Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Universal House of Justice, The Baha'i World: Volume 17 (1976-1979), Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1981, bahai-library.com.
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THE BAHA'I WORLD
VOLUME XVII
133, 134 and 135
OF THE BAHA'I ERA
1976- 1979
Da wn over th e Uppe r Chamber of th e Ho use of th e Bab in Shlraz where He
declared His mission.
THE BAHA'I WORLD
AN INTERNATIONAL RECORD

Prepared under the supervision of
The Universal House of Justice

VOLUME XVII

133, 134 and 135
OF THE BAHA'I ERA
1976-1979

BAHA'I WORLD CENTRE
HAIFA
1981
© 1981 The Universal House of Justice

World Rights Reserved

NOTE: The spelling of the Oriental words and proper names used
in this volume of The Baha'i World is according to the system of
transliteration established at one of the International Oriental
Congresses .

ISBN 0-85398-130-2

Printed in Great Britain
by Mackays of Chatham Ltd
PREFACE
THE successive volumes of The Baha'i World have come to be anticipated hy Baha'ls
as the record of their own collective endeavours on behalf of their Faith, of the
establishment and development of its administrative order throughout the world and as
the source of data, both historical and statistical, relating to the rise of that Faith during
its formative age.
By librarians and students The Baha'i World is becoming ever more widely known as a
source of authentic information about the aims, tenets, history, activities, organization
and growth of the Baha'i Faith. The editors therefore have always in mind the preservation of an even balance between the presentation of material of supreme interest to
believers and of a fair and objective picture to enquirers. In this they are guided by the
policy of Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, who directed the compilation of
the successive volumes from I to XII covering the years 1925 to 1954. The first volume,
known as Baha'i Year Book , was in fact a one-year survey; the next seven volumes were
biennial, terminating in 1940; volume IX recorded the four years from 1940 to 1944;
volume X was again biennial and volumes XI and XII presented the periods 1946 to
1950 and 1950 to 1954 respectively. All these volumes were published in the United
States under the aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly, volume I being compiled by
an editorial committee of American Baha'ls, and the remainder by an international
board of editors, all under the supervision of the Guardian of the Faith. Volume XIII,
which recorded the passing of the Guardian and the course and completion of his Ten
Year Crusade, covered the entire period from 1954 to 1963 and was produced under the
supervision of the Universal House of Justice , which thenceforth assumed responsibility
for publication. Volumes XIV, XV and XVI covered the years 1963 to 1968, 1968 to
1973 and 1973 to 1976 respectively.
This volume, XVII, relating to the years 1976 to 1979, records the centenary
observation in the Holy Land in June 1977 of the termination of Baha'u'llah's
confinement in the prison-city of 'Akka; progress made towards restoration of the
House of 'Abdu'llah Pasha and towards construction of the permanent Seat of the
Universal House of Justice; the holding in the Holy Land in May 1978 of the fourth
International Convention; the laying of the cornerstones for Baha'i Houses of Worship
in India and Samoa; the holding of eight International Teaching Conferences; the
initiation in December 1977 of the first Baha'i full-time radio station in the world at
Otavalo, Ecuador; the successful completion of the Five Year Plan launched at Ri<;lvan
1974; the announcement in December 1978 of the inauguration at Ri<;lvan 1979 of a
Seven Year global teaching plan constituting yet another stage in the unfoldment of
'Abdu'l-Baha's Divine Plan, and the resumption in Iran on a scale unprecedented in
recent history of persecutions and hardships directed against the Persian Baha'i community and the holy places of the Faith.
CONTENTS

*
Introduction
Page
AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE BAHA'I FAITH, by David Hofman . . 1

PART ONE

THE BAHA'I REVELATION

I. EXCERPTS FROM THE BAHA'I SACRED WRITINGS
1. Baha'u'llah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2. The Bab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3. 'Abdu'l-Baha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

II. EXCERPTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI
1. A Wider Loyalty-Excerpts from Call to the Nations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

PART TWO
THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES

I. THE CENTENARY OF THE TERMINATION OF BAHA'U'LLAH'S
CONFINEMENT IN' AKKA
1. The Significance of Baha'u'llah's Incarceration in 'Akka-Excerpts from God
Passes By, by Shoghi Effendi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
2. Excerpt from the Message of the Universal House of Justice to the Annual
Conventions of all National Spiritual Assemblies-24 March 1977 . . . . . . . . 63
3. The Commemoration at the World Centre of the Centenary of the
Termination of Baha'u'llah's Confinement in 'Akka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

PART THREE

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I
ACTIVITIES

I. THE FIRST VISIT BY A BAHA'f REIGNING MONARCH TO THE
RESTING PLACE OF SHOGHI EFFENDI 69

II. THE FIVE YEAR INTERNATIONAL TEACHING PLAN 1974-1979
1. The Completion of the Five Year International Teaching Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Vlll CONTENTS

Page
2. The World Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
3. Summary of National Goals and Accomplishments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
4. Summary of Other Accomplishments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
5. Expansion and Consolidation of the Baha'i Faith including the period of the
Five Year Plan- Information Statistical and Comparative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
A. Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
B. The Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
c. Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
o. Australasia and the Pacific Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
E . Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

III. EIGHT INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CONFERENCES
1. Arise!-A Pictorial Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
2. Messages of the Universal House of Justice to the Eight International
Teaching Conferences ...... : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
A. To the International Teaching Conference in He lsinki, Finland 5-8
July 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
B. To the International Teaching Conference in Anchorage, Alaska
23 - 25 July 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
c. To the International Teaching Conference in Paris 3-6 August 1976 . 131
o. To the International Teaching Conference in Nairobi, Kenya 15-17
October 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
E. To the International Teaching Conference in Hong Kong27-30
November 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
F. To the International Teaching Conference in Auckland, New Zealand
19-22 January 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
G. To the International Teaching Conference in Bahia, Brazil 27-30
January 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
H. To the International Teaching Conference in Merida, Mexico 4-6
February 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
3. Message of Mr. Kurt Waldheim , Secretary-General of the United Nations,
to the International Baha'i Conference, Paris, 3-6 August 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . 140

IV. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES
1976-1979
1. Survey by Continents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
A. Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
B. The Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
c. Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
o. Australasia and the Pacific Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
E. Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
2. The Challenge and Promise of Baha'i Scholarship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
3. The Canadian Association for Studies on the Baha'i Faith 1975-1979 . . . . . 197
Appendix I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Appendix II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Appendix III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
4. Survey of Activities of Baha'i Women in the Five Year Plan by R. Collins . . 202
5. Survey of the expanded use of Radio and Television in the Five Year Plan . . 215
6. The New Era Baha'i School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
7. Rural Development in India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
V. THE BAHA'I FAITH AND THE UNITED NATIONS
1. SummaryoftheYears1947-1976 .......... . ...... . ... . . ........ .. ... 229
CONTENTS ~

Page
2. The Baha'i International Community and the United Nations 1976-1979 233
Annex I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Annex II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Annex III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244

VI. RECOGNITION OF THE BAHA'I FAITH
1. Incorporation of National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
2. Incorporation of Local Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
3. A Selection of other Documents Recording Official recognition
of the Baha'i Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

PART FOUR

THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA 'U'LLAH

I. THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
1. The Constitution of the Universal House of Justice 285
2. The Fourth International Convention for the Election of the Universal
House of Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
3. The Historic Significance of the Erection of the Seat of the Universal House
of Justice, by Paul Haney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
4. The Construction of the Building for the Seat of the Universal House of
Justice-A Pictorial Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
5. A Tribute by Chiampo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314

II. THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE OF GOD
1. The Hands of the Cause of God and the Extension of their Functions into the
F uture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
A. The Rulers and the Learned .................................... 317
B. The Hands of the Cause of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
c. The Continental Boards of Counsellors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
o . The International Teaching Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
2. The Work and Travels of the Hands of the Cause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
3. Hands of the Cause who Represented the Universal House of Justice at
Inaugural Conventions for the election of National Spiritual Assemb lies
1976- 1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333

III. THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
1. Introduction, by Horace Holley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
2. A Model Declaration of Trust and By-Laws for a National Spiritual
Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
3. A Procedure for the Conduct of the Annual Baha'i Convention . . . . . . . . . . . 346

IV. THE LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
1. The Institution and its Significance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
2. By-Laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361

V. THE INSTITUTION OF THE MASHRIQU ' L - ADHKAR
1. Foreword, by Horace Holley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
2. The Spiritual Significance of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
3. The Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Mother Temple of the Indian
Subcontinent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
x CONTENTS

Page
4. The Laying of the Foundation Stone of the First Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the
Pacific Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
A. Text of Address delivered by His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II . . . 372
B. Excerpts from the Address of the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha
Rul)iyyih Khanum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
5. The Designation of the Mother Temple of the West as a National Historic
Place by the United States Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
VI. THE NON-POLITICAL CHARACTER OF THE BAHA'I FAITH
1. The Non-Political Character of the Baha'i Faith-Excerpts from the
Writings of Shoghi Effendi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
VII. RELATIONSHIP TO GOVERNMENT
1. Loyalty to Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
2. The Baha'i View of Pacifism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
3. Summary of the Guardian's Instructions on the Obligations of Baha'is in
Connection with Military Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
VIII. BAHA'I CALENDAR, FESTIVALS AND DATES OF HISTORICAL
SIGNIFICANCE
1. Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
2. Baha'i Feasts, Anniversaries and Days of Fasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
3. Baha'i Holy Days on which work should be suspended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
4. Additional material gleaned from Nabil's Narrative regarding the Baha'i
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
5. Historical Data gleaned from Nabil's Narrative regarding Baha'u'llah . . . . . . 390
6. Dates of Historical Significance in the Rise of the Baha'i Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . 394

PART FIVE

IN MEMORIAM
Page Page

Anderson, Angela Annette . . . 417 Gupta, Nathulal . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
'Azzavi, Siyyid Mu9ammad . . . 425 Gutos, Javan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 455
Battrick, Jeannette Hilda . . . . . 4 70 Hafner, Otto .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 473
Blackwell, Ellsworth . . . . . . . . . 452 Hornell (Kathleen, Lady
Blundell, Hugh K. . . . . . . . . . . . 421 Hornell) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443
Boon, Choo Yeok . . . . . . . . . . . 404 Huffman, Evelyn and Vern . . . 466
Bowman, Amelia . . . . . . . . . . . . 409 'Ilmi, Siyyid Ma9f~u'l-l:laq . . . . 446
Brown, Ramona Allen Bray . . . 399 Irizarry, Maria T. . . . . . . . . . . . . 437
Busey, Garreta Helen . . . . . . . . 422 Iverson, Clarence John . . . . . . . 47 4
Derozhinsky, Pamela . . . . . . . . . 465 JOrgensen, Else . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 428
Ebo, Antonio Francisco . . . . . . 432 el Khemiri, 'Abdu'l-I:Iamid . . . 427
Enongene Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . 412 Kurlawala, Ghulam-'Ali . . . . . . 460
Fananapadhir, 'Inayatu'llah . . . 453 Laite, Gordon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 456
Fat9-'A~am, Ru9angiz . . . . . . . 467 Laws, Elizabeth S. . . . . . . . . . . . 459
Franchino, Leticia . . . . . . . . . . . 413 Linfoot, Charlotte M. . . . . . . . . 423
Fujita, Saichiro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406 Maxwell, Marion Lord . . . . . . . 429
Gomez, Luisa Mapa . . . . . . . . . 441 Meymoun, Ismail Hiwari . . . . . 4 72
Gregory, Ernest . . . . . . . . . . . . . 454 Miessler, Edmund . . . . . . . . . . . 430
Grossmann, Elsa Maria . . . . . . . 440 Moffett, Ruth J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463
Giiney, Muzaffer . . . . . . . . . . . . 445 Mohapi, Chadwick and Mary . . 449
CONTENTS xi
Page Page
Richardson, Doris . . . . . . . . . . . 410 Tijssen-Hartmann, Emma
Safrang, Gulbanu . . . . . . . . . . . . 416 Margaret . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 74
Salazar, Anguel Maria . . . . . . . . 420 Tobey, Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
~amimi, AJ:tmad . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411 Trigg, Martha 'Nakiya'
Senne, Dorothy Kedibone . . . . 434 Noyakuk..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . 447
Sharp, Adelaide . . . . . . . . . . . . . 418 VanSombeek, Georgette . . . . . 475
Steffes, Marian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 458 Wayenece, Emma . . . . . . . . . . . 414
Taymuri-Muqadam, RuJ:t'u'llah 433 Yazdani, AJ:tmad . . . . . . . . . . . . 438
Thomas, Wilma . . . . . . . . . . . . . 436

PART SIX
DIRECTORY, BIBLIOGRAPHY, GLOSSARY
I. BAHA'I DIRECTORY
1. The Universal House of Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481
2. The Hands of the Cause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481
3. The International Teaching Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481
4. Continental Boards of Counsellors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482
5. Baha'i International Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482
6. National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482
7. Baha'i Publishing Trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482

II. BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Baha'u' llah's Best-Known Works 484
2. The Bab's Best-Known Works ..................................... .. . 485
3. 'Abdu' l-Baha's Best-Known Works ...................... . . . ... .... . . . 486
4. Some Compilations from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, the Bab and' Abdu'l-Baha 487
5. Shoghi Effendi's Best-Known Works . .. . . ... ... ....... .. ............ . . 487
6. Language and Literature Achievements of the Five Year Plan- Ric:Ivan
1974-1979 ................... .. .. . .......... . .. . ................. . 489
A. Africa ....................... . . .. . . ....... ......... . . . .. ... . . . 489
B. The Americas ......... . ..... . ................... . ..... . . . . . .. . 491
c. Asia ............ . ... .. . . ... . ...... . . . . ..... ... . .. . ... . .... . . . 493
D. Australasia ...... . ............ . .. . .................... . ...... . 494
E. Europe .. . ............ . ..... . ............... . ..... . ... . .. .... . 494
F. Invented Languages ............................ . ....... . ...... . 495
G. Total by Continents ................ . ..... . .................... . 495
7. The Short Obligatory Prayer in 391 Languages, Dialects or Scripts ... . ... . 496
A. Africa ....................................................... . 497
B. The Americas . . .... .. ......... . .......... . ................... . 510
c. Asia .. . ........................... . .................... . .... . 519
D. Australasia and the Pacific Islands ................ . ............. . 533
E. Europe .................... . ....... . ..... . . . ................. . 536
F. Invented Languages .. .... ......... ....... ... ................ . . . 540
8. Major Works and Partial List of Languages in which they are available ... . . 542
A. Works of Baha'u'llah . . .............. . ......................... . 542
B. Works of the Bab ............ . .. . ..................... . .... . .. . 542
c. Works of 'Abdu'l-B aha . ........... ..... ... . ................... . 542
o. Works Compiled from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, The Bab and
'Abd u'l-Baha ....... . .............. ............. ....... . ..... . 542
E. Works of Shoghi Effendi ..... . ..... . ........... . .............. . 542
XU CONTENTS

Page
9. A Selection of Introductory and Expository Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543
A. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543
B. For Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 544
c. Periodicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 544
D. International Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 545
10. The Publication and Disseminatio n of Baha'f Literature in English, by
William P. Collins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 546
11. Bibliographies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 554
A . A Bibliography of Baha'f Books and Booklets in the English
Language, by Robert E. Cadwalader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 554
(i) The Writings of Baha' u' llah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 554
(ii) The Writings of the Bab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 555
(iii) The Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 555
(iv) Works compiled from the Writings of Baha'u'llah and
'Abdu'l-B a ha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 558
(v) The writings of Shoghi Effendi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 560
(vi) Messages and compilations of the Universal House of Justice . . 562
(vii) Writings on the Baha'f Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562
B. An Alphabetical Listing of Authors, Compilers and Translators of
Baha'f Books and Booklets in the English Language, by Robert E.
Cadwalader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 572
c. A Bibliography of Baha'f Children's Literature in the English
Language, 1917-1979, by Robert E. Cadwalader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575
D. A Partial Bibliography of English-language Books by non-Baha'fs in
which Mention is Made of the Baha'f Faith, by Maureen Thur . . . . . . . 577
E. A Partial Bibliography of English-language items by Baha'fs in
which Mention is Made of the Baha'f Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 593
F. A Partial Bibliography of Theses Relating to the Baha'f Faith 593

III. ORIENTAL TERMS
1. Transliteration of Oriental Words Frequently used in Baha'f Literature 595
2. Guide to Transliteration and Pronunciation of the Persian Alphabet . . . . . . . 597
3. Notes on the Pronunciation of Persian Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 597
4 . Definitions of Some of the Oriental Terms Used in Baha'f Literature . . . . . . 599

PART SEVEN
LITERARY AND MUSICAL WORKS

I. ESSAYS AND REVIEWS
1. The Unity of Re ligion and Science, by William S. Hatcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 607
2. Can There Be a Baha'f Poetry?, by Geoffrey P. Nash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620
3. Highlights in the Life of Mfrza Abu'l-Fa<;ll, by R. Mehrabkhani . . . . . . . . . . . 625
4. A Portion of Radiance: A Reminiscence, by Berthalin Allien . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630
5. Fragments from a Diary, by Jonathan Rishworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 632
6. Reginald Turvey: An Appreciation of the Man and His Art, by
Lowell Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 634

II. VERSE 639

III. MUSIC 653
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Frontispiece: Dawn over the Upper Chamber of the House of the Bab in Shiraz where He
declared His mission (photo courtesy of Mihdi ~amfmi)

Part One: The Baha'i Revelation
Page
The Mansion of Bahji . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Entrance from an adjoining dwelling which gives access to the courtyard of the House of
the Bab in Shiraz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Courtyard of the House of the Bab in Shiraz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
View of the garden in the courtyard of the House of the Bab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Upper chamber of the House of the Bab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
'Abdu'l-Baha-photograph taken in 1912 during His visit to the United States . . . . . . 34
'Abdu'l-Baha-photograph taken in Philadelphia; 1912 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
A glimpse of 'Abdu'l-Baha in the Holy Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
'Abdu'l-Baha-photograph taken in Paris; 1911 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
A selection of the Writings of' Abdu'l-Baha translated into English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
The resting place of Shoghi Effendi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Entrance of the Baha'i International Archives building on Mount Carmel . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Part Two: The Commemoration of Historic Anniversaries

Two views of 'Akka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
View of 'Akka looking north-west . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Partial view of sea wall and fortifications, 'Akka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Two views of Baha'u'llah's room in the prison of 'Akka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Inn of the Pillars (Khan-i-'Avamfd), 'Akka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
The Mansion of Bahji . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
The Shrine of the Bab, Mount Carmel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Aerial view of Mazra'ih . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Hands of the Cause, members of the Universal House of Justice and Counsellor members
of the International Teaching Centre gathered at the House of 'Abbud . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Mount Carmel: view of the Shrine of the Bab and the Baha'i International Archives
building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
The Shrine of Baha'u'llah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Part Three: International Survey of Current
Baha'i Activities

His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western Samoa and others visiting the resting
place of Shoghi Effendi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Graph illustrating growth of the Baha'i Faith 1953-1 979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Three volumes of Sacred Text produced during the Five Year Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Three volumes of The Baha'( World produced during the Five Year Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
First shipment of marble for Permanent Seat of the Universal House of Justice . . . . . . 73
Aerial view of the Shrine of Baha'u'llah showing newly-developed gardens . . . . . . . . . . 74
View of the gardens at Mazra'ih . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
United Nations Seminar on Participation of Women in Development, Kathmandu,
Nepal; 15- 22 February 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
XIV LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Page
A Baha'i worker preparing to read microfilmed documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
The House of 'Abdu'l-Baha in ' Akka, known as the house of 'Abdu'llah Pasha . . . . . . 84
Asian Baha'i Women's Conference, New Delhi , India; 13-16 October 1977 . . . . . . . . . 91
Third annual Baha'i Children's Conference, Guyana; March 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
The Hand of the Cause Amatu' l-Baha Rul:llyyih Khanum with Maori and Polynesian
Baha'is of New Zealand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Some students of the Ideal Baha'i Primary School, Dharmanager, North Tripura , India . 96
Some students of the Baha'i Primary School, Tadung, Gangtok, Sikkim . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
'Erena Roe', a catamaran used for teaching in Kiribati and Tuvalu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Xhosa translation of Baha' u'llah 's Kitab-i-lqan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
His Majesty Sobhuza II, King of Swaziland, accepting an illuminated Baha'i prayer for
unity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Mrs. Dorothy Francis, recipient of the Order of Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Bowes at dedication of a library named in honour of Mr. Bowes . . . 104
Mr. Viiino Rissanen, the first Baha'i of Finland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
The first Baha'i group of Paris, circa 1902 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Mr. Robert Turner, 'disciple of 'Abdu'l-B aha' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
The Hands of the Cause John Henry Hyde Dunn and Clara Dunn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Mrs . Leonora Holsapple Armstrong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
' Abdu'l-Baha in Paris; 1912 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Conference of Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members for Central and East Africa 142
First Baha'i Summer School of Rhodesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Baha'i Booth, Trade Fair, Gaborone, Botswana ; July 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Conference of Counsellors, Auxiliary Board members and assistants for Western African
zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Baha'i Women's Conference , Niger; January 1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
First Baha'i Summer School of Sierra Leone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Baha'is and guests, Rosso, Mauritania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Baha'is of Kumba , Cameroon Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
The Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone at dedication of a Regional Baha'i Centre,
Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Baha'is and guests, Illie-Etche, River State, Nigeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Baha'i Children's Class, Chad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Site of the future Mashriqu' l-Adhkar, Lome, Togo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Baha'i Children's Class, Ikot Uba Village, Cross River State, Nigeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Teaching Conference, Martinique, French Antilles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Guaymi and Cuna Indian Baha'is who participated in satellite teaching conference,
Magisterio Panameno Unidas, Panama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
International Baha'i Youth Conference , San Jose, Costa Rica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
National f:Ia:(':fratu'l-Quds, Nassau, Bahamas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
First Canadian Baha'i Native Council, Tyendinaga, Ontario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Baha'i exhibit 'Symposium of Philosophies and Religions'-Montreal, Quebec . . . . . . . 163
Public information advertisement placed in Canadian publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Baha'i Children's Class, San Jose, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Facsimile of bronze plaque marking entry of the Baha'i House of Worship, Wilmette in
U .S. Government National Register of Historic Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Baha'i Centre, San Francisco, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
'Baha'i Week' proclamation materials, Los Angeles, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Baha'i exhibit, Dulles International Airport, Washington, D .C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Some participants in third All-Quechua Conference, Otavalo, Ecuador . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Street poster, Brazil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Students of the Baha'i School of La Cisterna, Chile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS XV

Page
Mr. Victor Raul Haya de la Torre of Peru with delegation of Baha'is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Baha'i Children's Class, Ecuador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
National Teaching Conference, Ponape, Caroline Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
The Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone and other Baha'is at the first National
Convention of the Baha'is of the Marshall Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Hawaiian Baha'i float entered in 'Aloha Week' parade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Some participants in Baha'i Summer School, Taiwan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Baha'is of the Lama tribe, Winter School, Bangladesh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Participants in third Western Asian Youth Conference, Lucknow, India . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Participants in a nine-day Spiritual Institute, Malaysia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Participants in World Religon Day meeting, Hong Kong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Students and faculty of the Rabbani Baha'i School, Gwalior, India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Siyyid Shah Mul)ammad, pioneer (Luristan, Iran) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Baha'i Children's Class, Daglanlu Village, Adhirbayjan, fran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Conference of Auxiliary Board members and assistants, Tonga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Baha'i Children's Conference, Samoa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Baha'i singing group of New Ireland, Papua New Guinea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Baha'i Youth Conference, Port Vila, New Hebrides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Participants in programme commemorating the International Year of the Child, Sydney,
Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Baha'i exhibition and tent, Jokkmokk Winter Market, Sweden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Exhibit on 'Six World Religions', Cambridge, England . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Baha'i information counter, Orebro, Sweden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
First Baha'i Winter School of Malta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
First Baha'i Winter School of Cyprus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Participants in the annual meeting of the Canadian Association for Studies on the Baha'i
Faith; January 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Five publications produced by the Canadian Association for Studies on the Baha'i Faith 200
Amatu'l-Baha Rujtiyyih Khanum at the formal welcome to the Maori Meeting House,
New Zealand; January 1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Mrs. Mehrangiz Munsiff with Girl Guides, New Hebrides; 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Dr. Jane Faily with participants in a Teacher Training Institute, Nigeria; 1979 . . . . . . . 206
His Excellency James R. Mancham, President of Seychelles, in interview with Mrs. Lea
Nys ; November 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Participants in National Baha'i Women's Conference, El Salvador; March 1977 . . . . . . 208
Participants in National Baha'i Women's Conference, Senegal; April 1978 . . . . . . . . . . 208
Participants in first National Baha'i Women's Conference, Bangladesh; January 1977 . 208
Four participants in the National Teaching Conference, Umgababa, South Africa;
October 1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Participants in the first International Conference of Baha'i Women of South America-
Peru ; December 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Some participants in the first National Baha'i Children's Conference of Samoa; April
1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Some participants in the Asian Baha'i Women's Conference, India; October 1977 . . . . 212
Marion Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Site of a new short-wave broadcasting facility for Radio Baha'i, O tavalo, Ecuador . . . . 216
Radio personnel preparing a tape for broadcasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Silhouette of the antenna and broadcasting studio, Cajas, Ecuador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Participants in National Teaching Conference, Cajas, Ecuador; August 1978 . . . . . . . . 218
Representative sampling of references to the Baha'i Faith from newspapers and journals . 218
Participants in the international television and radio workshop, Otavalo, Ecuador;
December 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
xvi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Page
Inauguration of the New Era Rural Development Project, Chikli, India; October 1975 . 228
United Nations Day observance, Porto Alegre, Brazil; October 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
United Nations Day observance, San Salvador, El Salvador; October 1976 . . . . . . . . . . 237
International Year of the Child observance, Karachi, Pakistan; December 1979 . . . . . . 241
United Nations Day display, Moen, Truk Islands; December 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Mrs. Nancy B. Mondschein and Mrs. T. Memet Tanumidjaja . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Governor George R. Ariyoshi of Hawaii signing the document proclaiming 18 September
1977 as World Peace Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Baha'fs who participated in the dedication of the local J:Ia~fratu' l-Qud s , Annandale ,
Demerara, Guyana; 27 June 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Certificate of Incorporation in American Samoa of the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Baha'fs of Samoa; 23 April 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of South
and West Africa; 13 August 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of Singapore; 4 October 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Act of Parliament incorporating the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of
Guyana, passed on 9 December 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Receipt for Declaration of Association of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs
of Gabon; 8 April 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Letter from the Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs confirming registration of the
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of Iceland as a religious society of Iceland,
29 April 1977, with translation into English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Certificate of Registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of Suriname
and French Guiana; 16 January 1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Extract from the Official Journal of New Caledonia for 3 November 1978, relating to the
Declaration of Association of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of the
New Hebrides; receipt dated 19 October 1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Extract from the Official Journal of the French Republic relating to the registration of the
National Spiritual Assembly of the French Antilles; 5 January 1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Certificate oflncorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Caroline Islands; 29
January 1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Mariana Islands; 2
April 1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Certificates of Incorporation of the Local Spiritua l Assemblies of the Baha'fs of
Ufwenuka and Mwiika Villages, Zambia, both dated 3 May 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of Perseverance Village (Couva), Trinidad and Tobago; 9 July 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of Tauranga
City , New Zealand; 12 July 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Extracts from articles of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of
Willemstad, Curac;ao, signed 6 December 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of Portland
Cottage, Jamaica; 29 September 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of Lipan,
Papua New Guinea; 11 January 1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Presidential Decree approving By-Laws and conferring Juridical Personality on the Local
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of Palomita, Paraguay; 3 July 1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Extract from the Official Journal of French Polynesia of 15 July 1978, rela ting to the
registration of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of Tahiti; receipt dated 22
June 1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Extract from the Official Journal of New Caledonia for 1 December 1978, relating to the
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS XVll

Page
Declaration of Association of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ls of Fila Island,
New Hebrides; receipt dated 23 November 1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ls of Galway,
Ireland; 20 February 1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Document signed by primary school authorities in Wetzikon, Switzerland, permitting
Baha'i students to be absent from school on Baha'i Holy Days ; 19 April 1977 . . . . . 270
Letter dated 15 October 1977 from Ministry of Lands and Settlements, exempting the
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ls of Kenya from payment of rates . . . . . . . 271
Letter dated 28 October 1977 from the office of the Minister of Home Affairs and Health ,
approving the appointment of Mr. Eric Wilson as Marriage Officer of Belize for the
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ls of Belize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Letter dated 16 June 1978 from the National Register Coordinator, Division of Historic
Sites, Illinois Department of Conservation , giving notice that the Baha'i House of
Worship in Wilmette, Illinois was on 23 May 1978 entered in the National Register of
Historic Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Certificate of Registration of the Baha'i Faith as a religious body in Tuvalu ; 8 August
1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Certificates of Registration of Baha'i symbols with the African Office of Industrial
Property on behalf of the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Central African Empire,
the Cameroon Republic, and the Ivory Coast; 18 August 1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Extract from the Gazette of India for 9 September 1978, relating to exemption from
income tax of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ls of India, with translation
into English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Letter dated 8 November 1978 from Ministry of Churches, legalizing Baha'i marriage in
Denmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Certificates of Approval of Religious Organization authorizing establishment of the
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ls of the Cook Islands; 20 December 1978,
with cover letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Letter dated 3 February 1979 addressed to Court of Personal Status for Non-Muslims by
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ls of the Sudan, designating representative
to appear before the Court in matters of Baha'i personal status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Letter dated 9 March 1979 from the Procurer General of the Republic, confirming that
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ls of Zaire obtained civil personality by
ordinance on 9 June 1972 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Resolution adopted 15 March 1979 by the House of Representatives of the Eighty-First
General Assembly, State of Illinois, calling upon the President of the United States to
urge the Government of Iran to recognize the religious character of the Baha'i Faith,
and to assure the rights of all religious minorities including the Baha'ls . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Letter dated 28 March 1979 signed by 22 members of the United States Senate, addressed
to the Prime Minister of Iran, expressing concern for the rights of religous minorities,
including the Baha'ls, under the new Provisional Revolutionary Islamic Government of
Iran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282

Part Four: The World Order of Baha'u'llah

Facsimile of signatures on the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice; 26
November 1972 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
The Hands of the Cause Amatu' l-Baha RuJ:ilyyih Khan um and Paul Haney with members
of the Universal House of Justice elected at Ric;lvan 1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Counsellor Thelma Khelgati with delegates from Niger who participated in the fourth
International Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
xviii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Page
Mr. Anthony Providence addressing the delegates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Partial view of the exhibit on display during the fourth International Convention . . . . . 295
Delegates from Japan who participated in the fourth International Convention . . . . . . . 295
Delegates from Ghana who participated in the fourth International Convention . . . . . . 297
Mr. Kawku Negble Attigah of Togo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Mr. Adrien Zanou Gnambode of Benin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Silver box holding containers of Dust from the Shrines of Baha'u'llah and the Bab . . . 298
The Hands of the Cause and Counsellors, Mazra'ih; May 1978 · .................... 299
Amatu'l-Baha RuQ.iyyih Khanum in conversation with Mr. Alibe Mimba of Surinam . . 300
The construction of the building for the Seat of the Universal House of Justice: a
photographic report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Booklet published by the town of Chiampo, Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
The Continental Board of Counsellors for Australasia; January 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
The Continental Board of Counsell ors for Central America; March 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . 320
The Continental Board of Counse llors for North America; October 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . 320
The Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qasim Faizi during his visit to Fiji; March 1977 . . . . . . . 325
The Hand of the Cause' Ali-Akbar Furutan paying a courtesy call on Mr. Krishan Chand,
Lieutenant Governor of India; November 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
The Hand of the Cause' Ali-Mul)ammad Varga during his visit to French Guiana; Spring
1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
The Hand of the Cause John Robarts visiting the Irish Baha'i Summer School; August
1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
The Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone visiting the Baha'is of Sagafau, Savai'i,
Western Samoa; 12 April 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
The Hands of the Cause who participated in the International Teaching Conference in
Paris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
The Hand of the Cause Ral)matu' llah Muhajir and Mr. Mazco Kucel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
The Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery and some participants in the Teaching Conference
held in San Zano, Italy; May 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332

Some newly-formed National Spiritual Assemblies
1977-1978
Page Page
Greece(1977) ..... . ............ 336 Burundi (re-established 1978) 347
The French Antilles (1977) . . . . . . . 336 The Bahamas (1978) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
The Marshall Islands ( 1977) . . . . . . 336 Cyprus (1978) Inaugural Convention 348
The New Hebrides (1977) . . . . . . . . 341 The Mariana Islands (1978) . . . . . . . 348
Surinam and French Guiana (1977) 341 Mauritania (1978) Inaugural
Upper Volta (1977) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
The Spiritual Assembly of Ocean Island (Banaba); Ric;lvfo 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354

Some newly-formed Local Spiritual Assemblies
1976-1979
Page Page
Nuuk , Greenland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354 Emmen, the Netherlands . . . . . . . . . 360
Imphal, Manipur, India . . . . . . . . . . . 360
The first incorporated Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Hamilton Township, New
Jersey, U.S.A.; October 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
The Mother Temple of the West, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
Model of the Mother Temple of the Indian Sub-continent, New Delhi, India . . . . . . . . . 368
LIST OF ILL UST RA TIO NS XlX

Page
Amatu'l-Baha Rulµyyih Khanum at the ceremony for laying the foundation stone of the
House of Worship of India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Amatu'l-Baha Rulµyyih Khan um laying the foundation stone of the House of Worship of
India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Architect's impression of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the Pacific Islands . . . . . . . . . . 371
His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II addressing those gathered to witness the laying of
the foundation stone of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the Pacific Islands . . . . . . . . . . 372
Amatu'l-Baha Rulµyyih Khanum at the ceremony for laying the foundation stone of the
first Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the Pacific Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II laying the foundation stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Amatu'l-Baha Rulµyyih Khanum laying the foundation stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Casket containing Dust from the Shrines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Two views of 'Abdu'l-Baha taken on 1 May 1912 at the dedication of the site of the
Baha'i House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Partial view of the Baha'i cemetery, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396

Part Five: In Memorian
Page Page
Brown, Ramona Allen Bray . . . . . . . 400 Yazdani, AJ:imad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438
Tobey, Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401 Grossmann, Elsa Maria . . . . . . . . . . . 440
Boon, Choo Yeok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405 Gomez, Luisa Mapa . . . . . . . . . . . . . 442
Fujita, Saichiro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407 Hornell (Kathleen, Lady Hornell) . 443
Bowman, Amelia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409 Gupta, Nathulal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Richardson, Doris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411 Giiney, Muzaffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 445
$amfmf, AJ:imad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412 'Ilmf, Siyyid MaJ:iflizu'l-I:Iaq . . . . . . . 447
Enongene, Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413 Trigg, Martha 'Nakiya' Noyakuk . . . 448
Franchino, Leticia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 414 Mohapi, Chadwick and Mary ... . 449, 451
Wayenece, Emma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415 Blackwell, Ellsworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . 452
Safrang, Gulbanu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 416 Fananapadhfr, 'Inayatu'llah . . . . . . . 453
Anderson, Angela Annette . . . . . . . 41 7 Gregory, Ernest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 455
Sharp, Adelaide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419 Gutos, Javan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 456
Salazar, Anguel Marfa . . . . . . . . . . . . 421 Laite, Gordon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457
Blundell, Hugh K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422 Steffes, Marian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 458
Busey, Garreta H. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423 Laws, Elizabeth S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 459
Linfoot, Charlotte M. . . . . . . . . . . . . 424 Kurlawala, Ghulam-'Ali . . . . . . . . . . 461
'Azzavf, Siyyid MuJ:iammad . . . . . . . 425 Moffett, Ruth J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463
el Khemfrf, 'Abdu' l-I:Iamfd . . . . . . . 427 Derozhinsky, Pamela . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465
Ji:irgensen, Else . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428 Huffman, Evelyn and Vern . . . . . . . 467
Maxwell, Marion Lord . . . . . . . . . . . 430 FatJ:i-A''.?am, RuJ:iangfz . . . . . . . . . . . 469
Miessler, Edmund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431 Battrick, Jeannette Hilda . . . . . . . . . 471
Ebo, Antonio Francisco . . . . . . . . . . 432 Meymoun, Ismail Hiwari . . . . . . . . . 472
Taymlirf- Muqadam, RuJ:i'u'llah . . . . 434 Hafner, Otto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473
Senne, Dorothy Kedibone . . . . . . . . 435 Tijssen-Hartmann, Emma Margaret 474
Thomas, Wilma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 436 VanSombeek, Georgette . . . . . . . . . 475
Irizarry, Maria T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437
One of the ornamental urns which grace the gardens surrounding the Shrine of the Bab 4 78

Part Six: Directory, Bibliography, Glossary

Facsimile of the Short Obligatory Prayer in Braille (English) Grade II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 541
Baha'i literature display sponsored by the Baha'i Publishing Trust of Taiwan . . . . . . . . 541
xx LIST OF ILLUSTRATIO NS

Page
Some current Baha'i periodicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 545
Examp les of Baha'i literature in English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 551
Baha'i literature display , Belo Horizonte, Brazil; October 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 552
Baha 'i literat ure display sponsored by the Baha'i Publishing Trust of Italy, Milan Trade
Fair, April 1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 571
Ca ll igraphic arrangement of part of the opening sentence of the Will and Testament of
'Abdu' l-Baha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 598
Calligra phic arrangement by Mishkin-Qalam of the invocation: 'Praise be to God, the
Exalted, the Beloved!' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604

Part Seven: Literary and Musical Works

Mirza Ab u'l-Fa<;ll (1844-1914) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 626
Reginald Turvey (1882- 1968) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 636
Untitled painting by Reginald Turvey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 637
INTRODUCTION

AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE
BAHA'I FAITH
DAVID HOFMAN

RELIGION has two objectives, the regen- human relationships, and establish once for all
eration of men and the advancement of man- the machinery that can best incarnate this funkind. All men have been created to carry for- damental principle of its life.' 1
ward an ever advancing civilization proclaims Religion sees the course of history as an
Baha'u'llah, and The purpose of the one true organic process, moving towards the full real-
God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself ization of all the potentialities implanted in
unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hid- man . The vicissitudes, the great advances, the
den within the mine of their true and inmost hiatuses it regards as the natural unfoldment of
selves. that process just as the succession of bud, leaf,
These aims of religion, universal and eternal, flower and fruit is the natural unfoldment in the
nevertheless have been conditioned to the life of a tree; or infancy, childhood, youth and
capacities of each age or dispensation and the maturity in that of a man. Indeed, Baha'i scripgreat religions of the past have developed their ture explains, the process is the same. The sun
social orders within generally definable times is the effective agent in the organic life of the
and areas . Judaism, for instance, attained its earth; religion in that of humanity. The Sun of
peak under Solomon and was confined, before Truth is the Word of God upon which depends
the dispersion, to the Near East; Zoroastrian- the education ofthose who are endowed with the
ism remained Persian until the Arab conquest power of understanding and of utterance. 2 The
and the settlement of a remnant in Western creative Word, revealed in each stage of
India; Christianity became the religion of human progress by a Manifestation of God,
European civilization; the building of the and conditioned to the requirements of the
nation state undertaken by Islam remained a time, is the effective agent in the long, single
Muslim experiment until feudal Europe process of humanity's development from
learned the lesson and its city states gave way infancy to World Order. This truth is enshrined
to and adopted the more advanced order. It has in all revealed religion although it needs the
remained for the Baha'i religion to declare and illumination of Baha'u'llah's revelation to
promote the cause of world order-the sine enable men to perceive it. 'The first picture
qua non of its existence-and to disclose the presented in the Bible is that of human unity in
concomitant unities of religion, of mankind its simplest form; that of a single family. The
and of historical purpose. 'Unity of family, of last picture is that of a unity manifold and
tribe, of city-state, and nation have been suc- universal in which all kindreds and tongues and
cessively attempted and fully established. peoples and nations are gathered into one and
World unity is the goal towards which a har- unified in the enjoyment of a common worship,
assed humanity is striving. Nation-building has a common happiness, a common glory.
come to an end. The anarchy inherent in state 'The great problem which, according to the
sovereignty is moving towards a climax. A 1
Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, The
world, growing to maturity, must abandon this Unfoldment of World Civilization.
fetish, recognize the oneness and wholeness of 2
BaM'u'llah, Daryay-i-Danim.
2 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Bible, confronts the human race in its progress tion of mankind which must turn again to God
is that of advancing from the barest, baldest and recognize His purpose . The two aims of
unity through a long experience of multiplying religion are, therefore, interacting and
diversities till ultimately a balance between the interdependent.
two principles is struck, poise is gained and the Such a world-shaking transformation cannot
two forces of variety and unity are blended in a be brought about by any movement of reform,
multiple, highly developed world fellowship, however disinterested, nor by any unaided
the perfection of whose union was hardly sug- human effort. Modern man has turned away
gested in the primitive simplicity of early from God, and bereft of his traditional sancman.'' tions, has inevitably wrecked his old order
This spiritual view of evolution is the con- which, in truth, is lamentably inadequate to
stant theme of religion. Each revelation refers modern conditions and is not susceptible of
to the past, looks forward to the future and repair. Soon, is Baha' u'llah's prophetic view of
concentrates upon the immediate need for our day, will the present-day order be rolled up,
spiritual regeneration and enlightenment. The and a new one spread out in its stead. Likewise,
Prophet evokes in human hearts a sacrificial The signs of impending convulsions and chaos
love which transcends self-interest and causes can now be discerned, inasmuch as the prevailthe early believers to dedicate themselves ing order appears to be lamentably defective.
entirely to the practice and diffusion of the new The current aim of religion, embodied in the
message . As it spreads it works like leaven in aims and purposes of the Baha'i Faith, is the
society, reforming its morals, uplifting its vi- promotion of the next stage in the organic prosion and promoting a greater diffusion of love cess of human evolution-the coming of age of
in social action . the human race . The achievement of this
'World history at its core and in its essence is maturity will be attested by the unification of
the story of the spiritual evolution of mankind. mankind and the federation of the world in a
From this all other activities of man proceed single, all-embracing world society of human
and round it all other activities revolve.' 2 brotherhood. But great objectives are reached
Unlike the revelations of the past, the Baha'i by dedicated pursuit of the preliminary and
revelation releases not only the creative Word intermediate stages of the task, without ever
necessary to the renewal of spiritual vitality in losing sight of the ultimate goal, and this has
the human spirit, but embodies that divine been and is now the occupation of the Baha'i
energy in an administrative order capable of world community-the completion within
bringing within its shade all the diversified specified times of specified goals. These teachethnic groups and myriad types of the human ing plans to which the Baha'is eagerly devote
race, who may find within its wide embrace a their lives do far more than simply increase the
full, happy and purposeful life. Baha'i activity size and consolidation of that world commutherefore is directed not only, as in the past, to nity. They are devised and launched by the
the spreading of the Word, but to the estab- head of the Faith- the Guardian and now the
lishment of the fabric of that Order which, Universal House of Justice-and are therefore
enshrined within the creative Word itself, conceived from a global view, directed to the
becomes the chief instrument for the further immediate needs of the great objective, condiffusion and social application of the Divine servative of the community's resources,
Message. This World Order, which the Baha'i world-wide in scale permitting the organic
Faith exists to establish, is none other than that development of each part according to its stage
long-promised Kingdom in which peace, jus- of growth but with due regard for the needs of
tice and brotherhood shall prevail universally the whole, fostering intensively the unity, the
and 'the earth shall be filled with the knowl- international co-operation, the diversification
edge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters of the ethnic, religious and social backgrounds
cover the sea.' 3 The establishment of this of its increasing membership and developing
World Order is dependent upon the regenera- new resources for the next step forward .
It should be noted that none of these plans is
George Townshend, The Heart of the Gospel , 1939.
ibid. isolated in aim or conception but all are
Habakkuk 2: 14. directed towards the implementation of three
INTRODUCTION 3

great charters, enshrined in Baha'i sacred Writ- implementing these three charters and it is
ings, which authorize and guide the expansion incontrovertibly apparent that never in any
of the Faith and the development of its institu- preceding Dispensation has the command to
tions. In past Dispensations the command to spread the Word of God been given, in the
'spread the Gospel' has been general and sacred text, such explicit guidance and detailed
unspecified. It was the inspired guidance of the objectives.
beloved Guardian of the Baha'i Faith which As the Faith of Baha'u'llah increases in size
disclosed to a spiritually delighted and grateful and influence other aims and objectives
community yet another of the unique features become apparent and possible of pursuit. The
of this Dispensation in the specific guidance relationship with agencies, institutions and
given in these three charters for the implemen- authorities of the non-Baha'i world becomes
tation of this eternal command. an important consideration once the commu-
Baha'u'llah's Tablet of Carmel is the charter nity emerges from obscurity, and has led to
for the development of the Baha'i World public relations programmes and the develop-
Centre in the twin cities of 'Akka and Haifa, ment of closer association with the United
the site of its most sacred Shrines-the tombs Nations. The Baha'i International Community
of the twin Prophets and of' Abdu'l-Baha, the is accredited as a non-governmental agency
Centre of the Covenant-its monuments and with consultative status to the United Nations
gardens, and of its 'world-shaking, world- Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and
embracing, world-directing administrative in various ways to other agencies of the United
institutions'. 1 Nations. The fostering of this relationship has
The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha is been the goal of all international plans so far,
the charter for the development of the adminis- and is visualized as a continuing process. There
trative order of the Faith. In this majestic are other objectives related to the special
document, the child of 'that mystic intercourse characteristics of Baha'i life which become
between Him Who communicated the generat- more and more important as the Faith grows
ing influence of His divine Purpose and the and engages greater and greater public atten-
One Who was its vehicle and chosen recip- tion. They affect Baha'i individuals, comient,'2 are delineated the structure of the munities and institutions alike. These objecadministrative order, its modus operandi, its tives fall into two groups-those concerned
main institutions, the chain of authority, the specifically with standards of conduct and
source of guidance and the position of every those which relate to special Baha'i practices.
believer vis-a-vis the Covenant. It has been The standards of conduct enjoined by the
well called the 'Charter of the New World Prophet are invariably different from and
Order of Baha'u'llah'. sometimes diametrically opposed to the gener-
The Tablets of the Divine Plan, a series of ally accepted ones of His day. High standards
fourteen letters written by' Abdu'l-Baha to the of conduct are, throughout Baha'i scripture,
believers of the United States and Canada, constantly upheld and urged upon the believsome addressed to the entire company of ers, but the Guardian of the Faith in an essay
believers in the North American continent and written in 1938 addressed to the believers in
others to those in named geographical areas of the United States and Canada laid great stress
that continent, constitute the charter for teach- upon the 'spiritual prerequisites ... which coning the Faith throughout the world. 'Abdu'l- stitute the bedrock on which ... all teaching
Baha names the places, the people to whom plans ... must ultimately rest ... ' 3 He writes of
teachers must go, the conditions under which ' . . . a high sense of moral rectitude in their
they must travel and settle and He reveals sev- social and administrative activities, absolute
eral prayers for those who undertake this all- chastity in their individual lives, and complete
important task. freedom from prejudice in their dealings with
All the international plans of the Faith peoples of a different race, class, creed or collaunched so far have set specific goals aimed at our.'4 In his expansion of this theme he
Shoghi Effendi, The Spiritual Potencies of That Consedeclared that 'This rectitude of conduct, with
crated Spot . Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice .
Shoghi Effendi, The Dispensation of Baha'u'l/ah. 'ibid.
4 THE BAHA'I WORLD

its implications of justice, equity, truthfulness, intensely dynamic and highly responsible body
honesty, fairmindedness, reliability, and trust- of the elected national representatives of every
worthiness, must distinguish every phase of the Baha'f community, which constitutes the suslife of the Baha'i community.'' ' A chaste and taining pillar, and the sole instrument for the
holy life must be made the controlling principle election in every community, of that Universal
in the behaviour and conduct of all Baha'is, House whose very name and title, as ordained
both in their social relationships with the by Baha'u'llah, symbolizes that rectitude of
members of their own community, and in their conduct which is its highest mission to
contacts with the world at large.' 2 'It requires safeguard and enforce.' 6
total abstinence from all alcoholic drinks, from The attitudes deriving from such standards,
opium, and from similar habit-forming drugs. and from all the varied teachings of Baha'-
It condemns the prostitution of art and of liter- u'llah, must pervade all Baha'i communities
ature, the practices of nudism and of com- and imbue them with distinctive characteristics
panionate marriage, infidelity in marital rel a- which can be recognized, amid the welter of
tionships, and all manner of promiscuity, of opposing or mutually uninterested groups and
easy familiarity , and of sexual vices.' 3 'As to factions into which modern society is disinteracial prejudice, the corrosion of which, for grating, as easily as the features of an indiwell nigh a century, has bitten into the fibre , vidual in a crowd.
and attacked the whole social structure of Those special Baha'f practices which will
American society, it should be regarded as inevitably characterize the Baha'i community,
constituting the most vital and challenging are the regular observances of its Holy Days
issue confronting the Baha'i community [of and Festivals, the abstention from work on
that country] at the present stage of its evolu- nine such days during the year, the observances
tion.'4 by all members of the community of the annual
The regeneration of men-the first objective fast , of the laws governing marriage and
of religion mentioned in this essay-is there- divorce, of daily prayer, of the invariable pracfore seen as the prime objective of the Bah a'i tice of consultation in all affairs of life, and
Faith. Membership in the Faith is drawn from particularly by the regular observance of the
that society which permits and indulges itself in Nineteen Day Feast. The habitual practice of
all those corrupt, immoral and prejudiced such laws and ordinances is an objective puractivities which Baha'is are required to sued by all Baha'fs and Baha'i families.
renounce, and since the Faith is steadily but It is seen that the aims and purposes of the
persistently growing in numbers there is reason Baha'i Faith may be stated as the raising up of a
to hope that slowly but surely a regeneration world-wide community recruited from every
will take place. race , nation , colour, religious and social back-
Further, these Baha'f standards of conduct ground known on the planet, inspired, united
are not for individuals alone. They must be the and regenerated by the spiritual teachings and
hallmark of Baha'i institutions and com- love of Baha'u'llah, dedicated to the building
munities. 'Such a rectitude of conduct,' wrote of that New World Order which 'may well be
the Guardian, 'must manifest itself, with ever- regarded a~ the brightest emanation' 7 of His
increasing potency , in every verdict which the mind and is none other than the long hoped for,
elected representatives of the Baha'i commu- Christ-promised Kingdom of God on earth. To
nity, in whatever capacity they may find them- prepare men for the gifts of that Kingselves, may be called upon to pronounce. It dom-peace , brotherhood , spirituality-and
must be constantly reflected in the business to raise its very fabric in the world , are the
dealings of all its members, in their domestic immediate and long-time objectives of the
lives, in all manner of employment, and in any Baha'i Faith.
service they may , in the future , render their The energies of the Baha'is therefore, in
government or people.' 5 'It must be made the pursuance of these aims, flow in three major
hallmark of that numerically small , yet channels: individual spiritual development,
Shoghi Effendi , Th e Advent of Divine Justice.
l ibid. ibid.
3 ibi d. ' ibid. , ibid. Shoghi Effendi , God Passes By , p. 213 .
INTRODUCTION 5
conveying the message of Baha'u'llah to conserved to the service of human welfare by
others, and developing the pattern of world the agencies of Baha'u'llah's World Order will
society embodied in the Baha'i administrative result in the proliferation of new arts and sciorder. All these activities derive from the sac- ences, new social and economic relationships,
red text and it is the unique feature of the new educational methods and a general acces-
Baha'i revelation that whereas the first two are sion of well-being and felicity. The vision of the
common to all revealed religions it is only Baha'i Faith, though glorious, is a practical
Baha'u'llah Who creates the institutions and one, and the number of its dedicated promotreveals the laws, delineates the social order and ers grows with increasing speed. It is summaestablishes the principles of the civilization to rized in the following words by the Guardian of
which His revelation will give rise. Neither the Baha'i Faith in his essay The Unfoldment of
Moses nor Christ, MuJ:iammad, Buddha, World Civilization:
Zoroaster or Krishna did this, although They 'The unity of the human race, as envisaged
all foretold that it would be done by Him Who by Baha'u'Ilah, implies the establishment of a
would take the government upon His shoul- world commonwealth in which all nations,
ders and establish the Kingdom in peace and races, creeds and classes are closely and perrighteousness. manently united, and in which the autonomy of
None of the traditional motives operates to its state members and the personal freedom
create the Baha'i community, neither former and initiative of the individuals that compose
associations, political or economic identity of them are definitely and completely safeinterest, racial or patriotic grouping. Only the guarded. This commonwealth must, as far as
recognition and love of Baha'u'llah brings into we can visualize it, consist of a world legislaclose relatedness and co-operative action peo- ture, whose members will, as the trustees of the
ple from every human background, of all types whole of mankind, ultimately control the
of character and personality, divergent and entire resources of all the component nations,
diversified interest. Through their brother- and will enact such laws as shall be required to
hood in Baha'u'llah the old crystallized forms regulate the life, satisfy the needs and adjust
of human divisiveness to which they formerly the relationships of all races and peoples. A
belonged, whether of class, race, religion, world executive, backed by an intern ational
occupation, temperament or degree of civiliza- Force, will carry out the decisions arrived at,
tion lose their rigidity and eventually disinte- and apply the laws enacted by, this world legisgrate. The growing Baha'i community on the lature, and will safeguard the organic unity of
other hand is essentially based on love, is a the whole commonwealth. A world tribunal
brotherhood, a family, each member delight- will adjudicate and deliver its compu lsory and
ing in the diversity of its membership, welcom- final verdict in all and any disputes that may
ing the former pariah or outcast as a new flower arise between the various elements constitutin the garden, each as proud of his humanity as ing this universal system. A mechanism of
was ever the former chauvinist of his country. world inter-communication will be devised,
Within such a community the sun of Baha'- embracing the whole planet, freed from
u'llah's revelation can evoke new morals, new national hindrances and restrictions, and funcattitudes, new conventions, new hopes and vi- tioning with marvellous swiftness and perfect
sions, all enshrined within the text of the revela- regularity . A world metropolis will act as the
tion itself and which provide the spiritual nerve centre of a world civilization, the focus
atmosphere and distinctive culture of the new towards which the unifying forces of life will
day. Such a community, as it grows, becomes converge and from which its energizing
more and more a true social order, providing a influences will radiate. A world language will
soil to human life, a climate for its best either be invented or chosen frbm among the
development , an arena for the practice of its existing languages and will be taught in the
highest aspirations, and a beacon light to schools of all the federated nations as an auxilattract and guide the disillusioned, spiritually iary to their mother tongue. A world script, a
impoverished, frenetic and frustrated peoples world literature, a uniform and universal sysof the earth. tem of currency, of weights and measures, will
The energies of this new culture, guided and simplify and facilitate intercourse and under-
6 THE BAHA'I WORLD

standing among the nations and races of man- economic or political. will be consecrated to
kind. In such a world society, science and relig- such ends as will extend the range of human
ion, the two most potent forces in human life, inventions and technical development, to the
will be reconciled, will co-operate , and will increase of the productivity of mankind, to the
harmoniously develop. The press will, under extermination of disease, to the extension of
such a system, while giving full scope to the scientific research, to the raising of the stanexpression of the diversified views and convic- dard of physical health, to the sharpening and
tions of mankind, cease to be mischievously refinement of the human brain, to the exploitamanipulated by vested interests, whether pri- tion of the unused and unsuspected resources
vate or public, and will be liberated from the of the planet, to the prolongation of human
influence of contending governments and peo- life, and to the furtherance of any other agency
ples. The economic resources of the world will that can stimulate the intellectual, the moral ,
be organized, its sources of raw materials will and spiritual life of the entire human race.
be tapped and fully utilized, its markets will be 'A world federal system, ruling the whole
co-ordinated and developed, and the distribu- earth and exercising unchallengeable authority
tion of its products will be equitably regulated. over its unimaginably vast resources, blending
'National rivalries, hatred, and intrigues will and embodying the ideals of both the East and
cease , and racial animosity and prejudice will the West, liberated from the curse of war and
be replaced by racial amity, understanding and its miseries, and bent on the exploitation of all
co-operation. The causes of religious strife will the available sources of energy on the surface
be permanently removed, economic barriers of the planet, a system in which Force is made
and restrictions will be completely abolished, the servant of Justice, whose life is sustained by
and the inordinate distinction between classes its universal recognition of one God and by its
will be obliterated. Destitution on the one allegiance to one common Revelation -such
hand, and gross accumulation of ownership on is the goal towards which humanity, impelled
the other, will disappear. The enormous by the unifying forces of life, is moving .'
energy dissipated and wasted on war, whether
PART ONE

THE BAHA'I REVELATION
I
EXCERPTS FROM
THE BAHA'I SACRED WRITINGS

1. BAHA'U'LLAH

Excerpts from Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas 1

ALL glory be to this Day , the Day in which exalted Spot than We made reply: 'Render
the fragrances of mercy have been wafted over thanks unto Thy Lord , 0 Carmel. The fire of
all created things, a Day so blest that past ages thy separation from Me was fast consuming
and centuries can never hope to rival it, a Day thee , when the ocean of My presence surged
in which the countenance of the Ancient of before thy face, cheering thine eyes and those
Days hath turned towards His holy seat. of all creation, and filling with delight all things
Thereupon the voices of all created things, and visible and invisible . Rejoice, for God hath in
beyond them those of the Concourse on High , this Day established upon thee His throne,
were heard calling aloud: 'Haste thee, 0 Car- hath made thee the dawning-place of His signs
mel, for lo, the light of the countenance of God, and the dayspring of the evidences of His Revethe Ruler of the Kingdom of Names and lation. Well is it with him that circleth around
Fashioner of the heavens, hath been lifted thee , that proclaimeth the revelation of thy
upon thee.' glory, and recounteth that which the bounty of
Seized with transports of joy, and raising the Lord thy God hath showered upon thee.
high her voice, she thus exclaimed: 'May my Seize thou the Chalice of Immortality in the
life be a sacrifice to Thee, inasmuch as Thou name of thy Lord, the All-Glorious, and give
hast fixed Thy gaze upon me, hast bestowed thanks unto Him, inasmuch as He, in token of
upon me Thy bounty, and hast directed His mercy unto thee, hath turned thy sorrow
towards me Thy steps. Separation from Thee , into gladness, and transmuted thy grief into
0 Thou Source of everlasting life, hath well blissful joy. He, verily, loveth the spot which
nigh consumed me, and my remoteness from had been made the seat of His throne, which
Thy presence hath burned away my soul. All His footsteps have trodden, which hath been
praise be to Thee for having enabled me to honoured by His presence, from which He
hearken to Thy call, for having honoured me raised His call, and upon which He shed His
with Thy footsteps, and for having quickened tears.
my soul through the vitalizing fragrance of Thy 'Call out to Zion, 0 Carmel, and announce
Day and the shrilling voice of Thy Pen, a voice the joyful tidings: He that was hidden from
Thou didst ordain as Thy trumpet-call amidst mortal eyes is come! His all-conquering
Thy people. And when the hour at which Thy sovereignty is manifest; His all-encompassing
resistless Faith was to be made manifest did splendour is revealed. Beware lest thou hesistrike, Thou didst breathe a breath of Thy spirit tate or halt. Hasten forth and circumambulate
into Thy Pen, and lo, the entire creation shook the City of God that hath descended from
to its very foundations, unveiling to mankind heaven, the celestial Kaaba round which have
such mysteries as lay hidden within the circled in adoration the favoured of God, the
treasuries of Him Who is the Possessor of all pure in heart, and the company of the most
created things.' exalted angels. Oh, how I long to announce
No sooner had her voice reached that most unto every spot on the surface of the earth, and
Baha'i World Centre, Haifa, 1978. to carry to each one of its cities, the glad-tidings
10 THE BAHA'I WORLD

of this Revelation-a Revelation to which the are the exponents of power and the daysprings
heart of Sinai hath been attracted, and in of glory, to enforce His laws and ordinances.
whose name the Burning Bush is calling: He is in truth the Omnipotent, the All-
"Unto God, the Lord of Lords, belong the Powerful, He Who is wont to answer the call of
kingdoms of earth and heaven." Verily this is me n.
the Day in which both land and sea rejoice at
this announcement, the Day for which have
been laid up those things which God, through a
bounty beyond the ken of mortal mind or Praise and glory beseem the Lord of Names
heart, hath destined for revelation. Ere long and the Creator of the heavens, He, the waves
will God sail His Ark upon thee , and will man- of Whose ocean of Revelation surge before the
ifest the people of Baha who have been men- eyes of the peoples of the world. The Day-Star
tioned in the Book of Names.' of His Cause shineth through every veil and
Sanctified be the Lord of all mankind, at the His Word of affirmation standeth beyond the
mention of Whose name all the atoms of the reach of negation. Neither the ascendancy of
earth have been made to vibrate, and the the oppressor nor the tyranny of the wicked
Tongue of Grandeur hath been moved to dis- hath been able to thwart His Purpose. How
close that which had been wrapt in His knowl- glorified is His sovereignty, how exalted His
edge and lay concealed within the treasury of dominion!
His might. He, verily, through the potency of Great God! Although His signs have
His name , the Mighty, the All-Powerful, the encompassed the world and His proofs and
Most High, is the ruler of all that is in the testimonies are shining forth and manifest as
heavens and all that is on earth. the light, yet the ignorant appear heedless, nay
rather, rebellious. Would that they had been
content with opposition. But at all times they
are plotting to cut down the sacred Lote-Tree.
Since the dawn of this Revelation the embodi-
In former religions such ordinances as holy ments of selfishness have, by resorting to
war, destruction of books, the ban on associa- cruelty and oppression, striven to extinguish
tion and companionship with other peoples or the Light of divine manifestation. But God,
on reading certain books had been laid down having stayed their hands, revealed this Light
and affirmed according to the exigencies of the through His sovereign authority and protected
time; however, in this mighty Revelation, in it through the power of His might until earth
this momentous Announcement, the manifold and heaven were illumined by its radiance and
bestowals and favours of God have over- brightness. Praise be unto Him under all condishadowed all men, and from the horizon of the tions.
Will of the Ever-Abiding Lord, His infallible Glory be unto Thee , 0 Lord of the world and
decree hath prescribed that which We have set Desire of the nations, 0 Thou Who hast
forth ... become manifest in the Greatest Name
We yield praise unto God-hallowed and whereby the pearls of wisdom and utterance
glorified be He-for whatsoever He hath have appeared from the shells of the great sea
graciously revealed in this blessed, this glorious of Thy knowledge, and the heavens of divine
and incomparable Day. Indeed if everyone on revelation have been adorned with the light of
earth were endowed with a myriad tongues and the appearance of the Sun of Thy countenance.
were to continually praise God and magnify I beg of Thee, by that Word through which
His Name to the end that knoweth no end, Thy proof was perfected among Thy creatures
their thanksgiving would not prove adequate and Thy testimony was fulfilled among Thy
for even one of the gracious favours We have servants to strengthen Thy people in that
mentioned in this Tablet. Unto this beareth whereby the face of the Cause will radiate in
witness every man of wisdom and discernment, Thy dominion, the standards of Thy power will
of understanding and knowledge. be planted among Thy servants, and the ban-
We earnestly beseech God-exalted be His ners of Thy guidance will be raised throughout
glory-to aid the rulers and sovereigns , who Thy dominions.
THE BAHA'I REVELATION 11
0 my Lord! Thou beholdest them clinging to It beseemeth you to fix your gaze under all
the rope of Thy grace and holding fast unto the conditions upon justice and fairness. In the
hem of the mantle of Thy beneficence. Ordain Hidden Words this exalted utterance hath
for them that which may draw them nearer been revealed from Our Most August Pen: 'O
unto Thee , and withhold them from all else Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in
save Thee. I beg of Thee, 0 Thou King of My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if
existence and Protector of the seen and the thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may
unseen, to make whosoever ariseth to serve confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with
Thy Cause as a sea moving by Thy desire, as thine own eyes and not through the eyes of
one ablaze with the fire of Thy Sacred Tree, others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge
shining from the horizon of the heaven of Thy and not through the knowledge of thy neighwill. Verily Thou art the mighty One Whom bour. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behoveth
neither the power of all the world nor the thee to tie. Verily justice is My gift to thee and
strength of nations can weaken. There is no the sign of My loving kindness. Set it then
God but Thee, the One, the Incomparable, the before thine eyes.'
Protector, the Self-Subsistent. They that are just and fair-minded in their
judgement occupy a sublime station and hold
an exalted rank. The light of piety and uprightness shineth resplendent from these souls. We
earnestly hope that the peoples and countries
They that are endued with sincerity and
of the world may not be deprived of the splenfaithfulness should associate with all the peodours of these two luminaries .
ples and kindreds of the earth with joy and
radiance, inasmuch as consorting with people
hath promoted and will continue to promote
unity and concord, which in turn are conducive
to the maintenance of order in the world and to
God testifieth that there is none other God
the regeneration of nations. Blessed are such as
but Him and that He Who hath appeared is the
hold fast to the cord of kindliness and tender
Hidden Mystery, the Treasured Symbol, the
mercy and are free from animosity and hatred.
Most Great Book for all peoples, and the
This Wronged One exhorteth the peoples of
Heaven of bounty for the whole world. He is
the world to observe tolerance and righteousthe Most Mighty Sign amongst men and the
ness, which are two lights amidst the darkness
Dayspring of the most august attributes in the
of the world and two educators for the
realm of creation. Through Him hath appeared
edification of mankind. Happy are they who
that which had been hidden from time
have attained thereto and woe betide the heedimmemorial and been veiled from the eyes of
less.
men. He is the One Whose Manifestation was
announced by the heavenly Scriptures, in
former times and more recently. Whoso acknowledgeth belief in Him and in His signs and
A good character is, verily, the best mantle testimonies hath in truth acknowledged that
for men from God. With it He adorneth the which the Tongue of Grandeur uttered ere the
temples of His loved ones. By My life! The light creation of earth and heaven and the revelation
of a good character surpasseth the light of the of the Kingdom of Names. Through Him the
sun and the radiance thereof. Whoso attaineth ocean of knowledge hath surged amidst manunto it is accounted as a jewel among men. The kind and the river of divine wisdom hath
glory and the upliftment of the world must gushed out at the behest of God, the Lord of
needs depend upon it. A goodly character is a Days.
means whereby men are guided to the Straight Well is it with the man of discernment who
Path and are led to the Great Announcement. hath recognized and perceived the Truth, and
Well is it with him who is adorned with the the one possessed of a hearing ear who hath
saintly attributes and character of the Con- hearkened unto His sweet Voice, and the hand
course on High. that hath received His Book with such resolve
12 THE BAHA'I WORLD

as is born of God, the Lord of this world and of twin principles. Exalted is the Lord of Wisdom,
the next, and the earnest wayfarer who hath the Possessor of Great Bounty.
hastened unto His glorious Horizon, and the
one endued with strength whom neither the
overpowering might of the rulers, nor the
tumult raised by the leaders of religion hath
The light of men is justice. Quench it not
been able to shake. And woe betide him who
with the contrary winds of oppression and
hath rejected the grace of God and His bounty,
tyranny. The purpose of justice is the appearand hath denied His tender mercy and authorance of unity among men. The ocean of divine
ity; such a man is indeed reckoned with those
wisdom surgeth within this exalted word, while
who have throughout eternity repudiated the
the books of the world cannot contain its inner
testimony of God and His proof.
significance. Were mankind to be adorned with
Great is the blessedness of him who hath in
this raiment, they would behold the day-star of
this Day cast away the things current amongst
the utterance, 'On that day God will satisfy
men and hath clung unto that which is ordained
everyone out of His abundance,' 1 shining resby God, the Lord of Names and the Fashioner
plendent above the horizon of the world.
of all created things, He Who is come from the
Appreciate ye the value of this utterance; it is a
heaven of eternity through the power of the
noble fruit that the Tree of the Pen of Glory
Most Great Name, invested with so invincible
hath yielded. Happy is the man that giveth ear
an authority that all the powers of the earth are
unto it and observeth its precepts. Verily I say,
unable to withstand Him. Unto this beareth
whatever is sent down from the heaven of the
witness the Mother Book, calling from the
Will of God is the means for the establishment
Most Sublime Station.
of order in the world and the instrument for
promoting unity and fellowship among its peoples. Thus hath the Tongue of this Wronged
One spoken from His Most Great Prison.
Above all else , the grea test gift and the most
wondrous blessing hath ever been and will continue to be wisdom. It is man's unfailing protec- 0 ye men of wisdom among nations! Shut
tor. It aideth him and strengtheneth him. Wis- your eyes to estrangement, then fix your gaze
dom is God's emissary and the revealer of His upon unity. Cleave tenaciously unto that which
Name the Omniscient. Through it the loftiness will lead to the wellbeing and tranquillity of all
of man's station is made manifest and evident. mankind. This span of earth is but one home-
It is all-knowi ng and the foremost teacher in land and one habitation. It behoveth you to
the schoo l of existence. It is the guide and is abandon vainglory which causeth alienation
invested with high distinction. Thanks to its and to set your hearts on whatever will ensure
educating influence earthly beings have harmony. In the estimation of the people of
become imbued with a gem-like spirit which Baha man's glory lieth in his knowledge, his
outshineth the heavens. In the city of justice it upright conduct, his praiseworthy character,
is the unrivalled Speaker Who, in the year nine, his wisdom , and not in his nationality or rank.
illumined the world with the joyful tidings of 0 people of the earth! Appreciate the value of
this Revelation. And it was this peerless Source this heavenly word. Indeed it may be likened
of wisdom that at the beginning of the founda- unto a sh ip for the ocean of knowledge and a
tion of the world ascended the stair of inner shining luminary for the realm of perception.
meaning and when enthroned upon the pulpit
of utterance, through the operation of the
divine Will , proclaimed two words. The first
heralded the promise of reward, while the second voiced the ominous warning of punish- In all matters moderation is desirable. If a
ment. The promise gave rise to hope and the thing is carried to excess, it will prove a source
warning begat fear. Thus th e basis of world of evil. Consider the civilization of the West,
order hath been firmly established upon these 1
cf. Qur' an 4: 129.
THE BAHA'I REVELATION 13
how it hath agitated and alarmed the peoples of Being. God grant that all men may turn unto
the world. An infernal engine hath been the treasuries latent within their own beings.
devised, and hath proved so cruel a weapon of
destruction that its like none hath ever witnessed or heard. The purging of such deeplyrooted and overwhelming corruptions cannot
be effected unless the peoples of the world Justice is in this day bewailing its plight, and
unite in pursuit of one common aim and Equity groaneth beneath the yoke of oppresembrace one universal faith . Incline your ears sion. The thick clouds of tyranny have darkunto the Call of this Wronged One and adhere ened the face of the earth , and enveloped its
firmly to the Lesser Peace. peoples. Through the movement of Our Pen of
Strange and astonishing things exist in the glory We have , at the bidding of the omnipoearth but they are hidden from the minds and tent Ordainer, breathed a new life into every
the understanding of men. These things are human frame , and instilled into every word a
capable of changing the whole atmosphere of fresh potency. All created things proclaim the
the earth and their contamination would prove evidences of this world-wide regeneration.
lethal. Great God! We have observed an amaz- This is the most great, the most joyful tidings
ing thing. Lightning or a force similar to it is imparted by the Pen of this Wronged One to
controlled by an operator and moveth at his mankind. Wherefore fear ye, 0 My wellcommand. Immeasurably exalted is the Lord beloved ones? Who is it that can dismay you?
of Power Who hath laid bare that which He A touch of moisture sufficeth to dissolve the
purposed through the potency of His weighty hardened clay out of which this perverse genand invincible command . eration is moulded . The mere act of your
gathering together is enough to scatter the
forces of these vain and worthless people.
Strife and conflict befit the beasts of the wild.
It was through the grace of God and with the
We enjoin upon them that are the emblems aid of seemly words and praiseworthy deeds
of His names and attributes to firmly adhere that the unsheathed swords of the Babi comhenceforth unto that which hath been set forth munity were returned to their scabbards.
in this Most Great Revelation , not to allow Indeed through the power of good words, the
themselves to become the cause of strife , and, righteous have always succeeded in winning
until the end that knoweth no end , to keep command over the meads of the hearts of men.
their eyes directed towards the dayspring of Say , 0 ye loved ones! Do not forsake pruthese resplendent words which have been dence . Incline your hearts to the counsels given
recorded in this Tablet. Strife leads to by the Most Exalted Pen and beware lest your
bloodshed and provokes commotion amongst hands or tongues cause harm unto anyone
people. Hearken ye unto the Voice of this among mankind.
Wronged One and deviate not therefrom.
Were anyone to ponder in his heart that
which hath, in this Revelation, streamed forth
from the Pen of Glory, he would be assured
that whatever this Wronged One hath affirmed It is incumbent upon every man , in this Day ,
He hath had no intention of establishing any to hold fast unto whatsoever will promote the
position or distinction for Himself. The pur- interests, and exalt the station , of all nations
pose hath rather been to attract the souls , and just governments. Through each and every
through the sublimity of His words, unto the one of the verses which the Pen of the Most
summit of transcendent glory and to endow High hath revealed, the doors of love and unity
them with the capacity of perceiving that which have been unlocked and flung open to the face
will purge and purify the peoples of the world of men. We have erewhile declared-and Our
from the strife and dissension which religious Word is the truth-: 'Consort with the followdifferences provoke. Unto this bear witness ers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and
My heart, My Pen, My inner and My outer fellowship.' Whatsoever hath led the children
14 THE BAHA'I WORLD

of men to shun one another, and hath caused fire that blazed in the Burning Bush. The
dissensions and divisions amongst them, hath, brightness of the fire of your love will no doubt
through the revelation of these words, been fuse and unify the contending peoples and kinnullified and abolished. From the heaven of dreds of the earth, whilst the fierceness of the
God's Will, and for the purpose of ennobling flame of enmity and hatred cannot but result in
the world of being and of elevating the minds strife and ruin. We beseech God that He may
and souls of men, hath been sent down that shield His creatures from the evil designs of His
which is the most effective instrument for the enemies. He verily hath power over a ll things.
education of the whole human race. The high- All praise be to the one true God-exalted
est essence and most perfect expression of be His glory-inasmuch as He hath , through
whatsoever the peoples of old have either said the Pen of the Most High , unlocked the doors
or written hath , through this most potent Reve- of men's hearts. Every verse which this Pen
lation, been sent down from the heaven of the hath revealed is a bright and shining portal that
Will of the All-Possessing, the Ever-Abiding discloseth the glories of a saintly and pious life ,
God . Of old it hath been revealed: ' Love of of pure and stainless deeds. The summons and
one's country is an element of the Faith of the message which We gave were never
God.' The Tongue of Grandeur hath, however, intended to reach one land or one people only .
in the day of His manifestation proclaimed: 'It Mankind in its entirety must firmly adhere to
is not his to boast who loveth his country, but it whatsoever hath been revealed and vouchis his who loveth the world.' Through the safed unto it. Then and only then will it attain
power released by these exalted words He hath unto true liberty. The whole earth is illumilent a fresh impulse and set a new direction to nated with the resplendent glory of God's
the birds of men's hearts, and hath obliterated Revelation. In the year sixty He Who heralded
every trace of restriction and limitation from the light of Divine Guidance-may all creation
God's holy Book. be sacrificed unto Him-arose to announce a
This Wronged One hath forbidden the peo- fresh revelation of the Divine Spirit and was
ple of God to engage in contention or conflict followed, twenty years later, by Him through
and hath ex horted them to righteous deeds and Whose coming the world was made the recippraiseworthy character. In this day the hosts ient of this promised glory, this wondrous
that can ensure the victory of the Cause are favour. Behold how the generality of mankind
those of goodly conduct and saintly character. hath been endued with the capacity to hearken
Blessed are they who firmly adhere unto them unto God's most exalted Word-the Word
and woe betide such as turn away therefrom. upon which must depend the gathering
together and spiritual resurrection of all men.

0 people of God! I admon ish you to observe
courtesy . For above all else it is the prince of Incline your hearts, 0 people of God , unto
virtues. Well is it with him who is illumined the counse ls of your true, your incomparable
with the light of courtesy and is attired with the Friend. The Word of God may be likened unto
vesture of uprightness . Whoso is endued with a sap lin g, whose roots have been impl anted in
courtesy hath indeed attained a sublime sta- the hearts of men. It is in cumbent upon you to
tion. It is hoped that this Wronged One and foster its growth through the living waters of
everyone e lse may be enabled to acquire it, wisdom , of sanctified and holy words, so that its
hold fast unto it, observe it, and fix our gaze root may become firmly fixed and its branches
upon it. This is a binding command which hath may spread out as high as the heavens and
streamed forth from the Pen of the Most Great beyond .
Name. 0 ye that dwell on earth! The distinguishing
This is the day when the gems of constancy feature that marketh the pre-eminent characthat lie hid in the mine of men's inner selves ter of this Supreme Revelation consisteth in
should be made manifest. 0 people of Justice! that We have , on the one hand , blotted out
Be as brilliant as the light and as splendid as the from the pages of God's holy Book whatsoever
THE BAHA'I REVELATION 15
hath been the cause of strife, of malice and under His rule, and He is the supreme Ruler,
mischief amongst the children of men, and the Ordainer, the All-Knowing, the Allhave, on the other, laid down the essential Informed.
prerequisites of concord, of understanding, of
complete and enduring unity. Well is it with
them that keep My statutes.
Time and again We have admonished Our We have enjoined upon all mankind to
beloved ones to avoid, nay to flee from, any- establish the Lesser Peace-the surest of all
thing whatsoever from which the odour of mis- means for the protection of humanity. The
chief can be detected. The world is in great sovereigns of the world should, with one
turmoil, and the minds of its people are in a accord, hold fast thereunto, for this is the
state of utter confusion. We entreat the supreme instrument that can ensure the se-
Almighty that He may graciously illuminate curity and welfare of all peoples and nations.
them with the glory of His justice, and enable They, verily, are the manifestations of the
them to discover that which will be profitable power of God and the daysprings of His
unto them at all times and under all conditions. authority. We beseech the Almighty that He
He, verily is the All-Possessing, the Most High. may graciously assist them in that which is conducive to the well-being of their subjects. A full
explanation regarding this matter hath been
previously set forth by the Pen of Glory; well is
it with them that act accordingly.
0 thou who hast fixed thy gaze upon the
Dawning-Place of the Cause of God! Know
thou for a certainty that the Will of God is not
limited by the standards of the people, and
God doth not tread in their ways. Rather is it It is incumbent upon everyone to observe
incumbent upon everyone to firmly adhere to God's holy commandments, inasmuch as they
God's straight Path. Were He to pronounce the are the wellspring of life unto the world. The
right to be the left or the south to be the north, heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with the
He speaketh the truth and there is no doubt of two luminaries of consultation and compassion
it. Verily He is to be praised in His acts and to and the canopy of world order is upraised upon
be obeyed in His behests. He hath no associate the two pillars of reward and punishment.
in His judgement nor any helper in His
sovereignty. He doeth whatsoever He willeth
and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth. Know
thou moreover that all else besides Him have
been created through the potency of a word In this Revelation the hosts that can render it
from His presence , while of themselves they victorious are the hosts of praiseworthy deeds
have no motion nor stillness, except at His and upright character. The leader and combidding and by His leave . mander of these hosts hath ever been the fear
0 thou who soarest in the atmosphere of of God, a fear that encompasseth all things and
love and fellowship and hast fixed thy gaze reigneth over all things.
upon the light of the countenance of thy Lord,
the King of creation! Render thanks unto God,
inasmuch as He hath unravelled for thee that
which was hidden and enshrined in His knowledge so that everyone may become aware that 0 peoples of the world! Forsake all evil , hold
within His realm of supreme infallibility He fast that which is good. Strive to be shining
hath not taken a partner nor a counsellor unto examples unto all mankind, and true reminders
Himself. He is in truth the Dayspring of divine of the virtues of God amidst men. He that
precepts and commandments and the Foun- riseth to serve My Cause should manifest My
tainhead of knowledge and wisdom , while all wisdom , and bend every effort to banish ignorelse besides Him are but His subjects and ance from the earth. Be united in counsel , be
16 THE BAHA'I WORLD

one in thought . Let each morn be better than heart to the Beloved One , and sever himself
its eve and each morrow richer than its yester- from all else but Him , and desire naught save
day. Man 's merit lieth in service and virtue and that which is the desire of his Lord.
not in the pageantry of wealth and riches. Take True remembrance is to make mention of
heed that your words be purged from idle fan - the Lord , the All-Praised , and forget aught else
cies and worldly desires and your deeds be beside Him .
cleansed from craftiness and suspicion. Dissi- True reliance is for the servant to pursue his
pate not the wealth of your precious lives in the profession and calling in this world, to hold fast
pursuit of evil and corrupt affection, nor let unto the Lord, to seek naught but His grace ,
your endeavours be spent in promoting your inasmuch as in His Hands is the destiny of all
personal interest. Be generous in your days of His servants.
plenty, and be patient in the hour of loss. The essence of detachment is for man to turn
Adversity is followed by success and rejoicings his face towards the courts of the Lord, to enter
follow woe . Guard against idleness and sloth, His Presence, behold His Countenance, and
and cling unto that which profiteth mankind, stand as witness before Him.
whether young or old, whether high or low. The essence of understanding is to testify to
Beware lest ye sow tares of dissension among one's poverty, and submit to the Will of the
men or plant thorns of doubt in pure and Lord, the Sovereign, the Gracious, the Allradiant hearts. Powerful.
0 ye beloved of the Lord! Commit not that The source of courage and power is the
which defileth the limpid steam of love or de- promotion of the Word of God , and steadfaststroyeth the sweet fragrance of friendship. By ness in His love.
the righteousness of the Lord! Ye were created The essence of charity is for the servant to
to show love one to another and not perversity recount the blessings of His Lord , and to renand rancour. Take pride not in love for your- der thanks unto Him at all times and under all
selves but in love for your fellow-creatures. conditions.
Glory not in love for your country but in love The essence of faith is fewness of words and
for all mankind. Let your eye be chaste, your abundance of deeds; he whose words exceed
hand faithful, your tongue truthful and your his deeds, know verily his death is better than
heart enlightened. Abase not the station of the his life.
learned in Baha and belittle not the rank of The essence of true safety is to observe sisuch rulers as administer justice amidst you. lence, to look at the end of things and to
Set your reliance on the army of justice, put on renounce the world.
the armour of wisdom, let your adorning be The beginning of magnanimity is when man
forgiveness and mercy and that which cheereth expendeth his wealth on himself, on his family
the hearts of the well-favoured of God. and on the poor among his brethren in his
Faith.
The essence of wealth is love for Me; whoso
loveth Me is the possessor of all things, and he
that loveth Me not is indeed of the poor and
The source of all good is trust in God , sub- needy. This is that which the Finger of Glory
mission unto His command, and contentment and Splendour hath revealed.
with His holy will and pleasure. The source of all evil is for man to turn away
The essence of wisdom is the fear of God, the from his Lord and set his heart on things
dread of His scourge and punishment, and the ungodly.
apprehension of His justice and decree. The most burning fire is to question the signs
The essence of religion is to testify unto that of God, to dispute idly that which He hath
which the Lord hath revealed, and follow that revealed, to deny Him and carry one's self
which He hath ordained in His mighty Book. proudly before Him .
The source of all glory is acceptance of what- The source of all learning is the knowledge
soever the Lord hath bestowed, and content- of God, exalted be His Glory , and this cannot
ment with that which God hath ordained. be attained save through the knowledge of His
The essence of love is for man to turn his Divine Manifestation.
THE BAHA'I REVELATION 17

The essence of abasement is to pass out from posure. Were the earth to attain this station
under the shadow of the Merciful and seek the and be illumined with its light it could then be
shelter of the Evil One. truly said of it: 'Thou shall see in it no hollows
The source of error is to disbelieve in the or rising hills .' '
One true God , rely upon aught else but Him,
a nd flee from His Decree.
True loss is for him whose days have been
spent in utter ignorance of his self.
The essence of all that We have revealed for The Great Being, wishing to reveal the prethee is Justice, is for man to free himself from requisites of the peace and tranquillity of the
idle fancy and imitation , discern with the eye of world and the advancement of its peoples , hath
oneness His glorious handiwork, a nd look into written: The time must come when the imperaall things with a searching eye. tive necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-
Thus have We instructed thee , manifested embracing assemblage of men will be univerunto thee Words of Wisdom , that thou mayest sally realized . The rulers and kings of the earth
be thankful unto the Lord , thy God , and glory must needs attend it, and, participating in its
the rein amidst all peoples. deliberations , must consider such ways and
means as will lay the foundations of the world's
Great Peace amongst men. Such a peace
demandeth that the Great Powers should
resolve, for the sake of the tranquillity of the
Man is the supre me Ta lisma n. Lack of a peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled
proper education hath , howeve r, deprived him among themselves. Should any king take up
of that which he do th inhere ntl y possess. arms against another, all should unitedly arise
Through a word proceeding o ut of the mouth and prevent him. If this be done, the nations of
of God he was ca ll ed into bein g; by one word the world will no longer require any armamore he was guided to recognize the Source of ments, except for the purpose of preserving the
his ed ucatio n; by ye t a nother wo rd his station security of their realms and of maintaining
and destiny were safeguarded. The Great internal order within their territories. This will
Being saith: Regard man as a mine rich in gems ensure the peace and composure of every
of inestimable value . Education ca n, alone, people, government and nation. We fain would
cause it to reveal its treasures, a nd enable hope that the kings and rulers of the earth, the
mankind to benefit therefrom. If any man were mirrors of the gracious and almighty name of
to meditate on that which the Scriptures, sent God, may attain unto this station , and shield
down from the heaven of God's holy Will , have mankind from the onslaught of tyranny.
revealed , he would readily recognize that their
purpose is that all men shall be regarded as one
soul, so that the seal bearing the words 'The
Kingdom shall be God's' may be stamped on
every heart, and the light of Divine bounty, of The Great Being saith: The man of congrace, and mercy may envelop all mankind. summate learning and the sage endowed with
The One true God , exalted be His glory, hath penetrating wisdom are the two eyes to the
wished nothing for Himself. The allegiance of body of mankind. God willing, the earth shall
mankind profiteth Him not, neither doth its never be deprived of these two greatest gifts.
perversity harm Him. The Bird of the Realm of That which hath been set forth and will be
Utterance voiceth continually this call: 'All revealed in the future is but a token of this
things have I willed for thee, and thee, too, for Servant's ardent desire to dedicate Himself to
thine own sake.' If the learned and worldly- the service of all the kindreds of the earth .
wise men of this age were to allow mankind to 0 my friend! In all circumstances one should
inhale the fragrance of fellowship and love, seize upon every means which will promote
every understanding heart would apprehend security and tranquillity among the peoples of
the meaning of true liberty, and discover the
secret of undisturbed peace and absolute com- 1
Qur'an 20: 106.
18 THE BAHA'i WORLD

The Mansion of Bahjf where Baha'u'llah spent the last twelve years of His life. Here the
distinguished orientalist, Prof £. G. Browne of Cambridge, was granted his four successive
interviews with Baha'u'lldh, during the five days he was His guest; 15-20 April 1890.

the world . The Great Being sai th: In this glori- convulsions and chaos can now be discerned,
ous Day whatever will purge yo u from corrup- inasmuch as the prevailing order appea reth to
tion and will lead yo u towards peace and com- be lamentably defective. I beseech God,
posure , is indeed the Straight Path. exa lted be His glory, that He may graciously
Please God, the peoples of the world may be awaken the peoples of the earth , may grant
led , as the result of the high e ndeavours that the end of their conduct may be profitable
exerted by their rulers and the wise and learned unto them, and aid them to accomplish that
a mongst me n, to recognize their best interests. which beseemeth their station.
How long will humanity persist in its wayward- Were man to appreciate the greatness of his
ness? How long will injustice continue? How station and the loftiness of his destiny he would
long is chaos and confusion to reign amongst manifest naught save goodly character, pure
men? How long will discord agitate the face of deeds, and a seemly and praiseworthy conduct.
society? If the learned and wise men of goodwill were to
This humble servant is filled with wonder, impart guidance unto the people, the whole
inas much as all men are endowed with the earth would be regarded as one country. Verily
capacity to see and hear, yet we find them this is the undoubted truth. This servant
deprived of the privilege of usi ng these facul - appealeth to every diligent and enterprising
ties . This servant hath been prompted to pen soul to exert his utmost endeavour and arise to
these lines by virtue of the tender love he rehabi li tate the conditions in all regions and to
cherisheth for thee. The winds of despair are , quicken the dead with the living waters of wisalas, blowing from every direction, and the dom and utterance, by virtue of the love he
strife that divideth and afflicteth the human cherisheth for God, the One, the Peerless, the
race is daily increasing. The signs of impending Almighty, the Beneficent.
THE BAHA'f REVELATION 19
No man of wisdom can demonstrate his effulgent splendour shone forth upon the mirknowledge save by means of words. This ror of love than the blessed word 'I am the
showeth the significance of the Word as is Best-Beloved' was reflected therein. It is an
affirmed in al l the Scriptures, whether of ocean inexhaustible in riches, comprehending
former times or more recently. For it is through all things. Every thing which can be perceived
its potency and animating spirit that the people is but an emanation therefrom. High,
of the world have attained so eminent a posi- immeasurably high is this sublime station, in
tion. Moreover words and utterances should be whose shadow moveth the essence of loftiness
both impressive and penetrating. However, no and splendour, wrapt in praise and adoration .
word will be infused with these two qualities Methinks people's sense of taste hath, alas
unless it be uttered wholly for the sake of God been sorely affected by the fever of negligence
and with due regard unto the exigencies of the and folly, for they are found to be wholly
occasion and the people. unconscious and deprived of the sweetness of
The Great Being saith: Human utterance is His utterance. How regrettable indeed. that
an essence which aspireth to exert its influence man should debar himself from the fruits of the
and needeth moderation. As to its influence, tree of wisdom while his days and hours pass
this is conditional upon refinement which in swiftly away . Please God, the hand of divine
turn is dependent upon hearts which are power may safeguard all mankind and direct
detached and pure. As to its moderation, this their steps towards the horizon of true underhath to be combined with tact and wisdom as standing.
prescribed in the Holy Scriptures and Tablets. Verily our Lord of Mercy is the Helper, the
Every word is endowed with a spirit, there- Knowing, the Wise.
fore the speaker or expounder should carefully
deliver his words at the appropriate time and
place, for the impression which each word
maketh is clearly evident and perceptible. The Although the Realm of Glory hath none of
Great Being saith: One word may be likened the vanities of the world, yet within the treasunto fire, another unto light, and the influence ury of trust and resignation We have
which both exert is manifest in the world. bequeathed to Our heirs an excellent and
Therefore an enlightened man of wisdom priceless heritage. Earthly treasures We have
should primarily speak with words as mild as not bequeathed, nor have We added such cares
milk, that the children of men may be nurtured as they entail. By God! In earthly riches fear is
and edified thereby and may attain the ultimate hidden and peril is concealed. Consider ye and
goal of human existence which is the station of call to mind that which the All-Merciful hath
true understanding and nobility. And likewise revealed in the Qur'an: 'Woe betide every
He saith: One word is like unto springtime slanderer and defamer, him that layeth up
causing the tender saplings of the rose-garden riches and counteth them.' 1 Fleeting are the
of knowledge to become verdant and flourish- riches of the world; all that perisheth and
ing, while another word is even as a deadly changeth is not, and hath never been, worthy of
poison. It behoveth a prudent man of wisdom attention, except to a recognized measure.
to speak with utmost leniency and forbearance The aim of this Wronged One in sustaining
so that the sweetness of his words may induce woes and tribulations, in revealing the Holy
everyone to attain that which befitteth man's Verses and in demonstrating proofs hath been
station. naught but to quench the flame of hate and
0 friend of mine! The Word of God is the enmity, that the horizon of the hearts of men
king of words and its pervasive influence is may be illumined with the light of concord and
incalculable. It hath ever dominated and will attain real peace and tranquillity. From the
continue to dominate the realm of being. The dawning-place of the divine Tablet the day-star
Great Being saith: The Word is the master key of this utterance shineth resplendent, and it
for the whole world, inasmuch as through its behoveth everyone to fix his gaze upon it: We
potency the doors of the hearts of men, which exhort you, 0 peoples of the world, to observe
in reality are the doors of heaven, are
unlocked. No sooner had but a glimmer of its 1
Qur'an 104:1-2.
20 THE BAHA'l WORLD

that which will elevate your station. Hold fast Him with the splendour of His confirmation.
to the fear of God and firmly adhere to what is Verily He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
right. Verily I say, the tongue is for mentioning
what is good, defile it not with unseemly talk.
God hath forgiven what is past. Henceforward
everyone should utter that which is meet and
Blessed is the wayfarer who hath recognized
seemly, and should refrain from slander, abuse
the Desired One, and the seeker who hath
and whatever causeth sadness in men. Lofty is
heeded the Call of Him Who is the intended
the station of man! Not long ago this exalted
Aim of all mankind, and the learned one who
Word streamed forth from the treasury of Our
hath believed in God, the Help in Peril , the
Pen of Glory: Great and blessed is this
Self-Subsisting.
Day-the Day in which all that lay latent in
How vast the number of the learned who
man hath been and will be made manifest.
have turned aside from the way of God and
Lofty is the station of man, were he to hold fast
how numerous the men devoid of learning who
to righteousness and truth and to remain firm
have apprehended the truth and hastened unto
and steadfast in the Cause . In the eyes of the
Him , saying, 'Praised be Thou, 0 Lord of all
All-Mercifu l a true man appeareth even as a
things, vis ible and invisible.'
firmament; its sun and moon are his sight and
By the righteousness of God! The world's
hearing, and his shining and resplendent
horizon is resplendent with the light of the
character its stars. His is the loftiest station,
Most Great Luminary , yet the genera lity of
and his influence educateth the world of being .
mankind perceive it not. Verily He Who is the
Every receptive soul who hath in this Day
Sovereign Truth moveth before the eyes of all
inhaled the fragrance of His garment and hath,
men . Unto this beareth witness the One Who is
with a pure heart, set his face towards the allproclaiming in the midmost heart of the world ,
glorious Horizon is reckoned among the peo-
'In truth no God is there but Me, Omnipotent
ple of Baha in the Crimson Book. Grasp ye, in
over all things, whether of the past or the
My Name, the chalice of My loving-kindness,
future.'
drink then your fill in My glorious and won-
Great is the blessedness of the believer who
drous remembrance.
hath directed himself towards Him and hath
0 ye that dwell on earth! The religion of God
gained admittance into His presence, and woe
is for love and unity; make it not the cause of
betide every disbeliever who hath turned away
enmity or dissension. In the eyes of men of
from God and followed the wayward and the
insight and the beholders of the Most Sublime
outcast.
Vision , whatsoever are the effective means for
safeguarding and promoting the happiness and
welfare of the children of men hath already
been revealed by the Pen of Glory. But the
foolish ones of the earth , being nurtured in evil Man is like unto a tree. If he be adorned with
passions and desires, have remained heedless fruit, he hath been and will ever be worthy of
of the consummate wisdom of Him Who is, in praise and commendation. Otherwise a fruittruth , the All- Wise, while their words and less tree is but fit for fire . The fru its of the
deeds are prompted by idle fancies and vain human tree are exquisite, highly desired and
imaginings. dearly cherished. Among them are upright
0 ye the loved ones and the trustees of God! character, virtuous deeds and a goodly utter-
Kings are the manifestations of the power, and ance. The springtime for earthly trees occurthe daysprings of the might and riches, of God. reth once every year, while the one for human
Pray ye on their behalf. He hath invested them trees appeareth in the D ays of God-exalted
with the rulership of the earth and hath singled be His glory. Were the trees of men 's lives to be
out the hearts of men as His Own domain. adorned in this divine Springtime with the
Conflict and contention are categorically fruits that have been mentioned, the efful gence
forbidden in His Book. This is a decree of God of the light of Justice wou ld, of a certainty,
in this Most Great Revelation. It is divinely illumine all the dwellers of the earth a nd
preserved from annulment and is invested by everyone would abide in tranquill ity and con-
THE BAHA ' I REVELATION 21
tentment beneath the sheltering shadow of carry them away to the place ordained for
Him Who is the Objeci of all mankind. The them. Ignorant did they arrive, ignorant did
Water for these trees is the living water of the they linger and ignorant did they retire to their
sacred Words uttered by the Beloved of the abodes.
world. In one instant are such trees planted and The world is continually proclaiming these
in the next their branches shall, through the words: Beware, I am evanescent, and so are all
outpourings of the showers of divine mercy, my outward appearances and colours. Take ye
have reached the skies. A dried-up tree, how- heed of the changes and chances contrived
ever, hath never been nor will be worthy of any within me and be ye roused from your slumber.
mention. Nevertheless there is no discerning eye to see,
Happy is the faithful one who is attired with nor is there a hearing ear to hearken.
the vesture of high endeavour and hath arisen In this Day the inner ear exclaimeth and
to serve this Cause. Such a soul hath truly saith: Indeed well is it with me, today is my day,
attained the desired Goal and hath inasmuch as the Voice of God is calling aloud.
apprehended the Object for which it hath been And the essence of vision crieth out: Blessed
created . But a myriad times alas for the way- am I, this is my day, for the Ancient Beauty is
ward who are like unto dried-up leaves fallen shining resplendent from the most exalted
upon the dust. Ere long mortal blasts shall Horizon.
22 THE BAHA'i WORLD

2. THE BAB

Excerp1s from Selections from the Writings of the Bab'

SAY, verily God hath caused all created 0 concourse of light! By the righteousness of
things to enter beneath the shade of the tree of God, We speak not according to selfish desire,
affirmation, except those who are endowed nor hath a single letter of this Book been
with the facu lty of und erstanding. Theirs is the revealed save by the leave of God, the
choice either to believe in God their Lord, and Sovereign Truth. Fear ye God and entertain no
put their whole trust in Him, or to shut them- doubts regarding His Cause, for verily, the
selves out from Him and refuse to believe with Mystery of this Gate is shrouded in the mystic
certitude in His sign s. These two groups sail utterances of His Writ and hath been written
upon two seas: the sea of affirmation and the beyond the impenetrable veil of concealment
sea of negation . by the hand of God, the Lord of the visible and
They that truly believe in God and in His the invisible.
signs, and who in every Dispensation faithfully Indeed God hath created everywhere
obey that which hath been revealed in the around this Gate oceans of divine e lixir, tinged
Book-such are indeed the ones whom God crimson with the essence of existence and vitalhath created from the fruits of the Paradise of ized through the animating power of the
His good-pleasure, and who are of the blissful. desired fruit; and for them God hath provided
But they who turn away from God and His Arks of ruby, tender, crimson -coloured,
sign s in each Dispensation, those are the ones wherein none shall sail but the people of Bahii,
who sai l upon the sea of negation. by the leave of God , the Most Exalted; and
God hath, through the potency of His verily He is the All-Glorious, the All-Wise.
behest, ordained for Himself the task of ensuring the asce ndancy of the sea of affirmation and
of bringing to naught the sea of negation
through the power of His might. He is in truth
potent over all things.
Verily it is incumbent upon you to recognize Rid thou thyself of all attachments to aught
your Lord at the time of His manifestation, that except God , enrich thyself in God by dispenshaply ye may not enter into negation, and that, ing with all e lse besides Him, and recite this
ere a prophet is raised by God, ye may find prayer:
yourselves secure ly establ ished upon the sea of Say: God sufficeth all things above all
affirmation. For if a prophet cometh to you things, and nothing in the heavens or in
from God and ye fail to walk in His Way, God the earth or in whatever lieth between
will, thereupon, transform yo ur light into fire. them but God, thy Lord, sufficeth. Verily,
Take heed then that perchance ye may, He is in Himself the Knower, the Susthrough the grace of God and His signs, be tainer, the Omnipotent.
e nabled to redeem your souls. Regard not the all-sufficing power of God as
an idle fancy. It is that genuine faith which thou
cherishest for the Manifestation of God in
every Dispensation. It is such faith which
By My glory! I will make the infidels to taste, sufficeth above all the things that exist on the
with the hands of My power, retributions earth, whereas no created thing on earth
unknown of any one except Me, and will waft besides faith would suffice thee. If thou art not
over the faithful those musk-scented breaths a believer, the Tree of divine Truth would conwhich I have nursed in the midmost heart of demn thee to extinction. If thou art a believer,
My throne; and verily the knowledge of God thy faith sha ll be sufficient for thee above all
embraceth all things. things that exist on earth, even though thou
' Baha'i World Centre , Haifa , I 976. possess nothing.
THE BAHA'f REVELATION 23

Entrance from an adjoining dwelling which gives access to the courtyard of the House of the
Bab in Shira z.

Courtyard of the House of the Bab in Shiraz, showing the orange tree and reflecting pool and,
on the left, a well.
24 THE BAHA'i WORLD

View of the garden in the courtyard of the House of the Bab in Sh{raz. On 1he righl is seen 1he
entrance from an adjoining dwelling.

Upperchamberof1he House ofthe Bab where He announced His Mission lo Mulla f:lusayn in
1844.
THE BAHA'I REVELATION 25
0 people of the Qur'an! Ye are as nothing I am aware, 0 Lord, that my trespasses
unless ye submit unto the Remembrance of have covered my face with shame in Thy pres-
God and unto this Book. Ifye follow the Cause ence , and have burdened my back before Thee,
of God, We will forgive you your sins, and if ye have intervened between me and Thy beauturn aside from Our command, We will, in teous countenance, have compassed me from
truth, condemn your souls in Our Book, unto every direction and have hindered me on all
the Most Great Fire . We, verily , do not deal sides from gaining access unto the revelations
unjustly with men, even to the extent ofa speck of T hy celestial power.
on a date-stone. 0 Lord! If Thou forgivest me not, who is
there then to grant pardon , and if Thou hast no
mercy upon me, who is capable of showing
compassion? Glory be unto Thee, Thou didst
create me when I was non-existent and Thou
didst nourish me while I was devoid of any
0 my God! There is no one but Thee to allay understanding. Praise be unto Thee , every evithe anguish of my soul, and Thou art my high- dence of bounty proceedeth from Thee and
est asp irat ion, 0 my God . My heart is wedded every token of grace emanateth from the
to none save Th'e e and such as Thou dost love. I treasuries of Thy decree.
solemnly declare that my life and death are
both for Thee. Verily Thou art incomparable
and hast no partner.
0 my Lord! I beg Thee to forgive me for I beg Thee to forgive me , 0 my Lord, for
shutting myself out from Thee. By Thy glory every mention but the mention of Thee, and
and majesty, I have failed to befittingly recog- for every praise but the praise of Thee, and for
nize Thee and to worship Thee, while Thou every delight but delight in Thy nearness, and
dost make Thyself known unto me and callest for every pleasure but the pleasure of communme to remembrance as beseemeth Thy station. ion with Thee, and for every joy but the joy of
Grievous woe would betide me, 0 my Lord, Thy love and of Thy good-pleasure, and for all
wert Thou to take hold of me by reason of my things pertaining unto me which bear no relamisdeeds and trespasses. No helper do I know tionship unto Thee, 0 Thou Who art the Lord
of other than Thee. No refuge do I have to flee of lords, He Who provideth the means and
to save Thee. None among Thy creatures can unlocketh the doors.
dare to intercede with Thyself without Thy
leave. I hold fast to Thy love before Thy court,
and, according to Thy bidding, I earnestly pray
unto Thee as befitteth Thy glory. I beg Thee to 0 God our Lord! Protect us through Thy
heed my call as Thou hast promised me. Verily grace from whatsoever may be repugnant unto
Thou art God; no God is there but Thee. Alone Thee and vouchsafe unto us that which well
and unaided, Thou art independent of all cre- beseemeth Thee. Give us more out of Thy
ated things. Neither can the devotion of Thy bounty and bless us. Pardon us for the things
lovers profit Thee, nor the evil doings of the we have done and wash away our sins and
faithless harm Thee. Verily Thou art my God, forgive us with Thy gracious forgiveness. Ver-
He Who will never fail in His promise. ily Thou art the Most Exalted, the Self-
0 my God! I beseech Thee by the evidences Subsisting.
of Thy favour , to let me draw nigh to the sub- Thy loving providence hath encompassed all
lime heights of Thy holy presence, and protect created things in the heavens and on the earth,
me from inclining myself toward the subtle and Thy forgiveness hath surpassed the whole
allusions of aught else but Thee. Guide my creation. Thine is sovereignty; in Thy hand are
steps, 0 my God, unto that which is acceptable the Kingdoms of Creation and Revelation; in
and pleasing to Thee. Shield me, through Thy Thy right hand Thou holdest all created things
might, from the fury of Thy wrath and chas- and within Thy grasp are the assigned meastisement, and hold me back from entering ures of forgiveness. Thou forgivest whomhabitations not desired by Thee. soever among Thy servants Thou pleasest.
26 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Verily Thou art the Ever-Forgiving, the All- It is seemly that the servant· should, after
Loving. Nothing whatsoever escapeth Thy each prayer, supplicate God to bestow mercy
knowledge, and naught is there which is hidden and forgiveness upon his parents. Thereupon
from Thee. God's call will be raised: 'Thousand upon
0 God our Lord! Protect us through the thousand of what thou hast asked for thy parpotency of Thy might, enable us to enter Thy ents shall be thy recompense!' Blessed is he
wondrous surging ocean, and grant us that who remembereth his parents when communwhich well befitteth Thee . ing with God. There is, verily, no God but Him,
Thou art the Sovereign Ruler, the Mighty the Mighty, the Well-Beloved.
Doer, the Exalted, the All-loving.

Glory be unto Thee, 0 God . How can I
Vouchsafe unto me, 0 my God, the full make mention of Thee while Thou art
measure of Thy love and Thy good-pleasure, sanctified from the praise of all mankind.
and through the attractions of Thy resplendent Magnified be Thy Name, 0 God, Thou art the
light enrapture our hearts, 0 Thou Who art the King, the Etenial Truth; Thou knowest what is
Supreme Evidence and the All-Glorified. Send in the heavens and on the earth , and unto Thee
down upon me, as a token of Thy grace, Thy must all return. Thou hast sent down Thy
vitalizing breezes, throughout the day-time divinely-ordained Revelation according to a
and in the night season, 0 Lord of bounty. clear measure. Praised art Thou , 0 Lord! At
No deed have I done, 0 my God, to merit Thy behest Thou dost render victorious whombeholding Thy face, and I know of a certainty soever Thou wiliest, through the hosts of
that were I to live as long as the world lasts I heaven and earth and whatsoever existeth
would fa il to accomplish any deed such as to between them. Thou art the Sovereign, the
deserve this favour , inasmuch as the station of Eternal Truth, the Lord of invincible might.
a servant shall ever fall short of access to Thy Glorified art Thou, 0 Lord, Thou forgivest
holy precincts, unless Thy bounty should reach at all times the sins of such among Thy servants
me and Thy tender mercy pervade me and Thy as implore Thy pardon. Wash away my sins and
loving-kindness encompass me. the sins of those who seek Thy forgiveness at
dawn, who pray to Thee in the day-time and in
the night season, who yearn after naught save
God, who offer up whatsoever God hath graciously bestowed upon them, who celebrate Thy
I beg Thy forgiveness, 0 my God, and praise at morn and eventide, and who are not
implore pardon after the manner Thou wishest remiss in their duties.
Thy servants to direct themselves to Thee. I
beg of Thee to wash away our sins as befitteth
Thy Lordship, and to forgive me, my parents,
and those who in Thy estimation have entered
the abode of Thy love in a manner which is Verily I am Thy servant, 0 my God, and Thy
worthy of Thy transcendent sovereignty and poor one and Thy suppliant and Thy wretched
well beseemeth the glory of Thy celestial creature. I have arrived at Thy gate, seeking
power. Thy shelter. I have found no contentment save
0 my God! Thou hast inspired my soul to in Thy love, no exultation except in Thy
offer its supplication to Thee, and but for Thee, remembrance, no eagerness but in obedience
I would not call upon Thee. Lauded and to Thee, no joy save in Thy nearness, and no
glorified art Thou; I yield Thee praise inas- tranquillity except in reunion with Thee, notmuch as Thou didst reveal Thyself unto me, withstanding that I am conscious that all creand I beg Thee to forgive me, since I have ated things are debarred from Thy sublime
fallen short in my duty to know Thee and have Essence and the entire creation is denied
failed to walk in the path of Thy love. access to Thine inmost Being. Whenever I
THE BAHA'i REVELATION 27
attempt to approach Thee, I perceive nothing Glory be to Thee, 0 God! Thou art the God
in myself but the tokens of Thy grace and Who hath existed before all things, Who will
behold naught in my being but the revelations exist after all things and will last beyond all
of Thy loving-kindness. How can one who is things. Thou art the God Who knoweth all
but Thy creature seek reunion with Thee and things, and is supreme over all things . Thou art
attain unto Thy presence, whereas no created the God Who dealeth mercifully with all things,
thing can ever be associated with Thee, nor can Who judgeth between all things and Whose
aught comprehend Thee? How is it possible for vision embraceth all things. Thou art God my
a lowly se rvant to recognize Thee and to extol Lord, Thou art aware of my position, Thou
Thy praise , notwithstanding that Thou hast dost witness my inner and outer being.
destined for him the revelations of Thy domin- Grant Thy forgiveness unto me and unto the
ion and the wondrous testimonies of Thy believers who responded to T hy Call. Be Thou
sovereignty? Thus every created thing beareth my sufficing helper against the mischief of
witness that it is debarred from the sanctuary of whosoever may desire to inflict sorrow upon
Thy presence by reason of the limitations me or wish me ill. Verily Tho u art the Lord of
imposed upon its inner reality. It is undisputed, all created things. Thou dost suffice everyone,
however, that the influence of Thine attraction while no one can be self-sufficient without
hath everlastingly been inherent in the realities Thee.
of Thy handiwork, although that which
beseemeth the hallowed court of Thy providence is exalted beyond the attainment of the
entire creation. This indicateth, 0 my God, my
utter powerlessness to praise Thee and 0 Lord! Thou art the Remover of every
revealeth my utmost impotence in yielding anguish and the Dispeller of every affl iction.
thanks unto Thee; and how much more to Thou art He Who banisheth every sorrow and
attain the recognition of Thy divine unity or to setteth free every slave , the Redeemer of every
succeed in reaching the clear tokens of Thy soul. 0 Lord! Grant deliverance through Thy
praise, Thy sanctity and Thy glory . Nay, by Thy mercy and reckon me among such servants of
might, I yearn for naught but Thine Own Self Thine as have gained salvation .
and seek no one other than Thee.

0 Lord! Unto Thee I repair for refuge and
toward all Thy signs I set my heart.
0 Lord! Whether travelling or at home, and
in my occupation or in my work, I place my
whole trust in Thee.
Grant me then Thy sufficing help so as to
0 my God, 0 my Lord, 0 my Master! I beg make me independent of all things, 0 Thou
Thee to forg ive me for seeking any pleasure Who art unsurpassed in Thy mercy!
save Thy love, or any comfort except Thy Bestow upon me my portion, 0 Lord, as
nearness, or any delight besides Thy good- Thou pleasest, and cause me to be satisfied
pleasure, or any existence other than commun- with whatsoever Thou hast ordained for me .
ion with Thee. Thine is the absolute authority to command.
28 THE BAHA'f WORLD

3. 'ABDU'L-BAHA
Excerpts from Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha 1

0 peo ples of the world! The Sun of Truth 0 ye dear friends! T he world is at war and
hath rise n to illumine the whole earth, a nd to the huma n race is in travail and mortal combat.
spiritualize the community of ma n. Laudable T he dark night of hate hat h taken over, and th e
are the res ults and the fruits thereof, abunda nt light of good faith is blotted out. The peoples
the hol y evidences deriving from this grace. and kindreds of the ea rth have sharpened th eir
This is mercy unalloyed and purest bounty; it is claws, and are hu rling themselves one again st
light for the world and all its peoples; it is the other. It is the very fo undatio n of the
harmony and fellowship, and love and solidar- human race that is being destro yed . It is
ity ; indee d it is compassion and unit y, and the thousands of ho useho lds that are vagrant and
end of fo re ignness; it is the being at one , in dispossessed , and every year seeth thousands
complete dignity and freedom , with all on upon th ousa nds of hum an beings weltering in
earth. their life-blood on dusty battlefields. The te nts
The B lessed Beauty saith: 'Ye are all the of life and joy are down. The generals practi se
fruits of one tree , the leaves of one branch. ' their ge nera lship , boasting of the blood they
Thus hath He likened this world of be ing to a shed, competing one with the next in inciting to
single tree, and all its peopl es to the leaves violence . ' With this sword ,' saith one of them,
thereof, and the blossoms and fruits. It is need- 'I beheaded a people!' A nd another: ' I toppled
ful for the bough to blossom, a nd leaf a nd fruit a nation to the gro und! ' And ye t anot her: 'I
to fl o urish, and upon the interco nn ection of all brought a government down!' On such thin gs
parts of the world-tree , dependeth the flourish- do men pride themselves, in such do they glory!
ing of leaf and blossom , and the sweetness of Love-righteousness-these are everywhere
the fruit. censured , while despised are ha rmony , and
For this reaso n must a ll huma n beings pow- devotion to the truth.
e rfully sustai n one another and seek for ever- The Faith of the Blessed Beauty is summonlasting life; and for this reason must the lovers in g mankind to safety and love, to amity and
of God in this contingent world become the peace; it hath raised up its tabernacle on the
me rcies a nd the blessings se nt fo rth by that heights of the earth , and directeth its call to all
clement King of the see n and unseen realms. nations. Wherefore , 0 ye who are God's lov-
Let them purify the ir sight a nd behold all ers, know ye the value of thi s precious Faith ,
hum ankind as leaves and blosso ms and fruits of obey its teachings, walk in this road that is
the tree of being. Let the m at a ll times concern drawn straig ht, and show ye this way to the
themselves with doing a kindly thing for one of people. Lift up yo ur vo ices and sing o ut the
their fe ll ows. offering to someone love, consid- song of the Kingdom. Spread far a nd wide the
era tion , tho ughtful help. Let th e m see no o ne precepts a nd counsels of th e loving Lord, so
as the ir e ne my , or as wishing the m ill , but think that this world will change into another world,
of all hum a nkind as their friend s; regarding the and this darksome earth will be fl ooded with
alie n as a n intimate, the stran ger as a compan- light, and the dead body of mankind will arise
ion, stayin g free of prejudice, drawing no lin es . and li ve; so th at eve ry soul will ask fo r imm o r-
In this day, the one favo ured at the tality , through the ho ly breaths of God.
Threshold of the Lord is he who ha ndeth ro un d Soon will yo ur swiftly-passing days be over,
the cup of fa ithfulness; who bestoweth, even and the fame and riches , the comforts, the joys
upon his e nemies, the jewe l of bounty, and provided by this rubbish-heap, the world, will
lendeth, eve n to his fa lle n oppressor, a he lping be gone without a trace. Summo n ye, the~, the
hand ; it is he who will , eve n to th e fiercest of his people to God, and invite hum a nity to follow
foes , be a loving friend. These a re th e Teach- the exa mple of the Co mpany o n high. Be ye
ings of the Blessed Beauty , these the co un sels loving fathers to the orph an, and a refuge to the
of the Most Great Na me . helpless, and a treasury for the poor, and a cure
Baha'i Wo rld Ce ntre , Haifa, 197 8. for the ailin g. Be ye the he lpers of eve ry victim
THE BAHA'I REVELATION 29
of oppression, the patrons of the disadvan- Service to the friends is service to the Kingtaged. Think ye at all times of rendering some dom of God , and consideration shown to the
service to every member of the human race. poor is one of the greatest teachings of God.
Pay ye no heed to aversion and rejection, to
disdain, hostility , injustice: act ye in the opposite way. Be ye sincerely kind, not in appearance only. Let each one of God's loved ones O ye illumined loved ones and ye handmaids
centre his attention on this: to be the Lord's of the Merciful! At a time when the sombre
mercy to man; to be the Lord's grace . Let him night of ignorance , of neglect of the divine
do some good to every person whose path he world, of being veiled from God , had overcrosseth, and be of some benefit to him. Let spread the earth , a bright morning dawned and
him improve the character of each and all , and a rising light lit up the eastern sky. Then rose
reorient the minds of men. In this way, the light the Sun of Truth and the splendours of the
of divine guidance wi ll shine forth , and the Kingdom were shed over east and west. Those
blessings of God will cradle all mankind: for who had eyes to see rejoiced at the glad tidings
love is light, no matter in what abode it dwell- and cried out: 'O blessed, blessed are we! ', and
eth; and hate is darkness, no matter where it they witnessed the inner reality of all things,
may make its nest. 0 friends of God! That the and uncovered the mysteries of the Kingdom.
hidden Mystery may stand revealed, and the Delivered then from their fancies and their
secret essence of all things may be disc losed , doubts, they beheld the light of truth, and so
strive ye to banish that darkness for ever and exhilarated did they become from draining the
ever. cha lice of God's love, that they utterly forgot
the world and their own selves. Dancing for joy
they hastened to the place of their own martyrdom and there, where men die for love, they
Aung away their heads and hearts.
But those with unseeing eyes were
astonished at this tumult, and they cried ,
0 ye peoples of the Kingdom! How many a 'Where is the light?' and again, 'We see no
soul expended all its span of life in worship, light! We see no rising sun! Here is no truth.
endured the mortification of the Aesh , longed This is but fantasy and nothing more. ' Bat-like
to gain an entry into the Kingdom, and yet they Aed into the underground dark , and there,
failed, while ye, with neither toil nor pain nor to their way of thinking, they found a measure
self-denial, have won the prize and entered in. of security and peace.
It is even as in the time of the Messiah , when This, however, is but the beginning of the
the Pharisees and the pious were left without a dawn , and the heat of the rising Orb of Truth is
portion , while Peter, John and Andrew, given not yet at the fullness of its power. Once the
neither to pious worship nor ascetic practice , sun hath mounted to high noon, its fires will
won the day. Wherefore , thank ye God for burn so hot as to stir even the creeping things
setting upon your heads the crown of glory beneath the earth; and although it is not for
everlasting, for granting unto you this them to behold the light, yet will they all be set
immeasurable grace. in frenzied motion by the impact of the heat.
The time hath come when as a thank- Wherefore , 0 ye beloved of God , offer up
offering for this bestowa l, ye should grow in thanks that ye have, in the day of the dawning,
fa ith and constancy as day followeth day , and turned your faces unto the Light of the World
should draw ever nearer to the Lord , your and beheld its splendours. Ye have received a
God, becom ing magnetized to such a degree, share of the light of truth , ye have enjoyed a
and so aAame, that your holy melodies in praise portion of those blessings that endure forever;
of the Beloved will reach upward to the Com- and therefore, as a returning of thanks for this
pany on high; and that each one of you , even as bounty , rest ye not for a moment , sit ye not
a nightingale in this rose garden of God, will si lent , carry to men's ears the glad tidings of the
glorify the Lord of Hosts, and become the Kingdom, spread far and wide the Word of
teacher of all who dwell on earth. God.
30 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Act in accordance with the counsels of the come out of Nazareth? The second sign is that
Lord: that is, rise up in such wise, and with such He shall rule with a rod of iron, that is, He must
qualities, as to endow the body of this world act with the sword, but this Messiah has not
with a living soul, and to bring this young child, even a wooden staff. Another of the conditions
humanity , to the stage of adulthood. So far as and signs is this: He must sit upon the throne of
ye are able , ignite a candle of love in every David and establish David's sovereignty. Now,
meeting, and with tenderness rejoice and cheer far from being enthroned, this man has not
ye every heart. Care for the stranger as for one even a mat to sit on. Another of the conditions
of your own; show to alien souls the same is this: the promulgation of all the laws of the
loving kindness ye bestow upon your faithful Torah; yet this man has abrogated these laws,
friends. Should any come to blows with you, and has even broken the sabbath day, although
seek to be friends with him; should any stab it is the clear text of the Torah that whosoever
you to the heart, be ye a healing salve unto his layeth claim to prophethood and revealeth
sores; should any taunt and mock at you , meet miracles and breaketh the sabbath day, must
him with love. Should any heap his blame upon be put to death. Another of the signs is this,
you , praise ye him; should he offer you a that in His reign justice will be so advanced that
dead ly poison, give him the choicest honey in righteousness and well-doing will extend from
exchange; and should he threaten your life , the human even to the animal world-the
grant him a remedy that will heal him ever- snake and the mouse will share one hole, and
more. Should he be pain itself, be ye his the eagle and the partridge one nest, the lion
medicine; should he be thorns, be ye his roses and the gazelle shall dwell in one pasture, and
and sweet herbs. Perchance such ways and the wolf and the kid shall drink from one founwords from you will make this darksome world tain. Yet now, injustice and tyranny have
turn bright at last; will make this dusty earth waxed so great in his time that they have
turn heavenly, this devilish prison place crucified him! Another of the conditions is this,
become a royal palace of the Lord-so that war that in the days of the Messiah the Jews will
and strife will pass and be no more , and love prosper and triumph over all the peoples of the
and trust will pitch their tents on the summits of world , but now they are living in the utmost
the world. Such is the essence of God's admo- abasement and servitude in the empire of the
nitions; such in sum are the teachings for the Romans. Then how can this be the Messiah
Dispensation of Baba. promised in the Torah?'
In this wise did they object to that Sun of
Truth , although that Spirit of God was indeed
the One promised in the Torah. But as they did
not understand the meaning of these signs,
When Christ appeared, twenty centuries they crucified the Word of God. Now the
ago, although the Jews were eagerly awaiting Baha'fs hold that the recorded signs did come
His Coming, and prayed every day, with tears, to pass in the Manifestation of Christ, although
saying: 'O God, hasten the Revelation of the not in the sense which the Jews understood, the
Messiah ,' yet when the Sun of Truth dawned, description in the Torah being allegorical. For
they denied Him and rose against Him with the instance, among the signs is that of sovereignty.
greatest enmity, and eventually crucified that For Baha'fs say that the sovereignty of Christ
divine Spirit, the Word of God, and named was a heavenly, divine, everlasting sover-
Him Beelzebub, the evil one, as is recorded in eignty, not a Napoleonic sovereignty that vanthe Gospel. The reason for this was that they isheth in a short time. For well nigh two
said: 'The Revelation of Christ, according to thousand years this sovereignty of Christ hath
the clear text of the Torah, will be attested by been established, and until now it endureth,
certain signs, and so long as these signs have and to all eternity that Holy Being will be
not appeared, whoso layeth claim to be a Mes- exalted upon an everlasting throne.
siah is an impostor. Among these signs is this, In like manner all the other signs have been
that the Messiah should come from an made manifest, but the Jews did not underunknown place , yet we all know this man's stand . Although nearly twenty centuries have
house in Nazareth, and can any good thing elapsed since Christ appeared with divine
THE BAHA ' I REVELATION 31
splendour, yet the Jews are still awaiting the proved superior to the men, and surpassed the
coming of the Messiah and regard themselves famous of the earth.
as true and Christ as false. The House of Justice, however, according to
the explicit text of the Law of God, is confined
to men; this for a wisdom of the Lord God's,
which will ere long be made manifest as clearly
0 leaf upon the Tree of Life! The Tree of as the sun at high noon.
Life, of which mention is made in the Bible, is As to you, 0 ye other handmaids who are
Baha'u'llah, and the daughters of the Kingdom enamoured of the heavenly fragrances,
are the leaves upon that blessed Tree. Then arrange ye holy gatherings, and found ye
thank thou God that thou hast become related Spiritual Assemblies, for these are the basis for
to that Tree, and that thou art flourishing, ten- spreading the sweet savours of God, exalting
der and fresh. His Word, uplifting the lamp of His grace,
The gates of the Kingdom are opened wide, promulgating His religion and promoting His
and every favoured soul is seated at the ban- Teachings, and what bounty is there greater
quet table of the Lord, receiving his portion of than this? These Spiritual Assemblies are
that heavenly feast. Praised be God, thou too aided by the Spirit of God. Their defender is
art present at this table, taking thy share of the ' Abdu'l-Baha'. Over them He spreadeth His
bountiful food of heaven. Thou art serving the wings. What bounty is there greater than this?
Kingdom, and art well acquainted with the These Spiritual Assemblies are shining lamps
sweet savours of the Abha Paradise. and heavenly gardens, from which the fra-
Then strive thou with all thy might to guide grances of holiness are diffused over all regthe people , and eat thou of the bread that hath ions, and the lights of knowledge are shed
come down from heaven. For this is the mean- abroad over all created things. From them the
ing of Christ's words: 'I am the living bread spirit of life streameth in every direction. They ,
which came down from heaven ... he that indeed, are the potent sources of the progress
eateth of this bread shall live forever." of man, at all times and under all conditions .
What bounty is there greater than this?

0 handmaid of God, who tremblest even as a
fresh and tender branch in the winds of the love The prime requisites for them that take
of God! I have read thy letter, which telleth of counsel together are purity of motive, radiance
thine abundant love, thine intense devotion, of spirit, detachment from all else save God,
and of thy being occupied with the remem- attraction to His Divine Fragrances, humility
brance of thy Lord. and lowliness amongst His loved ones, pa-
Depend thou upon God. Forsake thine own tience and long-suffering in difficulties and serwill and cling to His, set aside thine own desires vitude to His exalted Threshold . Should they
and lay hold of His, that thou mayest become be graciously aided to acquire these attributes,
an example, holy, spiritual, and of the King- victory from the unseen Kingdom of Baha
dom, unto His handmaids. shall be vouchsafed to them.
Know thou, 0 handmaid, that in the sight of
Baha, women are accounted the same as men,
and God hath created all humankind in His
own image , and after His own likeness. That is, The members thereof must take counsel
men and women alike are the revealers of His together in such wise that no occasion for illnames and attributes , and from the spiritual feeling or discord may arise. This can be
viewpoint there is no difference between them. attained when every member expresseth with
Whosoever draweth nearer to God, that one is absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth
the most favoured, whether man or woman. forth his argument. Should anyone oppose, he
How many a handmaid, ardent and devoted, must on no account feel hurt for not until mathath, within the sheltering shade of Baha, ters are fully discussed can the right way be
'John 6:51, 58. ' Of a Spiritual A ssembly .
32 THE BAHA'I WORLD

revealed. The shining spark of truth cometh Baha'i world wherein distinction of colour
forth only after the clash of differing opinions . findeth no place , but where hearts only are
If after discussion, a decision be carried considered. Praise be to God , the hearts of the
unanimously well and good; but if, the Lord friends are united and linked together, whether
forbid , differences of opinion should arise, a they be from the east or the west, from north or
majority of voices must prevail. from south, whether they be German, French,
Japanese , American, and whether they pertain
to the white , the black , the red , the yellow or
Yo u have asked as to the feast in every the brown race. Variations of colour, of land
Bah[1'i month. This feast is held to foster com- and of race are of no importance in the Baha'i
rad eship a nd love , to call God to mind and Faith; on the contrary, Baha'i unity oversupplicate Him with contrite hearts, and to cometh them all and doeth away with all these
encourage benevolent pursuits. fancies and imaginations.
That is, the friends should there dwell upon
God and glorify Him , read the prayers and holy
ve rse s, and treat one another with the utmost
affection and love. 0 thou who hast an illumined heart! Thou
art even as the pupil of the eye, the very
wellspring of the light , for God's love hath cast
As to the Nineteen Day Feast, it rejoiceth its rays upon thine inmost being and thou hast
mind and heart. lf this feast be held in the turned thy face toward the Kingdom of thy
prope r fashion, the friends will , once in nine- Lord.
teen da ys, find themselves spiritually restored , Intense is the hatred , in America, between
and endued with a power that is not of this black and white, but my hope is that the power
wo rld. of the Kingdom will bind these two in friendship , and serve them as a healing balm.
Let them look not upon a man's colour but
0 bird that singeth sweetly of the Abha upon his heart. If the heart be filled with light,
Beauty! In this new and wondrous dispensa- that man is nigh unto the threshold of his
tion the veils of superstition have been torn Lord; but if not, that man is careless of his
asunder a nd the prejudices of eastern peoples Lord, be he white or be he black.
sta nd conde mned. Among certain nations of
the E ast, music was considered reprehensible,
but in this new age the Manifest Light hath , in
His ho ly Tablets, specifically proclaimed that 0 thou dear handmaid of God! Thy letter
music, sung or played , is spiritual food for soul hath been received , and its contents were
and heart. noted.
The musician's art is among those arts Marriage, among the mass of the people, is a
worthy of the highest praise, and it moveth the physical bond , and this union can on ly be temhearts of all who grieve . Wherefore, 0 thou porary, since it is foredoomed to a physical
Sh ahnaz, 1 play and sing out the holy words of separation at the close.
Go d with wondrous tones in the gatherings of Among the people of Baha , however, marthe friends , that the listener may be freed from riage must be a union of the body and of the
chains of care and sorrow , and his soul may spirit as well , for here both husband and wife
leap for joy and humble itself in prayer to the are aglow with the same wine, both are
rea lm of Glory. enamoured of the same matchless Face, both
live and move through the same spirit, both are
illumined by the same glory. This connection
Strive with heart and soul in order to bring between them is a spiritual one, hence it is a
about union and harmony among the white and bond that will abide forever. Likewise do they
the black and prove thereby the unity of the enjoy strong and lasting ties in the physical
' Sh ahnaz, the name given to the recipient of this Tablet, is
world as well, for if the marriage is based both
also the name of a musical mode. on the spirit and the body, that union is a true
THE BAHA'i REVELATION 33
one, hence it will endure . If, however, the bond 0 handm a ids of the Lord! The spiritual
is physical and nothing more, it is sure to be asse mblage that ye established in that
only temporary, and must inexorably end in illumined city is most propitious . Ye have
separation. made great strides ; ye have surpassed the
When, therefore, the people of Baha under- others, have arise n to serve the Holy
take to marry, the union must be a true rela- Threshold, and have won heavenly bestowals.
tionship, a spiritua l coming together as well as Now with all spiritual zeal must ye gather in
a physical one, so that throughout every phase that enlightened assemblage and recite the
of life, and in all the worlds of God, their union Holy Writings and engage in remembering the
will endure; for this real oneness is a gleaming Lord . Set ye forth His arguments and proofs.
out of the love of God. Work ye for the guidance of the women in that
In the same way, when any souls grow to be land, teach the young girls and the children, so
true believers, they will attain a spiritual relation- that the mothers may educate their little ones
ship with one another, and show forth a ten- from their earliest days, thoroughly train them,
derness which is not of this world. They will, all rear them to have a goodly character and good
of them, become elated from a draught of morals, guide them to all the virt ues of humandivine love, and that union of theirs, that con- kind, prevent the development of any
nection, will also abide forever. Souls, that is, behaviour that would be worthy of blame , and
who will consign their own selves to oblivion, foster them in the embrace of Baha'i educastrip from .themselves the defects of human- tion. Thus shall these tender infants be nurkind, and unchain themselves from human tured at the breast of the knowledge of God
bondage, will beyond any doubt be illumined and His love. Thus shall they grow and flourish,
with the heavenly splendours of oneness, and and be taught righteousness and the dignity of
will all attain unto real union in the world that humankind, resolution and the will to strive
dieth not. and to endure. Thus shall they learn perseverance in all things, the will to advance, high mindedness and high resolve, chastity and purity of life .
Thus shall they be enabled to carry to a successful
As for the question regarding marriage conclusion whatsoever they undertake.
under the Law of God: first thou must choose
one who is pleasing to thee , and then the matter is subject to the consent of father and Let the mothers consider that whatever conmother. Before thou makest thy choice , they cerneth the education of children is of the first
have no right to interfere. importance. Let them put forth every effort in
this regard, for when the bough is green and
tender it will grow in whatever way ye train it.
Therefore is it incumbent upon the mothers to
Baha'i marriage is the commitment of the rear their little ones even as a gardener tendeth
two parties one to the other, and their mutual his young plants. Let them strive by day and by
attachment of mind and heart. Each must, night to establish within their children faith and
however, exercise the utmost care to become certitude, the fear of God, the love of the
thoroughly acquainted with the character of Beloved of the worlds, and all good qualities
the other, that the binding covenant between and traits. Whensoever a mother seeth that her
them may be a tie that will endure forever. child hath done well, let her praise and applaud
Their purpose must be this: to become loving him and cheer his heart; and if the slightest
companions and comrades and at one with undesirable trait should manifest itself, let her
each other for time and eternity ... . counsel the child and punish him, and use
The true marriage of Baha'is is this, that means based on reason, even a slight verbal
husband and wife should be united both physi- chastisement should this be necessary. It is not,
cally and spiritually, that they may ever however, permissible to strike a child, or vilify
improve the spiritual life of each other, and him, for the child's character will be totally
may enjoy everlasting unity throughout all the perverted if he be subjected to blows or verbal
worlds of God. This is Baha'i marriage. abuse.
34 THE BAHA'I WORLD

'Abdu'l-Baha
Photograph taken in 1912 during 'Abdu'l-Bahti's visit to the United States.
THE BAHA'I REVELATION 35
As to the difference between that material Baha'i young people, each and all, are known
civilization now prevailing, and the divine civil- throughout the world for their intellectual
ization which will be one of the benefits to attainments . There is no question but that they
derive from the House of Justice, it is this: will exert all their efforts, their energies, their
material civi lization, through the power of sense of pride, to acquire the sciences and arts.
punitive and retaliatory laws, restraineth the
people from criminal acts; and notwithstanding this, while laws to retaliate against and
punish a man are continually proliferating, as 0 Friends of the Pure and Omnipotent God!
ye can see, no laws exist to reward him . In all To be pure and holy in all things is an attribute
the cities of Europe and America, vast build- of the consecrated soul and a necessary characings have been erected to serve as jails for the teristic of the unenslaved mind. The best of
criminals . perfections is immaculacy and the freeing of
Divine civilization, however, so traineth oneself from every defect . Once the individual
every member of society that no one, with the is, in every respect, cleansed and purified, then
exception of a negligible few, will undertake to will he become a focal centre reflecting the
commit a crime. There is thus a great differ- Manifest Light.
ence between the prevention of crime through First in a human being's way of life must be
measures that are violent and retaliatory, and purity, then freshness , cleanliness, and indeso training the people, and enlightening them, pendence of spirit. First must the stream bed be
and spiritualizing them, that without any fear cleansed, then may the sweet river waters be
of punishment or vengeance to come, they will led into it. Chaste eyes enjoy the beatific vision
shun all criminal acts. They will, indeed, look of the Lord and know what this encounter
upon the very commission of a crime as a great meaneth; a pure sense inhaleth the fragrances
disgrace and in itself the harshest of punish- that blow from the rose gardens of His grace; a
ments. They will become enamoured of human burnished heart will mirror forth the comely
perfections, and will consecrate their lives to face of truth.
whatever will bring light to the world and will This is why, in Holy Scriptures, the counsels
further those qualities which are acceptable at of heaven are likened to water, even as the
the Holy Threshold of God. Qur'an saith: 'And pure water send We down
See then how wide is the difference between from Heaven,' 1 and the Gospel: 'Except a man
material civilization and divine. With force and be baptized of water and of the spirit, he cannot
punishments, material civilization seeketh to enter into the Kingdom of God.' 2 Thus is it
restrain the people from mischief, from inflict- clear that the Teachings which come from God
ing harm on society and committing crimes. are heavenly outpourings of grace; they are
But in a divine civilization, the individual is so rain-showers of divine mercy, and they cleanse
conditioned that with no fear of punishment, the human heart.
he shunneth the perpetration of crimes, seeth My meaning is this, that in every aspect of
the crime itself as the severest of torments, and life, purity and holiness, cleanliness and
with alacrity and joy, setteth himself to acquir- refinement, exalt the human condition and
ing the virtues of humankind, to furthering further the development of man's inner reality.
human progress, and to spreading light across Even in the physical realm, cleanliness will
the world. conduce to spirituality, as the Holy Writings
clearly state. And although bodily cleanliness
is a physical thing, it hath, nevertheless, a powerful influence on the life of the spirit. It is ·e ven
It is incumbent upon Baha'i children to sur- as a voice wondrously sweet, or a melody
pass other children in the acquisition of sci- played: although sounds are but vibrations in
ences and arts, for they have been cradled in the air which affect the ear's auditory nerve,
the grace of God. and these vibrations are but chance
Whatever other children learn in a year, let phenomena carried along through the air, even
Baha'i children learn in a month . The heart of 1
Qur'an 25: 50.
'Abdu'l-Bahli longeth, in its love, to find that 2
cf. John 3:5.
36 THE BAHA'f WORLD

'Abdu'l-Baha
Photograph of'Abdu'/-Bahd taken during His visit to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; 1912.

so, see how they move the heart. A wondrous Text, but their avoidance is necessary to purity ,
melody is wings for the spirit, and maketh the cleanliness , the preservation of health, and
soul to tremble for joy. The purport is that freedom from addiction.
physical cleanliness doth also exert its effect Among these latter is smoking tobacco,
upon the human soul. which is dirty , smelly , offensive-an evil habit,
Observe how pleasing is cleanliness in the and one the harmfulness of which gradually
sight of God, and how specifically it is empha- becometh apparent to all . Every qualified
sized in the Holy Books of the Prophets; for the physician hath ruled-and this hath also been
Scriptures forbid the eating or the use of any proven by tests-that one of the components
unclean thing. Some of these prohibitions were of tobacco is a deadly poison, and that the
absolute, and binding upon a ll , and whoso smoker is vulnerable to many and various distransgressed the give n law was abhorred of eases. This is why smok ing hath been plainly
God and anathematized by the believers. Such , set forth as repugnant from the standpo int of
for example, were things categorically forbid - hygiene.
den , the perpetration of which was accounted a The Bab , at the outset of His mission ,
most grievous sin, among them actions so explicitly prohibited tobacco , and the friends
loathsome that it is shameful even to speak one and all abandoned its use. But since those
their name. were times when dissimulation was permitted ,
But there are other forbidden things which and every individual who abstained from
do not cause immediate harm , and the injuri- smoking was exposed to harassment, abuse
ous effects of which are only gradually pro- and even death-the friends , in order not to
duced: such acts are also repugnant to the advertise their beliefs, would smoke . Later on ,
Lord , and blameworthy in His sight, and repel- the Book of Aqdas was revealed, and since
le nt. The abso lute un lawfu lness of these, how- smoking tobacco was not specifically forbidden
ever, hath not been expressly set forth in the there, the believers did not give it up. The
THE BA H A'I R EVE L ATION 37
B lessed B eauty, however, always expressed O Divin e Providence ! Bestow Tho u in all
re pugnance fo r it, and altho ugh, in the earl y thin gs puri ty and cleanl iness upon th e peop le
days, the re were reasons why He wo uld smo ke of B aha. Gra nt that they be freed fro m all
a little tobacco, in time He complete ly defi le me nt, and re leased from a ll addictions.
re no unced it, and those sanctifi e d souls who Save the m fro m commi tting any re pugnant act,
fo llowed H im in all things also aba ndoned its un bind th em fro m th e chain s of eve ry evil
use. habit, that th ey may live pure and fr ee, who le-
My mea ni ng is that in the sigh t of God , so me and cleanly, wo rth y to serve at T hy Sasmo kin g tobacco is de precate d , abho rre nt, cred Thres hold and fit to be related to th eir
fi lthy in the extreme; and, albeit by degrees, Lo rd. D eliver the m fro m intox icating drin ks
highl y injurious to health. It is a lso a waste of and tobacco , save them , rescue the m, fro m thi s
money and time, and make th the user a prey to opium that bringet h o n mad ness, suffe r the m
a noxio us addi ctio n. To th ose who stand firm in to enj oy the sweet savo urs of ho liness, that
the Cove nant, this habit is therefo re censured they may drink deep of the mystic cup of
both by reason and experience, and re no unc- heavenl y love and know the ra pture of be ing
in g it will b ring relief a nd peace of mind to all draw n eve r closer un to the Rea lm of the A llme n. Furthermore , this will make it possible to G lo ri ous. Fo r it is even as T ho u has t said: 'A ll
have a fresh mo uth and unstaine d fin ge rs, and that tho u hast in thy ce ll a r will not appease th e
hair th at is free of a fo ul and repell ent sme ll. thirst of my love-bring me, 0 cup-bea re r, of
O n receipt of this missive , the friends will the wine of the spirit a cup full as the sea !'
sure ly, by whatever mea ns and even over a 0 ye, God's loved ones! Experie nce hat h
period of time, fo rsake th is pe rn icious hab it. show n how greatl y the re no un cing of smokin g,
Such is my hope . of intoxicatin g drink , and of opium , co ndu ce th
As to opium , it is fo ul and accursed . God to health a nd vigo ur, to the ex pansio n and
protect us fro m the punishme nt He inflicteth kee nn ess of the mi nd and to bodil y strengt h.
on the use r. Acco rd ing to the explicit Text of There is today a peop le 2 who strictly avo id
the Most Ho ly Boo k, it is for bi dd en, and its use tobacco, in tox icating liquor and opium . T his
is utterl y co nde mne d. Reaso n showeth th at peo ple is fa r and away supe ri or to the others ,
smo kin g o pium is a kind of insa nity, and fo r stre ngth and physica l courage, fo r hea lth,
ex pe rience attesteth that the user is complete ly beauty a nd co meliness. A single o ne of their
cut off fro m the huma n kingdo m. May God men ca n sta nd up to ten me n of anothe r tri be.
protect all against the perpetrati on of an act so T hi s hath proved true of th e entire peo ple : th at
hideo us as this, an act which laye th in ruins th e is, membe r fo r member, each ind ivid ua l of thi s
ve ry fo undatio n of what it is to be hum an, and community is in every respect superior to the
whi ch ca useth the user to be di spossessed fo r in dividuals of other communities .
ever and eve r. Fo r opium fas teneth o n the soul , Make ye the n a might y effo rt, tha t the purity
so that the user's conscience die th , his mind is and sa ncti ty which , above all e lse, a re
blo tted away, his perceptio ns are eroded . It cherished by ' Abd u'l- Baha, shall disti nguish
turneth the livi ng into the dead. It quencheth the peo ple of Ba ha; that in eve ry kin d of exce lthe na tu ra l heat. No greater harm can be co n- le nce the peo pl e of God sha ll surpass a ll o th er
ce ived th a n that which o pium inflicte th. Fortu- human be ings; th at bo th outwardl y and
nate are they who never even speak the name in wa rdl y they shall prove supe ri o r to the res t;
of it; the n thin k how wretched is t he user. that fo r purity, immaculacy, refi ne men t, and
0 ye lovers of God! I n this, the cycle of the preservation of health, they shall be leaders
A lmighty God, vio le nce and fo rce , constra int in the va nguard of those who know . A nd that
a nd oppressio n, are o ne and a ll co nde mned. It by their freedom fro m e nslave ment, th e ir
is, howeve r, mandato ry that the use of opium knowledge, the ir self-co ntro l, they sha ll be fi rst
be preve nted by any means whatsoever, that a mong the pure, the free and the wise .
percha nce th e hu man race may be de li ve red
fro m thi s most powerful of pl ag ues . A nd
o therwise, woe and misery to whoso fall eth T here are two ways of healing sickness, masho rt of his duty to hi s Lord . 1 te rial means and spiritual means. The first is by
cf. Qur'an 39:57. ' The Sik hs.
38 THE BAHA'l WORLD

A glimpse of'Abdu'l-Bahti in the Holy Land.
the treatment of physicians; the second consis- answer to a previous letter, that feelings of
teth in prayers offered by the spiritual o nes to affection were being established between thy-
God and in turning to Him . Both means shou ld self and the friends.
be used and practised. One must see in every hum an being on ly that
Illnesses which occur by reason of physical which is worthy of praise. When this is done,
causes should be treated by doctors with medi- one can be a friend to the whole human race. If,
cal remedies ; those which are due to spiritu al however, we look at people from the standcauses disappear through spiritual means. point of their faults, then being a friend to them
Thus an illness caused by affliction, fear, nerv- is a formidable task.
ous impressions, will be healed more effec- It happened one day in the time of
tive ly by spiritual rather than by physical Christ-may the life of the world be a sacrifice
treatment. Hence, both kinds of treatment unto Him-that He passed by the dead body of
shou ld be followed; they are not contradictory . a dog, a carcass reeking, hideous, the limbs
Therefore thou shouldst also accept physical rotting away. One of those present said: 'How
remedies inasmuch as these too have come foul its stench!' And another said: 'How sickfrom the mercy and favour of God, Who hath ening! How loathsome!' To be brief, each one
revealed and made manifest med ical science so of them had something to add to the list.
that His servants may profit from this kind of But then Christ Himself spoke, and He told
treatment a lso. Thou shouldst give equal atten- them: 'Look at that dog's teeth! How gleami ng
tion to spiritu al treatments, for they produce white!'
marvellous effects . The Messiah' s sin-coverin g gaze did not for a
Now, if thou wishest to know the true moment dwell upon the repulsiveness of that
remedy which will heal man from all sickness carrion. The one element of that dead dog's
and will give him the hea lth of the divine king- carcass which was not abomination was the
dom, know that it is the precepts and teachings teeth: and Jesus looked upon their brightness.
of God. Focus thine attention upon them . Thus is it incumbent upon us, when we direct
our gaze toward other people , to see where
they excel, not where they fail.
Praise be to God , thy goal is to promote the
0 lover of humankind! Thy letter hath been well-being of humankind and to help the souls
received, and it telleth, God be praised, of thy to overcome their fau lts. This good intention
health and well-being. It appea reth , from thine will produce laudable results.
THE BAHA'I REVELATION 39
As to thy question, doth every soul without and hardships, then his nature will recoil and
exception achieve life everlasting? Know thou he will desire the eternal realm-a realm which
that immortality belongeth to those souls in is sanctified from all afflictions and calamities.
whom hath been breathed the spirit of life from Such is the case with the man who is wise. He
God. All save these are lifeless-they are the shall never drink from a cup which is at the end
dead, even as Christ hath explained in the distasteful, but, on the contrary, he will seek
Gospel text. He whose eyes the Lord hath the cup of pure and limpid water. He will not
opened will see the souls of men in the stations taste of the honey that is mixed with poison.
they will occupy after their release from the Praise thou God, that thou hast been tried
body. He will find the living ones thriving and hast experienced such a test. Be patient
within the precincts of their Lord , and the dead and grateful. Turn thy face to the divine Kingsunk down in the lowest abyss of perdition. dom and strive that thou mayest acquire merci-
Know thou that every soul is fashioned after ful characteristics, mayest become illumined
the nature of God , each being pure and holy at and acquire the attributes of the Kingdom and
his birth. Afterwards, however, the individuals of the Lord. Endeavour to become indifferent
will vary according to what they acquire of to the pleasures of this world and to its comfort,
virtues or vices in this world. Although all exis- to remain firm and steadfast in the Covenant
tent beings are in their very nature created in and to promulgate the Cause of God .
ranks or degrees, for capacities are various, This is the cause of the exaltation of man, the
nevertheless every individual is born holy and cause of his glory and of his salvation.
pure, and only thereafter may he become
defiled.
And further, although the degrees of being Follow thou the way of thy Lord, and say not
are various, yet all are good. Observe the that which the ears cannot bear to hear, for
human body, its limbs, its members, the eye , such speech is like luscious food given to small
the ear, the organs of smell, of taste, the hands, children. However palatable , rare and rich the
the fingernails. Notwithstanding the differ- food may be, it cannot be assimilated by the
ences among all these parts, each one within digestive organs of a suckling child. Therefore
the limitations of its own being participateth in unto every one who hath a right, let his settled
a coherent whole. If one of them faileth it must measure be given.
be healed, and should no remedy avail, that 'Not everything that a man knoweth can be
part must be removed. disclosed, nor can everything that he can disclose be regarded as timely, nor can every
timely utterance be considered as suited to the
capacity of those who hear it.' Such is the con-
Those souls that, in this day, enter the divine summate wisdom to be observed in thy purkingdom and attain everlasting life, although suits. Be not oblivious thereof, if thou wishest
materially dwelling on earth, yet in reality soar to be a man of action under all conditions. First
in the realm of heaven . Their bodies may linger diagnose the disease and identify the malady,
on earth but their spirits travel in the immen- then prescribe the remedy, for such is the persity of space. For as thoughts widen and fect method of the skilful physician.
become illumined, they acquire the power of
flight and transport man to the kingdom of
God.
The teacher, when teaching, must be himself
fully enkindled, so that his utterance, like unto
a flame of fire, may exert influence and con-
0 thou servant of God! Do not grieve at the sume the veil of self and passion. He must also
afflictions and calamities that have befallen be utterly humble and lowly so that others may
thee. All calamities and afflictions have been be edified, and be totally self-effaced and evacreated for man so that he may spurn this mor- nescent so that he may teach with the melody
tal world-a world to which he is much of the Concourse on high-otherwise his
attached. When he experienceth severe trials teaching will have no effect.
40 THE BAHA'I WORLD

'Abdu'l-Baha
Phowgraph taken in Paris; 19 I I .

Whoso reciteth this prayer with lowlin ess and fervour will bring gladness
and joy to the heart ofthis Servant; it will be even as meeting Him face to face.
He is the All-Glorious!

0 God, my God! Lowly and tearful , I raise me to be selfless at the heavenly entrance of
my suppliant hands to Thee and cover my face Thy ga te , and aid me to be detached from all
in the dust of that Threshold of Thine, exalted things within Thy holy precincts. Lord! Give
above the knowledge of the learned , and the me to drink from the chalice of selflessness;
praise of all th at glorify Thee. Graciously look with its robe clothe me, a nd in its ocean
upon Thy servant, humble and lowly at Thy immerse me. Make me as dust in the pathway
door, with the glances of the eye of Thy mercy, of Thy loved ones, and grant that I may offer up
and immerse him in the Ocean of Thine eternal rny soul for the earth ennobled by the footsteps
grace. of Thy chosen ones in Thy path, 0 Lord of
Lord! He is a poor and lowly se rvant of Glory in the Highest.
Thine, enthralled and imploring Thee, captive With this prayer doth Thy servant call Thee,
in Thy hand, praying fervently to Thee, trust- at dawntide and in the night-season . Fulfil his
ing in Thee, in tears before Thy face, calling to heart's desire, 0 Lord! Illumine his heart,
Thee and beseeching Thee, saying: gladden his bosom, kindle his light, that he may
0 Lord, my God! Give me Thy grace to serve Thy Cause and Thy serva nts .
serve Thy loved ones, strengthen me in my Thou art the Bestower, the Pitiful, the Most
servitude to Thee, illumine my brow with the Bountiful, the Gracious, the Merciful, the
light of adoration in Thy court of holiness, and Compassionate.
of prayer to Thy Kingdom of grandeur. Help
THE BAHA'i REVELATION 41
42 THE BAHA ' I WORLD

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II
EXCERPTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF
SHOGHI EFFENDI
A WIDER LOY AL TY
Excerpts concerning the oneness of mankind from Call to the Nations 1

MYSTERIOUSLY, slowly, a nd resist- ephemeral manifestations of returning proslessly God accompli shes His design, though the perity which at times appear to be capable of
sight that meets our eyes in this day be the checking the disruptive influence of the chronic
spectacle of a world hopelessly entangled in its ills affl icting the institutions of a decaying age .
own meshes, utterly careless of the Voice T he sign s of the times are too numerous and
which, for a century, has been callin g it to God, compelling to all ow him to mistake their
and miserably subservient to the siren voices character or to belittle their significance. He
which are atte mpting to lure it into the vast can, if he be fair in his judgement, recognize in
abyss. the chain of events which proclaim on the one
God's purpose is none other than to usher in , hand the irresistible march of the institutions
in ways He alone can bring abo ut, and the full directly associated with the Revelation ofBaha'-
significance of which He alone can fat hom, the u'llah and foreshadow on the other the down-
Great, the Golden Age of a long-divided, a fa ll of those powers and principalities that ha ve
long-afflicted humanity. Its present state, either ignored or opposed it-he can recognize
indeed even its immediate future, is dark, dis- in them a ll evidences of the operation of God's
tressingly dark. Its distant future, however, is a ll-pervasive Will, the shaping of His perfectly
rad iant, gloriously radiant-so radiant that no ordered and world-e mb racing Plan .. . .
eye can visualize it.

The Revelation of Baha' u' llah , whose sup-
T he contrast between the accumulating evi- reme mission is none other but the achievedences of steady consolidation that accompany ment of this organic and spiritua l unity of the
the rise of the Admi nistrative Order of the whole body of nations, should, if we be fa ithful
Faith of God, and the forces of disintegration to its implications, be regarded as signa lizing
which batter at the fabric of a travailing society, through its advent the coming of age of the
is as clear as it is arresting. Both within and entire human race. It should be viewed not
outside the Baha'i world the signs and tokens merely as ye t another spiritual revival in the
which , in a mysterious manner, are heralding everchanging fortunes of mankind , not only as
the birth of that World Order, the establish- a further stage in a chain of progressive Revelament of which must signalize the Golden Age tions, no r even as the culmination of one of a
of the Cause of God, are growing and multiply- series of recurrent prophetic cycles, but rather
ing day by day. No fair-mi nded observer can as marking the last a nd highest stage in the
any longer fail to discern them. He can not be stupendous evolution of man's collective life
misled by the painful slowness characterizing on this pla net. The emergence of a world comthe unfoldment of the civilization which the munity, the consciousness of world citizenship,
followers of Baha' u'llah are labouring to the founding of a world civilization and culestablish. Nor can he be deluded by the ture- all of which must synchronize with the
'Baha'i World Centre, Haifa, 1977. initial stages in the unfoldment of the Golden
44 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Age of the Baha'i Era-should, by their very ve nture to asse rt, would the ve ry act of devising
nature, be rega rded, as far as this pla ne tary life the mach inery required for the political and
is co ncerned, as the furthermo st limits in th e eco nomic unificatio n of th e world- a principle
organ ization of huma n society, though ma n, as that has been increasingly advoca ted in rece nt
an individual, will, nay must indeed as a result times-provide in itself the antidote against
of such a consummation , continue indefinite ly the poison that is steadily und e rminin g the vigto progress a nd develop . our of organ ized peo ples and nation s.
T ha t mystic, all-pervasive, ye t in definab le What e lse, mi ght we not confide ntl y affirm ,
change, which we associate with th e stage of but the unrese rved acce ptance of the Divine
mat urity inevita ble in the life of the individual Programme e nunci a ted, with such simplicity
a nd the deve lopment of the fruit mu st, if we and force as fa r back as sixty years ago, 1 by
wou ld correctly apprehend th e utte rances of Baha' u' ll a h , e mbodyi ng in its esse ntia ls God's
Baha' u' ll a h, have its co unterpart in the evo lu- divine ly appo inted sche me fo r the unifica ti o n
tio n of th e orga nization of huma n society. A of mankin d in this age, co upled with a n
simi la r stage must sooner or later be a tt ain ed in in domitab le co nvi cti o n in th e unfailin g effic acy
the co ll ective life of ma nkind , producing a n of each and all of its provisio ns, is eventua ll y
eve n more striking phenomenon in world re la- capab le of wit hstandin g the forces of intern al
ti ons, a nd e nd owing th e whole hum a n race disintegrat ion which , if unch ecked, must nee ds
with such potentialit ies of well-being as shall continue to eat into th e vitals of a despairing
provide, throughout th e succeeding ages, the society. It is tow a rds this goa l-the goa l of a
ch ief incentive required for th e eve ntual new Wor ld Orde r, D ivine in origin , a llfu lfilme nt of its high destiny .... e mbracin g in scope, equita ble in principle,
challenging in its fe a tures- that a harassed
humanity mu st stri ve.
To claim to have grasped a ll the implicat ions
Hum a nity, whether viewed in th e light of of Ba ha' u' ll a h's prodigious scheme for
ma n's ind ivid ual cond uct o r in th e ex istin g rela- world-wide human solida rity, or to have
tionships betwee n orga ni zed communities a nd fatho med its import , wo ul d be presumptuous
natio ns, has, alas, strayed too far a nd suffe red on the pa rt of eve n th e declared supporters of
to o grea t a decline to be redeem ed throu gh the His Faith. To a ttempt to visualize it in all its
un aided efforts of the best among its recognized possibiliti es, to estima te its future be nefits, to
rul e rs a nd states men-howeve r disinte rested picture its glory, wou ld be pre mature a t eve n so
th e ir motives, howeve r conce rted their act io n, adva nced a stage in the evo lution of mankind.
howeve r un sparing in their zea l a nd devotion All we can reasonably venture to attempt is
to its ca use. No scheme whi ch th e calcu la tion s to strive to obtain a glim pse of the first streaks
of th e hi ghest statesma nship ma y ye t devise ; no of the promised D awn that must, in the fullness
doctrine wh ich the most distin g uished expo- of time, chase away the gloom that has encirne nts of eco nomic th eo ry may ho pe to cled hum a nity. A ll we ca n do is to point out, in
adv a nce; no princip le which th e most a rde nt of their broadest o utlines, what appear to us to be
mora li sts may strive to in cul cate, ca n provide, the guiding principles underlying the World
in th e last reso rt, adeq ua te fo und a tion s upo n Order of Ba ha' u' ll a h ....
whi ch the fut ure of a distracted world can be
built.
No a ppea l for mutu a l to lera nce wh ich th e
worldly-wise might ra ise , however compe lling .. . Is it not a fac t-and this is the centra l
and insiste nt, can calm its passio ns o r he lp idea I des ire to e mphas ize- th a t th e fundarestore its vigo ur. Nor would a ny ge ne ral me ntal cause of this world unrest is attrib utsche me of me re orga ni zed inte rn ation a l co- a ble, not so much to the conseq uences of what
ope ra ti o n, in whatever sphere of hum a n activ- must sooner or late r come to be regarded as a
it y, howeve r in ge nious in conceptio n , or exten- transitory dis location in the affairs of a consive in scope , succeed in re movi ng th e root tinually cha nging world , but rather to th e fa ilcause of the ev il th a t has so rud e ly upset th e ure of th ose into whose ha nds the immedi ate
equilibrium o f p resent-day society. Not eve n , I 1
Written in 1931.
THE BAHA'f REVELATION 45

Entrance of the Bahli'( International Archives building on Mount Carmel. The columns
chosen by Shoghi Effendi are a copy of the noblest ever erected in the Ionic order, those ofthe
temple of Athena Nike. The exterior of the building was completed in 1957.
46 THE BAHA'I WORLD

destinies of peoples and nations have been
• impose taxation and all rights to maintain
committed, to adjust their systems of economic armaments, except for purposes of maintaining
and political institutions to the imperative internal order within their respective dominneeds of a rapidly evolving age? Are not these ions. Such a state will have to include within its
intermittent crises that convulse present-day orbit an International Executive adequate to
society due primarily to the lamentable inabil- enforce supreme and unchallengeable authority of the world's recognized leaders to read ity on every recalcitrant member of the comaright the signs of the times, to rid themselves monwealth; a World Parliament whose memonce for all of their preconceived ideas and bers shall be elected by the people in their
fettering creeds, and to reshape the machinery respective countries and whose election shall
of their respective governments according to be confirmed by their respective governments;
those standards that are implicit in Baha'- and a Supreme Tribunal whose judgement will
u'llah's supreme declaration of the Oneness of have a binding effect even in such cases where
Mankind-the chief and distinguishing feature the parties concerned did not voluntarily agree
of the Faith He proclaimed? For the principle to submit their case to its consideration. A
of the Oneness of Mankind, the corner-stone world community in which all economic barof Baha'u'llah 's world-embracing dominion, riers will have been permanently demolished
implies nothing more nor less than the and the interdependence of Capital and
enforcement of His scheme for the unification Labour definitely recognized; in which the
of the world-the scheme to which we have clamour of religious fanaticism and strife will
already referred. 'In every Dispensation,' have been forever stilled; in which the flame of
writes 'Abdu'l-Baha, 'the light of Divine Gui- racial animosity will have been finally extindance has been focussed upon one central guished; in which a single code of international
theme . ... In this wondrous Revelation, this law- the product of the considered judgement
glorious century, the foundation of the Faith of of the world's federated representatives-shall
God and the distinguishing feature of His Law have as its sanction the instant and coercive
is the consciousness of the Oneness of Man- intervention of the combined forces of the fedkind.' erated units; and finally a world community in
How pathetic indeed are the efforts of those which the fury of a capricious and militant
leaders of human institutions who, in utter dis- nationalism will have been transmuted into an
regard of the spirit of the age, are striving to abiding consciousness of world c1t1zenadjust national processes, suited to the ancient ship-such indeed appears, in its broadest outdays of self-contained nations, to an age which line, the Order anticipated by Baha'u'llah, an
must either achieve the unity of the world, as Order that shall come to be regarded as the
adumbrated by Baha'u'llah, or perish. At so fairest fruit of a slowly maturing age.
critical an hour in the history of civilization it 'The Tabernacle of Unity,' Baha'u'llah probehoves the leaders of all the nations of the claims in His message to all mankind, 'has been
world, great and small, whether in the East or raised; regard ye not one another as stranin the West, whether victors or vanquished, to gers . .. . Of one tree are all ye the fruit and of
give heed to the clarion call of Baha'u'llah and, one bough the leaves . ... The world is but one
thoroughly imbued with a sense of world sol- country and mankind its citizens . ... Let not a
idarity, the sine qua non of loyalty to His man glory in that he loves his country; let him
Cause, arise manfully to carry out in its entirety rather glory in this, that he loves his kind.'
the one remedial scheme He, the Divine Physi- Let there be no misgivings as to the animatcian , has prescribed for an ail ing humanity . ... ing purpose of the world-wide Law of Baha'-
u'llah. Far from aiming at the subversion of the
existing foundations of society, it seeks to
broaden its basis, to remould its institutions in
a matter consonant with the needs of an ever-
. . . Some form of a world super-state must changing world. It can conflict with no legitineeds be evolved, in whose favour all the mate allegiances, nor can it undermine essennations of the world will have willingly ceded tial loyalties. Its purpose is neither to stifle the
every claim to make war, certain rights to flame of a sane and intelligent patriotism in
THE BAHA'I REVELATION 47
men's hearts, nor to abolish the system of nature of those essential relationships that
national autonomy so essential if the evils of must bind all the states and nations as members
excessive centralization are to be avoided. It of one human family. It does not constitute
does not ignore, nor does it attempt to sup- merely the enunciation of an ideal, but stands
press, the diversity of ethnical origins, of cli- inseparably associated with an institution ademate, of history, of language and tradition, of quate to embody its truth, demonstrate its vathought and habit , that differentiate the peo- lidity, and perpetuate its influence. It implies
ples and nations of the world. It calls for a an organic change in the structure of presentwider loyalty , for a larger aspiration than any day society, a change such as the world has not
that has animated the human race. It insists yet experienced. It constitutes a challenge, at
upon the subordination of natio nal impulses once bold and universal , to outworn shiband interests to the imperative claims of a boleths of national creeds-creeds that have
unified world. It repudiates excessive central- had their day and which must, in the ordinary
ization on one hand, and disclaims all attempts course of events as shaped and controlled by
at uniformity on the other. Its watchword is Providence, give way to a new gospel, fundaunity in diversity .... mentally different from, and infinitely superior
to, what the world has already conceived. It
calls for no less than the reconstruction and the
demilitarization of the whole civilized
world-a world organically unified in all the
The call of Baha' u'llah is primarily directed essential aspects of its life, its political machinagain st all forms of provincialism , all ery, its spiritual aspiration, its trade and
ins ul arities and prejudices . If long-cherished finance, its script and language, and yet infinite
ideals and time-honoured institutions, if cer- in the diversity of the national characteristics of
tain socia l assumptions and religious formulae its federated units .
have ceased to promote the welfare of the gen- It represents the consummation of hum an
erality of mankind, if they no longer minister to evolution-an evolution that has had its earthe needs of a continually evolving humanity, liest beginnings in the birth of family life, its
let them be swept away and relegated to the subsequent development in the achievement of
limbo of obsolescent and forgotten doctrines. tribal solidarity, leading in turn to the constitu-
Why should these, in a world subject to the tion of the city-state, and expanding later into
immutable law of change and decay , be exempt the institution of independent and sovereign
from the deterioration that must needs over- nations.
take every human institution? For legal stan - The principle of the Oneness of Mankind, as
dards, political and economic theories are sole- proclaimed by Baha'u'llah, carries with it no
ly designed to safeguard the interests of more and no less than a solemn assertion that
humanity as a whole, and not humanity to be attainment to this final stage in this stupendous
crucified for the preservation of the integrity of evolution is not only necessary but inevitable ,
any particular law or doctrine. that its realization is fast approaching, and that
Let there be no mistake. The principle of the nothing short of a power that is born of God
Oneness of Mankin d-the pivot round which can succeed in establishing it. .. .
all the teachings of Baha'u'll a h revolve-is no Who knows that for so exalted a conception
mere outburst of ignorant emotionalism or an to take shape a suffering more intense than any
expression of vague and pious hope. Its appeal it has yet experienced will have to be inflicted
is not to be merely identified with a reawaken- upon hum anity? Co uld anything less than the
ing of the spirit of brotherhood and good-will fire of a civil war with all its violence and vicisamong men, nor does it aim solely at the foster- situdes-a war that nearly rent the great
ing of harmonious co-operation among indi- American Republic-have welded the states,
vidual peoples and nations. Its implications are not only into a Union of independent units , but
deeper, its claims greater than any which the into a Nation, in spite of all the ethnic differ-
Prophets of old were allowed to advance. Its ences that characterized its component parts?
message is applicable not only to the indi- That so fundamental a revolution, involving
vidual, but concerns itself primarily with the such far-reaching changes in the structure of
48 THE BAHA'f WORLD

society, can be achieved through the ordinary compared with such expressions of pious hope
processes of diplomacy and education seems as have been uttered in the past. His is not
highly improbable. We have but to turn our merely a call which He raised, alone and
gaze to humanity's blood-stai ned history to unaided, in the face of the relentless and comrealize that nothing short of intense mental as bined opposition of two of the most powerful
well as physical agony has been able to precipi- Oriental potentates of His day-while Himself
tate those epoch-making changes that consti- an exile and prisoner in their hands. It implies
tute the greatest landmarks in the history of at o nce a warning and a promise- a warning
human civilization. that in it lies the sole means for the salvation of
Great and far-reaching as have been those a greatly suffering world, a promise that its
changes in the past, they cannot appear, when realization is at hand.
viewed in their proper pe rspecti ve, except as Uttered at a time when its possibility had not
subsidiary adjustments preluding that trans- yet been seriously envisaged in any part of the
formation of unparalleled majesty and scope world, it has, by virtue of that celestial potency
which humanity is in this age bound to which the Spirit of Baha'u'llah has breathed
undergo. That the forces of a world catas- into it, come at last to be regarded, by an
trophe can alone precipitate such a new phase increasing number of thoughtful men, not only
of human thought is, alas, becoming increas- as an approaching possibility, but as the necesingly apparent. That nothing short of the fire of sary outcome of the forces now operating in the
a severe ordeal, unparalleled in its intensity, world.
can fuse a nd weld the discordant entities that Surely the world, contracted and transconstitute the elements of present-day civiliza- formed into a single highly complex organism
tion, into the integral components of the world by the marvellous progress achieved in the
commonwealth of the future, is a truth which realm of physical science, by the world-wide
future events will increasingly demonstrate. expansion of commerce and industry, and
The prophetic voice of Baha'u'llah warning, struggling, under the pressure of world
in the concluding passages of The Hidden economic forces, amidst the pitfalls of a
Words, the peoples of the world that an materialistic civilization, stands in dire need of
unforeseen calamity is following them and that a restatement of the Truth underlying all the
grievous retribution awaiteth them throws Revelations of the past in a language suited to
indeed a lurid light upon the immediate for- its essential requirements. And what voice
tunes of sorrowing humanity. Nothing but a other than that of Baha' u'llah-the Mouthfiery ordeal, out of which humanity will piece of God for this age- is capable of effectemerge, chastened and prepared, can succeed ing a transformation of society as radical as that
in implanting that sense of responsibility which which He has already accomplished in the
the leaders of a new-born age must arise to hearts of those men and women, so diversified
shoulder. and seemingly irreconcilable, who constitute
I would again direct yo ur atte ntion to those the body of His declared followers throughout
ominous words of Baha'u'llah which I have the world?
already quoted: 'A nd when the appointed hour That such a mighty conception is fast budis come, there shall suddenly appea r that which ding out in the minds of men, that voices are
shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake.' . .. being raised in its support, that its salient features must fast crystallize in the consciousness
of those who are in authority, few indeed can
doubt. That its modest beginnings have already
taken shape in the world-wide Administration
One word more in conclusion. The procla- with which the adherents of the Faith of Ba ha' -
mation of the Oneness of Mankind-the head u'llah stand associated only those whose hearts
corner-stone of Baha'u'llah's all-embracing are tainted by prejudice can fail to perdominion- can under no circumstances be ceive . ...
PART TWO

THE COMMEMORATION OF
HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES
I
THE CENTENARY OF THE
TERMINATION OF BAHA'U'LLAH'S
CONFINEMENT IN 'AKKA
1. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BAHA'U'LLAH'S INCARCERATION IN 'AKKA
Excerpts from God Passes By, by Shoghi Effendi

THE arrival of Baha' u'llah in 'A kka marks had been actually prophesied 'through the
the opening of the last phase of His forty-year tongue of the Prophets two or three thousand
long ministry, the final stage , and indeed the years before. ' God, 'faithful to His promise,'
climax, of the banishment in which the whole had, 'to some of the Prophets' 'revealed and
of that ministry was spent. A banishment that given the good news that the "Lord of Hosts
had, at first, brought Him to the immediate should be manifested in the Holy Land."'
vicinity of the strongholds of Shi' ah orthodoxy Isaiah had, in this connection, announced in his
and into contact with its outstanding expo- Book: 'Get thee up into the high mountain, 0
nents, and which, at a later period, had carried Zion that bringest good tidings; lift up thy voice
Him to the capital of the Ottoman empire, and with strength, 0 Jerusalem, that bringest good
led Him to address His epoch-making pro- tidings. Lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the
nouncements to the Sultan, to his ministers and cities of Judah: " Behold your God! Behold the
to the ecclesiastical leaders of Sunnf Islam, had Lord God will come with strong hand, and His
now been instrumental in landing Him upon arm shall rule for Him."' David, in his Psalms,
the shores of the Holy Land-the Land prom- had predicted: 'Lift up your heads, 0 ye gates;
ised by God to Abraham, sanctified by the even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the
Revelation of Moses, honored by the lives and King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of
labors of the Hebrew patriarchs, judges, kings Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of
and prophets, revered as the cradie of Chris- Glory.' 'Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
tianity, and as the place where Zoroaster, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and
according to 'Abdu'l-Baha's testimony, had shall not keep silence.' Amos had, likewise,
'held converse with some of the Prophets of foretold His coming: 'The Lord will roar from
Israel,' and associated by Islam with the Apos- Zion , and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and
tle's night-journey, through the seven heavens, the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn,
to the throne of the Almighty. Within the and the top of Carmel shall wither.'
confines of this holy and enviable country, 'the 'Akka, itself, flanked by the 'glory of Lebanest of all the Prophets of God,' 'the Va le of non,' and lying in full view of the 'sp lendor of
God's unsearchable Decree, the snow-white Carmel,' at the foot of the hills which enclose
Spot, the Land of unfading splendor' was the the home of Jesus Christ Himself, had been
Exile of Bag!!dad, of Constantinople and described by David as 'the Strong City,' desig-
Adrianople condemned to spend no less than a nated by Hosea as 'a door ofhope,' and alluded
third of the allotted span of His life, and over to by Ezekiel as 'the gate that looketh towards
half of the total period of His Mission. 'It is the East,' whereunto 'the glory of the God of
difficult,' declares 'Abdu'l-Baha, 'to under- Israel came from the way of the East,' His voice
stand how Bahti'u'lltih could have been obliged 'like a noise of many waters.' To it the Arabian
to leave Persia, and to pitch His tent in this Holy Prophet had referred as 'a city in Syria to which
Land, but for the persecution of His enemies, God hath shown His special mercy,' situated
His banishment and exile.' 'betwixt two mountains ... in the middle of a
Indeed such a consummation, He assures us, meadow,' 'by the shore of the sea . .. suspended
52 THE BAHA'I WORLD

beneath the Throne,' 'white, whose whiteness is of water within its gates; was flea-infested,
pleasing unto God.' 'Blessed the man,' He, damp and honey-combed with gloomy, filthy
moreover, as confirmed by Baha'u'llah, had and tortuous lanes. 'According to what they
declared, 'that hath visited 'Akkd, and blessed say,' the Supreme Pen has recorded in the
he that hath visited the visitor of 'Akkd.' Fur- LawJ:i-i-Sultan, 'it is the most desolate of the
thermore, 'He that raiseth therein the call to cities of the world, the most unsightly of them in
prayer, his voice will be lifted up unto Paradise.' appearance, the most detestable in climate, and
And again: 'The poor of 'Akkd are the kings of the foulest in water. It is as though it were the
Paradise and the princes thereof A month in metropolis ofthe owl.' So putrid was its air that,
'Akkd is better than a thousand years else- according to a proverb, a bird when flying over
where.' Moreover, in a remarkable tradition, it would drop dead.
... which is recognized as an authentic utter- Explicit orders had been issued by the Sultan
ance of MuJ:iammad, .. . this significant predic- and his ministers to subject the exiles, who
tion has been made: 'All of them (the compan- were accused of having grievously erred and
ions of the Qa'im) shall be slain except One led others far astray, to the strictest
Who shall reach the plain of 'Akkd, the confinement. Hopes were confidently expres-
Banquet-Hall of God.' sed that the sentence of life-long imprisonment
Baha'u'llah Himself, as attested by Nabfl in pronounced against them would lead to their
his narrative, had, as far back as the first years eventual extermination. The farman of Sultan
of His banishment to Adrianople, alluded to 'Abdu'l-' Aziz, dated the fifth of Rabf'u'ththat same city in His LawJ:i-i-SayyaJ:i, designat- Thanf 1285 A.H. (July 26, 1868), not only
ing it as the 'Vale of Nabfl,' the word Nabfl condemned them to perpetual banishment, but
being equal in numerical value to that of stipulated their strict incarceration , and for-
'Akka. 'Upon Our arrival,' that Tablet had bade them to associate either with each other
predicted, 'We were welcomed with banners of or with the local inhabitants. The text of the
light, whereupon the Voice ofthe Spirit cried out farman itself was read publicly, soon after the
saying: "Soon will all that dwell on earth be arrival of the exiles, in the principal mosque of
enlisted under these banners."' the city as a warning to the population . .. .
The banishment, lasting no less than Having, after a miserable voyage, disemtwenty-four years, to which two Oriental barked at 'Akka, all the exiles, men, women
despots had, in their implacable enmity and and children, were, under the eyes of a curious
short-sightedness, combined to condemn and callous population that had assembled at
Baha'u'llah, will go down in history as a period the port to behold the 'God of the Persians,'
which witnessed a miraculous and truly conducted to the army barracks, where they
revolutionizing change in the circumstances were locked in, and sentinels detailed to guard
attending the life and activities of the Exile them. 'The first night,' Baha'u'llah testifies in
Himself, will be chiefly remembered for the the LawJ:i-i-Ra'is, 'all were deprived of either
widespread recrudescence of persecution, food or drink ... They even begged for water,
intermittent but singularly cruel, throughout and were refused.' So filthy and brackish was
His native country and the simultaneous the water in the pool of the courtyard that no
increase in the number of His followers, and, one could drink it. Three loaves of black and
lastly, for an enormous extension in the range salty bread were assigned to each, which they
and volume of His writings .... were later permitted to exchange, when
'Akka, the ancient Ptolemais, the St. Jean escorted by guards to the market, for two of
d' Acre of the Crusaders, that had successfully better quality . Subsequently they were allowed
defied the siege of Napoleon, had sunk, under a mere pittance as substitute for the allotted
the Turks, to the level of a penal colony to dole of bread. All fell sick, except two, shortly
which murderers, highway robbers and politi- after their arrival. Malaria, dysentery, comcal agitators were consigned from all parts bined with the sultry heat, added to their misof the Turkish empire. It was girt about by a eries. Three succumbed, among them two
double system of ramparts; was inhabited by a brothers, who died the same night, 'locked,' as
people whom Baha'u'ullah stigmatized as 'the testified by Baha'u'Uah, 'in each other's arms.'
generation of vipers'; was devoid of any source The carpet used by Him He gave to be sold in
THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 53

Two views of'Akka, described by David as 'the Strong City,' designated by Hosea as 'a door of
hope,' alluded co by Ezekiel as the place whereunto 'the glory of the God of Israel came from
the way of the East,' and referred to by Muf:iammad as being 'by the shore of the sea ...
suspended beneath the Throne,' 'whose whiteness is pleasing unto God.'
54 THE BAHA'i WORLD

order to provide for their winding-sheets and Nor was this the full measure of the
burial. The paltry sum obtained after it had afflictions endured by the Prisoner of 'Akka
been auctioned was delivered to the guards, and His fellow-exiles. Four months after this
who had refused to bury them without first tragic event a mobilization of Turkish troops
being paid the necessary expenses. Later, it necessitated the removal of Baha'u'llah and all
was learned that, unwashed and unshrouded, who bore Him company from the barracks. He
they had buried them, without coffins, in the and His family were accordingly assigned the
clothes they wore, though, as affirmed by house of Malik, in the western quarter of the
Baha'u'llah, they were given twice the amount city, whence, after a brief stay of three months,
required for their burial. 'None,' He Himself they were moved by the authorities to the
has written, 'knoweth what befell Us, except house of Khavvam which faced it , and from
God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing . .. From which, after a few months, they were again
the foundation of the world until the present day obliged to take up new quarters in the house of
a cruelty such as this hath neither been seen nor Rabi'ih, being finally transferred, four months
heard of' 'He hath, during the greater part of later, to the house of 'Udf Khammar, which
His life,' He, referring to Himself, has, was so insufficient to their needs that in one of
moreover, recorded, 'been sore-tried in the its rooms no less than thirteen persons of both
clutches of His enemies. His sufferings have sexes had to accommodate themselves. Some
now reached their culmination in this afflictive of the companions had to take up their resi-
Prison, into which His oppressors have so dence in other houses, while the remainder
unjustly thrown Him.' were consigned to a caravanserai named the
The few pilgrims who, despite the ban that Khiin-i-' Aviimfd .
had been so rigidly imposed, managed to reach Their strict confinement had hardly been
the gates of the Prison-some of whom had mitigated, and the guards who had kept watch
journeyed the entire distance from Persi a on over them been dismissed, when an internal
foot-had to content themselves with a fleeting crisis , which had been brewing in the midst of
glimpse of the face of the Prisoner, as they the community, was brought to a sudden and
stood, beyond the second moat, facing the catastrophic climax .... Though [Baha' u'lliih]
window of His Prison. The very few who suc- Himself had stringently forbidden His followceeded in penetrating into the city had, to their ers . . . any retaliatory acts against their
great distress, to retrace their steps without tormentors . . . seven of the companions
even beholding His countenance .... clandestinely sought out and slew three of
To the galling weight of these tribulations their persecutors ...
was now added the bitter grief of a sudden The consternation that seized an already
tragedy-the premature loss of the noble, the oppressed community was indescribable.
pious Mirza Mihdf, the Purest Branch , Baha'u'llah's indignation knew no bounds.
'Abdu'l-Baha's twenty-two year old brother, 'Were We,' He thus voices His emotions, in a
an amanuensis of Baha'u'llah and a companion Tablet revealed shortly after this act had been
of His exile from the days when, as a child, he committed, 'to make mention of what befell Us,
was brought from Tihriin to Ba_gbdad to join the heavens would be rent asunder and the
his Father after His return from Sulay- mountains would crumble.' 'My captivity,' He
maniyyih. He was pacing the roof of the bar- wrote on another occasion, 'cannot harm Me.
racks in the twilight, one evening, wrapped in That which can harm Me is the conduct of those
his customary devotions, when he fell through who love Me, who claim to be related to Me, and
the unguarded skylight onto a wooden crate, yet perpetrate what causeth My heart and My
standing on the floor beneath , which pierced pen to groan.' And again: 'My captivity can
his ribs, and caused, twenty-two hours later, his bring on Me no shame. Nay, by My life, it
death, on the 23rd of Rabf'u'l-Avval 1287 conferreth on Me glory. That which can make
A.H. (June 23, 1870). His dying supplication Me ashamed is the conduct of such of My folto a grieving Father was that his life might be lowers as profess to love Me, yet in fact follow
accepted as a ransom for those who were pre- the Evil One.'
vented from attaining the presence of their He was dictating His Tablets to His
Beloved . .. . amanuensis when the governor, at the head of
THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 55

Bahti'u'lltih's banishment to 'Akkti extended over a period of twenty-four years, from 31
August 1868 to 29May1892. This view, looking north-west, shows the Most Great Prison on
the right and the citadel on the left. Jn June 1877 Bahti'u'lltih took up residence in Mazra 'ih
ending His confinement within the walls of the prison city.

his troops, with drawn swords, surrounded His place?' When interrogated, He was asked to
house . The entire populace, as well as the state His name and that of the country from
military authorities, were in a state of great which He came. 'It is more manifest than the
agitation. The shouts and clamor of the people sun,' He answered. The same question was put
could be heard on all sides. Baha'u'llah was to Him again, to which He gave the following
peremptorily summoned to the Governorate, reply: '/deem it not proper to mention it. Refer
interrogated, kept in custody the first night, lo thefarmtin ofthe government which is in your
with one of His sons, in a chamber in the possession.' Once agai n they, with marked
Khan-i-Shavirdf, transferred for the following deference , reiterated their request, whereupon
two nights to better quarters in that neighbor- Baha'u'llah spoke with majesty and power
hood , and allowed only after the lapse of these words: 'My name is Bahti'u'lltih (Light of
seventy hours to regain His home. ' Abdu'l- God), and My country is Nur (Light). Be ye
Baha was thrown into prison and chained apprized of it.' Turning then, to the Mufti, He
during the first night, after which He was addressed him words of veiled rebuke, after
permitted to join His Father. Twenty-five which He spoke to the entire gathering, in such
of the companions were cast into another vehement and exalted language that none
prison and shackled, all of whom, except those made bold to answer Him. Having quoted
responsible for that odious deed , whose verses from the Suriy-i-Muluk, He , afterwards,
imprisonment lasted several years, were, afte r arose and left the gathering. The Governor,
six days, moved to the Khan-i-Shavirdf, soon after, sent word that He was at liberty to
and there placed, for six months, under return to His home , and apologized for what
confinement. had occurred.
'Is it proper,' the Commandant of the city, A population, already ill-disposed towards
turning to Baha'u'llah , after He had arrived at the exiles, was, after such an incident, fired
the Governorate, boldly inquired , ' that some with uncontrollahle animosity for all those who
of your followers should act in such a manner?' bore the name of the Faith which those exiles
'If one ofyour soldiers,' was the swift rejoinder, professed. The charges of impiety, atheism,
'were to commit a reprehensible act, would you terrorism and heresy were openly and without
be held responsible, and be punished in his restraint flung into their faces. 'Abbud, who
56 THE BAHA'I WORLD

A partial view of the sea wall and fortifications of'Akka.
lived next door to Baha'u'llah, reinforced the was now setting in, a reaction with which the
partition that separated his house from the period of Baha'u'llah's banishment to 'Akka
dwelling of his now much-feared and suspected will ever remain indissolubly associated.
Neighbor. Even the children of the imprisoned Such was the devotion gradually kindled in
exiles, whenever they ventured to show them- the heart of that governor, through his associaselves in the streets during those days, would tion with 'Abdu'l-Baha, and later through his
be pursued, vilified and pelted with stones. perusal of the literature of the Faith, which
The cup of Baha'u'llah's tribulations was mischief-makers, in the hope of angering him,
now filled to overflowing. A situation, greatly had submitted for his consideration, that he
humiliating, full of anxieties and even perilous, invariably refused to enter His presence withcontinued to face the exiles, until the time, set out first removing his shoes, as a token of his
by an inscrutable Will, at which the tide of respect for Him. It was even bruited about that
misery and abasement began to ebb, signaliz- his favoured counselors were those very exiles
ing a transformation in the fortunes of the who were the followers of the Prisoner in his
Faith even more conspicuous than the custody. His own son he was wont to send to
revolutionary change effected during the latter 'Abdu'l-Baha for instruction and enlightenyears of Baha'u'llah's sojourn in Baghdad. ment. It was on the occasion of a long-sought
The gradual recognition by all elements of audience with Baha'u'llah that, in response to a
the population of Baha' u'llah 's complete inno- request for permission to render Him some
cence; the slow penetration of the true spirit of service, the suggestion was made to him to
His teachings through the hard crust of their restore the aqueduct which for thirty years had
indifference and bigotry; the substitution of been allowed to fall into disuse-a suggestion
the sagacious and humane governor, AJ:imad which he immediately arose to carry out. To
Big Tawfiq, for one whose mind had been the inflow of pilgrims, ... he offered scarcely
hopelessly poisoned against the Faith and its any opposition, though the text of the imperial
followers; the unremitting labors of 'Abdu'l- farman forbade their admission into the city.
Baha, now in the full flower of His manhood, Mu~tafa .Qiya Pasha, who became governor a
Who, through His contacts with the rank and few years later, had even gone so far as to
file of the population, was increasingly demon- intimate that his Prisoner was free to pass
strating His capacity to act as the shield of His through its gates whenever He pleased, a sug-
Father; the providential dismissal of the offi- gestion which Baha'u'llah declined. Even the
cials who had been instrumental in prolonging Mufti of 'Akka, Shaykh MaJ:imud, a man
the confinement of the innocent compan- notorious for his bigotry, had been converted
ions-all paved the way for the reaction that to the Faith, and, fired by his newborn
THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 57

Baha'u'llah's incarceration in the prison of'Akka, Nab{[ attests, extended from 31 August
1868to13 October 1870, a period oftwo years, two months and five days. After nine years He
was permitted to move beyond the walls of the city. On the left, above, is seen the entrance to
Baha'u' /!ah' s room in the prison; below is a view of its interior.
58 THE BAHA'I WORLD

enthusiasm, made a compilation of the mar, on the construction of which so much
MuJ:iammadan traditions related to' Akka. Nor wealth had been lavished , while Bahii'u'llah
were the occasionally unsympathetic gover- lay imprisoned in the barracks, and which its
nors, despatched to that city, able, despite the owner had precipitately abandoned with his
arbitrary power they wielded, to check the family owing to the outbreak of an epidemic
forces which were carrying the Author of disease , was rented and later purchased for
the Faith towards His virtual emancipation Him-a dwelling-place which He characterand the ultimate accomplishment of His pur- ized as the 'lofty mansion,' the spot which 'God
pose. Men of letters, and even ' ulamas residing hath ordained as the most sublime vision of
in Syria, were moved, as the years rolled by, to mankind.' ...
voice their recognition of Baha'u ' llah's rising The drastic farman of Sultan 'Abdu' l-'Aziz,
greatness and power. 'Aziz Pasha, who, in though officially unrepealed, had by now
Adrianople, had evinced a profound attach- become a dead letter. Though Baha'u'llah was
ment to 'Abdu'l-Baha, and had in the mean- still nominally a prisoner, 'the doors of majesty
time been promoted to the rank of Vali, twice and true sovereignty were,' in the words of
visited' Akka for the express purpose of paying 'Abdu'l-Baha' 'flung wide open.' 'The rulers of
his respects to Baha'u'llah, and to renew his Palestine,' He moreover has written, 'envied
friendship with One Whom he had learned to His influence and power. Governors and
admire and revere. muti~arrifs, generals and local officials, would
Though Baha'u'llah Himself practically humbly request the honor of attaining His presnever granted personal interviews, as He had ence-a request to which He seldom acceded.'
been used to do in Ba~dad , yet such was the It was in that same mansion that the distininfluence He now wielded that the inhabitants guished Orientalist, Prof. E . G. Browne of
openly asserted that the noticeable improve- Cambridge, was granted his four successive
ment in the climate and water of their city was interviews with Baha'u'llah, during the five
directly attributable to His continued presence days he was His guest at Bahji (April 15-20,
in their midst. The very designations by which 1890), interviews immortalized by the Exile's
they chose to refer to him, such as the 'august historic declaration that 'these fruitless strifes,
leader,' and 'his highness' bespoke the rever- these ruinous wars shall pass away and the
ence with which He inspired them. On one "Most Great Peace" shall come.' ...
occasion, a European general who, together In that same year Baha'u'llah's tent, the
with the governor, was granted an audience by 'Tabernacle of Glory,' was raised on Mt. Car-
Him, was so impressed that he ' remained mel, 'the Hill of God and His Vineyard,' the
kneeling on the ground near the door.' Shaykh home of Elijah, extolled by Isaiah as the
'Aliy-i-Miri, the Mufti of' Akka, had even, at 'mountain of the Lord,' to which 'all nations
the suggestion of' Abdu'l-Baha, to plead insis- shall flow.' Four times He visited Haifa, His
tently that He might permit the termination of last visit being no less than three months long .
His nine-year confinement within the walls of In the course of one of these visits, when His
the prison-city, before He would consent to tent was pitched in the vicinity of the Carmelite
leave its gates. The garden ofNa'mayn, a small Monastery, He, the 'Lord of the Vineyard,'
island, situated in the middle of a river to the revealed the Tablet of Carmel, remarkable for
east of the city, honored with the appellation of its allusions and prophecies. On another occa-
Ric;lviin, and designated by Him the 'New sion He pointed out Himself to 'Abdu'l-Baha,
Jerusalem' and 'Our Verdant Isle,' had, as He stood on the slopes of that mountain, the
together with the residence of 'Abdu'llah site which was to serve as the permanent
Pasha,-rented and prepared for Him by resting-place of the Bab, and on which a
'Abdu'l-Baha, and situated a few miles north befitting mausoleum was later to be erected .
of 'Akka- become by now the favorite ... 'Su/fan 'Abdu'l-'A z fz,' Baha'u'llah is
retreats of One Who, for almost a decade, had reported by one of His fellow-exiles to have
not set foot beyond the city walls, and Whose stated, 'banished Us to this country in the greatsole exercise had been to pace, in monotonous est abasement, and since his object was to derepetition, the floor of His bed-chamber. stroy Us and humble Us, whenever the means of
Two years later the palace of '0di Kham- glory and ease presented themselves, We did not
THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 59

Many of Baha'u'llah's companions were, for a time, consigned to a caravansarai in 'Akka
named the Khan-i- 'A vam(d (Inn of the Pillars), a structure built in 1785. The Baha'(s lived
mostly in the western and southern wings on the top floor. One of the rooms was occupied by
'Abdu'l-Baha. The caravansarai became the first Bahri'( pilgrim house of the Holy Land.

reject them .' 'Now, praise be to God,' He, embrace, seem to fall into three distinct
moreover, as reported by Nabfl in his narra- categories. The first comprises those writings
tive, once remarked, 'it has reached the point which constitute the sequel to the proclamawhen all the people of these regions are mani- tion of His mission in Adrianople. The second
festing their submissiveness unto Us.' ... includes the laws and ordinances of His Dis-
'His enemies,' 'Abdu' l-Baha, referring to pensation, which, for the most part, have been
this same theme, has written, 'intended that His recorded in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, His Most Holy
imprisonment should completely destroy and Book. To the third must be assigned those
annihilate the blessed Cause, but this prison Tablets which partly enunciate and partly
was, in reality, of the greatest assistance, and reaffirm the fundamental tenets and principles
became the means of its development. ' '. .. This underlying that Dispensation.
illustrious Being,' He, moreover has affirmed, The Proclamation of His Mission had been,
'uplifted His Cause in the Most Great Prison. as already observed, directed particularly to
From this Prison His light was shed abroad; His the kings of the earth, who, by virtue of the
fame conquered the world, and the proclama- power and authority they wielded, were intion of His glory reached the East and the West.' vested with a peculiar and inescapable respon-
'His light at first had been a star; now it became a sibility for the destinies of their subjects. It was
mighty sun. ' 'Until our time,' He, morever has to these kings, as well as to the world's religious
affirmed, 'no such thing has ever occurred.' leaders, who exercised a no less pervasive
Little wonder that, in view of so remarkable influence on the mass of their followers, that
a reversal in the circumstances attending the the Prisoner of 'Akka directed His appeals,
twenty-four years of His banishment to 'Akka, warnings, and exhortations during the first
Baha'u'llah Himself should have penned these years of His incarceration in that city. ' Upon
weighty words: 'The Almighty . .. hath trans- Our arrival at this Prison, ' He Himself affirms,
formed this Prison-House into the Most Exalted 'We purposed to transmit to the kings the mes-
Paradise, the Heaven of Heavens.' ... sages of their Lord, the Mighty, the All-Praised.
The writings of Baha'u'llah during this Though We have transmitted to them, in several
period, as we survey the vast field which they Tablets, that which We were commanded, yet
60 THE BAHA'f WORLD

We do it once again, as a token of God's grace.' the prison-fortress of 'Akka. Kings and
To the kings of the earth, both in the East emperors, severally and collectively; the chief
and in the West, both Christian and Muslim, magistrates of the Republics of the American
who had already been collectively admonished continent; ministers and ambassadors; the
and warned in the Suriy-i-Muluk revealed in Sovereign Pontiff himself; the Vicar of the
Adrianople, and had been so vehemently Prophet of Islam; the royal Trustee of the
summoned by the Bab, in the opening chapter Kingdom of the Hidden Imam; the monarchs
of the Qayyumu'l-Asma', on the very night of of Christendom, its patriarchs, archbishops,
the Declaration of His Mission, Baha' u'llah, bishops, priests and monks; the recognized
during the darkest days of His confinement in leaders of both the Sunni and Shi' ah sacerdotal
'Akka, addressed some of the noblest passages orders; the high priests of the Zoroastrian
of His Most Holy Book . In these passages He religion; the philosophers, the ecclesiastical
called upon them to take fast hold of the' Most leaders, the wise men and the inhabitants of
Great Law'; proclaimed Himself to be 'the Constantinople-that proud seat of both the
King of Kings' and 'the Desire of all Nations'; Sultanate and the Caliphate; the entire comdeclared them to be His 'vassals' and 'emblems pany of the professed adherents of the Zoroasof His sovereignty'; disclaimed any intention of trian, the Jewish, the Christian and Muslim
laying hands on their kingdoms; bade them Faiths; the people of the Bayan; the wise men
forsake their palaces, and hasten to gain admit- of the world, its men of letters, its poets, its
tance into His Kingdom; extolled the king who mystics, its tradesmen, the elected representawould arise to aid His Cause as 'the very eye of tives of its peoples; His own countrymen-all
mankind'; and finally arraigned them for the have , at one time or another, in books, Episthings which had befallen Him at their tles, and Tablets, been brought directly within
hands .... the purview of the exhortations, the warnings,
Such in sum are the salient features of the the appeals, the declarations and the
concluding utterances of that historic Procla- prophecies which constitute the theme of His
mation, the opening notes of which were momentous summons to the leaders of mansounded during the latter part of Baha' u'llah's kind-a summons which stands unparalleled in
banishment to Adrianople, and which closed the annals of any previous religion, and to
during the early years of His incarceration in which the messages directed by the Prophet of

The Mansion of Bahj(, construcred by 'Ud( Khammar circa 1870, was characterized by
Bah<i'u'//lih as the 'lofty mansion,' the spot which 'God hath ordained as the most sublime
vision of mankind.' Bahj( literally means 'Delight.'
THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 61

The Shrine of the Bab on Mount Carmel, the site of which Bahti'u'lltih pointed out to
'Abdu'l-Bahti during the course of one of His visits to Haifa.

Islam to some of the rulers among His contem- will embrace the entire planet, may well be
poraries alone offer a faint resemblance. regarded as the brightest emanation of the
'Never since the beginning of the world,' mind of Baha ' u'llah, as the Mother Book of
Baha'u'llah Himself affirms, 'hath the Message His Dispensation, and the Charter of His New
been so openly proclaimed.' ... World Order.
Unique and stupendous as was this Procla- Revealed soon after Baha'u'llah had been
mation, it proved to be but a prelude to a still transferred to the house of 'Udf Khammar
mightier revelation of the creative power of its (circa 1873) , at a time when He was still
Author, and to what may well rank as the most encompassed by the tribulations that had
signal act of His ministry-the promulgation of afflicted Him, through the acts committed by
the Kitab-i-Aqdas. Alluded to in the Kitab-i- His enemies and the professed adherents of
iqan; the principal repository of that Law His Faith, this Book, this treasury enshrining
which the Prophet Isaiah had anticipated, and the priceless gems of His Revelation, stands
which the writer of the Apocalypse had out, by virtue of the principles it inculcates, the
described as the 'new heaven' and the 'new administrative institutions it ordains and the
earth,' as 'the Tabernacle of Cod,' as the 'Holy function with which it invests the appointed
City,' as the 'Bride,' the ' New Jerusalem com- Successor of its Author, unique and incompaing down from Cod,' this 'Most Holy Book,' rable among the world's sacred Scriptures ....
whose provisions must remain inviolate for no In this Charter of the future world civilizaless than a thousand years, and whose system tion its Author-at once the Judge, the Law-
62 THE BAHA'I WORLD

giver, the Unifier and Redeemer of man- ishment of subsidiary ordinances designed to
kind-announces to the kings of the earth the supplement the provisions of His Most Holy
promulgation of the 'Most Great Law'; pro- Book. These were recorded in unnumbered
nounces them to be His vassals; proclaims Tablets, which He continued to reveal until the
Himself the ' King of Kings'; disclaims any last days of His earthly life, among which the
intention of laying hands on their kingdoms ; 'Ishraqat' (Splendors), the 'Bisharat' (Glad
reserves for Himself the right to 'seize and pos- Tidings), the 'Tarazat' (Ornaments), the
sess the hearts of men'; warns the world's 'Tajalliyat' (Effulgences) , the 'Kalimat-iecclesiastical leaders not to weigh the 'Book of Firdawsfyyih' (Words of Paradise) , the
God' with such standards as are current 'Law!)-i-Aqdas' (Most Holy Tablet), the
a mongst them; and affirms that the Book itself 'Law!)-i-Dunya' (Tablet of the World), the
is the 'Unerring Balance' established amongst ' Law!)-i-Maqsud' (Tablet of Maqsud), are the
men . In it He formally ordains the institution of most noteworthy. These Tablets-mighty and
the 'House of Justice, ' defines its functions, final effusions of His indefatigable pen-must
fixes its revenues, and designates its members rank among the choicest fruits which His mind
as the 'Men of Justice,' the 'Deputies of God,' has yielded, and mark the consummation of
the 'Trustees of the All-Merciful,' alludes to the His forty -year-long ministry . ..
future Center of His Covenant, and invests Nor should a review of the outstanding fea -
Him with the right of interpreti ng His holy tures of Baha' u'llah 's writings during the latter
Writ; anticipates by implication the institution part of His banishment to ' Akka fail to include
of Guardianship; bears witness to the a reference to the Law!)-i-J:Iikmat (Tablet of
revolutionizing effect of His World Order; Wisdom), in which He sets forth the fundaenunci ates the doctrine of the 'Most Great mentals of true philosophy, or to the Tablet of
infallibility' of the Manifestation of God; Visitation revealed in honor of the Imam
asserts th is infallibility to be the inherent and J:Iusayn, whose praises He celebrates in glowexclusive right of the Prophet; and rules out the ing language; or to the 'Questions and Anpossibi lity of the appearance of another Man- swers' which elucidates the laws and ordiifes tation ere the lapse of at least one thousand nances of the Kitab-i-Aqdas; or to the 'Law!)-
years . ... i-Burhan' (Tablet of the Proof) in which the
The laws and ordinances that constitute the acts perpetrated by Shaykh Mu!)ammadmajor theme of this Book, Baha'u'llah, Baqir, surnamed 'Dhi'b' (Wolf), and Mfr
moreover , has specifically characterized as 'the Mu!)ammad-l;lusayn, the Imam-Jum' ih of
breath of life unto all created things,' as 'the I~fahan, surnamed' Raqsha' (She-Serpent) , are
mightiest stronghold,' as the 'fruits' of H is severely condemned; or to the Law!)-i-Karmil
' Tree,' as 'the highest means for the main- (Tablet of Carmel) in which the Author
tenance of order in the world and the security of significantly makes mention of 'the City of God
its peoples,' as 'the lamps of His wisdom and that hath descended from heaven,' and
loving-providence,' as 'the sweet smelling savor prophesies that 'erelong will God sail His Ark'
of His garment,' as the 'keys' of His 'm ercy' to upon that mountain , and 'will manifest the peo-
His creatures. 'This Book,' He Himself ple of Ba ha.' Finally, mention must be made of
testifies, 'is a heaven which We have adorned His Epistle to Shaykh Mu!)ammad-Taqf, surwith the stars of Our commandments and pro- named 'Ibn-i-Dhi' b' (Son of the Wolf) , the last
hibitions.' . .. outstanding Tablet revealed by the pen of
The formulation by Baha'u ' llah , in His Baha'u'llah, in which He calls upon that
Kitab- i- Aqdas, of the fundam ental laws of His rapacious priest to repent of his acts, quotes
Dispensation was fo llowed, as His Mission some of the most characteristic and celebrated
drew to a close, by the enunciation of certain passages of His own writings, and adduces
precepts and principles which lie at the very proofs establishing the validity of His Cause .
core of His Faith, by the reaffirmation of truths With this book , revealed about one year
He had previously procl aimed, by the elabora- prior to His ascension, the prodigious
tion and elucid ation of some of the laws He had achievement as author of a hundred volumes,
a lready laid dow n, by the revelation of further repositories of the priceless pearls of His Reveprophecies and warni ngs, and by the establ- lation, may be said to have practically termi-
THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 63
nated- volumes replete with unnumbered and humanitarian spheres of human activity.
exhortations, revolutionizing principles, ' We, verily,' wrote Baha'u'llah, surveying, in
world-shaping laws and ordinances, dire warn- the evening of His life, from His Most Great
ings and portentous prophecies, with soul- Prison, the entire range of this vast and weighty
uplifting prayers and meditations, illuminating Revelation , 'have not fallen short of Our duty to
commentaries and interpretations, impas- exhort men, and to deliver that whereunto I was
sioned discourses and homilies, all inter- bidden by God, the Almighty, the All-Praised.'
spersed with either addresses or references to 'Is there any excuse,' He further has stated, 'left
kings, to emperors and to ministers, of both the for any one in this Revelation? No, by God, the
East and the West, to ecclesiastics of divers Lord of th e Mighty Throne! My signs have
denominations, and to leaders in the intellec- encompassed the earth, and my power
tual, political, literary, mystical, commercial enveloped all mankind.'

2. EXCERPT FROM THE MESSAGE OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE TO THE
ANNUAL CONVENTIONS OF ALL NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES

IN EARLY DAYS OF JUNE 1877 BAHA'U 'LLAH LEFT CITY ' AKKA AND TOOK UP RESIDENCE IN
MAZRA'IH. TO MARK CENTENARY THIS TERMINATION CONFINEMENT ANCIENT BEAUTY
WITHIN WALLS PRISON CITY WE CALL UPON HIS FOLLOWERS ALL LANDS DEVOTE NINE-
TEEN DAY FEAST OF NOR COMMEMORATION HISTORIC EVENT, REDEDICATING THEM-
SELVES URGENT TASKS BEFORE THEM, SO THAT PENT-UP ENERGIES HIS PRECIOUS FAITH
MAY BE RELEASED TO REACH EVER GREATER NUMBER SEEKING SOULS IN EVER WIDER
CIRCLE THEIR FELLOW MEN.

(24 March 1977)

Aerial view of Mazra 'ih where Bahd'u'llah lived for two years, from June 1877 to September
1879. In the foreground may be seen recently developed gardens and plantings of citrus and
ornamental trees; April 1979.
64 THE BAHA'I WORLD

3. THE COMMEMORATION AT THE WORLD CENTRE OF THE CENTENARY OF THE
TERMINATION OF BAHA'U'LLAH'S CONFINEMENT IN 'AKKA

'The remembrance of God and His praise, and the glory of God and His splendour, rest
upon Thee, 0 Thou who art His Beauty! I bear witness that the eye of creation hath never
gazed upon one wronged like Thee. Thou wast immersed all the days of Thy life beneath
an ocean oftribulations. At one time Thou wast in chains and fetters; at another Thou wast
threatened by the sword of Thine enemies. Yet, despite all this, Thou didst enjoin upon all
men to observe what had been prescribed unto Thee by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the
All-Wise.' BAHA'u'LLAH

In the early afternoon of Saturday, 11 June 1977 the pilgrims and the friends serving at the
World Centre made their way to Mazra'ih to visit the Mansion which' Abdu'l-Baha had rented a
century ago for the use of Baha'u'llah, His first residence after leaving the prison-city of' Akka.
While there, each was privileged to visit and offer prayers in the very room occupied by the
Blessed Beauty; later they repaired to the gardens at Bahjf.
Meanwhile the Hands of the Cause present in the Holy Land, the members of the Universal
House of Justice and the Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre were paying
their respects to the memory of Baha'u'llah at the House of' Ab bud in' Akka and at the Garden of
Ric;lvan. The rooms Baha'u'llah had occupied were visited and prayers of thanksgiving for His
release from confinement were offered in these Holy Places. They then journeyed north to
Mazra'ih for prayers at that Holy Spot, and afterwards joined the other friends in the J:Iaram-i-
Aqdas at Bahjf for the formal programme of the commemoration of this great event in the history
of the Heroic Age of the Cause.
Prayers were recited; 'Abdu'l-Baha's account of the end of Baha'u'llah's confinement and
Shoghi Effendi's narrative from God Passes By were read; and finally, just as the sun was casting
its last light over the Mediterranean, the friends made their way in the utmost reverence to the
Most Holy Shrine for the chanting of the Tablet of Visitation.

Hands of the Cause, the members of the Universal House ofJustice and Counsellor members
of the International Teaching Centre, photographed at the House of'Abbud in 'Akka where
they gathered on 1 I June 1977 to commemorate the centenary of the termination of
Baha'u' llah' s confinement in the prison city. Amatu' I-Bahri Rul]fyyih Khdnum is seen seated
in the centre of the first row.
THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 65
66 THE BAHA, ' i WORLD
PART THREE

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF
CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES
1976-1979
I
THE FIRST VISIT BY A BAHA'I
REIGNING MONARCH TO THE RESTING
PLACE OF SHOGHI EFFENDI

Cablegram of the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies,
dated 10 October 1976

WITH FEELINGS IMMENSE ELATION ANNOUNCE BAHAI COMMUNITIES ALL CONTINENTS
JOYFUL NEWS FIRST VISIT BY BAHAI REIGNING MONARCH TO RESTING PLACE BELOVED
SHOGHI EFFENDI WELL NIGH NINETEEN YEARS FOLLOWING HIS PASSING STOP HIS
HIGHNESS MALIETOA TANUMAFILI II OF WESTERN SAMOA COURSE HIS RECENT VISIT
LONDON ATTAINED THIS INESTIMABLE BOUNTY STOP HIS HIGHNESS ACCOMPANIED BY
SMALL DELEGATION FRIENDS HEADED BY HANDCAUSE GIACHERY INCLUDING HANDS
CAUSE KHADEM VARQA AND FIVE' MEMBERS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY UNITED KINGDOM
PROCEEDED CEMETERY PARTICIPATED DEEPLY MOVING HIGHLY DIGNIFIED VISITA-
TION RESTING PLACE SIGN GOD ON EARTH WHOSE LIFELONG HEROIC LABOURS
ACHIEVED WORLDWIDE SPREAD GLORIOUS CAUSE BAHAULLAH STOP FOLLOWING
PRAYERS DEVOTIONS AND EXPRESSIONS APPRECIATION GRATITUDE BY HIS HIGHNESS
HE MET WITH RADIANT SPIRIT LARGE GATHERING BELIEVERS ASSEMBLED PRECINCTS
GRAVE TO WELCOME HIM AND TO WHOM HE CONVEYED GREETINGS HIS FELLOW
SAMOAN BAHAIS AND HIS HOPE GROWTH FAITH FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH ALL
OVER WORLD STOP IN HOLY LAND SYNCHRONIZING WITH THESE EVENTS HANDS CAUSE
OTHER MEMBERS INTERN A TJONAL TEACHING CENTRE JOINED MEMBERS HOUSE JUS-
TICE SPECIAL VISIT BAHJI WHERE FERVENT PRAYERS WERE OFFERED SACRED
THRESHOLD MOST HOLY SHRINE JN THANKSGIVING HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT DEVELOP-
MENT WHICH REPRESENTS PRELUDE TO FULFILMENT LONG CHERISHED DESIRE ABDUL-
BAHA AND SHOGHI EFFENDI WITNESS PILGRIM KINGS PAY THEIR HUMBLE TRIBUTE AT
HOLY SHRINES FOUNDERS OUR FAITH IN SPIRITUAL HEART PLANET STOP FERVENTLY
PRAYING THIS JOYOUS NEWS WILL STRENGTHEN RESOLVE SUPPORTERS MOST GREAT
NAME EVERY LAND REDOUBLE THEIR EFFORTS TO FORGE AHEAD HOWEVER ARDUOUS
THE TASKS HOWEVER SEEMINGLY INSURMOUNTABLE THE OBSTACLES UNTIL EVERY
GOAL WORLDWIDE PLAN IS SPEEDILY AND FULLY CONSUMMATED.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western Samoa; the Hands of the Cause Ugo
Giachery, Dhikrul!ah Khadem and 'Alf Muf:tammad Varqa; representatives of the National
Sp iritual Assembly of the United Kingdom and others of the delegation who visited the resting
place of Shoghi Effendi on 12 September 1976.
Later information confirms that there were six. The visit took place on 12 September 1976.
70 THE BAHA'i WORLD

THE GROWTH OF THE BAHA'i FAITH
1953-1979

11 0.000~----------------------~-----------------

103,323
100.0001----------------+-+-------+--------+---ll--------·

80,000 NATION AL SPIRITU AL
ASSEMBLIES

1953 . .............. ... .. 12
1963. 56
1973 .. 113
70,000
1979 .. . 130

60,0001-----------------+-+--------------<--+---I----------<

so . 0001----------------+-+------+---~J----+----i----------j

A0,0001-----------------+--+------+-~L_-----+---+-------~

30,00 0 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - + - - - -- - -i-- - - - - - - + - - - + - - - - - - - - - j

25,5 11

'63 ' 64 ' 68 '73 '74 '79
TEN-Y EA R CR USADE NI N E-YEAR PLAN FIVE-YEAR PLA N
1 953- 1 963 1964-1973 19 74- 197 9
II
THE FIVE YEAR INTERNATIONAL
TEACHING PLAN 1974-1979

1. THE COMPLETION OF THE FIVE YEAR
INTERNATIONAL TEACHING PLAN

IN its Naw-Ruz message to the Baha'fs of the world the Universal Ho use of Justice
stated: 'The teaching victories in that Plan have been truly prodigious; the points of
li ght, those localities where the Promised One is recognized, have increased from
sixty-nine thousand five hundred to over ninety-six thousand; 1 the number of Local
Spiritual Assemb lies has grown from seventee n thousand to over twenty-five thousand; 1
e ighteen new National Spiritua l Assemblies have been formed.
'Beyond the expansion of the community, vi tal as it is, the Five Year Plan wit nessed
great progress in the spiritual development of the friends, the growing maturity and
wisdom of Local and National Asse mblies, and in the degree to which Baha'i communities e mbody the distinguishing characteristics of Baha'i life and att ract, by their
unity , their steadfast ness, their radiance and good reputation, the interest and eventual
wholehearted support of their fe llow citizens. This is the magnet which will attract the
masses to the Cause of God, and the leaven that will transform human society.'
In that sa me message the House of Justice pointed out that during the first two yea rs
of the newly-launched Seven Year Plan efforts should be exerted by Natio nal Spiritual
Asse mblies ' to attai n, where circumstances permit, any goals that may have had to
remain un accomplished at the e nd of the Five Year Plan.'
This rep ort of the achieveme nts of the Five Year Plan, both at the World Ce ntre and
throughout the Baha'i world , has been compiled by the Department of Statistics at the
World Centre.

2. THE WORLD CENTRE

I. Continued Collation and Classification of the Sacred Texts

The original Tablets of Baha' u' ll ah a nd of ' Abd u'l-B aha, and 12,076 letters of Shoghi
'Abdu'l-B a ha, to gethe r with the o ri gin al let- Effendi, to talling some 48 ,727 documents.
ters of Shoghi Effe ndi, now at the World These documents ha ve bee n studied and
Centre number so me 13 ,629 , of which nearly important passages from them have been
3,335 are Tablets of Baha'u 'llah, 7,198 Tablets extracted and classified .
of 'Abd u'l-B aha , and 3,096 lette rs of Shoghi During the period under review, nine major
Effendi. Moreover, authenticated copies compilations from the Writings of th e Faith
availab le at the World Ce ntre, for which no have been prepared an d circulated to Nation al
o riginals have yet been received, numbe r Sp iritua l Asse mblies .
6,390 Tablets of Baha' u' ll ah, 16,632 Ta blets
At 20 April 1979, the total number of localities is 103,323 and the number of Loca l Spiritual Assembl ies is 25,5 11.
72 THE BAHA'i WORLD

2. The Preparation and Publication of Author- passages translated by Shoghi Effendi and
ized Translations of Three Compilations of quoted in his various works a re included in the
Scripture: compilation which was published in December
1976.
(a) Tablets of B a ha' u' llah revealed after
Selections from the Writings of 'A bdu'lthe Kitab-i-Aqdas
Baha, published in D ece mber 1978 in both
(b) Prayers and extracts fr o m the Writings
cased a nd paper editions, contains passages
of the Bab
translated by the G uardian and translations or
( c) Selections from the works of
retranslations made by Marzieh Gail or a
'Abd u' l-Ba ha
committee at the World Centre appointed by
Tab lets of Baha'u'llcih revealed after the the House of Justice.
Kitcib-i-Aqdas was publi shed in June 1978. In 1977 the Universal House of Justice felt
The Universa l House of Justice appo inted its moved to call for the production of a compila-
Research Department to prepare the compila- tion of the writings of Shoghi Effendi. Pubtio n, and Mr. Habib Taherzadeh , with the lished under the title Ca ll to the Nations, the
assistance of a committee at the World Centre , compilat ion was avai lab le for distribution in
was res ponsible for the translation of those August of th at yea r, in cased and paper ed i-
Tablets and passages from Tablets not trans- tions.
lated by Shoghi Effendi. Three volumes of the international record,
Selections from the Writings of the Bab, the The Baha'i World, published under the supermost comprehensive selection of His Writings vision of the Universal House of Justice , were
yet produced in English, was also compiled by produced in the period under review, vol. XIV
th e R esearch Department and translated by (1963-1968) in February 1975 , vol. XV
Mr. Habib Taherzadeh with the ass istance of a (1968-1973) in August 1976 and vol. XVI
co mmittee at th e World Centre . A number of (1973-1976) in February 1979.

Three volumes of Sacred Text produced Three volumes of The Baha'i World (XIV,
under the supervision of the Universal XV and XVI) produced under the supervi-
House of Justice during the Five Year Plan. sion ofthe Universal House ofJustice during
A selection of the writings of Shoghi Effendi the Five Year Plan.
was also published under the title Call to the
Nations.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 73

Arrival offirst shipment of marble at the site of the Permanent Seat of the Universal House of
Justice; 28 December 1976. Commencement of the excavation was announced on 17 June
1975.

3. Initiation of the Construction of the Building January 1977, and he entered into a contract to
on Mount Carmel to Serve as the Seat of the be responsible for the reinforced concrete con-
Universal House of Justice struction as well as to do the general supervision and coordination of the sub-contractors
T his project, which ranks as the greatest for the mechanical, e lectrica l and finishing
single undertaking of the Five Year Plan , was works. Excavations for the foundations cominitiated in February 197 4 with the acceptance menced immediately thereafter.
of the design conceived by I:Iusayn Amfoat, At March 1978 construction had reached
who was named as architect for the building. A the level of the floor immediately above the
site office was established in the old Archives council chamber, with related mechanical,
Building, and a Baha'i resident engineer was e lectrical and finishing work well under way.
chosen by the architect to supervise on his Over 2,200 tons of fin ished carved marble had
behalf the construction of the building. Exca- already been delivered to the site. A contract
vation of earth and stone amounting to over had been signed with a French firm to install
65,000 cubic metres began in June 1975. In the marble on the building after the completion
April 1976 a contract was signed with a firm in of the concrete shell.
Italy, for the supply of over 3.000 tons of Pen- Participants in the International Convention
telicon marble from Greece, to be carved and at Ric;lvan 1978 assembled at the construction
dressed in Italy at a cost of approximately six site for a ceremony in which a casket containmillion dollars. This includes fac ing materia l ing Dust from the Shrines of the Bab and Baha'-
for the exterior of the building and fifty-eight u'llah was placed by Amatu'l-Baha Rul:if yyi h
flut ed columns with Corinthian capitals. Khanum in a small niche which had been pre-
In December 1976 the first shipment of pared in the building, high above the main
finished marble was delivered to the building entrance.
site. The major plans of the building were sup- At April 1979 exterior concrete construcplied by the architect in October 1976, and tion had been completed except for the enwere submitted with specifications to a number tablature, main staircase, and the annex to the
of local contractin g firms for bids. A general lower basement. The placing of all marble
contractor residing in Haifa was chosen in cladding on the main structure and erection of
74 THE BAHA'i WORLD

all columns and capitals has been completed 4. Further Extension and Beautification of the
and the placing of the entablature marble has Gardens and Lands Surrounding the Holy
commenced. Interior finishing work has begun Places
and fabrication of doors and windows in Italian
walnut as well as the plaster elements for cor- The extension and beautification of the garnices, mouldings and domed ceilings is pro- dens surrounding the Holy Places has been one
ceeding at suppliers' factories in Italy. of the World Centre goals in both the Nine and
Retaining walls for the terraces behind the Five Year Plans, and it has been constantly
main building have been designed and drilling pursued.
for , and placing, rock anchors to retain the Two new gardens outside the J:laram-iupper terraces has begun. It is foreseen that Aqdas and north of the Collins gate are in the
these terraces will be landscaped as a fitting initial stages of development: one immediately
background for the Seat of the Universal adjacent to the little house of the beloved
House of Justice. Plans for a separate building Guardian which he used when planning and
which will house the air-conditioning and heat- creating the gardens of the J:Iaram-i-Aqdas,
ing equipment, the electrical transformers and and the other on the opposite side of the path
main control panels, as well as a parking garage leading to the northern gate of the property.
for 44 cars, both to be built into the slope of In Haifa, the informal gardens on the upper
Mount Carmel, earth-covered and landscaped, slopes of the mountain facing the Shrine of the
have now been finalized and work on these Bab have been further extended and
auxiliary buildings should commence shortly. beautified.
It is intended that the utilities building men- The pastoral setting of Mazra'ih has been
tioned above will also service the other build- beautified through the planting of a flower garings to be built on the Arc. den on the eastern side of the Mansion and the
It is hoped that the interior finishing of the creation of an extensive orchard of various
Seat, the terrace walls and the auxiliary build- kinds of citrus trees, an avocado grove and
ings will all be completed by Ric;lvan 1980. other decorative fruit trees. A pathway divid-

'I• I 1
, '
' ,'

:.

Aerial view of the Shrine of Bahti'u'llah at Bahji illustrating the development of the gardens
surrounding it. In the foreground may be seen the new plantings in the areas on either side of
the long drive from the northern entrance to the Collins gate; April 1979.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 75
76 THE BAHA'f WORLD

ing the orchard has been bordered with ticipated in thirty-four United Nations conferaraucaria trees, and the fences defining the ences, congresses, and seminars, in seventyland blaze with plantings of colourful bougain- two regular sessions of the Economic and
villaea. Social Council or its commissions , committees
and other associated or related bodies, and in
the special session of the United Nations Gen-
5. Continued Strengthening of the Relationship
eral Assembly devoted to disarmament. About
between the Baha'i International Communfifty statements, pamphlets, or reports were
ity and the United Nations
prepared and presented to the United Nations
The Baha'i International Community has between 197 4 and 1979. The following are
continued to furnish pertinent information on some of the conferences and other meetings
the Baha'i Faith to various permanent delega- sponsored by the United Nations in which the
tions to the United Nations, particularly to Baha'i International Community participated:
those of countries in which official recognition
of the Faith was being sought, and found many -Regional Consultation for Asia and the
opportunities to explain to the delegates, as Far East on the Integration of Women in
well as to members of the United Nations Sec- Development with Special Reference to Popuretariat, how its interest in the goals of the lation Factors; Bangkok, Thailand; 13-17
United Nations Charter was rooted in the May 1974.
Baha'i teachings, principles and laws , and how - Regional Seminar for Africa on the Intethese present a lasting solution of the world's gration of Women in Development with Speproblems. In fact, through a series of public cial Reference to Population Factors; Addis
meetings and mailings of key statements, in Ababa, Ethiopia; 3-7 June 1974.
addition to a widely circulated article on the -Seminar on the Promotion and Protection
Baha'i Faith and its activities at the United of the Human Rights of National, Ethnic and
Nations appearing in the United Nations Sec- Other Minorities; Ohrid, Yugoslavia; 25
retariat News, some 10,000 members of the June-8 July 1974.
United Nations Secretariat, the United - World Population Conference; Buchar-
Nations Missions, and non-governmental est, Rumania; 19-30 August 1974.
organizations associated with the United -Interregional Seminar on National
Nations heard directly about the Faith. Machinery to Accelerate the Integration of
Increasingly the Baha'i International Com- Women in Development and to Eliminate Dismunity was able to point to the way of life crimination on Grounds of Sex; Ottawa,
evolving in Baha'i communities aro und the Canada; 4-17 September 1974.
world as an embodiment of the Baha'i teach- - World Food Conference; Rome, Italy;
ings . 6-16 November 1974.
Since 1974 the Baha'i International Com- -Regional Seminar for Latin America on
munity added to its existing consultative status the Integration of Women in Development
with the United Nations Economic and Social with Special Reference to Population Factors;
Council (ECOSOC), and its association with Caracas, Venezuela; 28 April-2 May 1975.
the United Nations Department of Public -Regional Conference of Non-Govern-
Information , two new relationships-an mental Organizations organized by the Office
association with the United Nations Environ- of Public Information of the United Nations in
ment Programme (UNEP) , with headquarters Cooperation with the Economic and Social
in Nairobi, begun in 1974 which resulted in the Commission for Asia and the Pacific; Bangappointment of al'! accredited representative in kok, Thailand; 27-29 May 1975.
Nairobi to serve as liaison with UNEP; and, on -Regional Preparatory Conference on
8 March 1976, consultative status with the Human Settlements for Asia, the Pacific, and
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Western Asia; Tihran, fran; 14-19 June 1975.
an affiliation which promises to offer many - World Conference of the International
opportunities for closer ties between the Baha'i Women's Year; Mexico City, Mexico; 19
world community and the United Nations. June-2 July 1975 .
The Baha'i International Community par- - Regional Preparatory Conference on
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 77

United Nations Seminar on Participation of Women in Development, Kathmandu, Nepal;
15-22 February 1977. Counsellor Zena Sorabjee (centre), and Dr. Penelope Walker (right),
represented the Bah{/{ International Community.

Human Settlements for Africa; Cairo , Egypt; - United Nations Conference on
21-26 June 1975. Desertification; Nairobi , Kenya; 29 August-9
-Latin American Regional Preparatory September 1977.
Conference for Habitat: the United Nations -Regional Conference on the Implementa-
Conference on Human Settlements; Caracas, tion of National, Regional, and World Plans of
Venezuela; 30 June-4 July 1975. Action for the Integration of Women in
-Fifth United Nations Congress on the Development; Nouakchott, Mauritania; 27
Prevention of Crime and Treatment of September- 2 October 1977.
Offenders; Geneva, Switzerland; 1-15 Sep- - World Conference to Combat Racism and
tember 1975 . Racial Discrimination; Geneva, Switzerland;
-Seminar on the Participation of Women in 14-25 August 1978.
Econom ic, Social and Political Development: - United Nations Conference on Technical
Obstacles that Hinder their Integration; Cooperation among Developing Countries;
Buenos Aires, Argentina; 22-30 March 1976. Buenos Aires, Argentina; 30 August-1 2 Sep-
- Th ird Conference of the Econom ic Com- tember 1978.
mission for Europe on Urban and Regional -International Conference on Primary
Research; Warsaw , Poland; 5-13 May 1976. Health Care; Alma Ata, U.S.S.R.; 6-1 2 Sep-
-Habitat: United Nations Conference on tember 1978.
Human Settlements; Vancouver, Canada; 31 -Seminar on National and Local Institu-
May-11June1976. tions for the Promotion and Protection of
-Regional Seminar on Participation of Human Rights; Geneva, Switzerland; 18-29
Women in Political, Economic, and Socia l September 1978.
Development with Specia l Emphasis on
Machinery to Accelerate the Integration of
Women in Development; Kathmandu, Nepa l; A detailed report of the act1v1t1es of the
15-22 February 1977. Baha'i International Commun ity appears in
- United Nations Water Conference; Mar Part Three, section V, subsections 1 and 2 of
del Plata, Argentin a; 14-25 March 1977. this volume.
78 THE BAHA'I WORLD

6. Constant Efforts to Protect the Faith from upon Baha'i actlVltles. The Baha'is became
Persecution and to Free It from the Re- free in principle to resume their activities, but
straints Imposed by Religious Orthodoxy provincial and local officials had discretionary
Arab Boycott powers which required the Baha'is to obtain
Early in February 1975, through a mis- from the Ministry of the Interior specifi c
understanding as to the true nature and pur- confirmation of the lifting of the ban before
pose of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, the Arab permitting the resumption of Baha'i activities.
Boycott Office at its meeting in Cairo In provinces where the local authorities did not
announced that the Baha'i Faith had been object, Local Spiritual Assemblies were replaced on its black list. The decision of the established and Baha'i work was quietly pur-
Arab Boycott Office was subsequently mod- sued. In other areas, however, which included
ified to state that only the businesses of indi- Bujumbura itself, the activities of the friends
vidual Baha'is and companies owned by them continued to be restr icted. When approached,
would be boycotted. the Minister of the Interior promised that the
A statement was immediately released dur- requested permission would soon be issued.
ing the same month, through the Baha'i Inter- We are glad to report that this was done, and
national Community in New York, explaining normal Baha'i activities have been resumed in
the position of the Faith on politics and the that country.
historical reasons why the World Centre of the Congo
Faith is in the Holy Land. It is hoped that these With the exception offive religious organizaexplanations have been helpful, and that the tions, all other religious minorities, including
authorities in all Arab lands will increasingly the Baha'i Faith, were banned in this country
appreciate the Teachings of our Faith which lay during February 1978. Dr. 'Aziz Navidi is cursuch stress on non-involvement in subversive rently in Brazzaville endeavouring to have the
activities and on loyalty and obedience to gov- ban removed from the Baha'is, whose activities
ernment. can in no way constitute a threat to the security
of the State.
Algeria
The Faith remains banned in Algeria , and no Egypt
Baha'i institu tions exist there. Ever since the Decree of the former President of the United Arab Republic in 1960
Burundi banning all Baha'i activities, the friends in
The Faith was recognized in Burundi in the Egypt have been subjected to a series of interconclud ing months of the Nine Year Plan. In rogations, arrests, imprisonments and fines, as
1974 a reversal was experienced in the for- well as abuse in the mass media of the country.
tunes of the Faith in that country when the During the period under review , evidences
Egyptian charge d'affaires made inaccurate of adverse as well as favourab le developments
statements about the Faith to the newly- have been witnessed . On the one hand, after
appointed Minister of Justice of Burundi, the Arab Boycott Office, at its meeting in Cairo
recommending that he seek authority from the during February 197 5, resolved to blacklist the
President to repeal the former decree. This was Baha'is in Arab lands, the Supreme Constituobtained, and the new decision was announced tional Court of Egypt was summarily convened
on the radio and released as a news item in a and announced its dec ision that the 1960
semi-official bulletin . The same bulletin also Decree of President Nasser banning all Baha'i
published a harshly abusive article vilifying the activities in Egypt was entirely constitutional,
Faith as a dangerous political movement, the and therefore the application of the Baha'is for
text of the article being provided by the staff of annulment of the Decree was dismissed. On
the Egyptian Embassy in Burundi. the other hand, four other cases, long pending
At the request of the Universal House of before the local courts, either have been drop-
Justice and through the able intervention of ped or are being allowed to reach their statu-
Dr. 'Aziz Na vi di, several representations were tory period of limitation and thus set aside ,
made to the Government. In 1975 the Presi- although the major court case against the
dent withdrew the ban that had been placed Baha'is, which was opened in Tanta, is still
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 79
unresolved. Efforts have repeatedly been preparation for the implementation of a town
made, so far through appeals to President planning scheme. Steps were taken immedi-
Sadat and to several Ministers of State, to ately to register with the authorities the indigexplain the position of the Baha'is and to nation of the Baha'is that two of their most
request that the 1960 Decree be repealed , or at holy places in Shiraz had been unjustly and
least that its effect on the Baha'is be lessened , peremptorily demolished, despite prior subso that the the civil rights of the believers, as mission to the authorities for protection of
law-abiding citizens of the country , may be these properties. It is hoped that it will be
restored and protected. It is hoped that the possible in the future to rebuild these struca uthorities will soon realize the true aims and tures on the same sites and with much of the
purposes ofthe Faith and be sympathetic to the original material , including exquisite fittings
appeals of the friends . and ornamentation which fortunately have
been salvaged through the devoted efforts of
Indonesia
the local believers.
Although the ban imposed upon Baha' i
In June 1977, ne ar Gurgan, one of the
activity in Indonesia remains in force, it prodevoted friends, Mr. Ruhu'llah Taymurfhibits only the operation of administrative
Muqaddam , was cruelly martyred, and his sisinstitutions; teaching has continued quietly on
ter seriously injured. A court case was opened
an indiv idual basis and Baha'i publications in
aga inst the perpetrators, and the National
Indonesian languages have steadily increased .
Assembly hoped that the sense of justice of the
A number of enthusiastic and zealous new
authorities would not allow such an odious act
believers of Muslim background , knowledgeto remain unpunished.
able in the Qur'an and in Arabic literature ,
On 15 December 1978 , a cabled message
have entered the Faith; several are members of
was sent to ninety-three National Spiritual
prominent fam ilies. Fanatical elements reacted
Assemblies advising that the friends in Iran
unfavourably and, at their instigation , ten of
and most of the Holy Places in Tihran and
the new be lievers were condemned to five
Shiraz were in great peril, that homes were
years' imprisonment. While confined, they
being burned and looted, and that some of the
became much loved by other prisoners as well
Baha'fs were threatened with death and /or
as by their jailers. Some were sent to distant
forcibly made to recant their Faith. The
islands and were pleased that, by this forced
National Assemblies were requested to cable
move, the Message of God was carried to new
appeals to the Prime Minister of Iran expresplaces. Most of them have now been released,
sing their concern and asking him to take
having completed their prison terms.
measures to safeguard the lives of the Baha'fs
Three believers from Indonesia embarked
and protect the Baha 'i Holy Places . Subseupon an interna tional travel-teaching trip to
quent reports indicated that the persecutions
New Caledonia, where a large number of
were increasing ; that a total of 200 houses in
Indonesians reside , and this project was highly
Shiraz were burned; that famil ies were driven
successful.
from their homes and threats made to their
At the present time the friends are hoping
lives. Some of the Baha'fs were beaten , and,
that the authorities will recognize the position
tragically, so me lost their lives. At one time
of the Baha'fs and will remove the restrictions
700 Baha'fs were homeless and their means of
imposed upon the operation of Baha'i adminislivelihood destroyed , and therefore a special
trative activities.
fund was established to aid our stricken breth-
Iran ren in Iran.
The Faith is still unrecognized in the land of The wave of persecutions continues, and the
its birth , and fanatical elements continue to beloved friends and Holy Places in the Cradle
instigate severe attacks against Baha'fs and of the Faith are still in great danger. Armed
their properties. In November 1975, the house men of the revolutionary committees have
of the maternal uncle of the Bab and the adja- confiscated documents, and seized and
cent house where the Bab was born were de- occupied the House of the Bab in Shiraz, the
stroyed on the pretext that the sites and the Sfyah-Chal , the Houses of Baha' u'llah in
adjoining area had to be cleared of buildings in Tihran and Takur, the Houses of Quddus and
80 THE BAHA'l WORLD

Hujjat, as well as many Local I:Ia'.?iratu'l-Quds. to ten years, and Baha'i properties, as well as
The Nawnahalan Company, which has been in properties of individual believers, were
operation for about sixty years, is likewise confiscated.
occupied , its accounts fro zen and its operations In July 197 5, a parti al amnesty reducing the
stopped. The National Spiritual Assembly of terms of imprisonment by fifteen per cent was
Iran has frequently appealed to the new granted on the occasion of one of 'Iraq 's
authorities after the change of government, but national events, to all those in 'Iraqi prisons,
the results are still unknown. including the Baha'is. The friends incarcerated
are still in custody, although some improve-
'Iraq ment is reported in the conditions under which
In May 1970, the 'Iraqi Government issued they are being held.
a Decree disbanding all Baha'i institutions and In December 1977, all properties belonging
banning all Baha'i activities. The attempts of to individual believers were returned to them ,
the local friends to explain the Baha'i position but Baha'i properties and funds were turned
to the authorities were of no avail. For nearly over to the Ministry of the Interior for disposal.
three years, although the authorities carefully During the period under review, several
watched the conduct of the Baha'is, nothing attempts have been made and are still under
apparently gave cause for interference in their way to clear away any misunderstanding the
personal lives and the imposition of fresh re- authorities may have acquired abo ut the Faith.
strictions. It is hoped that the Government of 'Iraq will be
In mid-December 1973, an incident occur- assured of the innocence of the Baha'is, and
red which sparked a fire of persecution and will appreciate the true position of the Faith in
adversity in whose flames many of the dedi- its recognition of the divine origin of Islam and
cated Baha'is of 'Iraq were engulfed, and its injunction upon the believers to be loyal to
whose future course seems unpredictable. A government and to avoid any involvement in
teenage Shi'ih Muslim girl learned of the Faith political or subversive activity.
from one of her Baha'i classmates and, with her
older sister, became seriously interested in the Jordan
teachings. When the Baha'i Faith was referred The National Spiritual Assembly here , in
to during a discussion of religion in class in one protracted negotiations with the authorities
of the Government schools in Ba~dad, the girl has clearly set forth the independent character
rose to her feet in defence of the Cause. When of the laws and ordinances of the Faith and the
questioned by the teacher, she announced her need for the believers to register themselves
belief in Baha'u'llah, an assertion which cre- and their children as Baha'is, and for their
ated a stir in the class. The students spoke of institutions to conduct the Baha'i marriage
the incident the same day to their parents, ceremony.
among whom was the Minister of Education,
Kampuchea (Cambodia)
who, the following day, ordered an investiga-
Owing to the political situation here, all
tion to be made, himself went to the school,
Baha'i activities had to be suspended, and
dismissed the headm as ter, and, following the
there is no contact with the friends.
intervention of the Minister of the Interior,
ordered the arrest of the girl and three Baha'i Laos
girls studying at that school. A chain of arrests, The uncertain political situation in Laos has
totalling almost fifty , followed in the course of brought pressure upon the friends, and upon
the next few months. The trial began on 4 the pioneers in particular, who as foreigners
March 197 4 and, although the hearings of the are conspicuous; all but two have been forced
court were postponed several times, its verdict to leave the country. Activities of the urban
exonerated the Baha'is. Dissatisfied with the Baha'is do not seem to be restricted, and the
verdict, the Revolutionary Council ordered the borders remain open to travellers, but comcase of the Baha'is reopened in a military munications between the Baha'is in rural areas
court. Twenty-nine Baha'is, both men and and those in the city are restricted. In Vienwomen, were eventually sentenced by this tiane, the Baha'is have sustained their
court to terms varying from life imprisonment activities, and are conducting children's classes
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 81
on a regular basis. A local J::Ia?iratu'l-Quds is which had been banned, the Baha'is evinced
presently being constructed adjoining the exemplary steadfastness and constancy.
Temple site. Upon the request of the authorities, a list of
It is hoped that the authorities, who are now all Baha'i properties in the country was made
reviewing the application of the Baha'is to be and subm itted to them.
regarded as a religious community , will give a The recent change in the Ugandan governfavourable response. ment bids fair to allow the Baha'is to resume
Mali their activities in the heart of Africa.
Although recognition of the Faith had been Vietnam
granted in Mali, the authorities decided in May After the change of government, the
1976 to impose restrictions on Baha'i activities National Spiritual Assembly was functioning
and suspended the decree of recognition. Dr. for some time, though in a very limited way.
'Aziz Navidi is in contact with the authorities to However, this situation was short-lived. The
dispel the misgivings of high government offi- authorities soon detained two members of the
cials about the Faith, and it is anticipated that, National Spiritual Assembly, confiscated the
once again, the Faith will be recognized. National J::Ia?iratu'l-Quds and changed it into
Uganda an orphanage, and prevented the functioning
In September 1977 , twenty-seven religious of the Baha'i Administration. Appeals have
been made to the authorities through the
organizations were banned in this country.
Baha'i International Community and other
Among them was the Baha'i Faith . The
National Spiritual Assembly and all the Local channels. It is hoped that these appeals will
bring forth favourable results and that the
Assemblies had to suspend all their activities,
beloved friends in Vietnam will again obtain
while in the capital the resident Hand of the
their freedom of worship, a freedom which is
Ca use and other representatives of the Faith
met with government officials to determine the guaranteed in the Vietnamese Constitution.
extent of the implications of this ban . There are other countries where the Faith is
Although abused in many localities by their restricted , but about which it is unwise to
fellow-countrymen for belonging to a Faith report.

7. The Holding of Eight International Teaching Conferences-From July 1976 to February
1977
These eight International Teaching Conferences were attended by a total of approximately
15,000 believers from all parts of the world.
The Hand of the Cause of God Number
Place and Date representing the Universal House of Justice Attending

Helsinki, Finland Ugo Giachery 950
5- 8 July 1976
Anchorage, Alaska H. Collis Featherstone 1,005
23-25 July 1976
Paris, France Amatu'l-Baha Ruf:i.[yyih Khdnum 5,700
3 - 6 August 1976
Nairobi, Kenya William Sears 1,363
15-17 Oct. 1976
Hong Kong 'Alf-Akbar Furutan 506
27-30 Nov. 1976
Auckland, N. Z. Abu'l-Qasim Faiz( 1,195
19-22 Jan. 1977
Bahia, Brazil Enoch Olinga 1,300
27-30 Jan . 1977
Merida, Mexico Paul Haney 2,000 plus
4 - 6 Feb. 1977
82 THE BAH A' f WORLD

During the Helsinki Conference Dr. Justice by the National Spiritual Assembly of
Giachery paid a courtesy call on Mr. T. Aura, the Baha'is of the United Kingdom.
the Mayor of Helsinki .
The Governor of Alaska sent a message of House of'Abdu'llah Pasha
greeting to the Anchorage Conference which The announcement by the Universal House
was read on his behalf by Lieutenant- of Justice of the acquisition of the House of
Governor Lowell Thomas, Jr. ' Abdu'llah Pasha , in which 'Abdu'l-Baha lived
Mr. Kurt Waldheim, Secretary-General of for twelve years, was made on 14 January
the United Nations, sent a message to the Paris 1975. The purchase of this House, which
Conference which was read on his behalf by derives its name from the Governor of 'Akka
Mr. Luc Van Bellinghen , Director of the who completed the House during the early
United Nations Information Centre in Paris; decades of the last century, is a supplementary
this was the first occasion on which the United achievement of the Five Year Plan.
Nations through a high-ranking officer sent a In September 1977 , the Universal House of
message of goodwill to an international Baha'i Justice approved the plans for restoration preconference. pared by Mr. Ric;lvanu'llah Ashraf, a young
The Hon. N. W. Munoko, the Minister for Persian Baha'i architect, and the actual work
Works, addressed the Nairobi Conference. was started in December 1977 by a team of
The Auckland Conference was opened by Persian Baha'is with experience of reconstruct-
His Excellency the Right Hon. Robert D. Mul- ing certain of the Holy Places in friin. Certain
doon, Prime Minister of New Zealand , and Sir aspects of the project have been contracted
Dove-Myer Robinson , the Mayor of Auck- and the work is progressing.
land.
His Excellency Roberto Santos, Gove rnor Preservation and Microfilming of Documents
of the State of Bahia, opened that Conference. Preservation of the Sacred Texts involves
The Hon . Dr. Francisco Luna Kan, Gover- protecting them from acids from within as well
nor of Yucatan, himself a Mayan , opened the as without the paper, and from the more usual
Merida Conference. deterioration factors . Accordingly, extensive
As the Baha'i world entered the second half tests of the acidity of the Tablets and of their
of the Five Year Plan, these Conferences pro- surroundings were made and the decision
vided an opportunity for examination of its taken to remove them from the translucent and
achievements and appraisal of its unaccom- transparent folders and albums, which had
plished tasks. developed dangerous acidity, and to place
A pictorial report of these Conferences them in acid-free folders within acid-free storappears elsewhere in this volume. age boxes in which air could circulate freely.
All available Tablets have been transferred,
after microfilming, and are being stored in
8. Supplementary Achievements dehumidified rooms. In all, some 10,500
Protection of the Resting-Place of Shoghi documents from the Central Figures are now in
Effendi acid-free storage. Additional Tablets still being
A further supplementary accomplishment received are placed in acid-free storage even
during the first half of the Five Year Plan was before microfilming.
announced by the Universal House of Justice More than 2,000 of the Guardian's original
in its cablegram of 5 February 197 5 to all letters having postscripts in his own hand have
National Spiritual Assemblies: been similarly preserved, as well as his cables
and draft manuscripts of his general letters and
ANNOUNCE PURCHASE STRIP LAND GREAT
NORTHERN LONDON CEMETERY FACING
books.
BELOVED GUARDIAN'S RESTING-PLACE Other historical documents similarly treated
ENSURING PROTECTION SACRED PLOT. include handwritten manuscripts of several of
PRAYERS GRATITUDE OFFERED DIVINE Baha'u'llah's books, Nabfl's original notes,
THRESHOLD.
receipts written by 'Abdu'l-Baha, autographed
The negotiations for this purchase were con- photographs, notes by early amanuenses,
ducted on behalf of the Universal House of copies of Tablets, and examples of calligraphy.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 83
At present, the letters received by the Guar- these letters have been indexed for Universal
dian and already microfilmed are being trans- House of Justice retrieval on microfilm. The
ferred to acid-free storage. Other material will Master Subject Index and its related Names
be treated when adequate storage space Index used for this purpose have been designed
becomes available. to provide a unified indexing system for use
Microfilming of all available originals or ver- throughout the World Centre when all materified copies of the Tablets of the Central Fig- ial is on microfilm .
ures of the Faith has been completed. Letters and papers received by ' Abdu'l-
Great progress has been made with Baha are in process of being filmed.
microfilming of the letters of the beloved Filming of letters received by the Guardian
Guardian. As all such items arrive at the World is proceeding.
Centre they will be microfilmed. Available All original film rolls are stored in a
documents associated with the history of the maximum-security depository and a copy of
Faith are also on film. each roll has been stored in a depository in
Microfilming of the permanent letters and each of five different countries of the world for
statements of the Universal House of Justice is safekeeping.
up to date, and more than fourteen years of

A Baha'i worker prepares to read microfilmed documents. The preservation and microfilming
of historical material is a continuing concern of the Baha'i World Centre.

"""

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Ill
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a

The House of'Abdu'l-Bahli in 'A kka, which was His official residence from 1897 to 1908, was acquired in 1975. The building, known locally as
the house of'Abdu'llah Pasha, was the birthplace of Shoghi Effendi. Restoration of the house began in December 1977.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 85

3. SUMMARY OF NATIONAL GOALS AND
ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. National Spiritual Assemblies which were to approved a design prepared by Farfburz
make Plans to Accommodate the Interna- ~ahba , who has been retained as architect for
tional Conferences of 1976/1977 this Temple . Working drawings are being prepared by Mr. ~ahba and the structural
Each of the National Spiritual Assemblies
engineers in England.
which served as host had a major and decisive
On 27 February 1979 a cable was received
role in making these Conferences successful. A
stating that the necessary permit for the condetailed summary appears in section 7 under
struction of the House of Worship had been
'World Centre Goals'. See also the pictorial
issued by the authorities and that excavation of
report, 'Arise!', elsewhere in this volume.
the area had begun.
In addition , many countries held 'Satellite'
A fuller report appears in Part Four, section
teaching conferences or summer or winter
V of this volume.
schools before or after the International Conferences, which were attended by many of
Samoa
those travelling to attend the latter. These
In November 1975 , the National Spiritual
'Satellite' events included two summer schools,
Assembly of Samoa purchased a twelve-acre
an International Youth Conference, twentylot at an elevation of 1,800 feet, overlooking
three National Teaching Conferences and one
the city of Apia and not far from Vailima, the
Regional Teaching Conference in Africa; four
official residence of His Highness Malietoa
summer schools, one Native Council, and six-
Tanumafili II. His Highness visited the land
teen National Teaching Conferences in the
and was delighted with its location . Most of the
Americas; one winter school and ten National
city of Apia can be seen from the site, and when
Teaching Conferences in Asia and the Pacific;
the Temple has been erected it should be
one summer school and seven National Teachclearly visible from a wide area below.
ing Conferences in Australasia; and ten sum-
Mr. I:Iusayn Amanat was appointed as
mer schools, two winter schools, and fifteen
architect for the Temple at Ri<;ivan 1978. His
National Teaching Conferences in Europe.
design was submitted to the Universal House
of Justice in September of that year and to His
2. Countries where the Construction of
Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II shortly there-
Mashriqu'l-Adhkars is to be Initiated
after. When the design had been approved,
India plans were made for the laying of the founda-
During the Ten Year Crusade, twenty-two tion stone. This ceremony took place on the
acres of land in New Delhi were acquired for Temple site on 27 January 1979 with His
the Mashriqu'I-Adhkar, but this property was Highness laying the stone. Amatu'l-Baha
requisitioned by the Government for a green RuJ:ifyyih Khanum , the representative of the
belt area. After several years of constant Universal House of Justice, participated by
negotiation by the National Assembly, and placing in a niche in the stone a small casket of
upon viewing the beautiful design for the Tem- dust from the Most Holy Shrine. More than
ple, the Government agreed to release the 500 Baha'fs attended the ceremony and the
entire twenty-two acres, as reported on 1 Feb- Conference which was held concurrently. Sixruary 1978. teen national communities from all parts of the
On the occasion of the All-Asia Baha'f Pacific area were represented.
Women's Conference in New Delhi , and at a In February 1979 an additional one acre of
special ceremony on 17 October 1977 at the land was acquired adjacent to the Temple site
Temple site , the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l- to the east to provide an approach to the Tem-
Baha RuJ:ifyyih Khanum laid the foundation ple from the main road.
stone for this important edifice. A fuller report appears in Part Four, section
The Universal House of Justice has V of this volume.
86 THE BAHA'I WORLD

iran blies of Equatorial Guinea, Indonesia, and
Preliminary steps were to be adopted to pave Nepal had to be disbanded; and those of Mali
the way for the eventual construction of the and Somalia, which were goals of the Plan,
Mawriqu'l-Adhkar in Tihran, circumstances could not be formed. However, it has been
permitting. possible to form in 1977 and 1978 the National
Although difficulties have prevented the Spiritual Assemblies of the Marshall Islands
Baha'is in that country from actively engaging and the Mariana Islands, respectively, and in
in this important project, a special committee the latter year two new National Spiritual
has completed all drawings and details for the Assemblies in the zone of Western Asia, makconstruction. The plans have been checked and ing a total of eighteen National Spiritual
made ready by an engineering firm in the Assemblies.
United Kingdom, thus enabling immediate 4. National Spiritual Assemblies to be Incorpoinitiation of construction when circumstances rated
permit. FIVE YEAR PLAN INCORPORATION
3. National Spiritual Assemblies to be Estab- GOALS
Central and East Africa
lished
Ethiopia In Process
In 1974 the number of National Spiritual Southern Africa
Assemblies was 115 Reunion Goal Achieved
The Five Year Plan goal was to form 16 South and West

Thus calling for a total of 131 Africa Goal Achieved
Western Africa
Total National Spiritual Assemblies , The Gambia Goal Achieved
Ric;lvan 1979 130
Mali Circumstances Permitting
GOALS ACHIEVED Mauritania Circumstances Permitting
Central and East Africa Senegal Goal Achieved
1. Burundi 1 1978 Sierra Leone In Process
Western Africa Upper Volta Goal Achieved
2. Mauritania 1978 Central America
3. Niger 1975 French Antilles Goal Achieved
4 . Senegal 1975 South America
5. Sierra Leone 1975 Surinam and
6. Togo 1975 French Guiana Goal Achieved
7. Upper Volta 1977 North-eastern Asia
Central America Mariana Islands Goal Achieved
8. French Antilles 1977 South-eastern Asia
Nonh America Hong Kong Goal Achieved
9. The Bahamas 1978 Nepa!2 Circumstances Permitting
South America Singapore Goal Achieved
10. Surinam and French Guiana 1977 Western Asia
Western Asia Turkey Circumstances Permitting
11. Jordan 1975 Auslralasia
Australasia New Hebrides Goal Achieved
12. The New Hebrides 1977 Europe
Europe Austria Circumstances Permitting
13. Cyprus 1978 Cyprus In Process
14. Greece 1977 Portugal Goal Achieved
SUPPLEMENTARY ACHIEVEMENTS
SUPPLEMENTARY ACHIEVEMENTS American Samoa Guyana
In the course of the Plan , because of local Caroline Islands Nicaragua
circumstances, the National Spiritual Assem- Central African
1 First established in 1969, dissolved in 1972; re-established Empire Tuvalu
1978. Goal achieved but recognition withdrawn in 1975.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 87
5. Baha'i Publishing Trusts to be Formed when they are taken into account approximately fifty of the language achievements rep-
In 1974 the number of Baha'i Publishing
resent supplemental language achievements of
Trusts was 16
The Five Year Plan goal was to form an the Plan not covered by any goal. Ten additional languages were reported 'in process' and
additional 6
no reports have yet reached the World Centre
Thus calling for a total of 22
concerning progress in respect of eight of the
Present number of Baha'i Publishing named language goals.
Trusts 23 Because the purpose of these language goals
TRUSTS ESTABLISHED PRIOR TO THE was to increase the availability of Baha'i litera-
FIVE YEAR PLAN ture to friends and seekers, we have counted as
Argentina Netherlands 'Publication ' circulation through newsletters
Belgium Pakistan or mimeographed sheets, as well as publication
Brazil Spain in book form. We have also listed languages
Germany Sweden reported available on tape , as the specific goal
India Taiwan was assigned to many countries of supplying
Iran Uganda prayers and short excerpts from the Holy Texts
Italy United Kingdom on tape for the friends to memorize in their
Near East United States own languages.
A detailed list of language and literature
TO BE FORMED DURING THE FIVE achievements of the Five Year Plan appears in
YEAR PLAN the bibliographic section of this volume, Part
Australia Achieved October 197 5 Six, section II , subsections 6 to 9.
Fiji Islands Achieved March 1975
Japan Achieved June 1975 7. Properties to be Acquired
Korea Achieved February 1976 A. National lja;iratu'l-Quds
Malaysia Achieved February 1976 FIVE YEAR PLAN GOALS ASSIGNED
Philippine Islands Achieved April 1979
Central and East Africa
SUPPLEMENTARY ACHIEVEMENT Burundi In Process
Norway Achieved February 1976 Somalia Circumstances
Permitting
Western Africa
6. Languages into which Baha'i Literature is to
Equatorial Guinea Circumstances
be Translated and Published and Those in
which Additional Publications are to be Permitting
Mali Achieved
made
Mauritania Achieved
(See also ' Publication & Dissemination of
Niger Achieved
Baha'i Literature,' section 4 of 'S ummary of
Senegal Achieved
Accomplishments in Other Areas'.)
Sierra Leone Achieved
Named Goal s Achieved
Togo Achieved
Africa 42 137 Upper Volta Achieved
Americas 15 76 Central America
Asia 38 62 Barbados Achieved
Australasia 4 42 French Antilles Achieved
Europe 30 40 North America
Invented Bahamas Achieved
Languages 1 South America
129 358 Surinam Achieved
In addition to the languages named as goals, North-eastern Asia
many countries were assigned to translate and Eastern Carolina Is.
publish or record on tape Baha'i literature in (Ponape) In Process
unspecified local languages used in their coun- Mariana Is.
tries. These are not shown in the table above; (Guam) Achieved
88 THE BAHA ' I WORLD

Marshall ls. North-eastern Asia
(Majuro) Achieved Eastern Caroline ls.
Western Caro line Is. (Ponape) Achieved
(Yap) In Process Mariana Is.
South-eastern Asia (Guam) Achieved
Hong Kong Achieved Marshall ls .
Western Asia (Majuro) Achieved
Jordan Achieved Western Caroline Is.
Australasia (Yap) In Process
New Hebrides Achieved South Central Asia
New Zealand Bangladesh Achieved
Cook Is. In Process South-eastern Asia
Europe Hong Kong Achieved
Cyprus Achieved Australasia
Greece Achieved New Hebrides
(Efate) Achieved
SUPPLEMENTARY ACHIEVEMENTS New Zealand
French Guiana Puerto Rico Cook Is. Achieved
The Gambia Tonga In Process
Europe
B. National Temple Sites Cyprus Achieved
Greece Achieved
FIVE YEAR PLAN GOALS ASSIGNED
Central and East Africa SUPPLEMENTARY ACHIEVEMENTS
Burundi In Process Burma
Soma lia Circumstances
Permitting
Zaire Achieved C. National Endowments
Southern Africa
Seychelles Achieved FIVE YEAR PLAN GOALS ASSIGNED
Western Africa Central and East Africa
Chad In Process Burundi In Process
Equatorial Guinea Circumstances Somalia Achieved
Permitting Zaire Achieved
Gambia, The Achieved Southern Africa
Mali Achieved Seychelles Achieved
Mauritania Achieved Western Africa
Niger Circumstances Equatorial Guinea Circumstances
Permitting Permitting
Nigeria Achieved Gambia, The Achieved
Senegal Achieved Mali Achieved
Sierra Leone Achieved Mauritania Achieved
Togo Achieved Niger Achieved
Upper Volta Achieved Senegal Achieved
Central America Sierra Leone Achieved
Barbados Achieved Togo Achieved
French Upper Volta In Process
Antilles In Process Central America
Puerto Rico Achieved Barbados In Process
North America French Antilles In Process
Bahamas Achieved Puerto Rico Achieved
South America North America
Surinam Achieved Bahamas Achieved
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 89
South America F. Local lfa'{.iratu'l-Quds
Surinam Achieved Goal Achieved

Nonh-eastern Asia Africa 799 998
Eastern Caroline ls. Americas 294 258
(Truk) Achieved Asia 140 152
Mariana ls. Australasia 52 58
(Guam) Achieved Europe 6 11
Marshall Is. 1,291 1,477
(Majuro) Achieved G. Local Endowments
Western Caroline Is. Goal Achieved
(Yap) In Process Africa 1,195 1,211
South Central Asia Americas 354 370
Bangladesh Achieved Asia 47 110
South-eastern Asia Australasia 0 1
Singapore Achieved Europe 2 3
Western Asia 1,598 1,695
Jordan Achieved H. Specific Property Goals
A ustra/asia At least one local I:Ia~fratu'l-Quds in each
New Hebrides Province:
(Efate) Achieved Costa Rica Achieved in 4 of 7
New Zealand Provinces
Cook Is. Achieved Korea Goal postponed
Papua New Guinea Achieved At least one local I:Ia~fratu ' l-Quds on each of 5
Tonga In Process named islands:
Europe Hawaiian Is. Achieved on 2 of 5
Cyprus Achieved named islands
Greece Achieved At least one local I:Ia~fratu ' l-Quds on each of 3
SUPPLEMENTARY ACHIEVEMENTS named and 2 other major islands:
Philippine Is. Achieved on 3 named
Nigeria islands;
4 completed and in
D. Summer Schools use.
FIVE YEAR PLAN GOALS ASSIGNED At least one local I:Ia~fratu'l-Quds in each of 4
named regions:
Central and East Africa United Kingdom Achieved in 3 of 4
Ethiopia Achieved regions; 1 region has 2
North-eastern Asia At least one local Endowment in each Prov-
Hawaiian Islands In Process ince:
South-eastern Asia Costa Rica Achieved in 4 of 7
Burma Achieved Provinces
SUPPLEMENTARY ACHIEVEMENTS 8. Local Incorporations to be Achieved
Guatemala Zambia Goal Achieved
Malaysia Africa 78
Americas 892 906
E. District lfa'{.iratu'l-Quds and Institutes Asia 874 733
Australasia 139 130
Goal Achieved
Europe 183 252
Africa 73 51 2,088 2,099
Americas 14 13 • While no Local Spiritual Assembly incorporation goals
Asia 73 69 were assigned to Africa as Five Year Plan goals, the
Australasia 0 0 following African countries were asked to continue
efforts towards completion of unfulfilled local incorpora-
Europe 1 1 tion goals of the Nine Year Plan. (The achievements
161 134 shown have been included in the total shown above.)
90 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Goal Achieved as pioneers. A special assignment to iran was
Central African
Empire 3 1
to send thirty-four pioneers "with special ca-
Ghana 10 4 pacity and training in the establishment and
Kenya 50 1 conducting of classes for Baha'i children to
Malawi 5
Nigeria IO twenty-one countries in Africa; by 1975,
Swaziland 5 5 twenty-nine such pioneers were reported to
Zambia 11 11 have reached their posts.
95 23

9. Inter-Assembly Collaboration Projects INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLING
TEACHERS
At the outset of the Plan in 1974, ninety- Number Sent
eight National Spiritual Assemblies were AFRICA More than 200
assigned to receive assistance through 444 pro- THE AMERICAS More than 3,200
ASIA More than 800
jects assigned to eighty-one National Spiritual
AUSTRALASIA More than 300
Assemblies; and, as new National Spiritual EUROPE More than 500
Assemblies were formed during the course of More than 5,000
the Plan, additional projects were assigned. Number Received
These projects included such efforts as acquisi- AFRICA More than 700
tion of properties; provision of literature; THE AMERICAS More than 1,700
teaching and consolidation projects , including ASIA More than 900
AUSTRALASIA More than 400
teaching of minorities ; supplying pioneers EUROPE More than 1,300
and travelling teachers, including pioneers More than 5,000
specializing in training of children's teachers;
teaching conferences; opening of new ter- 10. Miscellaneous Untabulated Goals
ritories; establishment of first Local Spiritual
A. National Spiritual Assemblies to Select One
Assemblies, and re-establishing lost Assembor More Believers from Local Comlies in goal countries.
munities, and to Train Them to Help in
In a few instances, due to local circum-
Deepening Their Fellow Believers and in
stances , only token assistance was possible; in
Consolidating Their Local Communities
most cases the collaboration extended was substantial and effective. For example , inter- This goal was assigned to fifty-two National
Assembly collaboration made possible the Spiritual Assemblies; 102 National Spiritual
purchase of twenty-two National f:la~fratu ' l­ Assemblies report various approaches to
Quds and twenty-six Temple sites during the fulfilling it. Some have interpreted the goal
Plan, and 2,605 pioneers and more than 5,000 broadly , reporting deepening sessions for both
travelling teachers left their homes during the old and new believers, members of new Local
course of the Five Year Plan to serve the Faith Spiritual Assemblies, women or youth; sumin other countries. These latter achievements mer school programs; youth and women's conare detailed below. ferences; and, especially, teacher-training
PIONEERS Number Sent From
institutes. One National Spiritual Assembly in
AFRICA 57 17 countries of particular chose to focus on this goal, consider-
THE AMERICAS 1,050 22 countries of ing it the key to fulfillment of all other goals,
ASIA 1.189 18 countries of and developed an extensive program which
AUSTRALASIA 78 7 countries of included visiting localities, training teachers,
EUROPE --11.!. !l countries of
2,605 81 countries training a deepening cadre, and the establishment of twenty-seven five-week courses in var-
Number Received By ious subjects, after which participants were
AFRICA 521 41 countries
expected to return to their homes to share what
THE AMERICAS 728 37 countries
ASIA 729 34 countries they had learned before being permitted to
AUSTRALASIA 163 10 countries enroll for further courses. This program has
EUROPE 464 _l!! countries had great success, resulting not only in
2,605 140 countries increased expansion, but also in deepening,
Of special interest among the pioneer goals consolidation, and strengthening of Baha'i
were several requiring native believers to arise family and community life .
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA ' I ACTIVITIES 91
In addition , Continental Boards of Counsel- localities in Guatemala, and from Panama
lors, by training Auxiliary Board members and embarked on a three-nation travel-teaching
by encouraging the appointment and training trip. The National Spiritual Assemblies of
of assistants to the Auxiliary Boards, have Benin, the Solomon Islands, and the South
assisted hundreds of believers on each conti- West Pacific Ocean have reported the first
nent to play a major role in strengthening the native women elected to their National
administrative institutions of the Faith and in Spiritual Assemblies.
stimulating the friends to greater achievements More than 1,000 Baha'i women from all
in all fields of Baha'i activity. over Asia, with observers and speakers from
Europe and America , gathered in New Delhi ,
B. National Spiritual Assemblies which are to
India, 13-16 October 1977, for the Asian
Organize Baha'i Activities for Women Baha'i Women's Conference. The presence of
Although this goal was originally assigned to the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ru~iyyih
only eighty National Spiritual Assemblies, Khanum as the most distinguished guest and
activities toward its achievement have been principal speaker was a source of great joy and
reported by 115 National Assemblies in many happiness for the believers. Before the Conparts of the world. Baha'i activities by and for ference opened and while it was in progress,
women have included greater participation in a Ru~fyyih Khanum met five ministers of the
wide range of endeavours to further the prog- Government of India, which served to strengthress of the Cause: women's conferences; fam- en cordial and personal relationships with
ily life conferences; classes in child care, read- these high dignitaries. The Conference
ing, nutrition and hygiene, arts and crafts; and received wide coverage in the news media in
many others. Particularly significant has been a India, and many of the participants also travelgreat increase in regular children's classes, led to other parts of the country in a postmany of them taught by women's groups, and conference teaching plan.
the formation of women's teaching teams. Another significant international women 's
Some of these latter have visited islands in the conference was the West African Baha'i
New Hebrides following a women's conference Women's Conference held in Monrovia 28-31
there, spent four months opening new December 1978, on the theme of 'Spiritual

a ASIAN
BAHAl
WOMEN·s
' , CONFERENCE

Asian Baha'i Women's Conference, New Delhi, India; 13-16 October 1977. The photograph
shows a few of the more than 1,000 representatives who attended. The Hand of the Cause
Amatu'l-Baha Ruf:iiyyih Khanum is seen seated in the centre.
92 THE BAHA'f WORLD

Education of Women: Foundation for a New in western Europe and Australasia, many
Human Society'. It was attended by 150 opportunities to gain radio and TV time have
women from fourteen different countries, and been seized upon. In the United States the Jeff
opened by the Liberian Minister of Informa- Reynolds' Show, Fireside Playhouse, and Divine
tion and a woman Senator. Again, extensive Art of Living (Spanish) radio series have been
radio, television and press coverage brought widely used, as well as radio specials and series
the Faith to the attention of thousands of of public service announcements. In India the
Liberians from every stratum of society. government has authorized announcements of
Many smaller local, regional, national and Baha'i events and festivals. Radio Sri Lanka
international conferences took place, and it has repeatedly broadcast a series of programs
was especially significant that in many of the prepared in India, and mini-dramas from
developing countries, where such behavior on Japan have been widely utilized. In total, some
the part of men is almost unknown, the Baha'i thirty-five countries have reported radio promen would prepare the food and care for the gramming for varied lengths of time, not
children in order to enable their wives to par- including the scattered reports from every
ticipate in the conference sessions. corner of the world of radio and television
interviews of Baha'i travelling teachers, of spot
See 'Survey of Activities of Baha'i Women
announcements of Baha'i activities, etc. In St.
in the Five Year Plan ,' Part Three, section IV,
Martin, French Antilles, TV programs have
subsection 4 of this volume.
almost continuously been on the air since 197 5.
C. National Spiritual Assemblies which are The first Baha'i radio station, Radio Baha'i,
Specifically Called upon to Expand the use of Cajas and Otavalo, Ecuador, began regular
of Radio and/or Television broadcasting in December 1977, and it is
Thirty-nine National Spiritual Assemblies hoped a shortwave unit will be added shortly at
were assigned the specific task of expanding Lake Cuicocha.
the use of radio and television for proclamation In Canada a weekly cablevision telecast entiand teaching of the Faith. Developments have tled Baha'f News was under way for many
been impressive , notably in Latin America. months in the Toronto area, the videotapes
Audio recording studios have been estab- being used in other Canadian cities. In the
lished in some twenty-one countries. A centre United States videotapes were produced and
for distribution of radio scripts, tapes and used for a highly successful training program
information-Centro para lntercambio for Local Assembly members . The National
Radiof6nico Baha'i de America Latina (CIR- Spiritual Assembly of Hawaii , collaborating
BAL)-was established in E l Salvador and is with the Hand of the Cause William Sears, in
now based in Trinidad; it publishes a periodic 1975 completed thirteen color TV programs
news bulletin entitled Ondas Baha'fs. Three entitled The New World; the series was telecast
international radio and television conferences several times in Hawaii, in Alaska and the
have been held, and radio-television work- United States, and individual videotapes have
shops and seminars have been conducted in had wide usage. The Green Light Expedition
many countries in Latin America, from which film has been extensively shown on TV chanderived the booklet Transmit Thy Knowledge nels in many parts of the world. The crisis in
on Baha'i radio methods. Extensive radio Persia has brought extraordinary opportunities
programs have been in use in Ecuador, Peru, for proclamation of the Faith by television and
Paraguay, Bolivia and the French Antill es, and radio in the western countries.
there are intermittent but continuing radio A fuller report appears in the survey appearprograms in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Belize, ing in Part Three, section IV, subsection 5 of
Trinidad and Tobago , Guyana , the Leeward this volume.
and Virgin Islands, Colombia , Liberia and
other countries. In Africa the Central African D. National Spiritual Assemblies which are
Empire holds the record with its more than Specifically Called upon to hold National
three years of twice-weekly radio broadcasts; Teaching Conferences
earlier it was able to produce many TV pro- The holding of annual National Teaching
grams. In Samoa, Hawaii, A laska and Canada, Conferences was a goal assigned to eighty
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 93

The third annual Baha'( Children's Conference of Guyana, Georgetown, Guyana; March
1977. More than 1, 100 national and regional teaching conferences were held throughout the
Baha'( world during the Five Year Plan in addition to numerous children's conferences.

National Spiritual Assemblies. Reports ~y 117 correspondence courses in four languages;
National Assemblies indicate that more than India reports about 1,000 new believers en-
1,100 National and Regional Teaching Con- rolled annually through correspondence courses
ferences were held during the course of the in nine languages.
Five Year Plan.
F. National Spiritual Assemblies Called upon
The spiritual stimulus imparted at such conto Increasingly Teach and Enrol People
ferences has impelled the believers to greater
from Specific Minorities and Other Groups
efforts to achieve the goals of the Plan. Many
countries have held conferences twice each Enrolment of minorities has been extensive
year, or added a series of regional conferences in many parts of the world, whether or not
and deepening institutes for further enrich- specifically assigned as a goal. Examples
ment and development of the distinctive include Pygmies in Zaire , African refugees in
character of Baha'i life. Portugal, Poles in Switzerland, and Cypriots in
the United Kingdom, Koreans in Samoa ,
E. National Spiritual Assemblies which are to Chinese and ' Bush Pagans' in the Solomons, as
Develop and Conduct Correspondence
well as native tribes in many countries. Espe-
Courses cially successful in reaching many different
Development of correspondence courses for minorities in their countries have been
teaching and deepening was a goal assigned to Australia, Benin, Chad, the Cameroon
fifteen National Spiritual Assemblies; they are Republic, Guyana, Surinam and French
also in use in a number of other countries, some Guiana, and Venezuela . Members of several
of which have been using them for many years. minorities have been enrolled in Afghanistan.
During the Five Year Plan thirty-seven Chile has enrolled nine members of the vanish-
National Spiritual Assemblies have reported ing Alacaluf tribe at the southernmost tip of
on the use of correspondence courses for teach- South America; Fiji reports mass e nrolm ents
ing and/or deepening, for children , youth , in areas of large populations from India, of
adults and families. Seven countries in Latin both Sikh and Hindu backgrounds. Several
America are making good use of a variety of Latin American countries are reaching remote
courses, including some for literacy training. areas through extensive use of radio program-
Pakistan is using a correspondence course for ming in Quechua and Guajira.
youth; Italy has courses for parents and chil- An example of the great value of such minordren. Malaysia and the Philippines each report ity enrolments to the future of the Faith is the
94 THE BAHA'I WORLD

report received that Yugoslavs of A lbanian The practice has been stimulated in Samoa
background, who enrolled in th e Faith in Lux- by the early morning devotional radio broadembourg, have returned to Yugoslavia, so me casts sponsored by the Faith. Early morning
for holidays and some to live. Their homes in prayers are also broadcast by Radio Baha'i
Yugoslavia lie near the border with Albania, Ecuador and some other nationa l comwhich is still a virgin territory for the Faith. munities.
Also among the fundamentally importa nt
H. Miscellaneous
achievements of the Five Year Plan has been
the increasing participation in all as pects of the a. Transfer of the remains of members of the
work of the Cause by native believers around Holy Family of the Bab (assigned to iran)
th e world . Increasingly they are being elected Special circumstances prevailing in the counto adm inistrative bodies; arising as travel- tries of the Middle East have held up the purte achers a nd pioneers, both internationall y suit of this goa l.
a nd on the homefront; represen ting the Faith b. Acquire Ho ly Sites in !ran and 'Iraq (iran)
in proclam ation efforts; contributing in cash, Altho ugh the fo rtress Chihrfq came into the
kind and effort to the Funds of the Faith and to possession of the National Spiritual Assembly
the achieve ment of property goals; and of Iran in 1972, the necessary legal procedures
fulfilling unsung but necessary committee and documents were completed during the
work, translation work, organization of con- Five Year Plan.
ferences, and the like . Their efforts and The title deed fo r that portion of the fort ress
accomplishments have brought great joy to the of Mah-Ku which served as the Bab's prison
Universal House of Justice, and give great has been obtain ed, and this Ho ly Place is now
promise for the futur e of the Faith in their owned by the Baha'i Faith.
countries.
c. Establish an Institute of Higher Studies ofthe
In all , 168 minorities are listed as enro ll ed in
Fa ith (iran)
Africa during the Plan, seventy-seven in the
Americas, sixty-two in Asia , sixty-seven in Th is project was inaugurated at Ric;lvan
1975. Its purpose is to prepare a number of
Australasia, and fifteen in E urope, for a total of
selected believers to pursue adva nced and
389 .
detailed studies about the history , teachings
G. Encourage the Friends to Gather for Early and principles of the Faith and its relationship
Morning Prayers in Their Local Com- with other religions and va rious schoo ls of
munities in Localities Where Such Gather- philosophy and thought. It is intended to be a n
ings Would Fit into the Pattern of the Institute for both study and research. Accord-
Friends' Lives ing to a previous report, the Writings in Persian, Arabic and E ngli sh are being studied in
This goa l was assigned to seventy-two
Nationa l Spiritual Assemblies: thirty-six in this Institute, and there are five instructors and
twenty stude nts. It is hoped that this nucleus
Africa, thirtee n in the A mericas, eight in
will grow in to a very useful Institute which will
Australasia and the Pacific, and fifteen in Asia .
meet the needs of th e Faith in the years to
In all , eighty-eight National Spiritu al
come .
Asse mblies have reported community ga therings for early morning prayers. Reports d. With a view to attracting great numbers to the
received indicate increasing frequency of this Cause, develop intensive teaching and conin spiring and unifying practice in increasing solidation plans in at least three of the States
numbers of local communities, including some visited by 'Abdu'l-Bahd (United States)
in Europe and in other countries which had not In response to the call to develop intensive
been assigned this goa l. Some gatherings are teaching and consol idation pl a ns in at least
sporadic, but the most usual frequency seems three of the States visited by' Abdu' l-Baha durto be weekly, although some communities ing His stay in the United States, the National
re port daily gatherings. In additio n to loca l Spiritual Assembly of that country selected
meetings, some co untries report regular meet- California , praised by the Master for its natural
ings at the National I;Ia~fratu'l-Quds or Tem- splendours and about which He expressed the
ple sites. hope that it would 'earn an ideal similarity with
z
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Maori and Polynesian Baha'(s of New Zealand ga 1hered at the Orakei Marae Meeting House; January, 1979. The Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-
Baha Ruf:ifyyih Khdnum is seen in the centre holding an infant. '°
Ul
96 THE BAHA'I WORLD

the Holy Land'; Illinois, the first place in development of this School at Panchgani, as
America where the Name of Baha' u'llah was follows:
publicly mentioned , and where 'Abdu'l-Baha 1. A multi-purpose building was inauguplaced the foundation stone on the lakefront rated at Naw-ruz 1978.
site where today stands the holiest House of 2. Land has been acquired and approval
Worship in the Baha'i world; and New York, given by the House of Justice on 2 Februon whose great metropolis the Master be- ary 1979 to establish a diploma course for
stowed the title 'City of the Covenant', for it was training teachers at the pre-primary level
there that He explained for the first time in the in the near future.
West the implications of His unique office as 3. A Rural Development Project, financed
Centre of the Covenant of Baha'u'llah. by an individual and designed to improve
To the friends in these three States, the the standard of living of the people in
National Spiritual Assembly gave a high por- villages near the New Era School, was
tion of the numerical goals assigned to the established, and plans are being made in
American Baha'i community-twenty-one per consultation with the donor to further
cent of the 7,000 localities to be raised, thirty expand this project into the appropriate
per cent of the 1,400 Local Spiritual Assem- technology and cottage industries area of
blies to be formed, and forty per cent of the rural development.
Assembly incorporations to be achieved. 4. Children of pioneers from other areas,
e. Assume a major role in promoting the spread particularly the Arabian countries, were
of the Faith in the Far East (Japan) provided with the opportunity to attend
Nine travelling teachers from Japan visited this School.
several areas in Korea during the months of A fuller report appears in Part Three, sec-
December 1975 and January 1976. tion IV, subsections 6 and 7 of this volume.
f Greatly intensify the teaching work along the
Black Sea coast (Turkey) Rabbani School
There are now at least five Local Spiritual This School was re-established in July 1977,
Assemblies and five groups along the Black and is designed to be vocational in atmosphere
Sea coast and the route ofBaha'u'llah's travels . with emphasis placed on agricultural sciences
useful to village development. An academic
g. Develop the New Era and Rabbani Schools
and Baha'i curriculum has been developed ,
and increase the number of village tutorial
poultry and fishery operations have begun, and
schools (India)
extensive landscaping and construction of new
New Era School facilities are planned so that an eventual
Great strides have been made in the enrolment of 300 students will be realized.

Some students of the Ideal Baha'i Primary School, Dharmanager, North Tripura, India, with
the rickshaw which transports them to their classes.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 97

Some students of the Bahti'( Primary School, Tadung, Gangtock, Sikkim. Counsellor Shirin
Boman is seen in the centre, back row, with two members of the staff

Tutorial Schools Commission published World Religions: A
The development of tutorial schools has Handbook for Teachers, a work compiled by
played a great role in the teaching and consoli- the SHAP Working Party on World Religions
dation activities of the Baha'i communities in in Education. This book, in large format, con-
India. At present there are forty-nine such tains six full pages under 'The Baha'i Faith',
schools in operation in that country. comprising an excellent statement prepared by
h. Develop the Baha'i Education Trust recently the National Spiritual Assembly and a list of
established (Iran) Baha'i literature categorized as Primary
This Trust was established in 197 4. Its pur- Sources-the Sacred Writings and works of
pose is to provide earmarked capital, the inter- the Guardian; Secondary Sources-histories,
est of which is to be used in providing scholar- lives of the Founders, exegesis; and Periodicals
ships to deserving students, enabling them to and Leaflets. It is available to all teachers in the
pursue their studies in goal countries. The United Kingdom and at present some 500
amount of capital in this Trust has been gradu- copies have been taken up. The Baha'i friends
ally increasing, and it is hoped that in the near are calling it to the attention of teachers in their
future there will be sufficient funds to satisfac- localities.
torily carry out the purpose for which the Trust k. Cultivate opportunities for courses on the
was created. Faith in Canadian institutions ofhigher learni. Develop the existing Baha'i schools (Sikkim) ing (Canada)
There are two tutorial schools operating in The National Spiritual Assembly of Canada
different parts of the country, both of which formed the Canadian Association for Studies
have brought prestige to the Faith in that land. on the Baha'i Faith as the principal instrumen-
There is also a school located in the capital city tality for meeting this goal. Four national
of Gangtok, which has become very popular annual meetings of the Association have been
and is considered one of the best schools in held, six bilingual Bulletins have been circu-
Sikkim. At present, this school has around 300 lated, and five popular volumes of Baha'i
students. Studies have been issued. The Association has
j. Study and implement as far as possible the use announced the forthcoming publication of a
in schools and colleges of specially prepared new work, under the auspices of the Universite
textbooks on the Faith (United Kingdom) de Montreal , designed to provide an authorita-
This goal, although a continuing one with no tive textbook for studies on the Baha'i Faith in
finality, has got away to a good start and may universities and colleges; the book will appear
certainly be counted as accomplished for the in both French and English. Significant pro-
Five Year Plan . The National Spiritual Assem- gress has been made in introducing formal prebly is represented on a number of government sentations of the Faith in Canadian instituand other agencies dealing with the problem of tions of higher learning.
religious education in schools, and in See also the report appearing in Part Three,
December 1976 the Community Relations section IV, subsection 3 of this volume .
98 THE BAHA'I WORLD

4. SUMMARY OF OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. Increase the Number of Believers, Local Spiritual Assemblies and Localities where Bahli'is
Reside
A major objective of the Five Year Plan was to achieve a 'vast and widespread expansion of the
Baha'i community'. The following tables show the extent to which this goal was achieved.
The number of believers increased by 43 per cent worldwide from June 1974, at the beginning of
the Plan, to April 1979.
Increase In crease
Africa 53% Australasi a 117%
The Americas 27 % Europe 25%
Asia 44%
Local Spiritual Assemblies increased during the same period by 79 per cent, from a total of 14,228
to 25 ,511.
June 1974 April 1979 ln crease
Africa 4,113 5,376 31%
The Americas 3,193 5,752 80%
Asia 6,265 13,163 110%
Australasia 278 583 110%
Europe 379 637 68%
The number of localities increased during the same period by 67 per cent, from 61,815 to
103,323.
June 1974 April 1979 Increase
Africa 13,363 26,111 95%
The Americas 15 ,835 22,577 43%
Asia 29 ,198 49,794 71%
Australasia 1,445 2,376 64%
Europe 1,974 2,465 25%
Many National Spiritual Assemblies were Spiritual Assemblies in Europe have at least
specifically called upon to 'grea tly increase the doubled the number of Local Spiritual
number of believers' from all strata of society. Assemblies. In addition, thirty-six National
A comparison of the figures shown in the tables Assemblies have achieved increases of double
of thi.s report with the first reports received at or more in the number of localities, several by
the beginning of the Five Year Plan show that as much as five-fold. Twenty-seven National
sixty-three National Spiritual Assemblies have Spiritual Assemblies have increased the
at least doubled the number of Local Spiritual number of believers under their jurisdiction by
Assemblies in the territories under their juris- double or more. Nineteen National Spiritual
diction and many of these have achieved much Assemblies have at least doubled their numlarger increases: one National Spiritual bers in all three sets of statistics: eleven in
Assembly has achieved a nine-fold increase, Africa, three in the Americas, two in Asia, two
one a seven-fold increase, one a six-fold in Australasia, and one in Europe (Cyprus).
increase, five have quintupled, six quadrupled, The greatest growth of all has been in Upper
eight tripled, seventeen achieved a two-and- Volta, which has multiplied the number of its
a-half-fold increase, and twenty-four have Local Spiritual Assemblies by nine times, the
doubled the numbers of Local Spiritual number of its localities by twelve times, and the
Assemblies under their jurisdiction. Of these, number of believers by more than eighteen
all but three of the National Spiritual Assem- times. The National Spiritual Assembly of the
blies in Africa, half of the National Spiritual Hawaiian Islands entered the Plan with Local
Assemblies in the Americas and more than Spiritual Assemblies in every possible locality;
one-third of the National Assemblies of Asia, during the Plan Singapore also reached the
all but two of the National Spiritual Assemblies maximum number of Local Spiritual Assemin Australasia, and two of the National blies possible within its area of jurisdiction.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 99
BAHA'fS IN THE GENERAL Partially Achieved: Austria, 8 of 9 Prov-
POPULATION inces; Guatemala, 19 of 22 Departments;
Netherlands, 10 of 11 Provinces; Philippine
The following percentages have been calcu-
Islands , 49 of 74 Provinces; Sweden, 21 of
lated using the number of believers reported to
24 Lan
the World Centre as of 20 April 1979 in each
country's final Five Year Plan report, and the -Establish a Local Spiritual Assembly in the
most recent population statistics avai lable to capital city of each Province:
the Statistics Department. Where no report of Partially Achieved: Costa Rica, 6 of 7 Provnumber of believers was sent, the last availab le inces
figure has been used. Ten countries or ter- -Establish at least 4 Local Spiritual Assemritories, as listed below, have a Baha'i popula- blies in Cantons previously without any:
tion exceeding one per cent of the genera l Achieved: Switzerland
population. In addition, Alaska shows more -Establish Local Spiritual Assemblies in
than 0.99 per cent and Bolivia 0.95 per cent. tribal areas:
Gi lbert Islands & Tuvalu Nationa l Assembly Specific Goal Achieved
8.77%
Sikkim 2.98% Australia 3 in aboriginal areas 7
Marshall Is. 2.58% Botswana 3 in Bushman areas 8 +
Solomon Is. 2.05 o/o U nited States 25 on Indian
Belize 2.03% Reservations 31
Tonga 1.86% Zaire 5 amo ng Pygmies 21+
Falkland Is. 1.37% -Establish Local Spiritual Assemblies in
Caroline Is. 1.37% specified places:
Samoa 1.20% National Assembly Specific Goal Achieved
Swaziland 1.03 o/o Denmark 1 in Bornholm 1 group
Ecuador 1 in Galapagos
2. Strive to have the Baha'i Community repre- Islands 2
sented broadly across the geographical areas Finland 1 in Lappland 1
of national jurisdiction France 6 in named areas 2
SPECIFIC TEACHING GOALS Spain 1 each in 5 named
areas 4
-Establish at least 10 Local Spiritual Assem- Venezuela 4 on Isla Margarita 4
blies in each Province: 1 each on Aruba &
Achieved: Zaire Bona ire 1
Partially Achieved: Kenya, 6 of 7 Provinces -Establish groups in towns and major villages
-Establish at least 4 Local Spiritual Assem- visited by Baha'u'llah (Turkey):
blies in each State: Partially Achieved: 5 Local Spiritual
Partially Achieved: Germany, 9 of 11 States Assemblies and 5 groups established among
18 towns and villages
- Establish at least 2 Local Spiritual Assem- -Open all localities:
blies in each major ad ministrative unit of the Achieved: United Kingdom
country: Partially Achieved: Mauritius, 175 of 237
Achieved: Belize and Jamaica localities
Partially Achieved: Colombia, 31 of 32
-Establish from one to three localities in each
administrative units
Province, Department, County or other
-Establish at least one Local Spiritual national administrative unit:
Assembly in each major administrative unit of Achieved: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile,
the country: Rwanda. Uganda reported achievement in
Achieved: Argentina, Belgium, Central 1977 before disruption of local conditions.
African Empire, Chile, Ecuador, Fiji, Mex- No recent report has been received.
ico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, Partially Achieved: Denmark, 10 of 14
Singapore, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Counties; France, 53 of 96 Departments;
Venezuela, Rwanda Norway, 18of19 Counties
100 THE BAHA'f WORLD

'Erena Roe', a 40-foot catamaran built in Kiribati and Tuvalu for use in teaching the Bahd'{
Faith throughout the islands. The vessel, launched in April 1977, was named for Elena and
Roy Fernie, Knights of Bahd'u'llah for the Gilbert Islands. Jn the foreground are seen John
Thurston (left) and Terimwi Tonga (right) who operate the vessel.

-Open all populated islands to the Faith: report that the number of believers in
Achieved: Mariana Islands; Tonga; Marshall Tuvalu is more than doubled.
Islands Switzerland opened four specified Can-
Partially Achieved: Caroline Islands, 35 of tons, two of which now have more than
43 islands; Solomon Islands reports efforts, fifteen localities.
but no specific report has been received;
Samoa has not reported. 3. Provide for the efficient and rapid dissemination of news and messages
-Raise number of major islands opened to the
Faith to 9: During the course of the Five Year Plan,
Achieved: Fiji Islands, with 11 reported publication of various kinds of newsletters and
opened bulletins increased from 149 published by
-Many National Spiritual Assemblies were ninety-three National Spiritual Assemblies in
requested to open or increase the number of 1974 to 176 published by 101 National
localities in a variety of tribal, minority, or Spiritual Assemblies in 1979. These include
other specified areas. Among achievements special bulletins for women, children and
reported are these: youth, as well as multiple editions in more than
Chad established several new localities in one language of the country. Some National
northern and desert region tribal areas. Spiritual Assemblies also report publication of
Kenya established the Faith on at least Nineteen Day Feast letters or newsletters,
two islands in Lake Victoria. sometimes including readings prepared for the
Norway established a Local Assembly in Feast, in four or five languages.
the Lofoten Islands and increased their In addition, some National Spiritual
localities to 40 , including Spitzbergen. Assemblies have been able to disseminate
India reports the establishment of many news of meetings, elections, special visitors,
new localities and increased teaching and the like through the use of spot announceactivities in 11 specified areas. ments on local or national radio stations. A full
Papua New Guinea increased the level of report of the use of radio and television during
teaching activity in the Highlands of New the Five Year Plan is included elsewhere in this
Guinea. There are now 22 Assemblies and report.
135 localities in the area. See also Part Three, section IV, subsection 5
The Gilbert Islands (Kiribati) and Tuvalu of this volume.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 101
4. Increase the Publication and Dissemination Some National Spiritual Assemblies are also
of Baha'i Literature beginning to prepare materials for literacy
training, in such languages as Guajiro
During the course of the Five Year Plan,
(Ecuador) and Sidamigna (Ethiopia).
literature has been published in more than 185
A detailed listing of language accomplishlanguages, approximately thirty of them for the
ments will be found in the bibliographic section
first time, including the production of such
of this volume.
materials as pamphlets and books for use in
Where necessary, National Spiritual
teaching activities, in deepening and in chil-
Assemblies were assisted from the Literature
dren's classes; selected prayers and short selec-
Subvention Fund for the purchase or publications for memorization, and scholarly works
tion of essential literature and its distribuand compilations of the Sacred Texts. The
tion-often at prices below cost-to reinforce
World Centre library reports that it has a total
their teaching, consolidation, and deepening
inventory of 1,380 titles in 279 languages other
objectives.
than English, of which 937 titles in 135 languages were received at the World Centre dur-
5. Baha'i Communities at present dependent
ing the Five Year Plan.
on outside help to aim at becoming financi-
In addition, translations have been made but
ally self-supporting
not yet published in more than 150 languages,
of which at least sixty are first translations in In 197 4, 64 per cent of all National Spiritual
that language . Translations into nearly sixty Assemblies received all or part of their
languages have been recorded on tape in pre- national budgets from international Baha'i
paration for dissemination in areas where funds (74 of 115 National Spiritual Assemmany of the friends cannot read, or in lan- blies). By the 1978-9 budget year, this figure
guages which as yet have no writing system. was reduced to 52 per cent of all National

I K l ' i -AB- 1 - i Q_.\N

l l , l , ' · 1 . 1 __, , ,

A handsome edition of Baha'u'llah's Kitab-i-fqan, translated from Shoghi Effendi's English
into Xhosa by Robert Mazibuko, was produced by the National Spiritual Assembly of South
and West Africa in the closing months of the Five Year Plan. More than 900 titles, in 135
languages, were received at the World Centre during the Plan.
102 THE BAHA'f WORLD

In Africa, twenty-eight National Spiritual
Assemblies report extension teaching by Local
Spiritual Assemblies, including over 200 Local
Assemblies in Kenya, and fifty or more in
South and West Africa.
In the Americas, twenty-one National
Spiritual Assemblies report such extension
teaching, including more than thirty Local
Spiritual Assemblies in Brazil, twenty-seven in
Ecuador, and twenty-five in Honduras.
In Asia, such extension teaching is reported
by sixteen National Spiritual Assemblies,
including 139 Local Spiritual Assemblies in
Korea .
In Australasia, nine of ten National Spiritual
Assemblies report extension teaching goals
adopted, including all Local Spiritual Assemblies in Australia and fifteen in the Solomon
Islands.
In Europe, ten National Spiritual Assemblies report extension teaching by Local
His Majesty Sobhuza II, King of Swaziland, Assemblies under their jurisdiction, including
accepts from Dr. M. Ahmadi of lnin an twelve Local Spiritual Assemblies in Switzerilluminated Baha'f prayer for unity. Dr. land .
Ahmadi was a principal speaker at the dedication on 15 April 1979 of a new interdenominational church at Lobamba, Swazi- 7. Foster cordial relations with people of promland. More than 10,000 people attended the inence and those in authority.
event, sponsored by His Majesty as one Seize opportunites to increase the recognimeans of encouraging unity among the tion of the Faith through the incorporation of
people in his country. Spiritual Assemblies and the recognition of
Baha'i Marriage Certificates and of Baha'i
Spiritual Assemblies (66 of 126 National
Holy Days
Spiritual Assemblies).
To assist National Spiritual Assemblies The boundary between these two types of
whose goals required funds exceeding their activity is not clear-cut, and many activities
resources, the Universal House of Justice allo- reported from around the world involve both
cated special amounts to facilitate construction 'fostering cordial relations' and various kinds
of J:la'.?iratu' l- Quds, to finance special teaching of recognition, both legal and otherwise, some
projects, and for use in subvention of literature of which result directly from these efforts.
and audio-visual materials. In addition, Meetings of various kinds with the authorities,
through inter-Assembly collaboration assign- and with prominent persons in other fields,
ments, eighty-one National Spiritual Assem- which have been reported to the World Centre,
blies provided financial assistance to their sister range from meetings with village chiefs, some-
Assemblies throughout the world for major times to obtain permission for teaching in their
achievements of the Plan . localities, to meetings by travelling international dignitaries of the Faith with ruling
sovereigns, other heads of government, and
6. Extension teaching goals to be adopted by or
members of their immediate families. Innumassigned to an increasing number of Local
erable interviews are reported from almost
Spiritual Assemblies
every national community, and they are
Reports received indicate increasing under- increasing rapidly as the Faith comes more and
standing throughout the Baha'i world of the more to public notice. Only the highlights can
importance of such extension teaching goals. be reported here.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 103
Of particular interest in this regard is the
systematic five-phase program organized in
Australia, in each phase of which groups contact certain types of authorities, the press, and
other influential persons at national, regional
and local levels. The response to these interviews has generally been very favourable, with
such remarks reported as 'Our country needs
these principles', and invitations to share them
as widely as possible.
Legal incorporations, both national and
local, have been reported elsewhere in this
report. Tax exemption has been granted to the
Faith during the Plan in Kenya, India, Fiji,
New Zealand, Madagascar, Argentina, Costa
Rica, and Malaysia, and an import licence was
granted to the Faith in Ghana. In the Sudan,
permission has been granted to the National
Spiritual Assembly to appoint a representative
for dealing with the courts in matters of Baha'i
inheritance. Recognition of the Baha'i marriage ceremony as fulfilling legal marriage
requirements has been achieved in Belize,
Denmark, Italy, Scotland, and New Hebrides. Mrs . Dorothy Francis, a Salteaux Indian
In Canada the Baha'i Shrine in Montreal has Bahd'{, was awarded the Order of Canada in
received official government designation as a April 1978 for her services to Canadian
Sanctuaire, and in the United States the Baha'i Indians and her efforts to preserve their
culture.
House of Worship has been entered in the
official Register of Historic Sites. In Pakistan,
Turkey, and the Solomon Islands the Faith has Association); Leo Reano Memorial Award
been recognized as a separate minority relig- (National Education Association)
ion; in Turkey, Baha'ls may have their Faith Canada
listed in their identity cards; and in the Sol- Mrs. Dorothy Francis: Order of Canada (for
omons, the Faith was listed as a separate entry services to Canadian Indians)
in the 1977 national census. Baha'i Holy Days El Salvador
have been gazetted in Malaysia, and in Tonga Baha'i Community of El Salvador: United
the National Spiritual Assembly has been Nations Peace Medal
certified as a permanent member of the Hospi- Papua New Guinea
tal Board of Visitors-a certification limited to Mrs. El ti Kunak: British Empire Medal (for
the heads of various faiths. Baha'i symbols work with women's clubs)
have been registered as official trademarks in United Kingdom
the Cameroons , the Central African Empire, Mr. Bernard Leach: Companion of Honour
and in Iceland. Mr. Norman Bailey: Commander of the
An increasing number of individual Baha'is Order of the British Empire
around the world are receiving official honours Dr. Richard St. Barbe Baker: Order of the
from national and local governments and pro- British Empire (for lifelong service to the cause
fessional organizations, in recognition of their of conservation)
outstanding contributions in many fields. United States
Among those which have been reported to the Mr. Robert Hayden: Appointed Consultant
World Centre are included the following: in Poetry to the Library of Congress
Alaska Dr. Dorothy Nelson: Pax Orbis Ex Jure
Mr. Raymond Hudson: Willard Bowman Medallion Award (Centre Associates , World
Award for Human Rights (Alaska Education Peace Through Law Centre)
104 THE BAHA'I WORLD

In a few instances, authorities are beginning ous countries, and the Faith has figured in symto turn to the institutions of the Faith-for posia at universities in Canada and Sweden.
example, in Zaire the National Spiritual Germany: Dr. Udo Schaefer's The Light
Assembly, among other bodies, was invited to Shineth in Darkness (George Ronald, Pubcomment on proposed changes in the educa- lisher) was enthusiastically reviewed in Choice,
tional system. a publication of the Association of College and
Especially interesting is the number of edu- Research Libraries (a division of the American
cational institutions which have granted per- Library Association) as an 'exceptionally
mission and even invited the Baha'is to offer informative ... well expressed, scholarly preregular classes on the Baha'i Faith, at elemen- sentation' of the Baha'i Faith and recomtary, high school, and university levels. mended as 'a valuable holding for a wide range
Reports have been received from Jamaica, of libraries.'
where the official curriculum calls upon stu- United States: Mr. John Huddleston's This
dents in government high schools and teacher- Earth is But One Country (Baha'i Publishing
training colleges to investigate the Faith; from Trust of the United Kingdom) was selected by
Nigeria, where the Faith has been added to the Choice magazine as one of the outstanding
curriculum of the Department for Religious academic books of 1979. The reviewer found it
Studies at the University of Ife; and from the to be 'an unsurpassed ... presentation of the
United States, where credit courses on the Faith for general adult reading ... a superbly
Faith have been offered at prestigious Prince- written account.' Choice is published monthly
ton University. Similar reports have also been and reaches 'virtually every two-year, fourreceived from the Gilbert Islands, New Zea- year and university academic library in the
land, the Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, and United States and Canada, as well as many
Tonga. Special studies and theses on the Faith foreign subscribers and non-academic lihave been accepted by six universities in vari- braries.'

Mr. Eric Bowes (centre), while Mrs. Bowes lo9ks on, receives congratulations from the Hon.
David Tonkin, Opposition Leader of Australia's Parliament, on the dedication of a library
named in honour of Mr. Bowes, at Urrbrae Agricultural High School near Adelaide. Mr.
Bowes, for years a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia, and now an
Auxiliary Board member, served the school for over 30 years. He was cited for his energy,
devotion and humility.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 105
8. Special Achievements travel teachers from Sweden.
LIECHTENSTEIN: 'We joyfully announce Reported July 1977
the declaration of the first native Liechtenstein (The opening of Lithuania to the Faith was a
Baha'i, Miss Edith Sprenger .. .' goal assigned to Sweden.)
Reported by the National Spiritual FIJI: ' ... the village elders visited the Confer-
Assembly of Switzerland, 4 July 1974 ence and, during a formal Fijian ceremony,
CHILE: 'We are very happy to announce that announced that, following a village meeting,
in June, one of our pioneers ... travelled to the Baha'i Faith was to be included as one of
Port Eden . . . in the extreme south of the official permitted religions on the island.
Chile .... This is the only place where there The elders were aware of the Baha'i teachings
are Alacalufe Indians, a tribe that has been and were very happy with the tremendous
driven into isolation and near extinction, and interest being shown in the Faith by the villaout of the 25 persons of this race who are left, gers. A momentous event.'
nine became Baha'is .. .' Reported August 1977
Reported September 1974 ECUADOR: 'During a travel-teaching trip
(Enrolment ofthis tribe and translation oflitera- last fall, two believers from Ecuador estabture into their language were goals assigned to lished the first two Local Spiritual Assemblies
Chile.) in the Galapagos Islands, a small archipelago
off the western coast of South America and a
ALASKA: 'Happy report Local Spiritual possession of Ecuador. Several other localities
Assembly formed in Barro~, northernmost vil- were also opened to the Faith during their
lage in Alaska.' stay.'
Reported 13January1976 Reported 25 March 1978
MALAYSIA: 'Grateful Blessed Beauty com- INDIA: 'Happy inform all villages Dang tnbal
pleted goals Assemblies total 404 localities district have Local Assemblies, numbering
1,600 I:Ia'.?fratu'l-Quds East Malaysia ex- 312.'
ceeded, few West, two finalized three in Reported 16 May 1978
process, new believers during six months 4,000, 'Happy inform progress since Ric;lvan over
consultation Hands Counsellors launching new 65,000 believers, over 2,500 localities includfive months plan , submitting international ing 161 Assemblies ... .'
travel-teaching possibilities, beseeching Reported 6 December 1978
prayers. Deepest love.' ZAIRE: 'A total of 1,528 Baha'is from 206
Reported 18 November 1976
different Local Assembly areas attended a
(This National Spiritual Assembly was the first
Regional Teaching Conference held 23-25
to report completion of all Five Year Plan
December in Kivu Province ... One delegagoals.) tion of over a dozen Baha'fs walked to the
SWEDEN: Sweden reports the opening of Conference from their home village, a journey
Lithuania to the Faith by the declaration of a of 14 days in each direction.'
Lithuanian believer through the efforts of Reported 28 January 1979
106 THE BAHA'f WORLD

5. EXP ANSI ON AND CONSOLIDATION OF THE
BAHA'I FAITH INCLUDING THE PERIOD OF
THE FIVE YEAR PLAN
INFORMATION STATISTICAL AND COMPARATIVE
Ri{lvtin 1973 Ri(ivtin 1979
Countries, significant territories and islands where the
Ba ha'i Faith is established ................. . ... . 335 360
National Spiritual Assemblies .. .. . ............... . 113 130
Incorporated National Spiritual Assemb lies ... .. .. . . 90 106
Nationa l I:J a'.?iratu' l- Quds (headquarters of national
Baha'i administrative activity) ........ . .... ..... . 112 129
National Endowments ....................... . .. . 104 156
Baha'i Temples (Mafil}riqu ' l- Adhkar) ......... . ... . 5 5
Sites for fut ure Ba ha'i Temples ... . ...... . .. . ... . . . 98 123
Baha'i P ublishing Trusts ... ....... ....... ..... . .. . 15 23
Languages into which Baha'i li terature has been translated . .. .... .. ............. .. .. ..... ......... . 530 640
Indigenous tribes, races, and e thnic groups represented
in the Baha'i Faith (estimated) ................. . 1,607 1,8 20
Countries recognizing Baha'i Holy Days ... . .... . . . . 64 64 1
Countries recognizing Baha'i marriage ... . . .. . .. .. . 40 40 1
Locali ties where Baha'is reside ........ ... .... .... . 69,541 103 ,323
Isolate d centres or groups . . . . .. . ... ..... . . . . . . .. . 52,133 77,812
Local Spiritua l Assembl ies ......... . . .... . . . . . . .. . 17,037 25,511
Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies .. ... . ..... . 1,556 2,099
A. AFRICA
Ri(ivtin 1973 Ri(ivtin 1979
Countries, significant territories and islands where the
Baha'i Faith is established . . ... ..... ...... ..... . 66 70
National Spiritual Assemblies . . . .. . .. . ... ... .. ... . 30 37
Incorporated National Spiritual Assemblies .. . . .... . 25 31
National I:Ja'.?iratu'l-Quds (headquarters of national
Baha'i admin istrative activity) . .. .. . .... . ... . .. . . 31 35
Nationa l Endowments ..... . ...... . .. . .. ... ... .. . 29 40
Baha'i Temples (Mafil}riqu'l-Adhkar) .. . . . . . .. .. .. . 1 1
Sites for future Baha'i Temples . . ..... .... ....... . . 26 32
Baha'i Publishing Trusts . . ............ . . .. ....... . 1 1
Lang uages into wh ich Baha'i literature has been translated ..... . . .. ...... . .......... . .... .. . . ..... . 160 212
Indigeno us tribes, races and ethnic gro ups represented
in the Baha'i Faith ...... . .... . ....... .... . . ... . 1,012 1,120
Countries recognizing Baha'i Holy Days .......... . . 11 11 1
Countries recogni zing Baha'i marriage . . ......... . . 7 71
Localities where Baha'is reside . . ..... . .. ... .. . . .. . 15 ,245 26,111
Isolated centres or groups ... .. .... . .. . ...... ·. . .. . 10,047 20,735
Local Spiritual Assemblies ............ . .. .. .. . ... . 4,990 5,376
Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies . . .. . . . . .. . . 142
C urrentl y under review.
' In view of the events in a few countries in Africa during the period under review, such as Uganda and the Congo Rep ublic,
a nd the uncertainty created by these difficulties for the followers of the Faith, exact figure s for this entry are not avai lable.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 107
B. THE AMERICAS

Rit;lvan 1973 Rit;ivan 1979
Countries, significant territories and islands where the
Baha'i Faith is established . . . . . . .... . . ......... . 97 100
National Spiritual Assemblies .. . . . .. ... . . . ...... . . 30 33
Incorporated National Spiritual Assemblies ..... ... . 29 30
National I:Ia?iratu' l-Quds (headquarters of national
Baha'i administrative activity) ... . .. .. . . . ..... . . . 29 34
National Endowments .... . . .. . . .... . .. . ....... . . 28 31
Baha'i Temples (Mashriqu'l-Adhkar) ...... . ...... . 2 2
Sites for future Baha'i Temples ........ . ... . .. . ... . 26 30
Baha'i Publishing Trusts . . . . .. . . ...... . .......... . 3 3
Languages into which Baha'i literature has been translated .. .... ....... . . . .. . . ... .. . . .. . .. ........ . 91 123
Indigenous tribes, races and ethnic groups represented
in the Baha'i Faith ....... . . ................... . 234 275
Countries recognizing Baha'f Holy Days .......... . . 23 23 1
Countries recognizing Baha'i marriage ..... .. .... . . 10 10 1
Localities where Baha'is reside ........ . ... . ..... . . 15,860 22,577
Isolated centres or groups . . . . . . ................. . 12,548 16,8 25
Local Spiritu al Assemblies . . . ... .. .. . . . . ... .. . ... . 3,234 5,752
Incorporated Local Spiritual Assembli es ........... . 522 906

c. ASIA
Rit;ivan 1973 Rit;lvan 1979
Countries, significant territories and islands where the
Baha'i Faith is established .................. . .. . 70 75
National Spiritual Assemblies ......... ... .. . ..... . 25 27
Incorporated National Spiritual Assemblies .. . ..... . 13 15
National I:Ia?fratu'l-Quds (headquarters of national
Baha'i administrative activity) ..... . ........ . ... . 25 26
National Endowments ........... .. .... ......... . 22 53
Baha'i Temples (Mashriqu'l-Adhkar) ............. .
Sites for future Baha'i Temples .......... . .. .. ... . . 21 26
Baha'i Publishing Trusts ... . ..................... . 5 9
Languages into wh ich Baha'i literature has been translated . .. .... .... ..................... .. · · · · · · · 160 171
Indigenous tribes, races and ethnic groups represented
in the Baha'i Faith ............ .... .. .. . ....... . 261 300
Countries recognizing Baha'i Holy Days .... . ...... . 10 10 1
Countries recognizing Baha'i marriage ........ .. . . . 9 91
Localities where Baha'is reside ................... . 34 ,892 49 ,597
Isolated centres or groups .... . ......... ... . . .... . 28,816 36,511
Local Spiritual Assemblies ................. . .. . .. . 8,029 13,086
Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies ........ . . . . 689 712

Currently under review.
108 THE BAHA ' I WORLD

D. AUSTRALASIA AND THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
Rit;lvan 1973 Rifivan 1979
Countries, significant territories and islands where the
Baha'i Faith is established ..... . . .. .. ....... .. . . 33 40
National Spiritual Assemblies ........ .. .. .. ...... . 11 14
Incorporated National Spiritual Assemblies . ... ... . . 9 14
National I:Ia~ratu'l-Quds (headquarters of national
Baha'i administrative activity) . .. .. . . ... . .. ... . . . 10 15
National Endowments .... .. . . .. . .. . . .... ....... . 8 13
Baha'i Temples (Mashriqu'l-Adhkar) . . . . . . . ... . . . . 1 1
Sites for future Baha'i Temples . ..... . . . ..... . . . .. . 9 12
Baha'i Publishing Trusts .. . . .. . . .. .. . . ... ..... . .. . 2
Languages into which Baha'i literature has been translated .. . ... . .. .. .. ........... . .... .. .. .. ..... . 66 77
Indigenous tribes, races and ethnic groups represented
in the Baha'i Faith .... . ........ . .... . . . ... .. .. . 78 108
Countries recognizing Baha'i Holy Days . . . . ... .... . 10 10 1
Countries recognizing Baha'i marriage . .. ...... . .. . 10 10 1
Localities where Baha'is reside . ... . .......... . ... . 1,456 2,573
Isolated centres or groups ... . . .. .. ..... . . . .. ... . . 1,049 1,913
Local Spiritual Assemblies .... . . .. ...... . . . . . . . . . . 379 660
Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies . ........ . . . 76 151

E. EUROPE

Riff van 1973 Riff van 1979
Countries, significant territories and islands where the
Baha'i Faith is established ... . ......... . ... . ... . 69 75
National Spiritual Assemblies .. .. . .. ... . ... . . . . . . . 17 19
Incorporated National Spiritual Assemblies . .. ... . . . 15 16
National I:Ia~fratu'l-Quds (headquarters of national
Baha'i administrative activity) . . . . . .... . . .. .... . . 17 19
National Endowments ... . . . . ... . . . ... . . .. . ..... . 17 19
Baha'i Temples (Mashriqu'l-Adhkar) .... . . . ... . . . . 1 1
Sites for future Baha'i Temples .. . ...... ... .. . . .. . . 16 18
Baha'i Publishing Trusts .. . . . ... . ...... ....... . . . . 6 8
Languages into which Baha'i literature has been translated ........ . ..... . . . ...... .. . . .. .. .. .. . . .. . . 53 57
Indigenous tribes, races and ethnic groups represented
in the Baha'i Faith ... . ... . . . . ... . . ... ......... . 22 22
Countries recognizing Baha'i Holy Days . . . . . ...... . 10 10 1
Countries recognizing Baha'i marriage ... .. .. . . . . . . 4 41
Localities where Baha'is reside . ... . .. .. .......... . 2,088 2,465
Isolated centres or groups ........ . . ... .......... . 1,673 1,828
Local Spiritual Assemblies .. .. . .. . . .. .. .. . .. . .. . . . 405 637
Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies . .. . . . ... . . . 127 252

Currently under re view.
III
EIGHT INTERNATIONAL TEACHING
CONFERENCES
1. ARISE!-A PICTORIAL REPORT 1

The urgent need for Baha'(s to arise to teach
the Cause of Bahd'u'llah was th e theme of the
eight international teaching conferences called
by the Universal House of Justice. The
acrostic 'A rise-Reach-lndividual-Souls-
Everywhere' provides the title of this report.
More than 14,500 Bahd'fs from all parts of
the world attended the conferences.

The purposes of the conferences, as stated by
the Universal House of Justice, were to
familiarize the Baha'[s with the general
progress of the Five Year Plan, to bring to
their attention what remained to be achieved
and to present the Baha'i world community
with opportunities for proclamation and
teaching which would lend impetus to the
progress of the Plan.

Eight Hands of the Cause were chosen to
represent the Universal House of Justice at
these conferences. In view of the association of
her distinguished mother, May Maxwell, with
the very early history of the Faith in Paris, it
was particularly fitting that Amatu'l-Bahd
Rufifyyih Khanum was the representative at
the conference in that city.

Dr. Ugo Giachery was the representative in
Helsinki.

Adapted from a programme for slides and filmstrip
prepared under the direction of the Audio-Vis ual
Department of the Baha'i World Centre and released
through the International Bahii'f Audio-Visual Centre,
Victor, New York . Copyright © 1977 National Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahii'fs of the United States.
110 THE BAHA'i WORLD

At Hong Kong the representative was
'AU-Akbar Furutan.

Paul Haney and Enoch Olinga attended the
Bahia and Merida conferences. Mr. Haney
was the representative at Merida and Mr.
Olinga at Bahia.

William Sears represented the Universal
House of Justice at the conference held in
Nairobi.

Collis Featherstone was the representative at
Anchorage ...
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 111

... and at Auckland, Abu'l-Qasim Faizi,
seen here with some of the youth, was the
representative of the Universal House of
Justice.

Most members of the Continental Boards of
Counsellors attended one or more of the
conferences. Seen here is Yan Kee Leong, a
member of the Continental Board of
Counsellors in South-east Asia, who was
present at the Hong Kong conference.

There were many long-time pioneers at the
various conferences, including Zylpha Mapp
and Claire Cung, shown here at Nairobi.

There were also young pioneers including
Hakan and Mas Britt Cullsberg, who
pioneered from Sweden to Chad.
112 THE BAHA'I WORLD

There were distinguished Bahti'{s who have
achieved world recognition in their chosen
fields, including 'the man of the trees', Dr.
Richard St. Barbe Baker, seen here in
attendance at the Nairobi conference . ..

. . . and the renowned artisl John Birks
'Dizzy' Gillespie who performed at the
Helsinki conference and made a video tape
which was played later on Finnish television.

Representatives of many races and tribes
came from all over the world to attend these
great assemblages. Seen here are Navajo and
Oneida Indians from North America who
attended the Helsinki conference.

To the various conferences were drawn Maya
Indians from the Yucatan . ..
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 113

.. . Indians from the Altiplano of Bolivia . ..

. .. tribesmen from Swaziland ...

. . . Chinese believers from South-east Asia.

. .. and Eskimo Baha'[s from Alaska.
114 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Large numbers of those attending the
conferences came from iriin, the cradle of the
Baha'[ Faith. The Paris conference held
during the first week of August 1976
attracted an attendance of 6,230 Baha'fs and
was the largest international conference since
the World Congress held in 1963 in London
to commemorate the formal assumption by
Baha'u'llah of His Prophetic Office one
hundred years earlier and the victorious
consummation of the Ten Year Crusade.

During the first week of July 1976 Baha'fs
from many nations gathered in Finlandia
Hall in Helsinki for the first of two Arctic
conferences.

The Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery
presented Mayor Teuvo Aura of Helsinki
with an inscribed copy of The Baha'i World.
Mayor Aura cordially welcomed the Baha'fs
to Helsinki.

Dr. Giachery was interviewed by a radio
reporter and the programme was aired
throughout Finland. The conference was
reported and publicized, as well, in the press
and national magazines. Shown here are
some of the Bahti'[s who were present at the
conference.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 115

On the morning of 6 July the conference was
formally opened and Dr. Giachery read the
message of the Universal House of Justice in
which the Baha'fs were reminded that the
northern regions of the world had been
alluded to by Bahti'u'lldh in the
Kitab-i-Aqdas, the 'mother book' of the
Baha'i revelation ...

. .. and their names recorded in the Tablets
of the Divine Plan by 'Abdu'l-Baha, Who, in
one of His other Tablets, supplicated God to
raise up sanctified, pure and spiritual souls
in the countries of the West and the
territories of the North, and make them
signs of (Divine) guidance ...

The first of many speakers was Adib
Taherzadeh of the Continental Board of
Counsellors in Europe who spoke about the
devotion and self-sacrifice of some of the
early teachers of the Faith. The faith that
animated these heroes animates the
present-day followers of Bahti'u'lltih who
truly love Him, he said.

Dr. and Mrs. Giachery paid a visit to the
children's classes during the conference. The
visit was a source of immense mutual
happiness. A concert was provided by
Rouhanieh Golmohammadi, a soprano of
exquisite voice, who presented prayers of
Bahti'u'llah set to music by her gifted
accompanist, Mr. Lasse Thoresen . On
another occasion the North Star singing
group performed.
116 THE BAHA't WORLD

Three weeks later more than 1,000 Bahti'{s
assembled in the second Arctic conference
which was held in Anchorage, Alaska situated
almost directly across the North Pole from
Helsinki.

The symbol adopted for the conference,
consisting of the words 'Alaska Bahti'('
superimposed on a map of Alaska backed by
a nine-pointed star, served as the backdrop
and also appeared on programmes, posters,
folios and flight bags. The theme of the
conference was 'From Strength to Strength'.

The Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone
read the message of the Universal House of
Justice which reminded the assembled Bahti'(s
that sixty years earlier 'Abdu'l-Bahti had
summoned the North American believers to
open the remote and inhospitable regions
which form the climatic frontiers of the Arctic
and the sub-Arctic.

The Hand of the Cause William Sears made it
clear that divine bounties and bestowals are
the reward of those who arise to serve. Other
speakers included the Hand of the Cause John
Robarts; Edna True and Velma Sherrill of the
Continental Board of Counsellors in North
America; and Hideya Suzuki of Japan, a
member of the Continental Board of
Counsellors in North-east Asia.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 117

On the lighter side there was an abundance of
good entertainment including native Indian
and Eskimo dancing and songs by the
Windflower group and the Jin-ai singers.

England Dan and John Ford Coley,
internationally known popular entertainers,
also performed and lovely songs were
presented by the Shfraz group.

Afterwards, native believers, filled with the
happy spirit generated by the conference,
convened as the Bahti'( Native Council and
expressed their wish to assume responsibility
for teaching their own peoples, the Indians
and Eskimos.

Paris, a city thrice visited by 'Abdu'l-Bahti,
and one rich in memories of the early days of
the Faith in the West, was the venue for the
third conference.
118 THE BAHA 'f WORLD

Early in August 1976 Bahti'{s from all o'ver
the world gathered at the official headquarters
across the street from the Palais de Congres
where the conference sessions were held.

The main auditorium proved not large enough
to accommodate the Baha'fs who attended the
conference. Arrangements had been made,
however, for the believers who could not find
seating in the main hall to watch the
proceedings over closed-circuit television in
adjacent rooms.

Amatu'l-Baha Ruf:ityyih Khtinum held a press
conference at Hotel Meridien. Representatives
of several newspapers and news services were
present.

The conference officially opened on 4 August
with the reading, by Amatu'l-Bahti Ruf:iiyyih
Khanum, of the message of the Universal
House of Justice. The message recalled the
visits of'Abdu'l-Baha which 'alone outshine
in historical importance anything in the long
history of France'. The Secretary-General of
the United Nations, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, sent
a special message of greeting to the Bahti'ts
assembled in Paris. 1

' See p. 140 for text .
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 119

At one session members of the National
Spiritual Assemblies represented at the
conference were asked to come to the
platform. A total offifty-five National
Spiritual Assemblies-almost half the world
total-were represented.

Classes were held each morning for children
between the ages of six and twelve and a
nursery was provided for younger children.

The Kenyatta Centre in Nairobi was the site of
the fourth of the eight conferences; it was held
in October 1976.

As the friends assembled they were informed
by the Hand of the Cause William Sears that
at that very moment the Universal House of
Justice was linked with them in prayer at the
Holy Shrines.
120 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Mr. Sears then read the message of the
Universal House of Justice which reminded
the friends that the privileged continent of
Africa, 'rich in cherished associations, has
reached its present stage of growth through
countless feats of heroism and dedication'.

The Hand of the Cause John Robarts, who
returned to African soil to travel and teach
after many years of service in the western
hemisphere, spoke of the need to develop
Baha'{ characteristics in our lives and to
demonstrate unity in our communities.

The Hand of the Cause Enoch Oligna and
Mrs. Olinga are seen talking with Mrs . Valerie
Allen and Miss Loava Carter during an
intermission.

As in all conferences, entertainment was
provided in abundance. A singing group from
Swaziland is seen here.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 121

There are many different colours in
Bahci'u'llcih's human flower garden as this
view of the friends illustrates.

The fifth conference was held in October 1976
in Hong Kong. Present were Bahci'is from
thirty-nine countries. Among those in
attendance were three Hands of the Cause and
representatives of twenty-one National
Spiritual Assemblies.

The Hand of the Cause 'A li-Akbar Furutan
read the message of the Universal House of
Justice: ' What an imperishable glory has been
bestowed upon the people of Asia, the first to
be illumined by the rays of God's Faith, the
first recipients of His Call and the first
promoters of His Cause ...

. .. This great continent contains within its
boundaries the heart of the Faith and its
Cradle, the lands wherein its Founders toiled
and suffered, and not only the great majority
of the human race, but the great majority of
the followers of Bahci'u' llcih .. . '
122 THE BAHA'f WORLD

The Hand of the Cause Raf:zmatu'llah Muhtijir
pointed out that it was especially fitting that
this meeting be held in Hong Kong;
approximately a century ago Mirza
Muf:zammad 'A[{ Afnan, a cousin of the
blessed Bab, arrived in Hong Kong, the first
Baha'i to reside in China.

Children's classes were held each day and the
children presented a programme at one of the
conference sessions.

Although it was a relatively small conference it
was truly, as one delegate described it, 'a
spiritual banquet'.

Prior to the opening of the conference in
Auckland in January 1977 the Baha'fs were
given a tradional Maori welcome at the
Orakei Marae. The Maoris paid homage to
God and expressed the belief that the rain
which commenced half-way through the
ceremony was a good omen, assuring all of
God's presence.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 123

The conference was held in the Auckland
Town Hall. Between four and five hundred
guests attended the public meeting at which the
guest speaker was Dr. Peter Khan of the
Continental Board of Counsellors in
Australasia.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Hon.
Robert D. Muldoon (left), welcomed the
Bahd'is to his country and expressed his
appreciation and respect for the principles of
the Faith.

A choir, sixty-strong, charmed the audience
with a presentation of excerpts from The
Seven Valleys which had been set to music by
Mr. Russ Garcia.

The Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qtisim Faizi, as
the representative of the Universal House of
Justice, read its message which was addressed
to the 'spiritual heirs' of the Hands of the
Cause Hyde and Clara Dunn 'who in direct
response to the Tablets of the Divine Plan
forsook their home and went to pioneer in
Australia .. .'
124 THE BAHA'f WORLD

The Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone
made a stirring call for pioneers. By the end of
the conference forty-nine pioneers and fifty -six
travelling teachers had arisen.

Teatro Castro Alves was the scene of the
seventh conference; it was held in Salvador,
Bahia, Brazil during the last week of January
1977. In attendance were 1,300 Bahd'fs
representing five continents, thirty-seven
countries and seventeen indigenous tribes.

The first session was opened by the Governor
of the State of Bahia, Professor Roberto
Santos (right), shown here with a delegation
of Bahd'(s: Mrs. Margot Worley, Counsellor
Mas'ud Khams{, the Hand of the Cause
Enoch Olinga, Mrs. Olinga and Mr.
Enayatollah Vahdat.

Mr. Olinga read the message of the Universal
House of Justice: 'How truly fitting ... that
this auspicious conference have its venue in
the city of Bahia, singled out for special
mention by 'Abdu'l-Bahd in His Tablets of the
Divine Plan . . .'
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 125

The assembled friends were reminded that
Leonora Holsapple Armstrong of the
Continental Board of Counsellors in South
America had settled in Bahia just two years
after the indomitable Martha Root visited
many important centres in South America in
1919.

One of the highlights of the conference was
the address by the Hand of the Cause Paul
Haney who spoke about the spiritual meaning
of the erection of the Seat of the Universal
House of Justice. Mr. Habib Taherzadeh
described the progress made toward its
construction.

Mr. Haney and Mr. Olinga participated in the
news conference together with Dr. Victor de
Araujo, representative of the Bahd'{
International Community at the United
Nations. Excellent publicity was obtained,
with coverage by nine television and seven
radio programmes in addition to articles in the
press.

The Bahia conference which brought together
in unity people of many nations and races will
surely exert a beneficial effect upon the
Bahd'is of the great continent of South
America.
126 THE BAHA't WORLD

The conference held in February 1977" in
Merida, Yucatan, Mexico was held in an
outdoor setting under a canopy in Carta Clara
gardens. It was the second largest conference
of the series with more than 2,000 in
attendance.

Bahd'(s from forty-four countries assembled
under the canopy for the opening of the
programme.

Among those in attendance were
representatives of thirty-two indigenous tribes
of North, South and Central America and the
Caribbean.

The Hon. Dr. Francisco Luna Kan, Governor
of Yucatan, was introduced to the conference
by the Hand of the Cause Paul Haney . Dr.
Kan, a Mayan, welcomed the Bahti'fs to
Merida.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 127

Mr. Haney then read the message of the
Universal House of Justice. It said, in part:
'The convening of this conference ... in the
capital city of a state that was once an
important part of a great Indian empire,
provides a unique opportunity to initiate what
may well become the widespread reawakening
of a people whose ancestors more than 1,200
years ago developed one of the most brilliant
pre-Columbian civilizations known to modern
man ...

The Hands of the Cause Enoch Olinga and
Raf:zmatu'lltih Muhtijir addressed the
conference as did Mrs. Florence V. Mayberry,
a member of the International Teaching
Centre.

Close by, in a thatched pavilion, a book and
audio-visual display was maintained
throughout the conference.

More than two hundred Bahti'[s arose to
pioneer and to travel and to teach.
128 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Helsinki, Anchorage, Paris, Nairobi, Hong
Kong, Auckland, Bahia, Merida-names,
places and associations to be cherished in the
memories of the thousands who attended these
conferences.

How vast is the tabernacle of the Cause of
God! Bahti'u'llah has revealed. It hath
overshadowed all the peoples and kindreds of
the earth, and will, erelong, gather together
the whole of mankind beneath its shelter . ..

. . . Thy day of service is now come.
Countless Tablets bear the testimony of the
bounties vouchsafed unto thee ...

. .. Arise for the triumph of My Cause, and,
through the power of thine utterance, subdue
the hearts of men.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 129

2. MESSAGES OF THE UNIVERSAL
HOUSE OF JUSTICE TO THE EIGHT
INTERNATIONAL TEACHING
CONFERENCES

A . TO THE INTERNATIONAL TEACHING
CONFERENCE IN HELSINKI, FINLAND
5-8 July 1976

WITH eager hearts we hail the convocation growth was reached with the Nine Year Plan
of this first of the twin Arctic conferences inau- and the convocation of the North Atlantic congurating the series of eight international Baha'i ference in Reykjavik, which marked the openconferences to be held during the middle part ing of a new phase in the collaboration between
of the Five Year Plan. The northern regions of the northern communities on both sides of that
the world were alluded to by Baha'u'llah in the ocean.
Kitab-i-Aqdas, the Mother Book of this Reve- Only thirty-eight years have passed since
lation. Their names were recorded in the Tab- Viiino Rissanen , the first Baha'i in Finland,
lets of the Divine Plan by the pen of 'Abdu'l- accepted with radiant heart the life-giving mes-
Baha, Who, in one of His other Tablets, suppli- sage brought to him by Josephine Kruka , the
cated God to 'raise up sanctified, pure and 'Mother of Finland' , in July 1938, and now the
spiritual souls in the countries of the West and city of Helsinki, the seat of the National
the territories of the North, and make them signs Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of Finland, is
of His guidance, ensigns of the Concourse on the scene of an international Baha'i conference
High and angels of the Abhli Kingdom.' These whose deliberations are focused on the diffulands received the constant attention of Shoghi sion of the light of God's Faith throughout the
Effendi, who repeatedly urged the friends to entire Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of the
carry the Faith to their uttermost inhabited world.
areas, and who joyfully announced every
advance of the Baha'fs that established a centre
closer to the North Pole.
Already touched by the morning light of
God's Cause by the nineteen-twenties, the
lands of the North were blessed by visits from
the indomitable Martha Root, whose love
warmed and encouraged the hearts of the
handful of believers then labouring in a few
scattered centres in Scandinavia and illumined
the soul of H6lmfrfour Arnad6ttir, Iceland's
first Baha'i. Bursting into blossom under the
impact of the rays of the second Seven Year
Plan, these communities received a major
impetus from the Ten Year Crusade, of which
the European campaign was launched at the
never-to-be-forgotten conference in Stockholm in 1953, and which established centres as
far north as Thule in Greenland and Sassen in Mr. Viiin6 Rissanen (1909-1973), the first
the islands of Spitzbergen. Yet another stage of in Finland to become a Baha'i.
130 THE B A HA'I WORLD

The followers of the Blessed Perfection Baha'u'llah of increasing numbers of the
gathered in H elsinki must direct their attention Eskimo, Lapp and Gipsy people.s ; and the purto the urgent tasks of the second half of the suit of the vital and challenging objectives of
Five Year Plan: to the re-opening of Spitz- the Plan beyond the frontiers of their homebergen; the winning of the thirty-four Local lands .
Spiritual Assemblies still to be formed in It is our fervent prayer at the Threshold of
Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Swede n, Baha'u'llah that this conference will produce
Denmark and Finland; the acceleration of the an upsurge of Baha'i activity throughout the
translation and publication of Baha'i litera- northern lands and in the islands of the North
ture; the forging of still closer links of collab- Sea and the Baltic that will outshine every
oration with the Baha' i communities of achievement made in those promising regions,
Alaska, Canada and in the continent of and be an inspiration to your fellow-believers
Europe; the enlistment under the banner of in every country of the world.

B. TO THE INTERNATIONAL TEACHING
CONFERENCE IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
23-25 July 1976

Sixty years ago 'Abdu'l-Baha summoned the divine rose garden and a heavenly paradise'.
valiant North American believers to open the Iceland, specifically mentioned by 'Abdu'lremote and inhospitable regions which form Baha in the Tablets of the Divine Plan, was
the climatic frontiers of the Arctic and the opened and consolidated, and has, through the
sub-Arctic. The full implementation of His warm response of its inhabitants to the Call of
wish had to be postponed for some years, until , God, undoubtedly become one of the shining
under the leadership of His beloved grandson, beacons of the 'lights of the Most Great Guidwell-grounded administrative bases were estab- ance' in the North.
lished from which Baha'i crusaders could set As a result of these movements and orgaout in conquest of these prized and virgin lands. nized activities, the call of the Kingdom reached
As early as 1915, however, we see a first 'the ears of the Eskimos', and the divine spark
wave of itinerant teachers and short-time set- was struck in their lands. Praise be to God,
tlers directing their steps towards Alaska in an today there are many who justly belong to the
attempt to open it to the light of Baha'u'llah. rank of heroes from among that noble race,
This was followed by a second wave of deter- and whose hearts are burning with His love.
mined pioneers and spiritual conquerors who, Upon the zeal and endurance of these enkinever since the first Seven Year Plan, demon- dled believers will depend the early fulfilment
strated their exemplary enthusiasm and caused of the Master's glowing promises. The teaching
'the breezes of the love of God' to 'perfume the work among the Indians of the northern lands
nostrils ofthe inhabitants' of that 'vast country' . of the Western Hemisphere has likewise borne
In Canada, in response to the Master's call , a rich fruit, as tribe upon tribe has been enlisted
succession of homefront pioneers settled and under the banner of Baha'u'llah. Whether in
opened the length and breadth of their land, so Alaska's south-eastern islands and rugged
rich in promise 'whether from a material or mountains, or in Canada's huge Indian
spiritual standpoint', and whose destiny is to reserves from the west to the east, many
'become the object ofthe glance of Providence'. Amerindian believers have arisen to serve the
To the fringes of Greenland North American Cause, and through their joint efforts, their
and European pioneers brought the light of sacrificial endeavours and distinctive talents
God's Faith, and provided the means for the they bid fair to accelerate the dawn of the day
fire of His love to be kindled in that land, in when they will be so 'enlightened that the whole
anticipation of the day when it will become 'a earth will be illumined'.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA ' f ACTIVITIES 131
Many are the goals which now challenge the promised glories of the future, is a mightier
peoples of the North under the Five Year Plan: effort by every supporter of the Most Great
encouraging and educating the children and Name in those climes to increasingly deepen
stimulating and guiding the youth; a wider par- themselves in the teachings, to pour forth their
ticipation of women in Baha'i services; a grea- substance in the path of His love, to resolve to
ter assumption by the indigenous inhabitants conform their personal lives to the high stanof these regions of responsibilities in the lead- dards set in His teachings, and to undertake
ership and administration of the community; a more daring tasks however great the sacrifice,
bolder proclamation of the Faith by radio and and more extensive travels however .arduous
television ; and a more far-flung and intensified the voyage. In this wise will they draw nearer to
campaign of teaching, audaciously conceived the Spirit of Baha'u'llah and become true and
by National Spiritual Assemblies and their radiant signs of His Most Great Guidance.
agencies and vigorously executed by Local These are the tasks! This is the work!
Spiritual Assemblies and individual believers, We pray at the Sacred Threshold that the
aiming at a vast increase in the number of Baha'ls of the North may in the not-too-distant
adherents to the Faith from every segment of future transform the Arctic into that spiritual
society, a multiplication of Baha'i administra- rose garden and heavenly paradise longed and
tive instututions, and a richer and more diverse yearned for by' Abdu'l-Baha, and that its peorange of publications in all media. What will set ples may be bountifully blessed and lovingly
the seal on the success of the Plan and pave the guided in their selfless services to promote the
way for the long-awaited and divinely- Faith of Baha'u'llah.

c. TO THE INTERNATIONAL TEACHING
CONFERENCE IN PARIS
3-6 August 1976

The brilliance of Paris in the story of Euro- which has contributed so richly to the unfoldpean civilization bids fair to be renewed with ment of American civilization; the fountaineven greater splendour during the Day of the head of American culture; the mother of Chris-
Lord of Hosts and the establishment of God's tendom, and the scene of the greatest exploits
Kingdom on earth. The annals of Paris in this of the followers of Jesus Christ', and experienc-
Day have already acquired eternal lustre from ing 'the first stirrings of that spiritual revoluevents of mightier import, of greater universal tion' which must culminate in the permanent
significance and more sacred character than establishment throughout its diversified lands
any which its past history has witnessed. The of the divinely ordained Order of Baha'u'llah.
visits of 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Centre of God's This first centre was rapidly reinforced by the
inviolable Covenant, alone outshine in histori- conversion of the first English believer and of
cal importance anything in the long history of the first Frenchman to accept the Faith-the
France, and are immortalized in the greatly- distinguished Hippolyte Dreyfus, whose 'preloved collection of His discourses given in that eminent role' it was to kindle 'the torch which
capital city. Beyond this, we recall with awe is destined to shed eternal illumination upon
and pride that it was at 'Abdu'l-Baha's instruc- his native land and its people'-and by Laura
tion that the illustrious May Maxwell suc- Barney, whose 'imperishable service' was to
ceeded in establishing in Paris the first Baha'i transmit to posterity Some Answered Quescentre on the European continent, a continent tions. The steadfastness and devotion of the
described by Shoghi Effendi as 'the cradle of a Paris Baha'i community during the dark and
civilization to some of whose beneficent fea- sombre days of the Second World War earned
tures the Pen of Baha'u'llah has paid significant great praise from the beloved Guardian of the
tribute; on whose soil both the Greek and Faith, while the recent signs of widespread and
Roman civilizations were born and flourished; effective teaching work throughout France
132 THE BAHA'I WORLD

The first Baha'i group of Paris, circa 1902. Standing, left to right: Mlle. Bignardi, Herbert W.
Hooper, Florence Robinson, Hippolyte Drefus, Bertha/in Luxow, C. M. Remey, an
unidentified believer, Mme. MacKaye, Mme. Bignardi, Mlle. Stephanie Hanvais, Sydney
Sprague. Seated, left to right: Miss Edith MacKaye, Miss Holzbecker, Miss Edith Sanderson,
Sigurd Russell, Thomas Breakwell, May Ellis Bolles, Mme. Hanel, Miss Marie Watson.

lend wings to the hope that this veteran, far and wide. It is my hope that this soul-stirring
sorely-tested and steadfast community is about melody of the Abhd Kingdom may also be
to gather the harvest of those potent seeds raised high in Paris, for Paris is tumultuous in
sown and nourished so lovingly by 'Abdu'l- all things. I pray the Almighty that the music and
Baha. singing of the beloved of God will be so loud
It is highly propitious that this city, thrice that the vibrations thereof may cause the limbs
blessed by the presence of the Master, should of Paris to quake. I await very joyful tidings
be the scene of the first international Baha'i from the friends in Paris. Unquestionably the
conference in France and one of the eight divine melody will in the future be raised in that
international conferences to be held around city, but I long that this may happen in these
the world during the Five Year Plan. You are days of the Covenant, and that you will be the
gathered in this historic spot to deliberate on enchanting songsters and the sweet-singing
the fortunes of that Plan, to derive inspiration nightingales of that land.'
from the deeds performed there in the heroic Our hopes are high and we pray at the Saage of our Faith and from your association cred Threshold that from this conference will
together, to rededicate yourselves to the ser- surge throughout Europe a wave of such
vice of Baha'u'llah and to determine each and sacrificial teaching as will impel large numbers
every one, how best you can promote the vic- of its diverse and highly-talented peoples to
tory of the Five Year Plan. We call to your embrace the Faith of God and dedicate themattention 'Abdu'l-Baha's words: selves to the redemption of mankind under the
'The call of Ya Bahd'u'l-Abhd can be heard glorious banner of the Prince of Peace.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 133

D. TO THE INTERNATIONAL TEACHING
CONFERENCE IN NAIROBI, KENYA
15-17October1976

The flames of enthusiasm which ignited the
hearts of the followers and lovers of the Most
Great Name in Helsinki, in Anchorage and in
Paris are now being kindled in a city which
occupies a central and envied position at the
very cross-roads of the vast African mainland
and are destined to illumine its horizons. This
conference marking the imminent approach of
the mid-way point of the Five Year Plan which
coincides with the anniversary of the birth of
the Blessed Bab, will no doubt go down in
Baha'i history as a further landmark in the
irresistible march of events which have characterized the impact of the Faith of God upon
that continent.
We recall that in addition to Quddus the only
other companion of the Bab on His pilgrimage
to Mecca was an Ethiopian , and that he and his
wife were intimately associated with Him and
His household in Shiraz. During the Ministry
of BaM'u'llah a few of His stalwart disciples
reached the north-eastern shores of Africa,
and under His direct guidance, announced the Mr. Robert Turner, 'disciple of 'Abdu'lglad tidings of the New Day to the people of the Bahti', the first member of the black race in
Nile, thus opening to the Faith two countries of the West to embrace the Baha'i Faith.
the African mainland. Soon afterwards, His
blessed person approached those shores in the Prior to the conclusion of the first Baha'i cencourse of His exile to the Holy Land. Still later tury the number of countries opened to the
He voiced His significant utterance in which Faith had been raised to seven, and the teach-
He.'compared the coloured people to the black ing work among the black race in North
pupil of the eye', through which 'the light of the America had entered a new phase of developspirit shineth forth.' Just over six years after His ment through the continuous guidance flowing
ascension, the first member of the black race to from the pen of Shoghi Effendi , who himself
embrace His Cause in the West, who was des- traversed the African continent twice from
tined to become a disciple of 'Abdu'l-Baha, a south to north , and who , in the course of his
herald of the Kingdom, and the door through ministry, elevated two members of the black
which numberless members of his race were to race to the rank of Hand of the Cause,
enter that Kingdom, came on pilgrimage to the appointed three more believers residing in
Holy Land with the first group of Western Africa to that high office, and there raised up
friends who arrived in' Akka to visit the Centre four National Spiritual Assemblies.
of the Covenant. This was followed by a steady At the beginning of the Ten Year Crusade
extension of the teaching work among the the number of countries opened to the Faith
black people of North America, and the open- had reached twenty-four, including those
ing to the Faith , by the end of the Heroic Age, opened under the aegis of the Two Year Afriof two more countries in Africa, under the can Campaign co-ordinated by the British
watchful care of the Master, Whose three visits National Spiritual Assembly. The Ten Year
to Egypt have blessed the soil of that continent. Plan opened the rest of Africa to the light of
134 THE BAHA'f WORLD

God's Faith, and today we see with joy and and of the spiritual life of its individual believpride in that vast continent and its neighbour- ers must gather greater momentum; the founing islands the establishment of four Boards of dations of its existing Local Spiritual Assem-
Counsellors, thirty-four National Spiritual blies must be more speedily consolidated; the
Assemblies-firm pillars of God's Administra- number of local l:Ja~fratu'l-Quds and of local
tive Order-and over 2,800 Local Spiritual endowments called for in the Plan must be
Assemblies, nuclei of a growing Baha'i society. soon acquired; the Baha'i activities of women
Africa, a privileged continent with a past rich and of youth must be systematically stimuin cherished associations, has reached its pres- lated; the Baha'i education of the children of
ent stage of growth through countless feats of the believers must continuously be encourheroism and dedication. Before us unfolds the aged; the basis of the recognition that the
vision of the future. 'Africa', the beloved institutions of the Faith have succeeded in
Guardian assures us in one of the letters writ- obtaining from the authorities must steadily be
ten on his behalf, 'is truly awakening and broadened; mass communication facilities
finding herself, and she undoubtedly has a must be used far more frequently to teach and
great message to give, and a great contribution proclaim the Faith; and the publication and
to make to the advancement of world civiliza- dissemination of the essential literature of the
tion. To the degree to which her peoples accept Faith must be given much greater importance.
Baha'u'llah will they be blessed, strengthened Above all it is imperative that in ever greater
and protected.' measure each individual believer should real-
The realization of this glorious destiny ize the vital need to subordinate his personal
requires that the immediate tasks be worthily advantages to the over-all welfare of the
discharged, and the pressing challenges and Cause, to awaken and reinforce his sense of
urgent requirements of the Five Year Plan be responsibility before God to promote and prowholeheartedly and effectively met and tect its vital interests at all costs, and to renew
satisfied. As the forces of darkness in that part his total consecration and dedication to His
of the world wax fiercer , and the problems glorious Faith, so that, himself enkindled with
facing its peoples and tribes become more criti- the flames of its holy fire, he may, in concert
cal, the believers in that continent must evince with his fellow-believers, ignite the light of
greater cohesion, scale loftier heights of hero- faith and certitude in the hearts of his family,
ism and self-sacrifice and demonstrate higher his tribe, his countrymen and all the peoples of
standards of concerted effort and harmonious that mighty continent, in preparation for the
development. day when Africa's major contribution to world
During the brief thirty months separating us civilization will become fully consummated.
from the end of the Plan, Africa must once We fervently pray at the Holy Shrines that
again distinguish itself among its sister conti- these hopes and aspirations may soon come
nents through a vast increase in the number of true, and that the ' pure-hearted' and 'spirituits believers, its Local Spiritual Assemblies and ally receptive' people of Africa may draw ever
its localities opened to the Faith, and by nearer to the spirit of Baha'u'llah, and may
accelerating the process of entry by troops become shining examples of self-abnegation,
throughout its length and breadth . The of courage and of love to the supporters of the
deepening of the faith, of the understanding Most Great Name in every land .
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 135
E. TO THE INTERNATIONAL TEACHING
CONFERENCE IN HONG KONG
27-30 November 1976

With grateful and joyous hearts we extend that continent to the life-giving, all-embracing
our warmest greetings and express our highest Message of Baha'u'llah. Such plans must prohopes to the followers of Baha'u'llah gathered, vide opportunities for those thousands who in
at this critical point of the Five Year Plan, in recent years have swelled the rank and file, as
this conference on Asia's eastern shore. This well as for those veterans who have, for so
great continent has nourished mighty civiliza- many years, striven in the path of service to the
tions; above its horizons the suns of major Cause. It is through active participation of
Revelations of God have risen; on its soil many more and more new believers in both teaching
of the heroes of this New Age have shed their and administration that the consolidation of
blood and offered their lives in token of their the Baha'i community can best be achieved.
love for Him Who is the Beloved of the World In a continent so richly endowed, so greatly
and the Desire of the Nations. blessed, new generations of Baha'is must con-
What an imperishable glory has been be- tinually be raised up, trained from childhood in
stowed upon the people of Asia, the first to be the school of the love of God, and nurtured
illumined by the rays of God's Faith, the first under the shadow of His Cause. Baha'is in
recipients of His Call and the first promoters of every country must be constantly urged and,
His Cause. Their spiritual capacity is extolled wherever necessary, assisted to pass on to their
and the great role they are destined to play in children as their most cherished legacy, the
the strengthening of the foundation of the New precious Faith they themselves have
World Order of Baha'u'llah unhesitatingly embraced. Those new generations of Baha'is
affirmed by' Abdu'l-Baha in His Tablets of the will have a vital role in consolidating the Cause
Divine Plan . of God on a firm foundation.
This great continent contains within its The establishment of Local Assemblies as
boundaries the heart of the Faith and its Cra- the basic administrative unit of the World
dle, the lands wherein its Founders toiled and Order of Baha'u'llah and as rallying points for
suffered, and not only the great majority of the the Baha'is of every community should, in
human race but the great majority of the fol- accordance with the objectives of the Five
lowers of Baha'u'llah. The potentiality of such Year Plan, be multiplied no matter at what cost
a situation cannot be underestimated, nor must of effort and endurance. The process of
the great force latent within so large a propor- invigorating the Local Assemblies requires,
tion of the Army of Light be neglected. They during the Five Year Plan, the consultation of
must be mobilized to accelerate the expansion all the institutions of the Cause.
of the beloved Cause, to consolidate its vic- Publication of literature in many languages
tories, to enhance its prestige and to augment as part of a determined campaign to win
its influence. We appeal to every participant in thousands upon thousands of diverse peoples
this historic conference to become conscious of in all spheres of life must be vigorously purthese tremendous but hidden potentialities sued. Participation of all believers in supportwhich, if properly tapped and directed, can ing the Baha'i funds, the life-blood of the
hasten the process of the spiritualization of the Cause, must be given adequate attention, and
nations of Asia, the influence of which will the blessings which reward the act of voluntary
extend far beyond the confines of that conti- giving for the promotion of the Faith, no matnent-even to the entire planet. ter how small the amount may be, must be
We eagerly await news that from this confer- lovingly and wisely explained.
ence will surge throughout Asia a wave of vig- May this conference become a landmark in
orous activity devoted to the execution on the the process of attracting vast numbers of the
individual, local and national levels of system- great Chinese race scattered throughout the
atic plans designed to attract the great masses of world. May it be a prelude to the unpre-
136 THE BAHA'I WORLD

cedented expansion of the Faith in all the coun- the Cause of God itself, the believers will not
tries of Asia. May it become a source of waver or become diverted from their course,
strength to the supporters of the Most Great but be ever more confirmed in their determina-
Name so that despite the rising tide of trials and tion to raise the edifice of the Faith of God as
upheavals afflicting the world, and whatever the last bastion of hope to a lost and wayward
forces of opposition may be mounted against humanity.

F. TO THE INTERNATIONAL TEACHING
CONFERENCE IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
19-22 January 1977

With hearts full of love and admiration for and the number of localities where Baha'is
the followers of the Most Great Name in reside in this vast oceanic area covering well-
Australasia we send our warmest greetings to nigh one-eighth of the earth's surface is more
all assembled in this historic gathering in the than 1,800. These accomplishments doubtheart of the Antipodes. less have been a source of great joy to the
How great is your place in Baha'i history! immortal soul of Shoghi Effendi, whose esteem
How bright are the prospects for the future of and affection for the followers of Baha' u'llah
the Cause so lovingly nurtured for more than labouring for His Cause in the Antipodes was
half a century by hundreds of stalwart steadfast frequently expressed in glowing terms in his
believers, spiritual heirs of Hyde and Clara letters to the Assemblies and friends in
Dunn, who in direct response to the Tablets of Australasia.
the Divine Plan forsook their home and went Dear friends , we have now passed the midto pioneer in Australia, and whose names point of the Five Year Plan. You are met in the
Shoghi Effendi wrote, were 'graven in letters of beautiful city of Auckland to take stock and to
gold' upon his heart. In March 1951, when in make plans for attaining the victories which
the entire Pacific area there was but one will surely be yours .
National Spiritual Assembly, the beloved The National Spiritual Assemblies of the
Guardian predicted that 'The prizes destined New Hebrides and of the Marshall Islands are
for the heroic warriors, battling for the Cause to be raised up next Ric;lvan; plans for the
of Baha'u'llah throughout the Southern soon-to-be-erected Mashriqu' l- Adhkar of
Hemisphere, and particularly Australasia, are Samoa are in process; but although the goal of
glorious beyond compare . The assistance to be establishing Baha'i centres totalling 2,188 is
vouchsafed to them from on high in their strug- within easy reach, the Local Assembly goals
gle for its establishment, its recognition and assigned to each national community, totalling
triumph is ready to be poured forth in astonish- 613, need prompt and decisive attention . The
ing abundance.' divine assistance spoken of by the beloved
Now, twenty-five years later, the achieve- Guardian in 1951 has ever been available, and
ments are truly astounding . Begif!ning with the is still ' ready to be poured forth in astonishing
establishment of the National Spiritual abundance ' . It is within your power during the
Assembly of the Baha'fs of New Zealand at coming year to win all assigned teaching goals,
Ric;lvan 1957, the number of National Assem- leaving the final year of the Plan for consolidablies has increased elevenfold; the Mashriqu'l- tion and the winning of supplementary vic-
Adhkar of the Antipodes has been erected tories.
near Sydney; His Highness Malietoa This will be achieved, not by resting on
Tanumafili II of Western Samoa has become laurels , but by manifesting those qualities of
the first reigning monarch to embrace the faith, judgment, vision, loyalty, courage and
Cause of Baha'u'llah; the number of Local self-sacrifice which earned the Guardian's
Spiritual Assemblies now stands at over 360; praise so frequently in past decades. Let the
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 137

John Henry Hyde Dunn and Clara Dunn who established the Bahd'{ Faith in Australia in
1920. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were appointed Hands of the Cause in 1952.

valiant Australasian Baha'i communities vie South Pacific. Let those who can offer their
once more with their sister communities valued services to the teaching work arise
throughout the world for the palm of victory without delay; let those who cannot travel or
and maintain their position in the vanguard of pioneer deputize those who can go in their
the Army of Light. stead.
Pioneers, travelling teachers a nd a fresh We cherish the highest hopes for the success
outpouring of funds are essential ingredients to of your endeavours and it is our constant
the onward march of the Cause throughout prayer that Baha'u'llah will shower His richest
Australia, New Zealand and the islands of the blessings and confirmations upon you.

G. TO THE INTERNATIONAL TEACHING
CONFERENCE IN BAHIA, BRAZIL
27-30 January 1977

With joyous hearts we hail the convocation tant cities in South America. Two years later
of this first of the twin Latin American confer- Leonora Holsapple Armstrong, mother of the
ences closing the series of eight international Baha'ls of Brazil, settled in Bahia. The teach-
Baha'i conferences held during the midway ing work in the continent progressed steadily to
period of the Five Year Plan. the point where, in 1937, the beloved Guar-
The ringing call of Baha'u'llah in His Most dian launched his first Seven Year Plan paving
Holy Book to the Rulers of America and the the way for the raising in subsequent Plans of
Presidents of the Republics therein was fol- the institutions ofBaha'u'llah's Administrative
lowed after an interval of more than four Order in every one of its republics and in its
decades by the revelation of 'Abdu' l-Baha's islands. It was in the course of that first Seven
Tablets of the Divine Plan in which the beloved Year Plan that 'Abdu'l-Baha's beloved hand-
Master stressed the importance of the Repub- maid, May Maxwell , in 1940 won a martyr's
lics of the South American Continent. crown when she laid down her life in Argen-
The first believer to respond to 'Abdu'l- tina, thereby adding further lustre to the
Baha's divine call was that star-servant of the spiritual history of South America.
Cause of Baha'u'llah, valiant, indomitable How truly fitting, then, that this auspicious
Martha Root, who in 1919 visited many impor- conference have its venue in the city of Bahia,
138 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Mrs. Leonora Holsapple Armstrong, mother of the teaching work in South America.

singled out for special mention by 'Abdu'l- accompanied by a continuous programme of
Baha in His Tablets of the Divine Plan. And translation of the Sacred Text into the major
how timely it is at this crucial point in the Five indigenous languages of the continent.
Year Plan that the friends gathered in Bahia The continental goals for South America of
from many lands prayerfully consider, and 8,670 centres and 2,293 Local Spiritual
arise to prosecute expeditiously, all measures Assemblies must be won, and may even be
aimed at achieving glorious victory in all goals surpassed, for every country must achieve the
of the Plan. goals assigned to it. This calls for the dedicated
Noteworthy progress has been achieved in effort of every National Spiritual Assembly,
many fields of service throughout the South every Local Spiritual Assembly and indeed
American Baha'i community, particularly in every believer. All the divinely ordained
attracting to the Cause large numbers of its instruments of the Administrative Order of
indigenous peoples. But myriads of pure- Baha'u'llah must now unite in executing a
hearted souls have not yet heard the clarion symphony of victory in all the unfinished goals
call of Baha'u'llah and hungrily await the of the Five Year Plan , winning thereby the
spiritual nourishment that only His followers good-pleasure of the Blessed Beauty.
can give them. Beloved friends, go forward with complete
Steps must be taken to attract members of assurance that a continent so rich in spiritual
every stratum of society to the divine circle of promise, so diverse in its peoples and races, so
the Faith through effective proclamation and fertile for the planting of the seeds of Baha'-
teaching. Greater utilization of radio broad- u' llah's Faith will yield a brilliant harvest for
casts is necessary, not only to reach all levels of all who labour in that Divine Vineyard.
society but also to deepen the believers them- It is our fervent loving prayer at the Sacred
selves. The valuable and dynamic services of Threshold that Baha'u'llah's bountiful confirm-
Baha'i youth must be multiplied in the fields of ations and richest blessings may be showered
pioneering and travel teaching. A far wider upon you.
dissemination of Baha'i literature must be
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i A C TIVITIES 139

H. TO THE INTERNATIONAL TEACHING
CONFERENCE IN MERIDA , MEXICO
4-6 February 1977

With joyous hearts and eager anticipation Praiseworthy indeed were these achievewe send warmest greetings to you the partici- ments but the Baha'i communities of Central
pants in the last of the eight great international America and the West Indies must not be conteaching conferences marking the half-way tent to rest on these laurels. The beloved
point of the Five Year Plan . Guardian during the last months of his pre-
The convening of this conference in the cious life continually urged the friends of Latin
Republic of Mexico , in the capital city of a state America to pursue what he described as 'the
that was once an important part of a g;eat paramount task', the teaching work. How
Indian empire, provides a unique opportunity much more does that injunction apply today!
to initiate what may well become the wide- In less than thirty months, approximately 900
spread reawakening of a people whose ances- groups and isolated centres and over 400 Local
tors more than 1,200 years ago developed one Spiritual Assemblies must be added to those
of the most brilliant pre-Columbian civiliza- already existing in the mainland and island
tions known to modern man. These present- nations of Middle America!
day descendants, many of whom have already To accomplish this challenging task, intenembraced the Faith of Baha'u'llah and who sive effort to attract new believers, be they
consider the Yucatan Peninsula and the sea- black, brown , red or white, from all strata of
coast lowlands and rugged spine of mountains society , must be exerted. Hand in hand with
joining North and South America to be their this endeavour, particularly in local comhomeland, are among the very people men- munities, goes the development of the distinctioned by 'Abdu'l-Baha in His Tablets of the tive character of Baha'i life. Prompt attention
Divine Plan as having a great destiny once they must also be given to the acquisition of local
have accepted His Father's Cause . Here too, I:Ia'.?iratu'l-Quds and endowments; and the
and throughout Middle America, are those translation and publication of Baha'i literawhose forefathers came from the Iberian ture, especially in indigenous languages, must
Peninsula, Africa and the Far East linking the be accelerated .
Old with the New World . Dear friends, if at the close of the Five Year
Conscious of 'Abdu'l-Baha's impassioned Plan we are to witness the ensigns of victory
plea to promulgate the oneness of mankind to a lifted high, the wholehearted support of the
spiritually impoverished humanity, a handful followers of Baha'u'llah must be enlisted now
of itinerant Baha'i teachers set forth four and their energies systematically channelled
decades ago, traversed the land bridge con- into areas most in need. We cherish the hope
necting the two continents of the Western that at this final conference the friends will
Hemisphere and carried the healing Message arise with enthusiasm and determination not
of Baha'u'llah to the Spanish American only to win the remaining goals of the Plan but
Republics. Their dedicated efforts were to carry out Shoghi Effendi's injunction to win
rewarded when, in 1938, the first Local the allegiance of members of the various tribes
Spiritual Assembly in Latin America was of American Indians to the Cause, thereby hasformed in Mexico City. This initial triumph at tening the period prophesied by the Master
the inception of the first of the teaching plans when the Indian peoples of America would
formulated by Shoghi Effendi spearheaded become a source of spiritual illumination to the
other victories leading to the formation of two, world.
then of four, Regional Spiritual Assemblies; Our hearts, our hopes and our prayers will
and ultimately to the establishment of National be with you during all the days of your deliber-
Spiritual Assemblies in each of the republics of ations. May Baha'u'llah inspire each and every
Latin America and in the islands of the Carib- one of you.
bean.
140 THE BAHA'I WORLD

3. MESSAGE 1 OF MR. KURT WALDHEIM,
SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED
NATIONS, TO THE INTERNATIONAL
BAHA'I CONFERENCE, PARIS,
3-6 AUGUST 1976

I AM pleased to have this opportunity to wish environment and employment, the United
the International Baha'i Conference and all Nations must be able to rely on the support of
those participating in it every success in their the peoples of the world, who are the cornerwork. Non-governmental organizations such stone of its Charter. This implies an important
as yours, by dealing comprehensively with the responsibility for those organizations who, like
major problems confronting the international you, work hard to support the United Nations
community and striving to find solutions which and the principles and objectives laid down in
will serve the interests of all nations, make a the Charter.
very substantial and most important contribu- In recent years the United Nations has
tion to the United Nations and its work. embarked upon an unprecedented collective
We live in a world which is undergoing a endeavour to create global strategies to meet
transformation in its attitude towards finding problems that are beyond the power of any
solutions to the great global challenges of the single nation to resolve. Our task is now to
day. We must strive to ensure, therefore, that implement the decisions taken at the sixth and
effective solutions come about, not in anger seventh special sessions of the General
and anarchy, but through the reasoned and Assembly on the establishment of a new interconcerted determination of all. Whether the national economic order, as well as at the world
object is to complete the great task of conferences on trade and development, envidevelopment, to secure respect for the rights ronment, population, food, the role of women
and dignity of all men, to halt the disastrous in society, industrialization and human settlearms race, to solve such diverse and complex ments. In this respect, your own contribution
problems as those of food, population, the as a non-governmental organization, in consul-
'The message was read in English and in French by Mr. Luc tative status with ECOSOC, is important and I
Van Bellinghen, Director of the United Nations Informa- wish you every success in your deliberations.
tion Centre in Paris, at the opening session on August 4.

'
IV
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT
BAHA'I ACTIVITIES
1976-1979
I. SURVEY BY CONTINENTS
BASED ON REPORTS OF THE CONTINENTAL
BOARDS OF COUNSELLORS
A. AFRICA
A TOT AL of eight new National Spiritual During the period 1976 to 1979, which
Assemblies were to be formed in Africa during witnessed the closing phase of the global Five
the Five Year Plan . Niger, Sierra Leone, Togo Year Plan significant changes took place in
and Upper West Africa were formed at Ric;lvan Central and East Africa, both within the Faith
1975. At Ric;lvan 1977 Upper Volta was and in the life of the component nations, which
formed with its seat in Ouagadougou, and at deeply affected the Faith. Many of the coun-
Ric;lvan 1978 Mauritania was formed with its tries of Africa have been passing through a
seat in Nouakchott. The National Spiritual period of intense social, political, and
Assembly of Burundi, first established in 1969, economic change with consequent transitions,
was dissolved in 1972 and re-established in upheavals and repercussions.
1978. In Uganda, in October 1977, the Amin
For the purposes of the work of the Conti- regime finally banned the activities of the
nental Boards of Counsellors the continent of Faith, causing the dissolution of the National
Africa is divided into four zones: Spiritual Assembly and its 1,550 Local
Central and East Africa Spiritual Assemblies. After almost exactly
Northern Africa nineteen months, the ban was lifted in April,
Southern Africa 1979. The community has now begun the slow
Western Africa process of emergence, in circumstances still
considerably adverse.
Central and East Africa In Congo, also, the Faith has been banned
The National Baha'i communities of Central since February 1978 by the authority in power,
and East Africa can be divided into three gen- the Assemblies dissolved and the properties
eral categories: (1) Those where the peoples confiscated. In both Uganda and Congo these
were spiritually very receptive, where mass actions against the Faith were part of sweeping
teaching began in the village areas some moves against all religious communities except
twenty-five years ago, and where such teaching a tiny handful of the older, long-established
has been sustained to a greater or lesser extent Faiths.
ever since; i.e., Uganda, Zaire, Kenya and The larger Baha'i communities, some of
Tanzania. (2) Those countries where mass which had earlier suffered heavy loss of Local
teaching began in later years and has so far Spiritual Assemblies through their inability to
developed to a relatively lesser extent: consolidate the victories ofthe Nine Year Plan
Ethiopia, Rwanda, Central African Republic rapidly enough, pulled themselves together
and Congo. (3) Those places where circum- towards the close of the Five Year Plan and
stances within the country have for some years surged forward again, so that at the end of the
not permitted the necessary freedom for mass Plan the teaching and property goals for the
teaching: Burundi, Djibouti, Gabon, Somalia zone had been substantially exceeded and litand Sudan. erature and other numerical goals achieved .
142 THE BAHA'f WORLD

However, the strains and problems which con- cially important matter when the Baha'i Pubsolidation imposes on large and rapidly grow- lishing Trust of Uganda was forced to cease
ing Baha'i communities in developing coun- operations. Likewise the acquisition and erectries prevented these communities from fully tion, in those countries where freedom existed,
achieving their vital consolidation goals. At the of numerous local J:l~iratu'l-Quds and
time this report is being written the national endowments, has paved the way for improving
communities are facing the considerable chal- the life and activities of the local communities.
lenge of rescuing their lost Assemblies. It will perhaps be useful here to pinpoint indi-
There are certain very positive signs of the vidually the more outstanding achievements of
over-all advance of the Baha'i community in some of the national communities.
Central and East Africa. Probably the most The Burundi Community, despite two
significant of these has been the expansion and periods in recent years when official recogniconsolidation of the institution of the Auxiliary tion of the Faith was temporarily withdrawn
Board and the development by the Board and the exodus from the country of over 90 per
members of their use of assistants. This has cent of the believers (Zalreois refugee Baha'is
resulted in a fairly large number of believers returning to their homes), has managed to
working with concern, knowledge and growing retain its recognition and to begin now the real
experience at the 'grass roots' level of the process of bringing the Burundian people to
Cause. A parallel growth in strength has occur- the Faith. The new National Spiritual Assemred in the Regional Teaching Committees with bly was elected in 1978. Although little progwhom the Board members are in close collab- ress could be made in fulfilling the property
oration . Although the continuing problem of goals of the Five Year Plan, the translation and
lapsed Assemblies indicates that there is still publication of literature in the Kirundi lanmuch to be done to assist the local com- guage has been a noteworthy accomplishment.
munities, it is clear that a definite start has been In Central African Republic the Faith has
made in the right direction. continued to make very steady progress. All
Two other aspects of Baha'i activity showed goals of the Five Year Plan were accomplished.
strong development during this three-year As in so many countries of this zone transporperiod. The first is the translation, publication tation to and communication with the comand dissemination of much more literature in munities in the interior are difficult and slow,
the major vernacular languages of each coun- and this has had a quite detrimental effect on
try by the increasingly strong and able National the consolidation and follow-up process.
Literature Committees. This became an espe- Although mass teaching is potentially quite

Conference of Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members.for Central and Easl Africa; 19-24
October 1976. Front row, left to right: Anselme Nkouka, Selemani bin Kimbulu, Paul
Hanbury, Ola Pawlowska, Javon Gutosi. Back Row, left lO righl: Counsellor Hushang
Ahdieh, Counsellor Oloro Epyeru, Festus Shayo, E. Fananapazir, Festus Sunguti, Sadegh
Eghtessadi, Louis Kalombo, H. Khodadad, Counsellor Kolonario Oule, Chowghi Rouhani,
Counsellor Isobel Sabri.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA't ACTIVITIES 143
possible, actual progress is relatively less in local communities.
relation to other countries. However, the Tanzania is a land rich in spiritual potential.
believers are growing in maturity and experi- During the closing years of the Five Year Plan
ence. it became clear that the teaching work could
The Ethiopian Baha'i community has long flourish and the community grow in size and
been a shining light in this zone. For some time strength. There had long been a problem crenow there have been no pioneers whatever in ated by the fact that few pioneers were settled
the country. The Ethiopian believers them- in the interior of the country, but in the past
selves are deep in knowledge and faith, few years this pattern has been altered and
devoted and sincere in service, mature and there are now very helpful nuclei of pioneers
capable in experience. They shoulder with living in some of the provincial capitals.
exemplary zeal and results the entire affairs of Through their help and that of the Regional
their community, including all of the financial Teaching Committees, Auxiliary Board memrequirements. Mass teaching areas have been bers and assistants, the grass roots of the comopened in several parts of the country and are munity are coming to life . The community
being developed with characteristic wisdom, achieved all of its teaching, property and literaconsistency and practical common sense. ture goals. A helpful contribution to this
Despite the recent severe political upheavals accomplishment was made by the numerous
across the land, the community pursued the Zafreois refugee Baha'is living along the
Five Year Plan goals to success. shores of Lake Tanganyika, also by the believ-
In Kenya there has been very reasonable ers on the islands of Lake Victoria.
progress in some aspects of the Plan: the teach- In Zaire the Faith continues to grow and
ing goals; acquisition of properties; publication develop with remarkable speed and ease. The
of vernacu lar literature; the deepening of indi- believers of the Zaire Community have long
vidual believers. This is a very large commun- shown themselves to be self-reli ant, indepenity, however, where there is a perennial prob- dent and capable. Their local community life is
lem of lapsing Assemblies and where there is well developed , with men , women , youth and
critical need of strengthening at the grass roots . children all taking a very active part. Many
Opportunities exist for extensive public rela- Local Spiritual Assemblies have e rected their
tions activities both with the government and own local .f:la~iratu'l-Quds and there are now,
with the various United Nations Agencies rep- in Kivu Province, sixty Baha'i schools, includresented there. During the International ing many primary and some secondary. All
Teaching Conference held in Nairobi in 1976 numerical goals of the Five Year Plan were
there was good use made of the press, well accomplished and in some cases surpasradio and television , as well as extensive con- sed. The acute transportation and communicatact with responsible individuals in this and tion problems in Zaire make it essential that
other fields of public life. the Regional Teaching Committees and the
Rwanda is a country whose people have Auxiliary Board members in every province be
responded very well to the message of Baha'u- in very clost: and effective collaboration, which
'llah. The teaching work has been quite suc- they are. Zaire is a vast country where opporcessful and has resulted in entry to the Faith by tunities for the growth of the Faith at this
many family groups; so much so that the chi ld period are almost limitless.
and youth population of the Faith exceeds that The crises that have deeply afflicted the
of the adu lts. The National Spiritua l Assembly Baha'i community in some countries of the
and the pioneers have been exemplary in their zone have served well to stimulate the believefforts for the translation a nd publication of ers in other places to greater efforts, deeper
Baha'i literature in the Kinyarwanda language. devotion and more effective service. Though
Deepening and consolidation is also being the inevitable opposition is steadily mounting
accomplished through the active services of the and the problems impeding activity increasing,
Auxiliary Board members and their assistants. as living conditions spira l down a nd infl atio n
The property goa ls of the Five Year Plan were accelerates, the steadfastness of the sincere
accomplished a nd the numerous Baha'i believers is daily being tested and abundantly
Centres are being of considerable value to the demonstra ted .
144 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Northern Africa of three to nine months and encouraged the
believers to accomplish them. Another tried to
The Baha'f communities of the countries encourage universal participation and instil
bordering the southern shores of the Mediter- fresh spirit into the body of the believers by
ranean Sea comprise the zone of the Continen- organizing Love-and-Fellowship Picnics where
tal Board of Counsellors in Northern Africa. the Baha'fs and their friends gathered together
The circumstances obtaining in some of these and enjoyed a day of social fe llowship and
territories is described under 'Constant Efforts prayers. Teaching teams were sent out
to Protect the Faith from Persecution and to weekends, public holidays and some evenings
Free it from the Restraints Imposed by Religi- in many parts of Southern Africa . The idea of
ous Orthodoxy' in the section relating to World teaching in groups was favoured by a few reg-
Centre goals on pp. 78-81. ions and this resulted in outstanding success for
those who used the method. It not only
Southern Africa increased the number of believers and Local
Assemblies but provided vital opportunities
Although day by day, in the period under for local believers to participate in the actual
review, new obstacles seemed to present the m- teaching.
selves until the point was reached, midway Various National Spiritual Assemblies held
through the Five Year Plan, when it seemed unity feasts on a regional basis to encourage
impossible in the two and-a-half years remaining community development and to increase
before its expiry to accomplish the remaining teaching activities. 'Each one teach one' was
two-thirds of the goals assigned to the believers emphasized in one national community, resultin Southern Africa, the tide was yet turned, and ing in an increase in the number of believers
the Baha'fs with greater force than ever placed and Local Assemblies. As an aid to developing
their reliance in the power of Baha'u'llah and Local Assemblies, visits of deepened believers
the infallible guidance of the Universal House were arranged. These visiting teachers, called
of Justice. The doors of guidance and confirma- 'walkers', greatly aided the progress of the
tion began to open one after another and Cause in their assigned areas.
restored hope, light, and promise of success to There was a significant circulation of both
all who were labouring in service to the Faith. international and national travelling teachers
Thereafter new victories were witnessed during the period, crowned by the bounty of
almost every day, causing the believers to the visits of three Hands of the Cause of God,
rejoice and redouble their efforts until the Dr. RaJ:imatu'llah Muhajir, Mr. John Robarts
goals were won. Invigorated by the encour- and Mr. Collis Featherstone whose presence
agement they received from the World Centre lent impetus to the work of the Faith and lifted
of their Faith and the guidance of their the morale of the believers. Programmes of
National Spiritual Assemblies, and aided by one kind and another were arranged for each
the splendid efforts of the Auxiliary Board travelling teacher whose visits to the friends ,
members and their assistants, the friends per- especially in the rural areas, warmed the hearts
formed such outstanding services toward the of the friends and helped advance the work.
accomplishment of the goals that a renewed Southern Africa was blessed not only with
spirit appeared in the body of the believers in a receiving an abundant number of travelling
greater measure than was ever seen before. teachers from Europe, America and Asia but
This spirit manifested itself in countless differ- produced its own travelling teachers as well.
ent forms to further the Cause of God. Malawi, Swaziland, Rhodesia and South
In some localities intensive teaching cam- Africa sent teachers to their neighbouring sispaigns were organized during which Baha'f ter communities. The efforts of the teachers of
youth and others would remain in an area for a African descent were especially successful.
week or two. This method was used with par- The Southern African zone has made conticular success in Reunion. Its use always siderable progress in consolidation of its comresulted in greater participation by local Baba' - munities, the deepening of individual believers
fs in teaching and giving talks at meeting and and in fostering active participation in adminisconferences. Some regions set short-term goals trative activities. The deepening of believers is
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 145

Friends attending the first Bahd'{ Summer School of Rhodesia; 28 August-I September 1977.
a result of many wonderful and persistent BUILT it! But we have no grass for the roof . . .
efforts made in consolidation programmes by we need help ... '
the various national communities. This has And again, the chairman of a Local Assembeen achieved through the holding of national ,
bly in Lesotho, writing to his National Spiritual
regional, and local conferences; study classes,
Assembly, states:
and institutes; correspondence courses (which
have been a going thing for some time); use of 'We are happy to find this opportunity of writ-
Baha'i cassettes; the showing of Baha'i films; ing this letter to you to inform you about things
regular visits of National Assembly members taking place in our village. It is with deepest
and Auxiliary Board members to the com- sorrow that we Baha'ls of Liphaleng have to
munities and friends; an increase in translation tell you about the death of one member of ours
and the production of Baha'i literature; youth, who died on the 30th December, 1977 and was
women and children' s conferences; and the buried on the 31st.
holding of winter and summer schools. Indeed 'The deceased was a true Baha'i member
the holding of these schools has gradually because even during his last days of illness
caught on and contributes much toward heart- although he was questioned a lot about this
ening the believers not only through the knowl- Faith and was advised to agree to be baptized
edge gained but through the provision of fel- ... he refused, pledging his support to the
lowship in a Baha'i atmosphere. Baha'i Faith until the last day.
It is difficult to measure the quality of 'Thus we also inform you that he was buried by
deepening that has occurred to a lesser or grea- the Baha'i members and only Baha'i prayers
ter degree in various parts of the zone but were said ... He was the first man here to be
perhaps the following two quotations from buried the Baha'i way. His name was Mokete
reports of Assembly secretaries will illustrate Morai.'
the progress that has been made. In a report
Other activities which took place during this
from the Local Spiritual Assembly of Chitengu
period and which met with some measure of
we find:
success were in the fields of proclamation and
'We are thinking to build our own Centre. We publicity: interviews on the radio and in televihave already collected stones, we have already sion; radio programs, especially in Seychelles;
made bricks for the walls, we have already cut newspaper articles and advertisements; the
down trees for the roof, we have already holding of United Nations Day programmes in
bought frames for the doors, we have already Mauritius, Swaziland, Seychelles and Zambia;
bought nails for the roof, we have already and exhibitions of Baha'i books, posters and
146 THE BAHA'f WORLD

materials at various trade and agricultu ral fairs and a foundation is laid upon which, through
in Seychelles, Botswana, Zambia and Swazi- the infallible guidance of the Universal House
land . In April 1979 during the Easter period of Justice and the love and sacrifices of the
the Faith was proclaimed to over 10,000 peo- present believers, the Faith of Baha'u'llah wi ll
ple at the dedication of the Interdenomina- be firmly established and will surely go from
tional Church in Swaziland. The King, gov- strength to strength.
e rnment officials and many diplomats were
also in attendance and heard the message of
Western Africa
Baha'u'llah.
This record would be incomplete without the The continental zone of West Africa is commention of prayers that have been said prised of twenty-two countries, islands and terth rougho ut the zo ne for the success of the ritories: Mauritania , Senegal, the Gambia,
goals. Almost every national community Guinea-Bissau, the Cape Verde Islands,
arranged several days when believers espe- Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia , Ivory
cially united in prayer and meditation. Also, Coast, Upper Volta, Niger, Ghana , Togo,
many communities in each region began to Benin, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Equatorial
gather at least one earl y mo rning a week for Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe.
praye rs . In addition , the Continenta l Board of When this zone was first created in 1975, the
Counsellors, toward the latter part of the Five Universal House of Justice spoke of 'the
Year Plan , requested through the National mighty potentialities for growth and expansion
Assemblies that all believers in their zone in the western regio ns of Africa.' Progress durrecite the Tablet of AQmad on Mondays. ing these three years clearly indicated the vast
The Baha'i Faith in Southern Africa during possibilities of the region and the receptivity
the past three yea rs has made tremendous and spirituality of its peoples.
progress. Not only are there thousands ofBaha' -
is everywhere throughout the zone but there Formation of New National Assemblies
are man y silent teache rs in the form of local During this period, two new National
and national I:Ia?fratu'l-Quds which stand as a Spiritual Assemblies joined the twelve existing
living proof of the solidarity and strength of the National Assemblies: the National Spiritual
Faith a nd, indeed, are known as symbols of Assembly of the Baha'fs of U pper Volta with
unity all over the regions. Although we have its seat in Ouagadougou in 1977 and the
not achieved the strength toward which we National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of
strive, a ve ry humble beginning has been made Mauritania with its seat in Nouakchott in 1978.

Baha'( Booth, Trade Fair, Gaborone, Botswana; July 1976. Mrs. Cynthia Komanyane,
Auxiliary Board assistant, served as one of the hostesses for visitors to the booth.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 147

Both national conventions were blessed by the and Cameroon, counselled National Assempresence of Hands of the Cause of God, sent as blies, addressed gatherings of the friends, dedispecial representatives of the Universal House cated local centres, spoke at public meetings
of Justice: Mr. Enoch Olinga to Upper Volta and met with Auxiliary Board members and
and Dr. 'Alf-MuJ:iammad Varga to Mauritania. their assistants. He particularly stressed the
Unfortunately, the National Spiritual importance of contacting authorities and peo-
Assembly of the Baha'fs of Niger was lost dur- ple of influence in each country.
ing this same period, when in 197 8 all The visits of each of these Hands of the
administrative activities ceased through cir- Cause furthered the proclamation of the Faith,
cumstances beyond our control. since radio interviews were often secured for
them and a number of courtesy visits made to
Recognition of the Faith in Gabon officials.
Through the untiring efforts of Dr. 'Azfz
N avfdi working under the guidance of the Uni- Teaching
versal House of Justice, the Faith was officially Already by Ric;lv:l.n 1976 a marvellous
recognized by the government of Gabon in momentum toward achieving the teaching
April 1978. goals had been generated. Inspired by a suggestion from Dr. Muhajir on an earlier visit,
Visits of Hands of the Cause of God many of the National Assemblies in the zone
In addition to the presence of Mr. Olinga had committed themselves to win their teachand Dr. Varga at the inaugural conventions of ing goals by the Nairobi Conference in October
Upper Volta and Mauritania, Mr. Olinga 1976. Though only the Ivory Coast was able to
travelled briefly in Senegal and Mauritania achieve its teaching goals by that date, Ric;lvan
before attending the International Youth Con- 1977 saw six more countries, Benin, Chad, the
ference in Abidjan in July 1976; and Dr. Gambia, Sierra Leone, Togo and Upper Volta
Muhajir in 1976 and 1978, and Mr. Feather- not only achieve their teaching goals but adopt
stone in 1979, travelled extensively in the supplementary goals. By the end of the Plan
zone. As always, these visits by the Hands of almost all of these same countries had nearly
the Cause 'diffused the divine fragrances' and doubled the assigned goals and in the case of
were a source of great joy and inspiration to the Chad, more than doubled.
friends. Not every country found such quick and easy
Prior to the Nairobi International Teaching success. Cameroon, Ghana, and Nigeria had all
Conference, the Hand of the Cause lost large numbers of Assemblies in the early
RaJ:imatu'llah Muhajir visited, in August and years of the Plan and they struggled to regain
September 1976, Senegal, the Gambia, Sierra their original positions before advancing to win
Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin, the assigned goals. In a number of countries,
Togo, Nigeria and Cameroon. During the wisdom necessitated that the teaching work
course of his visit, he encouraged National should proceed at a slower pace, and in still
Assemblies to collaborate on border teaching others, circumstances prevented achievement
projects and to strive for entry by troops. In of the assigned goals.
addition to consulting with the institutions of Throughout these years intensive teaching
the Faith and the friends, Dr. Muhajir travelled projects were organized, generally during the
in each of these countries, visiting villages and long vacation periods and often utilizing youth.
demonstrating how to teach. In January 1978 One such project in Togo resulted in the for-
Dr. Muhajir was again able to visit Cameroon mation of eight new Assemblies and the openwhere he consulted with the institutions of the ing of thirty-three new localities in a six-week
Faith and assisted in teaching, deepening and period.
proclamation activities in several localities. Highly receptive areas were found in almost
The Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone every country of the zone, and in Cameroon,
accompanied by his wife travelled in West Chad, Ghana, the Gambia, Ivory Coast,
Africa for the first time in January and Febru- Nigeria, Togo and Upper Volta, the comary of 1979. Mr. Featherstone visited many munities moved closer to the stage of entry by
localities in Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria troops. This was most evident when in a given
148 THE BAHA'f WORLD

Conference of Counsellors for Western Africa, members ofthe National Spiritual Assembly of
the Cameroon Republic, members of the Auxiliary Board and assistants; Buea, Cameroon; 9
May 1976. Standing on the extreme left is Counsellor H. Ardekanf; fourth from the left, back
row, Counsellor Z. Kazemi. Seated on the extreme left is Counsellor Mihd{ Samandari; third
from right, Counsellor Thelma Kelghati; on the exteme right, Counsellor Friday Ekpe.
area, new believers arose to carry the Faith to were formed, eight the result of extension
nearby villages, and the process again repeated teaching.
itself. For example, in the Ife and Port Harcourt areas in Nigeria the Faith spread rapidly Consolidation
by this method in a relatively short period of Two important goals of the Plan were to
time. In Chad at one point, the growth was so develop the distinctive character of Baha'i
rapid that from month to month ten new community life and to consolidate the victories
Assemblies would be formed. already won. Efforts were made to fulfil these
During this period the Baha'i community goals, but on the whole, progress was slow and
became more diversified through the entry of much remains to be done.
new tribal groups and was spread more widely The most commonly used method of workthroughout each country . In Nigeria, at least ing with communities was for individual
one Local Assembly was formed in each State. believers to visit nearby villages on a regular
During the last year of the Plan in a number basis. These visits often included general meetof countries, full-time teachers, Auxiliary ings of the friends, meetings with the Local
Board members and assistants were used to Assembly , assisting with children's classes or
insure fulfilment of all the goals. Nineteen Day Feasts, etc. Usually these efforts
The Plan had called for Local Spiritual were co-ordinated by the National Teaching
Assemblies to assume a greater share in the Committee and in the case of Benin, Chad,
teaching work. As such, Local Assemblies Liberia, Nigeria and Togo, by Regional Teachwere assigned extension teaching goals by the ing Committees as well.
National Spiritual Assembly or in the case of In addition to these regular visits, an increasstronger Assemblies spontaneously adopted ing number of regional and local institutes
them. However, the percentage of Assemblies were held, often in collaboration with Auxiliwhich actually carried out a programme of ary Board members. Generally lasting one or
extension teaching remained quite small. two days, these institutes deepened the knowl-
Where efforts were made, the results were edge of the friends and kindled their love for
truly heartening. For example, in February the Faith. During the summer of 1978, a par-
1977 Ghana was so far behind in its goals that ticularly successful series of four regional instithe situation seemed hopeless. The National tutes was held in Ghana as a joint effort of the
Assembly embarked on an intensive teaching National Spiritual Assembly and the Auxiliary
campaign enlisting the help of Local Assem- Board. These institutes were conducted comblies. That Ric;lvan, fourteen new Assemblies pletely in the vernacular and used translations
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 149
of the sacred Writings as a basis. International Travelling Teachers
A number of seven- to nine-day institutes Throughout these years, but especially durwere held in Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory ing the final year of the Plan, a host of interna-
Coast, Togo and Upper Volta where the tional travelling teachers lent invaluable assisfriends immersed themselves in the Writings of tance to the teaching and consolidation work in
the Faith and emerged with a deep commit- every country of the zone. Many of these
ment to serve. teachers were able to stay in the same area for
On the whole, the condition of Local several months, and thus not only open new
Spiritual Assemblies remained weak. The localities and form new Assemblies, but leave
efforts of the National Spiritual Assemblies to behind functioning Baha'i communities.
train at least one believer in every community Special mention should be made of the
and of the Auxiliary Board members to train marathon voyage of Mohsen and Felicity
their assistants brought some improvement, Enayat, travelling teachers from Canada, who
but not nearly enough. for nearly two years travelled across the length
There was a slight increase in the number of and breadth of West Africa, touching almost
communities regularly holding Nineteen Day every country in the zone. Their love, devotion
Feasts and Holy Day observances. In and humility coupled with their deep knowl-
Cameroon, Senegal and Niger, the publication edge and creative methods of teaching and
and distribution of programmes for the Feasts deepening, made them especially effective
and Holy Days greatly encouraged the com- wherever they went.
munities to observe these events. In addition to travelling teachers from
Where practised, the gathering of the friends abroad, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, the Gambia,
for early morning prayers deeply enriched the Ghana, Ivory Coast, Niger, Senegal, Sierra
spiritual life of the community. Far more vil- Leone and Togo, all sent travelling teachers to
lage than town communities managed to neighboring countries at some point during this
achieve this goal on a regular basis, and where period.
not done on a community basis, often families
adopted the practice of early morning Pioneers
prayers. As always, the settlement of foreign pioneers
For some years regular summer schools had reinforced the efforts of the friends in every
been held in Liberia, and during this period, land. A number of native believers in
Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Cameroon, Chad and Togo also arose as
Togo began holding them as well. homefront pioneers to open new localities and
A new approach to consolidation used with strengthen weak or new areas.
great success in Cameroon was a mobile institute, a Volkswagen bus equipped with litera- Border Teaching
ture, films, etc. and manned by a pioneer. The Many National Assemblies found great sucmobile institute in this three-year period visited cess by acting on Dr. Muhajir's suggestion to
literally hundreds of communities. collaborate in teaching along common borders
Another method of deepening were the where the same tribal group lived on both sides
introductory correspondence courses devel- of the border. In the Casamance area of
oped by Chad and Togo. Senegal near the Gambia border, the Gambian
The national bulletins of each country con- friends were able to form a number of Assemtinued to serve as a major link between the blies among the Jola tribe, thus greatly aiding
National Assembly and local communities. the friends in Senegal to achieve their goals. A
The quality of the national bulletin in Liberia joint Ghana-Togo teaching project among the
should be especially mentioned . In addition, Ewe tribe in the Volta region of Ghana
the National Assembly of Ghana wrote regular resulted in the formation of seven new
Feast letters to the communities sharing news Assemblies and many new localities. Other
and encouraging the friends, and the National border areas between Liberia and Ivory Coast,
Assembly of Nigeria published a bulletin after Ivory Coast and Ghana, Ghana and Upper
each of its meetings informing the friends of Volta, Upper Volta and Togo, and Cameroon
new decisions, and sharing information. with her neighbors in Nigeria, Chad and the
150 THE BAHA'f WORLD

Central African Empire, all proved highly appeared in the national paper the Daily
receptive. Times, and in a number of State papers. A
committee was appointed to systematically use
National Teaching Conferences
the media for the proclamation of the Faith.
The practice of holding annual National
After Dr. Muhajir's visit in 1976 and at his
Teaching Conferences begun early in the Plan
encouragement, the Baha'is of Liberia secured
grew to become a major event in the life of the
a fifteen-minute weekly radio programme
community. The situation of the goals was forcwhich continued throughout the remainder of
ibly brought to the attention of the friends and
the Plan. In addition, the Baha'is regularly
often individual pledges were made to work for
appeared on the devotional closing progachievement of the goals. These conferences
ramme on television. In 1978, the Baha'is of
brought the friends together in love and unity
Cameroon also broadcast for six months a
and generated enthusiasm to work harder for
fifteen-minute weekly English language progthe Plan.
ramme on the Faith.
Usually these conferences were held in the
national I:Ia'.?fratu'l-Quds, but Cameroon made Contact with Authorities
a practice of varying the location in order to Systematic attempts were made to proclaim
allow maximum participation from various the Faith, its aims, history and present stature,
areas. to leaders of thought and government officials
A number of the friends from the zone were in every country, both nationally and locally.
also able to attend the International Teaching Directed by the National Assembly itself, and
Conferences in Paris and Nairobi, and a young in Cameroon, by a committee, this activity
Ghanaian singer, Miss Ranzie Mensah, par- became one of the most vital in every national
ticipated in the program of the Paris Confer- community.
ence, and travelled to teach in several Euro- As in expanding the use of media, the visits
pean countries. of Hands of the Cause and international travelling teachers enabled a number of courtesy
Use of Media
visits to be made to high government officials,
The expanded use of media during this
especially in Cameroon, the Gambia, Ghana,
period gave an added boost to the proclama-
Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone
tion of the Faith. In Cameroon, Chad, the
and Togo.
Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria,
A number of communities held United
Sierra Leone, Togo and Upper Volta, the visits
Nations Day observances which again aided
of Hands of the Cause and international travelthe proclamation of the Faith. A delegation
ling teachers enabled the friends to secure representing the Baha'i International Comperiodic interviews on radio and television munity attended the Economic Commission
and, occasionally, newspaper coverage. In
for Africa's Conference on the Integration of
addition to the publicity secured by the Hands
Women in Development, held in October
of the Cause, these teachers were all tremend-
1977 in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
ously successful in attracting coverage: Mr.
Andre Bruguiroux, author of La terre n'est International Conferences
qu'un seul pays who visited francophone coun- The efforts of the friends to teach and protries in West Africa in 197 8; Dr. Jane Faily, a claim the Faith were greatly assisted by a series
clinical psychologist who travelled in West of International Youth Conferences sponsored
Africa for one year on behalf of the Iranian by the Continental Board of Counsellors in
Teaching Training Committee for Africa and collaboration with designated National
as a Consultant on Women and Children's Spiritual Assemblies. Held respectively in the
affairs in Africa for the Baha'i International Ivory Coast in 1976, Nigeria in 1977, and
Community; Dorothy Hansen, a poet and Cameroon in 1978, these conferences, in addiformer journalist; and Shamsi Sadeghat, tion to stimulating the teaching work and
Director of a Maternity Clinic and member of deepening the knowledge of the friends, prothe National Assembly of Trinidad and vided an occasion for the Baha'is of varied
Tobago. racial , national and religious backgrounds to
In Nigeria especially, articles about the Faith experience that unity which is the pivot of our
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 151

Some who attended the Women's Conference
sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly
of the Bahti'(s of Niger; January 1978.

First Baha'i Summer School of Sierra Leone,
held in Magburaka; 27-30 December 1977.
In attendance was Counsellor Friday Ekpe
(centre, back row) and other Bahti'(s from 12
African communities and two foreign
countries.

Baha'i community of Rosso, Mauritania, with
their guests; 1977.
152 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Some Baha'fs of Kumba , Cameroon
Republic, photographed at their
newly-acquired f:/a'r,fratu'l-Quds; May 1977.

The Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone
(back, extreme left), Mrs. Featherstone, and
other Bahd'fs who attended the dedication of
one of the Regional Centres acquired by the
Baha'fs of Ghana during the Plan; 30 January
1979.

Some Bahd'(s of lllie-Etche, River State,
Nigeria with their guests, photographed during
the visit of a travelling teacher from Ghana,
Mrs. D. Hansen (back row); 10 March 1979.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 153
Faith. In all three gatherings, large delegations high-ranking officials were contacted as a
from fran added greatly to the spirit and effec- result of the conference.
tiveness of the conferences. Translation
The conference in Ivory Coast, held 9-11 The expansion of the Faith into new areas
July 1976, attracted nearly 200 participants. necessitated first translations into a number of
Blessed by the presence of the Hand of the tribal languages. In addition the number of
Cause of God Enoch Olinga, the conference translations of the Writings into existing tribal
resulted in unprecedented publicity for the languages was increased. For example, Chad
Faith. On his arrival in Abidjan, Mr. Olinga published a series of prayerbooks in the major
was interviewed in the VIP lounge of the air- tribal languages of the country. Ghana transport along with Dr. Mihdi Samandari, one of lated and Togo published a prayerbook in Ewe.
the Counsellors in West Africa, who was rep- Senegal published a prayerbook in Wolof.
resenting the Baha'i International Community Several countries recorded translations of the
at a United Nations Economic and Social sacred Writings on cassettes, and in Niger a
Council Conference being held in Abidjan at series of deepening talks in Hausa and Djerma
the same time. A number of radio and televi- were recorded. Just prior to the International
sion interviews were broadcast, and for three Youth Conference in Nigeria, a pamphlet was
successive days, articles appeared in the major printed in Efik, Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba, to
newspaper, twice with front page coverage. assist with the teaching work.
Multi-national delegations visited various gov- Though most literature continued to be
ernment officials including a number of minis- ordered from publishing trusts abroad, a large
ters. After the conference, many of the par- quantity of the pamphlet, Basic Facts of the
ticipants assisted in teaching projects in the Baha'i Faith was printed in Ca meroon in both
Ivory Coast and nearby countries. French and English for use throughout the
Over 250 Baha'is from nineteen countries, zone. Most countries also began developing
gathered in Enugu, Nigeria from 12-14 teaching and deepening materials more suited
August 1977. Inspired by a message of the to their local needs. In Cameroon , a number of
Universal House of Justice to the conference, deepening booklets on various subjects were
the friends consulted on ways and means to prepared along with an introductory booklet to
achieve the goals of the Plan, shared experi- be sent to all new Baha'is. Chad likewise proences from their various countries and made duced a number of deepening sheets for use in
individual pledges to assist the work of the their community.
Plan. Again, the conference opened the way The use of audio-visual materials also
for widespread publicity, both newspaper and became more widespread. In addition to the
television. slides, filmstrips and postcards available from
For Cameroon, the conference held in the International Audio-Visual Centre, new
Yaounde in August 1978 became a turning materials, slide shows, etc. were developed
point for achieving the goals of the Plan. The locally. A young Ghanaian artist developed a
intensive teaching activities both prior to and series of drawings illustrating various aspects
after the conference provided the momentum of Baha'i life.
which carried the country through to victory in Women's Activities
the final year of the Plan. Of the over 380 Prior to the Five Year Plan, few conscious
participants from nineteen countries, a virtual efforts were made to involve women in the
army arose with eighteen offers for interna- activities of the Faith. During the years 1976 to
tional pioneering, five for homefront pioneers, 1979 the numbers of women increased and
and 112 offers for travelling teaching. In women took an increasingly active role in
Cameroon alone, twenty-three teaching teams Baha'i community life. In five national comwent out from the conference. In addition to munities, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Liberia,
consecrating their time and efforts, the par- Sierra Leone and Togo, African women were
ticipants made generous contributions in both elected to the National Spiritual Assembly,
cash and kind to be used for the work of the and an increasing number of women served on
Plan in West Africa and in achieving other Local Spiritual Assemblies. African women
international goals. A number of ministers and were sent as travelling teachers from
154 THE BAHA ' I WORLD

Cameroon to the Central African Empire, One of the most touch ing moments of the
from Ghana to Togo, and from Togo to Benin, conference came when African women, many
and played an increasingly important role in of them from villages, began to speak about
the teaching work of their own countries. what the Baha'i Faith and their participation in
During this period Benin, Ghana, Chad , the conference meant to them .
Ivory Coast, Niger, Sierra Leone , Upper Volta
Children 's Classes
and Upper West Africa, all organized National
Progress toward the goal of regularly estab-
Women's Conferences. In addition, a number
lished children's classes was sporadic a nd
of these same countries plus Cameroon ,
uneven . The Baha 'is of Chad achieved out-
Nigeria and Togo organized regional and local
standing success where by the year 1977 over
women's institutes and conferences. These
2,000 Chadian children, both Baha'i and nonconferences gave Baha'i women the opportu-
Baha'i, were enrolled in regular classes. A
nity to learn more about the Faith, its teachings
series of twelve lesson plans entitled ' Step by
on the equality of men and women and the
Step' were developed as an aid to teachers and
education of children. In some instances, pracregular institutes were held for the training of
tical training was given regarding health care,
teachers.
nutrition, sewing, etc.
Many other countnes, Cameroon, the
Most countries appointed National
Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Niger,
Women's Committees, so that the goal of
Nigeria, Togo and Senegal likewise developed
increasing the participation of women would
lesson plans and conducted training courses.
receive constant attention. The National
Almost every country at one time or another had
Committees in Chad and Niger were especially
a number of children's classes in operation, but it
effective. In Niger, the Home Life Committee
proved difficult to maintain the classes over a
regularly reproduced articles, often translalong period of time.
tions of articles by the Hand of the Cause
In the last year of the Plan, the training of
'Ali-Akbar Furutan concerning such topics as
teachers for children's classes received a helpthe education of children , husband and wife
ing hand from the Teacher Training Commitrelations, family life, etc. Bi-monthly the
tee for Africa in fran. This Committee sent a
friends would gather to discuss the articles, and
number of Persian believers who held teacher
they were also distributed to local communities
training courses and assisted with children's
throughout the country.
classes in Cameroon , Liberia, Ghana, Sierra
In Liberia, a women's page was included in
Leone and Nigeria. Special mention should be
the national bulletin.
made of the extensive travels of Dr. Jane Faily
who assisted with child education in all of the
West African Bahti'{ Women's Conference
above countries and the Ivory Coast and Togo.
These various women's activities in each
A number of countries included children's
country culminated in the West African Baha'i
pages in their national bulletins, and in
Women's Conference held 28-30 December
Cameroon , a quarterly magazine for children,
1978 in Monrovia, Liberia. The President of
Anfs, was published in French and English.
Liberia, the Honorable W. R. Tolbert sent a
message of greeting to the conference which Youth Activities
was officially opened by the Minister of Post Overall , the West African Baha'i community
and Telecommunications. A number of other is young and youth are intricately involved in
messages were received including one from all aspects of the work of the Faith. However as
Helva Sipila, Assistant Secretary General of the Plan called for specific youth activities a
the United Nations Centre for Social number of developments took place .
Development and Humanitarian Affairs. National Youth Committees were appointed
Extensive coverage was given the conference in Cameroon and Chad; and in Chad and
by radio, television and the press. For a public Benin, local youth committees as well. A
meeting held in conjunction with the confer- number of Local Assemblies, Accra, Ghana;
ence, the Minister of Information shared a Calabar, Nigeria; and Lome, Togo appointed
platform with Dr. Jane Faily, Consultant for local youth committees.
the Baha'i International Community. In increasing numbers youth arose as travel-
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 155

Baha'i Children's Class, Chad.

Site of the future Mashriqu'l-Adhktir, Lome,
Togo.

Bahti'[ Children's Class of Jkot Uba Village,
Cross River State, Nigeria, taught by Mr. 0.
E. Njang.
156 THE BAHA'I WORLD

ling teachers and homefront pioneers and Collaboration of Institutions
committed their vacation time for special Overall, the bonds of love and cooperation
teaching projects. between the institutions of the Continental
University clubs continued to function at the Boards of Counsellors and their Auxiliary
University of Cameroon in Yaounde and the Boards and the National Spiritual Assemblies
University of Science and Technology at and Local Assemblies grew stronger. The fre-
Kumasi, Ghana. In addition, informal youth quency of consultations between the Counselgroups were formed on university campuses in lors and National Assemblies greatly
Ivory Coast, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and increased. Periodic consultations between the
Upper Volta. Auxiliary Board members and National Teach-
Niger continued publication of its excellent ing Committees for the purpose of planning
youth journal Bad{' and Chad and Cameroon and sharing information were held in almost
began publishing similar youth bulletins. every country of the zone . Parallel with the
In addition to participation in the Interna- growth of the community , the number of Auxtional Youth Conferences, Chad and a few iliary Board members increased from eleven at
other countries held National Youth confer- Ri<;lvan 1976 to forty at Ri<;lvan 1979 and over
ences, and Cameroon started the practice of 250 assistants were appointed.
devoting one night of the national convention
to a youth conference. International Convention
West Africa was blessed to have each
Property Goals National Spiritual Assembly represented at the
With the exception of the Gambia, which had International Convention in 1978. For Benin,
acquired all of its local centres and endow- Cameroon, Ghana, Togo and Niger, it was the
ments by the end of 1976, property goals first time an indigenous believer had ever set
proved a real challenge to most national com- foot in the Holy Shrines. The accounts and
munities. Lack of experience, inflationary memories of this precious spiritual experience,
costs, difficulties in acquiring land, all combined which were carried back by the participants,
to make progress distressingly slow, and most greatly enriched each community.
goals were achieved only during the last year Overall, these were years of growing maturof the Plan. ity for the communities of West Africa. One
The challenge proved well worth the effort evident sign of this maturity was the fact that
for wherever local centres were built, they over half of the National Spiritual Assemblies
became a source of unity and pride for the in the zone became self-supporting during this
community, a symbol of their love and devo- period, and the remaining few greatly reduced
tion to the Faith. Interestingly enough , often the amount of assistance received from abroad.
new communities arose with great enthusiasm African believers increasingly played a leading
to build local centres. For example in the north role in the teaching and administration of the
of Togo after a teaching project in which a Faith. Growing numbers of individual Baha'fs
number of Assemblies were formed and new arose to serve the Faith with devotion, perselocalities opened, six new centres were built in verance and sacrifice. One touching example of
a short period with minimal assistance from the this spirit was shown in Niger, where a number
National Assembly. In southern Upper Volta, of believers had saved enough money to attend
after a similar project, three centres were built, the Paris Conference in 1976, but as Niger was
one completely on the initiative of the friends . far behind in its teaching goals, decided to
The regional centres served to enhance the sacrifice their desire and the money, using it to
prestige of the Faith and were successfully used finance a travel-teaching safari throughout the
as a site for conferences and institutes. country.
Among the national properties acquired Much remains to be done in all areas. The
during this time, Mauritania acquired its tem- potential is great, and the corresponding
ple site and national Centre, Ivory Coast new responsibilities are great. However there is a
land for a national Centre , Senegal its temple growing awareness among the friends, and
site, Sierra Leone its national endowment and faith, that with continued effort our hopes will
Upper Volta its temple land. be realized.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 157

B. THE AMERICAS

The Five Year Plan called for the formation of organize such activities. Also, three successful
one new National Spiritual Assembly in Cen- international youth conferences took place
tral, North and South America. At Ric_ivan under the sponsorship of the Continental
1977 the National Spiritual Assembly of the Board of Counsellors and the respective
French Antilles came into being, with its seat in National Spiritual Assembly: in San Jose,
Guadeloupe. Surinam and French Guiana Costa Rica, for the entire zone, in December
formed at Ric_ivan 1977 with its seat in Para- 1977; in Santa Tecla, El Salvador, for the
maribo, Surinam; and at Ric_lvan the following northern part of Central America and Mexico,
year the Bahamas formed their National in December 1978; and in David , Panama, for
Assembly with its seat in Nassau. The progress the southern part of Central America and
of the Faith in the thirty-three National Panama, in January 1979.
Spiritual Assemblies whose territories lie Three principal objectives of the Five Year
within the Americas are assisted by the Conti- Plan are, by their very nature, continuing
nental Boards of Counsellors whose spheres of goals: the preservation and consolidation of
service are divided into three zones, each with past accomplishments; the broad and vast
its own Board: expansion of the Baha'i community; and the
Central America development of the distinctive character of
North America Baha'i life, especially in the local communities.
South America All three were embarked upon throughout the
zone with varying degrees of intensity and
Central America some success was noted. The training and
In the area comprising Panama, Central encouragement of Local Spiritual Assemblies,
America, Mexico and the Antilles, the years another aspect of the Five Year Plan which
from 1976 to 1979 witnessed considerable demands constant and continuing attention,
social and political unrest which in some was pursued in an effort to assist the Baha'is to
instances disrupted the teaching activities of achieve a fuller understanding of the administhe Baha'i communities and required the trative order and to increase the number of
forced departure of Baha'i pioneers; neverthe- effectively functioning Local Assemblies.
less, many thrilling victories were recorded. Special events and highlights in the period
Practically all areas with National Spiritual under review included:
Assemblies established the required number of (1) Teams of five believers participated in
Local Spiritual Assemblies and opened to the two successful teaching projects of less than
Faith the assigned number of new localities. one month each along the north coast of Hon-
Despite heroic efforts during the final year of duras. As a result of the second project alone,
the Plan it was not possible to acquire all local 1,009 people accepted the Faith, nineteen new
and regional Centres nor to secure all endow- Local Spiritual Assemblies were elected and
ments. Much progress was made, however, in thirty-four new localities were opened. The
publishing new literature for children, and in population among whom the projects took
training teachers for newly-established classes place comprises Carib and Mesquite Indians,
for children. Special activities for women, and Latins and people of African descent. William
the increase of their participation in all phases Stover, the Auxiliary Board member who was
of Baha'i activities, received much attention, the moving spirit in both projects, wrote: ' I
and a successful international conference for have been using "e ntrance in troops" and
women was held in El Salvador under the " mass conversion " in my reports and that is
auspices of the Continental Board of Counsel- exactly what we are now engaged in ... we
lors and the National Spiritual Assembly. In have whole villages which are either all Baha'fs
addition , regional and national women's con- or have a Baha'i population of well over fifty
ferences were held in other countries. per cent . . . every trip we make we witness
Regional and national youth conferences more and more Baha'is teaching the Cause and
took place in those countries having a National trying to deepen their knowledge of it and
Youth Committee sufficiently developed to abide by its laws.'
158 THE BAHA'f WORLD

(2) In Panama, a continuous proclamation stige and recognition of the Faith. The director
and teaching campaign in areas around the and teachers will be Baha'ls.
House of Worship resulted in 3,000 people (4) Another significant event in the Caribaccepting the Faith, approximately 800 of bean zone was the formation at Ri<;lvan 1977 of
whom embraced it during the years 1976- the first National Spiritual Assembly of the
1979. A large number of believers participated French Antilles comprising the major Frenchin this activity. Recently a Teaching Centre was speaking islands, other than Haiti, and includestablished at the House of Worship making ing Desirade, Guadeloupe, Iles des Saintes,
possible a programme of continuous consolida- Marie-Galante, Martinique, St. Barthelemy
tion of these new communities. The National and St. Martin.
Spiritual Assembly reported that classes and (5) In the area under the jurisdiction of the
other activities are carried on at the Teaching National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward
Centre with a considerable economy of human and Virgin Islands and the National Spiritual
and financial resources and draw attendance Assembly of Barbados and the Windward
from the outlying communities. Various youth Islands, large-scale proclamation, teaching
from these communities serve as teachers in and expansion has taken place in preparation
regularly-scheduled classes to train adults, for the coming into being, at some future time,
youth and children. of a National Spiritual Assembly on each
In December 1978 an inspiring conference major island.
took place attended by Baha'ls from all parts of (6) At Ri<;lvan 1979 the National Spiritual
the Ame ricas who gathered to study all aspects Assembly of Mexico-another great republic
of radio and television production and the writ- mentioned by name in the Tablets of the
ing of scripts . 1 The workshops and lectures Divine Plan-approved and inaugurated the
were led by Baha'ls who are highly-skilled pro- Jaguar Plan designed to establish the Faith
fessionals in their various fields. among each of the sixty-four indigenous
The inauguration of the newly-constructed groups composing the population. Already
first Regional Teaching Institute of Bocade representatives of thirty-one groups in Mexico
Soloy in the Guaymi area was attended by have embraced the Faith.
almost 500 Baha'ls and their friends from all
parts of the country.
(3) In Haiti, one of the two 'black republics' 2 North America
mentioned by 'Abdu'l-Baha in His Tablets of
the Divine Plrzn , an important event was the ALASKA
inauguration of construction of the Anis July 1976 brought a glimpse of the Baha'i
Zanuzi School , located at Lilavoix, a short world to Alaska when more than 1,000 friends
distance from the capital, Port-au-Prince. from twenty-two countries arrived in Anchor-
According to the National Spiritual Assem- age to atte nd the International Teaching Conbly's report, this school which is being financed ference called by the Universal House of Jusby a Baha'i, 'will house a pre-school class, six tice. Alaskan believers had worked hard to
elementary grades, and a technical school. arrange the Conference and to utilize the occa-
Craft classes, agricultural projects and even- sion to publicize the Faith throughout the
ing classes for th e local community are being State, but it was the presence of the friends
planned.' A curriculum is being developed from other countries which provided the
with a view to training children in Baha'i stan- crowning touch to the occasion. The Universal
dards of moral and spiritual conduct, as well as House of Justice was represented by the Hand
meeting national academic requirements. In of the Cause of God Collis Featherstone. He
Haiti, whe re there is much illiteracy and where was joined by his fellow Hands of the Cause,
government schools are not available, this pro- John Robarts and William Sears.
ject assumes enormous importance for the pre- Immediately following the Conference a
' See 'Expansion of the Use of Radio and Television', p. Native Council was held to focus on specific
92, 215. aspects of teaching and establishment of the
In His Tablets of the Divine l'/an, p. 33, 'Abd u' l-Bahii
refers to 't he two black republics, Haiti and Santo
Faith among the A leuts, Eskimos, and Indians
Domingo'. of North America.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 159
Apart from the International Teaching Con- Endeavours, became available just prior to the
ference the Hands of the Cause of God John International Teaching Conference.
Robarts, William Sears and 'Ali-Akbar Fun'.i- The National Spiritual Assembly conducted
tan made individual trips to Alaska. Counsel- several 'concept conferences' tliat involved
lor Florence Mayberry of the International believers from various sections of the State
Teaching Centre came again to visit Alaska. sharing ideas on such individual topics as the
The breaths from the World Centre brought by Nineteen-Day Feast, youth planning for their
these friends served to invigorate and inspire futures, family unity, and child raising. Each
the Alaska friends. year, as part of the Five Year Plan, a National
The Continental Board of Counsellors in Teaching Conference was held. In collabora-
North America continued to encourage the tion with the Continental Counsellors the
individual believers and the institutions of the National Spiritual Assembly provided seminars
Faith. A regular feature relating to Auxiliary on the art of Baha'i consultation; and encourboards, inaugurated by the Continental Board aged the continued translation of Baha'i Writof Counsellors, was published in Alaska Bahli'f ings into Alaskan native languages. The Alaska
News. It was felt that direct consultation be- Bahti'[ News ran a sixteen part series on
tween the Continental Board of Counsellors 'Opposition and the Power of the Covenant' .
and the National Spiritual Assembly benefi- The Baha'i Information Office, ·a National
cially influenced many projects thoughout the Committee, took major steps in utilization of
State. mass media . A thirty-minute video tape was
Among activities undertaken by the produced in Pt. Barrow, the most northern
National Spiritual Assembly one closest to the community in Alaska. Performances by the
hearts of all Alaskan believers was the publica- singer Karen Gibbs were sponsored in sevention of the letters written to Alaska by the teen communities and brought much favorable
beloved Guardian. This book, High publicity to the Faith.

Participants in teaching conference, Martinique, French Antilles, sponsored by the Continental Board of Counsellors for Central America; 20 August 1978. Seen on the extreme left, back
row, is Mr. Hooper Dunbar of the International Teaching Centre. Four members of the
Central American Board of Counsellors attended: Mr. Artemus La~b, fourth from left, back
row; Mr. Alfred Osborne, third from right, back row; Dr. H. Af:zmadfyyih, third from left,
third row; and Mrs. Carmen de Burafato, fourth from left, second row.
160 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Guay mi and Cuna Indian Baha'{s who participated in the satellite teaching conference held at
the Magisterio Panameno Unidas, Panama; 10-13 February 1977.

Participants in the International Bahd'( Youth Conference held in San Jose, Costa Rica; 6-9
January 1978. The conference, sponsored by the Continental Board of Counsellors for
Central America and the National Spiritual Assembly of Costa Rica, attracted more than 150
Baha'( youth from every country of Central America and from Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the
United States.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 161

The national /jar.fratu'l-Quds of the Bahamas, situated in Nassau.

The National Child Education Committee of the State. This was finally completed in the
continued to publish their bulletin, Northern summer of 1978 when visiting teaching teams
Lights. A 'Dawn Patrol', for youth aged ten to went to the Pribilof Islands, to Sand Point on
fifteen, sprang up in several towns. These the Alaska Peninsula, and to Atka in the Aleuyouth groups inaugurated a variety of tian Islands.
activities. Nine-day Institute programmes, so At the heart of all teaching work was the
effective in Alaska, were held on several occa- effort put forth by local Spiritual Assemblies.
sions and there were many weekend deepening Large Assemblies, such as Anchorage and
classes as well as spiritually invigorating Oceanview, made extensive use of the mass
Winter and Summer Schools in southern and media. The Local Spiritual Assembly of
northern Alaska. Teaching activities included Nenana, a small, predominately native comvisits to villages, settlement of pioneers, fair munity, inspired the entire State with the way it
booths, public meetings, prayer vigils, adver- assisted other communities. The National
tisements, correspondence with believers in Assembly assigned to some Local Assemblies a
remote areas, trained and organized home 'sister Assembly' with whom projects could be
teaching teams, travel teachers, and firesides. shared and help exchanged. Nenana was able
It was noted with interest that one resource- to help the teaching efforts of its sister comful and imaginative Baha'i community in a munity at Pt. Barrow and assisted several local
northern village donated, for the use of travel- Spiritual Assemblies in the purchase of local
ling teachers, caribou, seal oil, muktuk, sal- Baha'i Centres.
mon, and white fish.
Alaskans assisted the teaching work in
forty-six countries. The sponsoring by Alaska THE BAHAMAS
of a Continental Indigenous Council resulted The acquisition of a national I:Ia~fratu'l­
in a well-attended Council on the White Swan Quds in Nassau, Bahamas during the first year
Reservation in the State of Washington. of the Plan and the election of the first National
Teaching teams supported by Auxiliary Board Spiritual Assembly of the Bahamas in 1978
members from Alaska were able to assist the fulfilled an important goal of the Five Year
Canadian friends in their final goals of the Five Plan. A wave of travel teachers, settlement of
Year Plan. pioneers, and frequent and long-term visits of
In 1971 Alaska began a systematic effort to the Auxiliary Board member assigned to sercarry the message of Baha'u'llah to every part vice the Bahamas were contributing factors. A
162 THE BAHA'f WORLD

national endowment was also acquired during The Continental Board of Counsellors in
the first two years of the Plan. North America met with the National Spiritual
When the Universal House of Justice called Assembly in July 1978 to assist in formulating
for the election of the Nationa l Spiritual plans to win the remainder of their goals. A
Assembly of the Bahamas by Ric;lvan 1978, the great victory was achieved when twenty-six
Baha'i Teaching Committee of the Bahamas, radio programs on the Faith were broadcast
under the direction of the National Spiritual throughout the Islands. By Ric;lvan 1979 a ll the
Assembly of the United States, redoubled all goals of the Five Year Plan had been won,
efforts. During this momentous year eleven including the election of the eighth Local
pioneers were settled; three additional Local Spiritual Assembly, and the new pillar of the
Spiritual Assemblies were elected, bringing the Universal House of Justice ended its first year
total to seven; five teaching institutes were in triumph.
held; and twenty-two youth from the United
States participated in a teaching project. BERMUDA
The first National Convention of the The friends in Bermuda experienced an
Bahamas was held in Nassau on the weekend exciting year in 1976-1977 when the Hand of
of 20 May 1978 and was blessed by the pres- the Cause Amatu'l-Baha RuJ:llyyih Khanum
ence of the Hand of the Cause William Sears, visited the islands for a period of one hundred
the representative of the Universal House of days.
Justice. Counsellor Lloyd Gardner and Auxil- The dedication of the local J:Ia'.?iratu'l-Quds
iary Board member Dr. William Tucker also occurred in February 1976. The Centre has
attended, as well as Mr. Glenford Mitchell who proven to be a real asset to the proclamation of
represented the National Spiritual Assembly the Faith. It is located in the busiest part of the
of the United States. While the delegates were island, downtown Hamilton, and presents a
praying at the J:Ia'.?fratu'l-Quds before casting lovely appearance. The friends are able to keep
their ballots, the friends attendin g the conven- the Centre open most of the time, with protion were also praying at the Temple site. grammes which include children's classes, Holy
The newly elected National Spiritual Day celebrations, teaching and deepening
Assembly immediately arose to fulfil the institutes, and other events.
request of the Universal House of Justice to Auxiliary Board members Mrs Katherine
open five new islands by going themselves to McLaughlin and Dr. Adrienne Reeves are
four and sending travel teachers to the fifth. In providing continuing assistance to the friends.
addition it sent one of its members to each This service, together with support in teaching
Baha'i community to conduct an institute on activities provided by the National Spiritual
teaching and consultation. Assembly of the United States and frequent

_--;~;"':•.";~
i ~
Participants in the first Canadian Bah{l'f Native Council held in Tyendinaga, Ontario; 6-7
November 1976. Mrs . Melba Loft, a Chippewa Indian, who pioneered to Tyendinaga in
1949, is seen seated on the extreme left.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CU RRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIE S 163

I.'Ho111111esem/op/!Lrf!l71111/er/t((}true1terlel'kmn11e.
L'Age au cours duquel nous txplo- problftnel humalns Mpend de cette
rions dn ttm:s et des mrrs inconnues &~ d«isive.
est be! et bif'tl revolu. Crpendant, il Une acceptlltioil consciente de la

:i:!1:/~~:!':~~~de ::ut!~~.:=~
penpicadtf et d'esprit d'aventure. n'~lt le pouvoiratattw rel!cM
Le defi nit beauoou.p plus gnnd d.ms WW: lme qui dkouvre runiti de
au;ourd'hui, puisque nou' devons l'hurnanitE. La vie prrnd tout son sens
etendre nos conq~es au-dell de nee mte dtoouverte qui laisse rn·
cettr fron~rt' ullime que ronstitue trevoir un monde nouveau de rebinotre proprt natUJe humalne. I.ions hum.a Ines; rtvelant d es c•padtb;
Dy a plus de 120 ans, tntiettment insoup-

~~:!~;dateur de "Urqtn It P'ld ~on~~~a:=~
laFoiBahi'fe,affinNi pwissmitordotlnl,.rlt senuinifesttr.
que la prise de con· Sfrigntur com~ Guidk par Its enscimce dt l'uniti de JOWOmrinrrmldr.tla seignementsde
rh umanit~ scrait la~ ""'1odi.edu mondt: BaM'u'W.h, des millions
quiouvrirai1 un nouvel a.°/!a~;:;Jf.r;,~, de per.ionnesi travers Jc
~t~!:O~~=;t: J'uniondtlOUIStS dn":'!t:;:~~~~
de cette virilt fonda- fKUpltS m unr o:iu:;t ture. Ce sont les Baha'fs.
men tale entrainera dans unioersrltt, unt foi PeuH!t~ aimeriez-vous
son sillon \'unification de rutrimuru:." en savolr un peu plussur
la planete. La solution de l'objet de leur
tousles autres decouverte.
La Foi Baha':l.e
- - - - - Une promesse accomplie.- - - - -
L"un dM pnnci~ dt Nw de 11 Foi &ha"~ nt qllll' rsnvrmptlOll de 11 Wntt nt k droll et
Partial view of the Baha'i display and in for- ~~ d~~~~"t~~N- ::Hf.j,P;:il~~~n~~~~n~t(~~~~~~
T't:lUll681·~ ,QW~;l.5J'l•~.Montftil
mation booth during the 'Symposium of NOM - - - - - - - - - - - - · - - - -- - -
Philosophies and Religions,' held at the ADRESSI::: - - - ·
V I LLE ---·--·-·~·----·- CODF. rt.~TAL_ _ _ __
Windsor Hotel, Montreal, Quebec, 6- 9
April 1978. The booth was arranged by the An example of the advertisements placed in
Local Spiritual Assembly of LaSalle, Canadian publications which resulted in
Quebec, and included a display of Bahli'( hundreds of requests from the public for
literature. information about the Baha'i Faith.

v1s1ts from travel teachers, inspires the hope A uxiliary Board members Lauretta King and
that the seventh Local Spiritual Assembly will Fletcher Bennett from A laska. A pproximately
be established by Ric;lvan 1980 thus providing a sixty Assemblies were formed on Canadian
good found ation for the election in the future Indian reservatio ns. French Canadian believof the first National Spiritual Assembly of ers played an increasingly important role in the
Bermuda. teaching work, and grew in numbers, while in
CANADA British Columbia the fi rst Sikh Baha'fs were
From Ric;lvan 1976 to Ric.Ivan 1979, the enrolled, adding further to the diversity of the
Canadian Baha'i community increased steadily National community.
in numbers of believers and in the number of During 1978 and 1979 especially, Baha'fs all
diverse people represented. During this across the vast Dominion launched new and
period, 138 new Local Spiritual Assemblies vigorous campaigns of teaching. Collaboration
were formed and 825 localities opened to the between the institutions was an important key
Faith, bringing the total achievement to 315 to success. The leadership of the National
Local Spiritual Assemblies and 1,675 Spiritual Assembly was reinforced by the vislocalities, thus exceeding the m1mmum ion and encouragement and services of the
requirements of the Five Year Plan, under Hands of the Cause residing in North America,
which the number of Assem blies was to be John Robarts, William Sears and Dhikru'llah
raised to 300 and the number of localities Khadem. The Board of Counsellors, their Auxwhere Baha'fs reside to 1,500. iliary Board members and assistants collabo-
Many of these victories were won by teach- rated closely with the friends in many new and
ing teams which included Indian believers from audacious teaching projects.
Alaska, the United States and Canada, and The recognition of the Faith was furthe r
164 THE BAHA'f WORLD

advanced with the increase of incorporated The Canadian Association for Studies on the
Assemblies from eighty-six to 168, during the Baha'i Faith 1 was further developed to
Five Year Plan . Through bold proclamation increase contacts with universities and academcampaigns launched for the first time on a ics in Canada. More Baha'fs responded to
national scale in media across the entire coun- requests for scholarly papers on the Faith and
try, the Faith became better known, resulting several volumes of Baha'i Studies have been
in hundreds of requests for information about printed.
it from members of the public. Following the success of the film 'Invitation'
Canada's international mission called for the in 1975, which featured interviews with the
provision of a total of 112 pioneers in all parts Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Rul:llyyih
of the world. By Ric;lvan 1979 there were 223 Khanum, the National Spiritual Assembly crepioneers serving in seventy countries on six ated a second successful film entitled 'Retrocontinents. Many of the pioneers became spective', featuring reminiscences of the Hand
members of National Spiritual Assemblies, of the Cause John Robarts.
national committees, or Auxiliary Board The institution of the Continental Board of
members in their new homelands. Counsellors was expanded during the
Travel teachers visited all of the regions 1976- 1979 period through the appointment as
assigned. These · included Latin America, Counsellor of Mr. Angus Cowan of Canada.
Greenland, Africa, Europe and the islands of Two additional Auxiliary Board members
the Caribbean. In Greenland, Canada gave col- were appointed to serve in Canada, raising the
laborative support to the National Spiritual total number serving Canada to thirteen and by
Assembly of Denmark to assist in the acquisi- Ric;lvan 1979 there were approximately 115
tion of a I:Ia?.iratu'l-Quds, the opening of four assistants to the Auxiliary Board members
localities and the establishment of a Local serving in the Dominion.
Spiritual Assembly in the capital city of Nuuk 1
See 'History of the Canadian Association for Studies on
(Godthaab). the Baha'i Faith, p. 197 .

.i; ' II
Baha'i Children's Class, San Jose, California.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 165
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA The visits of members of the Universal
The period of Ricjvan 1976 to Ricjvan 1979 House of Justice brought inspiration and reaswitnessed significant expansion in the Ameri- surance to the American believers who were
can Baha'i Community. privileged to be in their presence as they
The number of Local Spiritual Assem,blies addressed the friends at the Mother Temple of
showed an increase of eighty-one per cent the West in Wilmette or in other cities where
(from 822 to 1,489); Assemblies on Indian they met with the believers. The American
reservations reflected a nineteen per cent Baha'i Community drew encouragement from
increase (from 12 to 31); localities where Baha' - the enlightening presentations given by Dr.
is reside increased by thirty-three per cent David Ruhe, Mr. H . Borrah Kavelin, Mr.
(from 5,301to7,041); and counties opened to Charles Wolcott, Mr. Hugh Chance, Mr. Amoz
the Faith marked a nine per cent increase Gibson, Mr. Ian Semple and Mr. Hushmand
(from 1,753 to 1,911). Some states witnessed a Fathea'zam.
net increase in Assemblies in excess of one Counsellors Hooper Dunbar, Florence
hundred per cent during the Five Year Plan. Mayberry and 'Aziz Yazdi also illumined the
Enrolments showed a marked increase dur- hearts and brought fresh inspiration from the
ing the final year of the Plan. This activity was World Centre during their brief visits in the
sparked by the presence and dynamic leader- United States.
ship of Counsellor Hidayatu'llah Al)madiyyih In 1977 the forty-five day visit of the Hand of
of Belize, who brought system to the street the Cause' Ali-Akbar Furutan and Mrs. Furuteaching techniques by the introduction of a tan enriched and enlivened the sessions of varpractical teaching tool, the illustrated and col- ious Baha'i Schools. Also, the third National
ourful booklet, The Bahti'( Faith . Supplement- Baha'i Youth Conference was blessed with the
ing this concerted effort were the services of presence of the Hands of the Cause 'Ali-Akbar
the Auxiliary Board members and their assis- Furt'.ttan, William Sears, and Dhikru'llah
tants and the continuing leadership of the Khadem. Each, in turn, addressed the 3,000
National Spiritual Assembly in the directing of Baha'i youth gathered on that occasion.
its chief auxiliary teaching agencies. The increase from eighteen to twenty-eight
-~~--

Facsimile of the bronze plaque mounted in the display area of foundation hall in the Mother
Temple of the West in Wilmette, marking the recognition of the Bahti'( House of Worship as a
national historic place by the United States government and its entry in the national Register
of Historic Places on 23 May 1978.
166 THE BAHA'f WORLD

in the number of Auxiliary Board members DELIGHTED ACTION BY FEDERAL AUTHORITIES
serving in the United States, and the concomit- TO INCLUDE MOTHER TEMPLE OF THE WEST IN
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
ant increase in the number of assistants to
STOP FRUITION YOUR EFFORTS ON 134TH
Board members, brought significant strength ANNIVERSARY OF DECLARATION HIS MISSION
and effectiveness to the services provided BY BLESSED BAB OBTAIN THIS SIGNIFICANT
under the direction of the Continental Board RECOGNITION DESERVES WARM COMMENDA-
TIONS AND IS AN OUTSTANDING ACHIEVE-
of Counsellors in North America, in close col-
MENT.
laboration with the National Spiritual Assembly. At Ri<;lvan 1976 during the National Baha'i
With a view to achieving the much desired Convention, the National Spiritual Assembly
phase in the development of the teaching prog- celebrated its fiftieth anniversary.
rammes, described as ' initiating process entry
by troops,' the National Spiritual Assembly
staged some twenty-seven conferences entitled South America
'Each One Teach One', utilizing the compilation of the Universal House of Justice, The ARGENTINA
Individual and Teaching: Raising the Divine Argentina succeeded in establishing fifty-
Call. These events were followed by support- seven Local Spiritual Assemblies by Ri<;lvan
ing projects and services initiated by the Hands 1979, with Baha'fs residing in 252 localities.
of the Cause William Sears and Dhikru'llah The major accomplishment of the Five Year
Khadem, in co-operation with the National Plan was a vigorous programme of teaching con-
Spiritual Assembly . ducted in all twenty-two Provinces of the country
In 1976 an historic occasion was celebrated and in the Territory of Tierra de! Fuego. Chile
with the gift from the American Baha'i com- and Uruguay also adopted teaching projects
munity to the Cherokee Nation of a statue of designed to reach all Provinces or Depart-
Sequoyah by the internationally renowned ments. Another important objective was
sculptor and sandpainter, David Villasenor. reached in all three countries with the forma-
The Five Year Plan property goals in the tion of at least one Local Assembly in each
international field were achieved with the major jurisdiction.
acquisition, in the first year of the Plan, of a Editorial Bahri'{ Indo-Latinoamericana pronational J:Ia~fratu'l-Quds in Nassau, Bahamas; duced fifteen new books in the period, includand, in the period under review, of a local ing the Spanish edition of Epistle to the Son of
J:I~ratu'l-Quds in Bermuda and a district the Wolf, and issued a considerable number of
Centre in Fort-de-France, Martinique. In addi- reprints of existing titles.
tion, the United States community assisted A further achievement was the purchase or
with the acquisition of Temple sites in Bar- construction of a local J:Ia~ratu'l-Quds in
bados, Togo and Puerto Rico, a local Centre in twelve localities including Cordoba, Mendoza,
the Cook Islands and a national J:Ia~ratu'l­ Rosario, Burzaco, General Roca, Resistencia
Quds in Sierra Leone. Another aspect of the and Miraflores.
international contribution of the American The Argentinian Summer School acquired
community involved sending more than 700 increasing importance and attracted many vispioneers to more than fifty designated coun- itors from neighbouring countries.
tries, plus numerous pioneers to assist in filling
goals assigned to other national communities. BOLIVIA
Twenty-five years after the opening to the Bolivia continued to make firm progress
public of the doors of the House of Worship in which resulted in an expansion of the Faith in
Wilmette, the United States government all Departments and Provinces, an increase in
announced that the Temple was being entered the number of believers and the formation of
in the National Register of Historic Places on 1,050 Local Assemblies. Effective measures of
23 May 1978, the 134th anniversary of the proclamation of the Faith were undertaken
Declaration of the Bab. The following cable employing the mass media and increased conwas addressed by the Universal House of Jus- tact was made with government figures and
tice to the National Spiritual Assembly: other public officials.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 167

Bahti'{ Centre, San Francisco, California;
opened November 1976. San Francisco was
one of the first Bahti'{ communities in the
United States. New York Bahti'fs also
acquired a centre during the Five Year Plan.

'Baha'i Week' proclamation materials,
designed by the Bahti'(s of Los Angeles,
California. Bahti'( week was observed in
November 1977 in that community.

Baha'( exhibit, Dulles International Airport,
Washington, D.C.; February 1976. Similar
exhibits and dioramas were placed in airports
across the United States and in Penn Central
Station, New York. The exhibits honour the
Bicentennial of the United States.
168 THE BAHA'I WORLD

The period witnessed a marked develop- National Visual Committee was formed.
ment in the participation by women in teaching Book Fairs were held in various centres and
activities both in urban and rural areas. the Publishing Trust, Editora Baha'i-Brasil,
Another notable accomplishment was the enriched its list of titles by publishing translatranslation and publication of The Hidden tions of Call to the Nations and other works,
Words of Bahti'u'llah in the Quechua lan- thanks in large part to the untiring efforts of the
guage. Counsellor resident in Brazil, Mrs. Leonora
Armstrong, who devotes herself to the task of
BRAZIL translating.
The visit of the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l- A number of very successful Women's Con-
Baha Rul)iyyih Khanum and members ferences were held on both the regional and
of the extraordinary 'Green Light Expedi- national levels commemorating International
tion'1 to Brazil in 1975 opened many doors for Women's Year. An outstanding symposium
teaching throughout the area. The first Baha'i was held in Vitoria to mark the United Nations
conference in the Amazon area was inaugu- International Year of the Child. Baha'i specialrated and dozens of Assemblies and groups ists in the education of children participated
were established. An Amazon teaching project effectively.
was launched along the border between Col- The Teaching Institutes for the north and
ombia and Peru, extending from Para to south of Brazil, under the supervision of mem-
Marco. There were valuable offers of pioneers, bers of the Auxiliary Board, are making progtravelling teachers, funds and boats for the ress. In Gravatai there is a school for children
transportation of teachers. Today in the Ama- ranging in age from four to six and government
zon area there is a group of teachers who reside recognition has been obtained for Baha'i Holy
on a boat and conduct classes for children and Days. The institute in Salvador trains travelling
adults. teachers and produces valuable audio-visual
The Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga visited material including a book entitled Course for
Brazil in November 1976 inspiring the friends Pioneers which is offered by the National
with unforgettable addresses, and was cor- Pioneer Committee.
dially interviewed by the press and on televi- A National Radio Committee was
sion. The International Conference 2 held in developed in Belo Horizonte and devotes itself
Salvador, Bahia in January 1977 was a glorious to recording radio programmes on cassettes. A
experience. Mr. Olinga was the official rep- National Music Congress was held which
resentative of the Universal House of Justice at heightened recognition among the friends of
this gathering which attracted 1,300 believers the value of music in teaching.
including representatives from forty-six The National Spiritual Assembly appointed
National Spiritual Assemblies and Indian Ba ha' - highly effective national committees which lent
is from seventeen tribes . Also in attendance a great impetus to the achievement of various
were the Hands of the Cause Paul Haney and aspects of the consolidation work including the
Dr. Ral).matu'llah Muhajir and all Counsellors acquisition of Baha'i Centres which now
from the South American zone. number thirty. The innovative efforts of the
Teaching conferences and winter and sum- national treasurer in dramatizing the needs of
mer schools held twice a year prepared the the Fund led to a series of study classes on the
youth for participation in teaching and deepen- subject and resulted in a greater understanding
ing activities. One result was the opening to the and maturity on the part of individuals and
Faith of the islands of Maraj6 and Isla Grande. communities as they strove to achieve univer-
The creation of 'Baha'i Week' in Sao Paulo sal participation.
resulted in closer relationships being estab- From north to south the Counsellors give
lished between the Baha'is and various relig- strong encouragement to the Baha'is in all
ious and cultural organizations. Artistic talents aspects of their activities and seek to collabowere revealed among the Baha'is and a rate in every way with the National Spiritual
Assembly in its projects designed to fulfil the
See The Bahti'f World, vol. XVI, pp. 419-448 . goals set for it by the Universal House of Jus-
See 'Eight International Teaching Conferences', p. 109. tice.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 169
CHILE Baha'u'llah, a Prayer Book, a literacy manual
Great progress was made in Chile during the and other works; the success of a number of
Five Year Plan. It doubled the number of two-week teaching projects which were held
believers and surpassed its goal calling for the throughout the country with a view to proformation of seventy-five Local Assemblies by claiming the Faith and consolidating the knowlestablishing 133 in the last year of the Plan. edge of believers; and the establishment of a
Baha'is now reside in 325 localities. Chile radio recording studio in Bogota and a recordaccomplished its goal of acquiring nine local ing studio in Cali which produces deepening
J:I~iratu'l-Quds and nineteen endowments, materials on cassettes. Both studios have promade great strides in teaching among the vided the community with useful materials.
Mapuches and elected seven Local Assemblies This was the first Plan in which Colombia
within the metropolitan area of Santiago, thus was given the goal of sending pioneers abroad.
augmenting the strength of the Baha'is in the At Ric;lvan 1979 Colombia had five pioneers
central zone of the country. Literature in Span- serving in Venezuela; two in the United
ish was enriched through the publication in Republic of Cameroon; two in Costa Rica; and
Chile of Los cielos estan rendidos (The one in the countries of Ecuador, Nicaragua and
Heavens are Cleft Asunder) and Tahirih, Poet- Uruguay. Of the pioneers which Colombia
isa y Martir def Iran (a study of the life of received during the Plan, only seven remained
Tahirih). at Ric;lvan 1979, including two on San Andres
'School Nur' was established in the munici- Island.
pal district of Las Cisternas, within the city of
Santiago. Maintained by a group of self- ECUADOR
sacrificing Baha'i school teachers, this primary Without doubt one of Ecuador's greatest
regular school, which offers two years of sec- blessings has been the establishment of Radio
ondary level training, follows a curriculum that Baha'i, the first Baha'i radio station in the
includes the teaching of religion, a presenta- world, 1 which facilitates regular communication of progressive revelation and basic Baha'i tion with believers even in the most remote and
history. The Baha'is now seek to have the inaccessible areas. On 19 July 1977 the
appropriate authorities accord 'School Nur' National Spiritual Assembly was granted perofficial status as a co-operative school within mission to operate a station in Otavalo (frethe Chilean system of education. quency 1420 KHz). The strategic Mojanda
Pass was chosen as the site for the transmitter,
COLOMBIA from which transmission could be made into
Colombia surpassed its goal of 175 Local the valleys of Otavalo and Cayambe. The first
Spiritual Assemblies by forming 213 and historic test broadcast was made on 12 October
exceeded the 750 localities where Baha'isreside 1977 using a thirty-watt home-built transby achieving 885. There are at least two Local mitter and a single tape recorder. More sophis-
Assemblies in each State and forty of these are ticated equipment was installed over the next
incorporated. two years enabling transmission with 1,000
Several achievements during the last three watts of power and programming adequate for
years of the Five Year Plan deserve special the needs of the region was developed. The
mention. Among these are the strength and view was to achieve, by December 1979,
solid foundation achieved in the States of Valle broadcasts extending over twelve hours each
and Cauca; the constant flow from the National day providing listeners, including 133 Local
Audio-Visual Committee and 'Editorial Nur' Spiritual Assemblies, with the life-giving mesof audio-visual and deepening materials which sage of Baha'u'llah as well as programmes for
are being used in many countries of Latin cultural enrichment. A second phase of
America; the establishment of a tutorial teach- development was the raising of a shortwave
ing institute (Rul).i) in Puerto Tejada where facility at a site on Mount Cuicocha which was
teachers from all parts of the country were visited by the Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga
prepared in a month-long course; the enrich- in August 1976. The first test broadcast was
ment of literature in Guajira through the pub- scheduled for 12 November 1979 (beyond the
lication of translations of The Hidden Words of ' See 'Expansion of the Use of Radio and Television', p. 215.
170 THE BAHA'I WORLD

period covered by this report). The plan is to then the Cuenca Summer School has become a
have Radio Baha'i shortwave serve the entire popular annual event providing opportunity
country, and possibly beyond its borders, and for deepening and fellowship: In October 1979
to provide extensive deepening programming. the first Summer School for Quechua-speaking
Radio Baha'i AM, it is expected, will continue believers was held in Cachaco, lmbabura, with
to serve northern Ecuador with programmes of promising results.
proclamation and the presentation of introduc- During the Five Year Plan Baha'i Prayers
tory and basic outlines of the Baha'i teachings. and The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah were
The Five Year Plan called for the formation translated into several local languages. The
of at least one Local Spiritual Assembly in monumental task of translating into Quechua
every County in Ecuador. Several Provinces Baha'u'llah and the New Era was completed by
had not yet been opened to the Faith. The Sra. Clementina de Pavon shortly before her
Baha'is of Cuenca in the south began to visit passing.
the goal areas regularly. In the north, helped by The Continental Board of Counsellors of
Radio Baha'i, more and more Indian believers South America compiled beautiful recordings
arose to participate. The friends in Esmeraldas of songs with Baha'i themes from all parts of
on the coast opened up promising new mass the continent. The National Spiritual Assemteaching areas. The Amazon basin , remote and bly, in close collaboration with the Counseluncertain, proved to be a tremendous chal- lors, undertook the distribution of cassettes
lenge. A few hardy souls made the adventurous of the Baha'i recordings through Radio
journey in precarious boats and even on foot to Baha'i.
establish the Faith of Baha'u'llah in the few The third International Quechua Confervillages of the area. The teaching in central ence, or 'Tantanakuy ', was held in Otavalo in
Ecuador seemed destined to decline and August 1977 , having as its aim the bringing
perhaps fail. Teaching campaigns were vigor- together of the Quechua-speaking friends of
ously carried out. Travelling teachers from Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador so that they could
neighbouring countries came to lend assis- consult on teaching. Each country speaks a
tance. Members of the Auxiliary Board went to different dialect of Quechua so another goal
the goal areas and stayed there . Finally, was to give the friends the opportunity to
through the combined efforts of all, the wall of familiarize themselves with the other dialects
defeat crumbled. Results of the formation of and thus more readily understand the Quechua
Local Assemblies began trickling into the literature published in the three countries. An
national office during the last months of the enormous nine-sided thatched auditorium to
Plan. At Ric;lvan 1979 the heartening news was house the conference was built by the friends in
proclaimed: Ecuador had won her goals, elect- volunteer work groups on the property of the
ing 315 Local Assemblies, with at least one in Baha'i Institute named for the Hand of the
every County. Cause Amatu'J-Baha Rul)iyyih Khanum. The
Another major goal was the acquisition of result was the 'Choza', a building built in the
nineteen local I:I~fratu'J-Quds. Most of these style of the villagers, though on a larger scale,
were secured in the Esmeraldas area where the and both pleasing to the eye and low in cost .
friends from each community helped to For the inauguration of Radio Baha'i a large
acquire the land and building materials, and picture map of the Province was painted and
then to raise the buildings. Teaching Institutes placed as a backdrop for the stage. It gives the
were constructed in Riobamba, in the central impression of viewing the entire Province from
Andean region, and in Esmeraldas, on the afar. The building is crowned with the Greatest
northern coast. In the city of Cuenca, in the Name, placed in the skylight.
southern Andes, a regional l:l~fratu'l-Quds Since its construction the 'Choza' has been
was begun. used for many activities including the Folk
In July 1977 Ecuador's first Summer School Music Festival 'Nucanchi Tono' (literally, 'our
was held in Cuenca. The sessions served as a music') sponsored by Radio Baha'i, and a
satellite conference of the International Teach- Children's Festival. Every Sunday the Baha'fs
ing Conference held in Bahia, Brazil. 1 Since of the area meet there for morning prayers.
1 See ' Eight International Teaching Conferences', p. 109. The 'Choza' is also the site of the National
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 171

Some participants in the third All-Quechua
Conference held in Otavalo, Ecuador; August
1977. Seen standing on the left are Andres
Jachakollo and Sabino Ortega, Auxiliary
Board members from Bolivia; Mario Le6n
(back, centre), a member of the National
Spiritual Assembly of Peru; and Rufino
Gual<ivisi, standing second from the right, an
Auxiliary Board member from Ecuador.

Street poster, Brazil. Thirty of these large
posters announced meetings to be held during
November 1978. While the posters were on
display the Bahti'is of Sao Paulo observed
'Baha'i Week' .

Students of the Baha'i School of La Cisterna,
Chile; 1976.
172 THE BAHA'f WORLD

Convention and of the National Teaching Con- south. In the southern Department Qf Puno,
ference held annually in December. 180 Local Assemblies were formed. In all, 272
In December 1976 Otavalo was host to the Local Assemblies came into being, a consider-
International Radio-Television Workshop able increase over the 150 assigned to the
when friends from Central and South America country as a goal. In addition, Baha'is were
met to discuss the use of mass media in the established as residents in 924 localities at the
teaching work. end of the period under review. The goal for
the acquisition of local I:I~ratu'l-Quds was
GUYANA surpassed by two bringing the total to twenty-
The processes of expanding and consolida- nine, and although assigned forty-five endowting the Baha'i community moved forward ments in the Plan, forty-seven were acquired.
rapidly during this period. Through their con- Representatives of various jungle tribes
stant efforts the Baha'is of this richly varied embraced the Faith in the period as a result of
society increased their numbers and raised the teaching activities in their home areas and satotal of Local Spiritual Assemblies and the cred Writings were translated into the various
total of localities where Baha'is reside to fifty- tongues spoken by these believers. In March
three and 153 respectively, both figures rep- 1978 it was reported that a team of teachers,
resenting achievements far above the assigned one of whom purchased a boat named Luz
goals of the Five Year Plan. Large numbers of Verde Maiden, were travelling in the Amazon
believers including youth enthusiastically par- area, introducing the Faith to people in villages
ticipated in the annual summer teaching proj- along the river system.
ects, and in addition numerous local youth 'Women's Role in the Progress of Humanity'
activities were held as well as an outstanding was the theme of the first International Conannual Youth Camp. ference of Baha'i women in South America
A great increase in the number of local chil- held during the last week of December 1977.
dren's classes was complemented by the hold- In attendance were 200 women from twelve
ing of several successful national children's countries. The First Lady of Peru, the wife of
conferences. National teaching conferences the President, sent a cordial and significant
and national conferences for women were also message to the conference, and good publicity
held regularly. was obtained. The prestige of the Cause was
There was excellent progress in the work of enhanced through the extensive use of radio
consolidating Local Assemblies and training broadcasting. A considerable increase in the
them to function effectively. Many of these number of Baha'is was recorded as well as a
bodies began contributing regularly to the growth in the number of localities where Bah a' -
National Fund thus playing a part in enabling is reside. In Peru, as well as in Bolivia and
this national community to achieve financial Paraguay, the contribution of the capable and
independence. There were also successful dedicated Baha'i youth was outstanding.
efforts made to expand the use of radio for the
proclamation of the Faith. SURINAM AND FRENCH GUIANA
Teaching act1v1t1es during the year
PARAGUAY
1976-1977 focused on extending geographi-
Paraguay surpassed its goals with the formacally the foundations of the Faith and winning
tion of thirty-seven Local Assemblies, and 114
to its ranks a greater representation of the peolocalities were opened to the Faith. Extraorple of many races who comprise the populadinary progress was made in the Five Year Plan
tion, in preparation for the formation of the
by the believers of Paraguay who were able to
first National Spiritual Assembly of Surinam
p!,'oclaim the Faith through the use of radio and
and French Guiana at Ric;lvan 1977. 1 The
who succeeded in translating and publishing in
Hand of the Cause Dhikru'ullah Khadem replocal languages a number of sacred Writings
resented the Universal House of Justice at the
including The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah.
The National Spiritual Assembly of Guyana, Surinam and
PERU French Guiana was formed at Ric;Ivan l 970 with its seat in
Georgetown, Guyana. The seat of the National Spiritual
Substantial progress was noted in various Assembly of Surinam and French Guiana is in Paramaribo,
parts of the country and particularly in the Surinam.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 173

inaugural convention which was held in an Faith and the individual believers made susatmosphere of joy and excitement. tained efforts to spread the teachings of Bah a' -
Under the guidance of the newly-elected u'llah throughout every quarter of this nation
National Spiritual Assembly the work of and among the people of different religious
expansion and consolidation was carried for- and racial backgrounds who comprise its popuward and the friends were inspired to action by lation. The number of Baha'fs, localities and
their attendance at several national and re- Local Spiritual Assemblies increased steadily.
gional teaching conferences. Although it is a Baha'fs now reside in 323 localities and there
young community the number of believers are 138 Local Assemblies.
increased, localities where Baha'fs reside grew Several successful national teaching conferto seventy-six and forty-seven Local Spiritual ences were held, some of which w·ere blessed
Assemblies were formed. The community also by the presence of a Hand of the Cause. A
achieved financial independence and acquired number of conferences for children and for
several properties for local or national use. women took place; and the youth were stimu-
Outstanding progress was made in establishing lated to further service by their attendance at
the Faith among the Bush Negroes of the two Youth Camps. Financial independence was
Surinam River area which was visited by the also achieved by the community.
Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha RuJ:ifyyih Excellent publicity was obtained in radio
Khan um and her team of photographers dur- and television broadcasts with the result that
ing the Green Light Expedition in 1975. 1 There nearly all inhabitants of Trinidad and Tobago
·were expressions of thanksgiving at Ric;lvan are aware of the existence of the Baha'i Faith.
1979 that all goals of the Five Year Plan had Concerted activity in 1978 and 1979 enabled
been achieved. the community to acquire ten local
I:la-?-fratu'l-Quds and ten local endowments.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Thus, at Ric;lvan 1979, the believers of
During this period the institutions of the Trinidad and Tobago could•celebrate victori-
' See 'The Green Light Expedition of Rul)iyyih Khanum', ous achievement of all goals of the Five Year
The Baha'i World, vol. XVI, pp. 419-448. Plan.

The President of Peru's National Constituent Assembly, Mr. Victor Raul Haya de la Torre,
receiving a delegation of Peruvian Baha'is who had requested an opportunity to present the
Baha'i concept ofadministration and justice to those charged with drafting a new Constitution.
174 THE BAHA'f WORLD

Bahd'( Children's Class, Ecuador; 1976.

URUGUAY twenty-seven local endowments in Venezuela
Thirty-eight Local Assemblies were formed were secured in the Guajira Indian areas of the
and seventy-nine localities were opened to the State of Zulia during the last year of the Plan;
Faith during the Five Year Plan. Within the the opening to the Faith of Delta Amacuro
nineteen Departments teaching activities were (Federal Territory) and the establishment of the
undertaken and a Local Assembly was estab- first three Local Spiritual Assemblies in this
lished in each. area among the Warao tribe; the broadened
expansion of the Faith in the State of Falcon
VENEZUELA and the formation of five Local Spiritual
At the end of the Five Year Plan Venezuela Assemblies among the very receptive people
had surpassed by seven its assigned goal of 250 who live there, many of whom arose to teach
Local Spiritual Assemblies and Baha'fs resided others; increased evidence that the Faith has
in 830 localities. There is at least one Local become solidly established among a growing
Assembly in each State. An all-out effort on number of youth throughout the country and
the part of the entire community during the last especially in Eastern Venezuela; and the
months of the Plan brought ultimate victory. development in many areas of the country of
Among the achievements of this three-year more deepened communities, demonstrating
period there are several deserving of special the effects of a programme of consolidation
mention: the fact that all nineteen local which had as its hallmark constancy, patience
}.la~fratu'l-Quds and all but four of the and perseverance.

c. ASIA
Two new National Spiritual Assemblies were Spiritual Assembly of the Marshall Islands
formed in Asia as supplementary achieve- with its seat in Majuro, at Ric;lvan 1977, and the
ments of the Five Year Plan, the National National Spiritual Assembly of the Mariana
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 175
Islands with its seat in Guam, at Ric:Ivan 1978. 1 been supported by the holding of Summer
The National Spiritual Assembly of Jordan, Schools, Teaching Institutes, conferences, spewith its seat in Amman, was established at cial teaching trips and the efforts of visiting
Ric:Ivan 1975, fulfilling a goal of the Five Year Baha'ls from many parts of the world.
Plan. Two effective banquets were held at which
For the purposes of the functioning of the awards were presented to two prominent
Continental Boards of Counsellors, Asia is non-Baha'i women in recognition of their serdivided into four zones: vice to their community. These provided excel-
North-eastern Asia lent publicity for the Faith. The award pre-
South Central Asia sented on each occasion is named for the Hand
South-eastern Asia of the Cause Agnes Alexander,2 and the event
Western Asia becomes increasingly well known as the Agnes
A number of the national communities Baldwin Alexander Awards Banquet.
within these zones function under external
difficulties inimical to the Faith. Although this JAPAN
circumstance renders it impossible to report in The visits of several of the beloved Hands of
any detail on the development of the Baha'i the Cause of God provided great impetus to
community in various countries, the situation the development of the Baha'i community
in some of these territories is described under between 1976 and 1979. The National Teach-
'Efforts to Protect the Faith from Persecution ing Conference in December 1976 was graced
and to Free it from the Restraints Imposed by by the presence of the Hands of the Cause
Religious Orthodoxy' on pages 78 to 81 of this 'Ali-Akbar Furutan and Dr. Ra9matu'llah
survey. Muhajir. Mr. Furutan returned the following
year for a second visit. The Japanese communtiy also received encouragement and guidance
North-eastern Asia from the Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone who stressed the need for widespread
THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS proclamation of the Faith. Mr. Hushmand
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Fathea 'zam of the Universal House of Justice
Baha'ls of the Hawaiian Islands excelled in the also visited and discussed with the friends the
area of proclamation of the Faith through the spiritual aspects of the Baha'i teachings, a topic
creation and use of visual aids, displays, of particular interest to the Japanese believers.
prize-winning floats, abundant radio coverage The Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha
and programmes, advertising and television. Ru91yyih Khanum planned to travel through-
Particularly successful was the television series out Japan to encourage the friends, but
produced in collaboration with the Hand of the because of illness she was forced to leave soon
Cause William Sears. This series, and other after arriving in October 1977. In the same
audio-visual aids, was generously shared with month of the following year she returned and
other national communities. was joyously welcomed. During her stay which
Most goals of the Five Year Plan were extended over a period of two months she
achieved but considerable difficulty was stimulated activity in each area she visited. All
experienced in acquiring property due to the who met her were encouraged to arise in serunusual zoning laws obtaining in Hawaii as vice to the Cause and experienced an increase
well as the great number of large privately- in confidence. Ru9fyyih Khan um was cordially
owned estates. received by a large number of prominent indi-
The work of teaching the Faith and con- viduals during her travels in Japan.
solidating the gains has been constant and has Very significant to the development of the
Faith in Japan during this period was the
'The National Spiritual Assembly of the North West Pacific
Ocean came into being in 1972 with its seat in Ponape .
appointment, in 1976, of Mr. Hideya Suzuki of
Caroline Islands. The Caroline, Mariana and Marsha ll Hokkaido to the Continental Board of Co unse l-
Islands came within its jurisdiction. With the forma tion of lors for North-eastern Asia.
these two National Spiritual Assemblies at Ri<;lvan 1977
the parent Assembly was renamed the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Caroline Islands. See "In Memoriam ', Th e Bah(/ { World , vol. XV, p. 423.
176 THE BAHA'i WORLD

A teaching team from the Philippines came Koreans, a large number of whom engage in
to Japan in 1978 and remained until the end of farming, and therefore the winter months are
the Plan. Their devoted and selfless efforts fruitful for teaching. Assisted and co-ordinated
encouraged many of the Japanese friends to by the Auxiliary Board members, in large part,
join them to achieve the unfulfilled goals of the many teaching trips were undertaken and these
Plan . During this period and particularly served as an extremely effective means of
toward the end of the Plan a wave of pioneers establishing and deepening Local Assemblies
and travelling teachers from the United States, as well as drawing people to embrace the Faith.
Canada, Alaska and Iran co-operated with the
Japanese community in winning the goals. One THE MARIANA, MARSHALL AND
indication of the growth of the Baha'i commun- CAROLINE ISLANDS
ity in this country is that the National Assembly The most significant administrative steps
was able to send travelling teachers to assist taken during this period were the formation of
other national communities in their teaching the National Assemblies of the Marshall Islands
work. The gradual strengthening of the Japan- in 1977, and of the Marianas in 1978. Their
ese community created conditions which parent body, the National Spiritual Assembly
enabled the National Assembly, in 1979, to of the North West Pacific Ocean, was renamed
become financially independent. the National Assembly of the Caroline Islands.
A large quantity of Baha'i literature was The Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone
translated and published in the period under represented the Universal House of Justice at
review, thus creating for the Japanese- the inaugural convention for the election of the
speaking friends an opportunity to enrich their first National Spiritual Assembly of the Marunderstanding of the verities of the Faith. shall Islands. He visited the entire area of the
Marshalls, the Marianas and the Carolines,
KOREA greatly assisting and inspiring the friends.
Stimulated and nurtured by the frequent and At the formation of the first National
inspiring visits to Korea of the much-loved Spiritual Assembly of the Marianas, the Hand
Hand of the Cause Dr. Ral).matu'llah Muhajir, of the Cause Dr. Ral).matu'llah Muhajir was
the Korean community developed well- the representative of the Universal House of
organized plans for teaching and consolidating, Justice and during the same Ri<;lvan period he
and achieved most of the goals assigned to attended the National Convention of the
them in the Five Year Plan. The efforts made Baha'is of the Caroline Islands.
to acquire one I:Ia'.?iratu'l-Quds in each Prov- In the Marshall Islands the indigenous
ince unfortunately met with difficulties which believers were largely responsible for opening
prevented the achievement of this goal, every major island to the Faith as called for in
although progress m other areas was the Five Year Plan, and the considerable
significant. number of believers who arose to serve as
Teaching Institutes, conferences, Summer travelling teachers was outstanding. One
and Winter Schools and visits from travelling native believer of the Caroline Islands deputeachers from Japan and the Philippines all tized others to travel to districts other than his
served to strengthen the fabric of Baha'i com- own in order that they might spread the mesmunity life. A Women's Institute was held for sage of Baha'u'llah; his gesture demonstrated
the study of Baha'i education and the Baha'i how the Faith has eliminated the barriers
family; and classes for children, and youth which have traditionally existed between disactivities, were particularly emphasized and tricts.
developed. Local believers in the Mariana Islands by the
Plans were undertaken for a more wide- use of effective teaching teams doubled the
spread proclamation of the Faith throughout numbers enrolled in the Cause.
Korea as a result of the visit of the Hand of the The friends in the Mariana and Marshall
Cause Collis Featherstone and although a Islands fulfilled all the goals assigned them in
beginning has been made toward this goal the Five Year Plan. A National Centre was
much more remains to be done. acquired in the Marshall Islands and is fre-
The winter season is not busy for many quently used. Located in a densely populated
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 177

Participants in the National Teaching
Conference held at Kinakopw, Ponape,
Caroline Islands; 5-6 November 1977.

The Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone
(extreme right), Counsellor Richard Benson
(second from left), members of the Auxiliary
Board and their assistants who attended the
first National Convention of the Bah<i'[s of the
Marshall Islands; April 1977. (Left to right:
Juliana Korean, Richard Benson, Ertin Eliu,
Virginia Breaks, Betra Laipen, Edwin Pedro,
Mr. Featherstone.)

Hawaiian Baha'lfloat, 'Aloha Week' parade,
Honolulu; 14October1978. 'One
World - One People' was the theme of the
float which included a 15-foot statue of King
Kamehameha, a globe of the world and the
Hawaiian flag. The float was honoured by
being chosen to close the parade.
178 THE BAHA'I WORLD

area where many Baha'fs reside it is easily the Five Year Plan . Pio neers have settled in
accessible. The Local Centre situated on goal towns so that many distric;ts of the co untry
Ebeye in the Marshall Islands is very attractive now have a pio neer in reside nce. Representain appeara nce. It was built with the consent of tives of the Chakma , Mongh , T uria, Morung
the gove rnme nt authorities and the traditional and Santa i tribes have embraced the Faith and
lea ders. are deepening their knowledge of its verities in
TAIWAN order to teach th eir fe ll ow tribesmen.
A steady fl ow of travelling teachers and Women 's activities have steadily increased
pioneers to Taiwa n had a great effect upon the and Baha'i women are being encouraged to
teaching work. Through the consistent, well- participate more fully in the work of the Faith .
plann ed and devoted efforts of a team of travel- A conference for wome n was he ld in Dacca,
ling teachers made up of Baha'ls from and women took part in the Nation a l Teaching
Malaysia, H ong Kong, the Philippines, and the Conference as well as the Wi nter Schools. Speenthusiastic co-operation of the Baha'ls of cial study classes for wo men were also organ-
Taiwan, all the goals of the Five Year Plan ized. T he correspondence course is conducted
were won. The spirit of sacrifi ce a nd determi- by women.
nation rose to new heights as the end of the A sma ll number of ch ildren's tutorial classes
Plan drew near and in the final three month s of have been started and a re carried on satisfacthe Plan more than seventy people enro lled as torily.
Baha'ls. The Natio nal Spiritual Assembly of Bang-
An hi storic moment occurred with the first lades h had the distinction of being the first in
mention of the Faith on rad io in Taiwan and the South Central zone to complete its teaching
the use of bus posters to proclaim the Faith was goals . In addition , the Baha'ls of Bangladesh
found to be effective. The appearance of the acquired a Temple site and a national endowposters resulted in almost daily calls from ment.
enquirers seeking information about the Faith. INDIA
The Faith was brought to the atten tion of gov- One-third of the world's total numberofLocal
ernment officials a nd use was made of news- Spiritual Assemblies and localities where
paper advertisements. A visit from the Hand of Baha'ls reside are to be found in India. During
the Cause Collis Featherstone in the opening the Five Year Plan there was witnessed an upphase of the Plan stimul ated the development su rge of participation by local believers. The
of these means of proclamation. Nation al Spiritu al Asse mbl y and the Continen-
Four regiona l conferences were he ld on the tal Board of Counsellors, in res ponse to the
Covenant, a nd there were other conferences instructio ns of the Universal House of Justice
devoted to o th e r topics. An increased receptiv- to utilize local ma npower, ap pealed very
ity and inte rest amo ng children a nd youth was strongly fo r pioneers and trave lling teachers,
noted during these years. and those who responded were directed to
Toward th e end of the Plan the Baha'i com- concentrate o n areas of greatest need. T hese
munity of Taiwan was ho no ured by a visit from efforts, combined with those of the friends who
Amatu'l-Baha Rul:llyyih Khanum. Her visit have pio neered to India from abroad, resulte d
deeply affected the community and the spirit of in India's surpassing the goals of the Five Yea r
her service encouraged the friends to move Plan. Although 7,000 Local Assemblies were
forward more rapidly to complete the goals of assigned, a total of 10,377 were formed. Baha'-
the Plan. H er statement that 'consolidation' ls now reside in 34,873 localities, exceeding
may be summed up in two words, 'Go back!', the assigned goal by 4 ,873.
inspired man y of the Baha'ls in Taiwan to Although the work of consolidating the
devote themselves to preserving the goals won . Local Spiritual Assemblies is hampered by
illiteracy in the rural areas a solution is found in
confirming and deepening th e village school-
South Central Asia mas te r who is then able to train the local
BANGLADESH believers in administrative practice . The mem-
Systematically and surely the Baha'ls of bers of the Auxiliary Board rendered valuable
Bangladesh have striven to fulfill the goals of service in appointing assistants who through
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 179
personal contact or correspondence deepened these go a long way to inspire the believers.
the knowledge of these key believers who were Members of the Santhal and Majhi tribes have
thus ab le to strengthen their own Local accepted the Faith and in some of these States a
Assemblies and in some instances others in State Teaching Committee has been formed.
nearby areas. The East-West Project organized by the
The National Teaching Committee organ- National Youth Committee in Kera la during
ized regular deepening classes which were held the early years of the Five Yea r Plan was a
in various centres. In the very centre of mass great success. A number of be lievers from the
teaching, in Gwalior and Indore, the classes United States of America, the United Kingwere held at the Rabbani School and the Faizi dom and other countries came to Kerala and
Institute, and in the State of Uttar Pradesh , joined with the Indian Baha'i youth in promotwhich has the second largest number of Local ing the Cause in south India.
Assemblies, they were held in the Malhousie Special teaching projects have been organ-
Institute. Elsewhere a central village would be ized in most parts of India including the eleven
the host for such gatherings. The result of these States specifically mentioned a mong the goals
classes was the raising of a cadre of local friends of the Five Year Plan.
who were ready to serve in any capacity, and The period under survey also witnessed
the creation of an increased awareness of the unimagined victories in the remote Andaman
significance of the Cause. and Nicobar Islands. Within a short time after
The South India Teaching Project-a brain- the arrival of devoted pioneers, including a
child of the Hand of the Cause Dr. Ra~matu'llah member of the Auxiliary Board , eleven Local
Muhajir and one which had the blessing of the Spiritual Assemblies were formed, and despite
Universal House of Justice-was the most the distance separating the many islands
important project undertaken in the period reports arrived describing the strengthening of
under review. Collaborating in the scheme Local Assemblies and their wish to become, so
were the National Spiritual Assemblies of far as possible, self-supporting in their activities.
India and Malaysia. The devotion and sincerity Very recently a conference was held in the capital
of the Malaysian friends who came to take part city of Andaman, Port Blair, which drew the
inspired enthusiastic support from the local elite and the intellectuals to hear of the Faith.
believers. The project set up its base at Sulur in Another area deserving of special mention is
Tamil Nadu and from there the participants the tribal district of Dangs which is common to
systematically visited all surrounding areas, the States of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
forming Local Spiritual Assemblies and then Through the combined efforts of friends from
moving outward. At the time of writing this Bombay and nearby towns in Maharashtra,
report a number of bases have been established this district which consists of 313 villages, has a
and more than 1,000 Local Spiritual Assem- Local Assembly in each village-the first disblies have been formed. trict to achieve this distinction . The rate of
The success achieved in this project encour- illiteracy is high in the area and consequently
aged the National Assembly to inaugurate the the Faith is taught through songs to some
East India Project. A lthough conceived on a extent, the words of which are memorized and
smaller scale the participants have succeeded repeated. It is heartwarming to hear the tribal
in opening to the Faith various States in people singing songs of their own composition,
north-east India and pioneers have settled in accompanying themselves on their unsophisti-
Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, cated instruments. The songs tell the history of
Assam and Meghalaya, areas fortunate enough the Faith and describe its principles and teachto have been visited by Dr. Muhajir. In the ings.
district of Burdwan almost the total population Summer and Winter Schools are regularly
of two villages have embraced the Faith as a held and these make their own valuable conresult of the efforts of teachers taking part in tribution to the development of the Cause in
the project and the Auxiliary Board member of this country. The youth take leadership roles in
West Bengal. A number of songs celebrating many of these projects either under the
the three Central Figures of the Faith have National Youth Committee or the Local Youth
been composed and are sung in Bengali and Committees.
180 THE BAHA'f WORLD

There has been in recent years a break- blies and the National Spiritual Assembly; but
through in the awareness of the media regard- due to the efforts of the administrative commiting the Baha'i Faith. The radio authorities have tee based in Kathmandu, some progress has
been approached and for the first time have no been made. Several local administrative comhesitation in mentioning Baha'i events and mittees have been formed and have been acticelebrations on various stations throughout the vated and encouraged by the committee based
country. Radio talks prepared in advance for in Kathmandu. Children's classes are being
special Holy Days are now broadcast in the held and deepening conferences were held in
local languages on local stations of All-India some towns attended by friends from nearby
Radio. The press has shown a greater willing- villages. A bilingual Nineteen Day Feast Newsness to publish Baha'i articles and the believers letter in Nepali and English is distributed and a
have developed an increased recognition of Nepali translation of The Hidden Words of
how to establish good relations with represen- Baha'u'lltih was produced in collaboration
tatives of the media. with the Baha'i Publishing Trust of India. The
The relationship between the various National Administrative Committee achieved
Institutions of the Faith has been one of con- another outstanding success in forming a
stant co-operation and love and harmony, the Baha'i Trust for the safeguarding of Baha'i proelective and appointive agencies working hand perties.
in hand toward fulfilment of the goals assigned SIKKIM
by the Universal House of Justice. Progress of the Cause in the State of Sikkim
More than 1,000 Baha'i women from all is made difficult because of the mountainous
across Asia, with observers and speakers from terrain and during the winter months especially
Europe and America, gathered at Vigyan Bha- many parts are not easily accessible to pioneers
van Auditorium in New Delhi from October who must travel from the plains.
13th to 16th, 1977 for the Asian Baha'i The Baha'i Primary School at Tadong has
Women's Conference. 1 The presence of the acquired a good reputation throughout the
Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Rul)iyyih State. Recently there has been an increase in
Khanum, the most distinguished guest and the number of pioneers some of whom have
principal speaker for the event, was a source of come to serve at the school. A devoted Baha'i
great joy and happiness to the believers. The who is an experienced teacher and who forgathering was the occasion for an unpre- merly served at the New Era School, Panchcedented degree of publicity through the news gani, is now Principal. Fresh enthusiasm has
media. Interviews appeared in many publica- been infused into the community and several
tions. All-India Radio broadcast the news in deepening conferences have been held under
Malayalam, the language of Kerala, and the joint aegis of the National Spiritual
covered both the opening and conclusion of the Assembly and the Auxiliary Board members.
conference in both domestic and foreign A district l;la?'.fratu'l-Quds is under construcbroadcasts. The inauguration was also covered tion at Singtham, the second largest town of
by United Press International for foreign dis- Sikkim. The location is very prominent and the
tribution. The highlight of the conference was existence of the l;la?'.fratu'l-Quds will itself
the laying of the foundation stone of the proclaim the Faith in that region.
Mother Temple of India by Rul)lyyih A successful Himalayan Conference was
Khanum. 2 At the time of this report the work held in May 1977 in Gangtok, Sikkim's capital,
of levelling the land has been completed in fulfilling one of the goals of the Five Year Plan.
preparation for construction of the Present at the gathering were members of the
Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. Continental Board of Counsellors, members of
NEPAL the Auxiliary Board, representatives of the
Due to the present circumstances it has not National Spiritual Assembly of India and other
been possible to elect Local Spiritual Assem- believers from as far away as Ireland, Belgium,
1 The first Asian Women's Conference was held in Malaysia, iran and India. The Governor of
December I 930 . A joint cable was sent to the assembled Sikkim, the Speaker of the Legislative Assemfriends by Shoghi Effendi and the Greatest Holy Leaf.
' See 'The Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent', p. bly of Sikkim and other state ministers and
368. heads of government departments honoured
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 181

Some participants in the Baha'i Summer
School, Taiwan; 9-12 July 1976.

Bahti'(s of the Lama tribe who participated in
the Winter School, Bangladesh; 1977.

Participants in the third Western Asian Youth
Conference held in Lucknow, India; August
1976. Seen are Baha'(s from Thailand,
Sikkim, iran, India, Ireland and the United
States.
182 THE BAHA'I WORLD

the Baha'fs by attending the inaugural session. where reference is made, under point No. 6, to
Joint consultation between the representatives the efforts that have been made to protect the
of the National Assemblies oflndia and Sikkim Faith from persecution and to free it from the
resulted in facilitating greater co-operation restraints imposed by religious orthodoxy. The
between the two institutions in fulfilling the Faith is not officially banned in Brunei, another
goals in that area. country within this zone, but the activities of
the Baha'ls there are restricted.
SRI LANKA All countries in the zone where the Baha'ls
The Faith in Sri Lanka experienced steady enjoy freedom achieved all the major goals of
progress during this period, a notable accom- the Five Year Plan. This significant accomplishment being the settling of pioneers in the plishment required inter-Assembly co-opera-
Maldive Islands. The fortunate situation geo- tion and the full support of all the Institutions
graphically of Sri Lanka made it possible for of the Faith.
Baha'i travelling teachers from different parts Pioneers and travelling teachers, particuof the world to visit briefly and lend assistance larly from Malaysia and the Philippines, arose
to the work. in large numbers to aid the work in this region,
The National Youth Committee has held as well as in Taiwan, the Pacific Islands and a
various conferences as well as Summer number of other countries. In many cases their
Schools. efforts and sacrifices enabled the goals to be
A correspondence course in the Tamil lan- met. Rural-born Tamil-speaking believers of
guage has been inaugurated by a special com- Malaysia have provided the main thrust in the
mittee and in collaboration with the Baha'i South India Teaching Project. The success of
Publishing Trust of India a large number of these believers and their effectiveness as
Baha'i books have been made available to the teachers illustrates that nothing is impossible
Tamil-speaking people of the country. Transla- to those whose hearts are filled with a love of
tions into Singhalese of a corresponding Baha'u'llah.
number of books is now under way . The achievement of property goals has been
Public lectures were sponsored by the Baha'- due in most instances to a growing desire on the
ls to coincide with various United Nations part of the local friends to shoulder the finandays with participation by representatives of cial burdens of the Cause.
the United Nations organization. In the field of publication there has been
Deepening classes were conducted regularly great progress. In the past, translation, reviewin the Baha'i Centres which have been ing and printing were time-consuming and the
acquired in the years under survey. output was limited. The past years have witnes-
The committees appointed by the National sed the publication of a number of books in
Spiritua l Assembly functioned responsibly and Chinese, Tamil and other local languages
the teaching conferences organized on a which have aided the friends in deepening their
national level by these committees evoked understanding of the Faith. The sacrifice made
good response . by the friends who devoted themselves to producing these books which so greatly aid the
teaching work must be appreciated.
South-eastern Asia Deepening classes, conferences, Summer
and Winter Schools have all contributed to
This zone comprises one of the most densely strengthening the fabric of Baha'i community
populated areas in the world and its population life and increased spiritual maturity.
is representative of diverse cultural and all The International Conference in Hong Kong
major religious backgrounds. Owing to various in November 1976, 1 the regional conferences
external circumstances the Baha'i com- in Port Dickson and Kuching, the conferences
munities within the zone enjoy freedom in in Manila and Bangkok have played a major
varying degrees. A brief comment about the part in revitalizing the enthusiasm of the
situation in Kampuchea (Cambodia), Laos, believers, releasing in them a spirit that promp-
Indonesia and Vietnam will be found under the ted them to serve as pioneers and travelling
survey of'World Centre Goals' on pages 80--81, ' See 'Eight International Teaching Conferences', p. 109.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 183

Participants in a nine-day Spiritual Institute,
Malaysia; May 1977.

Participants in World Religion Day meeting,
Hong Kong; 21January1978. Left to right:
Dr. Paul Clasper, an Anglican clergyman;
Mr. Chester Lee, Mr. H. A zizi, members of
the National Spiritual Assembly of Hong
Kong.

Students and fa culty of th e Rabbani Bahli'f
School, Gwalior, India; 1977.
184 THE BAHA'I WORLD

teachers, enabling plans to be formulated for
various teaching projects for which the funds
were forthcoming.
The visits of the Hands of the Cause
Amatu'l-Baha Rul)iyyih Khanum , Collis
Featherstone, Dr. Ra~matu'llah Muhajir,
Abu'l-Qasim Faizi and member of the International Teaching Centre, Mrs . Florence
Mayberry, played a decisive role in guiding the
National Spiritual Assemblies, the Board of
Counsellors and the friends in this zone. Their
timely visits broadened our perspective , raised
our sometimes sagging spirits, inspired us to an
awareness of the loftiness of the Faith, encouraged the launching of realistic projects and
plans and generally propelled us to achieve our
goals.
The members of the Auxiliary Board and
their assistants contributed a great deal to the
successful completion of the Five Year Plan
goals. In many countries they were invited to
spearhead teaching projects and increasingly
as they grow in their understanding of their Siyyid Shah Muf:iammad, a Bahti'[ of the
role and their services command the respect of Lur Tribe of Buyr Af:imad, who at 105 years
the communities they serve, they organize of age is serving as a pioneer in a village
training sessions for assistants, supervise their in Luristtin, lrtin.
work, and initiate teaching plans . In many
countries where local communities are young
or weak the presence and work of the Auxiliary
Board member is indispensable.
Western Asia
The youth in this region have played a key
role in the development of the Cause and many Western Asia, during the latter part of the
serve effectively on committees. Women in this Five Year Plan, was repeatedly engulfed in
zone are emerging as a force in the Cause and political unrest and upheavals. The events of
larger numbers of them have arisen to take an these tumultuous years remind us of the warnactive part in various fields of service. There is ings, prophecies and exhortations of the Founa growing need for classes devoted to the edu- ders of the Baha'i Faith, so forcefully called to
cation of Baha'i children, the systematizing of our attention by Shoghi Effendi in The Promsuch classes and the provision of appropriate ised Day is Come. The calamities and persematerials. cutions which, as the result of the turbulence,
Special attention is being paid to the ques- descended upon the Baha'ls in the cradle of the
tion of teaching Chinese-speaking people with Faith inevitably caused interruptions and setresults that appear to be encouraging. backs in the final accomplishment of some of
The growing number of believers, the the goals of the Plan.
increase in the number of Local Spiritual In spite of political unrest and the conse-
Assemblies and the proliferation of commit- quent interruptions of the steady progress in
tees serve to draw attention to a need for the impleme[ltation of the Five Year Plan,
improved organization; but in firm belief that most of the goals assigned to the Pakistan
the solution to these problems lies within the Baha'i community were accomplished. These
teachings of Baha'u'llah, a growing number of included the acquisition of properties for local
friends with administrative skills are emerging l::la?-frat'ul-Quds; establishing local endowto meet the need in the communities of this ments; translation of Baha'i literature into sevzone . eral regional languages; the publication and
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 185
distribution of new and important titles by the sive and helpful ro le in the success of these
Baha'i Publishing T rust; holding well-pub- programmes. The Teaching Institute in
licized public meetings; and sponsoring Thataha, the first of its kind in Pakistan , was
conferences and activities aimed at deepening completed and put into operation. The rural
the friends, thus helping them to bring their school established in Tharparker received a
lives into closer conformity with Baha'i teach- special welcome and the support of the local
ings. authorities. Finally there was the inauguration
Although the total number of localities of the 'New Day' Montessori School in a
where Baha'is reside reached 301 , this was befitting location adjacent to the national
short of the assigned goa l of 350. The number I;Ia~rat'ul-Quds. The school has attracted a
of Local Spiritual Assemblies, however, rose to large number of children from non-Baha'i
177 , greatly exceeding the goa l of 150. The fami lies in Karach i and has already become a
geographical distribution of the new Assem- prestigious institution.
blies was less uniform than planned. In some The community of the Most Great Name in
areas such as Sind there were unexpected vic- Turkey, in the face of the restrictions and
tories while in Baluchistan the number of func- uncertainty caused by the political unrest
tioning Assemblies fe ll below the required redoubled their efforts and won the crown of
number in the Plan. victory. In the course of the successful comple-
The most promising and appreciated vic- tion of the goals of the Five Year Plan, they
tories of the Plan occurred in the field of educa- managed to exceed the assigned goals on a
tion . The regular, well-attended and properly number of occasions. They formed thirty-three
managed Summer and Winter Schools drew Local Spiritual Assemblies-one more than
large numbers of friends from far and near ca lled for-and exceeded by twenty-eight the
including participants from other countries in assigned number of localities where Baha'is
Western Asia. The youth played a very deci- reside , bringing the total to 103.

Baha'i Children's Class, Daglanlu Village, Adhirbtiyjan, iran; May 1977. The teacher is Mr.
A. Ashjarf.
186 THE BAHA'I WORLD

In addition to intensified teaching and pro- The sufferings which engulfed the friends in
pagation activities, Baha'i literature in Turkish Iran during the concluding months of the Five
received special attention and was enriched Year Plan galvanized their brethren in the
substantia lly. The Summer School program- neighbouring countries in an unprecedented
mes attracted a significant number of partici- manner and impelled them to rise to new
pants from countries in Western Asia where heights of dedication and service. As the Five
such activities are not yet feasible. The youth Year Plan was drawing to a close the
continued to be active in teaching the Faith and emergence of a new spiritual environment was
in conducting classes. They regularly produced fully evident in the Baha'i communities of
well-prepared periodicals. Western Asia.

o. AUSTRALASIA AND THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
With the formation of the Na tional Spiritual leaving their home in the United States to plant
Assembly of the New Hebrides at Ric,lvan the banner of the Faith in the Pacific. They
1977 , with its seat in Port Vila, a major goal of were affectionately known as Father and
the Five Year Plan was accomplished and the Mother Dunn and later were named Hands of
number of National Assemblies in this zone the Cause of God. They set out by steamer,
was raised to ten . The responsibility for the stopping at Pago Pago, Eastern Samoa, where
establishment of this new pillar of the Univer- they raised the cry Ya Bahci'u'l-Abhci! and
sal House of Justice rested with the National offered prayers before continuing on their way
Spiritual Assembly of the South West Pacific to Australia . It was many of their spiritual
Ocean whose territory now comprises New descendants who answered the call of the
Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands. At Ric,lvan Guardian in the World Crusade (1953-1963)
1979 it was renamed the National Spiritual and opened to the Faith a number of the islands
Assembly of New Caledonia and the Loyalty of the South Pacific. Today the Australasian
Islands; its seat is Noumea, New Caledonia. zone, with its many diversified activities,
This vast area of the world occupies a unique administers its affairs through ten National
place in the community of the Greatest Name . Spiritual Assemblies: Papua New Guinea,
The ready support and encouragement of His Australia, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia
Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western and Loyalty Islands, New Zealand, New Heb-
Samoa, the first reigning monarch to embrace rides, Kiribati and Tuvalu (formerly the Gilthe Faith of Baha'u'llah, 1 has been a source of bert Islands) , Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. The
joy and inspiration not only to the Baha'is of majority of the members of these Assemblies
Samoa but to many who have come to know are people indigenous to the Pacific who have
him. responded to the message of Baha'u'llah with
The Australasian area, mostly covered by heart and soul and laboured mightily to estabthe waters of the South Pacific ocean, com- lish His Faith among their people.
prises 2,300 communities scattered among The period from 1976 to 1979 was one of the
thousands of tiny islands . Its inhabitants are greatest in the history of the Faith in
from diverse races, Polynesian , Melanesian , Australasia in terms of expanding and con-
Micronesian, Caucasian and Aborigine, who solidating its foundations. By Ric,lvan 1979 the
are becoming increasingly attracted to the National Assemblies had accomplished almost
Faith. all their goals. Nine National Assemblies
To the shores of the largest land mass, exceeded locality goals by almost 400, raising
Australia, in 1919, came two wonderful the total to 2,376 in the zone . Six National
pioneers, Mr. and Mrs. John Henry Hyde Assemblies exceeded Local Assembly goals,
Dunn,2 who, although advanced in years, bringing the zonal total to 583 . More than half
responded to the Tablets of the Divine Plan by the countries of the Baha'i world that have a
See 'First Head of State Embraces the Cause of Baha'- Baha'i population of one per cent or more are
u'llah', The Baha'i World, vol. XV, p. 180. in Australasia. The islands of Kiribati and
John Henry Hyde Dunn, see 'In Memoriam', The Baha'f
World, vol. IX , p. 593; Clara Hyde Dunn, ' In Memoriam',
Tuvalu have the highest per capita Baha'i
The Baha'f World , vol. XIII, p. 859. population in the world, almost nine per cent,
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 187

Conference of Auxiliary Board members and their assistants, held in Vavan, Tonga; June
1977.

Participants in Bahti'f Children's Conference, Samoa; April 1977.
188 THE BAHA'f WORLD

an eloquent testimony to the heroism of the Tanumafili II, is an event that will never be
early pioneers to the area and the sincere and forgotten in Samoa. The historic and colourful
unprecedented response of the people. The ceremony was attended by many leading govnumber of believers in Australasia has grown ernment officials and hundreds of believers
by leaps and bounds. Kiribati and Fiji almost from the villages together with delegates and
doubled their numbers. By Ri<;tvan 1979 friends from overseas. Several other islands of
Australasia had an increase of well over one the Pacific had the privilege of welcoming
hundred per cent. Ru~yyih Khanum. In New Zealand she spent
The Hands of the Cause who visited the area much of her time among the Maoris. Throughin this period inspired many victories through out her extended visit to the Pacific islands she
their love and encouragement, and the devo- participated in many meetings with the friends,
tion of many local believers, the sacrifices of met government officials, was interviewed in
the pioneers as well as travelling teachers who the press, on radio and television, and greatly
laboured in the villages, brought the Five Year aided in enhancing the prestige of the Faith and
Plan to a glorious conclusion. It is difficult in a its recognition by island governments. All who
short survey to report the manifold activities in met her were inspired by her indomitable
detail, but several important events stand out spirit.
as vivid highlights. The year 1979 also marked the twenty-fifth
The International Teaching Conference anniversary of the establishment of the Faith in
held in Auckland, New Zealand in January many islands of the Pacific when the first
1977 1 attracted more than one thousand Baha'- pioneers answered the call of the beloved
is from all over the Pacific and from other Guardian in 1953-1954. The celebrations that
parts of the world. The meeting was blessed by took place in many of the islands commemoratthe presence of the representative of the Uni- ing this event added greatly to the proclamaversal House of Justice, the Hand of the Cause tion of the Faith. The zealous and hardworking
Abu'J-Qasim Faizi, as well as the beloved National Assembly of Fiji arranged a series of
Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone. The well-planned events for the visits of the Hands
Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Hon. R. of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ru~iyyih
Muldoon, attended the opening of the confer- Khanum, Dr. Ra~matu'llah Muhajir and Collis
ence and gave an inspiring speech praising the Featherstone; for Dr. Victor de Araujo, the
tenets of the Faith. After the conference, in representative of the Baha'i International
spite of ill health, Mr. Faizi travelled to many Community at the United Nations; and others.
islands of the Pacific pouring out his heart in Through their efforts many government, diplove and encouragement to the believers, par- lomatic, business and other leading people in
ticipating in many interviews on radio and tele- the country learned of the Faith and of its aims
vision and being received cordially by highly- and purposes.
placed government officials. The two Publishing Trusts in the zone-in
The Hand of the Cause Dr. Ra~matu'llah Fiji and Australia-were further developed.
Muhajir visited a number of areas including The Publishing Trust in Fiji began printing litsome of the more remote islands. His vision erature in a number of island languages.
and inspiration resulted in the friends in many In 1978 and 1979 the Baha'i International
localities undertaking ambitious teaching Community was invited to send observers to
programmes which, in some areas, Jed to mass the annual South Pacific Commission Conferconversion. ences on social and economic development of
The laying of the foundation stone of the Pacific island nations, attended by high-
Temple in Samoa 2 at the end of January 1979 ranking officials of Pacific island governments,
by the representative of the Universal House and those of Australia, the United States,
of Justice, the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha France, Great Britain and New Zealand. On
Ru~iyyih Khanum, in a ceremony graced by both occasions the Baha'i International Comthe presence of His Highness Malietoa munity was able to present papers on topics
being discussed.
See 'Eight International Teaching Conferences', p. 109.
See 'The First Mafil!riqu'l-Af!hkar of the Pacific Islands', p. A vivid demonstration of co-operation and
371. assistance was the movement through the
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 189

'The Medina Dawn-Breakers', a Baha'i
singing group of New Ireland, Papua New
Guinea. Left to right: Wilson Elias;
Josephine, Jennifer and Michael Homerang.

Baha'i Youth Conference, Port Vila, New
Hebrides.

Participants in programme commemorating
the International Year of the Child. The
observance was held on 1 April 1979 in the
Baha'i House of Worship, Sydney, Australia.
Approximately 500 people attended.
190 THE BAHA'I WORLD

islands of a dedicated group of travelling of Aborigines some of whom embraced the
teachers from Australia, North America, New Faith. The use of the House of Worship for
Zealand, the Philippines, Iran and the Pacific special proclamation events also bore results.
islands. They were of many races and back- This survey would not be complete without
grounds, young and old. Particular mention mention of the continuing strengthening of the
should be made of an American team and one ties between the Board of Counsellors and the
from the Philippines, some members of which National Assemblies. The wholehearted, dedistill continue their services in Australasia. Mr. cated and valiant services of a band of some
A. K. Forudi of India was responsible for forty-five Auxiliary Board members scattered
unprecedented victories amongst the Indians throughout the zone are recorded with
in Fiji where his untiring efforts brought great gratitude and appreciation. Without their tireresults. As a consequence of his activities many less efforts, close association with local comother islands experienced a considerable munities and support of the plans of National
increase in the number of believers. Assemblies , teaching and consolidation work
The use of media gathered momentum. of the magnitude witnessed in the period would
There was an increase in articles in the press, not have been possible . Their equally dediprogrammes on radio and television. A cated and committed assistants grew in
number of National Assemblies undertook number to 300. The collaboration of the two
continuous radio programmes and a weekly arms of the Administrative Order grew in
half-hour television programme, later bi- dimension, and new formulas and ideas for
weekly, was established in American Samoa. closer collaboration were developed. The
Another interesting development was the cohesiveness and exemplary co-operation of
erection in the islands of almost sixty buildings the two Institutions was very evident in
for use as local Centres. These were estab- Australia, to name but one country.
lished primarily through the hard labour, love A signal victory won through the constant
and sacrifice of village believe rs who prepared efforts of the National Assembly of New Zeamost of the material from local sources and land and the patience and fortitude of the local
constructed the buildings. They were aided in believers was the lifting of government restricthis by individual believers who lovingly tions imposed on the Faith in the Cook Islands,
financed a portion of the cost of many of these an example of the assistance of the Concourse
projects. on High which unfailingly attends the sincere
Australia saw much development when its efforts of the friends.
Local Assemblies grew by fifty per cent. At Ri<;lvan 1979 the ten National Conven-
Through close collaboration between the tions throughout the zone celebrated the vic-
Institutions of the Faith, a series of institutes on torious conclusion of the Five Year Plan firm in
the Covenant and the Local Assembly were their conviction that the communities of the
conducted throughout the country . There was Australasian zone could shoulder any future
a great emphasis in every State on the teaching responsibility placed upon them.

E. EUROPE
Seventeen National Spiritual Assemblies was the responsibility of the National Spiritual
existed in Europe at the beginning of the Five Assemblies of Germany and the United King-
Year Plan.' This total was increased by two with dom respectively.
the formation of the National Spiritual Assem- The years from 1976 to 1979 covered the
bly of Greece, at Ri<;lvan 1977, with its seat in larger part of the Five Year Plan and although
Athens, and the formation at Ri<;lvan1978 of considerabl e planning and preparatory work
the National Spiritual A ssembly of Cyprus had already been undertaken in Europe by
with its seat in Nicosia. The establishment of Ri<;lva n 1976, there remained to be done a
National Assemblies in Greece and in Cyprus significant degree of consolidation of the
achieve ments recorded in the Nine Year Plan
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland , Fra nce, Germany, (1964- 1973). The bulk of the goals of the Five
Iceland, the Republic of Ireland , Italy, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal , Spain , Swede n, Switzer- Year Plan therefore remained to be won at
land , the United Kingdom. Ri<;lvan 1976.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 191

Baha'i exhibition and tent, Jokkmokk Winter
Market, Sweden. Finnish, Norwegian and
Swedish Baha'is participate in arranging the
Baha'i exhibit annually. The city of
Jokkmokk is north of the Arctic Circle.

Exhibit on 'Six World Religions', sponsored
by the Local Spiritual Assembly of
Cambridge, England and held in the central
library; January 1978. At the request of the
Chief Librarian the exhibit was held over for
an additional period.

Baha'i information counter, Orebro, Sweden;
June 1978.
192 THE BAHA'I WORLD

The pattern of response to the Cause of genuinely sacrificial homefront pioneering on
Baha'u'llah in Europe varies from country to the part of local believers, and the assistance of
country and is not in every case as heartening pioneers from abroad. Although in many cases
as that witnessed in southern Europe and in the national communities had to stretch their
Republic of Ireland-due to factors which it is manpower to severe limits, it may be said that
beyond the scope of this report to comment on the whole the European Baha'i community
upon-and it was gratifying to note that achieved a greater degree of stability by the
towards the end of the Plan improved results end of the Plan.
were observed as a result of patient, devoted It is difficult to compare achievements in a
and often sacrificial effort. The last year, continent which comprises nineteen national
1978/1979, was especially encouraging. The Baha'i communities in countries varying in size
National Spiritual Assemblies, not yet having from Iceland (population 224,000) and Luxin each case seized the palm of victory, evinced embourg (355 ,000) to the United Kingdom
great resolution and determination as the Plan with a population of approximately fifty-six
drew to a close. Placing themselves firmly million and Western Germany with sixty-one
behind all efforts and projects designed to win million. It is, however, worth noting that the
the goals, they achieved complete success in a total number of Local Assemblies in each of
number of countries. Those countries where the two smallest countries is in fact higher in
total accomplishment was not achieved will proportion to the total population than in any
devote continued efforts to fulfilling the out- of the other European countries.
standing goals during the opening phase of the The National Spiritual Assemblies of
next Plan . The last few months of the Five Year Greece and Cyprus were formed despite the
Plan were charged with a heightened excite- necessity of triumphing over the difficult condiment as the formation of new Local Assemb- tions obtaining in those countries. Once
lies all across Europe was reported with formed, the National Spiritual Assembly of
increasing rapidity. This broadening of the Greece has built up a strong community, estabfoundation of the Faith in Europe, so ardently lished Summer and Winter Schools, initiated
longed for, involving an observable increase in conferences and inaugurated youth activities.
the number of believers, came about through Particular problems are posed in Cyprus by

Participants in the first Bahli'( Winter School bf Malta; December 1978. Counsellor Anneliese
Bopp of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Europe is seen in the centre of the second
row.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 193

Participants in the first Bahfi'{ Winter School of Cyprus held in Nicosia; December 1976. The
Hand of the Cause Adelbert Miihlschlegel is seen standing in the centre of the first row; to the
right of him is seen Counsellor Hooper Dunbar of the International Teaching Centre.

circumstances external to the Faith but some Paris gathering, received wide coverage in the
progress has been noted and successful Summer press. Dr. Kurt Waldheim, Secretary General
and Winter Schools have attracted good atten- of the United Nations, sent a message which
dance by local Baha'fs and friends abroad. was read to the friends assembled in Paris by
Two International Teaching Conferences Mr. Luc Van Bellinghen, Director of the
were held in 1976. 1 In July approximately 950 United Nations Information Centre in that
believers gathered in Helsinki, Finland where city. This was the first occasion on which the
the Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery rep- United Nations, through a high-ranking
resented the Universal House of Justice. The officer, sent a message of goodwill to an interfollowing month the Hand of the Cause national Baha'i conference. 2 The great impetus
Amatu'l-Baha RuJ:iiyyih Khanum represented given to the progress of the work by these
the Universal House of Justice at the confer- conferences was reinforced by a message of the
ence in Paris where nearly 6,000 believers Universal House of Justice to the conference of
gathered. Both conferences, but notably the European Institutions of the Faith held in
'See 'Eight International Teaching Conferences', p. 109. See p. 140 for text of the message .
194 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Langenhain in November 1978. The message A special venture was the holding in June
was read by the Hand of the Cause Paul Haney , 1977, at the behest of the Universal House of
the representative of the Universal House of Justice, of two conferences ·specially for the
Justice. Persian-speaking Baha'is resident in E urope,
On 12 September 1976 a historic event one held in Germany and one in England. Both
occurred when His Highness Malietoa were well attended, aroused much enthusiasm
Tanumafili II visited the resting place of Shoghi and resulted in generous contributions to the
Effendi in the Great Northern London teaching funds.
Cemetery, New Southgate-the first such visit An increasing number of young Baha'i
by a reigning monarch.' A small delegation of families are now numbered among the Eurofriends accompanied him, headed by the Hand pean Baha'i communities. Special provisions
of the Cause Dr.Ugo Giachery and including the are made for the larger number of children who
Hands of the Cause Dhikru'llah Khadem and attend Baha'i functions , and special classes are
'Ali-Mul)ammad Varqa and six members of provided in addition to the regular sessions.
the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Germany , which has for many years held an
Kingdom. annual children's Summer School, has also
' Seep. 69. initiated children's conferences.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 195

2. THE CHALLENGE AND PROMISE OF
BAHA'I SCHOLARSHIP
A Statement by the Universal House of Justice
BAH A' f scholarship is of great importance of rational investigation, confirmed by actual
in the development and consolidation of the experience, that true religion, far from being
Baha'i community. Historical research, orien- the product solely of human striving after
talism and Islamic studies are obvious fields in truth, is the fruit of the creative Word of God
which Baha'ls can render great service to the which, with divine power, transforms human
Faith; there are many others. Indeed, it is not thought and action.
difficult to visualize the House of Justice, as A Baha'i, through this faith in, this 'conscious
Baha'u'llah's World Order unfolds , requiring knowledge' of, the reality of divine Revelation,
the services of distinguished Baha'i scientists in can distinguish, for instance , between Chrisall fields. tianity, which is the divine message given by
Inevitably a number of problems will con- Jesus of Nazareth, and the development of
front Baha'i scholars, who will themselves have Christendom, which is the history of what men
to discover the solutions, both empirically and did with that message in subsequent centuries;
otherwise. Nonetheless it may be useful to a distinction which has become blurred if not
offer at this early stage of the development of entirely obscured in current Christian theol-
Baha'i scholarship a few thoughts on these ogy. A Baha'i scholar conscious of this distincmatters. tion will not make the mistake of regarding the
It has become customary in the West to think sayings and beliefs of certain Baha'is at any one
of science and religion as occupying two dis- time as being the Baha'i Faith. The Baha'i
tinct-and even opposed-areas of human Faith is the Revelation of Baha' u'llah: His
thought and activity. This dichotomy can be Own Words as interpreted by 'Abdu' l-Baha
characterized in the pairs of antitheses: faith and the Guardian. It is a revelation of such
and reason; value and fact. It is a dichotomy staggering magnitude that no Baha'i at this
which is foreign to Baha'i thought and should early stage in Baha'f history can rightly claim to
be regarded with suspicion by Baha'i scho lars have more than a partial and imperfect underin every field. The principle of the harmony of standing of it. Thus, Baha'i historians would
science and religion means not only that relig- see the overcoming of early misconceptions
ious teachings should be studied in the light of held by the Baha'f community, or by parts of
reason and evidence as well as of faith and the Baha'i community, not as ' developments of
inspiration , but also that everything in crea- the Baha'f Faith'-as a non-Baha'i historian
tion, all aspects of human life and knowledge, might well regard them-but as growth of that
should be studied in the light of revelation as community's understanding of the Baha'i
well as in that of purely rational investigation. Revelation. In scientific investigation, when
In other words, a Baha'i scholar, when study- searching after the facts of any matter, a Baha'i
ing a subject, should not lock out of his mind must, of course, be entirely open-minded, but
any aspect of truth that is known to him. in his interpretation of the facts and his evalua-
It has, for example , become commonplace to tion of evidence we do not see by what logic he
regard religion as the product of human striv- can ignore the truth of the Baha'i Revelation
ing after truth , as the outcome of certain cli- which he has already accepted; to do so would ,
mates of thought and conditions of society. we feel, be both hypocritical and unscholarly.
This has been taken, by many non-Baha'i think- Undoubtedly the fact that Baha'i scholars of
ers, to the extreme of denying altogether the the history and teachings of the Faith, believe
reality or even the possibility of a specific reve- in the Faith, will be a grave flaw in the eyes of
lation of the Will of God to mankind through a many non-Baha'i academics whose own doghuman Mouthpiece. A Baha'i who has studied matic materialism passes without comment
the Teachings of Baha'u'llah, who has because it is fashionable; but this difficulty is
accepted His claim to be the Manifestation of one that Baha'i scholars share with their fellow
God for this Age, and who has seen His Teach- believers in many fields of human endeavour,
ings at work in his daily life, knows as the result and the Baha'i principle of the harmony of
196 THE BAHA'f WORLD

religion and science compels all Baha'is to pro- should not transgress the bounds of tact and
tect themselves from the prevalent diseases wisdom, and in the words used there should
resulting from the divorce of faith and reason. lie hid the property of milk, so that the chil-
The sundering of science and religion is but dren of the world may be nurtured therewith,
one example of the tendency of the human and attain maturity. We have said in the past
mind (which is necessarily limited in its capac- that one word hath the influence ofspring and
ity) to concentrate on one virtue, one aspect of causeth hearts to become fresh and verdant,
truth, one goal, to the exclusion of others. This while another is like unto blight which
leads, in extreme cases, to fanaticism and the causeth the blossoms and flowers to wither.
distortion of truth, and in all cases to some God grant that authors among the friends will
degree of imbalance and inaccuracy. A scholar write in such a way as would be acceptable to
who is imbued with an understanding of the fair-minded souls, and not lead to cavilling by
broad teachings of the Faith will always the people.'
remember that being a scholar does not Elsewhere He has written:
exempt him from the primal duties and pur- 'Consort with all men, 0 people of Baha, in a
poses for which all human beings are created. spirit of friendliness and fellowship. If ye be
Not scholars alone, but all men are exhorted to aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a jewel,
seek out and uphold the truth, no matter how of which others are deprived, share it with
uncomfortable it may be. But they are also them in a language of utmost kindliness and
exhorted to be wise in their utterance, to be good will. If it be accepted, if it fulfil its purtolerant of the views of others, to be courteous pose, your object is attained. If any one
in their behaviour and speech, not to sow the should refuse it, leave him unto himself, and
seeds of doubt in faithful hearts, to look at the beseech God to guide him. Beware lest ye deal
good rather than at the bad, to avoid conflict unkindly with him. A kindly tongue is the
and contention, to be reverent, to be faithful to lodestone of the hearts of men. It is the bread
the Covenant of God, to promote His Faith of the spirit, it clotheth the words with meanand safeguard its honour, and to educate their ing, it is the fountain of the light of wisdom
fellow-men, giving milk to babes and meat to and understanding ... ' (Gleanings from the
those who are stronger. Writings of Bahli'u'llah: CXXXII)
Scholarship has a high station in the Baha'i
And again:
teachings, and Baha'i scholars have a great
responsibility to a growing, divinely-guided 'Should any one among you be incapable of
world society. The ascertainment of truth and grasping a certain truth, or be striving to
the acquisition of a fuller understanding of the comprehend it, show forth, when conversing
subjects of their scholarship are worthy and with him, a spirit of extreme kindliness and
high endeavours. But Baha'u'llah has seen fit good will. Help him to see and recognize the
to dwell at some length on the way to offer the truth, without esteeming yourself to be, in the
fruits of scholarship and expose error: least, superior to him, or to be possessed of
greater endowments.' (Gleanings from the
'Thou hast written that one of the friends hath Writings of Baha'u'llah: V)
composed a treatise. This was mentioned in As more and more Baha'fs enter the world of
the Holy Presence, and this is what was higher learning they will have opportunities of
revealed in response: Great care should be exerting great influence in bringing about in
exercised that whatever is written in these days human consciousness and outlook that hardoth not cause dissension, and invite the mony of religion and science which is so great a
objection of the people. Whatever the friends principle of their Faith. The distinction desired
of the One true God say in these days is by' Abdu'l-Baha for all Baha'fs Is certainly for
listened to by the people of the world. It hath attainment by Baha'i scholars, who by followbeen revealed in the Lawf:i-i-ljikmat: "The ing the exhortations of Baha'u'llah to moderaunbelievers have inclined their ears towards tion, kindliness, tact and wisdom, may restore
us in order to hear that which might enable scholarship to that high station of dignity and
them to cavil against God, the Help in Peril, admiration which it formerly held and which is
the Self Subsisting." Whatever is written confirmed by the utterances of Baha'u'llfih.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 197

3. THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR
STUDIES ON THE BAHA'I FAITH
1975-1979

AT NA W-ROZ 1974, the Universal House Assembly which would appoint the memberof Justice called upon the Canadian Baha'i ship of the Executive Committee. This recomcommunity as one of their goals in the Five mendation was approved by the National
Year Plan to: Spiritual Assembly at their meeting of 21 - 24
'Cultivate opportunities for formal presenta- February, 1975. The newly appoin.ted Executions, courses and lectureships on the Baha'i tive Committee met for the first time in May
Faith in Canadian universities and other 1975, and during this and subsequent meetinstitutions of higher learning.' ings, decided that initially the Association
In January, 1975, the National Spiritual should direct all its attention to cultivation of
Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada invited opportunities for the formal presentation of
some thirty individuals to a 'policy conference', the Faith at Canadian institutions of higher
a device which the Assembly had frequently learning, as directed by the Universal House of
and successfully used to find a way of meeting Justice.
~arious new challenges. The participants were
In the Committee's opinion, the choice of
from various backgrounds and from all parts of the word 'cultivate' encouraged careful atten-
Canada, and were selected because it was felt tion to the preparatory stages of a program
they might contribute effectively to an exami- designed to awaken the Canadian academic
nation of this particular subject. The confer- community to the existence of the Faith, to
ence, which was held at the University of make them aware of its intellectual and
Ottawa, had two distinct functions: (a) consul- spiritual integrity~ and to acquaint them with
tation on the above-mentioned Five Year Plan the quality of the academic resources which it
goal and (b) holding a one-day conference with offers.
scientific, academic and artistic presentations The Committee therefore felt that the
on themes related to or inspired by the Baha'i emphasis during the initial phase of work
Faith and its Writings. A total of five presenta- should be on the development of the Associations related to various scholarly disciplines, tion's resources; and with this in mind, it was
artistic expressions, and the history of the decided to embark upon the objectives of (a)
Baha'i Faith were given. As well, a piece by the increasing membership and contribution in the
Ballet Shayda,' a dance company of Baha'i Baha'i community, (b) publication of Associaartists, was presented. tion Proceedings and various monographs
The result of the consultation of the policy (Bahli'f Studies), (c) publication of a textbook
conference was a recommendation that the on the Baha'i Faith, as the basis for the
National Spiritual Assembly establish a 'Cana- development of course outlines, ( d) convening
dian Association for Studies on the Baha'i annual meetings, and ( e) formal presentations
Faith'. The conference believed that such a n at Canadian universities and other institutions
association represented a traditional mode of of higher learning. The membership of the
relating to the university system and one which Association has been increasing steadily, and
would be most likely to find easy acceptance by in a most encouraging trend, many Baha'is
the academic community. It would at once from outside Canada have become members.
relieve the administrative agencies of the Faith The membership by 1979 had grown to 507.
of a heavy load of largely extraneous tasks, a nd Thus far, six volumes of Baha'i Studies have
open up a new field of service for qualified been published . The titles of the series are:
believers. The Association would, in accord- Vol. I-Proceedings of th e First Annual Meetance with Baha'i administrative principle, ing of the Canadian Association for
take its basic direction from the National Studies on the Bahli'f Faith, Dr. H.
'See The Baha'( World, vol. XVI, p. 696. Danesh, Luc Dion, Dr. A. M. Ghadirian,
198 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Dr. Wm. S. Hatcher, Douglas Martin, hundred and fifty . Four regional annual con-
0. D. Rogers; November 1976. ferences are scheduled to be held simulta-
Vol. 2-The Science of Religion, Dr. Wm. S. neously from 28-30December1979 in Surrey,
Hatcher; September 1977; revised British Columbia; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan;
edition March 1980. Bolton, Ontario and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
Vol. 3-The Metaphorical Nature of Physical The fifth annual meeting will be held in Ottawa
Reality , Dr. John S. Hatcher; in June 1980 and will be followed immediately
November 1977. by an International Baha'i Conference on
Vol. 4-Three Studies on Baha'i History, Health and Healing.
Douglas Martin , Jan T . Jasion, Dr. A. During the first four years of its existence
M. Ghadirian; December 1978. (1976-1979) the Association has been able to
Vol. 5-The Baha'i Faith in Russia: Two hold the following formal presentations and
Early Instances, A. A. Lee, Dr. A. M. lectures, details of which are set out in Appen-
Ghadiriaa; January 1979. dix III.
Vol. 6-The Violence-Free Society: A Gift for
Our Children, Dr. H. Danesh; April 1. Five lectures on the topic of Women in the
1979; revised edition October 1979. Baha'i Faith at Laurentian University in
Sudbury, Ontario.
In 1976, the Executive Committee 2. Lectures on the topic of Science and
approached a group of scholars at the Univer- Religion at the University of New Brunssite de Montreal who were collaborating with wick and the University of Alberta at
Editions Fides on a series of volumes on major Edmonton.
religions. The aim was to assure that the Faith 3. Two presentations on the topic of Women
was correctly treated in the series. After in the Baha'i Faith at Carleton University,
further consultations, the group agreed to Ottawa.
publish a separate volume in the series on the 4. A presentation on the topic of the Funcsubject of the Faith under the title La Foi tion of Revelation in Artistic Expression
Baha'ie. Editions Fides also approved the at the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts.
project. The Association sought the advice of
the House of Justice on suitable authors and At the time of preparation of this report,
approached several whom the House nomi- plans have been approved for a non-credit
nated. Eventually, two of these were commis- extension course on the Baha'i Faith at the
sioned and took up the task. The manuscript is University of British Columbia. Also, negotianow in its final stages preparatory to publica- tions are under way for a similar course at the
tion . The Committee decided to go ahead University of Toronto .
simultaneously with an English language ver- The significance of the activities and work of
sion (The Baha'i Faith), also through a com- the Association was recognized by the Univermercial publisher. sal House of Justice in a letter of 19 March,
The first and second annual meetings were 1979:
held at Cedar Glen in Bolton, Ontario from 'The Efflorescence of the Canadian Association
2-4 January 1976 and 31 December 1976-2 for Baha'i Studies has been, in the eyes of the
January 1977 respectively, and each was House of Justice, one of the very favourable
attended by more than one hundred individu- outcomes of the Five Year Plan and bodes well
als. The third annual meeting took place in for the maturation and eminence of the Cana-
Surrey, British Columbia from 30 December dian community.'
1977-1 January 1978 and the fourth at the
The work of the Association was crowned by
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education in
the following goal given to Canada as part of
Toronto from 26-27 January 1979. This latter
the Seven Year Plan by the Supreme Body:
meeting was open to the public and had as one
of its speakers Professor W. G. Oxtoby, the ' Expand the opportunities for teaching in
head of the Department of Religious Studies at Canadian institutions of higher learning and
the University of Toronto. The attendance at further develop the Canadian Association for
the third and fourth meetings exceeded one Studies on the Baha'i Faith.'
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 199
APPEND IX I

TERMSOFREFERENCE-
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR STUDIES ON THE BAHA'I FAITH
Name: The Canadian Association for Studies on the Ba ha'i reference sources, recommendations for credits, etc. Non-
Faith credit courses will also be developed for the use of Extension
Departments. All such courses will be submitted to the
Membership: Membership is open to all Bah a'is .
National Assembly for approval before being offered to
Membership fees: Individuals -$15.00
non-Baha'i institutions. The lecturers will receive the regu-
Couples - $25.00
lar fees which universities normally pay (this latter, in order
Students -$ 10.00
to place the operation on an academic footing, and avoid any
Senior -$ 10.00
suggestion th at it represented merely a public information
Outside North America -$1 0.00
agency of the Baha'i community);
Canadian Pioneers - free
To encourage university students to work on the Baha'i
Executive Committee: The executive committee has full Faith as part of their regular academic activities; to collect
responsibility for the direction of the affairs of the Associa- and assess theses, papers, etc. , which are produced by Baha'i
tion , in line with the consti tution and the directives of the students; to provide a listing of these resources for the use of
National Spiritual Assembly. The executive committee the Centre and the Baha'i community;
members are appointed annually by the National Spiritual To undertake a study of holdings on the Bah a'i Faith at
Assembly. Canadian university libraries, and provide advice to these
same libraries on available so urce materi als;
Administration: The Association will function on the basis of To serve as a forum for the sharing of ideas among memguidelines established by the National Spiritual Assembly, bers and for th e service of the deepening programs of the
a nd all further steps to establish or amend the constitution Canadian Baha'i community;
will require the Assembly's approval; To encourage the production of literature including scho-
Direction of the Association would be through its Execu- larly books on the Faith, articles, etc. It is intended that such
tive Committee, which will have the responsibility of report- material be published commercially, so as to stand on the
ing regularl y to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bah- same footing with reference materials on other subjects ;
a'is of Canada; To organize formal conferences for members and other
All financing through fees charged for membership, interested persons, in addition to the annual meeting of the
revenue from special events, and charges for services per- Association;
formed (sale of literature, training courses, etc.) sup- To publish th e proceedings of the Association's annual
plemented by a grant from the National Assembly based on meeting;
consultation with the Executive Committee; To cultivate re lationships with university administrations,
Personnel, eq uipment, materials, and space paid for out of and to acquaint them with the nature and aims of the Baha'i
the in come of the Association; Faith ;
Co-operation with Baha'i Campus Clubs across the coun- To provide a schola rship (or scholarships) for Ba ha'i stutry, but no direct administrative relationship between these dents;
two types of operation. To develop a bibliography on the Baha'i Faith , and to
keep it updated ;
Objecti ves: To work toward the creation of a 'Canadian
To propose research projects to Baha'i scholars.
Centre fo r Studies on the Baha'i Faith' ;
To establish a lecture bureau to offer qualified Baha'i Co ntact with Universities: It will be the responsibility of the
lecturers to Canadian universities and other institutions of Association , on behalf of its members and on behalf of the
higher learning. Such lecturers wi ll be avail able to speak on Canadian Baha'i community, to undertake all formal conboth the Baha'i Faith itself and on subjects that fall within tact with universities, colleges, institu tes of arts and technoltheir own academic disciplines . The Association will estab- ogy, semin aries, nursing and teachers colleges, etc., as
lish the criteria of lectureship, guide the lecture rs, a nd institutions. In this connection, a method will have to be
ha ndle all contact with the universities and other institutions developed to ass ure that Local Spiritual Assemblies are fu lly
to whom their services we re offered; informed, and are in a position to take appropriate adva n-
To develop formal courses on the Baha'i Faith including tage of the work of the Association.

Participants in th e annual m eeting ofthe Canadian Association for Studies on the Baha'( Faith
held in Bolton, Ontario; January 1976. Mr. Douglas Martin is seen standing on the extreme
left.
200 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Five publications produced by the Canadian Association for Studies on the Baha'i Faith.

APPENDIX II

MEMBERS OF THE FIRST EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CANADIAN
ASSOCIATION FOR STUDIES ON THE BAHA'I FAITH:

Hossa in Danesh (ch airm an) Douglas Martin (secretary)
G le n Eyford Michael Rochester (treas urer)
William Hatche r 0. Don Rogers
E lizabeth Larin

MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CANADIAN
ASSOCIATION FOR STUDIES ON THE BAHA'I FAITH FOR 1979-80:

Louis Brunet Will iam Hatcher
Alan Coupe Douglas Martin
Hossain Danesh (chairman) Peter Morgan (secretary)
G len Eyford Christine Zerbinis (treasurer)
Jane Goldstone

APPENDIX III

/ st Annual Conference: Bolton, Ontario; 2-4 January 1976 John Taylor, 'T he Baha'i Fa ith as an Agent of Social
Don Rogers, 'The Function of Revelation in A rtistic Change'
Expression' Dr. D. Smith, 'The Ba ha'i Community and the Group
Dr. A . M. Ghadirian, 'A uguste Fore!: His Life and Identity'
Enlightenment' Dr. J. Faily, 'The Group Phenomenon'
Douglas Martin, 'The Baha'i Faith and Its Critics' Dr. W. Hatcher, ' Healing: Physical and Spiritual'
Dr. W. Hatcher, ' Science a nd Religion' Dr. N. Rasekh, ' Man, Ti me and Space'
Glen Eyford, 'Spiritual Education' Douglas Martin, 'History of Green Acre and Sarah
Michele Danesh, 'Woman' performed by the Ballet Farmer'
Shayda Michele Danesh , 'Journey' performed by the Ballet
Luc Dion , 'La realite du monde et !'existence de Dieu' Shayda
Dr. H. Danesh, 'Violence and Apathy' Dr. H. Danesh , 'In Search of a Violence-Free Community'
2nd Annual Conference: Bolton, Ontario; 31 Dec. 1976-2 Dr. J. Hatcher, 'The Metaphorical Nature of Physical
Jan. 1977 Reality'
Dr. P. Morgan, ' A Review of Reshaping of the Intern a- Heidi Lakshman, 'The Covenant of Judaism'
tional Order' William Gossen, 'Recent History and the Future of Ideas,
Dr. G. Eyford, 'The United Nations University' Unitary Science and Baha'i Philosophy'
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACT IVITIES 201
3rd A nnual Conference: Surrey, British Columbi a; 30 Dec. Dr. H. D anesh , ' Emotional Satisfaction and Spiritual
1977-1 Jan . 1978 Enrichment'
Kay Balser, 'Towards a Universal Auxiliary Language' Jim Desson, 'Consider the Flowers of a Garden'
Mr. K. Bloodworth , 'In Search of a New Visual Myth' Dr. W. Hatcher, 'Economics and H uman Values'
Ch ristopher Buck, 'Nazoraean/Ebionaean Christia nity ' Rivann e Sandler, 'The Poetic Artistry of Qurratu ' I- ' Ay n:
and the Emergence of Historical Theology' A Babl Heroine'
Alan Coupe, 'Zarathustra and the Baha'i Faith' Akouete Akakpo-Vidah , ' Pour une etude scientifique de
Dr. H. Danesh, ' Health and Healing' l'apport de la foi baha'le a la science de !'education'
Ken Goldstone, 'The World Centre of the Baha'i Faith : Jacobe Philippe, 'D ramatic Arts as a Catalyst for the
An Analysis of the Sacred Landscape' Development of a Spiritual Civilization'
Richard Heiser, 'The Legal Personality of Baha'i Assem- David Bowie, ' By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them'
blies'
Formal Presentations:
A nthony Lee , 'The Rise a nd Fall of the Russian Ba ha'i
Carol Bowie;- T horneloe College, Laurentian U niver-
Community: An Historical Sketch'
sity, Sudbury, O nt. 'Women and Religion-the Baha'i
Jane Nishi-Goldstone, 'A Review of Maitrya-Amitabha
Viewpoint' 29 July 1977
Has Appeared by Jamshed Fozdar'
Laurentian U niversity, Extension class, Espanola
Dr. Anne Schoonmaker, 'Erikson and the Worldwide
Ontario, 6 Feb. 1978
Crisis of Identity'
Laurentian University, Sudbury, 13 June 1978
4th Annual Conference: Toronto, Ontario; 26-27 Jan. 1979 Laurentian Universi ty , Sault Ste. Marie, 14 June 1978
'W. G. Oxtoby, 'The Participant, the Observer and the Laurentian U niversity , North Bay, 5 February 1979
Study of Religion' Laurentian U niversity, Sudbury, 6 February 1979
P. W. Conway, 'The Psychology and Techniques of Trans- Laurentian University, Sudbury, 7 February 1980
cendence' Dr. H. B. Danesh; -Simon Fraser University, Dept. of
Dr. H. Danesh , 'The Violence-Free Society: A Gift for Criminology , British Columbia, Canada. A presenta-
Our Children' tion based on The Violence-Free Society: A Gift for Our
Dr. W. Hatcher, 'The Baha'i Concept of Spirituality' Children , January 1980.
Dr. P. Mo rgan, 'Values a nd Spiritual Education' T he United Nations, a joi nt project between the Baha'i
Paul Simpson, ' Folktoys and Their History' International Community and the Canadian Association for Studies on the Baha'i Faith , a presentation
I st Regional Conferences
based on The Violence-Free Society: A Gift for Our
Surrey: Children , November, L979. Six hundred copies of vol. 6
Ch ristopher Buck , 'The Lost Christianity of Peter' of Baha'i Studies were distributed.
Celena Benndorf, 'T he Door-to-Door Method: A 'The Governor's Confe rence on Child Abuse', Reno,
Sociological Study' Nevada, U.S.A . Keynote speaker and workshop leader,
Herbert Lee , ' Business in a Global Village ' 22-24 April 1980.
Dr. Patrick Conway, 'Tra nscendental Psychology' 'World Congress on Menta l Health', Salzburg, Austria,
Andrew Pemberton-Pigott , 'M usic as Therapy' a joint project of the Baha'i International Community
'Joy Marompon , 'Joyo usness in Ed ucation Through and the Canadian Associati on for Studies on the Baha'i
Music' Faith , Dr. Danesh, R epresentative, Bah a'i Interna-
Glen Eyford , 'A Search for Community' tion al Community, 8- 15 July 1979. Five hundred
Caroline Pemberton-Pigott, 'The Purpose of Education' copies of The Violence-Free Society: A Gift for Our
Robert Wilson, 'The Inmost Self Children were distributed to all the participants of the
Saskatoon: congress.
Jane Nishi-Goldstone, 'Buddhist Eschatology and the Glen Eyford;- University of Alberta, Dept. of Religious
Baha'i Faith' Studies, Edmonton , Alberta, Canada. Two lectures
Dr. G. Hanks, 'St. John the Baptist' February 1977: 'Oneness of Religion' and 'The Social
Peter Rempel and 'Dr. Shigeru Kounosu , ' Is a Science of Teachings of the Baha'i Fait h' .
Peace Possible?' William Hatcher;-Mount All ison University, Sackville,
Ron Silver, 'Educati on ' New Brunswick, Canada. 10 February 1978. 'Science
Helen Marshall, 'Prejudice' and Religion' and 'Economics and Human Values' .
Acadia U niversity, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, 9 March
Dartmouth:
1977. 'Ethical Concepts'.
Thaya Batdorf, 'The Baha'i Faith and th e Artist'
University of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, Feb-
'Dr. A. P. Johnstone, ' Worldwide Development'
ruary 1978. Presentation on the Baha'i Faith to Com-
Bob Donnelly, 'Doris MacKay : a Biographical Sketch of
an E arly Pioneer' parative Religions class.
Jan Jas ion, 'Mario n Jack'
Saint-Louis-Maillet College, Edmundston, New
Brunswick, January 1978. 'La science de la religion' et
John T. Moore, 'A Theological Consideration of
' Principes spirituels et principes economiques'
Baha' u' llah's Long Obligatory Prayer'
Saint-Louis-Maillet College, Edmundston, New
Dr. Peter Morgan, 'A Study of Baha'i Values'
Brunswick, Canada, Jan uary 1979. 'Valeurs morales et
Bolton: valeurs technologiques'
Keith C. Jensen, 'The Covenant and the O riginal Position' Concordia University Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Feb-
Bob Morrison,' A Mayan Manifestation' ruary 1978. 'Science a nd Religion'
Jack McLean , 'St. Paul and the Deification of Jesus' Universite du Quebec at Trois-Rivieres to a class in
Todd Lawson , 'The Crucifixion and the Qur'an' Political Economics, Spring, 1978. 'Les principes
Mark Keedwell, 'The Concept of Prophethood in the economiques de la fo i baha'le'
Baha'i Faith and in Islam' Elizabeth Kerr-Wilson;-Carleton University, Dept. of
'Velma Andrade, ' An Ethnographic St udy of a Winnipeg Religious Studies, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 28 March
Area Baha'i Group' 1978. 'Women in the Baha'i Faith'.
George Armogan, 'A Comparison between the Ba ha'i 0. Don Rogers; -Banff School of Fine Arts, Alberta,
Faith and the Saint Simon Movement' Canada, 26 November 1976. 'The Function of Revela-
' Denotes non-Baha'i participant tion in Artistic Expression' .
202 THE BAHA'I WORLD

4. SURVEY OF ACTIVITIES OF BAHA'I
WOMEN IN THE FIVE YEAR PLAN
RACHEL COLLINS

PARTICULARLY CALL UPON BAHA' I WOMEN WHOSE CAPACITIES IN MANY LANDS STILL
LARGELY UNUSED AND WHOSE POTENTIAL FOR SERVICE CA USE SO GREAT TO ARISE AND
DEMONSTRATE IMPORTANT PART THEY ARE TO PLAY IN ALL FIELDS SERVICE FAITH.

TH ESE words of the Universal House of ial education. This education is particularly
Justice from its cabled message of 24 March important when one considers that the future
1977 enunciated a special challenge to the expansion of the Baha'i Faith is to a large
Baha'i world in the Five Year Plan to bring into extent dependent upon spiritually-deepened
reality one of the cardinal principles of the mothers passing along their knowledge and
Baha'i Faith: the equality of men and women. conviction to their children.
This task was not given to women alone; eighty What is perhaps the strongest reason for
National Spiritual Assemblies were assigned a encouraging the participation of women in the
specific goal of organizing Baha'i activities for work of the Cause was best explained by
women. The full accomplishment of this goal ' Abdu'l-Baha:
will touch the lives of all members of the Baha'i
'It is well established in history that where
community: men, women, and children.
woman has not participated in human affairs
Why did the Universal House of Justice issue
the outcomes have never attained a state of
this call and set these goals for the first time
completion and perfection.' 4
during the Five Year Plan? The answer to this
question is several fold. In singling out for Thus growth in the level of women's activity
encouragement and development the role of in the Baha'i Faith could be viewed as a prerewomen in the Baha'i community, the House of quisite for the success of the Five Year Plan ,
Justice has set an example for National and even as women's full participation in the life of
Local Spiritual Assemblies, who, according to the Cause will be essential to the future growth
'Abdu'l-Baha, 'must give unlimited encour- and expansion of the Faith , to the abolition of
agement to women.'' war, and the evolution of a world civilization
A second reason lies in the obvious discre- rooted in the divine teachings proclaimed by
pancy between the Baha'i standard of the Baha'u'llah.
equality of men and women and the status of The history of the first 135 years of the
women in most societies in the world. The Baha'i Cause gives ample evidence of the
Baha'i standard is based on a divine teaching capacity of women for teaching and sacrifice.
enunciated for the first time in religious history Indeed, as 'Abdu'l-Baha in viewing the work of
by Baha'u'llah and stressed repeatedly by women during His lifetime pointed out ,
'Abdu'l-Baha: ' ... as all are created in the 'among the miracles which distinguish this sacimage and likeness of the one God, there is no red Dispensation is this, that women have
distinction as to sex in the estimation of God.' 2 evinced a greater boldness than men when
And again, women and men are entitled to enlisted in the ranks of the Faith.' 5 Pre-eminent
'equal rights and prerogatives in all things among early Baha'i heroines is the poetess
appertaining to humanity.' 3 As more people whose courage and eloquence were instrumenfrom every possible background and culture tal in proclaiming the independent nature of
enter under the shelter of Baha'u'llah's laws the new Revelation. In an age and country
and teachings, both women and men must where giving women even the rudiments of
grow to an understanding of the spiritual education was considered unnecessary, even
potential inherent in women, and the necessity harmful , Tahirih acquired a grasp of Muslim
of its development through spiritual and mater- theology extraordinary among men, to say
' Tablets of'Abdu'l-Bahd, vol. II, p. 336. nothing of women. She was one of the first
2 4
The Promulgation of Universal Peace, vol. II , p . 388. ibid . vol. I, p. 129.
l ibid. p . 277. ' The Advent of Divine Justice , p. 57.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i A C TIVITIES 203
eighteen people to recognize the truth of the walks of life , from kings and queens , ministers
Bab's mission and taught her new-found Faith and statesmen to private individuals of all
through her actions and her poetry with a fer- creeds, color and classes. Crowning her efforts
vor that astonished both friends and enemies. was the acceptance of the Faith by Queen
From the moment she cast aside her veil at the Marie of Ruma nia on whom she called many
conference of Badasht, announcing 'the day on times and whose respect and admiration she
which the fetters of the past are burst a- won.
sunder', 1 until she proclaimed to her execu- Other women have continued the work
tioners at her martydom in 1852 , 'You can kill begun by these remarkable teachers, each
me as soon as you like, but you cannot stop the adding her own gifts to the effort to bring the
emancipation of women ', 2 she did not hesitate message of the Baha'i Faith to an everto challenge all people to cast aside the outworn widening and increasingly diversified circle of
traditions that obscure the light of spiritual waiting souls. Very nearly one-half of the
Truth. pioneers who in the Guardian's Ten Year
Tahirih's legacy of courage and spiritual Crusade from 1953 to 1963 earned the title
understanding was passed on to many of the 'Kn ight of Baha' u' llah' by settling in a country
early Baha'f women in the West. Such was the or territory previously unopened to the Baha'i
fervor of women such as Lua Getsinger, enti- Faith have been women. Sometimes alone ,
tled by ' Abdu'l-Baha 'Herald of the Coven- sometimes with family, they settled in such
ant', May Maxwell, Helen Goodall, Ethel far-flung posts as Dutch New Guinea, the
Rosenberg, Agnes Alexander, Marion Jack, Galapagos Islands, Spanish Guinea, and the
and many others, that 'Abdu'l-Baha stated: Nicobar Islands . The same pioneering spirit
'Today the women in the West lead the men in has inspired many women to take up the chalthe service of the Cause, summon the people lenge of international travel teaching for the
under th e shade of the Blessed Perfection, Faith. The efforts of some of these women
and loosen their tongues in eloquent lectures, constitute perhaps the most dramatic examples
delivery of wonderful proofs and the elucida- of women serving the Faith during the Five
tion of new arguments. ' 3 Year Plan.
The travels of Amatu'l-Baha Ruryfyyih
One woman of the East was called upon to
Khan um, the widow of the Guardian, throughshoulder a burden unlike that of any other.
out India and Africa during the Nine Year Plan
After the passing of' Abdu'l-Baha in 1921, the
are becoming legendary. During the past five
daughter of Baha' u'llah , Bahfyyih Khanum,4
years, she has represented the Baha'i Faith and
the Greatest Holy Leaf, directed the affairs of
the Universal House of Justice throughout the
the Baha'i Cause for many months while
world on many occasions, including the laying
Shoghi Effendi recovered from the deep grief
of the foundation stones of two new Baha'i
which he suffered as a result of the passing of
Houses of Worship , one in India, one in
'Abdu'l-Baha and the shock of knowing him-
Samoa. She has met, challenged, and inspired
self nominated Guardian of the Cause of God .
with her message heads of state and govern-
She alone among the members of the Holy
ment, religious leaders, and men and women in
Family during the time of the Guardian
many other walks of life . But in particular
remained exemplary in the steadfastness of her
Ruryfyyih Khan um has sought out , and encourlove and devotion to the Centre of the Cause .
aged other Baha'is to seek out for teach ing,
Among the teachers of the Baha'i Faith durthose peoples whose lives have not been
ing its first century one stands unsurpassed:
tainted by the soul-consuming materialism that
Martha Root. This woman , defying social and
dominates the thinking of so much of the world
material barriers, meager resources, often
today. It was for this reason that she embarked
perilous circumstances and ill-health , jourupon the 'Green Light Expedition'. 5 This
neyed four times around the world, carrying the
five-month journey took her with six others to
message of the new Revelation to people in all
the Amazon river basin to make a film docu-
The Dawn-breakers , p. 296. menting the lives of numerous Indian and Bush
God Passes By , p. 76.
Star of the West , vol. l , no. 9 , p. 11. Negro tribes in the river area, demonstrating
' Bah:i'iyyih KMnum. ' See The Bahli'f World, vol. XVI, p. 419.
204 THE BAHA'i WORLD

Amatu'l-Baha Ru(tfyyih Khanum at the formal welcome accorded during her visit to the Maori
Meeting House (Orakei Marae) near Auckland, New Zealand; January 1979. Seen with her
are Mr. Ephraim Te Paa and Mrs. Ani Pihema.

the tremendous opportunities for teaching the tion then visited three cities in the Amazon
Faith of Baha'u'llah among these peoples, and region of Brazil, meeting the governors of two
the urgency of the need for pioneers and states, lecturing at universities and schools, and
teachers to reach them before outside speaking with the Baha'is, exhorting them to
materialistic values rapidly encroaching on arise in service to the Cause. This proclamation
their way of life have cut them off from their was climaxed by the first Baha'i conference of
spiritual roots. The expedition travelled to vil- the Amazon region, held in Manaus during
lages on the Orinoco River in the Amazonas Ru!]iyyih Khanum's visit. The expedition then
territory deep inside Venezuela, then up the proceeded to the Peruvian Amazon region,
Ventuari River as far as their boat would go. where further documentary work was done.
The second part of the trip involved travel by The five-month journey ended high in the
plane'and canoe into the jungles of the Guiana Bolivian Andes with the filming of a Baha'i
plateau in Surinam, seeking out the villages of conference graced by the presence of many
Bush Negroes, resulting in the acceptance of Bolivian Indian believers, both men and
the Faith by a number of villagers and the women.
election of the first Bush Negro Local Spiritual The film of the 'Green Light Expedition' has
Assembly. Rul]iyyih Khanum with the expedi- been and is still being shown around the world,
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 205
accomplishing Rul)iyyih Khanum's goal of Mrs. Munsiff's first journey in 1975 took her
demonstrating the potential for spiritual vic- from Spain and Portugal throughout west and
tories among villagers in remote areas. It also part of central Africa . She visited Baha'i comtestifies to Rul)iyyih Khanum's great love for munities in Senegal, the Gambia, Sierra
these people , a love which gave her the Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo ,
strength to accomplish what she did, so that she Dahomey (now Benin), Central African
could truthfully say, 'If I at the age of sixty-four Republic, and Chad, then back home to Engcan undertake such a trip, then surely the land through France. Throughout her travels,
younger generation of believers can do as she met with government officials, from heads
much.'' of state to vill age chiefs, and addressed public
Rul)iyyih Khanum took the opportunity meetings and gatherings of Baha'is. Among
many .times during her travels to speak of the the Baha'is she helped the believers to deepen
important role of women in teaching the Faith. their understanding, love, and faith in the
At the Asian Baha'i Women 's Conference Revelation of Baha'u'llah, encouraged the
more than 1,000 Baha'i women from all over pioneers in their work for the Faith, and, by
Asia heard her outline the state of emergency words and actions, ever stressed the unity and
in the world that calls for a special effort by all love between divers peoples that wholehearted
Baha'is to spread the Word of God. She allegiance to the Cause of God can and must
pointed out that men should actively encour- bring about. In October 1976, Mrs. Munsiff
age and assist their women in service to the headed to the western hemisphere, visiting
Faith, for if they do not, it will be doubly Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana, Trinidad
difficult for women to fulfill their respon- and Tobago, Barbados, the Windward Islands,
sibilities to the Cause. 'One of the failings of the French Antilles, Puerto Rico, Haiti ,
men in Asia and Africa is that they do not teach Jamaica, and Mexico, returning to England in
the Faith to their wives, mothers , and sisters,' February 1977. Later that year, she taught the
she stated. Faith on the European continent, before leav-
Prominent among women consecrating their ing in October for the Asian Baha'i Women's
energies and talents to the field of international Conference in India . From India Mrs. Munsiff
travel teaching during the Five Year Plan was travelled to Australia, visiting Perth in the west
Mehrangiz Munsiff. Born into the Zoroastrian and Sydney in the east. Then she embarked on
community of Bombay, Mrs. Munsiff the journey to the islands of the Pacific which
embraced the Baha'i Faith at an early age , enabled her to finish encircling the world in
earned the title of Knight of Ba ha'u' llah by service to the Faith. She visited communities in
pioneering to French Cameroon in 1954, and New Caledonia, the New Hebrides, the Solhas energetically served the Cause at home in omon Islands, Fiji , Tonga, Samoa, Tahiti, the
England and abroad for many years. The Five Tuamotu Archipelago, the Marquesa Islands
Year Plan has seen the fulfilment of her and the Cook Islands . Mrs . Munsiff completed
lifelong desire to be able to travel teach in all this extraordinary tour in Hawaii, where she
parts of the world. When the Universal House visited and prayed at the graves of Martha Root,
of Justice asked her to undertake a journey to her early mentor, and Agnes Alexander, the
Australasia and the Pacific islands in 1977, she first Baha'i in the Hawaiian Islands. After rest
wrote in reply, thanking them for granting this and recuperation made necessary by her arduwish by sending her to the one area of the world ous efforts, Mrs. Munsiff travelled through
she had not yet visited, saying: Italy, Germany and Luxembourg, returning to
London in late July 1978. Her final travel
'When I was fourteen I looked after Miss
teaching tour of the Five Year Plan took her
Martha Root during her visit to Bombay and
back to Africa, this time to Ghana, Nigeria,
then traveled with her to Ajmer . . . (She J
Zaire, South Africa, South West Africa, Reunlcvingly told me that she would pray that I
ion, Mauritius, Madagascar and Kenya.
may teach the Faith all over the world. How
Throughout her travels, Mrs. Munsiffs actions
little one believes in the statements of such
and words attracted considerable attention and
holy souls till they come true!'
coverage from the news media in the countries
Baha'( News (USA), May 1975, v. 52, no. 5, p. 3. she visited. When questioned about the princi-
206 THE BAHA'f WORLD

Mrs. Menhrangiz Munsiff(last row, second from
the right) with a group of Girl Guides, Santo,
Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides; 177.

Dr. Jan e Faily (last row, extrem e left) with
participants in a Teacher Training In stitute,
Elele-Etchi, Nigeria; 1979. Dr. Faily travelled
extensively in Africa during the year she spent
there as a consultant for the Baha'i
lniernational Community.

His Excellency James R. Mancham , President
of Seychelles, (left) in cordial interview with
Mrs . Lea Nys who is seen describing the route
of Baha'u'llah's successive exiles. The visit
took place on 11 November 1976.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 207

pies of the Faith , she never lost an opportunity French-speaking areas of the West Indies durfor stressing the significance of Baha'u'llah's ing the Five Year Plan, once early in 1977 and
Revelation for the progress of humanity in this once in 1978. Mrs . Nys also actively taught the
day. She often spoke about the Baha'i principle Faith for two months throughout Quebec,
of the equality of men and women to Baha 'is Canada in 1977, as well as in her native Beland to those inquiring about the Faith , and gium and other French-speaking areas in
often encouraged the women in communities Europe, whenever she was not engaged in
to arise to travel teach. The dramatic example work in other parts of the world . Mrs . Nys's
of Mrs. Munsiffs fearlessness and energy, work has been particularly significant as she is
however, has undoubtedly served more than among the very first native French speakers to
mere words to inspire both the women and the arise to assist in the teaching and deepening of
men she met throughout the world to under- the many spiritually receptive peoples
take a fuller service to the Cause of God. throughout the world for whom French is
Among the Baha'is of French-speaking either the first or second language.
countries throughout the world , the name of Many other women as well have travelled to
one travel teacher is particularly well-known: the next town, province, country, or halfway
Mrs. Lea Nys. Mrs. Nys was the first Belgian to around the world in service to their Faith . Miss
embrace the Baha'i Faith , and has taught the Shamsi Sadeghat, from Trinidad and Tobago,
Faith throughout Europe and the West Indies. devoted much time to teaching throughout the
Her repeated trips to Haiti, Guadeloupe, and West Indies, and travelled to the northeast
Martinique in particular have been instrumen- United States as well. Shirin Boman and Zena
tal to the growth of the Baha'i communities Sorabjee, both serving on the Continental
there. At the beginning of the Five Year Plan, Board of Counsellors for South Central Asia,
Mrs. Nys travelled for four months in French- have been active throughout Asia, giving spespeaking Canada , the West Indies and the cial efforts to the needs of Baha'i women. Mrs.
United States. In July 1975 she left for Africa, Boman travelled as well to the western hemistravelling alone for fifteen weeks to over sixty phere to teach. In some cases, travel teachers
cities and villages in Ghana , Zaire, Burundi, from the more developed countries, because
Tanzania , Madagascar, Reunion , Maruritius, they were women, were able to reach women in
the Seychelles and Kenya, by truck, taxi, or any certain villlages for the first time in less techother available vehicle, often on foot in remote nologically advanced societies. It is interesting
areas. She visited officials and chiefs on the to note too that the first travel teaching team
national and local levels in every country, and to go from Papua New Guinea to Australia
received wide newspaper and radio publicity. was made up entirely of women, girls and
She returned to Martinique, Guadeloupe and children.
Haiti in January and February 1976, and then Baha'i women are being recognized by the
headed west to the Pacific Islands on a round- world outside the Baha'i community as well for
the-world teaching trip. Although she eventu- their untiring and often sacrificial efforts
ally had to discontinue this trip because of towards better human understanding. Mrs. El ti
illness, Mrs. Nys was able to visit all of the Kunak, a Baha'i of Papua New Guinea,
major French-speaking islands in the Pacific received a British Empire medal for her work
as well as several others, meeting with Baha'is, in establishing women's clubs throughout the
speaking at public meetings, visiting officials, island of New Ireland in the Bismarck
and giving press and radio interviews. From Archipelago, having been named to the
Tahiti she visited American and Western Queen's Birthday Honours List in June 1975 .
Samoa, where she met His Highness Malietoa Mrs. Kunak and her husband were among the
Tanumafili II, the first Baha'i reigning first Baha'is to enrol in the Faith after the
monarch . From there she went to Fiji, the New Faith was introduced to New Ireland in 1957,
Hebrides, the Loyalty Islands and New and in 1974 she was the first native Papua New
Caledonia. By October Mrs. Nys was Guinean woman to be elected to the National
sufficiently recovered from her illness to return Spiritual Assembly of that country. Although
to Kenya, Mauritius, Reunion, and the Mrs Kunak never went to school, she has
Seychelles. She made two more trips to the travelled extensively to lecture, organize
208 THE BAHA'f WORLD

Participants in National Baha'i Women's
Conference held in San Salvador, El
Salvador; March 1977. Counsellor Artemus
Lamb is seen on the extreme right, back row.

Participants in National Bah{i'{ Women's
Conference, Senegal; April 1978.

Participants in first National Baha'i Women's
Conference held in Dacca, Bangladesh;
January 1977.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 209
women's clubs and represent the women of 'The dearth of speakers available from this
her country as the National President of part of the world who might be attending the
Women's Clubs. She often emphasized that the Conference, to take charge of certain substrength to fulfill these tasks is derived from her jects, was extraordinary. We had enough
faith in Baha'u'llah, and that His teachings good Baha'i women speakers to cover the
enable women to break the bonds of tradi- subjects but we should have had a choice
tional life, to stand up straight and strong and from a hundred speakers, and we didn't have
create a good life for themselves and their chil- it partly because they weren't coming here
dren. and partly because the women are not com-
In 1978, Mrs. Dorothy Francis, a Salteaux ing forward enough to bear this aspect of
Indian and a Baha'i since 1960, was awarded Baha'i service and there is no earthly reason
the Order of Canada by the Canadian govern- why they should not ... Why are they not
ment for her outstanding services to Canadian coming forward? Why are they not bearing
Indians in British Columbia and the Prairie this type of burden of service for the Faith of
provinces. Mrs. Francis founded several Indian Baha'u'llah?''
Friendship Centres, which assist Indians to
Despite the example of numerous early and
adapt to urban life and employment, and
modern-day Baha'i heroines, the potential of
Indian Cultural Clubs, which seek to preserve
women for understanding, enthusiasm, perseand enrich Indian culture and tradition in
verance and sacrifice is a spiritual resource
Canada. She also helped create the Winnithat has remained virtually untapped in many
peg Arts and Crafts Centre, through which
national communities. In many of the less
many native Canadians market arts and
developed countries where tradition has
crafts.
confined most women to a subordinate role in
Another Baha'i woman whose work has
all social, political and religious affairs, the
been signally recognized is Dr. Dorothy Nelnumber of women believers enrolled in the
son, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assem-
Faith remains but a small fraction of the total
bly of the United States and Dean of the Uninumber of Baha'ls. In India, for example, the
versity of Southern California Law Centre.
secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly in
The Associates of the World Peace Through
1976 estimated that although many outstand-
Law Centre awarded her the Pax Orbis Ex Jure
ing Indian women have performed exceptional
medal for her service as a lawyer in the cause of
service to the Cause in their home country and
world peace.
around the world, only 0.5% of the total
The work of these women and many other
number of registered believers in India were
individuals throughout the world dramatically
women. 2
demonstrates the capacity of Baha'i women to
The major obstacle to the equal participaharmonize the different facets of their lives, as
tion of women, as with the exemplification of
mothers, as Baha'i teachers and adminisany Baha'i principle, lies in certain prevailing
trators, as contributors to society through craft
customs and traditions of the divers societies of
and profession, and as the strongest promoters
which the believers are a part; customs and
of the cause of peace in the world. Their
practices to which the Baha'i standards proaccomplishments during the Five Year Plan
claim a marked and often startling contrast. This
add lustre to the history of the Baha'i women.
contrast exists in both under-developed and
But why are there not yet many more Baha'i
technologically advanced countries. The story
women distinguishing themselves in all fields of
of one Canadian pioneer in the Central African
endeavor, indisputably demonstrating their
Republic illustrates one of the main difficulties
capacity and spiritual gifts to men, women and
in bringing women into the Faith in many
children both within and outside the Baha'i
societies:
community? Amatu'l-Baha Rul).iyyih Khanum
frankly asked this question of more than a 'There are very, very few women Baha'ls in
thousand women assembled at the largest the Central African Republic ... I decided
gathering of women during the Five Year Plan, 1
Baha'( News (India), no. 29. Sept.-Dec. 1977, pp. 13- 14.
the Asian Baha'i Women's Conference held in 2
Extract from a report by Counsellor Hooper Dunbar,
New Delhi in October 1977: Bulletin Baha'( d'Haiti, April 1976, p. 12.
210 THE BAHA'I WORLD

to go out to the fields with them to dig ma n- cases these conferences were the first region al
ioc. I soon found out why few of them have or national Baha'i activity in ·which women
time to come at night to listen to us! I went from the more remote villages participated ,
with three village women and walking a fast and often they we re the first occasion on which
clip, it took us exactly one hour to reach their native women arose to speak publicly. The
daily work. Once there, they spread a nice largest women 's conference, the Asian Conferclean cloth on a big pan and motioned me to ence, was probably the first conference of its
sit, but I refused and began to help them dig type to take place anywhere in India. It, like
and collect the tubers . . . I kept up to them many of the other Baha'i conferences around
all day, and when they hoisted great loads of the world during the Five Year Plan, provided
tubers on their heads, I put as many as I an unusual opportunity for the proclamation of
could in an old cloth and hoisted them on the Faith, and in particular its principle of the
mine ... We had four declarations from equality of men and women , to leading officials
women! When they arrive home, the y have and to thousands of others through the news
to walk sometimes as far as two or three kms. media. Women travelling to and from the Conto get water, and carry it home on their heads ference often took advantage of their journey
to begin supper. For supper they had to chop to teach the Faith to those they met, and many
and make peanut butter, and spend an hour were able to initiate or assist organized travel
"pillering" the manioc and then cook it all. teaching projects .
They are just too exhausted to come to meet- Other international women's conferences
ings. Of course, the men of the village are all were held in El Salvador, Peru and Liberia.
fresh . . . because most of their day has been More than one thousand believers from 122
spent on a straw mat in the shade of a tree.' 1 Local Spiritual Assembly jurisdictions in Zaire
gathered in September 1977 for a women's
In many societies the kinds of activities in
conference in Lueba , Kibundu in the Kivu rewhich women may participate are narrowly
gion of the country , the largest of nine confercircumscribed by social convention, and meetences held in that area. In all, over 150 internaings in which both men and women are present
tional, national and regional Baha'i Women 's
and contribute are unheard of.
Conferences sponsored by the Continental
It is in an effort to develop the potential and
Boards of Counsellors and National Spiritual
engage the participation of all women who
Assemblies were held between 1974 and 1979.
believe in the truth of Baha.'u'llah's mission,
Particularly noteworthy is the fact that many of
and not just those women with education, that
these conferences were held not in large cities but
the Universal House of Justice has called for
in villages and towns in remote areas , the home
the development of women's activities. The
territory of indigenous Baha'ls. Often the trip
road to fulfilling 'Abdu'l-Baha's standard of
to and from the conference was an important
full and equal participation of women in all
step in bringing the Baha'i women together as
affairs is a long and difficult one. Important
sisters. An account of the trip by participants
first steps in this direction were taken by many
in the first Baha'i Women's Conference of
national communities through holding interna-
Malaysia by launches and on foot to Kampong
tional , national and regional women's confer-
Temiang where the conference was held, tells
ences and institutes to educate the believers in
of the friendly spirit as women gathered from
the standards set by Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'leleven jungle communities:
Baha. These conferences focused attention on
the statements of 'Abdu'l-Baha on women's
'It was a happy journey with news being
role in the progress of humanity, both within
exchanged and the Baha'ls getting to know
the family and outside the home; on the history
each other as the launch proceeded through
of Baha'i women such as the Greatest Holy
the afternoon heat of the equatorial jungle
Leaf, Tahirih, and Martha Root; on the impor-
... eventually we had to take to our feet and
tance of the education of women who are the
walk the last hour of our journey balancing
first trainers of children; and on the vital role of
on tree trunks neatly felled so that one can
women in teaching the Cause of God. In many
step from one to the other-a great deal
' Pulse of the Pioneer , no. 29, January 1979, pp . 14-15. easier than walking through swampy land
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 211

Four participants in the National Teaching
Conference held al Umgababa, South Africa;
October 1978. Judging entries in the arts and
crafts exhibit are (left to right) Mrs. Anisa
Cumberbatch, Mrs. Tabitha Tombisa, Mrs.
Cecilia Nodada and Miss Dawn Jensen.

Participants in the first International
Conference of Baha'i Women of South
America held in Lima, Peru; December 1977.
More than 200 women from 12 countries
attended the conference which had as its theme
'Women's Role in the Progress of Humanity.'

Some participants in the first National Baha'i
Children's Conference of Samoa; April 1977.
The Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qasim Faizi
was present at this gathering which drew an
attendance of approximately 100 children,
parents and teachers.
212 THE BAHA'f WORLD

Some participants in the Asian Baha'i Women's Conference held in New Delhi, India; October
1977. More than 1,000 women from Asia, Europe and America attended. Amatu'l-Baha
Rul;zfyyih Khanum is seen in the centre.

. . . we were tired but so happy to arrive.' 1 ment of entire families in the Faith, and for
raising up Local Spiritual Assemblies. Often
Baha'i villagers from the Bouake, Man, and
the women examined their local customs and
Danane regions of the Ivory Coast walked dishabits in an effort to bring their lives more
tances up to 400 miles overland to attend the
closely in line with the principles of their Faith
International Baha'i Women's Conference in
and more consonant with their dignity as
Monrovia, Liberia. Village women such as
Baha'i women .
these contributed actively to the success of
Most important perhaps has been the fosterthese conferences throughout the world,
ing of a new spirit among the Baha'i women
speaking often for the first time before large
who participated in the conferences, as their
gatherings and translating addresses into the
perception of their role in the progress of the
native languages. Men as well as women con-
Faith and of humanity in general was transtributed in a variety of ways to making these
formed by learning of 'Abdu'l-Baha's
meetings a success: in many cases the men
revolutionizing statements on the importance
attending the conference prepared the food,
of women to the progress of all humankind. A
washed the dishes, and cared for the children,
Bolivian Indian woman who attended the first
in order to allow the women to concentrate on
International Conference of Baha'i Women in
the discussion of their responsibilities and
South America expressed well this change and
development within the Faith and the imporits effect on her life:
tance of their role as the first educators of the
next generation of Baha'is. Such active and 'I really could not understand why my huscheerful co-operation and service to the women band was so anxious to participate in the
by the men is particularly interesting as in most teaching work. I wanted him to stay home
cases it was offered in marked contrast to social with the family. Now I understand .. . in the
customs prevailing in the world around them. future we will go out together for teaching,
The enthusiasm created by these gatherings because I want to learn more and also want
often resulted in women setting goals for them- to teach my people this unity, love, and
selves for their own deepening and the deepen- peace.' 2
ing of their families in the essential verities of
the Faith, for the establishment of local classes The exposition of the Baha'i view on the
for women and children, for teaching the Faith responsibilities and privileges inherent in
locally and as travel teachers, for the enroll- womanhood has not been limited to Baha'i
' Baha'f International News Service, no. 76, 17 November Bahd'( International News Service, no. 91, 15 March 1978,
1975, pp. 11 - 12. p. 7.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 213

gatherings. The Baha'i principles of the equality of men and women and the importance of
women to the spiritual and material progress of
humanity have been clearly enunciated to
many national, regional and local government
officials around the world through personal
interviews and written statements, and to the
public at large through newspapers, radio and
television. Public meetings, exhibitions and
seminars in cities, towns, and universities have
explored the subject in greater depth. Particularly significant has been the participation of
the Baha'i International Community as a nongovernmental organization in United Nations
conferences and seminars on women's
participation in development held during and
after International Women's Year. At each
United Nations conference and seminar the
women representing the Baha'i International
Community took the opportunity to acquaint
delegates of governments and other organizations from around the world with the Baha'i
position, submitting statements challenging all
people to recognize the spiritual equality of Marion Jack (1866-1954) whose courwomen with men that must be firmly estab- ageous exploits in service to the Baha'i Faith
lished as the foundation for all other forms of inspired Shoghi Effendi to describe her as an
equality, whether legal, social, educational, 'immortal heroine' and a 'shining example
economic or political. The world-wide Baha'i ... to present and future generations.'
community's contribution to the United
Nations goal of the development of women so
munity is playing its part throughout the
that they may more fully contribute to the
world in bringing about this change.' 1
development of the societies in which they live
was clearly stated by Mrs. Shantha Sundram of What is inevitably needed, then, in order for
Malaysia, representing the Baha'i Interna- the realization of the Baha'i standard of equaltional Community at a United Nations regional ity of rights and opportunities for both women
seminar for Asia and the Far East in May 1974: and men is for local Baha'i communities
throughout the world to shoulder the responsi-
'It is inevitable at this time in the history of bility of introducing this principle and bringing
the Baha'i world community that there are it into practice. The Five Year Plan has seen
wide differences in the understanding, as the inception of this in a number of areas.
well as the application of these (Baha'i] prin- Perseverance is needed, as is care and underciples ... Although the problems which dif- standing, for the fullest expression of this prinferent local and national communities face ciple must reflect the richness of the diversity of
are different, the direction is determined and the women and men throughout the world. The
the growth and achievement already evident most effective teachers of women are undoub-
... Man and woman alike are to search inde- tedly other women. In many cultures the only
pendently for truth. In attempting to put this people able to approach women in the more
principle into practice, we have found that traditional villages, other than members of the
cultural and religious prejudices are slowly immediate family, are women. Because of this,
being abandoned, and as women are usually Baha'i teachers, who in these same cultures
the upholders of tradition in the community, 1
Statement of Mrs. Shantha Sundram at UN Regional Conthis brings about some important changes in sultation for Asia and the Far East, Bangkok, 13-17 May
attitude ... The Baha'i International Com- 1974, p. 2.
214 THE BAHA'i WORLD

have usually been men , have found it nearly theBahti'i News of Cameroon for the benefit of
impossible to attract women to meetings to all the Baha'is in the country.
hear about the Faith. Individual women and As more Spiritual Assemblies take up the
women in teams who have made a special task of giving 'unlimited encouragement to
effort to share the Faith with village women women', and encouragement to the men to
have almost always found these women assist the women in their families to participate
spiritually receptive. In India and several other fully in the life of the Cause, the foundation will
countries there have been a number of be laid for the growth of succeeding generainstances of nine women being the first people tions of deepened and enthusiastic Baha'is. As
in their village to accept the Baha'i Faith and to more women prove their capacity to contribute
form the first Local Spiritual Assembly. The on the local level , they will also be given more
story related by Mrs. Nasrin Fawbush, Auxili- opportunity and responsibilities for serving on
ary Board member in India, illustrates the pos- the national and international levels. During
sibilities for teaching among village women: the Five Year Plan more women, and in particular indigenous women, have been elected
'During the remaining two days as I went to National Spiritual Assemblies than ever
from house to house, the ladies welcomed before. The first Papua New Guinean woman,
the Faith as though they were waiting for it. Elti Kunak, was elected to the National
Fifteen of them accepted the Faith and more Spiritual Assembly of that country in 1974. In
would have accepted had I stayed longer. 1976 Miss Beatrice Camara, a member of the
Among them were educated girls of eighteen Temne tribe, was the first indigenous woman
and married women, old and young. Four elected to the National Spiritua l Assembly of
ladies whose husbands are working in Sierra Leone. The same year saw native
Gauhati, Kanpur and Bhagalpur accepted women elected for the first time to the National
the Cause. All asked for books and pam- Assemblies of the Solomon Islands and the
phlets to send to their husbands. Now it is the South West Pacific Ocean. The Baha'is of
ladies who are going to teach their hus- Benin elected the first native woman to their
bands.'1 National Assembly in 1977. On the international level , a total of seventeen women are
Other people instrumental in bringing knowpresently serving as members of the Contiledge of the Baha'i Faith to women are Baha'i
nental Boards of Counsellors, and the Internahusbands, brothers and sons. As was pointed
tional Teaching Centre has two women memout by RuJ:iiyyih Khanum at the Asian Baha'i
bers: the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-
Women's Conference, not enough has yet been
Baha RuJ:if yyih Khanum and Counsellor Flordone by men in teaching the Baha'i Faith to
ence Mayberry.
their wives . The Local Spiritual Assembly of
Such growth in the participation by women
Tiko, a coastal town in Cameroon, recognized
in all levels of service to the Faith is a necessary
this same difficulty, and addressed a letter to its
step in the fulfillment of' Abdu'l-Baha's words:
community 'as a challenge to the married male
Baha'is whose wives are non-Baha'i' to ' ... the new age will be an age less masculine
demonstrate the principle of equality of the and more permeated with the feminine ideals,
sexes and thereby win the wholehearted or to speak more exactly, will be an age in
allegiance of their wives and children to the which the masculine and feminine elements of
Faith. This letter was subsequently printed in civilization will be more properly balanced. ' 2
' BahcJ'( News (India), no. 24, July-August 1976, p. 19. Star of th e West, vol. 9, no. 7, p. 87.
INTERNATION A L SURV E Y OF C URRENT BAHA'I A C TIVITIES 215

5. SURVEY OF THE EXPANDED USE OF
RADIO AND TELEVISION IN THE FIVE YEAR
PLAN
As THE twentieth century began to unfold, nine , have begun to use radio in their teaching
the immense progress in the many forms of programmes. And fortunately for all coninformation transmission evoked fr om ' Abdu' l- cerned, the goal has caught the vision of indi-
Bah a the observation that ' ... m eans of com- vidual Baha'fs who have, through munificent
munication have multiplied, and th e fi ve conti- gifts, made possible much of the advancement
nents of th e earth have virtually m erged into here reported.
one.' In 1946 Shoghi Effendi encouraged the Many of the events recorded as achieveuse of radio and television , challenging the ments of the Plan a re truly historic: the first
Baha'i community to action by saying: 'The international Ba ha'i Radio and Television Con-
Baha'is should not always be the last to take up fe rence in 1975 , the first centre for exchange of
new and obviously excellent methods, but radio materials established in 1976, and the
rather the first, as this agrees with the dynamic first broadcast from the first Baha'i radio stanature of the Faith which is not only progres- tion in December 1977 .
sive, but holds within itself the seeds of a new The countries of Latin America and the
culture and civilization.' By 1969, the Univer- Caribbean were given the lion's share of goals
sal House of Justice stated that: 'In country in this field, and have ably achieved them. At
after country the Cause has been featured for both the Bahia and Merida Conferences in
the first time in modern mass communications January and February 1977 great attention
media . The volume of this call to the people of was given to the opportunities for use of the
the world is increasing day by day and must so mass media throughout the hemisphere. Councontinue , penetrating every stratum of society try after country has taken up the challenge
and the cumulative results have been most
At Naw-Ruz 1974 the House of Justice gratifying.
assigned goals for the use of radio to thirty-nine
countries and of television to twelve countries Ecuador
for procla mation, teaching and deepening of The most notable effort has been the radio
the believers. The Baha'i world generally was activity in Ecuador, spurred by the vision of
directed to vigorously pursue 'the proclama- Counsellor Raul Pavon, the zeal of its National
tion of the Faith , following established plans Spiritual Assembly and special Radio Comand aiming to use , on an increasing scale, the mission, and the technical and organizational
facilities of mass communication.' Confirming skills of K. Dean Stephens. Beginning in March
the significance of this goal, the House of Jus- 1973 with time purchased on various local
tice in May 1975 issued to National Assemblies radio stations throughout Ecuador, the
a compilation of references on the use of radio. National Assembly developed plans for its own
With these directions and impetus the Baha 'i station whose studio was to be located in the
community the world over set itself to obtain RuJ:!fyyih Khanum Teaching Institute in
access to the electronic media, an effort which Otavalo. Surmounting great obstacles in securhas aided in lifting the Faith from obscurity. ing the allocation of a medium wave frequency
Radio in particular has been widely used as a in early 1977, and thereafter in construction of
means of deepening and teaching the friends , a an effective working studio in the Institute,
wide range of programmes has been devised to plus a second studio and uniquely designed
answer specific needs. Of the thirty-nine goal transmitter in the hamlet of Cajas above the
countries, eleven have been distinguished for town, Radio Baha'f had its inaugural broadcast
their activities beyond any expectations of the on 12 December 1977 . This first Baha'f educa-
Plan, while almost all others have met their tional and cultural radio station, operating at
commitments. In addition, very many Baha'f 1,000 watts, reaches Baha'fs and non-Baha'fs
national communities, other than the thirty- over a radius of approximately 50 kilometres.
216 THE BAHA ' I WORLD

Site of a new short-wave broadcasting facility
for Radio Baha'i, Otavalo, Ecuador. The new
facility will expand the radio's signal to all of
Ecuador and other areas of South and Central
America.

Radio personnel preparing a tap e for
broadcas1ing through the facilities of Radio
Balui'f, Otavalo, Ecuador.

Silhouette of the antenna and the broadcasting
studio, Cajas, from which on 12 December
1977 Radio Baha'i of Ecuador made its
inaugural broadcast.
INTERNATIO NAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 217
Beginning with a programme consisting reaching into Panama. Shortwave broadcastprimarily of local a nd regional music, inter- ing is to begin on 12 November 1979. Frespersed with Baha'i cunas-selected quota- quency: 2,340 KHz (120 metre band).
tions, Hidden Words, passages from the Writ- Bolivia
ings-from the outset the station has broadcast On behalf of its large rural Baha'i populaheavily in Quechua for the predominantly tion, the National Spiritual Assembly of
Indian local population, but without neglecting Bolivia has for some years broadcast in Span-
Spanish. Steadily diversifying its programmes, ish, Quechua and Aymara from stations in
the station now broadcasts dawn prayers in La Paz, Orum, Tarija and Santa Cruz, both
both languages beginning at 4 a.m., has a con- during free and purchased time in support of
stantly expanding schedule of Baha'i teaching teaching and deepening programmes . In 1976
units, features a local newscast which has been an operational radio production studio made
very successful in its 'lost-and-found' service possible a systematic preparation of continufor retrieving children and animals, and is in ous programmes. Feasibility surveys have been
process of developing programmes in agricul- undertaken in the La Paz, Sucre and Potosi reture, health and nutrition, home economics gions to consider possible establishment of a
and literacy. It has been invited to be the first full-time station for the Indian populations
station to participate in classroom radio cur- within signal range of each centre.
ricula efforts of the National Department of
Education. It has always maintained a large Brazil
schedule of local and national music with inter- A production centre is reported in Salvador,
vals of Baha'i messages. The station has spon- with frequent but sporadic radio broadcasts
sored public service events including music fes- throughout the country.
tivals for local bands, a children's festival for Chile
the International Year of the Child, and a Small production units are functioning in
rehabilitative child educational project housed Punta Arenas and Temuco, and much free
in the institute auxiliary building. It has radio time has been secured, particularly by
become the local station of the area, listened to their musical groups.
in preference to all others, the Baha'i prayers
Colombia
and songs being learned by children and adults, Three active centres of radio production
Baha'i and non-Baha'i alike. have been established, in Bogota, Leticia and
The staff has steadily expanded, and consists Cali. The radio building at Riohacha in the
of fourteen full-time and part-time workers, Guajira has temporarily been unusable because
most of whom are local Quechua-speaking oflocal disorders, but programmes recognized by
volunteers teamed with a cadre of devoted the Ministry of Communications continue in the
pioneers . Not only does the staff work at the
Guajiro language.
station, but also undertakes a strong role in the
teaching work in the Cayambe and Otavalo Paraguay
valleys among the many thousands of Indian In 1977- 1978 systematic national probelievers. The radio takes an increasing gramming was begun, with a year of national
responsibility for encouraging observances, in proclamation undertaken through extensive
the region, of Feasts and Holy Days and for time purchased on radio stations throughout
election of Local Assemblies: 135 at Ricjvan the country, thus achieving a uniquely effective
1979, up from 90 in 1978. coverage for teaching of the Faith.
A second International Radio-TV Confer- Peru
ence was held in Ecuador in December 1976 A strong National Radio Committee has for
attended by thirty-seven Baha'is from ten several years succeeded in achieving countrycountries. A lso present were two Counsellors wide decentralized radio efforts which have
and several Auxiliary Board members. been very effective in the teaching work; a
Scheduled for 1979-1980 is the installation number of radio production workshops have
of a shortwave broadcast unit at Lake been conducted. The House of Justice in 1977
Cuicocha, whose programmes will range more called for a feasibility study of a possible full -
widely than with the medium wave coverage, time radio station in Puno Province, on the
218 TH E BAHA'I WORLD

Participants in National Teaching Conference inaugurating the facilities of Radio Bahd'(,
Cajas, Ecuado r; A ugust 1978.

~
----·
llES 21 ET 2t l•V

-~......... -=-

A representative sampling of references to the Baha'i Faith which appeared in newspapers and
journals between Ri(f,vdn 1976 and Ri(f,vdn 1979.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 219
shores of Lake Titicaca, with extensive coverage Guatemala
of Baha'i communities in both Peru and There have been intermittent programmes,
Bolivia.' and Robert Porter's sound studio has produced
Baha'i musical materials. Beginning in April
Venezuela 1978 spot broadcasting, three to six times daily
A production centre has been equipped in
on a radio chain , has taken place.
the national I:Ia~fratu'l-Quds.
Honduras
Curai:;ao A recording studio was put into operation in
This island goal of Venezuela has used radio 1977, and from 1978 there have been intermitfor Jong periods, broadcasting in Papiamento, tent programmes from Siguatapeque, reaching
English and Dutch. Indian areas. Early in the Plan there was inten-
Guyana sive activity in the La Ceiba area.
In 1976 Guyana gained ten minutes of free Mexico
time weekly, on Sundays, on the national radio In addition to coverage during the Merida
channel, and has continued with these regular Conference, spots have been used in Chiapas,
programmes, but has also added paid spots. and interviews have originated in several cities.
The Local Spiritual Assembly of Georgetown Nicaragua
for some time has sponsored a ten-minute paid Baha'i programmes have been broadcast on
programme every Baha'i Holy Day. Counsellor the national station, and also recurrent pro-
Peter McLaren and twenty-six other Baha'ls grammes from a local station in Bluefields up to
from seven countries attended a Caribbean the time of the national disorder.
Radio-TV Workshop held in December 1976.
Panama
Surinam A radio production centre in the lodge of the
Effective access to the radio has been se- House of Worship, an active Radio Commitcured in the capital and other cities; broadcasts tee, and the needs of a large indigenous rural
in Hindi from Nickerie have been well Baha'i population have motivated the producreceived. tion of local programmes, both free and paid,
Belize via stations in Panama City (national chain), in
After a lengthy series of weekly programmes Chiriqui and Herrera Provinces, and elseover the single radio station in the country, where. The Hemispheric Baha'i Radio and
there was a two-year hiatus, but the Faith is Television Conference was held in Panama in
back on the air in both English and Spanish. A 1977, with 125 participants from twenty-four
production centre is now being developed in National Assemblies. A feasibility study for a
Belmopan. full-time station has been conducted.
The Bahama Islands
Costa Rica
In 1978, twenty-one weeks of island-wide
Weekly Sunday morning programmes have
broadcasts were run, followed by spots each
been aired from Radio Golfit6, another series
two weeks for six months.
has gone out from Radio Cristal and still
another from Limon. Barbados and the Windward Islands
Weekly free programmes ran for two years
El Salvador on Barbados's Caribbean Broadcasting Com-
The National Spiritual Assembly of El Sal- pany. Programme series have been run in Grevador sponsored CI RB AL (Centro para Inter- nada and in St. Lucia.
cambio Radiof6nico Baha'i de America
Dominican Republic
Latina) on behalf of the World Centre, and
Beginning tardily, the Dominican Republic
through its production centre broadcasts emitran thirty-six fifteen-minute programmes in
ting from Radio Chalatenango and Radio
1978- 1979.
La Paz. Excellent mini-programmes for its own
teaching and for sharing abroad have been French Antilles
produced. From 1973 onward, Barbara Joyce and the
The station was authorized by the Universal House of French Antilles Media Committee have had
Justice in July 1979. weekly Baha'i radio shows broadcast from the
220 THE BAHA'I WORLD

island of St. Maarten, with a listening audience stations. The British Broadcasting Corporaon at least twelve islands, drawing content tion's programme ' Report on Religion' has
from Baha'i literature inducting The New Gar- referred to the Faith more than once and at
den, Fire on the Mountaintop, and God's Great Ric;lvan 1979 extended 'Happy Ric;lvan' greet-
Plan. Free programmes have been augmented ings to Baha'is everywhere.
by the purchase of spots. The United States
Jamaica The National Assembly and its Public
Beginning with the February 1973 presenta- Information Office have concentrated on radio
tion of a series of programmes on Radio productions to be used by Local Spiritual
Jamaica, the National Spiritual Assembly has Assemblies on their local stations. These
committed itself to radio as an effective way to include 'The Jeff Reynolds Show' of thirteen
reach everyone on the island and has spon- half-hour programmes; twelve fifteen-minute
sored a radio production centre, producing a programmes based on talks given at the House
continuing local programme, with broadcasts of Worship; a series of fifteen five-minute
also in the Cayman Islands. 'fireside chats' in Spanish; ten five-minute
Leeward and Virgin Islands spots on basic Baha'i themes; two radio specials
Intermittent programmes from its produc- featuring Linda Brown, England Dan and John
tion centre in St. Thomas have utilized the Ford Coley, and Archie Bell and the Drells;
media professionals of the community. From eight 'Fireside Playhouse' fictional dramatiza-
Saba, pioneer Pauline Paul has been broad- tions of Baha'i principles; thirty- and sixtycasting Baha'i messages for some five years, second 'direct message' spots devised as comnow fifteen minutes bi-weekly. Many broad- mercial announcements; and thirteen Race
casts have emanated at intervals from Montser- Unity Day spots. Local station utilizations
rat, Antigua, St. Croix, Anguilla, St. Kitts and have been reported as numerous and success-
Tortola. ful, often with minority groups being effectively reached.
Puerto Rico
Three 'firsts' are to the credit of Puerto Hawaii
Rico: the first Latin American Baha'i radio The Hawaiian community is rich in persons
production centre, in Mayaguez; 1 the first trained in the mass media, hence radio prointernational radio and television conference grammes have been regularly and frequently
(the Caribbean Radio and Television Work- aired; this has included many interviews, regushop in 1975); 2 and the first 'saturation' prog- lar announcements of Special Event Days, etc.
ramme of radio spots run simultaneously on Particular effort has been expended to reach
fifty stations throughout the country for one the Filipino community through its station. A
week in July 1977. Other activities have notable achievement initiating the ongoing
included use of the island's production facility programme was the August 1974 show which
to record songs for the albums 'Canci6nes de was well advertised by radio and brought some
Fe' and 'Flight'. 10,000 persons to the Waikiki Shell to enjoy a
free concert by Seals and Crofts, and by Eng-
Trinidad and Tobago land Dan and John Ford Coley, followed by a
With its radio production unit at the
gigantic fireside meeting.
National Centre, Trinidad has had frequent
programmes, many by its radio professional, Canada
Lillian Fraser. Weekly free programmes are Apart from individual community promatched with daily paid spots, and there are grammes, in 1978- 1979 two radio spots were
frequent Baha'i appearances on the pro- produced by the National Office for commungramme 'Meditations'. ity use.

In the northern countries of the hemisphere Spain
and in Europe with their intense media A strong National Radio Committee has
development, many interviews and discussion co-ordinated broadcasts from Fuengirolaprogrammes have been presented over local Marbella, also received in Morocco; from Cor-
See The Baha'i World, vol. XVI, p. 195.
doba the airing of a series of half-hour progibid. rammes featuring Baha'i singer Pancho; from
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 221
Radio Bilbao spots of Hidden Words each New Zealand
morning; and other programmes from Six to eight Baha'i communities have broad-
Tarragona-Rens, Madrid, Cartagena, Tenerife cast the mini-dramas and also there have been
and Valencia. Some twenty persons serve as interviews and special programmes .
'radio collaborators' and the committee issues
Samoa
a national newsletter.
From 1977 to 1979 early morning devotion-
In Africa, Asia and the Pacific sporadic activ- als and fifteen -minute Sunday programmes
ity in radio has been reported, and it is clear have been broadcast in Samoan.
that much more has occurred than has been
Tonga
recorded.
A fifteen-minute Sunday evening pro-
Cameroon gramme m Tongan was aired during
In 1978 a half-hour Sunday afternoon 1978- 1979.
shortwave programme entitled 'New Horizons' ran for six months; scripts are now being Among countries reporting radio activities
widely shared. some three or four have ready access to professional facilities , and about twenty have estab-
Central African Republic'
lished simple radio production centres.
Beginning in 1973 the Committee for Radio
It should be noted that travelling teachers
has conducted a marathon programme of
and their Baha'i hosts in very many countries
thirty-minute bi-weekly broadcasts in English
have become adept at telling of the Faith via
and Sango. Programmes have been broadcast
interview shows; of such interviews unnumfor more than five years on an essentially conbered programmes have been reported, many
tinuous basis. The scripts in French have been
featuring the Hands of the Cause, Counsellors,
widely disseminated to other francophone
and many others.
communities.
Liberia and Guinea Special Radio Contributions
In January 1979 a fifteen-minute weekly Among the independent contributions to the
radio programme of prayers began in English radio efforts were a number worthy of menand local languages, called 'All Things Made tion: (1) Produced in 1977 in India by Gloria
New'. Faizi, thirty half-hour programmes were
Seychelles broadcast in 1978 by shortwave Radio Sri
Intermittent broadcasts have occurred since Lanka, a station heard widely throughout
1967, but in 1979 a free ten-minute programme south-eastern Asia; in 1979-1980 a repeat run
was broadcast every two weeks over the single was scheduled from the same station. The
station of the islands. programmes have evoked many questions on
the Faith, responded to by a committee in
Eastern Malaysia India, often by means of correspondence
For some ten years the Baha'is have had courses. The scripts and tapes have been
fifteen-minute devotional programmes every widely circulated. (2) Early in the 1970s Orpha
fifth Sunday. In addition, a five-minute devo- Daugherty , then in the Philippines, wrote thirtional period every fifth morning is conducted teen mini-dramas; these have been widely disin the Iban language. seminated and used in a number of languages.
India In 1978, teamed with Jack Davis in Japan, Mrs.
In 1977 India won official permission to Daugherty produced forty-five tapes of a secmake announcements of Baha'i religious ond series of mini-dramas, in English and
events on All-India Radio; Baha'i Holy Days, Japanese, each a lively sixty-second spot. (3)
programmes of public functions , and inter- Numerous radio interviews by the musician
views of guests all have become possible. team of Jimmy Seals and Dash Crofts and also
Australia countless broadcasts of their songs with Baha'i
Weekly half-hour to full-hour programmes themes have widely spread the name of the
have been aired from several small local sta- Faith in the United States and throughout the
tions. western hemisphere. ( 4) More recently, musi-
See also The Baha'i World , vol. XVI, p. 141. cal entertainers England Dan and John Ford
222 THE BAHA'i WORLD

Coley have give n much prominence to the was produced by Barbara Joyce in St. Maarten,
Faith in the United States and abroad through Netherlands Antilles. Of the more than 200
radio pe rformances. The fame ach ieved in the programmes so far produced, and widely
music world by America's jazz trumpeter John shared as video-cassettes, thirteen videotapes
Birks 'Dizzy' Gillespie, by England's promi- were made at the Merida Confe rence in 1977.
nent opera singer Norm an Bailey and by Italy's (3) In Ca nada, beginning in 1976, a thirtynoted pianist Alfredo Speranza has been used minute cablevision programme series called
by them in media interviews and concerts for 'Baha'i News' was produced for a Toronto area
wide-spread proclamation of the Faith. cable syste m, a nd was continued to 1979,
changing its name to 'Baha'i World' at that
Television time. Subscriptio ns to the programme were
As in radio, television-mediated interviews undertaken in some sixteen other Canadian
have become a stock-in-trade of Baha'i trave l- cities .
ling teache rs, and many of the distinguished (4) In Samoa, from 1977 through 1979, a
membe rs of the Faith have used the ir access to number of Sunday programmes have been
television for proclaiming the Cause. The telecast in both Engli sh and Samoan, including
young French author Andre Brugiroux (La the Hawaiian se ries and tapes from St. Maarterre n'esL qu'un seul pays) has been extremely ten.
successful in televisio n inte rviews in the (5) T he National Assembly of the Central
French-speaking countries; so, too, Lea Nys, African Republic has produced several TV
Shamsi Sedaghat and Meherangiz Munsiff dur- series, and e nj oys free access to national televiing their extensive travel teaching for the sion.
Cause. The United Nations Yea r of the Ch ild (6) The United States National Assembly
was the occasion for a number of well-received produced a series of fifteen videotapes for the
television programmes, including one in the enthusiast ically received Local Spiritual
Central African Republic. The Faith was Asse mbl y training progra mmes conducted
increasingly mentioned on television in nation-wide in 1976 .
Europe. In October 1976 a Baha'i conference (7) In the United States the musicians Seals
held in Rimini , Italy in observance of Interna- and Crofts had numerous TV appearances in
tional Women's Year received television which the Faith was mentio ned .
coverage. Two wee ks later the compiler of the (8) Puerto Rico telecast six monthly prog-
National Television talk programme 'O re rammes from November 1978 to April 1979 .
Venti' approached the National Spiritual (9) In Liberia and Guinea, each Tuesday
Assembly and obtained permission to devote evening for five years the TV programme in
an entire programme to the Baha'i Faith. Monrovia has closed with a free five-minute
French te levision gave excellent coverage of spot.
the Inte rnational Conference he ld in Paris in (10) In Ca nada, in 1978-1979, an extensive
August 1976 and in July 1978 the national proclamation programme centred about a
netwo rk carried a programme illustrating single spot which was shown everywhere in the
French workmen installing marble o n the Uni- country on paid time.
versal House of Justice building on Mt. Carmel.
Ten te levision achievements stand out The extraordi nary leve l of radio and televiamong the many single programmes reported. sion activity throughout Latin America largely
( 1) In 197 5 there were released thirteen half- stems from the indefatigable and expert work
ho ur programmes produced in Hawaii , written of radio and television engineer K. Dean
by and featuring the Hand of the Cause Wil- Stephens of Utah and Puerto Rico. His ceaseliam Sears, assisted by Robert Quigley and a less travels and correspondence, his expertise
supporting group. These programmes were in virtually all aspects of radio and television ,
repeated widely in Alaska, Canada , the United have been of immense service .
States and Samoa. Individual tapes have been The Green LighL Expedition, 1 Step by Step
shown elsewhere. (Paso a Paso) and a ll other Baha'i films now in
(2) Beginning in 197 4 a weekly fifteen- distribution have found wide use on television.
minute colour TV 'Baha'i Faith Programme' 1 See The Baha'f World, vol. XVI, pp. 419-448.
INTERN AT IONAL SU RVEY OF CU RRENT BAHA ' I ACTIVITIES 223

Participants in the international television and radio worksh op held al the 'A matu'l-Baha
Ruf:ifyyih Khanum National Institute, Otavalo, Ecuador; December 1976. In attendance
were represen1mives of ih e Continental Board of Counsellors for South America and other
Baha'[s from ten countries.

Television spots and spot series have bee n Motion Pictures
produced by Canada, the United States, Canada has sponso red a motion picture pro-
Puerto Rico and the Bahamas, among many duction unit named Cine Baha'f which in 1976
others. produced a 16 mm. sixty-minute film on the
Hand of the Cause A matu 'l-Baha Rul)fyyih
Cl R BAL ( Cenrro para lntercambio
Khanum, entitled lnvitaiion. In 1978 Cine
Radiof6n ico Baha'i de America Laiina)
Baha'i completed a seco nd interview film of
In December 197 5 a clearing house for rad io
fifty minutes with the H and of the Ca use John
and TV materials for Latin America was pro-
Robarts, entitled Retrospective. Both have
posed at the Caribbean Radio and Te levision
been widely used th roughout the Baha'i wo rld.
Workshop . In June 1976 CIRBAL was author-
Of motion pictures produce d during the Plan
ized by the World Centre, with the Nationa l
certainly the Green Light Expedition film was
Assembly of El Salvador as host and Susa n
the most significant. T his 16 mm . travelogue of
Leich as director. A catalogue was published in
Rui)fyyih Khanum 's South American teaching
1977; scripts and tapes were collected a nd distrip in 1976 along the Orinoco and Amazon
seminated ; a nd Miss Leich actively travelled
Rivers and in the A ndes, among the Indian
throughout Latin America stim ul ating and
peoples who have been so receptive to the
developing local radio activities, conductin g
Faith, was produced in English, Spanish and
radio production workshops, often with K.
Persian versions, and super-8 prints were also
Dean Stephens. A Spanish-language newsletrun. Slide series and filmstrips of four parts
ter, Ondas Baha'fs, has had six issues. CIR-
each were available, deriving from the still
BAL participated in the publication of a bookphotographic coverage. The film enj oyed
let on mass media entitled Transmit Thy Knowlextensive use not only as a motion picture, but
edge, in the distribution of the recording Canalso frequently on television.
ciones de Fe, and has actively contributed to
virtually every radio development in Latin International Baha'{ Audio-Visual Cen tre
America and world wide. CIRBAL moved to Established in 1967 as an arm of the World
Trinidad at the time of Miss Leich's marriage Centre for distribution of audio-visual materito Counsellor Peter McLaren. als, the IBA VC in Victor, New York continued
224 THE BAHA'I WORLD

throughout the Plan to be a major distribution slides and fi lmstrips, a co-operative prochannel for a range of subjects in support of the gramme was undertaken to modify and supply
teaching and deepening work. Among its pro- at low cost the excellent, small, battery- or
ducts developed during the Plan were illumi- line-operated projector, the Bikoh , now
nated prayers and quotations in English and renamed the Glory. Distributed from Kobe,
Spanish , a new series of twenty-nine colour Japan, with the assistance of Counsellor
postcards of Baha'i subjects, a series of nine RuJ:iu'llah Mumtazf and his staff, about 800
six-slide sets of Baha'i Holy Places, Temples projectors have thus far been placed in the
and Baha'fs around the world, a series of eight hands of travelling teachers, pioneers and
Baha'{ Heritage notecards, two new filmstrips others; this total excludes sales of the same
entitled Pilgrimage to the House of the Bab and projector by the United States.
Arise. 1 Distribution of Baha'i identity jewel- At the date of going to press, the IBA VC has
lery, rings, ringstones, and other items con- been transferred to Toronto , Canada, with
tinued to be a staple service. The Centre han- changed functions which exclude distribution
dled the sale and distribution of the Green Light of audio-visual material.
Expedition motion pictures, slides and film- In sum , the Plan has evoked a remarkably
strips. universal exploitation of mas~ media on behalf
In order to make possible the field use of of the Faith, creating thereby numerous bridgeheads which remain to be expanded and con-
An adaptation appears on p. 109. solidated as the Cause grows in every land.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 225

6. THE NEW ERA BAHA'I SCHOOL 1

IND I A, a land of more than half a billion The school already enjoys some internapeople, is known for its diverse geography, its tional renown. Its student population represtradition of religious tolerance , and its social ents more than twenty nations with less than
caste system. About 200 kilometres (125 half the total students coming from Baha'i
miles) south-east of Bombay is the town of families. The remainder are from Buddhist,
Panchgani, a Hindu word meaning five moun- Christian, Hindu, Muslim and other backtain tops. Three-fourths of the way up one of grounds. Many of the parents, Mr. White
the five mountainsides, overlooking the explained, are prevented by tradition and
Krishna River 457 metres (1,500 feet) below , other factors from openly declaring the beauty
is the New Era Ba ha 'i School which accommo- and validity of the Faith and from acknowledgdates 400 students from twenty-three coun- ing how successfully it is able to deal with
tries. The mountain summits are flat and human behaviour, but others among them recovered with lakes. cognize its value to the moral and intellectual
The New Era School had its beginnings on 1 development of their children. The students
August 1945 when Mrs. Rezwan Mobedzadeh are united , largely because of an Eastern culand Mrs. Salisa Kermani left Poona, the Indian ture that dictates submissiveness by students to
town to which they had pioneered, and began a their environment and to adults and teachers .
Baha'i children's hostel at the request of the There are, of course, many things tradition
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of continues to carry forward that are not conduc-
India and Burma. For the first six months the ive to unity among the students .
school served only as a hostel offering spiritual One such tradition is the inequality of men
instruction to the children in the morning and and women. Mr. White said that striving for
evening. Gradually classes were added and in equality 'definitely produces conflict. But the
1948 the school was given the name 'New Era'. Guardian says truth goes through three stages:
In 1953 a large property, 'Woodland', was pur- conflict, questioning, and finally the selfchased. For the first time academic and physi- manifestation of truth. Until educational
cal education were offered. institutions provide an environment where the
Over the years the Guardian wrote many initial psychological and spiritual conflicts can
statements and letters about the school, all of take place, we will not proceed to the second
them pointing to its future. In an early letter to stage, that of questioning the validity of our
the Spiritual Assembly of Panchgani he said he own concepts of truth.'
would 'pray for the growth and progress of the Cultural ties serve as a unifying force among
Baha'i children's hostel so that it may become students, Mr. White said. Over the years, the
perfect and distinguished in every respect.' He school curriculum has taken on many new
later expressed the hope that it would someday aspects, and today there is offered a full range
become a Baha'i university. of academic subjects and extracurricular
Mr. Truitt White, acting vice-principal of the activities. Inter-school events, including a sports
school, said in an interview in the autumn of day, drama and school festival, are held each
1977, 'One of the things the Guardian men- year.
tioned which the Universal House of Justice New Era is an accredited member of the
re-emphasized in the Five Year Plan is the Maharashtra State Government educational
need to develop the "distinctive characteristics system and has proven itself a source of pride
of Baha'i life." The more distinctive the school and inspiration to both its local community and
becomes, the more visible it will be. It will be a the world community of Baha'is. The school is
subject of criticism but it will become more co-educational, has both boarders and day sturenowned and appreciated at the same time.' dents, and offers instruction from kindergarten
Adapted from Bahfz' ( News, a publication of the National through the higher secondary level. The
Spiritual Assembly of the United States, September 1977. present-day functioning of New Era is the
226 THE BAHA 'I WORLD

result of continual guidance from the Universal engineering works, strive in conju nctio n with
House of Justice, the National Spiritual the students to ra ise the standard of living in
Asse mbl y of India and its appointed school the villages. Students at the high school leve l
committees. who participate in the programme do not focus
One reason the New Era School is growing is on one field, as students at the junior college
because it is one of the few E nglish-language level might do, but are encouraged to gain as
schools in th e area . Also, approximately one- comprehensive a n education as possible . T hi s
third of the students receive some form of scho- course is compatible with the statement of
larship for their tuition , room and board, which 'Abdu'l-Baha that true education is comis a re markable situation in India. These st u- prehensive, and it fo llows the principle that
dents would otherwise be unable to afford any one should know something about everything
English medium school in India, because a ll and everything about something. A lthough it is
other such schools charge tuition , even at the independent of the school, the programme is
e lementary level. integrated into it through the students' partici-
In the past ten years the government has pation and it thus acts as an educationa l prostarted to subsidize village schools for up to cess for them.
seven years of education but the students are The school co mpound consists of seventytaught in the local dialect which can isolate nine hectares (thirty-two acres) and contai ns
them educationally for the rest of their lives. six dormitories, a large classroom building,
'People may live ten kilometres apart and not kitchen and dining facil ities, a medical dispenbe able to communicate, and the cultures of sary, a workshop and staff quarters. There is
villages may be different enough to cause strife also a large recreation area with facilities for
should intermarri age betwee n the vill agers many sports, including an indoor squash court.
occur,' said Mr. White . There are many beautiful gardens . Surround-
The Indian government encourages every ing the buildings are agricultural lands where
school to adopt a social service programme, whea t and various fruits and vegetables are
but few do as much as New Era. The older grown fo r school use.
students help to clean the school compound, The first major structure to be built was a
assist at school functions, make greeting cards spacious classroo m building co mpleted in 197 5
for hospitals, visit orphanages, assist local doc- in time for the thirtieth an niversary of the
tors, perform first aid, assist village people to school. The cornerstone of this structure was
plant trees and build roads, and take part in laid by the late Hand of the Cause Tarazu' llah
many other activities in a spirit of service. The Samandari. It contains twenty-four classschool stresses the importance of social service rooms, a science laboratory , art and music
not only for the benefits it extends to the disad- rooms, offices and a spacious library. A new
vantaged, but also because it offers a needed kitchen , dining hall and sports cen tre were conbalance in the education of the students. One structed in 1977 . A t the present time ninety
of the social service proj ects is the Rural per cent of the teachers at the school are not
Development Programme launched in Baha'is. Mr. White said the administratio n
October 197 5 and funded by do nations from plans to increase the number of Baha'i teachers
the Mottahedeh Foundation in New York. T he as the school expands in the next few yea rs
students assist the villagers in the valley below from 400 to 600 or 700 students. Ninety per
the school by helping to build roads, pull weeds cent of the administrative staff members are
or carry rocks. The studen ts may spend as Baha'is, but this percentage will also increase .
many as two or three days in a village, but The aim of the school is to become a fullusually return to school each day as the villages ftedged unive rsity where students may earn
are only half an hour's walk down the moun- doctorates, or degrees in medicine or law. T he
tainside . An international tea m of Baha'is New Era School is indeed unique in India, and
trained in agriculture, anim al husbandry, seems destined to grow in its distinctiveness.
public health, hygiene, economi cs a nd
INTERNATIONAL SURV E Y OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 227

7. RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA 1

A TE AM of a dozen Baha'fs with expertise in agricultural tour offered by a local university.
agriculture, education and medicine is working The New Era Project also has its own bullock
to build better living standards in villages team and driver, as well as a van.
around Panchgani in India, thus exemplifying Numerous improvements have been made in
Baha'u'llah's command to serve one's fellow health care. The New Era Project is shifting its
men. The team forms the core of the New Era emphasis from curative medicine to preventive
Rural Development Project, begun in October medicine which is believed to be necessary for
197 5. It is the first project of its kind in the long-term betterment of village health stan-
Baha'i world. Donations from the Mottahedeh dards. Cholera injections and inoculations
Foundation (established by Rafi and Mildred against other diseases have been given to a
Mottahedeh) and individual believers have large percentage of the villagers. A plan for a
enabled the team to provide education and sanitary closed-water system has been
organizational guidance so that villagers may developed. Meanwhile, the team secures the
be led to develop their own capacities. villagers' permission to chlorinate the wells
The site of the project is the village of Chikli. from which drinking water is taken.
Surrounding it is a network of smaller villages Arrangements have been made with the
called wadis, within a walking distance of nearby Wai Mission Hospital for a doctor to
fifteen or twenty minutes. The project site was visit Chikli monthly. He treats the ill and
selected in consultation with the Universal ensures that serious cases are admitted to the
House of Justice. It serves as a pilot project for hospital. The Wai Mission Hospital has agreed
similar undertakings in underdeveloped vil- to send a woman doctor to the villages to train
lages in other parts of the world. The Universal selected women in the rudiments of health
House of Justice, the National Spiritual care, particularly in child delivery and child
Assembly of India and the project team con- care. Information about health care is circusult on decisions to be made regarding the lated by the New Era team by means of a
New Era Project. At the time of writing this village bulletin and displayed on posters. Clasreport, in 1977, seven of the team members are ses on the subject are taught at the community
from India, while others are from Australia, centre, where a clinic has been established.
the Gilbert Islands and Tuvalu,2 New Zealand Moral education classes are taught at the
and the United States. Two of them are village school.
women. As part of their training, students from the
As a result of the project, a number of villag- nearby New Era Junior College regularly proers have begun poultry farming; a new breed of vide social services for the villagers and assist
dairy cow with high milk production has been with the New Era Rural Development Project.
introduced; and mango, papaya, seedless lime The school and the project are separate, although
and silver-oak saplings have been planted . they bear the same name.
These are just a few of the many developments Various short- and medium-range plans are
completed or under way. Other agricultural in progress in the fields of agriculture, animal
projects have included planting demonstration husbandry, cottage industries, education and
fields with rice that yields more grain than the medicine. Chalk-making moulds and two tons
usual type; developing a hybrid crop plan with of gypsum were provided to two villagers in
villagers financing eighty per cent of the cost; 1977 in order that they might establish themteaching the villagers to save for specific pur- selves in this industry.
poses, such as buying farm machinery; and Headway in the various components of the
sponsoring two villagers to participate in an project has not been as rapid as was hoped,
Adapted from Baha'f News, a publication of the National
largely because co-operation from the villagers
Spiritual Assembly of the United States, November 1977. came more slowly than expected. This has
' Until 1976, known as Ellice Islands. caused team members to develop a standard of
228 THE BAHA'f WORLD

success for the project based on attitude whenever possible, and co-operation with govchange among villagers rather than on ernment officials is sought by the team in all its
economic transformation. The team members undertakings. Numerous state and local offifeel that changing the villagers' economic self- cials have made visits to the project sites. The
interest to concern for others is the key to team recently expanded its contact with other
bringing about sustained and enlightened rural agencies involved in similar projects by attenddevelopment. Team members strive to exem- ing a meeting at which eminent and experiplify Baha 'f virtues in the hope of in ft uencing the enced persons of India and other countries who
attitudes of the people in a positive way . In are participants in rural development projects
keeping with the instructions of the Universal explained their successes and examined their
House of Justice, no proclamation or teaching failures .
activities are held but several villagers have Giving the villagers material goods is not the
inquired about the Baha'i Faith, as time has purpose of the New Era Rural Development
passed and trust has been established. Project; rather, its aim is to provide education
The New Era Rural Development Project and organizational guidance so that permanent
team has co-ordinated its activities with gov- improvements can be made .
ernment rural development programmes

Inauguration of the New Era Rural Development Project, Chikli Village, India; October
I975. On the right, seen performing the traditonal ceremony, is Mr. Vasant Rao Patil, the
Minister of Irrigation and Power.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 229

v
THE BAHA'I FAITH
AND THE UNITED NATIONS
1. SUMMARY OF THE YEARS 1947-1976
IN the spring of 1947 the National Spiritual With this communication the Guardian
Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States enclosed a summary of the history and teachand Canada was accredited to the United ings of the Baha'i Faith which the National
Nations Office of Public Information as a Spiritual Assembly of the United States and
national non-governmental organization Canada reprinted and distributed widely.
qualified to be represented through an The period 1954 to 1963 was a highly eventobserver. A year later the eight National ful one, making an increase of strength through
Spiritual Assemblies then existing were recog- the participation of the newly elected National
nized collectively as an international non- and Regional Assemblies. These years witnesgovernmental organization under the title sed, as well, the desperate appeal to the United
'Baha'i International Community'. These eight Nations to save the lives of the Persian
Assemblies were those of the United States Baha'is. 1 As in previous years, the Baha'i
and Canada; the British Isles; Germany and International Community sent delegates to
Austria; Egypt and Sudan; 'Iraq; Iran (Persia); many international, regional and state confer-
India, Pakistan and Burma; and Australia and ences.
New Zealand. Each National Spiritual Assem- In 1956 Shoghi Effendi appointed a special
bly in its application established the National committee to be called into action for matters
Assembly of the United States as its represen- of international importance.
tative in relation to the United Nations. During the period of the Ten Year Crusade
A significant action was taken in July 1947 the Baha'i observers accredited to the United
when the United Nations Special Palestine Nations were the Hand of the Cause Ugo R.
Committee addressed a letter to Shoghi Giachery, Europe; Mrs. 0. H . Blackwell,
Effendi Rabbanf, Head of the Baha'i Faith, United States; and Mrs. Mildred R . Motresident at the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa, tahedeh, International.
requesting an expression of the Baha'i attitude When the United Nations wrote its Charter
to the future of Palestine. In his reply, Shoghi in 1945 in San Francisco, the member nations
Effendi made it clear that 'Our aim is the realized that changing world conditions might
establishment of universal peace in the world necessitate changes in its Charter. It therefore
and our desire to see justice prevail in every arranged for a Charter Revision Conference to
domain of human society, including the be convened in 1955. In anticipation of this
domain of politics.' The Guardian also pointed significant event each Baha'i National Spiritu~I
out his concern that 'the fact be recognized by Assembly was solicited for suggestions which
whoever exercises sovereignty over Haifa and might be incorporated in Baha'i proposals for
'Akka, that within this area exists the spiritual Charter revision .2 Bearing these suggestions in
and administrative centre of a world Faith, and mind, a carefully conceived pamphlet reprethat the independence of that Faith, its right to senting the first united effort of all the National
manage its international affairs from this Spiritual Assemblies in a non-Baha'i field was
source, the rights of Baha'is from any and prepared. Entitled 'Proposals for Charter
every country of the globe to visit it as pilgrims Revision Submitted to the United Nations by
(enjoying the same privilege in this respect as 1
For a detailed account of this action see The Baha'( World,
Jews, Muslims and Christians do in regard to vol. XIII, p. 329.
The full text of the Baha'i International Community provisiting Jerusalem) be acknowledged and per- posals for charter revision appears in The Baha'( World,
manently safeguarded.' vol. XV, pp. 376-377 and in other earlier volumes.
230 THE BAHA'I WORLD

the Baha'i International Community', a copy Days; active promotion of Human Rights and
of this pamphlet, together with a covering let- the equality of men and women .
ter written by the executive secretary, Mr. In 1962 persecution of Baha'is made it
Horace Holley, was sent to each of the dele- necessary to appeal again to the United
gates at the Conference. In addition , copies Nations for redress. On 12 April 1962 a
were presented to officials of many univer- number of the Baha'is of Morocco were
sities, to librari ans, and newspaper men. arrested and imprisoned and were not finally
In May 1955 there broke loose a sudden , arraigned before the Regional Court of Nador
violent storm of persecutions against the Baha'i until 31 October. On 10 December they were
community in Iran, threatening its very exis- tried in the Criminal Court of Nador. Death
tence. Cables to the Shah and the Prime Minis- sentences were imposed upon three, five were
ter from Baha'is all over the world brought no sentenced to life imprisonment, and one was
cessation of the hostility and the widespread sentenced to imprisonment for fifteen years. 2
massacre of Persian Baha'is, threatened in the An important step occurred in the developpress and in public meetings, became a real ment of the Baha'i relationship to the United
danger. Nations in the period 1963-1973 when , under
In July 1955 Shoghi Effendi cabled the Baha'i the guidance of the Universal House of Justice,
International Community to lodge with the the Baha'i International Community sought
United Nations an appeal for immediate assis- and obtained, on 27 May 1970, consultative
tance. A committee consisting of five Baha'is, status, category II ,3 with the United Nations
each from a different country, proceeded Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
within thirty-six hours to Geneva where the In 1967 , the Universal House of Justice had
Economic and Social Council of the United assumed the direction of the work of the Baha'i
Nations was then meeting and engaged in International Community with the United
ceaseless efforts to have their case presented. Nations, a responsibility shouldered for so
A competent lawyer was retained to frame the many years, with great distinction, by the
appeal. 1 National Spiritual Assembly of the United
On 10 April 1959 representatives of the States; and, in view of the volume and scope of
Baha'i International Community presented to these activities, decided to appoint a full-time
the president of the Human Rights Commis- representative of the Baha'i International
sion, Ambassador Ratnakirti Gunewardene of Community to the United Nations . Mrs .
Ceylon (Sri Lanka), a statement endorsing the Mildred Mottahedeh, who had performed
Genocide Convention. devoted and distinguished part-time service in
The United Nations Office of Public Infor- that office for nearly twenty years, asked to be
mation, in co-operation with the executive relieved of the heavy responsibility, and Dr.
committee of the non-governmental organiza- Victor de Araujo was appointed in her place.
tions, called a meeting at United Nations As a result of its consultative status and its
headquarters in May 1960 to discuss problems known concern for human rights, the Baha'i
of co-operation 'with the United Nations fam- International Community was invited to send
ily in so far as its programme affects the new representatives to two special United Nations
nations'. seminars for member-states in observance of
The statement submitted on behalf of the International Year for Action to Combat Rac-
Baha'i International Community was com- ism and Racial Discrimination, 1971. At the
prehensive and noted 'vigorous assistance' to first one, held in Yaounde, from 16 to 29 June,
primitive peoples to help them integrate into the Baha'i International Community prethe more developed societies surrounding sented two statements explaining the Baha'i
them; educational programmes for adults and point of view towards race and emphasizing the
children; encouragement of a world point of 2
For a full account see Th e Baha'( World , vol. XIII , pp.
view serving to eliminate traditional prejudices 288-289.
of nation, race and religion; annual obser- 3
Consultative status, category II, is given to 'organizations
which have a special competence in, and are concerned
vances of United Nations and Human Rights specifically with, only a few of the fields of activity covered
1 For a full account see The Baha'( World, vol. XIII, pp. by the Council, and which are known internationally within
789-791. the fields for which they have or seek consultative status'.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 231
general principles concerning the oneness of organized by that conference in the areas of
mankind . The second special seminar was held human rights, status of women and development.
in Nice, from 24 August to 6 September, 1971. One new area of Baha'i-United Nations
The Baha'i participants were twice given the co-operation concerned youth. In 1970, the
opportunity to present the Baha'i viewpoint on Baha'i International Community participated
specific subjects being discussed, drawing a in the World Youth Assembly, a conference
great deal of attention and favourable com- convened under United Nations auspices, at
ments from many government delegates. UN headquarters, as part of the observance of
Again, as an outcome of its consultative status, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the United
the Baha'i International Community was Nations, to explore issues of common concern
invited to participate in the United Nations to youth and the UN. Later, the Baha'i Inter-
Conference on the Human Environment, held national Community worked closely with the
in Stockholm, during the first two weeks of UN headquarters Youth Caucus, a group of
June 1972. A Baha'i statement presented representatives and observers designated by a
before one conference session resulted in the number of international non-governmental
improvement of some conference recommen- youth and youth-related organizations and
dations . The Baha'i delegation also contri- co-sponsored a statement submitted to the
buted to a joint statement submitted to the Economic and Social Council recommending
conference by the representatives of many the establishment of an international university.
non-governmental organizations. A special The relationship of the Baha'i world to the
pamphlet, The Environment and Human Val- United Nations Office of Public Information
ues-A Baha'i View, was prepared for the (OPI), begun in 1948, continued to expand
occasion and distributed to the 1,500 govern- during this period, as did participation of the
ment delegates and 600 observers in atten- Baha'i world in United Nations Day and
dance. The Baha'i International Community Human Rights Day programmes assisted each
was also actively represented at the Environ- year by new National Spiritual Assemblies and
mental Forum held in conjunction with that their communities.
United Nations conference, where many non- Baha'i International Community cogovernmental groups came together to present operation with the Office of Public Informatheir views and discuss environmental issues. tion was further recognized through the elec-
Since the sessions of the Economic and tion of Dr. Victor de Araujo to membership on
Social Council and its commissions and com- the Executive Committee of Nonmittees take place both at UN headquarters in Governmental Organizations with OPI. He
New York and at the Palais des Nations in served as vice-chairman during 1969 and as
Geneva, Mrs. Janet Lindstrom and Dr. Marco ch~rmanduring1971 and1972.
G. Kappen berger were appointed respectively The Baha'i International Community found
representative and alternate representative for many opportunities to explain to UN delethe Baha'i International Community in gates, representing by 1976 more than 140
Geneva . In addition, Dr. 'Aziz Navidl was independent countries and over ninety per cent
named Baha'i International Community rep- of the peoples of the planet, as well as to memresentative for the continent of Africa. bers of the UN Secretariat, how its interest in
In July 1972 Mrs. Mary Sawicki was the goals of the United Nations Charappointed full-time executive assistant to Dr. ter- world peace, universal human rights, and
de Araujo . A larger headquarters was also the full social and economic development of
~ought and found, across from the United the peoples of the planet- was rooted in the
Nations, at 345 East 46th Street, New York. Baha'i teachings, principles and laws, and how
Soon after obtaining consultative status, the these Baha'i guidelines were relevant to a last-
Baha'i International Community became a ing solution of the world's problems. In addimember of the Conference of Non- tion, the Baha'i International Community was
Governmental Organizations in Consultative able to point to the way of life evolving in
Status with the Economic and Social Council, Baha'i communities around the world as an
and participated actively, both in New York embodiment of the Baha'i teachings.
and in Geneva, in the work of committees During this period, the Baha'i International
232 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Community added to its existing consultative Community office in New York assisted with
status with ECOSOC and its affiliation with the matters of protection and recognition of the
UN Office of Public Information, two new rela- Baha'i world community. One of the important
tionships: an affiliation with the United assignments given by the Universal House of
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Justice to its representative was the presentaheadquartered in Nairobi; and consultative tion on behalf of the Universal House of Jusstatus with the United Nations Children's Fund tice of The Proclamation of Bahti'u'lltih to
(UNICEF). The association with UNEP, fifty-six Heads of State via their ambassadors
begun in 1974, marks a continuation of the to the United Nations. With but few excep-
Baha'i concern for the environment, expressed tions, for reasons beyond control, all the fiftyearlier through participation of the Baha'i six ambassadors received this historic docu-
International Community in the Stockholm ment. In addition, under the direction and gui-
Conference on the Human Environment dance of the Universal House of Justice, con-
(1972). To act as liaison with UNEP in tacts were made on many occasions with the
Nairobi, the Baha'i International Community United Nations Missions and Secretariat. Here
appointed as its representative Mr. Bonaven- again a growing understanding of the nonture Wafula, and as alternate representatives political and constructive nature of the Baha'i
Mrs. Ruth Vuyiya and Dr. H. Tim Rost. International Community in the work of the
The Baha'i International Community UN, aided by its consultative status, made
received consultative status with UNICEF, a access to key United Nations officials easier
member of the UN family concerned for over when a clear presentation of the Baha'i posithirty years with the well-being of the world's tion was called for to foster the official recognichildren, on 8 March 1976. This accreditation tion of the Faith or to prevent discrimination
was most welcome, and promises to offer many against a Baha'i community.
opportunities for closer ties of the Baha'i world Strengthening of the relationship between
with the United Nations. the Baha'i International Community and the
In the autumn of 1975, Mr. Will. C. van den United Nations continued during 1973-1976
Hoonaard, a member of the Baha'i community with a noticeable increase in the range and
of Canada, joined the Baha'i International depth of Baha'i co-operation. The Baha'i
Community United Nations Office serving as International Community explored new
alternate representative to Dr. Victor de avenues of participation in United Nations
Araujo. This addition brought the staff of the areas of social and economic development, as it
Baha'i International Community in New York, worked closely with the Economic and Social
by Ri<;ivan of 1976, to six persons, four serving Council (ECOSOC) , its functional commisfull-time and two part-time. When Mrs. Janet sions, committees and associated bodies. Not
Lindstrom found it necessary to resign as rep- only was it represented at sessions of UN
resentative of the Baha'i International Com- bodies concerned with issues of human rights,
munity to the United Nations in Geneva, Dr. social development, status of women, envi-
Marco G. Kappenberger was appointed to ronment, human settlements, world food, scireplace her. Mrs. Mahshid Fatio was then ence and technology, population, law of the
named alternate representative. sea, crime prevention, narcotic drugs, youth,
The world-wide results of Baha'i-UN co- the family and the United Nations University,
operation during International Women's Year but it also furnished information, submitted
were most gratifying. Over sixty National statements and published brochures on most of
Spiritual Assemblies reported activities during these subjects. In addition, the Baha'i internathat year, and already the Baha'i world com- tional Community participated in United
munity is engaged in continuing the impetus of Nations Years, in world conferences and conthis contribution of Baha'i men and women to gresses, in regional conferences and in semithe equality of the sexes in a variety of activities nars concerned with the socio-economic probduring United Nations Decade for Women. lems of our planet, as well as in preparatory
This Decade was proclaimed by the UN Gen- and follow-up meetings and activities.'
eral Assembly at its 30th session (1975). 1 For a full account of these activities see The Bah1ff World,
As in the past, the Baha'i International vol. XVI.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 233

2. THE BAHA'I INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY AND THE UNITED
NATIONS 1976-1979
VICTOR DE ARAUJO

BETWEEN Ri<;lvan 1976 and Ri<;lvan 1979, social and economic issues of serious concern
the Baha'i International Community con- to the United Nations-extending now its
tinued the steady growth of its consultative cooperation to additional issues of deep U.N.
relationship with the United Nations interest, such as disarmament and the well-
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and being of children-as it took part in worldwide
with the United Nations Children's Fund U.N. conferences and seminars, and in the reg-
(UNICEF), and its association with the United ular periodic meetings of the Economic and
Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Social Council, its functional commissions and
the U.N. Office of Public Information committees, and other U.N. bodies.
(OPI)-which became the Department of Most gratifying was the increased awareness
Public Information (DPI) on 1January1979. and participation of national Baha'i com-
During this period, the Baha'i International munities, through their National Spiritual
Community took part in the 1977, 1978 and Assemblies, U.N. representatives and commit-
1979 sessions of the Committee on Non- tees, in fostering the ties of the Baha'i world
governmental Organizations, the functional with the United Nations, not only through
committee of ECOSOC in charge of fostering national and local Baha'i U.N. activities, but
the U.N. relationship with non-governmental also by providing the assistance of knowledgeorganizations in the economic and social fields. able Baha'is who helped to prepare statements
The 1978 session of this committee was espe- and pamphlets examining the implications of
cially significant, since it reviewed the work of the Baha'i teachings for the solution of specific
non-governmental organizations in consulta- world issues, as well as representing the Baha'i
tive status with the Economic and Social Coun- International Community at conferences. In
cil for the previous four years. The Baha'i addition, the involvement of National Spiritual
International Community report, covering the Assemblies in countries where U.N. conferperiod from May 1973 through September ences or meetings took place by furnishing
1977, was fully approved. It showed an impres- Baha'i personnel and services to ensure more
sive roster of activities undertaken in the spirit effective Baha'i participation, brought a
of cooperation with the U.N.: participation in clearer understanding of how each Baha'i
U.N. conferences, seminars, and regular meet- community shares in the Baha'i International
ings; preparation and publication of informa- Community's consultative status relationship
tion, reports, statements, and brochures; as with ECOSOC and UNICEF.
well as dissemination of information on the Baha'i communities continued during this
U.N. through a variety of programs in obser- period to plan programs for special United
vance of special U.N. days and years, and Nations days, years, and decades- such as
through the media, both Baha'i and non- United Nations/World Development Informa-
Baha'i. tion Day, Human Rights Day, Universal Chil-
The Baha'i International Community kept dren's Day, World Environment Day, the
working closely, through personal contact by International Year of the Child (1979), the
its representatives, with U.N. offices and offi- Decade for Action to Combat Racism and
cials at U.N. Headquarters in New York-as Racial Discrimination (1973-1983), and the
well as with the U.N. offices in Geneva and U.N. Decade for Women: Equality, Develop-
Nairobi-and, with the assistance of represen- ment, and Peace ( 197 6-1985). Yearly reports
tatives of its member Baha'i communities, with surveying the worldwide contribution of the
U.N. field offices around the world. It con- Baha'i world community to the observance of
tinued to offer the Baha'i viewpoint on global such occasions, in addition to the substantive
234 THE BAHA'I WORLD

contributions being made by the Baha'f Inter- the total worldwide co-operation of individunational Community in its consultative status als, groups and governments. '
with ECOSOC and with UNICEF, as well as in In greeting the participants at both conferits association with UNEP, were submitted to ences, Mrs. Sipila also expressed her awareness
the United Nations during this period , and of the Baha 'i work on behalf of women. She
were gratefully acknowledged. even concluded her message to the West
As government delegates and United African Conference by saying: 'I know that the
Nations personnel increasingly witnessed the Baha'i community supports fully the goals of
Baha'f presence, through the diversity ofBaha'f the United Nations Decade for Women. Many
delegates, as well as the Baha'f statements of your communities are striving to achieve the
(almost always circulated as U.N . documents) , objectives of the World Plan because they
they were becoming aware not only of the closely parallel the goals of your own commuworldwide spread of the Baha'f community, nity . This West African Women's Conference
but also of the total Baha'i view-one resting is an historic event. I take this opportunity to
on a new spiritual and moral foundation-so salute the West African Baha'i Women's Conessential for a lasting solution of the world's ference and Baha'i communities everywhere.'
problems and the building of a world civiliza- In addition, a number of letters from United
tion. Nations officials acknowledging reports,
In fact, several expressions of recognition information, statements, and brochures mailed
and appreciation of the Baha'i role in its by the Baha'i International Community indiassociation with the United Nations were regis- cated the appreciation with which the efforts of
tered during this period. For instance, the the Baha'i world to assist the U.N. in its aims
Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. and activities were being regarded. One official
Kurt Waldheim , sent a message to the Interna- remarked that the report of worldwide Baha'i
tional Baha'i Conference in Paris, of 3 August activities was 'an impressive testament to the
1976, wishing the Baha'ls success in their work of the Baha'i International Community';
deliberations and commenting that 'Non- another, that 'the activities of the Baha'f Intergovernmental organizations such as yours, by national Community on behalf of the United
dealing comprehensively with the major prob- Nations are worthy of special commendation .'
lems confronting the international community One other report was greeted with the acknowland striving to find solutions which will serve edgement that it 'eloquently attests the serious
the interests of all nations, make a very sub- and effective work the Baha'ls undertake to
stantial and most important contribution to the redisseminate information about the many
United Nations and its work'. 1 facets of the work of the United Nations' and
in turn, Mrs. Helvi Sipila, Assistant that 'we count a great deal on the Baha'i Inter-
Secretary-General, Centre for Social national Community's support of the United
Development and Humanitarian Affairs, sent Nations.' A newsletter, sent by the Baha'i
special messages to the 1977 Asian Baha'i International Community to stimulate Baha'f
Women's Conference in New Delhi, India, and co-operation with UNICEF, drew this comto the 1978 West African Baha'i Women's ment: 'If the response is as efficient and as
Conference in Monrovia, Liberia. While out- warm as seems to be typical of Baha'i Comlining to the conferences the direction of the munities, I am afraid we will be inundated with
work of the United Nations in fostering the requests for information! ! ! '
advancement of women, Mrs. Sipilii. spoke Attracted by the words of 'Abdu'l-Baha in
warmly of the Baha'i contribution to this effort. The Reality of Man, one high U.N. official, Mr.
To the Asian Conference, she wrote that 'When Robert G. Millier, Director and Deputy to the
the Baha'i International Community sends a Assistant Secretary-General, Office for
representative to the United Nations, when a Inter-Agency Affairs and Coordination,
Baha'i Community anywhere in the world observed in his book, Most ofAll, They Taught
focuses its attention on the UN and the Decade Me Happiness, that his experience in prison
for Women, when a single Baha'f does what he reminded him of the testimony of a religious
or she can do to help, it has a ripple effect on leader,' Abdu'I-Baha, who spent many years in
' The full text of the message appears on p. 140. prison. He then quoted a passage from
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 235

Some participants in United Nations Day observance, Porto Alegre, Brazil; October 1977.
Left to right: Mr. R. Taetz; Counsellor Mas'ud Khamsf; Mrs. Nylza Taetz; Mrs. Dercy
Furtado, State Congresswoman; Professor Maria J. P. Motta.

'Abdu'J-Baha's talk on 'Joy and Pain': the world. Secretariat News is read by some
fourteen thousand United Nations staff mem-
'I myself was in prison forty years-one year
bers in New York and abroad.
alone would have been impossible to
The sections that follow offer some details of
bear-nobody survived that imprisonment
the intensive and expanding work of the Baha'i
more than a year! But, thank God, during all
International Community with the United
those forty years 1 was supremely happy!
Nations.
Every day, on waking, it was like hearing
good tidings, and every night infinite joy was
Human Rights
mine. Spirituality was my comfort, and turn-
The Baha'i International Community coning to God was my greatest joy. If this had not
tinued during this period to participate in the
been so, do you think it possible that 1 could
yearly sessions of the Commission on Human
have lived through those forty years in
Rights and its Sub-commission on the Prevenprison?' 1
tion of Discrimination and the Protection of
One striking instance of U.N. awareness of Minorities, as well as to encourage its member
the Baha'i presence appeared in the United communities to observe Human Rights Day,
Nations Headquarters house organ, Secretariat 10 December, as an occasion for programs to
News, which ran a full article on 'The Baha'is' educate the public on the rights and responin its issue of 31 October 1978 . Describing the sibilities of all peoples living on one planet and
nature and range of the activities of the Baha'i in a global society. It kept the UN Division of
International Community, this piece included Human Rights informed of such worldwide
photographs of Baha'i-U.N. activities around Baha'i activities through yearly reports. It also
Robert Muller, Most of All, They Taught Me Happiness advised the Division of the overall contribution
(Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., which the Baha'i International Community
1978), p. 55. The words of 'Abdu'l-Baha are taken from
The Reality of Man (Wilmette, Illinois: Baha'i Publishing was making to the UN Decade for Action to
Trust, 1962 ed.), p. 17. Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination
236 THE BAHA'f WORLD

(1973-1983) through the implementation, in dependence of all peoples, and the need for
the lives of Baha'is everywhere, of the princi- systematic efforts on the part of individuals and
ple of the organic oneness of humanity and the their institutions to eradicate all kinds of presystematic abolition of all prejudice, including judice. Stressing that the 'only standards of
that based on race. justice valid today are those applicable to the
To further stress its concern for the abolition whole human race', he cited the experience of
of racial prejudice, the Baha'i International Baha'i communities of many years.
Community took an active part in the World
Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Dis- Environment
crimination, held in Geneva, Switzerland, Besides attending the yearly sessions of the
August 197 8. Its four-person delegation, of Governing Council of the United Nations
African, European, Korean, and East Indian Environment Program (UNEP) and the meetbackgrounds, representing the three main ings for non-governmental organizations prior
races, was in itself an illustration of the unity in to those sessions, all held in Nairobi, Kenya,
diversity of the Baha'i world community, and the Baha'i International Community took part
attracted much interest and many positive in two major conferences concerned with
comments, allowing the Baha'is rich oppor- environmental problems: the U.N. Water Contunities to explain the Baha'i view of oneness ference in Mar de! Plata, Argentina, March
and its application to the conference proceed- 1977, convened to examine how it might be
ings. possible to supply water to all people by 1990;
A Baha'i statement confirming the positive and the U.N. Conference on Desertification in
and constructive Baha'i view of the oneness of Nairobi, Kenya, August-September 1977,
humanity and the need to promote and protect organized to find ways of preventing the spread
the rights of peoples of every ethnic back- of deserts on the planet, and wherever posground was circulated to conference particip- sible, to take action to restore desert areas to
ants. It expressed comprehensively the Baha'i fertility. The latter conference, which was less
point of view on how it is possible to eliminate technical in nature, offered more possibilities
prejudice and discrimination of any kind, with for Baha'i participation. A series of film showproper education, proper attitudes and values, ings, lectures, and panel discussions on topics
and proper motivation. relevant to the conference consultations was
Later, the Baha'i International Community arranged, as a public service to the people of
marked the occasion of the thirtieth anniver- Kenya, at the National Baha'i Center in
sary of the Universal Declaration of Human Nairobi. In addition, the Baha'i delegates
Rights, 10 December 1978, by sending the made many contacts with the conference par-
World Conference statement-along with the ticipants, sharing the Baha'i views on the basic
Baha'i pamphlet, Divine Law: Source of problems underlying the destruction of the
Human Rights-A Baha'( View, prepared for environment and resulting desertification.
the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Declara- The Baha'i International Community subtion-to every delegate attending the thirty- mitted to UNEP, at the request of that U.N.
third United Nations General Assembly, to body, a report on environmental activities of
acquaint them with the creative Baha'i pro- the Baha'i world during 1975, 1976, and 1977,
gram for the unification of the human race. and a report on environmental development
In September 1978, the Baha'i International and development management. It also pre-
Community took part in a U.N. seminar on sented a paper on 'Global Cooperation and the
'National and Local Institutions for the Promo- Environment' to the 1977 non-governmental
tion and Protection of Human Rights', held in organizations session, stressing among other
Geneva, Switzerland. At one of the meetings, points that 'more human beings should come to
the Baha'i delegate offered the suggestion that realize and think deeply about the fact that
non-governmental organizations could under- man is organic with the world and that his inner
take among their members and society in gen- life and his environment interact upon each
eral programs to change attitudes and values, other.' The statement explained further that
by teaching from earliest childhood the reality 'effective counteraction of mankind's present
of the organic oneness of humanity, the inter- headlong rush toward environmental disaster
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 237
will take place when man 's inner life, his The Baha'i statement, published as a pamphattitudes and values, undergo profound let entitled Building a Unified Community, was
changes', changes that include a full realization circulated to the conference as an official U.N.
of the interdependence of humanity with its document, as well as widely distributed as a
environment, as well as an understanding that brochure. The publication offered a Baha'i
we are, 'as human beings, basically one and glimpse of the community of the future, ceninterdependent.' Such a realization also tered on a House of Worship with its surroundrequires 'fundamental changes in the inner ing humanitarian institutions to nurture the
lives, attitudes, and values of men and women fundamental spiritual and moral needs of the
everywhere.' settlement's inhabitants. The pamphlet, in fact,
began by suggesting that 'A human settlement
Human Settlements: Habitat must first answer the question, "What is the
The United Nations Conference on Human purpose of our lives, as human beings, on this
Settlements took place in Vancouver, Canada , planet?"' and proceeded to explore the nature
May-June 1976. The Baha'i International of a human settlement in which the physical,
Community worked closely with the National rational, and spiritual facets of human nature
Spiritual Assembly of Canada in the prepara- could be developed, with an understanding
tion of a statement conveying the Baha'i view that 'the community should reflect the basic
on the kind of human settlement that is needed purpose of human life, which in essence is to
to provide for the happiness of people, and also know and to worship God , and to carry forin the selection of a Baha'i delegation. Both the ward an ever-advancing civilization.' The
conference and the parallel non-governmental brochure also examined the characteristics and
organization Forum offered countless oppor- values which the community should stimulate
tunities for the Baha'i delegates to talk to in its members, as well as the support which it
prominent government and non-governmental should give, through its administrative body.
participants, with many opportunities to dis- While realizing that ' the ultimate richness of an
cuss the Baha'i solution. organically united humanity and the character

/ ~

Some participants in the United Nations Day observance, San Salvador, El Salvador; October
1976. Left to right: Mr. and Mrs. Edward Diliberto; Thelma O'Con, United Nations director;
Counsellor Artemus Lamb; Mrs. Dee Lamb, representative of the Bah{/( community to the
United Nations; Susan Leigh.
238 THE BAHA'I WORLD

of individual and collective life within a future eighteenth session of the United Nations
world community can now be only dimly Economic Commission for Latin America
imagined,' the statement concluded by assert- (ECLA) in La Paz, Bolivia, April 1979. On
ing that 'the immediate steps that the respon- both occasions, the Baha'i International
sible leaders of a needy humanity should now Community representatives had full opportuadopt, can be clearly discerned, and should be nity to meet the delegates and discuss formally
pursued with faith, courage, and determina- and informally the Baha'i views on the topics
tion.' being considered .
The Baha'i International Community has
continued its interest in finding answers to the Science and Technology
complex issues of HABIT AT through partici- Looking ahead to its participation in the
pation in the first and second sessions of the 1979 United Nations Conference on Science
Commission on Human Settlements-a body and Technology for Development
established by the HABITAT Confer- (UNCSTD), the Baha'i International Comence-respectively in New York and Nairobi. munity attended in Geneva and New York the
One further expression of the Baha'i Interna- regular yearly sessions of U .N. committees
tional Community's interest in problems of concerned with the appropriate application of
human settlements was its participation in the science and technology to assist developing
Third Conference on Urban and Regional countries, as well as meetings of a special
Research, sponsored by the Committee on committee to plan for UNCSTD. It also
Housing, Building, and Planning of the accepted appointment to the Board of the
Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) held NGO Committee on Science and Technology
in Warsaw, Poland, May 1976. Although this for Development and participated in the planconference was of a highly technical nature , the ning of the Non-governmental Organizations'
Baha'i presence marked the Baha'i concern for Forum, an event to be held parallel to the U.N.
problems affecting the living conditions of Conference.
peoples throughout the world. As a further expression of its interest in
UNCSTD, the Baha'i International Commun-
Economic and Social Development ity and the National Spiritual Assembly of the
The Baha'i International Community con- United States co-sponsored a special meeting
tinued its involvement in the general area of for members of the United Nations Secretariat,
U .N . activities to promote the social and missions, and non-governmental organizaeconomic development of the peoples of the tions, in which a prominent Baha'i scientist
planet, through participation in the two yearly explored the possibility that technology, unless
sessions of the Economic and Social Council in correctly used, might well fail to satisfy the
New York and Geneva (the first portion of the '""total needs of the human being.
1976 summer session was in Abidjan, Ivory
Coast), as well as in the biennial sessions of the Narcotic Drugs
Commission for Social Development. It also Cooperation with the U.N. in the prevention
followed closely the special preparatory meet- of drug abuse intensified during this period.
ings convened for the elaboration of an Inter- Not only did the Baha'i International Comnational Development Strategy for the 1980s, munity participate in the 1977, 1978, and 1979
so that it might offer the Baha'i view at an sessions of the Commission of Narcotic Drugs
appropriate time. in Geneva, but it also submitted to the Commis-
In addition, the Baha'i International Com- sion reports with information on worldwide
munity took part in the U.N. Conference on Baha'i activities to educate Baha'is as well as
Technical Cooperation among Developing the public about the problems of drug abuse
Countries in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and alcoholism, and on the cooperation of
August-September 1978, a major meeting to Baha'i communities with civil authorities and
explore joint action by developing countries to organizations concerned with this matter. In
solve their social and economic problems; and addition, at the 1979 session, the Baha'i repin a regional meeting dealing with overall prob- resentative, in a supplementary oral statement,
lems of economic and social development: the stressed the need for individual commitment to
INTERN ATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 239
eradicate drug abuse, derived from the convic- ishment only increaseth depravity, and by
tion 'that man is a noble and spiritual being, such means the desired aim cannot be propwhose purpose in life is to develop his latent erly achieved. Therefore must the individual
potential for service to humanity.' This com- be trained from his infancy in such a way that
mitment, the representative said, must be fos- he will never undertake to commit a crime,
tered within the family and reinforced by the will, rather, direct all his energies to the
community. acquisition of excellence and will look upon
In addition, in August 1976 the Baha'i the very commission of an evil deed as in
International Community had participated in itself th e harshest of all punishments, considthe Second World Congress for the Prevention ering the sinful act itself to be far more grievof Alcoholism and Drug Dependency in ous than any prison sentence. For it is pos-
Acapulco, Mexico, a conference sponsored by sible so to train the individual that, although
the International Commission for the Preven- crime may not be completely done away
tion of Alcoholism, a non-governmental organ- with, still it will become very rare.' 1
ization with U.N. consultative status. A statement on the Baha'i view that basically 'there is Status of Women
no chemical solution to problem s which are In addition to taking part in the twenty-sixth
fundamentally spiritual' was included later as (1976) and twenty-seve nth (1978) sessions of
an annex to a report submitted to the 1977 the Commission on the Status of Women, and
session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. in preparations for the 1980 women's confere nce to be held at the mid-point of the U .N.
Crime Prevention Decade for Women (1976-1985), the Baha'i
The Baha 'i International Community con- International Community participated in two
tinued to participate in the meetings of the region al conferences on the integration of
Committee on Crime Prevention and Control. women in development: one for Asia, in
It attended the fourth and fifth sessions, held Kathmandu, Nepal, February 1977; and one
respectively in 1976 and 1978 in New York for Africa, in Nouakchott, Mauritania,
and Vienna. Beyond that, it sent representa- September-October 1977.
tives to two of the regional preparatory meet- The Baha'i International Community conings for the 1980 Sixth United Nations Con- tinued, during the Decade for Women, to
gress on the Prevention of Crime and the cooperate with U.N. programs and activities to
Treatment of Offenders: for Asia and the achieve the equality of men and women. It not
Pacific, May 1978, Manila, Philippines; and for only kept the U.N. Branch for the Advance-
Latin America, March 1979, San Jose, Costa ment of Women informed of the work being
Rica. These special meetings afforded the done by Baha'i communities-through its
Baha'i delegates excellent opportunities to mid-197 6 report, for instance, of the activities
share the Baha'i view on the essential moral of over sixty national Baha'i communities dura nd spiritual dimensions of the problem of ing International Women's Year (IWY) and a
criminality. In fact, at the closing ceremonies of later report, in reply to a U.N. questionnaire ,
the Manila meeting, the Baha'i participant was on the Baha'i activities from 1975 to 1978
able to offer for the success of the Sixth U.N. which had bearing on the implementation of
Congress on Crime Prevention , a Baha'i the World Plan of Action for Women-but it
prayer for mankind, and to share the follow- also kept before the U.N. bodies working to
ing pertinent passage from the Baha'i Writ- improve the status of women, through such
ings expressing, in the words of' Abdu' l-B aha, statements as those to the Commission on the
the answer to crime prevention: Status of Women and to the African and Asian
regional conferences, an understanding of the
'Observe how many penal institutions, basic Baha'i teachings on the equality of men
houses of detention and places of torture are and women and their implications for the
made ready to receive the sons of m en, the development of the full potentialities of mempurpose being to prevent them, by punitive bers of both sexes in building a world order.
measures, from committing terrible 1
Bahti'f Education: A Comp ilation (Wilmette, Illinois:
crimes - whereas this very torment and pun- Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1977), p. 23.
240 THE BAHA'i WORLD

As Baha'i communities-through the coordinating agency. Alerting its worldwide
fulfillment of the Baha'i goal of organizing affiliates of this special year to focus on the
activities to integrate women more fully into needs of children , the Baha'i International
Baha'i community life 1-increased their Community encouraged Baha'i communities
involvement in changing the basic attitude everywhere to express their deep concern for
towards women in society, the possibility grew children, already evident in their programs for
for closer cooperation at community level with the education of Baha'i children, to the world
United Nations agencies and regional at large through special activities. Plans
economic commissions, as the Baha'i Interna- under way suggested that IYC had struck a
tional Community began to share with person- creative chord.
nel working with programs for women, infor- The relationship between the Baha'i Intermation regarding such Baha'i projects. national Community and UNICEF promises to
be a warm and deepening one; and during this
Children (UNICEF) period several articles on the Baha'ls-and
During this period, the Baha'i International Baha'i events- were featured in the
Community exercised its consultative status NGO/UNICEF Newsletter. Examples: an artiwith UNICEF through participation in the cle on Mrs. Laura Dreyfus-Barney,2 who was a
annual UNICEF Executive Board meet- founder of the UNICEF Advisory Committee
ings-1976 and 1978 in New York, and 1977 of International Non-governmental Organizain Manila, Philippines-and through involve- tions (the present NGO Committee on
ment in UNICEF activities with non- UNICEF); a story on the participation of the
governmental organizations to promote the Baha'i International Community members in
well-being of children and mothers. Dr. Victor Universal Children's Day; and a feature on
de Araujo became a member of the Steering the Baha'i farming and agriculture project in
Committee of the NGO Committee on Panchgani, India. 3
UNICEF for 1976-1977and1977-1978; and
Health
Mrs. Mary Sawicki, for 1978-1979. Mrs.
It was through its consultative status with
Sawicki also became Associate Editor of the
UNICEF that the Baha'i International Com-
NGO/UNICEF Newsletter. Dr. Will van den
munity was invited to take part in an Interna-
Hoonaard, in turn, chaired a special committee
tional Conference on Primary Health Care, in
to review UNICEF films for use by non-
Alma Ata, U.S .S.R., September 1978, cogovernmental organizations and the public .
sponsored by UNICEF and the World Health
The Baha'i International Community partici-
Organization (WHO). A short paper on 'The
pated in the work of the NGO/UNICEF com-
Technical and Operational Aspects of Primary
mittees on Women in Development, Public
Health Care' was delivered by the Baha'i
Information (and its related Film Committee),
International Community representative as a
Nutrition, Primary Health Care, and the Intercontribution to the consultation in the final
national Year of the Child (IYC). One specific
session of one of the three major committees,
activity was a unique joint UNICEF/NGO
and the pertinent ideas presented formed the
pilot project for village water in Kenya, a venbasis of two of the fina l conference recommenture initiated at the international level by nondations. Since then, the Baha'i International
governmental organizations and UNICEF,
Community has, through its membership in the
with the participation of non-governmental
UNICEF/NGO Committee on Primary Health
organizations in Kenya, including the Baha'i
Care, pursued its deep concern in achieving the
community.
goal of the Alma Ata Conference, that of
In addition, the Baha'i International Comreaching an acceptable level of health for all
munity encouraged Baha'i communities
the peoples of the world by the year 2000.
around the world to observe Universal Children's Day, and to plan programs not only for Disarmament
that yearly event, but also for the International The Baha'i International Community
Year of the Child, for which UNICEF was the entered a new era of cooperation with the
See 'Survey of Activities of Baha'i Women in the Five Year See ' In Memoriam', The Bahd'( World, vol. XVI, p. 535.
Plan', p. 202. See 'Rural Development in India', p. 227.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 241

BAMAIPRINCIPL

Some participants in the observance of the International Year ofthe Child, Karachi, Pakistan;
December 1979. The observance was jointly sponsored by the Bahd'( Youth Committee and
the Local Spiritual Assembly of Karachi. The week-long programme comprised many events,
including a history quiz, involved 200 participants, and attracted an attendance of approximately 500 people.

United Nations when it participated in the mailed, with a complimentary card, in the
tenth special session of the United Nations appropriate language- either English ,
General Assembly, convened in New York, French, or Spanish-to all delegates (some
May-June 1978, to seek ways to achieve gen- three thousand) attending the thirty-third regeral and complete world disarmament. ular session of the General Assembly.
While the Baha'i view on disarmament and 'The Promise of Disarmament and Peace'
peace had been offered at the founding of the offered an introduction and selected passages
United Nations through wide distribution to from the Baha'i Writings, arranged under the
U.N. de legations of the brochure, The Bahd'i headings of ' Disarmament, Peace, and True
Peace Program , the Baha'i International Civilization' , 'The Oneness of Mankind' , and
Community now prepared a new statement, 'A World Super-State'. The preface stressed
entitled 'The Promise of Disarmament and that disarmament is 'essential for the abolition
Peace' , outlining the Baha'i view of the respon- of war as a solution to human problems' and
sibility of individuals and governments to work that 'it is a goal for both governments and
for peace in the world. Although the statement peoples.' While recognizing that there is no
was made available to participants in the Spe- easy road to world peace, the statement
cial Session by the U .N. Secretariat, the Baha'i observed that disarmament demands an
International Community sent copies of the increase in the awareness of governments and
brochure to prominent government represen- peoples of the 'organic oneness of the human
tatives attending the session and to high U.N. race', as well as the creation of a world federaofficials, with a covering letter. Later that year, tion with enough arms and armed forces at its
on the occasion of United Nations/World command 'to prevent one nation from attack-
Development Information Day , 24 October, ing another or, if this occurs, to put down the
'The Promise of Disarmament and Peace' was aggressor'. The statement concluded by
242 THE BAHA'l WORLD

observing that while national governments Public Meetings
bear a responsibility to prevent war, it is ulti- One new approach to c0operation between
mately also the task of each person to establish the Baha'i International Community and the
'true world unity and peace'-a condition in United Nations began in 1976 with a series of
which ' individual and social well-being will be four to six yearly public meetings on issues of
expressed in a civilization reflecting spiritual deep concern to the U.N. These lectures, given
values of love, compassion , and justice.' by highly qualified Baha'is from the United
States and Canada, were co-sponsored by the
Law of the Sea, World Food, Population, U.N. offices of the Baha'i International Com-
Youth, and UN. University munity and of the National Spiritual Assembly
The Baha'i International Community con- of the United States. The topics broached were
tinued to follow the deliberations of the Third quite varied: the prevention of violence, the
Confere nce on the Law of the Sea, in sessions development of human potential , racial disthat took place from August 1976 through crimination, the world economy, communica-
March 1979, alternating between New York tions, the family, life-long education, educaand Geneva, as representatives of the world's tion for development, the education of chilgove rnments, through extensive and complex dren for one world , the future of technology ,
negotiations, tried to reach a comprehensive the unfoldment of the potential of women , and
global agreement regulating the seas and the building of a unified community. These
oceans of the planet. The Baha'i representa- meetings, attended by guests from the U.N.
tives made many contacts with delegates, to missions, the U .N. Secretariat, and members of
whom they were able to express the Baha'i non-governmental organizations, were offered
interest in an international regime for the sea, as a contribution to the global solution of issues
as a precursor of an eventual world federation of on-going concern to the United Nations.
for the whole planet.
The Baha'i International Community like- Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organwise continued to show its interest in the efforts izations
of the U .N. to provide adequate food for all the The cooperation of the Baha'i International
world's peoples, by sending representatives to Community with other non-governmental
the yearly sessions of the World Food Council organizations working with the U.N. took the
(both the earlier preparatory and the later form of participation in the activities of the
ministerial-level meetings) in Rome, 1976 ; in Conference of Non-governmental Organiza-
Rome and Manila, 1977; and in Mexico City, tions in Consultative Status with the Economic
1978. The basic Baha'i view on the solution of and Social Council and its many committees in
world problems through unity, as well as the New York and in Geneva, such as those on
importance of agriculture as a human activity, development, disarmament, world food, and
which had been expressed earlier at the World the status of women. The Baha'i International
Food Conference, were brought to the atten- Community was also active in the Youth
tion of the participants on many occasions, Caucus and the United Nations University
both officially and through informal discus- Task Force, both in New York, as well as in
sions. co-sponsoring from time to time statements
Baha'i concern for the long-range U.N. pla n with other non-governmental organizations for
to resolve the many-faceted issue of world presentation to U.N. bodies, when these
population was also expressed during. this documents were not openly or implicitly politiperiod through participation in the nineteenth cal in nature or tone. In addition, the Baha'i
(1977) and twentieth (1979) sessions of the International Community continued its par-
Population Commission. The Baha'i Intern a- ticipation in the Annual Conference of Nontional Comm unity also kept alert to develop- governmental Organizations arranged by the
ments in the U.N. work with youth, as well as to Office of Public Information (OPI) and the
the expansion of the programs of the United OPI/NGO Executive Committee. Mr. Will. C.
Nations University , seeking opportunities to van den Hoonaard, Alternate Representative
be of assistance in proffering the Bah a'i an- of the Baha'i International Community to the
swers. United Nations, was, in fact, elected Secretary
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 243
of the Executive Committee for 1977-1978 Drugs, the Baha'i International Community
and chosen as Vice-Chairman for 1978-1979. attended the Conference on the Law of the
Mr. van den Hoonaard was also co-chairman of World, the biennial meeting of the World
the 1979 Annual Conference. Peace Through Law Center, in August 1978,
As for participation in conferences spon- as well as the Colloquium and Seminar on
sored by non-governmental organizations, Rural Women, sponsored by the International
besides the Second World Congress for the Council of Women, in February 1978 . Both
Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Depen- meetings took place in Manila, Philippines.
dency, mentioned in the section on Narcotic
ANNEX I

SPECIAL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCES, CONGRESSES AND
SEMINARS IN WHICH THE BAHA'1 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
PARTICIPATED
1976-1979

I. United Nations Conference on Human Settlements 9. Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea
(HABITAT); Vancouver, Canada; 31 May-11 June (Fifth session , New York, U.S.A., 2 August-17 Sep-
1976. tember 1976; Sixth session, New York, 23 May-15 July
Reps.: Professor John Jameson Bond, Mrs. Sheila 1977; Seventh session, Geneva, Switzerland, 28
Banani, Dr. Glen A. Eyford, Mrs. Lei Chapman, Mr. March-12 May 1978, and New York, 21 August-15
Donald R. McLaren , Mr. Kenneth Goldstone . September 1978; Eighth Session, Geneva, 19
2. United Nations Water Conference; Mar de! Plata, March-27 April 1979).
Argentina ; 14-25 March 1977. Reps. : Dr. Victor de Araujo, Dr. Will . C. van den
Rep .: Mr. Carlos Talenti. Hoonaard, Dr. Marco G. Kappenberger, Mrs. Mahshid
3. United Nations Conference on Desertification; Fatio, Mr. Stephen Vickers .
Nairobi, Kenya ; 29 August-9 September 1977. 10. Asia and Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for the
Reps.: Mr. Peter Vuyiya, Mr. Bonaventure Wafula, Dr. Sixth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of
H. T. D. Rost, Mrs. Ruth Vuyiya, Dr. Richard St.- Crime and the Treatment of Offenders; Manila, Philip-
Barbe Baker (advisor). pines; 15-19 May 1978.
4. World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Dis- Rep.: Mr. Wilfredo U. Bugia.
crimination; Geneva, Switzerland; 14-25 August 11. Latin-American Regional Preparatory Meeting for the
1978. Sixth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of
Reps.: Dr. Marco G. Kappenberger, Mr. Peter Vuyiya, Crime and the Treatment of Offenders; San Jose, Costa
Mrs. Soo Fouts, Miss Jyoti Munsiff. Rica; 31 July-4 August 1978.
5. United Nations Conference on Technical Co-operation Rep.: Mr. Wallace D . Baldwin.
among Developing Countries; Buenos Aires, Argen- 12. Regional Conference on the Implementation of
tina; 30 August-12 September 1978. National, Regional, and World Plans of Action for the
Rep.: Professor Ricardo Schvartzman. Integration of Women in Development; Nouakchott,
6. International Conference on Primary Health Care; Mauritania; 27 September-2 October 1977.
Alma Ata, U.S.S.R.; 6-l:l September 1978. Reps.: Mrs. Thelma Khelghati, Mrs. Laura Hill.
Reps.: Dr. Alfred K. Neumann, Miss Anneliese Bopp. 13 . United Nations Seminar on the 'Participation of
7. Tenth Special Session of the United Nations General Women in Political, Economic, and Social Develop-
Assembly Devoted to Disarmament; New York, USA; ment, with Special Emphasis on Machinery to Acceler-
23 May-28 June 1978. ate the Integration of Women in Development'; Kath-
Reps.: Dr. Victor de Araujo, Dr. Will . C. van den mandu, Nepal; 15-22 February 1977.
Hoonaard, Mrs . Mary Sawicki, Mrs. Betty de Araujo. Reps.: Mrs. Zena Sorabjee, Dr. Penelope Walker.
8. Third Conference on Urban and Regional Research, 14. United Nations Seminar on 'National and Local Institu-
European Economic Commission; Warsaw, Poland; tions for the Promotion and Protection of Human
5-13 May 1976. Rights'; Geneva, Switzerland; 18-29 September 1978.
Rep .: Mr. Hans-Ulrich Schmidt. Rep. : Mr. James C. Taylor.

ANNEX II

STATEMENTS, REPORTS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS PRESENTED BY
THE BAHA'f INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO THE UNITED NATIONS
1976-1979
1. Submission to the UNESCO study on 'The Effect of 3. 'Environmental Activities of the Baha'i International
Rhodesian Policy on Education, Science, Culture, and Community for the Years 1975, 1976, and 1977'.
Information'; 14 May 1976. Report submitted to the United Nations Environment
2. Building a Unified Community. Pamphlet prepared for Program 10 June 1976.
the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements: 4. 'Baha'i International Community Activities During
HABITAT ; Vancouver, Canada; 31 May-11 June International Women's Year: An Overview'. Report
1976. submitted to the United Nations Branch for the Promo-
244 THE BAHA'f WORLD

tion of the Equality of Men and Women; 15 June 1976. 15. Report submitted to the Committee on Non-
5. 'The United Nations Decade for Women's Equality, governmental Organizations of the United Nations
Development, and Peace, 1976-1985: Implementation Economic and Social Council on activities of the Baha'i
of the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination International Community during the period May 1973
Against Women'. Statement submitted to the twenty- through September 1977; U.N. document
sixth session of the United Nations Commission on the E/C.2/R.49/Add.70; 21November1977 .
Status of Women; U .N. document E/CN.6/NG0/264; 16. Statement to the twenty-seventh session of the United
15 September 1976. Nations Commission on the Status of Women; U.N.
6. 'Participation of the Baha'ilnternational Community in document E/CN.6/NG0/279; 17 March 1978.
the "Implementation of the Program for the Decade 17. 'The Promise of Disarmament and Peace'. Statement to
for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimina- the tenth special session of the United Nations General
tion": Report to the United Nations Division of Human Assembly devoted to disarmament; 23 May-28 June
Rights' . December 1976. 1978.
7. Report submitted to the United Nations Division of 18. Statement to the World Conference to Combat Racism
Narcotic Drugs; 23 December 1976. Circulated before and Racial Discrimination; Geneva, Switzerland;
the twenty-seventh session of the United Nations 14-25 August 1978.
Commission on Narcotic Drugs as U.N. document 19. 'An Overview of Baha'i-U.N. Activities During 1977
E/CN.7/599/Add.l; 13 January 1977. Sponsored by the Baha'i International Community and
8. 'Survey of United Nations Day and Human Rights Day Its National Affiliates' . Report submitted to the United
Activities in 1974 Undertaken by the Baha'i Interna- Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs,
tional Community'. Report submitted to the United the Office of Public Information, and the Division of
Nations Office of Public Information; January 1977. Human Rights; 15 August 1978.
9. 'United Nations and Human Rights Observances and 20. 'Technical and Operational Aspects of Primary Health
Activities Undertaken by Worldwide Baha'i Com- Care'. Statement to the International Conference on
munities, 1975'. Report submitted to the United Primary Health Care; Alma Ata, USSR; 6-12 Sep-
Nations Office of Public Information; 15 February tember 1978.
1977. 21. Statement to the United Nations Seminar on National
10. Statement to the United Nations Regional Seminar on and Local Institutions for the Promotion and Protection
the Participation of Women in Economic, Social, and of Human Rights; Geneva, Switzerland; 18-29 Sep-
Political Development with Special Emphasis on tember 1978.
Machinery to Accelerate the Integration of Women in 22. 'The Baha'is'. United Nations Secretariat News, 31
Development; Kathmandu, Nepal; 15-22 February October 1978, pp. 6 & 7.
1977. 23. 'Views of the Baha'i International Community on the
11. 'Global Cooperation and the Environment'. Paper pre- Draft Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of
sented at the International Assembly of Non- Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or
governmental Organizations Concerned with the Envi- Belief. Statement submitted to the United Nations
ronment; Nairobi, Kenya; 7-8 May 1977. Division of Human Rights; 10 November 1978.
12. Statement to the United Nations Regional Conference 24. 'Report of the Baha'i International Community on Its
on the Implementation of National, Regional, and Activities in the Prevention of Drug Abuse' . Report
World Plans of Action for the Integration of Women in submitted to the United Nations Division of Narcotic
Development; Nouakchott, Mauritania; 27 Sep- Drugs; 10 November 1978.
tember-2 October 1977. 25. Statement to the twenty-eighth session of the United
13. 'A Summary of Baha'i- U.N. Activities During 1976 Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs; 12-23 Febru-
Sponsored by National Affiliates of the Baha'i Interna- ary 1979.
tional Community'. Report submitted to the United 26. 'Reply of the Baha'i International Community to the
Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Questionnaire on Implementation During the Period
the Office of Public Information, and the Division of 1975- 1978 of the World Plan of Action Adopted at the
Human Rights; 15 October 1977. World Conference of the International Women's Year';
14. 'Environment and Development and Environmental submitted to the United Na lions Branch for the
Management'. Report submitted to the United Nations Advancement of Women; 4 April 1979.
Environment Program; 17 October 1977.

ANNEX III

RELATIONSHIP OF THE BAHA'I INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC COMMISSION

The Baha'i International Community participated in the South West Pacific Ocean, presented both a written and an
eighteenth South Pacific Conference, in Noumea, New oral statement to the Conference, outlining the Baha'i view
Caledonia, 6- 13 October 1978. This was the yearly meeting on 'Practical Spiritual Bases for Development'.
of the South Pacific Commission, an intergovernmental This first Bahli'i participation in the activities of this Pabody established to promote the economic and social wel- cific body resulted in a later invitation to the Baha'i Internafare and advancement of the peoples of the twenty South tional Community to attend a regional meeting of the South
Pacific island countries and territories within its zone of Pacific Commission, also held in Noumea, in March 1979, to
action. discuss further a Pacific approach to rural development.
The Baha'i International Community, which was rep- Again, the Bahli'f views were ably shared, this time by Mrs.
resented by Dr. Victor de Araujo and Mr. Ta Makirere, with Tinai Hancock.
the assistance of the National Spiritual Assembly of the
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 245

A United Nations Day display sponsored by the Bahti'fs of Moen, Truk Islands (an island
group in the central Caroline Islands, West Pacific Ocean.) The display was mounted in
December I976.

Health educatur Nancy B. Mondschein, right, alternate representative at UN headquarters
for the National Spiritual Assembly ofthe Bahti'{s ofthe United States, an affiliate ofthe Bahti'{
International Community, works as an interne at UNICEF headquarters for Mrs T. Memet
Tanumidjaja, UNICEF Senior Advisor Family Welfare, shown on left, who is preparing a
study on the use of day care centres as a means of extending UNICEF basic services to rural
communities.
246 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Governor George R. Ariyoshi of Hawaii signing the document proclaiming 18 September
1977 as World Peace Day, an observance sponsored annually by the National Spiritual

--
Assembly of the Baha'(s ofthe Hawaiian Islands. Observing are (right) Miss Lani Tamanaha
and (left) Mr. Tracy Hamilton.

BAHA'I
CENTRE

Baha'{s who participated in the dedication of the local {lar.fratu'l-Quds, Annandale, Demerara, Guyana; 27 June 1976.
VI
RECOGNITION OF THE BAHA'I FAITH

1. INCORPORATION OF NATIONAL SPIRITUAL
ASSEMBLIES

Ritjvan 1976 to Ri<f,van 1979

In previous volumes, certificates of incorporation or other documents attesting
recognition of various National Spiritual Assemblies have been reproduced.
The following are representative of the forms of recognition obtained by
National Spiritual Assemblies during the period covered by this volume.

1. Certificate of Incorporation in American Samoa of the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Baha'is of Samoa; 23 April 1976 . (This National Spiritual Assembly was incorporated in
Western Samoa on 4 February 1971.)
2. Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of South and
West Africa; 13 August 1976.
3. Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahfis of Singapore; 4
October 1976.
4. Act of Parliament incorporating the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Guyana,
passed on 9 December 1976.
5. Receipt for Declaration of Association of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of
Gabon, issued by Ministry of the Interior; 8 April 1977.
6. Letter from the Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs confirming registration of the
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Iceland as a religious society in Iceland, 29
April 1977, with translation into English.
7. Certificate of Registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Suriname and
French Guiana; 16 January 1978.
8. Extract from the Official Journal of New Caledonia for 3 November 1978, relating to the
Declaration of Association of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the New
Hebrides, giving date of receipt issued 19 October 1978.
9. Extract from the Official Journal of the French Republic relating to the registration of the
National Spiritual Assembly of the French Antilles; 5 January 1979.
10. Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Caroline Islands; 29
January 1979.
11. Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Mariana Islands; 2
April 1979.

248 THE BAHA'I WORLD

GOY£RNM£NT OF AME.RICAN SAMOA
PACO PAGO,_AM.£RlCAN SAMOA N1"
....... ...., ...
~· .156

CBRTIFIC~TE O~ INCORPORATION

TO ALL '1'0 WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME 1

:r, WALTER H. JENSEN, Treasurer ot the Government of
Allierican SlllllO&', do hereby certify that the NATIONAL
SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF SAMOA, INC., havinq
fulfilled all requ.i rements of Tit:.e XIV, Section 52
American Samoa Code and havinq bean 'found to be duly
qualified and duly autho,:ized llC~rding to the law• of the
Covernll8Dt of American Samoa i• here~y granted a Certificate
of Incorporation to exist fifty years until dia•olved or
. ..rved in accorc!ance with the lava of the Government of

..Allerioan Samoa •
'.l'be Article• of Incorporation ·of .t he tlATJ:ONAL SPIRITUAL
AS811MBLY .OP TD BABA'IS OP SAMOA, INC., haw been recorded
on VolU- It, -paqe 221•225 in the Office of Territorial
R1e9.latru.

June 1, 1976
Certified to be a true an:! correct copy of ~he ori~l
in the possession of the national. Spiritua'.l ''issernbly or
. t~ Baha'1s of samoa, , Ine. - ""'-.,
JJJ.wt P.M:.rc " · '· '
fllY comn1ssioo expires: 12/31!76

• ~ : : · . 4 .~ •

1. Certificate of Incorporation in American Samoa of the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Baha'{s of Samoa; 23 April 1976. (This National Spiritual
Assembly was incorporated in Western Samoa on 4 February 1971.)
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 249

'1 .
FORM CM 3
REPUBLIC OP SOUTH AFRICA
COMPANIES ACr, 1973
(Section 64)

Registration No. of company
21/7t>/zo

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF A COMPANY
NOT HAVING A SHARE CAPITAL

This is to certify that THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF
THE BAllA'IS OF SOUTH AND WEST AFRICA (Incorporated association
not for gain) was today incorporated under the Companies Act,
61 of 1973, and that the company is a company lim~ted by
guarantee and is incorporated under section 21 •

Signed and sealed at Pretoria this /°3
. 4 day of A';/'" ~ I.
one thousand nine hundred and seventy-six.

_#~·~·
~~-<---
'11 R~istrar of Companies

'Thie certificate is not valid 11nles11 it bears the seal of the
Companies Registration Office

2. Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahti'(s of
South and West Africa; 13 August 1976.
250 THE BAHA'I WORLD

...
ft& IPJIHUAL . . . . . .? OI' 111 Ml&'IS U
Tbis.lsto~lfytllel ................... . ..... .. ............ ...................................................... .

lllO&l'OU LTD. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
.,............................................................................................................................... .

il.•_,,._ ... .!t~!L. .. llayof ········ 0..ff.Mt .....,............ 19.1'~ ..,.._, ...... .
~
• .......
Acl.c.. '"· ....... Ille........., ......... UuW ~ Cear..,..
..................................................... ..

o.......,., ....... 1111. • ...............:!!!!!!!U!!!.................. *' ..t ........ *' ti1
.....................~................... ~ ··~~ . I

' .

·/atdud/r..A>
{11.. ~ CllM)
....,~···· ~·;;;«:;~:··· ··

3. Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'(s of
Singapore; 4 October 1976.

• =
'':· 1971) NATIONAL SPIRITUAi, :-::~~;:~ _o~· BAllA'IS (No. a

i:c:::,nofi~:~~i-:,,:..~t11e"T..:!.°.i~
AasembJy of Baha'is in Guyana.
GUYANA . 4. There shall not be at 1ny Ume more than niDe Tnuteu ~::.~""
z
...,
ACT No. 16 of 11176 :~ ~~;1~~~eof=: °!r!~~ .:~~::~ ~~
act 11 llUdl. all or any of tbe powen conferNd bf 11111 Ad on .~,. tr1
NATIONAL SPl1lITUA.L ASSEMBLY or BAHA.'U the Trwlt- may be uen:lllod by tbe san!Wle or _ , 'N•- :>:)
OP' GUYANA (INCORPORATION OF TRUSTZF.8) ACT 11176 Trustees proyided always that their number ii not Jeu lllaa fin. z
5. All pn>pcrty movable or immovable of wb.atenr ~ 1~~ ~ ...,>
1 -.

A. CHUNG.
or kind hereafter bequeathed by will or - l i e P.. to lhe ,.. •-...
Assembly shall be deeme<I to be the property of the Board.
6.' All property Yested In or herc>fter acquired by the : ;,"
-z
PJ'elidsll >
SJIJCTION
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
30lh °""""'ber. 1976.
Board shall be held by the '5oard for the ue and benefit of the ::,:.;••
Assembly. ..,.
''"' ",.,..

7. 1n 111111111.en aat llp9dflclliJ proritlo4 fCll" 11J M Ad.::-:::..
r
[/)

c::
:>:)
1. Sbort UUe. tho .8olnl ..... II) , . JI pl-adicllbll, , , _ . . . . . . . tlle .. -
2. laterpntatlon.
like power - llllbarlly .. - !IC-' - .-dloltl "' 1119 i:.r=
<
tr1
3. lncorpontloa of 1be Boud of. Troll-. AUemblJ and lta p.......iJngl sir.all be . . . . - "' ... law, -
reguJaUo111, powen IDd inctlcet ol lbll botl1 Ill 11> ts • lbtlr ~ ~
'·
5.
Deolh or - . . , . frocn Guyana of member or the Board or
Tra-
VOllU.ng of property in the Board.
•~ not lncoasistelll wilb any la• In faroe ID Gu-. ""' w. 0
'r1
6. T8Dlll'e of propertv for use and benefit of the Assembly. 8. A ala1-I that any - nlll*i lhenlD llM 1 - . _ ()
7. Esercise by Board· or powers in matters not specifically pro appoint.cl a member of the Boanl ol TruoteM, purpoctlna to be ::,,."':""'"
-.lded for by tbia Act. &igned by the Cba!Jman of the Asaemb!J, or ti. ~ of tllo ,.. - c::
8. Evidence o! membership of tbe Board. Assembly. shall be prtma fade evidence of tbe 1114 hcl :>:)
9. Service of proecu. :>:)
9. All proau wblcb II required to be .-"'1 oo th Boor<' - tr1
shall be deemed to be sufficiently served if served on a pers.111 :!-.,... z
...,
AN ACT to Incorporate Ille Boa.rd of Trustee& of tho Nallonal
Spiritual Assembly O( Baha'is. ~:~b:t;,'!,,°:~~~.::.of~~ :r..,i:: tll
lhereo! is publbbed In the Gazette.
>.1•-ltff- Enacted by Ille Parliament of Guyana:- >
:i::
''"'
mtt
!. nu. Ac! may be cited as the National Spiritual !U&embly
o( Baha'is of Guyana UneorporoUon of Truatees) Act 1976.
>
..;;.
lt1te.rpr.-utlitn.
2. ln this Act ut'\less the context otherwise requires - >
"lbe Board of ·r~" or "lbe Boanl" me&111 the Board f'o ~s,.d f>y the National Autmbl~ OH 9th Dfc~mber. 1918
...,
()
of Trustees of the National Spiritual .Assembly of
Baha'is of. Guyana incorporated by thia Act;
.<-
" the Asseml>ly" means the National Spiritual Assembly
of Baha'is in Guyana. F. A, Nararn.
3 tr1
ln.«lt• 3. Henl) Dolphm. Chairman, .John \'tera , V1ce-Cha1m1an, Clerli: of tho National A..emblJ [/)
pOt•UOI~
•t the r;ue11 Widm'!r. Se1.:rt!la r} , 1-:i tccn Hilt Treasurer . She lla 1.>olphh~.
llo..:it"d uf Hcc-ording Sccn..'tar~ l\•an l-' raser. Meml>er. Lygia Vasild..i. Mcm·
11•ltn
Iler, Edward Widmor . Member. Rooplall Dudnath, Member, and
(Bill 18/11179).

N
UI
.......
4. Act of Parliament incorporating the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bah<i.'(s of Guyana, passed on 9 December 1976.
N
llHflSTEkC DC L'lNTC!il CUR RE;.. ueL1nuc - c .·, soN.. ISE VI
lklion - TtavaU - lu•tlc• N
OlflCCTION GCN(u .. L[ or
l 1 DCtlflSTll l. TION OU Tt. ;n norac - 2 -
OIRCCTION oC Ll ,.OIIHISTllttTl ON
CCNCRJ,Lt
Fr)CCCPISSC J!'S5:u :!"ft~~m) >~a!f\,;.r!:f1!r!t:!~ i:'~::!i~~=M4::1:•::::~1.
cation• Orticioll•• pour rrete d'ln. . rtion eu )Or.Ind cttle&.l pl\1'9 .cflat
da IO nU.Sro• dU lourMl, proda•votttal do 1•.:.aaom1'e ConaUtual'lte.
t~· IQ6 /•1/ocr.T/Oi'.G.- Do Odclerotion d 'liHOcietlon
( Loi n• 35/62 du IO Odcallbn 1911 ) Cana .le d'1d dO trah •'-• le cNolanUon ht .. l'lt l 1objat d'°'
pr••unt R6cdph .. dClvu ~he nMue publiqw d•n• le• fo,..• flt""~• O
t•r,rtlcla IO do h Lol du to Olcallbn 1912. ·
LE IINISTRC OE L 1 INT£Al[Ufl DU Ci.BON
Touto M>d1'1oot1on epportff awr $htute et tau• Oheft949Cntl •wt•
donno ou.: peuonnaa ci-aprbe dddQn4•• R•o6pia•d da vonua don• 1 1 ,,d•inhtrctton de le Oheotlon de l' Hootcitlan dovant Gtr.
o•claration d'h.HOciation ddfinia co tit'l9 auit I dticlorh dona un dt\lal d•un •la ot -.ntloftMa, en outn 1ur un l'foht.rr.
tcnu au aibQt. da 1.odito .. •aoctotion.

TITRE Q[ l' i'. SSOCF.TION : • f1 SSCQBLEE SPIRITUELLE N.·.noNoiLC ocs 8AHl. 1 l5 • Co rdglatr-a dcere etrc prbontd, aur L:ur d.. -..tc:, ::ux ;.utorH ... •
"d•inhtrativa. ou lud1c1o1roa./..
.ru!l1I. ' Ell• • pour but 1
- d' a n•dgnor le• principoa da la futarnltd 1 d• l 1 A.aur dOelntd .. rcit • Llbrov1Uo; l o I +lwr.U 1977
res .. dont Porlant tou• lu proph?: teai P. L: tinhtra de 1 1 Jntdrtour
.. de Qdror lea affaitoa at biene de le Co-.inoutd 8ah•'l du Gotlon, Lt. SGcrdtairo d'Ctot
o n r•apoctent l o• principea du •y•ttib• adainiatr•tif •t•bl.1 par Bah•·u• -~ ....j
Ll ti hi ::i:
- d '•ffaotuer tout• tran•action aobUttn at 1..obilttre, ecqufrir Jo11n.. c..,run ca.NC :,v;.•• tI1
ou con•trulu do• centre• Baha'i•, te1111plaa , bibliothtquee, d1apanaalra• 1 O:I
o tc • ••
- d'orgeniaor doa activit4• divare•a f) car1cttra dducatit at hu--
>
nitciro on roapoctant acrupulauaoi;L;nt lea loh du paya, ot pro•uvoir ::i:
par tou • lea moyono l o t:ut Baha 1 i, >
~
s1rcr seq ,L i LISUCVILLE ( Quo:tior li'IOnt-eoultt )
~
''°l!!S q PnENOms 1 Proeouion o t do111ic1lc de • dld111anta octu.lloeont chor- 0
!)d• do 1 1 r,d•iniahotlon vt d;. lo Oiroction du l' r... ooiction c :i:i
U. -20£ COY Jilromc, Cnbonah r
tnaUtutaur, soua-Oiruot uur 0
Gdnd rol £n•oigno•ante acoloirca ,
Liniv ur•itclroe ut de · lo Pddagogi~••••••••••• Prdeldont
- or . lll<lvTJ..ca tSllIOL, rr n n~nla ·
llddccin, Pol't - Gent1 1 •••• • •• •••••••••• ••••• , • Vicc-Pr6aie!unt!

-IOUU£lE Joooph, Gobanaie
H6pitol G6ndral •••• • •••• • •••••• , • , ••• • •. • • ... Sacrdt'3irt;
I
-Bornord IGllC, Nigdrlnn
Artieen de: •ublo
OP 14.140 •••• •• , ••••• •. ,, •••••• ·••• ••• ••••••• Tr4aorior

t• r,a a ocietion aura nouf 1:tcurlhr1; e, l u a oinq aut-roe llO•brua aoront d( -
e1Qnd• t.prb • le ror1110tlon do 1',; ••oc:iation •

..... I .....

5. Receipt for Declaration of Association of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Gabon, issued by Ministry of the
Interior; 8 April 1977.
< -r, • ''~la t t• ,, •
t'A.. 't "I '·.),. nC" '--": ··~ f' )

OOMS. OC KIRl<IUMALAnADUNEYTID
JU.nietry ot .Juatioe
Ro;ltjovik. 29 . april 1977 •
u4 looeleeiaaUoal l..t.t&in

11M/llll Re.rlt~aYik, 29tb April, 1977.

W1tb A letter, dated hb. l8tb, 1977, 7ou, Mr. evpr•e oo"" law;rer,

Meo br8r1, Os.gs. 18 . tebrUar sl., hat'10 }>Or, berra
haT• requested on Mbalt ot tbe •a·U onaJ. Sp1r1 tul uat.bl.r ot the
Bahl:ie ot Icolu4, that tho Ml1s1auo eacl•t.r at th• Bah.f:i la.1.ih 1A
..,z
tTl
h!ll6tat'6ttarUSgmaOur .. loitaO i>ese tyr1r h6nd Andlege J>j60N0a I celand be reg1etered u & Mligioue eoc1ety o\tt114t the ht.ion.al Cburob, :>;)
Fla.ha ' 1a a 1:alant11, ao trU.t6lag Bahai-trUarinnar a Ialandi aa &llaw4 tor b.r 12.-13. article• at laws nr. l,8 1975 about r.lisJ.a119 z
verOl skriO sem trUt61ag utan ~366k1r)<Junnar ll4llli<:Vml>t he11111ld aoo1et1e1. Vi th thia application wa• 1nclu4t4 1.n.to~t1on. about '11• ..,>
12.-1,, greinar laga. nr . 18 1975, um trUr6HSg . Ums6la":. f>esnri
fylgd u jafnframt uppl$singar um l>au atr101,. sem tal1n eru i
1). gre1n lapnna, 1.-9. tHluliO.. R4.0uneyt10 staorest1l' h6r 1 I
1teu, that are nuabend 1D th• 13. &rtiole ot "\he•• law9, pa,racraphe
1 ... 9. !he IU.niatry bereb7 con.til'll9, that tbe religiou• aooi•V of tbe
.Baht •1 h1 th ll Icelan4 1e accepted tor rep.etrat1on u & rel1&1oue
-
z
me6 , aO trUf6lag Bahai-trUarinnar d. :t:elandi er viOurkennt eooiet7 1n Iceland, &eoordill& to II . HO"tion ot lava nr. l8 1975, coai- >
r
t11 s krAningar sem trUrOlag & !sland.1, akv. II. knt'la. laga paring tbe I. section of tbe lave, ua an ann.oua.oeMnt about tbie Cll
nr. 18 1975, a br. I. kafla laganna, og mun auglYsing um t>' aooeptan.ce will be publlahe4 in the •at1onal Quette. c:>;)
v10urkenningu veroa birt i LlSgb1rt1ngabla01nu. 1!he MJ..niatry at the aaae time con.tirae, that it b&9 reoeiTed • notioe
Jafnframt staOte.et1r r60uneyt10, ao riao hefur teklO v10 about the election ot Oarl John Spencer, LJ"n&hac• 22, Re1ltl&Yfk, &e the <
tTl
. t1lkynn1ngu um kjHr Carl John Spenoer, Lyngh.age. 22, Reykjavik, lepl. opoke....,, at tbe Spiri tu&l .leH•bl.r ot ll&h&' ie 1A Reyk~a..ilc. Bo -<
.sem !'orstOOumanns Mine And.legs. R&os · Baha 'ia 1 Reykjavik . Ber 1• obllpd to u.nderaign the declaration, that 1a inolucled bereb)' • 0..,,
honum aO und1rr1te. yf1r1Ys1ngu }>6.. eem her meO fylgir. !he Min1etry dn.we attent1on to the tact, ac) the lepl apolr:••• 4o••
RdOuneyt10 vekur athygli A pv1 1 aO for e t HOWne.OUrinn not :tul.l.till the oonditione ot l. paracrapb, 17. utiole ot lave nr. ()

.tulln:ngir e kk1 skUyrOum L td.lsgr. 17 . gr. laga nr. 18/1975 18/ 1975 , u reguda Icelandic c1Useub1p, but co.n.a1d.m it allowable c
:>;)
aO }'.Iv! er va r6ar i s lenz.l«l rikisborgararlitt. en tE>lur he1m1lt to accept hilD ~a legal 1pokee:aan tor tbe ti.a• beiq, w1 tb reterenoe to :>;)
at'J v10urkenna hann sem forstHOUmann aO svo ettsddu. meO hl10- tbe proY1eion t or exe•ption b-oa the ordinancee of tbe '5. art1ol• o'f tTl
sj6n a f undanJ:>ti.gube1m1ld rn &kvMOum ,. greinar laga nr . '8
1954 .
lava nr. '8 1954.
!be Mi:n1atey f1nal.ly oon.ti:ma, 'that it ha.I noe1Ted a notice about
..,z
the mt:11ber ehip of the board ot the Rational Spiritual. Aeeembl7 and 1te Ol
RAOune;vt10 staOfoatir loks. aO l>aO hefur tek10 v10 tilkynn l n gu um s k1pa.n a tj6rnar bins Andlega ~j60r0.0s og e1nsta'krt.
various depa.rtaent1. · >
On be halt or the Minietry,
:r
dt>ilda Pesa .
.l l&ldur ffijller ( a1gn . )
»
~ 1'orldtu.r Pile eon ( •ign.)
~ ~
P. h. r.
>
-..,..,<
()

Hr . hrl. HjHrtur Torfason
VesturgHtu 17
/1~~
rn
Reykjavik . < Cll

N
6. Letter from the Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs confirmin g registration of the National Spiritual Assem bly of th e Ul
Baha'[s of Iceland as a religious society in Iceland, 2 9 A pril 1977, with translation into E nglish. w
254 THE BAHA'l WORLD

E.T •
.MINISTERIE VAN JUSTITIE
EN POLITIE

...,
~ n:
· et Beetuur van de Stichd ng GBESTELIJKE RAAD VAN
DE BAl!fl. 1 IS VAN SURINAME
EN FRANS GUIANA ·
Nickerieetraat 27(Z.H.)
Paramaribo.
L ...I
Uw konmetk Uw brief van Ons kenmerk oirum Paramaribo, /,_' januari 197~. l

Onderwerp:
3ericht op form. A
I 5 :::
dd. 8 december 1977.

,,
Hierbij heb 1k de eer U mede te delen,
dat de Stichting GEESTELIJKE RAAD VAN DE
BAHA 1 IS VAN Su:l.INAME EN FRANS GUIANA., gevestigd te Paramaribo,op 10 december 1977 in•
· het Openbaar Stichtingenregiater is ingeschreven.

De Minister van Justitie en Politie,

7. Certificate of Registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'{s of
Suriname and French Guiana; 16 January 1978.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 255

DECURA TION D'ASSOCIA TION
Titre : ASSEMBLEE SPIRITUELLE HATIOHALE
DES BAHA'IS DES HOUVELLES-HEBRIDES
'
Obj et : Diriger les acti vites baha 'ies de fa region
pour arriver, parallelement aux activites des aucres
Assemblees spirituelles nationales du monde, a eta·
blir la Paix universelle par la realisation de l' unite.
spirituelle et sociale du genre humain.
Siege social : Centre Baha'i, Anabrou, Port-Vila.
Comite responsable :
President · M. Kalman KIRI
Vice-President M. Jean-Marie SABLAN
Secretairc M. Qu~rles PIERCE ·
Tresorier M. Philip BEATTIE
Recepisse declaratif no 96 CH/ AP du 19 .octobre 1978.

8. Extract from the Official Journal of New Caledonia for 3 November 1978,
relating to the Declaration of Association of the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Baha'fs of the New Hebrides, giving date of receipt issued 19 October 1978.

5 janvler 19i!l. Declaration a la sous-prefecture de Pointc·it·Pitre.
'Auemblee spirituel!e des Baha'is des Antille.s fran~aises. Ol>jct : pro·
· pagation de~ principes ct'amour du genre humain, di! paix uni·
Vf'rselle et de fralcrnitc dont p;irlent tou~ Jes prophetcs, princ:ipcs
qui ont recu un rt'!'loun•au d'C>1wn!ic creatrice d:;ns !cs en~ei g ne­
mcnts revc!cs par GahiA'u '!l.i h, eXf)fiqucs par Ab:i'ul' 13ahit N par
Shogh1 Effendi et elargis ct mis en app!iC'alion par l;i .\Iaison unh·craelle de ju-;tire. l'organc supreme clc la foi Baha'i. Si~ge social:
48, rue fo'rani,;ois·Arago, 97110 Pointe-a-Pitre.

9. Extract from the Official Journal of the French Republic relating to the registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the French Antilles; 5 January 1979.
256 THE BAHA'f WORLD

..._&rifit €orporation Qadir
. .
By nr- ol the ·~~rity "'!""Ii '" the fflcb~c-a.~111
~ Tnaat Territon
. .of the Pacltlc bind•,
. .by Tide n; ....._ 1, 1',..t
Terrtlory Code; Autborblnt lnuance oC a corporate~ tie•-
.
ciatiqA Of P«~On• (Or &ny lawful P\lrflOH other . dlu ~ ,...t,
Nllfl'lCIW. llPIK1'1UllL A9SBMllr.Y at ._ ~·fs ar 'lllB CID.DB - . - ;· 1• 1 •

i• ht<reby c911etltuted a non-ptoortt bocty corporate, ""b,.ct tj) the prori•'-

of th•• · charter, .the Article• of Incorpqr&t!on and By-Lawe of the oorpo•

ration filed with the Registrnr of Cor porn-~ ons, and to the lawl! of die Tnaat·

Territory.

. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this chute r I• grant.eel to~~~
at 'DlE BNJ/.•:6J at '1'11! CARlLINE l'.SLllNtS'
.
IHXJRFa!ATED----------
provided, however, that this Charter, the Article• o(

Incorporation and the By-Lawe o! the corporation, ahall be eubject to

a mendment. auapen•ion, or revocation 'by any future law. procla.matioa,

regulation or apeclaL order of the H1 gh Cornmi~oioner applicable thereto

having the force of law.

Clven under my hand and ,seal of my, o!!ice thla ;(.t/!/t! day

o!~~~~-J-t~~-·iz.~~-·(_J~.·~;_·~~~~
i.

Jli;lrian P. Wi.n.'<el
1'
~s ~5r~t~V of the Pacific I1lands I

{SEAL)

JO. Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Caroline
Islands; 2 9 January 1979.
.,.,.,_" .. _... .....
pQRA'TlON. CERTfFte'.4 h
, x -
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~is is to anq II.I""' .r#.litt/H 1 .f~--. {
NATiaw. fl>Dll'lUAL AEISlllU
z
>
r
of tbe . Vl

I<,,., I,,. ti.II~'!§,~,,~~,~ ~....Ju Jt!!!.. i1t /J,1 c
:;o
'~'"''"J •(.#,Pd,. </ J,.,..7-,."'" ;,. ""' q)~~ </{ft....,.. -' :;-_,,,._ ~........ <
tT1
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Mell/ cf ~NONI. 0
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t)',n;,.. J0-30 A !lf9'-.. .~+ :f.-_ . .,, Jpril 2 . /.9~'. n

ti. l"s.~J "f"'"f »id .Jll~ { f~-'iM •-" Ii.,;,. ---.IM a,,,/
"'""""'• .... """'' µ"IN """ ,..,fo-1. """"'.._.
""' -1'at1mpl !!pir1t!llJ.
-1'4 J.U
A!!lllb1l of the
c
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.r' tJ, ,,,,. . H-' ,.,.
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VI
11. Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Mariana Islands; 2 April 1979. --.]
258 THE BAHA'f WORLD

2. INCORPORATION OF LOCAL SPIRITUAL
ASSEMBLIES

Ri(ivan 1976 to Ri(ivan 1979

In previous volumes, certificates of incorporation of approximately two
hundred Local Spiritual Assemblies have been reproduced. More than two
hundred Local Assemblies achieved incorporation in the period covered by
this volume. The following documents were selected to illustrate this
achievement.

1. Certificates of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Ufwenuka
Village, Zambia; 3 May 1976, and the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Mwiika
Village, Zambia; 3 May 1976.
2. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Perseverance
Village (Couva), Trinidad and Tobago; 9 July 1976.
3. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Tauranga City,
New Zealand; 12 July 1976.
4. Extracts from Articles of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of
Willemstad, Cura<;:ao, signed 6 December 1976 by representative of the Central Bureau of
Juridical and General Affairs.
5. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Portland
Cottage, Jamaica; 29 September 1977.
6. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Lipan, Papua
New Guinea; 11 January 1978 .
7. Presidential Decree approving By-Laws and conferring Juridical Personality on the Local
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Palomita , Paraguay; 3 July 1978.
8. Extract from the Official Journal of French Polynesia of 15 July 1978, relating to registration
of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Tahiti, giving date of receipt issued 22 June
1978.
9. Extract from the Official Journal of New Caledonia for 1 December 1978, relating to the
Declaration of Association of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Fila Island, New
Hebrides, giving date of receipt issued 23 November 1978.
10. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Galway,
Ireland; 20 February 1979.
~ . ..,
~ ~~ ~~ /-.L,..c.~.o .

OJUGI:'L\L r..•1• 1m

r- REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
.;
·•,1
....... _, .,....._,....,.Act
(°"""""""""' ........ _,
...
''·.•land• God Oo¢d• ffqJ;b1Q Act
(Chaflk't' ?81 otU""' x..- ofM.mbt.)
(&etion l 8)
t ~"'
TtiM~tt..'-11att~...,.u.cw..., .. . .. 2. . . . . . . . . . . . .. e.......•,. m 7.l ...,z
Thisilil®lllllllt bu beai duly rq;iatmid •caortling fo law 1.1u. ,. ~ .•. ·• · . . ~ . • . , • • ~ . • •• , to ..?~

Rt'giUmd, No •.. ,a37 .c.,,.i .. ~...,.Onoolltu1CUU11
Dutr Paid K ---
~!fo..2"'. c....t ... ... I Ul'f7MI~~

J>uty&klll -~
F•hld.K 2. 50
ii] tl'I

"'z
,0076,{ ~
2 • .50
fl /,,- ~I >
}'(U l'Aid K
...... !lo. 92ll'I. ........ ... .i ........ .. t ......~ . ....~. . . :l
••-ft·,( /.
·"fi~(!,;,~~:~;;;.-
~
Hl'OciJM. No..9coC.. ... 1Wod. •• 2, . . . .. . . .8 ... . l"rvrWoot;10 ..u"-*6ot'J.'Woi-otoe. •••• . . •_.,.., • • • ••• 0
l'rmillioulll Ol'rti6ot.to of 'ntlo '-*I oo .• RllOlftaTOJ'UllllDf •• ·· · · -'·· · -·• .. n· ··· .... ... .... .-('..~·""" z
R.nilm'\' o•DUbS VclU.4,!hrO.UOOl'Z........ ....... tlf"'-"•""11U
>
r
Ltr».U. l\SMlJJUe a- Zuou.
[Jl

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' REPl!BUC !I OP ZA11111A
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l. ,:
REPUBLIC

OIRTil' ICA!l'E OP IllCORPORATI O!I
OF ZAMDIA
,., Cllll!IPICAD or lllCOllPlllA'fllll
!!!!!!!
'T1
(')
!!l!!l!l!. TH LAlll> (PllRPlllttJAI. 800Cll8Sllll) Kit c:::
t • 't
'l'llll LA1!D (Pl!RPl!'?OAI. sUCCBSSIO!I) Am
•THIS IS TO CERTD'Y t hai t bo Tr ustees at the 'BAltA' IS have been
TBTS IS TO CIR'l'IP!' that th• TruateH ot the BARA' 18 baT• be.en
'reg1atered aa a -corporate boly meter t.he . _ ot ""tRI LOCAL
"'"'
tl'I
r egiater ed aa a corporate b<Xly under the name ot ~ LOCAL
llPIRITOAL .ABSllll!lLY 0, TUB BABA'IS'Olf llW!W VltI.AOE lll!GISTIIUID ...,z
llPIRITOAI. ASSl!N.'BLY Olf 'l'llll !!AHA' IS OF OFVIENUKA VILLAGE llEGIST&REI>
1'RUS'l'E!S• in pUl"auanc~ or &.a under- tbe pro~i11ona ot the LAllD
'fRUSTZ!S in p urauan.ce or and under tl:le provieione ot the LANI>
(PZRPETUM. SUCCESSIOll) MJt subject to the conditione and
(PERPl!TUAt SOCCl!BSIO!I) M:r s ubject to tbe c ondt Uona and °'
>
directions htti'einatter aet r orth. :i::
d1rect1oll& her et natter aet rortb. ' >
wn'JO!SS lllJ' hana thto 1 -.d . (. "ll.;YJ) d..,. ~Mt.o, 191, >
(')
wn'tnlBS llQ' bend tb1s ;,~;,c1) dQ' o~ {"\.,. ~ 19.1 b. ...,

oiaa s:>lii~'(t.U>.>
~ ~,......__ ~
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...,
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lllJIIS!BR al l.AllDS, HATtllLl'L l!ESOORc&S
l' UlflllrBll 011 LAJID8, J.M:Ui.Al. RESOURCllS [Jl

.AllD TOUIISll
All1l TOtlRI SM,

it
::.!-:· -
N
Vi
1. Certificates ofIncorporation ofthe Local Spiritual Assembly ofthe Bah<i'is of Ufwenuka Village, Zambia; 3 May 1976, and the IO
Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bah<i'is of Mwiika Village, Zambia; 3 May 1976.
260 THE BAHA'I WORLD

' J
'
,--

Tll.INIDAD AND

Certificate of the Incorporation of a Company

31 btrebp Ctrtifp tbat

··-·-·----·----·-··-·················---·······················-·····J.~"~ .
is this day Incorporated under the Companies
Ordinance, Ch. 31. No. 1, and that the Company
Is lciJR.!tetb unlimited.,~

Given under my hand at Port•of-Spaln
this .......?.~......... day of ..... . .iMJI'...___ ·····-·--···
one thousand nine hundred · and
3.nmtx.~·-············-·········---··-·········

~...t..!1..'o!...1..J.. . . ~. :...Q~_t!.~ .
2nd ·Deputy Ae&letrw.r ot Compa.n i•t

Registration Fees $ ..:1.9.a.!ML...............

Stamp Duty

--
2. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahri.'is of
Perseverance Village (Couva) , Trinidad and Tobago; 9 July 1976.
J...lllldl.>Wll

• . ,, ~-'.1.976!1'•
..,z
DEPARTMENT 01'' Jt:STI• E tT1
. .
11G? ..,"':i>
z
CERT~i;f~A~l~1~t~;~~Rtl;'QN
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:;,~~ ...:;;..~·~- ·-...:,;..;.:
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c
J urtlfp t1iat TR •wnu~ rAL ASSEMBLY c ~ THE BAHA • ts :.> F TAUAANGA er TY
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lacorporated uader tile ....._ _..... 'T1
Charitable Trasts Act, 1957 n
iflhdTD ........ • c

o.t.I at AUC.i::.I.AJ :n th.ls.
"'"'
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....!1'1.~.Y.... . .. . . .. 19 .'7.6. til
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G. P..::'.~r
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3. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Tauranga City, New Zealand; 12 July 1976. °'.......
N

°'
N

Bijvoegeel van de ,.Cur. Courant" \'an 17 december 1976, No. 51
Alie stemgereehtigde leden van de plaataelijke Bab!'l
No. 31 1976 gemeenschap zijn als !eden van de Plaataelijke Gectltelll·
ke Raad verkiesbaar.
STATUTEN van de De Plaatselljke Gestelljke Raad bereidt voor de jaarvergadering de agenda voor, waarin opgenomen de rap-
BEGLEl\ID<"T VAN ORDE portering over de werkzaa.mheden van de Plaat.llfke
Geestelijke Raad sinds zijn verkiezing, de financle1e vet'·
slagen venneldende de lnkomsten en ultgaven val! sijn
VOOB DE fondsen en de rapporten van zijn comite's alsmede ande·
re zaken de gemeenschap betreffende.
Plaalselijke Geeslelijke Raad der Baha'is Znwel voor als na de verkiezing moet de Plaalllelijke
Geestelijke Raad met de gemeenllCbap beraadslagen en
VAN WJLLElllSTAD haar vooratellen nanmoedigen, opdat hetgeen In de ge.-
meenschap leeft weersplegeld worde In de plannen van de
Plaatselijke Geeatelijke Raad.
DEFINITIES: De uitslag van de verkiezing moet door de Plaatae-
..,
lijke Geestelijke Raad dlrekt na ~n eerste vergadering ::r:
JN DI'l' REGLEMENT ZAL WORDEN VERSTAAN
schriftelijk aan de Natlonale Geestelijke Raad worden rn
ONDER: tl:l
medegedeeld.
1. NATIONALE GEESTELIJKE RAAD: Artlkel 16 >
De recbtspersoonlijhbeid bezittende Nationale Gees· De Plaatselijke Geestelijke Raad moet zonder onder· ::r:
telijke Ra.ad van de Baba'is van Vene:z.uela. breklng. met tuBSenrulmte van 19 dagen, bijeenkomsten >
van de Baha'i gemeenachap regelen, in overeenatemmlng
2. PLAATSELlJKE GEMEE."ISCHAP: rrot de Leer en de Kalender van bet Bahi'l Geloof. :...:
De gemeenschap. der Baha'is van Willemstad. ArtikeJ 17 0
:<:!
Dit Reglement Vllll Orde kan alechta gewijzigd WOI'· r
3. GEMEENTE: . den door een besliaslng van de Natlonale Geestelijke Rud 0
De Stad Willemstad. genomen met volatrekte meerderheld van atemmen.
De betreffende wijziglng is eehter nlet eerder van
4. UNIVEf'..SELE HUIS VAN GERECHTIGDl'l.EID: kracht dan na goedkeuring door de Gouwrneur van de
Hct Hoogbestuur van het. Bahai geloof voor de hele Nederlandae Antmen.
wereld, zittin~ hebbende te Haifa, Isreel
Aldus vastgesteld in de buitengewone algemene le·
denvergaderlng van 10 maart 1976.
Goedgekeurd bij landabesluit dd. 19 nov 1976, No. 2.
Willemstad, 6 dee 1978.
Het wnd. Hoofd van bet Centraal Bu·
rcau voor Julidische en Algemcnc Za.ken,
w.g. Mr. M. MONTE·BOSKALJON.

4. Extracts from Articles of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahti'is of Willemstad, Curar;ao, signed
6 December 1976 by representative of the Central Bureau of Juridical and General Affairs.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 263

· filrrtiftratr nf tqr lttrnrpnrntintt nf a filnmpauy

I qrreby Q!rrttfy that

"THE SPIRI'i'UAL A33 ~MilLY 01'' 'r HE £ AHA' IS Ok' PORTLAND CO'.J.'TAGJ!:
LilH 'fElJ"

was ~ttruqinratrb under the

Companies Act, 1965 as a f!Jtmitrh Company

on the TWEN':rY-NI N'l'H day of SEPTEMBER

One thousand nine hundred md SP.venty-seven.

Given under. my hand at Kingstv ·1 this TENTH day of

OC'l'OBER One thou , and nine hundred and Seventy-seven.

,.,.,.. .... .,- ..,
~ ·· ?"""'- <.: ; .... (_..:-
Ac '.: . Registrar of Co111pa11ies.

No. of Company 16,191.

5. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of
Portland Cottage, Jamaica; 29 September 1977.
264 THE BAHA'I WORLD

-e:-
A. 170

Form ;l.

',\SSOCIATIOiiS INCORPORATION ACT 1966

CERTIFICATE OF mconPORJ\TIOtr OF . AN ASSOCIATION

T!!r:; IS 70 CE..'t'!IFY THAT

:!C S?IRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BARA t rs OF LIPAN mCORPOMTED

in purses.nee of Section 9 of the Association Incorporation Act

1966 hM this day been incorporated Ullder that Act.

';J\IE:I •.rnder my hnnd nnd Seal this eleventh da,y of Jftlllla17, 1978,

6. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahti'fs of
Lipan, Papua New Guinea; 11 January 1978.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 265

. i) .. · . .~- N~4o.509.-
PRESIDENCIA DE LA REPUBLICA
:ws
.
······~·•to de lnte.io•
___.,_
'
POB EL CllAL SE APRUEBAN
'
ESTATUTOS SOCIALE
Y SE RECONOCE U PERSONERIA JURIDICA DE LA EN
II f

I, . TIDAD DENOMINADA "ASAMBW ESPIRITUAL LOCAL Dr
:WS BAHA'IS J!'M PA:LOMITA".- .
II
. . ..
. . Asuoci6o,Julio 3 de 1978.- I
VISTO:La presentaci6o hecha al Ministerio del i
1 Ioterior,eo fecha 15 de marzo del cte.ei'l.o(Expte.N!!.204) 1
lpor el Sr.Sirous Toutounchi Maragheh,en representsci6n j
1de la eotidad deoominada "ASAMBLEA !SPIRITUAL. :WCAL DE !I
LOS BAHA'IS EN PA:WMITA",~o la que solicits le eproba- i
Nf.. . ci6n de los Estatutos Soc1eles y el recooocimiento de !~
I Persooeria Juridica de la misma;los iof~rmes favorablef
, de l a Inspeocion General de Hacienda,Fiscalia General I
::~r ~stado Y Ases°.ria .Juridioa. del JUoisterio del Iote- ·
.I EL PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY

I . D E c R E T .A:
Art.12.-Apru~banse los Estatutos Sociales de la entidadl
denominada "AS.AMBLE! ESPIRITUAL :WCAL DE LOS BA+
,HA'IS EN PA:WJIITA".; y autorizase el fuocionaaieo ··
to de la misma en oar~cter de Persona Juridioa, 11
de acuerdo a· lo establecido en los Jrtd.~,,Inc.~
y 45 del C6d1go Civil,y cooforme oooata en la Es
critura N2.416 protocolizada en el Registro PU- !
blico a cargo de don A.Hamon Berdejo G.,en fee~
10 d~ Di?iembre del aflo 1.977 .- J

.,Art.22.-comuniquese,pubHquese y d4se al Regietro Oficir

., ·- FOO: ALFREDO STROESSNER.-
I ·;0111n 1
,~..,~
. ,. .-
"°~ o:>abioc A.)lontan~o.-
I
i
·
• ,

s. ;f. •'.\ ~ 1 0

/'A • ~- .....,
ES COP - •';;;:(,/ • ~l---v
~,.,,, ,,,,,••' RIO FILARYI'GA-
Seoretarto
- /
.·
)
• '
... 1&8--cle-.SO .

7. Presidential Decree approving By-Laws and conferring Juridical Personality on
the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of Palomita, Paraguay; 3 July 1978.
266 THE BAHA'I WORLD
,_
··::-.;-~- ·· --:-'-· r-·····-· ... . , ... .... - · - ' •lf"9'
I
STATUTS o~· L'ASSEM!JL.Jt~ 'SPJHITUELLE llES
· ,BAHA'IS QEFTAfflTI
\_ •·'-:."!.r :,:.: ~ 'I t '

··· .J.l est cree l'Assemb.lf>e SpifitueJ!e : d~rs B~ha'is de ·1~ahiti
~:.lo·nt l'objet est )\administration de •~ Fqi b"iah;1 1 ie· l
Tatiiti
et dont le siege social est n.t>,'' Gi34: a-Pine, T.tlltl. . ·
Les administrate·urs, l;'est~a ..cUre leJ me-mbres de ' r.,.\s~.
s~mbl~e Spirituelle reconnai.n,t qu, cette actloti a 6te
prise a. l'enti~r~ u.nanhnitc et. en t<>mpl~t accord. U8. .,,.
r.unn~issent pour eux-memes 4!t ·pour \t~ compte • · 1e1irs
si;t<;c~sseurs Ja . ~i&,qi.fication S~cf~ ~t 'e but \fR~versef de
r~ · f~j a~h~'kdqnt 'f~s . e~~eign~~t#. et · lt19 . Jl:l:i~~pes re~~ .
plj'~~n~ _ la pmme-~•~ chvine de· ~.P.~~~': les reUg1pne· rlv~l~~s .
pffc~demment . c .- . . .
"•
! . • .
. :' :

· (:9mposition di.a· burea~ :
~sident FERTf: Ai~iri
\li~·Pr~sident. RAVF.A f(enri
se·tr~t~ire MAKEA TA.PEA ·uaniel
ft.fS.(lrter DEXTER ·D'1'!my.
·1_·::_ "
.... .. .- .. ·-- · -- __ ......,.._"'II ___ , __ . ~ •, •
·.{tecepisse n" 4'; i42 AA d~ 22 Ju,!~' t97M.
~=:"'"...:~ :''--· H-- : ;. :: ..•:.;-~"'?"' "' · ---·· _;·~- ..•. .:. • •·-~~·
• "<I~'} ~'
'··· - .. , • . ,_
-·-·
.. ...., _ _....:._::...:.::-::::

8. Extract from the Officiallournal of French Polynesia of 15July1978, relating to
registration of the Local Spiritual A ssembly of the Bahd'(s of Tahiti, giving date of
receipt issued 22 June 1978.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 267

DECLARATION D' ASSOCIATION
Titre: ASSEMBLEE SP)RITUELLE DES BAHA'IS
DE L'ILOT FILA
Objet : Enseignement de la Foi Baha'ie, religiOn uni··
verselle qui se presente comme l'aboutissement et le
complement necessaire de toutes les anciennes croyances. 1
Siege Social : Il~t Fila, Ile de Vate, Nouvelles-Hebri·
des (B.P. 443, Port·Vila). '
Bureau· responsable
president : M. r.fabia KALSAK.AU
Vi ceoPresident : M. Pet er KAL TOLI
Secreraire : Mlle Eva KIRI .
Tresoriere : Mm~ Libebe KALUAT

Rece isse declaratif no 99 GI/ APA du 23.11.1978. 1
9. Extract from the Official Journal of New Caledonia for 1 December 1978,
relating to the Declaration of Association of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahr/is of Fila Island, New Hebrides, giving date of receipt issued 23 November
1978.
268 THE BAHA'f WORLD

I• 0
G7223

UNLIMITED COMPANY ··

<Jtrrtifirntr nf JJnrnr.pnbttion

is this day lncorporat~d umkr the C'omj,aui,·s Act~ I %3. to 1977

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ __,,lay of

i!'.e.brunr.y. _ _ _ _ _ _...,nc· Thousand Nine llumlrcd aml.. .... ,: e:von.:ty,,.nine._ _

F~es and Deed Stamps L .5..? .•.5..0. ...... ..

10. Certificate of incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahti.'(s of
Galway, lreland; 20 February 1979.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 269
3. A SELECTION OF OTHER DOCUMENTS RECORDING
OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF THE BAHA'I FAITH

Ri<;lvan 1976 to Ri<;lvan 1979

1. Document signed by primary school authorities in Wetzikon, Switzerland, permitting Baha'i
students to be absent from school on Baha'i Holy Days; 19 April 1977.
2. Letter dated 15 October 1977 from Ministry of Lands and Settlement, exempting the
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Kenya from payment of rates.
3. Letter dated 28 October 1977 from the office of the Minister of Home Affairs and Health,
approving the appointment of Mr. Eric Wilson as Marriage Officer of Belize for the National
Spii:itual Assembly of the Baha'is of Belize.
4. Letter dated 16 June 1978 from the National Register Coordinator, Division of Historic
Sites, Illinois Department of Conservation, giving notice that the Baha'i House of Worship in
Wilmette, Illinois was on 23 May 1978 entered in the National Register of Historic Places.
5. Certificate of Registration of the Baha'i Faith as a religious body in Tuvalu; 8 August 1978.
6. Certificates of Registration of two Baha'i symbols with the Office Africain et Malgache de
Ia Propriete Industrielle (African Office of Industrial Property) on behalf of the National
Spiritual Assemblies of the Central African Empire, the Cameroon Republic, and the Ivory
Coast; 18 August 1978.
7. Extract from the Gazette of India for 9 September 1978, relating to exemption from income
tax of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of India, with translation into English.
8. Letter dated 9 November 1978 from Ministry of Churches, legalizing Baha'i marriage in
Denmark.
9. Certificate of Approval of Religious Organization authorizing establishment of the National
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahfis of the Cook Islands, 20 December 1978, with cover letter.
10. Letter dated 3 February 1979 addressed to Court of Personal Status for Non-Muslims by the
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Sudan, designating representative to
appear before the Court in matters of Baha'i personal status, and in particular in matters of
inheritance, with annotation of acknowledgment and filing by the Court.
11. Letter dated 9 March 1979 from the Procurer General of the Republic, confirming that the
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahfis of Zaire obtained civil personality by ordinance
on 9 June 1972, and is entitled to carry out its activities in conformity with its by-laws as long
as that ordinance is not abrogated.
12. Resolution adopted 15 March 1979 by the House of Representatives of the Eighty-First
General Assembly, State of Illinois, calling upon the President of the United States to urge
the Government of Iran to recognize the religious character of the Baha'i Faith, and to assure
the rights of all religious minorities including the Baha'is.
13. Letter dated 28 March 1979 signed by 22 members of the United States Senate, addressed to
the Prime Minister of fran, expressing concern for the rights of religious minorities, including
the Baha'fs, under the new Provisional Revolutionary Islamic Government of fran .
270 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Geiatiger Rat der Baha'i von Wetzikon
I

Rei.lip 'fage cler Baha'i, an welohen die Arbeit ruht.

I
21. Dr• (IJeuJahr)
21. April ( Erater Ridvan)
29. April (Beunter Ridvan)
2. Kai (Zw!S:y\er Ridvan)
23. 1'a1 (Erlclli.rung dee 3ab)

·- 29. Kai
9. Juli
20.0lctober
12. l'fovember
(Todeatag Baha'u'llaahe)
(Todeetag dee :ISab)
(Geburtetag dee .tlab)
('9aha'u'llahe Gebu~tatag) ·

.7
Baba'1-Sekretar1~~ ·
19.4.77 .' ~
J~Unsterberg 1/~
\..· /
• ~u1>-1ol.\ ....... ~~, rJ.o._
\~~ o\l'.C~t.o ~hr-"4 ~c., . ~tl,)ilj: ~ t'- .
f'r1mnrsc!iulpflege
\'ct:i~on
t"' ; •rt\f'":

- - ----

1. Document signed by primary school authorities in Wetzikon , Switzerland, permitting Baha'i students to be absent from school on Baha'i Holy Days; 19 April
1977.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 271

MINISTllY OF LANDS AND IE'nl.IEMIENT

/ Tck-arams .: .. LANDS" DEPARTMENT OF LANDS
Telephone: 27471-at. ........... .
P.O. Box )()()19, NAIROBI
When replying pkasc quote

Rd. No.89.4~.9/?.L .... ...... ..1.5Jl.< ... ~9.~;?'!.:/~ ............ 111.".'"-
aad date

..
National O:piritiAl of the l!ahe.i' s ot l'en:it,
P.O. Boi:: 47562,
llt. I ~Ol1I,

My letter ot 7th July, 1972 in d9l!l8!1'1 o! r ate11 on the
above mr.ntioned property for the years 197'3 nnd 1914 hns heen
concelled.

Your ro::iue'lt of 5th October to exempt :-ou f:roc payi?lf; rateo
b~o been accepted until further notice.

=+ ~
( D.J.l. !lguku
-,-
OF L'.'.''l~.
for:oo1 2n~:u o r;,;:;:

2. Letter dated 15 October 1977 from Ministry of Lands and Settlement, exempting
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Kenya from payment of rates.
272 THE BAHA'I WORLD

-

......
·· ··~·
~
~-?..§.~-~:.?_~-~~-·; 77 : '

A:i ser.;b l y of ~11e i3ahai' s
, ..

Mad.am-,
" r. ~
#. . . . . . . ~
' . • L~ l; am direct e d by t h·:? tioncurub l e l1i nist er , ~o
i .1-.• " .;in!orm yo-:.i of t he gra nt i n<; oi' :;.i s approv nl to t rie
f-. . · appointmen t of l'ir. Eric ·..Ji lson as a I"larr i a ;;e Offi c er
,, • , ~-- of Belir.e for t he Nati cm:il d . ;> i r it u al "Assa :uly of .: 'ie
,.
' · j· '. Bahai' s of B ~ li t.a .
.'.
Respe c t fully yo u rs ,
.. ? • •••

( D. A • .K . ii :.W..;01-i ) { ,.
r ur .i?e roanent Jec r :- tary
;,
r c.c. Registrar Ge ne r~l
;D.AKG/oy
I

3. Letterdated28 October 1977 from the office ofthe Minister of Home Affairs and
Health, approving the appointment of Mr. Eric Wilson as Marriage Officer of
Belize for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Belize.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA ' I ACTIVITIES 273

J:'
. W .
UlinoisIJ Department of Conserve
life and land together

605 STATE OFFICE BUILDING• 400 SOUTH SPRING STRE ET • SPRINGFIELD G'70S

CHICAGO OFFICE - ROOM 'fOO. 160 NO. lASALLE 60601
David Kenney, Director• James C. Helfrich. As:sistant O irect~u
June 16, 1978

NA rt~ •..ti.. .:,:~ i."f:...AL ASSEMBLY.
Bo\HA.'IS OF T~~ ~~ITEO STATES_'
National" Spiritual Aalll!llbley
Baha'is of U.S. Name: Baha'i Tellple
112 Lirden Avenue Date: 5/23/78
Wllnette, Illlmis 60091
Dear Sir:

'Ihi..s lett.er is to notify you that the place iiarood atove ':'as
entered in the National Register of Historic Places on the date
listed above.
I 11111 enclosing a brochure which details the National Register
program.
If you have any questions cxincerni.r.q this, please feel free
to contact me.
Sin:ierely yours,

;{1!J1!fia~
Keith A. Sculle
National Register Coordinator
Divisim of Historic Sites

JCS/j•

4. Letter dated 16 June 1978 from the National Register Coordinator, Division of
Historic Sites, Illinois Department of Conservation, giving notice that the Baha'(
House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, was on 23May1978 entered in the National
Register of Historic Places.
274 THE BAHA'f WORLD

. .,

5. Certificate of Registration of the Baha'i Faith as a religious body in Tuvalu;
8 August 1978.
OFFICE AfltiCAJN el MAlGACHE
DEMANOE D'ENREGISTREMENT
de la Propttflj lnduurielle
• 1 I'. ~:JI D'UNE MARQUE OfflCf AfllCAIN •• MAlGACHf DEMANDE D'ENREGISTREMENT
~ ; OIJNDt IC '-'-O~"J d• la hopri4~ lndustrielle

___
g P. 887 D'UNE MARQUE
YAOUNOf (C. -W1' J IM •-<kll!MtV1Ul•U,..._..•1 9') - - I U

MANOAlAIRf · N om _u1 od1e,ue ,
·-
- - .llbort U!leau:. ' · - •
~"' d~ lo Mo•avo (•n N><t )
._..,__
I • MANOATAIR:E • Nom et odrmse :

_........... . ........
Modti. . lo ~ ~ llOlrJ
. . P. " ' • llonaaS (s.c..1.)

_
" - .....- ..._
2 ·ffP~..,~1-w::-.~1~• ',
I/ ............. •ll&r&-.Je

_..
-·---·~ l
'-

------·-·· I
J ·~·~·'Ml!'~,·~~'~"~'
......u.•• j- 1
..
,.""--~

..u - 1 . 4
~

~ ..____. _
.... " ' · -

~I=-:,.T-9.::=1'°--==:s:
..,,,._
=---r!'=;
. ,r.:=i:.:
.......... _,.._.
~_,.._- " a 11 ••--;-
(-.C.A.J
2 • OUOSANT · Nom, ~a.fcUnomi notlonldomidle:

·LJttl
~
-z
--l
tr!
:i:i
z
>
--l
.. . . .... ~ ....i . w
-W-:-coo t:-·· . ~ ..._ .... z
~-
a

>
t"'

··-"""'""·
• • Prodults designes :

"- ~w de1) l!laM-.J111A'l'nr~ as:i= -*c-.1- . ---""-.:.--.,.;;...
"'c
:i:i
---· - ------- - <
tr!
-<
'Tl
()
c
:i:i
:i:i
tr!
z

___
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.. °'>

.. _... _.
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c... ..................... ....
, >
>
~, ...... ...... . .
~ ~ ....... ,. IO.MLP.l
"
()

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N
6. Certificates of Registration of two Baha'{ symbols with the Office Africain et Malgache de la Propriete Industrielle (African -...l
VI
Office of Industrial Property) on behalf of the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Central African Empire, the Cameroon
Republic, and the Ivory Coast; 18 Aul(ust 1978.
276 THE BAHA'f WORLD

\Allf-~

1fiTolR'T~ 2 5 8 8.-if.•illf ~'.lfil~, 'lllf·i.fi~ ~Th~llit, 196 1
( 196 1 <fiT 4 3 ) cti1" mu 1 o . 1¢1' ~aru ( 2 3-tr ) if;-
~ (v) lITU ~ ~ <fi1' ~ rn ~I II~ ~~
"if;qJI m
~ ~ ~ m
~,, -tr f'faf<c•1 ~ l 911-1s
it ~ ~ « ~ a"ro it; Slail:Jt'11tf ~fu~f;u1 ~ ~I
[~o 2420(1'ifo ~o 197/197/77 !Alo llfio ~I)]

INCOME TAX
S.O. 2588.-In exercise of the powers conferred bv clause
(v) of sub-section (23C) of section 10 of the Income-tax Act.
1961, (43 of 1961 ), the Central Government hereb:; notifies
"National Spriritual Assembly of the Baba' is of India" for
the purpose of .the said section for and from the assessment
year(s) 1977-78 .
.I
{No. 2420 (F. No. 197 /197 /77-IT. AI)]

7. Extract from the Gazette of India for 9 September 1978, relating to exemption
from income tax of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahti'fs of India, with
translation into English.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 277
l... '"' .. . . . . ;#ii t·:,t
h : ~ ~.,. 't \)j"'
l.kt •. Journalnr. 6629-4
f8ede"I. a~rl I •k.rl ...elwr
d•n"'41 •-V ved'O'"'"I0..1

""'"-IC,d. 9. november 1978.
NB/"c

til r4deta andragende af 26. mart• 1974 akal man
• at lliaiateriet vil vmre aindat pl dero• i hvert enkelt til•
~fft andrapnde at aeddele en peraon, der er -dlem a£ Dat
....lS.- rid for Bah&•ia i Dammark aller et a£ da lokale
.... ---Sndtgelae til at foretage aigtevielae med borcerlig
~.......t at parterne eller en af dem barer til troaaaaf'un-

1111i!;ll.I& ~re vere an forudaetning for meddelelae at' aL~an
1 at 4en fre11,gangam4de, der agtea fulgt ved vielaera fore•
......... af kirkelliniateriet, Jfr. herved. ecteakabalov-
• :u.•••• i.
b• ••r ...-tryk af qteakabel-en, ld.niahrieh bekendtger•
~ ..._,..,.., 19'9 og 1,5. l'ebruar .1971t •-t cirkul11re af 16•
.. • IEUtleliC violH lldea for folllekirlrea, idet . . . - d
~ lllJI • •• 'CM ,,.. ~YOlH el ............ - viehHbe- .
....... .....,....., t&~. 'oroll:riftol'lll9 1 cirkultlreta kapitel a.

llotnationule &ndolige r&d
for Jkh& •is i nanmark
v/Hr , Pnllc Bischof'f ro. be·1 Jensen
Sofiuvcj 2!.I
:!900 llellcru...,

8. Letter dated 9 November 1978 from Ministry of Churches, legalizing Baha'i
marriage in Denmark.
---"'"
. --./- ,.,.,,_ ~ - , .:#',Ill ._,.~i.tlll!,~,11 ~ , L-......,. N

/
-..J
' 00

"'
-·9'F9D1Wlertp
~~..:q
~

- Government of the Cook Islands H •
..........
........__ """"
!'"" at . . ..u;p...
.t....iiO ..........:
.......
Tda:Ml JIM
20-1171
......._.
OIOO: ul lhc Mlnlau...- ol Justico,

..........
Mr Te-ata llakirere
~
,

........ ..
.--.i.......,.,
~

.,

L -··gr
Dear llr ICakinre, 09*~
.,i
, 1 now h&ve pleuure in forvardi119 a C.rtif-icate
of Approval of Reli9iowa Organisation e280Ut.d under :i::
91 hand on 20 Deoemt»r, . 1978. tI1
. . .t. wialau for Cbriatau an4 the - Year. M'IEltJ,. !IWtl!P . . . . . al
>
Your• alncerely, :i::
.... Ollplli•._ _......... - 1'nt I, >
,_:;,
r ..., . m:r - . . . . ., .......
~
~ ..... ..,....i· • ... en t" · r•' aa . . 0
:xi
- Ia1-U et . . - . . . i ....,...,. .....a,., . . r

.............. ..,.,.....,;"....
.....la. 0
f< --
~"
" ' - -----
-
(Y.&.&.1.--.. ._,
- ~~= ---:-_=-.t; '- -

I d - " 'rMM

~

9. Certificate ofApproval of Religious Organization authorizing establishment of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is
of the Cook Islands, 20 December 1978, with cover letter.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 279

..
·1

,,,..;..11 ~· .;• ~·
~I ,,,Al ~· Jt,- lll 'J'~..

1...!.1 J,. ~,,...,
,ft)J ........ ........1 d"" '1b_
IJlll,,t- . - ~I ,.SI.di #

,,. :... .
.,_..
.,...._.
.-..1
~
cl'- -" ,...l
..... ~...... ...--
..........""' {

-·- .,
i,..- .-.-JI .••,.,JI 1ḥ
.,_. . .-.-JI .....,. ~
.,_.. ..,.- ...
.,_.. ...~ ......

JO. Letter dated 3 February 1979 addressed to Court of Personal Status for
Non-Muslims by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'(s of the Sudan,
designating representative to appear before the Court in matters of Baha'( personal
status, and in particular in matters of inheritance, with annotation of acknowledgment and filing by the Court.
280 TH E BAHA'f WORLD

-, ·::

p OOCUlfEUft
.: ..
CONSl!IL JUDICL\IRB
CMINET DU -llOEHT
GEllEllAL DE IJI REl'll8UCIUE
:.,;
,.J .•

~:
I ~~J i. ll ~ o:" f' r"if,..
.~. ,.; ,. 1 +··,..11 p ~p + i.rf•'J" 1 ,.
, ,. ... u~ · ·a • T~ ..: ,.. 1, ...
.,...!",.,..,_t,..,. .,. '11 '7,~ .._,.."°' 4

-·

11. Letter dated 9 March 1979 from the Procurer General of the Republic,
confirming that the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'{s of Zafre obtained
civil personality by ordinance on 9 June 1972, and is entitled to carry out its
activities in conformity with its by-laws as long as that ordinance is not abrogated.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 281

S1'ATE OF ILL/NO/$
EIGHTY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
HOUSE 0/1 IUilltUENTATWU
Ro.#R#OlllllollNo. IJO
()fferN by R.,,,__lllllH Mel'tlt1

WHEREAS. It 16 the aowtld /oH/tPI policy of IM Urtlt«I Sltlta of A'""'1al to
·~ ~ IWfḥcl for,,.. --..,.
of.. dlll-ot• -itl;Mtl
WHEREAS, TIN .....,~. dw ..... .....,.,.......,, a hl.16,,._
jllllQ'...,,,.....,
b"'llllJy tlltllcl:#d tllfll #ft#ll Of . . . . . . . . . . . . . UR I. . . .
notl011;Md
tftl

·-from
""" - ·P'O.._,. ,....,.,,
WHEREAS. TIN .... ., COW11117 a .... ,,._Ml! u
polllal «#Jiiiy. "~ -a'°--'~__,..,.,_
of d /wlllu-1 ,,_,,,,. tlNI
~
1ff' _,,._,,..,,

_, -u _,.. ...........
wflll ,,..,,,,,.,

tlwlr......,. '° ""'°"'
WHEREAS. It· II "'-Jon - ,.,.,,,,,. t1-t tlw _,.,.,..,,,. Mii .:ttmfflttl
lllflOllS .,,.. lNlllM """""" ,.,.,. - .... .,.._.. ,,. . . .,, ., ..,,..,. . .
.,..., t/ley,.,.,. doM 0..,,.100 y_,, tlNI...,, alflldMI tltl lhtlNd
StlllU; tlwefon, ff It

n.t """'°" ,,.._
RESOLVED. BY THE HOUSE OF RURUENl'ATIYU OI' THE E1611TY·
FIRST GENERAL ASSEM8LY OF THE STATI' OF IJ.LINOIS. w
dent Outer to rt1qwlt A,...toaM IC""-*'l 911 dw a.. ,.,_.•'ID ......., dw
1Jait4'1 Flllth IU IOWly • nlfP»n - - 911 lo - tltl ,.,,,., of .... ,,,,., .. ,.
llglous mlnorltlt1 lllcludlnl the ...,_'I. tll#ll """ /WI f/OIUft*. ftlltwwl tlRll .....,.,.. ...,,.
and, be It further
RESOLVED. 77tat o 1t1ll8bll copy of thl# ,,,_bk tllfll moAtlbt ff t-rr/ld
to he!ldent C.ter and &cntuy of Stare Cy"" J'G11«.
Adapted.by the Houu of Repn1mtattw1 on MOFch 15, 1979.

(µJL.. C<Rc~
Sptaker of the House

12. Resolution adopted 15 March 1979 by the House of Representatives of the
Eighty-First General Assembly, State of Illinois, calling upon the President of the
United States to urge the Government ofinin to recognize the religious character of
the Baha'( Faith, and to assure the rights of all religious minorities including the
Baha'fs.
r ']!CniWI ~lcde• ~ . '·
;',
lib bulloncy llobdi laurgon
Morda 21, 1979
-tvo. N
N
March 28. 1979
/}141 ·~
f7~.·
Hh Excellency ?1ehd1 B.azarean
Prime Hiniater
Provisional 'Revolutionary Ialamic
Government of Iran Mu Bauc\18
United StatN Senetor
Tehran. lran ~tatHS-otor

~~t: -d~
Dear Hr. Prime Minister :

The people of Iran and the United States •hare a
heritar;e of religious conviction and revolution•ry change.
~~~m ~1i~i~~~·;:r:~~~~j~n~n t~~~o~~~n~fY r!l~~l~~/b!lf:.h. :Kt Sta~;~:·:b
~~~~
Thia deep hietorical experience has generated concern a1110ng

·~.,...
Americans when it appears that the freedom to "10rship is
/T....,.
e;;;,z:to•
tht'eatened in this country or elsewhere .

;a;~
For thia reason, anxiety bas been expreaaed by many
of our constituents over how recent event• in Iran will
affect religious and ethnic minorities living there . Specifically, the co111J1Unities of Baha'is, Zoroastrian•. Jews
and Christiana appear particularly vulnerable to rahtreatl!lent by some groupa claiming to act with the authority of Paul S. Sarbanea Carl Levin
your government. United Statea Senator ~ited Stat•• Sanator ..-j

c;i;;/;r~:·t.:7·
::c
rb~~
Hr . Prime Ki.nister. we l'ecogni~e and appreciate the
rn
· ~!{~I~: ~:~~e~:~~~~::~ ~~~,.~~= ~:~i!:nw~:~i:~t~~~~; ··11n•k . tll
to discuss the future of that religious minority in Iran.
Moreover, 'the statement of the Ayatollah lChomeini concerning
religious freedom made prior to his return to Iran provides
Unit.e~at,, enoto/
U..¢
, -
.ited Statea Scnatc>r
. '
)>
::c

~~
us with • moat important source of a§surance on thia matter.
. ~·'lh.,~- . . >
....:;,
~~~e~:~~c~s r~~;~~ r;!:~r~o ~~ ~h~u~u~~c c~~~~f:ie f~~ ~~~~ss-

ment of thcae religious eroups. 8.I. Ra:r.U- .__---
United State• SeMitOT
~
United Sta. .J : t o r 0

~
We would welcome any c-oimient or message of reasau't'ance

~inz
:>"
~~~~~r:~~~e!~u~ f:~~:e~~~~ a~~l!~~u~~e t~!~c:~• f:~c~ ~hose

~~iea 1116
t"'
we represent. tJ
R.
Thank you for taking these _concerns into account. un@)° Sen• United Stataa Senator

~~
J:i,</ J:v7ta
i:1x1
Birch 8a:~?t
•
Pd4/-./
Lawton Chi le•
United Sutea Senator ~ 1-..S(}~
Un
• Mcr.overn
tatea SenatoT
United States Senator United States Senator

ih
Al-Cr-toll
Dnit. . ltatea Senator
~~r
Donald V. Stewart
United States Senat.01'

~o/1-.tif 6.le~~J\_
Ge~ ~ml:.~
•t.•;·
lftt.t....I cnator Uni t~d States Senator

13 . Letter dated 28 March 1979 signed by 22 members of the United States Senate, addressed to the Prime Minister of iran,
expressing concern for the rights of religious minorities, including the [Jahti'(s, under the new Provisional Revolutionary Islamic
Government of Iran.
PART FOUR

THE WORLD ORDER OF
BAHA'U'LLAH
I
THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

1. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
Declaration of Trust
IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE ONE, THE INCOMPARABLE, THE ALL-POWERFUL, THE ALL- KNOWING,
THE ALL- WISE.

The light that is shed from the heaven of bounty, and the benediction that shineth from the
dawning-placeofthe will of God, the Lord ofthe Kingdom ofNames, rest upon Him Who
is the Supreme Mediator, the Most Exalted Pen, Him Whom God hath made the
dawning-place of His most excellent names and the day-sprjng of His most exalted
attributes. Through Him the light ofunity hath shone forth above the horizon ofthe world,
and the law of oneness hath been revealed amidst the nations, who, with radiant faces,
have turned towards the Supreme Horizon, and acknowledged that which the Tongue of
Utterance hath spoken in the kingdom of His knowledge: 'Earth and heaven, glory and
dominion, are God's, the Omnipotent, the Almighty, the Lord of grace abounding!'

WITH joyous and thankful hearts we testify which flows from the Source of the Faith, to
to the abundance of God's Mercy, to the per- safeguard the unity of its followers, and to
fection of His Justice and to the fulfilment of maintain the integrity and flexibility of its
His Ancient Promise. teachings.
Baha'u'llah, the Revealer of God's Word in The fu.ndamental purpose animating the
this Day, the Source of Authority, the Foun- FaithofGodandHisReligion,declaresBaha'u'-
tainhead of Justice, the Creator of a new World llah, is to safeguard the interests and promote
Order, the Establisher of the Most Great the unity of the human race, and to foster the
Peace, the Inspirer and Founder of a world spirit of love and fellowship amongst men. Suf
civilization, the Judge, the Lawgiver, the fer it not to become a source of dissension and
Unifier and Redeemer of all mankind, has discord, of hate and enmity. This is the straight
proclaimed the advent of God's Kingdom on Path, the fixed and immovable foundation .
earth, has formulated its laws and ordinances, Whatsoever is raised on this foundation, the
enunciated its principles, and ordained its changes and chances of the world can never
institutions. To direct and canalize the forces impair its strength, nor will the revolution of
released by His Revelation, He instituted His countless centuries undermine its structure.
Covenant, whose power has preserved the Unto the Most Holy Book, 'Abdu'l-Baha
integrity of His Faith, maintained its unity and declares in His Will and Testament, every one
stimulated its world-wide expansion through- must turn, and all that is not expressly recorded
out the successive ministries of 'Abdu'l-Baha therein must be referred to the Universal House
and Shoghi Effendi. It continues to fulfil its of Justice.
life-giving purpose through the agency of the The provenance, the authority, the duties,
Universal House of Justice whose fundamental the sphere of action of the Universal House of
object, as one of the twin successors of Baha'u' - Justice all derive from the revealed Word of
llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha, is to ensure the con- Baha'u'llah which, together with the interpretinuity of that divinely appointed authority tations and expositions of the Centre of the
286 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Covenant and of the Guardian of the which have caused difference; to elucidate
Cause-who, after 'Abdu'l-Baha, is the sole questions that are obscure; to safeguard the
authority in the interpretation of Baha'i Scrip- personal rights, freedom and initiative of
ture-constitute the binding terms of refer- individuals; and to give attention to the presence of the Universal House of Justice and are ervation of human honour, to the developits bedrock foundation. The authority of these ment of countries and the stability of states;
Texts is absolute and immutable until such To promulgate and apply the Jaws and
time as Almighty God shall reveal His new principles of the Faith; to safeguard and
Manifestation to Whom will belong all author- enforce that rectitude of conduct which the
ity and power. Law of God enjoins; to preserve and
There being no successor to Shoghi Effendi develop the Spiritual and Administrative
as Guardian of the Cause of God, the Univer- Centre of the Baha'i Faith, permanently
sal House of Justice is the Head of the Faith fixed in the twin cities of' Akka and Haifa; to
and its supreme institution , to which all must administer the affairs of the Baha'i commuturn, and on it rests the ultimate responsibility nity throughout the world;·to guide, organize,
for ensuring the unity and progress of the co-ordinate and unify its activities; to found
Cause of God. Further, there devolve upon it institutions; to be responsible for ensuring
the duties of directing and co-ordinating the that no body or institution within the Cause
work of the Hands of the Cause, of ensuring abuse its privileges or decline in the exercise
the continuing discharge of the functions of of its rights and prerogatives; and to provide
protection and propagation vested in that for the receipt, disposition, administration
institution, and of providing for the receipt and and safeguarding of the funds, endowments
disbursement of the J:Iuququ'llah. and other properties that are entrusted to its
Among the powers and duties with which the care;
Universal House of Justice has been invested To adjudicate disputes falling within its
are: purview; to give judgement in cases of violation of the Jaws of the Faith and to pro-
To ensure the preservation of the Sacred nounce sanctions for such violations; to pro-
Texts and to safeguard their inviolability; to vide for the enforcement of its decisions; to
analyse, classify, and co-ordinate the Writ- provide for the arbitration and settlement of
ings; and to defend and protect the Cause of disputes arising between peoples; and to be
God and emancipate it from the fetters of the exponent and guardian of that Divine
repression and persecution; Justice which can alone ensure the security
To advance the interests of the Faith of of, and establish the reign of Jaw and order
God: to proclaim, propagate and teach its in, the world.
Message; to expand-and consolidate the
The members of the Universal House of Jusinstitutions of its Administrative Order; to
tice, designated by Baha'u'llah 'the Men of
usher in the World Order of Baha'u'llah; to
Justice', 'the people of Baha who have been
promote the attainment of those spiritual
mentioned in the Book of Names', 'the Trusqualities which should characterize Baha'i
tees of God amongst His servants and the daylife individually and collectively; to do its
springs of authority in His countries', shall in
utmost for the realization of greater cordialthe discharge of their responsibilities ever bear
ity and comity amongst the nations and for
in mind the following standards set forth by
the attainment of universal peace; and to
Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Cause of
foster that which is conducive to the enlight-
God:
enment and illumination of the souls of men
and the advancement and betterment of the 'In the conduct of the administrative
world; affairs of the Faith, in the enactment of the
To enact Jaws and ordinances not express- legislation necessary to supplement the Jaws
ly recorded in the Sacred Texts; to abro- of the Kittib-i-Aqdas, the members of the
gate, according to the changes and require- Universal House of Justice, it should be
ments of the time, its own enactments; to borne in mind, are not, as Baha'u'llah's
deliberate and decide upon all problems utterances clearly imply, responsible to
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 287
those whom they represent, nor are they The Universal House of Justice was first
allowed to be governed by the feelings, the elected on the first day, of the Festival of Ric,1-
general opinion, and even the convictions of van in the one hundred and twentieth year of
the mass of the faithful , or of those who the Baha'i Era, 1 when the members of the
directly elect them. They are to follow, in a National Spiritual Assemblies, in accordance
prayerful attitude, the dictates and prompt- with the provisions of the Will and Testament
ings of their conscience. They may, indeed of' Abdu'l-Baha, and in response to the sumthey must, acquaint themselves with the mons of the Hands of the Cause of God, the
conditions prevailing among the community, Chief Stewards of Baha'u'llah's embryonic
must weigh dispassionately in their minds World Commonwealth, brought into being this
the merits of any case presented for their 'crowning glory' of the administrative instituconsideration, but must reserve for them- tions of Baha'u'Ilah, the very 'nucleus and
selves the right of an unfettered decision. forerunner' of His World Order. Now, there-
God will verily inspire them with whatsoever fore, in obedience to the Command of God and
He willeth, is Baha'u'llah's incontrovertible with entire reliance upon Him, we, the memassurance. They, and not the body of those bers of the Universal House of Justice, set our
who either directly or indirectly elect them, hands and its seal to this Declaration of Trust
have thus been made the recipients of the which, together with the By-Laws hereto
divine guidance which is at once the life- appended, form the Constitution of the Uniblood and ultimate safeguard of this Revela- versal House of Justice.
tion.' 1
21 April 1963 A.D .

Hugh E. Chance

Hushmand Fatheazam

Amoz E. Gibson

David Hofman

H. Borrah Kavelin

Ali Nakhjavani

David S. Ruhe

Ian C. Semple

Charles Wolcott

Facsimile of signatures on the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice;
26November1972.
288 THE BAHA'I WORLD

By-Laws
PREAMBLE

THE Universal House of Justice is the su- Baha'is of that locality. Every such Spiritual
preme institution of an Administrative Order Assembly shall be elected annually thereafter
whose salient features, whose authority and upon each successive First Day of Ric;!van. The
whose principles of operation are clearly enun- members shall hold office for the term of one
ciated in the Sacred Writings of the Baha'i year or until their successors are elected.
Faith and their authorized interpretations. When, however, the number of Baha'is as
This Administrative Order consists, on the one aforesaid in any locality is exactly nine, these
hand, of a series of elected councils , universal, shall on the First Day of Ric;!van constitute
secondary and local, in which are vested legis- themselves the Local Spiritual Assembly by
lative, executive and judicial powers over the joint declaration.
Baha'i community and, on the other, of emi- 1. The general powers and duties of a Local
nent and devoted believers appointed for the Spiritual Assembly are as set forth in the
specific purposes of protecting and propagat- Writings of Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha and
ing the Faith of Baha'u'llah under the guidance Shoghi Effendi and as laid down by the
of the Head of that Faith. Universal House of Justice.
This Administrative Order is the nucleus 2. A Local Spiritual Assembly shall exercise
and pattern of the World Order adumbrated by full jurisdiction over all Baha'i activities and
Baha'u'llah. In the course of its divinely pro- affairs within its locality, subject to the propelled organic growth its institutions will visions of the Local Baha'i Constitution. 1
expand, putting forth auxiliary branches and 3. The area of jurisdiction of a Local Spiritual
developing subordinate agencies, multiplying Assembly shall be decided by tl:ie National
their activities and diversifying their functions, Spiritual Assembly in accordance with the
in consonance with the principles and purposes principle laid down for each country by the
revealed by Baha'u'llah for the progress of the Universal House of Justice.
human race.
III. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL
I. MEMBERSHIP IN THE ASSEMBLIES
BAHA'f COMMUNITY Whenever it is decided by the Universal
The Baha'i Community shall consist of all House of Justice to form in any country or
persons recognized by the Universal House of region a National Spiritual Assembly, the vot-
Justice as possessing the qualifications of Baha'i ing members of the Baha'i community of that
faith and practice. country or region shall, in a manner and at a
time to be decided by the Universal House of
1. In order to be eligible to vote and hold elec-
Justice, elect their delegates to their National
tive office, a Baha'i must have attained the
Convention. These delegates shall, in turn,
age of twenty-one years.
elect in the manner provided in the National
2. The rights, privileges and duties of indi-
Baha'i Constitution 2 a body of nine members
vidual Baha'is are as set forth in the Writto be known as the National Spiritual Assemings of Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha and
bly of the Baha'is of that country or region. The
Shoghi Effendi and as laid down by the
members shall continue in office for a period of
Universal House of Justice.
one year or until their successors shall be
II. LOCAL SPIRITUAL elected.
ASSEMBLIES 1. The general powers and duties of a National
Whenever in any locality the number of Spiritual Assembly are as set forth in the
Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi
Baha'is resident therein who have attained .the
Effendi and as laid down by the Universal
age of twenty-one exceeds nine, these shall on
the First Day of Ric;lvan convene and elect a House of Justice.
By-Laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly . Seep. 361.
local administrative body of nine members to 2 Declaration of Trust and By-Laws for a National Spiritual
be known as the Spiritual Assembly of the Assembly. See pp. 337, 340.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 289
2. The National Spiritual Assembly shall have era! conduct of their affairs of self-contained
exclusive jurisdiction and authority over all aloofness, the suspicion of secrecy, the stifling
the activities and affairs of the Baha'i Faith atmosphere of dictatorial assertiveness and of
throughout its area. It shall endeavour to every word and deed that may savour of parstimulate, unify and co-ordinate the man- tiality, self-centredness and prejudice; and
ifold activities of the Local Spiritual while retaining the sacred right of final decision
Assemblies and of individual Baha'is in its in their hands, to invite discussion, ventilate
area and by all possible means assist them to grievances, welcome advice and foster the
promote the oneness of mankind . It shall sense of interdependence and co-partnership,
furthermore represent its national Baha'i of understanding and mutual confidence becommunity in relation to other national tween themselves and all other Baha'is.
Baha'i communities and to the Universal
V. THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE
House of Justice.
OF JUSTICE
3. The area of jurisdiction of a National
Spiritual Assembly shall be as defined by the The Universal House of Justice shall consist
Universal House of Justice. of nine men who have been elected from the
4. The principal business of the National Con- Baha'i community in the manner hereinafter
vention shall be consultation on Baha'i provided.
activities, plans and policies and the election
1. ELECTION
of the members of the National Spiritual
Assembly, as set forth in the National Baha'i The members of the Universal House of
Constitution. Justice shall be elected by secret ballot by
(a) If in any year the National Spiritual the members of all National Spiritual
Assembly shall consider that it is imprac- Assemblies at a meeting to be known as the
ticable or unwise to hold the National International Baha'i Convention.
Convention, the said Assembly shall (a) An election of the Universal House of
provide ways and means by which the Justice shall be held once every five
annual election and the other essential years unless otherwise decided by the
business of the Convention may be con- Universal House of Justice, and those
ducted. elected shall continue in office until such
(b) Vacancies in the membership of the time as their successors shall be elected
National Spiritual Assembly shall be and the first meeting of these successors
filled by a vote of the delegates compos- is duly held.
ing the Convention which elected the (b) Upon receiving the call to Convention
Assembly, the ballot to be taken by cor- each National Spiritual Assembly shall
respondence or in any other manner submit to the Universal House of Justice
decided by the National Spiritual a list of the names of its members. The rec-
Assembly. ognition and seating of the delegates to
the International Convention shall be
IV. OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS vested in the Universal House of Justice .
OF SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES ( c) The principle business of the Interna-
Among the most outstanding and sacred tional Convention shall be to elect the
duties incumbent upon those who have been members of the Universal House of Juscalled upon to initiate, direct and co-ordinate tice, to deliberate on the affairs of the
the affairs of the Cause of God as members of Baha'i Cause throughout the world, and
its Spiritual Assemblies are: to win by every to make recommendations and suggesmeans in their power the confidence and affec- tions for the consideration of the Unition of those whom it is their privilege to serve; versal House of Justice.
to investigate and acquaint themselves with the ( d) The sessions of the International Conconsidered views, the prevailing sentiments vention shall be conducted in such manand the personal convictions of those whose ner as the Universal House ofJ ustice shall
welfare it is their solemn obligation to pro- from time to time decide.
mote; to purge their deliberations and the gen- (e) The Universal House of Justice shall
290 THE BAHA'f WORLD

provide a procedure whereby those ship on the Universal House of Justice
delegates who are unable to be present only with the approval of the Universal
in person at the International Conven- House of Justice.
tion shall cast their ballots for the elec- 3. BY-ELECTION
tion of the members of the Universal If a vacancy in the membership of the
House of Justice. Universal House of Justice occurs, the Uni-
(f) If at the time of an election the Universal versal House of Justice shall call a by-
House of Justice shall consider that it is election at the earliest possible date unless
impracticable or unwise to hold the such date, in the judgement of the Universal
International Convention it shall deter- House of Justice, falls too close to the date of
mine how the election shall take place. a regular election of the entire membership,
(g) On the day of the election the ballots of in which case the Universal House of Justice
all voters shall be scrutinized and may, at its discretion, defer the filling of the
counted and the result certified by tellers vacancy to the time of the regular election. If
appointed in accordance with the a by-election is held, the voters shall be the
instructions of the Universal House of members of the National Spiritual Assem-
Justice. lies in office at the time of the by-election.
(h) If a member of a National Spiritual
4. MEETINGS
Assembly who has voted by mail ceases
to be a member of that National (a) After the election of the Universal
Spiritual Assembly between the time of House of Justices the first meeting shall
casting his ballot and the date of the be called by the member elected by the
counting of the ballots, his ballot shall highest number of votes or, in his
nevertheless remain valid unless in the absence or other incapacity, by the
interval his successor shall have been member elected by the next highest
elected and the ballot of such successor number of votes or, in case two or more
shall have been received by the tellers. members have received the same high-
(i) In case by reason of a tie vote or votes est number of votes, then by the
the full membership of the Universal member selected by lot from among
House of Justice is not determined on those members. Subsequent meetings
the first ballot, then one or more addi- shall be called in the manner decided by
tional ballots shall be held on the per- the Universal House of Justice.
sons tied until all members are elected. (b) The Universal House of Justice has no
The electors in the case of additional officers. It shall provide for the conduct
ballots shall be the members of National of its meetings and shall organize its
Spiritual Assemblies in office at the time activities in such manner as it shall from
each subsequent vote is taken . time to time decide.
(c) The business of the Universal House of
2. VACANCIES IN MEMBERSHIP Justice shall be conducted by the full
A vacancy in the membership of the Uni- membership in consultation, except that
versal House of Justice will occur upon the the Universal House of Justice may from
death of a member or in the following cases: time to time provide for quorums of less
than the full membership for specified
(a) Should any member of the Universal
House of Justice commit a sin injurious classes of business.
to the common weal, he may be dismiss- 5. SIGNATURE
ed from membership by the Universal The signature of the Universal House of
House of Justice. Justice shall be the words 'The Universal
(b) The Universal House of Justice may at House of Justice' or in Persian 'Baytu'lits discretion declare a vacancy with ' Adl-i-A'?am' written by hand by any one of
respect to any member who in its judge- its members upon authority of the Universal
ment is unable to fulfil the functions of House of Justice, to which shall be affixed in
membership. each case the Seal of the Universal House of
(c) A member may relinquish his member- Justice.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 291
6. RECORDS Local Spiritual Assembly to the
National Spiritual Assembly which shall
The Universal House of Justice shall pro- determine whether it shall take jurisdicvide for the recording and verification of its tion of the matter or refer it back to the
decisions in such manner as it shall, from
Local Spiritual Assembly for reconsidtime to time, judge necessary.
eration. If such an appeal concerns the
membership of a person in the Baha'i
VI. BAHA'f ELECTIONS
communtiy, the National Spiritual
In order to preserve the spiritual character Assembly is obliged to take jurisdiction
and purpose of Baha'i elections the prac- of and decide the case.
tices of nomination or electioneering, or any (b) Any Baha'i may appeal from a decision
other procedure or activity detrimental to that of his National Spiritual Assembly to the
character and purpose shall be eschewed. A Universal House of Justice which shall
silent and prayerful atmosphere shall prevail determine whether it shall take jurisdicduring the election so that each elector may tion of the matter or leave it within the
vote for none but those whom prayer and final jurisdiction of the National
reflection inspire him to uphold. Spiritual Assembly.
(c) If any differences arise between two or
1. All Baha'i elections, except elections of
more Local Spiritual Assemblies and if
officers of Local and National Spiritual
these Assemblies are unable to resolve
Assemblies and committees, shall be by
them, any one such Assembly may bring
plurality vote taken by secret ballot.
the matter to the National Spiritual
2. Election of the officers of a Spiritual Assem-
Assembly which shall thereupon take
bly or committee shall be by majority vote of
jurisdiction of the case. If the decision of
the Assembly or committee taken by secret
the National Spiritual Assembly thereon
ballot.
is unsatisfactory to any of the Assem-
3. In case by reason of a tie vote or votes the
blies concerned, or if a Local Spiritual
full membership of an elected body is not
Assembly at any time has reason to
determined on the first ballot, then one or
believe that actions of its National
more additional ballots shall be taken on the
Spiritual Assembly are affecting
persons tied until all members are elected.
adversely the welfare and unity of that
4. The duties and rights of a Baha'i elector may
Local Assembly's community, it shall, in
not be assigned nor may they be exercised
either case, after seeking to compose its
by proxy.
difference of opinion with the National
Spiritual Assembly, have the right to
VII. THE RIGHT OF REVIEW
appeal to the Universal House of Jus-
The Universal House of Justice has the right tice, which shall determine whether it
to review any decision or action of any Spiritual shall take jurisdiction of the matter or
Assembly, National or Local, and to approve, leave it within the final jurisdiction of the
modify or reverse such decision or action. The National Spiritual Assembly.
Universal House of Justice also has the right to
intervene in any matter in which a Spiritual 2. An appellant, whether institution or indi-
Assembly is failing to take action or to reach a vidual, shall in the first instance make appeal
decision and, at its discretion, to require that to the Assembly whose decision is quesaction be taken, or itself to take action directly tioned, either for reconsideration of the case
in the matter. by that Assembly or for submission to a
higher body. In the latter case the Assembly
VIII. APPEALS
is in duty bound to submit the appeal
The right of appeal exists in the circum- together with full particulars of the matter.
stances, and shall be exercised according to the If an Assembly refuses to submit the appeal,
procedures outlined below: or fails to do so within a reasonable time, the
1. (a) Any member of a local Baha'i commu- appellant may take the case directly to the
nity may appeal from a decision of his higher authority.
292 THE BAHA'I WORLD

IX. THE BOARD OF propagation of the Faith , the numbers of
COUNSELLORS whose members shall be set by the Universal
House of Justice . The members of these Aux-
The institution of the Boards of Counsellors iliary Boards shall serve under the direction of
was brought into being by the Universal House the Continental Board of Counsellors and shall
of Justice to extend into the future the specific act as their deputies , assistants and advisers.
functions of protection and propagation con- 1. The members of the Auxiliary Boards shall
ferred upon the Hands of the Cause of God. be appointed from among the believers of
The members of these boards are appointed by that zone by the Continental Board of
the Universal House of Justice. Counsellors.
1. The term of office of a Counsellor, the 2. Each Auxiliary Board member shall be
number of Counsellors on each Board, and alloted a specific area in which to serve and,
the boundaries of the zone in which each unless specifically deputized by the Counsel-
Board of Counsellors shall operate, shall be lors, shall not function as a member of the
decided by the Universal House of Justice. Auxiliary Board outside that area.
2. A Counsellor functions as such only within 3. An Auxiliary Board member is eligible for
his zone and should he move his residence any elective office but if elected to an
out of the zone for which he is appointed he administrative post on a national or local
automatically relinquishes his appointment. level must decide whether to retain mem-
3. The rank and specific duties of a Counsellor bership on the Board or accept the adminisrender him ineligble for service on local or trative post, since he may not serve in both
national administrative bodies. If elected to capacities at the same time. If elected to the
the Universal House of Justice he ceases to Universal House of Justice he ceases to be a
be a Counsellor. member of the Auxiliary Board.

XI. AMENDMENT
X. THE AUXILIARY BOARDS
This Constitution may be amended by deci-
In each zone there shall be two Auxiliary sion of the Universal House ofJustice when the
Boards, one for the protection and one for the full membership is present.

The Hands of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahti Ru.l:ziyyih Khtinum and Paul Haney (to the right) with
members of the Universal House of Justice elected at Riljvtin 1978. Left to right: Mr. 'A[(
Nakhjavtin(, Mr. H. Borrah Kave/in, Mr. Amoz Gibson, Mr. Hushmand Fatheazam, Mr. Jan
Semple, Dr. David S. Ruhe, Mr. Charles Wolcott, Mr. David Hofman, Mr. Hugh Chance. A
reproduction ofone ofM ishkfn-Qalam's illuminated designs o f'The Greatest Name' forms the
backdrop.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 293

2. THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL
CONVENTION FOR THE ELECTION OF
THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
Ri9van 1978

THIRTEEN Hands of the Cause of God , gift of Baha' u'llah, the refuge and hope of
fifty-two members of twelve Continental mankind.
Boards of Counsellors, and 474 members rep- 'You are privileged to vote for the Univerresenting 108 National Spiritual Assemblies sal House of Justice, the body that watches
gatheted at the World Centre of the Faith dur- over the destinies of the Faith of Baha'u'llah,
ing the Ric;lvan Festival for the Fourth Interna- the body that guides, protects, and encourages
tional Baha'i Convention. The nine members us as we steer our course to the Kingdom of
of the Universal House of Justice and the three God on earth .'
Counsellors residing in the Holy Land were She concluded: 'How great, how sacred is
also present. the responsibility that confronts those who
The delegates enjoyed three days of pilgrim- vote in this election, seeking help, guidance,
age and prayers at the Shrines and Holy Places and inspiration from Baha' u'llah.'
of the Faith, cast their votes in the election of Then, as Ru9iyyih Khanum presided, the
the Universal House of Justice, saw and heard chief teller-Mr. Jameson Bond of
reports on the progress of the Faith during the Canada-began to call the roll of the 1,107
first four years of the Five Year Plan, and par- members of the 123 National Spiritual
ticipated in many hours of consultation on the Assemblies in the Baha'i world.
means required for the complete achievement As the delegates moved to the auditorium
of the goals of the Plan. stage to cast their votes, the remaining dele-
In addition , the fifty-two Counsellors gates and visitors spontaneously applauded as
remained in the Holy Land for another five the names of National Assemblies were calldays for consultation with the thirteen Hands ed-in some cases with increased enthusiasm
of the Cause and the three Counsellors who , as particularly great achievements of the
with the remaining three Hands of the Cause 1 believers in some areas of the world were
who were unable to be present, constitute the remembered, or particular hardships recalled.
International Teaching Centre of the Faith. Many of the delegates were dressed in the
The members of the Universal House of Jus- costumes of their homelands, and the total
tice also joined in the consultation. effect of the colourful procession was one of
solemn dignity, great enthusiasm and joy, and
Saturday, 29 April humble awareness of the importance of the
The delegates, who had previously enjoyed election itself.
three days of prayers in the Shrines of the Faith Fifteen of the 123 National Spiritual
and pilgrimage to many of its Holy Places, Assemblies , through circumstances beyond
gathered in Haifa Auditorium for the election their control, were not able to be represented
of the Universal House of Justice . at the Cortvention. The tellers cast their bal-
The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l- lots, which had been sent by mail, as .t he roll
Baha Ru9iyyih Khanum, who presided, wel- was called. Nine National Assemblies had all of
comed the delegates to the first session of the their members present: Canada, Denmark,
Convention and set the theme for the election Germany, fran, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland,
with these words: 'World society is disinte- the United Kingdom, and the United States.
grating before our eyes- political, social, Eleven others had eight members present, and
economic, and religious systems alike- and twelve were represented by seven members.
the only refuge that remains for mankind is this The election process took all morning to
Dr. Adelbert Miihlschlegel , Enoch Olinga, l;lasan M. complete. The tellers then retired to tabulate
Balyiizi. the results of the election.
294 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Counsellor Thelma Khelgati of Western Africa (back row, centre) with delegates from Niger
who participated in the fourth International Convention for the election ofthe Universal House
of Justice; Rit;lvtin 1978. Left to right: Mrs . Doris Dejwakh, Mr. Moussa Kangai Kamaya,
Mrs. Parvin Djoneidi, Mr. Hassane Adanou, Mr. Mohammad Djoneidi.

Early in the afternoon, the participants since the role of the Universal House of Justice
assembled at the construction site of the Seat of is to protect, enforce, and enact new laws for
the Universal House of Justice-on the Arc of the world in the Name of Baha'u'llah. 'From
Mt. Carmel in the vicinity of the Shrine of the this source (the House of Justice) will come the
Bab and just above the .resting-places of the Justice that Baha'u'llah speaks of in His Writ-
Sister, Mother, and Brother of 'Abdu'l- ings,' she said, pointing out that today-when
Baha-for a solemn but joyous ceremony in the Administrative Order is still being built and
which a casket containing Dust from the the Faith is still attempting to spread itself
Shrines of the Bab and Baha' u'llah was placed throughout the world-we are enjoying the
in the structure by Amatu'l-Baha RuJ:ifyyih 'paternal and loving forebearance of the gui-
Khan um on behalf of the Universal House of dance and protection of the House of Justice.'
Justice. Then she added: 'But the day will come when it
The Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery , will blaze with Justice! That will be the day of
who presided, pointed out to the delegates that the solution of all the problems of the world!'
it was 'something unique we are witnessing RuJ:iiyyih Khanum then unveiled a box ,
here', and he recalled how Shoghi Effendi, in which contained a silver casket (a gift to her
anticipation of the establishment of the Uni- from the Guardian) in which were sealed two
versal House of Justice, had called into exis- small boxes containing the Dust from the two
tence the International Baha'i Council. The Holy Shrines and a scroll written in English and
audience applauded warml y as Dr. Giachery Persian which described the contents of the
called to the front of the group Miss Ethel casket.
Revell , who with RuJ:ifyyih Khanum and Dr. As the assemblage quietly sang Alltih-u-
Giachery was a member of the original Council Abhti, RuJ:iiyyih Khanum-accompanied by
appointed by Shoghi Effendi. architect I:Iusayn Amanat and 'Aziz
Then RuJ:iiyyih Khanum established the Khabfrpur, the resident engineer for the contheme and purpose of the ceremony. She struction-ascended a set of temporary steps
pointed out that, to her, the Shrine of Baha'u'- to a small niche which had been prepared in the
llah is a 'Wellspring of Peace' on the planet; building, high above the main entrance. With
that out of His Resting-Place pours a fountain her own hands, she placed the casket in the
of peace. 'But from this building will e manate niche, took up a trowel , and sealed it into place.
the Laws of the Dispensation of Baha' u'll ah', The ceremony was preceded and followed
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 295

Mr. Anthony Providence of St. Vincent, Partial view of the exhibit on display during
Windward Islands, addressing his fellow the fourth International Convention.
delegates during the fourth International
Convention.

Delegates from Japan who participated in the fourth International Convention for the election
of the Universal House of Justice; Rit;ivan 1978. Left to right: Mr. Abbas Katirai, Mr. A.
Moghbel, Mr. Yuzo Yamaguchi, Miss Nobuko lwakura, Mrs. Barbara Sims, Mr. Shigeyuki
Hayashi.
296 THE BAHA'f WORLD

by a programme of prayers and readings in Cause. Many told of difficulties the friends in
Persian, English, Portuguese, Swahili, and their areas had met and overcome in their
French. efforts to spread the Teachings and promote
Immediately afterwards, the delegates the work of the Cause.
assembled in the Pilgrim House courtyard, in Finally, at the close of the session, Mr.
the vicinity of the Shrine of the Bab, for the Haney called for the report of the tellers. The
celebration of the Ninth Day of Ric;lvan. The chief teller reported that 1,056 ballots had
Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qasim Faizi presided been received and 9,333 votes had been tabuat the programme. After readings and prayers lated. Then, as he read the names of the nine
in English, Arabic, French, Persian, and Span- men elected to the Universal House of Justice,
ish, the delegates and visitors-led by each made his way to the stage to stand before
RuJ:ifyyih Khanum and Mr. Faizi-circumam- the Convention. They were:
bulated the Shrine in which are entombed the Mr. Ali Nakhjavanf
earthly remains of the Bab, the 'Martyr- Mr. Hushmand Fatheazam
Prophet and Herald' of the Faith of Bah- Mr. Amoz Gibson
a'u'llah, and of 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Centre of Mr. Ian Semple
Baha'u'llah's Covenant with mankind. Dr. David Ruhe
On Saturday evening, the delegates reas- Mr. David Hofman
sembled in Haifa Auditorium for an audio- Mr. Charles Wolcott
visual presentation on the state of the Five Mr. Hugh Chance
Year Plan. The Hand of the Cause William Mr. H. Borrah Kavelin
Sears presided and helped narrate an impres- The delegates stood in spontaneous
sive slide programme which recounted the applause, and after Mr. Nakhjavanf spoke a
manifold accomplishments of the Baha'fs of few words on behalf of the men of the House of
the world during the first four years of the Plan, Justice, the session closed with the delegates
and pointed the way to victories yet to be singing Allah-u-Abhti and Ya-Bahti'u'l-Abhti.
achieved. Consultation continued in the afternoon ses-
In his closing remarks, Mr. Sears reminded sion, with the Hand of the Cause H . Collis
the Baha'fs that, although significant victories Featherstone presiding. He recalled the mornhad been achieved, there was still a 'consider- ing's events with these words: 'Future generaable distance to go to win the kind of victory tions would love to have been present this
that would bring joy to the heart of Shoghi morning on the occasion of the election of the
Effendi and to the Universal House of Justice'. Universal House of Justice and the events we
He pointed out that final victory could be won were privileged to witness. As the outside
if each would dedicate himself to personal world sinks beneath a burden of trials and
transformation of his own spiritual life. tribulations, we are seeing the development of
the Cause of God in its resistless march toward
Sunday, 30 April victory.'
The Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha The Sunday evening time was given over to
RuJ:if yyih Khanum opened the session by read- consultation between representatives of
ing the Universal House of Justice's message to National Assemblies and the Continental
the Convention. She was introduced by the Boards of Counsellors in their respective
Hand of the Cause Paul Haney, who presided. zones. In addition, National Assemblies con-
The House of Justice's message was distri- sulted among themselves and with each
buted to all the delegates present and subse- other-as they did throughout the Convenquently forwarded to all National Spiritual tion-on the means for winning the final goals
Assemblies for dissemination by them to the of the Plan and on the co-ordination of mutual
believers in their jurisdictions. activities and programmes.
Then Amatu'l-Baha RuJ:ifyyih Khanum
opened the Convention to the first of five con- Monday, 1 May
sultative sessions. She particularly called on The third day of the Convention was entirely
the assembled delegates to recount some of the dedicated to consultation. The Hand of the
stories of difficulty and trials suffered for the Cause John A. Robarts presided at the morn-
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U ' LLAH 297

Delegates from Ghana who participated in the fourth International Convention for the election
of the Universal House of Justice; Rir;f,van 1978. Left to right: Mr. David Tanyi, Mr. Beattie
Casely-Hayford, Mr. Philip Smith, Mr. Andrew Sagde, Miss Eleanor O'Callaghan, Mr. Yaw
Asare, Mrs. Blanche Musah. Many delegates wore the costumes of their homelands.

Mr. Kawku Negble Attigah, a delegate from Mr. Adrien Zanou Gnambode, a delegate
Togo. from Benin.
298 THE BAHA'I WORLD

ing session . He commented that 'a recurring their experiences and victories in the teaching
theme of the remarks of the delegates was the work among various groups.
recognition of the power of the Holy Spirit, and
the fact that it can and does assist us. This is the Tuesday, 2 May
power to which we can all turn and the assis- The Hand of the Cause Dhikru'llah Khadem
tance will be given to complete our goals,' he presided over the final consultative session of
said, adding: 'Let us make this universal, divine the Convention. He reminded the friends that
power our guide in directing our energies to the Shoghi Effendi was delighted to be able to say
tasks before us. Only through clinging to this that 'The Cause of God has reached places that
power of the Holy Spirit can we overcome our are difficult to pronounce!' He told the deleown weaknesses and frailties, ignore the short- gates: 'We must respond to win the goals; we
comings of others, and be led to ultimate vic- must teach ourselves and then teach others.
tory.' We have a grave responsibility .. . If we our-
The Hand of the Cause Dr. RaJ:imatullah selves arise and take the lead in the teaching
Muhajir presided at the afternoon consultative work, the friends will follow us.'
session. He invited the delegates to direct their In the closing address to the Convention , the
attention to the subject of mass conversion. Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery summar-
He pointed out that 'We do not know when ized the events of the preceding days, and then
the Formative Age will give way to the Golden repeated the theme that had recurred through-
Age,' but that Shoghi Effendi once said that out the long sessions of the Convention: That
the efforts of the Baha'fs would 'herald the the members of the National Spiritual Assemadvent of the Golden Age of the Faith of blies themselves had a responsibility to be an
Baha'u'llah.' Therefore, Dr. Muhajir said , the example of selfless devotion, of unremitting
Baha'fs can bring the Golden Age nearer by acitivity, of constant service to the Cause.
tireless and effective teaching among the He warned that the administrators of the
masses of humanity. Faith must not believe that administration
'This is the time for growing, for gaining alone would win the victories of the Five Year
numerical strength in the Cause. The time is Plan and of the Plans that would be unveiled in
ripe-it was always ripe, for this. The Master the future, and thereby hasten the advent of
said that humanity would enter the Faith in the Golden Age of humanity. ' We must have
troops.' passion for the Cause,' he said.
Dr. Muhajir called to the stage Baha'fs from In the afternoon , the participants assembled
several regions of the world , who discussed at Bahjf for the celebration of the Twelfth Day

Silver box holding two containers of Dust from the Shrines of Bahti'u'lltih and the Bab which
was placed by the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahti Rul:ziyyih Khtinum in the new building
which will serve as the Seat of the Universal House of Justice.
....,
:c
tr1
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'T1
l:ll
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The Hands of the Cause and Counsellors gathered at Mazra'ih; May 1978. Amatu'l-Bahti Ru/:iiyyih Khtinum is seen in the centre of the
second row .

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300 THE BAHA'I WORLD

of Ric;lvan. The Hand of the Cause' Ali-Akbar the Continental Boards of Counsellors began a
Furlitan presided. The nearly 600 Baha'is were series of plenary and zonal sessions with the
seated in a giant arc around the outer perime- sixteen members of the International Teaching
ter of the f:laram-i-Aqdas, facing the Shrine of Centre who were present in the Holy Land.
Baha'u'llah, as prayers and readings were The members of the Universal House of Jusoffered in Arabic, Spanish, English, Persian, tice also attended the sessions.
and French. The meetings were for the purpose of discus-
Then, in solemn procession, Amatu'l-Baha sing the objectives of the Five Year Plan and
Ru!)fyyih Khanum and Mr. Furutan led the the development of the Institution of the
assemblage in humble circumambulation of Counsellors and their Auxiliary Boardsthe Shrine of Baha'u'llah, in Whose Name the including the use of assistants-in areas of
Convention had gathered, and for the concern such as the protection of the Faith and
advancement of Whose Cause their lives were the propagation of the Cause in years ahead.
dedicated. The zonal meetings dealt with points of more
regional concern.
Wednesday-Sunday, 3-7 May On the final day, the Hands of the Cause and
After the National Spiritual Assembly Counsellors were received by the Universal
members began dispersing to their homes House of Justice at a farewell luncheon held at
throughout the world, the fifty-two members of Mazra'ih.

Mr. Alibe Mimba, a delegate from Surinam, having just cast his ballot, is invited by Amatu'l-
Bahti Ruf:dyyih Khtinum to pause for a photograph. Ruf:ifyyih Khanum had enjoyed Mr.
Mimba's hospitality during her visit to the Bush Negro communities of Surinam on her Green
Light Expedition in 1975.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U ' LLAH 301

3. THE HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
ERECTION OF THE SEAT OF THE
UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
Address of the Hand of the Cause Paul Haney to the Baha'i
International Teaching Conference in Merida, Yucatan,
Mexico, February 4- 6, 1977

THE destiny of the Holy Land in relation to its splendour will have been disclosed before
our Faith, as every Baha'i knows, has been the eyes of all mankind' .2
foretold in the sacred Writings of the prophets In referring to the International Archives
of old, in Tablets revealed by Baha'u'llah and building, standing in the shadow of the Shrine
'Abdu'l-Baha and in the writings of Shoghi of the Bab, Shoghi Effendi told us that the
Effendi. completion of this edifice would in turn herald
The fu lfilment of these prophecies and allu- the construction of several other structures
sions began with the banishment of Baha'u'llah which would serve as the administrative seats
and His arrival in 'Akka in 1868. Since that of the divinely ordained institutions of the
historic event the spiritual heart and the nerve Faith at its World Centre. He stated that these
centre of the Baha'i world has been located in edifices would be in the shape of a far-flung arc
the Holy Land, first in 'Akka, and then in both and would surround the resting-places of the
Haifa and 'Akka, following the transfer of the Greatest Holy Leaf, the Purest Branch and the
remains of the Bab to Mount Carmel and their Holy Mother, and that their completion would
interment in the bosom of that Holy Mountain. mark the culmination of the development of
From the Holy Land, the world spiritual the world-wide, divinely-appointed adminiscentre of the Faith since 1868, the Master, and trative order of the Faith, and would fulfil the
later the Guardian, as the divinely-appointed glad tidings and promises revealed by Baha'u'-
Centres of Baha'u'llah's Covenant, fostered Ilah in the Tablet of Carmel.
and directed the spiritual and administrative It was the Tablet of Carmel which generated
development of the Cause throughout the the spiritual impulse for the rise and establish-
Baha'i world. ment of the Baha'i international institutions in
During both the early and later years of his the Holy Land, a process which Shoghi Effendi
ministry, Shoghi Effendi gradually disclosed to told us 'may be traced as far back as the conthe believers the future evolution of the World cluding years of the Heroic Age of the Faith,' 3
Centre and the glory of the divinely ordained and which will attain its final consummation in
Institutions which would be established there. the Golden Age, 'through the raising of the
In these successive and majestic messages the standard of the Most Great Peace and the
beloved Guardian described the relationship emergence in the plenitude of its power and
of these Institutions to the Shrines and Holy glory of the focal centre of the agencies con-
Places which had long comprised the world stituting the World Order of Baha'u'llah. The
spiritual centre of the Faith . Of these the final establishment of this seat of the future
Shrine· of the Bab on Mount Carmel stands Baha'i World Commonwealth will,' he told us,
pre-eminent, surpassed only by the Tomb of 'signalize at once the proclamation of the
Baha'u'llah in Bahji. The Guardian referred to sovereignty of the Founder of our Faith and the
the resting-place of the Bab as 'a focal centre of advent of the Kingdom of the Father .. .'4 Thus
divine illumination and power' 1 which would, it was the Tablet of Carmel which is the charter
as the institutions comprising the World for the development of the institutions of the
Administrative Centre of the future Baha'i Faith at its World Centre, including the estab-
2 ibid.
Commonwealth became established, continue 3
Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Balun World 1950-1957,
to flourish and expand 'until the full measure of pp. 74-75 .
Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 277. • ibid.
302 THE BAHA'I WORLD

lishment of the supreme edifice of the Universal Vivifier of mouldering bones and the Source
House of Justice. of infinite grace and bounty . It stands as the
Let us attempt to understand, through these emblem symbolizing the basic unity of all
majestic words of our beloved Guardian, the nations, governments and peoples, and as
extent of the blessing conferred upon the entire the seat of sovereignty and the dawningworld through the establishment of the Uni- place of both spiritual and temporal power.
versal House of Justice, and particularly the It is the supreme Centre to which the followsignificance of the seat of that mighty institu- ers of His most sublime and glorious Faith
tion which the Baha'is of the world are now must turn and the focal point which will mircalled upon to build . In explaining the ror forth the effulgent splendours of the
significance of the Tablet of Carmel as the Kingdom of God, the Almighty, upon all
charter for the establishment of the Universal regions. It is the fountainhead of divine civi-
House of Justice, Shoghi Effendi stated that: lization, the fairest, the noblest fruit of the
'In this great Tablet (of Carmel) which Baha'i Revelation-a civilization whose
unveils divine mysteries and heralds the effects will, during the third, the Golden Age
establishment of two mighty, majestic and of the Baha'i Dispensation and in the course
momentous undertakings . .. the Spiritual of the future Dispensations, become clearly
and Administrative World Centres of the manifest, and whose bountiful outpourings
Faith ... Baha'u'llah refers to an "Ark," will, like unto a torrential flood, burst forth
whose dwellers are the men of the Supreme upon all mankind.' 3
House of Justice, which in conformity with And in other passages referring to the time
the exact provisions of the Will and Testa- when the Supreme Institution of the House of
ment of the Centre of the Mighty Covenant Justice would be established and function from
is the body which should legislate on laws not the Holy Land, Shoghi Effendi told us that:
explicitly revealed in the Text. In this dis- 'Through it the pillars of the Faith on this
pensation, these laws are destined to flow earth will be firmly established and its hidfrom this Holy Mountain, even as in the den powers be revealed, its signs shine forth,
Mosaic Dispensation, the law of God was pro- its banners be unfurled and its light be shed
mulgated from Zion. The "sailing of the Ark" upon all peoples.' ... 'Then will be unveiled
of His laws is a reference to the establishment before our eyes the inauguration of an era
of the Universal House of Justice, . . .' 1 the like of which has never been witnessed in
In another passage the Guardian referred to past ages.' ... 'Then will the throne of
the Supreme Body of the House of Justice as Bah:i'u'llah's sovereignty be founded in the
'the dome of the Edifice' (of the Administra- promised land and the scales of justice be
tive Order of the Faith) that would have to be raised on high. Then will the banner of the
raised 'on its prescribed site on the slopes of the independence of the Faith be unfurled, and
divine Vineyard, the "Mountain of the Lord', His Most Great Law be unveiled and rivers
to adorn the institutions of God's New Order of laws and ordinances stream forth from
with this crown of high distinction'. 2 this snow-white spot with all-conquering
Therefore the construction of the building power and awe-inspiring majesty, the like of
which will be the seat of the House of Justice on which past ages have never seen. Then will
Mount Carmel is really an instruction, a com- appear the truth of what was revealed by the
mand, from our beloved Guardian, as well as Tongue of Grandeur. " Call out to Zion, 0
from the House of Justice, to which all of us, Carmel, and announce the joyful tidings: He
the Baha'is of the world, must respond, and in that was hidden from mortal eyes is come.
so doing hasten the dawn of that glorious era so His all-conquering sovereignty is manifest.
clearly foreshadowed in these majestic pas- His all-encompassing splendour is revealed
sages from the writings of Shoghi Effendi: . .. 0 Carmel . . . well is it with him that
'This World Administrative Centre of the circleth around thee, that proclaimeth the
Baha'i community constitutes the pivot of revelation of thy glory, and recounteth that
the New World Order of Him Who is the which the bounty of the Lord, thy God, hath
showered upon thee" .' 4
Shoghi Effendi, Message to the Baha'is of Persia, Naw-Ruz l ibid.
1955. ' Shoghi Effendi, Message to the BaM'is of Persia, 27
ibid. November 1929.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U ' LLAH 303

4. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE
BUILDING FOR THE SEAT OF THE
UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

The Greatest Single Undertaking of the Five Year Plan

The Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha RulJJyyih Khdnum is seen placing
the casket containing Dust from the Holy Shrines of the Faith in a niche
above the front entrance ofthe Seat ofthe Universal House ofJustice, in the
outer wall of the council chamber during the International Convention on
29April1978. Assisting her are architect Jjusayn Amanat, right, and 'Aziz
Khabfrpur, the resident engineer for the building's construction.
304 THE BAHA'I WORLD

In Chiampo, Italy sections of
the fluted columns are viewed
by, left to right, Sohrab
Youssefian, ljusayn Amanat,
'Aziz Khabfrpur and G. B.
Danda, director of Industria
dei Marmi Vicentini.
Fifty-eight columns in the
Corinthian style are used in
the building and were carved
by master craftsmen of
Chiampo.

A view of part of the
entablature. White Pentelikon
marble from Greece, also
known as 'Caesar's white', is
used in the structure.
Pentelikon marble was used in
the building of the Parthenon.

Each column is 10.80 metres
high and is adorned with a
capital ornamented by a triple
row of acanthus leaves.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 305
'It is now both necessary and possible to UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE AT COST JUST
initiate construction of a building that will not OVER TWO MILLION DOLLARS STOP FIRST SHIP-
MENT FINISHED MARBLE DELIVERED SITE
only serve the practical needs of a steadily consolidating administrative centre but will, for
centuries to come, stand as a visible expression By March 1978 construction had reached
of the majesty of the divinely ordained institu- the level of the floor immediately above the
tions of the Administrative Order of Baha'u'- council chamber and more than 2,200 tons of
llah,' the Universal House of Justice announc- finished carved marble had been delivered to
ed to the Baha'fs of the world on 5 June 197 5. the site. A contract was signed with a French
On 17 June 1975 the House of Justice firm for placing the marble on the building
cabled: after the completion of the concrete shell.
Exterior concrete construction was completed
JOYFULLY ANNOUNCE COMMENCEMENT
EXCAVATION SITE UNIVERSAL HOUSE JUSTICE by April 1979 except for the entablature , main
BUILDING ARC MOUNT CARMEL STOP CON- staircase and the annex to the lower basement.
TRACT ENTAILS REMOVAL FORTY THOUSAND The placing of the marble to sheathe the main
CUBIC METRES ROCK AND EARTH AT COST structure and the erection of all columns and
APPROXIMATELY TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS STOP INVITE ALL BELIEVERS CONTRI-
capitals is now completed and the placing of
BUTE UNSTINTINGLY BUILDING FUND UNIN- the entablature marble has commenced.
TERRUPTED PROGRESS HISTORIC UNDERTAK- Interior finishing work has begun and fabrica-
ING , tion of doors and windows in Italian walnut, as
and on 10 January 1977: well as the plaster elements for cornices, mould-
JOYFULLY ANNOUNCE SIGNATURE AGREEMENT ings and domed ceilings, is proceeding at sup-
GENERAL CONTRACTOR FOR ERECTION SEAT pliers' factories in Italy.

The site of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice on the slopes of Mt. Carmel as it
appeared when excavation commenced on 17 June 1975.
306 THE BAHA'I WORLD

When this photograph was
taken on I 7 February I 977
the first concrete footings were
being poured.

In June I 977 the walls were
being constructed for the
upper and lower basements
(looking eastward).

Pouring concrete for the
foundation; I 0 June 1977.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 307

Pouring the concrete floor of
the lower basement;
29 June 1977.

A northward view shows the
walls of the upper basement in
place; 5 July 1977.

Pouring the central columns
which support the dome as
well as, in part, the council
chamber; 15 July 1977.
308 THE BAHA'f WORLD

Further progress in
construction of upper and
lower basements;
31August1977.

.... . - ,,..- '
,
..
~

The first slab of the outer
perimeter at the ground floor
level as it appeared on
12 October 1977.

The upper and lower
basements;
26 November 1977.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U ' LLAH 309

The main staircase leading
from the grand concourse to
the council chamber floor as it
appeared on 8 January 1978.

Pouring concrete on the
council chamber level of the
building; 16 January 1978.

Forms for the walls of the
third floor are seen in place on
24 March 1978.
310 THE BAHA'f WORLD

The third floor walls were
completed when this
photograph was taken on
12 April 1978.

View of some of the delegates
to the fourth International
Convention who gathered on
29 April 1978 for the
ceremony during which the
Hand of the Cause
Amatu'l-Bahti Rul:zfyyih
Khanum placed in a niche in
the outer wall of the council
chamber a casket containing
Dust from the Holy Shrines.

By 30 June 1978 progress had
been made toward
constructing the roof and the
octagon of the dome.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 311

The first piece of marble, a
pilaster base, is seen being
lifted into place; 31July1978.

This view of the construction,
taken from the International
Archives building, shows the
progress as of
4 October 1978.

Part of the marble cladding
and a section of a column are
seen in this view showing the
advancement made as of
24 October 1978. ·
312 THE BAHA ' I WORLD

By 30 November 1978
additional cladding had been
affixed and the columns along
the east side of the building
had begun to rise, section by
section.

The columns and capitals on
the east and north sides as
they appeared on
13 December 1978.

By 24 January 1979 all the
columns on the north and east
sides had been placed and
forms prepared for pouring
supports for the entablature.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA ' U'LLAH 313

A pre-cast coffered soffit is seen being hoisted into position; 3 May 1978.
314 THE BAHA'f WORLD

5. A TRIBUTE BY CHIAMP0 1
A stirring and poignant chapter in the history ofthe erection ofthe Seat ofthe Universal
House of Justice-the mighty Centre from which God's Law shall go forth to unite and
perfect mankind-was written not at the World Centre of the Faith, but in the village of
Chiampo, Italy, where the marble for the new building was carved by the remnant of a
dwindling race of master workmen in the white stone which has quickened man's senses
for aeons.

ON 4 July 1979, the Mayor of the city of economy and local resources had offered for
Chiampo, Italy , wrote an unusual letter. over two millennia. Over the years the school
Addressed to the resident engineer in charge of trained hundreds of young people in design ,
the construction of the new building for the pottery, the history of art, and the working of
Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the marble. The school no longer exists, and only
letter said, in part: its last pupils remain in Chiampo, 'heirs to the
'I have the honour to be the Mayor of splendid and ancient art which now-unhap-
Chiampo-that is, of the town which, through pily-is perhaps dying out in our area.'
the Industria dei Marmi Vicentini, has had the The booklet continues: 'However, the comprivilege of carving the marble for the Seat of petence, virtuosity, and dedication of these last
the Universal House of Justice , Baha'i World stonecutters are gifts still recognized, appreci-
Centre, Haifa. ated, and sought after in the world-and it is
'In remembrance of this work, my Adminis- thanks to them that today, on Mount Carmel,
tration has asked-and obtained permission of in Haifa, Israel, is rising the "Parthenon of
the Industria dei Marmi Vicentini-for a du- Chiampo".'
plicate of one of the columns, to be erected in The document then describes the station and
our main square in witness of the ingenuity, the the role of the Universal House of Justice and
art, and workmanship of our valley, and also in explains some of the history and principles of
memory of a work of art and a Faith that will the Faith, adding: 'And so, in the way of all
live for centuries for the peace and brother- civilized peoples of the world, and in witness of
hood of the human race ... .' their own ideals, they wanted to enrich the
The Mayor's letter added that he and the earth by the construction of a monumental
citizens of Chiampo hope that their contribu- edifice in marble-a project almost anachtion to the beauty and perfection of the new ronistic in an era when the protagonists of
building will not be forgotten. And he enclosed building and architecture are cement, iron ,
a booklet that the city published for the dedica- aluminium, a nd glass.'
tion of the column on 17 June 1979. The building is compared with the Parth-
The booklet is a remarkable document. It enon (it is larger and more beautiful), and
relates the history of the stonecutters of recalls 'a similar edifice, in Ionic style and with
Chiampo-the origins of which are 'lost in the smaller dimensions' which was built in Haifa in
mists of time', and tells how son succeeded 1957 also by lndustria dei Marmi Vicentini-a
father in the 'noble profession' almost as a reference to the Baha'i International Archives
religious vocation, and the valley 'rang with the building, erected by Shoghi Effendi as the first
sweet song of hammers and chisels' as of the great Institutions of the Administrative
stonecutting became a ' notable and charac- World Centre to be placed around the Arc on
teristic source of life, riches, and art for the the face of Mt. Carmel.
people of Chiampo'. The booklet notes that although 2,000
In 1904, the town of Chiampo helped estab- workers laboured for fifteen years to build the
lish a local School for the Arts and Professions Parthenon, the 2,400 cubic metres (about
in an attempt to direct some of the local young 9,600 metric tons) of marble for the Seat of the
people into the one activity which the local Universal House of Justice were cut, shaped,
1 Adapted from Baha'( Internatio11a/ News Service, Bulletin and carved by twenty workmen in only 26
No. 102, 31August1979. months- 'a prodigy made possible by the use
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 315
of machines alongside manual work' in all of columns of the building in Haifa-identical in
the geometrically-designed pieces. It points material and execution-should be put in the
out, however, that painstaking hand carving by centre of the square in witness of the flourishtrue artists was necessary on many of the ing art of our region and as an example and a
pieces-the capitals, entablature, and cornices warning to the younger generations, so that
'where the marble cutting and relief work had they would not abandon an ancient and glorito recreate the magic play of light and chiaros- ous tradition.'
curo which is so enchanting in ancient build- A parchment scroll was inserted into the
ings'. column as it was erected, explaining the pur-
Then the booklet points out the reason for pose for its existence and giving the names of
erecting a duplicate of one of the columns in all of the workmen who participated in the
the main public square of Chiampo: 'admirable collaboration' between the people
The workmen realized that there was a dis- of Chiampo and the Baha'i World Centre.
tinct danger, because so few fine marble struc- The booklet contains a long poem, of forty
tures are being built today, that in Chiampo stanzas, written in the dialect of the Veneto by
itself 'of such great dedication and demon- one of the marble-workers, Giulio Piazza.
strated executive skill there would remain only Some excerpts in both the original language
the memory, inevitably destined to fade with and in a somewhat literal translation are set out
the passing of time. The marble workers, to below:
avoid this, decided that a sample of one of the

'La xe la vera storia 'This is the true story
de on tempio tanto caro of a very rare temple,
on laoro cuss{ raro of such a dear one
che lo devo racontar . ... that I want to tell you of it. . . .
'Sto gran capolavoro This great masterpiece
che xe sta Jato a Ciampa which was made in Chiampo
i lo ga Jato artisi was shaped by artists
ancor de vecio stampo. of the good old kind.
Che ga Jato 'sto laora This work was done
xe sta tanta brava gente by many good people
e gh'e mancii poco and they would have done it
che i lo fassa anca par gnente. for nothing.
Dire come l'e sta Jato There is only one way
ghe xe solo 'na solusion to say how it has been done:
no l'e sta Jato par intaresso, Not for profit was it done,
ma solo per passion . ... but only for love ... .
A stemo completando We are now completing
on laoro grande e belo a great and beautiful work
e tuto sarii messo which will be raised
sul bet monte Carmelo. on beautiful Mount Carmel.
Xe scrito so la Bibia, It is written in the Bible
e non la xe legenda, -and it is not a fablech'el sarii de Dio that it will be
la so grande tenda . . . . ' the Great Tent of God . . . .'

(Translated from the booklet 'Una Colonna,
Una Storia' ['A Column, A Story'] published in
June 1979 by the town of Chiampo, Italy)
316 THE BAHA'I WORLD

The Ita lian firm of lndustria dei Marmi the design of the building itself.
Vicentini in the spring of 1978 published an They point out that their quarries will proimpressive eight-page brochure designed to vide 85,000 cubic feet of 'Caesar's White'
acquaint potential customers with the quality marble of Pentelikon quality, the same marble
of their work in architectural marble. The that was used in the Parthenon in Athens. They
entire booklet is devoted to the new Seat of the further point out that the Parthenon has forty-
Universal House of Justice . six columns each 31.5 feet high , while the new
In many impressive pictures and rn Seat of the Universal House of Justice has 'A
accurately-written passages, the firm tells of peristyle of fifty-eight columns, each thirtythe history of the Faith, the role of the Univer- three feet high ... decorated with magnificient
sal House of Justice, and gives some details of entablatures and surmounted by a great dome.'

Booklet published by the town of Chiampo, Italy to commemorate the erection in the main
public square of a duplicate of one of the columns which grace the new building for the Seat of
the Universal House of Justice.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 317

II
THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE OF GOD

1. THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE OF GOD AND
THE EXTENSION OF THEIR FUNCTIONS INTO
THE FUTURE
A. THE RULERS AND THE LEARNED

IN every society and community of human Spiritual Assemblies and the Universal House
beings there are those who are revered for their of Justice , while the institutions of the
learning and wisdom, and there are those who 'learned', which exercise no governing authorare invested with authority to govern. In relig- ity over the believers, are accorded an exalted
ious communities it has been usual for the legis- rank which enables them to exert their benefilative and governing authority to be held by the cent influence over all parts of the community.
learned who have thus, as priests or as doctors Commenting on this feature of the Baha'i
of religious law, combined both capacities in Administrative Order, the Universal House of
the same persons. Other communities have, Justice wrote in its message of 24 April 1972:
only too often, been riven by the conflict be- The existence of institutions of such exalted rank,
tween church and state, between priests and comprising individuals who play such a vital role ,
kings, or, in more modern terms, between who yet have no legislative, administrative or judicial
intellectuals and the establishment. In the authority, and are entirely devoid of priestly func-
World Order of Baha'u'llah these two tions or the right to make authoritative interpretaextremes, of the over-concentration of author- tions , is a feature of Baha'i administration unparality on the one hand and of division and conflict leled in the religions of the past . . .
on the other, are eliminated. The way this is Developing this theme, the Universal House of
achieved is one of the unique features of that Justice referred in that same message to a letter
Order and confers unimagined benefits upon written on behalf of the Guardian on 14 March
the Baha'i community. 1927, to the Spiritual Assembly of Istanbul, in
In the Kitab-i-'Ahd (The Book of the which he expounded the Baha'i principle of
Covenant) Baha'u'llah wrote, Blessed are the action by majority vote. In this letter Shoghi
rulers and the learned in Bahli. The Guardian, Effendi points out how, in the past, it was cerinterpreting this passage, stated on 4 tain individuals who 'accounted themselves as
November 1931: superior in knowledge and elevated in posi-
In this holy cycle the 'learned' are, on the one hand tion' who caused division, and that it was those
the Hands of the Cause of God , and , on the other, the ' who pretended to be the most distinguished of
teachers and diffusers of His teachings who do not all' who 'always proved themselves to be the
rank as Hands, but who have atta ined an eminent source of contention'. He praises God that
position in the teaching work. As to the ' rulers' they Baha'u' llah had withdrawn authority from 'the
refer to the members of the Local, National and unyielding and dictatorial views of the learned
International Houses of Justice . The duties of each of and the wise', rejected the assertions of indithese souls will be determined in the future. (Transviduals, even though recognized as the most
lated from the Persian.)
accomplished and learned among men, as
Since those words were written the Baha'i authoritative criteria, and 'ordained that all
Administrative Order has developed rapidly matters be referred to authorized centres and
and is now functioning throughout the world. assemblies' . Thus the institutions of the
Under the supreme authority of the revealed learned in the Baha'i Faith, while invested with
Law of God the Baha'i community is governed high rank and exercising invaluable moral
by its elected institutions: Local and National authority and influence, have no executive
318 THE BAHA'I WORLD

power other than in the direction of their own contemplate its adm inistrative structure uninstitutions. influenced by concepts from past ages, will the vital
The difficulty of establishing a clear under- interdependence of the 'rulers' and 'learned' in the
standing of this administrative concept, new in Faith be properly understood, and the inestimable
the history of religion, is reflected in the con- value of their interaction be fully recognised.
cluding passage of the message of the Univer- Only now, as these two arms of the worldsal House of Justice, of 24 April 1972, quoted embracing system of Baha'u'llah begin to funcabove: tion in their separate but complementary roles
... The newness and uniquen ess of this concept towards a common achievement, are intimamake it difficult to grasp; only as the Baha'i commu- tions caught of the divine beneficence of that
nity grows and the believers are increasingly able to system.

B. THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE OF GOD

Baha'u'llah Himself created the institution . .. The Hands oft he Cause of God must elect from
of the Hands of the Cause and appointed a few their own number nine persons that shall at all times
of His followers to serve Him as Hands in His be occupied in the important services in the work of
the Guardian of the Cause of God. The election of
own lifetime. In the Tablet of the World He
these nine must be carried either unanimously or by
refers to the Hands of the Cause in words
majority from the company of the Hands of the Cause
descriptive of the station of service to which of God and these, whether unanimously or by a
they are called: majority vote, must give their assent to the choice of
Light and glory, greeting and praise be upon the the one whom the Guardian of the Cause of God hath
Hands of His Cause through whom the light of for- chosen as his successor ...
titude hath shone forth and the truth hath been estab- 0 friends! The Hands of the Cause of God must be
lished that the authority to choose rests with God, the nominated and appointed by the Guardian of the
Powerful, the Mighty, the Unconstrained, through Cause of God. All must be under his shadow and obey
whom the ocean of bounty hath surged and the fra - his command . ...
grance of the gracious favours of God, the Lord of The obligations of the Hands of the Cause of God
mankind, hath been diffused. We beseech are to diffuse the Divine Fragrances, to edify the souls
Him-Exalted is He-to shield them through the power of men, to promote learning, to improve the character
of His hosts, to protect them through the potency of of all men and to be, at all times and under all condi-
His dominion and to aid them through His indomit- tions, sanctified and detached from earthly things.
able strength which prevaileth over all created things. They must manifest the fear of God by their conduct,
Sovereignty is God's, the Creator of the heavens and their manners, their deeds and their words. This body
the Lord of the Kingdom of Names. of the Hands of the Cause of God is under the direction of the Guardian of the Cause of God. He must
The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha continually urge them to strive and endeavour to the
contains many references to the Hands of the utmost of their ability to diffuse the sweet savours of
Cause, including explicit definitions of their God, and to guide al/ the peoples of the world, for it is
station and functions , as well as various admo- the light of Divine Guidance that causeth all the universe to be illumined. To disregard, though it be for a
nitions addressed to them:
moment, this absolute command which is binding
Salutation and praise, blessing and glory rest . .. upon upon everyone, is in no wise permilled, that the surthe Hands of the Cause of God that have diffused face of the earth may become heavenly, that contenwidely the Divine Fragrances, declared His Proofs, tion and conflict amidst peoples, kindreds, nations
proclaimed His Faith, published abroad His Law, and governments may disappear, that all the dwellers
detached themselves from all things but Him, stood on earth may become one people and one race, that
for righteousness in this world, and kindled the Fire of the world may become even as one home.
the Love of God in the very hearts and souls of His
'Abdu'l-Baha did not Himself appoint any
servants; ... the Hands of the Cause of God must be
additional Hands of the Cause. He did, however watchful and so soon as they find anyone beginning to oppose and protest against the Guardian oft he ever, refer to certain outstanding teachers of
Cause of God cast him out from the congregation of the Faith as Hands.
the people of Bahci and in no wise accept any excuse During the first three decades of his ministry
from him . .. as Guardian of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 319
designated certain outstanding Baha'is as tion of the Faith, to act as the 'assistants,
Hands posthumously. Then, in December deputies and advisers' of the Hands of that
1951, he raised twelve living believers to this continent.
exalted rank, a development of the Adminis- The epic story of how in November 1957,
trative Order which thrilled the entire Baha'i the Hands of the Cause of God, called by the
world . In February 1952 he appointed a Guardian the 'Chief Stewards of Baha'u'llah's
further seven, and in 1957 eight more, bringing embryonic World Commonwealth', rallied the
the total number to twenty-seven.' In these grief-stricken and stunned Baha'is of the
brief six years the Guardian not only estab- world, guided them to the victorious accomlished this institution on a firm foundation plishment of the Ten Year Crusade which he
throughout the world, with a body of four had launched, and convened the members of
Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land the National Spiritual Assemblies for the first
to act as the liaison between himself and the election of the Universal House of Justice in
Hands in each continent, but he brought into April 1963, has been told in befitting detail in
being in each continent two Auxiliary Boards, Volume XIII of this publication.
one for the protection and one for the propaga-

C. THE CONTINENTAL BOARDS OF
COUNSELLORS
The establishment of the Universal House of of Justice as the supreme and central institution of
Justice in 1963 ushered in a new phase in the the Faith to which all must turn.
evolution of the institution of the Hands of the That same message announced increases in
Cause. In October 1963 the House of Justice the number of the members of the Auxiliary
decided 'that there is no way to appoint or Boards for propagation in every continent, and
legislate to make it possible to appoint a second the Hands were requested to appoint one or
Guardian to succeed Shoghi Effendi'. There- more members of each Auxiliary Board to act
fore, among the first questions which it was in an executive capacity on their behalf and in
necessary for it then to consider were the man- the name of each Hand, for the direction of the
ner in which the institution of the Hands of the work of the Boards. The message continued:
Cause was to continue to perform its appointed The exalted rank and specific functions of the Hands
functions, the relationship which should exist of the Cause of God make it inappropriate for them
between the House of Justice and the Hands of to be elected or appointed to administrative instituthe Cause, and how the indispensable func- tions, or to be elected as delegates to national contions of the Hands of the Cause could be ventions. Furthermore, it is their desire and the
extended into the future, since, according to desire of the House of Justice that they be free to
devote their entire energies to the vitally important
the text of the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'lduties conferred upon them in the Holy Writings.
Baha, The Hands of the Cause of God must be
nominated and appointed by the Guardian of At the same time the House of Justice
the Cause of God. confirmed the request of the Hands of the
Following consultation with a conclave of Cause that, henceforth, members of the Auxilthe Hands in October- November 1964, the iary Boards should be freed from administra-
Universal House of Justice announced to the tive responsibilities, including service on combelievers in its message of November 1964 the mittees and as delegates to conventions.
following decisions: On 21 June 1968 the House of Justice
announced by cable to the Baha'i world the
There is no way to appoint, or to legislate to make it decision to establish eleven Continental
possible to appoint, Hands of the Cause of God.
Boards of Counsellors for the protection and
Responsibility for decisions on matters of general propagation of the Faith and , in a written mespolicy affecting the institution of the Hands of the sage issued on 24 June, outlined in detail the
Cause, which was formerly exercised by the beloved nature and scope of this action. Because of its
Guardian, now devolves upon the Universal House great significance to the evolution of the
See 'The Instituiion of the Hands oft he Cause of God', The Administrative Order, the entire text of this
Baha '{ World, vol. Xlll, p. 334. message is quoted:
320 THE BAHA'I WORLD

The Continental Board of Counsellors for
Australasia; January 1977. Left to right: Mr.
Owen Battrick, Dr. Peter Khan, Miss Thelma
Perks, Mr. Suhayl 'Ala'(, Miss Violet
Hoehnke, Mr. Howard Harwood.

The Continental Board of Counsellors for
Central America; March 1977. Seated, left to
right: Mr. Artemus Lamb, Mrs. Carmen de
Burafato, Dr. Hidayatu'llah Al:tmadfyyih.
Standing, left to right: Mr. Rowland Estall,
Mr. Alfred Osborne, Mr. Paul Lucas.

The Continental Board of Counsellors for
North America; October 1976. Left to right:
Mr. Lloyd Gardner, Dr. Sarah M. Pereira,
Mrs. Velma Sherrill, Miss Edna True, Mr.
Angus Cowan.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 321
The majestic unfoldment of Baha'u'llah's world- laborating with Nationa l Spiritual Assemblies, and
redeeming administrative system has been marked keeping the Hands of the Cause and the Universal
by the successive establishment of the various institu- House of Justice in formed concerning the conditions
tions and agencies wh ich constitute the framework of of the Cause in their areas.
that divinely-created Order. Thus, more than a Initially eleven Boards of Counsellors have been
quarter-of-a-century after the emergence of th e first appointed, one for each of the following areas:
National Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'i world Northwestern Africa, Central and East Africa,
the institution of the Hands of the Cause of God was Southern Africa, North America, Central America,
formally established, with the appointment by the South America, Western Asia, Southeastern Asia,
beloved Guardian, in conformity with the provisions Northeastern Asia, Australasia and Europe.
of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Will and Testament, of the first The members of these Boards of Counsellors will
contingent of these high-ranking officers of the Faith. serve for a term, or terms, the length of which will be
Following the passing of the Guard ian of the Cause determined and anno unced at a later date, and while
of God, it fell to the House of Justice to devise a way, serving in this capacity, will not be eligible for memwithin the Administrative Order, of developing 'the bership on nationa l or loca l administrative bodies.
institution of the Hands of the Cause with a view to One member of each Continental Board of Counselextension into the future of its appointed functions of lors has been designated as Trustee of the Continenprotection and propagation', and this was made a tal Fund for its area .
goal of the Nine Year Plan. Much thought and study The Auxiliary Boards for protection and propagahas been given to the question over the past four tion will henceforth report to the Continental Boards
years, and the texts have been collected and of Counsellors who will appoint or replace members
reviewed. During the last two months, th is goal, as of the Auxiliary Boards as circumstances may
announced in our cable to the National Conventions, require. Such appointments and replacements as
has been the object of prolonged and prayerful con- may be necessary in the initial stages will take place
sultation between the Universa l House of Justice and after consultation with the Hand or Hands previthe Hands of the Cause of God. All this made evident ously assigned to the continent or zone.
the framework withi n which this goa l was to be The Hands of the Cause of God have the prerogaachieved, namely: tive and obligation to consult with the Continental
The Universal House of Justice sees no way in Boards of Counsellors and National Spiritual
which additional Hands of the Cause of God can Assemblies on any subject which, in their view,
be appointed. affects the interests of the Cause. The Hands residing
in the Holy Land will act as liaison between the
The absence of the Guardian of the Faith brought Universal House of Justice and the Continental
about an entirely new relationship between the Boards of Counsellors, and will also assist the Uni-
Universal House of Justice and the Hands of the versal House of Justice in setting up, at a propitious
Cause and called for the progressive unfoldm ent time , an international teaching centre in the Holy
by the Universal House of Justice of the manner in Land, as anticipated in the Guardian's writings.
which the Hands of the Cause would carry out The Hands of the Cause of God are one of the
their divinely-conferred functions of protection most precious assets the Baha'i world possesses.
and propagation. Released from administration of the Auxiliary
Whatever new development or institution is initi- Boards, they will be able to concentrate their enerated should come into operation as soon as pos- gies on the more primary responsibilities of general
sible in order to reinforce and supplement the work protection and propagation, 'preservation of the
of th~ Hands of the Cause while at the same time spiritual health of the Baha'i communities' and 'the
taking full advantage of the opportunity of having vitality of the faith' of the Baha'is throughout the
the Hands themselves assist in launching and guid- world. The House of Justice will call upon them to
ing the new procedures. undertake special missions on its behalf, to represent
it on both Baha'i and other occasions and to keep it
Any such institution must grow and operate in
informed of the welfare of the Cause. While the
harmony with the principles governing the func-
Hands of the Cause will, naturally, have special contioning of the institution of the Hands of the Cause
cern for the affairs of the Cause in the areas in which
of God.
they reside, they will operate increasingly on an
In the light of these considerations the Universal intercontinental level, a factor which will lend tre-
House of Justice decided, as announced in its recent mendous impetus to the diffusion throughout the
cable, to establish Continental Boards of Counsel- Baha'i world of the spiritual inspiration channelled
lors for the protection and propagation of the Faith. through them-the Chief Stewards of Baha'u'llah's
Their duties will include directing the Auxiliary embryonic World Commonwealth.
Boards in their respective areas, consulting and col- With joyful hearts we proclaim this further
322 THE BAHA'I WORLD

unfoldment of the Administrative Order of Baha' u'- iary Board members to appoi nt assista nts,
llah and join our prayers to those of the friends whose duti es would be to activate and encourthro ughout the East and the West that Baha'u'llah age Local Spiritual Assemblies, to call the
may continue to showe r his confirm ations upon the
attention of Local Spiritual Assembly me meffo rts of His servants in the safeguard ing and promotion of His Faith . bers to the importance of reg ul a r meetings, to
e ncourage local communities to gather for
A clarification of the status of Co unsello rs Nineteen Day Feasts a nd Holy Days, to he lp
and their re lationship to National Spiritual deepen their fellow-believers' understanding
Assemblies was made by the House of Justice of th e teachings , and genera lly to assist the
in a letter to a National Spiritual Assembly in A uxi li ary Board me mbe rs in the d ischarge of
May 1975: their duties. T he adv ice, at that time, was to
... (it) must be one of warm and active collabora- proceed graduall y with this new step so that
tion, a full sharing in the excitement and the chal- ex perie nce could indicate the most effective
lenge of the teaching work and the establishment of manner of its operation. Since then, as a result
living and growing Baha'i communities . . . While the
of the proven value of this expanded service,
role of the Co unsellors is normally to adv ise, encourappo intm ents of assis ta nts in each zone have
age and reinfo rce, and they have no legislative or
administrative authority, they nevertheless occupy a been steadily and rapidly a ugme nted. The le tra nk superi or to that of the National Assembly or its ter of 8 June 1973 stated that 'believers can
members and each individual Counsellor is a high serve at the same time both as assistants to
officer of the Faith entitled to the respect, honour A uxi liary Board members a nd on administraand courtesy due to his ra nk. Each country which is tive institutions'.
privileged to have a resident Counsellor should prize Adjustments to the number of Continental
that privilege. Each National Assembly which has a Boards of Counsellors are made as the Univer-
Counsell or at hand for frequent consultations sal House of Justice deems necessary, entailing
should, without relinquishing any portion of its
adjustments to zones assig ned to th e Boards, to
divinely assigned authority, call upon him often for
the number of Counsellors and to the numbers
his views and accord great weight to his advice.
of A uxiliary Boards a nd A uxiliary Board
On 8 .Tune 1973 a further directive was sent me mbers. 1 Thus th e institution operates a t all
to the Continental Boards of Co unsellors levels throughout the world, reaching into the
which answered the need discussed by the basic structure of local community life and
Co unsellors during their sessio ns in the Holy exerting its enco uraging an d uplifting influence
Land, at th e time of the Interna tion a l Conven- upon the li ves of indi viduals and the deliberation of th a t year, for some method to enable tions of institutions, constantly watching over
their institution to reach more deeply in to the the securit y of the Faith , pointing the way to
fabric of the Baha'i world comm unity. The the promotion of its best interests, and to the
House of Justice authorized each Board of ever wider dissemination of its healing mes-
Counsellors, at its discretion, to permit Aux il- sage.

D. THE INTERNATIONAL TEACHING
CENTRE

Assurance of the extension into the future of ship of Contine nta l Boards of Counsellors to
the appoint~d functions of protection and Na tion al Spiritual Asse mblies will follow the
propaga tion conferred upon the Hands of the pattern of the relationship betwee n the Hands
Cause was accomplished by the establishment of the Cause and National Spiritual Assemof the Continental Boards of Counsellors. blies, outlined by the beloved Guardian in vari-
However, tha t vital goal hav ing been accom- o us communications'.
plished, the problem remained of o rdering the The cablegram addressed by the Unive rsal
work of th e new institution so that it wou ld House of J ustice to all National Spiritual
grow organically with the Faith itself. ' At Ri<jvan 1979 there are thirteen Continental Boards of
In a letter addressed to all National Spiritual Counsellors, each Continenta l Board having two Auxiliary
Boards, one for protection and one for propagatio n; and
Assemblies on 24 June 1968 the Universal each Auxiliary Board member having assistants as needed
House of Justice confirmed that ' th e relation- and authorized .
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 323

Assemblies on 21 June 1968 announcing the provisions of the Will and Testament of the Centre of
establishment of Continental Boards of Coun- the Mighty Cove nant is the body which shou ld lay
sellors had contained a reference to the 'future down laws not explicitly revealed in the Text. In this
Dispensation, these laws are destined to flow from
establishment international teaching centre
this holy mountain , even as in the Mosaic Dispensa-
Holy Land foreshadowed writings beloved
tion the law of God was promulgated from Zion. The
Guardian.' 'sa iling of the Ark' of His laws is a reference to the
In October 1971 the Hands of the Cause es tabli shment of the Universa l House of Justice,
were notified that afte r the International Con- which is indeed the Seat of Legislation, one of the
vention for the election of the Universal House branches of the World Administrative Centre of the
of Justice during Ric;lvan 1973, their presence Baha'fs on this holy mountain. It will be housed in a
in the Holy Land for a period of time in order separate building near the International Archives
to consult on a number of important subjects building, now under constructio n, on a site in the
would be most welcome. The foremost topic neighbourhood of the Shrine of th e Bab, and overwould be the establishment of the international lookin g the sacred an d illumined Monuments. In the
neighbourhood of these two stately edifices and two
teaching centre about which the Hands had
mighty Institutions (i.e. the Archives Building and
previously been requested to submit their writ- the edifice for the House of Justice), another edifice
ten views. The Universal House of Justice, in will gradually be erected which will be the Seat of the
its letter to the Hands of the Cause in October Guardianship, the Centre which will interpret,
1971, cited, amongst others, the following three expound and prepare commentaries on explicitly
quotations from the Guardian which antici- revealed laws, and will reinforce and supplement the
pated the evolution of the World Administra- legislative body. Yet another ed ifi ce to supplement
tive Centre of the Faith on Mount Carmel and these three edifices will be the Centre for the propathe establishment there of an international gation and teaching of the Faith, the Seat for the
teaching centre as the seat of the Hands of the Hands of the Cause, who, in accordance with the
explicit text of the Will and Testament are charged
Cause of God:
with the security, the preserva tion and protection of
... it must be clearly understood, nor can it be the Cause, the safeguarding of the unity of the comsufficiently emphasized, that the conjunction of the munity , the promotion of God's religion and the
resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf with those of spread of His Word. These majestic and mighty
her brother and mother incalculably reinforces the edifices, which will be constructed gradually in
spiritual potencies of that consecrated Spot which, accordance with a beautiful and unique style of
under the wings of the Bab's overshadowing Sepul- architecture around the sacred Monuments, are all
chre, and in the vicinity of the future Mafillriqu'l- considered as branches of this highly-exalted,
Adhkar, which will be reared on its flank, is destined firmly-grounded and broadly-based World Administo evolve into the focal centre of those world- trative Centre of the followers of the Cause of Him
shaking, world-embracing, world-directing adm inis- Who is the Lord of this Age and the Ruler of Creatrative institutions, ordained by Baha'u'llah a nd tion. '
anticipated by' Abdu'l-Baha, and which are to func- The raising of this edifice (International Baha'i
tion in consonance with the principles that govern Arch ives) will in turn herald the construction, in the
the twin institut ions of the Guardianship and the course of successive epochs of the Formative Age of
Un iversal House of Justice. Then, and then only, will the Faith, of several other structures, which will serve
th is momentous prophecy which illuminates the con- as the adm inistrative seats of such divinely appointed
cluding passages of the Tablet of Carmel be fulfilled: institutions as the Guardianship, the Hands of the
Ere long will God sail His Ark upon thee (Carmel) Cause, and the Universal House of Justice. These
and will manifest the people of Bahd who have been edifices will , in the shape of a far-flung arc, and
mentioned in the Book of Names. 1 following a harmon izing style of architecture, sur-
In this great Tablet which unveils divine mysteries round the resting places of the Greatest Holy Leaf,
and heralds the establishment of two mighty, majes- ranking as foremost a mong the members of her sex in
tic and momentous undertakings-one of which is the Baha'i Dispensation, of her brother, offered up
spiritual and the other administrative, both at the as a ransom by Baha' u'llah for the quickening of the
World Centre of the Faith-Baha'u'llah refers to an world and its unification, and of their mother, pro-
'Ark' , whose dwellers are the men of the Supreme claimed by Him to be His chosen 'consort in all the
House of Justice, which, in conformity with the exact worlds of God'. The ultimate completion of this
stupendous undertaking wi ll mark the culmin ation of
Shoghi Effendi, letter to the National Spiritual Assembly
of the United States, 21December1939; see Messages to Shoghi Effendi, letter in Persian to the BaM'is of the East,
America, pp. 32-33 . Naw-Ruz 111 (1954).
324 THE BAHA'f WORLD

the development of a world-wide divinely-appointed of the Cause, which must be raised on the arc on
Administrative Order whose beginnings may be Mount Carmel in close proximity to the Seat of the
traced as far back as the concluding years of the Universal House of Justice.
heroic Age of the Faith.' The duties now assigned to this nascent institution
On 5 June 1973, following the International are :
Convention and the consultations with the To co-ordinate, stimulate and direct the activities
Hands of the Cause, and less than a month of the Continental Boards of Counsellors and to
act as li aison between them and the Universal
after the Counsellors had left the Holy Land to
House of Justice.
resume their services within their zones, the
following announcement was cabled by the To be fully informed of the situation of the Cause
Universal House of Justice to all National in all parts of the world and to be able, from the
Spiritual Assemblies: background of this knowledge, to make reports
and recommendations to the Universal House of
ANNOUNCE ESTABLISHMENT HOLY LAND LONG Justice and give advice to the Continental Boards
ANTICIPATED INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTRE of Counsellors.
DESTINED EVOLVE INTO ONE THOSE WORLD SHAK-
To be alert to possibilities, both within and without
ING WORLD EMBRACING WORLD DIRECTING
the Baha'i community, for the extension of the
ADMINISTRATIVE INSTITUTIONS ORDAINED BY
teaching work into receptive or needy areas, and
BAHA'U'LLAH ANTICIPATED BY 'ABDU'L-BAHA
to draw the attention of the Universal House of
ELUCIDATED BY SHOGHI EFFENDI STOP MEMBER- Justice and the Continental Boards of Counsellors
SHIP THIS NASCENT INSTITUTION COMPRISES ALL to such possibilities, making recommendations for
HANBS CAUSE GOD AND INITIALLY THREE COUN- action.
SELLORS WHO WITH HANDS PRESENT HOLY LAND
To determine and anticipate needs for literature ,
WILL CONSTITUTE NUCLEUS ITS VITAL OPERATIONS
pioneers and travelling teachers and to work out
STOP CALLING UPON HOOPER DUNBAR FLORENCE teaching plans, both regional and global, for the
MAYBERRY AZIZ YAZDI PROCEED HOLY LAND approval of the Universal House of Justice.
ASSUME THIS HIGHLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE STOP
All the Hands of the Cause of God will be mem-
OFFERING PRAYERS HEARTFELT GRATITUDE SAC-
bers of the International Teachin g Centre. Each
RED THRESHOLD THIS FURTHER EVIDENCE
Hand will be kept regularly informed of the activities
ORGANIC EVOLUTION ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER of the Centre through reports or copies of its
BAHA'U'LLAH. minutes, and will be able, wherever he may be resid-
It was followed three days later by this ing or travelling, to convey suggestions, recommenexpanded announcement to the Baha'fs of the dations and information to the Centre and, whenever
he is in the Holy Land, to take part in the consultaworld:
tions and other activities of the Centre .
The centennial year of the revelation of the Kitab- In addition, we now appoint Mr. Hooper Dunbar,
i-Aqdas has already witnessed events of such capital Mrs. Florence Mayberry and Mr. 'Aziz Yazdi to
significance in the annals of the Baha'i Dispensation membership of the International Teaching Centre,
as to cause us to contemplate with awe the rapidity with the rank of Counsellor. These believers, who
with which Divine Providence is advancing the have been serving with distinction on the Con tinen-
Cause of the Most Great Name . The time is indeed tal Boards of Counse llors in South America, North
propitious for the establishment of the International America a nd Central and East Africa respectively,
Teaching Centre, a development which , at one and will henceforth reside in Haifa and will, together with
the same time, brings to fruition the work of the the Hands present in the Holy Land, constitute the
Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land and nucleus of the operations of the Centre.
provides for its extension into the future , links the Authority for the expulsion and reinstatement of
institution of the Boards of Counsellors even more Covenant-breakers remains with the Hands of the
intimately with that of the Hands of the Cause of Cause of God. All such matters will be investigated
God, and powerfully reinforces the discharge of the locally by the relative Continental Board of Counselrapidly growing responsibilities of the Universal lors in consultation with any Hand or Hands who
House of Justice. may be in the area. The Continental Board of Coun-
This International Teaching Centre now estab- sellors and the Hands concerned will then make their
lished will, in due course, operate from that building reports to the International Teaching Centre where
designated by the Guardian as the Seat for the Hands they will be considered. The decision whether or not
Shoghi Effendi, letter to the BaM'is of the world, 27 to expel or reinstate will be made by the Hands of the
November 1954; see Messages to the Baha'i World, p. 74. Cause residing in the Holy Land who will, as at
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 325
present, submit their decision to the Universal the request of the House of Justice the Teach-
House of Justice for approval. ... ing Centre also evolved a plan for international
The decisions now announced are the outcome of collaboration on travelling teaching projects.
deliberation extending over a number of years, rein- The divinely ordained institution of the
forced by consultations with the Hands of the Cause
Hands of the Cause of God, having been
of God, and especially with the Hands residing in the
Holy Land who were requested in 1968 to assist the
brought into active reality by the Guardian of
Universal House of Justice in the establishment of the Faith according to the directives of
the International Teaching Centre, a task that now ' Abdu'l-Baha's Will and Testament, was conincreases in magnitude as that Centre begins its fronted in its infancy with an appalling crisis in
work . the life of that Faith whose protection was its
One of the first tasks assigned by the Univer- prime duty. During the interregnum between
sal House of Justice to the International Teach- the passing of the Guardian and the election of
ing Centre was to devise the broad outlines of the Universal House of Justice, the Hands of
the global teaching plan to begin at Ric;lvan the Cause as its Chief Stewards, maintained the
1974 and conclude five years later at Ric;lvan integrity and unity of the Faith. The functions
1979. This comprehensive and detailed survey of protection and propagation appointed to
of the entire Baha'i world community provided this great institution have now been extended
an opportunity for the Teaching Centre to into the future in a manner consonant with the
become thoroughly acquainted with the condi- principles of the Faith. The Continental
tions, needs and potentialities of the one Boards of Counsellors with their attendant
hundred and thirteen national Baha'i com- Auxiliary Boards for protection and propagamunities which made up the Baha'i interna- tion, the assistants to the Auxiliary Board
tional community at Ric;lvan 1973. A greatly members, all co-ordinated and kept in relaincreased flow of vital information from the tionship to the Universal House of Justice by
Continental Boards of Counsellors was called the International Teaching Centre, form the
for by the International Teaching Centre, fabric of the appointive arm of the Administrawhich promised, in turn, the development of an tive Order of the Faith, which will in increasing
increasingly close relationship between itself measure exert its spiritualizing influence upon
and the Boards through a similarly increased the development of the Baha'i community and
flow of materials from the Teaching Centre. At of all mankind .

•
The Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qasim Faizi (second from right) during his visit to Fiji in March
1977 presented copies of The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah and The Baha'i World, vol. XV, to
Professor L. F. Brosnahan (second from left), Deputy Vice-Chancellor and acting Head o fthe
School of Education, University of the South Pacific, Suva. Also seen are Mr. John Weeks,
Reader in Education (far left), and Mr. Ivan Williams, Lecturer in Education (far right).
326 THE BAHA'I WORLD

2. THE WORK AND TRAVELS OF THE HANDS
OF THE CAUSE
As the Five Year Plan came to an end it was believers in their teaching work and in the
possible to see in perspective the vital role of decoration of their newly-acquired I::Ia?fratu'lthe Hands of the Cause of God as they con- Quds, and became so attached to the Bermuda
tinued their worldwide services of protecting Baha'fs that she later described herself as a
the Cause, proclaiming its truths, deepening the 'mini-pioneer' to that island.
knowledge of its adherents and, by example, In the latter half of 1977 Rul).fyyih Khan um
inspiring them to greater heights of dedicated returned to India where, in addition to reactivity. The section of this volume that deals visiting some centres she had visited previwith the growth of national communities bears ously , she travelled to Chandigarh, joint capinumerous references to the stimulating visits of tal of Punjab and Haryana States, and to
the Hands as they criss-crossed the Baha'f Kashmir. She also revisited Nepal. A gracious
world in their travels. The section on the eight reception was accorded her by various people
International Teaching Conferences features prominent in Government and public life in
their outstanding contributions to those extra- India . Mid-October found her in New Delhi as
ordinary occasions of proclamation and of the guest of honour at the Asian Baha'f
ingathering of the friends. The list of twelve Women's Conference attended by more than
inaugural Conventions points to those Hands 1,000 women from some thirty countries. Folwho, as representatives of the Universal House lowing this she represented the Universal
of Justice, graced these gatherings, while all House of Justice at the ceremony of the laying
who were able to do so attended the fourth of the foundation stone of the Mashriqu'l-
International Baha'f Convention in Haifa in Adhkar of India.
April 1978. Illness forced the abandonment of Ru!Jfyyih
The following is a brief summary of major Khanum's long-cherished plan to visit the
travels and works during the three years Japanese friends immediately following her
covered by this volume, a summation which Indian tour. She broke her journey in Australia
can do little more than hint at the influence where she sought treatment and recuperation
exerted by the Hands of the Cause through but even here, though her activities were cirtheir presence, their constant correspondence cumscribed by her impaired health, she met
or their direct endeavours in support of the with the friends and made herself available for
manifold programmes of expansion and con- interviews with representatives of the media.
solidation organized by the believers. En route to the Holy Land in February she
stopped off in the Philippines and in Bombay
Amatu'l-Bahti Rul:ziyyih Khtinum for meetings with the Baha'fs, a nd in April
In addition to her services in the Holy Land took part in the sessions of the fourth Internaas a member of the International Teaching tional Baha'i Convention in Haifa.
Centre, Amatu'l-Baha Rul).fyyih Khanum in A globe-girdling trip of eight months' durathe period under review made a number of tion commenced in July. After visiting Baha'f
journeys, visiting Baha'f communities in communities in Europe and the United King-
Europe, Asia, the Far East and the Pacific re- dom Amatu'l-Baha proceeded to Japan to realgion. Her attendance as the representative of ize the plan she had reluctantly abandoned the
the Universal House of Justice at the Interna- year before, visiting thirty-five centres on the
tional Teaching Conference held in Paris in four principal islands, Honshu, Hokkaido,
August 1976-largest of the eight conferences Shikoku and Kyushu, where meetings with the
in the series held during the Five Year Plan and friends, addresses to non-Baha'f organizations
reported in detail elsewhere in this vol- and interviews with prominent officials fully
ume-was a source of great inspiration and joy occupied her time, a pattern of intensity which
to the friends, approximately 6,000 in number, did not lessen on her subsequent visit to
who were present. Later that year she spent Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.
several months in Bermuda assisting the Following this Ru!Jfyyih Khan um spent nine
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA ' U ' LLAH 327
weeks in another hemisphere, the pivot of this Europe, attending many summer and winter
period being her attendance as the representa- schools, teaching and youth conferences,
tive of the Universal House of Justice at the national conventions, and travelling at interceremony for the laying of the foundation vals to inspirit the friends in various countries.
stone of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of Samoa , par- He was the representative of the Universal
ticipating in this significant event with His House of Justice at the inaugural convention of
Highness Ma lietoa Tanumafi li II, Head of the National Spiritual Assembly of Cyprus in
State of Western Samoa, in whose capital, 1978. As special missions from the Universal
Apia, the Temple will rise. A warm and hospit- House of Justice, Dr. Giachery journeyed to
able reception was accorded by His Highness London in September 1976 to meet His Highand enthusiastic welcomes greeted her visits to ness Malietoa Tanumafili II at the time of his
the three main islands of Savai'i and Upolu visit to the resting place of Shoghi Effendi. In
(Western Samoa) and Tutuila (American May 1977 Dr. G iachery journeyed to Western
Samoa). Samoa to participate, as the representative of
Proceeding by way of Fiji , New Hebrides the House of Justice, in the observance of
and New Caledonia where she met with the Independence Day.
friends and reinforced their teaching efforts,
Rul:Uyyih Khanum arrived in New Zealand 'Ali-Akbar Furutan
where she visited both the North and South Continuing his triad of services to the Cause
Islands, taking particular delight in the meet- in the Holy Land, Mr.' Ali-Akbar Furutan has
ings held on the Maori Maraes which provided devoted his energies to the International
an opportunity of becoming acquainted with Teaching Centre, to the many pilgrims and
the Maori Baha'fs and believers from other visitors, and to scholarly researches and writing
Pacific islands. Travelling homeward at the end in areas of importance to the Faith. In the
of March she met again Baha'fs of Hong Kong summer periods he has cor.centrated on sumand Bombay. mer school activities afield while undertaking
other teaching assignments: to the U.S.A. and
Ugo Giachery Canada in 1976, proceed ing thence to India for
From his home in Monaco, Dr. Ugo conferences and proclamation activities and to
Giachery has been involved primarily with aid- Hong Kong for the International Teaching
ing and stimulating the Baha'i communities of Conference; in 1977 to England, the U.S.A.

The Hand of the Cause 'AU-Akbar Furutan (second from left) paying a courtesy call on Mr.
Krishan Chand, Lieutenant Governor of India; November 1976. Left to right: Counsellor
Zena Sorabjee, Mr. Furutan, Mr. Krishan Chand, Mrs. Furutan, Mr. R. N . Shah.
328 THE BAHA'I WORLD

and Canada, on to Alaska , Japan and to Iran Miihlschlegel has continued steadily to write
for four months of intensive teaching; and in on behalf of the Faith and to engage in schol-
1978 to western Europe to teach at four sum- arly, studies. In June 1977 the National
mer schools and visit believers in six countries. Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of Germany ,
in tribute to Dr. Miihlschlegel, produced
Dhikru'llah Khlldem through its Publishing Trust a selection of his
In August 1976 Mr. Dhikru'llah Khadem poems . After visiting the Holy Land in
completed an extensive International Registry November 1977 Dr. Miihlschlegel returned to
of Bahti'{ Holy Places and Historic Sites in th e Greece where he has continued to assist that
Holy Land for the International Baha'i Arc- young and struggling community.
hives. In March 1977 he finished work on a
comprehensive, scrupulously documented Ja/6.1 Khazeh
study of places visited by the Master in Eng- In Persia, Colonel Jalal Khazeh has conland and America . A lthough he devoted him- tinued his aid to the community in the work of
self primarily to assisting the national com- teaching, and in the difficult duties of protecmunities of the United States and Canada tion at a trying time in the evolution of the
through attendance at innumerable confer- Faith in that land. He attended the Internaences, schools sessions and other gatherings, tional Convention in 1978 and visited the Holy
and through consultations with National Land on one other occasion during that year.
Assemblies and the Continental Board of Recently he has transferred his residence from
Counsellors in North America, Mr. Khadem Tihran to a locality near Babu!.
has also undertaken several international
journeys: in April 1977 to represent the Univ- Paul Haney
ersal House of Justice at the inaugural conven- Deeply involved in the development and
tion of the National Spiritual Assembly of administration of the International Teaching
Surinam and French Guiana, followed by visits Centre, Mr. Paul Haney has participated
to Trinidad and Guyana; and in May 1978 to actively in its day-to-day work, and in services
represent the Ho use of Justice at the first con- to pilgrims and visitors. In 1977 he attended
ventions of two national communities in western the International Teaching Conferences in
Asia, combined with a visit to Persia. Bahia and Merida, representing the Universal
House of Justice at the latter. In November
Shu'a'u'llah 'Ala'i 1978 he was in Germany for conferences fol-
During turbulent days for the Faith in Iran, lowing which he met with the friends in Bel-
General Shu'a'u'llah 'Alfi has continued his gium and took part in the dedication of the
work with the National Spiritual Assembly and National I:Ia?fratu'l-Quds.
Counsellors on the difficult problems relating
to the protection of the Cause. He was able to 'Ali-Mul;zammad Varqa
leave Persia for visits to the Holy Land and for Assigned by the Universal House of Justice
consultation with the International Teaching the special task of assembling reliable accounts
Centre in 1977 and again in 1978, and was of the beginnings and initial stages in the
present at the International Convention at development of the Faith in various parts of the
Ri9van 1978. He took up residence in France world, Dr. ' Ali-Mul)ammad Varga has been
in late 1978 and attended the National Con- gathering narratives, documents, tapes and
vention of the Baha'fs of Austria in 1979. other materials from early believers and
pioneers. Simultaneously he has continued his
Adelbert Muhlschlegel duties as Trustee of the I:Iuququ'llah. In
Dr. Adelbert Miihlschlegel made his home April/May 1977 he was the representative of
in Germany in 1973, but in February 1977, the Universal House of Justice at the first Conafter participating in Baha'i schools in Cyprus vention of the French Antilles and, thereafter,
and Greece, he moved to Athens and in April travelled extensively in the Caribbean zone. In
of that year represented the Universal House May 1978 he represented the House of Justice
of Justice at the inaugural convention of the at the inaugural Conventions of Mauritania
National Spiritual Assembly of Greece. Dr. and Burundi, after attending the International
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA ' U'LLAH 329

The Hand ofthe Cause 'Alf-Mufwmmad Varqa (extreme right) visiting the Amerindian village
of Organabo, French Guiana; Spring 1979.

Baha'i Convention, and following which he William Sears
travelled in the United States and Canada. Devoting himself primarily to activating and
Departing from Tihran in the autumn of 1978 reinforcing the American and Canadian
he taught in western Europe and then pro- homefronts from his base in Canada, Mr. Wilceeded to Canada where he now makes his liam Sears has continued to display characterishome. He attended the 1979 Convention of tic creativity in many fields of Baha'i
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is endeavour: initiating an annual 'Gathering' in
of Brazil. Ontario , beginning a new television series of
thirteen programmes to be produced in
Enoch Olinga Hawaii, issuing exhortatory letters and tapes,
Beginning in the early summer of 1976 Mr. working on new books, and developing dramat-
Enoch Olinga initiated a lengthy trip, first to ic programmes of proclamation and teaching
eight countries of western Africa , then to a including a five-city 'Victory Campaign' in the
number of South American countries prior to United States, 'Abdu'l-Baha 'Souvenir' prohis attendance at the International Confer- grammes, and the ARISE campaign. He
ences in Bahia and Merida. He was the rep- attended both the Anchorage and Nairobi
resentative of the Universal House ofJustice at International Conferences, and was the repthe Bahia Conference. He then proceeded to resentative of the Universal House of Justice at
visit many of the Baha'i communities of the the latter. Subsequently he made teaching
Caribbean islands and returned to Africa to tours in Canada. In bot"1 Canada and the
attend the Annual Convention of Senegal and United States Mr. Sears has contributed to
the inaugural Convention of the National conferences, schools, National Conventions
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Upper and has had stimulating consultations with the
Volta. Mr. Olinga attended a teaching confer- National Spiritual Assemblies and the Contience in Nigeria in July 1977, followed by travel nental Board of Counsellors. In May 1978
to various neighbouring countries, and since he represented the Universal House of Justice
that time has confined his work to the support at the first Convention of the Bahama Islands
and organization of his beleaguered home after attending the International Convention
community of Uganda . in the Holy Land .
330 THE BAHA'l WORLD

John Robarts H. Collis Featherstone
Mr. John Robarts has focused upon the Mr. H. Collis Featherstone made global
special needs and opportunities of Canada, journeys for the Faith. He began a round-theparticipating in all national programmes to world trip in June 1976, going first to the
strengthen the Faith in that forward-striding Anchorage Conference where he was the repcommunity, travelling extensively at intervals, resentative of the Universal House of Justice,
attending the National Conventions, and con- then proceeding to East and Southern Africa
sulting regularly with the National Assembly and Baha'i communities in the Indian Ocean.
and the Continental Board of Counsellors. He travelled in East Asia in December,
After attending the Anchorage, Paris and attended the Auckland Conference in January
Nairobi International Teaching Confer- 1977, and at Ric;lvan represented the House of
ences-doing European teaching en Justice at the inaugural Convention of the
route- Mr. Robarts undertook assignments in Marshall Islands. He attended the Convention
Southern and East Africa. In 1978 he visited of the Mariana Islands, followed by further
the American South, and in February 1979 travels in East Asia. In the autumn of 1977 he
travelled to Mexico. visited many Baha'i communities in islands of
the South Pacific and during the winter
H. M. Balyuzi returned to Southern Africa. After attending
Continuing his arduous scholarship on the the International Convention at Ric;lvan 1978 ,
origins of the Faith, Mr. J:lasan M. Balyuzi in Mr. Featherstone methodically visited the
1976 published a monumental and illuminat- countries of Southern Asia and the South-east
ing work Muftammad and the Course of Islam, Asian islands, adding in the fall another extenand has been devoting himself since to his sive journey throughout Pacific Oceania. In
comprehensive Life of Baha'u'llah, a study in that winter and the spring of 1979, Mr. Feathfour volumes. The first, a biography of the erstone made a third African journey to west,
Manifestation, is scheduled for publication in east, and south Africa and en route to his home
late 1979 and will be in circulation as this vol- in Australia visited the Baha'is of Mauritius
ume of the international record goes to press. and Reunion.

The Hand of the Cause John Robarts (centre) and Mrs. Robarts (seated to the left) with some
participants in the Irish Baha'i Summer School; August 1976.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U ' LLAH 331
Ra!zmatu'lltih Muhtijir versa! House of Justice at the latter- and
With extraordinary energy and zeal, Dr. attendance at the International Convention in
Ra~matu'llah Muhajir has devoted himself to Haifa, Dr. Muhajir travelled in the South Pacthe needs of the world-wide Baha'i national ific, returning to East and South Central Asia .
communities, few of which have failed to feel After visits to Europe and the Holy Land, in
the stimulus of his dynamic presence and share early 1979 he returned again to Africa before
the vision of their futures; many countries have hastening to East Asia and the Annual Consprung to new life and taken fresh initiatives ventions of the Philippine and Malaysian
from his guidance in relation to expansion and Baha'i communities.
consolidation. From the Brazilian Convention
of 1976 Dr. Muhajir journeyed northward Abu'l-Qtisim Faizi
through Latin America, ultimately to the From his home in the Holy Land Mr.
United States, and to Europe for Summer Abu'l-Qasim Faizi continues his heavy burden
Schools and conferences, then onward to West of correspondence with friends around the
Africa, and so on to the Nairobi Conference in world, devotes himself to the pilgrims and vis-
East Africa; thence to East Asia for the Hong itors to Haifa, to his ongoing scholarly studies,
Kong Conference and its satellite gatherings. and to the duties of the International Teaching
In 1977 he returned to South and Central Centre. In 1976 Mr. Faizi travelled extensively
America for the International Conferences of in the Northwest Pacific and later in the South
Bahia and Merida and their related program- Pacific. He was the representative of the Unimes, and toured various islands and countries versal House of Justice at the Auckland Internaof East and South-eastern Asia before attend- tional Conference in January 1977 from
ing the Annual Convention of India. Later he whence he visited various island communities
undertook a European tour, attended a before attending the inaugural Convention of
number of Summer Schools and conferences, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is
and proceeded to the Holy Land and fran. An of New Hebrides at Ridvan . From there he
extensive autumn journey to Africa was cut proceeded to India and iran. After attending
short in Cameroon. Soon he was again in fran, the International Convention Mr. Faizi
and revisiting countries of Europe in early attended three European Summer Schools in
1978. Following the inaugural Conventions of the summer of 1978 and visited seven other
the Caroline Islands and the Mariana Islands in countries inspiring the friends through his wise
May- he was the representative of the Uni- counsel and loving spirit.

The Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone (left) visiting the site of the local Baha'i Centre of
Fagafau, Savai'i, Western Samoa; 12 April 1977. Mr. and Mrs. Pula Ofila, who donated the
site and are building the structure, are seen in the centre of the photograph.
332 THE BAHA'I WORLD

The Hand ofthe Cause Amatu'l-Bahti RuJ;zlyyih Khtinum (centre) and her fellow Hands ofthe
Cause who participated in the International Teaching Conference in Paris at which RuJ;zlyyih
Khtinum represented the Universal House of Justice. Left to right: Mr. John Robarts, Dr.
'AU-Mul;zammad Varqa, Dr. Ral;zmatu'lltih Muhtijir, Mr. Dhikru'lltih Khtidem, Mr. Collis
Featherstone.

The Hand ofthe Cause Ral;zmatu'lltih Muhti- The hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery
jir and Mr. Mazco Kucel, a Mayan Bahti'[ of (centre) and Mrs. Giachery with some of the
Quintana Roo, Mexico, photographed dur- 130 participants from 24 communities who
ing the International Teaching Conference, attended the Teaching Conference held in
Merida, Yucatan; February 1977. San Zana, Italy; May 1976.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 333

3. HANDS OF THE CAUSE WHO
REPRESENTED THE UNIVERSAL
HOUSE OF JUSTICE AT CONVENTIONS
FOR THE ELECTION OF NATIONAL
SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
Listed below are the Hands of the Cause who represented the Universal House of
Justice at inaugural Conventions held in the period 1976-1979, the name of the new
National Spiritual Assembly, its seat, the parent or sponsoring National Assembly and,
in chronological order, the dates of the Conventions.

Rifi,van 1977
Abu'l-Qasim Faizi New Hebrides-Port Vila
(South West Pacific Ocean)
Apri l 22-24
Dr. Adelbert Miihlschlegel Greece-Athens
(Germany)
Apri l 23-24
Dr. 'Ali-MuJ:iammad Varga French Antilles-Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe
(Leeward and Virgin Islands)
April 23-24
H. Collis Featherstone Marshall Islands-Majuro
(North West Pacific Ocean)
April 23-25
Dhikru'llah Khadem 1 Surinam and French Guiana-Paramaribo, Surinam
(Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana)
April 30-May 1
Enoch Olinga Upper Volta-Ouagadougou
(Ivory Coast, Mali and Upper Volta)
May 2- 3

1978
William Sears The Bahamas- Nassau
(The United States of America)
May 19-21
Dr. Ugo Giachery Cyprus-Nicosia
(The United Kingdom)
May 20- 21
Dr. 'Ali-MuJ:iammad Varga Mauritania-Nouakchott
(Upper West Africa)
May 27- 28
Dr. RaJ:imatu'llah Muhajir The Mariana Islands-Agana, Guam
(North West Pacific Ocean)
May 26-28

' Mr. Dhikru'llah Khadem also attended the inaugural Conventions where two new National Spiritual Assemblies in Western
Asia were established in May 1978.
334 THE BAHA'I WORLD

III
THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

1. INTRODUCTION

THE sacred Writings of the Baha'i Faith cre- bers of the National Spiritual Assembly, from
ate organic institutions having a membership among all the friends in that country ...
elected by the Baha'i community. Baha'u'llah 'With it, too , rests the decision whether a
called these institutions into being; their estab- certain point at issue is strictly local in its
lishment, definition, training and development nature ... or whether it should fall under its
came later, in the ministry of' Abdu'l-Baha and own province and be regarded as a matter
in that of the Guardian appointed in 'Abdu'l- which ought to receive its special attention.''
Baha's Testament. 'The need for the centralization of authority
Since the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1921, in the National Spiritual Assembly, and the
the formation of Local Spiritual Assemblies concentration of power in the various Local
has multiplied in East and West, and the Assemblies, is ... manifest.' 2
institution of the National Spiritual Assembly 'The authority of the National Spiritual
has become firmly established. Concerning this Assembly is undivided and unchallengeable in
national administrative body Shoghi Effendi all matters pertaining to the administration of
has provided clear information and direction. the Faith [throughout its country].' 3
Its purpose, its power, its responsibility and its The individual Baha'i has spiritual citizenfunctions and duties are definitely prescribed. ship in a world community of believers acting
'Its immediate purpose is to stimulate, unify through local, national and international
and co-ordinate by frequent personal consulta- bodies. There is no division of interest or
tions the manifold activities of the friends conflict of authority among these institutions,
[believers] as well as the Local Assemblies; and for ever since the ascension of Baha'u'llah in
by keeping in close and constant touch with the 1892 His Faith has possessed infallible gui-
Holy Land [Baha'i World Centre], initiate dance by virtue of His Covenant, which
measures, and direct in general the affairs of specifically provides it. The action of a Baha'i
the Cause in that country. administrative body, therefore, while ration-
'It serves also another purpose, no Jess ally determined by constitutional principles,
essential than the first ... in conjunction with operates in a spiritual realm revealed by the
the other National Assemblies throughout the Manifestation of God and maintained free
Baha'i world, to elect directly the members of from political pressure and the influence of
the International House of Justice, that Su- materialism . Apart from the appointed
preme Council that will guide, organize and unify Interpreter, no Baha'i has individual authority.
the affairs of the [Faith J throughout the world. Decisions are confined to the sphere of action
' ... it has lo exercise full authority over all and are made by a body of nine persons.
the Local Assemblies in its province, and will The advice and direction clarifying the
have to direct the activities of the friends, nature and operation of a National Spiritual
guard vigilantly the Cause of God, and control Assembly have been compiled by the Ameriand supervise the affairs of the [Faith) in gen- can Baha'is from letters written to them by
eral. Shoghi Effendi. 4
'Vital issues, affecting the interests of the
Cause in that country ... that stand distinct 1
Bahli'{ Administration (1960 edition) pp. 39-40.
from strictly local affairs, must be under the full 2
ibid ., p. 42
jurisdiction of the National Assembly. It will Bahli'( Procedure (1949), p. 63.
Bah(J'( Administration: Declaration of Trust and By-Laws
have to refer each of these questions ... to a of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the
special committee, to be elected by the mem- United States.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 335
During the ministry of ' Abdu' l-Baha, after from the legalisms and devices acting within
He had approved the petition submitted to Him every human institution.
by the American Baha'is expressing their desire While the transition from Baha'i Temple
to construct a House of Worship, these Baha'is Unity to National Spiritual Assembly in North
formed a national body known as Baha'i America emphasizes certain _principles inher-
Temple Unity, incorporated for the purpose ent in Baha'i institutions, the formation of a
of gathering funds and co-ordinating plans to National Spiritual Assembly in a new area reerect the Temple in Wilmette. That body, presents more profoundly the creation of a new
though national in scope and elected by dele- type of society. Every national Baha'i comgates representing the various local Baha'i munity has gone through some evolution recommunities, was not a National Spiritual flecting its historical background before its
Assembly. It is interesting to note that in Baha'i National Assembly was established.
Temple Unity the American Baha'is estab- The functions of a National Spiritual
lished a body reflecting their own national his- Assembly are manifold: the publication of
torical experience. The local communities pre- Baha'i literature; national teaching plans;
ceded the national body in time and each exer- supervision of local communities; encouragecised an independent authority in the conduct ment and direction of all the Baha'is in their
of its own affairs. When their representatives service to the Faith; and representation of the
agreed to form a national Baha'i body with full Baha'is in relation to the civil authorities. Each
jurisdiction over Temple matters, they trans- national body prepares and adopts its own conferred to it powers which vested final decision, stitution, formulated on the basis of the model
not in its directors, but in the Annual Conven- approved by the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith.
tion. The vital distinction between Temple All the National Spiritual Assemblies collec-
Unity and the National Spiritual Assembly tively, under the title of the Baha'i Internawhen later established lay in this field of ulti- tional Community, constitute an international
mate authority. The National Spiritual Assem- non-governmental organization whose delebly possessed original authority, powers and gates are accredited by United Nations for
functions of its own. It came into existence attendance and participation in its regional
through election of its nine members at a conferences. 2
National Convention but constituted a con- Through the institution of the National
tinuing authority derived from the Baha'i Spiritual Assembly, Baha'is are enabled to
teachings and not conferred by any action of carry out plans of considerable magnitude , colthe believers, whether as local communities or laborate with Baha'is of all other lands in matas delegates. This authority emerged supreme ters of international interest, maintain comin relation to Baha'i matters within the mon standards of administrative principle, and
national community but subject to the higher take advantage, in the appointment of commitauthority of the Guardian and also of the tees, of particular talents and aptitudes possesfuture International House of Justice. 1 sed by individual believers. The National
Within its own realm the National Spiritual Spiritual Assembly stands as one of the pillars
Assembly is an institution created by the supporting the Baha'i world community. Par-
Teachings of the Faith independent of the ticipation in national Bah:3.'i activities serves to
Baha'is who elect its members and of the Baha'is insulate the individual Baha'i from infection by
composing its membership. In no way does the psychic ills which afflict modern society as a
this institution reflect either the political or the result of its lack of faith and spiritual direction.
ecclesiastical influences of its environment, Within the shelter of this emerging order the
whether in America, Europe or the East. This storms of partisanship cannot engulf the soul.
fact has paramount importance. On the one
hand it reveals the existence of an organic HORACE HOLLEY
religious society; on the other hand it demonstrates the freedom of this new community 2
Consultative stat us with the United Nations Economic and
Written in 1954. Social Council was obtained on 27 May 1970.
336 THE BAHA'I WORLD

National Spiritual
Assemblies formed
Rifl,van 1977

The National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahd'(s of Greece; Rirjvdn 1977. The Hand of
the Cause Adelbert Muhlschlegel who
represented the Universal House of Justice at
the inaugural convention is seen in the front
row, second from the left.

The National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahd'(s of the French Antilles; Rirjvdn 1977.
The Hand of the Cause 'AU-Mu(lammad
Varqd who represented the Universal House
of Justice at the inaugural convention is seen
at the extreme left, front row. Rowland Estall,
of the Continental Board of Counsellors in
Central America, is seen at the extreme right,
front row.

The National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahd'(s of the Marshall Islands; Rirjvdn 1977.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 337

2. A MODEL DECLARATION OF TRUST
AND BY-LAWS
for a

NATION AL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

FOREWORD

THE 1926-27 National Spiritual Assemb ly of the Baha'ls of the United States and Canada
completed a task which, while pertaining to the outer and more material aspects of the Cause,
nevertheless has a special significance for its spirit and inward sacred purpose. This task consisted
in creating a legal form which gives proper substance and substantial character to the National
Spiritual Assemblies and the administrative processes embodied in the Baha'i teachings by a form
of incorporation recognized under common law. This Declaration of Trust, with its attendant
By-Laws, became the model to be followed, with adaptations as local laws and circumstances
required, by other Na ti on al Spiritual Assemblies. The years following the election of the U niversal House of Justice witnessed a great increase in the number of National Spiritual Assemblies
(from 57 in 1963 to 130 by Ric;lvan 1979) and the House of Justice itself provided a model
document, largely based on the one devised by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United
States, to be followed as closely as possible by all new National Spiritual Assemblies as they
became incorporated, which they were required to do under the Nine Year Plan.
Careful examination of the Declaration and its By-Laws will reveal the fact that this document
contains no arbitrary elements nor features new to the Baha'i Cause. On the contrary, it
represents a most conscientious effort to reflect those very administrative principles and elements
already set forth in the letters of the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, and already determining the
methods and relationships of Baha'i collective association. The provision both in the Declaration
and in the By-Laws for amendments in the future will permit the Natio nal Spiritual Assemblies to
adapt this document to such new administrative elements or principles as may at any time be given
forth. The Declaration, in fact, is nothing more nor less than a legal parallel of those moral and
spiritual laws of unity inherent in the fullness of the Baha'i Revelation and making it the fulfilment
of the ideal of religion in the social as well as spiritual realm. Because, in the Baha'i Faith, this
perfect correspondence exists between spiritual and social laws, the Baha'ls believe that administrative success is identical with moral success, and that nothing less than the true Baha'i spirit of
devotion and sacrifice can inspire with effective power the world-wide body of unity revealed by
Baha'u'llah.

DECLARATION OF TR UST
By the NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'fs
OF .. . ..

WE,
duly chosen by the representatives of the Baha'fs of ... at the Annual Meeting held at ... , on
. . . , to be the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ls of ... , with full power to establish a
Trust as hereinafter set forth, hereby declare that from this date the powers, responsibilities,
rights, privileges and obligations reposed in said National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ls of .. .
by Baha'u'llah, Founder of the Baha'i Faith, by 'Abdu'l-Baha, its Interpreter and Exemplar, by
338 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Shoghi Effendi, its Guardian, and by the Universal House of Justice, ordained by Baha'u'llah in
His sacred Writings as the supreme body of the Baha'i religion, shall be exercised, administered
and carried on by the above-named National Spiritual Assembly and their duly qualified successors under this Declaration of Trust.
The National Spiritual Assembly in adopting this form of association, union and fellowship ,
and in selecting for itself the designation of Trustees of the Baha'is of ... , does so as the
administrative body of a religious community which has had continuous existence and responsibility for .... In consequence of these activities the National Spiritual Assembly is called upon to
administer such ever-increasing diversity and volume of affairs and properties for the Baha'is of
... , that we, its members, now feel it both desirable and necessary to give our collective functions
more definite legal form. This action is taken in complete unanimity and with full recognition of
the sacred relationship thereby created. We acknowledge in behalf of ourselves and our successors in this Trust the exalted religious standard established by Baha'u'llah for Baha'i administrative bodies in the utterance: Be ye Trustees of the Merciful One among men; and seek the help of
God and His guidance in order to fulfil that exhortation .

(Signatures of the nine members)
Date

ARTICLE I
The name of said Trust shall be the 'National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of .. . .'

ARTICLE II
Sharing the ideals and assisting the efforts of our fellow Baha'is to establish, uphold and
promote the spiritual, educational and humanitarian teachings of human brotherhood, radiant
faith, exalted character and selfless love revealed in the lives and utterances of all the Prophets
and Messengers of God, Founders of the world's revealed religions-and given renewed creative
energy and universal application to the conditions of this age in the life and utterances of
Baha'u'llah-we declare the purposes and objects of this Trust to be to administer the affairs of
the Cause of Baha'u'llah for the benefit of the Baha'is of ... according to the principles of Baha'i
affiliation and administration created and established by Baha'u'llah, defined and explained by
'Abdu'l-Baha, interpreted and amplified by Shoghi Effendi, and supplemented and applied by
the Universal House of Justice.
These purposes are to be realized by means of devotional meetings; by public meetings and
conferences of an educational, humanitarian and spiritual character; by the publication of books,
magazines and newspapers; by the construction of temples of universal worship and of other
institutions and edifices for humanitarian service; by supervising, unifying, promoting and generally administering the activities of the Baha'is of ... in the fulfilment of their religious offices,
duties and ideals; and by any other means approp riate to these ends, or a ny of them.
Other purposes and objects of this Trust are:

a. The right to enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every sort and kind for the furtherance
of the objects of this Trust with any person, firm, association, corporation, private, public or municipal
or body politic, or any state, territory or colony thereof, or any foreign government; and in this
connection, and in all transactions under the terms of this Trust, to do any and all things which a
co-partnership or natural person could do or exercise, and which now or hereafter may be authorized by
law .
b. To hold and be named as beneficiary under any trust established by law or otherwise or under any will or
other testamentary instrument in connection with any gift, devise, or bequest in which a trust or trusts is
or are established in any part of the world as well as in .. . ; to receive gifts, devises or bequests of money
or other property.
c. All and whatsoever the several purposes and objects set forth in the written utterances of Baha'u'llah,
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 339
' Abdu' l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi, and enactments of the Universa l House of Justice , under which
certain jurisdiction, powers and rights are gra nted to Nationa l Spiritual Assemblies.
d. Generally to do all things and acts which in the judgement of said Trustees, i.e., the Nationa l Spiritual
Assembly of the Baha'fs of . . . , are necessary , proper and advantageous to promote the complete and
successful admini stration of this Trust.

ARTICLE III
SECTION 1. All persons, firms , corporations and associations extending credit to, contracting
with or having any claim against the Trustees, i.e., the National Spiritual Assembly, and the
members thereof, of a ny character whatsoever, whether legal or equitable and whether arising
out of contract or tort, shall look solely to the funds of the Trust and to the property of the Trust
estate for payment or indemnity , or for payment of any debt, damage , judgement or decree or any
money that may otherwise become due or payable from the Trustees, so that neither the Trustees
nor any of them, nor any of their officers or agents appointed by them hereunder, nor any
beneficiary or beneficiaries herein named shall be personally liable therefor.
SECTION 2. Every note, bond , proposal, obligation or contract in writing or other agreement or
instrument made or given under this Trust shall be explicitly executed by the National Spiritual
Assembly, as Trustees, by their duly authorized officers or agents .

ARTICLE IV
The Trustees , i.e., the Nation3l Spiritual Assembly, shall adopt for the conduct of the affairs
entrusted to them under this Decla ration of Trust, such by-laws, rules of procedure or regulations
as are required to define and carry on its own administrative functions and those of the several
local and other elements composing the body of the Baha'fs of ... , not inconsistent with the
terms of this instrument and all in accordance with the instructions and enactments of the
Universal House of Justice.

ARTICLE V
The central office of this Trust shall be located in ....

ARTICLE VI
The seal of this Trust shall be circular in form, bearing the following inscription:
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of ....

ARTICLE VII
This Declaration of Trust may be amended by majority vote of the National Spiritual Assembly
of the Baha'fs of ... at any special meeting duly called for that purpose, provided that at least
thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for said meeting a copy of the proposed amendment or
amendments is mailed to each member of the Assembly by the Secretary.
340 THE BAHA'I WORLD

BY-LAWS OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

ARTJCLE I

THE National Spiritual Assembly, in the fulfilment of its sacred duties under this Trust, shall
have exclusive jurisdiction and authority over all the activities and affairs of the Baha'i Cause
throughout . .. , including paramount authority in the administration of this Trust. It shall
endeavour to stimulate, unify and coordinate the manifold activities of the Local Spiritual
Assemblies (hereinafter defined) and of individual Baha'ls in ... and by all possible means assist
them to promote the oneness of mankind. It shall be charged with the recognition of such Local
Assemblies, the scrutiny of all membership rolls, the calling of the Annual Meeting or special
meetings and the seating of delegates to the Annual Meeting and their apportionment among the
various electoral districts. lt shall appoint all national Baha'i committees and shall supervise the
publication and distribution of Baha'i literature , the reviewing of all writings pertain ing to the
Baha'i Cause, the construction and administration of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar and its accessory
activities, and the collection and disbursement of all funds for the carrying on of this Trust. It shall
decide whether any matter lies within its own jurisdiction or within the jurisdiction of any Local
Spiritual Assembly. It shall, in such cases as it considers suitable and necessary, entertain appeals
from the decisions of Local Spiritual Assemblies and shall have the right of final decision in all
cases where the qualification of an individual or group for continued voting rights and membership in the Baha'i body is in question. It shall furthermore represent the Baha'ls of . . . in all their
co-operative and spiritual activities with the Baha'ls of other lands, and shall constitute the sole
electoral body of ... in the election of the Universal House of Justice provided for in the sacred
Writings of the Baha'i Cause. Above all, the National Spiritual Assembly shall ever seek to attain
that station of unity in devotion to the Revelation of Baha'u'llah which will attract the confirmations of the Holy Spirit and enable the Assembly to serve the founding of the Most Great Peace.
In all its deliberation and action the National Assembly shall have constantly before it as Divine
guide and standard the utterance of Baha'u'llah:
It behooveth them (i.e. , members of Spiritual Assemblies) 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 incumbent upon them to take counsel together and to have regard for the interests ofthe servants
of God, for His sake, even as they regard their own interests, and to choose that which is meet and
seemly.

ARTICLE II
The Baha'ls of ... for whose benefit this Trust is established shall consist of all persons of the
age of 15 years or over resident in ... who are accepted by the National Spiritual Assembly as
possessing the qualifications of Baha'i faith and practice required under the following standard set
forth by the Guardian of the Faith:
Full recognition of the station of the Bab, the Forerunner; ofBaha'u'Ilah, the Author; and of'Abdu'l-Baha,
the True Exemplar of the Baha'i religion; unreserved acceptance of, and submission to, whatsoever has
been revealed by their Pen; loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause of 'Abdu'l-Baha's sacred Will;
and close association with the spirit as well as the form of Baha'i Administration throughout the world.

Those residing in the area of jurisdiction of any Local Spiritual Assembly recognized by the
National Assembly may declare their faith to, and be enrolled by, the Local Spiritual Assembly;
those living outside any such area of local Baha'i jurisdiction shall be enrolled in such manner as
shall be prescribed by the National Assembly.
Upon attaining the age of 21 years, a Baha'i is eligible to vote and to hold elective office.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 341

National Spiritual
Assemblies formed
Rirjvan 1977

The National Spiritual Assembly of the
Baha'is of the New Hebrides; Rief, van 1977.

.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahli'is of Surinam and French Guiana;
Rief, van 1977. Jn the centre, holding the '
Greatest Name, is the Hand of the Cause
Dhikru'l/ah Khadem who represented the
Universal House of Justice at the inaugural
convention.
1sT NATtON/\L BAHA'I
~JNVEN TI

' ...am..:~•

The National Spiritua l Assembly of the
Bahli'is of Upper Volta whose inaugural
convention was held 2-3 May 1977.
342 THE BAHA'f WORLD

ARTICLE III
The National Assembly shall consist of nine members chosen from among the Baha'fs of ... ,
who shall be elected by the said Baha'fs in manner hereinafter provided, and who shall continue
for the period of one year, or until their successors shall be elected.

ARTICLE IV
The officers of the National Spiritual Assembly shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman,
Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as may be found necessary for the proper
conduct of its affairs. The officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the entire membership of
the Assembly taken by secret ballot.

ARTICLE V
The first meeting of a newly-elected National Assembly shall be called by the member elected
to membership by the highest number of votes or, in case two or more members have received the
same said highest number of votes, then by the member selected by lot from among those
members; and this member shall preside until the permanent Chairman shall be chosen. All
subsequent meetings shall be called by the Secretary of the Assembly at the request of the
Chairman or, in his absence or incapacity, of the Vice-Chairman, or of any three members of the
Assembly; provided, however, that the Annual Meeting of the Assembly shall be held at a time
and place to be fixed by a majority vote of the Assembly , as hereinafter provided.

ARTICLE VI
Five members of the National Assembly present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum, and a
majority vote of those present and constituting a quorum shall be sufficient for the conduct of
business, except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, and with due regard to the principle of
unity and cordial fellowship involved in the institution of a Spiritual Assembly. The transactions
and decisions of the National Assembly shall be recorded at each meeting by the Secretary, who
shall supply copies of the minutes to the Assembly members after each meeting, and preserve the
minutes in the official records of the Assembly.

ARTICLE VII
Whenever in any locality of ... , the number of Baha'is resident therein recognized by the
National Spiritual Assembly exceeds nine, these shall on April 21st of any year convene and elect
by plurality vote a local administrative body of nine members, to be known as the Spiritual
Assembly of the Baha'fs of that community . Every such Spiritual Assembly shall be elected
annually thereafter upon each successive 21st day of April. The members shall hold office for the
term of one year or until their successors are elected and qualified.
When, however, the number of Baha'fs in any authorized civil area is exactly nine, these shall
on April 21st of any year, or in successive years, constitute themselves the Local Spiritual
Assembly by joint declaration. Upon the recording of such declaration by the Secretary of the
National Spiritual Assembly, said body of nine shall become established with the rights, privileges
and duties of a Local Spiritual Assembly as set forth in this instrument.
SECTION 1. Each newly-elected Local Spiritual Assembly shall at once proceed in the manner
indicated in Articles IV and V of these By-Laws to the election of its officers, who shall consist of a
Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as the Assembly
finds necessary for the conduct of its business and the fulfilment of its spiritual duties. Immediately thereafter the Secretary chosen shall transmit to the Secretary of the National Assembly the
names of the members of the newly-elected Assembly and a list of its officers.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 343
SECTION 2. The general powers and duties of a Local Spiritual Assembly shall be as set forth in
the writings of Baha'u'llah , 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi, and as laid down by the Universal
House of Justice.
SECTION 3. Among its more specific duties, a Local Spiritual Assembly shall have full jurisdiction of
all Baha'i activities and affairs within the local community, subject, however, to the exclusive and
paramount authority of the National Spiritual Assembly as defined herein.
SECTION 4. Vacancies in the membership of a Local Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by election
at a special meeting of the local Baha'i community duly called for that purpose by the Assembly.
In the event that the number of vacancies exceeds four, making a quorum of the Local Assembly
impossible, the election shall be held under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly.
SECTION 5. The business of the Local Assembly shall be conducted in like manner as provided
for the deliberations of the National Assembly in Article VI above.
SECTION 6. The Local Assembly shall pass upon and approve the qualifications of each member
of the Baha'i community before such members shall be admitted to voting membership; but
where an individual is dissatisfied with the ruling of the Local Spiritual Assembly upon his Baha'i
qualifications, such individual may appeal from the ruling to the National Assembly, which shall
there upon take jurisdiction of and finally decide the case.
SECTION 7. On or before the 1st day of November of each year the Secretary of each Local
Assembly shall send to the Secretary of the National Assembly a duly certified list of the voting
members of the local Baha'i community for the information and approval of the National
Assembly.
SECTION 8. All matters arising within a local Baha'i community which are of purely local interest
and do not affect the national interests of the Cause shall be under the primary jurisdiction of the
Spiritual Assembly of that locality; but decision whether a particular matter involves the interest and
welfare of the national Baha'i body shall rest with the National Spiritual Assembly.
SECTION 9. Any member of a local Baha'i community may appeal from a decision of his Spiritual
Assembly to the National Assembly, which shall determine whether it shall take jurisdiction of
the matter or leave it to the Local Spiritual Assembly for reconsideration. In the event that the
National Assembly assumes jurisdiction of the matter, its findings shall be final.
SECTION 10. Where any dissension exists within a local Baha'i community of such character that
it cannot be remedied by the efforts of the Local Spiritual Assembly, this condition shall be
referred by the Spiritual Assembly for consideration to the National Spiritual Assembly, whose
action in the matter shall be final.
SECTION 11. All questions arising between two or more Local Spiritual Assemblies, or between
members of different Baha'i communities, shall be submitted in the first instance to the National
Assembly, which shall have original and final jurisdiction in all such matters.
SECTION 12. The sphere of jurisdiction of a Local Spiritual Assembly, with respect to residential
qualification of membership, and voting rights of a believer in any Baha'i community, shall be the
locality included within the recognized civil limits.
All differences of opinion concerning the sphere of jurisdiction of any Local Spiritual Assembly
or concerning the affiliation of any Baha'i or group ofBaha'is in ... shall be referred to the National
Spiritua l Assembly, whose decision in the matter shall be final.

ARTICLE VIII
The members of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be elected at an annual meeting to be
known as the National Convention of the Baha'fs of .... This Convention shall be held at a time
and place to be fixed by the National Assembly. The National Convention shall be composed
jointly of representatives chosen by the Baha'fs of each ... under the principle of proportionate
representation, and the members of the National Spiritual Assemb ly.
Notice of the annual meeting shall be given by the National Assembly sixty days in advance in
the Convention Call which sets forth the number of delegates assigned to the various electoral
units in proportion to the number of Baha'fs resident in each such unit, to a total of . . . delegates
for the Baha'fs of ....
344 THE BAHA'I WORLD

SECTION 1. All delegates to the Convention shall be elected by plurality vote. Baha'ls who for
illness or other unavoidable reasons are unable to be present at the election in person shall have
the right to transmit their ballots to the meeting by mail. The meeting held in each ... for the
election of delegates shall be called by the National Spiritual Assembly and conducted by the
Baha'ls present under whatever procedure may be uniformly laid down by said body. Immediately after the meeting a certified report of the election containing the name and address of each
delegate shall be transmitted to the National Spiritual Assembly.
SECTION 2. All delegates to be seated at the Convention must be recognized Baha'ls and
residents of the ... represented by them.
SECTION 3. The rights and privileges of a delegate may not be assigned nor may they be
exercised by proxy.
SECTION 4. The recognition and seating of delegates to the National Convention shall be vested
in the National Spiritual Assembly.
SECTION 5. Delegates unable to be present in person at the Convention shall have the right to
transmit their ballots for election of the members of the National Assembly under whatever
procedure is adopted by the National Assembly.
SECTION 6. If in any year the National Spiritual Assembly shall consider that it is impracticable
or unwise to assemble together the delegates to the National Convention, the said Assembly shall
provide ways and means by which the annual election and the other essential business of the
Convention may be conducted by mail.
SECTION 7. The presiding officer of the National Spiritual Assembly present at the Convention
shall call together the delegates, who after roll call shall proceed to the permanent organization of
the meeting, electing by ballot a Chairman, a Secretary and such other officers as are necessary for
the proper conduct of the business of the Convention.
SECTION 8. The principal business of the annual meeting shall be consultation on Baha'i
activities, plans and policies, and the election of the nine members of the National Spiritual
Assembly. Members of the National Assembly, whether or not elected delegates, may take a full
part in the consultation and discussion but only delegates may participate in the election of
Convention officers or in the annual election of the members of the National Assembly. All action
by the delegates, other than the organization of the Convention , the transmission of messages to
the World Centre of the Baha'i Faith, and the election of the National Assembly, shall constitute
advice and recommendation for consideration by the said Assembly, final decision in all matters
concerning the affairs of the Baha'i Faith in ... being vested solely in that body.
SECTION 9. The general order of business to be taken up at the Annual Convention shall be
prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly in the form of an agenda, but any matter pertaining
to the Baha'i Faith introduced by any of the delegates may upon motion and vote be taken up as
part of the Convention deliberations.
SECTION 10. The election of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be by
plurality vote of the delegates recognized by the outgoing National Spiritual Assembly, i.e., the
members elected shall be the nine persons receiving the greatest number of votes on the first
ballot cast by delegates present at the Convention and delegates whose ballot has been transmitted to the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly by mail. In case, by reason of a tie vote or
votes, the full membership is not determined on the first ballot, then one or more additional
ballots shall be taken on the persons tied until all nine members are elected.
SECTION 11. All official business transacted at the National Convention shall be recorded and
preserved in the records of the National Assembly.
SECTION 12. Vacancies in the membership of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by a
plurality vote of the delegates composing the Convention which elected the Assembly, the ballot
to be taken by correspondence or in any other manner decided upon by the National Spiritual
Assembly.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 345
ARTICLE IX
Where the National Spiritual Assembly has been given in these By-Laws exclusive and final
jurisdiction, and paramount executive authority, in all matters pertaining to the activities and
affairs of the Baha'f Cause in ... , it is understood that any decision made or action taken upon
such matters shall be subject in every instance to ultimate review and approval by the Universal
House of Justice.

ARTICLE X
Whatever functions and powers are not specifically attributable to Local Spiritual Assemblies
in these By-Laws shall be considered vested in the National Spiritual Assembly, which body is
authorized to delegate such discretionary functions and powers as it deems necessary and
advisable to the Local Spiritual Assemblies within its jurisdiction.

ARTICLE XI
In order to preserve the spiritual character and purpose of Baha'f elections, the practice of
nominations or any other electoral method detrimental to a silent and prayerful election shall not
prevail, so that each elector may vote for none but those whom prayer and reflection have inspired
him to uphold.
Among the most outstanding and sacred duties incumbent upon those who have been called
upon to initiate, direct and co-ordinate the affairs of the Cause as members of Local or National
Spiritual Assemblies are:
To win by every means in their power the confidence and affection of those whom it is their
privilege to serve; to investigate and acquaint themselves with the considered views, the prevailing sentiments and the personal convictions of those whose welfare it is their solemn obligation to
promote; to purge their deliberations and the general conduct of their affairs of self-contained
aloofness, the suspicion of secrecy, the stifling atmosphere of dictatorial assertiveness and of
every word and deed that may savour of partiality, self-centredness and prejudice; and while
retaining the sacred right of final decision in their hands, to invite discussion, ventilate grievances, welcome advice and foster the sense of inter-dependence and co-partnership, of understanding and mutual confidence between themselves and all other Baha'fs.

ARTICLE XII
These By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of the National Spiritual Assembly at any of
its regular or special meetings, provided that at least fourteen days prior to the date fixed for the
said meeting a copy of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed to each member of the
Assembly by the Secretary.
346 THE BAHA'I WORLD

3. A PROCEDURE FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE
ANNUAL BAHA'I CONVENTION
I. CONVENTION CALL This agenda may include, as part of the
THE National Spiritual Assembly deter- National Assembly's annual report, the premines the date, duration and place of the sentation of specia l subjects by well qualified
Annual Convention and provides for such members, committee representatives or nonmeetings in connection wit h the Convention as Baha'i experts whose exposition is necessary or
it may fee l are desirable. desirable for the information of the delegates .
On motion duly made, seconded and voted,
II. CONVENTION PROCEDURE
any such subject may be omitted, and also on
The Twenty-sixth Annual Convention [of
motion duly made , seconded and voted, any
the Baha'ls of the United States and Canada],
other sub ject may be proposed for special conheld in 1934, voted a recommendation calling
sultation.
upon the Nationa l Spiritual Assembly to sup-
Annual Election: The election of members
ply a parliamentary procedure for the conduct
of the National Spiritual Assembly is to take
of the Annual Convention, and the present
place approximate ly midway during the Conmaterial has been prepared to meet the need
vention sessions, so as to enable the delegates
indicated by that recommendation.
to consult with both the outgoing and incoming
Order of Business Assemblies, in accordance with the Guardian's
Prayer and devotional readings, provided by expressed desire .
the outgoing National Spiritual Assembly.
Opening of the Convention by Presiding Conduct of Business
Officer of the National Spiritual Assembly. Every deliberative body, to fulfil its func-
Roll ca ll of delegates by the Secretary of the tions, must conduct its deliberations in accor-
National Spiritual Assembly. dance with some established rules of order.
Election by secret ballot of Convention The parliamentary procedure here set forth for
Chairman and Secretary. The Convention the Convention is based upon the procedure
Officers are to be e lected by the assembled already adopted for meetings of Local
delegates from among the entire number of Assemblies and communities. It accordingly
delegates who are present at the Convention. extends to sessions of the Annual Convention,
Annua l Report of National Spiritual the same procedure under which the delegates,
Assembly. in their other Baha'i activities, are accustomed
Annual Financial Report of National to conduct discussions and consultation.
Spiritual Assembly. The purpose of consultation at the Annual
Convention message to the World Centre of Convention is threefold: to arrive at full and
the Baha'i Faith. complete knowledge of the current conditions,
Annual Committee Reports: These are to be problems and possibilities of the Faith in
considered as part of the report of the National America; to give the incoming National
Spiritual Assembly. They are whenever pos- Assembly the benefit of the collective wisdom,
sible published in Baha'i News in advance of the guidance and constructive suggestions of the
Convention date, for the information of the assembled delegates, and to contribute to the
delegates. unity, in spirit and in action, of the entire
Subjects for Consultation: Any delegate American Baha'i community.
may, before the Convention convenes, The freedom of each and every delegate to
recommend to the National Assembly such take part in discussion and to initiate motions is
topics as he deems of sufficient importance to untrammelled save as the undue activity of one
be included in the Convention agenda; and the delegate might hamper the rights of the other
National Spiritual Assembly, from the list of delegates. Any necessary limitation to be
topics received from delegates, and also sug- placed upon individual discussion shall be
gested by its own knowledge and experience, is determined by the Chairman in the absence of
to prepare an agenda or order of business as its any specific motion duly voted by the delegates
recommendation to the Convention. themselves.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U ' LLAH 347
It shall be the duty of the Chairman to call prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly.
encourage general consultation and make Ballots and tellers' report forms shall be
possible the active participation of the greatest provided by the National Assembly.
possible number of delegates . The election shall be conducted by the Con-
The Chairman has the same power and vention, but delegates unable to attend the
responsibi li ty for discussion and voting upon Convention shall have the right to vote by mail.
motions as other delegates. Members of the The Chairman shall appoint three te llers,
outgoing and incoming National Assembly chosen from among the assembled delegates.
who are not delegates may participate in the The electoral method shall be as follows:
consultation but not vote. 1. The Convention Secretary shall call the
A resolution, or motion, is not subject to roll of delegates, whereupon each delegate, in
discussion or vote until duly made and sec- turn, shall place his or her ballot in a ballot box;
onded. It is preferable to have each resolution and as the names are called ballots received by
clear and complete in itself, but when an mail shall be placed in the ballot box by the
amendment is duly made and seconded, the Secretary of the National Assembly.
Chairman shall call for a vote on the amend- 2. The ballot box shall then be handed to the
me nt first and then on the motion. An amend- tellers, who shall retire from the Convention
ment must be relevant to, and not contravene, hall to determine the result of the e lection.
the subject matter of the motion. 3. The result of the election is to be reported
The Chairman shall call for votes by oral by the tellers, and the tellers' report is to be
expression of ayes and nays, but where the approved by the Convention.
result of the vote is doubtful then by a show of 4. The ballots, together with the tellers'
hands or a rising vote. A majority vote deter- . report, certified by all the tellers, are to be
mines. given to the National Spiritual Assembly for
Discussion of any matter may be terminated preservation.
by motion duly made, seconded and voted ,
III. THE CONVENTION RECORD
calling upon the Chairman to bring the matter
The permanent record of each successive
to an immediate vote or proceed to other busi-
Annual Convention shall consist of the followness.
ing:-( I) Convention Call as issued by the
The transactions of the Convention shall be
National Spiritual Assembly; (2) List of accrerecorded by the Secretary, and when certified
dited delegates; (3) Annual Reports of the
by the Convention officers shall be given to the
National Spiritual Assembly and of its Com-
National Spiritual Assembly.
mittees; ( 4) Messages sent to and received
Annual Election from the World Centre; (5) Resolutions and
The electors in the Annual Election shall other transactions of the assembled delegates;
consist of those delegates included in the roll (6) The result of the Annual Election.
I

/
348 THE BAHA'I WORLD

National Spiritual
Assemblies formed
1978 1
The National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahli'fs of the Bahamas whose inaugural
convention was held 19-21 May 1978.

Baha'fs attending the inaugural convention for
the election of the National Spiritual Assembly
of Cyprus, 21-22 May 1978. The Hand of the
Cause Ugo Giachery is seen seated in the
centre, holding the Greatest Name; Mrs.
Giachery is to the left. To the right of Dr.
Giachery is Erik Blumenthal of the'
Continental Board of Counsellors in Europe.

The National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahli'{s of the Mariana Islands (one member
absent.) The inaugural convention was held
26-28 May 1978.

Baha'fs attending the inaugural convention for
the election of the National Spiritual Assembly
of Mauritania; 27- 28 May 1978.

In addition, two new National Spiritual Assemblies were formed in Western Asia.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 349

IV
THE LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBL Y 1
1. THE INSTITUTION AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

THE institution of the Spiritual Assembly Formation of a Local Spiritual Assembly
was created by Baha'u'llah and is an integral When the requisite conditions exist, the local
part of His Revelation, together with the teach- group of Baha'is is obligated to establish an
ings, principles, supplications, truth, and laws Assembly. It is not an optional matter.
written in the Books and Tablets. It is the The requisite conditions are simple. They
foundation stone of the new World Order, the include the following:
establishment of which is the essential aim of 1. There must be nine or more adult Baha'is
the Baha'i Faith. Through the loyalty of the in good standing resident in the community.
believers who assist in the unfoldment of its 2. These Baha'is are to be declared and reclatent attributes and powers, divine guidance ognized believers, all meeting qualifications of
and reinforcement is promised, and the forces faith laid down by the Guardian. If one or more
of unity, justice, affection and fellowship are members of the group are such newlymade to prevail over the negative elements confirmed Baha'is that they are not yet
which prey upon and destroy the civilization of recorded as believers by the National Spiritual
an unbelieving age. Assembly, these new believers are to take a full
' ... To it (Local Assembly) all local matters part in the formation of the Assembly, subject
pertaining to the Cause must be directly and to later determination of their Baha'i status.
immediately referred for full consultation and 3. Each Local Assembly has a definite area of
decision. The importance, nay the absolute jurisdiction. In most cases the area is that of the
necessity of these Local Assemblies is manifest civil boundaries of an incorporated village,
when we realize that in the days to come they town or city. An Assembly may also be formed
will evolve into the local House of Justice, and by nine or more Baha'is who reside in the same
at present provide the firm foundation on township or county or unincorporated village.
which the structure of the Master's Will is to be Where the area of jurisdiction is a township,
reared in future.' B.A., p. 37. there must be nine or more adult Baha'is resi-
'In order to avoid division and disruption , dent therein outside the limits of any incorpothat the Cause may not fall a prey to conflicting rated town or city in the township, as each
interpretations, and lose thereby its purity and Baha'i civil area must be separate and distinct
pristine vigour, that its affairs may be con- from other areas where an Assembly might
ducted with efficiency and promptness, it is later be formed .
necessary that every one should conscien- Where the area of jurisdiction is a county,
tiously take an active part in the election of these the county itself must be small enough to per-
Assemblies, abide by their decisions, enforce mit all the believers to meet regularly. The
their decree, and co-operate with them county unit constitutes a Baha'i area of juriswholeheartedly in their task of stimulating the diction only when in it there are nine or more
growth of the Movement throughout all re- Baha'is who have access to no smaller civil area
gions. The members of these Assemblies, on such as township or permanent electoral distheir part, must disregard utterly their own trict. Postal areas and school districts do not
likes and dislikes, their personal interests and represent areas of jurisdiction for Baha'i
inclinations, and concentrate their minds upon Assemblies.
those measures that will conduce to the welfare 4. At the present time there is only one date
and happiness of the Baha'i community and when Local Assemblies can be formed- April
promote the common weal.' B.A., p. 41. 21 of any year. As the Baha'i calendar consists
From The Baha'i Community, Baha'i Publishing Trust, of days which begin and end at sunset rather
Wilmette, 1963. than midnight, the time to form an Assembly is
350 THE BAHA'f WORLD

after sunset on April 20 and before sunset on Assembly members are elected by plurality
April 21 except in special circumstances. vote. The believers receiving the nine highest
5. Where there are more than nine adult votes on the first ballot are elected, unless two
Baha'fs, they form an Assembly by e lecting the or more are tied for ninth place. In case of a tie,
nine members of the Spiritual Assembly. a second ballot is cast by those present, and on
Where there are exactly nine adult Baha'fs, they this ballot the voter is to write the name of one
establish an Assembly by joint declaration, and of those who are tied in the first ballot.
all nine members must participate. The Contrary to the ways of the world, Baha'i
National Spiritual Assembly provides different elections are approached in a spirit of prayer
types of report forms for these two methods without preliminary electioneering or nominand the group should apply for the proper form ating of candidates. Before the ballots are cast,
in advance. prayers should be read and all participating
(For further information refer to the follow- ask for guidance in selecting those best fitted
ing section on 'The Annual E lection and to serve. In this regard the Guardian wrote:
Organization.') ' ... Let us recall His[' Abdu'l-Baha's] explicit
and often-repeated assurances that every
The Annual Election and Organization Assembly e lected in that rarefied atmosphere of
'These Local Spiritual Assemblies will have selflessness and detachment is, in truth, apto be elected directly by the friends, and every pointed of God, that its verdict is truly inspired,
declared believer of 21 years and above, far that one and all should submit to its decision unfrom standing aloof and assuming an indiffer- reservedly and with cheerfulness.' B.A., p. 65.
ent or independent attitude, should regard it ' ... the elector ... is called upon to vote for
his sacred duty to take part conscientiously and none but those whom prayer and reflection
diligently, in the election , the consolidation have inspired him to uphold. Moreover, the
and the efficient working of his own Local practice of nomination , so detrimental to the
Assembly.' B.A., p. 39. atmosphere of a silent and prayerful election, is
'Pending its (the Universal House of Justice) viewed with mistrust . .. Should this simple sysestablishment, 1 and to ensure uniformity tem (based o n plurality) be provisionally
throughout the East and throughout the West, adopted, it would safeguard the spiritual prinall Local Assemblies will have to be re-elected ciple of the unfettered freedom of the voter,
once a year, during the first day of Ric;lvan , and who will thus preserve intact the sanctity of the
the result of polling, if possible, be declared on choice he first made .. .' B.A., p. 136.
that day.' B.A., p. 41. 'The newly-elected Assembly is called to-
The annual meeting on April 21, called for gether by the believer who received the highest
the election of the Spiritual Assembly, pro- number of votes, or in case two or more memvides the occasion for the presentation of bers have received the same said highest
annual reports by the Assembly and by all its number of votes, then by the member selected
committees. by lot from among those members; and this
The chairman of the outgoing Assembly member shall preside until the permanent
presides at this meeting. chairman is chosen.' By-Laws of a Local
Spiritual Assembly, Art, VIII.
The order of business includes: It is preferable to have the election of the
Reading of the call of the meeting officers of the Assembly immediately following
Reading of appropriate Baha'i passages bearing the annual election or formatio n by joint declaupon the subject of the election ration; however, all nine members of the
Appointment of tellers Assembly must be given an opportunity to vote
Distribution of ballots
for the officers. In rare instances a meeting for
Prayers for the spiritual guidance of the voters
the election of officers cannot be called
The election by secret ballot
Presentation of annual reports because of inability on the part of one or more
Tellers' report of the election members to attend. In such cases, the best pro-
Approval of the tellers' report cedure is to elect or appoint immediately a
temporary chairman and secretary to serve
' Written in 1923. until such time as all members of the Assembly
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U ' LLAH 351
can be present to vote in person. The various functions of the Local Spiritual
Permanent officers are elected by secret bal- Assembly , and its nature as a constitutional
lot and by majority rather than by plurality body, are duly set forth in Article VII of the
vote. (Plurality is the largest number; majority By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly ,
is the number greater than half, which, in this and more definitely defined in the By-Laws of a
case, is at least five out of the nine.) Local Spiritual Assembly approved by the
When an Assembly is organized, it is to National Spiritual Assembly as recommended
report its formation and election of officers to by the Guardian. Each Local Spiritual Assemthe National Spiritual Assembly, together with bly of the United States, whether or not legally
whatever relevant facts may be necessary for incorporated, is to function according to those
recognition of the Assembly. By-Laws, and all members of the local Baha'i
community shall be guided and controlled by
Dissolution of a Local Spiritual Assembly their provisions.
Once elected or formed by joint declaration, An essential function of Local Spiritual
an Assembly continues to exist until the next Assemblies is to act as intermediaries between
annual election or until the National Spiritual the local communities and the National
Assembly acts to declare the Assembly dis- Spiritual Assembly. The Local Assembly is,
solved . This decision is not to be made by the therefore, the proper medium through which
members of the Local Assembly itself nor by local Baha'i communities can communicate
any regional or national committee. with the body of their national representatives.
If the number of adult Baha'is in the community becomes less than nine, or other condi- Appointment of Committees
tions arise which make it impossible for the In the appointment of committees, only
Local Assembly to function, the facts should be those committees needed to carry out the
reported to the National Assembly for final activities of the community are necessary. Such
determination of the status of the Assembly. committees are appointed by the Assembly
from among the entire membership of the
Authority and Functions community, have specific functions to perform,
The Loca l Spiritual Assemblies are 'invested and are responsible to the Assembly who will
with an authority rendering them unans:wer- exercise constant and general supervision over
able for their acts and decisions to those who their work. Before making appointments, it is
elect them; solemnly pledged to follow, under usually beneficial to discuss the special
all conditions, the dictates of the "Most Great abilities, aptitudes and personal wishes of the
Justice" that can alone usher in the reign of the members under consideration in relation to the
"Most Great Peace" which Baha' u'llah has tasks which a re to be performed by the comproclaimed and must ultimately establish; mittees.
charged with the responsibility of promoting at
all times the best interests of the communities Meetings
within their jurisdiction, of familiarizing them A meeting of the Spiritual Assembly is valid
with their plans and activities and of inviting only when it has been duly called, that is, when
them to offer any recommendations they might each and every member has been informed of
wish to make; cognizant of their no less vital the time and place. The general practice is for
task of demonstrating, through association the Assembly to decide upon some regular
with all liberal and humanitarian movements, time and place for its meeting throughout the
the universality and comprehensiveness of Baha'i year, and this decision when recorded in
their Faith; dissociated entirely from all sec- the minutes is sufficient notice to the members.
tarian organizations, whether religious or secu- When the regular schedule cannot be followed ,
lar; assisted by committees annually appointed or the need arises for a special meeting, the
by, and directly responsible to them, to each of secretary, on request of the chairman, or, in his
which a particular branch of Baha'i activity is absence or incapacity, of the vice-chairman, or
assigned for study and action; supported by of any three members of the Assembly, should
local funds to which all believers voluntarily send due notice to all the members.
contribute .. .' G.P.B., p. 331. The procedure for the calling of the Annual
352 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Meeting is outlined in Article XI of the By- resull is light, and should the least trace of
Laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly. estrangement prevail the result shall be darkness
upon darkness ... If this be so regarded, thal
Prime Requisi1es assembly shall be of Cod, but otherwise it shall
The prime requisites for !hem that lake coun- lead 10 coolness and alienation that proceed
sel together are purify of motive, radiance of from the Evil One . .. Should they endeavour to
spirit, detachment from all else save Cod, a11rac- fulfil lhese conditions the Crace of the Holy
tion 10 His Divine Fragrances, humility and Spirit shall be vouchsafed unlo !hem, and that
lowliness amongst His loved ones, patience and assembly shall become the centre of Divine bleslong-suffering in difficulties and servitude to His sings, the hosts of Divine confirmation shall
exalted Threshold. Should they be graciously come lo their aid, and they shall day by day
aided to acquire these atlributes, viClory from receive a new effusion of spirit. 'Abdu'l-Baha.
the unseen Kingdom of Bahti shall be vouch- B.A., pp. 22-23.
safed to them. In this day, assemblies of consul-
Recommended Agenda and Procedure
tation are of the greatest importance and a vital
Since order is an important characteristic of
necessity. Obedience unto them is essential and
the Baha'i Faith, Baha'is should conduct their
obliga1ory. B.A., p. 21.
business in an orderly manner.
The firs! condition is absolute love and har-
The following agenda is suggested for meetmony amongst the members of the Assembly.
ings of the Local Spiritual Assembly:
They must be wholly free from estrangement
and must manifest in themselves the Unity of Prayer.
Cod, for they are the waves ofone sea, the drops Reading and approval of minutes of previous meeting.
of one river, the stars of one heaven, the rays of
Report of Secretary (or Corresponding Secretary)
one sun, !he trees of one orchard, the flowers of
including correspondence of interest and concern
one garden . Should harmony of thought and to the body of the believers, and any and all
absolute unity be non-existent, the gathering recommendations duly adopted by the community
shall be dispersed and that Assembly be brought at the last Nineteen Day Feast.
to naught. Report of Treasurer.
The second condition:-They must when Report of Committees.
coming together turn their faces to the Kingdom Unfinished business.
on High and ask aid from the Realm of Glory. New business, including conferences with members
They must then proceed with the utmost devo- of the community and with applicants for enrolment as members of the community.
tion, courtesy, dignity, care and moderation to
Closing prayer.
express their views. They must in every matter
search out the truth and not insist upon their A Spiritual Assembly in maintaining its
own opinion, for stubbornness and persistence in three-fold function of a body given (within the
one's views will lead ultimately to discord and limits of its jurisdiction) an executive, a legislawrangling and the truth will remain hidden. The tive and a judicial capacity, is charged with
honoured members must with all freedom responsibilities for initiating action and making
express their own thoughts, and it is in no wise decisions. Its meetings, therefore, revolve
permissible for one to belittle the thought of around various definite matters which require
another, nay, he must with moderation set forth deliberation and collective decision, and it is
the truth, and should differences of opinion incumbent upon the members, one and all, to
arise a majority of voices must prevail, and all address themselves to the chairman on the submust obey and submit to the majority. It is again ject under discussion and not introduce matnot permitted that any one of the honoured ters irrelevant to the subject.
members object to or censure, whether in or out Baha'i principles of consultation and majorof the meeting, any decision arrived at previ- ity rule are requisite characteristics in Baha'i
ously, though that decision be not right, for such Administration, and represent radical deparcriticism would prevent any decision from being tures from the generally accepted rules of parenforced. liamentary procedure. In Baha'i Assembly
In short, whatsoever thing is arranged in action, the chairman takes part in the discusharmony and with love and purity of motive, its sion, and a majority decision becomes unani-
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 353
mous and binding upon all. There is no minor- has been given to all members to express their
ity opinion in Baha'i Administration ; the deci- views.
sion of the majority is the decision of all. A motion to adjourn is always in order and
Every subject or problem before an Assem- has priority over all other motions except the
bly is most efficiently handled when the follow- motion to fix the time of the next meeting. The
ing process is observed: motion to adjourn is not debatable and cannot
First , ascertainment and agreement upon the be amended. It requires a majority vote .
facts; Before voting, however, the presiding officer
Second , agreement upon the spiritual or should point out items of unfinished business
adminstrative principle which is involved; on the agenda, so that the members will know
Third , full and frank discussion of the mat- whether to vote for or against adjournment at
ter, leading up to the offering of a resolution; that moment.
and A motion may be withdrawn by the mover,
Fourth, voting upon the resolution. provided no one objects, and before a vote has
A resolution, or motion, is not subject to been taken.
discussion or vote until duly made and sec- When the Assembly has taken action upon
onded . It is preferable to have such resolution any matter, the action is binding upon all
clear and complete in itself, but when an members, whether present or absent from the
amendment is duly made and seconded, the meeting at which the action was taken. Indichairman shall call for a vote on the amend- vidual views and opinions must be subordiment first and then on the original motion. An nated to the will of the Assembly when a deciamendment must be relevant to, and not con- sion has been made. A Spiritual Assembly is an
travene, the subject matter of the motion. Only administrative unit, as it is a spiritual unit, and
one motion should be considered at a time. The therefore no distinction between 'majority'
procedure for handling motions is: and ' minority' groups or factions can be recog-
1. Statement of motion nized. Each member must give undivided loy-
2. Second alty to the institution to which he or she has
3. Discussion of the motion been elected.
4 . Voting Any action taken by the Assembly can be
5. Announcement of the result of the voting. reconsidered at a later meeting, on motion duly
Amendments are to be voted on before the made, seconded and carried. This reconsideramain motion. Motions can be amended only tion , according to the result of the consultation ,
once, by one of the following actions: adding, may lead to a revision or the annulment of the
striking out, inserting, striking out and insert- prior action. If a majority is unwilling to reconing, substituting, dividing. sider the prior action, further discussion of the
An action may be agreed upon by the matter by any member is improper.
Assembly without going through the formality
of making a motion and voting upon it ; how- Vacancies on Assembly
ever, if the agreement is not unanimous the The Assembly has a responsibility in filling a
question must be put to a vote. vacancy caused by the inability of any member
The ·chairman , or other presiding officer, to attend the meetings. 'It is only too obvious
has the same right and responsibility as other that unless a member can attend regularly the
members of the Assembly for discussing and meetings of his Local Assembly, it would be
voting upon all matters being considered by the impossible for him to discharge the duties
Assembly. incumbent upon him, and to fulfil his respon-
Discussion of any subject before the Assem- sibilities as a representative of the community.
bly may be terminated by a motion duly made, Membership in a Local Spiritual Assembly carseconded and voted , calling upon the chairman ries with it, indeed, the obligation and capacity
to put the matter to a vote or to proceed to the to remain in close touch with local Baha'i
next matter on the agenda. The purpose of this activities, and ability to attend regularly the
procedure is to prevent any member or mem- sessions of the Assembly.' Letter from Shoghi
bers from unnecessarily prolonging the discus- Effendi, 16 Feb. 1935.
sion beyond the point at which full opportunity When a vacancy on an Assembly involves
354 THE BAHA'I WORLD

The Spiritual Assembly of Ocean Island ( Banaba); Ri(ivtin 1977. This island lies approximately fifty-seven miles south ofthe equator and is within the territory ofthe National Spiritual
Assembly ofthe Gilbert Islands (Kiribati) and Tuvalu. The Local Assembly was elected for the
first time at Ri(ivtin 1976.

The Spiritual Assembly of Nuuk, Greenland, formed in 1979. This is the first Local Spiritual
Assembly in Greenland.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U ' LLAH 355
also one of its officers, the Assembly vacancy is onding motions or making comments during
filled in the usual manner by election at a spe- the discussion. Names are of importance, howcial meeting of the local Baha'i community, ever, when the minutes record reports given on
after which the entire Assembly elects the new special assignments or situations, or when
officer. assignments are given to particular individuals.
If a decision is adopted by common consent
Minutes without the formality of a motion, even this
The Spiritual Assembly, as a permanent decision should be clearly stated by the chairbody, is responsible for maintaining all minutes man and recorded in the minutes so that there
of its meetings, important records and corre- is no question as to what action was agreed
spondence, and financial records throughout its upon by the group.
existence as a Baha'i institution. Each officer, Correspondence should be listed in the
therefore, on completing his or her term of minutes. Copies of important outgoing correoffice, shall turn over to the Assembly all spondence , in addition to the incoming letters,
records and files pertaining to the business of should be kept for the files.
the Assembly. A permanent record of minutes Record should be made in the minutes of
is of special importance and necessity when an consultation with individuals meeting with the
Assembly is incorporated, because situations Assembly, whether requested by the individual
could arise which would make it necessary to or the Assembly.
produce the minutes for inspection by state Minutes should be written or typed legibly.
authorities. They should be corrected and approved by the
Other items which would be of historical Assembly before they become a matter of
interest in the future should be kept in the local permanent record.
archives. Records of Nineteen-Day Feasts need
It is vitally important that each Local include only the recommendations made by
Spiritual Assembly maintain a complete file of the community to be presented to the Local
Bahri'{ News and the U.S. Supplement for Spiritual Assembly, with the background
reference on various directives regarding laws necessary for understanding them.
and procedures, teaching suggestions, and Minutes of Assembly meetings are not read
other pertinent information. It should also at the Nineteen-Day Feasts; only the actions
maintain and keep up to date a file of all special taken by the Assembly which concern the
instructions and statements from the National community affairs are reported at Feasts. The
Spiritual Assembly dealing with matters of judgement of what should be shared at the
permanent value. Feasts belongs to the Local Spiritual Assem-
Minutes are the permanent official record of bly.
the meeting taken by a secretary. If the community is large and the Assembly handles a Legal Incorporation
great amount of business, a recording secretary Local Assemblies having fifteen or more
may be elected to record the minutes. The active adult believers in the community are
minutes should include all essential details, authorized to effect legal incorporation.
such as the election of the Assembly and its To do so the matter should be presented at
officers at the beginning of each year, by- a Nineteen-Day Feast and a recommendation
elections for filling vacancies on the Assembly adopted which expresses the desire of the
occurring during the year, attendance of all community that the Spiritual Assembly be lemembers at its meetings, new enrolments and gally incorporated.
transfers, marriages and deaths. The Baha'i World volumes reproduce many
All carried motions are recorded in the local Certificates of Incorporation which supminutes. The minutes should be written in such ply models for consideration by the Assembly's
a way as to provide sufficient background to attorney. What is incorporated is the Spiritual
understand the reason for the motions and Assembly, not the entire community. The
decision , but the entire discussion does not community is associated with the instrument
need to be recorded. It is not necessary to through the annual election of the Local
record names of individuals making and sec- Assembly and the Spiritual Assembly's author-
356 THE BAHA'I WORLD

ity to enrol new believers and determine the material feast and social meeting of all the
membership list. believers, and should maintain the spiritual
The Articles of Incorporation are to make nature of the Feast.
proper reference to the Central Figures of the In selecting the readings for the devotional
Faith and to the National Spiritual Assembly. part of the Feast the friends may be gu ided by
If necessary, the National Assembly on request the instructions printed in Bahli'f News quoting
will provide an example of how this is to be the following excerpt from a letter to a believer
done. from the Guardian through his assistant sec-
Before the Incorporation papers are retary dated 27 April 1956, 'The Writings of
recorded, a copy is to be sent to the National the Bab and Baha' u'llah can certainly be read
Spiritual Assembly for final approval. After at any time at any place ; likewise the Writings
recording, three photostatic copies of the of 'Abdu'l-Baha are read freely during the
recorded Articles are to be sent to the National spiritual part of the Feast. The Guardian has
Spiritual Assembly, together with a photo- instructed that during the spiritual part of the
graph of the nine Assembly members. Feast, his own writings should not be read. In
Incorporation must be preserved in accord- other words, during the spiritual part of the
ance with the manner prescribed by state law. Feast, readings should be confined to the Writings of the Bab, Baha'u'llah and to a lesser
THE NINETEEN-DAY FEAST extent, of the Master; but during that part of
the Feast the Guardian's writings should not be
The institution of the Nineteen-Day Feast read. During the period of administrative disprovides the recognized and regular occasion cussion of the Feast, then the Guardian's writfor general consultation on the part of the ings may be read. Of course, during the
community, and for consultation between the administrative part of the Feast there can be no
Spiritual Assembly and the members of the objection to the reading of the Writings of the
community. The conduct of the period of con- Bab, Baha'u'llah or 'Abdu'l-Baha.' Baha'i
sultation at Nineteen-Day Feasts is a vital func- News, Jan. 1959.
tion of each Spiritual Assembly. Baha'is should regard this Feast as the very
From words of 'Abdu' l- Baha: The heart of their spiritual activity, their participa-
Nineteen-Day Feast was inaugurated by the tion in the mystery of the holy utterance, their
Bab and ratified by Baha'u'llah, in His Holy steadfast unity one with another in a universal-
Book, the Aqdas, so that people may gather ity raised high above the limitations of race,
together and outwardly show fellowship and class, nationality, sect, and personality, and
love, that the Divine mysteries may be disclosed. their privilege of contributing to the power of
The object is concord, that through this fellow- the Cause in the realm of collective action.
ship hearts may become perfectly united, and
reciprocity and mutual helpfulness be estab- Attendance
lished. Because the members of the world of Only members of the Baha'i community and
humanity are unable to exist without being visiting Baha'is from other localities may
banded together, co-operation and helpfulness is attend these meetings. Young people between
the basis of human society. Without the realiza- fifteen and twenty-one years of age, who have
tion of these two great principles no great declared their acceptance of the qualifications
movement is pressed forward. B.W., Vol. XII, of membership in the Faith are considered as
p. 298. members although they are referred to as Baha'i
The Nineteen-Day Feast has been described youth. Children up to age fifteen, of Baha'i
by the Guardian as the foundation of the parents, may also attend the Nineteen-Day
World Order of Baha'u'llah. It is to be con- Feasts.
ducted according to the following programme: Regular attendance at the Nineteen-Day
the first part, entirely spiritual in character, is Feast is incumbent upon every Baha'i, illness
devoted to the reading of Baha'i prayers and or absence from the city being the only
selections from the Baha'i sacred Writings; the justification for absence. Believers are
second part consists of general consultation on expected to arrange their personal affairs so as
the affairs of the Cause; the third part is the to enable them to observe the Baha'i calendar.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA ' U ' LLAH 357
Order of Business for the Consultation Period and concentrating upon the one aim to further
The chairman or other appointed represen- the interests of the Faith.
tative of the Spiritual Assembly presides dur- Baha'i visitors attending a Feast do not take
ing the period of consultation. part in the consultation of the community
The Spiritual Assembly reports to the com- unless invited to do so.
munity whatever communications have been The secretary of the Assembly records each
received from the World Centre and the resolution adopted by the community, as well
National Spiritual Assembly, as well as other as the various suggestions advanced during the
correspondence of concern to all believers of meeting, in order to report these to the
the community. This does not necessarily mean Spiritual Assembly for its consideration.
that all communications must be read in full at Whatever action the Assembly takes is to be
the Feast. reported at a later Nineteen-Day feast.
A matter of vital importance at this meeting It should be borne in mind that the consultais consideration of national and international tion period of the Nineteen-Day Feast is not
Baha'i affairs, to strengthen the capacity of the the time for the Local Spiritual Assembly to
community to co-operate in promotion of the consult and make decisions.
larger Baha'f interests and to deepen the Matters of a personal nature should be
understanding of all believers concern ing the brought to the Spiritual Assembly and not to
relation of the local community to the Baha'i the community at the Nineteen-Day Feast.
world community. Concerning the attitude with which believers
The Assembly likewise reports its own should come to these Feasts, the Master has
activities and plans, including committee said, You must free yourselves from everything
appointments that may have been made since that is in your hearts, before you enter.
the last Feast, the financial report, arrangements made for public meetings, and in general CONSULTATION
shares with the community all matters that In this Cause, consultation is of vital imporconcern the Faith. These reports are to be fol- tance; but spiritual conference and not the mere
lowed by general consultation. voicing of personal views is intended ...
Provision is to be made for reports from Antagonism and contradiction are unfortunate
committees, with discussion of each report. and always destructive of truth .. . The purpose
The meeting is to be open for suggestions is to emphasize the statement that consultation
and recommendations from individual believ- must have for its object the investigation of
ers to the Local Spiritual Assembly on any truth. He who expresses an opinion should not
matter affecting the Cause. Such recommenda- voice it as correct and right but set it forth as a
tions must be adopted by majority vote of the contribution to the consensus ofopinion; for the
community members present before constitut- light of reality becomes apparent when two
ing a resolution to be considered by the Local opinions coincide . ... 'Abdu'l-B aha. P.U.P.,
Spiritual Assembly. pp. 68-69.
Through this means individual Baha'fs find 'The principle of consultation, which conin the Nineteen-Day Feast the channel through stitutes one of the basic laws of the Adminiswhich to make suggestions and recommenda- tration, should be applied to all Baha'i activities
tions to the National Spiritual Assembly. which affect the collective interests of the Faith
These recommendations are offered first to the for it is through co-operation and continued
local community, and when adopted by the exchange of thoughts and views that the Cause
community come before the Local Assembly, can best safeguard and foster its interests. Indiwhich then may in its discretion forward the vidual initiative, personal ability and resourcerecommendations to the National Spiritual fulness, though indispensible, are, unless sup-
Assembly accompanied by its own considered ported and enriched by the collective experiview. ence and wisdom of the group, utterly incap-
Upon each member of the community lies able of achieving such a tremendous task.'
the obligation to make his or her utmost con- Shoghi Effendi, Baha'( News, Nov. 1933.
tribution to the consultation, the ideal being a 'Shoghi Effendi firmly believes that consulgathering of Baha'is inspired with one spirit tation must be maintained between the
358 THE BAHA'I WORLD

National Spiritual Assembly and the entire decision made. The National Assembly can
body of the believers, and that such consulta- decide only upon the facts presented to it;
tion, while the Convention is not in session , can therefore, when a matter is submitted to it, all
best be maintained through the agency of the obtainable facts , together with supporting
Local Assemblies, one of whose essential func- documentary evidence should be included.
tions is to act as intermediaries between the The National Assembly's decision, whether
local communities and their national represen- approving or disapproving the original decitatives. The main purpose of the Nineteen-Day sion of the Local Assembly, will be communi-
Feast is to enable individual believers to offer cated to both the Local Assembly and to the
any suggestion to the Local Assembly which in person or persons who made the appeal.
its turn will pass it to the National Spiritual This procedure is in accordance with both
Assembly. The Local Assembly is, therefore, the national and local By-Laws.
the proper medium through which local Baha'i Any complaint received by the National
communities can communicate with the body of Assembly from a member or members of a
the national representatives.' Letter on behalf local community who have not first submitted
of Shoghi Effendi, 18 Nov. 1933. their complaint to the Local Assembly will be
'Let us also remember that at the very root of returned to those making the protest, with a
the Cause lies the principle of the undoubted copy of the letter being sent to the Local
right of the individual to self-expression, his Assembly for its information. In such a case the
freedom to declare his conscience and set forth Local Assembly is to call the person or persons
his views ... in for consultation and act upon the complaint.
'Let us also bear in mind that the keynote of An essential function of the Local Spiritual
the Cause of God is not dictatorial authority Assembly is the maintenance of unity and devobut humble fellowship, not arbitrary power, tion among the believers. As 'Trustees of the
but the spirit of frank and loving consultation. Merciful' the Spiritual Assembly must be
Nothing short of the spirit of a true Baha'i can selfless and impartial, considerate of the rights
hope to reconcile the principles of mercy and of the individual, but firm and steadfast in
justice, of freedom and submission, of the sanc- upholding the vital truths of the Revelation
tity of the right of the individual and of self- and obedience to its institutions. Therefore,
surrender, of vigilance, discretion and pru- they must discriminate between situations
dence on the one hand, and fellowship, can- which are transient and trivial and those which
dour, and courage on the other.' B.A., pp. threaten to disrupt the community. A distinc-
63-64. tion is to be made between personalities who
cause disturbances because they lack ground-
DECISIONS AND APPEALS
ing in the basic Teachings and attitudes of the
At this crucial stage in the history of our Baha'i life, and those who deliberately cause
Faith it seems advisable to emphasize to each trouble because in their hearts they do not
Local Assembly an important principle of accept the principle of authority as vested in
administration which has been too frequently the Manifestation, or in the institutions of the
overlooked. This principle establishes the Baha'i world community.
National Assembly as the court of appeal from The Local Assembly is responsible for dealdecisions of Local Assemblies when protested ing with all local problems, but can call upon
by one or more members of the community as the National Spiritual Assembly for advice if
unjust or as not conforming to the actual facts. necessary.
A court of appeal is not responsible for The National Assembly, in any case involvdetermining the facts but only for reviewing ing two or more local communities, however,
the local decision based upon the facts assem- acts directly and deals with the problems as the
bled by the Local Assembly itself. On receiving court of original jurisdiction, since no Local
an appeal the National Spiritual Assembly will Assembly has authority outside its own civil
send a copy of it to the Local Assembly and area.
request its opinion. When this is received the 'The authority of the National Spiritual
case will be studied in the light of the facts Assembly is undivided and unchallengeable in
presented to the National Assembly and a final all matters pertaining to the administration of
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U ' LLAH 359

the Faith throughout the United States, ... ible source . To be continually giving out for the
therefore, the obedience of individual Baha'is, good of our fellows undeterred by the fear of
delegates, groups a nd Assemblies to that poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of
authority is imperative and should be the Source of all wealth and all good-this is
wholehearted and unqualified. He is convinced the secret of right living .' Shoghi Effendi,
that the unreserved acceptance and complete Bahri'[ N ews , Sept. 1926.
application of this vital provision of the 'As the activities of the American Baha'i
Administration is essential to the maintenance community expand, and its worldwide prestige
of the highest degree of unity among the correspondingly increases, the institution of
believers, and is indispensable to the effective the National Fund, the bedrock on which all
working of the administrative machinery of the other institutions must necessarily rest and be
Faith in every country.' Letter from Shoghi established , acquires added importance, and
Effendi through his secretary. BahCi'f News, should be increasingly supported by the entire
Jul y 1934. body of the believers, both in their individual
capacities , and through their collective efforts,
THE BAHA'I FUND
whether organized as groups or as Local
'As the progress and extension of spiritual Assemblies. The supply of funds, in support of
activities is dependent and conditioned upon the National Treasury, constitutes, at the presmaterial means, it is of absolute necessity that ent time , the lifeblood of these nascent instituimmediately after the establishment of Local tions you are labouring to erect. Its importance
as well as National Spiritual Assemblies, a cannot , surely, be overestimated. Untold bless-
Baha'i Fund be established, to be placed under ings shall no doubt crown every effort directed
the exclusive control of the Spiritual Assembly . to that end.' M.A., p. 5.
All donations and contributions should be ' In connection with the institution of the
offered to the treasurer of the Assembly, for National Fund ... I feel urged to remind you of
the express purpose of promoting the interests the necessity of ever bearing in mind the cardiof the Cause , throughout that locality or coun- nal principle that all contributions to the Fund
try. It is the .sacred obligation of every con- are to be purely and strictly voluntary in
scientious and faithful servant of Baha'u'llah character .. .' B.A., p. 101.
who desires to see His Cause advance, to con- 'Moreover, we should , I feel , regard it as an
tribute freely and generously for the increase axiom and guiding principle of Baha'i
of th1t Fund. The members of the Spiritual administration that in the conduct of every
Assembly will at their own discretion expend it specific Baha'i activity, as different from
to promote the Teaching Campaign, to help undertakings of a humanitarian, philanthropic,
the needy, to establish educational Baha'i or charitable character, which may in future be
institutions, to extend in every way possible conducted under Baha'i auspices, only those
their sphere of service. I cherish the hope that who have already identified themselves with
all the friends , realizing the necessity of this the Faith and are regarded as its avowed and
measure will bestir themselves and contribute, unreserved supporters, should be invited to
however modestly at first, towards the speedy join and collaborate.' B.A., p. 182.
establishment and the increase of that Fund A statement from the National Treasurer is
.. .' B.A., pp. 41-42. included in an issue of the Baha'i News each
'We must be like the fountain or spring that year, setting out the various funds-internais continually emptying itself of all that it has tional, national, and local-with instructions
and is continually being refilled from an invis- for making contributions to each of them .
ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS SECTION
B.A. Bahri'{ Administration
Bahri'[ News U.S. Bahri'{ News
B.W. The Bahe/{ World
G.P.B. God Passes By
M.A. Messages to America
P.U.P. J:he Promulgation of Universal Peace
360 THE BAHA'I WORLD

The first Spiritual Assembly of Imphal, Manipur, India; March 1979. Standing, third and
fourth from the left, are Auxiliary Board members Gautam Das of Ca/cul/a and Ganesh
Shenoy of Sikkim . One m ember of the Local Assembly was not present.

The first Spiritual Assembly of Emmen, th e Netherlands, formed in 1977. By Ri(iwin 1979
there were 25,511 Local Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 361

2. BY-LAWS OF A LOCAL SPIRITUAL
ASSEMBLY
WE, the undersigned members of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of . . . , desiring to
incorporate this body do hereby adopt the following By-Laws:

ARTICLE I
The Trustees, i.e., the members of the Spiritual Assembly, recognize that this action has been
taken in full unanimity and agreement. They acknowledge for themselves and on behalf of their
successors the sacred meaning and universal purpose of the Baha'i Faith, the teachings and
principles of which fulfil the divine promise of all former revealed religions.

ARTICLE II
In administering the affairs of the Baha'i religion under this Corporation for the benefit of the
Baha'is of ... in accordance with the religious teachings and administrative principles of this
Faith, the Spiritual Assembly shall act in conformity with the functions of a Local Spiritual
Assembly as defined in the By-Laws adopted by the National Spiritual Assembly and published
by that body for the information and guidance of Baha'is throughout ... '

ARTICLE III
The Spiritual Assembly, in the fulfilment of its obligations and responsibilities under this
Corporation , shall have exclusive jurisdiction and authority over all the local activities and affairs
of the Baha'i community of . . . , including paramount authority in the administration of this
Corporation. It shall be responsible for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of all Baha'i
teaching, whether written or oral, undertaken throughout the local community. It shall make
available the published literature of the Faith. It shall represent the community in relationship to
the National Spiritual Assembly, the Universal House of Justice, other local Baha'i communities
and the general public in . . . It shall be charged with the recognition of all applicants requesting
membership in the local Baha'i community . It shall pass upon the right of any and all members of
the community whose membership is in question to retain their status as voting members of the
community. It shall call the meetings of the community, including the Baha'i Anniversaries and
Feasts , the Meetings of consultation, and the Annual Meeting at which the members of the
Assembly are elected . It shall appoint and supervise all committees of the Baha'i community. It
shall collect and disburse all funds intended for the maintenance of this Corporation. It shall have
full and complete custody of the headquarters or meeting place of the Baha'i community. It shall
have exclusive authority to conduct Baha'i marriage ceremonies and issue Baha'i marriage
certificates within the area of its jurisdiction. It shall report to the National Spiritual Assembly
annually, or when requested, the membership roll of the Baha'i community, for the information
and approval of the National Assembly. The Spiritual Assembly, however, shall recognize the
authority and right of the National Spiritual Assembly to declare at any time what activities and
affairs of the Baha'i community of ... are national in scope and hence subject to the jurisdiction
of the National Assembly. It shall likewise recognize the right of any member of the community to
appeal to the National Spiritual Assembly for review and decision of any matter in which the
previous decision of the Local Spiritual Assembly is felt by the member to be contrary to the
explicit teachings of the Baha'i Faith or opposed to its best interests. It shall, on the other hand,
have the authority and right to appeal from the decision of the National Assembly to the
Universal House of Justice for review and final decision of any matter related to the Faith in ...

ARTICLE IV
The Spiritual Assembly, in administering this Corporation, shall ever bear in mind the ideals
upheld in the sacred Writings of the Baha'i Faith respecting the relationships of a Spiritual
Name of country or region.
362 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Assembly to its Baha'i community, respecting the relations of Baha'ls to one another in the
community, and the relationships of Baha'ls to all non-Baha'ls, without prejudice of race, creed or
nationality. The Assembly shall therefore above all recognize its sacred duty to maintain full and
complete unity throughout the Baha'i community, to relieve and comfort the sick and distressed,
to assist the poor and destitute, to protect the orphans, the crippled and the aged, to educate the
children of Baha'ls according to the highest religious and intellectual standards, to compose
differences and disagreements among members of the community, to promulgate the principles
of Divine Civilization revealed by Baha'u'llah, and to promote in every way possible the Baha'i
aim of the oneness of mankind. It shall faithfully and devotedly uphold the general Baha'i
activities and affairs initiated and sustained by the National Spiritual Assembly. It shall cooperate wholeheartedly with other Local Spiritual Assemblies throughout ... 1 in all matters
declared by the National Spiritual Assembly to be of general Baha'i importance and concern. It
shall rigorously abstain from any action or influence, direct or indirect, that savours of intervention on the part of a Baha'i body in matters of public politics and civil jurisdiction. It shall
encourage intercourse between the Baha'i community of ... and other recognized Baha'i
communities, issuing letters of introduction to Baha'ls travelling from . . . and passing upon
letters of introduction issued by other Baha'i Assemblies. It shall regard its authority as a means
of rendering service to Baha'ls and non-Baha'ls and not as a source of arbitrary power. While
retaining the sacred right of final decision in all matters pertaining to the Baha'i community, the
Spiritual Assembly shall ever seek the advice and consultation of all members of the community,
keep the community informed of all its affairs, and invite full and free discussion on the part of the
community of all matters affecting the Faith.

ARTICLE V
The Baha'fs of ... for whose benefit this Corporation has been established shall consist of all
persons of the age of 15 years or over resident in ... who are accepted by the National Spiritual
Assembly as possessing the qualifications of Baha'i faith and practice required under the following standard set forth by the Guardian of the Faith:
Full recognition of the station of the Bab, the Forerunner; of Baha'u'llah, the Author; and of
'Abdu'l-Baha, the True Exemplar of the Baha'i religion; unreserved acceptance of, and submission to, whatsoever has been revealed by their Pen; loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause
of 'Abdu'l-Baha's sacred Will; and close association with the spirit as well as the form of Baha'i
Administration throughout the world.
Upon attaining the age of 21 years, a Baha'i is eligible to vote and to hold elective office.

ARTICLE VI
The Spiritual Assembly shall consist of nine Trustees chosen from among the Baha'ls of ... ,
who shall be elected by these Baha'ls in a manner hereinafter provided and who shall continue in
office for the period of one year, or until their successors shall be elected.

ARTICLE VII
The officers of the Spiritual Assembly shall consist of a Chainnan, Vice-Chairman, Secretary
and Treasurer, and such other officers as may be found necessary for the proper conduct of its
affairs. The officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the entire membership of the Assembly
taken by secret ballot.
ARTICLE VIII
The first meeting of a newly-elected Assembly shall be called by the member elected to
membership by the highest number of votes or, in case two or more members have received the
same said highest number of votes, then by the member selected by lot from among those
members; and this member shall preside until the permanent Chairman shall be chosen. All
subsequent meetings shall be called by the Secretary of the Assembly at the request of the
Chairman or, in his absence or incapacity, of the Vice-Chairman, or of any three members of the
Name of country or region.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U ' LLAH 363
Assembly; provided , however, that the Annual Meeting of the Assembly shall be held on April 21 ,
in accordance with the administrative principles recognized by all Baha'i Assemblies .
SECTION 1. Five members of the Assembly present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum, and a
majority vote of those present and constituting a quorum shall be sufficient for the conduct of
business, except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, and with due regard to the principle of
unity and cordial fellowship involved in the institution of a Spiritual Assembly. The transactions
and decisions of the Assembly shall be recorded at each meeting by the Secretary, who shall have
the minutes adopted and approved by the Assembly, and preserve them in the official records of
the Assembly.
SECTION 2. Vacancies in the membership of the Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by election at a
special meeting of the local Baha'i community duly called for that purpose by the Assembly. In
the event that the number of vacancies exceeds four, making a quorum of the Spiritual Assembly
impossible, the election shall be under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly.

ARTICLE IX
The sphere of jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly, with respect to residential qualification of
membership, and voting rights of a believer in the Baha'i community, shall be the locality
included within the civil limits of . . .
ARTICLE X
SECTION 1. In the event that any decision of the Assembly is unacceptable to any member or
members of the community, the Assembly shall, after endeavouring to compose the difference of
opinion , invite the said member or members to make appeal to the National Spiritual Assembly
and notify that body of the condition of the matter and the readiness of the Assembly to become
party to that appeal.
SECTION 2. In the same manner, if any difference arises between the Assembly and another
Local Assembly , or Assemblies, in ... 1 , the Assembly shall report the matter to the National
Assembly and inform that body of its readiness to make joint appeal together with the other
Assembly or Assemblies.
SECTION 3. If, however, the result of such appeal is unsatisfactory to the Spiritual Assembly, or
the Assembly at any time has reason to believe that actions of the National Spiritual Assembly are
affecting adversely the welfare and unity of the Baha'i community of ... , it shall, after seeking to
compose its difference of opinion with the National Assembly in direct consultation, have the
right to make appeal to the Universal House of Justice.
SECTION 4. The Assembly shall likewise have the right to make complaint to the National
Spiritual Assembly in the event that matters of local Baha'i concern and influence are referred to
the national body by a member or members of the local community without previous opportunity
for action by the Local Assembly.

ARTICLE XI
The Annua l Meeting of the Corporation at which its Trustees shall be elected shall be held on
April 21, at an hour and place to be fixed by the Assembly, which shall give not less than fifteen
days' notice of the meeting to all members of the local Baha'i community.
SECTION 1. The Assembly shall accept those votes transmitted to the Assembly before the
election by members who by reason of sickness or other unavoidable reason are unable to be
present at the election in person.
SECTION 2. The election of members to the Spiritual Assembly shall be by plurality vote.
SECTION 3. All voting members of the local Baha'i community are eligible for election as
members of the Spiritual Assembly .
SECTION 4. The Assembly shall prepare an agenda for the Annual Meeting in which shall be
included reports of the activities of the Assembly since its election , a financial statement showing
all income and expenditure of its fund, reports of its committees and presentation of any other
matters pertaining to the affairs of the Baha'i community. The Assembly, both preceding and
Name of country or region.
364 THE BAHA'f WORLD

following the annual election, shall invite discussion and welcome suggestions from the community, in order that its plans may reflect the community mind and heart.
SECTION 5. The result of the election shall be reported by the Spiritual Assembly to the National
Assembly.
ARTICLE XII
In addition to the Annual Meeting, the Assembly shall arrange for regular meetings of the
Baha'i community throughout the year at intervals of nineteen days, in accordance with the
calendar incorporated in the teachings of the Baha'i Faith.

ARTICLE XIII
The seal of the Corporation shall be circular in form , bearing the following inscription:
The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of .. . .

ARTICLE XIV
Alternative 'A'
These By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of the Spiritual Assembly at any of its regular
or special meetings, provided that at least fourteen days prior to the date fixed for the said meeting
a copy of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed to each member of the Assembly by
the Secretary.

Alternative 'B'
These By-Laws may be amended only by majority action of the National Spiritual Assembly,
which, in making amendments, does so for the By-Laws of all Local Spiritual Assemblies
throughout . . .. 1
Name of country or region.

The first incorporated Spiritual Assembly ofthe Baha'(s of Hamilton Township, New Jersey,
U.S.A. The Assembly achieved incorporation on 28 October 1977.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 365

v
THE INSTITUTION OF THE
MASHRIQU'L-ADHKAR

1. FOREWORD 4"

Blessed is he who directeth his steps towards the Mashriqu'l-Adhkdr at the hour of dawn,
communing with Him, attuned to His remembrance, imploring His forgiveness. And
having entered therein, let him sit in silence to hearken unto the verses of God, the
Sovereign, the Almighty, the A ll-Praised. Say, the Mashriqu'l-Adhkdr is in truth any
House raised in towns or villages, for mention of Me. Thus hath it been named before His
Throne; would that ye know it. Baha'u'llah, Kitab -i-Aqdas

MANY discerning minds have testified to ideas of the churches and cathedrals of the
the profoundly significant change which has past. The Ma§hriqu'l-Adhkar fulfils the origitake n place during recent years in the character nal intention of religion in each dispensation,
of popular re ligious thinking. Religion has before that intention had become altered and
developed an entirely new emphasis, more veiled by human invention and belief.
especially for the layman, quite independent of The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is a channel releasthe older sectarian divisions. ing spiritual powers for social regeneration
Instead of considering that religion is a mat- because it fills a different function than that
ter of turning toward an abstract creed, the assumed by the sectarian church. Its essential
average re ligionist today is concerned with the purpose is to provide a community meetingpractical applications of religion to the prob- place for all who are seeking to worship God,
lems of human life. Religion, in brief, after and achieves this purpose by interposing no
having apparen tly lost its influence in terms of man-made veils between the worshipper and
theology, has been restored more powerfully the Supreme. Thus, the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is
than ever as a spirit of brotherhood, an impulse freely open to people of all Faiths on equal
toward unity, and an ideal making for a more terms, who now realize the universality of
enlightened civilization throughout the world. Baha'u'llah in revealing the oneness of all the
Against this background, the institution of Prophets. Moreover, since the Baha'i Faith has
the Mashriqu' l-Adhkar stands revealed as the no professional clergy, the worshipper entering
supreme expression of all those modern religi- the Temple hears no sermon and takes part in
ous tendencies animated by social ideals which no ritual the emotional effect of which is to
do not repud iate the reality of spiritual experi- establish a separate group consciousness.
ence but seek to transform it into a dynamic Integral with the Temple are its accessory
striving for unity. The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, buildings, without which the Mashriqu'lwhen clearly understood, gives the world its Adhkar would not be a complete social institumost potent agency for applying mystical vis- tion. These buildings are to be devoted to such
ion or idealistic aspiration to the service of activities as a school for science, a hospice, a
humanity. It makes visible and concrete those hospital, an asylum for orphans. Here the circle
deeper meanings and wider possibilities of of spiritual experience at last joins, as prayer
re ligion which could not be realized until the and worship are allied directly to creative serdawn of this universal age. vice, eliminating the static subjective elements
The term 'Mashriqu'l-Adhkar' means liter- from religion and laying a foundation for a new
ally, 'Dawning-place of the praise of God.' and higher type of human association.
To appreciate the significance of this Baha'i
institution, we must lay aside all customary HORACE HOLLEY
366 THE BAHA'I WORLD

2. THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
MASHRIQU'L-ADHKAR

A LETTER FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI

IT shou ld be borne in mind that the central and ever-watchful Father Who, in the past, and
edifice of the Mashriqu' l-Adt1kar, round which at various stages in the evolution of mankind,
in the fullness of time shall cluster such institu- has sent forth His Prophets as the Bearers of
tions of social service as shall affo rd relief to His Message and the Manifestations of His
the suffering, sustenance to the poor, shelter to Light to mankind, cannot at this critical period
the wayfarer, solace to the bereaved, and edu- of their civilization withhold from His children
cation to the ignorant, should be regarded the guidance which they sorely need amid the
apart from these dependencies, as a house sole- darkness which has beset them, and which
ly designed and entirely dedicated to the wor- neither the light of science nor that of human
ship of God in accordance with the few yet intellect and wisdom can succeed in dissipatdefinitely prescribed principles established by ing. And thus having recognized in Baha'u'llah
Baha'u'llah in the Kitab-i-Aqdas. It should not the source whence this ce lestial light proceeds,
be inferred, however, from this general state- they will irresistibly feel attracted to seek the
ment that the interior of the central edifice shelter of His house, and congregate therein ,
itself will be converted into a conglomeration unhampered by ceremon ials and unfettered by
of religious services conducted a long lines creed, to render homage to the one true God,
associated with the traditional procedure the Essence and Orb of eternal Truth, and to
obtaining in churches, mosques, synagogues, exalt and magnify the name of His Messengers
and other temples of worship . Its various and Prophets Who, from time immemorial
avenues of approach, all converging towards even unto our day , have, under divers circumthe central hall beneath its dome , will not serve stances and in varying measure, mirrored forth
as admittance to those sectarian adherents of to a dark and wayward world the light of
rigid formu lae and man-made creeds, each heavenly guidance.
bent, according to his way, to observe his rites, But however inspiring the conception of
recite his prayers, perform his ablutions, and Baha'i worship, as witnessed in the central
display the particular symbols of his faith edifice of this exalted Temple, it cannot be
within separately defined sections of regarded as the sole, nor even the essential ,
Baha'u'llah's Universal House of Worship. Far factor in the part which the Ma~r iqu ' l ­
from the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar offering such a Adhkar, as designed by Baha'u' llah, is desspectacle of incoherent and confused sectarian tined to play in the organic life of the Baha'i
observances and rites, a condition wholly community. Divorced from the social,
incompatible with the provisions of the Aqdas humanitarian, educational and scientific purand irreconcilable with the spirit it inculcates, suits centring around the dependencies of the
the central House of Baha'i worship, enshrined Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, Baha'i worship, however
within the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, will gather exalted in its conception, however passionate
within its chastened walls, in a serenely in fervor, can never hope to achieve beyond the
spiritual atmosphere, only those who, discard- meagre and often transitory results produced
ing forever the trappings of elaborate and by the contemplations of the ascetic or the
ostenatious ceremony, are willing worshippers communion of the passive worshipper. It canof the one true God, as manifested in this age in not afford lasting satisfaction and benefit to the
the Person of Baha'u'llah. To them will the worshipper himself, much less to humanity in
Mashriqu'l-Adhkar symbolize the fundamen- general, unless and until translated and transtal verity underlying the Baha'i Faith, that fused into that dynamic and disinterested serreligious truth is not absolute but relative, that vice to the cause of humanity which it is the
Divine Revelation is not final but progressive. supreme privilege of the dependencies of the
Theirs will be the conviction that an all-loving Mashriqu'l-Adhkar to facilitate and promote.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U 'LLAH 367
Nor will the exertions, no matter how disin- assuredly upon the consciousness of the
terested and strenuous, of those who within the efficacy of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah, reinprecincts of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar will be forced on one hand by spiritual communion
engaged in administering the affairs of the with His Spirit, and on the other by the intelligfuture Baha'i commonwealth, fructify a nd ent application and the faithful execution of
prosper unless they a re brought into close and the principles and laws He revealed , that the
daily communion with those spiritual agencies sa lvation of a world in travail must ultimately
centring in and radiating from the central depend. And of all the institutions that stand
shrine of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. Nothing associated with His Holy Name, surely none
short of direct and constant interaction be- save the institution of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar
tween the spiritual forces emanating from this can most adequately provide the essentials of
House of Worship centring in the heart of the Baha'i worship and service, both so vital to the
Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, and the energies con- regeneration of the world. Therein lies thesesciously displayed by those who administer its cret of the loftiness, of the potency, of the
affairs in their service to humanity can possibly unique position of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar as
provide the necessary agency capable of one of the outstanding institutions conceived
removing the ills that have so long and so by Baha' u' llah.
grievously afflicted humanity. For it is 25 October 1929.

The Mother Temple of the West, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. The corner-stone was laid by
'A bdu'l-Baha on 1May1912. On 23May1978 the structure was designated by the United
States government 'one of the nation's cultural resources worthy ofpreservation' and listed in
the National Register of Historic Places.
368 THE BAHA'i WORLD

3. THE LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE
OF THE MOTHER TEMPLE OF THE INDIAN
SUB-CONTINENT

1 7 October 1977

DURING the Ten Year Crusade, 22 acres of land in New Delhi were acquired for the
Magiriqu'l-Adhkar, but this property was requisitioned by the Government for a green belt area.
After several years of constant negotiation by the National Assembly, and upon viewing the
beautiful design for the Temple, the Government agreed to release the entire 22 acres , as
reported on 1 February 1978.
On the occasion of the All-Asia Baha'i Women's Conference in New Delhi , and at a special
ceremony on 17 October 1977 at the Temple site , the Hand of the Cause Amatu' l-Baha Rul)iyyih
Khanum laid the foundation stone for this important edifice.
The Universa l House of Justice has approved a design prepared by Farfburz ~ahba, who has
been retained as architect for this Temple . Working drawings are being prepared by Mr. ~ahba
and the structural engineers in England.
On 27 February 1979 a cable was received stating that the necessary permit for the construction of the House of Worship had been issued by the authorities and that excavation of the area
had begun.

Photograph of the architect's model of the desigri for the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent, to be erected near New Delhi, India. Th e architect is Farfburz $ahbd. Initiation ofthe
construction of the House of Worship was one of the go als of th e Five Year Plan.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 369
OVERJOYED REMOVAL OBSTACLES USE TEMPLE SITE WELCOME PRESENCE AMATULBAHA
RUHIYYIH KHANUM IN YOUR MIDST OCCASION WOMENS CONFERENCE ENABLING YOU HOLD
BEFITTING CEREMONY MARKING INITIATION PROJECT CONSTRUCTION MOTHER TEMPLE INDIAN
SUB-CONTINENT STOP CALLING ON AMATULBAHA REPRESENT HOUSE JUSTICE MOMENTOUS OCCA-
SION LAY FOUNDATION STONE HISTORIC EDIFICE STOP FERVENTLY PRAYING NOBLE INSTITUTION
SOON TO BE REARED YOUR SOIL WILL ATTRACT ADDED DIVINE BLESSINGS UPON COMMUNITY
WHOSE TEACHING SUCCESS STANDS UNEQUALLED ENTIRE BAHAI WORLD.
Universal House of Justice
Cablegram dated 10 October 1977

how does it grow? It grows in a swamp, and it
raises its head out of the slime absolutely clean
and perfect. Now this is what the Manifestation
of God is in the world. He comes out of the
slime. He comes from the worst place in the
planet. He appears amongst the worst people
in the planet, so that nobody can say that we
made Him. They say only God can bring forth
such a Being from such an environment. This is
perhaps the greatest symbolism of the lotus
and I think that it is so beautiful that we who
are the followers of Baha'u'llah should have
this design in this part of the world where it is so
deeply associated with two of the world's
greatest religions-Buddhism and Hinduism.'
The Baha'fs from many lands who had
gathered in New Delhi for the Women's Conference arrived by buses, taxis and private cars
at the bright pavilion on the site of the future
Temple of India. A thousand Baha'fs repre-
Amatu'l Bahti Ruf:ifyyih Khtinum and some senting most Asian countries as well as Europe,
of the other Bahtifs who attended the America, Australasia and Africa gathered in
ceremony at which she laid the foundation the tent and heard prayers chanted in many
stone. languages, beginning with Sanskrit.
A cool breeze began as Amatu'l-Baha spoke
of how Zoroaster, Krishna, Moses, Christ and
Excerpt from the Address of the the Bab and Baha'u'llah and the celestial concourse would be taking a keen interest in the
Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha
proceedings. This was the time to forget per-
RuJ:iiyyih Khanum sonality and be sanctified to spiritually commune with God on this site of the Temple. The
'When I was invited by the Universal House believers then formed a crowded circle, some
of Justice to go and see this design, I was standing on rocks and vantage points while
apprehensive . Because being an architect's Amatu'l-Baha laid the corner-stone. The
daughter I know what a difficult problem it is to architect, Mr. F. ~ahba of Iran, was beside her
design a nine-sided building, but when I saw as she firmly pressed down the commemorathis beautiful model I was deeply impressed tive stone in a speciall y prepared concrete bed.
and I think that it will be a wonderful thing and It took more than two hours for the excited
very much loved in India. There is one thing that believers to disperse in buses from the slopes of
Mr. ~ahba did not mention. The lotus has not that gently rising land , bordered by parks. The
only an association with Buddhism and Hindu- lotus-shaped Temple to be raised here must
ism, but par excellence, it is the symbol of the surely evoke a deep spiritual response from all
Manifestation of God. The lotus is probably in the countries of the East, as it is a symbol of
the most perfect flower in the whole world. It is religion, a flower of purity and beauty arising
symmetrical; it is exquisitely beautiful. And out of the mud.
370 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Amatu'l-Bahd' Ru/:iiyyih Khlinum laying the foundation stone of the Mother Temple of the
Indian sub-continent on 17 October 1977. Assisting her is Mr. Fariburz $ahbti, the architect,
whose unique. design grew out of his profound love and intense study of the architecture,
culture and peoples of India.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 371

4. THE LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE
OF THE FIRST MASHRIQU'L-ADHKAR OF
THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

27 January 1979

IN November 1975 , the National Spiritual Assembly of Samoa purchased a site for the Temple,
a 12-acre lot at an elevation of 1,800 feet , overlooking the city of Apia and not far from Vailima,
the official residence of His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II. His Highness visited the land and
was delighted with its location. Most of the city of Apia can be seen from the site, and when the
Temple has been erected it should be clearly visible from a wide area below.
Mr. I:Iusayn Amanat was appointed as architect for the Temple at Ri<;lvan 1978. His design was
submitted to the Universal House of Justice in September of that year and to His Highness
Malietoa Tanumafili II shortly thereafter. Following its approval, plans were made for the laying
of the foundation stone. This ceremony took place on the Temple site on 27 January 1979 with
His Highness laying the stone. Amatu'l-Baha RuQiyyih Khanum, the representative of the
Universal House of Justice , participated by placing in a niche in the stone a small casket of dust
from the Most Holy Shrine. Over 500 Baha'fs attended the ceremony and the Conference which
was held concurrently. Sixteen national communities from all parts of the Pacific area were
represented.
Additional land has been acquired adjacent to the Temple site to the east to provide an
approach to the Temple from the main road.

Photograph of the architect's rendering of the design for the new Baha'i House of Worship for
Samoa, which will be erected on a site near Apia, Western Samoa. Initiation of construction
of the building was a goal of the Five Year Plan. Architect lfusaynAmanat, who also designed
the building for the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, created the Samoan Temple.
372 THE BAHA'f WORLD

A. Text of Address Delivered by His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II

IT is a joy for me today to be participating in the laying of the
foundation stone of the Baha'i House of Worship in Samoa-an
edifice which is the first of its kind to be erected in the Pacific.
This occasion represents a significant hour for the people of
Samoa and most certainly an important hour for the Baha'fs in the
world and in the Pacific. For the people of Samoa, because it
signifies another milestone in their dedication to the cause of God
and their worship of their Creator. It signifies a positive and
forward step in the cause of universal brotherhood and the recognition of one single God, the common Father of all humanity. It is
an important hour for the Baha'fs because of the fact that the
Teachings of this young Faith were brought to our shores only
some twenty-five years ago. The Teachings of Baha'u'llah represent the noble idea of the unity of God, the unity of His Holy
Messengers-the great Redeemers of mankind, such as Krishna,
His Highness Malietoa Moses, Christ, Mul)ammad and Baha'u'llah-and the unity of all
Tanumafili II the peoples of the earth.
Humanity today is in desperate need of a unifying spirit; a spirit that will engender in the hearts
and minds of every member of the human family the belief that we all 'belong to the same
household'.
The laying of the foundation stone of this House of Worship in the Pacific is the visible sign of
such unity in our midst and, hopefully, this building will rise and become the emblem of a greater
spirit of unity in our islands and in the whole of the Pacific. For almost fifteen decades Samoa has
shown love for God and has founded a nation that is aware of its Lord. Over this long period many
men of God have laboured and toiled in our islands in an effort to bring us closer to that true spirit
which requires us to be better human beings. Our Government is founded on God. We promote
freedom of worship and know little of the prejudices that afflict many other countries of the
world.
On this occasion, as Head of State of Western Samoa and on behalf of the people of Western
Samoa, I wish the Baha'fs every success in this undertaking-the building of this House of
Worship which will open its doors to people of all races and religious backgrounds. When
completed this edifice will undoubtedly strengthen and develop further that mysterious power in
the spirit of man that once it is attracted to the true worship of its Creator will bring about
happiness, brotherhood and unity.
Soifua!
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 373

B. Excerpts from the Address of the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha
Rul).fyyih Khanum

Y 0 UR Highness, honoured guests and fellow Baha'is and
many esteemed visitors who are present today. It is a very great
day for me . A day of happiness and of joy to be here ... We
a lready have ... some 'Mother Temples' in the Baha'i world. The
first one, strangely enough, was built at the beginning of this
century in Russia, and it was very dear to the hearts of the Baha'is.
It was built at the time of ... ' Abdu'l-Baha Who succeeded His
Father, and He had the joy of seeing this Temple completed.
Unfortunately it was destroyed by a very severe earthquake .. .
The second Baha'i Temple ... cornerstone was laid by 'Abdu'l-
Baha Himself ... in 1912 (in Wilmette, Illinois).
The first was the Mother Temple of Asia, the second was the
Mother Temple of North America, and since we have built in
Frankfurt, Germany, the Mother Temple of Europe; in Sydney,
Australia, the Mother Temple of the Antipodes; in Uganda, in the The Hand of the Cause
city of Kampala, the Mother Temple of Africa ... and we now Amatu'l-Bahti Ruf:ziyyih
have in Panama ... the Mother Temple of South and Central Khtinum
America ... In 1977 the stone was laid in New Delhi for the Mother Temple of the Indian
sub-continent and today we are gathered on this very joyous and auspicious and historic occasion
to have His Highness lay the cornerstone of the Baha'i Temple of the Pacific Ocean. It also will be
a great Mother Temple, and its sole message is one of love and of understanding and of lack of
prejudice and of working for peace and harmony and brotherhood ... it will be open to people of
all denominations; it will be open to people of no denomination. The devout follower of whatever
religion he may belong to, and the atheist will be welcome to come into our Temple , to be
peaceful, to be quiet, to meditate, to pray, and if he cares to, to attend our regular services.

Text of inscription to be placed at an appropriate place inside the Temple after it has been
constructed:

'The Foundation Stone of this first Baha'i House of
Worship in the Pacific Islands was laid by His Highness
Malietoa Tanumafili II, and the representative of the
Universal House of Justice, Amatu'I-Baha RuJ:tfyyih
Khanum, set therein a casket containing Dust from the
Sacred Shrine of Baha'u'llah. 27 January 1979.'
374 THE BAHA'f WORLD

His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili /1 placing The Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahti
the foundation stone of the Mother Temple Ru/:z(yyih Khtmum, the representative of the
of the Pacific Islands. Universal House of Justice, inserting into a
niche in the foundation stone a box
containing Dust from the Shrine of
Baha'u'llah.

The silver box, about six centimetres in diameter, containing Dust from the Shrine of
Bahti' u' llah.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAH A'U'LLAH 375

5. THE DESIGNATION OF THE MOTHER
TEMPLE OF THE WEST AS A NATIONAL
HISTORIC PLACE BY THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT
DELIGHTED ACTION BY FED E RAL AUTHORITIES TO INCLUDE MOTHER TEMPLE OF THE
WEST IN NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES STOP FRUITION YOUR EFFORTS ON
134TH ANNIVERSARY OF DECLARATION HIS MISSION BY BLESSED BAB OBTAIN THIS SIGNI-
FICANT RECOGNITION DESERVES WARM COMMENDATION S AND IS AN OUTSTANDING
ACHIEVEMENT.
UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
22 June 1978

ON 23 May, 1978, exactly 134 years after the spiritua l guidance will radiate ."'
historic Declaration of the Bab, the Bah a'i Because the House of Worship is not old
House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, was enough for consideration as a ' historic place', it
designated 'one of the Nation's cultural was nomin ated on the basis of its architectural
resources worthy of preservation' and listed in uniqueness.
the National Register of Historic Places. The nine-sided structure, which symbolizes
The National Spiritual Assembly , in its letter the unity of religions and the oneness of manto the American Baha'i community for the kind, was designed by French-Canadian
Feast of Kalimat, emphasized the importance architect Louis Bourgeois. The cornerstone
and the significance of such recognition: was laid by the Master, ' Abdu' l-Baha, on 1
'It means that the Federal authorities recog- May 1912.
nize the architectural importance of the build- The House of Worship was nominated for
ing and are committed to preserving it as a the National Register by the National Assem-
United States historic site. bly in 1974 on advice from the Wilmette His-
'Thus our efforts to protect the physical exis- torical Society.
tence of this sublime edifice have now been The nominating process included the subfortified a thousandfold.' mission of photos and written information
The National Assembly was notified offi- about the House of Worship to the Illinois
cially of the listing by Keith A. Scalle, National Department of Conservation, which, upon
Register coordinator for the Division of His- approval , forwarded the materials to the
toric Sites, Illinois Department of Conserva- Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Board.
tion. The notification came shortly after the The materials were then sent to Washington,
House of Worship welcomed the four millionth D.C., for consideration by the U.S. Departvisitor since its public dedication in May 1953 . ment of Interior's National Parks Service,
'In this new recognition coming from the which is responsible for compiling the National
Federal authorities,' said the National Spiritual Register of Historic Places.
Assembly, 'we experience a fresh measure of 'Dearly-loved Friends,' the National
the dynamic quality which is implied in the Assembly said in its Feast letter, 'may our indibeloved Master's description of the Temple as vidual and collective efforts to win the pressing
"silent teacher"; and we sense more fully the goals of the Five Year Plan be spurred on by
spell it casts as the "ordained source", in this outstanding achievement.'
Shoghi Effendi's words, "from which rays [of)
376 THE BAHA'I WORLD

I
I I
I J l

Two views of'Abdu'l-Baha taken on 1May1912 during the dedication ofthe site and laying of
the corner-stone of the Baha'i House of Worship , Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 377

VI
THE NON-POLITICAL CHARACTER
OF THE BAHA'I FAITH
EXCERPTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI

THE B aha'f principles clearly define and mirror fo rth His commandments. Let your acts
explain the non-political character of the Faith, be a guide unto all mankind, for the professions
and serve as a guide for conduct in the relatio ns of most men, be they high or low, differ from
of Baha'fs with one another, with their fellow th eir conduct. It is through your deeds th at ye
men , and in their relations with different can distinguish yo urselves from others.
departments of the civil government. A brief Through th em the brightness of your light can
summary of excerpts from the Baha'f Writings be shed upon the whole earth ... 2
will show that non -participation in po litica l The aim of the Fa ith is to produce the reality
affairs is one of the basic ax ioms of Baha'f of virtu e in souls and evolve institutions caaction. pable of dealing with social matters justly, in the
The keynote to this theme may be found in light of the revealed truths. This is en tirely
the Writings of Baha'u'llah. He has stated: distinct from the province filled by partisan
That one indeed is a man who, today, dedi- civil institutions.
cateth himself to the service of th e entire human 'Abdu'l-Baha counse lled the Baha'fs from
race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy the early beginnings of the America n Baha'f
is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of community not to discuss political affairs.
the peoples and kindreds ofthe earth. Jn another ... All conferences (i.e., all consultation a nd
passage He hath proclaimed: It is not for him to discussion) must be regarding the matters of
pride himself who lo veth his own country, but benefit, both as a whole and individually, such
rather for him who loveth the whole world. The as the guarding of all in all cases, their protecearth is but one country, and mankind its citi- tion and preservation, the improvement of
zens. 1 character, the training of children , etc.
Sow not the seeds of discord among men, and If any person wishes to speak of government
refrain from con tending with your neighbour affairs, or to interfere with the order of govern -
. . . Open, 0 people, the city of the human heart ment, the others must not combine with him
with the key of your utterance ... because the Cause of God is withdrawn entirely
That which beseemeth you is the love of God, from political affairs; the political realm perand th e love of Him Who is th e Manifestation of tains only to the Rulers of those matters; it has
His Essence, and the observance of whatsoever nothing to do with the souls who are exerting
He chooseth to prescribe unto you, did ye but their utmost energy to harmonizing affairs,
know it. helping character and inciting (the people) to
Say: Let truthfulness and courtesy be your stri ve for perfections. Therefore no soul is
adorning. Suffer not yourselves to be deprived allowed to interfere with (politica l) matters, but
of the robe of forbearance and justice, that the only in that wh ich is commanded. 3
sweet savours of holiness may be wafted from With the development of a world-wide
your hearts upon all created things. Say: Beware, ad ministrative stru cture within the Baha'f
0 people of Bah6., lest ye walk in the ways of Faith, in stitutio ns have been set up in national
them whose words differ from their deeds. and local areas which ass ure the unity and
Strive that ye may be enabled to manifest to the integrity of the Faith. In unfolding these
peoples of the earth the signs of God, and to 2
ibid. , pp. 303-305.
1 3
Gleanings from the Writings ofBaha'u'llah, p. 250. Baha'i World Faith, p. 407.
378 THE BAHA'I WORLD

administrative institutions Shoghi Effendi has calculations, the transient passions that agitate
reiterated the importance of the non-political the face , and engage the attention , of a changcharacter of the Baha'f teach ings in a letter ing world . It is their duty to strive to distin -
written 21 March 1932, to the Baha'fs of the guish , as clearly as they possibly can, and if
United States and Canada: needed with the aid of their elected representa-
'I feel it, therefore, incumbent upon me to tives, such posts and functions as are either
stress, now that the time is ripe, the importance diplomatic or political from those that are
of an instruction which, at the present stage of purely administrative in character, and which
the evolution of our Faith , should be increas- under no circumstances are affected by the
ingly emphasized, irrespective of its applica- changes and chances that political activities
tion to the East or to the West. And this princi- and party government , in every land, must
ple is no other than that which involves the necessarily involve. Let them affirm their
non-participation by the adherents of the Faith unyielding determination to stand, firmly and
of Baha'u' ll ah, whether in their individual unreservedly, for the way of Baha'u'llah, to
capacities or collectively as Local or National avoid the entanglements and bickerings
Assemblies, in any form of activity that might inseparable from the pursuits of the politician,
be interpreted, either directly or indirectly, as and to become worthy agencies of that Divine
an interference in the political affairs of any Polity which incarnates God's immutable Purparticular government . Whether it be in the pose for all men.
publications which they initiate and supervise; 'It should be made unmistakably clear that
or in their official and public deliberations; or such an attitude implies neither the slightest
in the posts they occupy and the services they indifference to the cause and interests of their
render; or in the communications they address own country, nor involves any insubordination
to their fellow-disciples; or in their dealings on their part to the authority of recognized and
with men of em inence and authority; or in their established governments. Nor does it constiaffiliations with kindred societies and organiza- tute a repudiation of their sacred obligation to
tions, it is, I am firmly convinced, their first and promote , in the most effective manner, the best
sacred obligation to abstain from any word or interests of their government and people . It
deed that might be construed as a violation of indicates the desire cherished by every true and
this vital principle. Theirs is the duty to demon- loyal follower of Baha'u'llah to serve, in an
strate, on one hand, their unqualified loyalty unselfish, unostentatious and patriotic fashion,
and obedience to whatever is the considered the highest interests of the country to which he
judgement of their respective governments. belongs, and in a way that would entail no
'Let them refrain from associating them- departure from the high standards of integrity
selves, whether by word or by deed, with the and truthfulness associated with the teachings
politica l pursuits of their respective nations, of his Faith.
with the policies of their governments and the 'As the number of the Baha'f communities in
schemes and programmes of parties and fac- various parts of the world multiplies and their
tions. In such controversies they should assign power, as a social force, becomes increasingly
no blame, take no side, further no design, and apparent, they will no doubt find themselves
identify themselves with no system prejudicial increasingly subjected to the pressure which
to the best interests of that worldwide Fellow- men of authority and influence, in the political
ship which it is their aim to guard and foster. domain, will exercise in the hope of obtaining
Let them beware lest they allow themselves to the support they require for the advancement
become the tools of unscrupulous politicians, of their aims. These communities will moreor to be entrapped by the treacherous devices over, feel a growing need of the good-will
of the plotters and the perfidious among their and the assistance of their respective governcountrymen. Let them so shape their lives and ments in their efforts to widen the scope, and to
regulate their conduct that no charge of se- consolidate the foundations, of the institutions
crecy, of fraud, of bribery, or of intimidation committed to their charge. Let them beware
may, however ill-founded, be brought against lest, in their eagerness to further the aims of
them. Let them rise above all particularism and their beloved Cause, they should be ted unwitpartisanship, above the vain disputes, the petty tingly to bargain with their Faith, to compro-
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 379
mise with their essential principles, or to nor the allurements of honours and rewards,
sacrifice, in return for any material advantage will ever induce them to surrender their trust or
which their institutions may derive, the integ- to deviate from their path. Let their words
rity of their spiritual ideals. Let them proclaim proclaim, and their conduct testify, that they
that in whatever country they reside, and how- who follow Baha' u'llah, in whatever land they
ever advanced their institutions, or profound reside, are actuated by no selfish ambition, that
their desire to enforce the laws, and apply the they neither thirst for power, nor mind any
principles, enunciated by Baha'u'llah, they wave of unpopularity, of distrust or criticism,
will, unhesitatingly, subordinate the operation which a strict adherence to their standards
of such laws and the application of such princi- might provoke.''
ples to the requirements and legal enactments And again: 'The Baha'i Faith as it forges
of their respective governments. Theirs is not ahead throughout the western world and parthe purpose, while endeavouring to conduct ticularly in lands where the political machinery
and perfect the administrative affairs of their is corrupt and political passions and prejudices
Faith, to violate, under any circumstances, the are dominant among the masses, should
provisions of their country's constitution, increasingly assert and demonstrate the fact
much less to allow the machinery of their that it is non-political in character, that it
administration to supersede the government stands above the party, that it is neither apathetof their respective countries . ic to national interests nor opposed to any
'It should also be borne in mind that the very party or faction, and that it seeks through
extension of the activities in which we are administrative channels, rather than through
engaged, and the variety of the communities diplomatic and political posts to establish,
which labour under divers forms of govern- beyond the shadow of a doubt, the capacity,
ment so essentially different in their standards, the sane patriotism, the integrity and highpolicies, and methods, make it absolutely mindedness of its avowed adherents. This is the
essential for all those who are the declared general and vital principle; it is for the National
members of any one of these communities to representatives to apply it with fidelity and vigavoid any action that might, by arousing the our.'2
suspicion or exciting the antagonism of any one These instructions raised the question
government, involve their brethren in fresh whether Baha'is should vote in any public elecpersecutions or complicate the nature of their tion. A Tablet revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha to
task. How else, might I ask, could such a far- Mr. Thornton Chase was sent to the Guardian,
flung Faith, which transcends political and and the following reply was received, dated 26
social boundaries, which includes within its January 1933 :
pale so great a variety of races and nations, 'The Guardian fully recognizes the authenwhich will have to rely increasingly, as it forges ticity and controlling influence of this instrucahead, on the good will and support of the tion from 'Abdu'l-Baha upon the question. He,
diversified and contending governments of the however, feels under the responsibility of statearth- how else could such a Faith succeed in ing that the attitude taken by the Master (that
preserving its unity, in safeguarding its inter- is, that American citizens are in d uty bound to
ests, and in ensuring the steady and peaceful vote in public elections) implies certain reserdevelopment of its institutions? vations. He, therefore, lays it upon the indi-
'Such an attitude, however, is not dictated by vidual conscience to see that in following the
considerations of selfish expediency, but is Master's instructions no Baha'i vote for an
actuated, first and foremost, by the broad prin- officer nor Baha'i participation in the affairs of
ciple that the followers of Baha'u'llah will, the Republic shall involve acceptance by that
under no circumstances, suffer themselves to individual of a programme or policy that conbe involved, whether as individuals or in their travenes any vital principle, spiritual or social,
collective capacities, in matters that would of the Faith.' The Guardian added to this letter
entail the slightest departure from the funda- the following postscript: 'I feel it incumbent
mental verities and ideals of their Faith. upon me to clarify the above statement, written
Neither the charges which the uninformed and 1
The World Order of Baht!'u'lltih, pp. 64-67.
the malicious may be led to bring against them, 2
U.S. Bahti'( News, December 1932.
380 THE BAHA'I WORLD

in my behalf, by stating that no vote cast, or tions, ennobled their motives, co-ordinated
office undertaken, by a Baha'i should necessar- their efforts, and transformed their outlook.
ily constitute acceptance, by the voter or office While preserving their patnot1sm and
holder, of the entire programme of any politi- safeguarding their lesser loyalties, it has made
cal party. No Baha'i can be regarded as either a them lovers of mankind , and the determined
Republican or Democrat, as such. He is, above upholders of its best and truest interests. While
all else, the supporter of the principles enunci- maintaining intact their belief in the Divine
ated by Baha'u'llah, with which , I am firmly origin of their respective religions, it has
convinced, the programme of no political party enabled them to visualize the underlying puris completely harmonious.n pose of these religions, to discover their merits,
In a letter dated 16 March 1933 , the Guard- to recognize their sequence, their interdepenian sent these further details: dence, their wholeness and unity and to ac-
'As regards the non-political character of the knowledge the bond that vitally links them to
Baha'i Faith, Shoghi Effendi feels that there is itself. This universal , this transcending love
no contradiction whatsoever between the Tab- which the followers of the Baha'i Faith feel for
let (to Thornton Chase, referred to above) and their fellow-men, of whatever race, creed, class
the reservations to which he has referred. The or nation, is neither mysterious nor can it be
Master surely never desired the friends to use said to have been artificially stimulated. It is
their influence towards the realization and both spontaneous and genuine. They whose
promotion of policies contrary to any of the hearts are warmed by the energizing influence
principles of the Faith. The friends may vote , if of God's creative love cherish His creatures for
they can do it, without identifying themselves His sake, and recognize in every human face a
with one party or another. To enter the arena sign of His reflected glory.
of party politics is surely detrimental to the best 'Of such men and women it may be truly said
interests of the Faith and will harm the Cause. that to them " every foreign land is a father-
It remains for the individuals to so use their land, and every fatherland a foreign land." For
right to vote as to keep aloof from party poli- their citizenship, it must be remembered, is in
tics, and always bear in mind that they are the Kingdom of Baha'u' ll ah. Though willing to
voting on the merits of the individual, rather share to the utmost the temporal benefits and
than because he belongs to one party or the fleeting joys which this earthly life can conanother. The matter must be made perfectly fer, though eager to participate in whatever
clear to the individuals, who will be left free to activity that conduces to the richness, the hapexercise their discretion and judgement. But if piness and peace of that life, they can, at no
a certain person does enter into party politics time, forget that it constitutes no more than a
and labours for the ascendancy of one party transient, a very brief stage of their existence,
over another, and continues to do it against the that they who live it are but pilgrims and
expressed appeals and warnings of the Assem- wayfarers whose goal is the Celestial City, and
bly, then the Assembly has the right to refuse whose home the Country of never-failing joy
him the right to vote in Baha'f elections.' 2 and brightness.
That this principle, as do all Baha'f princi- 'Though loyal to their respective governples, has world-wide application is made clear ments, though profoundly interested in anything
by Shoghi Effendi in a letter dated 11 March that affects their security and welfare, though
1936. anxious to share in whatever promotes their
'The Faith of Baha' u'llah has assimilated, by best interests, the Faith with which the followvirtue of its creative, its regulative and ers of Baha'u'llah stand identified is one
ennobling energies, the varied races, which they firmly believe God has raised high
nationalities, creeds and classes that have above the storms, the divisions, and controversought its shadow, and have pledged unswerv- sies of the political arena. Their Faith they
ing fealty to its cause. It has changed the hearts conceive to be essentially non-political, supraof its adherents, burned away their prejudices, national in character, rigidly non-partisan,
stilled their passions, exalted their concep- and entirely dissociated from nationalistic
' U.S. Bah(J'( News, April 1933 .
ambitions, pursuits and purposes. Such a Faith
ibid., January 1934. knows no division of class or of party. It sub-
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U ' LLAH 381
ordinates, without hesitation or equivocation, government of the country they reside in , and
every particularistic interest, be it personal, re- no interference whatsoever in political matters
gional, or national to the paramount interests of or questions. What the Master's statement
humanity, firmly convinced that in a world of really means is obedience to a duly constituted
interdependent peoples and nations the advan- government, whatever that government may
tage of the part is best to be reached by the be in form. We are not the ones, as individual
advantage of the whole, and that no abiding Baha'ls, to judge our government as just or
benefit can be conferred upon the component unjust- for each believer would be sure to
parts if the general interests of the entity itself hold a different viewpoint, and within our own
are ignored or neglected.' 1 Baha'i fold a hotbed of dissension would spring
The unity of Baha'i action throughout the up and destroy our unity. We must build up our
world is further emphasized in a letter from Baha'i system , and leave the faulty systems of
Shoghi Effendi to the Baha'ls of Vienna, writ- the world to go their way. We cannot change
ten in 1947 through his secretary, in which he them through becoming involved in them; on
said in part: the contrary, they will destroy us.' 4
'We Baha'ls are one the world over; we are Another application of this principle conseeking to build up a new world order, divine in cerns the right, propriety or usefulness of exertorigin. How can we do this if every Baha'i is a ing Baha'i influence for the enactment of legismember of a different political party-some of lative measures reflecting more or less the purthem diametrically opposite to each other? pose of some Baha'i principle or teaching. For
Where is our unity then? We would be divided example, should a Baha'i community, local or
because of politics, against ourselves and this is national , lend the name of the Baha'i Faith to
the opposite of our purpose. Obviously if one support legislation which seeks to abolish race
Baha'i in Austria is given freedom to choose a and religious discrimination in matters of
political party and join it, however good its industrial employment, or intervene when
aims may be, another Baha'i in Japan or measures concerning military training of youth
America, or India, has the right to do the same are before a legislature?
thing and he might belong to a party the very The National Spiritual Assembly of the
opposite in principle to that which the Austrian Baha'ls of the United States has stated that, 'as
Baha'i belongs to. Where would be the unity of a general policy subject to the Guardian's
the Faith then? These two spiritual brothers specific direction in special cases, Baha'ls and
would be working against each other because their administrative institutions should not feel
of their political affiliations (as the Christians obligated to adopt a " Baha'i" attitude or
of Europe have been doing in so many fratrici- course of action on matters of civil legislation.
dal wars). The best way for a Baha'i to serve his Our teachings and basic principles speak for
country and the world is to work for the establish- themselves. These we can always declare and
ment of Baha'u'llah's World Order, which will set forth with all possible energy whenever
gradually unite all men and do away with divisive occasions arise. But a truth which is sundered
political systems and religious creeds .. .' 2 from its sustaining spiritual Source, lifted out
In the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'J-Baha of its organic relationship to the Baha'i comthe Baha'ls are instructed to obey and be the munity , broken off from the other truths, and
well-wishers of the governments of the land, made subject to the storm and stress of secular
regard disloyalty unto a just king as disloyalty to controversy, is no longer a truth with which we
God Himself and wishing evil to the govern- can usefully have concern. It has become an
ment a transgression of the Cause of God. 3 In enactment to be carried out by institutions and
explanation of this statement the Guardian groups committed to other enactments, other
wrote, in a Jetter dated 3 July 1948: aims and purposes and methods not in conform-
'Regarding your question about politics and ity with the "Divine Polity" entrusted to
the Master's Will: the attitude of the Baha'ls those alone who give full loyalty to Baha'u'-
must be twofold, complete obedience to the llah. Far better for us to strive to mirror forth
radiantly the individual and community virtues
The World Order of Bahti'u'l/tih , pp. 197-198.
U.S. Baha'f News, April 1949. of a new era than to hope that others than
Bah(l'( Administration (1960 ed.), p. 4. 'U.S. Bahti'( News , January 1949.
382 THE BAHA'I WORLD

believers will achieve the holy mission of the vindicate by their life-blood the sincerity of
Faith. We Ba ha'fs have in reality accepted a their conviction, that no power on earth,
world order and not merely a new decalogue of neither the arts of the most insidious adversary
truths or commands. On the other hand, nor the bloody weapons of the most tyrannical
obedience to civil government is an obligation oppressor, can ever succeed in extorting from
laid by Baha'u'llah upon every Baha'f.' 1 them a word or deed that might tend to stifle
Shoghi Effendi points out, as a guiding prin- the voice of their conscience or tarnish the
ciple of Baha'i conduct, that 'in connection purity of their faith. 2
with their administrative activities, no matter 'Small wonder if by the Pen of Baha'u'llah
how grievously interference with them might these pregnant words, written in anticipation
affect the course of the extension of the of the present state of mankind, should have
Movement, and the suspension of which does been revealed: It is not for him to pride himself
not constitute in itself a departure from the who loveth his own country, but rather for him
principle of loyalty to their Faith, the consid- who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one
ered judgement and authoritative decrees country and mankind its citizens. And again,
issued by their responsible rulers must, if they That one indeed is a man who today dedicateth
be faithful to Baha'u'llah's and 'Abdu'l- himself to the service of the entire human race.
Baha's express injunctions, be thoroughly Through the power released by these exalted
respected and loyally obeyed. In matters, how- words, He explains, He hath lent a fresh
ever, that vitally affect the integrity and honour impulse, and set a new direction, to the birds of
of the Faith of Baha'u'llah and are tantamount men's hearts, and hath obliterated every trace of
to a recantation of their faith and repudiation restriction and limitation from God's Holy
of their innermost belief, they [the Baha'fs] are Book.' 3
convinced , and are unhesitatingly prepared to 2
Baha'i Administration (1960 ed.), p. 162.
1 3
The Bahiff World, vol. X, pp. 278-279. The World Order of Baha'u'l/ah, p. 198.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA 'U'LLA H 383

VII
RELATIONSHIP TO GOVERNMENT
1 . LOY AL TY TO GOVERNMENT

WHEN a great social crisis sweeps through a and peoples of the world. We must obey an d be
civilization, mora l values become impaired and the well-wishers of the governments of th e land
•4
mo ral issues confused. In the crisis of our time ,
members of the Baha'f Faith go on record as The followers of Baha'u'llah are exhorted to
firmly upholding the principle of loyalty to be 'good citizens'. 5 The Baha'i teachings foster
gove rnme nt . in the individua l ad herent an appreciation of
Baha' u' Il ah, the Founder of the Baha'i authority a nd a n intellige nt and balanced pat-
Faith , laid upon His fo llowers this sacred rio tism. The Baha'f is e nco uraged to 'serve in
ob liga tion : 'In every country where any of this an unselfish, unoste ntatio us a nd patriotic fash -
people (Baha'is) reside, th ey must behave ion , the hi ghest inte rests of the country to
towards the government of that country with which he belongs, a nd in a way that would
loyalty, hon esty and truthfulness.' 1 T he Baha'i enta il no departure from the high standards of
Writings state further, ' The essence of the integrity and truthfulness associa ted with the
Baha'i spirit is that in order to establish a better teachings of his Fa ith .' 6
social order and economic condition, there must A llegia nce to gove rnment, far from being a
be allegiance to the laws and principles of gov- concept to which the Baha'f gives lip service, is
ernment'2 Sho uld a Baha'f act contrary to the a spiritua l ob ligation reinforced by and
laws of the gove rnment his conduct would in separab le from those teachings of Baha ' u'-
be considered reprehe nsible before God, for Il ah's on which His followers pattern their
members of this community 'should at all tim es individual spiritual deve lopment. 'Let integrity
manifest . .. truthfulness and sincerity' and 'be and uprightness distinguish all thine acts,' 7
constant in ... faithfulness and trustwo rthi- Baha'u'llah e nj o in s.
ness.'3 Without integrity of character in its citizens
In elucidation of this cardinal spiritual and and without loyalty to gove rnment, a nation
social principle 'Abdu' l-Baha, the authorized will find itse lf torn asunder and unable to func-
Interpreter of the Faith, has written: 'Accord- tion as an orga nic society. Not only do the
ing to the direct and sacred command of God we Baha'i teachings obligate members to be loya l
(the Baha'is) are forbidden to utter slander, are to their government- they also specifically
commanded to show forth peace and amity, are forb id them from taki ng part in subversive
exhorted to rectitude of conduct, straight- political and social movements.
fo rwardness and harm ony with all the kindreds
''A bdu'l-Baha : The Will and Tesramenr of Abdu'l-Bahd p.
' Baha'u'llah: Bi~arat, Ta biers of Baha'u'l/dh revealed after 8.
rhe Kirab-i-Aqdas, p. 22-23. ''A bdu' l-Baha: Selecrions from rhe Wrirings of 'Abdu'l-
'Abdu'l-Baha: The Promulgarion of Universal Peace, p. Bahti, p. 3 19.
233. Shoghi Effendi : The World Order of Bahti'u'l/dh, p. 65.
'Abdu' l-B aha : Selecrions from rhe Wrirings of 'Abdu'l- ' Baha' u' llah: Gleanings from rhe Wrirings of Bahd'u'lldh, p.
Baha, p. 294. 285.
384 THE BAHA'I WORLD

2. THE BAHA'I VIEW OF PACIFISM

IN a letter published in U.S. Baha'i News, nor does it exalt him to the point of making him
January 1938 , Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of an anti-social creature, a me nace to society. As
the Baha'i Faith wrote through his secretary: in everything, it follows the "golden mean."
'With reference to the absolute pacifists or T he only way society can function is for the
conscientious objectors to war: their attitude, minority to follow the will of the majority.
judged from the Baha'i standpoint, is quite 'The other main objection to the conscienanti-social and due to its exaltation of the indi- tious objectors is that their method of establishvidual conscience leads inevitably to disorder ing peace is too negative . Noncooperation is
and chaos in society. Extreme pacifists are thus too passive a philosophy to become an effecvery close to anarchists, in the sense that both tive way for social reconstruction . Their refusal
of these groups lay an undue emphasis on th e to bear arms can never establish peace. There
rights and merits of the individual. The Baha'i should first be a spiritual revitalization which
conception of social life is essentially based on nothing, except the Cause of God, can effecthe subordination of the individual will to that tively bring to every man's heart.'
of society. It neither suppresses the individual

3. SUMMARY OF THE GUARDIAN'S
INSTRUCTIONS ON THE OBLIGATIONS OF
BAHA'fS IN CONNECTION WITH MILITARY
SERVICE

IMMEDIATEL Ypriorto World War II the service which is not specifically aggressive or
Baha'i position on military training and ser- directly military . Such forms of national work
vice, and the obligation of individual Baha'is to as air raid precaution service, ambulance
apply for and maintain a non-combatant stat us corps, and other humanitaria n work or activity
when this is possible under the laws of their of a non-combatant nature, are the most suitcountry, were clearly stated by the Guardian of able types of service the friends can render, and
the Faith. On 27 November 1938 he instructed which they should gladly volunteer for, since in
his secretary to write to the National Spiritual addition to the fact that they do not involve any
Assembly of the British Isles: 'He has noted violation of the spirit or principle of the Teachyour Assembly's request for his advice as to ings they constitute a form of social and
what forms of national service the friends may humanitarian service which the Cause holds
volunteer for in times of emergency. While the sacred and emphatically enjoins.'
believers, he feels, should exert every effort to A further query from that National Spiritual
obtain from the authorities a permit exempting Assembly dated 9 May 1939 evoked the folthem from active military service in a combat- lowing reply on 4 June 1939, in amplification
ant capacity, it is their duty at the same time , as of the above principles:
loyal an d devoted citizens, to offer their ser- 'His instructions on this matter, conveyed in
vices to their country in any field of national a letter addressed to your Assembly during last
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U ' LLAH 385
November, were not intended for that particu- may be slight prospect of their obtaining the
lar occasion , but were meant for present condi- consent and approval of the authorities to their
tions, and for any such emergencies as may petition.'
arise in the immediate future . After the war, on 20 July 1946, the National
'It is still his firm conviction that the believ- Spiritual Assembly of the United States
ers, while expressing their readiness to unre- enquired of the Guardian whether the exisservedly obey any directions that the tence of the United Nations in its present form
authorities may issue concerning national ser- changed the attitude of the Baha'is toward
vice in time of war, should also, a nd while there military duties which might require the taking
is yet no outbreak of hostilities , appeal to the of human life. The Guardian' s reply, written by
government for exemption from active military his secretary, was:
service in a combatant capacity , stressing the 'As there is neither an International Police
fact that in doing so they are not prompted by Force nor any immediate prospect of one comany selfish considerations, but by the sole and ing into being, the Baha'is should continue to
supreme motive of upholding the Teachings of apply, under all circumstances, for exemption
their Faith, which make it a moral obligation from any military duty that necessitates the takfor them to desist from any act that would ing of life. There is no justification for any
involve them in direct warfare with their change of attitude on our part at the present
fe llow-humans of any other race or nation. time.'
'The Baha'i Teachings, indeed, condemn, The Guardian therefore has made it clear
emphatically and unequivocally, any form of that it is obligatory and not an optional matter
physical violence , and warfare in the battlefield for all Baha'is to apply for and maintain a
is obviously a form , and perhaps the worst form non-combatant status if this is possible under
which such violence can assume. the law. Where such a law exists, Baha'is can-
'There are many other avenues through not voluntarily enlist in any branch of the
which the believers can assist in times of war by armed forces in which they would be subject to
enlisting in services of a non-combatant orders to engage in the taking of human life.
nature- services that do not involve the direct The Universal House of Justice amplified
shedding of blood-such as ambulance work, this later statement:
anti-air raid precaution service , office and 'There is no objection to a Baha'i enlisting
administrative works, and it is for such types of voluntarily in the armed forces of a country in
national service that they should volunteer. order to obtain a training in some trade or
'It is immaterial whether such activities profession , provided that he can do so without
would still expose them to dangers, either at making himself liable to undertake combatant
home or in the front, since their desire is not to service.
protect their lives, but to desist from any acts of 'There is likewise no objection to a Baha'i
wilful murder. seeking or continuing a career in the armed
'The friends should consider it their con- forces , provided that he can do so without makscientious duty, as loyal members of the Faith , ing himself liable to undertake combatant serto apply for such exemption , even though there vice.'
386 THE BAHA'I WORLD

VIII
BAHA'I CALENDAR, FESTIVALS AND
DA TES OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

1. FOREWORD

Excerpt from Baha'u'llah and the New Era by Dr. J. E. Esslemont

AMONG different peoples and at different calendar to the solar year. The Bab named the
times many different methods have been months after the attributes of God. The Baha'i
adopted for the measurement of time and New Year, like the ancient Persian New Year,
fixing of dates, and several different calendars is astronomically fixed, commencing at the
are still in daily use, e.g., the Gregorian in March equinox (21 March), and the Baha'i era
Western Europe, the Julian in many countries commences with the year of the Bab's declaraof Eastern Europe, the Hebrew among the tion (i.e., 1844 A . D., 1260 A . H . ).
Jews and the Mul)ammadan in Muslim coun- In the not far distant future it will be necestries. sary that all peoples in the world agree on a
The Bab signalized the importance of the common calendar.
dispensation which He came to herald by It seems, therefore, fitting that the new age
inaugurating a new calendar. In this, as in the of unity should have a new calendar free from
Gregorian Calendar, the lunar month is aban- the objections and associations which make
doned and the solar year is adopted. each of the older calendars unacceptable to
The Baha'i year consists of 19 months of 19 large sections of the world's population, and it
days each (i.e., 361 days), with the addition of is difficult to see how any other arrangement
certain 'intercalary days' (four in ordinary and could exceed in simplicity and convenience
five in leap years) between the eighteenth and that proposed by the Bab.
nineteenth months in order to adjust the

2. BAHA'I FEASTS, ANNIVERSARIES AND
DAYS OF FASTING
Feast of Ric;!van (Declaration of Baha'u'llah), 21 April-2 May 1863.
Feast of Naw-Ruz (New Year), 21 March.
Declaration of the Bab, 23 May 1844.
The Day of the Covenant, 26 November.
Birth of Baha'u'llah, 12 November 1817.
Birth of the Bab, 20 October 1819.
Birth of 'Abdu'l-Baha, 23 May 1844.
Ascension of Baha'u'llah, 29 May 1892.
Martyrdom of the Bab, 9 July 1850.
Ascension of' Abdu'l-Baha, 28 November 1921.
Fasting season lasts 19 days beginning with the first day of the month of' Ala' , 2 March-the Feast
of Naw-Ruz follows immediately after.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 387

3. BAHA'I HOLY DAYS ON WHICH WORK
SHOULD BE SUSPENDED

The first day of Ric;lvan,
The ninth day of Ric;lvan,
The twelfth day of Ric;lvan,
The anniversary of the declaration of the Bab,
The anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah,
The anniversary of the birth of the Bab,
The anniversary of the ascension of Baha'u'llah,
The anniversary of the martyrdom of the Bab,
The feast of Naw-Ruz.

NoTE: 'Abdu'l-Ba ha, in one of His Tablets addressed to a believer of Nayriz, Persia, has written
the following: Nine days in the year have been appointed on which work is forbidden. Some
of these days have been specifically mentioned in the Book. The rest follow as corollaries to
the Text . .. Work on the Day ofthe Covenant (Fete Day of 'Abdu'l-Baha), however, is not
prohibited. Celebration ofthat day is left to the discretion ofthe friends. Its observation is not
obligatory. The days pertaining to the Abhti Beauty (Baha'u'llah) and the Primal Point (the
Bab), that is to say these nine days, are the only ones on which work connected with trade,
commerce, industry and agriculture is not allowed. In like manner, work connected with any
form of employment, whether governmental or otherwise, should be suspended.

As a corollary of this Tablet it follows that the anniversaries of the birth and ascension of
'Abdu'l-Baha are not to be regarded as days on which work is prohibited. The celebration
of these two days, however, is obligatory.

Baha'is in East and West, holding admi nistrative positions, whether public or private,
should exert the utmost effort to obtain special leave from their superiors to enable them to
observe these nine holy days.

4. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL GLEANED FROM
NABIL'S NARRATIVE REGARDING THE
BAHA'I CALENDAR

THE Badi' Calendar (Baha'i Calendar) has (1844 A.D.), the year of the Declaration of the
been taken by me from the Kittib-i-Asmti', one Bab, must be regarded as the beginning of the
of the works written by the Bab. As I have Badi' Calendar.' The Declaration of the Bab
observed in these days that certain believers took place on the evening preceding the fifth
are inclined to regard the year in which Baha'u'- day of Jamadiyu'l-Avval, of the year 1260 A.H .
llah departed from Ba~dad to Constan- It has been ordained that the solar calendar be
tinople as marking the beginning of the Badi' followed and that the vernal Equinox, the day
Calendar, I have requested Mirza Aqa Jan, the of Naw-Ruz, be regarded as the New Year's
amanuensis of Baha'u'llah, to ascertain His Day of the Badf' Calendar. The year sixty, in
will and desire concerning this matter. Baha'u'- which the fifth day of Jamadiyu'l-Avval coinllah answered and said: 'The year sixty A.H. 1 cided with the sixty-fifth day after Naw-Ruz,
(i.e. , 1260 A.H.) has accordingly been regarded as the first year
388 THE BAHA'i WORLD

of the Badf' Calendar. As in that year, the day Soon afte r Baha' u'll ah had left the fortress
of Naw-Ruz, the vernal Equinox, preceded by of 'Akka and was dwelling in the house of
sixty-six days the date of the Declaration of the Malik , in that city, He commanded me to
Bab, I have therefore, throu ghout my history, transcribe the text of the Badf' Calendar and to
regarded the Naw-Ruz of the year sixty-one instruct the believers in its details. On the ve ry
A . H. (the Naw-Ruz immedi ately fo llowing the day in which I received His co mmand , I com-
Decl ara tion of the Bab) as the first Naw-Ruz of posed, in verse and prose, an exposition of the
the Badf' Ca le ndar. I have acco rdin gly consid- main features of that Calendar a nd presented it
ered the Naw-Ruz of this prese nt year, the to him . The versified copy, being now un availyear 1306 A.H., which is the 47th solar year able, I am herein transcribing the versio n in
after the Declaration of the Bab, as the 46th prose. The days of the week are named as
Naw-Ruz of the Badf' Calendar. fo llows:

Days Arabic Nam e English Name Translation
1st Jala I Saturday Glory
2nd Ja mal Sunday Beauty
3rd Kama l Monday Perfectio n
4th Fic;lal T uesday Grace
5th ' Ida! Wednesday Justice
6th Istij lal Thursday Majesty
7th Istiq lal Friday Independence

The names of the month s, wh ich are the same as the days of each month , are as fo llows:

Month Arabic Name Translation Firs! Days
1st Baha Splendour March 21
2nd Jalal Glory April 9
3rd Jamal Beauty Ap ril 28
4th 'A~a m at Grandeur May 17
5th Nur Light June 5
6th Ral)mat Mercy June 24
7th Kali mat Words July 13
8th Kamal Perfection August 1
9th Asma' Names A ugust 20
10th 'Izzat Mig ht Septe mber 8
11th Mashfyyat Will Septe mber 27
12th ' Ilm Knowledge October 16
13th Qudrat Power Nove mber 4
14th Qawl Speech November 23
15th Masa'i l Questions December 12
16th Sharaf Honour December 31
17th Sult an Sovereignty Ja nuary 19
18th Mulk Dominion February 7
19th ' Ala' Loftiness Marc h 2

Ayyam-i- Ha (Intercalary Days) 26 Febru ary to 1 March inclusivefour in ordinary and five in leap years.

The first day of each month is thus the day of ing of 19 months of 19 days each, with the
Baha, and the last day of each month the day of addition of certain inte rcalary days. He has
'Ala'. named the New Year's Day, which is the day of
The Bab has regarded the solar year, of 365 Naw-Ruz, the day of Baha, of the mont h of
days, 5 hours, and fifty odd minutes, as consist- Baha. He has ordained the month of' Ala' to be
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 389
the month of fasting , and has decreed that the 1. Alif A.
day of Naw-Ruz should mark the termination 2. Ba ' B.
of that period. As the Bab did not specifically 3. Ab Father.
define the place for the four days and the frac- 4 . Dal D.
tion of a day in the Badf' Calendar, the people 5. Bab Gate.
of the Bayan were at a loss as to how they 6. Vav V.
should regard them. The revelation of the 7. Abad Eternity.
Kitab-i-A qdas in the city of' Akka resolved this 8. Jad Generosity.
problem and settled the issue. Baha'u' llah 9.Baha Splendour.
designated those days as the Ayyam-i-Ha and 10. I:Iubb Love.
ordained that they sliould immediately pre- 11. Bahhaj Delightful.
cede the month of' Ala' , which is the month of 12.Javab Answer.
fasting. He enjoined upon His followers to 13. Al)ad Single.
devote these days to feasting, rejoicing, and 14. Vahhab Bountiful.
charity. Immediately upon the termination of 15. Vidad Affection.
these intercalary days, Baha'u'llah ordained 16. Badf' Beginning.
the month of fasting to begin. I have heard it 17. Bahf Luminous.
stated that some of the people of the Bayan, 18. Abha Most Luminous.
the followers of Mirza Yal)ya, have regarded 19. Val)id Unity.
these intercalary days as coming immediately
after the month of' Ala' , thus terminating their Each cycle of nineteen years is called Val)id.
fast five days before the day of Naw-Ruz. This, Nineteen cycles constitute a period called
notwithstanding the explicit text of the Bayan Kull-i-Shay'. The numerical value of the word
which states that the day of Naw-Ruz must Val)id is nineteen , that of Kull-i-Shay' is 361.
needs be the first day of the month ofBaha, and Val)id signifies unity, and is symbolic of the
must follow immediately after the last day of unity of God .
the month of 'Ala'. Others, aware of this con- The Bab has, moreover, stated that this systradiction, have started their fasting on the fifth tem of His is dependent upon the acceptance
day of the month of 'Ala', and included the and good-pleasure of 'Him Whom God shall
intercalary days within the period of fasting. make manifest'. One word from Him would
Every fourth year the number of the inter- suffice either to establish it for all time, or to
calary days is raised from four to five. The day _ annul it forever.
of Naw-Ruz falls on the 21st of March only if For instance, the date of the 21st of April,
the vernal Equinox precedes the setting of the 1930, which is the first day of Ric;lvan, and
sun on that day . Should the vernal Equinox which according to the Kitab-i-Aqdas must
take place after sunset, Naw-Ruz will have to coincide with the 'thirteenth day of the second
be celebrated on the following day. Baha'i month,' and which fell this year (1930)
The Bab has, moreover, in His Writings on Monday, would, according to the system of
revealed in the Arabic tongue, divided the the Badf' Calendar, be described as follows:
years following the date of His Revelation into 'The day of Kamal, the day of Qudrat, of the
cycles of nineteen years each. The names of the month of Jalal, of the year Bahhaj, of the fifth
years in each cycle are as follows: Val) id, of the first Kull -i-Shay'.'
390 THE BAHA'I WORLD

5. HISTORICAL DATA GLEANED FROM
NABIL'S NARRATIVE REGARDING
BAHA'U'LLAH
Works Revealed Houses Occupied
During This Period During This Period
A.BAGHDAD
Arrival latter part Jamadiyu ' !.b.-Thanf, Kullu ' t-Ta'am House of I;Ia jf 'Alf-
1269 A.H. Madad
12 March-10 April 1853 A.D. (in old Ba~dad)
Departure for Sulaymanfyyih on Wed- House of Sulaymannesday , 10 April 1854 A.D.-Rajab i-Ghannam
12, 1270A.H.

B. SULA YMANIYYIH Prayers
Before reaching Sulaymanfyyih , He Qa~fdiy-i-Varqa'fyyih
lived for a time on the Sar-Galu
mountain .
During His absence from Bagbdad Saqf-Az-Ghayb-i-
His family transferred their residence Baqa
from House of I;Iajf 'Alf-Madad to
that of Su layman-i-Ghannam.
Nabfl arrived at Bagbdad 6 months
after Baha'u ' llah's departure for
Sulaymanfyyih.

c. BAGHDAD Tafsir-i-l;IurUfat-i-
Muqaga'ih
Arrived from Sulaymaniyyih on Wed- ~al:iffiy-i-Shagfyyih
nesday, 19 March 1856 A. D.- Haft-Vadf
Rajab 12, 1272 A.H. (Seven Valleys)
Departure from Bagbdad for Consta n- Tafsir-i-Hu
tinople, Wednesday afternoon (first L a wI:i-i-l;Iurfyyih
day of Ri<;fvan) , 22 April 1863 A. D. Kitab-i-fqa.n
-Dhi'l-Qa'dih 3, 1279 A.H. Kalimat-i-Maknunih
(Hidden Words)
SubI:iana-Rabbfya'l-
A 'la
Shikkar-Shikan-
Shavand
I;Iur-i-'Ujab
Halih-Halih-Ya
Bisharat
Ghulamu'l-Khuld
Az-Ba~- i-Il ahf
Baz-Av-u-Bidih-Jamf
Short stay in Mazra'iy-i-Vafil}fil!ash MallaI:iu'I-Quds
during above period to celebrate (Holy Mariner)
Naw-Ruz ended with departure on
Thursday, 26 March 1863 A.D.-
Shavval 5, 1279 A.H.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U ' LLAH 391

Works Revealed Houses Occupied
C. BAGHDAD-continued During This Period During This Period

Arrival at Garden of Najibfyy ih Suriy-i-$abr revealed
(Garden of Ric.Jvan) , 22 April 1863 on first day of
A. o .-Dhi' l-Q a'dih 3, 1279 A.H . Ric.Jvan

Arrival of Baha'u'llah's Fam il y at
Garden of Ric.Jvan on eighth day
after first of Ric.Jvan .

Departure from Garden of Ric.Jvan for
Constantinople last day of Ric.Jvan
at noon on Sunday, 3 May 1863
A.D.-Dhi' l-Qa'dih 14, 1279 A.H.

Length of overland journey from
Garden of Ric.Jvan to Samsun on
Black Sea: 110 days.

Firayjat (arrived early afternoon- I::Iasan-Aqa,
sta yed seven days) arrived on Sun- Mardin,
day, 3May1863 A.o .-Dh i' l- Dfyar-Bakr,
Qa' dih 14, 1279 A.H. (Firayjat is Ma'dan-Mis,
about 3 miles distant from Baghdad) Kharput (stayed 2 or 3 days),
Judaydih, - Ma'dan-Nuqrih,
Dilf-'Abbas, Dilik-Tash,
Qarih-Tapih , Sfvas,
Salal:Jfyyih (stayed 2 nights), 'fuqat,
Dust-Khurmatu, Amasia (stayed 2 days) ,
Tawuq, Ilahfyyih (while approaching Samsun,
Karkuk (stayed 2 days), 'Lawl:J-i-Hawdaj' was revealed) , (last
Irbfl , day of overland journey),
Zab River, Samsun (stayed 7 days), Black Sea port;
Ba r\allih , sailed in a Turkis h steamer about
Mosu l (stayed 3 days), sunset for Constantinople,
Zakhu, Sinope (arrived next day about noon),
Jazfrih, Black Sea port: stayed few hours,
Nu~aybfn Anyabuli (arrived next day).

D. CONSTANTINOPLE Works Revealed Houses Occupied
During Th is Period During This Period Duration

Arrival at noon on Subl:Janaka-Ya-Hu House of Shamsi Big 1 month
Sunday, 16 August Lawl:J-i- ' Abd u ' l- ' Azfz (near the mosque of
1863 A.O .- Va-Vukala Khirqiy-i-Sharif
Rabf'u'l-Avval 1,
1280A.H.
392 THE BAHA'l WORLD

D. CONSTANTINOPLE- Works Revealed Houses Occupied
continued During This Period During This Period Duration

Length of sea voyage House of Vfsf Pasha 3 months
from Samsun to (3-storey, nearSu l!an
Constantinopl e: 3 MuI?ammad
days. Mosq ue)

Length of journ ey
from Constantinop le to A drianople: 12 days.

1. Kuchik-Chakmachih (3 hours from Constantinople- spent one night)
2. Buyuk-Chakmachih (arrived abo ut noon)
3. Salvari 4. Birkas 5. Baba-Iskf

E. ADRIANOPLE Works Revealed Houses Occupied
During This Period During This Period Duration

Arrival on Saturday, Suriy-i-A~I?ab 1. Khan -i-' Arab 3 ni ghts
12 December 1863 ( caravanserai,
A.D.- Rajab 1, two-storey, near
1280A .H . LawJ:i-i-J:Iajj I house of 'Izzat-
Aqa)

Length of stay : 4
years, 8 month s,
22 days. LawI?-i-J:Iajj II

Length of overland Kitab-i-Badf' 2. House in Muradfy- 1 week
journey from Con- Suriy-i- Mu lu k yih qu arter, near
stan tinople to Ad- (Tablet of the Takyiy-i-Mawlavf
rianople : 12 days. Kings)

Departure from Adri- Suriy-i-Amr 3. House in Muradfy- 6 months
a nople on Wednes- Suriy-i-Da mm yi h quarter, near
day, 12 A ugust A lva9-i-Laylatu'l- house 2
1868 A.D.- Rabf- Q uds 4. Khaniy-i-Amru'llah
'u'th-Thani 22, Munaj a thay-i-$iyam (several storeys,
1285A.H . (Prayers for Fasting) near Sul!an-Salim
Mosque)
LawJ:i-i- Sayyah 5. House of R ic;la Big 1 year
LawJ:i-i- Napulyun I 6. House of A mru' llah 3 months?
(First Tablet to (3-storey, north
Napoleon III) of Sul! an-Salim
Mosq ue)
LawI?-i- Sul!an 7. House of 'Izzat-Aqa 11 months
(Tablet to the Shah
of Persia)
LawI?-i-Nuq!ih
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 393

1. Uzun-Kuprf
2. Ka~anih (arrived about noon . LawJ:i -i-Ra'fs [Tablet of Ra'fs] was revealed in th is place)
3. Gallipoli (length of journey from Adrianople to Gallipoli about 4 days)
(after a few days' stay sailed before noon in Austrian steamer for Alexandria, Egypt)
4. Made llf (arrived about sunset-left at night)
5. Smyrna (stayed 2 days, left at night)
6. Alexandria (arrived in the morning, trans-shipped and left at night for Haifa)
7. Port Said (arrived morning, left the same day at night)
8. Jaffa (left at midnight)
9. Haifa (arrived in the morning, landed and after a few hours left on a sailing vessel for
'Akka)

F. ' AKKA Works Revealed Houses Occupied
During This Period During This Period Duration

Arrival on Monday, Kitab-i-Aqdas 1. Barracks 2 years, 2
31 August 1868 LawJ:i-i-Napulyun II mo nths
A. o.-Jamadfyu'l- (Second Tablet to 5 days
Avval 12, 1285 A.H. Napoleon III)

LawJ:i-i-Malikih 2. House of Malik 3 months
(Tablet to Queen 3. House of Rabi'ih
Victoria)
LawJ:i-i-Malik-i-Rus 4. House of Man~ur 2 or 3
Purest Branch died on (Tablet to the mo nths
Thursday, 23 Ju ne Czar)
1870 A.D.- Rabf- Suriy-i-Haykal 5. House of 'Abbud
'u' l-Avval 23, 1287 LawJ:i-i-Burhan (where Kitab-i-
A.H . LawJ:i-i-Ru'ya Aqdas was re-
LawJ:i-i-Ibn-i-Dhi'b vealed)
(Epistle to Son of 6. Mazra'ih
the Wolf)
LawJ:i-i-Pap 7 . Qa~r
Passed away 29 May (Tablet to the (Mansion , where
1892 A.D. Pope) He passed away)
394 THE BAHA'I WORLD

6. DATES OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE IN
THE RISE OF THE BAHA'I FAITH
Birth of Baha'u'llah .. . .. 12 Nove mbe r 1817 Re lease of 'Abdul-Baha from His incarcera-
Birth of the Bab .. .... .... 20 October 1819 tion ... . . . . . .......... .September 1908
Declaration of the Mission of the Bab in Interment of the Bab's remains on Mt. Ca rm e l
Shfraz ........... . ........ 23 May 1844 ..... . . .. . . . ..... . ...... 21 March 1909
Birth of 'Abdu'l-Baha ....... .23 May 1844 Opening of the first A merican Baha'f Conven-
Departure of the Bab on His pilgrimage to tion ............ . ... . . .. 21 March 1909
Mecca .. .. . . . .. . . . ..... September 1844 'Abdu' l-Baha's departure from Egypt ... . . .
Arrival of the Bab in Mah-Ku, Ad hirbayjan ... .. ... .. . ........ . ... September 1910
..................... .. .. Summer 184 7 'Abdu'l-Baha's arrival in Lo ndo n . . . .. .. .. .
Incarceration of the Bab in Chihriq , Adhir- ...... . ..... . . . .. . .. .4 Septe mber 1911
bayjan . .. . ..... . .... . ... ... A pril 1848 'Abdu' l-Baha's arrival in America ........ .
Conference of Badasht ......... .June 1848 . .. ....... .... ........... 11April 1912
Interrogation of the Bab in Tabriz, Adh ir- Laying of the corn er-sto ne of the Mash riqu'lbayj an ..... . ........ .. . .... . .July 1848 Adhkar in Wilmette, Ill., by 'Abdu'l-Baha
Martyrdom of the Bab in Tabriz, A dhirbayjan . ... . .... . ......... ... . ... 1May1912
............................ 9 July 1850 Second visit of 'Abd u' l-Baha to Europe and
Attempt on the life of Na~ iri 'd-Dfn Shah ... tour throu gh the U nited Kingdom, France,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 August 1852 Germany, Hu ngary and Austria ....... . .
Imprisonment of Baha'u'llah in the Sfya h-Cha l ...... ... .. December 1912 to June 1913
of Tihran . . .. . ......... .. .A ugust 1852 'Abdu'l-B aha's return to the Holy Land .. . .
Banishment of Baha'u'llah to Baghdad ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Dece mber 1913
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 January 1853 U nveiling of the Tablets of the Divine Plan
Wi thdrawal of Baha'u'llah to Kurdistan . . .. . ............... .. ......... April 1919
..... ... ... . ...... ... .... 10 April 1854 Passing of 'Abdu'l-B a ha 28 November 1921
Return of Baha'u'llah from Kurdistan . . . .. . Verdict of the Islamic Court in Egypt pro-
. . . ... . ........... ...... 19 March 1856 nouncing the Faith to be an independent
Declaration of the Mission of Baha'u'llah ... religion ................... 10 May 1925
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 April 1863 Martha Root's first interview wi th Q ueen
A rrival of Baha' u'llah in Constantinople .... Marie of Romania . . .... 30 Janua ry 1926
.. ... . ................. 16 August 1863 Resolution of the Council of the League of
A rrival of Baha'u'llah in Adrianople ...... . Nations upholding the claim of the Baha'f
. . .. .. .... . .......... 12 December 1863 community to the House of Baha'u'llah in
Departure of Baha'u'llah from A drianople .. Baghdad ... ............. .4 March 1929
.... . .... . ......... . ... 12 A ugust 1868 Passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf July 1932
Arrival of Baha'u'llah in 'Akka ........... . Inception of the First American Seven- Year
....... . ..... . .. . ... . .. 31 August 1868 Plan .. .. .................. .April 1937
Death of the Purest Branch .. .23 June 1870 Celebra tio n of the Centenary of the Declaration
Ascension of Baha'u'llah ..... 29 May 1892 of the Bab ........ . . . . . . .. 23 May 1944
First public reference to the Faith in America Inception of the Second American Seven-Year
.................... 23 September 1893 Plan ................... . . . .April 1946
Establishment of the first Baha'f centre in the Centenary of the Martyrdom of the Bab ....
West ........... . ... .. . . .February 1894 ..... . ..................... 9 July 1950
Arrival of the first group of Western pilgrims in Completion of the Arcade and Parapet of the
'Akka ...... .. ....... 10 December 1898 Shrine of the Bab on Mt. Carmel ....... .
Arrival of the Bab's remains in the Holy Land .. .............. .. . . ....... 9 July 1950
......... ... . . .. ...... 31 January 1899 Inauguration of the Centenary Celebrations of
Reincarceration of 'Abdu'l-Baha in 'Akka the birth of Baha'u'llah's Prophetic Mission
......... .... ...... .... 20 A ugust 1901 . . ................. ... ... October 1952
Commencement of the construction of the First Baha'f Intercontinental Teaching Confer-
Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of 'Ishqabad ........ . ence, Kampa la, Uganda, Africa ........ .
..... . ........ . ...... 28 November 1902 . ............. ... . 12-18 February 1953
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA 'U 'LLAH 395
Inauguration of the Ten-Year International His Highness Malietoa Tanumafi li II, of Western
Baha'i Teaching and Consolidation Plan .. Samoa, embraced the Faith ... .. ....... .
... . ......... . ............ Ricjvan 1953 . .. . .. . . . ...... . ... . .. 19 February 1968
Baha'i dedication of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in Establishment by the Universal House of Jus-
Wilmette , Illinois ........ . . . 1 May 1953 tice of the Continental Boa rds of Counsellors
Public dedication .......... . 2 May 1953 . . ....... ...... .. .. . .. . . . 21 June 1968
All-American Baha'i Intercontinental Teach- First Oceanic Conference, Palermo, Sicily
ing Conference, Chicago . . .3- 6 May 1953 ......... . .......... 23-25 August 1968
Third Baha'i Intercontinental Teaching Con- Commemoration of 1 OOth anniversary of
ference , Stockholm, Sweden .. .. . ..... . . arrival of Baha'u'llah in the Holy Land ...
............. . .... . . . .. 21-26 July 1953 . . ...... . ..... . ...... . . 31 August 1968
Fourth Baha'i Intercontinental Teaching Con- The Baha'i International Community accredference, New Delhi, India . .. .. . ...... . . ited with consultative status to the United
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-1 5 October 1953 Nations Economic and Social Council ... .
Completion of the construction of the Shrine . .... .. . . . . ....... . ....... 27 May 1970
of the Bab ................ October 1953 Commemoration of lOOth anniversary of the
Expansion of the Faith to 100 additional death of Mirza Mihdi, 'The Purest Branch'
countries and islands by settlement of the ................. . . . ..... 23 June 1970
Knights of Baha'u'llah .. . .. . . 1953-1 954 The holding of eight Oceanic and Continental
Completion of exterior of International Confere nces . . .... . ................ . . .
Archives Building . ........... . .... 1957 ....... 14 August 1970- 5 September 1971
Passing of Shoghi Effendi 4 November 1957 Commemoration of 50th anniversary of the
The holding of five Intercontinental Teaching passing of' Abdu' l-Baha ........ . ...... .
Conferences successively in Kampala, Syd- ... . . .. ... ....... 26-28 November 1971
ney , Wilmette, Frankfurt, Djakarta/Singa- Completion of erection of Obelisk , Mt. Carmel
pore .... .. ....... .. ....... . .. . . .. 1958 . . . . .... .. .. . ....... 19 December 1971
First dependency of a Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, Dedication of the Mother Temple of Latin
the Baha'i Home for the Aged, opened in America, Panama . . . . . . .. .29 April 1972
Wilmette , Illinois, U.S.A .. .. . . ......... . Adoption by the Universal House of Justice of
... .. .... . . . .............. January 1959 its Constitution . ...... 26 November 1972
Dedication of the Mother Temple of Africa, Publication by the Universal House of Justice
Kampala, Uganda ..... . 14 January 1961 of A Synopsis and Codification of the Laws
Dedication of the Mother Temple of the and Ordinances of the Kitab-i-Aqdas .....
Antipodes, Sydney, Australia .......... . . . . .... . ............ ... ... Ricjvan 1973
. ........ .. ......... 16 September 1961 Establishment by the Universal House of Jus-
Completion of the Ten Year Crusade . . .. . . tice of the International Teaching Centre .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ricjvan 1963 . .. ...... ..... ..... .. ... . .. 5 June 1973
Election of the Universal House of Justice . . Extension and development of the gardens at
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21April1963 Bahji surrounding the Most Holy Shrine . .
Celebration of the Most Great Jubilee, in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1963-1979
London . ... ......... . ...... April 1963 His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II of
Launching of the Nine Year Plan .... . . . .. . Western Samoa, visits the resting place of
......... .. ... . ............. April 1964 Shoghi Effendi . . . ... . 12 September 1976
Dedication of the Mother Temple of Europe, The holding of eight Intercontinental Connear Frankfurt, Germany .... .4 July 1964 ferences between July 1976 and January 1977
Celebration of the Centenary of the Revelation Commemoration of the Centenary of the
of the Suriy-i-Muluk . . . . .. ...... .. . . .. . termination of Baha' u'llah's Confinement
............... September/October 1967 in the prison-city of 'Akka .. . . June 1977
Opening of period of proclamation of the Laying of the foundation stone of the Mother
Cause, inaugurated by the presentation by Temple of the Indian sub-continent ... .. .
the Universal House of Justice to 140 Heads . . . . ... ..... . . ..... .... 17 October 1977
of State of a special edition of The Proclama- Laying of the foundation stone of the first
tion of Baha'u'llah ........ .October 1967 Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the Pacific Islands ..
The holding of six Intercontinental Conferences ... . ...... .. .. .. .. .... .27 January 1979
......................... October 1967
396 THE BAHA'f WORLD
PART FIVE

IN MEMORIAM
IN MEMORIAM

RAMONA ALLEN BRAY BROWN that this intuitive faculty was like 'the tinkling
1889-1975 of bells' and that people could develop this
quality in themselves. She always treasured a
Ramona Allen Brown was one of that special special volume of Tab/els of 'Abdu'l-Bahli,
company of American Baha'is who had the took it with her when she travelled, and would
privilege of welcoming' Abdu'l-Baha when He open it for guidance. Ramona took the bestvisited the United States. Several of her family known photographs of the Master in Oakland
were distinguished Baha'is. She was a cousin of and Berkley: one with University of California
George Orr Latimer, 1 a prominent believer students from India and one of the Master
who was a member of the National Spiritual walking alone. 3 She also photographed the
Assembly of the United States, and her Master after He gave His historic address on 8
mother, Frances Orr Allen, was author of an October 1912 at Leland Stanford Junior Uniaccount of' Abdu'l-Baha's California sojourn ,2 versity near Palo Alto.
valuable for its details of the Master's meeting In 1916 Ramona married Joseph Grandin
with the Japanese of Oakland. Ramona's Bray 4 who was to become a much-loved Baha'i
father, Dr. Woodson Hargis Allen , was a teacher. The couple had two children: J. Allen
pioneer physician in northern California. Bray, well known in the San Francisco Bay
Ramona was born in Boulder Creek, Califor- area for his support of youth, ecology and the
nia on 10August1889. Later the family moved arts; and Barbara Bray West of Rancho Palos
to Berkeley. Verdes, an ardent teacher of the Faith. At her
In 1905 Ramona and her mother, as guests death, Ramona was the widow of Arthur Merof Georgia Ralston, attended a tea at the Oak- rill Brown, a prominent San Francisco businessland home of Helen S. Goodall. Kanichi man who died in 1950. Ramona had seven
Yamamoto, who later became the first Japa- grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren;
nese Baha'i, ushered them into the gathering. several members of her family have become
Hearing the Baha'i message for the first time members of the Baha'i Faith. In the spring of
from Mrs. Goodall's daughter, Ella Goodall 1954 Ramona made a pilgrimage to the Holy
Cooper, Ramona instantly accepted the Faith Land and was planning to return in 1957 when
that afternoon. She was sixteen years old at the the Guardian suddenly died.
time. She was one of the small circle of young Throughout her life Ramona travelled
women known as 'the Peaches' who were widely in service to the Faith. As a young
invited to attend Mrs. Cooper's Baha'i gather- woman she spent a year (1934) in Honolulu
ings; these young ladies affectionately called where she held Baha'i classes with Agnes
Ella Cooper 'Mother Peach'. Ramona was Alexander and Katherine Baldwin. She visited
blonde and beautiful and although a constant Turkey, pioneered for one year (1956) with
sufferer from asthma she retained her beauty Jean and Tova Deleuran in Palma de Mallorca,
and elegance throughout her life. and accompanied the Hand of the Cause
Ramona unceasingly shared her accounts of Agnes Alexander to Rome . At the Guardian's
visits with 'Abdu'l-Baha while He was in the direction she visited Baha'i pioneers through-
San Francisco Bay area, and has left a written out the islands of the Mediterranean. Early in
record of those days. She described how the 1957 she joined Carl and Lili Olitski Hermann
Master would look at her and His eyes would and Harold and Marzieh Gail in Salzburg,
twinkle and He would laugh; no doubt her Austria and in April of that year became a
light-heartedness would have been recognized member of that city' s first Spiritual Assembly
by Him. He praised her perceptivity, telling her and, later, its chairman. She also taught in the
' See 'In Memoriam', The Baha'( World, vol. XI, p. 511. surrounding villages. In her written account of
See 'Abdu'l-Baha in San Francisco', Star of the West, vol.
III, no . 12, 16 October 1912, p. 9; vol. III, no. 13 , 4 See Star of the West, vol. IV, no. 12, 16 October 1912, p.
November 1912, p. 11; (vol. 2, George Ronald edition 202, p. 204; (vol. 2, George Ronald edition 1978).
1978). 'See 'In Memoriam', The Bahd'( World , vol. VIII, p. 672.
400 THE BAHA'I WORLD

be estimated at this time. She never missed an
opportunity to teach. Once , from her sick-bed ,
she sent a copy of Baha'u' ffah and the New Era
to a scientist stationed at the North Pole, the
son of a woman she had met while a patient in
the hospital. Her ease of communication was
such that once, although knowing no Greek ,
she 'conversed' by gestures with women
inhabitants she met on the island of Rhodes.
Although her life was not without its stretches
of difficulty and sorrow, there was a constant
air of festivity , hospitality, elegance and grace
about her. In spite of almost continual illness
she would readily, albeit with great effort,
leave her sick-bed to attend a party or Baha'i
gathering. Her light-heartedness, good taste
and dignity appealed especially to younger
friends. One of her characteristic sayings when
selecting a restaurant in an unfamiliar city was
' ... and let's pay a dollar for the atmosphere! '
While a patient in a Salzburg hospital she said
to a visitor, 'I wake up in the night and find my
Ramona Allen Bray Brown heart has stopped; so I shake myself and start it
going again!'
her experiences in Austria she stated: 'In On 23 February 1975 , after a short illness,
August (1957) I was receiving treatment from Ramona passed into the Abha Kingdom.
a young Austrian woman who became curious Many expressions of tribute and condolence
to know why I was there (Salzburg) alone, ill reached her family. In appreciation of her long
and so far from home. I told her about the and distinguished Baha'i career the National
Faith. She became interested and we had daily Spiritual Assembly of the United States
chats about the Teachings ... In October 1957 cabled:
she, Editha Wehrle, declared her faith, the first DEEPLY GRIEVED LOSS RAMONA ALLEN BRAY
Austrian Baha'i in Salzburg under the Ten BROWN STALWART MEMBER AMERICAN BAHAI
Year Plan.' In June the following year, COMMUNITY WHOSE LONG LIFE EXTRAORDINARY
Ramona records, Fritzi Klap, another SERVICE TO CAUSE BAHAULLAH WAS MADE DIS-
Austrian, accepted the Faith. In December TINCTIVE BY HER ATTAINMENT TO PRESENCE
1963 ill health forced Ramona to return to MASTER ABDULBAHA STOP HER NOBLE EXAMPL E
California where she settled in La Jolla, near UNSTINTING DEVOTION AND AUTHORSHIP IN
the border of Mexico. The climate there, it was HER WANING YEARS OF MANUSCRIPT HER
hoped would foster her return to health . The MEMORIES BELOVED MASTER WILL DOUBTLESS
community, site of the University of California , SHED LIGHT UPON PATH EVOKE GRATITUDE
offered great opportunities for Baha'i service. GENERATIONS TO COME STOP WE PRAY THAT HER
Ramona took up residence at La Jolla's SOUL WILL RE CEIVE ABUNDANT REWARD IN
Colonial Inn , teaching constantly, visiting ABHA KINGDOM.
many centres in southern California and
From the Universal House of Justice came
receiving in ever-increasing numbers the
this memorial of her historic life:
young Baha'ls and their friends who flocked
to meet her, listening to her talks and asking INFORMED PASSING 17 MULK STEADFAST SER-
questions for hours at a time. VANT CAUSE RAMONA BROWN WHOSE DEVOTED
Ramona's great gift was her power to attract HIGHLY MERITORIOUS SERVICES DURING FOR-
and confirm individuals in the Faith, in what- MATfVE AND HEROIC AGES FAITH INCLUDING
ever country or circumstance she found her- PIONEERING ACTIVITIES EUROPE AND MEDITER-
self. Her wide-ranging influence can scarcely RANEAN AREA LOVINGLY REMEMBERED STOP
IN MEMORIAM 401
OFFERING ARDENT PRAYERS HOLY THRESHOLD
PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM CONVEY
BARBARA WEST FAMILY LOVING CONDOLENCES .

(Adapted from a memoir by Marzieh Gail
and Barbara West.)

MARK TOBEY
1890-1976

Mark Tobey occupies a unique position in
the history of art: a painter of genius who also
was deeply inspired through most of his productive life by the dynamic of a new religious
impulse, the renewal of God's Word through
Baha'u'llah. As a result, he has produced a
body of work which has stirred controversy,
been extraordinarily praised and grossly
misunderstood, had a strong influence on
trends in art which is still not fully grasped, and
has helped a substantial number of people to Mark Tobey
become aware of the meaning and significance
of the Baha'i Faith. work of famous illustrators and portrait pain-
His childhood years were much in the spirit ters, and eventually discovered Rembrandt
of Tom Sawyer. He was born in Centerville, and Michelangelo , first from prints, then the
Wisconsin , on 11 December 1890. When he originals in the Chicago Art Institute . By 1911
was four years of age the family moved to his confidence had grown to the point where he
Trempealeau, Wisconsin, a village of 600 on settled in Greenwich Village, New York,
the banks of the Mississippi , where Mark spent determined to make good as a fashion illusthe next twelve years as a typical mid-western trator. Indeed, he obtained a good job in this
'barefoot boy'. He studied and enjoyed nature fie ld with McCall's Magazine and continued
avid ly, attended school and the Congrega- comparable work both in Chicago and New
tional Church, and aspired in turn to be a York for the next six years.
minister, a taxidermist, a storekeeper a nd a During this period his skill as a charcoal
trader. There is evidence that he showed portraitist beca me recognized. He did portraits
aptitude for art early. However, the only for- of many famou s people , including Mary Garma l art training he was to receive was at Satur- den, the opera star (his partroness for a while),
day classes in watercolours and oils at the Muriel Draper, Anthony Drexel Biddle and
Chicago Art Institute and after two years Mark Governor Bell of New York , which were exhihad to drop out of high school and seek work bited in a modern gallery run by Marie Sterner
because of the illness of his father . at M. Knoedler and Co. A year later Mrs.
From 1909 to 1911 , after the family moved Sterner was to change the course of his life. She
to Chicago, Mark changed jobs frequently. invited him to dinner, where he sat next to
While working as a blueprint boy in a steel mill Juliet Thompson who introduced him to the
he studied mechanical drawing and spent his Baha'i Faith. He became a Baha'i in 1918 and
free time copying magazine covers. Several made a deep and continuous study of the
jobs later he was an errand boy for a fashion Teachings. William C. Seitz, whose essay in the
studio, when it was discovered he had a talent for catalog for the Museum of Modern Art exhibidrawing and he was engaged to draw the faces tion is the most profound analysis yet pubfor cata logue illustrations, at a substantial lished of the impact of the Baha'i Faith on
boost in salary. He clipped and studied the Tobey' s art, said: ' Without doubt, this (accep-
402 THE BAHA'I WORLD

tance of the Baha'i Faith) was the crucial and principles . Many of his students from both
spiritual redirection of Tobey's life and of his the Cornish School and his private classes have
development as an artist.' 1 In 1919 he spent testified that he was a masterful teacher.
some time in Mexico City, a centre to which Mark claimed that it was a reciprocal process
' Abdu'l-Baha had directed the attention of the and that his own artistic development evolved
Baha'is in 1916 in His Divine Plan Tablets. in the process.
Later he returned to New York. A ferment was In 1923 Tobey became close friends with
taking place in Tobey's approach to his art, Teng Kuei, a young Chinese artist studying at
particularly a reaction against ' the Renaissance the University of Washington, and learned
sense of space and order. ' He was also storing from him both the technique and philosophy of
up experiences that would surface later in Chinese calligraphy. This influence, as Seitz
many of his important paintings. The day correctly remarks, Tobey applied later as 'a
World War I ended he walked the streets of means of opening solid form, giving tangibility
New York with his friend Janet Flanner who in to empty space, and of breathing life into static
future years was to write the famous Letter Western realism.' 5
from Paris under the name of Genet in The In 1925 Tobey went to Europe, settling for
New Yorker, and who first wrote in a major several months in Paris. Then, in 1926, he
article of Mark's dedication to the Baha'i accompanied friends to Spain, Greece, Turkey
Faith. 2 This period was a montage of 'sirens, and Lebanon , and later took advantage of the
dynamic lights, brilliant parades and returning chance to make his first visit to the Baha'i
heroes. An age of confusion and stepped-up Shrines and World Centre at Haifa. After visitrhythms.' 3 ing the Shrine of Baha'u'llah he spent an hour
In the early 1920s Mark Tobey became with Shoghi Effendi: 'His grace when I first saw
known for his caricatures of theatrical people , him is never to be forgotten, nor did he change
some of which were published in the New York when, years later, I had the opportunity to see
Times , and for his drawings of burlesque and him for a longer time ... Of course, in Haifa
vaudeville personalities. A brief, unhappy many things happen and yet all seems to melt in
marriage in 1922 and growing social demands time which is no time. You are there-that's
caused him to want to get away from New enough. Just to sit down in a chair seems as
York. A friend was returning home to Seattle important as going to town . You are released
and offered to share train space and a bag of from yourself.' 6
oranges, so a new home was found. Seattle did In 1930 Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Elmhurst
not have the intellectual and cultural stimula- offered Mark a six-month appointment as head
tion of New York, but it did offer spaciousness, of the painting department at Dartington Hall ,
great natural beauty, a slower, more relaxed a progressive school of the arts in Devonshire,
pace, a diffuse light that has been likened to about 200 miles from London. Tobey stayed
that of Paris, and some devoted, often discern- eight years. Here he associated with such inteling, friendships. • It also enabled Tobey to find lectual leaders as Aldous Huxley, Rabina new activity that was to be a meaningful part dranath Tagore, Arthur Waley, Pearl Buck ,
of his artistic life for the next three decades: and dancers Shankar and the Jooss Ballet. He
teaching. He was offered a post at the Cornish also formed a firm friendship with potter Ber-
School and evolved a unique method of teach- nard Leach, which in time led to Leach's acceping, concentrating more on stimulating the tance of the Baha'i Faith. In 1932 further
imagination of the student, encouraging a love travels in Europe were made possible, and a
for art and overcoming the barrier of lac:k of second pilgrimage to the Baha'i World Centre .
confidence than following structured procedures Two years later he accompanied Bernard
William C. Seitz, Mark Tobey, New York, The Museum of Leach to the orient, spending time in Shanghai
Modern Art, 1962; p. 43. with his friend, Teng Kuei, and then visiting
Janet Flanner, 'Tobey, mystique errant', L' Oeil , 15 June
1955. Reprinted in English in Selective Eye , New York ,
Japan where he entered a Zen monastery for a
Random House, 1955. month to study calligraphy and painting, and to
Seitz, ibid . p. 45.
Betty Bowen, The Story of a Collection, exhibition ' Seitz, ibid. p. 4 7
catalogue, Tobey's 80: A Retrospective, Seattle Art Recorded interview of Mark Tobey by Arthur L. Dahl, 21
Museum , University of Washington Press, 1970. September 1963.
IN MEMORIAM 403

write poetry and meditate. house in the old section of this Swiss commu-
The paintings he did in 1935 or 1936, after nity, which afforded an atmosphere conducive
he had returned to Dartington Hall, rep- to his work and refuge from the invasion of
resented the birth of his mature style and the privacy which fame brought him.
discovery of a new language in art. These In 1961 the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, the
included Broadway Norm, Broadway and Wel- modern wing of the Paris Louvre, offered a
come Hero and in them he made use of the monumental one-man Tobey exhibition con-
Chinese calligraphic impulse and a vision of the taining almost 300 works. Mark was the first
energy of the city-the result was occidental living artist who was not French ever to be so
and was, in fact, New York. He was forty-four honored, and for the occasion the museum
when he painted them. The next significant made major alterations in the huge rooms to
move, and the beginning of his life as a mature accommodate the small, intimate scope of
artist, came in 193 8 when he returned to the Tobey's paintings. The opening-day reception
United States and settled again in Seattle. Here was attended by Andre Malraux , representing
began the massive outpouring of vitally origi- the French government, and Ambassador
nal paintings incorporating the new 'white writ- James Gavin represented the United States.
ing' technique on which his early fame rests. That evening the Ambassador gave a brilliant
Fame and financial success came slowly to reception in his home in Tobey's honor.
Mark Tobey, and late in his life. He was fortu- The crowning moment, however, was the
nate in his dealers. In 1939 he was introduced exhibition in 1974 at the National Collection of
to Marian Willard (now Marian Willard John- Fine Arts, a branch of the Smithsonian Instituson) of the Willard Gallery in New York, who tion, Washington , D.C., called 'Tribute to
bought his significant painting Broadway. The Mark Tobey'. Consisting of seventy works,
Willard Gallery presented its first Tobey exhi- more than half painted within fifteen years of
bition in 1944 and offered them frequently in . the exhibit-or after Tobey was sixty-seven
subsequent years. He was first represented in years of age-it was an amazing testimony to
the United States section of the Venice Bien- Mark's creativity and stamina at an advanced
nale in 1948. In 1952 a twenty-minute film, age.
Mark Tobey, highly subjective, experimental During the years of productivity Mark was
and sensitive, directed by Robert Gardner and continually faced with the problem of how to
with Tobey reading his poetry on the sound divide his time and energy between his art and
track, replete with Baha'i concepts of oneness, direct service to the Baha'i Faith. While he
was shown at the film festivals of Venice and lived in England at Dartington Hall he served
Edinburgh. Tobey's first one-man exhibition on the British National Spiritual Assembly. In
was held in Seattle in 1954 at the gallery of the years at Seattle he served on the Local
Otto Seligman, a close friend and the subject of Spiritual Assembly and once moved briefly to
one of his paintings. His international reputa- Victoria, British Columbia, in neighbouring
tion began in 1955 with his first showing at the Canada, to save the Local Assembly there.
Galerie Jeanne Bucher in Paris, and was While in Switzerland he was chairman of the
further extended when he was represented by Local Spiritual Assembly of Basel for sixteen
the Galerie Beyeler in Basel. In recent years years. At both locations he gave numerous lecthe Foster-White Gallery has represented tures and firesides, and took advantage of spe-
Mark in Seattle. The high regard with which he cial opportunites to talk about the Faith, such
was held in Europe in the late 1950s was as on an ocean voyage (he feared airplanes and
demonstrated by the award to him of the first took alternative means of transportation
prize for painting at the Venice Biennale in wherever possible). During his years in Seat-
1958. He was the first American to win it since tle he frequently attended the Geyserville
Whistler in 1895. Baha'i School, which he loved, and talked both
In 1960 Tobey made a change he had been formally and informally, but always elocontemplating for a long time, moving with his quently, making art come alive and giving
close friend , Pehr Hallsten, and his secretary, many their first glimpse of the meaning and
Mark Ritter, from Seattle to Basel where he purpose of abstract art. He published three
settled in a charming and spacious 500 year old articles in World Order: 'The One Spirit'
404 THE BAHA'I WORLD

(August 1935); 'Art and Community' (April material. He could appreciate and respond to
1939); and 'The Dot and the Circle' (March the physical beauties of the world to an extra-
1949). He contributed generously to the Funds ordinary degree, yet he was always aware that
of the Faith. there was much more than this, and his paint-
Possibly his largest service was the indirect ing stretched to discover new means and dimenone of being so much in the public eye in his sions of expression and vision, offering special
later years and being identified as a Baha'i. insight into man 's eternal quest to grasp the
After 1955 almost every article, interview or nature of reality. Tobey once said: 'Mankind
book about him (some of which are in refer- has preoccupied itself too much with the outer,
ence works that will be used for decades) the objective, at the expense of the inner world
mentioned the Faith and usually outlined those wherein the true roundness lies.'
Baha'i principles which had specific applica- Mark Tobey died in his sleep at 1.15 p.m. on
tion to his art. 24 April 1976 at his home in Basel. The funeral
Numerous honors flowed to Mark after he was held at St. Alban's Church, not far away,
reached his mid-sixties. In 1956 he was elected with about 150 in attendance. It included two
to the National Institute of Arts and Letters, musical works composed by Mark; biographiand won the United States National Prize in cal remarks by Dr. Ott, professor of theology at
the Guggenheim International Award. In 1957 the University of Basel; an address by Amin S.
he was awarded the American Institute of Khamsi for the Swiss Baha'i community; com-
Architects' Fine Arts Medal. In 1958, in addi- ments about Tobey's place in art by Ernest
tion to the top prize at the Venice Biennale, he Beyeler; and some personal observations by
won the first 'Art in America' award . In 1960 Virginia Barnett, a close friend from Seattle
he was elected a member of the American and wife of Mark's attorney . She said in part:
Academy of Arts and Sciences, but did not 'He could be both teacher and student. He
accept the election. In 1961, at the time of the could both give and receive friendship. He was
Louvre exhibition, he won first prize at the generous in money and time and encourage-
Carnegie Institute's 'Pittsburgh International ment to young and old, while also sharply dis-
Exhibition of Contemporary Painting and criminating in terms of character and values
Sculpture.' ... He was touchingly human, vulnerable, ten-
Tobey had a strong, memorable personality der, proud , irascible, forgiving- and, in my
and made a legion of devoted friends both view, a ranking creative genius of this century.'
within the Baha'i Faith and in the world at On 26 April 1976 the Universal House of
large. He was a brilliant conversationalist and Justice cabled:
with his acute powers of observation he could
DEEPLY GRIEVED ANNOUNCE PASSING DISTIN -
find meaning and beauty in the most common-
GUISHED DEDICATED SERVANT BAHAULLAH
place objects. An unforgettable memory of the
MARK TOBEY STOP EVER REMEMBE RED HIS CON -
writer is that of standing with Tobey in one of
STANT SUPPORT BAHAI COMMUNITY PARTICIPA-
the great redwood forests of Northern Califor-
TION ACTIVITIES DEVOTED SERVICES ENGLAND
nia, sensing his response to the cathedral
JAPAN SWITZERLAND UNITED STATES UNSTINT-
majesty of the great trees with the sun filtering
ING TESTIMONY INSPIRATION FAITH AS HIS FAME
through their massive trunks. He also had an
INCREASED STOP ARDENT PRAYERS OFFERED
encyclopaedic knowledge of Western art, and SACRED THRESHOLD PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA
was a superb companion in a museum. He
KINGDOM.
loved people from all walks of life and had the
ARTHUR L. DAHL
capacity of forming deep and long-lasting
friendships. His creativity extended to the
other arts. He wrote a considerable amount of
sensitive and spiritually intuitive poetry, CHOO YEOK BOON
enjoyed playing the piano, and composed sev- 1945-1976
eral works for it and other instruments.
Mark Tobey's long and productive life was On 26 April 1976 a helicopter of the Royal
an unending search to find and understand his Malaysian Air Force crashed at the northinner self, and to reconcile the spiritual and the ern border of the Malay Peninsula in the course
IN MEMORIAM 405
By nature Yeok Boon was irrepressible and
joyous, generous and buoyant, yet he possessed a striking simplicity, humility and dignity,
He was, in every aspect of his life, an admirable
example of what a Baha'i should be. Although
his position with the Air Force would have
permitted him to live on a grand scale, he and
his wife, Grace, created a home in which all felt
welcome. 'I want my home to be a place of
refuge, not of retreat,' were the words of this
friend who was lost to us in the prime of his life.
At the peak of his career he did not forget his
humble origin. He would visit Naka, the little
village in Kedah where his less fortunate relatives lived, and would bring them to his home
in Butterworth for joyful reunions. His material success did not cause him to forget his
dearly-loved mother who had toiled and suffered to raise him, nor his only sister who early
in life had sacrificed her chances of an education to help her mother produce and sell cakes
so that her young brother could go to school.
Choo Yeok Boon Although Boon experienced his share of
misfortune he did not allow the trials and vicissitudes of life to dampen his radiant spirit. The
of an official mission. All eleven passengers in happiness he exuded increased the joy of any
the craft lost their lives including Air Captain gathering. One always felt better for being in
Choo Yeok Boon. At the time of his death he his presence. He had a boundless enthusiasm
was a member of the National Spiritual for the Faith and always had stirring and uplift-
Assembly of Malaysia, one of the youngest ing stories to share. His service as a pilot took
members of the Malaysian Baha'i community him to various parts of the country and wherever
ever to have served on that body. He was uni- he travelled, whether to city, village or jungle
versally loved by the friends in Malaysia to outpost, he always took the time to visit the
whom he was affectionately known as 'Boon' friends, bringing them news and encourageand from the time of his acceptance of the Faith ment .
in the early 1960s he served it with the utmost Boon was the first Sino-Thai of Malaysia to
devotion in various capacities. have accepted the Faith of the Ancient Beauty
Yeok Boon was a youth from Alor Star in and was one of those beloved early youth of
the State of Kedah. Although he knew about Alor Star whose services made it a thriving
the Baha'i Faith for some time and encouraged centre of teaching activity. The roles he played
his friends to investigate it, he postponed offi- in establishing at the Technical College the first
cially affiliating with the Baha'i community Baha'i campus society in Malaysia, as a valued
through loyalty to his mother who had vowed member of the National Spiritual Assembly
that he would shave his head and serve as a and as the sole link between that body and the
monk for one month at the Buddhist temple. Asli believers in the remote jungles give those
When one of the Baha'is assured him that there who came to love him better than their own
was no conflict arising from his obligation to his kinsmen the proof and evidence of the greatmother and his service to the Baha'i commun- ness of his spirit, the degree of his devotion to
ity he immediately declared his acceptance of Baha'u'llah and the magnitude of his love for
the Faith of Baha'u'llah and with unshakeable all who crossed his path. He died in the course
conviction and ceaseless energy arose in its of duty to his country having served the govservice. His mother did not press him to dis- ernment with the loyalty and faithfu lness
charge the obligation. which Baha'u'llah enjoins upon His followers.
406 THE BAHA'I WORLD

We grieve with his mother and his wife and Majesty, Mikado, became the cause of the
sorrow for ourselves at Boon's untimely death, material progress of Japan. I hope that you
our solace being drawn from the assurance of may become the cause of her spiritual
Baha'u'llah that the heart which was faithful development. This is the principle of proguntil the moment of death ascends to God and ress."'
knows no sadness. 'Abdu'l-Baha, before His visit to the United
SPIRITUAL AssE:viBLY OF THE States in 1912, expressed His hope in Tablets
BAHA'is OF MALAYSIA addressed to Fujita that after perfecting himself in his profession (practical electricity)
Fujita might return to Japan and promulgate
the Baha'i Faith in his native land. The follow-
SAICHIRO FUJITA ing passages from Tablets beautifully express
1886-1976 the love and aspirations which the Master
cherished for him: 4 'O thou fresh plant in the
On 7 May 1976 Saichiro Fujita passed to the garden of the Love of God! ... Consider what
Abha Kingdom in his ninety-first year, in bounty God has manifested for thee, whence
Haifa, after a brief illness and heart attack. The thou art and from whence are we . Yet,
news of his passing spread quickly around the nevertheless, such a candle of love is burning in
Baha'i world for Fujita, as he was affection- the hearts that its light is radiating from the
ately called, was known and deeply loved by East to the West and from the West extending
the friends in every land who had felt the to the East. Rest assured thy name is registered
warmth of his love and the radiance of his spirit in the Book of God ... If thou art confirmed as
when they were on pilgrimage in the Holy thou oughtest to be, thou wilt certainly estab-
Land. To each it brought the sense of loss of a lish an eternal kingdom. This kingdom is greaprecious and loving friend. As one expressed ter than that of Mikado, for the sovereignty of
it: 'A small person has left our midst. He has the Emperor of Japan is for numbered days,
left behind a great legacy.' but this sovereignty is lasting and will stand
Fujita was born in Yanai, Japan on 15 April unto the Eternity of Eternities ... 'And again:
1886 and emigrated to the United States at the 'Look thou not upon thine own capability, the
age of seventeen in search of the best educa- Invisible Divine Confirmations are great, and
tional advantages. From the time of his arrival the Protection and Providence of the Beauty of
in California the events of his life seemed to Abha is the helper and the assistant. When a
unfold as though predetermined by the destiny drop draws help from the ocean, it is an ocean
that was in store for him. That he chose Oak- itself ... Therefore do not consider thy capacland as the place in California in which to settle ity and merit, but rely upon the infinite Bounty
seems more than merely fortuitous for in that and trust to His Highness the Almighty ... '
city there existed one of the few groups of Fujita was working in Cleveland, Ohio when
Baha'is in that part of the country at that time. 'Abdu'l-Baha came to America. He unfortu-
Mrs. Kathryn Frankland 1 was teaching the nately missed seeing the Master Who made a
Faith to a group of young Japanese students short stop-over in Cleveland on His return to
one of whom, Kanichi Yamamoto, 2 had New York from His first visit to Chicago.
accepted the Faith in Hawaii in 1902, thus Shortly thereafter 'Abdu'l-Baha again visited
becoming the first Japanese Baha'i in the Chicago and Fujita arranged to be at the railworld; in 1905 Fuj ita became the second. way station in that city to greet his beloved
The declaration of these two young men Master upon His arrival there. Lost in the large
brought unusual joy to the beloved Master crowd of Baha'is who had gathered at the sta-
Who, in a Tablet addressed to Mrs. Isabella D. tion , and unable to see over their heads, Fujita
Brittingham,3 dated 8 October 1907 wrote: climbed up a conveniently-placed lamp post in
'Announce greetings on my behalf to the two order to get a glimpse of' Abdu'l-Baha. As the
young Japanese and say: "His Imperial Master entered the car that was to transport
See 'In Memoriam', The Baha'f World, vol. XIV, p. 337. ' The full text of the Tablets, dated 10 November 1906 and
See 'In Memoriam', The Baha'f World, vol. XIII, p. 931. 29 May 1907 respectively, appears in Japan Will Turn
See 'In Memoriam',Starofthe West, vol. 14, no. 12, p. 376. Ablaze, Baha'i Publishing Trust of Japan (1974).
IN MEMORIAM 407
Him to the home of Corinne True' where a
reception in His honour was to be held, He saw
Fujita in his high perch and called him to come
down. He then embraced Fujita and asked him
to follow Him to Mrs. True's. Fujita was
invited to join the dinner party and after the
first course, when he noticed that a number of
people were longing to talk with the Master, he
offered his place at the table to Mrs. Elizabeth
Greenleaf.
The next morning Fujita went with the Master to Kenosha, Wisconsin. It was during this
visit that 'Abdu'l-Baha invited him to accompany Him and His party on their visit to
California, which Fujita accepted without hesitation. Throughout these travels it was Fujita's
great privilege to serve the Master in many
ways which contributed to His physical comfort, health and amusement during those days
and nights of arduous and demanding
activities. Fujita did not speak often in detail
about those experiences, but on one evening at
the dinner table during his last visit to Wilmette
Saichiro Fujita
in 1971, he seemed inspired to recall those
wonderful days of serving his beloved Master.
Both his manner and tone of voice expressed exceedingly difficult, particularly in the Middle
the depth of their meaning to him and his long- East. Fujita proceeded to Italy where he
ing to have been able to serve 'Abdu'l-Baha for planned to obtain the special permit that was
many, many years. His services to his blessed required to pass through Egypt but was unable
Master were unique indeed and indicated his to obtain it. This resulted in a long delay at this
own spiritual worthiness of such great bless- point in his journey with no reply being
ings. received from Cairo to the cables sent almost
During 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit in America daily on his behalf. Mrs. True and her daughter,
Fujita expressed his great desire to return to Edna, were about to sail from Trieste to the
Haifa with Him and to devote the remainder Holy Land when they heard of Fujita's plight
of his life to serving Him. The Master accepted and they immediately changed plans and
this touching offer and promised to send for joined Fujita in Naples. Their reunion with
him when circumstances would permit. Mrs Fujita was unforgettable; his distress was
Corinne True invited Fujita to stay in her home pathetic and his joy in seeing them deeply movwhile he prepared himself for the kinds of ser- ing. Unable to solve the problem from Naples,
vice the Master would require of him, and for the Trues embarked for Egypt and upon arrival
the next seven years Fujita lived with the Trues in Cairo immediately applied to the authorities
as a welcomed and much loved member of the and were assured that the permit would be
family. During this time he was carefully dispatched at once to Fujita in Naples. Fujita
guided, through Tablets the Master addressed arrived in Haifa with Mr. and Mrs. William H.
to him, in the studies and the work he should Randall 2 and Mr. George Latimer 3 whom he
pursue. had met in Naples . To the delight of the Trues
The outbreak of the First World War they were still in Haifa and could participate in
delayed Fujita's departure but finally, in 1919, welcoming Fujita.
came the long-anticipated invitation to pro- With the exception of a three-month visit to
. ceed to the Holy Land . Government regula- 2
See 'In Memoriam', The Bahti'f World, vol. III, p. 213 ; vol.
. tions were still restrictive and travel was XV, p. 463
1 3
See 'In Memoriam', The Bahti'f World , vol. XIII, p. 846. See 'In Memoriam', The Baha'f World, vol. XI, p. 511.
408 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Japan to see his family in 1936, Fujita and support to me in my work .. .'
remained continuously in Haifa until 1938, (Letter to an individual believer, 27 January
serving the beloved Master and later the 1924)
beloved Guardian. His manifold services 'I wish to assure you personally of my
included his important assistance in installing genuine satisfaction in hearing about Mr.
and operating much needed electrical French's splendid idea to help towards the welappliances, maintaining and driving the Mas- fare and comfort of our dear Fujita. He fully
ter's automobile, beautifying the gardens and deserves it and I have for him nothing but
caring for the visiting pilgrims. In addition, he unqualified admiration. He is truly an exemtranslated from Japanese many of the letters plary assistant and servant to the Cause .. .'
which were by then being sent from Japan and (Letter to an individual believer, 10 April
translated the replies to accompany the origi- 1926)
nal messages from the Holy Land . His talents No one could resist Fujita's radiant spirit, his
were many and varied. He designed and made gentle and delightful sense of humour. His pargardens with the artistry unique to the Japan- ticular heritage to posterity is his beauty of
ese. He was a skilled chef, serving with grace character and his complete dedication to the
the Master, Shoghi Effendi, visiting dignitaries Faith he loved so well.
and countless pilgrims . In a Tablet to him dated 15 May 1913, writ-
In 1938 the Guardian, in his concern about ten from Paris on His return journey back to
Fujita's safety because of the growing antago- the Holy Land, 'Abdu'l-Baha counselled
nism toward his countrymen, arranged for Fujita about preparing himself for service in
Fujita to return temporarily to Japan. There he the Holy Land, emphasizing his attaining efficremained for seventeen long years, filled with iency in his profession, and then He added:
loneliness and yearning to return to what he 'When thou shalt learn these things, then I will
felt to be his real home in Haifa . At last, in send for thee. Thou wilt be confirmed to render
1955 , Shoghi Effendi was able to arrange for a great service and this will become the cause of
his return to the Holy Land where he con- thy everlasting glory.' How true was his
tinued many of his usual services. From this beloved Master's vision of the spiritual journey
time, until his death, Fujita remained in through life of this man of small stature but of
Haifa, serving the Guardian and, after the pass- such greatness of heart and spirit.
ing of Shoghi Effendi, the Hands of the Cause The following cablegram dated 9 May 1976
of God and the Universal House of Justice. from the Universal House of Justice
Always he was eager to do everything he could announced the passing of this beloved friend
for the visiting pilgrims who will ever from the earthly plane of existence:
remember his thoughtfulness and kindness.
DEARLY LOVED TIRELESS STEADFAST SAICHIRO
Among the treasures which they took away
FUJITA PASSED TO ABHA KINGDOM AFTER LONG
with them from the Holy Land were the
YEARS SERVICE SACRED THRESHOLD STOP HIS
heart-warming memories of meeting Fujita
RANK IN VANGUARD FIRST JAPANESE BELIEVERS
and of feeling the tender love which filled his
HIS LABOURS WORLD CENTRE HIS DEDICATION
great heart. His love of Baha'u'llah, the Mas-
HUMILITY SINCERITY LOVE WILL FOR EVER BE
ter, the Guardian and all the friends whom he
REMEMBERED AND PROVIDE SHINING EXAMPLE
met was inexpressible in words but was elo-
TO RJSING GENERATIONS JAPANESE BAHAIS WHO
quently declared in his gracious and kindly
WJLL VIEW WJTH PRIDE DISTINCTION CONFERRED
manner and his evident concern and regard for
UPON HIM STOP PRAYING HOLY SHRJNES PRO -
everyone's welfare and happiness.
GRESS HIS RADIANT SOUL UNDER LOVING GRACE
In the following passages from letters of the
HIS MASTER AND GUARDIAN BOTH OF WHOM HE
beloved Guardian we find expressed his love
SERVED SO WELL ADVISE HOLD BEFITTING
and esteem for Fujita and his appreciation of
MEMORIAL GATHERINGS JAPAN.
his se'rvices:
EDNA TRUE
'. .. Fujita is with us: happy, active and
extremely helpful. His presence is such a help
IN MEMORIAM 409
AMELIA BOWMAN
1897-1976

The hearts of the believers throughout Scandinavia were saddened at the news of the passing of Amelia Bowman on 8 May 1976. She
was born in Montana, U.S.A. in 1897 and
became a Baha'i in 1933. Twenty-nine years of
her life of Baha'i service were devoted to
pioneering in Europe, and twenty-three of
those were spent in Norway. She was an ardent
teacher and in the first years of her Baha'i life
attracted a number of people to the Faith
including most of her family. In a letter written
on behalf of the beloved Guardian by his secretary on 30 July 1935 we read: ' I wish to
express, in particular, his genuine appreciation
of your labours with the Teaching Committee
of the E liot (Maine) Assembly, and also to
express the hope that through your efforts and
those of your distinguished and able collaborator, Mrs. Elizabeth Greenleaf, you may
be able to bring the Message to all the main
Amelia Bowman
towns in the vicinity of Eliot ... '. Penned in the
Guardian's own hand were the words: 'I am
delighted to hear of your work and to note the bly in 1948, Amelia proceeded to Gi:itheborg.
devotion and zeal with which you are labouring Soon after the arrival there of two other
for so great a Cause. I wish to assure you in pioneers she was asked by the European
person of my . prayers for your success and Teaching Committee, in the autumn of 1949,
spiritual advancement. May the Beloved to settle in Oslo, Norway. Amelia was active in
guide, cheer and sustain you in your high and various organizations including the Esperanconstant endeavours.' In this period she tists, the International Friendship League, the
worked with Florence Morton and Martha United Nations and various clubs, all the while
Root to extend the Faith in New Hampshire. giving full attention to the work of the Baha'i
For five years she acted as hostess at the Ole community on the local level and in the field of
Bull Cottage at Green Acre Baha'i School. She extension teaching. In 1952 she moved to
entertained women's clubs and other organiza- Bergen and was instrumental in the establishtions at teas or evening meetings. For a number ment, in 1955, of the Local Assembly. In addiof years, and extending to 194 7, she performed tion to her various teaching activities througha major service as a member of the United out Scandinavia she served as a news corres-
States Baha'i National Teaching Committee pondent for the United States Baha'f News.
which directed pioneering and teaching Her pilgrimage to the Holy Land in March
activities of the first Seven Year Plan. She then 1953 , during which she heard from the lips of
arose as a pioneer herself. Shoghi Effendi an outline of the goals of the
In October 1947 she arrived in Sweden with Ten Year Crusade and was encouraged by him
Nancy Gates; they were the thirty-fifth and to speak to the friends of the significance of this
thirty-sixth pioneers of the second Seven Year world-encircling teaching plan, prepared her
Plan to settle in Europe. When Dorothy Baker even more fully for her role in the teaching field
visited Stockholm in the spring of 1948 she in Europe. She participated in the Convention
reported finding ' large and flourishing classes' in Stockholm in 1957 which witnessed the birth
and mentioned that among the newly-found of the regional National Assembly of Scanbelievers was Mr. Eskil Ljungberg. After the dinavia and Finland. Later that year she was
formation of the Stockholm Spiritual Assem- requested to serve in France for two years.
410 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Here she was a valued member of the National GRIEVED PASSING SERENE DEVOTED MAIDSER-
Teaching Committee of the newly-established VANT BAHAULLAH AMELIA BOWMAN HER SER-
French National Assembly. She returned to VICES PION EERING FIELD SCANDINAVIA SINCE
Norway in 1959 and assisted in establishing the OPENING YEARS SECOND SEVEN YEAR PLAN
first Local Spiritual Assembly of Stavanger UNFORGETTABLE PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROG-
and, later, that of Hetland, and from the time of RESS HER RADIANT SOUL ABHA KINGDOM
its formation in 1962, until 1967, she was ADVISE HOLD BEFITTING MEMORJAL GATHER-
elected a member of the National Spiritual INGS THROUGHOUT NORWAY.
Assembly of Norway. GERD STRAND
With the exception of the year or so she
spent in Lofoten to maintain the strength of the
Local Assembly, Amelia lived the remainder
of her life in Stavanger where the milder cli- DORIS RICHARDSON
mate was beneficial to her health. She had a 1901-1976
frail constitution, a heart condition and suf- Knight of Baha'u'llah
fered from a persistent bronchial ailment. All
who crossed her path were given the Message Doris Richardson was born into a family that
of Baha'u'llah. Amelia's manner of presenta- was both highly individualistic and deeply
tion was scholarly, dignified and warmhearted. committed to Canada. Her mother was the first
She was compassionate by nature and serene white child born on Manitoulin Island in Georand regal in her bearing. She had inexhaustible gian Bay; her daughter, Helen Charters, is a
patience and was hospitable toward all without Baha'i who lives on the Island of Grand
discrimination. Steadfastness and persever- Manan, New Brunswick, which was opened to
ance were the hallmarks of her character. the Baha'i Faith in 1953 through the pioneer-
In 197 5 Amelia's strength began to fail , ing efforts of Doris herself, a service for which
although the fire in her soul still shone in her she was named a Knight of Baha'u'llah. Doris
eyes which radiated love, devotion and the had an openness and freshness of mind which
spirit of prayer. She went to her last rest on 8 qualified her to mingle in ease with people of
May 1976, honoured and mourned throughout many schools of thought, and a purity of heart /
Scandinavia. The funeral service was attended which enabled her to recognize immedia}efy
by many friends, Baha'i and non-Baha'i. A the truth of the Cause of Baha'u'Ilah'. She
beautiful memento comprising a printed book- became a Baha'i in 1939 through t4e teaching
let with excerpts from the teachings and a pic- efforts of Howard and RicJvanjyyih (Mabel)
ture of the Shrine of the Bab was given to all Ives and from that time, unyvher death on 13
who were present. Her grave in Stavanger is May 1976, she dedicated her life to the Blessed
surrounded by green, peaceful woodland. Beauty. Her home, in the words of Mrs. Char-
An early believer, Winnie Ringstad of Oslo, ters, was 'the refuge of seekers of all races,
wrote in a eulogy: 'We are all greatly indebted religions and schools of thought- blacks,
to Amelia, but still have much to learn from Indians, Asians, Rosicrucians and clairher. Let us bear this in mind when com- voyants. Baha'i visitors and travelling teachers
memorating the thirty-fifth member of the Bat- mixed harmoniously with the boarders and
talion of Baha'u'llah in Europe.' friends and neighbours came and went, warmly
The National Spiritual Assembly of the and graciously received , and always superbly
United States cabled the friends in Norway: fed.' She cared for all those who came in con-
HEARTS SADDENED BY PASSING STEADFAST tact with the Faith with a sweet and personal
AMELIA BOWMAN WHO AROSE WITH DEDICA- love, kept in touch with them and fostered their
TION TO ANSWER CALL FOR PIONEERS FROM interest. She spoke with an eloquence and sim-
HER BELOVED GUARDIAN STOP PRAYING AT plicity that was unforgettable. She settled in
HOLIEST HOUSE WORSHIP THAT HER SOUL WILL Scarborough, Ontario and became a member
RECEIVE RICH HEAVENLY REWARD FOR DEVOTED of the first Spiritual Assembly there. Her
SERVICES FAITH. Saturday firesides became the focal point of the
Great comfort was found in the cablegram of teaching efforts in the region. As a member of
the Universal House of Justice: the first teaching committee of the Province of
IN MEMORIAM 411
death from cancer but she remained, as always,
radiant and content. Her physical beauty
attested an inner harmony and beauty of spirit
that was unforgettable. 'The effect of her spirit
remains strong in Grand Manan,' writes Mrs.
Charters. 'Her influence upon the islanders,
the members of her family and her many
friends here will long continue in the
memories, in the hearts.'
The words of the Universal House of Justice
summarize both the quality of her spirit and the
significance of her services to the Canadian
Baha'i community:
ASSURE PRAYERS SHRINES PROGRESS SOUL ABHA
KINGDOM KNIGHT BAHAULLAH DORIS RICHARD-
SON HER DEVOTED SERVICES CAUSE ENRICH
ANNALS FAITH CANADA.

AJ:IMAD $AMfMf
Doris Richardson 1893-1976

Al)mad $amfmf was born in Hamadan, fran in
Ontario she travelled frequently in the 1940s 1893. His father, Mul)ammad-J:lasan, was an
to the few communities that existed at that early follower of Baha'u'llah who suffered tritime. In 1948 she was elected to the first als and persecution as a result of his acceptance
National Spiritual Assembly of Canada. of the Blessed Beauty. Plundered of his posses-
She read with the sensitivity of both experi- sions again and again, he was finally forced to
ence and understanding the appeals of Shoghi quit his home town and, with his wife, Khavar
Effendi in which he admonished the believers Khanum, their three daughters and son,
to disperse from the major cities and immedi- Al)mad $amfmf, aged four, to settle in Tihran.
ately responded, in 19 51, by pioneering to the Mul)ammad-J:lasan died a year later and his
Maritime region of Canada. She assisted in the widow, who was a Baha'i of great courage and
formation of the Spiritual Assembly of Monc- determination, resolved to give her children a
ton, New Brunswick and, in 1953, when the Baha'i upbringing and education, no matter
Guardian launched the Ten Year Crusade, she what the cost and sacrifice. The attributes of
arose to settle in Grand Manan where she persistence and perseverance, of diligence and
remained to see the first Assembly formed. integrity, which she instilled into her children
Throughout her life she was a tireless and characterized Al)mad $amfmf's act1V1tles
active person, not only as a teacher of the throughout his life and were the cause of his
Cause which she loved greatly but in other progress in his undertakings.
undertakings as well . At one time she was a Al)mad $amfmf was educated at the Baha'i
women's commentator for a radio station and Tarblyat School and at the age of sixteen he
wrote all her own scripts; at another, she trav- entered the postal service, operated by the
elled all round the Maritimes selling biscuits. On Belgians at that time under a concession, and
Grand Manan Island, from 1953 until 1974, his honesty and attention to his duties wo n
she managed a summer hotel which was popu- their commendation. Eventually he was prolar for its atmosphere of hospitality and warm moted to the post of deputy-chief of the Departcourtesy. Later, to augment her income, she ment of Supplies. He married Khujastih, the
became matron of a girls' school. granddaughter of Nizamu'l-Mulk, and, in
In the last months of her life Doris faced 1919, secured employment in the British
412 THE BAHA'I WORLD

and foreigners. In 1943 , at the request of
Shoghi Effendi, he arranged a meeting in his
home of the members of the National Spiritu al
Assembly with Sir Ronald Storrs, Oriental
Secretary of the British Agency, who had great
respect for 'Abdu'l-Baha whom he had met in
Palestine in 1909.
AJ:imad $amimi went three times on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, twice during the Guardian's lifetime . In 1938, on his second visit, he
received Shoghi Effendi's permission to attend
the American Convention and visit various
Baha'i centres in the United States. In 1945 the
Guardian advised him to teach in India which
he did for a period of three months, visiting the
Baha'is from coast to coast; and later
pioneered there for five years beginning in
194 7. He was elected to serve on the National
Spiritual Assembly of that country and was its
chairman for a period. He pioneered to
Indonesia for five years beginning in 1956 and
was secretary of the National Spiritu al Assem-
Af:imad $am[m{ bly of South-East Asia for a time. On the
advice of the Hands of the Cause resident in
the Holy Land, AJ:imad $amimi in 1961
Embassy where he rose to be Secretary, a post accompanied the Hand of the Cause Tarazu'-
he held until his retirement in 194 7. He was llah Samandari during his travels in West
awarded the Order of the British Empire in and East Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Singarecognition of his faithful service. He also pore. He then pioneered to Salzburg, Austria
received an Insignia from the late king of fran, and returned to Tihran in 1964. He ascended
Ric;Ia Shah-i-Pahlavi. to the Abha kingdom in July 1976 at the age of
His affability, courtesy and willingness to eighty-three.
help won AJ:imad $amimi the respect and affec- To the cable from the Persian National
tion of all with whom he came into contact. His Spiritual Assembly announcing his death, the
patience and single-mindedness enabled him Universal House of Justice replied:
to deal with the voluminous work referred to
SADDENED PASSING FAITHFUL DEVOTED SER-
him by innumerable callers and, no matter how
VANT CAUSE AHMAD SAMIMI STOP SUPPLICATE
great the stress of his official duties, he never
DIVINE THRESHOLD HIS LONG YEARS SERVICE BE
failed to respond with advice and guidance
RICHLY REWARDED ABHA KINGDOM STOP ASSURE
whenever the machinery to carry some poten-
FAMILY FRIENDS DEEP SYMPATHY.
tial Baha'i pioneer to his post was to be set in
motion. He was fluent in French, English and (Adapted from a report prepared by the
Arabic and conversant with German , Russian National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of
and Turkish. Active in various Baha'i spheres, Persia and translated by Rustom Sabit.)
he will be most remembered for his long membership and valuable service on the Committee
for Unity of the East and West. He received
many Tablets from 'Abdu'l-Baha and letters JOSEPH ENONGENE
from the Guardian. Introductions and connec- 1931 - 1976
tions secured through his occupation were
turned to good account in expounding the Jospeh Enongene was born in Nninong,
teachings of the Faith to people of note. His Cameroon in 1931 and became ardently
home was a rendezvous for prominent Persians attracted to the Baha'i Faith in 1953 through
IN MEMORIAM 413

mother, both accepted the Faith and his children became enthusiastic students of classes
for young people. Enongene, his eldest son, in
turn became a teacher of children's classes at
Tiko and Tombel.
In September 1975 he underwent surgery in
Tiko hospital but it was not successful, the.
disease being far graver than was thought at
first. Visitors found him gay and confident. He
was then transferred to Yaounde hospita l
where he taught the Faith to the patients in
various wards. When a visitor told him he was
'pioneering' to the hospital and was now doing
'extension teaching', Joseph was delighted.
Although he knew he was seriously ill he
remained buoyant in spirit.
His last four months were spent in his home
village where, from his sick-bed, he continued
to teach and encourage the friends; largely
through his efforts a new Spiritual Assembly
was formed in Ebonemin at Ric;lvan 1976.
Joseph passed away on 17 July 1976. A
Joseph Enongene memorial meeting was held in Tiko in the
presence of the Hand of the Cause Enoch
Olinga and his wife, Elizabeth. Although the
meeting began on a solemn note it gradually
Mr. Enoch Olinga, the Knight of Baha'u'llah became joyous as the friends listened to Mr.
for that country. Joseph was a lover of music. Olinga recount the story of Joseph's life and his
He enjoyed singing and took part in the con- great dedication to the Faith of Baha'u'llah.
certs held in Victoria Botanical Gardens. Later, all joined in singing some of the songs
When he embraced the Faith he organized and Joseph had composed. That his death should
trained a choir and began composing songs have brought the friends together in love and
with Baha'i themes, many of which are sung by harmony, with songs and inspiration and even
the Baha'is of Cameroon to this day. He was a laughter, seemed to be the most fitting tribute
staunch defender of the Covenant and utterly to pay this devoted soul.
devoted to the Guardian and the Universal URSULA SAMANDARf
House of Justice. After the passing of Shoghi
Effendi he accompanied the Hand of the Cause
Enoch Olinga on his tour to help the Baha'is in
their understanding of the Covenant. Joseph LETICIA FRANCHINO
composed a special song for this tour and 1916-1976
taught it to the friends in the communities they
visited. Leticia Franchino was born on 23 November
When the call came for pioneers for 1916 in Quillota, Chile; she was the youngest
Equatorial Guinea, Joseph was one of the first in a family of six children. Leticia studied to be
to volunteer. In Fernando Po where he settled a biology and chemistry teacher. On a study
he suffered persecution and was imprisoned tour with her fellow students to the extreme
for weeks. Although he was finally forced to south of Chile she met the North American
leave, his spirit remained undaunted and the Baha'i pioneer, Artemus Lamb. She did not
natural gaiety of his disposition unclouded. He become a Baha'i immediately but when she
settled in Tiko in 1971 and helped to build a accepted the Faith in 194 7 she did so
strong, active community with successful and wholeheartedly, expressing her love for Baha'u' -
lively children's classes. His wife, Olga, and his llah through courageous and indefatigable
414 THE BAHA'I WORLD

teristic perseverance she succeeded in opening
several provinces to the Faith, always returning
to encourage the new Baha'is while simultaneously seeking new places to plant the seeds of
the Faith. She was on a teaching trip in Los
Andes when she died. At a meeting there two
people had accepted the Faith and Leticia was
very happy and content. She was leaving the
town the next morning and feeling tired she
rested on a bench in the plaza while a friend
bought her bus ticket; when the friend
returned minutes later Leticia was dead of heart
failure. It was difficult to accept-she had been
so cheerful and full of life, making plans for
further teaching.
Leticia exemplified strongly the qualities of
detachment and generosity. She settled in outlying communities to serve the Faith and
devoted her vacations and weekends to spreading the Baha'i teachings in remote places.
Many times, when the needs of the Baha'i fund
were outlined at Baha'i gatherings, she was
seen asking the treasurer quietly how much
Leticia Franchino
was needed, and on one occasion, to help meet
a financial emergency described at the
service to the Chilean Baha'i community. National Convention, she contributed the
It is not common in Chile to leave the capital money she had saved toward her pilgrimage.
for the provinces. Leticia, however, left her job She was frank , open-handed and endowed with
as a biology teacher in Santiago to go to the a delightful sense of humour. Those who had
north of the country, first to the town of the privilege of knowing Leticia remember her
Antofagasta and then to La Serena, always with love and admiration.
actively teaching the Faith. In 1961, when the When it was informed of her passing on 21
South American countries elected their first July 1976, the Universal House of Justice sent
individual National Spiritual Assemblies, the following cable to the National Spiritual
Leticia was elected to serve on the first Assembly of Chile:
National Assembly of Chile. She served on it,
GRIEVED LEARN PASSING LETICIA FRANCHINO
as well, in subsequent periods.
DEVOTED MAIDSERVANT BAHAULLAH VALIANT
Leticia went north again in 1965, this time to
TEACHER CAUSE MEMBER FIRST NATIONAL
Iquique, where she established the foundations
ASSEMBLY CHILE STOP OFFERJNG ARDENT
for the future Local Spiritual Assembly.
PRAYERS DIVINE THRESHOLD PROGRESS HER
Returning to Santiago two years later was
RADIANT SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
difficult for her as she did not feel well living in
this large city. She overcame this frustration by SERGIO AND .KATE APARICIO
settling in Villa Alemana, a little town in Valparaiso, where she served on the Local
Spiritual Assembly and constantly stimulated EMMA WA YENECE
the community to action. 1927-1976
When the Universal House of Justice
launched the Five Year Plan in 1974, Leticia Therefore it is the hope of'Abdu'l-Bah<i that . ..
immediately arose to assist achieving the goals ye may carry the fame of the Cause of God to
assigned to Chile . She was appointed to the . . . the three great island groups of the Pacific
Regional Teaching Committee and used her Ocean-Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia,
free time to travel extensively. With charac- and the islands attached to these groups ... with
IN MEMORIAM 415
hearts overflowing with the love of God, with
tongues commemorating the mention of God,
with eyes turned to the Kingdom of God . ..
'Abdu'l-Baha
Tablets of the Divine Plan 1

Emma Wayenece had the distinction of being
the first Melanesian woman of New Caledonia
and the Loyalty Islands to accept the Faith
of Baha'u'llah. From the day of her conversion, Emma served the Cause with an
exemplary courage and humility. Her dedicated efforts, together with those of her husband Georges, formed a solid foundation for
the Caledonian community in its early, formative years.
The circumstances in which Georges and
Emma encountered the Faith are quite extraordinary. The Wayeneces were from the island
of Mare in the Loyalties (Emma's village was
Wakuarory); and Mare was one of the first
islands in the territory to be evangelized
around the early 1840s, near the beginning of
Emma Wayenece
the Baha'i era. The Wayenece clan had been
one of the first to accept the Christian Faith and
subsequently assisted to establish it throughout into contact. The fruits of her labours are
the rest of the territory. Following in the foot- impressive. All her brothers and sisters became
steps of their ancestors, Georges and Emma Baha'ls, one brother serving for many years on
were the prime movers in the construction of the National Spiritual Assembly of the South
their tribe's first church, in the late 1950s and West Pacific Ocean. Other close relatives
early 1960s. They were never to set foot in it. whom she had taught served on the Local
While they were in the capital, Noumea, work- Spiritual Assembly of Mare, the first alling to pay for furnishings for the newly-built Melanesian Local Assembly. Emma raised her
church , they came into contact with Margaret nine children in the spirit of the Faith with the
Rowling, the dedicated spiritual mother of the Baha'i principles and laws and all are active in
New Caledonian community. Miss Rowling its service. It was a special joy for her to have
had just begun a study of French and the her oldest son elected to the National Spiritual
Wayeneces did not know English; nevertheless Assembly of the South West Pacific Ocean just
they investigated independently the few Writ- before her passing. Emma made many teachings that were available in French at that ing trips to goal areas all over the main island,
period. They were quickly convinced of the as well as frequent tours of the Loyalty Islands,
truth of Baha'u'llah's mission and declared especially Mare. She made two trips to Baha'i
their belief on 8 July 1961. Thus their clan was functions in the New Hebrides and was a
again honoured, this time as being the first to member of the New Caledonian delegation
accept God's Universal Manifestation, through which attended the Oceanic Conference in
the Wayeneces. Suva, Fiji in 1971. She and Georges pioneered
From the moment of her acceptance of the to Yahoue, a suburb of Noumea, and helped
Faith, Emma actively served. She was elected form the first Local Spiritual Assembly there.
to the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Emma was truly one of those candles which
Noumea, in 1962, and persuasively presented 'Abdu'l-Baha so vividly described as weeping
the Cause to her family, relatives, fellow its life away, 'drop by drop in order to give
Mareans, and all those with whom she came forth its flame of Iight.' 2 In spite of frail health
Tablet dated 11April1916. 'An Early Pilgrimage, May Maxwell, p. 42 .
416 THE BAHA'I WORLD

she laboured tirelessly for her family and the
Faith. Although visibly worn by the care and
struggle to educate her large family , which
often included nieces, nephews and other relatives in addition to her own children , she
always mustered energy to teach the Faith with
enthusiasm, and warmly received a neverending stream of Baha'i guests and other visitors. For the reception of guests from overseas
she always offered as a gesture of friendship
and love a delicious earth-baked local dish,
bougna , which demands great effort in preparation. None could fail to be touched by the
way she gave of herself. Her heartfelt wish was
to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land and she
was to have done so with Georges in 1977, but
on 1 August 1976, in her forty-ninth year, she
passed away as a result of a lung disease which
had long troubled her and caused great suffering.
The Universal House of Justice cabled this tribute.:
SADDENED NEWS PASSING EMMA WAYENECE
FIRST MELANESIAN WOMAN BELIEVER NEW Gulbanu Safrang
CALEDONIA LOYALTIES ASSURE FAMILY FRIENDS
LOVING PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER
his acceptance of the Baha'i Faith. Gulbanu,
SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
too, soon recognized Baha'u'llah as the prom-
JOHN AND SIMONE KENDALL
ised Shah Bahram of the ancient Zoroastrian
religion.
In 1946, under one of the teaching plans of
the National Spiritual Assembly of India, Mr.
a nd Mrs. Safrang settled in Wai, a small rural
GULBANO SAFRANG community in the interior approximately
1904-1976 twelve kilometres from Panchgani, and here
they remained as staunch pioneers until the
Dispossessed in all save God end of their lives. They soon won acceptance
The pioneers endure by the Hindu, Christian and Muslim residents
To gain the wealth another world of Wai by being living examples of the teach-
Shall lavish on the pure. ings of Baha'u'llah. At first they maintained
James West themselves by managing a restaurant. After
her husband became ill , Gulbanu eked out a
Mrs. Gulbanu Safrang ascended to the Abha meagre living by accepting lodgers and by the
Paradise on 20 September 1976. Her mortal sale of sweets and bread to the townspeople.
remains were laid to rest alongside those of her Although they had no children of their own
husband, Khud adad, in the community of Wai, they raised a niece, Ffruzih Yiganigf, who was
Maharashtra, India to which they had na med a Knight of Baha'u'llah for her pioneerpioneered. ing services in Goa.
Gulbanu was born in Yazd, fran in 1904. She After the death of her husband in 1961 Gulmoved to Bombay with her Zoroastrian family banu, who was affectionately known as 'Goland at a young age married Khudadad Safrang, bai' , was encouraged to move to a more comalso a Zoroastrian . Through contact with the fortable and less isolated area but she adamstrong Baha'i community which existed from antly refused saying that it was her wish to
the early years in Bombay Khudadad declared continue her service in her pioneering post
IN MEMORIAM 417
and to be buried alongside her husband when
the time came. Through her simplicity of manner and sincerity of heart she attracted many
people to the Faith. Her home was a centre of
warm fellowship and friendly discussion where
gathered the rich and poor, literate and
unlearned, Hindu and Muslim and Christian.
All were welcomed and found in her a friend.
She befriended the local priest and some of the
staff of the mission hospital in Wai and was ever
ready to help those who came to the hospital by
offering them accommodation at no cost and
by visiting and praying for the patients. Her life
was dedicated to the Cause of Baha'u'llah. In
addition to serving in her own community she
would support activities in Panchgani and
assist the newly-formed New Era School
through contributions from her limited
income. Through her unstinting efforts the
Baha'i community of Wai began to flourish and
the Local Spiritual Assembly was formed. The
Assembly was registered in 1975, just one year
before her death, a crowning tribute to her Angela Annette Anderson
dedicated life's work .
A memorial meeting was held in Wai to
mark her passing attended by many people of Angela Anderson was born into a wealthy famvarious religious persuasions who offered ily , with servants and ' nannies', and led a shelprayers for the spiritual progress of her soul. tered life during childhood. In her late teens
The love and unity which was demonstrated by she experienced the first glimmering of the
the diverse participants epitomized the teach- possibility that life could be regarded from
ings of Baha' u'llah which Gulbanu had in life so points of view quite different from those she
clearly exemplified. had acquired in her cultured world of material
On 25 September 1976 the following cable comfort. When she entered the business world
was received from the Universal House of Jus- at eighteen she began to meet people from
tice: other social backgrounds. She was later to
SADDENED PASSING STEADFAST COURAGEOUS write in her book The Valley of Search that
PIONEER GOLBANU SAFRANG STOP HER EXEMP- 'there was something in me that yearned for
LARY DEVOTION PERSEVERANCE SERVICES ordinariness.'
CAUSE WORTHY HIGH PRAISE ASSURE RELATIVES In her twenties she was confined to bed with
FRIENDS ARDENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES. a grave illness for four years during which she
had time to read and think. She examined her
SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE
life and began her quest for the meaning of
BAHA'fs OF PA N CHGANI
existence. Hers was a long and difficult search.
After investigating many religious movements,
philosophies and value systems she found her
ANGELA ANNETTE ANDERSON spiritual home in the Baha'i Faith in 1959, in
1926-1976 Edinburgh , and in it found complete fulfilment . Although reserved and quiet by
DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING ANGELA ANDERSON nature she at once made every effort to give the
DEDICATED PIONE E R AFRICA ASSURE PRAYERS message of Baha'u'llah to her friends and
PROGRESS HER SOUL EXTEND SYMPATHY FAMILY associates. She pioneered from Edinburgh to
FRIENDS. Inverness and served on the first Local
Universal House of Justice Spiritual Assembly of the latter at Ric;lvan
418 THE BAHA'i WORLD

1961. While there she wrote the greater part of needs of the youth there.
her book describing the search that led her to After a few months, however, her health
the Baha'i Faith. The book was, she felt , her began to deteriorate. Although she had to stop
'child', in one sense, and she hoped it would earning her living , she concealed knowledge of
assist others who were in spiritual need. her illness and continued tire lessly serving the
Later she moved to Bolton and in the late Cause for another year, devoting her time to
1960s pioneered to Plymouth, Devon where committee work, teaching projects and the
she worked unceasingly to lay the foundations work of the Auxiliary Board. Early in 1976 she
for the future growth of the Faith in the west of accepted the fact that she could not go on and
England. Once, overcoming her shyness, she was admitted to hospital. A month later she
spoke about the Faith from the pulpit of the was flown to hospital in England. She was
Unitarian Church. greatly missed by all her friends in Africa who
In her private life she tried to live by the were much in her thoughts. She wrote offering
Baha'i teachings in absolute detail. Although suggestions for the Intern ational Teaching
she had private means she always earned her Conference to be held in Nairobi in October
living by office work. She lived very simply , as 1976 and made pla ns to return as a pioneer to
far as her health would allow. She wanted to be Tanzania. This was not to be. Some months
responsible for the education of a Baha'i child later it was recognized that she was suffering
and arranged to pay the tuition fees of a small from a brain tumour. By then her life had
girl. The child benefited from this early train- become a burden and a veiled existence. She
ing; she was awarded scholarships and success- was released from her suffering on 1 October,
fully completed a college course . just days before the Nairobi conference.
Another phase of Angela's life began when In Kenya it was said 'Tears are falling from
she arrived in Kenya in 1971 as a pioneer . She the eyes of those Baha'ls who have heard this
threw herself wholeheartedly into the life of news.' 'She served our beloved Faith diligently
the Baha'i community in this new field of ser- and well as a pioneer', wrot~ the National
vice, serving as secretary of the National Assembly of Kenya.
Teaching Committee and the National Litera- The memorial stone marking Angela
ture Committee and as assistant to a member Anderson's resting place in the Dorking Muof the Auxiliary Board. She undertook many nicipal Cemetery, Surrey is inscribed with these
travelling teaching trips and wherever she went Words of Baha'u'llah:
was deeply loved by the African believers. She
0 Son of Man! Ascend unto My hea ven,
carried out all her duties with a loving spirit and
that thou mayest obtain the joy of reunion,
great humility. For many years she had
and from the chalice of imperishable glory
believed that nothing had any significance
quaff the peerless wine.
except that which was done from the motive of
BARBARA LEWIS
love. She gave steadfast and untiring service,
inspiring a fellow pioneer to say of her, 'Her
life in the service of the Cause is an example
worthy of emulation.' She visited Tanzania as a
travelling teacher; studied Swahili to help in ADELAIDE SHARP
teaching and correspondence and in the hope 1896-1976
of preparing simple Baha'i pamphlets; and
wrote a small book about the Faith for transla- Born in Texas in 1896, Miss Adelaide Sharp
tion into the vernacular languages. In Africa, spent her childhood in Mexico, moved in com-
Angela led a life of extreme simplicity and pany of her mother to California to pursue her
great personal economy, although she had no studies, and after graduation from college took
need to. She taught secretarial subjects in a bus- up teaching work in the Italian quarter of San
iness college and, when she pioneered to Francisco. Her father, Horace M. Sharp, who
Luanda in south-western Kenya, she started died during Adelaide's infancy, was a Christian
her own school, overcoming many difficulties but Adelaide, when still young, received the
to do so. Because many Baha'ls live in this Message of Baha'u'llah from her mother, Clara
area, Angela hoped to serve the educational Sharp-a devoted Baha'i-and accepted it.
IN MEMORIAM 419
In 1929, when the distinguished Baha'i, Dr.
Susan I. Moody, 1 who was then seventy-seven
years of age, undertook to emigrate to Persia a
second time at the Guardian 's request, she
received his permission and hearty approval to
take Adelaide along with her to serve at the
Tarblyat School in the capital.
The two pioneers covered the first stretch of
their journey by ship to the Holy Land where
the glory of pilgrimage to the Holy Shrines for
twelve precious days was heightened by the
guidance and spiritual strength received from
the beloved Guardian, a bounty that would be
their mainstay during the long and difficult
years ahead. Proceeding thence by the overland route to Tihran, Miss Sharp settled in her
post as the school's principal on arrival and
discharged her duties with exemplary diligence
until the school was closed down. RliQanglz
FatQ-'A~am 2 and I§.braqlyyih DhablQ 3 collaborated with her in this arduous task and were
her unfailing support throughout this period .
After some two years' stay in Tihran, Miss A de/aide Sharp
Sharp asked the Guardian if she might invite
her mother over, too. Shoghi Effendi assented
readily and graciously cabled instructions to translation of Baha'i Scriptures into English.
America for Mrs. Sharp's travel to Tihran, and On the occasion of her second visit to the
so it was that Clara Sharp found herself work- Holy Land in 1937, Miss Sharp was again the
ing in the cradle of the Faith beside her daugh- recipient of the loving kindness of the Guardter in the field of Baha'i education. ian . In 1954 when he ruled that women could
When the school was closed down , Miss from then on serve on Baha'i administrative
Sharp stayed on in Persia on the Guardian's bodies in Persia, she was the first woman to be
advice and gradually organized classes for boys elected to the National Spiritual Assembly,
as well as girls to study writings in English such serving in this role for fourteen years. Almost
as Baha'i Administration, The Promised Day is to the last she acted as foreign correspondent
Come, The World Order of Baha'u'llah and of the National Assembly and was also
other superb works from the Guardian's assigned the responsibility of issuing credeninspired pen. Many young Baha'ls from these tials to Persian Baha'ls who were going abroad.
classes have since risen to eminence in service She attended the Intercontinental Conference
to God's Faith within and without Persia's bor- in the United States (it was during this period
ders. that her mother passed away), the World Con-
Supervising and teaching at the Tarblyat gress held in London during Ri<;lvan of 1963 to
School were not the sole outlets for Miss celebrate the Most Great Jubilee and partici-
Sharp's unflagging energy. At one time or pated in the election in the Holy Land of the
another she was active on various committees Universal House of Justice at both the first and
including the international committee which second International Conventions.
gathered material for The Baha'i World vol- Miss Sharp never married. Starting at an
umes, the Children's Service Committee, the early age and extending almost to the very end,
Reviewing Committee , Unity of the East and her talents and energy were dedicated to the
the West and the committee charged with the service of the Cause and its servants in the land
of its birth. This single-minded devotion won
See ' In Memoriam', The Baha'( World, vol. VI, p. 483.
' See ' In Memoriam', p. 467. her warm tributes both from the beloved
' See ' In Memoriam', The Bahti'fWorld, vol. XVI , p. 517. Guardian and the Universal House of Justice.
420 THE BAHA'f WORLD

She was the object of special favour at the the magazine Ahang-i-Badf' carried articles
hands of Shoghi Effendi. In hi s missives to her written by some of her closest friends bearing
the Guardian addressed her as his 'dear co- upon incide nts in her unbroken record of serworker' and enjoined the Persian National vice which disclosed intimate glimpses of her
Spiritual Assembly to take the greatest care of sterling worth .
her. If asked to single out one or two distinctive
Her physical strength and powers deterio- traits from among the many characteristics that
rated sadly during the last two or three years of endeared Miss Sharp to her numerous friends,
her life when she was confined to bed by vari- we would point to her unflinching loyalty and
ous ail ments from which death released her on deep attachment to our beloved Guardian
5 October 1976. When informed of her passing, which provided the strength and solace with
the Universal House of Justice, in a message to which she met the tests and difficulties attenthe Persian National Assembly, recognized her dant upon her service. May Baha'u'llah's blesslong and laborio us services in these gracious ings be showered upon her in rich abundance!
terms:
(Adapted from a report prepared by the
DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING DEDICATED STEAD- National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of
FAST PROMOTER CAUSE DEARLY LOVED Persia and translated by Rustom Sabit).
ADELA1DE SHARP WHOSE SELFLESS LABOURS
NEARLY FIVE DECADES COMMUNITY CRADLE
FAITH IN EDUCATING ITS CH ILDREN INSPIRING
ENRICHING SPIRITUAL LIFE ITS YOUTH
ANGUEL MARIA SALAZAR
RESEARCHING TRANSLATING WRITINGS CON-
?- 1976
SOLIDATING ITS ADMIN ISTRATIVE INSTITUTIONS
AND AS FIRST WOMAN MEMBER ITS NATIONAL
Anguel Maria Salazar, a Quechua Indian of
SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY WILL ALWAYS BE LOV-
Tunibamba, Canton Cotacachi, in the Province
INGLY REMEMBERED STOP HER DEVOTED SER-
of Imbabura, Ecuador accepted the Baha'i
VICES WON HER PRAISE BELOVED GUARDIAN
Faith in 1967 through the teaching efforts of
REINFORCED TIES BINDING AMERICAN BAHAI
Raul Pavon and Rufino Gualavisi. Mr. Salazar
COMMUNITY TO FRIENDS BAHAULLAHS NATIVE
became a very dedicated and firm follower of
LAND STOP FERVENTLY PRAYING HOLY SHRINES
Baha ' u'llah and although illiterate he learned
CONTINUOUS PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KING-
the Baha'i prayers, teachings and songs by
DOM STOP ADVISE HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL
heart. On the first visit of the Hand of the
GATHERINGS HONOUR HER NAME STOP
Cause Amatu'l-Baha Rul)iyyih Khanum to
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY UNITED STATES
Ecuador in the spring of 1968, Mr. Salazar had
HOLDING MEMORIAL GATHERING MASHRIQUL
the honour of receiving this distinguished guest
ADHKAR.
and the members of her party in his humble
The International Teaching Centre, too, as home and subsequently he accompanied her
well as the American National Spiritual party when she visited Baha'is in other Indian
Assembly cabled messages expressing their communities.
grief at Miss Sharp's passing and their appreci- With his family, Mr. Salazar steadfastly
ation of the spirit of selfless devotion that had attended meetings at the National Teaching
marked her work for the Cause in Baha'u'llah's Institute to deepen in the knowledge of the
native land for a period of almost half a cen- Faith. He was a potter by profession and in
tury. Hundreds of sorrowful mourners from spite of his frugal circumstances each time he
among the Baha'is ofTihran paid their respects attended the Institute he brought an object he
at the last resting-place of their Baha'i sister; had made as a contribution to the fund . In 1968
and hundreds of other believers throughout the he was elected as a delegate to the National
country attended memorial meetings held in Convention and, throughout his Baha'i life,
her memory, demonstrating by this act the assisted the work of the Local Spiritual
great love and esteem with which they Assembly in his community, constantly opened
regarded her. An account of her life was pub- his home for Baha'i meetings and offered hoslished in the Baha'i news organ of Persia, while pitality to travelling teachers.
IN MEMORIAM 421
His father died in 1923 . His mother, Sarah , 1
a non-conformist free thinker and a member of
the Higher Thought Temple , had learned of
'Abdu' l- Baha's visit to London in 1911 and,
attracted by what she read of His life and teachings, sent for literature about the Baha'i Fiath.
When the Hands of the Cause Clara and Hyde
Dunn visited New Zealand in 1923 they were
invited to the Blundell home in Remuera,
Auckland. This was the first Baha'i meeting in
New Zealand.
Through contact with Mother Dunn, Mrs.
Blundell and Hugh' s older sister, Ethel ,
became Baha'is . In 1925 Hugh accompanied
them in the first party of Australasians to go on
pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Although not a
Baha'i, Hugh was deeply impressed by Shoghi
Effendi and in July the following year he
declared his belief in Baha'u'llah as the Manifestation of God for this age. Thus began a
lifetime of devoted service to the Baha'i Cause.
He served on the Local Spiritual Assembly of
Auckland from 1927 onwards, often as treas-
Anguel Marfa Salazar
urer, and for a number of years was a member
of the National Spiritual Assembly of Austra lia
and New Zealand. He was a member of
Until his passing on 15 October 1976, Mr. numerous committees, both national and re-
Salazar remained firm of faith, radiant of heart gional, and travelled widely throughout New
and deep in his love for Baha'u'llah , transmit- Zealand and the Pacific Islands in service to the
ting his conviction with force and eloquence to Faith.
other indigenous believers. New Zealand's first independent National
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY Assembly was elected in April 1957 and in
OF TH E BAHA'fs OF ECUADOR October a letter came to Hugh from the Hands
of the Cause Mother Dunn and Collis Featherstone confirming the cable Hugh had received:
ADVISE YOUR APPOINTMENT MEMBER ADDITIONAL
AUXILIARY BOARD DEAREST LOVE PRAYERS YOUR
HUGH K. BLUNDELL GUIDANCE. Hugh was overwhelmed and
1884-1976 replied: 'The latter part of yo ur cable is tremendous consolation and a brilliant light in a
DEEPLY GRIEVED LEARN PASSING DEVOTED very dark world. With sincerest appreciation of
LONGTIME SERVANT FAITH HUGH BLUNDELL your faith and trust in my humble ability and
FIRST AUXILIARY BOARD MEMBER IN NEW ZEA- with a prayer from my heart that I will be
LAND PRAYING SACRED THRESHOLD PROGR ESS worthy of your confidence .. .' He wrote this
HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. the day the beloved Guardian died, and being
Universal House of Justice both a member of the Auxiliary Board and one
of the few New Zealand Baha'is to have met
Hugh Blundell was born in England on 21 Shoghi Effendi , he was able to be a tower of
October 1884, the youngest of seven children. strength to the saddened community, and to
The Blundell family immigrated to New Zea- inspire them to fulfil the goals of the Ten Year
land when Hugh was two years old, and he Crusade.
received all his education in New Zealand He served as a Board member with selfless
schools. 1
See 'In Memoriam', The Bahli'f World, vol. VJ, p. 496.
422 THE BAHA'I WORLD

GARRET AH. BUSEY
1893-1976

GRIEVED PASSING GARRETA BUSEY SELFSACRI-
FICING FOLLOWER BAHAULLAH STOP HER SER-
VICES FIELD BAHAI PUBLICATIONS IN THE
UNITED STATES LOVINGLY REMEMBERED PRAY-
ING HOLY SHR INES PROGRESS HER SOUL.
Universal House of Justice

Garreta Helen Busey was born on 1 March
1893 in Urbana, Illinois and lived most of her
life in that community. She was talented and
versatile, yet unassuming. Before 1918 s.he
travelled through Illinois making advance preparations for rallies and meetings supporting
Women's Suffrage and during the First World
War served with the International Red Cross in
France and Switzerland. She worked for several years on the New York Herald-Tribune's
Book Review section. Her novel The Windbreak was published in 1938. Her father
Hugh K. Blundell helped establish the Commercial Bank of
Champaign and she was on its Board of Directors for thirty-five years, attending meetings
tenacity for eleven years. In his quiet, polite, until just a month before her death, and was on
gentleman ly way 'Uncle Hugh', as he became the faculty of the University of Illinois.
known, gave of his time, effort and self gener- Her Baha'i activities were manifold. She first
ously. He travelled regularly throughout the attended Baha'i meetings because she felt
country visiting and encouraging the friends. In sorry for her mother who was always having to
1959 the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land go to them alone, but gradually came to conwrote: 'Please convey to our dear brother, sider herself a Baha'i, and about 1934 she fully
Auxiliary Board member Hugh Blundell, our identified herself with the Faith. During her
heartfelt appreciation of the wonderful teach- sabbatical leaves from the university she
ing trips he is undertaking in these days when served the European Teaching Committee,
the New Zealand community needs it most.' spending one year in the Netherlands. She was
He extended hospitality to all visiting Baha'is a member of the Urbana Spiritual Assembly
and accompanied the Hands of the Cause on for forty years; her contributions to consultamany of their visits including the historic visit tion were wise, compassionate and practical.
Enoch Olinga made to the Maori people in At the request of the National Spiritual
1959. Assembly she helped with the development of
As age began to take its toll, Hugh found it Spiritual Assemblies in Indiana, Kentucky and
increasingly difficult to travel and in Sep- Ohio . Her writing and editorial skills were
tember 1968 he offered his resignation as Aux- placed at the service of the Faith. She served on
iliary Board member. He felt the future of the the editorial staffs of World Order magazine,
Faith lay in the hands of the young Baha'is and Bahli'( News and The Baha'i World and on the
he continued to guide and love these youth National Literature Reviewing Committee.
until his death on 16 October 1976. Her beautiful old home was opened to the
His warm, gentlemanly presence at summer friends and was a focal point of activities for
schools and conventions will be a cherished many years. With the consent of her family it
memory to those of the New Zealand commu- was bequeathed to the Spiritual Assembly of
nity who were fortunate enough to have known Urbana.
Hugh Blundell. From 1936 until 197 4 Garre ta was the
IN MEMORIAM 423

October 1976. All those who gathered to celebrate her life felt them to be appropriate.
ELEANOR HUTCHENS

CHARLOTIE M. LINFOOT
1895-1976

Charlotte May Linfoot, a leading figure in the
growth and development of the Baha'i Faith in
the United States for almost half a century,
died on 30 October 1976 in Wilmette. The
National Spiritual Assembly of the United
States cabled the Universal House of Justice:
LOYAL DUTIFUL INDEFATIGABLE CHARLOTTE
LINFOOT WINGED HER FLIGHT TO ABHA REALM
TODAY LEAVING BEHIND IN HER BELOVED
AMER ICAN COMMUNITY WHICH SHE SERVED SO
ILLUSTRIOUSLY A TRAIL OF GRATEFUL BUT
BROKEN HEARTS.
Garreta H. Busey
In reply the House of Justice advised the
holding of a befitting memorial service in the
Temple and said, in part:
faculty advisor of the University of Illinois
SHARE GRIEF PASSING DEARLY LOVED CHAR-
Baha'i Club , one of the first college clubs in the
LOTTE LINFOOT STOP HER TIRELESS SELFLESS
United States. She had special love for youth
SERVICE WHOLEHEARTED COMMITMENT TEACH-
and offered them understanding and encour-
INGS AND ADMINISTRATION OF CAUSE SHE
agement. One Baha'i, recollecting the college
EMBRACED NEARLY FIFTY YEARS AGO INDELIBLY
club meetings, wrote: 'I felt that Garreta saw
INSCRIBED ANNALS AMERICAN BAHAI COMMU-
everything-all our weaknesses, follies, even
NITY . . .
our unwillingness to accept aspects of the
teachings- but she was patient and would wait For twenty-two years, until she suffered a
lovingly for us to grow up. Hundreds of times at disabling stroke in December 197 5, Miss Linthose Friday evening firesides I saw her sit foot served as assistant secretary of the
quietly as we uttered our vain fancies-even National Spiritual Assembly. The assembly, in
our blasphemies-never arguing, never push- its annual report for 1976, paid tribute to her
ing a point. When we'd all worn ourselves out 'constant, heroic service' and lamented the
with hair-splitting, she'd say, "Well, you know, 'staggering blow' dealt the American communit seems to me .. ." and then she'd quote ity through her death.
exactly the passage to answer every dilemma! She was born in North Dakota on 30 May
She was truly a masterful teacher. ' 1895, attended high school in Saskatchewan,
Once when she was in her eighties and, as Canada and received degrees from Saskatoon
usual, trying to serve beyond her strength in Teachers' College and Saskatoon Business
many areas at once, she laughingly said, College . After graduation she taught elemen-
'Baha'fs are not promised rest from their tary school and during summer vacations
labours, but a service in both worlds.' worked as a reporter and as editor of the
Baha'u'llah's words 'The light of a good women's section of a local newspaper.
character surpasses the light of the sun' were on In the early 1930s Miss Linfoot moved to
the printed programme of the memorial ser- California to work for the American Red
vice held for Miss Busey who died on 21 Cross, soon becoming assistant director of the
424 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Her appointment as assistant secretary
almost immediately after her election to the
National Assembly caused her to transfer her
residence from Piedmont, California to Wilmette. She served as secretary of the Asia
Teaching Committee in the Ten Year Crusade
until the American community's goals in the
Pacific areas were accomplished, in about
1961; simultaneously she worked on the
editorial committees for Baha'{ News and The
Bahti'( World. In 1961 she participated in the
election of the International Baha'i Council
and in the first election of the Universal House
of Justice in Haifa at Ric;lvan 1963 and
attended the Baha'i World Congress in London immediately thereafter; she also participated in the subseq uent elections of the Universal House of Justice in 1968 and 1973. On
various occasions she represented the United
States·National Spiritual Assembly at international conferences.
'She had a quick and telling wit and a never-
Charlotte M. Linfoot failing sense of fun,' one friend recalls. 'A few
years before I came to Wilmette in 1969 she
Junior Red Cross for the Pacific area. Her main had fallen on the ice one dark night and susactivity was the developing of international tained an injury to her hip which left her with
programmes with school systems. During this the occasional need to use a cane for the rest of
period she also travelled extensively in Europe her life. I remember with affection her curious
to advise Red Cross Societies on that conti- blend of gallantry, determination and vulneranent. bility as she tapped her way from the office to
Miss Lin foot first heard of the Baha'i Faith in her home in treacherous and inclement
Oakland, California and soon became active in weather. She took great delight in collecting
the work of the administrative order. She was music rolls for an old playe r piano she had in
appointed to the first Nation al Teaching her home; she also kept pet birds on which she
Committee in 1934, serving as its Western sec- lavished attention. I shall always remember the
retary, and throughout the subsequent years day we spent in the country buying a barrel of
was a member of one or more natio nal commit- new apples; she brought a sense of adventure
tees. Those who were privileged to work with and zest and happiness to simple pleasures of
her during those years speak with admiration this kind. She was always youthfully trim,
of her undaunted fa ith, unswerving loyalty, impeccably groomed and sma rtly attired, her
selfless devotion and tireless vigour, and praise appearance thus reflecting her alertness of
the inestimable magnitude of her gifts of mind mind, her imposing organizationa l skills.'
a nd spirit which she poured out unstintingly in Miss Linfoot's demanding services as assisservice to the Cause of Baha' u'llah. The Hand tant secretary to the National Assembly
of the Cause Leroy Ioas wrote to her from the included the guidance of Local Assemblies and
Holy Land congratulating her on her election individuals in their application of Baha'i stanto the National Assembly in the autumn of dards to individual lives. Each day her desk was
1953 a nd remarking: 'Your long hours of work piled high with letters appealing to the
in the Teaching Committee, and other Com- National Assembly for guidance in a limitless
mittees, was always an example to me, and I range of human struggles and needs. The baloften think, when I am tied up for especially ance of integrity, firmness and deep compaslong hours of work, how faithfully , quietly and sion which she exemplified qualified her to
efficiently you carried on for so long.' become a finely-tuned instrument through
IN MEMORIAM 425
which the Assembly could effectively respond
to the needs of the community. But such work
takes its toll of those who give it. Her record of
service is a n illustration of the degree of
'administrative heroism' which the beloved
Guardian told us the advancement of the
Cause requires.
Shoghi Effendi's appreciation of Miss Linfoot is found in a letter written on his behalf on
6 September 1957 and serves as a befitting
conclusion to this memoir: 'The Guardian has
instructed me to inform you of how much he
appreciates and values your devoted and
sacrificial services to the Cause of God. You
have served the Faith diligently, efficiently,
and well over a long period of time, in outstanding and historic fields of service: as secretary of the National Teaching Committee
during the first Seven Year Plan , the success of
which was, in no small measure, due to your
ceaseless labours, and since that time, on teaching committees bringing the Faith to numerous
parts of the world. Now you are combining Siyyid Muf:iammad 'Azzav{
teaching and administrative service, in your
outstanding services on the National Assembly . The Master will richly reward you for your obtained his Master of Arts degree from the
indefatigable services in the Kingdom .' University of Cairo. Religious prejudice
On 11 December 1976 a memorial service thwarted his efforts to obtain the degree of
was held for Charlotte Linfoot in the House of Doctor of Philosophy but he qualified for this
Worship in Wilmette within the shadow of with distinction in 1969.
which she had performed many of those feats His professional pursuits after his return
which cause her memory to be 'indelibly from 'Iraq included serving as Director of the
inscribed' in the annals of the American Baha'i Office of Translation of the Vice-President of
community. the Republic, acting as assistant to the
Director-General for Statistics, assisting the
ministry concerned with the management of
municipal affairs and serving as Director-
SIYYID MUl;IAMMAD 'AZZA Vf General of the Centre of Information for the
1920-1976 Presidency. He contributed to the modernization of the curriculum of the thousand-year-old
The entire Baha'i world , but the Egyptian Al-Azhar University and was co-author with
community in particular, suffered a grievous MuJ:iammad Khayrf Harb of History of Educaloss in the untimely passing of Dr. Siyyid tion and Teaching in the Twentieth Century. He
MuJ:iammad 'Azzavf. His endeavours as an was a gifted translator from English into
educator bring to mind the words attributed to Arabic of literary and educational works,
MuJ:iammad, the Messenger: 'The ink of the combining extraordinary speed with great
scholar is more precious than the blood of the accuracy . His efforts in this area included the
martyr.' translation of documents for UNESCO and
Dr. ' Azzavi was born in Egypt on 1 April association with the Franklin Library project
1920 and received his education there. From for rendering a thousand standard English
1942 to 1950 he was a teacher of education and works in Arabic. Methods of language teaching
psychology at the Men 's Teacher Training Col- interested him greatly. He prepared television
lege in 'Iraq. He returned to Egypt in 1950 and programmes designed to combat illiteracy,
426 THE BAHA'I WORLD

experimented in teaching Arabic to African a keen sense of humour and a· gift for storystudents a nd to persons of widely-ranging telling. He showered love and devotion on his
ethnic backgrounds and participated in writing five beautiful children-ornaments of a
a series of textbooks on teaching Arabic by remarkable marriage- a nd with affection and
radio. He was delegated to present modern expertise guided their education, an activity
methods of teaching Persian at the College of promoted by his own exemplary zeal for learn-
Arts at 'Ayn Shams University. The prepara- ing. Animated by a spirit of self-sacrifice for the
tion of a children's encyclopedia appealed to Faith he suffered discrimina tion in terms of
him in his dual role of father and educator. position, salary and promotion, and ultimately
Dr. 'Azzavl encountered the Baha'i Faith was incarcerated for his beliefs. His Egyptian
while living in ' Iraq when he approached Miss roots made it imperative for him to remain in
Bahia (Baha'iyyih) Faraju'Uah, a fellow his native land rather than to seek an easier and
teacher of Iranian background, to enquire more luxurious life in countries of greater freewhether she would teach him Persian. His dom and prosperity. One midnight, in 1965,
interest was immediately aroused and the there came a knock at the door of his home.
comprehensive Baha'i library of the The police entered and seized every Baha'i
Faraju 'llah family was made available to him. book they could find, and Dr. 'Azzavl and
He read avidly and in time accepted the Faith. other Baha'is were cast into prison. The
Not long after, when the Faraju'llah family authorities interrogated him at odd hours to
departed for the Holy Land as pilgrims, Dr. break his rest and brought Islamic divines to
'Azzavl asked them to convey his love to the dispute with him, but their arguments were
Guardian and beg his prayers that he might one swept away like leaves in the autumn wind.
day be of service to the Cause . In response, Eventually he was freed. He started a pub-
Shoghi Effendi requested Dr. 'Azzavl to trans- lishing house which he hoped might develop
late into Arabic a selection of passages from into an important instrument of service of the
God Passes By, the Guardian's own incompa- new world order. He revised his translation of
rable history of the Faith. Dr. 'Azzavl set to God Passes By, remarking that his understandwork with great enthusiasm, postponing com- ing of the text had changed profoundly in the
pletion of his studies for his degree in order to course of his experience of twenty-five years as
devote full time to this task. He also translated a Baha'i.
a number of other works including the Persian In 1976, Dr. 'Azzavl accepted an invitation
Hidden Words of Bahti'u'llah , the talks of to lecture at the Baha'i Summer School in Iran
'Abdu'l-Baha in Europe, The Dispensation of where the friends derived great benefit from
Bahd'u'llah, The Promised Day is Come and his knowledge of the Qur'an and Baha'i literaother letters of the Guardian. Some time later ture. He visited the House of Baha'u'llah in
when Dr. 'Azzavf made a pilgrimage to the Tihran and the House where the Bab declared
Holy Land the beloved Guardian referred to His mission in Shiraz. This journey, so aboundhim as ' my excellent translator.' ing in confirmations, marked the culmination
After serving in 'Iraq for eight years, Dr. of a distinguished career of service to the Cause
'Azzavi returned to Cairo and about a year of Baha'u'llah. Notified of Dr. 'Azzavl's death
later married Miss I:Iuriyyah Jalal. Shortly on 14November1976, the Universal House of
thereafter he accepted a teaching post in the Justice cabled:
Sudan where he served as chairman of the
DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING MUHAMMAD AZZAVI
Spiritual Assembly of Khartoum and was help-
HIS DEDICATION CAUSE HIS STEADFASTNESS HIS
ful in obtaining official registration of the
SCHOLARLY WORK UNFORGETTABLE STOP FER-
Baha'i burial ground. He then returned to
VENTLY PRAYING SHRINES PROGRESS HIS SOUL
Egypt where he served on the National Spiritual
ABHA KINGDOM ASSURE HIS WIFE CHILDREN
Assembly of North East Africa, the Local
FRIENDS DEEP LOVING SYMPATHY.
Spiritual Assembly of Cairo and the National
Translation and Publication Committee until BAHIA FARAJU'LLAH GULICK

the dissolution of Baha'i institutions in Egypt
in 1960.
He was a man of commanding presence , with
IN MEMORIAM 427
'ABDU' L-I:IAMID EL KHEMfRi
1906-1976

Mr. ' Abdu ' l-f:Iamid el Khemirf was born in
Tunis during the year 1906, his family being
members of the Berber community. He was
raised in a strict Muslim community and his
childhood was similar to that of others of his
generation.
In 1921, when he was only fifteen ,
'Abdu'l-f:Iamid and his friend , Mul)ammad
Vahbf Kas ravi, encountered and accepted the
Baha'i Faith. One afternoon, on the main
boulevard of Tunis , the two youths noticed a
middle-aged gentleman of respectable and distinguished appearance whom they recognized
as being a Shaykh from the renowned Azhar
University of Cairo and, acting on an impulse,
the young men asked to speak to him . The
gentleman was Mul)yf'd-Dfn Sabrf Kurdi
Kanimeshkani who had accepted the Faith during the ea rly years of its establishment in
Egypt, a nd whom ' Abdu'l-Baha had singled
out to open Tunis to the Faith . The young men
were very impressed by the wisdom and kind-
'Abdu'l-ljamld el Khem{ri
ness of Shaykh Mul)yf'd-Dfn. They attended
regularly the meetings he held with inquirers
every evening and soon 'Abdu'l-f:Iarnid, with (the Medina) where he counselled and guided
his friend Kasravi, became the first Tunisian them as an older and more experienced
Baha'fs. brother would.
In 1928 'Abdu'l-f:Iarnid made a pilgrimage 'Abdu'l-l:farnid served on the Spiritual
to the Holy Land and was blessed by his meet- Assembly of Tunis from the time of its inceping with the beloved Guardian. The experience tion in the 1930s until his home area became an
of pilgrimage transformed him. He travelled to independent civil unit in 1970. In 1956 when
Egypt and Syria where he met with the believ- the beloved Guardian called for the formation
ers and had the joy of reunion with his boyhood of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of North
friend , Kasravf, who had settled in Syria. West Africa 'Abdu'l-l:farnid el Khernirf was
Upon returning to Tunis 'Abdu'l-l:lamfd elected to that body and remained a member
joined his efforts with those of Mustapha for four consecutive years. He visited many
Bouchoucha 1 (Mu~tafa Bushusha), a fellow Baha'i centres in Morocco in 1956 and, in later
Tunisian Baha'i, in propagating the Faith years, he attended Baha'i summer schools in
among their countrymen . 'Abdu'l-l:larnid's France and Switzerland to bring back to the
shop at 175 rue de la Kasbah became a land- Tunisian Baha'is the spirit and news of the
mark for visiting Baha'fs. Evening after even- friends in Europe.
ing, 'Abdu'l-l:larnid would visit Mr. The last two years of his life he devoted to
Bouchoucha's home for meetings with Baha'fs visiting the Baha'is and receiving them at his
and their friends. With the launching of the home. Increasingly, severe arthritis confined
Guardian's Ten Year Crusade in 1953 and the him to his bed and armchair. He sold his shop
arrival of pioneers in Tunisia, young Tunisians and contributed the entire proceeds to the
started to enter the Faith. They found comfort Fund. As he felt the end drawing near he disand inspiration through their visits to tributed amo ng the friends the Baha'i litera-
'Abdu'l-f:Iarnid's little shop in the old town ture, magazines, reviews and articles he had in
See 'In Memoriam', Th e Bahti'f World, vol. XV, p. 463 . his possession . Each time we visited him we
428 THE BAHA'f WORLD

were offered some literature or relics of the
Faith. Until the last moment of his earthly existence on 5 December 1976 the greeting
'Allah- u-Abha!', which he upheld for over
fifty-five years, was on his lips.
'The services of Mr. Khemiri will always be
remembered for he was not only among the
early believers in Tunisia, but served the Faith
for one-half a century in that land with faithfulness, devotion and dedication,' wrote the
Universal House of Justice on 9 January 1977
in memory of that dear believer.
R. MUSTAPHA

ELSE JORGENSEN
1907-1977

GRIEVED NEWS PASSING ELSE JORGENSEN
DEVOTED MAIDSERVANT BAHAULLAH STOP SUP-
PLICATING SACRED THRESHOLD PROGRESS HER
SOUL ALL WORLDS GOD. Else Jorg ensen
Universal House of Justice

Else JOrgensen was born in Trondheim, Nor- a time when the utmost wisdom and discretion
way on 28 December 1907. She was working as were necessary and the risk of imprisonment
a hairdresser in Guayaquil, Ecuador in Febru- was considerable. She introduced the teachings
ary 1945 when she first heard about the Baha'i by giving language lessons and with admirable
Faith from Virginia Orbison , a resident foresight organized, in collaboration with the
pioneer. The Spiritual Assembly of Guayaquil Spiritual Assembly of Barcelona, a committee
was to be formed at Ric.Ivan if one additional for the protection of the Faith. Significantly, a
adult believer could be found. Virginia few years later, she was appointed to the Auxarranged an appointment for April 17th iliary Board for the protection of the Faith in
ostensibly to have Else give her a permanent Latin America. Throughout the time she spent
wave, and Else accepted the Faith before the in Spain Else had no holidays, no visits to her
end of the day. On April 20th the Spiritual family and not one moment of rest.
Assembly was formed with Else as a member. In July 1953 Else returned to Norway and
By 1948 Else had returned to Norway and at married Roberto Cazcarra. At the Interconti-
Ric.Ivan became a member of the first Spiritual nental Teaching Conference held in Stockholm
Assembly of Oslo. With a view to pioneering in that month the couple offered themselves as
Spain Else, who was already fluent in Spanish, pioneers to Spitzbergen but were not able to
took secretarial training, and in November meet the requirements governing residence in
1949 she settled in Madrid where she assisted those islands. Accompanied by Mildred Clark'
in consolidating the efforts of the Spiritual who in August of that year had become the
Assembly. In April of the next year she moved Knight of Baha'u'llah for the Lofoten Islands,
to Barcelona to assist that struggling young Else travelled by ship to Spitzbergen to investicommunity. With her aid the Spiritual Assem- gate the possibility of settling there but this and
bly grew in strength and other Local Assemb- all subsequent efforts failed.
lies were established in nearby areas in addi- At the request of the European Teaching
tion to groups being formed and new localities Committee she remained as a pioneer in Oslo
opened. Words cannot describe the meritori- until November 1954 when she was asked to
ous work done by Else for the Cause in Spain at ' See ' In Memoriam ', The Baha'( World, vol. XIV, p. 303.
IN MEMORIAM 429
assist with the teaching and consolidation work Else was the first pioneer from Norway and
in Portugal where she laboured intensively for her saintly life won the respect of the friends
the strengthening of the community and the who met her. She was an example of patience
opening of new centres. Her efforts met with and endurance, living frugally, sharing whatsuccess despite her inability to obtain a perma- ever she had with those who were in need. At
nent residence visa and the mischievous the time of her passing a devoted friend wrote
activities of a few disaffected Baha'is who in tribute to her services, 'Else embodied the
attempted to undermine all that she did, high standards of the Norwegian people and in
threatened to denounce her to the authorities, particular the quality of dignity. Present and
and continually harassed her and menaced her. future Baha'i friends in your country should be
With the approval of Shoghi Effendi she left proud of having a Norwegian in the galaxy of
Portugal in October 1956 to join her husband heroes and heroines of the Faith of Baha'u'-
who was under contract to a Swiss firm in llah.'
Uruguay and within two weeks of arriving in The mortal remains of this beloved friend
Montevideo, and despite the intended private were laid to rest beside those of the Knight of
nature of her visit, Else was elected to the Baha'u'llah Loyce Lawrence 1 in Trondheim's
Spiritual Assembly and later was asked to Tilfredshet cemetery.
serve on the National Teaching Committee of GERO STRAND
the Regional National Spiritual Assembly of
South America. At Ric;lvan 1957 she and her
husband were elected to the National Spiritual
Assembly of Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia . At the request of that institu- MARION LORD MAXWELL
tion Else undertook a five-month tour of the 1889-1977
five countries, visiting each Local Spiritual
Assembly, giving public addresses, obtaining Marion Lord Maxwell was the first Jamaican to
radio and press interviews. She returned to embrace the Baha'i Faith in Jamaica. Her
Uruguay to find awaiting her a letter announc- acceptance of the Faith, in October 1942,
ing her appointment to the Auxiliary Board for resulted from the teaching efforts of Dr. Malthe protection of the Faith and a pressing colm King 2 who pioneered there in the First
request to meet with the National Assembly Seven Year Plan. Miss Maxwell was elected as
for consultation. She had not even unpacked a member of the first Spiritual Assembly of
her bags. Thus began a lengthy series of travels Kingston at Ric;lvan 1943 and became its first
throughout which she did not fail to maintain treasurer. Thereafter, she served the Cause
an extensive correspondence frequently faithfully, remaining steadfast in the Covenaveraging eighteen letters a day. ant to her last breath.
Exhausted and ill, Else returned to Bar- Born on 26 January 1889 in the capital,
celona in June 1962 and the following year Kingston, Marion was the youngest of six chilsettled again in Norway. Although her last dren. She used her boundless energy in teachyears were blighted by an incurable illness she ing Sunday school classes and in active service
participated to the extent she could in Baha'i to the Y.W.C .A. and the Shamrock Social
community life until her soul was released from Organization. In 1907 she joined the General
its physical prison, in Trondheim, on 27 Janu- Post Office staff as a money order clerk and in
ary 1977. this capacity served her community for forty-
'With the deepest sorrow I received the sad two years, gaining the respect of both her felnews of the passing of our dear Else Jorgen- low workers and the public. She retired in
sen,' wrote the Hand of the Cause Dr. 'Ali- 1949.
Mu~ammad Varqa to the National Spiritual Marion was known as 'Miss Mac' to her close
Assembly of Norway. 'She was a wonderful acquaintances and was a mainstay to her family
soul, dedicating her life to the service of the on all occasions, whether happy or sad. In 1929
Faith of God. I pray from the bottom of my she became the guardian of her sister's three
heart for the progress of her brilliant soul in the 1
See 'In Memoriam', The Baha'i World, vol. XV, p. 446 .
Abha Kingdom .. .' 2
See 'In Memoriam', The Bahli'( World, vol. XIV, p. 316.
430 THE BAHA'f WORLD

EDMUND MIESSLER
1902-1977

'He is in my heart.' These were the tearful,
half-whispered words of one who knew
Edmund Miessler well, when informed of his
passing. Others, in tribute to his memory, dedicated a month of sacrificial teaching. Two who
had been separated from Baha'i activity,
remembering his influence upon their lives,
pledged renewal of service to the Cause of
Baha'u'llah. And in a flood of telegrams, letters and personal messages the sentiment was
expressed: he was so dedicated , so loving and
understanding, and so very humble .
Edmund Miessler was born in Chicago on 13
March 1902 and was reared in a very strict,
religious-minded family of Lutherans, his
father being a pastor and his mother the daughter of Lutheran missionaries. His first wife,
Elma, came from a similar background. The
couple keenly desired spiritual knowledge and
Marion Lord Maxwell made an intensive study of the Bible. While
living in Lima, Ohio the home community of
Dorothy Baker, 1 they learned of the Baha'i
children; and to her two nephews and nieces,
Faith from her and after a year's study became
whose parents were in Costa Rica, she became
confirmed and devoted Baha'is. Almost
more than an 'Aunt'.
immediately, they were publicly excommuni-
A Jehovah's Witness before accepting the
cated from their church as incorrigible sinners .
Baha'i Faith, Marion never forced her belief on
They became active members of the Lima
any member of her family nor on her friends,
Baha'i community and with their three chilbut quietly attended meetings and participated
dren, Bob, Margot and Carol, held fireside
in Baha'i community life . She was recognized
meetings. Elma's death in the eleventh year of
as a dependable and giving person and it was
her marriage left the young father and the
through the example of her life that she was
three children in difficult circumstances.
known as a Baha'i. In her later years, although
Three years later Edmund married Muriel
handicapped by deafness, she was at the centre
Auble who also became a fervent Baha'i. The
of every happy gathering, regaling the guests
family had moved to their first pioneering post
with stories from her storehouse of memory,
in Columbus Grove, not far from Lima, and
often clapping her hands in spontaneous joy. In
there they continued with their local Baha'i
the nursing home where she spent her last
work in addition to serving on the Louhelen
three years, Marion was ever mindful of her
(Davison) Baha'i Summer School Committee
fellow patients to whom she offered assistance
and the Regional Teaching Committee of
and comfort. She eagerly received her Baha'i
Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
visitors, often exclaiming, 'I am so happy to be a
Following the death of Carol in 1945 the
Baha'i!' Baha'u'llah's name was frequently on
family realized their long-held dream of
her lips. She passed away peacefully in her
pioneering abroad . With Carol as the family's
sleep, having lived a full eighty-seven years.
'guardian angel', as it were, and in close consul-
On 27January1977, the Universal House of
tation with their intimate friend, Mrs. Dorothy
Justice cabled:
Baker, who was then chairman of the National
SADDENED PASSING MARION MAXWELL CONVEY
Appointed a Hand of the Cause by Shoghi Effendi on 24
FRIENDS RELATIVES ASSURANCES PRAYERS December 1951. See 'In Memoriam', The Bahti'{ World,
SHRINES PROGRESS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. vol. XII, p. 670 .
IN MEMORIAM 431
ing as his responsibility, at first, several countries of South America and, at the time of his
passing, a large region comprising several
states of Brazil as well as the Falkland Islands.
Edmund loved his work for the Faith and
was devoted to his many Baha'i friends. He
tried to visit each community in his territory at
least once a year and more accessible areas
oftener, and he carried on a voluminous correspondence, advising, inspiring, praising,
admonishing-always quoting suitable passages from the Writings. Copies of his letters
written during the period of his service on the
Auxiliary Board fill five large file drawers. He
did not teach from his own viewpoint but
rather with words from the Writings which he
recorded in a small notebook and carried with
him, available at the moment it was needed;
and to illustrate the points he wished to
emphasize he would recount telling stories.
In 1963, as a member of the National
Spiritual Assembly of Brazil, Edmund was a
delegate to the first International Baha'i Con-
Edmund Miessler
vention for the election of the Universal House
of Justice and he lavished upon this new
Spiritual Assembly of the United States and divinely-ordained institution the great Jove and
Canada, it was decided that they should settle loyalty he had felt for the beloved Guardian. A
in Sao Paulo, Brazil. When they arrived the similar devotion was expended upon the
following year following some months of pre- institutions of the Hands of the Cause and the
paration and a brief stay in Rio de Janeiro, their Continental Board of Counsellors, under both
hearts were rejoiced by the awaiting telegram of which he had worked. Love was the touchfrom the beloved Guardian in which he stated stone of Edmund's life. His heart was filled
that he was praying for them at the Holy with love for the Cause and for all humanity
Shrines that they might realize all their earnest and he was, in turn, much loved by the many
desires in the Path of Baha'u'llah. friends he led to the Faith and others who knew
In Sao Paulo they began to teach the Faith him. It is felt that the beautiful thoughts expresvigorously, assisted by two young new Baha'fs sed in the cablegram received from the Uniwho had accepted the Faith through a travel- versal House of Justice when advised of
ling teacher, and by a third who had accom- Edmund's passing on 7 February 1977 aptly
panied them from Rio de Janeiro. At Ric;lvan describe this noble soul:
194 7 the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Sao
DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING BELOVED DEVOTED
Paulo was formed. The community grew in size
SERVANT BAHAULLAH EDMUND MIESSLER
and in time became one of the strongest and
WHOSE DISTINGUISHED DEDICATED SERVICES
most active in South America.
SOUTH AMERICA SPANNING PERIOD THIRTY
Edmund served constantly as a member of
YEARS SET NOBLE EXAMPLE FOLLOWERS BLESS-
the institutions of the growing administrative
ED BEAUTY STOP CONVEY FAMILY OUR LOVING
order. He was elected to the first regional
CONDOLENCES AND ASSURE FERVENT PRAYERS
National Spiritual Assembly of South America
DIVINE THRESHOLD PROGRESS HIS SOUL.
and to those assemblies which succeeded it
MURIEL MIESSLER
including, finally, Brazil which formed its own
National Spiritual Assembly in 1961. In addition, he was appointed a member of the Auxiliary Board for the protection of the Faith hav-
432 THE BAHA'I WORLD

ANT6NIO FRANCISCO EBO
?-1977

Antonio Francisco Ebo, the first Angolan
Baha'i, was born near Malange some sixty
years ago and was a member of the KiMbundu
tribe which inhabit the area around the capital ,
Luanda, and the territory stretching beyond
Malange in the east. Angola was a Portuguese
colony so he grew up speaking both his native
language and Portuguese. Not much is known
of Mr. Ebo's life as a child and young man but it
is known that as an adult he moved to Luanda
in order to find a better economic climate for
his family. He was head of a large 'extended'
family which, in African tradition, embracesin addition to brothers and sisters- cousins,
nieces, nephews and other kin.
In January 1956 Mr. Ebo who was a member
of the Evangelical Church in Luanda heard
Rodolfo Duna, a Baha'i from Moc;;ambique,
speak to the congregation about the Baha'i
principles at the invitation of the minister. Ant6nio Francisco Ebo
Intrigued, Mr. Ebo and his nephew, Jose
Avelino, followed Mr. Duna to the place where
he was staying and requested to hear more assistance of Mr. Duna and his wife, Angelica,
about this new message. It was there that Mr. the first Spiritual Assembly of Luanda was
Ebo heard for the first time the name of formed and shortly afterward a pioneer couple
Baha'u'llah. Night after night he returned to arrived from Portugal to help in consolidating
hear more, each time becoming increasingly con- the knowledge of the new believers. Mr. Ebo
vinced that this was indeed a message from and Mr. Duna joined Sampaia in his teaching
God, one that he wished to share with his efforts in Malange where a great receptivity to
remarkable uncle, Sampaia, whose spiritual the Faith developed. At Ric;lvan 1957, with Mr.
quest had strongly influenced Mr. Ebo's Eba's assistance, the first Spiritual Assembly
nature. Sampaia, who was considered a mystic was formed there. Mr. Ebo was appointed to
and spiritual guide to his friends and family and the teaching committee and yearned to pioneer
whose wisdom, love and counsel won him great to the south to establish the Faith in Nova
respect, had refused to affiliate with a formal Lisboa. In 1961, before these plans could get
system of belief, having declared that when under way , Angola was swept up in a maeltruth appeared he would recognize it. To this strom of political unrest and although the Baha'is
uncle Mr. Ebo wrote a brief explanation of the had followed strictly Baha'u'llah's teaching
Revelation of Baha'u'llah. In his reply, Sam- about non-participation in all subversive and
paia asked three simple questions about the political movements, they too fell victims of the
origin of the Faith, the location of its World suspicion and chaos that engulfed the country.
Centre and the central teaching of its Founder. Incited by the clergy who had joined forces in
Upon being informed that the mission of accusing the Baha'is of subversive activity the
Baha'u'llah is the unification of all mankind police obtained a decree outlawing the Faith
Sampaia wrote: 'This is the Faith that I have and began seizing and interrogating the
been waiting for!' Baha'is. The pioneers were expelled, leaving the
Mr. Ebo, radiantly happy over the accep- young community on its own. The police came
tance of the Faith by Sampaia, began vigorous to Sampaio's home in the dead of night,
teaching activities and enrolled most of his arrested him, threatened his wife never to have
family in the Faith. At Ric;lvan 1956, with the any meetings again nor even permit anyone to
IN MEMORIAM 433
stay at her house, and took Sampaio away to an refuge and comfort. The last pioneer left in
unknown destination. He was never seen October 1975 without being able to say goodagain. bye to the Angolan friends because communi-
In October 1963 Mr. Ebo was arrested, his cation, even within Luanda, had become
home searched, and he was imprisoned with almost impossible.
three other Baha'ls from Luanda. When speak- Mr. Ebo continued to correspond with
ing of that period at a later time Mr. Ebo would friends outside Angola, speaking of the teachsmile sadly and say, 'We were not treated very ing efforts, the holding of Nineteen Day Feasts,
well,' but he uttered not a further word of the efforts to establish a Baha'i Centre and to
complaint. Eventually Mr. Ebo and the other seek from the government official recognition
prisoners were transferred to the prison island of the Faith. In one of his last letters he wrote
of Baia dos Tigres off the coast of southern that he was still firm in his conviction to spread
Angola where they rejoiced at meeting, among the teachings and that his goal was to enrol five
their fellow prisoners, six Baha'ls from hundred believers so that recognition could be
Malange. During the six years they remained granted to the Baha'ls.
there they would gather together to pray, to Mr. Ebo departed from this earthly life on 1 7
discuss what they could remember of the April 1977 following a brief illness. His spirit
Baha'i teachings and to sing and compose new and strong faith have influenced the other
songs in praise of Baha'u'llah. While in prison Baha'ls in their efforts to carry on his work and
Mr. Ebo grew in faith and dedication. He no to live the Baha'i life. They reported that Mr.
longer needed to look to Sampaio for strength Ebo was given a beautiful Baha'i funeral in
but drew on his own spiritual powers. The accordance with the Writings and that they are
other Baha'i prisoners looked to him as their hopeful of eventually obtaining official recog-
'father'; he remained optimistic and assured nition for the community.
them that one day they would be free and Upon hearing of his passing the Universal
pioneers would come and help them spread the House of Justice wrote on 7 June 1977, express-
Faith. ing the hope that his life might prove to be an
Indeed, pioneers had arrived in the interval inspiration to the friends in Angola.
and were brought into contact with the African From the Abha Kingdom, Mr. Ebo's radiant
believers after Mr. Ebo's release from prison. spirit will support the supplications of his fel-
It was a radiant and tearful reunion. A new low believers in his native land that the healing
period began in the history of the Faith in message of Baha'u'llah may be carried to every
Angola during which Mr. Ebo emerged as the city and village of Angola and that the call of
'father' of the community. He served on the 'Ya Baha'u'l-Abha' may be heard in all its
re-formed Spiritual Assembly of Luanda and regions.
was a member of the National Teaching Com- MARVEL GRAY
mittee. It was Mr. Ebo who was ever ready to
take a teaching trip to nearby villages, who
encouraged and stimulated the other believers,
who composed a number of songs with Baha'i RUJ:I'U'LLAH TA YMURI-MUQADAM
themes, who was at the centre of all joyous Martyr of Fac;lil Abad
meetings and spiritual gatherings. He revived 1940-1977
the Malange community, giving strength and
hope to the believers there, and again laid If these companions be not the true strivers after
plans to pioneer to Nova Lisboa. God, who else could be called by this name?
Another crisis struck the Angolan commu- Baha'u'llah
nity with the outbreak of the tragic civil war in
1974. As the situation worsened the pioneers RuJ:i'u'llah Taymurf-Muqadam was born on 18
were required to leave and soon the Angolan August 1940 in the village of Asyaban, near
believers were again left alone. Their love for Bfrjand, in the province of Khurasan, fran, a
the pioneers was so great that they offered to member of a devoted Baha'i family who had
adopt them into their families in order that responded to the call of Baha'u'llah in its early
they might remain, and offered them food, stages. The trials and difficulties which beset
434 THE BAHA'f WORLD

Three years later he and his uncl e pio neered to
Fac;lil Abad in the province of G urgan. When
his uncle left the area in 1962, Rul)'u' ll ah
remained alone in his pioneering post and
faced many difficulties. He served the Cause
there for twe nt y-one years and was a member
of the Local Spiritual Assemb ly, frequently
acting as treasurer. He was married and had
two children. He gained the love and respect of
people aro und him and was known for his honesty, integrity and trustworthiness.
On the eve ning of Saturday, 14 May 1977 ,
so me members of a fa natical e lement in the
a rea who, aroused by jealousy and enmity, had
been plotting against the Baha'fs, scaled a wall
and e ntered the home of Rul)'u'llah
Taym urf- Muqada m. Paying no heed to the
tearful pleas of his mother they struck and
injured her. When hi s sister, Parvin, came for -
wa rd holding in her upraised hand a copy of the
holy Qur'a n a nd bidding them to leave in
peace , without respect even for their own sa-
Rufl 'u'llah Taymuri-Muqadam cred book, they struck her on the head with an
axe, threw her half dead to the grou nd and
rushed towards Rul)'u'llah cleaving his head
his grandfathers on both sides of the fami ly, with savage blows of the hatchet. Soon his sou l
and which they bore with admirable steadfast- took its flight to the eterna l realm. At the age of
ness, foreshadowed the persecutions that befell thirty-seven he beca me yet a nother martyr of
subsequent ge nerations in their service to the the Cause of Baha'u'llah in the la nd of its birth.
Cause, culminating in the martyrdom of His sister, although serio usly wo unded, even-
Rul)'u'llah at the ha nds of misguided assassins. tually recovered and later made her pilgrimage
It is ironic that Rul)'u' llah's maternal gra nd- to the Holy Land.
fath!'!r was the recipientofa Tablet from Baha' u' - The fam ily of Rul) ' u'll ah Taymurfllah in which the Blessed Beauty stated, in Muqadam were hono ured by receiving the foleffect, that He addressed the populace in the lowing cable from the Universal House of Juslanguage of the people in order that all might tice sent to them on 16 May 1977:
comprehend the purpose of their creation a nd
SADDENED TRAGIC NEWS EXPRESS OUR SYM -
be admonished by recalling the afflictions
PATHY FAMILY RUHULLAH TAYMURI ASSURE
which befell the loved ones of God in times
RELAT IV ES FRIENDS ARDENT PRAYERS SHRINE
past at the hands of those who were preve nted
BESEECHING PROGRESS SOUL STOP PR AY IN G
by their idle fancies and vai n im aginings from
BEHALF TAYMURI'S SISTER AWAITING NEWS.
recognizing the Promised One.
As a three year old child , Rul)'u'llah shared, (Translated and adapted from various
in the path of God, the calamities which befell reports by Gloria Momen)
his family when the Baha' is of Asyaban were
persecuted , abused, injured and their be longings plundered . Their very houses were pulled
down and their trees uprooted. Following this
upheaval , Rul)' u'llah's father was imprisoned DOROTHYKEDIBONESENNE
in Bfrjand. 1931-1977
In 1953, after completing his studies as a
junior, Rul)'u'llah went to live with his uncle in She stood in the doorway of the small school in
Mashhad where he continued his education. Alexandra, Johannesburg-a friendly, spark-
IN MEMORIAM 435

ling person . The three pioneers who were helping to teach handcrafts in the school paused to
say goodbye. 'Wait,' Dorothy said, 'I have a
question. There's something different about
you; what is it that you have?' Helen Miller
spoke for the other two, Doris Ballard and
Bahiyyih Ford. 'We're Baha'fs,' she said . That
was the beginning.
Dorothy was born in Alexandra Township in
February 1931, the fifth daughter in a family of six chi ldren. She was of the well-known
Sebolao family of Thaba'nchu in the Orange
Free State, the ancestral home of the Tswana
people. She attended Holy Cross Mission
School, Moroka High School, and Ohlange
College in Natal. She taught in several places
and in 1972 became principal of Mokoena
Community School. She had decided when she
was a child that she wanted to become a
teacher.
In 1953, Dorothy and Ephens Nti Senne
were married at Kgale in Phokeng, Rustenburg, Transvaal. On the wedding day, Ephens Dorothy Kedibone Senne
introduced her to a guest as 'one of my best
friends.' This was a touching and significant
compliment and Dorothy remembered it all the days of the Bab, that captured hearts,' but
her life. Four daughters and a son were born to ham and potato salad!
the Sennes. On the journey back to Johannesburg, Mr.
Dorothy became interested in the Baha'i Masehla joined Dorothy in asking questions
Faith from the time she asked her first ques- about the Faith. The little car sped along carrytion. Early in her study, she spoke of her hus- ing two souls who were to become the earliest
band living at Rustenburg, wishing that she pillars of the Faith in Southern Africa.
could share with him what she was learning. Dorothy became a Baha'i in January 1955 ,
The pioneers delightedly arranged to take the first African woman in South Africa to
Dorothy to Rusten burg. Arriving at Dorothy's embrace its truth. She began at once to teach
home early in the morning, the pioneers were the Faith and many hearts were attracted. She
introduced to a fine-looking man, Dorothy's was deeply sincere, clear-thinking and honest
brother-in-law, William Masehla (now a in her approach to life and desired to build her
member of the Continental Board of Counsel- life on truth. When she found the answer to her
lors in the Southern African zone) who was to seeking, her enthusiasm knew no bounds. Her
chaperon her because she was venturing out gay, outgoing spirit drew people to her; she
alone with strangers. taught with conviction and love. Dorothy had a
It was a happy day with singing and laughter superlative capacity to adjust herself to people
on the way. The pioneers met Mr. Senne and of all walks of life; she was comfortable and
other members of his family. At noon the happy with those who could not read and write
picnic basket was unpacked and typical Ameri- as well as with the educated. The Faith grew.
can picnic fare was spread out-cold ham, Baha'i communities in and around Rustenburg
potato salad and apple pie. The pioneers did were born. In addition, through her efforts and
not realize that such food was strange to their those of Bula Stewart who had settled in Preguests but the unfailing courtesy of the African toria as a pioneer, more than forty-five people
people prevailed and the lunch seemed to be embraced the Faith.
eaten with relish. Ever since, the Sennes have 1
See E.G. Browne, A Traveller's Narrative, (Introduction)
said that in South Africa it was not tea, like in p. 38 .
436 THE BAHA ' I WORLD

As the years passed, Dorothy's favourite
study became the Covenant. Her last talk , at
the national teaching conference in 1976, dealt
with this subject which is at the heart of commitment to the Cause of Baha' u'llah. She passed from this life on 8 June 1977. Her funeral
was as she wou ld have wanted it to be , a means
of teaching the Faith. Over one thousand people, including many non-Baha'fs, gathered to
pay tribute to one who had been a source of
happiness, spiritual rebirth and love. Voices
were raised on all sides: 'Our mother has left
us.' Her husband, now a member of the Auxiliary Board, movingly paid tribute: ' Up to the
time of her death, Dorothy remained loyal ,
devoted, dedicated, God-loving and Godfearing in rendering service to the divine Cause
of God.'
The following cable dated 9 June 1977 was
received from the Universal House of Justice:
GRIEVED PASSING DOROTHY SENNE FIRST AFRI-
CAN WOMAN BELIEVER SOUTH AFRI CA STOP
KINDLY EXTEND OUR WARMEST SYMPATHY HER Wilma Thomas
FAMILY AND FRIENDS STOP PRAYING HOLY
SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
tionship with her mother who was an outstand-
'Abdu'l-Baha, in the Divine Plan Tablets, 1 ing elementary school teacher. Wilma spent
has written: It is said that in South Africa, a her childhood and youth in a small town in
diamond mine is discovered. Although the mine Michigan, U.S.A. and later lived in Upslandia
is most valuable, yet after all it is stone. Per- and Detroit. She attended Wayne State Unichance, God willing, the mine of humanity may versity, but her studies were interrupted by her
be discovered and the brilliant pearls of th e first marriage. Her two sons , Tom and Robert
Kingdom be found. Ridley, were born prior to her return to university from which she graduated in sociology. She
began her spiritual search early and made a
study of different religions. While taking a university course in comparative religions she
WILMA THOMAS encountered and embraced the Baha'i Faith.
1913- 1977 Later she married Irving Thomas.
Wilma served the Faith as a pioneer in
Baha'u'llah has written: 0 Son ofthe Supreme! Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela, thus
I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. furthering the Divine Plan during the Ten Year
Wherefore dost thou grieve? 2 Wilma Thomas Crusade from 1955 to 1963 , the Nine Year
believed in these words. She was in this life- Plan from 1969 to 1972, and the present Five
and how much more so in the realms of light!- Year Plan , until her passing on 10 June 1977.
a happy and noble being, sincere in her faith, Before the establishment of the National
radiant and content, spiritually consecrated, Spiritual Assembly of Colombia in 1961 ,
and dedicated to serving others . Wilma was the secretary of the National Teach-
She was born on 3 June 1913, and was an ing Committee which had the responsibility for
only child. Her father died when she was a winning the goals and preparing that national
young girl and she enjoyed a very close rela- community for its election. She was a member
1 Tablet dated 11 April 1916. of that first National Assembly in 1961 and
2 The Hidden Words of Bahti'u'lltih (Arabic) No. 32. attended the first international convention in
IN MEMORIAM 437

Haifa, Israel in 1963 to elect the Universal
House of Justice.
When Wilma came to Venezuela in June
1969 she spent her first months in Cabimas,
later transferring to Barquisimeto where she
taught English at the University of Lara and
came to be loved not only by the Baha'is but by
the university faculty and students. In 1973 she
was appointed a member of the Auxiliary
Board for propagation of the Faith in Venezuela and in 1976 was appointed to the protection board, a service for which she was especially well qualified for she was perceptive,
spiritually radiant and compassionate. She was
exemplary in her firmness in the Covenant, and
outstanding in her loyalty to Baha'u'llah and
His institutions.
Toward the end of her life Wilma suffered
from a heart condition and although she was
aware that she might not live much longer she
declined to return to the United States for
surgery because the cardiologist had made it
clear that she might not be able to return to Maria T. Irizarry
Venezuela after the operation. Death found
her at her pioneer post, faithful and active to married Martin Lopez and moved to Santo
the end. The International Teaching Centre Domingo, Dominican Republic, where she
wrote on 12 July 1977: 'It is a blessing that her accepted the Baha'i Faith as a result of the
dedicated work in the Cause of Baha'u'llah teaching efforts of the German believer, Marcontinued to the very end of her earthly life. ' garet Lentz, 1 in the opening phase of the first
Tribute was also paid by the Universal House Seven Year Plan (1937 - 1944) under which
of Justice in its cable of 13 June: the Teachings of Baha'u'llah were to be carried
to 'every state within American Republic and
GRIEVED LEARN PASSING DEVOTED DEDICATED
every Republic in American continent.' 2 Thus
MAIDSERVANT BAHAULLAH WILMA THOMAS
Dona Tete became the first person to accept
MEMBER AUXILIARY BOARD PIONEER SOUTH
the Faith in the Dominican Republic as well as
AMERICAN NINE YEAR PLAN STOP ARDENT
the first native born Puerto Rican believer.
PRAYERS PROGRESS HER SOUL OFFERED AT SAC-
She returned to Puerto Rico in the early
RED THRESHOLD STOP CONVEY LOVING SYM -
1940s and was the only Baha'i on the island for
PATHY HER FAMILY.
a time . Shortly thereafter some pioneers
DONALD R. WITZEL
, arrived from the United States. In approxi-
DOROTHY WHALEN
mately 1947, Dr. Edris Rice-Wray, an American pioneer, settled in Puerto Rico and lived in
the home of Dona Tete. Regular meetings
were held in her home during this period and a
MARIA T. IRIZARRY number of the earliest Puerto Rican believers
1903-1977 accepted the message of Baha'u'llah as a result
of those gatherings.
On 27 July 1977 the Baha'i community of Being extremely timid by nature, Dona Tete
Puerto Rico was saddened by the loss of its first left her home but infrequently. However, she
and much loved Baha'i, Dona Marfa T. (Tete)
Irizarry. Dona Tete was born Marfa Teressa See 'In Memoriam', The Baha'i World, vol. XIV, p. 354;
'The Seven Year Plan', The Bahti'f World, vol. IX, p. 192.
Martin Quinones in San German, Puerto Rico, 2
Shoghi Effendi, message to United States convention,
on 9 September 1903. At a young age she 1936, The Baha'i World, vol. IX , p. 187.
438 THE BAHA'f WORLD

served the Faith well not only by teaching it to
all those with whom she came in contact but as
a member of the Spiritual Assembly of the
Baha'ls of San Juan for many years, by serving
on several committees and through opening
her home for countless meetings. All who
knew her speak of the atmosphere of peace and
ease she created. She was the personification of
tolerance and patience and literally could not
bear the thought of hurting another person.
She always spoke in a kindly and positive way.
When asked whether she did not get lonely she
would respond, 'No, 'Abdu'l-Baha is always
with me.' One would always be treated to a
meal in her home since it was her charming
custom to prepare a portion for' Abdu'l-Baha'
which would be shared with unexpected visitors.
Dona Tete was married a second time, to
Mr. Jose C. Irizarry. She is survived by her only
child, an adopted daughter, Sara Maria
Irizarry.
Informed of her passing, the Universal Aflmad Yazdani
House of Justice cabled on 1August1977:
DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING DEVOTED BELIEVER
Fatimih. Following the customary trend,
MARIA IRIZARRY FIRST PUERTO RICAN BAHAI
AJ:imad Yazdani learned to read and write and
STOP ASSURE FRIENDS RELATIVES PRAYERS HOLY
gained a knowledge of the Qur'an. He studied
SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
at the newly-established schools for elementary and secondary education and following
that enrolled in an engineering course conducted by French tutors.
Hearing of the Baha'i Faith from a pedlar in
AI:IMAD Y AZDANf Nl§.hapur, AJ:imad Yazdani sought further
(Mf RZA AI:IMAD KHAN Y AZDANf information from the Hand of the Cause Ibn-
KASRAWf) i-Abhar and from the renowned teacher,
1891-1977 Akhavan -i '~ - Safa. After eight months of
intense investigation and study of the Baha'i
GRIEVED PASSING AHMAD YAZDANI HIS MANY Holy Writings he accepted the Faith at the age
YEARS SERVICE CAUSE CLOSING PHASE HEROIC of twenty-two. From then until his death on 5
AGE HIS DEVOTED UNREMITTING LABOURS BOTH July 1977, his thoughts and actions were con-
TEACHING ADMlNISTRATIVE SPHERES BAHAI stantly channelled in the path of service to the
ACTIVITIES HIS ERUDITION AND ASSIDUOUS Faith. He served with distinction on the Local
SCHOLARLY WORK WILL ALWAYS BE REMEM- Spiritual Assembly ofTihran in the early years.
BERED BY FRIENDS CRADLE FAITH STOP ASSURE When he was twenty-three years of age,
SYMPATHY BEREAVED FAMILY FERVENT PRAYERS AJ:imad Yazdani married MiftaJ:iu'l-Malakut
PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. MiftaJ:i, a member of an aristocratic fami ly. His
Universal House of Justice wife was a Muslim but some years later she,
too, embraced the Cause. The letters she
AJ:imad Yazdani was born in Tihran on 24 received from the Guardian attest the zeal with
April 1891 into a devout Muslim family. His which she served the Faith. Mr. and Mrs. Yazfather, Mirza I:Iasan Khan Mu'ln-Dlvan, was dani had three daughters and two sons.
Auditor-in-Chief during a period of the In 1915 a group of people in Holland,
Qajatiyyih era. His mother's name was exploring paths to peace, constituted them-
IN MEMORIAM 439

selves into a body known as the Central Organ- fastness of their faith in their recent trials and
ization for a Durable Peace with its Executive sufferings.
Committee based in the Hague. Their constitu- When he retired from government service in
tion was published by the press the world over. 1949, A9mad Yazdani was able to realize his
A9mad Yazdani, in consultation with two long-cherished desire of devoting all his time
other Baha'is, prepared in French a paper and energy to the Faith. He engaged in teachembodying the Baha'i principles and sent it to ing activities, assumed various responsibilities
that organization with the suggestion that their as an educator of the youth and children, was
search for ways to a permanent peace would be frequently in demand as a speaker and, in addifacilita ted if they sought guidance on the sub- tion to his Baha'i activities, was active in the
ject from 'Abdu' l-Baha. The organization promotion and spread of Esperanto. He travelresponded by submitting through A9mad led for the Faith over a wide area of Iran and in
Yazdani a letter to the Master. The letter, 1950, with the permission of Shoghi Effendi,
however, did not reach 'Abdu'l-Baha until he accepted the invitation of the National
after World War I was over. In 1919 the Mas- Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of India and
ter summoned the Hand of the Cause Ibn-i- Pakistan to visit those countries where he spent
A~daq and A9mad Yazdani to the Holy Land eight months presenting the Faith at colleges
and delegated them to take a Tablet, 1 with its and other educational institutions.
English translation, to the organizers of the When A9mad Yazdani returned home, the
peace movement. Taking a boat from Egypt, Guardian asked him to go to Kuwait, Bahrain,
they arrived in Holland to learn that the origi- Qatar and Dubai and cheer the hearts of the
nal organization had disbanded on termina- pioneers with the latest news of the Faith and
tion of the war and a new one had taken its place. with a message of loving greetings and encour-
They met its president and secretary, presented agement from Shoghi Effendi and an expresthe Master's Tablet and took their reply back sion of his admiration of their services. From
to Him. 'Abdu'l-Baha sent them another Tab- there, A9mad Yazdani was sent on a similar
let which reached them duly. mission to 'Iraq and l:lijaz.
During his stay in Holland, A9mad Yazdani The next task entrusted to him by the
established contact with the Esperantists as he beloved Guardian took him to Turkey. Apart
knew their language well and was a member of from visiting the friends, establishing Baha'i
their branch in Tihran. He attended their meet- study classes, teaching the Faith and stimulatings in Holland and gave stirring talks on the ing public interest in it through press articles,
Faith. Having completed his assignment, he he assisted in the formation of three Local
returned to the Holy Land whence, after a Spiritual Assemblies in Turkey before returnmonth and a half, he returned home by way of ing to Iran. The Guardian called on him next to
Turkey. go to Afghanistan, where he stayed for some
In Iran A9mad Yazdani secured employ- time.
ment in government offices and discharged his In 1922, A9mad Yazdani was invited by the
duties with exemplary zeal and probity. He Persian National Spiritual Assembly, to edit
could not, however, curb his passion to teach the Baha'i News of Iran. This journal is curthe Faith and thus was openly identified as a rently published under the title Akhblir-i-
Baha'i. His indiscretion triggered off the hostil- Amri. He served as its editor-in-chief for
ity of enemies of the Faith who made allega- twelve years and wrote an article regularly in
tions against him which, though false , still every issue on the aims, objectives and princiresulted in his being imprisoned. Confined for ples of the Cause. He was associated with most
several months, but irrepressible as ever, he Baha'i publications in Persia and was one of
told his fellow-prisoners about the Faith. Even- the founders of, and a contributor to, the
tually his innocence was established and he was Taraniy-i-Umid, (Baha'i Women's Journal).
set free. Arriving home, he was overjoyed to He also contributed articles to Ahang-i-Badi'
receive a letter from the Guardian highly (Baha'i Youth Magazine) and the Year Book
commending him and his family on the stead- of the Iranian Baha'i youth.
' See Tablet to the Central Organization for a Durable Peace, In addition to his vast literary output the
the Hague; The Baha'i World , vol. XV, pp. 29-37. outstanding achievements of A9mad Yazdani
440 THE BAHA'I WORLD

include his invaluable work over the years on
the National Spiritual Assembly, the Local
·Spiritual Assembly ofTihran and the National
Teaching Committee; his great contribution to
the education and progress of women; his
review of Baha'i publications over a period of
no less than half a century and his prodigious
labours in collating and classifying extracts
from several thousand Tablets of Baha'u'llah
and' Abdu'l-Baha and of numberless letters of
the Guardian. His faithful service drew ma ny
gracious comments from the Universal House
of Justice . We conclude with a free translation
of an extract from one of the letters written to
him on its behalf:
'That precious friend is happy and privileged
to dedicate his time fully to the service of God's
Cause . He does so in a spirit of noble and
self-sacrificial endeavour, immersing himself in
the ocean of the Sacred Writings to discover
pearls of wisdom. That dear, spiritual brother
can rest assured that he is lovingly remembered
in our supplications at the Holy Shrines and
Elsa Maria Grossmann
that our prayers are offered at the Sacred
Thresholds for the descent of still greater blessings on his efforts.' his Samaritan service caught the disease himself
THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF and died. It was these influences perhaps which
THE BAHA'is OF IRAN prepared her for her acceptance of the Baha'i
(Translated by Rustom Sabit) Faith which she first encountered in 1919 or
1920.
Her brother, Hermann , 1 had spontaneously
embraced the Faith during a lecture given in
ELSA MARIA GROSSMANN Leipzig by an American Baha'i couple, Harlan
1896-1977 and Grace Ober,2 who were returning to the
Knight of Baha' u'llah United States after being on pilgrimage in the
Holy Land where they had visited 'Abdu'l-
Elsa Maria Grossmann was born into a Ger- Baha. Hermann returned to Hamburg and was
man family on 19July1896 in Rosario , Argen- met at the railway station by Elsa to whom he
tina. She and her brothers spent a happy child- related his deep conviction of the truth of the
hood there and throughout her entire life she Baha'i Faith. From this point onward, love for
loved her Argentine homeland. In 1909 her Baha'u'llah and His Message became the
family moved to Germany, settling first in centre of her life. She rendered many services
Hamburg and later in Neckargemiind. Elsa to the Faith in Hamburg; on her various travels
Maria's character was deeply moulded by the for the Cause; in the Baha'i International
warm, receptive and inquiring atmosphere of Bureau in Geneva; and as a Baha'i delegate to
her parental home, and by the world-oriented Esperanto Congresses, through which she
mentality of Argentina which knew no prej- gained the close friendship of Lydia
udice of race or religion. She was also strongly Zamenhof. During the 1920s an active corresinfluenced by her maternal grandmother, a pondence linked her to the Guardian of the
pious woman, and by her maternal grandfather
who, during the last epidemic of yellow fever in Appointed a Hand of the Cause in 1951; see ' In
Memoriam', Th e Baha'f World , vol. XV, p. 416.
Argentina, voluntarily committed himself to ' See 'In Memoriam ', The Baha'i World, vol. VIII, p. 656;
caring for indigent victims and in the course of vol. XIII, p. 866.
IN MEMORIAM 441
Faith whom the Grossmanns much admired. Let Elsa's spirit speak to those who would
On their pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1937, follow her example in these words from a
shortly before Himmler's ordinance outlawed report she wrote from the Frisian Islands, 1
the Baha'i Faith in the Third Reich, Elsa and described by Shoghi Effendi in his 1954 con-
Hermann and his wife, Anna, had the incom- vention message as 'wind-swept' and 'inhospitparable privilege of meeting Shoghi Effendi. able':
In the course of the difficulties caused by the 'It may happen to you that, being-perhaps
Gestapo in northern Baden , Elsa Maria was in autumn-quite alone on the solitary, endless
imprisoned for nine days in Heidelberg dunes and perceiving nothing but this primary
because of her Baha'i convictions. She was landscape with its infinite sky and sea, you
freed through the intervention of her brother suddenly feel that tremendous, almost
who made representations to the Gestapo annihilating loneliness as it might have been
headquarters in Karlsruhe. experienced by a first man in a first creation.
At the Stockholm conference in 1953 she The story of the opening of the Frisian Islands
responded to the call of Shoghi Effendi for to the Cause of God is, as yet experienced, not
pioneers to unopened areas in the Ten Year a very crimson-coloured one , when compared
Crusade. Elsa moved to Westerland, one of the with many others from more radiant pioneer
Frisian Islands, a service for which she was places. This was for a long time a heavy load on
named a Knight of Baha'u'llah. She held her us here, but only the fact that our beloved
lonely, storm-swept pioneering post for eleven Guardian was fully aware of the situation and
years until a serious illness forced her to return often transmitted to us his inspiration and lovto the mainland. She was highly talented: in ing comfort, lightened its weight .
addition to translating from English into Ger- 'We think of the little white lighthouses
man Gleanings from the Writings of Bahti'u'- everywhere on these islands, looking over the
lldh, as well as the compilation of Baha'i sea calmly and firmly , and fully indifferent to
prayers most widely used in Germany (and, in the storms and tempests around them, just
collaboration with her brother, The Proclama- showing the seeking sailor the right route. This
tion of Baha'u'llah and a new translation of exactly is our way: to be like lighthouses of His
Paris Talks), she painted and composed verse. Cause for whomsoever seeks His Path. And
She remained interested in scientific progress this finally, if God be willing, may lead to His
and world affairs to the end of her life. spiritual victory.'
With the years her inner harmony and
spiritual joy grew; she radiated these attributes
in her surroundings and profoundly affected LUISA MAPA GOMEZ
young people. She remained active to the end 1892-1977
and was happy to be able to teach the Faith to
four people at the nursing home, among them GRIEVED LEARN PASSING DEVOTED MAIDSER-
the Catholic priest of the home. On 6 August VANT LUISA MAPA GOMEZ STOP PRAYING
1977, near midday, her soul took its flight to SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
another world. The Universal House ofJustice Universal House of Justice.
paid tribute in these words:
DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING KNIGHT BAHAULLAH Luisa Mapa (Mrs. Jose Virto Gomez) was born
ELSA MARIA GROSSMANN STOP HIGH COMMEN- into a prominent family in Talisay, Occidental
DATION , EXPRESSED BY BELOVED GUARDIAN HER Negros, Philippines in 1892. She was gradu-
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TRANSLATION GLEAN- ated from the University of the Philippines
INGS AND ABOVE ALL HER SINGLE HEARTED (College of Education) and, adopting as her
DEVOTION HISTORIC WORK PIONEER FRISIAN motto 'Knowledge does not occupy space' she
ISLANDS ENSURE HER HIGH RANK GERMAN encouraged every youth she met to obtain an
BAHAI HISTORY AND PROVIDE SHINING EXAMPLE education. Her children were urged to study
SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS STOP KINDLY languages so they might communicate with
EXTEND LOVING SYMPATHY RELATIVES ASSUR- more people of the world. Her outlook was
ANCE ARDENT PRAYERS SACRED THRESHOLD truly universal and she had a great capacity for
PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. Bal11i'f News (U.S.A.), August 1958.
442 THE BAHA'i WORLD

centres in America and Europ.e; her acceptance of the Faith was confirmed. Although she
had lived , as it were, within the spirit of the
Baha'i teachings all her life , her search for a
religion with which to identify had now ended.
After she became a Baha'i her home became
the focal point of Baha'i activities until the
purchase of the national f:la~iratu'l-Quds . The
frequent visits of the Hands of the Cause
Agnes Alexander and RaJ:imatu'llah Muhajir
brought her much pleasure and she enjoyed
cooking for Miss Alexander dishes reminiscent
of Hawaii. Luisa was an active teacher and a
mother to the pioneers from f ran and the
United States. One American pioneer wrote in
Luisa's guest book, 'To come pioneering to the
Philippines is to join the family beneath this
roof. You are a Mamsu to all of us.'
Mrs. Gomez served on the National Spiritual
Assembly from its inception in 1964 until 1975
and was often its treasurer. The first endowment received by the National Assembly, a
Luisa Mapa Gomez tract of land in Quezon City , 400 square metres
in area, was given by her.
understanding the needs of people. Because of In 1962, when Luisa was near death and was
her love of humanity and her sense of fairness, rushed to the hospital for a serious emergency
relatives and friends sought her counsel. Hers operation, she called her children together and
was a happy home and when her seven children asked them to be always united. One daughter,
came together beneath its roof the rafters rang Neva Gomez Dulay, who provided the inforwith laughter. She was open-handed and hos- mation for this memoir and who is now a
pitable and the home was often filled with member of the National Spiritual Assembly of
guests including foreign students, refugees, the Philippines, declared at that time her
armed services personnel and tourists, all of acceptance of Baha'u' llah. She writes: 'I was
whon:i. were befriended by her and many of intellectually convinced of the principles enunwhom became lifelong correspondents and ciated by Baha'u'llah but a spiritual bar born of
friends. years of agnosticism clouded my heart. Seeing
Luisa had an independent and inquiring mother close to death, the veil lifted and I was
mind and investigated many schools of relig- able to tell her that I would become a Baha'i. I
ious thought. Through contact with Mrs. Nina announced my intention realizing that I might
Nadler and Mrs. Hazel Mori in 1953 she began be making her happy for the very last time.
to think of herself as a Baha'i and made her first Mother answered very weakly, "Good. There
written declaration of acceptance on a hospital is plenty of work to be done ."'
admission card where she described herself as a Death came on 23 September 1977 . People
Baha'i in the space provided for religious from all strata of society attended the funeral.
designation. Her daughter was much chagrined Although she was known to be a Baha'i it was
by this, thinking that her mother, at age sixty- only during the readings and prayers that many
one, was venturing into unknown waters with- were able to appreciate the depth and beauty
out sufficient investigation, and considerable of the Faith; thus even in death she taught.
curiosity was aroused among the hospital staff During his visit to the Philippines at Nawwho thought that a local religion had been born Ruz 1977 the Hand of the Cause RaJ:imatu'Ilah
because 'bahay' in the Tagalog language means Muhajirpresented Mrs. Gomez with a copy of
'house'. In 1954 Luisa went abroad for medical Selections from the Writings of the Bab which
treatment and visited a number of Baha'i gave much joy to her heart. Inscribed within
IN MEMORIAM 443
were the words, 'To dearest Mamsu- My
greatest love and humble respect .'
In the life of Luisa Gomez was seen exemplification of the words of 'Abdu'l-Baha: Do
not be content with showing friendship in words
alone; let your heart burn with loving kindn ess
for all who may cross your path . .. Let it be
seen that you are filled with universal love.

KATHLEEN, LADY HORNELL
1890-1977

Kath leen, Lady Hornell, was born in Sussex,
England on 1 July 1890, the daughter of Dr.
A ugustus Hayter Walker and Annie Louisa
Walker. In a brief outline of her Baha'i life
and service written in 1966, Lady Hornell
states: 'I was fortunate enough to have been
allowed great freedom of thought and no prejudices were encouraged. I was never a
member of any re ligious organization until I Kathleen, Lady Horn ell
met the Baha'i Faith on 16 October 1922 in
London. My spiritual mother was Elizabeth Early in 1951 Lady Hornell travelled to
Herrick, author of Unity Triumphant. 1 I was Edinburgh and Glasgow as a public speaker
accepted as a believer at Ri<;lvan 1923 and a nd in November of that year visited the young
became a voting member of the Faith. There and struggling Baha'is in Belfast where she also
were no formal declarations in those days. spoke at a public meeting. She relates that her
Ever since embracing the Cause my faith has address brought strong opposition from some
grown stronger, enabling me to serve the members of the audience who were of Chris-
Cause both administratively and in teaching. I tian background and notes that ironically it was
have had the truly glorious experience of two a Buddhist who arose to defend her. In May
pilgrimages to the Holy Land, the first in 1954 1953 she settled in Belfast as a pioneer and,
when Shoghi Effendi was my host and the sec- when that community had grown in strength,
ond in 1966. she pioneered to Bangor where she remained
'From 1936 until 1954 I was a member of the until a Spiritual Assembly was formed at Ri<;l-
National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles van 1959, the first homefront goal to be won
and served as treasurer and assistant secretary. for the British National Assembly in the Ten
I was also treasurer of the British Publishing Year Crusade. 'All were Bangor citizens
Trust Committee and, for a short time, secre- except myself,' she wrote, 'and I stayed
tary of the National Teaching Committee and a another year so that the friends might experimember of the Summer School Committee. ence the work of a Local Assembly.'
'As a member of the London community I When the Baha'i community of the United
served on the Local Spiritual Assembly from Kingdom was called upon to aid the believers
1932 until 1945 except for a period of one and in Europe in achieving the goals of the Ten
a half years when I was in Torquay, Devon- Year Crusade, Lady Hornell immediately
shire, during World War II, where I served on responded. In July 1960 she settled in Venice
the Local Spiritual Assembly . In Otober 1945 I where she remained until 1965 at which time
pioneered to Nottingham, a goal of the British she pioneered to Cagliari, Sardinia a goa l
Six Year Plan, remaining there until the pas- assigned to the Italian believers in the Nine
sing of Sir William on 22 September 1950.' Year Plan. Her last years were spent in London
' London: Kegan Paul Trench Trubner and Company, 1923. where she passed away on 24 September 1977.
444 THE BAHA'I WORLD

In the cable sent at the time of her passing the
Universal House of Justice paid tribute to this
distinguished early believer:
PASSING LADY HORNELL ROBS BRITISH COM -
MUNITY ONE OF FEW REMAINING LINKS EARLY
DAYS FAITH. HER UNWAVERING FAITH CON -
STANT DEDICATED SERVICES PIONEER TEACHING
ADMINISTRATIVE FIELDS OVER SO MANY YEARS
ASSURE HER HIGH STATION ANNALS CAUSE PRO-
VIDE SHINING EXAMPLE PRESENT FUTURE GEN-
ERATIONS. ADVISE HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL
MEETING. ASSURE ARDENT PRAYERS SACRED
THRESHOLD PROGRESS HER LOVING SOUL ABHA
KINGDOM.

Not Jong after, at a teaching conference held
in Alexandra Palace , North London, the British community commemorated her memory.
Present was her daughter, Mrs. Hasan Balyuzi,
and approximately 1,800 other Baha'i friends.
Mr. Philip Hainsworth, on behalf of the
National Spiritual Assembly, recalled her life
of indefatigable dedication and service . 'She is Nathulal Gupta
an.outstanding example for the British Baha'ls ,'
he said. 'She recognized the Faith at once, convinced by the irrefutable logic of the Baha'i
immediately arose to serve it and continued to teachings a nd accepted the Faith with great
do so uninterruptedly, to the best of her ability, fervour .
for more than half a century.' Mr. Gupta's open declaration of faith and
fearless exposition of the teachings of Baha'u' -
llah led to his receiving letters threatening
his life. His family, consisting of the widow and
NATHULAL GUPTA children of his adopted son, were antagonistic
1890- 1977 towards the Faith. In spite of his meagre financial resources he once sold a village home he
Mr. Nathulal Gupta was born into a family of owned so that he could donate money for the
orthodox Sanatani Hindus in 1890 at Barai, purchase of printing machinery for the Faith.
near Gwalior, India and received his education The National Spiritual Assembly of India
in Hindi and Sanskrit, as was the custom of the returned with appreciation his offer of the
time. Later he grew dissatisfied with the Sana- house in which he lived since the rent from it
tani policy which he felt discriminated against supported his dependents.
those of lower caste and became a member of From sources he had known as schola rthe Arya Samaj. He delved deeply into the devotee of the Arya Samaj, Mr. Gupta
ancient Vedic, Puranic (Hindu mythological) developed the conviction that the Persian schoand philosophical literature of India and lar, whose acquaintance led Rishi (Saint) Dayauthored two scholarly books in defence of anand to formulate the principles of Arya
Arya Samaj ideology. A zealous Arya Samaj- Samaj, was actually Jamal Effendi, 1 the
ist, Mr. Gupta was intolerant of other religions. teacher sent to India by Baha'u'llah, with
Yet, it is a measure of his pure-heartedness that whom Rishi Dayanand had come in contact in
in 1956, when he heard an exposition of the 1
See 'A Short Historical Sketch oftheBaha'iMovement in
Baha'i Faith by Mr. M. H . Ilmi at the Gwalior India and Burma' , by Mu~\afa Rumf, , Baha'i Magazine,
Arya Samaj Hall, he was greatly attracted and vol. 22. No . 3, June 1931 (and subsequent vols.);
Ma~a biJ:i-Hidayat by ' Azizu'llah Sulaymani, vol. VIII , p.
began meeting regularly the local Baha'ls and 125; and 'In Memoriam', Mu~\afa Rumf, The Bahli'(
studying Baha'i literature in Hindi. He became World, vol. X, p . 517.
IN MEMORIAM 445
Bombay at the time of Queen Victoria's coronation as Empress, a suggestion which perhaps
will be the subject of study by future Baha'i
scholars. His zeal and erudition are reflected in
the Hindi-language Baha'i magazine Abhti
which he launched in the early 1960s with the
approval of the National Spiritual Assembly .
He served as editor until failing health forced
him to relinquish this activity in 1973. His
extensive knowledge and his familiarity with
Hindu scripture were reflected in his writing
which was a source of confirmation to those of
Hindu background.
The memory of this frail old man who, for
example, walked three miles so that he might
teach the inmates of the local jail, and his
strength of spirit and depth of knowledge, are
not forgotten by local citizens.
On 9 December 1977 the Universal House
of Justice cabled:
GRIEVED PASSING DEDICATED SERVANT BAHAU-
LLAH NATHULAL GUPTA STOP HIS CONTRIBU-
TIONS SPREADING MESSAGE GOD PARTICULARLY Muzaffer Ganey
THROUGH ASHA MAGAZINE UNFORGETTABLE
ASSURE RELATIVES FRIENDS ARDENT PRAYERS
his graduation from military school, entered
the army as a lieutenant.
HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS SOUL.
In spite of hindrances arising from his profession Muzaffer strove constantly to observe
the tenets of Islam. The fact that sometimes the
conditions under which he lived prevented him
MUZAFFER GONEY from carrying out his religious duties induced
1910- 1977 him to reflect upon this discrepancy between
the spiritual and the material worlds and he
Muzaffer Giiney was born in the town of Fila began to search for an answer to this dilemma.
which was then situated within the territory of When he was transferred to Sivas, Turkey in
the Ottoman .empire and is now part of Yugo- 1955 he befriended Mal_imud 'Agar and his
slavia. His father was a military officer and the family , Baha'fs who had pioneered from Iran.
family moved to Istanbul when Muzaffer was Although his days were filled with the demandfour years old. He was raised in a family ing activities of his profession, his evenings
atmosphere which was pious without being were devoted to long conversations with
overzealous. When he had reached the age of Mal_imud 'Anar and reflections upon certain
twelve, Muzaffer was already recognized for statements in the Qur'an and other religious
the beauty of his voice and the depth of his texts. This led to Muzaffer Giiney's acceptance
religious beliefs, as a result of which he was of the divine call of the Faith of Baha'u'llah.
from time to time entrusted with chanting the His entire family embraced the Cause with him
adhan, the Muslim call to prayer, from the and were welcomed into the Baha'i commuminaret of the Fatil.i mosque, an experience nity. From that time forward he endeavoured to
which filled him with bliss and won him admira- familiarize with the divine teachings all those
tion. At age thirteen he became spiritually with whom he came into contact some of whom
devoted to Mawlana (Rumi) and for a year accepted the Faith or showed tolerance toward
attended the ceremonies of worship at the it and some of whom warned and threatened
Mawlavf Lodge as a whirling dervish. Mean- him. The grace of God protected him from
while, he continued his education and, following harm. In 1960, when he had retired from the
446 THE BAHA'I WORLD

army with the rank of Colonel, he was able to SIYYID MAl:fFUZ:U'L-l:fAQ 'ILMf
devote himself completely to service to the 1894-1978
Faith and was thus able to bring the Faith to the
attention of a greater number of people a nd Siyyid Mal)fU;::u'l-l:faq 'Ilmi (Mehfoozu lhuz
engage in teaching activities without restraint. Ilmi) was born into a devout and educated
The Giiney family in February 1964 had the Muslim family in 1894 in the village of Sathappiness of making a pilgrimage to the Holy baria, district of Chittagong, Bangladesh. He
Land and in April of the same year Muzaffer was an excellent student and with the encourhad the honour of being e lected to serve on the agement of one of his teachers who recognized
National Spiritual Assembly of Turkey. the youth's capacity he pursued ardently a
That year also saw his appointment to the study of Arabic and resolved to become a
Auxiliary Board, his activities thus being teacher. In 1920 he obtained his degree from
expanded to include the whole country. Punjab University. He taught at Shamsu'I
Through the years he travelled to every region 'Ulum Theological College in Badaun, provof Turkey, never retreating even in the face of ince of Uttar Pradesh, India for several years
severe circumstances. Always he returned and went on to become a lecturer in Ilahiyyat
home filled with the inner peace that the Theological College in Kanpur. Here he met
fulfilment of duty induces. He also travelled the outstanding educator Mawlana 'Abdu' labroad several times to carry out Baha'i mis- Qadir, respected for his saintly character, who
sions, visiting India once and Iran twice. His had met Baha'is in Bombay; he favoured the
faith was invincible, his love for Baha'u' llah teaching methods of the Baha'is and encourwholehearted , and his obedience and devotion aged his students to follow them.
exemplary. It was his habit to rise each day 'Ilmi was a good writer and while still a stubefore dawn for prayers and although he was dent had won an award for one of his articles
quiet by nature and enjoyed meditating in the which was published in an Urdu newspaper in
evening hours he took the greatest pleasure in Lahore. He later won fame as a poet, his poems
discussing the Faith with others and considered in Urdu winning him an appreciative audience
a day wasted if no inspirational conversation throughout the Inda-Pakistan subcontinent.
took place . He undertook all activities to the His poems were often on themes of love, jusutmost of his capacity and was committed with tice and the fulfilment of spiritual prophecies
his whole being to spreading the Baha'i teach- and he used to give addresses in which he
ings. Even a month after his passing, acquain- recited passages from his verse. He worked as a
tances were still calling at his house to borrow freelance journalist for a time.
books or telephoning for interviews. While living in Qadiyan where he had
Muzaffer Giiney was instrumental in guiding become a prominent and active member of the
many souls to the Cause of God and being Al)madiyya (or Qadiyani) sect, 'Ilmi learned
extremely modest was never satisfied with his about the Baha'i Faith and was confirmed in his
level of activity and always sought to increase acceptance of it through Mirza Mal)mud-iit. May God's mercy and grace be upon him Zarqani who was then visiting Qadiyan . He
and may his work on this earthly plane be immediately arose to proclaim the truth of the
favoured with divine acceptance in the worlds Baha'i Revelation and continued to make an
beyond . When informed that he had passed exhaustive study of its scripture, a process
away on 14 December 1977, the Universal facilitated by his command of Persian and
House of Justice cabled: Arabic. Very soon he launched a monthly
Baha'i magazine, Kawkab -i-Hind, the first
GRIEVED PASSING DEVOTED SERVANT CAUSE
issue appearing in May 1924, published in
GOD MUZAFFER GUNEY STOP HIS SERVICES
Agra, India. This edition carried a scholarly
UNFORGETTABLE ADVISE HOLD MEMORIAL
article written by him in which he set forth the
GATHER INGS ASSURE RELATIVES FRI ENDS
principles of the Baha'i Cause, explained the
ARDENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS
station of Baha'u'llah and challenged the
SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
members of the Al)madiyya group to investi-
AYDIN MUZAFFER
gate with open minds the claim of Baha'u'llah.
His outpouring of writings, his moving and
IN MEMORIAM 447

which are the inevitable accompaniment of a
life dedicated, as was 'Ilmf's, to service to
spiritual principles, he was happy and continued to write prolifically.
On 8 February 1978, after more than a half
century of uninterrupted service, 'Ilmf passed
away and was buried in the Baha'i cemetery at
Lahore. The Universal House of Justice in its
cable of 12 February honoured this pillar of the
Cause in Pakistan:
GRIEVED PASSING MEHFOOZULHUQ ILMI
LIFELONG DEVOTED EXEMPLARY SERVICES
FAITH SCHOLARLY ACHIEVEMENT UNFORG ETTA -
BLE ASSURE RELATIV ES FRIENDS ARDENT
PRAYERS SA CRED THRESHOLD PROGRESS HIS
SOUL ADVISE HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL
GATHERING.

(Adapted from a memoir written by Anisur
Rehman Dehlavi , Editor, Baha'i Magazine,
Karachi.)

Siyyid Maf:ifUiu'l-ljaq '/lm{

cogent addresses, his visits to leading figures in
many walks of life in both India and Pakistan , MARTHA 'NAKIYA' NOYAKUK TRIGG
to whom he presented Baha'i literature, 1944-1978
attracted many eminent people to investigate
and accept the Faith. Those of Muslim back- Should you display an effort, so that the fragground are rarely well accepted by Hindus and rances of God be diffused amongst the
it is a measure of ' Ilmf's success as a Baha'i Eskimos, its effect will be very great and farteacher that he was instrumental in drawing to reaching.
the Faith numerous Hindus among whom were 'Abdu'l-Baha
some prominent pundits of the orthodox Arya Tablets of the Divine Plan 1
Samaj sect. 'Ilmf's wife , Zaynab Bagum, also
embraced the Baha'i Faith and lent him every Martha Trigg's Eskimo name, Nakiya, is highly
assistance. significant. It means 'a point for guidance'.
One of the most important services rendered When native hunters or travellers were out in
by 'Ilmf was the translation into Urdu of many their skin boats, a familiar landmark could
Baha'i books thus meeting an urgent need of mean the difference between life and death.
the Baha'i community . He is appreciated, as Perhaps because Martha's early life had been
well, for the many pamphlets he wrote, and for difficult and filled with hardship she was often a
his poems, the collection published under the point of guidance for others to whom she
title $ur-i-Israfil being particularly well known offered assurance, new hope and gentle but
and valued by the Baha'is. He was an effective sound advice.
public speaker and frequently addressed pre- She was born in Mary's Igloo, Alaska on 18
stigious gatherings of educated people who January 1944. Most of her childhood years
were much affected by the simplicity of his were spent with her grandparents, John and
nature and the compelling force of his remarks. Alice Kakaruk, from whom she learned to
In Pakistan he served as a member of the Aux- value her Eskimo heritage. She studied the
iliary Board. Despite the difficulties of mis- dances, songs and legends of her people. Her
understanding or rejection by friends and rela- great-grandfather had been a shaman-a
tives and the reduced financial circumstances 'Tablet dated 5 April 1916 .
448 THE BAHA'f WORLD

a wa tchword whi ch wo uld move her to acti on
throughout her li fe .
In Ja nuary 1963 Martha married Jero me
Trigg, Jr. The couple a nd their four children
Valerie , Pamela , Jerome III (Koodook) and
Sara (Suki) were much loved wherever they
we nt. T hey lived at various times in the Baha'i
communities of Anchorage, Nome, Soldotna ,
Hain es , Bethel and Kotzebue. In each place,
from schoo l authoriti es and neighbo urs, would
be heard: 'What a nice fam il y; they are always
welcome back.' It was o ne of Martha's greatest
joys that members of he r fami ly including her
beloved gra ndmothe r, two sisters, a n uncle a nd
the four Trigg childre n accepted the Faith .
When her husband , Jerome, became a Baha'i
d uring the visit of the Hand of the Cause John
Robarts at Ric;lvan 1967 , the Triggs became the
firs t Eski mo Baha 'i couple in the world.
Martha was o ne of th e first to reali ze that
particular efforts must be made to reach the
native people and was freque ntly consulted
Martha 'Nakiy a' Noyakuk Trigg about means of bringing Baha' u' ll a h's message
to her people. She participated in a panel durme dicine man, or holy man-who had seen the ing the national conve ntio n of Alaska in 1969.
good in Chrisiti anit y and encouraged his peo- As a result of these deliberations and the e nsuple to embrace it. ing activity a majo r break-th ro ugh occurred in
In her thirteenth yea r, while living in No me teaching among the Eskimos. She and Jero me
on the Berin g Sea, Mart ha enco untered t he were in the vanguard of the proclamation pro-
Baha'i Faith t hrough Warren and Kat hy Rod- gra mm es la unched in the ea rly 1970s. With
gers who had pioneered to the area. Many of pride and dignity, Martha would do n he r
her friends were frightened by this new teach- beautiful fur traditonal dancing parka , handing and turned away but Martha developed a made by her gra ndmother and decorated with
deep interest and introduced her grandmother unique designs, and perform the ancient
to the Bah a'i teach ings. Although warned by Eskimo dances; she would speak of the old
the clergy that the Baha'i Faith was from the ways of her people a nd ex pl ain abo ut the comdevil and that association with the Bah a'is ing of Baha' u'll ah. In the north, the west, the
wou ld result in her being consigned to hell , a A leutian chain , Kodiak Islands and in citi es
bond of love grew up between Martha and her and vi llages throughout south-east Alaska she
new friends. Abo ut three yea rs late r, Martha danced and told he r audiences about the Blessbecame a live-in baby-sitter in our home in the ed Beauty.
Anchorage area, lea rning more about the On 9 February 1978 the house in which
Ca use as she helped with the household tasks . Martha was temporarily staying in Nome
She was whimsicall y attached to san, the caught fire. Fo ur people, including Martha,
Oriental term of endearment, a nd was known died in the blaze; no other me mbers of her
in our home as Mart ha-san. She call ed me fam il y were present. Her well-worn prayer
Papa-sa n and my wife, Beverly, Ma ma-san. book which survived the fire was used at her
In February 1961 Mart ha became a Baha'i. burial service. Her casket was surrounded by
She loved the Writings and history of the Faith the roses she loved so well and which to he r
deeply. 'Mount your steeds, 0 heroes of symbolized the many blessings of Baha'u'llah's
God! '-the cry of Mulla I;Iusayn which was Revelation. Tributes were received from sevtake n up by the besieged Babis at Fort eral Hands of the Cause and from other Baha'i
Tabarsi-touched her profoundly a nd became friends. I read during the service the words
IN MEMORIAM 449
Mart ha had penned inside the front cover of
her prayer book: 'O God! Thou Who art
adored! I am from Thee and unto Thee I
co me.'
(Adapted from a memoir by John Kolstoe,
A laska Baha'f News, November 1978)

CHADWICK MOHAPI
1888-1978

MARY MOHAPI
?-1 968

C hadwick Mohapi a nd hi s wife, Mary, were the
first to accept the Faith in Lesotho (formerly
Basuto land) as a result of the te aching efforts
of Fred and Beth Laws 1 who were named
K nights of Baha'u'llah upon their arrival, in
October 1953, in that tiny mounta inous country in Southern Africa. The teaching trips Chadwick Mohapi
take n by Mr. and Mrs. Laws on the o ld roads
o ut of Maseru , the capital, led them past the they could live with us. I said to my wife, "Let
beautiful tree-shaded home of the Mo h a pis. A us try this o ut and see whether these people are
friendship developed between the two couples genuine." The Laws returned to Maseru to
and the Mo hapis became the first Basotho to pick up their luggage a nd returned in the eve ne mbrace the Faith of Baha'u'llah in their ho me ing. "We were puzzled because we had been
co untry. Mr. Mohapi has left an acco unt of joking and they had, in innocence, taken us
the ir first meeting: seriously. We were now surprised and a lso
' One day in the afternoon of a day in 1954, fr ightened,"' Mr. Mohapi recalled .
my wife and I were sitting outside in the sun 'That very evening they invited us to dinner in
when we saw a strange car .. . people of E uro- the rondoval with them. We were afraid of
pean descent came from the car. We then se nt going in there with them, but we saw what
o ur first so n, Selai , to find out where they came beautiful faces they had .. . they served us with
from: he came to us with them ... they asked meals instea d of us serving them with meals.
us if they could be pe rmitted to have the use of T he follow ing morn ing they inv.ited us for
one wall over which they could put a canvas for breakfast and through the great love they
the day (for she lter). We asked them who they showed they made friends with our yo ung chilwere, where they had come from . . . we dre n by the end of the second day . We sti ll
wanted to know their intentions. They told us asked ourselves what these Euro peans wanted
they had come from a fa r-off la nd , that they living amongst us. T he eve of the third day they
were looking for people to whom the y cou ld invited us not for a meal , but for prayers. We
teach the Word of God . Clowningl y, I sa id were greatl y surprised . It appeared to us that
·'You can come and live wit h us in thisrondoval we had come by a bone that had very nice
(ro und hut) over here!" They said the y wou ld marrow in it. Then they stayed and they
be grateful to do that. We asked them , "How became our rea l friends. We gave them new
are yo u goi ng to live with black people? Don't names-the man , Lerato (Love), and the lady,
you know that we do not love white people? Ma lerato (Mother of Love).'
We have never stayed with white people The Mohapis sti ll had many moments in
before.'' They said that did not matter to them , which they wondered abo ut their unusu al
' Elizabeth Laws, see 'In Memoriam', p. 459. guests but they enj oyed bein g with them for
450 THE BAHA'f WORLD

prayers and discussion of Bible proph- wick began planting seed lings. He served his
ecies-Mrs. Mohapi had always had a keen country in many ways: as roa? party foreman
interest in Bible su bj ects. The Laws gradually for the construction of new roads, as chauffeur
introduced the Baha'i teachings to them. Mr. to the Resident Co mmissioner, as driver for
Mohapi recalled , 'Then they told us the Mes- the guardian of the young king; and was honsage they had brought and we the n under- o ured by being made a gazetted headman of
stood.' But it was the exa mple of their lives the mountain vill age of Rapo leboea. He
which spoke loudest: 'They fed us li ke their retired to 'Seqonaka' where he later met the
own children. One day my wife and I fe ll sick at Laws and accepted the Faith and became
the same time; they took our children and lived involved immediately in plans 'to go outside
with the m and they assisted us and helped us and reach other people.'
heal. The fea rs we had e ntert ained gradua ll y T hey went first to Mary's home area,
disappea red until we really realized ... they Sepha pos, which became Lesotho's second
were like our own brother a nd sister. Now we Baha'i community. Many of Mary's family
really accepted their statements.' accepted the Faith including Chief Jacob and
Chadwick Mohapi was then sixty-six yea rs Armstrong Sephapo and their wives. 'My wife
old . But he and his wife were to spea rhead the was really the leader,' said Chadwick, 'she
first teaching efforts to reach other parts of really had the potential.' T hey carried the Faith
Lesotho. Other Baha'ls visited the peaceful to the mountainous area of Qacha's Nek where
shady ho me of the Mohapis, which they ca lled their son, A lfred, and a nurse at the local hospi-
'Seqonaka', and it beca me a centre for meet- tal became Baha'ls, and to the royal village of
ings which drew in people from surroundin g Matsieng where they informed the Paramount
villages. Many were curious to see 'Europeans' Chief about the Baha'i teachings. They turned
(the te rm used by ma ny Africans for all white their attentio n to the north and east, teaching
people) and Africans living toge ther. in Butha Buthe, Leribe and even the Orange
Chadwick Mohapi was born in 1888 into a Free State in South Africa; and on another visit
distinguished family in the Berea area. His to the mountains where their married daughter
fa mily was of the Bakoena clan , the royal clan lived, she and her husband, the chief of the area,
of Lesotho, descend ants of Moshoeshoe I, the became Baha'ls, as did many others. Meanfa ther of the Basuto nation . As a body, Chad- wh ile the work at Seqonaka continued, resultwick herded cattle for his fat her who showed ing in the format ion of several active comhim favour; he was the only son to go to school munities.
and one of the first yo ung men in Lesotho to After Mary's passing in 1968 Chadwick
study mechanics at Lerotholi Technical Insti- reflected : 'We used to sing Baha'i songs and
tute in Maseru. Maseru grew from a sma ll vil- say prayers with our children . . . now my
lage to a busy town and Chadwick was involved health is not good and I cannot go on teaching
in repairing cars, insta lling water faci li ties, trips, I am now tired ... I am very grateful that
repairing mills. From 1916 to 1918 he served I now see Baha'ls calling on me. If you plant a
in the armed forces and trave lle d to France a nd little flower, eventually it makes many beauti-
Britain. He said to a friend , prophetically , 'We ful big flowers-this gratifies yo u. I am very
are blazing paths for our children to travel grateful to see the success of the Faith in
across the seas.' In recent times three of his Lesotho. I liken my position to that of
sons and several grandchildren have gone Moshoeshoe I who accepted the first (Christabroad for study and work. ian) missionaries and brought his people a
Mr. Mohapi was deeply impressed by the great deal of knowledge.' Chadwick particinumber of trees he saw in E urope and resolved pated in Baha'i activities until the time of his
to plan t trees when he returned to his own passing . During the Five Year Plan , at the
country which had been stripped of trees years dedication of a site for a regional centre at Ha
earlier. In 1918 he married; his wife, Mary, was Rampa, he planted two seedling trees, carried
of the Bataung cl an, a direct descendant of the in his hands from 'Seqonaka'. In his remarks at
famous chieftain , Moletsane. They had six sons the dedication ceremony he employed an analand two daughters. T he Mohapis set up their ogy very suited to Lesotho whi ch has many
home at 'Seqonaka' in 1922 and here Chad- diamonds . He li kened the discovery of the
IN MEMORIAM 451
Some months before his passing the Lesotho
Baha'is erected a bronze plaque on this spot
which had been given to the Faith. The inscription, in Sesotho and English, reads in part:
'This site is dedicated as a Baha'i meeting place
in honour of Morena Chadwick Mohapi and
Mary Mohapi-First Basotho in Lesotho to
recognize Baha'u'llah as God's Messenger for
today.'
Chadwick Mohapi passed away on 4 April
1978. His funeral was attended by approximately 800 mourners including the Queen of
Lesotho, several government ministers and
officials, principal chiefs and leaders of the business and professional community. A statement read during the programme made reference to the Baha'i concept of death and
described Mr. Mohapi's position as the first
believer in Lesotho: 'Mr. Mohapi will always
occupy a special place in the hearts of the
Baha'is all over the world because he was the first
Basotho Baha'i in Lesotho, having become a
Baha'i in 1954. By this simple act of faith, by
Mary Mohapi this simple declaration in Baha'u'llah as the
Prophet for today, Mr. Mohapi unknowingly
Faith to finding a diamond and said,' At first the assured his place in the annals of Baha'i hisstone might look like all the others, but when it tory.'
has been cut and polished it has the power to The cablegram received from the Universal
make a man wealthy for the rest of his life.' House of Justice was read at the service:
And addressing a Unity Conference at the
GRIEVED PASSING CHADWICK MOHAPI LONG-
National Baha'i Centre he paid tribute to the
TIME STEADFAST DEVOTED BELIEVER LESOTHO
Laws, cautioning the Baha'is: 'Be kind to vis-
ASSURE FAMILY FRIENDS PRAYERS HOLY
itors, friends-you never know who the impor-
SHRINES PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
tant ones may be.'
Chadwick Mohapi was honoured by the Also read was the tribute cabled by the Con-
Baha'is of Lesotho in early 1975, marking the tinental Board of Counsellors in Southern
twentieth anniversary of the establishment of Africa:
the Faith in that country. Nearly one hundred
DEEPLY SADDENED DEPARTURE DEARLY LOVED
friends gathered at 'Seqonaka' for speeches,
CHADWICK MOHAPI HIS DISTINGUISHED STATUS
feasting, and the presentation to Mr. Mohapi
FIRST BELIEVER LESOTHO MANY SERVICES CAUSE
of a photograph of the Shrine of the Bab. He
ASSISTANCE EARLY PIONEERS AND BELIEVERS
responded by saying, 'Extol me by extolling my
SURELY ATTRACTS CONFIRMATION BLESSED
Faith.' He gave a beautiful tree-shaded portion
BEAUTY ASSURE RELATIVES FRIENDS OUR FER-
of his land to the Baha'is, marking the corners
VENT PRAYERS PROGRESS SOUL STOP HIS
with white-painted stones. He hoped that a
RADIANT SPIRIT WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED.
prayer house, similar to the Laws' old rondo val
could be built so that the Baha'is could come, He was a man ahead of his time. Through his
en joy the trees, and pray. In 197 6 the Hand of foresight in planting trees at 'Seqonaka', today
the Cause John Robarts and his wife, Audrey, 1 the friends enjoy their shade. Similarly,
had a joyful visit with Mr. Mohapi reminiscing through his planting the spiritual seeds of the
about the early days of the Cause in Lesotho. Baha'i Faith in Lesotho, the tree of the Cause
Mr. and Mrs. Robarts and their son, Patrick , are Knights of has grown strong and extends its benefits to the
Baha'u'llah for Bechuanaland (now Botswana) . people of that land. He was blessed not only
452 THE BAHA'f WORLD

with an adored wife, many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a number of
whom have recognized the Faith, but was
further blessed with spiritual children in
Lesotho-those who have become Baha'is
and those unnumbered who will recognize the
truth of Baha'u'llah's teachings and who will
remember with grateful hearts the place of
Chadwick and Mary Mohapi in the Baha'i history of Lesotho.
CAROLE J. ALLEN

ELLSWORTH BLACKWELL
1902- 1978

Ellsworth Blackwell was born in Greenville,
Mississippi on 1 August 1902 to Philip and
Mary Blackwell of that city. He attended the
University of Iowa and was a member of the
Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. In 1937 he married Ruth Browne, a member of the Chicago
Ellsworth Blackwell
Baha'i community, and from that union was
born a son, Philip Ellsworth, who died in
infancy. elected; Ellsworth was the first chairman of
Ellsworth became a Baha'i in 1934 m these institutions. He later became Haiti's first
Chicago, having studied the Faith at the Auxiliary Board member, serving in that
fireside classes of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar capacity until 1970 when he returned to the
Edwards, and from that time forward ardently administrative service of the Faith in Haiti on
participated in all phases of the teaching and the national level.
administrative work of the Cause of Baha'u'- During their long years in Haiti the Blackllah. He served on the Spiritual Assembly wells were strengthened and encouraged by
of Chicago and was, for a time, a member of the letters from Shoghi Effendi with whom they
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of were in frequent correspondence. In his own
the United States. His pioneering activity hand the Guardian wrote on 15 April 1941,
spanned almost a quarter of a century begin- shortly after they arrived as the first pioneers in
ning in 1940 under the first Seven Year Plan of Haiti: 'The work you have done, the sacrifices
Shoghi Effendi when Ellsworth and his wife you have made, the historic mission you have
settled in Haiti, an area where Mr. and Mrs . initiated, are highly praiseworthy, meritorious
Louis G. Gregory had spent six months in and unforgettable. I will specially pray for you
1934, 1 and came to an end when he passed both that in whatever field you may labour in
away at his post in Kananga, Zaire during the the days to come, Baha'u'llah may reinforce,
course of the present Five Year Plan of the guide and bless you and aid you to enrich the
Universal House of Justice. The Blackwells record of your pioneer services.' On 21
spent the years 1940 to 1943 in Haiti; returned December 1941 Shoghi Effendi wrote: 'I wish
there for a second period beginning in 1950, to assure you in person of my deepest and
under the second Seven Year Plan; and went abiding appreciation of your devoted and
there again in 1960, remaining until 197 5. The indeed historic services. Perseverance will
first Spiritual Assembly of Haiti was formed in crown your labours with imperishable glory.
the capital, Port-au-Prince, in 1942, and in Rest assured, and never relax in your efforts
1961 the first National Spiritual Assembly was which the rising generation will extol and
See ' The Bahti'( Centenary: 1844-1944', p. 197 . admire . You are often in my thoughts and
IN MEMORIAM 453
prayers. I will always be glad to hear from you,
and will pray that your dearest hopes may be
speedily and completely realized.'
In October 1975 the Blackwells pioneered
to the Malagasy Republic on the island of
Madagascar where Ellsworth served on the
National Spiritual Assembly in 1976-1977.
Finally, in 1977, they were assigned to the
Republic of Zaire in Central Africa. Ellsworth
ascended to the Abha Kingdom on 17 April
1978 after a short illness, the first pioneer to lay
down his life in that African nation. A gleaming white monument marks his resting place
which overlooks the rolling green countryside
near Kananga.
Ellsworth Blackwell was also active in Rotary International in Haiti, Madagascar and
Zaire. His funeral was attended by a representative of the Rotary Club of Kananga who
offered a graveside eulogy.
Ellsworth was a Baha'i speaker and teacher
of great renown and his voice was heard in
many far corners of the world; he was highly 'Inayatu'llah Fananapadhfr
regarded by all who knew him and worked with
him in our beloved Faith.
On 20 April 1978 the Universal House of father a grounding in the teachings and princi-
Justice cabled the following tribute: ples of the Faith. 'Inayatu'llah, too, was a fine
penman and was blessed with a keen mind and
GRIEVED PASSING VALIANT LONGTIME SERVANT
a prodigious memory . When only fourteen
CAUSE BAHAULLAH ELLSWORTH BLACKWELL
years of age, he studied the Kitab-i-Aqdas; the
STOP OUTSTANDING ENDEAVOURS PIONEERING
I~fahan Spiritual Assembly assigned him the
TEACHING ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANY
task of teaching the Baha'i youth of Najaf-
LANDS EVIDENCE HIS DEVOTION DEDICATION
Abad. As a result of a meeting with the Hand
FAITH HE DEARLY LOVED STOP ASSURE WIFE
of the Cause Tarazu'llah Samandarf and wit-
FAMILY FRIENDS PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROG-
nessing the consecration and zeal that charac-
RESS HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
terized his services to the Cause, 'Inayatu'llah
RUTH BLACKWELL vowed to dedicate his life to the Faith in a
similar manner and by his subsequent services
proved right to the very end his fidelity to his
pledge.
'INAYATU'LLAH FANANAPADHfR At the request of the Persian National
1919-1 978 Spiritual Assembly, 'Inayatu'llah settled in
Tihran and conducted training institutes until
'Inayatu'llah Fananapadhfr (Fananapazir) was the inception of the forty-five month Plan in
born into a devout Baha'i family in I~fahan, in October 1946 when the National Spiritual
1919. His father, Fa<;llu'llah Nurf, was a Baha'i Assembly accepted his request to proceed as a
teacher and calligraphist of distinction; exquis- pioneer to 'Iraq. For some two years he resided
ite examples of the transcriptions he made of at Ba_g!!dad and Karbila and Kazimayn conveynumerous sacred Writings of the Faith may be ing the message to the people in those areas
found even today in Baha'i homes in I~fahan until the day when most of the friends were
and environs. constrained to return home. 'Inayatu'llah was
'Inayatu'llah completed his secondary edu- among this number and at the instance of the
cation in his home town and received from his National Spiritual Assembly he went to
454 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Khuzistan to teach the Faith and animate the hearty appreciation of the National Spiritual
believers. Later he was assigned similar work Assembly of Persia and the Local Spiritual
in Kirman where, in the following year, he Assembly ofTihran alike. He continued in sermarried 'Ishrat Khanum Ghaybf (Rabbani). vice thus until 19 April 1978 when he suddenly
Two sons and one daughter, the issue of that passed away.
union, are all qualified physicians today a nd Among the published and unpublished
worthy servants in God's Vineyard. works of 'Inayatu'llah Fananapadhfr are
'Inayatu'llah's teaching efforts in Kirman bore Manahiju'l-Hidayat, Dururu'l-Akhbar and
a goodly harvest. He moved thereafter to Barn, Aftsanu'l-Tafasirih. In addition he wrote pam-
Zahidan , Khash, Saravan and fran-Shahr, car- phlets for senior Baha'i students and articles
rying on the teaching and consolidation work. for publication in the Baha'i journal of Persia.
Then came a short break in his full-time Baha'i In tribute to his services, the Universal
service. Turning his hand to trade for a time House of Justice cabled:
and bringing to bear upon it the full force of his
DEEPLY GR IEVED PASSING DEVOTED SERVANT
intelligence and initiative, he soon achieved
FAITH INAYATULLAH FANANAPAZIR WHOSE
substantial success in the material field.
SERVICES TEACHING WORK CRAD LE FAITH
In 1954 while on pilgrimage to the Holy
PIONEERING FIELDS AFRICA WILL ALWAYS BE
Land the beloved Guardian advised him to
LOVINGLY REMEMBERED STOP ASSURE FAMILY
devote his full time and thought to Baha'i
PROFOUND SYMPATHY FERVENT PRAYERS
work. On his return home, acting on the
SHRINES PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
instructions of the National Spiritual Assembly, he visited a number of centres in Iran to (Memorial compiled by Dr. Masha'allah
stimulate Baha'i pioneering activity and, in Mushrif-Zadih at the request of the National
1957, with the encouragement of Shoghi Spiritual Assembly of Persia. Translated and
Effendi, he arose and, surmounting the many edited by Rustom Sabit.)
obstacles that beset his path, went as a pioneer
to Africa. He was resident in the Gambia, his
first post, for four years when illness forced him
ERNEST GREGORY
to leave for Marrakesh. Regaining health , he
1899-1978
attended the Jubilee celebrations in London
after which he returned to Marrakesh. Under
It is difficult for me to write about my dear
instructions from the Universal House of Jushusband and beloved companion in Baha'i sertice , he then went to Kenya where he stayed
vice. There is little I can add to the wonderful
fifteen years. During this period he visited
tributes paid to his outstanding qualities and
other centres in Africa, teaching non-Baha'is
devoted service to the Cause he loved so sinand stimulating Baha'is to still greater effort.
cerely.
Among the countries he visited were Tanzania,
On his passing the Universal House of Jus-
Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, Rhodesia, Malawi,
tice cabled the National Spiritual Assembly of
Botswana, Somali and Sudan, and finally, in
the United Kingdom:
accordance with directions from the World
Centre, he proceeded to visit Mali, Senegal, ANNOUNCE PASSING TO ABHA KINGDOM MORN-
the Gambia, Ghana and the Ivory Coast. ING OF FIRST DAY OF RIDVA N DISTINGUISHED
On this journey he fell ill and was forced to SERVANT BAHAULLAH ERNEST GREGORY STOP
return to Kenya. Following a period in hospital HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION GROWTH
he returned to fran to visit relatives and BRITISH BAHAI COMMUNITY AS MEMBER MANY
friends . The warmth and affection of the wel- YEARS NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY AND
come accorded him attested the esteem in LATER MEMBER AUXILIARY BOARD ENSURES HIM
which he was held by the Baha'is. Full advan- HIGH PLACE THAT COMMUN ITYS ANNALS STOP
tage was taken of his presence and full use HIS STERLING QUALITIES ENDEARED HIM TO ALL
made of his talents, especially in the fields of AT WORLD CENTRE FAITH WHERE HIS LOSS
teacher-training and of delivering the message KEENLY FELT STOP ADVISE BRITISH COMMUNITY
to students in the higher grades. His strenuous JOIN PRAYERS THANKSGIVING HIS LIFE PROG-
labours in these various fields won him the RESS HIS SOUL.
IN MEMORJAM 455

the British Isles. Ernest and I married in 1959
and served together on the National Teaching
Committee, until my appointment to the Auxiliary Protection Board in 1960.
In 1963 he accepted appointment to the
Auxiliary Board for Propagation , serving on
this Board until 1974. His area of Auxiliary
Board service covered the north and midlands
of England , the western and northern isles of
Scotland, Iceland and Farnes. He had a great
love for the islands and visited the pioneers and
local believers there frequently. As a teacher
he was single-minded, indefatigable and dedicated. Baha'fs young in the Faith have spoken
of the inspiration they received from his frankness and directness. During the closing years of
his life he had periods of intense suffering but
even at these times he maintained always that
sense of humour which characterized his life
and endeared him to so many friends.
From 1974 until the time of his death on the
first day of Ric;lvan 1978, we both served at the
Ernest Gregory World Centre. When at one time I asked him
what had drawn him towards the Faith he
replied: 'The administrative order-the World
Ernest was the third local resident to accept Order of Baha'u'llah.' Of this, Amatu'l-Baha
the Bah a 'f Faith in Sheffield, England in 1951. Ru~fyyih Khanum said to me, 'Moreover, he
He was at that time a widower with one son . He understood it.'
was very actively associated with, and had Through the bounty of Bahii' u'llah he rests
achieved a high position in, Freemasonry. With now on God's Holy Mountain so near to where
much sacrifice he severed himself from this the arc of the administration-the physical
association and, in this connection , a letter expression of that World Order - is presently
dated 5 August 1955 was received by the taking shape.
National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles JOAN GREGORY
(as it was then known) from the beloved Guardian through his secretary containing the following message: 'He wishes you to thank Mr.
Gregory on his behalf for the spirit of devotion JAVAN GUTOS
to the Faith which he has shown in connection 1916-1978
with this matter ... The older Baha'fs, through
their example in such matters, form rallying Javan Gutos, known as 'Gutosi', was born in
points around which the younger Baha'fs not Tome Village in South Bugisu District,
so steady yet on their spiritual legs, so to speak , Uganda. His family were members of the Buta
can cluster.' sub-clan. Javan was the third of ten children
Ernest served on the British National born to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wamai, and
Spiritual Assembly from 1954 to 1963. During early in his life he evinced praiseworthy characthese years he was also chairman of the teristics. As a child he assisted in caring for his
National Teaching Committee and when he younger brothers and when he grew older
was without family responsibilities he devoted served as his father's goat-herd. He attended
every hour, beyond the requirements of his Nabumali Intermediary School and then
profession, to these services; it was as though King's College Buda, from 1936 through
he had become the father of all the small and 1937, but was unable to go on to university.
new Local Spiritual Assemblies up and down When his schooling was completed he joined
456 THE BAHA ' I WORLD

tral and East Africa, 1 his own home being a
focal point of activities of the Cause in Uganda.
In 1974 he was appointed to the Auxiliary
Board for protection in Central and East
Africa and, until the appointment of additiona l
members to the Board, his territory embraced
the whole of Eastern , Karamoja, Northern and
Nile Provinces in Uganda. In spite of failing
health in the last few months of his life, he
insisted on accompanying the members of the
Board of Counsellors on a major tour of his
area during the difficult period when the Faith
was under proscription .
He passed away peacefully on 7 May 1978 .
The Hand of the Cause Enoch O linga was in
attendance at his funeral with Mrs. Olinga.
Also present were two members of the Continental Board of Counsellors and many other
Baha'is, members of his fami ly and a number of
prominent government officials. Informed of
his passing the Universal House of Justice
cabled on 11 May:
Javan Gutos .. . HEARTS FILLED SORROW NEWS PASSING
DEVOTED PROMOTER FAITH JAVAN GUTOS I CON-
VEY LOVING SYMPATHY HIS BEREAVED FAMILY
PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS SOUL .
the East African Railways and Harbours in
Nairobi, retiring in 194 7 from his position as KOLONARIO 0ULE
station master. For the next ten years he
worked as an overseer for the Bugisu Coffee
Union in Uganda and later as a salesman for
Mr. 'Aziz Yazdi's Nairobi-based company, GORDON LAITE
International Products. In 1962 he began farm- 1925-1978
ing in Uganda. He was appointed Parish Chief
for the territory under the jurisdiction of the Striving for excellence was characteristic of
Mba le Municipal Council near his home in Gordon Laite in all his endeavours. He excel-
Busamaga, and served with distinction until his led in his profession as a painter and illustrator
retirement in 1977. of children's books, achieving national acclaim
Mr. Gutos was a devout Christian. His early for published work. His paintings hang in prispiritual training disposed him to accept the vate collections scattered about the globe.
Baha'i Faith when he encountered it in Mbale Exhibits of his work have served to proclaim
in 1953 where a Baha'i community had been the teachings of Baha'u'llah, and his illustraestablished a year previous to this as a result of tions have graced the pages of Baha'i publicaa spontaneous visit made by Mr. Enoch Olinga tions. Drawing upon his scholarly knowledge
and Mr. 'Ali Nak!!javani en route to their of history, art, architecture and costume, he
intended destination in the Teso District. He incorporated accurate details, fine draftsmanbecame a member of the first Local Spiritual ship and boundless imagination into a unique
Assembly of Mbale in 1953 when he had been expression, reaching the highest level in those
a Baha'i but three months and served on local paintings which explored the realms of spirit
and national committees with exemplary devo- and expressed concepts of the new age .
tion . He greatly loved the Faith and until 1974 This regional assembly existed from 1956 until 1964 when
it was subdivided into three bodies, the National Spiritual
rendered remarkable services on behalf of the Assemblies of Tanzania, of Kenya, and of Uganda and
Regional National Spiritual Assembly of Cen- Central Africa.
IN MEMORIAM 457
The same grasp of history and attention to
detai l helped Gordon develop as a teacher and
administrator within the Baha'i community.
He served on several Local Spiritual Assemblies in the United States and in pioneer posts in
Latin America; as a delegate to the national
conventions of the United States, Honduras
and Puerto Rico; and as a member of the
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Puerto
Rico which , until 1972 , was under the jurisdiction of the United States National Assembly.
His presentations of the Revelation of Baha'u' -
llah in fireside discussions, public talks,
classes at Baha'i schools and conferences were
enhanced by direct quotations from the Writings, usually from memory, a nd often by
de lightful visual aids created for the occasion.
Gordon also excelled in his passage through
the tests and trials of this earthly plane. His
hearty laugh, his vigorous stride as he walked
about the city or countryside always seeking
those souls who hungered for spiritual knowledge, his desire to create beauty whether in Gordon Laite
arranging flowers, in decorating a room, in
painting an impression of spirit or in helping to
draw forth the inherent beauty of an insecure the New York World's Fair. He first investior unhappy person, his sympathetic and strong gated the Baha'i teachings when his wife's
counsel centred in the Sacred Texts-these mother, Jean Marshall Ball, embraced the
qualities dominated in even the most difficult Faith. Through that introduction, followed by
and discouraging times. Perhaps more than in the loving and dedicated teaching efforts of Dr.
any other way, he excelled in the transition and Mrs. David Ruhe, the Laites entered the
from his earthly life, meeting the pain of termi- Cause of God on 11 November 1955 in Kansas
nal illness with calm, joyous and truly radiant City, Missouri. A quiet, almost reclusive life at
acquiescence, going eagerly to meet his Lord in once changed quite dramatically . The Laite
the longed-for realms of light. home became a centre of Baha'i activity, a
The journey of Gordon's soul began in New condition which remained constant throughout
York city where he was born on 11 July 1925. Gordon's life . As the ocean of divine knowl-
His mother, Blanche Fisher Laite, an illus- edge was entered, Gordon's work underwent
trator of chi ldren's books, took him to live for significant changes too. An influx of spirit was
a time in Paris; French was his first language. experienced, emerging in a totally new expres-
As a young man he studied at the Chicago Art sion. He became established as an illustrator, a
Institute in which building the Baha'i Faith was development which enabled the Laites to
first mentioned in the West during the Con- move , with their son, Winter, and daughter,
gress of Religions as part of the Columbian Gina, to Gallup, New Mexico, to help offer the
Exposition of 1893. 1 A fellow art student, healing message of Baha'u'llah to the Indian
Jeanne Sanchez Marshall, later became his people. They remained in New Mexico for elevwife . en years, finding it an enriching experience
Gordon visited the Baha'i House of Worship and developing cherished friendships among
in Wilmette, Illinois and the Baha'i exhibit at the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, Taos and other of the
south-west tribes . Gordon was given the Zuni
See 'The Ba ha'i Faith Comes to America', The Bahli 'f name ChahBah (Grasshopper) and the Navajo
Centenary 1844-1944, p. 78. The Congress met in the Hall
of Columbus, a part of the Memorial Art Palace, now the name Hosteen BahaZhonie (Happy Man); he
Chicago Art Institute. often signed his paintings with these honorifics .
458 THE BAHA'i WORLD

They later pioneered to Honduras and Puerto
Rico where Gordon, with typical enthusiasm,
embraced a new culture and language. The
Laites served on a vigorous Local Spiritual
Asse mbly and lived for five yea rs in the Baha'f
Centre in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. T hose years
brought man y bounties including pilgrimage to
the Holy Land and attendance at the International Conference held in Merida, Yucatan in
February 1977 where the warm and gracious
welcome by the Mayan Indian people provided
a spirit-lifting view of the futur e Baha'f World
Commonwealth enhanced by the special qualities of the indigenous peoples .
Attendance as delegates to the 1978 International Convention in Haifa for the election of
the Universal House of Justice had been joyfully anticipated by Gordon and Jeanne but
was not possible because Gordon underwent
extensive surgery; nevertheless they felt they
had been granted a divine bounty in being
enabled, during a brief period of recuperation,
to pray together and to cast their ballots by
Marian Steffes
mail.
Following Gordon's release to the next
world on 26 May 1978 the Universal House of rediscovery and rebirth of the spiritual princi-
Justice, on 30 May, cabled: ples inherent in the true Indian way of life. She
was among the first American Indians to accept
SHA RE SORROW AT PASS ING GORDON LAITE
the Cause of Baha'u'llah and for over forty
DEVOTED ZEALOUS SERVANT BLESSED BEAUTY
years, until her health fa iled, she devoted her-
WHO H AS TIRELESSLY JOYO USLY EXPENDED HIS
self to teaching the Faith to members of various
TALENTS FOR CAUSE STOP ASSURE WIFE FAMILY
Indian tribes throughout the United States,
PRAYERS OFFERED HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS
using her own funds to cover her travelling
SOUL ABHA KI NGDOM.
expenses. One of her first teachers was the
JEA NNE SANCH EZ DE LAITE beloved Baha'f, 'Auntie' Victoria Bedikian, 1
who accompanied her on some of her travels.
Together they travelled through the State of
Wisconsin introducing the Faith for the first
time to the Indian people there. Of particular
MARIAN STEFFES interest to Marian were the Baha'f concepts of
1900-1978 social justice, respect for human rights, the
need for developing spiritual faculties and
Marian Steffes was born on 14 June 1900 in maintaining sound health of mind and body,
Oneida, Wisconsin where she lived with her and the emphasis on peace among the nations
family on a large farm. Her parents were in which she saw hope for harmony among all
Oneida Indians, o ne of the six American Indian tribes.
Indian tribes belonging to the Iroq uo is Nation. Marian was known and loved by many peo-
It was during her early years with her parents ple for her kindness , gentleness and warmthat she lea rne d the Iroquois culture which heartedness, and dedicated herself to passing
strongly influe nced her life . At age thirty-five, on good values to her children and grandchilwhile living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her dren. She passed on to the Abha Kingdom on
husband and children, she became interested 14 June 1978. On her headstone is inscribed
in the Baha'f Faith which to her represented a 1
See 'In Memoriam', The Baha'i World , vo l. XIII, p. 884.
IN MEMORIAM 459
'She walks in beauty'-an adage of the Navajo
culture as well as a phrase from Byron's poem .
On 19 June a cablegram came from the Universal House of Justice:
GRIEVED LOSS STAUNCH OUTSTANDING NATIVE
AMERICAN TEACHER CAUSE MARJAN STEFFES STOP
KINDLY CONVEY FAMILY OUR LOVING SYMPATHY
AND ASSURANCE PRAYERS FOR THE PROGRESS OF
HER SOUL IN THE KINGDOMS OF GOD.

ELIZABETH S. LAWS
1888-1977
Knight of Baha'u'llah

Elizabeth S. Laws, 'Beth', was born in St.
Louis, Missouri on 20 September 1888. When
she was still a small child her family moved to
Spokane, Washington . It was from there that
most of her childhood memories and stories
came. When Beth was just thirteen years old
Elizabeth S. Laws
her mother became very ill and died. After a
short time the family was broken apart and
Beth was sent to live with her grandparents in soon thereafter moved to San Diego, Califor-
Grand Rapids, Michigan . Grandfather Adams, nia to help rebuild the Spiritual Assembly.
a graduate of Dartmouth, was a Christian Some years later they returned to the Pacific
minister and although strict, seemingly to the Northwest where Frederick attended Oregon
point of cruelty, he nevertheless cared for her. State University.
She was able to complete her formal education In response to the call of the Guardian, Beth
and ultimately to earn her teaching certificate. and Frederick Laws decided to pioneer to
While Beth was teaching in a little one-room Africa. On 23 January 1953 they loaded their
school in Indiana she met Walter Ware. They belongings in their little car and trailer and
married in 1910 and had four children : John headed for New York , sailing aboard The Afri-
Walter, born in 1912; James Albert, in 1914; can Sun to their pioneering post in Nairobi,
Imogene Frances, in 1917; and Lewis Adams, Kenya. After a long trip across the Atlantic,
in 1921. down the west coast of Africa, around the Cape
The Ware family moved to Seattle, of Good Hope and back up the east coast, they
Washington in 1923. Beth, always a keen Bible arrived only to find that they were not needed
student, became very active in the Presbyterian in Nairobi as the goal had already been met and
church and her children were given the training the Faith appeared to be flourishing. Shoghi
that such an association had to offer. Eventu- Effendi had called upon Baha'i communities
ally the marriage ended in divorce and Beth with more than fifteen believers to send
remained in Seattle with the children. She pioneers to virgin areas. As Beth said, 'He
became interested in Esperanto and while dangled a carrot before us.' In his cablegram of
attending classes taught by Lauren Jackson, a 28 May 1953 1 the Guardian called for ' the
Baha'i, she found both the Baha'i Faith and a dispersal, immediate, determined, sustained
young man named Frederick Laws. Frederick and universal, throughout the unopened terwas younger than she but they became loving ritories of the planet,' describing it as 'the
friends and shared a devotion which took them paramount issue challenging the spirit and
through many years and many places through- resources of the privileged prosecutors of the
out the world. They were married in 1939 and 'Messages to the Baha'f World , p. 48.
460 THE BAHA'f WORLD

Ten Year Plan' and announcing his plan 'to returned to the northwestern United States.
inscribe, in chronological order, the na mes of Then in August 1958 Beth returned to Liberia
the spiritual conquerors on an illuminated Roll for a short time where she taught in the school
of Honour, to be deposited at the entrance at Bombi Hills. However, she found herself
door of the inner Sanctuary of the Tomb of incomplete without her partner and returned
Baha'u'llah, as a permanent memorial' and to to America.
make 'periodic announcements of the names of After Frederick's retirement they once again
the valiant knights upon their arrival at their decided to return to Africa to help fulfil the
posts to discharge their historic missions.' goals of the Five Year Plan. On 8 April 1976
Frederick built a 'little house' on the chassis they left for a new post in Tanzania. Their stay
of their utility trailer and the couple headed there was very short, only eight months. They
south traversing 3,000 miles of difficult roads were unable to obtain permanent visas to
to reach their new-chosen destination, the little remain in the country and by this time Beth was
country then called Basutoland (now beginning to feel a loss of physical stamina.
Lesotho). They arrived on 13 October 1953 Their parting gesture was to make a generous
just three days before the end of the Holy contribution to the cost of constructing Baha'i
Year. 1 In his cablegram sent on 14 October Centres in Tanzania.
1953 to the Intercontinental Teaching Confer- In the spring of 1977 Beth and Frederick
ence held in New Delhi, the Guardian moved to Wapato, Washington on the Yakima
announced thirteen additions to the Roll of Indian Reservation where their help was
Honour including Frederick and Elizabeth needed to maintain the Local Spiritual Assem-
Laws, Knights of Baha'u'llah for Basutoland. bly. It was here that Beth passed on to the
The Laws lived in Basutoland for about Abha Kingdom on 24 June 1978. As the end
thirty months, setting up housekeeping in a neared, I recall her taking her pencil and pad
little round house owned by Mary and Chad- and writing, 'I'm dying- thank God-Abha
wick Mohapi. 2 Beth loved the people very Kingdom.'
much and through simple acts of kindness won On 18 July the Universal House of Justice
love in response. In time Beth was given an cabled the National Spiritual Assembly of the
African name which translated from Basuto United States:
meant 'Mother of Love'. Despite difficulties
INFORM FREDERICK LAWS WAPATO WASHING -
with the language the Cause grew. Reflecting
TON GRIEVED NEWS PASSING KNIGHT BAHAU-
on her experiences Beth wrote some years
LLAH DEAR BETH WHOSE PIONEERING TEACHING
later: '. . . the Cause moves forward. Our
SERVICES LOVINGLY REMEMBERED ASSURE HIM
mighty Lord takes our inadequate words, our
FERVENT PRAY ERS PROGRESS HER SOUL.
puny efforts, and causes them to bring great
results. Those who hear go out to tell many LEWIS A. WARE
others- the chain is endless to eternity.'
It was time to move on. The Laws went south
to Johannesburg where they spent about six
weeks with William and Marguerite Sears; GHULAM-'ALI IBRAHfMJt KACHWALA
then, after consultation with the Hands of the (KURLA WALA)
Cause Musa Bananf and Paul Haney, they pro- 1896- 1978
ceeded to Gambia and Liberia. In Liberia Fre- Knight of Baha'u'llah
derick worked for an engineering firm building
roads in rural areas where he and Beth were Ghulam-'Ali Kachwala (known as Ghulamali
able to live and work once again with the Afri- Kurlawala) was born in 1896 into a family
can people, always teaching . descended from the ancient Hindu Rajput
In December 1957 Beth and Frederick princes who were known for their exploits on
The 'Year Nine', marking the centenary of the year 1269 the battlefield and it was perhaps from them
A.H. The centenary of the birth of the mission of Baha'u'- that he inherited his indomitable courage, fiery
llah was observed throughout the Baha'i world during the nature and quick temper. He heard of the Baha'i
year mid-October 1952 and mid-October 1953. See The
Baha'{ World, vol. XII, p. 25. Cause in 1926 from the well-known Baha'i
See 'In Memoriam', p. 449. teacher, Dr. M. E. Luqmani, and for one full
IN MEMORIAM 461

year resisted it with all his might, arguing that
divine revelation ended with Islam. Dr. Luqmani being well versed in Islamic scripture was
able to adduce quotations to prove his point
and as a result Ghulam-' Ali's inner eye was
opened and he accepted the Faith. Then began
Ghulam-' Ali's transformation as he struggled
to curb his temper. Such was his success that
one observer remarked , 'He was a lion and he
has become a lamb. This is a miracle of the
Baha'i Faith!'
Although he had attended primary school
for only two years and could write only a
broken and elementary Gujarati, he made
efforts to improve his situation after he
embraced the Cause. Baha'i literature in Urdu
was available; he learned the language and
read and re-read the Baha'i books. He was a
I
plumber by occupation and also repaired sewing machines and stoves; he could manufacture
replacement parts for machines of any description. He was extremely industrious a nd honest
and therefore popular among his customers. Ghulam-'A[{ Kurlawala
But he did not submerge himself in his work.
His love for the Faith was so great that if he did
not find an opportunity to present the message serve Them wholeheartedly and with devotion,
to one or more persons during the day he could I will be dismissed.' And serve he did, faithnot sleep at night. He lacked urbanity and fully , indefatigably and fearlessly. There are at
finesse and taught in a direct manner, coming least 20,000 Muslims living in one locality in
to the subject without any preface. He would Kurla and to one and all he gave the message.
discuss the religions of the past and the Some responded with scorn , some called him
prophecies in the holy books referring to the mad, some abused and ridiculed him. He
advent of the Promised One and then would received at least ten beatings to my knowledge,
speak of the fulfilment of these prophecies but he was unaffected and continued to teach
through the coming of Baha'u'llah. He was no the Cause, his talks centring around Baha'u'-
less frank in rejecting the financial inducement llah and His World Order.
offered to him by a Muslim high priest who He served as vice-chairman of the Spiritual
sought to entice him back to Islam. Divine Assembly of Andheri, a suburb of Bombay,
truth, he said in effect, cannot be bought or from 1937 until Andheri was incorporated into
sold, and he invited the priest to investigate the the municipality of Bombay, and then in 1942
claim of Baha'u'llah. He was summarily dis- he pioneered to Bhopal where his non-stop
missed and considered a 'lost soul'. teaching activities set fire to the dovecots of the
Although his family name was Kachwala, mullas. At that time Bhopal was a native state
meaning a dealer in glass and glassware, ruled by a Muslim nawab (governor) who was
Ghulam-Ali was known in the Baha'i commu- under the influence of the mullas. Offended by
nity as Kurlawala because he resided in Kurla , a Ghulam-'Ali's assertion that the days of
suburb of Bombay. He was proud that 'Ali was efficacy of Islam had come to an end, they rose
part of his name, and would often smile and up with full force against him. He telegraphed
say: 'I am the slave of 'Ali. 'Ali is the first part the scholarly Siyyid Mal)flq:u'l-I:Iaq 'Ilmi 1 who
of the name of the Bab ('Ali Mul)ammad) and came to his assistance accompanied by Mrs.
the last part of the name of Baha'u'llah Shirin Boman. For one month they met with
(I:Iusayn 'Ali); therefore I must always be the Muslim priests without avail although one
faithful to both my glorious Masters. If I do not 1
See 'In Memoriam', p. 446.
462 THE BAHA'f WORLD

of the Muslim scholars, Maulavi Sondagar, found him in bed. We summoned a doctor,
conceded that the language of the Writings of bathed and nursed him and cleaned his house,
Baha'u ' llah was as inspired as that of the and soon he recovered. We also met the Baha'i
Qur'an. The mullas of that citadel° of Islam, community. Not long after this his teach ing
having seen the stuff Ghulam-' Ali was made of activities resulted in some elements of the Musand being apprehensive of his further teaching lim community lodging a complaint against
efforts, brought pressure to bear on the nawab him . A police inquiry ensued the finding of
and secured an order expelling him from which was that he was a peace-loving, law-
Bhopal state where he had stayed but six abiding citizen who adhered to and taught an
months. Undeterred, he then spent some independent religion advocating international
months assisting Mrs. Boman at her pioneering peace. Stricter security measures were
post in Ujjain. enforced so that he could teach more effec-
In 1949, under the Indian Six Year Plan , he tively .
pioneered to Jaipur where he remained for two After he returned to Bombay he pursued his
years. Here he established a Local Assembly occupation and continued his service to the
and a stable community. His sense of self Cause of God. Although his neighbours and
respect always prevented him from accepting fellow-workers continued to act prejudicially
assistance from the friends and institutions; to toward him he was undaunted in his teaching
support himself he drove a rickshaw in Jaipur. efforts.
While there he visited the head priest and On one occasion in this period he learned
informed him that the Day of Judgment had that a Shi'ite mulla was delivering in the
come and that the Manifestation of God for Mughul Masjid in Bombay MuJ:iarram sermons
this age, Baha'u'llah, had announced His in which he misrepresented the Baha'i teach-
World Order. The mulla, much incensed , ings, so he hastened to attend. More than a
asked him to leave his house at once and never thousand people had gathered to hear the serto pass by that road thereafter. mon during the course of which the mulla
In 1953 Ghulam-'Alf was named a Knight of heaped abuse on the Baha'is and inquired
Baha'u'llah 1 for his service in pioneering to whether anyone would like to know more.
Daman, Portuguese Goa, where he remained Ghulam-' Ali raised his hand and said, in effect,
for approximately two years. Teaching the that if the Baha'is were as they had been
Faith was extremely difficult because prohibi- described-unscrupulous liars and adultertion was in force in India and many people ers-how could it be that the Baha'i Faith was
from nearby Indian areas came to Daman to growing so rapidly? I have many friends who
buy foreign goods and liquor. The local people are Baha'is, he continued , and I find them honbrewed liquor in their homes and nearly all, est, conscientious and of excellent moral
young and old, men and women, drank heavily. character. The priest denounced him as a Baha'i
I once asked him how he could have hoped to and the congregation set upon him beating
find listeners in such a discouraging environ- him about the head and leaving him unconment and was told, 'Two things prompted me scious. His clothing had been torn and his wrist
to make ceaseless efforts in giving the Message, watch and purse stolen. He was taken to a
the need of the people to be brought from the hospital and after a night's treatment was sent
path of negativity to the path of God, and my home. So great was the impact upon the mulla
desire to please our beloved Guardian.' His that he ceased from that point on abusing the
efforts were blessed and found fruition in the Baha'is. Ghulam-'Alf remained as fearless and
formation of a Spiritual Assembly with mem- brave as ever in presenting the Faith to all who
bers of various backgrounds. would listen.
During his time in Daman word reached the In 1970 he sustained an injury as the result
National Spiritual Assembly of India that of an explosion and after a long period of time
Ghulam-' Ali was in ill health and at the request recovered, although from that time forward he
of the assembly Mr. G. A. Amreliwala , then a had only partial use of one arm. When he
memberof that body, and I, visited Daman and returned to work he was not the same man. He
Messages to the Baha'( World, Shoghi Effendi, cablegram had had a strong build and lived an active life,
20 September 1953 , pp . 50-52 . often under hardships, and was accustomed to
IN MEMORIAM 463
carrying heavy loads in his trade asa plumber. By
this time he had spent more than forty years in
service to the Cause , travelling from place to
place, pioneering from city to city. Now he
began to show signs of fatigue . He changed his
modus operandi, remaining in his shop , so that
all who wished to see him had to come there. It
is praiseworthy that even at this stage he did
not reduce the tempo of teaching. His energy
had ebbed , his temper had sobered , but his
spiritual enthusiasm and his love for Baha'u' -
llah appeared to increase. Despite the
uncertainties of transportation, the lengthy
delays and the distances he was required to
walk , he regularly attended all Baha'i gatherings. His eyesight failed three years before his
death so he could only sit in his shop and talk of
the Blessed Beauty. He was confined to bed for
the last month of his life and on 3 July 1978 he
left this transitory world.
Although he was neither educated nor wealthy, Ghulam-'Ali was a spiritual king. He was
generous of heart and delighted in serving Ruth J. Moffett
everyone. He loved the Baha'fs and wholeheartedly associated with them. He spent
more than half a century in the service of teacher and writer passed away, the entire
the Cause and under its banner he was always Baha'i world lost one of those shining examactive, eager to do anything to serve it. When ples of courage and sacrifice that lights the way
he joined the Faith there were only a few for others. On learning of her passing, the Unihundred Baha'fs in India. He lived to see it versal House of Justice in a cablegram dated 6
strike deep roots in our soil and produce a July 1978 addressed to the National Spiritual
flourishing community now numbering more Assembly of the United States, lauded her serthan half a million. He played his part valiantly vices in these words:
and well.
DEEPLY GRIEVED NEWS PASSING DEVOTED
In its letter of 28 September 1978 the Uni-
MAIDSERVANT BAHAULLAH RUTH MOFFETT. HER
versal House of Justice wrote: 'Mr. Ghulam-
INDIVIDUAL TEACHING EFFORTS SPANNING
, Alf Kurlawala's devoted services to the Faith are
HALF CENTURY UNFORGETTABLE OFFERING
surely rewarded by the Blessed Beauty and his
ARDENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER
name as a Knight of Baha' u'llah has become
SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
immortal in the history of the Formative Age
of the Cause.' Born Ruth J. Ellis on 19 January 1880 in
(Adapted from a memoir written by Prof. Dip- Eau Claire, Wisconsin, she grew up in a tradichand Khianra) . tional Baptist home. On 8 June 1910 she married Robert Lee Moffett and had two children
by him, both of whom died in their childhood
years.
RUTH J. MOFFETI In 1912 she began an ardent search for
1880-1978 'Abdu'l-Baha Whom she saw briefly from a
train platform in Chicago. She recalled that
Ruth Moffett was an indomitable spirit whose moment: 'He looked up at me, smiled and
valiant efforts on behalf of the Cause of Baha' u' - raised His hand.' Finally, having attended one
llah extended over a period in excess of half of 'Abdu'l-Baha's lectures, Ruth became an
a century. When this noted Baha'i lecturer, active Baha'i in 1919 and began her unceasing
464 TH E BAHA'I WORLD

and concentrated efforts toward promoting the seize and utilize it for the glory a nd triumph of
Message of Baha' u' ll ah. o ur sacred Faith.' (15 March 1932)
She was a special delega te to th e League of ' I wish to ass ure yo u in person of my deep
Nations in Geneva and was se nt by Washing- and abiding se nse of appreciation of th e histo n University of St. Louis, Missouri as an toric services you are renderi ng the Ca use of
acc redite d observer to the birth of the United God in these days of unprecede nted suffering
Na tions in San Francisco. She also attended and turmoil. The part yo u have played, and the
a nd repo rted on nine World Co ngresses in share yo u are still contributing for the promo-
E urope. tion of the Faith, future generations will extol
Mrs. Moffett atte nded Oberlin Co llege and a nd remember with gratitude a nd pride . . .'
the U nive rsities of Chicago, Wisconsin and (11 May 1933)
Nor thweste rn , in the United Sta tes, and Uni- At the suggestion of the Guardian , Ruth
ve rsite de Geneve, in Switzerland. With her kept a record of her acti vities and eventuall y
husband , she conducted a Training School and compiled them into a rathe r extensive collec-
E ducation al Forum in Chicago fo r fifteen tion. More rece ntl y, he r teaching work took
yea rs; she also taught at George Williams Co l- he r to the deep South of the United States
lege, Chicago, for seven yea rs. where she participated in the first efforts to
Ruth was a champion teacher for the Cause reach the masses. Ruth also served on various
of God. Her early teaching efforts, preceding national committee s a nd was often seen guida nd during the first Seven Year Plan ing at the House of Worship in Wilmette.
(1937-1944), were instrum ental in helping Ruth's dedication and loving personalit y
establish the Baha'i Faith in the United States. attracted others, parti cularly the youth, with
She travelled extensively, lecturin g in uni ver- whom she had a special rapport. She often to ld
sities, coll eges and high schools a nd speak ing the m, 'I am just a yout h myself.' Despite fai ling
on rad io and te levision. Her act ivities took her health, Ruth remain ed a potent example to
through Europe , the Near East, Asia, Egypt others until she passed away in her ninetya nd Canada as well as the United States. She e ighth yea r. Until he r last days she continued
ma intaine d, until hi s dea th , a frequent co rres- to teach, holding classes fo r friends a nd seekpondence with the Guardian, reporting on her e rs , serving the Ca use which she loved so
activities, seeking guidance, as kin g questions dearly.
the answers to which would aid her in her She adopted a nd used the na me
teaching. The following exce rpts are glea ned ' RuJ:ianfyyih' (or RawJ:ianiyyih) which was
from letters she received from Shoghi Effend i give n her by the Greatest Holy Leaf. The na me
penned in his own ha nd: connotes spirituality, joy and bea uty; and cer-
' . .. I am deeply gratified to learn of the con- tainly Ruth had a spiritua l beauty which
sta nt and exe mplary services yo u are rendering en riched the li ves of many and progressed the
to the Cause of God. You a re sure ly a pillar of Cause of Baha'u'llah. T he loss of this gall ant
His Faith in that la nd , and your magnificent soldier will be felt most by the co mmunit y she
pioneer service will live and adorn the anna ls of served so steadfastly, as is acknowledged by
God's immortal Cause. Persevere in yo ur the cable se nt by the National Spiritual
efforts, and rest assured th at my prayers will Assembly of the United States when it learn ed
continue to be offered in yo ur behalf at the of her passing o n 5 July 1978:
Shrine of Baha' u' llah.' (20 November 1931)
'The magnificent and unforgettab le services MOURN LOSS DEARLY LOVED RUHANIYYIH RUTH
yo u have recently rendered theCauseofBaha' u'- MOFFETT CHAMPION TEACHER CAUSE BAHAU-
ll ah will enrich and ennoble the annals of LLAH ONE MOST OUTSTANDING MEMBERS AMER I-
our immortal Faith. They have great ly CAN BAHAI COMMUN ITY STOP RANGE AND VARJ-
inspired, cheered, and hea rte ned me in my ETY HER SERVICES I N TEACHING FI ELD HERE
strenuous labours. Persevere in yo ur noble task AND ABROAD FOR OVER HALF CENTURY BEYOND
and rest assured that my fervent prayers will RECKONING BOUND TO EXERT DEEP I NFLUENCE
continue to be offered in your behalf a t th e ON PROGRESS COMMUN ITY FOR GENERATIO NS TO
sacred Threshold. Yours is a unique and COME STOP ESPECIALLY RECALL HER IND E-
priceless opportunity. I am confident you will FATIGABLE EFFORTS WHICH SWEPT LIKE FLAME
IN MEMORIAM 465
OF FIRE FROM PLACE TO PLACE IN AS YET DARK
DAYS OF FAITHS OBSCURITY DURING SECOND
QUARTER THIS CENTURY STOP HER SPIRIT MUST
DOUBTLESS BE REJOICING AT STEADY WORLD-
WIDE EMERGENCE CAUSE FOR WHICH SHE GAVE
FULL STRENGTH HER UNBOUNDED ENERGIES
STOP FERVENTLY PRAYING PROGRESS HER SOUL
THROUGHOUT DIVINE WORLDS.

PAMELA DEROZHINSKY
1922-1978

Pamela was always a seeker and nonconformist. After she arrived in Fiji in 1967
with her husband , Dmitri, she became
interested in the Baha'i Faith through Mrs.
Bobbie Leedham (now McLaren). After many
hours of talking with Mrs . Leedham and then
with the Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qasim Faizi,
Pamela became confirmed in her belief in
Pamela Derozhinsky
Baha'u'llah, in 1969. Through her example,
Dmitri also accepted the Faith.
With acceptance of Baha'u'llah came conducted the delicate negotiations for purinvolvement in many Baha'i activities. Pamela chase of new I:Ia~fratu'l-Quds.
became secretary of the Suva Local Assembly, In 1974 Pamela and Dmitri went to live in
a member of the National Spiritual Assembly Bangladesh . As a pioneer on behalf of the
of the Fiji Islands , and served on many commit- National Spiritual Assembly of India, she
tees. Her marked capacity for dealing with made a considerable impression on the local
people as individuals drew many to study and community through her understanding,
embrace the Faith. Her love and respect for humour, love, humility, common sense and
young people was warmly reciprocated by example, and her many activities received the
them; she was friend and adviser to many. constant support and encouragement of her
When answering the questions of inquirers at husband. Those in distress often turned to
fireside meetings, Pamela always referred to Pamela for comfort and advice.
the Writings and read answers from the Baha'i During a critical period for the Faith in
books. She was concerned to foster an Bangladesh when the National Baha'i Centre
increased understanding of Baha'i admin istra- in Dacca was in danger of being expropriated,
tion and to create a balanced community of the Pamela accompanied Counsellor Shirin
kind that results from recognition that teaching Boman in calling daily for two weeks on leadand administration, progress and consolida- ing government figures until they were successtion, go hand in hand. ful in having the order rescinded.
After her pilgrimage to the Holy Land, she One of Pamela's joys was keeping up a corbecame even more active in proclaiming the respondence with Baha'ls in different parts of
Faith to government leaders, civil servants and the world. In this way she a lso deepened her
members of the business community. She knowledge of the Faith. The booklet she predemonstrated the Faith in her life through her pared for the use of local teachers of the Faith
integrity in business and through her attitude in Bangladesh has been translated into Bengali
toward her work. She was instrumental in and two thousand copies have been distributed
briefing Baha'i delegations and proclamation to officia ls and dignitaries.
teams and on behalf of the National Assembly In 1977 Pamela underwent surgery for
466 THE BAHA'I WORLD

cancer of the oesophagus in London but was Administration. Their first pos·t was in Talable to return to Bangladesh for a short time . keetna-a small , cold, remote mining com-
Meanwhile , Dmitri's work had taken him to munity on the Susitna River, nestled in the
Chittagong where Pamela, although weak and Talkeetna mountains. The main link with the
handicapped, again began teaching the Faith . outside world was the slow and meandering
After several months she had to return to Lon- Alaska Railroad with its somewhat irregular
don for further treatment. In spite of pain and schedules. The one-room log cabin they lived
discomfort and the certain knowledge that she in had no plumbing and the heat was supplied
was dying, she was, through her cheerfulness by a wood-burning stove. Jack had to use a
and her faith in Baha'u'llah , an inspiration to dog-sled to go to school. It was a far cry from
patients and hospital staff and visitors. Doctors the life the Huffmans had known in Kansas,
and nurses sat by her bed and discussed the and at first Evelyn hated it. But soon the friendteachings of the Faith, amazed at her serenity , liness and spirit of the frontier captured her
joyousness and sense of peace. Her favourite heart and she came to love Alaska.
prayer was the Tablet of Visitation revealed by When the Aleutian Islands were invaded
the Master. during World War II , the authorities insisted
In the early hours of 21June1978, with her that dependants be evacuated. In order to
husband at her side, Pamela ascended to the . rejoin her husband, Evelyn developed a skill
Abha Kingdom. She now lies in the Great considered necessary for the war effort. By
Northern London Cemetery, New Southgate, becoming a radio operator she was able to be
close to the resting place of the beloved Guar- with Vern in the extreme northwest area of
dian. Advised of her passing, the Universal Alaska. After the war they settled in Anchor-
House of Justice on 21 August cabled the age where they learned of the Faith through
National Spiritual Assembly of Bangladesh: Vern's interest in radio. In February 1945 Evelyn became a Baha'i, and Vern in December of
DEEPLY GRIEVED NEWS UNTIMELY PASSING
that year. They were part of the Anchorage
DEVOTED HANDMAIDEN BAHAULLAH PAMELA
community-the only one in Alaska at that
DEROZHINSKY PRAYING SHRINES PROGRESS HER
time-until they secured a property about ten
SOUL ASHA KINGDOM KINDLY CONVEY LOVlNG
miles from town and began homesteading.
SYMPATHY HER HUSBAND.
Soon they became part of the nucleus of
believers who formed Alaska's second Local
Spiritual Assembly . They served that community for more than twenty years, Vern usually as
VERN HUFFMAN treasurer and Evelyn often as chairman. Twice
1906-1974 Evelyn was elected as the delegate from
Alaska to the annual convention of the
EVELYN HUFFMAN National Spiritual Assembly of the United
1911-1978 States and in 1957, with the formation of the
Alaskan National Assembly, Evelyn found
There are two ways in which devotion to herself in rapid succession secretary of the con-
Baha'u'llah can be shown; by what one does vention, a member of the newly-formed
and by the kind of person one becomes. In both National Spiritual Assembly and then its
achievement and character Evelyn Huffman secretary, a post she filled for seven of her tenand her husband, Vern, excelled; their names and-a-half years on that body. As secretary,
are virtually synonymous with the early growth much of the responsibility of incorporation and
and development of the Baha'i Faith in Alaska. other details fell upon her capable shoulders.
Their lives were an example of the spirit of Vern, in his quiet unassuming way, did much to
service and selfless devotion-it would be assist Evelyn in her duties.
impossible to count the number of people who One of the goals of the new National
have enjoyed their unstinting hospitality. Spiritual Assembly was to acquire a Temple
In 1940 Evelyn and her two children, Jack site. The Huffmans donated three acres of their
and Mary Sue, joined Vern in Alaska where he homestead property-half the present Temple
worked for what is now the Federal Aviation site. The present J:Ia~iratu'l-Quds of Alaska
IN MEMORIAM 467
World Centre of the Faith in Haifa from April
1976 to March 1977.
Shortly after returning to Alaska, Evelyn
suffered a stroke which slowed her down but
did not stop her. A week before her death of a
heart attack at the age of sixty-seven in July of
1978, Evelyn had been on a teaching trip
among the Eskimos in Kotzebue and was making plans to pioneer to Japan.
All dedicated Baha'is dream of serving the
Faith to their very last breath. The Huffmans
succeeded. Little wonder that the Universal
House of Justice would immortalize them with
these cables upon learning of their deaths:
On 15 January 1974:
ASSURE PRAYERS SHRINES PROGRESS SOUL ABHA
KINGDOM VERN HUFFMAN VETERAN ALASKAN
PIONEER STALWART SUPPORTER FAITH STOP
EXPRESS CONDOLENCES DEVOTED WIFE FAMILY
ADVISE HOLD MEMORIAL SERVICES.

And on 27 July 1978:
Evelyn and Vern Huffman GRIEVED LEARN PASSING DEVOTED SERVANT
CAUSE EVELYN HUFFMAN STOP HER YEARS OF
SERVICE AS MEMBER NATIONAL SPIRITUAL
ASSEMBLY ITS EARLIEST YEARS AND WITH HUS-
was built on the Huffman homestead land
BAND AS PIONEER PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND
because of an exchange made possible by gifts
AND DONOR KEY NATIONAL PROPERTIES WILL
of endowment property. The last remaining
BE ALWAYS REMEMBERED AS MERITORIOUS
portion of the homestead, the 1.3 acres where
CONTRIBUTIONS ANNALS FAITH ALASKA STOP
the well-known house was located, was
CONVEY CONDOLENCES FAMILY ASSURANCE
bequeathed to the Faith by Evelyn on her
PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL
death. In 1963 Evelyn was an Alaskan dele-
ABHA KINGDOM STOP ADVISE HOLD MEMORIAL
gate to the first International Convention for
SERVICE.
the election of the Universal House of Justice.
JoHN KoLSTOE
Under the Nine Year Plan, in 1965, despite
Vern's having had open heart surgery but two
years earlier, the Huffmans pioneered to
Prince of Wales Island, one of the five virgin
goals assigned to Alaska. Vern quickly became
RUI:fANGfZ FATI:f-'AZ,AM
'Mr. Fixit', repairing an endless variety of
1898-1978
broken radios and small appliances. The couple were dearly loved by the Tlingit Indians of
the island. Vern's deteriorating health made it DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING DEVOTED HANDMAID
necessary for them to leave their goal, but they DEDICATED PROMOTER CAUSE RUHANG!Z
left behind two confirmed Baha'is and a secure FATHEAZAM HER LIFELONG SERVICES IN MANI-
foundation for further development of the FOLD CAPACITIES BOTH CRADLE FAITH FOREIGN
Faith on the island . Vern's death in 1974 ended PIONEERING FIELD ADD LUSTRE TO ACCOMP-
a decade-long battle with heart problems and LISHMENTS MEMBERS HER DISTINGUISHED FAM-
general ill health. While his death was a grievi- ILY PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER
ous blow and loss for Evelyn, she continued to RADIANT SOUL CONVEY SYMPATHY RELATIVES
serve the Cause she loved so well, crowning FRIENDS.
her distinguished service by working at the Universal House of Justice
468 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Miss Ru9angiz Fat9-' A~am (Fatheazam) was a still a young woman, served as a teacher and
prominent maidservant of Baha'u'llah in fran later became its administrator working in close
whose life from her earliest youth was dedi- collaboration with Miss Adelaide Sharp,4 the
cated to the service of God and man. Born in principal. So efficiently did they administer the
the village of Ardistan, Iran in 1898, she was affairs of the school that its fame spread
one of the very few women in the entire coun- throughout the country attracting as students
try to receive a good education , at a time when large numbers of the daughters of prominent
almost all Persian women were illiterate. As a non-Baha'i families. Through her devoted and
result of the encouragement of' Abdu'l-B aha, capable services 'Ru9angiz Khanum', as she
she and a few other Baha'i girls were given an was known to Baha'is and non-Baha'is alike,
opportunity to study English, although very gained the admiration , respect and affection of
few Persians, men or women, in that period the hundreds of students who passed through
knew the language. the school, as well as the love and esteem of
She was born into a family whose members their families.
had the bounty of being among the first to When the Iranian government closed
recognize the twin Manifestations of God and Tarbiyat School, Ru9angiz took employment
to declare allegiance to the new Revelation as an officer in the National Bank of fran, one
from its inception. of the few women in the country to be
Her maternal grandfather, Mulla 'Ali-Akbar- appointed to a position of this type at that time.
i-Ardistani, 1 and Quddus and Mulla ?adiq-i- From her earliest years Ru9angiz dedicated
Muqaddas, were the first three believers to be her life to service to the Cause. Hardly a day
persecuted in Shiraz where they suffered went by when she was not engaged in promotpunishment and indignities. After being severely ing the Faith and building up its institutions.
beaten a hole was bored in the nose of each For many years she was a member of the Local
through which a string was passed by which Spiritual Assembly of Tihran, in some years
they were led through the streets. An account serving as its secretary, which gave full play to
of their suffering was published in the London her executive skills in co-ordinating the
Times of 19 November 1845. activities of almost 60,000 Baha'is. She also
Mirza Fat9-'Ali, 2 her paternal grandfather, served on a number of important national
was one of the few Ba bis who recognized the committees including those relating to the edustation of Baha'u'llah before His declaration, cation of Baha'i children, the progress of
when he met Him in Ba.s!!dad. Baha'u'llah Baha'i women and the relations between
honoured him with the surname Fat9-i - A'~am believers of the East and West.
(the Most Great Victory) and said of him that In the winter of 1965, when she was sixty-
'all the way from Ba~dad to Constantinople, seven years of age, she responded to the call of
he was with Him in spirit, though not corpore- the Universal House of Justice in the Nine
ally .' 3 Year Plan for pioneers to open new territories.
Shortly after Ru9angiz's birth her father, Leaving her home, friends and comfort she
Aqa Siyyid Shah3.b, had to leave Ardistan to be settled on the island of Capri in the Bay of
spared the persecution instigated by Shaykh Naples where there were no Baha'is. She was
Mu9ammad Taqiy-i-Najafi, surnamed by unaccompanied and knew neither Italian nor
Baha'u'llah 'the Son of the Wolf'. Abandoning the local dialect . Although a popular place for
their land and possessions the family estab- tourists in the summer months, Capri offers a
lished themselves in Tihran where Ru9angiz lonely and isolated existence in the winter and
obtained her education. When still only in her few of the residents speak English . On arrival
teens she was employed by the Ministry of in the winter, she was unable to find accommo-
Education as a teacher in one of the few dation in a private residence. Hotels refuse to
school for girls which had recently been estab- accept guests in the off season because their
lished in Persia. When the Tarbiyat School for doing so would require paying taxes to the
girls was established by the Baha'is Ru9angiz, government. Exhausted and weary she went
from hotel to hotel but was refused admission.
The Bab, H. M. Balyuzi, pp. 76-78.
Baha'u'llah, the King of Glory, H. M. Balyuzi, p. 47.
Evening was drawing on when she applied for
ibid. p. 261. 'See 'In Memoriam', p. 418.
IN MEMORIAM 469
pose was not only to improve and perfect her
command of Italian but also to succeed in winning warm friendships among the nuns, the
children and their parents. She had loved children all her life and devoted herself to their
training and she soon commanded the love of
her classmates. Arriving at class a few minutes
late on one occasion she was surprised when
the children applauded as she took her seat.
When she asked about it one child explained:
'His customary when a student is late for the
teacher to require him to sit in a corner as
punishment-we are so glad the teacher didn't
make you do that!' Although handicapped by a
still elementary knowledge of Italian she
enjoyed the respect of the nuns and was
gratified some years later to meet one of them,
no longer wearing a habit, at a Baha'i summer
school in Italy.
Ostensibly to improve her knowledge of
Italian, Rul:Jangfz offered free English lessons
to the people of the island, thus increasing her
circle of friends and contacts through the mag-
Ruf:zangiz Fatf:z-'Aiam
netism of her personality and the genuine love
she radiated. From her students there graduaccommodation at the last hotel on her list and ally developed a circle of close friends and
was again rejected. A passerby noting her dis- admirers of the teachings of the Faith. She
tress and the tears of discouragement in her began teaching openly only afte r having won
eyes directed her to the outlying village of the respect, confidence and trust of the popula-
Anacapri where she found a room in a hotel tion and in 1972, in the sevenq1 year of her
managed by a kindly man who spoke some stay., the first Local Spiritual Assembly was
English. Alone in her room she offered prayers formed. Its establishment had been hampered
of gratitude. An early riser, she would waken at by the fact that many who were drawn to the
dawn and stroll along the seashore and then Faith eventually had to leave the island to find
devote her time to rereading Nabil's narrative, employment abroad . The eighth and ninth
drawing inspiration from the lives of the early believers who made formation of the Assembly
dawn-breakers of the Faith. She purchased a possible were a young married couple. The
'teach yourself' book and began to study man had attended firesides regularly and arriv-
Italian. ing late at the meeting one evening was lov-
On one of her morning visits to the seashore ingly chided by Rul:Jangfz. He apologized by
she was befriended by a woman and her daugh- explaining that this was the eve of his wedding.
ter who had watched her daily visits with interest. Not long after this Rul:Jangfz spent an entire
Although she knew only a few words of Italian night in prayer imploring the Blessed Beauty to
by that time a friendship developed between lead one more soul to the Faith in order that
them culminating in an invitation to have the Assembly could be elected. Early the next
Rul:iangfz tutor the daughter in English in morning a young woman presented herself at
exchange for Italian lessons. The girl's father Rul:Jangfz's door and declared her belief in
was the head of the postal and telegraph ser- Baha'u'llah-it was the bride who had just
vice on the island and the family extended returned from her honeymoon. Not knowing
assistance in many ways. the girl well , Rul:Jangfz inquired why she had
At a later time she received permission to been prompted to make her decision. Pointing
attend a school run by nuns where she took to a photograph of' Abdu'l-B aha in Rul:Jangfz's
lessons with a class of small children. Her pur- room the girl explained: 'I dreamed of the Mas-
470 THE BAHA'i WORLD

ter last night-he told me I must do this.' abroad. But Rul)angiz's concern was even
Selflessness and generosity were among greater: there were only eight other Baha'is
Rul)angfz's outstanding qualities. Although on the island. Would the Local Assembly be
she lavished hospitality and gifts upon others lost?
she lived modestly, ate simple food and dressed When her family arrived they found that
in dignified, practical and plain clothes. When Rul)angfz was paralyzed and had lost the
her relatives from Europe lovingly scolded her power of speech, although she remained very
for giving away the presents they would make alert. She knew, for instance, that the Local
of clothing and other things she replied, 'If I Assembly was to be formed the next day.
dress as you would have me do the people Restricted to communicating by motions of her
would not be comfortable in coming to visit head and muffled grunts she nonetheless made
me; they accept me dressed as I am in simple apparent to the secretary of the Assembly her
taste.' distress at the prospect of the Assembly being
She rented the ground floor of a house situ- lost. The secretary assured her that a ninth
ated at the apex of two main streets of person had just accepted the Faith and the
Anacapri and although the noise level was high Assembly was secure. Fearing that the secreshe chose it because it was convenient for pas- tary had said this merely to comfort her,
sersby to drop in. Her door was literally open Rul)angfz demanded that she recite the
the whole day and it led directly into the draw- names of the nine which, with the slight motion
ing room which she had decorated in the man- possible to her, she ticked off on her fingers.
ner of a Baha'i Centre with appropriate photo- Still unconvinced and fearing that the friends
graphs and ample supplies of Baha'i literature . might be humouring her she then insisted that
Although she had a constant stream of the new believer be brought into her presence!
guests-travelling teachers and inquirers-she Meeting him she burst into tears of relief. Such
would allow no one to deprive her of the was her determination that the Assembly be
privilege of serving them . During the summer safeguarded.
when the water supply of Capri is often inter- It was the saddest moment of her life when
rupted and water must be drawn in buckets the doctor advised that she might be incapacifrom a common well, Rul)angiz, then past tated for years . Not wishing to be a burden on
seventy and rather frail, would arise long the friends of Capri, Rul)angfz reluctantly conbefore her guests and with great difficulty bring sented to leave the island for hospital treatbuckets of water to the house. She became a ment. Two years after leaving her pioneering
familiar figure in Anacapri and after seven post she passed away on 27 September 1978 in
years there was literally no one who did not Tihran. In her room in the hospital there was a
know her, respect her, and who had not heard picture of 'Abdu'l-Baha and photographs of
of the Faith from her. 'I did not begin teaching the Spiritual Assembly of Capri.
at once,' she said. 'When I had won the trust of
the people I felt that they would listen closely
when it came time to speak of the Faith.' So
great was her popularity that she was called
upon to act as Godmother of some of the children
of her Catholic friends on the island. On one of JEANNETTE HILDA BA TTRICK
these occasions she explained to the Catholic 1922-1978
Priest that she was not a Christian. 'But you
believe in Jesus Christ?' he asked . 'All Baha'is Jeannette was born on 2 March 1922 in Scaraccept Jesus Christ as one of the Manifesta- borough, Yorkshire, England of hard-working
tions of God,' she told him. 'That's enough, Christian parents who were animated by a
then,' the Priest said. pioneering spirit. She had an enquiring mind
In April 197 5 after ten years of dedicated and from an early age was encouraged by her
service she suffered a stroke. Her disability father to investigate questions that interested
caused great distress to both the Baha'is and her. After the death of her first husband Jeannon-Baha'is of Anacapri. Immediately her nette, who was still in her early twenties, went
concerned frie·nds telephoned her relatives to Switzerland with her infant daughter, Ilona,
IN MEMORIAM 471
to learn the hotel business. While there she met
a fellow student, Owen Battrick, whom she
married in 1948. For a time they operated a
hotel in North Wales and in 1951 they moved
to Reading, Berkshire where they started two
food catering business.es. The businesses prospered and the young couple led a life of material comfort but they grew increasingly more
dissatisfied with the conventional round of
empty social activities. Their concern about
what they felt to be a growing spiritual lethargy
and their interest in finding solutions to pressing social questions led them to seek diligently
for truth. They investigated various groups and
sects and, their search seeming fruitless, grew
dispirited and sought refuge in their own home,
praying for an answer.
In books taken from the public library they
found reference to the Baha'i Faith and
hastened to obtain other Baha'i books from a
local bookshop . They were not then aware that
their 'discovery' had coincided with the arrival in
Reading of Beryl de Gruchy, a Baha'i pioneer Jeannette Hilda Battrick
to the area, who several weeks later advertised
the holding of a Baha'i public meeting in the
George Hotel. Jeannette exhorted Owen to islands of the North Sea-the Shetlands,
attend and find out more. 'You must get there Orkneys and Farnes. To all of these the
early,' she said, 'as there will be thousands of Battricks travelled excepting the Farnes to
people in attendance.' In fact, there were only which their daughter, Ilona, pioneered in
four people present, including Beryl, and all 1972. In addition, throughout the Crusade,
were Baha'is. The outcome of the meeting, Jeannette served on many committees includhowever, was the acceptance of the Faith by ing, in the final year of the Ten Year Plan, the
the Ba ttricks. National Teaching Committee. The Guardian
Those were the early days of the Ten Year had approved their moving to the South Pacific
Crusade. Jeannette immediately threw herself when circumstances permitted. In 1967, followinto the service of Baha'u'llah in both the ing full family consultation, the Battricks moved
teaching and administrative fields with a devo- to the southern hemisphere fulfilling a long
tion that was to characterize her entire Baha'i cherished desire to pioneer to the Pacific
life. Her pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1957, region. Only three months before their departure
and her meeting with Shoghi Effendi, further in August of that year it was learned that Jeangalvanized her and charged her activities with a nette had breast cancer; she underwent surgery
vitality that did not dim with the years. and subsequent treatment but she did not allow
Pioneering became part of her everyday life. In this setback to prevent her pioneering.
April 1957 with her son, Richard, then only Jeannette, with her two youngest children,
six, she went to Edinburgh for six months to sailed for New Zealand whilst Owen flew to the
help re-establish the Local Assembly. She next Solomon Islands for a six-month period to
pioneered to Luxembourg in 1960 with her assist the Blums. From here he gained a footthree-year old daughter, Sarah, and stayed for hold in New Caledonia, their pioneering post,
approximately ten months before returning to and prepared the way for the family to join
England to devote the remainder of the Ten him. Meanwhile, Jeannette was elected secre-
Year Crusade, as the Guardian had suggested, tary of the National Spiritual Assembly of New
to teaching in the pivotal centres of Edinburgh, Zealand at Ric;Ivan 1968. Her services in that
Cardiff, Belfast, Dublin, London and in the country endeared her to Baha'is throughout
472 THE BAHA'I WORLD

the land. She travelled extensively throughout
the North Island and was especially conscious
of the need to teach the Maori people.
Although she was re-elected in 1969 she left
New Zealand in May to settle in New
Caledonia. Here, and later in the Loyalty
Islands, Jeannette attained the pinnacle of her
services. Tireless in her devotion , selfsacrificing of her time , health and material
means, and patient in her love of the indigenous people, she burned herself out. Often her
husband or children would find her asleep over
her typewriter and would urge her to go to bed
for proper rest. Stirring herself, she would say
'I've only a few more lines to type and then I've
finished,' and on she would go.
Jeannette was secretary of the National
Spiritual Assembly of the South West Pacific
when it moved its seat to Noumea, New
Caledonia in 1971 and served in this capacity
until she and her husband left to pioneer to
Ouvea , Loyalty Islands. She remained on that
National Assembly until she was forced by ill-
Ismail Hiwari Meymoun
ness to settle in Auckland, New Zealand in
1975. Those eighteen months spent in Ouvea
were probably some of the happiest of her life; ISMAIL HIWARI MEYMOUN
she was sustained by the memory of that period (ISMA'IL HUY ARf MA YMUN 'UMAR)
during the last three years of her life as the 1938-1978
cancer took its toll. In March 1976 Owen was
appointed to the Continental Board of Coun- Isma'fl Huvarf Maymun 'Umar was born in
sellors and made his base in New Zealand. Nador, Morocco in 1938 and was educated in
Jeannette served as his secretary whilst under- Nador and Tetuan. He accepted the Baha'i
going rigorous chemotherapy. Her indomi- Faith in 1958 after hearing about it through a
table courage during this time became an devoted pioneer, Mr. Fawzi Zanyu'l-'Abidin, 1
example to all who knew her. She never and in 1960 when the first Spiritual Assembly
allowed the disease to overwhelm her and to of Nador was established he was one of its
the very end she served the Cause of Baha'u'- members. At the time the persecution and
llah as best she could, spending long hours imprisonment of Baha'is began in Nador 2 in
praying for the friends in the Cook Islands and 1962, Isma'fl was living in Casablanca. He
elsewhere whom she could no longer visit. served as liaison between the families of the
On her passing on 6 October 1978, the Uni- Baha'i prisoners and the Administrative
versal House of Justice cabled the National Committee which had been established for the
Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand: protection and welfare of the Baha'i community. He travelled far and wide to render any
HEARTS GRIEVED UNTIMELY PASSING HEROIC
service he could to the friends and paid visits to
SELFSACRIFICING MAIDSERVANT BAHAULLAH
Baha'is who had been imprisoned in Kenitra
JEANNETTE BATTRICK HER UNTIRING SERVICES
and Meknes.
CAUSE BRITAIN EUROPE AND PACIFIC AREA
In 1966 Isma'il obtained leave of absence
INSPIRING EXAMPLE RISING GENERATION BAHAI
from his job and devoted a year to travel
PIONEERS PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS
teaching in the countries of north-western
HER RADIANT SOUL.
Africa, bearing all the expenses despite his
'See 'In Memoriam ', The Bah{/( World , vol. XVI , p. 545.
2 See The Baha'( World , vol. XIII , p. 288 .
IN MEMORIAM 473
modest circumstances. Upon returning to
Morocco he participated with great enthusiasm
in various Baha'i activities on the local, regional and national levels. He was elected to
serve on the National Spiritual Assembly for
several years and was at various times a
member of the Spiritual Assemblies ofTetuan,
Nador, Casablanca and Ujda. In 1969 he
arranged a transfer in his employment and was
appointed Director of the Post Office in Tarjist
thus satisfying his desire to pioneer to a goal
area . His marriage in that same year to a
devoted Baha'i was the first between Moroccan believers to be solemnized in full accord
with the Baha'i teachings without an additional
ceremony.
Salient among the distinguishing characteristics of this dear friend were his faithful -
ness, his generosity and his indefatigable
efforts to serve others. He cherished the companionship of the Baha'i friends and braving all
dangers would travel long distances to be with
them. Within and without the Baha'i commu-
Otto Hafner
nity, all who knew him will long remember this
radiant and tender youth whose constant
pleasure was to be of service. Mr. Hafner's early childhood already bore
Isma'fl's death occurred on 2 November the imprint of deep spirituality through the
1978 in tragic and mysterious circumstances; firm belief of his parents in the Revelation of
his burnt body was found inside his automobile Baha'u'llah. An event in his childhood which
along the highway approximately six only few were privileged to experience- that
kilometres from Tarjist. Informed of his death, of meeting the Master-illumined his path
the Universal House of Justice cabled: through life. At the age of three in Paris in
1911 and again at the age offive in Esslingen in
. . . GRIEVED NEWS PASSING ISMAIL HIWARI
1913 1 he was privileged, together with his par-
MEYMOUN ASSURE RELATIVES FRIENDS ARDENT
ents, to be in the presence of' Abdu'l-Baha on
PRAYERS SACRED THRESHOLD PROGRESS SOUL
several occasions. Photographs of that time
KINGDOM GOD.
show 'Abdu'l-Baha embracing him. In Fellback, where he grew up , the hospitable home
of his parents was for a long time the meeting
OTTO HAFNER
place of the Baha'i friends for deepening in the
1908- 1978
new Revelation and for happy fellowship.
After completing his education, Mr. Hafner
Otto Hafner was called to the heavenly realm
turned to the study of mathematics and ended
on 3 November 1978 after a brief illness. All
his professional career about five years ago
who knew him had a sincere affection for him,
after working for many years as director of a
since his cheerful, sociable and loving nature
large insurance company .
was the basis for joyous companionship. The
He served the Cause of Baha' u'llah with
Universal House of Justice cabled on 7
loyal devotion. For over two decades he was a
November:
member of the National Spiritual Assembly of
GRIEVED NEWS PASSING DEVOTED VETERAN Germany, undertaking the responsible office
BELIEVER OTTO HAFNER EXTEND LOVING SYM- of treasurer. Often the volume of work con-
PATHY BEREAVED FAMILY PRAYING PROGRESS 1
See 'In Memoriam', Anna Koestlin , The Bahd'f World, vol.
HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. xv, p. 511.
474 THE BAHA'I WORLD

nected with this post taxed his strength, but out tomb of Mlle. Tabrfzi, the first Baha'i pioneer
of love for 'Abdu'l-Baha he carried out the to Corsica.
duties assigned him. He continued to serve as a During the last years of his life Clarence
member of the Local Spiritual Assembly of lverson's physical condition was extremely
Esslingen to the end of his life and threw him- feeble. He will be remembered as a person who
self wholeheartedly into the project of rebuild- overcame physical and financial difficulties
ing the Baha'i home there. We remember with over a period of ten years in order to remain at
gratitude his services as a member of the his pioneer post. He also will be remembered
National Finance Committee and the valuable as one who exemplified the Baha'i ideals, and
assistance he rendered toward the construction as a dear friend to all.
of the House of Worship in Langenhain. His
last years were spent in a suburb of Esslingen;
thus the place where 'Abdu'l-Baha stayed and
where Mr. Hafner was privileged to be in His
presence as a child became his last resting EMMA MARGARET
place. TIJSSEN-HARTMANN
The German Baha'is remain bound to Otto 1888-1979
Hafner across the borders of this earthly life by
ties of deep love and profound gratitude . Margaret Tijssen was born on 15 March 1888
DR. EUGEN SCHMIDT and passed away in Stuttgart at Naw-Ruz 1979
in her ninety-first year. Margaret's father was
part of the academic life of Stuttgart where he
taught history and the history of art and under
his guidance his daughter entered a world rich
CLARENCE JOHN IVERSON in cultural opportunities-concerts, theatre,
music and painting. She studied art herself and
1909-1979
became a drawing teacher at a school for girls.
Mr. Clarence John Iverson, a man with an In 1921 , together with her husband who was a
unswerving desire to serve the Faith of contemporary and friend of Dr. Adelbert
Baha'u'llah, arose at the International Oceanic
Conference held in Palermo, Sicily in August
1968, tovolunteeras a pioneer in Bastia, Corsica,
an island belonging to France. He received his
assignment from the National Spiritual
Assembly of France on 19 November 1968,
and was informed by the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States
on 21May1969 that he would be included in a
new United States quota of pioneers for
France, thereby fulfilling one of the goals of the
Nine Year Plan.
Clarence Iverson was born on 7 February
1909 in Wahoo, Nebraska. He enrolled in the
Baha'i Faith in 1930 and pioneered to El
Salvador, Central America, from 1939 to
1946. As a result of his studies he had received
a B.A. in Arts and Sciences, and earned his
living as a piano teacher while pioneering. He
spoke Spanish and French fluently.
Clarence died in the Bastia Hospital on 17
February 1979, following an automobile accident on a highway near his home in Bastia. He
is buried in the cemetery of Bastia, close to the Emma Margaret Tijssen-Hartmann
IN MEMORIAM 475
Miihlschlegel, she accepted the Baha'i Faith.
Mr. Tijssen passed away in 1955.
In 193 7 the family came to the Netherlands
and settled in the Hague. One of their two sons,
Walter Frank, and his wife Dora , a lso accepted
the Faith. The older Baha'is of the community
of the Netherlands and especially those from
the area of the Hague maintain a memory of
Margaret as a radiantly contented being.
Although her life was not free of tragedy she
had the gift of a happy nature and the capacity
to look upon the positive aspects of any situation. Even when confined to a nursing home
toward the end of her life she expressed happiness with her lot. In her great simplicity and
modesty, and with her deep faith, she felt herself united in sympathy and love with all forms
of God's creation, and she expressed this
through her devoted service to others. At
whatever time she was needed, and in whatever capacity, Margaret would be found at the
Baha'i Centre in the Hague. After visiting the
J:Ia~iratu'l-Quds in 1971 the Hand of the
Georgette VanSombeek
Cause Abu'l-Qasim Faizi wrote: 'The special
and loving services of this dearly loved "invisible" lady who hides herself in the kitchen are
of great importance and are a source of happi- always existed between the girls, and it was
ness and inspire gratitude in everyone who has natural that Jetty should express an interest in
the chance to meet her. She is a treasure!' the Cause which her sister had embraced so
Margaret expressed her love for flowers in wholeheartedly. However, Jetty did not
very delicate drawings. One of these has been immediately become a Baha'i.
left to the Baha'i community and is preserved In 1946 the Guardian launched the second
at the Baha'i Centre. Seven Year Plan which had as one of its purposes the secure establishment of the Faith in
ten goal countries of Europe including Holland.' The sisters returned that year to the
Netherlands-Rita's activities already being
GEORGETTE STRAUB-VAN harnessed to the needs of the Cause- and on 2
BLEYSWIJK SOMBEEK February 194 7 the Guardian's secretary was
1906- 1979 instructed to write a letter addressed jointly to
Miss Rita Van Sombeek and Mrs. Jetty Straub:
Georgette 'Jetty' Straub was one of the first 'He was so happy to see that your sister has
Baha'is of the Netherlands. Her sister, Miss embraced the Faith and arisen to serve it with
Rita Van Sombeek, had spent the years of you with so much devotion and enthusiasm ...
World War II in America and in 1946 The work in Holland is very promising, and he
embraced the Baha'i Faith. In a letter dated 5 feels sure you both, with Mr. van Ogtrop, will
March 1946 written on behalf of Shoghi soon see tangible results of your devoted
Effendi by his secretary, the Guardian wel- labours.' The offer the women had made to
comed Miss Van Sombeek 'as a co-worker' and immediately begin translating the literature of
expressed his intention to accede to her request the Faith from English into Dutch was warmly
by praying 'that your sister may also accept the
'See The Bahti'( World, vol. XVI, p. 81: Portugal, Spain,
Faith'. Jetty was visiting her sister in America Italy, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Belguim, the Netherlands,
at the time. A strong bond of affection had Denmark. Norway and Sweden. Finland added later.
476 THE BAHA'I WORLD

commended. In his own hand the Guardian Baha'i community of the Netherlands is deeply
wrote: 'The work on which you and your dear grateful to Jetty and her sister, Rita, and that
sister have embarked is historic, meritorious, handful of friends who in those early days
and rich in possibilities. Future generations will laboured for the Faith in Europe, guided from
extol your labours and derive inspiration from Geneva by the European Teaching Committhe example you have set. I am deeply grateful tee. The name of Jetty Straub-like that of her
to you both, admire your spirit, will pray for sister-remains inseparably linked with the
your success, and am eager to receive the history of the Faith in the Netherlands. She
report of your activities. Never lose heart , be passed away in Zeist on 7 April 1979. On 16
assured, happy and grateful.' April the Universal House of Justice cabled:
In a tribute written at the time of Jetty's
passing in 1979 the National Spiritual Assem- GRIEVED NEWS PASSING JETTY STRAUB VAN-
bly acknowledged its debt of gratitude for the SOMBEEK WHOSE DEVOTED SERVICES CAUSE
earliest translations of Dutch literature includ- BAHAULLAH HAVE ENDOWED NETHERLANDS
ing the first prayer book, The Hidden Words of BAHAI COMMUNITY WITH IMPERISHABLE
Bahd'u'lltih and Bahti'u'lltih and the New Era. BENEFITS STOP CONVEY LOVING SYMPATHY HER
'Jetty gave all her strength to this labour of love SISTER MEMBERS HER FAMILY STOP PRAYING
and without her this would not have been HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA
achieved,' the National Assembly stated. 'The KINGDOM.
.j:o.
-...J

-l
:i:
m
°'>
:i:
>·
::;::
;o
r

One of the ornamental urns which graci; the gardens surrounding the Shrine of the Bab.
PART SIX

DIRECTORY, BIBLIOGRAPHY,
GLOSSARY
I
BAHA'I DIRECTORY 1976-1979
133 - 135 OF THE BAHA'I ERA

1 . THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
Address: 10 Haparsim Street, 35 055 Haifa, Israel (P.O. Box 155, 31 001
Haifa)

2. THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE
Address : 7 Haparsim Street, 35 055 Haifa, Israel (P.O . Box 155, 31 001 Haifa)

THE HANDS OF THE CA USE RESIDING IN
THE HOLY LAND

Amatu'I-Baha Rul)fyyih Khanum Abu' I-Qasim Faizi
'A li-Akbar Furutan Paul E. Haney

CONTINENTAL HANDS OF THE CAUSE

Shu'a'u'llah 'Ala'! Ral)matu ' llah Muhajir
J:Iasan M. Balyuzf Adelbert Miihlschlegel
H . Collis Featherstone Enoch Olinga
Ugo G iachery John A. Robarts
Dhikru'Ilah Khadem Wi lliam B. Sears
Jalal Khazeh 'A lf-Mul)ammad Varga

3. THE INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTRE
Address: 38 Allenby Road , 35 055 Haifa, Israel (P.O. Box 155, 31 001 Haifa)

482 THE BAHA'I WORLD

4. CONTINENTAL BOARDS OF COUNSELLORS*
Africa Asia
Central and East Africa North-eastern Asia
Northern Africa South Central Asia
So uthern Africa South-eastern Asia
Western Africa Western Asia

The Americas A us tra las ia
Central America Australasia
North America
South A merica Europe
Europe

5. BAHA'I INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
D r. Victor de Araujo,
345 East 46th Street, Room 809,
New York, New York 10017,
U.S.A.

6. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
At Ric;lvan 1976 there were 117 Baha'i National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world, and
at Ric;lvan 1979 there were 130-37 in Africa, 33 in the Americas, 31 in Asia, 10 in Australasia
and 19 in Europe. Current addresses are available from the Baha'i World Centre, P.O. Box 155,
31 001 Haifa, Israel.

7 . BAHA'I PUBLISHING TRUSTS

ARGENTINA BRAZIL
E.B.I.L.A., Editora Baha'i-Brasil,
Av. Santa Fe 5085 , Rua Engenheiro Gama Lobo, 267 ,
1425 Buenos Aires , Vila Isabel,
Argentina . 20000 Rio de Janeiro RJ,
Brasil.
AUSTRALIA
Baha'i Publishing Trust, FIJI ISLANDS
P.O. Box 166, Baha'i Publish ing Trust,
Mudgee, N.S.W. 2850 P.O. Box 2007,
A ustrali a. Government Buildings,
Suva,
BELGIUM Fiji Islands.
Maison d'Edi tio ns Baha'ie,
205 rue du Trone, GERMANY
1050 Brussels, Baha'i-Verlag GMBH,
Belgium. Eppsteiner Strasse 89,
D-6238 Hofheim-Langenhain,
Germany .

•Current post office addresses are available from Baha'i World Centre, P.O. Box 155, 31 001 Haifa, Israel.
BAHA ' I DIRECTORY 483
INDIA NORWAY
Baha'i Publishing Trust, Baha'i Forlag,
6, Canning Road, P.O. Box 127,
Post Box 19, N-1430 As,
New Delhi, 110001 Norway.
India.
PHILIPPINES
IRAN* Baha'i Publishing Trust,
P.O. Box 4323 ,
ITALY Manila,
Casa Editrice Baha'i) Philippines.
Circonvallazione Nomentana, 484-A/l,
00162 Rome, PAKISTAN
Italy. Baha'i Publishing Trust,
P.O. Box 7420,
JAPAN Karachi 3, Pakistan.
Baha'i Publishing Trust,
P.O. Box 878, SPAIN
Osaka, Japan 530-91. Editorial Baha'i de Espana,
Paseo Dr. Moragas,
KOREA 168 , 2°, 2•, Santa Marie de Barbara,
Baha'i Publishing Trust, Barcelona, Spain.
249-36 Huam-dong,
Yongsan-ku, SWEDEN
Seoul 140 Baha'i-Forlaget,
Republic of Korea. Matilda Ljungstedts viig 27,
122 35 Enskede,
MALAYSIA Sweden.
Baha'i Publishing Trust,
32 Jalan Angsana, Setapak, TAIWAN
Kuala Lumpur 14-11, Ta Tung Chiao Publishing Trust,
Malaysia. 26, Lane 18, Ta Hsieh Road,
Tainan 700, Taiwan .
NEAR EAST*
UGANDA *
NETHERLANDS
Stichting Baha'i Literatuur, UNITED KINGDOM
Riouwstraat 27 , Baha'i Publishing Trust,
The Hague , 2 South Street,
The Netherlands. Oakham, Rutland/Leics, LE15 6Hy,
England.

UNITED STATES
Baha'i Publishing Trust,
415 Linden Avenue,
Wilmette, Illinois 60091,
U.S.A.

•Address communications to Baha'i World Centre, P.O. Box 155, 31 000 Haifa, Israel
484 THE BAHA'I WORLD

II
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. BAHA'U'LLAH'S BEST-KNOWN WORKS

AlvaJ:i-i-Laylatu'l-Quds. LawJ:i-i-J:Iusayn.
A~l-i-Kull u'I- Kha yr. LawJ:i-i-Ibn-i-Dhi'b (Epistle to the Son of the
Az-Bagh-i-Ilahi. Wolf).
Baz-A v-u-Bidih-J ami. LawJ:i-i-IttiJ:iad.
Bi~arat (Glad Tidings). LawJ:i-i-Jamal.
Chihar-Vadf (Four Valleys). LawJ:i-i-Karim.
Haft-Vadf (Seven Valleys). LawJ:i-i-Karmil.
Halih-Halih-Ya-Bisharat. LawJ:i-i-Kullu't-Ta'am.
J:Iur-i-'U jab. LawJ:i-i-Malikih (Tablet to Queen V ictoria).
J:IurUfat-i-' Allin. LawJ:i-i-Malik-i-Rus (Tablet to the Czar of
Ishraqat (Splendours). Russia).
Kalimat-i-Firdawsfyyih (Words of Paradise). LawJ:i-i-MallaJ:iu'l-Quds (Tablet of the Holy
Kalimat-i-Maknunih (Hidden Words). Mariner).
Kitab-i-'Ahd (Book of Covenant). LawJ:i-i-Manikjf-$aJ:iib.
Kitab-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book). LawJ:i-i-Maq~ud.
Kitab-i-Badf'. LawJ:i-i-Maryam.
Kitab-i-iqan (Book of Certitude). LawJ:i-i-Mawlud.
LawJ:i-i-' Abdu'l-'Azfz-Va-Vukala. LawJ:i-i-Mubahilih.
LawJ:i-i-'Abdu'l-Vahhab . LawJ:i-i-Napulyun (First Tablet to Napoleon
LawJ:i-i-' Abdu'r-Razzaq. III).
LawJ:i-i-AJ:ibab. LawJ:i-i- Napulyun II (Second Tablet to
LawJ:i-i-AJ:imad (Tablet of AJ:imad). Napoleon III).
LawJ:i-i-Amvaj. LawJ:i-i-Na~ir.
LawJ:i-i-Anta'l-Kaff. LawJ:i-i-Nuqtih.
LawJ:i-i-Aqdas. LawJ:i-i-Pap (Tablet to the Pope).
LawJ:i-i-Ashraf. LawJ:i-i-Pisar-' Amm.
LawJ:i-i-' Ashiq-va-Ma'shuq. LawJ:i-i-Qina'.
LawJ:i-i-Ayiy-i-Nur. LawJ:i-i-Quds.
LawJ:i-i-Baha . LawJ:i-i-Raff'.
LawJ:i-i-Baqa. LawJ:i-i-Ra'fs (Tablet to Ra'fs).
LawJ:i-i-Basfta tu '1-J:Iaqfqih. LawJ:i-i-Raqsha.
LawJ:i-i-Bismilih. LawJ:i-i- Rasul.
LawJ:i-i-Bulbulu'l-Firaq. LawJ:i-i-RuJ:i.
LawJ:i-i-Burhan. LawJ:i-i-Ru'ya.
LawJ:i-i-Dunya (Tablet of the World). LawJ:i-i-SaJ:iab.
LawJ:i-i-Fitnih. LawJ:i-i-Salman I.
LawJ:i-i-Ghulamu'l-Khuld . LawJ:i-i-Salman II.
LawJ:i-i-J:Iabfb. LawJ:i-i-Samsun.
LawJ:i-i-Haft-Pursish . LawJ:i-i-SayyaJ:i.
LawJ:i -i-J:Iajj. LawJ:i-i-Shaykh-Fanf.
LawJ:i-i-Hawdaj. LawJ:i-i-Sultan.
LawJ:i-i-I;Iikmat (Tablet of Wisdom). LawJ:i-i-TawJ:ifd.
LawJ:i-i-Hirtfk. LawJ:i-i-Tibb .
LawJ:i-i-J:Iuriyyih. LawJ:i-i-Tuqa.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 485
Lawl)-i-Yusuf. Suriy-i-J:Iajj II.
Lawl)-i-Zaynu'l-Muqarrabfn. Suriy-i-Haykal.
Lawl)-i-Zfyarih . Suriy-i-J:Iif?.
Madfnatu'r-Ri<;la. Suriy-i-Hijr.
Madfnatu't-Tawl)fd. Suriy-i-'Ibad.
Mathnavf. Suriy-i-Ism.
Munajathay-i-$fyam. Suriy-i-Ismuna'l-Mursil.
Qad - Il)taraqua'l-Mukhli~un. Suriy-i-Javad.
Qa~fdy-i-Varqa'fyyih. Suriy-i-Khitab.
Rashl)-i-' Arna. Suriy-i-Ma ' anf.
Ri<;lvanu'l-' Adi. Suriy-i-Man' .
Ri<;lvanu'l-Iqrar. Suriy-i-Muluk.
$al)ffi y-i-Shat(f yyih. Suriy-i-Nida.
$alat-i-Mayyit (Prayer for the Dead). Suriy - i-Nu~l).
Saqf-Az-Ghayb-i-Baqa. Suriy-i-Qadir.
Shikkar-Shikan-Shavand. Suriy-i-Qahfr.
Subl)ana-Rabbfya'l-A'la. Suriy-i-Qalam.
Subl)anaka-Ya-Hu. Suriy-i - Qamf~.
Suratu'llah. Suriy-i-$abr.
Suriy-i-Al)zan. Suriy-i-Sultan.
Suriy-i-Amfn. Suriy-i-Vafa.
Suriy-i-Amr. Suriy-i-Zfyarih.
Suriy-i-A'rab . Suriy-i-Zabur.
Suriy - i - A~l)ab. Suriy-i-Z,uhur.
Suriy-i-Asma'. Tafsir-i-Hu.
Suriy-i-Bayan. Tafsir-i-J:I urllfat-i- Muq aga 'ih.
Suriy-i-Damm. Tafsir-i-Suriy-i-Va'sh-Shams.
Suriy-i-Dhabfl). Tajalliyat (Effulgences).
Suriy-i-Dhibl). Tarazat (Ornaments) .
Suriy-i-Dhikr. Zfyarat-Namih (The Tablet of Visitation).
Suriy-i-Fa<;ll. Zfyarat-N amiy-i-Awliya.
Suriy-i-Fatl). Zfyarat-Namiy-i-Babu' l-Bab va Quddus.
Suriy-i-Fu'ad. Zfyarat-N amiy-i-Bayt.
Suriy - i-Ghu~n (Tablet of the Branch) . Zfyarat-Namiy-i-Maryam.
Suriy-i-J:Iajj I. Zfyarat-Namiy-i-Siyyidu'sh-Shuhada.

(Note: the works of Baha'u'llah, translated into English by Shoghi Effendi, are listed on p. 488.
under the subheading, 'Translations'.)

COMPILATIONS IN ENGLISH
Tablets of Bah<i.'u'lltih revealed after the Kittib -i-Aqdas

2. THE BAB'S BEST-KNOWN WORKS

The Arabic Bayan. Khasa'il-i-Sab'ih.
Commentary on the Surih of Kaw!b_ar. Kitab-i-Asma'.
Commentary on the Surih of Va'l - 'A~r. Kitab-i-Panj -Sha'n.
Dala'il-i-Sab'ih. Kitabu'r-Rul).
Epistles to Mul)ammad Shah and J:Iajf Mirza Lawl)-i-J:I urllfa t.
Aqasf. The Persian Bayan.
486 THE BAHA ' I WORLD

Qayyumu' l-Asma'. $al)ffy-i-J a ' fari yyih.
Risaliy-i-' Adliyyih. $al)ffiy-i-Makhzunih.
Risaliy-i-Dhahabfyyih. $al)ffiy-i-Ra<;lavfyyih.
Risali y-i-Fiq hiyyih. Suriy-i-Tawl)fd.
Risaliy-i-Furu' -i-' Adliyyih. Tafsf r-i-N ubuvvat-i-Kha~~ih.
$al)ffatu'l-J:laramayn. Zfyarat-i-Shah-' Abdu'l-' Ai:f m.

(Note: The Bab Himself states in one passage of the Persian Bayan that His writings comprise no
less than 500,000 verses.)

COMPILATIONS IN ENGLISH

Selections from the Writings of the Bab

3. 'ABDU'L-BAHA'S BEST-KNOWN WORKS

IN PERSIAN AND ARABIC
Ad'fyyih va Munajat. Lawl)-i-Mul)abbat.
Alval)-i-Tablfghi-i-Imrika. Lawl)-i-Tanzfh va Taqdfs.
Alval)-i- Va~aya. Lawl)-i-Tarbfyat.
Khitabat dar Urupa va Imrfka. Madanfyyih.
Lawl)-i-Aflakiyyih. Makatfb-i-' Ab du '1-Baha .
Lawl)-i-'Ahd va Mithaq (Imrika). Maqaliy-i-Sayyal).
Lawl)-i-'Ammih. Mufava<;lat.
Lawl)-i-Ayat. Sharl)-i-Fa~~-i-N igf n-i- Ism-i-A ·~am.
Lawl)-i-Du-Niday-i-Falal) va Najal). Sharh-i-Shuhaday-i-Yazd va I~fahan.
Lawl)-i-Dr. Fore!. Sfyasfyyih.
Lawl)-i-Haft Sham'. Tadhkiratu'l-Vafa.
Lawl)-i-Hizar Baytf. Tafsfr-i-Bismi 'Ila hi ' r- Ral)man i'r- Ral)f m.
Lawl)-i-Khurasan. Tafsfr-i-Kuntu Kanzan Makhfiyyan.
Lawl)-i-Lahih. Zfyarat Namih.
Law:i-Mal)fil-i-Shawr.

IN ENGLISH

The Secret of Divine Civilization. Baha' i Pub- Tablets of the Divine Plan. Baha'i Publishing
lishing Trust, Wilmette Illinois, 1957. Origi- Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1959.
nally published by Cope & Fenwick, Lon- A Traveller's Narrative. Translated into Engdon, 1910, under the title The Mysterious lish by Edward Granville Browne under the
Forces of Civilization. Subsequently pub- title A Traveller's Narrative written to illuslished by Baha'i Publishing Society, trate The Episode of the Bab. Cambridge
Chicago, 1918. University Press , 1891. Baha'i Publishing
Some Answered Questions. First printed by Committee, New York, 1930.
Kegan , Paul, Trench, Trubner and Co. Ltd., Will and Testament. Baha'i Publishing Com-
London, 1908. Subsequently published by mittee , New York, 1925 , 1935. Baha'i Pub-
Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago , 1918, lishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1944, 1968,
and other Baha'i Publishing Trusts. and other Baha'i Publishing Trusts.
Tablet to the Central Organization for a Du- Memorials of the Faithful. Translated from the
rable Peace, the Hague. Baha'i Publishing original Persian and annotated by Marzieh
Committee, New York, 1930. Gail. Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette,
Tablet to Dr. Fore/. Baha'i Publishing Commit- Illinois, 1971.
tee, New York, 1930.
BAHA'i BIBLIOGRAPHY 487
COMPILATIONS IN ENGLISH
Foundations of World Unity; a se lection of let- and the United States in 1912. Baha'f Pubters and public add resses. Baha'f Publishing lishing Society, Chicago, 1922 a nd 1925.
Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1945 . Selections from th e Writings of'A bdu'l-Baha;
Paris Talks; a compi latio n of His addresses in compile d from His correspondence with
Paris. G. Bell and Son Ltd., London, 1923. individu al believers, groups and Asse mblie s
Subsequently published by Baha'f Publish- of the East and West. World Centre Publicaing Trust, London, 10th edition 1961; and in tions, 197 8.
the United States under the title The Wis- Tablets of'Abdu'l-Baha, vols. I , II, Ill; a comdom of 'Abdu'l-Baha; Brentano's, New pilation of His letters to individual believers
York, 1924 . in America. Baha'f Publishing Society,
The Promulgation of Universal Peace, vols. I, Chicago, 1909 , 1915, 1916.
II; a compilation of His add resses in Canada

4. SOME COMPILATIONS FROM THE WRITINGS OF
BAHA'U ' LLAH, THE BAB AND 'ABDU'L -BAHA
The Baha'i Revelation. Baha'i Publishing Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah. Baha'i
Trust, London, 1955. Publishing Committee, Wilmette, Illinois,
Baha'i World Faith. Baha'i Publishing Com- 1938, 1954, and other Baha'i Publishing
mittee, Wilmette, Illinois, 1943, 1956. Trusts.
The Covenant of Baha'u'ullah. Baha'i Publish- The Reality of Man . Baha'i Publishing Coming Trust, London, 1950; revised, 1963. mittee , Wi lmette, Illinois, 1931; revised,
The Divine A rt of Living. Baha'i Publishing 1962.
Co mmittee, Wilmette, Illino is, 1944; Selections from the Writings of the Bab. World
revised, 1960. Centre Publications, 1976.
Gleanings from th e Writings of Baha'u'llah . Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after th e
Baha'i Publishing Committee , Wilmette, Kitab-i-Aqdas. World Centre Publications;
Illinois, 1939, 1952, and other Baha'i Pub- 1978.
lishing Trusts.
(Note: A large number of Prayer Books compiled of prayers revealed by Baha' u'llah, the Bab and
'Abdu'l-Baha has been published by Baha'f Publishing Trusts and National Spiritual
Assemblies throughout the world.)

5. SHOGHI EFFENDI'S BEST-KNOWN WORKS
The World Order of Baha'u'llah. February, America and the Most Great Peace. April,
1929 . 1933.
The World Order of Baha'u'llah, Further Con - The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah . February,
siderations. March , 1930. 1934.
The Goal of a New World Order. November, The Unfo ldment of World Civilization. March,
1931. 1936.
The Golden Age of the Cause of Baha'u'llah.
March, 1932 .
(Note: The a bove seven essays have been published in one volume entitled The World Order of
Baha'u'llah. Baha'f Publish ing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1938. Revised edition, 1955;
second printing, 1965.)
The Advent of Divine Justice. Baha'i Publish- Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1941.
ing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1939. God Passes By. Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wil-
The Promised Day is Come. Baha'i Publishing mette, Illinois, 1944.
488 THE BAHA'I WORLD

TRANSLATIONS (see note p. 485).

The Dawn-Breakers, by Mu~ammad-i-Zarandi , Prayers and Meditations by Bah ti' u' I/ah . Baha'i
surnamed Nabil-i-A':-i:am. Baha'i Pub lishing Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1938,
Committee, New York , 1932 , and other 1962, and other Baha'i Publishing Trusts.
Baha'i Publishing Trusts. Tablet to the Central Organization for a Dur-
Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, by Baha'u'llah. able Peace, The Hague, by 'Abdu'l-Baha,
Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois , dated December 17, 1919. Published as a
1941, 1953, and other Baha'i Publishing leaflet by Baha'i Publishing Trust, London.
Trusts. Tablet to Dr. Fore/, by 'Abdu' l-Baha . Pub-
Cleanings from the Writings of Bahti'u'l/tih. lished in Star of the West, vol. xiv, no. 4, July
Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1923 , p. 101. Subsequently published as a
1939, 1952, and other Baha'i Publishing leaflet by various Baha'i Publishing Trusts.
Trusts. Tablet of the Holy Mariner, by Baha'u'llah.
The Hidden Words of Ba/11i'u'lltih (Arabic and Published in Star of the West, vol. xm, no. 4,
Persian). Baha'i Publishing Committee , May 1922, p. 75. Subsequently published in
New York, 1924. Baha'i Publishing Com- Prayer Books and other compilations .
mittee, London, 1932, a nd other Baha'i The Will and Testament of'Abdu'l-Baha . Baha'i
Publishing Trusts. Publishing Committee, New York, 1925,
Kittib-i-lqan, by Baha'u'llah. Baha'i Publishing 1935. Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette,
Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1931, 1950, and Illinois, 1944, 1968, and other Baha'i Pubother Baha'i Publishing Trusts. lishing Trusts.

SOME COMPILATIONS FROM HIS WRITINGS

Bahti'{ Administration. Baha'i Publishing Messages to Canada . National Spiritual
Committee, Wilmette, Illinois, 1928, 1960. Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada, 1965.
Messages to America (1932-1946). Baha'i Letters from the Guardian to Australia and New
Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 194 7. Zealand (1923-1957). National Spiritual
Messages to the Bahti'{ World (1950-1957). Assembly of Australia, 1970.
Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, Dawn of a New Day-Messages to India
1958. (1923-1957). Baha'i Publishing Trust, New
Principles of Bahti'{ Administration. Baha'i Delhi, 1970.
Publishing Trust, England, 1950. Directives from the Guardian. Baha'i Publish-
Guidance for Today and Tomorrow. Baha'i ing Trust, New Delhi, 1970.
Publishing Trust, London, 1953. High Endeavours: Messages to A laska.
Citadel of Faith (Messages to America National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'isof
194 7-1957). Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wil- Alaska, 1976.
mette, Illinois , 1965. Call to the Nations. World Centre Publications,
1977.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 489
6. LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE FIVE YEAR PLAN
Ric;lvan 197 4- Ric;lvan 1979

PRE VI 0 US volumes of The Bahd'( World list more than 550 languages, major dialects and scripts
into which the Sacred Writings and other literature of the Baha'i Faith have been translated. The
promotion of such translations has been an important objective of the international teaching
plans conducted by the Baha'i world community over the years, with the purpose of making
available to the believers in many lands the Scriptures of their faith in their own tongues.
Information about the languages in which Baha'i literature is currently available may be obtained
from the Baha'i World Centre, P.O. Box 155, 31 001 Haifa, Israel.
Listed below, by continent, are the languages and dialects into which translations of Baha'i
literature were first made, and those in which literature has been added, during the period between
Ri<;lvan 1974 and Ri<;lvan 1979. These accomplishments include translations, publications and
recordings on tape, although not all have been achieved in each of the languages listed.
The usage and spelling chosen for primary listings and indication of dialect relationships
follow, where possible, C. F. and F. M. Voegelin, Classification and Index of the World's
Languages.' It is recognized by the compilers of this list that these designations sometimes do not
reflect the name by which a particular language or dialect is best known , or the designation
preferred by its speakers. Some variant names and spellings, including variants previously
reported, appear in parentheses.
The major countries, islands or territories where the languages are spoken are shown in italics.
Where no such entry is given , the places where the language is spoken are so numerous and so
widely scattered that to list them would be unwieldy; many of these languages are found
world-wide.
A. AFRICA

Newly Translated:

1. Anyi: Baule (Baoule) dialect (Ivory 16. Diola: Kasa (Casa) dialect (The Gam-
Coast) bia)
2. Asu (Pare; Kipare) (Tanzania) 17. Ewe: Watyi (Ouatchi; Waci) dialect
3. Awing (Cameroons) (B enin; Togo)
4. Bambara (Mali; Senegal; Upp er Volta) 18. Frafra (Ghana)
5. Bamoun (Cameroons) 19. Gurma (Gourma ; Gourmantche) (To -
6. Bargu (Bargou; Bariba) (Benin; Togo; go; Upper Volta)
Nigeria) 20. Herero (Namibia/South West Africa)
7. Bassa (Gbasa) (Liberia) 21. ~j9 (Ijaw) (Nigeria)
8. te-Beembe (Kibembe) (Zafre) 22. Kaba (Sara Kaba) (Central African
9. Berba (Benin) Empire; Chad)
10. Bete (Ivory Coast) 23. Kasem (Kasseme; Kasena; Kassena)
11. Bini (Edo) (Nigeria) (Ghana; Upper Volta)
12. tBulu (Boulou) (Cameroons or Gabon) 24. Kefa (Kaffa; Kaffigna) (Ethiopia)
13. Busoong (Kuba; Bakuba; Bushong) 25. ra-Kpa (Bafia) (Cameroons)
(Zaire) 26. Krio (West Africa)
14. Chiripon-Lete-Anum (Cherepong; 27. Kusal (Kusaal) (Ghana; Upper Volta)
Guan) (Ghana) 28 . Kwakum (Bakoum) (Cameroons)
15. Dan (Gio; Guere; Yacouba) (Ivory 29. Kweni (Gouro) (Ivory Coast)
Coast; Liberia) 30. Maka (Makaa) (Cameroons)
Foundations of Linguistics Series; Elsevier, New York and Amsterdam; 1977.
tEfforts to obtain exact identification continue.
490 THE BAHA'I WORLD

31. Mano (Guin ea; Liberia) 39. Tamazight (Algeria; Libya; Mali;
32. Moba (Chana; Togo; Upper Volta) Morocco; Nigeria)
33. Nankanse (Nankani) (Chana; Upper 40. Tiv (Nigeria)
Volta) 41. t Tobote (Busari; Bassar) (Chana;
34. Riff (Tarifit) (Algeria; Morocco) Togo)
35. Sara: Sara-Majingai dialect (Central 42 . ci-Tonga, Malawian (Kitonga; Siska)
African Empire; Chad) (Malawi)
36. Somba: Niende (Gnia nde) dialect 43. Tupuri (Toupouri) (Cameroons;
(Benin; Togo) Chad)
37 . Songhai (Sonrai): Dendi dialect 44. Wescos (Cameroonian Pidgin) (West
(Upper West Africa) Africa)
38. Songhai (Sonrai): Songhai dialect
(Upper West Africa)

Insufficient Information (Further identification is needed to determine whether the
following represent new accomplishments or enrichment of existing literature) :

1. t Batua (Lutua-Bambote) (Rep orted 2. Mende: Kpa dialect (Sierra Leone)
from Zai're) 3. t Yaoure (Yahore) (Reported from
Ivory Coast)

Literature Enriched:
1. Adangme (Chana) 23. Fu! (Fula; Fulani; Peulh; Toucouleur)
2. Afrikaans (South Africa) (West Africa)
3. Akan: Asante (Ashanti) dialect 24 . Ga (Ga) (Chana)
(Chana) 25. Gambai (Sara-Gambai; Ngambaye;
4. Akan: Fante (Fanti) dialect (Chana) Gombaye) (Chad)
5. Akan: Twi (Akwapem) dialect 26. olu-Ganda (Luganda) (Uganda)
(Chana) 27 . Gbaya (Baya) (Central African
6. Akoli (Acholi) (Sudan; Uganda) Empire; Cameroons; Congo)
7. Amharic (Amarigna) (Ethiopia) 28.eke-Gusii (Kisii) (Kenya)
8. Bassa (Koko; Mvele) (Camero ons) 29. Hausa (Haoussa) (West Central
9. ici-Bemba (Wemba) (Zai're; Zambia) Africa)
10. Creole, Indian Ocean (Mauritian 30. Igbo (Ibo; Igho) (Nigeria)
Creole) (Mauritius; Reunion; Seychel- 31. ke-Kamba (Kikamba) (Kenya)
les) 32. Kanuri (Chad; Niger; Nigeria)
11. Dagbani (Dag bane) (Chana; Togo) 33. Kikuyu (Kenya)
12. t Dinka (Sudan) 34. Kongo (Kikongo) (Angola; Cabinda;
13. Diola (Jola) (Upper West Africa) Congo; Zai're)
14. Diola (Jola): Fogny (J6ola F6oiii) 35. Kongo: Laadi (Lari; Balari; Kilari)
dialect (The Cambia; Guinea; Senegal) dialect (Cabon; Congo)
15 . Duala (Douala) (Cameroons) 36. Kpelle (Guinea; Liberia)
16. Efik (Cameroons; Nigeria) 37. Logooli (Luragoli; Maragoli; Ragoli)
17. Ekoi; Ejagham dialect (Cameroons; (Kenya)
Nigeria) 38 . Losengo: Mangala (Lingala) dialect
18. Ewe (Benin; Chana; Togo) (Zai're)
19. Ewe: Adjadia lect(Benin) 39. si-Lozi (Zambia)
20. Ewe: Ge (Mina) dialect (Benin; Niger; 40. ki-Luba-Katanga (Shaba) (Zai're)
Togo) 41. Luba-Lulua (Tshiluba; Ciluba) (Zai're)
21. Ewe: Gu (Goun) dialect (Benin; 42. Luba-Lulua: Luba-Kasai dialect
Chana; Togo) (Tshiluba of Kasai) (Zai're)
22. F6 (Fon; Dahomeen) (B enin) 43. Luhya: lu-Tiriki dialect (Kenya)
t Efforts to obtain exact identification continue.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 491
44. ci-Lunda (Angola; Zafre; Zambia) 68. Ruanda (Kinyarwanda; Runyar-
45. ci-Lunda: Ndembo dialect (Zafre) wanda) (Rwanda)
46. Luo (Kenya; Tanzania) 69. iki-Rundi (Kirundi) (Burundi)
47 . Lwo (Uganda) 70. Sango (Central African Empire;
48. ci-Makonde (Shimakonde) (Mozambi- Chad; Congo)
que; Tanzania) 71. Sara: Sara Ngama dialect (Central
49 . Malagasy (Madagascar) African Empire; Chad)
50. Masa (Massa) (Chad; Cameroons) 72. Serer (Serere) (The Gambia; Senegal)
51. Masaba: ulu-Bukusu (Lubukusu) 73. Shilha (Algeria; Morocco)
dialect (Kenya; Uganda) 74. Shilluk (Sholuk) (Ethiopia; Sudan)
52. Mashi (Zafre; Zambia) 75. Shona (Mozambique; Zimbabwe-
53. ke-Mero (Kimeru; Meru) (Kenya) Rhodesia)
54. More (Mossi) (Ghana; Togo; Upper 76. Sidamo (Sidamigna) (Ethiopia)
Volta) 77. lu-Songe (Kisonge) (Zafre)
55. isi-Ndebele (Sindebele) (Zimbabwe- 78. Songhai: Zarma (Djerma) dialect
Rhodesia) (Niger; Nigeria)
56. Nguni: isi-Swati (SiSwati; Swazi) 79. Sotho, Southern (se-Sotho; Sesotho)
dialect (Swaziland; South Africa) (Lesotho; South Africa)
57. Nguni: isi-Xhosa (!Xhosa; Kaffir) 80. Swahili (Kiswahili) (East Central
dialect (Botswana; Transkei, South Africa)
Africa) 81. Temen (Themne, Temne) (Sierra
58. Nguni: Zulu dialect (South Africa) Leone)
59.eke-Nyakyusa: Ngonde (Konde) dialect 82. Teso (Ateso) (Kenya; Uganda)
(Malawi; Tanzania) 83. Tigrinya (Ethiopia)
60. ki-Nyamwesi (Nyamwezi) (Tanzania) 84. ci-Tonga, Zambian (Plateau Tonga)
61. Nyang (Kenyang) (Cameroons) (Zambia)
62. ci-Nyanja (Malawi; Zambia) 85. se-Tswana (Botswana; Zimbabwe-
63. ci-Nyanja: ci-Cewa (Chichewa) dialect Rhodesia; South Africa)
(Malawi; Zambia) 86. Tumbuka (ci-Tumbuka; Timbuka)
64 . olu-Nyole (Lunyore; Lunyole) (Kenya) (Malawi; Tanzania; Zambia)
65. oru-Nyoro (Runyoro-Rutoro) (Uganda) 87. Wolof (Jolof; Oulof) (The Gambia;
66 . Oromigna (Galla; Galligna) (Ethiopia; Mauritania; Senegal)
Kenya) 88. ci-Yao (Chiyao) (Malawi; Mozambique;
67. shi-Ronga (Shironga) (Mozambique; Tanzania)
South Africa) 89. Yoruba (Benin; Nigeria)
90. olu-Ziba (olu-Haya) (Tanzania)

B. THE AMERICAS

Newly Translated:

1. Alacaluf (Chile) 10. Lokono (Arawak, Continental)
2. Amuesha (Peru) (French Guiana; Guyana; Surinam)
3. Campa (Peru) 11. t Ma cu (Maco) (Venezuela)
4. t Catio (Colombia; Panama) 12 . Masco: Huachipairi (Amaracaeri)
5. t Chinantec: Chinalteco de Tuxlepec dialect (Peru)
(Mexico) 13. Mascoy: Lengua dialect (Paraguay)
6. t Chinantec: Chinalteco de la Sierra 14. Maya: Mopan dialect (Belize;
(Mexico) Guatemala)
7. t Chiquitano (Bolivia) 15. Mazatec (Mexico)
8. Conibo: Shipibo dialect (Peru) 16. Mbaya-Guaicuru: Payagua (Lengua)
9. Cubeo (Brazil; Colombia) dialect (Toba Lengua) (Paraguay,
t Efforts to obtain exact identification continue. Bolivia, Brazil)
492 THE BAHA'i WORLD

17. Menomini (United States) 25. Tupi: Guarayu dialect (Bolivia)
18. Mixtec (Mexico) 26 . Tzeltal (Mexico)
19. Ojibwa (Chippewa): Mississagi dialect 27. Uapichana (Wapishanna) (Brazil;
(Canada) Guyana)
20. Paez (Colombia) 28. Yagua (Brazil; Colombia; Peru)
21. Piaroa (Venezuela) 29. Yupik, Central Alaskan: Yuk dialect
22. Piro (Peru) (Alaska)
23. Tanaina: Kenai dialect (Alaska) 30. t Zamucoan, Northern (Ayon~,
24. Tucuna (Ticuna) (Brazil; Co lombia; Ayoreo) (Bolivia; Paraguay)
Peru)

lnsufficienl lnformalion (Further identification is needed to determine which of the
following represe nt new accomplishments and which enrichment of existing
literature):

1. Zapotec: Zapoteco de! Istmo (Mexico) 2. t Zapotec: Zapoteco de la Sierra (Mexico)

Lilerature Enriched:
1. Aleut (Aleutian & Pribiloff Islands; 22. Koyukon (Alaska)
Alaska; U.S.S.R.) 23. Kuchin (Kutchin; Fort Yukon;
2. Ashushlay (Chulupi; Tapiete) (Para- Loucheux) (Alaska; Canada)
guay) 24. Machiguenga (Peru)
3. Aymara (Bolivia; Peru) 25 . Mapuche (Araucanian) (Argentina;
4. Blackfoot (Canada; Uni1ed Slates) Chile)
5. Bribri (Costa Rica; Panama) 26. Mataco (Argentina; Bolivia; Para-
6. Cakchiquel (Guatemala) guay)
7. Carib (Brazil; Guyana; French 27. Maya (Belize; Guatemala; Mexico)
Guiana; Surinam) 28. Miskito (Honduras; Nicaragua)
8. Carib: Galibi (Carina; Karinja) dialect 29. Otomi (Mexico)
(Brazil; French Guiana; Guyana; 30. Paiute, Southern: Ute dialect (United
Surinam; Venezuela) States)
9. Carib, Island (Garifuna) (Belize; 31. Papiamento (Aruba; Bonaire;
Guatemala; Honduras) Cura9ao)
10. Cayapa (Ecuador) 32. t Quechua (Argentina; Bolivia; Chile;
11. Creole, Haitian (Haili) Colombia; Ecuador; Peru)
12. Cuna (Kuna) (Colombia; San Blas 33. Quiche (Guatemala; Mexico)
Islands, Panama) 34. Shuara (Jivaro) (Ecuador; Peru)
13. Dakota (Sioux) (Canada; United 35. Shuara (Jivaro): Aguaruna dialect
States) (Ecuador; Peru)
14. Epera, Northern (Chocoe; Embera) 36. Sranan (Sranan Tongo; Surinamese;
(Colombia; Panama) Taki-Taki) (Surinam)
15. Goajiro (Guajiro) (Colombia; Ven- 37. Sumo (Honduras; Nicaragua)
ezuela) 38. Tanana: Tan across dialect (Alaska)
16. Guahibo (Colombia; Venezuela) 39. Tlingit (Alaska; Canada)
17. Guaymi (Panama) 40. Toba (Argentina)
18. Haida (Alaska; Canada) 41. Tupi: Guarani dialect (Argentina;
19. Inuit (Inupiaq): Kobuk (Kotzebue) Brazil; Paraguay)
dialect (Alaska) 42. Yaqui (Mexico; Uniled States)
20. Jicaque (Xicaque) (Honduras) 43. Yaruro (Venezuela)
21. Kekchi (Ketchi) (Belize; Guatemala) 44. Yukpa (Colombia; Venezuela)
t Efforts to obtain exact identification continue.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 493
c. ASIA
Newly Translated:
1. Azerbaijani (Adhirbayjani; Azeri) 8. Maldivian (Divehi Bas) : Divehi script
(iran; Soviet Adhirbayjan) (Maldives; Minicoy Island)
2. Bisaya (Sarawak; Borneo; Brunei) 9. Maldivian (Divehi Bas): Latin script
3. t Dangi (India) (Maldives; Minicoy Island)
4. Dayak, Land (Bidayuh): Jagoi 10. Melanau: Oya/Dalat dialect (Sarawak)
(Biratak) dialect (Borneo; Sarawak) 11 . Pala wan on (Philippine Islands)
5. Japanese,Katakanascript(newscript) 12 . Rajasthani: Gujuri (Gujari) dialect
6. Kazakh: Cyrillic script (Kazakh S.S. R.; (India; Pakistan)
China) 13. Sanskrit
7. Kazakh: Latin script (Kazakh S.S. R.;
China)

Insufficient Information (Further identification is needed to determine whether the
following represent new accomplishments or enrichment of existing
literature):
1. t Agta (Philippine Islands) 3. 'Dialect of the Montagnards' (Viet-
2. Murut, Sarawak (Malaysia, Indonesia) nam)
Literature Enriched:
1. Arabic 23 . Kurdish (Afghanistan; Armenian
2. Armenian S.S.R.; iran; 'Iraq; Syria; Turkey)
3. Balochi (Baluchi) (Afghanistan; Ara- 24. Lao (Laotian) (Laos; Thailand)
bian Peninsula; India; iran; Pakistan; 25. Malayalam (India, including Lacca-
Turkmen S.S.R.) dive Islands)
4. Bengali (Bangladesh; India) 26. Marathi (India)
5. Bengali: Assamese dialect (Northeast- 27. Melanau: Mukah dialect (Sarawak)
ern India) 28. Nepali (Nepalese) (Nepa l)
6. Bengali: Tripuri (Kok-Borok) dialect 29. Oriya (Orija) (India)
(India) 30. Oriya: Halbi (Halabi) dialect (India)
7. Biko! (Bicol) (Philippine Islands) 31. Pangasinan (Philippine Islands)
8. Burmese (Burma; Bangladesh) 32. Panjabi (Punjabi) (India; Pakistan)
9. Chinese 33 . Persian (Farsi)
10. Dayak, Land (Bidayuh): Bukar 34. Sebuano (Cebuano) (Philippine
Sadong (Tebakang) dialect (Borneo; Islands)
Sarawak) 35. Sindhi (India; Pakistan)
11. Dayak, Sea (!ban) (Borneo; Sarawak) 36. Sinhalese (Sri Lanka)
12. Gondi (India) 37. Tagalog (Filipino) (Philippine Islands)
13. Gujarati (India) 38. Tamil
14. Hanun6o (Philippine Islands) 39. Telugu (India)
15. Hindi (India; Africa; Fiji Islands; 40. Thai (Thailand)
Guianas; Surinam) 41. Tibetan, Central (Bh6!iii): Lhasa
16. Ilocano (Philippine Islands) (Dbus) dialect (India , Tibet)
17. Ilonggo (Hiligaynon) (Philippine 42. Turkish
Islands) 43. Turkmen (Turkoman) (Turkmen
18. Japanese S.S.R.; iran; Afghanistan)
19. Kannada (Kanarese) (India) 44 . Urdu (India; Pakistan)
20. Kashmiri (India; Pakistan) 45. Vietnamese (Vietnam; Kampuchea;
21. Khmer (Cambodian) (Kampuchea; Laos; Thailand)
Thailand; Vietnam) 46. Waray (Waraywaray; Samar-Leyte;
22. Korean (Korea; China; Japan) Samarefio) (Philippine Islands)
t Efforts to obtain exact identification continue.
494 THE BAHA'I WORLD

o. AUSTRALASIA AND THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

Newly Translated:

1. Akei (Navaka) (New Heb rides ) 7. Me le: Fila dialect (Fila & Efate Islands,
2. Carolinean (Caroline Islands; Sa ipan) New H eb rides )
3. 'Fiji Hindi ' (Fiji Islands) 8. Rennellese: Bell ona dialect (Solomon
4. Gao (Solomon Islands) Islands)
5. Kara (Papua New Guinea) 9. Tanna: Le nake l dialect (New Heb-
6. t Kombe (Papua New Guinea) rides)

Literature Enriched:

1. Areare (Solomon Islands ) 21. Palauan (Pa lau) (Caroline Islands;
2. Baining (New Britain Island, Papua Guam)
New Guinea) 22. Pidgin , Fijia n (Fiji Islands)
3. Bogutu (Solomon Islands) 23. Pidgin, New Hebrides (Bislama) (New
4. Chamorro (Guam and oth er Mariana Hebrides)
Islands) 24. Pidgin , Pap uan (Neo-Me lanesia n)
5. Easte r Isla nd (Pascuense) (Easter (Papua New Guinea, including Admir-
Island) alty Islands)
6. Efate (Efatese) (New Heb rides) 25. Pidgin , Solomon Islands (So lomon
7. Efate: Erakor dialect (New Hebrides) Islands)
8. Fijian (Fiji Islands) 26. Ponapean (Eastern Caro lin e Islands)
9. Gilbertese (Kiribati; Nauru; Ocean 27 . Roviana (Solomon Islands)
Island) 28 . Samoan (Samoa; New Zealand; United
10. Hawaiian (Hawaiian Islands) States)
11. Kosraean (Kusaiea n) (Carolin e 29. Tahitian (So ciety Islands; Tuamotu
Islands ) A rchipelago; Marquesas Islands;
12. Kwara?ae (Solomon Islands ) Gambier & Austral Islands)
13. Langalanga (Solomon Islands) 30. To nga n (Tonga Islands; Uvea (Wa llis)
14. Lau (Solomon Islands) Island, Loyalty Islands)
15. Lifu (Lifouan) (Loyalty Islands) 31. Trukese (Caroline Islands)
16. Maori, Coo k Islands (Rarotongan) 32 . T uva luan (Ellicean) (Tuvalu; Nauru;
(Cook Islands ) Toke lau Islands; New Zealand;
17. Maori, New Zealand (New Zealand) Hawaiian Islands; Swain 's Islan d,
18. Marshallese (Marshall Islands) Samoa)
19. Motu, Hiri (Papua New Guinea) 33 . Ya pese (Caroline Islands)
20. Nengo ne (Mareen) (Loyalty Islands)

E. EUROPE

Newly Translated:

1. Breton (Northwestern France) 4. Latin
2. Italian: Logodurese dialect (Sardinia) 5. Romany: Sin to dialect (Northern Italy)
3. Ladin (Italian & Swiss Tyrol)

t Efforts to obtain exact identification continue.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 495
Literature Enriched:
1. Albanian (Albania; Bulgaria; !1aly; 19. Greek , Modern (Greece; Cyprus;
Greece; Unired States; Turkey; Yugo- Egypt; Italy; Balkans; Western Europe;
slavia) Africa; North & South America;
2. Arabic: Maltese dialect (Maira) Australia; Turkey)
3. Basque (France, Spain, North 20. Hungarian
America) 21. Icelandic (Iceland, United States)
4. Bielorussian (White Russian) 22. Italian
(Bielorussian S.S.R.; Poland; 23. Lettish (Latvian) (Latvia)
Lithuania) 24. Lithuanian
5. Bulgarian (Bulgaria; Greece; 25. Norwegian: Riksmal (Bokmal)
Rumania; U.S .S .R.; Yugoslavia) (Norway, Unired States)
6. Croatian (Serbocroatian, Latin script) 26. Polish (Poland; Czechoslovakia;
(Yugoslavia; Austria; Czechoslovakia; Canada; Germany; Rumania; United
Hungary; Italy; Rumania) Srares; U.S.S. R.)
7. Czech (Czechoslovakia; Poland; 27. Portuguese
United States) 28. Romansch: Sursilvan dialect (Switzer-
8. Danish (Denmark; Germany; United la nd)
States) 29. Rumanian (Rumania; Albania; Bal-
9. Dutch kans; Canada; United States; U.S.S. R.)
10. English 30. Russian
11 . Estonian 31. Serbian (Serbocroatian, Cyrillic script)
12. Farnese (Faroe Islands) (Yugoslavia; Austria; Czechoslovakia;
13. Finnish (Finland; Estonia; Sweden; Hungary; Italy; Rumania)
Unired States, U.S.S.R.) 32. Slovak (Czechoslovakia; Hungary;
14. French Yugoslavia)
15. Frisian (Frisian Islands; Germany; The 33. Slovene (Yugoslavia; Austria; Italy;
Netherlands) Hungary; United States)
16. Gaelic, Irish (Erse; Irish) (Ireland; 34. Spanish (Spain; Africa; Caribbean;
Unired Kingdom) Central America; Philippine Islands;
17. German South America; United States)
18 . German: Luxembourgian dialect 35. Swedish (Sweden; Canada; Estonia;
(Luxembourg) Finland; United States)

F. INVENTED LANGUAGES

1. Espe ranto

G. TOTAL BY CONTINENTS

Needing
Newly Further Literature
Translated I demifica tio n Enriched
Africa 44 3 90
The Americas 30 2 44
Asia 13 3 46
Australasia and the
Pacific Islands 9 33
Europe 5 35
Invented langu ages

101 8 249
496 THE BAHA'f WORLD

7. THE SHORT OBLIGATORY PRAYER
IN 391 LANGUAGES, DIALECTS OR SCRIPTS

I bear witness, 0 my God, that Thou hast created me
to know Thee and to worship Thee. I testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness and to Thy might, to my
poverty and to Thy wealth.
There is none other God but Thee, the Help in Peril,
th e Self-Subsisting.

Short Daily Obligatory Prayer in Arabic and English.

ABOVE is the original Arabic and its translation into English of one of the prayers
revealed by Baha'u'llah and prescribed for fulfilment of the daily obligatory prayer. It is
known as the Short Obligatory Prayer, and when used is recited once in twenty-four
hours, at noon.
Following are translations of this prayer in 389 additional languages, dialects or
scripts listed according to the continents to which those languages are indigenous.
Included are some recent translations which are not reflected in the preceding statistical
listing.
The usage and spelling chosen for primary listings, and indication of dialect relationships, follow , where possible, C. F. and F. M. Voegelin, Classification and Index of the
World's Languages. It is recognized by the compilers of this list that these designations,
therefore, sometimes do not reflect the name by which a particular language or dialect is
best known, or the designation preferred by those who speak it. Some variant names a nd
spellings, including variants previously reported , appear in parentheses.
Exceptions to Voegelin & Voegelin's usage have been made in a few cases: where the
name of a language has been officially changed in the country in which it is spoken;
where Voegelin & Voegelin 's primary listing is known to be considered pejorative by
speakers of the language or dialect; and in a few other instances. Also, certain of the
European dialects of Scandinavian and Netherlandic-German have been listed as
separate languages, on the basis of their long separate histories as literary languages.
BAHA ' I BIBLIOGRAPHY 497
Where ide ntification in term s of this standard refe rence has not yet bee n comple ted, the
nome ncl ature reported to the World Ce ntre by the Nationa l Spiritual Asse mbly
responsible fo r the accomplishment has been used, and such translatio ns are indicated
by a dagger. An aste risk denotes an improved translation made ava il ab le for this volume
in a language which has appeared in earlier vo lumes.
The major countries, islands or territories where the la nguages are spoken are shown
in italics; wh ere no such entry is given, the places where the language is spoke n are so
numerous and so widely sca ttered that to list them would be unwield y: ma ny of these
la nguages are found worldwide.
Totals for each continent are: Africa, 129; th e Americas , 89; Asia, 90; Australasia
and th e Pacific Islands, 31; E urope, 49; Invented languages, 2; Braille, 1. The total
number of translations and transliterations is 391 .

A. AFRICA

* Denotes revised translatio ns. t Effo rts to obtain exact id entification continue.
ADANGME (G hana) Otumfo:>, medi hia buroburo na WoyE :>defo:>.
Oo TsaatsE Mawu i ye:> he odase kaa 0 b:> mi Onyame fofor:> biara nni h:> ka Wo ho, :>haw
konE ma le Mo nE ma ja Mo. Pi:> hu i ngE he mu Boafo:>, Wo na wote Wo hone W'ase.
odase yee kaa i be he wami ko; Moji he wamitsE,
AKAN: Fante dialect (Ghana)
ohi afo ji mi se Mo LEE niatsE ji Mo NgE Ose :>
Mawu ko be hu . Moji wa yemi kE buab ngE 0 , m'Ewurad ze, mid zi dase dE :>wo ab:> me dE
haomi mi nE haa w:> wami. munhu Wo na monsom Wo. Midzi dase sesei
dE mennyi a ho:>dzen biara na :)wodze EyE
AFRIKAAN S* (South Africa) Otumfo, mid zi hi a neminemi na :)wo EyE
:>dzefo.
E k getuig, 0 my God, dat U my geskape het Ewuradze, obiara nnyi h:> kii wo ho, :>haw
om U te ken en U te aanbid. Ek betuig op mu :) boafo, :)wo a :Jwoara Etse W'ase.
hierdie oomblik my magteloosheid en U mag,
my armoede e n U rykdom. AKAN: Twi (Akwapem) di alect (Ghana)
Daar is gee n ander God buite n U nie, die 0 me Nyankop:>n, Midi Ada nse SE Wo na
Hulp in Gevaar, die Self-Bestaande. Woab:> me SE min hu Wo na mensom Wo. Midi
adanse w:>saa d:>n yi mu SE me de memfra na wo
AKAN : Asante (Ashanti) di alect (Ghana) na Wow:> tumi, meyE ohiani na Wo na Wo yE
0 me Nyame, medi adanseE SE Woab:J me SE :)defo.
menhu Wo na mensom Wo. Medi adanseE seesei 0 Nyame bi nni baabi SE Wo nkutoo Kore
SE menni aho:>den biara na Wo deE WoyE Ahohia mu Boafo ne Onyame a:)nnan obi.

AMHARIC (AMARIGNA : AMARINYA) (Ethiopia)
1'9°1\h. tr.et hi·,./ "/P,m-:t>'i' "(l"l.F.-f.\U?" 11/.l'..· 1,/J.'.
l.mch~ 1,ou(lnt-t\o· trH· ;1c or~:nC'l·)· 1111.u':)·· ·1. 11. f~»
~ti"'IH·'i f'}·,.1 ~.~f.\~;I. ! n1 9°llh./~·)·'i' f1·,.1 '/11:1·9"~·}
1'G:J"l"1"V- o tn-1· 'lJ.'.•"J 1.11. t:~·)· hr·hnar'i 0·111 1,.(luyn
h9°..,. 'i Gll>- '\9° l\h Oil.,..,,
c t\.I '\9" I h f" 9° I
A WING (Cameroon Republic) nfomeh, nsi pe h mbeh tsu yi mbe chiki nfoh .
Nsi yi tsih langna yo h koh tchipo le tsoyoh
Mbi Nsi-me h pah-aneh tsunkene me nge h
mbo-oh kwal e meh mbo nge h, mbo-oh wa
ngo nke-yeh.
me-meh .
Nji yanengeh mangleh nwu te meteneh, Nsih
peh nchi ne metiem eh chemeh, mangleh
498 THE BAHA ' I WORLD

BAMBARA (Mali, Senegal, Upper Volta) BERBA (Benin)
Mbi shereya , E Alla, ka don ko e de ye nda N'fare natwag::im alahf:n tiyorriptu adwose
ko nki'don, ki'batu. N'tikera'ka ka'don ko se te b::inaars mma mantE m'mafaa. Swamswam n'nye
ne ye, setiki de ye eye, fen nte ne fe , fen tiki de n'yal)::isi nem pwat::im n' nwam a big::i. Tuwo kpa
ye eye. be katawe, a we bega w a pwase hirbe a nwan
A ll a were shi'te fo eke len , E m in be se ka hira ntinwe hira n 'fusu u hiim.
mogo demen ka bo geleyala, E min ma da fen BULU t (BOULOU) (submi11ed from
re. Cameroon Republic )
Me ne nga a Zambe worn, na Onga te ma na
yeme Wo a kan fe Wo. Ma mem eyon ji na ,
BAMOUN (Cameroon Republic)
Ngul jam eno momo ve enjoe nje ene, name ne
0 nyinyia me na kuot nta mi U ka puoma mi azoe ve Wo One Kum; Zambe mfe anji bo ve
njiU mbe kuepehU . Nj i na mi Upua' Fossku Wo etam, Ny6 a vo l6 eyon ya njuk , Ny6 a vee
mbe fueke't, mbua mbure u pe Fon yamyum. be emien .
Mo ' Nyinyi ndi' a Ii na vou , U pua nga yi
BUSOONG(KUBA, BAKUBA , BUSHONG)
ngamii tu ngue ', U pira' Nkake.
(Zaire)
NANAYEPE NTSHIAMIEME , WAMPUAN-
BASSA (GBASA) (Liberia) GIDI AD!OYO DIA YEPE A DIA TSH!NI.
NANAYEPE A !TENIKUYI, BUOLO BUEME,
1V1 Nr-1 zase o N,- Gedep5~ ka bi BUKUOKOYO BUAWA, NTANA MUEME , A
mml m bi rh ke In dyl dyvto :; ke bi rh BUDIYI BUAWA . KUA NTSHIAMA YEKE A
MUNA WENE , ANAMANA BAMUENGU,
ke m bie 0... M Zaa /1\IS'xn ho kaim ofe OLOKATUONO WENE MIETE.
N/ kfe[ riyt hwi hui.. ::; ke de /YI kpe
CHIRIPON-LETE-ANUM (CHEREPONG ,
b ede hede l't7Llc. d.b N,·ga dye dye mu GUAN) (Chana)
J ke de N; bJ ba lril.{[ G8dep:5) k.ako
0 1 Me Onyankop::m ; megyi adanse SE Wo ::ib::i
do se ni .:i se rn
doon m!J rn Ja Ny::; )n me SE me bEbE hu Wo ne me si Wo. Megyi
9bo kpa Np de de Seen mUE.. , ke Jn adanse kaake m::i SE me mmi; a yule akoa ne wole
sea_gbo kpa Nyj m!J kE, , Wo de ayule mm::iodahwE. Megyi ehia buburo
ne wolei; Wo de sika mm::iodahwE.
Onyankop::m akoa bi;ti; ka Wo so. Wo ne Wo
BATUA (LUTUA-BAMBOTE) t (submitted hu rne mm::ib::i borne amanehunu tE. Wo ne Wo
from Zai're) EfE yi Wo yo so .
MAKUY IMBANGA WOBE NTSHAMBE WAMI CIOKWE (CHOKWE) (Ango la, Zaire)
WANGUANGILA BUA MEME KUKUYIBA
MA KUKUNEMEKELA MIYIBANGA DIOM- Yami nguli chela che, 0 Yihova , Zambi
BANTSHL BUNTALADI BUAMI NGOLO- yami wangutangile mumu ngukuningike ni
SHABE, MUTANDA WAMI KUD!Yl BUABE. ngukuhalise. Ngunatawiza ha sh imb u line,
KAKU TSHAMBE WIKA YELELE MULIOBE kulela cha mini tachije, ushwale wami ni upichi
MUKUIDIDI WAMBANA MUENGU UL! we. Kushi Zambi mukwongwe yene, Yoze wa
OBENKE. kupulula atu mu lamba lia ufwe, ni Yoze uli ni
mwono wa mutolo mu li iye mwene.

ici- BEMBA (WEMBA) (Zaire, Zambia) CREOLE, INDIAN OCEAN (Mauritius
Island, Reunion, Seychelles)
Ndes ininkisha, Mwe Lesa wandi, ukuti
Nimwe Mwa ne nge le uku Mw ishaba ku Mo temoigne, Bon Die, qui to fine cree moi
Mpuepa. Nde su mina , pa kashita aka , pour conne toi et adore toi. Mo confesse mainku lu bulwa amaka yand i nakubukulu Bwenu , tenant mo impuissance d ivan to puissance et
kubupabi bwandi naku bukankala Bwenu. mo pauvrete divan to richesse.
Takuli Lesa urn bi kanofye Im we, Kafwa mu Na pena ene lote Bon Die qui toi, celui qui
Buchush i, Mwe Baikalila Mweka . aide dans danger et existe par Ii meme.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 499
DAGBANI (DAGBANE) (Chana , Togo) Kpeh Obasi ettat chang breh Weh , nyoh
anyangane Kpekpe nah Nfoneh arr ingeh Bejih
Nti , ti Duma Nawuni yeda , kaman nyini n
Ebeh.
Nam ma, ni n mi Nawuni , ka dzemdi nuni Na
titam la na. N ti yeda punpno , kaman Naa n
kani n pahi nuni Na ti tam lana; nun tiri nira EMBUNt (submitted from Zai're)
fara ni buni.
Mwenzem, me lengyuy: Nze oweng me
Sheli ka m n kani n pahi la nuni Nawuni Nati
ongir eyu , ongir eboyi , Lale owu kapah , me ngy
tam lana; nuni yihiri mira fukunsi ni , kao nam
eyu obets onze, ngol anze , ompur ome, obwel
saxinrla o ko .
onze.
Nze mur kabe fan , kadze Nzem asa ne Nze ,
DIOLA (JOLA) (Upp er West Africa)
Nze okolume bar engots , Nze oye kabewang.
Fetan fet , aw Atty Jamet, mate a w tepan min
emanji de pop ne kobe. Ka bajati oum sembe
ku fetanfet nyemi mo may, de samba ye yourley EWE * (B enin, Chana, Togo)
yamakaye, kabajatiyoum waff de fu bajafoley Meqi qase, 0 nye Mawu , be Ew::im be man ya
famakafu. Wo eye masub::i wo. Meqi qase le yeyiyi sia me le
Bajut Atty Jamet ake a wujumi aw , aranbay nye IJuseman::>IJU kple Wo giinyenye l)Uti, le nye
nawu de bu gall aw akum fange. hla kple wo kesin::inuwo l)Uti.
Mawua qeke megali wu Woo, Kpeqel) ut::i le
DIOLA (JOLA): Fogny (J6ola F6oni) dialect Xaxame. Amesi le agbe le edokui si .
(The Cambia, Guinea, Senegal)
Fiitanfiit, Jamit I Mati aw u tuukaam man i EWE: Ge (Mina) dialect (Benin, Togo)
manji , ni saafi. Tan emmi iIJje let waaf, aw u
IJOOlenum wanoosan , ni maIJmaIJ mati fnje Mougni dasse, o gne Mawu, odom be madjessigne eye massomonye. Mougnan Ouelebe
asukateen, aw u kaanum erfmbaa n.
Bajut e mit yaakeen leejaa taw, apakenem di kea ape housin mado. Coudo apo hounsin
katakasak, aw awbom di fuk6i. dodo ape aya coudo opo tchikpokpo .
Nouctekpe mougbade ouwo, ame ke hona na
DUALA (DOUALA) (Cameroon Republic) ameo be afocoume amekele edokesia.

Ne mboil , a loba lam na o weki mba o bia oa
na o sesa oa. Na dub~ tatan bgb9 lam ngiilang9, EWE: Watyi (Ouatchi , Waci) dialect (Benin,
tue lam mbwan mgng9. Togo)
Loba dip~p~ di titi buka t~ oa m~n~ mg
Me <{u qase, o Mawuyen, be ye <{6wun ne ma
mongwanedi o ndutu nu nye na mgm~n~.
jesiye eye ne ma sum::iye. Le gayame a, me yan
EFIK: lbibio dialect (Nigeria) wunsenmaqoyen ku wunsenqoqoo, ayayen ku
q::ikuo. Mawu <tokpo me gba lei t6vo neo,
Ami medi ntiense O! Abasi mi, nte ke Afo kpe<{eamewuntit::i le Xaxame, Ame ke su eqokoi
okobot mi, man ndiono Fi , nyun nkpono Fi. ji a.
Ami metin iko ntiense kemi ndiwut unana
odudu mi, ye odudu Fo , nyun nwut nko ubuene
mi ye inyene Fo. FO (FON, DAHOMEEN) (Benin)
Abasi efen iduhe ke ebede Fi , Andinyana Ijeri ng Mahu che, dg yewe dami do gbeme
kini nanenyin , Akama idem ikpon. b9 wa tu.
Mahu che unt dote nou houe do houi we se
EKOI: Ejagham dialect (Cameroon Republic,
mi do be me bo ni na do tun houe bo na non sin
Nigeria)
houe. Unt do gbe gni nou troue we do hon
Njime ntiese Atta Obasi, bre Weh otureme lonhon Ion che so nou de a gna che kpo do
se nding Wah na nyube Wah. dokou mi ton kpo.
Meh nwoh otti kah njgime nyih, kah ogong Nou de bou so de bo hou houegna houi me
ohome na kah ikonm Effah, kah okpagk de e non houin !in gbe gan bo ka non sous sous
ohome nah kah effonome Obah. hoye nou me houin de sous non.
500 THE BAHA'f WORLD

FUL (FULA, FULANI, FULFULDE, PEUL, GBA YA (BA YA) (Central African Empire,
TOUCOULEUR) (West Africa) Cameroon Republic, Congo)
Mohal berde di labbinta ha dir berde an Allah Mi ne sadako, i So ko' m, Me dee am ha' m me
an, a kesuna kala ku mi wadata dir herde an, ding-Me in me gasi Me. Mi to kinii gaa ko'm in
wala wadowo bo sai an mo hisintammi . Der ngai ko-Me, tal aka ko'm in pkamo ko-Me.
berde ma di labbinde a usatan ko dume ha Ma So bona, Kaa ne Me, Wan ne gbak mo ,
berde am, ya an mo yidiyam hedi labbinde sai fio, Wan ne duk ne te-A ne te-A.
mangol ma, a holliyam gidol ma, de ni an on
timitorde ku'a yidi. Defte warol ma di von- GOUNt (Benin)
natako waddi beldum ha dir berde an, an mo
timminta be bo yokkowo do yukkol. Yin we yi kpajjle, oklu non ton, de da na dg yon
in bg na dg sin . Yin wle tg wenin nou do ma do
gan tche kpg houhlon tg we kpg wa mon non
FUL: Torado dialect (Senegal) gni gni tche pg ado koun tg we kpg.
Ye do kpg non we gni ji we ye we, ye me non
Mi sedi, Ala , a'tagi lang mi andu mi julane. de me son ahou fiessa me , ye de kg gni nou da
Mijabi heh wasude dole ang de heh mounti- hg na de we.
nare ma, heh wasude am heh kebal ma ang.
Wode Ala godo sina mada, walo wo fowu GURMA (GOURMA, GOURMANTCHE)
darani do hore mung. (O'do julde foti halade (Togolese translation)
nyarol ma wo nyarolma.)
N'tie Seeda O ntienou, kaata gume, Ke min
banda Ke ya dona- m'band molane m' bame
GA: Accra dialect (Ghana, Togo) yen ayabam, N'tan larem yen aya piam. Furn
bare n' ba yaka tien Kiye Kebe guna tipo ti tuo
Miiye odase, Oo mi-Ny:>IJm:>, akE Ob:i mini
mbire. Wan ye bin loucoul.
male Boni madza 0. Mi ye::> he odase IJmEh:tswaa
DEE. Miiye migb:idz:im:i IE kE OhewalE IE, mihia
kE Oninam:i IE he odase. GURMA (GOURMA, GOURMANTCHE)
Ny:iIJm:i kroko ko bE OsEE Dza Bo. Buab YE (Upper Volta translation)
fim:i beiaIJ kE m:i ni YE ha Le-dirntsE ehe. n tie siedi, oo n tienu, k'a tagin ni ke min
band' a, gi go ya jand'a
n tuo moala moala ne ke n bani ke n tadi gaa
GAMBA! (NGAMBAI, NGAMBA YE) pia paalu, gi go tuo ken bani k'a pia upaalu , gi
(Chad) go tuo ke n luo, k'a pia
Tien to gii ye kaa tie fin bebe yua n fa bidi gi
Ei Allah !em, mam'too jee naige taree, I ya ram
nyandi fala ciamun ni.
kam geri !em mba kam mosso kul noin'g !em.
yua n fidii ye o yuli po.
Mayan missi noin'g basine , ma m'to nje rem
I too je singa mon'g, ma m'to nje ndoo I too nje
ne kinga. HAUSA (Nigerian dialect)t (Chad, Niger,
Allah I ya ge kari ba, I ya too je la ge doje log Nigeria)
toobel g I ya too deou doroi. Na shaida, Ya Allah na cewa ka halicce ne
domin in yi maka sujada. Ina furci a wannan
lokacin cewa ni mara iko ne ta wajen ikon ka
olu-GANDA (LUGANDA) (Uganda) domin patara ta ta wurin yalwarka. Babu wani
Allah sai kai domin ka yi taimako cikin wahala.
Nina obujjulizi, Ai Katonda wange, nti wan- Kai da kake mai riko .
tonda okukumanya n'okukusinza. Nkakkasa
mu kiseera kino obutesobola bwange,
HERERO (Namibia/South West Africa)
n'olwobuyinza bwo, mu bwaavu bwange, ne
mu bugagga bwo. Ami meri hatoi Jehova kutja ove uendji
Tewali Katonda mulala okugyako, Ggwe, utira odu kutjiua noku ku kumbira . Ami
Omuyambi mu kabi, Eyemalirira. moruveze nekui meyeta okuhinomasa kuandje
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 501
momasa uoye, ousyona uandje momautumbe KASEM (KASSEME, KASENA, KASSENA)
uoy e . (Ghana. Upper Volta)
Kapena Mukuru ua rue pendje naove omu- A yi kashetu, o a ko WE, ni mu mu yi teru, mun
vatere uo momauzeu nomurikuramene. kia a m u, si a ta she mu.
Lele kun t u a ye a bw;:m;i, mu yi dan mama tu
.>.. - a n yi yi ni g;i tu, mi yi !JOO m a ma tu .
HOA t (Botswana)
WE di don da ter;i, ku na da mu, WE din di joIJ
Mace. \1111 st 1lGa111a he . ·o c·eo ·a ma tim , WE dim di kati wur;i tim.
n [ne ma ct ·a ·u ken [ne st ce\5-su ·u. Ma
e-KELE (LOKELE) (Zaire )
qhalce. k'1 [he'e ha kl. kl \1111 s~ kt- [go'oa kl
' ii u-s t ke ·r1 sl kt-11'6 . kl 'i1m st ki-[go'oa kl 0 Mungu wami, isornE mbo okelimi eoka
iluweke la iinelek' AE . Iswimela nda eye mbileye
Il ka ·a qa ke ·nsi kt-jua
bowandu wami la bofoka w'AE; iuw'ami la
Ya [gci'oa llGama Oktii ha yi1 n [hM ka
lifoka liaE.
b ·o. Ki- [nui ox·oe. wA. ki 1·E.e. AngoEnE M un gu wasi sakoloko AE, oyo
a tosungaka nda mbile ya tale, oyo ayali laya
la ya.
HUA (!XO)t (B otswana)
NI e Ku-:J:e , ma ll'ha ka gllkqon [i te: Inga r.idi KIKUYU (GIKUYU) (Kenya)
Inga i- lga. lyta ll' ha cen kona ll'a : te: Inga ih ll' ha Ndi muira Ngai ati niwanyumbire niguo
ka kona Ii te: Inga , !J1 ll' ha cen la t'hani lui te: ngumenye na ngugocage wee Mwathani Ngai.
Inga ih ll' ha ka la t'hani ll'ali te: Inga. Ninjui kahinda-ini gaka ni wa unini wakwa hari
Ku-:J:e te'e r.i ll'a ka le !'an ti, ah'a: kar.i lgHbi Wee na uthini wakwa ni undu wa utonga waku.
uhi: , ah'a: !ngoa ka tam . Gutiri Ngai ungi thengi a Niwe hari uteithio
waku mathin a-ini na Uhoti Waku.
IGBO (IBO , IGHO) (Nigeria) KIMPIN (KIPINDI) t (Zai're)
A bum onye aka-ebe, 0 Chinekem na Kierek, a Nzem a mi, Nze le mandoen umuin
ikerem kam mara Gi n'etokwa Gi. E kwuputawo mukukuyebanga ti mukukufukiminanga . Tan
kwe m, n' oge dj ugbua, adjghj ike m ma Gj a lia, ekis bumol ba mi ti bungol ba Nze, busui
Onwe Gj dj ike; A dim ogbeye ma Gi Onwe G j ba mi ti bunvam ba Nze. Kukitene, lo kufuyini
bara uba Odighi C hine ke QZQ ma ewezuga Gi. ti Nzem a mben , kaka Nze mbwes Nzem , u
Onye iye aka na mgbe nmek pa a ru, Onye Nwe useresa band mu bigonz, u uzing a mumpil e
Onwe ya. nzien mbwes.

KONGO (KIKONGO) : ki-Tuba (Kituba)
KABA (SARA KABA) (Central African
dialect (Angola, Congo Republic, Zai're)
Empire, Chad)
Ngienina mbangi, o Nzambi ame, vo wan-
Alama! Ma mi-gi ta kundoy ma, ta ki gi m- a i,
vanga mu kuzaya ye mu kufukamena . Yisunta koso ma kur kajama nui. Ta yo ton , m-ob
gamena mu ntangu yayi kiwayi kiame ye kim -
han ma ma te togon nge, bi I a te togon bo, ma
fumu kiaku, ki sukami kiame ye kimvuama
mate ndon , bi I ate na n ndeyn.
kiaku.
Ala nge kumboi ndete . Iba i nge kajade, Iba
Ngeye mosi kaka i Nzambi, Ngeye
i nge ngom roi te njoi.
wusadisanga muna sumbula, Ngeye wuzinganga mun a Ngeye masi .
KANURI (Chad, N ige r, Nigeria)
KONGO: Kimanianga dialectt (Zai're)
Wuye shadan gcr na, Ya Ala. nyiga notcrga
a batt crga garo wuga alakkamro. Wuye sa allan Ntele kimbangi, 6 Nzambi ami, i Ngeye wa
tabatkcrskcrna nem duno ban yiga du no ncrmgaro mvanga mp asi vo yakuzaya ye kuzitisanga
ncrm denyiga ncrm qwowa ncrm garo. mpe. Ye buabu , ngieti zaya vo lebakana kuami
Nyilan nguron Ala gade ba , banama yim i lulendo luaku , bumputu buami i kimvuama
banna 'be, kcrndcrga kcrla ncrmbelan kargam. kiaku.
502 THE BAHA'i WORLD

Kakuena Nzambi ya nkaka ko , ye mu ntangu ko ul ne koul mo Gw6, ne louko mo gwiimbo,
a mpasi Ngeye wusadisanga, kadi Ngeye wena ne ikoum mo Gwo.
mu Ngeye kibeni. Che fete ne Chambo u f6kou chimio, Mo
kamlche o bocho, Mo ndonch nyoutche dje
KONGO: ki-Ntaandu (Kintandu) dialect tchitche.
(Zaire)
oci- KWANYAMA (KUANJAMA, KUANY-
0 Nza mbi a me , ngin a mbangi bonso
AMA) (Angola, Namibia/South West Africa)
unga nga mu kuzaya ye mu kuzitisa. Yi kuzeyi
bungangi mu ngolo za ku ye bumo lo bumunu , Ondi sisi, Kalunga ka nge, no ku ti a ove ua
mu kimvuama kiaku ye kimputu ki a mu. Ga sitange ndi ku sive, ndi ku linjongamene. O ha
nkatu Mfumu nkaka bonso Ngeye, Yu ukunk- ndi, hokolola , pe fimbo eli , mo ku he na e non o
atu la mu kigonsa , Mfumu ya ni mosi ukiga nga. kuange ndelene mo lu eno no Doje, mo luhepo
la nge no mo luo upun a Uo je.
KONGO: ki-Zombo (Kizombo) dia lect Kape na nande Okalunga va mue ndelene
(Angola, Zafre) Ove, Omukuafi, uopo up atekedi , O u mu Ove
E Nza mbi 'a ma, nsidi 'e kimbangi vo Ngeye M ue ne.
wa mpa nga mukuzaya ye kukunda . Ewau
!KWit (Botswana)
ntambuluidi 'e nbovok 'ama ye ngolo zaku,
kimputu kiama ye kimvu ama kiaku. Tse xo sa khe khoa I ha, II Kama kha khi di be,
Kavena Nza mbi 'e nkaka ko vo ka Ngeye ko, kha tsae qxo kh e a ts'ao ta tsa a kh a, ta tsa
Ona unanga usadisi muna sum bul a, Ona tsaoama kha. Khe khoa dtkum nlngi lkam, khi
unanga mun a Yani kibeni. kha tsaa sa tsa kha kh edi se he, khi kha 1xo m xa
tas kha khobe se he.
KPELLE (Guinea, Liberia) I Kama hk a lk li be ha be tsa lkwi' e, xwe kxam
l)a I maa seri faa kc, 0 IJ a ra lai, a gEE ya gbEt£ tsa se' ua, qx'oe kha tsa lkwidi s kha.
IJa bbl) IJa I fi:li. l)a faa ma kp:m::i IJi IJa fii kp EE
LOGO (LOGOTI) (Sudan, Zaire)
SU da I wala laa da kolo laa da I t::i::i laa i, ra la da
kp::ini fe na fEE n::i ya t::in::i, l kp::iIJ maai kukul a 0 Djuka, miba ta ma a mi ni zo mpe
mrni kpulu su, I kEtEi I kpil) kpon6i. amiakumbamelizo. A nd ra konidi, mali mivo
amitada ma ngufwa yo, am i ngufu lavu lavu
KRIO (West Africa) ama tiza mpe ami mosoro.
God, a h know say you make me for know Djuka az ia yo paka mi , api mon dia alunguli
yo u, e n pray to you. Ah day te ll you new wit all ta mabi a, api adrile ise.
me heart say ah can' t do nattin without you
becoss you power pass all, en oar you han all tin LOSENGO: Ma ngala (Lingala) dialect
day. Nor o rd e r God no r day pass you: oar you (Zafre)
day ep way trouble can en day keep life Nazali nze ne ne ke, o Nzambe wa ngai, 'ta
together. okeli ngai mpo nayeba Yo mpe natondo Yo;
nakondima bebe na bolembo bwa ngai mpe
KUSAL (KUSAAL) (Ghana, Upper Volta) bokasi bwa Yo, na bobola bwa ngai mpe
Mam nil) F u kaseta, 0 ma m Winam , ye F u bokumi bwa Yo .
mal mam ye mbaIJi Fu ka dol-li Fu. Mam nil) Nzambe mosusu lokol a Yo aza li te , ozali oyo
yada nanna OE ma m nE bu m::it paIJa nE Fu nE akosalisa otango ya mpasi, oyo akotikala se Ye
m::it pal); nE mam nE m::it O:Jl) nE Fu nE m::it naam. moko.
Winam hi gal) Fu; Fu s::in it kyE beene; F u
pal) kyEi beene. si-LOZI (Zambia)
Kina paki mulena mulimu waka, uni bupezi
KWAKUM (BAKOUM) (Cameroon
kuli ni kuzibe hape ni ku lapele . Na lumela ka
Republic)
nako ye kuli niya fokola wena ki wena ya ma ta ,
Ndji mo chenle o Chambou wiimbo, gwe chi na mi shebile we na ufumile. Akuma mulimu
me kwa mbe, n'na mben chenlo. Nyi nko usili kwanda ahao , kiwena mutusi mwamatchimio nyi nkache tchin g none , nyi mbek ne nyando aluna, upil a katato yahao.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 503
ki-LUBA-KATANGA (KILUBA) (Zai're ) eni ami nidiku ni ngolu, Ayi Nzambi Pungu,
ami nidi musuyi , Ayi mvwama.
Na kwabij a , 6 Leza wani , wampangile
Nzambi Pungu mweka kadiku , Ayi wokutmwanda wa kukuyuka ne kukutota. Pa kifuko
susadisanga mu yigon sa, Ayi Fumu wodifuka .
kino , nas a ma ky a kanwa kyami , kukulombola
bunkomo-nkomo bobe, kulandapala kwami, LWO (Uganda)
ne buipeta babe.
I Kutupu Leza mukwabo enka abe , Ai Lubanga, aye ni In icweya me ngeno In ki
witabanga mu bya malwa , kudi yewa ukulupie me woro In. Anyutu kombedi ni tekona pe
mudi aye mwine. ento diti tye , ni an laca n In lalonyo.
Pe tye dok Lubanga mukene kono In ,
LUBA-LULUA (TSHILUBA , CILUBA) La kony ican , dok Ikwo giri keni.
(Zaire )
ci-MAKONDE (SHIMAKONDE) (Mozam-
Ndi njadika , Wewe Mvidi-Mukulu wanyi, ne bique, Tanzania)
wakamfuta bua kukumanya ne bua kukutendelela. Ndi njadika mu tshitupa tshihi emu, Ninkukupa utestamunya, wako Nnungu
bufuba buanyi ne bukole Buebe, bupele wangu, kuchi doni Wako uningumba nangu
buanyi ne bubanji Buebe. mwaha nikumanya na nikujugwe. Nink-
Kakuena Muidi-Mukulu mukuabo bu ulyaula, mu yola ai Kupo la kwangu na
Wewe, M-Muambuluishi wa mu Dikenga , dimongo dyako , umachikini wangu na utaju li
Nyeye udi wikalaku anu Yeye-Nkayende. Wako .
Pachanya Pakoapali Nnungu unji ,
ci-LUNDA (Angola , Zaire, Zambia) Wakupochela mu chijoidyo, ulikuluysila wako.
Eyi Nzambi yami, eyi inkeni wankeneli
i-MAKUA (MAKHUWA)t (Mozambique,
kulonda nikiwluki kulonda nikulombeleli.
Malawi)
Nacheseki, hampinji yinu, ha kubula inovu
jami, mukulema kweyi muwuzweni wami Kinniwerelani namona, Kho Mulukwaka,
muku heta kweyi. wera wi Nyuwo Mokipatusha wi miyo Nyuwo
Kosi Nzambi ji Kwawu ja cheniku china eyi Kosuweleni ni wokokhorani Kinnilapa mwa
hohu. Eyi inkwashi inhembi wayuma yejima. chuhu yela ethu yohiwereya mene ikuru sanyu,
muthonyero aka ni muhakhwanya.
ci-LUNDA: Ndembo dialect (Zaire) Khavovo Muluku Mukina opwaha NYuwo,
Nidi kanbaji keyi 0 Nzambi yami , netu yeyi okikhunela mu sawopiha yowo onikhala Mwa
wanleneli mulona wakukwiluka ni kuku yowo Mekhaiye .
hameka. Nashimuni chalala lelu dinu kuzeya
MALAGASY (Malagasy Republic)
kwami ni novu jeyi, uzweni wami ni kuheta
kweyi. Toviko, Andriamanitro 6 , fa Ianao no
Kosi Nzambi mukwau china yeyi hohu, on a namorona ahy , mba ha halala Anao sy ho tia
wakulana mu malwa, ona wahaya ny a ka kudi Anao. Tsaroako amin ' izao fotoana izao ny
eyi aweni. fahalemeko miolotra amin'ny herinao, sy ny
fahantrako mano loana ny harenao. Tsy misy
LUO (Kenya, Tanzania)
Andriamanitra afa-tsy Ianao, dia Ilay miaro
An Janeno Nyasacha ni ichweya mondo amin'ny loza, Ilay misy tokoa amin'ny mahaang'eyi kendo apaki. Awacho sani kuom Andriamanitra Azy.
nyawona kendo kuom ekoni kuom dhier na
kendo kuo mmwanduni . Onge Nyasaye MANDINKA (MANDINGO) (Upper West
machielo ngang' mak mana in, Jakony e ndalo Africa)
mag chandruok, Nyasaye manyalo duto. N'sedeya , n'mari ko I'ye n'da le ke !'long
aning ka I'batu.
ki-LUUWA (KILUW A) (Zaire)
N'sonta n'na sembeng tang ya la aning I'te la
Nakumbula ha mesu matshu akhima eni ayi bungba ya, N'fua re ya anina I'la bana ya. Ala
Nzambi wonguhangidi mu sambu die kuk- koteng mang soto fo I'te, I'dembari la, I'meng
wizika ni kukufukimina. Kikitsudi eki, nezika ye !'fang tarandi.
504 THE BAHA'I WORLD

MASA (MASSA) (Chad, Cameroon Wennam ato ka lebe n bee, kal Yamb bala,
Republic) Yamb yaa asoaba ninga s'h fiingda se n data
fiingere , Yamb yaa asoaba ninga sen bee ne a
Nan wi touanou nan sama souloukna Launa
meng panga.
vanou nang la nou, a nan wangou grivangou.
Wili ni nan wala toutga vanou ti denota van-
NAMA: Damara dialect (Namibia /South West
gou, haouta vanou nan tia tangou.
Africa)
Lau mara meidi kouta kan nangou samara
ma soua meidi. TI TA GE RA tGOM !KHOB !NA, TSl lllB A
GURU AO !KAI SA 111 BA TA NI :j:AN TSl
MASABA: ulu-Bukusu (Lubukusu) dialect IGORE II SE. TI tKA WU-SA SIB TSI llIB IGAIB ,
(Kenya , Uganda) TI IGASA SIB TSI llIB !KHUSUB, !KHU I XARE
I HA TAMA HA lllB OSE, HUIB TSO !GAB DIB,
Esendi ne bung'ali, 0, Wele wase, sikila Ewe TSl +oBAN HOAN !NA.
wanonga khumanye ne khu khusikamila Ewe.
Nga ndola luno luri, khu mani kase kamakekhe oru-NDANDI (KINANDE) (Zai're)
khu bunyali Bwowo, khu butambi bwase, khu
lndi kyimisho, 0 Nyamuhanga waghe
buhinda Bwowo.
Ngoko wanyihangika okwikuminya n'okwik-
Saliho Wele okundi nokhali Ewe, Omuyeti
wanza n'olwanzo lunene Ngaminya okonmubutinyu , Oliyo yeng'ene.
dambi'eno ovolo vwaghe n'ovutoki vwaghe
MASHI (Zai're, Zambia) Ovusama vwaghe n'ovungi vwaghu.
Sihali wundi Nyamuhanga oyuti'iwe
Neci Yagirwa Nnamahanga , manyirire oku Oyukasavula omonavi, oyuliho okwiye musa.
wandemire mpu nkumanye na nkuharamye .
Bunola nyemire obuzamba bwani n'Obuhashe isi-NDEBELE (SINDEBELE) (Zimbabwebwawe, obukenyi bwani n'Obugale bwawe. Rhodesia)
Wene Nnamahanga nta wundi, we burhabale
Ngiyafakasa, 0 Nkulunkuly wami, ukuthi
omu mbaka, we Nnamubaho.
wangidala ukuthi ngikwazi, njalo
ki-MBUNDU (KIMBUNDU)t (Angola) ngikukhonze. Ngiyufakaza kathesinje, ngingelamandla kuwe OMkhulu, ebumpofini bami
Ngabana umbangi uami u Nzambi iami, lekunothemi kwakho.
mukonda eie ua ngi bange pala ku kuijia ni
Akakho omunye UNkulunkulu ngaphandle
kukubeza. kwakho. UnguMgcini eziNgozini Ungo
Ngadifisala mu kitangana kiki o kubuila Ncedayo .
kuami ne kutena kue, uadiama uami ni
unvuama ue. Kanaku Nzambi iengi kikale Eie ci-NDONDE (KIMAWANDA, KONDE)t
ng6, u Mubuludi bu i bidi, u Lenda-dia lenda. (Tanzania)
MENDE: Kpa dialect (Liberia, Sierra Leone ) Nilikumanya, wako Nungu wangu, doni
Selim:> b a nge. 0 nya Yew:ii kE Bia mia Bi undingumba nikumanye nikupambedye
nya gbatcni b:i ngi Bi g:>:> ngi yaa a hEE Bi ma. Wako. Niku-kumanyia kwa wakati hau,
Nyaa gayema kiahuna, kE kpaya gbi ii nya WE, kudidimanga kwangu na chakulula Chako, na
kE !eke Bia kpaya Maha Wai a Bie; nya umasikini wangu na uhumu Wako.
vi::Eling:>e, kE !eke Bia Kpati::i gbi i Bi yeya. Apali Nungu junji ni Wako, Wakupwazela
Ngew:i weka gbi ii na aa wie kia Bi na. Mu-mauvilo Muwikala Umwene wa uti.
Bia mia Ba gb:i mu ma kpundi:: gbi hu. Bia
oci-NDONGA (AMBO, OCHINDONGA)
yakpe mia Ndi::vui i Bi hu kunafJ va .
(Namibia/South West Africa)
MORE (MOSS!) (Ghana , Togo, Upper Volta)
Gena okutumbulwa lumwe mootundi
Mam yaa kaset soaba, 0 mam Wennam , ti Omilongo mbali na ne, Omutenya.
yamb naana ma ti m bange la waoge Yamba. Ongame otandi hempulula Kalunga Kandje,
Mam wilga Yamba mam pan-komsem kutya ongoye wa shiti ndje ndi ku tseye ngame
morsa, la Yamb panga; mam na6ngo la Yiimb ndi ku longele nokukugalikana. Otandi hemaezegse. pulula mpaka uunjengwi wandje moonkondo
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 505
dhoye noluhepo lwandje mUuyamba woye. ki-NY AMWESI (NY AMWEZI) (Tanzania)
Kakuna Kalunga gulwe ponto yoye , Ongoy
Ndisanizya, Guku Mulungu wane ati wam-
Omukwathi mUudhigu, Ongoye Omuyapuki.
bumba kigele nkumanye na kukwisenga
B'eb'e. Ndizumilizya, henaha ku vugayiwa
NGUNI: isi-Swati (SiSwati, Swazi) dialect
nguzu kwane na kuvusondo wako, kubapina
(Swaziland, South Africa)
wane na kuvusavi wako.
Ngiyafakaza, Maye Nkulunkulu Wami, kutsi Kuduhu Mulungu ungi sumbwa B'eb'e wakungidalele kwekuba ngikwati ngikukhonte . isa mumaluduko na wa kuhola kuhanya.
Ngiyafakaza, manje, kutsi anginawo emandla
Wena unemandla lesabekako, ngimphofu NYANG(KENYANG) (Cameroon Republic)
Wena ucebile.
Ntei ntise o ta Mandem , be me kewoke Wo,
Akekho lomunye Nkulunkulu nguWe
ndu bering~ Wo ne besepti Wo, ntei ntise tete
kuphela, uMsiti etiNgotini, Wena lotiPhilela
ne, ndu bepab ebah ne betang Ebe, bdu nchep
ngeKwakho.
eya ne kefor Eke, Mandem achek apu ane acha
Wo, Mpeme ndu esongeri ane atei chi ndu
NGUNI: isi-Xhosa (!Xhosa , Kaffir) dialect
metyi.
(Botswana, Transkei, South Africa)
Ndiyangqina 0 Thixo wan ukuba undidalele ci-NYANJA (CHINYANJA) (Malawi,
ukuba ndikwazi ndikunqule . Ngako oko Zambia)
ndiyangqinisisa ngalo eli thuba ngokun-
Ndicitila umboni , 0 Ambuye, Mulungu
gabinamandla kwam, nobungangamsha Bakho,
wanga, kuti munandilenga kuziwa Inu ndi
ngobuglwenpu barn, nangobutyebi Bakho.
kukondani Inu. Ndibvomela panthawi ino
Akukho Thixo ngaphandle kwakho Oluncedo
kulefuka kwanga ndi kukula kwa mphamvu
emngciphekweni Ozimele ngokukokwakhe.
zanu, kusauka kwanga ndi kulemela kwanu.
Kulibenso Mulungu wina koma Inu nokha
NGUNI: Zulu dialect (South Africa) Muchinjilizi, Mwini zonse.
Ngi yafakaza, Nkulunkulu wami ukuthi
ungidalele ukuba ngi kwazi nokuba ngi Ku ci-NYANJA: ci-Cewa (Chichewa) dialect
konze. Ngi ya qinisa, kulo mzuzu, ukuthi angi (Malawi, Zambia)
namandla wena u namandla onke, nokuthi Ndicitira umboni, O! Mulungu wanga , kuti
ngimpofu mina u cebile Wena. munandirenga ine kuti ndikudziweni ndi
Amukho omnye u Nkulunkulu ngaphandle kukupembedzani. Nditsimikiza pa nthawi ino,
Kwakho, U wu Msizi e ngozini, U zimele ngo kufooka kwanga ndi kukula kwa mphamvu
Kwakho. Zanu, kusauka kwanga ndi kulemera Kwanu.
Palibe Mulungu wina koma Inu nokha ,
eke-NYAKYUSA: Ngonde (Konde) dialect Wothandiza pa tsoka, Wodzithandiza Nokha.
(Malawi, Tanzania)
oru-NYORO (RUNYORO-RUTORO)
Nguyagha nketi wako, E! Kyala wangu,
(Uganda)
ukuti walimbelile une ukuti ngumanye,
nukukwiputa yuyuwe. Ngwitikisya akabililo Nimpayo obukaiso, Ai Ruhanga wange, ngu
aka, nensita maka, kangi Mmaka ghako niwe wampangire nkuramye kandi nkumanye ,
amakulumba, mbutolwe bwangu na mbukabi nindanga omukasumi kanu, mu bugara
Bwako. bwange kandi mu buguuda bwawe.
Akayako Kyala uyungi Ioli yuyuwe popapo, Busaho Ruhanga ondi , Kwihaho iwe wenka,
We ntuli mbutolwe, Uliko kubumi wi Mwene . Omukonyezi omukabi, Anyakwomeera.
506 THE BAHA ' I WORLD

OROMIGNA (GALLA , GALLIGNA , GALLINYA) (Ethiopia , Keny a)

~q 1 :J>t 1 >i•nl'l.O.h·t. >i'111'l.t'l·1P.. .<". ,,.,..,, .... h. ·l·h-t ,,..)nn(llJt,. 11
ff:' h'H: M. ~.4fl·l·h-t 1 kl: ~'"f.\-i.;1· ·H'"!1. >ih'f.1'·1ml' :"1hi":·'"'h.1'1.
., '} 'I '"I ti
>d: flt· l llS }'""'# ·1c;1i:ti 'l lf'.:f' J.t:}fl·I : (l.11"/t,'1" h-"7') 11.'1.lr

), h» )( /.. ., ')II .• , II

PHIKAHNi t (submitted from Mo zambique )
Ndzi maha a fakazi, oh Xikuembu xa mina.
Lesuaku hambi lesui u ndzi Wumbeke aku ku
tiva ni kuku khiza mela. Ndzi maha fakazi hi
xikhati xai suosui. Agomeni la mina, mintanwini ya Wen a . Aussiwanini la mina awumpfundzini la wena.
Akuna Xikuembu xinwana handlhe ka wena
mumpfuni wa tink a rhato ni nwinhi Wamintamu.

RIFF (TARIFIT) (Algeria, Morocco)
0 - ,,. 0 /
"- ~;,) ........ -:.""J-""' ,... ·:·
,~~l(rif.;J?~I y; ~~~
o .... i ~ ,.. ~ ~
d% i"..;.; ._::.;:,:~ j__;. t~I • t..i..: ;,;: I
..I - - -; : .....

0 ..... _. 0 ;;; ... 0 - ,,,...

~v- ..C:.);~~ .:y;.~1 ~.;
pt]~~.; . Ci,(~.); JJ , D,;{
(~;; \:'.:~ g.; ~J, .z .c.:: a5J. 01;;
" 0 j "

/~f ~~fi;p~i(~& j(

shi-RONGA (SHIRONGA) (Mo zambique,
South Africa) RUANDA (KINYARWANDA, RUN-
y AR WAND A) (Rwanda)
Ni hamba bumboni Oh! Sikwembu fanga.
Lesaku nambi lesi uni bumbiki akuku tiba niku Ndemera Mungu wanjye, ko wandemeye
ku nkhinsamela, ni yentfa bumboni hi nka ma kukumenya no kugusenga. Muli aka kanya,
wa §osi agomeni danga ami ntanwini yaku, nemeye amagara make yanjye n'ubushobozi
abusiwanini bya nga abu pfundini byaku. Bwawe, ubukene bwanjye n'ubukungu
Akuna Sikwembu simbe handle kwaku, Bwawe. Ntayind'Imana ibaho itali wowe,
mupfuni wa ntikarato nwinyi wa mintamu. Umufasha mu byago , Ubaho kubwe wenyine.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 507
iki-RUNDI (KIRUNDI) (Burundi) togoum goto ngang Yai o, ndo yam o i yan
kingue Yai.
Ndi icabone, 6 Mana yanje, ko Wandemye
Allah krang ki toi goto, Yi ngue korjiko kem
ngo nkumenye kandi ngo nkusenge. Ndemeje
yah ki madjal guetio, Yi kba tel roi yi Allah.
murak' akanya ubuto bwanje n' ubushobozi
bwawe, ubworo bwanje n'itunga ryawe.
SHONA (Mo zambique, Zimbabwe-Rhodesia)
Ntayind'Imana iriho atari Wewe, Utabara
mungorane, Uwibeshejeho . Ndinopupura, 0 Mwari wangu, kuti makandisika kuti ndimuzivei nokukunamatai. Ndine
umboo panguva ino, mukushaya simba
SANGO (SANGHO) (Central African kwangu nesimba Renyu, kuurombo hwangu
Empire, Chad, Congo Republic) nekuupfumi Hwenyu.
Mbi yeke temoin, O Nzapa ti mbi, biani Mo Hakuna mumwe Mwari kunze Kwenyu
sala mbi , si mbi lingbi ti hinga Mo, ti vuro Mo, Muhatsiri mumatambudziko, Uyo asingade
mbi fa sioni ti mbi na ngoi' so na gbele Mo, passi rubatsiro.
ti mbi na ndoye ti Mo.
Mbeni Nzapa nde ayeke pepe, gui Mo oko SHONA: Kalanga dialectt (Botswana,
Mo Jo ti bata ajo na ya ti ngangou, Mo yeke Zimbabwe-Rhodesia)
la koue lakoue. Ndo pa malebeswa, mu Ndizmu, kuti
makandi e ta kuti ndi mu zibe ne ku Mu shin-
SARA: Sara-Majingai (Madingaye) dialect gila. Ndo tendeka mu tjibaka i tjetji, kuti shaya
(Central African Empire, Chad) masimba kwangu ne simba Lenyu, Bushayi
gwangu ne fumwa Yenyu. A kuna mwe
M'Guergo Nuba yam, kade oubum, m'Gueri Ndzimu kuzhe Kwenyu. Ntjidzi mu magwadzi,
o, m' ndoi' o. M'Guer rokum, ngolan'to Togum ntjili muli Moga.
goto, yi Tog yai', Rondo yam ke yan kinga yai'.
Nuba ke rang ke toi' goto, ngue kordje kem SHUA (SHUAKHWE) (Botswana)
yam ke madjalgue te, ngue tog.
Tse hu sere o ke ta k6 , ti Tora to, tsa ta 'a se
nya aha, ti tsa 'a 'a na tsa 'a hyaa ma tia . Take e
SARA: Sara Ngama dialect (Central African
lkam an ll'a u, ta ci o lhoa tsa kari lhoa ta ye o
Empire, Chad)
lhoa tsa ll'ai lhoa.
Me guer go Allah yam, Kad yi ram Kad Tora ka ny:e h :a tsam se, Tho ke hu 'a kwara
m'guerio m'doi o. M'guer go rotam, tam ri wa kwe, lklii se hk'oe kwe.

SID AMO (SIDAMIGNA, SIDAMINY A) (Ethiopia)

'"I ,1 <;'Y >H; >a. ·n 'l"t;' 'l" cf1'· h. ,,. )./,. "'I '°lti&.'J" 11
flr? 1-o <fP '/. 1.1.
>"ti; ti. P.. f!W f. t:. "'I. '1° f <; 1 k. P' A 4: 'f IL., 'i It-to
mJ.'.·I; "l ·I;
:";'a "1 ~ lit. n-m.:t; ...,,. td: P;.t."'/ h·l'\,'I" "
J..i: O·if f<; '11\>i1Y. h.ti.f-<J·i'i" "'1.(1.h.>. )!t..f· "7;.Jt O.c\- 9'fto
'"1.? >. -'t 'i d
508 THE BAHA'I WORLD

SOMALI (Somalia, Djibouii, Kenya, Ha ho Molima o mong hape haese Uena,
Ethiopia) Mothusi litlokotsing, Ea iphelisang-ka-
Boeena.
Waxaan marag ka a hay, Eebbow , in aad ii
abuurtay aqoonsigaaga iyo caabudidaada .
Waxaan hadderba marag ka ahay ta bardar- ki-SUKUMA (Tanzania)
ridayda iyo karitaankaaga, cayrnimadayda iyo Na linzunya, Bebe Mulugu wane , giki
hodanimadaada. ukanisumba nakumane Bebe na kukulemilija .
Eebbow, Ilaah kale majiro adiga mooyee, Dmzunya ung'wi ikanza iii, ubusunduhazu
dhibkabixiye, weligijire. bone na kunzu jako, mubihabi bone na usabi
boko Bebe.
lu-SONGE (KISONGE) (Zai"re) Hatiho Mulugu ugi hambunu Bebe Nduhu
Ng' wambilija wa Mayaga, Uyokikalaga
Nankumina shi, Obe Yaya Efile Mukulu ngi Muweyi Ng'wenikili.
bampangile bua kukuiuka na kukuuma. Kano
kapindji nambuela bobofule buande na
SW AH I LI (Central and East Africa)
bukome buobe, bulanda buande na bulolo
buobe. Nashuhudia, Ewe Mungu Wangu, kwamba
Takui mungi Efi le bu Obe ni nya, anka Obe Wewe Umeniumba mimi kukujua Wewe na
apasana ku masaku , Obe namene shi mukit- kuku a budu Wewe. Nahakikisha, katika wakati
shibue na mungi. huu, juu ya unyonge wangu na uwezo Wako,
juu ya umasikini wangu na utajiri Wako.
Hakuna Mungu mwingine ila Wewe ,
SONGHAI: Zarma (Djerma) dialect (Niger,
Msaada katika Mashaka, Aliyepo-Mwenyewe.
Nigeria)
Al Koy-Bero! Alga salda ni nal taka al mini SWAHILI: Mashingoli dialectt (Somalia)
bay-se, a1 mi ni berey di mo.
Al tabatandi al hinabana-ga dini gabo-ga, al NA SHAHIDHI MNUNGU YUANGU KAMA
tabatandi-mo al djang-a dini dura-ga. WEYE KUNUMBA NI KUMAGNE NA
IBAOHA Y AKO NA SH AHIDHI KAMA JERO
Koy-si kan nin daru, nin kan tchi faba-ko,
KUA UZIVU NA NGUVUZAKO NA BILLA
nin kan nini bon taka. NGUVU NA GUDURA YAKO NA UFAGHIRI
UANGU NA UTAGIRI UAKO HAKUNA
SOTHO, NORTHERN (se-PEDI) (South MNUNGU MTUHU ILLA NI UEYE NA
Africa) HUKUMU Y AKO UEYE.

Xore e rapelwe xa tee ka moraxo za masome
TEMEN (TEMNE, THEMNE): Northern
a mabedi le mentso e mene ya di Iri, Xoba
(Sanda) dialect (Guinea, Sierra Leone)
mosexare o moxolo.
Ke nea bohlatse, 0 Modimo waka , xobane I S::>IJ m::1 seri OKuru kami, mun::>IJ po bEmpa mi
0 mpopile xore ke xo tsebe, Ke xo o t::> k tara mu ; yi bbatho mu r::1m;i lompi. I lanE ka
khunamele. Ke ineela mo nakong e, bofokodi abb aIJe. I teba ayEthE mi ka mun::>IJ kaba af:is:i:
byaka maatleng a Xaxo, bohumanexing byaka ka am::>n E mami yi mun::>IJ ka rayola ramu.
Khumong ya Xaxo. Xaxo Modimo e mong xa e Ukuru ubm :iyi yEs::> thambe mun::>IJ. Ka mar mi
se Wena. Mothusi melekong, Wena E o tiileng. ka masibo, mun::>IJ I yi gbora t;ikbatho.

SOTHO, SOUTHERN (se-SOTHO, TESO (ATESO) (Kenya, Uganda)
SESOTHO) (Lesotho, South Africa)
Arai eog ikajenan , Wu Ekadeke, ebe Ijo ibu
Ke paki, U Molimo oa ka, Uena U mpopet- kosub eog aijen ljo kakukonokin Ijo.
seng hore ke be le tseho ea Hau, 'me ke U Etogogogit kapak kana, akalogwau ka
khumamele. agogong Kon, ikabakor ka amio Kon.
Kea itlhatlhoba, motsotsong ona, ho Emamei bobo Edeke ece dimarai Ijo,
hlokeng matla hoaka ho Ea matla 'ohle, Ekesigalikinan kotoma Amudiaro, elopetbofumeng ba ka ho ea ruileng tsohle. Aijar.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 509
TIGRINYA (Eritrea) se-TSWANA (CHUANA) (Botswana ,
South Africa, Zimbabwe-Rhodesia)
j ~~~IT~!hltimh1 ~~ITh1:
Ke supa bopaki , 0 MOdimo wa me , gore ke
h91111&.m ch 'l h91> t'lh c ~n-fi:. :: Wena yo 0 ntlhodileng go Go itse le go Go
M1 H h 'f f H)'I h ~ : t'l 1 fi: 'i ~ 1 If) ~ti direla. Ke paka, mo motsotsong o', bokowa ba
me go matleng a Gago, khumanego ya me go
'l1: t'lhH~1 'lfH'l1 h.iJ1~ :: khumong ya Gago.
<11.H. IWtl i~l\: fl1Hh Cht'lfl hit Ga gona ope o mongwe Modimo ga ese
Wena , Mothusi mo Botlhokong. Motshidi ka
~fl c: flVhfl titi h ~~Mi qf'w'1 :: Esi ba Gagwe.
TIV * (Nigeria)
TUMBUKA (TIMBUKA, CHITUMBUKA)
Mo mngugh shiada, Aondo warn, mfa U (Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia)
gbam wer mfaugh man shi mchivir We. Me
Nkucita wukaboni , A! Ciuta wane , kuti muli
fatyo u oron he n shighen ne mer, mo yo mngn a
kundilenga ine kuti ndimumanyani imwe, na
agee ga kpaa ka We tseegh u lu a Tahav ye, shi
kumusopani imwe . Nkupan ikizga panyengo
mngu a kwagh mom mom ga kpaa ka We
iyi, kwambula nkongono kwane na kwa nkon -
tseegh u lu a ha nma kwagh ye.
gono zinu zikuru , ku wukavu wane na
Ma Aondo ugen je ngu ga saa We, We u lu
kuwusambazi Winu.
lwasen yam hen sghighen u kwagh atserem
Kulive Ciuta munyakhe kweni ndinwe pera ,
kpaa ye, man ka we stsegh u Ju Ityongh you
Muvwiri muvisuzgo, Muliko bamoyo Mwekha.
mtswen ye.

TOBOTE (BUSARI, BASSAR)t (Ghana, WOLOF* (JOLOF, OULOF) (Th e Gambia,
Togo) Mauritania, Senegal)
N'sah sedah danh, 6 N'botou , yi Ahsah Seedenaa ne, yow suma yala ne dangama sos
woun' nameh yi m'besseh kn'gnonkisseh . ngir ma xam la, jaamu la, Seedenaa ci jamano
N'dakah n'yountineh n'wofiyi ah ponhou ci suma nak katan ak ci sa magaay, ci suma
n'sori ah gadjatih. mbaadola a k sa am-am .
N' botih oubo catibi ki kouti Apouh, Oun' d- Beneen yale amul ku moy yow , ndimbal gi ci
joh im' koumneh, Oune' dibih Oubahpoueh. mu~ba , ki dul daanu.

ci-TONGA, MALAWIAN (KITONGA,
ci-Y AO (CHIYAO) (Malawi, Mo zambique,
SISKA) (Malawi)
Tanzania)
Ndichitiya ukaboni , 0 Chiuta wango, kuti
Nguwichila umboni 0 Mlungu jwangu! Kuti
mukundilenga kuti ndikuziweni ndikumuso- Mwanenjile une, kuti nim'manyilile nikumpani Imwe . Ndikhozga, panyengu yinu,
popela. Ngwitichisya pa-je ndawi jino, kulemkufowka kwangu ndikukuwa kwanthazi zinu,
buka kwangu niukulu wa machili Genu, kulaga
kusawuka kwangu ndikuleme ra kwinu. Palivi
kwangu nikupuka Kwenu.
Chiuta munyaki kweni Imwi-pe , wakovy a
Pangali Mlungu jwine akawe M'mwe Jikape ,
pasoka, wambura kusowa kanthu.
Wakamusya muyakogoya.
ci-TONGA, ZAMBIAN (PLATEAU
TONGA) (Zambia) YAO URE (Y AH ORE) t (supplied from Ivory
Coast)
Ndime kamboni mwami Leza wangu , kuti
wakandilengela kuti nkuzibe alimwi Bie na ye. E Bali, Bie man gnain ambolah ,
nkukombe. Ndazumina cino ciindi kuti Biandre yemito gnenmipan. Bian pah lah nah
ndimuteteete webo ndiwe singuzu, mebo goo.
ndimucete pele webo ulimuvubi. Bie plehble le main pleuble. Kah e kiand
Kunyina umbi Leza zunze kwako ndiwe ahngna ya leh tehzan , gnien bre ki fe yezan Bali
mugwasyi mumapenzi esu, ulapona peh kah lenah ble. Ouizoude oui pehnon yeh
mukuyanda kwako. qui guir re yahe evleeah .
510 THE BAHA'i WORLD

YORUBA (Benin , Nigeria) Meinongo kula Mboli balo 'te, Kuka na
hundo a bolo lo lungo yo, K uka nala na a ga la
Mo ~e ij (,'.ri i si i, Iw9 Ql9run mi , pe Iw9 da mi
nitiko.
la ti m9 Q a ti la ti sin Q Mo j(,'.WQ ni akoko yi niti
ai lagbara mi , at initi ag ba ra R(,'. , niti a ini at i niti
Q la R(,'..
Ko si Q l9run mi ran bi ko ~e Iw9 O lu ra nl 9w9 o lu- ZIBA (olu-HA YA) (Tan zania)
ni gba i~oro , J;: ni ti ki i ku , J;: ni ti o le da duro .
Ninjuliza lwe Katonda wa nge, okwo N iwe
wan tonzi le In ye kukumanya kandi
ZAN DE (Central African Empire, Congo
noukuabudu lwe. Ni njuli za akanya aka , omb u-
Republic, Sudan, Za fre)
jege bwange kandi nom um a ni Gawe, no
Mi ni gamu bolo, ai Mboli , wa ma vungule omubunaku bwange kandi nomubutun gi
tip a hinolo , tipa hili solo . Mi idi, ti ku logobo le Bwawe .
gi mi nan ga la na gamu ngulu , gim i lun go n a Taliyo Kato nd a ondijo shana lwe, Omujuni
gam u hiliso. omunak u, Nyakuba ho .

B. THE AMERICAS

*Denotes revised translation. t Efforts to obtain exact identification continu e.

ALACALUF (Chile) AMACH , ES'NE'PIO, TARANA PEHUAMEN
NANA AMA ES NE'CHENO. PA ATAR PE'
C hao quij e na, O Arka K'seles chewe. CHEQU E M AMA' ENALLE POPON YOMPOR
C hao illata na chi quijen a, chi afsaksta. ENE PIA NET YEYENPUENE ERA PIAREN
C hao quij ena laf, che keap . YE'SEN NET ENALLETETSA NOT.
C h ao checha l-eche, che keap , chao ak iai.
C hao tarso ak'se nes, chao a la'a i. Che asar. APACHE: Mescale ro dialect (United States)
C hao ak'senes. Bik:egui nda n ne na sha ; 13ik'eguindan nibik a'
n s hin ~ti, negu sii, ashi ni cHi itedishd9ii binka.
ALEUT: Easte rn dial ect (Cyrillic characters) Dak ugu ad ishd i. shi shin dzi,Qeyaedi. Ndi ni
(Alaska, A leutian Islands, Siberia) dzileguli , shi te'n si ine. aku ndi ya t'a diyi di~e
/
nii;'.shi j as h . Na'sh i duh an kat'6 bik'egu dahin-
HM H HZ> AH'AC.);"'f H);.O A Ki_ dada, da ndin a nik'egu dahinda, naicKudanne .
~HH.Z> f'lririHz;. Arl\HZ. 'T'HN.O
"rHHAX o.KtfxrrxHH.O, 'T'HH:Z. Ha'a duguzh ud a a ag ut'eg u dandi nik'eguinda.
"'l':'..b.'T'Ot..A HX b. KM-0X-.b H N\H Hb
KO.Mft..KHHZ. 7 tSo.Hz;. l'l\Cb.M:Z. H _ ARAUCANt (subm itted from Panama)
-,\b.H.O C~Ne.xb 'fH'bHo.ro.Ctt.HM-1_
b~'6xb L\Kt\'ft\KiKHH:z> KO.K'lX.A Testigo nankue
KO.AH MHtt".6 <.\H'~H~)\.b l\Hl'.l..HZ>. Nas Kakaravfco,
HBHZ>. KHtns rH'T'b. Ctl.KtSKHHb Ma na n hiz a na
KO.t-OXZ>. rriKtSC~Hb.N.Z.., Yuesanguas i nagasanangiiasi.
Iva testigo na me m ag u asiri av inaskavf m are
Xr°"b.KHMHNb ft.r5r5xb n6masina guneri,
b....\b.KO.'(Z>. Bl'Ab..KHMHHZ. b.H'_ Ay ua Zakaravico cu ni maim an i.
O.'T'~M.t' ti.Mb. M~-'rt(Kb.HO.H8_ Be maseingunamase gacaca
Ab.'(b HAb.Hb 'TH MHHZ. CH _
Berna nenan av ua nkin .
CM'11K~XZ>. ~AO.K~);:Z>..
ARHUACOt (Colombia)
AMUESHA (Peru)
NA' PA NECHMETENEP' NEPARESTSS Matuni gukui naji Gha lag hwasha ma nag h-
YOS PACA NEYECHCATE. wama le m a natunanamighzeja (y adorarte)
ANEQUEPOCHNECHMETAPNAMAOCH matun i gukwa gha ika gwasu nituku , ma
NESHERWIAP. ghamamekwa ya daznada nashi dazna gh awia,
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 511
ayzc nadaki ya Ghalaghwasha y6nagholija CARIB: Galibi (Carina, Karinja) dialect
niashi y6nghwapa. (Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Surinam,
Venezuela)
AYMARA (Bolivia, Peru) AOU SOUGOUCA TAMOUCHI, TWUE
GASSER 0 OIR OIR A YOU OUCOUTOMER
Nayajja uiijtwa Dius Tatay, jumawa lurista MENGAR 0 SE OIRTIOMER.
nayaru jumaru uiit'aiiataki, yupaychaiiataki, AOU SOUGOUCA ET LOU MELO, AOU
nayajja uiijtwa anchhicha uruna jani PALIPEOIR A YOU ABOROT MENGAR
ch'amanita ukama; juma ch'amanitama, naya- QUADAMADOR A YOU OIR BOROT
jja uiijaraktwa anchhicha uruna jani kunanita RICHEMINS.
ukama, juma taqe kunanitama, janiwa yaqha A MOEIR OUR TE LA P ASMENT
TAMOUCHI A OIR LA NO COLAT DANDER
Dius Awkijja utjkiti. Juma spakitawa, jumawa
DA A YOU PANPAMANOLANT, MANCOLOT
yanapt'iritajja taqe jan walinakansa, jumawa
COMOMINPOENT OA ASSEQUERO .
utjta juma pachapata.

CARIB: Moreno dialectt (submitted from
BAURE (Bolivia) Honduras)
Di reshit6u, to vekiyir, piti kem shok6vi Au pu'uneauwa . 0 Lloso kl:mt, amoro puaskesko vichipti ash vekiyichip. Di reshir6u canenpo a moro mana adupu'ustoome erome
nerekike, doka nase rejen ash piti aserokon, di 6seguachoome. Au pu'uneauwa co'ollene
pohour ash piti k6tir6n. eropo, au pioresmaba erome amoro tit
Do kat kap6np6u ponshohue piti. Piti as paripiin, au poreauwa erome amoro tu cabalinkor6bi ash chapch6vi doka kanserpou tikuer lero .
ti. Lla'aba Lloso amu batuman abiiioscopore,
abapune !Japiopunta adasta, amantoto aseque
BRIBRI (Costa Rica, Panama) tu cugiientarumue.
YERUR BEBIKETSU BERO YE SIBU
ECUEKY BETUYEYU EDIRIRSU EBIKETSU CARIB, ISLAND (CARIBE)t (submitted
YE W ASCHEN Y YERURET A YE QUE from Honduras)
DIRIRCHETA, BERCHE TAIE YE SIORARA
Lun nasiianeyaa lidaa ven gaadeirei daan
BE BURU TAIE ER KIO QUE SIBU SCA TU BE
lidas dimii amiidi Ian maniguaty munilla vaa-
IMEKE YISCATU YEI SKIMENE ISURUETA
!ERB! IBUBRABA IEBUSCO IBUBRABA. nibey bo ubabey .
! Bungui neigeichy. Bugiellaa agureajaavadinaa.
CAKCHIQUEL (Guatemala)
Sun nazubu dirunibieu . Sun biciendeiu:
Yin nibij riyeht, nu Dias, yin aquiytisan ri chi nugulaa bobabey lindao danlee luagu beere
nuguatamaj aguach y gantiguaj6. suma billarianaa.
Yin nibij ri jun ti rato re ri nu ban y riyalan ri Luguli luma Birizi.
aguachuka, ri nu mebahil y ri abellomal. Uvaaty amu Bungiu.
Majun chik jun Dias mas que regui riyet, ri Bubedigisa le Hidajabey lidaan Hinavariny
gatohon chere ru queyebal, ri xa ban riret Luagu. Buriguana ru .
m1smo.
CATfOt (Colombia)
CAMPA (Peru)
Bfltru mua asia Bflra caira cawabamanea
Naka cantacotiriri, nashi nowabani abirota- Bflra zhi biara jaraita . Mlia jaraya j6malia Bfl
qui ovettzikaquena, oncantcha niyotantaiymiri ne eaba mlia o be ea. Bflra warinu obeya. Miua
nancanenpi. Nocantaco timpi ironaca te zhi supuriata Bflra shi wai b1ta bara b1tta.
noshinttzitage pishinttzincaqui Noca Bflra Caragabia tewara ne ea. Shi dai ne
nashinonca. Abiroka pashararo. Tekattzi cazhirua cawade ni mi burn ewate Bfl trn
pashini pawa. Abiroka pamitacotana ocaven- careba bua Bflra to aba bua tewara wai ea bu
cati, ab iroka anincari. ea.
512 THE BAHA'f WORLD

CHEROKEE (United States) CONIBO: Shipibo dialect (Peru)
l l!\Y9. .ll Vf' ;)V.1 Enra mia onanque nocon Dios, min ca jonia
iqui mia onanti itan rabite, Enra ohuiquen
;)XW ll!\Y9. DlV!' ~V .1 &~ TGGA.1 ramabicon yosma betan min coshi, ea jahue-
DlVf';)V.1 bS fRT. TS DCTGE~T. quioma itan mia jahuequiya
DB lrSW, lrZ?, hlJ ;)XJ\WOB, Yamaraque huetsa Dios mia quesca, jan noa
.;ḥ9.~ DB hE Enf'Y TGf';)V.1~, Do
aquinti onsanconia, mia iqui minbish ja.
hE E@l Vf';;i!l!\.1~.
DB EhfR hEJ\, lrZ?, AE Df'- CREOLE, HAITIAN (Haiti)
f'RT. DB e:n: hEEe f RT, M
Moin temoin, 0 mon Dieu, que ou cree um
CEhEE @hEl. Do DYBiT M
pou moin reconnait ou, pou moin Adore ou,
YBTG HZ @hEl .
iEZ q[,o ~J\W~E 15.Y, hE CREG moin gin conscience ya de impuissance moin
.;()Y;;JSf':& Do .;()YG [, o;;dY hS i T Do avec pouvoir, grandeur ou et richesse ou tou .
Pa gin lot bon Dieu cancou ou, ce ou qui
hM9.T.
secouri nan tout mauvais moment ce Ou qui
hE C& D!' :2S !' ;;ctY • fort passe tout.

CUNA (KUNA) (Colombia, Panama)
CHIP A YA (PUKINA) (Bolivia)
Be nuga an nudakedi , Be an Baba, Pe pin-
Wertre Yooz distike amchuaweke sadf anudakegala. Pe purba anualicagwa,
pachamke paj zapa, amkin Mayziz zapa, anz- pergufnanmala an bendake. Pe purba anse
chiruktra tee urake, wuer am azizaricha, wer ogilaegala, neitirpimakar abdaibugua. Pe do di
anachullchica, amke thapa chulltakchichmcha, napiraguad tule tumad , percuable per carmadi.
mazek yakha Yooz zallzzie, yanapt'icha
anawalinakista, amzestra personkistra. DAKOTA (SIOUX): Lakota dialect (Canada,
United States)

CHIQUITANOt (Bolivia) Wakan Tonka mitawa slol ceye na ceyo
onihau kta ca maya gage .
Y quiococa hoy baistuparra tagu na hay samute Mahon ke sni na neye ni waski, onma si he na
para suputaru y anauno. Chusa quisrr naye nejinca, lei owape hin el epin kte.
napanaucu chacusivica taya acheca. Chanapii Okokipe na ni som onyanki yapi, Wakan
tiatarrs bacher un tana naqui baiytuparrs Tonka ni some towa wi sin.
bayura ino untanas ugge chusa quirrs
DIEGUENO (KUM-YIY) (Mexico, United
States)
CHOC6, COLOMBIANt (Colombia)
Nea mat-e-ken6p, o Myha, Nea-p6w
Mi marchi, en bera, ma criabua ma criama we-6w Whee ach-pfe Whee. Nea mat-e-kenop
tachi afuni. Mi marchi empera muena, quema nea-p~l splr-mauw Myha quaw-tfe, ti-pulI
quinupineabua mu trua, paratani quinu emp- Shin nea WU queen-a-wlich quaw-tfe.
era patabarabia. Tachi sese audubua, care facia Nea ma-eye nea mltch ta-pa mauw Myha
pea bodota tachi sese ituba bua. Shin, Myha nu-ii( Nlumbe nea wu Ma-lie
me-toy-ydm, Yike na Mitch-pashow.
CHOC6, PANAMANIANt (Panama) GOAJIRO (GUAJIRO) (Colombia, Venezuela)
Milira testigua tayhi Ancore bedea devena
bilia odavera injasita bili cavavai carea y bili Tatuja auch, pia Maleiwaa, piain ainjin taya
carea triabaya. zupula terrajuin pia ma aijachin tapula pia
Milira testigua nahua enda fuerza nee Tatuja auch jolucho, marchin taya ma piainja
bilfmina y bilira necua bilfmina, pobre bilfmina katchin, mulieshtaya puma piainja washirin.
y bilira nejoma iri bilfmina, Dayhf Ancorera N6joish wane maleiwa makaika pia, ja
ababtiiri bili umera neea , Tayhi care bavarira makai jumuin ekai mojuin mukuwaipa, chi
porque biliabira pueabirf joma mana bilibera. ekai numUinwa .
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 513
GUAHIBO (GUAJIBO) (Colombia, Ven- INUIT (INUPIAQ): Keewatin dialect
ezuela) (Canada)
JjanH tanHjH, Oh taja Dios, nejjaname . C-b,..;<l<Y<l>L- JnL ~a.c...t>··
cayapHtajitsietsi pinijiy6mH. JjanH tanHjH l,L bt><L d~l., "Jr'<Jt--rcL~J
ajena conoiiae tanHjH paepainajn, jjamH Q_Jda..L L4 Q .AJcrbra..L
asaHbejemH; jjanH bijy6bHnH y jjamH /\J<Yd)l.,f\" <J.._Jl,, L <J~\, bf'a.facabecobHyeimH. <lr'cr JncbrL b.f Pr/ L'.16-·
Apoejanaimu itsa Dios pecatojjentsinu, ~ n :x, t-. Jn :n~ 6 .
bajara-pon\f necayayenena piayai-cujiro,
ecarapeju pon\f piyesautja. INUIT (INUPIAQ): Kobuk (Kotzebue)
dialect (Alaska)
GUA YMi (Panama) Ookauheieah , aungayootmang, eilvich einik·
taheima eilichoheilotin sooli pikhaheitcoplo-
Ti es gade, Oh Nubu tigiie! Magues ti miga ni
tin . Ookauheieach ahkoovuk syaktoiliah
tuba Madruga! gade ti-e. Buta tigiie es
sungeepnune; nohleiliah oomalholiknune.
matarede. Ti-e gade m~uare . Ti tu brai mati1
Autlamik aungayotachuke ahvatipcoon,
cribida. Ti tabre riqueza mahiie buta.
ekahyokti nuvaynami, engmik pityi.
Nubu muda iiacarr.
Mabe itibe ma ara de migaga ma ara ni noba INUIT (INUPIAQ): South Baffin Island
bidiga. dialect (Eastern Arctic Syllabics) (Canada)
) .... c..t>L, Jnt,<, '-.~c..t>l.4\l. bt>•
HAIDA (Alaska, Canada) ~L7~Jjn t>~AM )~~4\t>dj{)
t>~A- L~c P'-.c)L ~~L ~r~rA,
Hlaa, weiyat suus uu dii dung TI'aahlaany;
'-.r~)/nc, ~J/Lc )~~~d
eihl uu saa dungeng dii guudengaan. Uhl giisluu wy'aat tlii dii xaagaas k'an uu, is siis dii ALr)L"M ~~~ JnCbrL<-
k ' ungis~dygaas k'ang tlii dung iitlaa gadaas. bA~~)Cbc<' A~c~~)J~>n
Dung squun nuueitl dung klaaiidunggung. ~L~ 6r~ A~c A~cJ~))~n-

Dung ki l Eihl ging gets sqwaagu saang.
JICAQUE (XICAQUE) (Honduras)

INUIT (INUPIAQ): Barren Grounds dialect jO Dios Mand! An timnon ni na maya , si
(Canada) suanda was ten iga. Po qui noi es sun. Dios, te
qua la ti way, na polra monse sa a ti qui Dios pa
Uvanga qauyititsivunga tapsuma Gutip ha Ii cum. Pan u hay Dios, in oy le Dios, un ving
sanala ursimamanga imminik qauyimaqupluni baten Dios.
tugsiavigiqublunilu. Tukisititsivungalu manamit pitguniqanginimnik tapsuma pitguni- KALISPEL (SALISH): Flathead dialect
qaninganut, akslunimnutlu aksluinirnut. (United States)
Asingnik Gutitaqangilaq igvit kisiuit, ikay-
Quin Kolinstuten, Ju ti! Anawee U ko
uqtauyargiaqaniptinit ilingnit ayugaqankolintwhu Ju que ks soohum U que ks
gitumit.
putenem. Ku yes konkonstinum yetilwha Ju ye
ti! eas s.hopt U jasyoyit, U ye ti! eas konquint U
INUIT (INUPIAQ): Barrow (North Slope) jas s.koyoleewhu.
dialect (Alaska) Tat suewet wes olkosheetums oopen es
I!isimarauru1p Godiil), IliIJnun saval)atilaam- olkosheetwhu Ju es yapastenee. Lu ta epl
nik IJisimatquvlutin suli nangaquvlutin. Quli- chinaks Kolinstuten, e.chimish Anawee.
aqtuagigiga akkupak suaIJl)ataiiiiiiga suli ilvich
KOYUKON* (Alaska)
sual)l)atiqpaiii, uval)a i!iappauniga suli ilvich
umialgunigiii. Ego ninh nit'odeetaaghat.ft'aa' ts' a nits'a
Allamik Godaitchuq ilvich avatikkun, hadeenaaghasdaak ts'a haghanee go ninh
ikayuiJ!arutin siggagniugnami suli ilimik kkokk'a neeseeneenhaanh ts'a isee hHyif
al)alatchumiiiaiqftini iJiruni. asiniyh. Sinh nitfil eent'aanh dahoon see ha!'
514 THE BAHA'I WORLD

eelst-l" ilaa. Doyonh eenlaanh dahoon saahaa nari oca maicca teranagabe pagabeaquena
k'its'oh1tdeeh'aa ts'a eesee koon h1tyi-l'asinihy. teranonsanmafte Viro pashe.
Ninh yaan' adit'o deenlit'aa ts 'a ninh yaan' Mameri pashiniacpari6shi payoyabisaqui-
Dinaah1tto' eenlaanh. viro irirori ymectacutaqueri notsaroganaque,
iriori ictfmira por irirori.
KUCHIN (KUTCHIN) (Alaska)
Nawa ndak shi'ii, shiVit'eegwijyaahcy'aa MAPUCHE (ARAUCANIAN) (Argentina,
s h99hts~ii naahashandaii ts' a' na ts'a' khagihih- Chile)
jyaa geenjit. Juk geegwaldak shat'aii kwaa ,
Ng illatun raIJin a ntii men.
nat'aii nitsii shigehdan t'oo nchy'aa nidehtee
Iflche w;:iJd::i IJun, Eimi Ng;:inec hen , Eimi
gwintsii.
tremiimen tami kimafiel ta~il)illatuael. Iflche
Neeghaii .faa K'eegwaadh at gwanlii kwaa
w::ild::iIJun feula tami neweIJen, inche yafiiIJelan;
gogw~~jat d~i' gwits'iinyaa. Khik gwandaii gintami iilmenIJen, inche weshacheIJen. Ngelai ka
i'jj.
Ng::inechen Eimi m::iten, kellukelu kunin men,
kishu mol)elnieulu.
KUCHIN (KUTCHIN): Fort Yukon dialect
(Alaska)
MAPUCHE: Chilean dialect t (Chile)
Osi vittekueichanchyo, netitinihsha, Nit
tsut . Kititihchya tenitenitutul a Kenjit, kuikit Feipiael, iilkantuael, rani antiile zeuma.
sidhatsei choog. Tzut-nikueinidhut. Sut tei, Wiil zunun ta inch e, Awem Niinechen , eimi
Kkuea ei tzut. Sinersitkwichachyo , nitsi, mi tremumol, tami kimafiel, tami poienael.
nichile Kitinichi. Nekhe, vittekwichanchyo Mupi n, feula tani wezakonanen, ka tami
Koolikkua, nunrzi, kookontrhi. Tei , kwutsut newen nen , tani kunifall nen ka tami ulmen
thitihndul. Kokwadhun. nen. Eka nelai Nii nechen Eimi miiten, Kellukelu ta kuniu meo, Kizu Monen nelu.
KUCHIN: Loucheux dialect (Canada)
MASCO: Huachipairi (Amaracaeri) dialect
Sit ve tte kwut cha chyoo ny a le sen dei ako
(Peru)
nit tsut ki le ti chya choog. Kwe tha zit te let ti
nja. Sit tei kkwa, kwit zit nun nit chi tei, sit ne Do a Waadic apagapi, pecuite Diosta wacrsil kwit cha chyoo kwi zit. Ako nit kwit chilee nopunwate, yadpaunwate wanopunwate
chi zyoo kkwa nun zi. wabua nda wayoro queri paida iue un dicnanda
Vitte kwit cha chyoo kouko nyoo, kwut tsut inupuene catembet iene nunda apag ewe ue
tri chi iii. ununin wambachiwapuere, dacue eete joaeri.

LOKONO (CONTINENTAL ARAWAK) MASCOY: Lengua dialect (Paraguay)
(Guyana , French Guiana, Surinam) Acyasamco coo Dios Sivaninquiscama alhta
A baa bekotoi gia ka de Wathinathie bie wa !hip yuyan oyicpilcojo quinjan opayicsojo.
maritana da de dei thien bia be goe nang da Acyasamco coo Dios janj ay apyimate mlhip
sika da-ka-ke-wa gowe babong. Tataa-go acma apquilatam paj poc Dios apasmom najan
damo ng ka sjoko dja rong, bee wa tataa abo- ayaso mquilh a avanquilhip Dios emyoc.
na, matho damoeneka dja ko mahto baboewa
djako. Abathie go sabona , Adajaali bie rong MATACO (Argentina , Bolivia, Paraguay)
kie, bie rong kie boeroewata na ma da de
Ohap okalethtayajwo, oka Dios, Ta Am ta
da moeneka loko de bie rong kie.
enekno ya mlek otajwueth amej wet ochaame.
Ohap okelethtayajwo hapet atana ta tek okaj-
MACHIGUENGA (Peru)
nayaj ihi wet Am akajnayaj, hap opathtseyaj
Naro noncamantaqueteria , Aparioshi , wet Am aniyatyaj.
camictitaqeria Viro pitomidakena Tsi tek iche eth Dios thamet Am, o-eth ta
narunocama taqueri narotaqui noneaquitem- lchote ta owitay ihinya, o-eth Tek latunjbira y nungamagitaquembira Viro. Pineaque- wuaihi.
BAHA'i BIBLIOGRAPHY 515
MA YA (Belize, Cuarema/a, Mexico ) tumevijch'a, nuti p6vreno ene piti ricovi'i.
Nahina ponena Viy31 pkevorichu piti,
Ten ile , oh , in Jajal-Dios, tech dzaen yo lal in
p'ayudachvok6wi te' to vyatahib6no, ema
kajoltquech yola l kulquech. Ten ilae ti jun- make-vorichu kj_6wrik6wri . -
zutaj, minaan in muk, teche yan a muk , otzilen;
teche ayiklech yetel yacunail. Minaan u laak NAVAJO (United States)
Jajal-Dios, chen tech , tech ca antaj can anac
Diyin Shitaa' NinfliQi shH' beehozin ef
baa! kaz, cu cuxtal chen letf.
a-!'hfnahodiilzj!h biniighe ashi!nlaa aad66 Niji'
sodiizin do . T'aa k'ad bee haszii', haala shich 'j'
MICMAC (Canada)
nahwii' na aad66 Ni t'eiya Nidziil, te'e'i shidaa h
Oeligtjitjito, 0 NJSGAM , Gil gisiitepotjit ndahkai aad66 Ni t'eiya t'aa aftsoni Ni holq .
gisi nenolin a gepmitelmolim . Oelnimito , enge T'aa Ni t'eiya Alaadi Diyin nil{ haala nihich'i'
asma, nin mnag6tim ag Gil migign6tim, nahwiihia'igii t':;i:;i' iininsin, Hool'aag66 Honilq .
nineolegeagnin ag Gil milsotim. Mo eimog
piloei Nisgam pasig Gil tan Apognimasoti OJIBWA (CHIPPEWA): Mississagi dialect
metoegigtog ag Gil laptjoei. (Canada)
Gi windimon, Nimin Dom geget Geen ogee
MISKITO (MOSKITO) (Honduras, ozhi yun odji kenmin nan gaie odji Anamie ton
Nicaragua) Nan.
Yang witnisna 0 God man yangra paskatma N windima gae nongoom, ezhi bedjee wee
man kaikaia bara man mayunaia. Yang nan yan Geen dush epeecheeweeyun, Nigidiwitnisna naha pyua sip apia kapri bara man magiziwin pee dush Geen gwandiziwin . Kawin
karnikamra; yang umpira lakasna bara man waia bikan Manido Geen eta, Widokazwin
ai lalka. Sinagaziwining, Mindjimnaman Bimadziwin.
Bahara God apusa bamansma. Help Patra,
ba mita witin Seip rayasa. OJIBWA (CHIPPEWA): Salteaux (Saulteaux) dialect (Canada, United States)
MOHAWK (Canada , Unired States) Gee Kayne dah mah zon , Ke shay Manito,
Wa-geh-ni-wha-gwa-risi , Ook Niyo, Neh che ke kayn ne me nan , Shegwah che mah wim
Ihse da-ka-dis-son ne a-gon-yen-de-rih-hok we to nan , Che mean e go e ze yan. Che ke
ta-non da-gon-non-wha-ra-don-sek. wa-geh- kayne ne me nan ke kaye da ma zo n ke zong e
ri-wha-ni-rot, nook-non-wa. ji-niah-teh-geh- ze win she quah neen aye pee chee nay sou e ze
suts-teh ta-non Ihse , ji-ni-seh-sots-tens-seh- yan , shegwa ka ape chee we note e ze yun. She
ro-waneh , ji-ni-wa-ki-d en ta-non ji-ni-sah- gwah neen apee chee ke tee mak e ze anne .
gwe-nya-tsa-ro-wa-nen . Ihya-gonega oya ne Keen aye ta go ka Manito win, ka we che tas
niyo nfok Ihse, ne-gah-yeh-na-wa-tsera neh- so win , A pee saig e ze an, kah ke kay kah ah ya
yo-da-ri-hok, ne-ihse sa-ri-wha-gwa-noh. yin.

OJIBWA (CHIPPEWA): Woodlands dialect
MOTILON (Venezuela)
(Canada, United States)
Aue cut~ Papachf yupune, amo sanuta
Neen dibaindaun kikaindamowin 0 neend
tacomena centopo yopone, aue cut~ amicha
Gitche Manitou, tchi keen ge gezhetod neend
yarsna i muquepe, aue camisique i amo
tchiway kikaindjigay keen gahyay tchiway
apeny6ntaca. Guaneque conipa Papachi,
aunamiaytahwah keen, Neen megiway
cumarco Papachf agiieyabo a'n'tace anipape
debaudjimowin, tchigayi mahndan ningopasguaneque y6ntaca.
sangwaubiwin, tchiway neen kawween gashkiyaywisiwin gahyay tchiway ke mash-
MOXO: Trinitarios dialect (Bolivia, Brazil,
kauwisiwin, tchiway neend kitimaugisiwin
Paraguay)
gahyay tchiway ke dauniwin. Eemahgay kauw-
Nuti nechoy6re, oh Viya, piti pepyakn6'i sen bahkaun Gitche Manitou, anishaydask
taye'e nimotviraviyre ene nfiruchviyre. :Necho- keen, widokaugaywin pindje bapinisiwaugan,
v6y!e te fuiti naripu-tahina ntumayvina. Ene pi ti tebinahway aupidanisiwin yegibimadis.
516 THE BAHA'I WORLD

OTO MI (M exico) QUECHUA: Ecuadorian dialectt (Ecuador)
Ji testfgueska , o h juchiti tata diosi , eskarini Nuca di us tistigu cani nucaman vinachiscant'u kueraska parakini mftini ka k'eri ambe gui Ca nm an sirvin gapa alabaringapa. Tistigu
arhinguini. Ji testfgueska ia ias i, juchiti cani cay ratuta nuca, mana ushay cani, Canmi
jukaparhakueri ka chiti uiIJ apikueri para tucuy ushay Cangui, nuca pubri cani Quiquin
iamindu am be uni, juchiti komu ja l)gue ri ka no chari cangui Mana Tianpash shug Dius ashta
ma jatsfkuarhikueri ka chiti kanikua ya li hurmana huraspi yanapang ui Canmandaljakaparhakueri jimbok ari ia mindu ambe jat- latami causangui.
siska.
No jarhasti materu tata diosi el)ga sanderu QUICHE (Mexico , Guatemala)
k'erika eska cha, emaIJga ja rh6ajpka el)ga
kanikua uetarh ijka, emal)ga jarhajka mentku In xin wil6 , oh nu Dios, chi ri at xinaq'uisaj
isi najkiru no nem a jarh6ataka. rech quin weta'maj awach y quin lok 'o k'ej
awach Weta' am quin ri camic ri ' na c'o ta ri nu
chok'ab y ru, nimal ak'ij ri at, ri nu meba' li in ri
P APIA MENTO (Aruba, Bonaire, Cura~ao) ak'inoma l ri at.
Mi ta doena testimonio, o mi Dios, coe Bo a Maj jun chi Dios xew ri at, at ri cat tob pa ri
cria mi pa mi conoce Boy pa mi adora Bo. Mi ta jun c'ax , y ri ca c'aslic chi rilic rib.
testigo nae momenta aki di mi flaqueza y di Bo
poder, di mi pobreza y di Bo rikeza. SALISH, PUGET SOUND (United States)
No tin ningun otro Dios, sino Bo, e auxilio '>;ist;ifildxw bd, s;iq si"ab, d;ibad dx""al
den Peliger, Esun coe ta subsisti di su mes. kwi t(u)adshuyuc dxw"al kwi gw;ids;is(h)aydubicid . gw;il ";iskw;idicu t k"i gw;id siiwi+.
PIRO (Peru) dxw'>al d;igw i". l;ic ut bd "al ti";)" "al ti xwi"
Gita testigo goyakalo pixa gira uturu gwddsqw iq " '>j t(i) adsg"a'> adsqw iq"". dxw"al
petashatanru nunanu gita gi ixchcota gika gike ti";i('>) ds;is"us;ibabdxwil "i t(i) adsg"a"
wanciru, pixa waneru ponikolu maleshnu satu "itqah. xw i'> kwi b;il;ili" ~ s i"ab dxw"al
goyakalu. Pixa satu pupxakan nukyo wikolni
d;igwi", dxwskwaxw;ixw "al SXa~ il , k"'i '>a
pixa pagoone tengogne
ck waq id '>;is'>ist;i.

QUECHUA: Bolivian dialectt (Bolivia)
SHOSHONI (SHOSHONE) (United States)
Noga rikuni, Aa Apu Yaya Diusniy, Qan
NEE 00-KOO TI SOOM BADUGH UPEH
rikhurichiwasqaykita rejsisunaypaj , yupay-
SOOK DA-MEH UH NU-MEH NfP-H UMEH
chasunaypaj. Cheqamanta yachani kunan-
DA-MEH SOOM BA-DO-H KHANDO-H UMEH
pacha mana atiyn iyoj kasqayta, Qan Manchay DA-MEH OIYOS NA-NEH SHOON-Df
Jatun atiyniyoj kasqaykita, mana imayoj kas- KHAN-DOH . NEH UGH SOOKA DA-GWATS,
qayta jinataj Qan Qhapaj Kasqaykita. Mana NEH Wl-H GA HEENA MA-BA-Nf-Wf-H 0NEH
Waj Apu Yaya Dius kanchu Qanmanta Wl-H DA-MEH GOO-PANDH, WI-HU
astawan , Pichus mana allimpi yanapakuj , DA-MEH DIH TIH HAUNC UMEH WI-HU
Pichus Kaj Payllamanta. DA-MEH OYOI-DEH-WHUP. 0NEH WI-HU
DA-MEH UPEH GA-DEAS 00-AH NEESH
DA-MEH UPEH Bf-H ONEH WI-DU DA-MEH
QUECHUA: Cuzqueno dialect (Peru) BOONIH UPEH , DA-MEH DEH-MA-Zl-DH
Noqan yachani, Diosniy, qampaq kanawas- DIH TIH DA-MEH NA KHANC OIYO-GOOS
kayquita recsinaypaq, yupaychanaypac . HE-INH GOO-PAS NANA-SOO-WOO GINDH.
Yachanitaqui kunan pachapi, nana atiyniyoq
qqaskayta, qampaq jatun atiyniyoq kaskayta , SHUARA (JIVARO): Aguaruna dialect
waqcha kaskayt, kcapaq cayniquita. (Peru)
Manan joc Diosniy kanchu qanmanta as- WIRJAf ETSEGNUNUK, MINA APUJU,
tawan nana allinkunamanta yanapaqniykun , EMEMATJITI WAITUKTUSAM NAJATUA-
qqanllan Diosniy kausanqui qqanllamanta. W AIT AN DUWI.
BAHA'i BIBLIOGRAPHY 517
WITJAI CHICHAGKAGTINUK YA BAISH- TANANA (Alaska)
KAM, AME SENCHIJUM SUGUSBA WA DUWI
Y ABAIK AGKAN PUJAJAI.
Senogh-1-k'okhoodelet, see Bet'odeeh'a, see
TIKICHIK AMEA IBA UK ATSA WAI, ISHA- dheehseen na.f esdeney, nek'okhoochedhet.
MAINUMY AIJATMAINUK, AMEKETNIE Senoghclk'okhoodelet, k'odeeyeet, seteeya'
PUJUT SUKAGTINMEX. ku la, eentl'eth. Tajoo nosoditlt'a, doyon eenlan.
SIRIONO (Bolivia) Nen yan' Bet'odeclt'a eenlan. Soghun
neeneenneek, dek'onadheelton.
EBii aba chee dau chee. Sa dau abatu chee ,
ima-chee chiian Sande imachee chian Sande.
Yasu tata a. De-aygue de-quiran cuantuchii TANANA: Tanacross dialect (Alaska)
mbia chii. Tendam nandeiiti taua de-aygue
chee chaura nyebe eirachee rache-equia dejera Maghhihhey, Sht'oxt'iht'eh, shihtsi, me'ishdeningue Dios-ra. daey , paghhexnuhdet. Maghnihhey, k'ah du'
De-aygeu chee dea-catura. t'ey-;- sht'aey kol, Nt'eay xuntl((h. Shelzaz' kol ,
Nelzaz' zuntl((h.
SRANAN (SRANAN-TONGO, Wut'oxt'iht'eh wukaedh kol. Ts'axunt'eh
SURINAMESE, TAKI-TAKI) (Surinam) neghanitandaek. Wut'oxt' iht'eh k'aa nits'-
axandaeg'.
Mie e kotoigie-o mie Gado-datie Joe
mekie mie foe sabie en aanbedjie Joe. Mie e
kotoigie na tapoe na momenti diesie, mie zwat- TEW A: Santa Clara Pueblo dialect (United
jie en Joe maktie, mie potiefasie en Joe States)
goedoe. No wang tra Gado no de lekie Joe, na
Naa o toh ne (Nave Taa jo sii) (HaY ti) UU
Helpiemang ini notoe , na Wang-Die-De-Na-
Ti Te PAA Na wi TAAE UU He-ta wi Jo sii a
Hing-Srevie.
mi tee (naa o TUUNI) (Naa bo) Navi Ka bi ni
gati He ta UUVE (Kaa-in ga ta) Nave CHE
SUMO: Musawas dialectt (Honduras, Biin in gata He ta uuvi CHE IN GATA wiaa wi
Nicaragua) na aan pi wi Taa jo sii UUT AH; KHA GA TE
Yang witninis yang Papahnki yang yamus D i Khun WO DA TE Wi boh gi moi.
naman yang matilik man kul makulnini.
Aka minit yang witninis yang sip awas sai
TLINGIT (Alaska, Canada)
yangki man paun makaupak sipki, yang
minikun yangkat man yankli mankat. XAT YEEKAXNEEK AX DIKEE ANKOW
Papahn ukdiska man waliki, patkaupa ilk YOO XA TYEEKLEEYETK EE KASA-
maiataman, witin silp sanka litki. KOOWOO EE YA SCHKAKA WK. XA T
YEEKAXNEEK YA YEEDAT KLETH XAT
OOTSEEN KA YEE KLITHSEENA, KA XAT
SUMO: Twahka dialect (Nicaragua) KANISHKEEDEI, KA YEE ANKA W.
WE EE CHEEKLEINAK DIKEE ANKA W
Yang witnis yang, yang Godki Man yabina-
YEE SITEE KA YEE YEDASHEE, KA
man Man ma talyang anik. Yang warakat laik
CHEEWEAH-SKEEDANEEK.
yultayang yang paraski Man parasnikira Man.
God has lapki, Man Kamank ki, ya paras
taman dutni Man Kau, A las Sawonki. TOBA (Argentina)
Ayem naq'taxananeq, oh yalamxat' Dios, ye
TACANA t (Bolivia, Peru)
'am ayem ad'onataq savotaique da 'am
He marda mi que testig6, oh mia dada savat'ton qataq' shioqhen. Saq'taxan vetoigui
Diushu, mia dada ve peitia Diushu eshenapa nagui da iqalaxa qataq' da ad'anxaq', yachopuji. He marda mi que testig6 ye orashu mi que qyic qataq' da ad'sallxa.
poder mi que impotencia, que ma purf que ma Qaica ca lya Dios napacaleq' 'am, Nimaye
mi que riqueza. Hay ma ve pia Diushu, mi detaunaxan da souqapoigui ca !chic, Nimaye
dabai ejejena, mi dabai Diushu ejejena. qaica ca iben'a.
518 THE BAHA'I WORLD

TUCUNA (TICUNA) (Brazil, Co lombia , Y AQUf (Mexico, Un ited States)
Peru)
Inapoone testic6 in Dios, e npoone y6t uri ac
Llumaen pora tocuchigan paq ue ne e nchita ll ane . Paque te e nchiwatane.
Cho ma curi guh e n, C um a pa chori tupan a Inapon e testico en lautipo , caemo beki jume in
tac ufa choun cu na goe n iiima na cha cuhan iii uteam cae n utean bequi impovea poovetan a
na cugo na charf inin. e mporftoo rico. Cabe intok Dios, ju ll eani ame,
E ho hin na curi guh e n ii o mar gun e ngo chori e npo jibap6 be ch ii bo jiapsa .
tura y curi pora, chori ta hunma cur i guhinm a.
Tauma a nay a tupa na, curin poraqui , toin ri
YARURO (Venezuela)
guhenqui iiim a ch ie nfa . iiim a por aqui
nichata ha n. Dademene kone. Dademene kone kod e uni
optea. Mene cua ja no re derrer dabaicreine .
Dabaicreine cua j a mene de rrer. Daicre
TUPI: Chirigua no (Chahuanco) dial ect
udercre uchercre. G uardemercre guamerene
(Arg entina, Bolivia)
cheregua merenene . Aeme vei optaedi
Che a icua ma che Tumpa , de che apoaba kanemedi optaed i. Optaedi da ju a di chi cu a .
rocua baera jare romboete baera. Che aicua Optaedi da diu di que juing.
m a a 1'i a ve che chep ue rea co ba jare depuere ,
che cheparabete jare. De denbaeyecou Baetij
YUKPA (Colombia, Venezuela)
imru T umpa ma De giii ba, Poromborij
icabibae peba, jare iyeu guiiio oicoba. A un ene, o l Cf!moco, 01±ncat a uy1±ne 6ope
oyenepe , aa pera aya mpo auya t6cshinco.
Aunene, j1±arketau, y6 itpai auvia, amorcotip-
TUPI: Guarani dialect (Argentina, Brazil,
shin, aumerejera'ya amo ri mava re jaapera ma.
Paraguay)
O loco mak am6roco 61mak , C1±moco t6c-
She aiku a'a she Tupa , Nde jap6 ha giie , shinco, 61ok oyeme ruca ne cupetu6coyo,
roikua'a hagiia, har6 Tupa'itu hag iia. toapa no pera m.
Aik ua'a avef koaga, la she kangy ha, ha Nde,
Nde mbareteha , Ha she Mbo ri ahu, ha Nd, Nde YUPIK, CENTRAL ALASKAN: Kuskokrik o ha. wim dialect (Alaska)
Nda i pori ambu 'eishagiia, Nandejara, Nde
iioite pytyvo hara roime va'f jave, Nde ii o ite Nallrun itua, Agayu tm a Piliaqellru avnga
reik6 Nde je heve . Nallunricesqelluten Ciktarvikesqelluten-llu.
Watua, Nallrunritua Pingailucimnun
Pingirpanun-llu , Arrsaucimnun tukuutevnun-
TUPI: G uarayu dia lect (Bolivia)
llu.
Che dey vyindar chen1 tumpa , de cheapo Allamek agayucetait uq Ta ugaa m e lliirek,
heve de cuag iia deli . Che yeroyy augiia aiien- Ikayulaa vkut Aarna rq ellramek, Ca mek e lpet
cua vehy de li c6 corintein deli che vae ca usa de Piunrilavet.
rec6 pirantaza vein 6 che para izusavein 6 de
rec6 yemboe teisa vein6 dipoiri a mbuae tum pa YUPIK, CENTRAL ALASKAN : Yuk dialect
de no ite hore pytyinbyin vae, vae yabaete vae (Alaska)
sui . Deahe ere ye upivae de recocuer pype.
Kahnaryahan aungakaka, Agaeutma.
Doyooha bill yakelrhuavoonga, nahtlooskif-
YAGUA (Brazil, Co lombia, Peru)
kanuk , cha le ookfak ishkatlootin. Wa neheuha
Ra a ndiatene , unindano sun, dejano un ra nahtlunre hkaw chaywelujekah etlpet dowghan
andiante , ragita hu anta nani Unge R agita dat- ga haywa vit. Chale a hrsowlowa etlpet dowghera Unge tunshonda ne andieta ne datera ne ken chut dummyeta h bektlooghe . Awtlamikttrate n i criquitin . loo owahte n Agaeutche tdownnuneh, cheyun-
T ie q ui sauchera U nge uirti qui sauchera a hrbootloo nawtloovghahrngow nakoo aw hurinde n6 Su nu chera uni cho sa nsq uita unich- rnahgeg unn. Keevitl oo ahn ehrtoores htenera ninda. goolootin .
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 519
ZAMUCOAN , NORTHERN (A YORE, ZAPOTECt (Mexico)
A YOREO)t (Bolivia, Paraguay) NA QUE TESTIGU SHIOSE, YEB LU BAS LA
Urepiseyu, Dupadea, uje je vapesute yu, NAHRE TE GUMBE, CHANE LAZ SE YEBLU.
ujetiga yiraja uato ega uj etiga yisi vabay. NAKQUE TESTIGU NAH SHTEN YEL GU ,
BIH'N , SHTEN YEL NAZAK.
Yfgome ua uje que y6 bajopire gotique, uje
mataqueyu jeque cuchapeua, que Dupade Ruti steh dad Joh yeb lu, ni rak ne nu re che
uneque cusego gusuua. Ua u uje barate yoque, cayac nadzin , ni nabahn shteb tis.
ome cucha gajnaregone, uje je ua u cuchadej -
nese.

c. ASIA
* Denotes revised translation . t Efforts to obtain exact identificat ion continue.

AGT At (Philippine Islands) AKLANON (Philippine Islands)
SAKS! AKO, 0 KANA KONG DIYOS , NA May pagtestigo aco, 0 Guino-o, nga·kao ro
MINA AKO, KANIMONG LINALANG TAN- nag himo cacon para magquilala kimo cag mag
GANING MA MIDBID TAKA SAKA SAM- ampo sa atubang mo . Nagtestigo aco sa sining
BAHON KA. SUMASAKSI AKO SA ORAS NA momento, sa aeon buya cag sa imong ng ca
ADIE SAKANI MONG PAG KAODA KAN
cusog, sa aeon ca pobrehon cag imong mangad.
KUSOG SAKA KANIMONG KAPAN-
GY ARIHAN , SA KANAKONG KADUKHAAN
Owa Ion it ibang imong Dios con indi-lcao,
SAKA SA KAN IM ONG KAY AMANAN. mananabang sa tanan capiligrohan cag ang
ODA !BANG DIOS KUNDE !KA SANA, mainantuson.
NAGTATABANG SA PELIGRO, ANA
KANIMO BA SA KANY ANG SADIRI.
APA YAOt (Philippine Islands)
Apo Kabunian, inuman ko un Sika din
AGUSANON (AGUSAN)t (Philippine
nangwa kan Sakon tan matagammuak kan
Islands)
mapadayawak Sika. Testigoak sinsaton, maid
Ako motindog nga saksi, oh akong Dios, nga kabkaboolak kan Sika , kamas dan! Bilongno ,
-lkaw nagb uhat kaniko para magkila kanimo kinakapus ko kan kina Babalin no.
hasta magsimba kanimo. Ako mosaksi ini Maid udom si apowok no adi Sika, Katulun-
<loon , sa ako pagka wa do-oy ga hum , sa akong gan di makasapul , Sika din Mannakabalin.
pagkapobre, hasta sa ako bahandi. Wi nay lain
iban Dios kondi -lkaw, ang panabang sa ARABIC
ka lisud , ang nagkaugalingon nangabuhi. Seep. 496.

ARMENIAN
"flr/ S!; r ' /·cf IJ.umna..w~ II .+r i1+-1i,J nr 'l-na..'h ,,/•u .,_,,.,_
,...,~ 6u ~lr'I. l.w'ltl1.u11na.. £. ~£'/_ UJW:-"l"'- 1e1UJ11111 1 /I J" rJ.iu11-
ft£w~/•M !tr /unnauw/_U1'1.!-J -+-ruL/ilfu."r.u I.. 'f.n1. 'l.ornc../ilfu'lly,
J.J wy.pwen,.a.p[u.'l.u '- 'fl,,,_ fowruuonc/I Ju-lly t ~lr'lJ'I; 9u1ur
tlJJtn11a.w• l't"'I • fll-1"""1..,i,"'l I. /t"t.'1'hwynJ .,,:
520 THE BAHA'f WORLD

AZERBAIJANI (ADHIRBAYJANi , AZERI) (iran, Soviet Azerbaijan)

-•--.....S....~ ~ •,~__,,.•w,' ~J ..L.J vi..,;___ •
~ ....___ .:,,,..:a-• c.S ,,_ v:w.- .,, _,___.,., ,, /liJ "'..__. ;. _ v...6-;- - - -
• ...
.._ _ _ _,_,_. Ill ...,.
,..., •'"!---olitlt
~ I I ...lo.
____............

BAGOBO: Gianga (Guianga) dialect (Philip· BAJAU (BADJAO) (Borneo, Celebes, Sulu
pine Islands) Archipelago)
Manna 0 nama ko, ngo poggali no ogo para Aku makasaksi, Ya Tuha ku, dah bay hinang
kohaddon asta nikko. Mallo-a kloni mismo aku ni katoo-nan maka ni duwaahan. Aku
ngo hago lomilomit nikko keng kollos, ngo ogo nulay ma kadjapan iti ni kalunaan maka ni
keng kaayo-ayo, hikko keng malikoddo anda kamiskinan ku maka dayan.
ottad ngo nama, hikko na eng kotawang neng Mahananiya saddi Tuhan suga siga nabang
hirap eng boy-yottow neng naw-wo mo. ma kalaatan Kaulluman.

BENGALI (Bangladesh)

C~ ~T~H ~".!~, ~~ ~i~TC<;; "(fil <::f:'iT~ C3!::fE <f~ ~!Tf.T<1nt ~'21
<!!<!~ C~T~~~ ~~rn <f'Bl<!F! ~"!J, C'l'.<: Yi'Tt.;fi ~ '!:!Tf:r ~ <f.fiicef~ I
~ra ~Kt ~rfir ~T"l'Vi lfff2i~l ;r.:.-, .!l~ Z C~ T ~Fl ~'.']'-':~ "ffo ·G \!ifT~rrn
~Tfi'f=:1 c~<f~ CZT~n! ~~C~Ei WTTCT ?[f~~~fa I
~fir ~1 \!?1 \5fFl C<f.TG11 !;f".;Q" 'TT~, Pi?fl1<f.T r:o'f ~ f?r ~ ?j 1<1 :;fT'01,

fu1"H~1 I

BENGALI: Assamese dialect (No rth east India)

~ ~. ~ m! ~uittoi1c't~~~~·~~
~ elf~ ~(! "fi~ I ~~ 1!_~ ~ ~ <fi~ ~ ~ ~*"'. ~

~. ~ ~~ ~ ~1;. ~ illtM, ~~91_'1'; ~ crt~ ~
~~l~I
BAHA ' I BIBLIOGRAPHY 521
BENGALI: Tripuri (Kok-Borok) tdialect (India)

• ~Ti5 ii~ilTf ~)n~ ~'If, "I 'll\Jl~. '!TJlf"l ;~"1'11, i1 -~
f"fo;011 <lT'ft \!1~ 9JYVi-"11 ~T'I>.: ~:;~Toi ~Tiff~~ GiT>l1 I ~ 1~
tf101-~~~. ~~ ~1;;-.,,\011~. '611~ fi1~1-11rn1, ?i'.'~ <=1~ 11f: '-:
~tltf'T~,-"!1°1• 'el1i; <llH~'f-~ ~tl!C'lll ~T~~ 111'1'11 1'

'11\!l~-oi ~HIT~ '!ii ~~T~H f~1'il0 illG'!'.~ ~11~-f~il : t
llT~1C'I~ ~0\-0\l~ ('\! ,.~ 't~~ I

BIHARI: Bhojpuri dialect (India) BISA YA (Sarawak, Borneo, Brunei)
Akujadie saksi , 0 Tuhan ku, Ikau nganjadie
~ ~~ {1f iitan{T ~er oo fifi a)~r <t fo/~ di jaie supaya aku ngatuie di !jun, sarata
arr a'kt ~ <ti~ lITTITT ~ (1f'lT ~ cl~ !fi"\i~ or~ 1 nyambah di !jun, Tito no aku mara, karana
tir ~ tn"t ~,<!! <ti~cr orT;;i fit;' t:ir ihrifcr iifl;ft sangaie-ngaie no di jaie kurang, sangaie-ngaie
arr i;i: ~ ~ar u •FtTI orr~ ,ir ~fi.il~~ •n;;rorr ~ no Ikau Yang Bakudarat, sarata ombo saja
ontob alap ku , aku akan mamanau perintah
mr nfCI' u 11~ 9:~ ll'Tl flf ~ •ri<rr arr ~ Mu.
Uiif ~l'T'l'l:~T ~' I Onjop aro lagie Tuhan Yang lain, melainkan
")(~r ~ w.- ~ ii'~~ itR" q<imin ""'-@" 1 Ikau nga no Tuhan, Yang nulu ng musim suat
~T {~ 1!1fTlr.r d~ U 6T{~ I~ or! ~f;i'lf ~ susah, Yang Panakuara.

BUKIDNON (Philippine Islands)
Testigosan ko, 0 Magbabaya ko, ha iyan ka
nigtul-tul kanak ho pagkilala imo daw pag-
BIKOL (BICOL) (Philippine Islands) simba imo. Matun-an ko ha laus taini ha
Nagpapatotoo ako, 0 Dias ko, na linalang gutlo-a ha hura ko agkabaloy daw sa gahum no ,
Mo ako na mamidbid Ika asin sambahon Ika. sa ka pobre ko da sa Bahandi no.
Nagpapatotoo ako, sa oras na ini, sa pagka dai Hura un lain ha Magbabaya; kodi Ynaka,
ko nin kapangyarihan asin sa Saimong Kusog, magbubulig ho Katalagman; nagkinaugalinsa sakuyang kadukhaan asin sa Saimong gun-ho Pagpanginabuhi.
kayamanan.
Dai nin ibang Dias kundi Ika, an Tabang sa BURMESE (Burma, Bangladesh)
Peligro, an Mismong Nagdadanay. ~:i;i$lCCD'.>OC\::l(C\'.>: OJO>CI :i;i51e.1~~'.)I

rucji"jcfi I :i;> Sl C.n( 'i <><!' 5m <>O"J '.> Cj $
oo~@. <>O"J 5:i;i '.>l

".S;o c: <>00 5 'io.icJin( t\>fu@Jo.icjiu w l <>ru '.> <>ru-:>

BILAAN (Philippine Islands) ;o<.li )' '.) oo~;!i. <>O"J 5c:I •H.!3 c: t e. :g 5l c.r o'i ~I

Fnanglut go 0 Duwata na ge i ftabo deg na <>oo519e: I oo~@.<>005~ ;oC: ~f~I J1 §c1
mimo deg agmade ge na mangamfo de ge. tE. :i;isicci fll<.lio .. 4,p: [3e: 1.;c: I o.S~ OI
Gade go de kagkahon ani de klande gnagan go,
dee de akgaganam de kablasok go na dee de
kalgadom. Lande dame Duwata ko la loghe de
<>O"J 5 'i <>OJ'.) :i;> $l C )100 Jl: I :i;i [~p: "'t!iOJ~:J{ Cj '.)l !j
lande sen kafyem na tabongam di kat sato de
gami. "'~ Ul
522 THE BAHA ' f WORLD

. ~!- fii
/~J -1ft- ' a!.J
~-1 j:_

•
'r:ll fl
~J('fj;
1f 5~ ft-
..l. 69 ~
~ ' -t
' ft- il!J
ft- :ll
:ll ~ ~
1ḥ ~t r1FJ
~i 6~ 1t
CUYUNON (Philippine Islands) DAY AK, LAND (BIDA YUH): Bau dialect
Naga testigo aco Dios co nga icao ang may (Sarawak)
buat canaquen, nga ki lala ta cao ig ing Oku mo ogi menyaksi, 0 Topa ku, nang
gueguegman. Naga testigo aco sa mga oras nga Ingan mo ogi nai oku dah puan dup Ingan duch
dia Dios conga inde sarang macacomparar ang nyomah Ingan. Oku mo pikirien tarah adin itis
aqueng keseg sa canimo ig ang aqueng calised dengan doii kuasa ku nudu kuasa Ingan de
sa imong manggad. lcaco lamang ang Dios, ig ayuh manah duoh dengan penyusah ku nudu
icao lamang ang sarang macabawi canamen sa pongipaguh Ingan.
tanang cacorian . Doii loh Topa de bokun pakeh Ingan de
DANGit (India) jagin Penu lung daang penyusah duoh de Pingidip.
\ll 'tll~ "t•l~ltt, l \Wtl i-'4't
W-t o.•u ·it1 Ul ~~ult :utrt Q,..n av ~'-' DAY AK, LAND (BIDA YUH): Bukar
Sadong (Tebakang) dialect (Sarawak , Borneo)
~titull ~~ ltteu \~L !4<1,1. ltl ·~~Ult
\lL..fi sU\tU\('\I ~"1. ~.{ ~"1.·(' ~llt~'..fi, Aku jaji saksi ndug tanpa aku, akam mbuh
ngundah supaya aku empuan akam serta lalu
ltl.tl :i1;llofi.{ ('\~l ~~l 'tl~ufi ~·'4-t·
nyembah akam. Aku besaksi ndug iti seh,
"'..{ 'tll~ ~'tl'l\l. minan semoa pengurang kuasa aku ndug
semoa pengagah akam , serta dingan pinyiranta
Q.~ r~~(lf.t &_'tl~l 5'1-tlav ~~ct~ aku dengan pingiraja akam.
~,,1. ~~ ~~' 9l~Uot! ~~Uot('\ltl~ot Anyap tanpa da bekun masu akam, pinu lung
masa susah, pinulung adup.
"'~'~ "~' tctfot'~'t.
BAHA ' I BIBLIOGRAPHY 523
DA YAK, SEA (IBAN) (Sarawak, Borneo) GONDI: Bethul dialect (India)
Aku nyadi saksi ka Petara Aku , Nuan udah ~ >T'T'«'f-'f'll ~~ if•~ ~e: cr't;;ofl~ <1<ra 3ff"G" f"'
ngaga awak ka aku nemu Nuan sereta lalu ;rl~;r "~ irrrr<'frii:;i; 3R <prr '!i't<'!r~"' ,;>fn: 'l"i'a'T'f 1
nyembah Nuan . Aku besaksi ka diatu , ngena 'f'll rt"' "''l';;JT <!ITT!H 3f'f f'rirr ~il' ITT'! f<ra'f'f 'l''aT'f,
samoa pengurang kuasa aku, ka samoa penger- q;r t'r!fflfr lf'f S'R"'rrr't '!'ffr q;r 'f'fT 'T<Tif orrm;r 1
ing Nuan, sereta enggau penyeranta aku
enggau pengeraja Nuan. f~F a'ml;r ~H~:r >T'l<ITT' ~, f;rm<ft ~ for
Nadai bisi Petara kalimpah ari Nuan, 3fFl:'f, 3f'f f;r1nrr Hil!T'ff'!f "'THii:T'l'fITT'1 !
Penulong leboh Tusah, Penulong Diri.

GADDANG (GADDUNG) (Philippine GUJARATI (India, Pakistan)
Islands)
Pacuruhuan co , 0 Dios co , se pinaratunac ta '~ ~1~ :uu~ ~. ~ lU~t l:Pct~, } <t:::i.
quesi maamuan ta Ca e idayadayo ta Ca. Tad- :i>U<11utcu <\~ C\l:fl ...- \<It !J~CU ct" ~:l, ~~
danggan cu, sitoya ya quinacafec e ya pacapanguam , ya diyariyat co e ya quinamayamannu.
u. :uu ~~ ~ lll:fl ~--1,)c\l :11\:::i. cU:fl ~ct'­
~ Gt lll•fl(Q!t-<l, lU :fl ,R~ C\I :ḥt:::i. (\!:fl
Awan a corhuan a Dios nu baccan a Icca , na
~C('>l:! '1('itCU.fi

<\~ lU:fl llll:U&t :11\:::i_ <\lltJ
Acquisesalacan si Quetaggacan , na Acquitaronan. 'lxlt~L lt~'..fi ~l~ ~l~ !i.'

GARHWALI (India)
~ "11 lfqf'l' f11 17f iil'T'f'F lfqf~ ~~ f.,; f'!~~ HANTIK (ANTIQUENO) (Philippin e Islands)
~IJ.TilI !!!llTT ah 'fir £t pr n;TJr r:p<r "TT\<' May pag testigo aco , 0 Guino-o co, nga-lcao
if 'flt I fll 'fl if!'! •g l1il~ q~ f'<i '): fl'iif'1 .., ' '= 1H ang nag himo canacon para mag quilala
~IM'f<: ~~, fq •HT<r ~;j q)<: ? 'ff'F'l , fq tit;:: canimo, cag mag ampo sa atubang mo. Nag
testigo aco sa sining momento , sa aeon caluya
~::..· 'IT 'fTl1 fl'i( '!!~ ~il I
cag sa imong ca cusog , sa aeon ca pobrehon cag
sa imong manggad.
clf l\O ~Ol'T'fT '!_'~ "l1T "l11J'ff'1 'IT"1f I ;q-lfT if;<ror
Wa ra ron it iba nga Dios con indi-lcao, manifs r ~OcT l1 'TIT 'f; '{f!T[ q~ ~. ~ '!~T cqf~ft anabang sa tanan capilogrohan cag ang
fl'~llHiT ~\!T'[ T 'f 1 '>. ~ I mainantoson.

HEBREW
,';ii?K ,l'J!l? ;"11'YK
.o?w J::i?::i iiJy?i 1=>,, nyi? 'lnK,J :inK '=>
,o ' J 1 K , 0 n ' l K i ;i , 1 ::l l ;i 1 ? ., ::> D 1 ' ;i ' J K ;i 1 1 7.J
.?::>1 ?~in :inxi 71'JKi 'JK ?i
,a,r.i?iy;i 'D?K ,:i,l ny::i :iJiY ,1'1y?::ir.i :ii?K l'K
HINDI (India) HINDI , EASTERN: Chhattisgarhi dialect
(India , Nepal)
~ foq-<:: I
lf ~Heft ~T ~ f.:t; <_!"il; ~TrR "Af>:
it '11)<:: "l1ircrT'f, i?.f~'<"f 'Ill<: 11crr~r ~~ f;r, af~"-"f
a--i: r ~r ~ 'f;<::'°1 ifi fun: ?:'°1 ~it
;j(q<'"f f'fi'ln i 1
'lll'fT '!'flit ~ aoo qf~'flif li!Tfo<:: !R';a<: oT<:: 'J_>;tT
if ~ 81~ ~T'f>H 'F"1T ~ f~ rt 'A~ ~ ITT<: ?;
fl'~~llR t ~ ef<:~ ~ 0-<h?; ~S,:<T ~,if~
"'~ l'!'Tfin: 1 ~ it il'fiffi ii il'ra iir;:ra if~ f<ti' iin 'Ill
~~ ~mn ;:r~ ~ afll:~ ll:T ~~lm;r El:~"' 1 ft
~ ITT ?; ~'111>.f ~ I
'fg"i'l'"f inlor ~)q- ffi!T mit <n:lfin ~ ~;rr ll~ 1
a-'t 1Af1 h'A' 'IA"lT "'1~ 'RllWH il5T ~ I ?: ~T ah ffl'C!Tlf "'T'l'T ~' 'lllTCfT'f '!'~ ~ I o~~ ll:~~
'1'"'Cl1T'fil, ~~Olll''lT ~ I ;;f<l''f ~11-f 'Ill -in<: ~ll:T!fOT lfi?:: "°lfio ll:~ ~<:
afll:~ WR ~<: f;r~<: ll:"'~ I
524 THE BAHA'I WORLD

ILOCANO (Philippine Islands) JAHAI (Mala ysia, Thailand)
Ipanecnecco , 0 D ios ko, a Sica ti namarsua Yek tanggongk an ley sa-bagai saksi , Mei
caniac nga umammo Kenca ken man- Tuhan yek , Pai yei manjad ik-kan yek ney
gidaydayaw Kenca. Pa necnecac, iti daytoy a ge long yek kene l Pai dan bersembahyang Pai .
canito, ti kinacapuyco ken awan bilegco ke n ti Yek luek saksi bahawa peryam ta'ah , ok lemeh
kinabi legmo, ti kinapanglawco ken ti kinabac- yek dan ok et et Pa i maken basat yek dan
nangmo. Kayak Pai.
A wan ti sabali a Dios no di Sica laeng, ti Berak T uhan peu chan lebah Pai, Tulung
Catulong iti tiempo ti peggad , ti puon ken gub- keleng Bahayak , yang He njan Belak.
buayan dagiti is u- amin .

ILONGGO (HILIGA YNON) (Philippine JAKUN (Malaysia)
Islands)
H'ma mena-ngongkan dirik sabagai saksi, 0
Nagasaksi ako, 0 Guino-o ko , nga Tuhan h'ma, bahawak Ajeh telah menjadikan
guinahimo Mo ako ag ud makak ilala -kao cag h'ma ontok mengenoo Ajeh dan semayang
makaha lad sa Imo . Naga pamatu-od ako sa Ajeh. H'ma naik saksi, pada masa ka , akan
subong nga ti-on sang akon kakabus cag sa Imo kelehoman h'ma dan kudrat Ajeh, padah
gahum, ang akon kapobre, cag sa Imo nga kepapaan h'ma dan kekayaan Ajeh .
mangaranon. Hempak Tuhan lain daripada Aje h,
Wala iban nga Guino-o kondi·kao ang bulig Menulung dalam Chelaka, Yang Berdirik Sensa katalagman ang mabinuhaton. dirik .

JAPANESE

l
l
r:. -" r-..
~ t '1')

1J
)-_,
~~
'"'
O")

1(. f)
~. '.i

........

KALIN GA (KALINGGA) (Philippine tu awa-awayya anna y dacal nga pacawayyam;
Islands) to quinapobre anna ta quinaricum.
Awatta tanacuan nga Dios nu ari laman Sic-
Sacan y test igo 0 Diosco nga Sicaw y
sicaw; y Cabbag ta tiempo na ziga anna Mannamaravvu ta niacan tape nu ammuattaca anna
gyawa ta ngamin nga mawmawag.
dayawattaca. Testguaccu ta sangaw y cawaccu
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 525
KANNADA (KANARESE) (India)
d,~.,, ;::jtS.s;i<i cloir.1 ! ~~;S' ~!, ~1..;:$~ "O:d>W ~3~
~~~ tJO'Cl/?;i;:u:> j:)e_~ ~1 ~ ~iicJ~Qeo3.:i; ~~ &.>u~~;:$, ~e~
t.)t.>1:>~~; N<lr::S.> z.>al~, (:)e~ ~eo:s.:io;I. "Qc:S~ ~~en ~o d'~~
~,;S. ~~ c;;JJ<;dj.:i o:S.:i~o:j de>:ld..<Oi ,..~. r.t~t. t11n~3d, ~~
~O~e&F' !

BEHDENG SENG AK KATALAU LA' AN MEH
UH TENANGAN BIH IKA'TUA , ALENG
NYEKANG AKUI, ALENG TE' MURIP
NYELIMAN.

KHALKHA (MONGOLIAN) (Mo ngolia,
China, Tibet, U.S.S.R.)
T3HDp Ta! Ta HaMattr 611tt 6011rocoH
Hb 611 TaHhir M3):(3X 6a XYH)J.3TDXl1HH
KA YAN (Borneo, Sarawak) Te11ee IOM nnrnttr 611 np'1113he. E11 onoo
11 MHHHH •mna1irvttr, TaHhI lfana11Tattr 6a
AKUI NAH !TUNG TAKSI KA ', 0 TUHAN ,
TENANGAN KU!, !KA' ALENG UH NYELUNG Yr11ttrYYr Ml1Hh, 6a51Jlfblf '111Hb DplfJ13be.
AKUI NA! JADI' JAM !KA' DAHIN NYEPIDA Tattaac eep T3HDp 6attxrYH, Ta fopx
!KA'. KERA! NIH AKUI BARA LEMA KU! 3osnoHrnHH norop naHnaa aspan Tye
KATY AHA DAHIN KUASA KA ', KETAH KU! 6atttta naa. Ta eepee aMh 3yyrq T3HDp
DAHIN KAY A' KA ' . USI'TE' KET A LENG HA IOM.

KHMER (CAMBODIAN)(Kampuchea, Thailand, Vietnam)

anlJiui:rn~p~ ~~a11~ru~1rurn Ln:n~rns1:11~n~ 1~aj~J
' I

~ 1nJLO:H~ s~urnnLn:Hw '1 ~im1rurn:~llllt1J1iirnrn B'3J1 Ul ta~~~~
o I

w
U'll~ ~ l.Tfl lt1 ~lfl:H~ fi1lUi ru mnrn ~ SM1lll1 IH1.lllJ~aniu(\} []1:H~ '1
1Lfi1tit,n:H~IG ITJ ~1S tn:m~1 (\} ~n 1~Ul Ul rillr\ltUJU~IJG'lSl(iUl '1
tp:H~ ci1~ng witrn:~ ~f\rn 1uh) n.i~ Ln: 1:~ n6 rn Hl1s~ ·1

KOREAN (China, Japan, Korea)
.Q. :zi£>J o f ::. ~ . •jJ ,~ ~-o.it ~ %c.-~ t-I. r::J~ l
oj .z1 ~ *J-± i; ~..c: I ~ ~ -2._1-~- oi"-12. 2;j~I~~ 7j ~~
ii~5'-~- iiH.1-<H~- 4 o Jr:: ~ xJ-j}- oJ 1:-~~ol J .X. :<i
21 -T-~H !- jl ~ ~ ~1 .9 J 7J- "-1t H! * . i cJ2 :zi£>J
7~ <.J-q )- jl ~ ~ ~.9 J Jf-i> ~ 'd * ij] 7 ~ OJ i-iiH;- 4 oJ
r::~.

~J i..,}olJ -'i .L .2~ ? -'I 2 !:.!:..£ .9 J ""d ~ ..£ "IJ -'I
·t- ~~ oJ9JolJ r::~ ~ o f :::. ~o J ~ -< ~%4 o J r:: ~
526 T H E BAHA'I WORLD

KUI (KHONDI) (India) LAMBADit (In dia)
~IJ~ ~ Q~ >;(J, Qlol:Q, QO>;Q 'l._(,'_'J.I l)>[OQ <JOQI ;SJ.6'4=- 051 tk o~ 1 o-o ~.,. sCJ.,.~;S
Q;;>I 1)>1°Q Q I ~ Q!ll&,IQ <lQ QQI 'flG) llG, l;Q\'IQ I !:lli Ql:O
613 N" :J3 se4.1 .;'.)~ 8J.os> cmos£ ~ .,.{; .;S;S.1~
OOIQ 'fl-t i \i>IQ ".} 0 QI QIQ 9 1tl 1'1€/'IQIQ, 001 lll<;(.ql <J0 Qi
QIQI \'!~I QIQ q1£11 GQ\'I I ~~.S~ el ~.,.g .:Si§ ;J.s5J~ ., Ef ~.s &< c§!)1 B4
(;> Q Q.\flQI ti>:t <Jq l Q >;Q<l
Gil~ 'J(;'f I Q~ ~ I 2.6 s- ~ ;.)):$=' S"6 5i ;;hJ' B4 O'o ~.,. ~ CJ5 ~
Q1,IQI IHI i; (jl "l ~I !:ll;;>l 't-'1 1111\ill~ 91QI 91(;> <li~IQ I
'( § :Si~d. ~ c .5 1 ();6i;J" ~a~o tJ>66 13;SJ.
D'v-066 a~;::u. ~o-~~. o- 6 L~;::u.b e..o 613 . ..J"

6~6 ~o= sOr>.1 . ;;J.::i8J. ;SJ.Os ti, .:Si§ ;;J.OlJ'
S"6 5i s.:;,...1 ;Si;;j.1 ·
"'
KUMAUNI (KOUMANl , KUMAONI)
(India , Nepa l)

lf rn1:, ~<:5 -lry,1 O\T"{'!"!T-q?;q'!H f\?~,
qfr "{'l"!T ~, q ll~ \I T~ t
31 TIJ.f'ur 'J"IT f\'l~ LAO (LAOTIAN) (Laos, Thailand)
li l!im ~r ~~ ~l: M~ <l'ITl:~ q, ~1fbr tg ~s : ~CtJul1'1 2"1~ o : ili lVu1JJ:u1uJ1 1JJ:~ltiull1tc)~'iie'i
' '
air'lfur ~qtf ; q ~f ar'!'i' ~ '1\'!Tfi:rnl ~T\9'f I ws:ilim (( @: e'iw s :il) es'iJi/Jls :il) u@:lii1su~~11>1s:il) e~llO)
... ".n ... ... .... - '
ctJu~us~nn JO ~ J 1UU~OJ1~U 129)21/JJS:Q J lC@ : n~J1UW~ )CC1~ lU1
t !i~- 9't'l"! , lG~<1'1° ~T ~ iH~ a'I" , 1

- - -
'II

wrn29 J~s:9 Jlil' n@ :nlilJrn~n
' oi u~ue 9 JIJJS :g Jlil"

~'~~f'<l''ll J~ws : wctJ-uc1'1il1~u1n ugn11n~ s :~ctJ-uc1'1~s:il1nclJ, w
'
i°Jlm~~J1U~ Oo cm@gl UC ~gJl U2itJ9-UOS W ,
'
wi
J'(m.~ J 1UCtJ-Udfl
.
nn ' ' '
!?00

KURDISH (Afghanistan, Armenian S.S.R.,
Iran , 'Iraq, Syria, Turkey)

MALAY (Ma laysia, In donesia)
Saya me nanggongkan diri sa-bagai saksi, Ya
T uhan saya, bahawa Kamu telah me njadika n
~ . . / saya unt ok mengenal Kamu dan bersem-
' C:..,p J o_,.·r ·~ ~ { _). ; ) bahyang Kamu. Saya naik saksi, pada bentar
ini, akan kelemahan saya dan kud rat Kam u,
u \_,J- l' ,... r.,_, . ,>- -:~· . L ~
• • '..>
- 1/
.,.------- r' Ii. ( ,.;
; kapada kemiskinan saya dan kekayaan Kamu.
Tiada Tuhan lain da ripada Kam u , Penolong

0 __, r_.;. J./.:;. _; ~ L1; O_.J r_,, . da lam Bahaya, Yang Berdir Sendiri.

' J - • - /
J L5_, _, • _y ( ~ L1_,, ) ,_, l! .__,__, .J
MALAYALAM (India , including Laccadive
JI->? ~'-" ~ r- _} ~ ~L ?_,>
Islands)
u_; lS' ,_ L 0_..1 _, 0_.)
1· r' f - j
, ~
\'......---=--- .
r'°'
6l6l'30.J<!.1l, 'lrnlO<!l'.f "{1)6HTn 'W~l~. '1!1l>6lt!UB
"G)ml.a& 0 0m~lJ:l.Jod!6lomu, GaaQJB "{l)mld!Q" ..._,.,,
"'""'oo.
ut; .,_, .B<lonooaru6Tlll.
n(J)6lo!>O
12~"
Ul).&<l!\lalll~:JO~o,
Ill'!>
'911l600~Q)S
cn101~11tlb
UOCND>l~o,
"{1)6lnl>o '3ol01(3hC\!o 1 '81llQJB~6l5 lf\l<YlJ<gg/o Ollll:xib

'81001~. .i~o rT\l'°'o'·
d1>Q5'9~°'""" lll6lOOO<m 016leru0J<11~-rulru<3l
<068:].e.o, ~'\ruc.urno>·
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 527
MALD IVI AN (DIVEHI BAS) Divehi character (Maldive Islands, Minicoy Islan d)
o/-'tv,.. D ?/ /O/ _,,, c.o ,../>,,. \xN/ c.o'-/!.'/
-/l//l//f /.?V ..5"/.PJ;/d .>/'-?,.P.,.--'a>--:J -~v !_/'A/ .>"'"i

MALDIVIAN (DIVEHI BAS) Latin character (Maldive Islands, M inicoy Island)
~ \j{fuftcr am:.
+ft R~ am:
ITT i
~4~1f<ta+11'1 31$f, +ft Htl'l an%: ITT
Alhaa hed hdhevi kalakko!
Hasuvaameenge dheelathi vaatha ka mua i~crm~! arirm m~
alhaa ufad hdhavaa fai va nee Hasuvaameenge
a h alhuk an kusumahttakai kamah a lhu
:pfl Cfl I <d'J.
hek iva meve. Mihin'dhu alhu he hi vameve . ~<field ~ <fl <011 u ~~ arm
A lhaa ge mika methi kamashaai Hasuvaa meenge kulhadhun vantha kamah adhi alhaa
~Q;m~ar$T.
ge mika methi kamashaai Hasuvaameenge
fudh i- vodigen vaa kameve. Hasuvaameenge
fiyav ai Haahaku ne iy kamashaai hunihaa
ka maka h eka laa nge dhemivodigen vaa kamah MELANAU: Mukah dialect (Sarawak)
hekivaa ieve. Akou menyaksi, 0 Tuhan kou , wak Ka 'a u
me nyadin ako u itou bei-lah bak mena'a u
Ka'au jegum bak menyembah Ka'au. Ajau
itou kawak ako u menyader ji-wak lemah akou
MANOBO t (Philippine Islands)
jegum ji-wak kuasa nyat Ka 'au, kawak ji-wak
Bannala n ko no kadd in nad Langagan na id miskin akou jegum ji-wak kaya raya Ka'au .
baballan do siak a mid killa kik aw owayd simba Nda bei Tuhan ke keman Ka'au , un wak
kikaw . Kaddin nad pangintowan kaungkay ken a bak Menuluong akou Lian Susah, jegum
edda kaddin wara sadda tat kikawn katussan Lian Lubieng Siksa.
oway edda kikawn kat ussan tat kaddin kapobri a n oway tat kikawn kayamanan.
Warad as-san manama gawas kikaw, eddad
ta bang ta kahimpan, oway naa ntay ta sa lili rin. MELANAU: Oya/Dalat dialect (Sarawak)
Ako men yaks i, 0 T uhan ko ien Kaau nga
manamangun ako ba ta-a u Kaa u jegum ba
MARATHI (India) menyebah Kaau. Ako pasadei jaka ito , ji ako
nda bei keku asa jad jegum Kaau a-kuasa
~~~r! ~~f;:r temegah , ji ga ko a-sase jegum ga Kaau a-kaya
berkuasa. Ien la h nda bei Tuhan ke kida Kaau ,
~ m mor
i ~ Rfm ~ a Menyapul Mara-bahaya Udipan Kakal.
528 THE BAHA 'I WORLD

NEPALI (NEPALESE) (Nepal, Sikkim)

~ ~~r {~~ ! i:r ~Te-TT f~ fifi fo;fi
~r{ f'<f?T, ~mr ~r~ fa~ c.i:;;rr ~-rr ir;f
frri:r) ~ in9'T{ ~~?T if~<r) I if '>l'f~~ lfl
Pfr<f\H iT~~ fifi l'.f" if~lffi g, ITT fa;i-') ri-
~f<f~"l'H g), if ~~i:: g, ra~r ~ci «1=~
~ a~r l'.f" Tg ~· fcr;i-) «cf ~;i-if mI
fcrID qfuf~cr ~ ~ 'Hl=f"T~l'.f"T
18~ 1 fcrift ~ ~1 ~<rT~ifi ~ificm i.'l'T~
~HT ~cf m~ f;r~~ I

ORIYA (India)

W:J(;l'i QISl'QI El lQ 6 GJEJ(;l'l'Q ~819.91 EllQ S~lr;'Q . ~~ QQ\;ilt;;);
g~ S~ ! 8'.'. g~l(;l SQG!f>l, -<JQ s:J._~"-~SQ, 8'.'. S~IQ '1§~901 6 GJEJ(;l'l'Q €1§~\Sl,
~IQ sQQ'i 6 CJEJ(;l'l'Q mtQQ g~l(;l ~f>l I
QEJQSQ 9.~I~ 6 GJs:J_-g99 ~IQ(;] EllQ 'CJEJ(;]Q> ~I ~9'1 SQQ SQQQI
91~19 1 '

ORIYA: Halbi (Halabi) dialect (India) PANGASINAN * (Philippine Islands)

~ trh! 'llTf 1'T;; I ift"l"T 1Z ~ir 1Z '!lo "fl ~ff f~ SAMBAAN KO, 0 DIOS KO, YA SIKA Y
<pft ~ i1tfit; Oflifffl<: lltf~ffl<: ~J;if an;n: i!tf"fl ~Of! AMALSA ED SIAK PIAN KABA TEN T AKA,
TAN GALANGEN TAKA. TESTIGUAN KO ED
~<:'fl' ~Ti or.ITll <'fr 3fHf 1 irlit; 1Z '!To fl'ff <'flit# f.t;
SAY AN BEKT A SO KAKAPOY AN KO TAN
Jl'h) <'fiT iIB fl'ffii~ if~ fiftrrll, 3TT'3"<: <!ll'"fl OllT ~ff~ SAY PAKAPANYARIM, SAY KAPOBRIYAN
iIB ITT~ <!?ff ~<f~ ifOl"ifTif 31rn, ift"l"T ~ ~;;;i; KOT AN SAY INKA Y AMAN MO.
'!f<:ilT arr#' ITT'3"<: 'J:tf"fl 1''1" ~ff'fi lll_!~ ;;p:i;; arr ii I ~iril; ANGGAPOY AROM A DIOS NO AGSAY
~;; 31T'3""'. ~);;!. "lf'lifT'f ?;~Tif,<J:ll'T f;;;;r ~ ~ ~mr , i!tfl SIKA, MANANULONG ED KAIRAPAN ,
l'fif-lf<:<Tl-~U l'f~fll';ii" 3ITl1 I ONTALINDEG -ED-KABUKBUKORAN.

PALA WANON (Philippin e Islands) PANJABI (PUNJABI): Gurmukhi character
(India, Pakistan)
SAKS! AKO 0 DAKEN AMPO NA BLUAL
MO AKO AMPANG KUMILALA DIMO AT ~ Ha 11~Hl }!~ ElE'1a ! w' !ER ~ ~1 ~1vl
SUMIOM SA DIMO. SUMASAKSI AKO SA
DAKEN KAYANG BASAG AT SA DIMONG
~'~· ut r~ 3 AA ~11 ~ ~ ilfl31 5 11' H'
~ l.JC'~l ~ = 3~ ~;:r ~ I H- ~ llii'
BASAG, SA DAKEN KALYUTAN AT
11~fllil•a ilia~ ui f};r ~· ~ tll3 j 'llQl:I "R>lau S', )f
KODYONG KAKA Y AHAN.
KA YA IBA PANG AMPO LIBAN DIMO ANG ~1 "'3 i ~ 5' r 3a ~i iii> iiil ~~a n.ft. 1
TABANG SA MAGKAKLAS, ANG SARIRING i <fl ~S«il llf3 'Ri!13 ~ 5' I
HANG ALO. "'
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 529

PANJABI (PUNJABI): Persian character RAJASTHANI: Gujuri dialect (India, Paki-
(India, Pakistan) stan)

.(;}*' u; ,IJ,&iv: ~~Lr;.,do/.i,
~.,.::,,,vU:.1 ~~ ~~,
'-/.T-
,ZtfJ~Ji
\>..:t.>"" L~ ~ 1 U/> lS' 1_! U~
' ...... .... ' '
u->~0;12-~l_,~1 0 [_,. ~ .f
(. -
• ' - ., fl '

<£l..vcL:4>f I> i,f,1~(// 4-1'-(I""'.~ 4_, ~IU~ - c.I~\~ ~\_,
.Jl['r''-/./f'i.JiLvt ~}V: -vJ 11.1!}11,.,::t(jl L I - -.::___::, u, 0~- ;_ c.5.;..:: ~ 0v I
-'-'!1i..1i""vJ~c-/-:J~v~i..-J}!!c..C'~I d\2-1,,.01,; I -- • ~
~ D L--.>~ L5/ L- <5v5'-.S'' .... ~

PULA (MANGY ANPULA) (Philippine c:_>~\f
~
J,,1~1 ~.2_l5/
~
·(
Jv-
Islands) UJ..,1 . l · .. /
/: ~ A/ ../.Y' ~ y - u f.I ~,I
Kangko patuhuyan gid , 0 kangko Pan- G.- ' / c ' ... '
ginoong Dios, ako gid kanmo binu' at hampay i,,1\u.JJ...e! v~uL' ~../ ~>
kawo ay ki lalanon kag sambahon. Kangko c
patuhuyan inda pag udas sa kanme on man
may kapangyarihan kag sa kanmo pakusog sa
kangko pagkurian kag sa kanmo pag man- RAJASTHANI: Marwari dialect (India,
garangon . Pakistan)
On man may Panginoong Dios no kontay
~ ~~Cf<: ' ~ ~r~I ~<i q ...... fqm<f ;:i- al(
kawo lamang ti umawat sa tanan nga palad kag
sa on man may katabuha.
cPn ~<:r ~~r ~<:ii' m'{, if ~ifr q;n fifilil ~: 1 it
~ ifl'f(l JfJ!_<: if.~ 1 f'i il f'fi(:f ~ ~h: ';I: ~<f­
~l'f~ll'Tif ~: it rr<:'Tif ~ t;rl~ <;i: arg-a- <Hr ~= if?ir
PORTUGUESE, MALACCA CREOLE Ji 1,!"~ 1_ <PH ';J: ~TIHl!I' ~: I
(PAPIA KRISTANG) (Malaysia) i'r~ qqr<fT r,r1<: if.T! ~ll'WH <lil'fT 'A ~')
•Frrrt~ 1f<liC: tj CfHl'lT ~H ~1'l: ~rin'/1 ~= I
Jenti ja beng, you-sa Deyu, pra fala Bos ja
faze ku yo supaya yo mesti sabe dan reza ku
Bos. Agora-agora yo ta testifika yo mulyadu
dan Bos forti; yo pobri dan Bos riku. SAMAL (SAMAL BAHASA) (Philippine
Nte utu Deyu, teng Bos nsong, keng ta juda Islands)
ku nu na tempu di mal fortuna, Bos keng Mu makasaksi, Ya Tuhan ku, dah bay
nggere utu jenti pra juda ku Bos. hinang aku ni katoonan maka ni duwaahan.
Aku nulay ma kadjapan iti ni kalunaan maka ni
kamiskinan ku maka dayah Mahananiya sakki
RAJASTHANI (India, Pakistan) Tuhan Suga Siga nabang ma kalaatan kaulluman.
w ~qr qprr('qr lj ij'Rf ~\J> i ~ tiR
trQi-vtt ~m,, 'irfr ?tT ~l: ~n:a-
SANSKRIT
fr ~ '1~ \i111J ft;li)' ' I fOT'" ~ 'if ~T{t
~· ~m) 3f:-~ I ~ 11lr ~~) I ~t m:~Ti
'f~T ~ l"ffCT «~T, tiroft. ~iifi:mT 1f ~ Tiffll~· ~ t<J~· ~~(~er: 1 ~r;ftq~f 3flffl' ·
'iTtr ~~zf(fT ~ trp:rrf'ara ~ i I t.lTt ~~r?fl:, acr ma
irer:n: ~~fuar<Jr: Cfq
~ ~Pl';;m1lfr: ~r~ ~crrfi:r •
fc:1;iT ~~ ~)"{ "PfcfH q;f .fr {! ~ ti.. t
~ ~fl:r<fi:, ami:rfi'I'~•:, ~t fOT;rr,
<Jilscll~lf: ~·qwrr ;;rf~ 1
530 TH E BAHA'f WORLD

SEBUANO (CEBUANO , VISA YAN) bahyang ha-J un. E ng perhut . saksi, ku-ma
(Philippin e Islan ds) seadeh, ha ke le ma ha n e ng ru ha kekuasaa n
Jun , ru ha na hajap e ng ru ha keliayak Jun.
Saks ih a n ko , 0 Diyos ko , nga fk aw mao a ng
Walah Tuhan asik ju pader Jun , Jun Penolok
nag lala ng ka nako sa pag-i la Ka nimo ug pagkate Bahaya , ya ng der C huku p Jun Sendiri .
simba Kanimo. Matud-a n ko niining gutl oa, sa
akong kawa lay ma himo ug sa Imong ga hom , sa
SENOI: TEMIAR (NORTHERN SAKAI)
ako ng ka ka bus ug sa Imo ng bahandi.
(Malaysia)
Wala nay laing Diyos kondili lkaw, a ng
tabang sa katalagman, a ng Nagk ina uga ling- Yeeq me nanggongkan diri yeeq-de h re
o ng- Pag kin ab uhi. saksi, 0 T uhan yeeq , naq Haaq-top me nteqe lkan yeeq untok ne h-ne h Haaq wab bersem-
SENOI: SEMAI (CENTRAL SAKAI):
bahyang Haaq , Yeeq naik saksi , ma-mentar-
(Mala ysia, Indon esia)
deh, akan teq bersil yeeq wab bersil Haaq ,
E ng me na nggo nkan berok ng sa baga i saksi, kapada kemiskinan yeeq wab ke kayaan Haaq.
Ya Tuhan eng, aje h-lah Jun te la h perjadikan Hoi Tuhan ya ng moi num Haaq, Pembese h
ha e ng untok ha pa nnei ha-Ju n ru ha sem- da ll a m Ba haya, ya ng Ehtet tet tenaq .

SI NDHI (India , Pakistan)

9S::.i r J3 ; '1~ ~ ,; s~ L... cilo dU· ~"'f-4 ~
y.:b I~. .r. U !Jr L-4 l ...;;1 9~·+·1. i:: b~ ~ 9~·
... ~ '~ ~f-'i ~ W1 ) J 9~~-'!. r.:; i.., J o~ . 9~I
': ~~) ~· ': ~lb 9~~ ': ~9) ~ 9~~.
.i,=, .1,.... ci ts' .>3" • Ji v l1. Jb /=~~,.... .j 4!) 9~
~ ~1 } ~ J J.o ~ ...? F '-:rte-S '1 y . ~1 ,i F J ~. I
. ~1 j.L~ r.:;L.. ~..}'?= ~'"' ~~·

SINHALESE (SINHALA) (Sri Lanka)

eJGcfi Gc;~c.33), C?lQ) Dunsfod' <fVGaB'w l:llO mz~O~, ail ilwrocl'c)

<ilc?ld'Z5l:>6 zroe>?§ ~toJ a<il tlt!lrod' tlJ az.Q Q)i)c) c?Jc?) e!icl'&l GOO . c}J Gm

G,<3Vez§W om BO)Gcsr oo~rn(Jz:E, c?loGW <fe560JZl)c?) e5W Cki)GCJl' Gf.!l~CSli.sc.5z§

B~~D. Ge GaiGeDJG~tD~ ea OO~©J~ Gvd.

c~~ood'~ <fOWJO lS>O~<ilJt;/~ Wc30d"~~cl'' aQ) wi!Gd' roz6 GV25l
Gt;V GZllG<ll~ ~zoi .

TAGALOG (FILIPINO) (Philippine Islands) ang Iyong lakas, sa ak ing karukhaan a t a nd
Iyong kayamanan.
Ako ay sum asaksi, 0 Diyos ko, na ako ay
Walang iba ng Panginoong Diyos malib an sa
Iyo ng ni likha up a ng Ik aw ay kilalanin at sam-
Iyo, a ng Siyang Tumutulong sa la hat ng panbahin . Aking pin a tutun aya n, sa mga sa nd aling
ga nib at ang Walang Kawakasan.
ito , and a king kawalan ng kapangyarihan at
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 531
T AGBANU A (Philippin e Islands) ~ru;;:i.)§"'l:O"~§ ~;;i)d._ ~~O~l:O"~§
Taksi ako 0 Dios ko nga pianak manan mo ~eJ~O'\P~~ -Oj.Jc:Q"i:)§ ;j;;i) ;;)-01_~~
a ko nga sumonod Kanimo ba w ikaw e nag buat
kanaum. Natandaan ko kayte nga yon kiarotan ~ ~;;i)
d;il. N" l!il?I' _..., ~ ( _.,
§ ~ iiJ'> ~6
ko nga sabap, kanimo ba w kat Kakorongan ko
8"S"'~d._ ~ ;Joj6;;i) ~ <S).lllo~ ~ ;:So~s'
daasi kat ka doonan ko baw yan Kadoonan mo .
Uga nay bakun ng Dios ekaw lamang, nga B~N"d._~·
mananabang et Kakorean baw Ka gayonan et
usa baw usa. llf"~e:>!!5'd ;;J;;p~ex e!i~~ ;Jo~

TAMIL (India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka) :;S.);:5 j6}~,'\~o ~ ~ ~o ~~.S ~;:)..)
f;T fin- 6 L 6lj a
6Y7" , ,si5 t.iJ & 2srr JJ/ ;J Ji; §ii Gil ifJ ~o~;'.)~ ej6},
uG&J~jl Go.rnC1&1 m 6li>~u U6l!lL~fil®$ TEMUANt (Malaysia)
Q,r0fr 6TfflU/Jfa(!!J ~IT(Jtilfr .f'trL&J, @ti Akuk menanggongkan dighik sabagai saksi ,
ft(!!ORIW, "'~ utN,JIQJT %~/i>(!!Jtn &..ii;~eln Yak Tuhan-Kuk , bahawak-lah Ong, telah
menjadikan akuk untok mengenal dan memuavGV6Vl!Slwa.~w, 61 tizJ Ql.aJi""w&~w ~,;;~.,;,
jik Ong. Akuk nait saksi, padak waketu nin,
Q,,,a,61J~ tt.~fi>®Ui #r<L-filu.Jw -s....AJ1iY'tJJ;6i>i. akan kelemah akuk dan kekuasak Ong, kemiskinan akuk dan kekayak Ong.
~u%fi}6'J 6&1Tu.JaD, 8HLJ 2...~&JU.tr611T"
Nyap adak Tuhan melainkan Ong, Pelin-
/T,I i.J tHY> mp (; 6V JJi lLJ n(!f liJ 6-\l a,, . dong dalam Bahaya, yang Bedighik Sendighik.
TAW SUG (JOLOANO SULU) (Philippine
THAI (Thailand)
Islands, Borneo)
Aku , in sa ksi , 0 Allah , ika w in nagpapanjari
kak u, umingat kaimu iban magsumba kaimu.
Sapahan ku ha way kung ku iban ha gaus mu ha
ka miskin ku iban ha daya mu. o 1.- ..... I ..(

Ell'U l 'l'IJ!)J'V l WL 'l lfl!)~YlliL fl 'lf'lltJJ
Wayruun dugaing Tuhan hambuuk-buuk da
' I .., a,, I; I ... .:,

ikaw, tabang ha kasusahan , in way nagpapan- W1~!)Jf1 fl !)f11 1lJ'll fl l:'l'U'lJ!)J'lJ1WL 'l lLLft~fl !)f111lJlJJf1J
jari. 'lJ!)JW1~!JJf1
'

TELUGU (India) '~~W1~L'll~'U 1fl'U!)n'llnW1~!)J~ W1~!)Jf1t:-l
' .
J~1EJ 1-u11EJ~'UflHI LLft~W1~!)J~~mJfil1J!)ci 1f1EJ~lY-l~J
'
e.. or' o~. ;;i)~.S ;:S;i)d.. ~ XJ8o ~ m
' '
532 THE BAHA'f WORLD

TIRURA Y (Philippine Islands)
Ge-ti ndego ko T ulus si be-em me'y le-me- ~v~;::s<:o•. n(3e :ir.:;::s<:c:;• w~..ios•o•jci eide,
nimbag ge begen inok ge-tuwa ku be-em brab L deo3d
ge-datu-o ko be-em. Ge-safa-a ku bene'y enda
e ke-ataga ku brab ati'y barakat Mu-we, e
ke-meskina ku-we brab keungangen mu-we.
Enda e se-giyo Tulus we-e Be-em sa-en , e TURKISH
Temabang ngo enok u-wen ni kamarasayan, e IJahi! Senin, beni, Seni tanimak ve Sana tap-
Turu n. mak ii;:in yaratmi§ olduguna §ahadet ederim. Su
anda kendi ac.z:ime ve Senin Kuvvetine; kendi
TULUt (India) .z:aafima ve Senin iktidarina ve kendi fakir-
'"' ligim e ve seni n .z:enginligine taniklik ediyorum.
~t;1d ! eidos• ~OOO)d il.:CO' . eidos' ~~
Miiheymin ve Kayyum Ilah a ncak Sen sin.
~:ie.;oJ d mc:i• eio·~~os· ~' ~ o:3:i~o'. OOJ.>OS' z-8-_,
~e.J

mo~~C>OO)? eio• ;?Jt;::fo:!, o:lJC>OS' i..i~j. eio•
!iJe~:io~.

TURKMEN (TURKOMAN) (Afghanistan, lriin, Turkmen S.S.R.)

/./ " / - /
J:./~j .__;;,; /., ~ if'/ (-0.../~ u J <~ _L/ J4V
;,.J, o.J !:>_y, 0 ~./.__:.,_, i,.;;, , ~_,; ._;fi ,:._,, ~_, c,; Li·
Jfcr'~ J(y;,, ;,)_, 6~) J!::/_, ,.;;_;};~
, ~s~ J~ j.i/u.J! ~;_, ib_,01
~(~' J~~ 0 i:_.::,~ (.;)__,;._,/(.)_}_

VIETNAMESE (Indochina)
L1.1y lh1H.r11g-D~ ci1n c·on, con :-.i11
chlrng n!1 ::111 rtu1g :'\l~t.:·6' 1, dU t::io cnn
d~ hiC11 IJi l:t ~GL"0' J, d~ tUu tl1U
NCC'6'I. Con xi11 th(1. 1il1(rn ngoy !1:c
ni1y con thi)l lit h:it-li_ rc· tnrr·rc 1.1~·-lt.rc
ci1:i Nl;L'·(n ,.! n~hCo -n irn Lnrt'.tc :>1.r
phong-1.l1li ci1a :\Gl'-6°1.
Kh Ong cr'i ni ngo:\i ~GU6'I l~1 ThmJng
BP, ~Gc·<n J; B~ng Clrn-khU ClrU-L:)n
Bang T1_r-Tiin Ti; -Tni.

WARAY (SAMAR-LEYTE, SAMARENO,
W ARA YW ARA Y) (Philippine Islands)
Testigos ako Nimo, Dios namon, nga Ikaw
a n naghimo ha aeon para kilal-on ka ngan
tuuron. Natuod ako hini yana nga oras nga
waray aco gahom ug ha imo gahom, ha aeon
kawarayan ug ha imo caricohan.
Waray na iba nga Dios con diri Ikaw, ma
naracop han maka-luluoy, ug mga waray na
paglaom.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 533

D. AUSTRALASIA AND THE

PACIFIC ISLANDS
* Den otes revised translation
t Efforts to obtain exact ide ntification continue.

BAINING (New Britain Island, Papua New FIJIAN (Fiji Islands)
Guinea)
Au sa qai kila , 0 i Kemuni na noqu Kalou, ni
Ngo tes nas, aingo gu Kalau. Sana rang na sa i Kemuni ga Koni a vakatuburi au mai me'u
nge ivengo taram inge dilotu. Ai langit ingo kilai Kemuni ka dau masu vei Kemuni . Au sa
koir kunga kurot dap ai nge di di kurot. Aingo kila tu e na gauna oqo ni'u sa ka malumalumu
di ama ralak ka na ngo dap a inge di ama wale Koni sa kaukauwa Ko i Kemuni, ni'u sa
hurong bara ka na nge. Ai re Varivat ki di koir ligalala Koni sa vutuniyau Ko i Kemuni.
a nga Kalau dokop sokop nge. Katat naramut Sa sega tale ni dua na Kalou au kila sa i
na mara ma guvengirong, kosaki koir memar Kemuni duadua ga , 0 i Kemuni Koni sa
varung dokop sokop e Lalau. Dauveivukei e na Guana ni Leqa, 0 i Kemuni
na Kalou Bula Vakai Koya ga.
CHAMORRO (Guam and other Mariana
Islands)
FUTUNA (Futuna (Hoorn) Islands)
Mandeklara yo', si Us'us-hu, na un fatinos
Ekau tui maoki loku Atua, na ke faka tupu
yo' ya para bai bu tungo' Hao yan para bai hu
au ke kau iloa ma atolasio ki Jou agai.
adora Hao. Tumestitigu yo' pago' na
Ekau tui maoki ile temi nei, iloku gaegae ki
Momenta , ni tai nina' sina-hu yan ma acom-
Jou puleaga, loku mativa ki Jou kalasia.
para gi fuetsa-mu, i pobla-hu yan i
Tie kau tui fuai kile Atua etasi, kole pule
Abundasia-mu Taya mas ke guaiya na Yu'us i
taualuga mo mafimafi.
a'ay uda gi pelegro i todo i tiempo layana na
Eina saofaki tatou mei le fakasala, mo
Yu'us .
tuutamaki kesekese ole malama .
EASTER ISLAND (P ASCUENSE) (Easter
Island) GILBERTESE (Kiribati, Nauru, Ocean
Au testigo , o tooku Atua, a au ianga i iaau Island)
memahani i atu i a koe . Hanga rahi i te horo nei Atuau, I kaotia ma te koaua ba Ko a tia ni
taaku mee hanga rahi tamee itau tetahi mee i karikai ba N na ataiko, N na tangiriko ao N na
tau ono. noboiko. Ao I kaotia n te tai aei ba boni moan
Ina tetahi Atua ko koe noma, tangata te m'aaka Ngkoe ao ngai boni moan te manmoaina ite ati, tangata mohapao ia ia tangata gori. Moan te korakora Ngkoe ao ngai boni
riva riva . moan te kainn ano. Bon akea te Atua temanna
ba ti Ngkoo ae Ko maiu i bon Iroum ao te Tia
EFATE (EFATESE)t (New Hebrides) Buokiira.
A noa pae nalomauana Supe anginau, 0!
Nanga ningo ku dawonaki nau nanga anga HAWAIIAN (Hawaiian Islands)
ataeko po do lotu kingo. Doko rangi waia a noa
KE HI'I NEI AU I KA'U HOIKE, E KUU
pae nalomauana nanga kinau a manainai ngo a
AKUA, UA HANA MAI OE IA'U EIKE IA OE A
dika nakasuana ma ningo ku peani nakasuana
E HOOMANA IA OE . KE HOIKE NEI AU , I
waina e parua Jiu; a pei tea tika sa ma ningo KEIA MANA WA, I KO'U PALUPALU A I KOU
kupei tea songolapa ki sara naleo. IKAIKA I KO'U ILIHUNE A I KOU W AIW Al.
Ningo ku masikima pei Supe, ku silae doko AOLE HE AKUA E A ' E 0 OE WALE NO, KE
rangi ni nariesokiana ngo ku mariatae dumama KOKUA I KA MANA WA POINNO, KE KOKUA
doko pae nakasuana aningo masikima. 0 KEIA KINO NOU NA POMAIKA'l.
534 THE BAHA'f WORLD

KOSRAEAN (KUSAIEAN) (Eastern MARSHALLESE (Marsha ll Islands)
Caroline Islands)
Ij , kamol , 0 ao A nij , bwe Kwoar koma nmo n
Nga fwakak , 0 God luk Korn orey ul a nga in io bwe in je la kin Yuk. Ij kwalok, kio, kin
ete ko m a in alu nu Sum , Nga fwakak ingena ke mwojno ko ao, nae Kajur eo Am, kin jeramol
munas luk a ke ku Lorn, nu ke sukasrup luk a eo ao, nae maron eo Am. Ejel ok bar A nij
ke kasrup Lorn. ij e lokim , Dri jiban ilo ie n ban , Dri binmur ilo
Mangin God Sayom, mwe kasre kut in pal in ien ote mjij.
fosrgna , a ma ku in sifwana .

MELE: Fil a dialect (Fila and Efate Islands,
LAU (Solomon Islands) New Hebrides)
Nau ku fa ma mana oe, a God nau , na o, Feuia fok i akoe Atua akoe gani konia a uau
hau ngai nau, ur ia kua haitama mu , ma ku a foa sirtaea akoe, go akoe ga ni komaro.
hatam u. Nau ku fitoomu asi kada na, kua a lu a Tmaramararaga niau iaro maramana poulapa ,
makeso la nau gi, i fafo na rigita la oe, na siofa kit te ulia go mujia miefa geia tm o uri raga. Go
la na u i fafo na initooa oe, e langi lau ta God, kainugia foki akoe geia nekeke la gani
teeni oe na , na fufa kada ana ta'a la, ma a toto mafitlakena toturu a koe A tu a.
firi.

MOTU, HIRI (Papua New Guinea)
LIFU (LIFOUAN) (Loyalty Islands )
La u hereva momokani, la uegu Dirava e, Oi
Akotesie ti fe, nyipici koi ni !aka Cili e la Atre ese lau karaia Oi diba bona Oi tomadiho henia
xupi ni matre troni a ad raie Cilie. Ini a ohn e gwa uraia . Lau gwa uraia, harih ari, lauegu
hnyawa e nehil a !a ka Atre ka kucakuca ni , nge manoka bona Oiemu goada dekenai, lauegu
the i Cilie la egocatr. Atre ka pe mo ni, nge Cilie ogoga mi bona Oiemu ko hu dekenai .
la trena mo . Dirava ta be lasi, Oi sibona, Durua-Dika-
Nyipici , pe ko ketre Akotesie hui E netilai, Dekenai, Sibona-Noho Diravana.
Joxu , la Atre i xatua ngone la ijine hace, la A tre
ka ci le huti epineti palua .
NENGONE (MAREEN) (Loyalty Islands)
Kolo ca Madra run go, uni ci aseseko ni , ko
MAORI, COOK ISLANDS (RAROTON-
hnei Buango hn a puli nu thu bane carajewe du
GAN) (Cook Islands)
Buango, ne a hmani Buango, inu ci waamilu du
Ko au te kite E ta ku A tu a e Naau a u i anga Buango ri gul a hawa ome, wenore kogo ke inu
mai kia kite ia Koe e kia aka mori ia Koe. Te ri tadawaien 'ore nene ni Buango , ka deko ace
akapa pu nei au i teia nei i toku puapingakore e ke inu ri tadawaien 'ore aca ace ni Buango, ka
i Toou ririnui, ki toku putaua e ki Toou ki e deko se Makaze, ka Buango so 'ore thu thakui
manga nui . Kare atu e Atua ke mari ra ko Koe nu ri tadan 'ore tango, ne Buango 'ore ci wien
anake, te Tauturu i rota i te tuatau o te kin o, te kani Buango ko.
'l:a uturu o te oraanga.

PALAUAN (Western Caro line Islands,
M RI, NEW ZEALAND ' (N'w z,,Jand) Guam)
E me inga ana e au, E toku A tua, Nau au i Akmui e l medengei, 0 Dias erngak, el kmo
hanga ki a mohio ki a Koe a ki a koropiko ki a kau a milebak el mome dengelkau e meng ull er
Kpe. E whaka puak i ana au, i te nei wa , ki toku Kau. Makuuchais er che lechal time e l kirel a
ngoikore a ki T6u kaha, ki toku poh ara a ki elitechetuk ma klisichem , ma elebulek , ma
Tou oranga. chiltetem.
Kahore he Atua i tu a atu ko Koe a nake, te Ngdiak a ngodech e l Dios ngkm al di kau el
Awhina i rota i te Mate, te Mana noho tang. E l mesiou ra chelebuul edingar e l mo
Motuhake . cherechar.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 535
PIDGIN, NEW HEBRIDES (BISLAMA, TAHITIAN (Society Islands, Tuamotus, Mar-
BICHELAMARE) (New Hebrides) quesas Islands, Gambier and Austral Islands)
Mi talem stret 0 God blong mi se yu mekem Te ite nei au eta 'u Atua e ua hamani Oe ia'u
mi blong save yu mo prei long yu. Long smol Note iteraa ia e te haamuriraa atu hoi ia Oe.
taem ia mi save talem tru long wik paoa blong Te ite nei hoi au na roto i teie nei taime i to'u
mi mo long strong paoa blong yu; mo mi talem nei paruparu I mua i to Oe na Puai Hope, e,
se mi kat nating be yu yu kat planti samting . I to'u nei veve i mua i te rahi 0 ta Oe na Tao' a.
no kat nara fala God be yu: yu yu help long Aore roa e Atua e atu maori ra o Oe ana'e ,
taem blong trabol mo yu yu save stap oltaem yu Oia tei hi'o aroha mai i tae i te mau taime ati,
wan no mo. Oia tei tupu mai mai torn mai ia'Na iho .

PIDGIN , PAPUAN (NEO-MELANESIAN)
(Papua New Guinea) TANNA: Nupuanmen (Weasisi, Whitesands)
dialect (Tanna Island, New Hebrides)
0 God bilong mi. Mi tokaut nau long Yu yet
i bin wokim mi baimbai mi nap long save long Iau iakani nuparian, o rahak Iarumanig, in
Yu na mi nap long preia long Yu. Nau tasol mi namol iau iakarun ik iakafaki kamik. Iau iakani
tokaut, olsem mi no strong na Yu i strong moa. nuparian u roaiu o rahak napauian, ik iatam
Na mi tokaut tu olsem mi rabis pinis na Yu i askasik iau iatos takaku.
holim olgeta samting. Iarumanig katimun tika matou ik pusin ama,
I no gat narapela God. Yu tasol i stap. Na Yu ik nakasiru ia nian raha narahain, ik pusin ama.
i halivim ol long taim bagarap i laik kisim ol na
Yu tasol i lukautim Yu yet.
TONGAN (Tonga Islands)
PON A PEAN (Eastern Caroline Islands)
Lotu Ho'ata. Ko e fakamo'oni au 'e hoku
I wia kadehdeh, Oh ai Koht, me Komwi me ' Otua, kuo Ke ngaohi au, ke u 'ilo koe mo u hu
ketin kapikiedahr en esei Komwi oh en kaun- kiate koe, 'Oku ou faka-mo'oni'i 'i he
dok ohng Komwi. I patohwanehr, ni ansou momeniti ni ki hoku vaivaf pea ki Ho'o Malohi,
kiset, me ngehi me leut oh Komwi me mana- ki hoku masiva pea ki Ho'o Koloa 'ia. 'Oku
man, oh sohte ahi mehkot ah Omwi te 'ikai ha toe 'Otua kehe ka ko Koe, ko e tokoni
mehkaros. 'i he tu'utamakf, ko e mo' ui pe fate Koe,
Sohte pi! emen Koht pwe Komwih te, me
Sawasepen ansoun apwal , oh Koamoaur Poatpapoat.
TRUKESE (Eastern Caroline Islands)

ROTUMAN (Rotuma Island) Ua puaratta, 0 ai Kot, pun En ka fori inisi
pun upwe sile En o fel ngeni En. Ua puer
Gou aier'<)k 'otou ' Aitu, ne ' Ae ta fup'<)kim nganuk non ei atun pun ngang use fakkun
gou la 'inea 'Ae. Gou aier'ak 'e ao pf!u hete'is, tufich nge En ka atufichi ai, ua osupuang nge
ne gou 'af' af ka ' Ae ne ' ne', gou kei<) ka 'Ae'es En ka apiseki ai.
koroa. Ese wor eman Kot pun En chok. Ewe Tufich
Kat 'es 'A it hoi'<)kit ra, 'Ae 'esea Gagaja , ne Ion feiengau , 0 Ewe-unusan Anuwor.
asoa gou 'e ao noanoa. 'Ait se 'es a'ofige.

SAMOAN (Samoa, New Zealand) URIPIV (Malekula Island, New Hebrides)
Lo'u Atua e, ou te molimau atu, na faie , e Inti nurai weritun, o Atua suk, ga nik kuloli
Lau Afio a'u ina ia ou iloa Oe ma tapuai atu ia inure borong wosi nik ko re bosrove nik.
te Oe. Ou te tautino atu i lenei itula , lo'u Inu nurai weritun leligen wolik re inu sete nu
augavale ma Lou malosi, o lo' u mativa i le ma teter ko teterin som, re jorok ejki ko re jorom
Lou tamaoaiga. elep.
E leai lava se tasi Atua na o Oe , o le Atua san ejki ko nik, ku metmet kem re nanu
Fesoasoani i Puapuaga, o le Puna-o-le-Ola. ga marsej, nik ga kumaur tetajer.
536 THE BAHA'I WORLD

UVEA, WEST (OUVEAN) (Uvea Island, gn'hi i go me oumo wehn: go tchogn' here neme
Loyalty Islands ) Gn'hon venviirii ton ra. Gn'hon bo tonhenran
nohu ta vi patou, mon na ta ko'hen me vinnire.
Oge me haihnathuu , Khong 16, uje up nya
Gn'hon tai, Gn'hon Yova, aya kon, tdha
me oge mehe ka oganou. Me hai hnathuu oge
mon ari ko a.
me haio monu hnyi traem ang hnyi hnyimiikan
hniim hna hu, me iinyam hnathu me anyik
thedruoc me hniim hna tren. YAPESE (Western Caroline Islands)
Ebe ke Khong ae iicii mou, at ae hana je iinyi
A Got kemichu wun'ug
hia , me he ka hum ota hnyi hwetr ae gan, uthibi
Ni kam sunmiyeg
at ae tibentenge.
Ni ngug mathange-luwol.
Nigem mug liyor ngom.
V AHO t (New Caledonia)
Gum nang ni gage dariy
Gotchogn ' here neme Gn'hon Yova. Rogog ma gure gab fala-ab.
Gn'hon ro wera me gorowe atche we Gn'hon. Dariy rebe Got ni taareb
Gn'hon tai go me noue ka Gn'hon. Aregn'h Rogon ngom mi wod
wehn gn'hin gn'hre gn'hiri , ka, iken, mon wehn Fanam mathange luwol.

E. EUROPE
• Denotes revised translation.
tEffo rts to obtain exact identification continue.

ALBANIAN banaiz neure botererik ezaren lekuko, zure
Deshmoj a Zot, i em Perendi! qe ti me ke ahalmenarena, bai eta neure pobrezia eta zure
krijue mue per mete njoftun tye dhe per mete aberastasunarena.
adhurue tye. Deshmoj kete i;eshtje ne dobsi- Ez dago Zu baino beste jainkorik, arriskuan
nen t'ime dhe ne fuqine tate, ne vobeksine laguntzen duena, bere baitan bizi dena.
t'eme dhe ne pasunine Tate, S'ka tjeter
Perendi per vec se teje, Mbrues, i vet-gjendun!

ARABIC: Maltese dialect BIELORUSSIAN (BYELORUSSIAN,
WHITE RUSSIAN) (U.S.S.R., Poland,
Nagfiti xhieda, 0 Alla tiegfii, Ii Int fil aqt ni
Lithuania)
biex nagfiarfek u nagfitik qima. Nistqarr fdan
il-waqt kemm jien bla fiila u kemm Int set- .51 ChBe.JJ.'l.y, 0 Eo)l(a, wTo Thi Msrne
gfiani; nistqarr il-faqar tiegfii wil-gfiana crnaph1y, Ka6 si na3Hay LI,si6e i LI,si6e cnatiegfiek. M'hemmx Alla iefior gfiajrek, il- siy . .51 ChUhBSIP.JJ.)l(alO y DTYIO xsiniHy MalO
Gfiajnuna fit-Tigrib, Inti Ii Tgfiix fik Innifsek. 6e3.JJ.anaMO)l(HaChUh i Tsaio MO~, Maio
y6orachUh i Tsaio seni"I.
BASQUEt (France) HsiMa iHwara Eora, anpa"!a LI,si6e, LlanaMO)l(Ua y 6si.JJ.3e, CaMaicHyIO'ihI.
Seguratzendut oi nere Jainkoa egin na zula
zu ezagutuzeko eta adoratuzeko. Seguratzendut orai nere ahalgabetasuna eta zure poderia
nere behartasuna eta zure ontasuna. BRETON (Northwestern France)
Esta bertze Jainkok zu besik , bera iraun
dena Gure lagintza galbitdetan. Test on, o ma Doue, ac'h eus krouet
ac'haron evit da anaverout hag azeulin. Anzar
a ran d'ar c'houlz-man ma dic'halloud ha da
BASQUEt (Spain)
galloudegezh ma faourantez ha da binvidigezh.
Ene Jainko hori, Zu ezagutzeko eta adorat- N'eus Doue all Eset egedout, an hini a sikour
zeko egin nauzula sinesten dut. Une honetan e-barzh an danjer, an hini a zo drezhan e-unan.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 537
CATALAN (Andorra, Balearic Islands, ESTONIAN
France, Sardinia, Spain)
Tunnistan, oh my Jumal , et Sa oled mind
S6c testimoni, jOh Deu meu! que tu m'has loonud Sind tundma ja teenima. Se! hetkel
creat per a coneixer-te i adorar-te. S6c testi- tunnistan oma jouetust ja Sinu Vagevust, minu
moni en aquest moment, de la meva impoten- vaesust ja Sinu rikkust.
cia i del Teu poder, de la meva pobresa i de la Pole muud Jumalat kui Sin a, Abi hadas,
Teva riquesa. Iseolev.
No existeix altre Deu, mes que Tu , el que
Ajuda en el Perill , el que substitueix per Sf FAROESE (Faro e Islands)
Mateix. Eg asanni, Gud min , at tu skapaoi meg til at
CROATIAN (SERBOCROATIAN, Latin kenna teg og tilbidj a teg .
character) (Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Sanneliga kenni eg, i hesu 1¢tu, mitt hjalparloysi og tfna megi, mitt fatrekd¢mi og titt veldi .
Italy, Romania, Yugoslavia)
Eingin annar Gud er ti! uttan tu, bert tu
Ispovedam se, o Gospode, Boze moj! Ti si hjalpur i vanda, bert tu ert um alt annao fer.
stvorio mene da spoznam i obofavam Tebe.
Ispovedam u trenutku ovom slabost moju a FINNISH
moc Tvoju, siromastvo moje a bogatstvo
Todistan, oi Jum alani, etta olet luonut minut
Tvoje. Nema drugog Boga sem Tebe , Svespafavajuci Samopostojeci! tuntemaan sinut ja palvelemaan sinua. Tuan
julki talla hetkella oman voimattomuuteni ja
sinun voimasi, oman koyhyyteni ja sinun rik-
CZECH * kautesi. Ei ole mitii.an nuuta Jumalaa kuin sin a,
Dosvedcuji, 6 mt'.ij Bofo, ze jsi me stvoi'il, apu hadassa, itsestii.an oleva.
abych Te poznal(a) a vzyval(a) Te.
Doznavam v tomto okamziku svou bezmoc- FRENCH
nost a Tvoji moc, svou chudobu a Tve bohat- Je suis temoin, 6 mon Dieu, que Tu m'as cree
stvf. pour Te connaitre et pour T'adorer. J'atteste
Neni jineho Boha krome Tebe, Pomocnfka v en cet instant mon impuissance et Ton pouvoir,
Nebezpetf, Sama v Sobe Existujiciho. ma pauvrete et Ta richesse.
II n'est pas d'autre Dieu que Toi , Celui qui
DANISH secourt dans le peril, Celui qui subsiste par
Lui-meme.
leg bevidner, o min Gud, at du har skabt
mig, for at jeg ska! kende og tilbede dig. Jeg FRISIAN* (Frisian Islands, Germany, The
vidner i denne stund om min afmagt og din. Netherlands)
styrke, om min armod og din rigdom.
Der er ingen anden Gud end dig, hjrelpen i Ik tsjugje, o myn God, dat Jo my skepen
farens stund, den eneradende. hawwe om Jo te kennen en te oanbidden. Ik
betsjugje op dit pas myn machteleazens en Jo
macht, myn earmoede en Jo rykdom .
DUTCH Der is gjin oare God as Jo, de Helper yn
need, de Troch-Himsels-Besteande.
Ik getuig, o mijn God, dat Gij mij hebt ges
chapen om U te kennen en te aanbidden. Ik
betuig op dit ogenblik mijn machteloosheid en GAELIC, IRISH (ERSE, IRISH)
Uw macht, mijn armoede en Uw rijkdom. Tugaim fianaise, a Dhia, gur chruthaigh tu
Er is geen ander God dan Gij, de Helper in me chun thu a aithint agus a adhradh.
nood , de Bij-Zich-Bestaande. Dearbhafm san am seo mo neamheifeacht agus
do Neart, mo bhochtaineacht agus do Shaibhreas.
ENGLISH
Nil Dia ar bith eile ann ach tu, an Cunt6ir i
Seep. 496. mBaol, an FeinChothaitheach.
538 THE BAHA 'i WORLD

GAELIC, SCOITISH jelen pillanatban gyenges¢gemet es a Te
Hatalmadat, szegenysegemet es a Te Gazdag-
Tha mi toirt fianuis, 0 mo Thighearna, gun do
sagodat. Rajtad kivi.il nines mas Isten csak Te,
chruthaich Thu mi gu eolas a chur ort ag us gu
a Yedelmea'i, az bnmagaban Letea'i .
aoradh a dheanamh Dhuit. Tha mi ag
aideachadh, aig an am seo, mo laigse fhln agus
ICELANDIC
Do chumhachdsa , mo a innis agus T'ionmhaissa. Eg ber pess vitni , 6 Guo minn , ao PU hefir
Chan' eil Dia eile ann ach Thu , a r Com- skapao mig til pess ao pekkja Pig og tilbioja
hnuidh ri am gabhaidh, an Uile-bheo. Pig. Eg staOfesti a 1>essu augnabliki, vanmatt
minn og matt Pinn, tatrekt mfna og auolego
GERMAN I:>lna.
Enginn er Guo nem a Pu , Hjalpin f Nauoum ,
lch bezeuge, o mein Gott: Du hast mich hinn Eilifi.
erschaffen, Dich zu erkennen und Dich
anzubeten. Ich bezeuge in diesem Augenblick INUIT (INUPIAQ): Greenlandic dialect
meine Ohnmacht und Deine Macht, meine (Denmark , Greenland)
Armut und Deinen Reichtum.
Upernarsauvunga, Gutiga a, Ivdlit
Es ist kein anderer Gott ausser Dir, dem
pfngortfkangma ilisariniasagavkit pat!-
Helfer in Gefahr, dem Selbstbestehenden.
dorfiginiasagavkitdlo.
Manakorpia~ navsuerpunga pigfnauniki-
GERMAN: Alsatian dialect (France)
ningnut ivdlitdlo pfssaunel'<arnernut, pltsuning-
Isch bezel, o min Gott, dass di.i mish erschafft nut ivdlitdlo pissujunernut.
hash, disch ze erkenne un anzebette. Avdlamik Guti~angila~ Ivdlit kisivit,
Isch bezel en dem Ai.iebleck mini Schwasche navianartune ikiorte~ , tamanut sapiga~angit­
un dini Macht, mini Armut un din Rischdum. sok.
Es get ken Gott i.isser der, dem Beschetzer.
dem ewich selende . ITALIAN
lo faccio testimonianza , o mio Dio, che Tu
GERMAN: Luxembourgian dialect (Luxem- mi hai creato per conoscer Ti e adorar Ti.
bourg) Io attesto in questo momento la mia
Esh bezeien , 0 mei' God, dass Du mech debolezza e la Tua potenza , la mia poverta e la
erschaffen heust Dech ze erkennen an Dech Tua ricchezza.
unzeibeden. Esh bezeien an dessem Ableck Non v'e altro Dio all'infuori di Te , l' Aiuto
meng Schwachhet an Deng Macht, meng nel pericolo, Colui che Esiste da Se.
Armut an Dein Reichtom.
Et get ken anere God ausser Dier, dem Hel- IT A LIAN: Corsican dialect (Corsica, Italy)
lefer a Gefohr, den <lurch sech selwer beste't. So testimone, u me Diu , chi mi hai fattu per
conocedi e per amarti Digu, da stu momentu a
GREEK me debuleza e a to forza, a me poereza e a to
MapTvpw , w 8ee µov , 6T1 µe 5riµ1ovpyT)aes y1c'x richeza.
vc'x LE avayvwpi~w xa vc'x LE AOTpEVW. ' Eml3e- Un ce altro Diu chi tu, l'a uido in u periculu,
1301wvw OVTi'\V Ti'\V aTtyµfiv Ti'\V Cx0Vvaµiav µOV quellu chi e per ellu stessu.
µrrp6s aTfiv laxvv Iov, Tfiv rreviav µov µrrp6s
aTOV TTAOUTO V LOV. t.Ev vrrapxe1 OAAOS 8e6s ITALIAN: Piedmontese dialect (Northwe:·t-
EXTOS CxTTO LEVO, TOV 1301')66 aTOV x ivovvov, em Italy)
Tov AvToavvT~OT)TO.
Mi faso testimoniansa, o N6sgnor, che Ti 'T
!'has creame per conoss Te e adore Te. Mi
HUNGARIAN
diciaro ant c6st moment mia deb6Iessa e T6a
Oh Uram, oh Istenem! Tanusaga vagyok p6tensa , mia p6verta e T6a richessa.
annak, hogy Te teremtettel engem, hogy A j'e gnun au tr Signor che Ti, l' Agiut ant el
megismerjelek es imadjalak. Beismerem a perfcol , Col ch'a esist dasperchiel.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 539

ITALIAN: Sardinian dialect (Sardinia, Italy ) ROMANSCH: Uppe r Engadine (Puter)
dialect (Switzerland)
Deo fatto distimonia , Deus meu , chi Tue mi
has fattu omine/femina , pro Ti connoscher e Eau fatsch testimoniaunza , o mieu Dieu , cha
pro Ti adorare. Tii am hest cre6 per At recugnuoscher e per At
In custu momentu, deo attesto sa debilesa adorer.
mia e i-sa potenzia Tua, sa poberesa mia e i-sa Eau attest in quaist momaint mia deblezza e
ricchesa Tua. Tia potenza , mia poverted e Tia richezza.
Non b' hat atteru Deus a in foras de a Tie , I nu do iingiin Dieu oter co Te , quel chi giida
Azudu in su pe rigulu, Cussu chi est solu dae Se. nel prievel , quel chi exista in Se stess.

NORWEGIAN: Nynorsk (Landsmal)
ROMANY
Eg vitnar, o min Gud , at Du har skapa meg
Penau, Devla , ke Tute sas ka kerdyan mate
sa at eg kan kjenna Deg og tilbe Deg. Eg vitnar
~anau Tut, hai te rudziv Tuke. Penau akana,
i denne stund om mi maktesl¢yse og Din
ke me siim slabo 'ai Tu san zoral6; ke me siim
styrke , om min fattigdom og Din rikdom.
cor6 'ai Tu san barwal6. Nai kaver Devel, feri
Der er ingen annan Gud enn Deg, Hjelparen
Tu hfnka; o afotim6s and'e prikaza. Tu kai
i fare , den Evig Sj¢1vstaande.
k6rkoro a:Zutis Tu, Ci trubul Tuke avren.

NORWEGIAN: Riksmal (Bokmal)
ROMANY: Anglo-Romany dialect (Canada,
Jeg bevitner, o min Gud, at Du har skapt
United Kingdom, United States)
meg for at jeg kan kjenne Deg og ti I be Deg . Jeg
vitner i denne stund om min maktes1¢shet og Mandy's acai te sikka as it 'uz Tooty as caired
Din styrke , om min fattigdom og Din rikdom. mandy te jin Tooty, ta te del cooshty borra Javs
Der er ingen annen Gud enn Deg, Hjelpe- to Tooty sasky Tooty's morra Divvel. Ocknaw
ren i fare, den Selvbestaende. mandy's rokkarin trustel mandy's bee-roozlo
ta Tooty's tacherly roozlo, ta mandy's chorro
POLISH and Tooty's barvallo. There's kakkava Divvel
ner Tooty , morra haskipen canna mendy's dray
Swiadcz~, 0 Panie, Boze m6j, tzes mnie waffody cherras, Tooty con kakka corns
stworzyl, ai:ebym znal Ci~ i wielbil. Swiadcz~ w chommany te ge along.
tej chwili mojej slabosci a Twojej mocy, memu
ub6stwu a Twemu bogactwu . Nie ma Boga
pr6cz Ciebie, Obroitcy, Samoistnego. ROMANY: Sinto dialect (Northern Italy)
Me crava zaiga , o Mur Devel, che Tu kerdal
PORTUGUESE man Ti pingiarap tut unt camap tut. Me ginava
in cava ziro miri schwacha unt tiri zor, miri
Dou testemunho, 6 meu Deus, de que Tu me
elenta unt tiri barvapen. Na hi vavro Devel har
criaste para eu Te conhecer e adorar.
Tu vri Tuter, holfa an u ferlocho, cova cai hi
Confesso neste memento, minha incapapeske.
cidade e Teu poder, minha pobreza e tua
riqueza.
Nao ha outro Deus alem de Ti , o amparo no
RUSSIAN
perigo, o que existe por sf pr6prio.
51 CB11)leTeJ1bCTBY10, o MOH Eo)l(e, 1no
Tb1 c0Tsop11n MeH.H, 11To6b1 .H noJHaJJ
ROMANIAN
Te6.H 11 noKJJOH.HJJC.H Te6e. 51 no)lTBep-
Stau marturie. 0 Stapane, pentru a Te )l()lalO B :ny Ml1HYTY CBOe 6ecc11J111e 11
cunoa§te §i a Te sllivi. Marturisesc In clipa TsolO MOlllh, CBOIO cKy)lHOCTb 11 Tsoe
aceasta sllibiciunea mea §i Puterea Ta, saracia 0611n11e.
mea §i Imbel§ugarea Ta. Nu e alt Dumnezeu HeT Eora, KpoMe Te6.H, noM01UH11Ka B
decat Tine, Cel Ocrotitor, Ce! de Sine Stlitator! onacHoCT11, Tsop11TeJ1.H caMocy1Uero.
540 THE BAHA'I WORLD

SAME (LAPP): LULESAMISKA (LULE SLOVENE (Austria , Hungary, Italy, Yugo-
LAPP) (Swedish Arctic) slavia)
Man vattau vihtenastemau, Jupmelam , tan Priznavam , o moj Bog, da si me ustvaril , da
pirra, aht Tan !ah sjiunjetam mu , vai man Te spoznavam in molim. Prinznavam v tern
taptau Tu ja rahkatalau Tunji . Man taptasta u trenutku svojo ~ibkost in Tvojo moc, svojo
talle ietjam famotisvuotau ja Tu famov, mu rev~cino in Tvoje bogastvo.
hadjovuotau ja Tu pantavuotau. Ni Boga razen Tebe, Za~Citnika, Vecnobiva-
I Jah ietja Jupmel ka Tan, viehkke vata aiken jocega .
kuhti !ah ietjanat.
SPANISH
Soy testigo , oh mi Dios, de que Tu me has
SAME (LAPP) : NORDSAMISKA (NORTH-
creado para conocerte y adorarte. Atestiguo en
ERN LAPP) (Scandinavian Arctic)
este momenta mi impotencia y Tu poder, mi
Man addan duoaastusa , Ibmilan , dan ala, pobreza y Tu riqueza.
atte Dan lret siv'dnidan mu , vai man davdan Du No hay otro Dios masque Tu , el Que Ayuda
ja gabmirdan Du. Man duoaa ~ tan dal iecca n en el Peligro , el Que Subsiste por Sf Mismo.
haeddjovuoaa ja Du fa.mo, iecean gefudaga ja
SWEDISH
Du rig'gudaga .
Ii lret ieza Ibmil ga Dan , vrek'ki hrec!i aigis, Jag bar vittnesbord om, 0, min Gud, att Du
gutte lret ie~-aldad. har skapat mig for att Jara kiinna Dig och for att
tillbedja Dig. Jag betygar i detta ogonblick min
SAME (LAPP): SYDSAMISKA (SOUTH- svaghet och Din styrka, min fattigdom och Din
ERN LAPP) (Norway, Sweden) rikedom.
Det finnes ingen annan Gud utom Du, Hjal-
Manne vitt'enusteb, 0 muv Jubmeele, dan pen i farans stund, den i sig sjalv Varande.
bijre, atte Dadne manneb leah ~ ugniedamme,
juktie manne dabdeb Dadneb jih rukkedalleb UKRAINIAN
Dadneb. Manne dabdesteb dalie jez'ene vie- 51 e csiL1.KOM , o Mii1 oo)l(e, lUO T11 MeHe
siesvuodeb jih Duv famoub, jez'ene giehvies- cornop1rn Ha Te, lU06 H ni3Has(na) Te6e
vuodeb jih Duv boadnaavuodeb. i noKJJaHHBCH(nach) To6i. 51 csiLl.'IY B uiil:
Ij leah jeazah Jubmeele guh Dadne, gutt'e XBMJJMHi npo MOIO cna6iCTh i TBOIO CMJJy,
leah viekkie varan ajgien, gutt'e leah jez'esis- npo MOIO s6oricTh i Tsoe 6araTCTBO.
nie arruomienie. HeMa iHiuoro I>ora, n11we T11, TioMi-
'IHHK B Helilacno, CaMo6yTHHi1.
SLOVAK (Hungary, Slovakia, Yugoslavia) WELSH (CYMRAEG)
SvedCim 6 moj Bo:le: Tyvsi ma stvoril, aby som Tystiaf, 0 fy Nuw, mai Ti a'm creaist i'th
Ta spoznal(a) a Teba vzyval(a) . V tomto adnabod ac i' th addoli. Tystiaf, y funud hon ,
okamihu dosvedeujem svoju bezmocnosf a i'm gwendid fy hun ac i'th nerth Dithau, i' m
Tvoju moc, svoju chudobu a Tvoje bohatstvo. tlodi i ac i'th gyfoeth Di. Nid oes Dduw arall
Niet ziadneho Boha okrem Teba, Pomaha- ond Tydi, y Cynorthwywr mewn Perygl , yr
juceho v nebezpecenstve, Samobytneho. Hunanfodolwr.

F. INVENTED LANGUAGES

ESPERANTO INTERLINGUA
Mi atestas, ho Sinjoro, mia Dio , ke Vi kreis Io testimonia, o mie Deo, que tu me ha cremin, por ke mi konu kaj adorn Vin. Mi atestas ate, pro Te cognoscer e adorar. Io testimonia
Cimomente pri mia senforteco kaj pri Via in iste instante a mie debilitate ea Tie potentia,
Potenco, pri mia malriceco kaj pri Via Riceco. a mie paupertate e a Tie ricchessa. No existe
Ne ekzistas alia Dio krom Vi, la Defendanto, la altere Deo salvo Tu, le adjutor en perfculo, le
Mem-Ekzistanto. in se mesmoexistente.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 541

..,
., ... -. . ... ... ...... ~

.
... .. ........

Facsimile of the Short Obligatory Prayer in Braille (English), Grade II, courtesy of
Ba ha'{ Service for the Blind, a committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Baha'fs of the United States.

Baha'i literature display sponsored by the Bahe/( Publishing Trust of Taiwan during a
nation-wide book exhibition held from 17 December 1977 to 8 January 1978 at International
House in Taipei.
542 THE BAHA ' i WORLD

8. MAJOR WORKS AND PARTIAL LIST OF
LANGUAGES IN WHICH THEY ARE AVAILABLE

Ric;lvan 1979
1 - Arabic 3 - French 5 - Persian 7 - Spanish
2 - English 4- German 6 - Portuguese

A. WORKS OF BAHA'U'LLAH
Epistle to the Son of the Wolf: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'Llah (Com-
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahd'u'llah pilation): 1, 2, 4, 5
(Compilation): 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah (Compila-
The Hidden Words: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 tion): 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Kitab-i-lqan (The Book of Certitude): 1, 2, 3, The Seven Valleys a nd The Four Valleys: 2, 3,
4,5,6, 7 4,5, 7

B. WORKS OF THE BAB
Selections from the Writings of the Bab: 2, 6

C. WORKS OF' ABDU'L-BAHA
Foundations of World Unity : 2, 7 Tablets of the Divine Plan: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
Paris Talks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 The Talks of 'Abdu'l-Bahd in America and
The Secret of Divine Civilization: 2, 3, 4, 5 Europe, vols. I, II: 1, 5
Some Answered Questions: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 A Traveller's Narrative: 1, 2, 5
Tablet to th e Central Organization for a Dur- Will and Testament: 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5, 6, 7
able Peace, The Hague : 1, 2, 4, 5 Memorials of the Faithful: 2, 5

D. WORKS COMPILED FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHA'U'LLAH,
THE BAB AND' ABDU'L-BAHA
Baha'[ Prayers: 1, 2 , 3, 4 , 5, 6, 7 A New Way of Life (What it means to be a
The Baha'i Revelation: 2, 6 Bahd'f Youth): 2, 6
Baha'i World Faith: 2, 3 The Pattern of Baha'( Life: 2, 3, 4, 6
The Divine Art of Living: 2, 3, 4, 7 The Reality of Man: 2, 7

E. WORKS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI
The Advent of Divine Justice: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 God Passes By: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 , 6, The Promised Day is Come: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Some Compilations from his Writings
Baha'i Holy Places at the World Centre: 2, 5 The World Order of Baha'u'llah: 2, 4
Principles of Baha'i Administration: (U .K.): 2,
3,4,6, 7
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 543

9 . A SELECTION OF INTRODUCTORY AND
EXPOSITORY WORKS AND PARTIAL LIST OF
LANGUAGES IN WHICH THEY ARE AVAILABLE
Ri<;lvan 1979

1 - Arabic 3 - French 5 - Persian 7 - Spanish
2 - English 4- German 6 - Portuguese

A.GENERAL
BAL YUZI , H. M. HOFMAN, DA YID
Bahd'u'lltih: 2, 6 Commentary on the Will and Testament of
Bahti'u'lltih : The King of Glory : 2 'Abdu'l-Baha: 2
Th e Bab : 2 The Renewal of Civilization: 2, 3, 6, 7
'Abdu'l-Bahd: 2 HOLLEY, HORACE
Mu/:iammad and the Course of lsltim: 2 Religion for Mankind: 2
Edward Granville Browne and the Baha'i HUDDLESTON , JOHN
Faith: 2 The Earth is But One Country : 2
BLOMFIELD , LADY IVES, HOWARD COLBY
The Chosen High way : 2 Portals to Freedom: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
BRAUN , EUNICE MARTINEZ, EMILIO EGEA
From Strength to Strength: 2, 3, 7 La Gran Promesa: 7
BROWN , RAMONA ALLEN MAXWELL, MAY
Mem ories of'Abdu 'l-Bahd: 2 An Early Pilgrimage: 2, 7
BRUGIROUX, ANDRE MEHRABKHANI , R.
La terre n'est qu'un seul pays : 3 Transcendencia del Kitab -i-fqan: 7
COBB, STANWOOD La Aurora de! Dia Prometido: 7
Security for a Failing World: 2, 3, 5, 6 Naches Navidenas: 7
COY, GENEVI E VE MIGETIE , LUCIENNE
Co unsels of Perfection: 2 Le Cycle de !' Unite : 3
ESSLEMONT, J.E. MOFFETI, RUTH
Bahd'u'llah and the New Era: 1, 2 , 3, 4 , 5, 6, New Keys to the Book of Revelation: 2
7 NAKHJA V ANl, BAHIYYIH
FAQL, MIRZA ABU'L When We Grow Up: 2
Baht'i 'i Proofs : 1, 2 NAKHJA V ANi, YIOLETIE
FA IZ I, GLORI A Amatu'l-Bahti Visits India: 2
Th e Bahti'f Faith: 2 , 4 , 7 PAVON, RAUL
Fire on th e Mountain Top: 2 La Voz de Dias: 7
FATHEAZAM, HUSHMAND RABBANf, RUJ:!IYYIH
The New Garden: 2, 3, 6 , 7 The Good Message: 2
FERRABY , JOHN Prescription for Living: 2, 4, 6, 7
All Thin gs Made N ew (rev . ed.): 2 The Priceless Pearl: 2, 3, 5, 7
FOZDAR, JAMSHED ROST, H. T. D.
Buddha Maitrya -Amitabha Has Appeared: 2 The Brilliant Stars: 2
GAIL, MARZI E H SABET, HUSCHMAND
Dawn Over Mt. Hira, and other essays: 2 Der Gespaltene Himmel: 2, 4 , 7
The Sheltering Branch: 2 SCHAEFER, UDO
GIACHERY, UGO Der Baha'i in der modernen Welt: 4
Shoghi Effendi-Recollections : 2 The Light Shineth in Darkness: 2
GROSSMANN , HERMANN SEARS, WILLIAM
Der Baha'i und die Baha'i-Gemeinschaft: 4 Release the Sun: 2, 6
544 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Thief in the Night: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 The Mission of Bahd'u'lldh and Other Liter-
The Wine of Astonishment: 2, 3 ary Pieces: 2, 7
The Flame: 2 The Promise of All Ages: l, 2, 3
(with Robert Quigley) WARD, ALLAN L.
The Prisoner and the Kings: 2 239 Days: 2
SHOOK, GLENN WHITE, ROGER
Mysticism, Science and Revelation: 2 Another Song, Another Season: 2
TAHERZADETH, ADIB WHITEHEAD, 0. Z.
The Revelation of Bahd'u'lldh, vol. I: 2; Vol. Some Early Bahd'fs of the West: 2
II: 2 WOOLSON, GAYLE
TOWNSHEND, GEORGE Divina Sinfonia: 2, 7
Christ and Bahd'u'lldh: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 Rumbo Hacia el Futuro: 7
The Glad Tidings of Bahd'u'llah: (A compi- ZARANDf, NABfL-I-
lation of Baha'i Writings with notes and The Dawn-Breakers (Translated by Shoghi
introduction by George Townshend): 2 Effendi): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
The Heart of the Gospel: 2, 3
(Note: Baha'i Publishing Trusts and National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world constantly issue pamphlets and leaflets on various aspects of the Teachings.)

B. FOR CHILDREN
CHRISTIAN, ROBERTA K. MEYER, ZOE
A Bahd'( Child's ABC: 2, 3, 4 Stories from 'The Dawn-Breakers': l , 2, 3, 4,
HOFMAN, DA YID 7
God and His Messengers: 2, 3, 4, 7 REED, BETTY
LEE, ANTHONY A. Stories of Bahd'u'lldh as told by Pokka: 2
The Black Rose: 2 TRUE, MARGUERITE
The Cornerstone: 2 Living Today for Tomorrow's World: 2, 3
The Proud Helper: 2 Bahd'( Prayers for Children (Compilation):
The Unfriendly Governor: 2 2, 4, 6, 7
LINDSTROM, JANET WALCOTT, CYNTHIA K.
The Kingdoms of God: 2, 3, 4 The Gift: 2, 7
MEHRABI, JACQUELINE Compilation: 0 God Guide Me (Prayers): 2, 7
Stories for Children: 2, 3 Let Thy Breeze Refresh Them: Prayers and
Nine Holy Days: 2 Tablets for Children: 2
Prayers and Tablets for Children: 2, 4

C. PERIODICALS
Bahti'( Studies: Monograph Series: 2 World Citizen (Youth Magazine):
Published by the Canadian Association for Published by the National Baha'i Youth
Studies on the Baha'i Faith. Committee of the United States.
Editorial Office: 224 Fourth Ave., Editorial Office: 10110 Margate Drive
Ottawa, Ontario KlS 2L8, Houston, Texas 77099
Canada. U.S .A.

Opinioni Baha'(: Italian Child's Way: 2
Published by the National Spiritual Assem- Published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Italy. bly of the Baha'is of the United States.
Editorial Office: c/o Centro Baha'i Editorial Office: 6446 Ridge Lake Rd.
Via A Stoppani, 10 Hixson, Tn.37343
00197 Roma U.S.A.
Italia
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 545
Glory (Youth Magazine) La Pensee Bahd'fe : 3
Published by the National Baha'f Youth Published by the National Spiritual Assem-
Committee of India . bly of the Baha'fs of Switzerland.
Editorial Office: P.O . Box 19, Editorial Office: P.O . Box 175
Panchgani412805 , 1260 Nyon , Switzerland
Maharashtra, India.

World Order Magazine: 2
Published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of the United States.
Editorial Office: 2011 Yale Station
New Haven, Connecticut
06520, U. S. A
(Note : There are , in addition, numbers of domestic organs, issued by National Spiritual Assemblies or their Committees, for use by the Baha'f communities.)

D . INTERNATIONAL RECORD

Th e Bahd'f World, vols. I-XVII (1925 - 1979): 2

Some current Baha'[ periodicals. Clockwise, from bottom: Puthia Oli (Malaysia, in Tamil);
Baha'f Family Life (Ne w Zealand); Baha'f Vizier (Netherlands, in Dutch); Opinioni Bah:l.'f
(Italy, in Italian); Child's Way (United States); World Order (United States); Glory, Baha'i
Youth Magazine (India); La Pensee Baha'ie (Switzerland, in French).
546 THE BAHA'I WORLD

10. T H E PUBL ICATI O N AND DISSEMINATION OF
B A H A'I LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
W I LLIAM P. COLLINS

I testify tha t no sooner had the First Word proceeded, through the potency of Thy will and
purpose, out of His mouth ... than the whole creation was revolutionized, and all that are
in the heavens and all that are on earth were stirred to the depths. Through that Word the
rea lities of all created things were shaken, were divided, separated, scattered, combined
and reunited, disclosing in both the contingent world and th e heavenly kingdom, entities
of a new creation . ... '

THE desce nt of the e te rn al Wo rd of God, the ity to respo nd. Th is blessed Word, through
Logos, and its ex pression in a pe rfect Being which 'the whole creation was revolutionized',
and a Revela tio n, a re t he centra l facts of each must by its very nature exercise a transforming
of the di vin ely-appo inted re ligious D ispensa- power over all mankind, ind ividua ll y and coltions . Moses and the Tora h, Krishna and the lectively. It is to th is goa l of bringing the heal-
Gita, Zoroaste r and the Avesta, Jes us and the ing Message of Baha' u'll ah and the fruits of
Gospels, M u~ a mm a d and the Q ur'a n- these spiritual progress to every sou l on the planet
are the dual mani fes ta tio ns of God's time less that Ba ha'i pub li cation is dedicated .
Uttera nce, inexorably wedded and intertwin ed. O ne is the livin g Mo uthpiece of the
I. Early Baha'i literature in England and
divine will ; the othe r, a perspicuo us Book, a
America.
witn ess to all natio ns that God speaks and will
not be silent. In our own time, the Creator has A ltho ugh there existed hand-copied ma nuvo uchsafed to the wo rld a fres h measure of His scripts in the original Persian and Arabic, and
inexhaustible Word th ro ugh the Twi n Messen- isolated publications in those languages were
gers for this era of human history- the Bab made in I ndia du ring the late nineteenth cenand Baha' u'llah, a nd th ro ugh the Scriptures tury, the earliest estab lished agencies for the
revealed by T heir untiring pe ns. officia l dissem ination of Baha'i literature were
In conjunction with the manifes tation of the located in the West.
Logos in the towering Figures of the Bab and During the final decade of the nineteenth
Baha' u' ll ah and in T heir inco mparab le Writ- century, Edward Granville Browne, the British
ings, God has willed that His holy Speech be orienta list, published translatio ns of two early
protect.ed, preserved and interpreted . T he Babi-Baha'i works- ' Abdu'l-Baha'sA Travelstro ng and bi ndin g Covena nt ordained by ler's Narrative Wrillen lo Illustrate the Episode
Baha' u'llah established 'A bdu'l-Baha as t he ofthe Bab (Cambridge University Press, 1891)
Interpreter a nd Perfect Exe mplar of Baha'i and Mirza I:Iusayn of Hamadan 's Tarfkh-i-
Teachings. 'Abdu' l- Baha was fo ll owed by Jadfd (1893).
Shoghi Effe ndi , G uardia n of the Cause of God . Dr. Ibrahi m Khay ru ' ll ah, a Syrian convert to
T he continued expressio n of that part of God's the Baha'i Faith, who settled in America in
good-pleasure no t expressly recorded in the 1892, was the first Baha'i to reach its shores
Baha'i Ho ly Texts is assured by Ba ha' u' llah's and begin a systematic teach ing of the precepts
pen th ro ugh the powers gra nted to the Univer- of the Faith. The first pub lication in the United
sa l Ho use of Justice to legislate upo n all mat- States attempti ng to expound Baha'i principles
te rs no t dea lt with in those Texts. was Khay ru 'll ah's Za -ti-et A l-Lah: the Identity
T he Baha'i religion has been fo un ded upon and Personality of God (Ch icago: Grant's Prinnea rl y for ty-six yea rs of divine Revelation and tery, 1896) , later en larged into a book entitled
sixty-five years of a uthe ntic interpretation of Bab-ed-din: the Door of True Religion . ..
the God- given message. T he Will of God for Revelation from the East (Chicago: Charles H.
this age has been sta ted ; it is th e t_urn of hum a n- Kerr & Co., 1897). A ltho ugh of interest as the
' Baha' u' lla h. Prayers and Medita tions by Baha'u'l/ah {Wilfi rst books by a Baha'i in English,
mette: Baha'i Publishing Trusts, 1969), p. 295. Khayru' llah's works were by i:_io means an
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 547

authoritative statement of Baha'f beliefs. It Most pilgrims' notes record statements and
was rather through the prayers and Tablets talks by 'Abdu'l-Baha. Such records of the
received from 'Abdu'l-Baha that the early Master's conversations, tho ugh ed ifying to the
Western believers received their deepest edu- believers in that early period of the Faith's
cation in the verities of the Baha'f Cause. development in the West, do not constitute
These few early believers excha nged type- a!1thentic or exact reports of His words. A
written copies of communications received major exception to this, however, is Some
from ' Abdu'l-Baha, treasuring each new mes- Answered Questions, a book unique in the hissage as a special gift from their beloved Master . tory of religions. It is a compilation of the
By 1900-1901 two major centres of Baha' i responses given by 'Abdu' l-Baha to certain
publishing emerged in the United questions posed by Laura Clifford Barney dur-
States-New York and Chicago. The 'Bahai ing 1904-1906. The Master's replies were
Board of Counse l' in New York , and the recorded in Persian with the assista nce of His
' Bahais Supply and Publishing Board' (later secretaries, and were later reviewed, corrected
the Baha'i Publishing Society') in Chicago and approved by Him. Some Answered Quesbecame the first ofAcia l age ncies for the publi- tions was translated by La ura Barney and pubcation and dissemination of literature about lished in London in 1908. The answers to Miss
the new Revelation. The fou nding of these two Barney's questions, given by' Abd u'l-Baha in
publishin g ventures , as well as support from His 'tired moments', contain a wealth of insight
individu al Baha'fs and commercial publishers into the nature of God, the Manifestations and
in E ngla nd, made it possible for English- man; the powers of soul, mind and spirit; and
speaking Baha'fs to receive a greater measure various Christian doctrines.
of Baha'u ' ll ah's inspired Works. Within less In 1911-1912 the Master undertook His
than a decade, severa l basic Baha ' i Texts were epic missionary tour of Europe and America.
ava il ab le , includin g the Suratu 'l-Hay ka/, The During that journey He gave dozens of talks in
Hidden Words of Bahd'u'llah, Tablets of churches, univers1t1es a nd philosophical
Baha'u'llah , and the Kitab-i-Jqan. societies. Three major antho logies of His
addresses appeared in the 1920s-The Wisdom of 'Abdu'l-Baha (now known as Paris
2. Talks and Writings of'Abdu'l-Bahti, Pilgrim
Talks), 'Abdu 'l-Bah6 in London, and The
Reports
Promulgation of Universal Peace. These reveal
The first contingent of Western Baha'f pil- the facility and power with which He spoke on
grims to visit' Abdu'l-B aha arrived in' Akka in a wide range of topics.
1898 . From that time until the Ascension of During the course of World War I,
'Abdu' l-Baha in 1921, a steady stream of pil- 'Abdu'l-B aha revealed a series of letters to the
grims from the Occident attained His presence, American Baha'i community. These Tablets of
some of whom later shared the experiences and the Divine Plan are the charter for the worldimpressions of the Master in published wide spread of the Baha'i Faith under the
accounts. Among the most significant and mov- mandate give n to the Baha'is of North
ing is May Maxwell's An Early Pilgrimage America. The international teaching plans
(Chicago: Bahai Publishing Society, 1917) 1 launched under the aegis of the Guardian and
which recounts the spirit of the original party ot the Universal House of Justice all derive their
Western believers to reach the spiritua l centre inspiration from the guidance given by
of their Faith. T hornton Chase 's In Galilee 'Abdu'l-B aha in these Tab lets.
(1908), Helen S. Goodall and Ella G. Cooper's As mentioned earlier, the Western Baha'fs
Daily Lessons Received at 'Akka (1908), Julia received their best knowledge of the Faith dur-
M. Grundy's Ten Days in the Light of 'Akka ing the early twentieth century through letters
(1910), and Lady Blomfield's The Chosen from 'Abdu'l-Baha. A large number of such
Highway (1940) also provided the early Baha'is letters to Spiritua l Assemblies and individual
with insight into the life of' Abdu'l-Baha . believers was brought together and published
in three volumes known as Tablets of Abdul
' George Ronald, revised edition 1953; reprinted 1969 with
Baha Abbas (Chicago: Bahai Publishing Socinew Foreword. ety, 1909-1916).
548 THE BAHA'I WORLD

The Mysterious Forces of Civilization, vision of that Golden Age of the Baha'i Reve-
'Abdu'l-Baha's appeal for the spiritual trans- lation destined to emerge from its chrysalis in
formation of Persia's people and government, the fullne ss of time. The Advent of Divine Juswas first published in 1918 in a translation by tice (1939) a nd The Promised Day Is Come
Yuhanna Dawud . In 1957 this remarkable (1941) define the spiritual prerequisites for the
treatise on true civilization was republished in American Baha'i community in the prosecua translation by Marzieh Gail en titled Th e Se- tion of its tasks, and describe the sign ifi cance of
cret of Divine Civilization. Marzieh Gail , a dis- world-wide cataclysms and wars for the buildtinguished and erudite Baha'i, and an accom- ing up of the new World Order proclaimed by
plished poet, essayist and translator, also sup- Baha'u'llah. Other compilations of the Guardplied the Baha'ls with a touching rend ition into ian 's letters have been made under the titles .
English of 'Abdu'l-B aha's Memorials of the of Messages to America 1932-1946, Citadel of
Faithful (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, Faith, Messages to the Baha'i World, Messages
1971). It is a compendi um of 'Abd u'l-B aha's to Canada, Messages to Australia and New Zeamemories of more than seventy of the early land, an dHigh Endeavors: MessagestoAlaska. 1
believers. In add ition to Shoghi Effendi's analysis of
The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha is the world situation, his contributions to Baha'i
the crowning touch to His many years of gui d- historical scho larship are astounding. The only
ance to t he Baha'i world. Though a short actual book the Guardian wrote was God Pasdocument , Shoghi Effendi describes the Will as ses By, the history of the first century of the
'supplementary' to the Kitab-i-Aqdas, and 'the Faith . It is such a distillatio n of Baha'i hi s-
Charter of a future world civi lization'. In it, tory-both fact ual and interpretative-that
'Abdu' l-B aha establishes the G uardianship, hundreds of other historical works may be
the Hands of the Cause of God, the National or inspired by it in the future. Furthermore,
Secondary House of Justice , the principles of Shoghi Effendi edited , translated, and sup-
Baha'i administration, and defines the method plemented the first part of Nabfl's narrative
of election of the Universal House of Justice. The Dawn-Breakers, one of the most important and meticulously-recorded sources on the
time of the Bab.
3. Writings and Translations of Shoghi Effendi
Shoghi Effendi's major contribution to Baha'i
Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha'i literature, and the greatest testimony to his
Faith from 1921 to 1957, was a master of the brilliant knowledge of Arabic, Persian and
English language , with which he sought to English, are his unequalled renditions of
interpret for the West, in luminous prose, the Baha' u'llah's Writings into English. Between
basic truths a nd social programme of the Baht.'i his accession to the Guardianship in 1921 and
movement. In a succession of cogent letters, the beginning of World War II Shoghi Effendi
Shoghi Effendi expanded the vision of the translated The Hidden Words of Bahci'u'llah,
believers and clearly defined for them the The Kitab-i-Iqan, and The Epistle to the Son of
nature of their weighty responsibilities under the Wolf, and compiled Gleanings from the
'Abdu' l-B aha's divine pla n. Wri tings of Baha'u'llah and Prayers and Medi-
Shoghi Effendi's early letters to the western tations by Bahci'u'llah. The translations of
Baha'ls awakened them to the newly-emerging Shoghi Effendi are not only models of beauty,
administrative institutions of the Faith. In but also provide a standard with which subse-
1928, a collection of the Guardian's letters was quent translations of Baha'i Scriptures in Engpublished in the United States under the title lish can be compared.
Baha'i Administration. The series of letters
penned by the Guardian between 1929 and 4. Introductory Texts
1936, published separately, and then collectively under the title of The World Order of A number of Baha'i authors have given a
Baha'u' llcih , provide a treatise on the processes systematic exposition of the history and funshaping the Baha'i community, a mandate for ' At time of writing the National Spiritual Assembly of the
United Kingdom has in preparati on a compilation entitled
the role of the American believers in raising The Unfolding Destiny of the British Baha'f Community. A
Baha'u'llah's World Commonwealth, and a full list of compilations appears on page 488.
BAHA ' f BIBLIOGRAPHY 549
damental precepts of the Baha'i Revelation.
5. Children 's Literature
The most outstanding example is John E.
Esslemont in his Bahli'u'llah and the New Era , In the Five Year Plan , specific goals were set
first published in 1923 in Great Bntain. This for activities relating to children. Several of the
book had, by 1944, been published in thirty- earliest attempts to produce quality Baha'i
seven languages, and is now available in dozens children's books were made in the 1950s and
more in its fourth revised edition. Its enduring 1960s: Janet Lindstrom's The Kingdoms of
value as the major introductory Baha'i text- God, David Hofman's God and His Messen -
book and its place in the vanguard of Baha'i gers and Zoe Meyer's Stories from the Dawnliterature, is attested by Shoghi Effendi in his Breakers deal with the realms of existence ,
message at the time of Esslemont's death: 'His progressive revelation, and Babl saints and
book, however-an abiding monument to his martyrs. Children's p~ayer books have been
pure intention-will , alone, inspire genera- published to introduce young Baha'ls to the
tions yet unborn to tread the path of truth and Sacred Texts of their Faith; colouring books,
service as steadfastly and unostentatiously as puzzles and games have been developed; and
was trodden by its beloved author.' 1 several books, including the very successful
The foremost expounder of Baha'u'llah's The Gift by Cynthia Walcott, have been pubteachings to the Christian world was George lished along with cassette narration of the
Townshend, sometime Canon of St. Patrick's stories.
Cathedral Dublin, and Archdeacon of Clonfert. His introduction to God Passes By, and his
6. Scholarly Works, Biographies, Translations
three volumes-The Promise of All Ages, The
Heart of the Gospel, and Christ and Bahli'u'- From the time of the appearance of tvfirza
llah-are an abiding witness to the power Abu'l-Fac.fl's Hujaju'l-Beheyyeh: The Behai
of the eternal Word , as revealed in Baha'u'llah, Proofs in 1902, until recently, scholarly Baha'i
to seize upon the heart of this ecclesiastical books have appeared at irregular intervals. In
figure and enable him to use his extraordinary the current decade , however, the results of
powers of expression in the advancement of much fine scholarly research have been pub-
God's Cause. lished. The British publisher, George Ronald,
Since its appearance in 1957 John Ferraby's has been a major source of this type of work.
All Things Made New has established itself as Particularly noteworthy has been the prodigianother classic of Baha'i expository writing. ous output of H. M. Balyuzi, whose Edward
Unlike Baha'u'llah and the New Era, this work Granville Browne and the Bahli'( Faith (1970)
gives a lengthier and more comprehensive pic- and Muf:iammad and the Course of Islam
ture of the history of the Faith and its Adminis- (1976) have provided a wealth of historical
trative Order, while preserving a universal and material and analysis on topics of Baha'i intertimeless appeal. A revised edition with est. Mr. Balyuzi is currently working on the
updated information was published by the final parts of his trilogy on the Central Figures
Baha'i Publishing Trust of the United King- of the Baha'i Faith. His The Bab: The Herald of
dom in 1975. the Day of Days and 'Abdu'l-Bahli: the Centre
Those who, for various reasons , may find the of the Covenant of Bahli'u'llah have already
aforementioned introductory texts too difficult appeared, and in a short time his final work on
or lengthy to read, have three other works on the life of Baha'u'llah is expected to be comthe Baha'i teachings which they may consult. pleted.
Rul:ilyyih Rabbani's Prescription for Living, Rul:ifyyih Rabbani's The Priceless Pearl
Hushmand Fathea'zam's The New Garden and (London: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1969) and
Gloria Faizi's The BahO.'( Faith: an Introduc- Ugo Giachery's Shoghi Effendi: Recollections
tion are relatively short and simplified accounts (Oxford: George Ronald, 1973) have afforded
of the Baha'i teachings and have been trans- the English-speaking Baha'ls the first coherent
lated into many languages. tableau of their Guardian and the many aspects
of his dynamic personality.
Shoghi Effendi. Baha'f Administration. (Wilmette : Baha'i Adib Taherzadeh, a member of the Conti-
Publishing Trusts, 1968), p. 97. nental Board of Counsellors for Europe, has ·
550 THE BAHA'I WORLD

emba rked on a four-volume survey of the Writ- for the Christian church. The Light Shineth In
ings of Baha'u' llah and so me of the events Darkness is a collection of essays by Udo
associated with their revelation. Two volumes Schaefer on the Baha'f Faith and Islam , and on
of The Revelation of Bahd 'u'llah appeared in refutations of orthodox Christian criticisms of
1974 and 1977, covering the Baghdad and the Baha'f Faith.
Adrianople periods respectively, and unveiling
to the Western believers a glimmer of the scope
7. Periodicals
and magnitude of Baha'u'llah 's abundant outpouring of divine Utterance. The first Baha'f magazine in English was Star
One of the goals of the Five Year Plan was to of the West, 2 issued in Chicago from 1910
'cultivate opportunities for courses on the through 1935. In its presentation of first-hand
Faith in Canadian institutions of higher learn- reports abo ut people and events connected
ing' . This goal led to the establishment of the with the early development of the Faith, it is an
Canadian Association for Studies on the Bah- unparallel ed source of historical information .
a'i Faith, I which has produced three issues of Of special importance was its publication of
its journal Baha'[ Studies , and is engaged in the Tablets from' Abdu'l-Baha and its coverage of
preparation of French and English editions of a 'Abdu'l-Baha's trip to Europe and America.
textbook on the Baha'f Faith to be used in The first fourteen years of this periodical were
comparative religion courses throughout reprinted in 1978 by George Ronald publisher.
Canada . In Australia , Herald of the South published
Jamshed Fozdar has been the Baha'i Faith's news of Australasia's Baha'is between 1926
foremost scholar on Buddhism. After finishing and 1960, and in a new series in 1965-1970
a book on the concept of God in Buddhism and 1974-1975. World Order magazine , the
(TheGodofBuddha. New York: Asia Publish- successor to Star of the West, was published in
ing House, 1973), he embarked on his monu- the period 1935-1949 and in a new series since
mental and important work to interpret 1966. It publishes essays on Baha'i philosophy
Buddhism a nd the Baha'i Faith to each other. and beliefs in their relation to contemporary
Buddha Maitrya-Amitabha Has Appeared was problems. Several other magazines under Baha'i
published in 1976 by the Baha'i Publishing auspices are directed to specific audiences,
Trust of India. Its scope reflects a thorough such as Child's Way from the United States and
knowledge of Hinduism, Buddhism and the Glory: Baha'i Youth Magazine from India.
Baha'f Faith , which Mr. Fozdar compares and Some 130 National Spiritual Assemblies now
relates doctrine for doctrine. exist, each of which publishes its own internal
One of the Baha'f Faith's most talented writ- newsletter; a large number of these is in Eng- ·
ers and essayists was Horace Holley, a Hand of lish.
the Ca use and for many years secretary of the
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of
8. The Baha'i World
the United States. Among hi s writings are The
Modern Social Religion (London: Sidgwick & No discussion of Baha'i literature in English
Jackson, 1913), Baha'i, the Spirit of the Age would be complete without mention of the
(New York: Brentano, 1921), and a selection multi-volume survey of the activities of the
of essays, Religion for Mankind (George international Baha'f community, The Baha'i
Ronald , 1956). World. Now in its seventeenth volume , and
There have also been several translations spanning over half a century, it is a source book
into English of scholarly Baha'f works origi- for information on current activities, growth
nally published in other languages. The and development of the Baha'f administrative
Heavens Are Cleft Asunder by Huschmand order, biographies of deceased Baha'is, poetry
Sabet reached high into theological circles in and articles. The contents of this one publica-
Germany under its original title Der Gespal- tion bear witness that the Baha'i Faith is a
1ene Himmel where it provoked much discus- well-established, international and indepension of the significance of Baha'u'llah's claim s dent religion, steadily growing and developing
' A report of its activites in the period 1975-1979 appears
new institutions and powers.
o n p. 197. Published in its first year under the title BahO'( News.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 551

Examples of Bahd'{ literature in English. Clockwise from bottom: Star of the West, Reprint
(1978) ; God's Heroes by Laura Barney (191 O); The Priceless Pearl by Rul:zfyyih Rabbani
(1969); Baha' u'llah and the New Era by J. E. Esslemonr (1923); The Dawn-breakers by
Nab([ (1976 printing); The Mysterious Forces of Civilization by 'Abdu'l-Bahti (1918); The
Book of Ighan by Bahd'u'lltih (1915); God Passes By by Shoghi Effendi (1965 printing);
Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, 2nd rev. ed. (1976).

9. Audio-Visual Materials
film on the Baha'i Faith, And His Name Shall
Technological innovations in the twentieth Be One, by the American television network
century have led the Baha'is to develop a fas- C.B.S., sparked the making offilms among the
cinating array of films, filmstrips, slides, cas- Baha'is. A New Wind by the Canadian
sette tapes, posters and exhibit materials . The documentary film producer George C. Stoney,
official impetus for the full-scale production of was commissioned by the National Spiritual
such materials came from the Universal House Assembly of the United States to show the
of Justice in 1967 with the establishment of the world-wide diversity of the Baha'i community.
International Baha'i Audio-Visual Centre in A number of Baha'i film companies have since
Victor, New York, U.S.A.' The Baha'i Pub- produced a diverse selection of films featuring
lishing Trust of the United States also became youth conferences, interviews with Hands of
an important source of audio-visual produc- the Cause of God, and dedications of Baha'i
tion . Houses of Worship . Perhaps the most ambi-
Since the midpoint of the last decade, over tious was the two-hour film of The Green Light
two dozen filmstrip programmes have been Expedition. 2 It is a priceless glimpse into the
produced on such topics as Baha'i history, spiritually-rich lives of South American
administration, general introductions to the Indians, accompanied by RuQ.iyyih Khanum's
Faith, and international Baha'i conferences. characteristic insights into the meaning of
The production and broadcasting of a general. pioneering.

2 The Baha'( World, vol. XVI, 1973-1976. pp. 419-448.
' The Baha'( World, vol. XIV, 1963-1968, pp. 91-92.
552 THE BAHA'I WORLD

versa[ House of Justice, A Synopsis and Codi-
10. Sources of Publications
fication of the Laws and Ordinances of the
Of the sources of Baha'i publications in Kitab -i-Aqdas, and the three compilations of
English, the New York Bahai Board of Coun- Scripture called for in the Five Year Plan. 1
sel and Chicago's Bahai Publishing Society
have already been mentioned. Since the time
11. The Five Year Plan and Publishing in
of the establishment of these two publishing
English
institutions in 1900, the Baha'i world has
expanded to such a degree that there are now As in previous international teaching plans
over twenty Baha'i Publishing Trusts. A of the Guardian and the Universal House of
significant number of these publish in English, Justice, the Five Year Plan had a sizeable
including the United Kingdom, Australia, the number of goals devoted to the production and
United States and India. Even the Baha'i Pub- dissemination of literature in many languages.
lishing Trust of Japan has issued landmark Seven new Publishing Trusts were called for;
Baha'i books in English. Of the 130 National Baha'i literature has been translated into many
Spiritual Assemblies and their subordinate new languages, and enriched in many more,
committees, nearly all issue publications in var- including English.
ious formats; many of them are in English. Not The major Five Year Plan goal for publicaonly are Baha'i works issued by Publishing tion of Baha'i literature in English was
Trusts and National Assemblies, but one other assigned by the Universal House of Justice to
publisher, George Ronald in England, has the Baha'i World Centre. The goal-to publish
issued only Baha'i books in the past few years. three compilations of Sacred Scripture-
The Baha'i World Centre has also produced a significantly increased the range of Baha'i
series of outstanding publications: The Pro c- Holy Writings in English. In 1976 the first of
lamation of Bahti'u'llah, Bahti'{ Holy Places at
the World Centre, The Constitution of the Uni- 1
See section 11 of this article.

Baha'i Literature display featuring literature produced by Editora Baha'i Brasil exhibited
during the annual Street Book Fair held in Belo Horizonte, Brazil; October 1977.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 553
the three volumes, Selections from the Writings newly-translated excerpts from the corpus of
ofthe Bab, appeared , releasing for the first time Baha'i Scripture and interpretation on such
to the Baha'ls of the West the mighty torrent of topics as teaching, education , youth , children,
the Bab's utterance. Tablets of Baha'u'llah opposition to the Faith, and consultation .
Revealed After the Kitab-i-Aqdas was released This review has not attempted to give a
approximately eighteen months later. Included definitive survey of Baha'i literature in Engin this anthology were retranslations of several lish; it has, rather, indicated the broad
Tablets which had been translated in the days categories of Baha'i publication. Nevertheless,
of the Master, as well as much material previ- the importance of the publication and dissemiously unavailable in English . In late 1978, nation of Baha'i literature in English cannot be
Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha over-emphasized. Not only is English a lancompleted the trilogy of newly-translated guage rich in expression, but it is currently one
Sacred Texts. The dynamic spirit infused into of the most widely spoken . It is also the tongue
the Baha'i community by the appearance of in which a significant portion of Shoghi
these volumes has contributed significantly to Effendi's writing was composed, and the lanthe stimulation of the herculean efforts exerted guage into which his authentic translations of
to achieve the assigned tasks of the Five Year Baha'u'llah's Writings were made. It is not
Plan. from the original Persian and Arabic, but
A supplementary achievement of the World rather from the authorized English editions of
Centre was the publication in 1977 of excerpts Baha'i Holy Texts, that nearly all translations
from various letters of the Guardian under the into other languages of the West are made.
title Call to the Nations. Extracts from the four The Word of God for this era of the earth's
books just named appear elsewhere in this vol- spiritual history has appeared as the sun in the
ume. East in exalted verses of Arabic and Persian; it
At the request of the Universal House of has been focused clearly and unambiguously
Justice, the Research Department of the for the West in unmatched English prose, from
World Centre has from time to time compiled which, as light through a prism, its rich texture
appropriate passages from the Baha'i Writings and colour reach the whole of mankind in a
on various subjects. These compilations have myriad tongues.
brought together previously-translated and
554 THE BAHA'f WORLD

11. BIBLIOGRAPHIES

A. A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BAHA'I BOOKS AND BOOKLETS IN
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Compiled by Robert E. Cadwalader

(i) THE WRITINGS OF BAHA'U'LLAH

Abbrevia1ions
NSA-Nat io nal Spiritu al Asse mbl y
LSA-Local Spiritual Asse mbl y
BPS-Baha'i Pu blishing Society ( L902- 1922)
BPT-Ba ha'f Publishing Trust
BPC-Baha'f Publishing Committee

1. Blessed is the Spot. n.p . n.d. National 1940. Wi lmette: BPC, 1943 , 1952 a nd
Teaching Co mmittee. paper. 1954. Wilmette: BPT, 1954, 1963, 1966,
2. Book of Assurance, Th e. tra ns . Ali Kuli 1970, 1971 a nd 1975. London: BPT,
Khan. New York: Brenta no's, (1924). 1944, 1949, 1966 a nd 1975. New Delhi:
New Yo rk : BPC, 1929. cloth. BPT, 1964 a nd 1973. paper a nd cloth.
3. Book of lghan, The. tra ns. A li Kuli Khan. 11. Hi dden Words from the Arabic, The. Lon-
New York: George V . Blackburne Co. , don: Kenneth Mackenzie , 1915. paper.
1904. Ch icago: BPS, 1907 a nd 1915. 12 . Hidden Words from th e Arabic, Th e. fore -
cloth. wo rd by Sidney Sprague. London: The
4. Ep istle to th e Son of th e Wolf trans. Julie Priory Press, Mayle 's Penny Series, 1908.
Chanler. New York: BPC, 1928. parc h- paper.
me nt o n ha rd cover. 13 . Hidde n Words from the Persian-
5. Epistle to the Son ofth e Wolf trans. Shogh i Revealed by th e Blessed Perfection.
Effe ndi . Wilmette: BPC, 1941 and 1953. New York: The Board of Co un se l. paper.
Wilmette: BPT, 1962, 1969, 1970, 1971 14. Hidden Words-Th e Seven Valleys. two
and 1976. cloth. works bound together, the first work has
6. Gleanings from th e Writings of Bahri'u'- no mention of tra nslator (Fareed) , the
llrih. comp. and trans. Shoghi Effe ndi. second was translated by Ishteal Ibn
New York: BPC, 1935 a nd 1939. Wil- Kalantar (Ali Quli Khan). C hicago: BPS,
mette: BPC, 1943 , 1946, 1948, 1951 and n.d. lea th er.
1952. Wilmette : BPT, 1956, 1963 , 1969 15. Hidden Words Translated from the Perand 1976 . London: BPT, 1946 and 1978. sian, The. trans. A ntun F. Haddad. n.p .
pape r, fa brikoid and cloth. n.d. paper.
7. Hidden Wo rds . trans . Shoghi Effendi. 16 . Kitrib-El-Ah'd-The Bookofthe Covenant,
London: 1923. New York: 1924, 1925 The Will and Testament of the Baha'o' /lah.
and 1929. paper and leather. Chicago: BPS, 1913. paper.
8. Hidden Words, The. tra ns. A meen 'U ll a h 17. Kitrib-i-fqan-The Book of Certitude,
Fareed. Ch icago: BPS, 1905, 1914 and The. trans. Shoghi Effendi . New York:
undated. London: The Unity Press, 1911. BPC , 1931 and 193 7. Wi lmette: BPC,
paper and leather. 1943, 1950 and 1954. Wilmette: BPT,
9. Hidden Words, The. (Persian section on ly) 1954, 1960 (this edition has two varieties
Chicago: Behais Supply a nd Publishing of dust jacket: the first states erroneously
Board, Press of the Hollister Bros. n.d. that the Iqan was revealed in 1858 while
pape r. the latter correctly gives the date 1862) ,
10. Hidden Words, The. trans . Shoghi 1970 a nd 1974. London: BPT, 1946 a nd
Effendi. New York: BPC, 1932, 1939 a nd 1961. cloth.
BAHA'i BIBLIOGRAPHY 555
18. Lawh-El-Akdas-The Holy Tablet 27. Source of Spiri1ual Qualifies, The. New
Revealed by the Blessed Perfection ( Baha York: BPC, 1924. paper
Ullah) al Baghdad. Stuttgart, Germany: 28. Suratu'l-Hykl-Sura of the Temple.
Dr. Edwin Fisher, Stitzenburgstrasse, Chicago: The Behais Supply and Publish-
1907. Chicago: BPS, 1913. a lso n.p. n.d. ing Board, 1900. paper.
paper. 29. Synopsis and Codification of 1he Kitab -i-
19. Mission of Baha'u'llah, The. Wilmette: Aqdas, The. Haifa: The Universal House
BPT, 1952 and 1971. paper. of Justice, 1973. cloth .
20. Prayers and Meditations . comp. and trans. 30. Tablet of lshrakal. trans. Ali Kuli Khan .
Shoghi Effendi. New York: BPC, 1938. Chicago: BPS, 1908. paper.
Wilmette: BPC, 1954. Wilmette: BPT, 31. Table! of Tarazat, Tablet of the World,
1962, 1969 and 1974. London: BPT, Words of Paradise, Tablet of Tajalleyat,
1978. fabrikoid and cloth. The Clad Tidings Revealed by Baha'u'llah
21. Proclamation of Baha'u'/lah, The. Haifa: at Acea. trans. Ali Kuli Khan. Ch icago:
The Universal House of Justice, 1967 and BPS, 1906 and 1913 . cardboard.
1972. paper and cloth. 32. Table! of !he Branch, The. n.p. n.d. (New
22. Selected Writings of Baha 'u'!lah . Wil- York: December, 191 2). paper.
mette: BPC, 1942. Wilmette: BPT, 1972 33. Tablels of Baha'u'llah. trans. Ali Kuli
and 1975. paper. Khan. Chicago: BPS, 1917 . cloth.
23. Selections from the Hidden Words of 34. Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the
Baha'o'/lah. Chicago: BPS, n.d . paper. Kitab-i-Aqdas. comp. the Research Dept.
24. Seven Valleys, The. trans . lshteal lbn of the Un iversal House of Justice . trans.
Kalantar (Ali Quli Khan). Chicago: BPS, Habib Taherzadeh. Haifa: Baha'i World
1906 and n.d. paper and leather. Centre, 1978. cloth.
25 . Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, The. 35 . Three Obligatory Prayers. trans. Shoghi
trans. Ali Quli Khan. New York: BPC, Effendi. New York: BPC, 1937. paper.
1936 and 1937. paper and fabrikoid. 36. Three Tablets of Baha'o'llah. trans. Ali
26 . Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, The. Kuli Khan. Chicago : BPS, 1918 . paper.
trans. Ali Quli Khan and Marzieh Gail. 37. Tokens from the Writings of Baha'u'l/ah .
Wilmette: BPC, 1945, 1948, 1952 and comp. Jay and Co nstance Conrader. Wil-
1954. Wilmette: BPT, 1957, 19??, 1967, mette: BPT, 1973 and 1975 . paper and
1968 and 1975. pape r and cloth. cloth.

(ii) THE WRITINGS OF THE BAB

1. Bab's Instructions to the Letlers of the Liv- comp. Research Dept. of the Universal
ing, The. Wilmette: BPC, 1944 also n.p. House of Justice. trans. Habib Tahern.d. paper. zadeh. Haifa: Baha'i World Centre, 1976.
2. Selections from the Writings of the Bab . cloth.

(iii) THE WRITINGS OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA

1. 'Abdu'l-Baha in Canada . comp . NSA of 4. Abdul Baha in New York. comp. LSA of
Canada. 1962. paper. New York City. New York: 1922. New
2. 'A bdu'l-Baha in Edinburgh . comp. NSA York: BPC, 1931. paper.
of the British Isles. London: 1963. paper. 5. Abdul Baha on Divine Philosophy. comp.
3. Abdul-Baha in London . comp. Eric Isabel Fraser Chamberlain. Boston: The
Hammond. London: Longmans Green & Tudor Press, 1916 and 1918. paper. see
Co., 1912. East Sheen, Eng.: The Unity #6.
Press, 1912. Chicago: BPS , 1921. paper. 6. Abdul Baha on Divine Philosophy. comp.
556 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Soraya Chamberlain. New York: BPC, Wilmette: BPC, 1941and1946. paper.
(1928). paper. see #5. 24 . Japan Will Turn Ablaze. Japan: BPT,
7. America's Spiritual Mission. (trans. 1974. cloth.
Ahmad Sohrab). New York: BPC, 1936. 25. Letter and Tablet from Abdul Baha to the
Wilmette: BPC, 1948. paper. see #58 and Central Organization for a Durable Peace,
68. The Hague. Chicago: BPS, 1920. paper.
8. Baha'i Peace Program, The. New York: 26. Letter from Abdul-Baha Abbas to the
BPC, 1930. paper and fabrikoid. Friends in Persia. trans. Ameen 'Ullah
9. Christians, Jews and Muhammadans. Fareed. Chicago: BPS, Jan. 21, 1906.
Wilmette: BPC, 1945. paper paper.
10. Christ's Promise Fulfilled. Wilmette: BPC, 27. Letter from St. Jean d'Acre. London: The
1954. Wilmette: BPT, 1954, 1959, 1970, Bahai Press, 1906. paper.
1975 and 1978. paper. 28. Letter of 'Love' from ABDUL-BAHA
11. Compilation of Utterances from the Peno f ABBAS to the 'beloved' in America,
Abdul Baha Regarding His Station. n.p. Received by Mr. George £. Witte at New
November 26, 1906. paper. York, December 7, 1902. Chicago: BPS,
12. Definition of Love by Abdul Baha. New 1902. paper.
York: December 7, 1902. paper. 29. Letters to the Friends in Persia. Chicago:
13. Divine Art of Living, The. comp. Mary M. BPS, 1906. paper.
Rabb. All but first two #s of Star of the 30. Life Eternal. comp. Mary Rumsey
West dealing with Rabb's compilation Movius. East Aurora, N.Y.: The Raycroft
bound in ~ leather. Chicago: Bahai News Shops, 1936 and 193 7. fine cloth.
Service, 1924. 31. Memorials of the Faithful. trans. Marzieh
14. Divine Art of Living, The. comp. Mary M. Gail. Wilmette: BPT, 1971. cloth.
Rabb. New York: Brentano's, 1926. 32. Messages from Abdul Baha to the Honpaper and cloth. olulu Bahais. Honolulu: Advance Press,
15. Divine Common Sense from the World's 1924. Honolulu: NSA of the Hawaiian
Greatest Prisoner to His Prison Friends. Islands.
Boston: The Tudor Press, 1916. paper see 33. Mysterious Forces of Civilization, The.
#20. trans. Johanna Dawud. London: Cope &
16. Faith for Every Man. London: BPT, 1972. Fenwick, 1910. Chicago: BPS, 1910 and
paper. 1918. cloth.
17. Foundations of World Unity. comp. 34. Mystery of God, The. comp. Mrs. Iran F.
Horace Holley. New York: World Unity Muhajer. New Delhi: BPT, 1971. cloth
Publishing Corp., 1927. New York: BPC, and leather.
1936. Wilmette: BPC, 1945. Wilmette: 35. Paris Talks. comp. Beatrice Marion Platt,
BPT, 1955, 1968 and 1971. paper and Mary Esther Blomfield, Rose Ellinor
cloth. Cecilia Blomfield, and Lady Sara Louisa
18. From Abbas Effendi to a Lady who Visited Blomfield. London: BPT, 1951, 1961,
Acre in Feb., 1906. Edinburgh: T & A 1969, 1971and1972. paper and cloth. (see
Constable, 1907. paper. see #19. #63 and 73 of this section).
19. From Abdul Baha to a Lady who Visited 36. Prayers and Tablets-Abdul-Baha Abbas.
Acre in February, 1906. trans. Monever n.p. 1906. paper.
Khanum. London: The Unity Press, 1907. 37. Promulgation of Universal Peace, The.
paper. Vol. I. (comp. Howard MacNutt).
20. From the World's Greatest Prisoner to His Chicago: BPC, 1922. (New York): BPC,
Prison Friends. Boston: The Tudor Press, 1922 (actually 1925). cloth.
1921. paper. see #15. 38. Promulgation of Universal Peace, The.
21. Garden of the Heart, The. comp. Frances Vol. II. (comp. Howard MacNutt) . New
Esty. East Aurora, New York: The Ray- York: BPC, 1925. cloth.
croft Press, 1930. fine cloth. 39. Promulgation of Universal Peace, The.
22. He Is God. Chicago: BPS, 1913. paper. combined edition. (comp. Howard Mac-
23. Industrial Justice. New York: BPC, 1940. Nutt). (New York): BPC, 1922 (1939).
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 557
Wilmette: BPC, 1943. cloth. (comp. Albert R . Windust). Chicago:
40. Reality of Religion-Tablet of Abdul BPS, 1915 and 1919. New York: BPC,
Baha, The. New York: BPC, 1924. paper. 1940. cloth.
(see #41). 56. Tablets of Abdul Baha Abbas. Vol. III.
41. Reality of Religion- Words of Abdul (comp. Albert R. Windust). Chicago:
Baha, The. New York: BPC, 1924, paper. BPS, 1916 and 1919 . New York: BPC,
(see #40). 1930. cloth.
42. Secret of Divine Civilization, The. trans. 57. Tablets of Abdul Beha Abbas to Some
MarziehGail. Wilmette: BPT, 1957, 1970 American Believers in the Year 1900. New
and 1975. cloth. York: Board of Counsel, 707-708 Car-
43. Selected Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Wil- negie Hall, April, 1901. paper.
mette: BPC, 1942. paper. 58. Tablets of the Divine Plan, The. (trans.
44. Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l- Ahmad Sohrab). Wilmette: BPT, 1959,
Bahti. comp. the Research Dept. of the 1962, 1965 and 1971. (see also #7, 59 and
Universal House of Justice. trans. by a 68). paper.
Committee at the Baha'i World Centre 59. Tablets of the Divine Plan, The. trans. varand Marzieh Gail. Haifa: The Baha'i ious scholars. Wilmette: BPT, 1977. cloth.
World Centre, 1978. cloth. (see also #7, 58 and 68).
45. Some Answered Questions, comp. Laura 60. Tablets Revealed by Abdul Baha Abbas to
Clifford Barney. London: Kegan Paul, the East and the West. trans. Ahmad
Trench, Trubner & Co., 1908. Chicago: Esphahani (Sohrab). Washington: Bahai
BPS, 1918. New York: BPC, 1930 and Assembly of Washington, D.C., 1908.
1937. Wilmette: BPC, 1943, 1947 and paper.
1954. Wilmette: BPT, 1957, 1964, 1968 61. Tablets Revealed by the Master Abdul
and 1971. London: BPT, New Delhi: Beha Abbas to the House of Justice at
BPT, 1973. cloth. Chicago, to the Ladies' Assembly of Teach-
46. Some Christian Subjects. London: BPT, ing, to Mirza Assad 'Ullah and to Other
1946.paper. Individuals, also One to the Believers in
47. Tablet to the Beloved of God in America. Persia. Chicago: Press of the Hollister
trans. Ali Kuli Khan . Cambridge, Mass.: Bros., 1901. paper.
1906. paper. 62. Tablets to Japan. (comp. Agnes Alexan-
48. Tablet to the Beloved of God of the Occi- der). New York: BPC, 1928. paper.
dent. trans. Ahmad Esphahani (Sohrab). 63. Talks by Abdul Baha Given in Paris.
Chicago: BPS, 1906. paper. comp. Beatrice Marion Platt, Mary Esther
49. Tablet to the Hague. London: BPT, n.d. Blomfield, Rose Ellinor Cecilia Blomfield,
paper. and Lady Sara Louisa Blomfield. London,
50. Tablets Communes and Holy Utterances. East Sheen: The Unity Press, 1912.
n.p. (1897). paper. Chicago: BPS, 1912. London: G. Bell and
51. Tablets Containing General Instructions. Sons, Ltd., 1915, 1916 and 1920. paper.
trans. M. A. E. (Mirza Ahmad Esphahani (see also #35 and 73).
Sohrab). Washington: Bahai Assn. of 64. Traveller's Narrative Written to Illustrate
Washington, D.C., 1907. paper. the Episode of the Bab, A. trans. Edward
52. Tablets Containing Instructions. trans. Granville Browne. London: Cambridge
Mirza Ahmad Esphahani (Sohrab) and University Press, 1891 (this edition issued
Ali Kuli Khan. Washington: Bahai Assn. in two volumes of which the first is the
of Washington, D.C., 1906. paper. Persian text). New York: BPC, 1930.
53. Tablets from Abdul Baha to E. E. Wrestl- cloth.
ing Brewster. Chicago: BPS, 1902. paper. 65. True Belief-Abdul Baha Abbas. n.p. n.d.
54. Tablets of Abdul Baha Abbas. Vol. I. paper.
(comp. Albert R. Windust). Chicago: 66. True Gardener, A Talk Given by Abdul
BPS, 1909, 1912 and 1919. New York: Baha, The. comp. L.A.C.B. Rangoon,
BPC, 1930. cloth. Burma: Rangoon Standard Press, 1903.
55. Tablets of Abdul Baha Abbas. Vol. II. London: The Unity Press, n.d. paper.
558 THE BAHA'I WORLD

67. Twelve Basic Teachings Compiled from 1950. paper.
the Words of Abdul Baha. New York : 72. Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha,
1926. paper. Selections from the. New York: BPC, 1935
68 . Unveiling of the Divine Plan, The. trans. and 1940. Wilmette: BPC, 1944 and
Mirza Ahmad Sohrab. New York: 1919. 1948.paper.
paper. see #7 and 58. 73. Wisdom of Abdul Baha, The. comp. Beat-
69. Utterances of Abdul Beha Abbas to Two rice Marion Platt, Mary Esther Blomfield,
Young Men, American Pilgrims to Acre, Rose E llinor Cecilia Blomfield and Lady
1901. New York : Board of Counsel, 1901. Sara Louisa Blomfield. New York: BPC,
paper. 1924. Wilmette: BPC, n.d. cardboard and
70. Visiting Tablets for Our Recent Martyrs cloth . see #35 and 63.
Who Suffered in Persia in 1901 with some 74. Wisdom Talks of Abdul-Baha (Abbas
Tablets and Prayers for the American Effendi) at Chicago, Illinois . April 30th to
Behais. New York: Behais Board of Coun- May 5th, 1912 . Chicago: Press of Bahai
sel, 1902 . paper. News Service, n.d. paper.
71. Will and Testament of'Abdu'l-Bahd, The. 75 . Woman's Great Station in the Bahai Dis-
Wilmette: NSA of the USA and Canada , pensation. n.p . 1913. paper.
1942. Wilmette: BPC, 1944. Wilmette: 76 . World Order Through World Faith. Wil-
BPT, 1968, 1971 and n .d. London: BPT, mette: BPC, 1946. paper.

(iv) WORKS COMPILED FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHA'U'LLAH
AND 'ABDU' L-BAHA

1. Arise and Serve: A Compilation. New 1957,1962,1967, 19691970,1973 , 1975
Delhi: BPT, 1971. paper and cloth. and 1978. cloth and paper.
2. Baha'i Answers: A Compilation. comp. 11 . Baha'i Prayers. comp. NSA of USA. Wil-
Olivia Kelsey. Independence, Mo. : Lam- mette: BPC, 1954. Wilmette: BPT 1954
bert Moon Printers and Publishers, 194 7 and 1970. cloth . (the 'White' Prayer book
and 194 7 rev. cardboard and cloth. which includes only the first section of
3. Baha'i Community, The. Wilmette: BPC, #10).
1947 and 1954. Wilmette: BPT, 1963. 12. Bahti'( Prayers. comp. NSA of Malaysia .
New Delhi: BPT, 1964. paper. (Kuala Lumpur): BPT, 1970. paper.
4. Baha'( Education: A Compilation. Wil- 13 . Baha'i Prayers: A Selection. comp . NSA of
mette: BPT, 1977. paper. the British Isles. London: 1951. cloth.
5. Baha'i Institutions: A Compilation. New 14. Baha'i Prayers: A Selection. comp. NSA of
Delhi: BPT, 1973 . paper. the British Isles. London: BPT, 1945 a nd
6. Baha'i Meetings, The Nineteen Day Feast. 1951 . cloth. (this edition contains only the
comp. the Universal House of Justice. first section of #13).
Wilmette: BPT, 1976. paper. 15. Baha'i Prayers: A Selection . comp. NSA of
7. Bahti'( Prayers. comp. NSA of USA and the British Isles. London : BPT, 1967 and
Canada. New York: BPC, 1929 and 1929 1975 . cloth.
(1936 with newer translations). cloth . 16. Baha'i Prayers and Meditations - The
8. Baha'i Prayers. comp. NSA of USA and Bab, Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha. paper.
Canada. New York: BPC, 1935 and 1937 . (contains two pictures of the Louhelen
paper. Baha'i School). n.p. n.d.
9. Baha'i Prayers. comp . NSA of USA and 17 . Baha'i Prayers: An Introductory Selection.
Canada. Wilmette: BPC, 1941, 1942, comp. NSA of Malaysia. (Kuala Lumpur):
1944, 1945, 1947, 1949 and 1952. paper BPT, 1973. paper.
and cloth. 18 Baha'( Prayers for Special Occasions. Lon-
10. Baha'i Prayers. comp . NSA of USA. Wil- don: BPT, 1945. cloth .
mette: BPC, 1954. Wilmette: BPT, 1954, 19. Baha'i Revelation. comp. NSA of the Brit-
BAHA ' I BIBLIOGRAPHY 559
ish Isles. London: BPT, 1955 and 1970. 1956. Oxford: George Ronald, 1975.
cloth. paper and cloth.
20. Baha'( Scriptures. comp. Horace Holley. 36. God and His Manifestations. comp. Maye
New York: Brentano's, 1923. New York: Harvey Gift. New York: BPC, 1925.
BPC, 1928. cloth. paper.
21. Baha'( World Faith. comp. NSA of USA 37. Holy Utterances Revealed by Baha' Ullah
and Canada. Wilmette: BPC, 1943 and and the Master, Abdul Baha Regarding the
1943 (the second 1943 edition was bound Necessity for Steadfastness and Effort in
m red leather and inscribed in gold the Present Time, That Thereby the Believ-
1844-1944 as a special centennial ers May Be Strengthened and Made Ready
souvenir-only 500 copies). Wilmette: Under All Conditions, to Stand Firm in the
BPT, 1956, 1966, 1969, 1971and1976. Covenant. Compiled 1905. n.p. paper.
cloth, fabrikoid and leather. 38. Individual and Teaching, Raising the
22. Bahd'( Writings. (comp. Amelia Collings Divine Call, The. Wilmette: BPT, 1977.
and Alice S. Cox). Wilmette: BPC, 1942 paper.
and 194 7. paper and cloth. 39. Life After Death. comp. Barbara Mason.
23. Book of Prayers. n.p . n.d. paper and Honolulu: Hawaii Baha'i Press, 1976.
leather. p<:1per.
24. Chalice of Immortality, The. comp. 40. Mighty River, A. comp. Audrie Reynolds.
Hushidar Mutlagh. New Delhi: BPT, Wilmette: BPT, 1977. paper.
(1979). 41. New Day: Prophecies and Precepts from
25. Communion With God. Wilmette: BPC, the Utterances of Baha'o'llah and Abdul
1950. ten subsequent printings. paper. Baha. comp. Isabel F. Chamberlain. New
26. Compilation No. 9 Concerning the Most York: The Fellowship Press Service, 191-.
Great Peace. Boston: The Tudor Press, paper.
1918.paper. 42. Pattern of Baha'( Life, The. comp. NSA of
27. Compilation of the Holy Utterances of the British Isles. Manchester: BPT, 1948.
Baha'o'llah and Abdul Baha Concerning London: BPT, 1953, 1963, 1968 and
the Most Great Peace, War and Duty ofthe 1970. paper.
Bahais Toward Their Government. n.p. 43. Peace: A Divine Creation. n.p. 1943.
1918 and 1918 rev. paper. paper.
28. Covenant of Bahd'u'llah, The. Manches- 44. Power of the Covenant, The. comp. NSA
ter, Eng.: BPT, 1950. London: BPT, of USA. Wilmette: BPT, 1956 and 1972.
1963. cloth and fabrikoid. paper.
29. Daily Prayers-Bahd'u'llah, Bab, 'Abdu'l- 45. Power of the Covenant Part One, Bahd'u'-
Bahd. New York: BPC, n.d. paper. llah's Covenant With Mankind, The.
30. Daily Prayers-Prayers and Meditations. comp. Dr. Jane Faily et al. n.p. NSA of
New York: BPC, 1931. paper. Canada, February, 1976. paper.
31. Dawn of World Civilization, The. n.p. 46. Power of the Covenant Part Two, The
World Order Magazine, 1945. Problem of Covenant-Breaking, The.
32. Divine Art of living, The. comp. Mabel comp. Dr. Jane Faily et al. n.p. NSA of
Hyde Paine. Wilmette: BPC, 1944, 1946, Canada, October, 1976. paper.
1949 and 1953. Wilmette: BPT, 1956, 47. Power the Covenant Part Three, The Face
1960, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1973 and 1974. of Opposition, The. comp. Dr. Jane Faily
cloth and fabrikoid. et al. n.p. NSA of Canada, April, 1977.
33. Divine Pearls. comp. Victoria Bedikian. paper.
n.p. n.d. paper. 48. Prayer of Bahd'u'llah and Prayers and
34. Divine Wisdom of Bahd'u'llah and Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha. trans. Shoghi
'Abdu'l-Bahd. comp. NSA of the British Effendi. Boston: 1923. paper.
Isles. Manchester: BPT, 1946. paper. 49. Prayers Revealed by Baha'u'llah, The Bab,
35. Glad Tidings of Bahd'u'llah, The. comp. and 'A bdu'l-Baha. trans. Shoghi Effendi.
George Townshend. London: John Mur- New York: BPC, 1939. paper.
ray, Wisdom of the East Series, 1949 and 50. Prayers, Tablets, Instructions, and Miscel-
560 THE BAHA'l WORLD

leny Galhered by American Visitors to the 'A bdu'l-Baha . n.p. n.d. paper.
Holy City During the Summer of 1900. 57. Some Special Bahd'{ Prayers and Tablets.
Chicago: The Adair Press, 1900. paper. London: BPT, 1945.
51. Racial Amity. comp. M. H. and M. M. 58. Spiritual Opportunity of the Bahti'fs of the
(Mariam Haney and Mountfort Mills). United States and Canada, The. comp. the
n.p. 1924. paper. NSA of the USA and Canada. New York:
52. Reality of Man, The. New York: BPC, BPC, 1926. paper.
1931, 1935 and 1939. Wilmette: BPC, 59. Splendour of God, The. comp. Eric Ham-
1942, 1945 and 1947 . Wilmette: BPT, mond. New York: E. P. Dutton, 1910.
1956, 1962, 1966, 1972 and 1975. New London: John Murray, The Wisdom ofthe
Delhi: BPT, 1971. paper and cloth. East Series, 1909 and 1910. cloth.
53. River of Life, A Selection from the Teach- 60 . Tablets Revealed by the Blessed Perfection
ings of Baha Ullah and Abdul Baha wilh and Abdul Beha Abbas Brought to this
Explanation and Preface by Johanna Country by Haji Mirza Hassan, Mirza
Dawud. London: Cope & Fenwick, 1914. Assad' Ullah and Mirza Hussien. New
54. Selections from Bahti'f Scripture. comp. York: Board of Counsel, 1900. paper.
David Hofman. Manchester, Eng.: BPT, 61. Tablets Revealed in Honor of the Greatest
1941. cloth. Holy Leaf New York: J. J. Little and Ives
55. Selections from the Holy Utterances on !he Company, 1933. paper.
Subject of Unity (i·om Bahti'u'lldh and 62. Victory Promises. Honolulu: NSA of the
'A bdu'l-Bahti. n.p. n.d. paper. Baha'fs of the Hawaiian Islands, 1978.
56. Selections from the Holy Writings on the paper.
Subject of Unity from Bahti'u'lldh and

(v) THE WRITINGS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI

1. Advent of Divine Justice, The. New York: 8. Bahti'{ Youth: A Compilation. comp. NSA
BPC, 1939 and 1939. Wilmette: BPC, of USA. Wilmette: BPT, 1973. paper.
1940 and 1948. Wilmette: BPT, 1956, 9. Call to the Nations. comp. the Universal
1963 , 1969, 1971 and 1974. New Delhi: House of Justice . Haifa: Baha'i World
BPT, n.d. paper, cloth and fabrikoid. Centre, 1977. cloth.
2. America and the Most Great Peace. New 10. Challenging Requirements of the Present
York: BPC, 1933. paper. Hour, The. Wilmette: NSA of USA and
3. Bahti'{ Administration. New York: BPC, Canada, 1947.paper.
1928, 1933 and 1936. Wilmette: BPC, 11. Citadel of Faith. Wilmette: BPT, 1965 and
1941 , 1945 and 1953. Wilmette: BPT, 1970. cloth.
1960, 1968 and 1974. paper and cloth. 12 . Citadel of Faith of Bahd'u'lldh, The. Wil-
4. Bahti'{ Faith, Statistical Information mette: NSA of the USA , 1948. paper.
1844-1944, The. Wilmette: BPC, 1944. 13. Continental Boards of Counsellors. comp.
paper. the Universal House of Justice. NSA of
5. Bahd'f Faith, Statistical Information Canada, (1970). London: BPT, n.d.
1844-1950, The. Wilmette: BPC, 1950. paper.
paper. 14. Covenant and Administration, The. Wil-
6. Bahd'f Faith, Statistical Information mette: BPC, 1950. Wilmette: BPT, 1956
1844-1952, The. Wilmette: BPC, 1953. and 1969. paper.
paper. (see also section on Universal 15 . Dawn of a New Day, The. New Delhi:
House of Justice #3 and section on 'Writ- BPT, 1970. paper and cloth.
ings on the Baha 'i Faith' #24) . 16. Dawn of World Civilization, The. Wil-
7. Bahd'{ Procedure. New York: BPC, 1937. mette: BPC, 1945. paper.
Wilmette: BPC, 1942. paper and cloth. 17. Destiny ofAmerica, The. New York: BPC,
(the 1937 .e dition is loose-leaf). 1940.paper.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 561
18. Directives from the Guardian. comp. Ger- BPT, 1970. London: BPT, n.d. paper.
trude Garrida. New Delhi: BPT, 1973 and 37. Messages from the Guardian 1932 - 1940.
n.d. cloth and paper. New York: BPC, 1940. paper.
19. Dispensation of Baha'u'llah , The. New 38. Messages to America 1932-1946. Wil-
York: BPC, 1934, 1937 and 1940. Wil- mette : BPC, 194 7. fabrikoid.
mette: BPC, 1943 and 1947. Wilmette: 39. Messages to Canada. NSA of Canada,
BPT, 1970. London: BPT, 1947. paper 1965. cloth.
and cloth. 40. Messages to the Baha'f World 1950- 1957.
20. Earth is God's, The. London: BPT, 1947. Wilmette: BPT, 1958 and 1971. cloth.
paper. 41. National Spiritual Assembly, The. comp.
21. Faith of Baha'u'llah, The. Wilmette: BPC, the Universal House of Justice. Wilmette:
1947. paper. BPT, 1972. paper.
22. Future World Commonwealth, The. NSA 42 . Passing of Abdul Baha, The. co-authpr
of the USA and Canada, 1936. paper. Lady Blomfield. Haifa: Rosenfeld
23. Goal of a New World Order, The. New Brothers, 1922. London: BPT, n.d. paper.
York: BPC, 1931. Wilmette: BPC, 1931 43. Pattern for Future Society, A. Wilmette:
(not the true date). Wilmette: BPT, 1971. BPC, 1940, 1946 and 1948. paper.
paper. 44. Principles of Baha'f Administration. Lon-
24. God Given Mandate, A. Wilmette: BPC, don: BPT, 1950, 1963 and 1973. paper
1946.paper. and cloth.
25. God Passes By. Wilmette: BPC, 1944, 45. Principles of Mass Teaching. comp . the
1945 and 1950. Wilmette: BPT, 1957, Universal House of Justice. NSA of
1965, 1970 and 1974. paper and cloth. Canada, 1971. see #31. paper.
26. Golden Age of the Cause of Baha'u'llah, 46. Promised Day is Come, The. Wilmette:
The. New York: BPC, 1932. paper. BPC, 1941, 1943 and 1951. Wilmette:
27. Guidance for Today and Tomorrow . BPT, 1961 and 1967. New Delhi: BPT,
comp. NSA of the British Isles. London: 1976. cloth and paper.
BPT, 1953 and 1973. cloth and paper. 47. Religion a Living Organism. New York:
28. Generation of the Half Light: A Compila- BPC, 1940. paper.
tion for Baha'f Youth. comp. Arjun Ras- 48. Rising World Commonwealth, The. Lontogi. New Delhi: BPT, 1974. paper. don: BPT, 1945. paper.
29. Guidance for Youth. comp. NSA of the 49. Selected Writings of Shoghi Effendi. Wil-
United Kingdom. London: BPT, 1969. mette: BPC, 1942. Wilmette: BPT, 1975 .
paper. paper.
30. Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies. 50. Special Measure of Love, A. Wilmette:
comp. NSA of USA. Wilmette: BPT, 1975 BPT, 1974. paper.
and 1976. paper. 51. Spiritual Potencies of that Consecrated
31. Importance of Teaching Indigenous Spot. n.p. 1939 . paper.
People, The. comp. the Universal House 52. Unfoldment of World Civilization, The.
of Justice . NSA of Canada, 1968. paper. New York: BPC, 1936. Wilmette: BPC,
32. Letters from Shoghi Effendi. New York: 1945. paper.
BPC, 1925. paper. 53. World Government and Collective Sec-
33. Letters from the Guardian to Australia and urity. New Delhi: NSA of India, Pakistan
New Zealand I 923-1957. Melbourne: and Burma, 1953. paper.
NSA of Australia and New Zealand, 1970 54. World Moves on to Its Destiny, The. Wiland 1971. cloth. mette: BPC, n.d. paper.
34. Lifeblood of the Cause. comp . the Univer- 55 . World Order of Baha'u'llah, The. New
sal House of Justice. London: BPT, York: BPC, 1929. paper.
(1970). paper. 56. World Order of Baha'u'llah, The. New
35. Living the Life. comp. NSA of the British York: BPC, 1938. Wilmette: BPC, 1944.
Isles. London: BPT, 1974. paper. Wilmette: BPT, 1955, 1969 and 1974.
36. Local Spiritual Assembly, The. comp. the cloth fabrikoid and paper.
Universal House of Justice. Wilmette: 57. World Order of Baha'u'llah - Further
562 THE BAHA•t WORLD

Considerations, The. New York: BPC; 58. World Order Unfolds. Wilmette: BPC,
1930.paper. 1952.paper.

(vi) MESSAGES AND COMPILATIONS OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF
JUSTICE

1. Analysis of the Nine Year International 5. Constitution ofthe Universal House ofJus-
Teaching Plan 1964 - 1973. Wilmette: tice, The. Haifa: The Universal House of
BPT, 1964. paper. Justice, 1972. paper.
2. Analysis of the Five Year International 6. Five Year Plan, The. Wilmette: BPT,
Teaching Plan 1974-1979. Welwyn Gar- 1974. paper.
den City, Hertfordshire: Broadwater, 7. Five Year Plan, 1974-1979: Statistical
1975. paper. Report, Ridvan 1978, The. Haifa: Baha'i
3. Baha'i Faith, Statistical Information World Centre, 1978. paper.
1844 - 1968, The. Haifa: P. Schaut, 1968. 8. Messages from the Universal House ofJuspaper. (see also section on Shoghi Effendi tice 1968- 1973. Wilmette: BPT, 1976.
#4-6 and the section entitled "Writings paper and cloth.
on the Baha'i Faith" #24) . 9. Wellspring of Guidance, Messages from
4. Baha'i Holy Places at the World Centre, the Universal House ofJustice 1963-1968.
The. Haifa: The Universal House of Jus- Wilmette: 1969 and 1970. paper and
tice, 1968. cloth. cloth.

(vii) WRITINGS ON THE BAHA'f FAITH

1. 'Abdu'l-Baha, Fiftieth Anniversary of His 9. Amatu'l-Baha Visits India. Violette
Passing. Wilmette: World Order Nakhjavani. New Delhi: BPT, n.d .
Magazine, 1971. paper and cloth. paper.
2. Abdul Baha in Egypt. Ahmad Sohrab. 10. Appreciations of the Baha'( Faith. Wil-
New York: New History Foundation, mette: BPC, 1941, 1947, and 1948.
1929. London: Ryder & Co., n.d. cloth. paper.
3. 'Abdu'l-Baha the Center of the Covenant. 11. Architectural Compositions in the Indian
Juliet Thompson. Wilmette: BPC, 1948. Style. Designs for Temples and Shrines.
paper. Charles Mason Remey. Boston: The
4. 'Abdu'l-Baha the Centre of the Covenant Tudor Press, 1923 . paper.
of Baha'u'llah. Hasan M. Balyuzi. Lon- 12. Architectural Exhibition of a Series of
don: George Ronald, 1971 and 1972. Preliminary Designs by Charles Mason
paper and cloth. Remey for the Mashrak El Azkar ( Baha'(
5. Abdul Baha's First Days in America. Temple). n.p. n.d . paper.
comp. Juliet Thompson. East Aurora, 13. Auguste Foret and the Bahti'( Faith with
N.Y.: The Roycrofte rs, 1924. paper. Commentary by Peter Muhlschlegel.
6. Addresses. Abdel Karim Effendi Tehe- Oxford: George Ronald, 1978. paper.
rani. trans. Anton F. Haddad. Chicago: 14. Bab, the Herald of the Day of Days, .The.
Behais Supply and Publishing Board, Hasan M. Balyuzi. Oxford: George
1900.paper. Ronald, 1973 and 1973. paper and cloth.
7. Akka Lights. Mr. & Mrs. Joseph H. Han- 15. Bab-Ed-Din, the Door of True Relignen . 1909. paper. ion. Ibrahim George Kheiralla.
8. All Things Made New. John Ferraby. Chicago: Chas. H. Kerr and Company,
London: George Allen & Unwin, 1957 1897.paper.
and 1960. New York: Macmillan Co., 16. Bahti'( Appeal for Religious Freedom in
1958. Wilmette: BPT, 1960 and 1963. Iran. NSA of USA. Wilmette: BPT,
London: BPT, 1975. paper and cloth. 1956.paper.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 563
17. Bahai Attitude Toward War, The. San Mason Remey . Chicago: BPS, 1919.
Francisco Baha'i Assembly n.d. paper. cloth. (same as #204).
18 . Bah{/{ Case Against Mrs. Lewis 35. Bahai Manuscripts. Charles Mason
Stuyyvesant Chanler and Mirza Ahmad Remey . Newport, R.I.: 1923 . paper.
Sohrab-A Statement Prepared for the 36. Bahai Martyrdoms in Persia in the Year
Members of the American Baha'i Com- 1903 A.D. Haji Mirza Haydar Ali. trans.
munity, The. Wilmette: NSA of the USA Dr. Youness Khan. Chicago: BPS, 1904
and Canada. 1941. paper. and 1917 rev. paper.
19. Bahd'f Centenary 1844-1944, The. 37. Bahai Message, The. comp. Horace Hol-
Wilmette: BPC, 1944. fabrikoid. ley. Chicago: BPS, 1920. paper.
20. Bahai Congress. Chicago: 1916 . paper. 38. Bahai Movement, A Series of Nineteen
21. Bahai Faith, The. G. Palgrave Simpson. Papers Upon the Bahai Movement, The.
London: 1920. paper. Charles Mason Remey. Washington: J.
22. Bahd'( Faith, An Introduction, The. D. Milans and Sons, 1912 and 1912
Gloria Faizi. Beirut, 1971. Wilmette: (actually printed several years later) .
BPT, 1972, 1975 and 1978. paper. cloth.
23. Bahd'( Faith by a Methodist Layman, 39. Bahai Movement for Universal Religion,
The. A. J . Truesdell. New York: BPC, Brotherhood, and Peace, A Sketch of Its
1925.paper. History and Teachings, The. Charles
24. Baha'i Faith, Statistical Information Mason Remey . Washington: Persian-
1844-1963, The . comp. the Hands of the American Bulletin, 1912. paper.
Cause Residing in the Holy Land. Ramat 40. Baha'i Movement: Aims & Purposes of
Gan Israel, Peli-P.E .C. Printing Works the Bahd'f Faith, Outline of History, Prin-
Ltd. paper. (see also the section on ciples of Administration, Excerpts from
Shoghi Effendi #4-6 and the section on the Sacred Writings, and Reading List,
the Universal House of Justice #3) . The . comp. NSA of USA and Canada.
25. Baha'( Faith, The Dawn of a New Day, New York: BPC, 1931. paper.
The. Jessyca Russell Gaver. New York; 41. Bahai Movement in Its Social-Economic
Hawthorn Books Inc., 1967. cloth. (same Aspect, The. Helen Campbell. Chicago:
as #113) . BPS, 1915. paper. (see# 50).
26. Bahd'( Follower ofthe Light. Ray Meyer. 42 . Bahai Movement- Its Spiritual
NSA of Australia, 1972 . Wilmette: BPT. Dynamic, The. Albert R. Vail. n.p. n.d.
paper. paper.
27. Bahd'( Glossary. Marzieh Gail. Wil- 43. Baha'i Persecutions in Persia. comp.
mette: BPT, 1955 and 1969. paper. NSA of USA and Canada. New York:
28. Bahd'( Group, The. comp. NSA of USA. BPC, 1926. paper.
Wilmette: BPT, 1958. paper. 44. Bahai Proofs. Mirza Abu! Fazl. trans.
29. Bahai House of Worship, Description of Ishteal Ibn Kalantar (Ali Quli Khan).
the Temple with Illustrations, The. Chicago: BPS, 1914. New York: BPC,
Charles Mason Remey. Chicago: BPS, 1929. cloth. (see also #78) .
1917.paper. 45. Bahai Religion, The. Horace Holley and
30 . . Bahai Hymns and Poems. Louise R. Ruhi Afnan. New York : BPC, 1925 .
Waite . Chicago: BPS, 1904. New York: paper.
BPC, 1927 . paper. 46 . Bahai Revelation, The. Thornton Chase.
31. Bahai Hymns of Peace and Praise. L. R. Chicago: BPS, 1909, 1913 and 1919.
Waite. n.p. 1908 . paper. New York: BPC, (1928) . paper and
32. Bahai Indexes. Charles Mason Remey. cloth.
Newport, R.I.: 1923 . paper. 47. Bahai Revelation, The. Mrs. Scaramucci.
33. Bahai Library Committee. Charles London: The Priory Press, 1911. paper.
Mason Remey. Firenze, Italy: 1925. 48. Bahai Revelation and Reconstruction,
paper. The. Charles Mason Remey. Chicago:
34. Bahai Library of Constructive Religion, BPS, 1919. paper and cloth.
The Peace of the World, The. Charles 49. Bahaism: The Modern Social Religion.
564 THE BAHA'f WORLD

Horace Holley. London: Sidgwick & 1976), The. Haifa: The Baha'i World
Jackson Ltd., 1913. New York: Mitchell Centre. 1979. cloth.
Kennerly, 1913. cloth. 70. Baha'i Writings, A Concordance. comp.
50. Bahaism in Its Social- Economic Aspect. Hugh Carden. NSA of New Zealand,
Helen Campbell. Chicago: BPS, 1910. Feb. 1975, Aug. 1975, Jan. 1976. and
paper. (see also #41 of this section). Sep. 1976. paper.
51. Bahaism the Religion of Brotherhood 71. Bahti'{ Year Book Volume 1 (1925 -
and Its Place in the Evolution of Creeds. 1926), The. New York: BPC, 1926.
Francis Henry Skrine. London: Long- cloth. (see #53-67 of this section).
mans Green and Company, 1912. cloth. 72. Baha'u'llah. Hasan M. Balyuzi. London:
52. Bahai Teachings, The. Charles Mason BPT, 1938 and n.p. 1938, paper.
Remey. Washington: J. D. Milans & 73. Bahti'u'llah. Hasan M. Balyuzi. London:
Sons, 1917. cloth. George Ronald, 1963, 1968, 1970,
53. Bahai Temple: Press Comments, Symbol- 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1976. paper and
ism, The. comp. Louis Bourgeois. cloth.
Chicago: 1921. paper. 74. Bahli'u'llah and the New Era. John
54. Bahai the Spirit of the Age. Horace Hol- Ebenezer Esslemont. London: George
ley. London: Kegan Paul Trench Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1923 and 1940.
Trubner & Co., 1921. New York: Bren- New York: Brentano's, (1924) and
tano's, 1921. cloth . (1925). New York: BPC, 1927, 1930,
55. Bahli'( World Volume II (1926-1928), 1931, 1932, 1937, 1938 and 1940. Wil-
The. New York: BPC, 1928. cloth. mette: BPC, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948,
56. Bahli'( World Volume 1Il (1928 - 1930), 1950 and 1953. Wilmette: BPT, 1956,
The. New York: BPC, 1930. cloth. 1960, 1966, 1970, 1975, 1976 and 1978.
57. Bahli'[ World Volume JV (1930 - 1932), London: BPT, 1952 and 1974. cloth ,
The. New York: BPC, 1933 . cloth. fabrikoid and paper.
58. Bahli'{ World Volume V (1932-1934), 75. Bahti'u'llah and His Message. J. E.
The. New York: BPC, 1936. cloth. Esslemont. n.p. 1938. paper.
59. Bahli'( World Volume VJ (1934-1936) , 76. Bahti'u'llah's Ground Plan of World Fel-
The. New York: BPC, 1937. cloth. lowship. George Townshend. London:
60. Bahli'( World Volume VII (1936-1938), World Congress of Faiths, 1936 and
The. New York: BPC, 1939. cloth. 1938. paper. (see The Bahti'{ World, vol.
61. Bahli'f World Volume VIII (1938- VI, p. 614).
1940), The. Wilmette: BPC, 1942. 77. Before Abraham Was I Am. Thornton
cloth. Chase. Chicago: 1902. paper.
62. Bahli'( World Volume IX (1940-1944), 78. Behai Proofs, The. Mirza Abu! Faze!.
The. Wilmette: BPC, 1945. cloth. trans. Ishteal Ibn Kalantar (Ali Quli
63. Bahli'( World Volume X (1944-1946), Khan). New York: J. W. Pratt Co., 1902.
The. Wilmette: BPC, 1949. cloth. cloth. (see also #42 of this section).
64. Bahli'( World Volume XI (1946-1950), 79. Bounties of the Kingdom - A Fairy Play,
The. Wilmette: BPC, 1952. cloth. The. Evangeline Elizabeth Crowell Dun-
65. Baho.'{ World Volume XII (1950 - 1954), lop. Riverton, N.J.: The New Era Press,
The. Wilmette: BPT, 1956. cloth. 1916.paper.
66. Bahti'( World Volume XIII (1954- 80. Brief Accountofthe Bahai Movement, A.
1963), The. Haifa: The Universal House G. Palgrave Simpson and Ethel J.
of Justice, 1970 and 1971. cloth. Rosenberg. West Kensington, Eng.:
67. Bahti'( World Volume XIV (1963- Burnside Ltd. n.d. London: The Priory
1968), The. Haifa : The Baha'i World Press, J.M. Watkins, 1911. paper.
Centre, 1975 . cloth. 81. Brief Account of My Visit to Acea, A.
68. Baho.'{ World Volume XV (1968 - 1973), Mary L Lucas . Chicago: BPS, 1905.
The. Haifa: The Baha'i World Centre, paper.
1976. cloth. 82. Brief Sketch of Behaism, A. Ethel J.
69. Bahti'{ World Volume XVI (1968- Rosenberg. London: R . F. Hunger, 310
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 565
Euston Rd., N.W., 1905. paper. Mu~ammad - i-Zarandi. trans. Shoghi
83. Brilliant Proof, The. Mirza Abu! Faz!. Effendi . New York: BPC, 1932 (a
Chicago: Bahai News Service, 1912. limited edition specially bound number-
Wilmette: BPC, 1949. paper. ing 150 copies autographed by the trans-
84. Buddha and Amitabha. Shirin Fozdar. lator) and 1932 (the regular edition) .
Calcutta: Daw Sen & Co ., printed at the Wilmette: BPC, 1953. Wilmette: BPT,
Anna Art Press Private Ltd. paper. 1962, 1970 and 1974. London: BPT,
85. Buddha Maitraya Amitabha Has 1953 and 1975 . leather, cloth and paper.
Appeared. Jamshid Fozdar. New Delhi: 99. Dawn of Knowledge and the Most Great
BPT, 1976. cloth and paper. Peace, The. Paul Kingston Dealy.
86. Call of God, The. George Orr Latimer. Chicago: BPS, 1903, 1905 and 1908.
Chicago: BPS , n.d . paper. paper.
87. Character, A Sequence in Spiritual 100. Dawn Over Mount Hira and Other
Psychology. Stanwood Cobb. Washing- Essays. Marzieh Gail. Oxford: George
ton: The Avalon Press, 1938 and 1971. Ronald, 1976. cloth.
paper and cloth. 101. Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of a
88. Chosen Highway, The. Lady Blomfield. Local Spiritual Assembly. New York:
London: BPT, n.d. Wilmette: BPC, n.d . BPC, 1933. Wilmette: NSA of the USA
Wilmette: BPT, 1967 and 1970 . paper and Canada, 1945. Wilmette: BPC,
and cloth. 1949. Wilmette: BPT, 1965 , 1969 and
89. Christ and Bahd'u'llah. George Towns- 1975.paper.
hend. London: George Ronald, 1957, 102. Diary Letters of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab .
1957,1966,1967, 1971 , 1972and1976. Chicago: Mrs. Fanny G. Lesch. (various
Wilmette: BPT, 1967 and 1970. paper volumes) cardboard.
and cloth. 103 . Divine Revelation the Basis of All Civil-
90. Christianity of Jesus, The. Richard ization . Anton F. Haddad. New York:
Backwell. Portlaw, Ireland: Volturna Boa rd of Counsel, 1902. paper.
Press, 1972. cloth. 104. Divine Secret for Human Civilization,
91. Closer Than Your Lije V ein. Henry A . The. n.p. n.d. paper.
Weil. NSA of Alaska, 1978. paper. 105. Divine Secret for Human Civilization,
92 . Coming of the Glory. The. Florence E . The. Josephine D. Storey. Geneva,
Pinchon. London: Simpkin Marshall Switz.: Quo Vadis, 1928. paper.
Ltd., 1928. cloth . 106. Divine Springtime. Daniel Nelson
93. Commentary on the Will and Testament Wegener. Tegucigalpa, Honduras:
of 'Abdu'l-Baha. David Hofman . Lon- Union Press, 1977. paper.
don: George Ronald, 1943, 1947 and 107. Divine Symphony. Gayle Woolson. New
1955.paper. Delhi: BPT, 1971and1977. paper.
94. Constructive Principles of the Bahai 108 . Do' a: The Call to Prayer. Ruth Ellis Mof-
Movement. Charles Mason Remey. fett. Chicago: 1933 , 1938 and 1953.
Washington: J. D. Milans & Sons, 1917 . paper.
Chicago: BPS, 1917. paper and cloth. 109. Do' a: On the Wings of Prayer. Ruth Ellis
95. Continuity of the Prophets, The. Myrtle Moffett. Des Moines, Ia.: Wallace
W. Campbell. New York: The Pageant Homestead Co ., 1974. paper.
Press, 1952. cloth. 110. Dr. J. E. Esslemont. Moojan Momen .
96 . Covenant, The. Charles Mason Remey. London: BPT, 1975.paper.
Washington: Bahai Assembly of 111. Drama of the Kingdom, The. Mrs. Basil
Washington D.C., 1912. paper and card- Hall. London: The Weardale Press,
board. 1933. cloth.
97. Daily Lessons Received at Acea, January 112. Dream of God, The. Albert Durant Wat-
1908. Helen S. Goodall and Ella Goodall son. Chicago: BPS, 1922. paper.
.cooper. Chicago: BPS, 1908 and 1917. 113. Dynamic New Religion Bahti'[ Faith,
cardboard. The. Jessyca Russell Gaver. New York:
98. Dawn-Breakers, The. Nabfl-i-A'pm Award Books, 1968 and 1968. paper.
566 THE BAHA'I WORLD

(see also #25 of this section). a Continent. Commemorating the Fiftieth
114. Early Pilgrimage, An. May Maxwell. n.p. Anniversary of the Arrival of the Baha'i
1917. London: George Ronald, 1953, Faith in Australia 18 April 1970. Pad-
1969, 1974 and 1976. paper. dington, New South Wales: NSA of
115. Earth is but One Country, The. John Australia, 1970. paper.
Huddleston. London: BPT, 1976. cloth. 131. Freedom of Religion on Trial in
116. Edward Gran ville Browne and the Baha'i Morocco-The Nador Case. New York:
Faith. Hasan M. Balyuzi. London: Baha'i Information Center, 1963. paper.
George Ronald, 1970. cloth. 132. From Strength to Strength. Eunice Braun.
117. Episodes in the Life of Moneereh Wilmette: BPT, 1978. paper.
Khanum. trans. Ahmad Sohrab. Los 133. Glimpses of Abdul Baha. 'Roy'
Angeles: Persian-American Publishing (Wilhelm) and M. J. M. (Mountfort J.
Co., 1924. paper. Mills). n.p. n.d. paper.
118. Epistle to the Bahai World, An. Mirza 134. Glorious Kingdom of the Father Fore-
Badi'Ullah. trans. Dr. Ameen'Ullah told, The. Virgie V. Vail. New York:
Fareed. Chicago: BPS, 1908. paper. BPC, 1940. fabrikoid.
119. Essential Mysticism, The. Stanwood 135. God, His Mediator and Man-A Study in
Cobb . Boston: The Four Seas Company, Comparative Religion. Pritan Singh and
1918. cloth. Doris McKay. Wilmette: BPT, 1958.
120. Eternal Voice, The. Cornelia A. Norder. paper.
Rhinelander, Wis.: Legacy Press, 1972 136. God Loves Laughter. William Sears.
and 197 5. paper. London: George Ronald, 1960, 1961,
121. Explanations Concerning Sacred Mys- 1964, 1968, 1970 and 197 4. paper and
teries. Mirza Assad'Ullah. trans. Dr. cloth.
Fareed. Chicago: Behais Supply and 137. God's Heroes. Laura Clifford Barney.
Publishing Board, 1902. cloth. London: Kegan Paul Trench Trubner &
122. Fallacy of Ancestor Worship, The. Co ., 1910. Philadelphia: Lippincott,
Jamshed Fozdar. Bombay, 1965. paper. 1910. cloth.
123. 52 Baha'i Talks for Every Occasion. S. I. 138. Great Themes of Life. Eric Bowes. Wil-
Dean. NSA of Malaysia, (1965) and mette: BPT, 1958. cloth.
1977. paper. 139. Heart of the Gospel, The. George Towns-
124. Fire on the Mountaintop. Gloria Faizi. hend. London: Lindsay Drummond,
London: BPT, 1973. paper. 1939. New York: BPC, 1940. London:
125. Firmness in the Covenant. Charles Mason George Ronald, 1951, 1955 and 1960.
Remey. 1918. n.p. paper. Wilmette: BPT, 1972. paper and cloth.
126. Five Preliminary Architectural Sketches 140. Heralds of Peace. Beatrice Irwin. n.p.
for the Temple of the Mashrak-El-Azkar, 1938.paper.
which the Followers of the Bahai Move- 141. Heavenly Feast, Some Utterances of
ment are to Build Upon the Shore of Lake Abdul-Baha to Two American Pilgrims
Michigan at Chicago. Washington: 1916. (Charles and Mariam Haney) in Acea,
paper. Syria, February 1909-lnterpreted by
127. Flame of Fire, A. A. Q. Faizi. New Delhi: Dr. Fareed and Taken Down in Steno-
BPT, 1969 and 1973. paper. graphic Notes by Mariam Haney During 9
128. Flame-The Story of Lua, The. William Days in Acea, A. n.p. n.d. paper.
Sears and Robert Quigley. London: 142. Heavenly Vista, A. Louis Gregory.
George Ronald, 1972. paper and Washington: R. L. Pendleton, 1911.
encased. paper.
129 . Flowers Culled from the Rose Garden of 143. Heavens are Cleft Asunder, The. Husch-
Akka. Ida A. Finch, Fanny A . Knobloch mand Sabet. Oxford: George Ronald,
and Alma S. Knobloch. n.p. (1910). 1975. paper and cloth.
paper. 144. History of the Bahti'( Faith in Japan
130. Follow a Dream Time, Father and 1914-1938. Agnes Baldwin Alexander.
Mother Dunn the Spiritual Conquerors of Japan: BPT, 1977. paper.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 567
145. Illustrated Description of a Design in the Center, n.d. paper.
Persian-Indian Style of Architecture for 157. Lectures Giving the Solution of the
the First Mashrak El Azkar ( Bahai Tem- World's Problems from a Universal
ple) to Be Erected in America. Humbly Standpoint Series No. 4, Man is the Col-
Offered to the Center of the Covenant lective Center of All Phenomena, etc.
through the Bahai Temple Unity by Mirza Jenabe Faze!. trans. Mirza Ahmad
C.M.R. April 26-28, 1920. Washington: Sohrab. Seattle: The Bahai Literature
C.M.R., 1920. paper. Center. paper.
146. In Galilee and In Spirit and In Truth. 158. Lectures Giving the Solution of the
Thornton Chase and Arthur S. Agnew. World's Problems from a Universal
Chicago: BPS, 1908. paper. (see #147). Standpoint Series No. 5, The New Vision
147 . In Galilee and In Wonderland. Thornton of Immortality, etc. Mirza Jenabe Faze!.
Chase and Arthur S. Agnew. Chicago: trans. Mirza Ahmad Sohrab. Seattle: The
BPS, 1921. paper. (see #146). Bahai Literature Center, n.d. paper.
148. Indian Style ofArchitecture, The. Charles 159. Lesson in Religion. Mohammed Ali
Mason Remey. Boston: 1925. paper. Alkany. trans. Edith Roohie Sanderson.
149. Instruction Given by Mirza Assad Ullah Boston: The Tudor Press, 1923. paper.
to Isabella D. Brittingham in Johnstown, 160. Lessons on the Beha Revelation, in sepa-
New York November, 1900, and Taken rate parts. W. Hooper Harris. Bayonne,
Down in Notes from His Lips as He N.J.: Charles E. Sprague, (1901). paper.
Spoke, An . n.d. n.p. paper. 161. Letter from Honolulu, A. Charles Mason
150. Instructions Concerning Genesis and the Remey. Honolulu: Charles Mason
Mystery of Baptism. Mirza Assad 'Ullah. Remey, Feb. 17, 1917. paper.
trans. Alla Khuli Khan. n.p. n.d. paper. 162. Letter Written by Mirza Abu/ Hussein on
151. Karma and the Fallacy of Reincarnation. Behalf of the 'Friends' of Isfahan Persia,
Jamshed Fozdar. Malaysia: BPT, 1977. to the American Believers. trans . Mirza
paper. Ameen 'Ullah (Fareed). April 25, 1902.
152. Knock and It Shall Be Opened to You. n.p. paper.
'Roy' (Wilhelm) and M. J.M. (Mountfort 163. Life and Teachings of Abbas Effendi,
J. Mills). n.p. n.d. paper. The. Myron H. Phelps. New York: G. P.
153. Knowing God Through Love and Putnam's Sons, 1903, 1904 and 1912.
Farewell Address of Mirza Abu! Faz/. cloth.
Washington: Bahai Assembly of 164. Life Plan, A. Peter Esslemont. London:
Washington D.C., 1904. paper. George Ronald, 1953. cloth.
154. Lectures Giving the Solution of the 165 . Life with Nayan. Stanwood Cobb.
World's Problems from a Universal Washington: Avalon Press, 1969. paper.
Standpoint Series No. 1, Fulfillment in 166. Light of the World, The. by a group of
this Age of the Old and New Testament pilgrims. Boston: George Orr Latimer,
Prophecies etc. Mirza Jenabe Faze!. 1920.paper.
trans, Mirza Ahmad Sohrab. Seattle: The 167. Light Shineth in Darkness, The. Udo
Bahai Literature Center, n.d. paper. Schaefer. Oxford: George Ronald, 1977.
155. Lectures Giving the Solution of the paper.
World's Problems from a Universal 168. Martinist's Report, An Investigation of
Standpoint Series No. 2, The Ideals of the Bahaism. Gabriel Sassi. trans. Honore J.
New Age etc. Mirza Jenabe Faze!. trans. Jaxon. Chicago: Behais Supply and Pub-
Mirza Ahmad Sohrab. Seattle: The lishing Board, 1901. paper.
Bahai Literature Center, n.d. paper. 169. Mashrak-El-Azkar. Charles Mason
156. Lectures Giving the Solution of the Remey. n.p. 1916. paper.
World's Problems from a Universal 170. Mashrak-El-Azkar, Descriptive of the
Standpoint Series No. 3, The Universal Bahai Temple and Illustrative of an
Consciousness of Christ, etc. Mirza Exhibition of Preliminary Designs for the
Jenabe Faze!. Trans. Mirza Ahmad First Mashrak-El-Azkar to be Built in
Sohrab. Seattle: The Bahai Literature America, Showing Nine Varying Treat-
568 THE BAHA'I WORLD

ments in Different Styles of Architecture. 187. Nabfl's Narrative Abridged. Zena Sorab-
Charles Mason Remey. Washington: J. jee . New Delhi: BPT, 1974 and 1976.
D. Milans & Sons, 1917 . cloth. cloth and paper.
171. Mashriqul Adhkar and the Bahai Move- 188. NarcissustoAkka, The. A.Q.Faizi.New
ment. Jean Masson. Chicago: Executive Delhi: BPT, n.d . paper.
Board of the Bahai Temple Unity, 1921. 189. National Spiritual Assembly o fthe Bahd'(s
paper. of the United States. Wilmette: NSA of
172. Maxim of Bahaism, The. Anton F. Had- USA, 1975. paper.
dad. New York: Board of Counsel. n.d. 190. New Day, The. Charles Mason Remey.
paper. Chicago: BPS, 1919. paper and card-
173. Meditations of a Bahai Christian. E . T. board.
Hall. Manchester: C. E. Bennet and 191. New Garden , The. Hooshmand
Company, 1912. paper. Fathea'zam . New Delhi: BPT, 1958,
174. Memories of 'Abdu'l-Bahd. Stanwood 1963 and 1971. paper.
Cobb. Washington: The Avalon Press, 192. New Holy City, The. Arthur Pillsbury
n.d. paper. Dodge. New York: Mutual Publishing
175. Memorial Services of Abdul Saha on Company, 1901. cloth.
Mount Carmel, Palestine. comp. Dr. Zia 193. New Keys to the Book of Revelation.
Bagdadi. n.p. 1922. paper. Ruth J. Moffett. New Delhi: BPT, 1977.
176. Message from Acea, A. Anton F. Had- cloth and paper.
dad. Board of Counsel (New York), n.d . 194. New Light on the Spirit Path, The. Ted
paper . Claus. Wilmette: BPT, 1971. paper.
177. Message of the Kingdom of God, The. 195. New Revelation: Its Marvelous Message,
James F. Brittingham. Chicago: BPS, The. Col. Nathan Ward Fitzgerald.
1907 and 1909. paper. Tacoma, Wash.: 1905. paper and cloth.
178. Message of Unity-The Bahai Move- 196. Nonagonal Temple in the Indian Style of
ment, The. Charles Mason Remey. Architecture, A. Charles Mason Remey.
Washington: Oct. 19, 1908. paper. Italy: 1927. paper.
179. Milly, A. Tribute to Amelia E. Collins. 197. Notes Taken at Acea. Corinne True.
Abu'l-Qasim Faizi. Oxford: George Chicago: BPS, 1907. paper.
Ronald, 1977. paper. 198. Not Every Sea Hath Pearls. Loulie Albee
180. Mission of Bahd'u'llah and Other Liter- Mathews. Milford, N.H.: The Cabinet
ary Pieces, The. George Townshend. Press, 1951. paper (earlier printings have
London: George Ronald, 1952. Wil- the title imprinted on the spine).
mette: BPT, 1967 and 1971. cloth. 199. Observations of a Bahai Traveller.
181. Most Great Peace, The. Boston: The Charles Mason Remey. Washington:
Tudor Press, 1916. Shanghai, China: Ta Carnahan Press, (1909). Washington: J.
Tung She, 1932. paper. D. Milans and Sons, 1915. paper and
182. MU.Ila /:fusayn. L. Johnson . n.p. n.d. cloth.
Toronto: NSA of Canada, n.d. paper. 200. Oneness of Mankind, The. comp.
183. My Pilgrimage to the Land of Desire. Mariam Haney and Louis Gregory. New
Marie A. Watson. New York: BPC, York: BPC, 1927. paper.
1932.paper. 201. Open Letter to the Bahais of America,
184 . Mysticism and the Baha'i Revelation. An. Charles Mason Remey. n.p. 1918.
Ruhi Afnan. New York: BPC, 1934. paper.
paper. 202. Oriental Rose or the Teachings of Abdul
185. Mysticism, Science and Revelation. Saha, The. Mary Hanford Ford. New
Glenn A. Shook. London: George York: Broadway Publishing Company,
Ronald, 1953, 1954 and 1964. Wilmette: 1910 (of the two printings of the New
BPT, 1967, 1970, 1974 and 1976. cloth . York edition the first has a seriffed mono-
186. My Visit to Abbas Effendi in 1899. Mar- gram on the spine, the second a 'bullsgaret Bloodgood Peeke. Chicago: The eye' monogram). Chicago: BPS, 1910
Grier Press, 1911. cloth. (actually printed at a later date). cloth.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 569
203. Passing of Shoghi Effendi, The. Ruf:ifyyih 215. Protection of the Cause of God, The.
Khanum and John Ferraby. London: Charles Mason Remey. n.p. 1918. paper.
BPT, 1958. paper. 216 . Quddus. L. Johnson. n.d. n.p. Toronto:
204. Peace of the World, The. Charles Mason NSA of Canada , n.d. paper.
Remey. Chicago: BPS, 1919. paper. (see 217. Quest for Eden, The. Elena Maria Maralso #34). sella . New York: The Philosophical Lib-
205. Personal Recollections of a Ba ha'{ Life in rary, 1966 . paper and cloth.
the Hawaiian Islands, Forty Years of the 218. Race and Man. Maye Harvey Gift and
Baha'i Cause in Hawaii, 1902 - 1942 . Alice Simmons Cox. Wilmette: BPC,
Miss Agnes Alexander. NSA of the Bah- 1943 and 1945. paper.
a'is of the Hawaiian Islands, 1974. paper. 219 . Radiant Living. Stanwood Cobb.
206. Persian-American Educational Society Washington: Avalon Press , 1970. paper.
Incorporated Statement and Constitution 220. Rays from the Sun of Truth. Ida Finch .
and By-Laws. Washington: 1910. paper. n.p. n.d. paper.
207. Pilgrimage to Thonon, A. Horace Hol- 221. Reconciliation of Races and Religions,
ley. Letchworth, Herts .: Garden City The. Thomas Kelly Cheyne. London:
Press, Ltd., 1911. paper. Adam and Charles Black, 1914. cloth.
208. Portals to Freedom. Howard Colby Ives. 222. Release the Sun. William Sears. New
New York: E. P. Dutton & Co ., 1937. Delhi: BPT, 1957. Wilmette: BPT, 1960,
Cynthiana , Kentucky: The Hobson 1964, 1970 and 197 5 . cloth and paper.
Press, 1943. London: George Ronald , 223. Religion for Mankind. Horace Holley.
1943, 1946, 1948, 1953, 1962and1969. London: George Ronald, 1956 and
Wi lmette: BPT, 1967 and 1972. paper 1963. Wilmette: BPT, 1966 and 1976.
and cloth. paper and cloth.
209. Prescription for Living. Ruhiyyih Rab- 224. Religious Unity. Charles Mason Remey.
bani. London: George Ronald, 1950 (an June. 1906. n.p. paper.
edition of 300 copies i'n dark blue cloth 225. Renewal of Civilization, The. David
serial numbered and autographed by the Hofman. London: George Ronald,
author), 1950 (regular edition), 1960 1945,1946,1947,1949,1953,1960and
and 1969. paper and cloth. 1969. New Dehli: BPT, 1969 . Wilmette:
210. Priceless Pearl, The. Ruhiyyih Rabbani. BPT, 1970 and 1972. paper and cloth .
London: BPT, 1969 (an edition of 1500 226. Report of the Bahai Committee of Incopies in red cloth serial numbered and vestigation 1917-1918. Charles Mason
autographed by the author) and 1969 Remey, H. Emogene Hoagg, George 0.
(regular edition). cloth and paper. Latimer and Louis Gregory. n.p. n.d.
211. Prisoner and the Kings, The. William paper.
Sears. Toronto: General Publishing 227. Report to Abdul Baha of the Bahai
Company, Ltd., 1971. paper. Activities in the States of North Carolina,
212. Promise of All Ages, The. Christophil South Carolina, Georgia and Florida
(George Townshend) . London: Simpkin U.S.A Charles Mason Remey. n.p.
Marshall Ltd., 1934. New York: BPC, March-April, 1919. paper.
1935. cloth. (see #210). 228. RevelationofBaha Ullah, The. Isabella D.
213. Promise of All Ages, The. George Brittingham. Chicago: BPS, 1902 and
Townshend. New York: BPC, 1938 . 9th ed. 1920. paper.
London: Lindsay Drummond, (1940). 229. Revelation of Bahti'u'lltih Volume I
Wilmette: BPC, 1944. London: George (1853-1863). Adib Taherzadeh.
Ronald, 1948 and 1961. Wilmette: BPT, Oxford: George Ronald, 1974 and 1975.
1972. paper and cloth. paper and cloth.
214. Prospectus: A Series of Five Lectures 230. Revelation of Bahti'u'lltih Volume II
Upon the Universal Religious and Social (1863-1868). Adib Taherzadeh.
Principles of the Bahai Movement, A. Oxford: George Ronald, 1977. cloth.
Charles Mason Remey. Washington: 231. School of the Prophets, The. Mirza
1919.paper. Assad'u'llah. trans. Dr. Fareed. Chicago:
570 THE BAHA'f WORLD

BPS, 1907. cloth. Board of Counsel, 1901. paper.
232. Secret of Life, The. Mary Hanford Ford. 247. Story of the Bahti'( Movement, A Univer-
San Francisco: Press of A. Carlisle and sal Religion, The. Sidney Sprague. Lon-
Co., Upham and Rutledge Inc., 1933 . don: The Priory Press, Mayle's Penny
paper. Series, 1907, 1908 and 1912. paper.
233. Security for a Failing World. Stanwood 248. Story of Louis G. Gregory, The. Elsie
Cobb. Washington: Avalon Press, 1934 Austin. Wilmette: BPT, 1955. paper.
and 1940. New York: BPC, 1934 and 249. Studies in Jewish Mysticism. Loulie
1940. Wilmette: BPC, 1947. New Delhi: Mathews et al. n.p. n.d. paper.
BPT, 1971and1977. paper and cloth. 250. Success in Teaching. Rul)iyyih Khanum.
234. Series of Twelve Articles Introductory to Wilmette: BPT, 1965. paper.
the Study of the Bahti'( Teachings, A. 251. Sunburst. Loral Schopflocher. London:
Charles Mason Remey. Florence, Italy: Ryder & Co., 1938. cloth.
1925. cloth. 252. Table Talks by Abdul Baha Taken Down
235. Seven Articles Upon the Bahti'( Religious in Persian by Mirza Hadi at Acea, Feb.
Movement. Riverton, N.J., 1919. paper. 1907. Trans. A. U. Fareed at Chicago Jul.
236. Sheltering Branch, The. Marzieh Gail. 1907, Also Notes Taken by C. True.
London: BP!, 1941. London: George Chicago: BPS, 1907. paper.
Ronald, 1959. Wilmette: BPT, 1968 and 253. Tab le Talks at Acea. Arthur S. Agnew.
1970. London: George Ronald, 197 4. Chicago: BPS, Nov. 1907. paper.
cloth. 254. Table Talks with Abdul Baha in Febru-
237. Shoghi Effendi Recollections. Ugo ary, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. George T . Win-
Giachery. Oxford: George Ronald, terburn. trans. Mirza Youness Khan.
1973. cloth . Chicago: BPS, 1908 and 1915. paper.
238. So Great a Cause. Kenneth D. Stephens. 255. I)ihirih. Clara A. Edge. Grand Rapids,
Healdsburg, Calif.: Naturegraph Pub- Mich .: Edgeway Publishing Company,
lishers, 1973. paper and cloth. 1964. cloth.
239. Social Principle, The. Horace Holley. 256. Ttihirih. L. Johnson. n.p. n.d. Toronto:
New York: L. J. Gomme, 1915 . encased. NSA of Canada, n.d.
240. Some Early Bahti'(s of the West. 0. Z. 257. Ttihirih the Pure: Iran's Greatest Woman.
Whitehead. Oxford: George Ronald, Martha Root. n .p. 1938. paper, cloth and
1976 and 1977. cloth. cloth with gold lettering.
241. Song Celestial, The. Howard Colby Ives. 258. Tarikh-i-Jadid, The. Mirza Husayn of
Portland, Ore.: Shankle Printing, 1938. Hamadan. trans. Edward Granville
Chicago: The Landon Press, 1938 . Browne. Cambridge, Eng.: Cambridge
(reprints of the Shankle printing-with University Press, 1893. cloth.
frontispiece 1962 and in reduced size 259. Ten Days in the Light of Acea. Julia M.
1973). fabrikoid and cloth . Grundy. Chicago: BPS, 1907 and n.d.
242. Songs of Prayer and Praise. comp. Louise Wilmette: BPT, 1979. paper and cloth.
R. Waite. Chicago: 1912 . paper. 260. Thief in the Night. William Sears. Lon-
243. Spell of the Temple, The. Allen Boyer don: George Ronald, 1961, 1964, 1968,
McDaniel. New York: The Vantage 1969, 1972, 1977 and 1978. paper.
Press, 1953. cloth.
261. This Earth One Country. Emeric Sala.
244 . Spiritua l Assembly's Growing Pains, A. Boston: Bruce Humpheries Inc., 1945.
Amatu'I-Baha Ru~yyih Khanum. New cloth.
Delhi: BPT, n.d. Sydney: NSA of 262. Three Meditations on the Eve of
Australia, 1976. paper. November the Fourth. Abu! Qasim Faizi.
245. Statement on the Will and Testament of London:BPT,1970and1972.cloili.
'Abdu'l-Bahti, Charter of a Divine Civil- 263. Through Warring Countries to the Mounization. Wilmette: NSA of USA and tain of God. Charles Mason Remey.
Canada, 1942.paper. Washington: Charles Mason Remey,
246. Station of the Manifestation and the 1915. cloth.
Greatness of the Day, The. New York: 264. Tomorrow and Tomorrow. Stanwood
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 571
Cobb. Washington: Avalon Press, 1951. 270. Trustees of the Merciful. NSA of the
Wilmette: BPC, 1951. Wilmette: BPT, USA. Wilmette: BPT, 1958, paper.
1960 and 1970. paper. 271. Trustees of the Merciful. Adib Taher-
265. Translation of a Letter Written by the zadeh. London: BPT, 1972. paper.
Hebrew Assembly of the Bahais of Tehe- 272 . Truth of It, The. Arthur Pillsbury Dodge .
ran Persia to the House of Spirituality New York: The Mutual Publishing Com-
Chicago Ill. for the Perusal of all Ameri- pany, 1901. cloth.
can Friends. New York: Baha'i Board of 273. Twenty-Five Years of the Guardianship.
Counsel, n.d. paper. RuJ:i.iyyih Khanum. Wilmette: BPC,
266. Translation ofthe French Footnotes ofthe 1948. paper.
Dawn-Breakers. Emily McBride 274. 239 Days, 'Abdu'l-Baha's Journey in
Perigord. New York: BPC, 1939. Wil- America. Allan L. Ward. Wilmette: BPT,
mette: BPT, 1970. paper. 1979. cloth.
267. Treasures of the East. Dr. Zia M. Bag- 275. Two Shall Appear. Olivia Kelsey. n.p.
dadi. Chicago: (1929). cloth. 1943. Independence, Mo.: Lambert
268. Tribute to Shoghi Effendi, A. Amelia Moon, 1943. paper.
Collins. Wilmette: BPT, n.d. paper. 276. Unity-The Revelation of Baha' Ullah.
269. Trouble, How to Meet It-Better Still Charles Mason Remey. n.p. 1905. paper.
How to Avoid It. Stanwood Cobb. 277. Unity Through Love. Howard MacNutt.
Washington: Avalon Press, 1970. paper. from notes of Hooper Harris. Chicago:

Bahli'( literature display sponsored by the Bahli'f Publishing Trust of Italy during the annual
Milan Trade Fair held on I 4-23 April I 978. Bahli'f books in ten languages and in Braille were
exhibited.
572 THE BAHA'I WORLD

BPS, 1906 nd 1908. paper. Mathews. New York: BPC, 1929. paper.
278. Unity Triumphant. Elizabeth Herrick. 287. Whence? Why? Whither? Man! Things!
London: Kegan Paul Trench Trubner & Other Things! Arthur Pillsbury Dodge.
Company, 1923. cloth. Westwood, Mass.: The Arie l Press, G. E.
279. Universal Consciousness of the Bahti'( Littlefield, 1907. cloth .
Religion, The. Charles Mason Remey. 288. Whoso Readeth Let Him Understand.
Firenze, Italy: Tipografia Sordamoti, David. New York: n.d. paper.
1925 . paper and cloth. 289. Wine of Astonishment, The. William
280. Universal Principles of the Bahti'f Move- Sears. London: George Ronald, 1963,
ment, Social, Economic, Governmental, 1970 and 1974. paper.
The. Washington: The Persian-Ameri- 290. Wise Man From the East, A. Felicia R.
can Bulletin, 1912. paper. Scratchard. The Unity Press, 1912.
281. Universal Religion, The. E . T. Hall. NSA paper.
of the British Isles, 1927. paper. 291. World Faith, A. New York: BPC, 1936.
282. Universal Religion: Bahaism, The. Hip- paper.
polyte Dreyfus. London: Cope & Fen- 292. World of Abdul Baha, The. Mary Hanwick, 1909. Chicago: BPS, 1909. cloth. ford. New York: Reality Publishing Cor-
283. Views of Acea, Haifa , Mount Carmel and poration, 1921. New York: J. J. Little &
Other Holy Places. Chicago: Behais Sup- Ives, 1935 and n.d. also n.p. n.d.
ply and Publishing Board, n.d. Chicago: 293. Year With the Ba ha is ofIndia and Burma,
BPS, 1918. paper, cloth and leather. A. Sidney Sprague. London: The Priory
284. What is a Bahai? J. E. Esslemont. Burn- Press, 1908 and 1908. paper and cloth.
side Ltd., n.d. Chicago: Louis Bourgeois, 294. Za-Ti-Et Al-Lah; The Identity and the
1921. paper. Personality of God. Ibrahim George
285. What Went Ye Out For to See? Thornton Kheiralla. Chicago: Grant's Printery,
Chase. n.p. n.d. paper. 1896.paper.
286. Whence Comes the Light? Loulie

B . AN ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF AUTHORS, COMPILERS AND
TRANS LA TORS OF BAHA'I BOOKS AND BOOKLETS IN THE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Compiled by Robert E. Cadwalader

Abbreviations
A-'Abdu'l-Baha
B -Baha'u'llah
C -Compilat ions of the Writings of the
Central Figures of the Faith
S -Shoghi Effendi
W-Writings on the Baha'f Faith

Abu'l-Fac;ll, Abul Fazl, or Abul Fazel see Gul- Ameen'Ullah (Aminu'llah Farid) see Fareed,
paygani, Mirza Abu'l-Fac;ll Mirza Ameen 'Ullah
Abu'I Hussein, Mfrza-W- 159 Assad'Ullah, Mirza (Asadu'llah)-W-121,
Afnan, Ruhi-W-45, 184 150,231
Afrukhtih, Dr. Youness Khan (Dr. Yunis Austin, Elsie-W-248
Khan Afrukhtih)- W-36, 254 Backwell, Richard-W-90
Agnew, Arthur S.- W- 146, 147, 250 Badf'Ullah, Mirza (Badf'u'llah)-W-118
Alexander, Agnes-A-62; W-144, 205 Bagdadi, Zia (:Qfya Baghdadf)-W-175, 267
Alkany, Muhammed Ali Mu~ammad-'Ali Balyuzi, Hasan M.-W-4, 14, 72, 73, 116
Alkany-W-159 Barney, Laura Clifford-A-45, 66; W-137
BAHA'i BIBLIOGRAPHY 573
Bedikian, Victoria- C-33 Fozdar, Shirin- W-84
Blomfield, Mary Esther-A- 35, 63 , 73 Gail , Marzieh-B-26; A- 31 , 42 , 44; W-27,
Blomfield, Rose Ellinor Cecilia-A-35 , 63 , 100, 236
73 Garrida, Gertrude-S-18
Blomfield, Lady Sara Louisa- A - 35 , 63 , 73; Gaver, Jessyca Russell- W-25 , 113
S-43; W- 88 Giachery, Ugo-W-237
Bourgeois, Louis-W-53 Gift, Maye Harvey-C- 36; W- 218
Bowes, Eric- W-138 Goodall , Helen S.- W-97
Braun, Eunice-W-132 Gregory Louis-W-142 , 200, 225
Brittingham, Isabella D .- W-149 , 228 Grundy , Julia M.- W-259
Brittingham, James F.-W- 177 Gulpayganf) Mirza Abu'l-Fadl- W-44, 78 ,
Browne, Edward Granville-A-64; W-258 83, 153
Campbell, Helen W.-W-41 , 50 Haddad , Anton F. (Ant(m Haddad)-B- 15;
Campbell, Myrtle W.- W-95 W-103 , 172, 176
Carden, Hugh_:_ W-70 Hadi, Mirza-W-252
Chamberlain, Isabel Fraser or Soraya- A - 5, Hall , Mrs. Basil- W-111
6; C- 41 Hall, E. T. - W-173, 281
Chanler, Julie-B- 4 Hamadanf, Mirza l;lusayn-i-- W-258
Chase, Thornton-W-46, 77, 143 , 146, 285 Hammond, Eric- A-3; C-59
Cheyne, Thomas Kelly-W-221 Haney, Mariam-C- 51; W-141, 200
Christophil see Townshend, George Hannen , Mr. & Mrs. Joseph H .- W-7
Claus, Ted- W- 194 Harris, W. Hooper-W- 160, 277
Cobb, Stanwood-W-87, 119, 165, 174, 219, Haydar Ali, Haji Mirza (l;lajf Mirza l;laydar
233,264,269 'Alf)-W- 36
Collins, Amelia- C-22; W-268 Herrick, Elizabeth-W- 278
Conrader, Jay and Constance- B- 37 Hoagg, H. Emogene- W-226
Cooper, Ella Goodall- W-97 Hofman, David-C- 54; W-93, 225
Cox, Alice Simmons-C-22; W-218 Holley, Horace-A-17 ; C-20; W-37 , 45 , 49 ,
David- W- 288 54, 207 , 223 , 239
Dawud, Johanna- A - 33; C- 53 Huddleston, John- W- 115
Dealy, Paul Kingston- W-99 Irwin , Beatrice-W- 140
Dean , S. I.-W-123 Ishteal Ibn Kalan tar see Khan, ' Alf Qulf
Dodge , Arthur Pillsbury- W-192, 272 , 287 Ives, Howard Colby-W- 208, 241
Dreyfus, Hippolyte- W-282 Jaxon , Honore J.- W-168
Dunlop, Evangeline Elizabeth Crowell Jenabe Faze! (Jinab-i-Fac;lil-Mirza Asadu'llah
- W- 79 Fac;lil) see Mazindarani , Mirza Jenabe Faze!
Edge, Clara A.- W- 255 Johnson, L.-W-182, 216, 256
Esphahani, Mirza Al:imad see Sohrab , Al:imad Kelsey, Olivia- C-2; W- 275
Esslemont, John Ebenezer-W- 74, 75 , 284 Khan , ' Alf Qulf or Ali Kuli- B-2, 3, 14, 24 ,
Esslemont, Peter-W- 164 25 , 26, 30, 31 , 33 , 26; A - 47 , 52 ; W- 44 , 78,
Esty, Frances-A-21 150
Faily, Dr. Jane et al-C-45 , 46, 47 Kheiralla, Ibrahim George (Ibrahim George
Faizi, Abu'l-Qasfm- W-127 , 179, 185, 262 Khayru'llah)-W- 15, 294
Faizi, Gloria- W- 22, 124 Knobloch, Alma S.-W- 129
Fareed, Ameen'Ullah-B- 8, 14; A- 26; Knobloch , Fanny A.- W- 129
W- 118, 121, 162, 231, 252 Latimer, George Orr- W- 86, 226
Fathea'zam, Hooshmand (Hushmand Lucas, Mary L.-W-81
Fatheazam)-W- 191 McDaniel, Allen Boyer- W- 243
Ferraby, John- W- 8, 203 McKay, Doris-W-135
Finch, Ida A.-W-129, 220 MacNutt, Howard- A - 37, 38, 39 ; W- 277
Fitzgerald, Col. Nathan Ward- W- 195 Marsella , Elena Maria-W- 217
Ford, Mary Hanford- W-202 , 232, 292 Mason, Barbara-C-39
Fozdar, Jamshid- W-85 , 122, 151 Masson, Jean-W-171
574 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Mathews, Loulie Albee-W-198, 249, 286 Scaramucci, Mrs.-W-47
Maxwell, May-W-114 Schaefer, Udo-W-167
Mazindarani) Mirza Jenabe Faze!- W-154, Schopftocher, Lorol- W-251
155, 156, 157, 158 Scratchard, Felicia R.-W-290
Meyer, Ray- W-26 Sears, William-W-128, 136, 211, 222, 260,
Mills, Mountfort-C-51; W-133, 152 289
Moffett, Ruth Ellis-W-108, 109, 193 Shoghi Effendi-B-5, 6, 7, 10, 17, 20, 35;
Momen, Moojan-W-110 Bab-I; S-passim; C-48, 49; W-98, 187
Moneereh Khanum (Munfrih Khanum) Shook, Glenn A.-W-185
-W-117 Simpson, G. Palgrave-W-21, 80
Monever Khanum (Munavvar Khanum) Singh, Pritam-W-135
-A-19 Skrine, Francis Henry- W-51
Movius, Mary Rumsey-A-30 Sohrab, AQmad-A-7, 48, 51, 52, 58, 60, 68;
Muhajer, Mrs. Iran F.-A-34 W-2, 102, 117, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158
Miihlschlegel, Peter- W-13 Sorabjee, Zena-W-187
Mutlagh, Hushidar-C-24 Sprague, Sidney-B-12; W-247, 293
Nabil-i-A'~am (Mulla MuQammad-i- Stephens, Kenneth D.- W-238
Zarandf)- W-98, 187 Storey, Josephine D.-W-104, 105
Nakhjavanf) Violette-W-9 Taherzadeh, Adib-W-229, 230, 270
Norder, Cornelia A.-W-120 Taherzadeh, Habib-B-34; Bab-2
Paine, Mabel Hyde-C-32 Teherani, Abdel Karim Effendi (Abdu'I-
Peeke, Margaret Bloodgood- W-186 Karfm-i-Tihranf)- W-6
Perigord, Emily McBride- W-266 Thompson, Juliet-W-3, 5
Phelps, Myron H.-W-163 Townshend, George-C-35; W-89, 139, 180,
Pinchon, Florence E.- W-92 212,213
Platt, Beatrice Marion-A-35, 63, 73 True, Corinne-W-197, 252
Quigley, Robert-W-128 Truesdell, A. J.-W-23
Rabb, Mary M.-A-13, 14 Vail, Albert R.-W-42
Rabbani, RuQfyyih Khanum- W-203, 209, Vail, Virgie V.-W-134
210,244,250,273 Waite, Louise R.-W-30, 31, 242
Rabbani, Shoghi Effendi-see Shoghi Effendi Ward, Allan L.-W-274
Rastogi, Arjun-S-28 Watson, Albert Durant-W-112
Remey, Charles Mason-W-11, 19, 29, 32, Watson, Marie A.-W-183
33,34,35,38,39,48,52,94,96, 125, 126, Wegener, Daniel Nelson- W-106
145,148,161,169,173,178,190,196,199, Weil, Henry A.-W-91
201,204,214,215,224,226,227,234,263, Whitehead, 0 . Z.- W-240
276,279 Wilhelm, Roy-W-133, 152
Reynolds, Audrie-C-40 Windust, Albert R .-A-54, 55, 56
Root, Martha- W-257 Winterburn, Mr. & Mrs. George T .- W-254
Rosenberg, Ethel J. - W-80, 82 Woolson, Gayle-W-107
RuQfyyih Khanum see Rabbani, RuQfyyih Youness Khan see Afrukhtih, Dr. Youness
Khan um Khan (Dr. Yunis Khan Afrukhtih)
Sabet, Huschmand-W-143 Zarandi, Muhammad-i- see Nabil-i-Azam
Sala, Emeric-W-261 (Nabil-i-A'~am; Mulla MuQammad-i-
Sanderson, Edith Roohie- W-159 Zarandf)
Sassi, Gabriel- W-168
BAHA'i BIBLIOGRAPHY 575
C. A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BAHA'I CHILDREN'S LITERATURE IN
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE - 1917-1979

Compiled by Robert E. Cadwalader

1. Bad!'. Kamal Ma'ani. NSA of Thailand, 14. Baha'i Lesson Plans Grade 7: History,
1977. paper and boards. Religions etc. ed. Advisory Committee on
2. Baha'i Child's ABC, A. Roberta K. Chris- Education: Wilmette: BPT, 1968 and
tian. ii. Rochelle Boonshaft. Wilmette: 1976.paper.
BPC, 1944. 6th ptg. Wilmette: BPT, 1965. 15. Baha'i Lesson Plans Grade 8: History,
paper . Heroic Age of the Faith, etc. ed. Advisory
3. Baha'i Child's Song Book, A. verses Committee on Education. Wilmette: BPT,
Roberta K. Christian. music Eugene Bab- 1968 and 1976. paper.
cock. ii. E . Butler McHenry. 16. Baha'i Lesson Plans Grade 9: History,
4. Baha'i Founders. Child Education Com- Formative Age of the Baha'i Faith, etc. ed.
mittee. New York: BPC, 1939. paper. Advisory Committee on Education. Wil-
(based on Baha'u'llah and the New Era). mette: BPT, 1968 and 1976. paper.
5. Baha'i Holy Days, Grades 1 - 9. ed. Advis- 17. Bahai Prayers for Children. n.p. n.d.
ory Committee on Education. Wilmette: (prayers from the 1929 USA prayer
BPT, 1968 and 1976. paper. book). paper.
6. Baha'i Lesson Outline for Children. comp. 18. Baha'i Prayers for Children. ii. Jean
Committee on Training and Teaching Hutchinson.
Children. 4 parts. New York: BPC, 1935. 19. Baha'i Principles. comp. Child Education
paper. Committee. Wilmette: BPC, 1946. paper.
7. Baha'i Lesson Plans Grade K: History, 20. Baha'i Puzzle Book for Young People
Progressive Revelation etc. ed. Advisory from 8 to 80. National Child Education
Committee on Education. Wilmette: BPT, Committee of the NSA of the Hawaiian
1968 and 1976. paper. !~ands, 1974. paper.
8. Baha'i Lesson Plans Grade 1: History, 21. Baha'i Quotations on Education. National
Baha'i Heroes etc. ed. Advisory Commit- Child Education Committee of the NSA of
tee on Education. Wilmette: BPT, 1968 the Hawaiian Islands.
and 1976. paper. 22. Baha'is Around the World Grade K, Social
9. Baha'i Lesson Plans Grade 2: History, the Teachings, Baha'i School Lessons Plans.
Bab etc. ed. Advisory Committee on Edu- Katherine Patton et al. Advisory Commitcation. Wilmette: BPT, 1968 and 1976. tee on Education. n.p. n.d . paper.
paper. 23. Baha'i Teacher's Handbook, Baha'i
10. Baha'i Lesson Plans Grade 3: History, School Lesson Plans Grade K. ed. Advis-
Baha'u'llah etc. ed. Advisory Committee ory Committee on Education. Wilmette:
on Education. Wilmette: BPT, 1968 and BPT, 1963. paper.
1976 . paper. 24. Baha'i Teaching Guide for Children,
11. Baha'i Lesson Plans Grade 4: History, Primary. comp. Alice Cox and Evelyn
'Abdu'l-Baha etc. ed. Advisory Commit- Musacchia. ii. Lynn Hutchinson. Wiltee on Education. Wilmette: BPT, 1968 mette: BPT, 1966. paper.
and 1976. paper. 25. Baha'( Teaching Guide for Children,
12. Baha'i Lesson Plans Grade 5: History, Pre-Primary. comp. Alice Cox and Evelyn
Shoghi Effendi etc. ed. Advisory Commit- Musacchia. ii. Lynn Hutchinson. Wiltee on Education . Wilmette: BPT, 1968 mette: BPT, 1966. paper.
and 1976. paper. 26. Bahti'( Teaching Guide for Children,
13. Baha'( Lesson Plans Grade 6: History, Intermediate. comp. Alice Cox and Evelyn
Hands of the Cause etc. ed. Advisory Musacchia. ii. Lynn Hutchinson. Wil-
Committee on Education. Wilmette: BPT, mette: BPT, 1966. paper.
1968 and 1976. paper. 27. Baha'i Teaching Guide for Children,
576 THE BAHA'f WORLD

Teacher's Manual, Pre-Primary and Pri- 43. Kingdoms of God, The. Janet Lindstrom.
mary. comp. Alice Cox and Evelyn Musac- ii. Anna Stevenson. Wilmette: BPT, 1961.
chia. ii. Lynn Hutchinson. Wilmette: BPT, cloth.
1966. paper. 44 . Lessons in Religion. Mohammad Ali
28. Bahti'[ Teaching Guide for Children, Alkany . trans. Edith Roohie Sanderson.
Teacher's Manual, Intermediate. comp. Boston: The Tudor Press, 1923. paper.
Alice Cox and Evelyn Musacchia. ii. Lynn 45 . Let Thy Breeze Refresh Them, Baha'[
Hutchinson . Wilmette: BPT, 1966. paper. Prayers and Tablets for Children. London:
29 . Blessed is the Spot. Baha'u'llah. ii. Anna BPT, 1976. cloth .
Stevenson . Wilmette: BPT, 1958. hard- 46 . Living Today for Tomorrow's World.
cover. Marguerite True. ii. Jean Hutchinson.
30. Children's Course in Bahti'[ Principles Wilmette: BPT, 1956.
with Pictures to Color. Child Education 4 7. Magazine of the Children of the Kingdom,
Committee. New York: BPC, 1939. The. quarterly. Dec. 1919 through the mid
paper. 1920's.
31. Children's Stories from the Dawn- 48. Magnified Be Thy Name. London: BPT,
Breakers. Zoe Meyer. i( Carl Scheffler. 1963. cloth.
Wilmette: BPT, 1955 and 1964. cloth. 49. Manual of Suggestions for Organizing a
32. Child's Prayer Book, A. Wilmette: BPC, Bahti'[ Children's Hour. Child Education
1942 and 1943. paper. Committee. ca. 1945.
33. Child's Way. Child Education Committee. 50. Manual of Suggestions for Organizing a
quarterly and bi-monthly. 1949 to date. Children's Class. American Indian Service
34. Coloring Book, Bahti'[ Places Around the Committee. (1964). (Beatrice Bechtold).
World. comp. Evelyn Musacchia. ii. Dor- 51. 0 God Guide Me (A selection of Baha'i
rine Sadilek. National Child Education Prayers). Wilmette: BPT, 1974. hard-
Committee of NSA of Hawaii, 1975 . cover.
paper. 52. Principles of Child Education in the Bah(;/[
35. Comprehensive Study Outline for Chil- Faith, The. Wilmette: BPT.
dren. Child Education Committee. New 53. Reading Supplement to a Baha'( Picture-
York: BPC, 1940. Wilmette: BPC. paper. Coloring Book. NCEC of the NSA of the
36. Creation. illustrated. Child Education Hawaiian Islands, 1971. by Evelyn
Committee. New York: BPC, 1940. Musacchia. paper.
paper. 54. Sing a New Song. ii. Anna Stevenson.
37. Creative Plan of God, The. Child Educa- comp. Baha'i Committee on Music.
tion Committee. Wilmette: BPC, 1940. 55. Stories for Children. Jacqueline Mehrabi.
Wilmette: BPT, 1958. paper. London: BPT, 1970. paper.
38 . Gift, The. Cynthia K. Walcott. ii. Lynn 56 . Stories from the Dawn-Breakers. Zoe
Hutchinson Reynolds. Wilmette: BPT, Meyer. ii. Carl Scheffler. Wilmette: BPT.
1976 . cloth. cloth.
39. God and His Messengers. David Hofman. 57. Stories of Bahti'u'llah as Told by Pokka.
ii. Geoffrey Rideout. Oxford: George Betty Reed. ii. John Hollins. London:
Ronald, 1953 , 1958 and 1967. ii. Zohreh BPT, paper.
Zahra'i. Wilmette: BPT, 1973. cloth and 58 . Stories of the Master. National Child Edupaper. cation Committee of Alaska. Eileen Lit-
40. Heroic Lives. Albert R. and Emily terel & Katy Main. ii. Katy Main. ed.
McClellan Vail. Boston: The Beacon Eugene B. Van Zanten. n.d. paper.
Press, 1917. cloth. 59. Study Course for Baha'u'llah and the New
41. Heroic Lives in Universal Religion, Era. Child Education Committee. Wil-
Teacher's Manual. Albert R. and Emily mette: BPC, 1942. paper.
McClellan Vail. Boston: The Beacon 60. Suggested Materials for Teaching Child-
Press, 1917 and 1928. cloth. ren's Classes. comp. (Beatrice Bechtold).
42 . Junior's Book of Religion, A. Marguerite American Indian Service Committee,
True. Wilmette: BPC, 1945. paper. 1964.paper.
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 577

61. Teacher's Handbook Volumes V and VI, 64. World Fellowship, A Universal Bahai
Children's Classes; Crafts and Games, News Letter of Consultation - Service for
combined. ed. Advisory Committee on Orphans-Education of Destitute and
Education. Helpless Children . Montclair, N. J. Vol. I,
62. To Live the Life. Child Education Com- 1923-.
mittee. New York: BPC, 1938. paper. 65. Nine Holy Days. Jackie Mehrabi. London:
63. Wonder Lamp, The. A. Q. Faizi. New BPT, 1975. paper.
Delhi: BPT, 1972. paper.

D. A PARTIAL BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ENGLISH-LANGUAGE
BOOKS BY NON-BAHA'fS IN WHICH MENTION IS MADE
OF THE BAHA'I FAITH
Compiled by Maureen Thur

1. Abbott, Evlyn and Campbell, Lewis. 14. - - . Seven Years That Changed the
Life of Benjamin Jowett. London: Mur- World, 1941-1948. Los Angeles: Kosray, 1897. Vol. 2: p. 466. man Press, 1940. p. 15.
2. Adams, Rev. Isaac. Persia By a Persian. 15. Andrews, Fannie Fern. The Holy Land
n.p., 1900. pp. 453- 490. Under Mandate. 2 vols. Boston: Hough-
3. Addison, James Thayer. The Christian ton Mifflin Co., 1931. Vol I: pp.
Approach to the Moslem. New York: 200-201.
Columbia University Press, 1942. 16. Anthony, A. P. , ed. Year Book and
4. Algar, Hamid. Mfrzii Malkum Khiin: a Almanac of the Holy Land. Chicago:
study in the history of Iranian modernism. Holy Land Almanac, 1936.
Berkeley: University of California Press, 17. Arberry, Arthur John. Oriental Essays:
1973.pp.11,46,58- 68,213-16,221-5, Portraits of Seven Scholars. London:
227, 306. George Allen & Unwin, 1960. pp.
5. - - . Religion and state in Iran, 168- 171.
1785 - 1906: the role of the Ulama in the 18. - - . Shiraz, Persian City of Saints and
Qajar period. Berkeley: University of Poets. Centers of Civilization Series,
California Press, 1969. pp. 136, 138-44, Book 2. Norman, Okla.: University of
146-51. Oklahoma Press, 1960. pp. xii, 25- 28.
6. Allen, Cady H. The Message of the Book 19. Arguments with a Non-Catholic. Pulaski,
of Revelation. Nashville: Cokesbury Wis.: Franciscan Printer, 1959.
Press, 1939. p. 188n. 20. Armajani, Yahya. Iran. Englewood
7. Allen, Devere. The Fight for Peace. New Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1972. pp.
York: Macmillan Co., 1930. pp. 619, 115- 117.
628. 21. - -. Middle East Past and Present.
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New York: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1904. 418. - -. Ten Thousand Miles in Persia or
Vol. I: pp . 121 - 182. Eight Years in Iran. London: John Mur-
402 . - - . The Unfinished Task of Foreign ray, 1902.
Missions. New York: Fleming H. Revell 419 . Thielman, Baron Max von. Journey in
Co., 1926. the Caucasus, Persia and Turkey in Asia.
403. Spengler, Oswald. The Decline of the 2 vols. London: n.p., 1875 . Vol. 1: p.
West-Perspectives of World History. 2 262; Vol. 2: pp. 52, 90-91.
vols. New York: Alfred Knopf, 1928 . p. 420. Thompson, Ernest. Spiritualism and the
228. Evolution of Religion. London: Psychic
The abridged edtion has no Baha'i Book Club, 1953.
mention. 421. Tillyard. Aelfrida . Spiritual Exercises
404. Spiegelberg, Frederic. Living Religions and Their Results. New York: Macmillan
of the World. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Co., 1927; London: Society for Promot-
Prentioe-Hall, 1956 . pp. 419-421. ing Christian Knowledge , 1927.
405. Stark, Freya. Baghdad Sketches. Lon- 422. Titus, Murray T. The Young Moslem
don: E. P. Dutton & Co., 1938 and J. Looks at Life. New York: Friendship
Murray, 1939. Press, 1937. pp. 61-62 .
406. Steiner, M. J . Inside Pan-Arabia. 423. Todd, A. J. Theories of Social Progress.
Chicago: Packart, 194 7 . p. 211. New York: Macmillan Co., 1924.
407. Stevenson, Dwight Eshelman. Faiths 424. Tolstoi , Leo Nikolaevich.- Kingdom of
That Compete for My Loyalty. St. Louis, God, What is Art? What is Religion? New
Mo.: Christian Board of Publication, York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1899. p. 353 .
1948 . pp. 71-72. 425. - - . What is Religion? And Other New
408. Stewart, George Rippey. American Way Articles and Letters. Trans. V. Tchertkoff
of Life. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, and A. C. Fifield. London: Free Age
1954. pp. 67, 69 . Press, 1902. p. 174.
409. Stoddard, Lothrop. The New World of 426. Toynbee, Arnold J. Christianity among
Islam. New York: Charles Scribner's the Religions of the World. New York :
Sons, 1922. p. 324. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1957. p. 104.
410. Storer, Rev. J. Thoughts That Build. New 427. - -. Civilization on Trial. New York:
York: Macmillan Co., 1924. Oxford University Press, 1948. p. 204 .
411. Storrs, Sir Ronald. Orientations. Lon- 428. - - . A Study of History. London:
don: Nicholson & Watson, 1939. pp. 67, Oxford University Press, 1939. Vol. 5: p.
322, 332. 174.
412. - - . The Memories of Sir Ronald 429. Tritton, Arthur Stanley. Islam; Beliefs
Storrs. New York: G . P. Putnam's Sons, and Practices. London: Hutchinson Uni-
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 591
versity Library, 1954. pp. 157-158. lishing Corp., 1970. pp. 79-90.
430. Trout, David M. Religious Behavior. 444. Vitzetelly, Frank H. Who? When?
New York: Ma,cmillan Co., 1931. pp. Where? What? New York: Funk & Wag-
281-282. nalls Co., 1920 and 1925.
431. Tweedie, Ethel Brilliana ('Mrs. Alec- Dictionary: 'Baha'i', page 8.
Tweedie'). Mainly East. New York: E. P. 445. Voss, Carl Hermann. In Search of Mean-
Dutton, 1922. pp. 252-253; London: ing. Cleve land, 0.: World Publishing
Hutchinson & Co., 1922. Co., 1968. pp . 158-159 .
432. Underhill, Evelyn. The Life of the Spirit 446. - - . The Universal God. Cleveland,
and the Life Today . London: Wetheren 0.: World Publishing Co., 1953. p. 269.
& Co., 1925. 447. Vreeland, Herbert H. Iran. New Haven,
433. Upton, Joseph M. The History of Mod- Conn.: Human Relations Area Files,
ern Iran, an Interpretation. Cambridge, 1957. pp. 101 , 254,296,297.
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434. Uris, Leon. Exodus Revisited. New 449. Wadia, Ardaser Sorabjee N. The Mes -
York: Doubleday, 1960. sage of Mohammed. London: J.M. Dent
Photo of Baha'i International Ar- & Sons, 1923. p. 141.
chives building, page 32. 450. Wagar, W. Warren. The City of Man:
435. Ussher, John. Journey from London to Prophecies of a World Civilization in
Persepolis. London: n.p., 1865. pp. 120, Twentieth-Century Thought. Boston:
627--629. Houghton Mifflin Co., 1963 . pp. 7,
436. Van Baalen, Jan Karl. The Chaos of 117-120, 300.
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& en!. ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, York: Grossman Publishers, 1971. p. 56.
1973. pp. 146-61. 452. Wallis, Wilson D. Messiahs: Christian
437. Vanderbilt, Cornelius, Jr. Man of the and Pagan. Boston: Richard G. Badger,
World, My Life on Five Continents. New 1918. pp. 111-116,228- 229.
York: Crown Publishers, 1959. pp. 453. Walstrum, Mary Price. The Nineteenth
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438. Van Passen, Pierre. Days of Our Years. Philadelphia: Dorrance & Co ., 1935:
New York: Hillman-Curl, 1939. p. 30. 454 . Warren, Edith, comp. Important Ameri-
439. Van Sommers, Tess. Religions in can Poets and Songwriters. 194 7. p. 141 .
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Bel iefs. Adelaide, Australia: Rigby, Persia. London: Smith Elder & Co., 1866.
1966. pp. 17-23. pp. 347-352, 360-362, 385-395,407-
Photo of interior of Baha'i House of 410.
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440. Vaughan, George. Temple and Towers Vol. 1: Islamic Philosophy and Theology.
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441. Vaughan, John Gaines. Religion, a 458 . Welch, Anthony. Calligraphy in the arts
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442. Vilnay, Zev. The Guide to Israel. 459 . Whalen, William J. Faiths for the Few.
Jerusalem: By the author, 3d rev. ed., Milwaukee, Wis.: Bruce Publishing Co.,
1958; 3d rev. ed., 1960. pp. 28, 1963. pp. v, vii, 36- 41; mention on dust
346- 347, 359. cover.
443. Vines, Ernest M. Gems of the East, or 460. White, Lyman Cromwell. International
God in every nation. Sydney: West Pub- Non-Governmental Organizations. New
592 THE BAHA'f WORLD

Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Whitman and His Times. New York:
Press, 1951. Harper, 1941.
461. Whittingham, George Napier. Th e 477. Wismer, Don. The Islamic Jesus. New
Home of Fadeless Splendour. New York: Garland Publishing Co., 1977 . p.
York: E.P. Dutton & Co. , (1921). pp. 254.
234-236. 4 78. Wolcott, Leonard and Carolyn. Reli-
Photo of 'Abdu'l-Baha being knigh- gions around th e World. Nashville:
ted, facing page 234. Abingdon Press, 1967. pp . 171,
462. Widgery, Alban G. Living Religions and 174-175 , 182.
Modern Thought. London: Williams & Children 's book illustrated by Gordon
Norgate, 1936. pp. 212-200. Laite.
463. Wiedyke, Robert G. and Hurd, Mary K. , 479. Wollaston, Arthur N. The Sword of
comps. American Concrete Institute 55 Islam. London: John Murray, 1905.
Year Index 1905-1959. Detroit, Mich. : 480 . Wons, Anthony . Tony's Scrap Book.
American Concrete Institute , 1960 . pp. Chicago: Reilly & Lee , 1932. p. 41.
15, 234 , 236. 481. Wood , Clement. The Outline of Man's
464. Wilber, Donald N. Iran-Past and Pres- Knowledge. New York: Grosset & Dunent. Princeton, N.J .: Princeton Univer- lap, 1927. p. 517.
sity Press, 1948. pp. 79-80. 482. Wright, Denis. The English amongst the
465. Williams, David Rhys . World Religions Persians. London: Heinemann, 1977.
and the Hop e for Peace. Boston: Beacon pp.44, 120, 164.
Press, 1951. pp. 142-151, 203, 218, 483. Wysner, Gloria M. Near East Panorama.
mention on dust cover. New York: Friendship Press, 1950 . pp.
466 . Williams, Henry Smith, ed. The His- 59-60.
torians' History of the World. 25 vols. 484. Young, Barbara. This Man from Leba-
London: Hooper & Jackson , 1904. Vol. non. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1945;
24: pp. 493-494,499. 1961, pp. 68- 69.
467. Williams, John Alden, ed. Themes of 485. Younghusband, Sir Francis. The Gleam.
Islamic Civilization . Berkeley, Calif.: London: John Murray, 1923. pp.
University of California, 1974. pp. 182-214.
242-243. 486. - - . Modern Mystics. London: John
468. Williamson, George Hunt. Road in the Murray, 1935; New Hyde Park, N.Y.: E.
Sky. London: Neville Spearman, 1959. P. Dutton& Co., 1935. pp. 97 - 142, 252,
469. - - . The Saucers Speak. London: 253.
Neville Spearman, 1963. p. 110. 487. - -. A Venture of Faith Being a
470. Wills, C. J. In the Land of the Lion and Description of the World Congress of
the Sun, or Modern Persia. London: Ward Faiths Held in London, 1936. London:
Lock & Co ., 1891. pp. 144, 153-156, Michael Joseph, 1937. pp. 50, 152-156.
164, 201,272,317, 339. 488 . Yonan, Isaac Malek. The Beloved Physi-
471. - - . Persia as It Is. London: Sampson, cian of Teheran . Nashville: Cokesbury
Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, Press, 1934. pp. 88-90.
1887. pp. 7-8. 489. Zwemer, Samuel M. Heirs of the
472. Wilson, Sir Arnold Talbot . The Modem Prophets. Chicago: Moody Press, 1946.
World. London: Ernest Benn, 1932. p. 118.
473. - - . Persia. London: Ernest Benn, 490. - - . Islam, a Challenge to Faith. New
1932. York: Student Volunteer Movement for
474. Wilson, Rev. Samuel Graham. Bahaism Foreign Missions, 1907. pp. 147-149,
and Its Claims. New York: Fleming 248.
Revell Co., 1915. 491. - - . The Moslem World. Cleveland,
475. - - . Persian Life and Customs . New 0.: J. H. Lamb, 1908. p. 200; Boston:
York: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1895. pp. United Society of Christian Endeavor,
12,62, 146, 185- 186,221. 1908. p. 200.
4 76. Win war, Frances. American Giant: Walt 492 . Zwemer, Samuel M. and Brown, Arthur
BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 593
J. The Nearer and Farther Eas1. New ference on Behalf of the Mohammedan
York: Macmillan Co., 1908. p. 98. World Held at Cairo, April 4th - 9th,
493. Zwemer, Samuel M. et al, ed. The 1906. New York: Young People's Mis-
Mohammedan World of To-Day being sionary Movement, 1906. pp. 17, 115,
Papers Read at the First Missionary Con- 116, 117-118, 121, 129-130.

E. A PARTIAL BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ENGLISH-LANGUAGE ITEMS
BY BAHA'IS IN WHICH MENTION IS MADE OF THE
BAHA'I FAITH

(published under non-Baha'i auspices)

Baker, Richard St. Barbe. I Planted Trees. Gillespie, Dizzy. To Be or Not .. . to Bop.
London: Lutterworth, 1944. Garden City: Doubleday, 1979.
- - . My Life My Trees. London: Lutter- Hayden, Robert. Angle of Ascent. New York:
worth , 1970. Liveright, 1975.
Banani, Amin. The Modernization of Iran , - - . The Night-Blooming Cereus. London:
1921-1941. Stanford: Stanford University Paul Breman, 1973.
Press, 1961. Kazemzadeh, Firuz. Russia and Britain in Per-
Bausani, Alessandro. The Persians from the sia, 1864 - 1914. New Haven: Yale Univer-
Earliest Days to the Twentieth Century . Lon- sity Press, 1968.
don: Elek , 1971. Leach, Bernard. Beyond East and West. Lon-
Cobb, Stanwood. The Real Turk. Boston: Pil- don: Faber and Faber, 1978.
grim Press , 1914. - -. Drawings, Verse and Belief London:
Cole, W. Owen, ed. World Religions: a Hand- Jupiter Books, 1973.
book for Teachers. London: Commission for Murchie , Guy. The Seven Mysteries of Life.
Racial Equality, 1977. Article by Philip Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1978.
Hainsworth. - -. Song of the Sky. Cambridge: Riverside
Danner, Ma rgaret Esse. The Down ofa Thistle. Press, 1954.
Waukesha : Country Beautiful, 1976. Prickett, John, ed. Initiation Rites. London:
Dunne, Finley P., ed. World Religions Speak Lutterworth Educational, 1978. Article by
on the 'Relevance of Religion to the Modern Philip Hainsworth.
World.' The Hague: Dr. W. Junk, 1970. Scrutton, Robert. The Other Atlantis. Jersey:
Article by Dr. H . M. Munje. Neville Spearman, 1977.
Fozdar, Jamshed. The God of Buddha. New Vail , Albert R. and Vail, Emily McClellan.
York: Asia Publishing House, 1973. Heroic Lives. Boston: Beacon Press, 1917.

F. A PARTIAL BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THESES RELATING TO THE
BAHA'I FAITH

Asander, Margit. (1974) Baha'[-Jsmen. Stock- Berger, Peter L. (1954) From Sect to Church:
holms Universitet, Religionshistoriska A Sociological Interpretation of the Baha'i
Institutionen. Movement. Ph.D., New York: New School
Baghdadi, Guita. (1977) Religion, Sante et of Social Research.
Medecine: Place de la Foi Baha'i. M.D. , Beveridge, Kent. (1977) Die gesellschaft-
Universite de Grenoble. spolitische Rolle der Baha'i-Verwaltung-
Behroozi, Shahla B. (1971) The Role of Balza'{ sordnung innerhalb der Gemeinschaft der
Faith in the Social Development of Baha'i Baha'i, unter besondere Betrachtung der zwei
Youth in Los Banos Laguna. Masters of leitenden lnstitutionen (The sociopolitical
Social Work, University of the Philippines. role of the Baha'f administrative order inside
594 THE BAHA'i WORLD

the Baha'i community, with special refer- Shi'i Islam. Ph.D. , Cambridge University.
ence to its two leading institutions). Docto- Murthi, R . Ganesa. (1969) The Growth of the
rate, Vienna. Bahti'( Faith in Malaysia. University of
Garrigues, Steve L. (1976) The Bahft'fs of Malaya.
Malwa: Identity and change among the Ong, Henry. (1978) Yan Kee Leong: a Biogra-
Urban Bahft'[s of Malwa. Ph.D., Lucknow phy of a Malaysian Cartoonist. M.S., Iowa
University . State University.
Hakim, Christine. (1971) Naissance de la Foi Parnian, Shahnaz. (1974) A Study of the
Bahft'(e, et Son Processus Social. M.A. , Uni- Methods of Communication Used by Bahti'(s
versite de Nanterre. in Educating Persons to Adopt Bahti'{ Faith.
Hakim-Samandari, Christine. (1979) Etude B.A. University of Rajasthan.
d'une Institution Religieuse: 'l'Ordre Philipp, Mango! Bayat. (1971) Mirza Aqii
Administratif Baha'i et la communaute des Khiin Kirmiini: 19thC Persian Revolutionary
fideles. Ph.D., Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Thinker. Ph.D., University of California at
Sciences Sociales. Los Angeles.
Izadinia, Foad. (1977) Centro de £studios de Rafati, Vahid. (1979) The Development of
Post Grado para Panama. M.A., Univer- Shaykhf Thought in Shtf Islam. Ph.D.,
sidad de Panama, Facultad de Arquitectura. University of California at Los Angeles .
Jackel, Rudolf. (1951) Die Glaubenslehren der Ross, Margaret J. (1979) Some Aspects of the
Bahti't-Religion. Ph.D., University of Bahti'( Faith in New Zealand. M.A. , Univer-
Ti.ibingen. sity of Auckland.
Johnson, Vernon Elvin. (1974) An Historical Rost, Harry. (1969) The Possible Nature and
Analysis of Critical Transformations in the Establishment of Bahti'( Universities and Col-
Evolution of the Bahti'{ World Faith. Ph.D., leges Based Upon a Study of Bahti'( Litera-
Baylor University, Texas. ture. D .Ed., University of South Dakota.
Kahn, Sandra Santolucito. (1977) Encounter Schaefer, Udo. (1957) Die Grundlagen der
of Two Myths: Bahti'( and Christian in the Verwaltungsordnung der Bahti'( (The foun-
Rural American South-A Study in Trans- dations of the Baha'i administrative order).
mythicization. Ph.D ., University of Califor- Doctorate, Heidelberg.
nia at Santa Barbara. Schmitz, Anke. (1973) Das Prophetenver-
Khazei, S. (1963) Finanzpolitische·Probleme in stiindnis der Baha'(-Religion aus der Sicht
der 'Neuen Weltordnung' auf Grund der ihrer Grunder. M.A., Millheim-Ruhr.
Bahti't-Lehre (Finance-political problems Scholl, Steven D. (1980) Imiimi Shi'ism and
in the 'New World Order' based on the Baha'i the Bahti'( Faith: a Preliminary Study. B.A.,
teachings). Doctorate, Innsbruck. University of Oregon.
Loi, Luciano. (1974) Alcuni Aspetti delta Fede Szepesi, Angela. (1968) A Proposed World
di Bahti'u'lltih (Some aspects of the faith of Order: Bahti'( Teachings and Institutions.
Baha'u'llah). Universita degli Studi di Cagli- M.A., Laval University, Quebec.
ari Facolta di Scienze Politiche. Ward, Allan Lucius. (1960) An Historical
Mahmoudi, Jalil. (1966) A Sociological Study of the North American Speaking Tour
Analysis of the Bahti'( Movement. Ph.D., of'Abdu'l-Baha and a Rhetorical Analysis of
University of Utah. His Addresses. Ph.D ., Ohio University.
Martin, James Douglas. (1967) The Life and Yazdani, Farhan. (1976) Les Deux Ailes d'un
Work of Sarah Jane Farmer, 1847-1916. Oiseau, ou: une introduction ii la Conception
M.A. University of Waterloo, Ontario. Baha'ie de la Sante. M.D., Universite de
McEoin, Denis. (1977)A Revised Surveyofthe Lyon.
Sources for Early Bab( Doctrine and History. Zabih, M. (1949) Die Losung der sozialen
Fellowship Dissertation, King's College, Frage auf Grund der Bahti't-Lehren (The
Cambridge. solution to the social question according to
McEoin, Denis. (1979) From Shaykhism to the Baha'i teachings). Doctorate, Stuttgart.
Babism: a Study in Charismatic Renewal in
ORIENT AL TERMS 595

III
ORIENT AL TERMS

1. TRANSLITERATION OF ORIENTAL WORDS
FREQUENTLY USED IN BAHA'I LITERATURE

'Aba 'Aziz Fars I~fahan
Abadih Farsakh 'Iwqabad
'Abbas Bab Fat9-'Ali Iwraqat
'Abdu'l-Baha Babi Firdaws Ifil}tihard
'Abdu'l-I:Iamid Babu'I-Bab Firdawsi Islam
'Abdu'l-I:Iusayn Baghdad Isma'iliyyih
'Abdu'llah Baha Ganjih 'Izzat
Abha Baha'i Gflan
Abu'l-Fa<;ll Baha'u'llah Gui Jal al
'Adasiyyih Bahiyyih Gulistan Jamadiyu'l-Avval
Adhan Bahji Gurgin Jamal
Adhirbayjan Baluchistan Jamal-i-Mubarak
Afnan Bandar-' Abbas I:Iabib Jamal-i-Qidam
Agh~an Baqir I:Iadilh Jasb
'Ahd Baqiyyatu'llah I:Ia<;trat Jubbih
A9mad Barfurush I:Ia ji
A9sa'i Ba~rih I:Iaji Mirza Aqasi Ka'bih
Ahvaz Ba turn I:Iajj Kad-Khuda
Akbar Bay an Hamadan Kalan tar
'Akka Bayt I:Iaram Kali mat
'Ala' Big I:Iasan Kamal
'Ali Birjand Hawdaj Karand
'Ali-Mu9ammad Bifil}arat I:Iaydar-' Ali Karbila
Allah-u-Abha Bismi'llah Haykal Kaw an
Alva9 Bukhara I:Ia?iratu'l-Quds Kawkul
Alva9-i-Salatin Burujird l:lijaz Kawmu'~-~a'ayidih
Amatu' l-Baha Bushihr Hijrat Kawlhar
Amin Bufil}ru'i Himmat-Abad Ka?im
Amir Buwruyih I:Iujjat Ka?imayn
Arnir-Ni?am I:Iusayn Khalkhal
Amru'llah Chihriq Khan
Amul Ibrahim Khaniqayn
Anzali Dala'il-i-Sab'ih fl Khayli Khub
Aqa Darughih 'Ilm Khurasan
Aqdas Dawlat-Abad Imam Khuy
'Arabistan DhabiQ Imam-Jum'ih Kirman
Asma' Duzdab Imam-Zadih Kirmanshah
Astarabad fqan Kitab-i-' Ahd
'Avashiq Fara'id fr an Kitab-i-Aqdas
Ayadi Fa ran 'Iraq Kitab-i-Asma'
Azal Farman 'Iraqi Kitab-i-Badi'
'A?amat Farrash-Bashi 'Iraq-i-' A jam Kitab-i-fqan
596 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Kulah Mu~!afa Rafsanjan Sul!fou'sh-Shuhada'
Kurdistan Mustagha!.!:! Ral)Jm Sunni
Mu?affari'd-Din Ra!) man Suratu'l-Haykal
Lahijan Ral)mat Surih
Lar Ra'is Suriy-i-Damm
Nabfl
Law!) Ramac;Ian Suriy-i-Ghu~n
Nabfl-i-A'?am
Luristan Ras ht Suriy-i-Ra'is
Najaf
Najaf-Abad Rawl)ani Suriy-i-Sabr
Madrisih Ric;Ivan
Naqic;Iin
MaJ:ibubu'sh-Shuhada Ruhu'llah
Na~ir Tabarsi
Mahd-i-'Ulya
Na~iri'd-Dfn Tabriz
Mah-Ku Sabzivar
Navvab Tahirih
MaJ:imud Naw-Ruz Sadratu'l-Muntaha Tajalliyat
Malayir SaJ:iibu'z-Zaman
Nayriz Takur
Man- Yu?hiruhu'llah SaJ:iffatu'l-J:Iaramayn Taqf
Nishapur
Maqam Sa'id
Nuq!ih Tarazat
Maraghih Salsa bf!
Nur Tarbiyat
MarJ:iaba Samarqand Tashkand
Marv Sangsar
Pahlavi Tawl)fd
Masa'il Sari
Pa ran Thurayya
Mashhad Saysan Tihran
Mashiyyat Sha'ban Tuman
Ma~riqu'l-A@kar Qac;Ii Shah Turkistan
Masjid Qadiyan Shahid
Maydan Qahqahih Shahmfrzad
'U la ma
Mazindaran Qa'im Shahrud
UrumJyyih
Mihdi Qajar Sharaf
'U!.!:! ma n
MiJ:irab Qalyan Shari' ah
Milan Qam~ar Shaylgl
Mi' raj Qa~r-i-Shfrin Shaykh-Tabarsf VaJ:iid
Mirza Qawl Shaykhu'l-Islam Vali
Mishk.in-Qalam Qayyum Shi'ah (Shi'ih) Vali-'Ahd
Mu'adhdhin Qayyumu'l-Asma' Shiraz Varqa
Mufti Qazvfn Shuilitar Vazfr (also Vizfr)
MuJ:iammad Qiblih Sim nan
MuJ:iammad-' Ali Qu£han Sis tan Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha
MuJ:iammarih Quddus Siyah-Chal YaJ:iya
MuJ:iarram Qudrat Siyyid Yazd
Mujtahid Qum Sllfi
Mulk Qur'an Sulayman Zanjan
Mull a Qurban Sul!an Zarand
Munirih Qurratu'l-' Ayn Sul!an-Abad Zaynu'l-Muqarrabin
ORIENTAL TERMS 597

2. GUIDE TO TRANSLITERATION AND
PRO NUN CIA TION OF THE
PERSIAN ALPHABET

t . . ... a
L
•
.. .. kh uD ...... ~ ~ ..... k

'--' J' :;.( .... . g
• . .. .. b i>. ..... d ..... <;I

-
' -• ' .. . .. p ::;, .... dh ~ . . .... ! J ...... 1

~
. .... m
"-..::J ...... t _). ... . .. r
E •... . ?-
•
~ ..... !.h
~
- .. . .. z
.E .. . ... ' _,,
<..:) ... . . n

-c ...... j
_.) ····~
~
.. . . gh
~
. . ... v

.....h

~ . ... ch
....r.- ...... s
~ ...... f
~ .. .. . . ,
. .... y

L.. ... .. I)
~ .... fill 0 ..... q
s

a ... as in i ... as (e) in u . . . as ( o) in aw ... as m
account best short mown
a . . . as in I ... as(ee)in u . . . as (oo) in
arm meet moon

The 'I' added to the name of a town signifies 'belonging to' . Thus Shfrazf means native of Shiraz.

3. NOTES ON THE PRONUNCIATION
OF PERSIAN WORDS
The emphasis in Persian words is more or and the second syllable to rhyme with on.
less evenly distributed, each syllable being Americans are apt to pronounce short 'a' plus
equally stressed as in French . For example, do 'r' like the verb form a re; this is a mistake; 'ar'
not say Tabriz or Tabarsf ; stay as long on one should be pronounced as in the word
syllable as on the next; Tabriz; Tabarsf. (While hurry- cf. Tarblyat.
there are many exceptions to this rule, it is the The same differentia tion should be observed
most generally correct method of treating the in the case of long and short 'i' and long and
question of stress.) short 'u'. As the guide to the transliteration
A frequent mistake is the failure to distin- indicates, short ' i' is like 'e' in best, and long 'f'
guish between broad and ft at 'a's.' This differen- like 'ee' in meet; for example, Ibrahim is protiation makes the language especially musical nounced Eb-raheem; Islam is Ess-lahm. Short
and should be observed: in the word Afnan, for 'u' being like 'o' in short, and long 'u' like 'oo'
example, pronounce the first 'a' as in account. in moon, the following would be pronounced:
598 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Quddus- Qod-dooss; Barfurufil}- Bar- In the case of double letters pronounce each
foroosh. separately: 'Ab-bas.
Pronounce 'aw' to rhyme with low , or mown; The character transliterated (') represents a
Naw-Ruz is No-Rooz. pause; it is not unlike the initi al so und made in
The following consonants may be pro- pronouncing such a word as every. The word
nounced like z: dh, z, '.?, <;!. Baha'i is phonetically as follows: 'a' as in
T he following consonants may be pro- account; 'a' as in hall; ('), pause; 'i'as ee in
nounced like ss: !_h, s, ~- meet.
Zh is pronounced like the 's' in pleasure. K!J The character transliterated (') may also be
is pronounced like 'ch' in Scottish lo ch or Ger- treated as a pause .
man nacht. Do not pronoun ce it as ' k'. Western- N.B. As Persian often indicates no vowel
ers often experience difficulty pronouncing sounds and as its pronunciation differs in dif-
'gh' and 'q'; a guttural French ' r' will serve ferent localities throughout Persia and the
here; otherwise use hard 'g' as in good. Near East as well as among individuals in any
H and ~, approximately like the English given locality, a uniform system of transliteraaspirate 'h' , should never be dropped. Tihran is tion such as the above, which is in use by Baha'i
Teh-ron; madrisih is mad-res-seh; Mi~rab is communities all over the world, is indispe ns-
Meh-rob . able to the student.

Calligraphic arrangement ofpart ofthe opening sentence ofthe Will and Testament of'Abdu' l-
Bahti: 'All Praise to Him Who, by the Shield of His Covenant, hath guarded the Temple of
His Cause.'
ORIENTAL TERMS 599

4. DEFINITIONS OF SOME OF THE ORIENT AL
TERMS USED IN BAHA'I LITERATURE
Ab: Father. Badf' calendar.
Aba, Abu, Abi: Father of. Bab: 'Gate'. Title ass umed by Mirza 'Ali-
'Aba: Cloak or mantle . MuJ:iammad, after the declaration of His
'Abdu'l-Baha: Servant of Baha. Mission in Shiraz in May 1844 A .D .
Abha: Most Glorious . Babi: Follower of the Bab.
Adhan: Muslim call to prayer. Babu'l-Bab: 'The Gate of the Gate'. Title of
Adib: literally 'the learned'. Mulla I:Iusayn, the first Letter of the Living.
Afnan: literally 'twigs'. Denotes the relations of Badi': literally 'the wonderful'.
the Bab. Baha: 'Glory', 'splendour', 'light'. Title by
Agh~an: literally 'branches'. Denotes sons and which Baha'u'llah (Mirza I:Iusayn-' Ali) is
male descendants of Baha'u'llah. designated. First month of the Badi' calen-
A.H.: 'Anno Hejirae'. Year of MuJ:iammad's dar.
migration from Mecca to Medina, and the Baha'i: Follower of Baha'u'llah.
beginning of the Muslim era. Baha'u'l-Abha: 'The Glory of the Most Glori-
'Ahd: Covenant. ous'.
AJ:isanu'l-Qi~a~: One of the commentaries on Baha'u'llah: 'The Glory of God'. Title of Mirza
the Qur'an revealed by the Bab, on the I:Iusayn-'Ali; born Tihran, Persia, 12 Nov.
Surih of Joseph, translated by Tahirih. 1817; ascended Bahjf, Palestine (now
Akbar: 'Greater', 'greatest'. (See 'Kabir'.) Israel), 29 May 1892 .
A'la: 'The Most Exalted One', a title of the Bahji: literally 'delight'. Denotes that part of
Bab. the Plain of 'Akka (Israel) where the Shrine
'Ala': 'Loftiness'. Nineteenth month of the and the Mansion of Baha'u'llah are situated.
Badi' calendar. Bani-Hashim: The family from which
'Ali: The first Imam, the rightful successor of MuJ:iammad was descended.
MuJ:iammad; also the fourth Caliph. Baqiyyatu'llah: 'Remnant of God'; title
Allah: 'God'. applied both to the Bab and to Baha'u'llah.
Allah-u-Abha: 'God is All-Glorious'. The Bayan: 'Exposition', 'explanation'. Title given
Greatest Name, adopted during the period by the Bab to His Revelation, and to two of
of Baha'u'llah's exile in Adrianople as a His Writings, one in Persian the other in
greeting among Baha'is. 1 Arabic.
Allah-u-Akbar: 'God is the Most Great'. Baytu'l-'Adl-i-A'~am: The Universal House of
Superseded by 'Allah-u-Abha' during the Justice.
Adrianople period .2 Big: Honorary title; lower title than Khan.
Al-Madinah: The city to which MuJ:iammad Bisharat: literally 'Glad tidings'. Title of one of
migrated. (See 'A.H.') the Tablets of Baha'u'llah.
Amin: literally 'the trusted' . Trustee. Caravansary (also 'caravanserai', 'caravan-
Amir: 'Prince', 'ruler', 'commander', 'gover- sera'): An inn for caravans.
nor' . Darughih: 'High constable' .
Aqa: 'Master'. Title given by Baha'u'llah to Dawlih: 'State', 'government'.
'Abdu'l-Baha . Also 'Mister' when preceding Dhi'b: 'The Wolf, an appellation applied by
a name . Baha'u'llah to Shaykh MuJ:iammad-Baqir.
Aqdas: 'The Most Holy'. Dhikr: 'Remembrance', 'commemoration',
Asma: 'Names'. Ninth month of the Badi' 'mention'; praise or glorification of God;
calendar. recital of His Names; religious exercise or
Ayyam: (See Ha). ceremony; (plural adhkar) .
A'~am: 'The greatest'. EI-Abha: Properly, al-Abha, 'The Most
'A~amat: 'Grandeur'. Fourth month of the Glorious'.
' God Passes By, p. 176. Farman: 'Order', 'command', 'royal decree'.
ibid ., p. 18. Farrash: 'Footman', 'lictor', 'attendant'.
600 THE BAHA'l WORLD

Farrash-Bashi: The head-farrash. Imam-Zadih: Descendant of an Imam or his
Farsakh: Unit of measurement. Approxi- shrine.
mately three miles or five kilometres. Insha'allah: 'If God wills it'.
Fatva: Sentence or judgement by Muslim fqan: literally 'certitude'. The title of Baha'u'-
mufti. llah's Epistle to one of the uncles of the
Ghu~an: 'Branch'. Son or male descendant of Bab.
Baha'u'llah. Ishraqat: literally 'splendours'. Title of one of
Ha, (Days of): Ayyam-i-Ha. The Intercalary the Tablets of Baha'u'llah.
Days, so named by Baha'u'llah in the Kitab- Israfil: The angel whose function is to sound
i-Aqdas, where He also ordained that they the trumpet on the Day of Judgement.
should immediately precede the month of 'Izzat: 'Might'. Tenth month of the Badf'
'Ala', i.e. the month of fasting which closes calendar.
the Baha'i year. Every fourth year the Jahiliyyih: The dark age of ignorance among
number of the Intercalary Days is raised the Arabs before the appearance of
from four to five. MuQammad.
l;ladi!h: Tradition. The whole body of the sa- Jalal: 'Glory' . Second month of the Badi'
cred tradition of the Muslims is called the calendar.
Qadi!h. (Plural aQadi!h.) Jamal: ' Beauty'. Third month of the Badi'
l;lac;lrat: literally 'threshold'. Courtesy title calendar.
sometimes translated as 'His Holiness'. Jamal-i-Mubarak: literally 'the Blessed
l;laji: A Muslim who has performed the pil- Beauty', applied to Baha'u'llah.
grimage to Mecca. Jamal-i-Qidam: literally 'the Ancient Beauty',
l;laram-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Sanctuary, a applied to Baha'u'llah.
designation given by the Guardian to the Jihad: Holy war, as specified in Qur'an .
north-western quadrant of the garden sur- Jinab: Courtesy title sometimes translated 'His
rounding the Shrine of Baha'u'llah. Honour'.
Hawdaj (Howdah): A litter carried by a camel, Jubbih: An outer coat.
mule, horse or elephant for travelling pur- Ka'bih: Ancient shrine at Mecca. Now recogposes. nized as the most holy shrine of Islam.
l;la~iratu'l-Quds: 'The Sacred Fold', official Kabir: literally 'great'. (See 'Akbar'.)
title designating headquarters of Baha'i Kad-khuda: Chief of a ward or parish in a
administrative activity. town; headman of a village.
Hijrat (also 'Hijra', 'Hegira'.): literally 'Migra- Kalantar: 'Mayor'.
tion'. The basis of Islamic chronology. The Kalim: 'One who discourses'.
date of MuQammad's migration from Mecca Kalimu'llah: 'One Who converses with God'.
to Medina. Title given to Moses in the Islamic dispensal;luququ'llah: 'Right of God'; payment by tion.
believers instituted in the Kitab -i-Aqdas. Kalimat: 'Words'. Seventh month of the Badi'
l;lusayniyyih: Place where martyrdom of calendar.
J:Iusayn is mourned, or where Muslim pas- Kamal: 'Perfection'. Eight month of the Badi'
sion plays may be presented. Designation calendar.
given by Shf'ahs to Baha'u'llah's Most Great Karbila'f: A Muslim who has performed the
House in Baghdad, forcibly occupied by pilgrimage to Karbila.
them. Kaw!har: A river in Paradise, whence all the
Ibn: 'Son'. other rivers derive their source.
11: 'Clan'. Khadimu'llah: 'Servant of God'. Title of Mirza
'flm: 'Knowledge'. Twelfth month of the Badi' Aqa Jan. 1
calendar. Khan: 'Prince', ' lord', 'nobleman', 'chieftain'.
Imam: Title of the twelve Shf'ah successors of Khan: similar to a caravansary.
MuQammad. Also applied to Muslim religi- Khic;lr: literally 'The Green One'. Said to have
ous leaders. lived at the time of Abraham, drank from the
Imam-Jum'ih: Chief of the mullas, who recites
the Friday prayers for the sovereign. 1
God Passes By, p. 115.
ORIENTAL TERMS 601
fountain of life , and is called its custodian. day of the martyrdom of I:Jusayn.
He is also said to symbolize the true guide. Mulk: 'Dominion'. Eighteenth month of the
His name does not occur in the Qur'an, but Badi' calendar.
some commentators identify him with the Mujtahid: Muslim doctor-of-law. Most of the
mysterious personage referred to in Qur' an mujtahids of Persia have received their dip-
18:59-81. lomas from the most eminent jurists of Kar-
Khutbih: Sermon delivered on Fridays at noon bila and Najaf.
in Islamic religion. Mulla: Muslim priest.
Kitab: ' Book' . Mustagha!h: 'He Who is invoked', the numeri-
Kitab-i-Aqdas: literally 'The Most Holy cal value of which has been assigned by the
Book' . Title of Baha' u'llah's Book of Laws. Bab as the limit of the time fixed for the
Kulah: The Persian lambskin hat worn by advent of the promised Manifestation.
government employees and civilians. Muti~arrif: ' Governor'.
Madrisih: ' Seminary', 'school ', 'religious col- Nabfl: ' Learned ', ' noble'.
lege'. Naw-Ruz: 'New Day' . Name applied to the
Man- Yu~hiruhu'llah: 'He Whom God will Baha'i New Year's Day; according to the
make manifest'. The title given by the Bab to Persian calendar the day on which the sun
the Promised One. enters Aries .
Mar!)aba: 'Bravo! Well done!' N uqtih : 'Point'.
Masa'il: 'Questions'. Fifteenth month of the Nur: 'Light'. Fifth month of the Badi' calendar.
Badi' calendar. Pahlavan: 'Athlete', 'champion'; term applied
Mashhadi: A Muslim who has performed the to brave and muscular men.
pilgrimage to Mashhad. Pasha: Honorary title formerly given to
Mashiyyat: 'Will'. Eleventh month of the Badi' officers of high rank in Turkey.
calendar. Pi§hki§h: 'Present', 'tip', 'douceur'.
Mashriqu'l-Adhkar: literally 'the dawning Qa<;li: 'Judge'; civil , criminal and ecclesiastical.
place of the praise of God'. Title designating Qa'im: 'He Who shall arise' . Title designating
Baha'i Houses of Worship. the Promised One of Islam.
Masjid: Mosque; Muslim place of worship. Qalyan: A pipe for smoking through water.
Maydan : A square or open place. Qawl: 'Speech'. Fourteenth month of the Badi'
Mih<;li: Title of the Manifestation expected by calendar.
Muslims. Qiblih: 'Point of Adoration'; prayer-direction
Mi!)rab: The principal place in a mosque where toward which the faithful turn in prayer. The
the Imam prays with his face turned towards Most Holy Tomb of Baha'u'llah at Bahji is
Mecca . 'the Heart and Qiblih of the Baha'i world'.'
Mi'raj: 'Ascent'. Used with reference Qurban: 'Sacrifice'.
Mu!)ammad's ascension to heaven. Qudrat: ' Power'. Thirteenth month of the
Mirza: A contraction of 'Amir-Zadih', mean- Badi' calendar.
ing son of Amir. When affixed to a name it Qur'an: 'The Reading'; 'that which ought to be
signifies prince; when prefixed, simply mis- read'. The Book revealed to MuQ.ammad.
ter. Rabbi-i-A'la: ' Exalted Lord'. One of the
Mishkin-Qalam: literally 'the musk-scented designations of the Bab.
pen'. Title applied to a famed Baha'i callig- RaJ:imat: 'Mercy' . Sixth month of the Badi'
raphist. calendar.
Mu'adhdhin: The one who sounds the Adhan , Ra'is: 'President', 'head' . LawJ:i-i-Ra'is, a Tabthe Muslim call to prayer. let addressed to the Prime Minister of Tur-
Mufti: Expounder of Muslim law; gives a fatva key by Baha'u'llah.
or sentence on a point of religious jurispru- Ri<;lvan: 'Paradise'; also the name of the custodence . dian of Paradise. The holiest and most
Mu!)arram: First month of the Muslim year, significant of all Baha'i festivals comthe first ten days o_f which are observed by memorating Baha'u'llah's Declaration of
Shi'ahs as part of their mourning period for
the Imams. The tenth day, 'Ashura', is the 1
God Passes By , pp. 110, 277.
602 THE BAHA'I WORLD

His Mission to His companions in 1863, a Siyyid: Descendant of the Prophet MuJ:iamtwelve-day period beginning on 21 April and mad.
celebrated annually. $Ufi: Mystics or mystical doctrine in Islam.
Sadratu'l-Muntaha: The Divine Lote Tree; the Sul!an: 'Sovereignty'. Seventeenth month of
Tree beyond which there is no passing. the Badf' calendar.
$adr-i-A''.?am: 'Prime Minister'. Sunni, Sunnite: From 'Sunna' (the Way or
$aJ:iibu'z-Zaman: 'Lord of the Age'; one of the Practice of the Prophet, as reported in the
titles of the promised Qa'im. J:iadf!h.) By far the largest sect of Islam, this
Salam: 'Peace', 'salutation'. Muslim greeting. includes the four so-called orthodox sects:
Word used to end a thesis. Hanbalites, Hanafites, Malikites, Shafiites.
Salsabil: A fountain of Paradise. Surih: Name of the chapters of the Qur'an.
Samandar: literally 'the phoenix'. Suriy-i-Muluk: 'Surih of Kings'; Tablet
Sarkar-Aqa: literally 'The Honourable Mas- revealed by Baha'u'llah in Adrianople.
ter', applied to 'Abdu'l-Baha. Ta: Letter 'T' standing for Tihran.
Shah: 'King', especially of Persia. Taj: literally 'crown'; tall felt headdress
Shah-Bahram: World Saviour and Promised adopted by Baha'u'llah in 1863, on the day
One of the Zoroastrians. Fulfilled by Baha'u' - of His departure from His Most Holy House .
llah. Tajalliyat: literally 'effulgences'. Title ofone of
Shahid: 'Martyr'. Plural of martyr is 'Shuhada'. the Tablets of Baha'u'llah.
Sharaf: 'Honour' . Sixteenth month of the Ba di' Takyih: Religious establishment; usual place
calendar. of observance of the martyrdom of Imam
Shari'ah, Sharf'at: Muslim canonical law. The I:Iusayn.
law. Tarazat: literally 'ornaments'. Title of one of
Shaykh: Venerable old man; man of authority; · the Tablets of Baha'u'llah.
elder, chief, professor, superior of a dervish Tuman: Unit of Iranian currency.
order, etc. 'Ulama: Plural of 'one who knows' ; 'learned' ,
Shaykhf: School founded by Shaykh-AJ:imad- 'a scholar'.
i-AJ:isa'f. Among his doctrines, in addition to 'Urvatu'l-Vuthqa: literally 'the strongest
the imminent dual Advent, was that the handle'; symbolic of the Faith of God.
Prophet MuJ:iammad's material body did not VaJ:iid: 1. A 'unity' or section of the Bayan. The
ascend on the night of the Mi'raj. Persian Bayan consists of nine VaJ:iids of
Shaykhu'l-Islam: Head of religious court, nineteen chapters each , except the last,
appointed to every large city by the Shah. which has only ten chapters. 2. The eighteen
Shi' ah, Shi'ih, Shi'ite: Party (of' Ali). Partisan Letters of the Living (constituting the Bab's
of 'Ali and of his descendants as the sole first disciples) and the Bab Himself. 3. Each
lawful 'Vicars of the Prophet', The Shi'ahs cycle of nineteen years in the Badf' calendar.
reject the first three Caliphs, believing that The word, signifying unity, symbolizes the
the successorship in Islam belonged right- unity of God. The numerical values of the
fully to 'Ali (first Imam and fourth Caliph) letters of this word total nineteen.
and to his descendants by divine right. Orig- VaJ:iid: 'Unique'.
inally, the successorship was the vital point Vall: 'Governor'.
of difference, and Islam was divided because Vall: 'Guardian'.
MuJ:iammad's (albeit verbal) appointment of Vall-' Ahd: 'heir to the throne'.
'Ali was disregarded. Varaqiy-i-'Ulya: literally 'the Most Exalted
$irat: literally 'bridge' or 'path'; denotes the Lear , applied to Baha'fyyih (Bahiyyih)
religion of God. Khan um, sister of' Abdu'l-Baha. 1
Sfyah-Chal: Black Pit in Tihran where, in Varga: literally 'the dove'.
August 1852, Baha'u'llah was chained in the Vazfr (Vizir, Vizier): Minister of State. Grand
darkness three flights of stairs underground, Vazir; Prime Minister.
with some 150 thieves and assassins. Here Vilayat: 'Guardianship'.
He received the first intimations of His
world Mission. Ho liest place in Persia's 1
The Bahti'( World, Vol. V, p. 205; 'Genealogy of Bah:\'-
capital. u'llah'.
ORIENTAL TERMS 603
Waqf: Muslim endowments; in Persia, the Zaynu'l-Muqarrabfn: literally 'the Orna ment
landed property of the expected Imam. of the favoured'.
Ya: 'O'-e.g., Ya Baha'u' l-Abha (0 Thou the Zamzam : Sacred well within the precincts of
Glory of the Most Glorious!) the Great Mosque at Mecca . Though salty,
Zadih: 'Son'. its water is much esteemed for pious uses,
Zawra': A term sign ifying Baghdad. such as ab lutions, and drinking after a fast.
Calligraphic arrangement by Mishkfn-Qalam of the invocation : 'Praise be to God, the
Exalted, the Beloved!'
PART SEVEN
LITERARY AND MUSICAL WORKS
I
ESSAYS AND REVIEWS

1. THE UNITY OF RELIGION AND SCIENCE

WILLIAMS . HATCHER

0 F all the conflicts which exist in contem- edge gives greater mastery and, at the same
porary society none is more destructive both time, greater humility before the everfor individual and social life than the conflict increasing vastness of the unknown which lies
between religion and science. For the indi- before us.
vidual, religion is the expression of a need for Basically, then, the religious urge and the
self-transcendence, a need to feel a purpose scientific urge are complementary, as each
which is God-given and not self-created. For reinforces the other.
society, religion represents the need for unity, Of course , the thrill of first mastery which
love, harmony, and co-operation. Science, by the adolescent experiences gives him a sense of
contrast, represents the need to know, to omnipotence and an exaggerated pride in his
understand, to gain mastery over ourselves and knowledge. Some people never outgrow this
our environment. This is true both for the indi- immature response to knowledge and, therevidual who needs knowledge in order to func- fore , become blind or insensitive to the vasttion in his own life and for society which needs ness of their ignorance. This is the state of an
organized knowledge in order to progress. individual or a society in which the scientific
Returning for the moment to the individual's urge prevails while the religious urge is
viewpoint, we might say that the religious urge excluded.
is an urge to be encompassed. It is an urge to In such a case people have a sense of being in
feel oneself a part of something greater. The . absolute control when, in reality, their control
scientific urge is an urge to encompass. It is an is very limited and relative. This is the situation
urge to manipulate, control, direct, and domi- which largely characterizes modern Western
nate. There is no contradiction in these two technological society. Western man has given
urges since it is clearly possible for us to be in in almost totally to the scientific urge, the urge
control on one level of our functioning while, at to dominate, manipulate, control, and direct.
the same time, being controlled or encompas- Because he has lost his humility before his
sed on another level. Indeed, since our knowl- ignorance, he has gradually overproduced,
edge is always relative, we are in fact con- overdirected, and overcontrolled. The results
stantly in the position of having a relative mas- of this immoderation are to be seen everytery over part of our environment (including where. It has led to pollution and destruction of
the selt) while being encompassed by that part the natural cycle, as we begin to discover,
which we do not know. Moreover, the further perhaps too late, just how much damage we
we make progress in knowledge, the more we may have unwittingly done. It has led to marealize just how great our ignorance is. There is nipulation of the public through mass media. It
an increasing realization of being encompassed has produced engines of war of unimaginable
by the unknown which accompanies the exten- destructive power.
sion of the boundaries of the known, for new On the personal level, the use of the social
knowledge also reveals the existence of science of psychology, without the counterbalhitherto unsuspected unknowns. Greater know I- ance of religion, has resulted in a painful self-
Author's note: This essay, revised for inclusion in the international record, originally appeared in World Order, Spring 1975,
<!:! 1975 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the BaM'is of the United States. It was reprinted in slightly altered form in
Bahd'f Studies, vol. 2, September 1977, a publication of the Canadian Association for Studies on the Baha'i Faith.
608 THE BAHA'I WORLD

consciousness for the individual as he enters an we call childhood.
increasingly vicious circle of self-analysis and Maturity or adulthood in the life of the indiintrospection in a futile attempt to encompass vidual comes with the integration and balance
himself with his own mind. of these two urges. It does not come by remain-
We might say, then , that modern society is ing continually adolescent. The adolescent,
adolescent in that it is characterized by the false because he is unsure of himself, needs, in his
sense of omnipotence that comes from having typical Western manifestation, continually to
abandoned itself to the scientific urge to the prove hi s independence by rebellious and
exclusion of the religious urge. Let anyone who exaggerated gestures. The adult, however,
feels that science alone can provide the basis knows how to accept a mature and conscious
for human progress ask himself whether, at this dependence. The adult knows, for example,
moment, the future of society stands in greater that he is dependent on society, and so he
danger from science and its fruits or from relig- obeys its laws. The extreme form of adolescent
ion and its fruits. independence is lawlessness.
What happens when society abando ns itself To be sure, the dependence of the adult is no
to the religious urge to the exclusion of the longer the absolute dependence of childhood.
scientific urge? Since there will be a common It is a dependence based on the relative masfeeling of humility before the unknown , there tery of the adolescent. It is a dependence which
will be a strong sense of unity within such a is conscious because the adult is aware of his
society. People will be drawn together by the limitations as well as of his mastery. He thus
shared awareness of being encompassed by abandons his adolescent sense of omnipotence
and submitted to unknown (generally non- for a more realistic give and take. The giving
human) forces. The feeling or sense of unity will results from the degree of mastery, and the
be strong, but if the scientific urge is neglected , taking from an intelligent realization of need.
the concrete realization of that sense of unity It is the foolish person who thinks that, because
will be very limited. he is ad ult, he has no genuine needs and, there-
For example, without the means of organiza- fore, does not have to take. It is the immature
tion, education, communication, and transpor- adult who remains in a childish state of exagtation, which come only from a certain mastery gerated dependence and crippled mastery.
of the environment, the gathering of large The Baha'i principle of the unity of religion
groups of people will be difficult as will be the and science applies this same principle of comcommunication between the physically sepa- plementarity, so clearly true for individuals , to
rate groups. It will, therefore, be difficult for human society as a whole. 'Abdu'l-Baha has
people to share ideas, languages, history, and said:
the like. Society will remain organized in small
Religion and science are the two wings upon
villages, each with its particular expression of
which man's intelligence can soar into the
the intuitively-perceived unity and with its parheights, with which the human soul can proticular history. There will be many different
gress. It is not possible to fly with one wing
dialects and religious experiences. Because of
alone! Should a man try to fly with the wing of
the relative lack of mastery of the environreligion alone he would quickly fall into the
ment, inhabitants of different villages will be
quagmire of superstition, whilst on the other
limited in the degree to which they can share
hand, with the wing ofscience alone he would
their experiences. This will make it difficult for
also make no progress, but fall into the
them to go beyond superficial differences and
despairing slough of materialism. 1
realize the basic similarity underlying various
types of experience. Concerning the state of religion without sci-
The dominant feature of such a society will ence, 'Abdu'l-Baha has further stated:
be its dependence on the unknown forces. We
Any religion that contradicts science or that is
might say, then, that such a society is childlike
opposed to it, is only ignorance-for ignorbecause the lack of mastery, the dependence,
ance is the opposite of knowledge .
and the passivity with respect to the environ- 1
'Abdu' I-Bah:I, Paris Talks: Addresses Given by 'A bdu'/-
ment are all characteristics of the stage of Bahtl in Paris in 1911-1912, 11th ed. (London: Baha'i
development in the life of an individual which Publishing Trust, 1969), p. 143.
ESSAYS AND R EV IEW S 609
Religion which consists only of rites and set your faces towards the Most Sublime
ceremonies of prejudice is not the truth. 1 Word through which the Scriptures and the
Books and this lucid Tablet have been dis-
And again:
tinctly set forth. 6
All religions of th e present day have fallen
Since it is the adolescen t excess of the sciinto superstitious practices out of harmony
entific urge th at characterizes the modern
alike with the true principles of the teaching
world, the move to maturity can only come by
they represent and with the scientific disthe rebirth of religion on a mature, ad ult level.
coveries of the time. 2
Man must acquire again a genuine humility a nd
Concerning the positive effects of the unity deep respect for God, the creati ve force of the
of religion and science, He says: universe. He must realize that it is only by this
force, and this force alone, that all of his dis-
When religion, shorn of its superstitions, tracoveries and technological adva nces have bee n
ditions, and unintelligent dogmas, shows its
made. In this regard, Baha'u'llah says:
conformity with science, then will there be a
great unifying, cleansing force in the world Every word that proceedeth out of the mouth
which will sw.eep before it all wars, disagree- of God is endowed with such potency as can
ments, discords and struggles - and then will instil new life into every human frame, if ye
mankind be united in the power of the Love be of them that comprehend this truth. A ll the
ofGod. 3 wondrous works ye behold in this world have
been manifested through the operation of His
Concerning the result of science without
supreme and most exalted Will, His wonreligion, Baha'u'llah has written:
drous and inflexible Purpose. 7
The civilization, so often vaunted by the
learned exponents of arts and sciences, will, if Obstacles to the Unity of Science and Religion
allowed to overleap the bounds of moder- A half century ago, the prime obstacle to the
ation, bring great evil upon men. Thus warneth unity of science and religion was probably
you He Who is the A ll-Knowing. If carried to religion. In 1911, 'Abdu'l-B aha affirmed as
excess, civilization will prove as prolific a much when He described the results of prevailsourceofevil as it had been ofgoodness when ing religious dissension and discord:
kept within the restraints of moderation. 4
The outcome of all this dissension is the belief
Concerning the attempt of man to find ha p- of many cultured men that religion and scipiness through purely material pursuits, He has ence are contradictory terms, that religion
also written: needs no powers of reflection, and should in
no wise be regulated by science, but must of
Say: 0 people! Let not this life and its deceits
necessity be opposed, the one to the other.
deceive you, for the world and all that is
The unfortunate effect of this is that science
therein is held firmly in the grasp of His Will
has drifted apart from religion, and religion
. . . Are ye rejoicing in the things which,
has becom e a mere blind and more or less
according to the estimate of God, are conapathetic following of the precepts of certain
temptible and worthless, things wherewith He
religious teachers, who insist on their own
proveth the hearts of the doubtful? 5
favourite dogmas being accepted even when
In another passage He states flatly: they are contrary to science. 8
Your sciences shall not profit you in this day, Thus it was the outmoded and narrow views
nor your arts, nor your treasure, nor your of religionists which initially created the oppoglory. Cast them all behind your backs, and sition between religion and science.
This opposition has, if anything, worsened in
Iibid ., pp. 130-131.
ibid. , p. 143.
ibid., p. 146. 6
Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, trans, Shoghi
'BaM' u'lla h, Gleanings from th e Writings of Baha'u'l/ah . Effendi, rev . ed. (Wilmette, Ill.: Baha'i Publishing Trust,
trans . Shoghi Effendi , rev. ed. (Wilmette, Ill.: Baha'i Pub- 1953), pp. 97- 98.
lishing Trust, 1952), pp. 342-343. 7
Baha' u' llah , Gleanings, p. 141.
' ibid. , p. 209 . 8 'Abdu' l-Baha, Pa ris Talks, pp. 143-144.
610 THE BAHA'I WORLD

the years since 'Abdu'l-Baha made the above decide whether, in their eyes, I am within
statement. Religious dogmatism and dissen- their pale or am beyond it . But it lies with
sion have continued, giving rise to open relig- me, not with them , to feel the.feelings I, too,
ious conflict in such places as the Middle East, feel towards those sublime figures that are
India, and Northern Ireland. Each of the tradi- revered and adored by me as well as by their
tional religious orthodoxies has continued to orthodox followers or worshippers. No
press, harder and harder, its claims to possess human writ of excommunication can come
an absolute or final truth, excluding the possi- between those saviours and me. 1
bility of reconciliation with other orthodoxies. One senses a strong integrity in a position
Even such a movement as Christian Ecumen- such as that taken by Toynbee. Yet such a
ism is severely limited in that its goal is only an position , though helpful for the individual himinstitutional unity of certain Christian denomi- self, does not solve the social problems resultnations rather than a genuine move towards ing from the religion-science opposition. For
universal religious reconciliation. there is no identifiable community of the vari-
Moreover, to the voices of traditional ous individuals who may have arrived at a view
orthodoxy have been added a host of newer like Toynbee's. Indeed , Toynbee himself
movements, each with its own claim to possess makes a similar remark in a footnote to the
a unique or absolute path to the truth. Various above-quoted passage:
cults , various forms of meditation , of spiritual
and physical discipline have been put forth as In any case, whatever light my critics may or
the answer to man's religious quest. At the may not have thrown on my position, they
same time, a rebirth of interest in astrology, in have thrown much light, I should say, on a
occultism, in satanism, in witchcraft, and in far more interesting point. They have
other forms of supernatural experience has brought out the truth that, at the present
taken place. time, the Western World is a house divided
Since it is clearly impossible to reconcile the against itself on the fundamental issue of
absolute and exclusive claim of each of the vari- religious attitude and belief.2
ous sects, movements, and orthodoxies in the We may summarize, then, by saying that the
world today, what is the rational seeker after first major obstacle to the unity of science and
religious truth to do? One common-sense an- religion is the widespread feeling that there is
swer, and one which many individuals have no religious voice which recognizes the relativundoubtedly adopted as a solution, is to con- ity of religious truth and which, at the same
sider that there is some truth in each of these time, speaks with deep wisdom and authority
movements and that their basic fault lies pre- on the spiritual questions of life which every
cisely in the arrogant attempt of each one to man sooner or later must face and ask himself.
erect a partial and relative vision of truth into There is widespread confusion in the realm of
an absolute. The historian and religious religion, and this confusion has been made
thinker Arnold Toynbee has described worse, rather than being helped, by the multipoignantly his own reaction to this dilemma: plication of claims to absolute authority and
absolute truth which are now heard from all
It is, of course, impossible that each of the directions.
higher religions can be right in believing that Another major obstacle to the unity of religit has a monopoly of truth and salvation, but ion and science derives from the fact that a
it is not impossible that all of them should complex of science and technology, divorced
have found alternative roads to salvation from all moral and ethical influence, has now
and should have seen truth, 'through a glass, become the dominant force in society. This
darkly', in one or other of truth's different all-pervasiveness of science and technology has
facets ... A belief in the relative truth and led many to a feeling of hopelessness. People
relative saving-power of all the higher relig- often feel that science has shown religion to be
ions alike will seem tantamount to unbelief a farce, and yet they recognize that science and
in the eyes of an orthodox believer in any 1 Arnold Toynbee, A Study of History: Reconsiderations
one of them. (London: Oxford Univ. Press, 1961), XII, 99-100, 102 .
. . . It lies with the orthodox, not with me, to 2
ibid ., XII , lOln.
ESSAYS AND REVIEWS 611
technology have not made us deeply happy. In meditates on problems . This is reflection (the
fact, widespread unhappiness-unhappiness conscious use of intuition). 1
on a scale never before seen-is one of the The practice of this method is not linked to
most striking features of the contemporary the study of any particular phenomenon. It can
scene. be applied to the study of unseen forces and
In spite of this dissatisfaction with the steril- mysterious phenomen a as well as everyday,
ity of modern technological existence, many common occurrences. Failure to appreciate
still feel that they cannot turn with integrity to this universality of scientific method has led
religion since, they believe, science has proved many people to feel that science is really only
that God does not exist and that religious the study of matter and purely material
experience is a sham . Because religious experi- phenomena. This narrow philosophical outence is much more intensely subjective than look, plus the historical fact that physics was
technology, people are led to mistrust their the first science to develop a high degree of
own deepest emotions and their profoundest mathematical objectivity, has led to a common
religious and spiritual longings. In this way misconception that scientific knowledge is
does the misguided belief about technology inherently limited only to physical reality and
lead to a certain self-alienation-people are material phenomena. 2 Such a misconception
led to deny the validity of their own truest naturally retards the unity of science and religneeds and deepest longings. These longings are ion since religion definitely claims to have
relegated to the domain of childish and imma- knowledge of nonmaterial aspects of reality.
ture emotions (perhaps to be 'cured' by Once we see that the basis of science is its
psychoanalysis). method and not any particular object of study,
This second major obstacle to the unity of we can discard this misconception.
religion and science is, then, the feeling that Physics and chemistry result when we turn
science has somehow proved the non-existence scientific method to the study of the
of God or at least invalidated spiritual and phenomena of nonliving matter. But if, keepreligious experience and longings. ing the same method, we turn to the study of
We now want to discuss certain aspects of living matter, the result is biology. Ifwe turn to
some of these obstacles. human beings as the objects of our study, we
obtain psychology, sociology, and the other
The Obstacle of Scientistic Materialism 'human sciences'. Baha'u'llah has referred to
The characteristic feature of science, and the religion as the 'science of the love of God.' 3
basis of its unity, is scientific method. Scientific Thus religion results when we turn scientific
method consists in the systematic and organ- method to the study of the unseen creative
ized use of our various mental faculties in an force of the universe which we call God.
effort to arrive at a coherent understanding of It might be objected by some that the unity
whatever phenomenon is being investigated. of science lies not in its method but in its goal,
Of course, every human being on earth which is to know. However, there are other
knows things and uses his mental faculties in disciplines such as magic and occultism, both
order to attain this knowledge. What distin- contemporary and historical, which claim
guishes the method of science is the systematic, knowledge as their objective. Yet these disciorganized, and conscious nature of the process. plines are not compatible with science and are
Science is self-conscious common sense.
Instead of relying on chance experiences, one ' For a more detailed and exhaustive discussion of the scientific method, see my essay 'Science and Religion' first
systematically invokes certain types of experi- printed in World Order , Spring 1969, and subsequently in
ences. This is experimentation (the conscious revised form in Baha'i Studies, vol. 2, September 1977.
use of experience). Instead of relying on ' This is why we have used the neologism 'scientistic' in the
title of this section. The current materialism is scientistic in
common-sense reasoning, one formalizes that it is generally attributed to science, but it is not scihypotheses explicitly and formalizes the entific since it is not really in harmony with the principles of
reasoning leading from hypothesis to conclu- science. We might say that this materialism is the result of
an unscientific use of the results of science.
sion. This is mathematics and logic (the con- 3
Baha'u'llah, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, trans.
scious use of reason). Instead of relying on 'Alf-Kuli Khan and Marzieh Gail, rev. ed. (Wilmette, Ill.:
occasional fl ashes of insight, one systematically Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1952), p. 49 .
612 THE BAHA 'I WORLD

rejected by science because their method is fa lse uses of religion , as for example when
unscientific. Thus to be scientific it is not religious institutions in the past have Jent supsufficient to desire knowledge or to proclaim port to oppressive and immoral persecution of
knowledge as one's goal. minorities .
Another feature of scientific knowledge is its It is heartening to note that , in recent years,
relativity. Because science is the self- increasing numbers of scientists have become
conscious use of our faculties, we become sensitive to such false uses of science and have
aware that man has no absolute measure of begun to raise their voices in public to point
truth . The conclusions of scientific investiga- them out. Over the years there has been a small
tions are always more or less probable. They but persistent intellect ual tradition of intelliare never absolute proofs. Of course, if a con- gent criticism of the false uses of science. The
clusion is highly probable and its negation writings of Lewis Mumford are a strong conhighly improbable , we may feel very confident temporary example of this tradition. The closin the results, especially if we have been very ing paragraphs of his cogent The Pentagon of
thorough in our investigation. But realization Power are virtually poetic in their appeal:
and acceptance of this essential uncertainty
Reformers who would treat the campaign
and relativity of our knowledge is important,
against environmental and human degradafor the exigencies of human existence are often
tion solely in terms of improved technologisuch that we are forced to act in some instances
cal facilities, like the reduction of gasoline
before we have had time to make such a
exhaust in motor cars, see only a small part
thorough investigation. It therefore behooves
of the problem. Nothing less than a profound
us to remain constantly alert to the possibility
re-orientation of our vaunted technological
that we may, in fact, be wrong.
'way of life' will save this planet from becom-
Such a realization is also important for the
ing a lifeless desert . .. For its effective salvaunity of science and religion, for there are
tion mankind will need to undergo somemany who take the materialistic personal
thing like a spontaneous religious converphilosophy of some scientists as indication that
sion: one that will replace the mechanical
science has proved that God does not exist.
world picture with an organic world picture,
There are even some scientists who claim that
and give to the hum an personality , as the
science has proved that God does not exist.
highest known manifestation of life, the pre-
Such claims are foolish and ridiculous in the
cedence it now gives to its machines and
light of the universally recognized relativity of
computers ... Of only one thing we may be
scientific conclusions, and especially as no sciconfident. If mankind is to escape its proentist or scientific discipline has ever claimed to
grammed self-extinction the God who saves
have undertaken a systematic, scientific study
us will not descend from the machine: he will
of the question of God's existence and come up
rise up again in the human soul. 1
with the carefully validated conclusion that
there is no God. Toynbee states a similar conclusion in more
We should not be overly surprised at such general terms:
contradictions in behaviour, however, since
Religion is Man's attempt to get into touch
scientists are human and are subject to some of
with an absolute spiritual Reality behind the
the same disastrous prejudices which afflict the
phenomena of the Universe, and, having
generality of mankind.
made contact with It, to Jive in harmony with
There are, in fact, those who have con-
It. This activity is all-pervading. It comsciously attempted to use science as a 'cover' or
prehends all the others. Moreover, it is
support to buttress some particular social or
Man's lifeline. When once a creature has
philosophical prejudice, or to justify some
acquired, as Man has, a conscious intellect
desired {but not necessarily justifiable) course
and a free will, this creature must either seek
of action. We must be constantly on our guard
and find God or destroy itself. 2
against such false uses of science; for they corrupt science, and they block effective attempts 1 Lewis Mumford, The Pentagon of Power: The Myth of the
to establish the unity of science and religion. Machine (New York: Harcourt, 1970), p. 413.
Such false uses of science are comparable to 2
Toynbee, Study of History , XII, 663.
ESSAYS AND REVIEWS 613
Scientistic Atheism see everything as a configuration of this one
Even though science has not disproved the force.
existence of God, there still persists a feeling The most striking fe ature of this energy, this
that the success of science and technology, ultimate mysterious force whose existence has
independent of any religious orientation , has been so strongly confirmed by science, is its
undermined the credibility of such belief. ability to organize itself in ever more subtle
Be lief in God is often seen as a hangover from forms and configurations. It is easy, for examprimitivism . Primitive man saw God, the ple, to characterize the direction of biological
unseen creative force, in everything. He was in evolution. Biological evolution represents the
awe of the forces of nature. This sense of awe of organization of matter (thus energy) in ever
primitive man is commonly attributed to his more complex units, involving greater and greatignorance of the basis of natural phenomena. er complexity and specialization , and greater
To many, our modern scientific understanding interdependence a mong the component parts.
of these phenomena seems to have taken all Man is 'higher' than other mammals precisely
the 'mystery' out of reality. Modern man feels because of his relatively greater complexity of
guilty or childish about such feelings of physiological organization.
awe-about his need to be encompassed. Sci- Let us compare man with, say, a colony of
ence seems to have gradually reduced the pos- one-celled organisms of comparable size. On
sible domain of God's existence to a vanishing the one hand, there is man with his cells specialpoint. Physics has removed God from nature, ized to form tissues which combine to make
and psychology has removed Him from the organs which combine to form systems which
human heart. combine to form the human organism. This
Again, further analysis reveals such an hierarchical structure enables man to function
attitude as a misconception. For science has in an incredibly multifaceted way. Moreover,
revealed to man not only 'facts' and 'things' but the continued, moment-to-moment existence
also a fascinating world of energy and unseen of man is dependent on a host of favourable
forces. Consider, for example, the view of mat- conditions. On the other hand, we have the
ter and the material world which physics so- colony of, let us say, bacteria which are capable
berly presents to us for our consideration as the of functioning only individually on the crudest
rational explanation for natural phenomena. level, each individual being virtually immortal
The astonishing diversity of matter which we (some bacteria can remain dormant for cendaily encounter is really due , we are told , only turies without dying).
to different combinations of a small number of In particular, the human brain is the most
basic elements. Moreover, these elemental complex physical structure known to us in the
substances are themselves just different universe. Even the galaxies of stars and the
configurations of certain basic elementary par- movements of the planets cannot begin to
ticles which , in themselves, have no individual- compare in complexity to the subtle and highly
ity. Furthermore, these basic particles are organized human brain. The most complex
really just relatively stable forms of energy, computers invented to date are roughly equivaand each of them is convertible, under suitable lent to the brain of an ant when compared with
conditions, into energy. Thus all the stuff of the structure and complexity of the human
everyday experience is ultimately just different brain.
configurations of energy. Now, one well-known feature of the human
And what, we ask, is energy? We may be organism is its self-awareness. Furthermore,
successful in describing some of the ways scientific investigation has confirmed what man
energy works-some of the effects it produces. has always suspected: he did not create him-
But when we ask what energy is, we come up self. It is not man who has organized himself in
against a mystery. And if we are humble this subtle and complex way. Rather man
enough, we realize that this is the same mystery awoke to his self-awareness and his subjectivprimitive man intuitively perceived. Our sci- ity which he owes rather to the energy of which
ence has served only to render our ultimate he is but a configuration .
ignorance more explicit by showing how truly We can thus pose the following clear quesuniversal is this mysterious force, for now we tion: Is it more reasonable to assume that a
614 THE BAHA'I WORLD

force capable of producing an effect (man) all move perversely in a downward direction.
which is endowed with subjectivity and intel- We infer the existence of an unseen force,
ligence has also such characteristics, or is it called gravity, which produces this effect. The
more reasonable to assume that this force is effect is, in a word, a consistent deviation from
deprived of such features? It is clearly more presumed equiprobability. We do not call gravreasonable to suppose that such a force is at ity God because the effect produced by this
least as subtle as the effect it has produced. In force (the downward falling of objects) is not
fact, we know that energy is capable of subjec- so marvelous as the effect we call man. Notice
tivity and intelligence because we have self- also that in space, when one is outside the
awareness and intelligence and we are reaches of the earth's gravity, randomly dropconfigurations of this energy. Moreover, this ped objects do move in a random direction.
force has produced other effects which man In scientific investigations of phenomena it
cannot produce (namely, it has produced man therefore becomes important to decide what
as well as the universe). Man has discovered events are probable and what events are
himself and the universe, but he has not pro- improbable. In this way we can have some idea
duced these phenomena. Thus we are inevit- when a phenomenon is due to an unseen force
ably led to hypothesize that this force is, in fact , and when it is due to chance. Science has discoveven more subtle than himself. Following a ered such a principle. It is called the second
long-established tradition, we call this force law of thermodynamics or Carnot's principle.
God. This principle says, simply stated, that order is
Thus an unprejudiced application of sci- improbable and disorder is probable. This is so
entific method to the facts of human existence because order represents a limited number of
leads to the probable conclusion that God stable configurations whereas any possible
exists and that He has consciousness and intel- configuration represents disorder.
ligence. Notice, however, that although Let us compare, for example, a brick house
reasoning and logic can lead us to the existence and a pile of bricks. I can transform a brick
of God, they cannot give to us the experience of house into a pile of bricks by moving the bricks
God . This is the role of religion, of which more one by one in any possible sequence. I am free
will be said later on. to take a top brick or a bottom brick or a
It is as if we had arrived at the conclusion, by middle brick first. But to build the house, it is
scientific investigation, that there must be physically impossible to put in a top brick
humanoid creatures on a planet which we before putting in any bottom brick. Only a
lacked the technical means of visiting. The certain limited number of possible sequences
knowledge of the existence of these creatures will produce the house. The house represents
would not in itself give us the intersubjective order, and the pile of bricks disorder (relative
' experience of their personalities. to each other) .
There are several objections which are often Thus Carnot's principle is nothing more than
raised against the otherwise clear conclusions a precise statement of what we all intuitively
we have drawn in 1the preceding. It is often feel about chance phenomena. The nonobjected that the process which has produced scientist would be just as shocked as the scientist
man is due to chance and not to any force. Let to find that the wind or a thurlderstorm had
us examine briefly this contention. transformed a pile of bricks into a well-built
In scientific observation, a phenomenon is house (even if we had left the pile of bricks to /
said to be due to chance when all logical pos- itself for many years). But we are not at all
sibilites occur with equal relative frequency. shocked if such a .storm transforms a house into
When such is not the case, and more especially a pile of bricks.
when such deviations occur in some consistent Now we have earlier on remarked that man,
way, we infer the existence of a force which is in particular man's brain, is the most highly
said to 'cause' the deviation from random ordered structure in the universe. Thus, by
behaviour. For example, it is logically possible Carnot's principle, it is also the least probable.
for a dropped object to move in any direction It is, therefore, the least likely to have been
(or not to move at all). But we observe that produced by a purely random process .
dropped objects do not move at random . They Biolog.ists point out that the fundamental
ESSAYS ANO REVIEWS 615
mechanisms of evolution are mutation, by in Australia and the next one in Europe there
which is meant spontaneous genetic change, cannot be any process of evolution). Nor did
and natural selection , by which is meant the evolution take place in an 'unlimited' amount
superior survival rate over successive genera- of time. Rather, the whole process occurred in
tions, and within a given population , of those a period of no greater than three billion years,
genotypes whose phenotypical (physically and the major part of it (from small, primitive
observable or behavioural) characteristics animals to man) in about one-half billion years.
better suit them to function within the natural Thus there was not time for an 'infinite' or
milieu in question.' Natural selection elimi- unlimited 'experimentation' to take place.
nates forms and organisms which are less well In other words, the phenomenon of biologiadapted , and thus tends to decrease variation cal evolution presents us precisely with a clear,
(diversity) within a population. Mutation, consistent deviation from randomness of the
however, has the opposite effect, that of sort discussed above . We must therefore conincreasing the genetic diversity. Evolution is a clude the existence of a force which is the cause
process of moving from lower (less complex) to of biological evolution. Anyone for whom this
higher (more complex) forms. Such a process conclusion is unacceptable must decide for
necessarily involves periodic (though not himself why he feels such an inference to be
necessarily regular) significant increases in var- unacceptable here while being generally and
iation and thus cannot depend on natural selec- universally acceptable elsewhere in science.
tion alone. In other words, the contribution of It is obviously impossible in a short article
natural selection to the evolutionary process such as this to enter into extended detailed
depends ultimately on the occurrence of muta- discussion of these points on which scores of
tions since if there are no mutations there will books have been written. The reader who is
ultimately be an insufficient diversity of forms interested in pursuing the technical side of the
from which nature can select. But since, as we question can do so on his own.
have already stressed, the direction of evolu- In closing this discussion, let us treat one last
tion is precisely from lower (that is, less point, however. Recent advances in biology
ordered and thus more probable) to higher have led to speculation that man may one day
(that is, more ordered and thus less probable) be able to reproduce life in a test tube. Such
forms, it is unreasonable to suppose that the knowledge or control over the vital process
occurrence in the evolutionary process of would, it is sometimes said, show that ·God
mutations favourable to an increase in com- does not exist after all because man would have
plexity was wholly or primarily due to chance. discovered the secret of life. But no such con-
We cannot reason from the fact of mutation to clusion is logically forthcoming. After all , man
the conclusion that the cause of mutations in already knows how to reproduce life. Babies
evolution is chance alone. We must be careful are born every day. What man clearly did not
to distinguish between the known facts of the create is the process by which life is reproduced.
evolutionary process and the possible theoreti- Thus, even if the human brain finally succeeds
cal models used to explain and interpret the in discovering the secret of life, this will
facts. not change the fact that man did not create
Moreover, what is needed to explain biolog- the vital process which he would then underical evolution is not just an occasional favour- stand. Moreover, man's brain which does the
able mutation (almost all observed mutations understanding would itself owe its existence to
are unfavourable) but a consistent sequence of this vital process which it did not create. Disfavourable mutations in the right place and at covery is not creation.
the right time intervals (if the first one happens Indeed, no discoveries that man can ever
The somewhat technical, though nonetheless important, make in the fut ure can change the eternal fact
point is that the genetic configuration of an organism is that man is not responsible for bringing into
determined at conception and does not interact directly
with the environment. It is rather the physical and
being the process which has produced his brain
behavioural characteristics of the organism which interact and its understanding. Man is not responsible
directly wit h the environment. Thus, natural selection can for his own existence; and he depends, thereonly operate on the phenotypic level , but this affects genetic diversity indirectly to the degree that such physical and fore, on something other than himself to which
behavioural characteristics are genetically based. he owes his existence.
616 THE BAHA'I WORLD

A Solution to Religious Dissension reveal His most personal and subjective attri-
False concepts and false uses of science are butes to man through an instrument such as a
only one-half of the problem. For even if one is rock or a tree which does not itself possess
quite willing and desires to turn to religion , the consciousness. Baha'is believe that this act of
question remains: where to turn? For the Self-Revelation through a chosen human
author of this article, and for many others on instrument has occurred periodically in history
this planet, the answer to this question has (our collective experience). This is clearly
turned out to be: the Baha'i Faith. Rather than necessary if the intersubjective knowledge of
engaging in any abstract dissertation on the God is to remain constantly accessible to us, for
details of Baha'i doctrine-which are already with the passage of time the immediacy and
adequately available in other sources-we force of such a revelation tends to be lost and
have thought better to describe in a straight- dissipated.
forward manner those features of the Baha'i Baha'is call these chosen human instruments
experience which have led so many to feel that Manifestations of God. The Manifestations are
it furnishes a deeply satisfying answer to their none other than the great religious founders of
religious quest. history, some of whose names we know:
First, and most important, the Baha'i Faith Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mu~ammad, Buddha,
renders accessible to the individual that Zoroaster, and most recently Baha' u'llah, the
experience of self-transcendence and mystic Founder of the Baha'i Faith. Concerning the
communion with the Spirit of God which is the revelation of God through these Manifestaheart of religion. We have previously tions, Baha'u'llah has said:
remarked that logic and reason can prove to us
.. . all things, in their inmost reality, testify to
the existence of God but cannot give us the
the revelation of the names and attributes of
experience of communion with God. Concern-
God within them ... Man, the noblest and
ing proofs of the existence of God , 'Abdu'lmost perfect of all created things, excelleth
Baha has said:
them all in the intensity of this revelation, and
... apply thyself to rational and authoritative is a fuller expression of its glory. And of all
arguments. For arguments are a guide to the men, the most accomplished, the most distinpath and by this the heart will be turned unto guished, and the most excellent are the Man -
the Sun of Truth. And when the heart is ifestations of the Sun of Truth. Nay, all else
turned unto the Sun, then the eye will be besides these Manifestations, live by the operopened and will recognize the Sun through ation of their Will, and move and have their
the Sun itself Then (man) will be in no need being through the outpourings oftheir grace. 2
of arguments (or proofs), for the Sun is
altogether independent, ... 1 It is, therefore, as a result of the comings of
these Manifestations that man has the possibil-
In other words, the reality of the experience of ity of communion with God. 'Abdu'l-Baha
communion with God carries with it a deeper puts it simply:
conviction and sense of the reality of God than
the purely intellectual acknowledgement of The knowledge of the Reality of the Divinity
God's existence which comes from logic and is impossible and unattainable, but the knowlreasoning. edge of the Manifestations of God is the
How, we might well ask, is this communion knowledge of God, for the bounties, splenobtained? How does God reveal to us some- dours, and divine attributes are apparent in
thing of His personal and subjective nature in a them. Therefore if man attains to the knowlway that is accessible to us? Since, as we have edge of the Manifestations of God, he will
already observed, man is the most highly attain to the knowledge of God; and if he be
ordered and refined phenomenon accessible to neglectful of the knowledge ofthe Holy Man -
us, it would be only logical that God might ifestation, he will be bereft of the knowledge
choose precisely this instrument for his Self- of God. 3
Revelation. It is clearly impossible for God to 2
Baha'u'llah, Gleanings , pp. 178-179.
1 3
'Abdu' l-BaM, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha 'Abbas , 3 vols. 'Abdu'l-BaM, Some Answered Questions, comp. and
(New York : Baha'i Publishing Society, 1909-1916), I, trans. Laura Clifford Barney, rev. ed. {Wilmette, Ill.:
168. Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1964), pp. 257-258.
ESSAYS AND REVIEW S 617
The primary key to maintaining this com- needs sooner or later exercise its influence
munion of consciousness with God is the daily upon his soul. 2
discipline of prayer and meditation on the
Second, the experience is general or uniwords of the Manifestation. Baha'u'llah states :
versal. It is not reserved for some elite and
Say: The first and fo remost testimony estab- withheld from others. It is not vague or
lishing His truth is His own Self Next to this uncommunicab le. A ll Baha'ls experience it
testimony is His Revelation. For whoso and find that they can discuss it and share it
faileth to recognize either the one or the other with others with the same feeling of clarity and
He hath established the words He hath coherence that one naturally has about any
revealed as proof of His reality and truth. other multi-subjective experience such as
This is, verily, an evidence of His tender seeing a red object or eating a delicious meal.
m ercy unto men. He hath endowed every soul Another important feature of Baha'i experiwith the capacity to recognize the signs of ence is the ex plicit acce ptance by the Baha'i
God. How could He, otherwise, have fulfilled Faith of the principle of the relativity of relig-
His testimony unto men ... 1 ious truth. Shoghi Effe ndi has said:
These words are the instrument which creates The Revelation proclaimed by Baha' u'll ah,
the consciousness of the presence of God; for His followers believe, is divine in origin , allmeditation , to be successful, must have s~ me embracing in scope, broad in its outlook,
object or focus. scientific in its method, huma nitarian in its
Although the experience of communion principles a nd dynamic in the influence it
with God is an individual , subjective one, there exerts on the hearts and minds of men. T he
are two things in the Baha'i ex~erience which mission of the Founder of their Faith, they
tend to give it a sense of universality and objec- conceive it to be to procl aim that religious
tivity. First, it is repeatab le for the individual. truth is not abso lute but relative, that Divine
If one had only an occasionill 'fl-a-sh' oLajstic Revelation is continuous and progressive
feeling, one could well doubt whether such
experience was valid a nd was not, rather, so me
Such tota l and explicit recognition of the prinform of autosuggestion. But Baha'ls find that
ciple of the relativity of religious truth is a
when they practice the daily discipline of
hallmark of the Baha 'i Faith and an important
prayer and meditation on the words of Baha'u'-
element in permitting its followers to reconcile
llah, the experience of communion is conscientific method with religious and spiritual
stantly renewed, accessible, and repeatable.
needs.
In a striking statement, Baha'u'llah boldly
The Baha'i Faith is not excl usive a nd creates
promises that the experience of communion
unity rather than dissension. This aspect of
with God will always be accessible through this
Baha'i experience naturally derives from the
discipline:
fundamenta l principle of the relativity and
Intone, 0 My servant, the verses of God that progressive nature of truth mentioned above.
have been received by thee, as intoned by Baha'u'llah has said that the fundamental purthem who have drawn nigh unto Him, that the pose of religion is to create love a nd unity and
sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine that whenever it happens that a religion ceases
own soul, and attract the hearts of all men. to perform this function and creates division
Whoso recite th, in the privacy ofhis chamber, and opposition, then it is better for such a
the verses revealed by God, the scattering religion not to exist.
angels of the A lmighty shall scatter abroad Some people who are otherwise attracted to
the fragrance of the words uttered by his Baha'i teachings and principles sometimes
mouth, and shall cause th e heart of every hesitate to ide ntify themselves with the moverighteous man to throb. Though he may, at ment for fear that such identification will
first, remain unaware of its effect, yet the vir- somehow cut them off from other people.
tue of the grace vouchsafed unto him must
'ibid ., p. 295.
Shoghi Effe ndi, The World Order of Bahti'u'/ltih (New
Baha'u'llah, Gleanings , pp. 105-106. York: Baha'i Publishing Committee, 1938), p. xi.
618 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Because the Baha'i Faith is numerically smal- as a clarifying and ordering force which enables
ler than some other religious groups, or them to 'see' the truth in other movements,
because the Baha'i Faith is new and therefore perhaps even truths which orthodox followers
sometimes unknown to or misinterpreted by of these movements may have missed. In ta lkthe public, individuals perhaps fear that ing about their Faith, Baha'is often find themidentification with it will subject them to simi- selves in the position of defending or explainlar attitudes of mistrust on the part of others. ing the validity of certain teachings of past
However apparently reasonable such fears Prophets which the followers themselves have
may seem, this is not the experience which abandoned or rejected. The dedication which
Baha'is have. Genuine human relations are Baha'is feel to such founders of religions as
based on truth, honesty, love, and the ability to Christ, Mul).ammad, Moses, and Buddha, is
communicate deeply with others. Baha'is find very real. It often surprises and amazes the
that their Faith gives them new inner resources followers of these religions , for it has even
and tools which permit them to approach happened that Baha'is have vigorously
human relationships in the light of these prin- defended the rights and doctrines of religious
ciples. Rather than feeling 'cut off', Baha'is communities who have actively persecuted the
experience a feeling of vastly increased ability Baha'is themselves.
to communicate and indeed commune with Another important aspect of Baha'i experiothers, be they Baha'i or non-Baha'i. These ence is that it does not tend to extremes in any
new personal resources compensate a hun- form. At the basis of the Baha'i Faith is a
dredfold for any superficial and ignorant criti- principle of moderation . This principle means
cism which may, from time to time, be forthcom- that the individual feels continually pulled
ing. Moreover, both psychologists and towards greater balance, calm, and integration
philosophers have pointed out that the crowd in his life. He does not feel torn between
togetherness and superficial conformities of extreme desires or called upon to become
modern life are only a poor substitute for fanatical or unbalanced in his dealings with
genuine human relationships. Such genuine others or with himself. This sense of moderarelationships are seen to be largely absent from tion does not imply a static or passive state or
modern life due to the 'self-alienation' created an indifference. It means rather the integration
in part by the illusion of easy togetherness and balance among the deep emotions one
which leads the individual to suppose that satis- feels.
fying human relationships can be attained A final and extremely important aspect of
without a strong and conscious effort of will on the Baha'i experience is its focus on society
his part. Once the individual pierces the veil of and its goal of establishing world unity. We
this illusion and accepts the fact that effort and have seen religion as an answer to man's need
suffering are necessary to attain deep friend-' to be encompassed by something greater than
ship and lasting love, he will naturally seek that himself. Quite clearly the individual is already
which will give him the resources necessary for encompassed by society as a whole. Therefore,
the task. It is the experience of Baha'is that there can be no ultimate answer to man's
their Faith gives them these resources. religious quest and his religious needs unless
Moreover, because the Baha'i Faith is a liv- and until society itself is spiritualized. The
ing community, and not just an abstract idea, individual cells of a body cannot long remain
the striving for love and unity can take place in healthy if the body itself is sick. Society's
a new context not otherwise available. It is the influence on the individual is too great and too
context of a community in which each indi- pervasive to be neglected. Indeed, the focus on
vidual member has a similar commitment to the social aspects of religion and the goal of
this new quality of human relationship based establishing world unity constitute the most
on communion with God, Who is the ultimate fundamental contribution of the Baha'i Faith
source of man's ability to Jove in the first place. to man's collective religious consciousness.
The Baha'i Faith illuminates our history and Shoghi Effendi states:
our personal experience. The inclusiveness of
the Baha'i Faith is not just a passive principle Unification of the whole of mankind is the
of tolerance. It is experienced by Baha'is rather hallmark of the stage which human society is
ESSAYS AND REVIEWS 619
now approaching. Unity of family , of tribe, the life of each individual in the Baha'i comof city-state, and nation have been succes- munity, while the experience within the comsively attempted and fully established. munity itself furnishes practical opportunities
World unity is the goal towards which a for growth and for the practice of this oneness.
harassed humanity is striving .... To anyone seriously seeking a solution to the
The unity of the human race, as envisaged by current disunity and opposition between relig-
Baha'u'llah, implies the establishment of a ion and science, the answer given by the Baha'i
world commonwealth in which all nations, Faith merits deep investigation.
races, creeds and classes are closely and Who, contemplating the helplessness, the
permanently united, and in which the auton- fears and miseries of humanity in this day,
omy of its state membe rs and the personal can any longer question the necessity for a
freedom and initiative of the individuals that fresh revelation of the quickening power of
compose them are definitely and completely God's redemptive love and guidance? Who,
safeguarded. 1 witnessing on one hand the stupendous
Moreover, this consummation of human so- advance achieved in the realm of human
ciety can only be accomplished on the basis of knowledge, of power, of skill and inventivereligion: ness, and viewing on the other the unprecedented character of the sufferings that
The principle of the Oneness of Mankind, as afflict, and the dangers that beset, presentproclaimed by Baha'u'llah, carries with it no day society, can be so blind as to doubt that
more and no less than a solemn assertion the hour has at last struck for the advent of a
that attainment to this final stage in this new Revelation, for a re-statement of the
stupendous evolution is not only necessary Divine Purpose, a nd for the consequent
but inevitable, that its realization is fast revival of those spiritual forces that have, at
approaching, and that nothing short of a fixed intervals, rehabilitated the fortunes of
power that is born of God can succeed in
human society? Does not the very operation
establishing it. 2
of the world-unifying forces that are at work
The Writings of Baha'u'llah contain a veri- in this age necessitate that He Who is the
table blueprint for the establishment of this new Bearer of the Message of God in this day
planetary society, involving, among others, should not only reaffirm that self-same
such principles as the establishment of a uni- exalted standard of individual conduct inculversal auxiliary language, a world court, a world cated by the Prophets gone before Him, but
legislature, a world police force, and universal embody in His appeal, to all governments
education . The Baha'i community is viewed as, and peoples, the essentials of that social
in some sense, the spiritual embryo of this code, that Divine Economy, which must
future society. Thus the common goal of work- guide humanity's concerted efforts in estabing to achieve unity gives a sense of purpose to lishing that all-embracing federation which is
Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahti'u'l/tih: Selected
to signalize the advent of the Kingdom of
Letters, 2d rev. ed. (Wilmette , Ill .: Baha'i Publishing Trust , God on this earth? 3
1974),pp. 202-203 .
2 3
ibid., p. 43. ibid., pp. 60- 61.
620 THE BAHA'f WORLD

2. CAN THERE BE A BAHA'I POETRY? 1
GEOFFREY P. NASH

THE high station ascribed in Baha'i scripture the Baha'i community, natural and inevitable.
to art has led a number of Baha'i artists to We are as yet in the early Springtime of the new
predicate and even to seek Baha'i forms and World Order when the golden harvest of Baha'i
artistic conventions. Shoghi Effendi, Guardian civilization is but a vision, though an assured
of the Baha'i Faith, made the following com- one, of the future. Baha'is anticipate-it is a
ments on this: hallmark of their faith-a great world civilization in the fullness of time. At present, conso-
Music, as one of the arts, is a natural culnant with the metaphor of natural cycles so ubitural development, and the Guardian does
quitously used in the Baha'i Holy Writings,
not feel that there should be any cultivation
Baha'is recognize the barrenness of the times
of 'Baha'i Music' any more than we are trywe live in as symptomatic of the season for
ing to develop a Baha'i school of painting or
planting the seeds. Hastening the advent of the
writing. The believers are free to paint, write
oneness of mankind is the surest way to expeand compose as their talents may guide
dite the appearance of a world civilization
them ... As long as they have music for its
unparalleled in recorded annals.
own sake it is all right, but they should not
Must we then neglect the arts now, as of
consider it Bahd'f music. 2
secondary importance at this stage of our his-
This is augmented by the following statement: tory? I incline to believe such a course would
prove unsupportable for Baha'is. I believe
As regards producing a book of Baha'i
great enterprises have never proceeded withsongs, your understanding that there is no
out a sense of poetry on the part of their
cultural expression which could be called
executors. If empires are built upon valour,
Baha'i at this time (distinctive music, literaupon physical prowess, do they not require
ture, art, architecture, etc ., being the flower
exertion of an energetic, even an imaginative
of the civilization and not coming at the
will? Much more must this be so for the promobeginning of a new Revelation) , is correct.
tion and establishment of the great religions.
However, that does not mean that we
Indeed the present activities of the Baha'is are
haven't Baha'i songs, in other words, songs
saturated with poetry; their past equally, if not
written by Baha'is on Baha'i subjects. 3
more so. Does not Baha'i Holy Writing-the
In considering poetry, the divinest of the Word of God we believe- exude poetry? The
arts, it is essential to differentiate between the writings of Shoghi Effendi abound in evocative
true poet and the mere versifier. A true poet turns of phrase. Presumably Baha'is respond to
must have poetic vision, be attuned to great this beauty. Can it be that they will continue to
themes and ultimate mysteries, be impelled by do so but half consciously? If they do, it will be
his Muse to express his perceptions in poetic against the experience of the early years of the
form. Such a soul can be born into any age. But Baha'i movement.
the above intimations from the Guardian are We recall how so many of the Babi martyrs
unmistakable in their import. Great art is the died with poetry on their lips, be it a couplet or
flower of civilization, and its development in more from J:Iafi~ or verses of their own composition, for many were themselves poets. One
of the greatest jewels of the Babi dispensation
' This essay appears here in its original form. At the request
of the Canadian Association for Studies on the Baha'i Faith was that eloquent, ethereal poetess Tahirih- a
it was subsequently revised for inclusion in vol. 7 of BahG'f woman renowned in the East for her poetry as
Studies. See also 'The Heroic Soul and the Ordinary Self- a for her unique stature among women.
Study in the Religious Poetry of Roger White,' by Geoffrey
Nash . Baha'u'llah, the Author of Arabic and Persian
The Universal House of Justice, compilation 'Baha'i Writ- odes which are held to be so exquisitely
ings on Music', Baha'i Publishing Trust, Oakham, Engbeautiful as to be untranslatable, liked to have
land, p. II.
J ibid. about Him believers who, at His bidding,
ESSAYS AN D REVIEWS 621
would recite to Him their poetry. Nabfl-i- ation from society, could not live without
A''.?am, companion of Baha'u'llah and res- believing in supern atural agencies.
pected historian of the early years of the Babl We have to remember this situation because
and Bah a'i Faiths, was an inspired poet. no poetry of lasting significance is written
'Abd u'l-Baha would have Baha'i poets recite independently of civilization and tradition.
their works in the Holy Shrines. The poet is individual and subj ective, but he is
If we consider the lovers of 'Abdu' l-Baha mankind's conscience. Mystically initi ated to
who came from the Occident, we find that Lua the divine order of things, he registers man's
Getsinger wrote verses imploring His favour. departure from his nobler nature and his
And thanks to a living Baha'i poet, Roger higher idea ls. As Schiller said , the poet keeps
White, the prose poetry of Juliet Thompson's alive in man aims that are higher than the
diaries has emerged in blank verse that tunes material. No wonder he has no place in a world
once again the strings of the proverbial given over to the most vulgar technological
Aeolian harp. George Townshend wrote devo- hunger, the crudest behaviouristic philotion al poetry and meditations of high quality. sophies, and the most soulless social engin-
Shall not the Baha'ls go on? Assuredly, they eering.
will continue to be inspired by Baha'i ideals to The depe nde nce of the poet, in spite of his
write poetry of Baha'i character. subjective nature , is very real. He requires not
But it is true as well that what Yeats once only an audience but a ground-work of shared
called 'The Muses' sterner laws' require of the values with those among whom he dwells. Cut
poet a single-minded devotion which is off from this audie nce, above a ll cut off from a
perhaps at present incompatible with the time sustaining adherence to a genera ll y-held social
required to be spent on the active establish- vision, the poet has no mooring and floats
ment of the Baha'i Faith in the world. adrift in an amorphous, frightening ocean.
Moreover, a great poet works within a tradi- Matthew Arnold expressed the dilemma of the
tion , and the tradition of great poetry has detached nineteen th century poet:
declined if not virtually died out.
In the modern world the poet is perforce a n Still bent to make some port he knows not
embittered outsider. By 1850, it was beginning where ,
to become apparent that the poet, the sensitive Still sta nding for some false, impossible shore.
man , fe lt himself adrift in an alien world . The
nineteenth century helped to fix the alienation The Anglo-Saxon poet who composed
of the poet in modern times, and also fixed iri Beowulf never knew such alienation when he
the minds of men in general an erroneous con- sang before the assemb led warriors the limited
ception of poets as bizarre, extravagant indi- philosophy of valour and heroic death. The
viduals, invariably at war with received values. poet was in his place. So, one must suppose,
The century which had begun with Shelley's was Petrarch in his medieval world and Tasso
claim that poets were the ' unacknowledged in his renaissance o ne . Neither did Shakelegislators of the world' and Carlyle's predic- speare lack a patron or Milton a livelihood.
tion that Literature would become the new , Goethe too was estee med at Weimar, and if
green branch of religion , ended with Nietzsche Byron was a self-exile he still felt a link with the
declaring that the man of genius was outside of, tradition of Pope, and Keats with that of
a nd must necessarily contemn, estab lished Spenser. Arnold's desolation in isolation pressocial values. The claim of the poets, if it had aged the tragic ends of the poets of the fin de
grown more shrill a nd unbalanced , had done so siecle, of whom Yeats wrote:
because society had turned away from noble
values. The best poets have always dealt with What portion in the world can the poet
intangibles, with spiritual values. The modern have
age is grossly materialistic and utilitarian , and Who has awakened from the common dream
above all atheistic; poets, if the evidence of the But dissipation and despair.
last century's poetry is to be trusted, cannot do
without God . Baudelaire, the arch-defiant There is thus a Church for the poet, as for the
among nineteenth century poets in their a lie n- composer of music, and an apostolic succession
622 THE BAHA'I WORLD

of great ones to whom he feels indebted. And tions, though its pure poetic value fail to match
great epochs might consist of a handful of that of the great practitioners. For the poetic
major talents: Marlowe, Jonson, Shakespeare, impulse, coming from the soul of men , is of
Webster, Fletcher and Middleton; Goethe, universal interest to all men for all time. It is
Schiller, Holderlin, Novalis, Heine; Haydn, thus that we may still read today fragments
Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, from ancient poets and know that the pulse of
Mendelssohn and Brahms. But in a barren age poetry was yet alive in those times.
we can scarce name one master, let alone a We can therefore best advise the Baha'i poet
succession of heirs. of today to hold to the great themes. The eter-
Must the Baha'i poet be disconsolate then, nal themes in poetry pertain to the perpetual
alo ng with other contemporary poets? Cer- themes of life. Above all, the greatest is Love:
tainly he will make no idle claims, knowing the Love for God, as it is to be found in, for examlow cultural standards of his time. But Baha'ls ple, Indian literature , and in $6ff poetry ; Love
perhaps may partially escape the sense of vac- for na ture , and Love between human
uum most artists now feel. Baha'ls live with beings-how ubiquitous are these themes in
that, but also maintain a transcendental vision . the world's poetry .
They are truly the heirs of the Romantic artists By keeping poetry alive, we bear witness to
who sensed the dawning of the new age around the divine impulse within and also enrich soci-
1800. They know what Richter was speaking of ety by increasing other men's perception.
when he proclaimed: Poetry is akin to the revealed Word, albeit
infinitely lower in rank, being as all else de-
Infinite Providence, Thou wilt cause the day
pendent upon that; yet the poet also testifies
to dawn.
that in the beginning was the Word, that man's
We are aware that the sun has risen, yet still speech is also a mark of his divine descent, and
know ourselves to be ' children of the half- poetry the utterance of his deepest nature. Little
light'. Such a vision, though circumscribed, still wonder that poetry is so closely associated with
looks to a future (a glorious one!) and, being religion, and that the Word of God is often
transcendental, bears witness to an eternity. sublime poetry.
Baha'ls once more have found man's place in Surely, therefore, in the Baha'i community,
endless time, regaining the organic awareness poetry shall be accorded a very high place of
of the succession of epochs which Herder knew distinction, far above any mean assessment of
of. Moreover, whereas Herder and Fichte had utility. Even in this era of committees, the procaught a glimpse of God in the ever-unfolding vince of the poet remains individual and inviorevelation of history, Baha'ls believe they are late. There shall be no danger of official
party to a knowledge of the Greater Revela- demands for realism, or even quasi-romantion, the key to the whole progression. Baha'- ticism. Plato's antagonism and the Prophet
u'llah, the Greater Revelation, the Manifes- MuQ.ammad's qualified consent that there
tation of God for this age, confirmed this know- was some truth in poetry are to be forgotledge of man's destiny when He said: All men ten in the age of man's maturity. The Baha'i
have been created to carry forward an ever- poet is freed from restraint by virtue of the
advancing civilization. ideals to which his Faith calls him to aspire.
The transcendentalist sees across time and Borne up by the moral vision of the Baha'i
into eternity; for him the present is part of the Faith, we will not need to look for an evident
whole. A Baha'i poet may write poetry today didacticism , conscious moralizing or theologizknowing that it will be far surpassed by great ing. There need be no pressure for adherence
Baha'i poets to come, poets supported by a to the puritanical strain. For it remains true, in
fully-developed philosophy and a world civiliz- Yeats's words' ... that life is greater than the
ation rooted in a religious culture. But he cause ... and we artists ... are the servants not
who writes today, writing in humility, may still of any cause but of mere naked life, and above
know he contributed his part to keeping the all of that life in its nobler forms, where joy and
vision of poetry alive. If what he writes comes sorrow are one .. .' 1 We do not associate the
from an inspired heart it may still be of human ' W. B. Yeats, Essays and lmroductions, New York, 1961 p.
value, and highly regarded by later genera- 260.
ESSAYS AND REVIEWS 623
'cause' referred to with God's Cause, the Baha'i found in the tradition of his Faith. He has both
Cause, but perhaps only that cause with a a tradition which is yet a new one, and a vision
small 'c' that men may make out of the Baha'i which is faced to the future. He may recall the
Faith. Causes, movements of ideas, have in the potent influence of religion on previous literapast not infrequently become sterile in their tures. In Hebrew literature poetry and religadherence to abstractions; that is, ideas not ious inspiration are synonymous; the Indian
lived and experienced. Ideas and beliefs are languages have contributed a vital and varied
not worthy until they become part of life itself. literature to Hindu culture; and perhaps the
Life in its mere naked form is what human most powerful example of religion wedded to
beings actually experience, and poetry addres- literature is Islam and Arabic, which in turn
ses itself essentially to personal experience. If fertilized the fields of Persian, Turkish and
the poet is to sing of life in its nobler forms he Urdu literature.
must have experienced or compassed imagina- These thoughts only underline the inevitabiltively such realities. He must know the joy and ity of an unimaginably resplendent range of
suffering that are one, through his own sor- literature in the mature Baha'i civilization.
rows. It is as though he is articulating the What an inheritance does the Baha'i poet
spiritual battles of Everyman. In these matters share! We may be present at the beginning, but
there can be no abstraction, no dogma. It was the prospect is vast. Here is not the place to
Milton who insisted that poets who wished to prophesy as to the possible images future poets
write heroic poems should first make of their will invoke, poets who have immersed themlives heroic poems. Baha'ls, following the selves in the ocean of the Baha'i Writings. But
advice of 'Abdu'l-Baha, do not merely recite lest it seem that I am content only with generalverses but strive to make their lives beautiful ization, I would like to quote briefly from a
prayers . Poets must express what they believe living Baha'i poet whose work possesses, in my
not in theory but in the way they themselves, estimation, a distinctive character.
and others, have actually lived such belief. Roger White's poetry contains, as far as I can
Belief is in continual need of revitalization tell, many echoes from the tradition of English
through the influx of spiritual sensibility and literature. He moves from the meditative,
the infusion of real experience touched by sometimes self-dissecting introspection of the
imagination. The poet is one who can advance seventeenth century Metaphysicals, through
this aim, alongside the efforts of others, and the light-hearted jeux d'esprits of the eighthus we reiterate his importance to the Baha'i teenth, to the apparent disenchantment of the
community. For fully accepted and approved, modern mind.
in this role he does become servant of the We have a modern echo of John Donne:
cause, which is life itself, the higher life that is
Come, let me fete you, beloved foe,
to be, which man must have more abundantly.
for I tire of this old-born war.
Profane imagery has been handled by the
greatest poets, including J:Iafi'.? and Goethe; it In stark contrast, we find the completely sechas influenced the sacred, as in the case of the ular voice of the japing eighteenth century poet
medieval lyric. The two English Puritan poets, ostensibly berating a gourmand mistress:
Spenser and Milton, the most serious of poets
My deeper need you blithely slight,
both, were alive to the sensuous. Hatred of the
Love-not food-my appetite.
world is not the poet's way; he must have water
and clay as well as nightingales and roses. The And yet another volte-face reveals the scep-
Qur'anic paradise and the beloved's hair are tical conscience of the modern:
natural images that the most Sacred of Voices
When you heard that God had died, you
have not disdained to use.
wondered
At present then, the Baha'i who writes
whether it was from sheer boredompoetry may find solace in the golden mines
all that joyless music and our impudent
which have been worked by the great poets of
prayers.
the past. Like most literate poets he will read
widely. His particular advantage is the inspira- I find in Roger White's variety of styles,
tion of the themes, symbols and images to be moods and themes the unity of a distinctive
624 THE BAHA'f WORLD

poetic mind. His use of secular image and idiom sainthood by an exonerating intolerance
is unabashed and unrepentant: and his need for us,
but still a holy man.
Named by her past suitors' Akka, Ptolemais,
St. Jean d' Acre, That these lines suggest so much about
she is no beauty, this aged courtesan , meanly ourselves as well as Fujita , as well as the poet's
rouged by sun. seeing, sensitive eye, is perhaps a mark of
Roger White's range . On the surface eschew-
Why did you do it, Keith? ing didacticism like a pl ague, th is poetry has
And you a looker. 'much to say' because it requires the reader to
look into himself. Do we confine to cruel isola-
Freddie, you walked in tion those we ostensibly canonize as living
with eyes as open as your heart, saints? Roger White sees the predicament of
knew it to be the deal beyond compromise; the real man but his poet's lens also captures in
survived the imagery a flash something of his subject's character:
accommodated to nightingales and roses.
mikado of mirth ,
Here is the use of colloquial phrase and the the Servant's servant.
profane conceit , but not merely for effect. We This is real poetry then. It is not accomsense there is an ulterior purpose behind the modating; it is often sardonic, questioning, not
use of bawdy image, accusatory line a nd easily satisfied. But it carries a note of wisdom
worldly wit. This sense of controlling wisdom and acceptance too. We see a practising poet
behind the open technical faci lity is in fact the writing, not as a single-minded poet-laureate
secret to the appreciation of Roger White's for the Baha'i Cause, but a sensitized human
intention as poet. His is a deeply human eye; being.
hiding beneath the layers of burlesque and But at a more obvious ' Baha'i' level , Roger
modernist world-weariness is a sorrowful and White's poetry suggests further points of
joyous delicacy of feeling. The heart of the departure . The heroes, heroines and history of
quintessential pioneer-the grey-haired Baha'i the Baha'i Faith are not invoked si mplistica lly
lady inveigling an innocent 'contact' into her or meretriciously, nor do quotations from
Faith through her kindness and conviction-is Scripture do the poet's work for him . When
penetrated. She would: there is a quotation (he loves to borrow Shoghi
Effendi's or the Universal House of Justice's
. .. have shielded the hapless
epithets to crown remembered Baha'i figures)
of Nagasaki , Warsaw, Buchenwald,
it is to build a n aura of pageant:
with he r own body, if she could .
Long ago she wept and worked for causes Brilliant Keith! immortal Lua! steadfast
not then named . Thornton!
courageous Marion! incomparable Martha!
But if he can celebrate the unknown Baha 'i, constant Juliet!
he can also give a jolting insight into the predicament of known sa ints . The much-loved What is the purpose in this?
Fujita, renowned Japanese Baha'i, loving and I fashion a paean; to vanquish dread, invoke
devoted servant of 'Abdu' l-Baha, emerges as the victors.
a vulnerable, isolated man as opposed to the
walking institution or sentimental relic: It is an answer, then , to personal need, as
well as to celebrate past souls and the spirit that
Acquitted of triviality by a pain and loneli- moved them. Roger White's poetry, while
ness that might instruct us , retaining the poet's individuality , yet leads us
rescued a halo's-breadth from isolating to hope for a Baha'i tradition of poetry.
ESSAYS AND REVIEWS 625
3. HIGHLIGHTS IN THE LIFE OF
MIRZA ABU'L-FAQL
(BASED ON AN ARTICLE BY R. MEHRABKHANI)

... lea m ed apologist . .. (one of the) successive messengers despatched by 'Abdu'l-Bahti
(who) succeeded in rapidly dispelling th e doubts, and in deepening the understanding of
th e believers, in holding the community together, and in forming th e nucleus of those
administrative insitutions which, two decades later, were to be formally inaugurated
through the explicit provisions of'Abdu'l-Bahti's Will and Testament.
Shoghi Effendi'

Mirza Abu'l-Fac;ll was born in Gulpaygan , tember 1876. His first letter to Baha' u'llah was
Iran in 1844 into a family distinguished for its only a few lines from the Qur'an: ' O our Lord!
scholarship. His father, Mirza Ric;la , was a we have indeed heard the voice of one that
noted Shi'ih cleric. Even as a youth , Mirza called. He called us to the faith-"Believe ye
Abu'l-Fac;ll displayed remarkable intelligence on your Lord"-and we have believed. 0 our
and had a phenomenal memory. He received Lord! forgive us then our sin, and hide away
his ·education in various centres in Iran includ- from us our evil deeds , and cause us to die with
ing I~fahan and also studied in 'Iraq, mastering the righteous.' 5
all branches of Islamic theology , Persian and He immediately began , in his straightfor-
Arabic literature, and philosophy. Upon com- ward way , to propound the teachings ofBaha'-
pletion of his studies in October 1873 he u'llah in his classroom. This provided an
accepted appointment as a lecturer at I:Iakim opportunity to his jealous enemies who
Hashim , an important and long-established denounced him to the clergy and prominent
theological college in Tihran. Far from being a public figures in Tihran . In December 1876 he
narrow-m inded priest, he had a broad outlook was dismissed from his teaching post and
and an inquisitive mind and established contact imprisoned by order of the Prince Regent ,
with Zoroastrians, Jews, Christians and even Kamran-Mfrza, the Governor of Tihran, a son
the few Buddhists who could then be found in of Na~iri'd-Din Shah. This imprisonment
fran. In 1875 he became acquainted with a lasted about five months during which time
merchant of good character, Aqa 'Abdu'l- Mirza Abu'l-Fac;ll 's brothers seized the pro-
Karfm , who had embraced the Baha'i Faith. perty which he had inherited from his father ,
Although Aqa 'Abdu'l-Karfm had no school- valued at more than one million tumans; one of
ing, he possessed a shrewd, acute mind. He them even robbed him of the few furnishings
introduced Mirza Abu'l-Fac;ll to the Baha'i he had in his room. It was as though through
teachings and arranged interviews for him with these hardships God was preparing Mirza
learned Baha'is including Aqa Mul).ammad- Abu'l-Fac;ll for the life of dedicated service he
i-Qa' ini (Nabfl-i-Akbar) 2 who was known as was to lead and remou lding his heart, mind and
'the Learned One of Qa'in', I:Iaji spirit. 'Abdu'l-Baha was to refer to him later as
Mul).ammad-lsma'fl of Kashan (surnamed 'an angel of heave n' and encouraged the
Dhabih 'sacrificed') ,3 I:Iaji Mirza I:Iaydar-'Alf friends to 'follow his example'. Mirza Abu'lof Ardistan, 4 and others. For many months Fac;ll gave himself wholeheartedly to the Faith.
Mirza Abu'l-Fac;ll debated with the Baha'is Years later when the friends would ask him to
contemptuously and eventually finding him- tell something about his life he was wont to
self, to his astonishment, unable to refute the answer: 'What can I say? Before becoming a
proofs they adduced , became a convert in Sep- believer I was a dead man and the dead have no
story to tell. And after becoming a believer,
God Passes By, p. 195, 260. one is like a shadow which has no existence in
Memorials ofthe Fai1hful , p. 1; A. Taherzadeh, The Revela- the light of the Faith.'
tion of Baha'u'llah, vol. II, p. 42 , 341.
J ibid., p. 137, 411 - 413.

' ibid. , pp. 68- 73 , passim. ' Qur'an 3: 190-192.
626 THE BAHA'I WORLD

After his release from prison the clergy of
T ihran attempted to persuade him to continue
to verbally acknowledge allegiance to Islam
and not to openly uphold the truth of the
Baha'i Cause but he would not accede to their
request. He then devoted himself to writing as
a means of earning a livelihood and laboured
diligently in spreading the Baha'i teachings .
By 1882 the Faith had won a considerable
number of converts throughout f ra n and the
Caucasus, among whom were many prominent
citizens. In Tihran , Rasht and Mazindaran the
clergy and civil authorities were again inflamed
with envy and hatred. In the wave of persecution that broke out Mirza Abu'l-Fa<;ll and a
number of other believers were accused of sedition and plotting against the government and
were imprisoned for twenty-two months. They
suffered rigorous distress and hardship and
during most of this time no one was allowed to
visit them. Twenty-four of the prisoners,
including Mirza Abu'l-Fa<;ll , were for fourteen
days chained together with long, heavy chains
a nd confined in a dark underground dungeon.
He related that for about six months they
received daily news of the plots and intrigues of Mirza Abu'l-Fa<j.l
their enemies and expected death at any 1844-1914
moment. The falseness of the accusations was
eventually proven to the Shah who com- prayer Baha'u' llah revealed for him in a Tabmanded that the prisoners should be set free. let1-he also broadened his own knowledge in
Mirza Abu'l-Fa<;ll then took up residence in a way that would not have been possible withthe village of Qulhak, a delightful summer out undertaking those extensive and freresort of Tihran, where he remained about quently arduous journeys. He was an exemseven months, engaged in lecturing and writ- plary travelling teacher. On his trips in Iran he
ing. He was imprisoned again-this time for lived modestly and subsisted on a simple diet.
about six months-and released on 5 February His clothing, too, was very simple. In order not
1886. In that year he received a Tablet addres- to inconvenience the Baha'i friends he would
sed to him by Baha'u'llah in which he was stay at inexpensive caravansaries rather than
instructed to travel for the purpose of spread- accept hospitality from the believers. He
ing the Baha'i message. Thus began his jour- earned enough to cover his few expenses by
neys which over the course of thirty years took copying books for the friends. He continued
him northward through Persia, Turkey, the travelling and teaching the Faith in fran for
Caucasus and as far as Moscow; eastward as far some years, and despite the uncertain health
as China and Kashgaria (Chinese Turkistan); from which he suffered all his life, he knew
to Syria and Egypt; and to Western Europe neither rest nor leisure.
and America. In his travels he held discussions In 1887, encouraged by the renowned Baha'i
with learned men of various religions, teacher and poet (later martyred) Mirza
nationalities and schools of thought. In addi- 'Ali-Mu~ammad , surnamed Varga ('Dove') by
tion to inspiring them with his own particular Baha'u'llah, Mirza Abu'l-Fa<;ll began to write
gift for explaining subtle philosophical for the Cause . He had felt it was an impertipoints-a skill which in the view of many of his nence in the Day of God for the believers to
contemporaries amounted to genius and one 1
Tablet to J:laji Mul)ammad K~im of I~faban; see The
which he felt he had received as a result of a Baha'( Proofs, introductory matter to 2nd ed ., p. 12.
ESSAYS AND REVIEWS 627
take up their pens when the Supreme Pen boundless. Such was his humility that he never
was in motion. However, Mirza 'Ali- felt worthy of addressing Baha'u' llah directly
Mul)ammad who had attained the presence of but wrote many letters and asked many ques-
Baha' u'llah in ' Akka, relayed the command of tions through His amanuensis or sons. At the
the Blessed Beauty that the believers should beginning of these letters he wrote long fervent
write books demonstrating the truth of the prayers and supplications expressing his love.
Cause. 'When I heard this statement from The receipt by Mirza Abu' l-Fa<;ll of a Tablet
Varqa,' Mirza Abu'l-Fa<;ll records, 'I ventured from 'Abdu'l-Baha asking him to arise and
to undertake writing.Other believers from all serve the Covenant vivified his grieving heart
parts were urging me both verbally and by and in 1894, at the invitation of the Master, he
letters to write books of explanation and visited the Holy Land where he remained for
proofs.' 1 There streamed from his pen, from several months, basking in the presence of
1888 until the time of his death, a flood of 'Abdu'l-B aha and deepening in knowledge of
treatises and books. Two of his works have the Faith. His humility before the Master and
been translated into English, The Baha'i his obedience to Him were of a degree
Proofs 2 and The Brilliant Proof 3 • The former unknown. Some of his distinguished contemwas written in America, originally in Arabic, poraries have stated that they had never seen
with the purpose of its being translated into any Baha'i more conscious of the greatness of
English for the use of the friends and was not the Covenant and more humble before the
completed when he left America . A first edi- Centre of the Covenant. The loving manner in
tion was published in 1902; a second was pub- which 'Abdu'l-Baha treated him only
lished shortly after his death in 1914 and con- increased his humility and his desire to obey .
tained an account of his life and tributes and His services springing from his understanding
eulogies by ' Abdu'l-Baha. The Brilliant Proof of the Covenant constitute a brilliant chapter in
is a small book written during Mirza Abu'l- the early history of the Faith.
Fa<;Il's stay in Beirut in December 1911 at the At the request of 'Abdu'l-Baha he visited
request of' Abdu'l-B aha in refutation of a criti- Egypt, an important centre of Islamic studies
cal article of Peter Z. Easton, a Protestant mis- where he was soon acclaimed by a number of
sionary, in which he misrepresented the aims theologians for his depth of knowledge .
and purposes of the Faith. 'Abdu'l-Baha Him- Indeed, some thirty advanced students of
self, while in America in 1912, directed that Al-Azhar, the greatest university of the Islamic
The Brilliant Proof be published and in one of world, expressed their belief in Baha'u'llah.
His discourses in Washington said of it: 'Each Some of the divines and professors of Alone of you should have a copy. Read , memo- Azhar then turned against Mirza Abu'l-Fa<;ll
rize and reflect upon it. Then when accusations and forbade their students to visit him or read
and criticisms are advanced by those unfavour- his books. He was then confined to his house,
able to the Cause, you will be well armed.' 4 writing books and answering questions
Mirza Abu'l-Fa<;il's Farti'id, a work of more brought to him from Baha'is and inquirers.
than 700 pages written in refutation of a Much could be said of the effect of his teachmulla's attack on Baha'u'llah's Kitab -i-lqan, is ing among the friends of the West, who were deperhaps his best-known book in the East and prived of Baha'i literature, and some of whom
an outstanding example of the logic and power had but a slight knowledge of the significance
of his argument. of the Cause which had attracted their hearts.
The passing of Bahii'u'llah in 1892 had an Of his visit to Paris in 1901 it was written: 'What
almost paralyzing effect upon Mirza Abu'l- a bounty to receive in 1901 the extended visit of
Fa<;ll whose devotion to the Blessed Beauty was Mirza Abu'l-Fa<;Il, sent by the Master to strengthen His Western children. For perhaps a
The Baha'f Proofs, introductory matter to 2nd ed. , p. 14. month he taught them almost daily, through the
Trans. by Mimi ' Ali-Kuli Khan; New York : J. W. Pratt
Co., 1902. Chicago: Baha'i Publishing Society, 1914. New
translations of Anton I:Iaddad and 'Alf-Kuli
York , Baha'i Publishing Committee, 1929. Khan. Of those memorable hours Agnes Alex-
Chicago: Baha'i News Service, 1912. Wilmette, Baha'i ander has written: "An atmosphere of pure
Publishing Committee, 1949.
'Abdu' l-Bah:i, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p.
light pervaded the Paris meetings, so much so
425. that one was transported, as it were, from the
628 THE BAHA'i WORLD

world of man to that of God;" to which Juliet they gave public lectures in halls rented by the
Thompson 's testimony is added: "That Paris believers for Sunday meetings only, as all other
group was so deeply united in love and faith; activities were held at the headquarters.
May, Lua , Laura 1 and Khan, these four espe- ' Mfrza Abu'l-Fac_il spent much time in New
cially so inspired, so carried away, so intoxi- York, Green Acre , and Washington , returning
cated with love for the beloved Master; our there after his visit in Chicago. His explanagreat teacher, Mirza Abu'l-Fac_il , so heavenly tions of the Bible were wonderful, giving from
wise-that those days were the days of miracle, Genesis to Revelation the most voluminous
of all but incredible confirmations.'" 2 To this and the most explicit interpretations we have
may be added the tribute of May Maxwell: 'We ever received.'
must first touch the heart to awaken it; if it The transcription of the stenographic record
opens and responds we must sow the priceless made of his talks and lectures, the account
seed ... Prepare the soil with the warmth of concludes, has been 'carefully preserved' and
your love just as the sun prepares the soil in the this, together with a large number of his letters
spring or the seed will not grow. Remove the to believers and inquirers served 'as a basis for
stones and weeds .. that is to say, in a kind way giving the Message, especially to Christians.'
try to remove prejudices . . Uproot narrow On 29 November 1904 Mirza Abu' l-Fac_il
superstitions by suggesting broader, deeper took leave of the American friends. He was
ideas. Never oppose people's ideas and state- now old and his health, never robust, was
ments, but give them a little nobler way of deteriorating . The climate, the food, the
seeing life. Such words and thoughts will take demands on his time, had not benefitted him.
effect because they come from a Baha'i whose After returning to the East he spent his time in
life flows from the source of all life on earth Haifa, Beirut, Alexandria and Cairo. The Mastoday ... My great and wise teacher, Mfrza ter took special care of him and he lived some
Abu'l-Fac_il, laid down these divine principles years more, devoting much time to his writing.
of teaching in my soul . . and they have On 21January1914, in Cairo , his earthly life
changed all my attitude . He showed me that it ended. His attending nurse said that as he
is the Spirit of God that is doing the work ; we expired she heard him exclaim : 'God! God!' 5
must wait upon the Spirit and do Its bidding An eyewitness has left this account of the
only.' 3 effect upon 'Abdu'l-Baha of the news of the
The American Baha'i community's appreci- passing of Mfrza Abu'l-Fac_il:
ation of the visit of Mirza Abu'l-Fac_il is 'The telegram arrived last night (21 January
recorded in The Bahri'( Centenary: 1914); it was delivered this morning, and the
1844-1944 4 in an article entitled 'Teachers heart-breaking news conveyed to ' Abdu' l-
Sent to America by 'Abdu'l-Baha': 'Also Baha just as He sat down to partake of His
'Abdu'l-Baha sent to America in 1902 the lunch. The news saddened and grieved Him.
revered Mirza Abu'l-Fac_il ... He was accom- He did not say a word, but arose from His seat
panied by Mfrza 'Ali-Kuli Khan, later an without eating. He remained alone in His room
attache of the Persian Embassy in Washington, till late in the afternoon. Then He went with
D.C., who acted as his interpreter and trans- Mirza Hadl to the telegraph office to send a
lator. The Baha'ls had already rented a message of consolation to the friends in Cairo.
house . . . for a headquarters where the The Pilgrims' House was a house of mourning;
activities of the Cause were carried on. Here many eyes were weeping and many hearts bur-
I:Iajl Mfrza I:Iasan and party, Mfrza Abu'l-Fac_il dened with sorrow.
and all the translators lived at the same time. 'In the evening all the believers gathered in
This was a glorious experience for the friends 'Abdu'l-Baha's house. Under breath everyone
who gathered there to receive the teachings was discussing the death of our venerable
from these marvelous teachers. Every Sunday teacher, when Mfrza Hadl brought us the word
that 'Abdu'l-Baha would receive us . We all
May (Bolles) Maxwell, Lua Getsinger, Laura (Clifford)
Dreyfus-Barney. ascended to the upper floor , and after a few
2 May Maxwell, 'In Memoriam'. The Balza'{ World, vol.
minutes He came in. At first He was silent, then
VIII, p. 634.
ibid., p. 636.
while His eyes were shut He started to speak.
Baha'i Publishing Committee, Wilmette, Ill., 1944. 'Star oftlze West, No. 19, vol. IV.
ESSAYS AND REVIEWS 629
He would speak a few phrases, then a Hood of pedantic expressions or circumlocution-in
emotions sweeping over Him, He would stop a order to bear upon the mind of the reader the
few seconds and continue.' 1 whole weight of his learning and scholarship
In a series of moving eulogies the Master
paid tribute to one who He said was, from ' How learned was he! How wise was he!
every standpoint, 'peerless': How well informed was he! His understanding
' . . . he was in a state of the utmost sever- was marvellous and his wisdom beyond comance, and adorned with the highest virtues of parison ... All the learned men and scholars of
firmness and steadfastness. He was absolute,ly the Islamic world, especiall y those who reside
detached from everything. From the day that in Egypt, and had conversed with Mirza
he became a believer up to the last moment of Abu'l -Fac;Il , have testified that he was a genius,
his life , ·he was occupied in the service of the a truly wise man . Notwithstanding this, his
Cause of God; either he conveyed the Message character was never tinged with any vanity or
or wrote books proving the validity of the self-conceit.' 2
Cause. He had not the slightest attachment to In words such as these ' Abdu'l-Baha honth is mortal world . oured a servant whose passing He said was 'an
'How erudite and learned he was! ... He ... irretrievable loss for the people of Baha" .3
was a standard-bearer of the oneness of the Perhaps we glimpse in some small measure
world of humanity. In the servitude of the Holy the personal loss experienced by the Master
Threshold of Baha'u'llah he was my partner when we read: 'While I was living in Ramleh,
a nd associate. During the hours of grief he was whenever I felt depressed or sad, I ca lled on
the source of my consolation. From every him , and soon afterwa rds I was in a happier
standpoint I trusted him , and had in him the frame of mind.' 4
greatest amount of confidence. Whenever Now , on the Mediterranean coast of Spain ,
anyone wrote books and articles against this my memory goes back to a period twenty-eight
Cause, I referred them to him for irrefutable years ago when I was putting the last touches
a nswer. on my work on the life of Mirza Abu ' l-Fac;Il5
'How humb le and meek he was! We tried written during years of eager investigation ,
our best to persuade him to keep a servant, but having travel led to Gulpaygan, his birthplace,
he wo ul d always gently decline. He desired to to get my last inspiration for it. I wa lked for
serve the believers personally . . . hours and hours along the streets gazing at the
'During all the days of his life I never heard one-storey sun-dried brick buildings, the
from him the use of the word "I" - " I said so ," orchards of fruit trees, the fields of wheat and
or "I wrote so and so." .. . He never made a barley with clumps of ta ll willow and poplar
display of his knowledge , nor wished to here and there. In this unprepossessing setting
impress upon the mind of any person that he was born a man of a kind of whom an Arab
knew such and such a subject. He was evanes- proverb says 'he could count for a thousand
cent and lived in the station of nothingness .. . men'. And, I thought , in the case of Mirza
No one inhaled from him the odor of superior- Abu'l-Fac;Il , whose name means literall y 'the
ity . .. father of learn ing', for many more!
'Were one to read all his writings and works,
he does not find "I-ness" and "egoism" stalk- 2
ibid., pp. 19-27.
ing between the lines, nor does he observe any ibid ., p. 23.
'ibid ., p. 21.
' Th e Bah ti ' ( Proofs, introductory matter to 2nd ed. , p. 19. ' Published in Persian ; 1975.
630 THE BAHA'I WORLD

4. A PORTION OF RADIANCE: A REMINISCENCE 1
BERTHALIN ALLIEN

I first heard of the Baha'i Cause a little before New York. In her apartment, where Anton
1900, while I was in school in Paris. There I Haddad gave the lessons of the Cause, the
met a small group of people, a few American wonder of it, the hol y words, entranced me.
st udents, like myself, who seemed to be The holy words, life-giving fountains, revealinvolved in a new religion stemming from Per- ing, ever new, to this very day since 1900. I
sia. I can' t say that I was especially impressed believe I am thus the oldest living Baha'i, who
by what they said. Rather I was attracted by was living in New York City at that time.
these people as unusual people-one in par- Soon after that I returned to school in Paris
ticular, a very beautiful girl who seemed to and joined that first Baha'i group of E urope. 5
radiate a specia l magnetic charm. I was com- The Guardian many years later wrote telling me
pletely captivated by her and not understand- how blessed I was to have been a member of
ing what she was saying, I just silentl y sat in that group. A small group but there was
wonder, somehow feeling her special station . radiance, the spirit of Baha'u'llah so strong, a
Her name was May Bolles,2 who later became tightly united group; it made me speechless; all
the mother of RuJ:iiyyfh Khanum. I wanted was to be with them; my whole life
I was leavin g for home, New York City, and was changed. There were no books ... the
before leaving May gave me a letter to a friend teachings of the Manifestation of God were
who she said would explain things to me .... I spread by word of mouth and from heart to
found her to be a beautiful woman, beautiful heart! How powerful the Spirit that radiated
and on fire with the religion she had embraced . from this group, out into the far-reach ing cor-
Her name was Elfrida Martin. With her was a ners of this earth, until from that small begin-
Persian, Anton Haddad ,3 who I found out ning the radiance of the Cause of God is now
later was the translator of the famous felt by people, remote and far away.
Suratu'l-Haykal. 4 'Abdu'l-Baha had sent him There were no books, just a few words brought
to America to teach and it was listening to him back to us from pilgrims who had gone to
that I caught the first impact of something far 'Akka to see the prisoner, ' Abdu'l-Baha. They
greater than I could grasp at the moment. It all had seen Him, they had felt the magnetic
seemed too big, too incomprehensible for my power of the 'Servant of God,' the only title He
understanding, too fantastic for my mind to wanted; they told us about Him and brought
grasp, but my heart seemed to know what my back the first teachings, His love, His hopes for
mind was un ab le to take in . those who believed in Him .
Anton's theme was that the Spirit of Christ In those days we in Paris wrote to 'Abdu'lwas on earth again to bring the people back to Baha to confirm our love and devotion to Him
God. This thrilled me as ever since childhood I and those letters were always answered by
had in my heart a love for Jesus. I longed for Him. After my schooling I returned to New
Him always. Now was that divine Spirit here York City having lived in Paris four years. The
again? It must be so, I wanted it to be so. It Tablets I received, thirteen of them, made a
flooded my heart with hope until I came to strange impact upon me. I was unable to
believe even before I knew anything about 'digest' them-that's not the best word-it was
what I was to learn later, the greatness, the simply I could not believe that they were
majesty of Baha'u'llah . So it was that Mrs. Mar- addressed to me. It was as if I should look over
tin and I were the first Baha'is at that time in my shoulder to see the person for whom they
were meant. To this day this one sentence still
Published under the title 'The Luminous Hour' in Baha'i makes me stop short: ' Praise be to God, thou
News, February 1965; © the National Spiritual Assembly
of the Baha'is of the United States. hast been accepted at the threshold of the
Later Mrs. William Sutherland Maxwell.
' Antun Haddad.
'Surih of the Temple , an important Tablet revealed by ' A photograph of the first Baha'i gro up of E urope appea rs
Baha'u'llah in •Akka. on p. 132.
ESSAYS AND REVIEWS 631
Almighty and are mentioned in the Supreme 1817-November 12, when at the hour of
Concourse! ' These Tablets are now safe in the dawn a child was born in the city ofTihran. To
Arch ives. I no longer remember dates, years, me that hour must have stirred the very atoms
what happened in such and such a year. My life of the earth, making the earth tremble with joy,
was a simple one, sometimes hard , many for on it would walk the spirit of God and in
heartbreaks, but over the long span of life since another city a little known disciple' of
1900, now 1964 and close to ninety, I at last Al)mad-i-Ahsa'f2 (the forerunner of the Bab)
have made the words in the Tablets my bowed to the ground in an act of wonderment,
own-everything 'Abdu'l-Baha had predicted testifying that 'At this hour the light of the
for me has come true. Promised One has broken and is shedding
illumination upon the whole world.' How shin-
Year 1905: ' O thou who art advanced to
ing was that hour! And as the believers multi-
God!
ply, their army marching into the far-off coun-
Be assured and content with the great bounty
tries of the earth, exiles from home and kin,
and generosity of God, and be cheerful
they carry the torch held high to tell the people
because all that which is absolutely good will
of that luminous hour-November 12, 1817.
become possible for thee. In this day all that
As to the moment of my actual meeting
which is conducive to the eternal happiness is
'Abdu'l-Baha this was at the house of Ed Kinattainable by thee. Be not grieved at allney.3 As He entered the room there was a
neither sit down dispirited. Every difficulty
strange stillness; we were awed by His preswill be changed to enlargement, and every
ence; majestic yet very human, He looked at us
affliction will be transformed to the mercy
with compassion. He strode about the room,
of omnipotence.'
some of us were sitting on the floor and every
'Upon thee be greeting and praise.'
time He passed me I touched His garment. He
(signed) 'Abdu'l-Baha 'Abbas
spoke at length and each sentence was trans-
Years passed with just living until , unexpect- lated but what these words were I have no idea,
edly, I had a chance to go to Haifa. Years for I like others was completely engulfed in an
before' Abdu'l-Baha had given me permission exalted consciousness in which the mind had
in one of His Tablets, but I had to wait all those no place. I don't believe those words were
years and by then 'Abdu'l-Baha had passed, in taken down at that time, tape recording was
1921. Four unforgettable weeks were spent in still half a century away. Many of those present
the Holy Places, surrounded by so much love, have described this scene and it can be found in
the hours spent in the shrines, in prayer and several books. For me the words were lost-we
meditation , the precious time spent with the were all caught up in an intensely vibrant
Greatest Holy Leaf-a pure spirit-as well as atmosphere. As we gazed at the beautiful face
several visits with the Guardian . .. by his bed- of 'Abdu'l-Baha, we were not in this world. A
side, as he was ailing and depressed. The bur- few who were there then are still alive, carrying
den of responsibility thrust upon him so sud- the spirit of that moment out into the fardenly almost crushed him. Looking back now, reaching corners of the earth and all who hear
since he has passed away, I have felt that he too them too are given a portion of radiance
was a martyr, for the responsibilities became emanating from 'Abdu' l-Baha.
ever more heavy. However, under it all he
gained in strength and spirituality which helped 1
Mirza Mal)mud-i-Qam~ari ; see Nabil-i-A'~am. (Mulla
him to become a brilliant leader. ... Mul)ammad-i-Zaranc!i) , The Dawn Breakers pp. 8-9.
Much time has passed since 1900 when I first ' fillaytI.i Al)mad-i-Al)sa'i, (1743-1826) founder of the
.fil)aykl!f school.
caught a glimpse of what was to come, but to 3
Edward B. Kinney ($afa), see 'In Memoriam', The Baha' f
me the year to be remembered is World, vol. XII. p. 677.
632 THE BAH A' i WORLD

5. FRAGMENTS FROM A DIARY
JONATHA N RI S HW ORTH

(Impressions of a Baha'i yo uth of his vis it to Kenya as a trave llin g teacher)
10 D ece mber 1978- 25 January 1979

H aifa
10 February 1979
So ME days have passed since my return from Kilifi, a nd ove r the eight days the experiences
the beautiful country of Kenya. During a brief share d by the twenty-five or more Baha'fs presix-wee k sojourn I was privilege d to trave l wi th sent will a lways remain deeply deposited
friend s into the Central Province as well as to within each pe rso n, as gems ready to be
the Coast Province . In both places, precious brought forth and given to others when the
hea rts ab ide , waiting for people to bring the oppo rtunity presents itse lf to speak forth
Message of Baha' u' ll ah into their lives. Baha'u' ll ah's Teachings.
To have time to give our Lord , howeve r T he days were spent in a n atmosp here of
short the days must be , however inadequate we love a nd learning, prayer fillin g o ur soul s, Holy
each must feel , is such a wondrous gift, th at as I Words stirring hearts and laughte r re leas ing a
look back over the days spe nt teaching in sp irit of joy that touched all in the warm glow
Kenya the gratitude in my heart knows no way of His Presence. Any previous doubts fled from
of true expression; save to bend a little more my mind , now instilled with greater insight into
each day to try, to strive, to ta ke up the respon- the myriad possibilities open to each of us when
sibility given each of us to serve the world of praye r is offered up and the teaching of His
humanity forthe sake of the Blessed Perfection. Message is carried out in accordance with the
A pleasant flight from Israel , a brief delay in directions given us in the Writings .
customs, then , immediate contrast when I Afte r: the return to Nairobi , waiting fo r
stepped through the outer door and was frie nds as they prepared for the days ahead,
greeted by a welcoming group of Baha'fs from then the exciting mom ent of departure.
Nairobi. A drive to the Nation al Centre which Mehraz, Samuel, Ernie and myself drove into
was to be my base. Staying there also were the Cent ra l Province, and he ld a rendezvous
so me travelling teachers awaiting furth er with James, Moriuki and Mwangi. The joy of
instructions from the National Spiritual those moments is beyond my power of descrip-
Assembly before journeying to various parts of tion. Prayers were offered by us all th at our
the country to teach the village people, so hearts be e mptied, our spirits become magnets
many of whose hearts a re yearning to hear the of the love of God, and our feet be directed
Message of God. Among those at the Centre un fa ilingly to souls who might be receptive to
was Jenabe Caldwell , a n A las kan, who was the Message of Baha'u'llah that would e nrich
organizing teaching institutes throughout the their lives both in this world and in the spiritual
Ke nyan Provinces . After talking with him and worlds beyond.
some National Spiritual Assembly members I T he seq ue nce of days, the innum erable indidecided to travel to one of the institutes prior vidual eve nts that occurred are not relevant to
to any teaching activity. this sketch, but the freedom of those moments
Before attending the institute I felt slightly might be thus described:
perturbed as to how I cou ld ensure that my time Dawn ho urs found us praying together;
in Kenya would not be frittered away on spas- late r, as individ ual e ntities, o ur hearts, minds
modic, ineffectual teaching caused by my pos- and sou ls turn to the Creator supplicating
sib le in ability to seize a nd promote to the full est, stren gth , guidance, love, wisdom; praising
any God-given opportunity. I wanted desperately Him, magnifying His Na me , invok ing His ai d
to be as a fine instrument, freed fr o m the impedi- in recognizing the divine reality in the hearts
ments of self, so His Spirit would fl ow swift ly and minds of all we might meet.
and deeply into the he arts of the people. · Suns ri se, suns set, and a gree n-robed river
The institute took place on the Coast, in valley witnesses a small band of the followers
ESSAYS AN D REVIEWS 633
of the Blessed Beauty being welcomed by chil- short respite with friends in town- time to
dren runnin g onto a wide, open grass field , reflect on the days that have passed. One realbright shining faces , each chil d calling A llah - ization is overpowe rin g: that it is Baha'u'll ah
u-Abhd! T hose days wi ll be remembered: the Who knows what is to take place, what do es
many waiting hearts, the precious individuals , take place, and the reality of what took place.
one of the teachers smilin g rad iantl y with On the road o nce more. Goda, Mwombegu
God's love shining in him , the quiet David who and myse lf were left in Malindi where a
spoke such sweet words. Miracles see med to warm-hearted Baha'i fa mily welcomed us into
happe n dai ly, and all are reme mbered: those their home inviting us to make it our home
who liste ned , those who accepted, the sm il es , during our visit. T he days merged together.
the prayers, the e lection as we wit nessed the Goda, Samuel , Godo na, Mwombegu, Patrick
birth of an Assembly. and I travelled to Pendukiani , Mijomboni ,
Leaving that va lley paradise , with two of o ur walking over shadowed sa nd paths which wound
new-found fami ly remaining behind , we jour- past the homes of ma ny people who , ye t so phyneyed to a flat green countryside where tea sica ll y close to western influe nce, see m re mote
plantations lined the dust roads. There in one from th at world . The la nd is still an integral part
small village we sat for two evenings: women, of th eir lives. As we travelled from one village
me n and children relaxed on the grass listening to anothe r, the pote nti alities of the area became
as God's Message was offered. (Please, touch increasingly appare nt; o ur minds stagge red
their hearts, dear Lord!) Another Asse mbl y un der the weight and beauty of the concept.
was formed and thus was spun the unseen mys- We envisio ned many Assemblies being
tical web that binds and draws together, in for med , the Message being quickly spread
ways too subtl e to ever comprehend , those who amon g a nd acce pted by great numbers of peorespond to His call. Circumsta nces call ed us ple . A ll too qui ck ly my brief sojourn the re
away. T hose who are able to return promise to ended. Leaving the others behind teaching the
do so; we ho ld them in our hearts and prayers , receptive villagers I returned to Mombasa, lost
supplicati ng that those who have been deeply in reminiscences of those pure-hearted villagtouched by the Ca use of God will talk often e rs who declared their be lief, praying that
with their Lo rd and lead all they meet to new o th er teachers would soon arise and visit these
spiritual insights. people , teaching them , explainin g in detail the
Again we reached the river valley, returning significance of the Revelation of Baha' u' -
wit h a ' fami ly' diminished in number because ll ah- for the possibilities are limitless.
some were required to attend to other matters, (Please, Cod, we will achieve it!)
each of us regretting the separation . There we Nairobi o nce again , and a last glance at those
see o ur brothers and sisters, so new to the Fa ith hearts I had co me to know so well. Wonderful
of Baha'u'llah, forgi ng spiritual awareness into news! Many people a re accepting His Message
daily rea lity as they teach those they encou nte r; in the area surrounding that first magical valley
in a brief time another Asse mbly is for med, where He directed that pitifully sma ll band of
cemented with love . T hat valley of red dust followers.
roads and verdant, fe rtile banks where He has At home, e nriched by memories of my vi sit
raised up lov ing souls eager to participate in the to Kenya, I expe rience a wave of gratitude and
greatest challenge ever given by God to man, the tender love toward all those I met in Nairobi ,
unificat io n of mankind-that valley is blessed. Ta mbaya , Mo mbasa , Kilifi, Malindi, Pen-
With the arriva l of a friend who suggested dukiani , Mijomboni- and for all the people of
that we must trave l onwards, events cha nged Kenya. Innumerab le o pportunities lie ahead
swiftly a nd my course was alte red. A fami liar for those who take up the ir lives and cast the m
destination awaited me: perhaps I owed it at the feet of the Beloved: 'To assist Me , is to
something. A telephone conversation with a teach My Cause.' (Baha 'u'l!ah)
member of the National Spiritual Asse mbl y, a How ma ny prayers will be spoken from the
trip to Nairobi by motorbike, preparation for a heart? What lessons will be given? How often
flight to th e coast and, God willing, a n oppor- will we liste n?
tunity to offer assistance to the Province in 'O God, my God, my Beloved, my heart's
which th e teaching institute had bee n he ld. A Desire .' (Th e Bab)
634 THE BAHA'I WORLD

6. REGINALD TURVEY: AN APPRECIATION OF THE
MAN AND HIS ART 1
LOW ELL JOH NSON

REGINALD Ernest George Turvey was born He painted a number of portraits, including
in 1882 in Ladybrand , South Africa on the one of Sir Thomas Fuller, but he excelled in
border of the little country known today as landscapes. The secret of his skill was his inti-
Lesotho. His family descended from pioneer macy with the landscape; he was the landscape.
Englishmen who came to South Africa in the He virtually walked into the painting which
first wave of settlers in 1820. His great- came to represent his feelings as he stood on
grandfather, Edward Ford Turvey , also an Yorkshire downs or the banks of the canals of
artist, had headed one of the parties in the Amsterdam , Ghent or Bruges, or the shores
settlement. Life was difficult for these and mountains of the Italian Riviera and
pioneers, but by the time of Reg's birth, the southern Africa. Much of his early work was
Turvey brothers owned many of the farms inspired by Constable and Cezanne whose
encircling Ladybrand and t)le central square paintings he greatly admired.
block of the town itself where his father ran a We have very few clues to Turvey's thinking
trading store and collected rents. in this period except those to be found in a few
Reg's first contact with art was the aboriginal letters written to Bernard Leach between 1909
Bushman paintings discovered while playing and 1920 when Reg was in England and Africa
in caves in the foothills around Ladybrand and Leach was in Japan. The letters reveal a
and the Drakensberg mountains of Lesotho. lonely man. He loved England but close com-
He never completed his schooling because panionship meant more to him, so with a gift
his teacher discovered his talent for drawing from his father, he joined Leach in Japan in
and convinced his father to send him abroad 1910. He had hoped to give art lessons there
to art school. Reg entered the Slade School but the Eastern way of life and the Japanese
of Art in London in 1903 with the grudg- weather did not agree with him and reluctantly
ing support of his family who felt that he would he agreed to return to his family in South
do better to pursue a more lucrative profes- Africa to assist on the farm. A letter written to
sion. his family at this time survives: ' ... but I shall,
On the first day of school he met fellow of course, in such spare time as I may have , try
student Bernard Leach , in from another colony to keep up my art-of course, not interfering
(Hong Kong) , and they became lifelong with the farm work. But, still you must never be
friends. Leach says that he does not think he sorry that your son is somewhat of an artist and
had any influence upon Turvey as an artist. 'I has the true feeling for art, for it is not a thing to
was interested in line,' he said, 'and Reggie in be ashamed of. People may scorn it as they will.
colour texture. He loved painting in itself and I shall always be proud of having done what I
was a born colourist. What we used to call have done, though it is little. My work has
"tone" in our student days was almost always given pleasure to some few ... it would be
clearly to be found in his strong brushwork . rather hard for me to lose touch with every-
Touch sang to touch, tone to tone, tension to thing that has concerned my life in the pursuit
tension.' In the sphere of their personal lives, of art, so while I am farming I would like just
however, they influenced each other greatly. now and then to smell a paint brush.'
One year after entering Slade where he The letter contains all the seeds of Turvey's
studied under Henry Tonks and won the W. future frustrations: his family of farmers and
Steer prize for portrait painting, Reg moved to businessmen did not understand him, and art
the London School of Art where he spent four made little impression in the South Africa of
years becoming essentially a landscape painter. that day. Also, his father who moved to Kenya
and established a farm there with Reg as his
' Excerpted from a forthcoming biography by Lowell
trainee, died within a year of the move leaving
Johnson. his bereft son in sole charge of the farm.
ESSAYS AND REVIEWS 635
The outbreak of war in 1914 deeply affected paintings and his at-one-ment with nature from
Reg's sensitive nature. In a letter written on 8 which they sprang. A few months later he
November 1915 from Nakuru , Kenya he reveals wrote to Leach saying that he had been reading
his abhorrence of war, intuitively reflecting the Theosophical books, deriving satisfaction from
teachings of the Baha 'i Faith which he had not the writings of those 'able to see the inner truth
yet encountered: ' Oh, when will this wretched of things.'
war be over? It is truly a barbarous thing: the In 1924 Reg married Frances Waddell G unn
worst thing that could have happened in this in Ladybrand and not long after returned to
supposed-to-be civilized era. Real civilization England with his wife. Rejoining his friend,
has not touched the souls of many; yet this war Leach, he set up a studio in St. Ives, Cornwall
is the indication of an evil thing which must be and later built a house and studio opposite
rooted out forever if possible. The cry of civi- Leach's home. The next sixteen years were
lization is Peace, or ought to be. But when will fulfilling for Reg. He had compan ionship,
real civilization be so universal and ingrained painted full-time , and had a relatively happy
as to make such a thing as war impossible? If family life although his first son died of diphwars are to continue on into the ages and sci- theria. When Leach moved to Dartington as
ence continues to make the vast progress that it resident potter the Turveys followed.
has within the last sixty years or so, then, ulti- A lthough Reg was not on the staff he lived
mately the destruction of life will be so great close to Dartington Hall and here entered into
that there will be plenty of room on the earth a new phase of art education. The bulk of his
for the devil to walk to and fro in ... Tell me, work in this period which had been stored in a
what is the finest aim in life, and why?' shed was destroyed by mischance after he
Twice Reg tried to enlist in the army, once in returned to South Africa in 1940.
Kenya and a second time after selling the farm In 1932 Turvey met the American Baha'i
and returning to South Africa , but on both painter Mark Tobey who taught the artist to
occasions was told he had a weak heart, a fact work less from the mind than the heart and
proven not long after when he suddenly col- broadened Turvey's outlook on contemporary
lapsed in pain while climbing a hill on the Natal art. Tobey's approach to painting was not
coast to do some painting. He spent a year immediately reflected in Turvey's work , but
recovering during which he lived at sea level; the ideas that Mark expressed about a gradual
slowly he began to paint again. withdrawal from direct observational painting
His letters to Bernard Leach during this of nature and a movement toward abstraction
period reveal his questing nature. After his influenced the paintings Turvey produced
heart attack, he wrote: 'I did fight for life any- toward the end of his life . Bernard Leach, too,
way, and the mind is a tremendous force when was attracted to Tobey's teaching. He guided
no adverse suggestion comes to bother it. I both men into the many developments of modtried to impress this from the very first upon the ern painting and introduced them to the Baha'i
few people around me. What a mystery life is! Faith. Within three years Reg became a Baha'i;
And yet sometimes, like you, I feel I under- Leach followed five years later.
stand things . Anyway, as far as they matter to The effect of the Baha'i Faith on Reg's life
us. The rest we leave to God ... I think if one's was not immediately manifested. He was to
mind goes off searching in the right direction it return to South Africa to his roots, experiencdoes eventually take one into a calm placid ing occasional poverty and the pain and loneliregion. I am vague, but as I say, I do sometimes ness of divorce before the universal teachings
feel things rightly without having much actual of the Faith of Baha'u'llah brought him the
knowledge. Metaphysics, and all the rest of it; I peace he had always sought.
haven't the mind to go floundering about Soon after his return to South Africa a critic
amongst all the thoughts of all the lauded Turvey's paintings for their echo of 'the
philosophies. But to reach this calm region suggestion of movement and the perfection of
from which to regard life, to be "at-one-with" line seen in many of the magnificent rock paintnature in its calm evolutionary progress seems ings at Modderpoort and in the exposed caves
to me the greatest attainment.' Here are clues of the mountains of Ladybrand and Basutoto the calm placidity of Turvey's landscape land ... He has developed a personal tech-
636 THE BAHA'i WORLD

nique whi ch in the result is very ori gin al. ' As
early as 1937 whe n he exh ibited at the
Bloomsbury Ga ll eries, London, his work was
pra ised for ' its qua lities rooted in ancient art.'
In 1961, when Reg was seventy-n ine, a perceptive reviewer wrote: 'Regin ald Turvey is a
painter who has evo lved a sty le, through his
long years of devotion to hi s art, which refuses
to be classified under any arty " ism" . His malleable talent has co ntinued to expand and
renew itse lf at a stage when most painters have
become set in their hab its.'
Reg never entered the realm of pure abstraction. His work ge nerally evolved toward a simplification in which im ages from nature, birds
and anima ls, were recognizable but imaginatively transformed. He drew close r to the world
of pure imagination, and spoke from within of
the life he had experienced through hi s senses,
now reflected from a mature perspective.
A restrospective exhibition in 1966 drew
this com ment: 'You need not to have known
Reg T urvey to realize that this is an exh ibition
in a class by itself ... Turvey himself, courte-
Reginald Turvey
ous, gentle and serene, has always firml y fol-
1882-1968
lowed his own path (illumin ated for him by
certain masters) and this path can be traced
again by the beholder at this retrospective almost indifferent attitude to success. Perhaps
exhibitio n. T here are some touchingly lovely it was th at self-denial was a feature of the myslandscapes from this (earlier) phase of the tic Oriental religion he embraced.' A no th er
artist's career. His "Drakensberg", painted commented: 'This lack of recognition would
with reverence and awe, makes o ne forget a ll not have worried this most modest a nd lovable
the purple-and-green tra vesties of the same of painters, but ... it is o nl y right th at those
su bject. Here ... can be found the tran sition who neglected him should be ab le to go and
from mere know-how to the spiritual percep- worsh ip at his shrine before it is too late.'
tion . . . Throug hout his a lmost unacclaimed Those who knew Reg wel l in his later years
career, Turvey's painting was slowly approach- found him to be totally devoted to his painting
ing a new mysticism as well as a mastery of a and his fa ith. He often combined the two intertechniq ue he had made his own, resulting ests by transporting African Baha'is to a n area
finally in those elusive and imaginative canvas- where they could teach. Having performed this
ses in which silvery tones meet and dissolve in simple service Reg would then take out his
closely-woven brushstrokes . . . At eighty- brushes and paint until they returned from
three , with his brushes stacked away, Reg Tur- their mission. He spoke about the Baha'i Faith
vey has at las t become a "coll ector's painter".' only when someone showed a kee n interest. A
T his last sentence was wishful thinking on frie nd a nd benefactor relates: 'He explained
the reviewer's part. To the e nd , Reg was what his religion stands for, how he be lieves,
admired by fe ll ow artists and informed critics, what he believes, what it meant to him. It was
but he was not recognized by the general personal. He was so excited abo ut his pilgrimpublic. Many critics have tried to analyze the age. He was in his seventies. He was happy . It
reasons: 'Somehow, during his lifetime, Reg gave him a new lease on life. In our fam il y he
Turvey failed to receive the recognition which was always classified as a saint who didn't
his wo rk deserved. Perhaps it was because of expect anything from the world ; we a lways
an extraordinarily retiring nature and an compared him with the tsadik of the Jewish
ESSAYS AND REVIEWS 637

Untitled painting by Reginald Turvey

religion, one of the thirty-six righteous men in exhibited them. For example , the painting in
each generation whose holiness and humble oi ls inspired by the story ofTahirih was entitled
blameless lives merit for the world the divine by the exhibitor 'Rima' and thereafter Reg
grace that prevents its destruction. ' And again: always referred to the picture by that name.
'Reg is the nearest to a saintl y man I have ever Only in rare cases did he date his paintings and
known. The only two saintly men I remember then usually at the request of the owner or
in my life are Reg and my father. When you buyer. It is from his few paintings that bear
told me that he is called the Father of the dates that we are able to estimate the dates of
Baha'is of South Africa, 1 I wouldn't have other works. Many of his paintings are
thought of such a thing, but it sums it up abso- unsigned. An even greater number would bear
lutely, a sp iritual father.' no signature had I not, towards the end of his
On several occasions I asked Reg what life, urged him to sign them . Reg was without
influence the Baha'i Faith had on his life. He ego. He was like the unknown craftsman writsaid it gave him contentment. His paintings ten of by Soetsu Yanagi, the philosopherreflect it. leader of the Japanese craft movement:
Turvey's works are not sentimental and he ' Where does beauty lie if not in these qualalmost never painted Baha'i themes. He was ities?-the plain and unagitated , the uncalcunot strongly attached to his p aintings and lated , the harmless, the straightforward , the
rarely gave them titles, leaving it to those who natural, the innocent, the humble, the modest,
the meek, the austere, the unornate; they are
An appellation given to him by Shoghi Effendi during the natural characteristics that gain man's
Reginald Turvey's pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1956;
see 'In Memoriam', The Baha'i World , vol. XIV, pp. affection and respect.' Turvey had these vir-
385-387. tues.
638 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Even in physical pain Reg never com- themes. The closest he came to social commenplained. When his painting hand was afflicted tary was in a painting depicting a black a nd a
with arthritis he did not mention it. When his wh ite horse and an African family looking into
firs t finger wo uld no longer function he held the a typical South African veld landscape an ticibrush between his thumb and second finger; pating a better tomorrow. 1
later, his second fi nger and thumb also gave Turvey' s versatility and technical fac ility are
o ut . His last works, semi-abst ract with the ir much acclaimed. Increasingly it is recognized
thin silvery mosaic lines, were done with this that in his work extend ing over a period of
disability. But he did not finally give up until his approximate ly six decades he forged a
eyesight fa iled. When he could no longer paint significant link between South African a nd
or drive his car to provide transportation for international art. In 1977 a professor of art at
Baha'i teaching work he lost interest in life and Witwatersrand University , Johannesburg
entered a nursing home. His former wife, analyzed Turvey's retrospective exhibitio n at
members of the Baha'i community and other the Gertrude Pose! Ga llery and hinted at the
friends visited him as he faded grad uall y into permanent importance of his work.
the next world . He died on 2 March 1968 in But the words of his oldest friend, Bernard
Durban. Leach , who knew him best, should close this
His sa les to art gall eries during his lifetime tribute to Reginald T urvey:
were few: o ne to the Durban gallery in 1928 'All his life Reg went on trusting people. He
a nd two to the National Gallery in Cape Town never lost integrity, and bitterness never
in 1964. Since his death all the majo r gall eries showed in his face . Sadness, yes. T hat a man, so
in South Africa have acquired his paintings. A persistent an artist and so honest a painter,
recent definitive history of art in So uth Africa should be neglected until the last chapter of his
devotes two full pages and two plates to him. life when his painting years were over, has been
The National Council for Human Sciences a sorrow to me . It is hard to wait sixty years for
Research , which publishes the Dictionary of the assurance from the informed and percep-
South African Biography, the South African tive that all those years of search were not
Who's Who, has since 1978 included a two- meaningless . It implies great modesty and
page su mm ary of his life. steadfast loyalty to an inner vocation.' 2
Turvey's pai ntin gs do not reflect the time in
' Owned by Phillip Hinton, Sydney, Australi a.
which he lived. A lthough he was fully aware of 2
Beyond East and West, Bernard Leach, Fabe r a nd Faber,
the problems of society he did not use them as Londo n and Boston, p. 291.
VERSE 639

II

VERSE
LINES FROM PERSIAN POETS

BY MARZIEH GAIL

From Nli#r-i-Khusraw I here appea l
Against both heart and eyes,
The mischief's thine , if I may have my say, For what the eye doth see
And o nl y terror hushes my lament. The heart doth prize.
Thou criest to the hunted deer, 'Away! ' Thus it seems good to me
T hen loosest the swift hound upo n his sce nt. To make a dagger with a tip of steel-
And why hast Thou-I ask it by T hy leave- And with it blind my eyes,
A woman's lips and teeth such bea uty lent? And set my sad hea rt free.
If Thou, 0 Lord, hadst no thing up Thy sleeve,
By fas hioning the Devil what was meant?

From Sana'{
Na~ ir was show ing
Of reaso n no sign; If to the foo l my lore you' d bring,
Straying and drunken Or think my secrets ca n be told
(Not like drinkers of wine)- To him who is not wise-
And he came to a graveya rd Then to th e deaf go harp and sing,
Beside a latrine, Or stand before th e blind and hold
And he shouted: 'Ye people A mirror to his eyes.
Who gaze on th is sce ne,
See the feasts of thi s wo rld ,
And the people th at dine!
Here: the feasts of this world,
Here: the gues ts come to dine!'
How can feeble reason encompass th e Qur'an,
Or the spi der snare a phoenix in his web?
Wouldst thou th at the mind should not entrap thee?
Teach it the science of the love of God!
From Shay!!J 'Abdu'lltih An$1iri

Ca nst thou on water walk, aga inst the law?
So can a straw.
Canst rise up in the air so high?
So ca n a fly . From Sa'di
If thou wouldst play a re al man's part ,
Subdue thy heart. It is all one, if it be a throne
Or the ba re gro und under the open sky,
Where the pure so ul lays him
Down to die.

From Babli 'rlihir The Gulistan, 'O n th e Conduct of Kings'

Let me quit this abode.
Let me rise, let me go
Past th e Antipode,
Past Indo-Chin a, where the ways extend ;
I do as bidden, and I bring the message,
And let me ask the pilgrims on the road:
Whether it give thee counsel or offense.
Is my way farther, or is this the end?
640 THE BAHA'I WOR LD

Tell us not th e ta le of Layli or of Majniin's 1 woe- Since God Himself is never to be see n,
Thy love hath made the world forget th e loves of lo ng These Messengers a re but His go-between.
ago . Nay-I misspoke,
When once T hy name was o n th e to ngue, the lovers For He Who's deputi zed
ca ught it Is one with Him th a t se nt Him ,
A nd it se t th e speakers and the hea rers danci ng to If we be we ll apprised.
and fro .

Our desert has no end, o ur heart no bed .
The sto ry of T hy bea uty reached the hermit' s de ll ; World with in wo rl d is with Form's image sea led;
Crazed , he so ught the Tavern whe re the win e they W hich of the im ages to us is wed?
buy and se ll . If on the road ye see a seve red head,
The love of T hee hath leve led dow n the fort o f Rolling alo ng its way to o ur wide fi e ld,
patience, Ask it, 0 ask it wh at we neve r sa id,
The pain of T hee hath firmly barred the ga te o f hope And hea r from it the secret we concealed .
as well.

T he fl ower-faced may sulk or pl ay th e flirt ,
From Jalti/u ' d-Di11 -i-R1imi The cruel fa ir may bridle and coquet;
But coyness in the ugly is ill- met ,
At one time , Baha' u' llah had written down an ode And pain in a blind eye's a double hurt.
of Riimf' s for him (Ustad Isma'fl) and had told him to T he Maf.hnavf, ! , 1906-7.
turn his face toward the Bab and sin g the wo rd s, set
to a melody: (See Memorials of the Faithful , by
'Abdu ' l-B ah:l , p. 29)

I a m lost, 0 Love, possessed and dazed ,
Thou, broth e r, art th y thought alone,
Love's foo l am I, in all the earth.
T he rest is only thew and bone.
T hey call me fi rst among the crazed,
A garde n close, if th at thought be a rose
Though I once came first fo r wit and worth .
But if it be a thorn , th e n o nl y fit to burn .
0 Love, who sellest me this win e,' The Maf.hnav{, If, 2:277
0 Love, for whom I burn and bleed,
Love, for whom I cry and pine-
Thou the Piper, I the reed.

If Thou wishest me to live ,
T hrough me blow Thy ho ly breath. The Sage of G hazna 3 to ld the mystic story
The touch of Jesus Thou wilt give To his vei led hearers, in an all egory :
To me , who 've lain an age in dea th. If those who err see naught in the Qur'an
But onl y words , it's not to wonder on;
Thou, both E nd and Origin , Of all the sun's fire , lighting up the sky
T hou without and Thou within- Only the wa rmth ca n reach a blind man' s eye.
Fro m eve ry eye Thou hidest well , The Ma!.!:J.navf, lll, 4229-3 1.
A nd ye t in every eye dost dwe ll.

' Literally, Majnun me ans ' insane'. T his is the title of the
In thy so ul of love build thou a fire
celebrated lover of ancient Persian and Arabian lore, A nd burn all thoughts a nd words entire .
whose beloved was Laylf, daughter of an Arabian prince.
Symbolizing true hum an love bordering on the divine, the
story has been made the theme of many Persian romantic
poems.
This wine, Rumi says elsewhere, comes from the ja r of If I speak fo rth , many a mind will shatter,
'Yea verily.' That is, it symbolizes the Primal Cove nant
established between God and man on the day of' Am I not
A nd if I wri te, many a pen will break
your Lord?' On that day, the Creator summoned posterity
out of the loins of Adam and said to the generati ons
unbo rn,' Am I not yo ur Lord?' Whereupon the y answe red,
'Yea, verily, Thou art .' Cf. Qur'an 7: 171. ' The poet Sana'i.
VERSE 641
From lftifii From Ttihirih

There'll be no end to lon ging till I find my hea rt' s If mine eyes co uld ever see T hee,
desire Light o n brow and lips a nd cheek,
E ither I'll win my ow n Heart's Life or lose my life I would te ll Thee of my yearn ingentire. Of Jove's lon ging I would speak .
But thi s I know , th ough I be dead, my body will burn
on:
Open my grave wh en I am gone From house to house, a nd door to door
And see my shroud on fire . Lonely as the wind I go,
Past every lane and every turning,
Ever do Thy prese nce seek .

To our King though we bow the knee ,
We are lo rds of the morning star. Neve r think it's tears I'm shedd in g
No changeable colors have we- Since our separation-no,
Red lions, black dragons we are! Like a raging river burnin g,
Lifeblood 's slippin g down my cheek.

Of Thy love my sad hea rt weaves
Come Jet us scatter these roses, My soul' s fabric , to a nd fr o.
Let us pour out this wine , Through the warp and we ft re turning ,
Let us split the roof of Heaven Shuttled strands thi s Jove bespeak.
And draw a new design.

Within her soul gazed Tahirih ,
The chambers of her hea rt to know;
How shall a curtain pa rt the lover and th e loved one? Through eve ry mem brane Thee discerning,
No t AJ"exander's wall ca n separate the m! No ne other in the wo rld co uld seek.

Notes on the poets

Nti$ir-i-Khusraw Babti Tahir
Na~ir-i-Khusraw was a celebrated poet , Baba Tahir, called ' Uryan (The Naked),
traveller and Isma'fli missionary. A native of saintly dialect poet of Hamadan , was a famed
Khurasan, he was born in 1003-04 and died in writer of quatrains . Little is known of his life
1088. He was called by his fellow-religionists but the name 'Uryan suggests that he was a
I:Jujjat (The Proof) . wandering dervish ; he apparently still
flourished in 1055-58. He is most famous for
Shayf0 'Abdu'lltih An$tiri his double distichs, exhibiting in melodious and
flowing language a sincerity and spirituality
Shaykh 'Abdu'llah An~arf of Harat was born
with profound philosophical overtones.
at Kuhandiz on 4 May 1005 and died on 8
March 1089. His biographers are una nimous in
Santi'i
praising his piety and the breadth of his knowledge in all branches of the religious sciences. Sana'f was the pen name of Abu'l-Majd
He expressed his devotion in the Munajat Majdud who was born circa 1050 in Ghaznf,
(prayers or supplications, highly stylize d a nd now a province of Afghanistan; he died in
epigrammatic) and other writings in saj' 1131. He is considered by some to be the
(rhymed prose) as well as in verse which are author of the first great mystical poem in the
considered to be among the masterpieces of Persian language and his verse has greatly
Persian literature . influenced Persian literature. As a young man
642 THE BAHA'I WORLD

he was poet at the court of the G haznavid and famo us of Persian lyric poets. His principal
sultans but at some point he underwent a verse form, one that he brought to a perfection
spiritual conversion a nd , abandoning the neve r achieved before, was the ghaza l, a lyric
court, re tired to pursue a contemplative life. poem of six to fifteen couplets linked by unit y
The Enclosed Garden of Truth, o ne of his best of subj ect and symbolism rather than by a logical
known works, is composed of 10,000 couplets sequence of ideas. His achievement was to give
in ten separa te section s. existing poetic convention s and motifs a fre shness and subtlety free fr o m ar tificial virtuosity.
Sa'di His poetry is above all characterized by love of
humanity, contempt for hypocrisy a nd med ioc-
Sa'df, a lso known as Mu~ li9u 'd -Dfn Sa'df,
rity, and an ability to unive rsalise eve ryday
was born in Shiraz circa 1213 and died in th at
experie nce and to relate it to the mystic's
city o n 9 December 1292. Foll owing the Monunending sea rch for union with God.
gol invasion of Persia he wandered abroad
through A nato lia, Syria , Egypt and ' Iraq . One
of the greatest figures in cl ass ical Persian litera-
Ttihirih
ture, the peculiar blend of human kindness a nd
cynicism, humour and resignation displayed in Tahirih, impass ioned follower of the Bab
his work make him, to many , the most typical and Baha'u' ll ah, was the daughter of a lea ding
and lovable writer in the world of Iranian cul- mujtahid of Qazvfn, and was ca lled by her
ture. mentor, Siyyid Ka'.?im , 'Solace of the Eyes'
(Qurratu' l-'Ayn). She was the o nl y woman
Rumi a mong the Bab's first d isciples, the Eighteen
Letters of the Living. Famed for her beauty ,
Jalalu'd-Dfn-i-Rumf lived much of his life in
poetic gifts and scho larship, she attracted many
Rum (Asia Mino r). Persia's greatest ~uff mysso uls to Persia's new Faith . A fearless advotic poet, his Ma!h_navf (rhymed couplets o n
cate of sex equality, she was put to deat h in
spiritual themes) has been called ' the Persian
Tihran at the age of thirty-six, a nd became the
Qur'an.' His spiritual director was the poet
first woman suffrage martyr (August 1852).
Shams-i-Tabrfzf ( d. 1246) in whose memory he
wrote so me 30,000 verses ex pressing deep love
for his master. Born at Balkh , in the autumn of
1207, Rumf died in 1273 and was buried at
Qonya.
Roger White

lfafii Sources: E.G. Browne, A Literary History of Persia, II , s.v.;
Encyclopaedia Britannica; £11cyc/opaedia of Islam; Nabfl-i-
Mu9ammad-S hams u' d-Dfn f:lafi'.? (born A'~am, The Daw11-Breakers; Shoghi Effendi , God Passes
1325-26, died 1389-90) , is the most eminent By .
VERSE 643
Farewell
(To 'Abdu ' l-Baha)
by Lua Getsinger'

Accompany me in this journey, 0 my Lord ,
that my impatie nt hea rt may not be shatt ered by sorrow.

I have le ft the wo rld fo r th e sake of Thy good-pleasure;
if Thou acce pteth my li fe as a sacrifice ,
it wi ll be my honour.

I tread this path by myself,
yet I yearn to be hold T hee a t my sid e .

In thi s world, th e rea lm of sin and the feast of so rrow,
I have no refuge save Thee.

0 faithful Friend, do not forsake me :
behold how my days pass in solitude!

In leaving Thee, I leave my hea rt and soul ;
Thou art my purpose a nd Thy re membrance is my so lace .

Thy Word has ever been the living water and the so urce of all mercy
fo r this bewildered hea rt of min e .

Do not stay afar fro m this se rvant of Thy Threshold.
This is my ple a ; fu lfi l it, 0 my Lord!

I am not deserving of Thy bestowals;
neve rtheless, I am T hy serva nt and Thou art my Lord.

Look Thou upon me with th e eyes of Thy mercy
and witness with compassion my waywardness a nd he lplessness.

Hear Thou with the ea rs of Thy favour, 0 my Lord,
this supplication, this imp lo ring of my morns a nd eves.

Thou art my refuge and my succo urer wherever I may go
In my solitude,
in my lo ne lin ess,
in my distress.
(Translation by Mahntiz Afititunt)

' Re-translated from the Persian of Dr. Yunis Khan. The
origin al English text is not available. See 'Abdu'l-Baht! by
H. M. Balyuzi, pp. 96-97 (passim); and Th e Flam e-The
Story of Lua by Willi am Sears and Robert Quigley; publications of George Ronald (Oxford).
644 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Le Signe de Dieu Toi qui attend s qu ' II te fasse sign e,
R ega rde ou le Soleil se leve
II etait un je une hom me II te fera le rencontrer
Qui parlait d'amour , de justice. Ce lui qui dit la Verite.
II etait beau, e t so n regard
Avait le feu qui brGle l'ame. Aux po rtes de la liberte
C'es t Lui qui brisera les chaines
Le signe de Dieu, disaient les uns, Qui te retiennent pri so nnier
II fa ut qu'il me ure, disaient les autres. De ton enfa nce , de ton passe.

C'etai t un beau jeune homme. Tourne les ye ux vers le Soleil
C'est a l'est qu' II se leve,
II ai mai t tant ses freres En E la m, com me ii es t dit
Qu'il partit leur donner Dans les Livres du Paradis.
La parole de Dieu
M. Lafaille (Belgium)
Quiles re ndra it he ureux.

Le Signe de Dieu, disaient les un s,
II fa ut qu' il meure , disaient les autres.

C'etait un beau jeune homme .

Partout sur so n passage De ge ns de toutes hum e urs
Jaillissaient !'amour et la hain e Se retrouve nt dans la no irceur
Mais Bab e tait un sage du contact et de la connaissance.
II co nnaissait deja sa peine Chacun venant du droit chemin,
le ur but devient la bienfaisance .
Le signe de Dieu, disaient les uns.
II faut qu ' il meure, disaient les autres. 2
Chercha nt a trouver la Verite
II accomplissa it son destin il s font reco urs a leur parole
D'eveiller le coeur des hommes puis, harmo nisan t leurs destins
A ux rayons de l'astre divin : ils developpent e nfin l'am itie.
C'e tait un beau je une ho mm e.
II allait dans la lumi ere La nuit devient jour,
Annoncer le jour no uvea u, la joie circule a uto ur.
II portait ha ut la banniere Chacun tend la main
Qui le conduisait au tom beau. remplie de Bonheur
puis le porte a un autre coeur.
Le signe de Dieu, disaient les uns ,
II faut qu'il meure, di sa ie nt les autres 4
Le so leil se !eve
Et les autres furent les plus forts, en ces nouvea ux visages
Mais les uns surent qu'a jamais puis, en ce nouvel in stant
II vivait pour l'ete rnite l' hive r cede pl ace a u printemps.
Dans le coeur de tous les hommes.
Pa1rick Gorman (Canada)
C'etait un beau jeune hom me .
M. Lafai//e (Belgium)

Tourne Jes yeux vers le Soleil
Devant moi
0 toi qui cherches et qui appelles repose ce visage
Toi qui as so if de Verite , jo uissa nt de toutes joies
Tourn e les yeux vers le Sole il formant ce fa me ux paysage.
Et va sans te retourner.
Laisse la po ussiere de ton vetement L' harm o nie de sa voix
Loin derriere toi , aux ignora nts, balladant au gre du vent
Tourne les ye ux vers le Soleil eclaire mon chez-moi
Sans te lasser va de !'avant. en cette approche du printemps.
VERSE 645

3 4
L'amitie par sa prese nce Le chagrin e n mes soupirs
le so urire de so n appa rence !ors de ses adie ux
stimul e mes pensees l'ecl at de ses ye ux
en ces moments si gais. e n form era mon so uve nir.
Patrick Gorman (Canada)

-La perso nn e hum a ine ve ut s'e panouir et e pano uir !es autres, ii
fa ut e n prendre soin et bien la traite r.

-L'a miti e des humains e n forme leurs epan o ui sse me nts.
A idons ceux dan s la misere et dan s la pa uvrete. Biitissons
un no uvea u mo nd e.

- Une pe rso nn e humain e est cent mill e fo is pl us bell e
qu ' un e rose. Si nous adorons Jes roses, pourqu oi
detruison s-nous la perso nne.
Pa1rick Gorman (Canada)

Bjc:elker I Br0dres 0jne 1 D e er det pureste so m find es,
fordi-
Der find es venskaber i verden ,
og hvilke venskabe r! De bygge r pi hj e rterne s frell es rytm e !
De bygge r pi hjerte rnes fre ll es rytme.
Kommer der kl udd er i rytmen, D e har sa mkl ang i e t alto mfatte nd e mi\!!
si h -- !
De bygger pi kre rli ghede n!
Der find es venskaber i partier,
og hvil ke venska ber! Men st0rst af alt-
De har sa mkl ang i et mi\!. sa mmen ren ses og vederkvreges vi
V i ska! vinde vor kamp! i Baha' u' ll ah s Ords Ocean .

Men ni\r kampen er vunde t Men, besm ittes dette va nd
eller mi\ske-tabt, af stoltheden s, se lvretfrerdighedens og egoe ts
sa h - - ! gift ,
si h- - s i smertes Den Ve lsignede Sk0nne
Der findes venskaber i familier , og Hans Sag forb l0der
og hvilke venskaber' mens vi med balsam i hand uvirksomme se r pi .
De bygge r pi krerlighed,
men dens vresen er fl yg tigt D er find es et ve nskab i ve rdne rn e,
og beh0ver en omsorgsfuld plej e. og hvilket venskab!
Hvis plej en ogsi e r flygti g,
si h- - ! 'A bdu ' l- Bahas!

Der finde s ve nskaber i verden , E r du svigtet, forri\dt og si re t?
og hvilke venska ber! H ans e kse mpe l e r G uds he lbredende kraft.
'Reprinted from Baha'i Nyhedsbrev, No. 12, Nov. 1978. Steffen Rasmussen, Denma rk
646 T H E B AHA'I W ORLD

E in er ka n e ii mare da nza
de n e ure Blicke di ora in o ra .
ni cht sa he n E l' uomo?
in de r Dii rnrne rung L' uomo ti ignora!
des erste n T ages
Maria Cervoni (Ita ly)
E R kam
vo n nirge ndwo
un d imm e r
un d ga b e uch
se in e Wo rte Le hera ut
in die H and
G loire et maj este ,
Spate r gin ger Gra nde ur et Saintete,
wisse nd Te l es t le Hera ut de !'E re No uve ll e,
um Ye rstand ni s Te l es t not re Heraut so lennel.
manche r
Gra nde ur in comparable,
I h r muBt je tzt Co ura ge inl assa ble,
T el es t le He raut de !'E re No uve ll e ,
e rh ebe n e ure Te l est notre Hera ut so le nn el.
Stimm e n
und ii ffn e n Ou est sa grande ur?
di e Fa uste Ou est sa gloire?
e ure r He rze n Pa rmi no us po ur vo ir
E t dans un coin d u coe ur.
Gerald Jatzek, Ger111 a11y
Precurse ur de la Fo i Baha' fe,
Ma rtyre des ire po ur le Pro rnis,
Porte de la Bon ne No uve ll e,
Votre Gra nde ur est imm orte ll e .
So rinnt d ie Ze it
den Stro m hinab. Chiraz, vill e Be nie pa r Sa naissa nce,
De r Que ll ist we it Tab riz, vill e Be ni e pa r So n ma rtyre ,
und na h das G ra b, T o ut !' Ira n e n souffrance
doch nahe r E r, de r all es len kt Fut sa uve q uand ii vin t dire:
und in un s lebt und liebt un d de nkt.
Je suis le Precurseur, ecoutez-moi,
Das ist de r Sinn Priez Dieu et ayez Jo i.
de r E rde nze it: Q ue de so uffra nce ap res Sa declara tio n,
vo n T ra umbeginn E t to ut !'Ira n fut e n revo lution.
zu E wigke it.
Ei n A te mzug vo ll Leid un d G liick Ses pas on t ben i !' Iran,
- und so d urch Ihn zu Ihm zuriick. Que de baise rs do nn ere nt,
Q ue de ple urs verse re nt
Ein A temzug Les Lettres d u Yiva nt.
allhie r zu zwe in
zugleich de r Flug Que l martyre ! Q ue l malhe ur !
zu ne ue m Sein . Que ll e actio n sa ns honn eur !
Was hier sich e int in Geist und Ta t, A rretez m a/h eureux, arretez,
bl eibt ewig eins, mein Ka mera d . Ne tirez pas sans penser.
Adelbert Muh/sch legel, Greece
Le pe upl e parl ait avec e mphase.
Q ui osa it pro nonce r cette ph rase?
Qui po uvait murmure r cette pe nsee?
Aucun n'avait de liberte,
II canto degli inconsape voli Personn e ne po uva it a rre ter
Les ball es de Tabriz
La te rra dice de ll a Sans e tre prise.
tu a es iste nza Pe rsonne ne po uva it ge mir
ii sol e spl e nde Deva nt un di sciple martyrise.
la tu a luce d'o ro
T o us all aie nt mo urir.
le stelle cantan
tutte in a rmonia Mahboubeh Hielscher- Ma her (Switzerland)
VERSE 647
Epopee tragique du XIXe siecl e This stately temple, rightl y held
In hi gh esteem
( extrait) By all of those who come to view
The tranquil scene-
II quitta Baghdad, la vi lle merve ill e
U nto uch ecl by cares with which the ea rth abo unds--
qui vit l'aurored u num e n ce lestial
s'o uvrir sur le Temps des te mps,
Is cleclicatecl to a Ca use,
de no uvea u l'ex il du Ross ignol e n fl a mm es
A heave nl y sc he me
a pein e a vait-il com me nce a e nto nn e r To bring mankind into one Faith,
o h! l' extraorcl in aire Me lodie Divin e,
Wh e re reigns supreme
(parclonne Parole e nchanteresse que Son no m
T he Lord of a ll , and King of wo rld s re nowned.
mu sica l tu ne peux transcrire ,
a uc un e cith are ni de Rumi) ni de l:lafiz Adrienne Morgan (Chad)
jamais ne reussiront la note in concevab le!)) ))
et le Cent re du moncle se mit en marche
de par le de sert, la caravane , sur le C heva l blanc,
de par les montagnes turquoises . The Sfyah-Chal
que de pleurs derriere quelle clouleur le moncle
le Tigre e nfa nt a ce clesastre et le cri 0 dreaded place! Shame a nd ignominy be th y lot!
les roses fani: re nt parfum clechu pour toujours The cries of anguished me n have filled thine ears;
(Hommes hommes vo us comprenclrez plu s ta rcl , Their curses burned th y na me in dying te a rs
retenez: la Sa inte Beaule Be ni e Universelle On Hi story's shi eld-a blood-sca rred spot!
passa si pres, sur ces rives , si pres e t par la !)
Pa rmi les dunes clorees se parse mere nt les pas Th y filth y walls a nd fet id brea th ,
de Gloire cl'ou revo lutionnaient les siecles des siecles Kn ew not th e G lo ry in their mid st ;
terre consacree espace eternise temps imm o rta li se ! Thou didst no t see th e heave nly gleam
Jean -Christophe Casu (Zai're) Shine through thy stygia n mi st;
Nor did th e chai n and co ll ar rud e
Restrain Hi s glory midst thy brood.

Vision' Those chain s stayed not the mighty flood
Of truth which filled that dungeon hold ,
Are yo u then one to whom I dare relate As men hea rd no t from Ca lvary's Cross
The grea t white dreams that beat upon my sig ht ? The sacred love fo retold!
Have yo u been lifted high above the night But by Hi s Self a nd by His Pen
With its dim sta rs, to the fair shinin g gate Has He regained the hea rts of me n.
Of dawn; beheld the sombre face of Fate
In its ete rnal beauty ; and been free 0 ha teful pl ace ! Shame a nd de feat shall be thy lot!
From the world's long hea rtache a nd its misery Whi le joyous sounds shall Ca rm el raise!
Of fear , despair, of weari ness, a nd hate? Kings bow clown a nd cha nt He r Pra ise,
You a nswer not, a nd all unheed ing go And Victory wipe away th y blo t.
Along the highway. I may neve r know
Eric S. C Bowes (Australia)
If yo u have rid den o n the wings of light-
But as yo u pass, yo ur face is very bright,
As if, in th e clear mirrors of yo ur eyes
Were caug ht so me straying gleams of paradise.
I saw ideal beauty o nce.
Garrern H. Busey (U.S.A.) You didn't have to paste it toge the r
From gnarled trees a nd nimbu s ski es
Forged out of im age and mood .
African Temple Nature is wi ld a nd untuto red
And deli vers secrets of the d ivin e
Set hi gh upo n Kikaaya Hill In variant degrees of perfection
You'll find a queen;
H er sk irts adorned with diverse flowers, On ly this was perfect.
H e r crow n of green As blue as you could have wished,
Is visible for many miles around. As many co lo ured and irriclescent
As yo u had a right to ex pect.
The beauty of her grace a nd fo rm , Id ea l because the Spirit of God
The luminous sheen Breathed into th e mind
Of moo nligh t shining on her head Of one who knew th e bea uty of the Ages,
Is lik e a clream- And he bodied beauty forth ,
A sacred vision hallowing the gro und . Pure and restrained,
Ca lm a nd a t peace, balm to the eye
Reprinted from Star of the West , vol. 13, No. 7, Oct. 1922 . And bo unteous help to th e half-beli eving heart,
648 THE BAHA'i WORLD

Say ing: ' You asked for a proo f: T ha t groa nin g. Man with hi s bell y slashed,
Here is Bea ut y, aro un d it two-timin g love r. Dying?
T he still g rea t ocean Truth - The nightnurse ru st les by.
Blessed are th ose who never co me St rugg les in th e pit. I have come back
But st ill be li eve .' to te ll th ee of strugg les in the pit.
Pe rhaps is dy in g.
C eofji"ey P. Nash (Unit ed Kingdom)
Free o f pain , my ow n dea th st ill
a theo re m to be proved.
A ll {t h' u' Ab ha. 0 Hea ling Spirit,
Thy nea rn ess o ur fo rgivi ng cure.
Too lo ng have I as ked
Th e me rcha nt of ru bies Robert Ha y den (U.S.A.)
About the price of stra w,
With my eyes a bout my feet so lo ng
And the stubbl e brea kin g my sa ndal.
There is no law
Aga in st wa iting a t th e blu e a rchway The Year of the Child 1
A nd ask in g all I wish. (for my g ran dso n)
I will pri ce the pale ruby
A nd th e red , a nd more-fo r He who kn ows And you have come,
This subtl e sto ne will know Michael A hman , to share
T he leap of ligh t in o th e rs, yo ur life with us.
T heir sizes, se ttings, circlets, We have give n you
New-fashi oned a nd o ld; a n a rcha ngel' s name-
T heir st udded Ma li faces , a nd a great poet ' s;
Yemen ite-gold ; we ho nor too
Co ld -ivo ri ed inl ay; tu ske d ebo ny, Abyss ini a n A hm a n,
Sandal-sweet linin gs for t he se nses; hero of peace .
Di a mo nd-brow for testi ng true detac hm e nt;
Vei n- pear led purity. He knows it. May these na mes
Such a me rcha nt knows we ll be tali sma ns;
The price of straw, feath e rs, May th ey invoke divine
T hin gs that fa ll easil y to ea rth , magic to protect
A ll birth s, th e costs of livin g, yo u, as we cannot,
T he tas te of the sweet cup take n from our lips , in a world that is
T he cost of givi ng of a ruby, no place for a child-
And the cost of givin g
a Book of Law. tha t had no shelter
for th e childre n in Guyana
Audrie R eynolds (U11alak/ee1, Alaska) slain by hands
th ey trusted ; no succo r
fo r th e Biafran
child with swollen bell y
The Broken D ark 1 a nd empty beggi ng-bow l;
no refuge for the child
Sleep less, I sta re of th e Warsaw ghe tto.
from th e dark hosp ital roo m
at shadow s of a flo we r a nd its leaves Wh a t we yea rn ed
t he ni ghtlight fixe s like a blotto but were powerless to do
o n th e corr idor wall. Shadow-plays for t hem, o h we
of Bali -demo ns move to th e left , will dare, Mich ael, for yo u,
gods , in their fr ang ipan i crow ns knowing o ur need
and go ld, to t he ri ght. of unea rn ed increments
Ah and my life of grace.
in th e shadow of God 's laser lightshadow of deformed ho mun culus? I look into yo ur
A foo l's e rrand give n by foo ls. brilliant eyes, whose gaze
So n, go fe tch a pint of pi geo n's milk re news, transforms
fro m t he drugstore a nd be qui ck. each common thing, a nd hope
De mon s o n the left. Death o n e ithe r side, that inner vision
the Rabbi sa id , the way of li fe be twee n. will inte ns,ify
their see ing. I a m
' The Broke n Dark' is reprinted from Angle of Ascent, New
and Selected Poe ms, by Ro be rt Hayde n, with th e pe rmis- Reprinted from World Order , Vol. 13, No. 4, Spring 1979.
sion of Live ri ght Publishing Corpo rati o n. Copyri ght © Copyright © 1980 by the National Spiritual Asse mb ly of
1975 , 1972 , 1970, 1966, by Robert Hayde n. th e Baha'fs of the Un ited Sta tes.
VERSE 649
co nte nt mea nwhil e to have Now he, ret urnin g after many yea rs
yo u gla nce at me sta nds o n t he massive sto nes
so metimes , as t ho ugh , if yo u with pale mist sw irling
co uld ta lk, yo u'd le t a nd so unds o f the no rth ern ri ver
us in o n a subtle joke. co ntinu o usly fa lling
in the pu re a ir,
May Huck a nd J im cries o ut t he Na me he'd new ly learned,
a tte nd yo u. May yo u wa lk Baha'u'//ah' Baha'u'llah!
with bea uty befo re yo u, hea ri ng his echoi ng voice
bea uty be hind yo u, all repeated in the deep rav in e,
aro un d yo u a nd Baha'u'llah-
Th e Most G reat Bea uty kee p Baha 'u'llah .
you Hi s co nce rn.
Larry Rawdon (Canada)
Robert Hayden ( U.S.A.) No . 5 in th e seri es, 'Ot he r Fa ces.'

The Coven ant- Keepers
(A Vespe r Song) SONG CYCLE
W he n all is go ne but a n awesome light
Th a t shows th e sun was he re,
Wh o li ghts th e la nte rn s in th e night
By o ur very li ving , we praise
To wa rd away th e fea r?
Yo ur ha ndiwo rk , a nd circl e
Who chase d th e fire whil e the timi d hid
In Yo ur da nce,
A nd wished th e wa rmth was go ne?
To eyes acc ursed with heavy lids
For at Yo ur be hest bu ds pa rt
The e mbers te ll of daw n.
T heir in fa nt fi sts, trees surge th ro ugh
R. Gregory Shaw (Puerto Rico ) The fou ntaini ng earth a nd res t;

D oves nest cl ose
A nd fl ed glin gs gape with confi de nce;
Ninth Morning Ski n sli des, fur hack ling

It was th e ni nt h mo rnin g Ove r sho ulde r- blade ,
sin ce he'd le ft th e city, Mu scl es co ntract a nd stre tch,
each day rea li zing U nthinking skill places each step;
th e re was so me thin g
mo re th a n ge ntle As blood o r d ust we cha nt a desca nt
in th e sple nd o rous bea uty To Yo ur so ng, and wit h eve ry ca ress of created
of a dyin g a utu mn , things
dying so pea cefull y, P raye r to uches praye r, by blessin g, blessed.
so gracefull y
in a natural way, ii
decayi ng a nd resto ri ng
wh at was tak en fr o m th e ea rth - In spite o f ev id e nce
for a utumn seldo m ca me to city slum s. Jn crea ti on ma ni fes t
Wo ke the n to th e cold cl ean mo rning I have fo rgo tte n Yo ur re me mb ra nce
with fros t a mong the seed ing grasses ,
lit no fire, having fas ted A nd have no remedy.
a ll the previo us day , Becalm ed , how can I move,
le ft his pack against th e logs A nd seek a wind to save me?
wa lkin g uphill all th e way
alon g th e ri sing go rge Th e n J must
to greet th e loo ming sun . Risk a te mpest
W hich wo uld whip the sea
The re was a tim e when he was yo un g
his fa th e r's fa the r stoo d u po n the rocks U ntil , e nrage d, rending my sa il s, it swa llows
a bove th e plunging fa ll s, Me , a nd spues me fro m it s mo uth . More to ngue less
called to the Spirit God fo r help. T han sto nes , my th roat so thirsty
His peo pl e, t rave lling far
had always k nown this pl ace I ca nn o t ask for d rin k, I am a wil de rn ess
as o ne of peace and na med it A nd need Yo ur cry in me, lest I perish
in the ir C ree, 'The point of dawn'. In th e midst of prayer, un bles t!
650 THE BAHA'f WORLD

iii Thoughts on seeing a vision of
'Abdu'l-Baha'
So, beat agai nst faithlessness,
Die in a tantrum Beyond the consciousness of dreams, I slept,
As a fly against a windowpane A human body, coffined by fatigue,
Away from heartbeat, and the circling blood,
Beats without perceiving. Deeply alone with myself, and yet I went beyond
A foetus, fo lded The touch of friendly hands,
Pink and privat.e in the womb And saw no mortal face.
But as I stretched to wake
Dares more upheaval, it was as though
Breaks forth like Jonah My who le self breathed ce lestia l verities.
To embrace the sea- I found no depth that was not deeper sti ll,
No height that could be ca ll ed the peak of time,
I'll sunder fears No width that was not wider than the wide.
Spread sails, quickening, Where had I drifted in the where of space?
To grasp the hem of Your robe- Whose love had brought me certainty again?
Through the tight wrapp ings of the days' swift pass-
Your power's manifest, so's my deserving. Then crystal clear-I kn ew!
I'll trust Your mercy, then, My Lord had seen my need-no ch iding word!
And, as I trust, be blessed. The total love of Baha' u' llah for all the world!
Shirin Podger (Ausrralia) He took-and shared with me.
For one bright flash , unknowingly , yet known
I had ascended with Him into Light.
Florence Altass (United Kingdom)
Best Provision
I will take the Master with me where I go,
Robed a nd sweet and shining.
I will go where He bids me go
And wear a silver lining. Divine Alchemy

I will ta ke the Master with me where I go May we be willing to receive
And love where hatred's burning. His Spirit's chastening fire ,
I will let His loving flow Exalting, quickening all within
And kindle holy yearn in g. To spiritua l desire.

I will take the Master with me where I go The mind's great wealth of attributes
And go where He bids me go. In His alembic cast
That they , refined and pure, may know
I will take the Master with me where I go True lowlin ess at last.
And go with armies marching
To where the blood runs thick and slow, The heart's emotions must pass through
And kindle holy sea rching. God 's crucible within
Ti ll they emerge as burnished go ld
I will take the Master with me where I go, Through love' s own discipline.
Stern and sweet and daring,
And learn what He bids me know Yet such distilled quintessence needs
Of my brothers' saddened faring. Re-transmutation still
That we, thus willing and empowered
I will take the Master with me where I go May do His holy will .
And go where He bids me go. Florence Altass (United Kingdom)

I will take the Master with me where I go
For I have no way of seeing
And I have no way to know
Without my Master's Being.
' Miss A ltass met' Abdu' l-B aha in Edinburgh in 1913. Writ-
I will take the Master with me where I go ing of this in 1978 she said, 'I felt so unworthy and could
And go where He bids me go. never reach the heights expected of me as a Baha'i. The
gentle voice of ' Abdu'l-Baha still rings in my ears and His
To His love I am fleeing. lovely blues eyes have followed me all my long life- now in
my 95th year. Pardon this reference to myself-it is not to
Bret Breneman (Japan) my credit!'
VERSE 651

La Huerta, Cochimi Indian Village 1 An Irish Air2
with the gent le 'Twas not some woman's yellow hair
face of love Did carefree hea rts of lads impair
yo ur land receives us, As she might ease were they to kiss.
lays a path A Beauty passed exceed ing this.
beneath its tender ski n
to ca tch our steps in, 'Twas not the envy of a lass
draws our breath Which drew each woman from her glass
into its coo l swee t air To test her worth by suitor's whim .
and washes o ut A Lover passed. They fo llowed Him.
the sy ll ables of self
then gives it back 'Twas not a young girl's la ughing ai r
into o ur mouths Which stopped the husb and on the stair
to utter marvels: To curse time's theft a nd death's rank haste.
you are the orchard A Cup was passed . He pa used to taste.
of the joy of God,
your blossoms 'Twas not swords glinting in the sun
are the fragrant signs Which mad dened every mother's son
and your fruit is fi ll ed To prove the valorous blood e ngaged.
with the treasured wi ne, They looked within where Battle raged.
th e praise of ancient psalms
sp rings from you r crystal tongue 'Twas not a minstrel's tinkling air
fresh and bold Which called the childre n from the fa ir
as the kiss of dawn . To caper gleefull y in the street
That Life and Song should be so sweet.
Ken Haley (Mexico)
'Twas not spring's leaf-sce nt on the breeze
Which drew the o ld priest from his knees
To wonder Whose light footfa ll brings
Prayer is a globe of light Such glad renewal to all things.
in the night.
Praise be to God! He is Through the half-light, tow ards the Dawn,
my moment, and my love. Whose gleam ing sandal leads us on?
'Twas not some woman's ye llow hair
Daniel Augur Reed (aged 5)
Did lilting Irish hearts ensnare!
St. John's, Antigua
Roger White

Pilgrim Song
Swift would I be, Lord, swift; on dancing feet
Hastening would come, if ca lled , nor brook delay ,
Gleefully come-tho ugh lone the perilous way
And stern and starless- still would my step be fl eet;
And singi ng would come a nd , with song, entreat
Angels to cha rt my path. Though Thou might slay
Me, still would I come a nd rejoicing stay
Quick or faint or slain at T hy welcoming feet.
Gifts would I bring-choice, my gifts, and ma ny-
Laden with gifts, and laughing, would I come;
Or pauperized come-ha nds cupped, bereft of any
But hoarded hot tears- to stand befo re Thee, dum b.
Swift would I be, Lord, if Thou wouldst but call-
My aim, my hope, my home, my love, my all.
Roger White

The poem pays tribute to the Hand of the Cause George
' One of the indigenous Local Spiritual Asse mblies in Mex- Townshend who at the invitation of Shoghi Effendi gave
ico, located forty-five miles northeast of E nsenada. The God Passes By its title. Some will recognize the salute to
name means 'orchard'. two lines from 'September 1913' by W. B. Yeats.
652 THE BAHA ' i WORLD

No
The incidem described occurred in 1979 when a hostile
mob entered the hom e of an old shepherd and his wife,
Bahti'{s of a small village in iron , demanding under
threat of dea th by fire that they reca111 their fa i1h.
Th e poem is based on lhe husband's reply which
turned th e mob away. On 19 May 1980 the old
sheph erd was found dead, having been s/Oned lo
dea th while len ding his flock . To reveal th e names
al this lime m ight further endanger lives.

Yo u may have o ur li ves. It is no grea t feat
To slay us, we are simpl y fl es h and bone .
He re is my wife, my ch ild re n, our home ;
He re too the kind lin g, there the ready fl a me.
With yo ur contempt to fee d and fan the heat
We wi ll qu ickly fall to ash a nd o ur name
Soon va nish from the vi ll age . But to buy brea th
With de ni a l wou ld be shabbie r death.
Strike th e match, then , if th at is your desire.
What sha ll we fear who know Undy in g Fi re?

II
Make room in so me slim volume
for his rustic wo rd s which
unlik e the po litici an' s pious ex ho rtations
did not grace
the hea dlines of o ur tabloid day.
No: it is litt le e no ugh to say
but literature a nd legends will grow
from thi s and our true , o ur o th e r history
give it pl ace.
Salute th e mystery:
his No-e mpowe red to d is maydi sso lves o ur rese rvations
to rese rve us heave n,
survives to e rase
the impude nt smirk fr o m Dea th 's
irre leva nt face.
Roger Whit e
TABLET OF
'ABDU'L - BAHA
Selections from the writings of 'Abdu 'I - Baha, no. 52
NORWAY Lasse T horesen
J = MM. ~ 50
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0 ser-vant of the One True God! The Lord be praised, the loved ones of

God are fo u nd in e - ve-ry land, and are, o ne and all, neath the sha-dow

of the Tree of Life and un - der the pro- tec-tion of His good pro-vidence.

His care and lov -ing kind-ness surge e - ven as the e- t er-nal

bi! - lows of the sea, and His ble - ssings are con - tin - u - al - ly show -ered

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from His e - ter - nal King - dom. Ours shdu ld be the pray-er that His

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bles-sings may be vouch - safed in still grea - ter a - bund-ance and ours
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One of the great-est of these means is the spi- rit of true fel-low-ship and loving com-

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IF IT BE THY PLEASURE Prayers and Meditations of Bahii'u'll!ih

UNITED STATES Abe Tobis

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SOME DAY
Music by Yrjo Mikkonen
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FINLAND Teilhard de Chardin
© Editions du Seuil

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FLOWERS OF THE GARDEN
Submitted to UNICEF by the Baha'i International Community, this song
was included in the UNICEF Universal Children's Day kit for 1977
UNITED ST ATES Mrs. Jerald Day

We are the flow - ers one gar - den , Bright as the mom - ing,

dawn. Love - ly in diff - ' ren - ces, ar - ied in Jove - li - ness.

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2. I am a black rose, dark, exotic, 5. I am a white rose, gleaming, shilling,
Poignant in beauty, fragrant as Sparkling like snow on the
the night. mountainside,
God has entrusted me with joy and Restless as whitecaps flun g by
mystery. the ocean's breeze.
We are the flowers of humanity . We are the flo wers of humanity.
(All together)
6. Brown is my color, rich and glowing,
3. I am a red rose, sweet and lovely , FuII of the warmth of God's sweet Jove,
Gay as a bird on a bright summer day, Heir to all nations, grandeur my
Singing the song of God, where'er I destiny.
wander. We are the flowers of humanity.
We are the flowers of humanity.
7. We are the flowers of God's gard en
4. My color's golden, bright as sunshine Bright as the morning, fresh as
Gilding the ocean and the morning sky, the daw n,
Soft as a summer mist, sweet in Lovely in differences, varied in
the valley. loveliness.
We are the flowers of humanity. We are the flowers of humanity.
BAHA 'U 'LLAH
UNITED STATES Russell Garcia

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