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[Page 1]

National Assembly plans June conference on history, development of N. American community

The National Spiritual Assembly has announced that a conference will be held June 3-5 in Wilmette on the history and development of the North American Bahá’í community.

The conference, one of a series of events planned to commemorate the centenary of the founding of the American Bahá’í community and the sesquicentennial of the Declaration of the Báb, will be hosted by the Research and Archives offices at the Bahá’í National Center and World Order magazine.

The gathering will consist of a series of sessions on the history of the Faith in North America and the Middle East, the growth and development of the North American Bahá’í community, and the destiny of America and the Faith’s role in bringing it about.

The National Assembly has issued a call for papers, which should be of 20 to 30 minutes’ duration and be of interest to non-Bahá’í scholars as well as to Bahá’ís with scholarly interests.

If you would like to deliver a paper at the conference, please submit a two-page, double-spaced abstract (about 500 words) to Dr. Robert Stockman, Research Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

For information about the conference, contact Dr. Stockman (phone 708-733-3425; fax 708-733-3563); Roger Dahl, National Bahá’í Archives (phone 708-853-2359; fax 708-869-0247); or Dr. Betty J. Fisher, World Order magazine (phone 708-251-1854; fax 708-251-3652).

They can also provide information about hotel arrangements. Pre-registration for the conference is required so that adequate planning can begin.

Mourning a loss

More than 500 attend funeral for three Bahá’ís slain in Ciskei

More than 500 people attended the funeral March 19 for three Bahá’ís who were brutally murdered by armed gunmen during a Sunday morning worship service six days earlier at the Bahá’í Center in Mdantsane Township, Ciskei.

The three men, all of Iranian descent, were shot to death when the gunmen burst into the Center where adults and children had gathered for a meeting to discuss plans for the International Year of the Family. Two of them, Auxiliary Board member Riaz Razavi and Dr. Shamam Bakhshandegi, had been invited especially to consult with the friends. The third, Houshmand Anvari, was the Center’s caretaker, and had been painting a part of the building when four armed men ordered him inside as children’s classes were ending.

The gunmen ordered the three “whites” to stand apart from the others, lined them up against a wall with their hands above their heads, searched them, then fired at them with automatic weapons as their fellow Bahá’ís looked on in horror.

Mr. Anvari and Mr. Razavi died instantly; Dr. Bakhshandegi died shortly afterward at a hospital in Mdantsane.

Shocked grieved news violent death Houshmand Anvari, Shamam Bakhshandegi and Riaz Razavi in Ciskei. Profoundly impressed sterling example set by their dedication Cause Bahá’u’lláh in Whose service they were directly engaged when struck down by assassins’ bullets. Deeply sympathize irreparable loss their dear families and friends. May all hearts be comforted by promise Blessed Beauty that they that have forsaken their country in path God and subsequently ascended unto His Presence shall be blessed by Concourse on high and their names recorded by Pen Glory among such as have laid down their lives as martyrs path God. Confident joyous welcome Abhá Kingdom these distinguished souls.

Ardently praying Holy Shrines their progress divine worlds. Also offering supplications behalf all relatives friends. Advise hold memorial gatherings throughout South Africa.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

The Universal House of Justice March 14, 1994

‘Racially motivated’

Although the killers have not been identified, the view has been expressed in media reports that the action was racially motivated, and the Azanian Liberation Army, described as a militant black fringe group, claimed responsibility for the murders in a phone call to a local newspaper.

News of the slayings was carried by media on every continent as people around the world reacted with shock and outrage to the senseless violence of an act carried out at a place of worship in the presence of innocent men, women and children. A commentary deploring the brutal murders was broadcast in the U.S. on National Public Radio.

“These racially motivated murders,” the National Spiritual Assembly of South Africa said in a press release, “are ironic in light of the fact that the Bahá’ís have always been a multi-racial religious community and have for the past 40 years of their existence in South Africa espoused the principle of racial unity and celebrated this unity amongst the diverse racial and ethnic groups represented in the Bahá’í community of this country.”

Bahá’ís from Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Bophuthatswana, Transkei, Ciskei, Namibia, and 20 communities in South Africa came to the funeral to pay their respects to their slain brethren.

Many non-Bahá’ís attend

Many non-Bahá’ís also attended including colleagues and friends of the Bahá’ís; the mayor of East London; the chancellor of the University of Fort Hare and a member of the university’s council; two members of the National Party for the region; and members of the Peace Campaign in that area.

The service, which began with prayers and readings in English,

See FUNERAL page 19

Vision in Action

Student’s declaration in Virginia has far-reaching impact ........................	2
Bahá’í youth arise, teach in projects around world .............................	4
Believers reap teaching rewards as Plan’s first year ends ........................	5
U.S. UN office prepares for 4th World Congress on Women .....................	12

National Assembly meets, discusses Haifa visit

On March 25-27 the National Spiritual Assembly held its first meeting since returning from Haifa where it had the bounty of three days of consultation with the Universal House of Justice.

Much of the session was therefore devoted to a discussion of the meetings with the Supreme Institution. Since the Universal House of Justice had promised to express its views and decisions in a letter, the National Assembly took no specific actions on matters that had been discussed in Haifa.

The secretary-general reported on permanent Bahá’í schools and on a number of proposed programs that might be implemented to advance the knowledge of the Faith among Bahá’ís.

He further reported that the Bosch School now has sufficient funds to build several new classrooms. The discussion focused on the need to preserve aesthetic values at the schools.

The report on Louhelen stressed the welcome fact that a large part of the school’s staff is made up of volunteers, which produces considerable savings for the National Fund.

See NATIONAL page 19 [Page 2]

Vision in Action

From the National Teaching Committee

Opening year of Plan sees teaching upsurge throughout country

To the Bahá’ís of the United States

Dearly loved friends,

The National Teaching Committee is delighted to report that the first year of the Three Year Plan saw a noticeable upsurge in teaching activity in the United States.

News from across the country has been uniform in its depiction of a community that is determined to achieve massive expansion. And, just as importantly, increasing numbers of individuals and communities are striving to establish the sustained, systematic patterns of activity that will both lead to and accommodate the entry into the Faith of large numbers of new believers.

As pointed out in the statement released by the Universal House of Justice, Promoting Entry By Troops, goal-oriented behavior and strategic, flexible plans are indispensable to sustained growth. For this reason it is critical that all local Spiritual Assemblies create plans of action centered on the goal of large-scale expansion.

Reports of teaching efforts from every part of the country prove the importance of goal-planning. Every initiative that has witnessed sustained, substantial growth is founded on a concrete plan of action.

The National Teaching Committee is calling once again for every local Assembly to formulate a teaching plan for this year. Those that made plans last year should evaluate and revise them as necessary. We ask that all plans be submitted to the National Teaching Office no later than June 15, 1994.

As an aid to the planning process, we recommend that the friends study the following items: the Ridván messages of the Universal House of Justice and the National Spiritual Assembly; Promoting Entry by Troops; and Evaluating and Revising Local Plans, prepared by the National Teaching Committee and sent at Ridván to all Assemblies and registered Groups.

The American Bahá’í community is now one-third of the way through the Three Year Plan. Our achievements over the remaining two years will be, in the words of the Universal House of Justice, "a measure of our determination to respond to the immense opportunities at this critical moment in the social evolution of the planet."

The friends have already shown the capacity and intention to fulfill this mandate; it will be the responsibility of the local Spiritual Assemblies to guide their energies in such a way that victory will be both swift and magnificent.

With loving Bahá’í greetings, The National Teaching Committee April 1994

The American Bahá’í is published 19 times a year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Second class postage paid at Evanston, IL, and additional mailing offices. ISSN Number: 1062-1113. Executive editor: Jack Bowers. Associate Editor: Tom Mennillo. The American Bahá’í welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Bahá’í Faith. Articles should be clear and concise; color or black-and-white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials and correspondence to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to Management Information Systems, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Copyright © 1994 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

Laura McCullum (left), shown with friends, set the ball rolling for growth in Staunton, Virginia, with her declaration last November.

Student's declaration has far-reaching impact

Any Bahá’ís who still labor under the impression that a single enrollment is not highly significant haven't been to Staunton, Virginia.

Last November, Laura McCullum, a student at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh. She also indicated she had friends who were interested in attending firesides.

To support the new believer and to bolster the barely-Assembly-strength Staunton community, Bahá’ís in Virginia sprang into action.

A large group of traveling teachers from Fairfax County has committed to regularly visit Staunton and raise up at least 15 souls for the Cause.

And Bahá’í students from five neighboring institutions—the University of Virginia, Charlottesville; James Madison University, Harrisonburg; Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; Blue Ridge College, Augusta County; and Mary Baldwin College—have stepped up their inter-college activities.

The traveling teachers got their feet wet February 26 when 18 showed up in Staunton. They wasted no time in passing out invitations for a public meeting to be held the next day, and that evening they joined 25 other Bahá’ís and friends for an Ayyám-i-Há party and dinner.

University of Virginia student Jeff Lavezzo (front) declared as a result of an inter-college event.

In consultation with the Spiritual Assembly of Staunton, it was suggested that the community park hall would make an ideal summer base of operations for the traveling teachers.

So, that facility has been reserved for April 23, June 4 and July 30. On those days, the Bahá’ís will wander through the park and the city making friends, then hold a public meeting.

Traveling teachers from Fairfax County are pictured with members of the Staunton Assembly.

The inter-college group also got off on a high-spirited basis. Its "togetherness" event on February 5 in Staunton influenced the declaration of a University of Virginia student, Jeff Lavezzo.

At the next scheduled gathering, April 16, the new declarants, Laura and Jeff, will speak to the other students on "My Search for Truth." [Page 3]

MISSION 19

(7 MONTHS TO GO!)

U.S. Bahá’í Community Current Goals and Status · Jamál 151 · April 28, 1994

TEACHING

HOMEFRONT TRAVEL GOALS

• Goal for the 3 Year Plan: 3,000
• Completed as of this report: 2,182

HOMEFRONT PIONEER GOALS

• Goal for the 3 Year Plan: 500
• Completed as of this report: 363

INT’L PIONEER, TRAVEL GOALS

• Goal for the 3 Year Plan: 2,000
• Completed as of this report: 1,636

THE FUND (As of March 31, 1994)

FOUR MAJOR FUNDS

• Goal for 150 B.E.: $25,000,000
• Contributions to Date: $13,610,235

NATIONAL FUND

$11,613,960

INTERNATIONAL FUND

• Goal for 150 B.E.: $916,667
• Earmarked Dollars: $438,557
• Total Contributions: $1,355,224

ARC PROJECTS FUND

• Goal for 150 B.E.: $1,872,473
• Contributions to Date: $1,382,993

CONTINENTAL FUND

• Goal for 150 B.E.: $3,255,466
• From Nat’l Bahá’í Fund: $110,000
• Earmarked Dollars: $174,725
• Total Contributions: $284,725

ARMY OF LIGHT: THE SUMMER YOUTH PROJECT

Youth to Arise for Victory!

Summer Youth Projects:

• The Woodburn, OR, Project - Jan House (503/678-5162)
• Utah Teaching Projects - Dale Marxen (801/485-6601)
• Time for Transformation (June 26 - August 5) - Kevin and Janina Barnes (303/282-8166)
• People of the Wind (June 3 - July 6) - Patty Conroy (913/862-6205)
• Youth Fireside Teaching Campaign - Chris and Jenni Mileham (704/254-7432)
• William Sears Project - Chris Tara-Browne (415/431-9990)
• Proyecto Enseñanza Teresita - Norris Cunningham (602/247-4535)
• Guadalupe, AZ - Barbara Clements (602/897-7987)
• Light of the Valley (June 30 - July 26) - Laura Clayton (505/521-0166)
• St Petersburg Teaching Project (July - August) - Barbara McCord (813/526-2318)
• Magdalene Carney Bahá’í Institute - Marcia Lample (407/687-5016)
• Florence, Conway and Kingstree, SC - Greg Kintz (803/248-5903)

The Army of Light Summer Youth Project will mobilize Bahá’í youth to emblazon the name of Bahá’u’lláh across the country. These are some of the major projects occurring this summer around the nation. All Bahá’í youth, whether as individuals or as members of Bahá’í Youth Workshops, are asked to arise this summer and travel teach or work with local communities to set up teaching projects in their own areas. For more information on any of these projects, please call the contact people listed above. And to set up teaching projects en route to these projects, please contact the regional coordinators for each area. If you know of any large-scale teaching projects not listed above, please notify the National Teaching Office at 708/733-3498.

Arise, and be the instruments for the achievement of Entry by Troops!

WI, IL, MI-UP Sandra Fair 414/871-9919	IA, MN, MO Mary McDowell 319/556-1982	MI-LP, IN, OH, KY Janet Lyon 216/691-9450
DC, VA, WV, MD Laura Cessna 804/229-1410 and Navid Haghighi 703/406-2151	OK, TX Andrenea King 409/886-4853	ME, NH, VT, CT, MA, RI, NJ, PA, NY, DE David Dean 609/204-3459 and John Homan 215/997-6075
KS, NE, ND, SD Marcell LaVine 913/831-3339	TN Alison McGee 615/395-7452	AZ, NM, CA, NV Shirley Mather 602/860-2368
CO, WY, MT, ID, UT Doug Hartman 303/635-9424	National Coordinator Dorita Krapf Manhattan, IL 60442-9528 815/478-3132	NC, SC, GA, FL Vance Remick 919/942-3909

TOTAL ENROLLMENTS

March ................. 102

Year to date .... 1,734 [Page 4]

Bahá’í youth: teaching around the world

Six American Bahá’í traveling teachers joined two pioneers from the U.S. and a small group of Mexican Bahá’ís for a teaching project last November in Huichihuayan, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The friends spoke about the Covenant, conducted six children’s classes, three public meetings and a number of deepening sessions with local believers. Their direct teaching efforts led to 26 declarations in a five-day period. The positive effects of the trip were still being felt two months later as local Bahá’ís arose to continue classes for children, some of whom are pictured here with two of the traveling teachers from the U.S.

News has been received of the remarkable teaching endeavors undertaken by youth in many countries over the last few months. Opportunities to serve in similar ways this summer and during the next year are blossoming.

Since December we have learned that in Romania the first “youth seminar” was held, giving the youth of Romania a new identity with the European Bahá’í Youth Movement, which has high hopes to extend Bahá’í activities throughout the continent.

In Belarus, 160 young people representing 16 countries took part in an International Youth Conference. In India, more than 320 youth and 1,000 children participated in village-based institutes. Evening programs including cultural presentations were attended by thousands of visitors.

At an inter-island consultation on teaching in the West Leeward Islands, one youth said, “I hope that everyone in the Caribbean will have, at least once, the opportunity to witness such a weekend where you feel the undying energy and unquestionable faith that one can only attain through the power of love, unity, and the guidance of the Institutions of Bahá’u’lláh.”

More than 50 youth meeting in Spain planned practical actions to be taken by individuals at the local level. Bahá’ís in Brazil have met with the official organizers of the upcoming Global Youth Forum to be held in Brasilia at the end of July. Their meeting focused on Bahá’í principles as they relate to youth and sustainable development.

A seminar held in Lithuania for the Bahá’í youth of the Baltic States brought together youth and their friends from Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Sweden in a spirit of “love, devotion and thankfulness for Bahá’u’lláh.” In ‎Papau Papua‎ New Guinea, the first regional conference for the Southern Highlands, part of 17 similar conferences held throughout the country during the same month, was attended by more than 70 youth.

The same number of youth gathered in Turkey to develop personal Three Year Plan goals at a national seminar, realizing during the course of the event that it is the unique privilege for this generation to witness the establishment of the Lesser Peace, and to be able to give hope to the people of the world in this desperate moment.

Bahá’í youth in the Philippines presented The Hidden Words, “The Promise of World Peace,” and the Statement on Bahá’u’lláh to a high school principal, who promised to share them with the faculty so that the Faith would be included as a topic of religion classes.

Youth in the Cook Islands participated in a rally on Unity in Diversity, while in the Marshall Islands four Bahá’í youth from the U.S. who had been involved in youth workshops here have been serving since October, helping to form the Guam Bahá’í Youth Workshop. The night after their arrival the Bahá’í community of Guam hosted a welcoming party attended by more than 100 people, mostly youth. An Auxiliary Board Member who was present observed that “it was the first time in the history [of the Faith in Guam] to have many Micronesians in the Center, also the first time the Micronesians were not shy and danced and sang without being asked.”

A team of eight Bahá’í youth and an Auxiliary Board Member in Kenya proclaimed the Faith to more than 150 students at a local college, with excellent response from students and administrators, including invitations to return.

Pakistani youth who gathered for a national conference included participants from all over the country, and in Swaziland 20 youth completed a training and spiritualization course, then a teaching campaign resulting in 23 new Bahá’ís.

An international group of young people from the U.S. and Mexico traveled to Monterrey, Mexico to present dances they had prepared to promote peace and teach the Faith. Also in the U.S., members of the Pittwater High School Band from Australia visited and presented a gift to the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, which is Pittwater’s sister city in Australia. Prior to the visit, the band members had visited the House of Worship in Australia to become as knowledgeable about the Faith as possible before visiting Wilmette.

New service opportunities

The National Spiritual Assemblies of 28 countries on all five continents have asked for Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteers. Recently received announcements include:

The European Bahá’í Youth Council’s “Shaping Europe: The Mission of this Generation” Project is a comprehensive plan to begin entry by troops all over Europe, which counts on at least 150 youth who will offer at least one year of full-time service to this work. A complete list of specific service posts will be released during the inaugurating conferences throughout Europe this summer (see below).

New Zealand has an urgent need for a director and assistant of its Office of Youth Affairs to begin as early as mid-May. Applicants should ideally be between 19-29 years of age and available for at least one year.

A Bahá’í primary school in Swaziland seeks to replace two youth who have been serving there during the past year. Accommodation at the National Bahá’í Center is provided.

Several opportunities have been announced for Southern Africa for youth between the ages of 20 and 30 years. Extensive information about study and service opportunities in Hungary, where the Universal House of Justice notes “there are now especially fertile opportunities for the rapid spread of the Faith that must be urgently met...,” has been received. The National Assembly of Belize has requested a bilingual, trained Bahá’í secretary to serve for a year at the National Office.

Summer teaching opportunities for youth are plentiful. The European Bahá’í Youth Council’s Shaping Europe Project begins this summer with five Regional Youth Conferences between July 20-25 in Spain, Germany, Russia, Romania and the United Kingdom. Intensive teaching projects in these countries, as well as in Belarus, Bulgaria, the Czech and Slovak Republics, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland and Ukraine will be carried out for several weeks before and for one month after the conferences.

The Army of Light: American Routes Project, expects to mobilize even more American youth than participated in the Fruit of the Holy Year project in Atlanta. It aims to both teach the faith throughout the U.S. during the summer, and leave Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteers in place to continue work started.

The National Spiritual Assembly of Grenada invites the participation of at least 20 Bahá’í youth in its teaching project during the month of July. The Regional Spiritual Assemblies of the Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia), Russia, Georgia and Armenia, and Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova have planned teaching work relying on the international participation of youth during June, July and August. American Bahá’í youth have organized two growing groups who are already committed to supporting these projects.

The National Spiritual Assembly of South Africa plans an International Youth Conference for December, 1994.

For information about these and other international service and teaching opportunities this summer and beyond, contact the Office of Pioneering, Wilmette, IL 60091 (telephone 708-733-3508; fax 708-733-3509). For domestic opportunities, contact the National Teaching Office (telephone 708-733-3492; fax 708-733-3502).

Maryland Bahá’í is speaker at 36th national SCLC Convention

The Spiritual Assembly of Howard County, Maryland, was asked to send a representative to speak last August 24 at the 36th national convention of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in Rockville.

The Bahá’í speaker, Tom Thompson, an associate professor of human development at Morgan State University in Baltimore and a psychotherapist in private practice, spoke about the Bahá’í commitment to eliminate racial prejudice and to promote unity in diversity.

He stressed the Bahá’í belief in the oneness of humankind, and made the point that nowhere in the worldwide community of six million Bahá’ís, not even in South Africa, do Bahá’ís meet separately according to race or class.

Mr. Thompson’s talk was well-received by the audience of more than 200. [Page 5]In 1989 the Evergreen Cabin on the Wilhelm Properties in Teaneck, New Jersey, owned by the National Spiritual Assembly, was closed by the Town of Teaneck owing to structural deficiencies and noncompliance with fire codes and regulations. After consulting with the Universal House of Justice, the National Assembly approved a restoration project to be financed locally. Since that decision was taken, more than 300 Spiritual Assemblies, Groups and individuals in the U.S. and Canada have contributed more than $90,000 to help restore the Evergreen Cabin. Last year, the National Assembly appointed a project manager, ‎Muhammer Muhammad‎ Benjamin, and work on the property began in September with the removal of old flooring and walls, replacement of rotten structural timbers, and erection of two outside staircases. Additional work is to include placing fireproofing in the walls, adding a sprinkler system and bathrooms in the basement. Much of the work should be completed in time for the 82nd annual Souvenir Picnic in June. More funds, materials and physical labor are needed. Financial help would prevent a drain on the National Fund. If you would like to help, please send a check payable to the Teaneck Bahá’í Fund/Restoration to the Spiritual Assembly of Teaneck, c/o Mrs. Bahi Williams, treasurer, Teaneck, NJ 07666-6640.

Reaping the rewards

Bahá’ís find teaching efforts pay off as first year of Plan draws to close

As the first year of the Three Year Plan draws to a close, there is fresh evidence of the rewards awaiting believers’ efforts to further the Cause of God.

Oregon

Several years ago, the Bahá’í of Portland, Oregon, were spurred into action when the Universal House of Justice wrote that “reaching the Mainland Chinese is one of the highest priorities for the entire Bahá’í world.”

The first step was to form a number of “friendship-hospitality” teams that connected Bahá’í families to Chinese students and faculty members in the area.

This program resulted in a Bahá’í teaching institute, the “Institute for the Advancement of Asian Culture,” which brought together more than 15 non-Bahá’í Chinese and a handful of deepened Bahá’ís.

Today, there are 12 spiritually confirmed Chinese Bahá’ís in the area and the work of reaching the Chinese has spread from the Portland area to Eugene and Corvallis, forging bonds among five universities.

Several activities of recent months are illustrative:

• Cultural exchanges have introduced the Chinese to Persian, Hispanic, South Pacific, Hawaiian and Hmong traditions, and vice versa.
• During the summer, the Spiritual Assembly of Tigard sponsored two picnics in which 60 to 80 Chinese enjoyed kayaking and other recreational activities with the Bahá’ís.
• Thanksgiving dinner was served by the Tigard Assembly for the third consecutive year. More than 130 people—at least half of whom were Chinese—shared in the feast.
• A formal reception was held at the Bahá’í Center in Eugene, where about 19 Chinese Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís gathered for music and socializing.
• A Chinese-language television program was produced by Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í volunteers in collaboration with the Institute for the Advancement of Asian Culture. The show, which was telecast on the Tualatin Valley cable access channel, featured a performance of a Chinese song titled “Fill the World With Love.” Three young Chinese Bahá’ís also discussed what attracted them to the Faith and how they see their role in implementing the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to build a better world.
• Following a recent trip to British Columbia, several of the Chinese Bahá’ís initiated a campaign to raise much-needed funds for the Arc Projects. Two Chinese Bahá’ís who will make their first pilgrimage to Haifa in May hope to personally present the proceeds.

Bahá’ís in Plano, Texas, display their banners before taking part in the annual march in January celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Next on the agenda is a reception hosted by the Spiritual Assembly of Portland to honor Wu Qing, an associate professor of English and American Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Wu Qing is well known for her work with school dropouts and is currently a Fulbright scholar at Stanford University. In Portland, she hopes to learn how women and ethnic minorities take part in public life, how they are empowered, and how public issues are identified and resolved.

Kenosha, Wisconsin

The friends’ diligent consolidation work in Kenosha was recently confirmed when an adult seeker who had been taught by a new Bahá’í declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

With that enrollment, the historic Kenosha Bahá’í community, which dates back to 1897, moved a step closer to the goal of re-forming its local Spiritual Assembly at Ridván.

Soon after the Kenosha Assembly lapsed in 1992, six homefront pioneers settled there—one only a few weeks after declaring.

Ever since, these pioneers have hosted weekly firesides and deepenings and have jointly held monthly firesides with Racine, another long-time Bahá’í community whose Assembly is lapsed.

A Bahá’í household also has held See TEACHING page 9 [Page 6]

Promoting Entry by Troops

A Statement and Compilation
Prepared by the Research Department
of the Universal House of Justice
SC $3.50 / CODE—PEBT

The Universal House of Justice released this Statement to assist the friends to “understand, welcome, initiate ‎an and‎ sustain” the process of entry by troops which “will soon become an established pattern for growth of the Faith in country after country.” They further advise that, “Whoever studies these illuminating passages will perceive that entry by troops is not merely a stage of the progress of the Cause destined to occur in its own good time, dependent on the receptivity of the population as a whole—it is a phenomenon which the Bahá’í communities, by their own activities, can prepare for and help to bring about.” The Universal House of Justice also urges the friends to, “study this compilation, to understand the coherence of its statements, and to use its counsels to lend renewed impetus to the spread of the Faith and the establishment of the institutions of the Cause of God.”

5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 60pp.
Bahá’í Publications Australia

The Chinese Religion and the Bahá’í Faith

by Phyllis Ghim Lian Chew
SC $12.95 / CODE—CRBF

Phyllis Ghim Lian Chew explores the development of the Chinese religion, its roots in Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism and its spiritual and social teachings. She compares the Chinese religion with the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith and finds a number of fascinating parallels.

5-5/16" x 8-1/4", 244pp., contents, preface, conclusion, appendices, bibliography, notes and references, index
George Ronald, Publisher

Toll Free:
1-800-999-9019

The Bahá’í Songbook

Volume 1
SC $10.95 / CODE—BSB

A brand new collection of songs to enhance the quality of music and encourage singing at Feasts, Holy Days, Bahá’í schools, and firesides. Melodies, lyrics, and simple guitar chords are included. The Bahá’í Songbook can be used by beginners, professionals, solo performers, and groups.

Designed and embellished with meditative illustrations, this excellent new publication will help spread the word of God through the arts and deepen the spirit of the Faith.

The Bahá’í Songbook features some of the most popular Bahá’í songs of recent years—Mona with the Children, Traces, Peace Moves, The Royal Falcon, Storming the Gates of Heaven, Unity House, and more than 20 others.

8-1/4" x 11-3/4", 64pp., contents
Bahá’í Publishing Trust — United Kingdom

The Challenge of Bahá’u’lláh

by Gary L. Matthews
SC $9.95 / CODE—COB

Who was Bahá’u’lláh? He claimed to be the messenger of God for this age. He said His teachings held the key to a peaceful and united world. Is this true? How can we test the validity of this claim?

Gary L. Matthews suggests a number of possible ways. He examines the ‎prophesies prophecies‎, predictions, life, and character of Bahá’u’lláh, and comes to an astounding conclusion.

REFER ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

SW $75.00 / CODE—RA3.5 or RA5.25

A reference program for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s writings and utterances. Among the authenticated texts included are Memorials of the Faithful, Some Answered Questions, The Secret of Divine Civilization, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, the Tablet to Dr. Auguste Forel, A Traveler’s Narrative, Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, prayers of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá found only in the U.S. or U.K. editions of Bahá’í Prayers, the economic talk found in Foundations of World Unity, the Tablet to the Hague, and passages from various compilations researched and compiled by the Universal House of Justice. Among the talks and explanations based on notes included are Paris Talks, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London. Information about the editions of publications used to compile the program is also included and easily retrieved. The user’s manual provides information on hardware requirements; installing the software; starting the program; changing colors to alter the background screen or the text screen; making ‘Abdu’l-Bahá REFER memory resident; changing the hot key; exporting text to a word processor; and problems, questions, and solutions. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá REFER will help Bahá’ís to delve into the “vast seas” of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s teachings to acquire the “priceless treasures” they hold.

5-1/4" floppy disks or 3-1/2" disks, user’s manual (please specify 5-1/4" or 3-1/2" disks when ordering)
Crimson Publications [Page 7]

Fires in Many Hearts

by Doris McKay SC $15.95 / CODE—FIMH

Fires in Many Hearts is the stirring “life of a Bahá’í” by Doris McKay who declared in upstate New York in 1925. After her passing in late 1992, the Universal House of Justice wrote: “her years of devoted service will long be remembered by countless believers whose lives were touched by her manifold activities on behalf of the Cause”. Intimate and moving portraits of Grace and Harlan Ober, Louis Gregory, May Maxwell, Martha Root, the Ives, Dorothy Baker and many other early believers show how the Faith was taught, how racial amity was achieved and how they took the first baby steps in the Administrative Order. Of Fires in Many Hearts, Roger White wrote: “I have never read a more exciting, poetic or detailed chronicle.”

5-1/2" x 8-1/4", 338pp., photographs Nine Pines Publishing

Distinctive Aspects of Bahá’í Education

Proceedings of the 3rd Symposium on Bahá’í Education Edited by Hooshang Nikjoo and Stephen Vickers SC $11.95 / CODE—DABE

Twenty essays by educators, teachers, and parents from the UK and North America, exploring the distinctive aspects of Bahá’í education, and considering the special contribution we can make to educate in the wider world. This useful and helpful book will stimulate all those concerned with this vital topic to further explore the meaning, significance, and application of Bahá’í principles in education. Includes keynote address by Ray Johnson, Principal of the Maxwell International Bahá’í School, Canada.

6-1/8" x 9-3/16", 195pp., contents, preface, acknowledgements, foreword Bahá’í Publishing Trust - UK

CLOSED FOR INVENTORY

We will be closed April 29-May 5 for physical inventory.

Prayers for Young Bahá’ís

compiled from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and the Greatest Holy Leaf HC $11.95 / CODE—PFYB

Your children will cherish this illustrated compilation of some of the short prayers of the Central Figures of the faith. Passages have been chosen for easy reading and memorization. A charming gift for young Bahá’ís ages 6-12.

6-11/16" x 6-3/4", 36pp., contents Kalimát Press

Asíyih Khánum

The Most Exalted Leaf Entitled Navváb by Baharieh Rouhani Ma’ani HC $11.95 / CODE—AK

Here is a biographical essay of the wife of Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, and mother of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant. Her story, little known, is one of strength, patience, long-suffering, and devotion to One who was her husband, the Lord of Hosts, whom she accompanied through all the vicissitudes of exile and imprisonment.

5" x 8", 77pp., contents, introduction, references George Ronald, Publisher

A Notice to Our Customers Effective May 1, 1994

1. All domestic orders charged on an account will be due 30 days after the date of invoice. This is a change from the unpublished policy of 90 days after the date of invoice.
2. Credit balances under $5.00 and over 4 months old will be donated to the National Fund. Those customers with credit balances over $5.00 will be issued reimbursement checks.

Coming Soon

Life, Death, and Immortality: The Journey of the Soul

Published by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust - United States

ATV _

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Bahá’í Distribution Service • 5397 Wilbanks Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37343 • 1-800-999-9019 • Fax 1-615-843-0836 [Page 8]

Classifieds

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge as a service to the Bahá’í community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial ads can be accepted for publication. The opportunities referred to have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exercise their own judgment and care in responding to them.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

THE LOUHELEN Bahá’í School is seeking applicants to fill an anticipated vacancy for coordinator of property improvement. This is a regular, full-time permanent staff position, with salary and benefits appropriate to the core supervisory role it offers. The coordinator of property improvement oversees Louhelen’s maintenance and grounds department and is responsible for coordinating and assuring the maintenance, upkeep and over-all physical improvement of the school’s equipment, facilities and grounds. It is anticipated that the position will be available beginning December 1, 1994. ‎Interest Interested‎ persons may ask for more information and application materials from Dr. Rick Johnson, administrator, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone 810-653-5033 (fax 810-653-7181).

THE BOSCH Bahá’í School is seeking summer staff to plan and direct recreational activities for all ages, manage equipment, teach children’s classes, and be a creative part of its 11-week summer sessions with occasional duties in other departments as needed. Talent in the arts, especially music, is highly valued. Mid-June through September 1. Room and board and a small stipend are provided. Please communicate with the director, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564).

THE GREEN ACRE Bahá’í School is seeking applicants for its 1994 summer staff. With the reopening of the Sarah Farmer Inn and expansion of programming and activities, many opportunities for service are available in a variety of areas. Those with little or no experience as well as skilled professionals are encouraged to apply. Positions include assistant cooks, dining room assistants, dishwashers, housekeepers, groundskeepers, general help, children’s teachers, recreation leader, librarian, office assistant, gardener. Applicants should be available from June 20 through August 28; however, shorter terms of service can be considered in some cases. While full-time volunteer service in exchange for room and board is most desirable, provisions for additional compensation can be made. For information, please phone the school at 207-439-7200 (fax 207-439-7202), Monday-Friday, 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 LOUIS GREGORY Bahá’í Institute, a site for volunteers in the Youth Service Corps, has some positions for service and support open for administrative, manual and production tasks in all areas including the education center, radio station, learning-literacy laboratory, and teaching projects. For information, please contact the National Teaching Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039). Also, the Institute is seeking a trained medical professional to volunteer his/her services for 6-8 weeks (June 12-August 6) as program support during the summer Bahá’í Academy for children, junior youth and youth. For more information, please contact Ginny Kintz, Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Route 2, Box 71, Hemingway, SC 29554 (phone 803-558-5093).

SEARCHING for Youth Service Corps applicants: dedicated youth with a deep inner longing to serve the Cause and a desire to add skills through on-site training. Must be ready to learn new tasks and be flexible in areas of service. We will offer training in positions in several areas including maintenance, registration, cooking, library/bookshop. For ‎a more more‎ information or an application, please write to the Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or phone 408-423-3387. Periods of service range from three months to one year.

THE LOUHELEN Bahá’í School warmly invites applications from mature Bahá’í youth and adults to join its full-time volunteer staff. Louhelen is a leading Bahá’í educational and cultural center which welcomes several thousand persons each year who come for a variety of Bahá’í courses and conferences. Applications are sought from those who are able to serve during the summer season, June-August 1994. The school is also seeking persons who are able to offer full-time service for one or two years. Areas of possible service are diverse, and many interests and skills are sought. Volunteers live at the school while serving, with Louhelen providing full board and room. Individuals are responsible for their personal expenses and health insurance. Address inquiries to Penny Schmicker, volunteer services manager, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. Phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-7181.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas. AFRICA: Kenya—grants officer, financial coordinator. Mali—adviser to develop capacity of village and other business groups to manage diverse business activities; agribusiness/marketing specialist. Rwanda—agroforestry project coordinator, forestry management consultant, project manager. Somalia—Registered Nurses, family practice/internal medicine physicians, nurse practitioners. Uganda—senior International Bank operations officer. AMERICAS: Brazil—teachers. Colombia—geological engineer/hydrogeologist, rural developer for food marketing. Honduras—elementary and junior high school teachers, systems engineer or computer analyst, accountant, mechanical engineer. Turks & Caicos—elementary school teachers. ASIA: India—nutrition and health unit director. Japan—English teacher at Matsuyama University, ESL/EFL teachers. Korea—English and EFL teachers, academic supervisors. ‎Kyrgystan Kyrgyzstan‎—project director, chief, assistant chief, administrative assistant. Macau—faculty position in economics at the University of Macau, elementary and secondary school teachers at the School of Nations. Taiwan—immediate need for ESL teacher. Tajikistan—project director, accountant/finance manager. AUSTRALASIA: Cook Islands—URGENT need for TV production specialist, high school teachers. Kwajalein Atoll—maintenance leader, sanitation technician, sheet metal worker, assistant club manager, coordinator property control, dry cleaner/spotter, appliance electrician, power plant operator, water plant operator, recreation supervisor, LVN/LPN, RN, PC programmer/analyst, systems programmer/analyst, painter, welders, mechanic AC&R. New Zealand—editor. Palau—high school teachers. Truk, Micronesia—college instructor in computing. Yap—high school teachers, certified public accountant, public auditor. EUROPE: Albania—accounting specialist needed by nonprofit agricultural development organization. Czech Republic—translator for Czech/English translations for non-governmental organization working on energy conservation issues. Italy—systems analyst, animal production officer. Poland—EFL and business EFL teachers. Slovak Republic—urgent need for professional to do a year-long ethics program for children on Slovak national television. MULTI-REGIONAL: senior environmental manager to work with environmental and natural resources group of international consulting firm; director for large international consulting firm for environmental ‎educations education‎ and communications center; English instructors in 15 Central and Eastern European countries; clinical training associate for family planning services; professionals for democracy and rule of law programs in former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe; trainer for the promotion of women’s empowerment in developing countries; grants management training specialist and grant compliance officer for children’s development organization. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (telephone 708-733-3512; fax 708-733-3509).

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: Margaret Simson, Ida Slater (died Chicago, 1941), William Slater (died Chicago, 1948), Dorothea Sligh, Elizabeth Small, Alice Coe Smith, Anna Morrell Smith, Carroll Smith, and Edward B. Smith. 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, or to phone 708-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives has prepared a series of biographical sketches of prominent African-American, American Indian, Hispanic and Asian-American Bahá’ís for the use of local communities during Black History Month, Race Unity Day or other special events observances. Any local community wishing a set of these sketches is asked to send a request with a mailing address to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

PROMOTE THE GOALS of the Three Year Plan while helping to establish the Faith in southern Alabama. Rated as the second best place in the U.S. to live by Money magazine, Fairhope is steeped in spiritual history. Revered as holy ground by American Indians, Fairhope’s lovely tree-lined streets lead to Mobile Bay, christened the Bay of the Holy Spirit by the Spanish explorers. It is also rich in Bahá’í history; some of the earliest teaching in the U.S. took place in Fairhope in 1898, resulting in 31 believers. We are a Group of three (with only six Bahá’ís in the entire county), and our goal is to form an Assembly. But we need your help. Fairhope, only 40 minutes from the white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, is a great place to live and serve. We will help all we can with your relocation. Please phone 205-928-7808.

WANTED

VOLUNTEERS and youth wanted for the May Brown Summer Youth Project, June 5-July 5. Contact Jim Hinegardner, Topeka, KS 66404 (phone 913-233-7442).

MISCELLANEOUS

BECAUSE of unforeseen circumstances, the Spiritual Assembly of South Bend, Indiana, has postponed the celebration of its 60th anniversary from April to October 9. Those who would like to contribute their memories or memorabilia, or who wish to attend are asked to contact the Spiritual Assembly via its secretary, Dr. Mana Derakhshani, South Bend, IN 46616 (phone 219-289-4467; fax 219-289-4673).

HELP WANTED in the NATIONAL TEACHING OFFICE

The office of the National Teaching Committee has undergone a recent restructuring in light of the present needs of the Faith. As a result, applications are being accepted for the following full-time positions:

National Projects Administrator

Responsible for executing projects sponsored by the National Teaching Committee. Some duties include:

• Manages national support of teaching throughout the U.S.
• Monitors nationally appointed task forces and national initiatives.
• Coordinates special activities and events.

Experience: Proven project management skills; excellent verbal ability; strong analytical and management capacity; superior interpersonal skills; experience in teaching and familiarity with the principles of Bahá’í administration.

Communications and Development Administrator

Responsible for the communications and development agenda of the National Teaching Committee. Some duties include:

• Develops news and messages to the American Bahá’í community for use in print and audio/visual media.
• Facilitates the production of teaching and deepening materials.
• Gathers and analyzes information related to the teaching work.

Experience: Professional background in writing and production for the media; superior writing skills; comprehensive knowledge of the Bahá’í Writings; proven ability in research and data analysis; ability to coordinate the work of volunteer task forces; excellent interpersonal skills.

For more information or to apply, please write to the Office of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-733-3427). [Page 9]

Brilliant Star to mark centenary of Faith in U.S.

This year is the 25th anniversary of Child’s Way/Brilliant Star, the National Spiritual Assembly’s magazine for children, but Brilliant Star is celebrating the centenary of the Bahá’í Faith in America with a special issue in May/June 1994.

This anniversary issue contains features to help Bahá’í children and adults alike to understand and share with others the events of the first 100 years of the Faith in America.

It will help in planning activities. It also will help in looking toward our prejudice-free future and in joining with this first prejudice-free generation to envision the next 100 years of our Faith.

The special feature of this issue is a pictorial timeline showing each decade of the first 100 years. Bahá’í events, places and people will be shown in the setting of the day, side by side with the latest scientific inventions, music, dance, sports heroes, games children played, movies and other historical moments in our progress toward world peace.

In addition to the timeline, activity features will help Bahá’í’s plan exciting and unifying community celebrations. Here are previews of two activities in this issue:

Have a Centennial Fair

This is an idea that the whole Bahá’í community can create together. Plan a Centennial Fair as part of your community’s celebration June 12 of Race Unity Day. Let everyone who comes to the event take a trip through the first 100 years of American Bahá’í history. Children’s classes, families and youth groups can plan the activities, and everyone can take part in building booths for the event.

Make a ‘vision’ mural

When people at your fair get to 1994, they need to begin thinking about the next 100 years. Help them to see the vision of the first prejudice-free generation and the world of peace that our Sacred Writings have promised to us. Help everyone share this vision by making a marvelous vision mural.

Plan ahead, order early

You’ll want copies of this special anniversary issue of Brilliant Star for every family in your community. It also is an inexpensive and informative teaching gift to share with visitors to your event.

Be sure to order the copies you need in advance by calling the Bahá’í Distribution Service, 1-800-999-9019, and placing a community order. Order before the end of April to guarantee the copies you need. The May/June issue will be shipped to you on or before the first week of June. Orders of five or more are only $2 each.

Making the pie larger

Friends looking into investment clubs to create wealth for Cause of God

An interesting idea is making the rounds in the Bahá’í community: setting up investment clubs for the benefit of the Funds of the Faith.

According to this notion, a small group of friends (perhaps 10 to 20 individuals) would create an investment portfolio of securities with the understanding that all or a part of the income earned would be contributed by the group to one or more of the Funds.

The capital gains on the investments would be used for the benefit of the investor group itself, as well as the risks inherent in any investment. Proceeds from their investments are seen by the participants as a supplement to their regular contributions, so the over-all effect is to increase the wealth of the Bahá’í community and of the Funds.

There are a variety of ways of creating such a portfolio: trust accounts, investment partnerships set up as “voluntary cooperatives,” etc.; good local professional advice would be key in setting up a structure that provides maximum tax advantages and protections to the participants while also maximizing the benefits to the Faith.

The Development Department of the Office of the Treasurer can provide some basic information on this new approach, though of course the bulk of the research would be done by the participants themselves.

“This method could work very well for a group of friends who know and trust each other, and who want to serve the Cause in an innovative way,” one Treasury staff person noted. “That way, any questions and concerns that would arise as the group pursues its objectives can be dealt with easily and in a friendly way.

“We are quite excited about the potential for this kind of individual initiative, and hope some of the friends will be willing to experiment with it.”

Teaching

Continued from page 5

monthly parties as a way of bringing people together in a social, rather than religious, setting.

And a youth workshop has been established, meeting weekly with youth from a local shelter. One of these young persons has enrolled in the Faith.

Arizona

A similar bounty from fervent consolidation has been enjoyed in Arizona, where one of the new declarants in the Phoenix area’s teaching project has already left to help the Woodburn project in Oregon.

Arizona’s large-scale teaching project has yielded enrollments of 29 adults and six youth so far in the Three Year Plan.

A number of the Bahá’í communities are active in a systematic program called Proyecto ‎Ensenanza Enseñanza‎ Teresita that uses Ruhi methods.

In addition, the Avondale and Mesa communities have followed up radio advertisements on a Hispanic station with firesides every Sunday and deepening classes every other Sunday at the new Bahá’í Center in Mesa.

Florence, South Carolina

A recently fielded full-time teaching team of two youths and one adult has already witnessed 25 declarations, including six children, in the Pee Dee region.

But that isn’t the end of the story.

Door-to-door teaching has been followed up with repeat visits to confirm and deepen the new declarants in their belief.

The newly confirmed youth also are regularly attending the nightly firesides while the community works on a course of study for all new believers.

And these youth have leapt into the teaching work themselves to help maintain the momentum.

They will need a hand, of course, to make the project self-sustaining. The full-time youth teachers are leaving in the fall, and the community is looking for Bahá’í’s to come in and help consolidate the gains.

Plano, Texas

It took one simple phone call for the Bahá’í’s of Plano to launch their Three Year Plan goal of becoming leaders in the local race unity effort.

The call, to the Rev. Walt Wieder of the Dallas North Unitarian Church, invited him to present the invocation at a human rights program.

A reciprocal invitation followed. The Rev. Wieder, who was then president of the Plano Ministerial Alliance (PMA), asked the Bahá’í’s to take part in that forum for the city’s religious leaders.

Since then, a number of teaching opportunities have presented themselves:

• The Plano Bahá’í community joined the Plano Religious Community Exchange (PRCE) and, through it, has been paired with an African-American Baptist Church. The two groups will visit and attend each other’s religious services four times in the next year. In following years, the Bahá’í’s will be paired with other churches and religious groups.
• The Bahá’í’s took part in the first-ever Martin Luther King parade in Plano and distributed Bahá’í pamphlets and copies of “The Vision of Race Unity” to attendees. As a result, the Bahá’í’s have been invited to join the organizing committee for next year’s observance.
• The Bahá’í’s have co-sponsored and participated in a CROP walk against hunger for the past two years.
• All members of PMA and PRCE have received copies of “The Vision of Race Unity.” All members of PMA also were given copies of “The Bahá’í Question,” a statement summarizing the persecution of the Bahá’í’s of Iran.
• Members of the community take part in the opening invocation four times a year at Plano City Council meetings.
• Members of PMA were invited to participate in and say prayers at the annual human rights program sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Plano.
• The Bahá’í’s are involved in an upcoming Celebration of Unity program to demonstrate the unity of mankind in Plano. The program was initiated in response to a parade by neo-Nazi and white-supremacy groups.

Youth classes and teaching at the schools and institutes

Call for reservations.

Bosch Bahá’í School (408) 423-3387 July 23-28—College Youth Institute. July 30-Aug 4—Youth Institute. Aug 6-11—Junior Youth Institute. Aug 13-18—Junior Youth Institute.

Louhelen Bahá’í School (810) 653-5033 June 10-18—Youth Institute. July 15-20—Junior Youth Institute. Aug 12-17—Youth Eagle Institute.

Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute (803) 558-5093 Youth training and teaching throughout the summer.

Native American Bahá’í Institute (602) 521-1063/1064 May 11—Youth Nobility Class. June 20-23—Youth Enlightenment Retreat. Aug 1-4—Youth Enlightenment Retreat. [Page 10]

The Arc

The development of the Arc and Terraces on Mount Carmel is gathering momentum. Since May 1990 when the first phase of construction began, the Projects have come a long way, perceptibly changing the face of the mountain.

With the bulk of excavation at the site of the Center for Study of the Texts and Archives Extension and the formation of the concrete wall completed, the stage has been set for the actual construction of the building of the Center for Study of the Texts.

The process received a further boost when the work permit for the foundation was granted by the Municipality of Haifa.

On December 19, 1993, an agreement for the General Contract for construction of the Center for Study of the Texts and Archives Extension was signed with one of the leading contractors in Israel, Perez G.G. Engineers, Construction and Management Company Ltd., officially commencing Phase IV of the Mount Carmel Projects.

The contract was awarded after intensive negotiations by the Office of the Project Manager. Six major contractors from Israel and one from the U.S. competed for the contract. Subsequently, sub-contracts for electrical work, plumbing, lifts [elevators] and air-conditioning have been let, and tenders have been called for water-proofing and supplying marble for the Center for Study of the Texts/Archives Extension and the International Teaching Center, all significant steps toward the realization of the monumental developments in the “Vineyard of the Lord,” lending a fresh impetus to the “unfoldment of the World Administrative Center of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.”

Preparatory to constructing the foundation of the Center for Study of the Texts/Archives Extension, massive excavations were undertaken on the site, yielding approximately 125,000 cubic meters of rock. Test probes were carried out to secure the foundations.

Terraces 9 to 5 below the Shrine of the Báb are green with grass and young cypress trees. Upper Terraces 15 to 18 have retaining walls in place.

Vineyard

The mountain is composed for the most part of limestone which is a soft stone incapable of carrying weight and prone to crumble under heavy pressure. For the safety of the building of the Center for Study of the Texts, which will be nine stories underground with only a roof-garden and portico visible, it was necessary to build a huge retaining wall securing the mountain as excavations got under way. Built from the top downward, the 30-meter-high wall has a surface of 2,000 square meters with 340 steel anchors ranging in length from 13 to 21 meters. The wall will not be visible when the building of the Center for Study of the Texts is raised.

On the other side of the Arc, excavation for the International Teaching Center is in full swing with more than 50,000 cubic meters of rock already excavated. Here too, a massive retaining wall has been built, but composed differently. It has 12-meter-long micropiles and horizontal reinforced concrete beams supported by 100 pre-stressed anchors up to 17 meters long. The wall looms large over the site, its size evoking a feeling of awe, at the same time firmly and reassuringly holding up the mountainside.

Hydraulic jack excavators can be seen and heard digging into the

SEVEN PHASES OF MOUNT CARMEL BAHÁ’Í PROJECTS

PHASE I	• Commenced on May 23, 1990 Maintaining the Shrine of the Báb and strengthening and restoring the 200-meter-long retaining wall below the Shrine and its extension eastward to make it symmetrical with the western side. Originally built by the Guardian, the wall had begun to erode, requiring extensive restoration. Hundreds of tons of concrete were injected into the wall and further strengthened with anchors. The eastward extension of the Main Terrace is now covered with beautiful gardens and a storage building has been erected below it to serve as garden facilities with a floor space of approximately 1,000 square meters.
PHASE 2	• Commenced on June 17, 1991 Earthwork for the Center for Study of the Texts and Archives Extension, construction of the 30-meter-high retaining wall behind the Center for Study of the Texts, and construction of Terraces 9 to 3 below the Shrine of the Báb.
PHASE 3	• Commenced on December 9, 1992 Excavations at the site of the International Teaching Center and construction of a retaining wall with micropiles and concrete beams, and development of Terraces 15 to 19 above the Shrine of the Báb.
PHASE 4	• Commenced on December 19, 1993 Construction of the building of the Center for Study of the Texts and Archives Extension.
PHASE 5	Construction of the International Teaching Center.
PHASE 6	Lowering of and building the bridge over Hatzionut Street together with construction of Terraces 11 to 15.
PHASE 7	Development of the Lower Terraces 1 and 2 below the Shrine of the Báb.

(All the remaining phases of Mount Carmel Bahá’í Projects are scheduled to be initiated during the Three Year Plan.) [Page 11]

The Arc of the Lord

mountain from early morning to late evening, creating a rocky nest for the building of the International Teaching Center. The process is slow and ponderous on the dangerous slopes, but the task is being steadily accomplished.

Work on the Monumental Terraces below and above the Shrine of the Báb is also continuing at an exciting pace with the Terraces in various stages of construction. The Lower Terraces from number 9 just below the Shrine right down to number 5 above ‘Abbás Bridge are complete in structure, grading, drainage and plumbing. The topsoil and grass cover on the inner zone of these Terraces are also in place, presenting an appearance of lush green carpeting.

On the outer edges east of these Terraces, trees as old as 300 years have been planted, and wildflowers have been sown. Three nurseries have been established at Ridván Properties, Bahjí and the Temple site in Haifa, which are already flourishing with mature trees and a variety of plants to be used in the Terrace gardens.

Seven hundred cypress trees have been propagated both at the nurseries and in the Experimental Garden which has also been instrumental in propagating certain species of flowers. These have been tested for variety of color, water conservation, seasonal changes and disease.

The rains have been playing truant this year, and this is causing the inhabitants of Haifa some anxiety. However, the lack of heavy rainfall till now is proving to be a mixed blessing; we have not lost many manpower days, and the fear of erosion of the topsoil from the Terraces has been allayed since we have been able to put in place 5,000 square meters of sod that was grown outside on a farm and transplanted to the mountain.

On Terraces 3 and 4 earthworks have been completed and underground retaining walls built, using the ancient and time-proven technique of rubble walls constructed at intervals over the surface of the mountain exposed to construction to firm it up and prevent landslides.

The nature of the work on the Upper Terraces has occasioned the installation of net fences for safety as earthworks are being prepared. As the work progresses on Terraces 15 to 18, access roads have been built on which to move heavy machinery.

As one looks west from the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, what catches the eye are excavators perched precariously on the steep slopes of the mountain, moving with amazing dexterity in spite of their size, scooping up mounds of earth. At intermittent intervals, one sees rocks and rubble tumble down the mountainside to be stopped in their tracks by the safety nets. It makes for a compelling sight.

The work is being carried out on inclines that range from 30 to 45 degrees. To balance the levels of the Terraces, an approximate width of 100 meters on both sides was shaped with fill material.

The retaining walls on these Terraces are in place and the form work and concrete steps of Terrace 18 are complete.

Work is in progress on the steps of Terrace 17. The next step will be the installation of the drainage pipes, after which grading of the Terraces will begin.

(Clockwise from photo at far left) Water pipes for fountains are installed on Terrace 9 just below the Shrine of the Báb. Israeli officials tour the construction with Project Manager Fariburz Sahba. An overview of the Arc with the Seat of the Universal House of Justice at the apex, the site of the Center for the Study of the Texts to the right and the site of the International Teaching Center to the left. Preparations for excavation of the foundation of the Center for the Study of the Texts. [Page 12]

UN office prepares for 4th World Conference on Women

The staff at the U.S. Bahá’í community's United Nations office in New York spent a busy month in March preparing for the UN's fourth World Conference on Women.

In collaboration with the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) Office for the Advancement of Women, the UN Office was involved in a number of activities which began with a meeting March 1 of the National Congress of Neighborhood Women, hosted by the UN Office at the BIC offices.

The following day, an all-day consultation was held for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from the region covered by the Economic Commission for Europe and including Canada and the U.S. The purpose of that meeting was to discuss the participation of NGOs from Europe and North America in all the preparatory activities for the fourth Conference on Women, which is to be held in September 1995 in Beijing, China.

The two meetings were followed by two days of general consultation on March 4-5 and a meeting March 7-18 of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. The Bahá’í International Community and U.S. UN Office were represented at all of these meetings.

Having declared 1975 as International Women's Year (IWY), the UN declared 1976-85 the Decade for Women. The first World Conference on Women was held in Mexico City, in 1975, the mid-decade Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1980, and the end of the decade Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1985.

The Nairobi Conference adopted a document called "The Forward Looking Strategies." Besides articulating the hopes and aspirations of women around the world, the document set goals to be pursued by governments and NGOs to further the advancement of women and help assure their full participation in the decision-making processes that affect human society.

In the 10 years since Nairobi, women throughout the world have maintained and expanded some of the most efficiently organized global networks within and outside the UN. The power of this effort was demonstrated at the Earth Summit in 1992 and the second World Conference on Human Rights in 1993, where women's groups were among the most effectively organized NGOs.

In the U.S., women's groups have already begun to sponsor educational and informational programs at the local and regional levels. The March 1 meeting hosted by the U.S. UN Office was the first meeting of GROOTS-USA, the national affiliate of GROOTS-International, an NGO consisting of grass-roots women from around the world. This group is a natural one for Bahá’ís to collaborate with, and a number of Bahá’í women already are involved in its programs.

The BIC delegation to the European/North American consultation, the two-day NGO consultation, and the meeting of the UN Commission on the Status of Women included Bahá’ís from Austria, Hawaii and Switzerland in addition to representatives of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly and BIC office.

Among the more interesting Bahá’í activities at these gatherings was a workshop on partnership between women and men.

As a result of consultation between the BIC Office for the Advancement of Women and the U.S. UN Office, it was decided to bring youth into the consultative process for the conference in Beijing.

In January, 15 young Bahá’í women and men attended a discussion at the BIC office; as a result, a Bahá’í Youth Task Force for Beijing was established and a decision made to host a workshop sometime during the meeting of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

The workshop, entitled "Youth and Partnership in the Advancement of Women," took place on March 14, and was well attended by Bahá’ís and representatives of other NGOs.

The U.S. Bahá’í community, both individuals and institutions, are being asked to focus their attention this year on two areas: partnership between women and men, and the role of women in establishing peace.

Bahá’ís who would like to receive more information about the activities mentioned in this article or any other activities about preparations for the UN's fourth World Conference on Women should contact the National Spiritual Assembly at the U.S. UN Office, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017-1822.

VISIT THE BAHÁ'Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP

Each year a special invitation is extended to the friends to visit the House of Worship for a four-day weekend of learning, teaching, fellowship, prayers and meditation.

Highlights of the visit include an opening reception; an address by a member of the National Spiritual Assembly or representative; daily devotions, tours of the Bahá’í House of Worship and Bahá’í National Center offices; a workshop on volunteer service opportunities and a chance to guide; an in-depth presentation from the Writings on the significance of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar; closing devotions; and a farewell picnic on the lake front near the Haziratu'l-Quds.

We have provided a registration form below for you to fill out. If you need further information please call the Activities Office at (708) 853-2300. We would love to greet you at the Holiest House of Worship.

BAHÁ'Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP SPECIAL VISIT PROGRAM

July 14 17, 1994 Thursday - Sunday REGISTRATION FORM - DEADLINE May 15, 1994

Number in your party Telephone (hm./wk/other) I.D.#'s/Attach sheet for additional names. List name(s) and Bahá’í Indicate Children/Youth and I.D. #s (ages 4.5 and up may register). Children, pre-youth and youth activities will be available. Infant care and child care will not be provided. Address (attach others as needed). City. State: Zip code

HOTEL/TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

The hotel listed below has been selected to provide group assistance for your stay. We can make your reservations based on this selection. However, you will handle all financial arrangements with the hotel. For those who wish to select their own accommodations, we will send you a list of hotels. Bus transportation will be provided to and from Howard Johnson Hotel. Transportation to and from other hotels will be on your own throughout the tour. All registrants will receive transportation information and an itinerary of program activities. Major meals will be on your own.

Below please mark confirmation of your hotel choice and number in your party staying in each room. In addition, please state special needs required during your stay.

Skokie Howard Johnson Yes - No_

• Buffet Breakfast included
• 2 miles from the House of Worship

1-bed room-$57.00/2-bed room-$69.00

• Airport shuttle service

Alternative hotel listing? Yes No _

The registration fee is $10.00. Please make checks payable to the Bahá’í Services Fund. Do not send any other cost to us. A schedule of activities and check-in will be sent to you upon confirmation.

Return this form to: Bahá’í House of Worship Activities Office, Special Visit Program, Wilmette, IL 60091

U.S. government to hold lottery to distribute total of 55,000 permanent residence visas

The U.S. government is holding a lottery early this year to give out a total of 55,000 permanent residence visas ("green cards"). Among the requirements are a high school education or two years of training in a specialized field. An Entry Request Form must be submitted.

To learn more about the visa lottery, you may call the State Department hotline, 202-663-1600. Or, if you would like to contact an immigration attorney, he or she will charge a fee. The process itself, however, is free. [Page 13]

India campaign sees 300 enroll in first week

On January 1, the State Bahá’í Council of West Bengal, India, launched the month-long Dr. Muhájir Teaching Campaign in the Bankura and Purulia districts. The initiative got under way with an inter-local Assembly Conference, held in Brahmandiha, at which more than 100 Bahá’ís gathered to discuss the themes and goals of the teaching event. Following a three-day orientation camp, nine teaching teams were formed and three project bases chosen—Brahmandiha, Manhazer and Punche. In the first five days of teaching, 300 new believers were enrolled. “It is encouraging to note that local believers are taking an active part in teaching the Faith in their own villages,” the National Spiritual Assembly reported, “which leads us to believe that this project is instrumental in enhancing the vitality of the individual believers, which is a major goal of the Three Year Plan.” Also in India, a three-day teaching campaign following the Winter School sponsored in January by the State Bahá’í Council of Pondicherry led to the enrollment of 229 new believers.

On December 13, the Dr. Muhájir South Plateau Teaching Campaign began in Nigeria with 11 local Bahá’ís and three traveling teachers taking part. The project was initiated in Gwudenye Village after the village chief and his elders were briefed on its aims. The chief then gave permission for the Faith to be taught in his locality. Within two weeks, 165 people had declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh and 15 local Spiritual Assemblies were formed. Among the declarants is a prominent member of the village who represented the area in the State Legislative House of Assembly from 1979-83.

In connection with its goals of the Three Year Plan, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands organized a 10-day teaching project late last year in the Diglipur area. Six people took part in the campaign, and “as a result of their... efforts,” the National Assembly reports, “148 pure souls embraced the Faith.”

At the newly constructed Bahá’í Center in Belize City, Belize, members of the National Spiritual Assembly met recently with Dr. Zylpha Mapp-Robinson (second from right), a traveling teacher from the U.S., who had undertaken the assignment of training teachers in Bahá’í education for children. The members of the National Assembly accepted from Dr. Mapp-Robinson a hand-crafted batik of the Greatest Name which was made in Nigeria during a ‘Women in Development’ project and framed in mahogany wood grown in Belize. The batik will be hung in the National Center. Pictured with Dr. Mapp-Robinson are (left to right) Therese Elijio; Bernice Yorke, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly; and Grace Grant.

A teaching campaign last December 18-24 in Gualaca, Chiriquí, Panama led to the enrollment of 18 people in the Faith. Public meetings, held on three consecutive evenings, were well-attended, as the friends carried forward the Three Year Plan goal to teach and initiate the process of entry by troops in areas reached by Radio Bahá’í.

More than 80 people including Counselor B. Afshin attended a Bahá’í Winter School held January 7-9 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. In the course of the gathering, seven guests declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

A special service to remember those who had suffered during the recent bushfire disaster in New South Wales, Australia, was held January 16 at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Mona Vale. The gathering also offered thanks to those who had worked so hard to combat the blaze. Media coverage was extensive, with reports on radio and television and in the newspapers. The House of Worship itself was left undamaged as the wind changed direction on two occasions when it was severely threatened.

Catherine Mboya, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Kenya, represented the Bahá’í International Community last October at the second Symposium in Africa for Woman Farmers, Policy Makers and Agricultural Extension Workers, sponsored by Advocates for African Food Security and held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Mrs. Mboya chaired two sessions of the symposium and helped draft the final statement presented to the plenary session. The Bahá’í International Community also was represented last November 28-December 2 at the World Non-Governmental Forum held in Malta to launch the International Year of the Family. Bahá’ís presented a workshop entitled “Breaking the Equality Barrier: Emerging Roles of Men and Women in Families,” sponsored a display on the Bahá’í approach to family unity, made available a new brochure on Bahá’í teachings on the family, and held a reception for organizers, prominent speakers and representatives of various delegations. Testimonials were given to the Bahá’í International Community and to two individual Bahá’ís for their contributions to the event.

In mid-January, more than 30 people took part in the first Mongolian Bahá’í Winter School, which was held in Songino, just outside of Ulaan Baatar. To prepare for the forthcoming election of the country’s first National Spiritual Assembly, the participants studied Bahá’í administration, principles of consultation, election procedures, and Bahá’í history.

To commemorate the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh last November 12, the Bahá’í community of Fiji inaugurated its new Bahá’í National Institute. More than 100 people from 20 communities attended the event, which was opened with an official Fijian welcome to Irene Williams, the longest serving pioneer in the country. Mrs. Williams formally dedicated the institute and gave a talk honoring the pioneers who have served in Fiji.

On December 4, the Spiritual Assembly of Cagliari, Sardinia, held a ceremony in Quartu to mark the 40th anniversary of the Faith in Sardinia and the 25th anniversary of the passing of the Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for Sardinia, Marie Ciocca ‎Holmund Holmlund‎.

The Bahá’í community of the Canary Islands paid tribute last October to the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh Peggy True and her late husband, George, on the 40th anniversary of their arrival. After a slide program on the early years of the Faith in the Islands, Mrs. True shared unforgettable moments from her life in the Canary Islands.

Packet prepared to help local communities mark N. America centenary

The year 1994 marks the anniversary of two important events in Bahá’í history: the sesquicentenary of the Declaration of the Báb, and the centenary of the establishment of the Faith in North America.

On the national level, a number of commemorative events are being planned for the spring and summer, including one by the Association for Bahá’í Studies; on the local level, the National Spiritual Assembly is inviting all Bahá’í communities to plan at least one centenary event to mark the inception of the Faith in North America and to provide an occasion to which local friends of the Faith can be invited.

Since June is the month when the first residents of the U.S. to join the Faith began investigating its teachings, one possibility would be to use Race Unity Day, June 12, already an established event in many communities, to celebrate not only the unity of the races, a key principle of Bahá’í belief, but also the 100th anniversary of the Faith’s establishment in North America.

If Bahá’í communities across the country were to commemorate the centenary of the Faith’s establishment in North America on the same day, it would give the effort added momentum and publicity.

You should feel free, however, to mark the centenary at other times and in other ways if Race Unity Day does not seem an appropriate time in your community.

To help you plan events marking the centenary of the Faith’s establishment in North America, the National Spiritual Assembly has prepared a packet of materials to be sent to every local Spiritual Assembly and registered Bahá’í Group.

Included are principles and ideas for planning your commemoration; references in the Bahá’í writings on America and its destiny; letters from the Guardian about the 1944 commemorations; a short history of the establishment of the Faith in North America; and advance information about the Spring 1994 issue of World Order and the May/June issue of Brilliant Star, both of which are devoted to the centenary of Faith in North America. [Page 14]

Complete listing of Bahá’í summer schools

This year, exciting programs are planned at the permanent and regional Bahá’í schools. This calendar is only a brief glimpse of information about schools sessions; please write or call schools directly and ask for their in-depth brochures.

The National Spiritual Assembly decided on the theme "The Destiny of America" for schools this year. In taking this decision, they also asked for a curriculum to be developed which would pursue the following topics: the Tablets of the Divine Plan; the equality of men and women; racial unity; the development of firmness in the Covenant and love and unity amongst the friends; and arising to teach the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

A special edition of Brilliant Star magazine, not available through subscriptions, is also being provided to summer schools. This magazine also develops the theme "The Destiny of America," in ways which will help children understand the Mission of Bahá’u’lláh and our actions in arising to serve Him.

1994 Regional Bahá’í Schools

California (Southern) Theme: The Spiritual Destiny of America Dates: August 19-21 Location: Highland Springs Resort, Cherry Valley Rates: Call registrars for details Registrars: Edye York (909) 983-1022; Gladys Johnson (909) 629-2163

Colorado (East) Theme: The Apostles of Bahá’u’lláh Dates: June 30-July 3 Location: Trinity Ranch, Near Wetmore Facilities: Dorms, tent space, upscale cabins, vegetarian food available Recreation: Horseback riding, hiking, volleyball, fishing, peaceful rustic setting, animal sanctuary Rates: Infants free; children 3-7 $60; junior youth 8-16 $65; youth 17-20 $70; adults $80 Registrar: John Bolz, Lafayette, CO 80026; W—(303) 924-2421, H—(303) 666-9275

Colorado (West) / Four Corners School Theme: The Destiny of America Dates: July 28-31 Location: Kamp Kiwanis, Vanderwagen, New Mexico (18 miles south of Gallup) Facilities: Dorms, RV hookups, tent sites Recreation: Softball, basketball, volleyball, playground, nature trails and ‎Anazazi Anasazi‎ ruins. Rates: Infants free; children 2-4 $15; children 5-12 $20; youth 13-18 $40; adults $50 (lower rates available for campers and day students) Pre-Registration: July 18, 1994 Registrar: Bill Bright, Gallup, NM 87301-6453; (505) 722-0039 Other: Special teachers Dr. and Mrs. David Ruhe, Steve Gonzales, Harold Gibson, Thomas Hunn, Nancy O’Brien, Marko Keeman, Debbie Doherty

Florida (Southern Flame Bahá’í School) Theme: Unlocking the Doors to America’s Glorious Destiny Dates: June 30-July 4 Location: Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne Facilities: Dorms Recreation: Swimming pool, tennis courts, volleyball, half-court basketball, open fields. Rates: Ages 0-2 are free; 3-7 $130; 8 and over $160. Registration fee only is $15 per person Pre-Registration: June 24, 1994 Registrar: Yan Gan Yang, Plantation, FL 33324; (305) 424-1547

Idaho (South) Theme: Spiritual Destiny of America Dates: June 11-15 Location: Luther Heights, Lake Alturas, north of Ketchum Facilities: Dormitory cabins, RV space, tent sites, trailer space Recreation: Swimming, volleyball, canoeing, horseback riding Rates: Infants $20; children $70; youth $70; adults $120 Pre-Registration: May 21, 1994 Registrar: Dawn Bowman, Pocatello, ID 83201; (208) 233-9849

Illinois (Heartland) Theme: The Destiny of America Dates: July 20-24 Location: Knox College, Galesburg Facilities: Air conditioned or non-air conditioned dorm rooms, families housed together Recreation: Indoor pool, gymnasium, tennis courts, outdoor sports field. Pre-Registration: June 29, 1994 Registrar: Carl Clingenpeel, Naperville, IL 60563; (708) 961-9806 Other: 10th anniversary session with many special events planned

Iowa Theme: The Destiny of America Dates: August 10-14 Location: Briar Cliff College, Sioux City, Iowa Facilities: Air conditioned dorm rooms, camping, rooms for the handicapped available, cafeteria meals Recreation: Gym, arts, crafts, green space on campus Rates: Under 4 yrs $15; 5-12 $90; 13 and above $128 (costs go down when camping, bringing own food, sleeping children on floor) Pre-Registration: July 25, 1994 Registrar: Don Calkins, Des Moines, IA 50312; (515) 282-7763 Other: Apply for financial aid or scholarships through the treasurer: Bob Findley, Dallas Center, IA 50063; (515) 992-3381

Kentucky Theme: The Destiny of America Dates: September 3-5 Location: Kentucky Leadership Center, Lake Cumberland Registrar: Chris Hamilton, Bowling Green, KY 42101; (502) 782-9060

Maryland / Virginia (Dayspring School) Theme: The Destiny of America Dates: July 29-August 1, 1994 Location: Frostburg State University, Frostburg Facilities: University dorms Recreation: Indoor pool, ball fields Registrar: Ingrid Olson, Herndon, VA 22078; (703) 480-8393

Minnesota (William Sears Great North Woods Bahá’í School) Theme: America’s Spiritual Destiny Dates: August 17-21 Location: Camp Onomia, Onamia Facilities: Private and semi-private dorm rooms Recreation: Swimming, boating, volleyball, softball, hiking Registrar: Steve Grams, Willmar, MN 56201; (612) 235-6530

Mississippi Theme: The Destiny of America Dates: June 10-12 Location: University of South Mississippi, Gulfport Facilities: Dorms Recreation: Swimming pool, beach at Gulf of Mexico Registrar: Mrs. Simin Rohani, Vicksburg, MS 39180; (601) 636-9439

Montana Theme: The Destiny of America Dates: July 31-August 5 Location: Luccock Camp, Livingston, MT Facilities: Rustic cabins, outdoor communal shower/baths, fireplaces Recreation: Chico Hot Springs, horseback riding, organized recreational activities, mountain biking, near Yellowstone Park Rates: Infants $20; children 5-11 $60; youth 12-15 $90; adults 16 and above $115 Pre-Registration: June 15, 1994 Registrar: Linda Wanzenreid, Lewistown, MT 59457; (406) 538-8047 Other: Teacher will be Mr. Moeen Afnani from California

Nebraska (Great Plains Bahá’í School) Theme: The Destiny of America Dates: June 23-26 Location: Camp Comeca, near Cozad Facilities: Cabins, RV hookups, tent space Recreation: Canoes, fishing, swimming pool, hiking, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, softball, foosball, ping pong Pre-Registration: June 4, 1994 Registrar: Colin Taylor, North Platte, NE 69101; (308) 534-4939 Other: Speakers will include Bob Waddell, Billie Kay Bodie, Joyce Stohr, John Jaskowski

New York Theme: America’s Spiritual Destiny Dates: August 12-21 Location: Oakwood School, Poughkeepsie Facilities: Dorms Recreation: Gymnasium, tennis courts, volleyball Rates: Each weekend 4 and under free, 5-12 $45, 13 and above $90; Monday through Friday 4 and under free, 5-12 $135, 13 and above $195; daily rates (adults only) $6. Meals available on a meal by meal basis. Registrar: Mrs. Kiz Johnston, Hoosick Falls, NY 12090; (518) 686-9082

North Carolina Theme: Destiny of America: Actualizing the Master Plan for the Spiritual Regeneration of the World Dates: July 1-5 Location: Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC, near Asheville Facilities: Dorms, air conditioned Recreation: Swimming pool, gymnasium, soccer, softball, basketball, hiking Rates: Infants 0-2 are free; children 2-6 $15 per day; junior youth $32.50 per day; youth $32.50 per day, adults $32.50 per day; day students $14 per day. Pre-Registration: June 20, 1994 Registrar: Maria Hillis, Wilson, NC 27893; (910) 291-1187

Oregon (East) Theme: America’s Spiritual Destiny Dates: August 16-21 Location: Eastern Oregon Bahá’í School, Meadowood Speech Camp, 35 miles east of Pendleton Facilities: Lodges and cabins Recreation: Large wooded campus for hiking, cleared areas for sports, swimming pools, lake for boating Rates: Infants are free; children $75; adults $100; day students $20; family rate $300 Registrar: Shelly Hines, Island City, OR 97850-8476; (503) 962-0815

Oregon (West) Theme: The Destiny of America Dates: August 10-14 Location: 50 miles west of Roseburg in southern Oregon, about 20 miles from the ocean Facilities: Cabins, RV hookups, tent sites Recreation: Hiking trails, volleyball, crafts, baseball Rates: Children 2-8 $38.50; 9-20 $53; 21 and above $65; maximum per family $215 Registrar: Norman Ives, Coos Bay, OR 97420; (503) 267-3157

Tennessee Theme: The Destiny of America: A Critical Moment in Evolution Dates: September 2-5 Location: DuBose Conference Center, Monteagle Facilities: Motels, dorms, cabins, tent facilities Recreation: Volleyball, swimming, hiking, and lots of space Rates: From $60 to $125 Pre-Registration: August 15 (rates increase after this date) Registrar: Kaihan Strain, Hixson, TN 37343; (615) 842-1750

Texas Theme: The Destiny of America Dates: August 4-7 Location: Bridgeport Registrar: Randy Black, Friendswood, TX 77546; (713) 996-1935

Washington (Eastern) / Idaho (Northern) Theme: The Destiny of America Dates: July 2-8 Location: Camp Wooten ELC, in southeastern Washington about 30 miles from Pomeroy Facilities: Cabins, tent space Recreation: Heated indoor pool, basketball, volleyball, hiking and nature trails, river, roller skating, tennis courts, baseball, archery, canoeing Rates: Infants 0-1 $25; 2-5 $35; 6-10 $60; 11-14 $75; 15-17 $85; 18 and above $130. Senior citizens $85; sponsored children $95. Pre-Registration: June 10, 1994 Registrar: Shannon McConnell, Richland, WA 99352; (509) 943-1236

Washington (West) Theme: America’s Spiritual Destiny Dates: August 10-14 Location: Brighton Creek Registrar: Carol Spell, P.O. Box 67, McKenna, WA 98558-0067; (206) 458-3910

Wisconsin (Summer School) Theme: America’s Spiritual Destiny Dates: July 18-22 Location: Byron Center Registrar: Lisa Reimer, West Bend, WI 53095; (414) 338-3023

Green Lake Bahá’í Conference Theme: The Destiny of America ... It will lead all nations spiritually Dates: September 16-18 Location: Green Lake Conference [Page 15]Center, Green Lake, Wisconsin Facilities: Hotels, dorms, private and semi-private rooms, cottages, cabins, campsites Recreation: Wisconsin woodland, two and one-half miles of lakeshore, indoor pool, golf course, boathouse with paddleboats, canoes, sailboats, bicycles, baseball, tennis, shuffleboard, pingpong Pre-Registration: As soon as possible, but at least by mid-August Registrar: For housing and meal reservations, contact the Green Lake Conference Center, American Baptist Assembly, Green Lake, WI 54941; (800) 558-8898 or (414) 294-3323. For program-related information, contact Salma Mughrabi-Howard, Green Lake Committee Secretary, DePere, WI 54115; (414) 337-1844

Bosch Bahá’í School

500 Comstock Lane Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (408) 423-3387; FAX (408) 423-7564

May 27-31, “Together Forever,” 8th annual Marriage Enrichment Retreat, leaders Khalil Khavari, Ph.D., and Sue Khavari, M.A. There will be an opportunity to lead special interest groups under the guidance of these leaders. Send résumé with suggestion of topic to the program coordinator.

All 11 weeks of Summer Sessions listed as General Sessions have children’s activities for those two years and up. For each General Session, materials and guidance for study of Huqúqu’lláh will be available. Devotions will be based on selections from Tablets of the Divine Plan. (Bring your own creative ideas for devotions, including music and drama.)

A lively session, “Know Your Bahá’í Literature,” will be conducted each week by the bookshop/cafe manager in the classroom or in our new and famous bookstore/cafe.

GENERAL SESSIONS

Week 1, June 18-23, “The Spiritual Conquest of Hearts,” with teacher Fernando Huerta, a former Auxiliary Board member from Bolivia; “All the World’s a Stage,” with teacher Tom Lysaght, director of El Teatro de Pan y Paz in Peru and author of the dramatic presentation from the World Congress.

Week 2, June 25-30, “The Destiny of America,” with Gloria Haithman-Álí; texts include The Advent of Divine Justice and The Vision of Race Unity. Plus “Summertime in the Redwoods,” “Bosch Docents,” a new volunteer program with Ruth Somerhalder, resident Bosch historian and nature guide.

Week 3, July 2-7, “Historical Perspective on Tablets of the Divine Plan,” with Amin Banani; texts include God Passes By and Tablets of the Divine Plan. “Blessings and Bounties,” a discussion of the power of the Covenant with Sheila Banani. Also, “Family Financial Planning” offered by Jack Lee.

Week 4, July 9-14, “The Destiny of America: A Different View,” with Barnabus and Erica Leith of the United Kingdom. Also, “West-East Dialogue” offered by Judith Johnson, Ph.D., for consultation on “raising the first generation of children and youth free from prejudice.”

Week 5, July 16-21, Dr. David Ruhe, retired member of the Universal House of Justice, on “The Destiny of America, the New Post-Darwinian Evolution,” a program of slides from the land of the Persians, glimpses of the early life of Bahá’u’lláh from Robe of Light. Also, “Partnership: The Real Meaning of Marriage and Family,” with Margaret Kunz Ruhe; “Making the Book of Laws Our Own: A Study of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas,” with Habib Riazati; “Research Institute on Bahá’í Scholarship” for adults, with Habib Riazati. For admission to this institute, call Habib Riazati at 714/740-1535; attendance is limited.

Week 6, July 23-28, “Midsummer Music,” with pianist Jamak Khazra; “America’s Destiny,” examining issues of racism, disunity and economic injustice, with Harold Javid and Shahin Javid; “Documents of the Covenant,” an intensive personal study with Derek Cockshut; “Bosch Docents,” with Ruth Somerhalder; “College Youth Institute,” for graduated high school seniors and college-age students—maximum attendance 22 students—with teachers Andrew and Angelina Allen.

Week 7, July 30-August 4, “Youth Institute,” for ages 15-18; must be 15 before July 1, 1994; maximum attendance 80 students, with Gary and Margie Bulkin.

Week 8, August 6-11, “Junior Youth Institute,” ages 11-14; must be 11 by July 1, 1994; maximum attendance 80 students, with Larry and Tracie Gholar.

Week 9, August 13-18, “Junior Youth Institute,” ages 11-14; must be 11 by July 1, 1994; maximum attendance 80 students, leaders Larry and Tracie Gholar.

Week 10, August 20-25, “The Destiny of America,” with discussions of the equality of races and sexes, with Amy Purchase Reid and Anthony Reid. Also “Family Financial Planning,” with Jack Lee; “Bosch Docents,” with Ruth Somerhalder.

Week 11, August 27 – Sept. 1, “The Destiny of America,” understanding the power of the Covenant as the only source of salvation for humanity, with Marsha Gilpatrick and Derek Cockshut; texts include Tablets of the Divine Plan and The Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh by Adib Taherzadeh; “Family Financial Planning,” with Jack Lee; and “Forum: Making a Sharp Distinction,” discussing being in the forefront of progressive movements and yet making a sharp distinction. Send proposals for specific topics to the program director.

Green Acre Bahá’í School

188 Main St. Eliot, ME 03903 (207) 439-7200; FAX (207) 439-7202

July 1-4: “Celebrating 100 Years for Peace.” The grand re-opening and dedication of Sarah Farmer Inn; and commemoration of the 100th anniversaries of the Green Acre Bahá’í School and raising of the first known Peace Flag in the world. Special guests to include Counselor William Roberts, National Spiritual Assembly members, National Teaching Committee members, Mildred Mottahedeh and performing artists.

July 4-8: “Weekend Celebration and Spiritual Retreat.” Come for the weekend and extend your stay a few days enjoying the serenity of Green Acre with time for personal reflection and participation in a flexible schedule of classes, activities, independent study, and Bahá’í fellowship making this a truly memorable occasion.

July 10-15: “Core Curriculum Teacher Training Session” for the spiritual education of children, with trainers Nancy Modern and Elizabeth Labelle; “Bahá’í Family Life: The Foundation for a New Social Order,” with focus on the family qualities that help create love and unity, with Ladan Vance: “Law and Justice: Resetting the Balance as Defined by the Kitáb-i-Aqdas,” will discuss examples of the laws and explore the role and definition of justice in the Writings, with Anthony Vance.

July 10-16: “Green Acre Youth Institute,” deepening program for ages 14-19 to prepare them for service to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. Special application required. Institute director is Marshall Murphy.

July 17-22: “Soul, Mind, Spirit,” a study of the mystery and bounty of the spiritual powers bestowed upon mankind, with Florence Mayberry, retired Counselor member of the International Teaching Center; “Leading All Nations-Fulfillment of Prophecy,” America’s role in ushering in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, with Ahang Rabbani.

July 24-29: “Exactly How Can America Do It?” offering the world spiritual leadership, with Bob Harris; “Emblazoning the Name of Bahá’u’lláh,” making Bahá’u’lláh the center of our teaching message with emphasis on the Divine Plan, conveying the station of Bahá’u’lláh and inviting ‎seeks seekers‎ to investigate His claim, with Paul Lample; “The Family in a World Community” will explore the 1994 United Nations “Year of the Family,” with Barbara Harris, Janet and Rodney Richards.

July 31-August 5: “The Process of Unity,” with Mary Kay Radpour; “Consultation,” with John Kolstoe, based on his book of the same name.

August 7-12: “The Kitáb-i-Aqdas,” an intensive study course with Habib Riazati; “Achieving the Destiny! Why America?” identifying the actions necessary to transform America and the world, with John Kolstoe.

August 14-19: “Building the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh” will explore the individual’s response toward the creation of a Bahá’í community that is distinctive from the American nation, with Hoda Mahmoudi; “The Virtues Project: Strategies for Nurturing Spiritual Champions” will focus on the development of Divine virtues in children and adults, with Yahzdi Taillon.

August 21-26: “You and the Destiny of America,” focusing on the critical role each of us has to play in the unfolding of God’s Plan, with Kathy Lee; “Building Bridges: A New Look at Bahá’í Relationships,” a highly experiential and interactive program that identifies the necessary bridges for binding hearts into true spiritual relationships, with Michael and Charlene Winger-Bearskin.

September 2-5: “The Dawn of the Bahá’í Faith,” join Dr. David Ruhe, retired member of the Universal House of Justice, for an exciting in-depth study of the history of the Faith; “Partnership: True Marriage of the Family,” exploring guidelines for achieving a true partnership and its implications for the raising of a new race of men, with Mrs. Margaret Kunz Ruhe.

Louhelen Bahá’í School

3208 South State Rd. Davison, MI 48423 (810) 653-5033; FAX (810) 653-7181

June 3-5: “Fostering the Advancement of Women,” with Jane Faily; “The Family is a Nation in Miniature,” with Rebequa Murphy, Bahá’í Representative to the United Nations. No children’s program, but infants in arms welcome.

June 10-18: “Louhelen Youth Institute,” with Cap Cornwell. For ages 14-19. Youth taking part will learn how to prepare a fireside, develop a personal action plan, gain spiritual tools to combat the corrosive influence of contemporary society and will participate in a special teaching event at the city of Flint Race Unity Day celebration.

June 19-25: “Camp Louhelen,” with Carol and Allen McKiel. For ages 8-12 from all religious backgrounds. Will include camping, arts, crafts, recreation. Space is limited.

July 1-4: “Persian-American Conference.” “The Destiny of America” will be addressed by Dr. Ahang Rabbani; “A Community of Victors” will be addressed by Dr. Daryush Haghighi. Music and entertainment by Tom Price and Narges Nouhnejad Fani. Classes will be taught in both Persian and English. A full children’s program in English will be included. Please register early as space is limited.

July 8-13: “Ruhi Institute Tutor Training” with Lorna Bergner. Children’s program will be provided. The session is limited to 20 people and has prerequisite of previous completion of a basic Ruhi Course.

July 8-13: “Professional Educators Seminar” will include seminars by Dr. Irene Taafaki, Dr. Terry Kneisler, and Barbara Rhody from the Mottehedah Foundation. The goal of the meeting is to bring professional educators together for their own development. A full children’s program will be provided.

July 15-20: “Junior Youth Institute” for ages 11-15. Presenters will include Gayle Woolson and Pat Chadwick. Maggie McClellan will lead a music and drama program.

July 15-18: “Pioneer Institute” sponsored by the Office of Pioneering from the Bahá’í National Center. For an invitation to attend, please contact the Office of Pioneering. A full children’s program will be provided.

July 15-20: “Bahá’í Youth Service Corps Training” sponsored by the Office of Pioneering. For an invitation to attend, please contact the Office of Pioneering.

Family and Friends Sessions

All Family and Friends Sessions include dawn prayers, morning devotions, singing, fellowship, festive meals, Louhelen’s Fund Raising Gourmet Dessert Bars, service, a serene wooded setting, a talent show, and family-centered recreational activities.

July 22-27: Session One, “The Destiny of America: Unity,” with Dr. Hugh Chance, retired member of the Universal House of Justice; “Unity: America’s Challenge,” with Dr. June Thomas. A full children’s program will be provided; musicians in residence will be Susan Engle and Michael Moutrie.

July 29-August 3: Session Two, “The Destiny of America: Family,” with Dr. Hugh Chance; “The Family: America’s Foundation,” with Dr. Hoda Mahmoudi. A full children’s program will be provided; musician in residence will be Jerry Greengus.

August 5-10: Session Three, “The Destiny of America: Community,” with Dr. Hugh Chance; “Building Distinctive Bahá’í Communities,” with Holly Hanson. A full children’s program will be provided; musician in residence will be Tracey Jones Freeman.

August 12-17: “Youth Eagle Institute,” for ages 14-19. Will include serious Bahá’í study, prayer and meditation, fellowship, service projects, music, arts. Facilitators will include Dr. Hugh Chance, Oscar DeGruy, Ladjamaya.

August 19-21: “Race Unity Conference,” with Ladjamaya, and Jack and Fafar Guillebeaux. The conference will focus on the aspects of identifying and overcoming racial prejudices in ourselves. A full children’s program will be provided.

September 2-5: “Homecoming.” Presentation by Mrs. Javidukht Khadem entitled “Please God Ye May Achieve It.” Annual One Planet Festival with dance and entertainment by Marty and Wendy Quinn. A full children’s program will be provided.

September 23-25: “Professional Development Seminar: Managing Change and Transition” presented by Counselor Stephen Birkland. Will assist the management of change and transition in organizations. Issues of leadership, management, and collaborative work in times of rapid organizational change are explored. [Page 16]

کلامی کوتاه در معرفی رابرت هیدن

شاعر سیاهپوست آمریکایی سراینده سرودهای رنج و رستگاری ABOUT ROBERT HAYDEN نوشته دکتر بهروز ثابت (ادامه از شماره پیش)

هنگامی که در دانشگاه فیسک Fisk تدریس می‌کرد در اولین کنفرانس نویسندگان سیاهپوست که در سال ۱۹۶۶ در همان دانشگاه تشکیل شد موضع و دیدگاه اجتماعی و سیاسی او مورد حمله قرار گرفت. او متهم شد که نظرگاه ملایمش در خدمت اهداف نژاد سیاه در آمریکا نیست. اما هیدن که عمیقاً معتقد به وحدت عالم انسانی بود از حمایت از نظریات افراطی که بر جدائی نژادی تأکید می‌ورزید سر باز زد و نوشت که هنرمند سیاهپوست را نبایستی تنها به عنوان سخنگوی نژاد سیاه شناخت، چه در این صورت او را بایستی از عمومیت و جامعیت استانداردهای ادبی معاف دانست که این خود بر تضاد و جدائی نژادی بیشتر دامن می‌زند.

رابرت هیدن اشعار خود را از تنگنای تمایلات و تعبیرات محدود و خصوصی رهانید و به قلل شامخ یگانگی جامعه بشری ارتفاع داد. اشعار او پوچی و از خودبیگانگی عصر حاضر را مجسم می‌سازد و سپس طریق رستگاری را در تجلی لطیفه نهانی روحانی در حیات انسانی می‌بیند. او معتقد بود که هر اثر هنری، علمی یا فلسفی دارای ارزش روحانی بوده و در حکم عبادت محسوب می‌شود و می‌گفت که این باور است که او را در لحظات تاریک زندگی قدرت تحمل می‌بخشد. از نظر او سرایندگی جریانی روحانی و یا مناجاتی به جهت کمال انسانی است که واقعیات درونی و برونی هستی را شامل می‌گردد.

اشعار او غنی از استعارات شاعرانه است. او ایماء سازی را به خدمت می‌گیرد تا به بیان مفاهیم متعالی بپردازد. مثلاً در قطعه شعر معروفی تحت عنوان "‎بهاالله بهاءالله‎ در باغ رضوان" با بیانی لطیف شکوه و عظمت این یوم بدیع را توصیف و ‎تـابلونی تابلویی‎ از قوه حیات بخش ظهور که حتی عنصر خاک را تقلیب وجود نموده ترسیم می‌کند:

(بقیه در شماره آینده)

در سایه روشن مهتاب خیال حضرت بهاءالله را در باغ رضوان تصویر می‌کند که ابواب شناسائی و فیوضات نامتناهی را بر اهل امکان گشوده‌اند و خواب آلودگان را صلای هوشیاری می‌دهند. قوا و انرژی کائنات از فیض امواج روح معنوی به رقص ملائک پیوسته اند و آفتاب‌های معارف که در دل سنگ مستور و مکنون بوده از اشراق انوارش مشرق و منور گشته است.

رابرت هیدن چراغ فروزانی در مسیر نضج و تکامل فرهنگ و هنر بهائی بود. یادش گرامی باد! پس از درگذشت او بیت العدل اعظم تلگرافی بدین مضمون ارسال داشتند: از صعود رابرت هیدن خادم ارجمند امرالله عمیقاً محزونیم. افتخارات متعدد خدمات برجسته‌اش در صحنه شعر و ادب امریکا بر درخشندگی تاریخ امر خواهد افزود. اعضای خانواده ایشان را از همدردی صمیمانه این جمع اطمینان دهید. در اعتاب مقدسه جهت ارتقاء روحش در ملکوت ابهی دعا می‌کنیم.

از نامه‌های دوستان

TRAVEL TEACHING IN UKRAINE

جناب سعادت استوار و همسرشان قدسیه خانم سفری ۴۵ روزه به جمهوری اوکرائین کرده‌اند و شرح آن را طی نامه‌ای نگاشته‌اند که در زیر درج می‌شود:

دوستان عزیز، الله ابهی. در خلال این مسافرت به این فکر بودیم که آیا لذیذ دنیا در چیست؟ در غذای خوب، در مال و منال زیاد، در داشتن وسائل مجهز زندگی، یا در گردش و مسافرت به نقاط زیبا و یا رسیدن به هزاران آمال و آرزوی دنیوی دیگر؟

نتیجه آنکه همهٔ لذیذ و خوشی‌های فوق الذکر خوب و به جای خود بسیار مطلوب است، اما آنها لذت آنی است و فراموش شدنی. لذتی است که به عالم مادیات ارتباط دارد و نتیجهٔ غائی در بر ندارد و همانطور که می‌دانیم مؤمنین اولیه امر و تعداد بی‌شمار دیگر به آن لذت‌ها اعتنائی نداشته و به دنبال لذتی بودند که پایدار بود، لذت معنوی و روحانی بود و برای آن جان‌ها نثار کردند. این نوع لذت لذتی است که تمام اوقات انسان را شاد و محفوظ نگاه می‌دارد، لذتی است که بالاتر از آن در عالم امکان وجود ندارد و آن همان اطاعت از دستورات و اوامری است که همه ما به آنها ایمان داریم و به آنها افتخار می‌نمائیم و با اجرای آن اوامر خود را از بلاهای لاتعد و لاتحصی که اکثر مردم دنیا به آن مبتلا هستند نجات می‌بخشیم. این لذت لذتی است که حضرت رب اعلی، حضرت بهاءالله و حضرت ‎عبدالنبهاء عبدالبهاء‎، با قبول صدمات و مشقات بی‌حصر و حد راه رسیدن به آن را برای ما آماده و ما را به سوی آن راهنمائی فرموده‌اند.

یکی از مهم‌ترین آن اوامر امر مهم تبلیغ است که وظیفه هر فرد بهائی است. لذتی که در امر تبلیغ وجود دارد قابل توصیف و تشریح نیست. اکثر دوستان عزیز از این لذت روحانی و معنوی برخوردار بوده و هستند و مشاهده می‌نمایند که وقتی ندای امر را به گوش فردی برسانند چه وجد و سروری به انسان دست می‌دهد و این وجد و سرور هزاران برابر می‌گردد وقتی بتوان شخص را هدایت نموده و به سرمنزل مقصود رساند.

انجام و اجرای امر تبلیغ در تمام نقاط دنیا مقدور است و همه به سهم خود و به راه‌های گوناگون در این امر عظیم شرکت می‌نمایند و در همهٔ نقاط دنیا هم به این امر مقدس احتیاج فراوان هست.

اما همانطور که همهٔ دوستان عزیز مطلع هستند در اکثر نقاط دنیا مادیات و زندگی ماشینی - خرافات، جهل و نادانی، تعصب و غیره - چنان گریبانگیر مردم شده که دیگر از فکر دین و آئین و خدا و خداپرستی دمی نمی‌زنند. نتیجهٔ زحمت زیادتری باید تحمل نمود تا بتوان در امر تبلیغ نتایج مطلوب حاصل نمائیم.

لکن در بعضی از نقاط دنیا هنوز مردم آلوده به عوامل فوق الذکر نگشته‌اند، تازه وارد دنیای جدیدی شده‌اند. سالها در چهاردیواری بی‌خبری محصور بوده‌اند، از خدا و پیغمبرانش هیچ نمی‌دانسته اند. حال دیواری که دور آنها را احاطه کرده بود شکسته و مثل مرغی که از قفس آزاد شود آنها در هوای سالم و آزاد به پرواز درآمده‌اند و دنبال غذاهای لذیذ روحانی و آب‌های خوش و گوارا می‌گردند. قلب‌هایشان بی اندازه پاک و منزه از هر آلودگی می‌باشد. منتظر آنند که به سوی آب گوارا راهنمائی شوند.

ضمناً صیادان و شیادان زیادی در بین راه آنها دام گسترده‌اند. این وظیفه ما است که قبل از آنکه به دام آن صیادان بی‌انصاف افتند آنها را نجات دهیم. این افراد پاک‌دل و بی آلایش مردمان کشور سابق شوروی که در حال حاضر کشورشان به ۱۶ کشور کوچک‌تر تقسیم شده می‌باشند.

یکی از این کشورها کشور اوکرائین است که ما برای دو بار به آنجا مسافرت تبلیغی کرده‌ایم. روزهای اول در خیابانی که راه می‌رفتیم از طرز حرکات آنها فکر می‌کردیم که مردمان خشن و نامهربانی هستند، اما در اثر تماس با تعداد زیادی از آنها چه در خیابان‌ها، چه در اداره‌ها یا در مجامع عمومی دریافتیم که قلب بسیار صاف و روشنی دارند. دوستان واقعی و مهمان‌نواز هستند. بی‌صبرانه منتظر شنیدن اخبار صلح و اتحاد و محبت هستند.

این تقریباً درباره اکثر افراد صادق است. چون ما با طبقات زیادی اعم از رؤسا و کارگران معمولی تماس می‌گرفتیم، همه را مساعد می‌دیدیم. محبت‌های آنها ناگفتنی است. تا انسان نبیند نمی‌تواند چگونگی آن را درک نماید.

راه‌های تبلیغ در آنجا باز و بی‌نهایت سهل و آسان است. در مدت توقفمان در کشور اوکرائین از ۵ شهر دیدن کردیم. جمعیت هر کدام بیش از یک تا دو میلیون بود. سه مصاحبه ‎رادیونی رادیویی‎ که هر کدام بیش از ۳۰ تا ۴۵ دقیقه طول کشید و یک مصاحبه روزنامه داشتیم بدون اینکه هیچ پولی از ما مطالبه نمایند. یکی از مصاحبه‌ها به وسیله رادیوی تجارتی انجام گرفت که اگر می‌خواستند پول بگیرند، پول زیادی باید می‌پرداختیم.

(بقیه در شماره آینده)

حقوق الله HUQUQU’LLAH

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است تقدیمی‌های حقوق الله 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 9039 Sligo Creek Parkway, #612 Silver Spring, MD. 20910

[Page 17]نمایند.

احباء در اولین راهپیمایی بزرگداشت روز مارتین لوتر کینگ در پلانو شرکت کردند و در آن نسخه‌هائی از بیانیه محفل روحانی ملی دربارۀ وحدت نژادی و نیز برخی از جزوات بهائی در میان شرکت کنندگان توزیع نمودند. از احباء دعوت شده است که سال آینده در کمیسیون برگزاری بزرگداشت روز مذکور شرکت کنند.

احباء برای تلاوت مناجات سالی چهار بار در جلسات شورای شهر شرکت خواهند کرد.

اطلاعیه مؤسسه معارف بهائی به لسان فارسی

NEW PUBLICATION

معرفی کتاب

جلد سوم آثار دکتر علی مراد داودی مقالات و رسائل در مباحث متنوعه

زندگی پرثمر دکتر علی مراد داودی استاد ارجمند و متفکر فرزانه بهائی خیلی زود به انتها رسید، ولی در این مدت کوتاه چنان آثاری از خود به یادگار گذاشت که به تنهایی گنجینه‌ای پرارزش دربارۀ معارف بهائی محسوب می‌گردد.

بلا تردید دکتر داودی یکی از دانشمندان برجسته بهائی در سنین اخیر است که چون ستارۀ درخشان احیای الهی را از نور دانش خود بهره مند می‌سازد.

دکتر داودی چه در مقالات و چه در تقریرات و سخنرانی‌های خود تعالیم و اصول امر بهائی را به بهترین وجه و به طرزی بدیع شرح و توضیح داده است. دکتر داودی از تعالیم و مبادی مبارکۀ امر بهائی برای تبیین و توضیح هر چه دقیق تر مکاتب فکری و فلسفی بهره گرفته و به همین جهت روش او در تحلیل مباحث علمی و فلسفی کم نظیر و بسیار قوی و نیرومند جلوه می‌کند.

آثار دکتر داودی در مباحث امری هیچ گاه به صورت کتابی مستقل نوشته نشده، ولی مجموعه‌ای از نوشته‌ها، سخنرانی‌ها، مقالات مندرج در نشریات امری و مصاحبه‌ها به همت دکتر وحید رأفتی در سه جلد تدوین یافته که جلد اول در فلسفه و عرفان به نام "انسان در آئین بهائی" و جلد دوم آن نیز در فلسفه و عرفان به نام "الوهیت و مظهریت" قبلاً به چاپ رسیده و اکنون جلد اخیر که محتوی مقالات و رسائل مختلفه می‌باشد توسط مؤسسه معارف بهائی طبع و نشر گردیده و در دسترس احبای الهی قرار گرفته است.

در این کتاب تعالیم و احکام امر بهائی، اصول عقاید اهل بهاء، ایران دوستی بهائیان، مطالعات تاریخی، و جواب‌هائی که به بعض مقالات مندرج در جرائد عمومی نوشته شده، پیام به جوانان، قدمای امر و بسیاری از مطالب و مواضیع بسیار جالب دیگر مورد بحث قرار گرفته است.

یاران ارجمند می‌توانند این مجموعۀ نفیس را از کتاب فروشی‌های بهائی ابتیاع فرموده و یا مستقیماً به مؤسسۀ معارف بهائی سفارش داده و دریافت دارند. تلفن: ۳۰۴۰-۶۲۸ (۹۰۵) فکس: ۲۳۷۶-۶۲۸ (۹۰۵)

Institute for Bahá’í Studies in Persian P.O. Box 65600 Dundas, Ontario, L9H 6Y6 CANADA

حضرت بهاءالله می‌فرمایند:

"یا عبد حاضر دوازده سنه در عراق با کمال محبّت و الفت و عنایت با اهل آن مؤانس و معاشر بودیم و حین خروج از بیت و ورود در بستان که به رضوان نامیده شده، اکثری از مأمورین و رجال دولت و معتبرین مملکت ممنون مشاهده گشتند...."

فرا رسیدن عید رضوان را به همۀ دوستان تبریک می‌گوئیم.

اطلاعیه دفتر امور پناهندگان

FROM THE U.S. BAHÁ’Í REFUGEE OFFICE

تقاضای پناهندگی

دفتر امور پناهندگان به آگاهی یاران می‌رساند که بنا به حکم دولت ایالات متحده متقاضیان پناهندگی (asylum) در ایالات متحده یا در خارج از آن باید جهت اثبات وضع خود مدارک و شواهدی مبنی بر تضییقات و آزار ارائه دهند. این مدارک عبارت است از: آمار رسمی یا جزوۀ "مسأله بهائیان" "The Bahá’í Question". این مدارک را می‌توان مجاناً از دفتر محفل روحانی ملی تلفن شمارۀ ۹۰۳۹-۸۶۹ (۷۰۸) دریافت داشت.

لازم به تذکر است که از آنجا که تصمیم قاضی ادارۀ مهاجرت قطعی و نهائی و غیرقابل استیناف است، بر عهدۀ احباء است که مدارک لازم را به همراه داشته باشند و آن را تسلیم قاضی ادارۀ مهاجرت نمایند.

قرعه کشی برای اجازه اقامت دائم

دولت ایالات متحده در سال ۱۹۹۴ از طریق قرعه کشی به ۵۵ هزار نفر اجازه اقامت دائم (کارت سبز) خواهد داد. از جملۀ شرایط کسب اجازۀ اقامت تحصیلات دبیرستان یا دو سال کارآموزی در رشته‌های تخصصی است. برای کسب اجازه باید ورقۀ شرکت در قرعه کشی را تکمیل کرد و ارسال داشت. تکمیل دقیق ورقۀ مذکور اهمیت تامی در تصمیم گیری ادارۀ مهاجرت خواهد داشت.

جهت کسب اطلاعات بیشتر می‌توان با وزارت امور خارجه تلفن ۱۶۰۰-۶۶۳ (۲۰۲) تماس حاصل کرد و یا با وکلای مهاجرت تماس گرفت. خدمات وکلا مستلزم حق الزحمه آنان خواهد بود اما جریان درخواست شرکت در قرعه کشی مجانی است.

به غم گرائید و احساس ندامت از مکالمات با این شخص جانشین شعف شد.

این دوست مدتی از موفقیت‌های تحصیلی و مالی فرزندان خود سخن راند و از کاربری و زرنگی آنان به خود غرید. او سپس شرح داد که چگونه فرزندانش را از اشتباهاتی که جوانان خام و بی تجربه انجام می‌دهند نجات داده و هادیشان در زندگی بوده است.

در ابتدا این مکالمه بسیار گرم و جالب بود. البته هر کسی از شنیدن موفقیت احباء خوشحال می‌شود. امیدوار بودم که این موفقیت‌ها پایه‌ای روحانی دارند، ولی افسوس که شخص مزبور ادامه سخن داده تعریف کرد که چگونه دخترش عاشق یک مرد سیاه پوست شده و حتی می‌خواست با او ازدواج بکند، ولی الحمدلله که حضرت بهاءالله قانون رضایت والدین را وضع فرموده‌اند و او مطلقاً اجازه به این وصال نداد و اکنون این دختر خانم همسر یک استاد معروف ایرانی است که در یکی از دانشگاه‌های غرب تدریس می‌کند.

حال من دگرگون شد، نه تنها برای ضعف روحانی این شخص بلکه برای اینکه با در میان گذاشتن چنین داستان شرم‌آوری مرا هم شأن خود حساب کرده و از خود دانسته است. جای آن بود که شدیداً اعتراض کنم ولی با زحمت زیاد خود را اداره نموده با ملایمت گفتم: "ولی تفاوت نژادی جزو شرایط قانون رضایت والدین نیست، اخلاق و روحانیت است که پدر و مادر باید رویش نظر بدهند و تصمیم به رضایت یا عدم آن به این اتحاد بگیرند."

در جواب، این شخص عذری آورد بدتر از گناه. او گفت: "جانم! این ازدواج‌ها آخر منجر به طلاق می‌شوند؛ ما ایرانی هستیم و فرهنگ دو هزار و پانصد ساله داریم آدم‌هائی که فقط دویست سیصد سال در تمدن زندگی کرده اند نمی‌توانند درک اشخاصی که تمدن چندین سرشاری دارند بکنند و با آن‌ها همزیستی بکنند. تازه بدبخت بچه‌های ایشان هستند که مجبورند در اجتماعی زندگی کنند که سفیدپوستان آن را اداره می‌نمایند. خواهی نشوی رسوا، همرنگ جماعت شو."

در حالی که اشک تأسف در چشم‌هایم جمع شده بود، حضرت عبدالبهاء در دیده‌ام مجسم شدند که دست ایادی امرالله جناب لوئیس گرگوری را گرفته‌اند و در دست خانم سپیدپوستش می‌گذارند و به آن‌ها امر می‌فرمایند که با هم ازدواج کنند تا سرمشقی برای بهائیان و بقیه جهانیان بشوند.

ما وارثین نهال وحدت عالم انسانی هستیم، نهالی که حضرت اعلی با ریختن خون مبارک خود زمینش را آماده کرده‌اند، جمال اقدس ابهی با ۴۰ سال ‎سرگونی سرنگونی‎ و تحمل مشقت غرس نموده و پرورش داده‌اند، نهالی که بیش از ۲۰ هزار شهید با خون خود آبیاری کردند، و حضرت عبدالبهاء و حضرت ولی امرالله آن را با مشقات فراوان در دنیا منتشر ساختند.

الحمدلله ما بهائی هستیم و می‌توانیم درک کنیم که این چه گنجینه‌ای است که به میراث برده‌ایم. بیائید لایق این مرحمت الهی باشیم و نگذاریم که عواملی که گول مادیات را خورده‌اند دامن ما را به نژادپرستی آلوده و ننگین نمایند.

الحمدلله که بهائی هستیم

RACISM IS UGLY

جناب فریدون برهانیان نامه‌ای ارسال داشته‌اند که به دلیل اهمیت موضوع آن را تماماً درج می‌کنیم:

الحمدلله که بهائی هستیم

چندی قبل در یک جلسۀ امری به یکی از دوستان قدیمی برخورد کردم. در ابتدا، دیدار پر از صفا بود و گفتنی‌ها فراوان، ولی هر چه بیشتر درد دل کردیم و از خویش و اقربا سخن راندیم آن صفا و سرور بیشتر... [Page 18]

تشییع جنازه سه بهائی ایرانی در آفریقای جنوبی

FUNERAL OF THE BAHA’IS MURDERED IN SOUTH AFRICA

روز ۱۹ مارس سال جاری بیش از ۵۰۰ نفر در مراسم تشییع جنازه سه بهائی که شش روز قبل توسط عده‌ای مرد مسلح در مرکز بهائی شهرک Mdantsane بی‌رحمانه به قتل رسیده بودند، شرکت کردند. این سه بهائی ایرانی تبار تنها سفیدپوستان حاضر در جلسه دعا بودند. مردان مسلح آن عزیزان را از سیاهپوستان جدا کردند و در کنار دیوار مرکز بهائی به گلوله بستند. ارتش آزادی ازانیان Azanian Liberation Army که یکی از گروه‌های افراطی سیاهپوست است، مدعی مسؤولیت این کشتار شد.

خبر این کشتار توسط رسانه‌های خبری به همهٔ قارات جهان مخابره شد و مردم سراسر جهان را مبهوت این قتل فجیع و بی‌دلیل ساخت، به خصوص که این کشتار در یک جلسه دعا در میان گروهی مرد و زن و خردسال بی گناه رخ داد. گزارش تشییع جنازه توسط شبکه رادیوی همگانی ایالات متحده National Public Radio پخش شد.

محفل روحانی ملی آفریقای جنوبی در ضمن بیانیه‌ای خطاب به رسانه‌های خبری اظهار داشت: «این کشتار که انگیزه نژادی داشته شگفت آور است، زیرا بهائیان همواره جامعه‌ای متشکل از نژادهای گوناگون بوده اند و در ۴۰ سالی که در آفریقای جنوبی حضور داشته اند به اصول وحدت نژادی معتقد بوده و این وحدت را در میان گروه‌های بومی و نژادی گوناگون که در جامعه بهائی این کشور بوده اند تجلیل کرده اند.»

احباء از مناطق مختلف در مراسم تشییع جنازه سه برادر مقتولشان جناب هوشمند انوری، دکتر شمام بخشندگی و جناب ریاض رضوی شرکت کردند. همچنین بسیاری از افراد غیربهائی از جمله همکاران و دوستان سه بهائی مقتول و شهردار ایست لندن East London و رئیس دانشگاه فورت هار Fort Hare و دو تن از اعضای حزب ملی منطقه و اعضای یک سازمان صلح در این مراسم شرکت جستند.

در مراسم مذکور ادعیه و مناجات به زبان‌های فارسی، عربی، انگلیسی، و آفریقان (زبان سفیدپوستان آفریقای جنوبی) تلاوت شد. شهردار ایست لندن در سخنان خود به فداکاری آن عزیزان مهاجر که برای پیشبرد وحدت عالم انسانی جان خود را فدا کردند، اشاره کرد.

پس از اینکه پیام‌هائی از بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی و هیئت مشاورین قاره‌ای آفریقا و محفل روحانی ملی آفریقای جنوبی قرائت شد، جناب دنیل رامورواسی Daniel Ramoroasi، مشاور قاره‌ای و جناب بیژن ایقانی، عضو هیئت معاونت دربارهٔ آن سه بهائی از خودگذشته سخنانی ایراد کردند. سپس دوستان و همکاران آن سه عزیز فضائل و خلقیات آن سه مهاجر را یاد کردند و تجلیل نمودند.

جناب انوری که ۴۳ سال داشت، ساکن بیکن بی Beacon Bay بود و اخیراً به اتفاق همسرشان مدرسه‌ای تأسیس کرده بودند که قرار بود به تحصیل ۸۰ کودک در یکی از مناطق سیاهپوست‌نشین کمک کند. جناب انوری در اواخر دهه ۷۰ ایران را به خاطر تضییقات روزافزون ترک کرده بودند. از ایشان سه فرزند (۸ ساله و ۵ ساله و ۳ ساله) باقی است. ایشان در سال‌های دهه ۸۰ در آفریقای جنوبی زندگی کرده بود و از جولای سال ۱۹۹۰ جهت اشاعه وحدت نژادی سکونت آن کشور را برای خود برگزید.

دکتر بخشندگی یک دندانپزشک، ۲۹ ساله، و یکی از معدود دکترهای سفیدپوست در بیمارستان سیسیلیا مکوانی Cecilia Makwani بود. دکتر بخشندگی که به ۵ زبان تکلم می‌کرد در سراسر منطقه جهت سفرهای تبلیغی برای گسترش وحدت نژادی شهرت داشت. ایشان متأهل نبود و در ایست لندن زندگی می‌کرد.

جناب رضوی یک حسابدار ۴۴ ساله مقیم کینگ ویلیامز تاون King Williams Town بود و مدیریت امور مالی دانشگاه Fort Hare را که یک دانشگاه انحصاری سیاهپوستان است، بر عهده داشت. جناب رضوی با یک خانم متولد بلژیک ازدواج کرده بود و از او دو فرزند (۱۵ ساله و ۱۳ ساله) داشت.

پیشرفت در زمینه تبلیغ

PROGRESS OF TEACHING WORK

سال اول نقشه سه ساله رو به اختتام است و شواهد جدیدی در زمینه تبلیغ امر مبارک به چشم می‌خورد که برخی از آن را به آگاهی یاران می‌رسانیم.

اورگان چند سال پیش هنگامی که بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی اولویت انتشار امر مبارک را در کشور چین به اهل بهاء گوشزد فرمودند، شور و شوقی در احبای شهر پورتلند Portland در ایالت اورگان Oregon ایجاد شد. گام اولی که احبای پورتلند برداشتند تشکیل گروه‌هائی برای ایجاد ارتباط در میان خانواده‌های بهائی و دانشجویان و استادان چینی بود. این برنامه منجر به تشکیل یک مؤسسه تبلیغی جهت «پیشبرد فرهنگ آسیائی» شد که ۱۵ نفر چینی غیربهائی را با معدودی از احباء گرد هم آورد. در حال حاضر ۱۲ بهائی چینی در آن محل وجود دارد و فعالیت‌های تبلیغی از آنجا به شهر یوجین Eugene و کوروالیس Corvallis نیز سرایت کرده و پیوندی در میان ۵ دانشگاه آن نقاط ایجاد نموده است.

شرح برخی از فعالیت‌هائی که در ماه‌های اخیر صورت گرفته عبارت است از:

• تبادلات فرهنگی چینیان را با ایرانیان و اسپانیولی‌زبان‌ها و مردم جنوب آسیا و اهل هاوائی و مانگ‌ها Hmong آشنا ساخته است.
• در طی ماه‌های تابستان محفل روحانی تایگرد Tigard دو پیک‌نیک ترتیب داد که در آن ۶۰ تا ۸۰ نفر از چینیان با اهل بهاء ساعات خوشی را گذراندند.
• ضیافت شامی در روز عید سپاسگزاری Thanksgiving توسط محفل تایگرد ترتیب داده شد که در آن بیش از ۱۳۰ نفر شرکت کردند که نیمی از آنان را چینیان تشکیل می‌دادند.
• یک جلسه رسمی در مرکز بهائی شهر یوجین منعقد شد که در آن ۱۹ نفر چینی بهائی و غیربهائی شرکت کردند.
• یک برنامه تلویزیونی به زبان چینی توسط داوطلبان بهائی و غیربهائی و با کمک «مؤسسه پیشبرد فرهنگ آسیائی» تهیه شد.

ویسکانسین احبای کنوشا Kenosha در ایالت ویسکانسین Wisconsin در مورد تحکیم اساس ایمانی احباء، چنان موفقیتی داشته‌اند که یکی از مبتدیان توسط یکی از احبای تازه تصدیق به امر مبارک اقبال کرد. با تصدیق شخص مذکور جامعهٔ امری کنوشا توانست محفل روحانی خود را دوباره تشکیل دهد. برای بزرگداشت این واقعه احباء در رستوران واقع در ایستگاه قطاری که حضرت عبدالبهاء در سال ۱۹۱۲ در آن حضور یافته بودند، گرد هم آمدند. داستان این موفقیت از سال ۱۹۹۲ آغاز شد. پس از آنکه محفل روحانی کنوشا منحل شد، شش نفر از احباء — که یکی از آنها فقط چند هفته بود که بهائی شده بود — به آن شهر مهاجرت کردند. این مهاجران عزیز از آن زمان تا کنون به تشکیل بیوت تبلیغی هفتگی و کلاس‌های تزیید معلومات پرداخته‌اند. ضمناً یک کارگاه workshop نیز برای جوانان، اعم از بهائی و غیربهائی، ایجاد شده که اعضای آن هر هفته تشکیل جلسه می‌دهند. یکی از اعضای این کارگاه امر مبارک را تصدیق کرده است.

آریزونا احبای آریزونا نیز بهره‌ای از تحکیم اساس ایمانی یاران برده‌اند به نحوی که یکی از تازه تصدیقان منطقه فینیکس Phoenix برای کمک در فعالیت‌های تبلیغی به اورگان سفر کرده است. برخی از جوامع بهائی آریزونا در برنامه‌های مختلف تبلیغی شرکت فعالانه داشته‌اند. تا کنون برنامه‌های تبلیغی آن ایالت منجر به تسجیل ۲۹ نفر بزرگسال و ۶ نوجوان شده است.

کارولینای جنوبی فعالیت‌های یک گروه سه نفره متشکل از دو جوان و یک بزرگسال منجر به تسجیل بیش از ۲۵ نفر در منطقه پی دی Pee Dee شده است. تازه تصدیقان در جلسات تزیید معلومات شرکت می‌کنند تا مبانی ایمانشان تحکیم یابد.

تگزاس احبای پلانو Plano در تگزاس چنین ترتیب داده‌اند که رهبران فعالیت‌های مربوط به وحدت نژادی باشند. از یکی از رهبران مسیحی دعوتی به عمل آمد که برای دعا در برنامه حقوق بشر شرکت نماید. سپس شخص مذکور از احباء دعوت کرد که در یک جلسه مرکب از رهبران دینی شهر شرکت کند. از آن زمان تا کنون فرصت‌هائی برای تبلیغ امر مبارک به دست آمده که برخی از آن عبارت است از:

• جامعهٔ بهائی پلانو با یکی از اتحادیه‌های دینی ارتباط حاصل کرد و از طریق آن با یکی از کلیساهای سیاهپوستان مرتبط شد. این دو گروه قرار است چهار بار در سال آینده در جلسات دینی همدیگر شرکت

[Page 19]

Funeral service held for 3 Bahá’ís slain in Ciskei

Continued from page 1

Arabic, Persian, Xhosa and Afrikaans, was conducted by a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Transkei.

The mayor of East London spoke, alluding to the sacrifice these Bahá’ís had made to help advance the cause of the unity of humankind.

After messages from the Universal House of Justice, the Board of Counselors for Africa, and the National Spiritual Assembly of South Africa were read, Counselor Daniel Ramoroesi spoke about the slain Bahá’ís and Auxiliary Board member Bijan Iqana about the nature of the soul. The three Bahá’ís were then eulogized by friends and colleagues, each of whom attested to their trustworthiness and loyalty and referred again and again to the victories that would result from their sacrifice.

Mr. Anvari, a 43-year-old computer programmer and U.S. citizen who was a member of the Spiritual Assembly of East London, had, with his Iranian-born wife, Dina, recently established a tutorial school which was designed to upgrade the education of some 80 black children in King Williams Town, a town in South Africa near Ciskei, a (former) black homeland.

Mr. Anvari was father of three

Mr. Anvari, who left Iran in the late 1970s after the government of that country began widespread persecution of Bahá’ís, was the father of three children, ages eight, five and two years. He had lived in South Africa in the 1980s and returned there in July 1990, drawn by his desire to promote racial harmony.

Dr. Bakhshandegi, a 28-year-old dentist born in Mauritania to Iranian parents who were pioneering there, was one of only a handful of white doctors at the Cecilia Makwani Hospital, the only major hospital in black Mdantsane Township, where the killings took place.

In the early 1980s he pioneered with his parents to South Africa, and while a university student in Johannesburg served on the city’s local Spiritual Assembly. Shortly before his death Dr. Bakhshandegi had completed the first scientific dental research done in Ciskei, for which he will be awarded a master’s degree posthumously. He had already won, along with two others, the Elida Ponds Research Award in dentistry for his work.

Dr. Bakhshandegi, who spoke five languages, was well known for traveling throughout the area to promote the Bahá’í principle of racial unity. He was not married and lived in East London. Besides his parents, he is survived by a sister, Djam.

Mr. Razavi, a 44-year-old accountant who lived in King Williams Town, was director of finance at the University of Fort Hare, an all-black university in Ciskei.

Accomplished musician

Married to a Belgian-born Bahá’í, Vera Paquay, whom he met while they were pioneering in Lesotho, Mr. Razavi, an Auxiliary Board member for Ciskei since 1989, was the father of two children, ages 15 and 12. He was also an accomplished musician.

A memorial service for the three Bahá’ís was held March 22 in San Jose, California. Among the more than 70 people attending were the assistant chief of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office, the minister of a local church, and a number of business leaders.

World Order’s special Spring ’94 issue commemorates Declaration of the Báb, 100th anniversary of Faith in N. America

World Order magazine examines the past and presages the future in its Spring 1994 issue, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb and the centenary of the Bahá’í Faith in America.

Robert H. Stockman sets the tone in his essay on the history of the American Bahá’í community.

In it, he recounts the struggles of early believers to understand their new faith and teach it to others; to build enduring institutions embodying the Faith’s ideals; to take that Faith to every corner of the nation and the globe; to contribute to the wider culture through expression of Bahá’í values in literature and art; and to foster society’s acceptance of key Bahá’í principles.

Dr. Stockman shows how two of those principles, the oneness of humanity and establishment of world peace, provide the framework for understanding much of American Bahá’í history.

Taraz Samandari addresses today’s issues and offers a new set of values for tomorrow in his essay, “Speaking to America in the 1990s.”

Against the backdrop of decay in moral and social values, the author paints a picture of the pain of change, the impossibility of a return to an idealized past, and the deficiencies of a purely individualistic capitalism.

By contrast, he presents values based on Bahá’í scriptures as the basis on which to rebuild society and explains their application to America’s challenge.

Part of that challenge is represented in World Order’s other feature article, a look at the latest chapter in American Bahá’ís’ efforts to ameliorate the conditions under which their fellow believers in Iran are forced to live.

The U.S. Congress has drafted its strongest expression yet of outrage over the treatment of Bahá’ís in the Cradle of the Faith.

The resolution, supported by the revelation of a systematic Islamic Republic policy to persecute Bahá’ís everywhere, calls for an end to the government-sanctioned denial of economic, social, and political rights of Bahá’ís in Iran.

Scattered throughout this commemorative issue of World Order are quotations from the Central Figures of the Bahá’í Faith that help explain the importance of America in establishing the viable moral, material and political World Order envisioned by Bahá’u’lláh.

Also included are reviews of three books, two of which deal with the lives of Hands of the Cause of God—Dorothy Freeman’s From Copper to Gold: The Life of Dorothy Baker, and Nathan Rutstein’s Corinne True: Faithful Handmaid of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—and The Culture of Disbelief: How American Law and Politics Trivialize Religious Devotion, by Stephen L. Carter.

For copies of the World Order commemorative issue, or to subscribe, please phone Subscriber Service at the Bahá’í National Center, 708-733-3453.

National Assembly

Continued from page 1

The secretary-general reported continuing cooperation with the National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil which asked the U.S. National Assembly to send to Brazil a black Portuguese-speaking traveling teacher. Since the request was made, two or three such teachers have gone to Brazil, which in turn has sent two traveling teachers to the U.S.

The secretary for External Affairs reported on the repercussions of the martyrdom of three Bahá’í pioneers in South Africa, including wide coverage in the media. The National Assembly decided to alert local Spiritual Assemblies, suggesting that they send condolences to the National Spiritual Assembly of South Africa.

The treasurer reported that the community is arising to eliminate the Fund deficit. Contributions have increased greatly, and many local Assemblies have responded enthusiastically to appeals from the National Spiritual Assembly.

At the same time, the National Assembly is fully aware that at the present level of financial support, many of its national agencies will have further to reduce their activities.

There followed a prolonged and difficult discussion of next year’s budget, which the National Assembly was to present for consultation to the delegates at the National Convention.

The National Spiritual Assembly met with Counselors Steven Birkland and Wilma Ellis, with much of the consultation centered around teaching.

The National Assembly made decisions about the agenda to be presented at the National Convention, and discussed various Convention arrangements.

‘Light in Darkness’ has busy summer schedule

The Youth Teaching/Performing group “Light in the Darkness” has a busy summer schedule with performances July 13-18 in Mantova, Italy; July 20-25 at the European Youth Conference in Germany; August 1-13 in the Baltic States of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia; August 16-23 in Slovenia and August 24-31 in Croatia.

If you would like to take part, please contact Vargha Mazlum, 50127 Florence, Italy (phone 55-417162).

Costa Mesa Bahá’ís collect canned goods for relief agency

The Bahá’ís of Costa Mesa, California, helped celebrate Intercalary Days in February by collecting several hundred pounds of canned and dry goods for the poverty relief agency Share Our Selves (SOS).

The service-oriented event drew about 400 people to the Costa Mesa Senior Citizens Center.

IN MEMORIAM

Elizabeth Beck El Paso, TX February 25, 1994	Marjorie Foster Montclair, CA December 20, 1993	Malena Jones Pleasant Hill, CA November 13, 1993	Lillean Picule Cut Off, LA February 6, 1994
Camille Cahall West Allis, WI January 6, 1994	James Gallagher Pleasant Hill, CA October 16, 1993	Ida F. McCray Monticello, NY December 3, 1993	Ralph Scales Clinton, NC June 10, 1993
Walter Dalleinne Central Islip, NY February 16, 1994	Reino W. Harju Siloam Springs, AR February 20, 1994	Izel Nelson Jr. Louisville, GA December 30, 1993	Jahangir Shahidi Phoenix, AZ August 9, 1993
Teresa Donde Phoenix, AZ July 1993	Carolyn Henderer Rogers, AR March 5, 1994	Thong Phengvongsa Winfield, KS March 16, 1994	Hazel M. Wall West Haven, CT November 5, 1993
Mildred Duwart Gloucester, MA December 19, 1993

[Page 20]

Work on King Week Task Force gives Louisiana ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ greater influence

Participation since the late 1970s on the Martin Luther King Jr. Task Force in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, has afforded the local Bahá’ís greater and greater opportunities to positively influence the lives of people in southern Louisiana.

The latest example stemmed from a televised youth forum held in January. One of the panelists, a juvenile court judge, suggested that the Task Force pull together resources that would help him deal with the problems of conflict and violence in the community.

As a result, the Task Force asked Bahá’í Jack Guillebeaux, an Auxiliary Board member from Alabama, to develop a workshop on conflict resolution and asked that Mary Ampey, a Bahá’í from Baton Rouge, conduct workshops on family strengths.

Bahá’ís have made their presence felt in other areas as well.

Since 1991, a Bahá’í group has marched in the annual parade and rally. The Bahá’ís staff a table at and advertise in the program for the annual banquet, which is attended by almost 500 people.

Last year, Bahá’í singer Carla Baker was featured prominently in front-page articles about the banquet that appeared in two local newspapers. This year, two local Bahá’ís were honored as female achievers.

Two Bahá’ís co-chair the Black History Cultural Youth Program Committee. Under their leadership, the youth program has evolved into an afternoon of hands-on activities, including the creation of a “Umoja village” environment to help the children develop positive self-esteem.

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

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

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MAY

7: “Colors of the Heart: A Festival of Story, Song and Dance,” Metro Denver Bahá’í Center, Denver, Colorado. Sponsored by the Dorothy Baker Project. For information, contact Robbi Smith Lange, 303-470-1783; fax 303-470-1583.

13-15: Professional Development Workshop, “Creativity Training for Bahá’ís,” Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

14-15: San Jose Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

20-22: Annual session on Southeast Asian teaching, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone Puran Stevens at the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office, 708-869-9039, or fax 708-869-0247.

22: Sesquicentennial celebration of the Declaration of the Báb, 8 p.m., Foundation Hall, Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois. For information, please phone the House of Worship Activities Office, 708-853-2300.

26-30: Fourth Conference of the “Friends of Persian Culture,” North Shore Hilton Hotel, Skokie, Illinois. For information, phone 708-733-3531.

27-29: 21st annual Conference of Nur, Elizabethtown (PA) College. Theme: “Arise: Become an Apostle of Bahá’u’lláh.” Speakers to include Dr. Wilma Ellis, Dr. David Ruhe, Vaughn Loudenback. Registration deadline: May 11. For information, phone 717-390-1988 or write to the Spiritual Assembly of Lancaster, P.O. Box 2453, Lancaster, PA 17608.

27-29: First annual Poets’ Workshop, Dallas, Texas, sponsored by Purple Rose Press. Michael Fitzgerald, a Bahá’í who is an award-winning poet, will lead workshops and offer critiques. Cost (including room and board): $150. Contact Rhonda Palmer, Allen, TX 75002 (phone 214-727-4310).

27-30: Bosch Bahá’í School’s eighth annual Marriage Retreat, “Together Forever,” conducted by Khalil Khavari and Sue Williston Khavari, authors of Creating a Successful Family and Together Forever: A Handbook for Creating a Successful Marriage. For information or to register, phone 408-423-3387 (fax 408-423-7564).

27-30: A “How-To” Conference, “Teaching: The Dominating Passion—Creating, Sustaining and Extending ‎Larg-Scale Large-Scale‎ Projects,” Woodburn, Oregon. For information, write to Jan House, director, Woodburn Bahá’í Center, Woodburn, OR 97071, or phone 503-981-3516.

27-30: Core Curriculum Teacher Training, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

27-30: Bahá’í Pacific West Coast Youth Conference 1994, Bellevue, Washington. Theme: “The Three Year Plan: Press on to Meet the Dawn.” Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Bellevue. For information, contact Ala Moshiri, Bellevue, WA 98004, phone 206-453-9779, or fax 206-453-6398.

JUNE

3-5: Session on Women, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

3-5: Newsletter editor training/The American Bahá’í Community: Becoming an Economic Force, Bosch Bahá’í School. Adults only ‎For information For information‎, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564.

3-5: Victory Teaching Conference followed by a teaching project to win the goals of the Three Year Plan, sponsored by the Bahá’í community of Farmers Branch, Texas (Dallas County). For registration and information, phone Bahman Moghaddas, 214-620-9242.

9-12: “Vision in Action,” Regional Bahá’í Youth Conference, YMCA Camp of the Rockies, Estes Park, Colorado. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Golden, Colorado. For information, write to Regional Bahá’í Youth Conference, P.O. Box 795, Golden, CO 80402, phone 303-399-4715, or fax 303-270-3326.

10-12: LSA Team Building Weekend—Sacramento/Northern California, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564.

10-18: Youth Institute, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

12: International Bahá’í Picnic, noon-5 p.m., Queenston Heights Park, Queenston, Ontario, Canada.

19-25: Camp Louhelen, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

30-July 3: Colorado East Summer School, Trinity Ranch. Contact Sandra Bolz, Lafayette, CO 80026 (phone 303-666-9275).

JULY

1-4: Persian-American Conference, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

1-4: Media/Communications Conference, “Everything You Want to Know About Media,” Nashville, Tennessee. For information, phone 310-652-3983.

1-5: North Carolina Summer School. Contact Peggy Cerchione, Deep Gap, NC 28618 (phone 704-264-7839).

2-8: Washington (East)/Idaho (North) School. Contact Wendy Diessner, Lewiston, ID 83501 (phone 208-746-0273).

3: 25th anniversary Roundup/Reunion celebrating the formation of the Spiritual Assembly of Idaho Falls, Idaho. For information, write to the Assembly at Idaho Falls, ID 83404, or phone 208-522-0333.

8-13: Teacher Training Institute, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

9-August 7: Dr. Muhájir Teaching Project, sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of Grenada, covering small towns and villages around the island. For information, phone the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, 708-869-9039.

15-20: Bahá’í Youth Service Corps/Pioneering Institute, Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan. For information, phone 708-733-3511 (youth) or 708-733-3512.

JAMÁL B.E. 151 /APRIL 28, 1994