The American Bahá’í/Volume 31/Issue 2/Text

From Bahaiworks

[Page 1]


As goals evolve, we respond

“Zraces which shall lagtforever’

Special coverage: A look back at the Four Year Plan, 1996-2000


Distribution of the National Spiritual Assembly's statement Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men has reached a new phase, with Local Assemblies of several state capital cities presenting the statement to their governors as requested by the National Assembly. Above, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (right) receives the statement and greets Earl McGuire of the Little Rock Baha’i community as Angelic Caruthers looks on, during December 1999.

Mildred Mottahedeh, 1908-2000

Message from the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies, February 20, 2000

W: are deeply grieved at the passing of Mildred Mottahedeh, so esteemed, so greatly loved, so staunch and trusted a supporter and defender of the Cause of Bahd’u’llah. With her departure from this earthly life the Baha'i world community has lost an outstanding figure of the opening epochs of the Formative Age of the Bahéa’s


af


Dispensation.

Her more than half a century of tireless endeavor in its service involved her in teaching and administrative activities at the local, national, continental and international levels. At the same time


she maintained a rigorous schedule as a

Letter of condolence from the U.S. president

businesswoman, a contributor to the arts, and a promoter of humanitarian works. ‘To these manifold tasks, she brought the



combined resources of a selfless spirit, a compassionate heart, a creative mind, a practical sense, and a leonine will tempered by humility, candor and wit.

She remained for almost three d at the forefront of the external work of the Bal International Community and in the service of the world center of the Faith, culminating in



les




her membership on the International Baha’i Council, the first globally elected Baha’ body.


With assured hearts, we supplicate in


n times past, goal-oriented activity

I: advance major teaching plans in the Bal th w:

Goals for the United Sta

ty took numerica ber of Spiritual As


ather clear-cut.




certain number of homefront pione and teaching trips, and so forth. In the Four Year Plan the overarching


goal as set by the ersal House of Justice—“a significant advance in the

process of entry by troops”


presents a


more fluid challenge. In fact, in its Ridvan B.E. 153 (1996) letter to the Bahd’is of the world, the




Universal House of Justice welds spiritual purposes together with practical steps on all levels: “It is the individual who manifests the vitality of faith upon which the success of the teaching work and the development of the community depend.” “A community ... is a compoacting participants


sition of diverse, inter that are achieving unity in an unremitting quest fo! and. social progress.” “

rise to a new s



emblies must


age in the exercise of


their responsibilities as channels of divine guidance, planners of the teach ing work, developers of human

SEE FOUR YEAR PLAN, PAGE 5


Tribute to her life





the Holy Shrines for the progress of her illumined soul throughout the divine worlds. Our loving sympathy is extended to the members of her family and all others who mourn her loss. National Spiritual Assemblies are urged to hold befitting memorial gatherings in her honor in all Houses of Worship and other centers.

The Universal House of Justice

The National Spiritual Assembly is happy to share with you a copy of a letter from President Clinton on the passing of Amatu’l-Baha RGhiyyih Khanum and the response from Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary of external affairs, on behalf of the

Letters/ Page 3

American Baha’i community.


Marcu 21, 2000

eoeeeo eee

BAHA/SPLENDOR JALAL/GLORY BAHAY ERA 157

VOLUME 31, NO. 2

“lN-S°1-D-E


MOUNT CARMEL PROJECTS PAGES 14-15, 18



IMAGES FROM THE PLAN PAGES 16-17


  • ARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS

PAGE 31

CLASSIFIED + 21-22 DISTRIBUTION SERVICE * 23-25 IN MEMORIAM = 26 SEEKING YOUR RESPONSE = 27 PERSIAN PAGES + 28-30 prescmmmmecssstesscn cents seacoast sal THE NATIONAL FUND

Between May 1, 1999, and Feb. 29, 2000

$22,500,000 Goal/All Funds

$16,034,659 Received/All Funds

See page 3 for details Pe

  • E-X-C-E-R°P-T-S:

“T am the royal Falcon on the arm of the Almighty. I unfold the drooping wings

of every broken bird and

start it on its flight.”

—Baha’u’llah




[Page 2]ALMANAC


Naw-Raz


‘A Baha’i Holy Day

  • Observed between sunset March 20 and sunset March 21
  • Work is to be suspended

Rooted in an ancient Persian new year festival, Naw-Ruiz was adopted by Baha’u’lléh as a Holy Day. The Baha’is of the Western world observe Naw-Rtz on March 21, though eventually it will always be observed on the day of the spring equinox. The Guardian directed that the Feast of Naw-Riiz be celebrated separately from the administrative Feast for the month of Baha.

“As it is a blessed day it should not be neglected, nor deprived of results by making it a day devoted to the pursuit of mere pleasure. During such days institutions should be founded that may be of per manent benefit and value to the people.”

—‘Abdu’l-Baha, quoted in Bahd’w'lldh and the New Era, p. 182

Festival of Ridvan


Baha’i Festival and Holy Days

  • Observed sunset April 20 through sunset May 2
  • First Day of Ridvén observed sunset April 20 through sunset April 21; devotional gatherings should be 4 p.m. daylight

time April 21 (3 p.m. where standard tim effect)

  • Ninth Day of Ridvan observed sunset April 28 through sunset April 29

¢ Twelfth Day of Ridvan observed sunset May | through sunset May 2

  • Work is to be suspended on each of the three Holy Days

within the 12-day Festival of Ridvan Baha'u'llah has called Ridvan the “King of fe word Ridvén means paradise. During this period, ebrate the 12 days in 1863 when Baha’u'llah r den in Baghdad—later called the Garden of Rid that time proclaimed His mission as God’s Messeng “Verily, all created things were immersed in the sea of | purification







%

when, on that first day of Ridvdn, We shed upon the whole of creation the splendors of Our most excellent Names and most exalted Attributes.”

—Bahd’u'llah, Kitab-i-Aqdas, para. 75

The Universal House of Justice is elected every five years during the Festival of Ridvan; the latest such election was in 1998 (B.E. 155). National Spiritual Assemblies are elected each year, usually during Ridvan, though during years of House of Justice elections the National Assembly elections are moved to late May. Local Spiritual Assemblies are chosen by the friends each year at election meetings held during the First Day of Ridvan.


Some significant dates in Baha’i history

Late March and April ‘dward G. Browne delivered the first lecture on h in the West, to a private audience in Newcastle, England. March 21, 1909: ‘Abdu’l-Ba ‘i placed the sacred remains of the Bab in their final res y hrine of the Bab on Mount Carmel at the time co: gular six-room structure. March-April 192. or the first time directed the formation of Nati ies and established nblies. He then of the Faith to the Greatest









entrusted the worldwide affai Holy Leaf and withdrew to Europe before returning to fully

take the


of the Guardianship.



involving, at that time, eight National Spiritual Assembli April 6, 1954: The Guardian created five Auxiliary Boards to help and advise the Hands of the Cause of God in Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and Australia.

March 21, 1990: Bah: in Cluj, Romania, formed the first Assembly in Eastern Europe since World War II.





Facts in the “Some Significant Dates” section compiled from A Basic Baha'i Chronology. «<


Overcoming a severe speech defect, in NEI


eRTITL ABDULLAH, a Baha’i in

OBERT RENEAU is a hero to perRive: of all types in his native wuntry of Belize, so it was with enthusiasm that the Belize Arts Council presented the Wilmette, Illinois, resident with a Lifetime Achievement Award at a November ceremony in Belize City.

Reneau, born in 1920 and a Baha'i since the early 1960s, not only has sung and played piano before _ presidents and members of British royalty, but inspired many others with his direction of musical and dramatic groups; his songwriting, playwrighting and choreography; and his activity to preserve and promote Belizean culture in the arts.

‘This is not his first award. Among a few examples, he and groups he directed con sistently won prizes in Belize’s National Festival of the Arts until he moved to the United States in the 1970s. In 1975 he was given an MBE medal by Britain’s Prince Philip for his artistic efforts. He was listed in Who Who Among Black Americans 1980-81.

Determination and hard work in a variety of fields—including his childhood study of music and art and his training and experience as a tailor in Belize City—led him to all-around excellence in the arts.


young adulthood he sought training in speech and schooled himself in singing and dance. He began acting on stage, and by 1959 was a regular radio announcer.

As early as 1948 he was staging mammoth musical, dance and dramatic productions, writing many of them himself. He achieved national distinction in thenBritish Honduras as a musician, a popular songwriter, a choirmaster and a “coach” for the popular singing group the Bobettes, as well as a theatrical set and costume designer.

He touched the lives of many students at the St. Mary’s School and the Bob Reneau School of the Dance in the 1950s and 1960s. His dance troupe performed for enthusiastic audiences in the Americas and the Caribbean in the 1950s and ’60s.

As British Honduras became an independent Belize, Reneau used his influence and built relationships to preserve the Creole culture as an important artistic voice in his country, when political currents appeared to threaten it. His songs and productions showed a sense of joy that aimed to bring out the best points of the national character.

After moving to the Chicago area, he continued to perform from time to time, and contributed to such productions as the Miss Belize Florida Pageant in 1991-92.




Jacksonville, Florida, was the valedictorian of her graduating class at Ribault High School this past June. She has been a youth ambassador to the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership

Conference.

MIicHaeEL MissaGui, a 17-year-old Baha’i from Blaine, Minnesota, received his state’s top score in the Chemistry Olympiad test sponsored by the American Chemical Society.


Gat. Meyer SELCUK, a Baha’i in Longboat Key, Florida, accumulated a 4.0 average in earning a master’s degree in education. Her final project’s focus was applying the principles of “transformational learning” to Baha’f consultation. With her husband, Emin, she has since then given presentations on various Baha'i principles to universities and women’s groups in Cyprus.

Readers may notice a change from the usual publication date of The American Bahd’i. Beginning with this issue, we have made an adjustment in our publication schedule. We will continue to publish 10 issues each year, to be received by U.S. Baha’is on or about the first day of every second Baha’i month (except for one issue to be dated Feb. 26).


THE AMERICAN


PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’iS OF THE UNITED STATES

Baha’i National Center 847-869-9039

Editorial Office of The American Bahai Mail: 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: 847-853-2352 Fax: 847-256-1372

E-mail:

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Editor James Humphrey /

Associate Editor ‘Tom Mennillo

Facilities Manager, Baha’i Media Services Artis Mebane

Contributors

Julie Badiee, Addison Bibb, James Cheal, Kandra Crute, Caswell Ellis, Patricia Humphrey, Ivan Lloyd, Soroush Shakib, Ruhi Vargha, Yael Wurmfeld $$$ ———

PUBLISHED ONCE EVERY 38 DAYS (plus one. special issue) for a total of 10 issues per year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is 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 \ Canada: Publications Agreement Number 1486683 " ADDRESS CHANGES If you have an address change, or wish to stop or consolidate mailings, contact the Membership Office, Baha’{ National Center, 1233 Central St, Evanston, IL, 60201 (e-mail ). ‘There is no need to contact the Editors directly. A form is on the back page.

SUBMITTING ARTICLES AND PHOTOS THE AMERICAN BAHA‘I welcomes news, letters or other items of interest from individuals and institutions of the Baha'i Faith.

  • ARTICLES should be clear, concise and

relevant to the goals of the Four Year Plan and the National ashing Plan. We may edit stories for length. We cannot print advance articles to publicize locally, red events, but may be able to list them in the Calendar.

  • PHOTOGRAPHS may be color or blackand-white prints. Please submit photos

that are well-composed and in focus, and identify people in photos when possible. If you wish photos returned, include a self-addressed envelope (you do not need to supply postage). DEADLINES for upcoming issues:

June 5: Deadline April 21

July 13: Deadline May 26


PLEASE ADDRESS ALL ITEMS for possible publication to The American Baba’, 1233 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (e-mail



en Cun a aa the Baha'is of the United States.

World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.



page 2

‘THe AMERICAN BAnA’i ¢ ALMANAC/EXCELLENCE

March 21, 2000 [Page 3]mages TRON NT


THE*SECOND*FRONT



Mildred Mottahedeh passes away at 91

Businesswoman was first offi

he many facets of Mildred Root




ahedeh were etched from

the station of servant.

ed member of the { Council, first offi to the United Nations,



Baha’ observ. world-renowned producer and collector

of fine porcelain, pioneer in Baha’ so


and econon

mother. Mildred Mottahedeh, 91, died Fe!

at New York-Presbyte

ic development,

17




ial Baha'i observer at United Nations


Enrollments




February 2000 Since May 1, 1999...



7238



THE FUND

May 1, 1999—Feb. 29, 2000

Contributions received by National Treasurer




Goal for

Received since GON

Manhattan. Servi » held three




« E. Campbell , 1076 Madison Ave.

right, New J 'y, on Aug. 7, 1908, Mrs. Mottahedeh discovered her natural affinity for design while



collecting Japanese prints at age 13.

She met Rafi Y. Mottahedeh, an Iranian-born importer, in New Yor in 1929 the “two collecting nuts,” a told the New York Times in 1989, were united in m:

As newlywe Mottahedeh & the most presti duction of porcelain and in other de



tive arts.




the couple formed and it became one of


firms in the repro- _ vice is worship.


A Baha'i since 1929, Mrs. Mottahedeh based her life on the principle that ser 1- Her long service to the New York City


Mildred Mottahedeh (center), familiar with ceremony from her years as a U.N. d_ special observer, was equally at home traveling to underdeveloped areas of the he world to organize projects for their benefit. file photo

Baha'i community was typified by an episode recounted in Martha Root: Lioness at the Threshold by M.R. C



SEE MOTTAHEDEH, PAGE 22

A letter on Ruhiyyih Khanum’s passing from President Clinton

Letter to Firuz Kazemzadeh, National Spiritual Assembly secretary for external affairs, dated Feb. 11, 2000:

Dear Firuz:

Hillary and I were saddened to learn of the death of Ruhi Rab

As the wife of Shoghi Effendi, and later as one of the Hands of the se, she made extraodinary contribut continuity of the Baha’i faith, and her extensive trav the integration of that faith in the global commun: played an important role in the commitment of the Baha’is to racial reconciliation and the cause of women’s rights.

‘To read of Ruhiyyih Rabbani’s wide-ranging interests in literature, the environment, the arts, and other pursuits is to understand in small part what her loss means not only to your community, but also to the world. Please know that our thoughts are with you and the entire Baha’i community.




ns to the inter










Sincerely, Bill Clinton

Reponse to the president, dated Feb. 22, 2000

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of the American Baha’{ community and on my own I thank you and Mrs. Clinton for sympathy on me Rabbani. s you have so ately le extraordinary contributions to the development of the Baha’i Faith and won the hearts of its adherents throughout the world. A New Yorker by birth, C ian by upbringing, by choice and conviction, she lived and left a rich heritage to future gen



noted, mad







ton for your k With high regard and best wishes, Firuz Kazemzadeh

May 1, 1999:

$16,034,659 $27,000,000

Rhea ren ets

Per eens



83 % of fiscal year has passed

April 30, 2000 4





Total cash-basis revenues and expenditures

for Baha’i National Fund May 1, 1999-Jan. 31, 1999 (latest available figures)

17,856,316

Revenues (contributions, book sales, school fees etc.)


$19,677,048

Expenditures (operations, capital and debt payments etc.)





Critical projects that could no longer be deferred have forced our Baha'i national operations into a cash deficit.



Mail contributions to:

National Baha’i Fund

112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091-2800 Please write Baha’i ID # on check



91" Baha’i National Convention

+ April 27-30, 2000 + Sheraton Arlington Park + Arlington

The National Spiritual Assembly looks forward to greeting

Last name

First name

ights, IL +


the elected delegates at the 91st Baha’i National Convention. The Convention will open Thursday evening, April 27, and close midday Sunday, April 30.

Complete information on the Web: www.usbnc.org

Baha’i ID number

E-mail

Mailing address

Day phone


Visitors may pre-register with this form or a copy (sepa Evening phone:


rate copy for each person, please). Those who pre-register will be given priority for seating. Mail ASAP to: Conventions Office, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette IL 60091

aon OR: Fax 847-869-0247 Sp

Please check if you will r

essibility

any other spec

Sign language translation __


OR: Register through www.usbnc.org OR: e-mail No phone registrations, please

location is wheelchair accessible

Room Reservations at the Sheraton: Phone 800-344-3434 or 847-394-2000 » Fax 847-394-9868 Contact hotel directly by March 28 * Ask for Baha’i contract room rate ($85 per room + tax)



March 21, 2000

Tue American BanA’t * THe Seconp FRONT

page 3 [Page 4]

Carta de la Casa Universal de Justicia

Spanish translation of a letter of the Universal House of Justice that appeared in the Dec. 31, 1999, issue of The American Bahd’i

A los baha’is

lo largo del Plan de Cuatro Atos hemos estado revisando las leyes Jel Kitab-i-Aqdas que todavia no

se aplican universalmente, con objeto de determinar cuales seria oportuno poner en vigor a partir de ahora.

Vemos en todas partes una sed creciente de vida espiritual y de esclare imiento moral. Se reconoce la ineficacia de planes y programas de mejoramiento humano que no estén rraigados en una vida consciente del espirivu y de la virtud ética. ¢Quiénes pueden estar mejor preparados para colmar este anhelo que quienes ya han recibido la inspiracién de Jas Ens as de Baha’u'llah y cuentan con el auxilio de Su Poder?

Por ello, hemos decidido que es imperativo que todos los. creyentes ahonden en su comprensién de la bendicién que les confieren las leyes que promueven directamente la vida devota de la persona y, por tanto, de la comunidad misma. Los baha’fs conocen en esencia lo que son estas leyes; ahora bien, hacerse cabalmente consciente de ellas comporta asimismo llevar a cabo todos los aspectos divinamente revelados para su observacién. Nos referimos













HUQUQU’LLAH

THE RIGHT OF GOD


Payments to Huqtiqu’llah should be made to “The Baha’i Huqiqu’llth Trust” (please write Baha'i ID number on your check) and sent to one of the Trustees:

  • Amin Banani,

Santa Monica, CA 90402 (phone 310-394-5449, fax 310-394-6167, e-mail )

  • Stephen Birkland,

Arden Hills, MN. 55112 (phone 651-484-9518, fax 651-415-1766, e-mail

)

  • Sally Foo,

Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 (phone 609-671-9125, fax 609-671-0740, e-mail )

  • Daryush Haghighi,

Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 440-333-1506, fax - 440-333-6938, e-mail

)

  • Elizabeth Martin, P.O. Box

178, Winnsboro, SC 29180 (phone 803-635-9602, e-mail )

Office of the Secretariat, Baha’f Hugqtiqu’llah ‘Trust: Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 440-333-1506, fax 440-333-6938, e-mail )*




del mundo, 28 de diciembre de 1999

a las leyes relativas a la oraci6n obligatoel ayuno y la recitacién del Mas Grande Nombre noventa y cinco veces al dia.

Baha'u'llah afirma: “Quien no realiza buenas obras ni actos de adoracién es como un drbol que no da fruto, y una accién que no deja rastro. Aquel que experimente el sagrado éxtasis de la adoracién rebusara trocar ese acto o cualquier alabanza de Dios por todo lo que existe en el mundo. El ayuno y la oracién obligatoria son como dos alas para la vida del hombre. Bendito sea el que se remonta con su ayuda en el cielo del amor de Dios, el Senor de todos los mundos.”

Los amigos han estado familiarizados durante mucho tiempo con la gran importancia que Baha’u’llah atribuye a la oraci6n obligatoria y al camplimiento del ayuno; no obstante, algunos aspectos de la ley, tales como los relacionados: con las abluciones, el viaje y la compensacion de oraciones perdidas, faltaban por aplicarse universalmente. Este es el paso que ahora se da. De este modo, todos los elementos de las leyes relativos a la oracién obligatoria y el ayuno, sin excepci6n, son ya aplicables.

‘También hemos decidido que es el




momento propicio para que de todos los f presten ater palabras siguientes del Kitib-i-Aqdas: “Se ha ordenado a todo creyente en Dios, el Senior del Juicio, que cada dia, babiéndose Javado las manos y luego la cara, se siente y, volviéndose hacia Dios, repita noventa y cinco veces ‘Allah-u-Abhi.’ Ese fue el decreto del Hacedor de los Cielos cuando, con majestad y poder, Se establecié en los tronos de Sus Nombres.” Sintamos todos el enriquecimiento itual que este acto sencillo de meditacién devota ha de reportar a nuestras almas.

El crecimiento espiritual generado por los actos de devocién personales s refuerza mediante el trato amoroso entre los amigos de cada localidad, mediante la adoracién comunitaria y mediante el servicio a la Fe y a nuestros congéneres. Estos aspectos comunales de la vida piadosa guardan relacién con Ja ley del Mashriqu’l-Adhkhaér que aparece mencionada en el Kitab-iAqdas. A pesar de que no ha llegado la hora para la edificaci6n de los Mashriqu’l-Adhkhares locales, la celebracién de reuniones regulares de adoraci6n abiertas a todos y la participacion de las comunidades bahé’is en proyectos de servicio humanitario son expresiones






> este elemento de la vida baha’t y stituyen un paso més en la puesta en prictica de la Ley de Dios.

“Hemos adornado el cielo de la expresién con las estrellas de la sabiduria divina y de las dispo: sagradas como una merced de Nuestra parte. Verdaderamente, Nos somos el que Siempre Perdona, el Mads Generoso. ;Ob amigos de Dios en todas las regiones! Sibed el valor de estos dias y aferraos a todo aqueHo que ha sido enviado desde Dios, el Mas Grande, el Mas Exaltado. Verdaderamente, El os recuerda en la Mas Grande Prision y os instruye sobre lo que hard que os acerquéis a una estacién que deleita los ojos de los puros de corazin. La gloria sea con vosotros y con los que han alcanzado esa fuente viviente que fluye desde Mi Pluma maravillosa.”

Rogamos ante el Sagrado Umbral a fin de que, al prestarse mayor atenci6n a esa esencia espiritual de las ensefianzas que se expresa en estas leyes, se potencie la devocién de los amigos hacia la Fuente de todas las mercedes y con ello se atraiga a la Causa las almas receptivas de entre Sus hijos espiritualmente hambrientos.



mes




La Casa Universal de Justicia

Scholarly conferences issue calls for papers

‘Irfan Colloquium—three sessions: London School of Economics, London, July 14-16 Louhelen Baha'i School, Oct. 6-8 Bosch Baha'i School, Nov. 23-26

‘The ‘Irfan Colloquia and Seminars began in 1994 and are conducted in honor of Haj Mehdi Arjmand, an early Iranian Baha'i of Jewish background who was an expert in interpreting the Bible and the Qur’4n.

The main theme of each colloquium in 2000 will be “Mysticism and the Bal ith,” as part of the series of colloquia on “World Religions and the Baha’ Faith.”

‘The seminar, which follows each colloquium, will be devoted to the revelation of Bahd’u’llah in the ‘Akké period (at London and Louhelen) and in the Istanbul period (at Bosch).

Presentations of papers on mysticism, “Principles of Baha’i Theology” and “Writings of Bahd’u’llah” are welcome. Abstracts of about 250 words should be sent in advance and as early as possible.

‘To submit abstracts or for more information, contact Iraj Ayman, Bahai National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-733-3501, fax 847-733-3502,








For registration information for the respective sessions, contact:

  • London School of Economics, Mirta Lopez-Claros, Flat 1,

London WI14 8JL, UK (phone and fax 0171 371 6022, e-mail .

  • Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI

48423-8603 (phone 810- (033, fax 810-653-7181, email )

  • Bosch Baha’f School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA

95060-9677, (phone 831-423-3387, fax 831-423-7564, email »




American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting Nashville, Tennessee, Nov. 18-21 ‘The Baha’i Faith has maintained a presence at the American


Academy of Religion since about 1985. Baha’{ papers are presented at a Baha’i Studies Colloquy, held in association with the AAR. Baha’is are also encouraged to submit papers dealing with aspects of the Faith to other AAR panels.

‘The Baha’i Studies Colloquy will host one or two sessions of talks on the Baha’ Faith as it relates to themes and interests of the American Academy of Religion, which is a professional gathering of 8,000 university professors and graduate students of religion and the Bible. Presentations should be 30 minutes long.

Talks will be selected ba ing their main points. Please Robert — Stockman (fax

¥









ed on 250-word abstracts describit abstracts by April 30 to 240-209-1273, e-mail



First International Conference of Hebrew University of Jerusalem Chair of Baha'i Studies and Landegg Academy of Switzerland “The Babi and Bah4’i Religions In the Context of Modern Religious Movements” At Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, Dec. 24-27


The appearance of the Bab in Iran coincided with highly s nificant developments in the worlds of Judaism, Christianity and Sunni Islam. The aim of this conference is to examine the development of the Babi and Baha’i religions in the broader context of developments in the other major monotheistic religions since the 19th century.

Scholars who wish to participate in the conference are requested to send by June 1 the name of the proposed paper and a brief summary of its contents, plus a short curriculum vitae con g personal details, the institution of affiliation of research and publication.

For registration and other information, contact the convenor, Linda Egger, Chair of Baha’i Studies, Faculty of Humanities, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, 91905, Jerusalem, Israel (phone +972-2-5324390, fax +972-2-5883742, e-mail ).








and main a




page4 Tne American BanA’i ¢ News

March 21, 2000 [Page 5]“Craces which shall last forever

The Four Year Plan


In Part One of The American Bahbd’’s rewwospective on the Four Year Plan, we traced how institutions at the national, regional and_ local levels formulaved “strategic, flexible teaching plans” to advance the process of entry by troops.

As our look back continued in Part Two, we turned to how the knowledge and tools gained during this momentous period have helped strengthen Local Spiritual Assemblies and provide the American Baha’{ community with efficient administration and prompt consolidation.

‘The Regional Baha’i Councils have played a role in Assembly development, as have the national Office of Assembly Development and Treasurer's Office through their training modules and seminars.

Within the community, we’ve seen during the Plan unprecedented development of human resources, and greater social cohesion through such elements as integration of refugees and more effective use of the arts.

This issue, in Part Three of the retrospective, we focus on how we have carried out plans at all levels:

  • Goal-directed behavior: increasing the active core of the

community; reaching all strata of society; pioneering; interlocking our efforts in response to the Na _ tional Teaching Plan; the youth “Heroic Deeds of Service” cam paign; involvement of _ the individual; Fund development; and publishing activity.

  • Relating the Faith to contemporary social and humanitarian

issues: the National Spiritual Assembly’s Two Wings of a Bird statement; social and economic development; race unity forums; and training programs.

  • Reaching people of capacity: presentations of Universal House of

Justice and National Assembly statements to leaders; and community and individual initiatives. Also in this issue are international

_ highlights during the Plan, includ ing the Mount Carmel Projects and _ worldwide teaching, education, development and external affairs activities.

The April 9isue will wrap up our retrospective with themes that hay run through published Universal

House of. Justice messages and. our

National Spiritual Keene

oe and Tee letters during the |







The main Topi hae! been drawn from “Promoting Entry _ by | a document by the Research Department of. Universal House of Justice. # ae


1996-2000: A look back


Stories by Tom Mennillo * Part thie of four parts

Community ACTION PATTERNS FOR GROWTH OF THE FAITH


Charleston, South Carolina: People-to-people connections were what a 1997 conference, “Race Unity: A Prescription for the Healing of the Nation,” was all about. Baha’is and local dignitaries and scholars gathered in a three-day confer ence aimed at examining practical models of racial unity. It also celebrated


restoration work at the childhood home of the Hand of the Cause Louis Gregory.

FOUR YEAR PLAN, continuep From Pace |

Pe ecrccccccccccccccecccoccce

resources, builders of communities, and loving shepherds of the multitudes.”

With the Four Year Plan close to its conclusion, how progress made by Bal institutions, communities and individuals toward these goals?

There still are numbers to be toted


can we measure the



up—highly encouraging ones in at least two are!

The national media initiative, part of the National * ng Plan, helped rally Baha’{ communities from across the country in unprecedented ways. Before the initiative was brought into nationwide operation in early 1998, perhaps a few national-scale efforts may h: drawn about 200 local Bal








e


communities into cooperation.

Now, an astounding 1,371 localities or regional task forces are hooked into the 1-800-22-U system to eive phone re s from people attracted by national or local Baha’i broadcasts.

Since March 1998, those broadcasts and other mass media proclamations have stimulated tens of thousands of responses by inquirers on the phone or the Interne 999







alone. For a growing number of communities, that translates i ers in contact with Baha’is, more energy put into welcoming them, and in cases more enrollments.

Pioneering was the only field of Baha'i activity that had national numerical goals from the beginning of the Plan. As of the end of February, the 5,113 ional traveling teaching trips by American Baha’is has far surpassed the goal of 4,500, while fewer than 10 people must settle abroad before May | to meet the international pioneering goal of 1,200.

But beyond numbers, the House of tice has called for signifi ncement in patterns of be! characterized “in the unity and fellowship of the community and_ the dynamism and activity of its growth.”

And the patterns are emerging. Bal at all levels are reaching out to humanity in increasingly advanced and divers: ways. We are inviting the public to get to


















know our communities, not only through proclamation and firesides but through public devotional meetings and

deeds of service. As decentralization advances, we are


r any plan to succeed, it must be Presets and_ systematically ursued.

American Baha'is are demonstrating more and more that they’ve internalized that truth. They're putting their all into expansion of the community, and they’re growing not just in numbers but in capacity and unity.


Bowling Green, Kentucky The friends here found that if you d it they will come.

The “it” in this a well-integrated mix of devotional gatheri gS) teaching, Fea youth activiti ses, deepenings, development projects and social activities. The most recent addition was a local training institute.

The “they” are seel and, eventually, believers. Bowling Green has attracted people of all backgrounds and








new



SEE COMMUNITY ACTION, PAGE 6


taking greater responsibilities for our Baha’ life at the local and regional levels. We are solidifying local, area and regional communities with activities that unite us with a common purpose.

Through Baha’i schools, training institutes and other means, we are educating ourselves by the thousands in the verities of the Faith a transform those teac action.

We are increasing our ty and outward confide: forward the ideals of ra gender equ: people through development efforts.

‘The national Bah: munity tide of momentum that places us well to meet the challenges of the Twelve Month Plan— ig an even sharper honing of our s knowledge and character, and a fuller embrace of children and junior youth.

This ongoing series of articles looking back at the Four Year Plan continues to demonstrate such patterns that show American Bah 1 whole, growing more energet and more systematic in all these avenues for advancing the process of entry by troops.










nward maturie in moving



ona







March 21, 2000

The AMERICAN BanA’‘i ¢ Four Yeak PLan page 5 [Page 6]

OUTH PLEDGES OF SERVICE MANY ‘HEROIC DEEDS’ ADD UP TO A LOVING GIFT


E mid-1999 a gift winged its way to the Universal House of Justice with

LOCAL GLIMPSES: COMMUNITY COLLABORATION


“love, faith and support from the Baha’i youth of the United States.”

The gift consisted of several hundred pledges from youths of all ages to “perform, during the Four Year Plan, heroic

f it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community—better yet, several of them—to attract, nurture and confirm believers. These communities and sets of communities drew on training resources, artistic talents and each others’ energies to further the National Teaching Plan and regional and local teaching plans. #


deeds of service to the Cause,” as the Universal House of Justice had urged the American believers in its Ridvan 1996 message to North America.

‘The “Heroic Deeds of Service” campaign was launched by the National Youth Committee in May 1998, at the midpoint in the Four Year Plan and 150 years after the Conference of Badasht.

Each youth was asked to pray, deepen and think about what makes an action heroic, then choose one action he or she considers to be heroic. Youths were also asked to fill out a pledge sheet describing their planned actions and why they consider them to be heroic.

In its announcement, the committee noted that what is “heroic” will mean something different to each person, but that heroism involves sacrifice, idealism, love, faith, hard work and persistence. Some teaching and service opportun: for the upcoming summer period of traditionally heightened activity were listed.

As the campaign progressed, periodic reminders were issued—some quoting from pledges that had been received.

By February 1999, with 15 months remaining in the Plan, the committee reported that 195 pledges had come in














Portland, Oregon, area

A cluster of 23 Baha’i communities in two states found strength in unified action. With help from the Regional Committee and Auxiliary Board members, they joined in the Helen Bishop Teaching Campaign for the Martyrs. Ata consultation event, they devised a set of goals for firesides, devotional gatherings and race unity dialogues.

A coordinating team was appointed (the photo above is from a 1998 meeting), as well as task forces for community development, diyersitybuilding, external affairs, individual teaching, media and youth. Supporting the campaign were courses offered, in response to Assemblies’ stated needs, by the regional training institutes in Oregon and Washington.

4 )

Columbus, Ohio

Sometimes good ideas can be contagious.

The Baha’{ community in Columbus maintained a database of about 300 seekers, and several mailings were sent out each year. But they took a good look and realized no real contact was involved.

Assembly members had heard of a successful system for seeker follow-up used in Marquette, Michigan. They met with the Marquette Assembly and reviewed the teaching model that community had developed.

Columbus decided to adopt that model. As a first step, primary teachers were assigned to each seeker and monthly reports on each seeker given to the Assembly.

The community stepped up the number and frequency of its firesides and devotional gatherings so there would be plenty of events for seekers. Once people declared, a training institute course based on We Are Babd’is was ready for their participation.




to its office.

A month later, the number topped 200. The committee reminded youths that, although pledges could be submitted at any time during the Plan, little time remained for inclusion in the nearly wrapped-up gift to the Supreme Institution.


‘That spurred additional youths to tell the National Youth Committee of their plans, and the gift was dispatched.

Later, a response came from the Department of the Secretariat at the Baha’i World Center:

delighted to re:

COMMUNITY ACTION, continuen From pace 5

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helped them arise to serve the Faith and humanity. ‘The community’ assessment of all that has gone on: “We have been thrilled and stunned by our experience of rapid growth. We have had our lives immeasurably enriched by our new friends, weddings, births, new families, and by the indescribable love and dedication we all share. We have only begun to taste what community truly means in Baha’u'llah’s vast renewal of all life on earth.”


Across the West

A Trail of Light team of 14 believers taught the Faith in several states en route from the Native American Baha’i Institute to the Neah Bay Councilfire.

The traveling teachers visited pion other Baha’fs; attended an Indian tribal fa invited to participate in a parade (and won second place); and served communities by picking up litter.

Ultimately, their biggest reward was to give a fireside whenever the opportunity arose. And people were attracted everywhere they went, beca of éach member's example of service and openn

Since then, “mini-Trail of Light” teaching teams have gone out to different parts of the N Reservation and others will travel to adjoining


and







reservations during the rest of the Four Year Plan.

On the road, Southern States Wherever there was teaching in the Southeast during the Plan, the mobile Baha’f Information Center sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Hamilton County, Tennessee, was liable to be in the thick of things. Activities on succes


e weekends in 1997 typify

the converted airport shuttle’s effective use by communities.

First the teaching bus, as it is known, motored down Interstate 75 to Adanta to assist with the consolidation of Southeast Asian believ i Chamblee, De


ville and north DeKalb County. ted and curious neighbors were invited into the van for impromptu firesid

‘The next day, teachers went into new neighborhoods. The van was parked in prominent place: and people spilled outdoors to see what it v Contact was made with dozens of people (black, white, Asian and Latino), literature was distributed in five languages and enrollments resulted among Cambodians, Vietnamese and Guatemalans.

One weekend later as the teaching bus stayed in the Chattanooga area, it was put to good use helping the Baha’f group of Red Bank with its first





“The Universal House of Justice was


July 1999 enclosing a letter from your National Youth Committee together with a list of American Baha’f youth who have pledged a wide range of ‘hero


ic deeds of service,’ and we are to assure you of its ardent prayers in the Holy Shrines that these youth may attain their heart’s desire in service to the Faith.”

And the deeds of service go on.

ive your letter dated 26


FN) det Mga ll Piya As ra a ae CE


The Trail of Light teaching team focused on community service as well as spreading the Baha'i teachings wherever it went in Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Washington last summer.


page6 THe AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ Four YEAR PLAN

March 21, 2000 [Page 7]

‘FOUR-YE

A


oP

Berea eee een eee eee eee eee reece ae ery LAN ’ ’


FUND DEVELOPMENT:


Ww is a discussion of the Funds not about money? Quite often, actually, because giving is a spiritual thing.

Fund development was a critical element in prosecuting the National Teaching Plan and other goals of the Four Year Plan.

After all, the National Spiritual Assembly had commitments to keep, including an unprecedented and expensive medi: campaign; decentralization of admini trative duties to erect the infrastructure for a much larger Baha’ community; emergence of the divine institution of Regional Baha’{ Councils; establishment and expansion of regional training inst tutes; renovation and maintenance of







Worship; and aid for the International Fund, including the Mount Carmel Pros well as for the Continental Fund.

Therefore, lovingly deepening the friends on their obligation to contribute t time and energy but material reto the Cause became an ongoing priority of the national Treasurer's Of fi







he message took many forms, from articles in The American Bahd’t to frequent Feast letters, Local Assembly goal-setting and the Stewardship and Development program.

In articles and letters, the Treasurer's Office discussed the role of the local treasurer as a helpmate to personal spiritual transformation and community growth; empowered children and youth i of opportunities—some one-time in nature—that the National Assembly could pursue if resources were available; roid oH erials available on tax ques well as will writing and other, newly expanded options for planned gi






eececcccccccccccccccce

time participation in the annual Red Bank Jubilee.

ince the Jubilee’s theme was lucation Excellence,” quotations from. the Writings on the topic were handed out and area Baha’fs, including the valedictorian of that year’s senior class at Red Bank High School, marched in the parade behind the van. Later, Baha’ staffed a booth and directed interested people to the van.




Lawrenceville, New Jersey

It might have seemed impossible to the Baha’fs of Lawrenceville: host a series of three public talks, hand-deliver a personal invitation to every one of the town’s 10,000 households, coordinate the series with a new Web site and follow up with a week rotating schedule of fireside:

But the community of 11 adult Baha’is did just that, amid a full schedule of Assembly meetings, devotions, deepenings, personal firesides and children’s classes.

Over a few months, the talks—on the spiritual dimension of the new millenni







As a goal was set each year for the National Baha’i Fund, the office’s communications showed it to be an assessment by the National Assembly of our potential and responsibility in relation to the Faith’s material support. ponses by institutions and individuals d needs were related through ice and determination. Sometimes, the office had to advise of cutbacks that Fund shortfalls made necessary at national agencies and, just as important, the impact of those cutbacks.






The Local Assembly goal program evolved during the Plan as local institutions came to grips with change. The program had begun in 1990 with a core of 750 Assemblies participating, and expanded the next year to all Assemblies. In 1993-94, the National Assembly asked local institutions to set their own goals. ‘That worked fine at first, but over time fewer and fewer Assemblies apprised the ‘Treasurer's Office of their commitments.

Education was the key to changing that situation as well as the overall Fund picture. And that’s where the Stewardship




SHINING A SPIRITUAL LIGHT ON OUR MATERIAL MEANS

and Development program came in. raining of seminar facilitators began in early 1997.

Before long, hundreds of local treasurers, Assembly members and others across the country were learning how to meet and manage the material resources needed to build thriving Baha’{ communities and, ultimately, the Kingdom of God on earth.

As an aid toward that purpose, revised editions—first on paper, then online—of the Stewardship and Development reference manual were published.



LOCAL GLIMPSES: COMMUNITY COLLABORATION




Issaquah, Washington: The Baha’i Faith Information Center downtown in this small city was opened in late 1996 as a project of an inter-Assembly committee for teaching, and in its first year alone was the site for numerous firesides, prayer meetings, singles activities, youth and children’s gatherings and several well-publicized musical events.


Louisiana/Mississippi Collaboration and universal participation were hallmarks of a conference involving 90 Baha’is from these two states in early 1997.

The host Assembly of Jackson, Mississippi, worked with the Regional Committee and Auxiliary Board members to plan the event. Believers of all ages from both states developed the devotions and sessions, made decorations and shared their talents.

Workshops were held on teaching and the elements involved in advancing the process of entry by troops, with the friends given tools to create their own individual and community teaching plans.

Inspiration abounded. Tales of the history of the Faith in the area were told. Stories of victories and activities were shared. Counselor Tod Ewing spoke to the public on the Baha'i view of race unity.




COCCOCCEE OOOO OOOO OOO OOO EE SE SOO OOO ESOS OOOHOOOOOOOOOOOEEEOOOOOOEOOOOOO®

um—were carefully crafted and tested. An inspirational audio-visual presentation was put together. The Web site was created, modeled after the Atlanta site. The formal invitations were lovingly designed, printed and folded.

‘Two weeks before the first talk, the idewalks with the invitaSs were stepped up and the fireside schedule created. The ty gathered a final time to recite special prayers. The speech venue was decorated.

When all was complete, every community member had contributed something to the project. And the results showed it: More than 40 people showed up for the first talk, about 2,500 people visited the Web site, hundreds more were introduced to the Baha'i message while reading an rpt of the talk on the invitation, and questions about the Faith poured in.












Southern States Youths from across the South engaged ity that coupled individual ini


tiative with systematic planning.

The Victory Initiative, a first for the Southern Regional Youth Coordinating ‘Team, was a plan for individual youths and youth groups to act in promoting the harmony of the races.

‘The first component was for participating youths to present The Vision of Race Unity statement to principals, deans, etc., and recite the prayer for the Southern States every day.

The second was for Baha act in any way they felt ¢






youths to able to pro


mote race unity and a Baha'i es left


on race relations. This fle youths feeling free to contribute in w that matched their talents or capaciti

‘Two youths in Florida hosted a fireside on race unity for youth. A Texan initiated a monthly dialogue on racism. Alabama brothers participated in a Baha'i play on racism. A South Carolina youth dedicated a week of her service at WLGI to the promotion of race unity. The Baha'i club at the University of North Carolina held its second annual Rally for Race Unity.








Houston, Texas Charletta Martin had a positive impression of Baha’fs from her childhood in Houston, Texas. But it was only recently that she came

in contact again with the Faith through billboards

Web


Could it be the answer to her prayer that God would lead her to truth?

Martin began downloading and copying information on the Faith. She also used the Internet to communicate with Baha’is and continually deepen.

Still, she found it difficult to declare her: ing the loss of her family. She struggled with this issue until she read on the Internet a quote from the Universal House of Justice that stirred her to action.

‘The next day she declared ata weekend coffee hour in Houston hosted by the local teaching committee.


Charletta Martin




March 21,2000 Tite AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ Four YEAR PLAN page 7 [Page 8]Ne



Gupporcing Baha’fs as they advance the process of entry by troops has been the aim of every step taken by the Baha’f Publishing Trust and Baha’{ Distribution Service during the Four Year Plan. Among the more important steps:

A succession of books, pamphlets and other products has been coordinated with the National Teaching Plan and its twin foci of race unity and the equality of women and men.

An increasing emphasis was placed on marketing. Plans were made for sale of products over the Internet and for greater collaboration with National Assembly-owned retail sales outlets at the permanent schools and the Baha’i House of Worship.

The Distribution Service moved from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Fulton County, Georgia, in time for the final year of the Plan. The new facility will allow for expansion of stock and staff as needed and is conveniently loted near an overnight shipping hub nd Atlanta’s Hartsfield International port.

Perhaps most exciting, the publishing organization began taking shape to










establish a presence for Baha’i literature in general trade bookstores and public libraries. Itwas acknowledged that


years of development and investment, to ssion on the competitive and expensive commercial book trade.

From the beginning of the Plan, these agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly saw that they would need to reorganize in order to keep up with any rapid expansion of the American Baha’i community.

As they realigned functions and responsibilities, they kept two mandat mind: disseminate publications at the lowest possible cost and function as a profitable busine:

The agencies also moved to aid teaching and training. Prices were reduced on some of the most popular teaching and deepening books, while new low-cos teaching materials were brought out and deeper discounts for communities were introduced.

One result has been both a triumph and a challenge. The popularity of the lower-cost ite! ncreased by 21 percent the total number of units shipped by BDS—but reduced incoming money by 9 percent.

At













-Plan, the umbrella agency { Publications spearheaded a publishing vision with a conference in June 1997. ‘That conference, involving several ta forces and agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly, produced a publishing agenda, both tc 's’ needs and to help the friends develop skills and insights for attracting and nurturing






timulated publication of « of books, pamphlets, records and videotapes was designed to


PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR STUDY AND TEACHING WORK


LOCAL GLIMPSES: COMMUNITY COLLABORATION


Eastern Tennessee Response to the national media initiative was immediate and ingenious as communities tailored their activities to local circumstance:

In Chattanooga, Tennessee, residents could view The Power of Race Unity on cable. Chattanooga Baha’is instituted a multilayered teaching effort to take advantage of the broadcasts. A billboard, bus placards and radio announcements invited people to watch the show or to call for information on how they could “join the Baha’ helping Chattanooga bridge the racial divide.”

Events sponsored by the Baha’fs for that purpose included firesides seven days a week in various parts of town, weekly prayer meetings and worship services featuring a talk. A public information center was opened in a mall frequented by the minority community. And a public meeting featured speakers who are descendants of slaves and slave owners, respectively.

In Wilson County, 120 miles to the northwest, the program could not be found on TY, so the Baha’is took a different tack.

A public showing of The Power of Race Unity in Lebanon, site of several recent racial incidents, was followed by a discussion of concrete steps residents can take to bring the races together.

The Spiritual Assembly of Wilson County also sent a letter urging community 8 to find ways to “open honest dialogue between all citizens.” The Ba offered their experience in building unity and declared they stand ready to aid the process.











San Diego County, California ‘Teaching and service collaboration among five communities in the county’s northwest have resulted in dozens of enrollments and thousands of seeker visits to programs at the Oceanside Baha’i Center since the Center's opening in June 1996.

The four Assemblies and one Group that form the intercommunity coordinating team developed a multi-phased, well-organized plan.

It focuses on teaching Latino and minority populations, use of the Center as a hub of activity, incorporation of music _ into activities, developing personal connections with seekers and, finally, individual ching.






systematic




LOCAL GLIMPSES: INDIVIDUAL INITIATIVE



commun:


From Arizona to the nation Are you wondering what has be in’ Knudsons since the couple passed through your

me of the freewheel



They're still on the road, pedaling their dream of traveling by recumbent bicycle to teach through the end of the Four Year Plan.

‘The Kingman, Arizona, pair began their trek at the Desert Rose Baha’ Since then, they have covered nearly every several Canadian provinces in success

Along the way, Jerome and Lucia bring the Baha’

Conference in November 1997. ate and




ive loops.


Wausau, Wisconsin: A couple in nearby Antigo saw the need for proclamation and teaching geared to the Filipino community. The early 1998 event they organized in Wausau, drawing about 50 people to the downtown YMCA, was supported with publicity, logistics and other help by Baha’is from around the area and as far away as Chicago.

message to thousands, whether in coffeehouses, bike shops, media interviews or firesides. They also keep a long list of e-mail pals up to date on their experiences. Jerome used to work in the winter and travel the rest of the year. For this odyssey, the Knudsons saved up enough to stay on the road through Ridvén 2000. And beyond? Who but God knows.



From North Carolina to South Africa Many American Baha'is of African descent heeded the call of the Universal House of Justice and ventured to the Mother Continent during the Plan.

Among them was Richard Beane, a North Carolina denist. Alongside former pioneer David Hoffman, a real state developer of European descent, Beane traveled to South Africa.

‘The visitors saw vestiges of the country’s apartheid past. But mostly they saw hope. And they recorded it all on ideotape in hopes of inspiring other Baha’is to catch the “Spirit of Africa” and follow them across the ocean.

A video with that tide was edited and broadcast on public television in Greensboro.











Rehearsal by “Spirit of Africa” youth workshop.



stimulate individual spiri tion and influence the life of society.

This co! process of targeting, testing and refinement similar to that used in develop the bro unity of vision betw


ual transforma- tions and the }


mittee.

Oth


poration also launched a


gE And it yielded a Baha’i Publica cast. video: ¢ The role of lc





ational


vital steps in U. lishing activity during the


publications coordinators was expanded so they

‘Teaching Com- become a more effective community resource. ha’i pub- * A special events program was inaugurated,


our Year making it easier to have bookstores at connces and other large Baha’i gatherings. ¢ Customer service hours at the Di:

bution Servic




could



page 8

Tne AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ Four Yeak PLAN

March 21, 2000 [Page 9]

Two WINGS OF A BIRD



ith the release of Two Wings a

Bird: The Equality of Women and Men at the Baha’ National Convention in 1997, believers were handed language they can use to develop their understanding of the issue and, in turn, help others understand its significan

The National Spiritual Assembly’s statement is a living document meant to be used both in our lives and in our teaching, delegates to that Convention were told.

Indeed, as explained by SecretaryGeneral Robert C. Henderson, the statement went through 26 drafts before the National Assembly was galvanized in a “moment of understanding” to approach it from the standpoint that God has redefined the oneness of humanity in this Revelation. Thus, the issue of equality goes far be







a theme that runs

UTILIZING STATEMENTS:



peste the National Spiritual Asembly’s statement Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men into public discourse is a story of the Four Year Plan that is still being written.

Before this Plan began, distribution of another statement, The Vision of Race Unity, was well under way. This gained special impetus in the latter stages of the Four Year Plan as hearts attracted by the national media in and race unity dialogues inquired further about the Faith.

The Promise of World Peace and Turning Point for All Nations, statements from the Universal House of Justice, were already available to help Americans makes of the forces propelling humank millennium of the Common Era. The Baha’i International Community’s 1999 document Who Is Writing the Future? me another re teaching themes with its look the 20th century.

But as the the 1990s waned, the time had clearly come to bring people a sion of true partnership of the nd a language for exploring how this might play out in their lives.

So at Ridvan 1997 the National Assembly unveiled the Two Wings

atement for study by Baha’fs and for ribution nationwide. And it appointed a National Committee for the Advancement of Women to bring this issue to the forefront.

By late 1998, more than 100,000 copies of the statement had been di tributed. In addition, numerous deepenings, conferences, training sessions, public meetings and consultations had taken place regarding gender equality.

‘To reinforce this momentum, the National Assembly renamed its committee


























throughout the document. “The Baha’i teachings offer a model of equality based on the concept of



partnership,” one section reads. “Only when women become full participants in all domains of life and enter the important arenas of decision-making will humanity be prepared to embark on the next stage of its collective development.”

The entrance of more women into positions of prominence and authority will not in itself create a just social order, s clear.

“Without fundamental changes in the attitudes and values of individuals and in the underlying ethos of social institutions, full equality between women and men cannot be achieved. community based on partnership, a community in which aggression and the use of force are supplanted by cooperation and consultation, requires the transformation of the human heart.”

A special role in effecting that trans







A BOLD STATEMENT OF OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUALITY

formation is reserved for men, whose own destiny depends on it.

“Men have an inescapable duty to promote the equality of women. ... The destructive effects of inequality prevent men from maturing and developing the qualities necessary to meet the challenges of the new millennium.”

But the wholehearted commitment of “every man, woman, youth and child” will be necessary to bring about that transformation, the statement concludes.

Quoting Shoghi Effendi in The Advent of Divine Justice, the National Assembly counsels us:

“To overcome such a condition requires the exercise of nothing short of ‘genuine love, extreme patience, true humility, consummate tact, sound initiative, mature wisdom, and deliberate, persistent, and prayerful effort.”






KEY DOCUMENTS PROVIDE FOCUSES FOR OUR VISION

Two Wings in the hands of people of influence

As of the beginning of March 2000, here are region-by-region

Equality of Women and National Committee for the |

statistics on presentation of Two Wings of a Bird:The n and related activities, from the 231 oc aee eo aera aioe aero lity of Women and Men.

IGaiveriiovs'ot thisleolicny ing seateuttave ota presented Wit te statements by ‘conmmmiinl iea'in captealidfies as directed

by the National Spiritual Assembly:

  • Arkansas
  • Indiana
  • Maine
  • Montana
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin

Local-level activity: 156 mayors presented with the statement

135 city councils presented with the statement

148 women’s organizations presented with the statement

the statement

.

the National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men (NCEWM) and launched a national campaign designed to complement the race unity ¢ ign, “The Power of Race Unity.” tach Local Spiritual embly was asked to present the Two Wings statement to its community’s mayor and city council by April 1999 and report the results to the national committee.

Simultaneously, NCEWM beckoned






185 community organizations presented with

53 articles printed in local newspapers

17 televised presentations of the statement

114 “equality” firesides and 96 proclamation events 19 libraries presented with the statement



Counselor Tod Ewing (center) of Columbia is flanked by

other South Carolina Baha’is, (from left) Deborah Martin

of Charleston, Bahiyyih Young of Seneca and Marvin

Baha’i college clubs to participate in a second round of One Voice efforts to promote the equality of women and men and raise awareness a populations about the ment to gender eq

Baha'i communities also were urged to join in commemorations of International Women’s Day in March and use the occasion to explore themes presented in Two Wings.








Holladay of Mt. Pleasant, during the presentation of the statements Two Wings of a Bird and The Vision of Race Unity to Gov. James Hodges (right) in December.

Packets of materials were available from NCEWM to in all these efforts. semblies they included sample letters to officials and the ivities list and a resource list. For campus clubs, similar materials targeted faculty, student organizations and women’s studies programs.

Results came in a trickle at first, then about mid-1999 communities started reporting in by the dozens.







March 21,2000 = Te American BanA‘i * Four YEAR PLAN

page 9 [Page 10]

SOCI


A


hree letters have indelibly entered


the Baha’i consciousn standing for social and economic development.

On both grand and understanding and prac growing greatly with each p: TI nce obthe Unive





and outside the the Ba community is _incré strengthened and its power of attract magnified.

Three pillars of this effort in the United States have been Health for Humanity (HH), Mottahedeh Development Services (MDS) and the raghieh and Mahmoud Rabbani Charitable Trust.




Health for Humanity

The work of Health for Humanity can be seen as a metaphor for the Baha'i Faith’s global vision.

A development agency of the National Spiritual Assembly, Health for Humanity embraces four central principles that guide its internal organization and the projects it undertakes: the nobility of humanity, group consultation, unified service and comprehensive health.

These principles reflect the agency’s recognition that the problems confronting humankind require solutions that are world-embracing but, at the same time, are tailored to each locale’s culture and unique circumstances.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPME


HH, now 8 years old, has more than 1,500 members and supporters i plus countries—twice the parti and scope it enjoyed when the Four Year Plan began.

The agency’s headquarters near Chicago conducts a preschool literacy project that receives grants from three foundations. Networks established in eight other locations across the country conduct a variety of social and economic development programs such as marriage enrichment, smoking cessation, wellness clubs, new mother training and support, and after-school tutoring.

But HH is best known for its international projects. Volunteers travel to all



continents providing service and training in health and community development.

Projects range from combating river blindness in Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Ethiopia to a major eye-care initiative in Albania.

HH also has a significant presence in Guyana, Honduras and China and is expanding its efforts in Bolivia, where it is partnered with the Baha’j-inspired Universidad Nur, and in Ecuador.

During the past fiscal year, the agency provided more than $454,000 worth of assistance to projects and programs.

Many of the projects are at least partially funded by grants, and HH collab


LOCAL GLIMPSES: ACTION ON SOCIAL ISSUES


’ [ ‘he Universal House of Justice said in its Ridvin 153 letter to North America that the American Baha’f community is positioned to receive opportunities unlike any others on earth. As these stories demonstrate, the friends are taking advantage by relating the Faith to contemporary social and humanitarian issues. #


New York, New York When Roya Movafegh organized a photography workshop for young children in Harlem, her students’ pictures turned out so well they were included in a Manhattan show titled “The Art of Change.”

Not only that, despite being the only children represented alongside 60 professional artists, Movafegh’s students won second place in photography.

But the story just gets better.

Movafegh discovered when she sought to expand the workshop into digital photography and drama that many of the children could not read. So she enlisted fellow Baha’is, particuJarly African-American men, to attack the problem head-on with an afterschool literacy program that uses the arts.




Busia the phoess Wyifuune SoG of Rigs Mavalogh Goa astionad “A pase from the people on my block, photo taken by Kandra Crute, 10 years old.”



Left: Health for maaan recruited a Rsela green Ree aatlg “Hop into reading!”—in its “Prescribe a Book” efforts to promote literacy among children at a West Side Chicago health clinic. Above: The Atlanta area’s Family Unity Institute, with a spiritual education class pictured, has been helped along by MDS.


orates with such entities as the World Health Organization. But the agency’s own fund-raising and member contributions continue to grow. The bottom line is that HH is entirely self-supporting from the standpoint of the Baha’i Funds.


Mottahedeh Development Services

This agency of the National Spiritual Assembly is best known for its collaboration with the Spiritual Assembly of South DeKalb, Georgia, in creating and obtaining grant funding for the Family Unity Institute.

This granddaddy of American SED projects serves ever-larger numbers of African-Americans, Southeast Asians and Hispanics of all ages. It produces sometimes-dramatic results in student performance and provides a wide range of service opportunities for new and veteran Baha’




STAR, which combines tutorial jons and character development with basketball for at-risk

el mblee



Sp 8 Umoja Soldiers Youth Program, which ay night basketball and ssion; a computer literacy program that started as an individual initiative; and award-winning ‘Toastmasters (adult) and Gavel (youth) for development of public





MDS continues to guide the Institute’s expansion. At present, principal funding is being sought for renovations at the Institute’s Bahai Unity Center home and for computer acquisition, so the Institute can triple the number of people served.

But MDS is working with the host Assembly to transfer responsibility for program development to the local community. At the same time, MDS is reaching out nationwide as a resource broker between communities seeking to initiate



page 10 THe AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ Four YEAR PLAN

March 21, 2000 [Page 11]



LOCAL GLIMPSES: ACTION ON SOCIAL ISSUES


Detroit, Michigan

‘The Baha’i message of unity drew an enthusiastic response from crowds attending the National Town Meeting for a Sustainable America.

Ina cavernous exhibit hall containing more than 300 educational, nal and technical displays, ’{ exhibit was the only one with a spiritual theme. It emphasized the importance of accepting the oneness of humanity as a_ spiritual principle.

People viewing the exhibit were often heard to exclaim, “Yes! I believe that!” Passers-by collected more than 1,000 pieces of Baha’f literature on development issues.

Several Baha’is participated in the event, including Peter Adriance, NGO liaison for the National Spiritual Assembly and a member of the national conference planning committee. Baha'is also enjoyed the exhibit hall and participated in an interactive project where they built a Baha’ center as part of a model “sustainable city.”





by a social s



about the F



Photo by lan Uoyd

Tucson, Arizona ‘The Baha’i Center no longer represents a strange, unknown religion to its neighbors, thanks to a Baha’i-sponsored food distribution program.

‘Two or three days a week for five years, Baha’is have been helping needy families and the elderly in the neighborhood by collecting outdated food from supermarkets and the community food bank and giving it away. Clothing supplied rvice agency is sold at a nominal pri Publicity has drawn more needy people to the program and attracted inquiries ith. A radio station also has invited the Baha’is to appear.



Portsmouth, New Hampshire

_ Youths attending a “Toward Onenes

class at nearby. Green Acre Baha’

School took their discussions on race to

the public. The result was a monthly

youth dialogue at a Portsmouth bookstore.




Melinda Salazar, a University of New Hampshire instructor who, had led the Green Acre class, arranged the first dialogue so Baha’is could share with other local youths the ideas they had been exploring in class.

The dialogue’s success inspired her


to schedule more. In these sessions, young people discuss the roots of racial prejudice and share how it affects them.

A daily newspaper covering the dialogue published a front-page article with a photo.

Carrollton, Texas

A long-planned weekend of public events on the theme of “Building a Violence-Free World” was made that much more timely when, on the eve of the conference, a gunman opened fired on a Fort Worth church youth rally.

The tragedy gave fresh impetus to the vital search for answers. And it drew hundreds of DallasFort Worth Metroplex residents to the Baha'i programs.

A luncheon attended by many prominent officials heard Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly, list “models of unity” being carried out every day by a “silent army” of people. One mayor asked for a video dub of the talk to use in brainstorming with neighboring officials.

That night, a youth meeting was held at the University of ‘Texas-Dallas on the same subject, and it garnered a nearly owominute report on the evening news. The next day, a public meeting drew another crowd in the hundreds.

Noted local Baha’i Gigi Shamsy Raye, “The best publicity and teaching résults come when we're actively attempting to ‘live the life,” promote the teachings of Bah@’u'llah, offer solutions to the






crumbling world around us.”




SED projects and resources within and outside the Baha’i community.

One vehicle for this shift is the Ba Business Forum of the Ameri year, MDS appointed a leadership t for BBFA to stimulate thr: lively Internet forum; Lo Advisory Boards, s Atlanta that serves Baha’is seeking to develop enterprises; and an educational/training process that will include development and presentation of a curriculum on Baha’i-centered management.

Internationally, MDS is active in expanding micro-credit opportunities for women; working with Baha’{-operated Universidad Nir in Bolivia to help educators and specialists develop and apply a common vision of SED; brokering donation of computers to Baha’s institutions; and assisting with Indian youth scholarships to study rural agriculture in Colombia, through the Baha’i-inspired FUNDAEC.

In this country, MDS has established SED taining workshops at which the friends can obtain the basic understanding and initial experience needed to promote SED in their own communities. Workshops have been given in a number of venues, including the three permanent Baha'i schools and the Brighton Creek facility in Washington state, as well as in Atlanta.

Backing up the workshops is the man














loping Patterns of Communit ife: A Guide to Consultation on the Process of SED for Baba’ Communities. It presents Baha’i writings, including seminal letters of the Universal House of Justice on SED, and a 10-step method for planning, initiating and managing projects.









Rabbani Charitable Trust

The nonprofit Rabbani Trust for seven years has sponsored a conference in Orlando, Florida, that annually draws more than a thousand Baha’ take home the skills engage in SED work.

These friends soak up insights from learned Baha’is and others on spiritually based social and economic development and its role in the advance of civili gather in special interest group s network all hours of the day, and enjoy soul-stirring artistic expression.

From the atmosphere of participatory learning to a stripped-down program focusing on hands-on workshops rather than speeches and awards, the conference has helped attendees build a capacity to apply Baha’ principles in the community.

Springboarding this great leap forward has been the power of example. In 1996 a seminar for grassroots SED practitioners was added at the request of the Office of Social and Economic Development of the Universal House of Justice.

‘This invitee-only event allows project




S eager to nd inspiration to






managers from all over the Americas to tap their fellow laborers in the field for input that will help take their endeavors to the next level. Then, during the conference, these practitioners infuse every workshop or case study presentation with their spirit and experiences. The list of U.S.-based projects showcased at the Rabbani Trust conference includes:

  • The aforementioned Family Unity

Institute in Georgia. ¢ The Tahirih Justice ater, a Virginia-based legal service defending the rights of immigrant women, spearheaded by Layli Miller Bashir. The Buffalo, New York, youth enrichment project started by Deana and Ray Choczynski, which was singled out for praise in the 1999 Ridvan m sage of the House of Justi HEARTS (Heaven on Earth Arts Resource and ‘Teaching Service), begun by Leslie Asplund and Ja Gaines in Washington state to st Baha'i communities in more effective: ly using artistic talent. ‘The Blue Ridge Encounters, a monthly series of SED training weekends Mt. Airy, North Carolina, coordinated by Winnie and Oscar Merritt. The Fidelity Union Development initiative in west Palm Beach County, Florida, by Alphonso Milligan, Russell Ballew and others to improve skills,
















housing and the job base for rural African-Americans.

The Boston-based Beyond Boundaries Foundation, through which Baha’{ medical specialists such as Jaleh JoubineKhadem and Raymond Rudolph have undertaken five humanitarian missions to remote Ecuadoran province The Intercommunity Social and Economic Development Project in northern Virginia, a product of consultation among MDS-trained facilitators Susie Clay and Janice Sadeghian and three Local Assemblies that operates a support group for single mothers and a tutoring/mentoring program for children and youth;

The Corinne True Justice Centers, which the Baha’ ice Society, an agency of the National Assembly, and the Spiritual Assemblies of Denver and Los Angeles have begun to train Baha’is in mediation and offer their Is to the larger community.

They join dozens of other projects around the United States through which Baha’{ institutions and individuals are making an impact on the lives of people.

‘Typically projects start small, filling a specific need. But as skills and confidence grow, they expand in scope and sophistication. And they embolden other Baha'is to take up the same challenge.

The beat goes on.










March 21,2000 THE AMERICAN BantA’i © FOUR YEAR PLAN page II [Page 12]

Race Unity Forums:


rom where our National Spiritual Assembly stood on Dee. 17, 1997, it could see some American Baha’is work



ing heroically on the front lines of race unity.



s within cussion on race, led by n unprecedenttive


ad Bahé’t media initi send The P over the nation’s

So in a letter, ional Assembly called us to action: “The nation needs model of interracial love and unity, based on the principle of the oneness of humanity, to restore confidence that race unity is possible and to give rise to new approaches to the organization of community life.”

The call took two forms.

One for every Baha’i to “rededicate himself or herself to the glorious task of eliminating the last traces of prejudice and alienation among the races within the Baha’i community and to spare no effort to bring the healing mesge of reconciliation and love to our fellow Americans of all races and reli














gions.” ‘The other was for every Local al Assembly, individual Bah:


community to assert leadership in the national dialogue on race. The National Assembly foresaw Baha'is hosting’ thousands of public gatherings to “help America advance toward her God-ordained destiny to be the first nation to proclaim the oneness of the human fam ily.”



UNIFIC TRAININ


decade-long process bore abundant it during the Four Year Plan as hundreds of Core Curriculum-trained facilitators and trainers in turn presented courses to thousands of Bahé’is in communities across the country.

Programs are available in teaching, race unity, parenting, marriage and family life, and equality of women and men. They are offered locally under the sponsorship of a Local Spiritual Assembly or through a regional trai institute.

Each training team leaves the National Teacher Training Center at Louhelen Baha’i School with a mission to empower community members to embrace the principles of Baha’u’lléh in. their daily lives, thereby uplifting fami lies and spiritually educating children to become consecrated teachers of the Faith.

‘The core of the Core Curriculum is the Sacred Writings. All other aspects of the program have evolved with the friends’ needs.

More a process than a set of educational materials, the Core Curriculum model aims to engage both mind and heart. It goes beyond factual knowledge to help participants gain deeper under
















A public race unity forum co-sponsored by the Regional Baha’i Council for the Northeastern States and set at the historic African Meeting House in Boston, Massachusetts, drew together experts from a variety of fields in early 1999 for a discussion “In Pursuit of a United America.” Photo by Soroush Shakib

Quick to take up the call were the Institutions of the Learned. In January 1998, the Continental Board of Counselors met in Dallas with every Aux! Board member serving North America. ‘The topic: how to help communities address issues of racial prejudice and unity.

Other assistance was on the way from the National Teaching Committee, the National Education Task Force and the Education and Schools Office. That May, materials were sent to all Local Assemblies for use in preparing the friends to conduct neighborhood dialogues tied to The Power of Race Unity.

The materials aimed to help believers become familiar with Baha'i writings on












standings and actively express that learnii


Elements include a systematic approach to community growth and consolidation that is based on the Writings and is ever-changing; u learning model of knowledge, wisdom, spiritual perception and eloquent speech; employs art, music and drama as well as lecture; supports transformation, self-reflection and immersion in the Writings; encourages prayer and

eking divine ; emphasizes love; and results in service.

Marriage and family life traine offer two workshops: one for married couples and one for youths and adults preparing for marriage.

Parenting sessions help parents create a spiritual environment the home, guide the spiritual education of children, foster a loving and disciplined home life, and promote the principle of s through home and community



a









‘Teacher training includes a close e


amination of the spiritual reality of children and youth, the role and station of the teacher, child-development tered

ncommunities and hands-on ing curriculum materials to





race unity; develop s meetings and understand the indi ing to establish race unity; recogniz progress made within the Bah: relation to the larger society; and become active promoters of race unity. They also encouraged us to take advantage of other unity activities in their area, by Core Gurriculum trainers.

The edna Baha'i Councils took up the challenge as well. The Council for the Northeastern States, for instan co-sponsored a high-visibility dialogue in Boston h other Baha’i and nonBaha’i institutions.





idual’s role in help


race





DEMONSTRATING OUR COMMITMENT TO ALL AMERICANS





Soon, ¢ around the country were distinguishing themselves in this arena. For example:

Birmingham, Alabama, Baha'is host


eda drew m:


klong series of workshops that sidents the friends had met




while participating in a citywide convocation on racism, poverty and inequality. I ertner, founder and president of Mothers for Race Unity and

y, came from Los Angeles to be al presenter.

‘Three San Jose, California, believers were invited to help the Santa Cla County Human Relations Commission start a local d ¢ relations. Baha’ involvement was sought soon after Baha’is supported a foram that was part of the president’s initiative. The Baha’i community also has been active long-term on the MLK ciation and in other race unity efforts.

One more outcome thrust the Faith into the middle of the president’s rac initiative. The gious forums on Louisiana, and Louisville, Kentucky, prompted an invitation for National Assembly staff to help plan a summit of onal faith leaders at the White















Secretary-General Robert C. Henderson and Kit Cosby, director of the National Spiritual Assembly's Washington office, represented the Assembly at the summit. The meeting’s recommendations were incorporated into the president’s final report on the initiative.





GAINING SKILLS TO BUILD THE KINGDOM IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Training and action, hand in hand Core Curriculum training is empowering in and of itself. But when teamed with


other unifying efforts,

reaches a new level of potency.

For example, equality training is reinforcing and preparing the friends to pursue other National Assembly-sponsored initiatives that promote the principle:

  • The National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men has trained people in public speaking and workshop facilitation.
  • The Assembly Development program includes module workshops that give —

Local Assemblies methods of reflecting and promoting the principle locally.

  • The campaigns to distribute the National Assembly’s statement Two Wings



of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men and to gain congressional bers bii)

cation of the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against _ Women (CEDAW) are being waged in many arenas, incladine Baha’ college _

clubs.


create learning activiti

Race unity workshops are specially designed to a: parents, teachers and other community members who desire that our children become a new, prejudice-free race.

Equality training proclaims the relationship between the blishment of equality and the achievement of world peace, supports girls and women in en









tering all professions, and reinforces vibrant and loving community life.

‘The impact of all the trai grams is being played out across spectrum of Baha’i life, as the recipie: of Core Curriculum training infuse their new insights and behaviors into everything from their “Sunday school” classes to their marriages and their brace of diversity.


ing prothe






page 12) THe American BanA’i * Four YEAR PLAN

March 21, 2000 [Page 13]




nd reaching peoally go hand in

four years illustrate:

Detroit, Michigan

natu al that an institute foundParks ¢ Pointe an, when events for ¢ planned.

em to be in the ion that brings peo




turned to the Baha'is « and Detroit, Michi



middle of ples together.

The Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development asked the Baha’fs to host the opening event in four days of activities for Anthony Cohen, who was in town re-enacting a fugitive slave's flight via underground railroad. Forty-five people attended the wel coming dinner in a Baha’i home. The highlight came when the Baha'is preted Parks and Cohen with the ational Spiritual Assembly's statement he Vision of Race Unity. Parks spoke highly of the Faith and noted that she

s who are Baha'i














Washington, DC

The Word of God as revealed by Baha'u'llah rang out through the We ern Hemisphere’s largest Roman Catholic church when the Metropolitan Washington Baha’i Chorale participated in the 19th annual concert of the Interfaith Conference in the nation’s capital.

An audience of 4,000 erupted in applause after the Baha’ Chorale provided the finale among performances repre senting nine major faith communities ii the Washii

The chorale’






more than 50 members were a model of diversity, ranging in age from 11 to 84 and coming from black, Asian, Hispanic and American Inrounds. The two pie performed helped further define that diversity: “God Is Sufficient Unto Me,” chanted with the fervor of the prisoners in the Black Pit, and “Cause Me to ste,” sung in the Afric gospel style.








Marty Ravellette (right), his wife, Marie, and a young friend pose at the Martin Luther King Jr. awards ceremony in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in early 1999.


Above: Rosa Parks (left), a stalwart figure in the struggle to equalize civil rights in America, recruited the Baha'is in the Detroit area to be part of a 1998 event commemorating the pre-Civil War underground railroad.

Right: A one-woman drama on the life of Tahirih, by Muhtadia Rice, was part of the Los Angeles presentation of the Tahirih Award for Service to Women.


Carrboro, North Carolina Marty Ravellette was just doing what’s right when he kicked out the indow of a burning van so the aged



And Ravellette used the occasions to plead from the heart for the rights and dignity of disabled people—he was born with no arms—and, by his actions, to proclaim the transforming power of the Baha’ revelation.

Ravellette’s appearances generated calls from around the United States and beyond. He was invited to speak at churches.

He also was presented with his town’s | Martin Luther King Jr. for his lifelong service to people. Accepting that award, Ravellette remarked to the hundreds of leaders present that he was pleased to see how the multiracial gathering reflected the oneness of humankind that is so dear to his heart as a Baha’i.





Award








New England

A check for $1,886 w dent the $1.4 billion American debt to the United Nations. But when it was hand-delivered by a representative of two rural religio communities, widespread attention w: brought to the needs of the world body.









The fund-raising effort was spe:

headed by Margaret Parrott, a Baha in Norwich, Vermont, and John Radebaugh, a Quaker from just across the Connecticut River in Hanover, New Hampshire. Through a letter to the editor and a half-page newspaper ad, they invited residents to contribute $2 or more to their effort. Contributions poured in, and the check was handed to a 16-y old Quaker for personal delivery to U.N. headquarters.

‘The next day the check was re by the U.N. treasurer and the U.N, Int secret | for external


r








The small size of the check did not ish the gratitude of the world body. When informed of the fund-raising effort, a U.N. secretary was moved to tears.




Greater Vienna, Virginia

Young Baha'i lawyer Layli Miller Bashi f Greater Vienna, Virgini lighted when their tireless effort set a precedent in winning refugee status for n African woman, who had faced the prospect of forced marriage and genital mutilation.

The case brought significant media








opportunities to teach prominent people in government, publishing circles and the entertainment industry.

It also allowed Bashir to found a legal defense project, the Senter, to aid women f






The Tahirih € three years, has handled a flood of cases and gained enough support to increase full-time Organizations from the e to CNN to Seventeen ne have sought out the Center



White Hou


Funding has come primarily from grants from foundations and private corporations, as well as an annual fundraising banquet.



Los Angeles area, California ‘Two performances of a musical drama based on the life of Téhirih celebrated Women’s History Month and brought the Baha’f principles of equality to many The Women w:





ted ii

conjunction with a performance of A Woman and

Her Words: The Story of Tabirib by Muhtadia Rice and Parke McAlister.

The award honored the family of a murdered Fulbright scholar for carryng on her werk in preparing ci for South Africa’s first-ever open elections.

Dignitaries including a state senator, the consul-general of South Africa and a host of entertainers and civic leaders heard letters of congratulations from President Nelson Mandela and the speaker of the National Assembly of Namibi:

The evening before, ister presented the stage performance at the Baha’i Center to an audience of 250, including a delegation of educators from the Culver City School I ict.

Both performances _ benefited MONA (Multicultural Organization for Neighborhood Arts), which serves at-risk local ¢!








Rice and McAl






dren.

Nampa, Idaho here took to heart a call from onal B: Council to “honor ial/ethnic married couples” and





gan hosting potluck dinners. The dinner drew about 50 people terracial marriages. All


greatly on

appr from the heart and asked to be invited gain.

ed this expre


‘A follow-up dinner was arranged for the weekend before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and again the response was warm.

Some of these new friends of the ith have attended the local “circle of arning,” and two enrollments allowed ritual




F. le the community to re-form its $ Assembly in Ridvan 1999.

“All we have to do is what we are supposed to. It works,” a local Baha’f said.



March 21,2000 = Tite AMERICAN BAnA‘i ¢ Four YEAR PLAN

page 13 [Page 14]



A panorama of the Upper Terraces and the Arc show landcaping work well on the way to completion at the Baha’i properties on Mount Carmel.


‘t was with awe and joy that the faith ful watched the Are and Terraces on

God’s Holy Mountain take shape during the Four Year Plan.

We hung on every word and gazed longingly at every photograph as the Baha'i Newsreel, The American Baba’i and returning pilgrims and Baha’i World nter volunteers described the transformation of Mount Carmel.



Milestones at Ridvan 1996

As the Plan opened, major structu work and stone ornamentation had been completed on seven Terraces below the Shrine of the Bab, and attention turned to landscaping the inner and oute: as of these Terraces. The first groups of pilgrims toured Terraces 3 through 7 on April 22, 1996.

Progress also was being made on the upper Terraces. Above the two-level Terrace 19, Panorama Street once again was open to two-way traffic. Plumbing for the fountains was complete on Terrace 18 and under way on Terrace 17.

Work on the Center for the Study of the Texts and the International Teaching Center had reached the point that exposed concrete was being poured and finished on both interior and exterior










surfaces. Marble had just arrived for the entrance portico of the Center for the Study of the Te:

A critical stage was reached with signing of the contract to lower Hatzionut Avenue so the aces could pass over it. And the city of Haifa began restoring the German Templar Colony and haring it with the Terrace:








“Dazzling momentum”

‘That “dazzling momentum,” to quote the Universal House of Justice at Ridvan 1997, was maintained in the Plan’s first J highlighted by the completion of the marble colonnade of the Centre for the Study of the , by the rise of the





ind by the ongoing emergence of the far-stretching features of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab.”





that yea ing of ionut Avenue and the removal of a building at the foot of the mountain that was obstructing completion of the lower



butions to the Arc Projects Fund continued at goal-fulfilling levels. “Clearly, the financial demands in this


regard are being met with incessant heroism by rich and poor alike,” the House of Justice wrote.

Such a commitment “must be sustained over the remaining rs,” but not at the expense of the Baha’i International Fund, the House of Justice cautioned.


Tours of upper Terraces

Another year of progress, and at Ridvin 1998 Counselors from around the globe and delegates to the International Baha’i Convention were able to tour the upper ‘T and sections of the Center for the Study of the Texts.

The tours started at Panorama Street at the crest of Mount Carmel and proceeded down through the five completed upper Terraces and the construction site of Terraces 14-11, then detoured to the Center for the Study of the Texts before ending on the bridge over Hatzionut Avenue.

That bridge was well toward completion when viewed by the Universal House of Justice’s esteemed guests. The structure had been raised, the cables stressed and formwork begun to be removed. The day before Convention, the last section of bridge was concreted.











In the Center for the Study of the ‘Texts, the electrical infrastructure was complete and the complex task of equipment installation ready to begin.

Marble work progressed on the International Teaching Center building, with all 18 front and rear portico columns in place as well as the marble on the walls of the front portico.




Approaching completion

By Ridvan 1999, the building projects were on track “towards their scheduled completion at the end of the century,” according to the House of Justic

“The Centre for the Study of the Texts: and the Extension to the Archives Building are being ready for occupancy within a few weeks; the exterior of the International Teaching Centre building is fully clad in marble, while finishing work at all levels of its interior is proceeding. The lowering of Hatzionut Avenue, to accommodate the bridge which now connects the Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab on both sides of the road, has been completed and normal traffic restored.”

In fact, the House of Justice said, “the unfolding magnificence of the Terraces has so captured public attention that the








page 14

Tue American BanA’i * Four Yeak PLAN

March 21, 2000 [Page 15]

PHOTOS BY RUHI VARGHA

Right: As the Four Year Plan dawned in April 1996, concrete forming the frame of the lower levels of the International Teaching Center was being poured.



FOURK*YEARK*PLAN


Above: Clockwise from bottom, the completed structure of the International Teaching Center stands with the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the Center for the Study of the Texts and the Archives Building. Left: The Center for the Study of the Texts project in early 1996.

nineteenth te: at the top of the mountain has already been opened to visitors on a daily schedule, evoking the enthusiastic response ofa grateful popu

Baha’is weren’t the only ones s proud of these accomplishments. The city produced in six language rial brochure focusing on the Shrine of the Bab and the Terraces to stimulate tourism.

On the financial front, the Department of the Secretariat at the Baha’i World Center wrote on May 25, 1999, to National Spiritual Assemblies:

“The House of Justice is confident that Baha’fs throughout the world will continue to meet the need expressed in its 20 June 1995 letter to you for the contribution of ten million dollars each year until the end of the century.

The letter also reminded believers that support for the Baha’i International Fund will be critical once the Arc and














on Mount Carmel must be maintained at a standard appropriate to their character and the


A BRIEF HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE PROJECTS

6¢]{slements of wonder have all

along dominated the establishment and embellishment of the World Centre of the Faith of God,” the Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery wrote in his book Shoghi Effendi: Recollections.

Tt is history how ‘Abdu’l-Baha and then Shoghi Effendi labored strenuously under trying circumstances during the first five decades of the 20th century to raise the Shrine of the Bab, acquire and develop the endowments surrounding the Shrine, and erect the International Archives Building, the first of several edifices the Guardian envisaged to stand around an arc on Mount Carmel as institutions of the World Administrative Center of the Baha'i Faith in the Holy Land.

Under the direction of the Universal House of Justice the construction of its seat was completed in 1983 at the apex of this arc.

In August 1987 the Universal House of Justice unveiled plans to further expand the World Center by constructing the Center for the Study of the Texts, an extension to the Archives Building, the International Teaching Center Building and the Terraces oft the Shrine of the Bab. Since the inception of the current projects in 1990, through the turmoil the world at large and the Holy Land in particular have undergone, these projects have forged ahead with the confirmations of the Blessed Beauty, the encouragement of the Supreme Body, and the wholehearted contributions and support of Baha’u'llih’s lovers across the globe.

—Ffrom Vineyard of the Lord, report on the Mount Carmel Projects







ures must also







dignity of the Faith; me:

be instituted to handle, in ppropriate manner, the greatly increased number of people expected to visit the Terraces and

to provide protection from damage.

Taking final shape

Since Ridvan 1999, the interior of the International “ ing Center has taken shape. The bridge over Hatzionut Avenue has become fully operational. And an additional 370,000 square feet of steep terrain was landscaped on the ‘Terraces above the Shrine of the Bab.

As the full majesty of Mount Carmel continued to be revealed, the Universal House of Justice announced on Sept. 16, 1999, that preparations are being made to officially open the Terraces in May 2001. Activities over a five-day period will involve 19 believers from each National Spiritual Assembly jurisdiction and nine from every other territory.





Updates on developments in the Mount Carmel Projects / page 18


March 21, 2000 Tne American BanA’‘i ¢ Four YEAR PLAN page I5 [Page 16]FOUK*YEAR*PLAN


The Four Year Plan: Images of service and victories



Huntington Park, California: Children play during a break in a virtues class at a park, part of a local teaching and service project in this largely Hispanic community. Several families have enrolled in the Baha’i Faith as a result of the project, which had its roots in 1995 when a group of Los Angeles-area Assemblies adopted the community with the help of an Auxiliary Board member. Photo by Addison Bibb




Members of 175 National Spiritual Assemblies took part in the election of the Universal House of Justice at the eighth Baha’i International Convention in Haifa, Israel, at Ridvan 1998. Several National Assemblies participated for the first time, most of Participants in the Baha’i International Convention April 29-May 2, 1998, enjoy newly finished terraces above the Shrine of the Bab. Baha'i International News Service © them from Asian nations that emerged from the Soviet Union.





Orlando, Florida: Betty Williams, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, chats with children at the Social and Economic Development Conference for the Americas in December 1998. She shared with the 1,300 participants stories from her activities in Northern Ireland helping to build a peace network. Photo by James Cheal DeKalb County, Georgia: Abdul Bashir delivers a speech on “The Impossible Dream” for the Dawn- “ Breakers Toastmasters Club, which Wilmette, Iflinois: Jerome and Lucia Knudson pose by the gardens of the





mm

Tempe, Arizona: The Town Meeting on school violence organized as part of the Association for Baha’i Studies conference June 1999 sparked considerable discussion afterward. Photo by Tom Mennillo




operates from the Baha’i Unity Center. Baha’i House of Worship during a cross-country bicycle teaching trip in summer Photo by Tom Mennillo 1998. Photo. by Caswell Elis page 16 THe AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ Four YEAR PLAN March 21, 2000 March 21, 2000 Tue American BanA’i ¢ Four YEAR PLAN page 17 [Page 17]FOUK*YEAR*PLAN


The Four Year Plan: Images of service and victories



Huntington Park, California: Children play during a break in a virtues class at a park, part of a local teaching and service project in this largely Hispanic community. Several families have enrolled in the Baha’i Faith as a result of the project, which had its roots in 1995 when a group of Los Angeles-area Assemblies adopted the community with the help of an Auxiliary Board member. Photo by Addison Bibb




Members of 175 National Spiritual Assemblies took part in the election of the Universal House of Justice at the eighth Baha’i International Convention in Haifa, Israel, at Ridvan 1998. Several National Assemblies participated for the first time, most of Participants in the Baha’i International Convention April 29-May 2, 1998, enjoy newly finished terraces above the Shrine of the Bab. Baha'i International News Service © them from Asian nations that emerged from the Soviet Union.





Orlando, Florida: Betty Williams, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, chats with children at the Social and Economic Development Conference for the Americas in December 1998. She shared with the 1,300 participants stories from her activities in Northern Ireland helping to build a peace network. Photo by James Cheal DeKalb County, Georgia: Abdul Bashir delivers a speech on “The Impossible Dream” for the Dawn- “ Breakers Toastmasters Club, which Wilmette, Iflinois: Jerome and Lucia Knudson pose by the gardens of the





mm

Tempe, Arizona: The Town Meeting on school violence organized as part of the Association for Baha’i Studies conference June 1999 sparked considerable discussion afterward. Photo by Tom Mennillo




operates from the Baha’i Unity Center. Baha’i House of Worship during a cross-country bicycle teaching trip in summer Photo by Tom Mennillo 1998. Photo. by Caswell Elis page 16 THe AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ Four YEAR PLAN March 21, 2000 March 21, 2000 Tue American BanA’i ¢ Four YEAR PLAN page 17 [Page 18]FOUK*YEARK*PLAN


UPDATES ON THE MOUNT CARMEL PROJECTS

BUILDINGS ON THE ARC

few weeks after Ridvin 1999 the Ac for the Study of the

Texts and the Archives Extension became operational.

Now the International Teaching Center Building is rapidly approaching substantial completion.

Wood and metal fixtures and carpeting for offices have been installed in the first few levels of the Common Area, which include:

° A central ilroom on Level 1 to serve the Baha’i World Center.

  • A bookstore and a household store on

Level 3.

Features of the large dining room at Level 4 include a video link with the Auditorium, as well as several maple and steel units designed to enclose carts of food dishes, some movable to accommodate gatherings.

Woodwork installation is in progress at levels 5 through 8, as well as at the Library at level 9.

Outside, progress is substantial on lawn planting and other landscaping.


ENTRANCE PLAZA AND TERRACE 1

\ X Tork at the Entrance Plaza site, at the foot of Mount Carmel, is proceeding at an exciting pace.

  • An underground mechanical room has

been built to control the extens water features in the plaza.

  • The concrete structure of the starshaped central fountain is in place.
  • The entire area has been refilled with

soil in preparation for final stone paving around the central fountain.

  • Structural concrete for the cascading

pools has also been completed and their stone decorations ordered.

Water will cascade through these small pools from the center of two sets of stairs leading from the Entrance Plaza to the base of the intermediary steps to Terrace 1. A series of pools will present a continuous flow of water from the pools of ‘Terrace 1, through the cascades, into the central fountain of the Entrance Plaza.

Inside Terrace 1, the base for the balustrades on the contour walls has been fixed, and stone covering the pools and the paving has been installed. The inner areas are being prepared for landscaping.





eI we After a decade’s construction work, the Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab stand nearly completed. A major remaining project is the Entrance Plaza at the base of the Terraces, which will contain a series of cascading pools

and other water features.

Es t

Eas

In July 1996, first stages of the lowering of Hatzionut Avenue were carried out along with foundation work for the Information Center.





In mid-1996, views of a terrace below the Shrine (above) and the uppermost terrace (left).

TERRACES AND GARDENS OF THE SHRINE OF THE BAB

y year’s end, the vast majority of the ‘Upper and Lower Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab had been fully planted. The few exceptions included the inner gardens of Terraces 11, 12, 13 and 14, the inner and outer areas of Terraces 1 and 2, and the Entrance Plaza. Intense efforts continue to go into the maintenance of these gardens encircling the Shrine. This task becomes more complicated as additional areas are brought under cultivation. As the terraced gardens of the Shrine

of the Bab are inspired by the divine teachings of the Cause of God, and as they are maintained with all the expertise and care that can be showered upon them, they evoke admiration and warm praise.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities from Jordan, a few months after he and other dignitaries toured the Terraces during Agritech ’99, wrote the following words to the Baha’i World Center: “This is a way of looking at the Gardens of Eden from a dif ferent spot. It is peace that makes all places heavenly.”

After being closed for three years because of construction, the main entrance to the Shrine of the Bab and its gardens from Hatzionut Avenue is again open.

A refurbished ornamental gate beckons visitors, with its new columns crowned with coronets providing a beautiful sight as one approaches the newly paved courtyard of the Pilgrim House and the majestic Shrine.


page 18

Tue American BanA’i * Four YEAR PLAN

March 21, 2000 [Page 19]



ike a finely tuned automobile

working on all cylinders, the

global Baha’i community—individuals, communities and institutions alike—moved the process of entry by troops ever forward during the Four Year Plan.

Surveying the progress at the Plan’s midpoint, the Universal House of Justice concluded: “[A] new confidence in teaching is stirring the friends, yielding impressive results in various regions. ‘The potential for a steady and ever-ex panding influx of new believers has always been great, and we are able to say with assurance that the capacity to actualize it is methodically being developed more than ever before with the







prosecution of the current Plan.” Much credit for that new confidence ibuted to the proliferation


could be att of training institutes.

“A sign of the immediate impact of the Plan was the speed with which steps were taken to establish nearly two hundred training institutes during the last twelve months,” the Supreme Body reported at Ridvin 1997.

Even better, the message noted, “Many of these have gone far beyond the point of designing their organization; they are actually in operation and have offered their first courses.”

‘That translated a year later into tens. of thousands of individuals having taken at least one institute course. The immediate effects upon attendees, said the House of Justice, “have been a greatly strengthened faith, a more conscious spiritual identity, and a deepened commitment to Baha’ service.”

By Ridvan 1999, national and regional training institutes numbered 344, with the result that, “apart from North America and Iran where numerous courses have been given, some 70,000 individuals have already completed at least one institute course.”

‘The Supreme Body’s assessment: “All of this is contributing to a growing body of confirmed, active supporters of the Cause. The untold potential of this progression is illustrated in such reports as the one received from Chad, where in an area served by an institute more than 1,000 people embraced the Faith through the individual efforts of those who had received training. Understanding of the necessity for systematization in the development of human resources is everywhere taking hold.”











Focusing on the Plan

Evidence of this unprecedented focus on a Plan’s vision could be discerned early on by the House of Justice, which wrote at Ridvan 1997:

“{I]n the movement of homefront and international pioneers and travelling teachers; in the increased attention given by individuals to deputizing teachers; in the preparations made to ensure the formation of Local Spiritual Assemblies only on the first day of Rid van; in the increasing endeavours to




hold regular devotional meetings; in the widening efforts to make use of the arts in the teaching work and community activities—in all these respects could be discerned the friends’ keen awareness of the importance of concentrating on the requirements of the major aim of the Plan, which is to effect a significant advance in the process of entry by troops.”

The Supreme Institution came back to two of those themes later in the Plan.

Noting “notable improvement in the conditions affecting the establishment and renewal of Local Spiritual Assemblies,” the House of Justice reported at Ridvan 1998;

“The decision to form these institutions only on the first day of Ridvan, and to do so principally at the initiative of the communities to which they belong, was put into effect in 1997. While there was an immediate but not unexpected drop in the number of Local Assemblies worldwide, the decrease was not very large; in fact, increases were recorded in some countries. This outcome indicates that the process of maturation of these divinely ordained institutions is on course.”


Artistic development

On use of the arts, the Ridvan 1999 message singled out several outstanding examples: “the musical and other artistic performances associated with the celebration in Paris of the centenary of the establishment of the Faith in Europe”; the Voices of Baha Choir, with members drawn from Europe and the Americas, which “delighted audiences in eight European cities and introduced


Above: Landegg Academy in Switzerland celebrated an important benchmark in spring 1999: the welcoming of its first bachelor’s degree students. Photo by Julie Badiee Left: Rwandan Baha’is gather in 1997 for their first National Convention since the nation’s civil ~



the Faith to many”; Light and Fire, an opera/ballet on “recent heroic acts of the martyrs in Iran” by Baha’i composer Lasse Thoresen of Norway that “exposed the audience to knowledge of the Faith”; the awarding of Austria’s Cross for Sciences and Arts, “the highest award of its kind for Austria,” to Baha’i violinist and conductor Bijan Khadem-Missagh; and “the prominent part being played by youth all over the world in their employment of the arts in the teaching work,” especially “renditions by their dance workshops.”



SED initiatives

Initiative in another arena was seen by the House of Justice as a legacy of training institutes.

“The ever-expanding work in social and economic development is also benefiting from the operation of those training institutes that give attention to such subjects as literacy, primary health care and the advancement of women,” the Supreme Body wrote at Ridvan 1999:

“The more widespread efforts of the Office of Social and Economic Development to promote a global process of learning about relevant Baha’i principles are enhanced by the work of these institutes, as well as by the rise of Baha’j-inspired organizations scattered throughout the planet.

“Clearly, then, the institutional capacity to administer development programmes is gaining in strength. This is apparent in projects sponsored by Baha’ institutions or initiated by individuals through the inspiration of the Faith.”


‘(A) NEW CONFIDENCE IS STIRRING THE FRIENDS ...’

‘The House of Justice held up two projects in particular for praise.

One, “Unity College, which was created by a family in Ethiopia as the first, and since late 1998, the only private college in the country, with a student body that swelled to 5,000 during this past year.”

Another, “on a smaller le but of significance nonetheless, is the initiative taken by a family in Buffalo, New York: here, in their home, they have been assisting tens of children and youth from the inner city to develop, through Baha’f spiritual and moral teachings, patterns of behaviour that will enable them to overcome self-destructive attitudes bred by poverty and










Institutions maturing

In its Ridvin messages during the Plan, the Supreme Body also charted the inexorable maturation of the Faith’s institutions.

“Consultations of the Continental Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies started an extensive planning process, also involving Auxiliary Board members and Local Spiritual As blies,” wrote the House of Justice at van 1997.

“Through such a process the national and regional character of the derivative plans took shape. But this world-encompassing exercise did more than yield distinctive schemes for the different countries; it also boosted the collaborative relationship of the two arms of the Administrative Order, a most welcome portent of the victories yet to come.

“A further and especially appreciated encouragement as we enter this second year is that circumstances have made it feasible for the re-establishment this Ridvan of the National Spiritual Assembly of Rwanda. This victory over crisis will bring to 175 the number of National Spiritual Assemblies that will be eligible to participate in the Eighth International Baha’i Convention.”

In 1998, the House of Justice updated believers on this progress.

“Immediately ahead are the establishment in May of three new National Spiritual Assemblies—Sabah, Sarawak, and Slovakia—and the re-establishment of the National Spiritual Assembly in Liberia, raising to 179 the pillars of the Universal House of Justice.

“In contemplating the divine favours being bestowed on our community, we acknowledge with deep gratitude the constancy of the acts of service being performed by the individual Hands of the Cause of God, by the International ‘Teaching Centre, and by the Counsellors and their auxiliaries on all continents. The increasing strength of National Spiritual Assemblies also bolsters our certitude in the imminence of resounding victories.”







SEE INTERNATIONAL PROGRESS, PAGE 20


March 21, 2000

Tue American BanA’i ¢ Four YEAR PLAN

page 19 [Page 20]Baha’i communities continued to develop in the Eastern world. Above: The first Teacher Training Institute in the Trans-Caucasus region was

held in summer 1996.

Right: Children in Mongolia learn about vegetable growing in the Baha’isponsored Erdenbulgan Community Development Project.


INTERNATIONAL PROGRESS, continuep From pace 19

And in 1999 more good news could be reported.

“The momentum generated at the International Convention pervaded the Counsellors’ Conference that immediately followed it, further galvanizing the indefatigable participants; and _ it charged the proceedings of the National Conventions held in May.

“That same energy infused the International Teaching Centre, which has been displaying a remarkable potency in the short time since its sixth term began on the anniversary of the Declaration of the Bab. Concentrating on refining and consolidating their organization, the Counsellor members have refrained from their usual travels during this first year, but they can be expected after this to resume their visits to various parts of the world, so as to reinforce their vitalizing influence on the successful conclusion of the Four Year Plan.”







Development of Councils

That year, Regional Councils were established in a growing number of countries, and the House of Justice surveyed the impact of this institution.

“Collateral with the demonstrated efficacy of training institutes is the pragmatic emergence of Regional Baha'i Councils in selected countries where conditions have made the lishment of these in and viable. Where there tion between a C institute, the stage coherence of the pro










and a training set for a galvanic s effecting ex


and for the practical matching of the training services of institutes to the developmental needs of __local


communities.

“Moreover, the operational guidelines whereby the Continental Counsellors and the Regional Councils have direct




Above: A youth plays did


jeridu at a 1997 Baha’i gathering of reconciliation for Aboriginals in Australia.

Left: Ecuador's Presidentelect Jamil Mahuad greets Heranush Reyes, a Baha’i who was selected to represent the nation’s children at a 1998 meeting of Children’s International Defense.


access to each other give rise to a further institutional relationship which, along with that connecting the Coun to the National and Local Spiritual As: semblies, effectuat dynamic integration of functions at the regional level.”






External affairs

External aff of course, remained of paramount importance during this Plan.

At Ridvan 1999, the House of Justice noted, “In the area of external affairs, the most energetic actions have been prompted by two tragic happenings in Tran.”

‘The Supreme Body detailed the execution of an Iranian believer in 1998, which “registered a shock that provoked a worldwide and unprecedented outcry by governments and United Nations agen and the Iranian intelligence agency’s attack on the Baha Institute of Higher Education, which

inspired a global campaign of protest, still in progress.”

Other external affairs developments detailed at Ridvan 1999 included: “the four-month-long mission underta by an emissary of the House of Justice, Mr. Giovanni Ballerio, to nds of the Pacific Ocean where he met with 22 heads of state, 5 heads of government and more than 40 other high-ranking officials; the efforts pursued by a number of National Assemblies, at the urging of the Baha’i International Community’s United Nations Office, to promote human rights education; the participation, by invitation, of representatives of South Africa’s Baha’ community in the proceedings of the ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commi at which they were able to recount their record of unflinching support of racial unity throughout the years of apartheid; [and] the recent sui of communities in Australia, Brazil, Finland and Portugal in obtaining the decision of educational authorities to include courses on the Baha’ Faith in the curricula of primary



















sion,






and second:

to meni jects that generated publicit all forms of the media, the broadly bas ses affairs that engaged the energi



y schools.”

The House of J “not n the public information prothrough




are

external s of the

1 enterp)



community.”

Other developments During the course of the Plan, still

other developments in the Faith world wide mention in Rid Oe message i

were considered worthy of messages oe year of in parenthe: “the acquisition of the apartment at4 Avenue de Camoéns in Paris where the beloved M ‘Abdu’l-Baha, resided during 1 oric visit to the city” (1997)

“the special session ... of the Federal Chamber of Deputies in Brazil to mark the 75th anniversary of the introduction of the Baha’i Faith into that country—a unique, official occasion at which Amatu’l-B: , Khanum was present as the honoured guest” (1997)

“the launching last July of the Bah International Community’ site on the World Wide Web, entitled “The Baha'i World,’ which to date has received from more than 90 countries and territories over 50,000 visits, eraging some 200 per day” (1997) “the decision to raise the number of pilgrims in each group to 150 from 100—this to take effect when the revamping, now in progress, of the newly acquired building, situated across the way from the resting place of the Greatest Holy Leaf, has been completed and use can be made of its n of a pilgrim hall and other for the admii tion of an







er, hi





















expanded. pilgrimage programme” (1999)

“the notable headway being made, despite the inevitable slowness of the process, in the plan to translate texts from the Writings of Baha’u’llah with a view to publishing a new English volume of His works.” (1999)




Tue American BanA’i * Four YEAR PLAN

March 21, 2000 [Page 21]

lassified notices in The American

Bahd’t are published free of charge to the Baha’f community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial ads are accepted. Some of the s have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exercise judgment and care in responding.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

AT THE BAHA'I NATIONAL CENTER EVANSTON, ILLINOIS International Consultant, Office of Pioneering 2 positions). Recruits,






,, trains and dis



patches international pioneers, youth volunteers


and tra rent volunteers:


ing teachers

\d those returning to the States. Needs excel



lent communication and organizational and computer/word processing skills; office experience preferable. Should understand cross


cultural interactions, international affairs etc. Staff Producer; Media Services. Full range of video/audio production tasks, especially writing/development of Baha'i Newsreel. Will keep




day-to-day production process in orde research, gather news, write and edit finished ¢ times without assistance;




help develop network of correspondents; arrange for duplic knowledge/experience in all production aspects ity, organizational skills, familiarity with Baha’ administration. Conservation Coordinator, Conservation Office. Does inspection, recordkeeping, testing, research for Conservation Program at Baha'i House of Worship; maintains Conservation

“Team information systems; manages some projects; must work at heights. Needs three years’


ion/distribution. Needs





experience in engineering technology or conservation/ preservation work; degree in engineering technology, museum science or related field; skill in sketching, word processing.

Concrete Artisan, Conservation Office.

Assists Concrete/Stone Conservator in the con


servation of the Baha’i House of Worship and its surroundings. Must have competence in

mixing, plac 1g and curing concrete flanwork or architectural pre experience in building forms or making molds;

should be fami



st components,


with pressure or acid cleaning, sandblasting, or pneumatic demoliti leadership or



\perv


ory experience bene

Also essential: valid driver's license, ability to


and to wear full or


work comfortably at heights half-mask respirators, good communication skills and ability to interact pleasantly with public. Organized, thorough, patient, cooperative manner desired.

Maintenance Team Leader, Properties. Will manage facility/building maintenance and engi



neering staff to provide timely services at minimal costs; plan, estimate, schedule maintenance requests and projects; ensure that all equipment and buildings are efficiently and effectively


maintained. Needs at least five years’ experience in all areas of building maintenance (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, cleaning etc.) with three to five years as a maintenance manager; valid driver’ lice supervisory command of English.


OFFICE OF INFORMATION SERVICES Applications Developer. Provides high-level analysis, design, implementation of information systems. Familiar with variety of tech

Visual tools, database and Web tools.



nologi


URGENT NEEDS


Office of the Treasurer, Evanston:

gies for increasing regular participation in Baha’f Funds and contribution levels; helps Local Assemblies apply principles underlying Fund contributions; helps administer Weekend Visit Program; helps prepare and present training materials. Must be well-grounded in the fundamental verities of the Faith; skilled in writon; able to coordinate many tasks; should have bachelor’s degree in human service field, experience in program design and management. Louis G. Gregory Baha’i Institute, Hemingway, SC: Administrator. Responsible for Institute development, programming, operation and maintenance with its new mandate, including service to its local community and on social and economic development. Must have proven administrative abilities (planning, coordination, budgeting, staff and volunteer managemend); in-depth understanding of Baha’ teachings, administration and communit standards and serves as a posi Mail Services, Evanston: Clerk. Handles incoming/outgoing mail; carries out shipping, receiving, distribution, storage duties. Must be computer-literate, especially in Microsoft Office programs. Must speak, read and write English;

ten/oral communicat



ment to behavior that meets Bah

needs valid driver's license.

U.S. Babd’i Refugee Office, Evanston: Administrative assistant (part-time). Prepares correspondence to refugees and to Baha’i, government and other agencies involved in refigee resettlement. Develops reports, maintains records, helps process Southeast Asian Baha’f refuge Southeast Asian Helpers Bulletin, articles for The American Babd’i and other publications. Needs proven ability to work with confidential information, strong

skills writing and speaking English.

If interested, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).


Coordinator I. Helps devise strate focus


life; commite model.




and write the


Helps compi



Network Administrator/Engineer. Responsible for configuration, and security of all computer networking infrastructure (LAN and WAN) including servers, cabling, routers, switches and NICs. Maintains documentation of network and


aintenance




=


s ctup and structure. Web Designer, Responsible for designing the look and feel of our Web sites. Needs experienced in layout, design, use of colors; working knowledge of HTML, PhotoShop and MS FrontPage; unde



anding of Web production, file size optimization, load times, site construction, architecture, na Database Administrator. database development. Responsible for

Enterprise SQL server including security

tion issues



ordinates

rights, table design, normalization.

Responsible for design and implementation of


user and departmental applications as front ends to SQL using MS Access, VB or other

tools as determined.


At BAHA’l PUBLISHING TRUST Wicmerte, IL

General Manager. Responsible for creation and execution of publishing agenda, policies; communication with other departments; smooth operation, product quality and financial results of publishing enterprise. Acts as its public and legal spokesperson. Helps achieve National



Spiritual Assembly's wishes to ensure that authoritative texts and related Baha’ material are available to Baha’


and to develop a presence for Baha’ literature in retail bookstores and libraries. Needs high-level s


Is in communication, organization, consultation, presentation, negotiation, problem-solving; expertise in publishing and business management, including financial, personnel and marketi ability to meet changing deadlines and establish priorities while holding firm to a long-term goal; bachelor’s degree, publishing experience, knowledge of Baha'i




erature and principles.

AT BAHA’! DISTRIBUTION SERVICE Futton County, GA Manager, Will oversee general direction, policies/strategies, interdepartmental collaboration, business operations; ensure high level of service to the community, performance of

i

financial mandates and safeguarding of employee welfare; recruit, train and develop personnel; coordinate marketing/customer service, buying, information services and fulfillment. Needs high-level s cation, organization, consultation, presentation, negotiation, problem-solving;




Is in communi


expertise in publishing and business management/mark


1g; ability to meet changing deadlines and establish priorities; knowledge of Baha’ literature and principles; bachelor’s


degree; business man nv/development

five years’ experience



pecifically in person



nel and finan:


management; knowledge/experience in distribution or publishing.

Customer Service Representative. Will take and enter orders for Baha’é literature and

other products; handle customer information


requests (including content and use of books or other products) and complaints; provide

feedback on trends and concerns in the comity. Must have knowledge of Bahi nal Pla

experience in customer service relevant to

mu



ture and international/n:

above duties; ability to speak English clearly


and precisely; abi


to work well, calmly and cordially under pressure, often while handling difficult personalities or changing deadlines.

Desirable: a year’s experience in word process



ing or data entry; six months’ experience in phone orders and general office work.

If interested in any of these Baba’i National Offices posts, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-7333430).

‘AT LOUHELEN BAHA'I SCHOOL DAvisON, MICHIGAN Outreach Coordinator, National Teacher Training Center. Will support implementation of Core Curriculum programs in local communities and otherwi


support the work of the National Teacher ‘Training Center. formal educat



nal expel ity with Core Curriculum training programs; expei youths and adults. Properties Associate. Open in June. Full range skilled maintenance and manual labor, to care


ence training children,


or all of the following: carpentry, construction, plumbing, electric If interested in either position, contact Ric Barbara Johnson, Louhelen F 3208 S. State Road, Davi: (phone 810-653-5033, ) or see the Web site (wwwilouhelen.org).


, HIVAG, grounds




AT GREEN ACRE BAHA'I SCHOOL Euior, MAINE Assistant Facilities Coordinator. Helps with inspections, preventive and routine mainte


nance, exterior and interior repairs. Must have



proven of buildings, equipment, vehicles and grounds. If interested, please contact Jim Sacco, coadministrator, Green Acre Baha’ School, 188 Ma iot, ME 03903 (phone 207-4397200, e-mail i

in housekeey


ng and maintenace



INTERNATIONAL China: Numerous openings for English teachers and professionals willing to travel for service in this rapidly developing country. For more information contact Susan Senchuk (phone 847-733-3506, fax 847-733-3509, email ).

PIONEERING / OVERSEAS


‘The Office of Pioneering is eager to assist the friends preparing for international service. To that end, the Office will post service opportunities related to the needs of other national Baba’i institutions. Vor international job and study opportunities, we will provide Web sites, e-mail addresses and other resources to benefit your search.

For more information regarding jobs and study abroad, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha'i National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, e-mail

PIONEERING / HOMEFRONT

Please consider the beautiful community of


Altoona, Pennsylvania, as a homefront pioneering post. Altoona is a goal area, and we

need some help to maintain Assembly status. Our commu



ity in central Pennsylvania is a secure haven for families. Bahs’is have lived here for more than 30 years, and many seeds have been sown. We have a four-year branch ‘campus of Penn State and job possibilities in education and health care. We can provide temporary housing for prospective pioneers. Please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Altoona c/o April Neal,

Altoona, PA 16602 (phone 814-949-9353).



SEE CLASSIFIED, PAGE 22


March 21, 2000

The AMERICAN BAnA’l ¢ CLASSIFIED

page 21 [Page 22]

CLASSIFIED, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21


eeeecccccccccccccecceocce

A change in homefront pioneering appeals

the four Regional Baha'i Councils have taken on responsibility for coordinating U.S. home front pioneering in the past year. Because of this, The American Baha’ will be changing the way it presents appeals for homefront pioneers. Beginning with the April 28, 2000, issue, we will regularly print the top-priority localities in each region for homefront pioneers, as designated by each Council. That will also be the last issue in which we print requests for pioneers sent by Local Assemblies, groups or individuals. “Classified ads” seeking homefront pioneers have appeared in The American Bahé’i almost from its inception in 1970. However, at this time it is preferable for local communities to turn

first to the Regional Councils on matters related

‘The Baha'i community of Troy, Michigan, needs two homefront pioneers to save the Assembly: In


is home

the northem suburbs of Detroit, this cit


¢; local schoolchildren speak 50 lan\ges. Please contact the Spiritual Assembly of ‘Troy, BO. Box 851, Troy, MI 48099.

Come and help form an Assembly in Plattsburgh, New York, 60 » Montreal on L:



¢ Champlain. Thi nly five miles from the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, has a s

cil



te university and many industries. Please contact Ly: Neale, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 (phone 518-561-0054).


to homefront pioneering.

Help! We need three Baha'is to re-establish Paradise (the Spiritual Assembly, that is). Come to | Paradise, California—above the fog, below the snow, 12 milks from Chico. Enjoy trees, valleys, fresh air, Chico State University and Butte Junior College are each 20 minutes away. Good schools, friendly people, housing about $50,000$200,000, We have six united and active Baha'is. Please contact Iran Brown (phone 530-877-2159) or Vickie Groh (phone 530-877-1195).


bea



Contemplating homefront pioneering? We invite you to consider Manhattan, Kansas, Our Assembly needs two or more adults by this

Ridvan to maintain Assembly status. Manhattan is


ber of and


a mid-sized town with an expanding 1 light industries, plus Kansas State U


MOTTAHEDEH, continuen From pace 3

Pececcccccescesccceccee

When Shoghi Effeiidi cabled the National Spiritual Assembly in July 1936 that intrepid Baha’{ teacher Martha Root soon was to arrive by ship, among those waiting at the pier to meet her on the appointed day were National Assembly members Roy Wilhelm and Mountfort Mills and the Mottahedehs.

And throughout Martha Root’s stay in the City of the Covenant, “each day a secretary from the Mottahedeh firm went to the hotel and took dictation for Martha's letters of thanks and information to friends sprinkled around the globe.”

Mrs. Mottahedeh w: the United Nati she witnessed th Charter in San F

As related by archivist Lewis Walker in a 1997 series of articles in The American Baha’, Mrs. Mottahedeh became the Baha’i_ International Community’ first representative to the United Nations— with the status of recognized observer— when the BIC was designated as a nongovernmental organization.

The first Baha'i participation in an international U.N. conference came in May 1948, Walker wrote. Ugo Giachery, arles Mason Remey and Mrs. Mottahedeh traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, to take part in a gathering of NGOs on human rights.

A frequent lecturer, she was a founder of the Speakers Research Committee for the United Nations and made numerous radio and television appearances.

Mrs. Mottahedeh’s special field of interest was the U.N. Technical Assistance program. She closely followed the progress of assistance to underdevel





advocate of










oe



nearby Fort Riley, both of which lend a healthy diversity to the population. Itis around an hour's drive from the capital, Topeka, and three hours’ drive from Kansas City, Wichita or Lincoln. Please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Manhattan, c/o Sue Haas, corresponding secreP.O. Box 933, Manhattan, KS 66502 (phone


has six adult Bah:


is highly ranked as a place for retirees. Paducah is the medical and marketing center for its area. Within two hours’ driving time, the area has seven active, cooperating Bahs’i communities— but no Assembly. For information from the Regional Baha’ Council’s Homefront Pioneering Coordinating ‘Team, contact Connie Donley, Gilbertsville, KY 42044 (phone 270-362-4228, e-mail DS

Manteca, California, in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, isa city of about 50,000 where a Local Spiritual Assembly needs to be re-estab



lished. From this historic and scenic setting only 70 miles from San Francisco, you can take day trips to Monterey, National Park, the Sierras and Lake Tahoe. Nearby Stockton has wo u




Triumphs in art and commerce

Through the years, Mottahedeh & Co. “produced some 1,500 items for more than 3,000 stores, from Tiffany’s to small gift boutiques,” according to the New York Times. “The company also reproduced pieces in the collections of museums like the Metropolitan and the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Musee des Art Decoratifs in Paris for sale in their shops. Mottahedeh reproductions have graced the White House as well as the reception rooms of the State Department

in Washington.”

The company also designed the commemorative plates for the Holy Year,

1992-1993.

The family’s collection of Chinese porcelains and other objets d’art was later described by Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller in his foreword to China for the West, an authoritative publication on the collection, as “utterly fabulous, an artistic and cultural treasure without comparison in its field.”

oped countries, and in 1954 she made a survey of development possibilities throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islan

Fluent in French, German, Italian, Spanish and English, Mrs. Mottahedeh entertained many diplomats.

Her service at the U.N. spanned nearly 20 years, until in October 1967 she asked to be relieved of her duties because the growing responsibility required fulltime service. And Mrs. Mottahedeh could not devote all her energies to one task.

Work kept the Mottahedehs busy. ‘They had offices in Florence, Italy; New York; Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles and San Francisco, California. Their buying and designing trips took them to Europe four to five times a year and around the world every three years.

She and her husband founded and maintained a series of primary and secondary schools in Tilling and Odusai,





Uganda, named in memory of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory.

In Maharashtra state, India, their Mottahedeh Foundation also helped to launch the Faizi Women’s Development Institute as well as the New Era Development Institute, which has helped improve life in villages.

‘The Uganda and India projects include training in agricultural techniques, public health services and development of local handicrafts.

The Mottahedehs’ efforts brought about the creation in 1958 of a foundation to help with social and economic development projects in the Third World.

Later, a nonprofit development agency of the National Assembly was named Mottahedeh Development Services Inc. in honor of their half-century of dedicated service.

Mrs. Mottahedeh played another critical role in the progress of the Faith. In




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Web site (www.relo-california.com/mantecy). For more information, contact the Baha'is of Manteca, O. Box 2102, Manteca, CA 95336 (phone 209 823-5270, e-mail

Kingstree, South Carolina, invites a homefront pioneer to settle into this friendly town of 8,000 and help the Baha’ community b Spiritual Assembly into full functio minutes from the Louis Gregory Bah: Institute, 40 minutes from the beach and 40



minutes from the Baha'i center in Florence, this town is a great location for teachers—10 schools within 15 minutes’ drive—and also for retirees, because housing is reasonable. There are friends h, loving children’s classes and regular fellowship. Please contact the

of Kingstree (phone 843-354-5339).




YOUTH



A 19-day teaching project, July 12-Aug. follow the second annual Badasht Academy for youths (ages 12-18) on July 7 Acre Baha'i School, sponsored by the

Northeast Regional Youth Commit«

12 at Green



more information please contact the committee (c-mail ). Space is limited, so register with Green Acre early!


1961 she was elected to the International Baha’f Council, an adm rative institution created by the Guardian in 1951 and continuing until the election of the Universal House of Justice in 1963.

When her beloved husband passed away in 1978, Mrs. Mottahedeh succeeded him as president of Mottahedeh & and remained active in the firm, even after it was sold, until her retirement in 1998.

Awards bestowed on Mrs. Mottahedeh for service included The Order of Commander of Prince Henry the Navigator, presented by the government of Portugal in 1987 for her role in the development of Portuguese porcel the United States; the International Tabletop Award (1990); the ited Nations Woman of Honor (1993); membership in the Honorary Friends of Queen Catherine (1993); and the Mildred R. Mottahedeh Humanitarian Award (1994), e ed in her honor by the IFDA Educational Foundation.

She was a member of the Royal Society of Arts in England, the Oriental Cerami Society and the China Society, and was a life Fellow of the Metropol Museum of Art.

She is survived by son Roy Parviz Mottahedeh of Brookline, Massachusetts, and daughter Peri Yousef of London, England; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial scholarship fund for children of the Third World is being established in Mrs. Mottahedeh’s name. Contributions to this fund may be made to Mottahedeh Development Services Inc., 2370 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, GA 30035.













page 22 Tne AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ CLassiriep/ContinueD

March 21, 2000 [Page 23]se WOT ERE ET


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suggestions for incorporating the performing arts into Baha'i functions

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March 21, 2000

The AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ BAnA’i DistRIBUTION SERVICE page 23 [Page 24]ON SERVI







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illustrated by Winifred BarnumNewman

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This new, richly illustrated edition of 30 exciting, ageless stories tells of the amazing events surrounding the birth of the Baha’ % Faith from 1844-1850. Children of all ages will enjoy these tales of the heroes and heroines who gave their lives for what they believed in. Adapted from Nabil’s The Dawn-Breakers, the stories are perfect for reading aloud and convey a sense of the rich and dramatic spiritual heritage of all who call themselves Baha’is today. Includes a glossary of symbols found in the illustrations. 9"x 7", 156 pp.

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Clear and melodious chanting of Persian Baha’ prayers for children, accompanied by traditional Persian setar. A wonderful gift that can be used as a soothing Lullaby for children | of all ages and cultures or for an enjoyable introduction to one of the beautiful and poetic languages in which the writings of Baha'u'llah were revealed. Dedicated to all the children of the world.

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Maggie Celebrates Ayyam-i-Ha

story by Patti Rae Tomarelli illustrated by Wendy Cowper-Thomas $9.95 SC (MCAH)

is new picture book tells the simple, lyrical story of one child’s joyous, creative celebration of Ayyém-i-Ha. Each day finds Maggie doing something special and wonderful all on her own, without prompting from the adults in her life. Through her actions, Maggie shows the true meaning of Ayyém-i-H4, demonstrating that children can give to their communities and be of service to others. Includes instructions for repeating Maggie's special activities in your home.

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The Flute Player and the Lazy One story by Gail Radley

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The family of Farhad and Bahram are carpet weavers. Farhad works hard and also is a most gifted flute player while Bahram is rather lazy and can barely play at all. Bahram’s ego tempts him to de cheme to take the credit for his brother’s musical gift. His deception brings upon him an unfortunate and unexpected consequence. This charming story, set in the Middle East of long ago, demonstrates how truthfulness and honesty are the foundation of all virtues.

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page 24 THe American BanA‘i ¢ Bana’i DistRiBUTION SERVICE

March 21,2000


[Page 25]


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THe AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ BAanA’i DisTRIBUTION SERVICE page 25


[Page 26]


oIN*MEMORIAM =


NEEL PTET



Peter Boddy pioneered in Latin America

ter Hanson poss died Jan. 2, 2000, in Escondido, Cal He had ly ill during a visit with family from his pioneering post in Nicaragua. He was 52.

He had served as a pioneer in Latin for 28 years—most of that with his wife of 27 ye: A two sons. He served ag N:








agua mop physician since the 1970s, Boddy demonstrated unswerving commitment to improving the live: ple wherever he lived.

His work in public health and education took him to Mozambique, Ecuador, Arg: Brazil, Egypt and several U. funeral on Jan. 4 drew Cout






His Arturo Serrano, former Counselor Fred Schechter and numerous other friends




who spoke warmly of his de of service and his irrepressible humor.

Peter Boddy was born Feb. 15, 1947, in Massachusetts and grew up ina Baha’é household in ornia and Colorado.

After earning anthropology and psychology degrees in California, he took a pioneer’s invitation to move to the Caribbean island of San André Colombia. There he helped set up a business school.

After a year he was drafted and served in Vietnam. Several Army buddies

oC4 ‘4’f Faith because Boddy passed along teachings that helped them deal with their situation. He also had









Peter Boddy, a physician, organized public health clinics or trained people in the field in several countries.




special permi attend Baha’i Vietnam.

After his discharge, the Army returned

him to Panama in time for dedication of the Baha’i House of Worship. There he met Peruvian Bahd’is who prevailed upon him to go to Peru directly from the ‘Temple dedication and attend medical school in their country rather than in the United States. d the exam for medical school x Spanish only a short time. way through school and traveled to teach the Faith.

In 1985 Boddy returned to earn a mas: ter’s degree in public health in San Diego, California. There he helped develop preventive medicine at a family health center and made early efforts in AIDS education.

He went back to Latin Am 1989, traveling to Honduras, Bolivia and Nicaragua. While in Bolivia he helped establish that country’s first graduate program in public heaith.

He traveled extensively in Latin America to teach moral leadership and to

on from the Army to meetings weekly in














The Universal House of Justice transmitted the following message to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States on Jan. 3:

“We have learned with deep sadness of the passing of Peter Boddy, a dedicated, longstanding servant of Baha’u’llah, who achieved an enviable record of service as a pioneer to several countries in Latin America. He will surely be remembered for the radiant and humanitarian spirit that characterized his work, Be assured of our ardent prayers at the Holy Threshold for a joyous reception of his soul in the Abha Kingdom and for the solace of the hearts of his loved ones.

“The Universal House of Justice”

train people in organizing and maintaining Baha’ institutes. Another favorite project was organizing workshops to study all directives from the Universal House of J . He also organized and trained teaching teams to facilitate entry by troops in Honduras and Bolivia.

At the time of his death he had worked for more than three years to develop the public health system in Nicaragua on the national and regional levels. He was supervising a project that focused on reducing deaths of infan id their mothers, and had planned to










rvived by his wife, Patri sons Louis of Peru and William of Nicaragua; parents Gregory and Marie of Poway, California; and brother Kim of Seattle, Washington.

Beth Maglothin served the Faith in Kenya, Honduras

Be Dickey Maglothin ascended to the Abha Kingdom on July 4, 1999. She was 66 years old.

Beth Maglothin first arose to pioneer in 1975 and was able to serve in Kenya for almost five years. In December 1980 she returned to Afric is time to serve her beloved Faith in Bophuthatswana for five y

In 1985, she returned to the States




ald better finance she had a degree a second or foreign language. She an anthropologist/archaeologist and dealt in traditional handicrafts and artifacts, but




after deciding she c her pioneering effort hing English




with the changing times, realized she needed other skills.

After obtaining teaching credentials, she explored the possibility of pioneer



ing to the Bay Islands of Honduras, a difficult goal of the set out again in 1988 and settled on the offshore Honduran island of R

Wherever Beth settled, she endeared herself to the people of that country. Her earthly life was centered on serving her Lord and it with this memory that we pray for the progress of her soul.






Viola Bancroft Waukesha, WI Fai February 1, 2000


Adele Beach Huntington Beach, CA December 1999

Houston,

Peter H. Boddy Escondido, CA


Colette Couture-Zekas x County, VA December 27, 1999

Nahid B. Endalew TX December 6, 1999

Arthur Hotchner Conway, SC

November 19, 1999 December 15, 1999


IN MEMORIAM

Champ McCarty was Makah elder

hamp McCarty, a Baha’f who was an elder on the Makah Reservation in Washington state, passed away on Dec. 12, 1999. McCarty had participated in many



councilfires held in Neah Bay, Washington, since the mid- 1960s. He served hi ‘Tribal Council



member, municipal director, fire chief and judge. He also taught sports and encouraged you canoeing. A new fire named after him.

At his funeral service Dec. 17, more than 500 people packed the Neah Bay High School gym. Tribal members described McCarty aindly and joyous man who promoted mony, consultation and the oneness of humankind.

He was praised is continual e Eee of communly ne)



jon will be






his heartfelt desire that they live cr and consecrated

‘There was little lef for the Bah: say except to express their love for him and praise the tribe for its loving traditions and gracious hospitality. At the graveside, oe wife, Audrey, led all in singing Allah-u-Abhi as a farewell. Makah songs a ,

McCarty’: family included seven children, 17 grandchildren and many who call Audrey and Champ “Auntie and Uncle.”






Mabel Turner Taylor, 103, was Baha'i 6 decades

Mabel Turner Taylor passed away Jan. 5, 2000, at age 103 in Overland Park, Kansas. She was widely known as the oldest Baha’ in the state.

She became a Baha’i in 1939, having been taught by the Hand of the Cause of God Louis Gregory and by Edith Chapman, the first Baha’ in Kansas City, Missouri. Her community remembers her not only for her distinguished Baha’i heritage, but also for her joy, kindness, modesty and radiance of spirit.




Allen Irving Holly Springs, MS January 3, 2000


De


Edna R. Karezag South Ogden, UT January 15, 2000

Aynollah Khayyam Beverly Hills, CA

January 10, 2000

Hubert Matthias Arlington, TX ember 31, 1999

Mary L. Mazcuri Houston, TX January 3, 2000

Pauline Menser Beaverton, OR

December 12, 1999

Soltan Naraghi-Arani Diamond Bar, CA January 8, 2000

William A. Reeves Summerville, SC January 25, 2000

Shirley Reichenbach Lake County, FL

January 2, 2000 May 31, 1999 December 28, 1999 May 22, 1999 January 29, 2000 December 9, 1999 December 23, 1999 Mary K. Boyce Bertha Hudson L. Jane Marsh Fahimeh Mosbat Clyde J. Rilliet Mabel T. Taylor Sadie E. White Hot Springs, AK Greenville, SC Florissant, MO Los Angeles, CA Reno, NV Overland Park, KS Washington, DC

December 31, 1999

Arlene Rowland Calaveras County, CA January 4, 1996

Clover J. Sanders Joe L. Ware Salt Lake City, UT Socorro, NM December 24, 1999 1996 Martha Stanford Mary A. Weir Cambridge, MA Miamisburg, OH

January 17, 2000

Adeline Torres Mescalero, NM August 1987


November 18, 1999




page 26 THe American BanA’i * IN MemoRIAM

March 21, 2000 [Page 27]




Communit

Coming in future issues:

  • Editorial: “Detachm



  • Robert Hariman on “R:

Detachment in E



nus’ Praise of |

  • Arash Abizadeh ed Detach

Detach



Modern:



World Order

Now available: Summer 1999 issue

Special Issue on Religious Freedom

Education in Iran, and Jarger i issues about reli ‘The Iranian Bal

ntin the Modern World” ical Socality and Christian


ent, Comic nd the Mystic’s Last Laugh” a Naqvi-Peters reviews Life Is Beautiful

World Order surveys America’s response to the attempt to close the Baha’ Institute for Higher


jous freedom in a world community.

Religious Freedom: A Sacred Right” n Defense of Iran's Baha’f Institute for Higher Education”


na Pers

  • Wilma Ellis: “Religious Freedom Abroad”

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Brilliant Star

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One Country

Quarterly about development by the Baha’i International Community Subscriptions: US.—$12 / year, $22 / 2 years Outside US. surface mail—$16 / year, $30 / 2 years Outside US. air mail—$20 / year, $36 / 2 years Single copy: $3.50 plus shipping/handling

Herald of the South

Quarterly by National Assemblies of Australia and New Zealand Subscriptions: US.—$28 / year, $50 / 2 years Outside US.: Contact Herald of the South,

Ingleside NSW 2101, Australia; e-mail

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Sold to (if different from recipient):


YOUNG AT HEART CAMPAIGN

Association of American Baha’is 50 years and older Organized by a task force under the auspices of the National ‘Teaching Committee. OUR MISSION: ‘To facilitate seasoned Bahi’is to utilize their life and professional experiences, talents and resources, knowledge and skills in continued service to Bahi’u'llsh,






ORGANIZATIONAL JOIN THE MEETING/CONFERENCE ASSOCIATION!

‘ Use the form below

Louhelen Baha’ School erty

Pao Ata Special information: Indicate y

area(s) of strength or © teaching, pion



ad to attend this conference, organized to nior” Baha'is: acquainted.

  • Inspire one another to keep active or be

even more active, especially in teaching the Faith.

  • Strengthen the organization of the Young

at Heart association. Featured speakers: Counselor A.-M. Ghadirian (centative), Dr. Elizabeth Bowen

Please return form to: Virginia Harden

St. Paul, KS 66771 (phone 316-449-8955, e-mail


INFORMATION ON YOUR

INTERNATIONAL TEACHING TRIP


To record achievement of traveling teaching goals, the Office of Pioneering needs information on 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. —

Just contact the Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail

Use the Multipurpose Form below to respond by mail. Special information (use a separate sheet as needed):

  • Names and ID numbers of all Baha'is on each trip.
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date(s) of visit(s). © Main purpose of your travel.

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March 21, 2000


[Page 31]*INTERNATIONAL*NEWS


Parliament furthers dialogue of religions


aha’is were prominent among the Bier people attending the

Parliament of the World's Religions Dec. 1-8 in Cape Town, South Africa.

‘The Parliament opened in a jubilant atmosphere, with a procession through the streets of Cape Town that included about 100 Baha'is marching under banners proclaiming “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth”; “The purpose of justice is the realization of unity amongst men”; “Ye are the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch have faith, so shall your powers and blessings be.”

Counselor Lally Warren of Botswana among 20 dignitaries on stage during the opei n of the Parliament. She read a prayer revealed by ‘Abdu’lBaha for the unity of humankind. Also on were several key organizers, who ended the session with brief talks. These included Amy Marks of South Africa, a and a member of the Board of ‘Trustees of the Parliament in South Africa, who included words of Baha’w’lléh in her remarks.

Other Baha'is numbered among the organizers include Marks’ fellow board member Tahirih Mathee, also of South Africa, and Chicago-area Baha’is Charles Nolley and Yael Wurmfeld, members of the Board of Directors of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s R ns.

Baha'i speakers during the Parliament's program included Richard AfnanHolmes, Farzin Aghdasi, Lawrence Arturo, Philip Christensen, Saeid Eshraghi, Parvaheh Farhangpour, Robert Henderson, Patricia Locke, Tahirih Mathee and Gregory Mathee, Abdia Naidoo, Mpunki Nakedi and Mokone Nakedi, Shoreh Rawhani, Judith Rouhani, Robert Sarracino, Cynthia ‘Thomas and Belete Worku.

Baha'is also made a wide range of artistic presentations during the gathering. Suzanne and Mark Bamford screened their film Hero, Kevin Locke performed hoop dances, Ladjamaya Green Mahoney

















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With the South African Baha’i’ Youth Workshop among 100 Baha’is helping proclaim the message directly (top photo), thousands of people walked in a procession through the streets of Cape Town, South Africa, at the beginning of the Parliament of the World’s Religions. Photos by Yael Wurmfeld

offered The African-American Experience: A Oy for World Peace, Mubtadia Rice acted in A Woman and Her Words: The Story of Tabirib, and the South African Baha’i Youth Workshop danced.

On Dec. 3, the official newsletter of the Parliament, Vukani, carried the letter from the National Spiritual Assembly of

the Bahda’is of South Africa to the Parliament as the lead article on its front page, with a photograph of a diverse group of Baha’is. Vukani, which means “spiritual awakening,” was distributed throughout the Cape ‘Town metropolitan area as a four-page insert in its morning newspaper.

The Cape Town gathering had a twofold aim, according to its organizers. First, it engaged a wide range of religious leaders in interreligious dialogue. Second, it encouraged these leaders to collaborate with representatives of government, labor, commerce, science, education, the media and other spheres of activity to bring about social change.

‘To accomplish the second goal, a fourday assembly of 400 religious and spiritual leaders was held concurrently with the day program. During the leaders conrange of issues including meeting essential human needs, pursuing universal human rights, fostering creative yagement of religion and spirituality with others, and building bridges of



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understanding and cooperation. A number of Baha’is took part in these consulta tions and helped with preparation of the Parliament’: final paper, titled “Call to Our Guiding Institution

“We are witnessing the birth of a new system of organization of the world’ religions,” stated Henderson, the general of the National Assembly of the United States. “We have thousands of people repr religious traditions in one p first time, they are giving birth to a common vision of their spiritual and redeeming purpose.

“For decades, neo-classical economists have argued that the laws of economics are completely independent of social context. Their argument was that economic laws were equally applicable in any nation among any people at any time. Now we're beginning to see that that view is being set aside and people are beginning to say that there is a direct relationship between culture, religion and belief systems of a people and the economic function in that setting.

“That is a powerful recognition and opens the door for the meeting where religious leaders are now being invited to give their opinions.”







Baha'i addresses the Pope during inter-religious meeting in India


ale Baha’i_ Faith achieved major recognition during a state visit to India by Pope John Paul II, head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Among other important engagements during the three-day visit, the pontiff attended an inter-religious meeting in New Delhi Nov. 7, 1999. Against a backdrop of protests by various sectarian groups that oppose ecumenism, this particular function aroused keen interest.

Distinguished representatives of nine religions shared the platform with the Pope—including Zena Sorabjee, a member of the Continental Board of Counselors representing the Baha’i community of India. Many ambassadors, highranking government officials, political and civic leaders and intellectuals, as well as cardinals, archbishops and other senior religious dignitaries, were at the event.


The religious representatives were introduced to the Pope as he entered the auditorium to a standing ovation. As the religions were listed in alphabetical order, Sorabjee, the only woman on the stage, was the first to be introduced.

Each representative had two minutes in which to welcome and address the Pope, and Sorabjee was the last to do so.

On television the Pope could be seen listening intently to her felicitations and address, in which sh in part:

“As His Holiness mentioned ye: the largest number of religions coexist in India where the Constitution upholds the right of every individual to believe in and practice the religion of his free choice. Mention was also made of the need for unity in diversity and respect to be accorded to all religions.

“The Baha'is of the world,” she contin




erday,



ued, “followers of Baha’u’llih, strongly support every step which is directed towards upholding the unity of religions. Teis an article of our Faith that there is but one religion, and the Source of that religion is the Creator, God. Different religions are but progressive chapters in that book of religion.”

She then quoted several passages from the writings of Baha’u’llah on the unity of religions and of humanity.

‘The Archbishop who introduced the speakers in turn thanked Sorabjee for her lovely words. After the speeches many of those present expressed to members of the Baha'i delegation their appreciation of her words, some even requesting a copy of her address.

‘The event was telecast live throughout India and to many other parts of the world via satellite television.



The information kit presented to each participant contained an attractive multicolored program sheet that contained quotations from the scriptures of various religions, including the words of Baha’u'llah. In addition, a souvenir distributed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference contained a message from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of India.

“That the Catholic Church in India invited the Baha’is to participate in this highly important and prestigious gathering demonstrates the recognition accorded to the Faith as one of the major religions of the country,” the report read. “The unprecedented media publicity will open many more opportunities for the Baha’i community to interact with religious leaders of the world at interfaith dialogues.”


March 21, 2000 Tre AMERICAN Band’ ¢ INTERNATIONAL News page 31 [Page 32]



FOR INFORMATION ABOUT EVENTS sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly. or its agencies at the Baha’{ National Center, please phone 847-869-9039 and ask for the relevant department. Numbers and e-mail addresses for the

School, phone 207-439-7200; fax 207-438-9940; e-mail Louhelen Baha’t School, phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail . Louis G. Gregory Baha’i Institute, phone 843-558-5093;





permanent Baha’ schools and institutes are: Bosch Baha’{ School, phone 831- _ fax 843-558-9136; e-mail . Native American Baha’i Institute 423-3387; fax 831-423-7564; e-mail . Green Acre Baha’f (NABD, phone and fax 520-587-7599; e-mail :¢ MARCH APRIL MA & St & s 29-April 2: nee ‘Training 7-9: Two programs at Louhelen: 3-9: “Encouraging the Artist,” retreat 26-28: Conference of Nir, “Make

Program (including SITA program) at the Baha’f National Center.

31-April 2: “Baha’i Marriage and Family Life: Building Stronger Communities” at Bosch.

31-April 2: “Fundamental Verities Part 3: A New Civilization” at Bosch; session continues April 28-30 and May 19-21. Recommendation by an Assembly, RTI or Auxiliary Board member required.

31-April 2: Two sessions at Green Acre: “Removing Obstacles from the Seeker’s Path: Reaching Atheists, erialists and Others Who Avoid Religion”; Spiritual Empowerment




Session for Junior Youth (Grades 7-9).

31-April 3: Advanced Core Curriculum seminar at Louhelen.


PAID SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

AT BAHA’I NATIONAL OFFICES Administrator, Louis Gregory Institute Administrative Assistant, Refugee Office Staff Producer, Media Services Clerk, Mail Services AND OTHERS

See Page 21





BAHA'I NATIONAL CENTER 112 LINDEN AVE WILMETTE, IL 60091-2849

“Teaching Christians” and “Ethics and Spirituality in Medicine.”

7-9: Ruhi Course, “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit,” at Bosch.

7-9: Social and Economic Development Facilitator training by MDS at two locations: Green Acre (session 1) and Louis Gregory Institute (session 2).

14-16: “Advancement of Women” at Bosch.

14-16: Marriage Enrichment Retreat for Couples at Green Acre.

14-16: Social and Economic Development Facilitator training by MDS at Louh 19-23: Two sessions at Bosch: Youth Preparation for Pion ig and ‘Traveling Teaching; “The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah.”

21-23: Youth Eagle Institute at Louhelen.

21-23: “Consecration, Love of God and Teaching” at Green Acre.

27-30: 91st Baha'i National Conyention, Sheraton Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, IL. Seating is open to Baha'i visitors who register. See page 3 for details and registration form. 28-30: Spiritual Empowerment Institute for Junior Youth at Louhelen. 28-30: “Socio-Economic Development” at Bosch.




Xavier Chavez (from left), Karl Kecman, Micah Kecman and Stephen Maxwell of the Aztec, New Mexico, Baha’i community pause in their highway cleanup to greet a few curious horses. The community has sponsored the cleanup for 10 years. Photo courtesy of Marko Keoman


MARCH 21, 2000 BAHA, JALAL * B.E. 157


for musicians, artists and dancers, at


piritual Empowerment Institute for Junior Youth at Louhelen. 5-7: Kansas Baha’f School, “Cultivating Distinction”; near Junction City, KS. With David Freeman and Lynn Wieties. Lodging on site. Registrar: Gray Bishop,

Derby, KS (phone 316788-5378, e-mail

). Pre-register by

April 15. 12-14: “C the Arts Ci Acre. 12-14: Parent-Child Weekend at Louhelen. 12-14: “Heroines of the Faith” at Bosch. 19-21: “Work as Worship” at Green Acre. 19-21: Two sessions at Bosch: Ruhi Course, “Twin Manifestations”; “Heroines of the Faith” (second presentation). 19-21: “Young at Heart: The Older Person and the Baha’ Community” at Louhelen. 26-28: “Cultivating Distinction” at Green Acre. 26-28: “Consecration, Love of God and Teaching” at Louhelen.


ce: How ate Community” at Green






Thou This Garden to Flower: Using the Arts to Advance Entry by Troops Elizabethtown, PA. With Davida ad Margaret Ruhe, Vaughn Loudenbach. Registrar: Mark Dunmire,

Harrisburg, PA 17104 (phone 717-234-0916, e-mail

).

26-28: Royal Falcon (Alabama) Baha’f School, “Cultivting Distinction: Our Destiny Linked to Transformation”; Mobile, AL. Registrar: Carol Payne, P.O. Box 289, Skipperville, AL 36374, phone 334-774-0020, e-mail

Web site http://bahai.home.mindspring.com). Register by May 12. 26-29: “Health for Humanity” at Bosch. 26-29: Georgia Baha’i School, “Developing Distinction and inthe World Order of Baha’ Hampton, GA. Registrar: eele, arietta, GA 30068 (phone 770-509-9686). 26-29: Utah Baha’i School, near Zion National Park, UT: Indoor sleeping or camping. With Jack McCants. Registrar: Shokouh Imani, Layton, UT 84040 (phone 801-7710586) or e-mail or fax


Mah”; aavonte


801-451-7993. Register by May 15.





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B. NEW RESIDE!


ADDRESS

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State Zip code

State Zip code


D. NEW COMMUNITY


E. HOME


L.EPHONE NUMBER








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



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THe AMERICAN BanA‘i

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