The American Bahá’í/Volume 32/Issue 2/Text

←Previous

The American Bahá’í Volume 32, Issue 2

Next→

Return to PDF view Proofread once

[Page 1]

A new epoch dawns

To the American Bahá’í community from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

Dear Friends,

The National Spiritual Assembly is privileged to share with the American Bahá’í community the January 16, 2001, message from the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the World announcing that "the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh now enters the fifth epoch of its Formative Age."

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Robert C. Henderson Secretary-General

Sharing visions for humanity

SED conference spotlights Bahá’ís making a difference

BY TOM MENNILLO

Michael O'Neal is blunt about the state of his city, Savannah, Georgia.

Many parents there can't say, as he can, that they have raised three African-American males and none has been in jail or been shot.

What's more, he says Savannah has been devoid of leadership to change the situation. The schools are in turmoil. And parents lack the tools to help their children prepare for productive lives.

So a year ago, O'Neal stepped forward.

He had no development experience. He was an electrician, not an educator. But he was full of inspiration from past Rabbani Trust conferences on social and economic development. He was confident that his initiative, if based on solid values, would inspire others to act as well.

Thus was born Parent University. In that year it has "graduated" hundreds of Savannah-area adults from skills courses designed to bridge schools and community, and has attracted dozens of civic and corporate sponsors.

When O'Neal told the story of Parent University in a standing-room-only workshop at the Bahá’í Development Conference for the Americas, Dec. 14-17 in Orlando, Florida, he acknowledged...

In a relaxed setting overlooking a pool, conference attendees interested in agriculture consult and share ideas to take back home. Photo by Tom Mennillo

Message of the Universal House of Justice

to the Bahá’ís of the World, dated January 16, 2001

Dearly loved Friends,

As we write you this message, the Conference of the Continental Counsellors approaches a triumphant conclusion.

For eight days the Counsellors from all the continents have consulted on the next phase of the process of entry by troops. While they were meeting during the first five days, 849 members of their Auxiliary Boards from 172 countries were arriving at the Bahá’í World Centre and paying their respects at the Holy Shrines in anticipation of the moment when they would all come together in a series of soul-stirring events: ascent of the newly built Terraces on Mount Carmel; circumambulation of the Shrine of the Báb; procession along the Arc path for a...

Victor de Araujo, longtime Bahá’í representative to UN

Message of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S., dated January 5, 2001

Our hearts are heavy with sorrow at the passing of our tireless, dearly loved coworker, Victor de Araujo. A gentle spirit, a principled approach, a dignified bearing characterized his long years of outstanding service as principal representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations. He will ever be remembered with gratitude for the significant relations forged by this community with that global organization through the efficacy of his work. We extend our loving sympathy to the members of his bereaved family, and assure them of our ardent supplications in the Holy Shrines for the joyful progress of his illumined soul throughout the divine worlds.

The Universal House of Justice

AYYAM-1-HA/INTERCALARY DAYS ‘ALA’/LOFTINESS BAHÁ’Í ERA 157

I-N-SI-DE

BUILDING THE KINGDURTIME IT'S OUR TIME LOUHELEN ADDITION UNITY THAT IT CAN EARTH LOCAL EDUCATION HELPING IN HAITI KID'S CORNER YOUTH IN MEMORIAM CLASSIFIED PERSIAN INTERNATIONAL NEWS

THE NATIONAL FUND

Between May 1 and December 31, 2000 $18,000,000 Goal/all funds $11,454,074 Received Excluding Kingdom Project

EXCERPTS

"The teachers of the Cause must be heavenly, lordly and radiant. They must... arise in service with the utmost firmness, steadfastness and self-sacrifice."

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá [Page 2]

ALMANAC

Ayyám-i-Há

Days of giving

• Observed from sunset Feb. 25 until sunset March 1
• Work is not suspended

There are five Intercalary Days in a leap year, four in most years. They fall between the Bahá’í months of Mulk and ‘Alá’ and are designated for spiritual preparation for the Fast, hospitality, charity and gift-giving.

The Nineteen-Day Fast

Season of restraint

• Observed from sunset March 1 until sunset March 20
• Work is not suspended

During the Bahá’í month of ‘Alá’, believers in sufficient health between the ages of 15 and 70 are to abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset.

“The traveller, the ailing, those who are with child or giving suck, are not bound by the Fast; they have been exempted by God as a token of His grace. He, verily, is the Almighty, the Most Generous.” —Bahá’u’lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, para. 16

“It is essentially a period of meditation and prayer, of spiritual recuperation. ... Its significance and purpose are, therefore, fundamentally spiritual in character. Fasting is symbolic, and a reminder of abstinence from selfish and carnal desires.” —Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Directives from the Guardian, p. 28

Naw-Rúz

A Bahá’í Holy Day

• Observed from sunset March 20 until sunset March 21
• Work is to be suspended

Rooted in an ancient Persian new year festival, Naw-Rúz was adopted by Bahá’u’lláh as a Holy Day. The Bahá’ís of the Western world observe Naw-Rúz on March 21, although eventually it will universally be observed on the day of the spring equinox. The Guardian directed that the Feast of Naw-Rúz be celebrated separately from the administrative Feast for the month of Bahá.

“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 permanent benefit and value to the people.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, p. 182

Some significant dates in Bahá’í history

March

March 19, 1856: Bahá’u’lláh returned to the colony of exiled Bábís in Baghdad after He had spent nearly two years in retreat in the mountains of Kurdistan. This reunion began a process of education, invigoration and unification of the Bábí community that culminated in Bahá’u’lláh’s open declaration of His station in 1863.

March 10, 1866: In a turning point for the fledgling Bahá’í community, Bahá’u’lláh (now living with a company of exiles in Adrianople, Ottoman Empire) initiated the “Most Great Separation.” He split openly with Mírzá Yahyá, His half-brother, who had advanced his own claim to be a Messenger of God.

March 17, 1879: The King of Martyrs and the Beloved of Martyrs—brothers Hájí Siyyid Muhammad Hasan and Hájí Siyyid Muhammad Husayn—were executed in Isfahán on the order of Shaykh Muhammad-Báqir, whom Bahá’u’lláh later stigmatized as “the Wolf.”

March 1889: Edward G. Browne delivered the first lecture on the Bahá’í Faith in the West, to a private audience in Newcastle, England.

March 1, 1897: Shoghi Effendi was born in the house of ‘Abdu’lláh Páshá, the residence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s family in ‘Akká in the Holy Land.

March 16, 1900: The Chicago Bahá’í community reorganized and in effect rejected a challenge to the leadership of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

March 1948: The name Bahá’í International Community was first used for the global nongovernmental organization involving, at the time, eight National Spiritual Assemblies. Mildred Mottahedeh was appointed to serve as the Bahá’í International Observer; she held that post for 20 years.

March 1959: Several Bahá’ís, including members of the Local Spiritual Assembly, were arrested in Ankara, Turkey. Nearly two years’ litigation stemming from the arrests eventually resulted in a ruling that the Bahá’í Faith is an independent religion and not an illegal sect.

March 15, 1973: The mansion at Mazra’ih was acquired as a Bahá’í property. Bahá’u’lláh had lived here for two years, 1877–1879, before moving to Bahjí.

March 1990: The Haifa (Israel) District Town Planning Commission approved plans submitted by the Bahá’í World Center for the building projects on Mount Carmel.

Facts in the “Some Significant Dates” section were compiled from A Basic Bahá’í Chronology.

Significant upcoming dates

• Festival of Ridván (anniversary of the Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh), April 21–May 2
• Anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb, May 23
• Anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, May 29

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS

STEVEN E. GOTTLIEB, a Bahá’í in the Yakama Reservation of Washington, was recently honored as Physician of the Year for the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, where he has served as a pediatrician for the past eight years. The award covers clinics in Washington and Oregon with thousands of employees.

SEAN SHARIFI, a Bahá’í from Vienna, Virginia, capped a senior year full of honors at Flint Hill Preparatory School with a speech to 300 students about the Bahá’í Faith, as part of a special program designed to acquaint students with the world’s religions. Sean also participated in Georgetown University’s Presidential Classroom International Youth Leadership Seminar and performed extensive volunteer service in Georgetown Hospital’s emergency room. An Associated Press scholar, Sean also was invited to participate in Model UN activities and has participated in several study programs in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador and Belize.

EBBIE YAZDANI, 14, a Bahá’í in Irmo, South Carolina, was a member of his school Knowledge Master Open team which placed first in the state and third in the nation in early 2000. The Internet-based competition allows students in a school to collaborate in answering general academic questions. School teams compete on elementary and secondary levels.

Other honors:

Academic

J.J. McLaughlin, Bastrop, TX: Invited to participate in 2001 National Student Leadership Conference.

Career

J.J. McLaughlin Distinguished service award from her employer, John E. Fogarty Center, Providence, RI; for innovative vocational program development for developmentally delayed adults.

Judy Orloff, Foxboro, MA: Distinguished service award.

Community

Justis Keehner, 18, Gahanna, OH: Eagle Scout award.

Competition/Athletic

Ayo Ayankoya, 18, Carrboro, NC: Selected to Piedmont Athletic Conference All-Conference football team.

Jeffrey Key, 13, Sarasota, FL: Earned black belt in karate.

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í

PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES Bahá’í National Center 847-869-9039

Editorial Office of The American Bahá’í Mail: 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: 847-869-9039 Fax: 847-251-3652 E-mail:

Editor James Humphrey

Associate Editor Tom Mennillo

Facilities Manager, Bahá’í Media Services Artis Mebane

Contributors Peter Adriance, William Barclay, Tom Behrendt, Jon Berry, Kristi Berry, Jim Cheek, Tressa Clifton, Liz Donaldson, Dianne Jester, C. Aaron Kreader, Bonny Kukula, Barbara McCord, Alexander Rehayem, Ken Roedel, Anthony Vodraskal

PUBLISHED ONCE EVERY 38 DAYS (plus one special issue) for a total of 10 issues per year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. Periodical postage paid at Evanston, IL and additional mailing offices. ISSN Number: 1062-1113 Canada: Publications Agreement Number 1486683

ADDRESS CHANGES If you have an address change, or wish to stop or consolidate mailings, contact the Membership Office, Bahá’í 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 BAHÁ’Í welcomes news, letters or other items of interest from individuals and institutions of the Bahá’í Faith. • ARTICLES should be clear, concise and relevant to the goals of the worldwide and national teaching plans. We may edit stories for length. We cannot print advance articles to publicize locally sponsored events, but we may be able to list them in the Calendar. • PHOTOGRAPHS may be color or black-and-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: April 28 issue: Deadline March 13 June 5 issue: Deadline April 17

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

©2001 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. [Page 3]

JOY, HOPE, CONFIDENCE

Save the Date...

June 28–July 1, 2001

National Conference: big, yet personal

BUILDING THE KINGDOM
FOR EVERY MAN, WOMAN, YOUTH & CHILD
National Bahá’í Conference June 28–July 1, ‎2000 2001‎ Milwaukee, Wisconsin	Milwaukee’s Project Malakút/page 12 Training/page 13

The prospect: bringing together as many as 12,000 Bahá’ís, seekers and friends of the Faith to help foster a nationwide community of learning, through sharing of ideas and action.

The challenge: to create a sense of intimacy in large spaces with, at times, thousands of people.

Daunting as this may seem, organizers of Building the Kingdom for Every Man, Woman, Youth and Child, the National Bahá’í Conference set for June 28–July 1, have been hard at work finding ways to make the most of an array of meeting places in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that will need to be used for such a large-scale conference.

Those meeting places are:

• U.S. Cellular Arena, capacity up to 12,700.
• Milwaukee Auditorium, capacity up to 6,120.
• Midwest Express Center and various downtown hotels, as needed to provide space for workshops, performance areas, exhibits and displays, etc.

The choice of the meeting places, of course, springs from the central purposes of the conference and from the need to ensure that its programs “connect with the heart and soul in an inspiring and authentic way,” according to a conference planning summary.

An intimate huge event

How, then, to preserve a heart-to-heart feeling in such a large conference? Here are some steps being taken:

Only one whole-conference gathering each day. The daily “plenary” sessions will be short and aimed at creating a sense of unity in action. They will highlight special programs around the country, introduce aims and goals of the Five Year Plan, and showcase the arts “in a spirit that reflects the true meaning of building the Kingdom of God,” the planning summary states.

Smaller-group meetings to help us learn from each other.

This is how our growing “learning community” will be bolstered: real people making their tools and skills available for anyone who wants to gain capacity to put the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh into action. Seminars, workshops and larger group presentations will explore various topics related to Bahá’í individual, community and family life, social/economic development, etc.

Integration of all ages, complemented by age-specific sessions.

Many workshops and other sessions will be designed to interest, and be useful to, people of all ages.

SEE CONFERENCE, PAGE 12

National Assembly joins in support of PBS documentary

The National Spiritual Assembly accepted an invitation in January to be a national partner organization in support of the PBS documentary Tutu and Franklin: A Journey Towards Peace, and has encouraged Bahá’í communities:

• To view the two-hour documentary featuring a meeting between Nobel Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu and renowned historian John Hope Franklin.
• To take this opportunity to hold public discussions around the issues and to advance Bahá’í principles and teachings related to the progress and ultimate reality of racial justice in our society.

Local airings of Tutu and Franklin: A Journey Towards Peace began in February. In many communities the program may air in upcoming weeks; consult your local listings. Suggestions for organizing community dialogues and information on obtaining a copy of the video are available on the Web (see www.wisdomworks.net).

In the program, Tutu and Franklin are joined in discussion by an international, interracial group of teenagers. Together they talk about issues of race, historical and current, and begin a journey toward racial reconciliation.

They share their thoughts about racial identity, slavery, interracial dating, affirmative action and reparations. ♦

92nd Bahá’í National Convention • April 26–29, 2001

Due to limited seating at this year’s National Convention, visitor seating has been filled and reservations are now closed. We appreciate the overwhelming response of the friends to attend the National Convention. However, the Conventions Office will not be accepting any further seating requests.

If you have any questions, please contact the Conventions Office (phone 847-251-1854 ext. 15, e-mail).

Enrollments
January 2001 ................... 107
Since May 1, 2000 ......... 1,065

THE FUND
May 1–December 31, 2000 Contributions received by National Treasurer (excluding Kingdom Project) Received since May 1, 2000: $11,454,074 Goal for entire year: $27,000,000 [Graph: 67% of fiscal year has passed; 42% of year’s goal was met] April 30, 2001
Total cash-basis revenues and expenditures for Bahá’í National Fund May 1–December 31, 2000 (excluding Kingdom Project) $16,004,190 Revenues (contributions, book sales, school fees etc.) $18,018,994 Expenditures (operations, capital and debt payments etc.) Critical projects that could no longer be deferred forced our Bahá’í national operations into a cash deficit.
Mail contributions to: National Bahá’í Fund 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091-2800 Please write Bahá’í ID # on check

Notice
The National Spiritual Assembly has removed the administrative rights of Ms. Marsha A. El-Kashlan of Woodinville, Washington. The National Assembly cautions the friends about engaging in financial dealings with Ms. El-Kashlan. ♦

[Page 4]

Groundwork begins for new hall at Louhelen

INFORMATION FROM LIZ DONALDSON

Despite chills and snowdrifts, construction of Unity Hall at Louhelen Bahá’í School is already under way, and is expected to be completed sometime this summer, Louhelen officials say.

The addition is highly welcomed at the permanent Bahá’í school in Davison, Michigan, which drew nearly 20,000 people to attend its programs last year—up from 15,400 in 1995.

"We are very excited to see the rapid progress the builders are making," said Rick Johnson, school co-administrator. "In less than two weeks they have dug the areas out for the footings, poured them, and are well on their way to preparing the foundations for the carpentry work."

The addition to Louhelen is part of "Building the Kingdom: It's Our Time" (the Kingdom Project), a comprehensive development plan supporting a broad range of national Bahá’í activities, properties and finances. Recent renovation at Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina, was the first project to be completed under the umbrella of the Kingdom Project.

Unity Hall also is another in a series of improvements Louhelen has seen since it was rededicated in 1983. Others include building of two new staff houses, plus expansion of the dining room and of the bookstore/café. Also in that time, the school has received donations of three homes for staff and 10 acres of adjoining land.

Frequent visitors are doubtless aware that Louhelen often divides its largest gatherings for sessions between two neighboring classrooms, seating a maximum of about 100 comfortably. Gatherings larger than this are sometimes less comfortable. And it's often "standing room only" when guests meet for devotions before sending the children off to their own sessions down the hall.

Foundations are emerging for Unity Hall, which will allow Louhelen Bahá’í School to hold larger programs and better serve the larger community. Photo by Jim Cheek

Obviously, Unity Hall will provide space for larger school sessions. "The Guardian hoped that Louhelen Bahá’í School would ‘increase its Bahá’í activities in every way possible, and spread abroad the benign influence of the love for and dedication to the service of humanity for which it stands,’" said Barbara Johnson, co-administrator of Louhelen.

But it will add another dimension as well. "From a practical standpoint, this addition will also allow us to increase our level of service to the community as far as offering a place to rent for non-Bahá’í meetings and seminars," Rick Johnson said. Rental of facilities when they are not being fully used for Bahá’í events helps the school rely less on the National Fund to cover its operating costs.

MESSAGE FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

...visit to the International Teaching Centre Building; a devotional ceremony to mark the occupation by the Teaching Centre of its permanent seat; and subsequent joint consultations concerning their indispensable role in the Five Year Plan on which the Bahá’í world will embark at Ridván 2001.

The deliberations of the Counsellors themselves have been the heart of these stupendous activities. Their consultations have been marked by a combination of sobriety and effervescence that has refined the character of their discussions and illumined understanding. It is clear from the confident atmosphere in which they have conferred that their institution has reached a new stage in its maturation. Even though they function principally as individuals, the Counsellors across all Boards have become of one mind. By internalizing and integrating the lessons and experiences of systematization called for in the Four Year Plan, they have indeed been transformed into channels of unified thought. We appreciate that the new height in the evolution of their institution is a reflection, too, of the measure to which, with their wise and constant advice, the Spiritual Assemblies and other institutions of the world community have evolved.

As the time for the Conference drew near, there were signs that the Faith had arrived at a point in its development beyond which a new horizon opens before us. Such intimations were communicated in our report last Ridván of the change in culture of the Bahá’í community as training institutes emerged, as the construction projects on Mount Carmel approached their completion, and as the internal processes of institutional consolidation and the external processes towards world unity became more fully synchronized. They were elaborated in the message we addressed to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors a few days ago. But the extraordinary dynamics at work throughout the Conference crystallized these indications into a recognizable reality. With a spirit of exultation we are moved to announce to you: the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh now enters the fifth epoch of its Formative Age.

Recognition of this milestone falls within the patterns established by Shoghi Effendi for marking measures of time in the history of the Cause; he foresaw among these a succession of epochs occurring in the Formative Age. It must fill every devoted follower of Bahá’u’lláh with joy and wonder that His Administrative Order has reached so important a point at so crucial a time, when so many members of the institution of the Counsellors are gathered in splendid array at the World Centre of His Faith. They will return to the far corners of the earth as torches aflame with the spirit of service. That they will pour fresh energy into their activities, there can be no doubt. Their efforts will surely widen the path leading to the success of the Twelve Month Plan, and through that to the launching at Ridván of the five year enterprise that will be the first in a series of Plans to be pursued until the centenary of the Formative Age.

The Counsellors will leave here anticipating their early consultations with National Spiritual Assemblies regarding the operation in their countries of the forthcoming Plan. With the involvement of their eager auxiliaries, they will assist, too, in quickly moving the requisite planning process to regional and local areas of the community in every land.

In the waning moments of these eventful days, our hearts are turned in humble gratitude to the Ancient Beauty for the abundance of the blessings He has bestowed. The very earth of Carmel is astir with the wonders of His grace as she responds to the redemptive call He raised in the Tablet bearing her name. His fervent wish expressed therein resounds in the souls of His lovers throughout the planet: "Oh, how I long to announce unto every spot on the surface of the earth, and to carry to each one of its cities, the glad-tidings of this Revelation...." The friends now gathered amid the splendour at Carmel’s heart have heard it with new ears and have reaffirmed their pledge to respond to this divine longing. May their exploits in the Name of Bahá scatter more widely the fragrance of His Revelation, strengthen more firmly the foundation of His institutions, and embolden more resolutely the activities of His worldwide community, impelling forward the process by which troop after troop will enter into the stronghold of the Ark of Salvation.

—The Universal House of Justice

KINGDOM PROJECT OVERVIEW

"Building the Kingdom: It's Our Time," the Kingdom Project, is a five-year comprehensive development plan designed to build on the spiritual foundation laid by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and to "prepare ourselves," as instructed by the Universal House of Justice, "for... the hour whose coming it is our task to hasten."

Successful completion of this effort will ensure restoration and protection of the House of Worship and expansion of its dependencies, redesign of the Hazíratu’l-Quds, creation of appropriate archives, and fundamental development of the Bahá’í-owned schools. It will also continue and expand the media initiative and other national teaching efforts, create strategic reserves to give our community the flexibility to respond promptly to opportunities for significant growth, and begin establishment of an endowment to protect Bahá’í properties across the United States.

• • AS OF EARLY FEBRUARY 2001:**

• • DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS**
• Louhelen Bahá’í School: Foundation work is under way for Unity Hall.
• Bahá’í House of Worship: Concrete and plumbing work to restore parts of terrace and gardens will resume when weather allows.
• Green Acre Bahá’í School: Architectural design has proceeded for building of a new meeting hall and classrooms.
• Bosch Bahá’í School and Native American Bahá’í Institute: Consultations on development plans are under way.
• Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute: Planned exterior and interior renovations have been completed.

• • ENSURING MATERIAL MEANS**
• More than 4,400 people have pledged funds toward the $60 million goal.
• Nearly as many people have participated by contributing directly.
• More than $23 million in pledges or cash contributions has been committed to the Kingdom Project.

[Page 5]One YEAR PLAN 2000 GOAL: INTENSIFY DEVELOPMENT OF SPIRITUALLY DISTINCTIVE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

• Foster love, happiness and spiritual devotion
• Insure children and junior youth acquire spiritual virtues and are free of prejudice
• Foster devotional life of individuals and community

It all begins with the attitudes

Second Men’s Seminar sparks ideas for wider work toward equality

BY THE OFFICE OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS

“When men own the equality of women, there will be no need for them to struggle for their rights.” These cherished words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá echo in the hearts of 16 men who participated in the second Men’s Seminar on the Equality of Women and Men, sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of Women’s Affairs, and held Nov. 10–12 at Bosch Bahá’í School.

As with its brother seminar in October at Green Acre Bahá’í School, the purpose of this gathering was to bring together Bahá’í men to discuss gender equality from their own cultural perspectives, then to make recommendations to the Office of Women’s Affairs about advancing the practice of equality between women and men in the American Bahá’í community.

Dedicated to learning what it means for men to “own the equality of women,” participants in the Bosch seminar pledged to seek out and address attitudes of male superiority in their own lives.

“One thing was very evident,” stated facilitator Kambiz Rafraf, “this group is committed to the principle of equality between women and men.” Among the issues raised, participants talked about their desire to avoid relegating women to “traditionally female work”—for instance, performing only child care or food preparation during Bahá’í functions.

Further, participants expressed a commitment to developing better communication skills and to reminding themselves that the process of communication is more important than the impulse to provide quick answers.

They also identified actions for promoting equality when returning to their home communities, such as:

• Hosting gatherings for young men and fathers.
• Participating in the Core Curriculum on the Equality of Women and Men.
• Reading about and studying the lives of heroines in the Faith for the purpose of sharing stories with children.

Participants from both the Bosch and Green Acre gatherings have already begun acting on the personal commitments they made at these seminars and are offering similar men’s gatherings in their own communities.

Since October’s Green Acre seminar, for example, participant Tom Wilson has been working hard to organize large groups of Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í men and women from around Michigan who will gather later this spring to talk about advancing gender equality in that state.

Michael Chunowitz, who participated in the Bosch gathering, has also initiated a series of men’s gatherings in the Phoenix, Arizona, area.

A collection of essays on gender equality written by men who attended the Men’s Seminars at Green Acre and Bosch will be published in a second volume of Common Journeys, to be released this spring.

A potent understanding that each man took from the gathering, and which is affirmed by many of their essays, is that none of us have “the answers” about how to live out the principle of equality between women and men. All of us are searching. ♦

If you would like more information about the Men’s Seminar or the Office of Women’s Affairs, or would be interested in contributing a short essay for potential publication in the next edition of Common Journeys (which will be devoted to essays by men), please contact the Office of Women’s Affairs, (phone , e-mail ).

Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness

Our study program for 2001

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf: January through June The Secret of Divine Civilization: July through December

www.usbnc.org Go to the Administrative Web Site for materials to facilitate your study (link to NSA Departments/Education and Schools Office)

Iranian friends tell of Bahá’ís in homeland triumphing through troubles

BY JAMES HUMPHREY

The ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ of Iran not only have survived a continuing series of troubles, they are reaching new levels of maturity as a community, according to a Bahá’í husband and wife who have been physicians and educators in Iran.

Deprivation and persecution, said Sina Hakiman, have forced many believers to re-examine their relationships with God and the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. “Where we live is secondary,” he said. “Do we go according to His Will or not? That is what I will say is the main point.”

He added: “I have not been able to thank God enough for how great it was being in Iran for the past 20 years.”

With his wife, Sholeh Hakiman, he related some of the crises and triumphs they have witnessed to a gathering of friends Dec. 19 at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. The two interspersed their talks in Persian with summaries of their points in English.

Sina Hakiman has spent a total of seven years in prison since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, prosecuted in Iranian courts for his activities related to Bahá’í studies. The American Bahá’í reported in its May 17, 1999, issue that he was among four educators sentenced to prison terms in the wake of the fall 1998 crackdown on the Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education (Open University).

Sholeh (second from left) and Sina Hakiman (right) reunite with people they had known in Iran during a reception at the Bahá’í House of Worship. Photo by James Humphrey

Over the years, he said, the conduct of Bahá’ís has shown the futility of a series of actions by clergy and government to suppress the Faith in Iran. He identified several phases, among which were:

• Attempted extermination through disappearance, execution, imprisonment, property confiscation and similar actions against many Bahá’ís, including members of the National and Local Spiritual Assemblies.
• Psychological pressure, inflicted through arrests, torture, verbal trickery and open or implicit threats.
• Endeavors to slowly strangle the community through abridgment of their rights to education, employment, free movement and even legalized marriage.

Those and other efforts failed, Hakiman said, because of the Bahá’ís’ love for their country as well as their love of God.

“Our countrymen gradually understood we were not spies,” he said. “The Bahá’í community is obedient to rules and regulations ... the purpose is to bring prosperity for humankind. Otherwise, why are we here?”

The Open University, he noted, arose as a response to the choice that otherwise was forced on Bahá’í youth—either to go without higher education or to recant their faith.

A growing spirit of service has reached even the children, he said, to an extent that wasn’t seen before.

And the global development of the Faith in the past two decades has been a source of energy in its own right, he said. “We are assisted so much by the love and unity and activity of the Bahá’ís all over the world,” he said.

Sholeh Hakiman noted that in 1986, the Iranian friends were thrilled at the news that the Bahá’í House of Worship in India had been completed. “If this is the result of our steadfastness,” she recalled as the Bahá’ís’ general attitude, “let us be in prison for years!”

Before their talk, a reception for the couple at the House of Worship Visitors’ Center was imbued with an atmosphere of love and reunion. In addition to being warmly greeted by the Bahá’ís in general, the Hakimans renewed acquaintances with several longtime friends and even a former student. ♦ [Page 6]

DeKalb South, Georgia, fast facts

• Population, southern third of DeKalb County (near Atlanta): about 200,000
• Bahá’í community: 96 adults, 9 youths, 28 children (pulling attendance from a larger area)
• Bahá’í school: est. 1995, two co-directors, 10 teachers, 5 substitute teachers, 6–10 youths, 15–30 children. Class sizes range from 2–3 up to 12–14 per age group; total attendance usually 20–30.
• School facility: classes held at the Bahá’í Unity Center of South DeKalb, where Holy Day events, conferences, devotional gatherings, SED projects, etc., are also held.
• School schedule: Every Sunday students meet at 11 a.m. to sing together, then break into four classes until noon. Afterward, students from each class briefly present what they learned to parents and adults. The first week of every month the children sing with the adults for the first 15 minutes of devotions.
• School structure: five classes with two or three age groups each. The school operates in quarters, and runs year-round. Teachers’ meetings held about twice per quarter.
• School curriculum: Core Curriculum used as the foundation, with materials from other sources such as The Family Virtues Guide.
• School finances: No tuition is charged; school is funded entirely by the local funds. Annual budget for the past two years has been around $500.
• Community involvement: actively supported by sponsoring Spiritual Assembly of DeKalb County South. Continuous support provided through facilities, staff and many other means.
• Communication: Entire operation stays connected through e-mail and Web site (go to www.atlantabahai.org and link to “Local Bahá’í Centers,” then to the link for the Bahá’í Unity Center).

This large poster, hanging in the Fellowship Hall of the South DeKalb Unity Center, was painted by Sarah McAdoo in 1998. It is an expression of the child development-centered focus of the community.

Victoria Guillory, Elliot Phillips, Corey Streiff, Aaron Norfleet and Elijah Varner at Daystar Bahá’í School recently. Photo by William Barclay

Our recent research indicates that the most active Bahá’í communities are those with children.

The following story, the third in an ongoing series on local spiritual education efforts, is a wonderful illustration of how an entire community is enriched by striving to promote the spiritual growth of its children. Children, by their very existence, bring vibrancy to that community. How much more vibrant the community that fully engages children in its fabric and function!

—Nancy Davis, National Education and Schools Coordinator

Community determination is key

Daystar Bahá’í School in Atlanta metro area keeps pushing ahead

Third of a four-part series on local Bahá’í school initiatives

BY BARBARA McCORD, EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS OFFICE

Whether it takes many voices to make a chorus, cooks to make a stew or rafters to build a home, metaphors of collaboration are good choices when describing Daystar Bahá’í School in South DeKalb County, Georgia.

Begun in 1995 with a handful of dedicated servants and support of the entire community, the school is a testament to determination and unity of vision.

Building on a strong foundation

In spring 1995, the opening of the Bahá’í Unity Center brought to realization the dreams of many, moving the children’s classes from a Bahá’í’s home into the forefront of the community.

It all started with a burst of energy infused by an initial Core Curriculum training in October that year, from which five participants arose to serve the needs of the children.

Since that time, the children’s classes have become a magnet drawing people from all walks of life to service—from gardeners to computer programmers, from parents to teachers, from musicians to storytellers. People even are pulled in from other communities.

The fabric of this school is held together administratively by the support of the Spiritual Assembly of DeKalb County South and, on a practical level, by many dedicated souls. Anna and William Barclay serve as co-directors.

“We’ve been blessed now with the energy and skills of the Barclays, and they have helped greatly. They provide loving service and help in calling upon the wide range of community support that is available,” said Rowena Rampersad, a teacher.

Anna Barclay notes that a heavy reliance on the Writings is critical. She says the teachers often call upon the book of education-related compilations, Foundations for a Spiritual Education.

The children’s classes began attracting energy and community involvement as early as November 1995, when, in honor of Bahá’u’lláh’s birthday, the school transformed the center into a “virtual tour” of His life.

The program included passports for the children, youth tour guides, music, storytelling, dramatic re-enactments and a final prayer and group sing.

Since then, the community school has grown and changed in many ways. As new tasks are picked up, old ones are redirected.

For example, the children were very involved in the design and creation of a Children’s Peace Garden on the grounds of the center. Now the Local Assembly has assumed responsibility for maintaining it.

The organization and staffing also have undergone cycles of change.

Some directors, teachers and youth helpers have moved on, some have stayed, and some have taken a break and returned. Parents’ participation also has evolved as their children grow.

Strong lovers of Bahá’u’lláh continually arise. Two believers, including a youth now giving a year of service in Venezuela, virtually carried the program for the year before the Barclays arrived.

Regular training = fresh troops

The freedom for teachers and others to take a break when they need to and re-enter when they feel able to has reduced the “burnout” effect. This would be impossible without an increasing pool of teachers—energized by regular Core Curriculum training sessions.

“When we had worked through the [Page 7]Core Curriculum books a couple of times, the group was uncertain as to what the next steps would be to keep the classes interesting for those children who had been attending from the beginning,” said teacher Karla Cherry.

“So, the first thing we did that helped was to break the yearlong schedule of classes into quarters and begin planning during one quarter for the next.

“Then we put in the Sundays and planned around them, allowing us to be able to break the levels of service into manageable parts.”

Planning the curriculum well ahead allowed those who had committed to teach to look ahead to those inevitable weeks that the teachers knew they wouldn’t be able to be there.

Cherry believes that helped keep up enough energy for classes to continue through the summer for the first time in 2000.

“I’ve gone through Core Curriculum twice,” said teacher Chuck Muhammad. “I went the first time because I was asked to attend by one of the teachers; however, I didn’t really plan to teach.

“But the training made everything easier. It helped me to focus, to plan what the kids would do each week and to make it interesting for the children. Then, after I began teaching, my wife decided to attend the Core Curriculum training, I went once again with her. I’ve been teaching ever since,” he said.

National statistics: survey response from Bahá’í communities nationwide

Among key findings from the first national survey on education for Bahá’í children and youth: A variety of curriculum formats are used for the instruction ‎children of children‎ and youth. Core Curriculum is the most prevalent format in use among localities. Communities with children tend to have higher participation rates among members in its community life. More than two-thirds of communities with kids under 18 (69%) have adult participation rates greater than 50%. About 60% of children under 15 attend classes regularly in communities that sponsor classes. Average annual educational expenditure per child/youth under 18 by Assemblies that sponsor classes is $35. Most communities band together to provide instruction for children. Only 15% of all communities (and 26% of those that sponsor education classes) say they provide education independently.

Couldn’t make it without these

Having good substitute teachers is always a critical part of the plan.

Muhammad, a substitute teacher for the 10- to 12-year-olds, “is the most reliable friend you could call on in the service of the children and he has responded to last-minute pleas for assistance more times than I can remember,” said William Barclay. “The children just love it when Chuck is going to teach!”

Among the other substitute teachers who help keep things running smoothly are a parent and youth team, both Core Curriculum-trained.

“We try to have two people present at each of the class sessions, so requesting a substitute to serve as the second adult is much easier. It’s not as daunting a task for many of the adults in our community who don’t teach professionally to agree to fill in and just help,” Cherry said. “I’m by myself, I need some help” is a much easier task to say yes to, she added.

The next stage

It was a long process coming up with a name for the school. There were many suggestions, and it was put to a vote of the children, teachers and community members.

Now, with an official name—Daystar Bahá’í School—and growing attendance, the school is moving into the next stage of growth.

Currently, Daystar offers a multifaceted program for children ages 3 to 12, utilizing the Core Curriculum, music, memorization of the Writings and virtues training. In addition, the school offers a program geared to junior youth.

Music and group singing provides the backdrop so necessary to the life of the entire program.

One parent, who has been sharing his musical talent from the early days, continues to bring joyous sounds into the large classroom where the children meet each week for a short musical interlude before classes begin.

On the first Sunday each month the children bring their music to share with the adult devotional program.

“It is a wonderful experience when the children share with the community in front of the auditorium about what they learned that day. It helps to reinforce what they learned, teaches them how to present and shows the community what they are doing,” said Cliff Owens-Leach, the Spiritual Assembly liaison.

“It’s so very powerful. It’s pretty amazing that people coming to the Unity Center for the first time are able to see that,” he said, adding that several people he knows were first inspired to become involved and then enrolled in the Bahá’í Faith as a direct result of what they experienced during those presentations.

For several years now the Prayer Room has been used during children’s classes as a way to teach individuals and groups about reverence.

“It is a wonderful experience when the children share with the community in front of the auditorium. . . . It’s so very powerful.” —Cliff Owens-Leach

Focusing on junior youth

It is sometimes a little harder to find and keep teachers for students entering the teenage years.

William Barclay says he is pleased that Fred Ming, who entered the program last fall, is helping with the class for ages 13–17. Ming has worked to achieve commitment and interaction with parents as well as students.

“I made a personal commitment to serve in the Bahá’í education of children following my reading of the Ridván message 2000,” Ming said.

“I began shortly after to volunteer as a substitute teacher in the Bahá’í school.

Later in the summer, that commitment was reinforced by further study of the message and consultation with peers at the Bahá’í Black Men’s Gathering (at Green Acre).

He joined two others and has been involved ever since. The team has adopted The Seeker Interaction Model by Morris Taylor as a manual to assist in its development of communication skills as the members learn the nuts and bolts of how to teach the Cause.

They then added such books as the Kitáb-i-Íqán and A Call to Remembrance to the provisional syllabus, using them as reference sources for the words of Bahá’u’lláh and history of the Faith.

The teachers of the youth group periodically consult with their students to determine areas of interest as one way to keep them involved in the learning process.

“One of the exercises we did was an illustration of ‎one of’s one’s‎ ‘belief box,’ a concept from our text,” Ming said. “I brought in a large cardboard box and each of the kids was to go, one at a time, and ‘see’ what was in the box by placing his hand through a small hole and handling the items.”

“Of course this demonstrated how each person came up with different descriptions and identifications of what he thought was in the box. It worked extremely well,” he added.

A regular Friday night activity at the Unity Center gives Bahá’í and other youth a chance to interact in a Bahá’í environment.

Ming said the three teachers are thinking about ways they could collaborate in some way with that effort.

“We have also made plans to visit local places of worship for people of other faiths,” he said.

Perseverance is essential

All who have been involved with the various aspects of the Daystar Bahá’í School agree on the importance of the community’s commitment to “keep it going.”

“We were given the charge by the Local Spiritual Assembly to ‘Please, just keep doing what you are doing,’ ” said Anna Barclay.

“The brightest spot for this local Bahá’í school is that the Local Spiritual Assembly has been determined to keep it going, even if we’ve had a few gaps here and there,” a teacher said.

“I have a weird, but interesting story to share about why I’m continuing to teach these children,” Muhammad said. “About three years ago our school was putting on its end-of-the-year program for the community.

“I had written a little play—not a big thing, but we were preparing for the performance. The kids just weren’t doing what I wanted them to do and I was feeling a lot of frustration and discouragement. Frankly, I was seriously thinking about quitting. The effort just didn’t seem worth it at the time.

“Well, as I was looking up writings for the performance of the play, the book Foundations for a Spiritual Education, prepared by the National Bahá’í Education Task Force, simply opened to this page: ‘You must continue to teach the kids,’ it said [in effect]. This was a quote from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

“I simply sat there and started crying. I later told my wife about what happened and she also confirmed the message: no matter what, keep teaching the children. So that’s what I am doing. That’s the way it’ll always be for me,” Muhammad said. ■ [Page 8]

Louhelen Bahá’í School 3208 S. State Road · Davison, MI 48423 810-653-5033 www.louhelen.org

Teaching, transformation

BY LIZ DONALDSON

Winter School guests at Louhelen Bahá’í School, Dec. 27–Jan. 1, got a spiritual jump start through thought-provoking sessions facilitated by Donald Rogers and Holly Hanson, focusing on prayer, teaching and global transformation.

Hanson, a Mount Holyoke (Massachusetts) College professor in African history, stimulated participants “to think about the tools they have for solving the problems we see around us in the world”—a vast array of tools provided within the Writings.

She felt the need to spur this type of thinking after observing the violent riots disrupting the meeting of the World Trade Organization in Seattle.

“Bahá’u’lláh’s new World Order isn’t new because it’s global; it’s new because it’s global and just,” Hanson said. She urged the friends to continually see the tools within the Cause for creating justice in their communities.

Rogers served many years as a Counselor member of the International Teaching Center and earlier on the Continental Board of Counselors for the Americas. His emphasis during Winter School was training institutes, their relationship with the Regional Bahá’í Councils and their impact on the teaching work.

Noting that the Four Year Plan’s requirements carry into the upcoming plan, he emphasized two of their salient points: raising up teachers of children, and inclusion of non-Bahá’í children in spiritual education classes.

David Freeman (left) is to present an upcoming Louhelen session. Holly Hanson (right) was a Winter School co-presenter.

Upcoming programs

April at Louhelen will feature another session designed to illuminate the role of the institutions within our Faith. Led by David Freeman, this session will explore the Will and Testament of ‎‘Abdul-Bahá ‘Abdu’l-Bahá‎.

“In this sweeping and magnificent document, the Master expanded upon His Father’s Administrative Order, giving us the tools we need to build the Kingdom,” Freeman said. “If we are to be prepared to meet the challenges of this process, it’s essential that we explore this incredible document and the issues it addresses.”

This participatory session will explore institutions of the Faith, their relationships, and some critical issues surrounding the Guardianship, Freeman said.

Other programs ahead include:

March 23–25: Naw-Rúz Family Weekend, a fresh exploration of obligatory prayer and fasting, a spiritual education program for children and a special Naw-Rúz celebration.

April 6–8: “Teaching Christians through the Holy Books,” a highly effective Fundamental Verities course that fosters effective presentation of the Bahá’í Faith to Christians.

Complete list of upcoming Louhelen sessions on Calendar, back page

Bosch Bahá’í School 500 Comstock Lane · Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-423-3387 www.bosch.org

Youth reaching out

BY BOSCH BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL STAFF

For the Youth Service Corps volunteers at Bosch Bahá’í School, service goes beyond the many tasks that go into taking care of the beautiful 67-acre campus on the California coast. At least one day every week is devoted to serving the outside community in some way.

In the past, youth volunteers have helped the Santa Cruz community with a teaching effort on the UC Santa Cruz campus. They have also had public firesides at an area park.

This year, volunteers have been tutoring fourth-graders each Tuesday afternoon for the Homework Club at San Lorenzo Elementary School in Felton—a teaching goal area for the Santa Cruz County North Bahá’í community.

It is evident the youth are bringing the light and love of Bahá’u’lláh to these children, even though they are not allowed to say the word “Bahá’í” while at the school.

The school’s principal reported: “In addition to improving learning, the elementary students have had the experience of working with gentle, caring role models.

Rachel Hastings, a youth volunteer at Bosch Bahá’í School, helps tutor two local elementary school students. Photo by Celia Enders

“These role models have demonstrated patience, joy of learning and a genuine interest in the students that will stay with these children for the rest of their lives,” the principal said.

Enthusiasm resonates back and forth between the elementary students and the tutors. Brian Scovel, who has been serving at Bosch for four months, said: “Even if you sometimes don’t think you are doing much, in this project you are touching one child’s heart and you are making an impact on his life,” he said.

Another volunteer, Tressa Clifton, reported that her student’s parents greatly appreciate the service. One challenge, she noted, is getting children to understand the reason for all their homework.

“To make the reason something as simple as getting it done so they can play with their horse, hang out with their mom, or ride their bike is a bounty to be a part of, making their life something beautiful and not so heavy,” she added.

Sima Cockshut, youth service recruiter for Bosch, explained that the school has incorporated the instructions of the Guardian by integrating the three necessary components to living a Bahá’í life: prayers, fasting and service.

The youth volunteers are giving and receiving an education of the heart, Cockshut said. “They are gaining the knowledge of how beautiful it is to share an interest and love for another person and want to encourage and help them to be happy,” she said.

And the fourth-graders themselves sometimes learn other important lessons. Hearing the Bahá’ís were doing a “year of service,” one child asked a tutor, “Did you do something bad?” The child then gained a new realization: that service can be done for love, not just for punishment.

Complete list of upcoming Bosch sessions on Calendar, back page

Green Acre Bahá’í School 188 Main Street · Eliot, ME 03903 207-439-7200 www.greenacre.org

‘Extended family reunion’

BY DIANNE JESTER

As one reflects on the last winter school of the century at Green Acre, the bounties and blessings of families, friends, spiritual transformation, and winter snowstorms are certainly astounding.

Many said it was the best winter school ever—“like an extended family reunion,” commented one guest. The school was filled to the rafters with people and activity. Children and youth, in fact, made up about half of the 145 participants and volunteers.

The National Teaching Plan goal to intensify the development of spiritually distinctive families and communities was intensely focused on during the Dec. 26–31 session. Kambeze Etemad of Landegg Academy presented an inspiring, music-filled week titled “Institute on Relationships, Marriage and Family Life.”

Youth were particularly attracted to his session of love and guidance. In addition, special morning programs for each child’s age level were crafted by a dedicated team of teachers and assistants.

Many instances of bending oneself “into conformity with Thy pleasure,” of setting aside one’s individual preferences for the good of the group, helped instill a spirit of cooperation and unity, inclusion and love. Multigenerational activities helped foster a spirit of fun, playing and creating together.

Afternoon activities included paper crafts, the recording of songs, dancing, outdoor games, a harmonica workshop, youth traveling teaching experiences, biographical videos, dance workshop videos and board games.

Each age group of children and youth took a turn planning and presenting devotions. The youth planned and presented an inspiring and devotional Unity Feast in a setting adorned by red roses and homemade candles.

In addition, a remarkable “variety of talent show” capped the last evening. The inclusion of so many people of all ages, including staff and volunteers, was organized and hosted by the youth. And certainly, creativity was the hallmark of the video that ended the evening’s festivities.

Several former pioneers and traveling teachers to Brazil, Costa Rica, Japan and Romania, along with volunteers from Brazil and a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Romania, added to the international flavor of the week.

Complete list of upcoming Green Acre sessions on Calendar, back page [Page 9]

Bahá’í Distribution Service

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

Logos and Civilization

Spirit, History, and Order in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh Nader Saiedi SC $23.95 (LC)

In this groundbreaking study, Nader Saiedi addresses key controversies in the current academic literature about Bahá’u’lláh’s writings. The author approaches the subject from sociological, historical, philosophical, spiritual and theological perspectives and draws on the vast body of previously untranslated original Persian and Arabic texts. “I know of no other work offering as penetrating an insight into some of Bahá’u’lláh’s writings such as the Kitáb-i-Íqán, Sahífiy-i-Shattíyyih (Book of the River), and the Kitáb-i-Badí‘, the latter two being almost totally unknown in the West.” —Heshmat Moayyad, professor of Persian language and literature, University of Chicago.

6" x 9¼", 408 pp., introduction, index, references

A Story of Peace

For the Children of God story by Kiser Barnes illustrated by ‎Fabimeh Fahimeh‎ Meidani-Sliney SC $9.95 (ASP)

This book for youth and pre-youth offers a powerful story about the journey from childhood into adulthood. Join fifteen-year-old Kwame as he journeys from his home on the island nation of Gardenia to distant lands to mark his transition into adulthood by spreading the joyful news of The Promise of World Peace.

6" x 9", 132 pp.

The Half-Inch Prophecy

William Sears SC $6.00 (HIP)

“The prophecy that shook the world!” This is how William Sears describes the subject of this amazing story of the fulfillment of a single half-inch-long Bible prophecy: “In that day also he shall come even to thee from ‎As-syr’i-a Assyria‎ and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from the sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.” (Verse 12, Chapter 7, The Book of Micah). Very different in its approach to The Bible from Mr. Sears’ widely read Thief in the Night, this is an exciting read in his easy style.

4¼" x 7¼", 156 pp., prologue, references, bibliography

Shirin Fozdar: Asia’s Foremost Feminist

Rose Ong HC $25.95 (SHFO)

Shirin Fozdar was instrumental in the establishment of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Singapore in 1952. A pioneer, with her husband Dr. Khodadad Fozdar in Singapore beginning in 1950, Mrs. Fozdar formed the Singapore Council of Women and served as its Secretary General until the Women’s Charter of 1961 became law. Mrs. Fozdar also founded the Santitham Vidhayakhom School in the Yasothon town in north-east Thailand. The school became the largest co-educational institution in the province. Presenting vignettes of her life, this book will serve to further inspire future generations of Bahá’ís and others in Singapore and around the world.

7¾" x 10¾", 94 pp.

The Institution of the Counsellors

A Document Prepared by the Universal House of Justice SC, $4.95 (IC)

This digest will increase the friends’ understanding of the responsibilities of the Counselors and their auxiliaries and the workings of the Administrative Order. It includes an overview of the components of the institution and their duties, plus statements addressing aspects of its functioning.

6½" x 9", 48 pp.

Oraciones Bahá’ís (Spanish)

Selección de Oraciones Reveladas por El Báb, Bahá’u’lláh y ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Editorial Bahá’í de España HC $9.50 (SOBG)

Handsome Spanish collection of prayers revealed by The Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Contains obligatory prayers, general prayers, and occasional prayers.

4¾" x 6¾", 324 pp., thematically arranged index

Khadíjih Bagum (Persian)

Hasan M. Balyuzi translated by Dr. Minu Sabet SC $3.00 (PKB)

This concise booklet published in Persian by Images International tells the compelling story of Khadíjih Bagum, the wife of the Báb.

5¾" x 8¼", 20 pp.

The Three Great Spiritual Crusades of Shoghi Effendi

Ruth Katharine Meyer SC $7.95 (3GSC) Limited Quantity Available

This historical treatise brings the drama, joy, and pathos accompanying the introduction of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to the peoples of South America. It is an account of Shoghi Effendi’s spiritual crusades for ‎the South America South America‎ and the early struggles and successes during the author’s time on the continent.

6" x 8¼", 202 pp., introduction, references

Bahá’í Holy Day Cards

Harriette Robinson $10.00/8 pk. (BHDC)

Greeting cards made using papier collé and monotype processes to produce striking designs based on Japanese crest symbols. Inserts with quotations from the Bahá’í writings are enclosed, making the cards appropriate for Ayyám-i-Há, Naw-Rúz, Ridván and other Holy Days.

4¼" x 5½", 8 cards, 8 envelopes, 12 inserts

Bahá’í Distribution Service Friends Serving Friends

• call BDS toll free 800 - 999 - 9019 • [Page 10]

Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf Bahá’u’lláh PS $3.95 (ESWP)

A Tablet containing Bahá’u’lláh’s own anthology of His writings chosen to illustrate major themes of His revelation. Addressed to the son of an official whom Bahá’u’lláh named “the Wolf” because of his responsibility for the death of two outstanding Bábís, the epistle boldly proclaims Who Bahá’u’lláh is and why He has come. It affirms that God is the source of His revelation, gives proofs of His station, and outlines His general teachings and directives. The last major work Bahá’u’lláh revealed before His passing, it provides an extraordinary model of how to use Bahá’u’lláh’s writings to teach the Faith. 4¼" x 7", 194 pp., introduction, index

Check the Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org) for a free Epistle to the Son of the Wolf Study Guide available for download (link to NSA Departments/Education and Schools Office)

The Secret of Divine Civilization ‘Abdu’l-Bahá PS $3.95 (SDCP)

A treatise on the true nature of civilization and a blueprint for “the future reorganization of the world.” Its message appeals to world-mindedness and the highest human motives, emphasizing the spiritual basis of civilization. An excellent teaching and deepening tool that elaborates principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh and provides a basis for achieving a new world order. 4½" x 7", 126 pp., introduction, index

Order these two books identified by National Education and Schools Office and the National Spiritual Assembly as the study curriculum framework for 2001.

A Tribute to Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum Violette Nakhjavání $14.95 SC (TABRK) $24.95 HC (TABRKH) limited edition

This intimate tribute to the beloved wife of Shoghi Effendi and Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum provides the world with a unique and historical perspective from Khánum’s own close friend and longtime travel companion, Mrs. Violette Nakhjavání. In her prologue she writes of our beloved Khánum, “We are still too close to her to be able to understand the true value of her services to the Bahá’í world community and still too limited in our grasp of our own history to be able to evaluate the different perspectives afforded by her personality.” Divided into three parts and covering her life from Mary Maxwell’s birth to Rúhíyyih Khánum’s final years, this tribute chronicles her earlier life in North America, her years of marriage to Shoghi Effendi, and her final years of service and travels. 5½" x 8½", 182 pp.

Bahá’í History Calendar Dawn of the Century of Light $7.50 (BHC)

This 14-page calendar features black-and-white photographs of early believers and a quote from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on each page. 11" x 17", 14 pp.

Bahá’í Prayers HC $7.95 (BPH) Leather $12.95 (BPLE)

A collection of 178 prayers revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Contains the obligatory prayers, general prayers and occasional prayers. An alphabetical index of first lines makes it easy to find specific prayers. 4¼" x 6", 277 pp., contents, index

Multifaith Calendar 2001 Water: The Spiritual Fountain $10.95 (MFC2001)

With 20 color photographs dedicated to the theme of water including a dewdrop on a leaf, a mountain spring, a child’s tear, water gushing from the earth, fountains and children at play. Each page also lists the relevant holidays from all the major religions, including the Bahá’í Faith, with a brief description of each holiday. 12" x 18", 17 pp.

The Seeker Interaction Model A Skill-Based Process for Sharing the Divine Message Morris Taylor $4.95 SC (SIM)

“... offers an excellent process for the systematic development and practice of the effective communication skills so essential to teaching the Faith. ... The Seeker Interaction Model provides excellent material to support the systematic development of the human resources of the Faith.” —U.S. National Teaching Committee 5" x 8", 58 pp.

Bahá’í Wall Calendar $2.95 (BWC)

This one-page calendar features a breathtaking view of the Center for the Study of the Texts on Mount Carmel. Perfect for home or office. Denotes all Holy Days and Nineteen Day Feasts. 11" x 17"

Bahá’í Prayers and Holy Writings SC $3.00 BPHW

A small pocket-size book containing 94 prayers for every occasion. Includes the Fire Tablet, the Long Healing Prayer, the prayer for martyrs, the pioneer prayer, the World Center compilation “Words of God,” a list of Nineteen Day Feasts, a section on the dynamics of prayer and a list of Bahá’í anniversaries. Comes with a protective vinyl cover. 3⅝" x 5", 128 pp., contents

Bahá’í Datebook 158 B.E. $2.95 (BDB)

This convenient pocket-size calendar, which many of us have come to rely on, helps one keep track of Bahá’í events by overlaying a Bahá’í calendar on a Gregorian one. Includes the number and name of each Bahá’í day and month. Various nine-pointed star symbols indicate Holy Days, Festivals and Feasts. 3¾" x 6¾", 15 pp.

The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting Selections of extracts and prayers from the Bahá’í Sacred Writings compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice $4.50 (IOPF)

This present selection of newly authorized translations has been drawn from the vast ocean of the original Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. It is intended to further enhance the believers’ insight into the far-reaching significance of these two great laws. These new passages open to our hearts and minds new avenues of awareness and appreciation of the significance and bounty surrounding Bahá’í obligatory prayer and fasting. 5½" x 8½", 50 pp. [Page 11]

Children’s Books

Children’s Stories from the Dawn-Breakers story by Zoe Meyer illustrated by Winifred Barnum-Newman $19.95 SC (CSFDB)

This richly illustrated edition of 30 exciting, ageless stories tells of the amazing events surrounding the birth of the Bahá’í 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 Nabíl’s The Dawn-Breakers [$29.95 HC (DB)], the stories are perfect for reading aloud and convey a sense of the rich and dramatic spiritual heritage of all who call themselves Bahá’ís today. Includes a glossary of symbols found in the illustrations. 9" x 7", 156 pp.

Like Pure Gold: The Story of Louis G. Gregory story by Anne Breneman illustrated by Gregory Newsom $14.95 (LPG)

In this children’s book, the life of Louis Gregory is chronicled in a manner any child can readily identify with. His hardships and triumphs and, most importantly, his example are painted as vividly as the full-color illustrations in the book. Sharing this story with your child will leave an impression they won’t soon forget. 9" x 7", 45 pp., illustrations

Willie and the Number Three Door and Other Adventures by Adrienne Ellis Reeves illustrated by Leona Hosack

Through ordinary, everyday incidents, this collection of four character-development stories explores a number of spiritual qualities and offers lessons on how to rely on God and use the Bahá’í writings to find solutions and make decisions. The stories also offer a picture of multigenerational family life, and examine, from a Bahá’í perspective, the processes of knowing, learning and exploring both inside and outside the classroom. 5½" x 8¼", 120 pp., contents, illustrations

Multimedia

Kitáb-i-Ahd: Book of the Covenant A Class at Bosch Bahá’í School with Derek Cockshut with Derek Cockshut Video $19.95 (EKAN) Cassette $6.95 (KACS)

Bahá’í historian Derek Cockshut covers the Kitáb-i-Ahd (translated from Arabic as “Book of the Covenant”)—the Will and Testament of Bahá’u’lláh. This tablet is one of the most important documents revealed by Bahá’u’lláh and is unique in religious history. In this study class from the Bosch Bahá’í School in California, Cockshut explains the historical and religious background and some of the implications and significance of this document. Total time: 61 minutes

Will & Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá A Class at Bosch Bahá’í School with Derek Cockshut Set of 2 Videos $39.95 (EWTABN) Set of 3 cassettes $19.95 (WTABCS)

In this study class from Bosch Bahá’í School in California, Bahá’í historian Derek Cockshut goes through ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament paragraph by paragraph, explaining historical and religious background, and some of the implications and significance of the document. Every student of the Bahá’í Faith will find this study class informative and invaluable. Total time: 192 minutes

Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, 1910-2000 $7.95 (EABRKN)

This is the commemorative video of the funeral ceremony at the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa for Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum Rabbání—daughter of May and Sutherland Maxwell, who became the wife of Shoghi Effendi in 1937 and was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1952. Produced by Bahá’í Media Services. Total time: 17 minutes

Music

From My Heart Farzad Khozein $15.00 (FMHCD)

The selections on this CD are an exquisite mixture of Eastern, Western and Classical music styles. Entirely instrumental, it is appropriate for background music for Feast and Holy Day observances. This relaxing, uplifting collection includes original compositions and modified Persian folkloric interpretations. Total time: 46:30 minutes, 10 tracks

Splendor Anthony Appolito $15.95 (SCD)

Inspired by Bahá’í writings, Splendor delivers nine soul-stirring original guitar recordings combining marvelous classical and folk guitar artistry with just the right touch of light, orchestral accompaniment. This CD is wonderful for Feasts, Holy Days and gift-giving. Includes a 20-page booklet featuring selected Bahá’í writings. Total time: 31:36 minutes, 9 tracks

SHIP TO ________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ DAYTIME TELEPHONE # (   ) _______________________ BILL TO ________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

CODE	TITLE	QUANTITY	COST EACH	TOTAL
UNITED STATES: ADD 10% (MIN. $4.00, MAX. $10.00)			SUBTOTAL
CANADA: ADD 15% (MIN. $4.00)			SHIPPING
INTERNATIONAL: ADD 40% (MIN. $5.00, VIA AIR MAIL ONLY)			SALES TAX
SALES TAX: SHIPMENTS TO GEORGIA ADDRESSES APPLY APPROPRIATE SALES TAX			TOTAL

CREDIT CARD # ___________________________________ EXP DATE _________ SIGNATURE __________________ NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CREDIT CARD _________________

Bahá’í Distribution Service • 4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd. • Atlanta, GA 30336 call us • 800-999-9019 • toll-free [Page 12]

NATIONAL TEACHING PLAN

GOAL: CARRY OUT THE NATIONAL TEACHING PLAN

• Involve individuals, communities and institutions
• Encourage leadership and initiative among youth
• Make training institutes fully operational

One YEAR PLAN 2000

Look at what’s on the Web!

www.usbnc.org

Bahá’í Newsreel

View the latest Newsreel in streaming video!

• National Teaching Plan: Using resources on the Web and welcoming a new Arkansas believer
• Bahá’í visions of peace presented at the United Nations
• Nationwide visits by National Spiritual Assembly representatives
• Progress reports: Arc and Terraces and the Kingdom Project

Access www.usbnc.org with your Bahá’í ID number and click on “Bahá’í Newsreel for the Feast of Mulk” on the “What’s New” page

Resources for local teaching: New Seeker Newsletter!

The Light of Unity, issue 4: Downloadable newsletter for seekers; this issue focuses on physical and spiritual health.

New video coming soon: Speaking of Gender

First broadcasts are expected beginning in March. As with all videos for the media campaign, it will be made available to Bahá’ís nationwide.

Available local-use videos: You can order any of these videos from the Bahá’í Distribution Service (phone 800-999-9019) for $9.95 each or $48 for a set of all six.

To order any of these in a format to be broadcast on your local station, please contact U.S. Bahá’í Media Services (phone 847-853-2352, e-mail ).

• We Are One
• I Am a Bahá’í
• The Power of Race Unity
• The Power of Prayer
• La Fe Bahá’í—Latinos in the Bahá’í Faith
• Family: Seeds of World Peace

‘Project Malakút’ shapes service

Milwaukeeans arise for National Conference

The new millennium was officially under way in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and the Milwaukee-area Bahá’ís were abuzz with ideas on showing visitors a New World spirit at this summer’s Building the Kingdom Conference.

The challenge, proclaimed by our National Spiritual Assembly: “No Call Will Go Unanswered.”

The response of the local friends: Project Malakút, a systematic plan of welcome that would befit the hosts of the first national Bahá’í conference of its kind in the United States.

This town meeting Jan. 6 at the Wauwatosa Public Library drew a capacity crowd of about 200 friends to the Firefly meeting room. Somehow, though, plenty of refreshments were left over.

There were prayers, of course, and music, and a welcome on behalf of the Southeastern Wisconsin Media Task Force.

A talk by Robert Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly, brimmed with the Assembly’s hope that the conference will spark in the Bahá’ís a process of imparting “hope, joy and confidence” in all sectors of the American population.

Members of the conference Planning Team presented an outline of plans and hopes for the June 28–July 1 event.

Power of consultation

Then came the truly electric part: the exchange of ideas.

“This feels like the locker room before the big game,” one local Bahá’í told his fellows, and playing the part of a hyperkinetic coach: “Go out and leave it all on the field!”

In fact, it was a pep rally of sorts, except it wasn’t empty cheering: it was brain work and soul sharing.

The friends did their part to make sure the conference’s warmth will be felt well before people enter the door. They spoke of prayer campaigns, ways of welcoming people with varied levels of interest, methods to accommodate diversity—including people of varied economic levels and families that don’t fit the “two parents, two kids” mold—and opportunities for willing workers of all ages to pitch in.

Of course, the Spiritual Assembly of Milwaukee had a game plan to keep it all coordinated. The hosting and teaching efforts, for before, during and after the conference, were divided into several categories:

• Media, including broadcast, public relations, print and bus ads.
• Community outreach, including civic contacts and service projects.
• Proclamation, for special and public events.
• Teaching, to organize firesides, devotional meetings, traveling teaching, new believer followup, study circles, etc.
• Visual arts, both for big displays and exhibition space for smaller works.
• Special projects, for other local initiatives.
• “Answering the call”: seeker response and phone/Web site management.
• Hospitality and housing.
• Volunteer services, to coordinate visiting as well as local workers.
• Local Bahá’í communications, to make sure everyone stays aware of developments.

So watch out. If you talk with the Bahá’ís of Milwaukee anytime soon, you too may find yourself filling out a pink volunteer sheet. But don’t worry—the Regional Training Institute can train you. ... ◆

Participants in the Milwaukee-area town meeting, where consultation focused on local preparations for this summer’s Building the Kingdom for Every Man, Woman, Youth and Child conference, sit before a stack of “bricks” placed to illustrate a task-by-task approach. Photo by Tom Behrendt

NO CALL WILL GO UNANSWERED

What are the purposes of the National Bahá’í Conference?

• To launch the Five Year Plan.
• To help foster a learning community through sharing of ideas and action.
• To instill hope, joy and confidence in the hearts.
• To explore ways of integrating our various roles in life.
• To help consecrate the friends to the concept of “building the Kingdom” in all aspects.

Special programs will be offered for children, youth, junior youth and young professionals. Seekers welcome!

For more information, please visit the conference Web site: www.kingdomconference.org Phone: 847-733-3590

CONFERENCE UPDATES

Watch for registration info Watch for your conference invitation in the mail for further information on registering by phone, by mail, by fax or on the conference Web site (www.kingdomconference.org).

If you would like to volunteer to help out at the conference, you may indicate this desire in your registration form.

What would you like to see in the program? What are the top five workshop topics that interest you? Who are the top five dynamic presenters you have seen in the last couple of years? Please let us know (phone 847-733-3590, e-mail ). Also, check the conference Web site for an upcoming online survey: www.kingdomconference.org

CONFERENCE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

... ages. However, children’s classes will be conducted each day, and a few gatherings will be targeted to the unique needs of pre-youth, youth and young professionals.

Informal gathering spaces. Conference-goers will have plenty of choices for relaxing, socializing and taking in visual and performing arts. A coffee shop, a bookstore and exhibition spaces will all be centers of learning and fellowship in their own right.

Everything will be designed to help equip and energize Bahá’ís, seekers and friends of the Faith to harmonize all aspects of our lives in faith and service—in short, to do our part in building the Kingdom of God on earth. ◆ [Page 13]

Preparing for a grand welcome

The central purpose of training institutes is well-established by now: to instruct and empower the believers so they can arise to serve the Cause by using their unique talents, interests and abilities in accordance with the needs of their communities.

A few months ago the Bahá’í community of Milwaukee was informed that its city would be the site of Building the Kingdom for Every Man Woman, Youth and Child: the National Bahá’í Conference.

Naturally, that news brought excitement. The Spiritual Assembly of Milwaukee, along with numerous cooperating Assemblies, groups and enthusiastic Bahá’ís in greater Milwaukee, have embraced the task of making as many as 12,000 people welcome at the conference June 28–July 1.

That honor also brought a clear need for willing workers who are skilled in extending and embodying that loving welcome. The Metro Milwaukee Regional Training Institute has risen to the task, establishing a participatory workshop called “On the Front Lines—How to Meet, Greet and Teach the Public.”

In the short term, the workshop is aimed at preparing believers to serve the conference as official hosts and hospitality workers, as well as supporting ‎pre-and pre- and‎ post-conference teaching efforts. By now the institute has completed the first session of that training, and has scheduled more.

According to the institute, the workshop “features spiritual preparation, pure intention, memorizing the Writings, stressing similarities, answering difficult questions, understanding a clear sense of mission, creating your personal story and learning how to develop conversations with strangers. The workshop will help any believer become a more assured teacher and will feature stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá using these exact skills in a subtle and effective manner.”

One longer-term goal of the training is to help local believers in about 35 Bahá’í communities in the Milwaukee area organize themselves into “a cohesive, collaborating and united effort aimed at maximizing the teaching opportunities generated by the conference.”

The Milwaukee institute adds that it always aims to present participatory training courses that are “refreshing and exciting. ... The friends come to classes prepared to roll up their sleeves and get to work honing their God-given skills. Participants gain self-confidence, reliance on God, profound love of humanity, a burning desire to teach and new insights into the Sacred Writings.”

For more information, please contact the Metro Milwaukee Regional Training Institute, please contact the Institute secretary, Carolyn Paik (phone 262-646-3769, e-mail

REGIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE CONTACTS

Southern States
Regional contact: Susan Nossa
Training institutes:
Aguila del Cielo Central Texas
Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum Alabama, Georgia
Crimson Ark DC, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia
Jubilee Tennessee and Arkansas
Magdalene Carney Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi
Mathew Kaszab South Texas
North Texas
Oklahoma
Sam McClellan Kentucky
South Carolina
Supreme Talisman North Carolina
Tree of Life Houston, Texas

Central States
Regional contact: Council secretary • e-mail
Training institutes:
Chicago
Dorothy Baker Ohio
Gateway Missouri
Iowa
Kansas
Milwaukee Metro
Minnesota

Western States
Regional contact: Council secretary • e-mail
Training institutes:
Arizona
Columbine Colorado
California Northeast
California Northwest
California South
IMWW Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming
Native American Bahá’í Institute
Nevada South
Oregon
Rio Grande New Mexico

Northeastern States
Regional contact: Chet Makoski • e-mail
Training institutes:
Doris McKay Western New York State
New York Tri State Metro NYC, Northern NJ, Long Island
Sadie Oglesby Eastern New England
Thornton Chase Connecticut River Valley
William Sears Eastern Pennsylvania

Wilmette Institute

EST. 1995

At last year’s Wilmette Institute summer residential session: instructors Farhad Sabetan (left) and Dann May (right) with students Patricia Haynie (left center) and Sarah Bansemer.

Prepare for the full-year session!

Applications are being accepted for the 2001 Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program. Home study will be conducted May 1–Sept. 30; the two-week residential session in Wilmette, Illinois, is set for late July and early August.

Principal themes of this year’s classes in Wilmette will be the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual development of the individual and marriage and family life.

These two topics will be supplemented by study of the mission of Bahá’u’lláh, of the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and His role as exemplar, of Bahá’í writings on spirituality (especially the Kitáb-i-Aqdas), and workshops on creative writing, researching, and teaching the Faith to others.

Distance learning: “The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh” and Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas

“The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh,” April 1–June 30

The Wilmette Institute is again offering a very popular course. In this crucial summary of the Faith’s fundamental verities, Shoghi Effendi defines the stations of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Administrative Order, interprets significant prophecies, explicates some Bahá’í doctrines, and offers illuminating comparisons with other religions. A thorough understanding of “The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh” is essential to any Bahá’í’s deepening. The course is expanded this year to add study of several short works by the Universal House of Justice that clarify and update the contents of “The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh.”

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, May 15–Aug. 15

This course reviews major works by Bahá’u’lláh that elaborate on His laws, explore the nature of the mystical life, describe basic theological teachings, and expound on the principles necessary for transforming human society.

Rediscovering the Dawn-Breakers: The Báb and the Bábí Religion, March 1–May 31

It is not too late to register for this course. As long as space is available, students will be added for the first month.

Other upcoming courses

• The Bahá’í Faith: A Comprehensive Introduction, June 1–Aug. 31
• Christianity for Deepening and Dialogue, June 15–Sept. 15
• The Secret of Divine Civilization, July 1–Sept. 30
• The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Sept. 1–Dec. 31
• ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Exemplar, Oct. 1–Dec. 31
• The Writings of Bahá’u’lláh: A Comprehensive Introduction, Nov. 1, 2001–Feb. 28, 2002
• The Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Development of the Individual, Nov. 15, 2001–Feb. 15, 2002
• The Bible, Dec. 1, 2001–Feb. 28, 2002

All courses include e-mail listservers for students and faculty, regular conference calls, systematic lesson plans and a wide variety of learning projects to apply in your local community.

All courses are available at an introductory, intermediate (college-level) or advanced (graduate) level. Financial aid is available.

THE WILMETTE INSTITUTE 536 Sheridan Road Wilmette, IL 60091

Phone/fax: 877-WILMETTE (toll-free) E-mail: Web site: www.wilmetteinstitute.org The Web site is secure for accepting credit card payment of tuition.

More on regional training institutes at www.usbnc.org

Access the Administrative Web Site with your Bahá’í ID number, click on “Regional Councils,” then link to the Web site for the Council in your region of the country! [Page 14]

ARISING TO TRAVEL FOR THE FAITH

The below goals and opportunities have been designated or reviewed by agencies of the Regional Bahá’í Councils.

Southern States

The Regional Council has placed top priority for homefront pioneering on localities ‎whre where‎ Local Spiritual Assemblies are in numerical or functional jeopardy (in italics), or cities with populations of 50,000 or more and no Local Spiritual Assembly.

• Alabama: Dothan, Hoover, Mobile
• Arkansas: Fort Smith, North Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Pulaski County
• Florida: Coconut Creek, Daytona Beach, Hialeah, Melbourne, Miami, Pensacola, Sarasota, Volusia County, West Palm Beach
• Georgia: Albany, Baldwin County, Decatur, Fort Valley, Hall County, Kennesaw, Macon, Milledgeville
• Kentucky: Murray, Owensboro
• Louisiana: Bossier City, Kenner, Lake Charles, Monroe
• Maryland: Annapolis, Takoma Park
• North Carolina: Concord, Gastonia, Kernersville, Thomasville
• Oklahoma: Broken Arrow, Delaware County, Lawton, Mayes County, Midwest City, Moore, Shawnee, Vinita
• South Carolina: Adams Run, Chester, Georgetown County, Kingstree, Lydia, Mt. Pleasant, North Charleston, Oconee County, Orangeburg, Pendleton
• Tennessee: Clarksville, Jackson
• Texas: Addison, Baytown, Bedford, Benbrook, Beaumont, Brazoria County, Bryan, Corpus Christi, Edinburg, Galveston, Highland Village, Killeen, Laredo, Longview, McAllen, Mesquite, Odessa, San Angelo, Tyler
• Virginia: Danville, Lynchburg, Portsmouth, Suffolk
• West Virginia: Huntington

Hall County, Georgia, in the beautiful foothills 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, has low unemployment, two colleges and 20% Hispanic population. Poultry industry and manufacturing are sources of employment. A struggling Spiritual Assembly may be in jeopardy this year.

Monroe, Louisiana: Southern hospitality, a warm climate and a branch of the University of Louisiana. Employment opportunities include paper mills, factories, schools and retail sales. Six adult Bahá’ís reside there, with a pressing need for help in reaching a large African-American population. Please contact the Southern Regional Traveling Teaching and Homefront Pioneering Coordinators listed at right.

Western States

The Regional Council has three main criteria for Assembly goals: saving jeopardized or lapsed Assemblies; forming Assemblies in communities of seven or more believers; and saving/maintaining Assemblies on Indian reservations (marked * below). Priority is on sites in Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Goal localities include the following (complete list on www.usbnc.org).

For communities on Indian reservations (marked with *), contact the American Indian regional traveling teaching—homefront pioneering coordinator listed at right.

• Arizona: Apache Junction, Bapchule District*, Buckeye, Chino Valley, Clarkdale, Cochise Co. SW, Cottonwood, Eloy, Goodyear, Kibito Chapter*, Kingman, Surprise, Tolleson, Whiteriver; Assembly community seeking support: Houck Chapter*.
• Idaho: Caldwell, Fort Hall Indian Reservation*, Kootenai Co., Meridian, Twin Falls; Assembly community seeking support: Ada County.
• Montana: Blackfeet Reservation*, Crow Agency*, Flathead Reservation*, Great Falls, Havre, Kalispell, Lewis and Clark Co., Northern Cheyenne Reservation*, St. Ignatius, Yellowstone Co.; Assembly communities seeking support: Billings, Bozeman, Butte-Silver Bow, Helena, Missoula Co., Ravalli Co.
• Nevada: Boulder City, Churchill Co., Lyon Co., Pahrump, Winchester Township
• New Mexico: Artesia, Deming, Grants, Jicarilla Apache Reservation*, Los Lunas, Lovington, Luna Co., Mountainair, Rio Arriba Co., Shiprock Chapter*, Socorro; Assembly community seeking support: Doña Ana Co. Central
• Utah: Bountiful, Centerville, Farmington, La Verkin, Layton, Midvale, Ogden, Roy, Uintah-Ouray*; Assembly community seeking support: West Valley City
• Wyoming: Casper, Cody, Laramie Co., Newcastle, Rock Springs, Weston Co., Wind River Reservation*; Assembly communities seeking support: Cheyenne, Laramie
• California: 77 goal communities, including 15 Assembly communities seeking support.
• Colorado: 16 goal communities, including 9 Assembly communities seeking support.
• Oregon: 23 goal communities, including 11 Assembly communities seeking support.
• Washington: 44 goal communities, including 16 Assembly communities seeking support.

Imperial Beach, California, the most southwesterly city in the continental U.S., has six adult Bahá’ís, and is challenged by the Regional Bahá’í Council to form a Spiritual Assembly by Ridván. A short distance from the U.S.-Mexico border, this diverse community has a large Spanish-speaking population; knowledge of Spanish is helpful but not essential. Please contact Darrell Rodgers (phone 619-424-5171 e-mail darrellr@aol.com).

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

The Office of Pioneering is eager to assist the friends preparing for international service. For information regarding jobs and study abroad, or international traveling teaching opportunities and other events, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508 e-mail pioneering@usbnc.org).

Answers to frequent questions about serving internationally are posted on the Web (www.usbnc.org, NSA Departments). See page 26 to report an international trip.

HOMEFRONT SERVICE

Detailed information to help those who wish to travel and teach or pioneer within the 48 contiguous states is available on the Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org), in the Regional Bahá’í Councils section.

Northeastern States To inquire about locating as a homefront pioneer, contact the Northeast Regional Bahá’í Council secretary, Joel Nizin (phone 914-235-0104 e-mail nerc@usbnc.org) To inquire about traveling teaching, contact the traveling teaching coordinator, Diana Rouse Kaufman (phone 508-430-1014 e-mail diana-kaufman@juno.com)

Central States To inquire about locating as a homefront pioneer, contact the Central Regional Bahá’í Council secretary, Lynn Wieties (phone 217-367-9154 e-mail crc@usbnc.org) To inquire about traveling teaching, contact the appropriate state traveling teaching coordinator (list is available on www.usbnc.org in the Regional Councils section) or contact Marilyn Ray (phone 847-526-7788 e-mail mray642301@aol.com)

Western States To inquire about locating as a homefront pioneer or about traveling teaching, contact the appropriate traveling teaching-homefront pioneering coordinator for each state (list available on www.usbnc.org in the Regional Councils section), or one of the regional coordinators: Traveling teaching: Jan Saeed, (phone 801-467-1563 e-mail jansaeed@aol.com) Homefront pioneering: Flor Toloui, (phone 760-721-0268 e-mail ftoloui@aol.com) For information on American Indian reservations, contact the American Indian regional traveling teaching-homefront pioneering coordinator, Helen Kiely, (phone 505-899-0414 e-mail hkiely@swcp.com)

Southern States To inquire about locating as a homefront pioneer, please contact regional coordinating team member Susan Crossley (phone 770-979-3112 e-mail src@usbnc.org) To inquire about traveling teaching, please contact regional coordinating team member Kitty Schmitz (phone 601-372-5095 e-mail kschmitz@jam.rr.com)

TEACHING NEWS BRIEFS

COMMUNITY

Salt Lake City, UT The words of Bahá’u’lláh rang out from the Mormon Tabernacle here as a local Bahá’í offered remarks and a prayer during an interfaith Thanksgiving service on Nov. 19. The service is held every year by the Utah National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ). This year the meeting was hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons).

Shahab Saeed, a member of the Salt Lake City Bahá’í community and its representative on the NCCJ board of directors, offered remarks and a prayer of thanksgiving from the Bahá’í writings.

Saeed’s remarks were preceded by those of Salt Lake City’s mayor, the president of the host church, and the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah.

MEDIA USAGE

San Mateo, California The Spiritual Assembly here reports it received several phone responses from interested people within days of buying space in a two-page spread titled “Houses of Prayer—Holiday 2000,” published during December in the San Mateo Daily Journal. The ad concisely mentions some Bahá’í teachings, history, writings and even an anecdote illustrating the principle of racial unity.

Bastrop, Texas The Bahá’ís of Bastrop have weekly been buying ads containing excerpts from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh for more than a year in the Bastrop Advertiser. A social columnist for the small city’s newspaper also has occasionally mentioned teaching trips and other service to the Bahá’í Faith by members of the McLaughlin family.

“O that I could travel, even though on foot and in the utmost poverty, to these regions, and, raising the call of ‘Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá’ in cities, villages, mountains, deserts and oceans, promote the divine teachings! This, alas, I cannot do. How intensely I deplore it! Please God, ye may achieve it.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Thank you

We would like to thank all those individuals, groups, families, Assemblies and organizations that have helped Spirit Run. It was as if the whole world came together and helped us run those miles.

We could not name everyone here, but be assured that you have not been forgotten. We felt your prayers, hospitality, support, laughter, tears and cheers.

Thank you to everyone who took part in this momentous journey.

SPIRIT RUN The Spirit Run Task Force [Page 15]

Brilliant Star Kid’s Corner!

"Contributing to the Fund is a service that every believer can render, be he poor or wealthy . . ."

—The Universal House of Justice

Do you have something to SHARE with BRILLIANT STAR, like PHOTOGRAPHS, stories, poems, or DRAWings?

We invite everyone to send in for the following our upcoming themes:

Shoghi Effendi

Passport for Spiritual Travel

Mysteries

Send mail to: Brilliant Star Bahá’í Media Services 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201

Contact us at telephone: 847.853.2354 fax: 847.256.1372

Or e-mail us at

For subscriptions to BRILLIANT STAR, call Bahá’í Distribution Service at 800-999-9019 or see page 26 to subscribe.

Brilliant Star is hiring an assistant editor: See page 24

Directions:

Liang tied strings around his coin bags but they have gotten tangled. He wants to bring one of the bags to Feast so he can give to the Bahá’í Fund. Follow the strings and help Liang find the correct bag!

Activity by Kristi and Jon Berry for the Office of the Treasurer • Illustrations by C. Aaron Kreader [Page 16]

Conference for the Americas: Concepts, arts, networking, case studies point the way

Stories by Tom Mennillo

What is Bahá’í development?

Here is a distillation of thoughts from speakers at the recent Bahá’í Development Conference for the Americas and practitioner seminar in Orlando, Florida.

Counselor Eloy Anello, Bolivia

• Bahá’í development is the application of Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation to the problems of humanity.
• The processes of development and teaching are separate but complementary. Successful development efforts create awareness of the Faith and opportunities for teaching.
• Through contact with the Creative Word, we are transformed as individuals and can catalyze societal transformation.

Glen Eyford, Canada

• Yes, we are involved in politics: enfranchisement, good governance. We’re developing a global civilization with order and values the world needs.
• Development must be a regular pursuit of the Bahá’í community. Volition is needed—internalizing, owning, then acting.

Haleh Arbab, Colombia

• We must help people develop the capacity to make decisions about their own progress and implement them in ever-more complex ways.
• Development must be carried out in a spirit of service. Delivery of services is not the main goal; rather, it is social and spiritual transformation.

William E. Davis, National Spiritual Assembly of the United States

• Culture expands how we see reality. It provides values and structure. A new culture challenges the old, creating a tension we must recognize and address.
• So-called developing and developed cultures alike are prisons—the former because of low expectations and capacity-limiting unwritten rules governing society, the latter because of a godless understanding of life and the glorification of individualism.
• These prisons can block our vision of the priorities for building Bahá’í culture and for development. The identity we seek should focus on Bahá’í, rather than the culture into which we were born.

Holly Hanson, United States

• Like a sick body, the problems of the world are structural. We must fix the whole system.
• Bahá’í development primarily happens at the local level because we must apply a remedy suited to each place.
• Material civilization alone will not satisfy the needs of the age. It is like a beautiful but lifeless body: devoid of spirit.
• We must intentionally enhance the connections between people. If we create opportunities to express love, society will prosper.

WORKSHOPS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

edged the road wasn’t easy.

The Parent University session was one of dozens of workshops during the conference that examined successful practices and research in helping advance the prosperity of humanity through Bahá’í principles and teachings.

O’Neal related how he had to gain the cooperation of people—activists included—who had lost hope. And because he is visible in the community as host of a Bahá’í-sponsored public access TV show, he had to convince folks that the initiative had no hidden agenda. (He has consulted with the Local Spiritual Assembly every step of the way, but the Assembly has refrained from signing on as a sponsor in order to allay any community fears.)

But with a clear vision and a plan forged through cooperation, Parent University went forward.

Class topics have included stress management; computer training; developing a child’s character; tips on breast health; taking the terror out of homework; and knowing the responsibility level of a child.

Many of the courses have been conducted in conjunction with community institutions. Sponsors have provided needed money, materials, publicity and volunteer time.

Future goals include continuing education for program “graduates,” improved tracking of outcomes; obtaining of grants; and expansion to other communities.

Danielle Locke of Northern Plains Healthy Start and Richard Czerniejewski of Health for Humanity confer after her talk. The two groups have scheduled a meeting to look into possible collaborative efforts. Photos by Tom Mennillo

Joyce Olinga of Illinois holds the daughter of a Jeffrey Barnes Bahá’í Choir member as the choir provides inspirational learning through the arts to start the Parent University workshop.

Variety of issues

No less remarkable were the several other development projects presented during conference workshops.

In each session, participants were given a firm grasp of the process that has led to a project’s progress and, just as important, the opportunity to provide input that may well aid its sustainability and expansion.

U.S.-based projects featured this year included:

• Gap Community Project in Chicago, which helps young people achieve their human potential.
• Nine Points, a framework to prepare youth for agricultural service.
• Little Pond Retreat Center in Pennsylvania, which nurtures arts and artists.
• Project 99, a teaching and consolidation plan using the arts to aid in the transformation of Southeast Asian and other teens in California’s Central Valley.
• Northern Plains Healthy Start, a Bahá’í-influenced initiative in the heartland to reduce the nation’s highest infant mortality rate among American Indians.
• Children’s Theatre Company of New York City, an acclaimed program that provides artistic training and values education to inner-city children.
• The Voicemail Project in the San Francisco Bay Area, which gives homeless and other people in a 4,000-square-mile area a vital link to potential landlords, employers, family and other support people.

Workshops also tackled topics that would help any conference participant better understand the development process.

They included “Living the Life of SED”; “Getting to the Nitty-Gritty: Identifying Community Realities and Needs as a First Step in Development Planning”; “Courage to Grow through Life Stress and Suffering”; “Transforming the Discipline of Education”; “Finding New Dimensions for the Consultative Process”; “Dynamics of Cultural Loss and Resurgence”; “The Covenant and SED”; “Agriculture and Environment: Bound by the Covenant”; “Use of Music as a Metaphor for Racial Harmony”; “Integrating SED and the Arts”; “The Guiding Touch: Women and the Well-Being of the Earth”; “Conflict Resolution Techniques in Bahá’í Administration”; “Organizational Capacity Assessment: Building Better Organizations”; “Bahá’í Administration and SED.”

Engaging the young

Sessions targeted to youth and young adults included “Youth Year of Service” and “Young Investigators’ Session.”

The latter was designed to enable... [Page 17]

Artistic expression takes another leap forward

The powerful musical drama “The Gathering” was performed during the final evening of the conference. Professional choreographer Laura Lee staged the work, about native prophecy that one day the earth’s races would unite. Photo by Ken Roedell

It just keeps getting better and better. Arts took their rightful place at the 1999 Bahá’í Development Conference for the Americas as an equal partner with the spoken word in expressing faith in action and aiding the transformation of souls.

This year, every element of artistic expression was lifted to a new level under the leadership of Leslie Asplund, in conjunction with the Rabbani Charitable Trust.

Cumulatively it was a dramatic demonstration, for any who had not yet grasped the vision, of how arts can be used effectively within and outside the Bahá’í community to open hearts and further the advancement of civilization.

Performing arts such as song, rhythm, dance and drama were dominant. But appreciation of video production as a development tool was furthered—just as fellow visual arts painting, sculpture, photography and architecture have been showcased in previous conferences.

The elements Asplund wove into this year’s program included:

Innovative forms of devotion. Imagine the long healing prayer alternately sung and recited as cello and keyboards play and an interpreter signs. Imagine voices spaced throughout the hall intoning the Fire Tablet with instrumental accompaniment. These were two of the creative ways devotions were carried out to set the tone for conference sessions.

Inspirational learning through the arts. This component, begun last year, allowed each plenary or workshop to begin with high-quality artistic expression tied to the topic of the session. A wonderful example was the electrifying rendition of “Rhapsody in Blue” by pianist Mark Ochu preceding a talk by William E. Davis, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, on “The Prison of Culture.” Ochu prefaced his performance with comments illustrating how George Gershwin paid homage to African and other cultures in the famous composition.

Performances both in plenary sessions and special evening programs. Special nights—Persian on Friday and dramatic presentation on Saturday—drew

SEE EXPRESSION, PAGE 20

Projects conceived, advanced by networking

The Rabbani Trust always gives development conference and seminar participants ample opportunity to collaborate within and among disciplines, and this year was no different.

Some cross-fertilization was built into the program. Two entire evenings—one during the seminar and one during the conference—were devoted to networking.

Common-interest meetings were held on such topics as equality between women and men; Indian peoples; education; health; business and economic development; arts and media; agriculture; environment; open space technology; law, justice and human rights; and multicultural unity.

Successes and challenges were shared. Ideas were floated for feedback from similarly engaged Bahá’ís. Collaborations were sought and cemented.

In many cases, the interest sessions were preceded by months of correspondence.

Throughout the six-day seminar/conference, they were supplemented by mealtime and late-night klatches.

Particularly organized are the agriculture folks, who meet each year during the Association for Bahá’í Studies conference as well as during the development conference.

Their missions include: to educate themselves and other Bahá’ís on what the Writings say about agriculture; to bring young people into the field; and to experiment with various forms of sustainable agriculture.

Networking went on outside the program, too.

An example: Family, friends, colleagues and students of the late Dr. Daniel C. Jordan gathered for two days after the conference.

Their goal, according to Gregory D. Watson, one of the organizers, was to “remember and honor Dan’s legacy to education—both in and outside the Bahá’í community—and to review and explore educational principles and practices that can improve our actions in the world of service.”

The plan was to document the “reunion” sessions and later disseminate the information to aid in further collaboration. ♦

Seminar a rolled-up-sleeves affair

Ben Levy, recently retired from the Rabbani Trust, poses at a reception in his honor with granddaughter Natalie Nelson, daughter Martine Nelson, and wife Francine Levy. Photo by Tom Mennillo

Four simultaneous streams of learning lay at the heart of a by-invitation seminar preceding the eighth annual Bahá’í Development Conference for the Americas.

One taught the moral leadership program pioneered at Núr University in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, by Counselor Eloy Anello and colleagues.

Longtime seminar and conference attendees had been tantalized year after year by stories of Núr’s program.

But now a lucky few would take the training in eight sessions stretched over three days. Counselor Anello led the program, assisted by Duncan Hanks and Juanita de Hernandez.

The remainder of about 200 attendees—veteran and neophyte development practitioners alike—faced an agonizing choice of following one of the other three tracks—environment, institutional capacity building, and the role of the arts in development—or going a la carte.

The six environmental sessions constituted the fourth annual conference of the International Environment Forum. Its theme was “Applying the Bahá’í Teachings to the Environmental Challenges Facing the World.”

A keynote address on that topic by Arthur Dahl of Switzerland kicked off the track.

Succeeding sessions—involving on-site participants and a number of people connected via the Internet—tackled such issues as biological and cultural diversity; the link between religious beliefs and environmental attitudes; gender and environment; changing environmental behavior through social mobilization; and creating sustainable, environmentally conscious Bahá’í communities.

Participants also were treated to a performance/workshop on “Research Data as Music: The Climate Symphony and Sonification of Radar, Seismic

SEE SEMINAR, PAGE 20 [Page 18]

MATURING COMMUNITIES

ONE YEAR PLAN 2000

GOAL: STRENGTHEN AND FOSTER MATURITY OF THE BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY

• Reinforce external affairs activities
• Encourage success of the Kingdom Project
• Strengthen social and economic development

Dentists team up to help out in Haiti

N.C. Bahá’í helps organize Rotary project

Thousands of impoverished Haitian children are being given a better chance for healthy teeth and happier smiles, thanks to a Durham, North Carolina, Bahá’í and other dental practitioners in the Research Triangle.

Mahyar Mofidi, a 30-year-old dentist and secretary of the Regional Bahá’í Council of the Southern States, is a leader in the effort.

The native of Iran, raised and educated in Louisville, Kentucky, also is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

Mofidi became aware of the dire need for better dental care in Haiti when contacted by fellow dentist Mark Hunt, a member of the East Chapel Hill Rotary Club.

“The Rotary group needed a dentist with a public health background to join a fact-finding trip to Haiti to see what kind of project the club could support down there,” said Mofidi.

Rather than having their bad teeth fixed, Haitians often have them pulled, Mofidi explained to a reporter for the Chapel Hill Herald, which published a front-page article on Sept. 24, 2000.

He told the newspaper that many children and adults probably live with continuous toothaches.

“That’s a definite possibility because of untreated decay,” Mofidi was quoted as saying. “It leads to children being in discomfort and in pain. For some it may be viewed as, ‘This is part of life.’”

Government officials are mindful of the dental problems faced by Haiti’s poor, and cooperate willingly with the Rotary project.

One of those officials is John Marius Lafond, dean of Haiti’s only dental school. According to Mofidi, Lafond quickly opened several important doors in the island nation and proved to be very influential.

“Dr. Lafond introduced us to the directors of the Baptist Haiti Mission, the largest Christian mission in Haiti,” said Mofidi. “After speaking with the mission officials, we came back to the States and drafted a plan to directly help provide dental care for school-age children served by the mission.”

The plan has three goals: To substantially improve the equipment and capabilities of the existing dental clinic at the Baptist Haiti Mission; to create a comprehensive dental care education program in the mission’s large school system; and to develop a mobile unit to take basic dental care to smaller, outlying villages.

“I think our plan is a sound one,” said Mofidi. “We knew going down to Haiti that we should not go with the mindset that a bunch of Americans was just going to show up and fix everything. We sensed that we needed to form a partnership and do things together. We’ve found that partner in the Haiti Baptist Mission.”

Since then, a great deal of needed equipment and supplies has been donated through the East Chapel Hill Rotary Club, Mofidi said. A new dental clinic is under construction and existing facilities are being renovated and upgraded.

“Because of funding issues, we got a little delayed,” he said. “We expect the clinic will be finished by February and dentists from North Carolina to go deliver services and train their dentists.”

A mobile dental unit also is in transit, he said. Once there, it will be used to deliver services to rural parts.

“This is a great project, very rewarding. It is impacting lives, especially children’s. People know I am a Bahá’í, and teaching has become a product of this humanitarian service.” ♦

Haitian schoolteachers compare notes and ideas during a workshop on dental care education, sponsored by a Rotary Club in North Carolina and with vigorous participation by a Bahá’í dentist. Photo courtesy of Mahyar Mofidi

Conferences recommended for S.E. Asian youth

In light of several recent episodes of fatal domestic disputes involving members of the general Hmong community as reported in December 2000 by the Associated Press and the Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota), the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office would like to ask local Bahá’í communities with Southeast Asian members to consider helping these youth and their families attend two upcoming conferences that will promote family unity and the prevention of violence.

Building the Kingdom for Every Man, Woman, Youth and Child: National Bahá’í Conference, June 28–July 1 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (see more news on pages 3, 12–13). This national conference gives special emphasis to children and youth as integral members of a united and supportive spiritual and social community. Southeast Asian youth and their families have unique and invaluable experiences, insights and perspectives to contribute to the discussion and this conference will undoubtedly have much to offer them.

If your community is interested in sponsoring a local youth or family to attend the National Bahá’í Conference, please contact them directly. If your community would like to sponsor a youth or family from another community, please contact your Regional Bahá’í Council or the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office (e-mail usbro@usbnc.org or phone 847-733-3547).

National Youth Crime Prevention Conference, April 7–10 in Dallas, Texas. While the Bahá’í Faith does not sponsor this conference, the USBRO feels it would be beneficial for Bahá’í youth to take advantage of this learning opportunity. For more information, contact the National Crime Prevention Council (phone 202-261-4165) or visit the Web site (www.ncpc.org/youthcon). ♦

World Order sees expanding roles in its 35th year

This article is the first in a series of articles leading to the 35th anniversary of World Order magazine. See an outline of the current issue of World Order, as well as subscription information, on page 26.

Where can one read an article by former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau alongside the poetry of Robert Hayden? An article on Christian detachment in Quentin Tarantino’s film Pulp Fiction and then, in the following issue, an article on Rúhíyyih Khánum’s literary life?

Mixing art and philosophy, poetry and theology, media criticism and sociological study, history and fiction, World Order magazine has been a source of intellectual, spiritual and emotional renewal for thousands of Bahá’ís in this country and abroad for nearly 35 years.

Publishing articles, essays and poetry that focus on issues of broad social concern from a Bahá’í perspective was always a part of World Order’s mandate. It became explicit in 1987 when the National Spiritual Assembly directed the magazine’s Editorial Board to do just that.

The results are astonishing: Over the years the magazine has published more than 28 articles and editorials on the equality of women and men; more than 20 articles and editorials on race unity; and more than 50 articles and editorials on current events as varied as editorials on “The Restlessness of the Balkans,” “Crisis of Misplaced Values (on consumer society),” disarmament, student protests, religion’s role in eliminating child abuse, and Bahá’í solutions to poverty.

In upcoming issues, Bahá’í writers, scholars, poets and artists will tackle a number of issues of broad social concern in the 21st century:

• Gender and sexuality.
• Race.
• Urban life.
• New digital and media technologies.
• The public sphere.

The magazine has also begun soliciting works of fiction and photo essays to provide a different perspective on issues usually the domain of more scholarly articles. Such an approach exemplifies one thing World Order has never shied away from—publishing challenging and creative scholarship accessible to all.

“World Order is edited for a general, but intellectually curious audience, much like Science magazine or the Atlantic Monthly,” notes Betty J. Fisher, the magazine’s managing editor. ♦ [Page 19]

Special Visits provide close-up understanding of Bahá’í House of Worship

Two sessions planned for the friends this summer

In June 1972, 18 adults and an 8-year-old child attended the first of the now-annual Special Visit programs at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

It was an in-depth experience with the Mashriqul-Adhkár and the Bahá’í National Center, a very spiritual journey giving the believers an opportunity to connect with their material and spiritual center on this continent.

In the 29 years since that first event, this “Spiritual Oasis” Special Visit program has remained a much-anticipated event on the calendar of the House of Worship in Wilmette.

Some aspects of the Special Visit program include:

• Discussions with representatives of the Pioneering and National Teaching Committee offices.
• Learning about the meaning of the Temple and the work of the Bahá’í National Center, collecting firsthand knowledge of current concerns and initiatives of those institutions.
• Sharing with new friends.
• Devotional time, both personal and structured.

All these activities and more are included to enrich the visitors as they revitalize their commitment to the Cause of God in a challenging, exciting time to be a believer. The weekend retreat becomes a deepening by experience in one’s own relationship to the Faith.

“The Special Visit Program has always been a very ‘special’ activity at the House of Worship and very close to my heart ever since that first one in 1972, which was an experiment, now institutionalized,” said Caswell Ellis, director of the House of Worship. “One need only feel the love and experience that spiritual connection that takes place between the visitor and our staff and to hear expressions of the hearts that indeed confirm the efficacy of the program.”

Visitor comments at the completion of such a program reflect this. Recent participants have celebrated the warmth, learning and encouragement they experienced as meaningful enrichment for their growth and capacity to serve.

This original, good idea from 1972, intact and functional, is available to all the friends in 2001 who register with the Activities Office of the Bahá’í House of Worship. The form and time limits for registration appear on page 25 under the heading “A Spiritual Oasis.” ◆

New information on the Huqúqu’lláh Web site

accessible at www.usbnc.org

Tools to enhance your understanding of this great Law of God:

• Video programs about Huqúqu’lláh, viewable online
• More of the history of the institution of Huqúqu’lláh, with photos
• A clickable map showing areas of service for Representatives to the institution of Huqúqu’lláh, and how to contact them
• Formatted articles available to download and print for study and sharing

Also: Codification of the Law • Compilation of writings on Huqúqu’lláh • Practical guidelines • Prayers

Access www.usbnc.org with your Bahá’í ID number, then click on the “Huqúqu’lláh” link

HUQÚQU’LLÁH
THE RIGHT OF GOD
Payments to Huqúqu’lláh should be made to “The Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust” (please write your Bahá’í identification number on your check) and sent to one of the Trustees: Amin Banani, 1022 S. Westgate Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90049; phone 310-459-3543, fax 310-394-6167, e-mail abanani@ucla.edu Stephen Birkland, 3317 Crystal Bay Rd., Wayzata, MN 55391; phone 952-471-7006, fax 651-490-7521, e-mail bkla@aol.com Sally Foo, 43 Spruce St., Princeton, NJ 08542; phone 609-683-1133, fax 609-671-0740, e-mail sallyfoo@aol.com Daryush Haghighi, 1195 Virginia Ave., Lakewood, OH 44107; phone 216-228-5645, fax 440-333-6938, e-mail dhaghighi@aol.com Elizabeth Martin, P.O. Box 178, Winnsboro, SC 29180; phone 803-635-4340, fax 803-635-9982, e-mail emartin178@aol.com Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust, 1195 Virginia Ave., Lakewood, OH 44107 (phone 216-228-5645, fax 440-333-6938, e-mail dhaghighi@aol.com).

Videotapes on Huqúqu’lláh in English and Persian are available for a reduced price of $12. Please contact Badiyan Productions, 7159 Shady Oak Rd., Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (phone 952-941-8314, e-mail badiyan@badiyan.com).

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

Eugene, Oregon Accolades as a “Home Town Hero” at a UN Human Rights Day banquet capped an autumn in which Don Addison, a Bahá’í educator from Eugene, was highly visible in conveying the social teachings of the Faith from distinguished platforms.

At a city-sponsored banquet Dec. 10—with a standing-room-only crowd including the mayor and other officials—Addison was honored for his involvement in education and in increasing awareness of diversity.

Weeks earlier, Addison—an active member of the local Native American community who teaches Native American studies at Lane Community College—addressed the sixth annual conference of the Oregon Diversity Institute, Nov. 4 in Salem.

Citing Bahá’í teachings on education and diversity, he outlined strategies colleges can employ to improve multicultural understanding in Oregon.

Arroyo Grande, California About 60 people gathered Dec. 10 to celebrate Human Rights Day at Nine Oaks Bahá’í Institute on the California central coast.

When we’re burdened with news of the growth of hate groups or exploitation and abuse of women, “It’s the little things that really do matter,” said keynote speaker Charles Howard, a Ventura Bahá’í noted for his ‎for racial racial‎ harmony and human rights activities. “Here is where we each have a tremendous ability to make change, day after day.” ◆

Celebration at the UN/page 30

Charitable Gift Annuities

now offered by our National Spiritual Assembly as a gift-planning option

A charitable gift annuity is a contract between you, as the donor, and our National Spiritual Assembly—providing advantages for both.

Under a charitable gift annuity: A donor irrevocably transfers funds to our National Spiritual Assembly, which are invested with other annuity funds. Regular quarterly payments are made to you, the donor, for your lifetime. The remainder of the annuity fund is transferred to the Bahá’í Fund after your passing.

Benefits: Guaranteed fixed payments for life, a portion of which are non-taxable. A charitable income tax deduction for a portion of the gift in the year in which the annuity is established. Reduced capital gains taxes if funded with an appreciated asset. Increased support of the Bahá’í Fund.

Requirements: Must be at least 60 years of age to enter into an annuity agreement with our National Spiritual Assembly. Must establish the annuity with a minimum of $10,000. Must irrevocably transfer the funds. Will receive lifetime annuity payment.

Examples (based on a $10,000 annuity): Age 60: Charitable deduction $3,782.30; annual lifetime annuity $660 Age 70: Charitable deduction $4,261.20; annual lifetime annuity $750 Age 80: Charitable deduction $4,907.40; annual lifetime annuity $920

Not yet licensed in Arkansas, California, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin

The National Spiritual Assembly’s Gift and Estate Planning Program

8-page brochure from the Office of the Treasurer Individual copies may be requested free. Nominal charge for ordering in quantity.

The Writing of a Will

... has been established to help believers make a variety of financial arrangements for themselves, their families and the Bahá’í Faith: Providing for the Bahá’í Faith in your will Making a gift of securities Making a gift of real estate Making a gift through life insurance Receiving income from your gift: Charitable Gift Annuities Charitable Remainder Trusts

To order The Writing of a Will or to find out more about the gift and estate planning program:

• Phone 847-733-3466 / e-mail giftplanning@usbnc.org
• Or, fill out the form with the Bahá’í Funds envelope attached to this paper.

[Page 20]

WORKSHOPS,

these “tween-age” Bahá’ís to identify particular learning goals, then meet again a day later to see the extent to which those goals were being achieved.

For children and junior youth, the program again this year mirrored the adult sessions.

Under the direction of Yvonne Ferguson and staff, younger Bahá’ís learned about many of the same development projects and studied the same concepts.

Speakers and performers interacted with them, and the latter—particularly Mehr Mansuri of the Children’s Theatre Company of New York and famed composer Russ Garcia of New Zealand—helped bring about a conference highlight: a heart-seizing children’s performance that powerfully mixed the Creative Word and song. ◆

EXPRESSION,

the most attention, but other performances such as gospel singing, instrumentals, and dramatic readings were interspersed throughout.

The Persian concert featured violinist Farzad Khozein, cellist Gwendolyn Watson, singers Narges Fani and Mansoor Sobhani and others before a standing-room-only audience. The night of dramatic presentation featured the stunning dramatic musical The Gathering by Laura Lee, based on native prophecy of when the races would come together; songs from The Unquenchable Flame, Russ and Gina Garcia’s story of Táhirih; and an excerpt from The Seven Valleys, as danced and recited by Marty, Wendy and Caitlyn Quinn.

Workshops and panel discussions on aspects of the role of arts in development. Composers, dramatists, gospel singers, video producers and the like shared the process of how they create artistic expressions of the Bahá’í revelation in praise of the Blessed Beauty. Projects such as the Little Pond Retreat Center in Pennsylvania and the Children’s Theatre Company in New York City inspired conference participants. A panel on “A New Vision for the Arts in Building Bahá’u’lláh’s New Order” put forth examples of transformational uses of the arts that any Bahá’í community could emulate in its Feasts and Holy Days and in its devotional gatherings and other forms of outreach.

Networking opportunities and avenues of sharing among participating artists. Artistry often is a solitary pursuit, but collaboration among Bahá’í artists and with those who would like to bring those artists into their communities can lead to unprecedented opportunities for reaching expectant souls. And this six days of formal and informal networking sessions produced just that, as exemplified by an e-mail listserver on Bahá’í arts that was up and running soon after the conference. ◆

Witzel: A half-century of service

Take it from Donald Witzel: When a chapter in your Bahá’í life closes, others open.

One such chapter was his 17 years of service on the Continental Board of Counselors for the Americas.

That ended in 1985, but there was no slowdown for the Los Angeles native who has pioneered for 50 years, briefly in Asia and since then in Latin America.

Then again, he wasn’t expecting one.

“My life is full,” he said during a lull in the Bahá’í Development Conference for the Americas, where he facilitated a workshop on “Living the Life of SED.”

“I don’t have any time to worry about ... transition,” he said. “We’re getting along in years, but just keep working.”

Soon after his term as Counselor ended, Witzel was appointed by the Universal House of Justice to the Latin America Radio Committee. He served as its secretary and as secretary of its radio operations branch for eight years.

He is a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Venezuela and chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Barquisimeto.

He chairs the national commission for Bahá’í literature.

He chairs the executive committee of the Association for Bahá’í Studies.

He is liaison from the National Assembly to the Regional Bahá’í Council of the Guajira region.

He teaches seven-week courses at the national training institute for youths in service.

He helps raise up and place homefront pioneers.

He participates in an entry by troops project.

Donald Witzel joyously spies a friend between sessions of the development conference. Photo by Tom Mennillo

Good thing Witzel is retired. He was a high school principal, then head of the modern languages department of a university in Maracaibo, Venezuela, until the Supreme Institution asked him in 1987 to devote full time to his other posts.

Obedience to the House of Justice, the Guardian before that, the Hands of the Cause, and other institutions of the Faith has led Witzel, his wife, Mignon, and two children all over the globe since he was called up to serve as an American officer in the Korean War.

He performed pioneer service in Korea and Japan before returning to the United States for additional officer training at the General War College in Leavenworth, Kansas.

After leaving the military, Witzel did postgraduate studies and looked to return to Asia as a pioneer.

But the National Spiritual Assembly had other plans, and without a firm job offer Witzel went off to Nicaragua, using the 19-day sea passage from San Francisco to brush up on his Spanish.

(Three and a half years of further language study with a tutor brought him fully up to speed, and he has written more than 80 books in Spanish since then.)

It was during a port call that he received a telegram offering him a position at the American school in Nicaragua.

Six years later the Witzels had their eye on Honduras. But again the institutions guided him elsewhere. Witzel gave away all their furnishings and they headed for Panama, where he soon was elected secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly.

While working with the Indians in David, Panama, Witzel was appointed an Auxiliary Board member. He was to serve 11 years in that capacity.

In 1964, the Hands sent him to Colombia. He worked at a coed school for Indian children and saved up so his family could join him there.

Not that the Witzels would be settled there for long. At a conference two years later, Witzel learned that help was needed consolidating new believers and fostering the maturation of Assemblies in neighboring Venezuela.

Off they went again—with a well-timed offer of a position in Maracaibo.

And so it has gone. Witzel was appointed a Counselor in 1968 and he certainly hasn’t lacked for challenges since.

“We’re serving Bahá’u’lláh and His Faith, and that’s the important thing,” said Witzel with a shrug.

Now that a persistent back problem has been corrected, he may be serving for a long time to come. ◆

SEMINAR,

and Solar Wind” by Marty Quinn. This unique presentation turned natural sounds, including those of an earthquake and solar wind interactions with the earth, into rhythms and pitches.

Two related sessions focused on the dynamics of cultural loss and resurgence and on leadership, development and the environment.

The program on capacity building got down to the nitty-gritty of conceiving, executing and evaluating a development project.

It consisted of four sessions: development, the Bahá’í Administrative Order and the community; administration of Bahá’í development activities, using sample experiences from Bahá’í-administered and Bahá’í-inspired initiatives; project design, operations, monitoring and evaluation; and human resource management.

Andy Tamas of Canada facilitated. A rollicking series of workshops on the arts brought together an incredible array of Bahá’ís who share a common desire to fulfill Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of art as worship.

Composers led off. Kathy Tahiri, director of the Bahá’í House of Worship Choir, facilitated a sharing of the process tunesmiths use to create music designed to uplift and enlighten souls.

Presenters included Russ and Gina Garcia of New Zealand, Fritz Kersting of Puerto Rico, and John Barnes, Farzad Khozein, Angela-Louise Manso, Christina Quinn and Jill Simon of the United States.

Next it was those who use music, drama and dance to present the spirit and teachings of the Faith on stage. Among them were Anna Hostman of Canada and Americans Leslie and Kurt Asplund, Bill and Bridget George, Rosanne Groger, Laura Lee, Susan Lewis-Wright, the Quinn family and Tierney Sutton.

Video producers shared their projects in a third session. Craig Rothman and Tim Tyson spoke on the national media campaign, Joyce Olinga on documentaries, Joy Wieczorek on Bahá’í talk shows and Tim Perry on computer animation.

A final session gave a glimpse into the One Human Family Workshops experience. Eric Dozier and Katharine Day of OHF were joined by Kristin Barnes, John Barnes and the Jeffrey Barnes Bahá’í Choir from Los Angeles. ◆

Are you involved in an ongoing or nascent development project? Would you like to be invited to participate in this December’s pre-conference seminar? Please contact the Rabbani Charitable Trust (email [Page 21]

Interns help shape the REAL real world

BY THE OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, WASHINGTON, DC

International relations. The environment. Prevention of domestic violence. Global trade.

Our Faith’s teachings deal directly with these social issues and more, and many Bahá’í college students acutely see the need to put those teachings into practice. But how can you complement your education with effective, “real world” experience?

Last summer the Office of External Affairs in Washington, DC, launched an internship program to help meet the growing needs of the National Spiritual Assembly, while offering college-age students a chance to experience external affairs operations firsthand. Two students have completed internships; two others now work in the office. What work have they done, and how do they feel about it? Find out:

Navid Ahdieh Spent summer 2000 at the Washington office, then entered the University of North Carolina to study international relations

Navid Ahdieh learned about Bahá’í perspectives on environment and development issues by doing research on the Earth Charter—a declaration of ethics for living sustainably on earth—in order to help with the educational campaign now under way. He also learned about human rights by researching the international effects of implementation of CEDAW—the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women—in connection with the National Assembly’s efforts to urge U.S. ratification of the treaty. In addition, he helped with filing and reorganizing resources.

“I’ll never forget my experiences from this summer. They’ve really come in handy in college!” Ahdieh wrote recently to the Washington office. He added he has been able to use his knowledge to discuss the Faith with his professors.

Jessica Hamman Began Washington internship after a year at Landegg Academy; now studying sociology and social policy at the University of Washington

Some of Ahdieh’s research formed the foundation for the work of Jessica Hamman, who has helped develop study materials on the Earth Charter and supported efforts to get Congress to pass the Violence Against ‎Women’s Women‎ Act (VAWA). She also helped with a project to compile a resource compendium of external affairs policy developed over the past 15 years.

“Being in the office gave me a much more detailed look into the Bahá’í administration,” she said. “I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the National Assembly works and what it’s planning and how it’s really involved in the issues I’m learning about academically. I had wanted to be able to see how Bahá’í principles are being applied in areas such as human rights and women’s issues. This internship really helped me to do that,” she noted.

Hamman also found that by working with the National Assembly’s NGO liaison for women’s issues, Leila Milani, who has a law degree, she gained invaluable insights into her own career aspirations. “I got a glimpse of the varied activities lawyers could do, and it helped me see how I can use law as a tool for understanding social issues,” she said.

Hamman added that the experience “really offered me a chance to learn more about myself.”

Anton Ware Began his internship as Hamman was finishing hers; he is a master’s degree candidate in international affairs at Johns Hopkins University

Because of his interest and expertise in international economics, Anton Ware is focusing exclusively on helping the National Assembly contribute to the efforts of an Interfaith Working Group on Trade and Finance. This working group, also including representatives from several Christian denominations and a Jewish organization, studies the impact of international trade policy and the process of globalization on society, and is developing an interfaith statement on trade and finance. Ware has helped substantially to contribute Bahá’í perspectives to the consultations of the small drafting team.

Sum Mehrnama Intern since January; a student in government and international relations at George Mason University

“I have always had a desire to work in the realm of international affairs while serving the Faith at the same time,” Sum Mehrnama said.

Anton Ware (left) greets Sum Mehrnama on the latter’s first day as an External Affairs intern. Photo by Peter Adriance

SEE YOUTH INTERNS, PAGE 22

true wealth

PERSPECTIVE FROM THE WRITINGS

“The third field of service is the preparation by youth for their later years. It is the obligation of a Bahá’í to educate his children; likewise it is the duty of the children to acquire knowledge of the arts and sciences and to learn a trade or a profession whereby they, in turn, can earn their living and support their families. This, for a Bahá’í youth, is in itself a service to God, a service, moreover, which can be combined with teaching the Faith and often with pioneering. The Bahá’í community will need men and women of many skills and qualifications; for, as it grows in size the sphere of its activities in the life of society will increase and diversify. Let Bahá’í youth, therefore, consider the best ways in which they can use and develop their native abilities for the service of mankind and the Cause of God, whether this be as farmers, teachers, doctors, artisans, musicians, or any one of the multitude of livelihoods that are open to them.” —Universal House of Justice, letter dated June 10, 1966

office of youth affairs

WHAT’S NEW?

Youth mentoring: Bahá’í professionals needed! The Office of Youth Affairs is recruiting Bahá’í professionals to take part in a new initiative aimed at helping young ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ with career planning and development.

Primary goals are to provide an online resource for Bahá’í students and pre-professionals, and to start a career-oriented network within the American Bahá’í community.

Bahá’í professionals are invited to submit any information (advice, personal stories, job profiles etc.) that Bahá’í youth interested in your field can use. Contact the Office of Youth Affairs (contact information below).

Office of Youth Affairs Bahá’í National Center 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: 847-733-3499 Fax: 847-733-3502 E-mail:

Service Needs in the U.S. Bahá’í National Center e-mail: Bahá’í schools and institutes: Bosch, Green Acre, Louhelen, Louis Gregory, Native American Bahá’í Institute e-mail: Summer Conservation Team at the Bahá’í House of Worship e-mail:

www.bahaiyouth.com

in your region

UPDATES

They’re coming: Youth ... Building the Kingdom!

Western The Regional Bahá’í Council of the Western States is delighted to announce five Youth Forums to be held in March and April. These forums will be the beginning of exciting developments for all Bahá’í youth and junior youth, who have a vital role as teachers and servants of the Cause of God.

Come and be a part of the launching of these Youth Forums. More details will be announced later.

• Utah March 16–18, U. of Utah, Salt Lake City
• Arizona March 30–April 1, Arizona State U., Tempe
• S. California April 13–15, Pilgrim Pines, Yucaipa
• N. California April 13–15, Camp James Gulch, La Honda
• Washington May 4–6, Bellevue

Contact the Western Regional Bahá’í Council’s Youth Office (phone 650-323-1552, e-mail ).

Central A new e-mail distribution list has been established for all junior youth, youth and young adults in the Central States. To subscribe, write to . To post messages, write to .

• “Agents of Change,” a network of youth representatives appointed by the Regional Youth Committee serving Michigan and Ohio, gathered Jan. 19–21 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to discuss mobilization of youth in those two states. The involvement of youth in the upcoming Building the Kingdom Conference (June 28–July 1 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin); plans for a major summer teaching project in Columbus, Ohio; and strategies for connecting youth with the training institute process were chief topics of consultation.

Northeast Twenty-eight of the nation’s 186 campuses with registered Bahá’ís are located in the Northeastern States. This compared to 83 in the South, 34 in the Central States and 41 in the West. At latest count, a total of 1,608 registered or enrolled Bahá’ís between ages 11–25 lived in the Northeast.

Southern About 1,500 young people gathered near Washington, DC, for the annual Thanksgiving DC Youth Congress (held in late December this year). One innovation: “youth promoters” served before, during and after the congress, striving to be catalysts for challenging youth to become “invincible champions of justice.” After more than a day’s training, the “promoters” served in specific ways, such as helping to elevate the atmosphere of the congress with a sense of discipline and purpose, helping to ensure that all participants felt embraced by the spirit and purpose of the congress, and helping young Bahá’ís meet their commitments of service. ♦ [Page 22]

Musical celebration for the public

Max Anis (left) and Nadar Momeni perform on traditional Persian instruments during a public program on the Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh in Rockville, Maryland, offered by the Montgomery College Bahá’í Club along with the Spiritual Assemblies of Rockville and Montgomery County Northwest. Featuring a variety of international music, the celebration attracted more than 150 people, two of whom enrolled in the Faith.

Persian Culture conference to examine ‘New Century’

“‎Ary Art‎” is the theme of the 11th annual conference of the Friends of Persian Culture Association, to be held Aug. 30–Sept. 2 at the Wyndham Northwest Chicago Hotel in Itasca, Illinois.

Persian- and English-language sessions will deal with such topics as:

• Women’s Progress in Iran, their Future, and the Role of the Bahá’í Teachings in their Advancement (by Dr. Simin Sheybani).
• The State of Scholarship in the Bahá’í World (by Dr. Vahid Rafati).
• Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl, the Outstanding Bahá’í Scholar of the Century (by Dr. Heshmat Moayyad).
• Development of Education in Iran and the Role of the Iranian Bahá’í Community in that Process (by Dr. Iraj Ayman).
• The State of Youth in Iran and the Role of the Bahá’í Youth There.
• Many more presentations on the state of Iranian music, cinema, architecture, painting, calligraphy and literature at the turn of the 21st century.

Bahá’ís and friends of the Faith will perform a variety of music, drama and folk dance. Other activities are expected to include a visit to the Bahá’í House of Worship, a tour of Bahá’í historic sites in Chicago, poetry reading, talent shows etc.

Pre-youth and youth sessions will be held on the conference’s main theme, as well as special classes for children ages 3–11.

More details, including information on registration and hotel reservations, will be shared in upcoming issues of The American Bahá’í.

For more information please contact the Persian-American Affairs Office, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3531 or 3476). ♦

Children who are interested in performing (poetry recitation, dance, etc.) should contact the Persian-American Affairs Office; address and phone below.

Youth and pre-youth who are interested in sharing their thoughts and artistic talents, or who have any questions regarding their sessions, may contact Sheedeh Mahboobipoor (phone ).

YOUTH INTERNS,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

Sum Mehrnama said. “Working with the Office of External Affairs is the perfect fit for this desire.”

He added, “I know that my knowledge of the Faith will grow immensely through the research and work I will be asked to do. Most of all, I hope that I can use my experiences to work more in this area in the near future so that I can be of better service to the Faith.”

The external affairs staff has found that the internship program has helped substantially to support the work of the office. “With an ever-increasing host of opportunities on the horizon, having more wonderful young Bahá’ís such as those who have and are working with us, will help us serve the National Assembly and address various issues of the larger society, without further stretching the resources of the National Assembly,” said Kit Cosby, director of the office. ♦

Any college-age youth interested in applying for an internship for this summer or beyond should send a cover letter and résumé to the Office of External Affairs, 1320 19th Street NW, Suite 701, Washington, DC 20036 (e-mail

ABS invites presentation proposals for conference on ‘Spiritual Civilization’

The Association for Bahá’í Studies-North America invites proposals for presentations for its 25th Annual Conference, themed “Towards a Spiritual Civilization,” set for Aug. 31–Sept. 3 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers, Seattle, Washington.

Proposals for presentations and workshops are invited on the topics described below (though not limited to them); deadline is May 1, 2001. You should include a 250- to 500-word description of your proposed presentation or workshop, biographical information about the presenter and current contact information including postal address, phone and e-mail address.

Send proposals to: Association for Bahá’í Studies, 34 Copernicus St., Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 7K4 (fax 613-233-3644, e-mail ). More details will be available on the ABS web site (www.bahai-studies.ca).

The completion of the Mount Carmel Projects in the Holy Land—the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb and the Arc buildings—has been identified by Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, as marking the “culmination of the development” of the Bahá’í Administrative Order. This process, he indicated, would synchronize with “the establishment of the Lesser Peace and the evolution of Bahá’í national and local institutions.”

The edifices of the Arc on Mount Carmel are characterized by the Universal House of Justice as “the visible seat of mighty institutions whose purpose is no other than the spiritualization of humanity and the preservation of justice and unity throughout the world,” writing further that the beauty of the gardens and Terraces is “symbolic of the nature of the transformation which is destined to occur both within the hearts of the world’s peoples and in the physical environment of the planet.”

This year’s ABS-North America conference will explore aspects and implications of these processes and our role within them, including:

• The textual basis of these processes in the Bahá’í writings.
• The Lesser Peace as a prelude to the Most Great Peace.
• The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh as the matrix of spiritual civilization.
• The evolution of Bahá’í administrative institutions.
• The nature and character of a spiritual civilization.
• The role and contribution of Native peoples in relation to the concept of “spiritual civilization.”
• The role of women and the processes leading to equality of women and men.
• The role of scholarship and Bahá’í studies.

Presenters from every field, discipline and profession are invited to analyze these topics in relationship to their own area of specialization. ♦

Spiritual Assemblies are working to build a new state of mind.

“It brought us all closer in the joy of service. We had time away from the pressure of completing an agenda to focus on what the Assembly was all about.” — a workshop participant

Join them by taking one of 15 Assembly Development Module Workshops. Contact the Office of Assembly Development at 847-733-3490, e-mail or go to www.usbnc.org. [Page 23]

Victor de Araujo shaped Bahá’í presence at UN

INFORMATION FROM SUSAN DUTTON AND MICHAEL DUTTON

Victor de Araujo (right) makes a statement at the 1972 Annual Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations, seated next to then-UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim (center front). File photo originally provided by United Nations Office of Public Information.

Victor de Araujo, a diplomat, educator and scholar in English literature, served the Bahá’í International Community as its principal United Nations representative from 1967 through 1990.

De Araujo, of Vista, New York, died January 4, 2001, in a Norwalk, Connecticut, hospital. He was 78 years old.

Born near London, England, de Araujo spent his childhood and youth in Brazil. He came to the United States in 1946 as a vice consul at the Brazilian Consulate in Chicago, and accepted the Bahá’í Faith about that time. He worked six years in the Brazilian diplomatic and consular corps, later finding private employment in the Chicago area. He became a U.S. citizen in 1954.

After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, he began teaching at Yakima (Washington) Community College and then the University of Washington at Seattle, where he earned a doctorate in English literature. He then took an assistant professorship at the University of Michigan-Flint College. All the while he was an active Bahá’í teacher and lecturer.

He then followed in the footsteps of the pioneering Mildred Mottahedeh, who had become the Bahá’í Faith’s first UN observer at the time the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) was organized in 1948. In 1967, de Araujo became the BIC’s full-time UN representative, and Mottahedeh worked part time alongside him for several more years.

Among his first responsibilities was to present on behalf of the Universal House of Justice a special edition of The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to the heads of missions of nearly 50 UN member states, whose heads of state could not be reached in their own countries.

During the next 23 years, he was actively involved in issues of human rights, the environment, peace and disarmament, the family, the equality of men and women, and children and youth. He attended meetings and conferences both at UN headquarters and around the world. He also worked closely with a large number of international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) associated with the UN, and chaired several associated committees including the Executive Committee of NGOs with the UN Department of Public Information, the NGO Committee on UNICEF and the NGO Committee on the Family.

De Araujo also authored and co-authored numerous statements that presented the Bahá’í view on a wide range of social and humanitarian issues. He represented the BIC at many international UN conferences over the years.

His reports on BIC activities appeared in several volumes of The Bahá’í World starting with Vol. XV (1968–73).

In his tenure the staff of the BIC grew to more than 30 full-time employees in New York and Geneva, Switzerland.

After his retirement in 1990, de Araujo continued to remain active in local activities of the Bahá’í Faith. He enjoyed literature and the arts, and participated in poetry workshops and readings. He and his wife, Betty, Vista residents since 1980, were active in a neighborhood book discussion group as well at the Reader’s Choice Book Group at the New Canaan library.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law: Mark and Georgia de Araujo of Danville, Kentucky; a daughter and son-in-law: Susan and Michael Dutton of Newtown, CT; two brothers and four grandchildren.

Ben Ogron traveled far in service to the Faith

Ben L. Ogron, a longtime Bahá’í and homefront pioneer to 22 localities, made teaching and service to the Faith his life’s work. He passed away September 18, 2000, in Culver City, California. He was 91.

Ogron served as chairman on numerous Spiritual Assemblies, as he moved about in various states from Ohio to California.

He had first heard of the Bahá’í Faith in the 1940s. After his wife enrolled in the Faith, Ogron deeply studied the teachings and was much influenced by Lydia and Sarah Pereira.

Soon after becoming a Bahá’í himself, Ogron was a much-admired speaker, known for his warmth, wisdom and humor. He spoke regularly at firesides, at interfaith panels, and on numerous radio broadcasts in Nevada alongside Ruth Moffett.

The family counts about 300 seekers guided to embrace the Faith with the help of his gentle delivery.

Ben is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bernice Ogron; a daughter, Karen Ogron; a son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Kristina Ogron; and a grandson.

Dianne DeMuth honored for service

Dianne DeMuth was so loved and appreciated by students and fellow teachers at Saunders Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, they raised $5,000 for cancer research in her honor, and nominated her as teacher of the year for 2000–2001—even though her illness only allowed her to teach for a month this school year.

DeMuth passed away October 23, 2000, after a two-year battle with cancer. She was 58.

Her school principal was quoted in the Newport News Daily Press as calling DeMuth “a dedicated staff member who was concerned for children.” In addition to being a veteran of several decades as a teacher, she volunteered as a child’s advocate in a program associated with a local juvenile and domestic relations court.

She was born and educated in Ohio. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Stephen H. DeMuth; both have been members of the Bahá’í community of Newport News. Other survivors include a son, Stephen DeMuth Jr.; a daughter, Christine Pilger; a brother and a grandson.

IN MEMORIAM

Hilda Arthur Wallingford, CT December 18, 2000	Marcia Elberson Tucson, AZ January 24, 1999	Jesse Kennedy El Centro, CA December 6, 2000	William Parente New York City, NY December 4, 2000	George E. Stewart Memphis, TN July 7, 2000
Douglas Calley Nevada City, CA October 2000	Martha Erickson Minneapolis, MN December 4, 2000	Clarence King Jr. Mayes County, OK October 21, 2000	Shams El-Moluk Parvini Mission Viejo, CA November 16, 2000	David P. Terentieff Kennewick, WA November 13, 2000
Billy D. Coronado Arvada, CO December 19, 2000	Edna Fechtner Lindenhurst, IL January 1, 2001	Fredrick Menifee Volusia County, FL November 28, 2000	Nina Petrulis Marshall, MI September 22, 2000	Rick J. Vining Oneonta, NY November 18, 2000
Sheila Y. Cowan Cape Coral, FL September 26, 2000	O. Ray Fechtner Lindenhurst, IL December 4, 2000	William K. McCandless Walla Walla, WA December 10, 2000	Beth E. Pritchard Erwinna, PA 1998	Jessica Z. Waterford Hillsborough Cty., FL November 21, 2000
Harriet Cruver Waukesha, WI December 16, 2000	Manwa Hanumansingh New York City, NY November 27, 2000	Ben L. Ogron Culver City, CA September 18, 2000	Becky L. Smith Azle, TX November 7, 2000	Jerome E. Weiss West Allis, WI April 25, 2000
Victor de Araujo Vista, NY January 4, 2001	Vedad B. Jurney High Point, NC November 7, 2000	Adelaide H. Owen Bradenton, FL December 4, 2000	Shahpur Sohaili Santa Monica, CA December 22, 2000	Hilda F. Wilson Wilmette, IL May 6, 1999
Alexander Doull Tucson, AZ September 28, 1999				Seng Yang Modesto, CA October 25, 2000

Listings for “In Memoriam” come from the Membership Office of the Bahá’í National Center. To report the passing of a Bahá’í in the United States, please contact the Membership Office, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (e-mail IS-membership@usbnc.org). [Page 24]

• CLASSIFIED •

Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge to the Bahá’í community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial ads are accepted. Some of the opportunities have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exercise judgment and care in responding.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

If you know of anyone who has skills in the following areas, or know of people who may know others with these skills, especially for positions listed as “Urgent Needs,” please contact our Human Resources Department.

Meeting/Hospitality Assistant, Meetings and Travel Office. Will promote loving, attentive, pleasing atmosphere for meetings of the National Spiritual Assembly and the Bahá’í National Center. Involved in menu planning, meeting setup and close-down, supply purchasing, stockroom maintenance, collaboration with the Office of the Secretary and Properties Office. Will also assist with travel-related and billing tasks. Very flexible work schedule available to accommodate intermittent weekend meetings. Should have aptitude for creating an aesthetic decor, arranging flowers; must be able to work well under pressure and time constraints.

Concrete Journeyman, Conservation Office. Utilize your skills in state-of-the-art concrete repair for the historic Bahá’í House of Worship. Opportunity to manage and train concrete artisans in a unique studio environment.

Maintenance Team Leader, Properties. Will manage facility/building maintenance and engineering 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’s license; supervisory command of English.

Staff Producer, Media Services. Full range of video/audio production tasks, especially writing/development of Bahá’í Newsreel. Keeps day-to-day production process in order; researches, gathers news, writes, edits finished Newsreel stories, at times on own; helps develop network of correspondents; arranges duplication/distribution. Needs broad knowledge and experience in broadcast journalism; flexibility, organizational skills, familiarity with Bahá’í administration.

URGENT NEEDS

Kingdom Project/Treasurer’s Office, Evanston, IL: Administrative Assistant. Will maintain database on pledges and cash ‎conributions contributions‎ related to the Kingdom Project; produce regular large-scale mailings; make meeting/travel arrangements; provide telephone coverage. Must have exceptional ability to work with others; familiarity with computer software (Word, Excel, Access etc.) and some hardware; typing at least 50 wpm; experience as administrative or executive assistant.

Persian-American Affairs Office, Evanston: Administrative Assistant. Office skills should include Microsoft Windows 98 and/or 2000, possibly Excel; typing 55 wpm, calculator by touch. Excellent verbal and written skills in both Persian and English a MUST. Should be well-versed in both cultures, able to interact with all types of people; must possess in-depth knowledge of the Bahá’í Faith and have excellent consultative abilities.

Office of the Secretary, Evanston: Administrative Assistant. Interacts with all departments, composes responses to all correspondence, handles high volume of detailed information with frequent interruptions. Needs sound problem-solving/organizational judgment, ability to work with confidential information and to work as part of a team (with and without supervision), written and interpersonal communication skills, proficiency in word processing, driver’s license.

Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine: Food Service Manager/Head Cook; also Assistant Cook (part time). Head Cook plans all meals, cooks or supervises cooking, manages dining room and kitchen, makes food purchases; supervises Assistant Cook and up to 6 volunteers. Must have at least 3 years’ experience as cook and 2 years’ experience as head cook. Assistant Cook helps Head Cook and occasionally oversees kitchen and dining room operations; must have at least 2 years’ experience as a cook.

Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California: Assistant Cook (full time). Helps Head Cook and occasionally oversees kitchen and dining room operations; must have at least 2 years’ experience as a cook.

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

URGENT NEED

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION NEW YORK, NY

For a complete job description with responsibilities and qualifications: Visit www.usbnc.org and click on the “Current Opportunities for Service” link in the What’s New list.

We regret that no inquiries (by phone, fax or mail) or visits to the Office of Public Information or to the Office of External Affairs can be accepted.

South DeKalb County, Georgia: Caretaker/Facilities Manager, Bahá’í Unity Center. Average: 20 hours a week. This 20,000-square-foot center includes a social hall with kitchen, newly remodeled gym, 300-seat auditorium, library, offices, boardroom, bookstore and prayer room; it houses a growing Sunday School. Facilities are used for regular South DeKalb Bahá’í community events, SED/outreach programs, and special events involving metro Atlanta’s approximately 45 Assemblies and 2,500 believers. Facilities are also rented to some non-Bahá’í users. Caretaker/facility manager will ensure the efficient operation of the Unity Center and take measures for the safety and comfort of members, visitors and guests. Duties include: janitorial/maintenance service and contracting for such service (for special projects etc.), scheduling/rental, inspecting building condition, answering voice mail, managing supplies and petty cash, coordinating volunteers, consultation/reporting.

Caretaker is provided a residence near the Unity Center. To be considered, applicants must commit to at least one year of service. The position becomes available April 1. For information, please contact Cliff Owens-Leech (phone 404-377-5001). To apply, send a letter of interest, a résumé and a list of references with contact information to the Bahá’í Unity Center, 2439 Lawrenceville Hwy., Decatur, GA 30033.

Attn: Caretaker Search Committee (e-mail unityctr@mindspring.com).

OFFICE OF INFORMATION SERVICES

Systems Support Manager (technical manager). Must know Windows NT4/2000, have WAN experience.

Senior Applications Developer (2 positions). Provides high-level analysis, design, implementation of information systems. Familiar with a variety of technologies: VB/VBA (preferred), SQL7, Microsoft Access, Web Tools, Delphi, C++.

Applications Developer: Provides high-level analysis, design, implementation of information systems. Familiar with variety of technologies: VB/VBA (preferred), database, Web Tools.

Network Administrator/Engineer. Responsible for configuration, maintenance, security of computer network infrastructure (LAN and WAN) including servers, cabling, routers, switches, NICs. Maintains documentation of network and servers. Should know NT4/Win2K.

SQL Database Administrator. Coordinates database development. Responsible for Enterprise SQL server including security rights, table design, normalization. Responsible for design and implementation of user and departmental applications as front ends to MS SQL7 using MS Access, VB or other tools.

Telephone Systems Specialist.

Report Writer. Skilled in Access, Crystal Reports; Visual Basic helpful.

Help desk. Coordinates support activities for LSAI project. Provides training and support for LSAI. Handles or delegates requests for support. Develops training-related materials, assists promotion and education.

FOR BRILLIANT STAR MAGAZINE

WILMETTE, ILLINOIS

Associate Editor. Helps coordinate and execute all phases of content acquisition/development, proofing, and digital print production for all six issues per year of Brilliant Star in a creative, deadline-driven atmosphere; assists with other print projects within Bahá’í Media Services. Must have two years’ experience with editorial and production work in educational publishing for children (ages 6–12); familiarity with children’s activities and educational materials to suit various reading levels and learning styles in the context of Bahá’í teachings. Must have strong creative writing and editing skills. Should be detail-oriented; able to work in a consultative manner as a member of a team, as well as independently with little supervision.

AT BOSCH BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL

SANTA CRUZ, CA

Children’s Program Coordinator/Teacher. Looking for a dynamic, personable, energetic person with a bachelor’s degree in education or related field; must be trained in Core Curriculum; must have knowledge of curriculum building for children of all ages on a wide range of subjects; able to contact and supervise volunteer teachers. Will plan and organize children’s program as well as help with adult program. Organizational and leadership skills are a must; musical talents are a plus.

If interested in any of the above Bahá’í National Offices posts, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).

ACROSS THE NATION

The Office of Women’s Affairs of the National Spiritual Assembly is looking for interested people willing to serve as copy and formatting editors for upcoming publications. For more information, please contact Sasha Williams (e-mail swilliams@usbnc.org phone 517-484-8371).

Freelance editorial help urgently needed! Deepened ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ with editorial experience to help the Bahá’í Publishing Trust with substantive editing, copyediting, fact checking, coding of manuscripts for desktop publishing, or proofreading of book projects. Excellent command of grammar, punctuation, and spelling is essential. Must have access to e-mail and Microsoft Word 97 (or later). Must be sensitive to deadlines. Familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style is helpful. If interested, please contact Terry Cassiday (e-mail tcassiday@usbnc.org).

INTERNATIONAL

China: Numerous openings for English teachers and professionals willing to travel for service in this rapidly developing country. For information contact Susan Senchuk (phone 847-332-2435, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail ssenchuk@usbnc.org).

PIONEERING / OVERSEAS

The Office of Pioneering is eager to assist the friends preparing for international service. For information regarding jobs and study abroad, or international traveling teaching opportunities and other events, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, e-mail pioneering@usbnc.org). [Page 25]

URGENT NEED AT THE BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTER, HAIFA, ISRAEL

Maintenance/Janitorial Supervisors

The Works Office at the World Center is responsible for physical maintenance of buildings, involving renovations, repairs, carpentry, plumbing, electrical works, etc.

The Cleaning Maintenance Department is responsible for keeping the buildings clean; this involves janitorial work, protecting and cleaning floors, walls, furniture, art objects etc. The person heading this department not only must be knowledgeable and experienced in technical details—for instance, knowing what chemicals apply to what object—but also must be able to supervise a number of helpers. The buildings to be looked after cover a wide range, from the character of museums to that of ordinary offices.

For more information see: www.usbnc.org

Please send your résumé to: Bahá’í National Center Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (fax 847-733-3430, e-mail ohr@usbnc.org).

YOUTH

AT THE BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP WILMETTE, ILLINOIS

Summer Employment Opportunity: Temple Conservation Team! Seeking youth 18 and older for summer 2001. Summer technicians take part in cleaning the dome, replacing sidewalks, building and landscape maintenance, detailed inspections, photo documentation and other tasks. Must have considerable self-discipline and maturity, but no specific preservation experience is required. For additional information and to receive an application packet, contact the Conservation Team (phone 847-853-2331, e-mail temple_conservation@usbnc.org).

Applications by March 15, 2001.

Green Acre Bahá’í School

Green Acre Bahá’í School is seeking volunteers, especially older youth (age 18 and up or high school graduates) for terms of service in a variety of areas: Children/pre-youth teachers and assistants (experience and/or Core Curriculum training highly desirable), food service (assistant cook, dishwashers, and general help), maintenance (gardening, groundskeeping, general cleaning and repairs), housekeeping (care for sleeping and meeting facilities); recreation, library, office, bookstore/cafe. People with all levels of experience may apply. Some service assignments involve 6- to 12-month commitments, but we also need volunteers for shorter periods (8–12 weeks) of full-time service during summer, beginning June 18. Volunteers receive room and board at no cost, but they must be able to cover their own transportation costs and personal expenses, and have emergency medical insurance. During orientation we examine the spiritual significance of service, begin training in necessary skills, and start to experience what the Hand of the Cause Siegfried Schopflocher called “the mysticism of Green Acre”—the opportunity to feel the “spirit of love in action.” If you feel moved to consecrate a few months or a year to the service of the National Spiritual Assembly at one of its national schools, please let us know as soon as possible.

Contact: Office of Youth Affairs, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3499, fax 847-733-3502, e-mail oy@usbnc.org).

Or: Jeannine Sacco, Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903 (phone 207-439-7200 fax 207-438-9940, e-mail greenacre@usbnc.org); Web site: www.greenacre.org

A SPIRITUAL OASIS

Bahá’í House of Worship SPECIAL VISIT REGISTRATION

You are invited to participate in the 2001 Special Visit Program at the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár. These visits are created to offer the friends who live farther from the Mother Temple a spiritual oasis in which to relish a memorable experience with this sacred place. Bahá’ís may bring friends and family who are not enrolled Bahá’ís, with the understanding that some activities may require supplementary explanation for these visitors.

Please select the weekend for your visit (6 p.m. Thursday through 2 p.m. Sunday, in either case): _______ July 5–8; register by June 1 • _______ Aug. 2–5 ; register by July 1

Please note that low advance enrollment could cause either of these visits to be canceled.

Highlights

Tours of Bahá’í House of Worship, Bahá’í Home, Media Services, Publishing Trust, Archives, National Center Presentations on properties and Temple conservation Audiovisual and film programs Bahá’í Bookstore shopping Enrichment sessions from the Office of Pioneering, the National Teaching Committee and the House of Worship Garden teaching and guiding opportunities Option to read in daily devotional programs in the Auditorium Classes and activities provided for children ages 5–11 (infant/toddler care not provided) Some youth-specific activities (if a sufficient number register) Group photo; lakeshore park with beach; free-time opportunities

Registration (please clip or copy this form)

Family name of your travel group:	How many people?
Address
City	State	ZIP Code
If not from U.S., which country?
Telephone—Home	Work
Fax	E-mail
List name(s) and Bahá’í ID number(s), if applicable, of all registrants; use additional sheet as needed. Indicate ages of children/youths (ages 5 and up may register).

Registration fees: Adult $25, Youth (12–20) $20, Child (5–11) $10

Please send fees with this form; make checks payable to the Bahá’í Services Fund.

International visitors, please send fees by cashier’s check in U.S. dollars.

Accommodations

Howard Johnson’s Skokie can provide a group room rate (per night: one queen bed $89; double beds $99). Hot buffet breakfast included. If you check option “A” below, we will register you with the hotel, but you must handle all financial arrangements with the hotel. Please plan to lodge with members of your own family or with friends of the same gender. This office cannot match roommates.

A. _______ Would you like to stay at the Howard Johnson? Number of rooms needed _______ Number of people in each room _______ If staying at the Howard Johnson, do you plan to use its shuttle service? _______ Special needs? ____________

B. _______ Would you like us to send you a list of other hotels?

C. _______ Will you stay with friends in the area? Phone # ____________

Transportation/meals

Shuttle will be provided between the Temple and the Howard Johnson. Two lunches and some snacks are included. Other meals and transportation will be on your own.

All registrants will receive Chicago transportation information. TAB 2/26/01

Return this form (or a copy) to: Spiritual Oasis, Activities Office Bahá’í House of Worship 100 Linden Ave. Wilmette, IL 60091

Please direct inquiries to the Activities Office (phone 847-853-2327, e-mail activities@usbnc.org)

WANTED

Wanted: A variety of stories on how people throughout the world have become Bahá’ís. I want it to represent everyday people from many walks of life; tentative title is Called to the Path: Stories about Becoming Bahá’í. A similar book, Once to Every Man and Nation, focused on North American Bahá’ís, but the upcoming book will include stories from all over the globe. If you have an interesting story you would like to be included in the anthology, please contact Jonathan King, c/o Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (e-mail jking@usbnc.org).

ARCHIVES

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following: Augustine Fazlollah, Adolph J. Feher, Amelia Feiteira, Betty S. Feldman, Louis Feltz, Nellie I.G. Fender, Mary L. Fenn, Nellie C. Fenton and D.W. Ferguson. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these Guardian’s letters is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-869-9039).

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking photographs of the following: Ali Nakhjavání, Peter Khan, Adib Taherzadeh, Ian Semple, Hooper Dunbar, Farzam Arbab, Douglas Martin, Hushmand Fatheazam and Kiser Barnes. Please identify the photographs if possible with name(s), locality and date. Anyone with photographs they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. [Page 26]

BAHÁ’Í SUBSCRIBER SERVICE • 800-999-9019

World Order Making sense of the world by exploring the spiritual implications of 21st-century life

Now available: Summer 2000 issue Honoring the 150th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Báb

• Editorial: The Báb (1817–50): Remembering the Co-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith
• Muhammad Afnan on the Bayán, the Báb’s most significant work
• Howard Garey translates Gobineau’s firsthand account of the birth of a new religion
• Kevin A. Morrison reviews The Cure’s latest album, Bloodflowers

Available soon: Fall 2000 issue

• Gwendolyn Etter-Lewis on African-American women writers
• Dorothy Marcic on organizational management and change
• Gayle Morrison on convictry in Australia and slavery in the United States
• Michael L. Penn on Oedipus today

Subscriptions: U.S.—$19 / year, $36 / 2 years Outside U.S. surface mail—$19 / year, $36 / 2 years Outside U.S. air mail—$24 / year, $46 / 2 years Single copy: $5 + shipping/handling

Brilliant Star Bimonthly children’s magazine by the National Spiritual Assembly Subscriptions: U.S.—$18 / year, $32 / 2 years Outside U.S. surface mail—$18 / year, $32 / 2 years Outside U.S. air mail—$28 / year, $52 / 2 years Single copy: $3.50 + shipping/handling See “Kid’s Corner,” page 15

One Country Quarterly about development by the Bahá’í International Community Subscriptions: U.S.—$12 / year, $22 / 2 years Outside U.S. surface mail—$16 / year, $30 / 2 years Outside U.S. air mail—$20 / year, $36 / 2 years Single copy: $3.50 + shipping/handling

The American Bahá’í 10 times a year; available by subscription to Bahá’ís outside the continental U.S. Outside U.S. surface mail—$24 / year, $45 / 2 years Outside U.S. air mail—$32 / year, $60 / 2 years Single copy: $3 + shipping/handling

Herald of the South Quarterly by National Assemblies of Australia and New Zealand Subscriptions: U.S.—$28 / year, $50 / 2 years Outside U.S.: Contact Herald of the South, e-mail ________________ Single copy: $8 + shipping/handling

---

Use a separate copy of this form for each subscription Which publication? ____________________________________________________ Send to: ____________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________ City ___________________________________ State, ZIP ___________________ Country ____________________ Daytime phone or e-mail __________________ Sold to (if different from recipient): _______________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________ City ___________________________________ State, ZIP ___________________ Country ____________________ Is this a gift subscription? (Circle one) Y N Home phone _________________ Fax _________________________________ Work phone _________________ E-mail _______________________________

Check/money order payment must be in U.S. dollars from U.S. bank, payable to Bahá’í Distribution Service. Do not combine subscription payments with payments for back issues or other single items. Georgia residents include applicable sales tax.

Credit card # (if applicable) ______________________________________________ Exp. date ___________________ Cardholder signature _____________________

Phone orders: 800-999-9019 • E-mail orders: ________________ Mail orders: Bahá’í Subscriber Service, 4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30336-2017 TAB 2/26/01

IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY

Honor those you love on their special days or remember them after they’ve passed on

...with your gift to the National Bahá’í Fund. Each gift sent with an “In Honor” or “In Memory” form will be beautifully acknowledged by the National Spiritual Assembly.

You may get these Treasurer’s Office forms: On the Web: Printable forms for these special contributions are available on the Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org). Through the mail: Printed forms are available from the Office of the Treasurer, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (e-mail ________________)

Other forms and information for individuals and treasurers on www.usbnc.org Local budget worksheets • Audit and other report forms • Fund-raiser notes • Automatic Contribution System • Stewardship and Development

INFORMATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TEACHING TRIP

To record achievement of traveling teaching goals, the Office of Pioneering needs information on all international trips taken 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. Include the following special information (use a separate sheet as needed):

• Names and ID numbers of all Bahá’ís on each trip
• Names of each country visited, plus the one or two main localities, and date(s) of visit(s)
• Main purpose of your travel
• Did you arise to meet the call of the Universal House of Justice for:
  • Native Americans to teach in the circumpolar areas?
  • Hispanic believers to teach in Latin America?
  • African-Americans to teach in Africa?

---

MULTIPURPOSE FORM

CLIP OR COPY AS NEEDED

For which event or activity? _____________________________________________ Name ______________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________ City ___________________________________ State, ZIP __________________ Phone _________________________________ E-mail ______________________

Special information (please include dates if reporting international teaching trip): ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ TAB 2/26/01 [Page 27]

کتاب اقدس ام الکتاب امر بهائی

KITÁB-I-AQDAS

در سال ۱۹۹۲ بیت‌العدل اعظم ترجمه انگلیسی کتاب اقدس را منتشر فرمودند. سپس در سال ۱۹۹۵ اصل متن عربی آن را با ترجمه فارسی ضمائم و توضیحات که در متن انگلیسی منتشر شده بود در یک مجلد انتشار دادند.

اصل کتاب اقدس چهار بار در ایران و هندوستان و روسیه به قطع‌های مختلف و به غیر از یک مورد، همراه با الواح دیگری که از قلم اعلی نازل شده از زمان حضرت بهاءالله تا اوائل دورۀ ولایت چاپ و منتشر شده بود.

به عادت سنت که هر دینی به کتابی معروف شده است، همیشه علاقه‌مندان به دیانت بهائی از اهل بهاء، می‌پرسیدند که کتاب آسمانی شما چیست؟ و در بیشتر موارد در پاسخ می‌شنیدند که آن کتاب، کتاب مستطاب اقدس است. بعد می‌پرسیدند که این کتاب کجاست و چرا آن را منتشر نمی‌کنید؟

خلاصه اینکه همۀ علاقه‌مندان به دیانت بهائی چشم انتظار بودند که اصل متن ام الکتاب امر بهائی را همراه با تبیینات و تفسیر و توضیح جامع و کامل در یک جلد ببینند و در آن تفرّس کنند و آن را همچون قرآن مجید و انجیل جلیل و تورات و دیگر کتاب‌های مقدس که به اسلام و مسیحیت و یهود و دیگر ادیان نسبت می‌دهند، کتاب مقدس دیانت بهائی قلمداد کنند.

این مقایسه‌ها و تداعی‌ها از نظر بعضی برای شناختن ادیان جهان و اصول عقاید و احکام و تعالیمشان نارساست و در حق هیچ یک از ادیان منصفانه نیست. چه که به این روش محتوا و پیام هر یک از ادیان به کتابی که برای هدایت جوامع بشری از مظهر ظهور الهی باقی مانده تقلیل می‌یابد، در حالی که مجموعۀ تأثیرات وحی الهی و میراث شریعت یزدانی در هر دوره‌ای، در تاریخ حیات شارع و مؤمنین اولیه و تطوّر جامعۀ تازه تأسیس و تمدنی که ایجاد می‌نماید انعکاس می‌یابد و متبلور می‌شود و در شناخت و ارزیابی ادیان این پدیده‌ها را نیز باید در نظر گرفت.

برای معهد اعلی دلائلی چند وجود داشت که انتشار مجدد کتاب اقدس را موکول به زمانی مناسب نمایند. شاید یکی از این دلائل همان رهیافت تقلیلی (reductionist approach) بوده که شناخت یک دیانت را در ارزیابی کتاب احکامش خلاصه می‌کند.

انتشار کتاب اقدس بین سال‌های ۱۹۹۲ و ۱۹۹۵ زمان مناسبی بود که به این انتظار پایان داد. در سال ۱۹۹۲ جامعۀ جهانی بهائی صدمین سال صعود شارع مقدسش را گرامی داشت و تأسیس عهد و میثاق الهی را تجلیل نمود. مقام مظهر ظهور کلی الهی و آغازگر دور بهائی را اعلام نمود و جایگاه کتاب اقدس و عهد و میثاق الهی و نظم بدیع جهان‌آرای ربانی و ارتباط این سه پدیده را با یکدیگر برای ایجاد راحت و آسایش عموم اهل عالم به صراحت مطرح ساخت.

از آنجا که رابطۀ تنگاتنگی میان آداب و رسوم اقوام گوناگون و احکام دینی وجود دارد، در برخی از جوامع بهائی انتشار کتاب اقدس با مراسم احترام ویژه‌ای همراه بود. از جمله در پاپوآ نیوگینی و برخی از جزائر اقیانوس آرام این کتاب مقدس را بر طبق هائی از گل و گیاهان مقدس نهادند و از جزیره‌ای به جزیرۀ دیگر و از قبیله‌ای به قبیله دیگر به رسم هدیه و به عنوان بزرگترین عنایت الهی برای هدایت و سعادت جامعۀ بشری طی مراسم بومی و رسمی حمل نمودند.

از زمان انتشار کتاب اقدس به زبان نزولی و ترجمۀ انگلیسی آن دو کوشش برای تشهیر آن از طرف جوامع بهائی به عمل آمده است: یکی ترجمۀ آن به دیگر زبان‌های جهان به قلم مترجمان آگاه و متبحر و انتشار آنها به توسط مؤسسه‌های ملی انتشارات بهائی بوده است و دیگری تألیف و انتشار جزوات و کتب راهنما که آنها را نیز همان مؤسسات منتشر کرده‌اند. همچنین ترجمه‌های کتاب اقدس به ۱۳ زبان طی مراسمی در کتابخانۀ کنگرۀ آمریکا قرار داده شده و ترجمه‌های بعدی به زبان‌های دیگر نیز به همین ترتیب در این کتابخانه قرار داده خواهد شد. (امریکن بهائی، ۴ نوامبر ۲۰۰۰، ص ۲۸)

تقریرات درباره کتاب مستطاب اقدس

محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده در سال ۱۹۹۳ مقاله‌ای در معرفی کتاب مستطاب اقدس تألیف جناب بدیع‌الله فرید را تجدید چاپ کرد و انتشار داد. چاپ اول این جزوۀ ۴۹ صفحه‌ای ۲۹ سال پیش در ایران منتشر شده بود.

سپس در سال ۱۹۹۷ تقریرات دربارۀ کتاب مستطاب اقدس که توسط جناب عبدالحمید اشراق خاوری در سال ۱۹۶۹ به زبانی ساده ایراد و در نوار صوتی ضبط شده بود به همت دکتر وحید رأفتی تنظیم و تدوین گردید و مؤسسه مطبوعات امری آلمان آن را در ۴۲۰ صفحه انتشار داد.

دوستان عزیز کتاب مستطاب اقدس و تقریرات جناب اشراق خاوری را می‌توانند از مؤسسه Images International ابتیاع فرمایند. شماره تلفن: ۴۵۲۵-۸۷۰ (۴۲۳)

انتشارات جدید

NEW PUBLICATIONS

روزنه‌های امید در آستانه قرن بیست و یکم

از انتشارات پیام دوستی، گردآوری فرزین دوستدار

آنان که مایل باشند بدون جهت‌گیری و پیش‌داوری با تعالیم بهائی آشنا شوند این کتاب دستمایه‌ای گرانبهاست. هدف گردآورنده آن است که با گلچینی از نوشتارهای گوناگون از نویسندگان و اندیشمندان و شاعران بهائی مسائل جامعۀ امروزی را بررسی نمود و راه حلی برای آنها ارائه دهد به امید آنکه هموطنانش خرد و دانش را با عشق و ایمان هماهنگ سازند و راهی به سوی آرامش درونی و سعادت پایدار بیابند زیرا در این صورت می‌توان دست به دست یکدیگر داد و نقشی سازنده در رستگاری جامعه بشری ایفا نمود.

روزنه‌های امید در آستانه قرن بیست و یکم از عشق به ایران آغاز گشته و سپس مشکلات جهان بیمار و دردمند کنونی را موشکافی می‌نماید. آنگاه در جستجوی تمدن جدید صلح‌آمیز قدم می‌گذارد که در آن فرهنگ‌ها و دین‌ها و نژادهای گوناگون همانند گل‌های رنگارنگ زینت‌بخش گلستان جهان باشند.

از آنجائی که ما ایرانیان جملگی با سرنوشت مشترکی دست در گریبان بوده‌ایم و آرزوی ایرانی بهتر و دنیائی خوب‌تر داریم، پیام دوستی امیدوار است که با این هدیه قدمی به سوی آن آرمان برداشته باشد؛ “آری، به اتفاق جهان می‌توان گرفت.”

قیمت هر جلد ۱۹ مارک است و نسبت به تعداد سفارش از ۱۰ تا ۳۵ درصد تخفیف داده خواهد شد.

شمارۀ تلفن در لوکزامبورگ: ۸۱۹۰۸۰ (۰۰۳۵۲) P.O. Box 220 L-9003 ETTELBRUCK LUXEMBURG پست الکترونیکی:

نافه‌ی مکنون

پژوهشگر ارجمند جناب صادق عرفانیان حاصل سال‌ها تحقیق خود را دربارۀ حضرت بهاءالله، ظهور کلی الهی در کتاب نافۀ مکنون جمع‌آوری کرده و به طرز روشن و جالبی به طالبان حقیقت عرضه کرده است.

این کتاب به ۷ بخش و هر بخش به چند فصل تقسیم شده است. عناوین بخش‌های هفتگانه بدین شرح است: مقامات حضرت بهاءالله در آثار حضرت رب اعلی؛ آثار قلم اعلی؛ تبیینات حضرت عبدالبهاء، و حضرت ولی امرالله؛ القاب حضرت بهاءالله؛ مسألۀ وحدت حقیقی حضرت بهاءالله و حضرت رب اعلی؛ الوهیت و عبودیت.

مؤلف محترم در پایان کتاب تحت عنوان نتیجه کلی به اصول عقاید اهل بهاء، الوهیت و توحید اشاره کرده و در پایان کتاب در مورد تفاسیر علمای شیعه و سنی و عقاید و آراء، محدثین و علماء، و متکلمین و فلاسفه اسلام مطالبی نقل کرده است.

این کتاب در ۳۲۰ صفحه با چاپ و تجلید زیبا و پاکیزه توسط مؤسسه عصر جدید (آلمان) منتشر شده است. علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند این کتاب را نیز از طریق مؤسسۀ Images International خریداری فرمایند: ۴۵۲۵-۸۷۰ (۴۲۳) [Page 28]

پیام هیئت ملی امور احبای ایرانی- آمریکائی

ارتباط با رسانه‌های گروهی

افراد بهائی می‌توانند بر اساس وجدان و بینش خود مقالاتی به نشریات و رسانه‌های فارسی زبان ارسال دارند، و حتی در صورت امکان در برنامه‌ها یا مصاحبه‌های تلویزیونی شرکت نمایند. اما در این تماس‌ها نباید بهیچوجه از جانب جامعه بهائی سخن بگویند یا بنویسند، و یا پاسخ به حملات و انتقاداتی بدهند که نسبت به امر بهائی یا جامعه بهائی ایراد شده باشد. این وظیفه تشکیلات است که در چنین مواردی اقدام لازم را معمول دارند.

در هر حال اگر دوستان بخواهند پیام و کلامشان در مخاطبین مؤثر باشد ناگزیرند که بعضی از اصول ارتباط جمعی را بیاموزند و ببینند و به کار گیرند. اهمیت این موضوع آنگاه بیشتر جلوه می‌کند که ممکن است افراد غیربهائی نظرات افراد بهائی را به علت شهرت آنان به بهائی بودن نظر رسمی امر بهائی و جامعه بهائی تلقی کنند، حتی اگر فرد بهائی چنین ادعائی ننموده باشد.

از اینجاست که احباء باید در تماس با رسانه‌های گروهی وجداناً خود را به مراعات اصول و نکاتی چند ملزم فرمایند. کلیات این "اصول و نکات" در بیانات حضرت بهاءالله راجع به چگونگی بیان و ابلاغ حقیقت به عموم مردم ذکر شده است. برای مثال، رجوع فرمائید به کتاب عهدی، لوح مقصود و لوح حکمت. یکی از این بیانات مبارکه به عنوان نمونه ذکر می‌شود:

بیان نفوذ می‌طلبد چه اگر نافذ نباشد مؤثر نخواهد بود، و نفوذ آن معلق به انفاس طیبه و قلوب صافیه بوده، و همچنین اعتدال می‌طلبد چه اگر اعتدال نباشد سامع متحمل نخواهد شد و در اول بر اعتراض قیام نماید. و اعتدال امتزاج بیان است به حکمت‌هائی که در زبر و الواح نازل شده... (نقل از مجموعۀ امر و خلق ج ۳، ص ۲۷۰-۲۷۱)

امید است دوستانی که فرصت می‌یابند با رسانه‌های گروهی تماس حاصل کنند، با مراعات نکاتی که در امثال بیانات مبارکه فوق تأکید شده است، با سخنی سنجیده و محترمانه مطالب خود را بیان نمایند و از اهانت به افراد و گروه‌ها و مراجع از هر گونه، بر حذر باشند. بدین ترتیب خواهند توانست با بیانی که خاصیت "نور" در آن است راهنمای مردمان باشند و سرمشقی برای آنان.

و البته تردیدی نیست که احباء در نگارش مقالات و این ایجاد هر گونه ارتباط و تماس با رسانه‌های گروهی باید از هر گونه درگیری با احزاب یا نظام‌های سیاسی و دولت‌ها و جانب‌داری از آنان یا مخالفت با ایشان پرهیز نمایند.

برای اطلاعات بیشتر به راهنمای محافل روحانی محلی Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities مراجعه فرمائید.

کنفرانس انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی

FRIENDS OF PERSIAN CULTURE CONFERENCE

یازدهمین کنفرانس سالانه انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی از ۳۰ آگست تا ۲ سپتامبر سال ۲۰۰۱ در Wyndham Northwest Chicago Hotel در Itasca (حومه شیکاگو) تشکیل خواهد شد.

در این کنفرانس نیز مانند سال‌های گذشته برنامه‌های جلسات به دو زبان فارسی و انگلیسی اجراء خواهد شد و سخنرانی‌ها درباره موضوع‌های از این نوع خواهد بود:

• نظری به آینده (دکتر شاپور راسخ)
• تحولات فرهنگی و اجتماعی در ایران
• پیشرفت زنان در ایران و آینده آنان و تأثیر تعالیم بهائی در پیشرفت زنان (دکتر سیمین شیبانی)
• نیازهای جامعه بهائی در زمینه تحقیق و تألیف (دکتر وحید رأفتی)
• گسترش تعلیم و تربیت در ایران و نقش بهائیان در آن (دکتر ایرج ایمن)
• تحول وضع جوانان در ایران و نقش جوانان بهائی در آن

همچنین برنامه‌های هنری گوناگونی اعم از موسیقی و شعرخوانی و رقص در کنفرانس اجراء خواهد شد. یکی دیگر از برنامه‌ها دیدار از مشرق‌الاذکار و اماکن تاریخی امری در شیکاگو خواهد بود.

در کنفرانس امسال نیز جلساتی برای کودکان و نوجوانان در نظر گرفته شده است. جزئیات بیشتر درباره کنفرانس در شماره‌های آینده این نشریه به آگاهی دوستان خواهد رسید. عجالةً دوستانی که مایل به کسب اطلاعات بیشتر درباره کنفرانس باشند، می‌توانند با دفتر امور احبای ایرانی- آمریکائی تماس حاصل فرمایند. شماره تلفن: (۸۴۷) ۷۳۳-۳۵۳۱ و ۷۳۳-۲۴۷۶ (۸۴۷)

مجمع عرفان

تقویم سال ۲۰۰۱ IRFAN COLLOQUIUM

نهمین سال مجمع عرفان در ماه می سال ۲۰۰۱ آغاز می‌گردد. مجمع عرفان در این سال شش دوره خواهد داشت. موضوع اصلی جلسات مجمع "عرفان و امر بهائی" و "اصول و مبانی معتقدات بهائی" خواهد بود، و در سمینار مجمع عرفان آثار قلم اعلی که در عکا نازل شده است مطرح خواهد شد. تقویم مجمع عرفان در سال ۲۰۰۱ به شرح زیر است:

• دوره سی‌وسوم (به فارسی) و دوره سی‌وچهارم (به انگلیسی) از ۱۸ تا ۲۰ می در مدرسه بهائی بوش
• دوره سی‌وپنجیم (به فارسی) از ۲۹ جون تا ۵ جولای در مرکز مطالعات بهائی اکوتو در ایتالیا
• دوره سی‌وششم (به انگلیسی) از ۱۳ تا ۱۵ جولای در لندن انگلستان
• دوره سی‌وهفتم (به فارسی) و دوره سی‌وهشتم (به انگلیسی) از ۵ تا ۸ اکتبر در مدرسه بهائی لولن

علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند برای کسب اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر مجمع عرفان تماس حاصل نمایند: شماره تلفن: ۷۳۳-۳۵۰۱ (۸۴۷) شماره فکس: ۷۳۳-۳۵۰۲ (۸۴۷) پست الکترونیکی:

خانم علیا روحی زادگان در مدرسه بهائی بوش

OLYA RUHIZADEGAN AT BOSCH

خانم علیا روحی‌زادگان مؤلف کتاب "داستان علیا" در شرح تضییقات وارد بر احبای عزیز شیراز و شهدای اخیر ایران، از ۳۰ مارچ تا اول اپریل سال جاری در کنفرانس ویژه‌ای در مدرسه بهائی بوش شرکت خواهد کرد.

علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند برای نام‌نویسی و رزرو کردن جا یا کسب اطلاعات بیشتر با خانم بهیه فرهی مسؤول برنامه‌های مدرسه تماس حاصل فرمایند. شماره تلفن: ۲۴۳-۴۳۸۷ (۸۳۱) شماره فکس: ۴۲۳-۷۵۶۴ (۸۳۱)

سینا و شعله حکیمان در مشرق‌الاذکار

در ۱۹ دسامبر ۲۰۰۰ دو مسافر عزیز از کشور مقدس ایران، جناب دکتر سینا حکیمان و همسرشان دکتر شعله حکیمان، در ضیافتی که بمناسبت دیدار با آنان ترتیب داده شده بود در سالن اجتماعات مشرق‌الاذکار حضور یافتند. در این جلسه احباء از شرایط کنونی برادران و خواهران همدینشان در ایران آگاه شدند و همگی دعا نمودند که آن یاران با وفا در جهاد مقدس علیه جهل و ظلم و تعصب جاهلی کماکان پیروزمند باشند. تفصیل این ملاقات در صفحه ۵ این شماره درج شده است.

به مناسبت نزدیکی زمان ماه روزه بهائی:

حضرت عبدالبهاء میفرمایند:

صیام جسمانی رمزی است از آن صیام روحانی. یعنی ای پروردگار، همچنانکه از مشتهیات جسمانیه و اشتغال به طعام و شراب باز ماندم دل و جانم را از محبت غیر خویش پاک و مقدس کن و نَفسم را از شهوات هوائیه و اخلاق شیطانیه محفوظ و مصون بدار تا روح به نفحات قُدس انس گیرد و از ذکر دون تو صائم گردد. (مائده آسمانی، ج ۹، ص ۲۵-۲۶)

اعلان طرد اداری

بدین وسیله محفل روحانی ملی طرد اداری خانم لانا لنسینگ Lana Lansing از وودین‌ویل Woodinville در ایالت واشنگتن را به اطلاع یاران می‌رساند. محفل روحانی ملی احباء را از ایجاد مناسبات و روابط مالی با خانم لنسینگ بر حذر می‌دارد. [Page 29]

پیام بیت العدل اعظم

خطاب به عموم بهائیان عالم

مورخ ۱۶ ژانویه ۲۰۰۱ DATED JANUARY 16, 2001 MESSAGE OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

یاران عزیز الهی

این پیام هنگامی نوشته می‌شود که کنفرانس مشاورین قاره‌ای با موفقیت تام رو به پایان است. مشاورین از جمیع قارات بمدت هشت روز دربارۀ مرحلۀ بعدی جریان دخول افواج مقبلین بمشاوره پرداخته‌اند. در پنج روز اول این مشاورات ۸۴۹ نفر از اعضای هیأت‌های معاونت از ۱۷۲ کشور به مرکز جهانی بهائی وارد شدند و به زیارت اعتاب مقدسه پرداختند و در شوق و انتظار لحظه‌ای بودند تا همگی در برنامه‌هائی روح‌افزا شرکت جویند برنامه‌هائی که عبارت بود از بالا رفتن از طبقات جدید البنای کوه کرمل؛ طواف حول مقام اعلی، حرکت دستۀ جمعی در خیابان قوس برای بازدید از ساختمان دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی؛ مراسم دعا و مناجات بمناسبت استقرار هیأت دارالتبلیغ در مقر دائمی؛ و بالاخره مشاورات مشترک در بارۀ نقش و وظیفه لازم‌الاجرائی که در نقشۀ پنجساله که عالم بهائی در رضوان ۲۰۰۱ آغاز خواهد نمود بر عهده دارند.

شور و مذاکرات مشاورین مرکز و محور این اقدامات شکوهمند بوده است. کیفیت بارز مشاورات مزبور آمیخته از متانت و اعتدال، جدیت و شور و شوق بوده و موجب تلطیف کیفیت مذاکرات و تنویر افکار گردیده است. از روحیۀ اطمینان و اعتمادی که بر این مشاورات حکمفرما بوده چنین معلوم است که مؤسسۀ مشاورین قاره‌ای به مرحله جدیدی از بلوغ نائل شده است. اگر چه مشاورین اصولاً بنحو فردی انجام وظیفه می‌کنند ولیکن مشاورین تمام هیأت‌های قاره‌ای وحدت نظر حاصل نموده و در اثر درک و فهم و جذب نتایج تجارب حاصل از منتظم ساختن اقدامات که از اهداف نقشۀ چهارساله بود براستی بصورت مجاری صافیه وحدت در فکر و نظر درآمده‌اند. سبب قدردانی است که حصول مرحله بالاتری از رشد و تکامل مؤسسۀ مشاورین در عین حال انعکاسی از میزان رشد و بلوغ محافل روحانی و مؤسسات امری جامعۀ جهانی است که حاصل تذکرات خردمندانه و مداوم آنان بوده است.

زمانی که موعد تشکیل کنفرانس نزدیک می‌شد علائم و آثاری که حاکی از وصول امر بهائی به مرحله‌ای از رشد و توسعه ملاحظه گردید که در ورای آن افقی جدید را در برابرمان نمایان می‌سازد. در گزارشی که در رضوان گذشته ارسال شد به تحولی اساسی در فرهنگ جامعۀ بهائی اشاره شده بود که نتیجۀ تقارن روزافزون به وجود آمدن مؤسسات آموزشی، به اتمام رسیدن طرح‌های ساختمانی کوه کرمل، و جریانات داخلی جامعه در جهت تحکیم و تقویت مؤسسات امری و حرکت‌هائی در خارج از جامعه بسوی اتحاد جهانی است. این نکات در پیامی که چند روز قبل به کنفرانس هیأت‌های مشاورین قاره‌ای ارسال شد با تفصیل بیشتر توضیح داده شده است. ولیکن نیروی محرکۀ خارق‌العاده‌ای که در سراسر مشاورات کنفرانس وجود داشت اشارات قبلی را به صورت واقعیتی قابل رویت مجسم نمود. با وجد و سرور حاصل از این ملاحظات به عالم بهائی اعلام می‌داریم که اکنون امر حضرت بهاءالله وارد پنجمین عهد عصر تکوین شده است.

تشخیص این مرحله خاص بر اساس طرح‌هائی است که حضرت ولی امرالله برای تقسیم‌بندی زمانی تاریخ امر بنیان نهاده‌اند. در این طرح‌ها پیش‌بینی فرموده‌اند که سلسله‌ای از عهود در عصر تکوین پی‌در‌پی فرا خواهند رسید. هر یک از پیروان حضرت بهاءالله باید با ملاحظه نظم اداری حضرتش که در چنین زمانی پربحران به چنین مرحله مهمی رسیده است، و در هنگامی که چنین تعداد کثیری از اعضای مؤسسۀ مشاورین صف در صف در مرکز جهانی امر حضرت بهاءالله گرد آمده‌اند، به شگفتی و وجد و سرور آید. حاضران در این کنفرانس همچون مشعل‌هائی فروزان از شوق خدمت به اقصی نقاط عالم مراجعت خواهند کرد و شکی نیست که اقداماتشان نیروئی تازه خواهد یافت و مطمئناً سبب توسیع طریق بسوی موفقیت نقشۀ دوازده ماهه خواهد گشت. و بدین ترتیب در رضوان آینده مشروع پنجساله‌ای آغاز می‌شود که اولین نقشه از سلسله نقشه‌هائی است که تا پایان قرن اول عصر تکوین ادامه خواهد داشت.

مشاورین با شوق مشورت با محافل روحانی ملی در بارۀ نحوۀ اجرای نقشۀ آینده در کشورهای خود مرکز جهانی را ترک خواهند کرد و با کمک اعضای مشتاق هیأت‌های معاونت جریان تنظیم نقشه‌های منطقه‌ای و محلی جامعه را در هر کشور تسریع خواهند نمود.

در آخرین لحظات روزهائی این چنین که مملو از وقایع عدیده است قلوبمان خاضعانه برای ادای شکرانه به آستان جمال اقدس ابهی متوجه است که چنان فیوضات و برکات بیشماری را بما عطا فرموده است. خاک کرمل در حالیکه به صلای رستگاری نازله در لوح کرمل پاسخ می‌دهد از شگفتی‌های الطاف و عنایاتش در طرب و هیجان است. آرزوی مشتاقانۀ جمال قدم که در لوح کرمل بیان شده در روح عاشقانش در سراسر کرۀ ارض طنین‌انداز است که می‌فرمایند و احب ان ابشر کل بقعة من بقاع الارض و کل مدینة من مدائنها بهذا الظهور... دوستانی که حال در مقامی چنین شکوهمند در قلب جبل کرمل گرد آمده‌اند با آذانی جدید این ندا را می‌شنوند و تعهد خود را برای پاسخگوئی به این آرزوی مقدس الهی تأکید می‌نمایند. امید است اقداماتشان در سبیل امر جمال اقدس ابهی نفحات ظهورش را در سطحی وسیعتر از قبل منتشر نماید، بنیان مؤسساتش را بیش از پیش استحکام بخشد، فعالیت‌های جامعۀ جهانی‌اش را مصمم‌تر کند و جریانی را که سبب دخول فوج فوج مقبلین به حصن حصین سفینۀ نجاح و فلاح می‌گردد به پیش راند.

بیت‌العدل اعظم

کنفرانس استقرار ملکوت الهی

KINGDOM CONFERENCE

خوانندگان عزیز ما استحضار دارند که قرار است کنفرانس‌هائی با عنوان "استقرار ملکوت الهی" بر پهنه زمین در نقاط گوناگون ایالات متحده انعقاد یابد. یکی از کنفرانس‌های مذکور از ۲۸ جون تا اول جولای سال جاری در میلواکی واقع در ایالت ویسکانسین Wisconsin تشکیل خواهد شد.

هیئت برگزاری کنفرانس وظیفه سنگین و کار دشواری بر عهده دارند بدین ترتیب نخست بر این امیدند که ۱۲ هزار نفر بهائی و متحری و محب امر را گرد هم آورند که با تبادل نظر و اشتراک مساعی و اقدامات خود به پرورش جامعۀ ملی در حال آموزشی توفیق یابند. در عین حال هیئت مذکور با این مشکل دست و پنجه نرم می‌کند که در فضائی بزرگ در میان هزاران نفر شرکت‌کننده حالتی غیررسمی و خودمانی ایجاد کند.

برای برگزاری کنفرانس محل‌هائی در نظر گرفته شده است که عبارت است از:

• Milwaukee Arena با ظرفیت ۱۲۷۰۰ نفر
• Milwaukee Auditorium با ظرفیت ۶۱۲۰ نفر
• Midwest Express Center و هتل‌های گوناگون مرکز شهر که برای کارگاه‌های مختلف و اجرای برنامه‌های هنری و نمایشگاه‌های متعدد تأمین محل خواهد کرد.

انتخاب این اماکن ناشی از هدف اصلی کنفرانس است که باید در آن برنامه‌هائی اجرا شود که با دل و جان شرکت‌کنندگان به نحوی الهام‌بخش و صمیمی ارتباط حاصل نماید.

دیگر اقداماتی که برای برگزاری کنفرانس صورت گرفته بر قرار زیر است:

• در هر روز تنها یک جلسۀ عمومی کوتاه تشکیل خواهد شد که بر محور برنامه‌های تبلیغی و معرفی نقشۀ پنجساله استوار خواهد بود.
• بیشترین موارد تبادل نظر در جلسات کوچک‌تر به وقوع خواهد پیوست.
• در بسیاری از کارگاه‌ها و جلسات کوچک‌تر افرادی از همۀ گروه‌های سنی شرکت خواهند داشت. در عین حال جلساتی برای گروه‌های افراد هم‌سن تشکیل خواهد شد.
• شرکت‌کنندگان برای مراوده با یکدیگر و استفاده از کتابخانه و برنامه‌های گوناگون هنری امکانات بسیار خواهند داشت.

نود و دومین کانونشن ملی

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CONVENTION

از پیش به آگاهی خوانندگان عزیز رساندیم که نود و دومین کانونشن ملی بهائی از ۲۶ تا ۲۹ آپریل سال جاری در ویلمت برگزار خواهد شد. همچنین گفتیم که به علت محدودیت جا فقط عده محدودی از غیرنمایندگان خواهند توانست در جلسات کانونشن شرکت نمایند.

بدین وسیله دفتر تشکیل کانونشن ملی به استحضار یاران می‌رساند که جا برای تعداد معدود غیرنماینده تکمیل شده است و از این به بعد دفتر مذکور قادر نخواهد بود به درخواست‌های احباء برای شرکت در جلسات کانونشن ترتیب اثر دهد.

با این حال دوستان می‌توانند برای کسب اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر مذکور تماس حاصل نمایند. شماره تلفن: ۱۸۵۴-۲۵۱ (۸۴۷) داخلی ۱۵ پست الکترونیکی: [Page 30]

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Human Rights Day event stresses need to promote acceptance of diversity BAHA’I WORLD NEWS SERVICE

United Nations: Featuring a nine-city video conference that gave it global reach, a Dec. 7 commemoration of Human Rights Day focused on preparations for next year's World Conference Against Racism, with speakers stressing the worldwide nature of racism and intolerance and the need to find new approaches that will promote the acceptance of human diversity.

"For too long diversity has been regarded as a threat rather than a gift," said Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who spoke from Santiago, Chile, where she was taking part in a regional preparatory meeting for the upcoming World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, to be held Aug. 31-Sept. 7 in Durban, South Africa.

"It is time that we refocus our understanding and allow diversity to be a potential for mutual enrichment and benefit," said Robinson, who is also secretary-general of the Racism Conference.

Another of the speakers, Techeste Ahderom, chairman of the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Committee on Human Rights and a Bahá’í International Community representative to the UN, asserted that NGOs have been extensively involved in preparatory meetings for the Conference. "There is an effort to try to pass from the mere articulation of the problems to true implementation of a solution," he said.

As did Robinson, Ahderom called for a far-reaching educational campaign as the answer to racial intolerance, and said that NGOs and civil society should be in the forefront of such an effort, building on the "beautiful consensus" they have already achieved in many respects.

The videoconference and an Internet discussion group linked participants in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Colombia, Geneva, Mexico City, Rome, Santiago and Vienna.

In response to a questioner from Geneva, Robinson said one tangible way to combat racism would be to involve primary school. "Racism is a value system that is learned," she said. Schools could sponsor essay contests and other such competitions to engender greater tolerance and appreciation of cultural and ethnic differences.

"Racial hatreds are the fruits of ignorance," added Ahderom. "In the absence of spiritual values, people have a need to elevate one group over another."

Celebration in Peru Bahá’ís in the Puno region of Peru celebrate the election of their first Regional Bahá’í Council on Nov. 26. The occasion also marked the 19th anniversary of Bahá’í Radio of Peru, which broadcasts in the Lake Titicaca region in the Quechua and Aymara languages. Bahá’í World News Service

Interfaith study group presents report to king of Norway

Oslo, Norway: Participants in a national interfaith dialogue project met privately with King Harald V of Norway on Dec. 11 to present the results of the year-long project and discuss their commitment to extending and broadening the dialogue into the future.

Last year, the king was the guest of honor at the launching of the interfaith dialogue project, held at University Aula with professor Hans Kung and the Bishop of Oslo, Gunnar Stalsett, as the keynote speakers. Six dialogue groups—on the issues of religious freedom; family life; cohabitation, sexuality and equality; environmental issues; violence and nonviolence; and religious and values education—were formed at the event and have continued to meet all year.

"The personal interest shown by His Majesty in interfaith dialogue was deeply appreciated by all the participants and has lent weight to the project," said Britt Strandlie Thoresen, who represented the Bahá’í Faith at the meeting. "In the year since we launched this effort, we have formed bonds of fellowship and understanding among Norway's various faith communities, which we hope will contribute to an atmosphere that welcomes diversity in our increasingly multicultural country."

The interfaith dialogue project was sponsored by Norway's Commission on Human Values and the Cooperation Council on Religious and Life-stance Communities, one of Norway's principal interfaith organizations. According to a government press release, the Commission on Human Values was appointed in 1998 with a three-year mandate to "contribute to a broad mobilization for human values and socio-ethics," to "enhance positive joint values, and strengthen the responsibility for the environment and community" and "to work against indifference, and promote personal responsibility, participation and democracy."

During the half-hour meeting with the king at the Royal Castle, an overview of the six dialogue groups' work was presented by Dag Hareide, member of the Values Commission and main initiator of the project. "This led to a broad conversation about the importance of interfaith dialogue, its possibilities and limits, and its importance as a step toward the removal of prejudices, toward mutual respect and deep tolerance, leading in the end to a peace-building process," Thoresen reported.

Youth: International service can be part of your education, not an interruption

This article is excerpted from an essay, "On Pioneering, Education and Careers," by the Office of Pioneering. For further information on serving the Faith abroad, contact the Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, e-mail).

"This Cause, although it embraces with equal esteem peoples of all ages, has a special message for the youth of your generation. It is their charter for the future, their hope, their guarantee of better days to come. Therefore the Guardian is especially happy that the young Bahá’ís are active in the pioneer work." —Shoghi Effendi, letter dated June 16, 1942, to an individual believer)

It is often said or implied to youth that we must first be formally educated through a respected institution of higher learning before then making significant contributions to the world or undertaking bold adventures in learning.

On the other hand, when full engagement in service to the Cause, interaction with the diverse peoples and cultures of the world, and "classroom learning" occur simultaneously, then a much deeper educational process takes place, one in which soul and mind develop together. Learning about oneself and about the needs of humanity, and developing one's sense of calling, then also happen in harmony with each other. When this principle is understood and the creative thinking of youth applied, a variety of expressions begin to emerge:

• Serving more imaginatively right where one is.
• Dedicating school breaks to periods of service, on the homefront or overseas.
• Arranging a semester or year of study abroad, often culminating in a lifetime of pioneering service to humanity.

In this light, pioneering is an integral part of the spiritual and material education of Bahá’í youth—not "time off" from it. In its June 10, 1966, message to the Bahá’í youth in every land, the Universal House of Justice outlined "Three great fields of service" which "lie open before young Bahá’ís, in which they will simultaneously be remaking the character of human society and preparing themselves for the work they can undertake later in their lives." They are:

"First, the foundation of all their other accomplishments, is their study of the teachings, the spiritualization of their lives, and the forming of their characters in accordance with the standards of Bahá’u’lláh."

"The second,... which is linked intimately with the first, is teaching the faith, particularly to their fellow youth, among whom are some of the most open and seeking minds in the world." Youth are often able to arise to teach wherever need and opportunities abound because of their "native urge to move from place to place," their generally greater freedom to choose where they will study, work and live, and perhaps most importantly, their "abounding zeal."

"The third, ... is the preparation by youth for their later years" which includes their duty "to acquire knowledge of the arts and sciences and to learn a trade or a profession whereby they can earn their living and support their families." "This, for a Bahá’í youth," the House of Justice said, "is in itself a service to God, a service, moreover, which can be combined with teaching the Faith and often with pioneering."

The call to service was sounded more explicitly in later letters.

In its Jan. 3, 1984, letter to the Bahá’í youth of the world, the House of Justice wrote: "May you all persevere in your individual efforts to teach the Faith, but with added zest, to study the Writings, but with greater earnestness. May you pursue your education and training for future service to mankind, offering as much of your free time as possible to activities on behalf of the Cause."

Similarly, in the Ridván 1996 message to the Bahá’í world, the House of Justice praised the achievements of the youth in the previous three years, noting such accomplishments as "hundreds of new enrollments and the formation of many local Spiritual Assemblies; involvement... in music and the arts as a means of proclaiming and teaching the Cause... participation in external affairs... [more widely demonstrated] commitment to a year of service; and the increase in the number of youth acquiring formal training and achieving academic, professional and vocational excellence," all of which they saw as "altogether an indication that the youth are doing more in direct service to the Faith while at the same time contributing to the general development of society."

In future issues: Practical tips. [Page 31]

International opportunities

The following needs for traveling teachers are summarized from letters recently received from Bahá’í institutions overseas. Information about other needs for traveling teachers in as many as 150 countries, provided by the Bahá’í World Center, is available through the Office of Pioneering.

Teaching Projects

• Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland: Kalinka-Baltics 21st Century Summer Teaching Campaign. Participants needed for five strong, devoted youth performing arts groups. Preparation phase at Bahá’í Summer Residence near Minsk, Belarus, July 19–29. Teaching July 30–Aug. 24, ending with two conferences-firesides in Belarus and the Baltics for the new friends and participants.
• South Africa: “Beyond Words” Performing Arts and Youth Empowerment Project, July 19, 2001–May 19, 2002 (part-time membership is possible). Dance, acting, speech and interaction as a catalyst in advancing the process of entry by troops by reaching hearts.

Conferences, Schools and Events

• Bolivia: Third annual Latin American Bahá’í Socioeconomic Development Seminar, Feb. 16–18, in Santa Cruz. Theme: Systematic Learning in the field of the Moral and Spiritual Education of children and junior youth.
• Hawaii: “Fire in the Pacific” Centenary Conference in Honolulu, Dec. 20–23. Commemorating 100 years of the spread and progress of the Faith in the Pacific, “the celebration will weave a rich tapestry whose threads will be drawn from Bahá’í history, music and the visual arts.” Two heroines of the Cause will be showcased at the conference: the Hands of the Cause of God Agnes Baldwin Alexander and Martha Louise Root.

Please contact the Office of Pioneering for detailed information about opportunities for international traveling teachers. Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail ).

For more international news on the Bahá’í Faith, see the Bahá’í World News Service Web site: www.bahaiworldnews.org

Conference advances Bahá’í studies

BAHÁ’Í WORLD NEWS SERVICE

• Jerusalem, Israel: Fifty-four scholars of religion—Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Bahá’í—gathered Dec. 17–21 at the Hebrew University to discuss the impact of modernism on their traditions.

The conference, co-sponsored by the Chair in Bahá’í Studies at the Hebrew University’s Faculty of Humanities and Landegg Academy, has advanced Bahá’í studies as an independent field of academic study and enriched the dialogue on the core values common to the monotheistic faiths.

The First International Conference on Modern Religions and Religious Movements in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and the Bábí and Bahá’í Faiths, focused on common approaches within Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Bahá’í Faith toward the philosophical, social and psychological challenges of modernity.

“It was very significant that these scholars, despite the delicate political situation, were able to gather in Jerusalem to discuss their commonalities and appreciate their differences,” said Yair Zakovitch, dean of the Hebrew University’s Faculty of Humanities. “People are generally suspicious, and the walls of suspicion collapsed.”

The president of Hebrew University, Menachem Magidor, described to the conference participants his vision of making the university into a pre-eminent center for the study of religion, with research centers devoted to each of the monotheistic faiths. “The Chair in Bahá’í Studies is the first link in this chain,” he said.

Hossain Danesh (left) of Landegg Academy and Moshe Sharon of Hebrew University were co-convenors of a groundbreaking international conference on modern religious studies. Bahá’í World News Service

Moshe Sharon, holder of the Chair in Bahá’í Studies and co-convenor of the conference, said, “Through this conference the Hebrew University has declared its interest in Bahá’í studies and its recognition of the importance of this field alongside Jewish, Christian and Islamic studies.”

The other co-convenor of the conference was Hossain Danesh, rector of Landegg Academy in Switzerland. In his keynote address, Danesh reviewed the common elements of the monotheistic religions that have made them cornerstones of civilizations, as well as some of the teachings and principles of the Bahá’í Faith that address challenges unique to the modern age.

Participants came mainly from the United States (including five Wilmette Institute faculty members) and Israel, but also from Canada, Denmark, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and the United Kingdom. Degui Cai, a professor at China’s Shandong University, gave a presentation on the fundamental principles of the Bahá’í Faith and their relevance to Chinese society.

The final panel discussion included a presentation by Amnon Netzer, a professor at Hebrew University, on “The Jews and the Bahá’í Faith.” A Jew of Iranian background, Netzer spoke about the conditions that led as many as 10 percent of Iran’s Jews to convert to the Bahá’í Faith.

“The courteous talk, in which Dr. Netzer showed great respect for those who converted, created an atmosphere of interfaith reconciliation for the audience, which included several Israeli Jews with Bahá’í relatives,” said Robert Stockman, coordinator of the U.S. Institute for Bahá’í Studies and director of the Wilmette Institute.

Music heightened the spirit of the conference. The renowned King David String Ensemble performed “Dastam Begir ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,” which the composer had arranged for the occasion.

Kiu Haghighi, a U.S. Bahá’í and master of the santour, closed the conference with a virtuoso performance of a piece he composed for the event.

The conference was wrapped up with a special trip to the Bahá’í World Center and holy sites in Haifa and ‘Akká.

A compilation of articles based on the proceedings of the conference will be published during the coming year, and many of the papers will be made available through the Landegg Academy Web site (www.landegg.org). ♦

Filling in the final contributions

Completing a project begun for the Earth Summit in 1992, representatives of 26 nations deposit soil from their countries into the Peace Monument in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Sept. 19 ceremony fulfilled the goal of the Bahá’í International Community and the Bahá’ís of Brazil to place the soils of more than 150 countries inside the 16-foot-tall monument. Bahá’í World News Service

Israeli stamp to picture Shrine

• Haifa, Israel: The Philatelic Service Department of the Israel Postal Authority will issue a commemorative stamp to mark the expected completion of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb. The 3½-inch-long stamp is scheduled to be released in April.

A souvenir leaf containing the stamp and a description of the Shrine of the Báb and the Terraces will be released on the day of the official opening in May. As collectors’ items, the souvenir leaves will be printed only once.

For information on availability of the souvenir leaf, contact the Bahá’í Distribution Service (phone 800-999-9019). ♦

Bahá’ís help spearhead book of essays on international relations

BAHÁ’Í WORLD NEWS SERVICE

• Florianópolis, Brazil: In partnership with the Bahá’í community of Brazil, the Joint Parliamentary Committee of Mercosur, the South American common market, has produced a book of essays by well-known political and cultural figures that explore values and ethical principles that must underpin its international social and economic integration.

The book, A Country Called Mercosur, was previewed at the 19th annual meeting of Mercosur’s Common Market Council, Dec. 14–15. The meeting brought together seven heads of state, including Brazilian President Fernando ‎Enrique Henrique‎ Cardoso.

In his introduction to the book, the president of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, Julio Redecker, stated that the Bahá’í teachings, ‘synthesized in the phrase “The Earth is but one country and mankind its citizens,” have inspired this project and, particularly, the title of this book.’

The introductory essay of the book was inspired by the 1995 statement “The Prosperity of Humankind” by the Bahá’í International Community.

In turn, a number of thinkers and leaders in various fields wrote their thoughts on this text. They include the Brazilian president as well as Jose Sarney, Raul Alfonsin, Julio Maria Sanguinetti and others. ♦

THE MOUNT CARMEL TERRACES OFFICIAL OPENING
Information on the Web! News releases The music: Composers and performers Background on the Shrine of the Báb, the Terraces and gardens www.bahaiworldnews.org/terraces/index.html

[Page 32]

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT EVENTS sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly or its agencies at the Bahá’í National Center, please phone 847-869-9039 and ask for the relevant department. Numbers and e-mail addresses for the permanent Bahá’í schools and institutes are: Bosch Bahá’í School, phone 831-423-3387; fax 831-423-7564; e-mail                                 Green Acre Bahá’í School, phone 207-439-7200; fax 207-438-9940; e-mail                                 Louhelen Bahá’í School, phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail                                 Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, phone 843-558-5093; fax 843-558-9136; e-mail                                 Native American Bahá’í Institute, phone 520-587-7599; fax 520-521-1063; e-mail                                .

MARCH

2–4: “Fasting and Prayers” at Bosch.

2–4: “Stories and Eyewitness Accounts from the Mountain of God,” spiritual retreat for the Fast at Green Acre.

9–11: “Fasting and Prayers” at Bosch.

20: Naw-Rúz celebration/open house at Bosch.

23–25: Two programs at Green Acre: Junior Youth Institute, “Young Women and Men as Dynamic Agents of Change”; Ruhi Book 1 training, “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit.”

23–25: Three programs at Bosch: “The Healer of All Thine Ills”; Ruhi Book 1 training, “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit”; Assembly Development Modules.

23–25: Naw-Rúz Family Weekend at Louhelen.

30–April 1: “Olya’s Story” at Bosch.

30–April 1: “Understanding the Significance of the Station of Louis Gregory” at Green Acre.

URGENT NEEDS

at the Bahá’í World Center:

• Maintenance/Janitorial Supervisors

at the Bahá’í National Offices:

• Administrative assistants: Office of the Secretary, Persian/American Affairs
• IS: Developers, Administrators, Help Desk
• New York Office: Public Information Director

See pages 24–25

APRIL

6–8: Two programs at Louhelen: “Ethics and Spirituality in Medicine”; “Teaching Christians Through the Proofs of the Holy Books.”

6–8: Association for Bahá’í Studies Regional Conference, “Addressing the Pressing Needs of Humanity: Children, Technology and the Future,” at University of California, Berkeley. Speakers, workshops, youth, pre-youth and children’s programs. Contact Stephen Friberg, (phone 415-455-8270, e-mail friberg@lbl.gov)

7–9: Youth Study Weekend at Bosch.

13–15: Four programs at Bosch: “The Dawn-Breakers, Part 2”; Seekers and New Believers Weekend; Ruhi Book 2 training (Book 1 training is a prerequisite); Core Curriculum Parenting Workshop (continues April 27–29).

13–15: Two programs at Louhelen: Youth Eagle Institute; “Blueprint for the Kingdom.”

13–15: “Epistle to the Son of the Wolf” at Green Acre.

13–15: Texas A&M Youth and Adult Conference, College Station, TX; theme: “Greater Understanding of Unity” with Erica Toussaint. Contact registrar (phone 979-690-3486, e-mail bahai@aggiebahais.org) or visit Web site (www.aggiebahais.org).

20–22: Spiritual Empowerment Institute for Junior Youth at Louhelen.

20–22: Two programs at Bosch: Mothers’ Retreat; “Managing with the Wisdom of Love.”

26–29: Bahá’í National Convention, Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, IL. Seating is closed; see page 3.

27–29: Three programs at Bosch: Mysticism Conference; Ruhi Tutors Course (Ruhi Book 1 training is a prerequisite). Core Curriculum Parenting training.

27–29: Two programs at Green Acre: “A True Pattern in Action”; “Created Rich: Achieving True Prosperity.”

27–29: Two programs at Louhelen: “Islam and the Bahá’í Faith”; “A Time to Serve.”

MAY

4–6: “Strengthening Unity in the Community” at Louhelen.

4–6: “Appreciating Diversity” at Bosch.

10–14: Conference on AIDS, Sexuality, Addiction and Abuse at Louhelen.

11–13: Two programs at Bosch: Core Curriculum training for children’s and youth teachers (continues June 1–3); Assembly Development Modules.

11–13: Parent Child Weekend: “Raising Biracial Children” and “Persian Language Training” at Louhelen.

18–20: Bahá’í Justice Society 15th annual conference, Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, IL. Need not be a BJS member or a Bahá’í to participate; see Web site for details (www.bahaijustice.org).

18–20: “Reaching Christian Hearts with Bahá’u’lláh’s Good News” at Green Acre.

18–20: ‘Irfán Colloquium and Seminar at Bosch; sessions in English and in Persian.

25–27: “Managing with the Wisdom of Love” at Louhelen.

25–27: Two programs at Bosch: “Bahá’í Marriage and Family Life”; “Young at Heart.”

25–27: Latin American Weekend at Green Acre.

25–27: Conference of Núr, Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA; theme: “Consecration, Love of God and Teaching.” Session in Persian; youth and children’s programs. Registrar: Mark Dunmire (phone 717-533-3158, e-mail markdunmire@hotmail.com). All participants must pre-register by May 1. Sponsored by Spiritual Assembly of Harrisburg, PA.

Anna Dechtiar, Marian Dechtiar, Denize Paizao and Lisa Sacco teach a Bahá’í children’s song from Brazil to participants in the recent Winter School at Green Acre Bahá’í School. See story on page 8. Photo by Alexander Rehayem

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER 112 LINDEN AVE WILMETTE, IL 60091-2849

FEBRUARY 26–MARCH 20, 2001 AYYÁM-I-HÁ/‘ALÁ’ • B.E. 157

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving The American Bahá’í, send all family members’ names, new address and mailing label to: Membership Office, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. If acquiring a Post Office box, your residence address (B) must be filled in. Please allow three weeks for processing. (This also updates the National Center’s database.)

A. NAME(S)
1. ________________________________________	ID# ____________________
2. ________________________________________	ID# ____________________
3. ________________________________________	ID# ____________________
4. ________________________________________	ID# ____________________

B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS	C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS
Street Address ______________________________	Street Address ______________________________
Apartment # (if applicable) __________________	Apartment # (if applicable) __________________
City ________________________________________	City ________________________________________
State __________ Zip code __________________	State __________ Zip code __________________

D. NEW COMMUNITY	E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER
Name of new Bahá’í Community ________________ Moving Date ________________________________	Area Code _____ Phone Number __________ Name __________

F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)
Area Code _____ Phone Number __________ Name __________	Area Code _____ Phone Number __________ Name __________

G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE:	H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY
[ ] We do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and ID number(s) listed above. [ ] The last names and addresses 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.	[ ] Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, ID number and address above.