The Baha'i World: Volume 17 (1976-1979) ======================================= Exported from Holy-Writings.com on 2026-06-18 1 clipping 1. 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. ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 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 ~ ~ 0-0 -s::s v:i ;< :<::"' h ~ "' ~ E "' \..) >:: "i::! >:: ....J ....>:: .s::"' t'. :<:: ~ "'.... (.) -s"' .s -s· ~ ~- '<::: .s:: <::s ~ -s"-.,"' >:: <::s ' 'ij .... <::s ::s (.) 'ij- ' ~>:: kl ~ 0-0 .s:: v:i "-., "' ~ <.J c:.. 0-0 .so:; "'.... ~"' 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:: :; z > r "'c:: : :r: » > (') ..., - < j tTl "' 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