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[Page 1]Volume 28, Number 8 — ‘Ilm B.E. 154 / October 16, 1997

Nationwide media campaign in offing

A campaign to acquaint unprecedented numbers of Americans with the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith is taking shape, as the National Spiritual Assembly prepares to launch the effort on several fronts beginning in January.

This major step forward in teaching will rely on both national and local activity.

National efforts will center on a proclamation campaign, to include cable television broadcasts of new programs about the Bahá’í Faith, a national Bahá’í Web site for the public, a toll-free telephone line for responses, development of new literature for teaching, and a national public relations effort.

Local communities will be encouraged to take advantage of the national proclamation by intensifying their fireside teaching and public relations activity, and establishing regular devotional meetings and teacher-training programs.

“This initiative is the next step in advancing the process of entry by troops in the United States,” said Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly. “It builds on efforts already under way, and also lays a foundation for a new level of teaching in this country. This will truly be a national teaching campaign, one that will potentially involve every individual believer as well as all

See MEDIA, Page 31

L.A. effort is centered on service

Bahá’ís involving neighbors in plans

By TOM MENNILLO

Los Angeles Bahá’ís take to heart Bahá’u’lláh’s exhortation that “the essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds.”

A prime example is the Unity Center being constructed adjacent to the Los Angeles Bahá’í Center.

It’s not, by a long shot, the only one. The friends have a track record of community involvement that began long before the riots five years ago threw national attention on South Central L.A.

But it has coalesced the Bahá’ís’ belief that the key to teaching is serving others. Several points in the Spiritual Assembly’s teaching plan concern outreach, especially to children and youth.

The community’s vision for a Unity Center came into focus over a number of years.

The 5,500-square-foot space on the Rodeo Road side of the Bahá’í Center

See UNITY, Page 8

An Afrika West Productions dancer performs inside a ‘Unity Circle’ during Peace Fest Sept. 13–14 at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute. See story on Page 2. (Photo by Tom Mennillo)

Divine Plan fuels preparations for Regional Councils

Only a few weeks remain before the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh and the election of the four Regional Bahá’í Councils in the United States.

To help the believers prepare in prayer and deepening for the establishment of this new institution, an insert has been placed in this issue of The American Bahá’í.

This commemorative piece, titled Diffusing the Divine Fragrances, includes prayers and other excerpts from a tablet for each U.S. region from the Tablets of the Divine Plan. Each Regional Bahá’í Council will benefit from the spiritual energy created as the believers recite the prayer for their own region on a regular basis.

Tellers for the elections—to be held between sunset Nov. 11 and sunset Nov. 12—have been appointed from among members of local Spiritual Assemblies, who will be the eligible voters.

The number of tellers selected was determined by the number of local Spiritual Assemblies in each region, with nine tellers serving the Northeastern states, 20 serving the Southern states, 12 serving the Central states and 22 serving the Western states.

Names of these tellers will remain confidential until after the votes have been counted. The National Spiritual Assembly will announce the election results to the American Bahá’í community.

Arrangements are being made for those elected to serve on the Regional Councils to take part in a week-end orientation meeting Dec. 12–14 at the Bahá’í National Center.

Continental Counselors and National Spiritual Assembly members will be active participants in the orientation, which will cover the immediate tasks assigned to the Regional Councils.

U.S., Mexico hold teaching ‘summit’

The National Spiritual Assemblies of Mexico and the United States further strengthened their close bonds of friendship and unity June 28 as four members of the U.S. National Assembly met with their sister Assembly in Mexico City to discuss ways in which the two communities can support and enhance cross-border teaching and consolidation.

Four members of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly—Juana Conrad, William Davis, Patricia Locke and James Nelson—consulted with the full National Assembly of Mexico and Counselor Arturo Serrano on a variety of issues including the exchange of traveling teachers and pioneers, teaching among indigenous peoples, establishing training institutes to prepare pioneers and traveling teachers to serve in border communities, and collaborating more closely in areas of external affairs.

Also on the agenda was a full discussion of the pressing need to develop and publish printed materials in Spanish. The National Spiritual Assembly of Mexico is considering establishing its own Publishing Trust. In a visible display of support, Mrs. Locke represented the U.S. National Assembly at the Indigenous Book Fair in Oaxaca.

Plans are under way for a collaborative effort among the National Spiritual Assemblies of Brazil, Mexico and the U.S. for an International Day of Indigenous Peoples, scheduled for Aug. 9, 1998, to recognize the unique and distinct contributions of indigenous peoples to the advancement of human civilization.

These recent activities are an important milepost on the road toward more widespread collaborative projects and opportunities for further discussions that are being pursued with our sister community to the south.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
> Computer software designed for Assemblies is closer to reality	3
> Youth: Knowing when it’s time to be a pioneer	4
> Reflections on a visit by a Hand of the Cause and answers on Huqúqu’lláh	9
> Building on a celebrated quest for a woman’s rights	11

[Page 2]

Peace Fest creates living garden of unity

By TOM MENNILLO

Willie Bethune may have been briefly at a loss for words when it was announced at Peace Fest 1997 that he would receive an Ambassador of Peace award from the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute.

But the executive director of community mental health centers for the South Carolina Department of Health knew just what to say when he stood to accept the surprise honor.

He called the institute a "mecca we can come to to be strengthened, then leave to serve." And he lauded the LGBI staff as people who "not only profess with their mouths but exemplify through their daily lives ... their service to God and seek to strengthen, nurture and teach in this remote area."

That, in a nutshell, described the purpose of this 12th annual celebration Sept. 13-14 on the institute grounds outside Hemingway, South Carolina. For Peace Fest blended the talents and efforts of Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís of all backgrounds in an exhibition of unity in diversity.

Opening day was seven hours of music, storytelling, crafts, and lots of food. Despite 90-degree temperatures, high humidity, and gnats galore, a crowd of about 200 sat enjoying performers:

• The Conway Children’s Bahá’í Workshop;
• Rappers Crucial Impact, "kickin' the truth to the young black youth";
• Reggae singer Sarge;
• The Charlotte (North Carolina) Bahá’í Youth Workshop, with several powerful pieces including a tribute to the "nameless and faceless" martyrs;
• The Hunnah Chillun Singers from Charleston, punctuating their spirituals with delightful tales told in the Gullah tongue echoing life on the plantations of James, Johns, and Edisto islands;
• Folk singer Joni Bishop of Nashville, Tennessee.
• Hemingway-born storyteller Lloyd Wilson of Wilmington, North Carolina.
• The ever-popular Afrika West Productions troupe, which had everyone on their feet joining in a unity circle.
• Last but definitely not least, the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Gospel Choir.

In between, the vendors beckoned. There were T-shirts with positive messages, penetrating charcoal drawings, children’s clothing, and exquisite jewelry. And tantalizing rural Southern cuisine—washed down with plenty of soda and lemonade, of course.

Children swung and climbed on the playground or engaged in impromptu touch football.

Old friends hugged, all the while looking for new friends to embrace.

All departed that night tired but on a natural high that continued into Sunday's unity worship service. At the afternoon gathering, the gospel choir again sang. Rose McCoy and Chuck Thomas also offered inspirational solos.

Jamal Beckmon and Fran Goods recited prayers. Readings were given by Curtis Goods and by Laura Schell, who, with then-director Dr. Roy Jones, was instrumental in staging the first Peace Fest.

This year's essay contest, on the topic of how the equality of women and men promotes peace, again produced stunning insights from school students. Winners of $50 and certificates were Allen Jackson, fifth grade; Elizabeth Lyerly, seventh grade; and Richlyn Neal, ninth grade. Allen and Richlyn read their essays, while Elizabeth's was read in her absence by her principal, Rebecca Lundy.

Then came the annual Ambassador of Peace awards. Mr. Bethune was joined as a recipient by Pat Singletary, area director of Special Olympics, who praised her fellow volunteers and thanked the Lord for "the special child who led me to this path."

Greg Kintz, manager of WLGI Radio Bahá’í and one of the institute's leadership team along with Sophia Berhane (programs) and Lanita Barnes (business), delivered closing remarks.

Noting that the Universal House of Justice has held up the Bahá’í community as a model for study, he urged his audience to investigate what this community is all about and how it has brought together such a diversity of people in love, harmony, fellowship, and striving for unity.

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í

Published once every 38 days (plus one special issue) for a total of 10 issues a year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. Periodical postage paid at Evanston, IL and additional mailing offices.

ISSN Number: 1062-1113 Editor: James Humphrey Associate Editor: Tom Mennillo

Send address changes to Management Information Services, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

Copyright 1997 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

Submitting articles, photos

The American Bahá’í welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and institutions of the Bahá’í Faith.

Articles should be clear and concise. Stories may be edited for length.

Photographs may be color or black-and-white; glossy prints are preferred. Please identify people in photos when possible. If you wish photos returned, please include a suitable self-addressed envelope in your mailing.

Deadlines for upcoming issues: October 21 for the issue dated November 23. November 24 for the issue dated December 31.

Please address all items for possible publication to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

The Charlotte Bahá’í Youth Workshop (above) pays tribute to the 'nameless, faceless' martyrs in its well-received performance at Peace Fest. Carolyn White (right) of the Hunnah Chillun Singers tells a story in Gullah dialect. (Photos by Tom Mennillo)

Changing times at The American Bahá’í

Although the reader must look closely to discern the physical evidence, The American Bahá’í is in a transitional phase.

Jack Bowers, the paper's editor for the past 20 years, retired in June and handed the reins to James (Bud) Humphrey, who comes to Wilmette from a position as metro copy editor at the San Antonio (Texas) Express-News.

When Mr. Bowers became its editor in June 1977, the paper was in its seventh year of publication, having first been produced in 1970 by the National Teaching Committee as an extension of the U.S. supplement to Bahá’í News.

"Guiding The American Bahá’í through its 'adolescence' has been both challenging and rewarding," says Mr. Bowers. "The 20 years have gone by all too quickly, but it is good to leave knowing that the paper will continue to mature and improve under Bud's able direction."

Mr. Humphrey, who has worked at daily newspapers in Idaho and Texas for 16 years, says he looks forward to reinforcing Mr. Bowers' legacy of excellence.

"Jack's leadership will be greatly missed," he says. "He really is 'the editor,' and we intend to build on the solid foundation he has established to make The American Bahá’í an even more effective and timely means of communication between the National Spiritual Assembly and the American Bahá’í community."

The newspaper will see further transition in the next few months, with Amethel Parel-Sewell taking the post of managing editor for production and art director, as Mr. Humphrey becomes managing editor for editorial content. Ms. Parel-Sewell designed the booklet, Diffusing the Divine Fragrances, included with this issue.

Under the umbrella of Bahá’í Media Services, the team is creating a "new look" redesign for The American Bahá’í and, in consultation with the Office of Management Information Services, is helping to develop an electronic version of the paper on the national Bahá’í Administrative Web Site.

Also planned soon is an increase in the number of issues per year, returning to an issue each Bahá’í calendar month (19 a year).

Tom Mennillo, based in Atlanta, Georgia, remains as associate editor and principal staff writer. He also contributes to video production for Bahá’í Media Services.

Correction

An article on last summer's Bahá’í centennial celebration in Enterprise, Kansas, in the September 8, 1997, issue of The American Bahá’í contained an editing error. The story mistakenly indicated the town of Enterprise had a current Bahá’í resident. [Page 3]

Special notices

FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States September 19, 1997 Dear Bahá’í friends,

Dr. Farid Akhtarekhavari

It has come to the attention of the Universal House of Justice that the above-named individual, undeterred by the removal of his administrative rights as a Bahá’í, is continuing his campaign of defamation against the United States National Spiritual Assembly and several of its members. As the friends are already aware, Dr. Akhtarekhavari’s irresponsible accusations regarding the management of World Congress funds have already been refuted by a review of the relevant documents at the Bahá’í World Center and by a comprehensive report submitted by a reputable firm of financial auditors.

The House of Justice is deeply saddened that a member of so distinguished a Bahá’í family should surrender in this fashion to a delusion which has led him to violate elementary principles of the Faith he professes. Those friends who know and love Dr. Akhtarekhavari can best assist him by their prayers and by a firm refusal to be drawn into any discussion of the entirely unfounded suspicions that continue to agitate him.

Conference finances investigated

FROM THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

The Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Phoenix, Arizona, with support from the communities in the Greater Phoenix area, is an annual event that for over a decade has been a source of motivation and inspiration to an increasing number of friends from across the country and the globe.

In the spring of this year, the National Spiritual Assembly received distressing news from the local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Phoenix that approximately $90,000 of conference funds had been misappropriated in the past few years by members of the Phoenix Bahá’í community who served on the Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference committee. The National Spiritual Assembly took action by sending two of its members to Phoenix in June to inform the friends of the disturbing report and to assure them that the findings of a complete investigation would be made known to them.

A meeting was called by the National Spiritual Assembly for that purpose on Sept. 23, 1997, in Phoenix, Arizona, and the findings given.

Present at the meeting were Auxiliary Board member ‘Enáyatolláh Roháni, who was the representative of the Continental Board of Counselors, and the National Spiritual Assembly’s representatives: Juana Conrad, Robert C. Henderson and Jack McCants.

They informed the friends that the National Spiritual Assembly was saddened by the earlier report that identified the inconsistencies in the management of the financial operations and stewardship of the Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference that fomented distrust and weakened the spiritual health of the Bahá’í communities in the Greater Phoenix area.

They reported that immediately thereafter, the National Spiritual Assembly took several actions to assist the local Assembly and to rebuild unity within the institution and the community. Among them were the appointments of individuals to fulfill specific responsibilities: investigators, a temporary trustee of the financial affairs of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Phoenix, auditors to review the financial statements of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Phoenix and the Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference to determine the full extent of the irregularities, and an Administrative Oversight Committee to supervise the financial operations and contracts associated with the conference.

The representatives informed the friends present that the investigation had been completed, and recalled the Universal House of Justice’s reference to the institution of the local Spiritual Assembly as the “loving shepherd of the Bahá’í flock” and the statement that upon the “degree to which the members of these Assemblies grasp the true significance of the divine institution on which they serve, arise selflessly to fulfill their prescribed and sacred duties, and persevere in their endeavors, depends to a large extent the healthy

See CONFERENCE, Page 21

Notice the friends

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes the friends to know that the book entitled The Beat of the Drum by Maku and Kuming was not approved for publication because it openly promotes and endorses the visions and teachings of Frank LeQuiere.

Mr. LeQuiere was expelled from the Faith as a Covenant-breaker in 1977 owing to his disobedience and disregard of the directives and admonitions of the Universal House of Justice and his distortion of the Teachings of the Faith to serve his own purposes.

Assembly software closer to reality

5 localities helping design programs; goal is to go nationwide by 2000

It’s the dream of many a local Assembly secretary or treasurer: computer software that fits the needs of the job.

That goal has been taken on by five local Spiritual Assemblies in collaboration with the national Office of Management Information Services, and they hope the result will be in use nationwide by the end of the Four Year Plan at Ridván 2000.

The idea was hatched five years ago as part of the vision of decentralization—moving some responsibilities from the national Bahá’í offices to the local level, according to Farzad Mogharabi, coordinator of the MIS office.

Computerizing local Assembly functions was designated as one of the early steps in that process, and the Assemblies of Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, California, were invited last year to be part of the discussion and development.

“The consultation was on these issues: If you’re going to decentralize administrative functions, what to decentralize?” Mr. Mogharabi said. “And what to automate to assist administrative functions?”

Distilled from roughly 100 pages of requirements expressed in a weekend session were five broad areas:

• Membership records.
• Communication.
• Teaching support.
• Financial and contribution system.
• Document management.

The five Assemblies took on two major responsibilities for the project: Each Assembly would be in charge of designing software for one of those five needs, and they all would help raise funds for the computer stations, software development and other technical requirements of the project.

An early version of the first phase of the software project, dubbed LSAI for Local Spiritual Assembly Integration and Automation, was unveiled at the National Bahá’í Center in September and has been demonstrated for the five “pilot” Assemblies.

New alongside familiar

It presents the user with a Windows-based set of menus and mouse-activated “buttons” to run programs associated with the five needs, along with a familiar suite of general-use office software.

The first phase, expected to be made available for beta testing by the pilot Assemblies on Nov. 21, includes software developed with input from Portland and Los Angeles for the communication and membership functions.

Communication features include an e-mail component that will work with the national communication system to allow the speeding of communication between local and national, and eventually regional, offices.

A Web browser is included to allow Assemblies to log on to the Internet and access a password-protected Web site that will contain—for example—up-to-date searchable versions of the treasurer’s and secretary’s manuals, not to mention manuals for advanced use of the programs.

The membership module will allow each Assembly to keep address phone records of the ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ within its community, recording moves and transfers as they happen and generating any needed statistical reports, in a style similar to the national recordkeeping system.

The membership and communication systems can work hand in hand, Mr. Mogharabi said: When a local Assembly computer logs on to the national system for e-mail, Web or other function, any membership updates can be automatically exchanged between the local and national databases.

“I think we are getting the best of both worlds,” Mr. Mogharabi said, “using the Internet as a means of communication and having the software locally to do the daily functions the Assembly needs.”

The system will require each Assembly to pay for its own Internet hookup. The MIS office has contracted with a national ‎provide provider‎ that can give any locality access at a competitive monthly rate, Mr. Mogharabi said.

Security features

He added that security features are being built into the system to protect against unauthorized access.

Over the next year, the financial system, being developed by Salt Lake City, the teaching module, by San Diego, and the document management features, by San Francisco, will be readied for final testing by all five Assemblies.

But they’re not waiting for all five parts to be completed before the software is shared with the rest of the country.

“We don’t have to wait for the whole thing to be tested and running before we roll it out,” Mr. Mogharabi said.

Once the bugs are worked out of the membership and communication software, each of the five pilot Assemblies will train five more local Assemblies in the region while MIS begins to train Assemblies in other regions of the country. When those Assemblies are ready, each one will in turn train five more—sort of an “each one teach five” operation, until all the Assemblies that have the desire and resources are hooked up. The same is planned for the future phases of the project.

The advent of Regional Bahá’í Councils has added a new twist to the planning, Mr. Mogharabi said. Because Regional Teaching Committees have been in operation, the need for regional databases had been discussed, but plans can’t be made firm until the Regional Councils meet and consult on their own needs.

“This system also meets the needs of Auxiliary Board members,” he said, noting that members of the Auxiliary Boards also have been part of the project from the beginning.. [Page 4]

Youth: balancing service with schooling

Part 1 of 2

How do I balance the urgent call to service at this critical moment in history with my other obligations?

In its June 10, 1966, message to the Bahá’í youth in every land, the Universal House of Justice outlined “Three great fields of service” which “lie open before young Bahá’ís, in which they will simultaneously be remaking the character of human society and preparing themselves for the work they can undertake later in their lives”:

• “First, the foundation of all their other accomplishments, is their study of the teachings, the spiritualization of their lives, and the forming of their characters in accordance with the standards of Bahá’u’lláh.”
• “The second, ... which is linked intimately with the first, is teaching the faith, particularly to their fellow youth, among whom are some of the most open and seeking minds in the world.” Youth are often able to arise to teach wherever need and opportunities abound because of their “native urge to move from place to place,” their generally greater freedom to choose where they will study, work and live, and perhaps most importantly, their “abounding zeal.”
• “The third ... is the preparation by youth for their later years” which includes their duty “to acquire knowledge of the arts and sciences and to learn a trade or a profession whereby they ... can earn their living and support their families.” The House of Justice adds, “This, for a Bahá’í youth, is in itself a service to God, a service, moreover, which can be combined with teaching the Faith and often with pioneering.”

Youth have been called upon to redouble their efforts to achieve these goals and to serve the Cause even more directly in subsequent messages from the Universal House of Justice, such as that of January 3, 1984: “May you all persevere in your individual efforts to teach the Faith, but with added zest, to study the Writings, but with greater earnestness. May you pursue your education and training for future service to mankind, offering as much of your free time as possible to activities on behalf of the Cause.” Similarly, in the Four Year Plan message to the Bahá’í world of Ridvan 1996, the House of Justice praised the achievements of the youth in the Three Year Plan, noting their accomplishments in “hundreds of new enrollments and the formation of many local Spiritual Assemblies; involvement ... in music and the arts as a means of proclaiming and teaching the Cause ... participation in external affairs ... [more widely demonstrated] commitment to a year of service; and the increase in the number of youth acquiring formal training and achieving academic, professional and vocational excellence,” all of which they saw as “altogether an indication that the youth are doing more in direct service to the Faith while at the same time contributing to the general development of society.”

How can I educate myself and serve at the same time?

Service, including pioneering, is an integral part of the spiritual and material education of youth and should not be considered as “time off” from it. In its letter of January 3, 1984, to the Bahá’í youth of the world, the House of Justice called for “a mighty mobilization of teaching activities reflecting regularity in the pattern of service rendered by young Bahá’ís,” noting: “It would accrue to the strength and stability of the Bahá’í community if such patterns could be followed by succeeding generations of youth.” The Supreme Body listed some major patterns of service indicative of that “mighty mobilization,” such as traveling teaching and short-term projects “dedicated to both teaching the Faith and improving the living conditions of people” as well as “...volunteering a set period, say one or two years, to some Bahá’í service, on the homefront or abroad, in the teaching or development field.”

This urgent need, coupled with the demonstrated benefit to the development of youth, is the foundation of what has today become the National Spiritual Assembly’s Bahá’í Youth Service Corps (BYSC). Through the BYSC youth have become increasingly involved in diverse projects on the homefront and abroad that greatly broaden their perspectives, train and educate them, and serve the urgent needs in the teaching and development work of the Cause.

A period of “full-time” service may involve a momentary pause in the traditional course of formal education. But the pioneering experience often gives youth a unique perspective on the needs of humanity and on their own inclinations and abilities, and helps them become more mature, motivated and focused on their continuing studies.

To initiate work towards international service of any duration, you may contact your local Spiritual Assembly for consultation and a copy of the appropriate volunteer form. The staff of the Office of Pioneering also eagerly awaits the chance to assist you and can be contacted at the Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3511, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail)

Next: Service as part of lifelong learning, deciding if you’re ready to pioneer.

We invite you to join us for one of the upcoming Pioneering/BYSC/SITA Institutes. They will be held at the following times and places:

• Oct. 31–Nov. 3—Green Acre Bahá’í School in Eliot, Maine.
• Jan. 16–19, 1998—Bosch Bahá’í School in Santa Cruz, California.

To begin working toward service as a pioneer, contact your local Spiritual Assembly or the Office of Pioneering at 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, e-mail)

We look forward to hearing from you!

International teaching events upcoming for 1997

October 24-26: International Bahá’í Environment Conference at de Poort Conference Center, NETHERLANDS.

Please contact the Office of Pioneering for further information about needs and opportunities for international traveling teachers. We also have the schedule of summer schools, deepening institutes and Bahá’í camps in CANADA and the 1997 program of the Landegg Academy in SWITZERLAND, as well as project and event information received after the deadline for this edition of The American Bahá’í.

Contact: Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201; phone 847-733-3508 or 3511; or e-mail (for traveling teaching and international events):

Books on pioneering available

Now available: A Manual for Pioneers, an enlightening and light-hearted book written by Hand of the Cause of God, Rúhíyyih Rabbání, for $5.00, and Quickeners of Mankind, the only compilation of the Bahá’í Writings on pioneering including the Writings of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, the Universal House of Justice, Hands of the Cause of God, and Counselors, for $1.50.

We encourage all to order these wonderful and informative publications by contacting the Office of Pioneering. Please make checks out to Bahá’í Services Fund and send to the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201.

To follow in their footsteps ... George and Bessie Washington

“Unquestionably, the African-American believers are enviably poised to bring the life-giving Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa itself, with whom they share a common ancestry. Shoghi Effendi specially encouraged black Americans to pioneer to Africa and there have been some who heeded that call, serving the Cause with great distinction and to great effect. But many more are needed.” —Universal House of Justice, letter dated February 14, 1994

Fourth in a series

The Washingtons bought 400 acres, built a Bahá’í Center and started a school for the illiterate believers. Their land subsequently became the first Bahá’í endowment in Liberia, and possibly in West Africa.

In spite of many tests, the Washingtons never complained or expressed regret. They courageously and with great steadfastness stood up to all that befell them.

In 1954 George Washington wrote to the U.S. African Teaching Committee requesting that he and his wife, Bessie, “be enlisted in the ranks of the World Crusaders on the continent of Africa.”

When he wrote to the committee, he was 60 years old and Bessie was 55, and both had been active believers in Seattle for more than 10 years. Leaving the Christian ministry after accepting Bahá’u’lláh, he was for a time an educator and, later, a building contractor.

By spring 1955, the Washingtons sold their properties and arranged to depart for Liberia with their 8-year-old grandson Rickey. The Hand of the Cause of God Musa Banani had desired that they settle in the Gambia, but with the difficulty in obtaining the required visas, it was agreed that they first settle in Liberia and try to relocate later.

The Washingtons arrived in Monrovia July 19, 1955. After a few months, Mr. Washington decided he preferred to live in the hinterland. They chose the village of Gboweta, 137 miles east of Monrovia.

The Washingtons took out Liberian citizenship, they said, solely because that would enable them to buy land to leave to the Bahá’í Faith. Only citizens could own land there and only people of African descent could become citizens.

Bessie Washington ascended to the Abhá Kingdom April 23, 1959, after a short illness. She was buried on the property she and George had donated to the Faith only a few months before. George followed her on May 30, 1959.

In testimony to these glorious souls, one fellow pioneer wrote: “...the name and Banner of Bahá’u’lláh [was] planted on a hill ... It had cost two precious lives, but it was done and those who follow after will never be able to comprehend how it was done. ... Bahá’u’lláh can convert all our weaknesses and incapabilities into immortality.”

The Universal House of Justice, in a letter dated February 24, 1971, and addressed to the National Assembly of the United States, shared with us an extract from a letter it had received from the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum: “...We spent two nights sleeping in the Washingtons’ old home; I would have loved to know those two ... they must have been singularly wonderful believers, for in the village where they taught the people have remained firm and devoted and have a great love for those two pioneers. ... One does not often in any country find a foundation laid like this one!” [Page 5]

Spiritual Revolution 3

'... a dynamic television series designed to reach every waiting soul and particularly helps Christians understand the relationship between Christ and Bahá’u’lláh.'

Spiritual Revolution 3 produced by Marcia Day $60.00 FOR 3 TAPE SET VT (SR3)

Spiritual Revolution 3 is a dynamic television series designed to reach every waiting soul and particularly helps Christians understand the relationship between Christ and Bahá’u’lláh. An invaluable teaching tool now made affordable for everyone, these tapes can be used for firesides, Sunday brunches, college campuses, library gifts, after-dinner discussions, deepening classes and Bahá’í schools. Featured guests include Dr. Jack McCants, Eric Dozier, Michael Sours, and Sylvester Scott among others. Hosted by Billie Crofts and Tommy Kavelin.

total running time: 6 hours PAVONE International

Lilly and Peggy

'A beautiful and touching story of a young girl, her dog and the answer to her prayers.'

Lilly and Peggy by Ronald Tomanio $8.95 SC (LP)

Ronald Tomanie A beautiful and touching story of a young girl, her dog and the answer to her prayers. Find out what happens when one Naw-Rúz, Lilly, aided by her dog, Peggy, throws a bottle with a message into the river. A charming true story for young children.

64"x10", 32 pp., illustrations George Ronald

The Roads Home

'Touching on many subjects, these glimpses of a poet's soul are ... moving and eloquent.'

The Roads Home by Rowell Hoff $16.95 SC (RHS)

An exceptional collection of poetry written over a span of 50 years by poet and Bahá’í Rowell Hoff. Touching on many subjects, both familiar and personal, these glimpses of a poet's soul are indeed moving and eloquent.

5½"x8", 226 pp. George Ronald

Lights of Fortitude

Lights of Fortitude by Barron Harper $29.95 SC (LF)

Barron Harper Here is a unique collection of pen portraits of each of the 50 Hands of the Cause of God, the "Chief Stewards of Bahá’u’lláh’s embryonic World Commonwealth." Drawn from many sources, including accounts by Hands themselves, these brief essays provide a fascinating insight into the lives of this small band of individuals whose rank is unparalleled in religious history and who, in the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, "have diffused widely the Divine Fragrances, declared His Proofs, proclaimed His Faith, published abroad His Law, detached themselves from all things but Him, stood for righteousness in the world, and kindled the Fire of the Love of God in the very hearts and souls of His servants."

6"x9", 551 pp., introduction, photographs, bibliography, references and notes, index George Ronald

The Island of the Same Name

'... about the times in which we live.'

The Island of the Same Name by Joseph Shepperd $23.95 SC (ISN)

This debut novel by Bahá’í author Joseph Shepperd follows the adventures and discoveries of two generations of researchers: an archaeologist named Hemet Recuero Holden and his daughter, Maya Lillian Holden, an anthropologist. Each in turn visits the same African island, but each discovers vastly different things. Hemet uncovers the remnants of an intriguing culture and meets the sole survivor of a strange religion on the verge of extinction. Years later Maya chances upon the birth of a tribal movement which has gathered to "choose a future" and decide the direction that the world will follow; a people who await the coming of a civilization, yet unborn; people who regard themselves as the parents of the "new race of humans." Although part of the story is set in the future and part in the past, it is about the times in which we live.

6"x9", 576 pp., illustrations Manifest Books

Stories of the Greatest Holy Leaf

'A collection of delightful stories... offers children of all ages a glimpse of the love, dignity and insight which characterized [the Greatest Holy Leaf].'

Stories of the Greatest Holy Leaf compiled by Jacqueline Mehrabi $15.95 HC (SGHL)

A collection of delightful stories, each one conveying a moving, amusing or inspiring incident from the life of the Greatest Holy Leaf, offers children of all ages a glimpse of the love, dignity and insight which characterized "the outstanding heroine of the Bahá’í Dispensation."

6½"x8", 44 pp., illustrations Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United Kingdom

Forgiveness

'... presents extracts from the writings and utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the theme of forgiveness, helping to orient and instruct us. ...'

Forgiveness Jewels from the Words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá $5.95 SC (HS)

The sixth in the Jewels series presents extracts from the writings and utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the theme of forgiveness, helping to orient and instruct us in this sacred obligation.

6"x6", 40 p., bibliography, references Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United Kingdom [Page 6]

Regional Bahá’í Councils

letters from the Universal House of Justice $1.00 SC (RBC)

Recently mailed to attendees of the Unit Conventions, this booklet is also available for purchase in limited quantities. Regional Bahá’í Councils contains the two most significant documents from the Universal House of Justice on the formation of these councils, which are designed to "carry forward, with increased vigor, the propagation of the Cause of God."

5½"x8", 20 pp. National Spiritual Assembly

The Call of Carmel

by Taraneh Ra'fati and Shidan Toloui-Wallace $10.95 CS (COCC)

A selection of Bahá’í prayers and poems chanted and sung in Persian, recorded in the Holy Land and dedicated to the friends who serve there.

Memorials of the Faithful

by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá $10.95 SC (MFS)

Memorials of the Faithful, by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, immortalizes the lives of 69 early Bahá’ís who were the essence of faithfulness. In outward form it is a collection of brief biographical sketches, but they do not concern the personal transitory aspects of human life. It is the quality of the soul, the attributes of the spirit, the quintessential humanity, and the reflection of the Divine in man that is the focus here.

This is a book to be savored slowly, allowing the figurative language to create its own spirit as these words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá trace the shape of the valley of love and faithfulness.

5½"x8", 204 pp., contents, glossary Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Managing with the Wisdom of Love

Uncovering Virtue in People and Organizations. Dorothy Marcic $24.95 HC (MWL)

Disappointing re-engineering and downsizing efforts have prompted many managers to realize that prescribed formulas and materialistic solutions are not the total answer to organizational problems. But what more is there? In Managing with the Wisdom of Love, Dorothy Marcic explores that question from a fundamentally different perspective as she poses an intriguing question of her own: How would the workplace change if we acknowledged that spiritual values are as important in the operations of organizations as they are in the lives of the people who work there? As the author convincingly shows, love, justice, dignity, and respect are more than just traditional spiritual ideas; they are also the new management virtues needed in the contemporary workplace.

6"x9", 156 pp., notes, references, index Jossey-Bass

The Land of Mystery

by Bill Fagan $15.95 CD (LOMCD)

The Land of Mystery is an instrumental album inspired by the power, the majesty, and the gentle beauty of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. It is ideal for personal upliftment and meditation, and for setting the mood at Feast, Holy Day and other spiritual gatherings. Composed and orchestrated by Bill Fagan, it intertwines his unique style with Persian, African and Western influences. Live flute and percussion were contributed by Ken LaRoche, formerly of Do'ah.

39 minutes KMF Productions

Suite: Mothers & Angels

by Caroline Mackay $18.00 CD (SMACD), $12.00 CS (SMACS)

The mystical Celtic harp and the extraordinary voice of Caroline Mackay cast an ancient spell upon the heart. Moving from simplicity to intensity, this impressive new recording celebrates the sacred role of women in the transformation of mankind. Caroline has been internationally acclaimed for the clarity and tenderness of her voice. Her previous CD, O Most Mighty Ocean! Selected Passages from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, has become a most sought-after title, played worldwide at Feasts and Holy Days as well as for private meditation and creativity.

Suite: Mothers & Angels includes the Little Maidservant's Prayer, a passionate ode for the Báb by the poet Táhirih, Let's Be Angels, and many more enchanting songs of mothers, daughters and grandmothers... a gift of heavenly ballads and blessings.

58 minutes High Spirits Music

Lua Getsinger: Herald of the Covenant

Velda Piff Metelmann $29.95 SC (LGHC)

When so many Bahá’ís around the world name their daughter Lua in her memory, why do we know so little about her? This intriguing question drew Velda Piff Metelmann into a fascinating journey of research into the life of this renowned believer and teacher of the Bahá’í Faith whose tireless travels from east to west in the United States, in Europe and in India attracted hundreds to the love of their Lord. This book makes available for the first time Lua Getsinger's own voice through her letters, diaries and talks between 1898 and 1916. Though fragmented by distance and time, it is a voice that can't fail to find a response in modern readers.

5½"x8", 414 pp., photos, notes, appendix George Ronald

Crossing Frontiers: Portrait of a World Citizen

$19.95 VT (ECFN)

This video, on the life of Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, explores the frontiers she has crossed in her travels to over 185 countries. In the course of her travels she has given countless lectures, met many leading dignitaries, and been interviewed on radio, television and by the press throughout the world, continually promoting the essential teachings of the Bahá’í Faith.

22 minutes Badiyan Productions

Chartreuse Blues

by Chris Ruhe $15.95 CD (CBCD), $10.95 CS (CBCAS)

Chris Ruhe brings together elements of bluegrass, folk, and pop to create a brand of blues that is "made up of many hues." A lively, entertaining and reflective look into one musician's ability to translate life into music.

47 minutes Pescado Productions

Lawh-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Tablet)

by Bahá’u’lláh $1.25 SC (LA)

This edition of the "Tablet to the Christians" is affordably priced to facilitate its use in teaching and as a resource for study.

5½"x8", 18 pp. Erich Reich Enterprises

Badí: The Pride of Martyrs

by Ivan Lloyd $9.95 SC (BPM)

This bilingual edition (English and Persian) tells the story of one of the most courageous of the early believers, who personally delivered to the Shah of Persia a letter from Bahá’u’lláh and for that act of service suffered martyrdom. This booklet also includes full-color reproductions of original artwork by Ivan Lloyd, the author of the book and accomplished Bahá’í artist. Beautiful reproductions and an inspiring text help keep alive the story of one of the Faith's true heroes.

8½"x11", 16 pp., color illustrations Day Spring Studios

Spiritual Being: A User’s Guide

Happy Dobbs $18.95 SC (SBUG)

Every new appliance, from a toaster to a computer, comes with an instruction booklet giving information on how to use it, get the best from it, service it and fix it when it breaks down. Here's an instruction booklet for your spiritual self, containing all the information you need to know about yourself, develop your potential, understand your place in the universe, prevent personal disasters and solve problems when things go wrong. Using the Bahá’í writings, stories from Bahá’í history and poetry, Happy Dobbs helps us explore our true selves, from our purpose in life to our ultimate destiny. If you have ever asked yourself the question, "Who am I really?" then this book is for you.

6"x9", 318 pp. George Ronald

Journey to the Heart of Africa

Mary Firman $6.95 SC (HA)

An activity book from the same author who brought us Journey Into Exile about the life of Bahá’u’lláh. Designed for children 7 to 12 years old, this book has stories, activities, and information that will engage a child and make learning fun.

114"x8", 32 pp. Brilliant Books [Page 7]

Husn-Hasín Sharamatu’lláh Citadel of Faith

حسن حسين شريعت الله Shoghi Effendi $26.00 HC (PCFH), $20.00 SC (PCFS)

A Persian translation of letters written by or on behalf of the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith expounding upon the mission of the Bahá’ís of the United States and reminding them of their spiritual primacy as trustees and executors of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan.

6½"x8%, 267 pp. Bahá’í Verlag

Los Bahá’ís

Los Bahá’ís The Bahá’ís Office of Public Information $2.00 SC (SBM)

A Spanish edition of one of the most popular teaching and proclamation pieces ever published. A magazine format and colorful presentation give the reader a concise and informative overview of the Bahá’í Faith. This edition was developed specifically for the Latino audience.

8½"x11", 82 pp. Editorial Bahá’í de Espana

Remembering Shoghi Effendi as Interpreter

by Glenford Mitchell $8.00 CS (RSEC)

On a recent visit to this country, Mr. Glenford Mitchell, member of the Universal House of Justice, delivered a talk at the Bahá’í House of Worship about Shoghi Effendi and his role as interpreter of the Sacred texts. This cassette package was mailed to all local Spiritual Assemblies this summer and a limited supply is now available for sale.

130 minutes Bahá’í Media Services

Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

‘Abdu’l-Bahá PS $3.95 (SWAP)

A compilation of passages from Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the East and West. Published to "increase the fervor" of Bahá’ís and to "add to their perception of that wondrous harmony of the human and divine" that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá exemplified.

44"x7", 359 pp., index, paragraph numbering Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United States

Multiple Author Refer System for Windows

$99.00 CD ROM (MCDR) FOR NEW USERS $49.00 CD ROM UPGRADE (MCDRU) TO UPGRADE PREVIOUS VERSIONS OF MARS

The first CD ROM version for Windows 95 and Windows 3.1 is now available! The look and feel of this updated version of the popular search and retrieve software in the Windows environment has to be tried to be appreciated. Now you can bookmark your favorite passages, take notes, go directly to a page in a book, perform fuzzy as well as complex searches and use your mouse too! The windows environment makes selecting books and authors for searching a snap, and it's easier than ever to paste to the clipboard. You won’t believe how easy it is to use these and the many other features found in the Multiple Author Refer System!

Crimson Publications

Enlightened Views

compiled by Alan Bryson $9.95 SC (EV)

Alan Bryson has compiled a systematic presentation of the Bahá’í Faith from the words of its Central Figures. Enlightened Views is one of the most comprehensive compilations to be published in years. An excellent reference work for Bahá’ís or non-Bahá’ís.

5½"x8", 364 pp., bibliography, index Sterling Publishers

Buddha Maitrya-Amitabha Has Appeared

Jamshed Fozdar $34.95 HC (BMA)

This book is not just another thesis on Buddhism. Rather, it is an invitaion to people everywhere, especially people of religion, and particularly our Buddhist brethren, to accompany the author in quest of that greatest of all phenomena—the advent of the Buddha Avatar the divine manifestation, whose rare periodic appearance has been the only source of spiritual upliftment throughout humanity's long and checkered history and for whose recurrence we stand once more in such dire need in this travailing age. Mr. Fozdar conclusively proves from the great wealth of Buddhist prophecies that this momentous event which will usher in a new golden age has already occurred and that it is identical to the Return of their own Redeemer awaited by Hindus, Jews, Zoroastrians, Christians and Muslims.

6"x8", 490 pp., contents, glossary, index Jamshed Fozdar

Racism is Out of Style

Television Teaching Institute $19.95 VT (EROSN)

The Television Teaching Institute was formed to develop television and video productions which inspire, educate and entertain audiences while seeking to eradicate prejudices and help to establish world unity. This latest production features Dr. Wilma Ellis, member of the Continental Board of Counselors, discussing Bahá’í perspectives on racism. This production is specifically designed to help teach the Faith to African-Americans.

60 minutes Images International

A Literary History of Persia

by E. G. Browne $275.00 HC, 4 VOLUME SET, (LHP)

A Literary History of Persia is still the standard work in the English language on Persia and her literature. The first volume was published in 1902 and Browne completed the fourth volume in 1924. This edition makes this seminal work available once again after 10 years out of print. A Literary History is recommended to all those who "having learned to love the Persian in translation, desire to know more of the language, literature, history, and thought of one of the most ancient, gifted and original peoples in the world."

4 volumes, 2,225 total pages Iranbooks

Mount Carmel Bahá’í Projects

A Presentation at the Bahá’í World Center, Haifa, 1996 $19.95 VT (EMCBPN)

Almost seven years after the inauguration of the Mount Carmel projects on the Mountain of God, these developments stand at an exciting threshold. Fariburz Sahba, manager of the Projects, shares fascinating stories and progress updates in this 52-minute video, which also brings us the latest aerial images and details of the Mount Carmel Bahá’í Projects.

52 minutes. Images International

Additional Items

Bahá’í Wall Calendar 1998-99 Bahá’í Datebook 155 B.E. [Page 8]

Fire stoked across L.A. County

Consultation with National Teaching Committee sparks plans for area

An upsurge of activity in Los Angeles County, California, has arisen from a local-national collaboration on plans to stimulate large-scale growth.

The National Teaching Committee has met several times with many of the 43 local Spiritual Assemblies in the county, which has been divided for planning into four geographical areas.

The Auxiliary Board members for the area, Angelica Huerta and Burrell Bullock, have played a major role in planning the meetings with the National Teaching Committee and have been apprised of the developing plans every step of the way.

Among the most exciting activities have been teaching projects aimed at goal cities and minority populations, one of them championed by Ms. Huerta, who has focused her activities on Huntington Park. This is a predominantly Hispanic area and some success has been achieved. Santa Monica and Los Angeles also report successes in such efforts.

Efforts toward another local goal—establishing a regional training institute—have led to establishment of the Center for Bahá’í Learning at the Los Angeles Bahá’í Center. Not formally termed an institute, the center has produced a number of weekly classes, three to 12 weeks long, that have drawn about half their students from outside Los Angeles proper.

A satellite training institute has been set up in the North Valley area of the city, and a board of directors is in operation to oversee Learning Center operations at both sites.

Two more goals were met with the creation of a toll-free phone number for public information on Bahá’í activities, 1-800-350-BAHA, and a local Bahá’í site on the World Wide Web that includes a calendar of events (www.baha’i.com). Work on proclamation activities has been particularly focused on establishing programs on public-access cable TV channels, with programs scheduled regularly on a few systems.

Regular devotional meetings are quite a success story, as the Sunday worship program enjoys 175-plus attendance and is growing. This effort has made many friends for the Faith in the neighborhood—and a few converts. This activity supplements regular dawn prayers and weekend prayer gatherings.

Recent developments in youth programs include a successful outdoor coffeehouse on Saturday nights in the gardens of the Los Angeles Center. Also, there’s a regular gathering called Cali’s Wild Dorreh, and a young people’s ‎commitee committee‎ was formed by the Los Angeles Assembly that includes youth from around the area.

The local Spiritual Assembly has played an important role in the local Assembly automation project as one of the five pilot Assemblies helping develop the software under the coordination of the National Management Information Services Office.

A series of service projects are in the planning stages, including activities instigated at the Unity Center after consultations on local needs with people living nearby.

And in addition to the idea of creating more Bahá’í Centers in various parts of Los Angeles, other localities are looking into establishing their own Bahá’í Centers, with commitments coming from Pasadena and Santa Monica.

Among other goals for the county’s localities:

• Hold an annual race unity conference and events to support the advancement of women.
• Promote and support the annual David Villaseñor Humanitarian Awards, an outreach event to the Hispanic community in greater L.A.
• Establish a Bahá’í Resource Directory.
• Establish a countywide newsletter or expand the current L.A. Bahá’í Journal to cover the county.

The communities also have been offered general guidelines by the NTC for the local activities: promoting a spiritual and vibrant community life, manifested by refined and effective feasts, regular opportunities for service, socializing, deepening, teaching and other activities.

—submitted by Randolph Dobbs

Unity

Continued from Page 1

had lain largely unused since a health clinic moved out. The Spiritual Assembly hoped to turn it into a youth space focused on the arts, but the money just wasn’t there.

Then a community member passed away, leaving a sum of money that gave the Assembly one-third of what it needed for the project. With that jump start suddenly the center was doable. Designs were drawn up and approved.

But a week before “plan check,” a new player entered the game: Crossroads, a prestigious private school based in nearby Santa Monica.

The school, looking to establish an outreach facility in the area, had been steered to the Bahá’í Center by officials at Baldwin Hills Elementary School.

The relationship between Baldwin Hills and the Bahá’ís was longstanding. After the riots, the Bahá’í Center hosted counseling sessions for children and families for three months.

When that program ended, the Bahá’ís didn’t want to leave the kids hanging. So the after-school Children’s Enrichment Program (CEP) was born. Served were first-through sixth-graders from Baldwin Hills.

Now Crossroads wanted to enroll seventh-, eighth-, and later ninth-graders in a school known as New Roads. Administrators also were willing to provide tutors and other resources for after-school, weekend and vacation programs, and give Baldwin Hills a sorely needed music program.

So Shahab Ghods and Mike Iman of Plus Architects were asked to revise their design for the Unity Center.

The redesigned space will accommodate New Roads, plus the enrichment programs and Bahá’í community needs. (Bahá’í school enrollment has jumped from 120 last year to about 200 this year, overwhelming the Bahá’í Center’s facilities.)

(From left) John La Rue discusses the Los Angeles Bahá’í Unity Center construction with Shahab Ghods, Lois Willows, Seth Mennillo, and Margaret Leeds.

Prominently featured will be a 99-seat auditorium, perfect for small performances that would be lost in the Bahá’í Center’s 700-seat theater.

Administering the Unity Center for the Assembly will be a nonprofit board called the Multicultural Organization for Neighborhood Arts Inc. (MONA). Its legal status allows for non-Bahá’í donations—about $50,000 so far—toward Unity Center programs.

A full-time director for the Unity Center is being recruited. Other programs are also being eyed, such as a conflict resolution training program similar to the Corinne True Justice Center in Denver.

Of course, the input of area residents will be critical to this planning process. A survey of Baldwin Hills homeowners is under way with the blessings and cooperation of the homeowners’ association.

Non-Bahá’ís are getting involved in other ways. For example, a September 19 fund-raiser for the Unity Center was put on by several friends of the Faith.

But that’s typical of the Bahá’ís’ place in the community. People from all walks of life, including high-ranking city officials, know the Bahá’ís are there to stay serving residents.

Proof of that came during the riots, when a non-Bahá’í African-American musician who had recently performed at the Center stood outside dissuading potential damagers.

The Unity Center is spreading excitement among Bahá’ís as well. Its programs, combined with training institutes, Sunday worship services, and other activities, add up to a vibrant community life. And friends who hadn’t been seen in years are being drawn to the Bahá’í Center.

“There’s a spirit in the community,” says longtime Assembly member Lois Willows. “The wind of God is blowing over this place.”

THE FUND

May 1–August 31, 1997

National Bahá’í Fund contributions

Received since May 1:	Goal for entire year:
$5,526,000	$27,000,000

• 20% of goal has been met
• 33% of fiscal year has passed (May 1, 1997 – Aug. 31 – April 30, 1998)

National contributions made to other funds

Arc Projects Fund $970,000 Goal: 19% of contributions received by National Fund

International Bahá’í Fund $356,000 Goal: 7% of contributions received by National Fund

Continental Bahá’í Fund $93,000 Goal: 2% of contributions received by National Fund

Other international contributions $327,000

Total revenues and expenses at Bahá’í National Center May 1–July 31 (latest avail.)

$3,987,000	Revenues*
$4,944,000	Expenses †

Resulting deficit: $957,000

* Includes all contributions plus revenues from Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Bahá’í Home, permanent schools, etc. † Operating and capital expenses, not including depreciation.

Your contributions to the National Fund can be mailed to:

National Bahá’í Fund 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091-2800 [Page 9]

Visit from Dr. Varqá refreshes commitment to Sacred Law of God

FROM THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

The American Bahá’í community was honored by the visit in June of the Hand of the Cause of God and Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh ‘Alí Muhammad Varqá.

Friends in the following cities and surrounding areas were the beneficiaries of the address given by Dr. Varqá—the city of New York, Dallas, Chicago, and Los Angeles—and all attendees received the prayer for Huqúqu’lláh as a loving remembrance of the importance of his presentation. In Los Angeles and Chicago, Dr. Varqá held additional meetings with the Persian-speaking Bahá’ís.

Dr. Varqá’s presentation about the spiritual significance of the Sacred Law of God and its history and development provided the friends with insights and understandings that connected their hearts to the institution of Huqúqu’lláh.

The program included a videotape on the Law of Huqúqu’lláh. A panel of members of the Board of Trustees and their deputies answered questions from the audience, of which there were many.

Answers to questions to which responses could not be given due to lack of time will be published in The American Bahá’í in a series of articles beginning with this issue.

It is the ardent hope of the U.S. Trustees that “during the coming months we will be able to follow these conferences with further presentations on Huqúqu’lláh by the representatives and Board of Trustee members.”

The memories of the historic occasion will long be cherished by the almost 5,000 Bahá’ís who attended and had an opportunity to visit personally, albeit briefly, with the Hand of the Cause at the conclusion of each of the meetings.

Present at each of the meetings was at least one member of the Board of Trustees of Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh in the United States—Amin Banani, Stephen Birkland, Daryush Haghighi and Thelma Khelghati. Dr. Elsie Austin was unable to attend.

All of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly and members of the Continental Board of Counselors attended the meeting in Chicago. National Spiritual Assembly members also attended others of the meetings. Dr. Varqá was accompanied by at least one of his daughters at each of the meetings.

The American Bahá’í community remains ever grateful for the inestimable blessing of being honored by the visit of the Hand of the Cause of God and Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh ‘Alí Muhammad Varqá.

The Hand of the Cause of God and Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh ‘Alí Muhammad Varqá (second from right) visits with his daughter Elahe Schmeil (left), National Spiritual Assembly Assistant Secretary Juana Conrad (second from left) and member of the Board of Trustees of Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh in the U.S. Daryush Haghighi (right) at a Chicago meeting in July.

Need for information on Huqúqu’lláh comes into focus

The enthusiastic response of more than 6000 Bahá’í friends who attended the four meetings in New York, Dallas, Los Angeles and Chicago last summer with the beloved Hand of the Cause and Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh was an ample demonstration of the desire of the American Bahá’í community to bless their lives by upholding the law of Huqúqu’lláh.

The mutual flow of spiritual energy and awareness at these meetings was palpable. The gentle and unstinting love radiating from our beloved Hand of the Cause, and the waves of appreciation from the friends for the precious opportunity of obtaining a deeper understanding of the spiritual significance of this wondrous law of Bahá’u’lláh from the Trustee appointed by Shoghi Effendi, were wonderful to behold.

At the same time the sincere questions submitted by the audience at the end of these meetings show two things: 1) the genuine desire of the friends to live by this law, and 2) the enormous unawareness of its purpose and process that still exists in the minds of many friends.

Answering questions on Huqúqu’lláh

Payments to Huqúqu’lláh should be made to “The Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust” and sent to one of the Trustees: Dr. Amin Banani, Santa Monica, CA 90402 (phone 310-394-5449). Mr. Stephen Birkland, Arden Hills, MN 55112 (phone 612-484-9518). Dr. Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 216-333-1506). Mrs. Thelma Khelghati, ‎Lunenberg Lunenburg‎, MA 01462 (phone 508-582-9216). Due to a recurrent illness, Trustee Dr. Elsie Austin is unable to receive payments for Huqúqu’lláh at this time. Inquiries about Huqúqu’lláh should be referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust, Rocky River, OH 44116.

A concerted and continuous effort on the part of all the institutions of the Faith is needed to reach the large numbers who have not yet taken the time to acquaint themselves and abide by this law.

To this end an interactive column in The American Bahá’í is being inaugurated to respond to the most frequently asked questions, and to offer other helpful suggestions for observance of the law of Huqúqu’lláh.

We shall begin with one of the questions from the meetings with Dr. Varqá, and continue in subsequent issues.

Q: Does the Huqúqu’lláh payment serve as a tax write-off on federal income tax forms?

A: Yes, payments to the Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust in the United States are tax-deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

National Fund runs $957,000 deficit with regional elections near

The deficit in the National Bahá’í Fund reached $957,000 at the end of August, despite steady giving during the summer months, as program and maintenance expenses outstripped income.

The community enters the high-activity fall months in a diminished financial condition, just when the Regional Bahá’í Councils are about to be elected and a new phase in our administrative history begins.

The “summer swoon,” a pattern of steep drops in giving, was less pronounced this year than in other years, indicating a good response by individuals and Assemblies to the National Spiritual Assembly’s repeated requests to keep contribution levels up.

Contributions between February and May, however, averaged 25% less than the same period in 1996, so the community got off to a slow start this year.

Monthly contributions have averaged $1.4 million, compared with a monthly goal of $2.25 million.

As the National Assembly advised the community at the last National Convention, the pace of work (and therefore expense) is picking up steadily as the Four Year Plan moves toward the midpoint of its second year.

New publications, new teaching materials and videos, and repairs and improvements at the House of Worship all required sizable expenditures last summer, while the pace of travel by Bahá’í National Center staff has increased in order to better consult with local communities on plans and opportunities.

Establishment of the four Regional Bahá’í Councils in November will impact the National Bahá’í Fund directly.

The election alone will cost roughly $70,000, though the National Assembly hopes some of those costs will be contributed by the many volunteers.

In addition to the cost of helping the tellers discharge their duties, special materials and numerous mailings will be needed to deliver ballots to the more than 10,000 electors nationwide.

Effective support of the Councils’ initial efforts will also require face-to-face meetings with the National Teaching Committee, the Office of the Treasurer and Development, and other national agencies as the Councils work to lay strong foundations and keep up the momentum of teaching.

“The community in general still needs to come to grips with the new level of activity the Plan demands of us,” said an Office of the Treasurer and Development staff member. “The $27 million goal was set in anticipation of the needs this year and into the next, but we haven’t really changed our behavior yet.” [Page 10]

Development agency focuses on communities

In 1992, the National Spiritual Assembly established Mottahedeh Development Services (MDS) as a nonprofit agency to promote social and economic development.

In its first few years the agency’s focus was on obtaining grants for service and educational projects. During the past year the emphasis has shifted toward helping the Family Unity Institute in Georgia and training facilitators for various social and economic development projects.

Both of these activities have led to a better understanding of the integration of SED and the processes leading to entry by troops.

Recently, MDS conducted its second facilitator training session near Washington, helped by Counselors Eloy Anello of Bolivia and Tod Ewing of the United States along with Paul Lample of the World Center’s Office of Social and Economic Development.

The session included active work with several local Spiritual Assemblies and the development of a process of helping local communities.

Consultation led to an awareness that social and economic development must start within Bahá’í communities: helping them develop true patterns of Bahá’í life and of community.

As the Guardian pointed out, “Until the public sees in the Bahá’í community a true pattern, in action, of something better than it already has, it will not respond to the Faith in large numbers.”

Building on the idea that service confirms faith and builds communities, MDS has adopted as a primary mission “to assist and stimulate the spirit and action of service to humankind by the Bahá’í community.”

Social and economic development is often thought of in terms of complex programs that require expertise in a variety of fields and call for funding.

While such activities are certainly desirable, every community member can take part in basic types of service that create and sustain community life.

To be of service to others is an essential human need and confirms one in his or her faith. Every local Assembly might consult from time to time on how it can provide opportunities to serve.

The religions that are growing rapidly are those emphasizing strong family and community life. In today’s chaotic and confusing society, this is what draws new adherents.

Here are some simple examples on which you may wish to consult at Feast or in Assembly meetings.

• When a new believer enrolls, what is the pattern or process that integrates him or her into the community? What specific steps could be developed as habits in the community?
• How are birthdays and anniversaries observed?
• When someone pioneers or returns from pioneering, is there a process to celebrate their sacrifice, assess their needs, or offer help?
• What does the community do regularly to create joy? How do its members have fun together? Shared joy is the social glue that binds a community together.
• When someone is sick or needy, is there a process to help?

To avoid overwhelming the Assembly, you may wish to work on only one such pattern at a time.

When we develop attractive communities, two things will happen organically: The spirit of service that becomes habitual will extend beyond the boundaries of the Bahá’í community to the community at large; and the Faith will grow as others are drawn to its spirit of service.

—article submitted by Mottahedeh Development Services

An invitation to partnership in development

with Mottahedeh Development Services

MDS is a self-financing* agency of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States that is dedicated to facilitating values-based social and economic development in communities around the world.

What does partnership with MDS mean?

• You have an opportunity to join a global network of friends who can provide a skills resource base to be drawn upon for development initiatives.
• You have the opportunity and privilege to make direct financial contributions to exemplary values-based projects in the U.S. and internationally.
• You will receive the MDS Newsletter, which will share information on development projects, people, fundraising, skills data bank, and more.

If you would like to be a partner in this exciting enterprise, please answer these questions and return this form (with any necessary details explained on an attached sheet) to Mottahedeh Development Services.

Name: __________________________________________________ Tel: ___________________

Home address: __________________________________________ Fax: ___________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Business name: __________________________________________ Tel: ___________________

Address: ________________________________________________ Fax: ___________________

Position: _______________________________ Are you a career development professional? ______

Current development initiative(s) in which you are involved (attach literature if desired; please note type of program; location; whether an individual, group or agency initiative; number of people served and who; project relationship with local or national institutions; funding source(s); volunteer or compensated service; other) _________________________________________________________________________________

What do you think your community needs most in order to conceive/implement/manage/succeed in social and economic development activities? _________________________________________________________________________________

Do you have skills that may assist Mottahedeh Development Services on a volunteer service basis? (e.g. computer skills, writing, research, graphic design, grant writing, fund development contacts) _________________________________________________________________________________

Do you have skills/expertise/training that may assist development initiatives in North America or globally?

Volunteer? ____ Require compensation? ____ Short or extended periods? ____

Preferred location? ________________________________ (Please explain and enclose brief c.v. or resumé)

Can you or your company provide in-kind assistance for development programs (e.g. printing, paper products, computer, medical or school supplies/equipment)? _________________________________________________________________________________

BE A PARTNER IN DEVELOPMENT!

Please include me in the following:

Basic Partner: inside U.S. $15/year___ Outside U.S. $25/year___

Supporting partner: $50___ $100___ $250/year___ OR $______ per month

Sustaining partner: over $250/year $_______

Total enclosed: $_______

Supporting and Sustaining Partners provide crucial foundational support for the work of MDS and demonstrate to major funding agencies a broad base of personal commitment.

Please return form and any contribution to: Mottahedeh Development Services 750 Hammond Drive, Bldg. 12, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30328 Phone: 404-843-1995 Fax: 404-843-8895

* MDS raises funds from public and private sources. MDS is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. All contributions are tax-deductible in the U.S. to the extent allowable by law. MDS was founded in 1992 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States to serve people of all races and creeds.

Bahá’ís add voice to NGO conference

National Spiritual Assembly representatives attended the 50th annual United Nations Department of Public Information/Non-governmental Organization (DPI/NGO) Conference, Sept. 10–12 at UN Headquarters in New York.

Titled “Building Partnerships,” the event celebrated the 50-year partnership between the UN and NGOs and drew about 2,300 delegates from more than 500 organizations in about 100 countries.

The conference explored how national governments, NGOs, academic institutions and the business community can work together to promote peace and security, economic and social well-being, human rights and the rule of law.

Participants shared ideas on making a difference in their communities and talked with other organizations with an eye toward forming innovative partnerships.

Over the three days, speakers from around the world explored examples of socially responsible projects, discussed how new technologies and communications have facilitated global cooperation at previously impossible levels, and noted milestones in the relationship between the UN and NGOs.

Among Bahá’ís with prominent roles in the conference:

• Techeste Ahderom, principal representative of the Bahá’í International Community, was a member of a panel that addressed the conference on trends in the UN-NGO partnership.
• Thane Terrill, network administrator and webmaster of the Bahá’í International Community, spoke at a workshop about using the Internet to get an organization’s message to the public.
• Carl Murrell of the Bahá’í US/UN Office was on the conference planning committee, and US/UN Office intern Melissa Peterson assisted in the administration of the conference.
• Jeffery Huffines, U.S. Bahá’í representative to the UN, and Peter Adriance, NGO liaison in Washington, represented the National Spiritual Assembly at the event.

In a message to the conference, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated, “I heartily welcome the burgeoning involvement of non-governmental organizations in the work of the United Nations. ... Whatever the field—human rights, humanitarian relief, sustainable development, international law, disarmament, poverty eradication—your importance is indisputable.”

If you would like to attend next year’s conference, contact the US/UN Office, 866 UN Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017-1822 (phone 212-803-2500, fax 212-803-2573, e-mail [Page 11]

Justice project springs from African woman’s case

By TOM MENNILLO

Seeking justice. Serving a fellow human being in need.

To Bahá’ís, these are duties. To a society starved for justice and true service, they are rare gems.

Thus have young Bahá’í lawyer Layli Miller Bashir and the Bahá’í community of Greater Vienna, Virginia, been spotlighted for their tireless efforts to help an African woman escape genital mutilation.

Benefits for Faith

The case has brought significant media exposure for the Faith and numerous opportunities to teach prominent people in government, publishing circles, and the entertainment industry.

It also has allowed Mrs. Bashir to found a legal defense project, the Tahirih Justice Center, to aid women facing international human rights violations.

Soon to be released is a book co-authored by the African woman, Fauziya Kasinga, and Mrs. Bashir. Negotiations are under way for movie rights to Ms. Kasinga’s saga.

That story began in 1994 in Togo with the death of her father, who had protected her. Relatives took over his home, banished her mother, and married her off at age 17.

The husband, a much older man with three other wives, insisted that Ms. Kasinga undergo genital mutilation.

Female genital mutilation is a common rite among tribes in 26 African nations. Usually performed without anesthesia on younger women, it is intended to enforce chastity.

To avoid such disfigurement, Ms. Kasinga fled with the help of her sister—first to Europe, where she bought another woman’s passport, then in December 1994 to the United States.

She was held—sometimes in shackles—at a detention center in Elizabeth, N.J. Later, she was transferred to a maximum-security cell in a York, Pa., prison. At one point, she was so depressed she was ready to accept deportation.

Entering the case

Enter Mrs. Bashir and other law students working on Ms. Kasinga’s case with lawyer Karen Musalo of the International Human Rights Clinic at American University Washington College of Law in the nation’s capital.

Mrs. Bashir had befriended the scared immigrant over a period of months. Now she drew on resources in her faith community.

A Bahá’í psychiatrist evaluated Ms. Kasinga’s mental state for a writ of habeas corpus. Later, when Ms. Kasinga developed a bleeding ulcer that was going untreated, a Bahá’í physician examined her and wrote an affidavit of support.

As the media learned of Ms. Kasinga’s plight, attention escalated with the first of several articles in the New York Times.

“The world altered dramatically that morning,” Monday, April 15, 1996, Mrs. Bashir said simply. The legal clinic received more than 200 telephone calls in two days. Not only reporters were calling, but outraged citizens and even Hollywood stars such as Sally Field and Lauren Hutton. People began to organize a rally in Philadelphia supporting Ms. Kasinga’s release.

But then a fateful call came in from the Justice Department. Please resubmit the writ, the department requested. The implication was that officials were ready to look at the case in a new light.

Race against time

This was about 6 p.m. Time was of the essence and no acceptable living arrangements for Ms. Kasinga had been firmed up. So Mrs. Bashir called on the Bahá’í community again.

Her first thought was to nominate her in-laws. Another suggestion came from her boss at a law firm where Mrs. Bashir worked part time: Strengthen the case by having the Bahá’í community itself sponsor the woman.

Mrs. Bashir went immediately to the Spiritual Assembly of Greater Vienna, which agreed within two hours to take on the responsibility.

A further call, to the National Spiritual Assembly’s offices in Washington, D.C., brought the National Assembly into the case. A letter to Attorney General Janet Reno was drafted, edited by the National Assembly, and approved by 11 a.m. the next day for delivery to the Justice Department at noon.

On April 24 the government released Ms. Kasinga. It explained that her newfound link with the Bahá’í community would ensure that she appear for hearings on her case. Ms. Musalo told the New York Times she was certain the public outcry had a lot to do with the decision, too.

Ms. Kasinga stayed with the Bashirs for 2 ½ months. The Bahá’ís of Greater Vienna took her out often to run errands and made sure she had enough clothes.

On May 2 the Board of Immigration Appeals heard oral arguments. In late June she was granted asylum.

Interestingly, Mrs. Bashir had gotten to know two of the key immigration officials in the case earlier when she was researching a law school paper. On legal precedent alone, she said, they could have blocked the asylum.

But on moral grounds they acceded a limited right to asylum for women facing genital mutilation. And time has dispelled fears that the United States would be overrun with such requests.

The decision to grant asylum ended Ms. Kasinga’s legal saga, but her story still captured public interest.

A book deal was signed with Bantam Doubleday, in which Ms. Kasinga and Mrs. Bashir would share writer’s credit and two writers would assist in preparing the book, titled Do They Hear You When You Cry. The media sought more interviews, including National Public Radio and Ted Koppel of Nightline on ABC.

The latter provided an emotional scene for Mrs. Bashir and the normally undemonstrative Ms. Kasinga. Mrs. Bashir sat in the studio’s “green room” while Ms. Kasinga’s interview was being taped. When Mr. Koppel signaled that time was running out, Ms. Kasinga exclaimed in a panic that she still needed to thank the Bahá’í community for its support.

Ms. Kasinga went on for about five minutes, then ran to the green room with Mr. Koppel and other show personnel in tow and embraced Mrs. Bashir. That final segment did not air, but a statement had been made.

Working for future

The African woman now has her own apartment and is completing her high school requirements so she can attend college.

Mrs. Bashir completed law school and her master’s degree in international relations soon after Ms. Kasinga’s release. After passing the bar exam in August 1996, she went to work for the Justice Department. She has since left the government and begun working for a private law firm.

She used money she received for the book to start the Tahirih Justice Center. Two legal fellows were to begin assisting the center in mid-September. One current case is that of 10 Algerian women being abused by members of a Muslim faction there.

All in all, it’s been a whirlwind year for Mrs. Bashir, but one with many confirmations.

“Bahá’u’lláh works mysteriously,” she concluded.

Tahirih Justice Center seeks volunteers

The Tahirih Justice Center is looking for volunteers (youth are welcome) to help it in its mission to promote human rights and protect immigrant women through legal aid and social services. This Bahá’í-inspired nonprofit organization works closely with human rights organizations in the Washington, D.C., area, and offers an opportunity to learn about the law and its treatment of women.

Volunteers will be called on to do a range of jobs, and the center is looking for self-starters with excellent writing skills. Patience and the ability to speak a foreign language are assets.

More information is available ‎of on‎ the center’s Web site (www.tahirih.org). Prospective volunteers may submit a résumé with a cover letter and a writing sample to the Tahirih Justice Center, 108 North Virginia Ave., Suite 100, Falls Church, VA 22046, phone 703-237-4554.

Opportunity to offer skills, talents

Do you have a talent or skill that can be used to promote the equality of women and men?

We are anxious to hear from individuals who are willing to lend their skills to the advancement of the principle of equality.

Don’t be shy! We want to hear from every woman, man, youth and child with a talent to offer.

We are interested in developing a database of individuals who can serve as resources to individuals and communities.

A wide range of skills is needed. Artistic, literary, public speaking, and professional skills are all valued.

Contact the National Committee for the Advancement of Women, c/o Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (e-mail

The age in which we live

“Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.” —Bahá’u’lláh, from Gleanings

• Did you know? In the United States, 3 million to 4 million women are victimized by violence each year.

• What is a Bahá’í perspective? “Women have equal rights with men upon earth; in religion and society they are a very important element. As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable to achieve the greatness which might be theirs.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, from Paris Talks

• What can we do to help? Here is an idea! One Bahá’í community in Virginia has been giving “care bundles,” containing bare necessities such as toiletries, a snack, etc., to a domestic violence shelter during Bahá’í holy days. It doesn’t take much time, the whole Bahá’í community can get involved, and their efforts are greatly appreciated by the domestic violence shelter and the women it serves.

• What ideas can your community come up with to help fight domestic violence? Please be sure to let the National Committee for the Advancement of Women know of your efforts.

National Committee for the Advancement of Women, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1612 (e-mail: [Page 12]

CARTA A LOS AMIGOS/Letter to the friends

De la Comisión de Trabajo Latinoamericana

Queridos y Estimados Amigos en la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh: «Que seamos nosotros el puente entre todas las otras razas, que sea esta nuestra gloriosa contribución a la Causa. Que seamos nosotros los primeros en contribuir a la entrada en tropas y al envío de maestros pioneros a Centro y Sur América. ... Que sea el hispano el maestro e inspirador universal. Que se levante amorosa y decididamente a enseñar a todos, no sólo en español y no solamente a los latinos. Que sea el hispano el ejemplo de obediencia a las sagradas Instituciones de la Fe».

Con estas palabras de amorosa urgencia nos habló el Consejero Dr. Arturo Serrano durante su visita al sur de la Florida, en donde un numeroso grupo de los amigos se hicieron presentes en el centro Bahá’í de Broward County en la noche del 9 de agosto, para darle ‎le la‎ bienvenida y escuchar su mensaje.

También nos aconsejó a fomentar el uso de la oración como medio poderosísimo de enseñanza, particularmente entre los hispanos, ya que como bien lo dijo él mismo, «al latino no hay que enseñarle a orar, porque su corazón está ya predispuesto». «Las reuniones devocionales públicas», dijo, «deberán constituirse en uno de los medios preferidos para acercarse al corazón de los hispanos».

La visita del Consejero Serrano marcó el inicio de las actividades que se desarrollaron durante ese fin de semana en el Instituto Regional Magdalene Carney, en Belle Glade, el pasado 10 y 11 de agosto. Estas actividades forman parte de la campaña de enseñanza «Fuego en La Florida» que se lleva a cabo actualmente en la parte sur del estado, y que está centrado en los condados de Dade y Broward. Durante dos días, la comisión de trabajo se reunió con más de 40 de los amigos, en una muy animada consulta acerca de los pormenores de la campaña, las áreas de enfoque, las líneas de acción, y los temas de más urgencia a tratar dentro de la comunidad en general.

Los amigos decidieron que las áreas en las cuales deberá enfocarse la campaña son: la unidad racial, la santidad del matrimonio y la importancia de la familia, con ‎su sus‎ ramificaciones sobre la igualdad de la mujer y el hombre, la necesidad de educar a los varones sobre su responsabilidad en esta área, y la necesidad de proveer cursos prematrimoniales abiertos al público no Bahá’í. Se enfatizó además la urgente necesidad de enfocarse en la educación de los niños y la juventud.

Estuvieron presentes los miembros del cuerpo auxiliar Farah Guchani-Rosenberg y Charles Cornwell, y Russell Ballew, miembro de la junta directiva del Instituto Magdalene Carney, quienes pusieron a la disposición de los amigos no sólo el Instituto, sino su patrocinio y colaboración en todo lo referente a la realización de los cursos de entrenamiento necesarios para alcanzar los objetivos del plan.

Ya los creyentes han realizado picnics en un parque central de Hialeah, donde hay gran población de hispanos. Han repartido invitaciones de puerta en puerta para venir a escuchar una charla y a participar en las actividades.

En una ocasión llegaron 20 personas, incluyendo a dos familias enteras, quienes luego de interactuar activamente con los Bahá’ís en el parque, ¡han ofrecido sus propias casas para las siguientes reuniones! En estos y otros eventos, los amigos planean hacer uso amplio de la música y de las danzas folclóricas. El uso de las artes es uno de los objetivos de nuestro Plan Nacional en este momento.

Y, ¿hasta ‎donde dónde‎ creen que una llama puede extenderse? Pues, en otra ocasión, uno de los participantes se acercó con su hijo pequeño, y luego de escuchar la exposición sobre la Fe, declaró su creencia en Bahá’u’lláh. Tal fue su emoción, que de inmediato llamó a sus padres en Nicaragua, les pidió que fuesen a la sede central de los Bahá’ís en Managua para que se enteraran acerca de lo que él había encontrado. Sus padres fueron al Centro Bahá’í, participaron en varias charlas sobre la Fe, y casi de inmediato, ¡declararon igualmente su fe en Bahá’u’lláh! ¡Imagínense ... de Hialeah a Managua! ‎Cuan Cuán‎ importantes son las conexiones que tenemos con nuestros amigos y parientes en nuestras tierras natales para que, de un evento tan familiar y común, tan al alcance de todos, como lo es un picnic en el parque, ¡podrían surgir grandes victorias para la Fe!

En las palabras de la Casa Universal de Justicia: «Lo que hace falta es un sentido de urgencia en la enseñanza y esto significa encender la chispa de fe y devoción en los corazones de la gente y avivarla para que los que acepten la Fe se conviertan en sus defensores firmes y ardientes».

Comisión de Trabajo Latinoamericana Septiembre de 1997

FROM THE LATIN-AMERICAN TASK FORCE

Dear and Esteemed Friends in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh: “May we be the bridge among all the other races, let this be our glorious contribution to the Cause. May we be the first in contributing to entry by troops and to the sending of pioneer teachers to Central and South America. ... May the Hispanic be the universal teacher and inspirer. ... May he arise lovingly and decidedly to teach everyone, not only in Spanish and not only the Latinos. ... May the Hispanic be the example of obedience to the sacred Institutions of the Faith.”

Counselor Arturo Serrano spoke these words of loving urgency to us during his visit to southern Florida, where a large group of the friends were present in the Bahá’í Center of Broward County on the evening of Aug. 9 to welcome him and hear his message.

He also counseled us to encourage the use of prayer as a most powerful means of teaching, particularly among Hispanics, since, as he stated, “It is not necessary to teach the Latino to pray, because his heart is already prepared.” “Public meetings of worship,” he said, “should constitute one of the preferred means for approaching the heart of Hispanics.”

Counselor Serrano’s visit marked the beginning of the activities carried out that weekend at the Magdalene Carney Regional Institute in Belle Glade on Aug. 10-11. These activities form part of the “Fire in Florida” teaching campaign going on in the southern part of the state, centered in Dade and Broward counties. For two days, the task force met with more than 40 of the friends, in a very animated consultation about the details of the campaign, the focus areas, lines of action and the most urgent subjects to be dealt with in the community as a whole.

The friends decided that the areas that should be the focus in the campaign are: racial unity, the sanctity of marriage and the importance of the family, with its ramifications for the equality of women and men, the need to educate men about their responsibility in this area, and the need to provide premarital classes open to the non-Bahá’í public. Emphasis was given also to the urgent need of focusing on the education of children and youth.

Also present were Auxiliary Board members Farah Guchani-Rosenberg and Charles Cornwell, and Russell Ballew, member of the Board of Directors of the Magdalene Carney Institute, who placed at the disposal of the friends not only the Institute, but also its support and collaboration in all that has to do with carrying out the training courses necessary to achieve the objectives of the plan.

The believers already have had picnics in a central park at Hialeah, where there is a large Hispanic population. They have distributed invitations door to door, to come listen to a talk and participate in the activities.

On one occasion 20 people came, including two entire families who, after interacting with the Bahá’ís in the park, offered their own homes for the next meetings! In these and other events, the friends plan to make broad use of music and of folk dances, in accordance with the national goal of the Four Year Plan to make greater use of the arts.

And how far do you think a flame can spread? On another occasion, one of the participants came with his small son, and after listening to the presentation about the Faith, declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh. Such was his emotion that he immediately called his parents in Nicaragua, and asked them to go to the central location of the Bahá’ís in Managua so they could learn about what he had found. His parents went to the Bahá’í Center, took part in various talks about the Faith, and almost immediately also declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh! Just imagine ... from Hialeah to Managua! How important are the connections we have with our friends and relatives in our native lands so that, from an event so familiar and common, so within the reach of all, as is a picnic in the park, there could arise great victories for the Faith!

In the words of the Universal House of Justice: “What is needed is a sense of urgency in teaching and this means lighting the spark of faith and devotion in the hearts of the people and enlivening it so that those who accept the Faith become its firm and ardent defenders.”

Latin-American Task Force September 1997

Information on your international teaching trip

In order to record the achievement of the traveling teaching goals, the Office of Pioneering needs information about all international trips undertaken for the sake of promoting the interests of the Faith. This information is important whatever the level or amount of service and regardless of whether your trip was exclusively for service to the Faith or was combined with a trip for business, holiday, family, study or otherwise.

To make this easiest for you, just fill out and send the form below to: Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (or fax 847-733-3509; phone 847-733-3511; e-mail

Please include the names of all Bahá’ís traveling, the names of each country and the one or two main localities visited, the dates of your trip, and the main purpose of your travel. We look forward to hearing from you.

Name(s): ____________________________________________________________________ ID #s: ________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________ Phone: _______________

COUNTRIES and / or LOCALITIES	DATES FROM	DATES TO	MAIN PURPOSE
_______________________________	__ / __ / __	__ / __ / __	_______________________________
_______________________________	__ / __ / __	__ / __ / __	_______________________________
_______________________________	__ / __ / __	__ / __ / __	_______________________________
_______________________________	__ / __ / __	__ / __ / __	_______________________________

Comments: __________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ [Page 13]

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS

Sarah Hansen, an 18-year-old Bahá’í from Upper Arlington, Ohio, attended the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, on scholarship last summer, participating in a research team studying “Heat Shock Proteins in the Pathogenesis of Schizophrenia.” Earlier, Sarah placed second in the biochemistry category at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair with a two-year study of the medicinal potential of natural plants in Ohio, which identified strong antibiotic and antifungal properties in Daucus carota (wild carrot). Other honors include an award for outstanding research by Iota Sigma Pi, the national honors society for women in chemistry, and top awards from the Ohio State Medical Association and Bowling Green State University. Sarah developed her interest in finding new medicines from plants while pioneering in Bolivia, and has been accepted at Earlham College.

Julian Leaver, a 17-year-old Bahá’í who is a junior at Norman North (Oklahoma) High School, was chosen as Student of the Year for Central Mid-High, one of two students given the honor from his school. Julian is active in Bahá’í Youth Club, Model UN, Electronic Model Congress and is senior patrol leader and life Scout in Boy Scout Troop 792.

Kelsey Bulkin, a 12-year-old Bahá’í from Carlsbad, California, has been named 1996–97 Student of the Year by teachers and administrators at Mission Estancia Elementary School. On June 5, she was presented the Outstanding Achievement Award by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce for academic excellence and community service, as well as the Meritorious Achievement in Education Excellence Award for 6th Grade Students by the mayor of Carlsbad, Bud Lewis, and the Scholastic Achievement Award presented on behalf of the California State Assembly.

Samim Garza

Samim Garza, an 11-year-old Bahá’í who is a fifth-grade honor roll student at St. Johns Episcopal School in Abilene, Texas, was recently awarded a scholarship for outstanding achievements in language arts. To receive the award, he had to obtain the highest grade-point average in his class.

Azmina Rashida Hanna, a Bahá’í from Santa Rosa, California, who was graduated in May from Howard University in Washington, D.C., was honored for her design of a logo that will be adopted by the University Cancer Center to mark its 25th year.

Mark Scheffer, ‎a an‎ 18-year-old Bahá’í from Sioux City, Iowa, received the Louis Armstrong Award as outstanding musician in his high school, and was awarded a State of Iowa scholarship and academic and music scholarships to attend the University of Northern Iowa. He played double bass in the school’s jazz ensemble and the city’s Youth Symphony for several years. He also is an All-State euphonium player and toured Europe playing that instrument with the Iowa Ambassadors of Music.

Sherry Reddick, a Bahá’í from Uvalde, Texas, was awarded a $2,000 grant from the Southern Poverty Law Center to organize a Ballet Folklorico Dance Institute for first-graders at Anthon Elementary School, where she teaches. The project, which is to involve teachers, parents and community leaders, will focus on planting the seeds of discipline and interracial amity in the children.

Alex Scholtz, a 10-year-old Bahá’í from Mount Vernon, Virginia, earned the Unity of Mankind religious emblem as a Webelo Cub Scout.

An article by Beverly J. Smith, a Bahá’í from Westlake, Ohio, titled “Critical Moments: Miss Cotton’s Cries,” was published in the May issue of Nursing 97. Ms. Smith works as a nurse and case manager in the Cleveland area.

Eva Walker

Sidney B. Smith, a Bahá’í from Westlake, Ohio, was honored in June as Distinguished ‎Alumnusby Alumnus by‎ the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts, recognizing his years as chairman and founder of the music department at Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where he retired in 1995. He is listed in the 1996-1997 edition of International Who’s Who in Music.

Eva Walker, a Bahá’í from Covina, California, was honored by the city in May as 1997 Older American of the Year in recognition of years of volunteer service. A retiree, she interprets and provides other assistance for the deaf and hearing-impaired in her area, and volunteers for the City of Hope and the Alzheimers Association as well as several convalescent homes and senior centers. She has held several offices locally in the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

David Tuman, a 13-year-old Bahá’í from Oxnard, California, was selected to participate in the seventh annual Pacific Region Student Leadership Conference, sponsored by the California Association for the Gifted and the Tri-County GATE Council. Students were selected from gifted and talented education programs in three counties for the weekend program, which focused on developing leadership skills.

Story of sacrifice energizes teaching trip on reservations

A two-week teaching campaign on the Navajo-Hopi Indian Reservations in Arizona and New Mexico has fanned the flames of the love of Bahá’u’lláh, thanks in part to the efforts of Olya Roohizadegan, author of Olya’s Story.

The series of talks July 1–14 by Ms. Roohizadegan at many sites in and near the reservations—including individual homes, tribal culture and education centers, a nursing home, and the Native American Bahá’í Institute in Houck, Ariz.—attracted 15 new believers in seven localities.

The story of her two-month imprisonment in Iran in 1983, and the martyrdom of 11 of the women in prison with her, was the soul of the teaching trip, according to participant Jeanette Coffey.

Olya Roohizadegan (center right) poses with Bahá’ís in Pine Springs, Arizona, one of her stops in a tour of the Navajo-Hopi Reservations.

The stirring account also drew considerable media interest, with Ms. Roohizadegan interviewed by newspapers and radio stations. The City Council of Gallup, N.M., proclaimed July 8 to be Olya Roohizadegan Day and she gave a speech to the council for the occasion.

Among those who embraced the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh during her visit were four Navajo elders, two officials at the Ganado nursing home, and women known locally for their work in race unity, American Indian sobriety, and education.

All the declarants had known about the Faith before, but the story of the martyrs—and their assistance from on high, Mrs. Coffey says—gave them a sense that the Revelation is “not only the truth, but worth dying for.”

“Truly it was the martyrs’ teaching trip, because of the selflessness of those involved and also because of the purity of heart. All anyone wanted was to teach,” Ms. Coffey reported. “We often didn’t know where we would sleep that night, or eat, or even what direction we were going. It was all led by the spirit of those beautiful women.”

In the wake of the teaching trip, each of the Bahá’í communities that gained believers has shown signs of revitalization. Some have started or resumed having Feasts, while a greater unity and strengthening of community has been reported all across the reservations.

“There is indeed a greater spirit of teaching and a feeling of consecration among some of the believers,” Ms. Coffey noted. “Several have had dreams of the martyrs asking us to teach, teach, teach—also dreams of how negative it will be here on the reservation if we don’t arise.”

Deaths of two Bahá’ís in Iran reported

The National Spiritual Assembly has received from the Bahá’í World Center the disturbing news that two more Bahá’ís in Iran have been killed because of their faith. It would not be helpful for the Bahá’í community to seek publicity for these cases at this time.

Mr. Mash’allah Enayati, a 63-year-old Bahá’í resident of Tehran, died July 4, 1997, after being severely beaten while in custody.

During a visit to his native village of Ardistan to attend a Bahá’í holy day commemoration, Mr. Enayati was arrested in unclear circumstances. He was taken to prison in Isfahan, where he was beaten on all parts of the body.

It appears he was held in prison about a week before being taken to a hospital, where he was kept under armed guard.

His daughter, who lives in Australia, was in Iran at the time and visited her father in the hospital. She witnessed the effects of the beating, including visible bruising all over his body and especially on his hands, which were black from the injuries. She reported he was in good health before his arrest.

Mr. Enayati passed away in the hospital. His death certificate is worded in a most unusual way, suggesting that the doctor may have been under threat and thereby pressured to falsify the certificate. Under “cause of death” is entered “Will be known later” in the handwriting of the doctor.

Mr. Shahram Rezai, a young Bahá’í who was serving as an army conscript near the city of Rasht, was shot in the head by his weapons training officer July 6, 1997, and died the following day.

In court the officer claimed that the shooting was an accident. He was released once the court established that the man killed was a Bahá’í.

The court excused the officer of paying the blood-money normally required in such instances, ordering him to pay just the cost of the three bullets used to kill Mr. Rezai.

The Bahá’ís in Iran have no doubt that this was a case of deliberate murder, and they predicted before the “trial” that the officer would be released, as happened in other cases. Mr. Rezai is understood to be the seventh Bahá’í army draftee to have been killed by colleagues or officers.

The willful killings of Mr. Enayati and Mr. Rezai, occurring without justification, illustrate how the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran continues under a variety of guises.

The full text of the letter about these deaths from the Universal House of Justice can be found on the U.S. administrative Web site (http://www.usbnc.org). Please note this Web site is available only to registered U.S. Bahá’ís in good standing and overseas U.S. pioneers, and you will need your U.S. Bahá’í ID number to log in. [Page 14]

Albuquerque sets aside a month for teaching through the arts

It was a simple Feast recommendation: Have the Bahá’í community in Albuquerque, New Mexico, organize an art show using works already being shown in the local Bahá’í Center.

The community let the idea grow, and ultimately dedicated the month of September to a unique Art Fest, with a succession of events proclaiming and teaching the Faith through the arts.

Bahá’í artists from several countries contributed to an exhibition titled “Expressions of the Spirit” at the Nizhoni Gallery in the city’s Old Town district. It was the centerpiece of the month-long project, which also featured visual and performing arts events twice a week.

Local artists contributed many of the works to the all-Bahá’í exhibition. Bonnie Wilder’s painting “Goddess Power” was used in promotional materials, and on Aug. 31 the Albuquerque Journal printed a large color reproduction of the picture in its Arts section.

Much artwork was loaned by the Ridván Gallery in British Columbia, including pieces by Rerran Roca Bon, Chen Pei Zhong and Jalaliyyih Quinn. Other paintings came from China, Canada and New York, while Sarita Birkey showed batiks in the style of Nepal, her homeland.

One wall of the gallery was devoted to the teachings of the Faith. Centered was Harlan Scheffler’s portrait of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá surrounded by photographs and watercolors of the Bahá’í World Center. The Bahá’í principles were displayed in a framed combination of calligraphy and watercolor. Bahá’í literature and an attendant were continually on hand.

All art-sales income to the gallery, owned by Bahá’í Linda Berdin, was contributed to the Arc Projects Fund. The first piece sold was a painting of a Norwegian fjord by David Ruhe.

Other events included:

• A presentation to launch the festival by Jerry Bathke, past director of the California Council for the Humanities, on the convergence of art and religion. On the program were a dramatic skit by Bonnie Greathouse on the story of Táhirih, and a flute performance by Joseph Weixelman.
• A formal reception, with a piano performance by Walter Caldwell, to help the public meet the artists. About 150 people attended; fewer than half were Bahá’ís.
• Readings of poetry, highlighted by an appearance by Valerie Martinez, winner of the nationally recognized Larry Levis prize for her book Absence Luminescent. Readings showcased the poetry of Roger White, Vinson Brown, Robert Hayden and Tahirih Foroughi, as well as Kahlil Gibran and Rumi.
• An evening of presentations on acclaimed Bahá’í artists: painter Mark Tobey, discussed by Paul Slaughter; potter Bernard Leach, presented by his assistant Jan Madden; sand painter David Villaseñor, with presentation by Jean Villaseñor; and MGM studio artist Russell Roberts, presented by his wife, Jeanette Roberts.
• Native American hoop dancing and flute performance by Kevin Locke.
• Two hands-on children’s art sessions led by George Phelps, Jessica Binder and Karen Schwartz.

The painting ‘Goddess Power’ by Bonnie Wilder was used in publicity for the Art Fest in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Reproduced by permission of artist)

Albuquerque planners believe this multimedia event, whose preparation involved many volunteers, copious prayers and dozens of press releases, is the first of its kind ever held by Bahá’ís in the United States.

They expressed hope that it will inspire more such events across the country in the spirit of the Four Year Plan directive to involve the arts in teaching and proclaiming the Faith.

Thirteenth Annual Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference & Grand Canyon Bahá’í Youth Conference Sponsored by The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Phoenix P.O. Box 9961, Phoenix, AZ 85068-9961 Phone: (602) 922-1919 The 13th Annual Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference and Grand Canyon Bahá’í Youth Conference will be held this year at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, beginning with registration Wednesday evening, December 24, and programs Thursday morning through Sunday evening, December 28, with a full day of proclamation and teaching. The theme of the conference is the Covenant. Adult and youth workshops will focus on the following topics: Adults Center of the Covenant Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Divine Plan Kitáb-i-‘Ahd Kitáb-i-Aqdas Institutions of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice Youth Living Within the Covenant Obligations of Being a Bahá’í Youth Facing Teaching Challenges Race Unity on Campus Speakers include Dr. Dwight Allen, Dr. Jena Khodadad, Dr. Soheil Bushrui, and Mr. Aziz Yazdi. Youth workshop leaders are being confirmed. Children’s programs will run concurrently with the adult and youth conferences. Fees for mailed registration postmarked by December 1 are $35 per person or $70 per family. A family is defined as a father, mother, and children 12 and under. Mailed registration postmarked after December 1, or on-site registration, is $45 per person or $85 per family. Hyatt Regency room rates are $65 for a room with a king-size bed or $72 for a room with two full-size beds. Hyatt reservations can be made by calling (800) 233-1234 or (602) 252-1234. To ensure pre-registration, please completely fill in the form below and send your check for the full amount to the address above. Adults and Youth: Name: ________________________________________________ Bahá’í ID: ________________ Name: ________________________________________________ Bahá’í ID: ________________ Name: ________________________________________________ Bahá’í ID: ________________ Name: ________________________________________________ Bahá’í ID: ________________ Children: Name: ________________________________________________ Age: ______ Name: ________________________________________________ Age: ______ Name: ________________________________________________ Age: ______ Address: __________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ City: ______________________________ State (Province): __________________ Zip: ____________ Phone: ________________________

In the media

Light from darkness

A power outage served recently to bring the Bahá’í Center in Kingman, Arizona, into the light.

After an errant truck tore down a power line and television cable in the neighborhood of the center, the Kingman Daily Miner newspaper published a feature article on the Faith.

The article described the area’s tiny Bahá’í community and the Center’s role as a place for meetings, prayer and community outreach.

It also quoted neighbors who were saddened when the center closed for eight months last year for lack of funds and are excited by its reopening.

Traveling quilt

A California Bahá’í’s role in creating an international friendship quilt was highlighted in The Cambrian newspaper.

Penny Sannella of Cambria was one of 12 Bahá’ís linked through an Internet discussion list who collaborated on the quilt, organized by Joan Jensen of Baltimore, Maryland.

Each woman created a square using embroidery, appliques, and other techniques. Ms. Jensen created a large center square and put the quilt together.

Since then, the quilt has been traveling to the women’s hometowns. In Cambria, the quilt was exhibited at the town library for a month. [Page 15]

Music tour spreads teachings in emerging nation

Interview by RAMZIA DUSZYNSKI

One Heart Singers (from left) Pierre Weber, Anne Biswell, Serge Thill, Jan Faulkner and Cathy Higgins toured Macedonia in a summer teaching project.

For two very special weeks in July, the One Heart Singers spread the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh in Macedonia, a country born amid the breakup of Yugoslavia.

“We are awed by the openness of the people of Macedonia,” said Anne Biswell, a member of the international musical teaching group, calling the tour an “incredible, overwhelming experience.”

“We performed in three cities—Prilep, Skopje and Bitola—and each of the concerts was precious, each one inspired by a spirit of unity,” Ms. Biswell said.

In September, the singers received a special message from the Continental Board of Counselors in Europe, congratulating the ensemble “on the amazing impact you had on the local community of Macedonia as well as on very successful outcome of your teaching and proclamation activities.”

The trip was supported in part by local and national Bahá’í communities and donations from the friends.

In this interview, Ms. Biswell conveys the excitement of helping unlock hearts with music in a new country.

Q. How and why did you get together?

A. All five members of One Heart Singers are experienced musicians. We met while participating in the Voices of Bahá European choir tour, and after that we decided to organize a mobile music teaching ensemble.

Cathy Higgins lives in Concord, New Hampshire; Lady Jan Faulkner is from Fillmore, California; Pierre Weber and Serge Thill are from Luxembourg. I live in Kansas City, Missouri.

Together we form a five-part vocal ensemble, plus Pierre on piano, Serge on oboe and Cathy and Jan on guitars. Claire Thill takes care of audio and video recording.

We named our ensemble One Heart Singers because we really care for each other and because we want to unite the hearts of as many people as we can.

Q. Why did you choose to go to Macedonia?

A. The project was planned and carried out with the support and assistance of the International Teaching Center, the Continental Board of Counselors for Europe, and most directly, the National Spiritual Assembly of Austria and its Teaching Committee. ...

Our effort was a part of a long-term teaching project of the Austrian community, which is working to help establish a National Assembly in Macedonia.

We worked closely with the members of the international teaching team: Amin Reyhani of Vienna (Austria); Wafa Enayati of Magdeburg, Germany; Haleh Abdian of Austria; Nura Hofmann of Germany; Armin Sadged of Linz, Austria.

Two youth from the United States, Alim Beveridge of San Francisco and Jannine Gundersen of Atlanta, together with the Austrian youth blanketed the three cities with posters and fliers advertising the concerts and teaching dozens of people in the streets on a daily basis. The posters had been designed by artist Mary Rowe of Kansas City.

Q. What are the most special memories of your teaching trip?

A. At our first concert, in Prilep, we were amazed to find a large heart (one heart!) painted on the stage floor to indicate stage front center. We took it as a sign of divine confirmation.

Then, a thunderstorm caused us to start the first song of the concert in pitch-black darkness, which the friends miraculously illumined with candlelight. Power returned just after we finished singing the prayer “All Praise Be to Thee.” Quite impressive for the opening number of our debut!

And about 50 people remained at least one hour after the concert because of the pouring rain and lightning, listening to “fireside” songs and discussing the message of Bahá’u’lláh. After each concert, piles of Bahá’í books and pamphlets in the Macedonian language were distributed.

In Bitola we sang in a converted mosque. To sing “Allahumma” and “O Bahá’u’lláh” in a house of worship of Islam, so close to where Bahá’u’lláh spent portions of His exile, inspired us to dedicate our performance in the name of Muhammad. The fact that we were Westerners praising God in Arabic in a land of strongly divided Christian and Islamic adherents, we hope, gave the witnesses pause to reflect.

As it was a night of the Bitola Summer Festival, there were even more listeners standing outside the mosque than there were people able to sit inside. We hear that the acoustics outside were even better than they were inside!

Later that night, we held a symbolic Nineteen Day Feast in the beautiful meeting room of the Bitola Bahá’í Center, with prayers for the formation of a local Spiritual Assembly in that city.

In Skopje we sang in the hall of the City Museum, an old train station which has been converted to an art gallery. People in the overflow crowd were standing and sitting on the amazing staircases that reached overhead four stories high, while a TV camera recorded the concert. The atmosphere was charged with such a regality and nobility. ... We have never experienced such very special feelings.

Q. Did you get any media coverage?

A. Oh, yes! Access to TV and radio was surprisingly easy. Instant live coverage and extensive interviews were common.

During our tour we totaled four radio interviews, four TV interviews and one newspaper interview, ranging from 10 to 45 minutes.

Our live interview for the Macedonian National Radio lasted 40 minutes and included singing five songs a cappella.

Q. How did the people of Macedonia respond to your teaching efforts?

A. We met Macedonians from all stations of life. They are a people proud of their heritage and country, eager for international attention and friendly, mindful lovers of music and art. ...

The variety of music we performed—from pop and gospel to classical solo and ensemble pieces—was, as I learned, one of the most impressive elements to our audience. But most of all they enjoyed rousing gospel music. I saw them with tears streaming down their faces hearing the words of Bahá’u’lláh for the first time.

Musical firesides were held every evening at the Center for people we had met in the studios and cultural centers, and people the youth and others on the teaching teams had met and on the streets each day. We had incredibly long conversations with receptive, multilingual people in each city. We fell in love with the people of Macedonia!

The result is that a strong core of seekers has been created in the Macedonia community, and powerful bonds of unity forged with the people of the media, the cultural centers and with other individuals, ‎may many‎ of whom are people of great capacity.

Even though we didn’t have any declarations at that time, I’m sure it will happen very soon. We looked into people’s eyes and their hearts were singing together with us in unison.

The most important thing is that the baton was passed to a fresh team of teachers from Austria, who stayed in Macedonia to carry on the work. ... Our love and prayers go with them.

Q. Are you planning to go back to Macedonia?

A. We’d like to go back; we have not decided yet. We have so many plans—go to Germany, back to Macedonia. ... We want to do the tour in the States.

We pray that the success of our teaching in Macedonia will inspire friends to arise.

The One Heart Singers are working on a journal, to be shared by e-mail, to encourage Bahá’í artists to teach abroad or pioneer. Contact them by e-mail or at Kansas City, MO 64109.

Juliet’s story deals with choices of love

John Homan and Mehr Mansuri portray the Rev. Percy Grant and Juliet Thompson in A Rebel’s Heart. (Photo courtesy of the Bahá’ís of New York)

A Rebel’s Heart could be the story of any of us.

The Shidan Majidi-written play leaps from the pages of Juliet Thompson’s diary, but its theme of head vs. heart is universal.

A recent performance at the Los Angeles Bahá’í Center was part of a West Coast tour for the New York City-spawned production. Organizers hope to take A Rebel’s Heart nationwide eventually.

Review

Most of us are familiar with the basics of Miss Thompson’s story, how she was torn between her devotion to the Bahá’í teachings and her blinding love for the Rev. Percy Grant.

What the play reminds us is that it’s a whole lot better to be under the Covenant’s protection than outside it.

Miss Thompson, though reluctant, follows ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s admonition to stop seeing the Rev. Grant. As for the preacher, he dies young and penniless after his parishioners catch on to his womanizing.

It is illustrative that the Master knows of—indeed witnesses firsthand—the Rev. Grant’s ways yet allows Miss Thompson to discover those qualities in him herself. And He continues to act lovingly to the preacher and speak well of his good traits right to the end.

Jane K. Hamilton and John Homan deftly tackle a variety of roles in the production. They also quote from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s correspondence with Miss Thompson, taking great pains each time lest the audience gain an impression that anyone is portraying the Master.

Mehr Mansuri plays with confidence a title character whose demeanor is alternately brash and repentant.

Accomplished concert cellist Christine Sweet punctuates scenes with sometimes sweet, sometimes haunting melodies.

After each performance, a Bahá’í is asked to moderate a discussion of the play’s themes by cast and audience members.

All in all, it’s an evening both entertaining and informative.

— Tom Mennillo [Page 16]

Individual Rights and Freedoms in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh

This is the third installment of a series of commentaries written on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly in response to a letter from the Universal House of Justice to the American Bahá’í community dated December 29, 1988, titled "Individual Rights and Freedoms in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh."

Section 3

The equilibrium of responsibilities implied by all this presupposes maturity on the part of all concerned. This maturity has an apt analogy in adulthood in human beings. How significant is the difference between infancy and childhood, adolescence and adulthood! In a period of history dominated by the surging energy, the rebellious spirit and frenetic activity of adolescence, it is difficult to grasp the distinguishing elements of the mature society to which Bahá’u’lláh beckons humanity. The models of the old world order blur vision of that which must be perceived; for these models were, in many instances, conceived in rebellion and retain the characteristics of the revolutions peculiar to an adolescent, albeit necessary, period in the evolution of human society. The very philosophies which have provided the intellectual content of such revolutions—Hobbes, Locke, Jefferson, Mill come readily to mind—were inspired by protest against the oppressive conditions which revolutions were intended to remedy. (See items 45-48 at right)

These characteristics are conspicuous, for example, in the inordinate skepticism regarding authority, and consequently, in the grudging respect that the citizens of various nations show toward their governments; they have become pronounced in the incessant promotion of individualism, often to the detriment of the wider interests of society. How aptly, even after the lapse of half a century, Shoghi Effendi’s views, as conveyed by his secretary, fit the contemporary scene: "Our present generation, mainly due to the corruptions that have been identified with organizations, seems to stand against any institution. Religion as an institution is denounced. Government as an institution is denounced. Even marriage as an institution is denounced. We Bahá’ís should not be blinded by such prevalent notions. If such were the case, all the divine Manifestations would not have invariably appointed someone to succeed Them. Undoubtedly, corruptions did enter those institutions, but these corruptions were not due to the very nature of the institutions but to the lack of proper directions as to their powers and nature of their perpetuation. What Bahá’u’lláh has done is not to eliminate all institutions in the Cause but to provide the necessary safeguards that would eliminate corruptions that caused the fall of previous institutions. What those safeguards are is most interesting to study and find out and also most essential to know." (49-52)

We make these observations not to indulge in criticism of any system, but rather to open up lines of thought, to encourage a reexamination of the bases of modern society, and to engender a perspective for consideration of the distinctive features of the Order of Bahá’u’lláh. What, it could be asked, was the nature of society that gave rise to such characteristics and such philosophies? Where have these taken mankind? Has their employment satisfied the needs and expectations of the human spirit? The answers to such questions could lay the ground for a contrasting observation of the origin and nature of the characteristics and philosophy underlying that Order. (53-55)

Section 4

As to freedom of expression, a fundamental principle of the Cause, the Administrative Order provides unique methods and channels for its exercise and maintenance; these have been amply described in the writings of the Faith, but they are not yet clearly understood by the friends. For Bahá’u’lláh has extended the scope and deepened the meaning of self-expression. In His elevation of art and of work performed in the service of humanity to acts of worship can be discerned enor-

Comments and questions

45. This paragraph makes three distinct points. The first is the analogy between the development of humanity and that of an individual; humankind is now in the stage of adolescence and is moving toward adulthood. The second point is that the models of the old world order, and the frenetic, rebellious, adolescent society around us, blur our vision of the newly emerging society. The third point is that the Western political philosophers of the last several centuries, who wrote about social reorganization, were inspired by oppressive conditions to promote a rebellious spirit.

46. The peace statement of the Universal House of Justice makes a similar point about the through evolutionary stages analogous to the stages of infancy and childhood in the lives of developmental stages of humanity. "The human race, as a distinct, organic unit, has passed its individual members, and is now in the culminating period of its long-awaited coming of age." (The Promise of World Peace, 16)

47. Who were Hobbes, Locke, Jefferson and Mill?

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was one of the first Western political philosophers to examine the nature of authority and the limits of individual rights within a social environment. Having a basic distrust of the "natural" goodness of human beings, Hobbes developed a concept of social contract. This theory maintains that human beings, in a natural state, experienced no governmental authority to control their passions; as a result, life was "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short." Qualities such as justice, mercy, modesty and reciprocity, in Hobbes’s view, were contrary to human instinct. To make life bearable, humans entered into a contract with others whereby the individual transferred some of his or her rights to a sovereign, whose absolute rule guaranteed some security and peace of mind. Thus Hobbes’s philosophy was developed to justify the absolute rule of kings.

John Locke (1632-1704) was born half a century later and wrote in the context of England's Glorious Revolution of 1688, which toppled the king. Locke used Hobbes’s idea of a social contract to justify the Revolution. The purpose of government, he said, was to safeguard "the good of mankind." If the government failed to fulfill its function and uphold individual rights, the people had the right to break the social contract they had made with it, to organize a revolution, and to create a new government in its place. He added that human beings have "inalienable" rights to life, liberty and property.

A century after Locke, Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) brilliantly used Locke’s ideas to justify the American Revolution. The Declaration of Independence, composed largely by Jefferson, says that the ultimate source of political authority is the people, not the king. Governments, it says, were established to assure the citizens of their inalienable rights, including "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." "All men," it adds, are "created equal." If a government were no longer based on the "consent of the governed," it should be overthrown. bed PA

John Stuart Mill (1806-73) was the greatest of the liberal thinkers to defend human freedom. His On Liberty, published in 1859, sought to elevate the principle of protecting the minority from the tyranny of the majority. "The only pupose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will," Mill stated, "is to prevent harm to others." Although he rejected the idea of a social contract as a convenient myth, Mill emphasized that all who live in a society are bound to observe certain lines of conduct toward the rest.

All four men wrote in times of political, social and scientific turmoil: Hobbes during the Scientific Revolution; Locke during the Glorious Revolution; Jefferson during the American Revolution; and Mill during the Industrial Revolution. All of them have exerted great influence on subsequent political thinking and on the revolutions of the 20th century.

48. Give some examples of how the American or other Western political systems retain characteristics that were "conceived in rebellion."

49. In what ways do people in the U.S. excessively promote the individual? In what ways do the laws of the U.S. promote excessive individualism? In what ways do Western governments promote individualism? How is the Bahá’í approach different?

50. In what ways has the present generation denounced the institution of religion? Of government? Of marriage?

In this paragraph the Universal House of Justice quotes Shoghi Effendi’s statement that "we Bahá’ís should not be blinded by such prevalent notions. If such were the case, all the divine Manifestations would not have invariably appointed a successor to succeed them." What does Shoghi Effendi mean?

Consider the following passage from a letter from the Universal House of Justice: "There is, for example, the Greater Covenant which every Manifestation of God makes with His followers, promising that in the fullness of time a new Manifestation will be sent, and taking from them the undertaking to accept Him when He comes. There is also the Lesser Covenant that a Manifestation makes with His followers that they will accept His appointed successor after Him. If they do so, the Faith can remain united and pure. If not, the Faith becomes divided and its force spent." (Universal House of Justice to an individual, letter dated March 23, 1975, quoted in The Power of the Covenant, part 2, 4)

51. A common assumption in the modern world is that institutions necessarily compromise individual rights. What is the Bahá’í perspective on this?

52. What are some of the safeguards that Bahá’u’lláh has established to protect the Administrative Order from corruption? Consider whether previous Manifestations of God have given similar detail about institutions, their "power and nature of their perpetuation."

Some of the various safeguards are: the guarantee of infallible guidance from the Head of the Faith—currently the Universal House of Justice; the promise that Spiritual Assemblies elected in unity and detachment are "truly inspired" in their decisions (Bahá’í Administration, 65); the existence of two parallel institutions in the Administrative Order—the Assemblies and Counselors; the necessity of consultation; and the Bahá’í electoral process—the prohibiting of electioneering, use of the secret ballot, and so on.

What other safeguards can you think of?

53. What was the nature of the society that gave rise to the modern political systems of the West?

54. What sort of modern society have these systems produced? Which needs and expectations of the human spirit have they satisfied, and which have they not satisfied?

55. What limitations do these political systems have in creating a society that is appropriate [Page 17]

DEEPENING/COMMENTARY

mous prospects for a new birth of expression in the civilization anticipated by His World Order. The significance of this principle, now so greatly amplified by the Lord of the Age, cannot be doubted; but it is in its ramifications in speech that keen understanding is urgently needed. From a Bahá’í point of view, the exercise of freedom of speech must necessarily be disciplined by a profound appreciation of both the positive and negative dimensions of freedom, on the one hand, and of speech, on the other. (56-59)

Bahá’u’lláh warns us that "the tongue is a smoldering fire, and excess of speech a deadly poison." "Material fire consumeth the body," He says in elaborating the point, "whereas the fire of the tongue devoureth both heart and soul. The force of the former lasteth but for a time, whilst the effects of the latter endureth a century." In tracing the framework of free speech, He again advises "moderation." "Human utterance is an essence which aspireth to exert its influence and needeth moderation," He states, adding, "As to its influence, this is conditional upon refinement which in turn is dependent upon hearts which are detached and pure. As to its moderation, this hath to be combined with tact and wisdom as prescribed in the Holy Scriptures and Tablets." (60-64)

Also relevant to what is said, and how, is when it is said. For speech, as for so many other things, there is a season. Bahá’u’lláh reinforces this understanding by drawing attention to the maxim that "Not everything that a man knoweth can be disclosed, nor can everything that he can disclose be regarded as timely, nor can every timely utterance be considered as suited to the capacity of those who hear it." (65-66)

Speech is a powerful phenomenon. Its freedom is both to be extolled and feared. It calls for an acute exercise of judgment, since both the limitations of speech and the excess of it can lead to dire consequences. Thus there exist in the system of Bahá’u’lláh checks and balances necessary to the beneficial uses of this freedom in the onward development of society. A careful examination of the principles of Bahá’í consultation and the formal and informal arrangements for employing them offer new insights into the dynamics of freedom of expression. (67-68)

As it is beyond the scope of this letter to expatiate upon these principles, let it suffice to recall briefly certain of the requisites of consultation, particularly for those who serve on Spiritual Assemblies. Love and harmony, purity of motive, humility and lowliness amongst the friends, patience and long-suffering in difficulties—these inform the attitude with which they proceed "with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity, care and moderation to express their views," each using "perfect liberty" both in so doing and in "unveiling the proof of his demonstration." "If another contradicts him, he must not become excited because if there be no investigation or verification of questions and matters, the agreeable view will not be discovered neither understood." "The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions." If unanimity is not subsequently achieved, decisions are arrived at by majority vote. (69-70)

Once a decision has been reached, all members of the consultative body, having had the opportunity fully to state their views, agree wholeheartedly to support the outcome. What if the minority view is right? "If they agree upon a subject," ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has explained, "even though it be wrong, it is better than to disagree, and be in the right, for this difference will produce the demolition of the divine foundation. Though one of the parties may be in the right and they disagree, that will be the cause of a thousand wrongs, but if they agree and both parties are in the wrong, as it is in unity, the truth will be revealed and the wrong made right." Implicit in this approach to the social utility of thought is the profundity of the change in the standard of public discussion intended by Bahá’u’lláh for a mature society. (71-72)

The qualities by which the individual can achieve the personal discipline necessary to successful consultation find their full expression in what Shoghi Effendi regarded as the "spirit of a true Bahá’í." Ponder, for instance, the appealing remark addressed to your own community in one of his earliest letters: "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." This was an appeal to the maturity and the distinction toward which he repeatedly directed their thoughts. (73-74)

to the current stage of human maturity?

56. The paragraph discusses three ways Bahá’u’lláh has extended the scope and deepened the meaning of self-expression. One is His elevation of self-expression in the form of art to an act of worship. Another is His similar elevation of self-expression in the form of work performed in a spirit of service to humanity. Bahá’u’lláh has also written extensively about the significance both positive and negative of self-expression in terms of speech.

57. Notice that "freedom of expression" is described as a "fundamental principle of the Cause."

58. The methods and channels for the exercise and maintenance of freedom of expression provided by the Administrative Order are described later in the letter. The Universal House of Justice notes that these methods and channels "are not yet clearly understood by the friends." What are some of the "methods and channels" that you can describe?

59. Can you think of reasons why the exercise of freedom of speech must necessarily be disciplined by a greater appreciation of its positive and negative aspects?

60. Bahá’u’lláh says, in this connection, "O Emigrants! The tongue I have designed for the mention of Me, defile it not with detraction. If the fire of self overcome you, remember your own faults and not the faults of my creatures, inasmuch as every one of you knoweth his own self better than he knoweth others. (The Hidden Words, Persian #66)

61. Bahá’u’lláh warns about the devastating effects of the "fire of the tongue." Have you experienced instances where rash words once spoken caused harm that was difficult or impossible to undo?

62. Does American society have limitations on freedom of speech? As examples, consider that it is unlawful in the U.S. to shout "fire!" in a crowded theatre and that a person can be sued for slandering someone else (that is, saying false and harmful things about someone). Even a permissive society recognizes some limits on freedom of speech.

63. Give some examples of things that are legally permissible to say under the laws of the U.S., but that devour "both heart and soul."

64. What does it mean to say that human utterance is "an essence which aspireth to exert its influence"? Consider: 1. Does an oral statement inherently seek agreement from the listener? 2. a statement may convey messages different from its contents; 3. a speaker has only limited control over how a statement is interpreted; and 4. a speaker has no control over a listener's later use of the statement.

65. The timing of our words is important. For example, should you start to teach the Faith to a spouse while young children are screaming they are hungry for dinner? We may say the right words on the wrong occasion and cause more harm than good.

66. Is there a distinction between tact and wisdom? Can wise things be said untactfully?

67. What "dire consequences" can result from the excessive limitation of speech? What consequences can result from its excessive exercise?

68. What types of checks and balances on speech do the principles of consultation offer?

69. This and the next two paragraphs of the letter give a few examples of how the principles of consultation channel speech.

70. Is a "clash of differing opinions" necessary or desirable in reaching a decision? What other qualities are mentioned in the Bahá’í Writings on "requisites of consultation"?

tual aspects of the Administrative Order.

71. This seemingly straightforward paragraph sheds light on one of the most profound spiritual aspects of the Administrative Order. It starts by mentioning two features of consultation: 1. a decision should not be made until all have had an opportunity to be heard, and 2. all—even those who did not vote in favor of the decision—must support it. Consider how different are these principles from other decision-making methods. If all must have the opportunity to be heard, the individual participants must be patient and listen and not unnecessarily limit the consultation. The admonition to support "wholeheartedly" the decision is also at variance with America's tradition of dissent. Each participant's primary responsibility is to the institution of the Spiritual Assembly. As the Guardian noted through his secretary, "What the Master desired to protect the friends against was continual bickering and opinionatedness. A believer can ask the Assembly why they made a certain decision and politely ask them to reconsider. But then he must leave it at that, and not go on disrupting local affairs through insisting on his own views. This applies to an Assembly member as well." (quoted in John Kolstoe, Consultation: A Universal Lamp of Guidance [Oxford, George Ronald, 1985], 65)

The statement quoted here captures beautifully the spiritual principle underlying the features of consultation mentioned above. Unity is more important than being right. Disagreements undermine the divine foundation of Bahá’í consultation. Unity, even if initially over a wrong decision, will allow the truth to be revealed. This certainly is distinct from traditional Western political thought. Can one imagine any of America's governmental institutions—the U.S. Senate, the Supreme Court, a city council—basing decisions on the need for unity rather than simply seeking a majority vote?

The paragraph next mentions the "social utility of thought" and notes that Bahá’u’lláh does not confine His comments about it to the functioning of governmental institutions but rather describes it as the standard for all public discussion in a mature society. What is meant by "the social utility of thought"? Does it suggest that what we think and what we say have a substantial impact on the nature of our relationships with one another? Imagine a society in which public discussions focused on a unifying solution to problems and in which political candidates received votes based on the unific solutions to society's problems that they proposed.

Finally, the paragraph suggests a difference between materially and spiritually correct answers to problems. Materially correct answers involve simple scientific or mathematical facts, whereas spiritually correct answers may be composed of many ingredients, of which unity is the determinative and binding ingredient. Without unity there is no spiritually "right" answer, but with unity a number of compositions or approaches will lead to the truth.

72. How does unity permit a group to recognize that it has made an error?

73. Successful consultation—and moderate speech—require personal discipline and the acquisition of a set of qualities that Shoghi Effendi called "the spirit of the true Bahá’í." He sets forth these qualities as the ability to reconcile various contrasting principles. These principles (and some possible ways of thinking about them) are: mercy, which includes compassionate treatment of an offender, contrasted with justice, which implies fitting the punishment to the crime for the good of all; freedom, which tends to remove limits on the individual, with submission, which limits the individual under a higher power; sanctity of the right of the individual, which tends to exalt his independence, with self-surrender, which sacrifices that independence; vigilance, which keeps the individual alert and on guard, with fellowship, in which the individual opens himself or herself to others; discretion, whereby the individual expresses himself carefully and guardedly, with candor, where the individual expresses himself or herself freely; and prudence, in which the individual tends to act cautiously, with courage, wherein the individual acts boldly and decisively. Balancing these tendencies requires maturity and distinction, a state that Shoghi Effendi frequently exhorted the American believers to attain.

74. Why are the qualities of a true Bahá’í as listed by Shoghi Effendi set for in contrast to each other? [Page 18]

Message from the National Youth Committee

Alláh-u-Abhá and greetings from your National Youth Committee! We are eager to increase the level of communication with Bahá’í youth in every region of the country. The Committee feels that a steady outpouring of information regarding events, teaching efforts and individual success stories will be a source of inspiration to youth everywhere. In future youth pages in The American Bahá’í, we want to highlight what youth are thinking, feeling and doing in service to the Cause. Please contact us with any news, suggestions, questions, concerns and artistic work.

We ask that you send us a copy of any local youth newsletters you publish so we can stay informed about all events. You can contact the National Youth Committee by writing or calling the recently-established National Youth Office: National Youth Committee, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, (847)- 733-3499,

Also, please visit our Web page (www.usbnc.org). Provide your Bahá’í ID and last name to access the site, then go to National Spiritual Assembly departments to access the Youth Committee page.

To find out about youth-related activities and programs, we encourage you to subscribe to the following email mailing lists: This forum contains important news and announcements on high school, college and university activities. To subscribe, send your Bahá’í ID number and email address to Discussion group for youth around the world. To subscribe, send your Bahá’í ID number and email address to We look forward to hearing from you and hope you will stay connected to us and to each other.

We encourage you to submit information about US projects that are not listed below to youth activities the National Youth Committee, Youth Committee Office, or the National (847) 733-3499.

Youth Activities

Reserve the Bahá’í Teaching Van through your Local Spiritual Assembly. Traveling teachers or Bahá’í Youth Workshops are encouraged to use this mobile Bahá’í Information Center. Contact Lois Osborn, (423) 476-6248, http://www.globweb.com/van,

Teach at the Bahá’í House of Worship Chicago, Illinois. Youth volunteers needed for service as ushers, tour guides, and House of Worship Activities Office, (847) 853-2300. garden teachers. Must provide room and board. Contact

Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute Hemingway, SC. Youth volunteers needed, preferably 22 and older, to serve in educational program, agriculture, and radio station. Contact LGI, (803) 558-5093,

Green Acre Bahá’í School Eliot, ME Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteers needed. Contact Jim Sacco, (207) 439- 7200,

Slovenia and Croatia "Project 2000." Contact Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Alex Blakeson, (847) 733- 3511,

Tonga Deepening programs (1-2 per month) and week-long village to village teaching projects. Contact Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Alex Blakeson, (847) 733- 3511,

A pioneer in Korea is teaching English to Korean children from the ages of 11 to 16, and is seeking Bahá’í youth to become their penpals. Contact

"First Latin American Bahá’í Youth Congress," Chile, January 1998. This congress will mark an important stage in the history of Latin American Youth. Contact http://www.nur.edu/chile 98.

With loving Bahá’í greetings, The National Youth Committee

Observing Holy Days!

The significance of observing Bahá’í Holy Days is often overlooked given the demands and pressures of our busy American lifestyle. Considering the fact, however, that Bahá’u’lláh designates Holy Day observances as a law in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, as Bahá’í youth we must view this obligation with greater attention and importance. During the Nine Year Plan, the Universal House of Justice exhorted the peoples of the world to observe Holy Days both to strengthen individual obedience and to proclaim the Faith to civil authorities as an independent religion enjoying its own rights and privileges.

ALL BAHÁ’ÍS WHO WORK OR ATTEND SCHOOL MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO GET TIME OFF FOR THE NINE DESIGNATED HOLY DAYS. IN FACT, THIS is the only Bahá’í law which children under the age of 15 are expected to follow, according to the Guardian. The Holy Days, according to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, are the most important days of the year. He reminded the friends that "such days should never be wasted and given over to mere rest from work or aimless pleasure." Instead, the friends are encouraged to discover new and creative ways to commemorate the Holy Days more befittingly each year.

During the months of ‘Ilm and Qudrat, Bahá’ís will be commemorating the anniversaries of the Birth of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Youth are encouraged to create service activities and programs that would befit these two joyous days. A good place to start is by consulting with your local Spiritual Assembly, or ask at your next Nineteen Day Feast, about how you can participate in the planning of these Holy Day celebrations.

In addition, plan to do some kind of service project that is beneficial to the poor, weak, sick or elderly. Identify your communities' needs, be they spiritual or material, and address them on these days—so you can teach the Faith while being of service! If you do something special with your community on either of these days, be it reciting prayers or developing a literacy campaign, please write to the National Youth Committee with your story.

"Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth." — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Bahá’í Youth Chicken Soup!

Have you ever heard of or read Chicken Soup for the Soul? It is a series of books filled with inspiring short stories and poems about everyday life. The youth of the Ona Koppe Bahá’í School in Washington, Michigan, are planning to put together a book along the same lines, but with a Bahá’í twist. Here's how you can help: If you have any funny, heartwarming, enlightening or touching true stories about teaching, the moment you decided to become a Bahá’í, or simply living the Bahá’í life, please consider contributing it to the book! Also welcome are original poems, songs, artwork, jokes, or just a few words that speak to the heart and soul. Contributions of 500 words or less will be most appreciated. Include your name, community, address, country of origin, and a brief biographical description. Submit your contributions by October 20. Don't send your only copy. as organizers cannot return any material. Entries will be compiled into a book designed to inspire Bahá’ís and their friends. The book will be available for a small donation to cover publishing costs, with the proceeds to support the Arc. Send responses to Elizabeth Henderson, PO. Box 36, Lakeville, MI, 48367,

‘Abdu’l-Bahá stated, "Nine days in the year have been appointed on which work is forbidden." These are:

March 21: Naw-Rúz April 21, 1863: 1st Day of Ridván April 29, 1863: 9th Day of Ridván May 2, 1863: 12th Day of Ridván May 23, 1844: Declaration of the Báb May 29, 1892: Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh July 9, 1850: Martyrdom of the Báb October 20, 1819: Birth of the Báb November 12, 1817: Birth of Bahá’u’lláh

The other two Holy Days which do not require suspension from work, but which the friends can still commemorate are:

November 26: Day of the Covenant November 28, 1921: Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

UN Highlights

In October 1985 the Universal House of Justice addressed the peoples of the world with the promise that "world peace is not only possible, but inevitable." The Supreme Body placed a special responsibility upon today's youth when it stated, "Indeed, let it be this generation that inaugurates this glorious stage in the evolution of social life on the planet." How can US Bahá’í youth prepare themselves for the discharge of their responsibilities as the processes of the Lesser Peace converge at the end of the century? In the 1996 Ridván message, the House of Justice noted that the "outstanding contributions of the youth" included the "participation of youth in external affairs activities." What opportunities do Bahá’í youth have for this work? Hone your skills in scholarship to apply Bahá’í principles more effectively to the many ills of society. Start a Bahá’í club at your high school or college to discuss the Bahá’í perspective on current events and to engage in service projects with other student clubs. Sponsor a study circle to discuss articles in the academic quarterlies, World Order and The Journal of Bahá’í Studies, and give gift subscriptions to your school library. Join or start a Model UN program through your high school and university. Incorporate statements by the Bahá’í International Community at the UN into your school papers. Join the local chapter of the UN Association (UNA), an organization supported by the National Spiritual Assembly. Sponsor an activity or in organizing activities for UN special event days such as United Nations Day October 24, Human Rights Day December 10 and International Women's Day March 8. Bahá’í college clubs may wish to consult with their sponsoring Assemblies about naming a public information representative who would be responsible for sharing information about Bahá’í activities and approaches to contemporary issues through appropriate media on campus. For assistance, contact the US Office of Public Information, 866 UN Plaza, Suite 120, NY, NY 10017, (212) 803-2500,

For information on the statements and activities of the NSA and the Bahá’í International Community at the UN, or on UNA and Model UN programs, contact the US/UN Bahá’í Office, 866 UN Plaza, Suite 120, NY, NY 10017, (212) 803-2500.

Quote Corner

We challenge you to memorize a quote each Bahá’í month and to use it in some way in a teaching opportunity. Happy reciting!

FOR THE MONTH OF KNOWLEDGE/ILM: "The third Tajalli is concerning arts, crafts and sciences. Knowledge is as wings to man's life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone. The knowledge of such sciences, however, should be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth, and not those which begin with words and end with words." Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 51-52.

FOR THE MONTH OF POWER/QUDRAT: "Promote ye the development of the cities of God and His countries, and glorify Him in the joyous accents of His well-favored ones. In truth, the hearts of men are edified through the power of the tongue, even as houses and cities are built up by the hand and other means. We have assigned to every end a means for its accomplishment; avail yourselves thereof, and place your trust and confidence in God, the Omniscient, the All-Wise." Bahá’u’lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, pp. 76-77. [Page 19]

Green Acre events focus on UN, women’s status

Green Acre Bahá’í School’s first Concert-Picnic on the Piscataqua July 6, a joy-filled event by the riverside, featured the soul-stirring sounds of the Bahá’í gospel choir Voices of Glory, directed by Eric Dozier. Evelyn McDonald, a third-generation Baptist minister from Boston, also lent her voice as guest singer for the second year in a row.

Later in July, the annual celebration of Green Acre founder Sarah Jane Farmer’s birthday was hosted by members of the Sarah Farmer Women’s Center in Eliot, Maine. Benefiting the local library association, the event drew a number of townspeople as well as Bahá’ís and their friends.

Singer-songwriter Mary Davis of Asheville, North Carolina, took the stage Aug. 3 for the second of Green Acre’s Concert-Picnics, “In A Woman’s Voice.” She was joined in performance by her daughters Emma and Bonnie and her sister Kathy Cowan.

Green Acre’s summer program also included a celebration of the 85th Anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to the school in 1912.

As a special invitation to enjoy upcoming sessions during a colorful autumn in southern Maine, all programs scheduled for October have been discounted 20 percent.

Coming soon are:

Oct. 24–26: “Bringing the UN Home,” presented by Jeffrey Huffines, U.S. Bahá’í representative to the United Nations, focusing on the Bahá’í role at the UN and local action with a global vision. A free public panel discussion is set for Saturday evening.

Oct. 30–Nov. 2: Pioneering/Bahá’í Youth Service Corps/SITA Institute presented by the Office of Pioneering. Also: Ask about a special Weekend Institute on Service for Youth ages 15 and up to be scheduled in October, facilitated by Robin and Rebecca Murphy.

Nov. 7–10: “Two Wings of a Bird.” Dr. Beth Bowen, Bahá’í International Community representative to many UN conferences on advancement of women, offers an update on progress since the Beijing Conference. Before the course, participants should study the National Spiritual Assembly’s statement Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men.

Nov. 14–16: Seekers and New Believers Weekend, facilitated by Nancy Modern and Sylvia Kaye. Not for new believers only, this course is designed to share an overview of its history and teachings and to evoke a sense of joy and purpose in being a Bahá’í. A 30% discount is offered for seekers and those who bring them.

Nov. 28–30: “Bridges from the Bible” with Gary Matthews examines the Christian and Biblical foundations of Bahá’í belief, based in part on the presenter’s book, He Cometh with Clouds. Emphasis is on building bridges of trust and understanding with Christians.

Nov. 28–30: “The Worlds of God,” led by Diane Iverson and Ron Tomanio, members of the Foundation for the Science of Reality. Confront the challenge to find solutions to fundamental problems described in The Promise of World Peace and The Prosperity of Humankind—“a misconception of human nature” and “a distortion of the human spirit.”

Dec. 6–7 and 13–14: Teacher training for the Core Curriculum for Spiritual Education of Children explores the spiritual reality of the child, the station of the teacher, the “child-development-centered community” and the first sections of the curriculum for ages 6–12. The course covers both weekends.

For more information or to register, contact Green Acre Bahá’í School (phone 207-439-7200, fax 207-438-9940, e-mail).

Mary Davis performs during a Concert-Picnic on the Piscataqua Aug. 3 at Green Acre Bahá’í School. (Green Acre photo)

NABI Pow-Wow proves to be source of energy

The spiritual energy and wide range of participation at this year’s Native American Bahá’í Institute Pow-Wow and Youth Conference has given the believers in the Southwest greater confidence that the process of entry by troops has been advanced among the indigenous peoples of the region.

The events, held between July 31 and Aug. 3 at the Native American Bahá’í Institute in Houck, Arizona, attracted both Bahá’ís and friends of the Faith to events that combined the Bahá’í writings and spirit of unity with traditional Native American ways of developing the spiritual being.

For instance, a traditional talking circle allowed many of the 35 participating youths to openly express and share the spiritual triumphs and tests Bahá’í youth must face. This in-depth and heartfelt session also served as a forum for the youth to use their skills in Bahá’í consultation.

This women’s Jingle Dress Dance group was among many performers at the NABI Pow-Wow in early August. (NABI photo)

The highlight for many of the youths was a sweat ceremony held under the supervision of program coordinators. The youths entered the sweat lodge four times, each time sharing rounds of Bahá’í prayers, writings and songs. All 25 participants said they found a new appreciation for the Words of Bahá’u’lláh and felt a new unity with one another.

Sessions at the conference stressed consultation, spiritual education, children as peacemakers, paths of healing, foundations for world unity and the lives of heroes and heroines of the Faith.

NABI youth service volunteers had opportunities to speak to participants, stressing the importance of teaching in and around their communities.

All the youth were invited to return to the institute to take part in NABI’s unique youth service program, which focuses on teaching and serving the indigenous people of the Southwest.

The pow-wow attracted many participants not only from the Navajo nation, but other indigenous people from around the country as well. Members of the Zuni Nation in New Mexico attended, and others traveled from as far as California, Illinois and Montana.

Performers from outside the Bahá’í community included the 20-member Tohono O’odham Nation Dancers from Gila Bend, Arizona. It was a second visit for many of the dancers, helping them become more familiar with the work of the institute as well as with the Bahá’í Faith. Also, Cynthia Walker, this year’s Navajo Nation Princess, interpreted two Bahá’í prayers in sign language during the opening of each day of the pow-wow, accompanied by a reader and flute and drum music.

The event was months in planning and preparation, and drew expressions of love and gratitude from many who participated. The atmosphere also renewed the faith of one of the Navajo visitors, who got back in touch with his belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

Louhelen celebrates ‘homecoming’

Louhelen Bahá’í School drew many of the friends “home” with a Homecoming Weekend Aug. 26–Sept. 1. They were treated to insights from David Ruhe on how the world is preparing for the Bahá’í Faith, while Margaret Ruhe shared personal stories of the Hands of the Cause of God and of the early days at Louhelen.

In addition, Dr. Kerry McCord spoke of matters of the heart and mind and of attaining the Divine Presence.

A highlight of the weekend was a gospel and jazz musical celebration lovingly dedicated to the memory of Rebecca Wideman, who passed away in June after serving at Louhelen Bahá’í School more than 50 years.

Now the staff has its sights turned toward its fall and winter sessions, held at the campus near Davison, Michigan:

Oct. 31–Nov. 2: “The Covenant and Community Transformation” with Clark Donnelly and Danielle Woodward. The primacy of the Covenant is the crucial component in exploring a case study of community development on two First Nations reservations in Canada. This session integrates practical skill development with study of the Bahá’í Writings. A piano concert will be featured Saturday evening.

Nov. 7–9: Youth Eagle Institute with Rebequa Murphy, Robin Murphy and Dr. William Smits. This institute offers youth ages 15 and up an opportunity to take a closer look at their important role in the Four Year Plan. Through varied learning experiences, including arts and drama, they will explore the Writings as well as practical steps to incorporate this knowledge into our daily lives.

Nov. 14–16: “Pen of Glory” with Dr. David Ruhe and Margaret Ruhe; harp and vocal music by Caroline McKay. This unique session features stirring presentations on the Baghdad years of Bahá’u’lláh’s life, based on his forthcoming book, Pen of Glory, as well as Margaret Ruhe’s heartwarming stories of early believers and Hands of the Cause and of her years as a guide at the shrines in the Holy Land. A celebration of the Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh will take place Saturday evening. A children’s program is offered for the full weekend.

Nov. 21–23: “Finding Spiritual Solutions to Social Problems,” with Dr. Hoda Mahmoudi. Designed for mature youth, college clubs and adults, this session addresses contemporary and social issues, including equality of women and men, race unity, science and religion, the environment, overcoming the disparity of rich and poor, and day-to-day business ethics.

Dec. 5–7: “The History and Future of the Covenant” with Derek Cockshut. A verse-by-verse consideration of the Will and Testament of Bahá’u’lláh (Kitáb-i-Ahd) and the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Dec. 27–Jan. 1, Winter School courses: “The Kitáb-i-Aqdas and the Creation of Justice” with Dr. Holly Hanson, and “Teaching the Bahá’í Faith to African-Americans During the Four Year Plan” with Dr. Richard Thomas. [Page 20]

’Trek’ weekend helps set pace for fall programs at Bosch

Artistic expression abounded during the late summer program at Bosch Bahá’í School, and was an integral component of a spiritually invigorating curriculum.

The GWEn Arts Council (Gwen Wakeling Endowment for the Arts) strengthened this aspect of Bahá’í schooling, coordinating presentations and workshops on such subjects as music fundamentals, vocal music, drawing and painting, speech, acting and movement.

Highlights of the sessions were the evening performances, including a jazz combo featuring Tierney Sutton, Alan Kaplan, Jay Corre, Bob Alcivar, Paul Seaforth, and guest artists John Shifflett and Eddie Marshall. Kenji Konishi offered a visual presentation on "Art and Spirituality." Susan Hegarty treated participants to a premiere reading of her new play on the life of Juliet Thompson.

Other outstanding sessions featured Michael Penn in the "The True Spirit of Teaching," Derek Cockshut on "Compassion," and Jennifer Wilson on "Spiritual Transformation." Habib Riazati presented classes in English and Persian on the Kitáb-i-Íqán and Joel and Esther Orona offered a special perspective on the "Maturation of the Institutions."

The fall programs are expected to be as energizing, with a brisk pace set by the annual "Star Trek" Teaching Weekend, which beams down Oct. 24-26, and "The Kitáb-i-Aqdas and You," to be facilitated Oct. 31-Nov. 2 by Azadeh Hana Kneisler.

The annual Latino Conference Nov. 7-9 will feature Counselor Arturo Serrano. A Nov. 21-23 session on "Business Ethics and the Bahá’í Faith" will be conducted by Dr. Dorothy Marcic, Melita Elmore, Trip Barthel, Channing Miller and Lee Radcliff; and a youth training conference on marriage and family will be presented by Auxiliary Board member Marsha Gilpatrick and Nabil Fares.

A special fund-raiser event is planned for Nov. 14-16. The extravaganza will include National Spiritual Assembly member Jack McCants, Narges, Phyllis Ruoco, Adrienne Ewing-Rouch and Kamil Finlay. It will be an outstanding weekend of music and fun.

In the first winter session, Dec. 26-Jan. 1, Jeffrey Huffines will present "The Bahá’í Faith and the United Nations," Christine Rayner will return to do a program on "Bahá’í Family Life," and Richard Hoff will demonstrate "Teaching for Enrollment."

Plan on attending and being part of your Bahá’í schools.

ASSOCIATION FOR BAHÁ’Í STUDIES

Fostering Human Rights: Developing Pathways to Peace 21st Annual Conference *Washington, D.C.* November 14-16, 1997

Guest speakers will include: Judge Dorothy Nelson, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Hasan Balyuzi Lecturer Techeste Ahderom, Principal Representative to the U.N., Bahá’í International Community Dwight Allen, Old Dominion University Lester Brown, President, WorldWatch Institute Suheil Bushrui, University of Maryland, Bahá’í Chair for World Peace Susan Clay, U.S. Agency for International Development Richard Claude, Professor Emeritus, University of Maryland and Co-editor of Human Rights Education for the 21st Century Kit Cosby, Coordinator for External Affairs, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States Firuz Kazemzadeh, Professor Emeritus, Yale University Shulamith Koenig, People's Decade for Human Rights Education David Little, Senior Scholar, U.S. Institute of Peace Ambassador John McDonald, Chairman, Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy Sonia Picado, Costa Rican Ambassador to the United States, Inter-American Institute for Human Rights Congressman John Porter, Co-Chair of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus Shapour Rassekh, Continental Board of Counselors for Europe David Smith, Continental Board of Counselors for the Americas

Conference Registration Costs Adult members of the ABS: $80 (September 20 deadline) $90 (October 20 deadline) $100 On-site Non-member adults: Add $40 (this fee includes an annual membership). Registration for children: $50 by September 20 $60 On-site. [Ages 5-12 years] Discounts are also available for couples, seniors, and students.

ASSOCIATION FOR BAHÁ’Í STUDIES - CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM 21st Annual Conference - 14-16 November 1997 at the Renaissance Hotel: (202) 898-9000 or 1-800-HOTELS1 Please send registration forms for each individual by fax to (613) 233-3644 or by phone to (613) 233-1903 or by mail to the Association for Bahá’í Studies at 34 Copernicus St., Ottawa, Ontario KIN 7K4, Canada Visit our Web Site: http//www.pagecreator.com/-newsroom and click on "ABS News In Brief" or E-mail us at Name: Address: City: Province/State: Postal/Zip Code: Telephone: E-Mail Address: For Discount Air Travel: Air Canada #CV971273 or United Airlines Meeting ID #514MK Association for Bahá’í Studies Expiry Date: Life Member: If this registrant is a child, please indicate age: Please specify special needs of child: Total Amount: VISA/MasterCard/AmEx Number: Expiration Date: Cardholder's Name (Please Print): Signature: Check: Money Order:

Regional schools across U.S. plan fall, winter sessions

November

Wisconsin: Nov. 7-9 Program: "Light in Darkness." A weekend to invite friends and family close to the Faith. Location: Byron Center, Brownsville, Wisconsin. Facilities: Semi-private rooms with shared bathroom. Recreation: Hiking. Registrar: Lisa Riemer, West Bend, WI 53095 (phone 414-338-3023).

Alabama/Florida "Royal Falcon," Nov. 14-16 Program: Speakers include Tod Ewing, Alberta Deas and Charles Bullock. Location: Pensacola Beach, Florida (for hotel reservations call 800-232-2416). Contact: Carol Payne, P.O. Box 289, Skipperville, AL 36374 (phone 334-774-0020).

Florida, Nov. 27-30 Program: "The Four Year Plan." Location: Holiday Inn, Cocoa Beach, Florida. Contact: Denise Godsey (phone 954-942-1844).

Oregon Western, "Menucha," Nov. 27-30 Program: Designed for adults and youth 15 and older. Speakers include Henri Cross, Barbara Rosencrantz and Dr. Faris Badi’í. Location: Wooded retreat center about 20 miles east of Portland overlooking the Columbia Gorge. Facilities: Dormitories and a limited number of semi-private rooms. Bring your own bedding, pillows and towels, and pack warm clothes. Recreation: Hiking. Registrar: Lynne Nesbit, Portland, OR 97213 (phone 503-236-4708). Space is limited.

December

Texas North, Dec. 19-22 Location: New site! Green Family Camp near Waco Registrar: Homa Villagomez (phone 817-451-1819).

California Southern, Dec. 26-28 Program: Family camp. Speakers include Cynthia Thomas. Location: Pilgrim Pines Oak Glen, behind Yucaipa, CA in the San Bernardino Mountains. Facilities: Cabins with showers; room for 1-2 families per cabin. Dormitory space for disabled participants. Registrar: Edye York, Ontario, CA 91764 (for information phone 909-983-1022, 909-735-1509, or 909-987-7129). Space is limited to 84.

January

Illinois "Heartland," Jan. 2-4, 1998 Location: Hilton Hotel, Springfield, Illinois. Program: "Connecting our Hearts with Love and Unity Workshop on celebrating diversity facilitated by Aden Lauchner, panels on "Releasing our Power to Love" and "Loving the Unlovable," and other classes. Registrar: Carl Clingenpeel, Aurora, IL 60504 (phone 630-898-6385). Early registration deadline Dec. 1.

Colorado East, Jan. 9-11 Location: Barclay Lodge at YMCA Estes Park Center, Estes Park, Colorado. Registrar: Don Brayton, Woodland Park, CO 80863 (phone 719-687-3351).

March

North Dakota, March 27-29, 1998 Location: Mayville University, Mayville, North Dakota [Page 21]

Former Soviet areas raise communities through education

Bahá’í education in the nations of the former Soviet Union has produced not only greater confirmation in the Faith, but also new enrollments at times. In Belarus, the Borrah Kavelin Training Institute June 28-July 6 about 130 miles from Minsk focused on study of the Writings, deepening one’s spiritual vision and prayer and meditation. Participants were pleased to find a spirit of unity between city and village dwellers, and the five visitors who were inspired to declare their faith included a mother and two daughters living in a previously unopened village.... Closer to Minsk, at the National Training Institute at Smole, Belarus, a summer school focusing on spiritual education of children, Bahá’í family values and teaching in small groups inspired nine guests of the Bahá’ís to declare their faith.... In Georgia, a series of Training Institutes for Service has been using materials developed by the Bahá’í World Center and the Ruhi Institute has been preparing the believers—many of them new enrollees—to spread awareness of the Bahá’í writings and life from region to region, through intensive study of the Writings, life and death, prayer, service and the spiritual aspect of material giving. ... A summer school in Nabran, Azerbaijan, covering the Writings, Bahá’í history and administration, and individual responsibilities, inspired dozens of participants to prepare personal teaching plans for the Four Year Plan.

Youth made up the majority of 32 new declarants in late June and early July in Lesotho, largely inspired by a youth institute at the National Center in the capital, Maseru, that used the Spirit of Africa training method. After readings, prayers and music, institute participants dispersed through villages to teach and invite people to attend afternoon performances of music, drama and dance. The teaching work ranged from Mafeteng, 110 miles south of Maseru, to Butha-Buthe, 160 miles north of the capital. The new Bahá’ís included eight youths participating in the institute.

The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum delivered the opening address at the Second National Bahá’í Congress of Spain, held in Madrid and commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Faith on the Iberian Peninsula. The event July 25-26 was attended by more than 1,500 people from 44 countries around the world, including representatives of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Portugal and the Canary Islands, as well as delegates from the government Ministry of Justice and the Jewish and evangelical communities of Spain.

The Hand of the Cause praised the "befitting speeches" and music and dance performances at Madrid's Palace of Congresses. The meeting also featured a tribute to Virginia Orbison, who introduced the Faith to Spain in 1946, and an onstage gathering of believers from the first decade of the Faith in the peninsula.

Intensive teaching projects in the areas near Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo have resulted in 23 people declaring their faith in Bahá’u’lláh within 28 days. That teaching work helped open five new localities to the Faith.

A seven-day teaching project instigated in June by two local Spiritual Assemblies in the state of Assam, India, resulted in 56 new declarations in three villages. The project, based in Borara and Barangabari, was expanded by the local Assemblies in those two villages to nearby Gumthapara, where an influx of 35 new believers prompted the Assemblies to help the friends in the new locality to set up Feasts and an administrative committee.

About 100 Bahá’ís from across Europe gathered in Paris, France, in June at special memorial ceremonies for Thomas Breakwell, the first Englishman to declare his faith in Bahá’u’lláh. The National Spiritual Assembly recently discovered the plot where Mr. Breakwell was buried in Paris after his death in 1902, purchased the plot, and arranged for a "noble and beautiful, but simple" headstone. Ceremonies included a prayer service at the grave, attended by former Universal House of Justice member David Hofman and Counselor Louis Hénuzet among others, and a tour of the places associated with the Master’s visit to Paris in 1911, including the apartment at 4 Avenue de Camoëns where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed—acquired only last September by the National Spiritual Assembly.

An instructor at the Bahá’í-sponsored Erdenbulgan Community Development Project in Mongolia demonstrates in April how to grow vegetables with the use of a cold-frame seedling bed. (Bahá’í International News Service photo)

An outreach by the Bahá’ís of Melville, Western Australia, resulted in dozens of people attending a summer meeting about the Faith’s perspective on racism. The main presentation by Duane Varan was on the theme of how racism destroys human dignity and impairs the perpetrator, the affected and society. The Bahá’í New Era Singers performed, and a city council member embraced the Faith two days later. "Many of the guests had long discussions with the Bahá’ís on the Faith and the need to combat racism," Australia’s Bahá’í Bulletin reported.

Elsewhere in the country, the Hawthorn West Primary School in Victoria has opened optional classes on Bahá’í scripture to all students. It is the only public school in Australia that has allowed Bahá’í scripture classes to be held for the last five years, and the classes were previously restricted to Bahá’í students only.

A consolidation project vitalized the Bahá’í community in Törökszentmiklos, Hungary, so quickly that a Nineteen Day Feast in July had to be held on a soccer field because of attendance by more than 150 believers. The project, which included holding children’s and women’s classes on a regular basis, helped attract 100 Roma friends and families to the Faith, and those new Bahá’ís are supporting community activities in large numbers, the National Spiritual Assembly of Hungary reported.

The National Spiritual Assembly of Kenya reported an upsurge in locally planned teaching work that resulted in the addition of 1,400 new believers in the first year of the Four Year Plan, mostly in the country’s Western province. The results came after local Assemblies nationwide took six months out to set local goals and plan teaching projects.... Among the successes was a series of meetings proclaiming the Faith to 3,000 students and employees at Egerton University in Nakura, leading to 17 students and three instructors enrolling into the Faith.

The government Ministry of Culture and Sports in Guatemala organized a special concert by the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Bob Porter, a Bahá’í pioneer in that country since 1970. The concert was publicized nationwide and attracted an audience of 900. Mr. Porter—best known in the United States for his Swing Era music—composed music for the concert inspired by the passages from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh that are inscribed on the House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

[Report on Phoenix Community and Grand Canyon Conference]

"...growth of the world-wide community of the Most Great Name, the force of its outward thrust, and the strength of its supporting roots." They stated also that in light of the high station and responsibilities of a local Spiritual Assembly, the National Spiritual Assembly was concerned that the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Phoenix had been unable to discharge effectively its responsibility of promoting at all times the best interest of the community.

It was announced to the friends that the investigation concluded that there were instances of individual wrongdoing which resulted in the National Spiritual Assembly taking the following actions:

• removal of the administrative rights of Farzin Agahi and C. Theresa Agahi for using funds from the Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference for personal gain, and
• removal of the administrative rights of Riaz Sana for engaging in consignment sales at the Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference.

The National Spiritual Assembly also has given direction to the local Spiritual Assembly to establish procedures and disciplines that will prevent a repeat of recent events and to develop a strategy for nurturing the trust of the Bahá’ís. The local Assembly is to have deep and prayerful discussion of its sacred duties and to seek advice from the Auxiliary Board. The Assembly has been asked to keep the Phoenix Bahá’í community informed of the steps being taken to correct the deficiencies uncovered by the investigation.

Correspondingly, the community has been asked to give its prayerful and wholehearted support and encouragement to the Phoenix Assembly, to make vigorous efforts to advance the teaching work, to assure the success of the next Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference, and to keep Farzin Agahi, Theresa Agahi and Riaz Sana in their prayers.

The Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference will proceed this year, as it has in the past, to gather the friends in an atmosphere designed to motivate their support of the goals of the Plan and to uplift the hearts. The National Spiritual Assembly will continue to monitor its progress through the Oversight Committee to insure that the conference funds will be accounted for appropriately.

The National Assembly has confidence in the ability of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Phoenix to overcome the obstacles in its path and is confident, as well, that the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh will enable the Bahá’í community to rise above this unfortunate situation as it feeds each soul with the spiritual sustenance so necessary to insure a sterling victory for the Faith. [Page 22]

CLASSIFIEDS

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

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

OPPORTUNITIES to serve at the Bahá’í National Center. Materials and Curriculum Developer, Education and Schools Office. Creates and coordinates educational materials serving the needs of the Bahá’í community. Duties include support and communication of Education and Schools Office initiatives, including issues related to the Core Curriculum Training Program and the Education Task Force. Should have bachelor's degree in education or related field, experience with adult education or training, and knowledge of Core Curriculum training programs. Assistant Director for Southeast Asian Program, U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office. Assists the Refugee Coordinator in executing the work of the Department. Primarily responsible for Southeast Asian teaching and consolidation activities. Prepares correspondence to refugees, LSAs, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í agencies (both government and non-government). Prepares monthly, quarterly and annual reports, and the annual budget proposal for the Southeast Asian activities. Gathers, organizes, and reproduces audiovisual and printed materials for the refugee program. Provides administrative and logistical support. Compiles and writes quarterly Southeast Asian Helpers Bulletins and articles for The American Bahá’í and other publications. Coordinator of Volunteer Services, Bahá’í House of Worship. Recruits, places, trains, supervises the House of Worship's volunteer staff. Contributes to a loving and hospitable environment. Recruits and interviews volunteers from among the Bahá’í community for all categories of service at the House of Worship, including guides, speakers, devotional readers, choir members, educational teachers. Must have a clear knowledge of the Bahá’í Teachings and possess such qualities as tact, courtesy, and cheerfulness, both in person and on the telephone. Enjoys interaction with people of all ages and people from all cultures. Evaluates situations logically and reaches sound decisions with limited directions. Must possess excellent command of the English language. Must be computer literate in Word Perfect or Word. Administrative Assistant, Office of the Treasurer. Coordinates the administrative affairs of the office, to include relieving department heads of routine administrative functions. Helps coordinate projects assigned to the office by the National Spiritual Assembly. Exercises leadership in streamlining the administrative work of the office. Advanced knowledge of office technology and computer software such as WordPerfect 5.1, Microsoft Word, Excel, Windows and presentation software. Mainframe computer knowledge helpful. Recruiting Specialist, Department of Human Resources. Identifies the Human Resources staffing needs of the National Bahá’í Administrative offices and agencies; insures that those needs are quickly and efficiently filled with personnel who meet the technical/professional requirements of the positions and the organizational standards for spirit and manner in which the work is accomplished. Needs exceptional interpersonal skills that include courtesy, warmth, hospitality, tact, diplomacy in relaying sensitive information. Must be multi-tasked, extremely flexible, and able to respond to constant change with a kind and loving attitude. Background in recruiting desirable. Able to use WordPerfect and Word for Windows. System Support Specialist, Management Information Systems (MIS). Responsible for the management and maintenance of the following Bahá’í National Center enterprise-wide systems: electronic mail, telecommunications (PBX switches at all sites), help desk and training. This position also provides direct support to the Hardware Support Specialist in the maintenance and troubleshooting of computers and related hardware systems. Will communicate with Network Support Specialist in the operation of all enterprise networks. Programmerl Analyst, Management Information Systems. In this position you will be primarily responsible for enhancing and maintaining existing systems and the planning, development, documentation and support for new client/server systems. Prior Windows programming experience and SQL is necessary along with some knowledge of reporting, HTML, networks, and the Internet. For information on any of these positions, please mail updated resumé to Christine Stanwood, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201, or fax 847-733-3430.

THE Bahá’í International Community has a position open for an aide to the principal representative to the United Nations. The aide will provide administrative and secretarial support, and will work closely with the principal representative at the Bahá’í offices at the UN in New York. The position requires strong writing and verbal skills in English; proficiency in Spanish and/or French in addition is preferred. Knowledge of computerized word processing is essential. Please direct replies to Dorothy Longo, Operations Officer, Bahá’í International Community, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017 (fax 212-803-2566).

TEACHING-EDUCATION Coordinator needed at Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina. Responsible for planning, implementation and evaluation of all teaching and education programs at the Institute. Four years' administrative/management experience and a graduate degree in education, management or a comparable field desired. For information or an application, please contact Christine Stanwood, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201, or fax 847-733-3430.

ADMINISTRATIVE coordinator, Bosch Bahá’í School. Knowledge of computer programs, specifically Word, My List, Meeting Pro, Publisher, PageMaker, Quicken, CC:Mail and Pro-Cite desired. Communication skills including the ability to generate written correspondence, accounting and bookkeeping experience, typing skills and knowledge of most office business machines required. Some college required, bachelor's degree preferred. Candidates should be knowledgeable about the spiritual, administrative and historical precepts of the Faith. Experience on a local Assembly or other administrative communities is highly desirable. Please send resumés to Mark Bedford, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-9615, phone 408-423-3387, or fax 408-423-7564.

MAINTENANCE worker needed at the Native American Bahá’í Institute. Should have some knowledge of building construction and repair. Please send resumé to Joel Orona at NABI, Box 3167, Houck, AZ 86506 (phone 520-587-7599, fax 520-521-1063) and a resumé to Christine Stanwood, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201 (fax 847-733-3430).

RETIRED couple or youth on year of service to serve as caretaker and activities coordinator at the Phoenix, Arizona, Bahá’í Center. Teaching and deepening in the Phoenix community (approximately 400 believers, with another 1,000 in the metropolitan area) are intensifying; over 300 seekers have called the Bahá’í Information Line in the last five months and constant and sustained activities must be established at the Center, among other places around the city. Among the goals: to open an office at the Center and keep the bookstore open every day. Please send resumes to PO. Box 9961, Phoenix, AZ 85068-9961 or call 602-995-3817 for information.

OPPORTUNITIES abound in China. The "country of the future" holds excitement and innumerable opportunities. For more information contact Susan Senchuk (phone 847-733-3506, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail

WORLD CENTER SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Have you been searching for the right opportunity to offer your skills in service to the Faith? The Bahá’í World Center is looking for people of different capacities, from youth offering a year of service to retired professionals. Current needs include the following:

Administrative assistants. Responsibilities include routine correspondence, reception, scheduling and clerical work. The ability to manage multiple tasks is essential. Word processing experience is preferable.

Document analysts. Responsibilities include summarizing, retrieving and indexing information. Experience in writing reports and abstracts is helpful. Analytical and reading comprehension skills are desirable. Experience in Bahá’í administration is necessary.

Correspondence processors/quality control. Responsibilities include word processing, editing, proofreading and quality control of documents. Excellence in spelling and grammar skills is required. Must be able to meet deadlines.

Executive secretaries. Responsibilities include initiating and responding to correspondence, writing, analyzing and summarizing reports as well as managing multiple tasks. These positions require strong organizational, analytical and supervisory skills and experience in Bahá’í administration.

Translators. Responsibilities include providing written translation into English from Persian, French, Spanish, German or Arabic and vice versa. Fluency in one of the above languages and a good command of English are necessary.

These are just some of the opportunities for service. We are also looking for skilled tradespeople, photographers, floor care specialists, horticulturists, and much more. Volunteers serve for a term of one year, eighteen months, thirty months or longer. If interested, please send a resumé to the Office of Personnel, Bahá’í World Center, P.O. Box 155, 31 001 Haifa, Israel (phone 972-4-835-8389, fax 972-4-835-8325, e-mail

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas. Although the Office of Pioneering tries to help by providing information on employment opportunities that come to its attention, it does not have the resources for actual job placement.

AFRICA: Ethiopia-Self-supporting volunteer to help the National Assembly secretary and to train a replacement. Tanzania-Teachers. Zambia-Teachers. AMERICAS: Belize-Receptionist for National Center. Grenada-Manager of small bed and breakfast. Honduras-Teachers. Turks & Caicos-Government doctor. Venezuela-Computer outlet store for sale. ASIA: India-Volunteers and teachers to teach moral education at a Montessori school. Macau-Teachers. Sakhalin-Teachers. AUSTRALASIA: Australia-General Manager for Bahá’í Publications Australia; physicians, especially psychiatrists; child and adolescent psychiatrists; obstetrician/ gynecologists and radiologists. Mariana Islands Physician at a health center on Rota. Western Caroline Islands-Self-supporting assistant to the National Assembly Secretary. EUROPE: Czech Republic Primary and secondary teachers in mathematics, science, humanities, Spanish, English as a secondary language. URGENT NEEDS: Australia-Immediate need for General Manager to run Bahá’í Publications Australia, including product development, publishing, marketing, sales and distribution. Belize-The Office of the Secretariat needs a self-supporting person to staff the Visitor's Center and maybe serve as caretaker. Honduras-Need for slementary and secondary school teachers. Macau-The School of Nations needs qualified kindergarten, primary and secondary teachers. Solomon Islands Self-supporting couple to serve as custodians of the Bahá’í Center in Honiara. Volunteer to train National Center office staff. For additional information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3512, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

MONROEVILLE, Pennsylvania, is looking for a few Bahá’ís to move in and help preserve one of only three local Spiritual Assemblies in western Pennsylvania. The Assembly has a solid record in external affairs, including work with the NAACP, Interfaith Ministerium and the local Race Unity Forum. The community has a strong emphasis on children, hosts regular firesides and devotional meetings, and hopes to help form a Bahá’í club at the Boyce Campus of the Community College of Allegheny County. Ten miles east of Pittsburgh, this city of 30,000 is racially diverse and has an excellent school system. For information, please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Monroeville at P.O. Box 1226, Monroeville, PA 15146 (phone 412-374-8584).

MOVING TO the San Francisco Bay area? Newark, California, is near the south end of the bay, accessible to the Oakland area, "Silicon Valley" and the San Jose International Airport. With a diverse population of 39,000 in a major metropolitan area, Newark provides many teaching opportunities. The Bahá’í community has lost several active members and new residents can help ensure an active local Spiritual Assembly. For information, phone Steven Rinker, 510-490-3111 ext. 5741; or Kouroush Nikoui, 510-226-1919; or write the Spiritual Assembly of Newark, P.O. Box 462, Newark, CA 94560. [Page 23]

‘Irfan Colloquia explore variety of religious views

Scriptures and practices of a wide range of world religions were examined from a Bahá’í perspective in this year’s English-language ‘Irfan Colloquium sessions in the United States and Great Britain.

Scholars at the 15th colloquium Aug. 9-10 at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette, Illinois, and the 14th on July 4-8 at the Manchester, England, Bahá’í Center, presented lectures and papers on the theme of “World Religions and the Bahá’í Faith,” also to be the theme of next year’s ‘Irfan Colloquia.

Comparative views of salvation, mystical knowledge and the religious approach to science were presented along with Bahá’í perspectives on Islamic traditions, Buddhism, African religions and the New Age movement.

Both events were sponsored by the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Memorial Fund, with the Manchester gathering assisted by a Nurredin Momtazi Memorial Grant.

The Wilmette colloquium featured:

• A lecture on the prophetic nature of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh by Dr. David Ruhe.
• “A Comparison of Mass Movements in Hindu Villages: Bahá’í and Christian” by Dr. Susan ‎Mameck Maneck‎, who found that more rural Hindus of all castes were converting to the Bahá’í Faith than to Christianity.
• “Ascertaining the Validity of Islamic Hadíth: A Personal Perspective” by Nabil Fares, who examined how the Bahá’í Faith uses and validates many hadíth, traditions of words and acts by the Prophet Muhammad.
• “Salvation: Staticity into Motion” by Joan Sheppard, looking at how the idea of salvation developed in Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Bahá’í Faith.
• “Religion and Science in Harmony: A New Reality” by Muin Afnani, exploring the issue in history, in the world religions, and in Bahá’í theology.
• “The Hidden Treasure” by Mozhan Khadem, who delved into Bahá’í ‘irfán or mystical knowledge, especially on such subjects as the Most Holy Outpouring, Wonderment, Life in God, and the various worlds of God (such as the World of Cause and the World of Creation).
• “The Blind Men and the Elephant: Perspectives in Buddhist and Bahá’í Metaphysics” by Dann May, offering Bahá’í interpretations of such Buddhist concepts as nirvana (enlightenment), sunyata (emptiness), anatta (no soul), rebirth and karma.
• “Buddy, Can You Spare A Paradigm? The Bahá’í Faith and the New Age Movement” by Paul Dodenhoff.

The colloquium in Manchester drew lecturers from Europe, North America and Africa, and a centerpiece of the gathering was an afternoon focusing on African religions and the Bahá’í Faith.

Dr. Akwasi Osei, a psychiatrist from Ghana, asserted that African religions contain a mix of truths and outmoded practices, and that the Bahá’í Faith can help glean the valid aspects.

Enoch Tanyi of Cameroon noted that African religions are essentially monotheistic; divide creation into five categories (mineral, vegetable, animal, human, and spiritual); assert that humans have a dual nature; venerate ancestors and value good deeds in their name; and, contrary to the Bahá’í Faith, emphasize psychic phenomena.

A paper by Margaret and Crispin Pemberton-Piggot, delivered in their absence, explored Swazi religion and called on Bahá’í authors to present the Faith in traditional African forms.

Other sessions were conducted by:

• Dr. Iraj Ayman on the Bahá’í Faith’s immunity to division into sects.
• Per Olaf Åkerdahl of Sweden on the Bahá’í World Center from the perspective of religious history.
• Moojan Momen on an approach to Buddhism that emulates Bahá’í scriptural approaches to Western religions.
• Kamran Ekbal on 19th-century messianic movements in China.
• Robert Stockman exploring ways of defining “Bahá’í scripture.”
• Stephen Lambden on the significance of key Shi’ite messianic terms to the Babí and Bahá’í Revelations.
• Julio Savi on Bahá’u’lláh’s use and modification of Sufi terms in The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys.
• Žaid Lundberg of Sweden on how the Bahá’í Faith falls outside the popular definition of the New Age Movement.

Collections of abstracts are available for $3 per conference from the Research Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Books containing the complete papers are planned for eventual publication.

The ‘Irfan Colloquium was founded by the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Memorial Fund, named after a turn-of-the-century Bahá’í scholar in Iran who was an expert in the Bible and the Qur’án.

Two additional colloquia per year are conducted in Persian.

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Continued from Page ‎23 22‎

SPANISH-speaking Bahá’ís are being sought to pioneer on the home front in Santa Ana, California. In the center of Orange County, 40 minutes south of Los Angeles and 2 hours north of Mexico by car, the city of Santa Ana has a large Mexican population. There are many job opportunities in the area including manufacturing, retail sales, government, aerospace, military, medical and law. Santa Ana has a junior college, and several colleges and universities are in the area. The Bahá’í community in Santa Ana is small but very active, with a Spanish teaching project that has continued for over a year. For information, please contact the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Santa Ana, P.O. Box 28354, Santa Ana, CA 92799-8354.

Archives

WRITTEN or taped accounts by Asian or Hispanic Bahá’ís of their Bahá’í life and activities are being sought by the National Bahá’í Archives. Anyone having accounts they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Adolphe E. Bosse, Viola M. Bower, F.L. Bowers, Corinne Bowman, Harold M. Bowman Sr., Walter H. Bowman, Edith H. Boyd, Louise D. Boyle, Eda Rae Bracken, Evelyn Bradt and Theresa Bragg. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-869-9039).

Wanted

THE MILWAUKEE Bahá’í community is looking for past community members to help celebrate their 75th Anniversary at a gala celebration April 26, 1998. It will be held at the beautiful Italian Community Center and will feature speakers, music, historical displays and entertainment. Reservations can be made at $25 per seat. If you are a former member of the Milwaukee Bahá’í community and/or are interested in attending, please send your name and address with telephone number and any questions or comments to History-Archives Project, Milwaukee Bahá’í Center, 2526 West Vliet Street, Milwaukee, WI 53205.

THE TUCSON, Arizona, Bahá’í community will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the formation of its Spiritual Assembly during the next Bahá’í year, and plans are under way for an area-wide teaching campaign. Also, the Assembly’s 50th Anniversary Task Force is seeking memorabilia, photos with identifying information, anecdotes and articles documenting milestones in the development of the Faith in and near Tucson. A “memory book” is being compiled, and a display will be developed showing how local and world Bahá’í developments coincide with world events of the time. Anecdotes will be used not only in the archives, but also next year in the Southern Arizona Bahá’í newsletter. Memories and history may be recorded on audio tape for transcription. Please contact the 50th Anniversary Task Force, P.O. Box 41961, Tucson, AZ 85717 (fax 520-323-7245; e-mail tucson-bahai@juno.com)

MUSICIANS and composers wanted to create music with themes celebrating Ridván. Enter a competition with a $50 prize in each category: English lyric, Persian lyric, lyrics in other languages, and instrumental, by composing and presenting music related to Ridván on cassette, CD, sheet music, 8mm or VHS video (NTSC). Historical accuracy is important, poetic imagery encouraged, various styles sought. Send music (with title, length, name(s) of composer(s)/performer(s), translation of lyrics if other than English, address of contact person, and permission to use in Ridván programs) by November 19 to Anne and Tim Perry, Arts Afire, 11648 Timberline Dr., Dallas, TX 75243 (fax 972-680-9128; e-mail artsafire@juno.com)

Please write for ideas for themes and listing of known music about Ridván.

Persian classes set next summer

The National Persian/American Affairs Office, in collaboration with the Wilmette Institute, is planning three courses for intensive study of Persian language: a beginning class on the basics of reading and writing Persian, an intermediary class for those who know the basics and wish to improve their reading comprehension and writing skills, and a special class for those who have a good command of reading and writing Persian and wish to be able to study the Bahá’í Writings in the original language.

Classes will begin July 18, 1998, and end August 8, 1998, at the same time as the “Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization” program of the Wilmette Institute. Students can take advantage of dormitory facilities at National-Louis University near the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

It is essential for those interested in studying Persian to respond to the Persian/American Affairs Office as soon as possible, but no later than Jan. 1, 1998. The courses will be organized if there is sufficient interest. Tuition, residence hall costs and registration requirements will be announced later.

Contact the Persian/American Affairs Office at the Bahá’í National Center (phone 847-733-3526, fax 847-869-0247, e-mail per-am@usbnc.org).

Institute brings classes to Bosch

The Wilmette Institute and Bosch Bahá’í School are planning a series of joint courses on religions from a Bahá’í perspective.

The first of the seven weekend courses, to be held Jan. 9-11 at Bosch, will be followed by five weeks of home study. Classes at Bosch will start Friday evening and end at noon Sunday.

Topics planned to date include Hinduism and Buddhism; Chinese Religion and Philosophy; Judaism and Christianity; the Old and New Testaments; Islam; the Bahá’í Faith and Philosophy; and Bahá’í Theology.

Each course, which is the equivalent of one-quarter of a semester course, will be conducted at the undergraduate level and can be taken separately from the others.

The curricular materials were originally developed for “Spiritual Solutions for a Global Civilization,” the Wilmette Institute’s four-year study program on the Faith.

English translation of letter to Persians available

The latest message of the Universal House of Justice to the Persian believers throughout the world, dated Bahá 154 (March 1997), elaborates in detail the roles and responsibilities of the Persian Bahá’ís in strengthening the fabric of Bahá’í community life. The Persian text of the message was published in the May 17, 1997, issue of The American Bahá’í.

Due to the importance of the message, the Supreme Institution has sent the English translation of this document to all National Spiritual Assemblies. Copies of the original text and the translation may be obtained from the National Persian/American Affairs Office at the Bahá’í National Center, telephone 847-733-3526. [Page 24]

Councilfire in Northwest connects Native Americans, Siberians

Native Siberians and American Indians joined in celebration at the annual United Spiritual Gathering Councilfire, attended by more than 500 people Aug. 15–17 in Neah Bay, Washington.

The Siberian visitors helped create joy even before the Councilfire began, as a children’s dance group from Amga, on the northern slope of Siberia, performed for about 100 people at the Makah Tribal Community Center. Dancers from the host community also performed.

And they brought the message of Bahá’u’lláh back to their homeland in Russia. After the gathering, an instructor with the dance group and a TV station manager conducted a 45-minute video interview to be aired in Siberia, discussing the Councilfire and Bahá’í teachings, as well as the possibility of holding such an event in Siberia.

Within about a week after the Councilfire, an elder of the Makah Nation and a Siberian friend of the Faith declared belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

“Your service to the Blessed Beauty will surely have nurtured and encouraged many souls on their own path of service to Him,” Counselor Jacqueline Left Hand Bull, a featured speaker, commented after the event.

Chris Norleen, a member of the American Indian Teaching Committee, added, “What happened there needs to be shared with the rest of our American Indian brothers and sisters in the United States, Canada and Alaska.”

Organized by the Bahá’ís of the Makah reservation, the Councilfire featured traditional ceremonies and performances by a Bahá’í drum/song group from Cowichan Valley in British Columbia and a Tsimshian group from Alaska, as well as songs by Phil Lucas and a Siberian blessing-of-the-fire ceremony.

There was a get-acquainted session led by Ferris Paisano in which hundreds shook hands in a “round dance.” And after the talks and formal festivities, firesides and deepenings lasted well into the night at many campsites.

Jack McCants, a member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, spoke about the need for Native Americans to travel and teach the native peoples in Siberia. A list of names was gathered to be submitted to the World Center, for prayers and plans to be set in motion.

Counselor Left Hand Bull spoke of the special position of American Indians within the Bahá’í Faith, saying it is time for the Bahá’ís of color to recognize the power they have in bringing Bahá’u’lláh’s Message to humanity.

The Counselor read a letter to the Councilfire from the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, emphasizing the promise of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that through the Bahá’í teachings, American Indians can “become so enlightened that the whole earth will be illumined.”

Also speaking that weekend were Jolie and Peter Haug, on the equality of men and women; Doug Harris, on progressive revelation; and Jim Workman, on unity in diversity.

1997 BAHÁ’Í CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE AMERICAS

THEME: DEVELOPING BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITIES OF SERVICE.

“...service to humankind is the purpose of both individual life and social organization.” —The Prosperity of Humankind

With featured presentations and speakers from throughout the Americas and a series of track networks for in-depth consultation, participants will enhance their capacities “...in equipping people and institutions with the means through which they can cultivate the limitless potentialities latent in human consciousness.” —The Prosperity of Humankind

DECEMBER 18-21, 1997 - CLARION PLAZA HOTEL - ORLANDO, FLORIDA

FEATURED PRESENTATIONS: Radio Bahá’í in Latin America - Foundation for the Application and Teaching of Science (FUNDAEC) - Núr University - Four Worlds International Institute for Human and Community Development

Representatives and Program Participants invited from 150 Bahá’í Projects, Institutions/Agencies and Bahá’í-Inspired Organizations from 29 countries, plus Bahá’í International Community

FEATURED SPEAKERS AND PLENARY SESSION PRESIDERS:

Haleh Arbab (‎Columbia Colombia‎)	William E. Davis (U.S.)	Phil Lane, Jr. (Canada)
Eloy Anello (Bolivia)	Kenneth Gould (U.S.)	Jack Lenz (Canada)
Jacqueline Left Hand Bull (U.S.)	Duncan Hanks (Bolivia)	Patricia Osorio (Chile)
Elizabeth L. Bowen (U.S.)	Ann Jorgensen (Panama)	David S. Ruhe (U.S.)
Gustavo Correa (‎Columbia Colombia‎)	May Khadem (U.S.)	Andy A. Tamas (Canada)
		Susanne E. Tamas (Canada)

OTHER FEATURED TRACK PRESENTERS:

Dwight Allen (U.S.)	Alfred K. Neumann (U.S.)	Barry Smith (Honduras)
Austin Bowden-Kerby (Puerto Rico)	Helen Mirkovich (Costa Rica)	Marilyn J. Smith (Honduras)
Jaime Duhart (Chile)	Gordon A. Naylor (Canada)	Neil Whatley (Costa Rica)
Joseph Andrejchak Galata (U.S.)	Brian O’Toole (Guyana)	Donald R. Witzel (Venezuela)
Michael W. Horton (Bahamas)	Pamela O’Toole (Guyana)	...and many more
Owrang Kashef (Canada)	William Roberts (U.S.)
Larry M. Miller (U.S.)	Barbara J. Rodey (U.S.)

FEATURED PERFORMERS:

Red Grammer (U.S.)	Jack Lenz (Canada)
Thelma Khelghati (U.S.)	Mary K. Makoski (U.S.)
Phil Lane, Jr. (Canada)	Joel V. Oroná (U.S.)

TRACK NETWORKS: Advancement of Women; Agriculture; The Arts; Broadcast/Media; Business and Economics; Education; Environment; Health; Indigenous Peoples; Literacy; Marriage and Family; Peoples of African Descent.

“Let them step forth to take their places in the arena of service where their talents and skills, their specialized training, their material resources, their offers of time and energy and, above all, their dedication to Bahá’í principles, can be put to work in improving the lot of man.” —The Universal House of Justice (Message to the Bahá’ís of the World, October 20, 1983)

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

PLEASE PRINT NAME __________________________________ ADDRESS _______________________________ CITY ______________ STATE ____ ZIP ________ PHONE ________________ CHILDREN NAMES AND AGES ________________ ________________________________________ INDICATE ANY SPECIAL NEEDS ____________ ________________________________________ E-MAIL _________________________________

Adult Fee Before November 20: $99 After November 20: $119 Children & Jr. Youth Fee (3-14 years) Before November 20: $39 After November 20: $59 Youth Fee (15-20 years) Before November 20: $59 After November 20: $79 Add $19, if possible, to assist with Scholarships. No refund for “no-shows.”

HOTEL/AIRLINE INFORMATION Special Bahá’í group discount rates for: Hotel rooms at the Clarion Plaza Hotel in Orlando: $44 per night (up to 4 persons) Limited Availability Call Promptly Hotel Reservation: 1-800-627-8258 or 407-354-1703 Airfare Discounts from American Travel Consultants 1-800-393-5050 (outside North America 407-679-6655) File No. XS883 Make Check Payable and Mail To: RABBANI CHARITABLE TRUST 1477 W. FAIRBANKS AVE., Suite 200 WINTER PARK, FL 32789 GENERAL INFORMATION: 407-740-5415

Opportunity taken to introduce Faith to fellow employees

A Bahá’í in Columbus, Ohio, recently sponsored an introductory class on the Faith for employees at Lucent Technologies in Columbus.

The company requires that its employees enhance their world view by taking part in classes offered by a number of organizations within the company (i.e., Chinese, American Indian, women, Bible club, and so on) as a part of their professional training.

Dina Firoozmand, a Bahá’í who works at Lucent as an electrical engineer, submitted a proposal to introduce the Faith and its teachings to her fellow employees. The company approved the ‎classas classes‎ a part of its diversity training and accepted a copy of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era for its library.

Employees were informed of the class via e-mail, fliers and electronic bulletin boards in various places at company headquarters, giving all of Lucent’s 5,000 workers a chance to hear about the Faith and to consider Bahá’u’lláh’s assertion that “the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.”

One hundred twenty-three employees attended the class July 17 in the company auditorium. After a prayer by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was recited, Dr. David Hansen of Upper Arlington gave a presentation covering the teachings, history, laws, administration, Holy Places and Houses of Worship, and social and economic development projects by Bahá’ís around the world.

Also, 200 copies of the pamphlets “The Bahá’í Faith” and “Bahá’u’lláh, God’s Messenger to Humanity” were distributed to those attending the class.

A question-and-answer session followed, drawing inquiries about the Bahá’í perspective on the oneness of religions, heaven and hell, homosexuality, the destiny of the non-believer, etc.

One person in attendance attacked the Faith, saying Bahá’u’lláh was a false prophet. Dr. Hansen briefly responded and the employee later was given the book Thief in the Night.

Since the class, several employees have been investigating the Faith. [Page 25]

ترجمه انگلیسی پیام معهد اعلی خطاب به بهائیان ایرانی

ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE MESSAGE OF THE SUPREME INSTITUTION TO THE PERSIAN BELIEVERS

همانگونه که یاران عزیز آگاهی دارند، بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی پیامی به تاریخ شهرالبهاء سال ۱۵۴ بدیع خطاب به بهائیان ایرانی در سراسر جهان صادر فرمودند که متن کامل آن در این صفحات درج گردید.

از آنجا که مطالب پیام مذکور حائز اهمیت است، معهد اعلی ترجمه انگلیسی آن را تهیه فرموده و به همه محافل روحانی ملی ارسال داشته اند.

علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند برای دریافت ترجمه انگلیسی آن پیام با دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی تماس حاصل فرمایند. شماره تلفن: ۲۵۳۱-۷۳۳ (۸۴۷)

دکتر امرالله خلقتی یکی از خوانندگان عزیز ما و دوستان وفادار نشریه محترم پیام بهائی هستند و مطالبی تحت عنوان "نامه‌ای از خوانندگان" فرستاده اند که عین آن در زیر درج می شود:

مجله ماهانه "پیام بهائی" که حاوی آثار مبارکه و مقالات امری، علمی، ادبی و تاریخی است و همچنین شامل اخبار امری از تمام دنیا و عکس‌های بسیار ذیقیمت و مهم است خواندنش آن‌قدر شیرین و جالب است که وقتی مجله به دست من می رسد از شدت زیبائی و اهمیت محتویات آن تا تماماً آن را نخوانم نمی توانم مجله را زمین بگذارم.

بعنوان نمونه در یکی از شماره‌های اخیر عکس یک لجنه ملی را که ایادیان امرالله جناب فیضی و جناب ورقاء و عضو بیت العدل اعظم جناب نخجوانی در آن عضو بودند چاپ کرده بودند. مطالعه این مجله را به هر بهائی ایرانی و اشتراک آن را به هر خانواده فارسی زبان بی شک و جداً توصیه می کنم.

با تحیات بهائی امرالله خلقتی

اشتراک پیام بهائی

SUBSCRIBING TO PAYAM-I BAHA’I

ناگفته نماند که در خود نشریه "پیام بهائی" نیز مطالبی درباره اشتراک آن نشریه آمده که خلاصه آن چنین است:

بالا رفتن هزینه‌های چاپ و پست و این که هنوز عده قابل توجهی از مشترکین حق اشتراک امسال را نپرداخته اند ما را بر آن می‌دارد که بار دیگر با خودتان درباره وضع مجله مشورت کنیم.... برای ادامه کار مجله به شیوه کنونی دو راه در پیش داریم. یکی افزودن به حق اشتراک است و دیگر محدود کردن صفحات مجله که ما به هیچ کدام مایل نیستیم. اضافه شدن اشتراک‌ها را در این زمان که تمام امکانات مالی احباء باید صرف کمک به ساختمان‌های کرمل و اهداف بین المللی شود جایز نمی‌دانیم و کم کردن صفحات مجله را که بازگشتی است به عقب نیز نمی‌پسندیم.

راه دیگری که می‌تواند به ما کمک کند افزوده شدن تعداد مشترکین مجله به نحو چشمگیر است. ما می دانیم که هنوز تعداد فراوانی از بهائیان فارسی زبان با پیام بهائی آشنائی ندارند و آن را نمی‌شناسند.... راهی جز تقاضای کمک از خوانندگان کنونی نداریم و از ایشان می‌خواهیم که هر یک خود را نماینده ما دانسته و با گفتگو با دوستان خود ایشان را به اشتراک پیام بهائی تشویق فرمایند. مخصوصاً در آمریکا، کانادا، آلمان، استرالیا و انگلستان تعداد فراوانی هستند که می‌توانند مجله را مشترک شوند و حتی شماره مشترکین را به دو برابر برسانند. اما برای مرحله فعلی یعنی از حالا تا پایان سال مسیحی که سال جدید مجله شروع می‌شود ما هدف را بر اساس ۵۰۰ مشترک جدید قرار می‌دهیم و با کمال میل برای هر کس که از حالا تا ژانویه ۹۸ مشترک شود یک جلد کتاب "پیام آسمانی" شامل الواح مندرجه در مجله را به طور رایگان تقدیم می‌داریم.

تبلیغ سرخپوستان

TEACHING NATIVE AMERICANS

به همت احباء و کوشش خانم علیا روحی‌زادگان یک برنامه تبلیغی در چند نقطهٔ سرخپوست‌نشین ناواهو و هوپی Navajo-Hopi در ایالت آریزونا و نیومکزیکو به اجرا در آمد.

خانم روحی‌زادگان از اول تا ۱۴ جولای سال جاری در منازل افراد و مراکز فرهنگی و قبیله‌ای و خانه‌های سالمندان حضور یافت و از تجارب خود و تعالیم امر بهائی سخن به میان آورد و در نتیجه ۱۵ نفر در ۷ نقطه به امر مبارک اقبال کردند.

داستان زندان دوماهه خانم روحی‌زادگان در شیراز و حکایت ۱۱ نفر شیرزنی که در اثبات ایمان خود جان فدا کردند هم در دل و جان مبتدیان سرخپوست اثر می‌گذاشت و هم رسانه‌های گروهی را به خود جلب می‌کرد.

چند روزنامه و ایستگاه رادیوئی با خانم روحی‌زادگان مصاحبه ترتیب دادند. شورای شهر گالوپ Gallup در نیومکزیکو ۸ جولای را "روز علیا روحی‌زادگان" اعلام کرد و ایشان نیز در آن روز سخنانی در برابر شورای شهر ایراد کرد.

همه تازه تصدیقیان از پیش راجع به امر مبارک شنیده بودند، اما داستان آزار دیدن احباء و به ویژه شهادت آنان عامل اصلی تقلیب روحانی مبتدیان و تصدیق آنان بود و به آنان می‌آموخت که این امر هم حقیقت است و هم ارزش آن را دارد که جان بر سر آن نهاد.

توفیق روزافزون خانم روحی‌زادگان و کسانی را که مانند ایشان به خدمت عالم انسانی می‌پردازند، از درگاه الهی خواستاریم. همتشان مدام باد!

ابلاغ کلمه در محل کار

TEACHING AT LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES

خانم دینا فیروزمند از احبای کلمبوس Columbus در ایالات اوهایو دست به ابتکار جالبی زد و موفق شد امر مبارک را به بیش از صد نفر از همکارانش معرفی کند.

خانم فیروزمند برای شرکت لوسنت Lucent Technologies کار می‌کند. یکی از شرایط کار در شرکت مذکور این است که کارمندان برای باز کردن افق اندیشه خود و آشنا شدن با افرادی از گروه‌های مختلف و در واقع - و به اصطلاح بهائی - برای "ترک تعصب" باید در کلاس‌های مربوط به گروه‌های گوناگون شرکت کنند.

خانم فیروزمند به محل کار خود پیشنهاد کرد که کلاسی برای معرفی امر مبارک به کارمندان شرکت دائر کند. پیشنهاد ایشان پذیرفته شد و کارکنان شرکت لوسنت از راه‌های گوناگون از تشکیل کلاس مذکور آگاهی یافتند.

روز ۱۷ جولای سال جاری کلاس مذکور تشکیل شد و ۱۲۳ نفر از کارکنان لوسنت در آن شرکت کردند. در ابتدا مناجاتی از حضرت عبدالبهاء تلاوت شد و سپس یکی از احبای محل امر مبارک را با نشان دادن سلایدهای گوناگون شرکت کنندگان را با امر مبارک آشنا کرد و درباره تاریخ و اصول و تعالیم و احکام و تشکیلات اداری و اماکن متبرکه و مشارق‌اذکار و نقشه‌های توسعه و عمران اطلاعاتی به دست داد.

پس از نشان دادن سلایدها مدتی صرف پرسش و پاسخ شد و حاضران درباره مطالبی چون وحدت ادیان و مفاهیم بهشت و جهنم و همجنس‌گرائی و سرنوشت افراد غیرمؤمن اظهار عقیده کردند.

همچنین در این کلاس حدود ۲۰۰ نسخه از جزوه‌های معرفی امر مبارک در میان حاضران توزیع شد.

امیدواریم دیگر احباء نیز از این ابتکار خانم فیروزمند الهام بگیرند و اگر محل کارشان چنین امکاناتی را فراهم می‌سازد از آن برای ابلاغ کلام سود جویند.

اطلاعاتی درباره خانم حشمت مهتدی

دوست عزیز ما خانم شکوه رضائی در طی نامه‌ای اظهار داشته‌اند که دست اندر کار تهیه مطالبی درباره سرکار خانم حشمت مهتدی هستند. خانم مهتدی یکی از احبای بسیار خوش‌لحن بودند. ایشان چندین سال است که به ملکوت ابهی صعود کرده‌اند. خانم رضائی از دوستان عزیزی که خانم مهتدی را می‌شناختند تقاضا می‌کند چنانچه اطلاعی از زندگی ایشان و یا خاطره‌ای از ملاقات با ایشان داشته باشند لطف فرموده با خانم رضائی تماس حاصل نمایند.

شماره تلفن: ۹۲۵۸-۶۳۶ (۶۱۲) شماره فکس: ۶۱۰۲-۶۳۶ (۶۱۲) [Page 26]

حضرت بهاءالله می‌فرمایند: به سه چیز دیدار دست دهد و رستگاری پدیدار شود: پاکی دل و دیده و پاکی گوش از آنچه شنیده.

از نامه‌های یاران LETTERS

یکی از خوانندگان محترم خانم سیمین شیبانی مطالبی درباره لزوم کتابخانه در مراکز بهائی نگاشته و به هیئت تحریریه ارسال داشته‌اند. متن مقاله ایشان برای مطالعه یاران درج می‌گردد.

ضرورت کتابخانه

برای مردم پیشرفته هر سرزمینی کتاب گرانبهاترین گوهر زیبایی و رمز هستی و بیداری جامعه به شمار می‌رود. در تمام کشورهای مترقی جهان تعداد کتابخانه‌ها دلیل بر پیشرفت و والایی آن جامعه است. با توجه به سوابق فرهنگی و مناسب با روند رشد اجتماعی جامعه بهائی ما بایست روز به روز بر تعداد کتابخانه‌های ما افزوده شود و کتاب در سطح گسترده‌تری پخش گردد، لیکن جامعه بهائی امروز به علت کمبود کتابخانه با مشکل عظیمی روبرو می‌باشد که امکان دارد ضایعه جبران‌ناپذیری بر بدنه اجتماع وارد آورد.

با کمال تأسف - بدون در نظر گرفتن چند استثنا - در اغلب مراکز بهائی جهان آنچه به چشم نمی‌خورد کتابخانه است و به جای آن کتابخانه در بیشتر مراکز حتی در شهرهای بزرگ که بیشتر دارای جمعیت بهائی چشمگیر، غنی و ثروتمندی هستند، با داشتن مراکز بهائی وسیع و مجلل که مجهز به سالن‌های متعدد، سینما، بوفه و محل برگزاری جشن‌ها، میهمانی‌ها، عروسی‌ها و مراسم سوگواری می‌باشند، هرگز اتاق کوچکی را با چند میز و صندلی و تعدادی کتاب برای مطالعه در نظر نگرفته‌اند. البته منظور محل فروش کتاب نیست بلکه مکانی برای خواندن و پژوهش است. در چنین شهرهایی داشتن کتابخانه‌ای مجهز حتی می‌تواند در تبلیغ امر و جذب روشنفکر، محقق و کتاب‌خوان غیربهائی و آشنایی آنان با دیانت بهائی بسیار مفید و مؤثر واقع شود، اگر در آن به روی عموم باز گذاشته شود تا همگان از آن استفاده کنند.

ما اگر بخواهیم جامعه بهائی رشد کند باید با برنامه‌ریزی صحیح و مبتنی بر فکر و لایه‌های فرهنگی تازه و بالاتر از همه کتابخانه باشیم. هر کتابخانه یکی از پایه‌های استوار برای رابطه میان گذشته و حال می‌باشد و پایه و شالوده‌ای مستحکم برای بنای کاخ رفیع فرهنگ آینده به شمار می‌رود. اگر در این مورد اندکی بیش از پیش تأخیر و تأمل و تردد روا داریم هر روز که بگذرد شکاف وسیع‌تر و ژرف‌تری در توسعه فرهنگ ما به وجود خواهد آمد تا جایی که دیگر امید پر کردن شکاف به نظر نمی‌رسد.

خانواده‌ها چون اغلب با بودجه‌ای و یا حوصله‌ای برای خرید و جمع‌آوری کتاب ندارند چه بسیار کتب گرانبهایی که دور از دسترس و دید مشتاقان باقی می‌ماند و گاه حتی نامی از آنها به گوش آنان نمی‌رسد. این واقعیتی است که کتابخانه تا حدود زیادی اجازه نمی‌دهد جوانان در هر کجای دنیا که باشند از فرهنگ خودشان دور و با آن ناآشنا باقی بمانند. به راستی افراد جامعه بهائی بدون مطالعه مستمر و با عدم آشنایی با کتاب و مفاهیم کتابخانه هرگز نمی‌توانند انسانی فرهنگی داشته باشند. هر کتابخانه فرصت مناسب و شایسته‌ای در اختیار مردم می‌گذارد تا هر روز بر تعداد افراد کتاب‌خوان افزوده شود و بهائیان به گونه‌ای مثبت وقت گرانبها را صرف باروری اندیشه خویش سازند و آنهایی که در ساحل اقیانوس بی‌جستجو و بی‌اراده زانو زده‌اند تنی به امواج سپارند و در اعماق این اقیانوس ژرف به صید مروارید و مرجان بپردازند.

آنچه در اینجا باید گفته شود تأکیدی است دیگر بر لزوم درک گسترده‌تر و ژرف‌تری از اهمیت تاریخی این دوران. در آغاز کار باید به خوبی از ضرورت داشتن کتابخانه برای جامعه بهائی آگاه بود. برای گام نهادن در این راه بهترین روش آن است که تلاش و کوشش خود را ابتدا از مراکز بهائی آغاز کنیم بدون تردید محافل روحانی هر مکان در این برهه زمان وظیفه‌ای خطیر، تعهدی سنگین و رسالتی خطیر در قبال دنیای امروز جامعه بهائی دارند. اگر بخواهند پنجره‌های روشن به فراروی فرهنگ غنی بهائی بگشایند و از گلزار پربار و مشک‌بیز و عطرآمیز ادب و هنر بهائی ارمغانی شایسته به همراه آورند باید این فرصت را برای همگان فراهم نمایند و به آنان اجازه دهند تا در گلستان کتابخانه‌های بهائی بخرامند از کتب گوناگون استفاده کنند. زیرا خرید همه کتاب‌های موجود برای هر کسی امکان‌پذیر نیست. اما داشتن کتابخانه حتی اگر بودجه‌ای در اختیار مراکز بهائی نباشد طرح زیادی نخواهد داشت. وجود یک میز و صندلی و قفسه‌ای ارزان‌قیمت می‌تواند برای شروع کار کافی باشد. هر فردی با هر بودجه‌ای در سال یا ماه می‌تواند با اهدای حتی یک کتاب کتابخانه را غنی کند و آن را دارای مجموعه‌ای کند که برای خرید و در اختیار کتابخانه قرار گرفتن غنی باشد.

از طرفی عده‌ای پس از مرگ وارثی برای مجموعه کتاب‌هایی که مورد سال‌ها با شوق و علاقه فراوان در دوران زندگانی گرد آورده‌اند ندارند، به ویژه ایرانیان مهاجر و پراکنده در سراسر جهان که اغلب فرزندان ایشان به علت عدم آشنایی کافی با زبان شیرین فارسی این کتاب‌ها را در گوشه‌ای انبار می‌کنند که در نتیجه رفته رفته چنین گنجینه‌های گرانبهایی از دست می‌رود. حال با وجود کتابخانه در هر منطقه این مشکل به سادگی حل می‌شود و هر کس در هر حال با اشتیاق و اطمینان می‌تواند کتاب‌های خود را به جامعه خویش هدیه کند که این بهترین ثروت برای جامعه و بزرگ‌ترین خدمت در راه اعتلاء فرهنگ بهائی است.

تا آنجا که نگارنده اطلاع دارد تعداد زیادی از کتابخانه‌هایی که مردم به برخی مراکز بهائی ارمغان کرده‌اند به جای اینکه در قفسه کتاب در کتابخانه در دسترس همگان باشد در کنج انبارهایی در مراکز بهائی زیر پرده‌ای از گرد و غبار به دست فراموشی سپرده شده است.

وجود کتابخانه در هر مکانی دقت مطالعه را در مردم بر می‌انگیزد، سطح معلومات را بالا می‌برد و جهان‌بینی وسیعی برای توسن اندیشه اندیشمندان عالم بهائی خواهد بود. به قدرت قلم و بیان و وسعت و دامنه خلاقیت آنان در زمینه‌های گرانبهای ادب و هنر فرهنگ بهائی کمک شایانی خواهد کرد و به این‌گونه زرین‌ترین و چهره‌های تابناکی از نویسندگان و محققین ارزنده برای نسل آتی خاطرنشان خواهد شد.

باید خاطرنشان ساخت که این امر مستلزم یک هماهنگی همگانی بین تمام افراد جامعه بهائی است که در این راه به تنهایی یا دسته‌جمعی به پا خیزند. امکانات مراکز بهائی همیشه ثابت است. نباید تنها از محافل و حتی یا محلی با آن همه کوتاهی چشم‌داشت انتظار و توقع زیادی داشت. آنان می‌توانند با کمک فکری خویش افراد جامعه را در انجام امور مثبت و مفید یاری و راهنمایی فرمایند و راهگشای آنها باشند. مردم هر جامعه با عشق به فرهنگ خویش همه چیز خود را وقف آن می‌کنند. حال باید تمام افراد بهائی همه امکاناتشان را در اختیار جامعه بگذارند و بار بخشی از مشکلات را بر دوش بکشند و با شناخت مسائل و کمبودها برنامه‌هایی هماهنگ با محافل خودشان داشته باشند و به بنیان‌های جامعه بهائی توجه بیشتری مبذول دارند.

این مسأله احتیاج به یک فراخوانی عمومی دارد و نتیجه مطلوب آن نیز مستلزم شناخت همه امکانات موجود برای داشتن کتابخانه در هر منطقه‌ای است. تشکیلات بهائی باید با تمام توان خود بکوشند تا جامعه را به کتاب علاقه‌مند کنند و سطح فرهنگ عمومی را بالا برند حتی اگر در هر کلاس درس اخلاق هر جلسه یا محفلی از اتاق گوشه‌ای به نام کتابخانه کوچکی برای اطفال در نظر گیرند.

در عصر ما فرصت آن نیست که دست روی دست بگذاریم و دامن صبر پیش گیریم. در جامعه بهائی که اعضای آن به راستی از یک پیکر و یک گوهرند باید همه با همکاری و هماهنگ با تمام نیرو در تلاش باشیم تا مردم را با کتاب آشنا و با تأسیس کتابخانه‌هایی در مراکز بهائی به مطالعه مستمر علاقه‌مند کنیم و سطح معلومات عمومی را بالا بریم تا جامعه بهائی در سلامت عقل و خردمندی به شکوفایی و باروری برسد. [Page 27]

بررسی نابسامانی‌های مربوط به کنفرانس بهائی گرند کنیون

INVESTIGATION INTO THE IRREGULARITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE GRAND CANYON BAHÁ’Í CONFERENCE

کنفرانس بهائی گرند کنیون Grand Canyon تحت اشراف محفل روحانی فینکس (آریزونا) و با کمک جوامع حومه آن شهر، سالانه تشکیل می‌شود و ده سال است که مایه تحرک روحانی و ایجاد شور و شوق در یاران الهی بوده است که به پا خیزند و تعداد پیروان امر مبارک را در ایالات متحده افزایش بخشند.

محفل روحانی ملی در بهار سال جاری گزارشی از محفل روحانی فینکس دریافت نمود که در آن ذکر شده بود که در چند سال گذشته چند تن از احبای محل که اعضای کمیته تشکیل دهنده کنفرانس بوده‌اند، در اختلاس مبلغی حدود ۹۰ هزار دلار از درآمد آن کنفرانس‌ها دست داشته اند.

به تصمیم محفل روحانی ملی دو تن از اعضای آن محفل مقدس در ماه جون عازم فینکس شدند تا یاران را نسبت به گزارش مذکور آگاه سازند و آنان را اطمینان دهند که نتیجه بررسی دقیق هر آنچه اتفاق افتاده است، بعدا بدانان ابلاغ خواهد شد.

بدین قرار محفل روحانی ملی روز ۲۳ سپتامبر سال جاری جلسه‌ای به منظور فوق در فینکس ترتیب داد که شرح کلی آن در زیر درج می‌گردد:

از جمله حاضران در جلسه عبارت بودند از: جناب عنایت‌الله روحانی عضو هیئت معاونت به نمایندگی از سوی هیئت مشاورین قاره‌ای و سه نفر از اعضای محفل روحانی ملی خانم جوانا کانزد و جنابان جک مک‌کنتس و رابرت هندرسن. نخست به آگاهی یاران رسید که محفل ملی از گزارشی که در آن شرح نابسامانی‌های مربوط به چگونگی اداره امور مالی کنفرانس ذکر شده بود و نیز عدم اعتمادی که در نتیجه آن در میان احبای فینکس و یاران حومه آن ایجاد شده و سلامت روحانی ایشان را ضعیف کرده، بسیار متاسف است.

همچنین به اطلاع یاران رسید که بلافاصله پس از دریافت گزارش مذکور، محفل روحانی ملی برای کمک به محفل محلی آن نقطه جهت ایجاد هماهنگی در جامعه و در خود محفل اقداماتی صورت داد. یکی از این اقدامات تعیین افرادی برای اجرای وظایف معین بود، از جمله: تعیین مأموران بررسی و یک مأمور سرپرستی امور مالی برای محفل روحانی فینکس، تعیین چند نفر حساب‌رس برای بررسی مدارک و اوراق مالی محفل روحانی فینکس و کنفرانس گرند کنیون جهت تعیین دقیق نابسامانی‌های مالی؛ تعیین یک هیئت سرپرستی اداری برای بررسی و نظارت بر عملیات مالی و قراردادهای مربوط به کنفرانس گرند کنیون.

سپس نمایندگان محفل روحانی ملی به آگاهی دوستان حاضر در جلسه رساندند که جریان تحقیق و بررسی امور مالی کنفرانس اتمام یافته است. همچنین نمایندگان مذکور بیان معهد اعلی را در خصوص محافل روحانی محلی خاطر نشان ساختند که محافل مذکور مانند شبان الهی حافظ یاراند و رشد سالم جامعه بهائی و استحکام پایه‌های آن بسته به این است که اعضای آن محافل تا چه حدی اهمیت و مفهوم حقیقی آن تشکیل الهی را دریافته و به ایفای وظایف مقدس خود، عاری از شائبه نفس، برخاسته و در همت خویش پشتکار نشان داده باشند.

همچنین به استحضار شرکت‌کنندگان در جلسه رسید که با در نظر گرفتن مقام والای محفل روحانی محلی و مسئولیت‌هائی که بر دوش آن نهاده شده است، محفل روحانی ملی نگران است که محفل روحانی فینکس در ایفای وظایف خود جهت خدمت به منافع جامعه امری به نحو مؤثر و احسن ناتوان بوده است.

همچنین به آگاهی دوستان حاضر در جلسه مذکور رسید که پس از خاتمه بررسی امور مالی کنفرانس‌های گرند کنیون چند مورد خلاف کاری توسط افراد ملاحظه شد که سبب گردید محفل روحانی ملی اقدامات زیر را صورت دهد:

• طرد اداری آقای فرزین آگاهی و خانم تریسا آگاهی به علت استفاده از وجوه کنفرانس برای سود شخصی،
• طرد اداری آقای ریاض سنا برای فروش امانی در کنفرانس بهائی گرند کنیون.

محفل روحانی ملی همچنین مقرر داشته است که محفل روحانی فینکس ضوابطی تعیین نماید تا از بروز وقایعی مانند آنچه رخ داده است جلوگیری شود و در عین حال آن محفل خط مشی‌هائی برای جلب اعتماد احباء اتخاذ نماید. محفل روحانی فینکس باید با توسل به دعا و مناجات درباره وظایف خود پردازد و در این راستا از هدایت هیئت معاونت استمداد کند.

از محفل روحانی فینکس تقاضا شده است که احبای محل را از اقداماتی که برای جبران کمبودهائی که در نتیجه بررسی کشف شده است، آگاه سازد. همچنین از جامعه امری نیز درخواست شده است که با تمسک به دعا به تشویق و حمایت از محفل روحانی فینکس برخیزید و جهت پیشبرد اقدامات تبلیغی کوشش فراوان کند و توفیق کنفرانس آینده گرند کنیون را تأمین نماید و آقای فرزین آگاهی و خانم تریسا آگاهی و آقای ریاض سنا را در هنگام دعا به یاد داشته باشد.

امسال نیز کنفرانس بهائی گرند کنیون مانند سال‌های گذشته تشکیل خواهد شد و دوستان را در محیطی پرشور گرد هم خواهد آورد و موجبات تشویق آنان را برای کمک به تکمیل اهداف نقشه چهارساله فراهم خواهد ساخت و دل‌های آنان را شاد خواهد گرداند.

محفل روحانی ملی بر جریان امور کنفرانس از طریق لجنه نظارت، نظارت خواهد داشت تا یقین حاصل شود که وجوه جمع‌آوری شده در کنفرانس به نحو صحیح حساب‌رسی شده است. محفل روحانی ملی اطمینان دارد که محفل روحانی فینکس قادر است موانع موجود را از میان بردارد. همچنین محفل روحانی ملی مطمئن است که تأییدات حضرت بهاءالله جامعه بهائی را توانائی خواهد بخشید که بر این شرایط نامیمون فائق آید و افراد را به مائده آسمانی برکت دهد و ظفر و نصرت امر بهائی را فراهم سازد.

انتشارات مؤسسه معارف بهائی

NEW PUBLICATION

به تازگی مؤسسه معارف بهائی (در کانادا) رساله یازدهم مطالعه معارف بهائی را منتشر کرده است. مقدمه ناشر که در معرفی آن اثر است —با اندک دخل و تصرف جهت اختصار— در زیر درج می‌شود:

رساله یازدهم ”مطالعه معارف بهائی“ به ”روح انسانی“ نوشته جناب ادیب طاهرزاده از فضلای محقق و صاحب نظر جامعه جهانی تخصیص داده شده است.... معظم‌له شخصاً در ایام جوانی در ایران و در دوران بلوغ و کمال در میدان هجرت در انگلستان و ایرلند و سپس در سراسر اروپا بعنوان مشاور قاره‌ای قائم به خدمت امر بوده و سپس نیز به امتیاز خدمت در معهد جهانی امر بهائی مفتخر شده است.

حاصل تحقیقات ایشان در مباحث امر بهائی شامل مجموعه نفیسی در ۴ جلد به نام The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh است که به زبان انگلیسی تألیف شده است.

درباره روح انسانی در آثار شارع و مبین امر بهائی حقایق فراوان نهفته است و بعضی از فضلا و محققین نیز به جمع‌آوری و طبقه‌بندی آن اقدام نموده، مجموعه‌های نفیسی از خود به یادگار گذاشته‌اند ولی مطلبی که مورد نظر مؤلف دانشمند این رساله قرار گرفته و ابتدا آن را به صورت گفتاری در یکی از جلسات بزرگ سالیانه ”انجمن مطالعات بهائی“ در سال ۱۹۸۶ در لندن در کانادا القاء فرموده و سپس آن را فصلی از یکی از مؤلفات خود قرار داده‌اند، تحقیق و تلفیقی جدید از حقایق مندرج در آثار مبارکه است که آن دُرّ و جواهر مطالب را به نحوی بدیع و بی‌سابقه به رشته نظم و ارتباط کشیده اند و مجموعه‌ای بدیع از عقاید و تعالیم امر بهائی در خصوص روح تألیف فرموده و نه تنها اصول و مبانی افکار بهائی درباره روح را مدون ساخته بلکه نتایج عملی و حاصل و هدف از نکات نظری و کلی را تا آنجا که در حیات روزانه انسان سهم و اثری دارد بنا بر اساس تعالیم بهائی روشن ساخته اند.

نظر به لزوم استفاده عموم، علاوه بر ترجمه فارسی این اثر پرارزش متن انگلیسی آن نیز ضمیمه گردید تا همه یاران راستان بتوانند از آن بهره‌مند گردند.

علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند برای خرید این اثر با مؤسسه معارف بهائی تماس حاصل نمایند.

شماره تلفن: ۶۲۸-۳۰۴۰ (۹۰۵) شماره فکس: ۶۲۸-۳۷۷۶ (۹۰۵) e-mail [Page 28]...سهیم باشند و در صحنه‌های مهم تصمیم‌گیری وارد شوند.

نصوص مقدسهٔ امر بهائی قویاً زنان را بزرگترین عامل برقراری صلح عمومی و توافق بین‌المللی می‌شمارد، از جمله بیانی است به این مضمون که شبهه‌ای نیست که چون زنان با برابری کامل در همهٔ امور عالم شرکت کنند و با کفایت و شجاعت در میدان سیاست و قانون‌گذاری داخل شوند بنیان جنگ و جدال بر افتد زیرا زنان مانع و رادع بروز جنگ خواهند بود.

از میان بردن تبعیض علیه زنان ضرورتی روحانی و اخلاقی است که باید بالمال ترتیبات قانونی، اقتصادی و اجتماعی کنونی را شکل و صورتی تازه بخشد. تشویق و ترغیب عدهٔ بیشتری از زنان به ورود در مناصب و مشاغلی که دارای قدرت و نفوذ اجتماعی است گرچه امری لازم و ضروریست، اما کافی برای ایجاد یک نظام عادلانهٔ اجتماعی نیست. بدون تحولی بنیادی در اخلاق و ارزشهای افراد و در عادات و رسوم سنتی، مساوات کامل بین زن و مرد تحقق‌پذیر نیست. احساسات و عواطف قلبی باید دگرگون گردد تا بتوان جامعه‌ای بر پا کرد که اساس آن مشارکت و معاونت باشد، جامعه‌ای که در آن ستیزه جوئی و زور و تعدی جای خود را به همکاری و مشورت داده باشد.

درقدیم دنیا با زور اداره می‌شد و مرد چون جسماً و فکراً از زن قویتر و زورمندتر بود بر او ‎قالب غالب‎ و مسلط بود ولی حال وضع عوض شده و اعمال زور و عنف تسلط خود را از دست داده است و اکنون هوشیاری و فهم و فراست فطری و خصائل روحانی محبت و خدمت که در زن قوی است تفوق و غلبه یافته است و به این مناسبت عصر جدید بیشتر با عواطف و نوایای زنان آمیخته است تا با صلابت مردان ...عصری خواهد بود که در آن دو عنصر مرد و زن در ایجاد تعادل و هم‌آهنگی در مدنیت بطور یکسان مؤثر خواهند بود. (۶)

مردان وظیفهٔ اجتناب‌ناپذیری بر عهده دارند که مشوق و مروج حقوق مساوی برای زنان باشند. فرض تفوق و برتری مردان مانع از آن می‌شود که آمال زنان به حقیقت بپیوندد و محیطی ایجاد شود که تساوی حقوق زن و مرد در آن حاکم باشد. تأثیرات ویرانگر نابرابری، مردان را از رسیدن به پختگی و کمال، و از پرورش فضائلی که برای روبرو شدن با مسائل هزاره جدید لازم است، باز می‌دارد. این مطلب در آثار و نصوص بهائی به این صورت بیان شده که تا زمانی که زنان فرصت نیافته‌اند بالاترین مراتب استعداد و قابلیت خود را ظاهر سازند مردان نیز نخواهند توانست به حد کمالی که شایستهٔ آنان است برسند. مردان باید اخلاق و احساسات و رفتاری را که ریشه در عادات و سنن فرهنگی آنان دارد و از یک طرف مانع مشارکت و برابری زنان می‌شود و از طرف دیگر مردان را از رشد و ترقی باز می‌دارد با دقت مورد بررسی و ارزیابی قرار دهند. آمادگی مردان برای قبول مسؤولیت برقراری مساوات و برابری زنان، محیط و شرایط مساعدی را برای پیشرفت و ترقی ایجاد می‌کند. "وقتی زنان ترقی کنند که مردان خود شهادت دهند که زنان با ما مساویند، حاجت به جدال و نزاع نیست." (۷)

این نابرابری قدیمی و ریشه‌دار بایستی از بین برود. تنها "محبت واقعی و شکیبائی بی‌پایان و فروتنی حقیقی و متانت کامل و ابتکار سالم و تدبیر عاقلانه و سعی و کوشش عمدی و پی‌گیر و همراه با توسل به دعا و مناجات" (۸)، ترجمه) غلبه بر این مشکل را امکان‌پذیر می‌سازد. حضرت بهاءالله فرا رسیدن روزی را بشارت می‌دهند که مردان حضور زنان را در همهٔ صحنه‌های زندگی با آغوش باز استقبال خواهند کرد. اکنون وقت آن است که با قاطعیت تمام به سوی آینده‌ای که وعده داده شده حرکت کنیم.

یادداشت‌ها

۱. ترجمه انگلیسی این بیان در مجموعه منتخبات آثار حضرت بهاءالله، حضرت عبدالبهاء، حضرت ولی امرالله و بیت العدل اعظم الهی دربارهٔ زنان چاپ شده است:

Women: Extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice, (Thornhill, Ontario: National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada, 1986), no. 54

۲. حضرت عبدالبهاء، نقل شده در کتاب پیام ملکوت، رسالهٔ تساوی حقوق رجال و نساء (طهران: مؤسسهٔ مطبوعات امری، ۱۳۰ بدیع مطابق با ۱۹۷۳ میلادی) صفحهٔ ۲۳۹

۳. حضرت عبدالبهاء، رسالهٔ مدنیه (مصر: مطبعة آغا شیخ فرج‌الله زکی الکردی، ۱۳۲۹ هجری قمری مطابق ۱۹۱۱ میلادی) صفحهٔ ۴۷

۴. "هَلْ عَرَفْتُمْ لِمَ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ تُرَابٍ واحِدٍ لِئَلاَّ يَفْتَخِرَ اَحَدٌ عَلَى اَحَدٍ. وَ تَفَكَّرُوا فِي كُلِّ حِينٍ خَلْقَ اَنْفُسِكُمْ إِذاً يَنْبَغِي كَمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ شَيْءٍ واحِدٍ، اَنْ تَكُونُوا كَنَفْسٍ واحِدَةٍ، بِحَيْثُ تَمْشُونَ عَلَى رِجْلٍ واحِدَةٍ، وَ تَأْكُلُونَ مِنْ فَمٍ واحِدٍ، وَ تَسْكُنُونَ فِي اَرْضٍ واحِدَةٍ، حَتَّى تَظْهَرَ مِنْ كَيْنُونَاِتِكُمْ وَ اَعْمَالِكُمْ آيَاتُ التَّوْحِيدِ وَ جَوَاهِرُ التَّجْرِيدِ. هَذَا نُصْحِي عَلَيْكُمْ يَا مَلأَ الأَنْوارِ فَانْتَصِحُوا مِنْهُ لِتَجِدُوا ثَمَراتِ الْقُدْسِ مِنْ شَجَرٍ عِزٍّ مَنِيعٍ." حضرت بهاءالله، کلمات مکنونه، بخش عربی، شمارهٔ ۶۸

۵. حضرت عبدالبهاء، مائدهٔ آسمانی، جلد ۵ (طهران: مؤسسهٔ ملی مطبوعات امری، ۱۲۹ بدیع مطابق ۱۹۷۲ میلادی) صفحهٔ ۸۹

۶. حضرت عبدالبهاء، نقل شده در کتاب بهاءالله و عصر جدید (ریو دو ژانیرو، برزیل: دارالنشر البهائیة فی البرازیل، ۱۴۵ بدیع مطابق ۱۹۸۸ میلادی) صفحهٔ ۱۵۵

۷. حضرت عبدالبهاء، خطابات حضرت عبدالبهاء در سفر اول به اروپا (مصر: مطبعة آغا شیخ فرج‌الله زکی الکردی، ۱۳۴۰ هجری قمری مطابق ۱۹۲۱ میلادی) صفحهٔ ۱۶۵

۸. Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, 1st ps ed. (Wilmette, Ill.: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1990) p. 40

مجمع عرفان

IRFAN COLLOQUIUM

چهاردهمین مجمع عرفان از ۴ تا ۸ جولای سال جاری در منچستر در حظیرةالقدس انگلستان و پانزدهمین مجمع عرفان در روزهای ۹ و ۱۰ آگوست سال جاری در دفتر محفل ملی ایالات متحده تشکیل گردید. مخارج این کنفرانس‌ها از صندوق یادبود حاج مهدی ارجمند و کمک مالی صندوق یادبود نورالدین ممتازی تأمین گردید.

موضوع اصلی این مجامع عرفان "ادیان جهانی و امر بهائی" بود و در آنها آثار مقدسه ادیان جهانی از نظرگاه امر بهائی مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. نظریات تطبیقی در مسائلی چون رستگاری و عرفان و علم از دیدگاه دینی و نظرگاه بهائی نسبت به احادیث اسلامی و آئین بودائی و ادیان افریقائی و نهضت‌های جدید موضوع پژوهش برخی از افرادی بود که در این مجامع عرفان شرکت کرده بودند.

موضوع جلساتی که در مجمع عرفان در ویلمت تشکیل شد و ناطق یا ارائه دهندهٔ آن مطالب در زیر درج می‌شود:

• "پیش‌گوئی و نهاد نَبَوی آثار حضرت بهاءالله" توسط دکتر دیوید روح، عضو پیشین بیت العدل اعظم الهی.
• "مقایسهٔ نهضت‌های عمومی در دهات هند: بهائیان و مسیحیان" توسط دکتر سوزان مانک Dr. Susan Maneck. در این پژوهش نتیجه گرفته شد که روستائیان هندی بیشتر به امر بهائی اقبال می‌کنند تا به آئین مسیحی.
• "اثبات حقانیت احادیث اسلامی: یک نظرگاه شخصی" توسط جناب نبیل فارس. در این بحث راجع به این موضوع صحبت شد که چگونه برخی از احادیث اسلامی در امر بهائی مُهر قبول یافته است.
• "رستگاری: از سکون به جنبش" توسط جوآن شپرد Joan Sheppard. در این سخنرانی تحول مفهوم رستگاری در دیانت یهود و مسیحی و اسلام و امر بهائی مورد بحث قرار گرفت.
• "هماهنگی دین و علم: واقعیتی نوین" توسط جناب معین افنانی. در این سخنرانی مطالبی دربارهٔ تاریخ و ادیان جهانی و الهیات بهائی بررسی شد.
• "کنز مخفی" توسط جناب موژان خادم. در این سخنرانی مسائل عرفانی و مفاهیمی چون حیرت و بقاء بالله و عوالم روحانی مانند عالم امر و خلق مورد بحث قرار گرفت.
• "مرد کور و فیل: مابعدالطبیعه در آئین بودائی و امر بهائی" توسط دن می Dann May. در این سخنرانی راجع به تعبیرات بهائی از مفاهیم آئین بودائی بحث به میان آمد.

[Page 29]همانگونه که یاران عزیز آگاهی دارند، چندی پیش محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده بیانیه‌ای دربارهٔ تساوی حقوق زنان و مردان صادر فرمود.

لجنهٔ ملی ‎امال‌الرحمن اماء‌الرحمن‎ به محفل روحانی ملی پیشنهاد کرده بود که بیانیهٔ مذکور در نشریهٔ «امریکن بهائی» درج شود. پیشنهاد لجنهٔ محترم مورد تأیید محفل مقدس ملی قرار گرفت و مقرر شد که متن آن بیانیه در یکی از شماره‌های این نشریه درج گردد.

بدین ترتیب ترجمه فارسی آن بیانیه، با حذف بخش ضمیمه که برای آگاهی افراد غیربهائی نوشته شده است، به نظر خوانندگان گرامی می‌رسد.

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برابری حقوق زنان و مردان

TWO WINGS OF A BIRD THE EQUALITY OF WOMEN AND MEN

آزادی زنان و برقراری برابری حقوق بین زن و مرد شرط لازم برای پیشرفت انسانها و تحول جامعه بشری است. نابرابری نه تنها ترقی زنان بلکه پیشرفت تمدن را دچار وقفه و رکود می‌سازد. ادامهٔ محرومیت نیمی از جمعیت جهان از حقوق برابر با نیمهٔ دیگر توهینی است آشکار به حیثیت عالم انسانی. این محرومیت موجب ترویج طرز فکر و عادات نامطلوبی در مردان و زنان و سرانجام به روابط بین المللی سرایت می‌کند. عدم مساوات را بر هیچ مبنای اعم از جسمانی، اخلاقی یا سنتی، نمی‌توان توجیه نمود. تنها زمانی جوّ اخلاقی و روانی لازم برای آنکه ملّت ما بتواند عدالت اجتماعی را برقرار سازد و به صلح جهانی کمک کند به وجود خواهد آمد که زنان در همهٔ زمینه‌های کار و فعالیت سهمی مساوی مردان داشته باشند.

تعدّی و ظلمی که زنان در طول تاریخ تحمل کرده‌اند حقیقتی است آشکار و اندوهبار. محدود کردن فعالیت‌های زنان در حیات اجتماعی، محروم ساختنشان از امکانات تربیتی و از حقوق اولیهٔ بشری، اعمال انواع خشونتها و قساوتها در حق آنان و چه بسا تحقیر و تخفیف مقامشان به درجه‌ای پست‌تر از انسان، زنان را از بروز استعدادهای نهفته‌شان باز داشته است. جلوه‌های انقیاد و فرمانبرداری زنان که قرنها در فرهنگ عامیانه، ادبیات و هنر، قانون، و حتی آثار مذهبی منعکس شده است هنوز نیز در همهٔ جنبه‌های حیات اجتماعی نفوذ دارد. با وجود اینکه در آمریکا اصل مساوات مورد قبول اکثر مردم قرار گرفته و زنان در زمینهٔ کسب حقوق سیاسی و اجتماعی به پیشرفتهای چشمگیری نائل آمده‌اند، ولی هنوز تساوی حقوق به نحو جامع و کامل حاصل نگشته است.

نتایج زیان‌بار تعصب علیه مقام و حقوق زن بنیان حیات ملی ما را متزلزل می‌سازد. پیشرفتهایی که نصیب زنان شده است بر بنیادی ناپایدار از فرضیاتی کهن و ‎تحولّ تحوّل‎ نیافته استوار است که اکثراً مورد بررسی و ارزشیابی قرار نگرفته‌اند. در این راه مراحل بسیاری ناپیموده مانده است. برای رسیدن به مساوات کامل باید دریابیم که کیستیم، هدف زندگی ما چیست و چه رابطه‌ای با یکدیگر داریم. این شناسایی ما را وادار خواهد ساخت که زندگی فردی و محیط اجتماعیمان را به صورت و ترکیبی نوین درآوریم.

از آغاز جنبش حقوق زنان در آمریکا تا کنون هرگز توجه به این مطلب تا این حدّ ضروری نبوده است. در آستانهٔ قرنی جدید و هزاره‌ای نوین قرار داریم که مسائل آن هم اکنون بر خانواده، روش زندگی، کشور و دنیای ما تأثیر می‌گذارد. در جریان تکامل نوع بشر، مرحلهٔ نوزادی و کودکی به پایان رسیده است. بحرانهای مرحلهٔ نوجوانی به تدریج و همراه با درد و رنج، ما را برای عصر بلوغ و کمال که در آن تعصب و بهره کشی از میان رفته و وحدت جایگزین آن گشته آماده می‌کند. عواملی که موجب وحدت مردم و ملتها می‌شود دقیقاً همان عواملی است که برای برقراری تساوی حقوق زن و مرد و بهبود روابط آنان لازم است. تلاش برای غلبه کردن بر این سابقه نابرابری به همکاری و همیاری هر زن و مرد و جوان و کودک احتیاج دارد.

بیش از یک قرن پیش، برای اولین بار در تاریخ ادیان، حضرت بهاءالله مؤسس دیانت بهائی ضمن ارائهٔ نقشهٔ الهی برای این عصر، اصل مساوات حقوق بین زن و مرد را چنین اعلان نموده‌اند: اِناث و ذکور عندالله واحد بوده و هست. (۱) حضرت بهاءالله برابری حقوق زن و مرد را شرط به وجود آمدن وحدتی وسیعتر می‌دانند که سعادت و امنیت تمام نوع بشر را تأمین می‌نماید. حضرت عبدالبهاء، فرزند ارشد و جانشین حضرت بهاءالله تاکید فرموده ‌اند که «چون نوع بشر یک نوع تعلیم یابد وحدت رجال و نساء اعلان گردد و بنیان جنگ و جدال بر افتد.» (۲)

به این ترتیب دیدگاه دیانت بهائی در مورد برابری حقوق بین زن و مرد بر اصل روحانی یگانگی نوع انسان استوار است. به بیان حضرت عبدالبهاء مقتضای اصل یگانگی نوع بشر آنست که جامعه را به منزلهٔ یک فرد پنداریم و خود را عضوی از اعضای آن فرد بدانیم و یقین داشته باشیم که درد و الم هر جزئی سبب تألّم تمامی هیئت اجتماع خواهد بود. (۳)

حضرت بهاءالله تعلیم فرموده‌اند که هدف خداوند از خلقت عالم، ایجاد وحدت نوع انسان بوده است و بیانی به این مضمون می‌فرمایند: آیا میدانید چرا خداوند همهٔ شما را از یک مشت خاک آفریده است؟ به این سبب که کسی بر دیگری فخر نفروشد و برتری نجوید. همواره به آفرینش خود بیندیشید. چون همه از مادهٔ واحدی آفریده شده‌اید شایسته است که همچون یک نفس واحد باشید، یعنی در رفتار و در زندگانی حکم یک نفس را پیدا کنید تا نشانه‌ های یگانگی و وداد در کردار شما نمودار گردد. اینست اندرز من به شما. پند گیرید و از نتایج آن بهره مند شوید. (۴)

شرکت کامل زنان بر پایهٔ برابری در همهٔ

جنبه‌های زندگی شرط لازم رشد و توسعه اقتصادی و اجتماعی و براندازی جنگ و جدال و مآلاً تأسیس یک جامعهٔ متحد جهانی است. در نصوص مقدسه بهائی مساوات بین زن و مرد سنگ بنای نقشهٔ الهی برای سعادت و تکامل نوع بشر شناخته شده است. در یکی از خطابات حضرت عبدالبهاء، بیانی است که در آن عالم انسانی را به پرنده‌ای تشبیه می‌نمایند که دارای دو بال است، یک بال آن زنان و بال دیگر مردان. اگر هر دو بال به یک میزان قوی نباشد پرواز ممکن نیست. تا زنان با مردان همعنان نگردند و در جمیع امور مشارکت ننمایند عالم انسانی فضائل و کمالات فوق العاده حاصل نکند. چون دو بال به یک میزان قوی گردند و در امتیازات مشترک شوند "پرواز" انسان پرشکوه و حیرت بخش خواهد بود.

بر اساس نصوص و تعالیم بهائی اعلام برابری حقوق زن و مرد به معنای یکسان بودن زن و مرد نیست بلکه منظور تاکید بر این نکته است که وظیفه و نقش زن و مرد در خانه و جامعه مکمل یکدیگر است. حضرت بهاءالله علم و دانش را بمنزله نردبانی برای ترقی انسان دانسته‌اند و تعلیم و تربیت یکسان را برای زنان و مردان مقرر داشته‌اند، اماّ ‎اماّ امّا‎ تصریح فرموده‌اند که در صورت محدود بودن امکانات، تعلیم و تربیت دختران و زنان مقدم بر پسران است. تربیت دختران از اهمیتی خاص برخوردار است زیرا هر چند والدین هر دو مسؤول پرورش کودکانند ولی مادران تربیت شده و تعلیم یافته اند که می‌توانند ثمرات علم و دانش را به مؤثرترین وجه در اجتماع رواج دهند.

حفظ و بزرگداشت مقام مادری غالباً بهانه‌ای بوده است برای محروم نگاه داشتن زنان از لحاظ اجتماعی و اقتصادی. چنین نتیجه گیریها و این نوع تعبیرهای تبعیض آمیز و زیان آور است که باید تغییر یابد. مقام شامخ و عظیم مادر و اهمیت تربیت اطفال به حق مورد تجلیل و احترام است. تعالیم دیانت بهائی مقام والای مادری را چنین توصیف می‌نماید: «...ای مادران مهربان این را بدانید که در نزد یزدان، اعظم پرستش و عبادت، تربیت کودکان است به آداب کمال انسانیت.» (۵) وظیفه خطیری که در برابر جامعه قرار دارد آنست که شرایط اجتماعی و اقتصادی لازم را برای مشارکت کامل زنان بر پایه برابری در همهٔ امور زندگی فراهم نماید و در عین حال نقش حسّاس مادری را نیز تحکیم و تقویت نماید.

تعالیم بهائی با تاکید بر اینکه زن و مرد جایگاه و مقامی مشابه دارند و هر دو یکسان از موهبت‌ها و برکات الهی بهره‌ مندند، نمونه و سرمشقی از تساوی حقوق زن و مرد را ارائه می‌دهد که بر مفهوم شراکت دو شریک استوار است. نوع بشر زمانی می‌تواند به مرحلهٔ بعدی رشد و تکامل جمعی خود قدم گذارد که زنان در همهٔ جنبه‌های زندگی بطور کامل... [Page 30]

پیام از مرکز جهانی بهائی

MESSAGE FROM THE WORLD CENTER

مکتوب ۱۹ سپتامبر ۱۹۹۷ دارالانشاء بیت‌ العدل اعظم الهی خطاب به محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده در بارۀ دکتر فرید اختر خاوری

یاران عزیز الهی

توجه بیت العدل اعظم به این نکته معطوف گشته است که دکتر فرید اختر خاوری بدون آنکه در اثر محرومیت از حقوق اداری بهائی متنبه شده باشد به اقدامات خود برای لطمه زدن به حیثیت محفل روحانی ملی امریکا و بعضی از اعضاء آن ادامه می‌دهد. بطوری که یاران الهی مستحضرند اتهامات بی‌پایه و اساس دکتر اختر خاوری دربارۀ نحوۀ ادارۀ امور مالی کنگرۀ بین‌ المللی بهائی پس از بررسی مدارک مربوط در مرکز جهانی بهائی و وصول گزارش جامعی از جانب یک مؤسسۀ معتبر حسابرسی مردود شناخته شده است.

باعث تأثر شدید معهد اعلیٰ است که یکی از اعضاء خاندانی بهائی که در امر سرشناس و ممتاز است چنان دستخوش تصورات واهی خود گردیده که به نقض مبادی اولیۀ دیانتی که بدان معتقد می‌باشد پرداخته است. احبائی که دکتر اختر خاوری را می‌شناسند و به وی محبت دارند بهترین کمکی که می‌توانند نسبت به او معمول دارند توسل به دعا در حق وی و امتناع و استنکاف قطعی از ورود در بحث و مذاکره با او در بارۀ سوء ظن کاملاً بی‌اساسی است که پیوسته وی را به چنین اقداماتی تحریک می‌نماید.

با تحیات ابدع ابهیٰ دارالانشاء

شهادت دو تن از احباء در ایران

MARTYRDOM IN IRAN

مرکز جهانی بهائی به محفل روحانی ملی گزارش داده است که در ایران دو تن دیگر از احباء به علت اعتقاد به امر بهائی به شهادت رسیده‌اند. در حال حاضر به مصلحت جامعۀ بهائی نیست که برای اعلان عمومی این خبر اقدامی صورت دهد.

یکی از این دو تن شهید وفادار جناب ماشاء‌الله عنایتی ساکن طهران است. ایشان که ۶۳ سال از عمرش می‌گذشت روز ۴ جولای سال جاری پس از تحمل صدمات شدید بدنی در زندان به ملکوت ابهیٰ صعود نمود.

جناب عنایتی پس از دیدار از زادگاه خود، اردستان، جهت شرکت در یک جلسۀ ایام محرمه، تحت شرایط نامعلومی دستگیر و به زندانی در اصفهان فرستاده شد و در زندان مورد ضرب شدید قرار گرفت. به نظر می‌رسد که جناب عنایتی حدود یک هفته در آن زندان محبوس بوده و سپس تحت مراقبت به بیمارستان منتقل گردیده است. دختر جناب عنایتی که ساکن استرالیاست و در آن زمان در طهران به سر می‌برد توانسته بود ‎دربیمارستان در بیمارستان‎ از او دیدار کند و شاهد آثار ضرب و جرح از جمله علائم سوختن به ویژه سوختن دست باشد.

جناب عنایتی در زندان چشم از جهان بست. گواهی فوت به نحو غریبی نوشته شده و چنین می‌نماید که پزشک مسؤول تحت تهدید بوده و مجبور به تحریف گواهی مرگ شده است. در قسمت مخصوص "علت مرگ" به خط پزشک نوشته شده است که بعداً معلوم خواهد شد.

شهید دیگر جناب شهرام رضایی یک سرباز وظیفه است که در نزدیکی رشت خدمت می‌کرده است. افسری که مربی تعلیم اسلحه بوده است، چند به سر این سرباز وظیفه شلیک می‌کند که منجر به فوت او در روز بعد (۶ جولای سال جاری) می‌شود. افسر مذکور در دادگاه اظهار داشت که شلیک گلوله تصادفی رخ داده است. پس از آن که محرز شد که مقتول بهائی بوده، افسر مذکور آزاد گردید. همچنین دادگاه آن افسر را از دادن خونبها (که پرداخت آن در اینگونه موارد معمول است) معذور کرد و فقط او را به پرداخت وجه سه گلوله‌ای که برای کشتن سرباز بهائی به کار رفته بود، ملزم داشت.

بهائیان ایران شکی ندارند که مورد مذکور یک قتل عمدی بوده است؛ همچنین آن یاران قبل از آن محاکمۀ کذائی پیش‌بینی کرده بودند که افسر مذکور، چنانکه در موارد دیگر نیز رخ داده است، آزاد خواهد شد.

جناب ‎رضانی رضایی‎ ظاهراً هفتمین سرباز وظیفۀ بهائی است که به دست افسران یا هم‌قطاران خود به قتل رسیده است. کشتار عمدی جناب عنایتی و جناب ‎رضانی رضایی‎ که بدون هیچ توجیهی صورت گرفته، نمایانگر این است که آزار و تضییقات وارده بر بهائیان ایران تحت عناوین گوناگون همچنان ادامه دارد.

متن کامل مرقومۀ بیت العدل اعظم دربارۀ این قتل‌ها را در شبکۀ کامپیوتری جامعۀ بهائی امریکا می‌توان یافت. باید توجه داشت که دسترسی به این شبکه فقط برای دوستانی که تسجیل شده و دارای شمارۀ کارت بهائی باشند، امکان دارد.

http://www.usbnc.org

اطلاعیه هیئت ملی امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی

PERSIAN/AMERICAN AFFAIRS MEETINGS IN CALIFORNIA

در سال جاری هیئت ملی امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی بنا بر تصمیم محفل مقدس روحانی ملی تشکیل گردید. هدف اصلی از تشکیل این هیئت تشویق و تحریض اعضای ایرانی‌الاصل جامعۀ بهائی ایالات متحده است به مشارکت مستمر و مؤثر در فعالیت‌های مختلف در جهت پیشبرد اهداف نقشۀ چهارساله و فراهم آوردن شرایط لازم برای استفادۀ بیشتر از استعدادها و امکانات یاران الهی به منظور تحقق نوایای بیت العدل اعظم و محفل روحانی ملی.

هیئت امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی جلساتی برای ملاقات و گفتگو با احبای عزیز در دو منطقۀ لوس‌انجلس و نقاط اطراف و سن‌دیه‌گو و نقاط اطراف ترتیب داده است. جلسۀ اول ساعت ۷ بعد از ظهر شنبه ۲۵ اکتبر سال ۱۹۹۷ در حظیرةالقدس لوس‌انجلس و جلسۀ دوم ساعت ۷ بعد از ظهر یکشنبه ۲۶ اکتبر ۱۹۹۷ در حظیرةالقدس سن‌دیه‌گو تشکیل خواهد شد.

از جناب دکتر عبدالمیثاق قدیمیان عضو محترم هیئت مشاورین قاره‌ای و جناب دکتر فیروز کاظم‌زاده، منشی محترم محفل روحانی ملی در امور روابط خارجی دعوت شده است که با بیانات خود در این جلسات همگی را با طرح‌های جاری جامعۀ بهائی و وظائفی که در پیام اخیر بیت‌العدل اعظم خطاب به احبای ایرانی برای هموطنان جمال مبارک در سراسر جهان تعیین گردیده آشنا فرمایند.

همچنین سرکار خانم گیتی قدیمی وحید، عضو آخرین محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایران که سایر اعضاء آن در سال ۱۹۸۱ به شهادت رسیدند، شرحی از تجربیات خود و فداکاری‌های خواهران و برادران عزیزمان در ایران و انتظارات آنان از دوستانشان که در کشورهای آزاد ساکنند، بیان خواهند فرمود.

هنرمند ارجمند جناب دکتر منوچهر صادقی نیز موافقت فرموده‌اند که با هنرنمائی خود بر رونق جلسات مذکور بیفزایند.

هیئت ملی امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی امیدوار است یاران در این جلسات حضور یابند و با مسؤولیت‌های خویش آشنا گردند تا ان شاء الله پاسخی لایق به پیام معهد اعلیٰ داده شود.

کنفرانس انجمن مطالعات بهائی

ASSOCIATION FOR BAHÁ’Í STUDIES

بیست و یکمین کنفرانس سالانۀ انجمن مطالعات بهائی از ۱۴ تا ۱۶ نوامبر سال جاری در واشنگتن دی‌سی تشکیل خواهد شد.

کنفرانس‌های سالانۀ انجمن فرصت مناسبی برای احباء و دیگر کسانی که مایل به مطالعات و تحقیقات در زمینه‌های گوناگون امر بهائی باشند، فراهم می‌سازد که با پژوهش‌های دانشمندان و پژوهشگران بهائی - و غیربهائی - آشنا شوند.

مطالبی که در کنفرانس‌های انجمن ارائه می‌شود معمولاً به زبان انگلیسی است، اما در کنفرانس امسال چند برنامه به زبان فارسی نیز گنجانده شده است و شرکت‌کنندگان در کنفرانس خواهند توانست از پژوهش‌های سخنرانان و دانشمندانی چون دکتر شاپور راسخ و دکتر فیروز کاظم‌زاده و دکتر سهیل بشرویه و جناب حسین امانت و جناب پیام اخوان استفاده نمایند.

علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر دربارۀ چگونگی و مخارج نام‌نویسی و رزرو جا با انجمن مطالعات بهائی تماس حاصل نمایند.

شمارۀ تلفن: ۱۹۰۳-۲۳۳ (۶۱۳) شمارۀ فکس: ۳۶۴۴-۲۳۳ (۶۱۳) [Page 31]

Media

Continued from Page 1

of the Institutions.

The success of last summer’s media-fueled teaching project in Atlanta, Georgia, convinced the National Spiritual Assembly that the time had come to implement a national effort.

The Atlanta pilot project got into full swing in early June. A specially produced 30-minute program, “The Power of Race Unity,” was broadcast on local cable TV and generated about 600 direct responses in the first two weeks. Regular broadcasts since then have yielded consistently high levels of response.

Dozens of seekers have attended area firesides, devotional meetings and other events. As of early September, eight enrollments were directly attributable to the broadcasts, and 23 more stemmed from other teaching efforts that were part of the campaign.

Intensive local public relations efforts coordinated with the broadcasts included radio and print ads promoting the program.

“Although this was a modest effort by today’s standards, it definitely proved two important things,” said Ken Bowers, secretary of the National Teaching Committee. “First, there really are large numbers of people out there who will respond to the Bahá’í message. Second, an intelligent and systematic approach will yield results.”

National initiative

The upcoming national initiative will include the following elements:

• “The Power of Race Unity” and at least one other 30-minute program will be broadcast on at least one national cable channel. Tentative starting time is January 1998. These broadcasts will be complemented by commercial spots promoting the program.
• These tapes, together with a series of specially developed radio ads, will be made available to Bahá’í communities for local use.
• A national World Wide Web site will be established with links to local sites, to help seekers gain information on nearby local activities.
• A new toll-free telephone number will be linked to a system that can route calls to local Bahá’í communities.
• Public relations materials will be developed and distributed, with a program for helping communities learn how to conduct public relations successfully.
• Programs for training Bahá’í teachers, especially through the regional training institutes, will be accelerated.

Several agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly are working together to develop the campaign. Details will be shared with the friends as they are worked out.

Dr. Henderson pointed out that a number of recent developments combined to set the stage for an intensified national effort.

“For the past two years, several groups have been working to develop broadcast-quality materials for use on commercial television channels,” he said. “The Satellite Initiative Development Corporation (SIDCorp), an independent collaboration of Bahá’ís interested in this issue, together with the National Teaching Committee and the National Assembly’s Bahá’í Media Services, have spent a great deal of effort learning how to reach viewers with the Bahá’í message in a way that produces a high level of response.”

Began with research

The process began with extensive research on potential audiences for whom the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith would likely have a high appeal. Based on this research, SIDCorp produced a pilot version of “The Power of Race Unity.”

The program went through a series of tests using “focus groups” of non-Bahá’ís. Results from these tests led to several revisions, until the tape began to get a good enough response to be used in an actual test broadcast.

The National Teaching Committee looked on Atlanta as “a natural choice” for a location to test the campaign, Mr. Bowers said.

“The Atlanta Bahá’í community is very active and has a good track record of involvement with the larger community in the area of race relations,” Mr. Bowers said. “In addition, the general population includes large numbers of people who, based on our research, would be receptive to the Faith.”

The Teaching Committee spent several months before the broadcast in consultation with local Spiritual Assemblies, the Auxiliary Board and many other believers in the area. The purpose was to put in place all of the elements necessary for advancing the process of entry by troops.

“It is clear that the use of media is an essential element of the teaching work,” Mr. Bowers said. “At the same time, it is only one of many that need to be pursued. Others include public relations, fireside teaching, devotional gatherings, teacher training, service projects, and others. They have all been described by the Universal House of Justice, and they are meant to be harmonious and complementary. Together they make for a pattern of activities that advance the process of entry by troops.”

Enhancing local work

National proclamation activities are intended to enhance the local efforts already under way, Mr. Bowers said.

“What this is really about is helping to bring seekers into our local communities,” he said. “Mass media are not a substitute for individual teaching, but they can create unprecedented opportunities for the friends, both individually and collectively, to share the Faith with their countrymen.”

Mather worked with youth in Caribbean

George Mather, who pioneered with his wife and family to the Virgin Islands from 1972–86, and to the Leeward Islands until 1994, died August 10 after a long battle with cancer. He was 77 years old.

Mr. Mather, who had a degree in business and transportation and was certified as a commercial pilot for single- and multi-engine planes, was a devoted teacher who, with his wife Shirley, was especially involved in supporting activities for children and youth.

IN MEMORIAM

William Jr., Michael Sears served Faith around globe

William Sears Jr. and Michael Sears, pioneers, worldwide teaching teachers and sons of the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears and Marguerite Sears, passed away in the same week in August.

William Jr. died Aug. 6 in Simi Valley, California, at age 62 from a lung infection after a year’s illness. He is survived by his wife, Mariel, and four daughters.

Michael, who had lived at various posts in southern Africa since July 1953, died Aug. 10 in Johannesburg, South Africa, at age 61. He had collapsed soon after his brother’s passing. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and two sons.

They are also survived by their mother. Their father passed away in March 1992.

The brothers are familiar to many Bahá’ís worldwide through their father’s books God Loves Laughter and All Flags Flying. The latter book relates stories of the family’s teaching travels on several continents and life on their farm outside Johannesburg.

William Sears Jr. attended college in Johannesburg before taking a temporary pioneering post at St. Helena Island. In the late 1950s, he and his friend Fred Schechter (later named a Counselor) answered a call for service in Uruguay. There Mr. Sears met his future wife, the daughter of early Chilean Bahá’ís Carlos and Julia Bulling.

The couple returned to live in the United States, where Mr. Sears worked in the fields of security and computer programming/system administration. He also assisted in editing some of his father’s writings, including In Grandfather’s Barn.

The Universal House of Justice wrote to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States: “Kindly convey to Mrs. Marguerite Sears and the family the expression of our loving sympathy in the loss of dear William Sears, Jr. and the assurance of our ardent prayers in the Holy Shrines for the progress of his soul in the Abhá Kingdom.”

In All Flags Flying, Mr. Sears Sr. praises William Jr. as “exactly the kind of person I’d like to be ... a genuine, good-natured, thoughtful, first-class human being.”

Michael Sears’ pioneering posts included South Africa, South-West Africa (now Namibia) and Lesotho.

Originally working as an architect, he turned to free-lance writing for public radio and public relations/marketing for several large businesses.

He served for two decades on the National Spiritual Assembly of South and West Africa, which encompassed 14 countries. He continued to serve on the National Spiritual Assembly of South Africa when it was formed.

The Universal House of Justice also wrote to the National Spiritual Assembly of South Africa: “We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of dearly loved Michael Sears, who will especially be remembered for his long period of pioneering to South Africa. Kindly convey our warmest sympathy to the members of his family and the assurance of our ardent prayers in the Holy Shrines for the progress of his soul throughout the divine worlds.”

In a letter expressing its condolences, the National Assembly of South Africa praised Michael for “his humor, his dedication and his care and kindness for others.”

Bulling honored for work in 2 nations

One year after her passing, a memorial service was held August 9 in La Mesa, California, for Julia Bulling, who accepted the Faith in Chile in 1945 and had lived and served in California for more than 30 years.

Mrs. Bulling and her husband, Carlos, traveled and taught throughout Chile for 20 years and were instrumental, during the second Seven Year Plan, in helping to form the first Spiritual Assemblies of Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Quilpue.

The Bullings’ five children, their spouses, and almost all of their grandchildren are Bahá’ís.

After Mrs. Bulling’s passing, the Universal House of Justice cabled the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly:

“Saddened passing radiant veteran teacher Cause Julia Bulling of Chile. Her long record of loving services both North and South America warmly remembered. Assure ardent prayers Holy Shrines for the progress of her luminous soul in the worlds of God. Kindly extend heartfelt condolences our behalf her bereaved relations and friends.”

In Memoriam

Gordon R. Barnes Tampa, FL April 9, 1997	Ghodsy Geula Manhattan Beach, CA July 17, 1997	Nargess Kaempf White Plains, NY July 8, 1997	Bettijane Walker Boardman, OH August 28, 1997
Cynthia Butler Houston, TX July 14, 1997	Mouhebatullah Hai East Amherst, NY July 30, 1997	George Mather Bradenton, FL August 10, 1997	Margaret K. White Attleboro, MA August 7, 1997
Manizhih Darab Olympia Fields, IL July 26, 1997	Daniel W.C. Hough Mosier, OR August 17, 1997	Earl R. Rowell Springfield, MO July 16, 1997	Nina Whiting Pacific Grove, CA July 1997
Richard Forster Sidney, NE August 13, 1997	Tahereh Ighani Simi Valley, CA August 3, 1997	Michael Sears South Africa August 10, 1997	Lee Williams Laramie, Wyoming August 14, 1997
		William Sears Jr. Simi Valley, CA August 6, 1997

[Page 32]Some Hmong members of a Bahá’í-organized English-as-a-second-language class pose in cultural dress near the blue-ribbon-winning Bahá’í float in the St. John’s Day Parade in Portland, Oregon, last summer. The parade marchers, which also included the Junior Youth Workshop, drew repeated cheers from onlookers. Parade judges were reported to have been especially pleased by the number of Bahá’ís taking part in the parade entry. (Photo submitted by the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office. For information on teaching or involving Southeast Asians in the Bahá’í community, call the office at 847-733-3522.)

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To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving The American Bahá’í, send all family members’ names, new address and mailing label to: Management Information Services, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201–1611. If acquiring a Post Office box, your residence address (c) must be filled in. Please allow three weeks for processing. (This also updates the National Center’s data base.)

A. NAME(S) B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS D. NEW COMMUNITY E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S) G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY

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’ILM B.E. 154 • OCTOBER 16, 1997

USPS/HI-LITER AUTOMATABLE POLY

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

For information about events sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly or its agencies at the Bahá’í National Center, please phone 847-869-9039 and ask for the relevant department. The numbers for the permanent Bahá’í schools and institutes are as follows: Bosch Bahá’í School, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564; e-mail Green Acre Bahá’í School, phone 207-439-7200; fax 207-438-9940; e-mail Louhelen Bahá’í School, phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, phone 803-558-5093; fax 803-558-9114; e-mail Native American Bahá’í Institute, phone 520-587-7599; fax 520-521-1063; e-mail

OCTOBER

24-26: Star Trek teaching weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School. 24-26: “Bringing the UN Home” with Jeffery Huffines, U.S. Bahá’í representative to the United Nations, Green Acre Bahá’í School. 25: “World Citizenship: A Global Ethic for Sustainable Development,” free public panel discussion, Green Acre Bahá’í School. 30–Nov. 1: “The Kitáb-i-Aqdas and You,” facilitated by Azadeh and Nabil Fares, Bosch Bahá’í School. 30–Nov. 2: Pioneering/Year of Service/SITA Institute presented by the Office of Pioneering, Green Acre Bahá’í School. 31–Nov. 2: “The Covenant and Community Transformation,” Louhelen Bahá’í School.

NOVEMBER

7-9: National Hispanic Teaching Conference, sponsored by the Latin-American Task Force and the National Teaching Committee, with Counselor Arturo Serrano and others, Bosch Bahá’í School. Also, retreat study group, “Structuring the Community,” facilitated by Derek Cockshut. 7-9: Wisconsin Bahá’í School, Byron Center, Brownsville, Wisconsin. Theme: “Light in Darkness.” Contact registrar Lisa Reimer, West Bend, WI 50395 (phone 414-338-3023). 7-9: Youth Eagle Institute, ages 15 and up, Louhelen Bahá’í School. 7-10: “Two Wings of a Bird,” with Beth Bowen, Bahá’í International Community representative to many UN conferences on the advancement of women, Green Acre Bahá’í School. 14-16: Special fund-raising weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School. 14-16: 21st annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies, Renaissance Hotel, Washington, D.C. Theme: “Fostering Human Rights: Developing Pathways to Peace.” 14-16: “Pen of Glory” with Dr. David Ruhe, Louhelen Bahá’í School. 14-16: Royal Falcon Bahá’í School at Pensacola Beach, Florida, with Tod Ewing, Alberta Deas and Charles Bullock. Contact Carol Payne, P.O. Box 289, Skipperville, AL 36374 (phone 334-774-0020, e-mail for hotel room reservations call 800-232-2416. 14-16: Seekers and New Believers Weekend, Green Acre Bahá’í School. 21-23: “Business Ethics and the Bahá’í Faith,” with Dr. Dorothy Marcic, Melita Elmore, Channing Miller, Trip Barthel and others, Bosch Bahá’í School. The conference will explore the formation of a U.S. Bahá’í Business Forum. 21-23: “Finding Spiritual Solutions to Social Problems,” Louhelen Bahá’í School. 27-30: Oregon Western Bahá’í School, near Portland, Oregon. Contact Lynne Nesbit, Portland, OR 97213 (phone 503-236-4708). 27-30: Florida Bahá’í Winter School, Holiday Inn, Cocoa Beach. Theme: “The Four Year Plan.” Contact Denise Godsey (phone 954-942-1844, e-mail). 28-30: Two courses at Green Acre Bahá’í School: “Bridges from the Bible” with Gary Matthews; “The Worlds of God,” with Diane Iverson and Ron Tomanio, members of the Foundation for the Science of Reality. 28-30: Third Divine Art of Living Conference, Sheraton Grande Torrey Pines, La Jolla, California. Talks by Dr. Riaz Ghadimi in Persian, translated simultaneously into English, on family, courtship, spouse selection, marriage and child rearing. Sponsored by Spiritual Assembly of San Diego, California. For registration information mail to San Diego, CA 92130 or contact Bahia Farahi, phone/fax 619-755-7623; e-mail 28-30: Youth Training Conference, facilitated by Linda Gilpatrick and Alice Moore, Bosch Bahá’í School.

DECEMBER

4-7: Singles Retreat/Friends/Partners and God, Bosch Bahá’í School. 5-7: “The History and Future of the Covenant,” Louhelen Bahá’í School. 6-7, 13-14: Teacher training on Core Curriculum for Spiritual Education of Children, Green Acre Bahá’í School 19-22: Texas North Bahá’í School, Green Family Camp. Contact Homa Villagomez, phone 817-451-1819. 20-23: Children’s Academy, directed by Linda Bedford, Bosch Bahá’í School. 25-28: Thirteenth annual Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference and Youth Conference, Phoenix, Arizona. Theme: The Covenant. Registration Wednesday evening, Dec. 24. Phone 602-922-1919 for conference information and registration materials; phone the Hyatt, 800-233-1234, for hotel reservations. 26-28: California Southern Bahá’í School, at Pilgrim Pines Oak Glen near Yucaipa, California. Contact registrar Edye York, Ontario, CA 91764 (phone 909-983-1022, 909-735-1509 or 909-987-7129). 26–Jan. 1: Winter School general session, including children’s program, Bosch Bahá’í School. Special presenters: J. Richard Hoff, “Training to Assist with Entry by Troops”; Christine Rayner, “Bahá’í Family Life in Today’s World”; Jeffrey Huffines, “Bringing the UN Home.”