The American Bahá’í/Volume 5/Issue 3/Text
| ←Previous | The American Bahá’í March, 1974 |
Next→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
St. Louis will host Rúḥíyyih Khánum[edit]
The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum will make her fourth visit to the United States in twenty-one years to attend the St. Louis Conference 29 Aug.–1 Sept., where she will help to launch the new five-year global teaching plan on the North American continent.
Rúḥíyyih Khánum, widow of the Guardian Shoghi Effendi, was invited to the conference by the National Spiritual Assembly. She will be one of the featured speakers.
Her last visit here was in June 1970, to participate in the second National Bahá’í Youth Conference in Evanston, Illinois, attended by more than 2,000 young people. At that time, it was the largest Bahá’í gathering of youth ever held in North America. That record was more than doubled in Oklahoma City in June 1973, where more than 4,000 young people assembled for the third National Bahá’í Youth Conference.
In April 1960, Rúḥíyyih Khánum represented the World Centre at the National Conventions of the United States and Canada. In May 1953, she represented the Guardian at the Intercontinental Conference in Chicago.
Rúḥíyyih Khánum was appointed a Hand of the Cause on March 26, 1952.
Ten thousand may attend conference[edit]
As many as 10,000 Bahá’ís may attend the St. Louis Conference Aug. 29–Sept. 1, according to conference organizers. Earlier estimates of conference attendance, placed at around 6,000, were revised upwards following the announcements that the Hands of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum and William Sears would take part in the program.
Rúḥíyyih Khánum and Mr. Sears are the first Hands of the Cause to accept invitations to the Conference. Other Hands may also attend.
Attendance exceeding 6,000 people would make the St. Louis Conference the largest Bahá’í gathering in history. Approximately 6,000 people attended the World Congress in May 1963—the largest Bahá’í gathering to date—held in Royal Albert Hall, London, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the public announcement of Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation.
The purpose of the St. Louis Conference is to launch in the United States the forthcoming five-year global teaching plan. Shortly after this meeting was scheduled, The Universal House of Justice asked that other National Assemblies hold similar meetings where possible to inaugurate the new plan.
The goals and tasks assigned to the American Bahá’í community will be outlined for the friends at the Conference by the National Assembly, conference organizers said. Numerous work sessions will provide the opportunity for discussion and consultation on the new goals, and for an exploration of ways that Bahá’ís can meaningfully relate the teaching requirements to their own lives.
More than 2,000 hotel rooms have already been
Mr. Sears (left), Rúḥíyyih Khánum (top right), Mr. Haney (lower right)
William Sears accepts invitation[edit]
The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears has accepted an invitation from the National Spiritual Assembly to attend the St. Louis Conference and participate in the program.
Mr. Sears, a familiar figure to most American Bahá’ís, is a resident of California. During the last year of the Nine Year Plan, he and his wife, Marguerite, traveled continually in the U.S. to encourage the friends to win the teaching goals. In June 1973, he was one of the keynote speakers at the third National Bahá’í Youth Conference in Oklahoma City.
Mr. Sears began his career as a journalist and radio broadcaster on the Pacific Coast. He was the creator and star of the CBS network comedy show, “In The Park,” broadcast from Philadelphia. He was also among the first professional football broadcasters in the country.
He cut short a promising career in 1953 to pioneer to Africa and teach the Bahá’í Faith. He remained there six years, visiting many of the countries east and south of the Sahara Desert. He was appointed a Hand of the Cause in 1957.
Among his well-known books are “Thief in the Night” and “God Loves Laughter.” He is currently working on a book about the Faith for Christians.
Paul Haney will visit Convention[edit]
As this issue of the American Bahá’í went to press, The Universal House of Justice announced that The Hand of the Cause of God Paul Haney would be the World Center representative at the National Bahá’í Convention in Wilmette, 26–28 April.
One hundred seventy-one delegates from throughout the country will meet at the National Center during these three days to elect the members of the National Spiritual Assembly. This Convention will also consult on the goals assigned to the U.S. in the new five-year global teaching plan, which begins at Riḍván.
Mr. Haney served on the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States from 1946 until 1958. He was Chairman of the Assembly from 1950 until his move to Haifa in 1958, one year after being appointed Hand of the Cause by Shoghi Effendi. He is currently one of the Hands residing in the Holy Land.
Prior to taking up residence in the Holy Land, Mr. Haney was an economic adviser to a large investment firm in Washington, D.C. Mr. Haney studied economics at Northwestern University, in Evanston, Ill., a school his grandfather, Richard Haney, helped to found.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Haney, became
[Page 2]
Haney to visit
Bahá’ís in 1900, and visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Haifa in 1909.
Only 200 seats will be available for visitors to this National Convention. The seats will be allocated to Bahá’ís by lottery. The drawing of names will be held on 1 April 1974. Bahá’ís wishing to attend as visitors, including the spouses of delegates, must receive permission.
Requests for seats should be sent to the National Bahá’í Center, c/o Convention Arrangements Committee, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill., 60091. The persons whose names are selected in the drawing will be notified by mail. Everyone must have a valid Bahá’í identification card to enter the Convention area in Foundation Hall.
Babysitting services will not be available this year. No meals will be served at the National Center, though bus transportation to local restaurants will be provided.
Since last year, a new Hilton Hotel has opened in nearby Skokie, Illinois. Prices are competitive with those of the Orrington Hotel and Howard Johnson’s, where delegates have traditionally stayed. A double room at the Hilton costs approximately $22.00 per night. Services include free tours to Chicago for children and youth, and transportation to the Bahá’í Center.
St. Louis
reserved in the downtown area of St. Louis, near the 10,000-capacity Kiel Auditorium, where the conference will be held. Preparations for chartered transportation services from many points throughout the United States are well underway. Schedules and rates will be published in the April issue of The American Bahá’í, according to conference organizers.
A form for early registration is printed on page 15 of this newspaper. The individual registration fee is $10; the family registration fee is $15. Bahá’ís who pre-register can completely avoid registration lines at St. Louis, and will, in addition, receive conference materials and special notices before 29 August. The pre-registration period ends 31 July 1974.
The conference program is being directly formulated by the National Assembly, conference organizers said. Some aspects of the program already announced include a special program for children and an exhibit of artwork by Bahá’ís.
A panel of judges chosen by the National Assembly will select the pieces to be exhibited in St. Louis.
|
the American Bahá’í THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í is published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091. Material must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publication. Black and white glossy prints should be included with material whenever possible. Articles and news written in a clear and concise manner are welcomed from individuals as well as assemblies and committees. Address all mail to: The American Bahá’í Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091. |
William H. Stafford is a professor of English at Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon. He has published poetry in the Atlantic, Harper’s, The New Yorker, and Saturday Review. He has won many awards, among them the National Book Award and the Shelley Memorial Award. A collection of Stafford poetry appears in the Spring issue of World Order magazine. Subscribe in time to receive your Spring issue. Send $4.50 for one year to World Order, 415 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill., 60091.
Each Bahá’í artist may have three of his works considered by sending photographs (5x7 or 8x10 format) of his three entries to the National Assembly no later than 1 July.
On the back of each photograph should be written the artist’s name, address, telephone number, date mailed, title of entry, and the dimensions of the original. All contributors will be notified not later than 15 July whether their entries have been selected for display. The artist selected will be responsible for framing, insuring, and shipping their work to St. Louis. The decision of the judges on selections must be final.
The artists selected must also agree not to sell their work during the conference.
The exhibit will be limited to oil and watercolor paintings, pen and ink drawings, charcoal drawings, and photographs.
An exhibit of children’s artwork is also planned. Details about entries for this event will be published at a later date.
World Religion Day
A wet Sunday afternoon didn’t dampen the spirits of the Los Angeles Bahá’í Community, Jan. 20, as two hundred Bahá’ís and their guests attended the World Religion Day observance held at The Huddle House on West 43rd Street in Los Angeles.
This year, the observance took the form of a talent show. Bahá’ís of varying backgrounds, talents, and races blended together to produce a unique afternoon’s program.
Mr. Sidney Morrison was a very able and entertaining Master of Ceremonies. Mr. Morrison did an excellent and humorous job of introducing the artists and the Faith to the many visitors.
The high standard of entertainment was promptly established with the introduction of the Bahá’í New World Singers, who, under the direction of Mrs. Mary Zemke, joyously sang prayers and songs to open the program.
They were followed by three young Bahá’ís who were extremely entertaining and professional, “Israfil,” a new singing group who write their own music and sing in Spanish and English.
Don Addison followed with Chinese music played on the Chung. His rendition of “Flowing Waters” was particularly fascinating, as was his talk about his instrument.
A real roving troubadour, Randall Dighton, followed, singing prayers and original songs to the accompaniment of a lute. Randall is a professional artist and a very talented young man. Besides being a delightful entertainer, he is also a very talented calligrapher.
Peggy Caton, who is an expert in Persian music and plays the Santur, entertained us with music from the homeland of Bahá’u’lláh. Peggy’s talent and knowledge are remarkable.
A highlight of the program was Hisako Schlatter, a Japanese Bahá’í who sang charming children’s songs from her homeland. Dressed in her national dress, Hisako was of particular interest to the youngest members of the audience.
England Dan and John Ford Coley followed Hisako, and in their own fabulous style, soon had the audience literally dancing in the aisles.
The New World Singers quickly picked up this happy mood and had the audience join them in such warm favorites as “Toko Zani” and “Singing Wind.”
Sid Morrison took the floor then to wind up the day’s activities. He “threaded” the artists together beautifully with his short talks between each act and kept the audience happy, interested, and amused.
Summer Projects[edit]
There will be domestic summer projects varying in duration, cost, and purpose. Youth, particularly, should begin now to consider setting aside time and funds for a summer project. A few projects will allow time for employment as well as for direct service to the Cause. Projects will be sponsored during late June, July, and August. To volunteer, send your name, age, address, and telephone number, and a statement of Bahá’í experience and talents to the National Teaching Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.
Circuit-Teaching: Youth as well as adults can circuit-teach. Plan now for a travel-teaching trip before or after a summer project or job, or to or from the St. Louis Conference! Send the same information as requested above, to either the National Teaching Committee or to your District Teaching Committee if you wish to volunteer.
Three youth deepening portfolios designed to provide exciting and meaningful experiences for youth are available through the Bahá’í Publishing Trust. These portfolios, as well as The Comprehensive Deepening Program, are based on the instructions for deepening enunciated in the Riḍván 1967 message of The Universal House of Justice, to gain “a clearer apprehension of the purpose of God for man, and particularly of His immediate purpose as revealed and directed by Bahá’u’lláh,” and can thus be studied in conjunction with The Comprehensive Deepening Program. The portfolios are titled “A New World Order,” “A New Race of Men,” and “The Suffering of Bahá’u’lláh” (just released).
|
[Page 3]
Clockwise from top left: The Assemblies of Canada and U.S., with Board of Counsellors, and Hand of the Cause Mr. Khádem; the U.S. Assembly in the auditorium of the House of Worship; members of U.S. Assembly; National Assembly secretaries, Mr. Douglas Martin (right), Mr. Glenford Mitchell (left); the National Assemblies of U.S. and Canada; the Assemblies in session; Mr. Jameson Bond, member of Canadian Assembly, with Counsellors Lloyd Gardner.
Neighboring Assemblies discuss cooperation[edit]
A formal conference between the National Assemblies of the United States and Canada was held at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Wilmette, Feb. 16, to develop ongoing means of cooperation, and to discuss the principal challenges now facing the two Bahá’í communities.
The meeting was the first formal conference between the two bodies in the 27 years since an independent Canadian Assembly was created by the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi. Informal discussions on issues of mutual concern have been conducted periodically between the two Assemblies.
“Something significant has happened here,” Mr. Glenford Mitchell, Secretary of the U.S. Assembly, said later in commenting on the meeting to the National Center staff. “It is not often that two governments will sit down together to discuss matters in an atmosphere of love and unity, as members of the same household.”
The Assemblies met during three sessions Feb. 15, the first beginning at 9 a.m. The third session, Saturday evening, was also attended by the Continental Board of Counsellors for North America, who had been holding their regularly scheduled meeting in Wilmette, and the Hand of the Cause of God Zikru’lláh Khádem.
The Hand of the Cause William Sears, who was scheduled to attend the Saturday evening meeting, could not be present. He sent a message of encouragement, however, and the pilot for a television series he helped to prepare for the National Assembly of Hawaii. The program was previewed before the evening’s discussion commenced.
The opening session Saturday morning was chaired by Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Chairman of the American Assembly; the second session was chaired by Mr. Michael Rochester, Chairman of the Canadian Assembly; the third by Continental Counsellor Lloyd Gardner.
The topics on the agenda for discussion were divided into three main categories: the national scene, the international arena, and the relation of the growth of the Faith to the present social order.
The Assemblies explored such general subjects as the reactions of believers to Bahá’í administrative authority, the role of youth in the Community, mass enrollment and consolidation, the exercise of moral leadership in the application of Bahá’í law, the consequences of economic and social delay upon the Community, and the measures that can be implemented to prepare the Community to deal with the inevitable decline.
A number of technical and administrative questions were also explored in some detail. Among them, the ongoing repairs to the House of Worship, the operation of the National Assembly, collaboration with other National Assemblies, what has been learned from collaboration and how this knowledge can be applied to future cooperative projects, keeping abreast of the administrative machinery, and the advantages and disadvantages of computer technology.
The Canadian Assembly arrived in Wilmette on Friday, Feb. 15. They spent the day touring the National Center, and consulting with national committees on the conduct of their particular affairs.
The entire Canadian Assembly was present for the conference, with the exception of Mr. Donal Glen, who was on a mission to Peru. The entire American Assembly was present for the consultation. The Canadians returned to Canada Sunday evening.
The U.S. National Assembly conducted a separate meeting Friday evening with the Continental Counsellors to discuss preparations for the next global teaching plan.
Hand of the Cause Mr. Khádem with Mrs. Bahia Mitchell.
[Page 4]
Local Assembly seminar at University of Hartford.
Dr. Kazemzadeh with participant.
Assemblies faced with consolidation responsibilities[edit]
One hundred twenty-eight representatives from 30 Local Spiritual Assemblies in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts gathered Saturday, Feb. 9, at the University of Hartford, in Connecticut, for a seminar on the Local Spiritual Assembly. It was one of the 49 such seminars conducted by the National Assembly between November 1973 and March 1974 “...to assist the Local Assemblies to meet their responsibilities more effectively at a time when greater demands are being made upon them to fulfill the objectives for which they were created.”
Representing the National Assembly at the Hartford meeting was Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, chairman of that body. In his opening remarks, he said the Bahá’í world is now faced with the difficult task of consolidating its notable victories. While not as glamorous as the teaching work, this job is just as important to the advancement of the Cause. He told the Local Assembly members that Bahá’í administrative competence had not kept pace with the numerical growth of the Faith. “The faster teaching goes, the faster consolidation must go,” he said.
The task that now confronts the American Bahá’í community, he said, is to find a universally applicable solution to the problem of consolidation. “We are the laboratory for the Bahá’í world,” he said, noting also that the American Bahá’ís had been trail-blazers in producing the worldwide Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
Dr. Kazemzadeh predicted that within a decade thousands of Local Assemblies throughout the country will administer Bahá’í communities of significant size. The National Assembly is convinced, he said, that the future development of the Cause—given such prospects for growth—depends upon the present consolidation of Local Spiritual Assemblies.
He spent some time discussing the functioning of the Local Assembly, saying, for instance, that prayer was the first step in the pursuit of Assembly business.
“The meaning of prayer is to sanctify that which follows,” he said. “If we close our souls when we close our prayer books, we entirely lose the benefit that prayer brings.”
The guarantee of success for Spiritual Assemblies lies not in their knowledge of administrative procedures or their machine-like execution of duties, but in their maintaining a prayerful attitude throughout meetings, so that their deliberations and subsequent actions are infused with spirituality, Dr. Kazemzadeh said.
On the subject of consultation, he said the technique is not easily acquired and does not exist outside the Bahá’í world.
“In the old world, people still exert every means possible to annihilate the opposition,” he said. Politicians are elected on the promises they make before entering the council chamber to discuss the problems they will confront in office. Bahá’í administration is completely opposite, he said. Not only do Bahá’ís refrain from campaigning and electioneering, but they are also enjoined to help one another express their views, even when these are different and conflicting. We are prohibited from shaking our heads or from making other statements with our gestures and expressions during consultation,” he said, “because this interferes with the right of the individual to free expression.”
In Bahá’í consultation, we must also strive for unanimity, Dr. Kazemzadeh noted. But an inability to achieve unanimity of thought should not be allowed to retard progress, he advised. All members of an Assembly must unitedly support any decision the Local Assembly arrives at through its consultative process.
Because Local Assemblies have awesome responsibilities and sacred obligations to perform, attendance at meetings is a spiritual obligation for members, he said. When we take this responsibility lightly and find ourselves preferring other interests to Assembly meetings, there is something seriously wrong with our ordering of priorities, he said.
Moreover, Bahá’ís are not allowed to withdraw from serving the Faith because they find service unpleasant or dangerous. If this course had been a legitimate alternative during the first 50 years of Bahá’í history, it is likely we would not be Bahá’ís today, he said. During that time a Bahá’í had a 50-50 chance of being killed because of his religion. “Had our predecessors withdrawn in the face of danger, the growth of the Cause would have been severely jeopardized,” he said.
The Comprehensive Deepening Program recently issued by the National Assembly, was developed to convey a minimal knowledge of the Teachings in a systematic way, Dr. Kazemzadeh said. It would be difficult—perhaps impossible—for new Bahá’ís to digest books such as The Kitab-i-Iqan or The Promised Day Is Come, and rather than leave the new believer to a chance acquaintance with the Teachings through a random survey of the Bahá’í literature, a comprehensive introduction to the basic principles and positions of the Faith was developed as an aid. The Comprehensive Deepening Program, he said, can be used by the believers as a springboard to a fuller immersion in the Sacred Writings, but not as a substitute for that immersion. It should, in fact, assist the friends to develop the habit of turning to the Writings to find links between the Teachings of the Faith and their daily lives. Every statement or proposition made in the program points to, or is supported by, a reference in the Holy Text, Dr. Kazemzadeh said. The same method was used by Shoghi Effendi in writing such letters as The Advent of Divine Justice and The Promised Day Is Come.
Looking forward to the Five Year Plan, Dr. Kazemzadeh invited the Local Assembly members present to attend a special seminar for Local Assemblies planned for the St. Louis Conference next Labor Day weekend. Local Assemblies will play a key role in mobilizing the Community and in leading it to victory in the next Plan, he said.
The Mail[edit]
Mohonk House
Retreat[edit]
The mood and surroundings of this beautiful place are almost unchanged since ‘Abdu’l-Bahá walked the quiet halls in 1912. He was a guest there for three days in May of that year to address the Seventeenth Annual Conference on International Arbitration. (See April 1973 Bahá’í News.)
As we drove up the wooded mountainside to reach the hotel, I thought of the feat accomplished by Dr. Zia Baghdadi when he traveled to New York City and back in thirteen hours, hopping freights and hitchhiking rides, to bring a Persian rug for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to give as a farewell gift to His host, Mr. Albert Smiley, the Quaker founder of Mohonk House. The telling of that ninety-mile journey does not describe the enormous physical obstacles encountered, such as the long, steep mountain road leading to the resort, the damp fog that settles in the night and lingers until the late morning, the snail’s pace of turn-of-the-century transportation. His was an extraordinary trip!
We sat on velvet chairs in the large and formal room where the addresses for the Conferences must have been held. Alone in the softly lighted ballroom, we could visualize seated ladies in long dresses and dignified gentlemen listening intently to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá speaking of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh. The Address He gave that night was in my hands, printed in the handsomely bound volume of reports on that year’s Conference.
The many, many halls are filled with large paintings and portraits of the world’s great men—Presidents and Statesmen, authors and leaders in every field of endeavor—who have attended the Mohonk Peace Conferences. In all of that respected company, there is still no portrait of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá!
The next morning, my inquiries led me to Mrs. Frances Smiley, a descendant of Albert Smiley, who very graciously showed me to the private apartments of her mother where the beautiful rug has been lovingly used by the family all these years.
The rug itself is very beautiful and unusual, more like a picture than a rug really, and not in the usual style of Persian carpets at all. Mrs. Smiley said she sometimes sits and looks at it for a long time trying to understand its symbolism. About three feet by five in size, it has a fluted cape, at the top of which is an Arabic or Persian word written within a shield. Behind the cape, on both sides, are the handles of swords, as if the blades are covered by the cape.
The sixty-one years which have passed since the visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá have scarcely changed this mountain-top retreat. Here is found the very best of two worlds: the serenity of cool, green grape arbors and the dazzling brilliance of flowers against a grassy carpet. The slow, gracious life of the past creates a setting for the most progressive thinking of today—the search for universal peace and brotherhood. Surely, someday in the future, the people of Mohonk will recognize in the words uttered there by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá so long ago the solution to all of their deliberations.
Trust[edit]
Throughout the years that I have been a Bahá’í, I have had a chance to see many Bahá’í communities. One common concern seems to be present in most of those communities. This concern lies in the area of teaching the Faith.
We are all aware of the duty we have to teach the Cause. We, therefore, hold regular firesides and plan special meetings for the general public. We publicize these meetings well and make careful preparations for our guests. When only Bahá’ís come, we nonetheless hold the meetings, but we all go home disappointed.
The tendency is to then lose faith in those “teaching activities.” I have heard many a Bahá’í say at the beginning of a fireside, “Well, I didn’t really plan anything because I don’t expect anyone to come.” We often hold the meeting for the sake of formality alone and nothing else.
This is the very core of the problem. Are we really being fair to the Cause, giving it a chance? Are we really seeking the assistance of the Concourse on High?
To both of these questions, I think the answer is no. If we will have faith and confidence in our teaching activities, which means having trust in our institutions for instigating those activities, which in turn calls for trust in Bahá’u’lláh and God for giving us those institutions, I feel we will have better attendance at our public meetings, firesides, and other teaching activities.
If a regular fireside is still not attended by non-Bahá’ís, don’t close up shop! ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains that nothing comes without effort: “The one in pursuit of anything must undergo difficulties and hardships until the object in view is attained and the great success obtained.”
The whole problem boils down to trust in God. This trust in God can be fulfilled by being radiant and joyful in all of our efforts in His path, no matter what the outcome.
- Sincerely,
Sailors[edit]
Dear Friends,
I am writing to inform you that we have formed a Bahá’í Group on board the USS Savannah (AOR-4). There are four servicemen in the Group on tour in the Mediterranean. We have regular firesides and deepening classes on board the Savannah.
As we travel in the Mediterranean, we have opportunities to visit many Bahá’í communities in coastal countries. Each visit makes us appreciate our Bahá’í brothers more.
During our allotted time in Athens, we were able to visit many Bahá’ís. We attended two of their feasts and they visited our ship. Two Bahá’ís were pioneers, one from Ireland and the other from Iran. Though language was sometimes limited, our love for the same God wasn’t. The experience strengthened our concept of world unity.
The Group has decided to keep an archive of our visits and to record our administrative decisions as well. We feel we are becoming more united in our focus upon Bahá’u’lláh and the Writings.
Please forgive this letter because I know the feeling of the Group is quite hard for one person to communicate. I hope and pray that God will take the feeling of war and hatred out of man.
- With Bahá’í love,
Secretary
Surprised[edit]
Dear Friends,
I was surprised and a little shocked to open The American Bahá’í to page 14, November 1973 issue, and see these headlines—“Members UHJ visited USA.” The Holy Institution of The Universal House of Justice shortened into “UHJ” is, in my opinion, unforgivable. I realize that there have been no instructions for or against these initials but I do fear the trend it could set. I suggest that initials be omitted from Bahá’í publications.
- In His service,
Upset[edit]
Dear Friends,
I have been a Bahá’í for five years and have received The American Bahá’í for quite some time. I want to give you my strongest commendations for your fine work and development of this important newspaper.
However, I am somewhat upset over an article on page 14 in the November 1973 issue. It is titled “Members UHJ visited USA.” My question is whether the name of The Universal House of Justice should be abbreviated. It is my opinion that the reverence and respect we have for The Universal House of Justice should also embrace the complete spelling of its title.
- In His Service,
World News[edit]
Immersed[edit]
A travel teacher recently described his first trip into the jungle to visit Asli Bahá’í friends in the Malaysian Bahá’í News:
“I must admit that the thought of leaving the city to visit the Asli friends in the jungle frightened me at first. But stories told by the Asli teachers encouraged me to go. I had no idea how exhilarating the experience could be.
“We traveled by car and then on foot to the first Asli community near Tapah, in the state of Perak. We were greeted by the assembled community when we arrived at about 11 p.m., and were served a delicious meal of tortoise soup. At about midnight our consultation began. It continued until 3 a.m. I could feel the deep sincerity of the friends in their deliberations.
“The following day we were joined by a 66 year-old lady and two other Bahá’ís from Ipoh. We all walked to another Asli community (or kampong) for three miles along a hilly jungle path. We were met there by a large gathering of Bahá’ís.
“That night at about 10 we returned to the first village to prepare for the next day’s trip. We had only one torchlight and so met with a few unexpected holes, pits, and streams. The enthusiasm of the two ladies on this return trip shamed the men at times.
“The next day we traveled to a community deep in the jungle. Before we arrived, the news of our coming had spread and the community chiefs (penghulus) gathered at the Bahá’í center to greet us.
“That same evening, we had to meet another community. This place was only accessible by a five-mile walk through the thick jungle. At dusk, we had just reached the fringe of the jungle when suddenly a heavy rain began. We had to keep moving since we could not afford to stop in the dark in the middle of the jungle. When we came to a river, one person was reluctant to cross it for fear of crocodiles. When he finally got in, he was almost swept away by the powerful current but was fortunately rescued by another of our party.
“The pouring rain continued, and as we walked the muddy jungle track, one person was especially bothered by the hungry leeches. But we were encouraged throughout our journey as we met passers-by and were greeted with “Alláh-u-Abhá.”
“When we finally reached the Bahá’í Center at about 8 p.m. there were already about 100 Asli friends waiting for us. We started the session immediately and continued until past midnight. It was still raining, but people kept coming. Soon we realized that the Center was packed with more than 200 Bahá’ís, many of whom had braved the rain all the way from their villages, two to five miles away.
“I have never seen a gathering of such pure-hearted souls anywhere. Some of them were proudly wearing the name tags which they had received as delegates to the National Convention.
“We spoke of many things but forgot the Fund. Then we were surprised when some Bahá’ís brought out a large bamboo receptacle which we thought was for music. It was actually their money box. They had been keeping all the coins collected at their Nineteen Day Feasts. Now the friends from other villages added their contributions. We counted the coins, and it was an incredible figure considering how meager their income from the jungle was. Our National Treasurer was at a loss for words.
“The next morning everyone assembled for a group photograph. We bade them all goodbye and prepared for the trip to the next village.
“This was my first jungle experience. What a lot I have missed all these years.”
Informed[edit]
A traveling teacher from the Philippines had the opportunity to present the principles of the Faith over Radio Yaoundé, in Cameroon, recently. A group of Bahá’í school teachers, from different countries, was invited to participate in the radio program to discuss how Christmas is observed in other lands. The Bahá’ís described how the birth of Christ is observed in their homelands, as well as the attitude of Bahá’ís toward the Founders and Holy Days of other religions. The discussion lasted forty minutes.
Increased[edit]
The Bahá’í community of Finland, numerically small but staunch, hardworking, and spiritually inspired, reported the largest attendance ever achieved at its winter school in January: “TWO AUXILIARY BOARD MEMBERS, HUNDRED FIFTY FRIENDS, MEMBERS GYPSY MINORITY, GATHERED WINTER SCHOOL, FINLAND. STRONG UNITY. DETERMINED PREPARE FOR COMING PLAN...”
Approximately half the Finnish Bahá’í community participated in the winter school session. The membership of that community has increased from 86 believers in 1968 to 226 in 1973. People from the Gypsy, Lapp, and Swedish-speaking Finnish minorities enrolled during that time.
Instilled[edit]
The Bahá’ís of American Samoa entered a float with a Bahá’í theme in the Grand Parade held in Pago Pago in conjunction with the 25th Jubilee American Samoa Fono Celebration in October 1973.
Adults, youth, and children in the community prepared the float, which illustrated “The Oneness of Mankind.” During the parade, Bahá’í youth, dressed in beautiful costumes representative of the various peoples of the world, circled the large globe in the center of the float.
The same evening, a public entertainment program was held outside a newly dedicated public building. Bahá’í youth presented a lively performance of traditional Samoan and Hawaiian dances and songs and were introduced by the Master of Ceremonies as the Bahá’í Youth Group of Samoa.
Instituted[edit]
Manasesa White, the first Samoan woman to serve as a traveling teacher outside of Samoa, has gone to the Tokelau Island for an extended stay. She hopes to establish at least one Assembly while she is there. There are only two believers on the island, and the boat that carried her there will not return for four months. The Samoan Bahá’ís pray for the success of her teaching efforts each evening.
Inscribed[edit]
Three hundred Bahá’ís from Australia, Alaska, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore gathered at the Malaysian Bahá’í Youth Conference last January. Preconference teaching activities resulted in three hundred people accepting the Faith. This effort included a musical fireside that attracted approximately 70 inquirers, of whom fifty enrolled as Bahá’ís.
Ninety-eight Assemblies still in jeopardy[edit]
With only weeks remaining in the Bahá’í year, there are still 98 Local Spiritual Assemblies in jeopardy in the United States.
The implications of a loss of Assemblies at Riḍván are very serious, according to Dr. Philip Christensen, secretary of the National Teaching Committee.
“If these Assemblies are not saved, it will mean a loss of victories that have been won by great sacrifice,” he said. “It will mean that we will lose momentum, that we will be going backwards. And it will be the first time since the early stages of the Nine Year Plan that we will end a year by losing Assemblies.”
The loss of momentum could seriously affect the conduct of the new Five Year International Teaching Plan, he said. It will be the shortest teaching plan the Bahá’í community will have faced, and it will certainly call for great increases in the number of Local Assemblies. Months will transpire before the momentum to achieve the new goals is gathered, and if the plan is initiated with an existing deficit of Assemblies, it may be difficult to catch up, he said.
“A loss of Assemblies this year could put the goals of the new plan in jeopardy before we even start,” Dr. Christensen said.
The District Teaching Committees have been at work for months to help Assemblies and Groups get ready for the Riḍván elections. Many jeopardized Assemblies have already been saved through the sacrifice of individual homefront settlers, Dr. Christensen explained. The National Teaching Committee is still confident that the jeopardized Assemblies can be saved through the combined force of homefront pioneers and the teaching work of threatened communities, he said.
Among the efforts to prepare the communities for election is the distribution of a community enrichment institute on teaching to all Local Assemblies and Bahá’í Groups. As reported in the February American Bahá’í, the National Assembly has requested that all communities conduct the institute, entitled “The Greatest Gift,” before Riḍván.
Teaching conference minorities scheduled[edit]
A minorities Teaching Conference will be held April 6-7 at the VFW Hall, Philo Street, Marksville, Louisiana, sponsored jointly by the Northern and Southern Louisiana District Teaching Committees.
The speakers will include Auxiliary Board member Eunice Braun; Mr. Robert C. Henderson, representing the National Teaching Committee; Mrs. Teri Mojgani, a member of the New Orleans Assembly; Mr. Ernest Sickey, chairman of the Coushatta Indian Tribal Council; and Mr. H. Gregory, Professor of Anthropology at Northwestern Louisiana State University.
The conference will explore ways of reaching minorities, particularly the Tunica-Biloxi Indians and the black minorities.
For additional information, please contact the Northern Louisiana District Teaching Committee, c/o Mr. John C. Mitchell, Secretary, 705 Scott Street, Alexandria, Louisiana, 71301.
The Spiritual Assembly of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Despite the careful preparations being made, Dr. Christensen said some Assemblies might still be lost as a result of administrative oversights. Experience indicates that there are several common errors that communities electing Assemblies must guard against.
For example, some communities apparently do not realize that the election of an Assembly is not optional. In some localities where there were nine or more adults, Assemblies were not elected regardless, he noted.
Another common mistake is to fail to schedule an election meeting. “People don’t understand that there has to be an actual meeting,” Dr. Christensen said. “They must come together, even for a joint declaration.” In addition, members of the community must be notified by the Assembly secretary or Group correspondent at least fifteen days in advance that an election is scheduled. Otherwise, that election could be voided, he said.
The election must be held on the first day of Riḍván; between sunset on April 20 and sunset on April 21. An Assembly that is elected after sunset on the 21st will not be recognized by the National Assembly. “Some people think the Assemblies can be elected at any time during the Riḍván period, but in fact, they must be elected on the first day,” he said.
In some areas, the jurisdiction of the Assemblies is not clear to the friends, he explained. Frequently there is an Assembly for an incorporated city, and another for the county that surrounds it. Bahá’ís living in areas such as these must be sure to know where their Assembly boundaries lie so that only those who are eligible to participate in an election do so. If there is any doubt about boundaries, communities should ask the District Teaching Committee for clarification, Dr. Christensen said.
Finally, the forms reporting the establishment of the Assembly should be promptly sent to the National Spiritual Assembly. It is not possible for the Assemblies to be recognized unless they report their formation, he said. The Assemblies must also send the forms reporting the election of officers to the National Assembly. Last year there were nearly 50 Assemblies that did not report the election of Assembly officers, Dr. Christensen said.
|
Election Checklist
□ Spiritual Preparation
|
The Bahá’í Electoral Process[edit]
Necessary Conditions:[edit]
Wherever there are nine adult Bahá’ís in good standing residing in a particular locality, a Local Spiritual Assembly must be formed. In whatever locality these conditions are present, the laws and practices of the Faith make it obligatory, rather than a matter of choice, to form a Spiritual Assembly at Riḍván.
Members of a local group of nine or more adults are required to act according to the following understanding:
1. There must be nine Bahá’ís in good standing who are 21 years of age or over and resident in the community on April 21st.
2. These Bahá’ís must be declared and enrolled believers recognized by the National Spiritual Assembly as such. If one or more members of the group are such newly declared Bahá’ís that they are not yet recorded as believers by the National Spiritual Assembly, these new believers are to take part in the formation of the Assembly, subject to later confirmation of their Bahá’í status.
3. Each Local Spiritual Assembly must have a definite area of jurisdiction. No overlapping boundaries are permitted under any circumstances. In most cases, the Assembly’s area of jurisdiction is that of a civil community, such as an incorporated city, town, or village. In these cases, the limits of the Assembly’s jurisdiction are determined by the civil boundaries of its community. Only one Local Spiritual Assembly may be formed within an incorporated civil jurisdiction.
A Local Spiritual Assembly may also be formed where there are nine or more adult Bahá’ís living in a county, township, judicial district, or community outside of incorporated areas. However, all Bahá’ís participating in such a formation must live outside of incorporated civil communities. Bahá’ís within incorporated civil boundaries and Bahá’ís living in unincorporated areas may not combine their numbers to elect an Assembly. It is possible to elect more than one Assembly for different areas within an unincorporated district under certain conditions.
4. At the present time, there is only one day of the year when a Local Spiritual Assembly can be formed. This is the first day of Riḍván, which begins, according to the Bahá’í calendar, at sunset on April 20th and ends at sunset on April 21st.
The Election Call:[edit]
At least fifteen days prior to the election of a Local Spiritual Assembly, all voting members of the community must receive notice of the date, time, and place of the election meeting. At the same time, each adult Bahá’í should be provided with a ballot which can be mailed in, should they be unable to attend the meeting, and a current list of all believers eligible for election to the Assembly (that is, all adult Bahá’ís in good standing residing in the community). Every declared Bahá’í of twenty-one years of age or older, whether actively engaged in the work of the Cause or not, is eligible to vote in a Bahá’í election and serve on a Local Spiritual Assembly unless their administrative rights have been specifically removed by the National Spiritual Assembly.
In the case of groups which are forming new (or restored) Local Spiritual Assemblies, it is the responsibility of the District Teaching Committees at this time to see that all adult Bahá’ís are duly notified of the election meeting and receive voting lists and mail ballots. It is the responsibility of established Assemblies to make arrangements for their own re-election.
Joint Declaration:[edit]
Where there are exactly nine adult Bahá’ís resident in a certain locality on April 21st, they must establish an Assembly by joint declaration. All nine members of the community must participate in this joint declaration. This does not mean that all must be present at the meeting. It does mean, however, that every effort must be made to obtain the nine signatures before sunset on April 21st. In some areas, it may be necessary to obtain the signatures well before Riḍván by hand-carrying the joint declaration form to the new believers who do not as yet understand the Bahá’í election procedures.
The Election Meeting:[edit]
In every locality where a Local Spiritual Assembly is to be elected, a meeting must be called sometime between sunset on April 20th and sunset on April 21st, where the members of the community may cast their ballots and consult on the business of that community. There, the friends should gather in joy, love, fellowship, and unity to elect the members of their Local Spiritual Assembly.
This meeting provides the occasion for established Assemblies to present an annual report of their activities to the community and to consult on any other matters pertaining to the affairs of the Faith in that area. In the case of groups forming their first Assemblies, a more general discussion of community activities is in order.
A Suggested Agenda for this Annual Meeting Follows:
- Opening prayers and readings
- Reading of the call of the meeting
- Reading of appropriate Bahá’í passages concerning elections
- Appointment of tellers
- Distribution of ballots
- Prayers for the guidance of the voters
- Election by secret ballot
- Presentation of the annual reports of the Local Spiritual Assembly
- Consultation on community affairs
- Tellers’ report of the election
- Approval of tellers’ report
- Social activities
A representative of the National Spiritual Assembly will be present at the elections of all new and restored Local Spiritual Assemblies. All questions regarding principles and procedures during the election may be referred to the representative.
Voting in Bahá’í Elections:[edit]
Contrary to the ways of the world, Bahá’í elections are to be approached in a spirit of prayer and reverence without prior campaigning or discussion of names among the voters. Each Bahá’í is called upon to cast their ballot, after sincere prayer and careful consideration, for only those who best combine the necessary qualities of loyalty, devotion, training, ability, and experience.
The ballots are cast secretly, each Bahá’í writing the names of exactly nine adult Bahá’ís (no more and no less) on their ballot and delivering it to the tellers. In cases where a Bahá’í cannot read or write, their ballot may be given orally to someone who has been appointed to receive it.
If a Bahá’í is unable to attend the election meeting, they should send their ballot in by mail, or in any other manner determined by the Bahá’í authority in charge of the election. These absentee ballots are collected and opened at the election meeting where they are counted along with the votes cast at the meeting. In some areas, it may be necessary to have Bahá’ís visit the homes of the believers in order to collect their ballots. Such canvassing work, however, must be done in strict accordance with the instructions given by the appropriate Bahá’í authority; it should be done in addition to, and not in place of, the election meeting in that locality.
When all ballots have been counted, the nine Bahá’ís with the largest number of votes (a plurality) are elected to the Local Spiritual Assembly for one year.
There is no minimum to the number of believers who must participate in an election. But an election meeting must be held even if only one ballot is cast. All unusual circumstances must be reported in full to the National Spiritual Assembly, which is responsible for confirming or determining the validity of each local election.
Ties:[edit]
A tie occurs in a Bahá’í election only when two or more persons are tied for ninth place in the number of votes received from all ballots cast. In such a case, where an equal number of votes have been cast for two Bahá’ís of different races or nationalities within the community, priority should automatically be accorded to the Bahá’í representing the minority. In cases where no minority groups are involved, or where some question arises concerning the application of the minority rule, a second ballot must be cast by those present at the election meeting. On this ballot, the voter is to write only the name of one of those who are tied for ninth place on the first ballot.
Election of Officers:[edit]
It is preferable to have the election of the officers of the Assembly immediately following the election or formation by joint declaration; however, all nine members of the Assembly must be given the opportunity to vote for the officers. In many instances, a meeting for the election of officers cannot be called because of the inability on the part of one or more members to attend. In such cases, the best procedure is to elect or appoint immediately a temporary chairman and secretary to serve until such time as all members of the Assembly can be properly notified and given the opportunity to vote.
Permanent officers are elected by secret ballot and by majority vote; every officer must receive at least five votes.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States (2/73)
The Guardian on Elections[edit]
The Electors:[edit]
“The electors... must prayerfully and devotedly and after meditation and reflection elect faithful, sincere, experienced, capable and competent souls who are worthy of membership...
“Beware, beware lest the foul odour of the parties and peoples of foreign lands in the West, and pernicious methods, such as intrigues, party politics and propaganda—practices which are abhorrent even in name—should ever reach the Bahá’í community, exert any influence whatsoever upon the friends, and thus bring all spirituality to naught. The friends should, through their devotion, love, loyalty and altruism, abolish these evil practices, not imitate them. It is only after the friends completely ignore and sanctify themselves from these evils, that the spirit of God can penetrate and operate in the body of humanity, and in the Bahá’í community.”
(Translation from letter of the Guardian to the friends in Persia, dated January 30, 1923)
Election Day:[edit]
“On the election day, the friends must wholeheartedly participate in the elections, in unity and amity, turning their hearts to God, detached from all things but Him, seeking His guidance and supplicating His aid and bounty.”
(Translation from letter of the Guardian to the friends in Persia, dated February 27, 1923)
“...I earnestly appeal to every one of you...to make...yet another effort, this time more spontaneous and selfless than before, and endeavor to approach your task...with that purity of spirit that can alone obtain our beloved’s most cherished desire. Let us recall His explicit and often-repeated assurances that every Assembly elected in that rarefied atmosphere of selflessness and detachment is, in truth, appointed of God,...”
(Bahá’í Administration, p. 65, letter dated February 23, 1924)
Qualifications:[edit]
“If we but turn our gaze to the high qualifications of the members of Bahá’í Assemblies... we are filled with feelings of unworthiness and dismay, and would feel truly disheartened but for the comforting thought that if we rise to play nobly our part, every deficiency in our lives will be more than compensated by the all-conquering spirit of His grace and power. Hence it is incumbent upon the chosen delegates to consider without the least trace of passion and prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration, the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience.”
(Bahá’í Administration, p. 88, letter dated June 3, 1925)
Personalities:[edit]
“I feel that reference to personalities before the election would give rise to misunderstanding and differences. What the friends should do is to get thoroughly acquainted with one another, to exchange views, to mix freely and discuss among themselves the requirements and qualifications for such a membership without reference or application, however indirect, to particular individuals. We should refrain from influencing the opinion of others, of canvassing for any particular individual, but should stress the necessity of getting fully acquainted with qualifications of membership referred to in our Beloved’s Tablets and of learning more about one another through direct, personal experience rather than through the reports and opinions of our friends.”
(From the Guardian’s letter, dated May 14, 1927, to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Akron, Ohio. Bahá’í News, No. 18, June 1927, p. 9)
“...the elector...is called upon to vote for none but those whom prayer and reflection have inspired him to uphold.... Moreover, the practice of nomination, so detrimental to the atmosphere of a silent and prayerful election, is viewed with mistrust inasmuch as it gives the right... to deny that God-given right of every elector to vote only in favor of those who he is conscientiously convinced are the most worthy candidates.”
(Bahá’í Administration, p. 136, letter dated May 27, 1927)
Confidentiality:[edit]
“One’s vote should be kept confidential. It is not permissible to make any reference whatsoever to individual names. The friends must avoid the evil methods and detestable practices of the politicians. They must turn completely to God, and with a purity of motive, a freedom of spirit and a sanctity of heart, participate in the elections; otherwise the outcome will be chaos and confusion, serious difficulties will ensue, mischief will abound and the confirmation of God will be cut off.”
(Translation from letter of the Guardian to the friends in Persia, dated January 16, 1932)
Vigilance:[edit]
“Let them exercise the utmost vigilance so that the elections are carried out freely, universally and by secret ballot. Any form of intrigue, deception, collusion and compulsion must be stopped and is forbidden.”
(Translation from letter of the Guardian to the friends in Persia, dated March 8, 1932)
“The strength and progress of the Bahá’í community depend upon the election of pure, faithful and active souls.... Canvassing is deprecated....
“Bahá’í elections of the community are... sanctified from all traces of canvassing and plotting that characterize the activities of the perfidious.”
(Translation from letter of the Guardian to the friends in Persia, dated April 9, 1932)
Freedom of Electors:[edit]
“I greatly value your suggestions, but I do not feel it to be in keeping with the spirit of the Cause to impose any limitation upon the freedom of the believers to choose those of any race, nationality or temperament, who best combine the essential qualifications for membership of administrative institutions. They should disregard personalities and concentrate their attention on the qualities and requirements of office, without prejudice, passion or partiality. The Assembly should be representative of the choicest and most varied and capable element in every Bahá’í community.”
(From the Guardian’s letter, dated August 11, 1933, to an individual believer)
“In regard to your question about qualifications of delegates and Assembly members: the qualifications which he outlines are really applicable to anyone we elect to a Bahá’í office, whatever its nature. But these are only an indication; they do not mean people who don’t fulfill them cannot be elected to office. We must aim as high as we can.”
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, dated October 24, 1947, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles)
|
Communities must elect Assemblies |
“The Lord hath ordained,” Bahá’u’lláh reveals, “that in every city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of Bahá (9).... It behooveth them to be the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and to regard themselves as the guardians appointed of God for all that dwell on earth.”
It is of the greatest importance that, in accordance with the command of Bahá’u’lláh, in every city, town, or village where there are nine or more adult Bahá’ís, a Local Spiritual Assembly be established.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá says: “These Spiritual Assemblies are aided by the Spirit of God.... These Spiritual Assemblies are shining lamps and heavenly gardens, from which the fragrances of holiness are diffused over all regions, and the lights of knowledge are shed abroad over all created things. From them the spirit of life streameth in every direction.”
All Local Spiritual Assemblies must be elected once a year on the first day of the Riḍván Festival (between sunset on April 20th and sunset on April 21st). On this day, all the Bahá’ís of the community come together for the election. They say prayers for God’s guidance and protection. Then, in an atmosphere of silent meditation, each adult Bahá’í casts his vote.
Shoghi Effendi writes that “...every declared believer of 21 years and above, far from standing aloof and assuming an indifferent or independent attitude, should regard it his sacred duty to take part conscientiously and diligently, in the election...of his own local Assembly.”
Nominating candidates and campaigning for their election are not permitted in the Bahá’í Faith. Any adult Bahá’í (21 years or older) in good standing in the community can be elected to the Local Spiritual Assembly. Before the election, there is no discussion of names or personalities among the Bahá’ís because this causes misunderstandings and differences to arise. No Bahá’í should ever tell another Bahá’í how he should vote or try to influence his opinion.
Shoghi Effendi states that Bahá’ís should “...consider without the least trace of passion and prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration, the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience.”
All through the year, each Bahá’í should mix freely with the believers in his community and get to know them. At the annual election, the Bahá’ís gather together. Ballots are passed out and, after prayer and serious thought, everyone writes on his ballot the names of nine adult Bahá’ís, no more and no less. This is done by secret ballot so that no one knows how another voted. The ballots are then collected and counted.
Every Bahá’í should take part in the election of his Local Spiritual Assembly. If he is unable to attend the annual election for some reason, he can send his ballot along with someone else or mail it in.
|
30 Subjects you would know more about:
| ||
| ||
if you read ... World Order
| ||
| A BAHÁ’Í MAGAZINE |
|
In addition...
|
USA international goals
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Jeopardized Assemblies
|
Saved Assemblies
|
|
News Briefs[edit]
Bahá’í International Community representative Dr. Victor de Araújo.
UN Day activities[edit]
Bahá’í communities across the country participated actively in UN Day activities during 1973. Most communities held their own observances last 24 Oct., but some joined with other organizations, such as the League of Women Voters and UN Associations, in planning programs.
Local Bahá’í observances ranged from a dinner in Nashville, Tenn.; to a luncheon meeting in New Orleans attended by 300 persons, and featuring as speaker a U.S. Congressman discussing the emerging nations of Africa and Asia; to a meeting in Sacramento, California, where a Bahá’í prayer for mankind was read to an audience of more than 250 people.
Experts, students, and local farmers plan land use at the UNDP-assisted agricultural training institute. “One and a Half Dreams,” a new UN film.
UN film[edit]
A new United Nations film about achievements in international development is available for use by Bahá’í communities from the National Teaching Committee.
“One and a Half Dreams,” a 16mm, 24-minute color motion picture, shows how one Latin American youth is given the opportunity to develop his own potential, through a training program in up-to-date agricultural methods sponsored by the United Nations Development Program.
The film illustrates how the youth and his country benefit from his newly acquired skills. The film also briefly explains how the UNDP is helping countries with low incomes to develop their natural and human resources.
A set of six 22” x 28” posters, each with a thought-provoking message about development, is available free for publicity from the United Nations.
“One and a Half Dreams” may be obtained by writing the National Teaching Committee, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill., 60091.
The six free posters may be obtained from the United Nations, c/o Miss Virginia Saurwein, DSIS/UNDP, Room 300, 345 East 46th St., New York, N.Y., 10017.
The United Nations Development Program would also welcome the assistance of Bahá’í communities in obtaining country-wide television coverage for their new film. Recalling the wholehearted response of the U.S. Bahá’í community a few years ago in gaining the interest of TV stations for several of its spots on development, the UNDP would be grateful for the same kind of effort on behalf of “One and a Half Dreams.” Prints of the film can be obtained free of charge by any interested TV station from Miss Virginia Saurwein, DSIS/UNDP—Room 300, 345 East 46th Street, New York, N.Y. 10017, U.S.A.
Bahá’ís active in UN programs[edit]
For twenty-seven years the National Assembly has participated in programs to broadcast knowledge of the United Nations and its activities in the areas of world peace, universal human rights, and economic and social advancements for all peoples.
Last United Nations Day, Oct. 24, was also designated World Development Information Day by the General Assembly. To observe the occasion political and media representatives from 30 nations were invited to a special convocation at UN headquarters in New York. The Non-Governmental Organizations were also invited, among them the Bahá’í International Community, and a representative of the National Assembly.
UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim spoke briefly on the purpose of the UN Charter. In accordance with that document, he defined the world body’s mandate as saving successive generations from the scourge of war, and promoting social progress and better standards of life with greater freedom. “Improvements in the social and economic fields cannot be achieved in circumstances of war and tension,” he said. “Severe social and economic imbalances are, in themselves, a threat to international stability.”
The UN has a significant role to play in the area of international development, according to Mr. Waldheim, because the question of development “interlocks and cuts across every international and economic and social issue with which the world community is concerned.” Among them: farm prices, agricultural productivity, raw material costs, demography, the exploitation of natural resources, tariffs and currency arrangements, the problems of mass poverty, unemployment, social unrest, etc.
The Secretary-General frequently referred to the UN International Development Strategy—the UN Plan for partnership between the developing and industrialized nations, to achieve a better economic and social life for all people. The strategy represents “the most comprehensive attempt yet made to see development not as a ‘problem’ of the developing nations, but as a condition of fundamental world imbalance which can be...righted by the international community acting in concert,” he said.
“We cannot achieve a lasting peace in a world of glaring economic, social and human imbalances,” he said. “To correct this imbalance is therefore an urgent challenge confronting the world community.”
During the observance a statement supporting the UN goals for national and world development was presented to Mr. Waldheim by representatives of 111 Non-Governmental Organizations. The Bahá’í International Community was among the signatory organizations.
The statement pledged a continued and organized effort to reach ever-widening audiences with the story about the world’s development needs and the work being undertaken to meet those needs.
“We also pledge firm support for the constructive programs of government to further development at home and abroad, bilaterally, as well as through the United Nations and its family of agencies,” the Non-Governmental Organizations said. “We recognize that international action to help the developing countries lift themselves to the plateau of self-sustaining economic and social development is ultimately to the benefit of all mankind.”
The document noted that on this increasingly interdependent planet, “societies can no longer remain isolated—the rich from the poor, the advantaged from the disadvantaged.” Too many problems are common to all mankind, the statement said, pointing to pollution, drug abuse, the threat of overpopulation, and dwindling food resources, as examples. “Unless the nations of the world unite to overcome these problems, the nations themselves will surely be overcome,” the NGO’s said.
Retirement Redefined in Little Rock[edit]
Retirement, according to the dictionary, refers to a withdrawal from active service or public life to a secluded place. But dictionaries reflect many concepts that have little relevance after the new Manifestation infuses fresh life into all ideas.
When Beulah Magruder retired from her job and became the hostess of the Bahá’í Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, she found it was not a “withdrawal from active life,” and was anything but a “secluded place.” The Bahá’í Center is just a building; the activities held there give it meaning. With Beulah living there, it becomes a 24-hour-a-day center, where the friends and public can come or call for information and assistance.
Her story reflects the story of “retiring” Bahá’ís around the world—a new plunge into what may be the most active period of life, challenging, ever-changing, and above all, filling a key position in the teaching-consolidation activities.
For Beulah, this path of service to Bahá’u’lláh began when she became a Bahá’í more than forty years ago. Prior to hearing of God’s latest Messenger, she was diligently serving the Messenger she did know about. Completing her education at the College for Christian Workers in Kansas City, she served as Religion Education Coordinator for the Methodist Church in Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Arizona. When she found her Lord had returned, she had a total professional change to make, and nursing was her choice.
After her training, she worked and served the Bahá’í Faith in England, Scotland, Germany, France, and Holland, finally pioneering in Panama. She planned for her retirement years, sought an area of service, and found it in the Little Rock Center, where she serves some of the functions reflected in her unofficial titles of “traffic coordinator,” “den-mother of the youth,” and “answering service.” One young man, now a Bahá’í, recalled his first meeting: “I thought I was going to some kind of way-out youth session and when I walked in and saw Beulah, with her beautiful smile and that white hair, it blew me away!”
Beulah Magruder greeting visitors to the Bahá’í Center in Little Rock
Also serving as Assembly secretary and District Teaching Committee secretary, her “Center-home,” filled with maps, charts, and files, has become an information source for the state; if anyone needs material they cannot find elsewhere, they just say, “Call Beulah.”
Her phone, under a Bahá’í Center listing, may ring day or night, with requests from the public for information, uplifting news of new enrollments to add to the records, or new problems to be solved. When she began serving as “information coordinator” in relation to District Teaching Committee work, the news release and her photo were printed in newspapers across the state, the widest proclamation the Faith had achieved in Arkansas.
If anyone asks how she likes her “retirement,” Beulah Magruder just smiles, and continues work on another pile of correspondence, or calls the Center Committee together for a meeting, or talks to a newspaper reporter seeking information, or coordinates calls for rides to meetings, or answers the door with a radiant look of welcome.
As one community member put it, “When I feel low, I want to call just so I can hear that beautiful response when she answers, ‘Bahá’í Center—Beulah Magruder.’ ”
People like her are rewriting the definition of “retirement” in these early years of the new era.
On Homefront Pioneering[edit]
South Dakota[edit]
South Dakota is in urgent need of homefront pioneers. There are many believers on the reservations who need deepening and loving attention. One of the two Assemblies in the state is in jeopardy. The friends in the state have taken steps to strengthen the community, but the localities are widely scattered, and additional manpower is desperately needed.
South Dakota is widely known for its monuments on Mt. Rushmore. Its population is only 661,406. The state is bisected by the Missouri River. West of the Missouri are the Black Hills; east, the Plains.
The Black Hills are sacred to the Indians of South Dakota. Once an important mining center, the Black Hills are also rich in the lore of the Old West and the Gold Rush days. Tourism is a major industry and provides some seasonal employment. But full-time work is sometimes available in the mining, forestry, and conservation industries, and in services related to the National Parks as well.
Rapid City is the largest city in the Black Hills area. It has an Assembly, but that will be jeopardized this Riḍván. Rapid City needs one or two additional Bahá’ís. Some seasonal tourism work is available. Public school teaching positions and secretarial jobs are widely available, both in the city, and at the nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base. The School of Mines and Technology offers educational employment opportunities.
Mention of the Plains of South Dakota recalls the westward surge of the early pioneers and the great heritage of the American Indians. Several Sioux reservations are located in this area, including the reservation at Pine Ridge. Farming, ranching, and service with the federal government are the major occupations of the Dakota plains. The reservations need married couples immediately to help with the work.
Maple township is a rural suburb of Sioux Falls. It needs one adult Bahá’í to elect an Assembly at Riḍván. Sioux Falls is the largest city in the state, with a population of 72,557. Employment is available in construction, industrial, and office work. There are also several colleges in Sioux Falls.
Vermillion is a college town associated with the University of South Dakota. Employment is limited to the university, where there are some teaching, secretarial, and maintenance jobs available. The Vermillion community needs one adult to elect an Assembly at Riḍván.
Pierre is the capital city, and has been a goal area for several years. There is currently only one active Bahá’í in the city. The State government is the principal employer in Pierre.
If you are interested in pioneering to South Dakota please contact the National Teaching Committee, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill., 60091.
Utah[edit]
Utah, in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, is an ideal place for those who are considering a homefront pioneering goal. There are three assemblies and five groups in the state. Two of the assemblies are in the Salt Lake area, with the third in the north, at Ogden. The groups run throughout the state, from Logan in the north to Provo and Orem in the south-central. Also, there are scattered believers in other parts of the state, including Indian believers on the Ute Reservation area of Roosevelt in the northeast.
Utah, besides being the center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is also an area rich in human and natural resources. The Salt Lake area itself is strong in cultural activities, and the University of Utah is noted for its academic status, and for its fine medical school. The state is able to offer education and employment for the people who live in it, as well as offer something for others who come here. Utah ranked fifth in growth among all of the states last year.
Knowledge about the Faith is somewhat limited, and there are considerable challenges to living in a state that is the cradle of another very strong religious belief. But the full advantage of living in Utah can be seen in the exciting spirit of the Bahá’ís who live and teach here. There is a bounty to be had in being under the scrutiny of others for proof of your beliefs. Acceptance is fairly good on a grassroots level, and the people are warm and friendly in their dealings with the members of the Bahá’í Faith.
BAHÁ’Í BOOKS AND MATERIALS[edit]
BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE[edit]
Shoghi Effendi: Recollections by Ugo Giachery
Shoghi Effendi: Recollections, chapters of which have recently appeared in The American Bahá’í, is now available. The book is a perceptive, affectionate, and intimate portrait of the beloved Guardian written by a Hand of the Cause of God who served him for many years in several capacities. The first section of the book contains Dr. Giachery’s impressions of the Guardian, recounting his many outstanding qualities. This section also discusses the Guardian’s literary and artistic gifts. The second portion of the book delineates in great detail the development of the World Centre and includes fascinating accounts of the construction of the Shrine of the Báb and the designing and landscaping of the many gardens surrounding various shrines. An epilogue contains details of the events connected with the passing of Shoghi Effendi. Eleven appendices provide additional information on a variety of topics such as the genealogy of Shoghi Effendi, the spiritual significance of Mount Carmel, early descriptions of the Guardian by several pilgrims, a complete listing of the writings and translations of the Guardian, and the names of the doors of the Shrine of the Báb, one of which is named after Dr. Giachery. These recollections by a Hand of the Cause are a priceless addition to our literature and will be warmly welcomed by all those seeking to better understand and draw closer to Shoghi Effendi. Glossary, notes, index. 23 illustrations. 186 pp.
$5.50
Three-Part Youth Deepening Portfolio Series[edit]
The Suffering of Bahá’u’lláh:
Deepening Portfolio #3
The Suffering of Bahá’u’lláh, a new addition to the deepening portfolios prepared by the National Teaching Committee to help youth deepen on the various themes outlined by The Universal House of Justice, is now available. This portfolio focuses on the purpose and significance of the suffering which Bahá’u’lláh chose to endure during His lifetime and includes sections on Bahá’u’lláh’s announcement of His mission, His imprisonment in the Síyáh-Chál, His exile to Baghdád, and His banishment to ‘Akká. The portfolio contains many selections from the Bahá’í writings and questions designed to stimulate discussion and reflection. It can be used for both individual and group deepening. Illustrated by Dale Robison Martin and Thomas Kubala. Moss green cover with drawing of the Most Great Prison. 8½x11 inches. 32 pp.
- 1/$.60
- 10/$5.50
A New World Order: Deepening Portfolio #1
A New World Order, the first of three deepening portfolios prepared for youth by the National Teaching Committee, contains selections from the Bahá’í writings and discussion questions covering Bahá’u’lláh and His mission, the special mission of Bahá’í youth, the Covenant and the Administrative Order, consultation, Bahá’ís in society, the quality of Bahá’í personal life, and the three fields of service. Illustrated. Tangerine cover. 8½ x 11 inches. 48 pp.
- 1/$1.00
- 10/$9.00
A New Race of Men: Deepening Portfolio #2
This second youth deepening portfolio prepared for youth by the National Teaching Committee contains selections from the Bahá’í writings and questions which focus on five of the many spiritual qualities which an infant world community is struggling to manifest—sacrifice, courtesy, obedience, cleanliness, and reverence. Illustrated. Yellow cover. 8½x11 inches. 29 pp.
- 1/$.60
- 10/$5.50
Bahá’í Lesson Plans, Grade 8
This booklet, as all others in this lesson plan series, covers history, teachings for the individual, and social teachings. “Heroic Age of the Faith” covers the Bábí Dispensation. “Bahá’í Obligation” includes requirements for the declaration of one’s faith in Bahá’u’lláh and explanations of the Bahá’í calendar, the Fund, the purpose and laws of marriage, and the importance of physical and spiritual cleanliness. “World Government” discusses previous attempts to form a world government, the Lesser Peace, and the Most Great Peace.
- Paper/$1.40
FILMSTRIP PROGRAMS[edit]
Carmel: The Mountain of God
The beautiful and inspiring audiovisual program Carmel: The Mountain of God is again available as a slide program as well as a filmstrip. The program links Carmel with the Central Figures of the Faith, emphasizes the spiritual significance this mountain has had in past Dispensations, and shows how prophecies concerning the Holy Land have been fulfilled through the coming of Bahá’u’lláh. Primarily intended as a tool for deepening Bahá’ís and those close to the Faith, this program is not recommended for general proclamation as it requires a considerable understanding of the Faith. Excellent for Bahá’í Holy Days and special commemorative programs as well as institutes, summer schools, and conventions. Script and cassette tape narration available in English. 59 frames.
2-04-33 Slide program with script | $11.65 |
6-00-87 Reel tape narration | $8.30 |
6-00-89 Cassette tape narration | $2.50 |
6-00-80 Filmstrip program with script and cassette | $7.50 |
SPECIAL MATERIALS[edit]
Bahá’í Victory Chorus
The Bahá’í Victory Chorus is now available on both LP record and cassette tape. The recording contains eighteen selections which announce the advent of world peace and unity. The selections include both original compositions, such as “God Is One,” “One Heart Ruby Red,” and “Toko Zani,” and prayers and passages from the Bahá’í Writings. They are performed by the California Victory Chorus under the direction of Russ Garcia.
6-35-01 LP record | $3.00 |
6-30-38 Cassette tape | $2.50 |
Fire and Snow
Fire and Snow is now available as a cassette tape. The cassette contains sixteen selections by Bahá’í composers, including Phil Lucas, Creadell Haley, Chris Ruhe, and Joany Lincoln. All selections are original compositions. Among the songs on the cassette are “World Citizens,” “Mount Your Steeds,” “Dawn Song,” “New Wind Blowin’,” “Bahá’u’lláh,” “Hollow Reed Prayer,” and the title song “Angels of Fire and Snow.” Please note that Fire and Snow is no longer available as an LP record.
6-30-37 Cassette tape | $2.50 |
Bahá’í Rings and Pins
Colorful Bahá’í rings and pins in cloisonné enamel are again available. Each piece of jewelry carries the symbol of the Greatest Name which appears on the Shrine of the Báb. The emblem itself is struck from copper and electroplated with gold to produce a beautiful, tarnish-resistant surface. The cloisonné inlay is a hard, durable vitreous glaze. Rings and pins are available in red, green, blue, and black. Rings are adjustable to fit any finger. Please note new prices.
2-00-06 Bahá’í ring red | $2.75 |
2-00-07 Bahá’í ring green | $2.75 |
2-00-08 Bahá’í ring blue | $2.75 |
2-00-09 Bahá’í ring black | $2.75 |
2-00-10 Bahá’í pin red | $2.75 |
2-00-11 Bahá’í pin green | $2.75 |
2-00-12 Bahá’í pin blue | $2.75 |
2-00-13 Bahá’í pin black | $2.75 |
Dates to Remember[edit]
| March 2–20 | Fast |
| March 16-17 | Spanish-Speaking Regional Conference in Santa Monica, Cal. |
| March 21 | Naw-Rúz (Bahá’í New Year) |
| March 21 | Feast of Bahá (Splendor) |
| March 21–23 | Proclamation in Needham, Mass. |
| March 22–24 | National Spiritual Assembly Meeting |
| April 6–7 | Minorities Teaching Conference in Marksville, Louisiana |
| April 9 | Feast of Jalál (Glory) |
| April 21 | First Day of Riḍván |
| April 25 | NSA Meeting |
| April 26-28 | National Convention, Wilmette, Ill. |
| April 28 | Ninth Day of Riḍván |
| May 2 | Twelfth Day of Riḍván |
| May 17 | Feast of ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) |
| May 17-19 | NSA Meeting |
| May 23 | Declaration of the Báb, 1844 |
| May 29 | Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, 1892 |
| August 29-September 1 | St. Louis Conference |
Importance of Feast Discussed[edit]
Twenty-five South Dakota Bahá’ís recently attended a New Believers’ Conference sponsored by the South Dakota District Teaching Committee, held in Sioux Falls, February 2–4. Auxiliary Board members Darrell W. Borland and Dr. Peter Khan led several discussions.
A highlight of the weekend was Mr. Borland’s talk on the importance of feast. He drew upon the recent article written by The Hand of the Cause H.M. Balyuzi in the November 1973 National Bahá’í Review, emphasizing that the Bahá’í feast is an institution established by the Báb and ratified by Bahá’u’lláh. Its primary purpose is to bring the friends together in Bahá’í love and to create the divine unity which should characterize a Bahá’í community.
Dr. Khan spoke about the non-political character of the Faith, pointing out that Bahá’ís should in no way involve themselves in politics. He illustrated the importance of this principle with a story about South Africa, where Bahá’ís are now allowed to hold interracial meetings because the South African government knows that these meetings are strictly non-political. Before the government allowed the Bahá’ís to do this, however, they investigated Bahá’í meetings in other parts of the world and found to their satisfaction that the Bahá’ís hold strictly to this principle universally.
Dr. Khan referred to a passage in The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh in which Shoghi Effendi warned the Bahá’ís to be vigilant in non-involvement in partisan politics. The Guardian tells us that in the future politicians will solicit the Bahá’í vote and counsels us on how to handle this situation. (See The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 66.)
On Saturday evening, Dr. Khan told many stories about how some of the Hands of the Cause heard of their appointment to that body by Shoghi Effendi. The film “Have You Heard the News My Friend” was also shown that evening. The conference ended on a high note, with the Bahá’ís eagerly anticipating the next global plan.
Bahá’ís Needed in Portuguese Areas[edit]
Portuguese-speaking believers who can leave the United States to pioneer to Portugal, Madeira, or the Azores are needed at this time. Students who can complete their education at a university outside the United States are encouraged to investigate universities there. Pioneers must be reassigned before Riḍván to several posts filled during the Nine Year Plan but since vacated. A brief description of the areas follows:
PORTUGAL—occupying the west section of the Iberian Peninsula and bounded on the south and west by the Atlantic Ocean. Winters are rainy in low elevations, and snow abounds in the mountains. Summers are hot, but not usually humid. It is difficult for U.S. citizens to find work in Portugal, although it may be possible for those with teaching credentials or engineering degrees to get jobs. Skilled laborers may also find employment, but this must be determined prior to leaving the United States. The approximate monthly cost of living for single individuals is $150, and for couples, $250.
MADEIRA—an island group in the east Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Morocco. It has a very temperate climate (60 F. in winter and 70 F. in summer). Language teachers may find work on the island. Madeira is a port of call for shipping lines from Europe, Africa, and America. Self-supporting believers, i.e., those with Social Security pensions or other regular incomes, are encouraged to settle here.
AZORES—A group of nine islands in the North Atlantic. Temperatures are mild with no extremes of heat or cold. Industry varies from island to island. There is a United States Air Force base on Terceira, and it may be possible to obtain work as a civilian there. Requests for civilian personnel with specific skills have been received in the past. Generally, job opportunities are available to language teachers. This is a difficult post because employment possibilities are almost nonexistent. Self-supporting believers would have a better chance of settling here than others.
If it is possible for you to pioneer to one of these locales, please write the International Goals Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091; or call (312) 256-4400.
Saint Louis[edit]
St. Louis was founded in 1764 by French fur trader Pierre Liguest. The town was planned initially as an Indian trading post, strategically located in a very rich territory. It was situated atop a stone deposit overlooking the Mississippi. In 1974 the Bahá’ís will meet in St. Louis to launch the Five-Year Global Teaching Plan. Make reservations now to attend.
| INSIDE | THE HAND OF THE CAUSE Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum will make her fourth visit to the United States in twenty-one years to attend the St. Louis Conference next 29 Aug.–1 Sept. Rúḥíyyih Khánum will be one of the featured speakers at the Conference. Details on page 7. | A HISTORIC MEETING between the National Spiritual Assemblies of the United States and Canada was held in Wilmette recently. The Assemblies met for three separate sessions; the third session included the Continental Board of Counsellors. Details of their discussions appear on page 3. | A SERIES of Local Spiritual Assembly seminars have been conducted across the country by the National Spiritual Assembly since last November. This article reports on the seminar held at the University of Hartford. Details on page 4. |
|
FRONT ELEVATION OF the design for the building for the Seat of the Universal House of Justice on Mount Carmel in Haifa. The building is to be sited on the central axis of the Arc and will face northward toward ‘Akká and Bahjí. The architect is Mr. Ḥusayn Amánat. |
St. Louis to host Rúḥíyyih Khánum, page 1
William Sears to attend Conference, page 1
U.S., Canadian Assemblies consult, page 3
Local Assembly seminar glimpse, page 4
