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[Page 1]The American Bahá’í

Volume 24, No. 3 ‘...knowledge is a veritable treasure for man. ...’—Bahá’u’lláh ’Alá B.E. 149 / March 2, 1993

Several hundred attend private funeral service in New York City for jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie

On January 9, several hundred friends and relatives gathered at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church at 54th St. and Lexington Avenue in New York City to bid a private farewell to jazz great John Birks (Dizzy) Gillespie who died three days earlier. The Rev. John Garcia Gensel, pastor to the jazz community, presided at the non-denominational service.

Invited to take part were representatives of the Bahá’í International Community, the National Spiritual Assembly, and the Spiritual Assembly of New York City.

Mr. Gillespie, a Bahá’í since 1968, was a worldwide ambassador for the promotion of the cardinal Bahá’í principle of the essential unity of humankind. His warmth, humor and charismatic personality attracted the hearts of high and low alike.

Tributes in words and music were delivered at the service by a number of Mr. Gillespie’s fellow musicians: trumpeters Wynton Marsalis and Clark Terry, trombonist Slide Hampton, saxophonist Jimmy Heath, pianists Mike Longo and Hank Jones, and vibraphonist Milt Jackson.

Clear from their remarks was that they considered Mr. Gillespie to be a musical genius—a true innovator, one who could discover chords and progressions never before heard, and, above all, a teacher and friend to beginners in the music business. Beyond words was the tribute of their music that soared and reverberated throughout the spacious chapel.

After a Bahá’í prayer for the departed was read by Trish Swanson, information officer for the BIC office in New York, Techeste Ahderom, representative to the United Nations for the Bahá’í International Community, spoke on behalf of the Bahá’ís of the world, mentioning that it was as recently as last November, during the second Bahá’í World Congress, that Mr. Gillespie was honored with a “75th birthday party” consisting of an evening of jazz at Carnegie Hall, an event that he was unfortunately too ill to attend.

Mr. Ahderom read messages of praise and condolence from Bahá’í communities in Jamaica, France and Austria, then read the cable sent to the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly by the Universal House of Justice:

“We share your great sorrow at the passing of dearly loved, highly cherished John Birks Gillespie whose steadfastness in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh and constant promotion of its teachings added a luminous quality and enviable dimension to the far-

See FUNERAL page 4

INSIDE
Success in Teaching: Part 7	2
Bahá’u’lláh’s ordeals in ‘Akká	3
Teaching victories in Sacramento	5
Parliament of World’s Religions	11
8th Grand Canyon Conference	12
The appointment of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	13

KING WEEK

Teaching takes center stage as Bahá’ís in Atlanta area emblazon Name of Bahá’u’lláh, promote race unity

By Ford Bowers

On Monday, January 18, more than 700 Bahá’ís from around the country took part in the national March of Celebration honoring the birth-day of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The march through downtown Atlanta, Georgia, was seen by many thousands of people who lined the route as the procession made its way through the city streets to its destination at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change.

Holding aloft a banner that read “The Vision of Race Unity: America’s Most Challenging Issue,” the large and diverse group of Bahá’ís once again made their presence and their message known to those who watched the march.

Robert C. Henderson (center, in light-colored coat) marches in Atlanta’s King Week parade in January honoring the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. More than 700 Bahá’ís took part in King Week events. (Photo by Joe Ferguson)

As the march came to an end, participants and onlookers gathered to hear the guest speakers at an afternoon rally at the King Center. Several dignitaries including Dr. King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, and co-Grand Marshal Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly, addressed the estimated 150,000 people at the rally.

In his remarks, Dr. Henderson stressed the need to promote race unity and made clear the Bahá’í teachings on the oneness of humankind.

The event marked the close of a weeklong series of events in Atlanta encompassing what is known as King Week. During the past eight years the Bahá’ís in that area have steadily increased their participation in King Week, leading to remarkable opportunities in recent years to proclaim the Message of Bahá’u’lláh and to emblazon His Name literally around the world.

This year in particular was crowned with success for the Bahá’ís. Not only were there further opportunities for widescale proclamation during King Week, but an unprecedented number of seekers were present at the many firesides and Bahá’í-sponsored events in and around Atlanta.

King Week activities began 10 days before the March of Celebration with the annual Interfaith Clergy Conference at the King Center. Nine Bahá’ís joined more than 40 members of the clergy in an open forum designed to promote understanding and cooperation among the various religions

See ATLANTA page 10

Spiritual Assembly of San Francisco’s SEARS campaign aims to initiate ‘entry by troops’ throughout Bay area

By Ularan Blann

Last August, the Spiritual Assembly of San Francisco launched the William SEARS (Spiritually Energizing and Attracting Ready Souls) teaching campaign designed to initiate entry by troops in the Bay area.

With a goal of 900 new believers by Ridván, the Assembly had its work cut out for it, but as in any plan that aims to further the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, assistance from the Concourse on high has been forthcoming.

Before the campaign started, spiritual preparation was begun. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s instructions to those in the western states in the Tablets of the Divine Plan were studied, the prayer for the Western states was chosen to be recited daily by as many of the friends as possible, and a series of deepenings about the nature, obligation and blessings of teaching was held for 40-70 friends from about 20 communities.

It was decided to focus specifically various groups such as Hispanics, American Indians, African-Americans and visiting Chinese students.

The Assembly appointed an Entry By Troops task force to focus attention on developing the campaign. A decision to emphasize fireside teaching resulted in more than double the usual number of weekly firesides in October compared to any previous month.

From the end of September through January, there were more than 30 enrollments in the Faith and several more declarations that were not yet processed.

The campaign began at dawn last October 3 with prayers, music and planning at Lloyd’s Lake (where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had

See SEARS page 5

The proper time to commemorate Naw-Rúz

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to clarify for the friends the proper time at which to observe Naw-Rúz, the Bahá’í New Year.

At present the ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ in the West observe Naw-Rúz on March 21. Since the Bahá’í day begins at sunset, Naw-Rúz actually begins at sunset on March 20 and ends at sunset on March 21.

Because March 21 is also the first day of the month of Bahá, a Nineteen Day Feast should also be held on that date, but the two events are separate and distinct. As the Guardian pointed out in a letter of July 5, 1950, the Nineteen Day Feast is administrative whereas the Feast of Naw-Rúz commemorates the New Year and is a Feast of hospitality and rejoicing.

Although Naw-Rúz is currently celebrated on March 21, it should correspond to the vernal equinox. Since this can take place on March 20, 21 or 22, Naw-Rúz will not necessarily be observed on March 21 every year in the future, but this is a matter to be decided in due course by the Universal House of Justice. [Page 2]

INTRODUCTION

This is the seventh in a series of articles, the intention of which is to delve into a statement, made by the Guardian in The Advent of Divine Justice, which outlines prerequisites of success in teaching the Faith.

Shoghi Effendi drew attention to the importance of deepening our knowledge of the Faith as a preparation for delivering Bahá’u’lláh’s Message. In this passage, the Guardian comments on various facets of deepening. The focus of this article is to discuss the direction to "master the essentials of its [the Faith’s] administration."

TEXT

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

ACTION

"...master the essentials of its administration..."

The Administrative Order of the Bahá’í Faith is divinely conceived and divinely guided. The "essentials" of the administration can be thought of as those basic, vital and indispensable elements that are necessary in carrying out the affairs of the community.

The Bahá’í community looks both inward and outward. The institutions of the Faith must both nurture the growth of the individual and the community and serve as a channel for the greater propagation of the Faith to others. The basis for all of the "administrative machinery" is the love of God. Its form and presence is a sign of His love; its Divine purpose is to serve as an instrument for His love to reach humanity.

The laws of God protect us, guide us, and shape our lives. Our obedience to the laws, in both our intent and in our actions, is crucial to our spiritual development and to the development of the Bahá’í community.

SUPPLEMENTARY REFERENCES

"Nowhere doth your true and abiding glory reside except in your firm adherence unto the precepts of God, your whole-hearted observance of His laws, your resolution to see that they do not remain unenforced, and to pursue steadfastly the right course." (Bahá’u’lláh, The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 10-11)

"Praise be to Him, ye are acquainted with the various laws, institutions and principles of the world; today nothing short of these divine teachings can assure peace and tranquillity to mankind. But for these teachings, this darkness shall never vanish, these chronic diseases shall never be healed; nay, they shall grow fiercer from day to day." (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 249)

"As the administrative work of the Cause steadily expands, as its various branches grow in importance and number, it is absolutely necessary that we bear in mind this fundamental fact that all these administrative activities, however harmoniously and efficiently conducted, are but means to an end, and should be regarded as direct instruments for the propagation of the Bahá’í Faith. Let us take heed lest in our great concern for the perfection of the administrative machinery of the Cause, we lose sight of the Divine Purpose for which it has been created." (Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í Administration, p. 103)

"I grieve to learn of the situation which the disharmony of the believers has created. Emphasis should be laid by all members, and with increasing force and determination, upon the essentials of the Administrative Order as explained in the book entitled Bahá’í Administration. Whatever is not provided, should be referred to your national assembly. The decision of the majority must, under all circumstances be upheld and enforced. Persevere and never lose heart and courage." (Shoghi Effendi, The Importance of Deepening, p. 23, No. 81)

"These sources of disagreement and of difference are all due to the lack of thorough understanding, on the part of many of the believers, of the basic laws and principles of Bahá’í Administration. Despite our Guardian’s repeated and emphatic instructions and recommendations that the friends should deepen their knowledge, through both study and practice, of all the administrative teachings of the Faith, yet some have, for some reason or another, neglected to do so. The result has been that they are working in the dark, not knowing where to look for guidance in all such matters." (on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Importance of Deepening, p. 37, No. 118)

"Your emphasis on the study of the Administration, he feels, is most timely and of a vital practical importance, inasmuch as it serves to consolidate and direct toward a definite objective your general teaching work. Without the study and application of the Administration the teaching of the Cause becomes not only meaningless, but loses in effectiveness and in scope." (on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Importance of Deepening, p. 39, No. 124)

"They [young Bahá’ís] must grasp the Administration, so that they can wisely and efficiently administer the ever-growing affairs of the Cause...." (on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, The Importance of Deepening, p. 45, No. 139)

"Regarding ....’s appeal: the Guardian feels the best course of action in this matter is to ask both of the believers concerned to forgive and forget the entire matter. He does not want the friends to form the habit of taking up a kind of Bahá’í litigation against each other. Their duties to humanity are too sacred and urgent in these days, when the Cause is struggling to spread and assert its independence, for them to spend their precious time, and his precious time, in this way. Ask them, therefore, to unite, forget the past, and serve as never before." (on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Living the Life, p. 18)

"The greatest need it seems everywhere inside the Cause is to impress upon the friends the need for love among them. There is a tendency to mix up the functions of the Administration and try to apply it in individual relationships, which is abortive, because the Assembly is a nascent House of Justice and is supposed to administer, according to the Teachings, the affairs of the community. But individuals toward each other are governed by love, unity, forgiveness and a sin-covering eye. Once the friends grasp this they will get along much better, but they keep playing Spiritual Assembly to each other and expect the Assembly to behave like an individual. ..." (on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Living the Life, p. 33)

QUESTIONS

How is the purpose of the Administrative Order linked to teaching?

How can I "master" the essentials of the administration?

BAHÁ’Í FAITH

On October 3, the Bahá’ís of Moorpark, California, took part in the annual Moorpark Country Days parade and fair. The Moorpark community invited the Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Workshop to walk in the parade and perform during the street fair. The Workshop was greeted with enthusiasm and won a first-place trophy for 'most original entry' in the parade. Local cable television carried the parade and featured a performance by the Youth Workshop. A record number of people stopped at the Bahá’í booth, and more than 50 picked up invitations to follow-up firesides.

Help Save Jeopardized Assemblies

Below are Bahá’í communities that are in danger of losing their Assembly at Ridván because their community membership has fallen below the nine adult believers necessary to form an Assembly. Bahá’ís in surrounding communities are asked to assist with teaching efforts in these areas, traveling teachers are encouraged to arrange itineraries that include these Bahá’í communities, and prospective homefront pioneers are urged to consider them as pioneering posts. Spiritual Assemblies in danger of being lost which have not yet reported their jeopardized status should contact the National Teaching Committee Office.

CALIFORNIA

• Danville
• Lompoc

COLORADO

• La Plata County

ILLINOIS

• Bolingbrook
• Buffalo Grove
• Glendale
• Glen Ellyn
• Moline
• Roscoe Township

MINNESOTA

• Hopkins
• West St. Paul

MISSOURI

• Jefferson City*
• Independence
• Rolla
• St. Louis Co. W.

MONTANA

• Butte-Silver Bow
• Ravalli County

NEBRASKA

• North Platte

NEW MEXICO

• Taos

OHIO

• East Cleveland
• Euclid
• Toledo

OREGON

• Aloha
• Coos Bay
• Gladstone
• Hillsboro
• Lane County East
• McMinnville

SO. DAKOTA

• Pierre⭑*

TENNESSEE

• Smyrna

TEXAS

• Midland
• Plainview

VIRGINIA

• Fauquier Co.
• Herndon

WASHINGTON

• Gr. Walla Walla
• Moses Lake
• Toppenish

• Top priority: State capital cities

[Page 3]

BAHÁ’U’LLÁH IN ‘AKKÁ

‘That which can harm Me is the conduct of those who love Me..!’

BY KEN BOWERS

In the course of Bahá’u’lláh’s long and eventful Ministry few trials caused Him greater anguish than those instigated by the people who were closest to His Person, whether they were faithful followers or among those who had rebelled against the Cause of God.

There is no more dramatic example of such ordeals than that which resulted from an incident which took place during Bahá’u’lláh’s years in ‘Akká, and which added immeasurably to the already staggering cares under which He labored. The Blessed Beauty’s own observations about the episode and its aftermath provide a touching glimpse into a world of love and suffering such as only a Manifestation of God can experience or fully comprehend.

The period of Bahá’u’lláh’s imprisonment in ‘Akká began under extremely harsh conditions. He and His family and companions, condemned to perpetual imprisonment and forbidden association with the outside world, were subjected to dangerously severe material deprivation and the strictest possible confinement. Moreover, they were, especially in the earliest months, the objects of the nearly universal hatred, derision and abuse of the officials and inhabitants of the city.

The hostility of the authorities and the populace was due to government warnings issued at about the time of Bahá’u’lláh’s arrival in ‘Akká. In messages read publicly, those responsible for His banishment had characterized the Blessed Beauty and His fellow exiles as dangerous and impious mischief-makers.

It was only after the passage of some time that certain people began to realize the true character of the exiled community. Their rigorous confinement notwithstanding, the believers eventually succeeded in establishing a small but steadily growing circle of friends and admirers who knew Bahá’u’lláh and the Bahá’ís for the upright people they were.

The entire city might have been won over in short order had it not been for the activities of a few of the exiles, among whom were Siyyid Muhammad-i-Isfahání and Aqá Ján Big. They were avowed followers of Bahá’u’lláh’s half-brother, Mírzá Yahya, the Covenant-breaker who had claimed for himself the title of the Promised One, and who was at that time imprisoned on the island of Cyprus.

These two, together with a small group of sympathizers, waged a campaign of abuse against Bahá’u’lláh and His faithful followers, charging them, among other things, with the most horrendous crimes against Islam. In order to undermine Bahá’u’lláh’s reputation they also brought to the authorities charges of other misdeeds that were either fabricated or that they themselves had committed.

Siyyid Muhammad and his minions did not stop at that. They turned in any people whom they observed attempting to visit Bahá’u’lláh from outside the prison, harassed the exiles and encouraged others to do so, spread stories amongst the populace of ‘Akká—in short, they did everything in their power to make life unbearable for the Blessed beauty and His companions.

This program of hate served to reinforce what the citizens of ‘Akká had already heard from their leaders. Some, whose prejudices were played upon by the Covenant-breakers, came to loathe the exiles, and a great many more viewed them with suspicion and fear.

Through all of these hardships, which threatened the very life of the Blessed Beauty, He remained calm and patient, making no move against the evil-doers. On the contrary, He continued to show to them the same courtesy and fairness He always had. Moreover, He repeatedly and emphatically commanded His followers to do likewise.

Needless to say, it was extremely difficult for Bahá’u’lláh’s devoted followers to be patient while He was vilified by that insufferable band of schemers. Yet most of them managed, through their love for Him, to be obedient to His wishes. These believers, trusting Bahá’u’lláh’s wisdom, realized that His sufferings could be mitigated only insofar as they refused to become involved in intrigue or any other activity unbecoming the high standards set by their Lord.

There were a few, however, who could not bring themselves to allow the wrongs committed by Siyyid Muhammad to go unavenged. Shoghi Effendi, in God Passes By, describes their actions and what resulted:

“[The] strict confinement [of Bahá’u’lláh and His companions] had hardly been mitigated, and the guards who had kept watch over them dismissed, when an internal crisis, which had been brewing in the midst of the community, was brought to a sudden and catastrophic climax. Such had been the conduct of two of the exiles, who had been included in the party that accompanied Bahá’u’lláh to ‘Akká, that He was eventually forced to expel them, an act of which Siyyid Muhammad did not hesitate to take the fullest advantage.

“Reinforced by these recruits, he, together with his old associates, acting as spies, embarked on a campaign of abuse, calumny and intrigue, even more pernicious than that which had been launched by him in Constantinople, calculated to arouse an already prejudiced and suspicious populace to a new pitch of animosity and excitement.

“A fresh danger now clearly threatened the life of Bahá’u’lláh. Though He Himself had stringently forbidden His followers, on several occasions, both verbally and in writing, any retaliatory acts against their tormentors, and had even sent back to Beirut an irresponsible Arab convert, who had meditated avenging the wrongs suffered by his beloved Leader, seven of the companions clandestinely sought out and slew three of their persecutors, among whom were Siyyid Muhammad and Aqá Ján.”

The Guardian goes on to describe the incarceration and interrogation of Bahá’u’lláh by the authorities; the treatment accorded to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and 25 others, who were all chained and imprisoned; and the punishments meted out to the guilty and the innocent. He also describes the impact of this episode on the citizens of ‘Akká:

“A population, already ill-disposed toward the exiles, was, after such an incident, fired with uncontrollable animosity for all those who bore the name of the Faith which those exiles professed. The charges of impiety, atheism, terrorism and heresy were openly and without restraint flung into their faces. ‘Abbud, who lived next door to Bahá’u’lláh, reinforced the partition that separated his house from the dwelling of his now much-feared and suspected Neighbor. Even the children of the imprisoned exiles, whenever they ventured to show themselves in the streets during those days, would be pursued, vilified and pelted with stones.

“The cup of Bahá’u’lláh’s tribulations was now filled to overflowing....”

The Blessed Beauty, Whose “indignation knew no bounds,” revealed these words shortly after the incident:

“Were we to make mention of what befell Us, the heavens would be rent asunder and the mountains would crumble.”

On another occasion He wrote these lines, among the most poignant of His entire life, and which will forever remain associated with this dark period in the history of the Faith:

“My captivity cannot harm Me. That which can harm Me is the conduct of those who love Me, who claim to be related to Me, and yet perpetrate what causeth My heart and My pen to groan.”

This short passage sheds worlds of light upon the spiritual nature of Bahá’u’lláh’s tribulations. At first glance it may seem remarkable that He should say “My captivity cannot harm Me,” since it is plain that, physically, it could and did. When He made that statement He had suffered all manner of physical abuses, including torture, imprisonment in the Siyah-Chál under heavy chains, exposure and poisoning. Already He was weighed down with scars and infirmities that He would be doomed to endure for the rest of His life. Moreover, He had lost His sizeable fortune, His considerable reputation in the Persian court, the respect normally due to one of His class, and had forever forfeited all prospects for material comfort. Why, then, would He make such a statement?

The answer to that question shows the extent of Bahá’u’lláh’s love and magnanimity, for He willingly endured these hardships out of His love for humankind. Time and again He emphasized this in His own Writings:

“The Ancient Beauty hath consented to be bound with chains that mankind may be released from its bondage, and hath accepted to be made a prisoner within this most mighty Stronghold that the whole world may attain unto true liberty. He hath drained to its dregs the cup of sorrow, that all the peoples of the earth may attain unto abiding joy, and be filled with gladness. This is of the mercy of your Lord, the Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

“We have accepted to be abased, O believers in the Unity of God, that ye may be exalted, and have suffered manifold afflictions, that ye might prosper and flourish. He Who hath come to build anew the whole world, behold, how they that have joined partners with God have forced Him to dwell within the most desolate of cities!”

Bahá’u’lláh was the supreme lover of humanity. His sole interest was the spiritual regeneration of the world. For Him there was no price too high to pay to achieve it; indeed, He gloried in any sacrifice He could make, especially for the sake of His beloved followers, upon whom He depended to show to the world the transforming power of His Revelation.

The Blessed Beauty endured unimaginable tribulations to bring the knowledge of God to those who would believe in Him. In return, He expected His followers to obey His teachings, so that not only they, but the rest of the peoples of the planet, would one day be enlisted under the banner of the Cause of God.

Little wonder, then, that One Who loved humanity with such infinite love could be harmed by only one thing—the misbehavior of the very people who claimed to have accepted Him, yet failed to appreciate His teachings, which alone could bring happiness to themselves and to the rest of the world.

In this incident there are many lessons for the Bahá’ís of today. To understand its importance we must remember that those responsible for the death of the Covenant-breakers were not insincere people. On the contrary, they were devoted lovers of Bahá’u’lláh, who were unable to bear the thought of His sufferings and were ready to do anything in their power, even at the risk of their lives, to alleviate them. Although they were aware of Bahá’u’lláh’s admonitions, in the end the activities of Siyyid Muhammad and the others pushed them beyond the limits of their endurance.

Their mistake, of course, was to trust their own judgment over their Lord’s. They had hoped to bring Him relief—instead, they brought Him untold sorrow. They had intended to protect the Faith—as it turned out, they inflicted great harm upon it, and upon the Bahá’í community.

Fortunately, the story does not end here. In time Bahá’u’lláh, aided chiefly by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, succeeded in winning the respect and admiration of the people of ‘Akká and, ultimately, of all Syria, to an extent surpassing even the considerable esteem the Cause of God had enjoyed during Bahá’u’lláh’s final years in Baghdad. His misguided followers, too, were eventually reconciled with Him, and, having demonstrated true remorse and penitence, received the bounty of His forgiveness. [Page 4]

First in a series of articles addresses employment market overseas for prospective pioneers from the United States

As the American Bahá’í Community responds to the call to pioneer, there is always the concern for how to earn one's living while serving our beloved Cause abroad. The following is the first of a short series of articles addressing the prospective job market for Americans in the international arena. Today, we will be investigating the market for positions in finance/business-related fields, the environment, and telecommunications.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, the number of individuals filing tax returns from overseas is expected to rise from the one million filed in 1992 to 1.2 million in 1993 and, eventually, to 1.3 million by 1999. Although all those filing tax returns are not wage earners, the trend shows an expected increase of one-third in the next seven years. Here are some specifics in major sectors of international work.

ENVIRONMENT

The single industry likely to create the most new jobs overseas, as well as in the United States, is environmental protection.

"Environmental specialists looking for overseas work should look first at Southeast Asia," says Dr. George Allen, director of the Coalition for International Environmental Research and Assistance (CIERA). "That's where the most opportunities are right now, because that's where the money's at, and because these countries are enacting new environmental regulations."

Dr. Allen's organization also is heading up the new Eastern Europe Environmental Business Consortium (EEBC), a membership organization of private companies, which is coordinating U.S. efforts in Eastern Europe. Most environmental opportunities there, he says, will be for nationals of those countries, due to the language problems and a lack of hard currency in that part of the world, but Americans are and will be needed primarily for short-term assessments and training consultancies funded by organizations such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and international banks.

Regarding the situation in Mexico, Dr. Allen mentioned that there are opportunities there but it will take at least another year or two for things to work out in accordance with the new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Dr. Allen feels that opportunities in South America will follow in another five years.

ECONOMICS

This has been one of the best fields for those targeting the international job market, and it is growing even more important with the economic integration of the world. Openings abound around the world for economists in international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB) and regional development banks; most U.S. government agencies specializing in international affairs and commerce; private banks and other enterprises with international operations; and private voluntary organizations (PVOs) involved in international development.

Changes throughout former communist countries both in Europe and Asia have opened and will continue to provide innumerable opportunities for U.S. economists. This is one field in which you have great flexibility to choose the area you would like to serve, the organization you would work for and the field you wish to devote your energies to.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

This is another exploding field. Opportunities are expected to burgeon as a result of the ratification of NAFTA, opening the financial services market in Mexico.

Again, the need for banking reform in the former Soviet Bloc countries is providing an ever-increasing number of possibilities in all areas of financial planning. Most of the opportunities at this time are consulting positions; however, the major private international banks and credit card companies already have plans to eventually introduce Western-style financial services in this region.

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT

This is another of the fields that has always had a healthy international job market. Like economics and financial services, the new agreements, NAFTA and that of the EE/NIS are offering many opportunities for Americans in business consulting and will offer even more possibilities for U.S. companies to set up operations internationally. In addition, the future opening of Vietnam will provide similar opportunities in all financial arenas.

With the advent of the "global market" the number of good senior business managers is dwindling. This bodes well for those planning a career in that field, as well as some already in it.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that there is a dearth of senior "global" managers to fill the needs of multinational firms, particularly those with operations in Europe. Although these companies look to have a mix of "mobile" EC nationals in their senior management positions, not many of them are willing to move with their jobs to other EC countries. "Euromanagers" or senior managers who can move from country to country are in short supply.

A challenging development for many already in or eyeing this field is the fact that languages are becoming even more important for international business managers. Proficiency in more than one other language is becoming a necessity, particularly in the EC, as well as in Mexico, where other nations such as Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan are and will be locating operations to gain tariff-free access to the U.S. and Canadian markets.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The entire world needs advanced telecommunications. China, the largest market, is in the process of networking its vast population; Southeast Asia is shopping for upgrading; and Vietnam is about to enter an entirely new market.

Opportunities in EE/NIS are "gargantuan," says Oliver Dziggel, spokesman for the new Telecommunications and Electronic Consortium (TEC) for Eastern Europe, which is coordinating efforts for U.S. businesses there. Dziggel says the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development have invested billions of dollars in the last three years for projects in these Eastern European countries and there are great numbers of opportunities available. "If you have an entrepreneurial spirit," Dziggel says, "you can do wonders there right now with just $10,000, and you'll do 10 times better than you would in the U.S."

OTHER INFRASTRUCTURES

Infrastructures in general provide myriad opportunities, especially in the technical fields. The employment of consulting engineers and other technicians such as computer experts will expand enormously in the next years. Many projects are yet on the drawing board, especially in eastern Europe, southern Europe, the former Soviet Union, the Far East, China, and soon in Vietnam.

Other areas, such as Mexico, will see a vast increase in construction as the border becomes a distribution center requiring air, rail and road facilities, along with warehouses and related infrastructures. All transportation-related work will gain as well.

The expansion of the oil industry promises to provide another arena for increased opportunities abroad. NIS, Albania and Vietnam play most prominently in the development of projects in this field.

In the next issue of The American Bahá’í we will cover the topics of development, humanitarian relief, and teaching. If you are interested in receiving more detailed information, names and addresses of organizations, and having the opportunity to discuss the pioneering needs, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Telephone 708-869-9039 or Fax 708-869-0247. We look forward to hearing from you.

UPCOMING PIONEERING INSTITUTES

April 1-4 Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine. May 6-9—Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, Illinois. June 17-20—Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan. Labor Day weekend—Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina.

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

Funeral

reaching influence of his distinguished life. Our grateful memory of his Bahá’í services is ineradicable. We ardently pray at the Holy Threshold for the progress of his radiant soul throughout the divine worlds. Kindly convey our loving sympathy to his dear wife, Lorraine."

The Rev. Gensel spoke of the Faith, of its beginnings in Iran and the subsequent persecution of its followers. He referred to the Faith as being one that is tolerant of other religions, and said that while others teach lofty ideals, the Bahá’ís live their beliefs.

Following the service, the funeral cortege wended its way past many of Mr. Gillespie's favorite haunts in Manhattan and continued to the Flushing cemetery where the final prayers and interment took place.

At the grave site, Shirley Lee, representing the National Spiritual Assembly, read a Bahá’í prayer for the departed, and the Rev. Gensel offered the final prayer of the service. It was then that the seven Bahá’ís in attendance formed a circle and recited the obligatory Bahá’í prayer for the departed.

SHORT-TERM PIONEER GOALS

AFRICA	Goals (months)	Months Completed
Ciskei	24	7
Guinea-Bissau	12	6
Liberia	12	0
Nigeria	12	17
Tanzania	36	24
Uganda	24	0
Zambia	24	60
Totals	144	114

AMERICAS	Goals (months)	Months Completed
Argentina	24	0
Bahamas	12	23
Barbados	12	12
Brazil	24	24
British V.I.	12	14
Colombia	24	10
Dominica	12	0
Ecuador	12	24
Guyana	24	46
Honduras	24	30
Jamaica	24	30
Leeward Islands	12	53
Martinique	12	0
Mexico	36	88
Nicaragua	24	5
Panama	36	32
Paraguay	24	0
Puerto Rico	12	3
Uruguay	24	23
Venezuela	12	22
Totals	396	439

ASIA	Goals (months)	Months Completed
India	24	25
Japan	24	12
Pakistan	36	17
Taiwan	12	0
Totals	96	54

AUSTRALASIA	Goals (months)	Months Completed
Mariana Islands	24	0
Marshall Islands	12	6
W. Caroline Islands	12	17
Totals	48	23

EUROPE	Goals (months)	Months Completed
Portugal	24	4
Totals	24	4

ONGOING TRAVELING TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES

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

'ALÁ B.E. 149 / MARCH 2, 1993 [Page 5]

S.E. Asians brighten, enlarge Sacramento Bahá’í community

The Hmong teaching institute in Sacramento, California, continues to report successes in contacting and integrating Southeast Asian newcomers into its Bahá’í community.

A member of the institute said he “felt blessed to be able to welcome a new family within three days of their arrival in the U.S. in March 1992.” In January, members of the institute traveled 50 miles to attend this newcomer’s wedding.

While teaching the Faith on the way to the bride’s home they found a man who was a Bahá’í. He had arrived in the States in 1988 and hadn’t known how to contact the American Bahá’í community. Members of the institute were overjoyed to meet their new brother and welcome him to their family.

On arriving at the bride’s home, they found that she was related to many of Sacramento’s Hmong Bahá’ís. And while waiting there, they were approached by another man who said he was a Bahá’í. He had been in the U.S. since 1989, he said, and was unable to locate the Bahá’ís.

The man provided phone numbers of friends and relatives who were also Bahá’ís, and within three days institute members had located 10 adults and 18 children who had waited for as long as five years to be welcomed into the American Bahá’í community.

One institute member said, “We found that many of the newly found Hmong Bahá’ís live only about eight blocks from our home, but to find them we had to travel to a wedding 50 miles away.”

The Sacramento Hmong teaching institute attributes its success in locating Southeast Asian Bahá’ís to its efforts “to associate with all people in love and harmony.” Says one member: “We try to follow ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s example and be like family to each other. It’s easy.”

SEARS campaign

FROM PAGE 1

walked 80 years ago), and continued the following week with a day of street teaching and an evening program of music by the Oregon youth group, Citadel.

Plans have also included at least one Unity Feast each month, the first of which, on October 18, commemorated the anniversary of the Birth of the Báb. Some 250-500 people have attended each of these Feasts which consist of prayers, talks, music and a reception.

A youth on his year of service has moved to the community and established excellent relationships with parents and children in a nearby housing development.

The Assembly addressed letters to all the local Assemblies in the Western states informing them of the campaign and inviting their prayers and support. Many of them replied, and all replies were positive and supportive.

An 800 number was set up at the Bahá’í Center in San Francisco and publicized on billboards throughout the Bay area. As a result, the number of calls received has been steadily increasing. Callers are mailed copies of “The Vision of Race Unity,” a pamphlet, a letter with a local contact number included, and an invitation to an upcoming Unity Feast.

Thanks to the help of volunteers, the Center is being kept open all day and often late into the night with firesides held almost continually.

A new system for receiving and enrolling new believers has been developed along with special deepening classes for the newest members of the Bahá’í family.

Traveling teachers have come from as far away as South Carolina to help with the campaign. Citadel returned to perform again at the end of its cross-country trip to the World Congress and back.

In fact, so much has been happening that the Assembly has had to hire a full-time coordinator and several full-time teachers. The campaign seems to be snowballing beyond what anyone had imagined as local Bahá’ís, traveling teachers and the community as a whole strive to keep the SEARS campaign moving forward on a very fast lane.

“The entire [Center],” the Assembly reports, “has not stopped radiating the overflow of spiritual energy created by the amount of love and loving people frequenting the Center.

“The feeling is apparent from the moment before opening the door and actually stepping inside. It is so energizing [that] even the most tired, most drained people benefit from it.”

More than 100 Bahá’ís gather at Nine Oaks Institute for Post-Congress meeting

On December 6, more than 100 Bahá’ís gathered at the Nine Oaks Bahá’í Institute in Arroyo Grande, California, for a district-wide Post-World Congress meeting.

Following a barbecue, video tapes of the Congress were shown and personal reports shared, giving a renewed impetus to the teaching work ahead.

The Nine Oaks facility, which serves Southern California District 3 (Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties), is celebrating its 10th year of operation with programs for children, youth and adults, weekend academies every 6-8 weeks, intercommunity deepening sessions on various topics, fund-raising events and social gatherings.

Bahá’í Summer School staff

Fill your summer with devotion, study and recreation while serving at one of the Bahá’í Schools or Institutes.

Write, fax or call for more volunteer or employment information.

Bosch Bahá’í School 500 Comstock Lane Santa Cruz, CA 95060 408/423-3387 Fax: 408/423-3387	Green Acre Bahá’í School 188 Main Street Eliot, ME 03903 207/439-7200 Fax: 207/439-7202
Louhelen Bahá’í School 3208 South State Road Davison, MI 48423 313/653-5033 Fax: 313/653-7181	Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute Route 2, Box 71 Hemingway, SC 29554 803/558-5093 Fax: 803/558-2921
Native American Bahá’í Institute Box 3167 Houck, AZ 86506 602/367-5126 Fax: 602/755-3432

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

Progress Update - November Year to Date

Contributions	Nov-90	Nov-91	Nov-92
National Bahá’í Fund	$6,105,365	$6,557,988	$6,980,397
Bahá’í International Fund	$489,819	$884,812	$284,484
Arc Projects Fund	$2,412,011	$549,546	$478,661
Continental Bahá’í Fund	$187,398	$120,165	$140,560
Estate Bequests	$494,463	$605,344	$1,793,838
	$9,689,056	$8,717,855	$9,677,940

Percent Change	90/91	91/92
National Bahá’í Fund	14%	6%
Bahá’í International Fund	-42%	-68%
Arc Projects Fund	-80%	-13%
Continental Bahá’í Fund	-25%	17%
Estate Bequests	263%	196%
	0%	11%

Local Assembly Contribution Goals

Manual and Automatic Contributions as of December 12, 1992

Aggregate Total Commitments	$8,876,597
Aggregate Total Contributions	$2,336,023
Number of LSAs Contributing	1,062
Portion of Year Elapsed	63%
Average Percent of Goal Met	26%

For the first two weeks in November, this banner proclaiming the name of Bahá’u’lláh was stretched across one of the busiest intersections in Riverside, California. More than a thousand cars a day pass through the intersection, and the Bahá’í message, easily read from both sides of the banner, led to questions and discussions from many quarters. Lettering was black with the words ‘Bahá’u’lláh’ and ‘unity’ in red.

HUQUQU’LLAH

Payments for Huqúqu’lláh should be made to “The Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust” and sent to one of the Trustees:

Dr. Elsie Austin, Silver Spring MD 20901 (Tel. 301-589-8481).

Dr. Amin Banani, Santa Monica, CA 90402 (Tel. 310-394-5449).

Dr. Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116 (Tel. 216-333-1506).

Inquiries regarding Huqúqu’lláh should be referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust, Rocky River, OH 44116.

Video tapes of talks by the Hand of the Cause of God and Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh Dr. ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá, and by Ali Nakhjavání, a member of the Universal House of Justice, are available from the Office of the Secretariat for $6 each (postage included).

Copies of the compilation “Huqúqu’lláh, Extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice” can be obtained from the Bahá’í Distribution Service at 85 cents per copy. [Page 6]

Bahá’í Wall Calendar

CA $2.95

A fifteen-month (January-March) wall calendar featuring a full-color photograph of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. Feasts, holy days, Ridván, and the Fast are clearly marked. The back of the calendar lists Bahá’í holy days, specifying on which of them work should be suspended; days of fasting; and special-event days. It also lists the Nineteen Day Feasts and contains information from the writings of Shoghi Effendi about Bahá’í anniversaries, as well as an essay about the significance of the Mother Temple of the West on the fortieth anniversary of its public dedication.

11" x 17" U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Fortieth Anniversary of the Dedication of the Mother Temple of the West

Bahá’í History Calendar 149-150 B.E.

CA $6.95

“‘Abdu’l-Bahá: The Centre of the Covenant” is the focus of this year’s history calendar. It features photographs of the Pilgrim House near the Shrine of the Báb, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá met with Bahá’í pilgrams; the interior and pulpit of the City Temple in London where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá made his first public address in the West; the Clifton Guest house, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed while in Bristol, England; a library at Manchester College where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed a meeting on December 31, 1912; and many more photos of places ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited. Also included is a map depicting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s travels from May 1844 until His Ascension on November 28, 1921, in Haifa.

11" x 17", map National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands

Bahá’í Pocket Calendar-10/pk.

CA $2.00

A credit-card-size calendar in a year-at-a-glance format including twelve Gregorian months from March through February. Nineteen Day Feasts, holy days, Náw-Rúz, and the Fast are clearly indicated. The back of the card lists Bahá’í holy days on which work should be suspended, other Bahá’í holy days, Intercalary Days, and days of fasting.

3-5/8" x 2-3/8" U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust

THE BAHÁ’ÍS Magazine

Bahá’í International Community Office of Public Information

Each-$2.25 10/pk.-$20.00 100/pk.-$175.00

Like nothing ever produced on the Faith, The Bahá’ís is an inexpensive but comprehensive and highly readable 80-page magazine-style booklet conveying the teachings, history, and present-day activities of the worldwide Bahá’í community. The Bahá’ís is written in an informative, non-proselytizing style, and makes extensive use of color photographs, graphic charts, time-lines and maps to give a panoramic overview of the Faith’s dramatic progress and its relevance to today’s major global issues. It is ideal for almost any kind of teaching work, and is especially suitable for presentation to local officials, journalists, and other prominent people who need complete but concise information about the Faith.

8-1/2" x 11", 80pp., color photos, charts, maps Produced by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom

A Wider Horizon

Selected Messages of the Universal House of Justice, 1983-1992 SC $10.00

In its Ridván message of 1983 the Universal House of Justice explained that “A wider horizon is opening before us, illumined by a growing and universal manifestation of the inherent potentialities of the Cause for ordering human affairs.” Since that time the Faith has seen dramatic changes in its growth, development, and involvement with society. A Wider Horizon charts the course of these changes through messages from the Universal House of Justice.

The book is divided into two parts. The first contains twenty-three complete messages from the Universal House of Justice written between 1983 and 1992, including all the Ridván messages and other major messages. Part two is a compilation, based on the letters in part one and other messages, that addresses seventeen major themes such as the processes of integration and disintegration, the urgency of the teaching work, the Holy Year, and the Person and Mission of Bahá’u’lláh. The book also contains an appendix with suggested activities and questions to assist individual and group study.

A Wider Horizon provides an opportunity to examine thoroughly the messages of the Universal House of Justice that are essential to understanding the significance of the past decade in the Faith’s evolution and the major challenges the Faith faces in the years ahead. The book offers a view of the messages as much more than a series of disconnected letters and gives a sense of the vision of the Universal House of Justice guiding the Bahá’í world through new stages of growth.

5-3/8" x 8-3/8", 257pp., contents, preface, appendix, index Palabra Publications

Persian/English Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá HC $10.00

This special edition of Will and Testament is printed in both Persian and English. Each page of text is set within a two-color border especially designed to enhance the text. Both the Persian and English texts include a photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Among the many topics discussed in the Will and Testament are: basic beliefs of the Bahá’í Faith, the two-fold character of the Báb’s mission, Bahá’u’lláh’s station, the importance of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Guardianship and the appointment of Shoghi Effendi as Guardian of the Cause and the Interpreter of the Bahá’í sacred texts, the Hands of the Cause of God and the Universal House of Justice, the institution of the National Spiritual Assembly, virtues of Bahá’u’lláh’s significance and the purpose of the Huqúqu’lláh.

6" x 8-1/2", 68pp. Bahá’í Publications Australia

Gulban-i Ma’ání

Vuthúqu’lláh Bulbi-i-Ma’ání HC $6.95

is a collection of poems by Mr. Vuthúqu’lláh Bulbi-i-Ma’ání whose poetry has been published often in Bahá’í periodicals. This prolific poet was born in Iran and has been pioneering for over thirty years in the Arab world. The bulk of his the Blessed Beauty and Central Figures of poetry deals with Bahá’í topics: praise of the Faith, the Universal House of Justice, and memorializing the recent Martyrs in commemoration of the Bahá’í Holy Days, Iran.

Mir’át Publications

Akhtarán-i Tábán, Volume 2

Forugh Arbab HC $19.95

The first volume of Mrs. Forugh Arbab’s book, a collection of biographies of prominent Bábí and Bahá’í women, is well known to the friends familiar with Persian. In this long-awaited second volume, the author has brought together short biographies of close to 100 other Bahá’í women, who have served the Bahá’í Faith in various capacities. The list includes early heroines and recent martyrs from Iran and around the world.

Mir’át Publications

Bridges

CS $9.95

This versatile vocal group’s first recording offers a wide range of musical traditions from a capella jazz to blue grass. The songs speak to many Bahá’í themes: the openness of the human family, world peace, detachment. The tape includes a haunting yet triumphant story of the trial of Zarrin Maqimi, a martyr in 1983, a tender love song inspired by the Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the Greatest Holy Leaf, and a beautiful musical setting for the writings of the Báb. A joyous blue grass piece talks about progressive revelation in a close harmony, country gospel style. Something for everyone!

32 minutes

Cooperative Peace Strategies

edited by John Davison and Marjorie Tidman HC $19.95

The twentieth century has witnessed a degree of social change and technological progress which has no adequate precedent in recorded history. These changes continue, running an apparently unpredictable course and testing all aspects of the political, economic, social and moral order.

Cooperative Peace Strategies examines the interlocked problems of communication and the mass media, fostering skills in social interaction, social and economic development and the environment, developing global political and economic structures, and involving the people in the peace process.

6" x 8-1/2", 244pp., contents, introduction Bahá’í Publications Australia [Page 7]

Call to Remembrance: Connecting the Heart to Bahá’u’lláh

compiled by Geoffry W. Marks HC $20.00

A compilation of extracts primarily from Bahá’u’lláh’s writings telling the story of many major events in His life and ministry, from His extraordinary childhood and youth to His ascension and the inauguration of His Covenant. Brief explanatory passages provide context for the extracts. By bringing together passages not found together elsewhere and telling the story of His life mostly in His words, the book gives a sense of immediacy and emotional intensity not found in traditional biographies and histories.

308 pp., preface, contents, chronology, references, glossary, bibliography U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Transform My Spirit

by Bahá’u’lláh SC $7.00

To My Sc Call to Remembrance Special Limited Editions!

A selection of twenty prayers of Bahá’u’lláh in English, Spanish, and French compiled especially for the Holy Year to help Bahá’ís recommit themselves to Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant, rededicate themselves to duty, and revitalize their energy for teaching. The prayer book is organized around an entire day devoted to prayer and meditation on Bahá’u’lláh and His Covenant. Published to commemorate the centenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s ascension and the inauguration of His Covenant, Transform My Spirit was one of the commemorative items sold at the World Congress. Bahá’í Publications Australia

It is an excellent resource for personal devotions and can help Bahá’ís fulfill their pledge to the Covenant by reciting the verses of God in the morning and evening.

9-1/4" x 7-1/4", 73pp., contents U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Cassettes: Bahá’u’lláh

Bahá’í International Community’s Office of Public Information CS $19.95

This sound edition of the statement on Bahá’u’lláh is the first books-on-tape production the Bahá’í Distribution Service has offered. This brief introduction to Bahá’u’lláh’s life and work conveys His vision of the oneness of humanity and offers a perspective on the feelings of confidence with which Bahá’ís the world over contemplate the future of our planet and our race. This moving production features readings by Phillip Hinton, Tim Elliot, and Heather Christie, and original music by Colin Weber. This twin cassette edition is handsomely packaged in a dual-cassette box matching the general edition printed by Bahá’í Publications Australia.

120 minutes

Video: Lasting Remembrances

The complete proceedings of the 2nd Bahá’í World Congress VT $60.00 (net)

This special ten-hour video set features the following: complete coverage of each of the four plenary sessions, complete live transmission from the Bahá’í World Centre, music featuring 400 voice choir and 70 piece orchestra, dramatic presentations about the heroes and heroines of the Faith, talk by the Hand of the Cause of God Rúhíyyih Khánum and participants’ stories.

10 hours

Bahá’í Newsreel Vol. 3 No. 3

VT $16.00 (net)

This special one-hour edition of the Bahá’í Newsreel highlights events of the World Congress. The events include: The Formal Opening of the World Congress, Theme Pavilion: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in New York City, Highlights of Ancillary Events, and the Youth Movement Forum.

60 minutes

Call Now! 1-800-999-9019

Per: Naghmehá 1-3

Mrs. Irandocht Enayati $9.00 each

Mrs. Irandocht Enyati and her group "Naghmehá" (Celestial Melody) have set to music words of Bahá’u’lláh in a multicultural ethno-jazz style. The group consists of Mrs. Enayati, who sings and chants and has set more than thirty poems and prayers to music, and her three accompanists: Peter Held on piano and flute; Kamal Mazloumi on violine, santour, and tonback (Persian drums); and Thomas Gerhard on saxophone, costa contos, guitar, and busouki. The group performs four songs: "Chashm-i-Hamih Rawshan," a song of delightful tidings by martyred Varqá, an Apostle of Bahá’u’lláh; "Rashi-i-Amá," a soul-stirring poem revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in the Síyáh Chál, "In Halq Bahá," a moving poem of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in devotion to Bahá’u’lláh, and "Two Hidden Words," Persian No. 38 and 40.

approx. 35 minutes each produced by Irandocht Enayati

Healing Racism in America

by Nathan Rutstein SC $12.95

A powerful new book on racism in the United States, which takes a penetrating look at America’s historical racial tensions and offers a "vaccine" against the disease of racism. In Healing Racism in America, Nathan Rutstein says that all Americans are infected or affected by the disease of racism and, "like a virus, a preventative measure, a vaccine against the disease exists. I am convinced the preventative measures discussed in Healing Racism in America, if adopted, would begin to eradicate the disease in one or two generations."

Unlike most books on the subject, Healing Racism offers a solution to America’s most challenging issue a blueprint for change. Rutstein cites powerful scientific data as evidence that all human beings are of the same family. He introduces the Institutes for the Healing of Racism and tells us how this grass-roots movement is spreading across the United States.

The positive response to his 1989 account of his own racism, To Be One: A Battle Against Racism, led Rutstein to study the root cause of racism in America and to search for a cure. Healing Racism is Rutstein’s tenth book.

6-1/8" x 9-1/4", 184pp., foreword, preface, appendix, index Whitcomb Publishing

Order Information

Bahá’í Distribution Service / 1-800-999-9019 5397 Wilbanks Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37343 FAX 1-615-843-0836

Ordered by: (Please print or type) Name Please detach and mail Address City State Zip

Circle one: AMEX MasterCard VISA Check Money Order on Account Expiration Date: Account Number: Daytime Phone: ATC_

QTY TITLE COST AMOUNT (Please add 15% for shipping to address outside the U.S.) TOTAL [Page 8]

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge as a service to the Bahá’í community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial 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

AS THE MAXWELL International Bahá’í School continues to strive to meet the growing demands of an international residential school, there are a number of new and replacement positions that arise each year. The school has been privileged to have a number of talented, qualified volunteers in such areas as the health center, buildings and grounds, food services, administrative and academic support. While it would be a great asset to find qualified, self-supporting volunteers for service in these areas, the school may be interested in individuals who have the expertise and desire to serve the Faith at this residential school but who may require a small level of financial support. Positions for which we are currently seeking employees or volunteers are (1) a nurse to augment the health center staff. The center consists of a 12-bed medical unit and an emergency room. It provides a variety of health-related services to students and staff. Hours include shift work and on-call duty in the evenings, nights and on weekends. (2) A secretary/administrative assistant for the academic section for a period of 1-2 years. (3) Academic staff: qualified secondary level teachers, eligible for certification in B.C., in all fields are invited to submit résumés. Those who are interested should write to The Principal, Maxwell International Bahá’í School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, BC, Canada VOR 2W0.

LANDEGG ACADEMY is accepting applications for the position of administrative assistant/secretary for the Director of the Academy. Fluency in English, good knowledge of German, and experience in word processing are essential. Please send application and résumé to the Director, Landegg Academy, St. Gallen, Switzerland. Phone (41-71) 286022; fax (41-71) 282132.

THE GREENACRE Bahá’í School is seeking applicants for the 1993 summer program. Help is needed in a variety of areas. Persons with little or no experience as well as skilled professionals are encouraged to apply. Skilled and unskilled: Food service-assistant cooks, dining room coordinator, dishwashing, general help. Maintenance-housekeeping, groundskeeping, general cleaning, gardening. Skilled and experienced: Recreational leader, librarian, children's class teachers, office assistant, program assistant, painters, carpenters, gardeners. Help is needed from mid-June through August with the duration of service varying in some instances. Opportunities for service are in great supply-volunteers are eagerly sought. Compensation, including room and board, is available. For more information, please contact the Green Acre office by phone, 207-439-7200, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern time, or send a letter of intent to: Administrator, Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903.

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

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

DOCTORS and nurse practitioners are urgently needed to serve two Indian Reservations near Yuma, Arizona. Position for internal medicine, family practice (both should be Board certified or Board eligible within two years of completing residency), and a family nurse practitioner. Please phone Dr. Jeane Washington at 602-343-0320 or 619-572-0217.

The Native American Bahá’í Institute (NABI) in Houck, Arizona, has created a new position of program coordinator and is seeking applications. This is a key position responsible for the entire programming at the Institute focused on attracting and teaching the Faith to the Navajo community. Special emphasis will be on training children and parents as well as selected social and economic development programs that will provide needed services to the community as well as emblazon the Name of Bahá’u’lláh throughout Navajoland. Especially needed to apply are Navajo or other American Indians with the following qualifications: experience in education, curriculum development, and/or program planning; experience in working with children and parents; background in social and economic development a plus; must have demonstrated ability to work with Native American communities. Filling this position will be instrumental in the success of NABI to fulfill its mission as a teaching institute. Please send details of your background and qualifications to the Bahá’í National Center, Department of Human Resources, Wilmette, IL 60091.

PIONEERING: OVERSEAS

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas: AFRICA Angola: nurse health workers. Kenya: health coordinator, accountant, construction coordinator, nurses, Lesotho: retired couple to serve as caretakers at the National Center. Malawi: physician to work with Ministry of Health project. Senegal: retired couple or single male to serve as caretakers at the National Center. Somalia: project director for primary health services program, medical doctor, health worker trainer, mental health worker, nurse practitioner, engineer. AMERICAS-Brazil: elementary school teachers, kindergarten teacher. Guadeloupe: electro-mechanical technicians. Honduras: elementary school and junior high school teachers. Paraguay: chiropractic practice for sale. ASIA-Bangladesh: project coordinator and management adviser for United Nations Population Fund project. Macau: primary school teachers. Sakhalin: teachers. Thai-Burmese border: provide emergency clinical care assistance, develop primary health care and clinical training curriculum for Burmese border program. AUSTRALASIA-Saipan: OB/GYN managers, operating room supervisor, psychiatric care coordinator, infection control coordinator, staff nurses. EUROPE-Croatia: accountant, emergency response coordinator. MULTI-REGIONAL attorneys needed for positions with the U.S. Commerce Department's Commercial Law Development Program to serve as resident advisers in Albania, Lithuania, Poland and Bulgaria. Health management adviser to act as chief of party for a family health service delivery/institutional development project in Central America. For more information on any of the above, please contact the Office of Pioneering at the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (telephone 708-869-9039 or fax 708-869-0247 Attn: Office of Pioneering).

PIONEERING: HOMEFRONT

THE BAHÁ’ÍS of Benicia, California, would welcome homefront pioneers to help form the first local Assembly there. Last year when the San Francisco Chronicle ranked every city in the Bay area in terms of family living, Benicia was rated No. 1. Despite its quiet small-town charm, Benicia is close to major Bay area work centers, regional shopping malls, recreation sites, and adjacent to major Interstate freeways. Geographically, Benicia is 32 miles from San Francisco, 15 minutes from Walnut Creek, an hour from Sacramento, a half-hour from the Napa Valley, and only two and one-half hours from Lake Tahoe. Benicia's deep-water port is 24 nautical miles from the Golden Gate bridge. Benicia enjoys a mild climate and scenic views. In 1991 its population was 24,437. The median age is 33.5 years, and the average income is $45,700. There is a plentiful supply of rental housing including studios, apartments and townhouses. Benicia is near Highway 680, publicized as a favorable growth area now and in the future. Benicia has seven public schools, and the Benecia Unified School District is consistently ranked as the top district in Solano County. Please direct correspondence to the Bahá’ís of Benicia, P.O. Box 344, Benicia, CA 94510, or phone 707-745-8808 or 707-747-6507.

NEEDED: Bahá’ís to help form an Assembly in Greater Walla Walla, Washington, an agricultural community in the eastern part of the state that offers two universities and one community college. Two other community colleges are within commuting distance. Also, there are three local hospitals, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Western Division. Those who speak Spanish would be especially welcome to help teaching efforts within our Hispanic population of 5,000. Walla Walla is 70 miles from the world-famous Sheltering Branch Bahá’í Summer School and only 20 miles from the Eastern Oregon Bahá’í Summer School. Many recreational facilities are as close as the Snake and Columbia rivers and the beautiful Blue Mountains. We are in the lovely fruit-growing center of eastern Washington and Oregon. For more information, please write to David Hiatt, secretary, P.O. Box 247, Walla Walla, WA 99362, phone 509-529-1863, or fax 509-529-4445.

BAHÁ’ÍS are needed to ensure continued Assembly status in the active and ethnically diverse Bahá’í community of Glenwood Springs, Colorado (population 6,500), which was blessed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s only rest stop during His visit to the West Coast in September 1912. Glenwood Springs is 160 miles west of Denver between Vail and Aspen amidst mountains and rivers with clean air; home of the world's largest hot springs pool with year-round seasonal sports, many job opportunities in the tourist industry, support services, retail, light industry, Colorado Mountain College, and an 80-bed hospital. For information, write to the Spiritual Assembly of Glenwood Springs, P.O. Box 491, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602, or phone Jean at 303-945-6955.

WHEN you are thinking of moving to Oregon, try our lovely coastal city of Florence, midway between Coos Bay and Newport, 60 miles west (on Route 126) of Eugene. A friendly city with a new public library and hospital. We are a small Group, and need Bahá’ís to help us. We need diversity, and it would be good for our city. For information, write to the Bahá’ís of Florence, P.O. Box 1845, Florence, OR 97439, or phone 503-997-8011.

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Hayden Nichols, Edwinna Powell Nicholson, Rhoda Nickols (died Troy, NY, 1935), Anders Nielsen (died Salt Lake City, UT, 1958), Alene Niemann, Pilar Madrigal Nieto, Alice C. Nissen, Elsa Nordquist, and Charles G. Norris. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking copies of the following books by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in good or excellent condition: Paris Talks (cloth, 1969), The Promulgation of Universal Peace (cloth, 1943), Memorials of the Faithful (cloth, 1975), America's Spiritual Mission (paper, 1948), and Christ's Promise Fulfilled (paper, 2nd and 5th printings). Anyone having copies they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

WANTED

A VAN is desperately needed in Kingstree, South Carolina, which has 25 active children and youth and only one car. The Kingstree Bahá’í Children's Choir needs a van for transportation to sing in churches and distribute copies of "The Vision of Race Unity." Also, a position for an English teacher is open at a local high school whose students are 90 percent African-American and whose principal is supportive of the Faith. Other teaching positions are open in the county. For information, phone Sandra Heather Lally, 803-354-5339.

BAHÁ’Í filmstrips are needed for deepening institutes in Africa. Donated or will purchase if necessary. Contact Chris Stevenson, Ithaca, NY 14850 (phone 607-257-9076).

MISCELLANEOUS

SINCE about 1985, work has been proceeding on the publication of a Bahá’í Encyclopedia under the auspices of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly and U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, with the encouragement and support of the Universal House of Justice. It is hoped that within the next two years it will be possible to publish A Short Encyclopedia of the Bahá’í Faith. At present we are looking for a small number of volunteers to help with one aspect of the project. We need volunteers with computers who are able to type articles onto computer disks and thus make them available to the editors on disk for editing. The computer will need to be MS-DOS or Apple Macintosh. Most of the common word processing formats can be accommodated. If you are able to offer your services to the Short Encyclopedia of the Bahá’í Faith, please contact Dr. Betty J. Fisher, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone her at 708-251-1854 (fax 708-251-3652). [Page 9]

World News

The European Bahá’í Youth Council reports news of the Youth Year of Service “Routes” teaching campaign now taking place in 14 areas of Europe. The youth were organized last August during a Teachers’ Training Conference in Brno, Czechoslovakia, and since then have spread across the continent. The progress report as of December 1992:

Route 1: Faroe Islands, Iceland. This group has visited the Faroes where they have, among other things, established good contacts with local youth. Due to the strength of Christianity in the Faroes, the members of the group decided to study the Bible; one of their activities is to visit priests and present them with copies of Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet to the Christians.

Route 2: Denmark, Norway, Sweden. Three youth are teaching along this “route.” They first went to Denmark where local Bahá’ís were very supportive, working hard to make arrangements for them. The team visited schools and gave radio and television interviews. One youth from Copenhagen has joined the group, which is now in Sweden.

Route 3: Finland, Baltic States. The team consists of only two people, but, says the Youth Council, “they have achieved many wonderful things.” For example, in Helsinki they created public exhibits and taught on the streets, in cafes, and even on trains. The result was two enrollments. They have also given interviews on radio and television on themes of the new World Order and how the Faith can solve global problems. They have had excellent support from local believers.

Route 4: Russia, Georgia, Armenia. The young Bahá’ís on Route 4 have visited four cities—Kazan, Egesk, Kirov and Nobavigni Chelni—and have had at least 10 enrollments. Team members found that the Media and Arts sessions given at the conference in Brno in August were very useful to them.

Route 5: Canary Islands, Portugal, Spain. The team began with 10 members. In the Canary Islands they had several radio and television interviews and visited a poorer area of Telde where they taught children Bahá’í songs, and women how to begin to read and write. The local Bahá’ís have helped whenever possible. Since their arrival about 25 people have enrolled in the Faith.

Route 6: Greece, Southern Cyprus. Five team members traveled to Greece where fewer than 10 Bahá’í youth live, according to the report. Several radio stations have given the team programs up to an hour long, and a major FM radio station has given them 15 minutes every morning. The local Bahá’í communities have been supportive, two Bahá’í youth have joined the group, and at least five people have embraced the Faith.

Route 7: Bulgaria, Northern Cyprus, Turkey. Since the six-member team arrived in Bulgaria, 171 people have embraced the Cause of God. The youth have given public meetings, visited schools, and given interviews to newspapers and radio stations.

Route 8: Romania, Hungary. The five young Bahá’ís on this team went to Baia-Mare, Romania, where they focused their efforts on deepening and consolidating the local community. They contacted the town’s newspaper, and visited an orphanage. About 20 people embraced the Faith in Romania before the group moved on to Hungary.

Route 9: Italy, Albania, Slovenia, Croatia, Yugoslavia. The four youth on this team started their campaign in Slovenia, teaching in parks and holding nightly firesides in the homes of local Bahá’ís. They also contacted the news media and worked to deepen newer believers. In Croatia, they supported the area’s first Bahá’í summer school and helped man a booth at the town center in Pula. Some 23 people have so far been enrolled in the Faith.

Route 10: France, Luxembourg, Belgium. The three-member team has seen five declarations of faith in France and 12 in Germany. Their efforts have been supported by youth from many areas of France including three young Bahá’ís from Strasbourg who were sent by an Auxiliary Board member to learn and observe “direct teaching.” The group is presently in Luxembourg.

Route 11: Poland, Eastern Germany. The five participants on this team have seen eight people enroll in the Faith so far. Their activities in Poznan included showing slides about the environment on television, distributing 1,500 leaflets to people at a train station, giving radio interviews, setting up a Bahá’í booth in the main square every day, and hosting firesides every evening. Local Bahá’ís enthusiastically supported their activities.

Route 12: Czechoslovakia, Austria, Switzerland. Six young Bahá’ís are committed to traveling in Route 12. In Bratislava, Slovakia, the group presented an international culture concert with quotations from the Writings read between each performance. They have given five newspaper interviews, visited four radio stations, and attended the opening of the Townshend International Bahá’í School in Hluboka. As a result, many people have embraced the Faith.

Route 13: United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland. The six-member team has seen two enrollments in the Shetland Islands. Their firesides have been announced on the radio free of charge, and ads have been carried in a weekly newspaper. The participation of local Bahá’ís has been good, with many activities organized that the team can join.

Route 14: Western Germany, the Netherlands. This six-member group reports three enrollments. They began in Germany where their teaching activities in Bad Soden included visits to schools and an interview with the local newspaper. Local Bahá’ís took part enthusiastically, with one of the new Bahá’ís from Essen ‎given having given‎ up his job to join the “routes” team.

(For more information about the European Bahá’í Youth Council’s teaching campaign, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone 708-869-9039; fax 708-869-0247, attn: Office of Pioneering.)

In Cameroon, 18 Bahá’ís celebrated World Environment Day last year by planting 200 trees on Station Hill in Bamenda. The friends used seedlings provided by the Urban Council.

Martha Root Award presented in Hawaii; 230 embrace Faith in India campaign

On November 14, more than 100 Bahá’ís and guests attended the first Martha Root Award Banquet sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands. The community service award was presented to the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii for its many contributions to helping build bridges of understanding among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and the U.S. Principal speaker at the award ceremony was Judge Richard Benson, a Bahá’í since 1956 who is Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Federated States of Micronesia. His topic was “The Pacific Century.” The award was presented to Kenji Sumida, executive vice-president of the East-West Center, by Counselor Ben Ayala and Mollie Sperry, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Hawaii. Among those at the banquet was Mayor Frank F. Fasi of Honolulu who paid tribute to the Faith on the 175th anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh. Messages of greeting were received from 15 National Spiritual Assemblies and two U.S. Senators.

In India, 12 villages and towns near Jhalawar city were visited during a recent teaching campaign undertaken by the State Bahá’í Council of Rajasthan. As a result, 230 people embraced the Faith and six local Spiritual Assemblies were formed. Meanwhile, about 2,000 people visited a book stall sponsored by the local Spiritual Assembly of Nagpur at the Durga Pooja Exhibition, and more than 700 inquired about the Faith. As a follow-up, weekly firesides have been held with as many as 74 seekers, six of whom had accepted the Faith as of December.

“The Bahá’í community experienced a spiritual springtime,” the National Spiritual Assembly of Bangladesh reported, when the Board of Counselors in Asia held its meeting at the Hazíratu’l-Quds in Dhaka last September. Counselor Sabir Afaqi arrived eight days before the meeting, met with the friends each evening, and visited a number of prominent people including the national poet Kabi Shamsur Rahman, professors and department heads at universities, a noted classical singer, and the chief of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. He also visited Bahá’ís in the Khulna area, inspiring the friends with his talks and presence. As a result of his visit, one entire family declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh. The National Teaching Committee had arranged a visit to a village near Dhaka; five Counselors went to Bhitipara in the Ghazipur district, spent two hours with local Bahá’ís and “a host of non-Bahá’í men and women,” which led to declarations of faith by a dozen people there. The National Teaching Committee had also called for a three-day teaching conference in Dhaka at which nine Counselors spoke to the friends. Counselor Vicente Samaniego remained in Bangladesh for five days after the conference to visit Khulna. A press conference was arranged, attended by 24 journalists from all of the major national newspapers and well covered in the press the following day.

In Windhoek, Namibia, a group of young Bahá’ís took part recently in a peaceful demonstration against alcohol and drug abuse. After a talk by the national Minister for Health and Social Services, various groups presented performances including the Bahá’ís who sang songs like “Come Into the Unity House” and read from the Writings on the topic. The event was fully covered by the National Broadcasting Corporation.

Staff writer is sought for The American Bahá’í

WANTED: A talented, capable writer for The American Bahá’í. If interested, please send a résumé and other relevant information including writing samples to Jack Bowers, editor, The American Bahá’í, Wilmette, IL 60091 (if sending via UPS or other private carrier, send to 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201). [Page 10]

Atlanta Bahá’ís use King Week as springboard to teach Cause

FROM PAGE 1

gious communities in metropolitan Atlanta.

On Sunday, January 10, the 17th annual Interfaith Service was held at Bethel AME Church. A local Bahá’í walked in the opening procession, and another Bahá’í read a part of the invocation.

The following day saw a dozen Bahá’ís take part in the annual King Holiday Commission Recognition Award luncheon in Washington, D.C. One of the Bahá’í representatives was Dr. Carole Miller of Atlanta, a recently appointed member of the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission.

Also attending the luncheon were Jack Kemp, the Bush administration’s Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly of Washington, D.C.; and FBI Director William Sessions.

As chairman of the awards nominating committee, Dr. Miller was interviewed with Mrs. King on the local CBS-TV evening news program. The National Spiritual Assembly was given special thanks for providing the printed programs used at the luncheon.

On Saturday, January 16, the King Week Parade of Celebration was held along the same route that the march was to follow two days later. Again this year the Bahá’ís had a float in the parade, which was telecast in the U.S. and other countries by the Turner Broadcasting System over Atlanta super-station WTBS. Country music star Dan Seals and the Atlanta-area performing duo, Swan, were aboard the float, and Bahá’ís of various ethnic backgrounds walked alongside.

Also taking part in the parade were Dr. Henderson and David Hofman, retired member of the Universal House of Justice.

During the telecast the Bahá’í float was displayed prominently, and a clip was later picked up by Cable News Network (CNN) and used in its around-the-world coverage of the parade.

The World Prayer and Multicultural Day program, an event sponsored by the Bahá’í as part of King Week, was held on Sunday. Its program and theme of “Prayers Around the World” was enjoyed by the more than 200 who attended.

The program included music by the Bahá’í Gospel Choir and a talk by Robert Ahdieh, a Bahá’í who attends Princeton University.

Noteworthy were the messages from more than 100 Bahá’í communities around the world advising the gathering of their support and prayers. Scriptures of various faiths were read during the program which ended with the reading of a “roll call of nations,” reminiscent of what was done at the second Bahá’í World Congress in New York City.

Among other activities in which Bahá’ís took part:

• A Service of Rededication to Peace and Justice in which Bahá’ís lit a candle for rededication.
• A “Blueprint for Non-Violence and Celebrating Our Differences” program where nearly 300 local school children saw presentations on various cultures around the world.
• A Presidential Reception at which several Bahá’ís served as hosts and participants and at which Mr. Hofman presented Mrs. King with a copy of Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh.
• An Interfaith Youth Program at which the Bahá’ís were represented by two youth from the Atlanta area.
• The 25th annual Ecumenical Service attended by Mr. Hofman and Dr. Henderson. A Bahá’í youth participated in the litany.

The events associated with King Week, however, were only part of a much larger picture. This year, teaching was at the forefront of Bahá’í activity with a concerted effort made by local communities to take advantage of the presence of several noted speakers and celebrities.

For the second year in a row the most in-demand speaker by far was Mr. Hofman who rarely had more than a few moments’ rest as he spoke to hundreds of seekers at no less than a dozen firesides during his brief stay in the Atlanta area.

Seekers attended every fireside given by Mr. Hofman; in fact, it was not uncommon for the Bahá’ís who attended to find themselves outnumbered by at least two to one.

Mr. Hofman spoke to groups from many backgrounds including European, Chinese, East Indian, American Indian and African-American on a scale ranging from one-to-one to an audience of more than 50,000 in the case of an interview on local television.

On January 12, Mr. Hofman spoke to a group at the Chamblee Chinese Community Center. An article was printed in the local Chinese-language newspaper and flyers in Chinese were distributed on college campuses around the city.

At the Bahá’í-sponsored Business and Professional Luncheon on January 15, Mr. Hofman spoke on one of his favorite topics, “The Renewal of Civilization,” to an audience of 50 including 15 non-Bahá’ís.

That evening, he spoke to more than 100 Bahá’ís on the topic “Into the Future: Where Do We Go from Here? A post-World Congress Vision.”

On January 16, Mr. Hofman spoke to a graduate divinity class of 46 at the Interdenominational Theological Center. In the audience were a number of ordained ministers.

The following day, Sunday, Mr. Hofman, Dr. Miller and Auxiliary Board member Soo Fouts met with the Ambassador to the U.S. from Somalia, Omar Mohallins.

The ambassador agreed to attend a fireside that evening hosted by the Bahá’í Club at Spelman College whose standing-room-only audience of more than 300 enjoyed an evening of music by the Bahá’í Gospel Choir.

On Wednesday, January 20, Mr. Hofman was interviewed on the popular “Community Bulletin” program on local cable TV with a weekly audience of about 500,000.

Later that day, Mr. Hofman spoke at the Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church in Jonesboro. Of the 110 people in the audience, only 20 were Bahá’ís.

Wherever Mr. Hofman spoke, the message that “Christ has returned and His Name is Bahá’u’lláh” was made abundantly clear.

Bahá’í communities elsewhere in Georgia also played an active role in King Week events:

In Cornelia, Bahá’ís took part in the annual Unity Walk and in an Ecumenical Service at which parts of the Bahá’í statement on race unity were read.

In Dalton, Bahá’ís marched in the King Day parade, carrying banners proclaiming “Mankind Is One” and “Prejudice Is a Handicap.” At the King Day service at Dalton High School, a Bahá’í presented the message of welcome, while another was the only white member of a community choir that sang at two programs.

In Griffin, the Spiritual Assembly of Spalding County gave a public reception for recording artist Dan Seals. About 35 people attended. Mr. Seals was interviewed on local radio and television. The Bahá’ís of Griffin marched in the local King Day parade, using the float from the Atlanta parade, and supported a prayer service at the New Hope Baptist Church.

David Hofman chats with a young parade marcher at the Bahá’í Center in Atlanta.

Dr. Carole Miller, Bahá’í from Atlanta, named to M.L. King Federal Holiday Commission

Dr. Carole Miller of Atlanta, a representative of the National Spiritual Assembly to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change, was recently nominated to serve as a commissioner for the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission.

The commission, established by an act of Congress in 1984, oversees and encourages appropriate observations of the holiday and provides help to organizations, public and private, that have an interest in commemorating Dr. King’s birthday.

The membership consists of 17 commissioners appointed by Congress who in turn nominate 23 additional commissioners to help carry out its presidential mandate. Dr. Miller’s nomination as one of the 23 commissioners was unanimously confirmed, and she was sworn into office for a one-year term on October 20, 1992.

During the swearing-in ceremony Mrs. Coretta Scott King, chairman of the Federal Holiday Commission, commented positively on Dr. Miller’s consistency in attending commission-related events and remarked on her seemingly boundless energy.

Dr. Miller thanked ‎Mrs King Mrs. King‎ for the opportunity to contribute on behalf of the Bahá’ís of the U.S. to the King Holiday Commission, and explained a little about the significance to the Bahá’ís of this Holy Year.

DR. CAROLE MILLER

The following statements made during the ceremony are excerpted from the Congressional Record:

Dr. Miller: “I would like to express that this is the Holy Year of the 100th anniversary of the passing of Bahá’u’lláh. The purpose of the Bahá’í Faith, as you know, is the unity of the entire human race and the establishment of a world civilization.

“So we pledge our allegiance to you to assist with the transformation of the society and the creation of a beloved community.”

Chairperson King: “Thank you. Thank you very much. The Bahá’í community has been very, very supportive. We call on them all the time—and they are right there.”

Since the swearing-in ceremony, an article has appeared in “Living the Dream,” the newsletter of the King Federal Holiday Commission, summarizing the National Spiritual Assembly’s position regarding racism as America’s most challenging issue and acknowledging the Bahá’í community’s contributions to the King Center and the commission.

Mrs. King has asked that Dr. Miller be reappointed as chairman of the Religious Involvement Committee of the Federal Holiday Commission. The committee organizes religious support for the annual King holiday.—Ford Bowers [Page 11]Left: The Bahá’í float in the King Week parade in Atlanta. Above: Robert Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly, speaks at the ‘Prayers Around the World’ event. (Photos by Joe Ferguson)

PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS

Marking centenary of historic Chicago gathering

Parliament materials offer insight into its vision, mission, focus

In the most recent issue of The American Bahá’í (February 7) we published an article from “Conscious Choice” magazine and reviewed the historical significance of the World Parliament of Religions held in 1893.

The Parliament was a watershed event that introduced many little known or unknown religions and faiths to America and initiated religious pluralism in the Western world.

The Parliament of the World’s Religions, to be held in Chicago from August 28-September 5, 1993, serves as the centenary commemoration of the original Parliament as well as an opportunity for faith traditions to address “ways for the world’s communities to live peacefully and sustainably, communicating and understanding, respecting one another’s diversity, and protecting the common ground which nourishes all life.”

The following excerpts from the Parliament materials explain its vision, mission, and the focus of the program materials.

VISION AND MISSION

There are many ways to learn, many approaches to change, many visions for collaboration. The Parliament welcomes all—whatever their paths may be—who want new experiences and understanding of the world’s faiths and the critical issues facing the global community. ...

The 1993 Parliament of the World’s Religions will bring together a great variety of people. ...The Parliament will be a forum where people can speak and listen easily, free from fear. It will stand for collaboration and respect. At the same time, it will challenge all to think more broadly, whatever their starting point. It will be a place where inspiration can happen. It will be well-publicized and so it will take place in full view of the world.

The entire program will support reflection, dialogue and understanding, within and among persons and within and among institutions. Every part of the Parliament will be designed to prepare people to make choices and to act from within a spiritual framework. The 1993 Parliament of the World’s Religions extends an extraordinary dialogue which occurred one hundred years ago. ...It coincides with a growing awareness of the limitations of our technological and political ingenuity. It responds to a growing confidence in the power of spiritual understanding and the desire for wisdom.

THE CHALLENGES

What shall we do? How can we change the world for the better?

The questions that need to be answered are reflected directly in the program. Through our relationship with the Institute for 21st Century studies, the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions has considered those issues which impact directly in the quality of life and its sustainability in the future. Questions are being posed regarding the common future of humankind.

What do you or what does your faith tradition offer us as a vision for the future?

The nine days devoted to the Parliament itself will include large gatherings in plenary sessions, workshops, seminars, discussions and dialogues, common meals, worship, devotional programs, art, dance and music. Related events will take place throughout the greater Chicago area, hosted by all the participating faith traditions.

The National Spiritual Assembly and the Bahá’í International Community are arranging for speakers and workshop presenters with Bahá’í perspectives on the issues being addressed at the Parliament.

Those wishing to attend the Parliament should contact the office of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, P.O. Box 1630, Chicago IL 60690. Telephone 312-629-2990 or Fax: 312-629-2991.

Tyler, Texas, friends propose Racial Harmony Commission

On November 9, the Spiritual Assembly of Tyler, Texas, proposed to the City Council the creation of the country’s first City Commission for Racial Harmony.

Following a number of questions by the mayor and city manager, the council passed a motion to respond to the proposal at a later date.

N.Y. conference launches Year of Inter-Religious Understanding and Cooperation

On Monday, January 25, more than 40 representatives of religions and interfaith organizations gathered at a news conference held at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.

The conference, sponsored by the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, was held to launch 1993 as the Year of Inter-Religious Understanding and Cooperation.

The Council was formed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the original Parliament, held from the end of August through September 1893 in Chicago at a fair called the World’s Columbian Exposition of American Culture. The 1893 Parliament is recognized as marking the beginning of interfaith dialogue in the modern world.

The Bahá’í International Community, the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. and the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago are among the more than 90 co-sponsors of the Council.

Religions represented at the news conference included Bahá’í, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, indigenous and Zoroastrian. Representatives of several interfaith groups, among them the Temple of Understanding and the World Conference on Religion and Peace, also took part.

An excellent video on the 1993 celebration, prepared by Charles Nolley, director of media production for the National Spiritual Assembly, was shown to the assembled group, after which a representative of each religion spoke in support of the 1993 Parliament.

Techeste Ahderom and Trish Swanson represented the Bahá’í International Community; Shirley Lee represented the National Spiritual Assembly; and Carl Murrell, the Spiritual Assembly of New York City. Ms. Swanson, conveying the Bahá’í statement, said:

“At the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago the name of Bahá’u’lláh, prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith, was first mentioned on the continent of North America.

“The Bahá’í International Community, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, and the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Chicago look forward to their participation in the Parliament of the World’s Religions in August 1993.

“The Bahá’í Faith has as its central tenets the oneness of humanity and the essential unity of all religions. Bahá’ís support ardently the Year of Inter-Religious Understanding and Cooperation. ‘So bright is the light of unity,’ wrote Bahá’u’lláh, ‘that it can illuminate the whole earth.’”

Reinforcing the Bahá’í belief in the spiritual unity of the major religions were the speakers’ remarks about working together, achieving peace, relating to one another with love and respect, and the oneness of the human race. [Page 12]

GRAND CANYON 8th annual conference draws 2,200 Bahá’ís to Phoenix

Visitors to the Civic Center in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, during the Christmas holidays were greeted by a 40-foot sign proclaiming “Bahá’u’lláh, the King of Glory: 8th Annual Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference.”

Coming together for what began as a regional youth conference and has now become the largest annual gathering of Bahá’ís in the U.S. were 2,200 Bahá’ís from all over the U.S. and from several other countries.

Over the past eight years a total of almost 20,000 have attended the conference, at which an estimated $1 million has been raised for the Arc Fund and other Bahá’í Funds.

During the four-day event (December 25-28) the friends heard inspiring talks by Counselor William Roberts, Dr. Suheil Bushrui, Dr. Lameh Fananapazir and Dr. Jena Khadem Khodadad, and enjoyed musical presentations and workshops on various topics related to the Faith.

More than 100 youth under 21 attended special sessions. A silent auction and separate fund-raiser netted close to $100,000 for the Arc Fund. On Saturday evening, the friends were treated to a delightful concert whose performers were Houshmand Aghili, Ahdieh Badee and K.C. Porter. The following evening, Dr. Roberts spoke at a large public gathering.

Visiting the conference was Vadim Nomokamov, vice-chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Russia, Georgia and Armenia, who shared his hope that the worldwide Bahá’í community will uphold the high standards of conduct and behavior set at the World Congress in New York City.

“The answer to world problems,” he said, “lies in global spiritual unification. No man-made doctrine can achieve this. It must be the divine solution.”

Dr. Roberts spoke about the importance of the Holy Year, reminding the friends that it is intended to be a primarily spiritual celebration—an occasion for reflection on the power of the Covenant.

“We are asked to think deeply about and to celebrate the wonders of the Blessed Perfection,” he said. “And to pay homage to Bahá’u’lláh and tribute to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

“The purpose of the Holy Year,” he added, “is not fulfilled by large public gatherings alone. This is a time for inner reflection—the ‘rendezvous of the soul’ referred to by the Universal House of Justice in its Ridván 1992 message—and for recommitment, rededication and revitalization of our souls and the world Bahá’í community.”

Drs. Bushrui and Fananapazir shared the podium for a presentation on the significance of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and why we should appreciate and study it.

“The Kitáb-i-Aqdas is medicine for an ailing world,” said Dr. Fananapazir, “sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet, but medicine that will inevitably lead us to the Kingdom of God on earth.”

Dr. Bushrui also spoke on “Bahá’u’lláh: His Station” and “Capturing the Vision,” in addition to conducting several workshops, while Dr. Fananapazir addressed a plenary session on the topic “Bahá’u’lláh: The Divine Physician” and presented a number of workshops.

On Saturday morning, Dr. Khodadad spoke on “Bahá’u’lláh: The World’s Encounter with His Revelation,” which she expects to be much more overt following publication of the Aqdas.

The world’s perception of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, she said, will be encompassed in twin processes: destructive with the death of the old world order, and constructive in the birth of the new World Order. “We must immerse ourselves in His Writings so that we fully understand these processes,” she said.

As human beings and Bahá’ís, said Dr. Khodadad, we must help alleviate suffering not only by temporary means through compassion and good works, but more permanently through providing the cure—the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

The Grand Canyon Bahá’í Choir entertains during the Grand Canyon Conference held last December 25-28 at the Civic Center in Phoenix, Arizona. About 2,200 Bahá’ís from the U.S. and several other countries attended the eighth annual event. (Photo by William H. Sharp)

Service/employment opportunities at the Bahá’í National Center, Bahá’í Schools and Institutes

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

The National Spiritual Assembly is seeking qualified people for the following positions:

Administrative assistants

• Essential to the efficient functioning and quality of service provided by the National Spiritual Assembly
• Must be well-versed in Bahá’í principles and administration
• Must be skilled in word processing
• Must have strong self-management and organizational skills
• Some positions require ability to read and write in English and Persian
• Some positions require strong written communication skills

Other opportunities include:

• Bahá’í Publishing Trust: editorial assistant, executive secretary to the Publications Board, marketing manager, production services coordinator
• Bahá’í Schools and Institutes: a variety of volunteer and paid summer positions are available (see ad on page 5)
• Native American Bahá’í Institute: program coordinator (see ad on page 8)
• NSA Properties Inc.: maintenance team leader
• The American Bahá’í: writer/reporter
• U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office: assistant refugee program coordinator
• Teaching: Regional Teaching Operations Coordinators
• Temple Restoration: engineering technician, master tuckpointer, apprentice tuckpointer

If you are available to serve the National Spiritual Assembly at this time, please write to the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Please include a resume, if available.

In October, Bahá’ís in the Mobile, Alabama, area won second prize of $175 for their display at the Greater Gulf State Fair. The display presented the writings of the Faith as they relate to current issues and proclaimed Bahá’u’lláh as the Source of God’s Revelation for this age. Literature and interest cards were available, and several contacts were made.

Gainesville Bahá’ís present Human Rights Award

More than 100 people were present December 16 in Gainesville, Florida, at the annual presentation ceremony for the Bahá’í Human Rights Award.

Honored this year was Bob Tanciq, a community volunteer and director of the local soup kitchen and shelter for the homeless.

Since the award was first given some 15 years ago attendance has steadily grown while publicity for the event has increased from an announcement on a newspaper religion page to feature articles and radio and television interviews.

The award is given to persons who demonstrate outstanding voluntary service in the cause of human rights. Not only has it drawn attention to the Faith among the media and community organizations, it has helped the Bahá’ís work more closely together by fostering love and unity within the community. [Page 13]

Bahá’u’lláh’s Appointment of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

By Rob Stockman

The Holy Year marks not only the centenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s ascension but also commemorates the commencement of Bahá’u’lláh’s mighty Covenant and the inauguration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ministry. Thus it is fitting to devote some of our study this year to Bahá’u’lláh’s appointment of His Son as His Successor and the Exemplar of His teachings.

Bahá’u’lláh first hinted that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would be His Successor in the Súriy-i-Ghusn (“The Tablet of the Branch”), revealed in Adrianople between 1864-68. At the time, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was no more than twenty-four years of age. The tablet speaks of a “sacred and glorious being” who “hath branched from the Sadratu’l-Muntahá” [Bahá’u’lláh] and states that “well is it with him that hath sought His shelter and abideth beneath His shadow.” (The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 135).

In even stronger language, Bahá’u’lláh adds: “Render thanks unto God, O people, for His appearance; for verily He is the most great Favor unto you, the most perfect bounty upon you; and through Him every mouldering bone is quickened. Whoso turneth toward Him hath turned toward God, and whoso turneth away from Him hath turned away from My Beauty, hath repudiated My Proof, and transgressed against Me. He is the Trust of God amongst you, His charge within you, His manifestation unto you and His appearance among His favored servants. . . . Those who deprive themselves of the shadow of the Branch, are lost in the wilderness of error, are consumed by the heat of worldly desires, and are of those who will assuredly perish.” (The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 135)

One is struck by the fact that this passage was revealed no later than 1868. As such it constitutes a prophecy of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s greatness as well as a definition of His future authority as head of the Faith and exemplar. Yet the tablet did not refer specifically to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; Bahá’u’lláh left that detail to the future. Here we have a clear example of Bahá’u’lláh’s gradual unveiling of revealed truth.

In early 1873 Bahá’u’lláh revealed the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. In one passage He stated that “when the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root.” (Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 24)

In this passage Bahá’u’lláh is plainly referring to His own death and is commanding the Bahá’ís to turn to one of His descendants after He has passed away; He does not specify which descendant, but the phrase “Whom God hath purposed” indicates that God had already chosen the One, and perhaps suggests that God’s will would be revealed in time.

Later in the Aqdas Bahá’u’lláh added that “when the mystic dove shall have winged its flight from the Sanctuary of Praise and sought its far-off goal, its hidden habitation, refer ye whatsoever ye understand not in the Book to Him Who hath branched from this mighty Stock.” (Synopsis and Codification, p. 27) This passage specifies the obligation to accept the Successor as the authorized interpreter of the Book.

In another passage, Bahá’u’lláh states that after His own passing the expenditure of the huqúqu’lláh monies is to be decided by the Branches (Aghṣán) or male descendants of Bahá’u’lláh; after them by the House of Justice, which implies that the line of Branches would come to an end; and if the line comes to an end before the establishment of the House of Justice, by “the people of Bahá,” apparently in this case an allusion to the Hands of the Cause of God. (Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, vol. 3, p. 372)

This, of course, is precisely what happened when Shoghi Effendi, a member of the Aghṣán, died and there was no Guardian to succeed him. More important for the study of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s station, Bahá’u’lláh makes ‘Abdu’l-Bahá financial head of the Faith in this passage.

In 1879 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá traveled to Beirut on business and Bahá’u’lláh, missing His eldest Son, revealed a tablet to Him. The Lawh-i-Ard-i-Bá or “Tablet of the Land of Bá [Beirut]” refers specifically to “the Most Mighty Branch,” a title that was commonly understood by Bahá’u’lláh’s family and close associates to refer specifically to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

The tablet (published in Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, pp. 227-28) refers to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as “His ancient and immutable Mystery” and praises Him in these terms:

“Blessed, doubly blessed, is the ground which His footsteps have trodden, the eye that hath been cheered by the beauty of His countenance, the ear that hath been honored by hearkening to His call, the heart that hath tasted the sweetness of His love, the breast that hath dilated through His remembrance, the pen that hath voiced His praise, the scroll that hath borne the testimony of His writings.” (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 228)

Such exalted language about His eldest Son would have implied that the praise in the earlier tablets applied to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as well. Thus the tablet would have made it fairly clear that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was to be Bahá’u’lláh’s successor.

Successorship was made unambiguously clear in Bahá’u’lláh’s Kitáb-i-‘Ahd or “Book of the Covenant.” This short tablet by Bahá’u’lláh—five pages long—is published in Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, pp. 219-23. It is occasionally referred to by Bahá’u’lláh as His “Crimson Book.”

In many ways it resembles the Aqdas in that it refers to numerous weighty topics such as the importance of kings, the loftiness of the human station, and the blessedness of the learned and rulers among the people of Bahá. Bahá’u’lláh states that “a mighty force, a consummate power lieth concealed in the world of being” and calls on all to “fix your gaze upon it and upon its unifying influence” (Tablets, p. 221), possibly a reference to the Covenant or the Administrative Order.

Bahá’u’lláh then explains the meaning of the verses He had revealed in the Aqdas and makes His plan for succession clear. In all the passages the common title for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “the Most Mighty Branch” (Ghusn-i-A‘zam) is used:

“The Will of the Divine Testator is this: It is incumbent upon the Aghṣán [Bahá’u’lláh’s male descendants], the Afnán [the male descendants of the uncles of the Báb] and My kindred to turn, one and all, their faces toward the Most Mighty Branch.

“Consider that which we have revealed in Our Most Holy Book: ‘When the ocean of My presence hath been ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root.’ The object of this sacred Verse is none other except the Most Mighty Branch. . . . Verily God hath ordained the station of of the Greater Branch [Muḥammad ‘Alí (Bahá’u’lláh’s second oldest son)] to be beneath that of the Most Great Branch [‘Abdu’l-Bahá].” (Tablets, p. 222)

In this passage Bahá’u’lláh made it clear that all His previous passages referred to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Thus His will was clear: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was to be the Head of the Faith, obedience to Him was obligatory, He was to be the final Interpreter of Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation, and He was to handle the financial matters of the Cause. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s spiritual station as the “mystery of God” was also stated clearly.

Bahá’u’lláh referred to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in several other tablets (see God Passes By, pp. 242-43 for a description of them), but the above passages by Bahá’u’lláh Himself enunciate the essential elements of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s station.

On these essentials ‘Abdu’l-Bahá elaborated as necessary, and Shoghi Effendi delineated a precise and thorough account of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s station in his essay, “The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh.” It will be the topic of the next article in this series on the Holy Year.

David Hofman, retired member of the Universal House of Justice (seated second from left) represented the Faith at a Race Unity Forum held last December 5 at the Bahá’í Center in Youngstown, Ohio. The event was sponsored by the Bahá’í Group of Poland and supported by Bahá’ís in surrounding communities. The Bahá’í Choir of Cleveland provided music. Standing is one of the featured speakers, Dr. Victor Wan Tatah, professor of philosophy and religious studies at Youngstown State University.

Excavation equipment is being moved in, construction fences have been erected around the site, and Phase 3 of construction of the International Teaching Center at the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa, Israel, has begun as announced recently by the Universal House of Justice. (Photo by Ruhl Vargha)

‘Alá B.E. 149 / MARCH 2, 1993 [Page 14]

Time has come for family to consult on Holy Year teaching goals

“Mom, Dad, what’s your plan for teaching during the Holy Year?” Choking on your dinner, your mind races. The memory of reading the 1992 Ridván message of the Universal House of Justice together almost a year ago zooms back. You are astonished by the clarity with which your young child remembers that each and every Bahá’í was encouraged to “mount an individual campaign for teaching” during the Holy Year.

As you politely defer to your spouse to answer first, the ideas that had been slowly gestating in your mind since last April quickly begin to take on the form of concrete goals.

Soon the family is engaged in a lively consultation about teaching. New friends at school, at work and in other circles are scheduled to hear of Bahá’u’lláh. At that point another child asks, “can we go somewhere to teach this summer too?”

Well, chances are...yes! Everyone’s teaching plan can come together for a few precious weeks through traveling teaching.

Out come road maps, atlas and globe, calculators and notepads all over the living room floor. Children and parents huddle around, and soon a dozen parts of the world will be visited in one long intercontinental “Indiana Jones”-type adventure.

The fun of teaching together has already begun. In fact you had been thinking about ways to spend more “quality time” together, to bring yourselves closer to each other and to Bahá’u’lláh, and to respond to the loving promise of the Master in Tablets of the Divine Plan that “Now is the time that you may divest yourselves from the garment of attachment to this phenomenal realm, be wholly severed from the physical world, become angels of heaven and travel and teach through all these regions.”

Maybe you really could all go somewhere to teach during those weeks of summer vacation. Sleep on it.

The problem is, you can’t sleep at all! You are just as excited about the idea as everyone else, and vacation time is fast approaching.

A few days later, after dinner, Mom and Dad have consulted, pored through back copies of The American Bahá’í for information, and consulted the teaching coordinators at the National Center. A realistic, affordable and fun few weeks of service together is presented to the family. Despite some objections to the elimination of the Sahara desert, the North Pole and the pyramids of Egypt, all are in favor.

Though the route may take the family by land to the goal areas in the U.S. or Canada, or by air to other parts of the world, the purpose will be to bring the glad tidings of the coming of Bahá’u’lláh to the thirsty souls of the world, who stand ready to accept Him.

Children are catalysts for teaching. Their natural openness and curiosity often wins them instant friendships across boundaries of culture, language, age and race. With just one Bahá’í class, children learning the loving spirit of the Faith for the first time often return home so excited that their entire family wants to know what the Faith is and ultimately to become Bahá’ís.

Children who learn to teach early in life often become the youth and adults who will always yearn to teach, and to be surrounded by diverse peoples.

It is important that your traveling teaching balance the call to sacrifice and stretch your limits for the Cause, with a realistic, affordable and flexible itinerary.

Prepare the family spiritually and practically beforehand as best you can. Then arise, teach, and feel the divine blessings come to you and your family as you serve Bahá’u’lláh together.

Now, with your mind fixed on the variety of opportunities to teach, call or write the Office of Pioneering (international teaching) or the National Teaching Office (domestic teaching) at the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, Telephone 708-869-9039, fax 708-869-0247. We look forward to helping you!

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS . . .

The Golden Days, a novel by Gail Radley, a Bahá’í from Deland, Florida, has won the highest honor in language arts elementary novels for 1991 from the Society of School Librarians International (SSLI). The novel tells of an 11-year-old foster child who learns to trust relationships through his friendship with a nursing home resident. In her acceptance speech at the awards ceremony in New Orleans, Ms. Radley mentioned the Faith.

John Danesh, a 24-year-old Bahá’í, finished first in his class of 171 at Otago University Medical School in Dunedin, New Zealand, in December, having recorded the highest academic marks in the 120-year history of the school. Mr. Danesh will study at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar in 1994.

Dustin Marantino, a Bahá’í from Rifle, Colorado, was one of 12 high school students chosen from 300 participants in last summer’s Universal Cheerleader Association Camp at Denver University to cheer in the Lord Westminster New Year’s Day parade in England. From 60 camps held nationwide in the U.S., about 300 students have been chosen to take part in the parade. Dustin is the only male on Rifle High School’s 12-member cheerleading squad.

Kubala Washatko Architects Inc. (owned by Bahá’ís Tom Kubala and Allen Washatko of Cedarburg, Wisconsin) has received two awards from the Institute of Store Planners and Visual Merchandising & Store Design Magazine as part of their 1992 International Store Interior Design Competition: first place in the “Specialty Store for Hard Goods” category, and a special “Most Innovative Concept” award.

In November, Kellie Greeley White, a Bahá’í from Waldorf, Maryland, received a Social Studies Excellence Award at the Social Studies Teachers Conference in Columbia for a book, The Buffalo Soldiers, written entirely by her fourth-grade students. The book explains the role of black soldiers in settling the Western United States. Ms. White hopes to have it published for classroom use.

Navy Cmdr. Kenneth A. Conrad, a Bahá’í stationed at Newport, Rhode Island, received the U.S. Armed Forces Joint Service Commendation Medal for “meritorious achievement” while serving as Chief of Medical Services in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during the Haitian humanitarian relief effort from March-June 1992. Among other things, the citation lists Cmdr. Conrad’s “unfailing leadership” that resulted in “a superbly functioning medical team composed of 16 physicians, 14 independent duty corpsmen, and 40 staff members providing 1,200 outpatient visits per day,” and his “organizational skills” in responding as treatment officer for 116 migrants injured during a tropical storm.

Anisa Cott, a Bahá’í youth from College Park, Maryland, was given a Student of the Year award and scholarship at the eighth annual Youth Recognition Awards Banquet sponsored by the Washington, D.C., chapter of Concerned Black Men Inc. About 900 guests, many of whom were given copies of “The Vision of Race Unity,” attended the banquet, at which Anisa was the only non-African American youth to be recognized. Concerned Black Men is an international organization committed to instilling in young people the qualities of cultural awareness, economic independence, and emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual strength.

Elisa Brown, a Bahá’í who is a second-year medical student at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, is one of 35 students from med schools across the country—and the first from her school—to be named 1992 Fellows in Academic Medicine in a program sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and the Commonwealth Fund. Her work is being done under the auspices of the EVMS Head and Neck Tumor Biology Program, renowned for its work in investigating the causes and treatments of head and neck cancers.

Dawn Glaser, a 17-year-old Bahá’í from Overland Park, Kansas, has been inducted into the National Honor Society, the fourth Bahá’í woman so honored at Shawnee Mission West High School. Dawn has an A average, lettered in ‎swimming in cross country swimming and cross country‎, managed the men’s swim team, served on the editorial staff of the school library magazine, and has counseled troubled young people.

Ronald A. Berry, a Bahá’í from Lander, Wyoming, who works for the Indian Health Service (IHS) on the Wind River Indian Reservation, has received the Billings IHS Area Director’s Award for Exceptional Performance and the Wind River Service Unit 1992 Employee of the Year Award. Mr. Berry is a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Public Health Service.

About 300 people attended a retirement party last November for Dr. Wallace Byrd, a Bahá’í who served as a family physician for more than 42 years in Coal County, one of the poorest counties in Oklahoma, and is known throughout southeastern Oklahoma for his many years of dedicated service to the people there. Dr. Byrd also served for many years on the Coalgate board of education, and earlier this year the board voted to name the community’s middle school in his honor.

John B. Anderson, president of the World Federalist Association, accepts a copy of ‘The Promise of World Peace’ from Nina A. Rhodes on behalf of the Spiritual Assembly of Yuma, Arizona, which co-sponsored a lecture by Dr. Anderson last December 7 entitled ‘How Shall We Win the Peace?’ More than 60 people attended a dinner in Dr. Anderson’s honor that preceded his talk. The former 10-term U.S. congressman from Illinois and presidential candidate (1980) said he was happy to receive the peace statement and looked forward to learning more about the Bahá’í teachings, as they are so in tune with the goals and mission of the World Federalists. [Page 15]

From Iran to States, she and her friends remained steadfast in Cause while pursuing an education

Roya Darab was born March 9, 1966, in Isfahán, Iran. She lived there with her family until 1984 when they escaped from the country on foot through the wilderness. Part of the time the family was huddled together in the back of a rickety pick-up truck that drove at breakneck speed without lights on a moonless night.

Roya and her family spent two years in Pakistan before immigrating to the U.S. They settled in Washington state, and Roya was enrolled at Edmonds Community College. Later she attended the University of Washington in Seattle where she had one quarter left before obtaining a bachelor of science degree in biology.

Roya did not live long enough to complete her college work. On January 5 she died at age 26 apparently from a virus that went to her heart. She is survived by her parents, Feridoon and Parvin Darab, and sisters, Pooya and Mahsa.

In Iran, Pakistan and the U.S., Roya was an active member of the Bahá’í community, teaching with enthusiasm and serving on the Spiritual Assemblies of Edmonds and Snohomish County South Central. Education was of great importance to her, and became her priority. Here is Roya’s account, as told to Judy Maddox and first published in From the Hearts of the Handmaidens, a Bahá’í news bulletin for western Washington, of how she and her friends were able to complete high school in Iran.

“In 1983 I was to enter the 11th grade in the city of Isfahán. It was very bad for Bahá’ís throughout Iran, but it hadn’t been that bad for us yet. We were still going to school, whereas in other cities the friends were not being allowed to attend school anymore.

“My friends and I continued to attend classes, but one day we were called to the principal’s office. We were told that we were good students and smart too. We were also told that we should deny our Faith and become good Muslims so that we could continue our lives under the protection of the government. If we chose to remain Bahá’ís, we were told, we would no longer be able to attend school.

“Every one of us said, ‘No! We are Bahá’ís not because of our parents but because we believe in Bahá’u’lláh.’

“They told us to gather our books and personal items and leave the school immediately—and never to come back.

“Our non-Bahá’í friends were leaning out doors and windows, demanding to know why we, their friends and good people, were being thrown out as if we were criminals.

“They were told to go to their classrooms and shut the doors. The teachers locked the doors and shut the windows so the students couldn’t see us leaving.

“We were told, ‘See what you are doing to our good students? You are causing much trouble. Leave. Leave right now! Hurry!’

“We tried to find a school that would take us in, but no school would have us. Then we heard that a nearby night school would take Bahá’í children, so we went there.

“They had said, ‘Sure, come on.’ But when we arrived the first day, we were sent to the principal’s office. He told us, ‘I’m sorry, but I cannot let you come to our school. I’ve been told that you may not attend.’

“Again we searched for a school and found another night school, only to have the same thing happen again.

“Meanwhile, the Bahá’í teachers were being fired from their jobs. Thus we decided to start our own Bahá’í school in our homes.

“So the Bahá’í teachers began our studies with us, and for a while it was wonderful. We could learn again, and we loved the Bahá’í environment. But then the government began to arrest our teachers. They were all either arrested or fled the city. Once again, we were without instructors.

“We students got together, consulted, and decided that we would study together and help each other. Our parents agreed with us. We studied hard, helping each other until every one of us had passed our college exams.

“That summer, on July 10, the 10 beautiful young women in Shiraz were hanged. One of them, Mona, was my own age.

“I am now going to nursing school in the United States. Other school friends also left Iran and have continued their education.

“Before we left Iran, my youngest sister was not even allowed to begin school. Because it was so important to my family that we be educated, and because of the persecutions of 1983, we finally decided to leave Iran.

“I thank God that I am able to continue my education, and that my friends and I declared our belief in Bahá’u’lláh, in spite of the pressure from the Iranian government to deny our Faith.”

LETTERS

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

The American Bahá’í welcomes letters to the editor on any topic of general interest. The purpose of the “letters” column is to allow a free and open exchange of ideas and opinions, never to denigrate another’s views or to attack any one ‎person ally personally‎. Opinions expressed in these columns are those of the writers, and are not necessarily those of the National Spiritual Assembly or the editors.

Letters should be as brief as possible (a 250-word maximum is suggested) and are subject to editing for length and style. Please address all letters to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Second World Congress

To the Editor:

The members of our community, all of whom attended the Bahá’í World Congress in New York City, and all of whom are still reverberating with the joy and meaning of that historic occasion, would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the World Congress Committee and the many, many individuals who worked so hard to make the Congress a reality.

Most of us will never know the exhaustion, frustration and exhilaration of those devoted workers, musicians, technicians, organizers, phone answerers, coordinators, translators, etc., but we do know that the last weeks before November 21 were especially hectic for all of you, that many of you slept very little, and that individuals did the work of whole crews.

Our gratitude for your efforts is beyond words. Bahá’u’lláh will surely shower His blessings upon you. With loving appreciation,

The Bahá’ís of Morris Township, New Jersey

To the Editor:

The Congress choir was soul-entrancing and took us all to new heights. The Gospel music so uplifted my heart and soul. It really let the light shine in. And from the way it energized the representatives of many peoples of the earth, I believe it can move the heart and soul of the whole world.

I hope we will feel encouraged to put great effort toward using all such artistic methods to spur on the teaching work.

Tanja Sargent San Jose, California

‘Awe and wonderment’

To the Editor:

May a little old lady from Oregon express her awe and wonderment at our Bahá’í Cause?

There were few books in those early days of the ’20s when my awareness of being a Bahá’í began; my father (Charles Q. Adams, who became a Bahá’í in Denver in 1917) read everything over and over again. Letters and Tablets were shared with everyone.

I remember my father calling me to the big round oak table where he studied, saying, “Sister, just listen to this!” There I would sit because I loved him, listening to my friends playing outside and trying my best to understand his enthusiasm.

Now, some 70 years later, yes, I am in awe and wonderment more and more as the years go by. I have witnessed history. It is like watching an animation or a graph on a screen weaving all the threads together into a form and doing it faster and faster as I was told would happen. Yes, Dad, I heard you!

R. Virginia Jensen Tigard, Oregon

Marshall Blake memorial

To the Editor:

Six years ago, while my husband and I were here at our pioneering post in the West Indies, our oldest son, Marshall Blake, died at the age of 22. He had been secretary of the University of Massachusetts Bahá’í Club and a member of the Spiritual Assembly of South Hadley during his college years.

Since then we have been trying, through our sadness, to think of a meaningful, ongoing memorial worthy of this gentle and dedicated Bahá’í whom we love deeply. We think we have now settled on what this is to be.

Several years ago we helped start a private elementary school in St. Vincent known as the Windsor School. Although it is not directly a Bahá’í project, it is the first alternative private school for young children in the country, and so contributes directly to national development.

We have established in Marshall’s name an annual music award to be given to the Windsor student showing the most progress in some musical endeavor during the school year. The fund has been set up with an initial grant, but the amount is not large.

We wanted any Bahá’ís who may have known Marshall to be aware of the existence of this award in case they would like to contribute to it in his name.

Our National Spiritual Assembly has agreed to serve as the channel for this fund, so anyone wishing to contribute may send their gift to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, P.O. Box 1043, St. Vincent, West Indies. The National Assembly will acknowledge the contribution and forward the funds to the account established for the award.

Jim and Lisa Blake St. Vincent, West Indies

Covenant and race unity

To the Editor:

When I hear or read about Bahá’ís working on race unity, the topic seems limited to interracial marriage between blacks and some other group, or a list of potluck dinners, prayer meetings or picnics.

I know these things are not wrong, but it seems that we are placing limitations on what God has given us. We place such false limitations on each other with terms like “people of color.” Is it so difficult to comprehend that using a term such as “people of color” means we are separating ourselves from one part of the family—a part that also has “color,” but the color is white?

When we change our discourse on race unity to focus on the Covenant, we may begin to think and act in completely different terms. The Covenant is the bond that holds all Bahá’ís around the world together. In God Passes By, Shoghi Effendi writes: “...It is indubitably clear...that the pivot of

See LETTERS page 19 [Page 16]

توضیح درباره نوروز

NAWRUZ

محفل روحانی ملی مایل است توضیحاتی درباره زمان حلول نوروز و آغاز سال جدید به آگاهی یاران عزیز برساند.

در حال حاضر بهائیان غرب روز ۲۱ ماه مارچ را بعنوان عید نوروز جشن می‌گیرند. از آنجا که روز بهائی از غروب آغاز می‌گردد، در واقع نوروز با غروب روز ۲۰ مارچ شروع می‌شود و غروب روز ۲۱ مارچ به پایان می‌رسد.

از آنجا که ۲۱ مارچ همچنین اولین روز شهرالبهاء نیز هست، باید جلسه ضیافت نوزده روزه در آن روز انعقاد یابد اما این دو رویداد در اصل از یکدیگر مجزا و با هم متفاوتند. همانگونه که در یکی از توقیعات حضرت ولی امرالله به تاریخ ۵ جولای سال ۱۹۵۵ آمده است ضیافت نوزده روزه جلسه‌ای اداری و عید نوروز بزرگداشت سال نو و جشنی برای مهمان‌نوازی و شادمانی است.

هر چند نوروز را در حال حاضر در روز ۲۱ مارچ جشن می‌گیریم اما نوروز باید با تحویل سال مصادف باشد. از آنجا که تحویل سال در سالهای مختلف روز ۲۰ یا ۲۱ یا ۲۲ مارچ واقع می‌شود، ممکن است در آینده نوروز الزاماً در روز ۲۱ مارچ جشن گرفته نشود اما این مورد در زمان خود توسط بیت‌العدل اعظم اعلان خواهد شد.

فرصت‌های تبلیغی در مراسم بزرگداشت زادروز دکتر کینگ

MARTIN LUTHER KING’S DAY

روز ۱۸ ژانویه سال جاری بیش از ۷۰۰ تن از احباء از سراسر امریکا در مراسم راهپیمائی که برای بزرگداشت میلاد دکتر مارتین لوتر کینگ صورت می‌گرفت، شرکت جستند.

ده‌ها هزار نفر شاهد این راهپیمائی بودند که از مرکز شهر آتلانتا در ایالت جورجیا می‌گذشت و تا ”مرکز مارتین لوتر کینگ برای تغییرات اجتماعی“ ادامه می‌یافت.

گروه احباء که مرکب از افرادی از نژادهای گوناگون بود، پرچمی به دست داشتند که بر روی آن نوشته شده بود: ”چشم‌انداز وحدت نژادی: مهم‌ترین مسأله حیاتی امریکا“.

پس از پایان راهپیمائی سخنرانی‌هائی توسط افراد برجسته ایراد شد، یکی از آنها منشی محفل روحانی ملی بود که در حضور ۱۵۰ هزار نفر راجع به اهمیت وحدت نژادی بیاناتی اظهار نمود.

مراسم بزرگداشت زادروز دکتر کینگ در طی هفته‌ای برگزار می‌شود که ”هفته کینگ“ نام دارد. در ۸ سال گذشته احباء در مراسم مذکور شرکت داشته و هر سال به میزان فعالیت‌های خود افزوده اند. یاران امریکا در مراسم امسال فعالیت‌های چشمگیری داشتند.

در یکی از روزهای برگزاری مراسم بزرگداشت ۱۲ نفر از احباء در میهمانی ناهاری که توسط کمیسیون دکتر کینگ برای اهداء جایزه برگزار شده بود، شرکت کردند. یکی از نمایندگان بهائی دکتر کرول میلر از آتلانتا بود که به تازگی به عضویت ”کمیسیون روز تعطیل ملی مارتین لوتر کینگ“ انتصاب شده است. دکتر میلر به همراه همسر دکتر کینگ در مصاحبه‌ای که توسط یکی از ایستگاه‌های محلی شبکه سی بی اس صورت می‌گرفت، شرکت کرد.

دیگر فعالیت‌هائی که احباء در آن سهمی داشتند عبارت است از:

• شرکت در مراسمی جهت بزرگداشت صلح و عدالت و افروختن شمعی از جانب اهل بهاء.
• شرکت در برنامه‌ای که در آن ۳۰۰ دانش آموز خردسال شرکت داشتند و نمونه‌هائی از فرهنگ‌های گوناگون جهان را در آن دیدند.
• شرکت در ضیافتی که در آن جناب دیوید هافمن، عضو سابق بیت العدل اعظم، نسخه‌ای از ”منتخباتی از آثار حضرت بهاءالله“ را به همسر دکتر کینگ اهداء نمودند.
• شرکت در یک برنامه ویژه جوانانی از ادیان گوناگون.
• شرکت در یک برنامه دینی که در آن جناب هافمن و دکتر رابرت هندرسن حضور یافتند.

برای احبائی که در مراسم امسال هفته کینگ شرکت داشتند، تبلیغ امر مبارک در صدر خدماتشان قرار داشت و یاران محل از وجود افراد برجسته‌ای که برای شرکت در مراسم بزرگداشت در آتلانتا حضور داشتند، بهره کامل بردند.

از جناب هافمن بیش از هر کس دیگری تقاضا می‌شد که در جلسات تبلیغی شرکت نمایند. ایشان در بیش از ۱۰ جلسه تبلیغی حضور یافتند و با گروه‌های گوناگون سخن از امر مبارک به میان آوردند.

مراسم بزرگداشت روز مارتین لوتر کینگ با موفقیت ویژه‌ای برگزار شد و به جامعه بهائی نیز این امکان را داد که پیام امر حضرت بهاءالله را — به ویژه درباره وحدت نژادی — به گوش هزاران نفر برساند.

پروژه تبلیغی سیرز

SEARS TEACHING PROJECT

محفل روحانی سن فرانسیسکو در آگوست سال پیش برنامه‌ای تبلیغی برای اعلان عمومی امر مبارک طرح کرده و به یاد ایادی امرالله جناب ویلیام سیرز آن را پروژه سیرز نامیده اند.

هدف از طرح این برنامه تبلیغی تسجیل ۹۰۰ نفر تازه تصدیق تا رضوان امسال است. بی تردید چنین هدفی مانند همه مشروعات امری به تأییدات الهی نیاز دارد.

پیش از آغاز طرح تمهیدات روحانی لازم فراهم شد. مفاد فرامین تبلیغی حضرت عبدالبهاء خطاب به ایالات غربی به دقت مورد مطالعه قرار گرفت و جلسات متعدد تزیید معلومات درباره تبلیغ امرالله منعقد گردید و قرار شد که تعداد هر چه بیشتری از یاران مناجاتی را که حضرت عبدالبهاء به افتخار ایالات غربی امریکا نازل فرموده‌اند، روزانه تلاوت کنند.

تصمیم محفل روحانی بر آن بود که تمرکز فعالیت‌های تبلیغی از طریق بیوت تبلیغی بر گروه‌های اسپانیولی زبان و سرخپوستان و سیاه‌پوستان و دانشجویان چینی باشد.

از سپتامبر سال ۱۹۹۲ تا آخر ژانویه امسال بیش از ۳۰ نفر تسجیل شدند و چند نفر دیگر نیز تصدیق امر مبارک کرده‌اند که هنوز مراحل تسجیلشان کامل نشده است.

کنفرانس فینیکس

GRAND CANYON CONFERENCE

کسانی که در تعطیلات میلاد حضرت مسیح به مرکز شهر فینیکس در ایالت آریزونا می‌رفتند با یک علامت ۴۰ فوتی روبرو می‌شدند که در بالای آن مرکز قرار داشت و روی آن نوشته بود: ”بهاءالله، سلطان جلال: هشتمین کنفرانس سالانه بهائی گرند کنی‌ین“.

در این کنفرانس بیش از ۲۲۰۰ نفر از سراسر امریکا و چند کشور دیگر شرکت داشتند. در ۸ سال گذشته حدود ۲۰ هزار نفر در این کنفرانس‌ها حضور یافته و نزدیک به ۱ میلیون دلار برای ساختمان‌های قوس حول مرقد مطهره و دیگر صندوق‌های امری تبرع کرده‌اند.

در کنفرانس اخیر که از ۲۵ تا ۲۸ دسامبر سال ۱۹۹۲ تشکیل شد، سخنرانی‌های الهام‌بخشی توسط افرادی چون عضو هیئت مشاورین قاره‌ای، جناب ویلیام رابرتس و دکتر سهیل بشرویه و دکتر لامع فناناپذیر و دکتر ژنا خادم ایراد شد.

نایب رئیس محفل روحانی ملی روسیه، و اظهار امیدواری کرد که موازین والای امری از آن قبیل که در کنگره جهانی به چشم می‌خورد، در سراسر جامعه بهائی جهان اعمال شود.

بیش از ۱۰۰ نفر از جوانان ۲۱ ساله به پائین که در کنفرانس حضور داشتند، در جلسات ویژه شرکت می‌کردند. در جلسه‌ای که برای تبرعات به صندوق قوس تشکیل شده بود، نزدیک به ۱۰۰ هزار دلار جمع‌آوری گردید.

هنرمندان معروفی که در کنفرانس مذکور شرکت داشتند عبارت بودند از: آقای هوشمند عقیلی و خانم عهدیه پاکروان (بدیعی) و آقای کی سی پورتر.

انجمن استادان و فارغ التحصیلان بهائی دانشگاه پهلوی (شیراز)

SHIRAZ UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

گروهی از استادان سابق و فارغ التحصیلان دانشگاه پهلوی (شیراز) در تلاشند که انجمن استادان و فارغ التحصیلان بهائی این دانشگاه را تشکیل دهند.

اهداف این انجمن عبارت خواهد بود از: برقراری ارتباط پیوسته در میان اعضاء، پشتیبانی از خدمات حرفه‌ای و شغلی و اجتماعی، همکاری در استفاده از امکانات موجود گروهی و فردی برای توسعه خدمات امری در صحنه جهانی.

بدینوسیله از استادان سابق و فارغ التحصیلان بهائی دانشگاه پهلوی (شیراز) تقاضا می‌شود با نشانی زیر تماس بگیرند.

Soheil Zebarjadi Falls Church, VA 22041

انجمن ادب و فرهنگ ایرانی

PERSIAN ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION

بدینوسیله یادآوری می‌شود که سومین کنفرانس انجمن ادب و فرهنگ ایرانی از اول تا ۴ اپریل سال جاری در شهر مانت ایگل در ایالت تنسی تشکیل خواهد شد.

از دوستان عزیز دعوت می‌شود که با حضور خود در این کنفرانس بر رونق آن بیفزایند. اطلاعات مربوط به نام نویسی و محل اقامت و غیره در ”آمریکن بهائی“ شهرالشرف درج شده است. متمنی است به آن شماره رجوع شود. [Page 17]«طرازات و کلمات و تجلیات و اشراقات و بشارات را به امعان نظر بخوانید و به موجب آن تعالیم الهیه قیام نمائید تا آنکه هر يك شمعی روشن گردید و شاهد انجمن شوید.» (مکاتیب عبدالبهاء، ج ۳، ص ۹۳)

معرفی مقدماتی کتاب اقدس

ON THE KITAB-I AQDAS

دکتر آهنگ ربانی، یکی از خوانندگان عزیز این نشریه مقاله‌ای در معرفی کتاب اقدس نوشته و آن را به دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی فرستاده‌اند. از آنجا که مطالعه این مقاله را برای دوستان عزیز سودمند یافتیم و چون مقاله نسبتاً طولانی است، تصمیم بر آن شد که در هر شماره این نشریه بخشی از آن را درج کنیم. اینک با سپاس از جناب دکتر ربانی قسمت اول مقاله ایشان درج می‌شود.

معرفی مقدماتی کتاب مستطاب اقدس

نظر به اینکه اراده بیت العدل اعظم الهی بر این قرار گرفته است که کتاب مستطاب اقدس در این سال مقدس به زبان انگلیسی ترجمه و نشر شود، لازم است مطالبی برای استفاده دوستان به اختصار شرح داده شود.

قبل از هر چیز یادآوری این نکته مهم ضروری است که برای زیارت و مطالعه کتاب مستطاب اقدس باید به جمیع آثار مبارکه و به همه معارف امری توجه نمائیم و این منشور منظم را در سطح کلی آثار مقدسه مورد نظر و مطالعه قرار دهیم. چه جمیع آثار مبارک يك واحد عظیم و يك واقعیت بزرگ روحانی و معنوی را تشکیل می‌دهد که از هم قابل تفكيك نیست.

برای سهولت فهم و دریافت مطالب امری لازم به یادآوری است که آثار مبارک قلم اعلی که به مدت ۴۰ سال از سماء اراده الهی نازل شد، بر حسب موقعیت زمان و مکان حاوی مطالب دلپذیر و متنوعی است که با سه دوره حیات عنصری جمال قدم همزمان بوده است.

۱_ آثار مبارکۀ نازله در بغداد به طور کلی شامل مطالب عرفانی و متضمن نصایح اخلاقی و روحانی و معنوی و اثبات مظهریت و رسالت حضرت رب اعلی و تفسیر و تبیین معانی آیات کتب مقدسه قبلیه بود.

۲_ در دوران خجسته ادرنه الواح مصرحه‌ای نازل گردید و مقام متعالی حضرتش بر همگان معلوم و مشهود آمد و بالاخره با صدور الواح ملوك استقلال و جامعیت و عظمت آئین بدیع تشریع و اعلام گردید و ابلاغ و اعلان عمومی و جهانی امرالله صورت پذیرفت. در همین دوره فرخنده ادرنه تشریع شریعة الله کم و بیش آغاز گردید و احکامی به زبان فارسی نازل شد که پاره‌ای از احکام کتاب مستطاب بیان را نسخ می‌نمود. جمال قدم می‌فرمایند: "در سنین معدوده از اطراف بعضی مسائل در احکام الهیه سؤال نمودند و لیکن قلم اعلی متوقف. در ارض سرّ به لسان پارسی مختصری نازل و لکن به طرفی ارسال نشد؛ حسب‌الامر در محل محفوظ بود."

۳_ دوره فرخنده عکا با صدور لوح دوم حج و مناجات‌های مبارک آغاز گردید و تقریباً ۴ سال بعد از ورود جمال کبریا، به مدینۀ منوره عکا، با نزول کتاب مستطاب اقدس آیات الهی به اوج عظمت و دلربائی خود رسید.

با ورود جمال ذوالجلال به مدینۀ مکرمه عکا، به مفاد نص کتاب مستطاب اقدس عرایض بسیاری به محضر انور رسید که تقاضای صدور احکام و فرائض را داشتند: "قد حضرت لدى العرش عرائض شتّى من الّذين آمنوا و سئلوا فيها اللّه ربّ ما يُرى و ما لايُرى، ربّ العالمين. لذا نزلنا اللّوح و زيّناه بطراز الامر لعلّ النّاس باحكام ربّهم يعملون و كذلك سئلنا من قبل فى سنين متواليات و امسكنا القلم حكمةً من لدنّا الى ان حضرت كتب من انفس معدودات فى تلك الايام لذا اجبناهم بالحقّ بما تحيى به القلوب."

تواریخ امری اسامی نفوسی را که بارها از محضر مبارک تقاضای نزول کتاب احکام را داشتند، ثبت نموده‌اند. از آن جمله: حاجی میرزا حیدرعلی اصفهانی، ملا زین‌العابدین نجف‌آبادی، ملا علی‌اکبر ایادی شهمیرزادی، حاجی شاه محمد امین منشادی ملقب به امین‌البیان. تا آنکه به مشیت غالبة حاکمة الهی کتاب اقدس در شهر عکا، نازل گشت و شریعت الله تشریع شد و احکام و اوامر الهی در ام‌الکتاب اهل بهاء بر همگان فرض و واجب آمد.

بسیار قابل تعمق و تأمل است که بلوغ روحانی و تکامل معنوی دوستان راستان که از نفحات جانبخش فجر ظهور زنده شده و از تباشیر بهجت‌افزا و دل‌انگیزش حیاتی جدید و تازه یافته، به درجه‌ای حیرت‌انگیز است که سال‌ها قبل از تشریع شریعت بهائی و سال‌ها قبل از نزول کتاب مستطاب اقدس به جامعیت و استقلال آئین الهی پی برده و از مصدر مقدس امرالله صدور احکام و نواهی و سنن الهی را ملتمسانه رجا می‌نمودند.

بعد از نزول کتاب مستطاب اقدس و تشریع حدود و احکام الهیه الواح مخصوصی صادر گردید که متمم و مکمل احکام کتاب اقدس به شمار می‌رود. حضرت ولی عزیز امرالله هشت فقره از الواح نازله را مکمل احکام و حدود کتاب اقدس محسوب داشته‌اند. قوله العزيز: "پس از نزول کتاب مستطاب اقدس و تشریع حدود و احکام الهیه الواح دیگری نیز در اواخر ایام از براعة مالك انام عزّ نزول یافت که در آن صحایف مقدسه اصول و مبادی سامیة این امر اعظم تشریح و بعضی از تعالیم و احکامی که از قبل از قلم اعلی نازل شده بود، تبیین و تکمیل گردید و در این الواح بدیعة منبعه بشارات و انذارات جدیدی از سماء اراده رحمن ظاهر و پاره‌ای اوامر و نواهی که فی‌الحقیقه مکمل حدود و احکام کتاب اقدس محسوب است، وضع و مقرر گردید. از آن جمله است الواح اشراقات و بشارات و طرازات و تجلیات و کلمات فردوسیه و لوح اقدس و لوح دنیا و مقصود." (کتاب قرن بدیع، ج ۲)

لازم به یادآوری است که حضرت ولی عزیز امرالله در آثار مبارکۀ دیگرشان رساله سؤال و جواب کتاب عهدی و الواح وصایای حضرت عبدالبهاء را نیز مکمل احکام و حدود و مؤسس نظم بدیع الهی دانسته‌اند. این آیات کریمه متضمن نصایح اخلاقی و مواعظ روحانی و مکمل احکام و حدود و مبین و مؤسس نظم بدیع و منبع فیوضات الهیند.

مطالعه و بررسی مطالب متنوع آن الواح مبارکه مستلزم رساله‌ای جداگانه است. در اینجا اختصاراً به رؤوس مواضیع مختلفه آنها اشاره می‌شود: تقدیس ذات امنع الهی و تنزیه آن از ماسواه، لزوم تمسك و اطاعت از مرکز عهد و میثاق الهی، غلبۀ نهائی امرالله که آئین الهی با نفوذ غالبه‌اش بالمآل ساکنان کره ارض را فرا خواهد گرفت و سبب آسایش و اداره جهان انسانی خواهد گشت، امر به مشورت در امور، توجه به صلح اکبر، تعلیم و تربیت نونهالان، اتخاذ خط و زبان بین‌المللی، رعایت شؤون و آداب انسانیت، وجوب امانت‌داری، تشبث به راستی و درستی و تقوی و پرهیزگاری و استقامت بر امرالله...

حضرت عبدالبهاء جل شنائه می‌فرمایند: "الواح طرازات و کلمات و تجلیات و اشراقات و بشارات را به امعان نظر بخوانید و به موجب آن تعالیم الهیه قیام نمائید تا آنکه هر يك شمعی روشن گردید و شاهد انجمن شوید." (مکاتیب عبدالبهاء، ج ۳، ص ۹۳)

حقوق الله

HUQUQU’LLAH

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است تقدیمی‌های حقوق‌الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huququ’lláh Trust به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق‌الله ارسال فرمایند.

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA. 90402

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH. 44116

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

انتشارات

PUBLICATIONS

بدینوسیله به آگاهی دوستان عزیز می‌رسد که ترجمۀ فارسی بیانیۀ راجع به حضرت بهاءالله که توسط مرکز جهانی بهائی تهیه گردیده، موجود است. قیمت: ۳ دلار.

چنانکه یاران عزیز آگاهی دارند، یکی از اهداف سال مقدس ترجمه و انتشار کتاب اقدس بوده است. این ترجمه از اواسط ماه فوریه برای فروش موجود خواهد بود.

علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند مواد فوق و به طور کلی همۀ انتشارات موجود امری را از طریق مؤسسۀ مطبوعات امری سفارش دهند و خریداری نمایند. تلفن: ۹۱۹-۹۹۹ (۸۰۰).

هیئت تحریریۀ مجلۀ عندلیب به تازگی کتابی تحت عنوان محبوب عالم منتشر ساخته‌اند. این کتاب ۶۵۰ صفحه دارد و شامل الواح حضرت بهاءالله و مقالات و اشعار متعددی دربارۀ جمال مبارک است. همچنین کتاب مذکور قطعات خطاطی شده و بیش از ۵۰ عکس رنگی و سیاه و سفید را در بر دارد. قیمت کتاب ۸۰ دلار آمریکائی است که شامل هزینۀ پست نیز هست. از علاقه‌مندان تقاضا می‌شود برای دریافت کتاب "محبوب عالم" با نشانی زیر تماس حاصل نمایند.

Andalib 7200 Leslie Street Thornhill, Ontario, CANADA. L3T 6L8

اطلاعیه

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT NATIONAL CENTER

دفتر محفل ملی به چند نفر کارمند در سمت‌های مختلف نیاز دارد. یکی از این سمت‌ها ماشین‌نویسی به زبان فارسی و انگلیسی در دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی است. شرایط کار عبارت است از آشنائی با زبان فارسی و انگلیسی.. از واجدان شرایط تقاضا می‌شود برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با بخش کارگزینی human resources دفتر محفل ملی تماس حاصل نمایند. تلفن: ۸۶۹-۹۰۳۹ (۷۰۸). [Page 18]

مظلوم عالم

THE WRONGED ONE OF THE WORLD

در الواح گوناگون حضرت بهاءالله کم نیست مواردی که در آن هیکل مبارک از خود بعنوان "مظلوم عالم" یاد فرموده است. اما به راستی این عبارت چه مفهومی را افاده می کند؟ مظلومیت حضرت بهاءالله کدام است که باعث شده عبارت "مظلوم عالم" بارها در آثار جمال قدم به کار رود؟

دادن پاسخی قطعی و نهائی به پرسشهائی از این دست ممکن نیست. چه کسی به غیر از حضرت عبدالبهاء می تواند با قاطعیت از "چونی و چرائی" آثار جمال قدم پرده بردارد؟ با این حال چون آثار الهی برای مردم نازل شده، لازم است کوشیده شود که با فکر محدود و ناقص و نسبی تعبیراتی که تا حدی روشنگر معانی الواح باشد، داده شود. البته ناگفته پیداست که هر تعبیری که توسط افراد از آثار مبارکه داده شود، به ناچار محدود و ناقص و نسبی خواهد بود و البته قابلیت استناد قطعی را نخواهد داشت. با اذعان به این کمی و کاستی است که مفهوم "مظلوم عالم" را بررسی می کنیم.

حضرت عبدالبهاء در کتاب "مفاوضات" می‌فرمایند: "... در مظاهر ظهور سه مقام است: اول حقیقت جسمانیه که تعلق به این جسد دارد؛ ثانی حقیقت شاخصه، یعنی نفس ناطقه؛ ثالث ظهور ربانی..."

یکی از معانی مظلومیتی که حضرت بهاءالله از آن در الواح مبارک یاد می‌فرمایند، مربوط به مرتبه جسمانی هیکل مبارک است. حضرت عبدالبهاء در بحث راجع به مقام جسدی مثالی از گفتار حضرت مسیح می زنند که فرمود "جسد محزونست و روح مستبشر یا آنکه در مشقتم یا در راحتم یا در زحمتم. اینها همه راجع به مقام جسد است...."

با استناد به بیان فوق شاید بتوان شکایتهائی از این قبیل را که در آثار حضرت بهاءالله آمده است، مربوط به مقام جسدی و تا حدی بشری هیکل مبارک دانست.

جدا کردن مقام جسدی و بشری بسیار دشوار است و حتی شاید غیرممکن باشد. حضرت عبدالبهاء نیز این دو مقام را کاملاً از یکدیگر مجزا نفرموده اند. به طور کلی بیشتر ناراحتی های جسمانی به ناچار در عواطف انسانی اثر می گذارد. بعنوان مثال مسمومیت حضرت بهاءالله توسط میرزا یحیی هر چند هیکل عنصری آن حضرت را آزرد اما در عین حال اثر بسیار عمیقی نیز در عواطف و احساسات مبارک (مقام بشری) داشت به طوریکه در فقره های گوناگونی از الواح این تحسری که به تلویح آمده است می فرمایند: "فعلتُ بأخیک ما لا فعلَ أحدٌ بأحد." (مضمون فارسی چنین است: به برادر خود آن کردی که هیچکس بر دیگری نکرده است.) و نیز: "نَفَسی را که در شهور و سنین به ید رحمت تربیت فرمودم، بر قتلم قیام نمود."

آزارها و شکنجه هائی که از دست مخالفان یا به حکم تقدیر زمانه به حضرت بهاءالله رسید، مدت کوتاهی پس از اقبال ایشان به امر بابی آغاز شد. اولین گرفتاری مبارک حبس کوتاه مدتی بود که در طهران در سال ۱۸۴۷ واقع شد. فهرست برخی از ناگواری هائی که از این پس بر حضرت بهاءالله وارد شد، به ترتیب زیر است:

• ماجرای نیالا (بعد از اجتماع بدشت) و سنگباران و حمله مردم به همراهان مبارک،
• ماجرای چوبکاری در آمل،
• زندان سیاه چال،
• تبعید به بغداد و اسلامبول و ادرنه و عکاء،
• مخالفت ها و آزارهای دولت ایران و عثمانی و علمای اسلام،
• مخالفت های میرزا یحیی و توطئه های سید محمد اصفهانی،
• مسمومیت مبارک و تلاش برادر برای قتل ایشان،
• شهادت غصن اطهر،
• اخبار راجع به آزار و شهادت اهل ایمان.

باید به خاطر داشت که آنچه در بالا آمده تنها مشتی از خروار است نه فهرست جامعی از رویدادهای ناگوار زندگی حضرت بهاءالله. همه این سختی ها ناچار تأثیری بر روحیهٔ حساس هیکل مبارک می نهاده است اما آیا می توان گفت که جمال قدم خود را تنها به سبب اینگونه رویدادها "مظلوم عالم" نامیده است؟

گمان می رود پاسخ به این پرسش منفی باشد. هر چند از لحاظ کمیت، مظالم اینجهانی که بر حضرت بهاءالله وارد شده، بسیار بوده است، اما در تاریخ بشر بسیار بوده اند کسانی که مورد بیداد مردمان و یا زمانه واقع شده اند. تاریخ پیروان نخستین ادیان موارد بیشماری از این دست را ارائه می دهد.

حضرت بهاءالله در کتاب اقدس اشاره ای به موضوع مظلومیت خود فرموده اند. به فرموده مبارک: "قل یا حمل الظُّلم ظُهر العدل فیما سِویه و بما قُبل الذّلّة لاح عزّ الله بین العالمین." این بیان مبارک که مضمون آن به فارسی چنین است (به خاطر ظلمی که تحمل نمود، عدل در هر آنچه که هست پدید آمد و به خاطر ذلتی که پذیرفت، عزت الهی در میان جهانیان رخ گشود) می تواند راهگشای دستیابی به مفهوم "مظلوم عالم" باشد.

نخست باید به یاد بیاوریم که در دیانت بهائی علت آفرینش جهان هستی به طور عام "محبت" است به فرموده حضرت بهاءالله "عالم به محبت خلق شده". اما در رابطه با آفرینش انسان ویژگی یافته است، زیرا محبت رابطه ای دوجانبه شده و از آفریدگار به آفریده رسیده و از آن پس از آفریده به آفریدگار بازگشته است. نخستین فقرات بخش عربی "کلمات مکنونه" همه سرشار از اینگونه سخنان پرمهر است: "کُنتُ فی قِدمِ ذاتی و ازلیّةِ کینونتی. عرَفتُ حُبّی فیک، خلَقتُک..." (مضمون بیان مبارک این است که در بن هستی خویش عشق خود را در تو یافتم، پس آفریدمت.) و همچنین: "احببتُ خلقک فخلقتک. فاحببنی کی اذکُرک..." (مضمون بیان مبارک این است که آفرینش تو را دوست داشتم، از اینرو آفریدمت. پس دوستم بدار تا یادت کنم.)

در برخی از این فقرات کلام الهی چنان شخصی می شود که گوئی عاشقی از معشوقی شکوه می کند که روح خود را در تو به ودیعت نهادم تا دوستم باشی. چرا ترکم گفتی و به دنبال محبوبی به جز من رفتی؟ "اودعتُ فیک روحاً منّی لتکون حبیباً لی. لِمَ ترکتنی و طلبت محبوباً سوائی؟"

بنا به شهادت فقرات بالا رابطهٔ خدا با انسان در وهله اول رابطه ای عاشقانه و پیوند انسان با خدا پیوندی دوستانه است. اما در رابطه خدا با انسان عشق به معنی "حقیقی" آن جلوه می کند. عشق حقیقی عشقی است که هدف و علتی جز نفس عشق ندارد. در روابط انسانی، حتی در روابط والا و لطیفی چون محبت مادر و پدر نسبت به فرزند، در عین حال که نشانی از عشق حقیقی می توان یافت اما آثاری از خوددوستی و خودخواهی نیز در آن می توان دید. دیدن آزار فرزند چه بسا مرا بیازارد فقط به این خاطر که شخص آزرده فرزند "من" است. این ارتباط با "من" از خلوص و حقیقی بودن عشق می کاهد.

در رابطه مظهر امر با انسان هیچ اثری از نیاز و کاستی نیست. مظهر امر از آنجا که صفات خدا را به تمامی آن در خود دارد، کمال و بی نیازی را هم به حد مطلق داراست. به همین جهت هنگامی که عشق می ورزد، نیازی را در رابطه با خود برآورده نمی کند. عشق خدا فورانی از محبت است که علت و هدف آن نیز نفس عشق است. عشق انسان حتی به خدا نیز نیازی را - هرچند نیازی روحانی و ذاتی را - برآورده می سازد، اما عشق خدا به انسان هیچ نیازی را برنمی آورد، زیرا "نیاز" را در ساحت او راهی نیست.

در آیه ای حتی حب ذات، که به فرموده حضرت عبدالبهاء در انسان مخمر است، خلوص ندارد و به همین جهت انسان حتی به خود نیز از راه های گوناگون ظلم می کند. اما محبت خدا به انسان خلوص دارد و بدین جهت او مرا از من نیز بیشتر دوست می دارد و "نزدیک تر از من به من است."

بدین ترتیب هنگامی که من آزار می کشم او بیشتر آزار می کشد. وقتی که من ظلم می بینم، او بیشتر ظلم می بیند، خواه این ظلم از دیگری بر من وارد شود، خواه من خود این ظلم را - با نافرمانی از او - بر خود وارد کنم. در اینجاست که مظلومیت انسان، مظلومیت خدا و در نتیجه مظلومیت مظهر امر خدا می شود.

اما عشق خدا نسبت به من تنها منحصر به فرد من نمی شود، بلکه در مورد همه انسانها شمول می یابد. تنها نسبت به من نیست که عشق بی دریغ حقیقی دارد بلکه این عشق را نسبت به همه انسان ها داراست. او عاشق همه مردمان است. پس آنگاه که مردمان مظلوم واقع شوند، در وهله اول اوست که مظلوم واقع می شود زیرا دوستدار حقیقی مردمان همانا اوست. اما این مردمان تنها در این زمان زندگی نمی کنند، همه مردمان جهان در همهٔ زمان ها مورد محبت او بوده اند. پس او برای همه مردمان در همه زمان ها ظلم می بیند.

در اینجاست که مفهوم "مظلوم عالم" ابعادی بسیار گسترده تر از زندانی و مسمومیت و آزار جسمانی به خود می گیرد. حضرت بهاءالله چنانکه از پیش گذشت در کتاب "اقدس" فرمودند که ستم را پذیرفتم تا دیگر ستمی نماند. آیا این گفتار بیانگر یکی از معانی "مظلوم عالم" نیست؟

در پایان به گفتار آغاز باز می گردیم و دوباره تاکید می کنیم که توضیح عارفانه-عاشقانه ای که در بالا آمد، ‎بهیچوجه به هیچ وجه‎ استیفای مطلب نمی کند و فقط و فقط حاکی از یکی از تعبیرهایی است که می توان برای عنوان این گفتار به دست داد.

اعتذار
شماره تلفن مؤسسه توزیع مطبوعات امری که در شماره پیشین به اشتباه درج شده بود، بدین قرار است: ۹۹۹-۰۹۱۹ (۸۰۰).

[Page 19]

Letters

the oneness of mankind is nothing else but the power of the Covenant. The power of the Covenant is as the heat of the sun which quickeneth and promoteth the development of all created things on earth. The light of the Covenant, in like manner, is the educator of the minds, the spirits, the hearts and souls of men."

The power of the Covenant "is as the heat of the sun," the sun that "promoteth the development of all created things on earth." The Covenant is also the source of unconditional and unlimited love.

This heat, this love will bring about a transformation that will allow oppressed groups to heal and to contribute their share to the advancement of God's plan. "...and yet, is not the object of every Revelation to effect a transformation in the whole character of mankind."

The transformation of a people is an organic process that must take place in a loving environment, not a vacuum. This change (transformation) must occur in the light of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. Who will afford African-Americans, American Indians, Latinos, or Asian-Americans an opportunity to rediscover themselves and their cultures in such a loving light? I have read in the Writings of our Faith that the Bahá’ís were to provide such an opportunity.

Our white Bahá’í brothers and sisters must allow those of us who are of a darker hue to bring forth the very best of ourselves, not only what feels "safe." W.E.B. DuBois wrote about the African-American vision, saying in part, "...Work, culture, liberty, all these we need not singly but together, not successively but together, each growing and aiding each and all striving toward that vaster ideal that swims before the Negro people, the ideal of human brotherhood."

Let us bring our part of the vision that it may be added to the greater vision of oneness. We can transform ourselves. We can change human history for the better.

Human (race) unity must not be limited to the idea of simply eliminating prejudice and racial stereotypes. It must mean that people do not live in fear of one another, especially when they have never even met. It must mean feeling safe within oneself knowing that you have a place in society.

I have been a Bahá’í for 22 years. It was a very personal choice at a very difficult time in our nation's history because I am also an African-American. I am a Bahá’í because of my love for Bahá’u’lláh. My heritage and skin color are simply a matter of birth, but I am grateful to God for the honor He bestowed upon me.

I am no longer a victim of the hate, the lies, the disease called racism. I am in the healing state, the growth state, seeking to add my one voice to the cause of understanding. I am human, created in "the goodliest of forms...out of the dawn of oneness."

Andrinea M. King Orange, Texas

Emilie Moore Kalantar, former pioneer to Costa Rica, dies at age 85 in Puerto Rico

Emilie Moore Kalantar and her husband, Allah-Kuli Kalantar, first responded to the Guardian's call for pioneering when they moved to Wilmington, Delaware, in 1939.

During the Ten Year Crusade, they responded to the call for international pioneering and left Englewood, New Jersey, for Costa Rica in February 1956. In May 1958 they moved on to Mexico, then to Colombia in April 1960. After serving the Colombian community for five years, they returned to the U.S. in 1965 and settled in Connecticut. Again, they served as homefront pioneers by settling in Middletown, Connecticut, where Mr. Kalantar died in 1979.

Following a short stay in Palm Coast, Florida, Mrs. Kalantar joined her son Kenneth and his pioneering family in Puerto Rico in August 1990. She died January 11 at age 85 in San German, Puerto Rico, and is buried there.

New Bahá’í Youth Service Corp posts open in countries around the world

A number of new Bahá’í Youth Service Corps posts have recently opened up in a number of countries around the world. The following post descriptions are based on letters received from National Spiritual Assemblies during the last few months.

AFRICA

EQUATORIAL GUINEA, the "only Spanish-speaking country in sub-saharan Africa, with a population of 400,000...urgently needs pioneers and volunteers for some months to one year of service."

SENEGAL has "a van with no driver and an urgent need of one, say a youth doing a year of service" who could travel and teach with a bilingual person (English/ Senegalese). French helpful.

AMERICAS

GUATEMALA's Ahmadiyyih Teaching Project through the Shiraz Teaching Institute in El Tejar, Chimaltenango, in the middle of a highly populated Mayan Cakchiquel Indian area in the central highlands needs 1-3 youth to work alongside a local youth team.

JAMAICA lists no less than 19 opportunities for English-speaking youth to serve the Faith on this West Indian island, including media work, rural teaching and consolidation, National Center office work, gathering oral histories from older believers, stimulating youth activities, and more!

ASIA

MACAU/CHINA: "The Bahá’í Committee for China is in need of two youth volunteers...to work in the committee office, each for a three-month period of time. One English-speaking and one Chinese-speaking youth is needed to help develop materials, mobilize youth from overseas, assist in the placement of pioneers and other duties. After this three-month period they may be asked to go into China to study at cost." Several new opportunities also are open in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

EUROPE

Contact the Office of Pioneering for posts in Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and more.

Mark Hopkins, who pioneered with wife to Italy, dead at 63

Mark Hopkins, 63, died in Portland, Oregon on January 9. Mark and his wife, Barbara, left Portland in March 1971 to pioneer to Corsica, Italy, where they served with much devotion under difficult physical conditions for two years, returning to the U.S. in May 1973.

A gifted artist, Mark studied for a time with Mark Tobey. His love for Bahá’u’lláh motivated him and was reflected in all his work throughout his life.

Mr. Hopkins had recently served on the Spiritual Assembly of Portland and was involved in planning the renovation of that city's new Bahá’í Center.

Regional Teaching Operations Coordinators sought

As part of the reorganization of the national administration, the National Spiritual Assembly is recruiting for four Regional Teaching Operations Coordinators for new Regional Teaching Offices.

The Regional Teaching Operations Coordinators (RTOCS) are full-time employees who report to Regional Teaching Committees and who assist in the implementation of directives/plans of the Regional Teaching Committee, manage the regional offices, and provide administrative/operations support to the regional teaching work. Skills and qualifications include: (1) In-depth knowledge of the Bahá’í writings and Administrative Order; (2) experience in serving on administrative bodies of the Faith; (3) background and proven accomplishments in teaching as it pertains to the Faith; (4) knowledge of Bahá’í communities and activities in the region; (5) proficiency in consultation, ability to inspire and empower others, experience in problem-solving, strategic analysis, and developing short- and long-term plans; (6) ability to implement and manage change; (7) experience in managing 3-7 direct reports; (8) proven success in interacting with a wide range of people; and (9) availability to travel extensively.

The skills and qualifications listed in 1-5 above also pertain to Regional Teaching Committee membership.

To apply for the Regional Teaching Operations Coordinators positions or to express interest in serving on your Regional Teaching Committee, please send your résumé to the Office of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone Human Resources at 708-869-9039.

Kurt Fenolio, 37, former pioneer to Burkina Faso

Kurt Fenolio, 37, died May 31, 1992, in San Francisco, California.

Mr. Fenolio enrolled in the Faith in 1985 and immediately pioneered with his new wife, Deborah Bryant Fenolio, to Burkina Faso where the two of them coordinated a Bahá’í health and nutritional project in rural areas for two years.

In December 1987 they returned to San Francisco, where Mr. Fenolio served on the Spiritual Assembly and was an assistant to the Auxiliary Board.

He was well-respected in his field of genetics counseling, and a professional publication announced at his death, "In recognition of Kurt Fenolio's interest in cultural diversity and his desire to learn about and from other cultures, donations made in his memory will be designated to support cross-cultural genetic counseling projects and under-represented populations."

IN MEMORIAM

John Bailey, Jefferson County, OR, Date Unknown Mable Lee Green, Plano, TX, Date Unknown Katharine Benjamin, Onamia, MN, Date Unknown Yvill Black, McLean, VA, 1989 Lewis J. Caudill, Ft. Myers, FL, 1990 Kathryn Coleman, Portland, OR, September 25, 1992 Ethel Corder, Glendale, AZ, December 25, 1992 Paul De Fay, Bonny Doon, CA, January 6, 1993 Muhammad-Ali Faizi, San Diego, CA, December 28, 1992 Adeline R. Finley, New Haven, CT, January 6, 1993 Emily Gerling, Portland, OR, January 7, 1993 John B. Gillespie, Englewood, NJ, January 6, 1993 Ronald Gilpatrick, Santa Cruz, CA, January 20, 1993 Willa M. Gordon, Alexandria, VA, April 1992 Canary Hamilton, Louisville, KY, 1992 Lesley Harriss, Gunnison, CO, December 13, 1992 C. Ruby Hartwell, Wauconda, IL, December 30, 1992 Raymond Helmick, Phoenix, AZ, September 1992 Louise Henri, North Chicago, IL, June 2, 1992 Jose Hernandez, Las Cruces, NM, Date Unknown Demis Lee Hicks, New York, NY, September 19, 1992 Edward Hockaday, Wake Forest, NC, January 4, 1993 Mark C. Hopkins, Portland, OR, January 9, 1993 Henry Hopper, Canon City, CO, July 1, 1992 George C. Hutchinson, Wilmington, DE, November 3, 1992 Lillie Jordan, Clinton, OK, Date Unknown Emilie M. Kalantar, San German, PR, January 11, 1993 Florence Knapton, Nashville, TN, Date Unknown Ida E. Lace, Willoughby, OH, December 5, 1992 Richard McFarlin, Rochester, MN, October 17, 1992 Bessie Mote, Roseburg, OR, Date Unknown Laura Nuckles, Roswell, GA, 1991 David Lightfoot Jr., Amarillo, TX, November 15, 1992 Karl Macek, Southampton, NJ, May 20, 1992 Berniece McGee, Rohnert Park, CA, January 1992 Robert Mendez, Clinton, OK, Date Unknown Victor Mendez, Clinton, OK, December 5, 1992 Bahman Mahabaty, McKinney, TX, December 31, 1992 Ralph W. Nestler, Lake Wales, FL, Date Unknown Godfrey Nisbett, Minneapolis, MN, December 27, 1992 Jean V. Rankin, Evanston, IL, January 5, 1993 Behdad Rashidi, Cedar Grove, NJ, December 1992 Abdolvahab Rezvani, Scottsdale, AZ, December 29, 1992 Carl A. Rhodes, Suffolk, VA, December 10, 1992 Sean E. Rowley, San Jose, CA, November 1992 Larry Sherrill, Roseburg, OR, Date Unknown Shot with Two Arrows, Parmele, SD, December 1992 Miriam Sobin, San Jose, CA, 1989 Diane Varga, Los Angeles, CA, December 9, 1992 Lena Watson, Missouri City, TX, December 20, 1992 Johnnie Yates, Norfolk, VA, 1992 Russell J. Zerbe, San Rafael, CA, January 8, 1993 [Page 20]

THE VISION OF RACE UNITY: AMERICA'S MOST CHALLENGING ISSUE

Bahá’ís march behind their banner proclaiming the Faith's 'Vision of Race Unity: America's Most Challenging Issue' in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. birthday parade in Atlanta, Georgia, January 16. More than 700 Bahá’ís from across the country took part in the annual King Week events, enabling the friends in the Atlanta area to teach the Cause to a large number of seekers while emblazoning Bahá’u’lláh’s Name literally around the world. Complete coverage of King Week begins on page 1. (Photo by Charles Muhammad)

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS.

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

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

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

Title C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS: B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: Street address Apartment # (If applicable) City State

D. NEW COMMUNITY: Name of new Bahá’í Community P.O. Box or Other mailing address Apartment (If applicable) City Zip code State Zip code

E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: Area code Phone number

F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): Area code Phone number Name Moving date Area code Phone number Name

G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: we do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and ID. number(s) listed above.

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

Area code Phone number the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their ID. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.

Name

H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY: Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, 1.D. number and address above.

MARCH

12-14: "The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: Bahá’u’lláh’s Most Holy Book," Eagle Institute Youth Series, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

20: "Bahá’u’lláh’s Writings: The Kitáb-i-Aqdas" (Dr. Juan Cole), Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

20-21: Third annual Naw-Rúz/Race Unity Celebration, Brighton Creek, Washington. For information or reservations, phone Becky Cleere, 206-425-4342.

26-28: Oklahoma Spring Bahá’í School. For information, contact Liz Wakeham, Oklahoma City, OK 73122 (phone 405-787-0734).

28: Second Regional Women's Conference, "Equal Partnership: The Foundation for Peace," Lakewood, New Jersey. $25 fee includes lunch. For registration information, contact the Spiritual Assembly of Lakewood, P.O. Box 811, Lakewood, NJ 08701, or phone 908-905-5737.

30-April 4: Youth Service Corps training session, Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine. For information, phone 207-493-7200; fax 207-439-7202.

APRIL

1-4: Pioneer Training Institute, Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot Maine. For information, phone 207-439-7200; fax 207-439-7202.

2-4: "Power and Empowerment: A Bahá’í Vision of Professional Development," Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 3131-653-5033.

9-11: "Fruit of the Holy Year: Strategies for Bahá’í Youth Workshops," Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

16-18: Wisconsin Youth Retreat Weekend, Central Wisconsin Environmental Station, Stevens Point. Bahá’í Youth (ages 13-20) are encouraged to bring friends who are close to the Faith. Dormitory lodging; bring own sleeping bag for bunk beds. Meals provided. Rate: $25. Registrar: Lisa Reimer, 7031 Trenton Road, West Bend, WI 53095 (phone 414-338-3023).

23-25: Race Unity Institute I, general session,all ages: "Let deeds, not words, be your adorning," a unique multi-cultural project combining youth and adult resources for those interested in positive, effective action, Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California. Separate classes for ages 11 and under. This inaugural program of an ongoing project based on Models of Unity will include speakers, workshops, multi-cultural entertainment and cuisine. Participants will examine the issue of race unity; commit their own potential to addressing the issue; and share their individual and group talents to celebrate this bold new step in furthering the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. Tuition: $50. VISA and MasterCard accepted. For information, phone 408-423-3387 or fax 408-423-7564.

24: "Love and Law" (speaker to be announced), Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

24-25: Observance of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Spiritual Assembly of Reno, Nevada. For information, write to the Spiritual Assembly of Reno, c/o Candy Fife, P.O. Box 6447, Reno, NV 89513, or phone 702-747-2854.

MAY

6-9: Pioneer Training Institute, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL. For information, phone the Office of Pioneering, 708-869-9039.

7-9: "World Order and Inner Oneness: Creating a Civilization That Makes Sense," Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

15: "Making a New World Order in Our Backyard," Accepting the Challenge of Leadership: Center for Interracial Unity Series, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

28-31: Bahá’í Marriage Enrichment Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School. A special time to renew and enrich your relationship and to explore the Bahá’í guidance about the institution of marriage. Register (MasterCard/VISA) by phoning 408-423-3387; for information, write to the school at 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or fax 408-423-7564.

JUNE

13: International Bahá’í Picnic, Queenstown Heights Park, Niagara Falls, Ontario, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Niagara Falls, P.O. Box 145, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada L2E 6S8.

17-20: Pioneer Training Institute, Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan. For information, phone the Office of Pioneering, 708-869-9039.

24-27: Bahá’í Youth Service Corps training session, Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan, For information, phone 313-653-5033; fax 313-653-7181.

JULY

21-25: Hungry Mother Youth Retreat, Hungry Mother State Park, Marion, Virginia. For information, phone Clint Dye, 703-873-6754.

23-25: Third annual Hemlock Haven Bahá’í Conference, Hungry Mother State Park, Marion, Virginia. For information, phone Maggie Hewitt, 703-783-7884.

AUGUST

26-29: Sixth annual "I Have a Dream" Youth Assembly, Washington, D.C. Sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission. For information or to take part, phone Cornelia Rutledge, 202-966-2356.

28-September 4: 1993 Parliament of the World's Religions, Palmer House Hotel, Chicago, Illinois.

SEPTEMBER

4-7: Pioneer Training Institute and Bahá’í Youth Service Corps training session, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone the Office of Pioneering, 708-869-9039.

17-19: Green Lake Bahá’í Conference, American Baptist Assembly Conference Grounds, Green Lake, Wisconsin. To make housing reservations, phone 1-800-558-8890.

Chinese newsletter

Guang Ming, a newsletter about Chinese teaching, is produced quarterly by the National Chinese Teaching Committee. Anyone who would like to receive a (free) copy may contact the secretary of the Committee at the Bahá’í National Center, 708-869-9039, ext. 231.

‘ALÁ B.E. 1 1993