The American Bahá’í/Volume 25/Issue 8/Text

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[Page 1]

'Mission 19' goals fall fast as teaching pace picks up

The spirit of confidence that pervaded the 85th Bahá’í National Convention was born of more than optimism. There is ample "real world" evidence to back it up. By mid-May, with six months to go in the National Teaching Committee's "Mission 19" challenge to meet the numerical goals of the Three Year Plan in 19 Gregorian months:

• Two goals had fallen. One goal, that of putting 3,000 traveling teachers into the field, was won by Ridván and announced at the National Convention. Then, in early May, the number of homefront pioneer posts taken up topped the goal of 500.

• A third victory was within easy reach. The number of international pioneers and traveling teachers stood at 1,830 on April 30, within striking distance of the Three Year Plan goal of 2,000.

• Contributions to the Bahá’í Funds continue to come in at a rate that suggests the kind of sustained activity called for in the National Spiritual Assembly's Vision in Action message.

Dalai Lama visits Bahá’í World Center

On March 24, the Dalai Lama, exiled leader of Tibet's religious community, visited the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa, marking the first visit by the head of a religion to the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel.

The Dalai Lama was greeted by Hushmand Fatheazam, a member of the Universal House of Justice, and Counselor Donald Rogers, a member of the International Teaching Center, who gave him a tour of the gardens and informed him of the history of the Faith.

The Dalai Lama entered the Shrine of the Báb reverently, assumed a lotus position, and remained seated for five minutes while meditating with his eyes closed.

Afterward, he asked permission to place a scarf on the Threshold, and covered its length with a long, white silk scarf. "The presentation of such a scarf," said a report from the World Center, "is the highest act of respect which the Dalai Lama can confer. To his followers, a scarf from him is the greatest honor and blessing they can receive."

From the Shrine, the Dalai Lama and his entourage proceeded to the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, where he offered his deep gratitude and appreciation for having been received so cordially. Two books by Bahá’u’lláh were presented to him.

U.S. House votes unanimously to condemn Iranian persecution

On April 19, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 414-0 to condemn Iran's denial of religious freedom and basic human rights to the Iranian Bahá’í community—the sixth congressional appeal adopted since 1982 in support of the Bahá’ís in that country.

The resolution cites the Iranian government's official "blueprint for the destruction of the Bahá’í community" which discloses that "these repressive actions are the result of a deliberate policy designed and approved by the highest officials" of the Iranian government.

It censures that government's "religious persecution of the Bahá’í community, including the execution of more than 200 Bahá’ís, the imprisonment of additional thousands, and other repressive and discriminatory actions against Bahá’ís based solely upon their religious beliefs."

In spite of previous resolutions and warnings from Congress, the United Nations and other international bodies, it points out, the government of Iran "continues to deny the Bahá’í community the right to organize, to elect its leaders, to hold community property for worship or assembly, to operate religious schools and to conduct other normal religious community activities."

The resolution "condemns the repressive anti-Bahá’í policy" of Iran's goverment "as set forth in a confidential official document which explicitly states that Bahá’ís shall be denied access to education and employment...."

The resolution was co-sponsored by 96 members of the House and 52 Senators including the chairmen and ranking members of the Foreign Relations and Foreign Affairs Committees, and members of the leadership of both political parties. The Senate had approved the resolution last November.

Firuz Kazemzadeh, the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly's secretary for External Affairs, welcomed the Congressional action, saying that "this appeal, together with the strong resolution adopted [on March 9] by the UN Human Rights Commission...puts the Iranian regime on notice that the world condemns its continuing persecution of a law-abiding religious community."

The text of Senate Concurrent Resolution 31 and remarks by Reps. Sam Gejdenson of Connecticut, Benjamin Gilman of New York and John Porter of Illinois were published April 18 in the Congressional Record.

Rep. Gejdenson, who introduced the resolution for a vote by the House of Representatives, said, "Mr. Speaker, the horrendous treatment of the Bahá’í community by the government of Iran has been addressed by this House before. We need to condemn this outrageous treatment at every opportunity."

Rep. Gilman, the ranking minority member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said, "Each time we consider these resolutions it seems that there has been a new twist added to the outrages Iranian authorities have perpetrated against their own citizens.

"During the past year, we received disturbing reports from Iran on the continued repression of the Bahá’í community. We learned that the Tehran authorities have destroyed gravesites located in the principal Bahá’í cemetery in Tehran....

"The desecration of the Bahá’í cemetery in Tehran is not only a despicable attempt by the Iranian government to add to the misery of the living by denying to their loved ones interred at this site the respect that all civilized peoples accord to the dead, but an attempt to obliterate the heritage of the Bahá’í and all traces of their culture which originated in Iran."

Rep. Porter, who spearheaded the efforts to support the Bahá’ís, said, "In September two Iranians were found guilty of murdering a Bahá’í, but did not face retribution because their victim was a member of the Bahá’í community....

"As recently as last December, three Bahá’ís were condemned to death because of apostasy or of being unprivileged infidels at war with the Moslem nation.

"A year ago an official government document obtained in Iran confirmed for the first time that the ongoing policy of the Iranian government is to destroy the Bahá’í community."

Special pull-out section

Universal House of Justice responds to concerns raised by the National Spiritual Assembly in its March meeting with the Supreme Body. The pull-out section follows page 10. [Page 2]

Vision in Action: Explanation and correction

Owing to a series of inadvertent events, an article recounting the Universal House of Justice's meeting with the National Spiritual Assembly was published in The American Bahá’í (April 9, p. 1).

The article was taken largely from remarks made to staff members during a general staff meeting at the Bahá’í National Center in an effort to convey the loving spirit of the meetings at the Bahá’í World Center.

These remarks were neither intended nor approved for publication.

The National Spiritual Assembly regrets that this happened and offers its apologies to the readers.

'Fun-filled firesides' live up to name

By Tom Mennillo

"Frouzan and Friends Fun-Filled Friday Night Family Fireside" in Bedford, Texas, lives up to its catchy name in every respect.

There's Frouzan Afsahi and his wife, Dinah. Plus lots of friends. Whole families, in fact. Gathering every Friday night for a fireside that draws Bahá’ís and seekers from a 25-mile radius.

Frouzan and Dinah first opened their home April 16, 1993. In the year since, they have seen "lots of humor, laughter, love and unity." And 12 enrollments, including an entire family.

The fireside averages about 10 seekers, although as many as 20 have sometimes shown up. With Bahá’ís, the attendance swells to about 40 or 50.

They spill across three rooms: a game room, kitchen and family room. Children and youth usually go off and have their own fireside.

both to get everyone relaxed and to provide a basic introduction to the Faith.

Typically, there is live music provided by singers or musicians. At a recent fireside, a four-year-old taught everyone how to sing Red Grammer's "Teaching Peace."

Then comes a speaker. A wide range of Bahá’ís from scholars to new believers has been drafted to talk for 20 to 25 minutes on a topic such as "Bahá’u’lláh and Christ," "Race Unity," "Men and Women" or "The Bahá’í Funds."

The friends have their opportunity afterward to chat with the seekers one-on-one or in small groups while enjoying refreshments. Others, friends and seekers, can watch Bahá’í videos in another room during that time.

No one is ever asked to leave by a certain time. People sometimes stay for hours talking, even Mr. Afsahi opens the formal program. His aim is playing board games.

Letter from the National Teaching Committee: Bahá’í youth plan to follow 'American Routes'

To the American Bahá’í community

Dearly loved friends,

This is the fourth in a series of open letters from the National Teaching Committee designed to explore various aspects of the strategy for large-scale growth and consolidation in the U.S. In this letter we would like to address another of the elements that form a part of the "unity in diversity of actions" necessary to contribute to a "growth-producing milieu" to initiate and sustain entry by troops—the critical role of youth in the vanguard of the teaching work.

The Universal House of Justice has characterized Bahá’í youth as "potent instruments" for the execution of teaching campaigns, adding that through their distinctive qualities, "they can become the spearhead of any enterprise, and the driving force of any undertaking, whether local or national."

One of the highlights of teaching in the opening year of the Three Year Plan was the Fruit of the Holy Year campaign that involved about 350 young people, largely Youth Workshop participants, in traveling teaching trips that converged on Atlanta.

The campaign resulted in a greater commitment to the Cause for all participants, about 65 declarations, and a broader vision of the possibilities for youth in teaching in this country. Responding to a number of letters from youth in various parts of the country, the National Teaching Committee, at the direction of the National Spiritual Assembly, appointed a task force that developed a proposal for a youth teaching campaign to begin this summer.

All Bahá’í youth in the U.S., as well as all Assemblies and Groups, have been given information about the "Army of Light: American Routes '94" teaching campaign. Its purpose is to mobilize young people as traveling teachers and in teaching initiatives in their home communities.

It seeks to empower youth to teach the Cause, channeling their enthusiasm and energy into such activities as will reach waiting souls and bring in large numbers of new believers. We anticipate that more than a thousand youth will arise to serve in some capacity this summer.

Bahá’í Youth Workshops and youth teaching teams are the nucleus of the campaign. Young people will travel to teaching projects and plan activities in their own areas, under the auspices of local communities (see the map on page 3 for current projects).

To help youth and local communities work together, regional coordinators have been appointed to register individuals and match local needs with available resources. These coordinators will offer training to help communities and teachers make plans that will maximize their effectiveness.

Because the number of projects is steadily increasing, we ask that those who are interested in taking part or in starting a teaching project themselves contact the regional coordinator for their area, or the National Teaching Office, for guidance.

The Universal House of Justice has characterized Bahá’í youth as 'potent instruments' for the execution of teaching campaigns, adding that through their distinctive qualities, 'they can become the spearhead of any enterprise, and the driving force of any undertaking, whether local or national.' We hope that the friends will do everything they possibly can to employ these young spiritual warriors in every aspect of their teaching endeavors.

The activities of the youth this summer will be another step in a process of learning how to better exploit the capacities of youth for initiating and sustaining entry by troops. Inevitably, as with any aspect of learning how to built Bahá’u’lláh’s new World Order, problems will be encountered; but these should be seen as opportunities to gain a better understanding of the continued involvement of youth in their communities, schools and local projects in the months to follow the summer efforts, and for launching an even more effective campaign in the summer of 1995.

Perseverance in action is the key to making the "Army of Light: American Routes '94" not simply another teaching campaign, but an important step in an ever-evolving, ever more effective pattern of large-scale expansion and consolidation. We eagerly await news of victories from every corner of the country.

National Teaching Committee June 1994

Nashville conference to focus on teaching via mass media

Teaching the Faith through the media is the focus of the Bahá’í Media/Teaching Conference to be held July 1-4 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The conference is co-sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Nashville and Pavon International, a Bahá’í-owned media production and distribution company.

Its main purposes are to support teaching through the mass media and to establish regularly scheduled local, national and worldwide television and radio programming to proclaim the Faith and teach its history and principles to the waiting masses of humankind.

Keynote speakers and guests from several countries will share their media expertise, while experts in satellite distribution will present possibilities for using this powerful tool on an international level.

Each session will include music, drama and video by a variety of performers, and the conference will end with a major public concert.

For information about registering, please contct the Spiritual Assembly of Nashville, Hermitage, TN 37206.

For information about the conference and/or hotel reservations, please phone the conference coordinator, Marcia Day, at 310-652-3983. [Page 3]

Three Year Plan TRANSFORMATION AND GROWTH 1993-1996

YEAR PLAN TEACHING

HOMEFRONT TRAVEL GOALS Goal: 3,000 Completed: 3,522

HOMEFRONT PIONEER GOALS Goal: 500 Completed: 508

MISSION 19 INT'L PIONEER, TRAVEL GOALS Goal: 2,000 Completed: 1,830

Goal for the 3 Year Plan: 2592 (5 MONTHS TO GO!) Completed as of this report: Núr B.E. 151 June 5, 1994

ARMY OF LIGHT: THE SUMMER YOUTH PROJECT

El Dorado Cty, CA 8/1-8 Debbra Clark 916/621-2123

Red Bluff, CA Jan Mariano-Lope 916/529-5856

Tiburon, CA 6/25-8/31 Woodburn Project Jan House 503/678-5162 Dawn, Forest Patton 415/435-0110

William Sears Hearts Afire Project Chris Tara-Browne 415/431-9990

Utah Teaching Projects Dale Marxen 801/485-6601

Clarkdale, AZ Leroy Ioas Project 7/23-24 Connie Crabb 702/972-6527

William Sears Hearts Afire Project Rachel Greco 503/623-8035

Emancipation Proclamation Day Parade 8/6 Phil Wood 316/662-1993

Time for Transformation 6/26-8/5 Kevin and Janina Barnes 303/282-8166

Seminole Cty, OK Shawn Khavari 405/273-3914

May Brown Summer Youth Project 6/3-7/4 Jim Hinegardner 913/233-7442

Minneapolis, MN 7/15-8/14 David Ingham 612/823-9074

Phelps County, MO 7/1-8 Bruce and Sandy Palmberg 314/364-0845

"Mass Teaching in NH" 6/14-8/31 Phil or Joan Tussing 603/924-4224

Heart of the Heartland Marlene Ebert 317/462-7629

Mary O'Neal 602/634-8102 Terisita

Yuma Cty, AZ Joan-Marie Johnson 602/726-1205

Proyecto Ensenanza Avid Navidi 602/934-5485

Akka Project Norris Cunningham 602/934-5485

Tempe, AZ Karen English 602/961-4241

Lighting the Eternal Flame 7/16-8/6 David Gilpatrick 602/497-5706

Chandler, AZ Jolyon Clarke 602/732-9597

Guadalupe, AZ Barbara Clements 602/897-7987

Gallup, NM 7/1-8/31 Light of the Valley 6/30-7/26 Laura Clayton 505/521-0166 Tamra Eaton 505/722-0112 Rosanne Groger 505/722-3315

Albuquerque, NM 7/1-31 Layli Garrigues 505/256-7934 Elin Griffith 505/294-7922

Las Cruces, NM Linda Munhall 505/527-4044

St Petersburg Teaching Project July - August Barbara McCord 813/526-2318

Boston, MA David Dean 609/924-3459

Franklin Twp, NJ Susan Crossley 609/924-3459

Clarksville, TN Alison McGee 615/395-7452

Youth Fireside Teaching Chris and Jenni Mileham 704/254-7432

Florence, Conway and Kingstree, SC Greg Kintz 803/248-5903

Birmingham, AL 6/12

Jasper, Alabama 6/19 Lois McDowell 205/838-3028

Magdalene Carney Bahá’í Institute Marcia Lample 407/687-5016

THE FUND (Preliminary, April 30, 1994)

FOUR MAJOR FUNDS Goal for 150 B.E.: $25,000,000 Contributions to Date: $15,645,680

NATIONAL FUND From Nat’l Bahá’í Fund: $13,363,515

INTERNATIONAL FUND Goal: $1,000,000 Earmarked Dollars: $483,543 Total Contributions: $1,483,543

ARC PROJECTS FUND Goal: $2,344,734 Earmarked Dollars: $1,610,599 Total Contributions: $3,955,333

CONTINENTAL FUND Goal: $120,000 Earmarked Dollars: $188,023 Total Contributions: $308,023

THE ARMY OF LIGHT NEEDS YOUth

THE ARMY OF LIGHT NEEDS YOUth. From the mobilizing energy of youth to the guidance of adult coordinators, from the participation of traveling teachers to the love of local believers, the Army of Light needs to fill its ranks. With all of the projects above and the with the help of the coordinators below, there is something for everyone. Please take the time to call and see what you can do!

NATIONAL COORDINATOR Dorita Krapf 815/478-3132

WI, IL, MI-UP Sandra Fair 414/871-9919

NC, SC, GA, FL Vance Remick 919/968-0900

KS, NE, ND, SD Marcell LaVine 913/831-3239

ME, NH, VT, CT, MA, RI, NJ, PA, NY, DE David Dean 609/924-3459 John Homan Jr 215/997-6075

CO, WY, MT, ID, UT Doug Hartman 303/635-9424

MI, IN, OH, KY Janet Lyon 216/691-9540

DC, VA, WV, MD Laura Cessna 804/229-1410 Navid Haghighi 703/406-2151

AZ, NM, CA, NV May Movafagh 602/963-4798

IA, MN, MO Mary McDowell 319/556-1982

OK, TX Andrenea King 409/886-4853

TN Alison McGee 615/395-7452

AL Lisa McDowell 205/838-3028

OR, WA Rachel Greco 503/623-8035

TOTAL ENROLLMENTS

April: 329 Three Year Plan to date: 2,349 [Page 4]In the last two issues of The American Bahá’í we have mentioned the many countries which have identified international service opportunities for youth. Below is a brief description of the need for Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteers in each of those countries, taken from a document sent by the World Center to all National Spiritual Assemblies last June or summarized from recently received letters. The widely spoken languages are listed after the name of each country.

Mr. Sadat and Mrs. Ghodsieh Ostovar are pictured above with a group of their newest friends in the Bahá’í center of Daniperpetrofsk, Ukraine, during their second traveling teaching trip there recently. Of these new-found spiritual brothers and sisters they say: 'They were behind closed walls, without access to the outside world, and now they are free and looking for good news. If we do not reach them God alone knows when we may find them again.' The woman second from right declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh the evening of this gathering. Ukraine urgently needs more traveling teachers and short- and long-term pioneers.

AFRICA

Botswana—Tswana and English. "Like so many communities in Africa, the Bahá’í community of Botswana wishes to see its youth arise and serve the Faith on an unprecedented scale during the Three Year Plan. To achieve this, the community would like to receive youth-year-of-service volunteers to work alongside the young people of Botswana and help stimulate a youth movement in the country."

Equatorial Guinea—Spanish. "There are many opportunities for growth through the enrollment of new believers and the coming of age of Bahá’í children. The National Spiritual Assembly has requested youth-year-of-service volunteers. These human resources [including long-term pioneers and traveling teachers] are needed to carry out projects for large-scale enrollment, consolidation, and for children's educational programs."

Malawi—Chichewa and English. "Malawi would be pleased to receive youth-year-of-service volunteers, short-term pioneers and traveling teachers to assist with proclamation and deepening activities, to train teachers of children's classes and to work on literacy and primary health care projects."

Senegal—Wolof and French. "The Bahá’í community is in need of youth-year-of-service volunteers who have international driver's licenses to run its recently-acquired mobile institute, which is proving to be of invaluable help in the teaching work."

Swaziland—Swazi and English. "The Faith is well-recognized [in Swaziland], and the Bahá’í community has successful social and economic projects in environment and education, particularly at the pre-school level. Short-term pioneers, including youth-year-of-service volunteers, are required to accelerate the teaching work and the institute program."

Togo—Ewe, Kabiye and French. "Long- and short-term pioneers who can remain in the country at least 12 months are needed to fill the goal of creating a permanent institute. This would include living on-site and planning and coordinating classes. Youth-year-of-service volunteers are needed to assist with establishing children's classes."

Southern Africa via training in Zambia [from a separate letter received from the National Assembly of Zambia]: Beginning with a service orientation course at the William Masehla Bahá’í Institute in September 1994, a variety of service opportunities are available for youth age 20 and over in 12 southern African countries, several of which are English-speaking.

AMERICAS

Belize—English and Spanish. "A recent census conducted in Belize showed that a substantial number of residents consider themselves to be Bahá’ís.... Youth-year-of-service volunteers could help stimulate the increasing participation of Belizean youth in Bahá’í activities."

Bolivia—Spanish, Aymara and Quechua. "The National Spiritual Assembly would like to receive pioneer families and youth-year-of-service volunteers, preferably Spanish-speaking, to undertake two types of service: (1) to settle in certain areas and assist in teaching the Cause and developing local communities, and (2) to help with social and economic development projects. Youth-year-of-service volunteers could assist in village teaching among the Quechua people, deepening and training activities for local youth, adult literacy classes and children's classes."

Colombia—Spanish. "Among the accomplishments of the Colombian Bahá’í community are the sustainment of large-scale expansion and consolidation over the years, the establishment of a systematic program for the development of human resources, and the settlement of a number of youth 'nuclei' as homefront pioneers throughout the country....There is a need for youth, especially those with artistic talents, to be incorporated into the nuclei of homefront pioneers to promote the use of theater and music in local communities."

Costa Rica—Spanish. "The National Spiritual Assembly is asking for short- and long-term pioneers of particular backgrounds...[including] Spanish-speaking North American youth. North American youth who do not speak Spanish could also consider serving in Costa Rica, as the National Assembly offers Spanish classes, orientation to Latin American culture, and training courses."

Ecuador—Spanish. Up to two volunteers, either male or female, needed for the 1994-95 academic year at the Raúl Pavon Bahá’í School. Prospective volunteers should plan to attend the Youth-Year-of-Service course at the Ruhi Institute in Colombia during August and September beforehand.

Guadeloupe—French and Guadeloupe French Creole. "A few youth-year-of-service volunteers could be used to serve at the National Center, assist the National Secretary, work with the Youth Committee, and conduct children's classes."

Haiti—French and Haitian Creole. "The National Spiritual Assembly would like francophone youth or adults to work at the Anis Zunuzi school and help with literacy and other development projects."

Martinique—French and Martinique French Creole. "The Spiritual Assembly of Martinique is looking for mature persons, well-adapted to the French-Caribbean milieu, who can serve as short- or long-term pioneers. Their help is needed in teaching, consolidating local communities, and helping the community focus on new growth. Youth who could enroll in the university would also be most welcome."

Panama—Spanish. "The House of Worship needs youth-year-of-service volunteers and a pioneer couple in charge of public relations."

Paraguay—Spanish. "The people of Paraguay are receptive to the Faith and the Bahá’í community is persistent in its endeavors....The area bordering Brazil where the towns of Canendeju, Pedro Juan Caballero and Ciudad del Oeste are situated...could benefit from the service of a pioneer family or youth-year-of-service volunteers able to collaborate on well-defined plans with the Brazilian border communities."

West Leeward Islands—Dutch, English, French, Spanish and Patois. The National Spiritual Assembly of the West Leeward Islands recently praised the efforts of a pair of youth serving in their islands last year, mentioning that "we miss them very much...please send more youth!" Two youth offering to serve together is ideal for this area.

ASIA

Hong Kong—Cantonese, Mandarin and English. "Eager and capable youth to work alongside local youth." Phone the Office of Pioneering for more details.

Korea—Korean and English. "English-speaking young adults or youth who can devote full-time or part-time service are needed. Students may register in universities or work part-time teaching English. These pioneers can be of great service in teaching students in urban and rural areas, and in attracting Korean Bahá’ís to teaching and other services."

Macau—Cantonese, Mandarin, English and Portuguese. "Youth-year-of-service volunteers are sought to work on specific projects. The Spiritual Assembly is looking for someone to help establish its newly formed Institute. Both Chinese and English-speaking youth are needed to assist teachers at the School of the Nations." Note: Call the Office of Pioneering about other vitally important service needs in Asia.

AUSTRALASIA

Cook Islands—Carolinian, English and Japanese. "Continuing efforts need to be made to inspire and train the local friends so they can assume responsibility for the ever-growing affairs of the Faith, and contribute to its advancement in every field. Long- and short-term pioneers, traveling teachers and youth-year-of-service volunteers are needed to help with this work."

Marshall Islands—Marshallese and English. "The Bahá’í community of the Marshall Islands has the high regard and support of the government. Most of the atolls and islands are now open to the Faith, and its influence on the daily lives of the Marshallese people has expanded. Long- and short-term pioneers, traveling teachers and youth-year-of-service volunteers are needed to assist with deepening, consolidation and administration."

New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands—Kanak dialects and French. "Retired people, short-term pioneers and self-funding youth volunteers would be of great benefit to the community."

Papua New Guinea—Pidgin and English. "There is a steady stream of new [Page 5]

Remembering the Spirit of the Dawn-Breakers

The Universal House of Justice, in last year's Ridván message, addressed a special appeal to the individual believer for "immediate, re-doubled and sustained action" on "all aspects" of the Three Year Plan, reminding us that, whatever tests may lie ahead, "our blessing are equal to our challenges, as repeatedly shown by our glorious history."

With these words in mind it is appropriate to recall a time, a century and a half ago, when the light of the Cause first dawned in the city of Shiraz. There, in the course of an evening destined to be remembered and celebrated for ages to come, the Báb disclosed His Mission to Mulla Husayn, declaring: "Verily I say, I am the Báb, the Gate of God, and thou art the Bábu’l-Báb, the gate of that Gate." With this summons Mulla Husayn's long search for the Promised One came to an end, and his immortal services as champion of the Cause of God began.

Thus fired by passionate belief in the new Faith, he soon set out on the first of many heroic missions, under daunting conditions that would ultimately lead to his martyrdom. So magnificent were the victories he won that Bahá’u’lláh, describing him in the Kitáb-i-lqán as one "who became the recipient of the effulgent glory of the Sun of divine Revelation," stated that "But for him, God would not have been established upon the seat of His mercy, nor ascended the throne of eternal glory."

The story of Mulla Husayn's life, as recorded in Nabíl’s Narrative, is dramatic and wondrous, and holds lessons of deep value for those who follow the Cause of God today. Primarily it is an illustration of how faith, once found, should be acted upon. As Bahá’u’lláh wrote:

"The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Day Spring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation....It behoveth everyone who reacheth this most sublime station, this summmit of transcendent glory, to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. These twin duties are inseparable. Neither is acceptable without the other. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Source of Divine inspiration."

Mulla Husayn's description of the effect the meeting had on him is recorded in Nabíl’s Narrative:

"This Revelation, so suddenly and impetuously thrust upon me, came as a thunderbolt which, for a time, seemed to have benumbed my faculties. I was blinded by its dazzling splendor and overwhelmed by its crushing force. Excitement, joy, awe and wonder stirred the depths of my soul. Predominant among these emotions was a sense of gladness and strength which seemed to have transfigured me. How feeble and impotent, how dejected and timid I had felt previously! Then I could neither write nor walk, so tremulous were my hands and feet.

"Now, however, the knowledge of His Revelation had galvanized my being. I felt possessed of such courage and power that were the world, all its peoples and its potentates, to rise against me, I would, alone and undaunted, withstand their onslaught. The universe seemed but a handful of dust in my grasp. I seemed to be the Voice of Gabriel personified, calling unto all mankind: 'Awake, for, lo! the morning Light has broken. Arise, for His Cause is made manifest. The portal of His grace is open wide; enter therein, O peoples of the world! For He Who is your Promised One is come!'"

The primary duty for the believers of the present day is to teach the Cause of God. It is interesting to remember that the Báb, on the same evening in which He declared His Mission to Mulla Husayn, revealed the first chapters of the Qayyumu’l-Asmá, characterized by Bahá’u’lláh as "the first, the greatest and mightiest of all books" in the Bábí Dispensation. In it He issued a special appeal to the "peoples of the West," directing them to "issue forth from your cities and aid the Cause of God." Years later Shoghi Effendi, in a letter to the believers in America, described that passage as the originating impulse of the Bahá’í crusade for the spiritual conquest of the planet:

"The impulse from which this historic world-embracing crusade, which, alike in the character of its Founder and the nature of the tasks committed to its participants, is unprecedented in religious history, derives its creative power may be said to have in a sense originated with the mandate issued by the Báb in His "Qayyumu’l-Asmá," one of His earliest and greatest works, as far back as the opening years of the first Bahá’í century, and directed specifically to the "peoples of the West," to "issue forth" from their "cities" and aid His Cause."

This crusade, given further impetus in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, and outlined by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Tablets of the Divine Plan, has been systematically prosecuted since the ministry of the Guardian in a series of unfolding plans, which will continue "as far as the fringes" of the "Golden Age."

We have now completed the first year of the latest of these plans. In many ways our challenge is the same as that which faced Mulla Husayn at the very dawn of the Faith. We have embraced the Cause; now it is our duty to rise up and achieve the goals set for us by the Universal House of Justice and the National Spiritual Assembly.

In the concluding passages of the Ridván message for 150 B.E. the House of Justice stresses the importance of the individual believer to the success of the Three Year Plan, for it is the individual "who possesses within himself or herself the measures of initiative that ensure the success of any global Bahá’í enterprise, and 'on whom, in the last resort,' as our beloved Guardian plainly stated, 'depends the fate of the entire community.'"

The believers on the American continent, whom the Guardian called "the spiritual descendants of the dawn-breakers," are the heirs of a summons dating back virtually to the beginning of the Bahá’í Era. It is true that we have tremendous challenges ahead, but our community numbers in the tens of thousands. Let us remember when there was only one believer among all of mankind, who, with firm faith and unshakeable courage, set out to conquer the world.

House of Justice congratulates Grand Canyon Conference for its support of the Bahá’í Funds

The success of last December's Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, was capped recently by a message from the Universal House of Justice.

The message, addressed by the Department of the Secretariat at the World Center to the National Spiritual Assembly, reads, "Kindly assure the friends who attended the 1993 Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference of the profound gratitude of the Universal House of Justice for the sacrificial efforts made by them in support of the Bahá’í Funds, and assure them of its ardent prayers in the Holy Shrines."

The conference featured an array of speakers including James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Jeffrey Mondschein, chief financial officer at the Bahá’í World Center.

Judge Nelson said conference workshops were attended enthusiastically, and called the conference "a turning point in the fortunes of teaching efforts in the Southwest."

The conference was Mr. Mondschein's first stop on his tour of North American cities to report on the work of the Bahá’í World Center and on progress toward completion of the Arc Projects.

Gainesville 'heats' up as 'wave' of teaching marks Ridván

Bahá’ís in Gainesville, Florida, experienced a joyous 12 days of Ridván and a significant HEAT Wave.

There were 27 documented HEAT Wave firesides in the Gainesville community and one declaration so far.

The Nur Bahá’í School adult deepening class spontaneously arose to "re-create" Bahá’u’lláh’s tent for Ridván.

One area of Gainesville's new Bahá’í Center was established as Bahá’u’lláh’s tent, complete with a draped ceiling, pillows, a samovar and displayed Writings.

The friends donated roses and other flowering bushes to plant in the planned Ridván garden outside the Center.

The first day of Ridván set the scene. The tent area was opened for the first time in a solemn and spiritual program.

Friends were invited to visit the tent daily at dawn and from 10 a.m. to noon for prayers and meditation. Those who spent time there felt profoundly blessed, both with teaching opportunities and with new solutions to old problems.

The Ninth Day celebration included a barbeque dinner and ceremony hon-oring Gainesville's new graduates: two who received doctorates, one who earned a nursing degree, and one high school senior who was graduated with honors.

On the 12th day of Ridván, there was storytelling for children in the tent (amidst many flowers), history lessons about Bahá’u’lláh’s Declaration, art activities related to roses and nightingales, and pony rides that reminded the children of Bahá’u’lláh’s departure from Baghdad on a red roan stallion. [Page 6]

Distribution

New From George Ronald

Robe of Light

The Persian Years of the Supreme Prophet Bahá’u’lláh 1817–1853 by David S. Ruhe HC $24.95 / CODE—ROL

In this study of the life of Bahá’u’lláh, Dr. David Ruhe focuses on the early years of Bahá’u’lláh’s life from His birth in 1817 to His banishment to Iraq in 1853. The book discusses that most mysterious time when, in the underground prison, Bahá’u’lláh became aware of His station as the Manifestation of God for this age and embarked on His world-embracing, world-healing mission.

9-1/2" x 6-1/4", 230pp., contents, list of illustrations, preface and acknowledgments, introduction, appendices, glossary, ‎blbliography bibliography‎, references, index

George Ronald, Publisher

Melodies From the City of the Covenant

CD $16.95 / CODE—MFCCCD CS $10.95 / CODE—MFCCC

This unique album includes a special introduction in Persian by Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, with chants by Hands of the Cause of God Dr. Varqá and Mr. Furútan. This collection of Persian music and chanting was recorded at the World Congress in New York, featuring Dr. Manoochehr Sadeghi on santour, accompanied by Behruz Sana’i on the zarb. A selection of prayers and poems is chanted and sung by Shokouh Rezai and Narges Nouhnejad.

78 minutes

Live Unity Productions

On the Shoulders of Giants

by Craig Loehle SC $9.95 / CODE—OSG

Isaac Newton is famous for his statement that if he saw farther than others it was because he had stood on the shoulders of giants. The theme of this book is the same: what we can see when our perspective is elevated. If we combine science and religion into a genuine partnership, we will be able to solve problems that have bedeviled humanity for thousands of years. Mr. Loehle’s essays explore how the partnership of science and religion can be used to address real problems and issues such as racism.

7" x 4-1/2", 201pp., contents, acknowledgments, introduction, ‎blbliography bibliography‎, references

George Ronald, Publisher

There are only 300 copies of the deluxe leather edition of The Kitáb-i-Aqdas in print. To order, please call 1-800-999-9019 $39.95 each

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 help the friends “understand, welcome, initiate and sustain” the process of entry by troops, which “will soon become an established pattern for the growth of the Faith in country after country.” They also urge the friends to “study this compilation, to understand the coherence of its statements, and to use its counsels to lend a 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

REFER ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

SW $75.00 / CODE—RA3.5 or RA5.25

This MS-DOS software gives you easy access to nearly all the published writings and talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Authenticated works include 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, A Traveler’s Narrative, Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, prayers found only in the U.S. or U.K. editions of Bahá’í Prayers, and excerpts from Foundations of World Unity as well as compilations prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. Among the texts containing unauthenticated talks are ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London, Paris Talks, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, Japan Will Turn Ablaze, and Bahá’í World Faith.

The user’s manual provides information on using REFER in Windows; installation and starting the program; a series of easy-to-follow exercises; changing the screen colors and hotkey combination; and several appendices, one of which lists the editions of publications used to compile the program.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá REFER can be helpful in deepening, teaching, preparing Feast readings, and advanced study. It requires DOS 3.1 or above and 4.3 MB of hard disk space.

High density 3-1/2" disks or high density 5-1/4" disks, user’s manual (please specify disk size when ordering)

Crimson Publications

The Bahá’í Songbook

Volume I 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.

8-1/4" x 11-3/4", 64pp., contents

Bahá’í Publishing Trust — United Kingdom [Page 7]

The Arc of Ascent

The Purpose of Physical Reality II by John S. Hatcher SC $21.95 / CODE—AAS

John Hatcher’s long-awaited sequel to The Purpose of Physical Reality: The Kingdom of Names. The book is “a masterly exposition on the evolution of the human spirit, employing literature, philosophy, theology, psychology and history to demonstrate the ultimate purpose of an all-loving Creator,” says Dr. Duane Troxel, Associate Professor, University of Colorado at Denver, and “an enlightening book for a seeker of truth whether it be from the standpoint of theology, art, history or just a hunger to ‘see the light at the end of the tunnel,’” says Jack B. McCants, Ph.D.

8-1/4" x 5-1/2", 385pp., acknowledgments, table of contents, preface, bibliography, references George Ronald, Publisher

Becoming Your True Self

by Daniel C. Jordan SC $6.00 / CODE—BYTS

Becoming Your True Self offers a concise and challenging analysis of human nature and reveals how each of us can achieve both fulfillment and happiness in our lives. It explores the search for truth and meaning in a secular world and presents the worldwide Bahá’í community as a successful model of personal and social transformation. Daniel Jordan explains how the followers of Bahá’u’lláh are inspired to realize their true potential and to contribute to the healing and development of the wider community in which they live.

5-3/4" x 8-1/4", 61pp., contents, Introduction, references Bahá’í Publishing Trust — United Kingdom

The Bahá’í Newsreel Vol. 4, No. 3

VT $16.95 / CODE—BNV4.3

This edition of the Bahá’í Newsreel highlights the Fruit of the Holy Year Project; the March on Washington, D.C.; Environment: From Rio to the Capitols; the Office of External Affairs’ defense of the Iranian Bahá’ís; Olya’s Story; the travels of Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih ‎Khánum’s Khánum‎ in the Former Soviet Union; the Bahá’í Chorale in Russia, Ukraine, and Moldova; reports from Albania, India, and Australia; the Wilmette Temple Restoration project; the Parliament of the World’s Religions; an update on the Mount Carmel Projects; an update on the Three Year Plan in the United States; Vision in Action; the Prejudice Free Forum; the Hispanic Conference; Pioneer Emphasis Days; the Social and Economic Development Conference and the Atlanta Conference on Large Scale Growth.

57 minutes Bahá’í Media Services

NEW FROM BPT

New Edition

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh by Bahá’u’lláh HC $11.00# / CODE—TB

The Bahá’í Publishing Trust has just released a new edition of Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh to match the series of maroon hardcover editions of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh contains 16 of Bahá’u’lláh’s most significant and well-loved Tablets. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has urged us to read a number of them with close attention so that we will have a model of how to be and how to live and may become the center of attraction wherever people come together. Also included is the Book of the Covenant, which Shoghi Effendi says will enable Bahá’ís to withstand every test and the attacks of enemies outside the Faith.

MASTER KEY TITLE

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Life, Death, and Immortality The Journey of the Soul

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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]

'Traveling teaching' Convention-style

As delegates to the 85th Bahá’í National Convention flew in to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport from all over the country, they piled into shuttle buses bound for their hotels.

On one such bus were 10 people who, as Bahá’ís are wont to do, greeted one another warmly and launched into excited conversation.

The seatmate of delegate Stanley Harris chatted warmly about his travels and the languages he and his wife speak.

A typical Bahá’í, one might conclude.

But then the man turned to Mr. Harris and asked, "Are you folks going to some kind of convention?"

That brought everything except the bus to a screeching halt.

After realizing the man was not simply pulling his leg, Mr. Harris replied, "We're delegates to the Bahá’í National Convention, and we're on our way to the North Shore Hilton hotel in Skokie."

Uh-oh.

It turns out that the man, a non-Bahá’í, had flown in from Los Angeles for an important meeting at the O'Hare Hilton.

Had he been familiar with the area, the man would have known that he could walk to the O'Hare Hilton from the airport, but as he emerged from the terminal he saw a bus marked "Hilton" and climbed aboard.

Now he was hurtling toward Skokie and was, needless to say, on the verge of being quite late for his meeting.

He could have stopped the bus at that point, hailed a cab and returned to O'Hare.

Instead, the man turned to delegate Shirley Pleasant, who, like him, is black, and asked, "Are you one of these Bahá’ís?"

Nodding "yes," she proceeded to tell the man about Bahá’u’lláh, the Lord of the Age.

And, she added, "You were meant to be on this bus."

Evidently, the man agreed. He stayed on the bus and talked with the delegates about the Faith the entire trip.

At one point, he even used his cellular telephone to call his wife in LA. and ask what she knew about the Bahá’í Faith.

When the bus reached Skokie, the man looked belatedly for a cab.

But before doing so, he handed Mr. Harris his card bearing the title "deputy commissioner of consumer affairs" and remarked that his boss is running for governor of California in the next election.

LA. Bahá’ís will be getting to know this person of capacity.

National Convention scrapbook

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly and Continental Board of Counselors (above) enjoy the stirring choral music, such as Van Gilmer's solo (below) on "Amazing Grace."

Visitors to the National Convention come in all ages and sizes, as this infant (right) someday will be able to attest.

Special talks by special friends make Convention special. Elsie Austin (above) recalls her years on the National Assembly, while trustee Daryush Haghighi (left) reports progress on Huqúqu’lláh. [Page 9]Retired Universal House of Justice member David S. Ruhe and Margaret K. Ruhe didn’t lack for conversation during Convention. (Above left) Mrs. Ruhe talks with Auxiliary Board member Mary Kay Radpour and (above right) Dr. Ruhe chats with Pat Steele of the National Teaching Committee.

Continental Counselor Jacqueline Delahunt, flanked by fellow Counselors Arturo Serrano and Wilma Ellis, addresses the assemblage.

(Above) Reunions are a big part of National Convention. Here, delegate Thelma Khelghati greets an old friend.

(Right) Delegates share a laugh with Treasurer’s Office personnel during lunch at the Bahá’í National Center offices.

A love letter to Convention delegates and the American Bahá’í community

Dearly loved friends,

Have you ever been to a Bahá’í gathering you just didn’t want to leave? Our 85th National Convention was no exception.

The spirit of love so permeated our consultation that we were all amazed. Such joy, such depth, such maturity were expressed by each delegate that we left that blessed Spot transformed. I, for one, couldn’t leave without sending each of you precious delegates one more hug and saying, “I love you!”

In my reflections on this Convention (my first, and what a bounty!), I am growing so deeply grateful to the spouses, families and loved ones who sent us. You had to stay taking care of business at home so that we could go. I want you to know that your love was with us, animating our consultation. From my heart, thank you!

In fact, each one of you precious American believers ‎were was‎ there expressing your love, your hopes, your fears and even your pain through your own dear delegate. And our beloved National Spiritual Assembly received each expression with such love and such gratitude that we all just lay awestruck like babes in the warm, secure arms of that precious, precious institution.

Our dear Universal House of Justice helps us understand just how important each one of us is as it concludes this year’s Ridván message: “In every aspect of this work, it is the individual Bahá’í who holds the key to victory.”

We are individuals, but we do not work alone. At this Convention we amazed ourselves! We shared as individuals. Yet our consultation merged our ideas into unified illumination. It really works!

Each one of us has the same potential as this. Please, don’t be shy with your talents, your feelings, your knowledge, your love. Offer what your Lord has given you at the threshold of Bahá’u’lláh and you will be astonished at the power your service gives to the progress of our beloved Faith. Please, if we ever needed your gifts, we need them now!

Doug Reimold, Hartsville, South Carolina [Page 10]

Racism: Just Undo It

People are individuals, not representatives of their race. When you encounter racism, don't ignore it. Make your position known. Show all people respect regardless of race or culture. Give up blame in favor of responsibility. ■ When you fight hate with hate, no one wins. ■ Believe in unity. We've come a long way, let's keep moving forward. Racism will end. But not without you.

Racism. Just Undo It is a Task Force dedicated to raising the first generation of prejudice-free New Yorkers. For more information, call (212) 465-3150.

This advertising panel was placed on hundreds of New York City transit buses as part of the 'Racism Just Undo' It campaign.

RJUI task force goes non-profit to expand reach

The local Spiritual Assembly of New York City has formed United Endeavors Inc. to be an umbrella organization for the Racism Just Undo It task force and other race unity initiatives.

The Assembly believes the private, not-for-profit corporation will great expand RJUI's ability to reach the masses.

RJUI will continue its work in social and economic development, and will answer directly to the board of directors of United Endeavors.

Monies from non-Bahá’í entities can now be sought through the non-profit corporation and will be kept separate from the Bahá’í Fund.

In the near future, United Endeavors will look to sponsor additional task forces and to support other groups—Bahá’í or non-Bahá’í—that are working toward the cause of race unity.

Meanwhile, the RJUI task force has been keeping busy.

The second annual RJUI Show of Solutions is under way, with more than 150 entries submitted thus far from children in grades K-12.

RJUI's bus ads, street fair booths and word-of-mouth referrals have resulted in hundreds of phone calls from New Yorkers interested in getting involved in the campaign.

The RJUI Hotline number is 212-465-3150.

Dulce gets its LSA—with a little help

When Dulce, New Mexico, on the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation, formed a local Spiritual Assembly this Ridván, no one could be prouder than those who helped make it happen over the past four years:

• traveling teachers Jean Villaseñor and her sister, Helen Caldwell, who travel 75 miles each way—100 when the Reservation roads are impassable—nearly every Thursday from Sandoval County North;

• Lance and Debra Hurt, Bahá’ís from Pagosa Springs, Colorado, who counsel the Reservation Apaches professionally;

• Cynthia Christiansen, a pioneer who worked with Southeast Asians in Modesto, California, before moving to Dulce for the duration of the Three Year Plan; and

• many other traveling teachers from Durango, Colorado, and the Southern Ute Reservation.

When the teaching effort began, there were eight Bahá’ís on a Reservation beset with chronic alcoholism. Since then, 20 believers have been enrolled and two of the friends have died.

Three of the declarations came only weeks before Ridván, and four more seekers declared the day of the election itself!

Now comes the task of continuing to deepen the Dulce believers.

"As we have told them, we are anticipating the day when they will illuminate all of us," Ms. Villaseñor wrote to the National Teaching Committee a few days after the election.

And, of course, the teaching will continue unabated.

"The first victory has now been won, but we know that this is only the beginning," wrote Ms. Villaseñor, "and that the Legions of Light from on high are powerless to assist unless we do our part."

There's 'snow' thing like winning a goal

When a family of Bahá’ís in western Pennsylvania recently offered to contribute one "unit" ($9,000) to the Arc Fund if the other Bahá’ís in that area (about 100 of them), working together, could raise another $9,000, the friends quickly arose to the challenge.

Not only did the Bahá’ís meet the $9,000 goal, they exceeded it. Then another family offered to contribute $9,000 to the Arc, and the Bahá’ís of western Pennsylvania were able to send a check totaling just over $27,000 to the Arc Fund.

As they point out, after shoveling 126 inches of snow this past winter, anything else is not only possible but relatively easy.

‘Mission 19’ challenge being met with time to spare

Preliminary figures show that $1,718,014 was contributed to the National Bahá’í Fund in April, compared to $1,166,316 in the same month a year ago. Likewise, year-to-date contributions to the National Fund totaled $13,363,515, well above last year's $10,830,716 total.

Most important, accelerated teaching activity has brought about a jump in enrollments and the promise that many more hearts will be opened to Bahá’u’lláh.

The increased pace of teaching activity reaped in B.E. 150 the largest number of declarations—2,349—in seven years, and the number of declarations in April alone exceeded 300.

News of teaching campaigns continues to pour in to the National Teaching Committee. The number of Army of Light youth projects alone being launched this summer has risen above 50. (Thirty-seven of those projects are listed on page 3.)

Teaching center opens

The Bahá’ís in Wellington, Kansas, are moving solidly toward a level of Bahá’í community life that is sure to attract people to the Faith.

This month, they are opening the Central States Teaching Center, under the direction of Joe Kramer.

The Center will feature weekly Bahá’í speakers; dances every Saturday night; adult and children's classes; social activities for all ages; weekend retreats; teaching projects; and, eventually, the development of a day school for grades K-12.

Saturday activities will begin at 2 p.m. with a speaker. The dance/social will kick off at 7 p.m. Sunday activities will run from 7 a.m. to noon.

Concessions are available. For overnight events, attendees are asked to bring cots, sleeping bags, blankets, etc.

Wellington is in southern Kansas halfway between Wichita and the Oklahoma line. The Central States Teaching Center is at 105 S. Washington; phone 316-326-2826 (after 6:30 p.m. Central time). [Page 11]

Resolution

persecution of the Bahá’í community has been a calculated policy, written and approved by Iran's highest officials....

"The resolution that we are considering today condemns the document's plan to confront and destroy Bahá’í cultural roots outside of Iran, something that is tantamount to a program of cultural genocide.

"The response of the United States and civilized world to this document must be clear: So long as it continues its calculated persecution of the Bahá’ís and rejects basic human rights, Iran will continue to be ostracized from the community of nations. These revelations mean that any discussion of Iran renewing ties with the West is completely out of the question."

The resolution approved in March by the UN Commission on Human Rights expresses its concern over continuing human rights violations in Iran and the "discriminatory treatment of certain groups of citizens for reason of their religious beliefs, notably the Bahá’ís whose existence as a viable religious community in the Islamic Republic of Iran is threatened."

The language of the most recent UN resolution echoes the report to the Human Rights Commission last February by its Special Representative for Iran, which cites the imprisonment of several members of the Bahá’í community and death sentences imposed on two of them.

The Commission's resolution was adopted by a vote of 22-11 with 19 members abstaining and one other absent.

In a related development, Reuters news agency reported in January that, according to a statement issued by the German Foreign Ministry, Minister Klaus Kinkel, meeting with the deputy chairman of the Iranian parliament's foreign relations committee, "asked Iran to stop discriminating against followers of the Bahá’í religious group."

S. CON. RES. 31

Whereas in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990 and 1992, the Congress by concurrent resolution, declared that it holds the Government of Iran responsible for upholding the rights of all its nationals, including members of the Bahá’í Faith, Iran's largest religious minority;

Whereas in such resolutions and in numerous other appeals, the Congress condemned the Government of Iran's religious persecution of the Bahá’í community, including the execution of more than 200 Bahá’ís, the imprisonment of additional thousands, and other repressive and discriminatory actions against Bahá’ís based solely upon their religious beliefs;

Whereas the Government of Iran summarily executed a leading member of the Bahá’í community, arrested and imprisoned several other Bahá’ís, condemned two Bahá’í prisoners to death on account of their religion, and confiscated individual Bahá’ís’ homes and personal properties in several cities;

Whereas the Government of Iran continues to deny the Bahá’í community the right to organize, to elect its leaders, to hold community property for worship or assembly, to operate religious schools and to conduct other normal religious community activities; and

Whereas on February 22, 1993, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights published a formerly confidential Iranian government document constituting a blueprint for the destruction of the Bahá’í community, which document reveals that these repressive actions are the result of a deliberate policy designed and approved by the highest officials of the Government of Iran: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the Congress-

(1) continues to hold the Government of Iran responsible for upholding the rights of all its nationals, including members of the Bahá’í community, in a manner consistent with Iran's obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements guaranteeing the civil and political rights of its citizens;

(2) condemns the repressive anti-Bahá’í policy adopted by the Government of Iran, as set forth in a confidential official document which explicitly states that the Bahá’ís shall be denied access to education and employment, and that the government's policy is to deal with Bahá’ís "in such a way that their progress and development are blocked";

(3) expresses concern that individual Bahá’ís continue to suffer from severely repressive and discriminatory government actions, solely on account of their religion; and that the Bahá’í community continues to be denied legal recognition and the basic rights to organize, elect its leaders, educate its youth, and conduct the normal activities of a law-abiding religious community;

(4) urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Bahá’í community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international covenants on human rights, including the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and equal protection of the law; and

(5) calls upon the President to continue-

(A) to emphasize that the United States regards the human rights practices of the Government of Iran, particularly its treatment of the Bahá’í community and other religious minorities, as a significant factor in the development of the United States Government's relations with the Government of Iran;

(B) to urge the Government of Iran to emancipate the Bahá’í community by granting those rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international covenants in human rights; and

(C) to encourage other governments to continue to appeal to the Government of Iran, and to cooperate with other governments and international organizations, including the United Nations and its agencies, in efforts to protect the religious rights of the Bahá’ís and other minorities through joint appeals to the Government of Iran and through other appropriate actions.

SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy of this concurrent resolution to the President.

Teamwork is order of the day at Bahá’í Distribution Service

By Tom Mennillo

Look no further than the Bahá’í Distribution Service for a shining example of Bahá’í consultation in action.

Orders are taken and filled at the Chattanooga, Tennessee, facility managed by Ford Bowers. Marketing and promotion manager Patrick Falso works in Wilmette, Illinois. Reorganization manager Larry Bucknell calls Phoenix, Arizona, home.

The BDS also operates within a larger Bahá’í Publications framework coordinated by interim manager Terry Kneisler. Components include the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Subscriber Services, Production Services, The American Bahá’í, and World Order magazine.

Linking all these functions is a network of telephones, fax machines and computer modems.

And a lot of teamwork, which must be paying off: BDS's sales are up sharply and turnaround time is dramatically shorter.

The Distribution Service's fulfillment operation moved from Wilmette to Chattanooga in April 1993.

The most obvious change has been increased space for book storage. Mr. Falso said the Distribution Service has added 400 to 500 titles in the past three years.

Equally important to BDS's success have been its qualified, dedicated staff and its up-to-date equipment. The bottom line is that the BDS now can ship most orders within two days. That capability has been critical, given a 50 percent pickup in sales since the move.

First came the second Bahá’í World Congress, at which the BDS had a large presence. Then came the Master Key program, the aim of which is to put the Sacred Texts into Bahá’ís’ hands at an affordable price. Now the long-awaited English version of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, released a year ago, is pushing sales even higher.

The Distribution Service's success has publishers ranging from the prolific Oneworld in England to one-book independents clamoring for inclusion in the BDS catalog.

Unfortunately, the BDS cannot carry every item a publisher or artist offers, and cannot keep an item on the shelves forever.

"It's simply not possible," said Mr. Falso. "In addition to cash-flow considerations and over-all inventory valuation, we do not have enough advertising space to equitably promote each publisher's new titles. Although we are working on co-op advertising ventures, ad space will be tight for quite some time."

New items are advertised three times in the BDS's two-page spread in The American Bahá’í. The Service also publishes a quarterly catalog and is working on a full catalog with descriptions of every title.

In addition, some Bahá’í communities are set up for a standing order. New items are automatically sent to them-several weeks before they would see the items advertised-for sale to the friends.

Local Spiritual Assemblies account for 32 percent of BDS sales, said Mr. Falso. Purchases by individuals are another 26 percent and rising.

Some of those individual orders come from non-Bahá’ís, according to BDS customer service representative Lee Robinson. They want to investigate the Faith on their own before they contact the local Bahá’í community.

For Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís alike, the BDS order takers will suggest appropriate books upon request.

"We do everything from answering questions like 'Do you still have the brown book?' to helping people choose books for conferences and booths," said Harriette Robinson, Lee's wife and another customer service representative. "If they have a teaching project, we can do fast research here while they're on the phone."

Of course, that's if the phones aren't lit up like a Christmas tree. Which they often are.

Lee Robinson said the friends can prevent a backup in calls by preparing their orders before dialing the phone. He noted that while calls to the BDS's 800 number are free to the customer, the National Fund pays for the line.

Similarly, he said, callers can help ensure that materials needed by a certain date-such as for a conference or special event-arrive there on time by ordering far enough in advance. [Page 12]

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS...

FAYARD NICHOLAS, a Bahá’í from Woodland Hills, California, who is one-half of the famed dancing team, the Nicholas Brothers, was honored in February with his younger brother, HAROLD, by the Professional Dancers Society for their lifelong contributions to the arts. The Nicholas Brothers, who began dancing in vaudeville and nightclubs, appeared in nearly 100 films in the 1940s and ’50s including "Orchestra Wives," "Down Argentine Way," "Stormy Weather" and "The Pirate" with Gene Kelly and Judy Garland.

Revolutions of the Heart (Houghton Mifflin, 1993), the second novel for young adults by MARSHA QUALEY, a Bahá’í from Cloquet, Minnesota, was recently chosen by the American Library Association as a "Best Book for Young Adults" and as an ALA "Best Book for Reluctant Readers." It was also cited by the School Library Journal as a "Best Book of the Year." Mrs. Qualey’s first novel, Everybody’s Daughter, was published in 1991; a third, Come in from the Cold, will be released in October.

EDWARD D. PEACE, a Bahá’í from Buffalo, New York, was recently named city corporation counsel by mayor-elect Anthony M. Masiello. Mr. Peace, who left a prestigious law firm to accept the position, was quoted in an extensive article about his appointment in the Buffalo News as saying, "I won’t join a political party, I won’t campaign for a political candidate, and I won’t contribute to a campaign. Because I am a Bahá’í I refuse—and that is an absolute refusal—to become involved in partisan politics."

On April 9, VIVIAN BERGENTHAL, a Bahá’í from Yonkers, New York, received the Vincent Schiliro Memorial Award, a first-place prize in mixed media, for her painting, "Hidden Paradise," at the Westbeth Gallery’s National Open Juried Exhibition in New York City. Ms. Bergenthal is a New York City high school art teacher and founder of the "One World Club" (see The American Bahá’í, March 21).

MEHR MANSURI, a Bahá’í from Los Angeles who is a professional actress, played a leading role as a persecuted Pakistani in "Red Devils," a play that enjoyed an extended run and was recently nominated for a Los Angeles Times drama award. The play also won the L.A. Weekly’s Dramalogue award for 1993.

JOY JAMIR, a Bahá’í who is an eighth grade student at North Augusta (South Carolina) Middle School, has won the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Expository Writing for Aiken County. She received her award from the state’s lieutenant governor during a ceremony in January at Columbia College.

JACKIE GRABLE, a Bahá’í from Indianapolis, is one of five students at Indiana University/Purdue University-Indianapolis to receive this year’s William Garrett Award, given to honor service to the university and demonstrated leadership. Ms. Grable was recognized for single-handedly organizing the most successful blood drive on campus.

SANDRA ANN K. SOOMAN, a Bahá’í from Oceanside, California, was graduated in May from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Dr. Sooman will pursue her residency in pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco Valley Medical Center and Valley Children’s Hospital in ‎Freson Fresno‎.

SANDRA ANN SOOMAN

MAYA ROSMAN, a 14-year-old Bahá’í from Moorpark, California, won first prize in a recent statewide Red Ribbon Week essay contest, was flown to Sacramento to take part in the Red Ribbon Rally at the state capitol, received a $100 award, and read her prize-winning essay, "My Dream for a Drug-Free California," at a luncheon to honor the prize-winners. Three local newspapers published feature articles with photographs of Maya.

CLAYTON J. RAMSEY, a 15-year-old Bahá’í from Anderson County, South Carolina, has been appointed to the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, a two-year residential high school. Clayton is a member of the National Honor Society, a South Carolina Junior Scholar and member of the Westside High School marching and concert band.

JOSHUA MALI, a Bahá’í who is a fifth-grade student at Overbrook Elementary School in Charleston, West Virginia, recently won a competition to represent his school in a statewide Academic Bowl contest for students in grades 3-6 in math, science, language arts and social studies.

JUSTIN SHOGHI HOUK, a young Bahá’í from Midland County, Texas, was recently named a National Merit Scholarship finalist. He also made a perfect score on the January 1994 Math II Achievement Test of the SAT College Board exams.

Laurence Lao Chue Cha, a Hmong Bahá’í from Porterville, California, who was invited by the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office to take part in the 85th Bahá’í National Convention in April, accepts gifts of a book and commemorative plate from Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly, and the National Assembly’s assistant secretary, Juana Conrad.

Bahá’í from California who is Hmong clan leader is special guest at 85th Bahá’í National Convention

Laurence Lao Chue Cha, a Bahá’í of Hmong descent who lives in Porterville, California, was a special guest at this year’s 85th Bahá’í National Convention. Mr. Cha was invited to Wilmette by the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office.

Mr. Cha serves as chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Porterville, and is a clan leader of the Hmong people. He has been a Bahá’í for 30 years, having been enrolled when his father accepted the Faith.

Since his father was also a clan leader in the family’s village in Laos, not only did his family become Bahá’ís when the father declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh, but also the entire village where the family resided.

Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly, and the National Assembly’s assistant secretary, Juana Conrad, greeted Mr. Cha, presenting him with a copy of The Dawning Place and a decorative plate depicting the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

Mr. Cha said he enjoyed the Convention very much, in particular having the opportunity to meet so many new friends including David Ruhe, retired member of the Universal House of Justice, and Dr. Ruhe’s wife, Margaret, as well as Counselors Jacqueline Delahunt, Wilma Ellis and Arturo Serrano.

Denver-area Bahá’ís use arts to proclaim Cause, aid service-oriented Baker Project

The arts have been featured extensively in three events held in the past year by Denver-area Bahá’ís.

Two of the events benefited the Dorothy Baker Project, which provides a "bank" of food, clothing and household goods for the metropolitan area. The all-volunteer project was begun and is run primarily by Bahá’ís.

Last February, "A Feast of Music" drew 150 people, including three media representatives.

An adult concert featuring Bahá’í singer-songwriter Susan Lewis Wright ran simultaneously with a children’s concert with internationally known entertainer Bonnie Phipps. Then everyone danced to the music of Two Cats.

On May 7, "Colors of the Heart," a festival of story, song and dance, was held at the Metro Denver Bahá’í Center.

The Spiritual Assembly of Douglas County sponsored the fest, which had corporate sponsors as well.

The entertainers, more than half of whom were not Bahá’ís, performed free of charge or for a nominal fee.

Among those featured were storytellers Pat Mendoza and Grey Owl; Parents’ Choice Award winners the Van Manens; blues musician Johnny Long; hoop dancer Dallas Chief Eagle; the African dance troupe Sankofa; flamenco guitarist Miguel Espinoza; East Indian dancer Kalpana Rao; traditional Japanese music on the stringed Koto; and emigré Russian violinist Alex Bogossian.

The third event was the annual Alteria M. Bryant Awards, named for the first Bahá’í in the Rocky Mountain region. Women Uniting the World, a committee of the metro Denver Bahá’í community, was sponsor.

The banquet, held last October at the Denver Athletic Club, honored two women for contributions to furthering the arts. Each winner was presented a sculpture created specially for the event by Denver Bahá’í artist Rik Sargent.

A diverse array of talent by Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís was featured. Jessica Bordeaux-Vigil, appearing in the dress of her Lakota culture, offered a Bahá’í prayer. [Page 13]

The Arc

The execution of the majestic enterprise on God's Holy Mountain continues uninterrupted.

On January 20, 1994, excavation for the Arc Tunnel began. The tunnel, which will accommodate both pedestrians and service needs, passes under the main stairs leading to the Concourse of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice.

In a matter of days, the path near the Seat has disappeared, and in its stead is a narrow chasm created for the construction of the Arc Tunnel. To expedite its construction, the excavation was carried out from two ends: the site of the International Teaching Center and the site of the Center for the Study of the Texts/Archives Extension.

When the excavation reached the marble steps leading from the Arc path to the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, 26 steps were removed. This was a delicate operation, as great care had to be taken not to deface the marble, since the steps have to be re-used.

The lamps and hedges bordering the Monumental Gardens also had to be removed and a temporary pedestrian bridge constructed.

Center for Study of the Texts

With work on the foundation having begun, the site of the Center for the Study of the Texts is a beehive of activity. Site offices have been established and storage sheds set up for tons of steel that have been delivered.

Of particular interest is the use of a sophisticated surveying system at the site of the Center for the Study of the Texts. The system works in this way: the exact coordinates of the architectural design from the Computer-Aided Design System are taken and downloaded directly into the surveying instrument which is attached to a data collector. As a result, definite points are established on-site. Conversely, from the survey instrument, information is directed back to the data collector to verify the point set on-site in relation to the design, resulting in accuracy and dispensing with the need for manual calculations.

Vineyard of the Lord part 2

An artistic rendering of one of the Terraces above the Shrine of the Báb.

The gardens on the eastward extension of the Main Terrace of the Shrine of the Báb are now open.

Bulk excavations at the site of the International Teaching Center have reached new depths. At an average depth of 22 meters (73 feet), more than 70,000 cubic meters of rock have been removed, much of it serving as fill material for the Upper Terraces. It would be worthwhile to note here that earth is a valuable commodity in Israel. And the recycling of this commodity from one area to another has led to a considerable saving.

Adjacent to the site of the International Teaching Center, excavation is being carried out for the location of a booster pump room that will serve to boost, as its name suggests, mechanical and plumbing services of the International Teaching Center, the Center for the Study of the Texts, and the International Archives Building and its extension.

The main service facility is situated in the basement of the parking area of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. During the excavation for the booster pump room, electrical and telephone cables serving the International Archives Building and various offices of the World Center were exposed. These have been temporarily relocated on specially raised poles so that work in these offices may continue unhampered.

When the Terraces are completed, what will meet the eye are vistas of lovely gardens on the graded slopes of Mount Carmel with exquisite fountain pools, carved balustrades mounted on walls faced with high quality local stone, water flowing down either side of the central stairway, all bathed in circles of light appearing to emanate from the Shrine of the Báb in the evenings, focusing attention on the majesty of the Shrine. But what will not meet the eye are the many services and facilities located underground.

A sophisticated irrigation system, plumbing and drainage are being put together at an estimated cost of $10 million. One of the most important utilities to be constructed underground are the mechanical rooms on the west side of each Terrace going down to a depth of seven meters (23 feet).

On the Lower Terraces, these rooms are two-storied reinforced structures that will serve as locations for pumps and controls, and under-water and terrace lighting. In the mechanical room at Terrace 6 is a large transformer that was put in place by one of the biggest cranes in Israel.

Sufficient space is provided in the upper section of the mechanical rooms on the Lower Terraces for a "tools and supplies" area to be used by the gardeners. On the Upper Terraces, the rooms are single-storied and will serve the same functions, with the exception of the "tools and supplies" area.

On Terraces 15 to 18, drainage work on the east side has begun, and grading is under way. The steep grade of the mountain beyond the Terrace of the Shrine of the Báb called for the incorporation of curved stairs alternating with a straight line of stairs for the design of the Upper Terraces.

Terraces 13, 15 and 17 have stairs on both sides which converge on a balcony. The platform of the balcony on each of these Terraces has been formed. The balconies will serve as vantage points for a beautiful view of the Terraces below and as resting places for visitors as they make their way to the uppermost Terrace.

While the primary work is progressing on the Terraces, stone-cutters are at work in the factory of Margraf Spa, a division of Marmi Vicentini, at Chiampo, a town at the foot of the Italian Alps not far from Venice, shaping rough-hewn Sajur stone into lovely balustrades.

The long arm of a concrete mixer reaches out along the periphery of the Center for the Study of the Texts.

Sajur and Jatt stones

Sajur, one of the finest stones found in Israel, is quarried in Galilee. The light beige stone is dense in composition, enabling it to resist the elements, which makes it long-lasting. The quarried stone is sent to Noufi's factory near Nazareth where it is cut into workable blocks; these are then shipped to Italy.

About 2,400 balustrades are needed to decorate the contour walls of the Terraces, and of these, four consignments totaling 700 balustrades have been received. Each balustrade costs approximately $600. The same Sajur stone is being used to create the beautiful fountains on the Terraces.

Another variety of stone, known as Jatt, is being cut and prepared in Noufi's factory for the stairs on the Terraces and to be used as paving stone. Jatt stone derives its name from the village where it is quarried. Chosen because of its resistance to wear and tear, and its muted reflection of light, this stone, darker in shade than Sajur, is being given a fine brush-hammered finish called "mutabeh finish" to make it slip-resistant. [Page 14]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 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).

WANTED: customer service representative/salesperson at the Bahá’í Publishing Trust in Oakham, Rutland, United Kingdom. Looking for someone with relevant experience and qualifications to be responsible for all aspects of order processing and reception duties in this small but busy office in the heart of the English countryside. Training will be given, but all applicants should have basic keyboard and numeric skills, good written communication, and a pleasant telephone manner. Training or experience in customer services would be an advantage, and practical knowledge of Bahá’í administration is desirable. An interest in Bahá’í literature and knowledge of at least one European language other than English would be an asset. The Bahá’í Publishing Trust, a department of the National Spiritual Assembly, is an equal opportunity employer. Group pension and staff benefits available; salary is negotiable according to qualifications and experience. Please reply in writing (including names of at least two references) by May 21 to: Manager, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 6 Mt. Pleasant, Oakham, Leics. LE156HU, United Kingdom. For more information, phone 0572 722780.

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 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.

VOLUNTEERS are needed to staff two summer school sessions for Lakota children at the Treehaven Institute in South Dakota. The sessions are designed to help the children improve basic academic skills including reading and mathematics. Volunteers are sought to teach, provide transportation for children, and help with various support activities. Training will be provided as required. It is best if volunteers can stay for a two-week session, but no offer of help will be turned down. For more information, please contact Pat de Boucher, 605-455-2621.

VOLUNTEERS are needed starting in September to teach English at Ecuador's Raúl Pavón Bilingual Bahá’í School and to help with other events around the community. Please write immediately to Mrs. Janet Dexter, Otavalo, Ecuador.

THE NATIONAL Teaching Committee of Zambia needs someone immediately with computer and secretarial skills who can work full-time in the National Office. For more information, contact the National Teaching Committee of Zambia, Private Bag 227X, Lusaka, Zambia.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas. AFRICA: Congo-urgent need for elementary school teachers. Sierra Leone-financial management specialists. Tanzania-English/ESL teacher, arts/music teacher. Zambia-urgent need for math, physics, chemistry, French and geography teachers. AMERICAS: Brazil-urgent need for teachers. Colombia-ESL teacher. Ecuador-business administrator to teach business administration at graduate and undergraduate levels. Honduras-elementary and junior high School teachers. Tortola-corporate marketing manager. Turks & Caicos-elementary school teachers. ASIA: Cambodia-health educator, maternal/infant health specialist. Macau elementary school teachers. Tajikistan-administrator/finance officer, water supply program manager. AUSTRALASIA: Tuvalu-science/math teacher. EUROPE: Croatia-accountant, logistics officers. NIS-international business and privatization specialists. MULTI-REGIONAL-international project officer for five-year international child health care USAID project. Albania-need for volunteers to help develop and run professional exhibitions for Bahá’í Cultural Center being established. For more information about any of these positions, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette II 60091 (telephone 708-733-3512; fax 708-733-3509).

WANTED: pioneers to beautiful Hawaii. The National Teaching Committee of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands is seeking pioneers to settle in Lahaina on Maui, Waialua on Oahu, North Hilo and Hamakua on the Big Island of Hawaii, Hanalei on Kauai, and the island of Lanai. For more information, please contact the Teaching Committee, 3264 Allan Place, Honolulu, HI 98617, or phone 808-595-3314.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

BOZEMAN, Montana, the last best place, a cultural center in a rural state, wishes to develop its diversity and asks you to consider what you can do to help. For college students and teachers there is Montana State University, the leading university in the state, with such diverse programs as engineering, liberal arts, music, nursing and more. For business men and women there are the growing human resources of the Gallatin valley, the interstate highway system, the state's second busiest airport, and an active financial community. For families there are an exceptional school system, safe neighborhoods, many parks and recreational programs. For fun-lovers Bozeman offers world-class ski facilities, hiking, wilderness and easy travel to Yellowstone National Park. For those in the arts there are five theatre groups, the Intermountain Opera Company, a symphony orchestra and choir, a multi-purpose arts center, painters, sculptors and more. If you can bring ethnic diversity to the community, you can help us present the many faces of the Faith. Please phone 406-587-1739 and ask for Mr. or Mrs. Drong, or write to Bozeman, MT 59715.

MORE THAN 50,000 souls are waiting in New Rochelle, New York, for you to guide them to Bahá’u’lláh. New Rochelle, a goal city of the Three Year Plan, is situated only 15 minutes from the City of the Covenant, home of the newly renovated New York City Bahá’í Center and blessed by the second World Congress. Ample employment opportunities for any profession within an easy commute. All three Bahá’ís in the ethnically and racially diverse city of New Rochelle invite you to join them in arising to win an exciting victory for the Faith in the Three Year Plan. For loving support for your move, phone 914-576-0574, or write to the Bahá’í Group of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY 10801.

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).

WANTED

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

WE ARE collecting articles for an experimental "seekers" newsletter. Articles can be of any length and should explore the deeper implications of Bahá’í principles. Previously published articles are most welcome. If you have tried such an experiment already, please share your experiences with us. For more information, phone Chad Jones, 907-874-2013, or send submissions to: Impact Fireside Project, Wrangell, AK 99929 (fax 907-874-2250).

THE BAHÁ’Í YOUTH of Grass Valley, California, are seeking traveling teachers who would like to give public presentations (plays, dance, music, etc.) that would appeal to our community's young people. Grass Valley is a medium-sized town in the Sierra foothills about 50 miles from Sacramento. For more information, please write to Tyisha Smith, P.O. Box 1182, Grass Valley, CA 95945, phone her at 916-292-9448 or Joelle Goodwin, 916-477-7982.

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 Sprague (died New York City, 1941), Mary Sprague, Philip Sprague (died Wilton, CT, 1951), Sydney Sprague (died Los Angeles, 1943), Levina Spran, Evangeline Spurlock, Elizabeth Stamp and Gwen Wakeling Standigl. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking copies of the following publications by the Canadian Association for Bahá’í Studies: Bahá’í Studies, Vol. 1 (1976). Anyone having copies they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

PUBLICATIONS

THE LOS ANGELES Bahá’í Journal welcomes exchanges with other Bahá’í periodicals around the country. Although the Journal's budget doesn't allow for complimentary subscriptions outside Los Angeles, the staff will be happy to send a sample issue to any community or area willing to send a sample of its publication in return. Please send samples, with return addresses, to the editor, Los Angeles Bahá’í Journal, Bahá’í Center of Los Angeles, 5755 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90016. [Page 15]

Bolivia’s Faizí campaign sees 400 enroll

The A.Q. Faizí Teaching Campaign, begun last August by the Spiritual Assembly of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, has been going strong ever since with nearly 400 new believers enrolled during the first seven month in the Villa lo de Mayo, the barrio in which the campaign is centered, and a steady flow of declarants numbering about 40 a month in the Villa, as well as a number of declarations in communities visited by members of the teaching team on weekends. The spiritual energy generated by the effort has led also to a small but steady increase in new believers each month from other areas of the city.

More than 30 Bahá’ís from the Villa regularly attend activities at the Bahá’í Center, and 10 classes for children have been established. As a service project, members of the Bahá’í community of Santa Cruz—mainly students from Núr University—are giving weekly or bi-weekly classes on "moral leadership" to students in grades 9-12 in the Villa.

Encouraged by the success of the permanent teaching team in Santa Cruz, the National Teaching Committee of Bolivia has taken steps to begin another permanent teaching campaign in the area around Radio Bahá’í in Caracollo, with initial support from the teachers in Santa Cruz.

After a recent half-hour television program about the Faith was broadcast in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, 300 people were enrolled in the Cause, and subsequently, many of them traveled to the Bahá’í Center for more information about their new-found religion. And at a recent Bahá’í winter school, it was reported that more than 10 guests who attended merely to observe the gathering "with eager enthusiasm begged to be counted as members of this constructive and divine movement."

On January 9, the Olyai Memorial Mass Teaching Campaign, dedicated to the memory of the late Sohrab Olyai, was launched in South Tripura, India, by 15 people, among whom was Auxiliary Board member Debdas Singha. During the nine-day campaign, participants walked from village to village and house to house "proclaiming the Greatest Name." Almost all schools in the area were visited, and each was given a presentation on the Faith. Twelve teachers declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh, and were among the 567 new believers enrolled during the campaign. Four new local Spiritual Assemblies were formed, two communities were opened to the Faith, and 16 people of capacity declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh. The campaign ended with a victory conference, attended by more than 40 of the friends.

In Samoa, a copy of Bahá’u’lláh’s Most Holy Book, the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, was presented recently to His Highness King Malietoa Tanumafili II. The presentation was made by Bahá’ís Sohrab and Soheyla Bolouri. After receiving the book, the King placed it on his head as a gesture of respect.

On March 17, Margrethe Nielsen, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Greenland, presented a talk on the Faith to a gathering of more than 50 high school students from all over the country. The purpose of the meeting, organized by Folk High School in Sisimiut, was to introduce the students and 10 faculty members to various religious communities. Each was given half an hour to present their views; the Bahá’í presentation was so popular, however, that the time limit was extended to an hour.

The Bahá’í community of Tonga recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Faith in that country, organizing a number of activities to befittingly commemorate the historic event. On January 25, the friends made a traditional presentation to the King of Tonga, Taufa'ahau Topou IV, presenting a large pig, a kava plant, food crops, and traditionally strung flowers during a reception at the Royal Palace. In the presence of the Queen, a spokesman thanked the Bahá’ís on behalf of their majesties, and informed them that the King and Queen welcomed them and acknowledged the presentation with deep reverence and gratitude. "They also wished us to know that even though there are different churches in Tonga, as Bahá’u’lláh teaches, there is one God and all churches worship that one God," the National Spiritual Assembly of Tonga reported.

The Bahá’í community of Canada recently presented its second annual Race Unity Award in Ottawa to Fred and Bonnie Cappuchino for their tireless efforts in adopting children from developing countries and initiating projects designed to bring people together. In accepting the award, Mr. Cappuchino mentioned the three Bahá’ís who had been killed in South Africa and lauded their efforts in the cause of racial harmony. Journalists from radio stations and newspapers attended the event, and the Cappuchinos were profiled on the front page of a local newspaper.

On January 28-30, representatives of 10 Latin American Bahá’í communities gathered at the ancillary building of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Panama to take part in the fourth Latin American Seminar on Public Relations. The seminar, held under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Brazil and Panama, focused on such themes as planning and carrying out events and obtaining resources and sponsorships, and suggested approaches for contacting members of Parliaments and executive bodies. Brad Pokorny, a representative of the Bahá’í International Community, spoke on how to establish contacts among the mass media.

Bahá’ís on Cape Cod mark World Religion Day with panel discussion

To commemorate World Religion Day in January, Bahá’ís from Cape Cod and the Islands of Massachusetts hosted a panel discussion with representatives of the nine major world religions.

The moderator, a Bahá’í, introduced the panelists, each of whom spoke for 10 to 15 minutes about their faith including American Indian, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Bahá’í. In addition, a Bahá’í spoke on Zoroastrianism and Bábism.

The audience filled every chair in the hall, and many asked for more in-depth sessions on each of the religions. As a result, a series of programs has been planned, the first of which, on Buddhism, was held in March.

‘Doors have been opened, and are still opening’: Vision in Action message spurs two Arizona Bahá’ís to present Statement on Bahá’u’lláh to Hopi elders

The National Spiritual Assembly's Vision in Action message has inspired many individual Bahá’ís to audaciously emblazon the name of Bahá’u’lláh.

Two are Gary and Penny Boivin. The Arizonans had wanted to present the Statement on Bahá’u’lláh to Hopi elders since its publication. They held back for a while, but their reluctance melted with the Vision in Action message.

"The message from National on the tape said other Bahá’ís should not keep us back and that now is the time to be bold," she wrote.

So Gary Boivin ventured into the Hopi Nation bearing copies of the Statement on Bahá’u’lláh and The Vision of Race Unity.

He went first to the spiritual leaders of First Mesa villages. Then he presented the statements to the governor of Bacavi, a spiritual leader in Hotevilla, and four spiritual leaders in the villages at Second Mesa.

In Oraibi, he was asking for the village's spiritual leaders when he met a young man who said, "Ah, those are the books. I will have to translate them to the elders."

It turns out that the man's mother had once worked with Penny Boivin, and Penny once had had a dream about her.

The Boivins plan to keep in touch with the mother and son and to inform the Hopi elders through them of upcoming visits by the Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Workshop and Lakota performer Kevin Locke.

The couple also plan to continue teaching Hopis and Navajos at the school where they work. One is an assistant principal.

In conclusion, Penny Boivin wrote, "The troops have not entered yet. But as a result of my husband's efforts more doors have been opened and are still opening." [Page 16]

اطلاعیهٔ آکادمی بهائی پنچگنی

ANNOUNCEMENT BY PANCHGANI BAHÁ’Í ACADEMY

در کمال شعف و حبور برگزاری هشتاد و نهمین و نودمین دوره‌های آکادمی بهائی پنچگنی به لسان فارسی را اعلام می‌داریم.

دوره هشتاد و نهم از تاریخ ۱ الی ۲۱ جولای ۱۹۹۴ منعقد و مخصوص یاران فارسی زبان از چهار گوشه جهان می‌باشد. علاوه بر غور و تفحص در بحر ذخار معارف امر اعظم و تعمق در آثار مقدسه الهیه مطمئنیم که برنامه‌های متنوع فراموش نشدنی این دوره سه هفته‌ای جزو خاطرات شیرین و دائمی عزیزان شرکت کننده باقی خواهد ماند.

نودمین دوره به مدت یک هفته از تاریخ ۱۴ الی ۲۱ جولای برگزار می‌گردد. این برنامه سرآغاز دورهٔ دوساله تحقیق و تدقیق در آثار مبارکه و تعالیم الهیه است که برای اولین بار توسط آکادمی بهائی به لسان‌های فارسی و عربی ترتیب داده می‌شود. مباحث عمدهٔ این دورهٔ تحقیقی شامل دو موضوع کتاب مستطاب اقدس و "نظم بدیع جهان آرای الهی" می‌باشد.

علاوه بر استفاده از حضور اساتید و دانشمندان عزیز بهائی، حضور هنرمند عالی مقام و مبلغه امر الهی سرکار خانم عهدیه پاکروان و خانواده بر رونق و شکوه این دوره‌های مخصوص خواهد افزود.

جمع مخارج برای هر یک از شرکت کنندگان عزیز روزانه حدود ۹ دلار آمریکایی می‌باشد. لطفاً شرکت خود را هر چه زودتر اطلاع فرمایید. نشانی:

Bahá’í Academy P.O. Box 39 Panchgani 412805 Maharashtra. INDIA

آثار مبارکهٔ حضرت نقطهٔ اولی

WRITINGS OF THE BAB

نوشتهٔ دکتر آهنگ ربانی

بیست و سوم می سال جاری یکصد و پنجاهمین سال اظهار امر مبارک حضرت نقطهٔ اولی جل ثنائه است. جامعه عزیز بهائی آن روز فرخنده را آغاز شریعت رحمانی دانسته که قیامتی بزرگ و رستاخیزی عظیم و روحانی به ارمغان آورده. اهل بهاء با نهایت شادمانی و کمال سرور و خوشوقتی و منتهای امتنان و سپاسگزاری به جشن و حبور پرداختند، یاد دلنشین آن اوقات خوش معنوی را گرامی داشته، تا از مواهب جلیله و فیوضات مجیدهٔ آن ایام فرخنده بهروز و بانصیب گردند.

به مناسبت این یوم جلیل مطالبی به اختصار پیرامون معرفی آثارالله در شریعت مقدسهٔ اعلی به استحضار یاران رحمن مرقوم گردید. به این امید و آرزو که تلاوت و مطالعهٔ آیات مقدسه مکرمه‌اش مورد توجه جدی و عنایت خاص اهل بهاء قرار گیرد.

اهل بهاء به پرتو تعلیمات کریمه و تأییدات بسیطه متتابعه مبذوله قلم اعلی جل ذکره الابهی مؤمن و معتقد است که آثار مقدسه مکرمه نازله از کلک امنع مبارک حضرت نقطهٔ اولی جل جلاله الاسنی وحی الهی است و بیان یزدانی.

آثار بهیه ساطعه سابغه آیات الهی از روز روشن‌ترند و اثرات فائقه باهره کلام رحمانی از آفتاب تابان‌تر و فروزنده‌تر. آیات الهی پیام حضرت یزدان به جمع بندگان است. آیات الهی است که مشتمل بر فرائض عبادتیه و احکام اجتماعیه و فرامین مدنیه و انتظامیه است. حلال مشکلات است و کاشف اسرار و رموز. مشکل گشای هر بندهٔ درمانده است و غمگسار هر غمزده و وامانده. نیک‌بخت آن که با خضوع و فروتنی و غایت تذلل و انکسار و به نهایت روح و ریحان به تلاوت آیات حضرت یزدان پردازد و با تمامی دل و روان پیغام گرانقدر پروردگار را بشنود و با همه جان و وجدان در پی اطاعت و تمکین باشد و از صمیم قلب و فؤاد فریاد برآرد که "ان یا قلم الاعلی قد سمعنا ندائک الاحلی."

آیات الهی است که حاوی اسرار و رموز صمدانی است و محتوی علوم و معارف رحمانی و بخشنده عطایا و مواهب یزدانی: "ثم شاهد نور الله فی آیاتها."

کلام الهی و آیات رحمانی است که مورث روح و ریحان است و موجد اطمینان و آرامش قلوب یاران. آتش جانسوز اضطراب‌ها و نگرانی‌ها را فرو نشاند و شعله‌های جانکاه خشم‌ها و تشویش‌ها را خاموش کند. آرامش و سکون بخشد و اطمینان و یقین عنایت فرماید. دل‌های دوستان از تلاوت آیات حضرت رحمن زنده و بانشاط گردد و جان‌ها از قرائتش مسرور و پرانبساط.

آیات الهی است که ترس و خوف را زائل کند و مؤمنان را قدرت و متانت بخشد و اینان را شجاعت و تهور و جرأت عطا نماید. بر دانائی و فرزانگی دوستان بیافزاید و بر بزرگی و مردانگی اینان اضافه فرماید. زبان ساکت و صامت را گویا و ناطق کند و دهان بسته را بیان شیرین و گفتار دلنشین و سخنان مهرآفرین هدیه نماید.

آیات الهی است که در دل‌های افسرده آتشی برافروزد و عشق و محبتی پایدار و ابدی پدید آرد. دوستان را شیفته و فریفته و مفتون یکدیگر سازد و به سرمستان جام وفا راه و رسم محبت و دلباختگی را بیاموزد و شیوه‌های فتوت و مسلک‌های صفا و جوانمردی را تعلیم دهد.

آیات الهی است که مؤمنان را در مصائب شدیده طاقت‌فرسا پایداری دهد و در مقابل مصاعب جانگداز استقامت و شکیبائی بخشد. از ذلت فقر و احتیاج آزاد و آسوده سازد و از سختی‌های محنت‌بار تنگدستی و مذلت نجات بخشد.

آیات الهی است که موجب مکارم آداب شود و مروج محاسن اخلاق و اطوار گردد. از حسد و طمع بکاهد و بر بی‌نیازی و استغنا بیافزاید. زحمت خودپسندی و خودنمائی را تخفیف دهد و رنج خودستائی و محنت جاه‌طلبی را تقلیل بخشد.

آیات الهی است که اسرار رحمانی را واضح و مکشوف نماید و روشن‌دلان را از سرچشمه فیوضات و مواهب رحمانی سیراب کند. به کشفیات محیرالعقول علمی و اختراعات عظیم فنی هادی و رهنمون گردد. دل‌ها را به هم مهربان و صمیمی کرده، جامعه‌ای متشکل و متحد و نیرومند بپروراند و بالمآل تمدنی عظیم و فرهنگی گسترده و وسیع فراهم آورد.

آیات الهی است که صافی ضمیران را صهبای الست بنوشاند و از خمخانه فرخنده ملکوت الهی مخمور و سرمست گرداند.

آیات الهی است که "دل‌ها را به دلدار رساند و جان‌ها را به جانان سپارد."

۱- رسالت عظیم و مقام رفیع و فخیم حضرت نقطهٔ اولی

حضرت رب اعلی روح ما سواه فداه به القاب و نعوت جلیلهٔ مکرمهٔ معززهٔ مفخمه باب الله الاعظم و رب العالمین و نقطهٔ اولی و نقطهٔ بیان و ذکرالله الاکبر و سلطان الرسل و مظهر ربوبیت و ظاهر باس الوهیت و مبشر ظهور مکلم طور ملقب و معزز و مکرم و منعوت است.

اهل بهاء به اثر تعالیم مبارکه قلم اعلی عز اسمه الابهی الابهی به پرتو آیات نازله از قلم مبارک حضرت نقطهٔ اولی جل جلاله موقن و معتقد است که حضرت نقطهٔ اولی جل ثنائه مظهر مکرم ربوبیت و مطلع مفخم ذات اقدس احدیت و مصدر یفعل الله ما یشاء در ملکوت انشاء است: "کل عباد له و کل بامره قائمون" که آیات کریمهٔ مجیدهٔ صادره از کلک اطهرش بر این حقیقت روشن شاهد و گواه که اختصاراً حضرتش جل جلاله بر دو امر عظیم قائم:

۱- شارع قدیر رحمانی است که به قدرت و علم الهی شریعت مکرمه بیان را تشریع فرمود و خلقی کثیر از هر قبیل، مؤمن و فداکار و جانباز به سراپردهٔ شریعت مقدسش وارد و به خیمه جان‌پرور دیانت معظمش داخل، از عذب فرات آثار مبارکش زنده و خجسته شدند، جاوید و پاینده گردیدند. کتاب مستطاب بیان، ام الکتاب دور مقدس بیان مشتمل بر احکام و اوامر و سنن الهی است که از آسمان مشیت رحمانی نازل گشته و با نزول کتاب مستطاب بیان و تأسیس شریعت مبارکه جدیده شرایع قبلیه و سنن ماضیه کلاً نسخ و غیرقابل اجراء گردیدند: "ان هذا لهو الحق صراط الله فی السموات و الارض فمن شاء اتخذه الی الله بالحق سبیلا. ان هذا لهو الدین القیم و کفی بالله و من عنده علم الکتاب شهیدا." (از قیوم الاسماء، سوره عهد)

۲- بشارت به ظهور مبارک من یظهره الله.

حضرت نقطهٔ اولی از همان شب مبارک اظهار امر که صحیفهٔ مبارکه قیوم الاسماء نازل گردید به قرب ظهور جمال قدم و اسم اعظم بشاراتی شورانگیز و اشاراتی بس دلربا داشتند: "یا سیدنا الاکبر ما انا بشیء و قد اقامتنی قدرتک علی الامر. ما اتکلت الا علیک و ما اعتصمت فی امر الا الیک و انت الکافی بالحق و الله من ورائک المحیط و کفی بالله علی الحق بالحق القوی نصیراً. یا بقیة الله قد فدیت بکلی لک و رضیت السب فی سبیلک و ما تمنیت الا القتل فی محبتک و کفی بالله العلی معتصماً قدیماً."

و بالاخره در جمیع آثار مبارکه‌اش با عشق و محبت توصیف ناپذیری مژده ظهور و ورود آن ایام باهرالنور را بیان فرمودند. عهدی متین و میثاقی محکم و شدید از پیروان بیان مأخوذ فرمودند و جمیع را به توجه و اقبال و اطاعت از من یظهره الله مأمور نمودند، به طوری که در کتاب مستطاب بیان فارسی حدود ۳۰۰ مرتبه و در بیان عربی نزدیک به ۸۰ بار با شور و انجذاب از حضرت من یظهره الله یاد فرمودند و پیروان بیان را مکرراً مؤکداً به ایمان و انقیاد و اطاعت اسم اعظم موظف داشتند: "من آمن بمن یظهره‌الله فکانما آمن بالله .... ملخص این باب آن که ظهورالله در هر ظهور که مشیت اولیه باشد ‎بهاالله بهاءالله‎ بوده و هست و کل شیء نزد بهاء او لاشیء بوده و هستند." [Page 17]

شرکت یکی از احبای مانگ در کانونشن ملی

MR. LAO CHUE CHA AT THE NATIONAL CONVENTION

آقای لارنس لائو چو چا Laurence Lao Chue Cha، یکی از احبای مانگ Hmong که در پورترویل Porterville در ایالت کالیفرنیا زندگی می‌کند به دعوت دفتر امور پناهندگان میهمان ویژه حاضر در هشتاد و پنجمین کانونشن ملی ایالات متحده بود.

آقای چا که ریاست محفل روحانی پورترویل را بر عهده دارد یکی از رهبران قبیله‌ای مانگ‌ها است. او خود ۳۰ سال پیش، پس از اینکه پدرش به امر مبارک اقبال کرد، تسجیل شد. پدر آقای چا نیز رهبر قبیله خود در قریه‌ای از قرای لائوس بود و هنگامی که به امر مبارک اقبال کرد نه تنها همه اعضای خانواده‌اش بلکه همه ساکنان آن قریه نیز بهائی شدند.

دکتر هندرسن، منشی محفل روحانی ملی و خانم جوانا کانرد Juana Conrad کمک منشی آن محفل به آقای چا خوش آمد گفتند و نسخه‌ای از کتاب مشرق‌الاذکار (The Dawning Place) و یک بشقاب تزئینی که عکس ام‌المعابد غرب بر آن بود به او تقدیم کردند.

آقای چا اظهار داشت که شرکت در کانونشن بسیار لذت برده به ویژه که فرصت یافته است که بسیاری از احباء را از جمله جناب دکتر دیوید روح عضو سابق بیت‌العدل اعظم و همسرشان مارگارت خانم و اعضای هیئت مشاورین قاره‌ای خانم جکلین دلاهانت Jacqueline Delahunt و خانم ویلما الیس Wilma Ellis و جناب آرتورو سرانو Arturo Serrano را ملاقات کند.

همت و پشتکار یاران

PERSEVERANCE HAS ITS REWARDS

خانواده تامس Thomas متشکل از راس Russ و لوری Laurie و پسر ۴ ساله آنها اندرو Andrew در ماه فوریه سال جاری راس دریافت که خدمتش در ارتش خاتمه خواهد یافت. و این بدین معنی بود که راس می‌بایست هر چه زودتر کاری پیدا کند و در صورت لزوم محلی برای زندگی نیز!

پیداست که از لحاظ روحی چه فشاری روی این خانواده بوده است اما لوری و راس مصمم بودند که از این وضع ناگوار فرصتی مغتنم بسازند. بدین ترتیب راس که جواز رسمی پرستاری دارد در صدد شد که در یکی از نقاطی که از جمله اهداف داخلی است دنبال کار بگردد و با یک تیر دو نشان بزند و مشتغل و مهاجر هر دو باشد!

دیری نگذشت که امکانات فراهم شد. راس در مانت‌روز Montrose، در ایالت نیویورک به استخدام یک بیمارستان درآمد. راس می‌گفت: "همه امورمان را به دست حضرت بهاءالله سپردیم. الآن کار خیلی خوبی دارم و خانه‌ای هم در یک محله بسیار خوب کرایه کرده‌ایم." منظور راس از آن محله شهر نیوبرگ Newburgh است. در رضوان امسال با نقل مکان خانواده تامس و یک زوج دیگر به نیوبرگ محفل روحانی محلی تشکیل شد. اما زوج دیگر عبارت است از جناب دکتر دیوید روح، عضو پیشین بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی و همسرشان مارگارت خانم!

تبرعات به صندوق بناهای قوس

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ARC FUND

اخیراً یک خانواده بهائی ساکن غرب ایالت پنسیلوانیا تقبل کرده بود که ۹ هزار دلار تقدیم صندوق ساختمان‌های قوس نماید به این شرط که دیگر احبای محل نیز که تعدادشان حدود ۱۰۰ نفر است تعهد کنند که مجموعاً ۹ هزار دلار دیگر برای صندوق مذکور تبرع نمایند.

بدین ترتیب احبای محل به جنب و جوش افتادند و با همت عالی بیش از ۹ هزار دلار تبرع کردند. سپس یکی دیگر از خانواده‌ها تعهد کرد که ۹ هزار دلار به صندوق تقدیم کند و بدین ترتیب احبای غرب پنسیلوانیا توانستند در مجموع چکی به مبلغ بیش از ۲۷ هزار دلار به صندوق مذکور ارسال دارند.

این احبای فداکار و باوفا خاطر نشان ساختند که بعد از پارو کردن ۱۲۷ اینچ برف هر چیز دیگری نه تنها ممکن بلکه آسان است!

از نامه‌های یاران

LETTERS

خانم سودابه میثاقی نامه‌ای حاوی خدمات امری خود و خانواده محترمشان ارسال داشته‌اند که بخش‌هایی از آن در زیر درج می‌شود:

... حدود ۲ سال و نیم پیش پس از مشکلات زیادی از راه ترکیه خلاصه به آمریکا رسیدیم و خوشبختانه در ایالت مینه‌سوتا در ۳ ساعت و نیمی مینیاپولیس با پسر دوم و عروس آمریکایی‌اش با بچه‌هایشون باهم با ۲ خانواده در شهر Worthington تنها بهائی این شهر هستیم و اگر تأیید حاصل شود سعی داریم با مردم این شهر و این نواحی پیام حضرت بهاءالله را برسانیم و این وظیفه امری برای من و همسرم که زبان نمی‌دانیم کمی مشکل به نظر می‌رسد اما سعی دارم که دلم می‌خواهد دوستان عزیزی که روزنامه بهائی را می‌خوانند شرح داستان ابلاغ کلمه مرا بخوانند.

خوشبختانه به خاطر اینکه شهر ما خیلی کوچک است ما بیشتر با مردم شهر در تماس هستیم. گاهی ما آنها را دعوت می‌کنیم و گاهی آنها ما را به مناسبت‌هایی دعوت می‌کنند. اولین جلسه پرجمعیت که ما را به خاطر ایرانی بودنمان دعوت کرده بودند یک سال پیش بود. در یک سالن بزرگ شهر که برنامه غذا را هم غذای ایرانی بود؛ باشد بعد از برنامه‌هایی که داشتند نوبت برنامه ما شد که خودمان را معرفی کنیم و از ایران صحبت کنیم؛ اول پسرم شهرام میثاقی بعد همسرم فرج‌الله میثاقی بعداً من که هر سه نفر ما راجع به دیانت بهائی و چرا پاسپورت نداریم و چگونه آمدیم و چه شد و خلاصه از دیانت بهائی و حضرت بهاءالله و البته پسرم که شرح زیادی از تاریخ بهائی از حضرت اعلی و من و همسرم که تازه چند کلمه‌ای بیشتر زبان نمی‌دانستیم شروع کردیم. نمی‌دانم من چطور آنهمه حرف زدم، از اوضاع احبای ایران از تشکیلات، احبای آمریکا و خلاصه تمام سالن توجه خاصی داشتند و برای اولین بار اسم مبارک حضرت بهاءالله را شنیدند و همه آنها بی‌نهایت خوشحال شدند و با شادی فراوان از هم خداحافظی کردیم....

جریان آخر که توی ماه دسامبر ۹۳ اتفاق افتاد برای خودم بسی جالب بود. همسر من به خاطر ناراحتی قلب که قبلاً هم داشته ما را به بیمارستان سوفالز... کشاند. بعد از عمل و کارهای مقدماتی من که برای چند لحظه از اطاق همسرم بیرون آمده بودم دیگری نشسته بود و می‌خواست نوشابه‌ای بخورم. خانمی را دیدم آنجا ایستاده بود و از من پرسید از کدام کشور آمده‌ای؟ گفتم ایران و مذهب ما بهائی و شروع شده پرسید عیسی را قبول داری؟ طبق معمول که همه پیغمبران را قبول دارم و حضرت بهاءالله را که ناگهان پرسید بهاءالله کیه؟ گفتم پسر حضرت عیسی.... با تعجب پرسید چرا ما نمی‌دانستیم؟ گفتم حالا می‌دانید. گفت کلیسا دارید، به کلیسا می‌روید؟ گفتم مشرق‌الاذکار و همه دعا و مناجات و نماز. خلاصه آنقدر از من پرسید که من هم با زبان مختصر نمی‌دانم چطور آنهمه تعریف می‌کردم. مدتی با هم حرف زدیم که من اصلاً فراموش کردم شوهرم روی تخت بیمارستان و اتفاقاً آن خانم هم همین برنامه را داشت که شوهرش مریض بود. از هم خداحافظی کردیم و مشتاقانه همدیگر را بوسیدیم.

روز بعد که شوهرم را از اطاق عمل احتیاطی به اطاق عمومی بردند، دیدم آن خانم با شوهرش همان اطاق بودند. از خوشحالی پریدیم تو بغلش و دوباره ملاقات و بعد از معرفی صحبت و این بار پسرم که بحمدالله وضع شغلیش هم تماس با مردم و خوب آشنا می‌شود شروع کرد صحبت برای شوهر آن خانم از آئین بهائی و آن آقا گفتند من این ملاقات را به فال نیک می‌گیرم و من با دنیای تازه‌ای آشنا شدم....

ساختمان آپارتمان ما در حدود ۶۰ تا ۷۰ نفر هستیم که همهٔ آنها به خوبی ما را می‌شناسند و بعضی‌ها را کتاب دادم و وقتی که فیلم کنفرانس نیویورک رادیو تلویزیون شهر ما قبول کرد که به نمایش بگذارد پخش کن ساکنان آپارتمان ما هم تماشا کرده و من قبلاً گفته بودم این کنفرانس مربوط به بهائی‌هاست و منیجر [manager] ساختمان با شوهرش کلی خوشحالی کردند و گفتند ما اصلاً نمی‌دانستیم که سیاهپوستان هم داخل شما و اینقدر با هم خودمانی هستید. علتش را برای آنها تعریف کردیم و عروس ما که آمریکایی است... با تمام دوستانش صحبت کرده و به روزنامه شهر مقاله فرستاده و درباره تبعیض نژادی از بیانات مبارکه نوشته بود که برای همهٔ شهر تازگی داشت و هر چهار بچه پسرم تنها بهائی مدرسه هستند و همه آنها را می‌شناسند و روزهای تعطیلی امری را اجازه گرفته و علتش را تعریف می‌کنند.

از شما دوستان بهائی تمنا دارم از دعا ما را فراموش ‎مفرمانید نفرمائید‎ و توفیق همگان را حقشان خواهانم.

اطلاعیه

ANNOUNCEMENT

بدینوسیله به آگاهی یاران می‌رساند که نوارهای برنامهٔ رادیوئی "نوری از ایران" دربارهٔ دیانت بهائی منحصراً حاوی نظریات سخنرانان است و از جانب جامعه بهائی مورد تأیید قرار نگرفته است و بوسیلهٔ تشکیلات بهائی توزیع نمی‌شود. [Page 18]

رأی کنگره آمریکا درباره تضییقات بهائیان ایران

CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION

روز ۱۹ اپریل سال جاری مجلس نمایندگان ایالات متحده به اتفاق آراء دولت ایران را جهت نقض حقوق انسانی جامعهٔ بهائی محکوم کرد. از سال ۱۹۸۲ تا کنون این ششمین باری است که کنگرهٔ آمریکا در مورد حمایت از بهائیان ایران رأی داده است.

در رأی مذکور خط مشی رسمی دولت ایران برای از میان بردن جامعهٔ بهائی که در سند محرمانه‌ای معین شده، نقل گردیده است و تضییقاتی که دولت ایران در خصوص جامعهٔ بهائی اعمال نموده از جمله اعدام بیش از ۲۰۰ تن از بهائیان و دستگیری و زندانی کردن هزاران تن دیگر از احبای ایران مورد انتقاد قرار گرفته است.

دکتر فیروز کاظم‌زاده منشی امور خارجی محفل روحانی ملی از این اقدام کنگرهٔ آمریکا تجلیل کرد و اظهار داشت "این رأی و رأی دیگری که کمیسیون حقوق بشر سازمان ملل متحد روز ۹ مارچ صادر کرده است رژیم ایران را متذکر می‌دارد که ملل جهان تضییقاتی را که رژیم مذکور در خصوص این جامعه مطیع دینی اعمال می‌دارد، محکوم می‌نمایند."

در رأی کمیسیون حقوق بشر سازمان ملل متحد در خصوص نقض حقوق بشر در ایران و تبعیضاتی که در مورد برخی از شهروندان ایران به خاطر اعتقادات دینیشان اعمال می‌شود به ویژه بهائیان که وجودشان بعنوان یک جامعهٔ دینی مورد تهدید قرار گرفته، اظهار نگرانی شده است.

دکتر کاظم‌زاده گفت که اقدامات سرکوبگرانه دولت در مورد جامعهٔ بهائی در واقع قلع و قمع آنان است که از طریق طاقت‌فرسا کردن و غیرقابل تحمل ساختن شرایط زندگی واقع می‌شود؛ با این حال اقدامات بین‌المللی مانع از آن می‌شود که رژیم ایران روش‌های شدیدتری را در قبال جامعهٔ بهائی برگزیند.

سازمان خبری رویتر در ژانویهٔ سال گذشته گزارش داد که بنا به بیانیه‌ای که توسط وزارت امور خارجه آلمان صادر شده، آقای کلاوس کینکل Klaus Kinkel وزیر امور خارجه آلمان در حین ملاقات با یکی از نمایندگان دولت ایران از دولت مذکور خواسته است که تبعیضات خود را نسبت به جامعهٔ بهائی متوقف سازد.

ترجمه متن رأی اخیر مجلس نمایندگان ایالات متحده در زیر درج می‌شود:

از آنجا که کنگره در سال‌های ۱۹۸۲، ۱۹۸۴، ۱۹۸۸، ۱۹۹۰ و ۱۹۹۲ طی قطعنامه‌های مشترک سنا و مجلس نمایندگان اعلان کرده است که دولت ایران را مسؤول حفظ حقوق تمامی آحاد ملت از جمله پیروان امر بهائی، بزرگ‌ترین اقلیت دینی ایران می‌داند؛

از آنجا که کنگره در قطعنامه‌های مذکور و دیگر تقاضاهای خود تضییقات دولت ایران را نسبت به جامعهٔ بهائی شامل اعدام بیش از ۲۰۰ نفر از بهائیان و حبس هزاران نفر دیگر و سایر تبعیضات و اعمال سرکوبگرانه نسبت به بهائیان صرفاً به علت اعتقادات دینیشان، محکوم کرده است؛

از آنجا که دولت ایران یکی از اعضای رهبری جامعهٔ بهائی را اعدام کرده و چند تن دیگر از بهائیان را دستگیر و زندانی نموده و دو تن از زندانیان بهائی را به خاطر دینشان محکوم به اعدام ساخته و منازل و املاک شخصی افراد بهائی را در چندین شهر تصاحب کرده است؛

از آنجا که دولت ایران به سلب حقوق جامعهٔ بهائی در مورد ترتیب تشکیلات و انتخاب رهبران و تملک املاک برای عبادت و تجمع و ادارهٔ مدارس دینی و اجرای دیگر فعالیت‌های متعارف دینی ادامه می‌دهد و؛

از آنجا که در روز ۲۲ فوریه سال ۱۹۹۳ کمیسیون حقوق بشر سازمان ملل متحد مدرک محرمانه‌ای منتشر نمود که حاوی دستورالعملی برای از میان بردن جامعهٔ بهائی است و مدرک مذکور آشکار ساخته است که این اعمال سرکوبگرانه ناشی از سیاست عامدانه‌ای است که توسط عالی‌ترین سران دولت ایران طرح و تصویب شده است؛ حال توسط سنا (با موافقت مجلس نمایندگان) چنین مقرر شده است که کنگره

۱- دولت ایران را مطابق تعهدات خود در قبال منشور عمومی حقوق بشر و دیگر قراردادهای بین‌المللی که ضامن حقوق سیاسی و مدنی شهروندان است، همچنان مسؤول حمایت از حقوق تمامی آحاد ملت از جمله اعضای جامعهٔ بهائی می‌داند؛

۲- سیاست ضدبهائی و سرکوبگرانه‌ای را که مطابق یک مدرک رسمی محرمانه توسط دولت ایران اتخاذ شده و صریحاً بیان می‌دارد که بهائیان از تحصیلات و اشتغال به کار محروم باشند و سیاست دولت در قبال بهائیان چنان باشد که از پیشرفتشان جلوگیری شود، محکوم می‌نماید؛

۳- اظهار نگرانی می‌نماید که افراد بهائیان صرفاً به علت دینشان همچنان مورد تبعیضات و اعمال سرکوبگرانهٔ دولت واقعند و جامعهٔ بهائی همچنان از رسمیت قانونی برخوردار نیست و حقوق اولیه ای چون ترتیب تشکیلات و انتخاب رهبر و تعلیم جوانان و اجرای فعالیت‌های معمول یک جامعهٔ دینی مطیع از قانون را ندارد؛

۴- از دولت ایران می‌خواهد که حقوقی را که در منشور عمومی حقوق بشر و دیگر پیمان‌های بین‌المللی ضمانت شده از جمله آزادی افکار و وجدان و دین، به جامعهٔ بهائی اعطاء نماید؛ و

۵- ریاست جمهوری را فرا می‌خواند که همچنان

الف- تأکید نماید که ایالات متحده رویهٔ دولت ایران را در خصوص حقوق بشر به ویژه رفتار با جامعهٔ بهائی و دیگر اقلیت‌های دینی عامل مهمی در برقراری روابط مابین دولت ایالات متحده و دولت ایران می‌شمارد؛

ب- از دولت ایران بخواهد که جامعهٔ بهائی را با اعطاء حقوق ضمانت شده در منشور عمومی حقوق بشر و پیمان‌های بین‌المللی حقوق بشر آزاد سازد؛ و

ج- به دول دیگر توصیه نماید که همچنان در این باره به دولت ایران مراجعه کنند و با سایر دول و سازمان‌های بین‌المللی از جمله سازمان ملل متحد و دوائر آن از طریق اقامهٔ درخواست‌های مشترک از دولت ایران و سایر اقدامات مقتضی در مورد کوشش‌های مربوط به حفظ حقوق دینی بهائیان و دیگر اقلیت‌ها همکاری کند.

دیدار رهبر دینی تبت از مرکز جهانی

DALAI LAMA VISITS THE SHRINE OF THE BAB

روز ۲۴ مارچ سال جاری دالائی لاما Dalai Lama رهبر تبعید شدهٔ جامعهٔ دینی تبت از مرکز جهانی بهائی دیدار کرد. او نخستین رهبر دینی است که از مقام حضرت اعلیٰ دیدار کرده است.

جناب هوشمند فتح‌اعظم، عضو محترم بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی و جناب دانالد راجرز Donald Rogers مشاور عضو دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی به دالائی لاما خوش‌آمد گفتند و باغ‌های مقام اعلیٰ را به او نشان دادند و خلاصه‌ای از تاریخچهٔ امر بهائی را برای او بازگو کردند.

دالائی لاما با احترام وارد مقام اعلیٰ شد و حدود ۵ دقیقه با چشمان بسته چهارزانو نشست و به تأمل و مناجات پرداخت.

سپس اجازه خواست که شالی را بر آستانهٔ مرقد مطهر قرار دهد، آنگاه طول آستانهٔ مرقد مبارک را با یک شال ابریشمی سفید پوشاند. در گزارشی که از مرکز جهانی رسیده، گفته شده است که "تقدیم شال مذکور عالی‌ترین نشان احترام است که دالائی لاما می‌تواند اظهار دارد. تقدیم شال در نظر پیروان او دریافتِ منقبت و برکتی است که می‌تواند از جانب او دریافت دارند."

دالائی لاما و همراهانش پس از دیدار از مقام حضرت اعلیٰ راهی مقر بیت‌العدل اعظم شدند. رهبر مذکور در مقر دارالتشریع از استقبال محترمانه‌ای که از او به عمل آمده بود، عمیقاً اظهار امتنان نمود. دو کتاب از آثار حضرت بهاءالله به دالائی لاما تقدیم شد.

انتشار امر مبارک در قزاقستان

TEACHING ACTIVITIES IN KAZAKHSTAN

اخیراً پس از این‌که یک برنامهٔ تلویزیونی به مدت ۳۰ دقیقه در آلما آتا Alma-Ata واقع در قزاقستان (از جمهوری‌های سابق شوروی) دربارهٔ امر مبارک پخش شد ۳۰۰ نفر به امر مبارک اقبال کردند و بسیاری از آنان به سوی حظیرةالقدس بهائی شتافتند تا دربارهٔ دیانت تازه یافتهٔ خود اطلاعاتی کسب کنند.

همچنین در یکی از مدارس زمستانهٔ بهائی بیش از ۱۰ نفر که فقط به قصد دیدن جمع احباء به آن مدرسه رفته بودند، با اشتیاق فراوان التماس می‌کردند که از جملهٔ اعضای این نهضت سازندهٔ الهی به شمار بیایند.

حقوق الله

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است تقدیمی‌های حقوق الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huququ’lláh Trust به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق الله 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. 20901 [Page 19]

Youth

believers in Papua New Guinea and all districts have been opened to the Faith, including seven nearby islands. Short-term pioneers are needed...to help establish a permanent teaching institute for the development of human resources and to support intensive teaching activities....In several areas of the country, youth-year-of-service volunteers would be of great assistance."

Vanuatu-Bislama, French and English. "As a result of the cultural exchange of Bahá’í traditional chiefs...and the publicity generated by this event, unprecedented opportunities for the expansion of the Faith now exist. Short-term pioneers on three- to four-month visas are required in [several places including] Tanna, to help with mass teaching, foster youth activities and children's classes, and help with social and economic development projects."

Vivian March, pictured at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Kampala, Uganda, conducted 15 children's classes in nine villages and towns during her recent month-long visit to Uganda. She notes that 'the bounties, benefits and blessings I received as the traveler far exceed anything I had to offer the friends and communities I visited!'

EUROPE: Belgium-French. "Young people are sought to work alongside Belgian youth in teaching campaigns that employ direct teaching methods." Bulgaria-Bulgarian and Turkish. Youth-year-of-service opportunities beginning in July in conjunction with the European Bahá’í Youth Council's "Shaping Europe" teaching project and youth conferences. Canary Islands-Spanish. "Having made significant advances in recent years, the Bahá’í community of the Canary Islands stands poised for accelerated growth. Short-term youth pioneers to help local Bahá’í youth in the teaching work are needed, as are Spanish-speaking short-term pioneers or traveling teachers to conduct courses to help consolidate local communities." Note: New opportunities beginning in July in conjunction with the European Bahá’í Youth Council's "Shaping Europe" teaching project and youth conferences. Finland-Finnish and Swedish. "Finland is a highly developed country with a relatively small population. The young people and minorities are receptive to the Faith, as are people migrating from the former Soviet Union. The Lapps, or Sami, living in the north of Finland, and the Gypsies in the south have been the focus of Bahá’í teaching activities for many years." Greece-Greek. "The climate for teaching the Faith in Greece is changing. Recent teaching projects attracted unprecedented numbers who demonstrated an openness to the Bahá’í message....A significant number of long- and short-term pioneers, as well as traveling teachers and youth-year-of-service volunteers, are urgently needed. Pioneers who are students, those able to open a business or those from countries of the European Community will find it easier to settle." Poland-Polish and German. "The Polish people are very receptive to the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, and the challenge is to raise up a sufficient number of teachers who have the capacity to bring large numbers of people into the Faith. Youth-year-of-service volunteers could assist in developing and expanding the small community of youth in Poland." Note: New opportunities beginning in July in conjunction with the European Bahá’í Youth Council's "Shaping Europe" teaching project and youth conferences. Portugal-Portuguese. "As the Portuguese youth have proven to be receptive during recent teaching activities, the community would benefit from receiving youth-year-of-service volunteers. These youth could help the local Bahá’í youth spread the Faith among their peers." Note: New opportunities beginning in July in conjunction with the European Bahá’í Youth Council's "Shaping Europe" teaching project and youth conferences. Russia, Georgia and Armenia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. Youth-year-of-service opportunities beginning in July in conjunction with the European Bahá’í Youth Council's "Shaping Europe" teaching project and youth conferences.

Be among those to arise to answer the call to pioneer before the midpoint of the Three Year Plan. If you or your family have concerns about furthering your education or career, please see "Guidance on Pioneering and Education" in the Alá (March 2, 1994) issue of The American Bahá’í. Contact your local Spiritual Assembly as your starting point for consultation, guidance and information on the Bahá’í Youth Service Corps.

Bahá’í Chair helps university students gain global perspective

Although less than two years old, the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland has already made great strides in helping students develop a global perspective.

The Bahá’í Chair's annual report reveals a breadth of initiatives aimed at fostering a spirit that "will lead to an understanding of the factors which promote ethnic and religious tensions within and among nations, and will help in the search for peaceful solutions to resolve them."

That activity has taken the form of research, courses, seminars and conferences within the Center for International Development and Conflict Management (CIDCM), a research and training institute in the university's College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

And it is in line with the Bahá’í Chair's mission to "promote alternatives to violent resolution of conflict through conflict management, global education international development, spiritual awareness and world trade; to share the experience of the Bahá’í world community in building a global society; and to offer that community as a model for study."

The Bahá’í Chair was established by the University of Maryland and the Universal House of Justice in the wake of the Supreme Body's publication of The Promise of World Peace. Professor Suheil Bushrui was installed in January 1993 as its first incumbent.

Since then, the Bahá’í Chair has been engaged in a number of collaborative programs and course offerings:

A Book of Sacred Words is being produced by the Temenos Academy for Integral Studies in collaboration with the Bahá’í Chair. The book will explore the 10 words most sacred to each of the world's great religious traditions in a way that invites the reader to a universal outlook.

The Temple of Understanding has appointed the Bahá’í Chair professor to its board. This global interfaith association has asked Professor Bushrui to provide speakers for a lecture series on interreligious cooperation. The Bahá’í Chair also is sponsoring formation of a student chapter of the Temple at the university to promote interfaith dialogue.

The On Earth Peace Assembly and the Bahá’í Chair co-sponsored an interfaith conference titled "Religious Perspectives on Peacemaking." The Bahá’í peace program and a summary of The Promise of World Peace were presented.

A course on humanity's spiritual history was created by the Bahá’í Chair and is now a major feature of the university's Honors Program. By mapping out the shared terrain between the world's major religious traditions, the course gives students the foundation to develop a global code of ethics. A text titled The Spiritual Heritage of the Human Race will soon be published in conjunction with the course.

A new course on religious approaches toward peace will trace the progressive development of humanity's spiritual awareness, drawing on several religious perspectives and showing how each was shaped. Religion's capacity to be a remedy for, rather than a source of, violent conflict will be examined.

"Inspiring and Being Inspired by Students: Teaching for Passion and Wisdom," a seminar organized by the Center for Teaching Excellence, was offered by the Bahá’í Chair in April for faculty, staff, students and interested public.

Bahá’í represented in new book on minorities

Patricia Locke, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, is among members of minority groups offering poignant testimony about their mistreatment at the hands of dominant groups and their vision of a new world community arising from the bloodshed and ashes in Endangered Peoples: Cries of Hope from Lands of Torture, edited by Art Wolfe and John Isaac (Sierra Club, $30).

Mrs. Locke, a Lakota, recounts the struggle of American Indians to protect their sacred lands and ceremonial traditions in the U.S. She is quoted with others in a review of the book that appeared April 6 in the North Dakota newspaper, Indian Country Today.

IN MEMORIAM

Nourollah Abbassi Sterling, VA February 18, 1994

Virginia Bruce San Diego, CA April 24, 1994

Earl L. Chachere Graham, WA October 1993

Walter E. Cobb Gardena, CA April 19, 1994

Jesse W. Davis Carson City, NV April 6, 1994

Malcolm DeLoria Milwaukee, WI April 1994

George F. Dodge Los Angeles, CA April 16, 1994

Thomas Hollinger Marina Del Rey, CA May 1, 1994

Ernestine Liggins Milledgeville, GA April 1994

Emma Martensen Sunnyvale, CA March 24, 1994

Alden Miller Astoria, OR November 28, 1993

Clinton Pinto Dulce, NM April 5, 1994

Donna Quist Olympia, WA April 7, 1994

Sohrab Vargha Brea, CA April 11, 1994

Anthony Wilson Charlotte, NC March 10, 1994

Williemae Yarbrough Eatonton, GA April 1994 [Page 20]

Calendar

The Bahá’í community of Lawton, Oklahoma, sponsored a Persian culture booth at the recent International Cultural Fair in Lawton. As a part of the fair, each group had a stage performance. Parvin Vahdat, a Bahá’í from Wichita Falls, Texas, accompanied by Mahrokh Hedayati of Lawton, performed traditional Persian dances in traditional dress on two occasions. Because booths for religions were not a part of the fair, the friends prepared a special pamphlet outlining three of the major faiths found in Persian culture: Zoroastrian, Islamic and Bahá’í. Many visitors to the booth asked questions and accepted copies of the pamphlet.

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS.

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

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

A. NAME(S): 1. ___________________________________________________________________________ I.D. # _________________________ Title ___________________________________ 2. ___________________________________________________________________________ I.D. # _________________________ Title ___________________________________ 3. ___________________________________________________________________________ I.D. # _________________________ Title ___________________________________ 4. ___________________________________________________________________________ I.D. # _________________________ Title ___________________________________

B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: Street address ___________________________________________________________ Apartment # (if applicable) ______________________________________________ City ____________________________________________________________________ State _________________________ Zip code ________________________________

C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box or Other mailing address ________________________________________ Apartment # (if applicable) ______________________________________________ City ____________________________________________________________________ State _________________________ Zip code ________________________________

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

E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: Area code _______ Phone number ________________ Name ______________

F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): Area code _______ Phone number ________________ Name ______________ Area code _______ Phone number ________________ Name ______________

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

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

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

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JUNE

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

10-12: Mississippi Bahá’í School, Gulfport. Registrar: Simin Rohani, Vicksburg, MS 39180; phone 601-636-9439.

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

11-15: Idaho (Southern) summer school, near Ketchum. Registrar: Dawn Bowman, Pocatello, ID 83201; phone 208-233-9849.

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

16-19: Intensive study classes on the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, conducted by Habib Riazati, Notre Dame Center, Omaha, Nebraska. Registration fee: $30 (does not include lodging; includes lunches and Thursday evening dinner). Pre-registration required. For information, phone Suzanne Labanowski, 402-573-6517.

18: Fourth annual Los Angeles Bahá’í Conference. Theme: “The ’90s: A Bahá’í Perspective.” Speakers, workshops, entertainment. For information, phone Yoss Missaghian, 805-493-1426.

18-23: General Session, “The Spiritual Conquest of Hearts” and “All the World’s a Stage,” Bosch Bahá’í School. Also, Core Curriculum training (with Linda Bedford and Susan Miller). For information, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564.

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

23-26: Nebraska Bahá’í School, near Cozad. Registrar: Colin Taylor, North Platte, NE 69101; phone 308-534-4939.

25-30: General Session, “The Destiny of America,” “Entry by Troops,” “Capturing the Spirit,” “Summertime in the Redwoods,” Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564.

30-July 3: Colorado East Summer School, Trinity Ranch. Contact Sandra Bolz, 34 London Avenue, Lafayette, CO 80026 (phone 303-666-9275).

30-July 4: Florida summer school, Melbourne. Registrar: Yan Gan Yang, Plantation, FL 33324; phone 305-424-1547.

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,” Loews Hotel/Vanderbilt Plaza, Nashville, Tennessee. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Nashville and Pavon Media International. For information, phone 310-652-3983.

1-5: North Carolina Summer School. Registrar: Maria Hillis, Wilson, NC 27893; phone 910-291-1187.

2: Memorial “Potlatch” in the Tlingit-Tagish tradition for Mark Shoghi Anderson, Sylvan Lake Bahá’í Center, Alberta, Canada. For information, contact Ted Anderson, 403-347-4230.

2-7: General Session, “Historical Perspective on the Tablets of the Divine Plan,” “Blessings & Bounties,” Bosch Bahá’í School. Also, Core Curriculum training (with Sharon Jensen and Robin Evans). For information, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564.

2-8: Washington (East)/Idaho (North) School. Registrar: Shannon McConnell, Richland, WA 99352; phone 509-943-1236.

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.

9-14: General Session, “The Destiny of America: A Different View,” Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564.

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.

16-21: General Session with David and Margaret Kunze Ruhe, Bosch Bahá’í School. Also, third summer of Bosch Research Institute. For information, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564.

17-24: “The Spiritual Transformation of the Huasteca,” an ongoing traveling teaching campaign in Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Sponsored by the National Teaching Committee of Mexico. For information, phone or fax Mike Pietrzak, (01152) (892) 2-6902.

18-22: Wisconsin Summer School, Byron Center. Contact Lisa Reimer, West Bend, WI 53095 (phone 414-338-3023).

20-24: Illinois (Heartland) Bahá’í School, Knox College, Galesburg. Registrar: Carl Clingenpeel, Naperville, IL 60563; phone 708-961-9806.

20-24: “Two Years After UNCED: Exploring Partnerships for Sustainable Development,” Davenport, Iowa. Sponsored by the Citizens Network for Sustainable Development, the Stanley Foundation, and the Iowa Division of UNA-USA. Bahá’ís who plan to attend should contact the National Spiritual Assembly, Office of External Affairs, 1320 19th St. N.W., Suite 701, Washington, DC 20036 (phone 202-833-8990).

22-27: Family Session I, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

23-28: General Session, “Midsummer Music,” “America’s Destiny,” “Documents of the Covenant,” Bosch Bahá’í School. Information: phone 408-423-3387. [Page 21]

Guidance from the Universal House of Justice

To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States Message. Bahá’u’lláh certainly gave ample fore-

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

We recall with much joy and deep gratitude to Bahá’u’lláh your presence in the Holy Land only a short while ago during the month of the Fast. Your urgent request to which we acceded by meeting with all nine of your members in intensive consultations over a period of three days—a new fact of history in itself—initiated another phase in the evolution of your Assembly and reinforced the bonds that bind the American Bahá’í community to the World Center of the Faith. Our hearts were touched by the candor, courage, and sincerity with which your members presented your concerns, as well as by the spirit of optimism you displayed despite the overwhelming challenges and burdens which prompted your request for a meeting with us.

Having considered the various points and queries you raised, we are now able to respond to those which fall under the broad categories of teaching, relations between your National Spiritual Assembly and the Continental Counselors, and the functioning of your Assembly.

Regarding your "Vision in Action" initiative, you reported evidences of a tremendous response, some movement, and some expansion; furthermore, the stimulus of the recent Atlanta conference spearheaded by the Continental Counselors caused a marked acceleration of activities. In sum, the friends have seldom been more visibly active, but growth is slow; you feel the community has for some time been on the threshold of a breakthrough which remains elusive. The degeneration of society, as manifested by the breakdown of moral standards and the alarming increase of violence, you feel, is exerting a debilitating effect on the individual believer. You yearn for a way to free the teaching potential which to a large extent is locked up in the individual in the face of these dreadful circumstances.

We feel that an over-anxiousness on your part about a breakthrough and an undue worry over the state of society can be counter-productive. While there are opportunities for greater growth than is occurring, neither your Assembly nor the friends must burden themselves with feelings of failure at every disappointment, for such feelings are self-fulfilling and can easily cause stagnation in the expansion of the Cause. The tendency toward frustration, sometimes induced by a desire for instant gratification, must be resisted by an effort to gain deeper appreciation of the divine process. In exhorting the individual concerning the spiritual obligation resting upon him "to make of the mandate of teaching, so vitally binding upon all, the all-pervading concern of his life," Shoghi Effendi said that "every bearer of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh should consider it not only an obligation but a privilege to scatter far and wide the seeds of His Faith, and to rest content in the abiding knowledge that whatever be the immediate response to that Message, and however inadequate the vehicle that conveyed it, the power of its Author will, as He sees fit, enable those seeds to germinate, and in circumstances which no one can foresee enrich the harvest which the labor of His followers will gather." You may rest assured that your particularly blessed community will not be denied a triumphant expansion if its members remain constant and confident in their teaching activities.

Paradoxical as it may seem, the prospects toward the breakthrough you anticipate in the teaching field are conspicuous in the current, distressing state of society. You must realize that the worse conditions become, the more plentiful are the opportunities to teach the Cause, the greater the degree of receptivity to the Divine knowledge about the radical, worldwide disturbance which His Revelation is creating as a part of the transition toward the unity and peace that are the ultimate goal of His Faith. Your awareness of this inevitable transition should enable your members to detach themselves from the debilitating emotions aroused by the turmoil which characterizes this process and to equip your Assembly as the highest governing body of the Bahá’í community in the United States to demonstrate to the friends a confident outlook, which the persistence and vigor of their teaching activities will fully justify.

Such detachment as exemplified by your Assembly and practiced by the friends throughout the community will, moreover, signify a spiritual achievement which was anticipated by Shoghi Effendi in his warning to your community, when he said: "The glowing tributes, so repeatedly and deservedly paid to the capacity, the spirit, the conduct, and the high rank, of the American believers, both individually and as an organic community, must, under no circumstances, be confounded with the characteristics and nature of the people from which God has raised them up." In other words, by the attainment of a "sharp distinction between that community and that people," you and the friends who rely upon your guidance will recognize that American society cannot be exempted from the rigors and consequences of the transition affecting all the world.

Painful as may be the decadent scene, deep as is your sympathy for those who suffer from the terrible decline of society, you must see the possibilities which are thus provided for augmenting the healing forces of an emerging World Order. Shoghi Effendi advised the North American community plainly in this regard. "The opportunities which the turmoil of the present age presents, with all the sorrows which it evokes, the fears which it excites, the disillusionment which it produces, the perplexities which it creates, the indignation which it arouses, the revolt which it provokes, the grievances it engenders, the spirit of restless search which it awakens, must," he asserted, "be exploited for the purpose of spreading far and wide the knowledge of the redemptive power of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, and for enlisting fresh recruits in the ever-swelling army of His followers."

Commenting further on the global spectacle of upheavals, cataclysms and tribulations which the worsening affairs of humanity evoke at the impending approach of the Kingdom of God on earth, Shoghi Effendi addressed these words of insight and encouragement to the North American friends: "Far from yielding in their resolve, far from growing oblivious of their task, they should, at no time, however much buffeted by circumstances, forget that the synchronization of such world-shaking crises with the progressive unfoldment and fruition of their divinely appointed task is itself the work of Providence, the design of an inscrutable Wisdom, and the purpose of an all-compelling Will, a Will that directs and controls, in its own mysterious way, both the fortunes of the Faith and the destinies of men. Such simultaneous processes of rise and of fall, of integration and of disintegration, of order and chaos, with their continuous and reciprocal reactions on each other, are but aspects of a greater Plan, one and indivisible, whose Source is God, whose author is Bahá’u’lláh, the theatre of whose operations is the entire planet, and whose ultimate objectives are the unity of the human race and the peace of all mankind."

Moreover, the beloved Guardian felt that: "Reflections such as these should steel the resolve of the entire Bahá’í community, should dissipate their forebodings, and arouse them to rededicate themselves to every single provision of that Divine Charter whose outline has been delineated for them by the pen of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá." By being attuned to this divine perspective, your Assembly will be able to assist the friends to see that they will not merely be able to cope with the alarming incidents of social decline they are daily witnessing, but even better than that, they will be inspired to arise with renewed vision to recruit to Bahá’í membership an increasing number of men and women whose minds and hearts are ready to respond to the Divine Message and who will join them in dispelling the bewilderment and despair gripping their fellow citizens and undermining the structure of their country.

It is also vital for your Assembly to keep in mind that the mental anguish which the prevailing situation induces can and must be overcome through prayer and a conscious attention to teaching the Cause and living the Bahá’í life with a world-embracing vision. Certainly, the members of such a well established community as yours, one enjoying the special favors providentially conferred upon it by the Tablets of the Divine Plan, do realize the urgency and seriousness of their task. Surely they see with what patient endurance the dear friends in the Cradle of the Faith are meeting their God-given challenges even to the extent of sacrificing their life's blood so that the world may become a better place. Undoubtedly, the highly esteemed American believers, who bear the designation "spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers," know quite well that they must now seize their chance at this critical time to prove their own capacity to endure that living sacrifice which, as Shoghi Effendi said, in contrast to dying, is required of them in the scriptures of our Faith. May they be granted the celestial strength to pass, over and over again, the mental tests which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá promised He would send to them to purify them, thus enabling them to achieve their divinely conferred potential as a force for change in the world.

In the arena of teaching, your indispensable terms of reference and the unerring resource to which you have ready access are the Master's Tablets of the Divine Plan. They invest your community with extraordinary powers shared by your sister community in Canada. It is in reacquainting the American friends with the special mission, both at home and abroad, assigned to them in these seminal and timeless documents, and in relating their contents to current conditions, that you will find the key to the revitalization of the teaching work and the winning of outstanding victories on the home front. In this effort you will be powerfully aided by the explanations provided in the letters of our dear Guardian, such as "The Advent of Divine Justice," "The Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour," "American Bahá’ís in the Time of World Peril." We have every confidence that, together with the Continental Counselors and the Auxiliary Board members, you can discover the way further to release the enormous energies of the friends and to intensify the zeal which they have so splendidly displayed in the teaching field on so many occasions in the past.

We were very pleased by the sense you conveyed of an ever-closer relationship between your Assembly and the Continental Counselors, and we were even more deeply impressed by your eagerness to know how you might strengthen this relationship. A beginning toward achieving your desire would be for you to obtain an integrated understanding of the Counselors' responsibilities and sphere of action in relation to your own.

As you know, a distinguishing feature of the Administrative Order is the existence of elected institutions, on the one hand, which function corporately with vested legislative, executive and judicial powers, and of appointed, eminent and devoted believers, on the other hand, who function primarily as individuals for the specific [Page 22]

House of Justice

purposes of protecting and propagating the Faith under the guidance of the Head of the Faith. The two sets of institutions collaborate in their functions so as to ensure the progress of the Cause. You are undoubtedly aware of the previous exposition of this subject; however, we offer the following comments to assist your further understanding of the matter.

The Continental Boards of Counselors and the National Spiritual Assemblies share in the functions of propagation and protection, but the Counselors specialize in these functions from a different level and in a different manner. From a continental vantage point, the Counselors bring a perspective to their functions which, when offered to a National Assembly in the form of counsel, advice, recommendations, suggestions or commentary, enriches the latter's understanding, acquaints it with a broader experience than its own, and encourages it to maintain a world-embracing vision.

An aspect of the difference in the manner of functioning of the Counselors derives from the instructions given in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the Hands of the Cause of God, the extension into the future of whose functions of protection and propagation are the responsibility of the Counselors. As appointees of the Universal House of Justice, the Counselors assist the Head of the Faith to broaden the base, foster the strength and ensure the security of the National Spiritual Assemblies and the institutions and communities under their jurisdiction. Through their Auxiliary Boards, the Continental Counselors spread the benefits of their functions to the local Spiritual Assemblies and the grassroots of the community. These functions are shaped by their obligations, in the words of the Will and Testament, "to diffuse the Divine Fragrances, to edify the souls of men, to promote learning, to improve the character of all men and to be, at all times and under all conditions, sanctified and detached from earthly things." It can be seen, then, that through their work in propagating and protecting the Faith, the Counselors play a major role in knitting and bolstering the entire fabric of the Bahá’í community.

The flexibility and speed with which the Counselors and their Auxiliary Board members can respond to a perceived need in the community—such as a need for encouragement, explanation of plans, deepening in the Teachings, protection of the Covenant—are elements of their functioning which distinguish them from Spiritual Assemblies; this flexibility enables them to operate as occasions demand, whether it is in giving counsel at a meeting, or advising an individual in private, or helping the friends to understand and obey a ruling of the Spiritual Assembly, or dealing with issues of the Covenant. In such different modes these officers of the Faith are able to draw attention to relevant Texts, to impart information, explore situations, and acquaint themselves with conditions in ways not possible to a Spiritual Assembly but important to the success of its plans. They are able then to share with Spiritual Assemblies, as deemed necessary, ideas, analyses, perceptions and advice which inevitably enhance the ability of these Assemblies to serve their communities. They thus assist Assemblies to mature. Where local Assemblies are new or weak, Auxiliary Board members help them to understand their functions, encourage them to organize their work, and rally the local believers in support of their Assemblies' initiatives.

Through the various modes of their activities, the Counselors aided by their Auxiliary Boards spark and buttress the growth and development of Spiritual Assemblies and local and national communities. With this perspective, Shoghi Effendi's regarding of the Auxiliary Board members as "a prop and mainstay to the often overworked and overburdened National Spiritual Assemblies" becomes clear. The indispensability of the involvement of Continental Counselors and Auxiliary Board members in the planning stages of the teaching work and the benefits of acquainting them with the hopes and concerns of National Spiritual Assemblies and of seeking their advice are also obvious.

With the opening of the fourth epoch of the Formative Age, a procedure was activated by which the goals of national plans are formulated in joint consultations of National Spiritual Assemblies and Continental Counselors. It initiated a new phase in the maturation of the Administrative Order. This development ensures two significant benefits in particular: It enables each institution to draw on the experiences and insights particular to the other, thereby making available to the planning process two distinct channels of information from two levels of Bahá’í administration; and it also assures to the Counselors a necessary familiarity with the background, rationale, and content of national plans, which as a matter of principle they are expected to support. Both institutions obtain strength from such collaboration, and we are particularly pleased that the designing of the Three Year Plan in the United States followed a pattern which involved the two arms of the administration in the manner you described to us.

While the Counselors and their Auxiliary Boards, in addition to the discharge of their specific responsibilities, will support the initiatives adopted by a National Spiritual Assembly, the Assembly should recognize that the Counselors must be free to determine, according to their own best judgment, in what manner that support will be given. There is a great difference between the functions of national committees and Auxiliary Board members in this respect. Whereas the committees may be required by the Assembly to follow particular procedures, Auxiliary Board members are not similarly bound; yet they should not act in a manner that undermines the operations of the National Assembly or its agencies. This does not mean that Auxiliary Board members may not decide, upon request or not, to participate in the execution of a particular program or educational project devised by a national committee, or even to contribute toward the conceptualization and fruition of the project. It does mean, however, that their prerogative to proceed within a wider latitude than that accessible to the national committee should be respected.

By working at the grassroots of the community, an Auxiliary Board member is often able to satisfy a need not being met by any national or local program, but which if dealt with by the Auxiliary Board member will better equip the local friends to achieve the established goals of the community. Such a flexibility on the part of the Auxiliary Board member in dealing with immediate situations, such a freedom for independent action, should be taken for granted by all concerned. However, a pattern of activity on the part of the Auxiliary Board member, or even of a Counselor, which appears to the National Assembly to be seriously diverting attention from the adopted plans of the community should unhesitatingly be made a matter for remedial consultation with the Counselors.

The Counselors are members of a continental, as distinct from a national, institution, and they occupy a rank higher than that of the National Spiritual Assembly. Apart from any other consideration, their rank is, in a practical sense, a functional necessity if these officers of the Faith are to be accorded freedom of the community at all levels and their advice and other functions are to be taken seriously. We have said in an earlier letter that "the existence of institutions of such exalted rank, comprising individuals who play such a vital role, who yet have no legislative, administrative or judicial authority, and are entirely devoid of priestly functions or the right to make authoritative interpretations, is a feature of Bahá’í administration unparalleled in the religions of the past." It is a difficult concept to grasp. But with the passage of time since the first contingent of Continental Counselors was appointed, much understanding has surely been acquired.

Shoghi Effendi stated categorically to your Assembly: "There can be no conflict of authority, no duality under any form or circumstances in any sphere of Bahá’í jurisdiction whether local, national or international." The authority of a National Assembly is therefore not diminished but, rather, enhanced by the existence of the Continental Counselors, who are duty bound by the very character of their responsibilities as protectors of the Faith to uphold the rank and to support the authority of Spiritual Assemblies. Similarly, the National Assembly must, on the basis of principle and in its own best interest, ensure that Counselors and Auxiliary Board members are not hampered in carrying out their sacred responsibilities and that their right and freedom to function are upheld.

The attitude of these two institutions toward each other should be motivated not merely by a legalistic application of the rules of their functional relationship. Far more is required, for they must, in the first place, approach their joint responsibilities within the framework of the spiritual requisites for all successful Bahá’í relationships. Where love, respect and courtesy are genuinely and mutually expressed, estrangement finds no accommodation and problems become soluble challenges. Bahá’u’lláh’s admonition is highly instructive in this regard; He says: "Abase not the station of the learned in Bahá and belittle not the rank of such rulers as administer justice amidst you."

Achieving a closer and more effective relationship between you and the Continental Counselors will depend on the cultivation of an incrementally harmonious attitude and on an openness in your dealings with them which this attitude will certainly facilitate. The relationship between you should be one of fellowship informed with a sense of respect but devoid of the rigid formalities associated with so many social organizations. When you have doubts and concerns about your own plans, confide in the Counselors; when something they do causes you worry, talk to them in the proper spirit of Bahá’í consultation. Remember that they, like yourselves, are burdened with the work of the Cause and are beset with many concerns in its service, and they need your sympathetic understanding of the challenges they face. Open your hearts and your minds to them; regard them as your confidants, your loving friends. And be ever ready to extend to them your hand in support.

The existence of a loving, trusting and informal atmosphere in your dealings with the Counselors should not, however, be allowed to relax adherence to the rules governing the working relationship between the Continental Board of Counselors and their Auxiliary Boards, on the one hand, and the National Spiritual Assembly and its committees, on the other. These matters are explained in detail in our letter of October 1, 1969, which you have published.

We now wish to address the manner of your functioning as a National Spiritual Assembly. Your analysis of the situation identified the issues of immediate concern about the national administration of the Faith, such issues as: over-centralization, particularly with regard to the administration of the teaching work; your fear that you may be exercising a level of administrative control that may be stifling individual initiative throughout the country; and the relation of your Assembly to the community.

You live in a society caught in the tightening grip of moral decadence on a vast scale. But this should come as no surprise to you. It is the unavoidable consequence of a pervasive godlessness; its symptoms and repercussions were described in painful detail by Shoghi Effendi in several of his letters to the Western friends. Inevitably, the American Bahá’í community is affected by this condition to some extent. The corrosive influence of an overbearing and rampant secularization is infecting the style of administration of the Faith in your community and threatening to undermine its efficacy.

The aggressiveness and competitiveness which animate a dominantly capitalist culture; the partisanship inherent in a fervidly democratic system; [Page 23]

Letter from the Universal House of Justice

the suspicion of public-policy institutions and the skepticism toward established authority ingrained in the political attitude of the people and which trace their origins to the genesis of American society; the cynical disregard of the moderating principles and rules of civilized human relationships resulting from an excessive liberalism and its immoral consequences—such unsavory characteristics inform entrenched habits of American life, which imperceptibly at first but more obviously in the long run have come to exert too great a sway over the manner of management of the Bahá’í community and over the behavior of portions of its rank and file in relation to the Cause. This unwholesome influence must be arrested by immediate, deliberate effort—an effort which must surely begin with your Assembly itself. Further accommodation of it will severely impede the progress of your community, despite the abundant possibilities of an imminent breakthrough. It was due to this concern in particular that we anxiously welcomed your request for a meeting with us.

The guarantee of well-being and success in all your endeavors to serve the Cause of God can be stated in one word: unity. It is the alpha and omega of all Bahá’í objectives. Among the first admonitions addressed to National Spiritual Assemblies by Shoghi Effendi was the following assertion: "It is, I firmly believe, of the utmost urgent importance that, with unity of purpose and action firmly established in our midst, and with every trace of animosity and mistrust of the past banished from our hearts, we should form one united front, and combat, wisely and tactfully, every force that might darken the spirit of the Movement, cause division in its ranks, and narrow it by dogmatic and sectarian belief." He then stated that "it is primarily upon the elected members of the National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the Bahá’í world that this highly important duty devolves," warning that "should such a representative and responsible body fail to realize this fundamental requisite for all successful achievement, the whole structure is sure to crumble."

Unity within the Assembly itself is, of course, of immediate importance to the wider unity your actions are intended to foster and sustain. At no time can any member of your Assembly afford to be unmindful of this basic requirement nor neglect to work toward upholding it. Of particular relevance is the attitude that the members adopt toward their membership on that exalted body. There needs to be a recognition on their part of the Assembly’s spiritual character and a feeling in their hearts of respect for the institution based upon a perception of it as something beyond or apart from themselves, as a sacred entity whose powers they have the privilege to engage and canalize by coming together in harmony and acting in accordance with divinely revealed principles. With such a perspective the members will be able better to acquire an appropriate posture in relation to the Assembly itself, to appreciate their role as Trustees of the Merciful and to counteract any impression that they have assumed ownership and control of the institution in the manner of major stockholders of a business enterprise.

Also relevant to effecting unity is the attitude of the friends, whether serving on any Assembly or not, toward the exercise of authority in the Bahá’í community. People generally tend to be suspicious of those in authority. The reason is not difficult to understand, since human history is replete with examples of the disastrous misuse of authority and power. A reversal of this tendency is not easily achievable, but the Bahá’í friends must be freed of suspicion toward their institutions if the wheels of progress are to turn with uninterrupted speed. A rigorous discipline of thought and action on the part of both the friends and the National Assembly will succeed in meeting this challenge; both must live up to their responsibilities in this regard by recognizing some fundamental realities.

The oneness of humanity, which is the primary principle and ultimate goal of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, implies, as Shoghi Effendi said, an "organic change in the structure of present-day society." So fundamental a change in the structural conception of society must also imply a new pattern for the administration of community affairs in a Bahá’í context. The insights offered by the beloved Guardian, as conveyed by his secretary in a letter dated October 14, 1941, shed light on this critical subject:

"The friends must never mistake the Bahá’í administration for an end in itself. It is merely the instrument of the spirit of the Faith. This Cause is a Cause which God has revealed to humanity as a whole. It is designed to benefit the entire human race, and the only way it can do this is to reform the community life of mankind, as well as seeking to regenerate the individual. The Bahá’í administration is only the first shaping of what in future will come to be the social life and laws of community living."

Shoghi Effendi’s advice to an individual in another instance provides a further perspective: "He urges you to do all you can to promote unity and love amongst the members of the Community there, as this seems to be their greatest need. So often young communities, in their desire to administer the Cause, lose sight of the fact that these spiritual relationships are far more important and fundamental than the rules and regulations which must govern the conduct of community affairs."

It can therefore be deduced that the importance of the Bahá’í administration is its value in serving as a facilitator of the emergence and maintenance of community life in a wholly new mode, and in catering to the requirements of the spiritual relationships which flow from love and unity among the friends. This touches upon a distinguishing characteristic of Bahá’í life which such spiritual relationships foster, namely, the spirit of servitude to God, expressed in service to the Cause, to the friends and to humanity as a whole. The attitude of the individual as a servant, an attitude pre-eminently exemplified in the life and person of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is a dynamic that permeates the activities of the Faith; it acquires collective, transformative force in the normal functioning of a community. In this regard, the institutions of the Faith stand as channels for the promotion of this salient characteristic. It is in this framework that the concepts of rulership and leadership, authority and power are properly understood and actualized.

The appearance of a united, firmly based and self-sustaining community must be a major goal of a Spiritual Assembly. Composed of a membership reflecting a diversity of personalities, talents, abilities and interests, such a community requires a level of internal interaction between the Assembly and the body of the believers based on a commonly recognized commitment to service, and in which a sense of partnership based on appreciation of each other’s distinctive sphere of action is fully recognized and unfailingly upheld, and no semblance of a dichotomy between the two appears. In such a community leadership is that expression of service by which the Spiritual Assembly invites and encourages the use of the manifold talents and abilities with which the community is endowed, and stimulates and guides the diverse elements of the community toward goals and strategies by which the effects of a coherent force for progress can be realized.

The maintenance of a climate of love and unity depends largely upon the feeling among the individuals composing the community that the Assembly is a part of themselves, that their cooperative interactions with that divinely ordained body allow them a fair latitude for initiative and that the quality of their relationships with both the institution and their fellow believers encourages a spirit of enterprise invigorated by an awareness of the revolutionizing purpose of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation, by a consciousness of the high privilege of their being associated with efforts to realize that purpose, and by a consequent, ever-present sense of joy. In such a climate, the community is transformed from being the mere sum of its parts to assuming a wholly new personality as an entity in which its members blend without losing their individual uniqueness. The possibilities for manifesting such a transformation exist most immediately at the local level, but it is a major responsibility of the National Assembly to nurture the conditions in which they may flourish.

The authority to direct the affairs of the Faith, locally, nationally and internationally, is divinely conferred on elected institutions. However, the power to accomplish the tasks of the community resides primarily in the mass of the believers. The authority of the institutions is an irrevocable necessity for the progress of humanity; its exercise is an art to be mastered. The power of action in the believers is unlocked at the level of individual initiative and surges at the level of collective volition. In its potential, this mass power, this mix of individual potentialities, exists in a malleable form susceptible to the multiple reactions of individuals to the sundry influences at work in the world. To realize its highest purpose, this power needs to express itself through orderly avenues of activity. Even though individuals may strive to be guided in their actions by their personal understanding of the Divine Texts, and much can be accomplished thereby, such actions, untempered by the over-all direction provided by authorized institutions, are incapable of attaining the thrust necessary for the unencumbered advancement of civilization.

Individual initiative is a pre-eminent aspect of this power; it is therefore a major responsibility of the institutions to safeguard and stimulate it. Similarly, it is important for individuals to recognize and accept that the institutions must act as a guiding and moderating influence on the march of civilization. In this sense, the divine requirement that individuals obey the decisions of their Assemblies can clearly be seen as being indispensable to the progress of society. Indeed, individuals must not be abandoned entirely to their own devices with respect to the welfare of society as a whole, neither should they be stifled by the assumption of a dictatorial posture by members of the institutions.

The successful exercise of authority in the Bahá’í community implies the recognition of separate but mutually reinforcing rights and responsibilities between the institutions and the friends in general, a recognition that in turn welcomes the need for cooperation between these two interactive forces of society. As was stated in advice given by Shoghi Effendi: "The individuals and assemblies must learn to cooperate, and to cooperate intelligently, if they desire to adequately discharge their duties and obligations towards the Faith. And no such cooperation is possible without mutual confidence and trust."

Direction comes from Assembly decisions, but its effectiveness depends not only on the clarity with which it is given but also on a number of spiritual and moral factors which must be blended in the general attitude of the individual believers, on the one hand, and the manner and style of the functioning of the Assembly, on the other. The following advice of Shoghi Effendi, addressed in an early letter to the Western friends, deals with these two aspects:

"Let us also bear in mind that the keynote to the Cause of God is not dictatorial authority, but humble fellowship, not arbitrary power, but the spirit of frank and loving consultation. Nothing short of the spirit of a true Bahá’í can hope to reconcile the principles of mercy and justice, of freedom and submission, of the sanctity of the right of the individual and of self-surrender, of vigilance, discretion and prudence on the one hand and fellowship, candor and courage on the other.

"The duties of those whom the friends have freely and conscientiously elected as their representatives are no less vital and binding than the obligations of those who have chosen them. Their function is not to dictate, but to consult, and consult not only among themselves, but as much as possible with the friends whom they represent. They must regard themselves in no other light but that of chosen instruments for a more efficient and dignified presentation of the Cause of God. They" [Page 24]"should never be led to suppose that they are the central ornaments of the body of the Cause, intrinsically superior to others in capacity or merit, and sole promoters of its teachings and principles. They should approach their task with extreme humility, and endeavor by their open-mindedness, their high sense of justice and duty, their candor, their modesty, their entire devotion to the welfare and interests of the friends, the Cause, and humanity, to win not only the confidence and the genuine support and respect of those whom they should serve, but also their esteem and real affection."

These instructions of the beloved Guardian get to the very heart of what must be more deeply internalized by the members of your Assembly at this time. We repeat for emphasis the terms "extreme humility," "open-mindedness," "candor," "modesty"; and we underscore the openness which is implicit in candor, because the cooperation which must be fostered between your Assembly and the friends will depend significantly on the degree to which, with wise discretion, you share your concerns with the community. Your greatest opportunity for this is the annual National Convention, when the representatives of the entire community come together to consult with you. It is not sufficient that you give only good news and encouraging statistics to the delegates. Do as Shoghi Effendi advised you: "Banishing every vestige of secrecy, of undue reticence, of dictatorial aloofness, from their midst, they should radiantly and abundantly unfold to the eyes of the delegates, by whom they are elected, their plans, their hopes, and their cares. They should familiarize the delegates with the various matters that will have to be considered in the current year, and calmly and conscientiously study and weigh the opinions and judgements of the delegates."

Even if the delegates find themselves unable to offer useful recommendations toward the resolution of particular issues, by your bringing them into your confidence they will develop an appreciation, as would be impossible otherwise, of the serious matters confronting the Cause. With this understanding, they will be equipped to assist the community to respond effectively to your decisions, no matter how challenging these may turn out to be. Moreover, it will relieve you of any overwhelming sense of burden to know that such a responsible body of believers shares your innermost concerns; and even more than that, the effect of your openness will be to strengthen the delegates' support of your authority, which it is their sacred duty to give. Besides, as it is neither possible nor practicable for your Assembly to meet with all the believers, nor for the members to be constantly traveling throughout the community, the friends' feeling that you are remote can be ameliorated, though not entirely removed, by the effectiveness of your interactions with the delegates.

In your openness and candor you will, no doubt, avoid ineptitudes that pass as norms in the freedom of speech practiced in your nation. In a society where "telling it like it is" employs a style of expression which robs language of its decorum, and in a time when stridency is commonly presumed to be a quality of leadership, candor is crass, and authority speaks in a loud and vulgar voice. People are frequently obliged to receive direction from their leaders in such disrespectful modes; this is a reason for resentment and suspicion toward those in authority. By contrast, Bahá’í institutions have the task of accustoming the friends to recognizing the expression of authority in language at a moderate pitch.

It would be impossible to overestimate the obligation resting upon you to refine your dealings with the community in the ways already described. You cannot at any time afford to forget that the manner of the use of authority is critical to the success of your work. With this in mind, you must also attend seriously to the behavior of those, more particularly your officers, who must of necessity act on your behalf in carrying out your decisions and conveying your instructions to others. Further, it is sometimes the case that staff members at your National Center, in their eagerness to be exactly and completely obedient, carry out the instruction of your Assembly with a sharpness of manner and tone that hurts people and provokes resentment against the very body the staff are striving to serve with loyalty and devotion. The staff should be sensitized to the situation and made to realize, through your loving and persistent guidance, that the spiritual requisites for good and respectful relations with others must be conscientiously applied in their interactions with the friends because to do so is not only virtuous in itself but will also minimize the incidence of bad feeling toward your Assembly.

The temperament of authority in the administration of justice varies according to the degree of the gravity of each case. Some cases require that the Assembly take action that is firm or drastic. Even so, Assembly members have always to be mindful that the authority they wield must in general be expressed with love, humility and a genuine respect for others. Thus exercised, authority strikes a natural note and accords with that which is acceptable to spiritually attuned and fair-minded souls. The following guidance of Shoghi Effendi, as conveyed by his secretary, is especially relevant: "The administrators of the Faith of God must be like unto shepherds. Their aim should be to dispel all the doubts, misunderstandings and harmful differences which may arise in the community of the believers. And this they can adequately achieve provided they are motivated by a true sense of love for their fellow-brethren coupled with firm determination to act with justice in all cases which are submitted to them for their consideration."

Do clearly bear in mind that our emphasis of the spiritual requisites of your functioning is not a mere expression of pious idealism. Far, far from it. Their exclusion from public discourse and from the considerations of the world leaders largely accounts for the current state of society. Indeed, they are as practical in effect as they are spiritual in essence. Employ them consciously, constantly, confidently; and see how your actions will attract the confirmations of the Holy Spirit in the response of the community.

As to your worry about over-controlling the friends: by appreciating the nature of the power of action which they possess, you will be able to gauge how best to guide and direct them. A wide latitude for action must be allowed them, which means that a large margin for mistakes must also be allowed. Your National Assembly and the local Assemblies must not react automatically to every mistake, but distinguish between those that are self-correcting with the passage of time and do no particular harm to the community and those which require Assembly intervention. Related to this is the tendency of the friends to criticize each other at the slightest provocation, whereas the Teachings call upon them to encourage each other. Such tendencies are of course motivated by a deep love for the Faith, a desire to see it free of any flow. But human beings are not perfect. The local Assemblies and the friends must be helped through your example and through loving counsel to refrain from such a pattern of criticism, which stunts the growth and development of the community. You should also be fearful of laying down too many rules and regulations. The Cause is not so fragile that a degree of mistakes cannot be tolerated. When you feel that certain actions may become trends with harmful consequences, you may, instead of making a new rule, discuss the matter with the Counselors, enlisting their support in educating the friends in a manner that will improve their understanding and their conduct.

A new burst of energy would accrue to the operation of the Three Year Plan if the friends, both individually and collectively, could feel a greater sense of freedom to engage in a wide range of activities originating with themselves. Even if you are doing nothing deliberately to discourage such freedom, their accumulated expression of institutional disapproval, however derived, and their fear of criticism are, to a considerable extent, inhibiting their exercise of initiative. At this exact time in history when the peoples of the world are weighed down with soul-crushing difficulties and the shadow of despair threatens to eclipse the light of hope, there must be revived among the individual believers a sense of mission, a feeling of empowerment to minister to the urgent need of humanity for guidance and thus to win victories for the Faith in their own sphere of life. The community as a whole should be involved in efforts to resolve such issues. A single answer would, of course, be inadequate, there being so many diverse elements and interests in the community. These matters require not only your own independent consultation but consultation with the Counselors as well. Although Spiritual Assemblies are good at specifying goals, they have not yet mastered the art of making use of the talents of individuals and rousing the mass of the friends to action in fulfillment of such goals. Removing this deficiency would be a mark of the maturation of these institutions. May your Assembly lead the way.

A further decentralization of the national administration would increase the possibility of loosening control at the top and encouraging the involvement of individuals in the work of the community at the grassroots. We therefore welcome your intention to take such action. However, you may wish to do this in incremental steps rather than in one sweeping motion. The matter is left entirely to your judgment. It may encourage you to know that in a few countries where the challenge of administering the teaching work and providing other administrative services assumed formidable proportions, various approaches have been used to achieve a measure of decentralization. A detailed description of some of these approaches will be sent to you separately.

Having said all the foregoing, we pause to assure you of our full awareness of the great burdens you carry and of the ceaseless calls upon you to render services in the absence of adequate resources. Do not despair. Your capacity to respond will match any challenge that may confront you in these troubled times; you have only to act on principle. Your community's past has been glorious; its future is great beyond calculation. The divine promises to your community are certain; the blessings of Bahá’u’lláh are assured as you strive to fulfill His purpose. The wings of the beloved Master remain spread over you that you may succeed in discharging the tasks He has especially entrusted to your care. And our love ever surrounds you and your cherished community, growing stronger at every moment. Step forward then to meet the requirements of the hour with undiminished hope and confidence.

The power released by Bahá’u’lláh works at a quickening pace, speeding the processes of change which must usher in the new order He proclaimed. The declining state of society demonstrates it, the global yearning for new solutions to human problems confirms it. Much is at stake; the fortunes of humankind hang precariously in the balance. The Bahá’í community bears grave responsibilities toward the near and far future as movement toward the Lesser Peace accelerates. Now is the time for the friends to seize new opportunities to extend this range and influence of the Faith, to reach a new level of action in expanding the community and fortifying its foundations. It is indeed time for audacious action undeterred by a fear of mistakes, fired by the urgency of ministering to the pressing needs of humanity. Will the American Bahá’í community not see its chance to meet the challenge? Will its members not once again blaze a trail that can set in motion a myriad victories?

Our ardent petition at the Holy Threshold is that the response of the champion-builders of the New World Order will be immediate, wholehearted and abundantly confirmed.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

May 19, 1994