahd'f Teachings to permit the woman

would be an unacceptable abuse of the marriage relationship and contrary to the Teachings of Baha'u'llah.

The lack of spiritual values in society leads to a debasement of the attitudes which should govern the relationship between the sexes, with women being treated as no more than objects for sexual gratification and being denied the respect and courtesy to which all human beings are entitled. Bahd‘u'llah has warned: “They that follow their lusts and corrupt inclinations, have erred and dissipated their efforts. They, indeed,

are of the lost.” Believers might well ponder the exalted standard

As you know, the principle of the oneness of mankind is described in the Baha'f Writings as. the pivot round which all the Teachings of Bahd'u'lléh revolve. It has widespread implications which affect and remold all dimensions of human activity. It calls for a fundamental change in the manner in which people relate

With the passage of time, during which Baha'i men and women endeavor to apply more fully the principle of the equality of the sexes, will come a deeper understanding of the far-reaching ramifications of this vital principle. As ‘Abdu’I-Baha has stated, ‘Until the reality of equality between man and woman is fully established and attained, the highest social development of mankind is not possible.’

of conduct to which they are encouraged to aspire in the statement of Baha’u'llah concerning His “true follower,” that: “And if he met the fairest and most comely of women, he would not feel his heart seduced by the least shadow of desire for her beauty. Such an one, indeed, is the creation of spotless chastity.

to each other, and the eradication of those age-old practices which deny the intrinsic human right of every individual to be treated with consideration and respect.

Within the family setting, the rights of all members must be respected. ‘Abdu’l-Bahé has stated:

“The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered and the rights of the individual members must not be transgressed. The rights of the son, the Sather, the mother—none of them must be transgressed, none of them must be arbitrary. Just as the son has certain obligations to his father, the father, likewise, has certain obligations to his son. The mother, the sister and all other members of the household have their certain prerogatives. All these rights and prerogatives must be conserved. ...”

The use of force: by the physically strong against the weak, as a means of imposing one's will and fulfilling one's desires, is a flagrant transgression of the Baha'{ Teachings. There can be no justification for anyone compelling another, through the use of force or through the threat of violence, to do that which the other person is not inclined. ‘Abdu’l-Bahé has written:

“O ye lovers of God! In this, the cycle of Almighty God, violence and force, constraint and oppression, are one and all condemned.”

Let those who, driven by their passions or by their inability to exercise discipline in the control of their anger, might be tempted to inflict violence on another human being, be mindful of the condemnation of such disgraceful behavior by the Revelation of Bahé‘u'lléh.

Among the signs of moral downfall in the declining social order are the high incidence of violence within the family, the increase in degrading and cruel treatment of spouses and children, and the spread of sexual abuse. It is essential that the members of the community of the Greatest Name take the utmost care not to be drawn into acceptance of such practices because of their prevalence. They must be ever mindful of their obligation to exemplify a new way of life distinguished by its respect for the dignity and rights of all people, by its exalted moral tone, and by its freedom from oppression and from all forms of abuse.

Consultation has been ordained by Bahd'u'lléh as the means by which agreement is to be reached and a collective course of action defined. It is applicable to the marriage partners and within the family, and indeed, in all areas where believers participate in mutual decision-making. It requires all participants to express their opinions with absolute freedom and without apprehension that they will be censured or their views belittled; these prerequisites for success are unattainable if the fear of violence or abuse is present.

A number of your questions pertain to the treatment of women, and are best considered in light of the principle of the equality of the sexes which is set forth

to issue a marriage proposal to the man; the response is, “The Guardian wishes to state that there is absolute equality between the two, and that no distinction or preference is permitted. ...” With the passage of time, during which Bahd'f men and women endeavor to apply more fully the principle of the equality of the sexes, will come a deeper understanding of the farreaching ramifications of this vital principle. As

• Abdu’l-Bahé has stated, “Until the reality of equality

between man and woman is fully established and attained, the highest social development of mankind is not possible.”

The Universal House of Justice has in recent years urged that encouragement be given to Baha'i women and girls to participate in greater measure in the social, spiritual and administrative activities of their communities, and has appealed to Baha'i women to arise and demonstrate the importance of their role in all fields of service to the Faith.

For a man to use force to impose his will on a woman is a serious transgression of the Baha'f Teachings. ‘Abdu’1-Bahd has stated that:

“The world in the past has been ruled by force, and man has dominated over woman by reason of his more forceful and aggressive qualities of body and mind. But the balance is already shifting; force is losing its dominance, and mental alertness, intuition, and the spiritual qualities of love and service, in which woman is strong, are gaining ascendancy.”

Bahd'f men have the opportunity to demonstrate to the world around them a new approach to the relationship between the sexes, where aggression and the use of force are eliminated and replaced by cooperation and consultation. The Universal House of Justice has pointed out in response to questions addressed to it that, in a marriage relationship, neither husband nor wife should ever unjustly dominate the other, and that there are times when the husband and the wife should defer to the wishes of the other. If agreement cannot be reached through consultation, each couple should determine exactly under what circumstances such deference is to take place.

From the Pen of Baha'u'llah Himself has come the following statement on the subject of the treatment of women:

“The friends of God must be adorned with the ornament of justice, equity, kindness and love. As they do not allow themselves to be the object of cruelty and transgression, in like manner they should not allow such tyranny to visit the handmaidens of God. He, verily, speaketh the truth and commandeth that which benefiteth His servants and handmaidens. He is the Protector of all in this world and the next.”

No Baha'i husband should ever beat his wife, or subject her to any form of cruel treatment; to do so

Thus instructeth you the Pen of the Ancient of Days, as bidden by your Lord, the Almighty, the All-Bountiful.” ‘

One of the most heinous of sexual offenses is the crime of rape. When a believer is a victim, she is entitled to the loving aid and support of the members of her community, and she is free to initiate action against the perpetrator under the law of the land should she wish to do so. If she becomes pregnant as a consequence of this assault, no pressure should be brought upon her by the Bah4’f institutions to marry. As to whether she should continue or terminate the pregnancy, it is left to her to decide on the course of action she. should follow; taking into consideration, | medical and other relevant factors, and in the light of the Bahd'f Teachings. If she gives birth to a child as a result of the rape, it is left to her discretion whether to seek financial support for the maintenance of the child from the father; however, his claim to any parental rights would, under Baha'f law, be called into question, in view of the circumstances.

The Guardian has clarified, in letters written on his behalf, that “The Baha'f Faith recognizes the value of the sex impulse,” and that “The proper use of the sex instinct is the natural right of every individual, and it is precisely for this very purpose that the institution of marriage has been established.”

In this aspect of the marital relationship, as in all others, mutual consideration and respect should apply. If a Bahd'f woman suffers abuse or is subjected to rape by her husband, she has the right to turn to the Spiritual Assembly for assistance and counsel, or to seek legal protection. Such abuse would gravely jeopardize the constitution of the marriage, and could well lead to a condition of irreconcilable antipathy.

You have raised several questions about the treatment of children. It is clear from the Baha'i Writings that a vital component of the education of children is the exercise of discipline. Shoghi Effendi has stated, in a letter written on his behalf about the education of children, that:

“Discipline of some sort, whether physical, moral or intellectual, is indeed indispensable, and no training can be said to be complete and fruitful if it disregards this element. The child when born is far from perfect. It is not only helpless, but actually is imperfect, and even is naturally inclined toward evil. He should be trained, his natural inclinations harmonized, adjusted and controlled, and if necessary suppressed or regulated, so as to ensure his healthy physical and moral development. Bah4'f parents cannot simply adopt an attitude of non-resistance toward their children, particularly those who are unruly and violent by nature. It is not even sufficient that they should pray on their behalf. Rather they should endeavor to inculcate, gently and patiently, into their youthful minds such principles of moral conduct and initiate

Qawi B.£. 150 / Novemser 23, 1993 [Page 11]THe American BaHA'T 11

‘Beatie arta vn ned PRN SON TSO ETT Oe OR AUT TOE LER TERT OER

them into the principles and teachings of the Cause with such tactful and loving care as would enable them to become ‘true sons of God’ and develop into loyal and intelligent citizens of His Kingdom.

While the physical disciplining of children is an acceptable part of their education and training, such actions are to be carried out “gently and patiently” and with “loving care,” far removed from the anger and violence with which children are beaten and abused in some parts of the world. To treat children in such an abhorrent manner is a denial of their human rights, and a betrayal of the trust which the weak should have in the strong in a Bahda'f community.

It is difficult to imagine a more reprehensible perversion of human conduct than the sexual children, which finds its most debased form Ata time in the fortunes of humanity when, words of the Guardian, “The perversion of human nature, the degradation of human conduct, the corruption and dissolution of human institutions, reveal themselve: their worst and most revolting aspects,” and when “the voice of human conscience is stilled,” when “the sense of decency and shame is obscured,” the Bal lutions must be uncompromising and vigilant in their commitment to the protection of the children entrusted to their care, and must not allow either threats or appeals to expediency to divert them from their duty. A parent who is aware that the marriage partner is subjecting a child to such sexual abuse should not remain silent, but must take all necessary measures, with the assistance of the

Spiritual Assembly or civil authorities if necessary, to bring about an immediate cessation of such grossly immoral behavior, and to promote healing and therapy.

Baha'u'llah has placed great emphasis on the duties of parents toward their children, and He has urged children to have gratitude in their hearts for their parents, whose good pleasure they should strive to win as a means of pleasing God Himself. However, He has indicated that under certain circumstances, the parents could be deprived of the right of parenthood as a consequence of their actions. The Universal House of e has the right to legislate on this matter. It has decided for the present that all cases should be referred to it in which the conduct or character of a parent appears to render him unworthy of having such parental rights as that of giving consent to marriage. could arise, for example, when a parent has committed incest, or when the child was conceived as a consequence of rape, and also when a parent ously fails to protect the child from flagrant sexual abuse.

As humanity passes through the age of transition in its evolution to a world civilization which will be illuminated by spiritual values and will be distinand its unity, the role of the ty is clear: it must accomplish a spiritual transformation of its members, and must offer to the world a model of the society d ed to come into being through the power of the Revelation of Bahd'u'llah. Membership in the Baha'f community is

SSDS ca a ANT OODLE DOESN Ma AER D NED NT ORT ETT ATTICS

Seat CARRS EET TT

open to all who accept Bahd'u'lléh as the Manifestation of God, and who thereupon embark on the process of changing their conduct and refining their character. It is inevitable that this community will, at times, be subject to delinquent behavior of members whose actions do not conform to the standards of the Teachings. At such times, the institutions of the Faith must not hesitate to apply Bahd'f law with justice and fairness, in full confidence that this Divine Law is the means for the true happiness of all concerned.

However, it should be recognized that the ultimate solution to the problems of humanity lies not ii penalties and punishments, but rather in s; al education and illumination. ‘Abdu’l-Bah4 has written:

“It is incumbent upon human society to expend all its forces on the education of the people, and to copiously water men's hearts with the sacred streams that pour down from the Realm of the All-Merciful, and to teach them the manners of Heaven and spiritual ways of life, until every member of the community of man will be schooled, refined, and exalted to such a degree of perfection that the very committing of a shameful act will seem in itself the direst infliction and most agonizing of punishments, and man will fly in terror and seek refuge in his God from the very idea of crime, as something far harsher and more grievous than the punishment assigned to it.”

It is toward this goal that the community of the

Greatest Name is striving, aided and reinforced by the limitless power of the Holy Spirit.

LETTER

“The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.” —‘ Abdu’ |-Baha The American Baha'i 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 an— other'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 sug“ gested) and are subject to editing for length and style. Please address all letters to The Editor, The American Baha'i, Bahd'f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

The status of the Fund

To the Editor:

I have been debating with myself for five years about whether or not to include my feelings in this forum. I want to avoid offending anyone, or coming across as feeling superior or above shared responsibility on the matter of our National Fund.

Please bear with me as I express my feelings and thoughts.

I am presently unemployed, and am agitated by my inability to contribute to the Funds or do some of the teaching I have plans for. God willing, this will soon be remedied.

Quite frankly, I am upset about the embarrassing status of the National Fund, not to mention the status of the International and other Funds!

I am from a Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) background. And in that church, the members are required, not asked, to contribute no less than 10 percent of their gross income to the church. And this is done byall members, regardless of whether one's spouse also pays, and regardless of age. In addition, members are required to contribute to two to six other funds as

well!

This church has hundreds of millions of dollars to access each month. What does our National Spiritual Assembly have to work with? Less than 50 cents per Baha'f!

What really baffles me is how we can comprehend that Bahd'u'llah is Who He says He is, “become” a Bahd'f, deepen in the ocean of His Words, develop even a basic understanding of His awesomeness, and not have absolute confidence in His promise to bless us in return for giving back to His Cause what He has blessed us with in the first place!

I think our communities need to take serious and consistent steps to educate us as to Who Bahd'u'lldh really is. Actions, not words!

Martin Hughes Claremont, California

Check out library books

To the Editor:

As a Baha'f who is a student in library science at the University of Southern Mississippi, I was interested in a discussion in one of my classes about the criteria used to de-select or “weed out” books from library collections.

Although there are a number of criteria, ‘one of the most common is the date the book was last circulated or checked out of the library.

Please remember that in order to keep Bahd'f books in libraries, they need to be checked out from time to time. This is true whether the library is a school library, a public library or an academic library.

Heather McLane Marques Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

A child shall lead them?

To the Editor:

There are some moments that are so dear that they must be shared. Such a moment took place at our last Feast. Shortly before it began, Shahed Shakouri, age 9, came to his parents and asked if he could contribute all of his savings to the Arc Fund.

His parents asked if he was sure he wanted to send all of his savings to the Fund. “I don’t need the money,” he said. “I don't need anything. I want to give this to the Arc.”

Only the treasurer of our community knows how much Shahed gave, but we all know that he gave all he had. It was a precious moment that the Spiritual Assembly wished to share with you.

On a lighter note, a regular part of our Feasts is a time devoted to the children. As a part of this time, the children are given a project or assignment—sometimes tricky, as we have eight children ranging in age from 18 months to 12 years. A recent assignment was to talk about differences between themselves and animals.

At this point, our only 3 1/2-year-old took the floor and said, “I bwing two fwogs and put one heah and one heah (indicating a place close to a coffee table). This fwog jump heah, and this one jump heah (indicating a place about halfway under the table).”

He stopped. This child had never before spoken publicly. Several adults tried to explain what he meant; he would have none of it. “No,” he said, and patiently explained to us (non-verbally) that he couldn't jump under the table because he is too big.

Children! How wonderful it is to learn from one child how to give it all, and from another that sometimes we're too big to jump under the table.

The Spiritual Assembly of Hurst, Texas

To be a traveling teacher

To the Editor:

Seeing the Three Year Plan goal of 3,000 traveling teachers has caused me to reflect on my own journey into believing it was possible for me to be a traveling teacher.

A few years ago, my view of traveling teaching was that I had to go to a place I'd never been before (preferably another country) and speak at a large public meeting, or perhaps go and meet with a king or a president.

When I shared this view with Jaci Dela— hunt, who was then secretary of the National Teaching Committee, she sent me a booklet the committee had prepared on the subject. In it were quotes from the Guardian that defined the role of a traveling teacher as often one of consolidation in partnership with expansion:

k,” he wrote of the traveling to encourage and inspire the individual believers, and to broaden and deepen their vision of the task that is to be done.”

And the Universal House of Justice added this about the qualities of a traveling teacher: “Their [National Assembly/ National Teaching Committee] choice [of traveling teachers} must depend, not only on the knowledge or grasp of the teachings on the part of the teachers, but primarily upon their pure spirit and their true love for the Cause, and their capacity to convey that spirit and love to others.”

I've found that if I travel to another community and pray and talk to them about the importance of their community to the teaching work; share love, prayers and teaching ideas with them; and perhaps conduct a deepening or lead a fireside, I'm a traveling teacher.

I simply have to place myself in Bahd’u'lléh's hands, and remember that the power of divine assistance is with me.

As it says in the compilation of that name: “He will come to your aid with invisible hosts, and support you with armies of

inspiration from the Concourse above. ... (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'lBahd, pp. 186-87)

It is my firm conviction that many more people have the ability to travel and teach than believe they do. The feeling of trayeling surrounded by the Concourse on high is incredible, and I recommend to everyone that they prayerfully consider making traveling teaching an avenue of service to Baha'u'llah.

Sue Coates Middleburg Heights, Ohio

Tonga marks 40th year

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’fs of Tonga invites all Tongan believers to take part in a commemorative program celebrating thits historic 40th anniversary on Saturday, January 29, 1994. Program and details available later.

Please contact the Office of Pioneering if you plan to attend, Baha’f National Center, Wilmette Il 60091. Telephone 708-869-9039 or fax 708869-3342.

~ Qaw- B.€. 150 / Novemser 23, 1993 [Page 12]

12 The American Bana’

Lubbock Baha'is take part in Interfaith Dialogue as part of West Texas Parliament of Religions

In September, Bal in Lubbock, _ principles of the Faith. Texas, took part in a panel discu Other representati entitled “An Interfaith Dialogue” as part }indu, Muslim, Jewis of the West Texas Parliament of Religions, which followed the World Parliament held in Chicago.

ence, only three were Baha'fs.

Twenty yea sored a simi Tech Unive: part in this havin;

The panel, sponsored by the Vedanta Society of West Texas, discussed the theme “Unity in Diversity.” The Faith was represented by Marilyn Dykes, the only woman on the six-member panel, who gave a brief presentation about Bahé'u'lléh and the

Methodist church.

on the panel were | ¢, , Presbyterian and Catholic. Of the nearly 100 in the audi s ago, the Bahd'fs_spon ion at Texas ion to take uulted from their s monthy interfaith dialogues hosted by a local

35 young S.E. Asian Baha'is are among 50 at Unity Conference in Elk Grove, CA

'y young Bahd'fs from north-central ornia were in Grove over the weekend of September 17-19 forthe Baha'f Live Unity Conference.

Thirty-five of the youth who gathered at the home of Greg and Cindy Savage, where the conference was held, were from Southeast Asian Bahd'f families.

The spirited weekend, sponsored by the Baha'fs of Elk Grove, began Friday evening with a dessert potluck and presentation of the new video, “Live Unity.”

The youth were then divided into groups for the Saturday morning session that began with prayers, breakfast and a two-part workshop on the early life of Bahd'u'lléh and the Kitdb-i-Aqdas and its relationship to Bahd'f youth. The workshop was conducted by Dr. Darius Shahrokh of Citrus Heights.

devoted to felvolleyball, ‘imming, footb: ih board ind hiking. At 6 o'clock, seekers began arr

Saturday aenoor

Mot

Featured Speakers and Workshop Leaders

Mr. Peter Adriance

Mr. Techeste Ahderom Dr. Dwight Allen

Mr. William G. Allmart Dr. Elizabeth L. Bowen Dr. Gustavo Correa

SUM sre we lita Cet COT Sustainable Development for a New World

SS

"The oneness of mankind...implies the achievement of a dynamic coherence betwe requirements of life on eart economic development is enshrined in the sacred Teachings of our Faith.”

1993 North American Baha’i Conference on Social and Economic Development |} <a

Rabbani Charitable Trust ii he

National Spiritual Assembly of the

. warm!

American

Development.

This conference presents a unique opportunity for Baha'is of all backgrounds and experiences to gather together...

8 — LK for a potluck fireside at which Joseph Galata of Reno, N la, spoke on the importance of developing inner spirituality. The fireside was followed by a dance party.

Mr. Galata treated the Baha'f youth to a follow-up session Sunday morning on prayer and meditation, which adult members of the community also attended.

n the spiritual and practical

concept of social and

The Universal House of Justice

The weekend's final activity was a service project Ik Grove. The young Bah'is and their friends, wearing “Live ity” T-shirts, walked the streets of Elk

lem. The conference closed with refreshments and a question from most of those who took part: “When can we do this agai

sociation with the

ate of the ahd'is of the United invites you to attend the 1993 North aha'i Conference on Social and Economic

h Development Serv

Bosch School hosts Baha'i conference for Spanish-speakers

More than 150 people attended the Latin American Conference sponsored by El

Mr. William E. Davis Mr. Yvon VanDriessche Dr. Wilma Ellis

Mrs. Mona Grieser

Mr. Jack Guillebeaux Ms. Holly Hanson

Dr. Robert C. Henderson Mr. John Huddleston Ms. Barbara J. Rodey Dr. David S. Ruhe

Mrs. Margaret K. Ruhe

December 16 - 19, 1993 of the AAI Te DYN Team Not Orlando, Flo:

...To gain a deeper understanding of the principles and practices of Bahd't social and economic development as they relate to our role within our communities, our nation}, and our world.

... To network, to share experiences and success stories, and to integrate our efforts for change.

Ruiseformagazine at BoschBaha’ {School the weekend of October 8-11. Spanish-speakers from as far away as New York, Virginia and Baja California, Mexico, came together to listen to presentations by Counselor Arturo Serrano; Jeanne Serrano, a member of the National

‘ge action plans to achieve developmental goals ee Year Pl hree Year Plan. D.

tu Recently and Aaa

ber Jose Martinez. The National Teaching Committee's

presentation included reports from the

HOTEL/AIRLINE INFORMATIC IRC RYE Vale

Special Baha'f group discount rates: Registration fee per person

Hotel rooms at Buena Vista Palace Hotel Before November 1: $129

at the Disney World Complex in Orlando, After November 1: $149

Florida: $99 per night double occupancy (No conference registration fee

(no additional charge for children) for youth or children) LIMITED AVAILABILITY Make checks payable/mail to:

CALL PROMPTLY The Rabbani Charitable Trust Hotel reservations: 1-800-327-2990 1477 W. Fairbanks Avenue

(For discounts, refer to File No. XTO195S) (407) 647-7777

Please print Name, Address.

City State.

Featured at the conference will be: Speakers: from the National Spiritual Assemblies in North America, the Continental Board of Counsellors, and many others intimately involved in development efforts

Displays and videotapes of current projects. Special programs for youth and children

Workshops in the areas of: Race Unity, Enhancement of the Status of Women,

Airfare discounts from Delta Airlines Suite 200 Airline reservations: 1-800-241-6760. Winter Park, 32789 The E (In Cana -all local Delta Office) For information

Institutions in Social and Economic Development with Special Populations.

Conference begins with 8:00 pm reception, Thursday, December 16, and concludes 12:30 pm, Sunday, December 19,1993.

Registration North American Baha'i Conference on Social and Economic Development

Phone ( )

Names and ages of youth and children attending Amount enclosed

two large-scale growth projects involving Spanish-speaking populations in Woodburn, Oregon, and Phoenix, Arizona.

The open consultation periods led to two specific requests to the National Teaching Committee. They were:

• that the Sacred Writings be available

in Spanish at minimal cost;

• that the National Hispanic Conference

be planned by the National Teaching Committee.

Other suggestions from individuals included: that regional travel teaching task forces be established, that a data base of Spanish speaking believers be developed, and that a network system be set up for Spanish firesides.

A large number of people expressed a need to tie the conferences into teaching projects. Although many different thoughts were expressed, all agreed that the conference provided a much-needed forum for Latin American teaching and collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico.

The conference included an evening of wonderful Latino music by a-number of

vironment, Education, Health, Baha't

evelopment, and

Zip.

talented individuals.

Qaw 8.£. 150 / NovemBer 23, 1993 [Page 13]THe American BaHA'i 13

BERRI Ter Sav aa aa TO aPDL EEE ROCRD

Vision from page I

more,” she said. “But I am glad there is’a way to achieve our goals. The steps to take are all laid out.”

She said the American Baha’{ community has tended to “wait until the last minute to arise and meet the challenges of a Plan. This time we won’t. Push has come to shove.”

Presenter Louis Ma’ani of Upper ArTiny ion, Ohio, echoes that sentiment.

• s now or never for individuals to

arise, and I’m confident they will. I sense a lot of unity,” he said.

“This message will be really well received by the community,” he added. “It will allow people to reflect and then respond in whatever way they can.”

That includes new believers, he said. “We're all able to—and must—teach. We can’t wait until we’re ‘comfortable’.”

Mr. Ma’ani noted that the emphasis on individual initiative, as stated in the Universal House of Justice’s Ridvén 150 message, requires us to “focus ourselves and look at the institutions more as facilitators than as the ones carrying all the load.”

Among those with a key role to play in the ongoing consultation will be Auxiliary Board members and assistants, he said.

Paul Lample of West Palm Beach, Florida, a member of the National Teaching Committee, also came away from the briefing encouraged.

The National Spiritual Assembly’s message, he said, is one that has been conveyed to us before by the Universal House of Justice.

SEN aF ACR oT TUT a OTE SRE

But the National Assembly has taken “extraordinary measures” at this time to restate the vision for this community and focus anew its energies, he said.

As a result, he sees the initiative as a vital opportunity to “stop the drift” of lethargy and materialism that is affecting American society and, by extension, the Baha’fs of this country.

He said it is especially important that at this stage in the Three Year Plan the message reinforces initiatives being taken by the National Teaching Committee and the Treasurer’ s Office and allows them to be seen in their true context.

“Don’t expect that with this one statement the whole country will be transformed,” he said. “But what we do as Baha’is at this time is critical to humanity’s development.

“It falls to individuals to seize the momentand ask ourselves what we can do. We must put aside our sense of unworthiness or of shortcomings,” he said.

One presenter who has already seized the moment since his return from the briefing is Ted Amsden of Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

If not yet the entire country, he sees the potency of the National Spiritual Assembly’s message to “transform Baha’ fs.”

“I came away with the impression that what’s needed are not changes in degree but fundamental changes in how [Baha‘fs} lead their lives,” he said. “This takes people to account: What are we doing or

A presenter asks. for clarific ication of a point raised by the Vision in ‘Action Task Force during the briefing session held October 16-17 at the Baha'i National Center in Wilmette, Illinois.

not doing?”

Mr. Amsden related how his own life has been transformed since he returned home from the briefing.

“J used to spend my lunch hours reading the Wall Street Journaland despairing about the economy,” he said. “Now I have set that aside and am using my lunch hours to promote the Faith. I am arranging lunch meetings where I can teach.

“The despair has fallen away. It’s a confirmation of what the Writings tell us. If we work to achieve our destiny, these

ST PT OF TT TTT TT LT TPIT ETT TTT TNE ED TEER NEO TET

other things will take care of themselves,” he said.

Mr. Amsden said he has been emboldened to teach more directly. “Christ has returned, and His new name is Baha'u'llah,” he recently told a friend.

The friend responded as though struck by a thunderbolt and wondered why he hadn’t heard this message before. “Don’t you have an obligation to bear witness?” he asked.

The answer, of course, is “yes.” That is our “Vision in Action.”

White House responds to Baha'i's concerns about Iran

After receiving a letter from the White House congratulating him on his 102nd birthday in July, Muhammad Khorvash, an Iranian Baha'f who now lives in Lan— caster, California, wrote a letter to Presiinton describing the situation in Iran: the deprivation of their human rights, their property, and even their lives, and how he himself had lost everything after a lifetime of hard work because of his adherence to the Faith.

In September, Mr. Khorvash received a reply signed by the President which reads in part: “Iam deeply concerned about the

human rights situation [in Iran].

“My administration supports the efforts of United Nations Human Rights Commission Special Representative Galindo Pohl to draw attention to human rights violations in Iran. ...

“Tam disturbed by Iran's continued sponsorship of terrorism, its violent opposition to the Arab-Israeli peace process, and its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. My administration has these issues under careful review and will bear in mind your thoughts as we proceed.”

». Celebrate the Oneness of Mankind

a

The Bahd'ts of Danville, California, took part for the fourth year in the city's 4th of July events with a booth serving free ice water and giving away helium-filled balloons with Bahd't insignia and slogans, and this entry, their first, in the annual parade. Baha't youth from nearby communities helped design and build the float and were

the holiday festivities.

among the 30 Bahd'ts who marched in the parade. About 30,000 people took part in

Baha'i conference on marriage offers study of ‘second most challenging issue’

By Noan Barrotucci

On September 17-19, one of the first Baha'f conferences in this country to focus exclusively on marriage drew about 150 people to Lower Merion, Pennsylvania.

Titled “Marriage: The Second Most Challenging Issue,” the conference offered a mix of lectures and workshops on topics ranging from choosing a spouse to raising one's children.

“I didn’t really know what to expect, said Chad Kirk, a 20-year-old Baha'f from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “The weekend was very dignified, and that was great for me.”

Talks and workshops were held in plush meeting rooms at the Great Valley Hilton. Most of those attending were from the East Coast, but a few traveled from California and some Midwestern states.

Robert Harris presented the first talk at the conference, and had his audience laughing aloud in a matter of minutes.

Mr. Harris, who has been married for 21 years, offered simple “Baha’f tips” for getting to know someone of the opposite sex. Among them:

• Be as flexible as possible.

• Study the Writings together.

+ Expect tests.

+ Always stay in the front seat of the car.

“I know many of you have come here to meet someone,” Mr. Harris said. “I would suggest that first you meet Baha'u'llah.”

Shortly after Mr. Harris’ talk, a participant who had come to the conference with Baha’ friends declared his belief in Bahéa'u'llh.

Later that day, Dr. Hoda Mahmoudi emphasized the need to raise healthy, stable

families, and the importance of Bahd'f couples transforming tests into victories.

“The ‘year of patience’ is not a formality for divorce,” she said. “It is a year in which to try to move heaven and earth to reconcile.”

At the end of the first day, a group of young Bahd'fs presented a mock “dating game” that had an audience of more than 100 laughing heartily.

The program “host” awarded imaginary prizes such as an all-expenses-paid trip to the Bosch Baha'f School where the winning couple would spend a weekend deepening on chastity.

Dr. Bijan Etemad, a Baha'f who is a psychiatrist in Lower Merion, was the last to speak at the conference. His comments, which were centered on the integrity of the family bond, were interspersed with mystical allusions.

“Love is like a Dr. Etemad. “It is not created, it happens. Everyone understands how it happens, but one can never duplicate it.”

Rogers, Arkansas, sponsors ‘largest’ race unity gathering

On June 13, the Baha'f community of Rogers, Arkansas, with help from the friends in northwestern Arkansas, sponsored what was described as “the largest race unity gathering ever held in that area.”

More than 100 people from 14 countries attended the event, which was held at Blowing Springs. Among the countries represented were Bolivia, China, India, Iran and Mexico. :

Qawi 8.€. 150 / Novemeer 23, 1993 [Page 14]14 The American BanA'i

Leccién Nimero 1: La Investigacién Independiente de la Verdad

La verdad es tan s6lo una; pero los ignorantes prejuicios, el fanatismo y las bajas pasiones la han multiplicado, Si se desea triunfar en la busqueda de la verdad hay que cerrar los ojos a todas las supersticiones e imitaciones del pasado.

Frecuentemente, en nombre dela verdad, la religi6n o la justicia, los hombres se han lanzado al odio, la destruccién y el derramamiento de sangre de sus hermanos.

En nombre de la religién los creyentes de diferentes denominaciones se han atacado cruelmente, y, en nombre de la justicia, se ha cometido toda clase de abusos y ha Ilevado a muchos a servir los intereses de unos pocos.

Pero {Cémo podemos conocer la verdad? 4Cémo podemos distinguir entre lo verdadero y lo aparentemente cierto?

Es evidente que todo ser humano tiene capacidades que deben ser cultivadas y desarrolladas. Las facultades superiores del hombre, los pensamientos y sentimientos elevados, si son utilizados, nos libraran de las cadenas de los prejuicios, el fanatismo y la supersticién.

En esta forma sabremos distinguir entre lo que conduce al bien o al error, a la perfecci6n 0 a la bajeza y la destruccién.

Estos pensamientos y sentimientos elevados son los que nos llevan desde la condici6n animal hacia el nivel humano. Sin embargo, a pesar de su importancia, la cualidades superiores del hombre no se desarrollan en las universidades.

Si un hombre alcanza el mAs alto grado de progreso material, pero no descubre la verdad de su propia existencia y no piensa ni siente como un ser humano, permanece atrasado. En cambio, otro hombre que carece de bienes materiales y que no ha ayanzado en la esfera social sera mds feliz y tendr4 una posici6én més alta si su

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entendimiento est4 iluminado por el conocimiento de si mismo y si su coraz6n est4en paz y arde con amor hacia todos los seres humanos.

Si deseamos encontrar la verdad pura no podremos hacerlo mientras estemos absortos con otras preocupaciones; es necesario que hagamos una pausa y reflexionemos en lo intimo de nuestro ser.

El hecho que nos imaginamos estar en lo cierto y que todos los demas estan en error es un gran obstdculo en el camino de la unidad, y la unidad es necesaria para

cardcter y pensamiento propio, siguiendo a dirigentes que con frecuencia estén corruptos y enceguecidos por sus bajas pasiones.

La ensefianza Baha’f procura el desarrollo de las cualidades superiores del ser humano en cada individuo y promueve la formaci6n de una nueva sociedad de hombres y mujeres libres de fanatismo, prejuicios, supersticiones y ciega imitaci6n.

“Levantdos, 0 pueblos, y mediante la

potencia del poder divino, resolvéos a ganar la victoria sobre vosotros mismos, para que felizmente la tierra entera pueda ser liberada y purificada de su servidumbre a los dioses de sus vanas fantasfas, dioses que han infligido tan graves pérdidas y son responsables de la miseria de sus desdichados adoradores. Estos idolos constituyen el obstdéculo que estorba al hombre en sus esfuerzos para avanzar en el sendero de la perfecci6n.”--Baha’u’Iléh iCrece con Nosotros!

encontrar la verdad, porque la verdad es una. Una mente amplia y abierta es esencial.

Las verdades absolutas deben ser aceptadas, no importa que lengua la pronuncie. La luz es buena, no importa en que lampara arda. La rosa es hermosa en cualquier jardin en que florezca. La estrella tiene la sma luz, ya brille desde el oriente 0 desde el occidente.

Para alcanzar la verdad debemos desligarnos de toda clase de prejuic La luz del sol brilla por igual sobre todos los habitantes de la tierra, sin distincién de clase, color, raza, credo o nacionalidad; la misma brisa los refresca y las mismas nubes derraman su Iluvia sobre ellos.

Debemos ser sinceros y honestos para dejar de lado todo lo que sea un impedimento en el camino hacia la verdad. No deberfamos titubear atin cuando fuese necesario comenzar de nuevo nuestra educacién.

No permitamos que nuestro amor particular por cualquier personalidad, religion © politica nos ciegue de tal manera que quedemos encadenados por el fanatismo 0 la superstici6n. Tengamos més bien amor por la verdad y asociémonos sincera y amigablemente con todas las gentes y pueblos del mundo.

“Libraos de prejuicios, s6lo asi amareis el Sol de la verdad, no importa el punto del horizonte donde se levante. Debeis comprender que ja Luz Divina de la Verdad brillé en Jesucristo, también brill6, en Moisés y Buda. El verdadero buscador de la verdad llegar a esta conclusién. Esto es lo que quiere decir: ~Busqueda de la Verdad.’”

Todos tenemos la obligacién de reflexionar, entender y sentir por nosotros mismos. No nos prestemos para formar parte de un conglomerado desprovisto de

Reports of UN-related activities are sought

From time to time The American Bahd't publishes a list of dates for United Nations-related observances and celebrations. The most recent of these were United Nations Day (October 24) and the annual UNICEF Halloween trickor-treat fund-raiser (October 31). Many Baha'i communities, Groups or isolated believers hold activities for these and other UN-sponsored special events. Any time you have carried out an activity related to the United Nations, we ask that you send a brief report to the Baha' fs of the United States, United Nations Office, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017-1822. The information should include the name of the occasion celebrated, the type of program (public meeting, award ceremony, etc.), number of people attending, literature distributed, organizations with whom you collaborated, publicity that was generated (with copies of any print media coverage), and copies of materials produced for the occasion.

A 4 The Bahd'ts of Bismarci

is booth in September at the United Tribes International Pow-wow in Bismarck. Bahd'{s from North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Tennessee and Iowa traveled to Bismarck to help the teaching/proclamation effort.

Budget shorfall forces program cancellation

The second round of Area Development Seminars, originally scheduled for late January, have been canceled due to lack of funding for the program.

These seminars, previously announced in this paper and at the 1992 National Convention, were to have focused on management of the Faith’s human and financial resources at the local level. Program design was underway as a joint effort of the National Teaching Committee, the Local Assembly Development Program, and the Development Department of the Office of the Treasurer.

“These would have been an excellent addition to the long term process of As sembly training and performance improvement that is one of the main goals of the Three-Year Plan,” said William Allmart, program coordinator. “We anticipated a useful blend of Baha’f Writings and concepts with the best thinking in the larger community about community building, management practices, and insights into an emerging Baha’f economy. We had hoped to build on the successful first round that was carried out earlier in the year. The National Assembly could not, however, spend the $60,000 the program would have entailed to do it with the level of excellence the community requires right now.”

A la Comunidad Bahd't Americana para la Fiesta de ‘Ilm Queridos amigos Bahd'ts:

Nacional.

Con calurosos saludos,

La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional se complace en informar que la reeleccién para reemplazar al Sr. Tod Ewing ha resultado en la eleccién de la Sra. Patricia Locke como nueva miembro de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.

La Sra. Locke ha sido distinguida miembro de la Junta Directiva de Mottahedeh Development Corporation. Su trabajo en la preservacién de la cultura e idiomas nativos Americanos es ampliamente reconocido y, Uds. recordardn, fue oficial y merecfdamente honrada por la Fundacién MacArthur por esa importante contribuci6n.. Estamos ansiosos por sus servicios en la Asamblea Espiritual

Estamos muy agradecidos por sus continuas oraciones que nos ayudan y reforzan con el ilimitado poder del Espfritu Santo cuando avanzamos con firmeza hacia el glorioso destino de la comunidad Baha'f Americana.

Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de los Baha'is de los Estados Unidos

Qawt B.€. 150 / Novemser 23, 1993 [Page 15]Tue American Banal 15

A personal memoir by Klaus Lintschinger

Making ‘The Prisoner of Akka’

“T am glad that we could meet about this project. The story of Bahé’u’lléh is one of the great unwritten pieces of the century, and I think that you can help us remedy that.”

These or similar words were used in my first encounter with Robert Guenette, an experienced, highly respected documentary film maker who, during his 30-year career, had directed the likes of Orson Welles, John Huston, Charlton Heston, Elizabeth Taylor, Kirk Douglas and Clint Eastwood and whose list of credits

Robert Guenette took on the directorial assignment, and together we responded to an invitation by the Policy Committee of the Universal House of Justice to come to Haifa and consult with them.

Bob suggested that “The Prisoner of Akka” would be a suitable working title. There was no way that at that time he could have known what I was soon to discover: the Guardian himself had used this title to refer to Baha’w'Il4h in The World Order of Baha'u'llah.

We had put great emphasis on the presence of women and minorities in the interview sections. The result was that someone pointed out to us that there were no white males delivering any major statements.

We had to reshoot something and we had to do it quickly.

We found a statement on progressive revelation that was very well delivered—by a woman, of course—in the film. We were going to have this exact statement repeated by a young white male.

At that point, the statement appeared

included films as varied as “The Crucifixion of Christ” and “Star WarsSpecial FX.” “There's only one small problem, Bob. You can’t show Him.” That was in the summer of 1991. Before we go on from there, let me give

The subject of the documentary was going to be Baha’u’llah Himself, and the film was to establish Bahda’u’llah in His rightful place in world history—we were to help ‘emblazon the Name of Baha’u’llah’ across the globe.

about halfway into the film, a perfect spot for such an intervention. Time being of the essence, Bob asked whether I couldn’t just go on camera myself.

“Would I have to wear a suit?”

“You would.”

“Would I have to wear a tie?”

“You would.”

you a little background:

When I came to this country five years ago from my native Austria, I had this plan of producing films that everyone would see and that would in one way or another heighten people’s sensitivities toward the gifts Baha'u'llah has laid out for us in this century.

“Plan” might not be the correct word, as it implies some sort of methodology that, if applied, would lead to a well-defined goal. Looking back, however, I realize that I truly did not know what I was doing.

Curiously, that was the greatest asset I had at that time.

Had I known anything about films and how they do get made in the real world, I might have stuck with my books. In the absence of such insights, I became a film producer,

My first attempt, “Mindwalk,” starring Liv Ullmann. and Sam Waterston, was a two-year, around-the-clock adventure that in spite of extremely difficult production circumstances ended up with great critical, acclaim, ede following. s In the, Mada loyal tGuw .....6°

uf'itic““all of 1990 we screened “Mindwalk” to an enthusiastic group of 500 friends at the Baha’f World Center in Haifa.

Soon thereafter, | was contacted by Douglas Martin, then director-general of the Baha’{ International Community, who proposed that we consult on the possibility of producing a film for the Baha’ f World Congress.

When we sat down together with members of the Congress Program Task Force in New York City early in 1991, the Congress seemed a long way away.

For the first time, I became aware of the nature and scope of the project.

The subject of the documentary was going to be Baha'u'llah Himself, and the film was to establish Baha’u’llah in His rightful place in world history—we were to help “emblazon the Name of Baha'u'llah” across the globe.

My friend and mentor, Faramarz Ettehadieh, had for years been making efforts to produce Baha’frelated films. We had cooperated on “Mindwalk” and were developing a number of other stories together.

It took no more than a phone call and Faramarz became our executive producer.

From the outset, the project broke every precedent. There were no institutional funds available for the production, and so financing had to be secured outside of the Baha’f administration. Faramarz heroically

stepped in and took care of that.

The film—as yet unnamed—had to be of the highest professional quality, and only a top director would do. That, of course, meant that we would hire a nonBaha’{ for the job.

This was desirable for another reason as well: I felt that we needed an outside perspective to tell the story of Baha’u’lléh in a way that would make it accessible and interesting to the public at large.

We created a project that was free and open to discovery, but at the same time was under the constant guidance of the Baha’{ World Center.

ee ee

Obviously, the title stayed.

The Policy Committee kindly listened to our plans and gave us the go-ahead.

As 1991 drew to a close, our schedule was mapped out.

The first three months of 1992 would be devoted to research; we would shoot the film in the Holy Land around the time of the anniversary of the Ascension of Bahd’u'llah, and would assemble and finish it during the summer.

We were confident that by September we could premiere “The Prisoner of Akka” in Haifa.

Everything proceeded without a hitch through May.

We were happy with the images from the Commemoration, and the cooperation across three continents with Faramarz in Europe, Douglas Martin in the Mideast, and the rest of us in North America worked marvelously well.

Tt was after our return from H3y,

1C was Gatch Val TeWUL auifa that the first sign

of impending hardship appeared.

One passage in the script called for a “royal falcon” to soar majestically across the screen while the narrator quoted Baha’u’llah: “J am the Royal Falcon on the arm of the Almighty ...””

We had decided to rent a falcon and shoot the sequence ourselves. Exhaustive research left us with the sad fact that the falcon, all the falcons, were now molting, and did not have the plumage required to soar majestically.

In fact, falcons were not flying well at all and would not be able to do so until it was too late in the year for our purposes.

Eventually, we found falcon footage elsewhere, but it was tedious.

Things turned really serious when the director's wife developed cancer. For a while, poor Bob was quite understandably unable to do anything but help his wife with her ordeal, which involved several operations and more emotional strain than any human being should be subjected to.

Our September deadline for the film became an October deadline and almost turned into a November deadline.

As of August, Bob and his staff edited and re-edited the rough cut of the film on a weekly basis.

As soon as a new cut was finished, I would see it and discuss it with the team. More often than not, they would then go back and re-do everything.

Then, when we all felt that what he had was presentable, we would ship video tapes of the rough cuts to Faramarz in Austria and Douglas in Haifa.

That would be followed by extensive international conference calls, long faxed commentaries and counter-commentaries, suggestions, rewrites, more suggestions and more re-edits.

Suddenly, the Congress loomed enormously large. Was it really September already?

At last we reached a consensus on what we were going to have in the film. Everything we wanted to have said was said, albeit not always by the people we felt should say it.

—

The day we shot the “interview” I turned up in a suit, a tie and back brace to enable me to sit straight despite a painful back injury.

I had a sneaking suspicion that there was some lesson in this, but I couldn’t figure it out at the time.

To make a long story short, we met our final deadline, got the video to Haifa, where it was appoved by the Policy Committee, and then formally submitted it to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’ fs of the United States.

The premiere screening for the Wold Center staff in Haifa was a triumphant success. The comments we received from the institutions were ee encouraging—with one exception, _

As a personal view, a member,,«+

Spiritual Assembly, who had y+ Of the National nly ¢ on the, 2viewed the video and

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¢ phone, offered this: “The documentary was very good, but there was this young white man whose interview isn’t very good at all. Not only is what he’s saying not particularly distinct, but he doesn’t even look distinct in any way.”

There was nothing I could change. To my everlasting embarrassment, my indistinct face was forever stuck in “The Prisoner of Akka.”

Still, all of us who worked on it are proud of it.

The memories of sitting back in amazement while my non-Baha’{ co-workers would passionately discuss how to bring Baha’u’llah to a general audience; of having the editing staff walk around chanting “Alléh’u’ Abhé,” a recording of which they had taken a liking to; of getting a chance to explain again and again who Baha’u’lldh was to everyone who worked with us in Hollywood; of again and again having total strangers tell us their stories of their Baha’{ teachers, friends, parents, and of their great respect for the Faith.

These memories are precious.

“The Prisoner of Akka” has to date been seen by millions on television in places as diverse as India, Romania, Norway and Alaska. Thousands of videos are in circulation and the friends are coming up with ever more imaginative ways of using “The Prisoner of Akka.”

In fact, things are going so well that for 1994 we are planning to produce a documentary on the Bab.

I can already see myself talking to an eminent director I'd like to win over:

“The story of the Bab is one of the most fascinating unwritten pieces in history, and I think you can help us remedy that. There’s only one small problem ...”

CORRECTION

In The American Baha'i, May 17 (p. 35), an obituary for Dorothea Lacy described her as “the last surviving member of the first local Spiritual Assembly of Houston, Texas.” We have since learned that another member of that Assembly, Charlotte Stirrat, is alive and well and pioneering in Mozambique, southeast Africa, at the age of 85. We regret the error.

as peace eS Qaw B.£. 150 / NovemBer 23, 1993 [Page 16]16 THe American BanA'i

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NYC Bahai‘is celebrate opening of newly naeated Center

By Dan Woto

New York City Baha’ fs celebrated the opening of the newly renovated Baha’f Center with a gala fund-raiser on the afternoon and evening of September 18.

The event was held (1) to generate funds to defray the cost of renovation: lay the glistening facility’s capability as a center for Baha’{ community life.

As the Baha’ fs and their gu arrived for the gala, it was apparent to all that the Center hadn’t merely been redone. A new Center, full of grace and charm, had been set down in its pla from the elegant limestone and granite facade of the exterior to the cleverly rearranged and tastefully redecorated interior spaces.

The ts entered a glowing reception hall graced with several pai s by Suzanne Klotz. A jazz group featuring singer Tierney Sutton and bassist Walter Abdul performed.

The afternoon program began with a welcome by Helene Steinhauer on behalf of the Spiritual Assembly of New York City.

She introduced Continental Counselor William Roberts, who read the prayer revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahé for the City of the Covenant and read from a letter by the Universal House of Justice to the Persian believers that highlighted the victories of the Six Year Plan.

Counselor Roberts went on to say that Baha'fs in New York City should feel proud of its completed Center and that the ind dignity of the New York comare evident with the finished renovations.

Now, he s: the sparks within the community must be nurtured to flames, thus attracting more and more new believers.

Just as the completion of the buildings on Mount Carmel will make an imprint on the peoples of the world, he said, the New York Baha’f Center will make an imprint on the City of the Covenant if the community’s believers do their part.

Counselor Roberts asked the members of the local Assembly to come forward. He offered to the Assembly the precious gift of a vial of dust from the House of the Bab. It was a gift to him from the National

Spiritual Assembly of the Virgin Islands.

Auxiliary Board Member Tahereh Ahdieh also presented a gift to the local Assembly: a framed leaf from the interior room in the Shrine of Baha'u'llah which had been given to her by a member of the World Center staff.

The Assembly humbly and graciously accepted th treasured toKens of love from the members of the institution of the Learned.

The audience then was treated to a m sic and dance pre: tation by the Washington (D.C.) Baha’f Youth Workshop that depicted the racial problems in this country.

The evening program was held in the filled-to-capacity audi um. An overflow crowd was accomed in the reception area via a widen television si

The New York City Baha’ {Gospel Choir, formed only five weeks earlier and led by ha’

ing three selections based on the Baha’f Writings. The choir’s stirring harmonies and infectious rhythms soon had the audience clapping and singing along. Especially memorable was ana cappella rendition of “Seek No Other Helper.”

Featured speakers for the evening were David Ruhe, retired member of the Universal House of Justice, and his wife, author Margaret Ruhe.

Mrs. Ruhe spoke first and charmed everyone with anecdotes from her life as a Baha’f.

She touched the audience with fascinat

On September 22, the Bahd't commu ity of g ‘greater metropolitan ‘Detroi Michigan, was awarded one of five 1993 ‘Detroit Principles Awards’ by the Race Relations Council of Metropolitan Detroit. The award recognizes ‘a spirit of self-initiation, innovation and collaboration, and going beyond the call of duty in helping race

relations.”

The Bahd'ts were honored for their monthly series of talks on race

relations held in homes with multi-racial audiences of diverse economic and religious backgrounds. The talks, which began two years ago, are co-sponsored by the Bahd'ts of Detroit and Grosse Pointe, and now include a second monthly series in Bloomfield, co-sponsored by the Bahd'ts of Bloomfield and Southfield.

~ Margaret Adams

September 16, 1993

Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd’ts of New York City Dear Bahda’t Friends:

The National Spiritual Assembly joyfully greets you on the happy occasion celebrating the opening of the newly renovated New York City Baha’{ Center.

We recall the history and importance of New York with pride and admiration. ‘Abdu’!-Baha deliyered public addresses and made formal visits to at least 55 places in the city, attending more meetings in New York than in all the other cities He visited combined. The design of the Mother Temple of the West was chosen in the City of the Covenant from among the designs submitted to the 1920 National Conyention held there. The document containing the by-laws of Baha’flocal Assemblies, first drafted by the New York Baha’{ community in November 1931 and referred to by the Guardian as “an example worthy of emulation,” became a pattern for all local Baha’f constitutions and helped provide the necessary foundation for the legal incorporation of Baha’{ administrative institutions. New York is distinguished further as home to the offices of the Baha’{ International Community in the United States. And, most recently, the New York Baha’f community welcome thousands of its brethren to a spiritual homecoming at the second Baha’{ World Congress.

Since the early days of the Faith in the United States, New York has been abundantly blessed. Along with our congratulations on the renovation of the Baha’f Center come our prayers that through its doors will advance a regiment of the Army of God who will reach as yet unimagined heights of service to humanity and to the Cause of God, fulfilling the Master’s desire “that the friends here may become the cause of the illumination of America, that this city may become the

b city of love and that the fragrances of God may be spread from this place to all parts of the world,” n= and “that you may be manifestations of the love of Baha’u’ll4h, that each one of you may become like aclear lamp of crystal from which the rays of the bounties of the Blessed Perfection may shine forth to all nations and peoples.”

With loving greetings,

nted how a young boy entered the Shrine by himself and carefully inspected the interior, then placed himself in the center of the carpet and proceeded to turn a somersault.

Ruhe went on to stre: for every Baha'i to Land. “When you go to Haifa, you are spiritually renewed and reawakened,” she said.

She also spoke of how a visit to the Holy Land provides an education on Baha’{ history—there are 18 Holy Places there— and the additional opportunity to learn the history of Judaism and Christianity.

Dr. Ruhe tied the opening of the new Center to the New York community’s role as Baha’fs in the City of the Covenant.

He exhorted the Baha’fs to “become leaders of the Faith in the United States; it’s your destiny.”

He added, “There are tens of thousands of waiting Baha’fs here,” meaning people waiting toembrace the Faith and its Teachings once they learn of it.

“The World Congress bye was only the beginning. .You are in for a decade of ¢ said, noting that the present Center will become just one of many local Centers in the New York area.

Dr. Ruhe went on to describe how the Faith has “come out of obscurity” and noted the role that music has played in the

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'ts of the United States September 15, 1993

process.

He also stressed how important give praise and recognition to Baha’ fs of achievement and distinction in all fields of endeavor. He listed Baha'i leaders in poetry, the sciences, medicine, music, the women’s movement and environmentalism.

To illustrate the signs of the impending global expansion of the Faith, Dr. Ruhe described the significant impact of the Bahd’f teachings on political leaders in Brazil, the Marshall Islands, Germany and the U.S.

He told of how these leaders have responded so positively to the Baha’f message and to the Faith’s leadership in the areas of world peace, education, religious tolerance and the environment.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Ruhe riveted his listeners with a voice resonant with conviction and a face radiant with loving energy as he told them, “The opportunities here in New York City will be amazing, more than you think you can bear. «The surprises will be highly rewarding to you. Be worthy of the name, the City of the Covenant.”

The evening program ended with a presentation by the New York City Baha’f Youth Workshop and a musical presentation by the jazz group.

Everyone went home filled with a renewed spirit of energy and rededication to our beloved Faith.

Robert Hatch Adlanta, GA August 12, 1993 Monireh Keshtkar Laguna Niguel, CA April 17, 1993

Mary J. Knight

Puyallup, WA June 18, 1993 Estelle Bulat Lehigh Acres, FL September 17, 1993 Marina Cubero

Largo, FL Richmond, VA March 1993 September 27, 1993 Michelle Harris Emma S. Olney Glendale, CA Toppenish, WA

1993

ao Sc aeaemeenataa

Percel Reid Clemson, S.C. July 1993

Edna Reynolds Clemson, SC

Marie A. Rouse Poway, GA September 23, 1993

Cynthia Sharpe Venice Beach, CA

July 10, 1993 June 2, 1993 Olive Rose Donald L. Smith Tucson, AZ Bellingham, WA October 7, 1993 September 27, 1993

ameens

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CALENDAR OF EVE

DECEMBER

3-5: Conference on Revelation and Scripture, Newcastle (England) Baha'f Center, sponsored by the Association for Bahd'f Studies. For information, phone Stephen Lambden, 091-281-8597.

4-5: International Cultural Celebration/Deepening, Jacksonville, Florida. For information, phone Joy Allchin, 904-249-4520, or Elham Nadji, 904-221-1081.

9-12: Baha'f Conference on HIV and AIDS, Louhelen Bahd'f School. Held under the auspices of the Bahé'f International Health Agency (BIHA). Open to HIV-positive individuals, care-givers, health professionals, and members of Bahd'f institutions. For information about accommodations/registration, write to Larry Clarke,

Ontario, Canada M2H 2B39, or phone 416-493-4074 (evenings).

Fax 905-889-8164.

10-12: “Teaching American Indians in Cities of the U. homa. Sponsored by the Regional American Indian Teac! For the past 12 years the Baht communities of San Diego County, California, have | _Ststes. West. Cost: $50 per person, Space is limited to 50 participants. Doom have bunk

helped the Bahd'ts of El Cajon J.D. sponsor a float in the annual Mother Goose we Please Dra Gun ma Oo Noe eet Maiko Bick caee Bua

Parade, one of the largest Thanksgiving day parades west of the Mississippi with a 16-19: 1993 North American Bahé'f Conference on Social and Economic Developlive audience each year of about 500,000 and television coverage in San Diego} meni, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. Theme: “The Bahé'{ Faith in Action... County. The Baha'is have won several awards for their entries, which depict the Sustainable Development for a New World.” Sponsored by the Rabbani Charitable Trust. concept of racial unity through diversity. Pictured is last year's entry, which won the For information, phone 407-647-7777. To register, see Registration Form on page 12. Sweepstakes award. 22-26: Winter Session I, Bosch Baha'f School. Study and contemplation with special ei —- = _|__ guestDavid Hofman, retired member of the Universal House of Justice, and class on The To aid vnc ly in eiving you Thsfommay ewe ene eon yee Seven Valleys eae by Sheila ana Resin ats pa Wednesday, dinner at MOVING? copy prican i sced your new, {amnily. Please be sere'to| LI , orientation at 8. For full program see the Fal ‘inter Brochure. To regi: write to | | TELLUSYOUR | Stee INFORMATIONSYSTEMS, Babi’ croliarwhowilieaflecedtytisemage | | 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, phone 408-423-3387, or fax 408-423-7564, NEW ADDRESS. | National Center, Wilmette, IL. 60091, as soon as 24-27: Ninth annual Grand Canyon Bah4'f Conference, Phoenix, Arizona. Speakers: | you know what your new adres wil be | | Robert Ahdieh, Taherch Ahdieh, Riaz Ghadi r Taare 1} Rebequa Murphy, James F. Nelson, Habib Riaza | | programs for youth and classes for pre-youth. Registrat s on the afternoon of 1. December 23. For more information, contact the GCBC hotline, 602-375-8082. Preee i [| registration is advised, as seating is limited for the main s — = | “Arts of Wonderment,” a fine arts exhibit held in conjunction with the Grand Canyon Bahé'f Conference, opens at 11 E. Ashland Gallery in Phoenix, Arizona with [fe = | | works by Bahé'f artists from across the country. For information, phone Darius Hymes, Wpeece ts | | 602-967-5299. | Ta | 26-31: Annual mid-winter Regional Youth Conference, Cleveland, Ohio. For information, contact the Youth Board of Greater Cleveland, c/o Jenkins, [ b. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: ‘C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS: 1 Cleveland, OH 44122, or phone 216-283-8526. | | 27-31: Winter School, “The Kitdb-i-Aqdas: Light to the World,” Louhelen Bahé'f School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423; phone 313-653-5033. | ~Seeeraess P.O. Bax or Other mailing nidress | 29-31: Regional Winter Youth Conference, Wilder Forest, north of St. Paul, Minne| | | sota. Theme: “Preparing for a Life of Service to the Cause.” Bahd'fs and non-Bahd' (if applicable) iment @ (If applicable) 11-20 are welcome to attend. For information, write to Ken McNamara, | ee Der eee | Marine On St. Croix, MN 55047, or phone 612-433-5089. as = | 29-January 2: Winter Session II, Bosch Baha'f School. Study and contemplation with | | | _ special guest David Hofman and class on The Seven Valleys presented by Vida Bertrand. Registration at 5 p.m. Wednesday, dinner at 7, orientation at 8, For full program see Fall/ [eos ae = Ce | Winter Brochure. To register, write to 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, phone

408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564.

i Ree Wuaneece ae EHOME Es teres i 30-January 2: South Carolina Bah4'f Winter School, Louis Gregory Bahs‘{ Institute. For information, phone 803-558-5093. [anes re Deb Comsat boring dete iisre cov Rsons mater bese | 31-January 2: North Carolina Winter School, Brown Summit Conference Center (30: | F WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): | | minutes north of Greensboro). Theme: “The Kitdb-i-Aqdas in Action: Weaving the Kitdb-i-Aqdas into the Fabric of Our Lives to Transform Us into Champion Builders of | : | | the World Order of Bahé‘u'lléh.” Registrar: Maria Hillis, Wilson, NC || “Ares code Pose number Name “Are colePhowo bomber Name | | 27893 (phone 919-291-1187). | G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: HH. 1 WOULD LIKE A COPY: al 19: W Wi School (f pial c c Li R ee ae i -9: Wisconsin Winter School (for adults), Byron Center. Contact Lisa Reimer, ie ee eg ee eee oe [en] Oneness | West Bend, WI 53095 (phone 414-338-3023). | cancel the copy for the person(s) and LD. listedabove the fullnames of all family mem- | receive my own copy. Ihavelisted my name, 7-9: LSA Bonding Weekend, Bosch Baha'f School. For information, phone 408-423| pumber(s) listed above. Re ae ae eae LD, number and address above, | 3387. H Isso ia ellos aly cos Py 10-17: King Week, Atlanta, Georgia. For information, phone Paulette Trail, 404-426 — ee —-—-—-—-—-—- + 7713.

11-16: Bah4'f Youth Service Corps/Pioncering Institute, Bosch Bah4'f School, Santa Cruz, California. For information, phone the Office of Pioneering, 708-869-9039, or the Bosch Baha'i School, 408-423-3387.

14-16: Colorado (East) Winter School. Sandra Bolz, 345 London Avenue, Lafayette, CO 80026 (phone 303-666-9275).

15-17: Illinois (Heartland) School, Springfield. Theme: “The Kitéb-i-Aqdas.” Contact Pej Clark, 1188 W. Sunset, Decatur, IL 62522 (phone 217-423-9788).

21-23: College Club Weekend, Bosch Baha'f School (ages 18 and above). Registration deadline: January 18. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

28-30: Rendezvous of the Soul, personal deepening program, Bosch Baha'f School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

FEBRUARY

12: Jazz concert and fund-raiser with Roger Hogan/Andre St. James Ensemble, Bosch Bahd'f School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

18-21: North Dakota Winter School, Mayville State University. “The New Jerusalem: A Study of the Kitab-i-Aqdas.” Contact Rosalyn Thingelstad, P.O. Box 1913, Minot, ND 58702 (phone 701-839-1015).

18-21: Adults/Singles Session, Bosch Bah4'f School. For information, phone 408-4233387.

26-28: Weekend on Family and Child Education with Preview of the CORE Curriculum, Bosch Bahd'f School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

IL 60091

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BAHA'f NATIONAL CENTER

112 Linden Avenue

Wilmette,

Qawi 8.€. 150 / Novemser 23, 1993 �